This chapter has taken me weeks to write, I wanted to get it just right and I found my inspiration to finish it just yesterday when I heard the deeply sad news that Carrie Fisher had passed away.
Princess Leia was a huge inspiration to me as a little 4 year old girl watching Star Wars for the first time, and throughout my childhood both she, and Belle, were women that I aspired to be.
Princess Leia was feisty, witty, smart, commanded respect, a General whose troops gladly followed her into battles that seemed lost because she knew how to inspire hope in the most hopeless of situations. She was strong and resilient despite witnessing her parents (those she considered parents, who raised her), and people, murdered before her own eyes. She stood defiantly before terror personified in Darth Vader refusing to bend to his demands whatever personal sacrifice or pain it cost her. She was as bad-ass as they come but allowed herself to be vulnerable enough to love and be loved. Hell, I still aspire to be her! I carry her with me everywhere I go and she is a huge inspiration in my depiction of Emma in this fic.
Princess Leia is a hero, so was Carrie Fisher, they shared that, a bravery that is matched by few. RIP Carrie Fisher, this chapter is dedicated to you.
There was an air of excitement in the council room, now a converted stable not far from Killian and Emma's house, as anticipation grew for the King and Queen's arrival. Word had gotten out that the Queen had safely returned to them, rumours of how she escaped the Dark One were running rampant; tall tales of magic and wizardry, intervention of the gods, and even a daring rescue involving a unicorn were among the leading theories tempestuously flying off the lips of the frenzied village gossips.
Killian was thankful for the short distance to the meeting; the streets were flooded with their subjects wanting to catch a glimpse of their Queen, especially now they knew she was their long sought after Swan Princess too. Emma graciously interacted with them, shaking hands thanking them for their well wishes, smiling and waving looking effortlessly like the royal she was born to be.
As they entered the council chamber there was an eruption of cheers and applause from the men and women standing around the large circular oak table. Emma's eyes glided around all the familiar faces of the people she'd come to think of as family, but also acutely aware of the missing ones, those that fell during the Dark One's attack.
She raised her hands signalling them to take a seat; a hush fell across the room. Killian remained standing by her side waiting for her to address her people.
It suddenly dawned on her that her husband saw her as a superior instead of an equal. She was born royal, he was of common birth just standing in for her father...for her. She quickly glanced at him and nodded, encouraging him to begin. If they were going to win this war they had to be united as equals and set the precedent for Misthaven and Aaralyn to stand strong together.
Killian cleared his throat and pushing any feelings of inadequacy aside addressed the room.
"As you can see I am thrilled to present Queen Emma, safely back home with us." He stopped long enough to let his words sink in, still in disbelief himself, Emma was back, his wife, his Queen; his long lost princess.
"But now that she is here time is precious, we need to get her to Misthaven as fast as we can so she can break the curse. As far as we know The Dark One doesn't know she is free. He thought the enchantment her cell was under could not be broken...but fortune smiled on us and I found a way he was unaware of..."
"And just how did you manage to break her out? How did you outsmart the most powerful wizard in the realms?" Every head in the room turned to Leeroy, the dwarf, with the stormy disposition, who scowled at the King suspiciously.
"I was lucky; I learned of something he was unaware of, a loophole in his enchantment of Emma's cell. Fate was on our side and now we have a small window of time to use our advantage. We need to get Emma to Misthaven so she can break the curse. Then we will have the Misthaven army on our side, maybe we can rally more troupes from neighbouring kingdoms, together with our allies in Arendelle maybe we can stand against the Dark One!"
"That's a lot of 'maybes' for a plan based on sheer luck and fairy tales; do we even know for sure that The Queen can break the curse?" Leeroy challenged, every head in the room turned to look at Emma.
"She's our best chance" Killian bit back, staring down the dwarf.
Emma cleared her throat, and trying to bring the conversation to the task at hand said, "What news is there from the Dark One's kingdom?"
Robin stood and addressed the room.
"Graham and I are just back from a scouting mission, the Dark One's army is marching to the Evil Queen's territory. We are still unsure of what started the war between them but for now they both seem distracted with each other."
"Thank you Robin". Killian nodded then turned to the rest of the room. "This is our best chance to succeed, the two greatest threats to our kingdom are at war with each other, and the Dark One's gaze is averted. He knows The Queen is our only hope for freeing Misthaven and without them we are too weak to pose any threat. He believes Queen Emma is trapped in a cage that is impossible to escape. As soon as he learns she is free he will come for us, full force, and we won't have a hope of protecting ourselves, he will wipe us out. It's risky but this is our only chance for survival, we need our brothers in Misthaven, we need every alliance we can find. There are dangerous days ahead but I have faith that together we will overcome the darkness!"
