"You will be kind?" Emma asked, her arm looped through her mother's as they walked along the upper hallway from the nursery wing toward Snow and David's room. "He is not used to all this."
"I have nothing but gratefulness to the Captain," her mother said, tipping her head in recognition of the staff hurrying along to see after some task or another. "And if he is so willing to speak to us directly about his intentions, the least I can do is entertain it."
"And father?"
"I would not worry too much after him," Snow said, squeezing her daughter's arm. "He has long ago accepted that you have given your heart away. We are only appreciative that he respects our stations, responsibilities, and you enough to consider properly courting you. I know you both are in quite a hurry to move on with your lives, but it will help the kingdom accept if you both follow a bit of tradition."
"I fear that you will want to throw another ball in celebration of it," Emma said, wrinkling her nose. Forgive me, but the last was such a disaster in how it ended that I don't wish to ever dance that way again."
"I think we all bear those scars, but you most of all. As much as we have spoken of your future with the captain, I think we must talk about the fate of Rumpelstiltskin. It pains me to say that our solution is only temporary."
Guards were assigned round the clock to the imp's cell in the dungeon. They were at the doors to the stairs, lining the hallway, and at least four stood just outside the cage like enclosure. "I do not know the best solution, Mama," Emma admitted, matching her steps to her mother's pace. "He is not able to be killed as the Dark One. And try as we might, he is far too clever for us to control with the dagger forever."
"I thought we might speak to Blue about binding his powers," Snow suggested. "That might be of some use. Or perhaps banishment."
"But to where?"
"That I don't know, Emma. I just don't know. The royal council will wish to hear your recommendations soon. I will stall them as long as I can."
Emma smoothed the soft material of her mother's sleeve under her hand. "I understand that Belle has asked to meet with me. I suppose she intends to plead his case and ask for mercy?"
Her green eyes darted from side to side as if she might be overheard. "I would assume as much, but Belle is a rather odd bird. She speaks of missing her home and father quite a lot, but then speaks of wishing to stay here and be of service so long as the Dark One remains. I do not know her state at this point and where her allegiances might rest. So please be careful that she does not ask you for something that you cannot fulfill, Emma."
In the short time she had been back, Emma felt an immense pressure mounting from all that was expected and required of her. She cringed to think how much more it would be if it were not for her parents. They entertained requests daily that ranged from the mundane to life saving. It was not clear to Emma if she could ever accept that role. "Regina has also…"
"I know of those requests," Snow said with a sad wistful smile. "I am sure that my father would wish for me to have somehow made amends with my stepmother. But it is not something I have done."
"No one blames you for that," Emma immediately defended. "It is me who had brought her back into our lives. If I hadn't bore Henry, there would have been no reason for any of this."
The muscles around Snow White's mouth tightened and her grip grew firmer. "Emma, please do not speak that way. While it is not how I wished for you to become a mother, it is as fate declared it. I only regret that you have missed so much. But I know that the boy will love you and be a blessing to you."
"I don't know if I can be as good of a mother as he deserves," Emma admitted sadly. The clouds over her face darkened her expression. "Do you think I can?"
Turning part way to face her daughter, Snow disentangled her arm and placed her hands on each of Emma's cheeks. Leaning in, she stretched to kiss her daughter's forehead. "Emma, you can do most anything you wish. I have seen you do what others would think impossible. And I know that you will do your best by Henry too."
***AAA***
A little later Emma found herself outside in the servant's area between the carriage house and the gardeners' workshop in a tiny space that was used for storage. Little quarters dotted the landscape though Emma expected to see no one during her walk. So she was surprised when she saw Robin milling about the grounds.
"It is good to see you, milady," he said with his sad sort of smile. "I was hoping to shoot a few targets while I wait on Regina to come out of our quarters."
"I am so very glad to see you too. I did want to ask after her," Emma explained, holding her skirts up in her fisted hands so that she might step into the game storage without tripping. Hay and dirt made up the floors and the musty sort of smell of it assaulted her nose as she dipped her head to avoid collision with a net that had been hung from the low rafters. "She seemed quite upset earlier."
"She is not taking any of this well," Robin answered bluntly, resting the quiver on the oblong table that lined the rear wall. "It is hard for her, as it is for you, your majesty."
