Wonderstruck

Chapter 35

Author's Notes: Well this one wanted to give me some problems but I corralled it into submission so hey small favors. We're finally getting to the meat of the second part of the story which took frankly forever and I'm sorry for that but it was all necessary I hope. As is we'll see more of what's going on across the sapphire sea and how it differs on a massive scale from the the Enchanted Forest. As always I hope everyone enjoys and please let me know if you feel so inclined! Until next time! ~ Scarlette

"Emma?" Regina sat up as her wife leapt to her feet. She furrowed her brow as the doors to their bedroom creaked open.

Her wife was tense, ready to pounce on whoever was on the other side of the door. She held her breath when Emma drew her fist back ready to strike before a voice spoke out.

"Emma? Regina? You two need to get up now."

"Melody?"

"What are you doing behind the door?" The Sunfaire Princess eyed the blonde like she was crazy before looking back at the small figure on the bed. Regina drew the sheets higher up on her body, glaring at Melody.

"Why are you in here so early?"

"We need to get you to the docks now. Captain Hook will want to leave before first light; harder to spot his ship coming through the strait that way. Not as likely to get brought down for pirating if he gets out early." Melody cocked her head. "Were you going to hit me or something?"

"I didn't know who was coming through the door. My wife and I were asleep when I heard the shuffling of your footsteps."

Melody snorted, "I even kicked the wall on my way in so you wouldn't get startled. Or were you too busy to hear that?" She smirked causing the Winter Princess to roll her eyes.

"Melody, what is the real reason you're rousing us this early?" Regina asked, pulling the thin blankets up higher around her small frame. She was dressed of course but she didn't want Melody to see her less than fully clothed.

"The truth? My Father knows you're up to something but he can't prove it. I managed to bribe my brother into keeping it from him until you're gone but I don't know how long the truce will hold."

"Do we have a few moments or…"

"You've got time to dress but I'd do so quickly. Lancelot is at your door waiting and that odd little servant is ready to go too. Really he's so old I'm amazed he's even trying to make this trip. Could die on you."

"He won't. He'll be fine." Regina cut in. "And he's been an asset to us so I'd prefer if you'd refrain from speaking about him in such a lowly way."

Melody cocked her head, "Huh….well none the less…you'd better be ready in oh say a hmmm…"

"We get it. Wait outside. We'll be ready as soon as possible." Emma promised rolling her eyes. She took a breath as she forced herself not to slam their chamber doors in Melody's face.

"To the waves we go my darling."

Regina smiled softly, "We'll be fine. We're together and we'll always be stronger that way." She pushed the bedding away and slipped to her feet. "I'll miss this bed but I can't say I won't be glad to return to our own in Wintersend."

"Soon, I promise I will see you home safely."

"I know you will. I trust you Emma."

Il Mira for all it's hustle and bustle and seafaring ways was dead silent in the early morning hours before the sun had risen. A few candles were lit in glass windows but that was all. Most of the sailors were in the taverns or out in the alleys passed out in various states of drunkenness and debauchery.

"I don't like this." Regina murmured "It's so quiet."

"Too quiet." Emma agreed softly, noting Lancelot slowing his typical strong pace to stay close to the couple.

"Arms at the ready." He murmured to Emma who nodded.

"Duck down behind me if we get attacked. Keep Venar in front of you." She murmured to her wife. "I'll do what I can to protect you both but it may be difficult."

"My life isn't worth anymore than his." She argued.

"I didn't say it was but your death could cause a war we'll never win."

She noted the sour look on her wife's beautiful face in the moonlight that slipped in and out of the dark clouds that were slowly gathering on the horizon.

They were a slow procession with even Melody looking tense and drawn, muscles bunching beneath her honeyed skin, ready for a fight that may or may not come.

They reached the docks slowly, Grumpy taking up residence to guard the rear and Lancelot in the front with Melody. No attack came however but the smirking face of the Pirate Captain let them know that he had watched their procession and found twisted amusement in their fear.

"Don't worry yourself love. No one will attack you looking like that. If you were perhaps better dressed you should be worried." He was leaning against a stack of barrels draped in netting ready to be hoisted up onto a ship that wasn't there yet. He took a sip from his silver hip flask and shifted on booted feet, causing the weather worn boards of the dock to creak with the movement. It was harder to see along the docks since the moon had retreated behind the heavy looking clouds and lamps were only held by large pilings.

"You're ready to go then?"

"Depends, my payment?"

"Is back in the palace. We didn't trust you not to slit our throats in our sleep." Regina shrugged, tightening her grip subtly on her wife's arm. She drew it towards her holding it between her breasts like a buffer. "Figured it was safer in the palace too."

"You have my word Hook you'll get your payment when they're back safely." Melody offered.

"That map is useless without the compass which is in my possession." He shrugged. "Then you'll be fine with waiting to receive it when they're back on the docks of Il Mira."

"Hook, leave them be. Get them on board. We need to go." Another voice spoke from high up on the ships main deck. The small woman stepped onto the plank, walking down towards the dock and the group waiting.

"We're not losing the light."

"On the contrary, we're gaining it when get to open sea. We still have to get out of the bay without Eric's ships gunning us down."

Hook shrugged, "The Jolly Roger is fast enough to avoid such pesks."

"I'd rather not take the chance with the lives of the future ruling couple of Wintersend."

"You know who we are?" Emma asked, tucking Regina's small frame a little tighter to her own.

"Of course I do child. How could I not?" The woman who looked no older than either herself or Regina offered them a small smile. She was pretty, with pixie like features and tightly curled hair.

"Who are you then?"

"I'm Tinkerbelle…Hook's navigator."

"More like my moral compass." He grinned salaciously, wiggling his eyebrows. "If you know what I mean."

"I think they get the reference." Tinkerbelle said flatly.

