I realized I hadn't explained it in this story but Charming is James in this story because it's simply how I started and I never changed because I was too far in. I figured since there was no curse that Charming would have never revealed his identity as James's twin brother. A name doesn't change who he is.
Also of note if anyone has not read the NGL story, Emma has a penchant for sneaking off into the village under the guise of a commoner and buying food to give to the orphaned and poor. It's also where she meets a certain prince that will be in the next chapter. Her dress and cloak is on tumblr as well!
''So you couldn't convince Will to join us?" Emma raised an amused eyebrow as she whipped the cream in the bowl her mother had given her.
"Oh no." Snow chuckled, shaking her head at simply the thought of her son in the kitchen. "Your brother hates baking. He says he wouldn't be caught dead making pastries and he doesn't understand why we make subpar sweets when Annie has already perfected them."
"Fair enough." Emma shrugged, a smile playing at her lips. "I'm not surprised really. Baking doesn't strike me as something Will finds manly. I'm not saying it isn't. Simon makes the best lemon meringue cheesecake I've ever had. But Will is rather into the idea of very masculine endeavors right now of which baking is not."
"That is fair a fair point." Snow agreed, her eyes fading into the distance as her mind traveled back in her memories. "But you, you always loved it. Even when you were little you couldn't wait to roll out the dough and decorate the cookies."
"Well I'm happy to do it now." Emma tried to get her mother to focus on the present, not whatever sadness rooted her in the past. "Oh that gingerbread smells heavenly. I cannot wait for it to cool."
"Haven't lost your sweet tooth I see." Snow chuckled.
"Oh sweets are a rarity in academy unless we break quite a few rules to do so..." Emma bit her lip, a mischievous look in her eyes. "Which I occasionally find necessary." Emma glanced down, feeling guilty for discussing her other life. "So you said this is one of our traditions. Do you and Will have any?"
"Not really. I mean I tried..." Snow looked down, a slight shame coming over her. "I do confess my heart may not have really been as in it as it should have been after you were gone but your brother never really fancied any of these things anyway. I suppose I could have found something more his speed for a tradition outside what we do as a family, but…"
Emma put a reassuring hand over her mother, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Will is still only eleven. There's plenty of time for traditions to be made."
Snow smiled, rubbing her thumb over Emma's hand methodically. "I love you, you know that."
"I do." Emma replied honestly.
Snow straightened herself, resolved to shake off any melancholy memories or sadness of years lost. "Well the gingerbread should be ready now. I'll just pop these cookies in the oven if you get the supplies ready."
"Will do." Emma nodded going to grab everything they would need. Her mother had told her another one of their traditions had been making a gingerbread houses. The kitchen pastry workers made grand ones every year for display and had even let young Emma help on occasion. But as usual it hadn't been enough for the high-spirited little princess, she had wanted to create one of her own. Thus her mother and herself had began to make their own each holiday season.
They worked well together, even if it had been years since Emma had even attempted to create one. Her motor skills were clearly better than that of her five year old self, allowing her to actually help make the creation without threatening to destroy it with a wrong touch.
"Isn't this a bit macabre." Emma asked as she worked on decorating once the core structure had been solidly built.
"Hm?" Her mother asked without looking up from her fine frosting details.
"Building a house out of gingerbread and candy." Emma elaborated, setting down the small crystalline candies she had been creating stained glass windows with. "I mean isn't there a witch who used to prey on children with this exact concept only life scale? Luring them into her home with promises of treats before eating them? Who was it that got out alive… Hansel and Gretel?
"Oh yes." Snow nodded as she remembered what her daughter was referring to. "Well those two brave souls ended her reign of terror which is why we now build these and eat them. The tradition started when I was a young girl in a show against fear of the Witch or anyone who might dare to carry out similar acts to hers."
"Still I find it a little dark." Emma muttered as she finished off her window. Setting down the bowl of candies she picked up the round peppermints and began to lay them out in a circular fashion, building up with each additional row to create her desired structure in the front lawn of their house.
Snow stopped her work to admire her daughter's. "What on earth is that funny little structure?"
"This?" Emma pointed to her work. "It's an igloo."
"A what?" Snow looked confused.
"An igloo is a sort of house made out of ice, though I made it out of peppermints." Emma explained as she worked. "The real thing is created from ice blocks as a shelter used by people who live a nomadic life in cold climates. It seems like it would be cold but it actually insulates rather well from the cold and winds outside. It's not exactly summer-like but it does well as shelter. They can actually be quite magnificent to look at, especially those that are created for show and not function."
