Chapter 18

Enchanted Forest, not quite a year before the first curse

Ariel jumped, ran, pirouetted, reveled in the legs she now owned thanks to the blessed cuff on her arm. It was hers to keep this time; hers to keep forever! Legs were wonderful! From what she'd witnessed, humans simply did not appreciate them the way they should.

Skipping forward, Ariel returned to the bag where she kept her most prized trinkets. Shiny seashells, forks, other items humans simply threw away.

And the mirror. Ariel picked up the mirror almost reverently, closed her eyes tightly and thought of her prince.

Prince Erik. The most handsome man in any realm. Her true love. As a young mermaid, Ariel had watched her much-older sisters fall in love one by one. She'd seen the stars in their eyes, heard the breathlessness in their voices as they described their mermen, seen the glow of happiness that covered them as they wed their beloveds. She'd spent many nights, lying on her solitary bunk dreaming of the day her own true love would find her.

And then she'd found him, quite by accident as it happened. She'd gone to the surface to feed the seagulls. Birds fascinated her. What would it be like to soar through air, weightless, free? There was one in particular she more or less considered her pet. She'd privately named him Scuttle. From time to time he brought her shiny human objects. In return, she kept him supplied with all the minnows he might wish to eat.

One night, Ariel had had a rather fierce fight with her father. He didn't understand her; he simply didn't! Didn't he realize she had to go to the surface from time to time? She had to see what else was out there! Life under the sea had become nearly stifling, but her father simply didn't understand. He'd gone on and on about Ursula, about the havoc she wanted to cause the kingdom. About the dangerous deals she was constantly cutting with unsuspecting merpeople. About the dangers of being spotted by humans and other land creatures. Ariel was not a guppy! She was an eighteen-year-old woman, and she could take care of herself. She didn't need her father to constantly hold her fins!

That was when she'd spotted it, the most magnificent ship she'd ever seen. She'd swam closer…closer than she'd ever dared to get to a vessel captained by land dwellers. And that's when she saw him. He stood at the deck, wind blowing in his ebony hair, loose white shirt billowing in the evening breeze, warm blue eyes looking out to sea with thirst for adventure. He was the most beautiful creature she'd ever beheld.

Romantic though she was, Ariel had always been a little skeptical about "love at first sight." Surely one must get to know a man before she fell in love with him, mustn't she? But looking up at this human man, Ariel knew her skepticism had been unfounded. Love like she'd never felt, never even imagined filled her from the top of her head to the very tip of her tail. No matter the danger, no matter the difficulty, no matter the difference in their worlds, she had to know this man.

An older man stepped gingerly to the rail. He looked slightly green. "Are you sure you should be so close to the edge of the ship, my prince?"

"Stop worrying Grimsby!" the man of her dreams had said with a clap to the older man's back. "I never feel more alive than when I'm on the sea! Besides, Triton's kingdom must be peaceful tonight. Look how calm and serene the sea is!"

Grimsby sighed and rolled his eyes. "Prince Erik," he said disapprovingly, "I'd wager you'd like Triton's kingdom a far sight less if you were to see it first hand when you fell overboard. Now please, come below where it's safe! One of these days you're going to give me a heart attack!"

Prince Erik sighed. "Very well, Grim," he said, "wouldn't want to be responsible for a heart attack. Lead the way."

And then her prince had left her, wandered away toward the bowels of the ship. Ariel had felt a moment of disappointment. He was walking away from her! But then, determination had filled her. One way or another she would find a way to be with Prince Erik. Her Prince Erik.

As Ariel turned the mirror over and waited for the image to crystalize, her mind drifted over her meeting with the prince. The ball had been simply divine! The food, the glittering assembly, the beautiful dresses of the ladies the tuxedoes of the gentlemen, the decorations, the music. It had all been beyond her wildest imagination. And then he'd walked in, and everything else in the world melted away. As he approached her, interest and intrigue in his eyes, nothing else mattered. Nothing but them.

He took her in his arms and led her across the floor in something called a "waltz." He was so close she felt his breath on her face, smelled the spicy scent of his cologne, nearly drowned in the pools of his eyes. They'd talked and laughed as though they'd known each other forever. To crown it all, he'd told her he was sailing the realms, and he asked her to come with him. All her dreams were finally coming true!

