A/N: Thank you so very much for your support! I'm glad people like this story, because I really enjoy writing it. And since the fandom needs some pick-me-up after the nasty ship war that had been raging those past days, I am glad I can now post the new chapter. Thank you, Kris for the beta work *kisses*


"I don't mean to be a bother, but I believe you still have to let me in on whatever plans you have made to retrieve my ship and that flask of glittery dust."

Hook was in an exceptionally good mood. Shortly after that tender moment of sympathy between him and the princess he had already returned to his usual flamboyant self and when the others had returned to camp it had been like nothing had happened in their absence. Only the occasional glances the young girl had covertly flashed him over their scarce meal of roasted fish had been testimony of what they had shared earlier.
He finally had been able to get some sleep that night, the way his hands had been under constant draught from where they had been tied to that stupid tree still slightly uncomfortable, but it had still been a thousand times better than spending another night forced into a sitting position.
Things had continued to get even better for him in the morning, when Mulan – still as morose towards him as ever – had taken off the leash. His arms were still bound together in front of him, but at least he was allowed to walk by himself and at this point of his journey he had begun to cherish every little progress.
After all, they were on their way to re-capture the 'Jolly Roger' and sail to the realm where he would finally be able to take revenge on his crocodile. For now this was everything he could possibly wish for; this and a plan, of course.
"Right our plan…"

Emma, who had been walking a few feet in front of him, turned around. There was this slight tone to her voice Hook had by now learned to recognize as sarcasm. "I'm very sorry to disappoint you, Captain, but as much as I've been racking my brain, I can't think of a way we can possibly outsmart a woman who is able to magically kick all of our asses without even having to get hers out of bed first."
"Emma is right", Snow said. "We've seen what she's done to the people of the sanctuary. And we don't know how long she has been posing as Lancelot, but no one ever suspected anything. This is very powerful, very dark magic."
"So we have nothing", Hook noted and suddenly jerked to a halt. There went his high spirits. "We are about half a day away from what might become the biggest, most dangerous fight of our lives and we have nothing."

"If youhave anything useful to say, we'll be all too glad to hear you out." Mulan jeered and from the look she was giving him, she already regretted letting him off that leash. The outlandish Amazon might have been their most reliable asset in a fight, but Hook had no way other than to admit to himself that her obvious reservations against him were really starting to worry him.
Hungry ogres and a vicious Cora seemed to lose a lot of their horror compared to the immediate threat of that woman's impossibly sharp sword. He had already lost one hand, and he had felt exceedingly attached to the remaining parts of his body ever since. But in no way did it mean that Captain Killian 'The Hook' Jones was allowing himself to be daunted by a woman.
The only woman who had ever succeeded to do so – and the only one he had ever permitted to – had been Milah. And whatever small part of himself that out of love had consented with this rare display of inferiority had died on deck of his ship, on the day his Milah had drawn her last breath in his arms.
"I'm really doing all the work here, aren't I? As a matter of fact, I really do have a proposition to make", Hook declared with what he knew, was his cockiest and most unnerving grin, but not before bringing a few feet's distance between himself and Mulan. Just in case. "It's quite obvious, isn't it? If what we're up against is dark, powerful magic, then dark, powerful magic is what we need to endow ourselves with. Therefore I suggest we take a little detour via the 'Nine Ogres' and see what we can get our hands on."
"The 'Nine Ogres'?" Snows eyes grew wide with unpleasant surprise. "Don't tell me this horrible, obscene place still exists."

"Aye, it does", Hook nodded. He was visibly satisfied with the impact of his suggestion. "And my bet is that it's become even more obscene since you have last heard of it, Missy. Might as well be called the 'Three dozen Trolls' now."
"Lovely", Snow muttered through gritted teeth. "And just the kind of idea I would have expected from a pirate. Then again, knowing what we're up against I don't really see what other choice we have. Swords and arrows won't do much against Cora. Regina and Rumplestilzkin are in Storybrooke and I have been gone for too long to know where else we could turn to for help. Are you sure – one hundred percent sure – that this is our only option?"
"Aye", Hook answered again. "Magic has become a rare and valuable good since the curse and those who have it either hoard it like others do treasures or they use it to make a good living. These are desperate times and the realm is full of people who are willing to pay dearly for a bit of magic. People like us…"
"One alwayspays dearly for magic", Snow said, remembering all too well the many times she had been the one to pay that price. "Believe me, Captain. I would know."

