Recap: Everyone is scattered! And it only gets worse.. Wesley and Belle are heading back and making impossibly good time - but Belle's still under the spell. David made it to Snow just in time to help out - out of the 5 fighting factions, 1 left already, 2 aren't willing to give up, 1 is uncertain, and the last.. We'll learn about him in a minute. Roland met with Regina and Robin at base camp, and the former two are heading back to the Charming Castle. Killian is still wooing Emma, who just learned some of his backstory and his greatest regrets.. The Mastermind has a new adaptation to her plan...
A/N: Whoooo. I'm about to write.. A lot. I mean a lot. There's.. So much going on and so much to pull together to finally - finally - put an end to this.. But the end is in sight.. So close. So many mistakes. Speaking of mistakes - I noticed I've spelled Westley as Wesley and I'm not sure I care. I'm just trying to get to The End at this point, damn the nitpicking. (You knew who I was talking about, though, right?) Oh well.
If you're still here reading, I love you. Just thought you should know.
PS- If you read this before I realized the formatting on ffn is garbage... I'm sorry my break in sections disappeared. I fixed it, and it didn't work, so I deleted and reup'd it. Sorry!
~Day 24~
Snow woke with the sun, the first rays of daylight startling her out of her sleep. She looked to her husband, cataloging his even breaths with a small snort of amusement. The years in the castle, sleeping on royal beds within the walls that easily kept out the heat or the cold hadn't once kept the couple from falling back on their history of sleeping in less than desirable places like now, on the the rough ground.
It was almost.. Nostalgic for the Queen, as she lay motionless to keep from waking her husband.
The previous day began to unfold in her mind, beginning with the end. Jefferson.
The thought of the man made her exhale a sigh. He was a bit of a mad man, in his ramshackle tent, with his misfit soldiers - not that Snow held that against them. She was once a misfit, and created her own band of misfits to surround her for guidance and assistance. But something about Jefferson just felt off.
She hadn't seen or heard from her misfits in years - they all had their own lives to live, and she couldn't fault them for living their lives in an era of peace when peace felt so fleeting.
Jefferson, though, was a father who had his fair share of tough times, a good reason to hate The Evil Queen, and he was channeling the recent loss of his daughter into the army he had standing behind him and the war for Midas in front of him. He was doing something with his anger.
Jefferson and his people were, surprisingly, similar to the people of Midas - they wanted to live without a monarchy (not that Snow blamed any of them after hearing some of their stories) and would fight to earn that privilege. They were willing to die trying.
Snow half expected Jefferson hoped for the latter outcome.
But she and David had convinced him (or his friend, Victor, had convinced him) to at least give them a shot, to back out of the brewing war. He wasn't pleased, not bothering to hide his chagrin, but he agreed - at least for now. He wasn't exactly trusting of royalty.
Again. She couldn't really fault him for that.
Snow shook the memories of the night before away, and began to plan her day as more memories unfolded for her in her awakening mind. She knew she'd give one final warning to the two camps who had refused to back down the day before - 'Scar', and Guy of Gisborne. The former hadn't seemed reasonable, so perhaps she'd ask David to visit him while she approached Gisborne one final time.
She sat up carefully, having to move David's arm to sit fully before whistling to the birds. Immediately, two swooped down to offer their assistance. She retrieved the birdseed from her pouch to thank them with. While they were busy snacking, she wrote out two messages. One to Regina, updating the sorceress of the previous day and her expectation to move troops to Midas to halt the oncoming war. (And the possibility of needing some kind of protection magick if Regina was willing.)
..and one to Emma. Snow hated to put this on her daughter, who was still so new to the responsibility of ruling. But Emma had to oversee the troops, get them ready to move just in case.
She sighed, knowing full well all her hope speeches were for naught here. She could easily put Jefferson in the 'maybe' column, but they were still waiting on word from the Emperor about their offer of trade. If he chose to ignore them, and keep in the fight, they'd have three armies to fight. She held no false hope that the other two - Scar and Gisborne - would not stand down.
It had been a long time since any of them had been in battle. Snow did not relish the idea to engage in another. But she would if pressed.
Securing the notes to her volunteers, waving them off with a whisper of their destination, Snow busied herself with checking the sun again. It was high enough, she supposed, to wake David and get some semblance of food in their bellies before trekking off toward the camps in hopes of changing minds.
And history.
-x-x-x-
Emma hadn't slept much.
Or.. at all.
It was a lot to take in.
She knew - knew - Captain Hook was a villain. But in the back of her mind she had thought.. The whole 'true love' thing meant he was a better match for her. She figured he was more.. The idea of a villain than an actual.. Villain.
She was not prepared for the truth. Which was simple really. Captain Hook should not be a match to Princess Emma Swan in any way.
So why was he?
Killian Jones, the leftenant in the Royal Navy, the man she heard about briefly in relation to who he was when he lost his brother - he sounded like a match to Emma. He sounded like the man she had gotten to know.
