Sorry for a week between updates—but this one is a bit longer...and brings back an old friend! Hope you like it!
Even though he was lounging in a kelp bed several kilometres away, Killian could easily imagine the scene unfolding in the library: lights dimmed, door locked, and the usual crew gathered between the stacks. He was only listening in via the shells, but he'd been part of enough of these secret meetings to pick up on the tense atmosphere.
"Alright, enough is enough," Emma commanded. "Mom, Dad, how did you imprison the Dark One before? Something about a quill?"
He heard a pause and a nervous cough, before Snow began. "Yes; we covered a quill with squid ink. We baited him to meet with Ella, to sign a new contract, and he was frozen in place when he went to sign it."
The mention of squid ink immediately brought forth memories of Killian's dealings with Ursula and the similar plan he'd had in mind (though he had intended to end things rather more violently).
"But it didn't completely stop his magic," David added. "We don't know what he might still be capable of. He managed to make a man completely disappear until the Dark Curse."
"You didn't have enough," the queen stated, matter-of-factly. "If you'd had three times as much, it would have blocked his powers." The vial that had been so close to his grasp danced in Killian's mind.
"Well, lets start with the ink. Regina, got any in the vault?"
"It's not a grocery store, Ms. Swan. I don't keep everything in stock."
"So you don't have any?"
"No."
Killian had briefly wondered if whatever newfound relationship (at least a quelled hatred) he had with the sea witch might be able to be put to use; it was seeming to be the case. "I may be of assistance in that department, Swan."
"Really? Is there a squid here?"
Her sincerity made him chuckle. "No, but in my past with Ursula, we had arranged a trade: she would provide me with enough squid ink to incapacitate the Dark One, and I would provide her safe passage."
"Until it went to hell?"
He sighed. "Yeah, something like that." He'd long appreciated how Emma never minced her words, but a little more tact there would have been nice. "With any luck, I might be able to persuade her or her father to supply some more."
"Ok, great. Now—"
"Before you all get ahead of yourselves, just what do you plan on doing with Rumplestiltskin in the long run?" Regina interjected. "In case you haven't noticed, we don't have the enchanted cell below the castle."
"What about under the library?" Belle suggested. The dejected tone in her voice came through loud and clear on Killian's end; he hated what the man had done to his friend.
"Maleficent's dungeon," David said in agreement. "Regina, you designed that to hold her and her powers, right? Couldn't you make it work to hold him?"
"I'd need Emma's help, but...yes. That's actually very doable."
"Is it safe?" Snow sounded worried. "Won't it draw his attention if you're working down there?"
"I haven't heard from him since Maleficent disappeared, so I'm fairly certain whatever he's doing doesn't involve me. As far as he is concerned, my business is mine."
"I...I can distract him, if needed." Belle added, reluctantly.
"Belle, we may need you to draw him out," David said softly; she hummed her assent.
"So we have a plan?" Emma's question was met with muffled murmurs of agreement. "Ok, Regina and I will figure out the cell; everyone else—stay tuned."
He could hear the scuffle of feet and quiet voices as the meeting dispersed, and then Emma told her parents, "I'll see you in a bit.
"Regina, do you have a minute?"
"One," came the short reply. "What is it? If it's about the cuff—"
"It's not, but it is about Killian. He's been cursed. Like, cursed-cursed."
There was a pause as Regina seemed to process it. "How?"
"Gold used a fake cuff to turn him into...what was it?"
"A merrow." Even the name was undignified. There was at least nobility in being called a merman; this was like being the court jester.
Regina hummed in contemplation. "You're positive it's a curse?"
"I destroyed the cuff, yet I remain in this form."
"And I there were traces of some pretty strong dark magic in Gold's workshop," Emma added.
"Didn't you find something of Maleficent's down there?" It sounded like Regina had figured something out.
"Yeah, why?"
"The number of curses requiring hearts is pretty high."
Killian wasn't surprised that the Crocodile would stoop to that level, but it seemed Emma was. "You really think he'd do that?"
"At this point, there's nothing I'd put past him.
"I have to agree with Regina, love," he felt compelled to add.
"I'll look into it what it would take to reverse it, but not until we deal with Rumple. I hope you don't mind, Hook."
"I understand, your highness. Good luck on your end."
"You too. You can get in touch with Ursula?"
"Aye."
"Alright." He heard them exchange goodbyes, and then silence, save for the sounds of Emma's boots as she left the library and headed home. He could tell from the pattern of her steps she was tense.
"What's irking you, Swan?"
"You're not even here and you can tell?" Her tone was both exasperated and amused.
He smirked. "You're always an open book, love, even when I'm not there."
She sighed. "Don't you feel like there's a lot being left to chance?"
"Perhaps. But, need I remind you? I've yet to see you fail."
She let out a slight snort. "You always say that."
"It's always true." One of these days, Swan, you'll have as much faith in yourself as I do. Truthfully, the only part of the plan that was in question was whether or not he'd be able to obtain the ink. He had some doubts, but he wasn't about to share them with Emma lest she further question the entire scheme.
"So how are you going to get in touch with Ursula? Can you shout across realms now?"
It was his turn to laugh. "Afraid not." He then remembered where he'd last seen the conch shell—the cabin of the Jolly Roger. Blast. "I may need some assistance with that, though."
"What do you need?"
He told her what and where it was, adding, "I believe Henry knows exactly where it is. The lad's help would be most appreciated." She agreed, saying he'd be there after school the next day.
