Captain Hook followed the Queen's guard through the dim corridor. It felt suffocating to him and he wondered how Regina could stand the cold dark halls. It was far grander than his ship but somehow the stone halls felt more narrow than those of the Jolly Roger. The corridor opened up to the Queen's chamber and Hook found her brushing her long dark hair at her vanity.
"Captain Hook." she smiled "Good to see you." she spoke to his reflection.
"Regina" he gave her a light bow.
"I need your help again." she told him with a light wave of her brush.
"Just me? Or are we bringing another unsuspecting soul along?" he recalled their last trip to Wonderland.
"Just you, Captain. Or one of your crewman." she set aside her brush and her hand floated over her selection of perfumes.
Captain Hook took a deep breath, "What was stolen this time?"
"A mirror." she informed him.
"Buy a new one." he told her dryly.
"This mirror is special. With it I can look at any moment. Past, present or future."
"You need better security, your majesty." he glanced around the room at the guards silently manning their posts. "Where can I find it?"
"Camelot. Merlin stole it." she plucked up a small blue bottle of perfume.
Hook shook his head, "That isn't a short journey. And from what I hear…King Arthur doesn't tolerate pirates." His eyes caught a bright bottle of gin.
The Queen nodded, "It isn't…but I've heard you've come into some magic beans. Along with a companion? I believe she would be perfect for the job."
"May I?" asked Hook indicating the gin "Our reward?"
"Reward?" she turned in her seat to look at him fully for the first time since he'd stepped in the room.
He turned the bottle in hand, "Aye, usually when you employee someone, you give payment."
"Yes payment…" she rose to her full height and approached him, "payment will be your freedom." her breath tickled his ear "You have someone who stole from me, Captain. I could rip out your heart right now. Take you and your whole crew prisoner…mine to command…Your reward is freedom and freewill. Be grateful for that…working for me you would never get your revenge."
"Take her. If you want her so much." Hook toasted her with his glass "She's all yours my Queen."
"No I wouldn't dream of it…I'm sure you get lonely at sea and I don't have much use for her.… I just want her for this job."
"She'll run first chance she gets."
"No she won't." the Queen smiled
….
Hook paused at Goldilocks' cell. His eyes adjusted to the darkness as she sat huddled in the corner waiting to see if he would take her to his cabin. He called for his men and ordered them to clean her up. They dragged her to the deck, ignoring her pleas. Stripping her rags they laughed as she tried to cover herself. Her face felt hot with shame and every direction she turned showed another pirate blocking any possibility of escape. Buckets of water splashed over her in the moonlight and the cold pulled the air from her lunges sharply. Cold salt water stung her and she trembled in the night air. A rough cloth hit her and she attempted to pull it around her frail body. One man pulled her below deck to the Captains's cabin. Stumbling over the rough wood she wished he'd deposit her in the cell and leave her be. The cabin door slammed shut behind her after the pirate threw her roughly to her knees; she gazed around the dim cabin trembling. Hook sat at the table and motioned to the chair with a nightgown draped over it. On the table was a tied bundle of more clothing.
"Put on the gown." he told her.
She quietly obeyed, pleased to have clothing that wasn't torn…torn by him. It was warm. Gathering her damp hair she slowly picked out the knots with her fingers, keeping her eyes glued to the floor.
"You have a job." he informed her "The Evil Queen wants you to steal a mirror."
"No." she said softly.
"I thought you'd say that." he poured himself more rum "You'd be alone." a glance her way told him he now had her attention. "The queen will have your heart to ensure you don't run before the job is done. But when you return it…I'll grant you your freedom."
"Why? What's in it for you?" she glanced him over suspiciously.
"A handsome sum from the Queen. And I've tired of you."
She didn't trust him. But she hoped it would prove an opportunity to escape.
…
It felt good to walk on land again. After three months on the Jolly Roger she reveled in breathing in the fresh pines. The sun sifted through the trees and she basked in the green light of the forest while keeping her eyes open for any side trail she could escape down. Testing the knots she tugged her hands bound behind her back. Despite having one hand, Captain Hook managed an inescapable knot. Her grey eyes cast a glance over the pirate beside her; longing for the freedom he enjoyed. He walked on without any real attempt to keep her close by. She knew he could feel her fear. Her hopelessness. The dark castle drew nearer as they approached and she felt dread wash over her at the thought of being in the clutches of the Evil Queen.
"You must be Goldilocks" the Queen stalked her the minute she entered the room "Your reputation proceeds you."
"As does your majesty's." she dared look Regina in the eye as the Queen stopped in front of her. She was terrifying, beautiful, cold, and very dangerous. Pain shot through her chest and Goldilocks gasped. The Queen smiled as she held Goldilocks' blackened heart before her.
"You know what is required of you." the Queen spoke to the heart.
