"So, where exactly are we going?" Aurelia asked as ten men from the group headed into the woods.
"To a special place that we can hide out for a while" Peter said "Aurelia, remember when we were kids we wanted to stay young forever? It's not too late, we could still have that"
"What are you talking about?" Aurelia asked, pushing back branches of tree's and tripping over twigs.
"Well" he began, taking her hand as she almost tripped to death over a boulder "We're going to a place called Neverland"
"Doesn't sound very nice" Aurelia commented "Never what? But why? Peter, I want to go home. I've been away for so long, and I just want to go and see my aunt, and meet up with everyone…" she trailed off after seeing the expression on his face. "What's wrong?"
Peter couldn't look her in the eye. "I was wondering when I'd have to tell you" he said, looking older and weary.
"Tell me" she said, bluntly. A weird feeling bubbled up in her chest. They both stopped walking, the men going on ahead.
"About a year after you were taken, I searched and looked for you. When I returned, the village was gone. Houses burnt down to the ground, everything gone. It was awful. The market was deserted, the streets blown to pieces. All the people were said to have been killed by the queen. I returned, and Lord Fairdown was raising an army. I had almost given up looking for you, I figured you were dead, or worse. So I joined the army against the evil queen. Aurelia, I'm so sorry. Maybe your aunt escaped, I don't know"
Aurelia turned away from him, needing privacy, but still could not cry. She felt so alone. Her family, parents, grandparents, and her favourite aunt had all died. All her friends had been massacred in the village. Rumpelstiltskin was never a friend to begin with. The queen was evil. Peter was still good, and true, but not the same boy. He was a man now, with a purpose. And Killian… well she still didn't know what to make of him. She's been tossing and turning it over in her mind. He'd offered to save her, but at the time she thought it was a trap. He wasn't to be trusted, but at the same time she longed to see him again, to hear his voice, to get butterflies in her stomach and her heart racing when he leant in towards her. She wondered why his face had popped into her mind, why she had felt the urge to see him, even now. Obviously it was the danger she liked, not just him.
Turns out it wasn't the danger she liked. In fact, she hated danger.
They continued walking for a couple of more hours, until Aurelia became incredibly tired, and hot, and she felt utterly defeated. She wanted to lie down and sleep, her limbs were aching and her mind needed a rest. Images of her aunt tumbled through her head, tucking her into bed, dressing her hair, baking in the afternoon, picking gooseberries from their little garden. Her friends, she didn't even want to think about, she would cry and breakdown and she hadn't cried in years. She had steeled herself, she was becoming stronger, less weak, less vulnerable. She set her face, taking a deep breath, and continued after Peter, plunging into the woodland.
There was a break in between the tall trees, and the soil gave way to sand. The colours changed from green to blue as Aurelia saw the sea before here, stretching out and glittering. Peter was pointing up at the sky, discussing how they were going to use a certain portal through magic of some kind, but she wasn't listening. The sea was calm, comforting. It looked peaceful, and she almost longed to jump in, feel the smooth water against her skin and her troubles to wash away. Peter produced magic bean from his pocket and they gathered round as he threw it into the sea, and a hole opened up, making a roaring sound. Everyone held their ears.
"Right, we should probably jump through separately, just in case it's a bumpy ride" Peter said. The portal, which was a green colour, suddenly glowed purple. Peter frowned. "It's probably nothing" he said, but Aurelia felt concerned. The men jumped through straight away, until just the two of them remained.
"Ladies first?" Peter said, grinning, and she smiled at him. Finally, it was like old times. This was a perfect moment, they were heading into the unknown together, just like they were kids. Nothing could ruin this moment.
"AURELIA" a voice yelled out, furiously. Rumplestiltskin was on the horizon.
"Oh god, no" Aurelia's face was a picture of horror.
"Who is it? Aurelia?" Peter asked, his face filled with panic. He stood in front of her protectively, but with a wave of Rumple's arm he was torn to the side, and into the portal. At least he was safe- she thought. But the portal switched from purple back to green. "What did you do?" She screamed at him over the roaring of the portal.
