Chapter 10
Ellie went down to greet Eric and Belle and noticed Belle was getting sick. Ellie ran to her side and quickly held her hair back. The restrooms in the cells were horrible and had terrible privacy, but Belle had to be sick somewhere. Ellie hurried to Belle's side and held her hair back out of the way. Finally Belle stopped getting sick and sat on the dirty floor.
"Sorry Ellie, I didn't mean to worry you," Belle said.
"What happened, did you eat something bad," Ellie asked with concern.
"No…" Belle looked around to see if anyone was watching but Sultan and Aladdin were both asleep and Eric had already been pulled out for work. Finally she sighed and looked at Ellie, "Can I trust you?" Ellie nodded and Belle sighed, "I haven't even told Adam yet…I'm…I'm going to have a baby…"
"Belle! You're going to be a mom! That's great!" Ellie smiled and paused, "Oh, that's bad…You and he are stuck here…This is horrible…If Bucks found out…" Ellie looked worried.
"Ellie, stay calm, it's going to be okay. I'm more worried about you. I don't want to see you hurt, and you're about to be bound to that horrible man. You have it far worse then any of us."
"No Belle, I'm fine, I am willing to do this for you all because it keeps you all safe. I am okay with doing this…"
"You are your mother and father's daughter Ellie, you really are amazing…"
Before either one of them could say another word, Bucks came down to the cell block. "Alright, time to start the day! Now, I don't think I can use you Belle, you're pretty useless, and of course all my heavy and hard work is done by my cabin boy, so I don't really know where to use you…"
"I can use her," Ellie said in a fast tone. "Please! I'm going to be your wife very soon, so I won't be doing the hard work…You said last night that Aladdin would be taking over my job, the only job I have left is being your wife and training the fish…Let Belle be my personal servant! She can do it! She can teach me in my studies, all the studies I've missed these past five years so that your wife looks like a smart woman who is supportive of you and your work…"
Bucks frowned but then paused and smiled, "Very well, she can be your maid of honor tomorrow at the wedding. We need to get started with the day, you best get her up to your new room and get her dressed in your old uniform." He turned to the next cell and hit Aladdin on the head and he jerked awake. "Get your ass up and get to work Street Rat, you're our new servant! Now get moving, Eric is already up there working, he'll help teach you what to do. First though, we need to fit you in your chains and collar…"
"Chains and collar," Aladdin said with a frown.
"And after he finishes his work, he gets to go see his monkey," Ellie added.
"No, he's not going to see my dancing monkey, the monkey has to work," Bucks responded, "And that wasn't part of our deal."
Ellie frowned but knew better then to argue with him. "Then I will put his shackles on and collar. You are higher then those tedious tasks. I'll get him ready and then take him up to Eric."
"Fine, if that is what you want to do then fine, but you will take your servant up to change and then come back to me after. After all, you are my soon to be wife so we need to be seen together." He smiled at her, "Now kiss your man goodbye before I leave for work." Ellie pursed her lips but then squared her shoulders and slowly walked over to him and gave him a small kiss. "That was very good, but we are going to have to work on it, after all, people expect us to be madly in love…"
"I am not in love with you and never will be. I may be agreeing to be your wife, but that doesn't make me any less of a prisoner then before, just means I'm on display more. I did what I had to do to protect my friends, that's the only reason I agreed to this. Just like the only reason you agreed to this is because you want my royal title, since you know my parents are dead and I am their only child that means that I am the only hair to the throne, even though Lady Tremaine took it."
"Well that's okay, I don't need you to love me, I only need you to follow orders and make this look good. Now practice the kiss one more time and make it more convincing this time," he ordered, "and remember your friends' safety is in my hands and it all hinges on you doing as you are told." Ellie sighed and closed her eyes but reached up and gave Bucks a real kiss. She hated it, but she would do what she had to do to protect her friends. "That was much better, maybe I should have you teach all these other prisoners how to behave properly, though it has taken me five whole years to get you to behave this well for me."
