Silly Princess & Despicable Pirate

Part 2: The Struggle Begins

Summary: As Aurora struggles to trust Hook in both past and present, the Captain finds himself one step further on his journey.

Notes: I hope you are enjoying the story so far. I'm trying to keep certain things ambiguous, so as not to spoil where I'm taking things. There are some hints and clues scattered about, but I tried not to make things too obvious.

"Aurora?"

She snapped back to reality, lost in thoughts about a certain pirate who was extremely far away. These days, the Princess pretty much alternated between sitting in her window and wandering around the garden. Waiting was all she ever seemed to do now, but there wasn't really much of an alternative. Today found her in the garden, running her fingers over the flowers and smelling their sweet scent. Despite her attempt at distracting herself, she still found her gaze drifting out over the ocean hoping for some sign of sails in the distance.

Aurora turned to the source of her name - the Queen had entered the garden, and she had that same concerned look everyone gave her since Hook had left. It was unusual for the Queen to be alone, so that could only mean one thing. She was not going to like whatever conversation was about to start.

"How can I help you, your majesty?"

"Oh dear - I don't need anything from you." A slight pause. "Don't you think its time we consider the possibility that he won't be coming back?"

"You're wrong. He will return. He won't fail."

"It's been almost two months, Aurora. We haven't even gotten any messages from him in the last three weeks. You are running out of time and, if that happens, you know that -"

"I know perfectly well what is going to happen, and you don't have to remind me of the consequences we are facing here. But you better not be about to suggest what I think you're going to?" She was absolutely sure she knew where this was leading, and she didn't even want to hear it.

"It might not be the best option, but it might also be our only one. We don't want to see you hurt, and we certainly don't want to lose you. Please, Aurora - just go and talk to -"

"Don't you even say it! Stop right there! It is not worth it, and I will not allow myself to be backed into a corner like this. Hook will come through and, even if he fails, I would not even be able to live with myself knowing that I went to him. Absolutely not!"

"What do you expect us to do?' The Queen shouted back. "Do you really think we are just going to stand by and let you be undone by this? We can already see the effect it's having on you. How can you just ask us to stand by and do nothing?"

"I'm not asking you to do nothing. I'm asking you to trust me."

"Of course we trust you, dear. It's just Captain Hook that we're not so sure about."

They stood there standing at each other for a while before, realizing that there was nothing more that could be said, the Queen left Aurora alone with her thoughts in the garden. And it wasn't long before her gaze drifted out over the water, searching and hoping that he would get back soon.

A time not too long ago...

Hook awoke from a deep slumber, plagued by dreams of a certain crocodile. Grumbling slightly from the pain in his back from sleeping on a forest floor, he looked up and was surprised to find himself alone with the Princess. She appeared to be preparing some sort of breakfast, but the others must have gone off to collect supplies. He couldn't help but smile at his luck - it would be much easier to convince her of his sincerity without the others inserting their comments on the matter.

Making sure to announce his waking with a yawn and a stretch, he noticed that the Princess was purposefully avoiding looking at him. She must have truly meant it when telling him she was done playing his games - oh, if only she knew that the games would never end.

He sauntered over to where she was cooking, and sat on a log not far from where she was bent over the fire. The sun was just coming up in the distance, and he couldn't deny that she had a certain beauty to her. If he had slightly different goals in mind, he might have bedded her, but that wasn't part of the plan. He had to make her believe she was influencing him, and that meant acting like a good boy.

"Princess - I've been thinking about what you said last night."

"I hope you didn't strain yourself." A bit harsh, but he admitted that he probably deserved it for the way he'd been treating her. She had her usual royal demeanor this morning, but he thought he saw the hint of a smile when she said it - almost like she was proud.

"Fair enough, Princess. I had been contemplating whether or not to give up the fun little banter you seem to be so fond of. While the former option definitely has more appeal to my pirate sensibilities, I must also admit that the latter option would get me to my goal faster. As much pleasure as I have derived from our little conversations, there is the possibility that I would be willing to try it your way."

She stared at him for a minute. "Did you really have to make it that complicated? You could have just said you agree. Even now you continue to play games, twisting your words."