"I made a little deal with the queen, you see. In return for your whereabouts, I deliver Peter and his men to her. You ran away from me" Rumplestiltskin continued "You know what that means? You broke our deal. And now, you will get your punishment" His face matched how she felt. Hate and rage began to slowly build within her, like a volcano. She felt it, red and hot darkness in the pit of her stomach. Aurelia snapped.
"I don't care" Aurelia screamed as the portal roared, the winds picking up. "You are a cruel, horrible beast, and you are going to die alone, and unloved. Everything you have will mean nothing, and you will realise that. The only good thing you ever had was that woman, and you ruined it, because that's all you do- Destroy things! So I'm glad I ran away, and broke your stupid, ridiculous cup. It's a reminder of how you will never, ever, ever be happy!" she yelled at him, pushing her hand at him. A yellow glow came out and forced him backwards, and furious, he scrambled to the floor, both of them shocked for a second, before he leapt up. They circled each other, and Aurelia only had one option, and to do it fast. She crouched down, and sprinted towards him, her arms outstretched. She rugby tackled him straight into the portal, and they tumbled into the darkness.
She awoke, alone in the forest, and looked around. It was dusk, and she was hungry and cold. Peter, the men, Rumplestiltskin was nowhere to be seen. She walked, in any direction, desperate to find something, anything. But it was pointless. She just got more lost, and found a big tree to shade her, laid under it, shivering, and looked up at the night sky. Her stomach rumbled painfully, and she closed her eyes, shaking.
She was in a strange land, with no friends or safety around her. She hadn't eaten since the porridge nights before, and it was cold and dark and terrifying. Suddenly, she heard a sound. It sounded like someone speaking.
She stood up cautiously, and headed slowly towards the voice. She was light on her feet, slowly and carefully picking her steps to the sound. The moon broke out, and she saw a shining lake, and a beach. The sand was a pale white, and the lake looking black and shining, with the reflection of the moon. It was beautiful, but in the middle, something caught her eye. There was a figure in the lake, a man, with his back to her, singing.
She headed close to him to see if she could recognise or sense if he was dangerous. She tried to hear what he was singing, until the lyrics became clear in her mind.
"Whiskey is the life of man,
I drink whiskey when I can,
Whiskey killed me poor old dad,
Whiskey druv me mother mad,
i had a girl whose name was Lize
She put's whiskey in her pies!
If whiskey comes too near my nose
I tip it up and down she goes!
Some likes whiskey, some likes beer
I wish I had a barrel here
With a pirate head, and a pirate heart
Whiskey is my sweetheart!" The loud bawdy voice singing the ludicrous song seemed to roll around, and Aurelia felt a strange feeling.
Pirate.
She gasped, scrambling backwards, not wanting to be discovered but somehow lost her footing on the sandy hill and fell down, screaming. She shut her mouth, clamping her lips down and in the process biting her lip so hard she tasted the metallic tang of iron blood. She rolled to a stop on the floor, coughing and trying to get her bearings. She had fallen right to the waters edge. The singing had stopped. She slowly leant up on one arm, seeing a figure standing over her, feeling a jolt when her eyes adjusted to see the face in the darkness. Killian. They both looked at each other in silence. One of his eyebrows was raised in amusement and confusion as he saw the girl before him.
"Well hello there" he smiled cheekily.
"hello" Aurelia replied in disgruntlement.
"and to think, I never used to believe in fate. I was just thinking about you. Fancy coming for a swim?" He started wading closer to her.
She looked around. The hill was too steep to climb back, and forest surrounded the beautiful beach, meaning that she had basically no escape. She had to remain calm.
"No, thanks" Aurelia said, crossing her arms. She tried to keep her eyes off his flawless, toned chest. He stepped out of the water, and she got more of an eyeful than she was expecting.
"Oh! Erm.. hmp" she turned around, realising it was the most stupid thing she'd done, putting her back to a pirate, but she felt awkward.
"Don't worry luv, I'm not shy" God, even his voice was smug. Aurelia turned around in annoyance, keeping her eyes on his face. His hair was dripping wet and he pushed it back, stretching. She rolled her eyes, gazing just to the left of him.
