Hey everyone! I hope you all had a safe and happy new year. I'm forcing my thinking juices to flow so I don't have to clean my kitchen. I made my cousin's wedding cake and I'm dreading it.
I really hope you are enjoying this story. I'm having fun writing it. Thank you to everyone who has favorited/followed this story! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Anyway… here's the story!
It was growing dark by the time Killian was finished answering all of Emma's questions. Ruby sat in the corner quietly, soaking in all that Killian said.
Killian told them of how he came to their land, how he went through Neverland in hopes of saving his older brother, and how when he was finally able to return to their world, the man who had been waiting for them on the other side of the ocean had died, leaving him this land.
"The first night I was here I was angry. My father had abandoned me, my brother was killed, and the only person left who knew I existed was dead. I felt alone and betrayed by everyone who had left me. So I ran out into the forest. I didn't get too far out before I began to feel something strange lurking in the shadows. It made me feel uneasy so I headed back to my lodgings. However, curiosity got the best of me and I turned back around. Turns out it was a good thing too because a beast had been following me. Strangely, he did not attack me. He stared me straight in the eye as if it was human, as if it understood I was defenseless.
"I went back every night for several weeks in hopes of seeing this creature again. During this time, I was making my place here among the people. I had learned that the man who was supposed to take my brother and I in was an old friend of my father's. They had met during their time in the Navy and remained close friends throughout their lives. They became business partners and opened up a shipyard. Their business grew so quickly that he ventured this way and settled his business here. When he died, he had no child to pass his legacy on to. He knew my brother and I knew the business and trusted not only his shipyard to us, but also this land.
"I worked the shipyard among the other men. Nobody knew who I was. All they knew was that I was the new guy who never talked. They had started calling me Shadow. They would talk of dark creatures in the forest, of how last year one son from each family disappeared. In the town they would speak of different political developments in the kingdoms. Whole towns were rumored to disappear in the dead of night. A new school had been founded for the "gifted" children in hopes of being able to counter these events. An underlying feeling of panic and unease laced all of these conversations.
"Anyway, I worked in the yard for a year or so until it became impossible for me to run the business and work the yard. Once my true wealth became known, mothers were throwing their daughters left and right at me. One thing led to another, I fell in love with a girl, her beau didn't appreciate it, we got into a duel and left me with one hand, and I took his life."
"So you didn't lose your hand to the law?" Emma interrupted?
"No lass. I lost it to a bloke much more foolish than the law."
"Why do you say the law is foolish?"
Killian raised an eyebrow. "The New Law, as it is called, was created by a people in fear. They fear the unknown, of others who hold more power than them, whether they be good or evil. It has taken the strength from our people and made us all weak against other powers."
Emma thought about it. She wasn't really up to date on the current affairs of the kingdom, considering she was constantly running from the law.
Killian explained some of the new laws. Anything sold, in one's home or in the market, had to be registered by the government. If they didn't deem it safe or equal to have among the people, it was discarded. There had been rebellions among the people but the kingdom quickly suppressed them.
Also, if anyone were to practice magic, they were to be executed on the spot. The Council of Magic had been completely replaced by young selfish politicians who cared only for their advancement.
Emma was immediately nervous. "So am I in any danger? I just found out I had this power, if it's even that."
"Aye lass, but I will not let any harm come upon you."
Looking into his eyes, Emma could see no hesitation or hint of a lie. She felt it in her bones that he would help her even in the hardest of times.
"Anyway, for obvious reasons I couldn't remain here, so I sold the shipyard to the highest bidder and headed to the new school. I was accepted because my father was wealthy and I could pay for my own lodgings. There I learned of magic, the finest swordsmanship, and the darkest evil. We all knew something dark was among the land and that it was spreading. Once I heard the darkness was spreading to the home of my childhood, I jumped on the first ship that would leave at daybreak. The captain turned out to be a crook and tried to take me for all that I was worth. After a violent duel, I killed him and became captain of my ship.
"A month later we arrived at where the docks of my home should have been, but it was not there. I was too late to save it.
"We sat at anchor until we started to run low on supplies. I was determined to find the evil that had destroyed my home. We set sail, attacking any ship that was said to have magic on it, either to recruit more students for Jefferson's Cove or find the savior.
