Chapter 14

Waters off the Enchanted Forest, about a year before the first curse

Ursula closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose feeling the headache blossom. How she was going to survive this meeting without resorting to murder was beyond her.

"No," she growled, "for the three and a half millionth time, I do not have rum. You can drink wine if you're so desperate for booze."

The pirate scoffed. "That grape juice? You call that wine? I've stolen better stuff from teetotalers."

"You're a slave!" Ursula burst out glaring at the men assembled before her. "You're all my slaves. You don't complain about my beverages; you're just grateful I provide you with anything!"

The two pirates closest to her exchanged a glance and then burst into uproarious laughter.

"Shut your traps!" she bellowed. "You better just watch yourself or I might toss you back in my dungeon."

"That brig?" someone at the back of the room asked in obvious amusement. "Won't do you any good. Picking the locks is child's play. We'll be out before you get back to your great hall"

Ursula sighed noisily. Unfortunately the man was right. Yesterday the guys had driven her up the wall to such a degree she'd thrown the whole lot in the dungeon buried deep within the ocean floor. When she'd returned to her dining room five minutes later, she found a room full of pirates eating her food and liberally imbibing of her spirits. The boldest among them had belched impressively throwing the rest of the group into gales of laughter. Great. Not only are they disorderly and vulgar, they're also a bunch of children!

"Now," Ursula said coming back to the present, "I didn't bring you here so you could bug me about my liquor supply. I brought you so we could discuss your mission."

She glanced around the room, and a vein in her forehead began throbbing. "You! In the back! What the hell do you think you're doing? Hands off!"

The man scowled at her, but set down the necklace and earrings he'd just pilfered.

"What kind of people are you anyway? Stealing everything in sight, no manners, no respect for your superiors!" she huffed in frustration.

They looked around at each other and then answered as one in a tone that implied she was a complete idiot. "Pirates."

The trident. I need them for the trident. Can't kill them until I get the trident. She repeated it over and over under her breath like a mantra until she finally regained her temper.

"Now," she said in a voice she tried desperately to keep calm, "You are going to steal the trident from King Triton."

"Aye, aye," the man in front said with a mocking salute. "What's the plan?"

"How the hell should I know?" she bellowed, "that's what I stole you for!"

"Captain gives the orders," a man in the middle offered.

"Alright then," Ursula said slowly, "which one of you wants to be captain?"

Fifty hands shot into the air. Sigh.

"Which one of you has the brains to plan and lead the operation?"

Fifty hands slowly lowered to their sides. Even longer sigh.

She was getting nowhere. Officially. She'd have to get a captain…a real captain….soon or she'd be stuck with this bunch of kleptomaniac buffoons and no trident forever!

But how? Captains weren't easy to come by. She'd been collecting pirates for a couple of months, but she'd yet to get even a first mate. Her tactics weren't working.

Maybe she needed help. Maybe if she paid a little visit to a land dweller she could get what she needed. Suddenly she knew exactly what she needed to do.

….

Enchanted Forest

Regina tore off her gloves and threw them at her vanity. She'd failed. Again. Despite all her efforts with that little red-headed mermaid, Snow had still gotten away. She poured herself a drink, draining the carafe, and then threw the offending container against the wall. It shattered with a satisfying crash.

She'd provided Ariel with means to become human, given her everything she needed for her idyllic night with her prince, and what had she gotten in return? Nothing!

There for a moment, Regina had smelled the sweet aroma of victory. The fish woman had taken the bait, so to speak. She'd had her night with her prince, she'd brought Snow back to the docks, she'd put the bracelet on Snow's wrist turning her into a beached mermaid, and Regina had swooped in for the kill. And then that damned mermaid had stabbed Regina with a fork. A fork! She'd been thwarted by an eating utensil!

Regina began pacing her chamber. Would she ever get her vengeance? She stopped before the bas-relief of Ursula.

"What use are you?" she yelled at the image of the octopus with a woman's features. "Fat, incompetent, impotent, aquatic, ridiculous myth! What use are you?"