But he was also this villain who would kill his own father for a chance at revenge - the same revenge he was giving up after how long exactly? And… why exactly was he giving up his revenge? Had he come to the realization that it was impossible to kill The Dark One? Or had he planely made the choice to relent after discovering the man in a cage that he could never escape for all of eternity?
Emma was growing weary of her unresolved questions. She felt there were too many, constantly attacking her, more materializing as each day progressed.
Noticing where her hand was, resting on her flattened stomach, rubbing unconsciously, she tore her hand away and chose, instead, to write her thoughts down, as chaotic as they were.
Sometime in the last half hour of thoughts in her journal, her maid Bridget had arrived to help her get ready for the day.
When had the day began? It wasn't the beginning of dawn anymore, but the day was here, full and bright, and breakfast would be ready before long.. The realization gave her a start, making her realize she had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Was it.. The..
Baby. She needed to get over that word. She'd need to use it - sooner than later. She had a baby in her belly.
And of all the faults to Killian Jones, this was not one of them. She couldn't give him her maidenhood - and he didn't bat an eye. She couldn't even give him her first born. And he was still here.
Not even some of the noblest of princes could say that. Especially some of the noblest princes.
She sighed, trying to push everything - every uncertainty - aside while she planned her day. She was still just a princess, so she worked out a schedule with Bridget to incorporate both her princess lessons and the duties her parents left for her that would need her attention.
If that left no room for Killian Jones and his wooing - well. So be it. She needed the time to process, anyway.
She had no idea a bird was on it's way with a message that would thoroughly ruin any plans she tried to make.
~x~
The sight of the Charming Castle was - for once - a welcome one for Regina. She breathed out easily, eyeing the placement of the sun to calculate their arrival a few hours from now.
She spared a glance behind her, the notion to point out the castle to her step-son, but what she saw made her stop. And hold back a giggle.
Regina Mills did not giggle.
She was tempted to, however, seeing Roland slumped over in his seat, barely hanging on as he slept on the back of the horse.
Shaking her head, she muttered a spell and flicked her hand to keep him secured in his seat until he woke up naturally. The boy - man? - hated magick, but he didn't need to know it kept him alive for the ride back.
Sighing, feeling light, she turned back to face her destination.
She was startled when a bird landed on the horses head, a message in its talons. Regina rolled her eyes.
Snow White, at it again.
The message was surprising. Snow and David made some progress while at Midas, ensuring the retreat of one army and the possibility of two more. But that left them with two more to defeat the old fashioned way. With blood. Snow had asked Regina if she was willing to provide healing and protection to her troops during battle.
This would not be easy.
With a pout of frustration, Regina wrote out a message to Snow, conjuring the parchment and magickally writing what she needed to say.
Just as she was about to secure the note to the bird, a thought occurred to her. This battle was likely some result of whatever villain they were up against. Knowing what she did about the author, and the way stories in her realm worked, it only made sense to think of the events unfolding like a story.
Which meant that this one wasn't finished, and the battle had something to do with previous events. But that left her feeling uncertain, and she hated feeling that way.
Somehow, her thoughts led her down a mental path to Robin, and it occurred to her that he might be willing to help the situation. With her own understanding that this battle may be the beginning of the end of this particular story, his assistance only made sense. They could stand together, something they hadn't done in a while, and he could witness for himself the final 'chapters' so to speak.
On a whim, she conjured another strip of parchment, and magickally wrote a message to Robin for Snow to read and send to the man - since Regina had no idea how the bird-brain managed to talk to these woodland creatures.
Finally, Regina secured the notes before shooing the bird off.
~x~
Taking a deep breath, she eyed the castle again. She had a feeling it would be a long couple of days.
Wesley checked their position once more, shaking his head, before double checking their speeds. If these winds kept up, they'd arrive no later than midday tomorrow. Which was soon, even for him and his ship Revenge. Somehow their trip was cut nearly in half by their good fortune.
Superstitiously, he knocked on the wood of the ship at every turn. For good luck.
More than once he had seen, or one of his crew had reported seeing, an owl around the ship's masts. A curious sight this far into open sea.
He visited Belle as sparingly as he felt proper. She was his charge during this trip, after all, and he only needed to ensure the spell cast from that blasted potion wasn't acting up more than it already had.
He had Jesse visit her more frequently. It was far more proper, after all.
~x~
David was - well. Pissed was, perhaps, too strong a word. Scar hadn't budged at all. So much so, that David wasn't even granted an audience with the man. A King told no by a second born Prince. He tried not to think too hard on that.
Stalking back toward the direction Snow went to visit Gisborne - as gracefully as possible, of course - he had time to let off his steam. The tents were as far from each other as manageable. Though there was one less tent this morning than there had been last night. Thomas - Thank the Gods - had already left, taking his army with him.
It wasn't until David was passing Thomas' old spot when Li Shang caught up with him.
"Majesty."
"General."
