Truth Within The Sea
Waves crashed heavily upon the Jolly Rodger as the rain poured down from the dark grey skies above. A storm no Captain would ever wish to be in had emerged from nowhere. Regina was fast asleep in the Captain's quarters when she was abruptly awakened by some crewmen. Rapidly tying up her wrist and legs together Regina screamed at the disturbance; she was soon blindfolded and dragged in the cold rain up on the dock. Captain Killian Jones swiftly removed the black hood blinding her pushing her up onto the walking plank along with the four other women who were on board.
"What? Killian! What's going?" she gasped
"It seems like your time here is over due, love. You see, if we have any hope of making it out of this storm alive, you all have to go."
"I don't- Killian! You can't just leave us like this! We'll die!"
"I know love, but this is the way it has to be," he spoke tonelessly. He nodded to a few of his men before they carried on pushing the women one by one off the plank and into the deadly waters. Regina turned to face the group of men once more, gazing her eyes upon Killian she whimpered "I love you" before being pushed into the dark monster awaiting.
*2 weeks prior*
Killian stood upon a large boulder overlooking the sea, he breathed a heavy sigh before whispering "Poseidon please appear you're presence is wanted near." The ocean whirled into a dark blue and white cyclone. A tall man with white curly hair arose from the waters, and with an orotund voice asked "And what can I do for you Mr. Jones?"
"How do you know my name?" he questioned.
"I'm the God of the Sea, you think I don't know all who pirate them?!" He laughed "now I ask again what can I do for you Killian?"
"I need immortality. I've heard you're the man who can help me."
"And why would I do that?"
"You're a God! Isn't that what you do?"
"Immortality is an immense gift. What will you give me?"
"What do you want?"
Poseidon thought this over, making sure not to waste these kinds of moments. "How about this I'll make it an easy one for you. You give me the woman you love and I'll give you immortality."
"Regina? Absolutely not! What else."
"This isn't a negotiation Mr. Jones. Now stop wasting my time. I'll be around when you're ready. You'll know when and where he the time comes."
Just as soon as he came he was gone. The sea had calmed itself before Killian climbed down from the rocks and made his way back to the docks to board for The Enchanted Forest.
The water was cold as she sunk further and further away from the surface. Holding her breath for as long as possible Regina noticed the pressure of the water pressing down on her chest. The pain was unbearable as the water filled her lungs heavily pulling her closer to the ocean floor. Unconsciousness came slowly as Regina felt her heart stopping. Pain sheeted through her legs feeling as if sharp screws were being placed on either side of her. She screamed letting out the last bit of breath she had left.
The comforting silence of the ocean surrounded Regina's head. She floated gracefully in the darkness convinced that she was dead; however she could have sworn she felt a small heartbeat every few minutes. She flung her eyes open while screaming as it felt like razor were being forced out of her neck. Her vision blurred but it no longer felt as dark as it should have been. She blinked a few times watching the horror around her as her friends were drowning. Panic began to settle in as she witnessed a large long sea creature swimming towards the other women hunting for its fest. Why wasn't she dead she continuously thought to herself. Why was she suffering in such a different way? Thoughts cut short as she smelled the bold rich blood around her. The creatures slowly made its way over to her, she knew that she was the last one the only thing left to devourer. Suddenly the creatures halted in its tracks and hurriedly retreated back into the abyss.
She was alone now, left floating with just her thoughts.
"This has to be a dream." she deliberated, "but why am I in so much pain? Why aren't I dead? Am I dead?" Finally exhausted she allowed herself to close her eyes and just drift with the waves. She would soon wake up in her bed with her love and thank god it was only a nightmare. At least that was all she could hope for.
*50 years later*
The night was young and warm in the enchanted forest, Killian had made his way down to the local drinking hole he visited quite often with his other crewmen. As he made his way over to the bar a gorgeous blonde immediately caught his attention. Realizing he was staring he immediately found his seat and ordered his usually shot with a large beer.
"Who's that over there?" he asked his cheerful waitress
"Ooh new girl, I think she's passing through. Only seen her here the past couple of nights. Said she and her son were trying to get to Neverland! Crazy lad if you ask me. No way she's going to find any sane person to make that journey here." she told before running off to another table.
