Hello! I'm sorry for taking so long at posting this chapter. I have been working on some other projects including a couple new ideas that I hope to post soon. And having the internet shut off kind of puts a kink into posting online.

I know those of you who follow this story have been waiting for the next chapter so I hope I don't disappoint you. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

And as always Please Read and Review! Thank you

We rode up to the stable entrance facing the forest, a few stable-hands waiting for us to stop so they could assist us.

I jumped off my horse first – waving my hand to send him home in a cloud of magic – before approaching the side of Emma's horse to hold my hand out for her to grab. She grabbed my hand and slid off her seat, her chest inches from my own. Her hand slid up my arm until she was able to curl it around my elbow and tug me forward. We walked through the stables together back toward the castle, Henry walking behind us slightly.

When we reached one of the side doors to the castle, there was a large knight standing there with his arms folded behind his back.

"Your Highnesses, Captain, the King and Queen are awaiting your arrival in the throne room," he spoke in a controlled tone. He bowed his arm toward the door before he swung it open and waited for us to walk inside.

Henry walked in first and I let Emma walk ahead of me under the doorway before I rejoined walking by her side. Henry broke apart from us and started walking down a different hallway while we continued walking toward the throne room.

"Did you want to change out of this dress and put a new one on?" I asked Emma in a soft voice, guessing that was what Henry was heading off to do.

Emma stopped walking and looked down at her dress. She was currently wearing a soft yellow dress that had a few green grass stains on the bottom part. We could both still see the small splatters of water on her dress from our earlier water fight. When she looked up at me, I could see a hint of red on her cheeks and a kind of embarrassed look on her face.

"I probably should change it, shouldn't I? This dress is a little dirty now." she asked with a small laugh.

I gave her a reassuring smile and shrugged a shoulder.

"I think you look beautiful in anything so what you wear doesn't matter to me," I told her honestly, tipping my head to the side.

Her eyes softened in my direction and I waited for her directions.

"That isn't the answer I expected but I'll take it," she laughed, starting to guide me down a different hallway now, "I think I will change my dress. It would please my mother if I showed up in something cleaner."

I chuckled and followed her down the hallway, hearing the knight that was behind us halt in his tracks as we continued walking. The halls were silent as Emma and I walked slowly toward her room, a few maids and guards crossing our path.

Once we reached Emma's room, she slid her hand out of my elbow and looked up at me. Her right eyebrow rose at me and I copied her movement.

"I will wait out here for you, Princess," I told her, taking a step back to lean against the adjacent wall.

She smiled and took a step toward me to lean up, placing a small kiss on my cheek.

"I will be out in just a moment," she told me before disappearing into her room.

A few seconds later, there was a maid rushing by me – her eyes widening as they look up at me – before she disappeared behind Emma's door.

I sighed, raising my hand and hook to pick at my nails while I waited. A few minutes later the maid slipped out of the room and Emma stepped out. She was wearing a cadet grey dress – a soft enough grey color that it made her viridian eyes pop.

I pushed myself off the wall, bowing myself in half and offering up my hand.

"Your Highness, you look stunning," I told her in a soft voice, feeling her hand settle in mine.

"Thank you, Captain," she replied, her fingers tightening around my hand.

I raised myself and kissed the top of her hand before I yanked her closer a few steps. She stumbled against my chest and I placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"Come, love," I told her in a gentle tone, "Let's get this out of the way."

She sighed but nodded her head, sliding her hand up my arm and hooking it around my elbow. I lead her back down the hallway, seeing the knight waiting for us in the same spot.

"Are you ready to continue onward, Your Highness?" the knight asked Emma, his arms folded behind his back.

She nodded and he continued leading the way to the throne room. We walked silently behind him, glancing at each other every once in a while. There were some older gentlemen outside the throne room, idly standing next to each other and speaking in low voices. They all stopped when we approached, each of them bowing to Emma as she passed. I received some of my own bows or glares but I didn't pay them any attention.

The knight opened the large throne room doors – where it was already filled with people waiting for the trial to start – and stepped to the side.

We walked past him and he closed the doors behind us with a loud 'bang'. We continued walking until we reached the front of the throne room, where four large chairs rested.

