A/N: Although you'll see the words "Redguard" and "Dawnguard" in this fic, it has nothing to do with Skyrim whatsoever. Just loved the way those words sound perfect to suit my purposes. Nothing belongs to me, obviously. If it did, I'd be a lot richer and a lot happier with the way the whole Emma & Killian thing is panning out on the show right now. ;)

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Emma Swan was bored.

Bored out of her mind.

She knew she should be thankful for the peace her kingdom enjoyed. She'd heard enough stories from her parents to know that it was hard fought.

Emma had never known anything but happiness as a child. She'd grown up in a beautiful castle with her parents Snow White and Prince Charming, now the King and Queen of the realm, and her family was much beloved by all their loyal subjects.

The Old Usurper, as many called her, had long been locked away in a special magical prison, deep beneath the castle. But before that, she'd been known as the Evil Queen. Emma had heard the story (many times) of how the Evil Queen had branded her mother an outlaw and driven her from the kingdom into exile, then tried to cast a curse to send them all to a land without magic and without happy endings. Sometimes, Emma wished she had succeeded. But she didn't. Her parents had struck a deal with the sorcerer Rumplestiltskin, the terms of which they'd never shared with her, and he'd been the one to create the magical prison beneath the castle and entrap the Evil Queen. And there she was kept under constant watch by a particular regiment of soldiers, specially commissioned and ordained for the task. The Redguard, they were called, charged with the protection of the realm.

Princess Emma was accustomed to living life with soldiers and palace guards around her at all times, but whenever one of the Redguard soldiers crossed her path, she couldn't help but shudder. Their entire order was shrouded in utmost secrecy. It was considered a great honor to be chosen for the task. But the Redguard were silent, sombre, and there was a coldness in their eyes that had always frightened Emma as a child. It frightened her still, though she'd never admit it to anyone else.

Apart from the occasional Redguard soldier crossing her path, Emma led a life of precious little intrigue. She was an only child and while she knew her parents loved her dearly, they kept her under close watch, seemingly obsessed with protecting her from some threat she felt certain could only be in their imagination.

Because nothing ever seemed to happen in the Enchanted Forest.

At least nothing interesting.

And so Emma drummed her fingers lazily on the arm of her gilded throne as she tried very hard to pay attention while her parents gave audience to the peasants and nobles of the kingdom. She knew it was kind of them to allow her to sit with them during these times, to allow her to be seen as an authority figure on a throne rather than a lady of the court, standing dutifully behind them. So she always made a point to smile politely and bow her head with all the kindness and grace befitting a princess whenever someone acknowledged her presence.

But inside, she was screaming: Will nothing ever happen here?!

And then, as if some fairy godmother had heard her, the doors to the great hall swung wide open, and the most handsome man she'd ever seen came striding toward them.

His hair was thick and dark, his brow stern, his face tanned and unshaven, and his eyes the brightest blue. Emma could tell he was older she, but not by much. He wore a tan coat with black accents, his crisp white shirt made a stark contrast that drew her eyes to his exposed chest, hair and muscle peeking out from underneath the top of his shirt, which he left hanging a little more open than any courtier would call fashionable. She felt her heart race and sat a little taller on her throne.

"Your majesties," he said, dropping to one knee and bowing, "Please forgive my intrusion. I come bearing news that could not wait another moment to be told."

Emma thought she might die from the delightful trepidation this handsome stranger had so suddenly brought into her life. She waited with bated breath as her father dismissed the entire court and all their subjects, even the palace guards.

"Anton?" She heard her father call the name of her own personal bodyguard, who stopped heading for the door, turned on his heel and bowed to the King.

"My Lord?" The large man replied in his deep, raspy voice.

"You may stay."

"Yes, my Lord," he replied, resuming his post just a little ways from Emma's throne. He gave her a knowing look as he passed by her and she did her best to hide her smile.

Anton was the captain of the Kingsguard, and for as long as Emma could remember, he'd been given charge of her own personal safety. In many ways, he'd been more like an elder brother to her and was her only true friend and confidante. He knew all too well what the arrival of a handsome stranger bearing news would mean to her.

She wasn't surprised that her father had asked him to remain. Just further confirmation of the constant cloud of paranoia in which her parents lived.

Once the hall was otherwise empty, the King granted the messenger permission to speak.

"My Lord," he said, placing his hand over his heart, as if to pledge his allegiance, "My name is Killian Jones, Captain of the Jolly Roger, the fastest ship in your fleet."

The King and Queen nodded graciously, but Emma remained steadfast and immovable.

"Arise, Captain," he said, waving amiably, "Please tell us your urgent news."

Captain Killian Jones stood upright, clasping his hands behind his back.

