A Swan Necklace

Chapter 3: friendships & hardships

Emma scrubbed the floor harder trying to get a stupid stain out that Ariana spilled.
It slowly washes away but not enough, she continues until a knock on the door sounds. She sighs and opens it and Robin comes in with a smile on his face.
"Uh hi Robin." She says confused.
"Aye Emma! Here." He says giddy handing her a letter. She turns it over in her hand an it writes Emma Swan on the back.
"What is this?" She asks.
"The prince wanted me to give you this regarding a job opportunity." He smiles. And she furrows her brow.
"And why would the prince want to give me a job opportunity?" She questions.
"Just 'cause. Take it Emma please. It will be good for you!" He says and she nods. She opens the letter and begins reading.
'Dear Emma Swan,
I, Prince Killian Jones would like to give you the opportunity to work in our stables. We don't have many people mending the horses and we hear you are great at taking care of animals.
You can come at whatever hours you can and we will pay well.
Please consider this offer.
Sincerely,
Prince Killian Jones'
Oh my God! This isn't happening. I can't believe this.
"Are you serious? Or are you pulling my leg?" Emma asks eyes wide.
"Aye it's real. Do it Emma! You need to get your life going and this place isn't going to do that!" Robin exclaims.
"Okay I'll do it! Tell Prince Killian I will!!" She says giddy. He nods and walks out.
"Wait! Thanks so much Robin!!"
"How do you know I had any input on this?" He grins and she rolls her eyes. "Bye Emma!!" She waves goodbye and holds the letter close. She still can't believe this, it is just too unbelievable. Her life will finally be different.
---
That evening, she finishes all her chores and then heads to the castle in her riding clothes. She better get started on her job so she can earn enough money to start her own business away from her stepfamily. When she arrives at the castle, she asks the guard where the stables are and he directs her to them. With a quick nod and a smile, he leave her to it.
For a while, she mends a couple of horses but finds one of the booths empty.
She checks the field, the yard. No where. She sighs and walks into the castle.
A couple people fill the ballroom and are talking quietly. She scans the room and spots a man with dark brown hair and is dressed in expensive attar. Must be one of he princes.
"Excuse me." She says tapping him on the shoulder. He turns around and he grins.
"You must be Emma." He says.
"And you must be the one recruited me for the job right?" She asks and he shakes his head. Oh. Ohh this is Liam.
"Prince Liam Jones. My brother over there." He says pointing to a shorter figure with brown hair except straight. "Is the one who recruited you. Killian."
"Ah yes. It's a pleasure to meet you your highness. May I ask where the fifth horse is?" She asks politely.
"She has taken a ride with the queen. She wanted to go for a ride." He nods.
"Okay thanks." She says and walks away.
Okay Killian has straight hair, Liam has curly. Have to remember that.
She mends the horses some more and feeds them carrots. It's a very calming job. She likes it unlike her 'job' for her stepfamily.
A creak of the door startles her and a laugh echoes the stables.
"Did I scare you, Emma?" He asks and she turns. She sighs, just Killian.
"Not entirely but a thank you is in order. Thank you for this job." She says nodding her head.
"Oh it was my pleasure. Mother--Queen is always complaining how not a lot of people are working in here." He says petting a horse. His smile brightening up the room.
"So how come you, Prince Killian Jones, decided to pick me, low life Emma Swan, for a job when there are over millions of people willing to?" Emma smirks, curious.
"Well Miss Swan--" he starts.
"Emma. Just Emma."
"Well just Killian, Emma."
"Okay, Killian go on." She nods.
"You seem unlike all the others. Different almost and I know how your stepfamily treats you. It's unfair and I believe you deserve a chance to lead your own life." He explains leaning on one of the walls. She slightly blushes with a taint smile.
"Well thank you, Killian. But I must get to work." She says and he nods.
"See you tomorrow, aye?" He asks and she nods. He gives her a grin and then walks out of the stables.
Why is he affecting me? She wonders. Humph.
---
Killian's little encounter with Emma was nothing like he expected.
He expected meeting a lass that needed help not her. She seemed strong, beautiful, brave.
She has this beautiful facade that hides the brokenness? No.
hurt? No
pain. There you go. Pain.
She is powerful and willing to do whatever she can to keep her life on path and out of that hell hole of a home.
"Killy!?" His mother yells breaking him out of his train of thought.
He looks down and finds his food uneaten.
"Sorry mother, just deep in thought." HE explains and she shakes her head. "What were you saying?"
"The ball! We need you and Liam to be down in the ballroom dressed in proper clothing tomorrow. Belle wants you two to know how the masquerade is going to be held." His mother explains. He sighs with a nod.
"Now Kill? Why are you almost in a good mood?" Liam smirks an he glares.
"No reason." He says quickly. Avoid this! Killian you could avoid this!
