A/N: Recap: Belle's in Camelot, spent an afternoon with Jorie, but is realizing she might have a thing for Roberts (Wesley) instead. Snow - between Emma, and the news of Midas' castle, there isn't much she can do. So Snow takes off for Midas in the middle of a massive battle.. We left Regina in the arms of her husband, Robin, on her way to somewhere that might lead to answers. Emma's bargaining stage took up the morning and she finds Killian helps her move past all that right up to the moment she cons him into asking her father for permission to court her - which David grants.
Well. Some cheesy fluff here. Not that I'm an expert. But.. it's historical. So. Blame medieval tradition. In other news, this one is setting up the dominos I can't wait to smash. (I do hope this is posted in a more acceptable timeframe.. I am working to get this updated faster than before.) As always, comments are welcome - good and bad alike.
~Day 22~
It was barely past daybreak when the Mastermind took in her surroundings, noticing how different Midas' Castle appeared after stirring the pot. The grounds had, at least, five armies at various places around the castle, fighting each other to take over the Kingless Kingdom. She wondered when, if, the Charming's would be pulled into it. Surely they would. It wasn't too far from them on land, and they had one ally in battle already.
She smiled as the possibilities raced through her mind.
~Snow Trails On~
Snow woke with a start, a chill in her bones, and the feeling of unease that was not uncommon for her from her bandit years. She never wanted to revisit this feeling, though now that it was upon her, she couldn't help wonder at its source. She always thought these nerves came from a primal fear of Regina, but knowing the sorceress now, she wondered what else the feeling could be.
Quickly, she kicked dirt into the glowing embers of her fire from the previous night, filled her canteen, and mounted. Trotting, she munched on the last of the fruit she had brought, giving the horse a treat, and continued on her way.
She'd only gotten a few hours of sleep, but she needed to keep moving. Knowing there was, essentially, a war going on - she knew she needed to be careful. Going alone was - probably - not her smartest idea. But Emma did get her stubbornness from somewhere, and Snow realized in that moment, just where her daughter got it from.
Huffing, she pressed forward, moving toward a full on gallop.
~King, Princess~
Emma woke with the sun shining brightly, and a polite cough from somewhere to her right. Startled, she sat up straight, feeling a familiar stabbing in her fingers that meant some form of protective magick could be unleashed if needed - a form of magick she had no idea the outcome of.
The stabbing fizzled quickly, though, when she saw the small smile of her father, sitting in the chair that kept moving around her room lately.
"Papa?" She relaxed, slouching, rubbing her eyes.
"Morning." He stood enough to kiss the top of her head before moving to sit back down, crossing his arms.
"Papa." She eyed him warily, letting her eyes and slight frown do her talking for her. She knew why he was here - or, rather, suspected.
He sighed, glaring at the ceiling for several moments, before looking at her again.
"I take it you're aware of the conversation I had with Hook last night." Sometimes she hated being right. She gave him a curt nod, still eyeing him warily. "Is that what you want?"
She was not expecting that. "I wouldn't have told him to ask you if I didn't want it."
He exhaled for entirely too long, making her realize he must have been holding his breath for a while. "I had to ask." He said simply. "You do know a courtship doesn't have to lead anywhere, though, right?"
She smiled at that. This felt more like what she was expecting. "I know."
"Are you ready for a courtship? After- after everything?"
She shrugged, looking toward her window. "I know the timing isn't perfect." She replied, more to herself. "But I feel like he really is my partner." Her eyes widened momentarily when she realized what she admitted to, looking to her father slyly from the corner of her eye. He looked a little surprised, but quickly masked it.
"Imagine my surprise when I found I didn't mind so much agreeing to the courtship." He said, shaking his head ruefully. "And to a pirate, too."
She couldn't help the grin that escaped, alluding to the blossom of warmth in her chest, before smothering it down with more effort than she cared to admit to.
