Hello my loved ones :) Here comes a new chapter!

As reply to a review I HAVE NO IDEA how long this will be. I have the general outline, but the plot bunnies (yes i use that term - i know it's bad) keep multiplying and I keep adding scenes. Now it's a huge family of plot bunnies. :/

By the by, I try to PM all reviewers who write more than 'good chapter' to express my thanks :) It's just something I do, aren't i nice :) haha

Happy readings, Love. Eh.


People, goods, karts, food, apples, everywhere!

Ariel's face beamed at the long forgotten sight of markets. She had been to the town markets with Prince Trashing before, but that was so long ago. And her final memories of him weren't pleasant, therefore for the longest time; she had locked it all away into a box deep inside her heart.

Today was different. Hook brought her here (carried actually). She sat on his strong arm while her arms circled his neck for support. Her long legs showed from her white dress that Hook had mended for her. The white fabric clung to her skin, and danced gently in the soft morning breeze.

Ariel was glad she was with Hook. People tend like handsome fellas (as they called it). The shopkeepers often complimented on what a kind lad she had found. (Ariel being mute and Hook still caring for her). She did get compliments too, what a brave girl, being so disadvantaged but still strong enough to come out and see the world. Ariel shied away from those people. There's no way she of all people was brave. She knew in a way by staying with Hook, she was hiding from the pain and fear of her past. Maybe she will gain courage someday to face it, but today was not the day.

Some jealous shopkeepers (those with heavily applied raccoon make up and exaggerated large hoop earrings) asked Hook why he would spend time with a mute. Those keepers, Ariel found it funny, that Hook replied with a disgusted tone, "a mute is much better than a pig".

Of course, that had led them be chased out of the store, but Ariel didn't mind. When she went with Prince Trashing, everyone was so focused on being on the good side of Eric; she never got to experience any of the normal daily events that happened around here. With Hook, she saw old married couples arguing over the smallest things and getting over it a second later. She saw small children running around and apologizing when they bumped into Hook. She saw old men with beer who whistled at her and cowered away when Hook gave them a death glare.

She was so curious of everything, and Hook didn't shield her away like Eric and Smee did.

They had spent a good morning exploring the city, with Ariel's sweet looks, the two were getting quite a lot of free things. ("Here's an apple for this sweet lady!" and "Kind lass, I will give you this flower. My gift to a beautiful woman.")

"Do you want anything to drink?" It was a fairly sunny day after all. Hook didn't want his fish to be too dehydrated and turn into fried fish or something.

Shaking her head, Ariel pointed to the shaded area of the lake. She just wanted to rest for a while. Understanding her intentions, Hook carried her over there. After setting her down at the edge of the concrete linings next the lake, he sat down next to her as well, his sack full of things Ariel found interesting.

The scenery was picturesque. Willow trees behind them provided enough shade, the leaves dangling and swaying in the wind. Cool clear water rippled as Ariel dipped her feet in them, relieved as the pain died down. Hook picked up a small rock, and threw it across the water, one, two three. It dropped and sunk to the bottom with a 'blob'. He picked up another, one, two, and three. Like his heartbeat, the rocks hit the surface in a steady beat. He wondered how long it would take for her to notice his feelings. Would it be one heartbeat, two heartbeat, or three heartbeats?

Ariel reached into Hook's bag and pulled out a big red flower. Sniffing the sweet alluring scent, she kissed the petals. Slowly, she tucked the flower behind Hook's ear. Watching his confused expression, she laughed.

Pretty.

Hook shook out the flower. "Flowers are for women." He tucked the red flower behind Ariel's ear. "Pretty woman." Touching the petals, he smiled, "If only the flowers were green, they would match your hair."

There are no green flowers.

"Oh you'd be surprised. One of the good things – there aren't many – of being a pirate is to see the wildest and weirdest thing any other human has ever seen. Trust me, I have seen green flowers."

Intrigued by his stories, Ariel listened eagerly, as Hook talked about his previous adventures. The ones with flying fairies, an annoying girl who goes by the name Wendy, and the green large lizards called crocodiles… She wondered if Hook was her green flower. Wonderful and yet it was impossible.

Wonderful?

Was Hook wonderful? He may be good looking (maybe too good looking for that matter), and kind (taking care of her and all), but he was still a pirate. Can pirates be wonderful? He lived on adventures, thrill and desires. Ariel was pretty sure she had faced enough of those for a lifetime.

Yep, he was her green flower. Only because there are no green flowers.

Suddenly understanding their relationship and how it could never reach something she craved; Ariel looked off to the distance. The market was not far away, but it seemed to be much less lively than before. The shopkeepers moved their carts away from the central road, leaving a wide empty space enough for an army to cross. A white horse started to emerge into her vision. The scene… It seemed so… familiar.

Then it hit her, oh crap. It was a royal visit. And guess who was on that damn white horse? Prince Trashing.


I am going to put this out here before people start throwing things at me : YES I STOLE THE GREEN FLOWERS LOOK BETTER IN YOUR HAIR LINE FROM BLUE BLOODS. I thought it was cool that both Bliss and Ariel had red hair... haha. Blue bloods belongs to Melissa De La Cruz, so that was not my original idea.

Another thing is that I have added my long awaited PRINCE TRASHING :) We'll see how it goes. I think odetted99 before has mentioned something along this line so it's getting there - in case you waited for the encounter!

Read n Review (my ANs are getting longer... -.-)