Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or any recognizable characters
AN: Next chapter will be M-rated
The roar of cannons was what disturbed Regina from her peaceful sleep. She roused herself from dream she was desperately clinging to, her ears drumming from the sudden onslaught of shouts and screams she heard around her. Her dazed mind was pulling itself out from the dream that had taken her to Daniel and his warm blue eyes, clear as the distant sky meeting tenderly with hers as he fed her steed with water while she brushed its flanks. How he'd shyly proposed, placing a clear gold ring on her trembling hands before she threw herself into his arms, kissing with such fervour when the joy of a thousand lifetimes filled her heart. How she'd been hurt over his sudden departure when distant family, six towns away demanded his presence, robbing her of her wedding night. Then the sweet dream flitted into a nightmare, to the morning she received a letter filled with the cold and brash news of Daniel's death – how he was murdered by robbers on his journey home.
A thunderous blast echoed the small cabin, forcing Regina out of her cot and trying to plant her feet firmly on the floor. She heard men shouting from above, orders being howled over the whistles of firing cannon balls before they made impact with The Guardian. The cracking of timber and a loud crash filled the air. She knew one of the ship's masts had fallen.
Fear overwhelmed her senses, shocking her mind back to reality as she desperately searched for her cloak. She about to make her way up to the deck when the doors blasted open.
"M'LADY!" Abele, her plump, grey-haired nursemaid charged in, her wrinkled old eyes filled with terror before she kicked the door shut behind her.
"Abey, what's happening?" Despite herself, Regina couldn't keep the fear from her voice.
Abele ignored her, her ancient, blue-veined hands trembling as she pulled Regina's cape over her bare shoulders and the nightgown she was still dressed in, wrapping her it like a blanket around a new born child.
Four times, Regina's seen her Abey this petrified. The first was when Regina had approached a snake in the garden, thinking how pretty it was when it made a wonderfully curved 'S' in the garden. Her small hands reached out to it before she was suddenly pulled back into Abey's strong arms. The second was when kicked at her horse's sides, shooting into a full-speed gallop with Abey screaming behind her to slow down before the devil chased for her life. The third time was when she noticed the look in Regina's innocent eyes when she spoke of how handsome Daniel was and how she'd marry him when she was older. Even then, she knew of how mistress Cora would never allow this marriage to happen. The fourth was when she found Regina, staring out into the mountains surrounding her home as she stood on the edge of her balcony, her eyes glazed with an emptiness too much and too raw for the new and suddenly widowed wife to have.
This marked the fifth time.
"Abey?" Regina whispered tentatively.
Finally, she looked up from the ribbons of her cloak.
"Pirates," she quivered.
Regina felt the blood in her body drop to her ankles. She felt sick inside. Abey's distant voice told her not to worry but how could she not? She'd heard vivid stories about pirates from other girls back home. They were horrible, horrible men. Rogues of the sea, the Devil's workers who plundered, murdered and raped.
Unconsciously, her hand clung to the open gape of her cloak, pulling it over her more securely.
This can't be happening, she thought. Fear immediately replaced by anger. Hadn't God taken enough from her? Her life? Her childhood? Her husband? Her marriage? She was already being condemned by her own parents to a loveless marriage de convenance. Now she had to deal with bloody pirates?
A low growl escaped her throat. Abey was hurrying around the room, looking for things to take with them on their escape. But, Regina knew better. Even with her knowledge of navigation and star reading, they were too far from the closest shores to be able to paddle their way. And even then, there was a matter of food and water. The pirates would have overrun them by the time they managed to gather and prepare for all they needed.
Regina's dark lips pursed into a hard line, her brows furrowing in contemplation. Her dowry, she realized. The sizable offering embezzled from the pockets of her father's citizens through a form of taxes. That should be enough at least to barter for her life.
"We must get ready child," Abey was stuttering, "we have to-"
A sudden jarring of the vessel told them that another ship had come up against their own. Shouting could be heard, and gunfire, and the sickening sounds of screams – men screaming as they met their deaths.
Abey had sunk to her knees to pray. Regina refused to join. If God wanted to take more from her, she'd be damned if she then chose to pray to Him for help.
It wasn't too long before another presence graced her small cabin. A short, bald man with yellowing teeth and a stench strong enough even to pervade over the air filled with burnt gunpowder, held a pistol to her face.
Abey's praying intensified.
Regina on her part, reclaimed the aristocracy in her and stood up taller, with her chin in the air.
The man smirked at her obvious display before he roared out into the hall. "CAP'N! THE WENCH IS DOWN HERE!"
"WELL, BRING HER UP THEN!" Another voice bellowed from above.
Regina wasn't sure why she was suddenly so furious at being referred to as if she weren't there. Not when there were far dire matters going on.
The pistol cocked and the man waved the gun to her. "You heard 'im lass, move it!"