"Such titles are for my parents," Emma corrected him. "I don't mean to make it more difficult, but she is refusing to see herself in a shared role here."
Robin let his hand linger over the softly worn leather of the quiver's strap. "Your highness, Emma, I don't know what to say on the matter other than Henry is dear to both my wife and myself. We love him as our own. And while I would never risk your good nature by suggesting that we continue to raise him, I had hoped that you might…"
"I might what? I have no issue with you speaking plainly to me about how you saw this working, for I have no idea how it might."
His mouth became a thin line as he considered that statement and question. "I had hoped that you and my wife might find a way that we could all be a part of the boy's life. He is a brother to my son and I don't wish to see them parted permanently. Perhaps even the opportunity for either to visit for long periods of time might be just the salve we need to these wounds of separation?"
Emma dropped her arms to her sides and slowly clenched her hands into fists. "I hope you know that I am not trying to punish either Henry or Roland. I simply want to raise my son without interference from a woman I am not all that sure was not complicit in his kidnapping. I should think that my parents would be agreeable to your family living here for a while longer, but…"
"It would be difficult for you to learn to be a mother with Regina over your shoulder. I do grant you that. And you have your own mother from whom to glean advice." He shook his head. "I suppose it would be more of a hindrance to you. Henry is young and will come to love it here. We will be…"
Emma sighed, swallowing the emotions that threatened to overflow. "He is a lucky boy to have so many who love him that we are all willing to fight over him in the name of his well being."
"Is that what we are doing?"
"Forgive me for being so candid, but your wife does appear to me to be preparing for battle. I do not trust that she will not run away with him in the night and never be heard from again. I could not bear that so I must protect my son and myself from that heartbreak." She took a step to her left and lifted the heavy ball out of one of the storage baskets. "I already have many decisions to make, including whether to risk our safety with the dagger to free her once again of the binds. Please don't expect me to make even more."
"I promise that I will do all I can to make this transition for Henry easier. I apologize for adding to your burdens today."
Weighing the ball in her hands, she wondered if it was too heavy for her young son. She seemed to remember playing with similar at his age but the memories were fuzzy in that regard. "Robin, I noticed you didn't stop me from doubting Regina's intentions about Henry."
"If I could, milady, I would. When you love someone, you wish to see the best in them. And while I do love and see the best in my wife, I do fear her sanity might be at the edge if confronted with losing Henry. So I would say that we all should behave with an abundance of caution." His sigh matched her earlier one. "She is a fine mother. As I am sure you will be."
She nodded, shifting the weight of the ball again. "You will be at court today? I believe you were invited."
"Your father has requested my guidance for security going forward. I should like to hear what others are thinking." He chuckled. "It is quite a leap for a man who was a thief to find himself married to a former queen and acting in consult with King David."
"You have earned our trust," Emma said, a grateful smile on her lips at the change of topic. "Do you wish to continue working for the kingdom?"
"It would be preferable and an honor, milady," he smiled. "One I would be proud to serve."
"Perhaps then we might consider living arrangements that would place you and your family on property," Emma said hesitantly. "To be at call when needed, of course."
"That would be of great benefit." He lifted the quiver back to his shoulder and paused before securing the strap into place. "Henry is a fan of his toy soldiers. He plays with them constantly and is often much more talkative when engaged in that sort of thing."
"Thank you, Robin."
***AAA***
Killian draped his arm over the back of the settee, his pose casual and indifferent as he watched a bird outside swoop down and then back to its perch in one of the fruit trees just to the right of the window. While not as ornate as he might have imagined, he appreciated the care that had gone into the room's décor. Ceremonial pieces from other nations and kingdoms were on display and thick carpets had been laid out for the service of the royal couple. Several chairs with plush fabrics sat in orderly fashion and the embers of a fire from that morning still glowed in the fireplace that seemed to him to be as big as his cabin on the Jolly Roger.
"They will be with you shortly," a man about Emma's height said, bowing his head in the pirate's direction and scurrying away as if scared. Killian did not have time to react before he was gone.
