The Traitor's Wish

20. The Journey's Begining

TTW Ch20

The royal family had searched and searched for their Princess Emma, but after a long month at sea, they were forced to return home with no avail.

It was heartbreaking, Queen Snow would give anything to have her darling daughter home safe in her arms. Her heart had a void in it, that only her child could fill. The palace felt empty and lifeless. She carried on the duties for her people, but on the inside she was growing weak and depressed. What if they never got her back?

She could be out there anywhere, hurt, cold, and alone. Snow could not even think about what would happen if Emma's capturer followed out with his promise of breaking her wings.

The day they had returned to the palace, King David tripled training for the new guards. He ran a background test on all of them again, learning everything he could about their past and weeding out anyone untrustworthy. He called in his most trusted troops from distant villages, forming a plan to find and capture Captain Jones, whatever it took.

Regina was still sure that he was not the capturer; this was a frame job. Someone much worse was behind all of the terrible things happening, but David's rage blinded him. This was how he showed his pain. The truth was, inside, his heart was shattered with sorrow. His darling girl, in the hands of a pirate.

His only comfort came from Snow, his true love. She fought to have hope. They would find her. Always.

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Emma and Killian were in the cabin of The Jolly Roger, packing their bags for a much longer stay in Fulvadore then they had planned. The ship was safely docked in the tiny port. Fulvadore was not a sea kingdom. They kept their business in the center of their land, and rarely did a ship stop by.

This would of course draw attention to the burly group of men traveling inward with the blonde beauty, but the plan was forged and there was no other option. Any boat or ship that went to sea with Killian on it would be dragged down by the Serpent of Sohl, nasty thing that had been called up from the depths of hell to end Killian's life.

Inland was the only way to go.

"Everything packed love?" Killian asked, tossing books and papers from the drawers of the stone table into his bag.

"I've got the maps, bedsheets, and your entire closet in my satchel." She said, checking her bag once again.

He grabbed his leather coat, tossing it to her, "Remind me when we get to the village that you are in dire need of a new dress." He said as she pulled on the warm leather coat. Emma's only dress had been ruined when Killian saved her from Denson's ship. He shuttered as the images of her scarred back flashed through his mind.

She only had her one skirt and the shirts she borrowed from Killian. He wished to give her more, but she argued the shirts were more practical at sea anyways.

"That's okay, I quite fancy your coats." She said, her cheeks pink.

"They look even better on you then they do on me lass." He said with a chuckle. "Ready to go?" He asked as she closed the satchel and slung it over her shoulder.

She nodded, "I think so.. just one more thing." She added softly, stepping close and looking up into his vibrant blue eyes. Eyes filled with longing and determination. She could detect a small flicker of worry in them, but knowing Killian it was worry for her life, not his. "That was too close Killian. I have no idea what it'd be like without out you." She said, her mind lingering on the previous close call.

"And you won't ever find out. I'm right here, beside you, always." He brushed his lips against hers, willing fate to keep them both safe throughout this journey. "Actually, Swan, I was meaning to ask you.." He scratched the back of his neck hesitantly. Emma smiled at the sight of his nervous smile. "Well, you're still going to be undercover in Fulvadore, even if they don't know your looks, they'll know your name and mine." He began to explain, his cheeks filling with pale pink color.