They were silent a moment, calmly walking in the direction David was already headed.
"I have news." The General said.
"I had hoped as much." David gave the man a reassuring smile.
Shang nodded. David would take any news at this point.
"The Emperor is pleased to hear an alternative to bloodshed. He has asked me to accompany you back to your home for further negotiations."
"That is good to hear." David let out a relieved breath. Thomas, Jefferson, and now Shang's armies were all backing out thanks to Snow's moxie. "We will not return quite yet, however."
"Still attempting to dissuade the others, sire?"
"Yes, trying. We may ask for you and your men to meet us away from the area before traveling together to our castle."
The General stopped, causing David to too. "You are planning on entering the battlefield?"
"If we have to." David sighed. "We're here for the people of Midas, General. They do not want a King, or an Emperor. And we want to help them get that. If the other Generals refuse to stand down…"
"A noble cause, sire." And David was surprised to see the man truly meant it. "We cannot lend you our aide, if that's what you desire."
"Not at all." David hurriedly assured. "We want to keep as many people out of the battle as possible. We don't expect you to agree to back out just to ask you to fight alongside us."
"David!" The pair looked up, seeing Snow rushing toward them.
"Well?"
"No change."
David could feel his mouth set in a firm line. "At least you were granted an audience."
A bird landed on Snow's shoulder then, making her smile brilliantly before she noticed the note tucked in its talon. She carefully asked the bird for the note, taking it with a thank you, before the bird flew off.
"Interesting trick." The General commented under his breath just loud enough for David's ears.
Snow was absorbed in her note - no, notes. "Regina.." Was the only word of her mutterings he could make out. Her brows were furrowed in concentration. He'd never tire of her expressions.
"We all have our own way to communicate quickly across long distances." David replied.
"This looks important, Majesty. My troops and I will head North to await you."
"Actually." David tore his eyes from his wife to the General. The man was proper in every sense of the word. "If you head South West, you'll find a river that's easily defendable. It's about two kilometers from here."
The General nodded. "You know it well?"
"I do, and I can show you on a map if you're still here in - let's say an hour?"
With a nod in parting, the General stalked off in purpose, and David once again set his gaze on his beautiful wife. The years were kind to them both.
He prodded her gently. "What is is, Snow?"
She looked up, startled out of her thoughts. "Regina promises to do what she can to help us, but says she's fairly new to light magick and won't be as helpful with protection or healing as she would be with damage. She's currently returning to our castle, David, with Roland."
"Roland?"
"That's not the interesting part." Her eyes went back down to the second parchment.
He raised his eyebrows, waiting.
And waiting.
"Snow?"
She startled again, looking up. "Oh! Sorry, Regina sent a second note from her, to Robin, for me to send him, asking if he would lend his arrows to our cause."
"Robin Hood, her husband? He's an archer?"
"Apparently. And he has his own army of sorts."
David looked towards the ever-present clanging of sword against sword, though the noise had diminished greatly since their arrival.
"Where did General Li run off too?"
David couldn't stop his laugh. "His Emperor is willing to work with us." He looked to her again, her hopeful, closemouthed grin beaming at him. "Yes, send the note to Robin. The more men we have, the easier we can end this without unnecessary bloodshed."
Snow gave him a single nod. "That's exactly what I was thinking."
~x~
Belle was feeling sick. Again. Not quite her normal nausea, not as bad as that. Jesse was too good a healer to let her see her own food again.
But it was getting dangerously close to that.
In a huff of emotions, and stubbornness, Belle left her cabin. Something was definitely going on, she noted, as she stumbled along the halls to the violent rocking of the ship, until she made it out on deck. Immediately, she was startled back toward the wall beside the door that slammed shut behind her.
The wind was unforgivable. They were moving. Faster than any ship she had ever been on. Roberts was at the helm above her, in his usual black, his mask secure. What the mask didn't hide, she could clearly see, was the tight frown playing on his face.
Something was wrong.
On shaky legs, she grasped anything she could to hold onto while making her way to him. Of anyone on board, he might actually tell her what the devil was going on.
"Belle…" He hadn't even looked at her. "Please go back to your cabin."
He knew she was still under the spell. He was clearly not happy with having to ask, instead of demanding her back to her quarters.
She snorted instead of listening, grateful to him for the choice despite herself. "Talk to me!" She felt she had to shout in order to even hear herself speak.
"We're traveling far to fast." He replied in a shout of his own.
"Too-"
"Yes."
"Isn't that-"
"No."
She blew air between her lips, grasping the railing tighter, holding herself steady. Clearly, no one on deck was used to such speeds.
"How-"
"No idea."
"Damnit!"
He looked at her then, an odd mixture of mirth and scowl across the bits of his face one could actually see.
That's when she rolled her eyes to the sky, spotting the owl on the mast. It was an odd shade, bluish, hints of red and gold…
"Athena…" It was barely a whisper on the winds. But the words carried up and above, the owl shifting to look right at her. If Belle didn't know better, she'd have thought the bird winked at her. But of course, birds don't..
