Against The Waves
(A/N) The second chapter :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Descendants or any of the characters.
Run away with me.
Every time they went to part ways, their lips brushing in a temporary fair well, he would whisper those word against her lips. Each time she wished with all her might that he wouldn't. He had to know by now that her answer would always be the same, that her lips would always fall into a regretful smile, her dark eyes pained at his request.
I can't, was always the reply.
Week after week, month after month, year after year, it was the same thing.
She was a princess, she couldn't just run away with a pirate. Her mother would never allow it. She would chase after them to the ends of the Earth, and then they would both find out just how much of an Evil Queen she could be. A life on the run wasn't something she could bear. She didn't want to be constantly on edge, dreading the day her mother discovered them. And she would, Evie had no doubts about that. Her mother had her ways, unusual though they may be.
Evie let out a sigh, resting her arms on the ship bannister. All around her the sea shone with a golden light, the sun's reflections shimmering across the gentle waves. Whenever she looked at the ocean, all she could think of was her mischievous pirate and his irksome persistence. Run away with me! Run away with me! Run away with me! Run away with me! The man could be insufferable!
He had said that every single time they left to go their separate ways, ever since their second encounter that never should have happened. Evie couldn't stop the wistful smile of the memory. It still irked her that he had been ballsy enough to pull the stunt that he had. He had been a love struck fool even back then, long before he had realized what feelings for her he harboured.
The carriage shook and creaked as it travelled down the bumpy old forest road. Evie gently fanned herself with her elegant blue fan, utterly bored and tired from the long journey. Much to her dismay, they had only travelled half way to their destination and still had a tiresome three-day voyage across the sea ahead of them.
She silently cursed her mother for making her go to this silly social gathering in The Southern Isles. Really, it should have been Snow White going, but instead, her mother had insisted that Evie should go. She knew why her mother was making her go. The Queen wanted to cement stronger relations with The Southern Isle Kingdom for herself and hopefully use it to help undermine Snow White's potential allies for when she took the throne on her twenty-first birthday, as was customary for their country.
I'm supposed to be a princess and yet I'm treated like a pawn, Evie thought warily, sick of all the twisted political games.
With a sigh she closed her eyes, allowing herself to daydream of a life outside the back-stabbing and malicious world of royals. In her dreams, she could do what she wanted, when she wanted, her mother's constant shadow gone, allowing the sun to shine down on her. Wrapped snuggly in her dreams, Evie found herself lulled to sleep, blissfully unaware of the world around her.
It wasn't until something tickled her nose that she opened her eyes. She would have screamed had a large hand not covered her mouth. Instead, she could only glare furiously at the intruder in her carriage. He looked like a pirate and was sitting on the seat across from her. Evie swatted away his hand, watching as he grinned in amusement and sank back into his seat.
Oh poison apples, had the carriage been attacked by ruffians while she was asleep?
"Who are you and how on Earth did you get in here?" Evie all but shrieked, staring at the intruder wide eyed.
"Awww, I'm hurt, Princess," the young man crooned, looking wounded. "Have ye forgotten me?"
She looked at him up and down, realization dawning over her.
"You're that pirate boy from the prison cell... Harry."
Harry's grin grew wider. "Long time no see, Princess."
"How did you get in here?" Evie asked, astounded.
How could he have possibly gotten by the armed guards escorting the carriage on horseback? What was he, a magician?
"Yer guards are quite easily bribed. I'd tell ye get tae get new ones, but I've found their treachery quite convenient."
Evie rolled her eyes, knowing full well how easily swayed the guards were when a little gold was dangled in front of them. She should have put her foot down and dealt with the issue, but, much like Harry, she too found it convenient. She bribed them for her own endeavours often enough.
"What are you doing here, Harry Hook?" Evie asked, an irritated edge to her voice.
"I came tae see ya," he shrugged.
"Why? What could be so important that you'd risk getting thrown in the dungeon and put on death row again?"
"What man worth his salt wouldn't take on such risks tae see such a fair beauty as ye?" Harry asked with a charming smile.
Evie looked at him blankly, a scowl forming on her face. It took everything she had not to roll her eyes at him. "Get out. Now. before I shout for help and we'll see how worth the risk your trip was."
"Oh, come on now, Princess," Harry whined lightly. "How often do ye get the chance tae have a chat with someone as interesting as me? And ye've got a long way to go to get to The Southern Isles. What hurt can come from a wee bit of company?"
Evie crossed her arms and shook her head, curious how he knew where she was going. He must have some pretty high up sources.
"How are ye anyways, Princess? Yer looking well," Harry said conversationally.
"I'm fine," Evie replied shortly. "And how are you? Did you find your father's ship?"
