Inspired by the song 'White Demon Love Song' by The Killers (which I do not own). Other things I do not own: OUAT and all its characters.
Chapter 1: Shadow On The Road.
The sunlight filtered through the leaves, blinding Killian every now and then as he ran through the forest. It wasn't often he got to hunt in the forest, but Ruby had asked him to come along on this training mission with her because Graham was ill, and he appreciated the change of scenery. Truthfully, he preferred the sea, but the forest had its own charms.
He glanced back. He could see Ashley and Jefferson struggle to shoot their prey, a proud stag. He could see Ruby grit her teeth. Not only were her trainees not living up to her expectations, but she had also narrowly missed it twice. Finally her Ruby's arrow met its mark and the stag collapsed into the underbrush. Ashley and Jefferson stopped, relief clearly etched on their faces.
"Killian came over. "You aren't really cut out for this, are you?" he asked of Ashley.
Ashley grimaced. "I think I prefer working in the kitchens with Granny." Ruby wrinkled her nose at this.
"Killian, could you go prepare the carcass with Jefferson?" asked Ruby, as she massaged her wrist.
Killian's eyebrows quirked upwards. "I thought I was just observing?"
Ruby glared at him and he grinned.
"Calm down, wolf girl." He clapped Jefferson on the back.
"Let's go string this beast up."
They made their way over to the animal that had fortunately breathed its last. Killian was not sure if Jefferson had the stomach to kill an animal yet. As Killian knelt down to tie its legs together, Jefferson surveyed the area around them with a frown. Killian noticed the boy's discomfort.
"What is it, lad?"
"I think we're over the boundary line."
Killian stood up with a frown. "It appears we are." He shrugged. He had never understood the town's fear of the outer territories (or the 'forbidden territories' as the young ones called it) "Best hurry up and finish this, yeah?"
Jefferson nodded curtly.
Just when they had finished trying the stag's legs to the branch Jefferson had found, they heard a noise.
A thunderous crash amongst the leaves. Then a low wail that penetrated through the trees. The wail continued for a few seconds and then reduced to a whimper.
"What was that?" asked Jefferson, fearfully.
Ruby and Ashley pushed through the stubborn bushes to join them.
"Did you hear that?" asked Ruby.
"It came from over there." Ashley pointed a shaky finger in the direction the noise came from.
Ruby frowned. "I've never heard an animal make that sound before." She said calmly, but Killian could tell she was worried too.
"I think it's a demon." whispered Jefferson.
"A white demon?" asked Ashley, fearfully.
Ruby snorted disdainfully. "That's a myth, designed to scare kids." She said, emphasizing the 'kid' part.
Ashley looked shamed, but did not move. Ruby rolled her eyes and picked up her bow. "C'mon, let's go see what it is."
No-one moved. Ruby stared at them all. "Seriously? All of you are afraid? Even you, Killian?"
All eyes shifted to Killian. He could feel the fear radiating off Jefferson and Ashley. They were still young, still fresh off their ceremonies. They could not be counted upon if there was something dangerous ahead. Moreover, he did not feel comfortable either. Something was telling him that the cry that had brought them over the boundary belonged to something dangerous.
"I don't think we're prepared." He said calmly. He gestured to Ruby. "We only have three arrows left, and you've been off target today." His jibe worked. He could see Ruby bristle with anger. "You know I injured my hand yesterday." She hissed at him. He'd pay for his remark later, he knew, but for now, it had worked. Ruby had lost her resolve.
"Someone should check it out though." She pressed on. "It's too close to the town for comfort."
Killian smirked. "Never fear, wolf girl. I brought my short sword today." He pulled it out of its sheath and twirled it around.
Ruby rolled her eyes. "Do you need any back up?"
Killian shook his head. "I'll be fine. Plus, you haven't really finished training these kids, have you?"
Ruby shot another glare at him. Killian continued to grin. He was definitely going to be in trouble when he got back.
"Let's just go." She muttered as she gathered her things. Jefferson and Ashley followed suit, both shooting Killian brief thankful smiles.
Ruby pointed at the stag. "All right you two. Pick up the ends and we'll hurry back." Ashley and Jefferson dutifully picked up the ends, slightly staggering under the weight. "Place it on your shoulders, it'll hurt less that way." Ruby advised.
Once they were ready to go, Ruby nodded to Killian.
"Be safe, Killian. Just find out what it is and come back. Don't try to do anything heroic."
Killian smirked. "No promises." He teased, and got a punch on the shoulder in retaliation.
"I mean it."
Killian smiled, this time seriously. "I'll be back before you know it."
It was Ruby's turn to smirk. "You better be, pirate."
As soon as they were out of sight, Killian took a deep breath and pushed his way through the scrub. The noise had come from the base of the mountain that lay outside the town's borders, in the forbidden territories. As he pushed through the bushes and low trees, Killian wondered what it was. A wolf? Possibly, but then Ruby would have known in an instant. He saw that the scrub was clearing up, and he gripped his sword tighter. He made his way into a small clearing, surrounded by pine trees that allowed sunlight to stream through.
His eyes went immediately to the human figure that lay on the ground. A female form, he guessed, based on the size. She was bent over her legs, gripping the ankle of her left foot. Her long hair draped over her face, hiding her expression, but he did not need to see it to know that she was in pain.
What glorious hair it was. It glimmered bright gold in the sun, and for a moment he was transfixed. Then he stepped on a twig and her head swung up, and he found himself looking into a pair of bright green eyes, as green as the forest around them.
"Who are you?" he asked.
She blinked, and moved some of her hair away from her eyes. Killian stared at her outfit. It was a simple tunic and vest with a pair of breeches underneath that were tucked into boots. A fur cape lined her back. Though it was similar to the outfits he saw young women wear in town, he could tell that the materials were foreign.
She opened her mouth slowly, as if remembering how to speak.
"My leg hurts." She gestured to her ankle.
Killian regarded her warily. She did not seem to be afraid of him, even though he had his sword drawn.
"Are you a demon?" he asked without thinking, and regretted it immediately. What possessed him to ask such a stupid question?
She looked at him in confusion. "De-man?" she said, sounding the vowels out slowly.
"An eater of men." Goddamnit, why was he explaining this to her? Why was he even talking about this?
She looked at him bemusedly. "No."
He looked sheepish, and scratched behind his ear. He knelt down next to her and touched her ankle, and she winced at the contact.
"You've sprained your ankle." He noted.
She threw her head back and groaned in frustration. "Just great." She muttered.
Killian contemplated the situation he was in. He knew nothing about this girl, a mysterious stranger whose agenda he did not know yet. Where did she come from? Hell, he didn't even know her name! Yet he couldn't leave her here. It would be bad form.
"What's your name?"
Silence.
"Where do you come from?"
Silence.
He sighed.
"Alright, no two ways about this."
He hauled her into her arms, ignoring her surprised yelp.
"Hey! What the hell!"
"You're injured, lass. I'm taking you to my town to get some medical aid."
"I don't need it."
He snorted.
"Stubborn aren't we? You need it lass. Don't worry, I don't bite. Much."
He got thump on the shoulder for that last remark.
"I'm kidding."
She hid her face in his chest. He marveled at how well she fit in his arms, how her golden hair sparkled in the afternoon sun, how soft she felt, and his heart fluttered a little bit, a fact he decided to ignore.
"Thank you."
He grinned while he stepped over a fallen log. He jostled her slightly whilst doing so, and he felt her grip on his shirt tighten.
"That wasn't so hard was it now?"
"Shut up."
He continued to grin as they made their way over to Storybrooke.