A/N: Hi Everyone! I hope you're all doing well. It's officially summertime! yay! What a better way to celebrate than a new chapter! I want to thank everyone who favorited, followed, and/or reviewed since my last chapter. I appreciate all of the support i've gotten for this story and love getting to know who enjoys reading this story as much as I enjoy writing it. I hope you like the chapter! Afterwards, why not leave a review? It only takes a few moments and really help me make this story better for you guys! Well, enough about me, here we go—Chapter Seventeen!
Disclaimer: If I owned anything from OUAT, I wouldn't have to take Microbiology this summer (ugh) :)
Chapter 17
The halls of the castle groan at the roar of persistent knocking.
"Emma? Emma, I know you're in there," her mother tells her. "Will you please come out?"
Before she hears a response, Regina appears from down the hall and grips her hand, asking, "What do you think you're doing? Are you trying to alert the whole castle to your business?"
"I just want to see Emma," Mary Margaret answers. "I need to speak with her."
"Even if she lets you in, I doubt that she will talk. She barely said a word at Guinevere's feast this afternoon."
"Emma's just worried about Hook."
"Well wouldn't you be if it was David?" Regina responds . "You need to give her some time. She's been through a lot, with Hook missing and the dagger missing, on top of now being stuck. She needs some alone time to process everything."
"Did you talk to Arthur about the gat—"
"Already tried," the mayor answers, anticipating the princess' question. "His decision is firm. He won't even let Guinevere go outside into the gardens."
"And there is nothing we can do?"
"Well, I have Robin and Maleficent scouring the royal archives for possible secret passageways, but besides that, the only thing we can do is keep researching and hope that Sir Kay finds him before it's too late."
"Well, Emma's already one step ahead. As you can see, she locked herself in Merlin's study. I assume it is where Arthur stores the wizard's books, experiments, whatever pieces in the world he has left."
"Just give her some time," Regina tells her, sliding down and leaning her back against the wall. "She'll come out. Until then, if you really want to bother someone, Zelena is all yours."
"How is she?" Mary Margaret asks. "I mean, is the baby alright?"
"The baby is fine," the Queen nods. "And besides having her voice taken away, Zelena is fine too."
"Are you sure that was necessary?"
"For now," Regina affirms. "Until we know what we're dealing with, it is best if everyone keeps their mouth shut. Besides, being a mute handmaid means she won't keep barraging me about how much she hates me."
"How are you?" Snow turns and asks her stepmother.
"I'm fine."
Snow's eyes glare. "Regina—"
"Okay! I'm not fine. I'm just in the middle of a custody dispute."
"But we found a way to Camelot without Zelena's help. Robin still gets to keep the baby."
"No, he doesn't," Regina sighs. "I know Zelena. She never keeps her word. She'll do anything to keep Robin out of his child's life. She's using me because she knows I would never do anything to hurt the child, and that includes killing her."
"Can I say something?" the princess interrupts. "I get the feeling that this isn't just about Zelena. Care to tell me what's going on?"
Though the school teacher means well, her prying causes the queen's walls to shoot up.
"I should go," she mumbles, gathering her composure and faking a smile. "Let me know if Emma comes out."
"Regina—" Snow calls before her voice fades. Clearly, the queen hides something from her that is too painful to talk about. Staring at the door to Merlin's study, the princess sighs.
"I guess nobody wants to talk today."
As clouds loom over Camelot and darken the halls of King Arthur's castle, Lily stares into the distance. Somewhere, beyond the walls of Arthur's fortress, the fate of the realms is at the mercy of unknown master. As fear stirs throughout the palace, the resolve of Maleficent's daughter grows. She knows how to get out of situations like this. Refusing to wait around and let everyone else figure out a solution, Lily contrives a plan and heads to the entrance of the castle.
"Excuse me," the maiden calls to the guards posted by the entrance. When her soft pink gown and brown tresses catch their eyes, they bow.
"What can I do for you, miss?" one of them asks.
"Well, you see, I arrived this morning," Lily explains, doing her best to portray a sweet and naive guest. "We left my friend, Lord Neal, at a cottage nearby and I need to go and bring him here."
Lily secretly hopes that if she assures the guards that she will return, they will grant her access outside of the castle. This way, she can find a solution for all of them to escape or prove Hook's innocence. It is a long shot, but she prays that they will listen.
"My lady, I cannot let you do that," he gruffly responds. "No one goes in or out."
"But it's not that far away. I'll come right back I—"
"You're not allowed."
"Well, let me talk to Sir Kay then," she demands, crossing her arms.
"He's gone out with his patrol," the guard tells Lily.
"Then let me speak to the next person in command."
"That's not going to happen."
"Why not?"
"Because I said so!" the guard responds.
"Please! Just let me go!"
"King's orders!" the guard shouts in Lily's face. "Go back inside, you, silly girl, and stay there!"
"Grenser, is that how we treat our guests?"