Ellie sighed and looked away as Bucks left and then walked over to Aladdin with the chains. "I know you can break out of these, but if you care about Aboo, and anyone else here, I wouldn't suggest that. Bucks has quite the temper and he won't hesitate to throw Aboo to his pet sharks if you don't listen and do what he says. Trust me, sometimes it's just better to submit." When Aladdin frowned, Ellie sighed. "Aladdin, trust me on this one, I've been stuck as Bucks captive for five years, I know him well, I know how he acts, he's use to getting his way. If you don't do what he says bad things happen. I don't want to see others hurt, please Aladdin, think about Aboo or about Sultan…"
Aladdin looked at Ellie and for the first time he could see the hurt in her eyes and sighed. "You really have had a hard time here, haven't you? And you're just a kid…"
Ellie shook her head, "I'm not a kid anymore, I haven't been a kid since that second week by myself. My family died and I watched it happen…The first week alone on his ship, I stayed in that cabin room and cried…After that first week, I had to learn to grow up…I haven't been a kid in a long time." She sighed again, "I need to put these shackles around your ankles and this collar around your neck. You'll hate them at first, but you'll get use to them and as long as you do everything Bucks tells you to, there will be no pain…That's the only advise I can give you."
She closed her eyes and looked down, hating what she had become. Slowly Aladdin lifted her chin up for her to look at him. "Hey, it's okay. We all know what you chose to do, you did it to protect all of us. It's a very brave thing to do, and I will do what I am told, as long as it keeps you safe. Ellie, you have to take care of yourself too. Eric, Sultan, Belle and I, we are all here for you, we all care about what happens to you. You are not alone any more. Your family may be gone, but we are your friends and we're happy to be your family now. We all will look out for you. I mean look at me, I'm a street rat turned prince. We all have stuff we can do. You have a kind heart. You sacrificed your freedom to help save us. We know the kiss you gave Bucks wasn't a true love kiss, and that's okay, because when you do have that kiss, it will be the most powerful thing ever, stronger then any curse."
Ellie's eyes grew wide, "Aladdin, you're a genius! That's how we help Belle! Belle, we can bring Adam back to human form! I don't have time to explain right now, we have to get you to my room to change and Aladdin, I have to get you ready." He nodded and she quickly put the shackles around his ankles, loosely so they wouldn't hurt and then quickly put the collar on, tight enough it fit around his neck, but not so tight that it was uncomfortable. The three of them walked up and she showed Aladdin the way to Eric and Eric took over to show him the ropes of the job and Ellie took Belle to her room to get her changed.
"Okay Ellie, what are you planning?"
"I can't tell you Belle, if you know, then Bucks might catch on and it would ruin the whole thing. Besides, I don't even know if it will work, it's just a hunch."
They stepped out of Ellie's room and Bucks was there waiting on them with a rather shady character. The hairs on the back of Ellie's neck stood up just looking at him and she had to fight the urge to cower back. Belle squeezed Ellie's hand and Ellie relaxed a bit as she stood next to Bucks.
"So…Who is this man who so kindly came to our island," Ellie asked as calmly as she could.
"Ellie, this is a good friend of mine, Percival C. McLeach. He does a lot of hunting and he helps me out from time to time with bringing me exotic animals to show off until the rangers are off his trails. And this is my soon to be wife, her name is Ellie," Bucks said with a smooth smile.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. McLeach. What brings you to our island today," she asked trying to keep her voice smooth.
"Well, I came across a bit of a problem in my work line and he's getting in my way. His name is Cody, and the rangers are still looking for him and he's getting in my way of finding that mother eagle. Anyways, I brought the boy here to get him out of the way, then I can catch that bird finally," the man growled jerking a boy out from behind him.
"How old are you boy," Bucks asked looking down his nose at him, just like he did with Ellie.
"I'm fourteen, I've grown since this stupid poacher caught me the first time and I'm still going to fight him. He didn't catch my friend back then and he won't do it now either. He'll never find her nest," the boy explained with passion and instantly Ellie liked the boy. He was only a year younger then her and he already showed a lot of courage, of course that courage would get him in trouble in this place.