"I am a pirate, love. I have a reputation to maintain. Pirates never do things the simple way."

"I'll remember that...so, tell me now. What is that you really want from us - from me?"

"Well, Princess, there's a lot of boring backstory involved but the ultimate gist is that I'm on a quest for revenge. From the slimy man who took my hand - the one and only Rumplestiltskin."

"The Dark One? And what exactly does that have to do with us?"

"The plan was to convince the lot of you to help me find him and the weapon to destroy it. Rumor has it that your Queen is one of the few people to see it. You, love, were my key to the whole group. I push you until you can't stand it anymore, to where you would do anything to get rid of me, and then they would all come to your rescue. At that point, they would have no choice but to help me so that I would agree to leave."

"That is the stupidest plan I've ever heard - more likely that one of them would have stuck a sword in your back to shut you up. It makes much more sense to be honest with me, and gain my trust. If I am able to trust you, then they will too. That would make us actually willing to help you."

Hook smiled at how easily she was falling for his story. "I never said it was a good plan, Princess. It was just a plan. And, like I said, I had a lot of fun!"

"I've said it before, and I'll say it again - you are an absolutely despicable pirate."

"And you are still a silly little Princess...So, are you going to help me?"

"Not so fast, Hook. You've started something by being honest with me, but you still have to earn my trust. That takes time." Hearing the others returning to camp, she turned back the food she was preparing. Quite the little firecracker, he thought to himself, so maybe he could still have a little fun.

Magic be damned - he absolutely hated it and this stupid island was only further proving his point. It had been bad enough fighting through some not-so-gentle mermaids just to land on the beach. Then he had lost one of his men who had just walked right into the invisible, magical shield that instantly disintegrated anything it touched. He sent the rest of his comrades back to the ship - he may have been willing to risk his life for this, but he knew they didn't have the same attachment.

It had taken almost an entire day to find a way past the barrier, taking passage through a cave that had been cleverly hidden behind the island. It was pretty safe to say that this cave was under water during high tide, so he assumed the barrier would not extend below. Just to be safe, though, Hook had a pile of rocks next to him that he would throw out in front of the boat. After he finally emerged back into the world, he spotted the dwelling where the witch must live. It was a fairly normal looking cottage, if you discounted the fact that there was a perpetual grey cloud hovering right over it. Every once in a while, little bolts of lightning would shoot out around the house. Pirates and magic just don't mix well together, but Hook had a duty to fulfill.

He walked up the hill to the house, hoping to find some way inside without getting fried by a lightening bolt. Before he got close enough, though, that plan was no longer necessary as the witch came outside to greet him. He drew his sword as she pulled something from the cloak about her shoulders.

"I knew you would come, dearie. You must be looking for this." She held up a piece of shattered mirror. He could see just the hint of a ghostly reflection - something trapped inside that he desperately needed.

"Give the piece to me, and no one has to get hurt. I'm even willing to compensate you for the trouble." He doubted in a million years that she would take the deal, but he had to try. He was a good swordsman, and his hook helped as an additional weapon, but magic was a pretty tough adversary for him to have to fight with.

"It's a real shame you know. So beautiful, but so incomplete. The piece does absolutely nothing on it's own, but of course she never mentioned that." To Hook's complete surprise, she tossed the mirror in his direction. He hadn't really expected that to be so easy.

"Why are you giving this to me? The last person I took a piece from fought me until his very last breath."

"Like I said, the piece is useless on its own. Besides, I am alone on this island for a reason. I don't like being disturbed or having to deal with others. Getting the piece was too much hassle and, since I can't even do anything with it, I'm glad for it to be gone. Now, leave, before you've outstayed your welcome and I change my mind."

The witch turned to go back into her house, but stopped at the door to give him one final warning - "You are running out of time, you know. The reflection is getting harder and harder to see. Whoever she is - whoever you're trying to save - she's dying. You need to hurry and find the last piece. I don't know who has it, but a girl named Anna does. Find her, and you will find what you need."

As she slipped back in her house, Captain Hook placed the mirror shard in his pack and sprinted down the hill. He knew where to find Anna - it was time for him to go back, and he had to get there as quickly as possible.