Chapter 21: The Lighthouse
It was cold when Emma woke up. Beneath her, she felt the well-known surface of hard planks of a rocking ship. There was no doubt, she was on sea again. She heard groans and shallow breathing around her, but couldn't see anything.
She had no memories of how she got here, but recalled their escape into the woods. When she had seen Ramsay fall, unable to stand up again, she'd turned around to buy them some time. She'd run into the opposite direction, directly into their persecutor's arms.
They must have hit her with something hard because she felt a throbbing bump on her forehead. For a moment, the old fears resurfaced; that they could have touched her while she was unconscious. It wouldn't make sense though, if they wanted to sell her undamaged.
Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Carefully, she felt for what was around her. She was sitting against the wall, pressed between two bodies. When she touched someone, the small body under her fingers winced and started to cry. She then realized that she was touching an infant. Startled, she stared at the baby that was lying on the floor, just like that. Hesitantly, she picked it up from the cold planks and lifted it to her chest. She couldn't believe that these pirates were kidnapping children that small.
Emma clumsily held the baby in her arms. Just like that, it stopped crying, burying its head between her breasts, trying to find milk. Emma felt a sting as she looked down at the child, unable to help. She wasn't the mother and couldn't feed it. She knew there was barely a chance of survival for that poor child on this ship. It made her angry, overwhelming her completely and stifling the fear. What gave these men the right to decide their life and death? Had she left the Captain to free herself from subjection only to witness this crime? She wouldn't accept this as her fate, even if it was the last thing she did. She patted the child and whispered soothingly in its ear.
The other person beside her suddenly moved. The man raised his head and looked around, then searched his surroundings panicky.
"Neal! Where are you?" he whispered hoarsely.
Emma winced at these words. Hearing her brother's name surprised her and she needed a moment to gather her senses.
"Is this him?" She tugged at the man's sleeve and the child started crying again.
The man let out a relieved groan and almost tore the boy out of her arms.
"Oh damn, for a moment I thought he was gone," he exhaled, slowly looking up at Emma.
"Your son?" she asked. The man nodded.
Emma felt a pang in her heart seeing them together like this. Her brother would be about the same age as the boy, but wishing him here instead was not a pleasant thought. This child was doomed to death or a life in slavery. Maybe death was even better than that. Emma pushed the thought away and tried to smile.
"Lost my other boy in Athana. I probably should be happy about it. At least there's a chance he escaped these bastards."
Emma put her finger in front of her mouth. "Don't talk about them like that. The walls of a pirate ship have ears everywhere."
The man shook his head in defiance. "What does it matter? They'll probably sell us as slaves or kill us anyway."
"Don't talk like that," Emma objected. "I don't intend to be a slave, either. But acting out of anger will bring us no benefits. We need to be smart. It's our only chance."
The man looked up in surprise. He probably didn't expect Emma to be that calm. Deep inside she wasn't at all. But after what she'd been through, she'd finally learned not to let her emotions get in the way.
"If there's a way out, we will find it. Until then, we have to stay inconspicuous. Don't provoke them and do what they say."
The man gave her a curious look. "Do you have a plan?"
Emma shook her head. "I'll think of something spontaneously." She smiled encouraging.
"Then I'll help you with that. I have to get my boy off this ship." He reached out. "I'm Robin, by the way. Robin Hood. And this is my son Neal, as you already figured."
Emma smiled. "I'm Emily Swan," she said. It was the quickest thing she could make up.
"You're not from Athana, are you?" Robin asked.
"Well, I've come a long way. I fled from the Enchanted Forest five months ago, as our village was attacked. Lost my family that day."
"I'm sorry," Robin said quietly. "I'm from there, too. It's not a safe place anymore. I took my family and left. And see where it got me."
Emma soothingly touched his shoulder. "We will get out of this. All three of us. I promise."
Robin returned her smile. "I wish I could be that optimistic."
Emma sighed. "I know. I come from a very bad place. Terrible things happened to me these last few months. I was certain my life had no value anymore and sometimes I almost wanted to give up. But I didn't. I worked so hard to be happy again and I continue to do so. This is not the end. Even if it seems like that. As long as we breathe, there is still hope. We will find a way out of here."
