Killian propped the door open with his foot and waited as a line of short statured men, Red, Granny, and Graham entered the King and Queen's Solar where breakfast for the couple lay cooling. His breath caught in his throat as he watched Emma curl into her father's embrace, her face against the fox trim of his cloak. She had said so little upon learning of Regina's escape, her words measured against alarming her son or any of the other children in the nursery. He had been left to assure her that this would not threaten them in any way, promising to find Regina and bring her back for a suitable punishment.

"I'm going to talk to the Dark One," a visibly upset Snow said as she hoisted her quiver onto her shoulder. "He must have struck a deal with her and now we…" She seemed so small in comparison to the leather pouch of arrows, but everyone in the room knew she was masterful at archery. Her white gown with the yellow piping seemed to make her features glow like her namesake blanket of frozen delight.

"We don't know that," David said, stroking his daughter's hair one last time before releasing her in the direction of the pirate. While it was a small gesture, Killian was infinitely grateful that Emma's father might trust him that much to care for her. Emma went to Killian easily, ignoring protocol and wrapping herself around his torso without so much as an apology toward those in the room. "There could be a million reasons. And it is not safe to simply go off the handle at the Dark One. He will use our emotion to his advantage."

"What other explanation is there?" the Queen demanded, her voice shaking. The room was spacious for them, but it felt cramped with so many in attendance. Emma was not sure she had ever seen her parents accept courtiers, let alone trusted advisors of no standing to their private quarters. Perhaps only Red or Granny had ever sipped tea on the tufted seats by the fire. "She has the dagger, David. That dagger controls him. It holds all of the power of dark magic. If she was to harness that power…"

"Perhaps that is not her plan," Killian interrupted, feeling the suspicious ire of the royal couple's closest confidants. "She is likely trying to get her magic back, as has been her request all along. The dagger would be used for that."

One of the dwarfs, a sour faced man who had a beard not quite as white or long as many of the others, groused at Killian's observation. "You think that she simply wishes to snip the bonds of those cuffs? She wouldn't need to run away to do that, abandoning her husband and…" He fell quiet, probably lost for words over how to refer to Henry given the recent revelations.

"That would indicate that it is not a permanent absence," David said thoughtfully. He had yet to shave and a slight stubble was evident on his jaw, his eyes bleary from having been rousted early from his bed. "Whatever her motives, we cannot delay in our search for her. It is important that we find her before she has opportunity to enact her evil plans whatever they might be." Reaching for his wife's hand, he disbursed the group to different stations, instructing them that he was calling in the kingdom's scouts and soldiers for logistical support. "The dwarfs will inspect the underground tunnels to see if she might have taken those. Red, you and Graham start with the south forest to check for her there. Granny, I want you to set out with a few of the guards for the village to see if she has been seen."

Killian tightened his grip on the still silent Emma, hoping that whatever assignment the King might have for him would not separate him from her. He wanted and needed to help in any way that he could, but the idea of her being strong alone was not something he wanted to imagine. She brushed her face against his chest, her fingers making shapes against the lapel of his jacket. "And where would you have me, your highness?" he asked when the room began to empty.

The King gave him a measured nod of his head and waited. Before giving him an answer, he turned to his wife and gently pulled the quiver away from her. "We will deal with the Dark One, but not alone. We must handle other emergencies first."

"He must know where she is," Snow insisted, her high cheekbones red with anger as she solidly planted herself in front of her husband. "I will talk to him and make him…"

"She may have already used the dagger on him," Emma said, speaking up at last. "If I were her, I would. It would benefit her to make him unable to tell us of anything." She blinked up at Killian with a sad sort of grimace. "Perhaps we should check with Belle and Robin as to what they know?"

Snow placed her hands in a prayer like position. "I sent some of the staff already to check on them. I was afraid that Regina might have…well, Belle was in her suite and seemed unaware of the trouble. And Robin was beside himself that he had not known and was not there to stop her."

