Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing though if someone wants to gift me Killian Jones I wouldn't mind. ;)
Chapter Six
"Choices"
The natives of Neverland knew instinctively when magic was near. Having been around it for so long they had become in tune with it. Tigerlily, the daughter of the chief, was especially good at knowing when magic was near. And being from the ancient line of chiefs it was said that she even had a little magic herself gifted to her from the spirits.
Not that she would ever tell if she did or if she didn't.
But one day, after having climbed to the very top of Skull Rock, Tigerlily heard the oceans wind whispering secrets to her. They were secrets of what was coming. Secrets of a man caught in between who was going to have to make certain choices, secrets of a great evil that was coming, but mostly they told her about a girl.
And they told her that the girl was someone she had to meet…for she would change everything.
So without hesitation Tigerlily dove off of the top of Skull Rock into the deep waters surrounding it. Then she swam to the pirate's ship and climbed up on its deck.
And that was where she surprised Hook as he sat on the ships railing early in the morning watching the sun rise playing a flute. "Ah, Tigerlily," he said, pocketing the flute and grinning at her, "To what do I owe this delightful visit? Finally coming for the grand tour?"
"Magic's coming."
"Ah, right." Hook walked over to the young girl. "I don't know if you've noticed love but we're in Neverland. There's magic all around us."
"This isn't Neverland magic. It's from somewhere else, a land very different than ours. It's dark too. I can feel it."
"Right well, much as I appreciate grave creepy warnings if you aren't here to entertain me-"he waggled his eyebrows-"I suggest you go."
"You're going to have to make a choice Killian Jones."
He stared at her. "Alright, now you're just rambling on."
"I'm not. You're going to have to make a choice. You can no longer stand still. Lives will be destroyed if you do not. Make your choice Killian Jones. Make it well."
"Killian?"
Tigerlily observed a blond girl wearing men's clothing behind them. She also noticed the pirate Captain had frozen at the sound of his name coming from her lips. "Yes. It's my name. What of it?" It sounded as though he expected her to insult him.
"Nothing, it's just that it's so much nicer than Hook," said the girl. "Not so terrifying."
Tigerlily knew instinctively that this was the girl that the spirits had spoken to her of. She observed Killian watching her. He looked like he was waiting to be attacked. His entire body was tense. She knew from how rigid the muscles in his back were.
"Mind you no one gets to call me that name unless I want them to," he said.
"Mind you I'm a Princess. I can call you whatever you like."
"And mind you that you are still my captive. So why don't you go back to my chambers until I send for you? Or else I'll make you and that annoying governess of yours walk the plank for my mornings entertainment."
The girl glared at him. "Would it kill you just to be nice?"
"It might," he said, "now shoo."
She threw her hands up in the air in exasperation making Tigerlily laugh. Then the girl stormed off leaving her alone once more with Killian. "This evil that you speak of," said the pirate, "does it have a name?"
Tigerlily tilted her head to the side and her lips formed a smile. "Come now Killian. You know as well as I do that you already know the answer to that."
"Bloody hell, this is why I don't get involved. I am a pirate. I'm supposed to only do things that benefit me; I'm not supposed to do things to help others."
"But you were indebted to the Charmings weren't you? They helped you get rid of the thing you most wanted destroyed. That was the reason you answered their call. They let you kill—"
"If you speak that name on my ship I won't hesitate to slit your throat Tigerlily. Daughter of the chief or not it doesn't much matter when you're at the sea. This boat is my territory and I won't have you speaking of things I do not wish to speak of. Do you understand me?"
She swallowed. When the eyes of Killian Jones darkened it was not something to be taken lightly. "Yes."
"Good. Now get off my ship."
"You must heed my warning Killian if not for me then for the sake of Neverland. You and I both know that without you this world would perish."
Killian clenched his jaw. "I know. Leave now."
"One more thing…come to the festival tonight. Summer is upon us. It is a time for celebration," she said, "and bring the girl."
"You see I would but generally speaking I don't celebrate with my captives."
"Except she's not your captive."
"She doesn't know that and I intend for her to stay-"
"You're coming."
"Tigerlily-"
"You are coming; Killian Jones, or else I might have to inform my father of some of your…attentions towards me."
Killian gulped. There were very few things that scared him but an angry chief was among those things. He had already been on the receiving end of the chief's anger once. The last thing he wanted to do was to experience it again.
"Very well," he said, "I suppose it will keep her entertained for a bit."
"Yes," said Tigerlily, "it will and remember Killian…you can no longer serve yourself. There are others involved. Choose wisely or else."
