The sword came from her left and all she could do was quickly block it. The impact pushed her back against one of the walls. She quickly deflected another blow. The sword was coming straight for her face. She rolled away from it. His sword got stuck in the wood. Damn.
"What did I tell you about dodging, Lacey!" Jonathan said as he angrily looked at his blade, which was still wobbling. "I'm sorry. Let's try again." Belle said as she took Jonathan's hand and lifted herself to her feet. "No. I've had enough for today." The boy said as he pulled the sword from the wall.
"Please?" She pleaded. "Or are you afraid to lose?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest. "Again." She added. She knew she had struck a nerve. His thin shoulders straightened in response. He flipped his sword over in his hand. With a sigh he charged once more.
It had been ten days since they had left Portea. The combination of the endless blue around them, their unknown destination and the easy routine they had fallen into, made Belle lose track of time. Everyday she woke before sunrise and Smee came into the kitchen to help her prepare breakfast. The rest of her time was filled with stray chores and practicing swordfighting with Jonathan.
Belle hated to admit it, but she had grown fond of Smee and Jonathan. Their kindness had not faltered a single time since had arrived on the Jolly Roger. But she wouldn't let them know that. For all she knew trusting someone was the worst thing she could do at that point. The Captain knew her true identity, she was sure of it.
She didn't know where they were sailing to, but the temperature and the transparency of the water assured her that they were sailing away from Avonlea. As long as they were not going back there everything was fine. Even if Hook was to hand her over to the authorities wherever they were going, she still had a chance to escape.
Her plan was silly, but it would work if needed. Belle had based it on a book she had read when she was younger. When she was untangling the nets at the back of the ship she had let a single piece of rope dangling from the side. She hid it under a bunch of old and useless nets.
Her life would be literally hanging by a single thread, but it was better than nothing. If she noticed that anything was to go awry she would lower herself onto the nearest surface, that being land or water.
The crew had not changed their demeanour. The lewd remarks had not yet died down, but they had become something somewhat more casual. She had had a couple of conversations with Rat and Kale, who were surprisingly kind despite their appearance.
Belle wasn't quite sure whether Rat was Rat's actual name, but it suited him. He kept guard every night, but never seemed tired. He was short, almost her length and had hooded, black eyes.
Kale was the complete opposite. Kale was a large man with dark skin and rippling, strong muscles. He had a loud laugh and was not menacing to her despite his size. They were one of the few that called her Lacey and did not refer to her with one of her body parts.
Reluctantly she had let smiles grace her face once more. The hurt in her cheeks each time she lifted the corners of her lips had started to fade. Maybe there is also a place for kindness inside Lacey.
Lacey. Belle was surprised at how quickly she had grown accustomed to letting her head snap up every time someone said her new name.
Hook hadn't appeared above deck since they had last spoken. But then again she hardly left the kitchen.
Their destination was still unknown to both her and the rest of the crew. She tried prying information out of Smee, but for once he was just as in the dark as her.
"Try using your wrist more." Jonathan said as he showed her how he did it. "It will lessen the impact on your elbow." Belle nodded as she readjusted her stance. Jonathan was, despite his age and love for mischief, a great teacher. Something in the way he guided her made everything sink in faster than she had expected. After twenty days of practise she could almost win from the boy. Emphasis on almost. Jonathan was a very skilled fighter. His gangly limbs and awkward pose seemed to fall into place, to find purpose.
They were practicing in the hallway when they heard heavy footsteps coming down the stairs. Usually nobody went below deck during the day except for Smee, but the steps were too fast to be his. Clark rounded the corner. Amusement danced in his eyes as he saw them with their swords. "What have we got here?" Jonathan protectively stepped in front of her.
Belle pushed the boy aside. She didn't need his protection. "What do you want, Clark?" He came closer. She did not like the smile on his face at all. Since their altercation on her first day they had not spoken again. "I was minding my own business wh…" "I suggest you keep doing that then." Belle intersected. He clenched his jaw."How about you stop being a bitch. Did no one ever tell you your mouth isn't for speaking, angelface. Don't make me teach you a lesson."
"Try me." Belle replied through gritted teeth. Her hand felt clammy around the hilt of her sword. Would she really take a swing at this human mountain? Before she could act she was lifted of the ground. Clark lifted her over his shoulder and started going up the stairs. "Let go of me!" Belle hollered as she kicked him in the gut, making him stumble backwards down the staircase after he had dropped her. She ran onto the deck.
