Chapter 11

Family Drama

Killian leads Emma out of the cabin and to the helm after their heart-to-heart. The navigator in him knows it's best to set the course quickly. It's dangerous to leave a ship dead in the water, even when you're not wanted for regicide.

"The Jewel is the fastest ship in the realm," he tells Swan as they walk. "We should be out of Arendelle in no time," he says proudly. This marvel of a ship will keep them from being caught.

"But we're not leaving just yet," says a voice as they approach the helm. "Not until we rescue Anna." Elsa is glaring daggers at Emma. Killian has never seen her so angry. While always appearing at odds, Killian likened their previous aggression to sibling rivalry. This is something else. Elsa is blocking them from the helm. Killian doesn't dare tell her to move.

Emma's form goes rigid. "That isn't part of the deal," she hisses. "I got your family back. Now leave me alone to get back to mine."

Someone places a hand on Killian's shoulder from behind him. He flinches, pulling away.

"Sorry sweetie, didn't mean to cause you a fright."

He doesn't like being snuck up on. It's pretty hard to do on this ship. He's usually more attuned to her creaks. Clearly the stress is getting to him.

"And Elsa's right, Emma. We need to find a cure for Anna's curse as soon as possible."

Anna? He thought they were rescuing Ingrid. He looks at the woman who had surprised him. Tall and confident, he senses no darkness from her, not like what lives in Emma or Elsa. She has blonde hair pulled up in a bun and a sort of cold face.

"Are you Ingrid?" he asks.

She nods, holding her white-gloved hand out to him. "And I assume you're Captain Jones?"

Killian chuckles, taking her hand. "Just Killian is fine, milady."

Emma snorts.

"I think I've done enough to help, what more do you want me to do?" Emma asks. "As far as I'm concerned, I don't owe either of you a damn thing."

Killian can tell he's about to be in the middle of a fierce fight. He just hopes the sorceresses stick to words rather than magic.

"So help me, Emma! I'll tell everyone that nasty little secret of yours!" Elsa roars.

"I'll kill you before you can open your mouth, you spoiled brat!" Emma fires back.

He walks over to a crate and unrolls his enchanted map of Arendelle, watching as it glows faintly. He grimaces at what he sees.

"What are those, Killian?" Ingrid asks, joining him in leaving the lasses to work out their own business. She points to the dark shapes illuminated on the map.

"Enemy ships, most likely coming after us," he answers, tracing their probable paths with his finger.

"Because of Hans," Ingrid voices flatly. She sounds neither happy nor upset.

He swallows thickly. "Because of Hans." He isn't sure how much the ice royals know about the King's death. Are they angry with him? Ingrid doesn't seem angry. She doesn't seem anything at all.

"The ships seem to be heading to the border between Arendelle and Misthaven, probably to cut us off as we try to escape," he explains. "Taking a longer route may be better for us." He shivers as he looks up to meet the woman's icy gaze. "On the other hand, spending more time in these waters gives the court time to mobilize a bigger fleet." Killian knows the four of them don't have the numbers or the expertise to survive a full-scale naval battle.

"So what do you suggest?" Ingrid asks. He looks over to where Emma and Elsa are still bickering.

"I kept my end of the deal!"

"Well now you're keeping this one too! Help me, or so help me! You'll see how much the cold bothers you anyway!"

Turning back to the map, he traces a few alternate paths. No matter which route they take, they will need to stop somewhere for supplies. They're nearly out of food and drinking water. But where to stop? Somewhere safe, where Hans' navy won't think to look for them, but not too far out of their way…

Killian smirks, hitting on the perfect place. He's been wanting to return there, and it's perfect for what they need. "Here." He traces a path to his chosen port and then out through a much less used channel. It's rough currents ought to deter a royal fleet, but it's nothing he can't handle. A quick resupply, then a mad dash for the border is their best shot. By the time their pursuers realize where they went, the Jewel's legendary speed just might get them out of Arendelle alive.

"You seem troubled," Ingrid observes as he approaches the wheel to change their course now that Elsa and Swan's argument had taken them to the other side of the deck. Killian pretends he didn't hear her.

"You doubt yourself. Why is that?" she continues. He pulls the sails into position, wondering how long it will take Emma and Elsa to stop their bickering and realize he made the decision on their course himself.

