CHAPTER 5: Puzzle Pieces
SETTING: Ursula's Underwater Lair
TIME: Present Day
"So, are you enjoying your lunch?" Ursula asked.
Emma had to admit the seawitch made a mean salad. Hearty and spicy, the salad contained bits of fish, turtle, and shellfish all marinated in a mixture of herbs, palm hearts, garlic, spiced wine, and oil, and then topped with hard-boiled eggs, pickled onions, cabbage, grapes, and olives. A heaping basket of fresh baked bread waffed a pleasant aroma throughout the room.
"It's delicious! What do you call it?"
"Salamagundi...It's a very popular dish among pirates. I'm surprised you have never had it, considering who you married."
"No, never heard of it... Where did you get the bread and eggs and other land produced food?" Emma asked.
"I have my sources. During the time I lived with my husband, I came to prefer human cuisine. Such a variety! Mer food is bland by comparison."
"Will your son be joining us?"
"It depends on how he is feel-"
"I feel well enough to eat with you," said the subject of their conversation as he propelled himself into the dining room using crutches.
"It's wonderful to see you up and about, my boy!" exclaimed Ursula. "Emma, my son is rarely able to dine with me. You are having a rejuvenating influence on him."
His face went red as he struggled to seat himself on the chair. Emma steadied his arm and pulled out the chair to help him. Once seated, he smiled broadly at Emma.
"Yes, she certainly is!" He huffed.
"Do you feel up to a little salamagundi, dear? Or can I get you something less spicy?"
"Umm! I haven't had salamagundi in ages! It used to be one of my favorite dishes. Perhaps I'll try a little to see how it settles."
Ursula served a modest portion onto his plate along with a slice of bread.
"So, what's it like being the daughter of Prince Charming and Snow White?" Ursula asked. "I mean, isn't that a tough act to follow?"
"Well, I didn't know they were my parents until I became an adult. I grew up thinking I was an orphan."
"Oh, dear!" Ursula said. "I never knew that. Your parents are the epitome of true love. Why would they give you away?"
"The evil queen's curse was coming. It was prophesied that I would be the one to break it. As soon as I was born, they sent me to the world without magic in an enchanted wardrobe to keep me safe."
"But you were a baby! Didn't they send a mentor to raise you and prepare you for your role?"
"There was no time and no room in the wardrobe. The evil queen's troops stormed the castle and broke through just as I was born. My father was literally holding me in one arm and fighting them off with the other as he struggled to get me to the wardrobe."
"What a man of honor the prince is," said Ursula's son. "I have always admired his courage and honesty...Such a privilege to met his daughter...so then what happened when you reached the world without magic?"
By this time, they had finished the main course. Ursula rose to clear the plates and bring out the dessert. She placed small bowls of Pineapple Dragon Fruit Semifreddo at each place. Again Emma marveled at the variety of land products to which Ursula had access. This delicious dessert tasted of pineapple, coconut, cream and honey.
"Well, I was found and put into the foster care system. I had no idea who I really was until my son found me on my 28th birthday."
"Your son?" wheezed the merman. "You have another child?"
"Yes ... I got pregnant when I was eighteen and the father left me to take the fall for a crime he committed. I was alone and in prison when I gave birth to Henry. I gave him up because I thought he would have a better life than if I tried to raise him myself."
"And this child came back and found you ten years later?" Ursula asked.
"I know, it's hard to believe! But he found me and bought me to Storybrooke to break the curse! He's an amazing kid!"
"Well, Emma," said Ursula's son, "mother was forced to give up my brother ...and myself when we were young...We, too, were raised in an orphanage. ...As bad as our experience was, it in no way compares to yours!"
"It's okay, S-" Emma suddenly realized that he never actually introduced himself to her. "I don't know what to call you? Do you prefer Sammie?"
He chuckled. "That derived from the pet name that mother gave me as a small child. She still uses it from time to time ... much to my chagrin. "
"Oh... Well then, can I call you Sam?"
"If it pleases you to do so, milady... by all means, call me Sam." He gave Emma a dazzling smile.
"Anyway, Sam," continued Emma. "I was angry for the first 28 years of my life because I thought my parents had abandoned me. That is no way to go through life."
"Indeed, it is not," Sam replied.
"I let go of that anger and my life got better. I have my parents back, an amazing son, a sweet little brother and the most wonderful husband!"
Sam's smile faded.
"Oh... but of course, you are married... Why isn't your husband with you now? ... Does he not wish to be near for the birth?"
Emma's eyes opened wide. Did he really not know?
"Uh...my husband doesn't know where I am. I didn't volunteer to come here! Your mother has treated me well but she still kidnapped me!"
"Kidnapped!" Sam dropped his fork. "Why would she do that?"
