This is a shorter chapter but the next one really stands more on its own. You get to see Emma's power in this chapter and it sets up some interesting interactions for the next chapter =]
Also questions will be answered at the end.
Finally, So I have a lot if inspiration in terms of what the characters look like, their dress, a map of their world that helps me write but I always wished I could share with you so around mid September I'm going to start a tumblr for my stories and upload things that go with a chapter- if I have a dress in mind that I describe, what certain characters look like etc. ill even upload a map of their world. I will give total credit to snowanchester for this idea. Also I thought I'd get input on my Emma's (little and big) If you'd like to help me decide, look at the end of the chapter for who I have in mind!
"You want to what?!" Evander's voice rose with shock. As Lancelot had remained behind in Talharain to keep affairs in order with Red's help while both James and Snow where gone, Evander had become the de facto head of guard and military operations. "That's absolutely mad."
"I'm fairly sure you've covered every other option and ruled it out as either terrible for our kingdoms unity or terrible for the chance of us getting out alive." Emma said sarcastically.
"We don't know that Aron is going to react poorly." James pointed out.
"If you really believed that why are you having this meeting instead of speaking rationally with him?" Emma asked pointedly. When James didn't respond she nodded and continued. "That's what I thought. So your options at this point are limited. I don't really see what choice you have. Trust me, I've thought through every scenario you have and you and I both know this it our best option."
"Damn." Evander shook his head. "She's just like you."
"This is not the time." James held up a hand wearily. He turned to his daughter. "I can't allow you to do this. I won't allow you to put yourself at risk."
"You can and you should." Emma said firmly. "This is something I've done before. It's the best option we have. You said it yourself; I'm unlike anything you've ever encountered. I'm unlike anything he's ever encountered. He has men on us, but what he doesn't have is me, and Daniel, he doesn't have magic, he doesn't understand it. People fear what they do not understand. He does not understand magic; he does not understand me. He'll be scared enough to give into whatever you want without a fight."
"How exactly do you propose a sixteen year old girl will strike fear into a full grown man who apparently kills people for his own enjoyment?" Mark, one of her father's advisors, raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced with Emma's plan.
Emma glanced at Daniel who nodded, she turned a steely eyed glare to Mark before all the candles started flickering before they went out one by one. There was silence in the darkness before they all suddenly lit up, brighter than before. She concentrated and slowly every dagger of James's advisors began to rise and point at each of their owner's necks.
"Emma." Daniel said, a slight fear in his voice, knowing that it was taking most of Emma's power to control every single dagger while keeping the candles ablaze.
"I'm fine." Emma said coolly.
Daniel shrugged and looked at Mark who seemed to be sweating profusely. "Are you scared of a sixteen year old girl now?"
Mark nodded without speaking, gulping at the dagger pointed at his neck. Suddenly the candles returned to their normal state and the daggers clattered to the floor. Emma turned to her father. "So… what do you think of my plan now?"
"You're sure you can do this?" James asked quietly.
"I can handle this." Emma promised.
"And you promise no one will die?" James asked carefully.
"I couldn't kill anyone with my magic even if I wanted to." Emma shook her head. "It doesn't allow me to do that."
"What do you mean?" James asked.
"My magic…" Emma explained. "It's too pure to take another life. You don't have to worry about me killing someone, it won't happen, it can't."
"Well that makes what happened a lot less terrifying." Mark scoffed.
"That doesn't mean she can't kill you with her hands." Daniel snapped. "And my magic isn't as pure as hers."
"Daniel threats are not going to help anything." Emma warned. She turned to Mark. "Aron doesn't know that I can't kill someone. His fear will be as real as yours."
"You can do this on a bigger scale?" Evander asked.
"As long as I don't have to hold it for too long." Emma nodded.
"How long do we have?" Evander asked.
"Long enough to scare him." Emma said. "Long enough to make him back down."
"You're positive?" James clarified.
"Absolutely." Emma nodded, hiding her doubt. "I can do this." Emma looked around at everyone in the room before her eyes settled back on her father. "For all of us."