Thinking better of his casual position, Killian pulled his arm to his lap and sat up a bit more officially. Outside he could hear Leo's riding lesson going on and close by there was a small discussion of the ladies who were assigned the task of the laundry. Neither made him feel more at ease as he kept count of the minutes passing. He'd already had a trying morning what with Regina having stopped him on the way back to his room to tell him that she did not trust him with Henry. He'd tried to blow it off, but her words had been like venom and cut very deeply.
On the wall over the fireplace was a large canvas painted with oils. On it was a depiction of the royal family, Emma much younger than he had known her and the young Leo still an infant. Even in the captured scene there was so much life in Emma's eyes that he smiled at the image's portrayal of her. It showed an Emma he wished he had known, not for her innocence and purity but her gracious heart that seemed on display rather than hidden.
"She never much has liked sitting still for the portrait makers," Snow said, her heels silent on the stone floors. "Her first one alone was at 6 years old. I sat to the side and read her stories until her eyes drooped shut. The painter scolded me for spoiling her so."
"She looks quite beautiful in that painting as she does now," he said, rising as was customary to greet her. "I have no doubt she was just as enchanting a child."
"Even more so," Snow confirmed, removing a cloth from the tea service that had been brought in earlier. "She was so easy to spoil and love."
"I can certainly see that." He looked to the double doors that separated this room from the private quarters of the king and queen. It was a smallish room meant for entertaining and receiving heads of state or others before more formal events. It was not the type of room that was usually open to him. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."
Snow passed by him to sit upon one of the chairs, gathering her skirts as she did. "I think we can dispense with the idea that we did not see this coming. In fact, my husband has already started talking of some of the more intricate matters in terms of Emma's ascension to the throne should she wish to do so someday."
He twisted his mouth as he bit back a chuckle. Snow was just as blunt as Emma sometimes, her sardonic wit biting and humorous. "Emma said that you and your husband were expecting as much."
"He will be here in a few moments, but until then would you like some tea?" She waved a slight hand toward the silver service, telling him the story of it. The set had been her mother's, an heirloom of some quality that had served the royal family for some decades. He stooped before it and even with one hand managed to pour the liquid and add to it the honey and lemon that she requested.
"You take yours the same?" she asked, arching an eyebrow at him and the way he rested the delicate cup on his knee. "I suppose I hadn't noticed."
"I'm afraid it has been quite a while since I had it and never with a queen," he said chuckling to himself. "It is easier to follow your lead than recall how to take it that would not be offensive."
Tilting her head, she studied him, really looked at his features. There was the exterior that was rough with scars from battles he was not even sure he remembered. His dark hair was tinged with red that spoke of his earlier coloring as a child. And the lines about his eyes were the only sign that he was not the spry young man he had once been. There was a set to his jaw and clench of his one hand that told of his stubbornness and determination. But she stopped at his eyes. They still showed the man inside, the man whom her daughter clearly loved. "I would not be so bold as to criticize you for your choices in drinking tea, Captain."
"And I appreciate that very much," he said, taking a sip and wincing at the bitterness. "Perhaps a bit of sugar would make it more palatable." He readied the cup more to his liking and smiled when he sipped again.
"Emma often complains of the bitterness too, which is amusing since she has an expansive taste for bitter things in other dishes." She pursed her lips and drew her own cup upward. "Captain, I have not been completely honest with you. My husband will be delayed a bit longer, but it is me you truly need to speak to with regard to your intentions toward Emma. You see…" She blew into her tea and then sipped thoughtfully. "My husband is a kind and generous leader of his people, but he was not born to the station of king. It is a long and sordid tale, but that is not for today. I am the connection to the throne and Emma's continuance of that is as my daughter."
"I see," he said, frowning. It had not been his intention to ask for permission for anything. He merely wished to make them aware and hope that they would accept the relationship that was building between them. The women of his past had needed no such formal invitation, but Emma was a princess. So there he sat with his hand trembling in holding the tea cup and his heart beating a little too erratically.
"I take it that you wish to court her. That is what this visit is about?" She smiled placidly as if she had truly been prepared. "And knowing my daughter as I do, I realize you have not come in need of permission."
"Emma is her own woman, milady. She would not wish to be negotiated like livestock or a treaty." He shook his head. "I rather like that about her and appreciate about her, as well as…"
"It is something to be admired," Snow interrupted, looking thoughtful. "Do you intend to stay here to court her? Or will this be from a distance? I only ask because I feel that her place should be with her son and not attending to your whims."
