A/N: I'll try to update once to twice a week. I have a general idea where this story will go. still unbeta'd and I still don't own anything. Reviews please
Four Years Later…
Princess Emma had taken up the black dress for the second time in her life. This time though saddened, Emma did not completely mourn the loss of her husband. The marriage had been nothing but a political alliance between friends. Her parents had even begged her to reconsider the marriage. But Emma coolly reminded her parents that this would benefit the kingdom and she had no other stake in the marriage.
This was only further made clear when she made it clear to everyone that she and her husband would share separate quarters. They shared a sitting room, but may as well have stayed on opposite sides of the castle. Graham was the son of a noblewoman, whose family owned a great deal of land in their kingdom. Lands once thought to be uninhabitable, were tamed by the Hunter family and with their pledged allegiance to the crown, the kingdom would prosper. The marriage lasted barely a year before disaster struck Emma's life once more and her husband was killed during a skirmish with roadside bandits.
When the funeral was planned and taken care of, Emma informed her parents that she planned to visit her Step – Grandmother in the summer palace. Grandmother Regina lived there with her husband Duke Robin, their son Roland and daughter Etta. Her grandmother was one of the few who had understood Emma's deep depression, but she was also the one to help her out of it. Grandma Regina has lost her first love and knew what Emma was feeling, but she knew the grief would destroy her if she let it run her life.
"MAMA!"
And there was her other reason for keeping hope. Running as fast as his little legs could carry him with a satchel swinging from his arm.
"Mama, I'm ready now. Let's go see Grandma 'Gina and Granpa Robin. And Aunties and Uncles. I wanna go riding and sailing, and and and…. ADVENTURING!"
Her little Henry, named for the sweet man who'd helped change the heart of her step-grandmother. Her three year old was her only hope in desolation. He gave her a reason to keep on living her life if only to give him everything he deserved.
"Alright my little prince, to the carriage with you."
Soon they were off to the Summer Castle.
In a far off land…
"Captain!"
"Mr. Smee, what news do you have?"
"We may have found a portal back to the Enchanted Forest."