Okay so I have been working on this for a while and I am super excited to share it with you guys! This is story is one of enemies to lovers filled with magic, war, betrayal, love, and loyalty. I hope you guys like it.

Emma paced back and forth around the war room, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her skirt flowing out behind her. There had to be another way. This simply could not be the way to end the war. He's their enemy, their forces were in a stalemate and have been for months now, neither side showing any weakness. All the while men are dying on both sides. Far too much death. There had been talk in the villages if the war was even worth it anymore. The war against the kingdom of Montave had been dragging on for almost thirteen years now. Most of Emma's life had been spent in wartime and not peace time. There were many ways to end a war, but Emma couldn't imagine this could be the best way, the only way.

Emma turned on her heel to face her parents. How Queen Snow and King David, the epitome of true love, could bring this to their own daughter was beyond Emma. The war had aged them significantly. Snow had salt and pepper hair and crow's feet in the corners of her eyes that weren't present when this war began. David's blond hair had been able to hide the gray hair more efficiently, but he was injured in the early years of the war and required a cane to move about the castle.

"There has to be another way!" Emma threw her hands in the air. This was not the answer to all their problems. It couldn't be.

"Emma," her mother said reproachfully.

"Whose idea was this anyway?" Emma's eyes flitting between her mother and father.

"Theirs, a message came from Queen Elsa," David said, bitterness in every word. Elsa, who used to be their ally. That was until Montave surrounded Arendelle's capital and Elsa surrendered to protect her people. She was married off to the King of Montave and Arendelle was absorbed into Montave. The castle was kept in Arendelle for Anna to live in, and supposedly the married couple visited her often. At least that was what the Misthaven spies reported.

"That's not what I was referring to, which one of you thought I should accept this?" Emma asked her father.

"Emma, this war has to end. If it doesn't the people will turn on us if they haven't already. Everyday more men return home to be buried. They cannot take much more and I'm not sure I can either. This is the only clear way out!" Snow pounded her fist against the old oak table. Her mother's words struck Emma. It seemed silly that a marriage could end a war, could lead them to peace, could change their world.

"Emma, we always wanted you to choose like we did, but I'm afraid choices aren't the same in wartime as they are in peacetime. We need you to marry him for the kingdom, but more importantly for our family. The people will revolt and kill us soon, if this is allowed to continue on," David said sternly. Her shoulders slumped, if her father, her greatest protector, the biggest champion of her freedom was telling her to do this then there were no other options.

Emma looked down at her scarred, right arm, the black and blue markings trailing down from below her elbow to the palm of her hand. She clenched her fist before clearing her throat, "Send a message stating that I accept the terms of the treaty and will marry Prince Killian in an attempt to unify the kingdoms." Relief washed over her parent's faces, but before they could say another word Emma stormed out.

Emma left Misthaven two weeks later on a ship with a small crew and a couple knights headed for Arendelle. The two kingdoms agreed to meet there since David refused to send his only daughter to Montave's capital. Emma was to sign the treaty in Arendelle as Misthaven's representative, then return with Prince Killian for a royal wedding which would occur in the spring when the King and Queen of Montave could attend (Elsa is with child at the present moment and cannot travel outside of the kingdom in her current state). The thought made Emma's stomach roll. She knew soon she'll be expected to bear the prince's children, they'll be the future bloodline of Misthaven after all. She pushed the thought out of her mind for the moment. Many hard choices had been made in this war, but this choice had been the hardest of all for Emma. If this truly stopped the needless bloodshed, she'll do it. The kingdoms had agreed to a ceasefire while the treaty was being signed, that gave her some small shred of peace.

Her knights, August and Graham were sent to ensure her safety. Graham had been adamant that this is an elaborate trap to kill Emma, heir to Misthaven's throne. Emma still isn't convinced it is a trap, but she definitely felt better with them by her side.