"How? Neal needs food. He's already weak. These pirates won't support a small child; it's not profitable for them."
"Then our first goal is to get him some food. I will think of something."
She leaned against the wall, trying to think. A full moon shined through the gaps of the planks in the ceiling. It was the only light in the room. Emma watched over the shapes, the people that were huddling on the floor. Most of them were too afraid to talk, but she could hear low voices and soft crying.
She must have fallen into a light slumber because she woke suddenly when the door to the cabin flew open. Light flooded the room, blinding them. Three pirates stood in the doorway, dirty as the pirates of the storybooks. They observed the room and Neal started crying again. Robin pressed him to his chest and tried to calm him, but without much success. By then, Neal had to be very hungry. If he didn't get food soon, it would be too late for him. They were running out of time.
"There it is," one of the pirates said, pointing to the child. "Get it!"
The second man set into motion, moving towards them. Robin tightened his hold and stepped back.
"Give me the child!" the pirate demanded, examining Robin as if he evaluated his strength.
"Over my dead body," Robin growled and made another step back as the second pirate approached them, too.
One of the men grabbed Robin. Neal's cries filled the room, but nobody was moving. Silence had settled upon the prisoners and nobody dared to help Robin who was twisting and shouting at the prospect of losing his child.
Emma stood there paralyzed, brutally reminded of human's cruelty.
Her legs trembled when she stepped forward.
"Stop it," she exclaimed with as much courage as she could muster.
The pirates needed a moment to become aware of the woman at the back. "Shut up, woman," one of them shouted. But Emma didn't let them intimidate her. She straightened herself and made another step.
"You heard me," she said loudly.
"Bring her on deck," the pirate at the door ordered grimly. The men who had come after the child turned to her. Emma didn't resist as two hands grabbed her roughly. She was shoved towards the door. As she moved, she felt the man's bad breath on her and suppressed a shiver.
"You'd rather kept your mouth shut, slut," the man whispered in her ear. "Do you know what we do with defiant lasses like you?"
Emma remained silent.
"We'll strip them, bind them to the mast and let every man of the crew have their way with them. And when they're worn out, burned by the sun and dying of thirst, we throw them overboard."
Emma's lips thinned, fear crawling up her stomach. But she kept walking and ascended the ladder that lead on deck. When the door opened the next wave of light hit her eyes.
Without thinking, Emma took a leap forward and tried to reach the rail. But one of the pirates stepped in her way. She changed direction but there was no escape. The men only laughed at her desperate attempts to escape. Finally, she stumbled over a rope and hit the floor. Pain shot through her leg and tears welled in her eyes. The laughter above her became louder.
When her hands fumbled over the planks to find a hold, she suddenly felt a resistance. It was a loose spike that was stuck in the wood. Emma pulled it out easily, closing her hand around it, then curled into a ball, retracting her arms against her chest. In a swift movement, she let the spike disappear in her neckline.
One moment later, she was roughly shoved to the mast and bound. She bit her lip as the men fettered her hands and tied the ropes around her.
"You're going to regret this," Emma snarled.
The men around her just laughed, until their captain stepped forward. He didn't wear expensive clothes like Hook did, nor did he look equally handsome. His hair was grey and oily and his eyes seemed to disappear under his eyebrows.
Emma had heard of these pirates. They were middlemen who sold humans to the rich slave traders of the South. They did the dirty work but didn't earn much out of it. Abducting people only made profit on high scale. It was an entire industry which couldn't be stopped.
"Your mouth is stronger than your arms and legs, my dear," the captain said. "Your face may be pretty, but nothing that can't be found somewhere else. We will find a buyer; even if you're used."
His words made Emma tremble but she returned his look.
"Someone is looking for me," Emma stated. "And when he finds me 'used', he'll kill you all. He won't simply kill you but make you suffer in the worst way you can imagine."
"And who would that miraculous savior be? Your lover?"
The crew laughed.
"He's not just my lover," Emma replied proudly. "He's the most feared pirate of the north. His ship is the fastest of the realm. So, don't have any illusions. It's only a matter of time until he finds me. And when he does, I'm the only one who can keep him from murdering you and sinking this ship."