"Fascinating." Snow mused as she got back to work.
"You know Daniel and I slept in one once." Emma admitted.
"You did?" Snow raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Why on earth would you have a need for that?"
"Do you remember that day you thought I had disappeared again?" Emma asked. "When we had just gotten trapped because of some realms travel restrictions."
"Do I remember?" Snow looked at her daughter with firm eyes. "How could I ever forget?"
"Sorry about that." Emma looked guilty. "But the same sort of thing happened with Daniel, his twin sister Diana, and myself. We got a bit… delayed in our activities in the land and by the time we finally freed ourselves up the window had closed and we were out miles from civilization. Like I said, in a pinch."
Snow kept her eyes transfixed on her work and her voice even as she spoke. "You've had many adventures."
Emma watched her mother before responding, trying to gauge how much to say without hurting her unnecessarily. "Yes, I guess you could say that.
Snow pressed her mouth into a line, not sure she wanted the answers she was asking for. "Were they all grand?"
"Some more so than others." Emma was unable to meet her mother's eyes. She couldn't quite make sense of what to say. Her mother was asking these questions but she wasn't sure she really wanted to hear the answers. "Some of the most extreme I dare not repeat but I do not regret for anything we did. They give us fun stories to look back on and laugh at the excitement we've shared, even if it did not seem amusing at the time. They are always exhilarating in one way or another though"
"Well it sounds as if you are quite happy in your life." There was a sadness in her mother's voice that pulled at her heart in an unfamiliar way.
Emma gave a small shrug, continuing to focus on her work. "I'm sure I would have been just as happy here."
"Yes but without the adventures you speak so fondly of." Her mother pointed out, finally looking up at her daughter. "You would have never had the opportunity to have those. You would have been far to guarded."
Emma paused, putting down her peppermints and placing her palms on the table, leaning against them as she met her mother's gaze. "We can't know that. From what I hear I was quite the mischievous little free-spirit when I was young and I can tell you that mischief hasn't disappeared with age, simply changed forms to be better hidden. I'm sure I would have found many forms of adventure here. I am your daughter after all."
"That you are." Snow finally gave a genuine smile. She looked down at the creation. "Well my dear. What do you think of our masterpiece?"
"I think it is exquisite." Emma admired their work before looking up, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "But don't show Will or father, they'll just eat it."
Snow let out a laugh at her daughter's warning. "Very right you are on that point. Do you not worry about Daniel?"
"No. He'd want to eat it," A mischievous look flashed in Emma's eyes. "But he'd fear retribution if he did."
"Well it needs to set." Snow wiped her hands off on a towel. "Why don't you come accompany me to acquire our holiday treats from the village for our gathering tomorrow night while we wait. I could use the extra hands."
"To the village?" Emma repeated, a sinking feeling forming in the pit of her stomach.
"Yes." Snow nodded. "We can send kitchen workers but I prefer to go to the bakery myself this time of year. It's fun to see the town all decorated when I have time to explore and admire it. While we go down to give alms that is different. We do not really get to roam because we are on official royal business. Being a member of the royal family has its perks but we cannot always do as we please contrary to what people might think."
"Alms?" Emma asked, having never heard about this previously.
"Yes every year on Christmas Eve Day." Snow nodded.
Emma took a deep breath, knowing her cover would be blown. Too many people had seen her on her little adventures to the village. There was no way she could avoid being discovered as the princess even if she could skip today's adventure. "Oh."
"You don't fear the village do you?" Snow picked up on her daughter's hesitation.
"Of course not." Emma said hurriedly, realizing her mother had noticed her strange reaction. "I'd love to come."
"Good. I'll go grab our cloaks and gloves and we'll set off." Snow smiled. "You don't mind walking do you?"
"Of course not." Emma shook her head quickly. Her mother gave her a strange smile before going to gather their outerwear. Emma glanced down nervously at her gown. The white sheath underneath was simple enough but it was covered in a nearly invisible over-layer with an intricate gold embroidery that shimmered in the light, the most prominent lines curving at just the right places. It was a truly stunning dress but it would not allow her to go unnoticed. Her cloak might hide the grandeur of the dress underneath but even it set her apart as someone of note. It was made of a powder blue velvet with royal blue satin underneath. But both stood as a background to the stunning crystal work composed of different hues of blue adorning the edges of the cape around where it clasped and the hood. Her hair would hide the earrings but her headpiece would surely single her out as a royal. It wasn't a tiara exactly but a headband of diamonds and crystals strung together to make a delicately beautiful piece in her golden curls. Hopefully she could keep her hood up for most of the trip, obscuring her face to those who might have encountered her on her previous visits but it would be rude to leave it on in the bakery and the baker would recognize her.
