a/n: I'm back from the Dominican and I come bearing another chapter! This one takes care of some business, the next one will take care of some backstory, and then things will really start shift and ramp up. (Paradise was lovely, by the way. And much warmer than here, although my hair is glad to not be a poofy mess anymore and my cats are glad I'm back. I think.)

Morning came crisp and cool with traces of overnight snow that lingered in the countryside. They had met the princess and her guard at the castle early and immediately set out for the nearby town of Depeford where a shipyard had recently been constructed and new vessels commissioned for the kingdom's re-invigorated navy.

Emma rode ahead of him alongside Prince Hans. She was once again in full princess-mode — so different from their parting last night when her hair had been askew and her skin flushed despite the cold. Liam had been shooting him knowing looks all morning, but Killian ignored him and kept his eyes straight ahead as they rode beside each other. His avoidance of his brother allowed him to appreciate just how skilled Emma was at carrying out her official role. She spent the ride chatting amiably with Prince Hans, deflecting the prince's flirtations and keeping the conversation to safe, impersonal topics.

The worry he had voiced the night before had never been a matter of doubting her affection for him, or of whether her parents would allow him to court her (she had told him the abridged tale of their meeting on his last visit, and how they were determined that she be able to make her own choice). But Killian often wondered whether he could hold his own when standing at her side. He was an excellent navigator, a strong fighter, and overall a good captain but the breadth of his maritime experience had afforded him limited time among the nobility — let alone a foreign nobility. During their time apart he had searched out tomes on the Enchanted Forest's history at each port of call, but there was only so much preparation one could do through research. Emma was witty and charming and well-practiced in diplomacy. He only wanted to be worthy of her.

The town of Depeford, as it turned out, was little more than an hour's ride from the castle. The knights led the way down cobblestoned streets already bustling with activity. They rounded a bend and through the rows of buildings Killian could see three masts standing tall in the morning light. A stoutly-built man dressed in navy blues met them at the gate to the shipyard and the group dismounted, leaving their horses to be tended by the squires. Emma swiftly went to greet their guide, embracing him and kissing him on the cheek.

"Master Waters, how are our two ladies today?"

The older man chuckled as she stepped back. "Coming along nicely, Your Highness."

"Allow me present you to Prince Hans of the Southern Isles and his captains, Liam and Killian Jones," Emma said, turning to the group. Her ease and familiarity with the older man made Killian wonder if he was meeting yet another family friend.

"Master Ethan Waters came to us recommended by one of our allies in the Enchanted Forest. My parents have appointed him master shipwright and he is overseeing the construction of both galleons."

The shipwright bowed deeply. "I am honoured to make your acquaintance, Your Highness, sirs. Shall we?"

They were led past the storehouses and soon a partially constructed ship came fully into view. The framing had been completed and over two dozen labourers were busy attaching planking to the hull. Further along the waterfront, finishing touches were being made to the ship he had spotted earlier.

"Both ships are built from the same half-model," Master Waters explained, leading them past the stern of the in-progress ship as it sat in drydock. "We laid the keel on the Lady Ruth about a month back, once the hull was finished on her sister and the masts stepped. With warmer weather coming, we expect the work to go quicker the second time around."

"There are three drydocks in total," Emma said, walking ahead of them alongside the portly shipwright. "Two will be opened to merchant ventures following the treaty signing and one will remain reserved for military use. Master Waters has also been commissioned to re-fit some of our older vessels following the completion of both ships."

"Aye, although I doubt I'll continue to have the pleasure of your company for that endeavour. The princess has visited the shipyard each week no matter the weather since we laid the first keel," he explained, turning to address the group as they came to a stop before the second drydock.

It may have been only the cold, but Killian thought Emma flushed a little at that. Her fingers twisted together and when her eyes met his she averted them quickly.

"Here we have the Lady Eva, named for the queen's mother," Master Waters continued and Killian's eye was drawn upwards toward the completed ship. "One hundred and seventy feet long and bearing thirty-six cannons — sixteen on each gun deck and two each at the stern and bow. Only the finest of finishing touches are still being worked on."

"We'll be holding the treaty signing here at the shipyard," Emma said, leading them down along the ship's starboard side. "And the Lady Eva will be launched immediately following."

"The figurehead is a dragon?"

The princess smiled as she turned to Liam. "Yes. Dragons feature prominently in the story of how my parents found each other."

