Cursed (Book 2 of the Enchanted Series) Captain Swan Fanfiction

Chapter 8- Choices Abroad

Emma pulled the dangling branches from her direction and pulled herself forward before coming to a clearing in the woods. She had been looking for several hours and had her dress now torn in several spots, making it difficult to stay warm in the frigid air. The only sound accompanying her had been that of her rapid heart and the rustling on either side of her that made her step speed in fear of what could be following her. She quickly discovered it.

An arrow, long, with a green feather on the end landed on the tree beside her as she jumped back, turning quick to see a man charging at her. He came close to her before pulling his arrow from the tree and then placing it behind his back and analyzing her in the dark woods, lit only by the moon overhead.

"Please..." She begged as she squinted her eyes, anticipating what was to come. "I am only looking for a friend."

"What is the princess doing in the woods?"

"How did you know-"

"Everyone knows you. Even a slum such as myself...Now who are you looking for?"

"Riding hood. Red-most people call her."

"I can't say that I've heard of her...are you sure you have the right-"

"Please...I do not have time to waste. I beg of you, that you let me go..."

"I would never harm you-or anyone for that matter. I will not let you travel alone, Princess."

"Please do not call me that..."

"It is what you are-"

"Not at this moment."

"Then what shall I call you?"

"Emma."

"Emma...I'm Robin...Robin Hood." He clarified as she nodded, realizing she had just met the legend himself. She almost could not believe it but quickly kept her focus as she feared for what Killian or her parents were getting themselves into as they did not remember their current statuses.

Robin and Emma journeyed through the woods together before discovering the stories of one another. She learned how he truly did steal from those more fortunate then his people, and offered them better lives then what they had been born into. The thought eased her as she knew he was a good man with a kind heart. What made her fearful was how there was no one she knew in sight. She then disclosed her entire story with Killian as he stood almost dumbfounded before nodding-as he knew Pan's reputation as Emma had known Robin's.

"You have had an encounter with him?"

He nodded. "Indeed. He nearly had me hung-"

"What for?"

"Stealing. From a wicked king...only to offer for my Marion..."

"You are married?"

He hung his gaze. "Widowed. With a son who...who deserves a better life than this..."

"Then allow it to be my promise that I will secure you a home for you and your son-and any men who suffer as you do."

"Please...that is not why I told you-'

"It is the least I can do for all you have done for me...allow me."

He did not reject this as he did not want to reject royalty. He brought himself to kneel in front of her in thanks before they heard a snarling in the woods behind them. Continuing forward, Robin readied his bow before coming to a cease as Emma leaped in front of him, her arms spread at her sides.

"Red! It's Emma...Red!" Suddenly the wolf's eyes eased back in the shadows and transformed to the ground before a woman emerged, wrapping herself in her cape.

"Emma? What is it?" she could sense her distress as Emma hugged her tightly. Emma then explained her ordeal as Robin heard it for a second time, but now, patrolling the area around them, to be sure they were safe. As they motioned back towards the castle, a woman's voice could be heard and Emma recognized it to be Calypso. Red, Robin, and Emma peeked through the trees as they stood on the line that separated them between the Royal grounds and watched the scene ahead.

"I don't want you to return until you find her! Alive!"

Emma took relief in this before she continued.

"At least...until I get my grip on her..." The woman then moved back until Robin pulled Emma back.

"We must get you away from here-"

"My parents-"

"Are useless without their memories. They will think you are a witch if you explain everything."

"What should I do?"

"The docks are a four hour journey from here...we could get a head start-"

"We?"

"I am going to see this out with you...."

"What about your son?"

"He was taken by the evil queen."

"I thought she was dethroned and therefore powerless..."

"I have not had the misfortune of meeting her...but I hear she is selfish...evil..."

"I have met her...she is misunderstood...but indeed selfish..."

"Then I will protect you. You spoke of how Killian had...I shall take his place as your protection."

"As will I."

"Red, I need you to stay and watch my parents. They believe it to be eighteen years ago. Everything is new and strange to them. Please.....watch out for them."

She nodded. "Why did you seek me?"

"There must be someway to reverse this curse....someone with the ability to do so..."

"I only know of two...and either are not willing to use their magic..."

"Who?"

"Tinkerbell...she is...she is in Neverland...but if you go there...you can't leave....and for the other...it's the evil queen..."

"Then I propose we complete two missions with one visit..."

"What do you mean?"

"We get your son back...and we convince her to help us."

"She wouldn't do anything unless it had HER interest..."

"I may have just the thing to interest her..."