"Perhaps he might be well enough to answer some questions?" Killian queried, his bad arm around Emma's waist. Such a familiar position would not normally sit well in the company of the royal couple, yet he felt the need to hold her as she processed this betrayal. "While he might not have been consulted by her, he surely knows of her thoughts and plans."

"I will be visiting him directly," David explained, situating himself near the window that looked over the vegetable gardens. It was an odd view for him to have requested when he first took up residence in the palace his wife had grown up in as a child. Yet there was something comforting to him about the views that reminded him of a simpler time in his life with his mother on their farm. "We did need to talk to you both though." He paused to look questioningly at his wife.

Snow must have taken the hint, as she stepped forward and extended her hands toward them. Emma grasped mother's hand easily, but it took a moment before Killian realized she meant him too. Removing his hand from Emma's shoulder, he let Snow's fingers curl over his palm. "Elsa must be returned to her kingdom at once. A messenger arrived this morning before we even knew of Regina's departure. The army of the Southern Isles has established a formidable line near the mountains outside Arendelle. Hans and Anna are mobilizing the kingdom's forces now, but it is important that Elsa return to the throne."

"Of course," Emma said softly. "Her presence is clearly needed. I could see if my magic…"

Snow pursed her lips and shifted her eyes to Killian to see if the pirate might understand what she was suggesting. "The plan had been for you and the Captain to sail with her with Red as a chaperone. However, I am not sure that Red's presence is not needed more here than with you as a watch. So I wanted to see if you might be ready to sail sooner rather than later. Henry would be safer on the ship, as even at its strongest, Regina's magic is dulled over water." She dipped her head and let her shoulders slouch. "It would not seem proper for you two to be alone on such a trip, but I think with circumstances as they are…"

"I will see to it that the Jolly Roger is ready to set sail with the next tide, your majesty. Emma and the lad will be safe aboard, I assure you. I know that Emma has already set about a protection spell for the lad and it will be best, as you say, over the waters."

"I am sure that they will safe, Captain," Snow said, squeezing both their hands gently. "I do not mean to seem so worried about propriety and all that when Elsa is facing a kingdom at war and Henry could truly be in danger from Regina. In fact, we all could…I simply don't wish to add to all our problems with rumor and innuendo about Emma."

"I think we are well past the stage of people seeing me as chaste and pure," Emma said, her own free arm curled around Killian's waist. "Henry's existence is evidence enough of that. And while I do regret that I was with Baelfire, I don't regret my son being here."

"Nor should you," David spoke up, seeming to come back to the conversation from his station by the window. He paused to kiss his wife's temple. "There is a simple solution if you both would agree. It might even help Elsa, as one would not assume her to be aboard a pirate ship, especially one being used for a honeymoon."

Three lines appeared at the hilt of Emma's nose as she tried to decipher her father's cryptic words. "You don't mean…"

"You would give me your blessing to marry your daughter?" Killian asked at the same time, his own voice a higher pitch with the surprise. "I thought you had only recently pushed aside your misgivings of me to permit me to court Emma."

Emma huffed defiantly as she watched her parents exchange a look. "He does not need permission to court me. I am capable of making such decisions myself."

David smiled plaintively at his daughter and retreated a few steps to the fireplace where the family portrait hung. Touching the frame of it, he lamented mournfully. "It is not my decision, nor is it even my hope and wish. However, there are benefits to it. The two of you sailing off on a honeymoon with Henry would certainly not draw the attention of any army or force. We could simply disguise Elsa as a servant for Emma and that would be that. And while I am sure Snow would prefer more time to organize a wedding of the caliber Emma's position and station require, it would be best done before Regina's presence is missed outside of the castle."

Emma sputtered a bit, her soft blue gown feeling tight as she tried to remember all the reasons that this was a bad idea. "But Papa, I don't…" She broke off the sentence, looking up again at Killian with worry. "We have not spoken of marriage beyond general terms. I only mean there has been no proposal."