It was a little surreal. She never imagined she'd be anywhere near a courtship she was pleased with. Dylan would have been a good choice, but nothing compared to how she felt in the moment. Lightning roamed her veins, causing pleasant heat through her body. Which meant she was blushing.
Her father stood, pressed a lingering kiss to her head, before removing himself from her room entirely.
Not a full minute later, there was a knock followed by the arrival of a grinning Bridget who was carrying a tray. The tray had all her favorite breakfast items, her favorite morning tea, a single red rose, and a note.
"Bridget?" The young lady grinned even wider, pointing silently at the note.
If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever.
The script was beautiful, patient, and nearly perfect.
Looking at her ladies maid, she asked if it was from Killian.
"He brought his own supplies to our kitchen, highness. He cooked all this, even wrote the note in front of me before sending me up. He didn't even try to take it to you himself."
Emma's eyes darted back down to the note, wondering how the hell the fierce Pirate Captain Hook could have such a romantic side.
She had to blink to keep her tears at bay, swearing out loud to make herself feel more normal.
She never imagined a man romancing her like this.
She never imagined she'd like to be romanced like this.
Her thoughts suddenly shifted to the events leading up to this, feeling like someone ran her over with a carriage, to the baby - an actual baby - roaming somewhere in her belly. How was she supposed to feel about this? Should she hate it? Love it? Did she have a choice? Was she expected to make a hasty marriage to cover it up?
She would not do that. Even if she had a suitor now.
She really needed to talk to someone.
Her mother was gone. Regina was gone. Belle was gone. Her father - no. Killian - no. Chio - maybe. But she really, honestly, just wanted her mother.
~Belle & Roberts~
Breakfast in Camelot felt a little.. forced. Lancelot and Mulan had allowed a private dinner between the two, chaperoned only by Captain Roberts.. Which made Belle fidget in her seat the entire meal. Not that she would admit it was his presence that made her nervous.
Jorie was all too pleased to take credit for it himself, anyway.
Now, his parents inquired politely about Belle, her history, her likes and dislikes. Jorie seemed pleased with the interaction, but Belle felt anything but. She felt Roberts eyes on her, though, and had half an idea he knew somehow that she was uncomfortable.
Both now and the dinner the previous night.
But she hadn't really interacted with the Captain since they arrived, when he helped her from the coach.
Not that she was complaining.
When her interrogation was though, Jorie asked her to meet him outside for another walk through the gardens. Roberts walked with her in silence, until they stopped in front of a fountain in clear view of the palace.
"Penny for your thoughts?" She looked up sharply, eyes drawn to his before looking toward his outstretched hand. There really was a ha'penny, between his thumb and index finger.
She chuckled, taking it, and looking back to the fountain. "Jorie isn't who I thought he was." She replied, barely audibly.
"Regretting the journey?"
"The destination." She clarified softly.
"Then, I suggest you decide soon if you want to continue this, highness." Her eyes snapped to his turquoise orbs in shock. It had been a long time since she had been called royalty. "The lad seems to be infatuated by you already. The sooner you let him down, the better it will be for him."
She tore her eyes away from his, glancing toward the palace where Jorie was walking toward her, arms behind his back with a mischievous grin, before letting her gaze drop to the water of the fountain.
Squeezing her eyes tight, making a wish, she tossed the penny in. Superstitious. She knew it was ridiculous, but still. The small action let loose the claw around her heart.
When Jorie finally caught up to them, Roberts was nearly out of earshot, and the young suitor proudly pulled out a bouquet of wild flowers.
Her smile was tight, forced, but he didn't seem to notice as she took them from him, a new pressure forming on her throat.
~Regina Wakes~
Regina woke with a start, tangled in the arms of her husband on their spot in their tent. By the sounds surrounding her, she figured it was long past the early morning she had intended to vacate by.
"Come back to bed, wife." He moaned grumpily in her ear.
"I need to go, husband." She whispered, pulling herself away from his embrace. The loss of warmth chilled her to her core, but she had a duty to fulfill to herself and to Snow White after decades of torture.
