"Where's Emma?" James asked when she didn't appear at diner.
"I'm sure she's just running late." Snow said Henry feared otherwise but said nothing. Despite his wife's assurances James saddled up and went looking for his daughter. As he arrived at the shooting range he noticed one of Emma's arrows imbedded in the dummy's chest and the field was empty had there been trouble? James wondered as he rode into the woods. The sun descended and a cold night set in James pulled his cloak tighter around himself glad for its warmth, he could only think about how cold Emma must've been recalling she'd worn a simple hunting dress suited for warmer weather. It was almost completely dark when he came across Robin Hood, rage flashed through him.
"Where is she?" He barked
"I don't know she went into the woods and never came out!" Robin reported James knew he was telling the truth.
"Go back to the palace and gather a search party" Robin bowed and ran off the way James had come as James rode on calling Emma's name. Hours passed with no sign of her James feared the worst when he heard crying he followed the noise until he found a sobbing Emma curled up in a ball.
"Emma!" He quickly dismounted and threw his cloak around his shivering daughter
"Emma baby look at me alright?" He said tears streamed down Emma's face as she met his concerned gaze
"He left me" Emma whimpered
"Who baby?" James asked but instead of an answer Emma burst into sobs
"Oh Emma it's alright baby girl." James said hugging her close before picking her up and setting her on his horse and riding out of the woods. When they arrived at the palace Snow was waiting for them
"Emma! James!" She cried rushing out to meet them Emma didn't lift her head as if she hadn't heard. Snow threw her arms around her daughter but Emma didn't move to return the embrace instead she shivered Snow felt Emma's forehead concern creasing her face
"She's burning up" Snow quickly rushed Emma off to bed.
Emma's fever broke around midnight and when it did the princess woke up screaming plagued by horrible nightmares. This woke up Snow and James who ran to their daughter's room instantly. When they got there Emma sat in bed sobbing
"It was so horrible" she cried as her mother moved to comfort her
"I was alone with my worst fears she was going to kill Henry!" She sobbed
"Shhhh, its ok Emma it was just a dream." Snow soothed her
"How can I help ease your mind?" James asked his daughter.
"Stay in here with me, at least until I fall asleep" Emma begged James and Snow nodded and laid down next yo their daughter who much to their dismay slept fitfully waking every few hours from a horrible nightmare. Needless to say it was a restless night for the Charmings.
DUN DUN DA! Please review!