"Aye, I did. I found the codfish docked at Corona," Harry explained. "And I'm much better now."
She could see that he was certainly in much better condition than when she had last seen him. He was dressed far more stylishly. He wore a long, leather red coat buttoned up, black trousers, black polished boots, a brown hat, and in his hand was his treasured silver hook. He wasn't covered in dirt and stains and his wounds had all healed, except for a small scar on the side of his right eye.
He seemed far more charismatic and full of energy now. She wasn't sure that she liked the wild look in his eyes though, it made him seem more intimidating, dangerous even. It reminded her that she wasn't dealing with some poor boy locked in a cell, weak from the prisons abuse and mental torture of death looming over him. No, she was dealing with a pirate at the top of his game. One who was confident in his abilities. If she could use only one word to describe him, she would say he looked free. Despite the wary circumstances that they found themselves currently in, she preferences him that way.
"Good," she said earnestly.
"So, why are ye headin tae The Southern Isles on such a fine day?"
"Royal business." When Harry raised an eyebrow, refusing to let her answer remain so void of information she sighed and added, "I'm attending a social gathering with one of the princes there."
Harry narrowed his eye and turned to look out the window. She couldn't help but think he looked a little stroppy.
"That sounds... fun." Harry's dry tone told her he found it anything but. She was inclined to agree. She would much rather be in her room, creating new gowns. "Why isn't yer sister going?"
"Half-sister," Evie muttered under her breath.
Harry glanced back to her at that, raising an eyebrow. "Still yer kin."
Debatable. Her relationship with Snow White was... strainful. Snow White was a tender soul, sweet and kind and beloved by all, her beauty renowned across every kingdom. Everyone knew who she was... but no one knew who Evie was. She was the second princess of the Kingdom, yet she was forgotten, pushed aside as nothing more than a spare. Her mother never let her forget it, bitter that her own blood was being up staged by anyone. Her mother insisted that she had to be better than Snow White, but who could ever compare? Of course, they would all think she was just the spare.
"I'd rather not talk about it," Evie said bluntly. She busied herself with fixing her hair in the window's reflection.
Harry nodded, dropping the subject.
"So, do ye enjoy going tae these... social gathering things?" Harry asked disdainfully.
"No," Evie snorted. She covered her mouth with her hand, regretting admitting that out loud. "I mean... oh, never mind."
No use trying to salvage that slip-up.
Harry looked at her, a grin spreading on his face. That wild glint in his eyes had grown, making her nervous. He leaned forward, bringing them rather close in the small carriage.
"Run away with me."
Evie blinked, looking at him in surprise. "What?"
"Ye heard me. Run away with me. Ye said yerself that ye don't enjoy the snobby gatherings, so come on a wee adventure with me," Harry said, an impish grin still on his face.
Evie scoffed and couldn't help but laugh a little. "Seriously? You expect me, a princess, to just... run off with a strange pirate?"
Ah yes, because that would end well. How foolish did he think she was? Why try to kidnap her when he could just trick her into going with him willingly, making it so much easier. Evie gave him a fake smile, the unimpressed look in her eyes making his grin grow wider.
Evie leaned forward, bringing their faces very close. She smirked when his grin faltered, and she saw him swallow.
"Not a chance, pirate," Evie whispered, her lips a breath away from his.
She pulled away after that, giving him a smug look. She was proud to be able to throw him off, especially considering what a cocky, full of himself pirate he seemed to be.
"In fact, I think I'm bored of your company now," Evie said sweetly. "Now leave."
Harry scoffed, giving her a challenging look. "Are ye gonna make me leave, Princess? I think I'd like tae see that."
Evie smiled, locking eyes with Harry as she rapped the window with her knuckles before gripping onto the door handle. Harry was about to question her when the next moment the carriage lurched to a grinding halt, sending Harry crashing to the floor of the carriage. The doors were flung open and Harry was hauled out the carriage by two guards, each one holding him by an arm, preventing him from escaping.
With grace and poise, Evie exited the carriage. She slowly strutted over to the fuming pirate, a flirty smile on her lips and a wicked gleam in her eyes. She raised her hands up to his hat, tilting it back so it was sitting properly on his head.
"The only reason I'm going to do this is because of that kiss you stole."
"Do what?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I'm assuming since you're a pirate that you should be able to swim, right?"
It was then that Harry noticed the cliff edge at the side of the road. At the bottom, a fair distance down, a lagoon loomed. Harry glared at the princess.
"Ye wouldn't dare."
Evie grinned, revealing her teeth. "Oh, I do dare."
She clicked her fingers and moved out of the way, allowing the guards to drag a curseful and furious Harry over to the cliff.
