a/n: I'm back! This is the third (and last) part of this series, so for any new readers, I recommend reading "Unmistaken" and "Second Strike at the Heart" first so that everything makes sense. Last time around I had the first five chapters written before I posted anything but I haven't done that this time. Hopefully the speed that this one got finished in is a good sign, but I do have another project that I'm also working on. And for any Newfoundlanders reading, yes, yes I did basically rip-off a Screech In Ceremony. I sent them sugaring-off last story, I figured may as well shove my Canadiana in right off the bat.

Princess Emma, first of her name, heir to the throne of her kingdom, and only child of their royal majesties Queen Snow White and King James, stood at the bow of the Swan's Flight and breathed in deep the salty ocean air. This spot was her favourite part of the ship. The wind in her face, nothing but sea and sky before her as far as the eye could see... there was nothing else on earth that compared.

Even now, days into their journey, she could hardly believe that she'd finally convinced her parents to let her travel across the ocean with Killian. Over the three years since he'd come to stay in the Enchanted Forest, she'd been gradually allowed more freedom and had been sent on a greater number of diplomatic trips but still never beyond the borders of the Enchanted Forest. And while Killian had taken her sailing on the Swan's Flight a number of times, they were always under orders to stay in coastal regions. The journey across the ocean and through the mist had always been deemed too long and risky for the crown princess to undertake. Until now.

Six months ago, work had been completed on the Gordian Canal which cut through the bridge of land that connected the kingdoms of King Midas and King Eric. Killian had spent months helping with the construction; the pegasus sail proving a useful resource for transporting workers and material between the two coasts. Emma had visited while he was away and they had toured the construction site along with Eric and Ariel's daughter, Princess Melody. Now that it was finished, the canal shortened the journey from six weeks down to two, with ships from the western side of the Enchanted Forest no longer needing to navigate around the continent to reach the Misty Ocean and the kingdoms of Futhark on the other side.

Relations with the various island nations had become strained following Hans' crimes and his subsequent banishment, but about a year afterwards the formerly isolationist Kingdom of Arendelle had reached out, seeking allies after also suffering an attempted coup by the youngest Southern Isles prince. Now, Emma and Killian were travelling there as representatives of her parents attending the wedding of Princess Anna. Given the execution order waiting for him in the place of his birth, this was probably the closest she would ever get to visiting Killian's homeland.

He'd been furious when they'd found out about Hans' attempt to steal the Arendelle crown. The fact that his brother's murderer remained free to commit further acts of villainy was frustrating for everyone. Her parents had petitioned King Anders to hold his son responsible but their charges had fallen on deaf ears and Hans had been left unhindered and continued causing damage wherever his ambitions led him.

Emma knew that despite the happy occasion for their trip, there would be much talk of Hans once they reached the Nordic kingdom. Their invitation from Queen Elsa had included a missive detailing concerns she had about a surge in recruitment for the Southern Isles military and patrols of the arctic tundra that came too close to Arendelle's borders for comfort. The tiny but rich nation was trying to open its gates to the world once more, but its ruler was justifiably afraid of what else might sneak in.

"Milady, you should not spend so much time out in the sun. Your lady mother will have me hanged if you attend the princess' wedding looking like a tomato."

Emma turned to face Madelyn and not for the first time wondered why the lady-in-waiting had volunteered to accompany her on the journey. The young noblewoman was covered from head to toe, various swaths of light fabric draped around her that made her look like she was destined for Agrabah rather than Arendelle.

"That's exactly why I have this," she said, pointing to the wide-brimmed hat atop her head that was kept in place by a thin strap under her chin. Killian had presented it to her before they'd set off and the sides could be laced up to create a tricorne hat just like the one he still insisted on wearing.

They'd been at sea for four days now, and she'd spent most of that time up on the deck trying to convince Killian to give her something to do. He, however, was adamant that this was an official expedition and it would be improper for her to assist as she enjoyed doing when they went on their sailing excursions. Gods knew she loved him, but it was difficult for her to sit in leisure while all around her people were working. And it was only going to get worse. Now that they were through the canal, they'd soon be sailing through the mist and Killian was adamant that she stay below those three days to ensure she didn't slip and injure herself on the deck. Already her fingers itched to do something — Emma was not made for weeks spent doing little but reading and playing cards.

A shout went up among the men and her gaze shifted from Madelyn over to where a sailor was reeling in what looked to be a decent-sized fish. Killian had set men to the task as soon as they had exited the canal, though why he was so fixated on having a fresh catch when they'd just replenished supplies was beyond her.

