Three years later

Bright golden sunshine peeked through the crystal-clear window, illuminating the honey-blonde hair of Princess Emma. 

Knock knock!  Emma's eyes flickered open at the sound. She yawned, tried to sit up then fell back onto the pillows, thoroughly exhausted from the night before; she'd been helping plan the decorations. "Who's there?" she asked in a very sleepy, undignified manner.

"It's me, m'lady, Mr. Ferdinand. I'm sorry to wake you, but -" 

"Oh no," interrupted Emma, still mostly asleep, "I've been . . awake for hours . . ." She drifted off, her eyelids sliding shut in the warmth of blankets and sunlight. 

"Er, yes, it's nine in the morning, the gates will be opening soon. And, eh, your sister's coronation is at two."

"Oh, right," Emma replied, " sister's . . . cornerashun . . " Her eyes drifting shut again. The soft pillows under her head only encouraged the sleep in her eyes. Suddenly, a bird chirped just outside her window and Emma jerked awake, sitting straight up in bed. "Who is it?!" 

"Er, still just me, ma'am," the poor man replied. "Ahem, your sister's coronation, ma'am?"

Emma blinked sleepily, the servant's words hardly registering in her brain - until her gaze fell on the gold-and-green dress she had picked out. Stylish satin bows ran down either side of the skirt, which itself was made of fine, imported silk, carefully pleated and embroidered with flowing patterns. The waist was decorated with similar needlework. 

Emma's eyes shot open - completely this time - and she jumped out of her bed so quickly that she almost tripped over her own feet. "Right, thank you, Mr. Ferdinand!" she exclaimed breathlessly, her excitement boiling.

- - - 

It took Emma over an hour to get ready - her hair alone took her most of that time, even with Ceana, her maid, helping. Once she was done, she darted out into the hallway, her mind fixed on the harbor. As soon as the gates were open, she would run there as fast as she could - she just had to see the ships up close! But, in the mean time, she would have to make do with the view from her pulley. The pulley had been specially made for her by one of the carpenters in the castle staff, and although she herself had never quite understood the mechanics of the thing, she did understand that it provided a wonderful view of incoming and outgoing ships. 

All this ran through her mind as she swept through hallways, ballrooms, and gorgeous dining rooms. She knew them all like the back of her hand, having wandered them for thirteen years. Elegant pillars and intricate tapestries passed by, but Emma stopped for none of them. And suddenly, Emma realized that she was singing, her voice carrying through the hallways of the castle. Everyone she passed smiled at her carefree, whimsical songs. 

When she finally reached the window she was looking for, she threw it open and hopped out onto the sturdy little pulley awaiting her. She took the ascent rope in one hand and gazed, awestruck, at the incredible number of ships pouring into the harbor. And these were no simple merchant ships, but beautifully made, each one flying a different flag. She recognized from her studies the flag of Corona, the flag of Athor , and many others. 

She had not been up there for more than a few minutes before she heard a horn blowing. The gate!! she thought, then jumped off the pulley and ran back through the halls and into the courtyard before the gates. On the ramparts above the gates, she could see sentries waiting, ready for the order that would come at any moment. There! On the second horn blast, the gates began opening, swinging back on their great hinges. From where she stood, just before the gates, it seemed to Emma that the people came through like water from a burst dam. But she didn't stop. She shouldered her way through the throng of people and onto the bridge. 

The short crossing from the palace to the city was edged by two short stone walls. In these, lamp posts had been set at intervals to provide lighting at late hours. But at the moment, with the mid-morning sun smiling down on Emma and the people around her, these were not needed. At least, not needed for light. However, Emma found another use for them, swinging around them and practically skipping along the broad stone railings. When she reached the end, she jumped down onto the pavement of the market square and headed -- or rather, sprinted -- to the docks.

Unfortunately, she was so wrapped up in her thoughts - and, it must be said, her gown - that she didn't notice a large bay stallion barring her way. She slammed into it and gave a startled yelp as she toppled backwards, landing in a tiny dinghy, which thankfully happened to have been left there by someone. "Hey, watch it!" she exclaimed angrily. 

"I'm so sorry, miss!" said a tall red-haired young man. 

Emma's heart skipped a beat. "Oh, I- I'm okay," she said, accepting his outstretched hand and simultaneously wishing she had more experience dealing with people. 

They stood awkwardly there for a moment, then he suddenly seemed to remember his manners. Bowing slightly, he introduced himself: "Prince Henry, of the Southern Isles."

"Um, Princess Emma," she stuttered, "of Arendelle."

"Princess?" Henry mumbled, then dropped to one knee. "My lady, I-" But his horse chose that moment to shuffle forward, bumping the little boat over the edge of the pier and almost tipping it into the water. Henry stumbled forward into Emma. Then, in a profoundly human moment, the horse looked up at them and brought its front hoof down on the stern of the boat, bringing it right again. Emma's face was scarlet, but she consoled herself with the fact that Henry's was too.

"I'm so sorry!" he said again, casting a furious glance at the horse. 

"It's okay, I'm okay," said Emma with her usual awkwardness. Suddenly, a bell rung from somewhere. "It's okay," she said again. "Oh, um, I have to go, the bells, um, coronation, I've gotta go." Emma realized she was rambling, and finished with a nervous, "Bye!" before running off towards the palace. 

Henry raised a hand in farewell. "Bye."

* * *

Oh my gosh, I finally updated!! Sorry it's been such a while, everyone. Anyway, please tell me what you think! Your votes and comment are much appreciated. Thank you all so much!