Oh my… Emma thought, unable to control the rapid beating of her heart as she took thorough note of his build.

"Your majesties, on my most recent journey, I spotted at least a dozen war ships headed at full speed toward the kingdom. They should be here in three days time."

The Queen gasped and placed her hand over her heart, as if to keep it from leaping right out of her chest. King David took her free hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Was there any indication where these ships were coming from?"

"No, my Lord." He paused then, his brow furrowed, clearly unwilling to be the bearer of bad news. "But they were bearing the sigil of the Dark One."

"He's coming." The Queen could hardly conceal the fear now threatening to overtake her.

"Your majesties, I must ask your forgiveness."

"What for?" Emma asked, daring to speak in her parents' stead as her mother and father were clearly occupied with the business of worrying and comforting, respectively. Captain Jones turned to address the Princess, bowing respectfully before responding.

"I abandoned my mission, cargo, and most of my crew in order to return to port as quickly as possible and deliver the news myself, your Grace."

"That hardly seems a transgression."

"Forgive my impudence, your Grace, but it was a very important mission."

"And where was this mission?" Emma asked, forgetting herself, forgetting her place.

"The kingdom of Arendelle," he replied, smiling politely at her before glancing at the King. She was eager for more information, her curiosity piqued by this handsome Captain and his mysterious mission across the sea. But she could tell that this was a man of integrity and discretion - two such traits her family held in highest esteem. She wouldn't dare use her authority to force him to disclose information she knew she would not be privy to. Especially not in front of her parents.

"Your actions were valiant and worthy of reward rather than retribution," she said finally.

Captain Jones raised an eyebrow at her. As did King David.

"Princess Emma is right," the King interjected.

"Thank you, your majesties. But I require no reward other than your pardon for failing to complete my mission."

"Very well. You shall have it. Please join us as our honored guest this evening at sundown. It's not a formal feast, just our family supper, but we would be delighted to receive you and hear more of what you've discovered in your travels."

Emma did her best to hide the sigh of relief that escaped her lips. Her father, ever the diplomat, had saved her from her own lack of propriety and provided a way of seeing this handsome sailor once more. She'd have to thank him for that later.

"Thank you, your majesties. I would be honored." King David waved to dismiss him and Captain Jones bowed once more, stealing a glance at the princess before turning on his heel and exiting just as briskly as he'd entered.

"Emma…" King David began, but was promptly cut off by his overly excited daughter.

"Oh Papa, thank you for inviting him to dine with us," she gushed. "He is so very handsome and we never have guests under 50."

"Emma Grace Swan!" Her mother scolded, "We don't know anything about this man!"

"On the contrary, my dear. I know a great deal about this man," King David replied. Snow White looked at him reproachfully, an eyebrow creeping up her face as if to say 'Do you really want to do this in front of Emma?'

"Well I should like to know him better," Emma said, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

"So would I, dearest," the Queen replied, eyeing her husband warily.

"And so we shall," Emma said with a sense of finality, popping up from her seat and curtseying to her parents before hurrying off to her chambers, certain it would take her until sundown to prepare herself for dinner with the handsome stranger.

King David nodded to Anton, dismissing him to resume his duties. Anton bowed before quickly following after Emma.

"Oh, David. How will we ever face this?" The Queen said, only deigning to show the true extent of her worry once they were alone together. The King took her in his arms and held her tight.

"We've known this was coming for a long time, my love. We've done our best to plan and prepare." She sighed and clung tightly to her Prince Charming, closing her eyes and trying desperately to find comfort in his arms. He pulled back to meet her gaze. "Killian is a good man, Snow. He will take good care of Emma."

Hurt and indignation flashed in the Queen's eyes. She had not been properly consulted on this part of the plan.

"Tell me again why we can't just send Anton? We know him. She knows him! And we know he can be trusted." Charming shook his head.

"He's too easily recognizable. Everyone in the Kingdom knows he's her bodyguard. Whether he intended to or not, he would lead the Dark One right to her!" David sighed, "Not to mention, while Anton is certainly the biggest and strongest man in the Kingdom, he certainly isn't the fastest. And whoever goes with Emma must be able to run and fight."

Snow White sighed and turned away from him.

"You're right. I just wish we didn't have to do this. I wish we had more time!"

King David gathered his wife in his arms again and just held her close, stroking her hair, and placing a kiss on top of her head.

"So do I, my love," he confessed. And he meant it. He would give anything for just a little more time with their daughter. He sighed and leaned back, cupping Snow's face in his hands.

"We've had nearly twenty-one years to prepare for this. If we aren't ready by now, then we don't deserve her."

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A/N: Already at work on chapter two. Reviews will make the updates come faster!