"It was hardly even a proper kiss, Princess!" Harry shouted as he neared the edge.
Evie examined her nails idly. "A kiss is a kiss. Now goodbye, my dear pirate. And next time, don't show your face near me again!"
She waved to him cheekily as the guards tossed him over the edge, a satisfying splash reaching her ears a moment later. She sauntered over to the cliff and gazed down, an amused grin on her face at the sight of a spluttering Harry breaking the surface. He scowled up at, splashing the water angrily. She blew a kiss down to him, flipped her hair and waltzed back into the carriage.
Evie giggled at the memory, shaking her head at her folly. It had been cruel, but what could one expect of the daughter of the notorious Evil Queen from the Kingdom Across The Way? So she had some mischief in her blood, who could blame her?
She had hoped that the cold water would clear the boys head and deter him from ever approaching her again. If he was found out by less bribable guards then he would have found himself back in that dinky cell, a noose soon around his neck. But of course, Harry begin the wild thing that he was, would not let anything stand in his way.
Harry made an insufferable habit of popping into her life and in the oddest of places. Sometimes she's run into him on her trips with the guards to the market, other times he'd sneak into the palace to see her, once he had even broken into her classroom when her mentor had left the room momentarily. The boy had nearly gotten himself captured so many times it was unbelievable.
As troublesome as it was, Evie had eventually found herself looking forward to his unexpected visits. He brought fun and excitement into her life. And, as much as she didn't want to admit it, she found his roughish charms endearing, though his unpredictability that led him to pull idiotical stunts over and over again drove her near insane. The fact that he was devilishly handsome certain didn't help still her heart when he gave her one of those leg wobbling smiles of his.
It was on a sunset evening in July, the day before he had left to go on a voyage to Agraba, that she had finally caved and given him her heart. He'd asked her again to run away with him, to forget everything and everyone, promising to take her far away from the lives they had once known. She had chided him for getting carried away with himself, telling him that she would wait for his return.
And return he had. With every encounter after that, she had felt herself fall deeper and deeper in love with him.
But now... everything was going to change. She knew she couldn't live in blissful ignorance forever. She should never have started her romance with the pirate. She was a princess... and princesses had to look after their country and follow their Queen's orders, no matter how much they despised them.
"Your Highness!" Evie turned at the sound of a man's voice. It was one of the guards. "I'm sorry M'lady, but we need you to go inside! Captain Amelia's orders! Pirates have been spotted on the horizon!"
Evie felt her heart leap, her stomach churning. She nodded, following the guard up the staircase that would lead to the Captain's quarters, one of the securest places on the ship that she could be. No one was in the room, everyone else on deck and at their stations, ready for combat should it be called for.
"Do you know whose ship it is?" Evie asked.
"Afraid so, Princess. The Cap'n says it looks like The Jolly Roger."
Evie felt her knees falter, her hands on the Captain's desk the only thing keeping her from falling. The Jolly Rogers... was Captain Hook's ship. And Harry was aboard it.
They had caught up with the ship in no time, the winds favouring their sails. Harry grinned as he dangled from the shrouds, a swinging rope tied around his wrist. The Jolly Roger had pulled up aside The Southern Isles's ship and immediately fired their cannons, damaging the other ship's hull. The pirates were quick to put long planks between the two ships, allowing them to charge over while others swung onto the ships via ropes. A mighty clash of swords and gunfire broke out, pirates and royal guards colliding into each other in a fierce battle.
Harry watched the fighting with amusement, scanning the other ship's deck for his target.
His task was simple. Get on the ship and find any valuables. He had studied the ships of The Southern Isle a time ago and knew their ships were designed to keep the most valuable of goods in the Captain's quarters, away from any untrusting crew members. With his target in mind, Harry grinned and swung onto the ship. He unsheathed his blade, parrying and blocking attacks from the enemies ships' crew. He may have been young, but he was skilled with a blade and made short work of anyone who dared cross him.
He found the Captain's quarters quickly. Unspurinsly, the door was locked and bolted from the other side.
Fine then, let's get creative.
Harry made his way up onto the high deck, snatching a rope that had been abandoned by the side. He peered over the edge of the ship, looking for and finding the Captain's quarter's windows, the largest ones the ship. He tied the rope to the bannister and climbed over it, parasailing down. He smashed through the window, immediately drawing his sword, preparing for a fight.
There was only one guard in the room. He turned around, bolting towards him with a battle cry. Harry grinned at the guard, rolling out of the way and landing on his knees. He raised his sword in time to block the guard's blade swinging down towards his head. Harry laughed as he pushed up against the blade, overpowering the guard. With a quick flick of his wrist, he was able to disarm the man. He raised his sword, about to deliver the final blow when a voice stopped him.