He turns to see Ingrid standing directly behind him.

She isn't done. "Doubt is not good to hold in your heart. It can bring you darkness and pain."

He finds himself backed up against the wheel with nowhere to go.

"I'd rather you let me pass, milady," he says, flashing an innocent smile. "What lies in my heart is my own."

She removes her glove slowly and casually places her fingers against his forehead. He can't pull away.

"Perhaps, perhaps not," he hears the Snow Queen say, but her mouth never moves. "I have to protect my sisters, Emma in particular, from unknown variables. You are an unknown."

Killian feels his complaint die in his throat, eyes drooping. Whatever power the royal has, it's making it incredibly hard to focus.

" Relax." It feels like when the Jabberwocky was digging in his head, but gentler. Ingrid speaks more words, but he can't quite make them out. It could be a moment or an hour before he feels the calm fade and reality return.

"Ingrid!" Emma says sharply, pulling her away from him in one massive motion. "I already made it clear to Elsa, and now I guess I have to make it clear to you," she growls. Killian grips the side of the ship to find his ground as the world spins. "The sailor is under my protection for as long as I care to keep him."

He feels Emma yank him toward her and away from the railing, making him stumble. "Using magic on him without my permission makes me very, very angry."

He pulls away, determined not to appear weak, but Killian finds he is still on unsure footing. "It's all right, Swan, I'm fine," he assures her. "I just finished setting our course. We're going to need to stop for supplies."

Swan doesn't seem happy about that but doesn't argue with him. She reaches over, gripping his arm to lead him away, out of earshot of both Elsa and Ingrid.

"Listen to me, Killian. I don't want you anywhere near Ingrid or Elsa, especially when I'm not around, understand?" she warns.

But he doesn't understand. While Elsa didn't make the best first impression, he thought he had at least earned her good will by now. Ingrid, on the other hand, seems pushy...

He nods slowly anyway. "As you wish."

Whatever her reasons, he trusts that Emma will keep him safe. She's proven it enough times, no matter her insistence that he's just a tool to her. He knows Emma wants them both to get out of this situation intact.

"Emma, can I have a word?" Ingrid calls. Swan nods, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze before disappearing. Once the ladies are gone, he takes up position by the helm, holding the ship steady on her course. The sooner they get to port, the sooner he might possibly get a chance to catch his breath.

Between Ingrid poking around in his head and Elsa being Elsa, he really needed a break, and if he leaves behind an ice sorceress or two while he's at it? Well, that's just wishful thinking.

" Aww, the sea urchin thinks this is his ship. Well I'll tell you this now boy, this is my ship, the Jewel of the Realm. Much better name, don't you think, men?"

Now that was an unpleasant memory he recalls happening. Just days after losing Liam, Killian had demanded the Captain return him to his brother. After all, the ship, named the Jolly at the time, was Liam's. Liam had promised it to him. The Captain had been quick to show him what he truly deserved.

Elsa approaches the helm, shaking Killian out of the past. "She doesn't love you," Elsa cuts, fingering a piece of ice in her hands. "She's incapable of it." The Ice Queen is angry. He can see it in her face. But she's also sad, oh so sad.

"Why are you –"

"Even if she can love, even if she can comprehend the feeling in that dark place she calls her heart," Elsa looks him over. "Don't kid yourself into thinking you'll be the one to change her. She'll never love a silly sailor who's afraid of his own shadow. She's using you, making you feel for her. It's what she does. She's a manipulator."

He flinches, hoping he doesn't give away how hurt he feels. He isn't hoping that…he doesn't…he just hopes that…

"Do not mistake my actions for caring, Jones."

He doesn't give Elsa a reply. So she gets closer, placing a finger over his heart. "The second she has what she wants, she'll leave you for the next interesting coward she sees," she purrs before returning her gaze to the ocean.

"I'm only telling you this because I know . I know what it's like to be in love with someone who can't love you in return." Her cool eyes turn back to him.

Loss, he senses great loss in her. "You loved someone?" He doesn't mean to sound as surprised as he is. Elsa seems too cold-hearted for such emotion. He worries for a moment if he's insulted her.

