Chapter Ten: Kingdom of the Rose
Hook slowly began to stir as the sun light slowly began to creep across the room. His arm was tingling and something heavy was keeping him from moving it. Opening his eyes Hook felt momentarily confused. Why was he lying down? Did he fall off his chair? Then he remembered he had slept in his own bed with Clara and the weight on his arm was Clara who had remained curled up next to him. Hook did not want to have to get out of bed so soon, not when he had the red headed beauty draped across him sleeping. Slowly he slide his arm out from under Clara. Mumbling incoherently in her sleep Clara rolled over curling up with a pillow.
Normally Hook was wide awake and ready to take command of his ship, but he also rarely slept so well. This particular morning he was stumbling around his room with sleep laden eyes attempting to find his cloths. Sleeping in his chair had two advantages he never overslept and he never felt lonely. Downside the chair was not nearly as comfortable. Eventually he managed to dress, splashing water on his face Hook made for the top deck. As always Smee was already at the wheel, always up with the sun.
"Good mornin' Captain." Smee greeted his voice betraying his tired state.
"Morning Mr. Smee. How do the seas look this morning?"
"Calm and favorable."
"Excellent. No need to push too hard today I believe we are all rather tired."
"Aye Captain. Um Captain."
"Yes Smee?"
"I believe you have forgotten something."
"What?" Smee nodded down. "Bloody hell." Hook grumbled, he was missing his hook.
Marching back down to his room Hook quietly opened the door unsure if Clara was still asleep. Walking into the room he was met by a tasseled hair, yawning Clara stretching her arms over her head. "Morning." Clara mumbled seeing Hook.
"Good morning. How's your head?"
"Despite what you might think that was not my most wild night." Clara gave Hook a mischievous smirk before climbing off the bed.
"Then I would love to see one of you wildest." Hook's smirk was equally as mischievous.
"Maybe one day you will be so lucky. But right now I wish to get ready for the day in peace."
"As the lady wishes. First I need my hook."
"Your hook?"
"Yes I removed it last night so not to accidently hurt you while I slept."
"Thank you."
Hook screwed his hook back into its holder. "Chef has breakfast ready if you wish to eat." Clara had quickly learned that Chef was not a real chef the crew simply called him that because he was the only one who did the cooking. Hook paused giving Clara a kiss before he left her to get ready.
Clara could tell that Smee was not really into that day's lessons. She wanted to tell him that they did not need to practice if he was not in the mood, but refrained. Clara had a feeling that Smee would not appreciate being made to look tired in front of the men. Hook certainly would not.
Smee called an end to the lesson after an hour. Clara was left to either head back to the bedroom and read or find something to do on deck. Since there was nothing for her to do on deck Clara decided to make her way down to the galley. There was plenty of salted meats to work with and with bread and cheese Clara was sure she could come up with a tasty lunch.
Between early and midafternoon Clara emerged on deck with a basket full of sandwiches for the men. Giving Hook his first she made the rounds of the deck making sure each man got one. Clara found it odd that she could not find Smee. Eventually she found him sitting alone down in the dining area his head resting on his arms on top of the table. He breathing was steady so Clara assumed he was asleep. Carefully setting the sandwich down next to him she turned to go.
"Thank you Miss Clara."
"Sorry I was trying not to wake you."
"I was not really asleep. This looks good." Smee smiled pulling the sandwich in front of him.
"I tried to make the food a little more appealing." Clara smiled back. "I am sorry about you wife." Clara blurt out suddenly than covered her mouth blushing red. "I...I should not have brought her up."
"No Miss Clara it's perfectly fine. I lost her many years ago."
"James said you left her behind when you ended up here." Clara took a seat next to Smee.
"James now is it?" Smee smiled causing Clara to blush all over again. "I'm sure that pleases him. Just don't call him that around the other men. Around me is fine."
"I won't."
"To answer your question yes I left her behind when we came here. Her name was Jessica. Most beautiful woman I have ever met. A head of thick light brown curly hair and eyes alight with mischief. We met at a tavern James and I used to frequent. Never met a woman who could not only stand our jokes, but throw them right back at us." Smee chuckled at the memory.