Their journey was lengthened at sea when a storm threatened to capsize them. The ship's crew is talented and vigilant and guided them through to the best of their ability. The ship met Arendelle's shore just ten days after their departure from Misthaven. Emma nearly threw up when they docked because she finally has to meet her fate, she has to marry her enemy. Before the war she only met Montave's royal family once and she barely remembered the dark-haired brothers who grew into their roles as Prince and King of Montave. She only knew them as her enemy, as the ones who killed her people, burned their crops, and sunk many of their ships. Now, she has to marry the enemy. She almost laughed at the notion still, it's ridiculous that she has to marry a man who has caused such harm to her people. Perhaps he felt the same way about her though.

Emma collected herself enough to place a tiara in her hair and pull on the white gloves to cover up her scars. She finally left the ship and found a welcome party comprised of Anna and her fiancé, Kristoff, a duke from up north who has improved ice trade with Montave's capital.

"Emma!" Anna cried out practically jumping up and down, "It's been too long. You're so beautiful! I've missed you and I know Elsa has too. You'll see her at dinner. You brought knights?" Her rapid-fire speech screeching to a halt, one eyebrow lifted.

"Anna, it's good to see you. Yes, I did. Don't worry your King approved them," Emma said with her shoulders thrown back, her stance tall and head held high.

"I'm not worried about that. Emma, you're safe here, you didn't need to bring them." Anna shook her head in disbelief. Anna had always been a little naive, but Emma can't believe that Anna had managed to keep that during the war. Of course, Emma needed them! Emma didn't feel safe here. Not anymore, she's in the middle of enemy territory. The war changed that. Montave changed that.

"Your Highness, King David wanted to ensure Princess Emma's safe passage. He meant no offense." Graham kindly came to her defense when words failed Emma. Anna smiled at this.

"Oh of course, how silly of me. By the way this is Kristoff," Anna introduced them as they walked down the docks and toward the castle. Anna's gaze kept flitting to gloves, curiosity growing.

"Nice to meet you," Emma nodded to him.

"You as well, Anna has been excited about your arrival. She considers you a friend," he said kindly.

"I wasn't sure after all this time, but I'm glad she does. I've always considered her and Elsa to be one as well." Kristoff nodded and he and Anna led the way in. Anna still talking at a mile a minute. Graham and August fell in line with Emma. Graham's hand brushed hers, catching her attention.

"You can't freeze like that again. This peace is fragile, and you will not die on my watch," he whispered.

"Her naivete surprised me, I don't know how it lasted through the war. It won't happen again." Emma kept her gaze forward; she couldn't look at him now. They stayed silent so Emma could answer all of Anna's many, many questions. The eager princess led them through the castle doors.

"I had them place you in the west wing, it has a beautiful view of the harbor and your knight's room is next to yours of course. The west wing is also where Prince Killian's rooms are," Anna informed her. Emma nodded and made a mental note of that. She could feel the gears grinding in Graham's head.

"Have you met him before?" Anna asked her as they walked down a long hallway.

"I think once when we were little at one of Ariel's balls. Not that I remember much I couldn't have been more than seven." Emma frowned, unsure. They came to a stop at the end of the hallway. Emma's room was the last door with Graham and August's room being the one before hers. No sign of Prince Killian's room, thankfully.

"Oh well you'll officially meet everyone at dinner. I'll let you rest until then, it's good to have you here." Anna hugged her and Emma tentatively patted her back. Kristoff simply waved goodbye before vanishing with his fiancé. Graham and August led the way into Emma's suite, clearing it making sure no one was lying in wait for her. When the door shut the three of them breathed a little easier.

"So far no attempts on your life, that's good," August mumbled to himself.

"They could be lulling us into a false sense of security. Keep your guard up," Graham warned them.

"That's enough," Emma told them, "I'm going to lie down until dinner."

"Of course, Princess," they both nodded before leaving her suite. None of her trunks were there yet so she'd have to wait to change into her gown for the night. Emma took off her tiara and set it on the vanity, hoping to catch a quick nap, hopefully that would help her collect herself.

Graham insisted on walking her to dinner and Emma found it completely ridiculous and a little insulting.

"Graham, I can walk on my own, do you think my future husband will strike me down the moment he meets me? They need this as much as we do." Emma placed her tiara back on her head, the metaphorical weight of it bringing her down.