"I'll need some time."
"You have three days. Go, and don't fail me."
….
Goldilocks rolled and sprung to her feet when the portal spat her onto the soft turf of Camelot. She breathed a sign of relief. It was strange not having a heart. All the pain, fear and hurt left the moment the Queen pulled it out of her chest. Despite being cut away, it felt like the rope still bit into her wrists. Hiding her hands in her cloak her eyes fell on Camelot. It was a beautiful Kingdom. The castle walls were strong and proud, welcoming to travelers. So unlike the Evil Queen's.
Goldilocks walked leisurely down the road to the castle. The dirt road slowly meandered to the towns gate before her, behind her it rolled along the hills and by streams into the mountains. Three days was more than enough time and though she knew she wasn't completely free, she planned to enjoy her time in Camelot. Her fingers danced around the bean in her pocket. Her mind drifted to other kingdoms. Kings that owed her favors. She could easily hide in one of their lands where the Evil Queen would never find her. Removing the bean from her pocket she stared as it shimmered in the sunlight. Her arm froze as she tried to toss it. Her freewill was gone; along with her heart. Angrily she stuffed the bean into the darkness of her pocket and continued on her journey.
The town bustled with the days activities and Goldilocks soaked up every moment. Dust spilled over her boots as she weaved her way through the crowd, taking what looked appealing to her. Escaping the heat of the day she settled in the corner of a tavern and ate her fill. Patiently she watched the men inside the tavern while looking for a familiar face. Night settled over Camelot and still Goldilocks waited quietly in her corner of the room. Many glances were cast her way but none disturbed her. A merry bunch spilled into tavern and a smile crossed her face when the last man of the group entered. When he met her eyes across the room the surge of butterflies failed to appear inside her. As he made his way to her she graced the knight with a smile.
"Sir Gwaine." she bowed
"Lady Chrysta" he bowed deeper and kissed her hand
"It's been too long since one has spoken my name." she'd almost forgotten she was once someone else.
His warm laugh rang out, "Goldilocks! What is a lady doing here?"
"What is a Knight of the Round Table doing here?" she quipped taking her seat at the table.
"Arthur doesn't mind." he joined her. "Camelot has not seen the lady in many years. And I find her in a tavern."
"I am not a Lady, Sir Gwaine."
"You are to the Knights of Camelot."
She smiled at his words but felt no pride in them, "I need to see Arthur. I've come to claim my favor."
"He will be glad to see you….but your favor. I'm afraid he doesn't want the Queen to know about your previous arrangement. The meeting will be private."
"I understand. Will you arrange it?"
"Consider it done." he took her small hand in his.
"At first light. I know notice is short but I don't have much time."
"My Lady, are you in danger?" he pulled her hand closer, observing her wrists. "Who has done this to you?"
She felt sure the Queen was watching. Somehow she would know everything said and done. "It will all be clear tomorrow."
"My Lady" he gently ran his finger tips over her abused wrists
"Gwaine, please" she said softly, attempting to pull away.
"I'm taking you to Gaius." he decided pulling her from the table.
"I don't need a physician." she told him firmly. "The less people who know I'm here the better."
"You're hurt." his quick eyes scanned her for any other obvious injuries from maltreatment. "If not for yourself….for me."
Her eyes softened but she felt indifferent to his words, "Alright, Gwaine. I'll see Gaius."
….
Goldilocks stood in her window overlooking the square. The moon and torches illuminated the white stone below. Her eyes closed as a soft breeze drifted over her face. A click of the door's latch drew her attention.
"Gwaine." she smiled at seeing his face.
He let the door close softly behind him, "Are you comfortable?" he asked crossing the room
"Of course. You've been far too generous to me."
He gently took up a bandaged wrist, "Chrysta what danger have you come into?"
"I told you it will be clear tomorrow." she stated firmly.
"Have I lost the lady's favor?" he wondered as she turned her back "And her trust?"
White hands clasped the window sill and she trembled "You could never lose either." she whispered "I cannot bear to tell the tale twice…please be patient. At my meeting with the King it will be known."
…
Arthur descended from his mount, red cape billowing, his armor reflected the light. Morning dew shone in the light as the sun sifted through the leaves of the clearing. Goldilocks removed her hood allowing her golden curls to spring free.
"Lady Chrysta" Arthur bowed
"My Lord," she dropped to her knees before him "I know you've prayed this day would never come."
"A debt is a debt. I will pay it." Arthur sighed.
"You will find no honor in it I'm afraid."
"What do you ask of me?" his hand rested on Excalibur.
"Merlin…he stole a magic mirror. I've been asked to steal it back. My King, I respect you too much to steal from one of your honored servants."
"I had Merlin take it from a Queen who means to use it for evil. You willingly take an errand from her…and dare come here to ask for it?" his warm voice turned cold.
