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Chapter 8: Brave

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Keeping to the shadows of the stairwell, Emma peered over the railing and watched the tavern below.

The lanterns had been doused and a dark gloom swallowed the pub whole. Some remaining candles flickered on a few tables, revealing the large looming forms of black knights. There were at least a dozen of them, unmistakable in their midnight-colored armor and dagger crests. They were sitting in the few chairs that weren't overturned, drinking beer from large tankards. Sitting at the front of the room was a large wolfish man with sharp features and a hungry smile.

Nottingham.

He was here. He had found her after all.

Emma gripped the banister, fighting to keep herself upright. Her breath caught in her throat as her blood turned to ice as her and her knees nearly buckled. A wave of terror washed over her and she felt like she'd been thrust underwater. Unable to breathe. Unable to scream.

The scene below seemed to unfold in slow motion as the captain approached the sheriff. The two men shook hands and broke into loud boisterous laughter. Nottingham clapped the pirate on the back and looked at him approvingly. The captain then offered a charming greeting to the rest of the group. He seemed completely at ease with the knights, his cheerful voice echoing up to the rafters as he addressed the large looming shadows.

"Bloody hell, I have to say this is a surprise Sheriff. What brings you here at such an ungodly hour?"

"Ungodly business. Is there any other kind?" Nottingham replied with a wicked smirk.

"Not that I know of. How's the leg?"

"Painful. How's the hand?"

"Missing." The pirate gave a sly wink.

They both chuckled quietly, privy to some private joke. Emma held tightly to the railing, wondering just how friendly the pirate and the sheriff were after all...

The captain gestured to the tavern around them. "It's funny... I haven't seen you since I've been in port. Been wondering where you were keeping yourself."

"Who says I've been keeping myself at all? I was in the Northern Kingdom actually. Had the privilege of paying my respects to the new queen there. Queen Regina. Oh Jones, if you could but see her…" He sighed. "There's none like her in these realms. None so fine, none so ruthless. She's fucking glorious to behold."

"Yes, I hear she's quite the enchantress."

The sheriff nodded. "It's no lie. She's as fair as any woman I've ever seen. The fairest in the land. Long raven hair and rum-colored eyes. And the prettiest pair of tits in creation. The kind that make you want to fall to your knees and beg for a closer look." Nottingham went on to describe Regina in lurid detail, using terms about the female anatomy that Emma wasn't quite sure she understood.

"Sounds like an ideal monarch," the captain said approvingly.

"That she is. And I have to tell you my friend, I hated to leave her… But my duty to the county comes before all."

"Ever the faithful public servant."

"I like to give that impression…and so imagine my surprise I found out that your crew went tearing around the countryside, chasing after a young blonde who was hiding in the forest."

The captain shrugged. "Why should that interest you? Sounds like you have better things to do than pay mind to my own pitiful exploits."

"Normally I'd agree with you." Nottingham nodded. "But it's a funny thing. Because you went looking for a young blonde … and now turns out that I'm looking for a young blonde. Quite a coincidence, isn't it?"

"Not really," he replied in a bored voice. "Most of the men I know spend a good deal of time and money hunting up young blondes. Why should we be any different?"

The group of knights let out a belt of laughter, throwing their heads back and raising their drinks to the pirate. A few nodded in agreement and chuckled as they drank deeply and pounded their tankards on the teetering tables.

The captain's smile didn't quite reach his eyes as the laughter died away. "But I found my blonde. You'll have to get your own."

"If she is who I think she is, you'll have to hand her over to me. I'll give you a finder's fee of course, plus a little something extra for your trouble…but I'm gonna take her Jones. You won't have a choice in the matter."

"Ah, there's always a choice Sheriff. But who is she? This troublesome girl of yours."

Nottingham waved the question away, as if it were completely unimportant. "She's just some ousted royal from the North who was traced to these parts. Seems she got on the bad side of the new queen and has a death sentence waiting for her. There's a nice, fat reward for anyone who brings her in alive and kicking."

"A royal from the North?" He gave a small smile. "You've certainly got the wrong girl then... My Swan's a shopkeeper's daughter from Hampton. I found her when I was in port there. She's never been to the North in her life." Emma was surprised at how easily the lie came to him.

Nottingham didn't seem convinced. "My deputies tell me a different story. Several stories actually..."

"Your deputies couldn't keep track of my women if I paid them to. They're far too busy chasing after their own girls to worry about mine."

"But rumor has it that your men scoured the forest for her. She must be awfully important if you're sending your entire crew after her."

