After All

Chapter 17

The royal army, the Kings and Captain Hook arrived to the place where the battle was going to be: The Deathly Field. It was surrounded by thousands of crows who rested on grayish leafless trees. The land was dry and gloomy; some crow feathers lied on it. The perfect scenario for a battle. 

Under the sullen sky, the Dark One's army was ready to kill anyone in its way. He had created the soldiers with dark magic, they weren't humans, therefore they were stronger and hard to beat. 

David's army was ready too. They were armed with catapults, spears, swords and even bows. Even though the royal army was filled with courage, they knew death was awaiting with an inhuman army. 

"Any sign of Emma?" Snow White asked Hook, who was looking through his spyglass. They were hiding at the edge of the woods, some feet behind the field. 

"I'm afraid not a single one. Rumplestiltskin isn't there either. He must have Emma with him" He kept his spyglass in the pocket and turned to the kings "I'll go find her while you battle here" 

"Alone against the Dark One?" David said "He is the most powerful wizard that has ever existed. You're not going to defeat him by yourself"

"I'll go with him" Snow intervened "David you must lead the soldiers"

The King kissed his wife's forehead "Be careful" 

"You be careful" she replied. 

"Good luck mate" Killian told him "I mean... sorry, Your Majesty"

Snow giggled as David put a serious expression on his face. 

"Bring Emma safe and sound... And maybe I'll let you call me 'mate' "

"Fair enough" he smiled before turning back. Snow caressed David's shoulder and smiled. 

"Go. The battle is about to begin and things are gonna get pretty ugly" he told her almost whispering. 

She nodded and followed the pirate. 

They made their way to the other side of the woods while David lead his soldiers to the battle. It wasn't long when it started. Charming knew it wouldn't be easy. He just hoped victory was on his side and he could finally have his family together again. 

Snow and Hook could listen the swords clashing, the loud screams, the horses' steps and the thunderous sound of the catapults as the giant rocks crashed. 

"I'm gonna tell you something, Killian... About my husband" Snow began. 

Hook was confused. Her words were somewhat out of context. They were in the middle of a battle, trying to save Emma and Snow wanted to talk about her husband? Nonetheless, he payed her attention. 

"He, the Great King, wasn't always from royalty. David was a shepherd and lived most of his life in a little farm in the woods until his twin brother died. There were some conflicts and my husband had to take his place"

"Why are you telling me this, Your Majesty?" Hook asked respectfully. 

"You are concerned about not being a royal but a pirate, which means you can't be with Emma. Look at David and me. He was no prince and we got married and had a daughter. The status matters not" 

Hook looked at the Queen with sympathy, with a small smile on his face. 

"So you... You approve of me?" 

"I do. And I think David does as well, he just doesn't want to admit it yet. Now I realize something. Emma... we still treat her as a little girl when she's no longer one. We weren't angry because Emma had fallen for a pirate, we felt that way because our daughter is growing. She's a woman who writes her own fate with whoever she wants. We are parents after all. Watching her giving a big step in her life isn't easy"

"I'm no father, but I understand. It must be quite hard watching your kid grow without being able to stop time" 

He made a small pause before continuing "And I want to thank you, Your highness. Your words mean a lot to me. Emma, on the other hand, hates me right now. I don't even think she wants to see me again nor if she feels the same way too" A sad smile was drawn on his face. 

He doesn't know Emma loves him yet? The Queen thought surprised looking at the pirate. They hadn't said it to each other then. Aww! She couldn't help smiling. She loved romance, and these two had something special. 

Snow stopped as she caught sight of a big cloud of smoke not so far from them "There"

"It might be. Let's go see"

They ran in the direction the smoke indicated and finally, uphill they found a quite big fire and Emma lying on the ground, unconscious. 

Both ran towards her and kneeled. 

"Emma? Honey please wake up" Snow said, cradling the girl's head in her arms. Emma didn't answer. Her eyes were closed, her skin pale and cold as ice, however she was not death. The princess was still breathing. 

Killian noticed Emma's hands were surrounded by a pair of heavy silver handcuffs. He tried to break them with his hook, but his efforts were in vain. 

"They are enchanted" he said, referring to the metal rings "It's impossible to break them"

"We need to take her out of here before he comes back"

They were lifting Emma up when they heard an annoying high-pitched laugh. 

"Going somewhere?" Rumple asked with a prickly grin. 

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Guyyyysss!!! Two chapters and an epilogue left til this fic ends! Hope you're liking it :) Please leave a comment. I'm accepting suggestions for a new captain swan fic. If I like the idea, I will of course dedicate the fic to the person(s) who helped me :) thanks and keep being amazing my lovelies :3