"I don't think that Emma has any intention of throwing herself into my seafaring life, your highness. Perhaps we might travel someday, but for now I will fit myself accordingly into her world and hope that I do not embarrass or disappoint her too much."
"Emma's father and I have discussed your devotion to her and what we have seen of that," she said, not fishing for the words as some parents might do. "It is commendable, though your past actions are not exactly in accordance with what we would wish for her."
"The pirate thing?" His voice shook and his breath shortened.
She laughed softly at his bluntness. "Yes, it is something we have never really condoned. My own father sent quite a few marauders to their deaths and never was one to offer safe passage through our borders to privateers. But I do believe that exceptions can be made in extraordinary circumstances." She set aside her cup and clasped her hands together, the billowy sleeves of her gown fluttering. "So therefore I will be offering you a pardon, Captain. You are wanted for no crimes in this kingdom, nor those of our allies. It is a bit of a fresh start for you and the men of your crew. I certainly hope that you will use it wisely."
"I am thankful, your highness. It will mean a lot to my men who have been kept from home for far too long in fear of retribution for this life we have chosen. Your forgiveness will free them to do great things."
"Then I am pleased to provide that fresh start." She smoothed her dress. "Now, I have one more request for you before my husband arrives. You were so kind and proficient in bringing Queen Elsa here to assist in Emma's battle against the Dark One. I should hope that you would consider accompanying her home. While it is not the most fraught of journeys, it is important to the people of her kingdom and to Emma. You see, her parents perished during a voyage here. It is unspoken by her, but I feel that she is always concerned about making that trip."
He drew his bottom lip into his mouth and considered that. "Perhaps it might be possible for Emma and Henry to join us. I could arrange for them private quarter and it would provide her the opportunity to spend time with her son without the prying eyes of a kingdom upon them?"
She exhaled sharply, clearly choosing her words with care. "And you think that it would be seen as proper by these prying eyes for her to be in your company unchaperoned for that long?"
"I realize that the request is unconventional. Perhaps a chaperone though?"
"A chaperone for what purpose?" David asked, entering the room without the benefit of his finery. His tunic was of quality material but fit loosely and his pants were more appropriate for riding. It was certainly a more casual look for the royal. "Are we having this discussion already?"
Snow patted the chair next to her and nodded toward Killian to repeat his request. If her response had been one of surprise, David's was one of annoyance. "It may not be fair, Hook, but I don't think it is right to sully our daughter's reputation any further. Yes, she is capable of such decisions, but she is a future queen. I would hope that she would consider that before alienating the kingdom. They are quite anxious to love her and respect her."
"Aye, I merely meant it as an opportunity for privacy for her and the young lad. I offer my assurances that there will be no improper behavior toward her, your highness. Pirates we may be, but we do have honor. I would not object to including a chaperone for the journey."
"Good then," Snow said with her hand snaking out to squeeze at her husband's arm. "I will make those arrangements. If you should be so helpful as to call together your crew."
"Of course," Killian said, looking at David in particular. "I know that you are perhaps expecting me to ask permission to proceed with my intentions toward Emma. But I won't be making that request. I don't find it to be honest in purpose. For even if you were to tell me that she was above me and that I am not suitable, it would be with few misgivings that I would continue to pursue a future with her."
David cleared his throat. "I am sure that my wife has explained our duty to make Emma's ascension as seamless as possible. That would be my hope too, but it is not of the first thought in my concern. The people will come to accept the unconventional nature of her situation. I have no doubt of that. I simply think we are more concerned with Emma's happiness."
"That is my worry as well." He placed the cup back on the smallish table to his right and waited for David's list of grievances to be aired. Snow had given him the kingdom's blessing but David held in him the keys to keeping Emma's family intact. He only hoped that her father would consider him suitable.
"I may have spent a good portion of our adventure not aware of the world around me, but I was awake long enough to see you both together. She clearly cares deeply for you, Hook. And I don't have any doubts that you feel the same. It might be more traditional for me to require some sort of test or demonstration from you, but I don't think that is right or necessary here." He paused, looking to Snow who nodded. "I only ask that you allow Henry the attention and care from Emma he will need. Her attentions should be focused on her son and her duty right now."
