Title: The First Night Law
Author: Pinkcat4569
Rating: Teen, for adult material and situations, language. Nothing graphic or explicit
Description: CS AU, Emma and Killian are happily celebrating the last night before their marriage in their village. The evil ruler however, has a hideous surprise for them. All brides must spend their first night after the wedding with him. Will Emma have to surrender to his lust? What will Killian do? Will they and their love survive?
Pairing: Emma/Killian (Hook), David, Mary-Margaret, Regina, Robin Hood, Captain Liam Jones
Author's Notes:
I saw a retelling of a legend on the American tv series "Mysteries at the Castle."
Here is the legend. An evil Lord ruled his village like a tyrant. The last straw came when he reinstated an old, barbaric law. All new brides would spend their first night with him, not the groom. When a priest objected, not only did the tord have him killed, but his body was publicly displayed. Marriages became somber affairs. One night the Lord welcomed the latest bride. She laid on his bed. He leaned over her and the bride stabbed him in the back. As the lord lay dying the bride pulled the veil off to reveal that 'she' was actually a man. The village rejoiced as the hideous First Night Law went back into history and the tyrant's rule was over.
I've put the characters of Once Upon a Time in the legend. There is no magic, no Storybrooke, no curse. It's set in a medieval village. Emma's parents are not David and Mary-Margaret. Killian is not a pirate, but he is a sailor. Emma has not had any children, so there is sadly no Henry. The Neal-Emma relationship did not occur. My evil duke is no one in particular.
I should also point out that the legend was during a time in which brides were expected to be pure before marriage. Also the legend could be perceived as sexist. These societal attitudes are addressed a bit in my story.
Three parts. 5782 words total. 2122 words this part.
The First Night Law
"A toast to the happy couple!"
"One last chance to run for it!" shouted David. His wife, Mary-Margaret elbowed him. David chuckled.
Killian laughed and shook his head. "I am not of limited intellect," he said, kissing his bride-to-be.
Emma smiled. "One last night and then I am Mrs. Jones," she said, her face absolutely shining.
"At last," he whispered, caressing her cheek and catching her lips for a deep, loving kiss. The tavern roared with cheers and loud shouts of approval.
"Drinks on the house!" cried Robin.
"You'll drive us into the poor house," complained Regina, scowling at her husband. She laughed though and joined in the toast to the couple.
Mary-Margaret hugged Emma. "I'm so happy for you both."
"Thank you," said Killian, with a bow. "You and David are like family to Emma. I am honored to have your approval."
Emma nodded.
David smirked and crossed his arms. "You should have asked me for permission, come to think of it."
Emma scoffed, giving him a playful jab to the stomach. "Don't go overboard, Dad," she said with sarcasm.
Dave laughed. "OK, maybe I'm more like an older, wiser brother."
"Wiser?" asked Emma.
"What he means is that we love you both," said Mary-Margaret. She gave Killian a slight frown. "Although, I am concerned about you being at sea all the time."
"I wouldn't worry too much, Mary-Margaret," said Emma. "We've discussed it."
"You're giving up the seafaring life, Mate?" asked Robin.
Killian smiled. "I wish nothing more than to spend my days alongside my darling Emma."
Emma chuckled. "We just don't know where yet. Maybe I'll go to sea with him." She winked as his crew mates cheered their approval.
"Oy! If that comes to pass, she will be the lieutenant's wife!" he warned, but tossed them a teasing grin. "I caution you all to remember that."
The Captain of the ship laughed. "She will also be the Captain's sister-in-law. I will see that they treat her with all due respect and distance."
Killian threw Liam a little salute. "That is why I love you, Captain," he said as Liam laughed. "Regardless, I will accompany this lady wherever she shall go for the rest of her days." Emma beamed up at him.
"Aw," said the crowd as one.
"You could help me with the sheep," offered David, helpfully.
"Sheep?" asked a sailor, jeering.
"I could always use help in the pub," added Robin.
"Ooh, he could help me with the school!" cired Mary-Margaret.
Regina kept shaking her head. "He's a sailor! He doesn't know diddly about sheep or kids, and no, you aren't helping out here. As the tavern owner's wife, I don't need you underfoot."
"I wouldn't think of it," said Killian. "Besides, I am loathe to leave my beloved's side."