"I don't know!" Emma eyed Ursula sharply. "She won't tell me! All I know is she came to the surface and paralyzed me with some kind of squid dust and then she stole my magic and put it in that pendant!"
Ursula squirmed a bit and then moved a tenacle to cover the nautilus pendant dangling from her neck. Sam drew himself up to full height. He breathed heavily as he glared down at her.
"Mother! You promised me no more trickery! Explain yourself!"
Ursula twisted back and forth in her seat. Her eyes and mouth opened wide but she quickly realized the innocent act wasn't going to work. She dropped her gaze. Sam's command hung heavily between them. Perhaps the direct approach would be better.
"Now you listen to ME, boy!... The only reason you are still alive is because I SAVED YOU from a watery grave! ... I have kept you alive all of these years as I searched for a way to make you whole again. To do that, I need to replicate your human DNA precisely and fuse it to the shell of a mer man sitting in front of me. Only then can you be as you once were! Only then will the pain you feel stop! Only then will you take your rightful place as mer king!"
"THIS AGAIN! ...Even if you succeed in installing me...how can I rule the mer people? I don't know anything about them! I have never lived among them...nor studied their laws! I would be a terrible king!"
"You don't have to worry about that! I will advise you!"
"Advise me!" Sam's greenish hue had rapidly gone purple. He could barely catch his breath to speak. "You mean rule through me!... I won't do it... I won't be your puppet!" (huff-huff-huff-huff).
Ursula clenched her fists into tight balls. Her son never treated her with such disrespect! Even as a little boy he obeyed his mum wordlessly and never questioned her judgement. Why the sudden change? Ursula narrowed her eyes at Emma.
"You! You little blonde tramp! I treat you like a daughter and this is how you repay me! You turn my son against me!"
"I-I-I never wanted to turn him against you! I just wanted him to know the truth!"
"The truth?" hissed the sea witch. "The truth according to whom? Rumplestiltzkin?"
Emma quickly shifted her gaze out the window and took a sip from her cup. How could Ursula know?
"Yes, I KNOW you talked to him and I know exactly what was said. I can retrieve any transmission that comes through that mirror."
"What do you want?!" Emma banged the cup down on the table. "My husband won't let you hurt this baby! He'll find me! True Love always finds each other!"
Ursula fixed Emma with a cold stare. A moment passed in silence. Then the sea witch opened her palm and slowly raised her arm. The bubble containing Emma's red leather jacket floated through the window, hovering just above Emma.
"True love always finds each other!" Ursula smirked. "That's rich! Your true love tried to reach you with a pathetic locator spell today. It failed! That's what he gets for turning to a hack like Regina for help!"
"Mother! Please stop!" Sam gently grasped Ursula's shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. "Emma has done nothing wrong. I know you mean well but I am just trying to understand what you are doing and why you are doing it... Can you tell me?"
"Oh, I wish I could but I can't! Please, Sammie, just trust me!"
Sam wrapped his arms around his mother and gently hugged her.
"I love you, Mum! Of course, I trust you but-"
B-B-BEEP! B-B-BEEP! B-B-BEEP!
The alarm echoed throughout the chamber. Ursula unraveled herself from Sam's embrace and turned to the window. A bubble encased sailing ship floated into view just outside the squid corral. Emma could not believe her eyes! It was the Jolly Roger!
"Blast that pirate!" Ursula growled. "He's not supposed to be here!"
##**##**##**##***##**##**
SETTING: Aboard the Storybrooke Sheriff Dept.'s Cutter
Somewhere off the Coast of Maine
TIME: Present Day
The sheriff's cutter made steady progress along the coast of Maine despite the added weight of six passengers. As the mer king had addressed his invitation to Emma's father, David obviously needed to attend. Regina and Robin would serve as backup in case Ursula made trouble. Gold felt he could be useful if magic became involved. Killian still didn't trust the imp. He reluctantly agreed to bring Gold with the condition that Belle accompany him. She was the only one who could keep the crocodile in line. Presently, Killian bought the cutter to a halt at the coordinates Ariel had given him. Then he weighed anchor and signaled the mermaid. A few minutes passed before the water stirred.
"Hi, everybody!" Ariel's head popped out of the water off the starboard side. "Daddy and his entourage will be here in a few minutes. In the interest of expediency, all protocols have been waived. We will just make the introductions and begin discussions."
"Great!" said David. "I'm glad the king understands our urgency."
"Will the king offer assistance in storming Ursula's lair?" Killian asked.
"I got the impression that he might," replied Ariel.
"Does he know why Ursula has taken Emma?" Belle asked her friend.
"Yes,but he is being deliberately vague about it."
"Dah-daaaah-dada-dada-dadaaaaah!"
