The waters around the far northern kingdom were still littered with ice and a low hanging fog that made the waters all the more treacherous and imposing. The breath of Killian's crew hung in the air as the tall spires of the kingdom's castle could be seen growing larger as they approached.

"We're now acting as couriers?" one of the crew members muttered just within earshot of Killian. He knew that they were questioning his dedication and malice at that point. He had shocked them all by releasing a prisoner. Shocked them again by increasing their shares in the treasure earned and retrieved. And still again when he refused to fire upon an unarmed ship in the spirit of it not being up to good form.

He did not bother to explain to the young boatswain that he had learned he was depositing the kingdom's queen just a day's journey from the Dark One's hidden abode. There was one thing he still carried with him from his brother's teachings. A true leader never tries to persuade his followers through explanation. They must believe and respect their leader enough to follow on faith. He hoped they would.

Having no way of knowing what sort of entourage the young queen might have, Killian had set about preparing a few of the areas below deck for her service. A room for her. A room for any assistances. A cabin for other assorted staff. He even had Keever, the cook aboard, work out a list of suitable foods and supplies that they might acquire to satisfy her discerning appetite.

While the Jolly Roger had once been a part of the navy's fleet, Killian was not all together sure that she had ever transported royalty. So with the smattering of crew that had come along, the Captain made sure that each of the lines were tight and they were bringing her into port safely. While he expected to see a queen with an entourage and a mountain of luggage, he found nothing of the sort as the image of the tall woman with white blonde hair came into view. She was a few years older than Emma, but already in command of a kingdom. Dressed in icy blue, she showed no signs of the cold that still incased the northern kingdom.

"Your highness," he said quite formally. She did not accept his hand and stepped aboard the ship with no assistance. There was no smile on her face and no sign that she was somehow inspecting the surroundings. "The Princess instructed me…"

"I know," she interrupted, her chin held high. "She must be in a dire condition to think I should travel with pirates to come to her."

"I assure you that we are at your service, milady. No harm shall come to you while you are aboard the Jolly Roger." He paused to let her come to terms with his statement, but she showed no signs of any sort of agreement. "The Princess does seem to be in some need to ask me this favor. And to ask you to journey to her."

Soft spoken was an understatement, he decided when he recalled Emma's description of her friend. He had a hard time seeing the vivaciousness of Emma melding well with the quiet determination of Elsa, but he supposed that made for better friendships anyway. Who wanted to be around people who were exactly like themselves?

"I think I should like to rest a bit before we discuss our route," Elsa informed him. "I trust that you can maneuver us without my direction for a bit."

Taken aback by her statement, he assured her that she was on the best ship she could be for the journey and led her to the quarters set up for her. The sheets were probably nowhere near as soft or delicate as she was used to, but they were clean and worn to softness that was comparable. Hand stitched blankets were folded neatly and a cabinet had been refashioned as a wardrobe for her service. She was about to dismiss him when she stopped, her bright eyes narrowing on him suspiciously. "Have any birds…"

"There is no word from Emma, your majesty," he said, staggering back as he realized he had referred to the Princess by her name. "I mean, the Princess has not had a message that has arrived."

"It's okay, Captain," she answered softly. "Emma has never been one for titles and propriety in that way. She's been as comfortable with a servant as with a head of state."

"It is quite an admirable trait."

Elsa's gloved hand waved in front of her. "I can see that she has earned that admiration from you." She breathed in deeply. "I am not sure how you know her. A pirate becoming a trusted ally of a princess is not something one hears of that often."

"Nor is a queen trusting a pirate for transportation," Killian reminded her. "I'm afraid there is not much in the way of normalcy about this situation, your highness. But I promise you that I have no ill intent. Emma's letter reached me while I was in close proximity, and I hurried along to retrieve you for her."

Elsa nodded curtly, her white blonde hair spilled over one shoulder. "Emma will be pleased that you are being so helpful."

***AAA***

The Blue Fairy hovered over Emma's left shoulder as she watched her protégé attempt to break apart the rock settled on the grass before her. She offered no advice, only the gentle hum of her wings beating broke the silence between Emma's sighs of concentration.

"I can't do it," Emma moaned loudly. "It's too hard to do. I can't…"

The fairy flew in front of Emma's face, her voice high but steady. "Emma, you can't doubt yourself. This is a natural part of you. You must harness it and make it your own."

