Killian:
Killian was sitting down at a table in the library with books about pirates, and oceans spread out all around him. But not one book mentioned a Captain Hook. Killian was getting frustrated.
"What are you looking for?"
Killian looked up to see the maid from earlier – Belle.
"I'm trying to find information on Captain Hook but I'm getting absolutely nothing."
Belle nodded and sat down across from him. She began skimming through the books.
"Captain Hook is a secretive man. I'm quite sure he made sure he didn't end up in a library."
Killian leaned back in the chair and nodded. "I guess that's true."
"The only library that might contain something about Captain Hook is the library in Tortuga."
"Tortuga?"
Belle looked up at him. "You've heard of Tortuga?"
Killian shook his head.
"It's where all pirates are. It's the nest where they lay. Pirates and barmaids. Really if you went there, you'd probably find yourself Captain Hook."
Killian eyebrow's shot up. "You think he's there?"
Belle nodded her head. "I do."
Killian slowly stood up and grabbed a map from a shelf. Belle cleared the books from the table and Killian spread out the map. He tried to pinpoint the location of Tortuga but found nothing.
"Where is it?"
"Tortuga is….not on the map."
"What?"
"Only pirates know where it is."
"So I'd need a pirate to get me there."
"Yes."
"Thank you Belle. I'll take this to my father."
Belle smiled and headed off to go somewhere else into the library. Killian picked up one of the books and flipped through it to find something about Tortuga. His finger landed on page 345.
"It is said that in order to find Tortuga you need a pirate. This is true. Any royalty or peasant that entered Tortuga would be killed on the spot. Tortuga is notorious for pirates and getting drunk. Looking for some companionship if only for a night? Tortuga is your place. Most people disguise themselves to sneak in. Some manage to leave later but most get found out and forced onto ships to become part of a crew. And make sure you don't anger any pirates and start a bar fight. You probably won't survive."
The book gave no indication of where Tortuga was. Killian huffed. This wasn't helping. He played around with the idea of going himself…but then rejected it. He didn't have any experience dealing with pirates. So it would be unwise to go by himself.
"Killian!"
Killian looked up to see his sister, Esme, running towards him.
"Esme!" he picked her up and placed him on his lap. She looked at the maps and books.
"Whatcha doing?"
"Nothing Esme. What about you?"
"Father sent me to come and get you for lunch."
"Doesn't want me to be late?"
Esme nodded her head.
Killian laughed and put Esme onto the ground. He stood up and she grabbed his hand. "Shall we?" he asked.
Esme giggled. "Okay."
They walked hand in hand to the dining room. Killian pushed open the door and let Esme through. Her purple dress bounced with every step she took. Killian smiled. She was so cute.
Killian took his spot at the table. Pinocchio wasn't there so he was alone on his side. His mother noticed this.
"Killian…have you met anyone special lately?"
Killian groaned. He thought his mom had forgotten her "regular" question. Not the case.
"No mother."
Snow sighed. "Killian you are twenty three years old! You're going to become King soon! And yet you haven't had a serious relationship in over two years! When are you going to move on?"
Killian gripped his fork with a death grip. He abruptly stood up and slammed the fork on the table.
"Killian. I didn't mean to offend." begged his mother.
"You never do. And yet you say it all the time! Mother I will move on but I can't move on easily can I?" Killian was yelling at his mother now.
"Killian sit down and how dare you speak to your mother that way!" yelled Charming.
"Charming please…it's my fault. I goaded him."
"No Snow. Killian must learn to control his anger and he must find someone soon! I do not wish to force upon him an arranged marriage."
Killian's head shot up at his father. They were thinking of an arranged marriage. For him? How could they? Killian angrily left the table and headed towards the doors. He threw them open only to be greeted by two guards and….a pirate?
"What's going on?" asked Charming who had joined Killian.
"Sir we found this man outside of the castle. We were going to arrest him but…well….he said parlay." one solider answered.
Charming furrowed his brow. "Bring him in."
"Charming what's going on?" Snow asked as she stood up. She gasped. "Avery, Esme, you are dismissed from the table."
The twins ran out the door past the pirate to their rooms. The soldiers dragged the pirate into the dining room. Killian shut the door behind him. Killian noticed the pirate was cuffed.
