Sorry for the extremely long wait. Me and Claire's lives have been extremely busy with finishing our first year of college and then Claire abandoned me to go to South Africa for two and a half weeks *shoots a glare in Claire's direction* but now we are hoping to get things back on track this summer over the hiatus, working through our conditionally long-distance friendship. (You should have stayed here in town with me, Claire.) Finishing the trilogy is very important to us and we promise that it will happen, no matter how many bumps in the road we face along the way.
Anyways, we both hope that you enjoy the chapter and thank you very much for being patient with us and sticking with the story. It means a lot to us.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN-Back Home in The Enchanted Forest, Queen Snow White and King David's Castle
"We've got everyone here Liam. What are we waiting for? The summer festival will be over before we can get down to the town," Oliver complained. "Wait a second...don't tell me snowflake is coming with us."
"Try and tolerate each other for one day, Oliver. I know you two don't get along, but I am not about to leave him out. Leif is our guest here. Abandoning him here would be bad form," Liam insisted.
"Can't your parents keep him company?" Oliver protested.
"No. He is coming with us. Deal with it," Liam sighed.
"My bets are on one of them trying to kill the other by the end of the day," Neal stated.
"What's up between you two? I never knew that you had a problem with Leif before," Roland glanced at his younger brother.
"It's nothing. Leif just knows how to get on my nerves, that's all," Oliver grumbled.
"Getting on your nerves is my job. But seriously, what happened?"
"Oliver has a crush on Kendra. Leif found out and they have been at each other's throats ever since," Neal whispered to Roland.
"Oh, I've known that for a long time. He made it pretty obvious," Roland teased.
"I'm standing right here. Would you just shut up before-"
"Sorry I'm late. Are we ready to go?" Leif avoided Oliver's gaze.
"Yeah, let's get down there before they run out of the amazing festival food," Neal started for the doorway, leading the group of boys.
"Liam, you wouldn't happen to know when Kendra and Colette are getting back, would you?" Leif glared at Oliver.
"I would guess anytime now. My parents left out most of the details as to what is happening with them while they are in Storybrooke. I'm sure that they will have plenty of fun stories to tell upon their return home," Liam explained.
"We don't even know if they will be in the mood for a welcome home celebration. Just let them ease back into all of this on their own time," Oliver kept his voice low, not wanting to start a quarrel with Leif.
"I'm sure you know everything about my girlfriend, you thief," Leif snarled.
"Leif, I just want to have a good day at the festival. Let's keep our heads," Oliver said calmly.
"Keep your hands off Kendra and there won't be a problem."
"Both of you keep your hands to yourself. If one of you hurts her, you will have to answer to me," Liam warned.
Neal and Roland just stood back watching the teenagers fight, not knowing if they should step in to stop it.
"Wow, would you look at that! The decorations are over the top this year," Neal said trying to change the subject. "It is amazing how much they get done in a few hours."
Every ship in the harbor had a different theme for its decorations. The Jolly Roger, head of the royal naval fleet was the main spectacle of festivities that were already in full swing. Hanging from every line were pictures and other objects from everyone's time in Storybrooke. From the deck, Granny and Red were serving the very best Granny's Diner in Storybrooke would have had to offer. Every year, Rumple and Regina did their best to ensure that Granny was able to get everything she needed to make each dish.
Emma, Killian, Snow, and David had a picnic blanket spread out on the top deck. Plates once full of food, were now down to the last few fries, onion rings, and grilled cheese crusts. Emma was now leaning against her pirate, his arm pulling her close. Her head was placed in the crook of his neck as they watched everything going on in the town.
The end of the festival would mark the end of another year in The Enchanted Forest. Much of the celebration this year was dedicated to the "Saviors of Storybrooke." Emma, Kendra, and Colette would be honored greatly upon the end of the festival. Without them, none of this would be possible.
"Are you sure you will be alright on the ship? We don't want a repeat of that one festival," Oliver joked with Liam as they boarded The Jolly Roger to join their families.
"That was one time," Liam grumbled. "I'm not going to get sick just sitting on the ship."
"I'm pretty sure that's what you said that year as well," Neal added.
"What happened?" Leif asked.
"The son of a pirate has the inability to keep his lunch down on anything that floats," Neal chuckled.
"It's not funny, mate," Liam sighed, a bit of his father's accent coming out at the end.
Leif was trying to hold in a laugh. "Is that why Kendra has a ship and you don't? I have always wondered that."
"Aye...I mean yes," Liam quickly corrected himself.
"My boy, I heard that one from up here. You can try to hide that bit of pirate in you, but it will always be there." Killian shouted down from the helm.
"Thank you for that, father. You are really helpful," Liam's accent grew thicker.
"It's been awhile since I've heard you talk like that," Emma said. "If Kendra was around to hear this, you would most likely never hear the end of it."
"It isn't my fault. It just happens." Liam defended himself.
"It is nothing to be ashamed of, my boy. Just because you talk like a pirate every once and awhile doesn't mean you are one. I have come to accept the terms that only your sister has the chance of ending up a pirate like her father," Killian smirked at David.
"For the last time, Hook, you are not turning my granddaughter into a swashbuckling pirate," David said sternly.
"Aye. You have said that many times, Dave. But alas, she is my daughter. I think she would rather be a pirate," Killian retorted.
"Not this again..." Liam sighed.
"How often does this happen?" Leif whispered to Neal.
"Usually on a monthly basis. On most occasions, Kendra is in the middle of the argument," Neal told the prince.
"She also usually has about ten different weapons on her," Oliver added.
"I didn't ask you," Leif snapped. "Why don't you run back home to the forest where you belong?"
"Excuse me? The Enchanted Forest is my home. Why don't you go back to Arendelle where you belong?" Oliver hissed under his breath.
"When Kendra gets back, I will. And you know what? She just might want to come back to my home with me for a while, because whether you like it or not, it is her future home too."
"Kendra and you are not engaged and not married. Do not talk about her like she is some object you can force around. She deserves more respect than you do."
Everyone else seemed to be focused on the argument David and Killian were having, completely ignoring the situation with Leif and Oliver.
"Yeah, I'm the one that is trying to steal another person's girlfriend."
"For the last time, Leif, I am not trying to steal Kendra from you. Unlike you, I respect every decision she makes. I will always be here to protect her. I have a code of honor instilled in me and I will follow it. I do not want to fight with you. Drop the subject." Oliver walked away from the prince.
Suddenly Belle came rushing onto the deck of The Jolly Roger. "Something's wrong with Rumple. He doesn't know what's going on. He said he feels like all of his power is leaving him. Regina, Emma, please…I don't know what to do…"
"We'll be right there Belle." Emma placed a quick kiss on Killian's lips, before nodding to Regina, who poofed them away to the Dark One's castle.
No one seemed to notice the look of panic on Killian's face but Oliver. Oliver ran up the steps to stand by Killian. "Do you think this has anything to do with the girls?"
"I don't know, lad. All we can do is wait…"
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