"Well, with everything you do for us, we would be happy to keep the boy here for you. My cell block is getting a little crowded, but with Belle coming out for serving my wife, I suppose he could be locked up with my cabin boy. I can't use him around the park, I already have too many prisoners working out there and I don't need another fighter. We'll lock this one up. Maybe a few days without food and water will teach him to behave better." Ellie felt horrified and made a mental note to save some of her food and bring it to the boy. "Now I'll take your problem child and lock him up for you gladly. That way if the rangers ever do manage to find your place, and I doubt they will, they'll never manage to track you to this kid. Ellie, why don't you and Belle go down and check on Star and her father and then on my beast, I'll lock this boy up!"
Ellie wanted to argue, but there was a clear warning in Bucks' eyes and she sighed inwardly, "Of course dear, whatever you want." Yes, Ellie would be down there tonight to give the kid some of her dinner, she'd made up her mind about that.
Ellie walked away and went to check on Ariel and her father and after that she and Belle went to check on Adam. When Adam saw Belle and Ellie coming to him, he actually smiled. It warmed Ellie to know that Adam didn't hate her, even though she was working for Bucks. Ellie led Belle up to Adam's cage and looked at Belle with a serious look.
"We don't have much time until Bucks returns and checks on us, so you have to act fast Belle. I think you can change Adam back from a beast to a man, I think all you need is true love's kiss, it's the strongest magic there is. You have to be quick Belle, because if Bucks catches us, it's all over."
Belle's eyes shined with hope, "You really think it will work Ellie?"
"As I said, I don't know for sure, but there is only one way to find out. You have to act quickly too."
Belle nodded and slowly she leaned in and kissed Adam. There was a bright flash of light and slowly, Adam did turn back into a man. Belle's eyes grew wide and then she smiled. She took Adam's hands and he took hers and smiled back.
"You were right Ellie, it worked! Adam, I was so worried about you," Belle cried.
"Don't worry Belle, I've faced far worse before, I can handle this."
"Belle, you need to tell Adam now before anything else happens," Ellie urged.
"Tell me what," Adam asked.
Belle looked around and seeing they were alone, she smiled, "Adam, we're going to have a baby."
Adam smiled, "We're going to be parents, Belle that's great!" He paused and then looked worried, "Wait a minute, we're both prisoners here. What if that Bucks fellow hurts you?"
"Don't worry about that Adam, I have already taken care of that for you, Belle is going to be my own personal servant."
"What did you do to get that," Adam asked with worry.
"She agreed to marry that horrible man," Belle said with a frown.
"Ellie, you can't do that."
"Adam, I have to. It was either I marry him or he was going to force Belle to marry him. I had to reveal my royal linage in order to get him to agree, but it was the only way to save Belle, and all the other captives here," Ellie argued.
"What other captives," he asked?
Ellie sighed, "Prince Eric is here as Bucks' personal cabin boy. Aladdin and the Sultan are here, Aladdin helping Eric out and Sultan as a prisoner, and they just brought a boy here named Cody who is only a year younger then me. He also has two royal merpeople here, Arial and King Triton. Bucks is getting quite the collection of royals and it is starting to go to his head," Ellie frowned. "By agreeing to marry him, it keeps everyone here safe."
"Everyone but you," Adam said with a frown.
"What happened to my beast," Bucks demanded in anger, "why is he human again!"
"The spell must have worn off sir, there's nothing you can do about that," Ellie said quickly before anyone else could say something to get them in trouble.
"What am I suppose to do with a washed up prince! I needed a beast for my acts, but what can a prince do!" Bucks paused and then a smile creeped across his face. "I know just what to do, my cabin boy is a prince and this man is a prince, we can have the battle of the princes with sword fights. Eric will do as I command because of Ariel, and you, beast, will do as I say because of Belle," he said grabbing her wrist roughly.