Tigerlily climbed the side of the ship and jumped off leaving Killian alone with his thoughts.
"Well," Killian muttered to himself once she was gone, "that's just bloody brilliant. I've got an annoying Princess on board and someone giving me ominous messages from dead people. Wonderful."
"Who was she?"
Killian whirled around to find the Charming girl standing on deck once more. He frowned. "I seem to recall ordering you to my chambers."
"Just because you issue a command doesn't mean I'm obliged to follow it. You act more Kingly than my father."
"I'm insulted," said Killian, "Kings are beneath me."
"How so?"
"A king must answer to his people and I must answer to no one."
"Hmmm," said Emma, "who was the girl? She was quite beautiful. Was she a gypsy?"
"Native," said Hook, "she's the daughter of the chief who rules these lands. She heard tell of your adventure at Skull Rock and wanted to meet you. She's invited us to their summer festival." Hook was not about to mention Tigerlily's dire warnings to Emma. If Regina was coming and that was a very slim possibility he would take the necessary precautions then.
"But I'm a captive," said Emma, "I thought I wasn't allowed to leave the ship without your permission."
"Well I'm giving you my permission. We'll be going tonight," he said, "and you're to leave Margie on board."
"Oh well…"
"Well what? I should think you'd be rejoicing at the thought of being off the ship."
"Oh I am. It's only that I don't think Margie will be very pleased at the thought of us being alone."
"Well tell Margie that she's going to have to get over that very quickly otherwise I might just slit her throat. I can't stand anymore of her crying."
"I…well…"
"That is of course you're afraid of being alone with me?" He smirked.
"I am most certainly not."
"Good then. I'm sure you'll think of something to tell her. Now be a good lass and off you trot."
She glared at him and he couldn't help but smile. There was something pleasurable in seeing the way her eyes lit up with all of that fire.
"You're incorrigible."
"And you're not doing as you're told. Now go on," he ushered her back to his cabin then went back to where he had been sitting and returned to playing his flute.
He hadn't really cared whether or not the annoying governess came but he hadn't wanted Emma around him either. Tigerlily's warning had rattled him more than he wanted to admit.
He was a pirate. He did not get involved in other peoples battles. More importantly the girl meant nothing to him. Didn't she?
She had a pretty face and was entertaining enough but she was young. And more than that she wasn't Milah. Not that anyone could ever be but it was the most important factor. Never mind the fact that she was a Princess.
Because the idea of a Pirate and a Princess getting a happy ending was laughable.
And the shrieks he heard coming from his cabin from what he guessed was an irate Margie only made him laugh. He felt a sharp poke in the back moments later and turned around to see her glaring up at him.
"Just what do you think you're doing?!" Margie exclaimed.
"I thought the Princess could do with some time off of the ship. Besides, she was invited by the natives and it isn't every day one gets invited by them. You should be honored that your pupil has gotten such a request." Killian grinned while Margie glowered.
"I don't know what you're up to but I can tell you one thing. If you so much as lay a hand-"
"Well you needn't worry about that. I only have one after all."
Margie glowered some more. "If you so much as lay a hand or a hook on that girl in any way that harms her I will have your head. Do you understand me? Your head!"
"You know I find violence an attractive quality in a woman Margie. Your face is an absolute delightful shade of red at this very moment."
Margie huffed. "You…you….you…PIRATE."
He smiled. "You need not worry about me Margie. I care for no one and no one cares for me. The moment I do start caring that's when you need to get your knickers in a twist love."
"You're appalling."
"Margie!" Emma had joined them at this point. "Why on earth would you lock me in there? I was trying to explain things and you just rushed out."
Margie turned to her charge. "Because you are clearly out of your senses! You cannot go somewhere alone with him child. This is clearly part of some evil plot and I won't have it."
"Margie I am practically an adult and-"
"Practically is not an adult. Furthermore there is your virtue to consider."
Emma blushed while Killian laughed. "Margie-"
"I'm sorry but those are things that we must consider. Think of what your poor mother and father would say. It's all highly inappropriate."
"Margie," said Emma, "I can take care of myself. Thank you very much. And I had hoped that you would think better of me. I do have a will of my own you know."
"Oh Princess I didn't mean-"
Emma sighed. "I know. But I'm going with Killian tonight."
"Who?" Margie furrowed her brow.
"Me," said Hook.
Margie rolled her eyes. "Oh gods! They're on a first name basis. Whatever shall the queen say? It's all highly inappropriate, highly inappropriate."
Emma laughed. "Calm yourself Margie. I hardly even know him."