The two soldiers left him in front of Snow and Charming and stood at the back beside the doors. Killian noticed his mother standing at the table, her finger tips pressed into the wood. His father was in front of the table, a hand on his chin and staring at the pirate in front of him.
Killian glanced at the pirate. The pirate had eyeliner on. His hair was in dreads, brown/black dreads. He wore a faded red bandana and had a dread hanging down with beads weaved in it. He wore dirty brown boots and a filthy black jacket. He had a stained cotton shirt on and his beard spilt into two, with beads on them. His skin was tanned and he seemed to be a bit drunk.
"Jack Sparrow." said his father.
"Captain. Captain Jack Sparrow."
So the pirate's name was Jack and he was a captain. Maybe he knew Captain Hook. The chance seemed more possible now of getting to Tortuga.
"Only pirates know where it is."
"So I'd need a pirate to get me there."
"Yes."
The earlier conversation he had with Belle was running through his mind. This couldn't be a coincidence. Could it?
"What do you want Jack?"
"I heard you wanted to kill a pirate. Captain Hook?"
The room went silently. The pirate was planning something. Pirates always had something up their sleeves.
"And how could you help? You're the worst pirate I've ever met."
Killian looked at his father who was smirking. His mother was rubbing a hand on her swollen belly. The pirate rolled his eyes. Clearly he wasn't in the mood.
"You want Captain Hook dead, I can make that happen."
The pirate walked up towards Charming's face. He raised his handcuffed hands and whispered something to his father.
Killian took a step forward to intervene but his father stared him down and Killian stayed where he was. What was this pirate planning?
The pirate then took a step back and smiled showing off his yellow, rotting teeth. Killian grimaced at the sight.
"Guards take him to the dungeon. I'll think about it Jack Sparrow."
"CAPTAIN. Captain Jack Sparrow." The guards dragged the pirate to the dungeons leaving the Charmings in peace.
"Charming…what did he say?"
Killian looked at his father. "Father?"
"He said Captain Hook would leave, for good, if we gave him what the Captain wanted."
"And?" asked Snow.
"He wants a researcher."
Snow looked taken aback. "A researcher? Whatever for?"
"He didn't say. Said it was Captain Hook's business."
"He'll probably kill them."
"That's what I was thinking. I'm not sure if we should go with Jack's proposal. He said he'd take the researcher to Captain Hook and then Captain Hook would leave."
"There has to be something else."
Charming agreed with his wife. "I'm going to call a meeting and we will discuss it there."
Charming took Snow's hand. "It will be alright."
Killian silently left the hall and began to head down to the dungeons. He knew he shouldn't be down there. But he needed answers from the pirate. The pirate claimed to know Captain Hook. Which probably meant he was on the death list of Captain Hook's. So why would he come here? Killian had questions, and he wanted answers.
Jack:
Jack rested in his cell whistling a haunting tune. He was waiting for the prince to come. He knew the prince had questions, he saw the curiosity in his eyes. Getting him to come would be too easy.
He then heard the jangling of keys and smirked. He was here. Took what? Ten minutes?
"You've got a visitor." The guard huffed. He grabbed Jack's arm, handcuffed him, and threw him into the visitation room. Jack then noticed the prince sitting down at a table waiting for him. Jack smirked.
"I knew you'd come."
The prince's head shot up and glared at him. Jack sighed. Clearly the prince had a little bit of a…moral issue. Emma would get arid of that no problem.
"Your friends…with Captain Hook?" asked the Prince.
Jack sat down and put his feet on the table. "Aye lad. What's it to you?"
"Who is Captain Hook?"
Jack smiled as he noticed the curiosity getting the better of the prince. "Can't tell you mate."
"Why not?"
"They'd skin me alive."
"Who?"
"Captain Hook and the crew."
"I can make you rot here if you don't tell me anything."
"I'm quaking in my boots. I'll make you a deal."
"What kind of deal?"
"Well, Captain Hook wants a researcher…and I've heard you fit the bill. Plus, you want adventure and what better way to be well known and find a future wife than to rid the land of a villain?"
"So I get – "
"An adventure of a lifetime."
"And you get?"
"This is my deal with Captain Hook."
"You're supposed to get a researcher?"