The Captain's eyes narrowed. "You're bluffing."
"Then take your chances and see. But Captain Hook is coming for me and nothing you say can change that."
She held his gaze for another moment until he stepped back and turned around. Emma knew she had won this duel. But how long would it take until they realized she was indeed bluffing? Hook wouldn't come back; he was heading in the opposite direction and had probably already forgotten about her. If she didn't want to be raped by an entire crew she had to figure out a plan on her own. There was no way she could be hurt like that again. She had to escape or die at the attempt.
As night settled upon them, Emma felt the ropes cut her skin. Her mouth was dry as paper and she couldn't feel her legs. She looked at the horizon and saw a small strip of land in the distance, but way too far to swim. Robin had told her that they had already passed the Carian Strait. She had been unconscious for more than a day, so she had no memories of it. Carian was a few days away, but there were some towns on their way. If she wanted to get away they needed to dock.
She might have drawn the attention to herself but soon they would remember that they wanted to get rid of Neal and the boy wouldn't last another few days without food.
After a few minutes, Emma started to twist in her ropes.
"I need to pee," she shouted to the pirate that was standing next to her.
"Shut up, bitch," he snarled.
"I also need to shit," Emma responded. "And if I can't do it in private, that will be sexual harassment. Do you know what Captain Hook will do to you if you harass me? The last man who did lost his dick and life to the sharks."
The pirate turned his head.
"You've got a filthy mouth full of lies, lass."
Emma sneered. "I've learned to talk like that from pirates. And believe me, that was not a lie."
Grunting, the pirate pulled out a knife and approached her. Emma tried not to show her fear, but the thought of getting her throat slit was not pleasant. But the man only cut the ropes and pulled her up. He shoved her back into the ship and down a ladder into a room.
"Use the bucket," he said. "And don't try anything stupid." He closed the door behind her.
Emma was standing in a store room with ropes and sail material. She paid no attention to the bucket in the corner. Instead, she started to search the room for something she could use to free her arms. There was a small window at the other side of the room which let in a sliver light. She pulled the spike out and jammed it into the knot of her bonds. After a few tries she managed to loosen it. She thanked Ramsay in her thoughts for all his lessons to free herself.
Her eyes searched the room and caught a handle in between two boxes. When she stepped closer, her heart began to pound faster. An axe was lying in front of her, an actual weapon. But there was no way she could defend herself with it. These pirates were trained fighters. They would probably disarm her before she could make the first strike. She'd never liked fighting anyway. She'd always wanted to be a doctor, not a warrior. But she didn't have a choice, did she? Slowly she reached for the axe and then she saw the window. It was a porthole, hardly big enough to let a person through. An idea formed in her mind. It was a crazy idea, more like insane really, but she couldn't think of anything else. Her heart was racing now. If she did this, there would be no going back.
Hastily, she opened the window and was greeted by the sound of waves crashing against the ship. Emma hasted back and grabbed a coil of rope. She had to act fast. Frantically she bound the rope around her chest and fixed it to a hook and a pulley in the wall.
Her legs trembled when she climbed through the window, the axe heavy in her hand. The sea was wild and Emma felt the fear in her bones. But adrenalin and the knowledge that this might be her only chance made her move. So, she tightened her hand around the handle of the axe and jumped. She fell three meters until the rope was taut. All air was pressed out of her lungs when her fall ended. Cold spray hit her when she swung in the air. Emma gasped when she felt the water soak her white dress. The next thing she felt was the collision with the ship's wall. A sharp pain shot through her body and her eyes watered. Her hands clutched the handle of the axe, as she tried to handle the pain. Above her head, she heard movement and shouts. A pirate in the rigging had noticed her.
Emma tried to turn around, ignoring the pain in her back. She braced her feet against the slippery wood and hauled off. The first hit buried the blade of the axe in the wood. Emma tried to pull it out. It took all her strength to do so. She shouted when she struck again, burying the axe a bit deeper. Cool water sloshed over her but she ignored it and hit the wall again. The shouts above her got louder, but she focused on her task. Then, she felt the wall give in. Immediately, water filled the hole. Emma hit the wood like a maniac, trying to enlarge the hole in the ship. Then she felt herself being pulled up. The pirates heaved her through the window and pushed her to the floor.
