On the Sword
Chapter XI
There was a somber cloud hanging heavily on the camp. Emma could not put her finger on why, besides her son's kidnapping of course, and no one seemed to be talking about anything other than the lack of pixie dust. Good news, to a degree, arrived that morning. Yet Snow, Charming, Regina and the rest appeared melancholy whereas Emma felt as if a fire ignited beneath her. She wanted action and it arrived. They were one definitive step closer to Henry. Or at least, they would be in a day or so. Robes laid out the details of the exchange as he heard from Erwyn- the where and when of it all, and Hook remembered the spot well from his previous journeys on the Island, so he foresaw no complications as far as that went, but still, Emma felt an unease in all those around her. Trepidation she understood, especially for Hook. Even anxiety she understood, but that was not what she was sensing. What she felt, saturating the air like an electrical storm about to break, was sadness and secrets. She knew people weren't telling her something.
Sitting at the table with her were her parents, Regina and Rumple. Hook was off to the side of the camp with Robes, and she was warned not to interrupt no matter the circumstances. She watched him closely for a while as he spoke with the Lost Boy. His movements seemed very controlled, slow and even restrained for him. She could not see his facial expressions, for he kept turning away or looking down at the ground, but the tension in his body language showed a side of him she was not used to- fear. For Hook never cowered, he only ever fought back. But now, Emma sensed the pirate wanted to run as far away as possible. She hoped it wasn't because of doubt. His resolve was absolute that morning when he agreed to make the exchange for her son. She hoped he hadn't changed his mind.
Across from her, Snow was speaking. Emma pulled her attention back to the table when she heard her mother's voice. "Not a speck left? Anywhere on the Island? I find that hard to believe."
"Not left," corrected Rumple. "But rather, to be found. Two very different things, but yet equally as elusive."
"Can't you just use magic to make some pixie dust?" asked Emma, sarcastically.
"If only we could," replied Regina, rising from the table and mimicking Emma's dry tone. "In the meantime, I'm going to gather some supplies we might need since we may have just about worn out our welcome here." She turned and left the table and started walking toward the tents and sleeping mats.
Emma blinked. Then she turned back to where Hook and Robes were speaking to each other. They were both gone. When she turned back to the table her suspicious feelings returned. Everyone was averting her gaze. "What did she mean by that?" she asked, looking to the one person she knew could not lie to her.
Snow opened her mouth then closed it without saying a word.
This confirmed Emma's suspicions that everyone was holding something back from her. She rose quickly and braced her hands on the table. "What is going on?"
"Perhaps you should be asking a certain Captain that question," replied Rumple.
When Emma realized she wasn't going to get anything else out of them, she turned from the table with a condescending shake of her head and started walking toward where she last saw Hook. "Oh, what I wouldn't give for some pixie dust right now," she seethed, under her breath. "Maybe create a little truth serum, maybe a little can't-withhold-the-truth curse, maybe a really strong cup of coffee…" her frustrated rant tapered off when she realized she had no real idea where she was going. Hook was still nowhere in sight. She spun around looking for him, or at the least, someone who might know his exact whereabouts.
-OUAT-
Hook was just beyond the tree line, out of sight of prying eyes and where he could gather his thoughts in peace. His conversation with Robes, or more like begging for forgiveness, had proved fruitful. Robes accepted his deepest sincerity, and although Hook felt a large weight relieved from his shoulders, it really did nothing for his aching heart. Another child was dead in Neverland because of him. Tomas may not have been his fault directly, but there was no mistaking the fact that he would be alive had Hook not returned to this damned Island.
He leaned back against a tree and let his head hit the thick trunk hard- he wanted the jolt of pain. He wanted his head to feel numb, as with the rest of his tired, aching body. He didn't want to feel anything except the ground as it grew up around him and swallowed him whole. But such relief was not forthcoming, so instead, he decided to delve deeper into his sorrow and reached into one of his pockets. He pulled out the small necklace he procured from Rufio's grave. He held it tightly in his hand rubbing his thumb over the surface of the pendant as its memories washed over and through him. Misery loved company, and Hook was inviting everyone he knew to the party. Milah floated into his pity party shortly after Rufio- her long, flowing chestnut hair surrounding an obscured smudge mark. So much time passed since her death, he could no longer envision the details of her face.
