The boat.
Felicity had never thought that she'd be so happy to see or be on that stupid boat again. It had been hard the moment that she stepped onto the deck. They each had a bag of belongings, but Felicity mainly had been concerned about her bow and her letters to Oliver. Those were the things that she was mainly concerned about. She'd brought clothes as well, but really…those things were what she cared about most.
She'd of course, rather be flying, mainly because it would have been faster. She knew that she could manage this, even though she didn't want to do it. Even if every cell in her body trembled as they walked through that boat.
"Are you sure you all want to stay together?"
"Yep, old room…just like last time… You just have to bring us food," Thea told him. "Kind of like having pets."
"That's not how I think of you."
"You have plans for us," Thea pointed out. "Maybe chess pieces would be a better representation for the roles that we play in your life."
Merlyn seemed frustrated as he motioned for the guard down the hall to open a door. Felicity was sure that it was to the room that they'd stayed in before. "Don't worry, if you insist. You three will be bunked together like before. The plate that you were…accessing before has been sealed…" He looked right at her and Felicity knew that he was telling her that there was to be no plotting or planning on their parts on this voyage. "A metal plate was put over it and it was WELDED in place."
"Good to know," Felicity said quietly.
They all filed into the room and it was pretty much how they left it. There was a stack of new games in the middle of the room as well as some books and a bag of…well, she wasn't sure yet because they weren't close enough. "This should keep you busy for the time being. You'll be given a thirty-minute warning before each meal. If you three can behave, you'll be allowed out of this room… If not," he said and paused. He looked at each of them. "I think you remember how I feel about disobeying…"
Okay, maybe she wasn't going to be able to do this.
Felicity suddenly felt the need to flee. Was it too late to decide to go back onto the island and then plot out their plan to try to get off the island on a boat of their own?
"Felicity?"
She turned to see Merlyn with his hand out. "What?" she asked quietly. She was a little too nervous to move, so she just stood there. Her bag was still slung around her and she was gripping her bow even tighter. She knew that she couldn't use it; against him…he'd probably catch an arrow before it hit him anyways.
"The bow and arrows please," he requested.
Felicity looked down at the bow and tears fell from her eyes without her consent. She hadn't even realized she was crying until her tears hit her hand. She knew that she couldn't not hand them over, but she didn't want to… The bow and her arrows had been what had kept them safe… She hated killing that man, but she'd kept Thea safe. It had been her only way of really controlling her life or feeling strong in any way…and now, he was taking that away from her.
She finally stepped forward and handed him the bow. Felicity unzipped her duffel and pulled the quiver full of arrows from the top before handing it over to him as well. She was about to step back when his arm caught hers. Felicity felt the panic rise inside of her as she looked up at him.
"I know you aren't happy about this," Merlyn told her. His voice was gentle, which surprised her. He even looked a little upset. "I'm taking these away just for all of our safety… If you can behave this time around…then you'll be allowed to leave this room and we can continue our lessons if you like… And once we get to Starling City and all of you are starting your new lives, then you can take it with you then…"
Felicity just nodded. It was really all that she could do right at that moment. She didn't move though, he still had a strong grip on her. She looked down at his hand on her arm and started to wonder if it was going to leave marks. Of course, this wouldn't be the first time that bruises mottled her skin because of Malcolm Merlyn.
"Okay," Merlyn said quietly and finally released Felicity. He took a step back and into the doorway. "I'll be back in a few hours…we'll go for a walk… That should give you enough time to settle… We'll have a whole deck…maybe we could play a game together," he said as he motioned to the stack in the middle of the room.
"Sure," Tommy said slowly and not too convincingly. "Maybe."
Felicity moved back towards her bed and behind where Tommy stood. She really didn't think Merlyn would do anything to her right then and there; it was more than she was worried of how she might react to him taking away the only bit of control that she did possess. She sunk down onto her bed and Merlyn left them.
"He seriously thinks we're like 'The Brady Bunch' or something…."
"No enough kids," Felicity shot back at her brother, who just smiled.
"We're really not anywhere close to being that family," Thea chimed in as she sat down on her bed as well.
"How long do you think this trip is going to take?" Felicity wondered aloud.
"Too long," Tommy responded.
"Yeah," she whispered sadly. "Me too."
. . .
He'd been true to his word about letting them out. Thea's glare had seemed to have shot down Merlyn's thought of a 'family game night' quite effectively. Instead, Tommy and Thea were walking around while Merlyn gave Felicity her archery lesson.
Was it hard?
Absolutely.
Was it worth it?
Only time would truly tell.
Felicity was also certain that her definitely of 'worth it' had changed and would change. She knew that a year ago, her response would have probably been different. Everything had changed. Felicity also knew that so much more would be changing.
