Emma had slowed down once she rounded quite a few corners of the castle, she was still panicking at the idea of this bloody marriage but, as a whole she was less jittery. She had passed a few servants on the way through the castle, they were obviously preparing for the wedding tomorrow as they had ribbons and dresses in their hands, one wedding was surely bad enough but a double wedding? That was surely hell for them. The servants had given her weird looks as she walked, Emma had glared at them earning gasps which Emma ignored, she had more pressing problems than the servants opinions of her.

Another corner turned meant Emma was even further away from that blasted hall, it was all too much for her. She was calming down from her outburst in the carriage when her and Anna were chatting but the way he had waltzed in and had casually spoke to her bothered her, she was not one of his friends he had known for years, it reminded her too much of... Him. Emma suddenly stopped in the hallway, falling down to her knees in the middle of it. She looked around and laughed harshly "Of course!" She shouted, the hallway was grand, more grand than she had anticipated, if she didn't know any better she could have been in the kings castle, man the things she could do to that king would surely get her accused of treason, if only she could g- Emma's thoughts were interrupted by a sweet voice coming to the side of her, "Lady Swan?" The girl said to her, Emma quickly looked up to see the girl smiling at her. She had long effortlessly wavy hair, the different shades of brunette shining in the sun as it came through the windows, a red piece of fabric was braided in her hair and her dress said 'lady in waiting' but her bright red cloak screamed nobility. "Ruby!" Emma said happily, standing up with the help of her, giving her a hug moments later. "How did you get here?" Emma asked after the two women exchanged hugs and smiles. Ruby just laughed lightly, "Your mother of course!" She exclaimed, as if it was obvious. Emma's face fell and she stepped back a foot, Emma's mother, Mary-Margaret was supposed to have been turning up to the castle tomorrow morning, not now, David and James had been the ones to offer to bring Emma and Anna there, Mary-Margaret was merely a brides mother, she shouldn't have been there at the castle this early. Ruby sighed and took Emma's right hand in hers, "She's here to talk to you" she said to the blonde girl, beginning to lead her down the hall way no doubt to her mother. "Ruby..." Emma began before Ruby shushed her, "it's all good, she knows this is hard for you so she argued with her father to leave early and talk with you" Ruby said to her as they walked along the hallway, "don't worry your little head, it will be some mother daughter bonding" she continued. Emma sighed, slumping unladylike and continue to walk down the hall with Ruby, partly annoyed with herself that she didn't continue down the hall. But, she couldn't do much about it now could she?

Killian was baffled as Emma near enough ran from the great hall where he met her moments ago. He turned to look at his brother, Liam staring right back at him, Anna had ran to the door shouting after her. ''Miss Swan?'' Liam asked Anna as she walked slowly back to them, giving up shouting for her cousin. Anna looked at the brothers solemnly, stupid Emma and her problems. Anna felt like an idiot, of course it wasn't her that had ran off and left her cousin and their soon to be husband in a room, but she was left there to tell some abnormal tale, it wasn't her place to tell the truth about why she ran off, it was Emma's (and the fact it wasn't brought up in the marriage agreement caused some serious problems). "Emma's just nervous" Anna said, trying to lay the lie on thick. "Marriage, Ahh! People Ahh!" She laughed, a nervous laughter that earned the lace cuffs on her sleeves a serious tugging. Liam decided to ignore her unladylike tugging, brushing it off as a quirk he would have to get used to, and clapped a hand to his brothers shoulder "Seems to be brother you got the one who likes to be chased! He joked to him. Killian didn't laugh at this, instead choosing to look around the room. Surely he can't have just set her off right? All he had done was spoken to her, just some joking conversation. He was like that to everyone, his new wife to be surely should not have been anything different. Killian of course would treat her with all the respect of a lady, that was a given, he was a gentlemen but with this very troubled start to their relationship he may not have the chance to do so.

"Well miss Anna" Liam began after turning back to her, "shall I show you around the grounds? I'm sure the few hours we had you waiting made you crave that sunshine on your beautiful skin" Liam held out his arm with a dashing smile, Anna took his arm but not without a blush and a shy nod. As they began to walk out, Anna mesmerised for a short while before snapping out of it "Wait, what about Killian?" Anna asked, turning round to smile at Killian. She grinned sheepishly back at her, his legs taking them to the couple "Oh don't worry about me Miss Swan" he took her hand and kissed it. "Your aunt is here and so I shall inform her of Emma's nervousness and one of her handmaidens will then search for her" he spoke to them, his voice making the task sound so inviting yet in reality he was basically dragging Emma from freaking out again. "Mary-Margaret's here?" Anna asked with a tone of panic in her voice, but before Killian could answer her Liam had led her down a corridor beginning to talk of the legend the castle will have now that her and Emma were there.