The Princess's face scrunched in half determination and half frustration. "It doesn't feel natural," she said. Waving her fingers in front of her mentor, she frowned. "These are just hands. They are meant to break apart boulders or send fire from the tips of my fingers. It's not natural."

"Perhaps we should take a break," Blue said, not waiting for Emma's response before she disappeared.

Emma stared forlornly at the spot where the sparkling fairy had been. Time was of the essence, as surely the Dark One would appear at any moment. While her father said he had no intention of having his daughter fight the Dark One, the preparations for her to be able to defend herself were certainly important. She was doing better at making things appear, small things and some larger. Levitation of items had become easier, as had defending herself against bursts of magic – though she had a few bruises to prove otherwise.

"What were you attempting?" her mother asked, finding her daughter dropping down to pick up the rock. "I would think skimming stones, but I doubt Blue would have you do that." The Queen reached a hand out to touch the rock as if to test its realness. Finding it an actual rock, she drew her hand back. "Emma?"

The Princess's face contorted as tears threatened. "I don't know that I can do this," she said. "I don't feel like this is me."

Her mother dropped down next to her daughter, ignoring the damp grass and letting it stain the long gown she wore. "I didn't want you to have magic," she said, her eyes still looking at the rock. "I begged Blue to take it away from you. I swore we would find a way to hide it from the world."

Emma blinked, looking at her mother. "You were ashamed?"

"No," her mother said. "I was scared. I was worried. Other than fairies, nobody I knew had magic and remained good. Regina, Cora, Rumpelstiltskin all struggled against everything I have believed in just to keep the power that magic can bring. I didn't want that for you."

Emma dropped the rock on the ground, staring at it fiercely as though it might attack her. "I don't think you have a thing to worry about, Mama," she said sadly. "I'm not very good at this. I don't feel powerful at all."

"Maybe that's because you have good heart, Emma," her mother said. "The others…they were weak and fell into this darkness. It must be easy to do, but I see that you are stronger. So much stronger. You have fought battles that I would never have survived."

Emma scoffed at her mother's statement. "I'm not brave like you. You fought your stepmother when she tried to kill you. You won back your kingdom against all odds. You and Papa did what others only dream of doing. You're truly heroes."

Her mother ran a hand over the dew covered grass. "My sweet girl, you will learn that opportunities to be brave and sure will present themselves. They are subtle sometimes. And other times they are screaming from the mountaintops. But you will prove yourself too. You already have by keeping your good heart even after it was broken by Baelfire and the loss of your son. And you will again now."

"I don't want to disappoint you or Papa," Emma said, dropping her forehead to her mother's shoulder as she used to do as a child. "I want you to be proud of me."

"We are," her mother said, laying her cheek upon the top of the blonde's head. "Now, show me. Show me how you do this." She reached out her arms and wiggled her fingers in a mocking attempt to do something magical with the rock.

"I…"

"Emma, show me. Show me what you can do with this."

Emma nodded slowly, raising up to standing and pulling her mother up with her. Taking in a deep breath, the Princess extended her arms with her palms out in a defensive manner. She let her eyes fall shut and felt the blast come through from her wrists to her fingers. When she opened them again, her mother was smiling and the rock was a single pile of dust.

***AAA***

In any of its incarnations the Jolly Roger had not been a fishing vessel. However, one mention from Queen Elsa that she might enjoy fish for dinner and Keever was rushing about to set the traps and had some of the junior seamen checking them on an hourly basis. Even Killian had checked a few of the wire traps, though he did not do it where any of them could see.

The birds that Emma had sent with messages followed the ship from time to time, something that Smee still fretted over since they were land species and not known to water. However, Elsa and Killian took turns receiving their messages and stowing them away with very little said to the other. That was until dinner on the second evening. The Queen had sat herself at the table across from Killian and nibbled on a bit of the fish, complimenting Keever and telling Killian that she was happy with the meal.

"You don't know do you?" she asked before the plates were cleared away. "She hasn't told you."

His eyebrow quirked in question. "Your highness?"

"Emma," she clarified. "She hasn't told you why she has called for me and my help."

He bit back an answer that would have revealed his insecurity, a short remark to indicate that he wished Emma would confide more in him. "I trust that she has good reason."

Elsa held her chin a little higher. "I don't think it is my place to tell of her troubles, but I do have to question you. You have shown that you are quite dedicated to her, despite not having the full detail of her plans. I know of few men, pirates or not, who have that amount of preservation that they might give that control away. So what is it you are seeking from Emma?"

