Blueeyeddevil06 thank you for being my beta and being willing to venture into a new fandom with me. (She went back and caught up on Once Upon A Time so that she could properly help me in this story.) You're awesome and hugely supportive. I wouldn't be still writing without you. Really.
I'm taking a chance and venturing into the OUAT fandom. I've loved these stories for years and now I'm excited to be writing one. The idea for this first chapter wouldn't leave me alone and then I figured out where to take it. I really hope you enjoy this story.
I will still be writing for the Sailor Moon fandom too.
Please review. It not only makes my day, but it also helps me to become a better writer. I do take them all into advisement, good and bad. Oftentimes I even use suggestions in my stories, when they fit the plot.
Captain Hook was in a tight spot, but not for the first time in his life. He was trying to figure out how every damn cannon on his ship had failed to fire when the Navy vessels approached. They had him surrounded, and at least ten men had guns aimed at his head before he surrendered.
He was standing in the throne room chained and was forced to his knees. It was announced that he was waiting for the King and Queen of Misthaven to come in and speak with him. He smirked at the floor. He would hear what they had to say and then be out of the dungeons before sun up. He was good at escaping, he was a survivor.
His smirk fell when the Queen's stepmother entered the room. Regina had powerful magic and would throw a wrench in his plan. He was counting on her being gone when he entered Misthaven waters. She and her husband, Robin, usually went away every year for their anniversary. That explained to him why all of his cannons failed to fire. There was magic involved. Bugger.
Regina rolled her eyes, waived her hand, and all of the shackles disappeared. "Snow wanted him unharmed and unbound!"
He heard one of his jailers speak. "Sorry, Your Grace. We thought it would be safer for them if he was bound."
"That's why I'm here." Was her reply. "He can hardly be a risk to the royals now."
He stood and tried to put a cocky expression on. It was all bluster, but it was his only defense. He then mock bowed to Regina. "And, to what do I owe the pleasure of delaying your anniversary trip?"
She scowled at him. "Trust me. I'd rather not be here under these circumstances. Not everything revolves around you. I'm here to support my step-daughter."
A large wolf with a red cape on strode in, and he noticed that many bowed to it. He was perplexed. That was until it transformed into a woman. She had on nothing but the cape wrapped around her as she now stood in the throne room. Regina scoffed and flicked her wrist. The woman was more fully clothed. "You had to make an entrance, didn't you, Red?"
Red gave a large smile. "It doesn't hurt him to know that he can't escape."
Regina sighed. "Has everyone forgotten why we went to all of that trouble to get him here?!"
A woman dressed in green with green wings smiled at him. "I remember why he's here." She looked at him with obvious curiosity. "At least he's cute."
Shit. Now he could add a wolf and a fairy to the list of people he would be up against to escape. Buggering Hell. He wondered if he was going to get out of this with his head still attached to his body. It was the first time he actually feared for his life.
There was a commotion as Queen Snow and King David walked in, and everyone turned to look at them and bowed. Regina stood next to them in an obvious show of support.
Killian smirked and spoke up. "To what do I owe the pleasure of a royal audience?"
The King scowled at him and looked at the green fairy. "Tink, you're sure about this?"
She looked put out. "Unfortunately, I'm sure." She sighed.
Queen Snow looked at one of her advisors and said, "Read the charges, Grumpy."
Grumpy bowed, pulled out a roll of parchment, and unrolled it. "The charges for Captain Hook are as follows. Ten acts of piracy, two acts of inciting riots, twelve charges of theft against civilians, and three acts of theft against ships of the Misthaven Navy."
Killian laughed. "And, that's just this kingdom, one I don't even have a grudge against."
Queen Snow beamed. "You don't have a grudge against us? I'm so relieved!"
He couldn't hide his shock. "I don't." He decided to be truthful. "If you noticed, the attacks on your Navy stopped a while ago. I don't go after your ships as much. You're fair rulers."
