A/N: Thank you again for all of your support—on all of my stories! You all are the best readers I could ask for :) I hope this story is capturing your attention, because since I started shipping Captain Swan I've wanted to do a Lieutenant Duckling fic. I hope I'm doing this justice!
While I wrote, I listened to: 'For The First Time In Forever' from Frozen, 'Can't Take It In' by Imogen Heap, the instrumental of 'Ride' by Lana Del Rey, & 'Nightingale' by Demi Lovato. Enjoy!
The next morning, Emma practically bounded out of bed, unable to wait any longer to meet Killian. Her excitement peaked as she slipped into one of her riding outfits, instead of the dress her mother had told her to wear. Emma finally found herself smiling as she hurried down the hall, towards the ballroom.
"Good morning, Mother." She chirped as she walked by.
"Emma, that's not what we had planned for you to wear…"
"I know. I was simply switching it up."
Snow smiled at her daughter, knowing that she would have done the same thing.
"Well, okay. The men are all here to see you, so I suggest you get started." Snow smiled. Emma looked over the row of men, smiling when she saw Killian standing at the very end.
"I'll get started, then." Emma smiled with a sigh.
She went through the motions, clearly spending more time with Killian than with any other man in the room. Snow certainly noticed, and approached them long after the other men had left.
"So," She started with a smile, interrupting their conversation, "Looks like you've stayed much longer than most men."
"Yes, it appears I have." Killian smiled, bowing, "I believe we met last night, but I'm Prince Killian."
"Nice to meet you again." Snow smiled, her eyes darting to Emma to catch her loving smile towards him.
"Would it be alright if I took her away from the palace for a few hours?" Killian asked, "It's a beautiful day outside."
"Of course, you two go have your fun." Snow grinned, causing Emma to pull Killian's hand as she took off out of the ballroom.
"Where are we going, exactly?" Killian asked.
"First to the stables, then we're going to explore."
"Emma, I don't know if that's a good idea—you haven't really been out of the palace, have you?"
"Of course I've been out of the palace. I just haven't gone anywhere without my parents right by my side." Emma replied, grabbing a sword from the stables as she walked to her horse.
"You know how to sword fight?"
"I'm a princess, not a damsel in distress." Emma scoffed with a smile, "My parents don't know I can. I learned by watching my father."
"What else are you hiding from me?" Killian grinned.
"I think that's it." Emma smiled, "You can take Lucy."
She pointed to a grey and white speckled horse, making Killian smile. She watched as he went to pet her muzzle, then opened up her door and pull the saddle off its holding. She shook her head, focusing on getting her saddle on her own horse. Once it was firmly attached, she climbed on, stepping in front of Killian.
"Lead the way, Princess."
"Follow me." Emma smiled, galloping towards the Enchanted Forest, Killian just behind her.
"Emma, you know your way around here, right?"
"For the most part." Emma smiled, slowing her horse to a canter. Killian slowed his as well, riding beside her.
"Have you ridden back here before?" Emma asked.
"A long time ago. I'm out on the high seas more often than not." Killian smiled.
"You ride a horse very well for a seafarer." Emma teased, bumping her horse into his.
"Yeah?" Killian smile.
"Yes, you have good form."
"Oh, have I?" Killian grinned.
"Yes."
"Good form sounds like something my brother would say." Killian smiled.
"Is he older than you?"
"He's a few years older."
"Do you get along with him?"
"For the most part." Killian shrugged, "I mean, we bicker about stupid things, and he usually has to talk me out of things, but he's a good man."
"Sometimes I wish I had siblings."
"Eh, I could be an only child." Killian teased with a smile.
"It's not as great as you'd think." Emma sighed. Killian reached over and set his hand on her upper arm, smiling when she looked to him.
"Hey, want an adventure?" Killian grinned.
"That's why we came out here." Emma smiled, "What do you have in mind?"
"You brought a sword, right?"
"Oh, god, do I want to know what this is?" Emma asked, following Killian as he hopped off his horse. He tied her to a tree, and Emma did the same.
"Okay, now where are we going?"
"Troll bridge."
"Killian—"
"You said you wanted an adventure, did you not?" Killian grinned, before Emma grabbed his arm.
"My parents will kill both of us if I come back injured."
"You won't, I promise." Killian smiled, pulling a small glass bottle from his pocket.
"What is that?"
"Dark Fairy Dust. It'll turn any adversary into a small insect." Killian smiled, "If we start feeling outnumbered, I'll throw some of this."
"Okay." Emma nodded.
"Let's go play with some trolls then, shall we?" Killian grinned, walking towards the bridge.
"So, what exactly happens? We step onto the bridge and they come out of nowhere?" Emma asked, pulling her sword from its sheath and preparing as the two neared the bridge.