There was a collective grunt of approval, nodding of heads and 'here here's' around the table. Killian and Emma took their seats; she reached under the table to give his hand an encouraging squeeze.
"What are our orders then your majesty?" Graham, always eager to get stuck into the action, asked. Right by his side Ruby's eyes glowed at the prospect of a hunt.
"We get The Queen to Misthaven as soon as possible! For this to work we need to avoid drawing any attention to ourselves, we will take a small specialist group with us so we can travel unnoticed and undetected. Graham and Ruby will accompany us on our mission; Robin…" he turned to his friend, "You are my second in command, I need you here to train up what army we have left, prepare them and the troops from Arendelle so they are ready to fight when we need them."
Robin nodded, "I'll have them ready, my lord."
"We will sail to Misthaven tomorrow morning on The Jolly Roger; a pirate ship will draw less attention than a navy vessel."
He sensed Emma's shoulders sink beside him, she had just been reunited with her son and now she would have to leave him again to embark on a highly dangerous mission; but if they succeeded she'd not only have her son but her parents too, and if they didn't go the Dark One would eventually hunt them down. He didn't like leaving Henry either but they were doing it for him and the future generations of Misthaven and Aaralyn.
Emma was understandably quiet on the walk home after the meeting, the past 24 hours were a blur and nothing seemed real anymore. It felt as if her perfect life with Killian and Henry was within reach yet she was unable to grab it without it dissolving in her hand. She looked out at the ocean as they reached their home, across that sea was Misthaven, the cursed land she'd always avoided as a pirate, the whole time unaware that it was her birthplace and kingdom. She realised this wasn't just about her family, but the hope of every family in two kingdoms rested on her breaking a curse and her and Killian finding a way to defeat the Dark One. If she failed hers wouldn't be the only family ripped apart, there would be no end to the suffering that beast would inflict, he'd already killed thousands just in the search for her crown. She shuddered at the thought of the innocent blood spilt.
"Come on, love, it's been a long day, we need our rest for tomorrow." Killian's hand rested gently on her back urging her through front door.
"Is it ok if I sleep in Henry's bed tonight? I just…I have so little time."
Her request was so heart-breaking, there was no way he could refuse her, "Of course" He kissed her forehead, "I'll see you in the morning"
She carefully entered Henry's room and crawled into his bed trying not to wake him. She reached her arm over him and he stirred, turning and snuggling into her; smiling she wandered into sleep holding her child in her arms.
Two days earlier when Emma was sitting in the Dark One's cell she never could have imagined 48 hours would bring her here, back aboard her ship, the sea breeze in her hair, the ocean mist wetting her face rejuvenating her soul. The call of the sea drew her in with a magnetic pull she hadn't the strength, or desire, to fight. Her hands gripped the helm, keeping the Jolly Roger on course to her destination, the mountains of Misthaven. Theirs was a mission that required speed and the quickest route to Misthaven crossed treacherous waters filled with natural and unnatural dangers. Some of the dangers she was familiar with, having encountered them on her many voyages, however other were clouded with mystery, the stuff of legends born from the rambles of superstitious sailors who'd often had too much to drink. However all legends spring from a certain amount of truth and that was what had Emma on edge sailing into the unknown.
"Penny for your thought's, Captain?" Killian planted a doubloon on the post supporting the ship's helm.
Emma smiled coyly, "You certainly know the way to a pirate's heart."
"Oh no, treasure is the way to a pirates lips…" She raised her eyebrows at him causing him to quickly explain, "…for information…however the way to their heart is rum!" He held out a flask to her which she took, chuckling, swigging it back then returning it to him.
"I'm concerned about what perils may face us in these waters, we're sailing a course I am not familiar with and I don't like surprises, or putting my crew at risk!"
"This whole quest is a risk, Emma" He reminded her, then nudging her with his elbow joked "But you're a pirate, I thought you lived for danger and adventure, what could be more exciting than taking on the most powerful entity in all the realms?"
"Let's just try and make it to him first!" Her eyes narrowed looking out at the horizon, "These dark waters aren't to be taken lightly, any sailor worth their salt knows to always be alert and anticipating danger."
He followed her gaze out to the line where the sky met the water, the sun shone brilliantly on the ocean casting a blinding light, he had to squint but Emma's eyes stayed locked in place her brows furrowing, she thought she saw a glimmer, something besides the water reflecting the sun's rays. Narrowing her eyes she saw it again, a twinkling. She called up to the crow's nest "What is that on the starboard side, out in the water?"
