A/N: Hmm. Why would I describe a random clearing? ;)


~Day 9~

It was past midnight when Emma stood near the edge of the wood. In between where she stood, and the deteriorating outer walls of Castle Blackthorn, was a large clearing. It seemed to be a flat land, and she guessed throwing a stone would only land about halfway into the clearing, if that.

The sight of the forsaken castle took her breath away, though, and not entirely in a pleasant way. There was some beauty to it, like the sight of nature retaking the stonework. Vines climbing, plants growing, in the midst of man's forgotten city. Though she did understand now why Killian had wanted to wait. The whole place was engulfed in negative energy, almost as if there were an invisible signpost reading 'Danger: Enter at your own risk'.

She would rather relive that blasted ball than visit this place, particularly at night.

She whispered, "It's amazing. And.. oddly terrifying."

"Human touch can disappear so easily." He whispered back.

"Man's mark on the world is more lax than he'd care to admit."

"And that's why we men try so hard to leave our mark in the first place."

Emma eyed him out the side of her eye. He was handsome in the moonlight, a thoughtful expression playing on his features. She knew him well enough to realize he was thinking of their options. No matter what they did, they would eventually run into the soldiers, this she knew.

Though any curse beyond that wall was, likely, just as dangerous if not more so, than the men chasing them. Especially now, having felt the evil oozing off the walls.

She let her eyes revert back to the castle, knowing they were at a standstill here. The area around the walls were mostly clear, even after all the years since it had been abandoned. Even in the glimmer of moonlight available, someone could easily be seen crossing from the wood to the wall.

It would be even more dangerous to cross the clearing in daylight.

"I don't think I can go any closer, Jones." she murmured, then immediately regretted saying that outloud.

Had he heard her, he chose to ignore it. "These trees are closer together than the ones at the last clearing." He pointed out. "Are you up for the climb?" He asked gently, his attention turning to her.

"I'm a little weak." She admitted. "But I think I can make it."

He rummaged in his knapsack for a moment before pulling out something.

"Here. It may not be much, but it'll sustain you till daybreak, at least."

Emma looked at him, then at his hand holding out a small pouch, then back into his eyes. Caring, concerned. She felt loved in this moment. Not as she knew it from her parents, or even as she knew it from Pinocchio. This was new, and startling. But she knew it all the same.

"Food?"

"Dried meat. It's not the tastiest, but it'll do in a pinch."

It had been a while since they'd eaten. Yar had started moving fairly quickly, but once they saw the castle, the beast could sense their hesitation, and slowed his pace. The hour it should have taken to reach here had stretched on, not that she minded the stall. But the time lapse had left enough room to digest the dinner they had hunted, and dammit, she really was hungry again.

She took it gratefully, letting her eyes fall to her actions and not into his eyes. She didn't care for him to discern how much this small gesture meant to her. Then her mother's words rang out.

"Which would you regret more… Taking the leap, and seeing what happens? Or play it safe and eventually watch him sail away?"

Emma reminded herself this was his chance. Their chance.

She lifted her eyes to meet his, and thanked him simply for the food. He breathed in sharply, as their eyes connected. Relief, then inner conflict, flashed in his eyes before he nodded and moved his attention away from her, his warning from their first night ringing in her ears.

I'm not going to take this opportunity alone with you to woo you, you understand.

They sat in that spot, silently, as she nibbled. She didn't dare take too much. She was now painfully aware that she didn't really need as much food as she would normally take. And she was more understanding of the trials her mother went through, as well as many of her people.

She only took a few pieces before handing the sack back, and taking several gulps of water.

"Better, love?"

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

Once again, they geared up and climbed two separate trees next to each other, and secured their netted beds for a few hours of peace.

-x-x-x-

Belle woke with a start.

It took her a few moments to wake enough to realize where she was, and what she was doing here.

She was excited to realize she wasn't nauseous this time.

Then why did she wake?

She checked the compass out of habit, and realized it was spinning. She grabbed a robe, and raced to the deck where one of the crew was at the helm.

The compass was pointing at an island. That had to be it!

They were almost there.

-x-x-x-

It was several hours past daylight when they were finally ready to trek closer to the castle. Killian had woken her to join him in the gathering. They had decided it was riskier to build a fire than to get their nourishment from the surrounding plants.

She seemed to dislike the taste of the leaves, nuts, and berries readily available, but she said nothing. She ate them despite the look on her face, and he decided not to tease her about it. He rationalized that the energy from the castle must have some effect on the both of them.

They'd spent the morning in relative silence, leaving him once again to his thoughts which kept returning to the look in her eyes the night before. She was opening her heart to him. And he wouldn't - couldn't - allow himself to jump at the chance she was offering. Not here. Not now.

If only things were different.


Thank you for reading!