Emma's lips drifted down to her mother's alabaster forehead, this close to her she could smell her mother's perfume, sweet and crisp notes of apple blossom and honey suckle; the curse must have preserved everything when it froze them in time. It was magic like Emma had never encountered before. When her lips were just millimetres away from their goal, she was startled by a man's gruff voice behind her.
"I'm going to have to stop you right there lass"
She spun around finding herself face to face with the sinister looking pirate she'd seen the previous week as they sailed away from Tortuga. Now closer she could properly observe the details of his face; his eyes were sunken, his skin leathery and sea worn, on his chin was a long straggly beard, as black as coal, tied into three braids that reached down to his chest. His teeth were yellow and proudly on show thanks to his malevolent grin. The mangy buccaneer stood before her, sword drawn, its point pressed to the middle of her chest just enough to cause discomfort without drawing blood.
"I'm under strict instructions to make sure you keep your pretty little lips to yourself...unfortunately" he quipped.
Without warning Killian, Ruby, Will, and Graham barged into the room.
"Emma, I heard voices, is everything..." the Kings voice drifted off once he saw the precarious position his Queen was in. "Who the bloody hell are you? Get your hands off my wife!" Roared Killian.
"Your wife? Captain Swan is married?" The pirate threw his head back howling with laughter
"And who, pray tell, managed to tame the shrew and claim her as his own, you must have quite the muzzle to subdue such a siren, or perhaps you are merely a glutton for punishment." The bedraggled marauder quipped.
Killian's eyes darkened as he took a step towards Blackbeard.
"ah ah ah" the pirate tutted, "One more step and my cutlass plunges through that pretty chest, my instructions were to prevent Captain Swan's lips from kissing, they said nothing about keeping her alive."
Killian took a step back to the others, Ruby's eyes glowed menacingly while her lip curled up into a sneer even the bloodthirsty pirate found intimidating.
His smile faltered and his countenance took a serious turn, "Now I suggest you all drop your weapons if you want your captain to stay intact"
Reluctantly they complied.
Drip, drip, drip
Water dripping from a leak in the rotting ceiling congregated into a puddle rising as painstakingly slowly as the minutes seemed to crawl by in their dank dungeon cell.
Since being thrown in together by Blackbeard a word hadn't been shared between them; all sitting in disbelief at being so close to completing their mission only to trip at the last hurdle.
Drip, drip, drip.
Emma sat in the dark, engulfed in shadows, her knees tight to her chest, held there with such force her knuckles has turned so white it looked as though her bones were piercing her flesh.
Millimetres, her lips were just millimetres away from her mother's face. Emma cursed herself for not just closing the gap and kissing her forehead ignoring Blackbeard's demand.
Drip, drip, drip.
It laid there, in the deepest part of her soul, the truth torturing her; ever present in the forefront of her mind despite how desperately she tried to hide it away in the dark recesses of her subconscious. Yet hide it would not; as the truth seldom does, always fighting its way to the surface. She knew it was her own insecurities she'd allowed to take over, that deep down the second she heard the pirates gruff voice relief washed over her, she was given an out, a way to avoid the introduction she'd been fretting about for all these weeks. She thought she was ready to face her parents, but her actions when given the opportunity to wake them proved otherwise. And now she was back in yet another cell, a physical reminder of the internal prison she'd built for herself over all these years. The walls erected around her heart, placed there, she'd convinced herself, to protect her, however all she'd succeeded in doing was trapping herself. And now if her thoughts weren't provoking her enough there was those irritating rhythmic drops of water.
Drip, drip, drip.
"Enough!" She screamed, drawing everyone's attention to her.
"Emma?" Killian's voice was laced with concern.
She closed her eyes and released a heavy sigh. "I didn't come all this way just to land in another cell." She stood with determination and marched over towards the cell door inspecting the lock.
"I've already looked at it" Will spoke quietly, "It's not like any lock I've come across, it's as if there is no mechanism at all"
"Then we get out another way" Killian proclaimed.
"What do you suggest?" Ruby snapped "Starve ourselves until we are thin enough to squeeze through the bars?"
"We talk our way out" said the King. "Blackbeard is a pirate, right?" he locked eyes with Emma "How do you think The Dark One got him to do his bidding, by threatening him?"
Emma shook her head, "Men like Blackbeard don't get intimidated or bullied into doing things, and they would rather look death in the face than have their reputation sullied with rumours of cowardice or fear."
"Then how?" Graham asked
"The only way to motivate a pirate." The Queen smiled.
"Rum?" Killian suggested.