Emma laughed. "That's good, because I kind of like the idea of you helping me in the bakery for a while," she said. "Although, sailing to other lands, seeing other places does sound magical. Maybe we could even find a place where women rule."
The men scoffed while Mary-Margaret and especially Regina scowled.
Killian grinned and gave her a bow. "I assure you, I am quite content to yield to your authority, my Swan," said Killian. Emma giggled and rewarded him with a kiss.
The celebration picked up steam: ale flowed, people laughed and joked, couples then danced.
Suddenly though the good time was interrupted as trumpets drowned out the joyful sounds. The doors flew open and several black clad men charged inside. A hush fell over the celebration.
"Make way for the Duke!"
A pompous looking man in a sapphire blue coat with a long flowing train haughtily strolled in. He had long black hair worn in curls, fingers adorned with huge jewels, and an oily smile. "Well, don't mind me," he said with exaggerated cheer, "I've only come to offer my congratulations."
"I bet," mumbled Emma.
Mary-Margaret frowned at her and gave her a warning shake of her head. Emma tried to choke down all the insults she was thinking.
"Now, where is the beautiful bride?" asked the Duke His eyes went straight to Emma. "Ah, there she is. Aren't you stunning, my dear?"
Emma suppressed a frown and tried to smile.
The Duke went on, "As ruler, it is my duty and pleasure to keep appraised of my subjects' lives and happiness."
There were subtle guffaws and mumbles. The duke gave a subtle lowering of his eyes, quietly shushing them. He then looked at Emma again. KIllian gave a low growl as the duke's gaze lingered a little too long on certain areas.
The Duke then looked at the groom-to-be. For a second a glare of jealousy flashed across his face but he recovered quickly, adopting that haughty grin. "You sir, have captured quite a prize."
"I'm not a prize," Emma said, forcing a calm voice. She held the disgusting duke's gaze.
"Oh, I meant no slight," he said, smiling at her. "I only meant that you are a stunning vision of beauty."
"That she is," said KIllian, "but if that is all you see, then you have missed the entire picture that is Emma Swan."
Emma broke into a radiant grin, looking at him with deep love. KIllian smiled back, squeezing her hand tightly.
The duke stood still, offended by their devotion. "Hmm, as I said, I am here to give you my congratulations and blessing."
Emma rolled her eyes at KIllian who stifled a laugh, then she turned back to the Duke. "Thank you," she said, forcing sweetness and appreciation.
The duke nodded and bowed. "No thanks are necessary. You are my people," he said, as the crowd murmured with disapproval. "I love you all," he said, smiling. Guffaws and sneers sounded. The duke ignored them. "I am concerned however," he said, strolling Through the crowd. "Weddings, while joyous occasions, can hold much fear and doubt."
He stopped in front of the happy couple. He stared into Emma's green eyes. "It saddens me to think some of you may be...apprehensive."
She forced herself not to laugh rudely in his face. "Do not worry," she said. "I want nothing more than to be Killian's wife."
Killian smiled.
The duke studied her, then stretched his fingers out to touch her hair. Emma remained still and calm, but Killian's hand went to his sword.
He felt a firm tug on his arm as his brother whispered, "Easy, do not make things worse."
Killian took a deep breath and relaxed his arm, but his hand stayed beside his sword.
The duke smiled at Emma. "You are so young and innocent. I wish to help you and all other new brides as much as I can."
Emma gritted her teeth. "Thank you, but that is not necessary, your Lordship. Everything is in preparation. We are ready."
"Hmm, good, good," he said. He walked a few steps away. He stopped and turned. His eyes were dancing with excitement. This time when he looked at Emma, his tongue rolled onto his bottom lip.
"However, there is one thing that one cannot prepare adequately for," said the duke, as he gave Killian a wicked, cruel smile, "the wedding night."
Emma looked down, a blush spreading all over her body.
"That's not your bloody business," Killian snarled.
The duke glared at him. They stood silently competing in a stare off.
The ruler gave a tiny laugh. "As leader, it is my business, no, it is my duty to makes sure none of my treasured people enter into their...unions...unprepared."
A hush went over the crowd. If it was possible for many bodies to tremble at once, they were doing it now.
