AN: And here's the next chapter.
Hooves pawed at the ground as the two contestants mounted on steeds were separated by one bar and one hundred eighty feet. They were the last to compete. Working their way through the ranks both Emma and Graham knew this was only the beginning for them. In fact the way the joust had started off many of the Champions as well as their Kings and Queens could see how yesterday's conversation pit these two against each other and they were seeing it today.
When Emma had first made an appearance on the field for her first match the people went silent. In the dark of her tent the blondes armor was pitch black, but as the sun bounced off the metal it appeared to be white. She was a demon with the lineage of angels; the White Knight with a black heart. The only part that remained dark on her person were the eye holes of her helmet, black like the void to capture the souls of her enemies. It was this that helped in her turns defeating one champion after the next, the fear of her appearance made them weak in their minds. It had been Triton who'd been the hardest to knock off his horse, but she had done it in the end.
With each new opponent to be bested she had risen from the bottom to this moment to defeat the man who'd threatened her and had a hand in destroying her happiness. While she may not be allowed to kill him, making him look a fool would be the next best thing.
"Ladies and gentlemen after grueling hours displaying the honor and skill of our Champion's we have our two finalists Ser Emma Swan of the Dark Kingdom and our very own Graham Humbert Huntsman of the White Kingdom." Cinderella addressed all who had gathered. Originally built to only hold the capacity of a few thousand as the White Knight had worked her way up the ranks more people flocked to the games. Old, young, and in between either sat in the grass or stood watching with rapt attention. They'd known their princess was gone, they'd heard many stories as to why, but to see the woman come back fighting for their kingdom's number one enemy had them intrigued.
Regina watched her Knight, watched every blow she'd taken, applied salves to areas she would no doubt bruise between each match. The blonde had only done badly once, but she never fully fell off the horse that was what was important. That had been the last joust when she'd faced Triton. Emma had been lucky all the other times before, but watching her fall off the horse foot still in the stirrup being dragged on the ground was unpleasant to say the least. Having to excuse herself to see to her Champion the brunette was unpleased to find Emma limping trying to re-saddle herself to continue.
"You're going to injure yourself further doing that," she'd commented only to be met with a shrug and a grimace.
"Well you don't have to bandage me up every time I get hurt," she retorted, "The others have doctors to do it for them, but I'm guessing they're all doctors from this Kingdom meaning nobody wanted to help me huh?" Emma laughed wincing as she placed her twisted ankle in the stirrup.
The fact Regina didn't answer was confirmation enough for the woman, "I don't know what you mean."
Snorting Emma smiled, "You forget I have watched and have been to a few Grand Tournaments in my short life, I know all the doctors are supplied by the hosting Kingdom. Thank you though, for making sure I'm okay."
Crossing her arms the Queen raised her chin, "I can't have you embarrassing me now can I?"
"Embarrass you?" Emma mocked, "Never." and with that she rode back out to the field leaving Regina to find her way back to her seat.
Sitting beside Albert Regina had the perfect view though she did wonder what Emma was thinking in that moment when all the people shouted their favors to the preferred victor. Overall it seemed the people wanted the blonde to win but there were still those who made their allegiance to the Huntsman known. So occupied watching the Knight she didn't hear the call to charge. So as the two raced towards each other the Queen watched with rapt attention never blinking once.
The impact as what she felt first. The blunt end of the lance hitting her chest was definitely going to leave a bruise, but it looked like Graham got it worse having to let go of his reigns as a pop sounded as she passed. If she was lucky his arm would be dislocated, but was Emma really that lucky? No, she isn't. Instead as she turns Toni around to charge once more she finds her opponent seemingly unaffected. Adjusting herself in her seat the Champion kicks her steed into gear charging down the line as well as the Huntsman. The closer they get the more she leans forward moving her weapon into position. Time seems to slow as his lance connects with her shield as hers digs into his leather covered gut sending him back but not enough to push him off.
Once more at the other end of the field Emma spins around fury masked by the helmet. He should be on the ground by now, he should be run through, he should be defeated, but he wasn't. He was still going strong as his smug smirk was all she could picture as she waited for him to make the first move. However neither did. Both too stubborn or smart (maybe both) to make the first charge so they waited. The blonde tightened her hands on the reins as the heat of the sun bore down on her armor. No matter how white it appeared it was black so the sweat dripping down her brow, chest heaving to regain breath from adrenaline rushing through her.
