Calmer Waters

Chapter One

 Princess Emma Swan was in trouble. Well, not exactly the life-threatening and evil-curse sort of trouble she'd been in before, but trouble nonetheless.

She sighed as she entered the royal private lounge room. Her diamond encrusted high heels didn't click against the floor, and her white silk dress didn't sweep across the carpet, because she wasn't wearing either - and that was exactly the problem.

"Emma," Mary Margaret (or rather Queen Snow White) greeted her disappointedly. "I know this new land will take some getting used to, but I'd assume you'd at least try to act like the princess you are."

Emma found this situation slightly awkward. She shifted in her red leather jacket and ankle boots. It was odd enough her mother being the same age as her, but it was just downright weird being reprimanded by the same woman for not wearing a ball gown.

"Sorry," she sighed again, "Its all just a bit... strange, you know?" She didn't wait for an answer before continuing, "Like I know you guys also lived in Storybrooke and it's probably a bit weird being back here, but Storybrooke and Boston is all I've known. I've never lived in this land before and I don't know how to act. I'm sorry, but I'm not some princess who wears dresses and... and waits around for princes and, I don't know, rides horses."

Emma felt better now that she'd gotten everything off her chest, but also a bit guilty in case she hurt her parents' feelings. To her surprise, Mary Mar- Snow White just smiled.

"And we're not expecting you to be. You've grown up, Emma. And although we're sad that it wasn't with us, we have to accept that, right David?"

"Of course," Emma's father replied, "And to be honest, you've gotten your fiery spirit from your mother. She wasn't exactly the perfect princess either," he said with a grin.

Snow looked slightly flustered. "Well, moving on, the real reason we've called you here is because we need to head off on a voyage to Aurora's castle to... discuss what we're going to do with Regina," she said with a grimace. Snow went on to explain that they'd be leaving that evening, and Emma and Henry were to come with too.

Henry had at first been slightly overwhelmed when they all first arrived in the Enchanted Forest, but now he was loving it. His daily schedule was jam packed, including sword fighting lessons, equestrian lessons, tours of the villages and banquets fit for a prince (good thing he was one.) The Saviour's son was faring a lot better than she was.

"Alright then, I'll go pack." To be honest, Emma was glad to get out of the palace for a reason other than her Princess duties. A little fresh air was much overdue. It would be nice to go for a voyage over the vast sea that she gazed upon from her bedroom window every dusk, watching the golden sun set against the glassy water.

That afternoon the royal family boarded the ship. As their luggage was being loaded on, they met with the captain to discuss some safety measures. There were six royal guards on the ship, along with the captain's own sailors. There was a mild storm ahead, but it wouldn't cross their path. The water was calm, the skies were clear - it seemed to be the perfect conditions for sailing.

They were just about to head to the compartments below deck when the captain reminded them, "Be on the watch for any pirates."

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Emma Swan stood on the top deck, her curly blond hair whipping around her face in the salty sea air. It had been a day since they set sail, and the scene was beautiful. The sun sparkled against the mirror that was the ocean. She smiled. This was the life she wanted - voyaging everyday, the landscape changing with every new adventure.

The early morning mist that hovered above the water lifted a little, and suddenly Emma's fantasy was broken. The dark outline of another ship was slowly making its way toward them. As the vessel neared, she could see a black flag with a skull and cross bones symbol on it. Instantly she thought of...

"Pirates!" the Saviour yelled, "Pirates! They're coming toward us!" David ran into the deck and looked over the ocean to see what Emma was pointing at. Sure enough, a pirate ship was ominously sailing toward them. He ran over and called his guards and the sailors.

"Prepare for an attack!" He ordered, before rushing back to Emma.

"Emma, you need to go below deck and stay with Snow and Henry, make sure you're all safe and lock the doors, okay?"

Much as Emma wanted to ensure her son and mother were safe, she also wanted to fight.

"No," she said decisively, "I'm going to help you fight. From what I've heard, Mary Margaret can easily take care of her and Henry. Please," she reached for her sword, "Let me help." She looked into David's eyes, hoping he'd grant her wish.

The Prince was about to argue, but he realised there would be no point.

"Alright. You can fight. You're so stubborn, just like your mother," he sighed in submission.

The pirate ship had almost reached them. Emma zipped up her leather jacket and readied her sword. She glanced around at the other sailors before looking back at the fast approaching vessel. She could see the figures on the boat, getting ready for a raid.

A man, probably the captain, stepped up on the side of the ship. He only had one hand, with which he gripped the rope that prevented him from falling into the icy ocean below. Emma couldn't quite see what was in place of his other hand.

"Ahoy there," he called out, "I would be very much obliged if you would surrender your ship to us now. You're outnumbered, mates."

Emma's muscles tensed. Something about him vaguely reminded her of Captain Hook, the fairytale pirate from the Peter Pan stories she read as a child. To be honest, she wouldn't be surprised if it was him. After all, she was on a ship with Snow White and Prince Charming, on her way to meet with Sleeping Beauty to discuss the Evil Queen.

When no one replied from the royal ship, the pirate turned around and yelled to his crew, "Come on boys, the Jolly Roger doesn't stand down for anyone!" The pirates yelled back, and soon began flooding over the side of the ship.

Jolly Roger? Yep, definitely Captain Hook.

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word count 1112 - page count 3.3