So, here comes the new chapter. Bear with me, my dears, as I haven't been writing for a very, very long time (since I've written the previous chapter and that was almost two yers ago).
Chapter 11: Frozen Dreams
Aurora smiled as she looked out of the castle window at the people down below. She felt ridiculously happy as she watched small children, armed with large wooden swords, playing on the square, arguing who should be the heroic Prince.
"You look positively ravishing today…"
She felt Philip's hands enclose her in the tight embrace.
"Oh, you're too kind, my Prince."
She rather felt than heard him scoffing, his face buried in her hair.
"I love you so much, Aurora."
"I love you, too."
She put her hands on his, rubbing them reassuringly.
The darkness started gathering around them, shielding them from the sun above. Aurora felt Philip pulling away, disappearing into the dark thick fog.
"Philip!"
With his name on her lips she succumbed to the darkness. Alone. Shattered.
Killian Jones was not the hero blindly sacrificing himself to save the damsel in distress. Well, he truly believed that, at least. That's why he was so surprised to hear the words slip from his very own lips.
"Send me to her dreams."
Mulan looked at him as if he'd grown the second head.
"Wha-"
"Well, she's trapped in her own dreams, right?"
The woman buried her face in her hands, rubbing at her temples.
"Do you realize that I'm not a witch? And even if I was, what do we do with you, then? How do we wake you up?"
"Shiver me timbers, woman! Do you want to save your friend or not?"
Mulan looked up at him.
"You can be trapped there forever, Killian."
He shrugged.
"Worth a try."
It was better than sitting on their asses waiting for some miracle.
"I'll check the book." Mulan sighed, defeated.
Aurora was sitting beside her father's throne, looking at the pairs, dancing to the enchanting melody played by the orchestra. She straightened the mask on her face, smiling to herself. She promised her first dance to her beloved prince Philip. She looked around, searching for him in the crowd, trying to recognize him in the sea of masks.
She was so engrossed in her search, she didn't notice the man approaching her until he cleared his throat. She jumped at the sound a little, bringing her hand to her chest. The man looked at her, amused, a light warm smile gracing his lips. She squinted at him, trying to recognize the man behind the mask, taking into his blue eyes and scruffed chin.
"You Highness." He bowed to her politely, his smile never leaving his face.
"Milord." She nodded, trying to remember that voice. She could swear, she heard it before.
"Would it be too rude to say you look beautiful tonight?"
She blushed a little. Her father looked at her, his eyes glinting.
"May I ask for a dance?" The man offered his hand.
"I- I don't…"
"Of cause, you may!" The King interjected and nudged his daughter.
"Father!"
"Daughter."
She sighed at her father's tone and took the man's hand, sending another searching glance at the crowd. Philip was nowhere to be found.
She followed the man, standing together with other dancing pairs, moving to the melody.
"You're an excellent dancer, my lady." The man noted as they swayed to the music.
She smiled at him.
"You're not so bad yourself."
They danced in the companionable silence with Aurora trying to recognize the man behind the elaborate mask.
"You're staring, my Princess." The said man chuckled.
Aurora felt her cheeks redden as she pouted at his remark.
"I'm not staring."
"Oh! But you are, my sweetheart."
The Princess stopped dancing all together, lifting her chin indignantly. The man looked around, somewhat nervous.
"Aurora, I…" The man buried his face in his hand, looking tired.
"Is everything alright, your highness?" One of the servants approached them, looking at the man suspiciously.
"I just need some air." She waved her hand dismissively. "Milord, would you take me to the balcony?"
The man stared at her, dumbfounded, for a moment than scrambled to offer her his hand.
"Of course, your Highness!"
They left the ballroom behind. Aurora came up to the ledge, motioning to the man to stand beside her.
"Aurora…"
"Who are you?" She didn't let him finish.
He looked at her, conflicted then moved his hand to his hand, pulling the mask away.
Aurora looked at his face intently, thousands of thoughts whirling in her head.
"Do I know you?" She asked him, finally.
The man looked pained at the question. He turned his face away, leaning on the fence?
"You don't remember me."
He sighed and looked up at the sky, his voice a little bit strained. "Do you remember how you've got here?"
"What do you mean? I've never left."
"Do you remember what happened yesterday?"
"What-"
"Can you recall the day before?"
"I-"
Aurora felt uncomfortable. The man was strange, but somehow, she didn't feel threatened in his presence.
"Aurora, please, focus! What happened yesterday?"
"I-I don't remember." She said, struggling with the gripping fear. "I don't remember…."
"It's okay, sweetheart. You're okay." He whispered, taking her hand in his. "You're under a spell, but we can save you. I can save you."
"Spell?"
"It's all a dream. You've been trapped here, in your dreams for days."
"Dream? It's not real?"
"Please, I need you to remember." He pleaded with her, pulling her hand to his chest. "Look at me, look me in the eyes and try to remember."
She obeyed, looking into his eyes. She felt a headache approaching, fogging her mind. She shook her head and closed her eyes.
The man stood in front of her, unmoving. She noticed his hopeful gaze as she opened her eyes and smiled.
"Hook?"
Aaaand... That's it. For now. Thank you for reading!
Have a nice day! :)