A door opened and closed and he could hear the hollow sound of footsteps on stairs. "I should let you go for the night then, Swan."
"I guess." She went quiet for a moment, then, almost a whisper, "I wish you had been there tonight."
"So do I, love."
A silence fell over them; despite their lack of proximity, it was still companionable. Just knowing the other person was there was almost enough, and was certainly better than nothing. What I wouldn't give to be where you are, though, Swan.
"Good night, Killian."
"Good night, Emma."
He bided his time the next day until afternoon, when an unexpected—yet not unwelcome—voice came from the shell.
"Hey, Hook!"
"Henry! How are you?"
"Great! What is it you need?"
"Give me a moment to get the harbor, lad, and I'll tell you." All he needed was a moment; the only advantage to this undesirable form was that he could swim much faster (but it wasn't enough for him to find favor with being a merrow. Even the thought of that word made him shudder).
"My mom said something about a shell? It's on your ship, right?"
"Aye; it should be in my cabin. It's a large conch shell."
"Like the kind you can blow into?"
Killian laughed at Henry's intuition. "Exactly like that."
He arrived at his ship quickly and hovered in the water nearby, listening to Henry's overeager steps as he descended into the hold.
"I've got it! It was right on the table." Right where he'd left it, before the day took a downturn.
"Fantastic! Come up to the deck and I'll be waiting."
Much like he'd done the prior evening with Emma, he manipulated the surface of the water around him and rose to be level with the ship's railing.
Henry appeared shortly and was slightly taken aback by the sight before him. Emma must not have told him the details. "Apologies if I frightened you, mate."
"I just...didn't know what to expect." He took a few brisk steps toward Killian (the boy will be as tall as me soon, Killian noted) and held out the shell.
Killian hadn't tried reaching through the water yet, and tentatively slid his hook out. He was relieved to see there were no issues, and tucked the curve of his hook into the opening of the shell. "You have my thanks, lad."
"No problem, Hook. Good luck! I've got to get this back to my mom," he said, gesturing to her smaller shell, "so I'll see you later. Bye!"
"Take care," Killian responded as he fell back to the water.
He quickly made his way back to the cove, wanting some semblance of privacy (or at least, less publicity) for whatever came next.
The shell fet heavy in his hand as he stared at it, oddly nervous about what he had to. No time to be concerned, mate; everyone's counting on you. Besides, what's the worst that can happen?
He gradually brought the conch level with his face and took a deep breath that tickled at his gills. Slowly, he blew into the shell, releasing a long, low note that manifested as a pulse out and away from him.
The first time he'd used it, it took a moment to get any response from Ursula—and that was when she was still in Storybrooke. He knew crossing realms would take longer, but he had no idea how long. After a few minutes, worry began to prick at the back of his mind—what if she ignores it? Or it never reached her in the first place?
He couldn't help the sigh of relief that came with the appearance of a swirling portal in front of him. One by one, green tentacles slithered their way through, bringing Ursula through in a regal manner fit for her status as half-goddess.
He heard her voice before he saw her face. "So, pirate, did you miss me?"
The corner of his mouth ticked up. "You could say that, I suppose."
As she made it the rest of the way through and settled her gaze on him, her face went from an expression of smug satisfaction to almost shock. "What happened to you this time? I figured you'd still have a tail, but...how did you become a merrow?"
He was thankful that she was always a step ahead when it concerned creatures of the sea; he was tired of explaining things so in-depth. "The Dark One."
"Should have known. Although I must say, I do enjoy you without the beard." Her tentacle slid cold and slimy along his face; caressing him, if it could be called that. He knew it would be rude to recoil, so he turned away instead, still eliciting a laugh from the sea witch. "What's dear old Rumple up to now? Still searching for the Author?"
"As far as we know, but he's leaving a path of destruction behind him. We think he killed Maleficent in order to curse me."
The amused look on her face disappeared quickly. "He what?"
He didn't dare break eye contact with her as he told her their plan. "Aye, which is why I summoned you. We can incarcerate him, but to do so, we need something: squid ink."
A smirk took over her features once again. "Well this sounds familiar. Are you going to offer me passage to Glowerhaven in return?" she said playfully.
"At your service, my lady," he joked back, with an over-grand gesture and bow that was met with a chuckle. So far, so good.
"Normally, a request like this would need a trade of some sort; but as far as I'm concerned, Rumple still owes me for how he wronged me in New York."
"What did he do?"
"He ate all my ramen."
Before he had a chance to ask what this ramen was, she was writhing a tentacle through a new portal, her eyes closed in concentration, much like when she'd retrieved the Jolly Roger. It took a moment, but then she smiled, and her appendage held a clamshell as it came back through, which she presented to him.
He gently grabbed it from her sticky grasp, and guided the shell open. There, as it had been years before, was a small vial of a thick black ink. "Ursula, you have my eternal thanks, and those of Storybrooke." His voice was drenched in sincerity.
"Just put it to good use, Hook."
"We will." He closed the clamshell and gently set it down so he could talk to Emma—just a quick word to let her know he had it.
After saying goodbye, Ursula spoke up. "Do you mind if I stick around? I'd love to see Rumple get what's coming to him."
I certainly understand that feeling. "The more the merrier," he replied.
She grinned back wickedly. "Excellent."
As always, thanks for reading! I'm getting close to the end of the story, so I'll be sad when it's done, but you all have made this a fun ride!