Chapter 10: In Which the Pirate Dies
Killian held tightly to the reigns of the horse King David had reluctantly lent him, along with his hook and sword. Killian rushed through the forest, hoping he wasn't too late. He was still in shock that the king and queen acquiesced to his plan.
Killian was also still in shock from his revelation he let slip out. Of course he loved Emma. It was the only explanation as to how he felt about her, but it scared him at how fast it had happened. Was that normal? Then again, Emma certainly wasn't normal; she was incredible. He didn't want to imagine a life with out her. All he wanted to do was find her, gather her in his arms, and finally kiss her.
Lost in his musings, Killian realized that he was close to the tower. He urged the horse to move a bit faster and navigated them through the vines that covered the cave that led to Emma's tower. Once he was through the cave, Killian jumped off the horse and ran.
"Emma!" He yelled towards the lofty window, "Emma, let down your hair!" Killian waited all of two seconds before deciding to just scale the tower with his hook and bare hand. He climbed up about five feet before he heard the window open and saw her hair tumble through the air to the ground. He didn't think as he dropped back down and grabbed her hair. He scaled the wall quickly, driven by his need to make sure she was okay and find out where Regina was.
As Killian reached the windowsill, he peered over the threshold and saw a bound and gagged Emma chained to the stairs. She look terrified and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Rage and panic coursed through his veins at the sight of her.
"Oh, bloody hell, I'm coming!" He said between breaths.
Killian quickly threw his body through the window and into her dimly lit quarters. As soon as both feet touched to floor, he bolted towards Emma. He was immediately stopped by an iron grip tightening around his arm. He swiftly turned his head and as he saw Regina's face over his shoulder, he felt a sharp pain shoot through his lower abdomen.
A gasp of pain left his mouth without consent. He looked down and saw Regina's hand clutching the hilt of a dagger that was pressed up to his flesh. The blade was a decent length and in deep. The pain was so strong he could barely breathe. As Regina loosened her grip and pulled out the blade, he felt his legs give out right before he fell to the floor in a heap, grunting as he held his side where the blood was flowing out. Killian looked up to Emma through bleary eyes. Her cheeks glistened with tears as she protested through the gag in her mouth. It's a shame he would never get the chance to kiss that mouth.
Killian started to feel lightheaded, as if he was losing consciousness. All he could do was helplessly writhe in pain. He should have seen this coming. He deserved it, but Emma did not.
Her head ached. That was the first thing to register in Emma's mind as she regained consciousness. The next was the fact that her arms were shackled behind her and she was so sore. She didn't even want to move, she just wanted to sleep.
Emma's eyes snapped open and she quickly sat up. There was a gag in her mouth and she was chained to the stairs. Panic spread through her as she tried to free herself. Killian! What was she going to do about Killian?
Emma stilled as she heard a noise from her bedroom. She had no idea what Regina was up to but it couldn't have been good.
"Emma! Emma, let down your hair!"
Killian! He was alive!
"What!" Regina yelled as she quickly came into the room and over to the window. "That good for nothing… looks like I'll have to be the one to take care of him."
Emma's eyes widened and the joy she had just felt was gone. Regina grabbed her hair, tied it on the post by the window and threw the rest of her flowing locks out the window. Emma's pulse thumped loud in her ears. Regina stood next to the window, took out a dagger from her cloak, and waited.
Emma tried making as much noise as she could, but nothing worked. She saw her hair moving around on the ledge. He was climbing up to his death. Regina gave her look that made her blood boil.
She saw Killian peer over the windowsill and his eyes widened as they landed on her.
"Oh bloody hell, I'm coming!" He reassured her between laboured breaths. Emma tried to warn him even with the gag in her mouth but it didn't work.
He made it into the room and bolted towards her. She saw Regina follow with a wicked gleam in her eyes. She grabbed Killian and stuck the dagger in his left side. Killian's face paled. He looked down in confusion and crumbled to the floor in a heap. Emma felt like she was going to be sick. She kept fighting against the gag and finally rid her mouth of the thing.
"No! Killian!" Emma cried out in horror.
Regina stalked over to Emma with dangerous eyes. "That's what happens when you don't listen to me."
"No, please let me heal him! I'll give you anything. I won't try to escape. You can use my powers! I'll work for you, whatever the hell you want! Please, I promise. Just let me heal him!" Emma's voice was strong as she started, but the end came out as a sob.
"No, Emma, don't," Killian said weakly as he held his side.
"Please, I promise." Emma whispered to Regina.