"There's no point me asking why you're here, you won't answer me, will you?" she asked.
"No, love" he said.
She heard him putting some clothes on, then he brushed past her back, and she froze.
"What brings you here?" he murmured softly in her ear, and she was very, very aware he was still not wearing a top.
"You, actually" she said, shyly, turning to face him.
"Me?"
He wiped a drop of blood from her lip with his thumb and she could hear her breathing become more erratic. She forced herself to snap out of it. He was only a man. And it was so cliché, to fall iunder a pirates spell. She felt the bewitching surrounds getting to her head; the beautiful water reflecting the glowing moonlight. She tried to calm herself, filling her thoughts with Peter, good, sweet Peter- the blonde haired best friend that loved her and cared for her and was on the side of good. That was all blown out of her head when she looked at Killian.
"Yeah.. I just wanted to tell you… that.. well, you're, honestly, the worst pirate I've ever met" she said, coldly. "And now that I've told you, I'll be on my way" she began to walk away but he held her arm- forcefully, but not painfully.
"Oh really?" he said, narrowing his eyes.
"Yeah. You failed to burn the castle down, you get lost all of the time, and you most certainly are not dashing or charming. Have you tried another profession? Carpentry maybe?" Aurelia was just saying anything that came to her mind, it didn't even make sense to her, but the pirate seemed amused with the light-hearted wit.
"You're just lucky I'm okay about what happened the last time we met" he winced at the memory. "Good kick, by the way. But, I do believe that means you owe me something"
"Of course" she said "and just what might that be?""
"A dance" he said simply. "I can't stop thinking about our dance when we first met, and I'm terribly annoyed it had to be cut short. I want to be repayed"
"Is that so" Aurelia said dryly. "Well, if you don't mind, I've had rather a rough night… well, a rough year or two actually, so if we could take a raincheck on that, I'd be happy to be on my way now" she said.
"Ah, c'mon, it's been a year since I've seen you last. Oh- and what makes you think I'm going to let you go?" Kiliian said, smiling.
She looked at him, biting her lip coyly.
"Because we're going to go on the basis that you are actually a good man, who's hiding behind the life of a criminal and murderer to protect himself but deep down he just wants somebody to love, and he wouldn't even dream of thinking of holding a girl against her will." she said, hoping she'd catch him off. He put his hands on her hips, a geniune look in his eyes. Maybe she had got through to him. He seemed to be trapped in her eyes, unable to look away.
"You seem to be forgetting one little fact" he said quietly, pulling her waist in closer.
"Hm?" she asked.
"Technically, I've kidnapped you once. Therefore, I can do it again. Sorry love" and he whistled. She paused, confused, then ten seconds later heard footsteps.
There were about ten, maybe more, of his men. They grabbed her, and she put up a fight. She punched the biggest one in attempt to scare some other off, but after a scuffle and some punches thrown, her hands were bond with some sort of scratchy vine. She gave a pleased smile seeing some of the damaged she'd done, several bruises and scratches on at least two of the men.
Even Hook raised his eyebrows as he watched from afar. He seemed impressed. Aurelia was surprised though- despite her hurting several of his men, not one of them had laid a finger on her. "Take her back to base. I have some business to attend to" he said, walking off.
"Pirate! hey, Killian, let me go!" Aurelia called at him. He didn't look back as she was dragged off.
Her feet were cut, and she was tired and hungry even more so than before. Every half hour they stopped to rest and she was given a crust and half a cup of water. Sometimes, one of the kinder ones would slip her bit more, and she would give them a slight smile- not much, but it was a hint of a thank you. They were still kidnapping her, after all.
They took her to a place called 'Pirate Cove' where that damned ship was. She didn't know what worried her more- Killian disappearing for 'business' or when he would come back. Somehow, her thought was answered.
"I wouldn't worry about Hook" one of the men said. "He won't hurt yo- too terribly, at least. He's weak for a pretty face, and you sure as hell have got one of 'em"
"Hook? I thought the Captains name was Killian?" she said, confused
"Oh, it is- we call him Hook because of his hand, you see. It was taken by a crocodile, apparently. It was before I joined the crew, and I never got the courage to ask. Especially the captain"
"Why, is he violent?" Aurelia asked, curiously.