Her mother returned and they both pulled on their winter clothes before setting out on foot. The journey to the village was not that far and the lightly falling snow caused them no impedance. Emma caught her mother's eyes drifting to her multiple times as they walked. Finally her curiosity got the best of her. "What are you looking at?"
"I'm sorry it's just…" Snow blushed at being caught. "I know you much prefer riding pants and tunics but you look absolutely stunning in that dress and cloak."
Emma fingered the material, delicately running her hands over the embellishments. "Well they're a work of art."
"They look even more radiant on you." Snow's smile was warm as she admired her daughter.
"Well thank you." Emma blushed, looking away. "So how quickly are we going to be recognized."
"Probably very quickly." Snow grinned, her gaze drifting over their dress and glancing back at the guards who were accompanying them. "We're not exactly inconspicuous."
"Well who's fault is that? We could have dressed down, no guards." Emma suggested, receiving an incredulous look from her mother. Emma held her hands up in defeat. "Ok, ok, fair enough. I should have known better than to say something. It's just… I prefer being unseen."
"My dear with beauty like yours I don't really know how you expect to remain unseen." Snow raised an eyebrow.
Emma gave a small laugh, rolling her eyes. "You sound like father."
"Well he's right." Snow squeezed her daughter's hand. "Don't worry. The people are respectful. They may wave or wish us happy holidays but it is unlikely they will give us any pause in our journey."
Her mother had been right. Villagers looked and whispered excitedly at the sight of them, at the sight of her in all likelihood as many hadn't set eye on her, hooded or not, since she her disappearance. Some did call out, wishing them well and happy holidays but none truly bothered them. Her mother had also been right about the beauty of the village. It had been decorated for the season, giving it an almost magical air. She was so captivated she didn't even notice them arrive at the bakery until her mother had guided her in. Emma shivered slightly once they were out of the cold, brushing of the snow that had fallen on her.
"Your majesty how happy I am to see you." Emma's ears perked up as she heard the familiar deep voice of the baker.
"And you my friend." Her mother replied warmly. "I trust you know what I have come for."
"Every year without fail." The baker laughed. "And who have you brought with you?"
Taking a deep breath Emma removed her hood, turning to face the baker. He was unable to hide his shock at the sight of her face. Her mother seemed to notice but attributed it to seeing the princess for the first time and nothing else. "This is my daughter." Snow beckoned Emma forward. "The Princess Emma."
"The princess." The baker said slowly, his eyes widened in surprise as he realized who he had been dealing with for the past few months. "Well… I dare say the tales of her beauty do not do her justice." Emma blushed at the compliment and glanced away. "My wife is preparing your order in the back if you would like to sample it."
"Of course." Snow nodded, she looked to her daughter. "Emma?"
"Go ahead, I'll see what you've planned soon enough." Emma urged her mother on, knowing the baker wanted to talk to her alone. "I'd like to look around the shop."
"Ok." Snow smiled warmly. "I'll be back out soon."
As soon as the queen was out of earshot the baker turned to Emma, an amused look on his face. "So a princess eh?"
"Yes…" Emma looked down at her hands, slightly embarrassed, before she returned her gaze to his. "I'm sorry I lied to you."
"It is ok." The baker shrugged. "It is your right."
"It may be my right but it doesn't make it right." Emma pointed out. "I do not want permission to do things that are wrong or immoral simply because I am of royal birth."
"In truth, it makes me respect you more." The baker smiled warmly at the girl. "Your actions to not speak of your secrecy, the speak of your heart for others. I love your parents and will always revere my king and queen. But when the day comes for your coronation, for your rule, I will confidently follow such a kind-hearted leader into the future knowing that you will do right by your people."
"Well thank you." Emma nodded, accepting the compliment. "I can only hope others see it like that."
"They will," The baker assured her. "Once they see who you truly are and that is someone who is not just a beautiful girl given a fine title, but a brave and loyal woman with a pure and giving heart.
"Emma dear, a hand?" Her mother's call broke their conversation.
"Of course mother." Emma called, hurrying to help her mother with the baskets filled with treats, the guards gathering the extras. "Thank you, for your hard work. And Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas your majesties." The baker waved warmly. "I hope holiday brings you joy and celebration."