A/N: You guuuuuuys. I'm so glad you all like this story!
I promise, this is the last information-heavy chapter. Emma and Killian shall meat again, do not fret!
Enjoy!
Only days after he met Emma, the beautiful Emma, in the woods, he was sent to town to run some errands. He weaved in and out of people, trying to get to the market-
"Hear ye, hear ye!" The town crier exclaimed.
Killian glanced around before walking over to the crowd that was forming.
"The King has decided to invite everyone in the kingdom to the Princess' ball tomorrow night!" The crier yelled, "Anyone and everyone is welcome to come-lords, ladies, servants, wenches-anyone!"
Killian felt his heart pounding in his chest.
He could see Emma again.
"The ball begins at sundown tomorrow night!" The crier called out as Killian bolted home.
He had to tell his stepbrothers and stepfather the grand news.
Killian ran as fast as he could back home, a smile plastered onto his face.
"Sir!" Killian called as he ran into the home, "Sir, the King has invited the whole kingdom to the ball tomorrow night!"
Gold stood up from his desk, that creepy smile finding its way to his lips.
"Really?"
"Aye." Killian smiled, out of breath.
"Boys! Come in here!" Gold called, and Killian (as always) winced as the two boys thundered through the home.
"What?" Neal asked.
"The King has invited all of the kingdom to the Princess' ball tomorrow night!" Gold beamed.
"I want to marry the Princess!" Neal exclaimed.
"Yeah, but I'm going to win her heart!" August replied with a shove.
"Killian, quickly, run into town and have three suits made-hurry, before other townspeople beat you to it!"
"Three?" Killian smiled, "I can come as well?"
Gold let out that laugh Killian had come to dislike.
"Of course not." He laughed, "You're a servant."
"But, the crier said-"
"You know our measurements, now, go!" Gold replied, all but pushing Killian out the door.
Killian knew what he had to do.
Later that evening, after dinner had been made, and Killian had retreated up to his room, he lifted one of the floorboards to reveal his small treasures he'd kept out of harm's way.
One of them was Liam's old suit.
It would be a little large, he knew, but it would at least be something to wear.
He pulled it out and closed his eyes, feeling the soft fabric between his fingers.
It even smelled like his brother yet.
Killian took the suit into his arms and walked to his small window, looking out up to the sky of stars.
He knew Liam was up there.
"Liam, I'm going to the ball tomorrow night," Killian smiled, leaning on the windowsill, "I met a beautiful girl, and she... She works at the palace. I hope I can see her tomorrow night."
The biggest star in the sky twinkled, making Killian smile.
"I know. I'm going to wear your suit, if that's alright." Killian offered, waiting for the star to twinkle again before continuing, "It might be big, I think, but I'll try to make it work."
The star faded, making Killian force a sad smile.
"Goodnight, brother. I miss you." He whispered before stepping away from the window and closing it.
He took a deep breath and looked down to the suit again before deciding to tuck it away for the night.
He was going to the ball.
The next night, as Neal, August and Gold readied for the ball downstairs, Killian got ready himself up in the attic.
He took a deep breath as he stood in Liam's too-big clothes, but if going to the ball meant he could see Emma again, he wouldn't miss it for the world.
So, he came down the stairs in his suit, a small smile on his face-until Gold saw him.
"What are you doing?" Neal chuckled.
"I thought maybe I could go to the ball, too." Killian said.
"Nice try." August snorted.
"It would be an insult to take you to the palace in that old thing." Gold snickered.
"I just wanted to see a friend." Killian offered, "I'm not trying to take the Princess from either of your sons."
"You shall not go to the ball!" Gold snapped, pointing his finger at Killian, "A ragged servant boy is what you are, and what you will always be."
With that, both August and Neal (in their ugly, brightly-colored suits) ran up the stairs to Killian and tore one of his sleeves.
"Stop, stop!" Killian shouted, trying to fight them off, "This was my brother's! Please, stop!"
"This old thing doesn't deserve to see the light of day!" August laughed.
"Boys, boys!" Gold snapped, causing all three of them to stop, "Our carriage is here. Stop the bickering and get outside."
Neal and August glared at Killian before walking down the steps and out the door, following Gold closely. Killian ran to the threshold of the door and watched them leave, a few tears dripping down his cheeks.
He slammed the door closed and hurried to the side door, and out into the yard, where they kept the chickens and sheep.
The small balcony stopped him from going any further, so that was where he broke down. He slammed his fist against the railing in anger, finally letting all of his bottled-up emotions get the better of him.
"Excuse me, sir?" A soft voice asked from behind him.
Killian sniffled and turned around to see an old woman sitting on the bench.
"Would you happen to have some milk, or bread?" She asked, to which Killian nodded.