She held the bow firmly and for the most part, she was hitting her targets. Merlyn would praise her and it would be enough to throw her off of her game. Every time it happened, she only got more upset with herself for her lack of concentration. Felicity hated his presence even more now. It was hard for him to be so close to her and even harder to continue with her lessons.
"How about one more and then we'll go and find your brother and sister?" Merlyn suggested.
Felicity didn't know how long they'd been practicing, all she knew was that this was the second time she was emptying her quiver as she pulled the final arrow back on the string. She aimed, breathed, and then finally let go. She hit the target.
"I told you, a natural!" Merlyn beamed. He went and retrieved the arrows from the target for her and she sadly set her bow and quiver aside. She knew that she couldn't take them with her and holding onto them was only going to make it harder. "It's good to know that one of my children inherited this from me."
He kept going on, but Felicity really didn't care. She just wished that they were there already. She'd thought about asking him how long it would take, but it came down to the fact that it didn't matter. They might be able to tell by the amount of meals they were served or even by Merlyn's letting them out, but they'd get there when they got there. Nothing was going to speed it up, even though Felicity wished that they could.
Tommy and Thea approached and they seemed in a slightly better mood. Maybe the fresh air had helped? Felicity tried to put on a smile for them. "Feel better?"
Tommy nodded and then spoke quietly as Merlyn fought with one of her arrows. "Though, I still don't know why you're doing this… You don't HAVE to—"
"I know," Felicity whispered. "It may come in handy later…"
She really didn't know if that was true or not, but she knew that right now…it was keeping Merlyn happy with her and that was keeping him from hurting her or stuffing her in a box… She didn't know if she could deal with his form of 'questioning' or 'punishment' again. Felicity just felt like she could break at any minute even more now that they were on that ship and her only sense of control was taken away from her.
"So, tonight at dinner…I was hoping that we could go over what will need to be done once we arrive at Starling City," Merlyn said as he approached them. "I will keep my promises. You will all receive the life that you deserve and I really do think that it will be a life that you'll be happy with."
"Even if we don't want to change our names?" Thea questioned.
Merlyn smiled at her. "Even if you won't advertise your true paternity that way."
"The press doesn't need to know either," Tommy pushed.
"I actually agree with you," Merlyn said. "It'll play out better that way."
Felicity just stared at him. Play out better that way? What kind of response was that? They were definitely chess pieces. She really didn't know what to think about what Merlyn would be announcing later. She supposed that she really didn't have any choice in the matter. He always made it sound like there was a choice for them, but the truth was…that was a lie. They really were his prisoners, no matter how her colored it or how tropical the island was.
"Well, at least we agree on something."
"You could just tell us now," Thea suggested.
"No, no," Merlyn said. "It's much better to save it for dinner… It'll make for good conversation." He looked down at his watch. "It's going to be here in an hour anyways. I'll take you all back and you can get ready."
. . .
Dinner had already started, which included wine. Felicity had already emptied half her glass. She was fairly sure that she was going to need it. She knew that Tommy and Thea were wanting to hear the news right away, but the twisting in Felicity's stomach…she was just too worried about what was going to come out of Malcolm Merlyn's mouth. She was certain that none of it would be good and if for some chance it was…there would be strings…
"I thought we were going to have this BIG family discussion," Thea finally spoke up when they were halfway through dinner.
"I thought you might want to wait until after we had the main course?" Merlyn offered.
"I'd rather just hear it."
"Me too," Tommy said right before he shoved more of his dinner into his mouth.
"I'm okay either way," Felicity said quietly. She got looks from both Tommy and Thea, but she didn't care. It had been obvious since day one that she was not Merlyn's favorite child. She was the middle child and…well, besides having an interest in archery…Merlyn didn't seem to have any other need or want for her…except the information that she wouldn't give.
"First," Merlyn said. "The rules."
"Oooo the rules," she heard Thea mumble.
"It's not complicated," he continued. "If you don't all agree to take your parts in my plans, then you all will remain on this boat with me."
"For how long?" Thea choked out.
"Until you agree."
Yep, they were definitely screwed.
Merlyn was dead serious, too. Felicity could hear it in his voice and see it in his face. This was all business to him. He didn't care about their feelings or their wants or needs in any of this. This was about him and feeling like he was going to be a better father for doing it. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
"That's not creepy…at all…" Thea said loud enough that everyone could hear.
"I don't think that you'll argue with what I have planned for you, Thea," Merlyn told her gently.
"I think I'd rather plan my own life, thanks."
"We might as well listen," Felicity said softly and received more looks. "It won't hurt to listen, right?"