"Aye."
"What does he want with me?"
"I'll let the Captain tell you that."
"I can't guarantee anything."
"I know. But that yearning for something more is enough to make you do it. And really if you pull the "I need experience" and "you've kept me in the dark for so long" cards, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to oblige. Especially if you do it in at that meeting that you're having later tonight about my deal. Bring it up then. I'm sure everyone will agree. Put it to a vote. Majority will rule in your favour."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Just do."
"That's doesn't mean much coming from you."
"Guess you'll just have to try it then. Won't you?"
Jack could see the prince's mind processing his words. The boy was going to do it for sure, and then Jack would be on his way to revenge, when he of course first dropped of his luggage. Emma wouldn't be pleased if he simply took off with her prince. He'd never live to see another day.
"Guard! Take him back to his cell."
"Pleasure doing business. I'll be seeing you soon lad."
The prince sat there and watched the guard drag Jack back off to his cell. The guard took off the handcuffs and pushed him into the cell. Jack lied down onto the bed and smiled in the dark. Revenge would be his.
Killian:
Killian sighed as he headed out of the dungeons. In one of the halls Killian stopped and leaned to look out a window. He saw the sun setting; he spent a lot longer down there than he anticipated. The pirate's words went over in his head. Should he do it? Would he ever get a chance like this? No he wouldn't. This opportunity was too hard to pass up. And what the pirate said made perfect sense. If he brought it up in front of everyone they would all agree and his parents would have to let him go.
"Killian!"
Killian turned around to see Red standing there waiting for him.
"The meeting's about to begin."
Killian nodded and fell into step beside Red as they walked towards the meeting room. He looked at Red. She was older than he was, by a year or two. His parents at one point believed he would marry her but neither he nor Red was interested. When they were younger it had been him, Pinocchio and Red. They were referred to as the Royal Trio. Killian was the leader, Pinocchio was the troublemaker and Red was the fighter. When they grew up though red spilt off from the group. She and Pinocchio had gotten together but he had cheated on her, several times. She forgave him but refused to be with him. It broke the group up. Killian refused to take sides but eventually mended the relationship with Pinocchio. Unfortunately, he didn't fix it with Red. They were civil towards one another but had never gotten close since.
Thus the awkward silence that hung in the room. Red was indeed pretty with her brown hair and eyes, but just not Killian's type. She was a little bit insecure about the fact that she was a werewolf despite what everyone told her. Yes she was strong and brave, but she was also much too close to his mother. It did make it awkward.
They entered into the meeting hall and Killian sat beside his mother and Red beside her grandmother. Charming stood up and began to speak.
"Jack Sparrow is currently in the dungeon right now. He has offered us a deal. We give him a researcher, who he will take with him to Captain Hook, and Captain Hook will leave us alone."
Whispers spread around the table.
"We are not sure if this is true or if there is something else going on. Sparrow said that Captain Hook wanted nothing to do with us. He's merely 'passing through'."
"Passing through? That's a load of bullshit! Captain Hook's got something else up his sleeve!" yelled Grumpy.
"Snow and I are well aware of that. Which is why we called you all here."
"I say we kill him. There's nothing better than a low life scum like that." said Grumpy.
"Arrest him and put him in jail. Then let the people decide what to do with him." suggested Red.
Mutters of agreement went around the table. Killian put his head in his hands. None of that would stop Captain Hook because they had nothing on him. Charming noticed his son.
"Killian do you have anything to add?"
Killian looked up in shock. His parents never actually spoke to him at these meetings. He usually just sat through and got bored out of his mind. But now was his chance. He could practically hear the pirate saying to take the opportunity in his head. And that's what he did.
"We can't do any of that because we wouldn't be able to hold him."
Red stared daggers at him and Grumpy scoffed. "What do you mean? He's killed several people!"
"He hasn't. His crew has. Which means we'd have to arrest his crew not him. Plus, he's popular among pirates. Any pirate would love to work for him. So he could have a new crew in a matter of hours, and he'd just make them do his dirty work. We'd be going in circles with him."
"You're right." said his mother. Charming and Killian stared in disbelief at Snow.
"What?" asked Charming.
"Killian's right. He technically hasn't done anything wrong. No charges have been laid against him. What proof do we actually have to hold him?"