She scowled at her husband, then rolled her eyes, "No, Treasure"
"So if we want to get out of here we need to offer him a higher price." Ruby finished Emma's line of thought.
"What could we possibly offer that The Dark One couldn't?" asked Will.
"Actually, I think I have just the thing!" Emma's eyes sparkled.
Before her friends had a chance to ask what possible treasure Emma had, the heavy Oak door of the dungeon swung open casting a beam of light cutting through the dark dank room. Silhouetted in the doorway was the menacing outline of the pirate himself.
Blackbeard sauntered into the dungeon; emerging from the shadows he looked as unpleasant as Emma remembered. His unkempt beard was still tamed in braids but now dotted with crumbs and soaked with ale. As he approached them he let out a loud belch that echoed, bouncing off the stone walls of the basement prison.
"I see you're making good use of the castle wine cellar and pantry" Emma remarked icily.
Blackbeard responded with a theatrical bow, "Would be rude not to, besides I have to fill my time with something while I wait." He considered her with a coy smile.
"Waiting for what exactly?" Killian demanded, moving to stand at his wife's side.
"To collect my reward of course!"
"Yeah well that isn't how this is going to play out." Emma stood her ground keeping her voice calm and steady.
Blackbeard leaned in towards the bars of their cell until his face was mere inches from hers. If the stench of his stale ale-drenched breath stung her nostrils she didn't show it but remained stoic and unmoved. "Is that so lass? Please enlighten me."
"You're going to let us go."
He burst into laughter practically spitting on her with each cackle. "Perhaps you missed your calling as a court jester. What in hell makes you think I'd do a thing like that?"
Without blinking she stated matter-of-factly, "You're going to let us go because whatever The Dark One has offered to pay you, I can give you more."
The pirate eyed her suspiciously, "You're reputation proceeds you but even the infamous Captain Swan can't claim to have more gold than The Dark One holds in his vaults. He is centuries old, has magic, and wants for nothing. The gold he has offered me is more than I could plunder in ten years!"
"But it still has its limit." Emma held his gaze, allowing Blackbeard to search her eyes for any hint of deception, knowing there was none to be found.
"There is no limitless treasure." His stare was so intense Emma felt as if the rest of the cell and the people in it faded away leaving only Emma and Blackbeard, locked in a battle of wits.
"But there is, I know you've heard of it, every pirate has."
Blackbeard's eyes widened as the realisation set in. "It's fable, it can't possibly exist…even if it did, no one knows it's location." His voice faltered just enough for Emma to know that even though she was the one locked up he was now at her mercy.
"I know exactly where it is" She stated boldly, "It rests in the heart of Atlantis."
"Aye, I've heard the fairy tales lass; it makes its home on the island that constantly changes its bearings, fully submerging and then rising up from the depths of the sea in a brand new location. Even if such a place did exist and even if the hand was there, the travelling island would be impossible to find."
A smile crept upon Emma's face. "If it changed position randomly that would be true, but it follows a pattern, I've charted its course and discovered its secret. Release us and I will tell you exactly how to find it. Once the hand of Midas is yours you will have infinite wealth and power, more than the Dark One himself, you will be the stuff of legends."
A gasp from the others brought Emma back into the room, now they knew she was talking about the Hand of Midas they shifted where they stood, looking at one another questioningly. Blackbeard narrowed his eyes further, "If what you say is true and you know its current position then why haven't you claimed it for yourself?"
"I couldn't trust Baelfire, he was a glutton for gold and I knew he would abuse the hand's power and ultimately lose it or get us killed, he was always reckless when it came to treasure. I felt it was safer where it was, I'd always planned on going back to it eventually. Just knowing its secret felt like it was already mine. There was no hiding place I could come up with that was better than its current one. When Baelfire died it was just a case of getting in a position where I could sail out and claim it, I needed a bigger crew and The Jolly Roger needed repaired. I was planning on fetching it after I finished this job" She told her first lie of the night.
"And you would just hand it over to me, the most desired treasure in the world?"
She had his attention now but Blackbeard was a cautious man; cold and calculated he needed more answers before he would be satisfied enough to consider releasing them.
"Why are you here?"
"I have unfinished business with the King and Queen, whom you rudely interrupted me from awaking so I could complete that business." Emma disguised her true feelings of anxiousness and worry, sounding instead like Blackbeard was an annoyance at worst.
He still wasn't satisfied, now he asked "And why does the Dark One have a bounty on your head?"