But then "Ursula" had turned out to be not Ursula at all. She was nothing more than a witch with vengeance on her mind. She'd not only stolen back Ariel's new legs, she'd also stolen her voice, and Ariel had had to watch as her true love sailed out of her life forever.

Taking a deep breath, Ariel looked into the mirror. The first thing she noticed was his face. It had worked! The Evil Queen's locator spell had worked! Then other things began coming into focus. He was in distress. He was fighting, his sword flashing furiously this way and that as he fought with a man with an impressive black beard—and impressive flaming black beard.

Erik's opponent had tremendous skill, and within moments, Ariel watched in horror as her prince was disarmed. Erik fell to his knees, a crimson patch staining his thigh where the other man had slashed him. Was she too late? Was she about to watch her true love be slaughtered?

The man placed the tip of his sword against Erik's adam's apple, and Ariel screamed, expecting any moment to see the weapon plunge forward and Erik's precious life-blood gushing from the resulting wound. But Erik's attacker did not go in for the kill. Instead, he demanded surrender.

Please Erik! Please agree. I can't lose you, not now. Not when I'm so close to finding you.

Erik looked rebellious for the space of a moment, but then dropped his head in defeat. Letting his sword clatter to the deck of his ship, Erik raised his hands in surrender.

"Wise choice, Your Majesty," Erik's attacker said, sheathing his own sword. "You're men will be freed, but you must come with me."

"What do you want with me, pirate?" Erik asked contemptuously.

The pirate laughed. "Oh the captain of yon vessel wants much with you. You, my dear man are a prince of the realm. Just imagine what a fantastic ransom you'll bring."

Ariel watched intently as the pirate led Erik from his own vessel to a rowboat and then onto the pirate ship. She looked closely, desperate for any clues who had taken her true love, any clues that would help her find him.

Suddenly she gasped. She'd heard of that ship before. What's more, she'd seen it. She'd bet her entire collection of human artifacts that the pirate with the flaming beard was leading her Erik onto the Jolly Roger.

A moment of dread filled her. The Jolly Roger was legendary. It was owned and ruled by Captain Hook, one of the most formidable villains on the high seas. She would find Hook if it was the last thing she did, and when she did, she would force the scoundrel to give her back her man!

….

Hook blew out a deep breath, and ran his hand through his dark hair. He was tired. Down to the bone tired. How had things taken such a turn? Two weeks ago, he'd pursued a lead, the first break he'd gotten in centuries. This was going to lead him to the Crocodile; he knew it!

When he'd learned the Evil Queen had imprisoned the woman the Crocodile had stolen and forced to be his servant, Hook had known an intense feeling of victory. If anyone would be an ally in his quest for vengeance it would be Belle. She who had suffered at the hands of the beast who had subjected her to God only knew what kind of indignities, she would jump at the opportunity to get her vengeance!

But it hadn't worked out the way he had planned. Within moments of talking to her, it had become painfully clear. The poor, deluded woman had feelings for him! The fool had actually fallen in love with the Crocodile!

He'd been so frustrated, he'd nearly plunged his hook into her pretty little heart. Hook winced as he thought about it. Had he really become such a cad that he would stoop to killing an innocent, defenseless woman simply because she wouldn't help him with his revenge?

Fortunately he'd been thwarted in his unmanly attack by the arrival of the Evil Queen. She'd sent him to Wonderland on a mission to assassinate her mother. Simple enough, it had seemed. How difficult could it be to remove and crush the heart of one, solitary woman? Far, far too difficult, it turned out, when said woman was a powerful sorceress. Hook rubbed his chest, still remembering the blistering pain of Cora reaching into his chest and squeezing his heart.

So he'd brought Cora back to the Evil Queen, not dead, but only feigning to be so. He'd no more than delivered the "corpse" and watched while Cora did not kill her daughter before he'd set out for his crew and the Jolly. The curse would be coming, and soon, if he didn't miss his guess. He wished to have all his affairs in order before it happened.