"I don't pay attention to rumors…"

"Well I do," Nottingham interrupted briskly. "And I know she's here. So bring her out. Let me have a look at her, and then we'll see what we'll see."

"What, now? It's the middle of the night. I'm afraid she's sleeping."

"Then wake her up." Nottingham's expression was merry but his eyes held a darkness that made Emma shiver. "Or shall I have my men do it for you?"

The pirate leveled a steeled gaze at the sheriff. "That's all right. There's no need to go to that kind of trouble. I think it's best if I get her. My girl can be a bit grumpy when she's roused and she's got a hell've of a punch." He chuckled quietly even as he nodded to his crew. His men were lurking around the shadows of the bar, watching their captain, poised and ready to strike at Nottingham and his men if given the signal.

The captain climbed the stairs slowly and found Emma crouched by the banister. If he was surprised at seeing her huddled in the shadows he didn't show it. "Come on my Lovely. My own lovely Swan." He eased her away from the stairwell and leaned in to whisper: "Easy now. If it comes to it, I won't let them take you… but you have to help me now."

"How?" she whispered, her voice shaking as hard as the hand that held her own.

"All you have to do is charm them. Act like none of this matters. That you couldn't care less about them being here. If you flirt and smile, they won't think anything's amiss. And don't look frightened…that's what they're expecting."

"Say Jones," Nottingham's deep voice cut through the quiet, causing Emma to bite her lip as she shuddered. "Are you gonna' be awhile? Because I don't have all night…"

The captain eased away, shooting her a dark look as he led her towards the sheriff and his men. She brushed some loose curls over her face, hiding behind the pale strands as much as she could.

She stood before the shadowed group with a small smile, fighting the fear lashing through her. Nottingham looked her up and down, his eyes glittering against the faint candlelight. "Now here's the famous little lady. You caused quite a ruckus in our little village, haven't you?"

Emma took a deep breath, steadying herself as she gave a careless shrug and twirled her hair, imitating the flourishes of the barmaids she'd seen these last few days. She smiled vacantly and answered in a soft Irish brogue: "Have I sir? I didn't mean ta'. I never meant to cause ya' any kind of trouble. Honest I didn't."

Nottingham studied her, his dark expression unreadable, his voice slightly lilted like he was talking to a child: "Of course not sweetheart. But I've heard stories about how you ran away. About how the crew had to hunt you down in the forest. Now how do you explain that?"

"Aye. Tis true enough sir," Emma replied earnestly. "We had ourselves a fight. I don't know how it happened, because the Captain here treats meh' ever so well…but I lost meh' temper and ran off sir."

"I heard his men had to drag you back. And I've known Jones here awhile. That's not how he handles his women."

"Well…I'd been drinkin'…"

"Had you?"

She nodded shyly. "Aye, and we quarreled. And then I run off sir. I hadn't any mind to listen to reason. So he sent the crew after me. I'm sorry I did it but…" she shrugged helplessly "…sometimes I just can't seem to help me'self."

Nottingham tsk-tsked. "But why were you in rags sweetheart? Everyone I've talked to says your clothes were tattered and torn."

Emma gestured to her skirts. "Because tha's what we was fightin' about! It's tha' hook of his. He just tears a dress to pieces to get what he wants. Animal that he is...And I was tired of having nothin' to wear because he can't find his way around a few fucking buttons."

The men around her burst into laughter. Emma chewed on her thumbnail and kept her eyes wide and vacant, ignoring the harsh guffaws and Nottingham's own lustful gaze.

"This one's got gumption, hasn't she?" The sheriff said with approval. "She's sweet. Young too." A wolfish grin appeared on his face. "A pretty thing. Fair and fresh…"

"Aye that she is sir." The captain's voice rang out jovially as an arm came around her waist and brought her flush against his side. "The fairest and freshest any man could hope for."

Nottingham's smile was now an outright leer. "Are there any more like her back in Hampton? I might pay the place a visit if she's a sample of what they offer."

"Might be," he replied with a wide grin. "But she's something special. I knew it the moment I clapped eyes on her."

"I bet she is." Nottingham turned to her and wet his lips. "Now you come find me if you get tired of these rough-and-tumble pirates, all right little lady? They aren't the sort of company a girl like you should keep."

"Aye, thank ya' sir and bless ya'," Emma replied softly. "You're a fine gentleman, to be sure."

"That's well done Jones. Well done indeed. I can see why you ordered your men to fetch her back. I'd certainly do the same." Nottingham sent the pirate a wink and a few friendly words before he tipped back his mug and made his way towards the door. The black knights followed, finishing their beers and disappearing into the shadowed darkness of the streets from which they came.