King David and Queen Snow were already seated in their thrones, leaning close to each other and whispering.

"Mother, Father," Emma greeted as we stopped in front of them.

They both turned to look at us, Queen Snow smiling while King David wore a stoic expression. Emma let go of my elbow to walk up the two stairs and lean down to hug her mother awkwardly, pressing a kiss on the top of her head.

"Sorry we're late. I wanted to change my dress first," she explained, moving over to do the same to her father.

"It's alright dear," Queen Snow said, shooting me a quick smile, "we are still waiting for Henry then we will ask the other councilmen to enter the room. Once we're all settled then we will call the prisoner in."

Emma stepped back down to my side, her arm brushing against mine.

"Where would you like me to sit, Your Majesties?" I finally asked, seeing my chance to speak.

Queen Snow glanced at her husband briefly, not even waiting for his opinion, before she looked back at me and smiled, "If you would like you can either sit in the crowd with the councilmen or you can stand next to Emma's chair if you would prefer."

I looked down at Emma to see what she thought of my choices. Her brows were a little furrowed and her lip was between her teeth. She looked up at me and I tipped my head at her, waiting for some reaction.

I could already tell from look in her eyes that she would prefer if I would stick close to her rather than sit in the crowd.

"I think I will stand next to Princess Emma," I finally said, looking back up Queen Snow.

She nodded her consent and once her attention was turned back to her husband, I pressed my hand to the small of Emma's back, urging her to her throne. She walked up the two stairs again and sat in her chair, twisting herself until she was comfortably seated. I stood next to her, my arms behind my back and my eyes straight ahead.

Henry burst through a side door, his breath heavy with pants, as he raced past his grandparents to sit in the large chair next to his mother.

"Nice of you to join us, Henry," King David teased his grandson, leaning over to give him a playful grin.

Henry returned his grandfather's grin, tugging at his tunic to make it sit right across his torso. Emma reached over, her elbow brushing my stomach, to card her fingers through her son's hair trying to straighten it out.

I took a second to straight my vest and tighten my coat over my shoulders. Then I ran a hand through my hair to straighten it a little, noticing Emma peering up at me from her chair.

I looked down and met her gaze, giving her a soft smile. My hand reached forward and brushed a stray piece of hair out of her face. I tucked it behind her ear, my thumb softly rubbing against her cheek.

"Are you alright, love?" I asked her softly, tipping my head to the side slightly.

She nodded and returned my smile. Her head tipped into my hand, cushioning her cheek against my palm, and we stayed like until the doors opened and the rest of the council entered the room. My hand slowly slipped from her cheek and I folded my arms behind my back.

One by one the council members sat down in their respective seats, all watching their King and Queen as they waited.

King David cleared his throat before he nodded to the guards by a door hidden in the corner. They nodded and swung the doors open allowing two more guards, who were bracketing Prince Shaun, to walk out before following them.

The prince wore heavy chains on his wrists all the way down to his ankles, slowing his movements but preventing him from striking out against someone. He held his head high and wore a small smirk on his face, probably assuming he would be sent home for his crimes.

My body tensed and I clenched my hand tightly behind my back. I met his eyes and I couldn't stop my jaw clenching at the arrogant look still in his eyes as we stared at each other. The magic sparked against my palm and I resisted the urge to send him flying across the room again.

Emma must have sensed my internal conflict because her head turned to look up at me inquisitively. I tried to give her a reassuring smile, tipping my head to the side. She returned my smile before we both faced forward as the prisoner stopped in front of us.

"Prince Shaun, you have been imprisoned and brought in front of this council for the crimes you made against Princess Emma," King David started off saying, his voice booming across the hall, and he paused for a moment before continuing, "it is the decision of this court that you be punished and serve out your sentence here, in the kingdom of Mysthaven."

There were scattered murmurs throughout the hall but when Queen Snow raised her hand that stopped instantly. Prince Shaun's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open in shock, his shoulders slumping. He dropped his head, unlocking his gaze with the King.

"We will send a messenger to your kingdom explaining the situation to the King and Queen. However, you will serve ten years in Mysthaven, atoning for your punishment. You will first be sent to the mines to work under the Dwarves instruction until they are finished with you. Then we will send you to the next place in the kingdom that requires assistance," King David finished his sentence, reaching up to scratch the bottom of his chin.