"When are we due to return?" She shouted, a little thrilled he allowed her to finish a sentence.
"Midnight."
"Mid-"
"Smity!"
"Aye, Captain?"
"Take the helm!"
In what should have only taken moments for the man dubbed Smity to move in order to take over the helm, Belle managed to lose her footing only once. When the deckhand finally secured the wheel from the Captain, Roberts moved toward her, grasping the railing as well.
It was nice to see that he wasn't immune to the conditions.
When he finally did reach her, he took her by the elbow, leading them both back to the door to the steps leading below deck. It was a struggle for them both, feeling more dangerous than it ought to have been on a clear day.
It took entirely too long for him to deposit her back in her cabin, but when he did, she made her way to the bed to plop down, unsure of her steadiness on her own two feet.
Thinking on what made her leave in the first place, which was likely caused by the conditions above, she had no problem imagining why her nausea had returned.
She turned to glare at him, crossing her arms defiantly. He stood at her door, hands on either side of the frame to steady himself, with his own set of fierce eyes penetrating her.
He shook his head before he spoke. "Just a few hours ago, we were due to return tomorrow at noon if not sooner."
"It's only been three-"
"I'm aware."
"Would you stop that?!" She yelled.
He smirked, just for a second, before his gaze turned to stone. "Listen carefully. It is not safe above deck. We've no idea what is going on, and I plan to return you safely to your castle, if for no other reason than to keep my own head. I need you to stay here, for your own protection."
Damn him! Especially for being right. She had no argument. And no desire to test the safety of the deck above.
She tightened the cross of her arms, though, moving her scowl to a notch in the wood instead of responding.
"Belle-"
"It's Athena."
"Beg pardon?"
"Athena, the Goddess. She considers me a daughter. She's perched in the mast."
From the corner of her eye, she could see him blinking.
"A Goddess -"
"Yes.
"The o-?"
"Yes."
"On my-"
"Yes."
He huffed then. "You've made your point."
She barely held back her satisfied grin, waving him off. "Go save your damn ship or something."
Shaking his head, he closed her door, leaving her to her own thoughts and questions.
What could Athena possibly be doing?
~x~
Killian knew she was avoiding him, and he understood why. He had prepared for this possibility. She needed to come to terms with his past. So, aside from the breakfast he had made her - something he had learned in his short time at the Babylon Gardens - and the note he wrote her, he kept his distance.
She seemed busy enough as it was. She likely wouldn't have had time for him even if she wasn't avoiding him. Which, he knew, of course she was avoiding him.
Blasted woman either way.
He also knew Regina was dangerously close to returning to the castle. The woman was less than an hour away by horseback, a visible speck growing closer he could clearly see with his spyglass.. And it appeared Roland was dozing off on his horse behind hers.
That earned a chortle to the empty hall he was currently darkening, pacing endlessly - until he heard her, the blasted woman in question.
It was a little-used hall. He knew, because that was why he was there. He visited this hall often because of the lack of foot traffic. But now, Emma was apparently walking in stride towards him with another in step with her. He didn't have long to contemplate his options.
Wait for her, posing in a devilishly handsome manner? Thrilling, but the outcome would likely leave him wanting.
Run off in the opposite direction? He had to hold back a snort at that. Captain Hook did not run away. From anything.
Looking around, he spotted an alcove down a connecting hall she might take. That hall was much darker than this one, being free from any windows, and as long as he didn't look at her.. He could hide.
And listen in, as he was so artfully skilled in.
Quickly, he moved to the darker hall, running on the tips of his toes to keep quiet, before ducking into a small alcove just wide enough to press himself against.
Even with his training to heighten his sense of hearing, he had to wait several moments before she was easily understood. He took the time to calm his breathing, slow his heart rate.
"... and I've never done anything like this before."
"I understand, highness, but Her Majesty would not have left it in your capable hands if she was uncertain of your capabilities."
"I appreciate that, Reginald, but I will have to lean on your expertise for now."
Reginald, he scanned his memories quickly, accessing the information in a split second. He was the guard who had been stationed in Emma's room while she was under the sleeping spell.
"Anything I can do for you, Highness." The guard paused. "It is only wise, when uncertain, to take advice from those who have more understanding in a matter. Gathering the troops for transport so quickly is a feat any monarch would find daunting. Whatever you need me for, I am at your ready."
They were moving troops?
"Thank you."
"Has your mother sent any other instructions?"
"Just what I told you. To gather them, prepare for battle, and that they will likely move out before the end of the day. She'll send another bird soon, if she can, giving us our final instructions."
Reginald sighed deeply at Emma's words - but Killian didn't dare look. If he eyed Emma, he suspected she'd feel it, just like he could when she eyed him. Blasted soulma-
"I know it's soon. But she was adamant they needed to be prepared…"
And just like that, they were too far off for him to hear again.