Hours passed as Killian continuously stared upon her contemplating if he could be just crazy enough to do the job himself. I mean sure she was beautiful but crossing into that realm could easily be a death trap for his crew none the less his ship. He soon found himself torn away from his thoughts when he heard a loud crunching of bones tear through the crowd. Turning around to see what all the commotion was he saw a raggedy man clutching at his bleeding nose on the floor. The screams of agony filled the bar as everyone stopped what they were doing to watch.
"You ever touch me again and your nose is going to be the least of your problems!" the blonde yelled before turning back around in her seat at the bar. The crowd watching roared with laughter before continuing on about their evenings, while a couple of the waitresses help the older man to the back of the bar to help clean him up.
Killian finagled his way through the crowd over to the bar where the young woman was massaging her knuckles. "You know a warm cloth will help with the swelling." he suggested. She looked up at the man with anger still in her eyes before returning her glare back to her swelling fist, "Just a suggestion" he smiled.
"I think I'll be alright." she spat.
"Well I'd be lying if I said you didn't have an impressive right hook." he joked.
"Look, thanks for the advice but I'm not looking to flirt with anyone here"
"I know what you are looking for though."
"Is that so?" she finally turned towards him sighing in frustration.
"Neverland."
"What do you know about it?" she curiously tilted her head pushing a few strands of hair behind her ear.
"I know it's one of the most dangerous places to try and get to and I also know you're looking to get there. Luckily for you this devilishly handsome man standing before you happens to be the captain of the Jolly Rodger." Her eyes perked at the newly found information.
"What do you want?"
"Nothing. I'm looking for someone who I believe will be there." he lied. She studied the man, not believing anyone could just offer their ship without a price.
"I'm not going to sleep with you."
"Who said anything like that. I don't even know your name."
"Hmm.. Emma… Emma Swan. And what about you devilishly handsome man standing before me. Got a name?"
"They call me Captain Hook, but you can call me Killian." he bowed before extending his good hand for a shake. Emma obliged by shaking the mans hand gently but strong.
"What happened to you're other hand?"
"Long story. I'll tell you on the journey."
"Technically I never said I would go with you."
"Technically you never said you wouldn't." She paused and thought about it before responding "I guess I haven't, however even if I can go with you I have a bit of extra… well baggage."
"You mean your son?"
"How do you know about my son?!"
"Small bar, word travels fast." she glared nervously upon the man not sure whether or not to believe him. "Look I saw you when I walked in, asked around, and got some answers. You need a ride to Neverland and I have a ship."
"And what's in it for you?" she questioned his motives.
"I get to know a lovely woman who knows how to take care of herself on ship full of bastards." he joked, she gave him a small grin before looking back down at her well swollen hand. "She smiles" he jived, "So what do you say we get you something for that hand, and we'll leave first sight of dawn?"
Emma studied the man for a few more seconds before giving her answer "You got yourself a deal Hook."
"Wake up" a muffled voice said. Regina slowly blinked her eyes open unaware she was still floating just above the ocean floor. "There ya go, come on. We have to get you out of here."
"What-" she tried to speak, her throat felt raw sore from the salty waters. Looking up at the soft face before her. She reached down at her use to be legs to try and convince herself it was all a dream, but as she felt the large welts around her where the ropes were she jolted up in panic. "What the?! Wh-Where- what's happening to me?" her voiced cried out laced with terror.
"Look I can't explain that right now, but we do need to leave this ocean immediately!"
"Who are you?" she demanded to know.
"My name right now doesn't matter, we need to go!"
"Where, why? What's going on!" The blonde sighed before grabbing hold of Regina's wrist to pull her along, quickly pulling away from the girl hold she screamed "NO! I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!"
"Calm down! You're too weak right now. If you go back to sleep I can't help you!"
Frustrated Regina felt a wave of exhaustion hit her. She calmly took a few breaths before finally continuing, "Give me one good reason to go with you?"
"Because if you don't you'll die out here. Plus I was just like you two maybe three hundred years ago. Please I can get you all the answers you need but we have to go." she pleaded before reaching out her hand for Regina to grab onto. "Let me help you. Your fin isn't well developed yet-"
"MY WHAT!"
"Look long story short someone sacrificed you and now you belong to the sea, but that's all I can tell you. Please!"
