Author's Note: This chapter brought to you by reviewers. Seriously, I'm back. Because you guys asked for more. I took off a year to grieve my mom, and now I'm feeling capable of writing again. Your reviews make these chapters happen.

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The morning came too soon, and I was disappointed to find the bed beside me empty. I sat up and looked around, but my new husband was gone. Frowning, I dressed and descended the stairs from the attic. I heard his voice and that of his brother on the second floor, so I rapped softly on the door to Liam's office.

"Come," the elder Jones called, and I pushed open the door.

Two sets of blue eyes found me, each set in guarded faces. Killian smiled after a moment, but the expression was strained.

"My brother tells me you wish to see the king," Liam said in a measured tone.

I raised an eyebrow at Killian.

"Something like that," I said, looking at my husband before turning to my brother-in-law again.

"This is all very odd, Emma," Liam said. "It makes me uncomfortable."

"More uncomfortable than forcing your brother to marry a stranger?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. I suddenly wondered where my red leather jacket was. I'd have to ask Killian to help me track it down.

Liam scowled at me.

"Yes," he said sternly. "I don't trust you."

I shrugged.

"That's not my problem," I told him levely.

"Aye," Liam said, "but you're mine."

"Liam," Killian said softly, "I'm taking my wife to the castle."

Liam clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes at me, not looking at his brother.

"Aye," he said finally, "I think we'll all go."

"Fine," I said.

Liam glared at me for another moment before finally turning to his brother.

"Go," he said gruffly. "Pack."

"Aye," Killian replied in the same tone. He narrowed his eyes slightly before adding, "captain."

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Our caravan was on the road before noon, and I was even granted the use of a horse, though I protested that I didn't know how to ride. Killian rode beside me, directing me and occasionally my horse as well.

The ride was long and weary. We stopped to camp as the sun set, without even tents. Most people didn't even bother with blankets, just stretching out in the grass and pillowing their heads on their arms. My gentleman husband made a small bower for us with not only a blanket but a thin pair of pillows.

And another blanket to cover us with.

He was gonna be disappointed if he thought I'd let him do anything with his brother and half the Merry Men ten feet away.

We ate cold leftovers, squatting in the growing dark. No fire was built.

Killian led me to our little bed in the starlight, his eyes and hair black and his skin stark white in the darkness. He did indeed seem intent to have some 'fun' between the blankets, but I rolled to face the tree and ignored his soft touches until he got the message.

In the morning, he seemed to be in a petulant mood, and I thought it served him right. He wasn't rude or short with me, but he was more reserved. He rode ahead to chat with Robin for few hours of our trek.

We arrived at the base of the hill on which the castle sat just before dusk. Liam and a few other men rode ahead, galloping up the road as the rest of us walked and rode at a more sedate pace.

I held my breath when we finally made it through the gate and portcullis. Fires burned bright in sconces and brasiers around the courtyard leading to the palace.

Saddle sore and weary, I let Killian help me down from my horse. We sent our mounts with the stable attendants and started our way up the steps to the imposing doors of the palace.

The entry hall was beautiful, filled with the glow of lanterns and huge candelabras. The other members of our party looked around with the same wonder I'm sure I showed on my face.

I heard a clatter above, and a door opened suddenly. A small group of people appeared at the top of the ornate staircase. I recognized the silhouette of Liam, but the rest of the party were unfamiliar faces. I heard a woman gasp, and then a dark-haired woman I could only assume was the queen came barreling down the stairs at a dangerous speed. Her expression was a mask of surprise when she came into the light, and her green-eyed gaze was fixed on me.

A blue-eyed man followed her down the stairs, and I felt a strange pull in my chest. I didn't know these people, but something about them seemed so familiar.

"Emma!" the woman choked out, stopping at the foot of the stairs. The man stopped beside her, an arm around her, but the woman was moving again, launching herself at me.

My traveling companions scattered, most dropping to their knees in the presence of their monarchs. Killian bowed elaborately, and he started to pull on my hand, tugging me down as well, but the queen threw her arms around me and embraced me in a tight hug.

"Emma, oh my god, Emma," she said, tears audible in her voice. "Twenty-eight years. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, Emma."

I froze.

"What?" I managed to gasp. Then I lost the rest of the air from my lungs when the king embraced me as well.

"I knew you'd find us," he murmured, cupping the back of my head as I stared at the pair of them like they'd lost their minds. He pressed his lips to my forehead. "It's a family tradition."

"What the hell is going on?" I said, trying to shout, but my voice too shaky and confused. I glanced at Killian and found his expression mirroring my bewilderment.

"My darling daughter," the dark-haired queen said, "welcome home."

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Again, I'm sorry I made you guys wait so long. I had personal stuff. But I'm back, and I'm gonna start cranking these out, slowly but surely. Bother me about your favorite fic and it will probably get preference. =)