"He might, cannot be too careful with these Montavians," he bristled. Emma stood from her spot at the vanity, smoothing out her silk, pale green dress. She quickly pulled on the pearl colored gloves that covered the blue and black scars that creep up her arm.

"You're ridiculous, but fine do what you want." Emma shook her head, unsure what had gotten into her most trusted knight.

"I will do what it takes to protect you." Emma had no response to this because she expected nothing less from him, he's stubborn and not afraid of her and that was the exact reason her father sent him with her. They stalked out of her room in silence. They met no one along the way and don't see a soul until they descend the grand staircase. The duo were directed by a valet to a sitting room with Anna, Kristoff, Elsa chatting in one corner and King Liam and Prince Killian whispering by the fireplace. All eyes rested on Emma. No one moved for what felt like several long moments. Emma stood before her enemies not on the battlefield as she had imagined many times, but in her old friend's castle in a dress about to have dinner with them. The choices made in war will never stop shocking Emma.

Anna clapped and rushed over to Emma, "Oh Emma, you're beautiful! I mean of course you were earlier, but this dress is much nicer than your traveling one." Oh, if only Anna knew how wrong she was, Emma thought to herself. Not many outside of Misthaven have seen her scars, not many knew how they marred her pale skin.

"Princess, I'll be leaving you now," Graham whispered, and she nodded. The door clicked shut behind him and Emma turned back to the room. She noticed that Elsa stepped forward, one hand over a small baby bump.

"Thank you, Anna. You look beautiful tonight as well," Emma forced out a smile. Elsa held out a hand.

"Old friend, how long has it been?" Elsa asked her as Emma moved forward and accepted her hand. Emma squeezed her hand.

"Too long, you look well. Motherhood will suit you I can already tell." In the past years she had missed Elsa dearly. Hopefully one good thing from this marriage will be she'll gain back friends she thought were long lost.

"You're too kind," Elsa blushed slightly before turning to her husband, "I'll be making the introductions it seems. King Liam of Montave, Great Protector of the Sea and of course my husband this is Princess Emma, heir to Misthaven's throne." Liam walked forward, no emotion discernible on his face, his curly, dark hair is neatly trimmed, and his eyes are a piercing blue. Emma curtsied and Liam took Emma's gloved hand in his.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. Thank you for your warm welcome and generous hospitality," Emma managed to get out without sounding hostile. He dropped her gloved hand gracefully.

"You are most welcome, thank you for making the journey. Now, Killian will you please stop sulking by the fire and meet your bride," Liam said only in the way an older sibling could.

"There was no sulking, merely standing out of the way of His Majesty," Killian jested as he swaggered up to the trio. Anna and Kristoff stood back, quietly watching and waiting.

"Your Highness may I introduce, Prince Killian of Montave, Chief Commander of the Seven Fleets and your future husband," Liam said slyly. Emma curtsied then Killian took her hand and brushed his lips across the back of her gloved hand. One of his hands had an expansive scar across the back of it. Emma almost laughed maybe they are more well matched than previously thought. Killian is a little shorter than his brother, his hair is straight where his brother's is curly. His dark, almost jet-black hair somehow making his deep blue eyes seem brighter than possible. Everyone failed to mention how attractive the enemy was.

"A pleasure, Princess. Ready to bring peace to the realm?" he asked her.

"Yes, war is an ugly thing." Killian dropped her hand and gave her an appraising look. A look that made one feel like they were about to be sold off to the highest bidder

"Elsa, you underplayed how beautiful she is," he teased. Emma had to restrain her eye roll at his attempt at flattery. This was a political marriage he didn't need to seduce her. Would he still want this marriage when he realized he was getting a scarred bride? Would the end of the war be worth it to him or did he merely want a pretty face? Elsa swatted at his arm.

"Killian, I did no such thing and you know it." That's when it dawned on Emma that Elsa may not have been forced to marry into this family at all, she may have wanted it. Thankfully a valet came in and told them that dinner is ready. This was only the beginning of her trip and Emma knew it would take all her considerable wit and charm to make it home.