"Essentially." Killian said, "I'll go first."
He stepped forward onto the bridge, unsheathing his sword as he took another step. He smirked as he heard the sound of the trolls coming out from under the bridge, motioning for Emma to come forward.
"We wish to cross!" He called out, "Come on, you cowards!"
"Killian, I don't know if this is a good idea…" Emma noted.
"I thought you wanted an adventure?" Killian grinned, "I've got your back, just stay focused and tell me when you need help."
"Okay." Emma nodded, tightening her grip on her sword. The trolls finally surfaced, and Emma nearly gasped. They were larger than she expected, their skin wrinkly and greenish-gray—they almost looked like live trees.
"C'mon!" Killian snarled, "Give me your worst!"
The first troll came up quicker than both of them thought they would, causing Killian to miss when he swung. It immediately pinned Emma to the side of the bridge, and another pinned Killian.
"Is this your plan?" Emma yelled, "This was brilliant!"
"Hold on, I'm working on it!" Killian exclaimed as he tried wrestling his way out of the troll's arms. Emma did so with ease, wriggling herself out and pointing her sword to it.
"Yes, come closer, I dare you." Emma spoke in a fiery tone. The troll tested her, so Emma spun on her heel and slashed a large cut into the troll's arm.
"See? I'm entirely serious." Emma said, "Now, make your friend let go of him."
The troll looked to him before attacking Emma again. She was more evasive this time, each step moving towards Killian.
"Let him go!" Emma exclaimed, gasping as the troll picked Killian up from his ankle, "Killian!"
"Oh, yes, this is uncomfortable!" Killian shouted, writhing in the troll's grip.
"Hey!" Emma replied, kicking the troll and causing it to drop Killian ungracefully and focus on her. It started cornering her, staying only the sword's distance away from her.
"Killian, now!" Emma exclaimed. Killian scrambled to his feet, pulling the bottle from his pocket and throwing the dust at the troll, turning it into a small cockroach.
One of the other trolls rushed towards her, causing her to keep her ground, smiling when Killian's dust turned him as well.
"You want what your friends received?" Emma warned, causing the last troll to retreat under the bridge.
"We did it!" Killian smiled, hurrying to Emma and sweeping her into his arms. He pressed his lips to hers as she laughed, only tugging away when he realized how hard she was laughing.
"Well? How did you like your first adventure, Princess?"
"It was quite the thrill." Emma laughed, "I loved it."
"Glad to hear that." Killian smiled, meeting Emma's lips once more. Emma propelled herself forward a little, creating a much more intense kiss than their last few. Killian moved his hand to the slightly sticky skin on her neck, smiling into her lips. He gently tugged on her lower lip, tilting his head to get a better grasp on it.
"Sorry." Emma smiled, tugging away to catch her breath.
"No need for apologies, love." Killian smiled, his thumb gently rubbing up and down her side, "You are quite the swashbuckler."
"Oh, hardly. I only know how to copy my father. That was hardly impressive."
"You have good form." Killian teased, making Emma smile, still trying to catch her breath.
"Thanks." Emma smiled, "How did it feel playing damsel in distress?"
"I was not—"
"Admit it—you were relying on me to not mess that up. I could have easily left you." Emma smiled, tugging away from his arms and crossing hers over her chest.
"Oh, please. You wouldn't have left me." Killian grinned, "Though, if you had, I still would have survived."
"I don't know—that troll had your ankle." Emma teased, taking a step closer, "He wasn't letting go."
"No, he was not." Killian spoke softly, caressing the hollow of Emma's neck and pulling her lips to his. She smiled, unable to believe that she may have found her soul mate in Killian.
"Can you take me to the Jewel?" Emma whispered, tugging away.
"You want to see her?" Killian smiled.
"Of course I do." Emma grinned, "It is where you spend much of your time, Lieutenant."
"That is true." Killian smiled, "But, yes, of course I can take you to go see the Jewel. Maybe we can take a ride one afternoon."
"I would love that." Emma spoke with a blushing smile as they walked back to their horses.
"Have you ever been out sailing?" Killian asked curiously. Emma thought it was a little weird the way he asked, but she answered regardless.
"Um, yes, I have, but it was when I was very young. I was maybe seven or eight. I don't remember a lot of the ride." Emma sighed, untying her horse, "I fell overboard, so I don't remember a lot. I think… I think that's why my parents are so afraid of me leaving the palace. They think they'll lose me again."
Killian looked to her, and she searched his face, trying to figure out his expression. It was unreadable, but she couldn't seem to part her eyes from his. He smiled, breaking the contact and hopping onto his horse. Emma shook her head with a smile, hurrying to climb onto her horse.
"Follow my lead, Princess." Killian smiled, starting out of the forest.