Muffled trumpet sounds emerged from the water just underneath their position. A large contingent of mer troops suddenly burst from the sea, surrounding the cutter. Mermen carrying elongated trumpets followed the soldiers. In their wake, a merman in herald's garb arched to the surface and balanced himself in front of the ship's bow.
"PRESENTING KING TRITON, UNDISPUTED RULER OF THE SEVEN SEAS, EMPEROR TO ALL OCEAN KINGDOMS AND HIGH OVERLORD OF ATLANTICA!"
Then a huge wave rolled up from the deep with a muscular merman on its crest. A crown topped his mane of long white hair. He wore a free flowing beard and seemed at least a head taller than the average merman. His right hand held the fabled trident.
"Wow," murmured Regina, "So much for the low key approach."
"Can you imagine what full protocol would be?" Robin asked.
Ariel moved to introduce Prince Charming.
"Your Majesty, may I present Prince James of the Enchanted Forest."
David bowed gracefully.
"Prince James," Triton stated. "An honor to meet you."
"Thank you, sire. I am honored to meet you as well."
"You travel with a small retinue for one of such exalted stature," the king said.
"I find smaller groups attract less unwanted attention."
"True," Triton agreed. "Very true."
"Your majesty, allow me to introduce my team," David said. "This is Queen Regina and Robin of Locksley."
"A pleasure, Locksley .. You as well, my queen... I hear that Your Highness once impersonated my sister."
"Yes, not one of my better ideas."
Triton chuckled. "I wouldn't say that. It really irritated my sister but my court laughed about it for weeks!"
"Well than I am glad I could be of service to your majesty." Regina made a slight bow.
Ariel glared at her father and bit down hard on her tongue. Regina's impersonation almost cost the mermaid her voice and her love! The court had no right to treat it so lightly!
"Ahem-ahem!" Triton cleared his throat. "However, my daughter was understandable distraught at the time. Another such deception will not be tolerated."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Regina said contritely.
David hastened to continue the introductions. "This lady here is Belle Gold."
"Lovely to finally meet you, Belle. Ariel has told me so much about you. You certainly are beautiful. And you've been such a wonderful friend to my girl!"
Triton rose up on a wave and kissed Belle's hand. Belle blushed sweetly.
"Beside Belle is her husband-"
"Rumplestiltzkin," Triton growled. "Yes, we have met before."
Gold offer the king a crooked smile.
"I assure you, sire, the events of that meeting are under lock and key."
"Good," said the sea king. "Make sure you keep it that way."
Killian's heart sank. Great! Emma's life hangs in the balance and Rumplestiltzkin did something to anger the one being that could help her. Bloody crocodile! He should never have been allowed to tag along!
Triton then turned his attention to Killian. He studied the handsome pirate like a shark circling a seal - a very dangerous seal.
"And this, Your Highness, is Killian Jones, the missing woman's husband," said David.
Killian made a sweeping courtier's bow before the mer king. Triton remained singularly unimpressed.
"I believe you are better know by another name, sir." Triton motioned to Killian's missing hand. "Are you not the notorious Captain Hook?"
"Your Majesty is well informed," Killian began. "But I have mended my ways and am trying to live my life right...Please! We have confirmation that Ursula has Emma. Will you help us get back my wife?"
Triton responded slowly. "Yes, I guarantee your wife's safe return to her parents."
Killian scratched the back of his neck. Why was the king agreeing to return Emma to her parents instead of her husband? Perhaps Killian's lack of royal standing was the problem. No matter as long as Emma was safely returned. But, why did he find the king so unsettling? Something wasn't quite right.
The king spoke again, "Boy, I regret what I must do but it has to be done for the good of the realm."
With that, Triton waived the trident overhead. A transparent barrier formed between the Storybrooke delegation and Killian. Two guards sprang from the water and quickly twisted Killian's arms behind his back. They forced him to a kneeling position with his head down. David grabbed his sword and tried to slice the barrier. He failed. Regina and Rumple both worked in vain to bring down the shield with magic. Robin's arrows uselessly hit the barrier and fell to the deck.
"No one else from this delegation will be harmed and your wife will be returned safely as promised. But you, Killian Jones, must now die by the power of the trident!" Triton proclaimed.
"Daddy, no!" Ariel cried. "STOP." But, Triton ignored her pleas.
Another swoop of the trident and a humming beam emanated forth from the center prong of the weapon. Triton then lifted the trident until it was about three feet over Killian's neck. Killian had heard fantasical stories about the mythical trident. But, now that the weapon hovered above his head, the sea king's trident was no myth. What's more, it was poised to separate his head from his body. Bloody hell! Why was this happening?
##***##**###**##**##**
SETTING: Ursula's Lair under the Sea
TIME: Present Day
"YOU FOOL!" Ursula exclaimed when Blackbeard entered the cavern. "What are you doing here? You are supposed to be keeping an eye on things above the surface!"
