Chapter 12

"Emma Swan, what a pleasure to see you again," Baelfire said, leering at her, his figure casting a shadow over her. In truth, it had been there ever since he left her.

"Drop dead," Emma spat.

"Now Emma, is that any way to talk to the father of your child? I would have thought that the time you spent dallying with royalty would have given you more refined manners."

"You've been watching me?" Emma asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Of course, when I got wind that the prince had become infatuated with a simple peasant named Emma, I had my suspicions. You see, I've been down on my luck as of late, and I knew that you'd be able to help me."

"I'm not helping you with anything," Emma snapped.

"Oh, darling, you don't get it, do you? You'll help just by being you. I'm sure the prince will pay any price to get his little strumpet back."

"You're despicable," Emma said.

"Call me whatever you wish," Baelfire said, "but I'll be able to retire on the jewels and gold that the prince will hand over to get you back. You know I've always wanted to live a life of luxury." Baelfire kelt beside her and took her hand.

Emma winced as he cut her hand with a small dagger, just enough to draw blood. He smeared the blood on the bottom of a piece of parchment. "I needed something to make my threat authentic. Now be a good little bird, and don't try to escape." Then he pressed his lips against her forehead.

Emma would have struck him for his audacity, but her wrists will still bound.

-/-

"A message for you, your highness," a servant said, as he handed Killian a sealed missive.

Killian took the message. He almost considered ignoring it. The sun had just risen, and he wanted to start the search for Emma immediately, but he still opened it.

Your little Swan is in the dark forest. Worry not, she is safe for now. But all that can change if you do not give into my demands. You will come to the outskirts of the forest at nightfall today. I provided you with the coordinates below. You will bring five chests of gold and five chests of jewels. You will also come alone. If you do not do so by the deadline, I will slit Emma Swan's throat and I will leave her to rot in the forest. Make the right decision, your highness.

Baelfire, King of Thieves

Killian crumpled the paper in his shaking hand and went straight to Liam's study. Emma was in danger, and it was all his fault. If he had just been there for her she would not have run away, and she would not have been kidnapped. If anything happened to her he would never forgive himself.

Killian pushed the door to the study open, and found Liam sitting behind his desk. "Shouldn't you have left by now?" Liam asked.

"I was just about to leave when a servant handed me this," Killian said, slamming the paper down on his brother's desk.

Liam looked concerned as he smoothed out the crumpled missive. Liam scanned the message and then glanced up at his brother. "Killian, I am sorry. I will have ten chests filled immediately."

Killian looked relieved. "I shall depart shortly before sundown."

"With a company of men," Liam insisted.

Killian shook his head. "I will not risk doing anything that will put Emma in danger. This man, Baelfire, I have heard tales of him. He's the scourge of the forest, and I have no trouble believing that he would follow through on his threats."

"Very well, brother," Liam said. "Notify me once you return with Princess Emma."

When Killian left the study, Liam summoned his steward. "You will send word to the Captain of the Guard. I need him to gather a company of men to follow the prince to the edge of the Dark Forest. Tell the captain that they must be discreet."

"Of course, your majesty," the steward said, bowing low and exiting the room.

-/-

"So Emma, how is that son of ours? Does he look like me?"

"If you've been watching me you should already know that he doesn't," Emma said.

"It's a pity you can't be civil. After tonight we'll be parted again, that is, if your prince cares enough to come after you. I wouldn't blame him if he didn't. You're hardly worth ten chests of gold and jewels. You're not even worth a single gold piece."

Emma averted her eyes, and tried to block out Baelfire's words. Killian would come for her, she knew it. He loved her. He was her True Love.

"Ah, I see I've stolen your words away," Baelfire said with a smirk. "You've of course realized the truth of my words. No one could ever love a useless woman like you. The number of times you almost got us caught. You should consider yourself lucky that your uselessness didn't land us in prison."

"If I was no good at thievery, it was only because I had such a poor teacher," Emma shot back.

Baelfire only laughed, and nodded to one of the members of his band. "Take Emma to a tent and tighten her bonds. We've only a few hours until nightfall, and we shall depart soon."

"Yes sir," said a burly man, grabbing Emma and forcing her away.