"Emma are you ok?" Daniel watched Emma nervously turn her ring on her finger.
"Yea I'm fine." Emma shook her head. "It's just… I … I'm a little nervous that's all."
"Em you're acting like this is the first time you've used magic." Daniel teased.
"It's the first time I've used it alone on this kind of scale." Emma pointed out. "I've always had someone else, someone more experienced, someone I could rely on if I messed up."
"You have me." Daniel grabbed Emma's hair to keep her from fidgeting. "I may not be as practiced as our commanders but… I will always have your back Ems. I promise."
"Thanks." Emma took a deep breath and smiled at Daniel. She was about to say something when she heard Snow coming down the hallway with her father.
"Are you out of your mind?" Snow hissed. "Our daughter? How could you…"
"Keep your voice down." James warned. "It was her idea. This is what she wanted."
"It doesn't matter." Snow argued. "You are her father. You are supposed to protect her, not put her in harms way."
"I don't want to do this any more than you do." James said.
"Then why are you?" Snow snapped.
"Because this is the only way I can come up with to hope everyone gets out of this alive without compromising the kingdom." James hissed.
"What about compromising her?" Snow snapped.
"She's strong Snow." James promised. "Just like you. I trust her. She can do this."
"What if she can't?" Snow asked as both her and James came into view.
"I can." Emma promised
Snow and James turned, both surprised to see their daughter their.
"If that conversation was private you probably shouldn't have been having it in public." Emma pointed out. "I can handle this. I can protect myself. You can't do this for me."
"But that doesn't mean you have to do it." Snow said gently.
"I know." Emma nodded. "But I want to. How else are we going to get out here safely? I mean I know how Daniel and I could get out but I don't really want to abandon all of you."
Even though you abandoned me. Emma was shocked by the thought that appeared in her head. She had absolutely no clue where it came from but it almost sounded as if a different person was thinking it, a younger, angrier version of herself. She quickly shook the thought off and looked at her parents. "Besides, it's a little late to go back now."
"Emma's right." James nodded grimly. "We've already called Aron to the meeting hall. We've set this in motion now, we can not stop it."
"Ok." Snow nodded reluctantly.
"You know what to do?" James looked at his daughter for conformation.
"Yes." Emma nodded. "We are both prepared."
"I'm here if she needs me." Daniel confirmed.
"All right then." James nodded his head. "Let's go."
James walked forward with Snow at his side, Evander and Mark flanking their sides with the rest of the guard falling in place. Emma and Daniel followed the procession, watching from behind.
"James." Aron's deep voice rang through the hall. When Emma caught sight of his face he looked less than pleased. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Aron, we need to talk." James's tone was serious.
"And we couldn't have done it in private?" Aron asked. "Over a glass of mead."
"I think we both know we're past that point." James said.
"We do?" Aron asked. "Because I was unaware of that."
"Aron you had to know this day would come." James said. "Look at the condition of your city. Look at what you've let happen here. You had to know this couldn't go on."
"And what do you know about the condition of my city?" Aron snapped.
"Word travels fast in this kingdom Aron." James said. "We've been hearing rumors about Drell for a long time now and I can no longer ignore them."
"Rumors." Aron emphasized. "That is all just here-say. You know nothing of the truth, but how could you, you are never here. I am the one who runs this city day in and day out. I am the one who is fighting for the good of my people, not you."
"They are my people." James said evenly.
"James you know me." Aron tried to brush off the argument. "We're friends, you know I would never do anything to hurt these people."
"I knew you." James corrected. "We were once dear friends but that was a long time ago. It seems time and power have changed you old friend. I care for you deeply, but as a king the good of my people must come first. Aron, the condition of this city is deplorable. People living in squalor because they have been cheated out of their money by swindlers and thieves who have risen to power under your command. I used to believe it was a problem with the inhabitants but now I get word that it is your guard who are involved with this as well, just to line their own pockets, and that these criminals who have claimed parts of this city as their territory pay tribute to you to remain in power."
