The Sixth Year

Dear Emma,

I know it's been a while since I've last written you, and for that I am sorry. Things have been very busy at the palace lately, and father has required that I attend all of the meetings. I guess that's the life of a prince. I don't know why you complain about all of your duties as princess. Frankly, I believe you're quite lucky. Anyway, how are things? Neal would have to be two by now. Have you taught the boy to sword fight yet? I know you learned at an early age. Oh and your birthday is coming up! I'm afraid my father and I won't be able to make it, but I wish you well.

Yours truly,

Prince Baelfire Gold

KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEK

Emma read the letter from Bae and sighed. Of course he isn't coming to her birthday again. Baelfire and his father had no time for his future wife's birthdays. Another sigh. Oh well, after what happened at Neal's birthday ball last year, Emma didn't really want him to come. The young princess looked out her window and into the courtyard, where Liam and Killian were practicing running. Even after Emma healed the worst of Killian's injuries when he and Liam suddenly came into her life, he was so sick and tired that he had to stay in bed for weeks on end. There were a few scary moments when it was thought that all hope was lost, but for some reason, Emma had been able to bring him back. It was all highly unusual, but the children tried not to let it bother them too much. Emma was shaken from her thoughts by a voice calling her name.

"Fancy a sword fight lass?" Liam called up to her. Emma smiled and called back, "Be right down!" She tore through the castle halls and raced down the stairs. Emma flew through the door and out into the courtyard where the brothers were waiting for her. Sword in hand, they began sparring. What was supposed to be every man for himself, ended up Emma and Killian against Liam. The children hooted and hollered, enjoying the fresh air and each other's company. By now, Liam was sixteen. He was very tall, taller than the king himself, but he wasn't awkward like most other teenagers. His dark hair and light eyes, combined with his muscular stature, made the ladies swoon at royal balls, even though he only had eyes for one. Melody, the princess of Denmark, Queen Ariel and King Eric's daughter. Born of true love, Melody had magic that could control the water. Emma and Killian teased him constantly about it, but only because they were sure Melody returned the feeling.

The king and queen watched from the windows as Killian and Emma cornered Liam, who yielded almost as soon as his back hit the wall. The children then turned on each other, laughing as their swords clashed.

"She's drawn to him," David stated. "And he's drawn to her in much the same way. I can't decide if it's just childish infatuation, or something more. But have you ever heard of someone finding their true love so young?"

"I haven't, but there's no way to be sure." Snow White responded. "But anything is possible, especially with Emma and Killian. I mean, what were the odds of him surviving in the condition we found him in? If it hadn't been for Emma, Liam would've buried his brother."

"I don't know that he could've handled that," David said quietly. The parents turned back to the window to watch the ongoing sword fight. Emma and Killian were evenly matched, but lately, Killian had been winning more, due to the fact that while he grew strong and tall, Emma remained girlish, and simply couldn't match him in strength. Killian pinned Emma, pressing his sword against her chest.

"Yield," he commanded in as threatening of a voice he could manage with her. Emma pretended to ponder his order. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, she smashed her sword onto his, effectively stunning him. She spun out of his grip, and got behind him, using her more agile body to her advantage. She placed the edge of her sword to Killian's neck.

"I think you're the one who should yield Killian," Emma said with a smirk. Killian smiled and dropped his sword.

"I yield," he said. David watched this whole spectacle from the window, grinning.

"That's my girl," David said proudly. Suddenly, he heard a gasp from beside him. "Snow!" he yelled.

"David," she said breathlessly. "The baby's coming."

"But it's only been eight months!" David cried, trying not to freak out. Snow only laughed.

"Well when the baby wants to come out, it wants to come out!" she said, before groaning again. "I forgot how terrible labor is."

"Guards! Johanna!" David shouted, panicking slightly. "The baby's coming!"

Later

Dear Baelfire, don't worry about coming to my birthday, its fine, I understand. You might have another birthday celebration to come to though. The baby came today. His name is Leopold, after my mother's father. Leo for short. Unlike Neal and I, he has dark hair, like my mother and blue eyes like my father. Since you haven't seen Neal in a while, I'll tell you, that his hair, is a darker blonde than mine, and he has brown eyes. I guess I still look the same, though I'm much taller. I hope to see you soon. It is a shame that you can't come to my birthday next month, but I understand that you have a duty to your kingdom. Mine are much the same, and I hope you understand if I'm ever unavailable to attend a ball in your kingdom. I do hope to see you soon though! Liam and Killian send their regards.

