"Alright then boys and girls, let's fly." Emma called out after Robin's confirmation. Killian watched with a small bit of awe as the crew immediately set about finishing their tasks at making the Window sea ready. He soon felt the ship began pulling away and the slow and soft rocking of the ocean waves break against the side of the ship.
"Come on, princeling. Time for you to give us our heading," she spoke, turning to Killian.
He nodded, biting his tongue to keep himself from retorting. Killian then followed Emma back toward the hallways they had been in earlier.
Killian followed Emma as she walked into her cabin, lingering just off from the door as he stopped to take a look around and not impose upon her space. Her cabin was not really at all like he imagined. It had a sort of ordered chaos to it, where everything was out but it seemed everything had its place. With a good number of books and journals by the window at the back of the ship, there was a table with multiple scrolls of parchment as well as a few maps and bits and baubles. The walls had a few decorations but none too garish or outlandish. The bed to the left side of the cabin was a big bigger than one he had seen on a naval ship but was also smaller than the stately beds he had in the castles.
"So does it pass your inspection, Prince Killian?" Emma asked, breaking him from his trance only for him to see the blonde Captain smirking at him as she leaned against the table.
"I told you it's just Killian and forgive me for being curious. As I have never seen the inside of a pirate ship before or the captain's cabin of one." He said coming in to the room closer.
"Yes well you must hope it'll be your last time too. No one is allowed into the Captain's cabin unless directly invited. But play your cards right hot shot and you just might be invited in for a night cap." Emma said with a somewhat seductive tone to her voice, her eyes still smirking teasingly.
Before Killian could respond in any way, a knock came to the door alerting the two to the arrival of her crew members. In entered the tall brunette he had met before who was then followed by two men, a brunette he had noticed earlier and a raven haired man that Killian had not seen yet. The latter of the two carried some rolled up parchments, which Killian assumed were maps.
"Killian you have already met Ruby. This is Robin Hood, my quartermaster. You will answer to either him or Ruby every day you are on this ship for a task or a chore to do. Yes, Killian, I do expect you to help around." Emma started introducing, waving her hand to the bearded brunette before continuing, waving to the clean shaven man, "And this here is our Navigator and Man of Maps, Eric. Guys this is Prince Killian Jones of the Enchanted Forest. His royalty is to be kept a secret, so I trust the three of you to keep it that way. Now Eric, how long do you think it will take to get him back to his home?" Emma asked, turning to the navigator.
Eric then approached the table and started shuffling through the different maps. "I'm not sure Captain. Your highness, whereabouts in the Enchanted Forest exactly are you from?" Eric asked.
"Just Killian is fined. And our Winter Castle is located on a cliffside near the port town of Nothand." Killian said, coming up to the table. "May I?" he asked, gesturing to the maps. Seeing Eric nod, Killian picked up the map of the Enchanted Forest and began searching. Upon locating Nothand and then marking the location of the cliff and a dock attached, Killian turned to the navigator to show him.
Eric took the map and went back to the table to start making calculations. On the other side of the cabin by the window stood Emma, Ruby and Robin, all of whom just watched as the wheels in Eric's head started turning. Soon enough Eric looked up to Emma and gestured her to come to the table.
"It looks like the port town is a good two weeks sail from here, Captain. I believe we have enough resources, especially since we just restocked so we should be good to go."
"Alright, go give Jefferson our heading. Ruby, get Killian settled in and send Henry in." Emma said, dismissing them all with a wave of her hand.
Killian followed the three crew members out of the cabin but stopped at the door that led to the room Emma had deemed as his for the time being. As he was opening the door, Killian noticed a young boy rush past him and enter the captain's cabin with ease. Assuming that was Henry and that he was the Captain's Cabin boy, Killian just went about settling in to the room he had been given and took inventory. The room was a touch plainer than the Captain Swan's cabin but it was to be expected of a first mate's cabin. He soon though heard voices carry over into his room through the open door.