Emma knew she was in trouble now, her mother was here. Mary-Margaret was a wonderful women, a loving mother, doting wife and great negotiator. She was just scaring when things don't go to plan, that's why Emma was absolutely frightened. Mary-Margaret had put Emma up for this, it was initially supposed to be just Anna but Mary-Margaret had changed that after finding out about the brother. She had specifically told Emma that it was a second chance, a life in a different place. The family castle would always be her home and her mother knew that but she also knew that Emma needed to get away from memories of the 7 years of torment she suffered, so much for sweethearts she would normally say with a large huff and a few tears. At least from the torment her son Henry was born, at the rather young age of 18 Emma would normally add.

Ruby led Emma to a grand bedroom, obviously not the grandest in the castle but grand enough that it was over the top. The four poster bed was made up of beautiful creams and browns and the window was framed with matching curtains. Near the window sat a table and chairs, obviously out of place in the room. They had been put their specifically for the purpose of Mary-Margaret, it was no secret that she loved a good gossip with her ladies and the servants of her castle and it was obvious that it would be the same for this castle. Mary-Margaret was sat on one of the four chairs, her head back in laughter and a smile on her lips, that was normal, but what wasn't normal was the blue eyed man sitting opposite her. "Oh wonderful Ruby!" Mary-Margaret squealed getting up from her seat to greet the two women, her other 2 ladies following behind her effortlessly "you found her. Killian and I were getting worried you had ran off!" She laughed, gesturing to Killian who's eyes had instantly gone to Emma, his tea cup that was halfway up to his mouth forgotten. Emma's mouth opened a little in shock as her mother brought her in for a hug, saying she missed her. Ruby had dashed off further into the room to tell Killian to put his cup down before it spilt all over his jacket. "Close your mouth dear, you'll catch flies" Emma's mother said, taking her hand and bringing her over to the table where she sat down almost trance like. "H-How?" Emma said, "Why?". Her mother stroked her daughters cheek and gestured to Killian once more, "The lovely Killian here sent me a letter saying how lovely it would be for you and Anna to have a mother figure here before the wedding. Just to sort out any silly mistakes and nervousness of course" she raised an eyebrow at Emma with the last part. Emma coughed awkwardly and fought the urge to glare at her mother. She knew why she was freaking out and telling Killian was not going to make things worse. Ruby came over with another set of tea cups for Emma and placed them down on the table in front of her, mouthing a "He's really cute" with a wicked smile to her, Emma glaring at her for it. Ruby retreated back to stand behind Mary-Margaret, trying to keep her smile hidden from the trio.

Emma sipped her tea anxiously, more ladylike than what her mad dash had been but still anxiously. She hadn't looked at Killian since she walked it, he however had stared at her from the moment she walked in. That's when he had taken in her real beauty, the blonde tresses so perfectly placed on her head with a little sparkle from her headband added in made her stand out in the room, her green eyes so full of childish wonder that was fighting to come out. She was even more beautiful than her painting, the painting did her no justice, but her dress certainly did. The red silk looked ravishing against her skin, it was more of a ballgown than a day dress, but it was a special occasion after all, he just hoped she would keep it for years to come, the thought making him blush ever so slightly. "will you two speak to each other?!" Mary-Margaret exclaimed looking annoyed at the two of them. Emma jumped causing her tea to spill on her dress, earning a squeal from her as it hit her skin, she jumped up from her seat, her hands frozen as not too spill it further. Her mothers ladies in waiting ran to help but Killian stopped them before they could reach her, "There is nothing you can do now, Ladies." he said smoothly, Ruby literally swooning at the sound of his voice. "Lady Swans dress must be given out to be washed" he said to the girl. As they backed away to stand behind Mary-Margaret. Emma looked at him with an open mouth, how could he have been that smooth? That calm? That suave? It surely baffled her. Killian took Emma by the right arm, moving her slowly so it didn't ruin her dress even further, "I'll take her to change, Emma's new ladies in waiting would like to meet her. Emma looked at her mother in complete panic as Killian led her out of the room, Mary-Margaret smiled at her daughter and waved in her direction, mouthing the words "be yourself" to her before giving her her sweetest smile she could muster.