Regina regarded her with a look. She nodded, waved her hand and the shackles were no longer attached to her wrists, but to Killian's. As soon as she felt their absence, Emma flew over to Killian's side.
"Killian!"
"No, Emma, don't do this!" Killian protested weakly as he pushed her hand holding her hair away. "I can't let you do this." He finished the sentence with a sickening cough.
"And I can't let you die." It was hard for Emma to keep her voice even.
"If you do this, then you'll die. Please. Don't—"
"—It's gonna be alright." She reassured while attempting a weak smile. Her heart was breaking. She could save him, but she may never get to see him after this. It was worth it.
"Emma, wait," Killian breathed. He reached for her face as if he was going to kiss her and her heart sped up in anticipation. Instead, he grabbed her hair and brought it between them, cutting it with his hook. She felt the rest of her hair fall to the middle of her back. Her eyes widened; it happened so fast all she could do was stare at Killian, overwhelmed. Panic swelled within her once again. He was going to die. She couldn't save him.
"Killian, Wha—"
"—What have you done?" Regina thundered as ran over to the two of them. Emma was in shock staring at Killian's closed eyes and pained face. She heard Regina's approaching footsteps and she quickly looked behind her and saw Regina's outstretched hand heading for Killian. Emma turned around and moved in front of him to protect him from any more harm. Regina's hand sunk into her chest and the world seemed to slow down.
"No! Emma!" Killian cried weakly as he reached for her.
Emma had trouble taking even one breath. Her chest ached like nothing she ever felt before. Regina led her to stand and brought her away from Killian.
"You insolent little—" Regina pulled on her heart and Emma went further with her hand. Nothing happened other than extreme discomfort on Emma's end. "What?"
Regina looked up at her, confusion written all over her face. Emma just gaped back at her, still trying to get catch her breath. Regina scowled, trying to pull on her heart yet again. Suddenly, a pulse of light exploded from Emma's chest knocking her back a step and forcing Regina to the ground.
Regina panted as she tried to right herself. She looked up at Emma with a trace of fear in her eyes. "This isn't over," Regina seethed and then disappeared into a cloud of smoke.
Emma gaped at where Regina was not seconds ago. Then she turned on her heel and went down to Killian. He looked relieved but his eyes were barely open and his breathing laboured.
"No, no, no, no! Stay with me Killian, please. Why—" Killian coughed as Emma grabbed his hand and put it to her head. Her other arm wrapped around his back. She made sure to lean over him so what was left of her hair would hang on him. "Flower gleam and glow,"
"Emma,"
"Let your power shine—"
"—It's okay, Emma—"
"— No it's not. How could you say that?" She cried, her voice breaking. It felt like the world around her was crumbling and he just didn't care. What if there was a little bit of magic left that could save him?
"You were my new dream." Killian confessed in a whisper. His eyes barely open. She moved his hand from her head and held on to it. The cold metal rings were pressed into her skin between her fingers.
"And you were mine." Emma admitted. Tears clouded her sight as he closed his eyes with the teeniest hint of a smile on his lips. His body stilled, and his hand grew limp in hers.
Emma leaned down and placed her forehead on his. "Flower gleam and glow, let your power shine, make the clock reverse, bring back what once was mine. Heal what has been hurt, change the fates design, save what has been lost, bring back what once was mine. What once was mine." Emma recited the incantation in defeat, knowing it wouldn't work when her hair didn't glow. But she continued anyhow. At the close of the incantation, a tear slid down her cheek and onto Killian's face.
Emma stayed there crying quietly, not wanting to leave. Not wanting to face reality. If she kept her eyes closed, she could pretend she's in a nightmare that she could wake up from.
And then, a light flashed through her closed eyes. She lifted her head away from his and looked at Killian cautiously. His wound was glowing… The golden light grew brighter until she had to close her eyes. And then it was gone. She opened her eyes and looked at Killian's still form. She was scared to hope. Her heart was in her throat as she watched him. Then, he stirred and Emma could breathe easy again.
"Emma?" He asked quietly with confusion colouring his face.
"Killian," Emma smiled.
He looked at her like she was something amazing and it made her stomach flip. "You- You saved me."
Emma laughed out of sheer joy. She couldn't believe it! She jumped on him, enveloping him in a tight hug. Her head pressed into where he neck and shoulder meets.
Killian let out a surprised 'oof' as she wrapped her arms around him and then she felt his arm wrap around her and give a squeeze as he nuzzled his head into the crook of her neck.
"Are you alright?" Killian asked against her.
Emma broke pulled back to look at him, but did not break the hug. She laughed before asking, "Am I all right? What about you?"