"I assure you that I don't intend to leave the lad out of any decision with regard to our future."
"Good," David said with a smile. "I know that it was not necessary for you to place yourself in our audience like this. I respect that you deemed it important. I also hope that we at least receive some notice of your eventual plans at marrying her, if this is indeed your intention."
Killian let the couple's smile upon him warm him for a moment. It had been a long time since parents, including his own, looked at him with anything but fear or anguish. And for a moment he felt the pride of knowing they seemed to understand he was just as concerned and hopeful for Emma as they were. "I have not procured a ring or planned a proposal, but that is not to say I won't someday ask her to be my wife. I would not spend my time courting a woman such as your daughter without that goal. And if I may say, Emma and I have had such an unconventional beginning to our courtship that I hope you are not dismayed that we are not so determined to wait."
"We are not at all surprised by that," Snow spoke up to her husband's quiet acceptance. "Emma is not particularly a patient young woman."
***AAA***
"You wish for me to go?" Red asked, curling her hand into the dough as her grandmother had instructed her. "I thought that I might stay a bit longer and be of aid to Emma."
"Emma and Henry will be guests of Captain Jones on Elsa's return to Arendelle," Snow said, taking a seat at the long wooden table as if she were one of the staff. "And while my daughter is certainly aware of her reputation enough not to engage in anything…"
"You would find it helpful for a chaperone to go along to ensure that her reputation receives no more scars," she concluded with a thoughtful nod. "And I suppose a wolf does make for an intimidating chaperone."
Snow rolled her eyes at her friend's summation. "I suppose it is more intimidating than a bundling bag or board. He assures us that Emma and Henry will have their own quarters and he, himself, will bunk with the crew. Though I have never known a ship's captain to do that."
Letting out a very unladylike whistle that made two of the kitchen staff whisper, Red slapped the heel of her hand into the dough. "Neither have I, especially not one like Captain Hook. But I suppose there is a first time for everything. And he does seem to want to do right by Emma."
"At least consider it. I could throw in a few coins that might make it even more worth your while. Besides, you do enjoy travel, do you not?"
"I suppose, but I do hope that there is room for me on this ship. I don't care to spend the whole time cramped up with no space to roam or let my hair down." She dug her hand into the dough again.
"Actually, it might do me some good to spend time at sea. A few tales I could share at the tavern once we return to the village."
***AAA***
Killian did not see Emma until the royal family arrived to hear from their subjects early that afternoon. From his vantage point on the third row behind a few of the dwarfs and other followers, he watched Emma approach her seat with her head held high and the thin band of platinum shining brightly in her hair. She locked eyes with him immediately and curled her lips into an almost imperceptible smile.
One of the guards stepped forward with his hands clasped together in front of him and the most ridiculous of colorful outfits. "Whosoever has business before the royal family shall speak in turn," he announced, clicking his heels together and gesturing with his chin to the first person. "You there."
A string of farmers, villagers, and peasants made themselves known to the family. Most were simply there to wish Emma well, telling her of their own worries when it came to the Dark One. She was polite in her gratitude and promised a swift but well thought decision soon. However, she gave no hint as to what it might be, even after Robin was asked to address the family about possibly security measures.
A young farmer was about the 20th person called, his clothes freshly pressed but still stained from years of toil. "I wish to offer my congratulations," he said, dipping his head after taking off his straw hat. "To the princess on her betrothal. We shall all truly miss her."
All eyes in the court flicked toward Emma who sat with her mouth open and her hands clutching the arms of her chair. Killian tried to catch her eye, wanting to know what was meant by that, as he had as of yet not proposed or even seen her since his discussion with Snow and David earlier. When she said nothing, David patted her hand. "Thank you for your enthusiasm, but Emma is not betrothed as of now. She will continue on as the princess of this kingdom for the foreseeable future."
"But the talk is…"
The guard stepped forward again, a snap in his movements indicating his discomfort. "Are you arguing with the King?"
"No," the man stammered, looking toward Emma hopefully. "I meant it as a compliment. I simply heard some in the kingdom speaking of her decision to abdicate and take up with her pirate fiancé. I only wished to offer her best wishes."