"Once your time sentence has been reached you will be escorted back home where you nor anyone else from Camelot will be allowed back into the kingdom of Mysthaven," the King continued with a strong voice, finally pulling Prince Shaun's gaze from the floor back to him.

The young Prince started to rush toward the dais, his chains clanking loudly as he moved quickly. Before the guards could move I raised my hand and pulled the Prince down to his knees, keeping him stuck in one spot.

He glared at me but I ignored him, waiting until two guards had a tight hold on him before I released my magical hold on him. They yanked him onto his feet and stared at their King as they waited orders.

"Take the prisoner to the mines," King David commanded, "Grumpy has already been told that the Prince will be brought down and is expecting you."

The guards nodded and pulled Prince Shaun out of the room, his insistent cursing echoing through the hall. I let out the breath I was holding before immediately looking down at Emma.

She was already looking up at me, a worried but happy look on her face. Her hand reached out to me with no hesitation or regard to the people in the room and latched onto the open side of my jacket.

"Are you alright?" she asked me.

I nodded and gave her a teasing grin.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" I answered, letting my right arm move to the front of my body and my hand grip hers tightly. Our fingers slid through each other's and the entwined limbs rested against my abdomen.

She poked her tongue out at me before turning to face her parents.

"May Killian take me for a ride on his ship, the Jolly Roger?" she asked sweetly.

Her parents looked at each other, having another internal conversation so I looked down at Henry.

"Will you be joining us today, lad?" I asked him, stepping in front of the chairs and down one of the steps before turning toward him again.

He shrugged and looked at his mother, who was watching us with her chin resting in her hand, an interested smile on her face. I returned her smile, before turning my attention back to Henry.

"If Mom's alright with me coming. I think it would be fun to sail on your ship," he answered, leaving the decision up to his mother.

I looked back at Emma and cocked my head to the side, waiting for her answer. She met my gaze and we stared at each other for a moment, seeming to read each other's minds.

"I don't care if you want to come with us Henry," she finally agreed, turning to look at her son, "I think you would enjoy sailing on the Jolly Roger."

Henry beamed at her first before turning the smile my direction. When he was satisfied with a smile from us both, we all turned toward the King and Queen for their answer.

Queen Snow was smiling at us, a raised eyebrow as her hazel bounced between Emma's face and my own.

"Of course you can go out on his ship," she started off by saying but her tone held more, "we just ask that you be careful and both of you home before sunset – or even before dinner."

I peaked at Emma from the corner of my eye to see her pout at the second part of her parent's condition of sailing on the Jolly Roger.

"I will have them back in plenty of time for dinner, Your Majesty," I stepped in, moving in front of Emma and bowing to the Queen.

She gave me a grateful smile and I turned my body toward Emma. I reached out and offered my hand to her, waiting to see if she would let me help her up.

She gave a little roll of her eyes and a shake of her head, but she eventually smiled and slipped her hand into mine. She tightened her fingers around my hand and I tugged her upward. Once she steadied herself on her feet she turned and walked to her parents, slowly pulling her hand out of mine.

While she hugged her parents, I turned toward Henry, standing next to me and stretching his arms.

"Are you okay with going in those clothes or would you prefer to change into something else?"

He looked down and shrugged his shoulders, obviously not caring much about his wardrobe before he stood up. I chuckled and he walked down the steps to stand next to me.

Emma walked back toward us and she slipped her arm into my elbow. I led her out of the large throne room, Henry trailing behind us as we walked out the doors and headed for the main gate.

"So how are we going to get to the Jolly Roger?" Henry asked, rushing forward so he was walking next to me.

"I was thinking I could just magic us to my castle, and then we can walk down to the docks where the Jolly Roger resides," I spoke, turning to look at them both for their thoughts.

Emma was nodding her head, agreeing with my plan so I turned my attention to Henry. He also nodded his head so I gave them both a smile.

We continued through the long hallways, striding through the foyer quickly where groups of the council members were standing. They all stopped their conversations to watch us walk by, each of their crinkled eyes darting between Emma and myself.