He watched the queen then grab King David's hand and wipe away a tear. "I'm glad you think so." She then straightened her back and grew serious. "You are hereby fully pardoned by the Kingdom of Misthaven."
He really couldn't hide his shock over that one. "What!? Why go to the trouble of capturing me in the first place then?"
King David huffed at Queen Snow and said, "Apparently, we're pardoning you before asking for your help."
Killian looked her in the eyes and asked, "What is it you need of me, Your Highness?" He tried to convey sincerity. "You've pardoned me, and I have safe waters to harbor my ship. I'm curious what's worth so much to you to pardon me without my promise to not attack again."
"Our daughter, Princess Emma." King David said. Killian noticed sadness running through the room. He then said, "She's been taken." He didn't continue. Killian suspected he was overcome with sorrow.
Regina spoke. "The reason you're pardoned is so we could ask you to rescue Emma. The Dark One has her."
Killian narrowed his eyes. "And, what does the Dark One want with a Princess?"
Regina's lip curled. "A daughter-in-law. His son, Baelfire, has fallen for her. Apparently, he didn't take no for an answer."
"He intends to force Princess Emma to be his son's wife?!" Regina nodded. He continued, "I take it you don't think she will acquiesce to that request."
King David balled his hands into fists. "No, we think he will have to force himself on her. And, we think he will do just that. She's my daughter, and I can't protect her. Every bit of magic we consulted and used, points to it needing to be you to rescue her. I will give you anything to bring my daughter back to me. Consider the powerful allies you will get if you do. Not only Snow and me, but all of us."
Killian nodded. "It just so happens that the Dark One is someone I do have a grudge against. He's the one responsible for my moniker. He took my hand."
Regina scoffed. "You stole his wife."
"She ran away from him, and I was helping her escape. I wasn't dumb enough to bed the Dark One's wife. I can get a wench in my bed easily enough to not need to risk my neck unnecessarily."
King David looked angrily at Tink. "This is the man?!"
She nodded. "Sadly, yes."
Queen Snow spoke up. "It is what it is. Captain Hook. Please, save our daughter. We beg you. She got down off her throne and bowed to him. "She's worth everything to us."
King David followed suit and bowed to Killian too. Soon, everyone was bowing. Even Regina. He was floored. He spoke up. "It looks to me like I have a princess to rescue."
Queen Snow wept with joy. "Thank you, Captain Hook!"
"Killian Jones, Your Highness."
"What?"
"My name. It's Killian Jones."
She smiled at him. "Well, Captain Jones, we're honored that you agreed to help us. Word will be sent out that you have agreed to rescue her. The bill for anything you need to prepare your ship will be sent to me. Let's meet tomorrow to go over the particulars. We'll need you to keep her on your ship and from the kingdom a bit. Otherwise, he can just take her again."
He smiled at her and gave her a cocky smile. "And, what is the reward for risking my neck and my ship to save the princess? And keep her aboard?"
King David said, "You return our treasure, and we'll give you treasure in return."
Killian nodded. "I'll take you at your word." He didn't wait to be dismissed. He was testing them. He met zero resistance as he strode out the door of the throne room. He made his way out of the castle. They passed his test.
He was in the main hall, and he heard a commotion. "Did you say yes?" A crowd of servants had gathered and were looking at him expectantly. It was obvious that one had gotten the courage to speak to the notorious Captain Hook.
He nodded. "I have."
A maid started crying and was hugged by the woman next to her. The man said, "Thank you so much. Please bring her back safely. She's… we want her back."
Killian lifted his hook and smiled at them all. "I'm Captain Hook. I always get my treasure." He then swept out of the castle.
He was confused. What royal would get that much support and concern from that many different people? He was curious to meet her. Something about her made a whole castle okay with Captain Hook walking out the front door on a mission for them. It was a weird day. One where he, thankfully, kept his head attached to his neck.