Elsa snorts in laughter. Guess not. "You're funny. It was before I was Elsa the Ice Queen, freezer of souls," she snickers. "He promised he'd come back for me, so I waited and waited for him. He promised he'd be back before my coronation. I was so angry at him for breaking his promise that I took it out on my sister." She holds up the piece of ice in her hand. "Jones, meet my sister, Anna."

Killian blinks in surprise. That piece of ice is her sister?

No wonder Elsa's in such of a hurry to help her. She could break or melt or be lost at any moment. "Only true love's kiss or an act of true love can set her free," Elsa says mournfully. "But her love is gone, and my heart…I can't love anyone or anything anymore. I froze it solid to keep from hurting so much."

She turns away from him, taking a shaky breath. "I see now why Emma keeps you around. You don't judge us as much as you should. Why is that?"

He doesn't reply at first. He has to pick his words quite carefully.

"I'm not as unfamiliar with magic as it may seem," he settles on. "But enough about me. Do you have an idea? A way to free Anna?"

Now it's Elsa's turn to hesitate. "Did you see her do it?" she asks in deflection. "Kill Hans?"

Killian's head snaps up. What?

"She killed him, stabbed him through the heart," Elsa explains bitterly. " That's why we're in this situation. If we had just rescued Ingrid and taken Anna, no one would think twice about pursuing us. It's Emma's fault that we're being pursued, her fault that my kingdom is going to go down in flames, her fault that –"

Elsa stops herself.

"Her fault that what, lass?" Killian presses. It's obvious that the last item means the most to her. He may as well know what he cost her, add another to the endless reasons he should feel guilty.

"Anna loved him. They were husband and wife. True love's kiss can undo even the most powerful ice magic." Elsa is caressing the statue once more. "It's her fault that my sister may be a statue forever. Her fault I may never get to tell Anna how sorry I am."

Killian wants to scream. He wants to tell Elsa that he's the one who killed Hans and doomed her sister. It's his fault, his fault… He opens his mouth to confess his sins to the Queen when they are interrupted.

"Elsa!" Ingrid calls. "Stop bothering the poor sailor and show me where I can rest my tired body, preferably a bed not made of ice, hmm?" Elsa perks up instantly, pulling her aunt below deck.

Killian returns his gaze to Emma, who is standing in her black leather, hair pulled back rather than flowing freely the way it had before Ingrid's arrival. She's back to guarded, full emotional armor just as Elsa foretold.

"So what port are we stopping in, and what are we doing about the ships tailing us?" Emma asks him, ready to focus on the logistics now that she and Elsa are done fighting. For the moment, at least..

He can't suppress his grin. Finally something he's delighted about. "Geneva," he replies.

"Wise choice, Killian" Ingrid replies. He shifts under Ingrid's gaze. She makes him uncomfortable.

"What's so special about this place?" Elsa whines.

"There's a famous wizard in town, known to be able to cure any curse," Ingrid explains. Killian can see Elsa brighten. Perhaps if Anna is thawed, a bit of Killian's guilt will melt too.

They arrive in Geneva early the next day and agree to split up, then reconvene on the ship by noon. With Arendelle's navy in pursuit, this is a business trip, not a sightseeing stop.

"I also have a friend here," Killian tells the women, noting the surprised look on Emma's face. "I'd like to go see him by myself, if you don't mind." He directs the question at Emma in particular.

She gives him a slight nod. "Don't let me stop your social life," Emma mutters darkly. "I'll go by myself to get the supplies we need."

He can't help but feel like he's said something wrong.

I wanted to wait until tomorrow to post it so I can rant and rave about the new episode, but I can't wait.

This is a bit of a set up chapter, introducing a lot of things for later on. I did completely throw out a certain background for a certain character for next chapter, and made it close to the original texts, apart from one crucial detail. You'll see.

Thank you for the support I keep getting for every chapter, I really appreciate it even though I haven't been replying to reviews nearly as much as I should be!

So I will hold back on my discussion on the episode just because I know a lot of people don't see the shows right away, I don't want to accidentally spoil it as I was gasping in surprise several times myself.

What I will say is that the two hour special is going to kill me, in a good way.

10/7/17: Beta read by the patient notoriouscs

~Luna