Suddenly the sculpture began to move and shift like agitated water in the midst of a storm. Ursula's bronze hand shot forward and closed around Regina's neck. Regina gasped, clawing at the hand as it squeezed. Her lungs began to scream for air.

Regina shot magic spells at the hand, the now animated sculpture, but nothing happened. Panic set in.

"Watch the names you call people, you impersonating bitch!" the sculpture snarled.

Regina made a strangled sound at the back of her throat, and Ursula eased her hold until Regina could finally breathe again. "You…you exist!" Regina said shakily.

"Well spotted, genius," Ursula said sarcastically.

"What do you want?" Regina asked. Immediate crisis over, her accustomed haughtiness was back in full force. She was the queen! The bloody queen! She didn't cower before personified statues. What power did a sea-witch hold over her?

As though she heard Regina's mental question, Ursula squeezed once again and then let go. Regina's hands went to her neck, felt the bruises beginning to form from the statue's fingers. Maybe it would be best not to antagonize Ursula.

"Pardon my rudeness," Regina said with only a hint of sarcasm this time. "What is it that you want?"

"Number 1," Ursula said holding up one finger, "don't you ever, ever pretend to be me again. You're a disgrace; not believable at all. I've got a reputation to uphold here, can't have some brunette bimbo of an evil queen messing it up for me."

"Really?" Regina said with a raised eyebrow.

The bronze hand shot out again, closing around Regina's windpipe. "Yes, 'really', toots. Next time I don't stop squeezing until your eyeballs pop out of your head."

She let go again. Regina stepped back and then glared. "Fine. No more impersonation. Not like it got me anywhere anyway. Anything else."

"Yeah," Ursula said, settling back into her sculpture more comfortably. "I need a pirate captain."

Regina raised her eyebrows. "What? Mermen just not satisfying you anymore?"

Ursula rolled her eyes. "Not like that! For the love of Poseidon, I can barely stand to be in the same room with the nasty sons-of-bitches let alone…" She shuttered dramatically.

"Very well," Regina said, "If you don't want a pirate like that. What do you want from one?"

"That's my business, you nosy broad," Ursula huffed. "You worry about getting me my captain; I worry about what to do with him once he's in my collection."

Regina leaned back and folded her arms across her chest. "And just why should I do your bidding? I'm the evil queen. I don't take orders, I give them."

"Thought you had more brains than that, toots," Ursula said contemptuously. "Why should you do my bidding? Hmm. Maybe because if you don't I'll hunt you down and squeeze your neck until your head falls off!"

"Your threats don't frighten me," Regina said boldly. "I'll find a way to defeat you."

"Maybe," Ursula said, "but I wouldn't if I were you."

"And why is that."

"Because the second reason you should do my bidding is quite simple. I've got spies everywhere there's water. Get me my captain and I'll give you all the intel you want on your precious little Snow White."

Regina thought about it for a moment and then stepped forward, hand outstretched. "Deal."

Enchanted Forest, present day

The night after Robin woke from the coma, the dreams began. They were little more than impressions, sensations. His nurse (Regina, wasn't it?) featured prominently—only she was different. She wore expensive gowns, those fit for royalty. She wore her beautiful hair in elaborate styles rather than simply tying it back like his nurse did.

Then there was the boy. He appeared in many of the dreams as well. He had a mop of curly black hair and dimples in his cheeks when he smiled. And his eyes! The lad had Marian's eyes.

Sometimes the three of them were together, talking and laughing. Sometimes it was just him and the lad, and those dreams were always cloaked with sadness.

But not the dreams with Regina. No, sadness had no place with her, at least while he was sleeping. No, around her there was nothing but joy and love. So much love he ached with it.