Then to the party came Emma. Normally she would lighten his heart, encompass his being with warmth and happiness but at this party, the two people who stood in their way of shared happiness accompanied her. Her parents. It would be easier if everything fell into place and she loved him and her parents endorsed the idea, but that was unlikely. They would never accept him, so therefore it would never happen between him and Emma. It pained him to say it, to even think it, but the noble gentleman inside him respected them too much to date their daughter without their blessings. However, if Emma would concede their opinion did not matter than Hook felt he would be fine with it, but that was a situation he did not see happening anytime soon. Emma might be a fiery, independent woman, but he could see the look in her eyes when she spoke to her parents or they doled out life lessons to her. It was acceptance, whether she knew it or not yet. Even the wildest child yearned, to some small degree, for acceptance and approval from their parents. Emma was no different.
A cuddle here, even maybe a kiss there, she would be willing to do, but anything further would probably need her parent's permission. Hook knew she would walk on the wild side, but would she cross it permanently?
He banged his head against the tree trunk a few times before opening his eyes and lowering his gaze to the necklace in his hands. He turned it over then absently tapped its surface with the point of his hook.
The pendant sprung open.
For an instant, Hook didn't know what to do, blink, close his mouth or resume breathing.
"Rufio, you bloody little devil," he breathed, then immediately snapped the pendant shut.
He pushed off the tree and made his way back into camp. He walked with purpose across the clearing, clenching the necklace tightly in his hand. He saw people around him, but paid them no attention as he made his way past the fire pit toward the main table.
"Hook, I was just looking for you."
He was several steps passed the voice when he suddenly recognized who it was. He stopped suddenly and turned back to see a confused Emma standing with her arms out and both eyebrows raised. She looked oddly angered and happy at the same time and Hook felt something pull at his heart. He walked back to her slowly, putting the necklace into his pocket so he could use his good hand to hold one of hers. "I'm sorry, love," he said with a smile. "There is something I must do that is vitally important." He raised her hand up to his mouth and let his lips graze the delicate skin on the back of her hand. "Do you remember our conversation about trust back on the beanstalk?" he asked, letting his lips rest on her hand as he looked into her perfect eyes.
Emma nodded slightly, and Hook gathered that was about all she had the strength to do. He had no doubts about the effect he had on her. "Then trust me," he continued, and then finally kissed the back of her hand. He placed her arm gently back at her side then turned to leave, but before he was more than a few steps away he turned back. "Actually, do you know where the Queen is?" he asked, his brow furrowed.
Emma pointed him toward one of the tents and he set off without another word.
A moment later, he was flinging open the tent to which Emma indicated, catching Regina off guard.
"What do you think you're doing?!" she yelled, flustered. "I could have been naked!"
Hook stepped further into the tent with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Wouldn't have cared," he replied.
Regina drew her head back. "I'm not sure how to take that answer," she said.
"Take it anyway you please," replied Hook. "I've come here on business."
"What kind of business?" asked Regina, skeptically crossing her arms over her chest.
Hook smiled. "I need a favor," he said bluntly. "Actually, I need two."
-OUAT-
The good-byes took much longer than Hook would have liked. Some were longing, some were awkward and some were a little of both. But in the end, the sentiments were all the same- be safe.
The arranged meeting place was a day's journey inland at most, so Hook kept up a vigorous pace as he and Charming made their way through the dense jungle. Prior to their departure, Hook adorned a black scarf around his neck and gave one to his companion as well- to ward off not only chance meetings with the deadly Dreamshade poison, but also the incessant insects and other dangerous plants that littered Neverland's jungle.
"How far back should I stay?" asked Charming, several paces behind the pirate.
"No need for such precautions just yet, mate," replied Hook. "We have a way to go before that will be a priority. In the meantime, we'll need both sets of eyes on the lookout for other dangers."
Charming pushed an armful of branches out of his way so he could walk next to Hook. "Other dangers?"
Hook smiled. "It is a jungle," he replied. "You know, wild animals, sand pits and other such pleasantries."
