Emma burst into the cottage, having tied her steed to the porch in haste. Flying into the bedroom, she yanked open the lid to her trunk, tossing garments aside until she found the knapsack that she had squirreled away. It had been packed in anticipation of frequent overnights with her parents that had never come to fruition.
She darted around the cottage, tossing necessities and niceties into the bag. She'd had some time to think on her ride, to formulate a plan. Returning to her parents' was out of the question. It was first place Cora would look. But she wasn't likely to fare much better by staying at the cottage, as no matter how much responsibility Bae felt towards her, he was no match for Cora. So she'd flee, setting off on her own and hiding somewhere for a couple of days, just until the threat had passed. She could get a message to her parents assuring them of her safety, allowing them to handle Cora without needing to worry about her. It seemed like the most reasonable plan given the urgency of the situation, and Emma was rather proud of herself for formulating her own solution.
In her panic, she'd filled the bag in only a few minutes. She wasn't entirely sure what had gone inside, but she fastened the catch anyways, figuring even a hasty packing job should tide her over. She laced up her new boots, slinging the bag over her shoulder and pulling on her shawl. Drawing in a steadying breath, her eyes flitted about the cottage, searching for anything forgotten. As her eyes scanned past the sofa, she recalled her companion of the last month and frowned.
Bae and his damned walks. She knew he felt like a caged animal if he was stuck in the cottage all day, but - really! Must he be gone at the most inopportune times? She would've liked to say goodbye, reassure him that he didn't need to worry about her, but she couldn't waste time waiting around for him. A note would have to do.
Emma spent a number of minutes searching for a pencil and paper before realizing the quickest place to find them was Bae's desk. She began rifling through his sketches in search of blank paper. He really was quite talented; such a pity his father wouldn't permit him to pursue a career as an artisan. She scooped up a stick of charcoal as she searched, muttering to herself as she wondered where on earth he stored his blank sheets.
"Emma? Whatever are you doing?"
Bae's voice surprised her and she spun around, charcoal still in hand. He was standing in the doorway to the cottage, hair tousled by the winter wind and face covered in confusion. "I have to go," she told him.
"Go where? It's nearly nightfall, you can't be headed far."
"I... just... go." Her panic hit a roadblock, remembering for the first time her father-in-law's decree about sundown. The blank expression on her face and nonsensical words must have worried Bae, as he furrowed his brow and stepped towards her.
"Emma? What's wrong?" he asked, reaching out and taking the charcoal from her hand. She was vaguely aware of him setting it on the desk behind her, but still she did not react, head spinning with possibilities. She couldn't stay. Cora was ruthless, Emma powerless to stop her. But she couldn't go - she wasn't permitted to be separated from Bae at nightfall. Rumplestiltskin was perhaps even more ruthless than Cora, and Emma didn't really want to hedge her bets on who was worse. She was stuck. Unless, of course-
"You'll have to come with me."
"Come? Where? Where are you going?" A beat and then, "Emma, would you please explain yourself?"
She looked at him, blinking a couple of times and snapping out of her daze. "Come on, we haven't much time. Grab a satchel, toss your things in. We need to go."
"Go where?" She ignored him, looking around in search of some sort of bag that he could use as luggage. As she flew past him, he reached out, catching her wrist. "Emma! What is the meaning of all this?"
She stopped, finding herself tethered to a spot and confronted with a need for explanation. "Cora," she managed to choke out. "She's... an old enemy of my parents, I guess. Apparently she wants to kill me."
"Kill you! Well the panic makes sense now. Give me a moment to pack and then we can set off for the safety of your parents'."
She looked at him, bewildered, as if he'd grown an extra limb. "Are you daft? That's the first place she'd look for me. Already has, as a matter of fact. It's only a matter of time before she finds out I'm here, and I need to be gone before that happens." She looked him over, once again considering her options, and shrugged. "There's no option but to have you come along."
"Emma, listen to yourself. You sound as if you've gone insane. Where are we going to go?"
She shrugged again. "I hadn't gotten that far."
"Listen, your parents' castle is fortified-"
She stared back at him, filling in the missing piece of the puzzle. "Cora has magic."