"It isn't willingly, My Lord." Goldilocks confessed. "I've been a prisoner. My heart…the Queen has it. For this errand I will be granted freedom."
"You trust her to keep her word?"
"It's the first glimmer of hope I've had in months."
"Off your knees." Arthur commanded "You have safety in Camelot. Stay with us. We will protect you in my courts."
Goldilocks rose, "My King, she has my heart…I am hers to command. If I don't return with the mirror she will crush it or demand something terrible of me. I've tried to leave…hide in another kingdom, my body won't obey."
"Then you will return…with the mirror and my finest knights."
"No! No, it is too dangerous. She's powerful."
"You doubt the Knights of the Round table?"
She bowed her head, "Your knights are great. I've seen their greatness first hand. She is a powerful sorceress. I could never forgive myself if your men were hurt at the price of my honor."
"I will go, " Goldilocks head snapped up at Gwaine's announcement.
"Gwaine, please." she begged the knight.
"Gather more knights, Sir Gwaine." the King told him. "Preparations will be made. You will have the mirror this evening."
…..
King Arthur, Sir Gwaine, Sir Lancelot, Sir Elyn and Sir Percival stood before her in Arthur's throne room as she clutched the mirror tightly.
"I beseech you once more. Stay."
"There is no honor in that." Sir Gwaine smiled.
Goldilocks sank to her knees and pressed her forehead to the stone floor. Sir Gwaine knelt beside her.
"Give me a moment, please." she wept.
The King and his knights departed the throne room leaving her alone with Sir Gwaine.
"Gwaine, stay. I beg of you stay." she clutched his arms
"I cannot abandon a lady in danger." she pressed her forehead to his shoulder. The cold metal of his armor soothed her.
"A drink….please I need a drink"
As the knight retreated Goldilocks pulled out her magic bean. Taking one last look at Sir Gwaine's receding figure she dropped the bean on the floor beside her. Once more the portal began to swell open and swallowed her.
….
Her feet hit the cold black stone of the castle and she came to a stop in front of the Evil Queen. Hook turned from the balcony and approached drawing his sword. His eyes fixed behind her. Turning she saw Sir Gwaine with his sword drawn. The portal closed without another Knight in sight. Pushing her aside Gwaine swung his sword at the Queen. The weight in his hand disappeared as the sword turned to black smoke. Grunting Gwaine looked to his chest in time so see the Queen retract her hand holding his heart.
"So pure." she mocked squeezing it "A Knight of the Round Table."
Sir Gwaine collapsed to his knees. Goldilocks knelt in front of him catching his face in her hands, "Gwaine no! No, no, no I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Gwaine."
He slumped against her as the Queen brushed the remainders of his heart from her hands.
"Strange isn't it? Feeling nothing? Seeing a man you loved struck down. you feel empty don't you?" She looked at the golden curls bent over the dead man.
"Forgive me" she whispered to the dead knight, "I did what you asked!" Goldilocks growled standing to face Regina.
"I hope you know I'm grateful." said the Queen "Your services are truly the best in all the land….But I'm not satisfied." Regina reclined on her settee, placing the coveted mirror on a small table.
"Your Majesty?" Hook glanced at Goldilocks
"You stole for me but you've also stolen from me. This hardly makes up for it."
"Does the Queen's word mean nothing?" Asked Hook "You asked for help I provided it."
"The debt has nothing to do with you, Captain. Just your wench." The Evil Queen stood "I demand satisfaction." she circled Goldilocks like she was her prey.
"What will satisfy?" Hook felt Goldilocks eyes upon him.
"You haven't broken her spirit, Captain. Allow me to help."
"I don't require assistance." Hook assured her as Goldilocks backed away from the dead knight.
"It's no problem.. It will give me satisfaction." she smiled brightly as Goldilocks shivered at her touch.
"And the debt will be paid?"
"It will." She assured him, "A flogging to start…we'll go from there. Guards…you know what to do."
"No!" Goldilocks dropped at Hook's feet, the rage and despair she felt was a shadow of what she thought she would feel "Please." tears pricked her eyes as she saw her chance of freedom being ripped away. "Killian please" she cried as the guards dragged her away. "Killian!" Hook turned away as the doors closed.
"First name basis?" Regina sighed at the girl's impudence "You really did need my help."
"You'll have satisfaction, Regina. But don't forget to whom she belongs."
"I won't. Thirty lashes for her theft will do."
"Thirty?"
"It was fifty." she poured wine into her glass. "She robbed my shipment. I don't take that lightly." she sipped her wine as Hook angrily paced the hearth, "Perhaps 25 will do. After all she did excellent work…and I'd hate to spoil your goods."
…
"You knew her?" Emma growled closing the book. "And you lied!"