It dawned on Emma that she didn't honestly know why The Dark One was so focused on her capture. She relied on her quick thinking to satisfy the pirate. "He found out I had been tracking Atlantis, I don't know how but he figured it out and he wants me to tell him where it is. If you hand me over to him he will torture me until he finds what he wants. If you release me now you can get one up on him and get to the treasure first, with magic like that in your possession you will be unstoppable. Imagine being attacked and wielding the hand as a weapon, you could turn your enemies into riches, literally!"
He mused over her words, carefully considering her offer. "You would swap that power just to get out from behind these bars?" he questioned.
"I value my life; I am under no illusion; once The Dark One gets what he wants from me he will kill me. As much as I desire treasure I value my life most precious of all."
She saw his expression change slightly; he had made up his mind. "Ok Captain Swan, I will release you and your friends in exchange for directions to Atlantis and your word that you will not come after the Hand of Midas, that you will accept that it is mine and you no longer have any claim to it."
"You have my word." She promised.
Blackbeard took a step back and reaching inside the pocket of his long duster jacket he pulled out a set of keys. They jingled as he slid one into the lock and they all watched as it pinged open. He opened the door but still held his sword out at Emma, following her as she walked out of the cell. "Let's do this quickly and painlessly, tell me what you know."
Emma took a deep breath and began, "Legend says that after time Midas grew to despise his hand, it was no longer a blessing but instead a curse. One night without thinking he leaned in to kiss his wife and caressed her cheek with the enchanted hand instead of his normal one turning her into gold before his eyes. It was his breaking point, he ordered his hand to be chopped off and he threw it back to the ocean entrusting it to the gods. Venus took the hand and hid it on an island, then tearing the island from its roots she made it mobile and tethered it to herself so wherever she went the Island would follow making it almost impossible for another human to find. I started charting sightings of the island and saw the pattern emerge. The island follows the planet Venus. Sail towards Venus and you will find Atlantis; that I can promise you."
He flashed a toothy grin, "It has been a pleasure working with you, though I can't risk you following me or trying to thwart my attempts at your precious treasure so I do apologise…"
Before Emma could respond He blew a pink powder over them and suddenly everything went dark and she felt her body sink to the floor.
The first thing Killian was aware of was the throbbing in his head like a swinging pendulum of pain sweeping around each corner of his skull. He let out a groan and slowly rose blinking quickly in an attempt to help his blurry vision clear again. Eventually it cleared enough for him to see he was sitting on the dungeon floor, the door in front of him was wide open clearing the way for a beam of light to flood into the room. Looking around him he saw the others also coming to and groaning rubbing their heads.
"Bastard" Emma grunted, "What ever happened to a pirate's word being enough, I told him how to get the bloody treasure."
Killian helped her up, "We need to hurry, we don't know if The Dark One knows you're here or how long it will take Blackbeard to figure out you were lying about the Hand of Midas, you must have a brilliant poker face , luv" he ginned at her but her face remained serious.
"I wasn't lying."
He froze at her words, "W…what…wait, you really found The Hand of Midas and just handed over all that power to a pirate!"
She raised her brow at the way he said 'pirate' like it was a bad word. "He won't get far with it. The hand is cursed; anyone who tries to move it will be stuck down dead." She shrugged, "You were right about one thing though, we don't know how much time we have, come on let's go wake up my parents".
He watched as she bounded up the steps and out the door into the light, she was still a mystery to him after these past years, he wondered if he would ever unlock all her secrets, then quickly concluded that he might not want to. Just then Graham patted him firmly on the back.
"That Queen of yours is something else; every day is a pleasant surprise!"
Killian smiled, "Aye, mate, she certainly makes life interesting."
"You never did want a quiet life did you" chimed in Will.
"Are you boys going to stand around chatting or are we going to go welcome our King and Queen home?" Ruby rolled her eyes then moved around then running up the stairs after Emma.
Her remark struck Killian, "King David" he murmured, before quickly following Ruby, with Graham and Will close behind.
Emma stood before her parents once again, but this time there was no hesitation, she was ready, in fact she was desperate to meet them after all she'd been through, she trusted Killian and his memory and she longed for the loving embrace of her parents. Leaning down she kissed her mother's head and then her father's right after before leaning back and watching their eyes. Her mother's flickered open first falling directly on Emma's. Her immediate reaction was to smile "Emma" the name escaped her lips in a whisper.
"You're beautiful" her father exclaimed causing Emma's head to snap in his direction. Both her parents were sitting up now.
"How long has it been?" The Queen asked, her brows furrowed as her eyes took in every detail of her daughter, now a grown woman.
"Too long" Emma said, a tear ran down her cheeks, "I'm sorry it took so long!"
"Oh Emma!" Her mother threw her arms around her, followed immediately by her father.
