Chapter 11:

After that, Emma spent the next few weeks learning the castle etiquette. Of course it didn't go smoothly at first, Emma not being that type and all. But she got the basics down to where she didn't make a fool of herself in high society social situations.

However, while she was learning all these manners and such, she was also learning how to fight with her dad. It wasn't much, since nothing terrible was upon them yet, so it went slowly. She learned how to hold a sword properly and defense tactics.

But the best part, she thought, was that she got to finally spend time with her family. Every single day she finally got her chance, to talk with them, to feel loved. To just be around them was amazing. For once in her life she felt content, with her mother and father and son.

The only downside to those weeks, however, was that Rumplestiltskin barely stopped by. After Belle had revealed herself again, the two had gone back to his castle.

'To probably live happily ever after,' she thought bitterly.

He would show up sometimes to help her practice magic, something Henry loved, but her parents initially disapproved. She would always feel nervous, which she hated with a passion. She couldn't seem to control her emotions anymore. Not around him, and certainly not for him.

She hated to admit it, but she couldn't deny it any longer. She…cared for him.

Emma huffed and blew a blonde strand out of her face. That's as close as she'll get. She just can't think about it anymore. It's not like anything can come from it, or happen anyway. He has Belle. His 'True Love'. He never wanted anyone else. He never needed anyone else.

Emma clenched her fist and her jaw. She needed to stop thinking about it. It wasn't her business, it wasn't her problem.

But it sure felt like it.

She tried to relax her muscles, unclenching. At the moment she was walking down the hallways of the castle. She finally had a bit of time to herself, something that had been in short supply since the curse had been broken. The only downside was that her mother was forcing her to wear a dress and heels.

"'To get used to it' she says," Emma grumbled. She hated heels. They were horrible contraptions that should've stayed in Storybrooke. It was a nightmare walking in them, but Emma gave her mother her word…and she always kept her word.

Emma cursed under her breath. Suddenly something caught her attention, a noise coming right at her. Before she could do anything about it, however, whatever it was ran right into her, emitting a cry of surprise as it hit her.

Thankfully she was able to catch it before they both fell over. Looking down she was shocked to find Henry.

"Kid? What are you doing?"

He looked up at his mom, breathing heavily for a moment and trying to catch his breath. Then a huge smile lit up his face.

"Sliding down the hallways," he said, grinning mischievously. He lifted a foot up, and Emma noticed that he was only wearing socks. She smirked, "Oh, really? And does your grandma know you're doing this instead of studying for your test tomorrow?" She lifted an eyebrow, and his face dropped.

"Mo-ooom," he whined, "You wouldn't." he looked up at her with pleading eyes, a bottom lip quivering in a pout. Emma held out for a few minutes, letting him sweat it out. She could see a little fear start to cloud his eyes, knowing that he was thinking of his grandmother's wrath if she found out. Her mother could be scary when she wanted to.

Finally Emma cracked a smile, "Naw, kid. I wouldn't do that to you."

Henry let out a sigh of relief. Emma slipped off her heels and started to lean down to get them, an idea forming in her head. "If…" she trailed off. His little head shot up, his eyes widening again. She stood up, shoes in one hand and the other bunching up her dress to lift off the floor. He looked at her questioningly, a light starting to shine in his eyes. She smirked at him.

"If you beat me to the study," she grinned. His eyes lit up in happy surprise, but Emma didn't give him a chance. She took off running down the halls, the rest of her dress flying around her. She could hear his little feet rapidly following her, and knew he'd probably reach her soon.

She turned corners and dodged servants in the halls. She heard several calling her name, but her and Henry's laughter covered it. She was spinning around a maid when she realized that Henry had finally caught up to her. They grinned at each other, the sight of the study up ahead. Both pushed ahead, and Emma could feel her feet start to lose traction. She wondered for a brief second if she'd be able to stop, but the study was right there and Henry neatly stopped in the doorway while one of her feet caught on the end of her dress, causing her to lose her balance.

Her world tilted and she slid into the room, unable to get friction to stop because of her dress underneath her. Finally she hit something and came to a stop, her dress a poofy mess all around her.

"Mom! You okay?" She heard Henry running over to her horizontal figure. She pushed the dress down and looked up from her position at him. While he was a tad worried, he still had laughter lining his features. She couldn't help the bubble of laughter that escaped her mouth and suddenly they were both rolling on the floor, unable to stop.

After what seemed liked ten minutes did they finally begin to calm down. Emma gazed over at him where he was laying on his side, his head near her feet. She felt such warmth and love fill her at the sight of him. She let out a long sigh, the smile still gracing her face.

"So you know this means I won, right?" Henry grinned at her cheekily. Emma shook her head, amused, and lightly shoved his feet.

"I let you win, kid," she smirked. Before he could retort though, a maid came rushing in. Emma rose to quickly tell her that they were fine, no assistance was needed, but she was cut off before she began.

"My lady, you are needed in the meeting room! Something has happened!" she turned frightened eyes to Henry, "My lord, I was told to take you to your room to continue your studying."

