Chapter 8
Waters off the Enchanted Forest, around a year before the 1st curse
Ursula sat at her opulent table in her luxurious dining room. Her servants had outdone themselves with her dinner tonight. Everything looked delectable and smelled simply divine, but Ursula merely picked at her food. She doubted it had ever happened to her before, but tonight she was too worried to eat.
She was losing her powers, and the only item capable of restoring them was effectively out of her reach. How was she to get her tentacles on the trident? Triton had enchanted the borders of his kingdom to keep her out, and she didn't trust Flotsam and Jetsam as far as she could throw them.
And then inspiration struck. Though it might be diminishing, she still had magic. Was it enough to transform herself? What if she showed up on Triton's doorstep, not as a rotund octopus, but as a young, innocent, beautiful mermaid? She'd seen enough poor unfortunate souls in her day to imitate them perfectly.
Appetite restored, Ursula made short work of the feast set before her, and then hurried to her study. Half an hour later, she didn't even recognize herself in the mirror. Long, straight black hair, bright blue eyes, delicate features, violet tail. She was gorgeous. Believe it or not, she was even more gorgeous than she was in her normal state. It was perfect!
She swam listlessly toward Triton's kingdom, spending the time thinking up a plausible cover story. If she was going to do this, she might as well do this right. Her name was…let's see…Vanessa. She'd made a deal with the sea witch, Ursula, and she'd only just escaped becoming one of her slaves.
It was perfect really. Who would expect Ursula to show up at the kingdom line badmouthing, well, Ursula?
In less than an hour, the shining, prosperous city along Triton's southern border came into view. It was beautiful! Just think! Once she had the trident, all of this would be at her disposal as well. She could run the kingdom if she wanted to. Ursula pulled a disgusted face. Why would she want to run the kingdom? Far, far, far too much work. No, she'd let Triton remain "in charge," but she'd keep him under her perfectly manicured thumb. He stuck one fin out of line, she'd stick him with his own trident.
She was so engrossed in the vision of her power and wealth that she nearly forgot to play the part. She only just managed to wipe the smile from her face before she came upon the two beefy sentries that stood guard just outside the kingdom gates.
"Who goes there?" came from the first, a bronzed Adonis with flowing blond locks that must be the envy of every mermaid under the see.
"State your name and your business!" demanded the other, an equally fine specimen of merman with ebony skin and piercing milk-chocolate eyes.
Oh she might just keep these two around when she was in charge. She could use a couple of mer-boy toys.
She turned on the water works. "Please, please help me!" she cried in a voice far too soft and gentle to be real.
The blond Greek god swam forward and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "What is amiss, my lady?"
"My name is Vanessa, and I am in desperate trouble!"
"What is this trouble? How can we help you?" This from the delectable hunk of black mermanhood.
"It's the sea witch!" Ursula wailed, "she's after me! She tricked me, and now she wants to plant my soul in her garden!"
Both guys gasped and donned identical outraged expressions.
"She'll not get to you under our watch, my lady!"
"Quickly, swim forward, the border's been enchanted to keep Ursula out. You'll be safe as soon as you've passed into the kingdom."
Ursula was quick to oblige. She swam forward with a speed hitherto unimagined. It was going to work! It was going to…splat! It was as though she ran into a very hard, very solid invisible wall. Suddenly Ursula felt the sensation of slightly-too-warm bathwater whooshing over her.
The guards gasped, and Ursula looked down. Drat! She was back to her slightly bulbous octopus form! The blond guard growled deep in his chest and raised his trident. A bolt of fire shot from it right in her direction. They had fire? Under water?
Not waiting to see what else they had up their non-existent sleeves, Ursula turned tail and swam for her life. What was that at the border of the kingdom? She knew she wouldn't be able to make it in as Ursula, but since when were town lines clever enough to detect transfiguration disguises?
….
"Flotsam! Jetsam! Get your slimy little eel butts in here!" Ursula shrieked as soon as she'd made her way safely back to her mansion.
A moment later the pair wandered lazily in. "Yes, Your Chunkiness?" Flotsam asked with a tiny mocking nod of his head.
"What's the deal?" She asked, pacing her sitting room. "Why couldn't I get across the border into Triton's kingdom?"
The eels eyed each other, and then Jetsam spoke slowly and carefully, like you might speak to someone from the loony bin. "Triton enchanted it to keep you out, o most fat one."
"I know that," she said in a voice heavily laced with sarcasm, "but I didn't go as myself. I went as a beautiful young mermaid named Vanessa."
The two eyed each other again. "The transformation must have taken hours," one of them muttered under his breath.
