A/N Goodness me - 150 follows - I am just overwhelmed! You wonderful, kind, generous people.

Thank you all, so, so much. I really do appreciate the kind people giving their time to read. I think I will be wrapping this story up in the next chapter. I will begin a new entry in this series that will begin with the arrival in Arendelle. I know some of you are concerned with, shall we say, questionable parenting choices, made by Elsa's parents, turning up in my story. Without spoiling what I have planned, let me say, Anna hasn't been born yet, so Gerda and Alvar aren't living in fear of Elsa injuring her sister.

Hmmm - if I asked you to trust me - would you roll about the floor laughing at the idea?

Anyways, - I hope you like this chapter.

Chapter 23: A Life Lesson with Peas

The boys' progress to the tack room was quite slow, as Jib was excitedly and thoroughly distracted trying to sniff everything. When her nose wasn't buried in something, she was trying to run after everything that moved. Eventually they got her attention long enough to bundle her inside. Killian found her a leather scrap and she was soon fully occupied chewing it to pieces. The boys collected two rags and a pot of leather oil and sat down on the bench to work on the leashes. Fate had smiled on them and they had the room all to themselves. Killian worked the oil into Jib's leash and was rewarded with the leather taking on a mellow honeyed glow.

"You really did do an excellent job with these," Liam complimented, closely examining Leo's leash. "Pity I can't say the same about your form of last night. What were you thinking letting the Princess get herself into such danger?"

Killian winced. He'd known this dressing down was coming. "Emma is, well, she is . . . ," He paused and thought about Emma's big hazel eyes and the little crease she got between her brows when she was focused. "Very difficult to refuse."

"You're older and you know how dangerous the world is. You should have known better than to allow her outside at such an hour without a guard," Liam said.

"It's not my place to say what Emma can and can't do. She's a princess," Killian reminded his brother.

"She's a little girl," Liam countered.

"She's royalty and she was determined to get her wish from the fairies," Killian explained. "Emma wants a little brother so badly."

"If she ever gets one, perhaps she'll find out just how worrying it can be when they nearly get themselves killed," Liam said. He ran one hand through his hair as he shook his head. "You had to know I wouldn't have approved you being out there. Just because I wasn't here was no excuse for you to run wild."

"I'm sorry, Liam. I didn't think I'd be allowed to stop Emma, and wouldn't it have been bad form to have let her go alone?" Killian scratched behind his right ear. In the cold light of day it was much easier to see he should have at least gone to Johanna or Snow.

"No, you couldn't have left her to go alone. It's clear that given the trouble she's gotten into in such a small span of days, she needs close watching," Liam paused, and fixed his brother with narrowed eyes. "Or is that the problem? You're so bedazzled by her that it gets in the way of your usual good sense."

Killian looked down at his hands and blushed furiously as he bit his lip. He offered no defense. If he tried to put into words how he felt when Emma smiled at him, Liam would tease him mercilessly.

"I also want to do all I can to assist the King and Queen. They have been so kindly accepting of us. I know that it's easy to have your head turned by the Princess so quickly giving you her friendship. The Jones brothers friends with royalty? Who would ever have thought it possible? When I think where we were just six days ago . . . it's all very different and confusing. But I need you to still have a care for your own safety, as well as Emma's. I know you were only saved by Emma's magic," Liam whispered, to ensure no-one heard. "You can't wander about risking your life and expecting her to save you."

"I know that. I do, Liam," Killian assured his brother, earnestly. "And Snow told us we couldn't go out like that, again."

"There you go, then. Queen trumps Princess. You obey the Queen, or it's treason and she might lop off your head," Liam said, smirking.

"Snow would never do such a thing!" Killian retorted, eyes wide in horror at the suggestion.

"Well, don't do anything that means you have to find out if she would," Liam said, with no trace of teasing in his tone.

Killian nodded vigorously. "Yes, Liam. I promise."

Liam fixed his little brother with the raised 'Jones eyebrow'. "I mean it, Killian. However much Emma has turned your head, don't turn it away from good form, again." He watched as Killian fought the urge to snark back, but his brother clearly realised it was best to keep quiet.

Still, he did believe Killian was genuinely regretful and Liam decided there was no need to belabour the point any further.

"Alright, what are we going to give Emma for her birthday? What kind of things do little girls want?" Liam asked. "I know she wants a little brother but that's a bit beyond us."

