Emma did as she was told and sat with Killian watching over him for the last hours of the journey. She didn't expect him to wake up again until they reached the castle. Thinking about the castle made her think about her parents. What would their reaction be when he was lead into the palace? She knew that they had trust issues with strangers, especially her dad; her mom was the more understanding of the two.
Looking back to his sleeping form, she wondered if the brother he spoke of was a pirate. Killian wasn't wearing the best clothing, it resembled that of what a cabin boy would wear.
A cough drew her attention to him once more, his breathing sounded raspy and labored. Placing the back of her hand against his head, she noticed that he was with fever.
"I'll be right back." She told him, even though he was likely worlds away. She ran up to the deck to find Graham consulting with the other officers aboard the ship. Mindful not to rudely interrupt, she cleared her throat to get his attention.
"Yes princess? Has our guest awaken?" He asked turning to look down at her.
"No, sir. He is warm with a fever. I was coming to ask where I can acquire cold water and rags." She stated proudly. Although she was only 12, her mother had taught her how to take care of simple things such as a fever, and even as much as how to stitch a small cut. Graham directed a crewman to take the items she needed below deck to where Killian lay. She curtseyed her thanks, and ran down below to help with what she could.
Killian POV
He felt hot. Sticky with sweat and sea water. The straw stuffed mattress he was laying on kept stabbing him, but he couldn't move. He could feel the rocking of a ship beneath him, but he could not open his eyes. He hadn't been able to open his eyes since he saw the girl. What was her name? Emma? Emma.
She was beautiful. The first thing he had noticed was her eyes. A jade green color that he had never seen before. Her long blonde hair blowing freely in the breeze as she took in his features. She had been gentle and kind when speaking to him.
The last thing he remembered was asking for Liam.
Oh Gods, Liam! He didn't know what had happened to his older brother. His ship had come under attack by pirates. He had been standing on deck and Liam down below. He remembered loud explosions, a lot of fire and smoke, and finally a feeling of being thrown through the air and landing with a splash.
He had to find out what happened, he had to wake up.
He turned his head into the cold he felt placed against his scorching skin. Slowly he began to focus and heard a voice singing a song he found very familiar,
"But thoughts about the glint of gold, and learnin' to desire it, can make a man so brash and bold, and he'll soon become a pirate. Pull away, me lads o' the Cardiff rose.."
"And hoist the Jolly Roger." He finished. That was his favorite sea shanty.
There was a gasp and the coldness left his face. He struggled and finally was able to open his eyes again. He saw her, Emma. She was looking at him cautiously.
"You have a fever." She said rewetting the cloth and placing it against his head. It felt amazing and he couldn't help the sigh that escaped his lips as her turned towards her.
"Water." He croaked, hardly recognizing his own voice. She turned to a basin behind her and poured him a glass, which he drank greedily. "Where is my brother? Where is Liam?" He asked.
"I don't know I'm afraid. There was a ship, but you were the only one found. They sent out a crew to search the wreckage, but there were no other survivors. I'm so very sorry. She said and bowed her head.
"He's all I have left, he can't be gone." He said weakly. It was true. He felt tears prickling his eyes, but he would not cry. A lad never cries in front of a lady he could hear his brother saying. He couldn't grasp it, Liam couldn't be gone, and he wouldn't leave Killian alone.
"Where are your parents?"
"My mother died during childbirth, and I haven't seen my father since I was very young. Liam, being my older brother has been taking care of both of us since."
The silence that followed was not entirely uncomfortable, but neither of them really knew how to fill it. So he tried to sit up.
"No, you have to rest. We don't know how long you were in the water, you're ill, and there is still a few hours left in the trip. Do you remember anything that happened?"
"Nothing, really." He lied. "Where is it we are going, lass?" he inquired settling back against the mattress.
"The palace in the Enchanted Forest. My parents are waiting." She told him excitedly.
The palace? He had traveled to the dock near the palace only once. He could recall very little except the little village, booming with fisherman and tailors trying to sell their goods, and the palace walls looming in the background. He had heard of the royal family, but he couldn't remember the king, queen, or the princess…. Then it hit him.
"You're a princess?"
"Yes, I am." She answered.
He couldn't believe it. He had been showing no manners or formalities that you show a member of the royal family. They deserve our respect, so always call them your highness or your majesty. And always bow, it is good form.
Remembering his lesson be bowed his head, since he was unable to stand, "Your highness, forgive my rudeness. I did not know."
"It's ok, and you don't have to call me that. You can call me Emma." Smiling kindly she gave him the cloth since he was now conscious.
"That would not be good form, your highness. Once we reach the dock, I suppose that will be goodbye?" he had never really had a friend, if you could call them that, it was always just him and his brother.
"Of course not. You'll come with me to meet my parents."
"But why?" he asked bluntly. "Kings and queens don't normally make people found at sea a priority."
"My parents are different. They may find work for you in the palace, and someone to take you in. They are very kind, they won't just leave you all alone."
"Thank you, your highness for all that you have done for me." He offered.
"You're welcome. Are you hungry, Killian?"
He didn't have to answer because his stomach growled at the thought of food. When she laughed at him, he too began to laugh, and then his stomach betrayed him by growling again. They were both laughing hysterically by that point and she offered to have someone bring him some food.
"I'll have some food brought down, I'll be right back." She left him alone then. He tried again to stand. This time he was able to manage standing on his own feet and walking a little ways around the bed. He tried picking up the water basin and pouring himself some water, he made a mess but overall he was finding some of his strength returning.
Emma, the princess, returned after a few moments with some bread and a bowl of soup. She saw him standing and gave him a stern look.
"You need to be resting." She placed the bowl and bread on the table next to the bed to coax him back into it. It worked.
They talked while he ate, about her family and the kingdom, and what she liked to do. He found out that she hated doing princess thinks like sewing, but loved her swoed lessons with her father.
Above deck, they heard bells ringing and orders being shouted. She smiled and ran to the little window, turned to look at him and said, "We're here!"
AN: Ok guys let me know if you like it so far, I have a few ideas in my head as to where this can go and what is going to happen. It's gonna be fun to write this. But follow and review if you like it so far!