But both of us ignored their prying eyes, walking out the large doors into the sunlight. Emma reached up to block out the harsh rays of the sun coming down, her head turning to look at me through squinted eyes.

I couldn't help but grin at the cute expression on her face, rolling my eyes when she stuck her tongue out at me.

"Alright Henry," I turned toward the boy, offering him my hook almost hesitantly, "hold on to my arm and I'll magic us to my castle."

He nodded and reached out to grab my hook tightly in his hand. I turned back toward Emma and she responded by tightening her arm around my elbow.

Giving them both a quick smile, I focused my magic and gave a jerk of my head enveloping us in a puff of red smoke.

When we landed, we were in my large foyer next to the table I had placed there. Henry let go of my hook and started looking around at the stain glass around the room.

"This is where you live?" he asked in an awe filled voice.

I chucked, Emma giving a small giggle next to me before I cleared my throat to answer.

"Yes it is. After I obtained my Dark One powers, I created this castle for me to live in. Right next to the ocean. I enjoy looking out the window every morning and seeing the Jolly Roger right down there."

I felt Emma thumb's rub against the side of my hand in a soothing motion and I turned to look at her. She wore a soft and happy smile, her eyes shining at me. Glancing at Henry and noticing he was distracted by my stained glass, I leaned in and quickly pecked her lips before pulling my face away. I tugged her closer before letting go of her hand and wrapping my arm around her shoulder, pulling her even closer to my side.

"Shall we head down to the Jolly Roger?" I spoke up, turning to nuzzle Emma's temple.

Henry spun to nod eagerly at my question. He raced back over to where we were standing and once he was next to us, I turned and led us out of the side door.

Henry peered around my shoulder and I knew when he spotted my ship because he was pushing around Emma and I to run down the stairs to the docks.

Emma chuckled and we followed at a more leisurely pace, my arm still wrapped around her shoulder.

"He seems to be excited for this," I commented with a large grin.

"Weren't you excited the first time you sailed on a ship?" she countered, tapping my side with her hand.

"Well, of course I was," I chuckled, clearing my throat briefly, "I was told legends of the sea my whole life and knew that one day I would spend a lifetime upon a ship."

She giggled again and bumped me with her shoulder. I chuckled and we continued down the stair case in silence.

"Have you thought of somewhere you would like to go on the Jolly Roger today?" I finally asked her as we reached the long dock harboring my ship.

She shook her head, reaching up to brush some hair behind her ear as she turned to look up at me.

"Not really. I'm just excited to sail again. I don't really care where we go."

I rolled my eyes at her answer, ignoring her satisfied giggle, and led her up the gangplank. We stopped at the very top to watch Henry who was already on the deck of the Jolly Roger, running back and forth and taking in everything he saw with an excited expression on his face.

"This is so cool!" he exclaimed in an awe filled voice.

Emma and I both laughed and I turned around to use magic, untying the ropes from the dock. She walked ahead of me and up the stairs to stand at the helm, her eyes still watching Henry with amusement. Once the ropes were knotted on the deck, I pulled the gangplank in and walked up toward the helm, seeing Emma turn my direction.

She smiled at me from her spot next to the wheel and I kept her gaze while I slowly walked to her. She turned around and leaned against the railing while I took my place at the wheel, grabbing it tightly and turning her toward open water.

"What is it, love?" I asked her in a soft voice.

She shook her head but he hand reached out to touch the curve of my hook softly. Moving quickly, I looped my hook around her wrist and tugged her closer until she was standing with me in front of the wheel.

"Talk to me, Emma," I spoke in a soothing voice.

Her face buried itself into my neck, her lips brushing my flesh feather-light, as her hands wrapped themselves around my waist under my long coat.

"Just glad to be away from there . . . and here with you . . ." her words were muffled against my skin but I heard them nonetheless.

Smiling I turned and pressed a gentle kiss to the side of her head, nuzzling the soft skin behind her ear. She nestled herself closer to my chest and we stood there in silence, listening to the waves hit the side of the Jolly.

"So where are we heading to?!" we heard Henry's excited voice say as he raced up the stairs to stand next to us.