The woman ran off leaving Hook and Emma to themselves. Hook stared at her. Tigerlily's words were still running through his head. He had choices to make.
"So then will you be joining me at the festival?" He stared directly at her. Emma stared back.
"You've already made it perfectly clear that I don't have a choice."
"Yes. Too right you are you haven't got a choice."
"Shall I be scrubbing floors today Hook? Or might I go prepare for the festival? Although I don't know how much I'll get to seeing as how I have no clothes of my own."
"Go. Do whatever you need so long as that governess of yours is kept out of my way."
Emma smiled slightly and Killian found himself returning it.
He spent the rest of the day making sure his ship was in working order. Then when night fell he went to his cabin to get Emma. He had not been sleeping there instead opting to stay with his crew. It was strange to approach his own door and feel as if he couldn't enter.
But Margie scared him more than he wanted to admit. Still, it was his ship and the little governess could be damned for all he cared. He would enter his cabin if he liked.
He didn't bother to knock and was greeted with shrieks. "You rotten pirate!"
"Margie, you're looking well," he said, "red in the face again."
"Killian."
He looked up at the sound of his name and found Emma in the door way. She was still wearing the same clothes because of course she had nothing to change into. But Margie had done something different with the girl's hair. It was down and fell in loose curls around her face.
She was all innocence.
He swallowed.
"I was only having a bit of fun." He grinned hoping that she hadn't seen his reaction. "Now Emma love are you ready for the festival?"
"I am."
"I don't like it," said Margie.
"I know," said Emma, grinning at her governess, "but I'm going. Besides if the two of us spend any more time in this cabin we might just kill each other. Come on now Hook."
"That's supposed to be my line," he said.
"You should know by now that I'm the one that does the telling."
They got off the ship and took a small boat ashore. The native's village was deep within the forest. It took them sometime to get there. When they finally did reach it the festival had already begun.
There were dancers around a roaring fire, singing songs that sounded more like warrior cries. Those that weren't dancing played instruments or watched, clapping along.
"It's beautiful," said Emma, "I've never seen dancing like this. My dancing instructor would be appalled. He would say that they had terrible form."
Killian laughed. "They don't dance for form. They dance for the sake of dancing."
Tigerlily appeared before them then as if from nowhere. There was a twinkle in her eyes. "You came. I'm glad. You must be Emma. The spirits have said much about you."
Emma looked strangely at her then to Killian for some sort of explanation. Killian rolled his eyes. "Tigerlily's friends are invisible dead people that give her annoying messages. Please ignore what she says."
"Killian doesn't have an open mind," said Tigerlily, "and my father wants to have a word with you."
"And what does Avani want now? If it's about my men hunting-"
"It has nothing to do with hunting. It has to do with the land."
Killian looked at Emma. "Stay here."
She sighed. "Fine."
Tigerlily led Hook away from the crowd to where the chief was waiting for them in the woods. Avani towered over him at six and a half feet; he had broad shoulders, and black hair that he wore in two long braids. He wore an animal skin of some kind and a necklace of sharp animal teeth.
"Killian Jones," said Avani, "my daughter tells me that you have brought a stranger to this land."
"What of it? You've never cared about my personal affairs before."
"I do when it concerns my people."
"Ah. She told you about the spirit thing." Killian looked to Tigerlily. "Love you really should spend more time talking to the living. It would do wonders for your personality."
Tigerlily glared at him but remained quiet. Avani put a hand on his shoulder. "The last time you brought a stranger to this land we were nearly destroyed. If this girl threatens the existence of my people I will not hesitate to kill her."
"You forget that without me your people have no existence," said Killian, "and if the only reason you invited me here was to threaten that girl then you've wasted your breath. No one will touch a hair on that girls head as long as I'm around. Do you understand?"
"She brings a threat with her greater than anything we have ever seen. How can you allow her to live when her existence threatens our land?"
"Because I was paid to," said Hook, "and a very nice sum if I do say so myself now you will leave the girl to me Avani. Or else you'll have someone much worse than whatever is coming to answer to."
"And who would that be?"
"Her parents," he told him, "now if you'll excuse me I've got a Princess waiting."
Hook turned to leave and found a wide-eyed Emma standing there. He tried to seem as nonchalant as he could and faked a grin. "Didn't anyone ever tell you that it isn't polite to eaves drop?"
She didn't answer. She just ran.
A/N: So sorry this took so long to get up. But I've been trying to develop a plot for this story to no avail but I think I finally have one. Hopefully it works out and you all like it. Thank you to everyone that's read and reviewed, followed and favorited. You are all amazing!
Love n' stars,
Cambria