Adam growled in anger but Ellie jumped in first, freeing Belle's hand from his grasp, "No sir, you won't hurt Belle, we had a deal," she stated calmly. "Belle is my maid, as long as I am bound to you, you will not harm the royals here, that was in our agreements."
Bucks growled in anger and slapped Ellie hard on her face. "Damn you, you're always getting in the way of my plans! FINE! I guess I'll just have to make you my wife right now and when I consummate our marriage, I'll make it hurt much more!"
"Leave the girl alone Bucks! She's just a child," Adam growled and Bucks smiled.
"I take it you care about this stupid misfit," He smiled shaking Ellie in his rough grip.
"I said leave her alone Bucks!"
"Then you will agree to the duels with Prince Eric," Bucks said with a smile.
Adam frowned, "Fine," he gritted out, "I'll fight Eric in a sword fight, but I will not harm him, I draw the line there!"
Bucks smiled, he loved getting his way. "Good idea, if you both stay alive you can continue to fight each other for the people you love. It's a great angle, I like it, everyone loves a prince fighting to keep their princess safe!"
Adam frowned at this but everyone was surprised when Eric showed up and growled, "I will not be put on display for you! I know better then to believe you'll hurt Ariel, she's your main attraction right now! I'm not going to fight with my friends just for your own amusement and you have nothing to hold over me to make me do what you want!"
"Oh I think I do have something to hold over you, Prince Eric," Bucks hissed as he pulled Ellie closer to him. "I think it's time you go swimming!"
Ellie's eyes grew wide with fear, "No, please," she begged!
"Leave her alone," Eric growled.
"I can't do that. Ellie belongs to me. You see, when Lady Tremaine came here, she asked me to keep Ellie here, when she told me Ellie was her step-granddaughter, well, I was happy to oblige. She sold me rights to Ellie, so Ellie now belongs to me, as a slave, but I chose to give her the honor of marriage to me. Ellie now belongs to me and I can do with her what I please! She seems to be the one thing you all care about and you all have been defying me far too much. Physical pain doesn't seem to teach you a lesson cabin boy, and you're right, I won't harm my Star, so I have to teach you in another way!"
Bucks grabbed some rope and tied Ellie's wrists behind her back and then tied her ankles. His men, at the snap of his fingers, grabbed Eric and Belle and held them back. It took two men to hold the struggling Eric back, but the did manage to subdue him. From his cage, Adam had the perfect view of Ariel's tank because he was on a balcony that overlooked the tanks on that side of the park. Bucks dragged Ellie down with him to Ariel's tank and smiled.
"Miss Star, you will not interfere. This is a direct order, you will stay in your tank and watch as Ellie goes down, but you will not help her! Now step back so Ellie can take a dip!"
Ellie's eyes looked wide with fear and Ariel wanted to help her, but Bucks had the Triton and she was unable to come to Ellie's aid. Bucks tossed Ellie in the water and she began to sink. Ellie struggled even more but she could not break free of her bonds and fear was the only thing you could see in her and she continued to sink to the bottom. Eric and Belle were struggling like mad and Adam was yelling from his cage above but Bucks didn't care, he just smiled.
"Maybe now you will think twice before you defy me again, cabin boy!"
"ALRIGHT, you MADE your POINT! Now please, let her go! She'll die in there," Eric billowed.
Aladdin saw what was happening from afar and he ran to jump in and help her. Bucks saw this and activated his collar which was shocking him. Aladdin grunted and fell and Bucks seemed satisfied, but at the last moment, Aladdin jumped up and jumped into the water, ignoring the shocks. The pain was clear in his eyes, but he still swam to the bottom and grabbed Ellie and pulled her back up. He pulled her out and then fell on the sidewalk in pain as the electricity from the shocking collar was now traveling through him even more because of him being all wet. Ellie lay very still because she had swallowed some water and Eric was finally able to pull free of his two guards and he came to her aid, preforming CPR. Ellie coughed up water and then groaned and lay on her side. Once her eyesight cleared, she saw how much pain Aladdin was in and she reached over and pulled the collar off. She got shocked in doing so, but Aladdin had just saved her life, so a little shocking wouldn't bother her.
