Early the next morning...
The sun had barely risen yet but there was mumbling outside Princess Emma's door. Normally she would just ignore it, assuming her guards were just talking amongst themselves to stay awake. She didn't blame them, nor mind, it must be awful just to stand there all night in silence. She should know, that's what she's been doing all night as well. Emma found it hard to sleep without her pirate next to her. They spent months sleeping by each other's side, inhaling each other's scent, limbs tossed over other limbs, skin pressed against skin. Now all she felt was cold sheets and a racing mind. What was Killian doing right now? Did he come back to the castle? Did he have a restful sleep? Was he happy?
The princess found herself wandering around her room, trying to find something else to occupy her mind with as she waited for the sun to rise. Then she could rush to Killian and hopefully spend the day with him. She heard her guards continue to mumble, however, this time there were more than two voices. Letting curiosity get the best of her, she silently made her way to the wooden door and pressed her ear up against it.
"The King's horse is still missing."
"I was informed the pirate took it, the King gave him permission."
"That was last night, he should've returned the horse by now."
"I still can't believe the princess trusted a pirate, she's smarter than that."
"Well, she was raised by Snow White, taught to see the best in people."
"I can't believe the king let him take a horse."
"Should we inform the king?"
Before Emma could even think she opened her door. A mix of emotions was running through her. Why didn't Killian return? Was he hurt? Lost? Did he leave? They've been through worse and it was out of character for him just to abandon her. Something must be keeping him from returning to her.
"Apologize, ma'am. We did not mean to wake you." One of her guards said, shaking her thoughts.
"It's all right, I've been up for hours... I was just leaving to go get a book from the library." The princess responded, in a lie.
"Which one? I'll get it for you, your highness." A maid walking by offered.
"No! I'll get it..." She responded harsher than intended.
"Yes ma'am. Should I turn down the bed now?" Her maid asked.
"Um... yes... If my parents are looking for me, I'll be in the library." Emma responded before walking off.
Emma didn't like lying, it left a bad taste in her mouth. But she had to... She was on her way to the barn to grab her horse and look for Killian. It was best if no one knew. Soon her parents would be awake and looking for her and she couldn't risk them stopping her from looking for Killian or filling her head with thoughts of him leaving. He would never do that. The library was a great excuse. She used to spend all her spare time there, reading books and getting lost in the adventures they held. The best part about her lie was that the castle's library was huge. It would take at least an hour to look through if they wanted to find her, there were many hidden nooks and crannies she's discovered through the years. When she was younger she used to hide in them and often couldn't be found. It was the perfect cover-up.
She made it to the barn with no guards or maids stopping her. She made her way to the very back where her all-white horse waited for her. Even though Emma has neglected her horse for the past couple of years, the horse was ready to serve her. As she placed the saddle on the horses, Emma realized her own appearance. She was in her nightgown, with no shoes. Not the most practical outfit for riding, but it'll have to do.
"What do you say, Oakley, ready for a ride?" She asked her horse.
The sun was starting to peak and Emma knew she had to get as far away from the castle as soon as possible. She got on her horse and signaled for her horse to run. Run as fast as possible. Her horse delivered, before she knew it they were out of the castle's boundaries. The princess missed the feeling of the chill wind in her face from how fast her horse was running. It reminded her of the windy mornings on the Jolly Roger. Soon enough they were deep in the forest, her horse had drastically slowed down now. Exhausted and not used to such exhilaration. Emma found a nearby stream and got off her horse, letting Oakley take a drink. After a few minutes, Emma pressed her forehead against the side of her horse's neck, finally feeling the toll of not sleeping.
"Where could he be?" She asked herself.
"Closer than you think." A deep husky voice said behind her.
Killian. He was upon her father's horse. She was relieved to see him, but his expression did not look the same. He seemed defeated, dark circles under his eyes. His hair was slightly sticking up, most likely from running his fingers through them so much. It was obvious he had a weight on his mind and he hadn't slept a wink.
"Killian..." She let out a breath of relief and made her way over to him.
Killian got off the King's horse, letting him walk to the stream to get a well deserved drink. He spent all night riding the horse, in no particular direction, trying to clear his head. He preferred to do that while sailing on the Jolly Roger, but that was out of the question. He couldn't let anyone assume he was trying to leave because he wasn't. The captain took in the beauty of his princess as she made her way over to him. Her hair was a mess from laying in bed, it had one single messy braid in it. Her face glowed as the sun hit it, her cheeks slightly red from all the adrenaline she just had. And her outfit... A white nightgown with no sleeves and her feet had no shoes. It almost reminded him of their early mornings on the Jolly Roger when they couldn't sleep. They would make their way up to the deck in their sleepwear and bare feet and watch the sunrise.