And Killian was feeling more and more useless by the second. As a well-traveled Captain, he knew many dangers, survived more than any man dared even glimpse in a nightmare. But now, here, he felt like one man in a sea of heroes. What could he possibly have to contribute?
Was this the life of a Royal? No, surely not. David was out with Snow, doing Gods knew what, preparing for battle, sending for troops…
Troops. Why did they need…
Midas. The puzzle pieces were clicking together.
Savas was dead now, and had no living relatives, which meant another kingless kingdom was left for the taking. But why were David and Snow after it? That didn't sound like them. Not unless there were people to save..
Of course there were people to save, there always were. The people of Midas, likely.
A solution of sorts was beginning to form in his mind. Something he could do to help, even as Captain Hook. Perhaps even be a hero for once. For Emma. For her Family. For the troops they were requesting. For the people of Midas.
And, selfishly, for himself as well. If he could do this.. He could circumvent the entire need for troops in the first place. Wouldn't that be a motive for the Charmings? To prevent more bloodshed?
Nodding to himself at his half-baked plan, he made his way through the castle. He needed a horse.
~x~
Roland woke with a start, unable to comprehend what just happened. Had he just been asleep?
Licking his lips, trying to ocat his dry mouth in saliva, he looked around. The entrance to the Charming Castle was directly in front of him, his horse was still, Regina was dismounting - when had they arrived?
He had definitely been asleep.
Regina took one look at him before her signature grin graced her face. "Welcome back, sunshine."
"How long -" bleh. His mouth was hoarse - and dry.
"A few hours. You must have needed the sleep."
"Regina!"
The sorceress looked up, spotting the same thing he did - the energetic bouncing of blond curls headed straight for them.
"Emma."
"I need help."
"You've heard from your mother, I take it."
"Wait, what?" He all but blurted out, causing both women to look over at him. Regina looked as amused as she ever did, Emma just raised an eyebrow before ignoring him completely, turning back to Regina.
"I've never.. gathered the troops in my life, Regina. And I was hoping for another lesson in magick while you're here."
Regina let loose a heavy sigh. "Take me to the barracks. I've overseen my fair share of armies."
Roland watched as the two began to stride together towards the barracks, fully intending to follow them, but something kept him rooted on the back of his mount. Some.. pull kept him saddled.
It felt oddly similar to the pull that led him back here in the first place.
Sighing, he looked around in a rush, before his eyes landed on the stables and the flurry of activity as a man in all black, also mounted, rushed out the doors at full speed.
Cocking his head, his curiosity taking the better of him, he followed the man without thought of his own actions.
Roland nearly lost him a few times, but realized quickly that they were headed toward the port where The Jolly Roger was anchored.
He arrived in enough time to spot Hook, on foot now, stalking away from the docks. He obviously had enough of a head start to board, do whatever he set out to do, disembark, and proceed down the docks that now, Hook was stepping onto grass - and he kept going.
Roland quickly dismounted, following his feet as he ran toward Hook who stopped in an open field not far from the dock. Hooked looked arround, as if appraising his location while Roland was inching closer. Then he heard the pirate yelling "Heimdall!" into the sky. "I know you can hear me, mate!"
Roland's curiosity was fully piqued, no longer paying attention to what he was doing as he moved even closer, listening as Hook was seemingly speaking to the clouds of late morning.
"Heimdall, I only need collect my crew and be on my way. It was never my intention to leave them stranded!"
Before he knew it, Roland was a meter from the other man, who spun around to pierce him with his gaze.
"Rol-"
Neither man had any time, however, as something shot out at them from the heavens, and his world went black.
~x~
It was nearing the end of morning when Emma received yet another bird - Snow needed the troops to move - now. The urgency plain as day in her words.
The Queen had sent orders. Strict, straight to the point, no room to argue or question her meaning. The trip to Midas, at the very fastest, took a day and a half. And Snow wanted her men as soon as they could manage.
Which meant all Emma's pitiful attempts at preparation were being put to the test, and she saw her efforts were not in vain. Not entirely.
Regina had spelled the horses, and the boots of the men who would walk the distance, keeping them all from fatigue until they arrived, which would speed their time dramatically. They'd make it in a day instead of a day and a half.
But Regina herself decided she could stay the evening, solely to keep Emma company - and train the younger woman in the art of magick, before poofing directly to Snow and David's side. She could spare the time, and Emma was eternally grateful for that.
Despite the fact that she hated these lessons.
Regina was focusing on intent. In any use of magick, intent was the core of it all. Forget the spells, potions, ingredients, magick was limitless in it's own right. And Emma's was different than Regina's, who needed to use spells and potions because her magick wasn't in her blood, as she had explained it, like Emma's was. Regina merely had the talent necessary for it.
Emma was born with natural ability because she was the product of the most powerful magick - True Love. Which gave her an edge above all other magick users. She didn't need to study, make potions, and practice the same as everyone else.
She needed to understand her own magick which was infinitely harder.