Emma pulled away from my chest to look at her son briefly before she turned her gaze to me. I raised an eyebrow at her but she just grinned at me instead of answering my unspoken question.

Sighing, I placed my hand on the wheel while leaving my hooked arm around Emma's waist and turned to face a waiting Henry. He was bouncing on the balls of his feet, his eyes bright with excitement.

"Well, earlier your mother and I spoke of seeing the unicorns run along the beach of Avalon. If that idea sounds appealing to you both, perhaps we will make our way that direction."

"I think that sounds like a great idea," Emma answered, laying her head on my shoulder and leaning over to look at her son who seemed just as eager.

He nodded his head enthusiastically and I turned the ship to face the correct direction, letting the wind push the sails and glide us across the water.

"Very well. The beaches of Avalon it is."

The Jolly Roger moved quickly and quietly over the water, the wind rushing past us and ruffling our hair. Henry rushed to the bow of the ship to look over the edge, watching the ship cut through the water swiftly.

I turned to look at Emma who had walked to the left side of the helm, leaning her upper body off the ledge. There was a soft smile on her face as she stared out along the ocean. I gazed at her lovingly before I turned to face straight, adjusting our course once again so we were heading more in the direction of Camelot and the beaches of Avalon.

"Are we going to sail all the way to Camelot or are you going to transport us using magic?" Henry's voice asked excitedly as he came back up to the helm to stand right next to me.

"What would Your Highness like to do?" I asked him, stepping away from the wheel to turn toward him.

"Well, how long would it take to get there if we sailed?" Henry asked, tipping his head.

I noticed Emma approaching from behind him but kept my eyes on the going prince, thinking about his question.

Looking up at the sun to measure the time of the day, I pursed my lips trying to think of the time it would take to sail across the oceans to Camelot. I felt two arms wrap themselves around my left arm, Emma's chin coming to rest on my shoulder while she watched me think.

"If we sail there, it will probably take us half the afternoon. We'll get there around dusk which is about the time the unicorns enjoy running across the beach. In order to ensure that you are both home in time for dinner, I will magic the ship back to her moor and us to your castle."

I turned my head slightly and winked playfully at Emma before speaking again, "I would hate for the Queen and King to be angry with me because I didn't return you back in time."

Emma giggled against me, pressing a soft kiss to the hidden part of my shoulder, before she walked behind me and placed both hands on the wheel. She gave the wheel a slight turn, changing the direction we were currently going.

"I think we should do that," Henry chimed in, drawing my attention back to him, "sail to the beaches then magic home. That seems to be the best course of action."

I gave him a flourish of a bow, complete with playful grin, before turning to Emma at the wheel. Reaching my hand out, I gave the wheel a small tilt to the left to adjust our course before pulling my hand back and letting her sail.

She turned to give me a small smile before turning back to the wheel and making sure we stayed on the right course.

I turned back to Henry and gestured to the main deck with my hand, "How would you like some lessons in pirating?"

A large smile came over his face and he quickly ran down the steps to wait for me on the main deck. Emma let out a giggle the same time I let out a chuckle at his exuberance as and I leaned my torso toward her.

"Just stay on this course for now. I'll let you know when an adjustment needs to be made," I told her in a soft voice, accompanying it with a smile.

"Aye, Aye Captain," she told me in a cheeky voice, flashing me a playful grin.

I rolled my eyes at her antics leaning forward to kiss her cheek, my hand resting on her lower back before I pulled away and followed Henry down the stairs to show him how to be a proper pirate.

The hours seem to fly by as I showed Henry how to properly manage a ship. We started with the basics, his mother's natural learning ability threaded into his bones as he quickly picked up the duties and responsibilities of minding a ship and her needs.

I occasionally gave direction to Emma who remained at the wheel, enjoying her job of navigating us to the beaches. She watched the two of us with a large smile and a twinkle in her eye as we moved from one end of the ship to the other.

As the sun got lower in the sky, I joined Emma at the helm and stood next to her as the Jolly Roger got closer to the beaches.

"Almost there, love," I told her, reaching out to place my hand on top of hers to turn the wheel a little bit, "just around this island and we should be able to see the beaches of Avalon."