"I hate to be the one to break off your little shoptalk but would someone care to tell the rookie here what the hell this 'Nine Ogres' is?" Emma interrupted them crossly. She hated the way this whole world had her feel like a raw recruit.
She had always prided herself for being strong and independent. She had even liked the way Mary Margaret had used to turn to her for a shoulder to lean on. Now it was like someone had flipped a coin and the roles had suddenly been reversed. Sweet innocent Mary Margaret, who had even been unable to cope with something as trivial as a one-nightstand had turned into this total stranger who had taken to their situation like a duck to water, while she had been steamrolled by the realization that everything she had ever believed in had been wrong. That there was this whole different world she hadn't known off – a world where princesses and pirates and swordfights were reality and magic seemed to be the source as well as the solution to all things evil.
"I'm sorry, Emma." Snow gave her an apologetic look.
Emma found it made things even worse for her. She didn't want sympathy. She wanted some answers. And a new gun.

"The 'Nine Ogres' is a tavern – if you want to call it that. It's always been a meeting point for the most repulsive low-lives from every kingdom. Trolls, witches, gnomes, you name it. And it's a transfer site for everything dark and dangerous – like a black market for magical artifacts. Back in the days no one in their right mind would have come anywhere near it. And from what I've seen those past few days, I doubt that the guests have become more pleasant since then. It's like Hook said; they feed off the desperate."
"Some of them very literally," Hook added jovially, pretending not to see the stern looks the women were giving him.
"I think we should go", Aurora said and even though her voice was shaking with uncertainty, she stood there with her shoulders squared and her head held high. "It doesn't matter what awaits us there or how dangerous it's going to be, because it can't be worse than facing Cora empty handed. So what if they feed off the desperate. We are desperate, aren't we?"
"Seriously now?" Emma stared at her in disbelieve. "I really start to wonder what happened while we were up on that bean stake that made you so… badass." She let out an exasperated sigh, when all she got in response was a blank look from the princess. "Brave... I meant brave."
"This has nothing to do with bravery", Aurora dismissed Emma's words with an impatient wave of her hand. "It's what needs to be done. We need magic."
In any other situation she would have been ecstatic to have one of her companions acknowledge her spiritedness, no matter how odd the wording. But after night after night without sleep and days of marching with mortal fear as her constant companion, her nerves were at breaking point. She just wanted for everything to be over, no matter the cost.
"Please, let's all take a moment to think about this. Reallythink about it." Snow pleaded. She might have been the first to see sense in Hook's proposition, but looking at Emma, Aurora and even Mulan, she had lost courage. She had been down this path before – turning to dark magic in an hour of need – and she had not forgotten about the consequences.

"She's right. Think about it", Hook said. Snow was taken aback to have him of all people agree with her. She had figured he'd done anything to get his ship back. And he had been the one to bring up the 'Nine Ogres' in the first place. He was, she recognized, just as scared as she was. "There is no turning back once we decide to do this. And probably no coming back either."
"I think Aurora is right. We need magic."

Hook was beginning to ask himself if maybe Mulan had no opinion of her own, but had instead taken to supporting whatever the young princess said out of some odd sense of duty he didn't understand. He would keep an eye on that, in case he ever had to use it to his advantage. He was still a pirate after all.

"I wish more than anything that all we needed was manpower and a good plan", Emma reluctantly admitted. "But I understand that things are different in this world. There are giants and ogres and I can't even begin to imagine what else. And I have no idea what to do about any of them. If you say that this tavern is the best hope we have, then I believe you. And I'll go with you."
"I'll go where you go." Snow said; all thoughts of doubt abandoned in favor of her daughter. "Do you happen to know the way, Captain?"

"Of course I do", Hook was starting to regret he had come up with this idea, but he calmed himself with thoughts of the 'Jolly Roger' and a crocodile waiting to meet his sword. "If we move swiftly we should be there by nightfall. Have heart, ladies. You thought the bean stalk was fearsome? You might find yourself wishing you were back there once we've entered the 'Nine Ogres'. I think now might be a good time to talk about removing those bonds and handing me my hook."


Aurora couldn't shake off the peculiar feeling that the scenery was more and more becoming a mirror of how they were all feeling inside.

They had left behind the vast, green forest just as the sun had started to set in the west. They were walking in what she believed was a parched river bed rather than an actual road. The landscape was scarce, a wide rocky desert where large boulders lay strayed like a giant's forgotten toys – and who knew; maybe they were. Scattered trees seamed their way; leafless and menacing in the twilight, like hideous creatures that were reaching for them with shadowy claws. Their steps were grating on gravel and dried grass and somewhere in the distance a strange bird was crowing an eerie tune that sent shivers down her spine. It was like she had stepped into one of her nightmares.
Conversation, always rare and always hushed in their little party, had run out hours ago for fear that someone – or something – might hear them.
They felt terribly exposed already and it had been a silent agreement that none of them wanted to draw any more attention than necessary.
Hook had said they would reach the ominous tavern by nightfall. Aurora felt her steps grow heavy with the impression that even nature itself had sought to escape this place they were now voluntarily seeking out.
She almost bumped into Hook's back, when he came to a sudden halt. "That's close enough", he whispered and motioned for them to come crouch behind one of the boulders with him.