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After they were gone, the captain waved away the members of his crew who were still hovering nearby. Without a word he took Emma's shaking hand and roughly led her upstairs.

Emma kept her eyes fixed on the floor, the loose curls veiling her face as he pulled her along. She said nothing and put up no resistance. She knew what was coming—he was going to send her packing. Probably going to take her to the edge of town and leave her there…

Of course he'd get rid of her. He had to. He'd discovered who she was: a fugitive, a royal from the North who was wanted by Regina and hunted by the black knights. She was too big a risk to keep around. She'd already attracted Nottingham's attention, and it wouldn't be long before the queen's own bounty hunters and mercenaries tracked her down as well. The captain wasn't going to endanger himself and his crew for a useless thief. He couldn't set himself against Regina.

He wouldn't. No man would.

The captain led her back to his room and ushered her inside, closing door behind them. It wasn't until she heard the latch click behind her that she raised her eyes to his, expecting him to quietly command her to gather her meager possessions and clear out.

Instead he brushed the curls out of her face and gently cupped her cheek. "You were amazing Lovely, just amazing. Brave, sweet thing you are…I knew you could do it. Never doubted you for a moment."

Emma hadn't realized she was holding her breath until her lungs screamed for air. She let out a gasping cough as a sick dizzying feeling lashed through her. At once he gathered her to him, keeping her from crumpling to the floor. She wrapped her arms around his neck, forcing herself to take long breaths, willing the waves of panic that had risen in her to recede.

"There there. It's all right. You're safe now."

"I thought….I thought…" Emma shook her head. She couldn't even say the words.

"I know. You thought I was going to hand you over to that asshole and his merry band of fuckwits." He stroked her hair and soothed her. "Remember Swan, I'm not gonna let anything happen to you. I gave you my word and I always keep my word. I may be a thief and a pirate, but I'm a damned honest one."

She nodded against him, clinging to him, taking comfort in the warm steady feel of him.

"Come on now. Sit down."

"I don't want to sit down," she muttered, still holding tightly to him.

The captain chuckled and eased her towards his bed. "It wasn't a question Lovely. Sit. Now. The fire needs tending and you need a drink. Come on. There you go…" he urged her to sit and went to check the window. He eyed the empty streets until he was satisfied that the sheriff's men weren't still watching the place. Then he busied himself with the dying fire.

Emma sat very still and watched the flames take to the kindling. The fire rose higher and higher, licking at the grate and casting an amber light across the shadows. Staring into the flames, Emma recalled that Regina took pleasure in burning royalists at the stake. Sometimes the Queen forced their families to watch, even going so far as to make them to light the blaze. After Emma had gone into hiding, she'd heard stories that Regina burned entire villages to the ground if they were suspected of harboring royalists. No one was spared: children, women, even those loyal to the evil queen, they all went up in a sickening cloud of smoke. Nothing was left. Survivors couldn't even bury the remains…

"Swan," the captain's voice shook her out of her thoughts as his hook stroked her hand. He was kneeling in front of her, holding a goblet.

Emma took the cup and raised it to her lips. She sniffed it, looking at him curiously.

"It's brandy," he explained. "Good for shock. It's strong stuff, so you'll have to drink it slowly."

She nodded and took a small sip. It reminded her of the rum he'd once offered her. The brandy burned its way down her throat, leaving an odd apricot flavor in her mouth. She tried it again, forcing herself to swallow, forcing herself to breathe.

The captain went back to the window to keep an eye on the streets below. She sat on the edge of the bed sipping the brandy, watching him from across the room. Just outside she could hear the soft sound of the ocean and the sharp howl of winter winds against the windowpanes. Snow flurries had begun to fall, raining down over the seascape, reflecting the veiled moonlight in the silver clouds.

It struck her that this was how they met—her sitting on a bed, terrified and hopeless and him standing at the window, outlined in shadow and starlight. So much had changed since then. And so little.

"I should leave," she muttered as she set aside the empty goblet. "I should leave tonight. I can't stay here anymore. It's not safe."

"You're not going anywhere," he replied, still watching the streets below.

"I have to. The sheriff found me, and others will too. You don't know what Regina's capable of. She'll send her mercenaries after me. Anyone who can track and kill…she won't stop until she has my heart brought to her on a silver platter."

"Believe me Swan, your heart's safe for the time being."

"What difference does it make? If I leave tonight or if I leave in a week…what does it matter? I can't stay here forever."

"Why not?"

"Why not?" Emma repeated, not certain she understood him. "Stay here? At The Black Swan?"

He turned to her, his eyes holding hers against the starlight. "No my Lovely. Stay with me."