"In the Southern Isles our figureheads are all women. It's believed that a woman baring her breast can calm a storm at sea," Prince Hans supplied, moving to stand beside the princess.

"If a carved woman has such power one would think the real thing far more effective, and yet there are no women in your navy." The comment was light, but had an underlying bite to it that Killian wondered whether the prince would pick up on.

Prince Hans smiled tightly. "Sailors have their superstitions."

"What do you think of our ship's figurehead, Captain? Are we inviting disastrous weather upon her crew by not having carved a naked woman for her bow?"

Killian clasped his hands behind his back and met her eyes. "Superstition has its place, Milady. But I believe that the success of a voyage depends more on skill than luck."

"I'm glad to hear that." She smiled coyly and raised her gaze to the in-progress ship behind him. "The figurehead for the Lady Ruth will be a swan."

Emma resisted the urge to stretch as she dismounted in the yard of the refurbished naval academy. They had passed the whole morning touring the shipyard and the nearly complete Lady Eva and had broken for lunch afterwards with the building crew. Emma had been forced to hide her smile as Prince Hans fought through discomfort with their dining companions. She hadn't adjusted the itinerary in an effort to repel his advances, but if their schedule had that result she would take the gift gladly. If fortune favoured her, he would change his mind about winning her heart and save her the trouble of turning him down.

Killian had been quiet much of the day so far, but she had seen him taking in everything as they toured the new ship — how he'd pressed his palm flat against the mainmast and trailed his hand along the fittings. He'd gaped at her when she'd all but informed him the Lady Ruth would be his to captain if he stayed and Emma was desperate to know what he thought of the galleons. Master Waters hadn't been exaggerating when he'd told them how she had visited each week to check on the progress and inform herself on shipbuilding techniques. Learning as much as she could and watching the ship come together had been a way to feel closer to Killian while he'd been gone.

It had also been fuel for her daydreams. Her parents still hadn't let her go on a voyage beyond the allied kingdoms of the Enchanted Forest, but taking to the open ocean had long been a not-so-secret wish of hers. If Killian stayed and courted her she was positive that it would only be a matter of time before they might sail together to some far off land.

She prayed he would. It wasn't that she thought he would change his mind once he knew everything — she was almost certain that what she had to share would not deter him — but Emma had to be prepared for even the slightest chance that it would prove too much and he would return to the Southern Isles.

In truth, there was no real way to prepare for such a thing. She would be devastated if he left, if she lost him. Just like she had been devastated when —

Concealing her face for a moment in her horse's neck, Emma closed her eyes and tried to push the traitorous thoughts from her mind. A hand touched her elbow lightly and she turned to see Killian watching her with concern. Taking a deep breath, she drew herself back up and gave him a small smile.

Tomorrow. She would tell him tomorrow and let the pieces fall where they may. In the meantime, she had a role to perform and another tour to give.

"Princess! Have you brought fresh fodder for our tournaments?"

Emma grinned as the tall, red-headed Captain Ardrake approached from across the yard. "Not today, I'm afraid. I bring our guests from the Southern Isles, Prince Hans and Captains Liam and Killian Jones."

The captain bowed. "Captain Frances Ardrake, at your service."

"Captain Ardrake has been assigned to the Lady Eva," Emma said. "She is also one of our best swordsmen and the reigning champion of friendly competitions here at the academy."

"Of course she is. No man would dare harm such a fiercely beautiful warrior," Prince Hans said, pressing a kiss to the back of the captain's hand.

Emma frowned. There was nothing wrong with the compliment — the prince seemed at least partially sincere with his flattery — but there was something about it that rubbed her the wrong way. She and Frances had become friends since the latter had been appointed to the new ship and Emma had both seen and experienced her skill with the sword. No knights or officers held back due to the fact that she was a woman, just as they no longer held back when Emma trained with them. Quite suddenly she wanted to show Prince Hans just how little beauty had to do with sword fighting. More importantly, she wanted to do it herself.

"On second thought," she said loudly, interrupting Frances' reply. "We don't have time for a tournament, but perhaps a sparring match will get the blood flowing again after time in the saddle. My lord?"

The prince shook his head in a show of humility. "I would not dare contest with such a lovely and esteemed warrior."

Emma smiled. "I was asking if you would contest with me."