That was how Killian found them when he entered the room, the three of them wrapped in an embrace that could never make up for the years lost but that didn't stop them from trying. He hung back letting them have their moment until Queen Mary Margaret's eyes opened and she caught sight of him.
"Killian?" As much as the years had weathered his appearance there was no mistaking those crystal blue eyes and mischievous glint shining from them. The group pulled apart and King David's head shot up in Killian's direction.
"Killian, my boy, is that really you?" David gasped then furrowed his brows looking down at the hook that stood in pace of his left hand.
Killian slowly walked towards them, his eyebrow raised and the corner of his lip rising. Once in front of the King he began to bow but was stopped as David threw his arms around him. "Thank you for keeping her safe" King David whispered in his ear as he held him tightly.
Killian pulled back shaking his head. "I failed you" he confessed dropping his head, unable to meet the King's eyes.
Emma quickly rose to her feet and hurried to her husband's side, "It's not his fault, they were attacked, and he was just a boy. But fate brought Killian and I back together and he has shown me kindness like I've never known, even before he knew who I was. Killian saved my life, and he gave me something to live for, something to fight for and I couldn't ask for a better partner, husband, and King." She lifted his chin gently with her fingers until his eyes hesitantly met hers. She gave his hand a squeeze and Mary Margaret and David exchanged a knowing look.
"We will need to hear your tale, it sounds incredible but first we need to find out as much information as we can about The Dark One and his bidding, we need to meet with our generals and come up with a plan."
Emma now knew what Killian had meant about her father's leadership skills, she could already tell he was a man of action. Mary Margaret squeezed her daughter's hand to get her attention, "Emma I have so many questions and so much to catch up on, we'll organise a feast in the castle tonight to celebrate the curse being lifted but afterwards we should retire to the library, just the four of us where we can talk in confidence and without interruption." In her eyes was such genuine love Emma warmed to her instantly, immediately reprimanding herself for ever doubting her parents would want her. She nodded happily at her mother, wiping away another stray tear.
"Killian and Emma meet us in the council room in 30 minutes, you remember where it is?" King David directed the last part of the question to Killian who nodded in reply. David patted him on the back, "excellent, we'll meet you there."
With that the King turned and left the room to find his staff. Queen Mary Margaret gave Killian a hug and then said to them, "I will show you a room you can use, and I believe I heard you say, Emma, that you and Killian are married?" Emma nodded, smiling at Killian. "Wonderful, I had always hoped you two would fall in love." the Queen beamed looking back and forth between the two, Killian's ears had turned a charming shade of pink and he raised his finger to scratch behind one of them. "I'll have some fresh clothes sent to your room for you to change into." She said then led them down the hall to a beautifully carved wooden door where she left them to get settled.
Killian closed the door behind him and looked at Emma, "well?" he asked, "Were they as you imagined?"
She sighed, melting into the chair in front of a vanity looking at her reflection, "It's just rather overwhelming, being this loved…after a lifetime of feeling unloved and like nobody cared. With you it was different, I loved you first, so I waited patiently for your love in return and when it finally happened it was wonderful. This is just all so sudden…I have a family Killian, a real family that extends beyond the one I made with you."
He stood behind her, his hand softly grazing her neck as he watched her in the mirror smile and lean her head into his hand. "It's a lot to take in, and I wish we could just spend time with them catching up but we have to focus on The Dark One, there will be time to spend together reacquainting ourselves after this is over, we will have to fit in all we can tonight because I am going to encourage your father to move his army to Merlin's forest tomorrow."
She turned to face him, "Why Merlin's forest?"
"The Dark One will look to Misthaven or Aaralyn to find us, Merlin is directly in between, saving time to move the troops there and it is also closest to The Dark One's castle. Merlin can be a great asset to us; I still feel there is much he knows that he hasn't revealed to us yet."
Emma thought over this, "It sounds like a good plan, we can bring it to the council at the meeting, but now we don't have much time, we need to get ready."
"After this" He leaned in and claimed her lips with his, it'd been too long since they had a private moment together and he fully intended to take advantage of it. The moan that slipped from her lips told him she was thinking the same thing. In one smooth move her scooped her up in his arms and carried her to their bed while she tried to stifle her giggles.
"This way Emma, quick, we're already late!" They ran down then corridors of the castle, holding hands while Killian shot ahead pulling her behind him. They were supposed to meet King David and Queen Mary Margaret 10 minutes ago but somehow lost track of the time while in their room. For years Killian had sought to free his King and Queen from their curse but he hadn't really thought beyond that. He felt unprepared to serve his King, not to mention the added complication of being married to his daughter. There was much to make up for and being late due to his copulation with Emma wasn't exactly a good start.