He opened his mouth to protest, then closed it again. Thinking for a moment, he tried again. "All right, my father then. Surely he can protect you."
Emma burst out laughing. "Like the last time he protected me? Saving me from some 'terrible fate' only to wed me to his son? Please." Resuming her search for a bag, she finally found a leather knapsack hung on a peg on the wall. She began shoving items madly inside, unaware of Bae watching her with a raised eyebrow and the faintest hint of a smile on his face.
"Emma?"
"What!" she shouted, wheeling on him once again. "Are you going to help me? Or do you just want to stand by and watch me be killed?"
"Of course not," he replied, a hint of hurt in his voice. "I was just going to say that of course I'll go with you."
She stopped. "You will?"
"Why not? I've sworn to protect you. It's not as if there's anything for me here, anyways."
She surveyed him for a moment before giving a sharp nod. Before she could return to her packing, he spoke again.
"I do have a condition."
Her eyes darkened. "What's that?"
"You let me pack."
She scowled. "What makes you the expert on packing?" Walking into the kitchen, she continued filling the bag, fruit and utensils and an odd saucer being stuffed inside.
He unleashed a heavy sigh. "Let's just say I know a thing or two about survival." Watching as she stuffed her hairbrush down the side of the bag, he raised an eyebrow. "Whatever are you putting in there?"
"Things we'll need!"
"Let me see this," he said, holding his hand out for the bag. She stared back at him, not budging, but he held his ground. Hand still extended, he raised his eyebrow again and - remembering his condition - she handed it over, albeit not without grumbling. He began to unpack it. "Hairbrush... half a dozen bananas... candle... three spoons. Three, really?" Emma shrugged, offering no defense, and he continued. "Let's see, what's here in the way of clothes. A tunic, that's good. A pair of socks. At least you grabbed them both. And-" He found his hand at the bottom of the bag, "Well, it seems that's it."
"I wasn't finished," she said, scowling.
"That's just as well. Dump your knapsack out too, we're starting over."
"But Cora-"
"Running from Cora will do you no good if you die of exposure. Besides, you said she's been to your parents - did they tell her where you are?"
She pursed her lips. "Of course not."
"Then she'll be delayed a bit. We'll take an hour, pack a functional bag, and be gone. Just... stop your panic. I can't handle it."
Emma's brow furrowed. "You can't handle it? You're not the one with a crazy sorceress calling for your head!"
"But I am the one attempting to run off with a princess who is acting crazy. You'll need to gather yourself if we've any chance of maintaining discretion in our escape."
She pushed out an annoyed huff. "Fine. I'll sit over here and let you pick through my things." She flopped onto the chaise, crossing her arms across her chest. "Happy?"
"Thrilled."
She scowled at his sarcastic tone, watching as he flipped her bag over, adding it to the pile he'd already created on the settee. He sorted the items - saucer, spoons, hairbrush to the left. Clothes went into a pile on the right; the bunch of bananas divided. "Go grab three or four pairs of trousers, a few tunics, several pairs of warm socks and a blanket that's not too bulky," he instructed. "I'll do the same."
"I have a blanket," she protested, gesturing at the fluff he'd added to the reject pile. "I'm set on that front."
"Not that one," he said, shaking his head. "It's got too much bulk, not enough warmth."
"But-"
"Emma! Do you want to freeze to death out there?"
She pursed her lips. "No."
"Thin blanket, tight weave. Preferably a woolen one, it'll be better if it's damp." She stared at him for a moment, weighing her attachment to the blanket she'd toted since infancy against the practicality of his suggestion.
In the end she decided to stay the argument. Perhaps she could talk him into adding it before they left. She went into the bedroom, choosing a few favorite garments. By the time she returned she found that Bae had added to the piles - a few more bits of food, a folding knife and other practical necessities in addition to his clothes. The kitchenware had been returned to its rightful place and the candle had been placed back on the table, her hairbrush set next to it.
"But my hairbrush-"
He gave a firm shake of his head. "What do you need it for? There'll be no one to impress. Furthermore, the thing weighs like five pounds!"
She pouted momentarily, choosing her battles. "Fine. But add the oranges back in, and the candle goes."
"Whatever for? Why would we possibly have need for a candle?"
Digging in her heels, she narrowed her eyes. "We just do."