Emma tried to shield her face from a blow.
"You stupid bitch," a pirate shouted and pulled her up by her hair.
Then she heard other voices bawling in disorder. "Leak in the ship! We need more men!
"Bring her to the others," a superior pirate shouted. "We'll deal with her later."
Emma was roughly shoved back to the room with the other prisoners.
"I'm going to take my time with you later," the pirate who had brought her to the storage room whispered cruelly into her ear before he opened the door. When it closed behind her, the eyes of multiple prisoners greeted her. She was breathing heavily and leaned against the wall to rest for a moment.
Then she felt a hand on her back. Emma twisted as she felt the pain again. "What have they done to you?" she heard the voice of an elderly woman.
"I'm fine," Emma waived it off.
Robin's arm supported her. He'd handed Neal to a young woman who was barely older than her. Emma smiled grimly and let him help her sit down.
"I managed to fool these bastards," she said, satisfied. And then she told her fellow prisoners what she had done.
"Can you feel how this ship moves?" Emma asked. "They didn't manage to fix the leak yet. They're forced to dock." She smiled when she felt the ship jolt. "They are turning right now. It will take them half an hour to reach land."
"We're not in Carian yet?" the blonde girl asked.
"No, Ashley," the elderly woman replied. She looked at Robin. "Do you understand what this means? There will be no guards when we dock."
Usually the markets supplied guards who secured the cargo, which meant that they were ensuring that the new slaves didn't try to escape.
"When we arrive, it will be nightfall," Emma said.
"So, you want to try to escape?" Ashley asked afraid.
"Sure, we will," a sturdy man replied. "I won't end as a slave. I'd rather die."
"But they will kill us, "Ashley objected.
"Darling, do you want to spread your legs for some rich bastards for the rest of your life? Do you want your children ripped off you and never see them again?" the elderly woman asked bluntly.
Ashley winced.
"The only chance to survive is to work together." Emma said friendlily. "We need all of you."
She turned around to the others. "I can't promise that nobody will get hurt, but if we all stand together we can do it. Do you want to spend the rest of your life as someone's slave?"
All eyes were on her now.
"I was a prisoner for five months. I was hurt and controlled by men. Every day I dreamed what I would do if I was free. And I don't want to spend another minute of my life like that. Do you?"
She heard a murmur go through the group.
"And now we should listen to a girl that has hardly seen her twentieth summer," a man objected.
"This girl just risked her life for all of us," Robin retorted sharply.
The elderly woman stepped forward. "Aren't you from the Enchanted Forest, Leroy?"
The man muttered grumpily.
"Then you should know better than this. Five months ago, someone killed our king and queen and expelled us from our home. And then two months ago, I was kidnapped by these pirates. Day after day I saw them capture new people as this group increased. And I understood that you can lose more than your home and family. When your freedom is taken from you and your dignity vanishes your perspective shifts. You realize that all the values you believed in, are nothing more than an illusion. You start to feel worthless, lose all your hope. You become that person that these men want you to be. And there's nothing you could do against it."
Silence settled upon the room as the woman continued.
"At least I thought so. Until today. Until this young woman refused to give these men their will. Look at her. She's beaten up and yet, she's putting herself back to figure out a plan to free us."
She gave Emma a warm smile.
"You've truly grown up, Emma."
Emma winced as she heard her name.
"Her name is Emily," Robin corrected the elderly woman.
"No, it's not," the woman said. "They told us she was dead, but it was obviously a lie. This young woman is Princess Emma, daughter of King Charming and Queen Snow. I've seen you so many times as a child Emma, how could I forget your face?"
And then she began to hum a song. A song Emma had heard in the harbor just recently, played by a vagabond musician while she was dancing with a pirate.
Emma gasped as she studied the woman's face. "Granny?" she whispered. This was Ruby's grandmother, who had come shortly after Ruby's arrival and had been her caretaker since then. She'd left the palace ten years ago to marry again and open an inn in a different town. After that, Emma hadn't seen her anymore, but Ruby had told her of her visits.
