Chapter 13

Emma passed out from the pain before they reached the castle. Killian dismounted the horse carefully, not wanting to awaken her. He held her tight in his arms and pressed a kiss to her brow. "I will save you, my darling," he said, sounding resolute.

Killian brought Emma to her chamber straight away. He was greeted by a worried Henry. "Thank goodness you're back" he said,

"Lad, your mother is gravely injured, and she needs her rest. Will you stay with her while I go speak with the king? I will send Lucy along shortly."

Henry nodded and pulled back the covers so Killian could place her in her bed. Then he pulled the covers up to her chin. Emma's eyes fluttered open, "Killian, where is Henry?"

"I'm right here, mother," Henry said, moving to sit beside her.

She smiled weakly.

"Sleep, my love, I will send Lucy along to attend to you, and Henry will be right by your side." Without hesitation, he pressed his lips against hers, not even caring that Henry was right there. He brushed her hair from her face, thumb caressing the apple of her cheek. He would not lose her, even if he had to travel to another realm to get a cure.

-/-

"Princess Emma, is she safe?" Liam asked when Killian burst into his study.

"In a word, no, but I will not lose her, brother. One of Baelfire's men shot her with poisoned arrow. It was laced with dream shade. The bastard has a cure, but he will not give it to me unless we give him the entirety of the royal treasury."

"We cannot do that, brother," Liam said.

"Of course not, and in any case, Emma would not want me to bankrupt the kingdom in order to dave her. But I will find a cure. She will die in three days' time. I can't lose her, brother."

Liam's eyes glistened with sympathy. "I will call upon the Blue Fairy. She will know of a cure for Dream Shade, but it might take some time. Go back to Emma, and I will send for you when Blue arrives."

Killian nodded and left the study, eager to be back at Emma's side.

-/-

When Killian entered Emma's chamber, she was sitting up, propped against a mound of pillows. Lucy had fetched a basin of hot water and strips of cloth and had cleaned and dressed her wound, and then she'd taken Henry to the stables so Emma could rest.

Emma smiled weakly when Killian knelt by her side and took her hand. "How are you feeling, my love?"

"Better now that I'm with you and Henry," Emma said. "I couldn't have handled it had I not been able to see either of you again."

Killian frowned. "You're speaking as if you have given up. I told you, I will do anything I can to get a cure."

"No," Emma said, caressing his cheek. "I will not allow you to sacrifice your kingdom for me, nor your safety. Henry will need someone to look after him when I'm gone."

Killian laid his hand over Emma's. "Liam sent for Blue, she'll know of a cure, and I will go fetch it and return in time to save you. I won't let anyone, least of all that bastard, take you away from me. You are far too important."

Emma sighed. Both she and Killian were of the same stubborn stalk, and she knew there would be no arguing with him. Of course she didn't want things to end this way, but if Henry lost both her and Killian, she would never forgive herself. She wouldn't allow her to grow up alone like she had.

They sat together in silence as they waited for Blue to arrive. Eventually, Emma started to drift off, and Killian moved to lay beside her on the bed. He wrapped his arm around her and she fell asleep on his chest. Killian's fingers slid through her hair over and over again, as he wondered why Blue was taking so long. Soon, he too, feel asleep, his head resting atop of Emma's.

An hour or two later he was awakened when Liam entered the room with Blue in tow.

Killian gently nudged Emma and her eyes fluttered open. "Love, Blue is here." Emma sat up fully, but was a little lightheaded. Killian moved closer, pulling her to him. "Please," he said, addressing Blue, "Tell me you know of a cure for dreamshade."

"It is the deadliest poison in all the realms," Blue said, hovering closer, "The cure resides in a realm far away, ruled by a demon child. It is called Neverland."

Killian blinked. His mother had told him stores of that place when he was a boy, but she only ever mentioned mermaids, fairies, and swashbuckling pirates. Nothing of a demon or deadly poison. "It's real?"

Blue nodded. "The reason it took so long for me to get here is because I had to procure the last of the magic beans. That is the safest way to get to Neverland. You'll have to go there, Prince Killian, although I fear it will not be an easy quest. Peter Pan is not someone to be trifled with. Some say he's worse than the Dark One."

"I will do whatever is necessary to get the cure. What will I be looking for once I arrive?"

"There is a pond at the heart to the Neverland forest. The water will cure anything. You'll have to bring it back by sunset the day after tomorrow, or Emma will not survive."

"I will do it," Killian said.

"Killian, no, it's too dangerous," Emma said.

"Actually, he won't be going alone," Blue said. "There is another reason it took me so long to come. I've brought someone with me, and he will accompany you to Neverland."

Killian and Emma stared at the Blue Fairy. "Who is it?"

"Your father, King David," Blue said.

Then the door opened, and and a man with greying blonde hair entered the chamber. He was richly dressed, and was armed with two swords. His eyes flew immediately to Emma, and Killian suddenly felt his cheeks start to burn die to the fact that the father of his True Love had seen them in bed together, despite the fact that they were both fully clothed. He felt Emma stiffen in his arms, and she stared at the man, her mouth falling open.

"Emma? Is that really you?" King David asked, stepping closer.

At last, Emma seemed to feel a spark of recognition, and she left the bed and ran into her father's open arms. "Father, yes, it's me. Emma."

David lived her off her feet and spun her around, holding her tightly, and kissing the top of her head. "At last," he whispered.

Emma suddenly felt weak in the knees and it wasn't only due to the poison. She couldn't believe that her father was here with her. She'd dreamt of meeting her parents her whole life.

"Your mother was heartbroken that she couldn't come," David said, "but as soon as you're safe, Regina's curse will finally be broken. That's why I knew I had to come. I had to make sure your True Love survived Neverland."

"You know about that?" Emma asked.

David smiled. "Yes, Blue told us everything."

Emma stepped out of her father's embrace, only to move to stand beside Killian. "Well, then the two of you should be properly introduced."

On cue, Killian extended his hand to David. "I am Prince Killian, brother and heir of his majesty King Liam of the Northern Kingdom."

David shook his hand. "A pleasure, there will be more time later to get to know one another, but at the present, time is of the essence, wouldn't you agree?"

"Of course, sir," Killian said, "Liam, we shall take the Jewel."

"I've already assembled a crew. The ship is ready at the docks. You must be swift, brother."

"Indeed, but first, will you all give us a moment?"

"Of course," Liam said, and he led Blue and David out of the room, leaving Killian and Emma alone.

"This has been a big day for you, darling," Killian said.

Emma nodded. "I never dreamed that I would ever meet even on of my parents."

"You will see your mother soon enough as well. Your father and I will find the cure and make it back in time. You'll be safe and the curse will be broken. You'll have a home at last."

Emma looked up at him and moved closer, placing a hand on his chest. "Killian, thanks to you, I already have a home. Please, be safe, and keep my father safe as well."

"You have my word. We will be back before you know it, love." He leaned in and kissed her tenderly. "Then we'll have the rest of our lives together."

"Is that your way of proposing?" Emma asked with a raised brow.

Killian shook his head. "No. That will be reserved for after you're safe."

"Something to look forward to, then," she teased. "I love you Killian. Come back to me."

"Nothing will stop me," Killian promised.