"Are you sure this isn't about that lass you recruited for the stables?" Liam smirks wiggling his eyebrows.
And he is trapped. Bloody hell.
"Oh her? No." He lies and Liam reads right through him.
"Wait! You recruited someone?" His mother intervenes.
"Aye. Emma swan." Killian says and Liam smiles. "Lovely lass. Doesn't have the most glorious life and I decided to help her get on her feet."
"Aww really!! You are so sweet Killy!!" She smiles and Liam smirks.
"Ha! You were thinking about her!" Liam yells and Mother glares.
Se hates it when we shout at the table.
He sighs.
"Mother! He was totally falling for her!" Liam laughs and his mother tries to hold back a chuckle and fails.
Damn him, Liam.
"Okay is she going to the masquerade?" Mother asks and he stays silent.
Is she? He has no clue.
"I don't know. But she is part of the Mills residence and they got invitations. She must be coming." He explains and his mother nods.
"What are you thinking mother?" Liam asks now amused.
"I think this ball is going to be wonderful!!" She smiles and he rolls his eyes.
Dammit his family is in this too.
---
After her shift in the stables; she decides to visit Elsa. Her castle isn't far and she has about four hours before curfew. Perfect.
When she arrives at the castle, she speaks to the guard and he escorts her into the palace.
"Emma!!!" A voice yells at the top of the staircase. She turns around and Elsa is in her usual ice dress and side braid.
"Elsa!!!" She says and Elsa runs down the steps bringing her into a hug.
"It's been so long!!" Elsa squeaks and Emma answers with a smile.
They haven't seen each other in a while with Elsa getting ready to be queen. Coronation is in a month and she is coming!!
"So Em, how's it been?" She asks as they sit on the steps.
"Well. I got a job at the kingdom, I'm a stable girl!" She explains and Elsa smiles.
"Good. That is very good Emma." She says softly.
Elsa knows Emma the best. It's something about Elsa that she can read her like a book whereas Red can't.
Makes her closer when they are far apart.
"So, are you going to the masquerade?" She asks wiggling her brow.
"Yeah I am. Ruby and I are going together. Meet us there?"
"Yes of course. Dresses? Do you have a dress?" Elsa asks. Emma sighs shaking her head.
"Oh Emma! I'll bring you one tomorrow okay?" She says smiling. Emma nods bringing her into a hug.
"It's been too long!" She whispers and Elsa agrees.
For the rest of their visit, Emma explains everything that happened and how she got her job. Elsa tells her about how busy the castle has been and her problems about the coronation.
They talk for hours, catching up and making it seem like they've been attached to each others hip.
"So Anna was trying to get me to wear this dress and--" Elsa laughs but she cuts her off when she glances over at the clock.
"I have to go!! I'm so sorry Els but curfew is in ten minutes!!!!" Emma screeches an she gathers her things fast.
"Oh geez! Run Emma go!!" Elsa yells shoving her out the door.
She gets on Melody fast and races down the road.
"Faster Melody!!" She yells and her horse runs faster.
She counts down the minutes and by the time she is half way there, she has two minutes left!
Her heart races and she speeds faster. Last time she was past her curfew; she wasn't aloud out of her house for a week and sadly that was a warning!!
Cora is going to murder her!
When she is at the front steps of the manor, Cora opens the door and glares at her. Emma's heart clenches and she feels small.
"Emma Swan!!! What time is it?!" She screams.
"Umm midnight.." She croaks.
"NOOO ITS TWELVE O'FIVE!!!!!!!!" She screams and pulls her arm, dragging her inside. She stumbles forward and Cora drops her. She crashes onto the hard tiles and she closes her eyes.
"THIS IS TWICE NOW YOUVE BEEN OUT PAST YOUR CURFEW!!!" She screams and Emma winces. "GET UP!!" She spits and She does, looking up at the ice cold eyes.
"Emma Swan you are forbidden to going to the masquerade and you aren't leaving this house for two weeks and lastly your chores double!!" She spits.
"No no please Step mother! Let me go to the ball! Do whatever you want to me just please let me go to the ball!!!" Emma begs tears rushing down her face. This can't be happening.
"No!! I'm not playing nice guy anymore!! YOU ARE FORBIDDEN FROM THAT BALL!!!" She screams and her stepsisters are already down the stairs watching. Emma winces and pushes the palms of her hands into he eyes.
The door slams and she looks up. Everyone left but Ariana who is right by her side.
"Leave me alone Ariana." Emma spits and closes her eyes.
"Let me at least help you to your room.." She whispers and Emma shakes her off.
"No! Just leave!" Emma snaps and Ariana leaves. She is left alone.
Finally alone.
With not being able to leave this hell hole, she isn't going to be able to work. She sighs and realizes she is going to have to send Killian a letter.
Another sigh.