He sat up, another groan from his lips as he looked to her with bleary eyes.
"Come back to me before you return to the Charmings?"
She stilled in her act of redressing to look at his worn face, worry and disappointment in every line visible.
Suss
"I think I can manage that." She promised with a genuine smile.
David shuffled the papers for the thousandth time, his mind with Snow more than his kingly duties. Berating himself for letting her go alone, despite the fact that she's one hell of a stubborn woman - and he knew she would end up leaving alone despite all his protests. She promised she'd return in a few days, but he knew he couldn't wait that long.
As is their habit, she left behind his mothers ring for him, now shining very dimly. He held it up, moving it in a circle around him, noticing when it brightened just slightly in the direction of Midas' castle.
Looking to the guard in his state room, he asked for Emma to be brought to him. He smiled slightly, knowing his request would likely break up some courting thing Hook had up his sleeve.
The knowledge helped.
~The Interruption~
Emma took the book he handed her with reverence. They were in the drawing room, on opposite sides of the coffee table - the handful of guards also in the drawing room insisted on the physical separation now that Killian Jones was more than just a guest.
Her fathers old rules and even older traditions could absolutely die a slow and painful death.
"You look tense, Swan."
She was tense. Her morning thought process was still rolling around in her brain, damn this man and the damn concern in his eyes and the damn way he was looking at her -
"So, what is it?" She asked, desperation in her eyes that he just go with it.
Bastard was openly reading her. Then again. She kinda wanted him to, this time. Sighing, he smiled, something small and genuine despite the concern on the edge of his face. "It's a book, Swan."
She glared at him. "I can see that."
He chuckled, poking his tongue out of the corner of his mouth in that way that only he could make attractive. "It's an old one. It's a story, and one I cherish."
Her grip on the worn leather tightened as her eyes met his. He really was serious about this courting thing. She could see the way he looked at the book, memories filled his eyes, as did a sense of peace, as if he remembers the story and how the tome made him feel.
"Is this a typical courting gift?"
"Only if you allow me to read it to you."
She gapes, a little. "Read to- seriously? That's a thing?"
"I was wrong, Swan. This is how you make a man feel wanted."
She shakes her head, letting out a snort that made him laugh - and made the guards stare as if they just saw a three-headed pig.
"Breakfast in bed - that you made yourself - with a rose, and a sweet note-"
"You thought my note was sweet?"
She fixed him with a stare, ignoring him and his smirk. "Now you're wanting to read to me a favorite story of yours. What's next?" She tried not to smile, but the bubbles of excitement were rising, and she kinda loved to hate it. She knew he could see her despite the mask she attempted to use to hide it. Damn him and his reading her.
Damn him in general.
"I intend to properly court you, Emma." He murmured, his eyes sparkling and never wavering from hers.
Letting the book weigh in one hand, placing the other over top of it, she handed the leatherbound back to him.
"Okay. Go ahead. Court me."
His smirk was sinful in the best ways, only broken by a new presence in the room.
"Pardon, Highness." The new arrival began with a bow. "Your presence has been requested in the stateroom."
She gave Killian a look that said Naturally.
He shrugged, with a wink. I'll be here.
She rolled her eyes, before letting them fall back to him. I know.
It took her all of ten minutes to make her way - with the guard, for some obnoxious reason - to her fathers stateroom.
It took her another two minutes to finish glowering at him with her arms folded stubbornly across her chest.
He broke the ice with a chuckle. "Well, I suppose I interrupted something?"
"He was only going to read to me."
His eyebrows shot up. "Huh."
Emma took in his expression, really looking this time, noticing the worry just under his poorly placed mask. Sighing, she collapsed into the chair in front of his desk. "What is it, papa?"
"I need you to take over a few things for me while I go after your mother."
"She left for Midas' castle, right?"
"So you were listening this morning."
She rolled her eyes. "Of course."