Charming replied with an exasperated sigh. "Yeah, right."
They continued walking deeper into the jungle in silence, to which Hook was grateful. The Prince was far from the most amiable companion. At best, they shared a tentative arrangement, but behind that thin veil of acceptance was a litany of mistrust and disapproval. But Hook's good fortune was cut short.
"You say we have a while before we have to worry about Pan's boys?" asked Charming.
Hook inwardly rolled his eyes, debating whether to lie just to keep the silence. But the better man inside won the duel. "Aye," he replied, already regretting his decision.
"Then tell me something," continued Charming.
Hook's stomach did a flip-flop. Please don't ask about your daughter, he thought. For the love of my sanity, please don't ask about your daughter.
"How did you get your hands on the Jolly Roger?"
Hook blew out a relieving breath. This would be a safe topic, if not even enjoyable. "Ah, so my ship intrigues you?"
"How you became in possession of it intrigues me," corrected Charming.
"It was a long time ago, as I'm certain you can imagine," replied Hook, swatting fallen branches from their path. "It was given to me by another pirate who no longer required her, well, services."
"Someone just gave you the fastest ship in all the realms?" asked Charming. "A pirate, at that?"
"Aye," responded Hook, smiling inwardly at the memory of that day. "He had it commissioned for one simple task- to find his true love. But it turned out she was a lot closer than he imagined- in the next city over to be exact. And since he desired to give up the life of piracy for her, he simply gave the ship away. It was a bit of a right time and right place for me."
"He didn't want anything in return?"
Hook could hear the incredulity in the Prince's voice, and he enjoyed it immensely. Obviously this man of adventure knew nothing about pirates and their code. He thought nothing more of them than scoundrels and thieves, so regaling him with this tale of charity and kindness was like sticking a thorn in his side, to which brought a smug sort of contentment to Hook. "He had accumulated quite the wealth during his turn as a pirate," continued Hook. "He could keep his love and generations to come drowning in riches and castles, so he desired no money from me. Only that I use it to seek my own fortune, to which I believe he was referring to true love, not gold or gems."
He paused and led Charming around a large sand pit in the middle of the path. Once back on course, he continued with his story. "At the time, I was at a cross roads in my life. Society had rejected me- to which that tale you are familiar with. And I not a penny to my name. I was angry, lost and poor as dirt- which is a deadly combination for someone with piracy in their blood."
"This is after you left Blackbeard," interjected Charming.
"I did not leave Blackbeard," Hook replied sternly. "I killed him."
"Sorry," Charming said. "Go on."
"I was standing on the pier, admiring the great ship, when he approached. He said he saw something in me, something that reminded him of himself as a lad, and knew that I would take great care of his ship. No one had captained her yet, she was brand new construction and newly enchanted by the local fairies. All the ship needed was for someone to go aboard, name her and take the helm to unlock her magical properties."
"This pirate hadn't even boarded her yet?"
"Not one foot on her deck had been placed," replied Hook. "So he took me aboard, making sure I was the first to place my hands on the helm, and I named her right then and there. Then we sailed away from the port to the next closest one to gather crew, all the while he stayed on board calling me captain. He wanted me to take on his name, to continue his legacy, but I'd had enough of that already concerning Blackbeard. I thought it was time to make a name for myself. And I was still very angry with the world around me and wanted it to know who exactly it was that was taking out revenge on it."
"What was the pirates name?"
Hook looked back at the Prince with an eyebrow raised. "Roberts," he replied. "The Dread Pirate Roberts, do be exact. Have you heard of him?"
Charming shook his head.
"Fine fellow," continued Hook. "Excellent taste in clothes."
A moment of silence passed between them before Charming spoke again. "Have you seen him since?"
Hook shook his head with remorse. "No. I have no clue what happened to him, but I wish him well in whatever endeavors he comes across."
"Hm."
Hook suddenly stopped and turned back to the Prince. "What was that for?" he asked, noting the condescension in the sound.
"You speak like you respect the man, but instead of honoring his wishes to seek out true love, you used the Jolly Roger for revenge and self indulgencies."
"What are you implying?"
