First: Thank you again for all the follows and favourites, aswell as the reviews. They are welcome.
Second: No. Unfortunatelly, for story purposes, me and CaptainHookSparrow didn't let Emma get pregnant. But do not worry, many things are still to happen. ;)
Now, enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 9 – Stranger
-Two Years Later-
"Emma?"
Ariel's voice rang far on the blonde princess ears as she sat on a bench with rose bushes surrounding her. The green eyes stared at her engagement ring. Killian's engagement ring. The only thing she never stopped wearing since his death.
"Emma…?" The mermaid sighed softly when she found her. The only reply was a soft nod. "How are you feeling?"
"Not wanting to marry Baelfire. Is that a feeling?" Emma touched a rose button softly, still not looking at her best friend.
"Explain me again why are you marrying the Dark One's son?" Ariel took Emma's hand, making her look at her. "I arrive at your kingdom and your parents tell me my best friend is going to have an engagement ball tomorrow night."
"Yes… I…" Emma stammered, fidgeting on her seat. "He's nice. And I've always known him… His father is always around the court…"
"Killian didn't liked the way he looked at you, Emma." Ariel practically scolded at her.
"Killian is not here, is he?" Emma got up, a wave of sadness going through her at the mention of her dead love. She was angry. Still angry at everything.
Ariel looked down, sad. She missed Liam. He had been her first love, but after two years, she was slowly recovering from the loss. She had met Eric while Emma was still hanging on Killian. It was like she still waited for him.
"I know it's not easy, Emma… But…"
Emma cut Ariel off. "But Killian died and I'm the heir to the throne and I need to get marry." Tears prickled on her eyes. "Please, leave me alone. I need to think and get ready for the upcoming weeks."
Sighing, Ariel nodded and left Emma alone. She didn't know how to help her. They had grown apart after the brothers death and the little talks they had always ended up in some kind of argument.
Still angry, Emma went to her bedchambers and put her cloak on. After the rose bushes, the docks were her favourite spot. She felt closer to Killian, remembering their goodbyes and bantering as she watched the waves.
Sitting on a barrel, Emma looked over to the setting sun colours on the horizon, her thumb making her ring circle her finger. Baelfire was going to give her a new one at the engagement ball. And lost in her thoughts, Emma didn't noticed she was being watched.
As the sun finally faded into the sea and the night settled over, Emma got up. It was then that she felt one hand covering her mouth with a cloth and one arm around her body, pressing her against a strong chest.
Feisty as she was, Emma struggled but she felt her strength fading away, quickly drifting off to deep slumber.
The man picked the unconscious woman up on his arms and took her to a ship not far away, hidden amongst others. He then went to one of the cabins, placing her gently on the bed.
Once she was settled under the blankets, the Captain locked the door and gave orders to set sail at that precise moment.
-Two Days Later, on high seas-
Looking over the small window, finally climbing off the small bed, Emma went around the room, searching for something to protect herself.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door and it was unlocked. A man wearing a red beanie entered with a tray of food for her. "Your Highness..." He stuttered a little, immediately taking his beanie.
Surprised, she turned so quickly that she felt dizzy. "Excuse me?"
"You can call me Smee. I'm glad to see you awake, Princess." The chubby man smiled, placing the tray on a small table. "I brought your food. I hope you like it."
"...thank you, Mr. Smee." Emma was indeed hungry and practically attacked the food, eating eagerly. "Where am I?" She asked gently, looking over to the man.
Smee smiled, like he was proud of the fact. "The Jolly Roger, M'lady. Er... Pirate ship. But I can assure you, no harm will come to you. The Captain made sure of that."
"The Captain?" Emma scoffed. "You can tell him I am not interested in being his wench."
Clearing his throat subtly, Smee kept silent on the matter. "He will talk to you soon, M'lady." That earned him a huff from the princess. "Please, eat. You need to keep your strength."
"For what?" Emma's voice came out menacing.
"You've been unconscious for almost two days, M'lady. And I am the one that has orders to take care of you. If you faint on my watch, the Captain will feed me to the sharks."
Huffing again, Emma started to eat again. If the tales of the ruthless pirates were to be true, what Smee had told her was probably true. "Fine."
When Emma finished, Smee bowed his head and left the cabin with the tray.
-Later that Night-
At the sound of a knock, Emma's eyes flew from the book she had found on the cabin to the door. Her heart started to beat fast, a million thoughts on her mind. And when she actually expected to meet the Captain, Smee entered.
"M'lady, the Captain is letting you go out on deck to catch the night air."
In a long time, Emma didn't felt like she was happy. Since Killian. But when she had woken up and saw herself on a ship, she felt free. And that was what the open sea meant for her. Freedom. She always enjoyed the trips she had made on such vessel, but it always had been under the watchful eyes of the royal navy.
Now, she was on a pirate ship. And she couldn't wait to see outside. And to meet the Captain. Mostly to ask him why he had taken her.
Smee followed her out, like he was ordered to. He was not supposed to take his eyes of her and heed her every need.
Except for one or two pirates eyeing her when she appeared above deck, there was no one on sight. She frowned and turned to Smee. "I want to see your Captain, Mr. Smee."
The chubby man shook his head. "Unless, he orders it, I can't bring you to him, M'lady." The man answered softly.
