Chapter 31

Snow sat outside the Court hall. She was dressed up in all her finery. She was waiting on Charming and Emma. She hoped that Emma would come soon so she could see what Regina had helped her pick out for the ball. She knew that Charming wanted to knight her tonight. She wasn't against it. She wanted Emma to have everything, but she wasn't sure that Emma wanted the titles and such.

Emma and Regina slowly made their way towards the Court hall. They stopped when they saw Snow standing outside waiting. Emma was amazed at how beautiful her mother looked every time they had a ball. She was glad that Regina had helped her pick out an outfit.

"You both look stunning."

"Thank you," Emma stated.

"And, you match. I am amazed that Regina managed to get you into something befitting your station. I also see that it is very functional. I am sure that it will make your father's knighting ceremony easier, as well," Snow stated.

"About that?"

"What?" Regina asked, and Snow gave her a perplexed look.

"Does he have to do it, tonight?"

"It was part of the birthday surprise for Henry," Snow stated.

"But, do I really have to be knighted with him?"

"You don't want to be a knight?" Regina asked her.

"It isn't that," Emma started.

"Then what is it?" Snow asked her.

"It is just that…. This is Henry's birthday party. He is being named a crown prince and all. Shouldn't tonight be about him? I mean, I get it. Dad wants to give me everything that he can. I get it. But, tonight is about Henry, not about me."

"What about your engagement?" Snow asked.

Regina turned to look at Emma, wondering the same thing. It was part of the deal that Snow and Henry had come to the night before. Snow would introduce them to the assemblage as an engaged couple with the Crown's consent. Emma sighed. She knew that Regina wouldn't fight her about the announcement, but she could see the questioning in her eyes.

"I know that he wants it announced tonight, because he sees it as a present from us to him."

"But?" Snow questioned.

"I think that it should be given to the Court Council. I don't want my life to overshadow his right now. You only get to be that eighteen once. Let him have his day. We can announce it to the kingdom later," Emma stated.

"You're sure about this?" Snow asked, not believing a word that Emma said.

She could see the fear in her daughter's eyes. She knew that Emma wasn't running. She just didn't want to deal with all the talk and crap that would come from the announcement. She knew that Emma and Regina were planning on helping Rhiannon in the morning. Tonight was about Henry and she understood that. But, she also wanted to lavish Emma with the things that she should have already been given as a Princess of the Realm. Snow shook her head and thought about the twenty-eight years that she lost. She looked at Emma and saw the pain. She understood where Emma was coming from. Emma however only had eleven years to make up for. Snow sighed, but nodded in agreement.

"I'll talk to you father," Snow replied. "But, I will leave you to talk to your son about this. It was part of the agreement that I made with him last night. You were even there. I doubt that Henry will understand the sudden change in his plans on his birthday."

"I'll talk to him," Regina stated.

"Thank you," Emma replied.

"I have an idea, though, that might please the both of you," Regina stated.

"What?" Snow asked.

"You've agreed to let me regain my title but as Princess of the Winterlands, Snow. Call a session of Court just before the Ball tonight. Before the peerage, announce the engagement and knight Emma at the same time. Then, tonight, as Henry would like, introduce us and the Princesses Emma and Regina of the Summerlands and Winterlands. The people will take it as they will and you can release the decree with the couriers in the morning. Henry will be knighted. I'll make sure that Emma bears the tunic and stands with your shepherd. Emma doesn't have to be the center of attention and Henry still gets everything that he wants."

Snow actually nodded. It made sense and would please everyone. She called out to a passing butler who was scurrying trying to get things ready for the ball.

"Yes, Majesty?" he asked.

"Send word that I need the Council to assemble at the Round Table before the ball tonight. There are things that I need to discuss. It won't take long but I expect everyone to be there."

"Yes, Majesty, I'll send word straight away," he replied, scurrying off to his duties.

"There."

"Nicely, done, your majesty," Regina stated, with a small amount of sarcasm in her voice, as she gave Snow a slight bow.

Emma giggled. Snow just smiled at Regina. She was beginning to see what Emma saw in her. She was a good match for Emma even with her past. She could see that now. They were actually good for each other. Snow's smile just got bigger.

Red and Granny were the first to show. They gave Snow a quizzical look before heading down the corridor to the Round Table. Snow acknowledged their presence and then stood up from her seat. She put her arms through both Regina and Emma's arms and led them into the other room.