Lily turns around and finds a soldier dressed in full uniform with the crest of the Roundtable on his shoulder blade. His sharp orbs pierce both the guard and maiden's souls.
"No, my Lord," the guard replies to his commander.
"People are in a panic, and the last thing your King needs is you adding to it."
"Yes, my Lord." Turning to Lily, the guard bows. "My apologies, milady."
When Lily accepts his gesture, Grenser excuses himself, leaving the commander and Lily alone at the doorway.
She takes a deep breath, examining the knight. With his deep irises of chestnut, his brown tresses with threads of white, he reminds her of an older Sir Kay. Oddly, he also seems familiar to her, as if she knows him from somewhere else.
"I sincerely apologize for my men's actions," he says. "I hope you can understand, they have only the best intentions in mind."
"Really?" Lily scoffs. "That's what that was?"
"I'm sure you understand King Arthur's choice to lock the gates and why it is justified."
To the knight's surprise, she shakes her head. "No," she answers. "I don't understand. Locking away the royalty and honored officials while leaving your people outside vulnerable to the Dark One doesn't create peace. It only brings more fear and chaos."
"Tell me, why do you want to leave so badly, milady?" he asks.
"Why do you want me to stay?" Lily rebuffs.
"It's for your protection."
Something tells Maleficent's daughter that he hides the truth. Regardless, time is of the essence. "Please, my Lord, let me go and bring back my friend. I'm afraid something will happen to him."
Lily watches as the knight scans the hallway. Taking the maiden by the arm, he lowers his voice and whispers, "I can't help you."
"What?" Lily says, confused.
"I can't tell you that there is a secret passage out of the castle grounds located in Guinevere's garden," he replies, his eyes emphasizing his words. "Nor can I tell you that it is hidden by the wall of roses and to open it, it requires one to pull on the third vine three times."
"Is that all?"
"Do not take this," he continues, taking off of the crest he wears around his neck and pressing it into her hands. "It is a crest of the Roundtable. If you show this to anyone, they will give you whatever you ask for."
Lily takes the crest and examines its finer details. The scales of dragons surround the shimmering coat of arms and middlemist buds. When she turns it over, she finds a name.
"You're Sir Ector," she realizes, staring at the knight.
"Indeed," he replies. "And you are?"
"Lily."
"Ah yes, I've heard about you. Tell no one that we have spoken."
"Why are you doing this?" Lily asks.
"Because I believe in you. Besides, you're right. No one can live in fear forever. "
"Thank you," she smiles.
The knight doesn't respond, but carefully examines the jewelry Lily wears around her neck. "Nice necklace. Where ever did you get it?"
"I've had it since I was a child," Lily replies.
Sir Ector nods, bowing in respect before heading back into the palace quarters. He leaves Maleficent's daughter in the empty hallway, clasping the knight's crest in one hand and her other hand hovering over her moon-shaped key to finding her answers.
She wonders how such a man could be loved by one of his sons and hated by the other. Perhaps he hides something deeper. She promises herself that if she gets the chance, she will unwrap every layer of the mysterious knight. For now, he gives her the key to escape their royal prison, and Lily has a feeling it won't be long before it will be used.
Later that night, the moon peeks through the heavens as Camelot rests in peaceful harmony. The candles burn to the bottom of their wicks as all of the occupants of King Arthur's castle pass into the realm of blissful oblivion. Silence reigns through the hallways with the night guards drifting into a forbidden slumber.
The gigantic door of Merlin's study creaks open, but no one stirs. The moonbeams that invade the hallway glow into the blond strands of the Savior's braid. As she throws on the hood of her cloak, she clutches the small bag that carries of treasures from the sorcerer's collection. Assured that she has what she needs, Emma gingerly closes the door.
Guilt plagues her heart for her choice to leave. Emma loves her mother and knows that her family and friends came to help rescue Killian, but the dread grows in her heart. Every passing moment, images of the pirate in agony soar through her head. She cannot afford to waste anymore time waiting for Regina and Mary Margaret to find all of the answers they need. At any moment, Emma fears that her heart will explode. She needs to find him, and the time is now.
Her heart races as she sneaks into the kitchen. Finding a spare sack, she swipes a loaf of bread, a log of salted meat, a handful of apples and two canteens of water from the cupboards. Unsure of how long she will be gone, the Savior prays it will be enough for her journey.
The night wind howls as Emma slips through the servant's quarters and makes her way to the stables. She remembers traveling this path from the first time she went after him. There are only two guards, but even from a distance, Emma realizes that they are as drunk as two diehard football fans at the Superbowl. Even if they see her, like her pirate always does, they should blame the rum. Though she discerns that they pose no threat, a flashing memory of Neal passing out from a night of drinking and vomiting on her clothes as a teenager makes her cringe.