"Well in that case, all aboard!"

The Jolly Roger was a beautiful ship with high white sails and warm colored wood, it was easily the prettiest ship in the harbor and out on the sapphire sea, her bow cut through the waves easily. The sapphire sea truly did stand up to it's name. The waters were so blue and clear. Regina was almost convinced she could see to the bottom. The sun was slowly rising on the horizon when they left the bay and out on the open water, it was like nothing she had ever seen. She loved the sea she decided immediately. The fresh air, the strange white birds that cawed overhead, the wind that danced and played with her hair as she strode along the bow of the ship, enjoying the freedom of movement.

"Princess?" She twisted slowly, careful to keep her movements firm knowing she'd lose her balance with the slight chop of the boat through the water.

"Yes?" She lifted a hand to shield her eyes and studied the strange woman navigator that moved towards her.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your alone time. Your wife is sparring with the dwarf and I thought perhaps we could speak if you were agreeable."

"That dwarf is my wife's godfather Grumpy. He's been an asset on our journey so far." She smiled softly. "I'm certain it may seem strange to anyone not from Wintersend."

"Dwarves are meant to be in the mines. It's…odd to see one that has other interests." She frowned, blonde hair pulled up into a loose bun that was beginning to come loose in the wind. Her loose rough spun clothing hung on her frame, offering no protection but with the warmth that was certain to move in she doubted it was necessary.

"Grumpy and his brothers aren't like anyone I've ever met before." Regina frowned, not liking the way the strange woman addressed her wife's godfather.

"I don't have a problem with it per say. I myself was considered quite unusual. I find it rather refreshing that I'm not the only one." She offered a small smile.

"You were…a fairy weren't you?" Regina asked slowly, feeling the pieces click into place like a puzzle.

"Yes, I was. That was a few years ago I guess." She shrugged, seemingly uncomfortable in her own skin.

"I'm sorry." Regina offered at a loss over what to say. She couldn't help her curiosity at exactly how one lost their ability to be a fairy but she refrained from asking.

"It's all right. It um...it was my own fault."

"I uh I understand." She really didn't but she could find it within herself to offer some form of empathy.

"I doubt you do but thank you for trying. As is there is something I wished to speak with you about Princess."

"Of course." She glanced up at the high decks noting Grumpy was swinging his pickaxe over his head, trying to bring it down on her wife who merely laughed and darted away, exhilarated at the fight. Her bright smile and rosy cheeks gave away how happy she was. She shook her head with a fond smile.

"You love her very much." Tinkerbelle observed softly.

"I do. She loves me just as much so I consider myself quite blessed." The tension that bled into her shoulders and words could be felt by anyone.

"You're afraid?"

"I was taught love was weakness. I don't believe it to be but I have found that it can allow you to be hurt badly."

"I would never hurt you."

"I don't know so I can't say whether or not I trust your intentions towards me."

"Regina,"

"That's Princess Regina or your Highness."

Tinkerbelle licked her lips, lifting her hands in a placating gesture. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend."

"You're taking liberties where you have none."

"Of course, I…"

"Please don't come near me again." She twisted carefully on her feet and made her way across the bow and up the stairs where her wife and Grumpy.

"My Princess? Are you unwell?" Venar asked moving slowly towards her, his gaunt, pale face a light shade of green.

"I'm fine Venar. Thank you for asking but you seem unwell."

"The sea has never agreed with me even as a young man."

"I'm sorry to hear that. You are more than welcome to go and rest. I will be fine." She promised with a weak smile.

"Regina," Emma called slightly breathless, motioning her wife towards her.

"I will be quite cared for while you are resting."

"Of course my Princess." The man offered a small bow before swaying away, taking deep shuddering breaths.

"Did you win?" She asked, smiling at Grumpy.

"Yeah right." He snorted. "As if the kid was capable of it even on this rickety old…"

"Hey! I can hear that you know." Hook called, looking back towards them.

"Eh stuff it." Grumpy muttered. "You stink like rum and you're…"

"That's enough short stop." Emma muttered, carefully covering his mouth with her hand. She jerked it back with a glare when he promptly bit down and released it with a grin and a waggle of his bushy eyebrows.

"I told you to keep your hands and feet away from my mouth or you risk losing them. "

She rolled her eyes, pulling her wife towards her. "Rabid dog he is."

"He is nothing of the sort. He's kind and fierce when crossed. The perfect, lethal combination."

"You got that right sister." He pulled a flask from his belt and took a long swig.

"Now who stinks like rum dwarf?"

"You want to go Stumpy?"

"Grumpy, that was uncalled for." Regina shook her head with a frown.

"What? He started it." He frowned, pointing at the Captain.

"Did not."

"Did too."

"They're just like children." Emma muttered.

"Makes me wonder if we should consider the serious possibility of refraining from the practice."

"You really don't want children?"

Regina's face softened. "Of course I do with you but not if they act like that." She pointed to the dwarf and the Pirate who were exchanging jests and looking about ready to come to blows.

"That's part of the fun."

"I could go without that." She smiled softly. "It looks like you've found your sea legs."

"I like it actually. I wish we had easier access to the sea in Wintersend but the Treax Mountains have stopped that from coming to pass not to mention the Ogres."

"You're worried about home?"

"I'm always worried about home ever since we left."

"Everything will be fine Emma. You'll see, we'll figure this out. We've managed this far what makes you think we won't continue?"

"I don't know…I just have an odd feeling and I don't know what it means or anything…but I just don't want you getting caught up in it."

"I won't…I have you to protect me and watch out for me and you certainly have me."

Emma smiled softly, "Promise me you'll stay safe even if I'm not at your side."

"I won't take stupid risks with my life. You have my word on that as long as you do the same. You come back to me safely no matter what it takes."

"I will."