Terrified and confused she hesitantly grabbed the girls hand as she help pull Regina along the ocean floor. Regina slowly examined the rest of her body; touching her exposed breast down to her welded up legs. She hadn't noticed the immense amount of pain when she first woke up but now it feel like someone had stitched up her bottom half while burning it all together. Too focused on her new developments she didn't notice the whirlpool they were headed for. Instantly she was swept through the waters pushing her in every which direction. "Hold on tight!" the blonde yelled back. With all her strength she grasped onto the other woman's waist before closing her eyes. Mostly from fear, but also the newly developing dizziness pounding inside her head. Her stomach did flips as the waters strengthened pushing them forward.
As soon as it started it was over and both women were thrown out the portal and into warmer waters. The blonde dragged Regina over to a near by cave to allow her to rest before finishing their journey. Helping Regina partially out of the water and onto the small shore provided she herself plopped down to rest next to the brunette. Still in shocked Regina examined her hands before looking back at the curly headed blonde. Nervous to ask anymore questions she simply studied the other girl. She looked over her legs, arms, hands, neck, and face. The girl lifted herself back into sitting position next to Regina. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun revealing the gills on the girls upper neck. "Are those-" Regina began, but let her sentence fall before finishing.
The young girl laughed "Yes, they're gills. How else did you think we we're able to breathe down there?" She looked into the brunettes worrying eyes. She heavily sighed before letting her smile slip away, "Listen, I'm not good at explaining things nor am I the one allowed too, and every mermaids story is different-"
"Mermaid?" she questioned
"What did you think you were?"
"Like Ariel?"
"Well not exactly. See she was born a mermaid, we we're cursed. Why we don't have the pretty sparkling fins." she giggled before continuing, "the point is I can't explain everything you wish to know. Only Poseidon can do that. He's the only one that knows what happened that night. But what I can tell you is everything is going to be okay. You're safe." she gave the dismayed brunette a soft smile before hopping back into the water, "Shall we?" Regina didn't answer, just slid her way back into the ocean. However instead of floating she immediately started to sink. "Oops" the blonde grabbed the women right below her shoulders to help pull her back above the waters, "Sorry forgot you can't float yet. You'll learn quickly trust me!" She gently placed Regina's arm around her neck before she dove right back down into the mellow waves.
Dawn was quickly approaching as Emma dragged Henry along to the docks where she was directed to meet Killian. "Are we almost there?" the tired little boy whined.
"Yes. I can see him now." she waved out before shouting over to Killian. He dashed over to help the clearly struggling women with her bags.
"Good morning" he announced, "this must be-"
"Henry." she smiled
"Well it's nice to meet you. You ready?"
"I'm just hoping you have a bed ready?"
"Henry!" Emma jabbed, "sorry kids not a morning person."
"Neither is she-" Emma jabbed her son once more before giving Killian and apologetic look.
"It's okay, yes. We've set you two up a private cabin for the trip." He laughed, "Shall we?" he asked before grabbing the two bags from Emma.
A warm room awaited with two fairly large beds accompanied by a wardrobe, vanity, a love seat and small coffee table. "I know it's not much, but in my defense I didn't have much time."
"No it's great. Thank you so much." she grinned up at him and then down at her son.
"I call the bed by the window!" Henry shouted while dropping his bag on the sofa and nearly jumping back in the bed.
"Sorry" she apologized
"No need to be. Shall I show you around the rest of the ship?"
"Sure."
He lead her back upstairs to introduce her to his crewmen, then showed her the bridge, galley, and tender before going back below deck.
"And if you ever need me this is my quarters. If i'm not up at the bridge i'm mostly likely here."
She slowly looked around the small room. Barely fitting his bed, a small desk, and wardrobe. She walked around looking at the warmly lit room. Resting her eyes on his desk she noticed his map along with a small lamp and a golden picture frame holding an exquisite woman with long raven like hair, kind chocolate eyes, and a smile whiter than pearls. "Who's this?" she questioned looking up at the now saddened Captain.
"No one."
"Can't be no one if you keep her in a frame on your desk."
"I used to love her… at least I thought I did."
"What happened? Bad break-up?"
"No, she died."
"Ooh god Killian I'm… I'm sorry I-"
"It's fine, I should uhh get my men ready. You can settle in and I'll see you soon." he stated before rushing out the room.
Emma studied the photo for a few more moments before gently placing it back in it's rightful spot. She closed his door contemplating on wether or not she wanted to go and find Killian again. However, she decided to give him some space and carried herself back to her son.