Slowly, Granny took a step forward. Emma trembled as she felt the old woman put her arms around her. The tension left her body as tears streamed over her face. The situation felt unreal, as this was a dream and she would wake up at any moment.
"Emma," she heard Robin's shaking voice. She looked up immediately, alarmed by the tone in his voice. She looked at him, unsure.
"Is this true? Are you really the King and Queen's daughter?"
After a moment of hesitation, she nodded.
"Emma," his voice was breaking.
Emma frowned and disengaged from Granny's embrace. She didn't understand his emotion.
Robin took a deep breath and took Neal out of Ashley's arms.
"I've sworn to myself I would never tell anyone," he stopped and looked at the child. "I promised Neal that I would protect him as it is a father's duty. And that's what he is to me. A son."
He smiled as he pressed the boy to his chest.
"Five months ago, my wife brought him to us. It was the happiest day of my life although we had to leave the Enchanted Forest that day. Roland loved his new brother and together we started a new life in the South. We all tried our very best, Emma. We only wanted him to be safe."
Emma looked at him, not understanding the guilt in his eyes.
"We never intended to take away your family."
Emma stared at Robin and then at the boy.
Neal.
She felt like the floor was moving under her, her vision blurring as she had to support herself at the wall. She felt weak in her knees but Robin had already come closer. She looked at the boy, at his hair and eyes. How hadn't she seen the resemblance? How hadn't she recognized him?
"Neal," she whispered as she felt overwhelming shame. Tears streamed down her face as she took the boy out of Robin's arms. All these months she'd been certain that her family was dead. She'd given up on them, had told herself that she was better without them. She'd tried to numb her pain in pushing their memories away. And she'd managed so well that she hadn't recognized her little brother. She'd left Neal behind, abandoning him.
Her lips began to tremble and she thrusted the boy back into Robin's arms. Immediately, she turned to the wall, hiding her face. She was not worthy of holding her brother, not after what she had done to him.
Her body shook when she felt a hand on her shoulder. When she turned around, she looked in Ashley's big eyes.
"We'll get off this damn ship," she said determined. "All of us."
"Damn, we will," Leroy added grimly.
One by one they gave their consent, and again Emma felt emotion overwhelm her. All this time she'd felt alone, like an orphan. It had left a hole that couldn't be filled, not by Hook or his crew, nor by Ruby or Ramsay. And here she was, on a slave ship in the middle of the ocean, beaten and hurt, but surrounded by people who had given her back something she'd been certain to have lost forever. She had a duty to her people, to Neal.
Emma straightened herself and looked over the crowd. "And if it takes everything I have, I'm going to help get back our freedom."
As she met Granny's eyes and saw a sparkle in there, she knew that she believed her.
And she became aware that she maybe had been wrong. Even without a kingdom, even without freedom, she might be kind of a princess. Not a princess that owned a palace, but a princess that took care of her people.
The ship creaked as it moved forward. It had reached an obvious lateral position and made the prisoners restless. "What if we sink before we reach land," Leroy asked.
"We won't," Emma calmed him. "It isn't big enough. They will fix it. These ships aren't made for the high sea. The walls aren't thick, that was why I managed to damage it. The point was to find the right spot to damage. All these ships have their cannon store in the same place. And if their gun powder gets wet, it's of no use for them. That's why they have to make port. To inspect the damage and bring the things out to dry. If they travel defenseless, they're at the mercy of other pirates who are eager to steal away their cargo."
"You're a clever woman," Leroy said appreciatively.
"Your Highness," Robin corrected him sharply.
Emma shook her head. "I'm just Emma to all of you. If someone refuses to call me by my name, I'll have to throw them overboard."
She grinned at Robin who nodded at her. After all these months, it felt wrong to put herself above others. Reminding herself of her duty didn't mean she had to embrace her royalty again.
"They will surely come to get me when they have secured the cargo in the cannon store. To take their revenge on me. I need you to stay calm, whatever happens to me."
"What will they do to you?" Ashley asked fearful.
Emma shrugged. "Rape me, kill me. But I won't let them. I will return to you with a key."
She saw that Robin didn't like her plan. They had talked about this the previous minutes. But if they got engaged in a fight, this would become a massacre.