Snow walked into the room and saw that most of the council had assembled. David and Henry had even made it. Henry stood behind Emma waiting because he didn't know where he was supposed to sit. Snow took her position at her chair. She motioned for Emma to take the seat to her left. Regina then stood behind her. Henry joined his mothers as the rest of them took their seats. David was at Snow's right. She took his hand and kissed.

"Thank you all for coming so quickly."

Emma looked around the table. She saw Red and Granny, each in their own chair. Jiminy was there. Blue, too. The dwarves acted as one unit and had their spots. She was surprised to see Gepetto and Pinoccio together, but she didn't say anything, only nodded in return to theirs. She was surprised to see Belle there as well, minus Rumple of course. Emma mused that he must be running around the castle planning something stupendous for Henry. She smiled as Mulan and Robin Hood came in and took seats. Emma wasn't surprised to see a few knights come in and take seats as well.

Everyone quietened down quickly. Snow moved a little behind her chair before she spoke, again. Everyone was watching her, Emma especially.

"I want to thank you for coming to my call quickly. I have some urgent business that needs to be discussed before we have the ball tonight. It isn't anything to fret about, really, but I wanted to do this now, among friends. Tonight is about Henry."

Everyone in the room stared at her. Snow commanded the room. Charming just smiled at his bride. Red was the only one who looked from Snow to Emma. Emma knew that Red could sense something between them all.

"As you know, we have been planning for all outcomes that could possibly befall the throne."

There were murmurs, but no one spoke up. Henry came around the large chair and rested his hand on his mother's as he stood to her right. Regina gave a smirk and twitched an eyebrow at Robin as she moved closer to Emma's left side.

"Tonight we are going to announce that since Henry is of age that he will be named Crown Prince of the Realm. This will put him in direct line for the throne. He has agreed to take the honor, even though he isn't my direct heir. His only stipulation to his acceptance is that his mother, my first born daughter and true heir to the throne is named Crown Princess."

Red watched Emma's face. She knew that her friend didn't want the title. She knew that Emma didn't know anything about the Enchanted Forest, much less wanted to rule there. She wondered what else Snow had in store for them as well.

"Emma has accepted to be the heir apparent as long as she can. She knows that it will be hard for some of you to accept because she isn't male, but she is my daughter and the Savior," Snow told them, "I know that no one here would contest her ascension should it be necessary."

Red smiled at Emma, knowing that she would die for them all to protect the throne. She knew that Emma knew it, too. She smirked as she watched Regina's eye roll, but Emma continued to sit stoically.

"There is more to this. As such and as my daughter, Emma is the Princess Royal, Princess of the Winterlands and Summerlands. Henry is her son and a prince as such. But, I am here, now, telling you that besides my other daughters, there is another princess among us."

The murmurs started again. Emma betrayed nothing, but Red could see the mischief in her eyes. She looked from Emma to Regina and then to Snow.

"She has proven herself to me and…has saved my family on countless occasions. She was someone that I once called…mother…enemy…Evil Queen. But, today, I introduce her to you as if she was my sister. Come here, Regina."

Regina turned and stepped around Emma's chair and Henry to go to Snow's side. She stopped short of Snow and actually curtseyed. Snow almost giggled at the gesture.

"From this day onward, she will be known as Princess Regina or Regina, Princess of the Winterlands. If you have a problem with this, then you have a problem with my family," Snow said, waiting for the rumblings to get louder at the announcement. When no one said anything, she continued, "I am also pleased to announce…Well, David and I are pleased to announce that Emma has finally decided to marry. I am pleased to announce that Regina of the Winterlands and Emma, Princess Royal are engaged and shall be wed at a later date."

Red watched as Emma smirked. Regina looked positively smug. As she watched the faces of the council, Red thought that Leroy was going to have a coronary at the news. She actually giggled aloud and had to compose herself. She winked at Emma and then smiled. She was one of the few that had always supported their relationship.

"Good. About time. Congratulations," Red shouted above the din.

The entire Charming Clan and Regina smiled at her. She knew that it was a lot for Regina to give her a smile like that, but she also knew that Regina trusted her with her life. She was one of the few who kept a residence and presence in both realms. She also knew that it would cement Regina and Emma's claim as Sheriff and Mayor, even though no one would ever run against them. Red was one of the few that could make a life in both worlds.