"I did have an idea. It's something we can make together," Killian said. He was relieved Liam had finished his lecture.

"Let's hear it then, little brother."

With exaggerated care, Killian leaned in and whispered his suggestion to Liam; he didn't want anyone to steal his idea.

"That's brilliant!" Liam exclaimed. He patted Killian on the back. "Very fitting. We could manage that."

"Can you draw it first? So we can work out how to put it together. Or what's in my head might not come out right," Killian said. He wanted it to be absolutely perfect for Emma.

"I think that's a good plan. We'll find most of it right here. Let's finish the leashes and then gather a few things now. Then head up to our quarters and draw it up." Liam suggested. "Glad to know some of your good sense remains."

"Do you think we might be able to starting making it tonight. I want to be sure it's finished in time. We only have four and half days." Killian finished off oiling Jib's leash and held it up to the light to admire the sheen.

"Don't worry, Emma will have her gift," Liam assured his anxious brother. "Have I ever broken a promise I made to you?"

Killian smiled warmly at his brother. There was no need to voice an answer.

Once they were back in their chambers, they laid out the makings of Emma's present they'd manage to acquire and began the process of designing. Liam took out a sheet of parchment and a charcoal stick. He cast his gaze to Killian, who hovered over his left shoulder ready to describe his ideas in more detail.

"There is one other thing I need to tell you," Liam warned his brother. "The King and Queen are intending to travel to Arendelle. They hope to find some guidance in the best way to manage Emma's magic."

Killian felt his stomach dropped in disappointment. "They're taking Emma away, aren't they?" Suddenly, the days ahead seemed very gloomy. He didn't like the idea of not seeing her bright smile and sunshine hair every day. "When are they going? Will I . . . um . . . we, even get to see her on her birthday?"

"Calm down, Killian. Yes, you will see her on her birthday. We aren't leaving until the day after," Liam said, then realised his mistake as his brother's expression turned to one of devastation.

"You're going, too? What do I do here all alone? Liam, going to Arendelle will take days! I can't be alone that long! Is this punishment for the chickens? Is it because I -," Killian had worked himself into a state, and tears were threatening to spill when Liam held up his hand to stop his brother before he had a full on panic attack.

"No, no, Killian, listen! You're coming, too. Alright? I was trying to break it to you carefully, but I mucked it up. There may come a day when I must leave you for more than just the one night, since I am the King's squire, but not this trip. But it means going on a ship, again. Arendelle is fastest reached by sea. I was worried that you would not be alright being on the ocean again, so soon. Do you think you'll manage?" Liam asked. He dropped the charcoal and turned to place his hands on Killian's shoulders and searched his brother's eyes for any sign of impending panic.

Killian didn't answer immediately. The tightness in his chest at the thought of being left behind, of being separated from Liam and Emma, eased up and he took a deep breath. "I can do it. I can manage it, as long as I have you and Emma with me," he affirmed, nodding to himself.

Liam was a smidgen jealous that his little brother felt he also needed Emma to help steady him on the ship. He realised that it must be the soul mate bond working away in the background.

The one his brother knew nothing about, as yet.

As uncomfortable as Liam was with all this soul mate business, he did understand that neither Killian nor Emma could be faulted for it. But he wasn't going to bring up the subject, either.

Oh yes, it would be a very cold day in that underworld place before Liam Jones willingly dealt with any mushy love stuff! He was leaving that one to Snow when she judged the time was right.

"Alright, then, let's get on," Liam said, and turned back to the parchment. By the time they were summoned for dinner, they'd finished their design and had started on the framework.

At dinner, Killian observed that things seemed a little strained between the King and Queen. In fact, when Emma called Leo over to give him a piece of her roast beef, Killian saw Snow actually shoot David a look that could have melted metal. David shifted in his chair and covered his mouth to give a nervous cough, but from his angle Killian could see the King was smirking. Liam had obviously witnessed the same thing as he nudged his brother in the shin and looked pointedly at Killian's plate. Taking the hint, Killian applied himself to his meal.

"Mama and me practiced archery today. I nearly hit the bullseye," Emma announced, proudly.

"You did. Just think how good you'll be if you practiced more often," Snow said.

Emma smiled before going back to her plate. She wasn't overly impressed to see peas staring up at her. At first she thought 'Emma the Spy' was going to have to make an appearance and find a sneaky way to get rid of the offending vegetables but she couldn't help but notice that Killian was scoffing all of his meal, peas included, with gusto.

