Once Upon A Happy Beginning

Chapter Twenty-Nine: King Charles is Concerned

Emma

I didn't really know my daughter but I knew her. Elizabeth was in danger; I could feel it coursing through my every bone. Every fibre of my body was telling me, urging me, forcing me to run; run fast and find my baby girl.

"So, how'd I look, Swan? Dashing as ever, I hope?"

"You look brilliant. Very kingly."

"Good – Borrowed it off your father, so I'd imagine it is." He pauses as he turns from the mirror he's admiring himself in. "You look perfect. Wondrous."

I'd borrowed the hunting attire from Mom, it was from just before Regina banished her so not many people would recognise it as hers. Dad must've done something similar for Killian. From Prince James maybe, the original one. I move over to the mirror and curl my arm around his waist. "Let's welcome back Leia and Charles, huh?" I wave my hand and the faux royalty appear. "Well, hello there King Charles."

"Good day, my Queen Leia."

Mom chuckled from the door. "You know we don't really talk like that. It's about being normal people with an air of arrogant righteousness by your side. What's your country called?"

"Arendelle."

"Oh, I had a friend who lived there." Dad says turning to his wife.

"Oh, yeah. Prince Kristoff." I say, eyes shining at Killian.

"Prince?"

"He married a princess; my friend actually."

"Princess Joan?"

"Well Princess Anna, but yes. Let's just say they're in a bit of a tough winter and nobody will go in or out of Arendelle. We should be safe."

"Except Belle." Counters Hook.

"Locked up by 'Gina."

"Oh. Right, I forgot about that..."

"What are you guilty at?"

"Nothing, love. Let's go save our daughter."

"Oh, Emma." Mom says, "I wish we could protect you."

"I know, Mom."

Killian

After riding through the day we stumbled across a tavern that night.

"Just past midnight," I say, looking up. "Star Clock." He adds for Emma by way of explanation.

"Let's duck in here," She points at a tavern. "We need a plan."

"Alright, but why aren't we in our castle?"

"You're not really a King!"

"They're going to ask!"

"We're travelling."

Hesitantly, I follow her in tying up the steeds and we go into the pub. Emma nudges me and tells me she has an idea. She goes up to Smee of all people and asks: "Are you the Captain of the ship called the Jolly Roger?"

"What kind of plan is this? You trying to get my vessel stolen?" I whisper. What is she doing?"

"Shut it!"

"He's not the Captain." Says a voice and 'I' come round the bar to us, "I am. Allow me to introduce myself, Captain Hook."

"We seek passage on your ship to save our daughter. We're prepared to pay you." Emma lifts the money bag that David gave us. "It's just a taster... What'd you say, pirate? Silver, gold? Jewels?"