"Come now princess, surely you know this is a man's game," Graham shouted across the way making all the female Champion's scowl in displeasure at him, some even going as far as to throw taunts back.
Laughing herself, Emma closed her eyes listening to the sounds around her. The drum beat of her heart, the chorus of the crowd's cheers and boos, the ruffling of the leaves from the passing breeze made her relax. Loosening her grip on the reins she leaned over to whisper in Toni's ear, "We got this buddy. We know what to do." She brushed his mane, "Slow to the start but quick to the finish understand?" receiving a shake and snort from her friend Emma knew they were ready.
"HA!" and they were off a mild run building up. Positioning the lance as Graham sped his way down the line, focusing too much on his speed in that moment, placed his lance so it'd clip her shield and bounce off her face. Reaching top speed by the time the blonde reached the center the grey and blue lance nicked the top of Emma's shield locking it into the helmet's eye socket and taking the piece with it as Graham flew past leaving the audience gasping in shock and awe as it fell to the ground rolling in the lush grass of the field.
Long golden curls unfurled as the woman paid no mind to the loss of her helmet. It did little to stop her as she spun without thought and charged back in not waiting for the man to regain his composure. Following her lead the Huntsman was back with fire in his eyes but no match for the inferno in the exposed green ones shining under the sun. Lance gripped tight to her side Emma levels it out aiming right for his heart and it happens. Meeting in a friendly battle but holding more fire than any other Emma's lance crashed into the man opposite her splintering the wood and sending him off his horse as his own barely brushed her shoulder.
Gasping for breath Graham went to stand but Emma's towering figure made him stay in place. It was one thing to be on equal ground but another to be by the hooves of a horse and still armed woman. Raising his hands he let his defeat be known, "Well done," and though the remark was congratulating the bite in his tone told her otherwise.
"And to you for living this long," she replied turning back to the crowd who cheered and roared in excitement while others booed her victory. Thankfully she was never a people pleaser so the blonde just brushed it off with one last smirk to the Huntsman before riding off the field.
The events that followed the joust were more violent than the first game had been, though it started off rather pleasant in the beginning. After leaving Graham behind Emma went straight to her tent not bothering to be adorned with the false praise from the regent she was sure to receive. Dismounting her steed the blonde hissed when putting pressure on her foot having forgotten the pain in her adrenaline rush. Leaning on Toni for a moment the knight composed herself. Standing tall, feeling the eyes of those leaving the area, jaw clenched her first step was strong and with each one she concealed the pain. Making it inside the canvas covered area she released a breath moving over to the table in the back and sat down relieving her aching ankle of it's throbbing pain.
"You can say it you know," she laughed not even turning around having heard the flap being pulled back.
The chuckle was closer than she thought though, "And where would the fun be in that dear?" the sarcasm wasn't lost on her as the brunette moved to face the knight, "I don't tell people that I'm right, I expect that they know it already." she waved her hand removing the boot from Emma's foot revealing a swollen ankle and purple bruises already forming.
"Well I'll be sure to remember that next time," the blonde snarked back yelping when the Queen smacked the already injured ankle. Glaring at the woman Emma was met with a raised brow as if asking what she was going to do about it.
Eyes growing dark Emma stood, leaning more on her good side she moved into Regina's space, "That wasn't very nice," she growled.
"Well they don't call me the Evil Queen for nothing, now do they dear?" she mocked pushing the knight back down into the chair she'd been occupying before conjuring another to sit in herself. Once settled in the cushioned chair the brunette brought the ankle into her lap feeling around the area to make sure nothing was broken.
Taking a deep breath as fingers poked and prodded the swollen area green eyes rolled as Emma shifted hating not being able to take care of her injury herself, "You know I can do that right?"
"And have you remove your limb fully? Not a chance." Pulling her foot back the blonde was restrained by the woman's surprisingly strong hands, "Keep still or I'll let you remain injured and in pain." her threat was hollow, but still it was better to have the injured blonde cooperate than to make things worse for her. Crossing her arms the knight looked away like a petulant child but remained still as the woman healed her ankle though it was still tender to the touch. Magic could only do so much. Releasing the obviously pouting blonde the Queen stood, "Make sure to keep out of trouble and refrain from injuring yourself further," and then she was gone.
