Emma Swan had every intention of coming back to the castle eventually, if only for Henry's sake, but she could no longer be in the castle. Not now after everything she had ever know had just fallen apart.

The guards did not stop her when she left the great hall, and passed through the open castle gates. She hitched up her skirts and began to run in the direction of the woods. She couldn't go anywhere that Killian would find her, so her home was out of the question.

She'd find some sort of shelter in the trees. She was no stranger to living in the forest. She'd lived as a bandit between leaving the Miller and his wife and acquiring a home several years later.

She had met Baelfire in the woods. No. She wouldn't think of him, he was long gone.

Emma reached the edge of the forest nearly an hour later. She leaned against a tree to catch her breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her thoughts wondered to Henry. She knew he was in good hands, no one in the castle would allow anything to happen to him, and for that she was grateful.

Emma pushed away the guilt she felt for just leaving her son, but he'd understand. Emma took a deep breath and headed onto the forest, weaving through the trees, and searching for a suitable place to make camp.

She spent the rest of the day searching, finally finding a small clearing just as the son was setting. She quickly gathered some twigs and built a small fire.

Emma laid back in the soft grass and watched the fire flicker and burn. Killian and Henry had probably noticed her absence by now, and she was certain that Killian would send out search parties in the morning. She would have quite a bit of explaining to do, but for now she was glad to run and hide. It was one of the things she did best.

-/-

Henry was worried. He'd returned to his room with Lucy after his sword fighting lessons. The sword master has promised him that with several months of diligent training he'd be an expert in no time. It had been a fun day, until he discovered that his mother was no where to be found.

Thinking that she might be somewhere with Killian, he went off in search of the prince.

With Lucy's assistance he shortly found Killian in his study.

Killian looked up from his book at the sound of a door opening. "Henry, what can I do for you?"

"I can't find my mother anywhere," said Henry, sounding worried. "I thought she would be with you."

Killian frowned. "She's not in your suite?"

Henry shook his head. "She didn't even leave a note," Henry said, "Do you have any idea where she could be."

"I haven't seen her since this morning," Killian said, "She said she wanted to spend a day in peace in your quarters." There was a simple explanation, Emma must have run, despite her promise that she wouldn't. Well, Killian would find her and bring her back to the safety of the castle.

They would work together to break her fuse and he would see her reunited with her family. Henry of course, new nothing of these new developments, and he was keen to keep it that way. "I will find her, Henry. Lucy, I would like you to take Henry back to his quarters. Dine with him there and put him to bed at a reasonable hour."

"Of course, your highness," Lucy said, grabbing Henry's hand.

"You'll find her?" Henry asked.

"You have my word, Henry. I will not allow anything to happen to Emma."

The boy smiled and left with Lucy.

Killian couldn't help but feel hurt. Emma had run away from him. He had done as she asked and left her in peace despite his better judgement, despite his belief that they needed to work through this new challenge together. He was her True Love for goodness sake, and she still didn't trust him fully.

Killian quickly left his study and went to the library where he knew Liam would be.

Liam looked up from a set of royal charters when Killian entered the room. "What is it, brother?"

"I believe that Emma Swan left the castle, I would like your permission to send out search parties. Something could happen to her."

"She ran? What about the boy?"

"He's safe in his quarters. Lucy is watching after him. We must find Emma as quickly as possible. After the Blue Fairy's revelation, she said she needed some time, but I never imagined she'd leave."

Liam nodded sympathetically. "Send out as many men as you need. Will you be joining them?"

"I can't very well sit here and do nothing," Killian said, knowing that he wouldn't be able to sleep until Emma was safely back with him.

Liam looked out the window behind him. The sun had already set. "Killian, it will be better that you send the search parties out in the morning. The sun has set, and you'll have no luck finding her in the dark."

Killian scowled at his brother. "She might get hurt, I can't just leave her by herself for an entire night."

"Killian, I understand your worry, but be reasonable. Miss Swan seems like a cable woman. I am sure she is taking care of herself. You should get some rest, I will send word out and I will make sure that the search parties will be ready to head out at first light. You will retire for the night."

"But—" Killian began to protest.

Liam silenced him with a look. "That is an order from your king, brother."

Killian sighed. Liam never pulled his rank like that, and Killian knew that he was right, but he also knew he wouldn't be able to sleep well knowing that Emma was out in the kingdom alone where anything could happen to her.

-/-

"Wake up, lady," said a gruff voice.

Emma's eyes opened and she saw the dirty face of a ruffian peering down at her. It only took her seconds to realize that her wrists and ankles were tied. Before she knew it, the man was lifting her in his arms.

"What are you doing?" she demanded.

"I'm taking you to my hideout. My band of men will be very happy to have such a prize."

"I am nothing special," Emma declared. "I am nothing but a peasant."

"Do not lie to me," the man said, "I have seen you with the prince. He will pay a hefty price to get you back. Do not worry, though, if you behave, you'll not be harmed. The prince will not pay as much for damaged goods."

"You're not going to get away with this," Emma said, through clenched teeth. "The prince will make you pay for this."

The man smiled down at her, an evil glint in his eyes. "No, my dear. He will be the one to pay. Our leader will be very pleased to see you."

"Who are you?"

"I am a man of no consequence, but my leader is the best known thief in the kingdom."

"And his name?" Emma asked, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her gut.

"Baelfire."