"For your information, it took less than half an hour, you little amoeba brain!"
The other one scoffed. He actually scoffed!
"Well, never mind that now!" Ursula said irritably. "Why'd Vanessa get a bucket of scalding water dropped over her head?"
"Did you not know?" Flotsam asked. "The enchantment goes beyond merely keeping you out. He's also employed a dark-detector. No one with dark magic power can cross the border."
"Drat! Now how am I going to get the trident?"
"Have you tried asking Triton to give it to you?" Flotsam asked.
She stared at him. Clearly he'd been spending way too much time with the electric eels; they were frying his brain. "Yeah," she huffed, "I'm sure if I went up to the border, said 'Pretty please, King Triton! Please give me your trident so I can control you and your kingdom!" he'd just hand it over!"
"Maybe not," Jetsam said, "but never underestimate the power of good, old-fashioned blackmail."
"Take Triton's most prized 'possession'," Jetsam began.
"And he'll give you anything you like to get it back," Flotsam finished.
Interesting. Occasionally these slippery fish came up with an idea that had merit. "Just what might his most prized possession be?"
"Not 'what'," Flotsam said.
"But 'who'," Jetsam finished.
"His daughters!" Ursula gasped. The eels nodded, creepy grins in place.
"Now who shall I target?"
"I suggest, Your Stoutness," Flotsam said, "that you focus your attention on Ariel."
"Of course!" Ursula said, snapping her fingers. "You said she has a thing for a human? Ought to be a piece of crab cake to convince her to make a deal with me…and once I do, I've got her!"
Camelot, present day
Emma opened her eyes to bright sunlight filtering through the cottage's one window, and an extremely chipper bird singing his little head off in a tree nearby. A delighted smile draped her mouth. She only wondered why all the birds in the forest weren't singing a symphony.
Her head lay against Killian's bare chest, his strong heartbeat under her ear, his arm holding her close. Her husband was amazing! She'd never even imagined it could be like that. Killian had been one big amalgamation of aching tenderness, breathless passion, and wild abandon. He'd once told her she was an open book to him, and well could she believe it after last night. He'd anticipated her every desire and fulfilled it beyond her wildest dreams.
Emma let her eyes drift shut for another moment, and let her mind drift back over every beautiful, intimate, breathless moment of it. The need for her husband roared to life once again, and she raised up on one hand and took his mouth with her own. He groaned, muttered her name, and took her into his arms before he was even fully awake.
She laughed. "Morning, husband. Happy to see me?"
He grinned down at her. "Good morning, wife. Ecstatic, as always."
He kissed her long and deeply, but she pulled back before things could get too serious. He pouted adorably, and she laughed, swatting his arm.
"You're a hard-hearted lass," he said, "teasing a man with heaven and then snatching it from his grasp."
"Killian, as much as I enjoyed sleeping with you…and trust me, I did, we do have other needs."
"Can't think of any, love." And then his stomach growled.
Emma laughed again. "I think your stomach can. We were so wrapped up in each other last night we forgot to eat dinner."
"Ah, that's right," Killian said, snapping his fingers and getting to a seated position. "I knew there was something I was forgetting."
Emma threw back the covers, and prepared to get up and scrounge around in the cabinets, but Killian stopped her with a hand to her arm.
"Let me, love," he said getting to his feet and slipping on his trousers. "After a night like that, my wife deserves breakfast in bed."
"I could get used to this!" Emma said with a laugh.
Killian puttered around the tiny kitchen, started a fire, and began cooking something that smelled like porridge. Emma began picking at the ratty comforter. "You were satisfied then?" she asked slightly uncomfortably, "you know, with last night?"
He turned toward her and gave her a surprised look. "It was brilliant, amazing, incredible, bloody perfect."
She blushed. "Yeah, it was for me too," she said. "I just wasn't sure. I mean I'm sure you had your fair share of women during your pirate days, and I didn't know…"
He walked purposely over to her, set her bowl on the table beside the bed, leaned down and kissed her. "Swan, you're more potent than the finest rum, and I have many plans to stay perpetually inebriated with your love for the next fifty years or so."
She pulled him down onto the bed with her, and he laughed. "What about breakfast, love?"
She kissed him. Thoroughly. I think our time would be better spent taking care of a different hunger, first, don't you think?'
He grinned his pirate grin. "Oh, most definitely."
….
It was noon before Killian and Emma could tear themselves from their cottage.
"You're sure we can't while away a few more hours in bed, love?" Killian asked hopefully, guiding her from the cabin with a hand to her lower back.
Emma groaned. "Don't tempt me. But as incredible as that sounds, you know Regina's going to go all 'evil queen' on us if we don't return with reinforcements soon."