"Strong magic was rumored to be here, of all places, so we set our sails east and headed to the one place I did not want to be."
"Wait," Emma interrupted. "If you were not welcome here, how did that big festival come about, in your name no less?"
Chuckling, Killian shook his head. "Tink would be how this party came about. She always did have this town under her finger. Everyone loves her and nobody can say no to her except me. We created a strong friendship during my stay here and it hasn't changed."
"Are you sure it's just a friendship?"
"Worried lass?"
Blushing, Emma furiously denied anything of the sort. "There is no way I would be worried about keeping your attention."
Before Killian could respond, Ruby spoke up. "And this powerful magic, what of it? Have you found it?"
Nervously Killian responded "Aye."
"And? Do you plan to destroy it like the pirate you are?" Emma persisted.
Killian kept staring at Emma as if she would explode, glancing between her eyes and her hands.
"No. I do not believe that would be… prudent."
"Stop holding back on me, Hook. I can just as easily throw you back out to the beast."
Rolling his eyes, Killian answered Emma. "Let's not get frisky now, love. We must go to Jefferson's Cove if we want to know if my thoughts are correct."
"We?" Ruby questioned with her eyebrow raised.
"Aye. I won't really know for sure unless you both go with me"
Ruby kept probing. "Why? Why is it required that we go with you?"
"I do believe the magic is in your dear sweet sister. Only the masters there will know for sure."
"What?!"
"I know. I was confused as well lass. Someone who doesn't even know they have magic shouldn't be the savior. But here you are."
"No. No, no, no, no. There is no way I am the savior. I have no magic. That was just a freak accident. It was because of that beast…"
"As much as you would like to deny it, I do believe you are. That was no freak accident. That beast was after you, love. He can sense magic and I have seen the likes of him do terrible things to those who carry the magic. If you don't come with me, that beast will keep coming after you. He will trap you in here until you are forced out and he will take you himself. So either you come with me or you die a painful death."
Emma stood up to look out the window. How could she trust what this man was saying? He was essentially a pirate who had no qualms with taking another's life and pillaging helpless towns. Even more troublesome, why did she feel safe with him after he had killed others with magic? Was he lying just to get to her? Her lie detector hadn't gone off the entire time he was telling them his story. Maybe he really was trying to
The beast came into her line of sight. It looked more like a wolf than anything. He was pacing back and forth along the edge of the forest. As if he could sense her staring at him, he looked at her dead in the eye. Frightened, Emma went to go sit across from Killian.
"We should leave in the morning then. Ruby and I need to leave here soon, anyway."
"Good, then I shall stay here for the night."
"What?! You can't stay here! Don't you have a home to go to?"
"Aye, but in case you've forgotten, there is a beast out there that wants to eat you. Once I leave, he has full reign. Are you ready to be a meal?"
Rightly chastised, Emma conceded.
"Alright then. Now that we have that settled, what are the sleeping arrangements?"
"You can sleep in my bed tonight!" Ruby volunteered.
Emma looked between Killian and Ruby and vehemently shook her head. "Nope. Not happening. Hook will sleep in my bed. Ruby will sleep in her own bed. And I will make a bed on the floor."
"Love, I have no problem taking the floor."
"No, Ruby would be upset if I were to be such an ungracious host."
"Really, I insist on…"
"I can feed you to the beast if you would prefer."
"Testy little lass, aren't ya? Fine, fine. But you get all the blankets."
"Whatever. Just turn around while we get changed. No peaking."
Smirking, Killian replied, "I wouldn't think of it. After all, I am always a gentleman."
Emma narrowed her eyes and watched him as he slowly turned around to face the wall. She kept her eyes on him until she was turned all the way around. She changed as quickly as she could and turned back around. When she finally looked to Hook, he had a huge smirk on his face looking her dead in the eye.
"I'm sorry, I peaked" Killian leered. "And what a wonderful peak it was," he winked.
Emma clenched her fist and started to feel them warm up. Realizing that this might mean her magic was triggered, she calmed herself down and huffed as she grabbed all of the blankets off the bed. She couldn't tell if she was flattered or insulted.
"Good night, Hook."
She turned her back towards him as he climbed into her makeshift bed. Nodding his good night towards Ruby, he laid down and whispered "Good night, Emma."