Henry groaned, but all the mirth had left Emma, seriousness taking its place. She got up, helping Henry to his feet as well. "Henry," she started, leaning down to begin to convince him to go without fuss. He stopped her, his eyes still twinkling at her.

"I know, mom, I know." He gave her the most adoring smile before hugging her around her middle. She returned it, squeezing him, before nudging him towards the maid. She walked with them to the door, watching them walk down the hallway, before heading in the other direction, a grim feeling looming over her.

She knew she shouldn't have worn the heels.

Everyone had gathered when she got there. All the important players needed for heavy decisions were all ready and waiting for the meeting to begin if their loud talking was anything to go by. Emma looked over to where her mother and father were sitting on the other side of the round table. She walked over to a nearby seat, lightly touching her mother's shoulder to notify her of her presence. Snow looked up to greet her with a smile.

Emma pulled out the chair next to her, and setting her heels on the floor, sat down. Looking around, she could see the worry on everyone's faces as they kept talking over each other. Her parents were silent, only sharing a few anxious looks during the chaos, letting them get their frustration out through chatter.

Suddenly, everyone stopped as the Blue Fairy flew to the middle of the table. Jiminy, who had been standing there, hopped out of the way, over to where Gepetto and August were sitting.

"Please, everyone, calm down," her little voice began. Once everyone was seated and as settled as could be, she turned to another fairy, "Please, tell us exactly what you have found, Nova," she instructed.

The pixie flew over, almost nervously, but fear was clear in her eyes. Emma focused on her, leaning closer by putting her elbows on the table. She recognized her from Storybrooke, her name had been Astrid over there, Sister Astrid. However here she seemed to be called Nova. She saw Grumpy tense in his seat out of the corner of her eye at the fairy's entrance.

"I-I…" she started, but her stutter was so bad she had to stop and take a breath. She restarted, "I was flying the fairy dust back towards the castle, but I got turned around up in the clouds, so I went down to see where I was. Turns out I was farther away than I thought, because I found myself over the Evil Queen's castle."

She paused, a hitch in her throat, her eyes widening as she remembered what she saw. The Blue Fairy put a hand on her arm, nodding for her to continue. Nova complied, "I could see dark magic surrounding it, but there was a hole in it, something that wasn't there before. I went down to investigate and I could see." She took a shaky breath, "I could see her. She was gathering her magic, and in her courtyard I could see an army. There were so many-!" Nova broke off, putting her hands to her mouth.

Emma, James, and numerous others went to their feet, chairs scraping back.

Emma couldn't believe her ears. "She's alive? I thought the curse was broken!" she looked accusingly at the Blue Fairy. The fairy didn't like that, sending her a firm look in return, "Just because her curse was broken, does not mean that she ceases to exist. She has just been biding her time, regaining her strength and apparently her army." The superior fairy tensed as she thought of something, "Did you see any of the 'Others'?" she asked Nova.

Emma watched, confused, as Nova nodded her head frantically. Who were the 'Others'?

Well, whoever they were, the fact that they were with Regina and her army put everyone even more on edge. That must not be good. Everyone began talking again, all at once. She turned to her father, seeing the scared glint in his eyes despite his calm demeanor. She looked back at the fairies.

"So," Granny spoke up loudly, garnering the crowd's attention, "What are we going to do about it? What's the next step?"

And then everyone's eyes were on her. Emma flinched, not knowing what to do, wanting to turn to her dad, or just disappear for a moment. These people were relying on her, though. She had to do something.

Biting her lip, she glanced at James again. His eyes were steady and he nodded at her. She glanced down at her mother, the same experience playing out.

They would back whatever decision she made. And for that she was grateful. To have someone on her side, to finally have someone backing her up, was the best thing she could ask for. She looked back to her father.

"Will you teach me how to fight?" she asked, her voice surprisingly level despite her nerves, "Not just defense, like we've been doing. I need to know everything."

James stared at her, his eyes shining with pride and determination. Then he bowed his head down, smiling softly at her. He was saying he would.

"Why?" Jiminy hopped over. Emma remembered everyone was still staring at her. She looked at Jiminy, before shifting over everyone's face at the table, assessing their emotions and trying to show her own resolve. That she would take up her mantel, and save them. She hoped that it was what they saw.

She swallowed, looking back to Jiminy, "Because we're going to war."

Okay, so I decided to cut it off here, even though I was going to make it longer. But this seems like a good place to stop. Next will be them preparing for battle, etc. I think the actual battle will happen either after that, or the next one after. :)

Hope you liked this. I'm trying to add little moments for Emma and her family. She deserves a little fun and bonding :) Which is what the scene with her and Henry was all about. I could just see something like that happening xD

Side Note, but kind of relevant to this story. I have a Mad Beauty fic that is in this fic's universe. It's called 'To Breathe Again'. It starts right after Rumple kicks Belle out after the kiss fiasco. Leads on from there. I'm working on the second chapter as I type this, but I'm a little stuck xD I'll update soon, but we'll see :)

Again, hope you liked it :) Please review, let me know what you think :) I'll try to have the next one up soon!