He ran the spoon through the soup that was left in his bowl and smiled into its murkiness. "Your Highness, I am not running a scheme if that is what you would think of me. Emma indicated that her need for you was quite great and that you were reluctant to travel with the lesser ships in your own armada. I found myself in the vicinity and offered my services. It is as simple as that."

"Simple or not," Elsa continued. "You have been exchanging letters with Emma and you are clearly doing this for her benefit. If I may ask of your intentions toward her?" He instantly felt sorry for the young man who had married Elsa's sister, as she was not a woman who trusted easily.

"Emma and I do correspond, which is no secret on this ship given the way she communicates with me. And as for my intentions, they are not of any sort that might worry you. She is a Princess and I know my station, Your Majesty. But just as you are reluctant to tell me of the reason for her need of you, I am reluctant to tell you of my feelings toward her."

"You are quite outspoken," Elsa chided. "I would expect no less of a pirate."

"I come by it naturally," he answered. "Now, as we are on course, milady, I can estimate our arrival in another day at least. Will that be sufficient?"

The Queen nodded, her face worried but thoughtful. "She trusts you," she said more to herself than him. "She must or else she would not insist that I take this journey with you. She understands me. Understands how my parents were lost at sea and unable to return to the family and kingdom they loved so much. Yet she insisted and said that you would bring me safe to her. I don't know why."

He was quiet with his own thoughts. That was until Smee interrupted them, offering the royal member of the table a clumsy bow. "I apologize for the interruption, Your Highness."

"Out with it, Mr. Smee," Killian implored.

"Another of the birds has arrived. A message for you, Captain." Killian thought about congratulating the man, as he usually did not seem to want to touch the messages or the birds. However, he didn't, stilling his hand before reaching for the message.

"Emma?" the Queen asked.

"Aye. I know of none other than who would communicate this way." He turned the message over in his hand. There was no real need for her to communicate with him, no practical one anyway. He was doing as she asked with no questions or qualms.

***AAA***

Elsa had dismissed him not long after that, telling him that she would see herself to her quarters. She reminded him of Emma in that way, a sweet and independent soul with no pretense. That did seem to be something the two had in common.

Dear Killian,

I am sure that you wonder why I have called upon you to bring my dear friend to me at this time. It seems a tedious job for a pirate, despite your militaristic and service upbringing, but please know I do not mean it to be so. Your doing this is of great service to this kingdom, my friend, and to me.

You see, Killian, I am facing a great challenge in the coming days. While my friends and family are supporting me and encouraging me, I am in need of Elsa's guidance too. It is not right of me to explain this need in a letter, but I will offer you this.

A great darkness has threatened my family's kingdom for generations. It is usually quiet and without threat to us, but now it is rearing its head for another battle. Because of my magic, my family feels that I am a threat to this darkness. While I am not sure I am up to this charge, I am preparing myself for it. Your assistance in bringing my close friend to me will help in ways you cannot imagine.

So I wish to thank you, Killian. I wish to thank you for your service and for your trust in me though you may not understand. For they mean more than you could know.

Emma

He realized in that moment that it was not his lack of confidence in her that was giving him worries. It was his own self-doubt. He was drawing closer to the Dark One, an enemy he had fought for centuries. And with the time growing closer, he wondered for a moment if there would be life for him afterward. What would it look like? What would he see? If he survived his own battle, as unlikely as that seemed, would he find another goal and life to live?

***AAA***

It was Regina's scream that reminded them all that the Dark One did not care about guarded doors or armies of knights to protect those within the palace. He showed himself to her as she walked from the nursery toward the room she was sharing with Robin, his words simple but haunting to remind her there was not true respite or refuge. He was gone by the time she found her voice, leaving no trace for the family and others that ran to her aid. Emma stood there in her night gown, hair halfway braided and her hands raised as if the lessons with water and rocks might be enough.

"He's never going to quit," Regina had sobbed into her husband's shoulder. "You all can play at this as much as you dare, but it's me. I'm the one that can stop him. Give me back my magic."

David had refused, sending Granny and Red back to their suites and telling Emma that she should think long and hard about this. Snow was a bit more understanding as she stood between her husband and the woman she had feared for all those years.