"Harry! Don't!"
Harry froze. He swirled around, shocked to find his princess standing there. His heart flinched when she saw the way that she was looking at him, almost as though she were scared.
Harry dropped his sword as though scalded. His princess had lived a sheltered life, surrounded by guards and high walls. She knew he was a pirate... but she had never seen for herself what that entailed. It was one thing to read about it, a completely different thing to see it with your own eyes.
"Evie... what are ye doin here?" Harry asked quietly.
Evie looked to the guard. "Sir, leave."
"But Princess-"
"That's an order! Go and help the rest of the crew."
The guard nodded, leaving the room and bolting it shut behind him. Evie took in a deep breath, taking a seat on one of the cushioned chairs. She put her face in her hands, letting out a miserable sigh. "I had no way to tell you, Harry."
"Tell me what?" Harry asked.
He walked over to her, kneeling down in front of her. He placed a hand on her knee and raised his hook to move aside some of her locks of hair that had fallen over her shoulder.
"Princess?"
Evie took in a deep breath, looking up at him through watery eyes. "The reason I'm here Harry is because they're taking me to The Southern Isles. My mother wants me to marry one of the princes there to solidify an alliance with them."
Harry inhaled sharply, his grip on his hook tightening. He laughed, looking at her in disbelief. "Yer joking, right?"
"Harry... why would I joke about something like that?"
Harry stood up, pacing before her. He didn't know what to say. That certainly explained why she was here. She was heading off to get hitched to some... some stuck up prince! And he would have known nothing about it until it was too late!
"And ye were just gonna go through with it?" Harry snapped, turning on her.
Evie looked at him, her mouth gaping. A wave of fury swept over her and she stood up, her glare set firmly on him. "What choice do I have, Harry? I'm a princess. I need to do what's right for my people. For my kingdom!"
"We both know this is just yer mother being a power hungry witch!"
"Harry! This isn't what this is! This is politics. I have to do this! The people... they need these alliances for security and trade."
She was stuttering, tripping over herself as tried to make him see things from her perspective, but he knew her better than that. He knew she didn't believe a word she was saying. This marriage wasn't about any of the above, and he knew that she knew that.
"Evie, who are ye tryin to convince? Me or yerself? Ye know what I've said is true."
"I know!" Evie snapped harshly, clenching her hands into fists. "I know that, Harry! I... know... of course, I know that."
Evie sighed, crossing her arms and looking away from him. She looked deep in thought, conflict warring in her eyes. Suddenly, she turned to took the few shorts steps to close the distance between them.
"Ask me again."
Harry frowned, not understanding what she meant.
"Ask me again," she repeated, taking his free hand in hers. "Ask me the question you ask me every time we part. The question I've always given you the same answer to. Ask me it again. But before you do, know that my answer is going to come with many hardships. It won't be easy. Not at all."
Harry felt his heart tighten, realizing what she meant. He leaned forward, kissing her softly. He left a trail of light kisses across her jaw and up to her cheek before placing his lips against her ear.
"Run away with me," he whispered.
Evie moved her hands to rest on either side of his face, a smile on her lips and light shining in her eyes. He recognised it as a look of hope.
"Yes."
Harry could scarcely believe his ears, a toothy grin spreading on his face. He felt as though the stars and planets had aligned and that his prayers and wishes had been granted. He felt overjoyed when Evie then pulled him into a passionate kiss, sealing her decision.
They had no choice but to parts ways after that, Harry hearing an ear splitting whistle, signalling for the pirates to retreat. He kissed Evie on the cheek, promising that he would find her on The Southern Isles and whisk her away before she was forced to marry one of the Isles's princes. They would escape from their lives, leave everything behind, and build a better life for themselves, no matter what hardships they endured.
And most important they would live happily ever after.
She had given him hope once, and now it was his turn to return the gift.
(A/N) Well, I hope you liked this two-shot story! Let me know what you think! :D (I hope this makes up for the lack of updates on my other story.) xx
References:
"So she had some mischief in her blood, who could blame her?" - Rotten To The Core
"But who could ever compare? Of course, they would all think she was just the spare." - More Than Just The Spare, Frozen deleted song.
I... can't recall if there was more... if there is they're buried in there somewhere...
Review Replies:
Boris Yeltsin: I'm glad :D
T. F. Crosby: I'm really happy you like it! :D
StoryWriting1414: Glad to hear that! Hope you enjoyed the conclusion! :D xx
Guest: The next chapter of Hooks and Poison Apples I'll hopefully have updated soon. It's written up, just needs some more work. xx
Guest: Here you are! :D Hope you enjoyed!