Regina explained as best she could, the finer points of magick, how it all worked, how emotions fueled it, how intent was the core of any successful spell. Whatever Emma needed, she could accomplish.
Regina then taught her a few actual spells, one for healing, and one to make an arrow hit its mark, finally leaving Emma with a set of instructions to go about her daily rituals while thinking of things she could magickally adapt - while Regina went to try and find her step-son.
Emma found herself back in her room while she figured out how to use a pen without touching it, read a book from across a room, and locate a missing item - all with her magick.
It felt a little pointless. And she felt a little lost at the lack of direction. With everything at her fingertips, she had no idea which direction to take. Magick was everything - and nothing without direction.
Which was when her traitorous mind returned to the pirate.
Sighing, she let herself collapse into the seat beside her bed, pondering the complications of him. He was a villain. A gentleman. A flirt. He was considerate. They could speak hours of everything and nothing and still enjoy their time together.
Belle's voice rang in her ears. "Tonight I didn't see a villain. I saw a man in love. Emma, you don't need to learn his entire backstory to learn who he is now. That's what's important."
She was right, of course. Killian Jones, since she met him, hadn't done one villainous thing. Her hand flew to the pendant around her neck, remembering his explanation that it would protect her. He had done that. Gone out of his way to protect her.
Only someone who cares would even consider something like that.
Then it hit her - she hadn't heard from him since he had sent her another breakfast tray this morning, with another note. It was another meal she had never encountered before (and absolutely loved). She wondered where he was, what he was doing. Was he keeping his distance because she filled her day -
But she hadn't been able to fill her day with princess lessons and royal duties. She'd been preparing the troops. Something he likely found out because he always seemed to know everything. Surely he just… saw she was busy… and decided to give her space.
She scoffed. Killian Jones did not understand the definition of 'personal space'.
So she used her magick to search the castle for the man, closing her eyes and letting the images fill her mind. Confused at the lack of his presence within the walls, she left her room to find a window facing the docks.
When he wasn't there either, she grew concerned.
Where could he have possibly gone?
~x~
Snow was making her way back to Jefferson's tent from the little shelter within Midas that the villagers had holed up in. They were nervous, but most were pleased to hear her progress so far, and hopeful for a happy ending to the madness.
In turn, she listened to more stories of famine and fear living under Savas' rule. Had she known sooner what they were going through - well, she wasn't sure, but she liked to think she would have thought of something clever to help them.
Perhaps she could have helped Savas.
But those thoughts were not helpful to the current situation. Or any situation. What was done, was done. She had to think of the here and now, not even daring to consider the future past the next day. She had troops on their way. They'd be here before noon the next day if Regina's spells worked as they were meant to.
War was a bloody and uncertain business, a business they were getting themselves into voluntarily. Snow couldn't help it. Helping, protecting people was just who she was. She couldn't think of more deserving peoples than those of Midas.
Sighing to herself, she let her head fall for just a moment as she stepped over a fallen log.
The sight of the grey dog walking alongside her made her pause.
"Oh. Who are you?" Looking around for a possible owner - it hit her that they may have fallen in the midst of battle. Sighing again, she eyed the dog. "I can't take care of you right now." She spoke with an apology in her tone. "War is uncertain. When this is over, perhaps I can help you mind a new master, hmm?"
The dog merely sat down, causing her to stop, while it eyed her curiously.
But Snow was feeling something odd about this beast. Birds, she had a special relationship to, but she could always rely on her senses to tell her if a creature was any danger to her, or if one could be useful if spoken to calmly. Something her daughter inherited from her, apparently.
But this one was odd. Blank. The absence of any sense from this dog sent chills down her spine.
She shook her head to clear it, before gently shooing the dog and making her way - at a quicker pace - back to Jefferson's tent.
The dog reluctantly moved on, but when she looked back, she saw that it was still staring after her.
That didn't mean anything. It couldn't mean anything. She was being silly. She was on the verge of battle, she reasoned. She was bound to feel uneasy.
She walked past the hodgepodge of men surrounding Jefferson's tent, settling herself on a pillow next to David who was in the middle of a discussion with the mad man himself about something only men enjoyed talking about - modern economics, perhaps?
Snow was too lost in thought to listen. She couldn't shake the chill left by the emptiness within that dog.
~x~
Regina couldn't find her son.
Which was only more curious when she met up with Emma at the midday meal, with Grumpy of all people also in attendance, who shared with her that Killian Jones was also missing.
The talk at the table was spotty after that.
Regina immediately went to the kitchen to gather some supplies to do a locator spell, a simple thing, but it didn't work.
Why didn't it work? Even if they were dead, it would work.
Unless they were in an entirely different realm.
Which was deranged. It was far more likely that they were somewhere within some magickal bubble - Hook's ship, perhaps?
Naturally. That had to be it.
With nothing else to do, Regina sat in the bustling kicken, contemplating her next move. Emma wanted more lessons, but the sorceress wasn't in the headspace for that at the moment.