"Regina, we've discussed this…"

"No, you've discussed it with him. You've acted as though I cannot be trusted. God knows I have given you reason to believe that, but we are talking about my child. Imagine that this was Emma's child. Would you be so flippant and callous then? Would you risk your own grandson's wellbeing to be right about my magic?"

Robin attempted to soothe his wife, pulling her back into his embrace. "I'm sorry," he said to the royal couple as he tucked her head into his chest. "Terribly sorry. I haven't any solution either."

Snow found her stepmother in the gardens that next morning, tears dried and her face emotionless. "I am sorry that this is happening," the Queen told the woman. "It isn't fair."

"Few things in life are," Regina answered passively. "You've never seemed to notice though. You always achieved exactly what you wanted."

Snow was not about to argue that with the woman, though she wanted to point out how it was patently not true. Instead, she took a seat next to the former queen on the bench. "I had hoped you would realize that we are trying our best here. Emma's putting herself in danger because she wants to protect your son. We've opened ourselves up to this because we know what it is like to fear for your own child's life this way. We haven't asked you're the harder questions. We have just…"

"And you think that is enough?"

"I think it has to be," the Queen answered. "David and I have discussed what is the best course of action, but truthfully we want to know from you the reason behind all this. Why does he want your son? What is it about him?"

She half way expected her stepmother to run, to say forget the help and escape. But the woman sat there watching an early season butterfly dart among the green leaves of the plants. Just when Snow was about to give up, she spoke. "I never wanted to be alone," she said. "After losing mother, father, and everyone, I was rattling about that castle with no real purpose or meaning. I went to him…to Rumpelstiltskin…and asked him for help. I thought if I had a child of my own that I might have a chance to start anew. He brought me Henry. He brought me my son."

"I had wondered," Snow said in a lull.

"You had wondered how I had a child, wondered about the father, perhaps."

Snow's gentleness was not deterred by the accusation. "He's a lovely child, Regina, a very spirited and sweet child. I only meant to understand you and him. But if that is overstepping…"

"I don't know how he came to be," Regina admitted. "Rumpelstiltskin didn't offer that information and didn't give me reason to risk losing him to ask."

"And now he wants him back for some reason?"

"I don't pretend to know why or to understand that man. I can't possibly." She turned to look toward the castle. "I only know I can't lose him. I must do whatever I can do to protect him. I have given you no reason to trust me, but I need to not sit here and wait for a man who can destroy me and my happiness. I have to be able to fight back." The wrist cover that bound her magic felt tighter than usual. She had pushed up the sleeve of her dress so that Snow could not help but see it.

"Why hasn't he just taken him? Why wait?"

The former queen huffed at the question. "To hurt me? To make me suffer? I have no reason to believe it is for any other reason than taunting."

***AAA***

Emma slipped past the door of the library with Killian's note in her hand. She hated to read them in the company of others, preferring a private moment away from questions and stares that reminded her that she was not alone. She still had no words for what she felt when she stared and the page, no explanation for why each letter was held in a box in her room as though she did not wish for them to be removed. She only knew that they were a respite from her day, a moment when she felt away from the pressure and demands.

Her eyes skimmed over her name in his perfect hand, the greeting to her and the wishes for her wellbeing. He even offered comfort that Elsa would be to her soon.

While I have no knowledge of the ensuing battles you find yourself in, I am not without context when it comes to fighting the darkness, both within and external. If I might, I will tell you that no other is more capable of it than you, but I will still worry for your safety until that fight is concluded. It is with hope and admiration for you, Emma, that I ask to be of service to you in any way that I can. If you merely wish me to light a candle in the name of your safety, I shall, but I hope that you might require more of me.

Bringing the Queen to you is an easy enough task to undertake. When I deliver to your kingdom, I will hope to see you, if only to show my respect. If you should be in need of anything else, please just ask. I will hope to look upon your face within a few hours time.

Yours,

Killian

I know that this chapter is shorter than the others. I wanted to share some of the themes of this with you tonight as my heart is heavy and my words inadequate. My writing teacher and mentor for 15 years passed away today. She would be telling me now to write instead of mourn, but for a moment I want to remember her and her belief in me. When my world crumbled those years ago, I met her and she pulled me back up to standing. She pushed me when I needed it. She yelled at me when I needed that too. And while I will always remember the technical things she taught, it is her love and warmth that I will remember most. She taught me that success comes in different forms and that life is full of chances. I hope that I have made her proud and will continue to do so whether it is with something I do professionally, personally, or just for fun.