I Will Find You

Chapter 11: Another Ball

Killian's POV

Charming and I made our way down the stairs, chatting as we walked. Despite our small talk, my mind was elsewhere. I was thinking about Emma.

Mary Margaret had gone to Emma's room a few hours before to help her clean up, despite the fact that her and Charming were sharing a room. I couldn't blame her, though. I wanted to be with Emma every second too.

I knew it was selfish of me. I had no right to be with her every second. She deserved time to herself, time to take a breath. I wasn't exactly sure how she felt about me now, but I did know she wouldn't want me hovering over her every second. No matter how much I tried to convince myself against it, though, I still wanted to be with her. I wanted to make sure she was okay. It broke my heart to see her in the cell- lonely, scared, doubting herself. I couldn't see it happen again. I wouldn't let it happen again.

"Hook, are you okay?" Charming asked, snapping me back into reality. He actually looked worried about me for once, which was surprising.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm okay. Sorry, mate." I muttered. Staring ahead of me, I realized we were entering a large doorway, and looking down I noticed we were at the top of a large staircase that escaladed down into a magnificent ballroom. A large crystal chandelier dangled from the ceiling, sending specks of light across the ballroom floor. Dresses of many colors twirled around the dance floor, complemented with brown, blue, and black men's suits. I myself was wearing a navy blue suit unbuttoned a few buttons on the neckline. I wanted to surprise Emma. The last time I had worn a suit similar to this was at our dance in the past only a few months ago- or you could say many years ago. The concept was hard to think about.

Just before we approached the herald [note: the herald is the person who announces guests in a Royal Court] announcing names as we walked down the steps, we heard someone running behind us.

"Wait up, mates!" Robin hollered, seemingly out of breath. Charming and I both stared at him as if we had never seen anyone to the likes of him before.

"Robin?" Charming exclaimed after we came to our senses, "Wha.. what are you doing? How are you here?"

"Regina was worried about Henry," He exclaimed, then leaned in, and whispered, "And I think she was also worried about all of you. She just wouldn't admit it." He chuckled to himself, giving us space again. On any other day we would've laughed at his joke, but we were both too shocked that he was here to notice any humor, "Anyway, she found a way to get a portal with a little help from Gold. He may not be the dark one anymore, but he sure knows his ways with magic." We both nodded, taking it all in, "Regina and I found Arthur's castle and once we told him we were with you, he let us in."

"So, are you going to go to the ball with us, then?" Charming asked, stating the obvious.

"Of course he is, mate." I nodded, giving Robin a friendly pat on the back and shoving him forward jokingly, "Well, c'mon, we'd better get to the ball before our ladies do."

I whispered my name to the herald and made my way to the top of the staircase, staring down at the room. It was riveting to be here; I could barely believe it was real. I was a pirate. I had killed countless people in my life, done terrible things, ruined the lives of hundreds. I was a villain- one of the worst. People knew my name and shivered when they heard it. I ravaged the seas, spreading darkness wherever I went. But now, I was at a royal ball. I was a new person. The people here didn't know who I was. I could start anew.

It was all because of my Swan. My Emma. She changed me.

"Captain Killian Jones, Prince David Charming, and Mr. Hood." The herald bellowed, giving us the go to make our way down the stairs.

~

Emma's POV

My mom embraced me, pulling my close. She kissed my forehead, and then pulled me back, holding me out at arm's length.

"Oh, Emma... you look beautiful."

I had chosen a light yellow dress that wrapped around my bodice and waist, flaring out around my waist as any average ball gown did. From the moment I tried it on, however, I had felt special in it. It was comfortable, and made me feel beautiful. Not that it mattered, but I had to admit, it did feel good to feel pretty. My mom had helped me put my hair into a braided up do, and chosen a head band that wrapped around my head like a crown, adorned with shining crystals. She even insisted on applying just a little bit of makeup. We were just approaching the entrance to the ballroom, when my mom had stopped and hugged me, getting nostalgic. I had expected it. She had been emotional ever since we started getting ready for the ball.

"Okay, sorry. Didn't mean to make this moment awkward. I'm just so... happy. Oh, Emma, this is all I've ever wanted for you." She took a deep breath, staring at my dress, my face, my smile, "Let's go in."

"Princess Snow White and Princess Emma Swan." The herald announces as we made our way down the massive staircase. I shivered when he announced the word princess, but my mom had insisted I address myself by my 'rightful title'. Whatever that meant.

I made my way down the steps, being careful every stair I stepped on. It's harder than it looks to walk in a gown, let alone down dozens of steps. When I finally became more confident in walking down the steps, I lifted my head. Ahead of me stood my father and Killian. Killian had surprised me by finally changing out of his pirate garb and putting on a suit complete with a long jacket, similar to the one he had worn at our time travel ball.

I nearly tripped when I saw who was standing next them. Robin. He wasn't looking at either of us, however, he was staring above us. Out of curiosity, I looked up at the top of the steps. There was Regina- outfitted in a tight deep indigo mermaid dress with sleeves that flared out at the wrists. Her hair flowed around her shoulders in loose curls and the top of her hair was pulled into an updo,"Lady Regina Mills" The herald announced as she made her way down the stairs. I was too surprised she was here to care about her beautiful dress, though.

My mom gave me a tap on the shoulder, ushering me down the steps. When I finally got to the bottom, Killian came to greet me.

"Swan, you look stunning."
I took a deep breath, taking my mind off of the surprise of Regina and Robin's arrival

"Thank you." I smirked, "You don't look too bad yourself."

He grinned, then leaned into me, whispering in my ear, "If you were wondering, Regina and Robin developed a portal to find us. They were worried about Henry." He explained. I exhaled, relieved for an explanation. He knew me too well. He must've seen me taking a moment to glance up at Regina.

Slowly taking my hand in his, he led me into the ballroom.

"Just take a deep breath, Swan. Enjoy the moment."

He wrapped his hand around my waist and we twirled onto the dance floor.

| Author's Note: Agh, guys! Just watched Taylor Swift's new music video! IT'S AMAZING! LOVE IT! Ahhh! <3 Anyways; new chapter, yay! Thank you all for reading. I wrote this while watching New Year's Rockin' Eve, hope you enjoyed. Leave comments and thoughts below.

I hope everyone has an amazing 2016! Still 1 more hour left for me until the new year :) . Despite anything you may have gone through this year, you made it through. You made it to a new year where you can make anything happen and have a fresh start. Love you all! |