Chapter 14
The next morning Emma wakes from her agitated sleep hoping that last night was just a terrible, vivid imagining from her overwrought mind. But the spot in bed next to her, where Killian should be is undisturbed, making it glaringly obvious that it's not a dream, but one of her worst nightmares come to life. Emma knew that she wouldn't be able to get any kind of rest without Killian next to her, but her friend had not budged on letting her go back to the Jolly last night. Elsa had cited that she'd assured Killian she'd keep Emma safe, and she intended to keep that promise. She also stationed guards at the Jolly to ensure that it would remain undisturbed, after making sure the Captain was not aboard. At Emma's pleading, Elsa had dispatched as many men as possible to search the town high and low; Killian was nowhere to be found.
Emma pulls herself out of bed, dressing for the day. Making sure she is presentable, Emma makes her way down to the private family dining room. Trying to put on a good face for those around her, she wears a strained smile as she enters, gaining the attention of all in the room.
"Morning Elsa. Anna, Kristoff." The three echo back their greetings as she takes a seat to Elsa's right. As soon as she is seated, Elsa gets a closer look at her pale and drawn face and reaches over to clasp both of Emma's hands in her own.
"Em, did you get any sleep last night?" She squeezes Emma's hands a little tighter as she asks the question, wanting Emma to look her in the eyes.
"Enough." Emma tries to shrug off the concerned looks coming at her from the sisters, giving them another forced smile. "Has there been any news from the guards about Killian?"
"Em, I wish I had a better answer for you, you know I do, but no. Nobody has seen him since early yesterday afternoon, it's almost as if he's magically vanished…" Elsa trails off when Emma's head snaps up at the word magically.
"No! No, no, no, no, no. Gods, no." Everyone can hear the near hysteria in her voice, as a terrible possibility dawns on her; and if she's right, it is so much worse than she originally feared.
"Emma, what's going on?" Elsa questions watching as Emma spirals further.
"It's her, it's got to be her. But how does she know about him? How does she know where we are? Why him? Why not just come after me? This is all my fault, I never should have asked for his help."
"Emma!" Elsa is shouting at her now, and shaking her to get her to snap out of it. It is so unlike Elsa to raise her voice, that she finally breaks through Emma's haze of panic. "Emma, who are you talking about? What is going on?"
"It's the Evil Queen. She must know I'm planning to stop her, so she took Killian. It is the only thing that makes sense, since like you said, he's vanished into thin air… almost like magic."
"Oh Em. If that is the case, I know you'll get him back."
"There is no doubt I will get Killian back, I will not lose him again. I am going back to the Jolly, and before you start in Els, I appreciate your hospitality, you know I do, but I need to feel as close to him as I can, and that's not here."
"Do what you need to do Em, we will do whatever we can to help, but before you leave please eat something, I know you didn't do much more than play with your food last night."
"Fine, but I am leaving right after breakfast." Breakfast is a subdued affair, but they try to make the best of the time they have left together.
Twenty minutes and a tearful goodbye hug later, Emma, along with an entourage of guards, each loaded down with goodies, supplies, and anything Elsa thought she might need, is on her way. Arriving back at the Jolly gives her a measure of comfort that she couldn't get at the castle. She is no less worried, but it helps to be surrounded by all the symbols of their life together. She feels a closeness to Killian that has the tight knot of worry in her belly easing ever so slightly.
Ascending the gangplank Emma points the guards in the direction of the Captain's private storage room to store all that Elsa has sent with her.
Smee hurries over to greet her. "Princess, are you well? We were informed about the Captain late last night-"
Emma cuts him off, politeness be damned. "Have you heard from him Smee?"
The man can hear the fear and sadness in her tone, and hates that he cannot give her better news. "I'm sorry Mistress, we haven't. I ordered all our men back to the ship once I heard, and not a one remembers seeing him after you disembarked."
"Thank you Smee, please keep your eyes and ears open for anything that might help us figure out what happened." Letting her feet beat the familiar path toward their cabin, she is stopped by the guards as they are exiting the storage room where they put all of the stuff from Elsa.
"If that is all Princess, we are going to relieve the guards from last night's post."
Emma nods her head silently
"We will be here should you need us for anything. Good day, Highness."
"Thank you," she murmurs quietly, but genuinely.
