Adrift - Prologue

"Bring him in." Charming practically sighed, already feeling drained and exhausted from the previous night. He allowed himself one moment of tiredness and slumped in his throne, before straightening his shoulders and drawing himself up to sit upright. Snow's hand, soft and cooler than his own, rested on top of his, his mother's ring sparkling on her ring finger.

"It's alright. You'll be able to swallow your pride for once, I'm sure." Snow smiled at him teasingly, her eyes gleaming mischievously. She was amused by Charming's struggle.

"Let's hope so," he replied, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Their attending guardsman entered the great throne room, followed by their two expected guests.

"My most honorable Queen Snow White, my most honorable King David, I present to you Sir Lancelot, Knight and Defender of the Realm, Commodore of the Armada and recipient of the Silver Swan Medal of Honor. And also . . ." the announcing attendant, usually comfortable and certain of himself, began to haltingly announce their second guest. "And also I present Captain H- Captain Killian Jones, of – of. . . celebrated captain of his ship, the Holly Dodger – er, Roger. Jolly Roger. "

Sir Lancelot's knowledgeable eyes flitted up to Snow, meeting hers in a shared glance of bemusement. He was armored in his best. On his torso his cuirass, silver and shining, gleamed under the chandeliers of the throne room magnificently. He carried his helm in one hand and his sword sheathed at his hip. As he bent to kneel before them, the chain mail he wore rustled.

Hook, however, stayed standing. The attachment he was nicknamed after, while not rusted, did not gleam with any special appeal, and he donned his usual leather overcoat, his leather boots still stained where the ocean salt had eaten away at them, the buttons on his shirt shorn off. His own sword had been unsheathed, and was currently held by a guard for safekeeping per Charming's instruction.

"Sir Lancelot," Charming began authoritatively, "As always we thank you greatly for your services to the kingdom. Your wisdom brought us the messenger whose knowledge spared hundreds, if not thousands, of lives. Your bravery and your skills brought down an entire fleet of enemy cargo ships, all without losing a single solider."

Sir Lancelot raised his head, and though his smile was still warm and friendly, he spoke in a serious tone. "It was truly and honor to serve both your Majesties as well as the kingdom. I thank you for the privilege to serve."

As Lancelot spoke, Hook seemed to be very amused by the proceedings. Cocking an eyebrow and smirking, his eyes seemed to scan the room, trying to find an accomplice to share the hilarity with. When his eyes briefly met Charming's steely gaze, he dropped his head down, still smiling.

Snow's bright voice seemed to cut through the surreal situation, like a cool breeze on too hot of a day. "Sir Lancelot, as a token of our eternal gratitude, please accept from us the medal of the Golden Swan. Please rise."

Sir Lancelot rose to his feet as Snow stepped down from her throne, accompanied by Charming and her lady-in-waiting. Taking the medal off the plush pillow her servant had carried to her, Snow then draped it over Lancelot's head. "Take as well," she said endearingly, "our love and blessings."

A small, stifled snicker came from where Hook was standing, his right hand over his mouth and face turned away from them. Charming's already irritated expression drew tighter as he glowered him. Hook cleared his throat attempting to cover his chuckles, but a grin remained on his face after he lowered his hand.

Snow and Charming resumed their seats upon their thrones, and Sir Lancelot stepped back, leaving Hook before the king and queen alone. Charming took a deep, calming breath in an attempt to steel his nerves before he spoke. Charming cleared his throat, preparing to tuck away his pride. Thanking their own knight was easy, but thanking a damned pirate . . . well, that was another story. "Captain Hook—"

"It's Jones, if you don't mind." Hook interrupted, his tone as nonchalant as his stained boots. He gave a small, sardonic bow and added, "If it please your Majesty, that is."

Charming turned to give an exasperated look to Snow, who only smiled and gestured for him to continue with a nod of her head. "Very well. Captain Jones, then. Captain Jones, you risked your life escaping Neverland. You came to warn us about King George's evil plot, how he planned to use Dreamshade against us and our people. Thanks to you, we were able to destroy the ships carrying Dreamshade before they crossed into our borders in a pre-emptive strike. Our kingdom is grateful for your actions." Snow's hand squeezed his wrist a little too tightly. Charming sighed and continued. "We are both grateful." He looked the pirate in the eye and thought he saw, for the briefest moment, a hint of pride, of some human and heroic vulnerability lurking behind a mask of indifference. In the blink of an eye, it vanished, and Charming was sure he imagined it. "Thank you for your service to us."

Hook stood silently for a moment, his gaze flickering from Snow to Charming then back. "So is that all?" He said, raising a hand to brush back his brown, ruffled hair from his eyes. "The knight of the realm gets a medal, I think I deserve a little more than just a few pretty words, don't you think?" His smiled, a devious glimmer in his eyes. Charming shifted in his seat; he was fully ready to have the pirate thrown out. But before he could say anything, Snow spoke up.

"We can't grant a pirate a medal of honor, no matter how honorable the pirate. I'm sure you can understand." Snow said graciously.

"Ah, I see. So honor is only rewarded to those who carry honor in their professions, and not to those who carry it in their actions?"

Snow hesitated for a moment, staring at Hook as though she were really seeing him for the first time. Finally she spoke again. "Captain Jones, as a token of our gratitude, we would like to formerly extend an invitation to the ball, held in honor of our only daughter's birthday, to you and the crew members of your fine vessel, the Jolly Roger." Horrified, Charming's head snapped to look at Snow, his eyes wide and mouth agape. Openly ignoring Charming's obvious distress, Snow motioned for her lady-in-waiting. "Sara, please be sure Captain Jones is handed an official invitation. Captain Jones, you and your crew will be expected to dress and behave like gentlemen. Should you decide to come, you will be most welcome."

Even after the formal invitation was handed to Hook and both he and Sir Lancelot had been escorted out of the palace, Charming was still staring at his wife in complete disbelief.