The room was quiet as they pondered over what Killian and Snow had said. Killian broke the silence.
"I say we take the deal. We have nothing really to lose. All he wants is a researcher. That's it. And we've got one."
"Who?" asked his father.
"Me."
Charming's eyes widened. "You can't be serious."
"I am. I'm a general in your army father. I have a military background. I've been trained by several tutors and professors. I have plenty of knowledge to give aid to Captain Hook. He wouldn't dare try to cross me. I can do this."
"No." stated Charming. "We need you here."
"I think it's a good idea." said Granny. Snow glared at her.
"Now don't you dare give me that look Snow. Your son is right. He is ready for this. He's been trained to one day take over the kingdom and yet you act as if he's a little boy. He's twenty three for goodness sake! He is more than capable of dealing with a pirate! I say we put it to a vote. Whose with me in letting Killian go?"
Granny raised her hand and Killian joined her. His parents gasped at his "rebellion". Soon Grumpy's hand joined as well as Gepetto and Pinocchio. Red joined after and even the Blue Fairy did. Killian then spotted Jiminy raising his hand. Soon the whole table had their hands raised but his parents.
"No!" shouted Snow, her anger getting the better of her. Charming raised his hand too. Snow turned to her husband, bewildered. Killian was shocked as well.
"Father?"
"I think you should go Killian. As much as it pains me to admit, we have been very, reluctant to let you go for fear of your safety. But you have proven time and time again you can handle any situation thrown at you with ease. I am sure this will be no different."
Snow gaped at her husband. "You're not serious."
"I am Snow. Killian has proven himself countless times in the battles we've fought. He will be ruling the land one day. We need to give him a chance to actually do something on his own, without being under our watchful eye. We will not live forever. It's best he learns now how to handle himself out there, when we aren't around."
Killian watched the silent conversation between his two parents as they were clearly arguing. Granny leaned over and whispered into his ear.
"If your father's on your side, you're as good as gold."
His father pulled away from his mother and spoke. "Killian, you are going. GUARDS! SEND HIM IN!"
The guards opened the doors only to show two other guards who had a stiff hold on the pirate's arms as he led him in. The pirate winked at Killian and then focused his attention back to Charming.
"Well then. We'll be heading out tomorrow. Savvy?" asked the pirate.
"Indeed. My son will be your researcher for Captain Hook. He'll be accompanied by a huntsman. That should be fine."
Killian groaned. So he wouldn't be alone. He'd be going with a huntsman. Probably his mother's doing because she didn't want him to get hurt. At least his parents wouldn't be there.
Killian watched the pirate go over the terms. He knew that Captain Hook would not be pleased with another accommodation but if he was desperate enough. He'd take both of them.
"Excellent. Tomorrow morning. Captain Hook wants to leave as soon as possible and we've got a journey before we actually get to them." said the pirate.
Killian's father merely nodded his head. "I hope you don't mind staying the night in the dungeons. I'm afraid that's the only way we can accommodate you."
The pirate smirked. "I've got a room at an inn. I'll meet you at the harbour tomorrow morning at eight."
Charming nodded to the guards who uncuffed the pirate and escorted him out of the meeting hall. With that the group dispersed and Killian headed off to the kitchens (he missed dinner) and then went to his chambers to retire for the night.
The Next Day – Morning:
Killian:
Killian woke up and shot out of bed. Today was the day he'd actually be leaving the castle and going on the adventure he'd be waiting for. This was it. Then he groaned. He'd be joined by a huntsman though.
Killian climbed out of bed and got himself changed. He then headed down to the kitchen and grabbed some fruit for breakfast. He wasn't going to breakfast with his family. He had to pack. If was going to be a researcher, he was going to need books.
At the library Killian grabbed as many books possible on pirates. He really had no idea what'd he'd need but he figured pirate books were a good place to start.
After that, Killian went back to his chambers and found Belle there packing for him.
"Good morning Belle."
She turned around. "Oh! Good morning sir!"
"Call me Killian."
"Very well sir. I mean Killian. I'm just packing for you. Your parents asked me too."
Killian nodded. "Thank you."
"Killian can I offer you some advice?"
"Uh yes I guess."