"She sounds like an amazing woman."
"She was. We were married within a year. When James and I made the choice to abandon life as naval officers for a life of piracy Jessica did not even bat an eye at the thought. She wanted to come with us, but she was with child and the rough seas are no place for a pregnant woman. So we agreed that she would come after the child was old enough to travel. I never got to meet my child."
"I truly don't know what to say."
"That's alright Miss Clara your concern is enough."
"How did you guys end up here anyway?"
"A whirlpool." Smee and Clara looked up to find Hook standing int he doorway. "We got caught in a sudden storm. One moment the seas were calm the next huge waves were battering down on the ship. I had never seen a whirlpool so large. There was no fighting it. The whirlpool pulled everything towards it. Our ship was tossed around as she was swallowed." Hook took a seat across from them as he continued his story. "I don't remember much after our ship went under. I remember waking up on a beach. The bodies of many of my men lying dead or unconscious nearby."
"Our ship was nowhere to be found." Smee remembered. "I remember wondering aimlessly. I was dazed, confused, and my head hurt."
"We finally ran into each other after night fall. Nothing we could do but build a fire and get warm. Maybe three or four men found their way to our camp, but we never saw the rest. We did not risk wandering into the island's jungle after dark so we drank from coconuts. Luckily for us there were plenty of those. Turns out we had washed ashore on Neverland and the water there is cursed."
"Cursed?"
"Do you remember the two waterfalls coming from the mountains?"
"Yes."
"One is just your everyday water, the other is cursed. If you drink the water you fall under the island's spell, under Pan's spell. There is no way of knowing which one is which. We did not know this. When we eventually went into the jungle Smee and I were the lucky ones."
"What happens if you drink the cursed water?"
"You become one of Pan's lost ones. The children he takes never want to return home because they curse makes them believe home was a nightmare and that their parents never loved them."
"What about adults?"
"Drives them mad."
"How did you escape?"
"That will be a tale for another day. The men will get lazy if we are gone for too long." Hook made for the upper deck.
"Thank you again for the lunch Miss Clara." Smee turned to go.
"Smee."
"Yes."
"You can just call me Clara. No need to add miss." Clara smiled.
"I shall remember that. Though in front of the men you will always be Miss Clara."
"I can live with that." Smee followed after Hook.
Three days later Clara stood at the bow of the ship as they pulled into port at the Kingdom of the Rose. She had dressed in the nicest dress Selena. The dress was a soft baby pink that laced in the front. Down the middle of the dress was a white panel with a baby pink flower design. Her sleeves stopped at her elbow and draped to her waist. A matching pink cloak was fasten around her next. She had the hood pulled up to keep the wind from rooming her hair.
The sun had only risen an hour before they arrived at port and Clara was in awe of the town. The town had the look of an old quant French village with colorful wooden building. As they pulled up along the dock Clara saw a group of knights waiting. She almost turned to warn Hook than she remembered they had been invited.
"Trunk packet and ready Miss Clara?" Smee asked.
"Yes."
"I'll be takin' over for the captain soon. The soldiers will escort you to the palace."
"Hook taught me to dance a little, but I am nervous about dancing in front of the royal court." Clara commented as they made for the ramp the men were lowering.
"I'm sure you will outshine all the princesses in attendance."
"Thank you Smee." Clara laughed. "Somehow you always know how to make me feel better." Clara leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"Careful Miss Clara or you will get me thrown overboard again."
"I'll throw him in after you." Clara and Smee laughed.
"Ready Clara?" Hook asked joining the two at the ramp.
"As I will ever be."
"Excellent. Usual rules Mr. Smee."
"Aye Captain."
"Shall we?" Hook offered his hand for Clara to take as they descended the ramp. Two men followed behind them each carrying a trunk.
"Attention!" The knights all came to a full attention as Hook and Clara neared. "Their Royal Majesties King Adam and Queen Bell welcome you Captain James Hook to the Kingdom of the Rose."