The scrawny blonde pirate reached for his telescope and looked where his captain said. "Can't say for sure Cap'n but it's moving…and it's big!"
"Raise the alarm!' she shouted. The pirate immediately obeyed, ringing the bell that was perched on the mast beside him, "Starboard side men! Load the cannons and arm yourselves, no one should be without a spear in hand."
"Emma" She felt his hand on her arm, "You should go below deck…"
She pulled her arm out of her husband's grasp "Are you crazy? I'm the Captain of this ship; I need to command my crew."
"You're the crown princess of Misthaven and the only one who can break the curse, if something happens to you then all is lost." He tried to reason with her.
"I know my ship better than anyone, my crew respect and listen to me, and I know these waters. If we don't defeat whatever monster is headed for us right now then we will all perish anyway! I'm your best shot." She insisted, clenching her jaw and giving her husband a look to say the discussion was over. He swallowed back his irritation and lifted a spear, standing at his wife's side. Just because she was willing to put herself in the firing line didn't mean that he was going to stand by, he wasn't about to let any damned sea monster hurt her.
All eyes aboard the ship looked towards the ripple in the water picking up speed coming towards them, growing in length and width as it approached. Only the slightest amount of the creature's scaly skin touched the surface making it difficult to tell what exactly they were dealing with. Suddenly a clatter on deck made several of the crew almost jump out of their skin. The lookout had seen the beast swim under the ship and dropped his telescope in shock, its monstrous outline visible only to him due to his height; the creature dwarfed the ship making it look no bigger than a dingy. Its shadow lurking silently and menacingly under them until it glided under the Jolly Roger, knocking the ship slightly making those on board stumble around to keep their footing.
"It's turning around!" He shouted from his higher vantage point, "Brace for impact"
That moment the ship shook, stronger this time, causing barrels to tumble over and roll around and earning a nervous grunt from the crew.
"What kind of demon is this?" One of the men hoarsely whispered.
"Stand your ground men" Emma ordered, "Wait for my signal and then attack with your spears; we'll draw the beast above water so we can use the cannons."
Another bump from the creature caused the ship to almost capsize. "Hold on!" She shouted over the splintering of wood. Killian crouched beside her keeping one hand the rigging, the other on her waist. As the ship steadied again the sea monster finally reared its head above the dark water.
Had there been any other men on the deck of the Jolly Roger that day they would have dove off the side in fear, that is, if their hearts hadn't stopped beating at the very sight of the beast; but these men and women were the feared crew of the Jolly Roger and they had seen many a terrifying foe on their travels. Of all the terrible advisories Emma had faced; Monstero the Sperm Whale, the Kraken, Poseidon himself; this was the most grisly in appearance. The neck of the beast alone had to be 15ft, towering over them, bobbing down above them with the weight of its head, covered what looked to be silver plated scales that reflected the sunlight, almost blinding those who looked upon it. A large snout stretched from the face, emitting steam from its large nostrils. Each time the creature opened its eyes the silver lids rising sounded like a giant unsheathing its sword. And those eyes burned orange like the fires of hell, filling even the bravest of souls with despair.
"It's a sea monster!" One of the crew shouted.
"Fire!" Emma commanded, as a shower of spears pelted against the beast's body, bouncing off into the water.
"Fire the canons!" She shouted; standing her ground as the ship rocked violently.
Again the canons ricocheted off the impenetrable armour, doing little more than aggravate the monster that had dived back under water, whipping its mighty tail against one of the masts breaking it in two and sending it crashing down on the deck.
"Watch out!" Killian dove into Emma knocking her out of the way as the wood splintered around them.
She lifted her head, "Thanks!"
Graham crawled over to them, "Our firepower won't penetrate those scales; we need to think of something else."
"I have an idea" Killian quickly got to his feet picking up a flare that had rolled out of a crate beside him. "You once told me this was the fastest ship in all the realms, is that true?"
"Aye, it is, but it's not fast enough to outrun that creature, its sights are set on us now."
"Exactly, it's sight. What if it couldn't see us?"
Emma looked at her husband with confusion, "If he couldn't see us we would have a chance…but how can you make us invisible?"
"Get us in the right direction to make the most of the wind so we can sail as fast as possible then have your men lure him back up to the surface, Graham, climb into the crow's nest with your bow and this…" He placed the warning flare in his friend's hand, "use it to get the beast's attention then fire an arrow into its eye."
"What about the other eye?" Graham questioned his King.
"Leave that to me!"