"Emma, where are we going now?" a young boy's voice asked excitedly, clearly the young lad, Henry who must have not closed Emma's door completely.
"Well kid, we have to return someone home. He got a bit lost and asked us for our help. We're going to be going to the Enchanted Forest again Henry, so when we get there, I'll need you to stay on the ship and out of sight." Emma's voice, much softer and gentler than Killian had ever heard spoke.
"The Enchanted Forest? Does that mean Robin and Roland are gonna leave us?"
"I doubt it, kid. And don't worry your little head about it. We've got a two week sail before we even get there. Now how about you and me work on your sword skills up on deck?"
"Oh that sounds awesome, mom. I'll meet you up there." Henry said gleefully, unaware of how his voice raised with his excitement before he left quickly, slamming the door on his way.
Killian was shocked at what he had overheard. Not only did he hear the Captain's first name, Emma, but that she had a son who was afraid of losing some of the crew upon arriving at the Enchanted Forest. So clearly there was some history there and many mysteries surrounding the blonde siren of a captain. But he definitely would not have guessed that she was a mother.
After a few minutes of silence, Emma grabbed the two swords they used for practice and headed up to the top deck. Ever since Henry turned 6 and expressed an interest in sword fighting, Emma immediately obtained two wooden swords for them to use. She also had two older swords she owned dulled for later on, when Henry was ready and older. Robin was able to help as well, whenever she stopped by Sherwood Forest and checked in.
When she acquired the Window to the Sea shortly after, Robin was one of the first people she asked to join her, saying Henry was going to be on board so Roland was welcome to join them as well. The rest of her ragtag crew came through friendships, mutual trades gone well or rescuing someone at port. Ruby had been a lifelong friend that actually helped her get the ship in the first place.
Ever since then, it had become a tradition of every so often for the entire crew practicing sword fighting together. Everyone loved going against Henry and now that Roland was getting to the age where he could begin participating as well. He even used Henry's old wooden sword now that Henry had his own steel sword that he only used during sword practice.
Emma arrived on deck and saw that most of the crew had already gathered swords out and swinging.
"What did you tell them all to gather, Kid?" she asked as she approached the group gathered around the mast. Henry just shrugged and ran up to Emma to get his sword from her.
"Alright guys, sword practice time! Jefferson if you or Belle would keep on the wheel and someone tell the cargo he is welcome to join us." Emma called out instructions, unaware that Killian had just appeared on deck.
"What's going on?" Killian asked as he looked around, even though he had overheard Henry and Emma.
Emma looked behind her, slightly surprised at his appearance. "Occasionally the crew gets together and has sword practice together. Keeps us up on our skills and we get to teach the kids so they can defend themselves."
Killian nodded thoughtfully, "That sounds like a grand idea. May I join in, if that is alright with you, Captain Swan?"
"But of course. Henry, you'll work with Killian today. Give him your best, kid." She called over the boy he had seen enter her cabin earlier. "Killian this here is Henry Swan, my son. He's one of the best fighters already on the ship. Henry this is Killian Jones, our passenger that we are taking to the Enchanted Forest, don't go easy on him." She said, placing her hand on her son's shoulder.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Jones. Do you really want to join us today?" Henry looked shyly down after taking his sword from his mother.
"Aye lad, that sounds like a lot of fun. The Captain's Son, sounds like quite an honor to duel against you, young sir. And you can just call me Killian," Killian said, bending down slightly to look him in the eye.
Henry smiled and took off towards the middle of the deck near the rest of the crew, who had all began to pair up for skirmishes. Killian then nodded at the Captain and made his way to stand opposite Henry and waited, his own sword now unsheathed and weighing comfortably in his hand.
"Alright you dogs, you remember the rules. No Killing. No Hurting. Tapping allowed only on legs, arms & chest. You may begin!" Emma called out, climbing up to the helm to keep watch on all of them down below.
At her words, half of the crew began lunging forward towards their own partners and the songs of steel were loud and clear as they rang out from each blow and defend. She tried to watch each pair, calling out helpful hints occasionally if a crew member was falling behind on a certain skill, but she mostly kept her eyes on Henry and the Prince.