Opening the door to their quarters still half hoping to find Killian inside, she releases a despondent sigh when she sees he is not there. After firmly shutting the door behind herself Emma goes to lie in their bed. She lays flat on her back staring up at the ceiling, wracking her brain for a jumping off point. She knows what she must do, but where does she start? Rolling over to her side and holding his pillow close to her body she looks around the room. She is willing herself not to cry, pregnancy be damned, she is not going to let that bitch win. She scans each surface carefully taking in the treasures, artifacts, maps, and books he has amassed over the years. When Emma glances at the table she notices a folded piece of parchment with her name scrawled across it. Getting up off their bed, she moves toward the table. She is sure it isn't Killian's handwriting, and she is certain it wasn't there when they'd left the day before. Maybe it's from Pip, for helping him with his letter to Melanie, she thought, then just as quickly dismissed the idea knowing nobody would dare enter without she or Killian present. Her heart rate picks up, the letter becoming more ominous the longer she stares at it. She reaches for it hoping to be mistaken, but she can feel the dark magic rolling off of the missive, and her worst fear is confirmed, it is from Regina.
Silly girl. It would seem you've underestimated me, just like your mother. While you were busy making eyes with this ridiculous boy, I have learned of your plans to save your kingdom. Well guess what, you're no savior, and being a hero just isn't in the cards for you. If you ever wish to see your precious pirate again you'll surrender yourself to me. You have a week to accept these terms, or the consequences will be taken out on your husband, slowly and painfully.
After reading the letter Emma sinks into the chair next to her as great sobs wrack her frame. I can't lose him, we can't lose him, she thinks, smoothing a hand over her belly, causing a fresh wave of despair to crash over her. She lets the tears run their course, letting out every ounce of grief, fear, and feeling of desolation that she has been bottling up for the last twenty-four hours. After she sheds every available tear, all that remains is an all consuming anger and a fierce exhaustion from the emotional upheaval, and pregnancy. With barely enough energy to shuffle the several feet to their bed, Emma collapses on top of the covers, dragging Killian's pillow to her chest, and curling herself around it. She falls into another uneasy sleep, plagued by dreams of the Evil Queen torturing and taunting Killian.
After she comes out of her grief induced slumber Emma cleans her face of all residual evidence of her breakdown. Once presentable she writes a letter to Elsa giving her just enough information for her to know what's going on, but not enough to put her in the path of danger any more than she already has. Sealing the letter Emma makes her way up on deck, and heads straight for the guards posted on the dock. "This is to go directly to Queen Elsa, and no one else. Is that understood?"
"Yes your highness, we will deliver this post haste," the guard responds as he takes the missive from her.
"Thank you." Emma turns and heads back up to the gangplank seeking out Smee, since he is now in charge in Killian's absence.
"Smee. I need you to set course for the Evil Queen's castle, immediately. We don't have any time to waste, too much time has passed already."
"Certainly Mistress. The Captain?"
"Yes, Mr. Smee, she has him, but I will get him back! Please notify me of anything I need to be privy to."
"Certainly Mistress. Please know that we will all do whatever it takes to get the Captain back, have no doubt about that."
"Thank you Smee. I'll leave you to it."
The kiss was unlike anything Killian had ever known before, it felt truly magical. This was a powerful, life affirming kiss, one that maybe even came from true love. When it ended, and they pulled away, still wrapped up in each other, he immediately missed her, but the expression on her face made everything worth it. She looked just as thrown off as he felt, and smiled with a hint of bashfulness, as if she'd felt every pulse of love with him beat for beat.
"That was…" He ran his hand through his hair trying to form a coherent thought, trying to think of a way to describe everything that kiss was, and meant to him. Emma watched him smiling hopefully.
"Emma!" Her Mother's voice crying out from across the grounds couldn't have come at a worse time. There was so much left to say, and so many things he still wanted to do. Taking a step back from each other, she ran her fingers through her hair.
"Something we should talk about later." She brought her hand to his and squeezed until he nodded his agreement to talk later.
"As you wish." Killian watched as Emma walked away from him, leaving him to wander the beautiful garden.
Once he was certain Emma was out of sight he reached into his pocket to make sure her gift was still there, unscathed. Pulling the delicate silver chain with a Swan pendant at the other end out of his pocket, Killian let out a sigh of relief, all the while hoping she would like it. He didn't like the idea of having to leave her the day of her seventeenth birthday, but he was still a sailor and his duty to Liam and their king was paramount despite his heart's protestations.
After enjoying a rather delightful meal with the magnanimous monarchs and his brother, Killian begged permission to go on a stroll through the garden with Emma before having to disembark in the morning. Liam returned to the Jewel to prepare for their launch in the morning, while Queen Snow and King David retired for the evening leaving him alone with Emma once again.
Finally plucking up his courage as they passed another of the stone benches scattered throughout the garden, he asked her, "Would you be so kind as to sit with me a moment Princess?"
"Certainly Lieutenant, anything."
