Chapter 6: A Deal For A Year
Hook looked across the deck of his ship toward's The Jolly Roger's bow where Amelia sat with a sad expression and he allowed the helmsman to take over before making his way down the stairs and over to her side where he removed his long leather coat and placed it around her shoulders gently,
"Can't allow the guest of honor to catch a chill now, can I?" Killian teased gently but nodded to himself in understanding when she didn't react,
"... Can I get you anything?" he pressed gently,
"I didn't think you'd appreciate rum so I made sure that the cargo was stocked with other..." he tried,
"Thank you, Killian... For coming to get me when I asked" Amelia told him suddenly with a gentle yet sad tone that prompted the pirate captain to sit beside her,
"You're welcome, Lass... But you know Rumplestiltskin is going to come after you again eventually" Hook reasoned,
"... I know" Amelia murmured sadly,
"But I refuse to go with him" she told him simply but this made Hook sigh with sad frustration,
"... I'm afraid you might not have a choice in the matter, Lass... I mentioned that we had met once before but you can't remember... It was revealed that The Dark One could... control you..." Killian admitted reluctantly but he felt she deserved the truth. He watched as Amelia looked at him confused,
"How?... With magic?" she pressed,
"A kind of magic... The dark kind... He took your heart and so long as he holds it he can make you do whatever he wants" Killian told her causing a humorless smile to appear on Amelia's face and she shook her head,
"... Unbelievable... And I suppose he's the reason why I can't remember the first time we met?" she demanded, watching as the pirate nodded sadly and Amelia wiped away a stubborn tear that had escaped down her cheek before looking back out at the seemingly endless sea that surrounded The Jolly Roger. Hook thought for a long moment before developing an expression that meant an idea had appeared within his mind,
"Call him" Killian instructed suddenly but this only made Amelia look at him as if he were insane,
"Just hear me out. The Dark One can be summoned by someone wanting to make a deal by calling out his name three times... I tried numerous time during the year that I was searching for you but he always ignored me. No surprise there but... If you called him. I have no doubt he will come" Killian told her but saw the reluctance in her eyes,
"Don't worry, Lass... You don't have to speak to him. Allow me to make a deal on your behalf" Killian told her gently before waiting a long moment that ended when Amelia sighed in defeat before nodding her head,
"... Rumplestiltskin... Rumplestiltskin... Rumplestiltsk..." she tried but The Dark One appeared before she could even finish calling out his name a third time,
"Amelia..." he tried, going to move towards her but Hook quickly stepped in front of him,
"Sorry, Mate but she doesn't want to speak with you... She's allowing me to make a deal on her behalf" the pirate told him but Rumple simply glared at him, baring his teeth,
"Not interested" he growled, looking towards Amelia with a more desperate and gentle expression,
"Please Amelia, Just come back home and allow me to try and fix things" Rumple begged but Amelia refused to look at him,
"You can start fixing things by listening to the deal I want to discuss" Hook told him and The Dark One looked at him irritated,
"What is it?" he demanded,
"1 year" Hook said simply,
"You hand over Amelia's heart and give her 1 year of freedom. 1 year to consider everything so she can decide if she wishes to forgive you. You don't talk to her during that single year. You give her the space she deserves" The pirate stated which caused Amelia to look towards him in surprise as Rumple looked uncertain,
"... I can't protect her if I can't go near her" Rumple insisted with an irritated growl,
"She'll be under my protection" Hook responded simply,
"... And as a price. At the years end I shall willingly place myself at your legendary lack of mercy... You can crush my heart, lock me up, torture me. Whatever the bloody hell you deem to be a worthy punishment" Hook vowed but this made Amelia stand quickly,
"No, Killian. I refuse to let you promise such a price" Amelia begged, clinging to his arm gently but he looked at her with a sad smile,
"It's not your choice to make, lass... This is my deal and I gladly make it for you" Hook told her, watching as she slowly shook her head before he looked back at The Dark One,
"So what do you say?" The captain pressed prompting Rumple to wave his hand causing Amelia's glowing white and shimmering heart to appear in his hand and he reluctantly placed it in Killian's palm,
"Deal" he mumbled before vanishing from sight.
Amelia looked at Killian horrified,
"I won't let you give up your life for me" she insisted firmly as he turned towards her, holding her heart carefully,
"Sorry, Lass but you're worth it" he told her with a humor filled tone,
"How on earth could you know that?! You hardly know me!" Amelia yelled in frustration but he just smiled at her charmingly,
"... Well I have a year to do so" he reasoned before lifting her heart to his lips and he pressed a gentle kiss to its shimmering white surface before gently shoving it back inside her chest where it belonged. Amelia winced slightly but placed her hand over Killian's and he smiled down at her gently,
"So... The only question now is where do you want to visit on your first day of freedom?" he asked her but was stunned when she simply hugged him tightly and he slowly returned her gesture,
"... You choose" she murmured softly, closing her eyes as she held onto him as if he were a life preserver.
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QueenOfDisney96