A lone lantern illuminates the stables on the starless night. The lack of light does not hinder Emma's adjusted vision. She digs through the weapons she finds in a stable chest. Securing a sword, another dagger to compliment the fake one she holds, and a belt to hold her weapons and gun, she reaches for a saddle. Though her footsteps are quiet like a soft breeze, her heart roars in her chest.
"Did you know that, despite what most people think, horses actually prefer apples over carrots?"
The voice causes Emma to instantly rotate in its direction and draw her gun. Her heart rate spikes as adrenaline races through her veins. Seconds later, her mysterious stalker emerges from the shadows.
"Lily," she says, lowering her weapon.
"Okay, we really need to stop starting our conversations with you pointing a gun in my face," her friend responds with her hands raised.
"What are you doing out here?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing," Lily sarcastically replies, hopping down from her perch on one of the stalls. "It's nice to see that you're actually alive, considering you've been locked up in Merlin's study all day."
"I needed answers," the Savior says.
"Ah, I see," her friend nods, giving one of the steeds an apple while stroking its mane. "So you thought that if you could figure out where Hook was, you could slip out unseen and no one would notice your absence because they would think you're still locked inside the study. Brilliant plan, Swan."
"How did you know?" Emma sighs.
With a wink of her eye, Lily strolls over to her friend and gives her a slap on the shoulder. "You know how you say that you have a superpower of being able to tell when people are lying? Well, I've got one too. It's being able to tell when you're about to run."
"I'm not running," Emma rebuffs.
"Ah, I see. So—you just decided to visit the horses at 3 o'clock in the morning with a sack of food, dressed in riding pants and wearing Hook's jacket?"
As Lily's features narrow for an explanation, the Savior tells her, "I have to find him."
"Alone? Emma, it's dangerous out there. You need to think this out more."
"Lily, I can't wait any longer."
"Do I have to remind you that someone wants you dead? Someone we don't even know. What happens if they hurt you? Or worse, kill y—"
"Lily!" Emma shouts, before lowering her voice to prevent waking the guards. "I'm losing him. I can't explain it, but I have this gut feeling that I am losing Killian to the darkness. It separated us for a reason, and I won't let him slip away. Don't worry, I'll be back soon."
"What about Regina and your mother?"
"I need them here." the Savior replies as she scrambles to pack and mount her saddle. "Once we get Merlin out of the tree, we need to figure out how to defeat the darkness once and for all."
"You aren't doing this alone."
"I have to," Emma declares, getting on her horse. "The more people that go missing, the more Arthur becomes suspicious."
"Emma this is crazy," Lily declares. "This isn't like the last time. We don't have the real dagger. We don't know the enemy. And while you were being a hermit, Arthur just tripled the amount of patrols tonight. If you get caught, we're done for."
"Lily, I don't have time to argue."
"'How are you even going to find him?"
"With this," Emma responds, pulling a small vial out of her bag. "It's a locator potion I found in Merlin's things."
"And you're going to use it on Hook's jacket," Lily understands.
"Hold down things here for me, I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Wait," Lily whispers, grabbing Emma's horse by the reigns. "You're never going to make it out of the gate."
The Savior's features do not hide her scowl. "I'll find a way."
"Arthur has these walls surrounded," Lily reminds her. "There are guards patrolling everywhere. There's no way you're getting out of here without being seen."
"Do you have any other ideas?"
Staring at her oldest friend, Maleficent's daughter sighs. "There's a secret passage in Guinevere's garden. It's behind the wall of roses. You have to pull on the third vine three times for it to open."
"Wait, how do you know about all of this?" Emma questions, hopping down from the saddle.
"It doesn't matter," Lily replies, clasping the Savior's shoulders. "It will lead you outside the castle grounds, and take this." Lily reveals Sir Ector's crest. "Show it to anyone and they will give you what you need."
After inspecting the necklace, the Savior throws the gift on over her neck and pulls her oldest friend into her arms. "Thank you."
Lily embraces her tightly. "Please let me come with you," she whispers into Emma's shoulder. "I don't want to lose you again."
"You won't," her friend reassures her as she draws back. "I need you here." Reaching into her pocket, she hands Lily a gift of her own. "Keep the Apprentice's wand. You should be able to power it with Regina or Mary Margaret's help. Protect it. It's the only weapon we have left."
"What about you?" her friend questions. "What if you need it?"
"You need it more. Keep my family safe."
"I will," Lily assures her. Watching the Savior disappear into the shadows, she whispers into the silence.
"Find him Emma; I know you will."
A/N: Yippee! The chapter is complete! I hope you enjoyed it. As always, I would appreciate it if you let me know your thoughts through comments, critiques, and/or suggestions. I literally cannot wait for the next chapter! It's all CaptainSwan! I finished it a couple of months ago (funny how that works) and it is probably my favorite chapter so far. I will post it sometime within the next couple of days. Don't forget to favorite and/or follow this story to make sure that you are one of the first to read the next chapter. Here's a quote from it to wet your appetite.
"You're not Emma."
Until next time!
C.M. Singer :)