Shit,shit,shit! Clark came bounding up the stairs, a murderous look on his face. Jonathan came after him and hit him with the hilt of his sword. This earned him a firm blow of Clark's elbow. The entire crew had once again gathered to watch the scene unfolding in front of them. Rat had made his way over to Jonathan and was helping him on his feet. There was a thin stream of blood coming from his nose.
"What the fuck is your problem!" Belle yelled. She could feel the blood rushing through her ears, her face red with anger. "You for one, sweetheart." Clark said. The sword was shaking in her hand. She was seriously considering cutting off one of his limbs. The pirates did not seem to know which side to pick. Hook, Smee and Kale were all missing from the deck. I don't need them to make it out of this mess.
"Then why don't we solve it then?" She taunted, letting her blade slide from her hand. She wanted his blood on her fists. It was stupid, reckless, but his pain would be worth it. "Let's." He said. He charged for her head first. She was able to land a well rounded kick on the side of his face, but that didn't keep him from lifting her up and throwing her into the crystal clear ocean.
She didn't scream as she fell. Belle felt strangely disoriented, but realised just on time what was happening, she held her breath before crashing into the water. She swam for the surface as soon as she went under. She shook her head as she resurfaced, spraying drops of water in a circle around her.
Belle looked up at the ship. She saw the mortified faces of the crewmembers. I will kill him. She felt the water ripple when someone lowered the anchor.
"What is it, sweetheart? Pussy doesn't like water?" Her brain was going four hundred miles an hour. She was weighing of her options when she saw familiar blue eyes among the crowd. Hook watched with a smirk on his face. Rat was about to throw a rope down into the water when his Captain halted him. "Don't." Hook said simply. Looking straight into her eyes. It sent her into auto-pilot.
She swam as fast as she could to the back of the ship, water splashing around her. The salty water in her eyes and mouth did not bother her. She would end him. Her escape rope was dangling two feet above her. She couldn't reach it from the water. She had never thought she would have to use it to get on the ship.
Her body seemed to know exactly what to do. Belle had had enough of humiliation. Enough of men deciding when it was allright to mock her. She reached for her dagger and was relieved to find it still secured at her side. She powered herself up with her legs, pulled her arm back and forcefully slammed her dagger as far into the wood as she could. She hoped the knife wasn't long enough to create a leak in the ship. I hope there aren't any sharks in these waters.
She undid her belt. She had to try several times to get it hooked on her blade. She gave it a few tugs. When she saw it would hold, she started hoisting herself up. She could tell the belt was close to snapping: she had to be faster. Once her hands were the closest to the blade she could manage. She reached up. The rope was within reach.
Grabbing onto it, Belle started climbing the side of the ship. She could hear shouts coming from the ship, but she wouldn't look up at them. The skin of her hands cracked open and left
dark-red bloodstains on the rope. All worries of sharks had disappeared. Right now she couldn't care less. She could feel her shoulders and sides creak and protest as she went up.
The crew parted to let her roll herself onto the deck. Everyone was silent. She stood, keeping her aching back as straight as she could. She could feel her warm blood trickling down her hands and could hear it dripping along with the seawater falling in beads from her hair and clothes.
She saw Clark. The mockery had dissipated from his face. He stood straight in front of her. Unmoving. She wouldn't have it any other way. She walked up to him and before he could back away she landed a well deserved punch on his nose. The pirates winced at the sound of Clarks nose cracking. He was held back as she walked away, going below deck to her storage room. Leaving gaping pirates in her wake.
She did not hear one of them following her down the stairs.
Hook knew she would find a way back onto the ship, but he hadn't quite expected it to be that dramatic. Seeing her, looking like an enraged nymph with her blood running down her clenched fists and hair sticking to her face had shifted something inside him. He would not admit it he felt shame in his actions, but that didn't change the fact that he did. He should have let Rat help her.
He followed her into the kitchen. He hadn't been down there in ages. The door to the storage room was wide open. He waited for a minute, long enough for her to cry her tears and whatnot. He had planned out what he would do: he would casually lean against the doorframe, invade her privacy, make her uncomfortable and the leave with a smirk on his handsome face. He didn't get passed the door.
Her hands were bandaged. Lacey was pulling a dry shift over head. He couldn't help but gasp with horror as he saw her exposed back. There were angry, red lines going from her shoulders going down under the waistband of her dry pants. Whipping scars.