"I am honored." Hook gave one of his sweeping bows. "This is the Lady Clara Morgenson."
"Welcome Lady Morgenson. The invention was extended to one guest you too are welcome."
"Thank you sir." Clara gave a curtsey.
"Milady." One of the knights offered her a horse. The knight helped Clara mount the horse. Clara found she had to ride sidesaddle in the dress. Hook pulled his horse up along hers as they followed the knights to the palace.
The village was already up and ready for the day. Shop keepers were opening their doors ready to welcome customers, bakers were delivering their goods to those who had made orders, and early shoppers were filling their baskets with fresh produce and meat. The knights stopped their horses to allow for a baker and his cart to pass in front of them.
"There goes the baker with his tray like always. Same old bread and loafs to sell…." Clara sang softly.
"What's that?" Hook asked.
"Nothing. Just enjoying myself." Clara smiled looking over at Hook. For the first time that morning she really took in his outfit. He had forgone his usual black on black for black on red. His long coat was black with red lapel that continued down the opening of the coat. The red fabric had a soft gold filigree design. The cuffs of his coat matched his lapel. All the buttons and clasps were gold as well. He was no longer wearing his normal plan leather hat, but one that had matching gold edging. He looked like a handsome prince.
As the exited the port village they continued up a long brick paved road. The road was large enough for two carts or carriages to ride side by side pass by one another without ever touching each other. They had been informed that the ride to the royal city would take a full day. Since preparation for the ball were still ongoing lodging had been arranged for them in the finest inn in the city.
The long ride was not boring there was much too see. They past many farms where workers in the fields would pause to wave. Merchants would pass by with many different types of goods to sell. Some continued down to the port village while others took many of the while maintained dirt roads that branched off the Rose Road. Clara soon learned why they called the brick road the Rose Road. Every mile was marked by a different colored rose.
"There are stories of the King and Queen in my world that revolve around a rose, but in this world why do they like roses?" Clara asked Hook, the knight riding to her left.
"This kingdom has always been renowned for the beautiful roses they grow. Though it was not until King Adam married the queen that they renamed the kingdom the Kingdom of the Rose. The tale goes that King Adam was cursed by a witch he had wronged. No one knows how. Some say her son was killed in a battle or executed for thievery. Other rumors say he would not marry her daughter. Many say other things. Whatever the reason was the scorned witch cursed his life to that of a rose. The rose would only bloom for five years, after five years he would parish with the rose."
"How did the Queen save him?"
"Again we only have rumors. True love is said to have been what saved the King."
Clara was not sure how early or late in the afternoon it was when they finally stopped at a small inn for lunch. By that time Clara's legs had fallen asleep, she could barely feel them. Hook climbed off his horse and helped her from the saddle. As Hook set Clara on her feet her legs immediately buckled underneath her.
"Ah!" Clara threw her arms around Hook's neck catching herself before she fell to the ground.
"Not used to riding a horse so long mi 'lady?" One of the knights asked.
"No." Clara grumbled.
"We shall join you inside shortly. I am going to help Lady Morgenson walk around the yard to wake her legs."
"I'll send one of the men for you when our food is ready."
Hook held a red faced Clara steady as they walked away from the stable where the men were securing the horses. "Thank you." Clara mumbled clearly embarrassed by her current predicament.
Clara took one careful step at a time her legs feel full of lead. With each small step her legs slowly woke with a painful tingling sensation. Each step drew a whimper or a small intake of air. Clara gasped with surprise as she left the ground finding herself in Hook's arms. Hook walked over to where a large log lay on the ground at the edge of the forest behind some large hay bales. Ignoring Clara's protests on the way he set her down on the log kneeling in front of her.
"What are you doing?" Clara demanded as Hook began undoing the laces of her boots.
"Removing your boots what does it look like?"
"Why?"
"Are you always this demanding?" Clara narrowed her eyes at him. "I can't massage your legs with your boots on now can I?" Hook slipped one boot off than quickly removes the next. Holding her ankle in the bend of his hook he worked his hand up and down her calf going back and forth between each leg.