But even there he was thwarted. He'd reached the dock where he'd left his beautiful lady, but she was nowhere in sight. Had his crew moved her for some reason? He'd found his group of slovenly swine in the local tavern. Mr. Smee had been in fine form, it seemed. Talking and laughing, swilling his beer and let it slosh onto his beard, one wench on his lap and another at his side.

His first mate had gone white as chalk at Hook's appearance. He got quickly to his feet, unceremoniously dumping the feisty redhead he'd been holding.

"C..c..cap'n!" he said shakily, "so pleased to see you're back, sir!"

He wasn't; that was clear enough. The man was bloody terrified.

"Mr. Smee," Hook said menacingly.

"A…aye, Cap'n?"

"Where's the Jolly?"

"W…well, you see, Cap'n" Smee stuttered, "it just so happens….we did what we could…not our fault…terrible situation."

"Out with it, Mr. Smee. Where is the Jolly Roger?"

"Gone," he said finally.

"What do you mean 'gone'?" Hook had thundered. "Where is she?"

"Blackbeard took her, Cap'n, sir."

"You bloody bilge rats let Blackbeard take my ship?" he shouted.

"C…cap'n , sir," Smee blubbered, "there was nothing we could do! It was Blackbeard! He's the most fearsome pirate on the high seas!"

Hook glared at him so fiercely that Smee quailed and took a step back. "I…I mean the second most fearsome, of course. Following you, of course, Cap'n."

That was two weeks ago. Hook had scoured the shore, done everything he could think of to find his precious lady, but it was all to no avail. A deep feeling of discouragement swamped him. The ship was his home, his last link to Liam, to Milah! He couldn't lose the Jolly! If he lost her, he would lose the best parts of himself. He had to find her.

Wearily, Hook pushed his way into the tavern, and made his way toward his men seated in the corner. They were far more subdued today than they'd been when he'd first returned from Wonderland. What were pirates without a ship, after all? Smee got to his feet as Hook moved his way.

"Any luck Cap'n? Any news about the Jolly?"

"Not a word, Mr. Smee," Hook answered glumly.

"Well, don't give up, Cap'n" Smee said, handing over a bottle of rum. Hook gratefully took a gulp. "She'll turn up. No doubt she misses you as much as you miss her."

Most likely so if the stories of how Blackbeard pushed his ship and crew held even a kernel of truth.

"Aye," Hook said quietly. "And when she does turn up, Blackbeard will rue the day he even considered crossing me!"

"That's the ticket, sir!" Smee said, bracingly, "and Cap'n, the men and I know how dispirited you've been since we lost her. We pitched in to get you a gift."

"Aye?" Hook asked, attempting to feign some measure of enthusiasm, "and what might that be?"

Smee gestured to the other side of the room, and a voluptuous beauty with curly black hair began seductively sauntering his way. They'd bought him a wench? What did he want with a woman when his ship, the only lady he'd cared a fig for since Milah's, passing was lost?

Still, it wouldn't do to refuse her in front of his men. He had a reputation to uphold after all. And so he pasted on a leering smile, took the lass's outstretched hand, and led her to the door. He smiled absently at her as he pulled the tavern door open. And then something hard and heavy connected with his head. He saw his whore scurry off into the night just before the dark claimed him and he fell insensible to the ground.

Enchanted Forest present day.

Killian swam lazily up from the depths of sleep, feeling the languid contentment of a good night's sleep and the comfort of his wife's warm presence at his side. He looked over at Emma and smiled. She lay on her side, curled up, with her hands folded primly under her head. She looked so young, happy and content it was all he could do to keep from kissing her breathless. But, alas, his love had been so fatigued lately, so nauseated, he simply didn't have the heart to disturb her slumber.

He satisfied himself with brushing her tangled blonde hair from her face and gently kissing her forehead. Leaning down, he placed his hand on her nightgown-clad stomach.

"Good morning, little one," he whispered with a wistful smile. "What say you take pity on your mum today, aye? Allow her a little peace."

The sun burst forth from behind a cloud illuminating the bed and his small family. It was an angelic sight. How had he managed to be so blessed? He certainly didn't deserve it. Hook pushed aside the covers, got to his feet, and stretched idly, his eyes sweeping over the opulent bedroom, and suddenly he froze.

