A/N: I have not abandoned this fic! Just so yo all know, in case you were wondering :) I've just been insanely distracted by school and my other fic 'Skin', which is really taking off if I do say so myself. If your a GH romantic, feel free to check it out. Now, on with the show!
.
.
.
.
.
If any truths can be said of him, let one never forget that patience was his greatest virtue. And a complete disregard for deadlines was his downfall. Two sides of the same unfortunate coin. Jim purposely tugged on a simple black shirt lazily over his brown breeches, laughing when there was yet another set of rapturous knocks on his door.
"I will leave without you!" Thomas called threatening from the other side of the door.
"Fine then I'll leave without you, you like earth so much why don't you stay here a few months. Test the medieval waters why don't you..." Jim is only joking but he can almost feel Thomas pouting through the silence and the door. They didn't need to fight though, for moments later Jim swung open his door, ready to leave.
"You're worse than a woman, you know that?" Thomas comments seriously with a glare to match.
"Now look who's making us late." Jim asks as he breezes past Thomas and heads for the deck. "Bringing up old arguments after I know you've forgiven me."
Thomas pauses until he can't even see the hide of Jim's boots from the bottom step, "I need a vacation." He whispers half-heartedly.
.
.
.
.
.
"Welcome to my home and my land." Its a little over the top, but he's a ruler and it's what's expected of him.
The King is gracious and hospitable as he greets both Jim and Thomas, the former for the first time. Jim takes immediate notice of the grand marble halls, and sturdy wooden furniture, the silver fixtures... The ceiling above was painted with the most luxurious hues and the carpet bellow was woven of the most intricate patterns. Even the pristine white dining jacket on King Eric's back... It would all fetch a hefty price on his home planet, Jim couldn't help but notice.
"Thank you, your majesty. Will it just be the men tonight?" Jim asks as if it's only something to say.
In truth he'd heard the men talking before, the way they practically fawned over the queen for her beauty. He was curious, and for the most part unashamed of it. Sure, he'd seen her before when Mr. Herms first greeted them. But it was a distant view, and he'd only made out the most basic of features.
Besides, he knew he'd run into Melody eventually during his stay, for it would be a long one even if things went according to Mr. Herms' plans. She'd be wonderful distraction until he had to leave. And she'd be great for giving Thomas a break by allowing Jim to sink his teasing claws into someone else for awhile.
"You may call me Eric, formalities tend to be more of nuisance than necessity here. And no, my wife and daughter will be down to greet everyone soon." Eric answers with a knowing smile, as if he can read Jim's curious mind. But maybe Jim's just being paranoid...
It isn't long before they reach the drawing room. Thick lush green curtains hang from the mountainous windows and two large cream colored couches sit across from one another in the center of the room. The area is neatly lit with tall thick candles, the smell of a warm salty breeze wafts around their nostrils. The only thing marring the elegance of the scene was the presence of Mr. Herms sitting pompously on the far end of one the cream colored couches, and a wormy looking little man standing at the ready no more than a few inches away.
Jim recalled the man following Herms around the ship like a pup the whole trip, always doing everything Herms asked to pure perfection. In all honesty the man had no spine, and Jim sincerely pitied and admired him for putting up with Herms and his every ridiculous demand. Among them was a third man, older with grey and white hair, who appeared as though he were on the verge of death by boredom. Their arrival was his mercy.
Not long after had Jim contemplated the man than the King introduced him. "This is my dear friend Grimsby. Grim, this is Captain Jim Hawkins and his first mate Thomas Bradley."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance." Grimsby stretches his papery-skinned hand out to Jim first, his every airy move speaking of years spent around nobility. Jim takes his hand as he examines the genuine but worn smile on the older man's face.
"Same here." Jim says, somehow clarifying the polar opposites between them. He steps aside to allow Grimsby and Thomas to become acquainted. At that moment his eyes glance to the doorway, catching his first real glimpse of the Queen emerging from the shadows. He thought he'd seen enough before when they'd arrived, he'd been wrong. She was as beautiful as they said if not more so than any other who woman who had ever lived. Her hair and lips were the shade of rubies, eyes the color of sapphires. Her figure was strong and generously built, like that of a goddess. She walked gracefully, the one thing he hadn't been wrong about, she moved like water.
Jim was so distracted by this magnificent beauty he didn't notice the girl walking cautiously behind.
.
.
.
.
.
She begged her mother to let her skip this social dinner just once. Melody tried to convince her she was sick, but Ariel had done all the same tricks before to get out of doing something concerning family business- and gotten into twice as much trouble. Ariel really did empathize with Melody, but sometimes it was just non-negotiable. Melody had already skipped out on the first meeting with the men, she was expected to at least entertain at dinner.
Sometimes Melody really couldn't believe her luck. First running into Jim in the first place, when she snuck away as they first arrived. And then falling for him almost instantaneously that it seemed ridiculous. If she'd simply gone then, her mother might have allowed her to skip dinner. She could have avoided Jim altogether. She hated his arrogance, when he talked to her it was like he was reading into her mind. When he looked at her she felt exposed. Yes, some small part of her really loved all that. Was intrigued and drawn in by it, by him and the challenge he presented in comparison to every prancing daisy prince she'd ever met or been courted by. But the more logical part of her brain knew... Knew that nothing could come of it.