"We're almost there", he announced gravely. Aurora didn't think she had ever seen him so serious before. Needless to say it did nothing to help her calm down. "The house lies about half a mile beyond the next bend. We have to tread very carefully from here. We don't want to draw unwanted attention from whatever might be lurking in the dark around here. It would be such a terrible waste to die before we have what we came for."
He looked at Aurora. "Maybe you and Mulan should stay here, Princess. Together you should be safe until we return. Ifwe return."
"What makes you think I would let you to leave me here?" Aurora's voice was calm, almost icy even and laced with that innate authority that had begun to more and more shine through these past days. "You can't go in there without Mulan. And I'm not scared."
"Don't be so foolish!" It took Hook visible effort to keep his voice down. "Of course you are scared. And you, more than any of us, should be, lassie. You are young and you are beautiful and your every posture speaks of royalty. You are gleaming with a light only the innocent have about them and there we will meet creatures that devour it like a fine wine if they can get their hands on it. No hard feelings, Aurora, but I am in no mood to shed blood for you tonight. Especially since I can't shake the very distinctive feeling it would be mainly myblood that gets spilled in the end."

For the first time since they had left the forest, Aurora was grateful for the darkness, because it hid the delicate blush she could feel blooming warmly on her cheeks; not because of his sweet words but because of the way in which her name, for the very first time since they had known each other, rolled over his tongue. Smooth like velvet, yet a little rough around the edges. She opened her mouth to say something, but she found her voice wouldn't comply.

"I know you're right, Hook; and I don't like idea of any of us going there but what Aurora says is true. We willneed Mulan in there", interjected Snow, who was mistaking Aurora's sudden lack of protest as a sign of fear at Hook's harsh words. "And I don't think it's that much safer out here to begin with. We either go in together – all of us – or we can turn around and leave right now."
"I really want to know what it is I did to deserve being cursed with you women", Hook stood up and rubbed his face with a tired groan. "Right. Fine. We'll do it your way. Here…" He took off his raggedy cloak and wrapped it around Aurora's shoulders. Then, despite her yelp of protest, he carefully pulled the glittering headband out of her hair and put it in his satchel. He looked her over critically. "Still every bit a princess. But this will have to do. Just… try not to speak. Don't do anything. And remember this: if you get me killed in there… I'll probably come back to haunt you."


Aurora wasn't sure what exactly she had expected the 'Nine Ogres' would look like but it hadn't been the shabby, ruinous frame house that had appeared in the darkness before them. It looked absurdly misplaced in that terrible patch of land which now that even the last remnants of daylight were gone. It looked more and more like it had arisen straight from one of her nightmares.
There was even a dim light shining behind the stained windows. It looked almost peaceful – like a beacon amidst this wasteland. She was about to ask Hook if he was sure they had come to the right place but that' was when she heard the noises. Coming from the house was an eerie mixture of low grunts, loud voices and high pitched laughter. When she heard a piercing scream that sounded like a dozen tortured souls crying for mercy all at once, Aurora was ready to run and never look back. There was a strange clicking sound underneath it all and it was only after a few moments, that Aurora realized she was shaking so bad it made her teeth clatter.

She almost jumped out of her skin, when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. It was Snow. She gave her an encouraging smile and took her hand. Aurora would have traded all the riches in all the lands for only a shred of Snow's bravery.
"Don't worry, I'm right beside you." Snow promised and gave Aurora's hand a light squeeze. "Remember. You are notalone."

Aurora tried to return the smile, but another scream ripped through the night and made the blood freeze in her veins. She looked at Hook and realized that the pirate was in no way a better state of mind as herself. His steps had gone slower and slower the closer they had gotten to the house. She could see from his good hand, which was now holding the sword Mulan had taken from him when they had first met, that he was shaking, too. He was gripping the hilt so tightly his knuckles had turned white with strain.
"Now, that doesn't look so bad, does it?" Emma asked jokingly but the slight tremor in her voice gave her away. Every bit of her mind – at least the small part that had by now come to peace with the fact that she had not just hit her head very hard and was imagining those unbelievable things were happening to her – was telling her that whatever was waiting for them in that house couldn't possibly be worse than fighting a dragon.
Or watching a man she had really cared about die before her eyes. Or that haunting moment when she had thought Henry had died, scared and alone and without knowing how much she had come to love him. For a mother it couldn't get any worse than that.
But the fear of the others was contagious. It seeped through her like wet cold on a winter's day, filling her too with dread until she found it difficult to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
"Things are not always what they seem. Just look at you", Hook said but his voice lacked the usual joy he took in their little banters. "You look like a flower, yet you are easily one of the scariest things I've ever come across. Including what we'll be up against in a few moments." He squared his shoulders with a huff. "Let's get this over with. And just so we're clear - I'll do the talking."