"Oh yes" the pirate said earnestly "If he's in a fight, he's brilliant with a sword, extremely talented, but it's an amazing to see the damage he can do with his hands- er, hand, that is. And the hook, of course, but it might be too brutal for a lady to hear"
"I'm not a lady" Aurelia said
"Woman then" the pirate insisted "He's never hurt a lady- or woman. Ever. But the men deserved it, of course. Captains always fair, you have to give him that. "
"Do I now?" Aurelia said sarcastically, as she was led onto the ship. She was put into a room, the door locked. The vine scratched at her wrists. If they'd tied it with rope, it would've hurt less. It wasn't fair of them.
It wasn't fair. Something hit her like a wall, making her slump down on the bed. She was tired and in pain, and fed up with the injustice of life.
It wasn't fair that she'd got taken. It wasn't fair she'd made a deal with a monster, and treated cruelly. It wasn't fair she was forced to serve two of the most evil people in the land. It wasn't fair she was torn away from her best friend, twice. It wasn't fair her aunt, and friends had died. It wasn't fair her home, her village had burned down and she had nowhere to go. It wasn't fair this pirate had kidnapped her.
It wasn't fair.
Suddenly, Aurelia had an outburst, like before, but smashed everything in the small cabin. She pounded on the walls with her bounded wrists, tearing them more, making them bleed uncontrollably. She pushed a vase off a little table, then kicked it over, again, splintering the china into little pieces. Her feet were bleeding more than her hands now, and bruises began to appear on her knuckles. She pulled a painting off the wall and put her foot through it, and tore into the pillows, so feathers covered the entirety of the room. That's when she broke down.
She sat, in the middle of the room, sobbing uncontrollably. It felt like she hadn't cried in a million years, and she would never stop. She was surrounded by broken pieces of wood, and glass, and so many feathers, and she couldn't stop crying, her stupid, weak, fragile body feeling small and vulnerable as she hugged her knees, rocking back and forth. She didn't hear the door creak open slowly. She didn't feel the stare.
He didn't shout, or ask what she was doing.
He came and sat next to her, and put his arms round her. For that moment, she just couldn't scream or hurt him, she just needed someone to hold her, and he was there. So she let him. And she felt safer, better. She felt sick and guilty, this man started her troubles and the situation she was in now, and she was letting him comfort her, but in her logic, it was the least her could do. He stroked her hair as she cried softly, and soon, she fell asleep on his shoulder.
He picked her up, carrying her to another cabin, and placing her in the bed. He looked down at her young, innocent face and sighed. The dilemma. He wanted to keep her for his own selfish reasons, to hear her speak, to look at her. The girl intrigued him, she had since they first danced together. She had more life in her eyes than anyone he'd met before. Her laughter, her smile- well, before he ruined everything. He wondered if she was missing that boy. He had to watch that boy kiss her, and had felt a pang.
He was a goddamnn pirate. cut-throat, vicious. And this girl- this girl that he'd just met, managed to destroy him just by kissing some weak child. Killian sighed, frustrating. The poor girl was exhausted, he could see that. God knows what she'd had to go through after he took her. If it weren't for him, she'd be at home, with her family. Well, that wasn't necessarily true- Killian travelled back to the village, troubled to find it had burnt down. Perhaps he'd saved the girl.
He tried to take some solace in that. But he couldn't. He looked at the blooming bruises on her knuckles, frowning as he used his hook to tear off the vines that bound her skin, feeling sick when he saw how they had marked her delicate wrists.
It was his fault.
She wasn't happy. She hadn't been in a long time, he could tell. He saw how thin, pale and delicate she looked. He put fruit next to where she slept on the bed and a pitcher of water. He bandaged her wrists, using his teeth to softly pull to rags around them. He had become well-equipped to having one hand now, but it made everything so much harder. He wondered what the crocodile did to her, and where she had been since then.
Finally, he swept a red lock out of her face, and had to leave the room, before he did anything else.