"Enough," the guard said, pointing toward the seats. "You may take your seat, but no more of this talk."
Emma stood up from her seat abruptly, startling everyone, including her parents near her. "Wait," she said, looking back out toward Killian. "I am not engaged to be married. That is true. But I am in love and happy. So I will accept your good wishes in the spirit with which they were intended. Thank you."
Shifting in his larger throne, David caught Killian's eye and narrowed his accusingly. "We had not intended to announce Emma's courtship in this manner," he announced in his bold but quietly regal tone. "But we will accept your wishes and make any further announcements should they be warranted." Extending his hand toward Emma, he waited for her to be seated again.
The rest of the comments and questions seemed tempered after such a display, the man appearing red faced and embarrassed for having believed innuendo and jumped to conclusions. When dismissed he was nearly out the door before anyone when he caught glimpse of Killian approaching Emma in a fairly familiar way.
"I'm sorry for that," she said, fidgeting with the neckline of her gown. "I didn't think that people would think such things. I should have…"
"He may have gotten the timeline and your role wrong, love, but not the intention. Someday soon perhaps we will be announcing something more, but for now…"
"For now you are here and we are together," she completed, accepting his arm. She tilted her head to the left and let her cheek rest at the juncture of his shoulder and arm for the briefest of moments before standing back straight and walking onward. "I intend to take Henry out to play in the meadow near the stables. Do you wish to join us?"
"If you wish me there, then I will be there," he said, his hook catching the fabric of the draperies separating the room from the hallway and holding it back for her. "I rather like the lad. He makes me feel half my age again."
"That isn't very young," Emma mused teasingly. "But I will let that slide for now. I want to know about your meeting with my parents."
As her parents had already ducked into conference with a few advisors, Emma and Killian found themselves with a moment of privacy. He offered her a brief summary, stopping before he asked about traveling to Elsa's home. "Your mother has made a suggestion and I have said I would accept if you were so inclined," he said, broaching the idea carefully. He explained the trip and said he would understand and accept her wishes. "I do feel some responsibility to get her home safely, though it would mean my absence for a bit."
She was quiet, turning her head to consider his offer without getting lost in his eyes or smile. "I think I should like that," she said finally. "I think it would be good for Henry as well. From what I know his travel with Regina was limited."
She looped her arms over his shoulders and tilted her head back. "Then we shall travel any place the two of you wish, my love. I would relish showing you any realm of your choosing." He crashed his mouth down on hers, passionately reuniting themselves there in the hallway. To her amusement he was not shy about that, practically lifting her off the ground as he nipped at her lips and drank her in like a wine.
"I can see that my services are needed," Red said, interrupting them with a clearing of her throat. "The two of you won't last in this courtship if Emma's parents are subject to such displays."
"Is that to say you will be our chaperone?" Emma asked, the pink of her cheeks not as bold as it had been after earlier kisses.
"Your mother has asked and I have accepted this challenge," Red teased back. "That is quite a responsibility, but I intend to keep my promise to my dearest friend that her daughter's reputation suffer no more. Need I remind you though that a ship is not that big of a place and my hearing is sharp as a blade?"
"We will be on our best behavior," Killian offered, tightening his left arm's hold around Emma's waist. "You will have nothing nefarious or indecent to report to her parents."
Red pursed her lips and eyed them both suspiciously. "See that I don't. And I am to tell you, Emma, Henry is joining Leo for tutoring right now and Belle is looking for you. I told her I would direct you to your study to meet her." Never one for formalities, Red gave a sort of half curtsey and scurried away from them toward the direction of the gardens.
Rocking backwards, Emma sighed. "I wish that I did not have to make such decisions. I would prefer to spend time with my son and with you."
"It is a great burden, love, but one you will fulfill with the goodness of your heart. I have never met anyone who is as clever and good natured as you, my darling. You will make the right decisions though."
Emma turned to walk toward the stairs that would take her up to her suite, linking arms with him again as she did. "I feel for Belle," she admitted. "We do not choose who we love, but she seems to have fallen in love with a mad man who is beyond redemption. I know that my decision will affect her greatly. I only hope that she can understand."
