To Ignite

11

Emma and the Queen walked the route to the arena, where the battle taking place, in a deep silence. But the silence was a shocking silence for both women for it both of them a peace they haven't felt in a while.

When they stepped foot in the arena, they both wished that the walk was longer.

"So, um.... thank you, Your Majesty for um.... walking me here," Emma said rubbing the back of her neck and digging the toe of her boot in the loose dirt in the arena.

The Queen gave slight nod as a sign that she was listening. They stood in silence for a moment until a guard noticed the Queen's arrival and led her on the balcony, so she could watch the fight from a safe distance.

Another guard led Emma to where she was needed for the fight with the former guard.

As they were being escorted both females looked back in hopes of getting a parting glance of the other. They met each other's eyes and quickly blushed and looked away.

The dark haired royal finally reached her throne on the balcony and took a seat just in time for the gong to sound for the start of the fight.

"Fighters choose your weapons!" Jones yelled. The Queen assigned him to watch over the fight to make sure no one cheats using magic, potions, extra weapons, etc.

On the weapons table there was a sword and a simple kitchen knife. Emma grabbed the knife.

"You sure you don't want to back out now, little girl," the drunk taunted.

Emma didn't respond.

"Did you hear me, girl?" He raised his voice slightly.

The blonde remained quiet.

"So you are just going to ignore me huh?" He yelled.

The queen watching above raised her eyebrow  at the blonde's choice of silence.

"3....2.....1 FIGHT!" Sir Jones yelled.

At that, Emma closed her eyes getting more in tune with her other senses than her sight.
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When he seen this, the drunk laughed and said "this is why we shouldn't let women in the arena. They should stay in the kitchen keeping their men happy. Serving them like kings."

All the knights both male and female were disgusted ready to right in the place of the blonde.

The staff/servants' of the queen both   women and men alike were offended ready to show him what a mere servant can do.

The Queen was outraged ready to throw a fireball at the imbecile and be done with him.

Emma was calm which pissed off her opponent who ran at her with the sword above his head ready to swipe down.

The blonde took a large step to the right causing him to swipe at air. Since the force was strong but no target was met, he lost hold of his weapon and it slipped out of his hand to the other side of the arena.

"Whatever weapons are for chumps anyway," he snickered but you can hear the fear in his voice.

Emma shrugged at his words and tossed her knife with the lost sword.

Everyone in the arena gasped in shock at her choice even the Queen.

Emma did the come hither motion with her hand as she got in a fighting stance, still choosing not to talk.

"Are you mocking me?!" He asked getting red in the race.

Again she shrugged her shoulders in response.

He took a wild swing at the left side of her face with his right arm that she blocked with her forearm. She quickly wrapped her arm around his to trap it, and kicked him in his chest with her right leg.

He stumbled from the force but caught his balance. He glared at Emma and smirked as if he remembered something.

He dug in the opening of his sleeve to pull out a simple dagger.

Sir Jones was grabbing his sword to interfere Emma shook her head no stopping the knight in his tracks.

The drunk charged at Emma for the fiftieth time that day.

And Emma surprising everyone that day backflipped to the knife on the other side of the arena honoring her word instead of grabbing the sword that was right next to it.

Standing face to face, the drunk yelled, "Oh so you think you are special with your flips and tricks, huh?! Answer me!!"

Emma remain quiet. She noticed that the man's balance was off as if he had been drinking. So she used a sweep kick to knock him off his feet.

She seen the dagger fall from his hand so she kicked it towards the sword.

She held the knife to his throat and for the first time since the fight started spoke. She said

"Apologize."

He remained quiet. She pressed the knife harder against his neck making him feel how his life was now in her hands.

The spectators watched with rapt attention.

"Apologize," She said louder.

"I'm sorry for doubting your abilities," he said with a sneer.

"Not to me," The princess said.

"Then who the hell am I supposed to Apologize to!" He yelled almost forgetting the sharp object pressed against his throat.

"Her. The Queen," Emma said her green eyes ablaze, her fingers emitting a few sparks that the queen noticed but could not entirely remember.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," He said.

The Queen stood, "I declare Miss..."

"Swan," Emma said standing up while Jones dealt with the loosing drunk.

And then it hit the Queen.

"Swan... I now declare Miss Swan the victor of this fight."

The arena erupted in applause.