- Chapter 1 -

When the Queen married Snow White's father, she hated her life. She hated Snow, she began taking lessons to control dark magic from Rumpelstiltskin. Before she had the genie murder the King she found out she became pregnant. Her baby was a product of pure evil. From the Evil Queen and Rumpelstiltskin. However their daughter was gentle, kind, pure and innocent and did hold a single streak of darkness within her.

Her name was Pearl. No one beside Regina and Rumpelstiltskin knew who Pearl's father was. Rumpelstiltskin taught Pearl to use her magic but she refused to use it for evil. She only ever used it for the greater good of those in the enchanted forest. Rumpelstiltskin would never want to admit it; however he and Pearl had a soft spot for each other. Pearl never understood why she could trust Rumpelstiltskin so much but she knew she could.

Pearl always wanted love or some compassion from her mother. But she was never so lucky. She had pale sky blue eyes. Her hair was a natural platinum blonde, high cheekbones and soft pink lips. Her features and face was gentle and calm, nothing compared to her mother's harsh facial structure. She had light toned skin, a thin figure yet with the right curves, also it was evident she was athletic.

King Leopold knew that Pearl wasn't his daughter yet he treated her like his own and gave her a fatherly love that she desired. Pearl was unlike everyone else. She never stayed as a baby for long, within a year she had already matured, grown and was frozen to the age of eighteen. Her knowledge was wide and ambitious even if she was technically only one year old.

It was an ordinary day at the castle, Snow was picking at flowers, the Regina was picking apples at her tree and Pearl was happily reading under a white flowered tree as the swing she sat on swayed softly. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun with an elegant curl to shape around her face. She wore a pastel blue long sleeved corset top that had a tail down to her ankles, royal blue leather pants and black boots.

She was currently reading about Oz, wondering if it was true that other realms could exist. She often dreamed of being in Oz, they felt so real as her pale eyes skimmed over the inked words.

"Quick, Dorothy!" she screamed. "Run for the cellar!"

Toto jumped out of Dorothy's arms and hid under the bed, and the girl started to get him. Aunt Em, badly frightened, threw open the trap door in the floor and climbed down the ladder into the small, dark hole. Dorothy caught Toto at last and started to follow her aunt. When she was halfway across the room there came a great shriek from the wind, and the house shook so hard that she lost her footing and sat down suddenly upon the floor.

Then a strange thing happened.

The house whirled around two or three times and rose slowly through the air. Dorothy felt as if she were going up in a balloon.

The north and south winds met where the house stood, and made it the exact center of the cyclone. In the middle of a cyclone the air is generally still, but the great pressure of the wind on every side of the house raised it up higher and higher, until it was at the very top of the cyclone; and there it remained and was carried miles and miles away as easily as you could carry a feather.

Pearl winced rubbing her forehead as her vision flashed to an emerald green cyclone. She could hear a crying baby along with the screams of a young girl. A face of the Wicked Witch of the West appeared faintly cackling before she seemed to snap out of it. She shuddered and closed her book unsure as she saw King Leopold walking through the palace gardens with a man beside him.

"Father!" Pearl called out happily as she ran over in his direction as a beaming smile came across his face as Snow and Regina turned to see him making his towards them. Pearl knew that King Leopold wasn't her father she could see it clear as day, though she didn't mind he treated her like a daughter. Though whenever she was with Rumpelstiltskin she felt a connection and often wondered if he knew her true father.

"This is my beautiful daughter, Snow and Pearl" He introduced as they both smiled as he kissed the back of their hands.

"How do you do?" Snow and Pearl responded.

"And Regina – my wife. The Queen." He introduced once again as she responded with a weak hello and that evil smile that Pearl had seen one too many times. She knew of her mother's dark heart, she could see it through the way she demanded her to learn magic and in a way that she was furious with how close Pearl and Snow grew. They were sisters even if it wasn't by blood.

"I hope you will make him comfortable. He is to be our guest and Pearl and I have engagements" He winked as she smiled brighter. Pearl loved riding and as often as they could Pearl and the King would go out riding together. The Genie smiled and bowed as Leopold held out his arm for Pearl as she gladly took it as they walked in direction of the stables.

Two stable boys held out the reins on the two magnificent stallions. Pearl let her arm drop from Leopold's arm as she smiled and ran over to her horse stroking his dark nose as he nudged her hand and rested his neck over her shoulder, causing her to laugh slightly.

"Hey boy" She whispered smiling before she turned back to stroke his nose as Leopold was assisted onto his horse. Placing her foot in the stirrup, she swung her leg over Diablo. He seemed to nod his head and let his hoof pat the ground before she chuckled and rode with her father out the castle gates. She didn't mind about the four guards that escorted them, she just loved the fresh air and the fact they were going to the one place she could think. The ocean.

She always had a desire and love for the ocean. They were currently riding through the enchanted forest when they came across a fallen down tree before them. They slowed down frowning slightly and we're about to head around it before a loud battle cry echoed. The horses drew unsettled as a dozen men jumped out of the bushes from other side, weapons drawn causing Pearl's eye to widen shocked.

"Pearl get back to the castle!" King Leopold shouted out frightened for her as she gripped her hands on the reins tighter and urged Diablo around the fallen tree and towards the left. She could hear the sound of hooves following after her, glancing over her shoulder she noticed she was being pursued by two men. With a sudden blink one of the men's saddle snapped causing him to topple off his horse groaning as Diablo groaned loudly.

Turning her head back towards the front she jerked the reins to avoid crashing as she could hear her heart beating inside her ears. She quickly peeked over her shoulder once again and frowned to see no one before she screamed when she felt her body get thrown off Diablo. Landing with a painful thud she felt winded as she stumbled to her feet. The man who had tackled was ready to lunge at her when she waved her hand and a root gripped his ankle.

