After All

Chapter 9

"Oh my God! Emma!" Queen Elsa hugged her tightly.

"Elsa I can't breathe"

"Oh so sorry" she said before releasing her "I can't believe you're alive! After all this time we thought-"

"All this time? You're speaking as if it had been decades"

"Around six months at least"

"Wow... Time does fly" she responded impressed.

Has it been so long since the incident? Emma thought.

"Why are you wearing those strange clothes?" She said analyzing the girl's outfit "You look like a- Oh, it doesn't matter. What about your parents? Do they know you're here?"

"Elsa... They died in the storm" Emma said placing her hands on Elsa's arms, ready to console her.

"What? No, Emma they didn't. They are alive"

The princess's jaw dropped as she let go of Elsa.

"No. Th-they died. I saw their bodies on the water"

"After the storm they were found by some survivors who took them back home. Once they were healed your father ordered all the navy to find you. The search lasted almost a month before your parents lost faith. There was a funeral on your name. Snow and Charming were completely devastated"

"It's not possible. All this time I have thought they were dead! That's the reason why I didn't return! I thought I had no one left and that I had to rule a kingdom by myself!"

"You need to go back. When they see you they'll get so happy" Elsa said with a smile, which faded before continuing "Emma... Where have you been the last six months?"

"Uhm... A group of uh... sailors found me and I stayed with them some time until-"

"Hey love" Killian said behind Elsa, carrying a big bag. He then noticed the other woman "Who are you?" Hook asked somehow defensive.

"Who are you?" The Queen looked at him with distrustful eyes. Hook glanced at Emma, unsure if he should answer and expecting someone to explain what was going on.

"Elsa, this is Killian Jones, my..." She bit her lip before continuing "Rescuer"

Hook lifted up his eyebrow and glanced at Emma.

Should I've said he is my... Wait, what is he? My boyfriend? The man I sleep with? God how am I supposed to explain what I don't know? Besides, I don't believe Elsa is prepared to learn whatever is going on with Killian and me.

"And uhm- Killian this is Queen Elsa, a close friend to my family"

"It's nice to meet you, your majesty" He contested bowing.

Elsa continue glaring at him as she carefully raised her hand. "I can't say the same, pirate" she stood between Killian an Emma "Emma can you please explain me why do you have a pirate as your company? What is going on?" Her voice sounded stronger and authoritative.

"I should've known pirates weren't very welcome in Arendelle... As in most places" Hook said almost laughing. Emma nudged him.

"He's not dangerous" The princess intervened "He's not the bad guy"

"Are you listening to yourself? You're defending a pirate Emma!"

"I'm fully aware. Believe me, he's far from any other pirate you know. I trust him. Please, Elsa. There's no need to worry nor to freeze someone"

Hook couldn't help smiling. He loved Emma defending him and saying she trusted him. It made him fell for her even more.

Elsa lowered her hand as she blinked several times and relaxed herself.

"Okay" she answered unconvinced.

"I'm used to people acting that way towards me anyways. It's no new thing" Hook said.

"We're fine then, Elsa?" Emma asked with a short smile.

The Queen nodded. She wasn't really sure about Hook. He was a pirate, and pirates had the reputation of being cruel and merciless, always stealing and tricking people.

"So you've been with this... Pirate for six months doing... what?" Elsa managed to say trying to get more information about the man.

"Uh well..." Emma began nervously "We..."

"She works as the service of my ship, The Jolly Roger. And if you were wondering, no, I don't treat her badly. She receives three meals a day and has a cabin where she sleeps" Hook intervened trying to convince the Queen. He understood Emma didn't want Elsa to know about their relationship.

"Yes, indeed. I like my life there. Killian has been really nice to let me stay aboard"

"I still can't get why you didn't return. Emma there are people who cares about you. You had a life and everything in the Enchanted Forest. Why stay in pirate ship for so long?"

"I'm not sure" Emma replied glancing quickly at Killian. Of course she knew why. It was because of that blue eyed man standing there with a sexy accent and sensual moves.

"Well this is getting a bid queer so... Why don't you both join us at the castle tonight for dinner? You can even spend the night in the castle" Elsa asked drawing a grin on her face.

"Wait, us?" Killian asked.

"My sister Anna and my brother-in-law, Kristoff. What do you think?"

"You're really nice but we should really be going now. We have a hell of things to do in... Other places" Emma lied.

"Oh c'mon. The night's about to fall and it's getting really cold. Not that it bother's me but it does to you" Elsa interlaced her hands and begged with puppy eyes.

"It would be an honor" Hook responded with a smile.

Emma frowned her eyebrows at him.

"Killian, let's have a word please"

"Sure"

They both took some steps away from Elsa, who watched them with dissimulation.

"Were not staying at Elsa's" Emma muttered.

"Love, it's obvious she thinks I'm a total asshole. This is an opportunity to show her otherwise. She's a woman who wants to protect her friend from a bad guy. That's why she's inviting us to stay, it ain't because of the cold. What do you say?"

"I don't know Killian"

"Look, I know you don't want her to know about me and you and I respect it. We can pretend there's nothing between us if that's what you want"

"It's not just that" she made a pause before continuing "Elsa told me my parents are alive"

"But you said-"

"I know. I saw them. But Elsa says she was with them some time ago at my funeral"

"Wow. That's-"

"Uhm excuse me. Sorry" Elsa interrupted "I really need to get back. Are you coming?"

Both stood quiet for a couple of seconds until Emma spoke.

"We are"

*****
What is Elsa up to? Figure it out on the next chapter!