They were an intriguing pair, definitely. Henry always going for the offensive, having clearly blocked out any and all times she had told him to not do that. Whereas Killian would block every one of Henry's shots and occasionally go in for lunge and easily would tap Henry on the arm or leg, due to Henry's inability to defend himself. What made Emma smile, though, was that she could faintly hear Killian giving Henry his own advice as well as encouragement. Soon, Henry was lunging and fighting with both an offensive and defensive style. And his form was the most clean she had ever seen it.
"He's good with Henry, isn't he?" Jefferson asked, interrupting her thoughts.
"You all are. It just comes with being around Henry. But he is a good teacher, I'll give him that. Henry's form has never looked better." Emma remarked, scanning her eyes over the fighting forms. The pair fighting next to Henry and Killian was made up of Belle and Robin, both with a more defensive fighting style. Across the deck, closer to the helm were two other pairs. Noticing that as always, Eric and Ariel paired together as did Ruby and Viktor. The problem that always foretold was that both Eric and Ruby were afraid of hurting their partners, as was Emma whenever she faced Henry or Robin when he worked with Roland.
"Ruby! Switch partners with Eric. Let's try switching it up." Emma called out, pausing the fighting between the four crewmembers. "Don't give me that look. It's not my fault neither you nor Eric is capable of letting go of romantic feelings while practicing."
Eric and Ruby switched with the other and soon the fighting recommenced but this time, Emma was able to actually focus on the crew's skills, now that none of them were holding back in fear. The fighting went on for about an hour before she called the end of the session. They all returned to their stations, with Ariel hurrying to the galley to finish dinner. Emma then relieved Jefferson off of wheel duty and watched him disappear below deck, most likely to take a nap.
This was where she felt truly free, behind the wheel of her ship and looking out at the open, vast, beautiful blue of the ocean. She felt powerful, in control, and capable of anything. At least once every day, Emma would take over the ship and steer for a few hours, just to get that feeling of serenity that came with watching the open ocean, most of the time though; she took her steering time at night, giving a grateful crew member a much needed rest. This allowed her to be alone in her serenity.
"Captain Swan, may I join you?" a voice broke her through her thoughts, later that evening.
Looking toward the voice, Emma saw Killian coming up the stairs with a sheepish grin on his face.
"What can I do for you, Jones?" she asked and then noticing the emptiness of the deck, "Surely it's meal time down in the galley. You are a guest; feel free to join the rest of the crew."
"I'm quite alright, Captain. Just thought, a lady like yourself might enjoy some company"
"I'm no lady," Emma scoffed.
"Maybe not in occupation, but you are in other ways."
"I doubt it. Surely there is another reason you came up here,"
"As a matter of fact, Swan, there is. I had some concerns with the fact that you had children on the ship. You are in fact pirates, how can it be safe to have such young boys on here. And you have Henry learning sword play."
"Firstly, your highness, my son's safety is my concern and has always been my concern. Secondly, who are you to tell me what is and is not the proper place for a child. I have had this ship for 3 years and all three of those years both Henry and Roland have been residents and have been perfectly safe in the care of myself, Robin, and the rest of the crew." Emma snapped, glaring daggers at the prince. "Also, I teach my son and Roland sword skills because they are old enough to learn it. It was my decision to begin teaching Henry when he was old enough a few years ago and it was Robin's decision for Roland to begin learning just this past year. So forgive me if I ignore any and all concerns of yours. We don't live the padded and soft life of royalty. You are dismissed, your majesty."
With her last statement, Emma turned and called for Belle to come and take the wheel for the night, stalking off to the Captain's cabin in a huff. Killian gave a polite to the brunette beauty that had come to take the wheel before returning to his own cabin, his thoughts swimming with the blonde bombshell and her words. He realized now that he had overstepped
"This is going to be a long two weeks," Killian thought, ashamed with himself.