Sure enough, her captain left the helm to inspect the fish and when he looked up and found her watching his face split into a grin.

"Princess!"

Emma rolled her eyes as he beckoned her over. Their courtship was hardly a secret, yet even here, where the only person above him in rank was her, Killian still refused to call her by her name while in public. She supposed it counted as a blessing that he didn't also drop the near constant stream of endearments — though given how easily they fell from his lips she wondered if he even could.

Stepping down to the mid-deck, Madelyn following behind, she approached the group that had gathered around the captain and his sought-after fish.

"Captain Jones," she said, nodding in greeting, her eyes flicking down to the wriggling cod in his hands. "Is this to be dinner?"

"This?" he asked, handing the ugly fish off to one of his sailors who set about removing the hook. "Oh no, this creature holds a far greater purpose than some mere meal."

Emma raised an eyebrow at his cocksure demeanor and waited for him to elaborate. He had something up his sleeve, of that she was sure.

"There's a tradition in the Southern Isles," he began. "A time-honoured ritual that's celebrated the first time a sailor sets off across the sea. In order to truly live and work among the waves, you must undergo a sailorin'. Are you willing, love?"

Emma glanced between him and the codfish being held by the master boatswain. "That depends. What role does the fish play?"

The corner of his mouth lifted up in a smirk and he produced a shot glass, holding it out to be filled by one of his men. "It's quite simple, really. You kiss the lips of the cod, drink the rum, and are proclaimed a sailor by all those who witness it."

"You're asking the crown princess to kiss… that?"

Killian followed her lady's gaze to the struggling fish. "Aye. You're welcome to partake as well, milady," he said with a wink.

Madelyn looked horrified by the suggestion and Emma stifled a laugh. "I'm supposed to believe that you've done this?" she asked. About half of Killian's crew were men that had followed him from the Southern Isles and she wouldn't put it past any of them to play some sort of prank on her.

"My very first day as a cabin boy after Liam brought me aboard," he answered proudly, puffing his chest out. She bit her lip, picturing him doing the same as a young boy with the fish held in front of him.

"All right," she said, squaring her shoulders. "I'll do it."

The crew cheered and Emma turned to face the fish, pursing her lips into an exaggerated pucker as she leaned forward. Her face scrunched at the feel of the cod's wet, slimy mouth and she drew back quickly, turning to take the drink from Killian.

"Shout 'ahoy' when you've finished it, love," he said as he held it out for her.

"You're serious?"

"A sailorin' is no joke, Your Highness."

She fixed him with a skeptical look as she brought the shot of rum to her lips then downed it in one go. The liquor burned going down her throat and she gasped, turning the glass over to prove she'd done it.

"Ahoy!"

"Ahoy!" the crew echoed with enthusiasm. "An' long may yer big jib draw!"

Killian stepped closer and thumped her on the back. "Well done, love," he murmured, taking the empty shot glass from her.

Emma leaned into him as the crew began to disperse. "That rum was awful."

She could feel him chuckle as his arms came around her. "Aye, it is that. I've heard lesser men screech after just a sip. I'm a bit afraid now, watching you down it so easily."

"If I were you, I'd be more afraid that I've developed a taste for fish," she teased. "What if I decide to throw myself overboard and elope with a merman?"

He barked out a laugh as she turned in his arms. "Well then, I suppose I'll just have to remind you of what you'd be missing out on."

He leaned in to kiss her but she pulled back enough to stop him. "Tell me," she said, tracing the high collar of his navy jacket with her fingertips. "Did you make that up, or is that truly a Southern Isles tradition?"

He grinned and dipped his head to kiss her cheek. "Of course it is, love. Why wouldn't it be?"

She hummed, lifting her chin and pushing up onto her toes to kiss him properly. He kept it chaste and sweet but that didn't stop the crew from whistling at them.

"Oh sod off, the lot of you!" he yelled, waving an arm in mock anger. "It's not like you're not all used to it by now."

Emma laughed and turned back to face the water, sighing happily as his arms wrapped around her once more.

In the Southern Isles and the other kingdoms of Futhark, they called the Enchanted Forest 'Misthaven' for the expanse of mist that covered the ocean between their lands. Not even the fairies knew what had caused it, nor the reason for its constant presence. Queen Ariel had told her once that there were stories about it under the sea as well, but no one knew anymore if they held any truth. The mysterious phenomenon had made crossing the ocean difficult for centuries, and only relatively recent advancements in shipbuilding had allowed the Enchanted Forest to open to trade from the other side of the world.