"Probably true," Killian admitted with a sigh. Moment of levity aside, Killian felt a swell of pity for Regina. If Emma lay near death, Henry had been kidnapped and he was helpless to aid them, he'd be frantic. "So what do you suggest for our strategy?"
"Strategy?" she asked, eyes widened with surprise. "You think we need a strategy? As grateful as Camelot was for our help last year…you know with the whole 'knight and lady of the prophecy' thing, I figure they'll be falling all over themselves to help us."
"Oh they'll wish to aid us, no doubt about that," Killian said, taking her hand as they walked forward, "but there is the problem of the Round Table."
"What do you mean?"
"Surely you haven't forgotten the conditions of Camelot's peace? The kingdom will remain impervious to outside forces as long as all the Knights of the Round Table are united and remain in Camelot. Can we really ask them to put their own security in jeopardy for us?"
Emma grinned and tugged a small scroll from her pocket. "One step ahead of you, Jones. I had a talk with Gold yesterday before we left, and he gave me this protection spell that he promises I can cast."
"The Crocodile can do that?" he asked.
"Sure," she said with a shrug. "He's the one who gave them the enchanted Round Table in the first place. Why couldn't he craft another protection spell?"
"Are you telling me that the bloody Crocodile had a protection spell up his sleeve the entire time, yet he let us risk our lives here in Camelot to defeat Morgana Le Fay?!"
"Not exactly," Emma said. "The protection spell isn't nearly that strong. Gold told me it will work as long as Camelot's at peace, there's no immediate threat, and the knights are still united in spirit and intention even if not in body."
The pair walked hand in hand over the last two miles of densely forested ground before Camelot's legendary castle came into view. Killian's mind flitted over his experiences at this castle. Some of them had been distinctly unpleasant. There was the time Morgana kidnapped him and held him in her healing/torture room. She really was the queen of multitasking! Then there was the time he and Emma had fought their way in to repair the Round Table and defeat Morgana. Finally, there was the fantastic feast Arthur had thrown in their honor after peace had been restored…a feast that was marred by news of the Wicked Witch's plans to execute Snow, Charming and Henry.
No. There'd never been a time Killian had entered Camelot's courts completely unmarred by danger or tragedy. He sincerely hoped their experiences today would break the streak.
"State your name and purpose!" the porter called from the turreted gate house.
"Killian and Emma Jones, the knight and lady of the prophecy. We wish to speak with King Arthur about a matter of utmost urgency."
"The lord and lady of prophecy?" the porter asked with widened eyes. "You've returned? Come in! Come in! I'll alert the castle. The king and queen will be most pleased to receive you!"
An excitedly chattering servant led Killian and Emma through the inner bailey and into the great hall, where the main meal was currently being served. No sooner had they crossed the threshold before a mighty knight got to his feet and rushed to their side.
He might be known as Sir Gawain to the rest of Camelot, but to Killian, he was simply "da."
With tears in his eyes, the knight threw his arms around Killian's shoulders, and held him so tightly he could barely breathe. "Killian, lad," the man said brokenly, "I thought to never see ye again! Praised be God!"
Killian returned his father's embrace, tears clogging his own throat. "Da!" was all he could say for long moments.
Eventually the men separated, and Gawain looked aside with obvious embarrassment at his emotional outburst. His eyes fell on Emma who was currently wrapped in the embrace of Sir Galahad, who, as a young child, she'd known as her foster father, Greg Smith.
Killian watched as a knowing twinkle entered his father's eye. "Killian, did the porter introduce you as 'Killian and Emma Jones'?"
Killian couldn't contain the smile that spread over his handsome features. "That he did, Da. Emma Swan did me the great honor of becoming my wife yesterday!"
Gawain laughed, and slapped Killian on the back. "I knew it! I saw the way the two of you looked at each other when you were last in Camelot. Reminded me of nothing so much as your dear mother and I when we were courting."
"It took me a fair amount of time to win the lass's heart," Killian said, "but now that I have it, there is nothing I wouldn't do for her. I never want to be parted from her again!"
"I wish you long life and happiness, my lad," his father said, tearing up again. "There's nothing in all the world like the love of a good woman."
"Nay there is not," Killian agreed happily.
Sir Gawain and Sir Galahad took Killian and Emma personally to King Arthur and Queen Guinevere at the dais. The couple got hastily to their feet and hurried forward…Guinevere with distinctly more difficulty than her husband. Her large, very pregnant belly seemed to cause havoc with her equilibrium.
"The knight and lady of prophecy!" Arthur said delightedly. "You are most welcome at our board! Come! Join us at the head table."