"Emma, it won't be of any use to us."
Chewing on her lip, she weighed the timeliness of the conversation she'd been putting off for weeks. Finally she decided that the candle's presence was more important than her discomfort and plunged forth into her explanation.
"It's for nightmares. Growing up, my mother had them often. My father would always light a candle when she awoke."
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning on having difficulty sleeping on our adventure?"
"It's not for me."
Bae appeared confused for a moment, then his eyes grew wide, the implication of her statement sinking in. He ducked his head and turned away, tucking the candle into his satchel without further argument.
There was silence for a moment, neither party sure how to proceed. Ultimately it was Bae who broke the stalemate, slinging the bag over his shoulder. "I think we have everything," he said, flipping the flap over Emma's bag and holding it out to her.
"I suppose so," she replied, accepting it. The plea she'd intended to levy for her blanket was forgotten in the awkwardness of the moment and it remained where Bae had stowed it, draped over the back of Emma's favorite chair.
Cloaks and shawls were tossed over shoulders and feet were shoved into boots, the duo preparing for their departure in an uncharacteristic silence. For the first time, the gravity of the situation seemed to resonate through the cottage, and Bae watched as Emma drew in a shaky breath.
"Are you ready?" he asked, standing with a hand on the doorknob. He took a final glance around to ensure they'd forgotten nothing of crucial importance.
"As I'll ever be," she replied, sighing. Her attitude and tone of voice betrayed the words entirely.
"Emma... we don't have to go. I'm sure there's another way to keep you safe."
She shook her head, sadness outlining her features. "We've been over this... there's really not." Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly to steady herself before continuing. "We should really get going. It's well past sundown, it should be deserted out there."
Bae nodded and turned the knob, easing the door open a sliver and peering outside before opening it fully. He took a quick glance around before stepping through the door, adjusting his bag on his shoulder as he waited for Emma to follow. Once she had done so, he swung the door shut while Emma untied the steed. Wordlessly, they set out for the stables, the stowing of the horse the final step before their journey could begin.
"We should call him, Charming."
"I don't need that man to solve any more of my family's problems!" The Prince's voice had risen to a shout, echoing in contrast to his wife's unwavering calm. Cora had departed earlier, finally satisfied that she wouldn't be getting her hands on either Regina or Emma that evening. She left the royals with heavy threats of her return, and once she'd disappeared they retreated to the nearest parlor immediately. Snow's suggested plan was to fight magic in kind by calling Rumplestiltskin, but her husband had other ideas. "The last time we allowed him to assist, he stole our daughter!"
"Which is exactly why we must call him immediately," Snow implored. "He has Emma."
Charming stared at her for a moment, blinking a few times as he digested her statement. Finally, he bellowed. "RUMPLESTILTSKIN!"
Moments later, the sorcerer appeared in front of the duo, a scowl on his face. "You needn't shout, dearie, my hearing's still intact. What crisis do you need me to avert this time?"
"It's Cora," Prince Charming replied. "She's back, and she's intent on killing Emma."
Rumplestiltskin let out a cackle. "Back, is she? I guess Wonderland wasn't to her liking after all."
"She's searching for Regina," Snow said. "Cora's convinced the way to win back her affections is by letting her crush Emma's heart."
"Yes, well she did always have a peculiar way of expressing her love," Rumple replied.
His flippant attitude caused the prince's temper to flare, eyes widening to the point of nearly popping out of his head. Once again he began shouting. "Are you listening to a word we're saying? There's a murderess after our daughter. Our daughter who resides in your care! That means you're responsible for protecting her! Why are you so blasé about this?!"
Rumplestiltskin clicked his tongue, unmoved by the prince's outburst. "Where is your daughter now?"
Charming looked to Snow for an answer, which she readily provided. "Back at the cottage, I presume. She left quite a while ago."
"She'll certainly be back by now," Rumple said. "The horse is enchanted to expedite the journey and ensure she's in well before nightfall. Not that she's aware, of course. She'll be perfectly safe there, my entire grounds are warded to keep Cora out. "
"What if she leaves, though? Shouldn't we go to her - warn her of the danger?"