"I thought you'd be too far gone thinking about your new beau to pay any attention to little old me."
She swallowed her tongue. "Beau? Really, papa."
"Really. You have one suitor, Emma, and you apparently shared true loves kiss within minutes of meeting. I think I can safely call him your beau."
Her face felt hot, and she knew she was blushing. "What do you need me for?"
He handed her a stack of papers that looked entirely unorganized. "These are the financial reports for the entire kingdom. Among other things that need to be done over the next few days."
She groaned inwardly. "Papa-"
"Consider it a practice run. You need to get used to this." He stood, moving toward the door, stopping as if something occurred to him. "You can always ask Hook for help."
She blinked away her surprise. "What?"
"This is what courtship is for, Emma. You both need to know if this partnership of yours can work past traversing the woods and true loves kiss. Running a kingdom is.. a lot." He pointed to the papers in her hands. "This needs to be done before the full moon, Emma." He took a deep breath. "And I need to go after my wife."
With one last thoughtful look at her, David turned to walk out, leaving his daughter baffled, holding a stack of pages and a look of shock across her features.
~Testing It~
Bloody fantastic. Was the first thought that went through his mind when the guard collected him from the drawing room, leading him to the stateroom. Had David changed his mind? Was a close second. Have I already ravaged my changes with Emma?
The walk was painfully slow, but he decided it was because his bloody escort was taking his time. He was positive he could walk leisurely circles around the man at his pace.
He was more than surprised when David himself walked past him with a smirk of his own, a small bag slung over across his body. The most surprising thing was how shabby Prince Charming was dressed.
Killian didn't bother to hide his confusion. "Bloody hell, mate, dare I even ask?"
The king shrugged, mirth dancing in his eyes. "I have no answers for you, mate." Then the king looked to the guard. "Ferr, pick up the pace, man."
The guard looked a little dejected, but began walking an almost unforgivable pace, making Hook nearly jog to keep up.
Once ushered through the door of the room he recognized - as he was just in here the previous night - glaring at the guard who practically shoved him into the room unceremoniously. His eyes immediately found the king's desk, and time stood still.
He had a glimpse of a future he found he wanted. Emma, sitting poised, eyes darting from one page to the next at the head of her fathers desk, her golden hair shimmering in the daylight seeping through the windows almost as a halo, clearly waiting for him - for some reason. He could see this becoming a thing, even if he didn't really know why he was here yet. He did have a feeling as to that why, though.
Her eyes rose slowly to meet his, a nervous smile playing on the corners of her lips.
"Papa's going to Midas' castle."
"After your mum, I take it?"
"Yup. And I am, apparently, taking over a few of his duties. Or all of them."
His feeling was becoming stronger. He tried masking his smirk, but the eyebrow shot up on its own.
She scoffed. "I - might - be really, really terrible at math." She admitted, looking up at him through her eyelashes.
Grinning, he took a seat opposite her. "Lucky for you, I run a ship. Which, people forget, does consist of many numbers and equations and, arguably most importantly, humans to keep alive."
~The Picnic~
Midday for Belle is a picnic with Jorie, with Roberts just far enough away that she could barely make out his head over the hill somewhere below them. The bouquet Jorie had handed her had been swiftly taken from her, taken to her room (or so she assumed) by a maid before their leisurely walk through the gardens - again. The man knew how to talk, and walk in circles. She was desperately trying not to let her boredom show.
When she was certain this outing could not last any longer, another servant came to them with a basket. He really liked using his servants, and barely acknowledged them. Something Belle, having been a servant to The Dark One, did not appreciate.
The basket contained meats, cheese, and bread, she found she could.. tolerate. It wasn't her intention to be or feel picky or unimpressed, but the thought kept circling her head that if it was his intention to woo her, perhaps he should ask if she even liked white wine before bringing a whole bottle on their venture. She was no expert, but she felt that was what a suitor needed to do to impress a lady into agreeing to be his lady.
Did that make her selfish?