She nodded, keeping her eyes on the open ocean in front of us. I kept my hand resting lightly on top of hers, our fingers tangling between the large spokes.

"If I haven't said it before, thank you for being so good with Henry," Emma spoke softly, leaning back against my chest.

"There's no reason to thank me for that Emma," I told her, leaning down to rest my lips against her shoulder, "Henry is a remarkable boy and you should be very proud of him."

I lifted my head and she turned her head and gave me a smile, leaning forward to gently kiss my cheek. When she pulled away and turned back to focus on the ocean, I leaned forward and nuzzled her ear.

"I love you," I whispered into her ear.

Her body rested further back on my chest in a relaxed sag, her head turning to brush her nose against my neck. Then with the gentlest touch, her lips pressed against the side of my neck.

"I love you too," she whispered against my skin.

We stood there in silence, the ship slowly coasting around the island until the bright beaches of Avalon came into view.

"There it is!" Henry yelled, running from the bow of the ship, up the stairs until he was standing next to the ledge.

Emma brushed another kiss against my neck before she pulled away to go stand next to Henry. I grabbed the wheel and adjusted out course to move us closer to the beach – as close as we could get in the large vessel.

"Look at the forest line," I told them as I walked away from the wheel to stand next to Emma, "that's where they usually emerge and then they will run the entire length of the beach."

We all stood there and watched the forest line closely while we waited for the unicorns to show themselves. Emma leaned her shoulder against mine and I reflectively wrapped my arm around her shoulders. We waited for a few more minutes before the brush the very far left parted and a majestic unicorn walked out.

Both Emma and Henry sucked in a breath as they watched unicorn after unicorn emerge from the dark underbrush until there was a large herd of easily fifty standing along the shore. Their white coats glittered silver under the lowering sunlight.

"They're . . . they're beautiful," Emma commented in an awe filled voice, leaning further over the ledge.

"Yes, they are."

"There's so many of them," Henry followed up, his voice taking on the same awe filled tone his mother has.

"This herd holds the largest record with the most horses, in all the realms. There were a total of fifty unicorns last time someone came to record their progress."

A large stallion in front of the rest reared back on his hind legs, a loud whinny leaving his mouth before the herd started running down the long beach. There were foals hidden between the large bodies of the adults but if you looked closely you could see them.

We all stood in silence, watching the unicorns run down the long beach until they disappeared around a corner and into a different part of the forest.

"That was . . . " Emma couldn't seem to find the words, her eyes gleaming with a plethora of emotions as she continued staring at the spot they disappeared.

"Magical?" I offered the word.

She turned to look at me, her lips parted in surprise until a smile spread across her face.

"That's it. Magical."

I gave her an understanding smile before leaning back to address Henry.

"What did you think, Henry?" I asked him, noticing he was mirroring his mother's position and still staring at the spot they disappeared at.

When he finally looked at me, his eyes were wide with amazement and they were sparking with unshed emotion.

"That was incredible," he started off by saying in a breathless voice, "what an amazing thing to watch. You and mom are right, it was magical."

I smiled widely and clapped him on the shoulder, squeezing right before letting go. I looked up to the sky and noticed the sun was approaching sunset.

"I should get you two home," I said resting the side of my hook on Emma's lower back and used my touch on both royals to urge them down to the main deck, "I promised the Queen you would be home in time for dinner."

Once we were in the middle of the main deck, I kept my hand on Henry's shoulder and wrapped my left arm more around Emma's waist. Her right arm reached across her chest and gripped my forearm, furthering our physical connection.

With a nod of my head the entire ship was surrounded in red smoke and we were transported to the dock below my castle. As soon as the ship settled, I lifted my hand snapping my fingers to tie the large ropes to the dock. Without waiting for it to finish I settled my hand back down on Henry's shoulder and nodded my head again to transport is into the main entrance of their castle.

Our feet settled on the carpeted floor of the castle's foyer and we separated from our close embrace. Both royals took a step back from me but Emma kept her arm tangled with mine while Henry stretched his arms above his head.

"That was incredible!" Henry stated loudly as we started making our way to the dining room, "the most fun I've had in years."

He started to walk faster toward the dining room but Emma cleared her throat loudly and stopped him in his tracks.