Charming stood at that point and drew his sword. He placed it on the table. All the knights followed suit. He waited to speak until Snow sat back down and everyone gave him their attention. He smiled over at Henry, who smiled back at his grandfather. Charming motioned for more chairs to be brought to the table. They were added beside Emma. Regina was asked to sit between Emma and Snow, because of her renewed titles and acknowledgement as a "sister" to Snow. Henry was asked to take the other chair on the other side of his mother.

"As my soon to be daughter-in-law and appointed sister of my wife, Regina has earned her spot on this Council. As well, so has her adopted son and my grandson, Emma's son, Henry. I ask that the Council recognize their appointment to our ranks."

All of those around the table pounded their fists into the table in agreement. They could see the odd looks, but they ignored them. Emma and Regina knew that there would be dissention but they also knew that they would do it behind closed doors as to not offend Snow or David in front of the rest of the Council.

"As your King and head of the knights, I am pleased to announce two new appointments to our ranks. Trust me when I say that my news isn't so…overwhelming. Emma, please stand and kneel before me," he told her.

Emma stood from her chair and walked to where he was sitting. She took a knee. She was then grateful for the pants and long bodice dress that Regina had picked out. She looked up into her father's clear blue eyes and wondered how proud he truly was with her.

He reached over and picked up his sword. He tapped her on both shoulders and then set the sword back on the table. He reached out and another knight handed him a tunic. He reached out and took Emma's hand and helped her to stand. He placed the tunic over her modest bodice and fixed it to where it wouldn't move too much when she did.

All the members of the Council began pounding on the table again in applause. Emma turned and faced them, smiling. She stole a glance over at Regina, who was beaming back at her lover.

"Now, unless there is any more business, let's go celebrate," Emma told them.

"I thought that we had one more knight to add to the ranks," Leroy stated, standing to his full height and taking a stance.

"We do. But, his knighting is his birthday present. I plan on doing it at the ball. That is if it is okay with you, Leroy," Charming explained and jested with him.

"Perfectly fine, Majesty," Leroy answered, immediately bowing to him.

"Then, let's all go dance and have fun," Snow announced, standing up.

The entered the ballroom slowly. The knights entered first, followed by the dwarves, Red and the rest. Regina, Henry and Emma stayed back as Snow had requested. Once Snow and Charming had been introduced and took their throne atop the dieses.

"Please help me in welcoming my daughter, her consort and their son. Please welcome the Princess Royal, Emma of the Winterlands and Summerlands, the Crown Princess. Please welcome Regina, Princess of the Winterlands, the Princess Consort and their son, Prince Henry of the Winterlands and Summerlands!" Snow bellowed from her throne.

The people whispered among themselves at the announcement. Some of them actually eyed Regina as she entered on Emma's and Henry's arm. Their murmurs were silenced as the entered the ballroom like a royal couple. Regina held Emma up, knowing that this wasn't her forte.

"Keep your head up, dear. Don't look them in the eye. Just look at your mother," Regina told her, as they moved towards the King and Queen.

Emma took her advice. She looked into her mother's eyes. She smiled when she saw her young sisters, Eva and Ruth, taking their seats beside Snow. Regina led them over to Charming's side and the three thrones beside his. They took their seats, Emma next to Charming, Regina next to Emma and Henry next to Regina.

Charming stood and took Snow's hand. He made a gesture to the band and they began to play. He escorted her into the middle of the dance floor and began to waltz. He made about three turns around the floor before everyone else joined in the dance.

After a few dances, Emma gathered enough courage to ask Regina to join her on the dance floor. Regina looked amused, but took Emma's hand anyway. She wasn't about to let Emma embarrass them. She made Emma let her lead. They danced the night away.

It was almost midnight when the presents were all brought into the ballroom. Emma was surprised at the sheer immensity. She knew that the people loved Snow and by default her family, but she was not expecting such an outpouring for his birthday.

"He is of age," Regina said whispering in her ear.

"Don't remind me."

"No, Dear, that is why there is so much."

"What?"

"He is about to get titles, land, castles, horses, et cetera. You father is going to knight him. He is about to come to power in his own way as a Prince of the Realm. You would have had this and more given at your wedding."

"So, I get to look forward to this craziness at our wedding?"

"Probably, is that a problem?" Regina asked her.

"Not as long as you are there and my bride."