Her mind flew back over memories of the previous day, tuning out a story Jorie was telling - and already had relayed to her twice. Belle thought of all the many details about him she learned over the day in an honest attempt to get to know him. But he asked startling few questions of her, and she rarely found a moment to bring up herself. Not until breakfast with his parents. She shouldn't have been surprised when he showed her the contents of the basket, and she found she had to fake a smile.
Not that any of it was bad. Just.. nothing she really.. liked. Or wanted.
His lack of knowledge about her showed.
Not that he was lacking in any major chivalrous manor. He was kind, compassionate, friendly, generous.. But Belle, well versed in his father's tale, knew he was lacking one thing that any chivalrous knight needed: A true and steadfast love of his lady. Which, she wasn't expecting love, certainly not yet, but surely some semblance of needing to know her before he became enamored.
Which he seemed to be, already. She wondered just who he thought he was enamored with?
"-which led to the rest of the sword. Arthur was killed soon after, and the people were-"
"Jorie?" He almost looked perturbed, but looked to her anyway, stopping his story. "I think-" She bit her lip, thinking. Why did she have to open her mouth before she thought of just what to say? And why did she have to end things right now? "I can't do this." She finally admitted, standing from her place on the ground, avoiding his eyes. She suddenly felt shame. She came all this way to get his hopes up, only to crush them moments later. She really should have reconsidered coming, if only -
He was standing now, too. "What do you mean?" He was staring daggers into her now, she found upon looking at him.
"I can't. It doesn't feel right."
"It doesn't have to feel right."
"That may be true for you, but not me."
Belle began to back away, no longer wishing to turn her back to him. There was something in his eye she did not like. And she didn't know why.
"Roberts!" She hollered over her shoulder. Books could accomplish much, but in this situation, she wasn't ashamed to call for reinforcements.
He was at her side in an instant, looking like a proper servant with his arms behind his back and his curt head bowed, his eyes to the ground.
"Yes, Highness?"
"I would like to be escorted back, now." She said softly, eyeing the - clearly flustered - man who had utterly failed to woo her.
"As you wish." He murmured, offering his arm, before escorting her back the way she came.
~Snow's Birds~
Snow breathed a sigh of relief, cresting the final hill between her and Midas' Castle. Until the hooves of her horse hitting the ground in a walk sounded off, almost.. Wet. And sticky. The odd sound made her look down.
Blood.
Lots, and lots, of fresh blood.
Looking around sharply, she saw the bodies before hearing the signs of fighting nearby. The hill had masked the sounds, mostly, but now she could hear metal against metal, the whizzing of arrows, and anguished screams piercing the air in the not-so-distant distance.
Damn. Well, what did you expect? Breathing deeply to calm her, now frantic, nerves, she decided she needed a plan of action.
Whistling, a bird swiftly flocked to her perched finger. She asked it a question, and it seemed all too happy to assist her. Flying away, Snow watched it and waited patiently.
A few minutes later, Snow became engulfed by birds of varying sizes, all whispering she should run. She had to convince them she was here to stay before they told her what was going on. There were troops fighting on both the north and south walls, but there was a distinct lack of enemies on the east wall where an entrance to the city was.
Thinking quickly, she made her decision.
~Mal~
Regina, pulling on her reins to stop, looks to the large castle ahead of her. Surely her presence was known by now.
Hopping off her horse, she decided to walk the rest of the way, when a random grey mutt appeared by her side, heeling her, looking up with puppy dog eyes.
"Hey-" She was startled to realize she had no idea how to regard a dog. "What are you doing here?" She asked lamely. The dog cocked his head, panting in the heat of the day. "Are you lost?"
After several moments of feeling awkward - and stupid for feeling that way because of a dog - she stopped walking, crouching, and reached for the dog.
He snarled, and dashed off toward the castle.
Blinking rapidly, she stared after it for a moment before shaking the odd encounter off, and continuing her walk to the doors of the forbidden fortress.
