Emma looked longingly out of the carriage window staring at the beautiful scene that was coming closer and closer. She loved to go on holiday on the sea. She loved to feel the wind in her hair and the soft crashing of the waves against the boat always helped lull her to sleep after a long day. She sighed and looked back over at Henry.

Henry sat leaning against his father's shoulder on the opposite bench of the carriage softly sleeping. He was such a sweet and loving boy. She couldn't have asked for a better son. He was kind and good to everyone. She believed he would be a thoughtful and good king once day. His people would surely respect him and love him. That thought made her eyes well up with tears. She wiped her hand across her eyes to quickly hide her emotion. She learned long ago that she must remain stoic in front of Neal or he would think her weak and take advantage of that.

Henry looked a lot like his father with brown hair and brown eyes. He was dressed in his princely attire and ready to get on the boat. He loved to sail just like his mother. He was so excited this morning when they were packing the carriages for the trip. They were supposed to be away for at least a month. She closed her eyes and took a breath. The thought of being away from her usual castle life felt like such a relief to her. Suddenly the carriage jolted and stopped. She could hear the horses squealing loudly outside and she sucked in a breath holding back a scream as she witnessed their driver getting his throat slit.

Neal had a panicked look on his face as he stood and unsheathed his sword. He startled Henry awake when he stood. Emma grabbed Him and pulled him into her arms on her side of the carriage to shield his eyes from the view.

"Don't move, stay in the carriage and do not get out." Said Neal.

Emma nodded and let out the breath that she'd been holding and began to smooth down Henry's hair caressing him to keep him calm. He looked up to her and she held her finger in front of her lips cautioning him to be quiet.

Neal opened the door and climbed out of the carriage to find out what was happening outside.

The commotion got louder and louder as it got closer to the carriage and to their door. Princess Emma looked outside of the window and then immediately closed her eyes as she witnessed the men fighting. She quickly took off her tiara and stowed it inside of her hood. They were less likely to kill her if she were not a royal. There were bandits surrounding their carriage now.

"It's Ok Henry, we will be ok." she whispered.

She could feel him shaking and she was doing her best to comfort him.

"I won't let them hurt you. Please trust me. " she said.

The door to their carriage was pulled open. A man with missing teeth, scraggly hair, and a red knit cap appeared before them.

"Oh, aren't you a pretty little thing. Ah and what do we have here, a fine strapping young lad. I hope you have a strong back son. We can certainly use a good deck hand."

Henry grabbed closer to his mother and whimpered as the man pulled her arm towards the door trying to get her out of the carriage. She dug her heels into the floor but she was no match for the man and they were flung out of the carriage a short distance to the ground.

"Let's go now, both of you, he shouted! "

Emma picked up Henry from the ground and began dusting him off as he clung to her. She stood firm and held her head up gaze set on the man standing in front of her. The bandits were removing their cases from their carriage along with anything else of value that they had with them. The two horseman and the two guards that were guiding them to the ship were dead on the ground. Neal was on his knees being held between two of the bandits with a sword to his neck. His head was pointed down; he appeared to have been beaten and was out cold.

"This one won't be a problem Smee," one of the bandits called over.

He cackled loudly and snickered in their direction.

Emma pulled Henry close to her so that he could not witness this scene.

She whispered into his head, "It's going to be ok Henry. I'll protect you with my last breath."

He held her tighter and she covered him with her cloak.

There were 6 men in total that she could see and another 2 men were loading their things into their cart. The remaining men huddled around the one they called Smee. She overheard them talking.

"The Captain will be pleased with us, appears we have earned quite a haul with this lot. I believe we will be taking on an extra crew member at that."

Smee looked over in their direction towards Henry.

"He will make a fine deck hand. What do you think mates? Should we take him along? The sailor's life is not for everyone but with the loss at that last port we could sure use the help. "

"No, Please leave him alone. You have all of our things. You don't need to take him too," Emma pleaded.

Henry grabbed her tighter.

"No, please don't let them take me mama." he cried.

Smee approached her. He circled both of them scanning her up and down and rubbing his finger and thumb against his scruffy chin.

"Hmm, I think maybe we could make a deal with you milady. Suppose we take you instead. I believe you would make a fine gift for our captain this evening. He may be in the mood to celebrate tonight after seeing the haul we bring back today and surely we won't be able to remain in harbor after the events that happened here. " said Smee.

Emma looked at Neal and then looked at Henry. He held his mother tightly. She kissed the top of his head.

"Henry your father is hurt, you must tend to him and see that he gets help." she whispered.

She kissed him again a few times and he began to cry in understanding that she was going to take his place with these men.

"Mom, no, you can't go with them", he cried.

She whispered into his hair so only he could hear her,"Henry you must stay with your father. You will rule these lands one day and I can't have your destiny or the destiny of our people in jeopardy. I love you."

"I'll go with you." He cried.

Emma looked at Smee.

"Leave my son unharmed and I'll go with you," she said curtly.

Smee grinned wildly and rubbed his hands together.

"Ok boy's drop him, the boy stay's here and the lady will go with us. Let's go." shouted Smee.

The two men dropped Neal to the ground.

"Henry, go to your father." said Emma.

Henry ran to him. The men began to bind Emma's hands. They put a thin black bag over her head and pushed her forward. She was suddenly lifted and tossed over someone's shoulder as if she was a sack of potatoes.

She heard Henry softly sobbing.

"I love you Mama, I love you. " said Henry.

"Goodbye Henry! I love you." she called.

Emma felt a knock on the back of her head and saw darkness.