"Thank you, Felicity," Merlyn said as he tilted his head slightly in her direction. He paused for a moment before speaking up again. "Why don't we go in order of birth?" he suggested, making it sound like it was going to be something really exciting. None of them were excited to hear this. "Tommy," he said and turned towards his eldest and only son. "You'll be returning and taking over my position as CEO of Merlyn Global. What you do with your life besides that, I really don't care. You could even go back to Laurel, if that's what you want… Though, for what it's worth, I think you deserve better."
"You want me to what?" Tommy pushed out.
"At least he's giving you the green light to do whatever else you want with your life," Thea told him sarcastically.
None of this phased Merlyn. "Felicity," he said and turned to look at her. A smile was on his face and he seemed so pleased with himself. She wasn't sure if that was what worried him or how terrified she actually was to hear what he was going to say about what he expected from her life. "You're going to marry Oliver Queen and make sure that Queen Consolidated is back in the Queen family's hands."
Felicity's jaw dropped and she just stared at him. He was serious. He was so serious. How was she supposed to swing that? And what about…did she want that?
"As for your work with the Arrow. I couldn't care less. But before any of you are allowed to actually be out there in that world, your marriage to Oliver Queen needs to be official."
None of them were ever leaving that boat.
"Oliver and I are—" Felicity tried to get out.
"I know that you have feelings for him," Merlyn said before she could even finish her sentence. "I know that he killed a man for you… I'm sure he'd kill many more if it meant protecting his precious Felicity. He has feelings for you, my dear… Neither one of you might not be willing to admit them to each other, but now you're going to have to."
"Oliver is with Sara Lance—"
"Did you not hear me?" Merlyn asked. "Are you that selfish? If you do not do what I ask, then no one leaves this boat."
"I can't make Oliver do anything—"
"I think you can."
They were all quiet for a long while.
"Thea," Merlyn finally said as he turned his head to his youngest. "If you really love running Verdant…then you should go back to that. Keep the Queen name. You can even marry that Roy for all I care… Still, don't think he's good enough for you though."
. . .
Felicity stared down at the box of letters.
She'd written all of these letters to Oliver and she knew that he knew that she had feelings for him… Whether Oliver returned them or not… She loved Oliver Queen, but she didn't know if he returned her feelings if they'd even have a relationship that would work. Oliver didn't exactly have a great track record where relationships were concerned.
Oliver was with Sara. Felicity knew that they had a past together, things that she didn't even know. She'd gone down on the Gambit and they'd come back together when she'd been able to come back to Starling as 'alive'…and they probably had been together on the island at some point. In all honesty, Felicity loved Sara…she thought she was a good person and that she just needed to get on the right path…but she didn't think she was the right person for Oliver. Sara seemed to almost pull him back a few steps and weigh him down in her opinion, but Felicity would never tell either of them that.
That didn't mean she was going to pull them apart.
Oliver deserved to be happy.
And really, could she complain? She'd told him that he deserved better than Isabel Rochev (especially since she turned out to be a bad guy—girl—person) and he had Sara… For the most part, they seemed happy… How could she really break that up?
It wasn't only that. It was that there was a chance that Oliver might not even be in Starling City. For all she knew, he was back on Lian Yu. He and Sara might have gone off and decided to hide there. Could she blame them? No. They were actually a lot luckier than they were right now. They had each other, they were happy (or at least she liked to think so), and they had solitude.
But Thea and Tommy…
Merlyn had made it clear that it was all or nothing with him. So, she knew that she was going to have to find a way for Merlyn to let them go and live their lives. She needed to figure something out.
She buried her head in her hands.
Everyone else was asleep and she knew that everything that Merlyn said was floating through Thea and Tommy's heads as well. How did he expect them to just do as he said? It just wasn't that easy. They had dreams and things that they loved…and people that they loved. Love wasn't about snapping your fingers and making two people fall in love with each other.
Love was a delicate thing.
Malcolm Merlyn seemed to be so keen on playing matchmaker, but Felicity just couldn't wrap her head about being Mrs. Oliver Queen in a snap. Even IF Oliver agreed, if they did it for Thea and Tommy, it still wouldn't be fair. Even IF Sara wasn't a factor… It wasn't fair to Oliver. He deserved a real relationship. He deserved to really be happy. He deserved to find the person HE truly loved instead of this arranged marriage that Merlyn proposed. How could she expect him to just skip all the steps and jump right to marriage? It was too much. It was too much for even her. How could she expect to put him through it as well?
Felicity ran her hand over the box of letters. Tears dropped onto the box as she struggled with the thought of failing Tommy and Thea… She didn't want to ruin their lives, but she didn't want to ruin Oliver's either…
There had to be another way…
. . .
TBC…