Emma looked back and forth between the two men, "That's going to be a hell of a shot, for both of you! The odds of you making it…"
"Never tell me the odds! Just make sure The Jolly Roger is ready to sail, she'll need to be the fastest she's ever been."
"Oh don't worry, we'll be ready! Try not to kill yourselves" She tried to joke but there was a look of worry hiding behind her eyes. Killian kissed her and before she could catch her breath he was climbing up the mast directly behind the one Graham was climbing, each with a bow slung on their back. Graham reached the Crow's Nest first, now empty, the former occupant obviously thrown out or bailed, not that Graham could really blame him. He prepared the flare and waited, perched with his bow within reach, while the crew below followed their Captain's orders and started launching more spears at the sea monster until it broke the surface of the water, once again rising high and casting a menacing shadow over them all.
Now in front of him, Graham set off the flare. The bright fiery dart flew into the monster's face, earning an ear-splitting roar, as the beast's eyes flew open in rage. With lightning speed Graham grabbed his bow and fired an arrow straight into its volcanic eye. As his fingers release the arrow he heard the zip of another one shoot past his ear, lightly brushing the stubble on his jaw, a millimetre closer and the second arrow would have gone straight through his head. However both arrows hit their targets, "Now Emma" Killian screamed and the ship jolted as it sped towards the horizon.
The monster flailed in agony, blinded by its foe it lunged in every direction seeking its revenge. Just as the ship was sailing out of its reach it cracked its tail, bringing it down like a razor sharp sword. It took out the rigging where Killian was perched; slicing effortlessly through Killian's left wrist, and causing the mast to crumble. Killian held on with his right arm, while his left lay open, blood flowing from the wound as he fell until everything went black.
When Killian came to he was lying on a cot bed in the Captain's Quarters with Emma, Ruby and Graham slowly coming into focus gathered around him.
"Killian, can you hear me?" Emma called hopefully.
He groaned, attempting a smile. "Sorry love…didn't mean to alarm you…just a scratch…" he muttered through heavy breaths.
"You did it, Killian! Your plan worked, we're free of that sea monster and safely out of those waters and on course for a stop at port to fix damages." Ruby beamed.
"It was a reckless plan that could have gotten you killed!" Emma scolded, "But…it did work, you and Graham saved us all."
"You steered us out of that whirlpool the monster created with all it's thrashing around Emma!" Graham added proudly. "Nothing Killian and I did would have mattered if the ocean swallowed us up moments after."
A blush crept across the pirate's face, not great with taking complements she muttered "It was nothing."
"I wish I could say I got out of it unscathed" Killian added, raising his stump wrist, wrapped tightly in bandages.
"I'm sorry Killian. It will heal, whatever that creatures flesh is made of it cauterized your wound as it caused it." It wasn't much consolidation but it was all Emma had.
"You're lucky that's all you lost, mate, you should have seen the tangle of wood and rigging we pulled you from, you suffered a lofty fall." Graham shook his head remembering the carnage.
"What about the others?" Killian asked.
Emma bowed her head, "We lost 4 of my crew today, and may their souls rest in peace."
He reached his remaining hand over and squeezed hers, "I'm sorry Emma."
"Well…" She swallowed back her tears, "…there is no time to lick our wounds, the ship is a floating wreck and in dire need of repairs, we are several miles out from Tortuga, we'll drop anchor there for a few days until we can fix everything, restock our holds and continue to Misthaven."
"We'll let you rest, my King" Ruby rose, giving Killian a curtsy followed by Graham giving him a small bow. "Rest up, mate…your highness…."
Once they left, Emma walked over to her desk picking up a tray of broth, with some bread and a flask of rum.
"Here, eat up, you need your strength. We'll be in Tortuga by nightfall."
He used his elbows to prop himself up, watching his wife pull some log books from a shelf on the wall. An oil lamp on the desk bathed the room in a warm glow. His eyes wandered from the maps and charts on a round table in the centre of the room, to chest piled high against the wall, he wondered what they contained; clothes perhaps, maybe gold or other treasures. The desk was littered with papers and a small bag of coins had spilled over it, the gold shimmering in the light. The room creaked as it slowly rocked back and forth swaying on the waves in the most soothing way provoking drowsiness.
"Tortuga…" He spoke up trying to fight fatigue, "That's a pirate port is it not?"
"It is…so you will need these." She opened one of the chests and flung leather pants, a black shirt, red leather vest, and black leather duster coat on the bed beside him. "They aren't the biggest fans of royalty…you'll need to blend in."