"What do you say, Henry?" her voice rang out in authority.

He spun around and sprinted back to me to give me a wide smile.

"Thank you very much for today, Killian. I had a lot of fun."

I returned his smile and bowed my head in his direction.

"It was a pleasure, Henry."

With one more smile he spun around and made his way quickly to the dining room.

Emma and I followed at a more leisure pace until she turned her head toward me slightly.

"Will you join us for dinner, Captain?" she asked.

My smile softened and a bowed my head to her.

"If her Highness demands," I replied in a slightly teasing voice.

She rolled her eyes at me and bumped her shoulder against mine.

"If that's what it takes," she muttered under her breath.

I chuckled and leaned down to brush a kiss against the side of her head.

She sagged against my side – making me smirk which she elbowed away – and we walked a little faster to make it to the dining room in time.

We walked through the door to see the remaining royals standing next to the large table, staring at us expectantly.

"Emma," Queen Snow breathed in relief at seeing her daughter safe and sound.

Emma broke away from my arm to walk forward and hug her mother tightly.

"Sorry to worry you," she reassured her mother but I could hear the large smile in her voice when she continued, "I don't know if Henry told you what we did. . ."

They pulled away and Queen Snow shook her head, replying, "Not yet. We thought you both could tell us over dinner."

Emma quickly turned her head, seeing me still standing near the doorway. I shot her a small smile, my head naturally tipping to the side. Her head turned back toward her mother quickly and her voice became determined.

"I hope it's okay that I invited Killian for dinner," she spoke and I could feel the anxiety running through her body.

Both Queen Snow and King David looked at me simultaneously but they both wore accepting smiles and gentle eyes.

"Of course," King David spoke first, waving me forward to join them.

I took confident steps toward the group of royals to stand behind Emma.

"We are going to have one of Emma's favorite tonight," Queen Snow told me, her hand waving to gesture us to sit down around the table.

I moved forward to pull Emma's chair out smiling broadly as she approached me. She sat down and I pushed the chair in, my eyes darting to Henry and Queen Snow already seated on the other side. I moved to the seat beside Emma and sat down.

"So," Queen Snow started off, folding her hands on her lap, "tell us what you did today."

Emma looked at Henry approvingly and nodded her head.

Immediately Henry launched into retelling our adventure starting when we transported from the front of this castle and appeared inside the main hall of my castle, then how we went down to the docks and boarded the Jolly Roger. His voice got more excited when he retold learning how to sail such a magnificent ship and how he was a pirate in the making.

Both King David and Queen Snow's eyes darted to me to give an amused smirk before turning their attention back to their grandson, listening to him retell approaching the beaches of Avalon and waiting for the unicorns to emerge from the forest.

"You went to see unicorns?" Queen Snow repeated in an awe-struck voice, her eyes bouncing between Henry, Emma and myself.

Both Henry and Emma nodded excitedly, and Henry then explained watching the herd of unicorns emerge from the forest line and run down the long sandy beaches until they disappeared.

"It was so amazing, Grandma. You should have been there."

The Queen smiled gently and brushed some fallen hair from the boy's face.

"Perhaps someday we will travel and watch the unicorns run ourselves."

King David turned his attention to me and asked, "Was this your idea to take them to the beaches to see the unicorns run?"

I nodded my head, replying, "Yes it was. When we were speaking earlier, I was telling Princess Emma all the beautiful things about Camelot and she was most interested in seeing the unicorns run along the beach."

The King turned his gentle gaze to his daughter, a hard crinkle in the corner of his eyes, but I could sense him pushing down the anger he felt before smiling broadly at her.

"I'm glad you had a good time today," he told her softly before turning and giving the same expression to his grandson, "I'm glad you both had a good time today." His eyes once again found mine and I gave him a small smile, "And thank you again for taking them out today."

"It was my pleasure," I told him, giving Emma another smile.

She returned my smile before reaching out and placing a gentle hand on my thigh. I reached my arm across my chest to rest my hand on top of hers, keeping our gazes locked. My fingers slipped between hers and I stroked the soft skin of her hand with my thumb. While Henry recounted our adventure – from the moment we landed back at my castle to the moment we landed back in his own castle – to his grandparents I continued to stare at Emma. She turned her attention back to her son so I took the uninterrupted time to examine her profile, from the point of her nose to the curve of her cheek down to the slope of her neck. I could see the chain of her swan necklace I gave her peeking from the top of her dress, the pendant nestled between the tempting flesh hidden from my gaze.