His mouth fell open for just a moment before he recovered. "My lady, sword fighting is no game and I would not wish to see you hurt. Perhaps an archery contest, or a pistol demonstration…"

"You are mistaken, Lord Hans. I've found that most types of sparring are a game. But if you will not indulge me, perhaps one of your captains will."

She saw Killian raise an eyebrow and smirked, knowing that Hans' pride would force him to accept her challenge.

The prince cracked his jaw before inclining his head toward her. "Very well, have it your way, Princess. But I warn you, it is not in my nature to hold back."

Killian followed along with the knights as the two royals moved to the demarcated sparring area and were handed blunt training swords. He wasn't sure what had possessed Emma to challenge the prince to a duel, though he wondered if she wasn't searching for an outlet for whatever stress she seemed to be under. While he'd not seen her fight before, Killian knew that Emma had been taught swordsmanship by her father and assumed that she was both competent and confident enough in her ability to have a chance at defeating the prince.

"Have you seen her fight, little brother? Lady Red says that she is fairly accomplished."

"I have not, no."

"She's a strong opponent," Captain Ardrake said, stopping next to them. "I wouldn't bet against her. If you're wagering, that is."

"I wouldn't dare. Gods help us if the princess found out we had bet on Prince Hans over her."

Killian snorted at his brother's reply and leaned his forearms against the chest-high wooden barrier. Emma came over, setting her sword down to remove her coat, and on instinct he reached out to assist.

"By the way," she said, taking the long vestment back and draping it in between he and Liam on the edge of the barrier. "Miss Swan was hoping you'd be available to go riding with her tomorrow."

His eyes flicked to hers and he inclined his head, trying to hide his smile. "You may tell her that it would be my honour."

Captain Ardrake called for them take position and Emma smiled, picking up her blade once more and testing the weight and balance of it in her hand.

"Any blow to the head will result in an automatic forfeit — we wouldn't want to damage your regal visages. The duel ends when one is disarmed. Are you ready?"

Killian watched as Emma raised her blade and gave the other woman a short nod. Prince Hans bowed to her and followed suit, raising his sword and taking up his stance.

Captain Ardrake looked to each of them and raised her arm. "Duel!" she shouted, dropping it as though she were judging a race and stepping back a pace.

Prince Hans advanced immediately and Emma blocked his blows, allowing herself to be backed up. As she neared her audience she had to turn to step away from a strike aimed at her thigh but the prince increased his intensity as he sliced upwards and caught her high on the arm with the edge of his blade. Killian could hear her suck in a sharp breath but she didn't cry out.

"Apologies, Princess. Instinct."

"Indeed."

The prince approached again, but again Emma seemed focused on simply parrying the blows, frequently using her agility to move out of reach.

"Why is she not attacking?" Liam murmured.

Killian shook his head. "I don't know."

It was obvious that Prince Hans was becoming frustrated. His strikes became progressively less precise and he growled when Emma again stepped out of the way of a slash aimed at her mid-section. If this was a tactic to drive him into making mistakes, Killian just hoped it wouldn't backfire on her. A reckless opponent might leave more openings, but the prince was stronger than her, and an anger-driven blow could seriously injure her, blunted swords or no.

"If you would like to yield, princess," the prince snapped, "I'm sure we could find more enjoyable ways to spend our time together."

"That's very generous of you," she called back, "But no thank you."

Their swords locked together and rage stiffened Killian's spine as he watched Prince Hans angle his wrist so to bring his hilt down towards her head. Emma shifted her weight to lean out of the way and for a moment he thought she might fall. She had leaned too far to be able to bring her sword down and strike at the prince's exposed chest but she brought her leg up instead, kicking him hard in the knee. The prince stumbled backwards and Emma followed, lunging forward to strike at his sword arm as he tried to regain his balance. The switch from defense to offense had been immediate, and he watched transfixed as Emma elbowed Prince Hans in the chest before he could right himself. He fell and she kicked his weapon away, flipping her sword expertly before pointing it at his chest.

"If you would like to yield, on the other hand…" she trailed off and shrugged.

Prince Hans glared up at her from the ground. "Well fought, my lady," he conceded. Emma offered her hand but he shook his head, pushing himself up from the ground.

Killian's heart was still pounding in his chest, torn between rage at the prince's attempted illegal move and pride in the sheer ferocity Emma had shown when she went on the attack.

The princess turned back to her gathered audience with a bright smile on her face. "Now, what was this about a pistol demonstration?"