The duke clapped his hands and cleared his throat. "Now hear this," he said in a loud, clear, forceful voice, "From this moment on, it is law that all brides must spend their first night of wedded bliss with their beloved ruler," he said, pointing to himself.
Gasps and cries of outrage filled the pub.
Killian screamed. "You bloody devil!" He pulled his sword.
The duke's men reacted, pushing the vile ruler back and charging at Killian. "Stop!" cried Emma. She ran in front of Killian, protecting him with her own body. "Put the sword down," she said gently.
Killian shook his head.
"I don't want you dead," she told him.
He sighed and lowered the weapon.
"Yes, listen to the lady," gloated the duke. "After all, if you or anyone," he said, threatening the crowd, "try to resist this law, you will die." He laughed cruelly.
"We just won't get married," said Emma.
The duke advanced on her. "Now, now, that's no solution. Besides, your nuptials are already announced. I decree that once announced, no marriage may be postponed or cancelled," he said, toying with her hair, "on pain of death."
"You monsterous demon!" cried Killian, waving his sword again. Liam grabbed his arm and forced it down.
The duke smiled at Killian's rage. "Think, sailor. You fight me, you die. Best to give in," he said, smirking as he stared at Emma's chest. "I will give her back."
Killian roared. It took Liam, Robin and Little John to hold him back.
"You're disgusting," Emma said.
The duke shrugged. "It is law. I shall see you tomorrow night, my dear, after the festivities, of course. Do get some rest." He moved away.
Emma's face turned red with rage. "I'll die before I come to you!" Emma shouted.
The duke turned. "As you wish, my dear, but that would be quite a shame."
Mary Margaret ran forward. "Please, don't do this," she begged.
The duke smiled, barely looking at her. He raised his head to look at the outraged pub. "After tomorrow's nuptials, there are five more weddings scheduled." He gave a long, disgustingly cheerful laugh. "I will be busy."
Killian screamed, pushing at his friends as they held him back.
"Don't be so upset," the duke said. "You'll have her for a lifetime. I only want one night. Yes, I'll be first, but...perhaps I'll teach her a thing or two."
David rush forward and punched him. A guard punched him back.
"David!" screamed Mary-Margaret.
A second guard drew his weapon.
"No!" cried the duke. He rubbed his nose and laughed. "I'll let him have that one." He looked at the horrified and outraged crowd. "I warn you, any other such displays will be met with equal violence." He scoffed. "Actually, it will be 100 times worse."
He smiled. "I suggest that we all take some deep, cleansing breaths. After all it does take time to adjust to a new law."
"This isn't law," said Emma. She was steaming mad. "You're just another tyrant."
The duke smiled. "I cannot wait to see you in your wedding gown my dear. I hope there aren't too many buttons. I can be a bit of a butterfingers."
Killian screamed.
The duke laughed as he led his men out. Some of the guards looked sympathetically at Emma, the rest averted her eyes.
After they left the pub broke into chaos.
"No bloody, damn way in bloody hell!' cried KIllian. He was like a caged tiger, prowling the pub, throwing chairs and tables.
Emma tried to calm him. "We'll find a way out of this," she said, stroking his hair.
"Emma, you will not go to that man! I won't let you...with him!"
"Sh, of course not," she said, hugging and kissing him. "No man will ever touch me but you."
He sighed, rubbing his hands along her back. He was so shaken that he didn't realize how upset she was until a wet splash hit his shoulder. He pulled back. She was crying.
He gave a forced, but gentle smile. "No, my love, no one but me. We will find a way, you are correct."
She nodded as he wiped her tears.
"I say we leave," said Liam softly. "We'll sail you both away on our ship this very moment." His entire crew nodded in agreement.
"No, the duke would hunt us down," said Emma, "Or hurt the villagers."
David shook his head. His teeth clenched. "This is too much," he said, "that sorry excuse for a duke has gone too far."
Robin nodded. He sighed. "This is bad, for all the couples who wish to wed." He gestured to the crowd. Several young women were crying and shaking in the arms of their future grooms. Each man looked angry enough to kill.
"The man is vile," agreed Killian. "He has no morals, no honor. He must be stopped."
Emma nodded.
"I fear that this will not be a very merry wedding," observed Little John sadly.
End of part one