"We were," Blackbeard replied. "Until a band of elite mer guards boarded our ship. They thought we had Hook."
"Why would Triton's men care about my husband?" Emma asked.
"Well-well! You must be the lovely Emma!" Blackbeard appraised her with a salacious grin. "Such a pity that widow's weeds will soon hide your beauty."
"Widow's weeds? What the devil are you talking about?"
"Your disreputable husband has angered great Triton. The sea king decreed that Hook shall be executed on site."
"That stink-fish Triton!" Ursula spat. "He's not going to get away with this! I'll go to Storybrooke immediately and -"
"Hook isn't in Storybrooke. He meets with Triton on the high seas as we speak. Triton's daughter, the redhead, arranged it all. I gather the noble king plans to double cross Hook and his friends."
Emma processed this information quickly and then shifted into panic mode. She clutched her stomach and rode out the pain. Not now, little one! Not now!
Ursula looked like she was about to throttle the pirate.
"WHY aren't you up there stopping him?! We had a deal!"
"We had a deal for me to distract Hook and spy on him but you never said anything about protecting him. Let the rotter die! What's it to you?"
Emma wanted to choke him but a swift smacking sound proved Ursula to be faster. The seawitch was livid! But, even with two tentacles wrapped around his neck and just enough pressure to vex his windpipe, Blackbeard refused to be intimidated.
"Go ahead! Kill me if you want!" He gasped. "But, you promised me the coordinates to the wreck of the Whydah Gally! I want that treasure or I'll not do another thing for you!"
Ursula slowly unraveled her tentacles. So this was why he came back. To get the coordinates to the treasure. Ungrateful human! She scribbled on a piece of paper and flung it at Blackbeard.
"There's your coordinates! Now get up there and distract those mer guards! Leave Triton to me!"
Blackbeard snatched the paper with relish. As he neared the doorway, he doffed his hat to Emma and moved to kiss her hand. She snatched her hand away and glared.
"Come on, Teach!" Ursula thundered. "Get the lead out! We haven't much time!"
He ambled out the door to his ship, his lack of commitment to this mission apparent with each stride. The scum warranted a lesson. But, right now, Ursula didn't have time to waste with the pirate. She needed to get to the surface fast. With lightening speed, she jumped through the window and propelled herself past the pirate ship and straight up.
##**##**##**##**##**##**##**##**##**##
Emma and Sam stared at the void Ursula left in her wake. The Jolly Roger quietly pulled up anchor and drifted past the window. Emma shook her head.
"I never thought I would see that wonderful ship again."
"Nor I," replied Sam. "She is indeed a wonder."
Emma trembled as she watched the ship float up and away.
"Don't worry, Emma. Mother will save this Hook fellow. I take it he is your husband?"
Emma nodded.
"Mother is a consummate lawyer. And Triton's power is greatly tempered by the Code of Poseidon. If anyone can find a loophole, it's my mum... I think that Blackbeard scum will be of less use though."
"Yeah...Um...I thought that pirate scum was your best friend? ... Or may be even ... your brother?"
"Heavens no! My brother was ten times the man that scoundrel is! I never saw this Blackbeard until recently. I would never befriend such a blackguard!"
"Aren't you Black Sam Bellamy?"
"Who?" he was genuinely perplexed. "I've never heard that name before."
Emma stared at him carefully reading his eyes. He was telling the truth. She thought she at least had this part of the puzzle right.
"Rumplestiltzkin said you were Black Sam Bellamy."
"Why would he think that?"
"Because your name is Sam!"
"My Christian name isn't Sam. That's just what mother calls me."
"Why?"
"Her pet name for me as a child was Flotsam. Then my younger brother was born with jet black hair. ..So she nicknamed him Jetsam. Eventually, she just shortened each monicker to sam...We were 'her little sammies"."
Emma palmed her face and sighed. Flotsam and Jetsam were supposed to be Ursula's moray eels, not her kids! None of this fit!
"So," she said. "You aren't Sam. ..Was your brother named Samuel?"
"No."
"If you aren't the pirate Black Sam Bellamy, then which pirate ARE you?
"I have NEVER been a pirate, milady! My loyalties may have been misguided but I always kept my honor!"
Emma's mind was spinning. She usually had enough of the puzzle to fit everything together. But not this time! Ursula's children weren't the two pirates! Ursula needed Emma's baby to fulfill some diabolical scheme but she didn't need it for the magic. What was going on here? Why did Ursula need HER baby to regenerate this man? The pieces wouldn't fit! Why wouldn't they fit?
"Okay, if your Christian name isn't Samuel, what IS it?"
"My Christian name?"
"YES! What did Ursula name you?!"
"Liam."
And then all of the pieces clicked into place.
**##**##**##**##**##**##**##
Author's Notes:
Thanks for reading! Reviews welcome!