"You're eating peas! On purpose!" Emma said, clearly shocked at someone near her own age voluntarily eating the lurid green things. She'd always viewed them with suspicion.

"They're on my plate and they're not mouldy and I didn't have to scavenge for them," Killian said. "Would be bad form to refuse perfectly good food."

"Well said," David commented, his eyes, just like Snow's, were a little shiny.

"But they're peas," Emma said, uncertainly. She poked one to check if she was missing something miraculous. It rolled into the gravy and just sat there.

"I know what going without, feels like. A tummy filled with peas is better than empty, any day," Killian said. He loaded his fork with said vegetable and practically swallowed them without chewing to make his point.

Emma considered Killian's words and decided that if he said it was the right thing to do, then she'd force herself to eat them, too. She tried to load some peas onto her fork, but they eluded her seeking silverware. Her hesitant smile morphed into a look of intense concentration as she determinedly chased the runaway vegetables. She pushed down with her fork a little too hard and the squeak of the metal on metal provided a sharp counterpoint to Emma's 'humph' of frustration. The peas shot off the plate. She wasn't quick enough to stop them from rolling off the table. They bounced onto Leo's head before landing on the floor where the pups fell over each other to give chase.

"If you squash them first, they can't get away," Liam explained, and leaned over to demonstrate on some of the peas that hadn't escaped.

"You're so clever," Emma said, and began squashing peas and shoving them in her mouth and swallowing before she could actually taste them. "That's much better." Bad enough she was eating them, she wasn't happy to have to hunt them down, too.

"Thank you, boys. Anything that helps get the food into Emma's mouth is always greatly appreciated," Snow said.

During the rest of the meal the boys heard about the plans for Emma's birthday. They were surprised to learn that, in lieu of enormous parties, Snow and David had taken to celebrating their daughter's birthdays relatively quietly. There wouldn't be any shiploads of visiting dignitaries bearing expensive and exotic gifts. They discouraged the populace from giving her presents as they didn't want their people to do without just to give Emma something when she already had everything she could need. Only her parents, Granny Lucas and Ruby gave her individual gifts. The castle staff usually banded together, as did the Royal Guard, and got her something small but heartfelt.

"This will be the bestest birthday now that you're here and that we can play," Emma declared. Dinner was finished and her parents had kissed her goodnight, having to meet with a late arriving ambassador. She and Killian were walking side by side up to their rooms, with Liam and Johanna, each carrying a sleeping puppy, following along.

"Cook will make lots and lots of food and the whole castle will come and we'll eat outside in the walled garden. You and Liam have to eat so much that you can't hardly walk." She stopped and grabbed Killian's hand so he had to stop, too. "You and Liam don't ever have to have empty tummies ever again."

Johanna smiled to herself when she heard Emma's generous declaration. It warmed her all over to hear her young charge displaying such care for others. Bringing the Jones boys to live at the castle had been one of the very best ideas of the King and Queen. Clearly the young boys were a good influence on Emma.

"That's right, Your Highness. No-one goes hungry in Misthaven if your Mama and Papa can help it. Now, say goodnight to the young sirs and off to bed," Johanna said. "See, Leo and Jib have the right of it, they're both ready for bedtime."

Emma bid the boys goodnight and allowed Johanna to usher her up the hallway.

"Would you like me to read you a story?" Johanna asked.

"No thank you. Mama said I could practice before I go to sleep," Emma said, anxious that Johanna understand that Mama had already given permission.

"What are you going to practice, Your Highness? Your Papa is too busy just now to help you with your dancing and you can't use your bow in your bed chamber. Your mother put her foot down about that after you shot your wardrobe full of holes." They had reached Emma's room and Johanna carefully put Leo in the basket that Averil had set up earlier. The kindly woman gave the puppy's ears a rub. "You don't want to be shooting arrows about with this little boy in here."

Emma bit her lip when she remembered how cross Mama had been about the wardrobe. It had been a special present from Gepetto.

"I can't tell you. It's a surprise for you and Papa," Emma said as she hurried to get into her nightdress. "But Mama knows and she said I could."

Johanna looked very nervous, but Emma would never tell her an outright lie. Emma was in such a hurry to get started that she ended up getting her nightdress on backwards. Once they got that straightened out, Emma kissed Johanna's cheek and all but shoved the poor woman out the door.

Emma had knots to practice.