There, on the night stand, propped up against the oil lamp stood a single piece of velum. It was folded in two and bore his name. A feeling of foreboding stole over him.

Who could have stolen into his and Emma's bedroom during the night to leave the missive? Killian slept as lightly as a cat. Had anyone crept into the room, he would have heard them.

With a slightly shaking hand, Killian reached for the letter. He had the crazy feeling that whatever was written on this letter would change his life forever. Slowly, deliberately he unfolded the missive, smoothing it with his stump. And then he began to read.

Captain Hook,

I've waited long, far too long for this day. Your crimes, your sins, your injustices cry to the very earth to be avenged, and I will be the man to avenge them. I will take great pleasure in ridding the world of your worthless carcass.

As you well know, I hold the outlaw's child as my prisoner. Should you agree to meet me, give yourself up to me, I shall release him to his father's loving arms. Have you any pity for a young mite who is frightened and missing his family? Dare I hope a sodding blighter such as yourself has even an ounce of compassion within your black soul?

No matter. Even should you find it impossible to do the honorable thing for the sake of a young child, I'd wager you would for the pretty blonde piece of fluff who sleeps at your side. You see, I will get my vengeance come what may. Doubt me not. Should you refuse my request, I will take your wife. Know this, she will be begging for death before I am finished with her.

So it's your choice: shall I kill you or your wife?

Here are my demands. You will report this morning to the ship docked in the harbor. You will come alone without sword, hook or any other weapon. You will not fight me, but take your punishment like a man. You will tell no one of your plans, and certainly not your blonde witch of a wife. Be aware, her tricks and whiles cannot save your worthless hide this time. I've taken precautions to guard against her magic.

I shall wait until noon at which time I shall determine you are naught but a worthless coward who is willing to stand behind the skirts of his wife to save his life. What befalls her will be directly on your head.

Blackbeard

Killian let the missive fall from suddenly nerveless fingers, his heart pounding so furiously he was surprised it didn't burst from his chest. He looked over at his sleeping wife, overwhelming fear swamping him. Not fear for himself, but fear for her, her and the tiny child that slept within her womb.

Come what may, he must protect them. Quickly, silently he began to dress despite the fact it was so early the sun had only just begun to rise. I cannot be late! The thought repeated over and over in his mind. The thought of defying Blackbeard, of going against his demands never even occurred to Killian.

What use would his life be if anything happened to Emma? His death, even his torture would be more than worth it if it kept her safe. She would grieve for him, but she would go on. If for no other reason, she would go on for that little life created out of their love.

Killian stilled as he threw his black, billowy shirt over his head. Would she understand? She'd been left, abandoned, thrown away so many times throughout her life it was what she'd come to expect from life. If she woke to find him gone without a trace would she think he left her as well? Would she think he no longer wanted her?

Perhaps he should leave her a note, tell her what had happened. He dismissed the thought almost before it was formed. Blackbeard had been quite clear that Killian should tell no one; he couldn't defy the demon, couldn't take the chance he would make good on his threat against Emma. Though his heart hurt at the thought of Emma's heartbreak, it was far preferable to her torture and death.

Tears in his eyes, he padded to Emma's side of the bed, smoothed his hand over her silky hair, bent down and softly kissed her. "Have faith in me, my love," he whispered brokenly, "there's nothing in this world or any other that would induce me to willingly leave you."

With one lass kiss to her lips and another to her belly, Killian straightened and resolutely walked from their bedchamber.

Notes:

-Well, that was certainly a rough chapter for Hook/Killian. Blackbeard got the best of him in both timelines!

-Up next: For the time being, I must leave you in suspense about who knocked Hook out and what's next to happen to him in the past timeline (although if you watched season 3, you've probably seen where this is heading. The parallels to 3x17 are deliberate). The next chapter will focus entirely in the present timeline. What exactly does Blackbeard plan to do to Killian? Will he tell him exactly why he's so consumed with thoughts of vengeance against him? How will Emma react when she awakens to find Killian gone? Will it be like Killian feared? Will she believe he abandoned her? Will she discover what really happened in time to save him?