Author's Note: I debated for a long time about what I should post to this site as my first story. But after seeing the latest episode of Once Upon A Time, I couldn't resist writing something for it. It will probably end up being three or four chapters long.

Author's Warning: I wrote this story directly following Snow Falls. This story is written as if Prince James is who he claimed to be.

Summary: His family didn't marry for love. And that never bothered him. Until she came.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I'm just borrowing the characters for a little while.

The course of true love never did run smooth.

The Encounter

His family didn't marry for love. James sat in the carriage fiddling with the pouch containing his family's precious gems. He had placed his mother's ring in the pouch the night before and somehow it felt as though it was trying to burn its way out. He glanced at Princess Abigail. She was beautiful, that went without question. With golden hair that gleamed in the sunlight and a slender frame, she was certainly an undeniable beauty. But as the only daughter of the neighboring King, she had grown spoiled and predisposed to complaining.

He hoped a romantic ride through the woods would give them some time to talk and try to get to know one another. They had only meet a few weeks before and most of their days were spent surrounded by courtiers and advisers. This was the first time he managed to spend with her without the rest of the court watching their every move and listening to their every word. But so far his plan hadn't been going too well. They had sat in silence for much of the journey and when he tried to spark a conversation, she would snap back short replies.

He shouldn't have been surprised. They had very little in common. He spent his days either on a hunt or a campaign. Although born to a life in the castle, he grew up in the woods beyond the palace walls. He thrived on the feel of a chase. On the other hand, Abigail had probably spent most of her days studying needlepoint with a brood of servants to wait on her every need. To her, the woods were simply something that must be endured while traveling. During the whole ride, she had only looked out the window twice. He couldn't fault her for the way she was raised. All women of noble blood were taught to be like that.

"Are you even listening to me?"

His jaw ticked but he managed to coax a smile to his face. "Yes, of course I am."

He took a breath to prepare himself for the proposal. He had practiced it over and over again the night prior. He didn't want to look like a fool in front of his new bride. His good friend Thomas teased him endlessly about it. He opened his mouth to say the words that would forever intertwine their lives.

Then the carriage stopped.

"Now what?" she huffed.

James flashed Abigail his most reassuring smile and stepped out of the carriage. A glance ahead told him a large log was blocking their path. It would seem they had some time to kill until the log could be moved. He thought about proposing here but a quick look at Abigail's irritated pose told him she wasn't in the most receptive mood.

On the other hand, some fresh air would be a reprieve from the tension within the carriage. Perhaps a few minutes away would do them both some good. He went to help his men move the log. The sooner it was moved from the path, the sooner he could get back home and drop off the darling princess. One day they would be married. But right now, he just wanted to make it through today.

He went to the end to help roll the fallen tree. As he knelt down, the markings on the trunk gave him pause. They were not splinted or cracked. There was no jagged seam from a tree that would fallen of its own account. Instead, the smooth grooves looked like the markings caused by an axe. Someone deliberately cut the tree to block their path forcing them to stop.

It was a trap.

Then he heard Princess Abigail scream. James sprinted towards the carriage. When he heard her cry out about a thief, he realized his error. He left the jewel pouch in the carriage. The carriage the thief just robbed. He grabbed a horse from one of his men instead and took off after him. James charged his steed into a fierce gallop. He would catch the coward, get back his mother's ring, and propose to Abigail. Hopefully then this wretched day would be over.

The thief was clearly not an experienced rider. James easily caught up. He waited until their horses were lined neck and neck; then he leapt. Grabbing the thief's cloak, he dragged the man off his ride and sent them both tumbling to the ground. James was not a violent man but this thief had made him look a fool in front of his bride-to-be and all of his men.

"Show your face, you coward!" he demanded, fist raised ready to strike. Except when he turned the thief over, he found himself looking at pale ivory skin and long lashes the hid rich green eyes.

"You're a… girl," he said dumbly still staring into her forest green eyes.

"Woman," she said breathlessly. He swallowed at the sensuality in her tone. His arm dropped uselessly at his side. She was a gir- woman. He couldn't hit her. He also probably shouldn't be pinning her to the ground. He blinked realizing just how sexual the posture had become.

Then she smacked him in the chin with a rock.

She scrambled away as he fell to the ground. He struggled to push aside the pain and follow her movements. His jaw aching from the impact, he rose to his feet. When she mounted his father's horse, he knew he had lost. There was no way he could catch her on foot.

"You can't hide from me," he shouted, wiping the blood from the cut on his jaw, "wherever you are, I will find you."

He didn't expect her to look back. He definitely didn't expect her to smile at him. And he certainly never could have imagined the way a rush of heat would flood him at the sight of those thin lips quirking into a smile and the way her eyes danced with mirth. He breathed in her beauty and watched her retreating image until he could not see her anymore.

By the time, he made it back to the carriage he only knew one thing.

He would find her.

He just didn't know what to do with her once he did.