He woke suddenly on the third morning since the coma, smile draping his face. He'd been with Regina in that last dream, holding her, kissing her, sharing his very heart with her. And when he awoke, there she was, sitting awkwardly by his bed, her head tilted at an uncomfortable angle. She shouldn't be in that chair! She should be in the bed with him where he could hold her, where he could…Memories slammed back in. Marian! His lovely, beautiful Marian! What manner of monster was he to even think of another woman when his lovely wife had been gone little more than a week? The sadness claimed him then, and he closed his eyes, willing himself to go back to sleep where at least there was a short respite from the agony.

….

Regina opened her eyes and bleakly looked at the man lying before her. He'd awoken earlier this morning, and for a split second she'd seen the old Robin shining through his eyes. He'd worn an expression of nothing short of love and adoration when he looked at her. Then as quickly as it came, it was gone, replaced by the grief and agony that were his near constant companions.

Regina ached for him, wished there was something she could do to help him, but there was nothing. No, that wasn't quite true. She could get his son back for him. Robin needed his son.

She thought of the ransom note she'd folded and buried deep within the bedside table. She'd told no one of its existence, but it ate at her. That first day she'd gone back and forth debating with herself about what she needed to do, but that night she'd made up her mind.

If you ignore my summons, what happens to the boy will be on your head.

That line tortured her. If she refused to go, if she told the others and they insisted on coming with her, the monster would harm Roland. She couldn't let that happen; she couldn't! She couldn't bear the thought of that little boy in fear, in pain. If she could get him back, even if it took her death, it would be worth it.

She was going, and she was going alone.

….

Emma woke from her doze as she felt the bed sag under the weight of her husband getting in. She rolled over and looked at him in the uncertain light of the fire. He was bare to the waist. He quietly unfastened and removed the brace to which he attached his hook and set it on the bedside table.

"Thought you were never coming to bed tonight, Killian," she said sleepily.

He looked down at her in chagrin. "Didn't mean to wake you love; I know you've been feeling a bit poorly lately."

Emma snuggled into him, wrapping her arms around his waist, laying her head above his heart. "You didn't wake me. I was just kind of dozing. I don't know what's wrong with me lately; no matter how much I sleep, I still feel tired."

"Probably just trying to adjust to the Enchanted Forest, I supposed," he said, gently kissing her hair.

"I guess," she said skeptically. She hadn't reacted like this the last two times she was in the Enchanted Forest. Nor had she had a nagging sour stomach driving her nuts. Mentally she shrugged. Must have gotten a stomach flu or something.

"Killian," she said, absently stroking his back.

"Aye?"

"Does Regina seem a little, I don't know, off to you?"

He was silent for a moment, probably pondering her question. "Off in what way?" he asked finally.

"It's like something is bothering her; like she's worried or something."

Killian shrugged. "I'd wager the situation with Robin is weighing on her heavily, and there is the lad we've yet to find."

"Yeah," she said. "But it's more than that. I saw Regina just after Robin woke up. She was upset, yeah, but not like this. She's been pale as death over the week since that happened. Something is definitely up; something she doesn't want the rest of us to know about."

"Have you any theories as to what that might be, lass?"

Emma was silent for a moment, thinking, enjoying the soothing sensation of Killian running his fingers through her hair. Finally she shook her head.

"I just don't know. We're all on the same team here. What wouldn't she want to tell us?"

Killian leaned down and kissed the nape of her neck. She tilted her head back to give him fuller access. "Well there's naught we can do about it tonight, Emma."

"Yeah, I guess that's true, but just…help me keep an eye on her, won't you? I have a bad feeling about this."

"Aye, as you wish, love," he said in the voice that never failed to send delicious shivers down her spine. "But let's put the topic aside for tonight, aye? I've a wish to discuss more important topics."

She saw the wicked sparkle in his eye.

"And just what might those 'more important' topics be, pirate?"

He leaned down and whispered some suggestions that had her blushing to the roots of her hair.

She shook her head. "Don't think I could go for that, Killian."

He looked taken aback. "And why not, love?"

She grinned wickedly. "I don't want to talk about it; I want a demonstration."

Emma laughed at the surprised look on his face. Had she actually rendered him speechless?