Leaving her borrowed horse a few steps away from the doors, she walked up to knock.
She rolled her eyes when the door opened on it's own, lights lighting the way for her to follow before she even had to mutter a word.
They were leading her to the same room she last met Maleficent in - the one she nearly killed the witch's pet in.
Another misgiving she had yet to make up for.
"Mal?" She called, finding the room empty.
"Behind you dear."
It was more of a stuggle not to roll her eyes than she cared to admit. Of course Mal would show up behind her. Classic villain scare tactic.
Instead of being phased, Regina continued into the room, examining it for any changes (there were none) before turning toward the graying blond.
"You look good, Gina."
Regina could say the same. Mal was older, hair still a mess of blond curls knotted around a little tiara on her head, slightly outdated gown in a lovely shade of blue that made her look a little more youthful than she was.
"I must say, that is your color, Mal."
The two women regarded each other for a few moments. Regina used her magick to feel around the massive castle, looking for any recently cast spells or open ingredients that might imply the woman in front of her was brewing something.
But there wasn't anything.
"Why are you here after all this time?" The blond asked, her eyes narrowing.
"A few reasons, if I'm being honest." Regina muttered, letting her gaze rise to the ceiling where the chandelier had been reattached.
"Out with it then."
Regina huffed. "I've been meaning to come by. I've been making amends for my past misdeeds. Our last meeting.. Could have gone better."
"You stole my curse."
"And now that I've destroyed it, I can't exactly give it back. So I was wondering what I could do to make it up to you."
Mal eyed her in a curious stare for several moments before cocking her head. "You're serious, aren't you? What happened to you?"
"I saw the light." Regina said vaguely.
"I want nothing from you." There was the heat Regina had been expecting.
"Not even help you find your daughter?" Regina asked, keeping her eyes locked on the other woman's. Shock crossed her face first.
"How-" Then came the anger. "How the hell do you know about - she's a girl?"
Well, the woman had motive. "I know which realm she's in and what name she goes by."
"What do you want, Regina?"
"I just want to know one thing."
Mal scoffed. "Fine. Ask quickly before I change my mind."
"Are you behind everything that's been happening to the Charming's?"
A flicker of surprise crossed her face this time, quickly masked by anger once again.
"The Charmings? What do they have - why do you even care? They were your enemies, not mine."
Regina cocked her head. She wasn't satisfied. Mal was capable of much, though most of her vengeance attempts were poorly thought of and quickly resolved. Freeing the Fates, unleashing them on the realm, manipulating Savas, and orchestrating the upheaval in Midas' castle seemed all too.. Smart for this woman.
Not to mention the fact that Savas had one of the fates mortal in his dungeon for a time. That alone would have required a very potent type of magick that Regina wasn't convinced the other woman possessed.
Regina wasn't sure who could have pulled that off - she herself had no idea where to begin.
"Her name is Lilith Page, but she goes by Lily. She's in the land without magick, in a place called Massachusetts."
Regine moved to leave, passing by a ghostly pale Maleficent who stopped her with a tight grip to her elbow.
"Why-"
"Consider us even." Regina replied cooly. "I'm not sure of what else I can do for you, so I hope this is enough."
"That trip is a one way - if I can even -"
"You'll see her, if you're determined enough. But you'd have to drop everything else to find a way to her."
Regina let her words sink in for a moment before she took her arm back, and went back outside where she took a deep breath.
Her horse was grazing nearby, so she decided to stay a few moments to let the mare rest before heading back to Sherwood - and the loving arms of her husband.
~Villagers~
Snow had successfully breached the village, passing the throngs of soldiers fighting to their deaths along the way. She had already talked to several villagers who were in the middle of fleeing - the only thing this battle was to them, was the last straw. She told as many as she could who she really was, and what she was attempting to accomplish: end this war before it truly becomes one, and find them a new leader to rule in fairness and with a solid grasp on reality to bring the land back out of poverty that they knew since the death of Midas.