Looking where the woman had stood then back down at her foot she sighed. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate what Regina had done for here, the healing and all, but there was something about the brunette that made Emma feel something. Not sure what that something was though made it even harder to be around her. Ever since they had been on better terms it was something like the beginnings of friendship. Yeah right, she just wants you to do her bidding and hating Snow makes it easier for her to have me on her side. she sighed reaching for the boot sliding her foot back into it before rising from her own seat and leaving for the night.
Stepping out from the tent Emma hadn't realized how much time had passed since she left the field. The sun was already setting and the sky was ablaze with oranges, pinks, and blues so beautiful it would make any person seek the comforts of home. With a nudge at her back Emma turned to find Toni wanting her attention, "What is it boy?" she smiled petting his mane looking where he whipped his head.
Across the way was a man she knew, a man she had known, and a man who she let down. His dark hair and grim frown told the knight all she needed to know he too recognized the woman who promised to keep his daughter safe. As he began to walk towards her she decided to meet him in the middle. Surrounded by the empty tents and bustling coming from around them Emma met the eyes of Sophie's father. "Emma," The sorrow in his eyes and voice was evident as he held out his hand.
Looking from his mournful eyes, that bore his soul to the world, like any good person she took his hand expecting backlash, hateful words, or violence. Instead the old man pulled her into a bone crushing hug she could feel through the thick armor. Allowing him the time he needed Emma wound her arms around him saying the only thing she could think of, "I'm sorry sir."
Pulling back his sad smile told her it was okay, but the grief stuck in the man's eyes told her otherwise, "I understand your time is not your own while here, but is there any chance you would accompany an old man to his home?" Nodding the blonde took Toni's reins in hand while gesturing her lost love's father home.
It turns out since the death of his daughter, Alan's wife Lily was stricken with grief enough to join her daughter. To learn of the woman's passing was hard on Emma, she'd come to think of her as a mother since meeting her the first time Sophie brought her home. Along their journey to his abode however the two took the usually vacant back alleys, but with the chaos around the arrival of the Dark Kingdom and it's traitorous knight some of the people were in uproar and it was all too evident as a mob of men and women, soldiers, guard, and peasant alike blocked their way ahead with weapons and torches in hand.
"Look everyone the woman who killed the king!" a man dressed in honorary guard armor unsheathed his sword pointing it at the two, "Her own father no less."
Eyes locking on those in front of her Emma let go of her lead, "I suggest you let this man pass he has nothing to do with me or anything you think you know," she warned.
The guard chuckled, "You think you scare me but you don't," the air of uncaring came off him in waves as he took a step closer two armed mob members behind him, "And besides, this does concern Sir Rickman does it not?" his haughty voice as gruff and foreboding.
Backing up she looked around for an escape route they could take, but with the walls on both sides, the mob in from, and the sharp turn behind them there was no way to run. Instead she moved to the ex knight and placed Toni's reins in his hands, "When I tell you to, run."
"Are you mad?" he whispered back, "You'll be killed!" his fist clenched the leather beneath his fingertips.
Moving him to the side of her steed Emma nodded taking the sword she kept on him, "But you won't be," she shot back glaring at him and pleading to listen to her.
Seeing the woman he knew loved his daughter he sighed, "Very well, but do not think for one moment I'm not going for help."
"None shall come for me, for what they say is true. The people demand blood and that is what I shall give them, even if it not my own" she smirked moving away and forward to face the crowd. Blade at her side the White Knight stood proud with an emotionless mask, "If you do not let him pass it will be your blood to clean these shit filled streets not mine," her hard tone thick as steel made some flinch, but the guards and soldiers were not so easily dissuaded from their purpose.
"Not on your life," he spat charging forward silver metal shining under the flames of torches and cries for justice filled what little space was left between them all. Anticipating the move Emma brought up her sword to block the blow kicking at the man's knee but his height compared to hers proved too much for her to reach the weak spot.
As he added his weight to the honed and notched blade he carried, the man was close enough she could feel his repugnant breath on her skin as she tuned away, "If this is all you have then maybe Graham was wrong, you won't be so hard to take down."
"The only thing you'll be taking down is your captains dick when he shoves it in your mouth," the blonde retorted pushing back using the reflection of the blades to see the man behind her, composed but restless. Knowing she had to get him out of there Emma dropped down rolling to the left before her opponent's blade was able to strike.
Growling the guard called the others in and that was the moment she'd been waiting for, "NOW," was the command she sent to her friend as he jumped on Toni turning the horse around as best he could, going back the way they came leaving Emma to defend herself.