Perhaps it was time to try and take a peek at the mastermind? It would take several hours to brew, and she could show Emma how to do this while she was at it. The Princess likely needed a distraction just as much as she did.
Regina conjured a piece of parchment, making a list of things she needed, before sending a maid to collect Emma, another maid to gather the ingredients in the castle, and a third to gather some of them from the village.
The last needed to be gathered by her, and Emma. If they were lucky, the final ingredients would be in the local wilderness.
~x~
Killian had already gone through it twice, but his men were plastered on local ale and were not listening. Of all the bloody days…
Sighing, he took a minute to calm himself, rubbing his eyes with his fingers.
Roland's arrival with him to Asgard was unforeseen, but Heimdall knew what he was doing. He always knew what he was doing, that blasted man saw everything. Finding his men was as easy as asking Heimdall where they were, but getting the men to move (let alone stand) proved more difficult.
As soon as he had set eyes on them, he knew they needed to sober up.
That was an hour ago.
Now, the last of their ale had been finished, their plates of food (that he had insisted on) were empty, and their waters were nearly depleted as well. And they were still pissed. Buggering arseholes, the lot of them.
He moved to the window to check the placement of the sun, doing quick calculations to determine the time in the Enchanted Forest, realizing it was well past midday and encroaching on the beginning of the evening.
He wondered - only for a second - if anyone there had noticed his absence yet. If anyone had missed him. Anyone at all.
Roland stepped up to him then, giving him a reassuring smile.
"Care to share; what's going on?"
He scoffed. "Worried how your mother will react when she realizes you've left her realm?"
"A bit, I suppose. No. Not really."
He raised an eyebrow at the young man. "That was clear as mudd."
"Why did you come here?"
Killian shrugged. "I had half a plan, and decided now was the opportune time to gather my men to take back to the Enchanted Forest."
"Why were they here in the first place?"
Killian rolled his eyes, landing them on the boys face, studying it intensely. He managed to avoid the boy and his unrelenting inquisitions till now, but the curiosity in his gaze gave him away their entire visit. It was as if the boy had an addiction to knowing - Killian could relate. And, he had to admit, he was grateful for this long of a delay before Roland peppered with questions.
"What's it to you?" Killian finally asked.
Roland shrugged. "Curious, is all. What's your half baked plan?"
Killian turned to the window again. "You ask a lot of questions."
"You answer very few."
Killian scoffed. "Aye, 'tis a pirates way. The only secure secret is the one you keep to yourself."
"It's a secret, then?"
"Only in the sense that I am the only one to know it."
"What if I earn it?"
That got his attention. He turned his head to the boy, brows up. "Whatever could you offer me?"
The lad grinned like he had already won. That made Killian uneasy. "What if I were able to sober your men up? Is that worth sharing your half plan with me?"
He had to admit, Roland had his attention. Perhaps the lad really had won already. "Suppose you could. And you'd be willing to do this for a mere secret?"
"Something tells me it's important." The lad said softly, a knowing glint in his brown eyes.
Killian pondered this a moment. Something about the lad wasn't adding up. Almost like the lad had a secret himself, but what, Killian didn't know.
Killian hated not knowing.
"Seeing as I need my men sober before nightfall, I will take you up on this - just the once."
Roland's eyes lit up before he sped away, disappearing in the back of the tavern. Patiently, Killian waited, leaning against the wall next to the window, crossing his arms, and legs at the ankles, while he let his gaze wander the establishment.
Most of the patrons were his own men, but there were a few locals here and there. A bar wench was fluttering about gracefully between tables, the barkeep behind the bar.
There really wasn't much to see.
Roland returned after several minutes, a large pot in his hand, a tray with mugs balanced on the other.
"Crew of the Jolly!" Roland shouted, garnering the attention of his crew as he began to pour the beverage into the mugs. "Captain's orders - drink this!"
The men glanced to Killian for his nod of approval before taking the beverages. Roland finished handing out the drinks, and returned the pot and tray to the back before calmly walking over to stand next to Killian, overseeing his work, crossing his own arms with an expression deserving of a child getting a much wanted present.
"What are you playing at?" Killian asked, eyeing his crew suspiciously.
Roland just nodded toward the tables. "Just watch, Captain. I've been working in and around taverns since I was old enough to carry a tray."
Killian rolled his eyes, letting his gaze snap back to his men, watching silently as the glassy eyes of his men began to clear. It was becoming painfully obvious that he would need to pay up his end of the deal.
"What in the realms could have possibly been in those mugs?"
"Coffee and charcoal."
"Char- are you bloody mad?"
"It works, mate." Of that, Killian could clearly see. "Your turn."
Killian was careful not to show his annoyance. "Long story short - I need my men to end a war."
Killian kept his eyes on his men, but could practically feel Roland's eyes grow impossibly large.
"You can't leave it at that!"
Killian chanced a glance at the younger man, who was hanging on his every movement. He snorted in amusement.