"And where have you heard this?" Aron's voice was dangerously low.
"My daughter and her friend." James replied. "They went out into the city and witnessed all of this themselves."
"Are you sure she hasn't over exaggerated?" Aron asked. "This could be bit overwhelming for a young girl and lets be honest James, she has been put through a lot in the last ten years." Aron shrugged. "Are you sure she can be trusted and that this isn't all in her head?"
Emma's eyes flashed with anger. Daniel put his hand on her arm, ready to stop her if necessary. "I'm fine." She whispered. "I know how to keep my temper in check. We've both been trained well."
"Just making sure." Daniel held up his hands.
"I don't think my daughter imagined up the bruise on her face given to her when she refused to pay toll to one of street rats." James said firmly. "Or the heads she saw mounted on pikes? Apparently all members of a crushed rebellion that you have placed on display to remind the people of Drell what happens to those who oppose you? Or the ones you just kill to show the power you hold? What happened to you Aron? You were never like this."
"You know nothing James." Aron hissed. "Even if this was true what are you going to do about it?"
"Remove you from power to start with." James said. "I will allow your family to keep your estate. We will move you somewhere else, a new home. You will lose your lordship and your power, but you will keep your comfort."
"And how do you propose to do that?" Aron smiled smugly. "My men far outnumber yours James. They are loyal to me, not you. They will do as I command. This whole city is loyal to me."
"This whole city fears you." James corrected. "You will do as I command Aron."
"Or what?" Aron dared. "What do you possibly have with you here that can overpower me?"
"He has me." Emma stepped through the guards calmly, Daniel close behind, staring Aron down with challenging eyes.
"You?" Aron laughed. "A sixteen year old little girl is supposed to scare me into submission?"
"I was speaking more on what I am capable of." Emma clarified.
"And what is that?" Aron taunted.
"Magic." Emma said simply as the door to the great hall slammed shut.
Everyone jumped and turned to stare. "What was that?!" Aron snapped.
"The wind sire." A guard said hurriedly but he didn't sound convinced.
"The wind?" Emma asked, amused. "I'll give you wind." A slight gust blew through the room blowing out every candle one by one. When the darkness settled two candelabra's, one near Emma and one near Aron illuminated.
"So you can do a few parlor tricks." Aron sneered. "That doesn't scare me."
"That is a foolish decision." Emma said evenly, her voice was cold and almost haunting, taking almost the entire room by surprised. She held out her finger and a knife rose in front of Aron. She twirled her finger and the dagger began to spin slowly. It stopped, pointing directly at his neck. A guard stepped towards Emma, drawing his sword but Daniel's quick flick of a wrist sent him flying backward. Aron swallowed hard but he made no move to concede. Emma smirked slightly, this was going to be more fun than she thought. A wind started to gust through hall so strong Emma's hair was flying around her.
"I won't be intimidated by this sorcery." Aron yelled, but Emma could here the tremor in his voice. "And you say I've changed James. You hate magic, and now you're using it to satisfy your own means. She's a monster James, she's manipulating you can't you see that."
Emma's anger began to grow. It was becoming difficult for her to control both her emotions and her power at this capacity. Suddenly every window in the room blew, sending shattered glass flying. She could here screams but she didn't stop."
"Emma!" She heard Daniel yell. She suddenly felt very drained. The wind stopped and candles relit. Emma let everything fall except for the dagger. Her voice was even and low. "I would do as your king commands if I were you."
With a deep shuddering breath Aron nodded slowly.
"Take him into custody." James ordered.
"For what?" Aron asked.
"For threatening my family." James's voice was even but filled with anger. "For threatening my daughter."
"That little witch can protect herself." Aron sneered.
"Take him." James shook his head in disgust. "You are not the man I once knew."
As Evander and Mark drew near to take Aron all of Aron's men drew their swords and began to step forward. Emma, seeing an impending battle, held up her hand once more sending them all flying backward. The world seemed to move almost in slow motion for Emma. As the guards flew backward Emma could feel the energy draining from her body. She reached out to grab the table but Daniel was there, taking her hand and standing protectively near her.
