On Stranger Tides

Chapter 1

--Part One: On Stranger Tides--

The next day, Emma did not want to leave her chambers, she would rather work on her studies or even stare at her ceiling endlessly. If it weren't for the servants she probably wouldn't have got up at all. They had prepared a bath for her and had already set out an outfit. This is one thing Emma didn't mind, she liked not having to worry about picking out the right thing to wear. She sat in her warm bath contemplating all the reasons why her parents could have possibly come up with this plan for her. Emma hadn't even talked to them recently, she had quite often been left on her own and she didn't mind it. She knew how to talk to people, she just didn't enjoy it, especially when so many people are liars and only tell you things to please you. Emma had finished getting ready, dressed in a simple light blue dress. As she was fixing up her hair and makeup she heard her mother's heels against the marble floors.

"Emma, sweetheart, come here!" Snow had yelled from the bottom of the steps leading up to Emma's room. Emma heard her mother quite well, so she rushed to the top of the staircase where her mother stood just below. "Come down here." She says motioning her hand back and forth. Emma lifted up the hem of her skirt carefully and walked down the marble steps, taking her time. She had a feeling that she knew exactly how this conversation was going to go.

"Yes, mother?" Emma asked when she reached the bottom.

"Come with me, your father and I want to tell you something." Snow replied to her daughter.

Snow and Emma walked down the large tile covered room and into her father's study just down the hall. As soon as they opened the door Emma's father jumped out of his seat to greet his wife and daughter.

"My dearest, Emma, you two look very lovely today."

"Thank you, father."

"Now your mother and I need to tell you something." Emma was still furious from the night before so she jumped to conclusions. Her audacious self always spoke her mind, something her parents tried to make her so often keep control of. They had always told her that politeness was key, and do not assume, only listen. Some things have to be sacrificed when you're royal.

"Is it about me being betrothed to King Frederick and Queen Abigail's son because I already know."

"How did you know?" Her mother asked in shock, her jaw dropping a little at her daughter's bluntness.

"I'd overheard kitchen maids speaking of it," Emma replied.

"We've been meaning to tell you for an awfully long time now." Her father says looking down in his lap fiddling with his fingers nervously.

"Save it. I only wanted to marry a man I loved, not one I don't know. I want to marry for true love like you guys, it's only fair." Emma said getting snarky.

"Nothing in this world is fair Emma." Her mother says, "We were just lucky."

"Should I test my luck then too? I at least deserve a chance at finding it. Frederick and Abigail also had a chance." She said with just a hint of stubbornness showing.

"We are sorry Emma, our kingdom is in a lot of debt, trade hasn't been keeping up with the demand. We need to be partners, this will secure safety for our kingdom and theirs, and this is how we can fix that easily without venturing out to form other alliances that may harm us." Her father explained very basically.

"I don't care. I can't believe you two right now. There are other ways of saving our economic issues, you could've just made a simple alliance!" Emma yelled, she then stormed out of her father's study and marched right back to her room.

She needed to get out. She can't marry a man she doesn't love or hasn't even met. She changed into a cream and gold riding suit. She then pinned her curly blonde locks up so they would be out of her way when she ran into town. She grabbed her sheath and sword and wrapped them around her waist. A sack of gold and jewels was on her vanity so she tied that on her belt as she may need them for trading later. Her hands grabbed the handles of the balcony doors that stood in the middle of her large chambers and pulled them open. She swung her legs over the edge, a trellis hung below so Emma jumped swiftly to climb down it. she climbed down very quickly and steadily and when her feet reached the ground she ran straight into the forest towards the direction of town. Emma ran as fast as her legs could carry her.

She ran straight into the tree line hoping this would hide her from prying eyes and palace guards. Trees of The Enchanted Forest were huge and were great hiding places if any trouble came. Emma ran until her feet were no longer on moss, but on gravel, she had made it into town. It was nothing special, but the best part of it was the ocean view. The glistening, sparkling blue waters. If she wanted to get as far away as possible she needed passage on a ship and she would get just that. Emma walked around the town looking for someplace to go. She entered a noisy tavern. Emma opened the creaky, rum stained door and the noise from the outside became even louder. She looked around, the place was filthy, drunk men surrounded the room and most of them with women in their laps. She didn't want to stand out so she ordered a drink. The bartender handed her a large mug of rum. Emma had never tasted it before so she took a small sip. The taste was foul, bitter. It came as a shock to her, but Emma got used to the taste and drank it all anyway.

"You look a little young to be drinking." A man in a thick Irish accent had said to young Emma. She turned her head to look at the man sitting right next to her. She was met with stunning ice blue eyes and jet black hair. He had a thin face that was covered in a scruff. He had a shiny hook at the end of his left arm and he didn't look more than three years older than her.

"If you knew my reasons, you would be drinking too." She responded trying not to get too distracted by his looks.

"What's your name, lass?" He asked.

"Emma..." Emma didn't want to say, Princess Emma Nolan, she looked out the tavern window and saw some swan lilies. "Swan. Emma Swan."

"Well, Swan, what is a beautiful young lady like you doing here in this place?"

"I am looking for a passage on a ship. Could you help me with that?" Emma asked.

"Yes, love. For I am Captain Hook, Captain of the Jolly Roger. Where is it you plan to go?" He smirked.

"I don't wish to go anywhere. I want to be a part of your crew." Emma said.

Hook laughed and Emma tried hard not to blush. Was it something she said? "A woman, as part of me' crew!? I don't know Swan."

"I can fight," Emma responded quickly, not giving up yet.

"Can you now? We'll let's see it then."

"Let's take this outside," Emma said standing up from the bar and walking out of the disgusting door. Hook followed close behind.

"Now I'm going to go easy on ye', love." He said sliding his sword out from his sheath.

She did the same. Her sword right out in front of her. "No need." She said. Their swords clashed together. She pulled apart and was aiming for his chest, but he blocked her. They did this back and forth for a while. Emma used a great technique, but so did he. He caught her off guard and held her against his chest, his sword against her throat.

"Very good, love." Hook said.

"Not done yet," Emma said as she elbowed him on the stomach. Hook fell to the ground. Emma stood over him, her sword now at the nape of his neck. "Now, Hook, you are going to accept me as part of your crew or I'll slit your throat." She said very sternly, with a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Confident now, aren't we lass. Very well, welcome to de' crew. After all, you did almost defeat a captain."

"Almost?" She asked but then Hook kicked her legs making her fall to the ground next to him.

"Nice try, love." He said giving her a very flirtatious smile. "We leave at dawn tomorrow understood?"

"Understood." She said returning the flirtatious smile.