"You've spent three hundred years trying to kill Rumpelstiltskin," stated Charming.
Hook rubbed his chin in quiet contemplation, and then leveled his eyes with the man before him. "Tell me something, Prince. If someone ripped out Snow White's heart in front of you and crushed it in his hands without the slightest hint of remorse, what would you do?"
Charming slumped his shoulders as he sighed. "I'd probably travel to the end of the world to kill the man."
Hook pointed a finger at his chest. "And you wouldn't stop until it was done or you took your last dying breath."
Charming blinked. "No. I wouldn't."
Hook turned away and marched on. Charming caught up, and with a hand on his shoulder he spun Hook around. "But I am a good man. You're just a pirate. I wouldn't stoop to hurting good people to sate my vengeance."
"You have no idea what you're capable of until of are in that situation." Hook shrugged the hand off his shoulder and walked on.
Charming stood on the path, pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. Hook could hear him grinding his teeth, followed by a guttural, frustrated growl. When he caught up to him, his voice was not so accusatory. "So, this woman," he started. "Milah? Was that her name? She was your true love?"
"I never said she was my true love," he replied, not even sparing a glance back at the Prince.
"So all those years of vengeance and revenge and pain, was all over a woman you never truly loved?" Charming could not hide the hint of surprise in his voice.
Hook stopped abruptly, turned around and invaded Charming's personal space. "I loved Milah! But true love only comes around but once in a lifetime and I refuse to believe that mine has already come and gone so early in my life! Was it true love?! Maybe not. But I did love her! And I'll fight to the ends of this bloody realm for anyone I care about! So don't you ever judge my capacity to love... Ever!"
Charming swallowed hard as Hook stormed away, again. The speech rooted him to the spot, and for the second time, the Prince realized why people were in both awe and fear of the infamous Captain Hook.
"Why don't we just continue in silence," suggested Hook, looking back to see if Charming was still following. "There's nothing that says we have to…" His sentence was cut short by the sudden disappearance of his companion.
It happened so quickly, and so quietly, Hook didn't even have the time to admonish himself for being so careless. So swept up in their conversation, he took his attention off the jungle and all her dangerous. And now, Charming- Emma's father, was paying the price. From the dense underbrush of the jungle sprang one of Neverland's most vile creatures. It sprang from its hind haunches with such force, it knocked the Prince clean on his back.
Hook's instincts kicked in, and with his hook poised to strike he jumped onto the back of the black, matted fur of the panther, ready to rip it to shreds. But something stopped him. Immediately, he withdrew his hook and wrapped his right arm around the creature's neck and rolled it off Charming. The panther screeched and drooled, swinging its front, massive talons as it drew back- giving the Prince time to roll out from under it.
On his back, with the panther kicking and snarling on top of him, Hook reached for his sword. With difficulty, he pulled it out and jabbed it into the side of animal. It reared sideways, landing beside Hook and giving him a chance to move away. But he was not fast enough, as one of the panther's paws swung out at him and made contact with his stomach. Hook bent forward and clutched his wound with his left arm while he struck out with his sword, finally delivering the killing blow to its head. Then, for good measure, he stabbed the creature between the eyes to make sure it would not rise again.
Still doubled over, Hook fell to his knees as the pain of the talon's damage to his stomach fully registered.
A moment later, he felt Charming lowering him to the ground and undoing his vest and shirt.
"It doesn't look too bad," stated Charming, smiling down at him nervously. "Clean it up a little, maybe a few stitches. Nothing that will kill you. I've seen wounds worse than this."
Hook closed his eyes and swept his tongue across his now parched lips. "Perhaps," he said, returning the nervous smile. "But it's not the wound I'm worried about. It's the venom that will kill a man."
Charming squeezed his eyes tight in obvious frustration and paused his ministrations to Hook's stomach. "Is everything in Neverland deadly?"
"Why do you think I hate this land so much?" he asked, with a painful laugh. "Thought I just had an odd aversion to humidity and green?"
"How long?" asked Charming, as he untied the scarf around his neck. He pressed it against the large gash on Hook's lower right side, eliciting a groan of pain from the pirate.