It took the pirates more than two hours to fix the leak and get everything out of the cannon room. But as predicted they came back to them as soon they were done. Emma tensed when the door was opened and the pirate who had whispered cruel promises into her ear came into the room. Emma stood up and walked to him without resistance.
"Trying to play the brave one, lass?" he whispered in her ear. "You have caused these people more trouble than benefit." He turned towards the crowd. "There will be no food for you tonight. And you, darling. Come with me."
Emma let herself pull out of the room. The pirate slammed the door. In a swift movement, he shoved her against it and at the next moment she was pressed between it and his body. Her head began to spin as she felt his ugly breath on her skin. Fear shot through her body. She closed her eyes as she tried to repress the memories.
"Yeah, that's right, darling," the man sneered. "You're damn right to be afraid. But the things I'm going to do won't bother you that long. The Captain is very mad. He ordered your execution in the morning. But I have to keep my promises, don't you agree?"
He grinned wickedly.
"What do you have in mind?" she said quietly.
"Oh, you'll see."
Emma shivered in disgust as his tongue touched the skin of her neck.
"I've been alone far too long. I'm going to enjoy my time with you. Very thoroughly."
At that he grasped her arm and directed her through the corridor. Emma wasn't sure about her course of action. She was high on adrenalin, the fear a constant companion. This man was about to rape her. Her worst nightmare was coming true. The only thing she knew was that she couldn't let him do it. She couldn't endure this pain again. It wasn't possible. Or was it? What was she able to bear for her people? One thing was certain; panicking wouldn't save her people and running wouldn't either.
So, she let him lead her up on deck. He opened to upper door carefully. The pirates were still busy with saving the cargo and fixing the leak. Emma was sure that they were seen from the rigging, but the pirates didn't care as the man forced her to walk over the gangway. Maybe they were his friends or thought she deserved a punishment for her audacity.
Emma's hands trembled as she looked over the pier in front of her. This was an outpost of Carian, just for fishing boats. At the end of the pier was lighthouse which was out of order. Ivy crept up the old stone walls. But still, it seemed graceful in the plain of grass that was lying beyond.
Freedom was so close and yet unreachable. The air was a bit foggy and spray of waves made the pier slippery. A rough wind ruffled her hair as the man pushed her forward. Then, in the middle of the pier, Emma almost slipped. She lost her balance, falling against the man's chest. Surprisingly, he didn't let her fall.
"Can't wait to get close to me?" he chuckled. Emma baulked to respond to that but then pleaded. "Please, please let me go. I will do anything!"
"It's too late for that, lass," the pirate said amused. "But if you please me, I'll be gentle with you."
He patted her hair and Emma had to suppress a shiver. Of course that hadn't worked. But she wasn't ready to give up yet. Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of his belt, especially his set of keys and she froze. She'd seen the pirate open doors three times and knew which key he used for the prisoner's room. And if she saw correctly, this key was gone. Immediately, she became aware what she'd missed. Someone among the prisoners had stolen it, while he was still in the room and he must have forgotten to lock the door at the prospect of having her; there was no other explanation. Her mind was racing. So, the prisoners had a key. But they wouldn't get out with several pirates in their way. Unless the pirates were forced to leave the ship. At least a few.
Emma only considered her options for a split second. Then, without hesitation, she rammed her knee between the pirate's legs. He made a pained sound as Emma jumped back. Then she started screaming so loud that everyone on the ship had to hear her.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw some pirates running over the gangway.
"You'll pay for that, bitch," the pirate in front of her shouted and reached for his dagger.
"You should watch your things better," Emma said smugly and raised the dagger she had just stolen from him.
"Stupid cunt," the pirate shouted and lunged at her. Emma made a step to the side, disappearing in a foggy cloud of spray. The pirate missed her. Blinded by the water in her eyes, Emma reached out, felt her opponent's shoulder and pushed with all the strength she could muster.
The pirate let out a scream when he lost his balance and fell from the pier. Emma turned around, the next pirate already in view.
"Lower your weapon," he shouted as he approached her. Emma didn't think twice. She just turned around and ran. She had to lead at least some of them away from the ship, so that Robin and the others had a chance to get away.