Most decided to stay - only another week or so. Even with the help of Snow White, these people were tired. Done. Fed up. Most had lived most their lives under Frederick after his wife, Abigail, had passed. When Savas came to power after the suspicious death of his father, many were already ready to leave - but Savas kept them there under threat of his soldiers. This new development did little to encourage the people to stay much longer.
But Snow had to try.
The sun was sinking ever lower, the promise of evening approaching swiftly, and she had a stop to make before she found a place to sleep for the night.
"How did you do that?" Emma wasn't sure if she should be impressed at him or entirely pissed she couldn't do it nearly as well as he could. Or as quickly. He made those confusing financial reports her father passed to her seem like child's play, patiently explaining what everything meant and what needed to happen (according to her fathers notes) in order for the next month to move forward smoothly. Financially speaking, anyway.
"Centuries of experience, love." He friggin winked at that.
"You're infuriating, you know that?"
"I may have heard that before."
They were interrupted by Mary, the kitchen maid, with a knock and a shy smile.
"Apologies, Highness." She curtsies at that. "Captain." She nodded. "Dinner will be served shortly if that is agreeable."
At the mention of food, Emma's stomach grumbled hungrily. "Oh, agreeable is an understatement, thank you Mary. We'll be down in a moment."
The young maid smiled at the two, dashing off in what Emma assumed was the kitchen.
Killian stood, arching his back before stretching from side to side.
"Highness." He mocked with a smirk. "Might I escort you to -"
"If that sentence ends in anything other than the dining room, I'm ending this courtship now." Emma took one last look at the papers, before folding them and wrapping the string around the lot. Standing, she caught sight of his grin.
"Aye, love. The dining room."
~Impromptu Ball~
Informing Lancelot and Mulan of her intention to leave without a courtship had - seemingly - not come as much of a surprise to either. They took her news graciously, and insisted on having her stay till the morning so they could give her a farewell party.
It was a duel event. They always held an event for their people once a month, if not more, since it was the people who kept them in power. Her leaving gave them an excuse to throw another party, though rather abrupt, they insisted.
So she stayed, avoiding Jorie (and Roberts) as much as possible in the hours leading up to the event. She was even more surprised that Mulan sent several maids to her room with a dress and all the tools necessary to get her ready for what was starting to feel like a real, royal ball.
She couldn't help remember the last ball, with Emma, the night she met Jorie in the first place. Where had that infatuation gone? He was a handsome man, and the night they met was full of wonderful memories, though now they were all colored darker due to the look in his eyes when she ended things.
The event ended up being much less formal than Emma's birthday had been. There was no fanfare to announce her arrival, and the focus was split between buffets placed along the walls, the social aspect, and the couples dancing.
Belle quickly looked around, first spotting Lancelot with a grin on his face as he was talking with a group of people on the opposite side of the room. Jorie was spotted next, looking sullen, standing with a man she didn't recognize. She was still looking for Mulan and Roberts when she was handed a drink.
Spotting that this didn't appear uncommon, she took a sip while continuing her search for familiar faces. Before she knew it, Jorie appeared next to her, with a small smile she decided she didn't like.
"Come with me." He said, offering his elbow.
No. But she had already slipped her hand into the offered arm and was being led somewhere.
She tried to stop, remove herself from him, run back to the safety of the crowded room, but her feet wouldn't obey.
It was only a few minutes, but felt like an eternity before they stopped in a deserted hallway.
"You wish me to court you." He told her, a glint in his eyes.
Hell no. But her head was nodding. What was going on here?
Something was in the drink. Had to be. It was the only explanation, proven quickly as he told her - and she angrily obeyed - to finish the beverage still clutched in her free hand.
He grinned at her, something catlike she didn't appreciate. He pressed himself closer to her, and she knew he would kiss her. She dreaded it, hoping against hope to move her arms, push him away, but her body was obeying him instead of her own commands.