Emma gulped nervously as she and Killian walked down the hall, he had let go of her arm after they had left the room, sensing her discomfort at his touch. "Miss Swan?" Killian asked her after moments of silence between them. Emma gulped, she didn't want this, she wanted to run away again. It wasn't her choice, she wasn't going to be married to him, she refused to. He'd appeared nothing but cocky to her, who sent a letter to the mother of your bride before you've even sent one to her! Why didn't he marry her instead?! Emma huffed out, "Yes?" She squeaked out, keeping her hands away from the dress. "I didn't mean to offend you in anyway, or frighten you off" Killian began to say as they continued to walk, Emma falling a little behind, "Your mother and cousin told me you were very nervous. I just want you to know I was very nervous as well" he chuckled lightly, turning to look and smile at Emma. "This is hard for me also, Swan." he continued, "I would love for you to know how important this marriage is for both our families and that I am not taking this lightly" Killian held out his hand as they reached a set of stairs, Emma took his hand gracefully, listening to him intently. She had felt a lot calmer now that he was actually being nice to her, he wasn't cheeky, he wasn't cocky.. Much. He was talking to her as expected, just not on the topic expected. "I feel as though we got off on the wrong foot, and I would like to make that up to you" the duo stopped outside a room and he smiled sheepishly at Emma. "I would like for us to meet again, as if we hadn't met before." he chuckled, "I think it's safe to say that we are both too nervous for that to have been a proper meeting don't you think?" Emma nodded at him, she wasn't sure if this was just some charm put on for her or genuine concern for their future prospects. "Now, get a new dress on and meet me down stairs back at the hall, one of your new ladies will show you there" she spoke to her, turning around to walk down the stairs again, "I think we both know you've done enough exploring for the day" he winked at her before disappearing down the stairs.

Emma stared down to where he left, she couldn't believe it! He had tried to joke with her again! It made her want to scream, they weren't best friends from their childhood, they barely knew each other and Emma just didn't want to see him again, even with his stupid charm that made her question herself. Suddenly, a lady in waiting with flowing strawberry blonde hair came running out, "Are you Emma?" The women asked, "Yes" Emma replied, crossing her arms against her chest, "and you are?" The girl squealed, ignoring the nature of Emma's pose by dragging her in the room, "I'm Ariel, I'm one of your new ladies in waiting!" she squealed again and Emma fought the urge to run away again. Ariel pointed at two other girls, the first blonde and the second brunette, "This is Belle and Ashley" she said, all three girls beaming at Emma. Oh great, Emma thought, just what she needed. Peppy ladies in waiting. The girl who Ariel pointed out as Ashley came over first, a short but filled with happiness kind of grin on her face, "Killian said you wouldn't be coming till later so we aren't exactly prepared, well me and Ariel aren't. Belle is, she always is" the girl in question raised an eyebrow as she walked over with a dress made of blue silk and brown leather. It was Emma's taste, it had sleeves edged with lace just below the elbow and the brown leather would incase her bodice in a corset, the length just above her ankles to show off her new black shoes, of course she wouldn't be able to breathe but Emma was taught that a gift is a gift to be appreciated. "If I wasn't prepared she would be standing in that what seems to be tea stained dress for the next forty minutes while you thought of a dress she could wear" Belle said to the other two ladies as she brought the dress closer to Emma. "It's lovely.." Emma said to her, "but is it not too extravagant?" she asked the girls. Ashley giggled, leading Emma further into the room, "And that dress isn't?" she asked giggling some more. Emma rolled her eyes at Ashley playfully, "Oh this old thing? Not at all" Emma joked, smiling at them. The four ladies grinned at one another, they all seemed happy enough with the arrangement and now if only Emma could drag out changing and getting to know these ladies she wouldn't have to meet Killian for a while, she would go of course. Her mother would have her head it she didn't go, but there was no harm in chatting with her ladies in waiting was there? She was to spend the rest of her days with them after all, she just prayed Ashley and Ariel wouldn't continue to be so peppy...

and that is it for part 2! I'm extremely sorry it's been like 3 weeks? Wow how time flies. I did want this to be a weekly thing but I realised that was never gonna happen, I'm just waaaay too busy so hopefully every fortnight!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, there may be some grammar mistakes and I'm sorry I just felt so bad for not getting it out there after realising how many of you seemed to like it, which I nearly cried over okay? You guys are amazing and once again I'm so sorry it's so late but it is here!

also this is just a setting up kind of chapter you know? Nothing spectacular happens but we do meet a few new people which is always exciting, but please do tell me how you feel, all criticism is welcome. Thanks for reading!

- Lisha x