"There's a war brewing in Midas. We're going in under the cover of darkness."
"And?"
Sometimes he just couldn't help his eyebrows as they shot up on their own. "And whoever needs to be stopped, will not wake up tomorrow."
~x~
Emma hadn't been very happy with the notion to traipse through the forest - again - this time to gather items needed for a spell for Regina's little potion that was now threatening to boil over even as she stirred it with the giant wooden spoon. Where the hell had Regina even found a spoon this big? Or did she 'magick' it into existence?
Her princess disposition was showing, and she hated herself for it.
But the potion work did give her an excuse to avoid other things. Like looking for Killian. Though that was at the back of her mind, she wasn't really worried about the pirate - not at all. Why would she be? She had no reason to be.
Pushing all thoughts of him and his absence from her mind, she focused on the list of instructions Regina had given her before running off to Gods only knew where. At least this gave her a legitimate excuse to circumvent her 'princess lessons' after her Royal Duties had been completed.
She'd never be ready to take over.
Preparing the troops, sending them off, going through the things her parents needed her to do in their absence, all left Emma spiritless and drained of all energy despite the fact it was less than an hour or so before dinner was to be served.
If only she had a sibling to pass the torch to. Emma didn't want this crown, she never did.
"What's the matter?"
Emma nearly jumped out of her skin when Regina's voice echoed in the cold, stone room.
"Gods, Regina!"
The older woman smirked. "It's almost time. And it appears to be ready." She said, looking into the cauldron causing Emma to sigh in relief. Her arms were tired - who knew stirring a giant cauldron would be so exhausting?
"Take the spoon out of the potion." Regina ordered. Her eyes had a hint or request, which was the only reason Emma did as asked, listening to Regina explain the last sprinkle of ingredients before the sorceress uttered the words of the spell in whatever language that was -
The room grew darker as Regina moved the handheld mirror into the vat of liquid, still speaking something as she did. She held the handle of the mirror as the glass of it was held under. Emma began to wonder how long it would take before Regina pulled it out slowly, a grin of victory on her face.
Uttering a final word (or five, Emma couldn't tell), Regina flicked her wrist and an image appeared on the mirror - that of a woman. What this the villain who had done so much? Caused so much… chaos?
Could Emma speak? She had questions. Was it ok to break the silence, or would that turn them both into lily pads? Regina wasn't speaking anymore, the silence chilling Emma down to her bone.
Whoever the strange woman was, she was breathtakingly beautiful. Older than Emma, long brunette locks cascading across her shoulders, pale skin, striking blue eyes, and pouty lips Emma found herself jealous of, knowing her own lips were on the thinner side.
Emma spared a glance at Regina, instantly getting the faint feeling the sorceress recognized her.
"Who is she?"
"Whoever she is, she'd the cause of all this."
"You don't know her?"
"No - I'm sure I've seen her before somewhere. But I can't place her in my mind."
Those were the thoughts swirling in Emma's head as her day continued, ending on the questions surrounding her once again.
~x~
Finally he had his crew sobered up, Roland in tow because he was there, and Killian was in front of Heimdall again - watching without even bothering to conceal his lack of interest as Roland was protesting something and Heimdall was listening patiently.
And agreeing with the younger man, which is what finally caught Killian's attention.
"His involvement would be an immense improvement to your Captain's quest." Heimdall was saying.
What had Killian missed?
He rolled back his memories, focusing on the last several minutes of conversation he hadn't been paying attention to -
Roland had a feeling. Involving some man - he had no idea who, naturally - only knowing the man in question was vital to their success later that night.
Worse than a vague idea of a stranger, was the idea that Heimdall - who saw all - was in agreement with the lad.
Killian wasn't quite certain how to process that, finding his curiosity piqued at the boy - or should he consider him a man, now? He wasn't much older than Emma, he knew, and he'd never considered her a child before.
Roland was proving himself useful, however. First in aiding him in sobering up his crew, now recruiting nameless strangers for their adventures.
"Who is this stranger, Heimdall?"
"A pirate like yourself, Captain. He is nearly ready to dock at the Castle of the Charmings as we speak."
Killian groaned internally. His plan, though half-baked, had been to travel directly to Midas once his crew were collected. He had his reasons. Returning to the castle would be a step back from that. He'd just have to take his chances with his own men. What use was one more man to a crew of two dozen, anyway?
"I know what you are thinking, Captain, and it is unwise."
Killian rolled his eyes. "Perhaps, mate, but I see no other option if I am to arrive in a timely fashion."
"I have a feeling you, and this other Captain, will have no trouble solving that problem if you worked together."
Together. Side by side, on equal footing with another man?
Not bloody likely.
Thank you for reading! That took forever to get out. Sorry. It took 20k words (of a new story) to get me out of writers block in this one - finally getting this 8k words to you. I hope it's good. I only did some light editing which always makes me feel like a jerk. Sorry again about the formatting thing.