"What are you doing here?" Killian asked as if she was intruding.
"Looking for you... I was worried. I heard the guards saying that you never returned last night." She responded, taken back by his rude greeting.
"Well, I'm fine." He responded, still harsh.
"Are you mad at me?" Emma asked, slightly upset.
This shook Killian back to reality. The tone of her voice. The happiness left her eyes, her smile was gone, she was slowly backing away. It looked as she was about to cry. Why was he being so mean? Especially to Emma.
"No love... I could never be mad at you." Killian answered in a gentle tone.
"Then what's going on? You've been acting strange ever since we left the dock yesterday." Emma questioned.
"I didn't think you noticed..." He responded under his breath.
"Of course I did." She said, reaching for Killian's hand.
Killian took in a long, deep breath. He closed his eyes gathering his thoughts, then released his breath before grabbing the princess's hand.
"I get why you left now." He said looking down.
"And..." Emma pushed on, knowing there was more.
"This just doesn't seem like a place for a pirate. You already have suitors lined up and I just don't compare." Killian responded honestly with sadness in his eyes.
"You're right you don't compare. You're so much better than any suitor." The princess responded, looking at her pirate.
"Hardly... I captured you just like you said that beast did. Soon you'll see me like that as well." He responded, his voice slightly cracking.
"Who? Rumplestilskin? His tale is far worse, Killian... He started an Ogre war in another Kingdom and when he went to offer his help, it came at a price." Emma began to explain.
"That girl, Belle?" Killian asked.
"Yes. He took her in exchange to stop the war. He killed her mother, left her father with a broken kingdom and she became his slave. She watched him torture his own people, kill innocent children and use magic all for the wrong reasons. You are nothing like him." She continued on.
"Well everyone still believes the tales of me wrecking villages, I'm no different to them." He said, walking to the stream.
"But you know those tales are not true. Rumple... He's proud of his tales. You're not. That's the difference. I'm sure at the ball everyone will have a different opinion by the end of the night." The princess responded, following the captain to the stream.
There was nothing more to say. Emma believed she said all that she could, not knowing how else to comfort him. She never realized how for the past few months it was him always comforting her, now it was her turn. They sat down by the stream, Emma's dress now ruined by the muddy dirt. She didn't care, there were many more.
Killian found the stream oddly comforting, almost as if he was watching the ocean waves go by. Emma was now resting her head on his shoulder, this gesture always calmed him. He loved their quiet moments, especially now since they seemed to be so limited. Killian watched the horses as Emma rested. They seemed so lively, so happy. Walking circles around each other as if they were playing.
"Do your horses always act like this? I would assume they would have been trained to remain still." Killian asked, breaking the silence.
"I honestly don't know... We don't go riding much anymore so their training isn't a priority in the castle anymore." Emma said, almost embarrassed.
"Figured. That black one was dying to go for a run once I boarded him." He responded, pointing to the King's horse.
"His name is Storm." Emma said, referring to the horse.
"Aye. What an impractical name for a horse. Storm." The pirate answered, with a sour look on his face.
"Hey, I named him that when I was just a girl!" The princess responded with a laugh.
"Ah, should've known." He teased.
"I found him on one of the coldest winters. Huddled up by a tree, so young and scrawny. Father didn't think he would make it, he wouldn't even stand up once we got him to the palace barn. I sat by him all night waiting for him to stand and just as I was about to walk away he stood up." Emma responded.
"He's a strong horse now." Killian said.
"Yeah. We don't know where he came from or if he belongs to anyone. But I begged my parents to keep him and they did." She said with a smile.
"But he's not your horse?" Killian asked.
"No. He grew fast and he was quite strong. I couldn't handle him myself but I also couldn't get rid of him. My mother already had her own horse so my father claimed him as his horse. The two of them looked invincible together, almost as if Storm was meant to be a King's horse." Emma continued one, looking at the horses.
"I got Oakley for my fifteenth birthday. She's a special one. Definitely not good at listening, but is always ready for a ride." Emma said, referring to her white horse.
"Sounds like she got it from you." Killian teased in a serious tone, looking at Emma.
The four of them stayed by a stream for a while, enjoying their quiet moment. Soon someone would come looking for Emma so she savored the moment with her pirate. This was all new to him yet he handled it like it's been his life for years, something she admired about him. They got lost in conversation talking about anything that came to mind, just enjoying each other's company until it was time to return to reality.