"I'll have plenty of time to make the exchange," he replied, loosening his own scarf from his neck. Then he passed it to Charming so he could use it to secure the makeshift bandage. After it was securely held, Hook drew his knees up and tried to rise, but Charming held him to the ground. He looked up at him in surprise. "The faster we get moving again, the faster we get to Henry."
Charming did not release his hold as he kept the pirate pinned to the ground by the shoulders. "You want to carry on with the plan?" he asked, looking as steadfast as Hook had ever seen him.
"Aye," he replied.
"You will use your last dying days, or breaths, to save Emma's son?"
Hook regarded him quizzically. "What else would I do?" he returned, pushing the Prince off him so he could finally get to his feet.
"Really?"
As Hook walked over to the dead beast and withdrew his sword, he looked back at Charming with a confused frown. "Really."
Charming was still kneeling on the spot where Hook previously lay. "Just like that?"
Exasperated, Hook threw his arms in the air, cringing slightly as his wound split open. "Bloody hell, mate," he sighed. "You still don't trust me, do you?" With that, he turned and started making his way further into the jungle. The Prince be damned. He walked on, not caring if Charming was following nor not. As far as he was concerned, he didn't need him anyway- not now. And he would be much faster on his own, venom coursing through his veins or not.
-OUAT-
Emma saw Regina standing on the edge of the perimeter, staring out at the jungle where Hook and Charming departed only hours ago. She walked over to join her, but when she approached she noticed the woman wasn't so much looking out into the jungle as she was staring at a piece of paper in her hands. Emma glanced over her shoulder with no ill intent, but when the Queen reacted as if caught in an illicit act. Emma stepped back, palms raised in supplication and confusion on her face.
Regina quickly, yet delicately, folded the paper and put it in the pocket of her jacket. "What did you see?" she stammered.
Emma looked at her sideways, a brow arched. "Nothing," she replied. "But what is it you don't want me to see?"
Regina shook her head and nervously tucked her hair behind her ears. "Nothing. It's private."
"Nothing is private?" asked Emma, mocking the Queen's answer. "Than you have no problem if I take a look at your secret little paper?"
She rushed forward, reaching for Regina's pocket. The Queen tried to push her away, but without her magic, her attempts were futile against the trained bounty hunter. It took only moments for Emma to retrieve the paper. She turned her back on Regina as she unfolded the page, blocking the woman from grabbing it back. But she did heed her warnings and handled the page with care- there was something very sincere in her voice that made Emma want to appease. And when the page was completely unfolded, she understood why.
She turned around and held the sketch of Henry out before her. "Where did you get this?" she asked.
Regina attempted to grab the page back but was thwarted by Emma's fast reflexes. "It's mine," replied Regina. "Hook gave it to me."
Emma looked closely at the sketching and noticed it was a copy of the one she lent Hook the other day. He hadn't needed it to remember Henry's face, he only wanted to give Regina a picture to hold. She looked up from the page and saw the Queen standing in front of her, her arm outstretched and her voice pleading.
"Please," she said. "It's all I have here. May I have it back?"
Emma looked at the sketch and then back to Regina. Mindful of the creases in the paper she folded it gently. "This," she said, holding it up between them. "I would have given you. All you needed to do was ask." Then she passed the page back to the relieved Queen.
"Thank you," she breathed, holding the sketch to her heart. "And please, don't be mad at Hook. I assume he didn't acquire this through conventional means, but his intentions were at least good. He didn't think you would give me a picture either."
Emma smiled awkwardly. "I'm not mad at him," she replied. "It's actually kind of sweet what he did."
Regina tucked the sketch into her pocket then crossed her arms over her chest. "Hm, there's something you don't hear everyday," she said, her voice returning to its natural snarky state.
Emma regarded her quizzically. "What?"
"Referring to a pirate as sweet," she replied, and then looked over her shoulder. She stared out at the jungle with what Emma could only perceive as concern. "But he's not your average pirate, is he?" she said, turning back to her.
Emma smiled, remembering their previous night by the fire, how he unquestionably offered his assistance in rescuing Henry, and basically every moment she shared with him since their arrival in Neverland. "No. No, he's not."
More to Come…