A/N: Thanks for the love! Also, after this chapter… Please don't kill me. (And, sorry it's so short! This chapter didn't want to be written, obviously)
While writing, I listened to 'Romantic Flight' by John Powell & 'The Huntsman' from the OUAT OST, on repeat. For… reasons.
A few days passed, and Killian had been preparing for the ball with his brother. He learned to properly dance, to properly greet royalty—properly do anything and everything. Killian was sure he was going to get everything down pat before he met Emma's parents again, this time with a serious agenda. He wasn't going to lose her.
"Liam, I'm so nervous." Killian spoke softly, his brows furrowed, as the two brothers waited to enter the palace.
"Don't fret, Killian. She still loves you, I promise."
"Her parents are the ones I need to convince, Liam. What if I cannot be with her?"
Liam simply smiled and clapped a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Love always finds a way, Killian. You will find a way to be with her, I swear on it." Liam replied, "Now, let's go in there, and you can give her a proper dance."
Killian hesitantly followed his brother into the palace, his fingers fidgeting every second they walked. As they approached the ballroom doors, Killian saw Emma out of the corner of his eye.
"Emma?" He asked, stopping in his tracks to admire his Swan. She was gorgeous, wearing a light purple, strapless dress and her usual smile.
"Killian!" She laughed, running towards him and into his arms.
"I've missed you greatly."
"I missed you, too. I wish for you to never leave my arms." Emma whispered, pressing a kiss to his neck.
"How are you doing, love?" Killian asked, stepping away and holding her at arm's length, "You look beautiful."
"Thank you, you look quite handsome yourself." She spoke with a blush, "I'm doing well. Simply lonely."
"Well, maybe I can change that." Killian grinned, then bowed, "May I have a dance, Princess?"
"Of course, Lieutenant." Emma smiled, following him into the ballroom. He gave her a quick spin before falling into step with everyone else dancing.
They danced seemingly like clockwork. It was as if they'd been doing this dance for eons. Each step, each movement, was perfectly matched, lost in their own world. The song came to a close, and Emma smiled, chastely pressing her soft, soft lips against his.
"I'd like you to speak with my parents."
"Of course." Killian nodded, smiling a little when she took his hand in hers. He followed her up the steps to the throne, where her father was sitting. Killian immediately bowed, boldly meeting her father's eyes.
"Good evening, your Highness." Killian spoke as he stood up straight. He felt Emma grab his hand, gently rubbing his knuckles.
"Lieutenant." Charming replied, eying him, "How are you this evening?"
"Well." Killian replied with a smile, glancing to Emma as she squeezed his hand, "And you?"
"Relaxed." Charming grinned, "Do you and your brother like the ball?"
"It's quite the ball." Killian smiled, "I'm sure Liam, wherever he may be, loves this."
"Good. The Jewel of the Realm has given us more than we could have asked for. We're honored to have you as part of our Navy."
"Thank you—"
"Father, Killian would like to court me." Emma interrupted, raising her chin a little in defiance.
"Court? Emma, you know—"
"Yes, I know, but Killian and I love each other. He saved my life."
"Did you Lieutenant?" Charming asked with raised brows.
"Aye… When we were young, and the princess fell overboard, I was the one to go in and save her." Killian replied, searching Charming's face for any sign of trust.
"It was you." Charming breathed, causing Emma to tighten her grip on Killian's hand.
"I was the son of the Captain… My brother and I tagged along on the ship, and when Emma fell overboard… I don't know, instincts took over and I jumped in after her." Killian said, "You and my father pulled us out of the water afterwards."
"Papa, you have to give him a chance." Emma said, taking a step forward and dropping Killian's hand, instead taking her father's, "Please, give us a chance. Don't you always say fate works in unexpected ways?"
Charming smiled at that, making Emma smile.
"I'll need to speak with your mother." Charming said, holding Emma's arms when she started to get overexcited, "Emma, don't get your hopes too high, okay? I… I don't know about this."
Emma clearly didn't care what her father was saying, because it was then that she turned to Killian and embraced him tightly. He chuckled in response, wrapping his arms around her body and breathing her in. She tugged away and looked up at him, her eyes bright with hope.
"Shall we dance?" Emma beamed.
"As you wish, my princess." Killian grinned, taking her hand and leading her away to the ballroom floor again.
After dancing for what seemed like the entire night, Liam approached the two of them.