"She does not seem a fool. I'm certain that she expects you to deliver some form of punishment to a man who stole your son, threatened his life, and your own. Perhaps she might be better out from under his influence." He stopped short, which led Emma to stop too, her skirts still swishing like a bell. "Regina said something that I feel I must clear from the air."
"Did she insult you?" Emma asked, frowning deeply. "I want to believe she is worth the risk of releasing the dagger even temporarily, but she does not seem to change."
"No, my love. It was not an insult or even a threat really. It was simply a question that struck within me a need to make sure you don't believe this too." His bottom lip trembled as he breathed out. "She thinks I am here with you because I still have designs on revenge with the Dark One. Her question was if I was somehow falsifying my affection for you to somehow influence you into torturing the man."
Emma's face twisted into a painful scowl. "You would not do such a thing," she stated, her hand on his chest. "I know you have vengeance in mind for him, but you would not force me to act that out."
He closed his eyes briefly, pulling her into him for a hug and keeping her there against him. "I will not say that my desire for vengeance has disappeared completely, though you are a great distraction. But I would not do anything to jeopardize your happiness or safety."
Fingers curling in the material of his tunic, she pressed her cheek to his chest. "I know that and love you for it. I promise that I don't feel burdened by you. But I would like your advice once I am prepared to decide the Dark One's fate. You know far more about him that I ever would. And I will always listen to you, Killian."
"Go see Belle, love. I will see to it that you have all the information you need to make your decision. You don't have to do this alone."
The visit with Belle did not yield any new information, but Emma put that out of her mind as she watched her son run among the tall grass and flowering plants that dotted the meadow. It had been one of her favorite places as a child. Her father chasing her and her mother sneaking about in the grass, showing her how to play and track.
Henry made a happy sound as he dodged the arms of his mother and sprinted toward the garden wall that rose high with ivy covering its stone surface. It was Killian who caught him, circling his arm around his middle and lifting him as the boy's feet and legs still moved as if scampering in midair.
"What shall I do with him, love?" Killian asked, swooping his catch down and then up again to the delight of his passenger. "I should think he might catch us a fish for dinner if I throw him in the river as bait."
Emma's cheeks were pink from the game they had been playing, her golden hair the color of soft butter in the warm spring sunshine. "We might as well throw him to the dragon," she said calmly, her eyes telling another story of mischief. "Perhaps the one that lives just over there."
Still kicking his young legs, Henry's gaze followed his mother's extended arm. "Those are just horses."
"Aye, but a dragon is not known for showing herself to the world in broad daylight, lad," Killian said, whirling him to face that direction. "One must look for her glowing eyes and listen for her rumble of a growl that makes everything shiver and quake."
"And don't forget the smoke and fire," Emma added in her best ominous voice. Even with the teasing Killian could see her shudder at the thought of a dragon and immediately regretted the game. "You can catch a whiff of the smoke and singed foliage if you stand in the right spot."
"Truly?" Henry asked, his chocolate eyes wide with questions. "I want to see."
"Perhaps when it is a bit later," Killian compromised, setting Henry back upright. "Your mother is quite hungry. Have you not heard her stomach roar almost as loud as any dragon?"
Mouth open and hands fisted at her hips, she looked as upset as she could manage. However, her lips twitched for the forced frown and she laughed at the description. When her stomach again rumbled in a most unladylike fashion, she bent in half with titters.
Henry, still finding his balance after the pirate's attack, held out his small hand to Emma.
"Are you truly?"
"Am I truly hungry?" Emma asked, extending her own hand with disbelief that he was so affectionate so soon. His small palm circle her middle fingers and their combined hands swung for a moment as he considered an answer.
"No," he clarified, squinting upward at her. "Are you truly my mother? I already have one, you know?"
"Yes, Henry, I truly am." Her frown was real this time as she stooped down to eyelevel with him. "I am your mother and I am awfully sorry that I was not with you all these years. Do you think you might…Do you think you might forgive me for that?"
He nodded solemnly. "So now I have two?"
Emma sighed, blinking back tears that threatened to fall. "I…"
"You are quite a lucky lad," Killian interrupted, joining them by mimicking Emma's posture on the other side of Henry. "For your mother here already loves you very much. I had to work very hard for her to ever agree to hold my hand. And you have already earned that privilege."