"I would have proposed already if I thought you ready to hear it, love," Killian admitted, dropping his hand from Snow's. "Perhaps this is a bit rushed, but it would afford us a good cover under which to travel with the Queen and the lad. Do you think it safe to bring him aboard though? If Regina were to find us, there would be no place to run or hide from her attack."

"Do you think this is wise, David?" Snow asked, squeezing her daughter's hand again before dropping it and embracing her husband. "People might not…"

"They will accept it eventually," David interrupted. "Emma will be queen someday. The people of this kingdom have loved you and your family's line forever. They will extend that to her as well. And God willing that will be far in the future, long past any wedding haste that we incur now. I see nothing wrong with it so long as Emma and the Captain are of like mind."

Emma dipped her head against Killian's shoulder, her mind clearly racing with thoughts. It was Killian who spoke though. "I would be honored to marry Emma, but I cannot see doing it this way. It would need to be her decision out of love not obligation to keep the gossip at bay or to come up with some plausible explanation. Perhaps it might be easier if I were to ferry Queen Elsa back by myself. Emma and the lad could remain here where there are plenty of guards and people to watch over her."

Already nodding, David linked his arm with his wife's. "If you think that best, I will see to it that…"

"No," Snow interrupted. "I don't like the idea of this either, but I think it is something to consider. "Emma and Killian are in love and that is clear to anyone having met them or seen them together. It is not as though a wedding would be that far off anyway."

Killian felt Emma stiffen in his embrace. "Perhaps I should talk to Emma alone, if you don't mind." Still holding her, he turned to go when Emma waved her hand in front of them and the dissipated into a cloud of smoke.

"Sorry, but it is easier than finding a place," she said. The morning sun was barely up over a rise where seedlings were growing into what would someday be proud oaks. The tiny pond where they had skated weeks earlier sat still in the windless morning light. "Killian, please pay them no mind. They are of course concerned about my reputation and the crown, but I care for little of that. I am not ashamed to love you or for anyone to know that the man who holds my heart is not of royal blood but a pirate."

He swallowed, looking down at the top of her blonde head. She had not tied her hair up in the intricate braids she usually wore. Instead it hung loose around her shoulders and glimmered as the sunlight bounced off the soft waves that framed her gentle face. "Emma, I am glad to hear you say that, love. I would wish that you were happy in your choice to love me. But I will admit your father's suggestion seems to have left you a bit cold. Could it be that you are regretting your association with me?"

She pulled back suddenly and stared at him with a cold anger that seemed misplaced given the conversation. "Never," she said with a huff. "I've never doubted my love for you."

"Nor have I doubted mine for you," he told her tenderly. "I have no reason not to love you, as you are more than I could have ever dared hope for in 10,000 lifetimes." His lips brushed her forehead. "And while I would prefer to have proposed to you of my own design, I will drop to my knee now and beg for your hand, my love. For it doesn't matter when or how in my book; I only wish to be your husband and support you and Henry in any way that I can."

Her left hand lifted up and her fingers covered his full lips. "Can you tell me that you are not asking out of pity for me?" He went to speak, but she press her fingers firmer against his mouth. "Can you promise that it is that you love me and not that you think I am incapable of fighting off Regina?"

He paused to make sure her list of demands was complete. "My love, I have no doubt that I would have found myself asking sooner rather than later. There is no doubt in my mind that I wish to make a home with you, a life with you and your son. I was holding off because the lad deserves to get to know his mother without the impediment of a man such as myself. But there is no doubt that I have always had designs on marrying you, even when I was foolish enough to think you a peasant with a son instead of a brother."

Her shoulders sagged a bit in relief as she cupped her fingers around the leather lapel of his coat. "I love you, Killian. I want to marry you. And I will try to think of all the good reasons that we should do that now." She smiled tentatively. "It will be less of a hassle for you. Mother might not even make you wear something uncomfortable or demand that father knight you." She sighed. "And as your wife I won't have to think of excuses to stay away from you so that the kingdom will not be shocked.