"I'm terribly sorry to interrupt, but could I speak to my brother for a moment, Princess?"
"Of course." Emma smiled, kissing Killian's cheek quickly before allowing him to go with his brother.
"What's wrong?" Killian asked nervously, glancing back towards Emma, who was emphatically talking with someone.
"The King would like us to go on his hunting trip with him tomorrow."
"Even me?"
"Yes, even you." Liam smiled, "I'd assume it's because they're considering you as an option for Emma."
"They are?" Killian asked, his heart swelling in his chest, pounding against his ribcage.
"If the King is asking you to go hunting with him, I'd say yeah, he is probably taking you out to talk to you." Liam spoke with a quick nod, "Are you up for that?"
"Of course I am," Killian replied quickly, "I'd do anything to prove to her parents that I am just as worthy of her love as any prince."
"There's the brother I know and sometimes love." Liam grinned, clapping him on the shoulder, "Let's go inform the King, then, shall we?"
"Em, are you sure you want to come along?" Charming asked curiously, leaning against the door frame as he watched her fix her riding outfit.
"Of course I want to come." She smiled, "This'll be fun, right?"
"I'm just afraid it'll be dangerous, Emma. We almost lost you once... I can't lose you a second time." Charming said, causing Emma to turn and face him with a sympathetic smile.
"I know. But, you won't. I'll be well-protected, between you, Liam, Killian and the guards." Emma smiled.
"I suppose." Charming replied, "I just can't see you enjoying this today, Emma."
"Please," Emma grinned, "You just can't stand me spending time with Killian."
"I never said that."
"You don't have to." Emma smiled.
"Okay, fine. Maybe I just can't see you as anyone but my little princess." Charming grinned as Emma walked over to him and took his hands in hers.
"I promise I'll always be your princess, Daddy." Emma spoke with a sweet smile, "No matter who I marry."
"I'm still not sold on this Lieutenant, Emma."
"He saved my life. Is that not enough for you?" Emma asked, "Please, just give him a chance."
"I'm not saying I won't. It'll just take a lot of convincing." Charming spoke with a fake smile, "Ready to get going?"
"Sure." Emma smiled, slipping her arm through the crook of his elbow.
The two walked down the corridor and out to the stables to meet the rest of their hunting group. Emma immediately smiled when she saw Killian, waving a little as their eyes met.
"Your Majesty." Liam said, bowing low. Killian copied, his eyes never losing Emma's. She curtseyed in response, doing all she could to stop herself from lunging into his arms.
"Well, are we about ready to head out?" Charming smiled, walking to his horse.
"I believe so, your Majesty." Liam smiled.
The four (and the guards) all climbed onto their horses, Charming and Liam at the front with some guards, then Emma and Killian bringing up the rear.
"It's lovely to see you, Princess." Killian smiled as they trotted through the forest.
"It's lovely to see you, too, Lieutenant." Emma smiled, reaching over and taking his hand. He offered a half-smile, and in that moment, Emma couldn't have smiled wider.
"Lieutenant, a word?" Charming called back without turning around, causing Emma and Killian to exchange a glance.
"I'll be back." Killian smiled, pressing a kiss to her hand before hurrying his horse to catch up with Charming and Liam.
"He's the one you've been talking about?" Graham's voice asked, causing Emma to smile as he rode up beside her.
"Yeah, that's him." Emma smiled.
"The way he looks at you, Emma, is... He truly adores you." Graham smiled, "Looks like you're not an ugly duckling anymore."
Emma furrowed her brows, trying not to smile as she reached over and hit Graham's arm.
"Sorry, that was mean." He chuckled, "Still, he's in this for the long haul."
"I am, too." Emma spoke wistfully, "I just hope my father approves."
"He will." Graham nodded, "He wants what's best for you."
"I hope you're right." Emma smiled, then turned her head at the sound of rustling.
"Did you hear that?" Emma asked, turning to Graham just as an arrow lodged itself in her arm, spooking her horse when she screamed.
She was bucked off, tumbling into the detritus of the forest floor. There was a lot of yelling and calling, and all Emma could do was curl up and scream for help. She hadn't brought her sword with her, so she had no defense. That, and her arm throbbed with pain, so she couldn't move it at all without a burn of pain. A figure in all black drew closer, causing her to push herself backwards, looking up into the man's eyes.
This is it, I'm going to die, she thought, closing her eyes tight and turning away.
Until there was a clash of swords and the thud of a body falling to the ground.