Soon after Alan was gone the knight was thankful for how narrow the alley was. For each person that advanced one would have to fall back. Of course this didn't work out in her favor as it seemed with each man or woman that drew back more would be in their place. She was fighting a loosing battle and skilled as she was Emma knew she wouldn't be able to keep this up. Had she been rested from her day and previous injuries the blonde could maybe last a long time, but the exhaustion and knowledge of the day's events had worn at her.
Strike after strike they clashed. Having to rely more on her defensive than offensive skills Emma was all too aware of what would happen lest she fail at paying attention, "Give up girl, you're finished," the guard smirked as she panted trying to catch her breath. For each move he had made against her (being the main aggressor) the blonde had struck him across the face where his skin lay unprotected, a cut down his eye deep and caked with dried blood still seeped into his eye turning it a dark shade of pink.
"Never give up, never surrender," she spit at his feet her own minor wounds marring her face. Raising her blade once more she charged though tired and weary, she charged at him knowing she could not use magic to save her in this instance, she charged knowing she would not die that day. So unexpected was her rush the guard was an idiot to have his defenses down in that moment. With one thrust upwards the ebony black blade cut through the underside of his chin, tearing him apart until the tip burst through the top of his skull accompanied with brains and blood spilling down his face. Wrenching the sword from his skull, Emma tugged up cutting through bone as if it were butter slicing his head in half straight down the middle.
Heavy and lifeless the body fell, a sudden quietness taking over the people around them. Looking up blood spattered eyes met looks of disgust, revulsion, shock, and horror. It seemed that wasn't enough as instead of running like she'd hoped they would two more came at her. Standing her ground blood caked gauntlets gripped the hilt tighter ready for what was to come. When just as suddenly two arrows whizzed by her head meeting each oncoming attacker in battle dropping them to their knees in pain as the arrows impaled themselves deeply into their flesh.
"Now that's no way to treat a lady," the thick accent reprimanded behind her. Of course knowing who she was and being successor to the rule of DunBroch the second most powerful kingdom in the country the mob dispersed quick to put distance between themselves and the two battleborn women.
Relief, it was the first thing she felt when the mob scattered the second thing to come over her was how tired she was, but sleep would come later. For now she had a friend to thank, "Merida," came out dry and quiet. Licking her lips to regain some moisture the knight turned to the princess, "Thank you."
""Now don't be thankin' me much yet," she smiled looking down on Emma's handy work. There the guard laid dead blood seeping out of his head with chunks of hair and brains scattered about, "Well can't say you're not creative."
Smiling from the compliment Emma sighed, "Well I kinda had too, but if you hadn't shown up I'm pretty sure you'd be saying the same thing to the guy that did it to me."
Quick to deny the redhead punched her companion in the shoulder, "Not true, I would have shot 'em in the bollocks then strung him up for it too."
Placing her hands on top of her heart the knight threw her head back, "Oh, how my heart thanks you," the sarcastic reply got a chuckle out of the other woman, "seriously though, thank you."
Shaking her head Merida pointed to the other end of the alley, "Like I said it's not me you have to thank," and there he stood tall as ever. Alan simply smiled before joining the two.
"I thought it imperative to tell someone," he explained, "Potions making can only carry one so far in life, so it was most fortunate I ran into this fine woman here."
"Indeed it was Alan, indeed it was," Emma smiled in amusement, "but we still have to get you home do we not?"
"Oh, please I'd rather not be any more trouble."
"But you're not," she insisted then turning to the archer, "besides Merida will come with us."
Catching on before he could reply Merida cut in, "Of course I am. I have to spend time with some of the only people I enjoy," her smile deflated the man who soon gave in.
"Oh, alright."
Smirking triumphantly Emma, Merida, and Alan continued to the old man's house careful not to step in any blood, it really was hart to get out of any clothing honestly.
AN:So, I had Alan Rickman as Sophie's father long before his passing, but talk about scary. He was one of my favorite actors, but anyway that's not why you're reading this. But if you feel the need to do so please comment, leave kudos (and if you already have eep on pressing the button until you can leave it more than once), or just you know be back for the next chapter after that.
On another note Valentines day is right around the corner and will be accepting prompts for the day capitalized on by Hallmark and other corporations. So if you have any you can find me on FB as LarmOx or just pm me please.