"Of course. I'll get some for you." He replied before walking down the steps to the kitchen. He grabbed a bowl and poured some milk into it before bringing it back up to the woman.
"Thank you so much. You're very kind." She said.
"I try to be." He sighed.
"Why are you crying?" She asked, causing him to look up to her.
"It's nothing." He sniffled, "I... I can't go to the ball."
"The ball?"
"I met a friend who works in the palace, and I'd like to see her again, but my stepfather and his sons tore my suit to pieces and forbid me from going."
"Oh, but you shall go to the ball." The woman smiled.
"How could you know that?" Killian asked as the woman rose to her feet and walked out to the grass.
"I'm your fairy godmother, Killian." She smiled.
"How do you know my name? Fairy godmothers don't exist."
"Your mother and brother sure thought they did." She grinned.
He watched her pull a wand from her pocket, and throw it up into the air. As it flew into the air, it sparkled and with a whoosh, a young woman was standing in front of him, a smile on her lips. She had a perfect set of blonde, ringlet curls that framed her petite face, and a huge, green dress.
"That's much better." She smiled, "Now, if you're going to go to the ball, you'll need a carriage, some horses, some coachmen and a driver."
"I don't have any of those." Killian replied.
"That's where I come in." She smiled, looking around the garden, "Do you grow watermelon?"
"No."
"Hm... What about cantelope?"
"I'm not even sure I know what that is." Killian offered.
"What do you grow?"
"We have pumpkins." Killian shrugged. He watched her purse her lips, then sigh.
"That will have to do."
Killian led her to the small patch of pumpkins, then watched her examine the few they had.
"Ah, that one." She smiled, flicking her wand and cutting it from its stem. She'd chosen the most round one, Killian noticed, but he was still confused.
"Now, I've never done this with a squash before-but, I'll see what I can do."
She waved her wand at it, but nothing happened.
"Miss-"
"Ah!" She smiled, and Killian's eyes widened as it shook a little and began growing. The stems started to create wheel-looking shapes, and in just moments, there was a golden carriage sitting there, waiting for him.
"How did you-"
"Fairy godmother, remember?" She smiled, "Now, what can I use for four horses?"
She glanced around, then gasped at the sight of some field mice.
"Perfect!" She smiled, waving her wand at them.
They transformed into horses as they ran around, making Killian smile.
He couldn't believe this was all happening.
"Are you sure I'm not dreaming?" Killian asked.
"No, you're definitely awake." She smiled, patting his arm, "Now, for some coachmen... Oh, Lizards should work!"
She flicked her wand at two lizards, and Killian couldn't keep in the laugh that escaped his lips at the sight. They transformed into men (weird-looking, greenish men), and hopped onto the back of the carriage with ease.
"Now, one last thing-" She said, glancing around, "-A driver."
"How about the goose?" Killian asked.
"Ah!" She smiled, flicking her wand at the goose that was desperately trying to get away. It took her a few tries, but eventually, it too began to transform into a man.
"Seems you're all ready to go to the ball!" She smiled, then pursed her lips, "Except for your suit."
"Perhaps you could try to keep this one mostly intact?" Killian asked, "It was my brother's."
"It's fairly mangled, but I'll see what I can do."
Killian swallowed hard before she pointed her wand at him and flicked it once, smiling as a whoosh of magic surrounded him. It was beautiful, her magic, and it swirled around him in beautiful shades of green and blue. Once it was all gone, he looked down to see a perfectly white suit, with blue accents. It was just like Liam's-just a bit more updated. He had on fresh, black boots, and gloves to match.
"Oh, one more thing." She smiled, flicking her wand at his hand, which soon held a beautiful sheath in it, "Try it out."
Killian carefully pulled the sword from its sheath, his mouth falling open as he saw the intricate details on the blade.
"The sea."
"Just like your brother's, correct?" She smiled.
"Thank you." Killian breathed, looking to her, "But, how will my stepbrothers not see me?"
"A little magic can fix that." She smiled, waving her wand over his head, letting a few green sparkles fall, "They won't recognize you."
"Thank you so much. I owe everything to you."
"You owe me nothing. Your kindness has been enough." She smiled, ushering him into the carriage.
Killian smiled as he got situated, glancing around.
"Oh, oh, one last very important thing!" She exclaimed, pulling him from his daydream, "At the last echo of the last stroke of midnight, all of this will disappear. You will go back to normal."
"Midnight?"
"Midnight." She nodded.
"I'll be home before then." He promised.
"Off you go, then!" She smiled, sending him on his way.
"Thank you!" He called back as the carriage started moving.
Butterflies quickly found their way into his stomach, causing him to take a deep breath. He leaned his head against the back of the carriage, a smile on his face.
He was going to the ball.