Yours truly,

Princess Emma Swan

The Seventh Year

Emma and Killian stood solemnly with the rest of the royal family at the palace gates, saying their goodbyes to now seventeen year old Liam, who was going on his first naval voyage. He shook King David's hand, and kissed the back of Queen Snow's. Liam then proceeded to reach down and ruffle Neal's hair. The three year old hugged Liam's legs as hard as he could, tears in his eyes.

"I'll miss you Wiam," Neal said softly, his doe eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"I'll miss you too Neal," Liam chuckled. He proceeded down the line of his adoptive family, stroking Leopold's cheek, before coming to Emma. He knelt down in front of the princess, and took her small, soft hand in his large, callused one. His eyes poured into hers, and he felt them start to sting at the sight of the girl's unadulterated strength, and her compassion.

"Do me a favor princess," he started, taking a deep breath. "Take care of my brother." Now Liam was very close to sobbing, as was Emma.

"Of course Liam," Emma responded, letting a single tear slip down her cheek. She embraced him tightly, before letting go, so he could move onto the most painful goodbye of all. Killian had broken down into silent tears the moment they reached the gate. His brother kneeled in front of him, and placed his hand on his shoulder, trying to communicate all that he was feeling, trying to give the young boy some of his strength, God knows he would need it.

"Don't go," Killian whispered, his eyes red and puffy, his face streaked with tears. Liam took a shaky breath, trying not to lose it in front of everybody.

"I have to Killian. The sea, it—it calls to me," Liam whispered back. Killian nodded.

"I feel it too," he said, attempting to calm himself down.

"Killian, my dear, sweet, baby brother, I love you with all my heart. I need you to be strong, for me, and for yourself. You will do great things in this world Killian, I feel it in my gut. Right now lad, you just have to promise me one thing. Promise me you'll protect her," Liam whispered in Killian's ear, so only he could hear.

"Liam I don't understand," Killian muttered, confusion coming through the over powering sadness. Liam looked him square in the eye and whispered again. "Protect the princess with your life okay? If you take care of her, she'll take care of you." Killian nodded, and wrapped his arms around his brother's shoulders in a grip like a vice.

"I promise, but only if you promise me something in return." Killian stated.

"And what is that?" Liam chuckled hesitantly.

"Promise me you'll come back," Killian said. Liam looked into his brother's deep blue eyes, and saw not the child who needed his help to survive beatings from the captain. He saw the brave, strong man that Killian would become, and he nodded, wanting to see it for himself.

"I promise brother. I promise."

The Eighth Year

It was Killian's birthday, and he was none too happy about it. This birthday, would be the first that Liam would miss, and it surely wouldn't be the last. He skulked in his room all day, taking his meals there, and not emerging, even for the promise of a day in the gardens from a four year old Neal, accompanied by a two year old Leopold. He was lying in bed, staring out his window, which over looked the sea, when he heard a knock at the door. He turned, only to see Princess Emma standing in the door way, dressed in riding gear.

"Happy birthday Killian," she said quietly. "What are you doing?" He sighed a gut wrenching sigh, before turning back to the window.

"Just hoping. It's all in vain I guess," he spat, willing her to go away. He should've known though, Emma isn't easily deterred. She walked forward, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"He said he was sorry he couldn't make it Killian," she whispered. "There was nothing he could do, you know he would be here if it was possible."

"Go away Emma," Killian growled, keeping his back turned towards her.

"No," she said stubbornly. They stayed like that for a while, and he took comfort in the fact that she wasn't leaving. He leaned back into her standing form, resting his head on her shoulder.

"What are you doing here Emma?" he asked suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence.

"I wanted to see if you wanted to go riding," she stated matter of factly. "Maybe take your mind off of things."

"Okay let's go. Let me get my riding gear." He replied, jumping off the bed, and running over to his wardrobe.

"Really?" Emma asked, delighted.

"Really," Killian responded. Her eyes lit up, and so did his, for the sight never failed to make him smile.

"I'll meet you down in the stables," she said, running out of the room. He dressed as quickly as he could, before racing after her.