Killian cocked one eyebrow, grinning in amusement, "You want me to pretend to be a pirate?"
"It's either that or you can stay on the ship."
"Admit it Swan, you've been dying to see me in pirate get up." His eyes twinkled as he teased her, longing to see her smile again.
She rolled her eyes, "I think the rum has finally reached your brain." Changing subject she handed him the broth again encouraging him to drink it. "We lay low for a few days, get The Jolly Roger back in working order and then we are back on track sailing for Misthaven, nothing changes."
"And what about this…" He lifted his stump in the air "Does this change anything?"
She frowned; surely he didn't imagine she'd think any less of him sans hand. "Well I'm afraid your dreams of becoming a world famous pianist are probably over…" She jested. "But no, it doesn't change anything, why would it?"
"You're not repulsed by it" He tilted his head signalling to the blood stained bandages on his arm.
She picked up a bowl of warm water that had been left on the table along with some fresh bandages and moved over to the bed where she sat beside him gently lifting his injured arm onto her lap. Slowly and carefully she began to unwrap the soiled bandages.
"Emma, you don't have to…isn't there a healer on board?" he squirmed beside her.
"I know what I'm doing; I'm the one who attended to it in the first place!"
He closed his mouth and watched her as she worked; searching her face for any sign of disgust or discomfort but there was none to be found. Her expression stayed neutral as she rid him of the old dressings.
"I fell in love with you when you were missing a heart, so what makes you think I wouldn't be able to love you when you're missing a hand?" Her voice was silky and soothing like the medicinal balm she delicately applied to his wound.
"I can't just put my hand back, like I did my heart." He reminded her.
"No you can't, but if I had to choose between the two I would much rather part with your hand than your heart." She tightened up the fresh bandage and laid the old ones and bowl of water on the floor before turning back to him and lovingly stroking his face. "Men and women died today, I don't know how any of us survived, especially you after that fall! It was really bad Killian…I thought…well it doesn't matter now, you're safe, and it's a gift to have you still here with me." She kissed him on the cheek and he turned quickly to catch her lips with his. It didn't take long into the kiss for dizziness to overcome him and she felt him sway in her arms, "Whoa there tiger" she laughed, easing him slowly onto his back.
"It seems your kiss has my head spinning, love" He played it off, nonchalantly.
"I would say it has more to do with blood loss but thanks." She crawled up alongside him and snuggled into him, resting her head on his chest. "It's a few hours yet until Tortuga and we could both use the rest."
She was abruptly woken when the ship jolted alerting her to the fact they'd dropped anchor.
"mmm…what's that?" Killian muttered.
"We're here, we've reached Tortuga." She jumped up and walked over to her porthole catching a glimpse of the bust port town. The sun had set but life on Tortuga continued, music could be heard drafting from the taverns, along with shouting, laughter, and badly sung shanties. The streets were full of patrons diving in and out of taverns, drunken sailors staggering over the cobblestones and more than likely the odd dodgy deal happening.
It'd been years since Emma had been here, she wasn't sure what story Baelfire would have told after he first left her in Aaralyn, who know what tales of Captain Swan had been spat from the many loose lips in such places. She would need to consult Smee and come up with a convincing cover story for her long absence.
She helped Killian get dressed, gently sliding his injured arm through the large leather jacket. He looked at his reflection in a shiny silver polished tray she had hung on the wall, trying out different poses for the full effect. Emma had to stifle a laugh.
"I make quite the piercing eyed smouldering pirate, Swan!" He made various ridiculous faces practicing said smoulder.
"You want me to leave you two alone for a moment?"
"Don't be jealous, Swan, I only have eyes for you"
She walked up behind him, looking at what he saw reflected back at him. "You do look rather fetching…I always said you have a little pirate in you!" She slapped his back.
He winced. "Thanks"
"Now, there's just one thing you still need" She searched inside a large chest until she pulled out her prize. It shimmered, the smooth pointed metal as beautiful as it was threatening. It was attached to a leather brace.
"And what am I supposed to do with that?" He studied the dangerous implement curiously.
"Wear it of course! We can use your injury to our advantage; it'll make you look more intimidating. Now this will hurt a little since your wound is still new, try not to put any pressure on it, this is just for looks."
He tensed as she slid the brace over her bandaged wrist.
"How is that, manageable?"
"Aye, it's fine." He grimaced. "And what should I tell people my name it?"
She turned him to face her so she could stand back and take in the full look, sizing up the man before her.
"You shall be called Captain…Captain…" She glanced down to wear his new attachment glimmered, a smile spreading across her face. "Captain Hook"