"I see you've found the book." Regina stopped in the doorway of Emma's office wishing she could make a retreat.
"What the hell?"
"Do you really expect me to remember every single peasant I encounter?" Regina asked.
"Do you really expect me to believe you didn't remember her?"
"At first I didn't" she brushed her finger tips over the book's cover "when I remembered…I didn't want Henry to know more of the atrocities I committed. I didn't know it was in the book." Regina flipped through the pages slowly.
Emma sank into her chair "Is this whole town lying about her? What the hell is this? I can't get a straight answer about her from anyone!"
"Well now you have the book. You can find out more." Regina let the pages close.
"I'm not so sure I want to anymore." Emma told her. She stared at the book like it would burst into flames at any moment.
"It would confirm her story."
Emma met her eyes, "I already heard it from Killian."
"You're afraid to read it…you know she's not the only monster in this town."
"Did you really have her flogged?" Emma asked.
"I did." Regina gazed out the window. "But you already knew I was a monster."
…..
Hook took his place beside Regina in the square, Goldilocks was already chained to the whipping post. A guard stood ready awaiting the Queen's command. With a nod he began his task.
Goldilocks hissed at the impact of the first blow. At the fifth beads of sweat formed on her forehead. At ten she waited for more to come as silence reigned over the square. Her eyes slowly focused on the figure approaching with something glowing.
"This is a special torture" the queen informed her "the pain you feel from the whipping won't increase… But you'll be hit with a whole new kind of pain with this."
Goldilocks gasped as the Queen pushed her heart back into her chest. Anguish and hopelessness rolled over her in waves. She trembled wishing she could go back to feeling nothing. With a smile from the Queen the guard continued his beating.
Goldilocks hung from her wrists at twenty, unable to bring her feet underneath herself for support.
"Enough." Hook told the Queen. "You said you wouldn't damage her. I won't be able to have her for weeks."
"Yes you will," Regina crooned ,"When have you cared about her enjoyment? She'll still be alive."
Hook watched as the guard delivered the final blows. He swallowed thickly as they released her hands and dragged her unconscious body to his feet. Blood poured from the wounds on her back. Golden hair turned dark.
"Satisfied?" Hook asked.
Regina cocked her head, "Yes." she toed the limp body. "I'll even be generous." with a wave of her hand she handed a bottle to Hook. "Pour this over her back twice a day. The scars will remain…but the wounds will mend faster."
…
Darkness melted away, giving way to the pain rolling in. Goldilocks groaned. Her throat was dry and her back ached. Slowly she opened her eyes taking in her surroundings. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut as she realized in horror she was back in her nightmare. Trembling she pushed against the bed to sit up but fell meekly back to her stomach; sweat beaded on her forehead and dizziness plagued her. She let her eyes close once more as she listened to the lapping of the waves against the ship's side. With each sound of the waves outside a new wave of pain washed over her. Guilt. Fear. Sorrow. She wished the Queen had kept her heart; or crushed it. Then she wouldn't feel anything. Closing her eyes all she saw was Sir Gwaine's body on the cold stone floor. His death was another burden of guilt she would now carry. Her quick ears picked up his foot fall long before Hook entered the room. To her surprise Hook went about his business around the cabin. After anxiously awaiting him to turn on her, she finally released the tension in her body. Drifting off she allowed the rocking of the ship to soothe her into a twilight. Her eyes snapped open at the knocking on the cabin door. Hook cast a glance her way and noted the fearful gaze. No one entered and Hook blocked her view of the man who'd called. The door closed once again and Hook made his way to her.
"Awake I see."
She watched him closely. Giving no answer.
"Well it's time for your medicine."
She gripped the blanket tightly in her fist not knowing what he meant. Suddenly every lash on her back felt like it was on fire. She screamed and tried to escape the attack but Hook gripped the base of her neck tightly.
"A gift from the Queen" he told her. Hook released her after he poured the last drop. Her lips trembled and a sheen of sweat glistened over her pale face. Wild eyes roved the room for something to focus on. "She said it would help the healing" Hook set the bottle aside and observed her back "Looks like she was right."
"Depends who you ask." her voice was laced with pain. "Where are we?" she croaked.
Hook shifted and brought a pouch of water to her lips. When she finished her head fell back into the pillow. "At sea"
The last bit of hope fled and her heart sank. Hook stood and went about the cabin. Night fell and she watched as he undressed. Hook felt her stiffen as he settled into the bed beside her. Soon Goldilocks heard his soft snore fill the room as he fell into a slumber. With difficulty she turned her head to look at him. Quietly she watched as the moon shone through the glass illuminating his face. He slept with his chest bare, his hand free of his rings, his hook hidden. In his slumber was the only time he didn't look like a monster to her. The breath she was holding escaped her lips in relief. He wouldn't touch her tonight.