Letting go of her waist, he lifted his hand and touched the tip of her nose. "There are many good reasons for us to wed," he teased. "If I were to list them all, I might miss the opportunity to marry you at all. So I will simply say that I will think it is good fortune instead of a trial." He reached into the inside pocket of his coat and pulled out a tissue wrapped item. Nodding to her in gesture, he waited for her to unfold the paper. "I got that for you while we were writing letters, love. While I have no ring other than those I wear, I would be honored to give that to you today."

"I don't need a ring, Killian," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "If you are sure?"

"I am," he told her. Moving his had closer to her, he let her peel back the layers of paper and stare at the lavalier in the shape of an anchor. It was probably not worth that much or especially precious, but to her she saw nothing more than his heart in his hand. "It was quite pretty and reminded me of you."

She wet her lips as she looked at it thoughtfully. "Do I weigh you down as an anchor?"

He had expected her answer. "No, darling, you don't. You keep me steady and help me stay on my path. You pull me to you when nothing has had that effect. You offer me a steadying force beyond what my chaotic life has ever seen. You are strong and stable and not prone to drifting."

"I will wear it proudly," she said, lifting the delicate chain and letting it drip through her fingers. "Perhaps I should save it to wear during our wedding? There is a saying about needing something new."

He closed his hand over hers. "It will be beautiful on you, love. You will make it so."

Lifting up on her toes, she kissed him softly. "We should go back and see to the preparations for the voyage and if there is word of where Regina ran. But there is one thing, Killian. One thing missing."

"And what is that?" he asked.

"You have not asked me yet."

He chuckled, his hand still extended toward her. "We will have to rectify this," he told her, wiggling his fingers. "As I said, I was not fully prepared with a ring and a box of trinkets to impress you, but perhaps you might like to wear one of mine until a better one might be fashioned or found?" Suddenly he pulled his hand away and reached into his shirt to pull out a silver chain with a ring dangling from it. Weather and time worn, the silver metal was smoothed to a low gleam and a red stone sat in the center with a dull sparkle in the early sun. "Better yet. This is more special of a ring than any that I wear on my fingers."

She was quiet as he deftly slid it off the chain and held it to the light for closer inspection. "It was my brother's a bauble of some relative or another. It was said by him to be charmed, the reason that I have always had a penchant for survival, I suppose."

"And you wish for me to wear it?" she asked, her eyes more in tune with the sad downturn of his mouth as he mentioned his brother than the ring he was holding. "If it is that precious to you…"

"You are far more precious, my love." Gripping it tightly in his palm, he dropped to one knee, adjusting the length of his coat with his hook as he did. "I haven't a speech prepared or all that much to offer, but I want to do this right."

"Killian," she said, smiling down at him.

"Shhh, now. This is my turn to talk, love. For you see, I have a very important job of proposing to the crown princess. And she will not like to suffer for any fools making a mockery of such a thing."

"Of course," she answered, suppressing the laughter that threatened to bubble out. "Get on with it now."

"Emma," he said, his head tilted back and his hand over hers with the ring pressed into her palm too. "I should like you to know that I have every bit of serious intention toward you. For I have loved you for so long as I have known you, finding you to be full of life and laughter, wit and kindness, stubbornness and intelligence that is so much a part of your beauty." She breathed out a laugh at him calling her stubborn, but let him continue. "And I should have you know that I would not do well without you to keep me on the narrow path to earning your love and respect too. So I must ask you or risk losing my mind and heart to dreams of what could have been, Princess Emma of Misthaven, will you marry me?"

The smile that fractured her face was brilliant as she dropped to her knees with no worry for her pale blue dress on the dew covered grass. Letting him slip the ring onto her finger, she lifted her hands not to admire it but to frame his face as she kissed him and for a moment the threats seemed far away.