"Right as rain, thanks to you." He looked at her nervously before continuing. "Emma, love, do you know that— you, uh..."
It shocked her, he was at a loss of words for once. Oh.
"Uh, that I'm the lost princess? I kinda figured that out. How did you…" She trailed off, prompting him.
"Saw a mural of you as a babe with your parents as I was being carted away to the dungeons, after Regina and Smee captured me… you look like your mother." Emma blushed and pulled away from him, realizing they were still in a heap on the floor.
"Smee was working with Regina?"
"Aye, but I suspect foul play."
She got up then and offered her hand to Killian who let out a grunt as he got up. Emma looked at him concerned.
He waved it off as he said, "Just a bit stiff. Speaking of, I met your parents. I promised to bring you back to them in order to find you myself."
"What?" Emma was both thrilled and frightened at the idea of meeting her parents. Killian looked at her a bit to closely for her liking. He was seeing too much.
"It was the only plan I was able to execute in order to come after you. If you don't wish it, we can—"
"—No, no." She cut him off with a shaky smile. "I do want to meet them but…" She was looking forward to that adventure he promised. What happens now? And what about her parents? Her head was spinning. She had been under the impression they left her, but they have been searching for her. She wanted to meet them so badly. She always had a feeling that the lanterns were meant for her, and now she knew they were. They had led her home.
What if her parents were some how disappointed in her? Was she anything like them?
"What are they like?" Emma asked looking at him, fear all over her face. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and soothe away her worries, but now was not the time.
"Well from my brief and not entirely pleasant meeting with them, they were, well they were certainly your parents. You're father is just as stubborn as you. According to him, they both can wield a sword, so looks like that all runs in the family." Emma laughed at that before he went on. "They were also incredibly torn on whether or not to believe me. They must've had a lot of false leads in their search for you."
"How did you get an audience with them?" Emma asked, she was starting to look better, and not as frightened, which warmed him.
"Ah, well, I was never given one, although I did try. I managed to escape before punishment and ran in to them."
Emma gave a short nod. "I guess we should go." She said sounding a bit hesitant.
"Are you sure? We can wait, or take the long way. If I'm bringing you back, they can't be out for my blood."
Emma's eyes widened at his words, "Oh god, we should really go!" Emma went to run up the stairs but turned before she took the first step. She turned, fidgeted a little with her hands before asking, "How did you get them to believe you?"
He should have seen that coming. "I-uh well, as you know, I can be quite persuasive." He gave her a sinful smirk. Emma shook her head and seemed to be amused. But the set of her shoulders told Killian that she knew he wasn't telling the whole truth, but she didn't push it. Instead, she accepted it and went quickly up the stairs.
When Emma disappeared through her doorway, Killian ran his hand through his hair. He couldn't tell her. No way, she would definitely run. She may have admitted that he was her new dream, as she was his. But, she was in duress. It wasn't that he didn't believe her, quite the contrary. There was no way he was the only one feeling this way. However, he knew her well enough by now that she wasn't good with this sort of thing. The last thing he wants to do is push her in any way. She has a lot on her plate. And frankly, so does he.
Yesterday was easy; Emma agreed to come with him. He had only to worry about Milah and the Dark One, as well as his ship. But, now Emma's a princess. He has to impress royals and figure out how he could possibly fit into her life, if she wishes for him to be by her side. If she does, he would be there. Though, he needs to save Milah. She was like a mother figure to him as much as Liam was a father figure. The idea that Liam's love was still imprisoned after all this time haunted him. He can't expect Emma to help him with that now. She has a lot to learn about her parents and herself.
He could get to that later. All that mattered was that she was safe now.
"Graham!" Regina yelled as she reappeared into her chambers. She was still out of breath from what ever the hell Emma did to her. And the overuse of her magic wasn't helping.
"Graham! Get in here, now!" Regina demanded He should've made it back to the castle by now. She turned to the door and saw him lazily strut into her dark chambers. "What the hell took so long? Go get me the remaining potions. Now!"
"No," Graham responded flatly. He just stared at her. He just stared at her. How the hell was he defying her?
"What did you just say?"
"I believe he said no." Snow White stepped into the room around Graham.
Regina's eyes widened, "No—"
A/N: Thanks for reading and any reviews :) And special shout out to swansouat on tumblr for beta-ing! This is the end of the Tangled storyline (except of course when she meets her parents but that will be very different) I have a basic plan for where the fic should go, can't give a number of chapters left though. But thanks again if you continue reading! :)