"Then request it. Tell him that I wish to speak with him." Emma demanded.
With a soft sigh, glacing towards the helm, Smee fidgeted on his spot. "He's well aware you want to talk with him, Your Highness. But it's his ship, his orders."
Now, angry, Emma stormed to where Smee had glanced over and knew it was the direct door to the Captain's quarters. She was not going to play by the rules. Faintly, she heard Smee call out for her, but she paid no attention. "Captain! I think we need to have a discussion!" She pounded on the door.
"M'lady, he doesn't want to be disturbed after a long day at the helm." Smee pleaded.
Frowning suddenly, Emma stepped back and looked at Smee. "...you said the Jolly Roger. This is... Captain Hook's ship..."
"...Aye, M'lady." The man nodded.
"I will not see him." Emma said quietly, stepping further back from the door and stood at the rail, gaining her breath. "I WILL NOT!"
"Why not…" A low, rich voice sounded behind her, sending a shiver up her spine. It was like velvet on her skin. Emma turned back to the Captain quarters to see the figure of a man framed by the shadows of the opened door, not moving into the moonlight. "...Princess?"
"It's Your Highness." Emma growled, fisting her hands.
A smirk tugged on the stranger lips, his dark eyes watched the woman, almost amused. "Feisty, aren't you?"
"Being that the rumors of a pirate killed my fiancée, you are lucky I do not have my sword!"
The stranger shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. "Perhaps I am. Something tells me you would be good with a sword." He bit his lip.
"You do not amuse me." Emma took a step towards him.
"It was never my intention... Your Highness." The pirate pressed her title, like he was half teasing her and half trying to upset her. With no answer from the princess that glared at him with a mix of sadness, he gestured for Smee. "Please, Mr. Smee. Escort the Princess back to her quarters..."
"No! Tell me!"
Now she could see the Captain's dark blue eyes. They were completely focusing on her again. And those eyes made her shiver.
"Tell you what?"
"Did you killed him?! Did you killed Lieutenant Killian Jones?!"
The pirate fisted his one hand, his hook now coming into view, glistening in the moonlight. "Aye! Killian Jones died that day."
Emma's eyes filled with tears. "You will never have me."
The Captain stepped inside his cabin and slammed the door shut. Emma flinched at the sound, so quiet on the suddenly silent night.
"YOU RUINED MY HAPPY ENDING!"
The door opened abruptly and the black leather dressed man stepped closer to her, furious. "Your /parents/ did it first!"
Stepping up to him at the same time, nose to nose, her fury was rising in a tidal wave. "Yes! They did! They made me wait 3 years to marry the man I loved all my life! Now he's gone!"
"That's not what I meant, Swan!" The Captain growled, staring into her green eyes, making himself known without realizing.
Emma frowned, looking into his blue eyes, like she was trying to see something. "...what did you called me?"
Biting his lip, the man stepped away from her. "Nothing."
Quickly, she stepped in front of him, stopping him. Immediately, she reached into his open shirt with her hand. And with no fight from him, Emma found what she wanted. Her necklace.
With a gasp, tears started to fall from her eyes as she turned her eyes back to his. "...Killian..." She whispered.
"Hook."
Emma slapped him hard, seeing his head turn to the side with the force of her hand, but he not even moved.
"Do you know how long it took for me to get out of bed after I heard the news?! Did you even care at all?!"
Killian kept silent, only frowning.
Emma started to sob. "I tried to find a way to die! Now I wish I was! Are you holding me hostage for revenge?!"
"Aye."
Her eyes were full of hurt, glistening with tears, staining her cheeks. "...I wish I'd never met you. /Hook/." She nearly spat and curtsied mockingly. "Remember that?" She turned to the railing and climbed over.
"Swan! Come down!" Killian ordered her.
"No!"
"Now!" He growled.
"Make me! Pirate!"
"Would you like me to throw you over my shoulder, Princess?"
Narrowing her eyes, Emma turned from him and jumped into the cold sea.
"Bloody hell!" Quickly, Killian gave his orders and wrapped a rope around his torso and jumped after her.
In the water, Emma opened her eyes and her mouth to let herself drown.
Finding her in the dark waters, Killian wrapped his arm tightly around her, while his pirates dragged them out of the sea and up the deck.
Looking at her pale, cold skin, he tapped her cheek. No response. "Bloody hell, Emma..." Placing his lips on hers, Killian started blowing air into her lungs.
Emma coughed almost immediately, opening her eyes. For a second, she could see the man she loved, looking relieved. But in the next one, his eyes darkened. "Don't do that again." Killian got up. "Smee, find her new clothes and lock her in her cabin."
"Don't do this!" Emma pleaded, getting up. "I know you're not a bad man."
"You're wrong. I'm a pirate now." Those were his last words, before shutting himself in his quarters.
Emma's eyes lost their small light of hope.
"M'lady, please..." Sadly, Smee was watching her.
With a broken heart from sadness, Emma went back to her cabin, where she dried herself and changed into some clothes Smee found. Hearing him lock her door, she sat there, taking everything in, slowly numbing her heart against that... stranger.
In his quarters, Killian thought about what happened. His now only hand toyed with the rum flask. Slowly, he emptied it, not knowing now if it was a good idea kidnapping the princess.
...
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