With Abey at her side, Regina moved to the deck.
A black fog greeted her first, making her immediately squint. Her long, dark mane flew gently against the wind, setting an odd irony against the turmoil on the vessel. She came upon a crowd that was obviously not the crew of her own ship. The men were a rowdy, unkempt bunch. Some wore no shirts, others wore only short vests to cover their bare chests, and most were bare-footed. Many wore golden rings to their ears, and all were heavily bearded.
They were all staring at her like she was a piece of meat.
Swallowing the dryness in her throat, she shouted out, "I DEMAND TO SEE YOUR CAPTAIN!"
Everyone looked at her like she grew a third head. Finally, a light snicker erupted from the men.
"Do you now?" A voice, traced with a bit of humour, came from behind. Regina turned to see a man step down from the quarterdeck. He stood in command, dressed in a dark coat with large collars and a scarlet vest underneath sewn with silver buttons, black trousers and murky boots that went up to his knees. Despite herself, she had to admit he was roguishly handsome.
"And what might you want to say to the captain?" He teased, the way you would a child.
Regina bit back her pride, "I have no knowledge of what you seek on this vessel but if it's loot you want there is a large chest of cold and silver below deck. Take it and leave us with our lives."
The captain cocked his dark eyebrow and breathed a soft laugh. "I see," he began to circle her, "suppose I were to do this, what else might you have to offer me that might… entice me to consider this deal."
Regina may not have actually been bedded by a man but she wasn't naive enough to misinterpret what a man wants when they look at you the way he was looking at her now. Still, she refused to give him the satisfaction of her squirming. "Return me to my home safely and I will ensure that my father will give you more than enough to pay for your troubles."
The tall man crossed his elbows and began scratching his hand with – a hook – Regina realized and immediately knew who he was. Demon of the sea, some called him. Notorious for targeting only ships laced with the crowns' authority and sometimes, those of merchants. So what business did he have attacking hers?
"Now that does sound fairly appealing," he drawled. Suddenly he was inches away from her ear, sending a cold shiver down her back as his breath touched her hair. "But perhaps, you can still sweeten the deal, my love."
Regina's hand flew up to him, ready to wipe that smirk off his face when she felt something grab at her wrist. Captain Hook had jumped away, his hand and hook up in the air in disguised amusement when she turned to who held her.
Regina felt the wind knocked out of her lungs. Sea-green eyes stared at her with the stern disapproval, glaring beneath the perfectly curved brows that narrowed at her. Thin, flushed lips formed an angry curl barely noticeable unless you were this close to her face. Her golden-tanned skin gleamed underneath the sun, her blonde hair flying lightly underneath the dark, olive green bandana that wrapped securely around her head. A sudden scent of sandalwood and cinnamon filled her nostrils, suddenly making her feel weak at the knees.
"Keep your hands to yourself," she said dryly, her breath tickling her lips as she did. All Regina could think of was how tall this woman was, how she must seem tiny and frail in comparison.
The woman let go of her hand and Regina unconsciously clutched at her, savouring the tingling sensation she felt at her bare skin.
What… what was that? She wondered. But whatever she felt, the woman seemed oblivious to it.
"We're not interesting in your gold, girl," the Captain spoke, his hand clutching at the hook of his belt, "but we will be needing you for a much, much better deal. Take her to brigs."
Abele regained herself at that. "KEEP YOUR DIRTY PAWS OFF HER!" The old woman reached for Regina but the tall blonde kept her at bay. At an old age, close to seventy, there wasn't much fight she had in her that could knock the stronger woman away from her.
"And who's this?" Hook asked, his eyes showing his diminishing patience.
"My nursemaid," Regina answered hurriedly, "she's a harmless old woman, there's no need to hurt her."
Hook seemed to ponder for a moment. "Why waste a good blade on her? Besides, we need someone close to you as proof to take the message that we have Regina Mills as hostage. To the brigs with her," he pointed at Abele, until his eyes fell on Regina. She really didn't like how he was looking at her, "and put her in Swan's cabin."
First Mate Swan, Regina quickly recalled the stories she'd heard of the female pirate that plagued the seven seas. The right hand of the devil. There was the tale of how she escaped Queen's guards when they were brining her in for questioning under the most fortified prison of all of England. Then there was the impossible victory led by her when flanked with two opposing ships that had captured her captain and with the winds and the seas against her, she still managed to regain her master.
Regina's eyes darted back to the woman, and noticed how she glowered at her, creating an unwelcome blush on her cheeks and then sent a murderous glare at Hook.
"Captain, I really don't think that is necessa-"
"Nonsense!" Hook interrupted, smiling lazily. "You need some fun on this trip Swan, consider it as my gift to you."
He waved his hand, airing a signal for the end of the conversation.
Regina heard the clutters and clicks of boots on the timber floor before she was horded onto the Black Stache.