"Are you ok?" Daniel asked.
"I'm fine." Emma nodded, not looking at him. She watched as her father's men removed the swords from Aron's guard. Aron was led away, muttering something about her powers. Relief washed over her that she had been successful. She had never done anything on this scale before and it was taking it's toll on her. She turned to look at her parents, seeing frightened looks on both of their faces, looks that were matched by most of the guards. Suddenly the world began to spin the edges of her vision began to blur. The floor started to come up to meet her. She felt Daniel's arms catch her before the succumbed to the darkness.
"Emma!" Snow rushed forward as she watched her daughter collapse.
"I was worried this would happen." Daniel gently laid Emma's unconscious form on the ground.
"Worried what would happen?" Snow glanced up briefly before cradling her daughter's head in her lap.
"It took a lot of power for Emma to do what she just did." Daniel explained. "More than she has right now."
"What do you mean right now?" James had knelt next to his daughter.
"Emma's only sixteen." Daniel started. "Our full powers don't manifest until we are eighteen. While she is very powerful and has enormous capabilities, big displays of magic like what she just did, controlling forty men at once and controlling the elements? That forced her to tap into everything she had in her. It drained her magic which effectively drained her energy."
"What does that mean?" Snow asked worriedly.
"It's the equivalent of going days without sleep or food." Daniel said. "Depending on how much she used it's not always easy to recover from."
"Emma." Snow gently stroked her daughter's face. She looked up at Daniel, surprised on her face. "She's ice cold."
"That's what magic does to you." Daniel nodded. "It literally takes everything out of you."
"Sweetheart please wake up." Snow begged.
"She's not going to." Daniel shook his head. "Her body has gone into a dormant stage to protect itself."
"Protect itself from what?" James asked hesitantly, not sure if he wanted to hear the answer
"I can't really explain." Daniel shrugged. "I'm not qualified to deal with these kinds of situations."
"We need to get her to a doctor James." Snow said worriedly.
"A doctor from your world isn't going to help her." Daniel spoke up. "She needs a more… specialized help."
"And where would we find that?" James snapped.
Daniel hesitated. "I don't think you're going to like the answer."
"Why wouldn't we?" Snow's voice was apprehensive.
"Because." Daniel said slowly. "It means taking her back to our world, or bringing someone from our world here."
"And who would that be?" James asked.
Daniel took a deep breath and looked into James and Snow's eyes. "The woman who raised us… Serafine."
I've attached links so you can see what I'm thinking - add the www before all of these, fanfic doesn't allow you to post links so I'm trying the best I can
For little Emma I have three people in mind currently
Morgan McGarry - see IMDB page
Alexa Gerasimovich - /billymilly/alexa-gerasimovich/g-6odnb2bg2dj3jbhbc jedm9k - if this doesn't work google her name
Brooklynn Proulx - Look up youtube video. Time Traveler's Wife:: young Clare scene - /watch?v=XeII6bshcGE
I'd suggest watching this clip from the time travelers wife- I know she had red hair in it but the actress is actually blonde (they dyed it for Rachel McAdams color) but its the spunk and sass that she has that really makes her like Emma
Let me here you're opinions on little Emma!
For teen Emma I could use the same as my other story
Eliza Bennett - It's the picture on the cover of by faith alone - /media/rm2400887552/nm1146916
Or, I also give credit to snowanchester and mealnieroxx - I'm having trouble putting this picture up - add dots between her name, tumblr, and com
Anastasia Stezhko - melanieexoxtumblrcom/post/49049620407/precious-by- nature-anastasia-stezhko-as-young
She just looks very similar to a young Jennifer Morrison, idk, thoughts
Ill also take suggestions for Daniel and Will as I haven't cast them yet but I will by September!
Guest: King's landing is from Game of Thrones - it's the "capitol" of Westeros where the king lives.
nixmixx94 - They'll find out soon enough - SPOILER charming finds out first and NOT from Emma