She lived a secret life she wasn't sure she could ever share with him, or anyone but her family and the other merpeople. He was from a distant galaxy, eventually he'd leave for that place in the sky again. Either way he'd break her heart, whether he accepted her or rejected her. So it was best that she just stay clear of him altogether.
Unfortunately as she and her mother entered the drawing room, she figured that probably wasn't going to happen. There stood Jim, next to Grimsby and the other captain she'd briefly greeted that morning, Thomas. She watched as all eyes fell to them as they entered the room. Her eyes watched Jim intently, he was staring with transfixed eyes in their direction. But her heart fell a little when she realized the awe on his face was directed at her young and beautiful mother. Melody took a sidelong glance at her reflection in an enormous mirror hanging on the far off wall and frowned.
Her eyes were an indiscernible shade of blue, nothing as clear or glittering as Ariel's. Her jet black hair she'd allowed to be pinned back was nothing as remarkable as Ariel's vibrant red. Her frame was lithe, whereas he mother was tall and almost amazonian. Ariel's skin was fair and delicate, while Melody had a golden hue from the days she spent under the sun. They were two different kinds of beauties, but Melody could never help feeling completely inferior when her mother was around. Indeed the desire in Jim's eyes proved that. Melody smoothed the sky blue fabric of her dress, one of the few she owned that she liked- it had a lower more mature neckline that dashed any doubts that she was a woman and not a child, and stepped out from the shadows without fear.
.
.
.
.
.
Jim was so distracted by Ariel, that he almost didn't hear the King speaking to them. Indeed his ears only honed in on a single word, or name as it were. "May I introduce my wife, Ariel. And our daughter Melody."
Jim's eyes immediately snapped to the figure behind the Queen.
There she stood in all her glory, as though nothing were out of place. A small flint of anger had him glaring at her and raising an eyebrow in silent questioning. She eyed him defiantly and curtseyed. "Captain Hawkins." He bowed appropriately before watching her greet the others. He wanted more than anything to pull her aside, ask her why she lied to him. In truth, Jim had come tonight with the pure intention of seducing the girl and leaving a string of broken hearts in his stead like any roguish sailor. But her father was the King of this land, and truthfully Jim really liked the man. Eric stood no more than a few feet away. Eyeing his daughter with pride.
"Your Majesties, dinner is ready." A plump short woman announced before Jim could think of a second option. They were all lead accordingly into the dining room. Jim was about to secure the chair beside Melody when Mr. Herms' assistant practically ran in front of him and pulled out the chair for Mr. Herms. Jim decided then that he no longer pitied the man, he sincerely despised them both.
Jim walked casually to the other side of the table, opposite Mr. Herms and beside Thomas who'd graciously secured a seat for him. "That was smooth." Thomas chuckled under his breath.
"How was I supposed to know that he'd go low enough to send his lackey in?" Jim whispered back.
"You sailed him here didn't you?" Jim didn't respond, he just fixed his glare on Thomas and the smirk now plastered to his face. At least Melody hadn't seen the exchange as it happened behind her back. He hated it when anyone or anything caught him off guard, it lead to people doubting him and just tended to cause a slew of unnecessary problems in his life.
Dinner conversation was light, for everyone else at least. Eric talked to Thomas pretty avidly, Jim joining in every now and then. He was too distracted by the pair across the table. Mr. Herms was talking avidly to Melody, who laughed occasionally and smiled the entire time. It grated on his nerves, for reasons he couldn't explain. He just knew he didn't like it.
.
.
.
.
.
Melody didn't look at him once. She didn't have to, she could feel his gaze practically burning into her. But she kept herself focused on Mr. Herms who seemed intent on impressing her. She laughed at all the right points and made sure she appeared to be enjoying herself. It couldn't have been further from the truth, Mr. Herms was arrogant. Even more than Jim, only he didn't have the humor to make up for it. Dinner seemed to drag on for ages in her mind, before they retired to the drawing room once more.
Mr. Herms's assistant pulled out the chair for her and Mr. Herms offered her his arm. She took it cautiously, anxious more than anything for the night to be over. She chanced a glance at Jim, who was openly staring at her. His jaw set firm and his eyes dissecting her every move. Melody looked away quickly, tuning back into the conversation around her.
Jim excused himself early, and Melody was a little disappointed. She hadn't gotten a chance to say one word to Jim the entire evening. A big part of her was drawn to him and she wanted desperately to talk to him again. But the more practical part of her mind reminded her of what Sebastian would say, were he aware of the situation, for her to leave it alone and stay away if she knew what was good for her.
Eventually everyone left, Mr. Herms placed a kiss on her hand and she had to resist the urge to wipe it off on her dress.
"I can't believe you made me go." She says to her mother once everyone has gone.
"I thought they were rather nice. Mr. Herms seems quite fond of you." Her mother says encouragingly.
"He's much too old for her." Eric says indignantly, at that moment Melody smiles thankfully at her father for understanding. Nothing more is said on the subject. They each press a kiss to Melody's hair before she retires for the night.
As she makes her way up the stairs, she begins to carefully pull the pins from her hair. Each time one is removed, she can feel a little bit tension ease away from her- preparing for sleep. By the time she reaches her bedroom, her hands are full of hair pins and jewelry she wore that night. Closing the door behind her she releases the contents of her hands onto her vanity.
In the darkness she is unaware that anything is amiss, she doesn't even suspect it.