"Mmmmm…" Feeling started coming back into Clara's legs much less painfully than when she was attempting to walk.
Clara wiggled her toes and stretched out her legs as Hook continued to massage life into them. Hook's hand continued high and high up her legs. Resting her foot on his upper leg he used his hook to slowly move her skirt up.
"What do you think you're doing?" Clara asked looking none to please.
"What does it look like?" Hook was slightly confused by her response.
"I have a better idea."
Clara lifted one foot. Placing it on Hook's chest she pushed him back on to the ground. Hook looked up at her even more confusion. With a sly smile of her face Clara slide off the log. Hook held himself up on his elbows smile spreading across his face as Clara undid the laces of her top. Standing over him she lowed herself down straddling his waist.
"Nice move Morgenson."
Clara leaned forward kissing him. "You're move." She kissed him again.
Hook dug his fingers into Clara hair fiercely kissing her. Hook's lips eventually ventured to the sensitive of her neck as his hands left her hair. Hook kissed and nipped at her neck as his hand cupped on of her breasts. Clara gasped and moaned as he began to massage her breast.
"Captain! Lady Morgenson!" A voice shouted across the yard. Startled Hook shot causing Clara to lose her balance and fall to the ground. "Lunch is being served."
"We shall join you momentarily." Hook replied standing, "Lady Morgenson needed a break."
"Very well sir."
"Thank god for large hay bales." Clara laughed. A large hay bale had obstructed anyone's view of where they were.
"Yes." Hook grumbled helping Clara to her feet. "Let's go eat."
They arrived in the royal city just as night began to fall. Half of the group of knights continued on to the castle to inform of their arrival while the captain and the others escorted them to the inn. The inn was called The Red Rose, a building of soft rose red hued plaster and dark wooden window frames. The sign that swung above the doorway had a filigree rose design along with the name.
Upon entering the inn they were promptly greeted by a pretty blond girl who went to fetch the owner. The owner was an older couple the wife Maria greeted them. After double checking the arrangements the knights said their goodbyes informing Hook that an escort would arrive tomorrow to take them to the ball.
Maria led Clara and Hook up three flights of stairs to their room. They were followed by two young boys carrying their trunks. Their room was large with a massive four upholstered and comfortable looking pillows. Clara had to hold herself back from making a running leap onto the bed. A set of double doors led out onto a small balcony, they had a beautiful view of the forest.
"If you need anything just pull this line a bell will ring down below. Someone will come to assist you. Dinner is served in the main room, but we are more than happy to bring the food upstairs."
"If you would please we would appreciate it greatly. After a long day of traveling a nice peaceful dinner sounds perfect."
"As you wish Captain. Would the lady like to have a bath drawn for her this evening?"
"Yes." Clara was craving a good bath with hot water.
"You're room has a privet wash room. I will send someone up later to draw your bath water."
"Thank you." Maria curtsied than left the room only then did Clara allow herself to fall onto the bed. Sitting back up she quickly removed her boots and stockings. "James?"
"Yes?" Hook removed his jacket and vest.
"What are we going to do about a gown?"
"A gown?"
"Yes for me to wear tomorrow for the ball. I have plenty of dresses, but nothing nearly nice enough for that."
"I already have that taken care of."
"Really?"
As if on cue there was a knock on the door. Hook strode across the room unlocking the door. "Right on time. Clara was beginning to worry about what she would wear."
"As if I could ever let such a beauty go to a ball without an equally gorgeous gown!" Madame Selena seemingly floated into the room. "Ah! You look lovely in that dress, but then I knew you would!" Selena embraced Clara. Lissa, Millie, and Nima were standing at the door.
"How are you going to finish everything by tomorrow?" Clara asked concerned.
"Don't you worry about that." Selena turned to Hook. "You have given me quiet the task. Two outfits fit for a royal ball in one night, but when I am done you two will be the talk of the ball! Alright girls to work!"
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A/N: Next chapter the ball! As always thank you to all of you who have left reviews, add my story to their favorites, and stared following my story. You guys are awesome! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter!