Two days later...
Emma was lost in thought as she, Neal, Killian, and a few servants were down at the docks loading trunks onto the Jolly Roger. The last few days were spent packing everything they would need for their journey from clothes, to weapons and even stocking up on food. As the day to her departure came closer she was mixed with happiness and sadness...
Happy she would be out at sea again, feeling freer than ever before. But also sad to leave her beloved parents behind who cherished their only child, who wanted nothing more than to make her happy.
Today the Princess decided to visit her Aunt Regina down in the village as promised. Her parents and Regina got along quite well despite their differences...
Regina was a tad more strict and really had no mercy for anyone. She always said if she were queen, her people would obey her and if they broke the law punishment would be applied. No trial, no mercy, nothing.
Queen Snow and King David ruled their Kingdom completely different. Snow believed everyone was good and often saw the best in people, whether they deserved it or not. Prince Charming followed along with his wife, always trusting her judgment. The two believed in a fair trial and would listen to their people. They felt their people had every right to make the rules and punishment was rarely used. To them, the worst punishment imaginable would be exile, which had only been done a handful of times.
Emma, however, thought her parents could be too kind and often found herself caught between Regina and her parent's ruling style. She thought her kingdom had pretty fair laws compared to many other kingdoms she learned about and often thought that if someone broke their leisure laws, punishment should be granted. Nonetheless, the princess often kept her thoughts to herself, not wanting to cause an argument over speculations.
"Swan, I don't see why I have to go with you." Killian's voice interrupted her deep thoughts, "Robin doesn't seem to like that much." he continues as he placed trunks of clothing onto the deck of the Jolly Roger.
"It'll be fine." She smiled, "Robin likes to drink so maybe you two can bond over that." Emma said as she helped.
Neal overheard the conversation as he brought up another trunk from the dock, "I must admit, Regina terrifies me."
The princess laughed at her men, "Would you two stop. They're really not that bad."
"Darling, would it really bother you if we didn't accompany you?" Killian asked as he took a break from gathering their supplies, allowing the servants to do some work.
Emma knew it wasn't a big deal, but she hardly ever traveled alone, "please, for me?" She begged Killian, pulling him closer to her by his jacket.
Not being able to resist his love, he caved, "Alright alright, let's just finish getting everything on board." He said leaving to go gather more supplies.
Neal paused for a moment out of breath from the hot sun, "If he's going then I don't need to go right?"
"No, you're coming too." Emma said without thought.
"Em, Regina terrifies me!" He complained like a baby.
"And your father terrifies me, but I'm still providing you a way home, aren't I?" The princess said with a smirk.
Neal raised his eyebrows in realization, "Point taken." He said before he went to gather the last bit of supplies.
After a long morning of packing everyone was exhausted, but they still managed to get in the carriage and travel to Regina's place in hopes that she would have some cold refreshments. During the ride Neal dozed off while leaning on the side of the carriage, leaving Emma and Killian alone. The princess rested her head on the captain's shoulder, inhaling the fresh smell of salt on his jacket. The only thing missing was the smell of rum on him. Meanwhile, Killian was resting his head back on the seat, feeling oddly exhausted from all the work he had just done.
"Killian?" Emma asked as she looked up to see he had his eyes closed.
"Hm?" Killian asked without moving nor opening his eyes.
"Are you asleep?" She asked idiotically.
Killian let out a laugh, "Well not if you keep talking, love."
The princess turned red from embarrassment, "Oh right..."
Killian opened his eyes and sat up in his seat causing Emma to sit up as well, "Alright Sawn, what's on your mind?
"Nothing! It's just that we're alone and we're hardly ever alone..." She said with a smile.
The Captain raised his eyebrows knowing exactly what she was hinting at, "Not that I don't want to kiss you, love, but your mate is sitting right across from us." He said pointing to Neal.
She let out a laugh, "What's the matter captain? Scared to be seen kissing a princess?" Teasing him just like old times.
The captain couldn't help but smirk at the princess. Of course he wanted her, he always wanted her. Every time he looked at her blood-red lips, he wanted to smash his lips against them. Every time he looked at her long golden hair, he wanted to run his fingers through them. Every time she wore clothing that revealed her tan skin, he wanted to rip it off... Every time he looked into her memorizing green eyes, he saw she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. That was the biggest temptation of all.
The princess was right, they were hardly ever alone. They hardly had any moments where they could kiss, let alone give him the opportunity to do so much more... So the captain leaned in and kissed the princess fiercely, and she kissed him back. Emma placed a hand on his neck to pull him back for more, but he stopped her. "Perhaps another time, love."
"Did I do something wrong?" The princess asked with concern.
He quickly shook his head, "No, of course not." He paused, "I prefer moments like these to be behind close doors and not in front of someone who shouldn't witness such things." He whispered.
Emma's face went red, he definitely knew how to treat a woman. "What shall we talk about then?" She asked, changing the subject.
Killian looked out the window and pondered for a moment, "I couldn't help but overhearing you tell Neal that his father terrified you."
Tension rose within Emma, "King Rumple is a man with great power. He doesn't always use it for good."
Killian watched as Emma's demeanor changed, "I've only heard a few tales of this man. Rumors are, he's known for making deals."
The princess nodded, "Indeed. That's how Neal and I started courting despite our wishes against it."
The pirate had a look of confusion on his face, "A deal?"
Emma looked up to face her pirate, "You know Misthaven is a very kind and generous place. The place people come to live in peace." She began to explain, "Rumplestiltskin's kingdom isn't. The people who live there made a deal with the king to live there."
"I don't understand." Killian admitted.
"King Rumple travels the land looking for people who need a fresh start. He offers them a small house and enough food. But by going to his kingdom, the deal is they must never leave." The princess stated.
The captain still didn't understand. What could be so awful about a man who seeks out people in need, then gives them what they need? "How is that awful?" he asked.
Emma had sadness in her eyes, "Despite how generous his offer seems, he treats them poorly. He makes sure his kingdom is very run down, so they come to him when they need something." She took a deep breath, "His people have to make a deal with him and his price is often not fair."
"Exactly how unfair?" Killian pushed.
"When Neal and I were just children, we were running around his castle when we heard yelling. So we went to go see what was happening." She responded as her voice cracked, "A man came to him with his dying son in his arms and begged him to help. Rumplestiltskin has the most powerful magic this world has ever seen, he could more than heal him easily." A tear slid down her cheek, "The price for saving the boy was three coppers, the man agreed and King Rumple healed the boy-"
"Three coppers, that's nothing." Killian interrupted.
Emma ignored his remake, "The man said he had the payment at his house, but King Rumple wanted the payment then and there." Emma looked up to Killian, her face wet with tears, "The man pleaded and said he would bring the money right to him, but the king didn't care. So he ripped the young boy's heart out and crushed it right in front of the man..."
"And you." He added.
The princess nodded.
"He did the same to my mother." Neal said, fully awake.
Emma whipped her face, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be talking about your father..."
"Don't be." Neal insisted, "He's an awful man."
Killian was once again confused, "He killed his own wife?" He asked Neal.
"Indeed." Neal responded, holding back his tears, "She wanted to leave him, but he decided if he couldn't have her no one could."
"Why would you want to return to a place like that?" Killian asked boldly.
That was a question Neal was used to hearing, "I try to help my people as much as possible."
Killian's face was full of disgust, "You're not doing a very good job mate. Besides you're always in Misthaven."
Emma's eyes widen at his rude remark, "Killian."
The comment didn't phase Neal. He was used to it. Being the son of a horrendous man... "You shouldn't talk about things you don't understand." He said with a straight face.
Perhaps Killian didn't understand, but he was sure he did... "You said there was a deal made for courting your pal, Neal, what was it?" Killian asked Emma.
"Neal's father has an amazing gift, he can spin straw into gold." She began to explain, "If Neal and I married, he would give my kingdom more than enough gold than we would ever need. Misthaven would be financially stable for centuries."
"He also agreed Emma and I could start ruling his kingdom. Make it a better place for everyone." Neal added.
The deal seemed too good to be true, "What does he get out of it?"
Neal gritted his teeth and his eyes filled with fury, "The happiness of his son."
The captain felt tension rise, all he asked was a simple question. "What happened when you broke the deal?"
"My parents had to pay him off." Emma responded sadly, resting her head on Killian's shoulder, "That's why Misthaven suffered for a few years. He took nearly everything we had."
Killian watched as Neal bit his tongue, he was hiding something. The pirate held enough secrets in his life to know when someone else hid one. Emma was clearly clueless. The captain couldn't put the pieces together, why did this man want Emma and Neal to marry so badly that he offered them everything? Why did he make Emma's kingdom go broke for not following through with the deal? Why did that punishment seem too kind for a man who ripped out hearts? Why did Neal become so defensive over a simple business deal?
Something seemed off. He wasn't sure what exactly but he felt it. Killian used to do horrendous things to people. He knew if you offer someone a deal that seems too good to be true, it usually is. This man, Rumplestiltskin, didn't seem like he cared about his son's happiness as Neal claimed. If he did, their kingdom would be ruled entirely different from the story he just heard. There had to be something of value Rumplestiltskin wanted from either Emma or her kingdom. Perhaps it was to take over Emma's kingdom, or something far worse...
Kind of a deep / odd chapter ... Next chapter they will be at Regina and Robin's house!
To clarify, Rumple isn't necessarily a 'dark one', he's more of a powerful tyrant lol. Regina is a very close family friend even though she is referred to as "Aunt Regina". So she technically has no blood relation too Emma, but still looks out for her like family.
As always leave comments, suggestions, anything! :)
Thank you for reading <3