"Don't be preposterous. I'm not going to disturb the children at this late hour just to put them in a panic. They'll be in for the night, tucked safely into their beds. Tomorrow I'll go down to the cottage and explain the situation. If they need to travel elsewhere, I can provide protection not unlike the spell that keeps the two of you safe from Regina."
"And Cora?" asked Snow.
"Well, my dear, it seems that's your problem. As Bae's wife, I'll take responsibility for Emma. If you'd like help defeating Cora, well... I'll gladly oblige. But I must remind you, magic always comes with a price. Make sure it's one you're prepared to pay!" Rumplestiltskin's impish nature came to the forefront as he said this, eyes glinting as he flashed a grin at the prince.
"There's no need," Charming replied, the bitter memory of their last deal ringing in his mind. "You just keep Emma safe. We'll figure out how to take care of Cora."
"Don't even worry your pretty heads about your daughter. So long as she and Bae stay on my grounds, they'll be safe as can be."
At the stables, Emma unbridled the horse and stowed his tack, offering him only the barest of grooming. Once finished, she gave him a pat and an extra carrot, whispering an apology for cheating him out of the full brushing he deserved.
The duo exited the stable, cutting through the brush towards the ivy-covered wall that served as a perimeter for the grounds. Emma followed behind Bae, who had taken a purposeful lead as they exited the stable. She found herself puzzled when he passed the gate, gesturing for her to follow as he crept further down the wall. "Where are you going?" she'd whispered. His response was to hold a finger to his lips, reminding her to be quiet as they crept through the underbrush.
"Trust me," he whispered, words let out so softly that they were barely audible. Once he reached a spot that was to his liking, he swung his satchel around to rest against his back. He then hauled himself up the six-foot barrier, vines popping from the stone as his feet caught them for leverage. Once he'd managed to get atop the wall, he caught Emma's eye and nodded. She copied his motions, beginning to scale it herself. Unfortunately Bae's ascent had pulled the vines loose, making her climb significantly more challenging, and her first attempt was met with unmitigated failure as the vines slid down the wall and left her standing on the ground once more.
Bae scowled, pausing for a moment to think before he put a hand out towards her. "Give me your bag," he instructed, and she readily complied. Setting both bags on the wall, he maneuvered several feet to his right where a fresh set of ivy lay, roots still embedded in the wall. "Why don't you try again here," he suggested, and she gave a brisk nod, chomping on her lip as she considered the best route up. Finally she lunged at the wall, making it three-quarters of the way up before the vines began to give way. Suddenly she found her hand in his as he provided her with enough leverage to make it to the top.
"Thanks," she whispered, and he gave her a quick nod before swinging his legs to the back side of the wall. Jumping off, he landed with a thud, hitting the ground a bit harder than anticipated. Emma grimaced in sympathy as he stood up and shook himself off. He reached up for the bags and she handed them down, watching as he put their straps across his body. He then extended his arm up again, offering assistance for her journey to the ground.
She scowled and shook her head, prompting Bae to roll his eyes at her stubbornness. "Don't be stupid," he whispered, "There's no need for both of us to take a hard landing."
Emma shot him a glare even as she accepted his offer, wrapping fingers around the side of his hand. Using it for balance, she pushed herself off of the stones that had separated them from the rest of the world for so long. He tightened his grip as she hit the ground, ensuring that her landing was far more controlled that his.
Much to Emma's surprise, Bae proceeded to keep her hand firmly within his grasp as he started for the woods, giving her arm a tug and urging her to follow with a tilt of his head. She complied, almost without considering the direction as she found herself distracted by the warmth of the hand that held hers - and the realization that she'd not had reason to hold it since their dance at the ball. The faint stirring of something that leapt up at his touch caused her to yank out of his grip. She hadn't the wherewithal at the moment to consider what such a reaction might mean, matters of life or death being far more pressing... nor was she sure she was even willing to offer it contemplation Instead, she jutted up her chin and fell into step, marching dutifully behind him.
A/N - Thanks as always to textbookone for her beta and her advice on this chapter!
So our young heroes are off... where do you think they might be headed? Something tells me that dear Emma is in a world of trouble... and I don't mean from Cora.
Next up is a short interlude - and then we're on to the next stage of our adventure. I'd love to hear what you think!