Finally he screeched to a halt outside large double doors, panting Killain took a few deep breaths then shrugging at Emma he muttered "here goes nothing" and he pushed open the doors. The meeting was already in session. Will, Graham, and Ruby were amongst those gathered listening to King David who stood at the head of the table with Queen Mary Margaret seated at his right side. All eyes turned to look at Killian and Emma standing awkwardly in the doorway.
"Killian and Emma, good of you both to join us." The King said coolly, his steely eyes giving Killian a silent interrogation.
Killian cleared his throat and scratched behind his ear nervously, "Apologises, your majesty, it took me longer to find the council room than I had thought it would."
"I can see that." The King looked between Emma and Killian causing them both to blush before sitting down sheepishly. Will, who sat directly across from Killian, wiggled his eyebrows at his friend teasingly.
"It seems we have a lot of catching up to do on what happened to our people once The Dark One cast his curse." David turned his attention away from the blushing couple and back to the table, "Killian would you kindly fill us in on the past…how many years?"
The King sat down to listen while Killian stood and filled everyone in on the evacuation of Middlemist, the terrible attack on his carriage, Emma's abduction and everything that followed. King David and Queen Mary Margaret were obviously deeply affected by the news of Brennan Jones' death and that of Liam's also.
"Brennan was a trusted companion of mine and a good man, I'm deeply sorry to hear the news of his, Liam's and Elsa's passing, it's a staggering loss to us all, I'm so sorry Killian." The King said softly.
Killian nodded in thanks and then continued to inform the council about Aaralyn, and it's recent destruction at the hands of The Dark One, of Emma's second abduction and how they learned who she really was, The Dark One's interest in their daughter had David and Mary Margaret at the edges of their seats but they continued to listen as Killian told them of Aaralyn's rebuilding, the promise of help from Princess Anna of Arendelle, and his suggestion to take Misthaven's army to Merlin to meet with the armies of Aaralyn and Arendelle.
King David sat and rubbed his chin taking in all the information he'd been given. After a time of reflection he stood and addressed the room.
"First I wish to say thank you to King Killian, Queen Emma, and their companions for freeing us from our curse, they have shown immense bravery and strength in their perilous quest. After hearing all that has transpired I understand the reason it has taken so long and the obstacles that had to be faced by all. I am incredibly proud of you Killian and the leader you have become. Emma, I hoped so many things for you when I held you in my arms as an infant and my heart breaks at the hardships you have endured to bring you to the place you are now but my heart also swells at how beautiful, strong, and fearless you are, today you are our saviour and I must admit knowing that I am facing The Dark one with you both by my side inspires a faith that we can win this, something I have never had before, even though the Queen has." He looked down and smiled at Mary Margaret. "I say we follow Killian's suggestion and move our troops to seek out Merlin, he is that one who warned us Emma was in danger all those years ago, he's proven himself a friend. We will leave at sunrise tomorrow."
The King stood and held out his arm for his Queen to take and they left the room. Killian looked to Emma and let out a breath he had been holding for too long. She smiled and laying her hand on his arm said, "You did good"
He shook his head in disbelief, "I've made so many mistakes, and all I wanted was to make your father proud…"
"And you did. You heard him Killian, if I didn't know better I'd say this is the start of a beautiful bromance." She teased.
"Bromance?"
"Yes, I think that word sums it up perfectly"
"You know what I think, luv?" he smiled mischievously.
"What?"
Killian leaned in to whisper in her ear, "I think you're jealous" pulling back he gave her a wink.
She snorted, hitting his arm playfully
"All right you two, find a room…again" Will moved over to them.
"I have no idea what you mean" Killian arched his brow.
"If you say so, just make sure you aren't late for dinner too, you're in your Father-in-law's good books, I'd suggest you keep it that way," Will gave Killian a slap on the back and then followed the others out of the room.
As they walked back to their room arm in arm Emma suddenly gasped, stopping and turning to Killian "I just realised, we haven't told my parents about Henry, they don't know they're grandparents!"
Killian smiled, cupping her face in his hand, "We'll tell them when we meet alone after dinner, after all I assume that you wish to tell them the truth, that he is also The Dark One's grandson, it's probably a conversation best left for behind closed doors!"
He felt a knot form in his stomach at the thought of someone else knowing that Henry wasn't his…if he was honest with himself he often forgot he wasn't his, saying the words out loud would shattered the illusion he'd created for himself. All of a sudden their time alone with the King and Queen was a moment he was dreading.