Within moments, Killian and Emma were seated beside the king and queen, and a serving maid placed a trencher of food—chimaera, of course—before them.
"What brings you to our fair kingdom?" Guinevere asked, peering around Emma to look at Killian.
"We've a number of purposes, your majesty," Killian said formally. "Firstly, we wished to impart our news and we hope you'll share in our joy. My princess and I were joined in the bonds of matrimony not a day past."
The king and queen exclaimed with delight, and Killian looked on with affection and amusement as Queen Guinevere hugged Emma and then demanded to see her ring. It seemed women were the same regardless of what realm in which they resided.
"This calls for a celebration!" Arthur announced. "Bring the spiced mead! Call the minstrels! We'll hold a feast like Camelot has not seen in decades!"
Killian and Emma shared a smile, and then the lass spoke up. "It looks like we're not the only ones with something to celebrate. Guinevere, you look like you could give birth any moment!"
The queen laughed. "I've yet a month left, if it can be believed. The new castle healer believes I carry twins!"
"Congratulations!" Killian and Emma said together.
"It's a miracle!" Guinevere said rapturously. "All that time Arthur and I tried for a baby and nothing happened. I was beginning to give up hope. I thought I was cursed with infertility."
"Well," Emma said with a grimace, "you were, in a way."
"What do you mean?" Arthur asked.
"Just before defeating Morgana," Killian explained, "we learned that that bloody witch had been giving you potions to insure you never conceived."
"What!?" Arthur shouted. "That psychotic, vindictive shrew!"
"Indeed," Killian agreed with a decisive nod. "The world is a far better place with her no longer in it."
"Without doubt," Guinevere agreed.
The couples ate for several moments in silence, and then King Arthur turned back toward Killian. "You said there were a couple of reasons you came to our fair kingdom. What, pray, might the other be?"
Emma explained their mission in a few, concise words. "And so you see, your majesties, we're desperately in need of your help."
"We've yet to determine even the identity of the blackguard who is targeting us," Killian put in grimly, "but we know he is quite formidable. Until we've determined a viable way forward, we wish to assemble as many allies as we can."
"Our kingdom is at your disposal, as always," King Arthur said with a bow. "After the service you rendered us, our debt can never be repaid. If it is within my power, I shall grant your request."
"Well, your majesty," Emma said, "we were hoping you could spare a few of your knights to help us in our fight. I have here a spell from Merlin himself that will make sure your kingdom is protected while they're gone."
"It shall be done!" Arthur asserted. "If it pleases you, I shall send Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad and Sir Gawain. My most valiant of knights should suit your purpose, I believe."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Killian said with a smile. "You've no idea how much it will mean to my lady wife and I to have our fathers fighting by our sides!"
The feast continued long into the night. The food and the spirits flowed with an abundance Killian had rarely seen. He enjoyed himself immensely. It would have been more than worth it for his lovely wife's joy and laughter alone. She'd had so much pain and heartbreak in her life; he relished the ability to give her happiness.
In due time, the celebration wound down, and Killian and Emma were shown to a luxurious bedchamber. No sooner had the door closed behind them than Killian had his wife pressed up against its wooden surface, kissing and caressing her with as much passion as would a man who'd been apart from his wife for a year.
Emma gasped in surprise, and then joined him wholeheartedly. Finally, she pulled away, breathing hard. She threw him a teasing grin as he moved toward the large, soft bed. "Killian, you're insatiable!"
He grinned back and patted the comforter. "Aye, love, but then again, it's been a good eight hours since I last had you. Come here and let me love you."
"If you insist, pirate," she said with a long-suffering sigh. By the alacrity with which the lass came to him and fell into his arms, Killian knew her sigh was all for show. She wanted him as badly as he wanted her, and Killian thought his heart would burst with the very wonder of it.
Notes:
-So, Ursula comes up with a plan to trap Ariel, and Killian and Emma both secure the knights' help and continue their mini honeymoon.
-Up next: Long long ago in the Enchanted Forest, we catch up with Blackbeard's sister, Anne. She's been living a rather Jane-Austin-novel-like life with Hornigold's rich but almost unbearably straight-laced sister. Miss Hornigold has begun the painstaking process of finding Anne a suitable husband, but Anne wants nothing to do with it. She's got quite the adventurous spirit and wants a bit more excitement in her life. Back in the present day section, we meet back up with the gang in the Enchanted Forest. They make their way to the castle to see just who's ruling in the Enchanted Forest these days…and whether they are friends or foes. Meanwhile, Regina continues to care for Robin who's yet to come out of his coma.