He recovered quickly, grinned down at her and then proceeded to kiss her until she couldn't see straight. "Lucky for you lass, I am quite apt at demonstration."

….

Killian heard a noise in the hallway early the next morning. So early, in fact that the sun had not yet come made an appearance. He eased out of the bed, careful not to disturb Emma. Slowly, he opened the door and peered out.

Through the faintly flickering light of the wall sconces, he made out a woman walking swiftly toward the stairs. Regina.

Killian silently closed the door and hastily donned his clothing. Emma's troubled questions of the night before nagged at him. He'd scarcely had a thought in the past week but for his wife, but now that she mentioned it, Regina had been acting peculiarly. There was worry and sadness, aye, but there was something else as well. Resolve. He'd bet the Jolly the queen was preparing to put a plan into action.

Padding over to the bed, Killian leaned over and gently shook his wife. "Emma, love, wake up."

The lass mumbled something, turned over and slept on. He shook her again; she groaned and finally opened bleary eyes.

"Hook, if this isn't important I'm going to murder you," she said grumpily.

He grinned. "It would be a shame to make yourself a widow before you've even been a wife for a month, Swan."

She frowned up at him. Killian sighed

"It's Regina," he said finally. "I just saw her sneaking out of the castle."

Emma's frown disappeared, replaced by curiosity. She jumped out of bed and began throwing on clothing. "We need to know what's up. Let's follow her."

….

Half an hour before dawn on the day she was to meet Roland's abductor, Regina rose from her seat by the bed and leaned over Robin.

"I love you," she whispered, bending down to brush her lips against the sleeping man's brow. "Whatever's in store for me know that. I love you and I love Roland."

Taking one last look at the man she may never see again, Regina turned deliberately away and walked through the door.

Questions plagued her. Who had sent the note? Who was so desperate to punish her for the crimes she'd committed against him that he'd kidnap an innocent little boy? Unfortunately, Regina had to admit the list of possibilities was probably pretty long. Her quest for vengeance had left many victims in her wake.

Would he kill her, this unknown foe? If so, she hoped it was quick and clean. She didn't relish a long drawn out death involving torture and pain. Even so, if that's what it took to get Roland back, she would do it, unflinchingly.

It was cool this morning, a dense fog hovered near the ground, shrouding her feet and ankles. It was eerie weather, and strangely fitting for the sacrifice she was prepared to make.

A twig snapped behind her, and Regina froze, heart pounding. "Is someone there?" she asked. The smallness and fragility of her voice annoyed her, and she rose to her full height. "Show yourself; don't slink among the forest like a coward!" Her voice was much steadier this time. Good.

Regina waited long moments, but no other sound was heard. Perhaps it was nothing more than a woodland animal. She was so keyed up about what was going to happen that she was jumping at shadows.

It took twenty minutes to walk to the shore. The first faint blush of color was starting to tint the sky as Regina stepped onto the firm, wet sand. Regina looked from side to side. The kidnapper was either hiding or he'd yet to arrive.

Regina paced the shore line for what felt like hours. Her shoes and the hem of her dress became drenched in the salty water of the tide as it ebbed and flowed. She was just beginning to wonder if the man would show at all when she suddenly noticed a movement from out at sea. A man gradually emerged from beneath the water, walking forward until he was standing right next to her.

Regina gasped. Blackbeard!

He chuckled humorlessly. "Surprised to see me your majesty?"

"You're…you're here!"

"In the flesh," he said with a mocking bow. "Well, in a manner of speaking."

It was true. He looked more like a ghost than a living, breathing person. He had a slightly spectral appearance, and if she looked very closely, she could see through him in places.

"What happened to you?" she asked quietly.

"You ought to know," he said angrily. "You're the one who sold me to the witch who did this to me."

"I'm…I'm sorry," Regina said in a small voice. She didn't know who she'd been expecting to see, but Blackbeard was not it.