Killian led Emma to the ornate bench, trying not to fidget from his nerves once they were seated. Turning in his spot he looked straight into her eyes as he spoke. "I hope this isn't too forward Princess, but I know that your birthday is tomorrow, and I wanted to give you a gift. I know it's not much, but I was hoping you would like it, it reminded me of you as soon as I saw it, and if you don't like it, I don't expect you to keep it-"
Emma gently placed her hand on the flustered and rambling Lieutenant's arm, garnering his attention.
"Killian. I'm sure I will love it."
He pulled the pendant necklace out of his pocket, and heard Emma's audible gasp upon seeing it.
"Oh, it's absolutely lovely, Killian, thank you! Would you put it on for me, please?"
"It'd be my pleasure... Emma. I'm so glad you like it." Killian moved to stand behind Emma as she swept her hair out of the way, so he could clasp the delicate chain around her neck.
Killian slowly starts coming back to consciousness, gently gripping the back of his head, in search of any physical damage that could be the cause of the intense pain coursing through his skull. As he becomes more aware, the pain becomes more pronounced, and trying to focus on what it was that transpired to cause this infernal pain only intensifies the pain.
"Why in bloody hell am I on the ground?" he mutters to himself, but loud enough for those in close proximity to hear him.
"Agnarr! He's awake! We were afraid you wouldn't wake up, you were unconscious when the guards dragged you down here. Do you know where you are?" A soft feminine voice, rough from disuse, asks from somewhere off to his left.
"Emma?"Killian murmurs reaching out with his left arm. His hand collides with solid metal bars, as he realizes it wasn't his Emma's voice he heard.
"Sorry no. I know an Emma though, I guess it's better said, knew, I knew an Emma. What is your name sir?"
"Killian. Captain Killian Jones," he answers sitting up. "I don't mean to be rude, but who are you, and where am I? I need to get back to my wife, she must be beside herself with worry by now. How long have I been here, wherever this is?" His voice takes on a hint of agitation as he starts to notice his surroundings are actual confines.
"We are Queen Iduna, and King Agnarr, of Arendelle."
"Anna and Elsa's parents! I thought you died?"
"You know our girls? Are they alright?"
"Last I remember I was in Arendelle, I had just been at the castle with Anna, Elsa, and Emma. Everyone was fine. Where the bloody hell am I, who's dungeon have I landed in?"
"Oh thank the Gods Agnarr, they're alright."
Killian can hear a mumbled conversation taking place between the two displaced royals, but can't make out what's being said. He not so subtly clears his throat hoping to get this conversation back on track.
"Sorry. You're in the Evil Queen's dungeon, and as best I can tell you've been here almost a day. It is rather difficult to tell time without being able to see outside. You say your wife Emma was with our girls?"
"Oh, Bloody… Yes, she's a good friend of both girls-"
"Emma Swan?" the former Queen cuts him off in her haste to confirm Emma's full name.
"Yes-"
"When did you marry? How long has it been that we've been down here?"
"Emma and I married less than a month ago. I don't know if you've been here the whole time, but it has been almost a year and a half since Elsa was coronated, and about two years since you were presumed dead."
"Two Years! By the Gods Agnarr, wait… did you say everyone thinks we're dead?"
"Yes, the wreckage of your ship was found washed up along the coast of Arendelle about two years ago, no survivors found at the time, but they remained hopeful for a time."
"She must have damaged the ship after taking us. Oh Gods, our girls! We have to get home."
"I'm not sure what you did to anger the Evil Queen my lady, but I doubt she intends to let any of us go. I'm probably only here as bait to lure Emma into Regina's bloody trap, whatever that may be-"
"Shhh, I think I hear the guards approaching. Best of luck to you friend."
"Thanks. I'll need it." Two black guards come into view and stop at the door to Killian's cell staring down at him still sitting on the floor of his cell.
"Ah, so it looks like the Queen's new toy is finally awake. We have orders to take you to her, so on your feet pirate." one of the guards sneers at Killian.
"What say you ask nicely, mate." Killian plasters on his flashiest and most condescending smirk.
"What say we come in there and make you."
"Then by all means… make me. If you're man enough." Killian's cocky words finally agitate one of the guards enough for him to march inside the cell and yank Killian up by the back of his great coat. The guard none to gently slams a pair of cuffs onto his wrists, before marching him out of his cell.
"I'm going to enjoy the torture the Queen puts you through. It'll knock you down a peg or two pirate."
A/N: This story is inspired by 'Destiny has its eyes on you' by the lovely EmilyBea on FF (Seriouslyhooked on Tumblr), my chapters 1-4 are based on her chapters 1&2 (with her blessing).
Ilovemesomekillianjones has graciously agreed to be my beta on this entire project, (her works can be found on AO3, FF, and Tumblr).
Thank you for reading. Reviews feed the muse.