-/-

"Baelfire," a man said, "I have heard an interesting rumor, which if proven to be true could increase our riches.

"Do tell, John."

"Emma Swan greatly resembles the lost princess from Snow and Charming's kingdom. I heard that the Blue Fairy just paid a visit to the king, and there is a rumor that Emma Swan might indeed be that princess. You could ask for at least twenty more chests."

Baelfire smiled. "Thank you, John, I will force the truth from Emma.

Baelfire pushed the flap of the tent back and stepped inside. Emma glared daggers at him. "What do you want," she hissed.

"The truth, princess,"

Emma paled at the title. "I'm not a princess."

Baelfire grinned. "Don't lie to me, Emma. You should have told me when we were together. We could have been happy together. But the time for that has passed. Now I will take everything from your prince, and if he does not comply, I suppose I will have to threaten your parents as well."

"Don't," Emma said. "I'll make sure the prince gives you everything that you want."

"Good. We will depart in an hour. If your faith in your prince is not misplaced you'll be free to return to your life in a few short hours."

-/-

Killian climbed up on top of the loaded cart and began his journey to the edge of the dark forest. Once Emma was safe in his arms, he'd never let her go again. He'd show her how much he loved her. They would break the curse and he would bring her home.

He arrived at the outskirts of the forest just as the sun was sinking behind the horizon. He prayed that even the King of Thieves would have a shred of honor.

Killian jumped off the cart and placed a hand on the hilt of his sword and scanned the tree line.

He heard a sound to his left, and turned, drawing his sword.

"It is only me, my lord," Humbert said, emerging from the trees.

"What are you doing here?" Killian hissed.

"The king sent a company of men, we've got you covered, my lord." Then he disappeared behind the tree again.

Killian didn't like this risk, if Baelfire discovered his men. he'd think it was an ambush. Emma might be harmed.

Killian took a deep breath and braced himself, hoping that Baelfire would come soon.

He heard another noise, and shifted his weight, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.

Killian's breath caught as Emma emerged from the trees.

"Emma," he cried, as he ran to her. He pulled her into his arms, and buried his face in her curls. "My love, he whispered, "thank the gods you're safe."

"You came," Emma whispered.

"Did you ever doubt that I would?"

"A touching reunion," Baelfire said as he emerged from the shadows. "I wasn't sure you would show up. She's not worth the price I asked for."

Killian pulled Emma so that she stood behind him. "Emma is worth everything in the kingdom. Take your gold and jewels," he said, gesturing to the cart.

"That's not what I meant actually. You see, I know who she really is, and you will hand over the entire contents of the royal treasury, or I will end Emma's life."

"I will not give in to the demands of the likes of you," Killian said, through clenched teeth. We had a deal."

"That we did, but the terms have changed. John, fire."

Killian raised his sword, but he was in no position to defend against the arrow that whizzed by him, and plunging directly into Emma's side.

She fell to the ground, crying out in pain.

Killian dove to her side and gathered her in his arms. "What have you done, he yelled at Baelfire.

Baelfire stepped forward. "That arrow is laced with dream shade, an extremely potent poison. She will be dead in three days. I know where to find a cure, but I will only give you that information if you hand over all your riches."

"Don't do it, Killian. I'm not worth bankrupting an entire kingdom," Emma said, raising her hand to caress his face.

"Well, you have my offer, your highness. I will be waiting here for my prize," Baelfire said. Then he went back into the woods.

Killian signaled for Humbert and his men to emerge from their hiding places, before turning back to Emma. "My love, I will need to take out the arrow."

"I trust you, Killian," Emma said.

Killian tore a strip of cloth from the shirt he wore, and curled his fingers around the shaft of the arrow. "On the count of three," he said. "One. Two. Three."

Emma's wound was thankfully not very deep. He wrapped the piece of cloth around her slender waist and tied it off. Then he lifted her in his arms and went over to Captain Humbert. I will use your horse. We must get back to the castle as quickly as possible. You and your men will take the cart."

"Yes, my lord." Captain Humbert helped Killian lift Emma up on the horse, and Killian quickly mounted so that he was behind her. He nudged the horse forward, and took off at top speed towards the castle. "Don't worry, Emma, I will find a way to save you."