He growled as she took this time to flee. Pearl wasn't an expert of the forest, she knew the man behind her had the advantage and she wasn't yet skilled in magic to transport herself back home. She knew that Diablo would either find her or return home she hoped he made it back home, and then the others would know she was lost.

Unfortunately the forest seemed to all look the same to her causing her to groan annoyed. Focusing on her breathing she closed her hand and in white smoke a compass appeared making her smile happily. Turning herself she followed north, her pace grew faster when she could hear the sound of a sword cutting through the root behind her. She paused when she started to smell the ocean as her eyes brightened with hope.

"You can't hide forever Princess!" The sharp voice snarled causing her to pocket the compass and run down a steep hill towards, tripping she rolled her hair falling out of the tight bun slightly. She didn't care of the throb in her ankle; she jumped back to her feet and ran towards the docks and the village that came into view. She was only able to get a short glimpse of the man chasing her as she continued to bolt into the village. She gently weaved in and out of people before she crashed into a strong body causing her to gasp when a strong arm wrapped around her waist to protect her from falling fully.

"I'm sorry" She breathed before her voice caught in her throat as she looked up. His arm was still around her as butterflies erupted in her stomach and her face flushed. He had jet black hair and pale bluish grey eyes that made her lose herself within them. He was dressed in crisp white pants, black belt with a sword by his hip, the royal blue and gold tipped jacket of a Lieutenant in the royal navy. She couldn't deny he was incredible handsome as he helped her to her feet.

"My fault my lady. I wasn't watching where I was going" He smiled making her heart flutter more as she gave a soft chuckle.

"OI!" A sharp voice snarled as her eyes widened once more as she forgot the reason on why she ran into the Lieutenant in the first place. Killian could take his eyes off the beautiful young women before him as he frowned when her eyes widened in fear. Glancing over her shoulder he saw a man running in their direction looking rather angry as he grabbed her hand causing his hand to tingle and something in belly to churn as he led her through the busy streets. They turned a sharp corner both panting as they leant against the side of a house.

Killian chuckled almost like it was a chase of a game from his childhood as Pearl beside him giggled as they just watched each other. They were lost in each other's eyes before he cleared his throat and let go of her hand both blushing slightly. He turned to look down the street for any signs of the man hunting after Pearl only to have him sneak up behind them and clamp his hand over her mouth and drag her away as her screams grew muffled.

"Looks like whoever was chasing you my lady is gone" He smiled and turned only to frown and do a double take.

"My Lady!" He shouted out slightly confused and frightened. Meanwhile she kept trying to scream out behind the man's sweaty rough hand making her gag. He had rotten teeth, rags for clothing and his hair and beard were un-kept and stuck up like a wild main. He placed a dagger at her throat causing her to take deeper frightened breaths.

"Now...let's not have any of that magic sweetheart or my dagger might slip, do you understand" He threatened as she nodded frightened. She watched his dagger frightened as it grew hotter in his hands. Steam smoked through his gloves as he gasped and yelped out in pain with a loud shout as he dropped the dagger clutching his hand.

"You bitch!" He shouted as he sent a sharp blow to her cheek as she cried out and fell to the floor in a heap as she clutched her cheek hard. Killian heard the sudden shout and scream as he ran in Pearl's direction. Drawing his sword, he pulled the brute away from her as she whimpered and staggered back up to her feet. He ran him through with his blade as he fell back to the ground gasping for air.

"My lady. Are you alright?" He asked, his arm comfortably around her waist as the other stroked her cheek which was beginning to bruise. She gulped and nodded as her hand held his.

"Come my lady, you don't need to see this." He whispered as he slowly began pulling her away. She let him guide her away as he rested her hand in the crook of his arm as he slowly was leading her back to the inn where he was staying for the week.

"My name is Pearl, not my lady" She chuckled softly as his smirk grew wider.

"Killian Jones at your service" He introduced as she smiled in return. "Are you always in need of saving my lady?"

"Trust me, Lieutenant Jones. I'm not usually in need of saving" She smiled as he chuckled.

"I will happily save you my lady........curious how did you know I was a Lieutenant?" He questioned as Pearl blushed and brushed a piece of hair out of her face.

"I know a thing or two about the royal navy" Pearl blushed as he opened the door and let her walk in first. It was crowded and noisy as they picked a booth that seemed far away from the other tables as a waitress came and handed over two jugs of ale.

"Thank you, for saving my life. I will be forever in your debt" She smiled weakly as Killian brushed it off with a smile as he took a gulp of his ale.

"You don't owe me anything my lady I assure you" He smiled as Pearl frowned slightly.

"There must be some way I can repay you" She offered as he smirked chuckling slightly as he knew most savage men would take her offer in the wrong way. Luckily he was a gentleman and desired nothing that gold or jewels could buy.

"A simple smile on your beautiful face would suffice" He teased causing Pearl to blush and smile before hiding her warm face as they both laughed. They probably spent another hour or two eating, drinking, laughing and talking. Both very comfortable in each other's presences as the rain poured heavily outside and nightfall soon fell over the Kingdom. Glancing out of the window Pearl realised that she should begin her journey back to the castle and worried for her mother and father and especially Snow.

"It's getting late....I should be heading back" Pearl whispered sadly as Killian glanced out the window frowning slightly at the weather and shook his head.

"You will catch your death out there. I will personally escort you back home tomorrow morning my lady.....if you would allow it" He asked shyly as they both blushed and Pearl nodded. Killian let Pearl take his room in the inn as he slept next door in the same room with his brother. As they both slept they dreamt of each other, they both knew this was the beginning of something far beyond them......