Just when the breath on her face made her want to vomit, it disappeared. She was never so glad to see an angry pirate in all her life.
Roberts. Where the hell had he been?
Jorie was shoved off her so violently, she wondered if something was broken or bruised - and she couldn't find it in herself to care. She even hoped it was the former.
Standing stock still while Roberts assaulted the man with a chorus of curses, the goblet clutched in her hand, she didn't notice when the man turned to her.
"... you alright?"
It was a question. She wanted to answer. But all she could do was stare at him like she was expecting something. What was she expecting?
It only took a moment for his eyes to shift to that dangerous green, taking in her face, the goblet, and the man scurrying to get off the floor.
"You coward." Roberts punched the other man square in the jaw, sending him right back down to the floor.
Taking Belle's hand, he dragged her with him to the ball where she payed attention as best she could as he whispered to Lancelot, whose grin evaporated in an instant at the hushed words. Before Belle could contemplate what was going on, Roberts had her outside in a carriage heading away from the castle.
It was dark in the carriage, but every so often the moonlight lit up the small space revealing the murderous look on the pirate, who was resolved in looking anywhere but at her.
They arrived swiftly at the ship Revenge. She was startled to see her few things being unloaded onto the ship when they arrived, and the crew nearly ready to depart. They were leaving, tonight - the realization was a welcome one.
But she didn't have time to contemplate what was going on, not really. Roberts whispered something to Jesse, who looked at her during the entire exchange. Before she knew it, Jesse had her sitting on one of the barrels off to the side of the ship, giving her a short examination.
"I can't quite tell for sure, Cap." He said when through, turning to the blond who had - somehow - already changed back to his black ensemble with his mask securely in place. "It's not herbal. I'm afraid it might be magick."
"Anything you can tell?"
Jesse shook his head. "Only that it'll likely wear off. How long, I have no idea. You said he was trying to kiss her?" When Roberts nodded, he continued. "I suspect that would have activated it. Since it hadn't been activated, we'll just have to wait and see how long this takes her to overcome."
"Will this do any damage to her, if it isn't activated?"
"Hey, man, I wish I could tell you. But really, my knowledge on magick is lacking. We need to get her to someone who can tell us."
Regina would know. She wanted to say. Roberts looked at her then, something flashed across his eyes.
"You know someone?" He asked her. She wanted to nod. She wanted to blurt out the words.
"Um. Cap? You might want to demand an answer instead of asking a question."
"What?"
"It's not uncommon for potions like this to come with the little side effect of control."
He sighed angrily. "Belle. Tell me who can help you."
"Regina. She's at the Charmings." The words were out of her before she thought to speak them, and she felt relieved for a moment before it hit her what, exactly, Jorie had done to her. He made her controllable and the idea struck her in her stomach, making her nauseous.
"I know that look." Jesse cringed.
"Will your usual remedy interact differently with the potion?"
"No way to tell."
Another sigh. "Perhaps letting her empty her stomach isn't a bad idea. Belle-" She looked up sharply, against her own wishes. "If you feel you're going to be sick, do it over the edge-" He looked like he wanted to add a please, but thought better of it before turning to Jesse once more. "When you're sure her stomach is empty, give her the usual remedy."
"Aye." Jesse responded solemnly.
The Captain moved off, barking orders, checking things. It wasn't until they were away from the dock that Belle saw it - the owl sitting on the mast. Her attention fell from the bird to the full sails, and it suddenly occurred to her that owls were known symbols of Athena.
Not that that meant anything. Right?
Before she could think more of it, the bird flew off, and she couldn't move to follow it with her eyes.
She was stuck there - until Roberts stopped in front of her. "Move freely." He ordered. She breathed, slouching a bit, sighing in relief. "Speak freely." He demanded next.
She smiled to herself. "Thank you." Was all she could manage in the moment.
He gave her a curt nod, moving back to his duties.
The fatigue hit her at the same time the nausea did -
Thank you for reading!