Unfortunately, Emma didn't see the stone that was lying in front of her. The next thing she felt was a sharp pain in her foot and the hard impact on the wood. Without taking notice of her pain she rolled around and tried to get to her feet, but she knew that the pirate was too close. She saw the evil grin on his face as he reached her. Emma lifted her eyes to the man that drew his sword.
And suddenly the pier was ablaze in light. For a moment, she couldn't make sense of it, until she realized that it was coming from the lighthouse behind her. The light was so intense she could see every sail of the ship in front of her. And she saw the pirate, his sword drawn but blinded by the light. Emma immediately stretched out her foot, hitting the man's knee. He shouted and hit blindly with his sword. But Emma rolled to the side and came to her feet. Again, she lunged forward, and pushed him off the pier into the water.
She was breathing heavily when she turned around again, the next pirate only steps away. Without another thought, Emma jumped forward, driving the dagger into the man as forcefully as she could. Blood streamed over her hand when she tried to withdraw the weapon.
Emma pulled her hand back, staring at it in disbelief. It was shaking uncontrollably. She looked to the end of the pier, her eyes wild as she saw three other men coming closer, all of them with drawn swords and grim faces. They were ready to kill her, she knew it. Her legs shook as she took the sword of the man she had just killed. If she had to die, she wouldn't go without a fight.
"Don't come closer," she shouted, but it didn't sound confident.
"You're going to suffer, be sure of that," one of the men said hatefully.
Emma took another step back. Then, she saw him stopping in his movement. An arrow was jutting out of his chest. Emma spun around and was blinded by the light. But she heard the footsteps running over the pier. When she turned around again, all pirates were lying on the floor. Over them were standing three persons with swords. Emma narrowed her eyes to slits, trying to improve her view. The figures didn't stop at the men, but made their way to the ship. Hazily, Emma saw them run over the gangplank onto the ship.
Then Emma heard different steps from behind her. Again, she spun around, raising her sword, ready to defend herself.
Someone was standing there. Someone with black boots, a long leather jacket, the face hidden in the foggy light.
The sword fell out of her hands as her brain made sense of what she was seeing as the figure stepped out of the fog. Emma's mouth opened but no sound left her lips when the man came closer. She was paralyzed, her mind spinning.
And then he was there and she heard his familiar voice.
"Swan," he said softly and Emma's lips began to tremble as she woke from her rigidity. Her hands tensed. She raised her arms and drummed her fists against his chest. One time, then another until she couldn't stop anymore. Tears welled up in her eyes as she hit him. How could he do that to her? Why did he do that to her? Who gave him the right to come back now?
And he was doing nothing, letting her hit him with her bloody hands. Then, she felt his arms moving around her, even though she was still hitting him. And softly, he pulled her into him.
"I'm sorry," he whispered in her ear. "I'm so sorry."
And slowly her punches became less forceful and as her hands curled into the leather, she felt him pulling her even closer, burying his nose in her hair.
"What did they do to you?" he asked softly, not able to hide the anger in his voice.
"I'm okay, Captain" Emma whispered back. She felt his hand move over her hair.
"It's Killian to you," he said and touched her chin gently, urging her to look up again. His eyes were stormy and full of worry.
"I'm alright," she repeated quietly, not able to tear her eyes away from his. Everything was unreal, almost as if she was dreaming. She saw him shaking his head in disbelief. His hand was moving to her cheek and Emma couldn't help but lean into the touch. Her head was spinning and her heart pounded as if her chest was about to burst. His forehead touched hers and she could feel his breath on her face.
In the next moment, she felt his lips on hers. A shiver ran though her body as she felt his soft kiss. He let his lips linger for a moment before he pulled back. Emma's hand curled deeper into his coat and he closed his arms around her, embracing her again.
"You're safe now, love," he said quietly. "I'm here now. Everything is going to be alright."
E/N: Finally, there it is! This scene had been in my head for a year now and I'm so happy to share. I have to thank IrishSwan and musicalfreak22 for everything to get the story this far, and it's still going. I also like to thank the amazing lala-mora (tumblr name) for her support and creativity. She inspired that lighthouse scene with her beautiful fanart. The pic blowed my mind!