She jumped around startled, her eyes wide, but vacant of tears. Before he could process what he was saying, an apology left his mouth. An apology that was drowned out by a crash that shook the ship. He steadied himself against the doorframe as she held onto one of the stacked crates. "What the hell was that?" She asked, wide-eyed. In reply he turned his back and started running for the deck. She quickly followed, buttoning her blouse as she ran.
"What in the wor-?" The Captain started, when he saw his entire crew staring at the white ship. It was as twice the Jolly Roger' length, towering over them, blocking the sun.
What is he doing here? "Is that a submarine?" He heard Lacey asking. "Not just a submarine…" He replied with a smirk on his face as they watch white steam come from the latch on top of the vessel. It opened with a clang. "My, my!" a voice spoke from within the steam.
"Lower the plank." A voice commanded commanded. Belle looked up at the machine,astounded. She had only ever read about them, never thinking she would ever get to see one. "Who is that?" She asked. "No one." Hook replied with a smile on his face.
A white-wooden board was lowered onto the pirate ship. At least they don't have to swim to get on board. Belle thought bitterly. She noticed nor Clark nor Kale were anywhere to be seen.
A man clad in ostentatious blue robes came down the ramp. "Hook! Nice seeing you, my friend!" He said as he reached the deck. "Pleasure encountering you again, Nemo. But I would much rather not have you bumping into my ship." Hook said annoyance hardly audible through his smile. The Captains shook hands. "I am sorry for the inconvenience." Nemo? The Nemo?
Nemo had olive skin that was hidden beneath his well kept beard. The wrinkles at the side of his chocolaty brown eyes showed he was one for laughter. He looked past Hook and focused onto her. She did not lower her eyes. He smiled warmly as he raised his eyebrows.
"Come with me, Captain." He said as he made an inviting gesture. "We have a great deal to discuss." Hook followed him back up the board. They looked like great friends. Smee took it upon himself to usher them all back to work.
Jonathan appeared at her side."Are you alright?" He asked. His nose was bruised. "Just fine. I got to punch Clark in the face and have just seen a submarine. Life is good" She gave him a warm, honest smile. She let him guide her back beneath the deck. She looked back up at the submarine. She wished to go inside one day.
Nemo poured them both a glass of amberish liquor. "How have you been doing, my friend?" He handed the pirate the glass. "Same as always." Hook said from his chair. Nemo had quite the sense for luxury. If it wasn't for the perpetual red glow, you wouldn't be able to tell you were inside a submarine.
Nemo frowned as he took place in front of Hook. "I'm sorry to hear." Nemo had quite the distaste for Hook's quest for revenge. A silence blanketed them briefly. "Where are you headed, Nemo?" The liquor tasted bittersweet and left a slight tingle at the back of his throat. He prefered rum.
"I was going to ask you the same thing. The last time I saw you you had just returned from Neverland!" The jewels on Nemo's jacket twinkled as he moved. "We are headed to the Land Without Color. Some odd doctor has requested some special ingrediënts… the magical kind. You?"
"I'm still deciding upon our destination." Nemo leaned forward, a lifely glint in his eye. "What are the options." Hook chuckled. "Fiji or anywhere else with a nice white beach. I have a feeling my crew needs a few days off." Nemo laughed along, beard shaking. "Don't we all." They both downed the content of their glasses.
"About your crew… who is your lovely new companion?" Nemo asked. He always looked young. Wrinkles had marred his face and grey strands were to be seen in his beard and jet black hair, but he still he seemed youthful and full of life.
"Lacey?" Hook asked amused. "She works in the kitchen and causes me more trouble than I like going through" he shrugged. "Nothing more than that?" Nemo might have seemed like a serious respectful captain. In reality he was the biggest gossip Hook had ever encountered. But then again if you spend months living underwater in isolation a bit of idle gossip doesn't hurt anyone. "Nothing more than that." Hook confirmed.
"Pity. She is quite the looker." Hook smiled. It felt nice to talk to someone he didn't see on a daily basis and wasn't Clay. "How about Elisa? Still trying to melt her heart?" Nemo's face said it all. "Don't get involved with the magical ones, I say." Hook added lifting his brows.
"This Lacey girl looks pretty magical to me." Hook frowned. "There is nothing magical about a pretty face." Nemo leaned forward to pour more liquor into their glasses. "I'll get back to you on that one. I have acquired a new talent, you see." He said as he sat back satisfied. "I can smell magic from miles away and that girl," He took another sip from his drink. "Has tons of it."