He laughed, the sound harsh and grating. "The Evil Queen apologizing for her deeds of vengeance and barbarity? Forgive me if I question your sincerity."

That snapped her out of it, brought her ire to the fore. This ghost-man before her might have her fate in the palm of his hand, but he damn well wasn't going to take her out cowering.

"Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant," she said haughtily. "I'm here per the terms of your ransom note. Where's Roland?"

"Safe," Blackbeard said. "You came alone? With no weapons?"

Regina spread her arms wide showing her completely unarmed state. "What would you care if I brought weapons? Ghosts can't be affected by them, can they?"

"Oh I assure you, my lady, I am not a ghost, but you are correct. Guns and swords would not faze me."

"I'll ask you again," Regina said, a slight edge to her voice this time. "Where's Roland?"

"Surrender to me and he will be returned to his father," he said.

"And if I refuse to surrender before I see him safely returned to his father, whole and unharmed?"

"Do you really want to take the chance that I won't harm him if you refuse?" he asked nastily.

She dropped her eyes. "Well get on with it then," she said briskly. "Whatever you plan to do to me. Get on with it!"

He smiled humorlessly. "With pleasure."

But he didn't move.

"So what are you planning to do to me?" Regina asked in a bored voice. "Kill me?"

"Oh no, no, no, my dear queen," Blackbeard said with a chuckle, "not kill you. Death would be far too easy a fate. No, I plan to do no more and no less than you did to me. I'm going to give you to her."

Regina gasped and took an inadvertent step backward.

"Oh don't tell me you plan to go back on our agreement," he taunted.

She stepped forward, tall and proud. "No. The deal stands."

"Excellent," he said. "Now come here and let me drown you."

With a deep breath, Regina took a step forward, and then white light erupted around her. Something resembling a bubble surrounded her on all sides. Someone had cast a protection spell over her.

"Hook!" she heard Blackbeard yell in shock and something else. Anger?

"It cannot be!" she heard the one-handed pirate himself breathe.

Regina looked around, and sure enough there they were, Mrs. Jones and her faithful sidekick.

No! They couldn't be here! They couldn't stop her! She had to save Roland!

Regina raised her hands, concentrated hard, and tried to take down the shield. Nothing happened. Damn! Emma's powers must have grown stronger with her marriage.

Helplessly, Regina looked around at the scene around her. Both pirates were advancing on each other, Hook with a sword drawn.

"No, Killiian!" Emma shouted, casting a protection spell over her husband. "Swords won't touch him."

Emma turned toward Blackbeard, her hands out-stretched. "It's over," she said firmly. "You've lost. It's time to give yourself up."

Blackbeard laughed derisively. "Never!" he spat. With that, he dove beneath the waves and disappeared from sight.

Emma took down the protection spells, and for a moment, no one moved, and then Killian reached for Emma, holding her so tightly she could probably barely breathe.

Regina moved forward slowly, clenching and unclenching her fists, trying desperately to get a handle on her anger and fear. When she reached the couple, they pulled apart, but Killian kept an arm around his wife's waist.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, following me here like that?" Regina said in a voice shaking with rage.

The smile slid from Emma's face. "Oh, I don't know," she said sarcastically, "saving your life?"

"I didn't want you to save it!" Regina shrieked. "Now that monster will…If he harms so much as a hair on Roland's head, I'm holding you personally responsible."

With that, Regina turned on her heels, stalked back to the castle, and left the Joneses in her wake.

Notes:

-The back-in-time section was obviously inspired by events in 3x6. Here you see why Regina sells Blackbeard to Ursula.

-In the present section, Regina sacrifices herself. While that's certainly a noble objective, I'm glad Killian and Emma got there in time to stop her.

-With that, this story hits the half-way mark!

-Up next: A year and a half or so before the curse, Anne realizes her night as "Tiger Lily," has long-reaching consequences. In the present day section, Eric and Ariel show up and the gang learns that Blackbeard isn't the only villain they need to be concerned about. Also, Killian and Emma make a startling discovery.