Chapter Four

Full Summary: Based on Tchaikovsky's ballet 'Swan Lake', Princess Emma is the 18 year old daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. Her birthday celebrations are cut short when Regina curses the princess to transform into a swan every day until her 21st birthday. Unless a man worthy of her makes a vow of everlasting love: she will die. Can her childhood love, Prince Killian, from the neighbouring kingdom find her in time?

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. This is purely for entertainment purposes and no profit or funding is being supplied to the author.

Then…

Killian shuffled his feet defiantly as his mother glided over the stone floor of their host's palace. The portraits of each generation of the royal family hung on the walls on either side of the young prince, smiling down at him. He frowned at the scuffs of his boots at the thought of spending a few hours of his precious afternoon with the queens and the young princess, not understanding why he couldn't just go with his father. Amelia glanced at him from the corner of her eye, and sighed sympathetically at her son. The soldier accompanying them to the tea paused before a large set of white French doors and turned to her with a slight bow. "Queen Amelia, if you will? I shall announce you to Queen Snow and Princess Emma."

"Of course, thank you dear." She replied kindly, nodding her head in return as the man disappeared through the door to the gardens. Killian sat down with a huff on a nearby bench, slouching rebelliously. He didn't care if his mother hated when he did that, he just wanted to endure the lunch then spend the rest of the day with King James and his father at the archery field.

"Oh Killian…" Amelia murmured gently, sitting beside her son and placing her hand delicately on his shoulder. He was tempted to shrug it off.

"I still don't understand, Mother." Killian replied to his shoes. She rubbed his back in return, the way a mother does.

"I know. This must be all so strange to you. But I assure you that this is all for the best."

"Understand what, exactly?" Killian turned to her, leaning back against the wall behind him. "What are you and Father not telling me?" She was silent for a moment, looking carefully at Killian as though she was having some sort of internal struggle.

"My son…" The queen began, "as you know, we have known James and Snow for quite some time now." He nodded warily, unsure of where the conversation was heading. "And you know that our kingdom has fallen on hard times recently, yes?"

"The problems with our crops and the soil?"

"Yes, darling, exactly." She smiled at him. "Well, Snow proposed an idea that may be beneficial for both our kingdoms that your father and I support wholeheartedly."

Killian furrowed his eyebrows at her, curious. "Well, what's the proposition?"

Amelia's mouth opened to reply but the presence of the returning soldier stilled her words. They nodded in silent agreement.

"You're about to find out, my son. Come along." Amelia stood and held her hand out for Killian. He sighed and grasped it, following her outside.

Killian was enamoured with the princess from the moment his eyes laid sight on her. Her hair rivaled the sun with its golden hue and her eyes were the colour of his favourite meadow in the spring. Her porcelain skin at first glance looked as though it had been sheltered from the changing seasons of the kingdom, but the rare silvery scar on her elbows and the rare sunkissed freckle on her nose told a different story; he wanted to know more. Her smile was blinding and perfect, and the young prince stared at her as though he was truly seeing for the first time. He couldn't help but notice that her shimmering gown of layered white glitter reminded him of a swan.

The polite conversation exchanged between the queens fell upon uninterested ears, and it had not escaped their notice. They shared equally radiant smiles at the interactions between their respective children. This was exactly what they had hoped for the last time they spoke. Perhaps all was not lost for their kingdoms.

"Killian, darling?" The young prince turned to his mother, realising that he had been staring at the princess. The young blonde stared at her tea sitting in front of her, trying to control the blush on her face. She had never been looked at like that before. But she was not opposed to it. "Why don't you tell Queen Snow and Princess Emma about how your archery skills are progressing? He's gotten quite good since Isaac decided to train him himself." Emma's head snapped up so quickly that Killian how she couldn't have suffered from whiplash.

"You're training in archery?" She asked delicately, her sweet voice traveling through the air. Killian longed to hear it again and jumped at the opportunity to share about their common interest as long as it meant that she would indulge him once more.

"Yes, Your Grace. Father allowed me to begin shortly after I turned twelve." He replied humbly, subtly hoping to impress her. Emma brightened considerably.