Killian said that it would take them three days to sail through it, and then another week before they reached their destination. She'd questioned why they didn't simply fly over it with the pegasus sail, but he felt it was safer to cross the normal way. If anything went wrong while they were in the sky, the lack of visibility would make their landing even more perilous.

The sun was sitting low on the horizon by the time they reached the edge of the fog and the sky was above them was streaked in orange and pink with a handful of purple clouds outlined in gold. Emma stood on the quarterdeck watching it, a shawl wrapped around her shoulders to ward off the evening chill. Despite it being high summer, the temperature had dropped just after dinner but she didn't want to retreat below deck until she absolutely had to. Not when Killian was likely to lock her down there should she try to come back up.

"See anything interesting?" he asked and she blinked, realizing that she'd been staring off into the distance for some time.

"I thought there was nothing to see in the mist and that I wouldn't be missing anything by staying below."

Killian sighed and pulled the spyglass out of his coat, offering it to her. "Best make sure beforehand then, aye love?"

The open adoration on his face softened her. Emma may have been slightly bitter about being banished from the deck, but she knew that he was only trying to keep her safe. This trip meant a lot to both of them, and making certain it went flawlessly would increase the possibility for other adventures together far from home.

She smiled at him as she wrapped her fingers around the warm, smooth metal and lifted it to her eye. The lingering sunlight danced over the fog, lighting up the penetrable bits in soft, muted colours. As she scanned the mist, a flash of something caught her eye and she tracked back to see what it was.

"I thought you said there wouldn't be any icebergs at this time of year," she said, fixing her sight on the tabular sheet of ice poking out of the mist.

Killian was at her side again in an instant. "What's that, love?"

"Icebergs," she repeated, handing him the spyglass and pointing out the spot. "You said it was too late in the summer for them to be around still."

He cursed under his breath and called his lieutenant over, the two of them stepping away to discuss the matter in hushed voices. Emma stayed watching the ice and tried not to be obvious about listening in on their conversation. From the bits she could catch it sounded like Killian was worried about there being more hidden within the mist and they were debating whether or not it would be safer to use the pegasus sail and avoid the foggy expanse altogether.

There was another flash and Emma's back went ramrod straight, her gaze searching the ice that had pushed further out from the mist.

"Killian," she said, reaching an arm back for him, not wanting to look away in case she had imagined it. "Killian."

"What is it, love?" he asked, moving to stand beside her and raising the spyglass to have another look.

"Bloody hell."

Another flash struck out, sharp and blue against the orange sky, and the ice pushed a little further closer to them. Killian's eyes met hers for a moment, his jaw clenched tight, and she didn't have to ask to know that her hunch had been right.

There was someone out there. Someone magical.

He gave her shoulder a tight squeeze and then he was off, stalking the deck and barking orders to the crew. A side boat was readied and three men lowered down. Emma stayed out of the way until they hit the water then moved to stand beside her captain, linking her fingers with his as they watched and waited.

The mood on the ship had fallen to something tense and foreboding and it seemed like it took eons for the crewmen to row out to the ice. The return trip felt even longer, and Emma held Killian's hand tight to keep from fidgeting. Try as she might, she couldn't suppress the dread rising up in her. The sense that something was very, very wrong and only about to get worse.

Everyone who knew what Hans had done in Arendelle knew also of the queen's ice magic. If it was manifesting this far from her kingdom, when guests were travelling from all over for her sister's wedding...

Finally, the men returned to the ship, a frightened young woman of about Emma's age in the rescue boat with them. Killian moved immediately to help her over the side of the rail and Emma watched her hesitate before she took his hand. She was trembling and looked exhausted but otherwise seemed unscathed from whatever ordeal she'd been through. Tiny snowflakes fell around her and bits of ice clung to her hair, her long braid so pale it seemed almost white. There was frost coating her fingertips and the bottom of her dress and her eyes darted around the ship like she expected to be attacked. Emma took a deep breath, knowing that whatever news she carried it would be nothing good.

Stepping forward, she took both of the queen's hands in hers, forcing the other woman's eyes up to her.

"Your Majesty," she said in a firm voice, trying to infuse as much warmth into it as she could. "My name is Princess Emma, and I am the daughter of Queen Snow White and King James. You are safe here."

Elsa's hands gripped hers tightly and Emma braced herself against the cold. "I am safe nowhere. Arendelle has fallen. Hans has taken the kingdom."