Nemo had always been an odd person, but his words still remained hanging in the air. Hook decided to steer the conversation into another direction."So what do you think that I should do, old man?" Hook asked from behind his glass. "Should I go on a vacation or do I take one more leap?"
Nemo chuckled. "If one of use here is old it is you, my friend. As for your choice… do what feels right. Ask yourself what will be more satisfying: being rested and miss your opportunity at peace or getting what you want and then have the rest of your days to slumber." He raised his glass. "Think about it."
Hook returned to the Jolly Roger a couple of hours afterwards. His cheeks tinted pink and a smile was plastered on his face. "Remember what I told you, Hook!" Nemo said with a wink. "I shall keep it in mind!" Hook waved Nemo off with his hook. Nemo's men retracted the board.
Hook was grinning from ear to ear as he watched The Nautilus disappeared beneath the surface of the now dark waters. "What happened, Captain?" Smee asked. Hook's smile did not falter. "Only good things, Smee!" He said cheerily as he walked up the stairs to the steering wheel. "Men!" He called.
Jonathan left Belle's side to get the men who had gone below deck. "Hurry! The Captain is about to say something!" The men came rushing up the stairs. For the first time in hours Clark and Kale resurfaced. Kale held Clark by the upper arm as the latter eyed Belle angrily. She couldn't care less. She couldn't stop smiling at the sight of his plastered nose. A small wink was all it took to make him leap for her, only to be pulled back into place by Kale.
"Men!" Hook repeated. Is he drunk? "After a few days of deliberation I have decided upon our course!" His excitement was contagious, the men started talking amongst themselves. "From tomorrow on, we will be setting sail for Syracuse!" The men hollered. "We are breaking in and stealing the world's most valuable treasure!" Belle could swear Smee's eyes were about to fall out of their sockets with surprise."The Book Of Peace!" He can't possibly be serious…
"Kale, Smee, Johnson, Jed, Lacey. My quarters. Now!"
Jed closed the door behind her. Smee was lighting several candles. He still looked bewildered. Kale, Johnson and Jed were giant, muscled men, Smee was Hook's advisor. But she? What was she doing here. Belle felt out of place. Her head was spinning. Going to Syracuse was a bad idea. A very, very bad idea. Hook leaned against his desk looking to pleased for Belle's liking. She retreated into a far corner of the room and crossed her arms across her chest. Today had been to tiring to analyse the situation with any form of positivity.
The men in the room seemed to know exactly what they were supposed to think and say. Belle on the other hand felt beyond uncomfortable. They were leaning over maps displayed on the table discussing their 'grand plan' to break into the castle and steal the most important magical object in existence.
Hook suddenly tensed and looked over his shoulder, to her. "Lacey, do please tell me whatever you are thinking. I have a feeling you have a lot to say." Would it be wise to answer? "Or is your big mouth only reserved for Clark?"
She clenched her fists. "I think you are being a blithering idiot." She said. Kale stepped forward slightly as if to keep his Captain from jumping her. "Syracuse is the most heavily guarded city in all of the realms and you mean to rob it?" She felt heat rushing up to her cheeks as she felt herself becoming braver. "Not of some silly little trinket, but of the most powerful, magical object known to mankind! The Book Of Peace is locked away from everyone for a reason. Flip the wrong page and you will cause the world to end!" Hook seemed annoyingly unfazed by her words.
"This is a suicide mission." She said, tryings to calm herself. "How the hell are we going to get passed the guards to begin with! Not to mention the magical wards that have been up for centuries!" Hook chuckled. "Getting through the guards will be easy." He said nonchalantly.
"Pray tell how you are going to do that." Belle said, rolling her big, blue eyes. "We are going to use a distraction of course." the men looked at each other nervously. "And what is this distraction going to be?" The look on his face made her regret the question. "Well you ofcourse."
As The Captain forged his plan Tartarus stirred. At the edge of the world constellations of dark stars swirled as their mistress awakened them. "Rise and shine, my beauties." The woman cooed. "Time for some fun." The constellations swarmed to shapes. Eris laughed with glee as she trained her eyes on the ship sailing for Syracuse.
Why this is awkward…
I had had the idea of using Nemo for ages. As a matter of fact I had just written the entire scene with Nemo when I saw the last episode. As you can probably tell, this Nemo was slightly different. It was based on The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Sorry for any possible confusion :)
As always: A big thank you for reading, reviewing, following and favoriting!