Daddy knows

Charmings4ever asked for a oneshot of Emma running away as a teenager in the Enchanted Forest after a fight with her mother. Charming goes after her after she's been missing a few days and when he finds her daddy Charming ensues.

"Snow, I'll find her." Charming assured his wife, pulling her into a hug.

"Please make sure you do." Snow mumbled into his chest. She still felt guilty. If only Snow hadn't made such a big deal about Emma being the future Queen and having responsibilities. Maybe she wouldn't have ran away. Their eldest was far too good at covering her own tracks. Well, they had taught her how in case she had to flee the castle from enemies.

"I will, I promise. We both know that girl inside out. I know you want to come too but one of us needs to stay here and look after the other two and I won the coin toss." Charming said, giving her a gentle smile. He pulled away, kissing her head. "We'll both be back before sundown." He added. He was determined to find Emma. They always found each other.

Meanwhile, Emma had been camping out in one of the outer villages for a two days. She'd used some of her savings to buy a room for a few days in the inn. She had used berries to dye her trademark blonde waves and had travelled in her peasant clothes that her parents didn't know she owned. It was hard to remain unrecognised when you wore royal clothes. This village had always had a special meaning for her. Her father took her and her siblings here at least once a year. It was where he had been raised on a local farm. Here she didn't feel like a princess, just a normal girl. Here she was free.

Charming had suspected as much. He and the guards had already went through the forest and other obvious areas with a fine tooth comb. This was the only place left that Charming was confident Emma would run to. He prayed he was right. He knew the route like the back of his hand. It was home after all. He soon arrived, and the whispers began. People of course recognising him both from his youth and from him being their King.

"I am looking for my eldest daughter." He called in a loud booming voice. Emma could hear him from where she hid in the inn. "She ran from home a couple of days ago and I think she might be hiding here. If I know my daughter she will have disguised herself well, but has anyone seen a traveller in the village at all?" Emma slipped further down the window where she was peeking out. Her heart sank when someone pointed at the inn.

"There was a girl staying in there." Someone piped up. "She had bright red hair." Charming looked over to the inn. He could see the top of a hood. He was sure it was her.

"Emma." He called gently. "Emma honey, come out."

"Emma's not here!" Emma called back, not looking up. "Try somewhere else!" Charming smiled, relieved. Despite trying to sound confident for Snow he was terrified. Emma could have been anywhere. Anyone could have gotten to her. But it was ok, she was safe, she was here. Charming dismounted his horse and handed the reins to one of the villagers. He walked over to the open window he'd heard Emma call from and tapped on it.

"Have any idea where my baby might be, Miss stranger? Because I'm awful worried about her. So is her mama…"

"Nope sorry. Not here." Charming rolled his eyes. It was time to bring out the big guns. Her little sister.

"Her brother's worried too, but her little sister had just cried the last two days. She misses her so much. You should see her little face, it's heart breaking…"

"Ok, ok!" Emma said, standing up so her dad could see her face. "That's playing dirty." She grumbled. He knew Emma couldn't stand the thought of Rosie upset. Charming gently reached through the window and pulled Emma's hood down.

"So is running away like that. We are all worried, Em. Anything could have happened to you honey."

"Well now you can go home and tell them all that I'm fine. Rosie can come visit me any time." Emma said stubbornly.

"Well, that's one plan." Charming said, leaning down against the window sill so he and Emma were eye level. "Another is that you could come home?" Emma scoffed.

"Nice try. Not a chance. Here nobody cares about how I act. I don't have to be Queen." Charming knew Emma was finding this a bit overwhelming. Now that she was getting a little older things were getting a little more serious. He reached out and touched her cheek.

"Emma, you don't have to be Queen for a very long time. I know life is getting a little different, but that'll be happening for everyone your age. Come home, baby. I can't leave you here alone. I don't want to be home without my little princess." He said, giving Emma his puppy dog eyes. Emma sighed, rolling her own eyes.

"Must you do the look?" She grumbled. Charming smiled.

"If it gets you home I'll do anything. You know that right? I'll always do anything to find you. Now come on. Let's get you back home." Emma packed up the few items she'd packed with her. She was travelling without her horse so she had to travel light. Her dad met her outside the inn and took her bag, wrapping an arm around her, leading her to the horse. He placed it on the horse's saddle as Emma hopped up onto her father's horse. "Thank you all for your help." He called to the crowd who were still gathered. He got up onto the horse behind Emma. "My daughter and I shall be returning home now." He got his horse going, arms between Emma's, almost like when she was little and he had to hold her on the horse. Not that she felt much bigger to Charming. Emma was still his little princess, she always would be. And now she was coming home.