Bucks sighed, "You all are hopeless, so willing to defend each other, even to death if need be. I'm getting tired of this. Ellie, tomorrow we will get married, I'm done putting this off! I will make you pay after that because by then, even by law you belong to me!"
Bucks' men let go of Belle and left Eric's side and Ariel was finally released from the triton's control. Ariel swam to the edge of her cage and looked up with worry at Ellie and Eric. Belle came to all three of them, worry clear in her eyes.
"Ellie are you alright," Eric asked.
Ellie was still shivering and shaking, but it wasn't because she was cold. She held up her hand to tell them to wait while she steadied herself. She took a few breaths to calm herself before she looked up at them again.
"I…I'm fine…I…I just need a moment…" Ellie had calmed herself, but she was still shivering, fear still clear. Eric moved up to her and hugged her warmly.
"Ellie, I am so sorry. This is all of my fault. If I had just agreed to do what he wanted, you wouldn't have been put in the water…" Eric looked very upset.
Ellie sighed, "And I am the reason Aladdin is hurt, he got shocked badly because he jumped in for me and not only was he shocked, but he was hurt badly because the water was a conductor of the electric shocks. Eric we can all blame ourselves for what happens, but the truth is that Bucks is the one at fault. I'd like to say it will all be over tomorrow, but sadly, I have a feeling it will only just begin. I don't want to be that man's wife, but I have to."
"We'll fight for you," Eric said.
"No Eric, there is nothing that can be done now, it's set, I'm stuck with him forever now. I'm done trying to hope, hope does nothing but bring disappointment."
"We'll figure some way out of this Ellie, we won't give up on you," Belle vowed.
"I think it's too late for that Belle," Ellie said with a sigh.
Meanwhile elsewhere on the island
A small raft crashed up against the wall of the hidden island and four people, a goldfish, and a black and white cat washed up in a hidden cave in the wall of the island. The boy who had still been wooden was now real. The woman and man looked at the father of the boy with concern.
"Jepetto, are you alright," Cinderella asked.
The man coughed and looked at them, "I think I survived the worst of Monstro, what about you and your husband?"
"I think we're okay. What about your boy? We did our best to keep him safe," Cinderella said.
Jepetto looked over at his son and looked worried, he couldn't see him breathing. "He's not breathing. Before any of them could react, Charles Charming pushed Jepetto out of the way and began CPR. After what seemed like forever Pinocchio coughed and began to breath again and Jepetto hugged his son, so happy they had all survived.
"Where are we father? Did we make it out of Monstro?"
"Yes we did my boy, your idea worked! We're safe now!"
"But where are we father," Pinocchio asked?
"I'm not sure, we're on an island of some sort, but I'm sure we're safe."
"We should scout out the island and find out if there is anyone else here and where we are at. It is best if we stay together and not get lost, we don't want to lose anyone. And I promise Jepetto, I won't let anything happen to your son, there is no need for another child to die," Charles said, his voice laced with a bit of pain.
"Charles, what happened to Ellie isn't your fault. You couldn't have done anything more. Ellie was a good swimmer, just like you. Maybe she managed to find some of the ship and float away to safety, like we did," Cinderella said softly.
"Yes, your wife is right, I mean look at my boy, he came to the bottom of the sea to see me and he survived. I'm sure your daughter is out there somewhere," Jepetto said is a light tone trying to keep Charles' spirits up.
Charles sighed, "Maybe, but it was a very bad storm, Cinderella and I almost didn't make it, and we probably wouldn't have if your whale hadn't swallowed us up and you pulled us onto your ship inside." He paused and looked around, "Let's see what is on this island, maybe there is someone who can help us…"
End note: Sorry this one is so long, a lot needed to be done on this hanger, sorry guys, but I thought you should know Ellie's parents did live through all this and they are on the island with her, though she doesn't know it yet. Even more help is on the way! Hopefully it isn't too late to save Ellie from Bucks. Next chapter is the big wedding, or will it be? You'll just have to wait and see As always, please review