The tips of my ears burned in embarrassment and I distracted myself by taking a large drink from my goblet. I replaced my cup and tapped the edge to refill it quickly.

Emma turned and gave me a curious look, an eyebrow rising as she regarded the red spots on my face but she didn't speak. A knowing smile crossed her face as she turned away and picked up her glass to take a small drink.

The large doors swung open and several people filled the room; some of them placing plates filled with food in front of us and some refilling glasses till they were brimming at the top. My mouth watered at the sight of the juicy steak surrounded by fresh greens and steaming mash potatoes on the plate in front of me. The servants swept out of the room and we were left to our own devices.

Emma lifted her hand from my leg to begin cutting into her own steak, scooping up some mash potatoes to mix with the smaller pieces of meat that she put in her mouth.

I held the steak steady by piercing my hook through the middle of it and using the sharp knife to cut the entire thing into pieces. I dislodged my hook and cleaned the tip off on my napkin before picking up my fork and scooping bites into my mouth.

Dinner went by quietly, the King and Queen talking between themselves in hushed voices while Henry ate with enthusiasm finishing his dinner before any of us was close.

"Can I be excused?" Henry asked loudly, standing from the table to look at everyone.

Emma looked up from her plate, swallowing the bite she had just taken, before she answered, "Of course you can. Are you alright?"

His head bounced up and down while a large smile spread across his face. When he answered his mother, there was an elated tone to it that brought a smile to all our faces, "I feel great! I just wanted to write down today's events and what I learned about being a pirate before I forget it all."

Emma giggled and shot me a beaming smile before she looked back at her son, still waiting for permission to leave the room.

"Go ahead. We don't want you to forget anything that happened today."

His smile got bigger as he raced around the table to kiss his mother's cheek before he darted from the room, slamming the door behind him.

I let the chuckle I'd been holding back out and soon we were all laughing at Henry's abrupt departure. King David cleared his throat and turned to give me a gentle smile.

"You've made my grandson very happy, and for that I thank you. It's nice to see him carefree and relaxed."

I bowed my head to the King, glancing quickly at Emma from the corner of my eye before giving the King a smile.

"You're welcome, Your Majesty. I've come to enjoy spending time with your daughter and grandson. They make my days a lot more interesting and I find myself looking forward to the next day I can spend with them."

"Sweet talker," I heard Emma murmur but there was a smile on her face when she looked at me. She polished off the food on her plate and replaced her hand on my thigh, rubbing circles with her thumb.

I quickly finished the rest of my dinner, swallowing down the last bite with a large gulp of rum. I reached down and threaded my fingers through Emma's, my thumb stroking the soft skin.

"I think your father and I will retire to the day room for a while," Queen Snow addressed Emma, standing simultaneously with the King, as she walked around the table sliding her arm through her husband's elbow.

When I stood and offered a hand down to Emma, I could feel the sensation of a kingdom summoning me.

'Damn,' I cursed in my mind helping Emma stand up.

"Apologies but I must take my leave," I announced, hating the sad look Emma turned to give me, "Queen Elsa is requesting my assistance."

Emma's eyes suddenly brightened, and she bit her bottom lip. I was suddenly curious and worried what she was thinking.

She turned around to face her parents and asked in a strong voice, "May I go with Killian to help Elsa?"

My eyes widened in surprise and the word 'no' sat on the tip of my tongue in response. I glanced at her parents to see the same expression on their faces, their eyes bouncing between Emma and I. Emma turned to gauge my reaction and I swallowed the immediate refusal that I was prepared to say.

"It could be very dangerous," I confessed to her, tightening the hold I had on her hand, "I never know what I'm going into or what I'll be facing when I appear in the kingdoms."

"But I also know that you won't let anything happen to me," Emma countered my concerns and turned back to her parents, "I think it would be a good magic lesson for me and I'd really like to see Elsa again. Please can I go with him?"