"Wherever you're going, whoever you're meeting, just remember that if you think they're a monster, their probably not. They are most likely just broken. And if you find something worth fighting for. Fight for it. No matter what others say, fight for what you think is right. And don't be quick to judge either. You don't know Captain Hook, so don't go making assumptions about who they are and their actions."
With that Belle left the room. Killian looked out his door where she had just left. What on earth did she mean? Killian would heed her advice. He'd be a fool not to. Belle clearly knew something and so he'd listen.
Killian grabbed his luggage and headed down towards the entrance of the castle, eating his apple along the way. He ran into his family there. He dropped his luggage and pulled Esme into a hug.
"Goodbye Killian!" Esme said as she cried into his shoulder. Killian lovingly stroked her hair. "Goodbye Esme. I'll miss you."
Esme reluctantly let go of Killian and ran to her mother's side. Avery came up to Killian and hugged him to but didn't cry. "Good luck Killian." Killian smiled and ruffled Avery's hair as he walked away to Snow.
Killian then approached his mother and hugged her. She began to weep. "I'm sorry Killian. I shouldn't be this emotional."
Killian smiled a sad smile at his mother. "It's alright. I will be fine and I'll come back safe and sound. Don't worry."
"But that's what mother's do."
Killian's smile matched his mother's at her joke. He then turned to his father.
"I'm coming with you to the harbour."
Killian nodded and kissed his family goodbye once more and then exited the castle and entered the carriage. The ride was quiet with a tense silence hanging in the air. Once they arrived at the harbour Killian exited the carriage happy to leave the tension. He walked down the docks until he saw the pirate leaning against, what was obviously his boat.
It was a big, brown, wooden boat. It had a skull and cross bones flag waving in the wind at the top of the crow's nest. (He brought sailing books too).
"Prince. Glad you could make it. Before we go I think we need to be one first name basis no? Captain Jack Sparrow."
Jack stuck out his hand and Killian took it. "Killian Jones Charming."
Jack smiled. "That could almost be a pirate's name if it wasn't for the Charming at the end. Well, one of the crewman will grab your stuff and put it on the boat. Meet me on the deck when you're ready."
Jack left Killian on the dock and he climbed onto the ship. Killian turned to face his father who had something in his hand.
"Father."
"Killian. Snow and I agreed you should have this."
Charming handed Killian his mother's wedding ring.
"Father, this is mother's wedding ring. I can't have it."
"Snow insisted when I told her I think you should have it and why. She has plenty of other rings she can wear."
"What's so special about this ring?"
"My own mother, your grandmother, told me that wherever this ring goes, true love will follow. She was right. As soon as I had this ring, I met your mother. We both agreed you should have it, just in case."
Killian nodded and placed the ring in his breast pocket underneath the jacket. "Thank you father."
Charming nodded and pulled Killian into a hug. Killian hugged his father back. "I will not make you regret this." He whispered into his father's ear.
Charming pulled back and patted Killian's shoulder. You better get going. We'll be seeing you soon."
Killian nodded and watched his father enter the carriage and ride away. He sighed and headed up onto the ship. The crew was running around the ship, preparing to sail.
"Welcome abroad the Jolly Roger Killian. You're going to need to change. You're kind doesn't take to well for where we're going. Oh and I got rid of those books you packed. You won't need them. The books you need, Captain Hook's already got them at the library we're going to. Here. Now get changed. Meet me back on deck."
Killian took the clothes and walked underneath the ship to the crewmen's room. He took off his clothing and hid it in his luggage which he found lying in the room. He looked at the clothes, and noticed the majority of it was cotton, stained cotton, with a leather vest. There was a belt with a massive buckle as well. Killian threw it on, shuddering as the clothes smelt awful clearly initiating that they hadn't been washed in a while.
Once Killian was changed he proceeded to join Jack on deck.
"Not too shabby mate." said Jack, rather proudly.
"Jack, you never did tell me where we are going."
Jack, who was at the wheel, and Killian had joined him, simply smiled keeping his eyes focused on the water ahead.
"An adventurous lad like you should be excited. We're going to meet Captain Hook."
"Where though?"
"Tortuga."
A/N: So how is it so far? Good? I think so! :D Next chapter coming soon! TO TORTUGA!
