Time to return

A guest asked for a oneshot of there being no curse and Emma runs to live with Killian in Arendelle where they have children. Emma hears of trouble back home with the former King George and decides to return to help her parents fight.

"Emma, darling, maybe they didn't tell you for a reason?" Killian said, trying to talk some sense into his wife. Emma was pacing up and down the living room of their home rapidly.

"Killian, they can't contact me." Emma said impatiently. George had come back from the shadows he'd sunk into after being defeated. Large amounts of his men had come back to him and they were causing a lot of trouble in the Enchanted Forest. Emma's family were in danger.

"Well at least let me come with you if you must go…" He tried to offer. He didn't like the idea of Emma having to fight without him there to protect her.

"Killian, someone needs to stay here with Liam and Sophia. I'm not taking them into a warzone and I'm not taking the chance that they might be left parentless. Stay here and look after our children."

"Then why can't I go and you stay here?" He said desperately. Emma came over, placing a hand on his chest and looking deeply into his eyes.

"You know why." She said softly. Emma had fled the Enchanted Forest to marry Killian. Her brother was heir to the throne anyway, she would not be missed. They tried to be supportive of their relationship. Claimed that as long as he made Emma happy they'd accept him into the family- but Emma did not believe that was true. He was a notorious pirate- and she was a Princess. Emma didn't think her parents would ever truly trust Killian, so it was best they left to start a life themselves. Her friends Queen Elsa and Princess Anna of Arendelle had agreed for Emma and Killian to live there without alerting Snow and Charming. Emma's parents were left only with a note explaining that they were eloping and would not be returning. Emma never told her parents where they were going. She sent occasional letters, being very careful that they couldn't be traced back to Arendelle. Like the births of their children, or birthday greetings. But now it was time for Emma to go home. Killian nodded, knowing he couldn't convince her to stay- nor would it be right.

"I'm going to leave now. I don't want to upset the children. I'll leave notes for them in the event of my…"

"Don't finish that sentence." Killian said, covering her mouth with a finger. "That's not going to happen. You will return to us, safe. Understood?" Emma smiled, but inside she was terrified. She reached up and kissed her husband passionately, both aware it was possible this would be the last time. Emma pulled away, and it was one of the hardest things she ever had to do.

"Make sure the children know how much I love them." She said weakly, picking up her bag. Killian nodded, unable to speak as he watched the love of his life walk away.

Emma's heart thumped harder in her chest the closer she got to her parents' palace. The journey may be familiar- but this was not the Enchanted Forest she remembered. The very air itself was filled with tension. Emma approached the palace gate.

"Who goes there?" A guard shouted down furiously. With George and his armies threatening the kingdom security was tighter than ever. Emma took a deep breath before pulling down her hood.

"It is I," She shouted up clearly "Princess Emma." The guard seemed taken aback. He called another guard over to shine a torch in Emma's face to clarify this was no trick. There was no mistaking it was really her. "Go tell their majesties!" The guard in charge of the gate ordered. "Their daughter has returned." The guard who had shown a torch in her face rushed off quicker than Emma had ever seen anyone run before. Emma was quickly allowed inside. A servant came and took her horse from her and a guard came to escort her to the study where her parents and brother awaited her. Emma suddenly wasn't so sure this was such a good idea. They were going to be furious with her. The walk to the study seemed to last forever. But eventually the guard opened the door for her, and there were her family, staring at her. Before Emma could say anything, her mother rushed over and flung her arms around her.

"You're home!" She said, voice filled with emotion. Emma was shocked. She'd expected fury and yelling, not love and hugs. Her father and brother weren't far behind her mother- creating a group hug. Eventually, they pulled back, Snow and Charming each with a hand on their daughter's shoulder.

"Why did you leave?" Charming asked, clearly hurting. "We looked everywhere for you both. But there was no trace of you." Emma felt awful, they'd searched for them.

"I know you didn't feel right about me and Killian. It was best that we left before any tempers flared. It was my idea- he had nothing to do with it." Emma added quickly- not wanting them to have any more reason to hate him. Both now looked confused.

"Emma, we had no problem with Killian. We could see he was a reformed man and he made you happy. That was all we ever wanted for you." Charming said. Emma couldn't believe she'd been so stupid. She had never allowed herself to believe her parents when they said that. Always thought it was too good to be true. She was so worried she'd disappointed them- that they wanted her to marry some Prince somewhere and go off to his Kingdom. But she had been wrong all this time. Snow could see the turmoil her daughter was going through- both she and Charming were fighting the pieces together of what happened.

"It doesn't matter now." Snow said, cupping Emma's cheek. "What matters is that you're home now. What about Killian, and your children? Liam and Sophia?" Snow sounded eager. Emma felt really horrendous now- of course they wanted to meet their grandchildren and their niece and nephew.

"They're at home. I didn't want to bring the children to a warzone and I didn't want to have the chance of them being left parentless. I know about George." Emma told them.

"So that's why you're here." Charming said quietly. "To help the fight." Emma nodded.

"I couldn't leave you all here to suffer while I hid." Emma looked behind her parents to her brother. "Couldn't have my baby brother going out there alone." Neal smiled nervously. Not quite sure what to say.

"Emma, you have children. We can't let you get involved in this battle…"

"Yes you can." Emma said firmly. "I am still the Princess of this kingdom- even though I haven't acted like it. It is my duty to protect it." Snow and Charming couldn't be more proud. She was definitely their daughter.

"Alright." Charming said reluctantly. "But you stay with your mother with the rest of the long range fighters. You're skilled with a bow and arrow as well as a sword so there is to be no arguing over that." Emma nodded.

"Deal." At least she'd be able to take down some of George's men.

The fight was a long one- weeks of battles. But eventually Snow and Charming's knights were victorious. They had grown so used to Emma being home- they didn't want her to leave again. They wanted to meet their grandchildren- welcome their son-in-law into the family. Emma of course agreed to return. It was time for this family to be united again. She sent word to Killian and he and the children begun travel the same day. There was a week's worth of celebrations after their arrival. Snow and Charming couldn't believe how adorable their grandchildren were. They were so fortunate. They had everything they could ever dream of.