"My father is teaching me as well! Perhaps one day, we may be able to join each other for a lesson…" She trailed off, leaving her companions the chance to reject the notion but also pleading with her mother to not do so. Killian beamed at her.

"That sounds enchanting, Princess." The sun dulled in comparison to her replying smile and he was mesmerised by it.

Now…

The blistering summer sun beat down on the backs of King James' soldiers as they galloped through the unexplored part of the forest. Killian resented having to wear armour in the sun, and he was not shy about cursing under his breath that it felt like 'a bloody sauna', but he did it for her. Everything he did was for her and the possibility of a chance that he would find her again.

The charcoal thoroughbred steed jolted under his body while Killian and the gang of soldiers made their way back to camp. Their pursuit for the missing princess had been fruitless. The trail had gone cold despite having found the piece of Emma's ball gown the day before. It could have been there for years and been simply overlooked when she vanished. Each bump on the road chipped away Killian's hope of finding Emma, and his hatred for the Evil Queen grew tenfold. He had put all of his faith in that small piece of fabric and now it felt as though she was slipping away again. They had come so close, it was almost like Regina was toying with them; making them believe they had a chance of defeating her before crushing them all slowly and painfully.

The group broke through the foliage and into the small clearing they had claimed as their makeshift haven for the search. The breeze drifted through the trees and sent smoke from the campfire directly into his eyes, watering them. The sound of the blacksmith's hammer echoed loudly and seemed to rattle around in Killian's head. A knight dressed in the same chainmail armour as he strode towards him, taking the reins from his horse when he dismounted.

"Prince Killian. Any change?" The soldier asked with a surprisingly gentle voice. All Killian could do was shake his head sorrowfully. He truly believed this was the clue they needed to find her after all those years.

While the soldier led his horse away, Killian strode towards the colossal canvas pavilion in the centre of the clearing. He knew the good King and Queen would be waiting inside to hear word of his endeavours that day. He was regretful that he didn't have better news for them. Upon entering the tent, Killian immediately bowed to Snow, who smiled sweetly in return. Above all else, he was a gentleman.

"Prince Killian, you're just in time." James announced from Snow's side, straightening up from his place at the war table. His eyes brightened at the idea of hearing of the progress they made that day and Killian had difficulty keeping a straight face. "What news of the search?"

Killian sighed and he felt an ache in his heart that like no other. "Your Highness, the pursuit today had little result." James' face faltered slightly.

"What do you mean?" Snow asked, reaching out to touch her husband's arm.

"The men and I… we searched every inch of woods in a five mile radius around where the piece of her dress was found." Killian paused, and sighed sadly. "There was nothing."

James exhaled a shaky breath. He lowered his head and pulled away from Snow's touch, leaning against the table with both arms. His shoulders shook with silent sobs. The prince's heart went out to the grieving king, who had to relive the pain of losing his daughter nearly three years ago again. The royals, like him, had put every last piece of their hope into that small piece of fabric. The idea that nothing would come of that had never crossed their minds and now they had to face the very real possibility that they had no fresh leads on their daughter.

"Thank you for trying, Killian." Snow murmured, watching her husband with a look of unspeakable sorrow. Killian took a step forward and her eyes turned to him, shining with unshed tears. His face was set determinedly; he owed it to them for all they had done for him.

"I swear to you, on my life, I will find her. I will find Emma even if it is the last thing I do, Queen Snow. We mustn't give up, we can't. Not after we came so close today." Killian's eyes were like stone. They never wavered from hers.

After a moment, Snow nodded at Killian. "Do what you have to. Bring our daughter home."

The prince watched as the queen led the weeping king away onto a nearby chaise before turning and striding outside once more. The next patrol was gathered nearby and they immediately straightened at the sight of the prince. He looked at each one individually as he spoke. "We do whatever it takes to bring the princess home, understood?" A chorus of 'yes, Your Highness' followed before they were dismissed, gathering supplies for the long journey ahead. Killian sighed before gazing up at the heavens.

He watched as a lone, pure white swan soared high against the rapidly changing sky. It disappeared into the clouds and left Killian with a strange sense of determination and strength at the sight.

So I lied when I said that the next chapter would be up sooner, and I am so terribly sorry.

Everything is on track now so there should be consistent updates in the future!

As always, let me know what you guys thought!