Disclaimer: Not mine. Not beta'd. You know the drill.
A/N: Gosh sorry for such the long wait for the update guys. I will be honest I had the hardest time finding the muse for this particular chapter. I was literally writing like a few paragraphs a day every day until I finished it. It's one of those filler chapters that you have to have before you get to more interesting things but now that I have read through it I feel pretty good about it. I am certainly more excited for the next few chapters. I have so many notes in my journal for this fic its crazy and I can't wait to get it all down and share it with you amazing peeps.
So many follows and reviews! I am loving it. Thank you guys for being so awesome.
Anyway, enough of my ramblings. Read on – Enjoy and Review!
Posted:10/16/13
Part of His World
By: Morgansgurl
Ariel didn't awaken until the well into the next day, the sun already high in the sky. She had been asleep for well over twenty-four hours. Her eyes started to flutter open slowly as her mind was gently lulled out of her unconscious state. Instinctually her body started to stretch out, and a soft breathy moan escaped her lips as her back arched and her hands reached far above her head easing the tension in her muscles. After a few seconds of long stretching she relaxed back into the comfort of the soft pillows and padding below her and let out a deep yawn, rubbing the sleep from her eyes with the palms of her hands.
For a few brief moments Ariel was at peace, still half asleep and feeling more well-rested and relaxed then she could remember having been in ages. In her half-conscious state her mind had convinced her that it was just a normal day and she was waking up in her royal chambers - a sleepy smile pulled at her lips. Alas, that reality was sorely dashed when she reached out haphazardly searching for Eric with one hand and instead touched the course fabric of velvet curtains only to have her hand push up against a hard flat surface on the other side. That shouldn't have happened at all, her bed in the castle was enormous and luxurious and perched in the middle of the royal chamber nowhere near a wall…or anything velvet for that matter…
Her eyes shot open in a panic and she sat up in a start, looking around frantically trying to figure out her surroundings. If she wasn't in her royal chambers then where on earth was she!? She tried looking around her but the room she was in was so dark thanks to the thick heavy curtains with nearly everything cast in deep shadows, she noticed a faint light trying to break through around the edges of the curtains but to no avail. Quickly she snatched one end of the curtain in her hand and pulled it back from the edge of the wall, the room filling with light.
Looking around her reality finally came crashing back down around her as her mind sobered – fully awake now. She could feel a single tear of anguish slip down her cheek at her sudden realization of her situation. She didn't even bother to brush it away as she took in an uneven breath. For a few moments there she had been….felt...truly happy again, even if it was a sleep induced haze of euphoria.
`Get a grip` she thought bitterly as she glanced around the room for any sign of her captor. It marginally surprised her when she noticed that the bed was made up neatly, even though she had noticed it prior when she first entered the room it just struck her as odd and out of place for a pirate to be so neat and tidy. Especially when considering she had watched him place his dirty boots up atop his desk. The sharp memory of the events following that thought forcing an involuntary shiver to run down her spine.
Ariel had to admit; thus far he had kept good on their deal – her hand coming up to brush the small scabbed over cut on the underside of her chin. Brushing the unpleasant memory away, she instead noted that apparently he had allowed her to sleep for goodness knows how long - that too struck her as strange. She had expected him to wake her as soon as he was up and about, she was grateful that wasn't the case.
When she realized she was in the room alone she made a move to get up, feeling the very human need to use the restroom, but first had to remove a knitted throw from her person that she could recall she hadn't fallen asleep with. Her brows furrowed together in confusion, as she pursed her lips at the oddity of it, however she didn't linger on the thought for too long as she stood up.
Ariel had been expecting the feeling of pain in her legs and feet when she rose to stand, and was pleasantly surprised to feel none. She felt normal and thankfully pain free. She remembered the Genie's words that her legs wouldn't hurt forever she just needed time to adjust and adapt. She carefully walked over to the bathroom, wary of overworking her new legs again.
As she stepped inside she noticed that the bath was full of water and she eyed it curiously but paid little heed to it until she faced the vanity and noticed a pile of neatly folded clothes with a note on top. As soon as she was done with her human needs she wondered over to it and picked up the aged parchment, in shockingly elegant scrawled script were the words:
My pet,
I had my men draw up a bath for you, and I set out more practical clothes. I expect you to make yourself presentable – then come find me.
She cringed a bit as her eyes scanned over the words `my pet` but the rest of the note was simple and to the point and the unspoken fact that it wasn't a request wasn't lost on her. Ariel was almost tempted to defy him simply out of spite – she wasn't some Corgi or Pomeranian. As it were though, the bath was very tempting and it would be a disservice to deny herself the luxury because of him. So obliging to his request for her own benefit she removed her slip of a gown and stepped into the cold water.
Ariel relaxed against the porcelain of the tub and let out a sigh of contentment, for the moment she would forget her troubles as best she could. She would have to take all of this one step at a time, one day at a time – and she was going to enjoy and draw out this particular step as long as she possibly could. She lowered herself further down into the water, breathing bubbles out her nose as she sunk below the surface. It wasn't until her lungs started to burn from lack of oxygen that she surfaced again – it was strange not being able to breath underwater, even if this was her second time around as human.
It was a feeling that was always going to be foreign to her.
She grabbed the crude bar of soap off the side stand bowl and started to wash herself, allowing the lather to build up on her skin as she moved the bar over her smooth skin. Even if the Genie's gift had left her appearing clean, she still felt like she was finally getting the chance to wash off all the grit and grime that had built up from the start of her current situation.
The expectation that the Captain would come in at any moment while she was indecent lingered in the back of her mind, but as the time wore on that concern faded further and further from her thoughts. She took the time to wash her scalp and hair, massaging the oils that had been placed out on the side table thoroughly into her tresses allowing the sweet aroma to relax her while running her fingers through the red strands over and over again before finally ducking under the water to rinse the film away.
When she felt fully clean and refreshed she exited the tub, pulling a remarkably fluffy towel from the brass towel rack to dry off before wrapping her hair up in it and resting the bundle atop her head. Next she tackled the clothes, noting the distinct lack of any kind of underwear. `typical` she thought sourly as she picked up the black pants and examined them before slipping her legs into each pant leg and pulling the cotton material up over her hips and tightening the front laces. She was surprised to notice how well they fit her form; she had expected something loose and ill fitted when she had first eyed the pile.
Next she pulled the white cotton peasant top over her head, tucking the hem into the pants. It almost reminded her of the old horse riding attire she used to wear long ago, only made from cheaper material and not nearly as fashionable by royal standards. Finally there was a leather butter cream full bodice outer corset detailed with a dark brown lace flower print accompanied by a thick brown leather belt. She found herself thankful for the full bodice aspect seeing as there wasn't a brazier in sight.
There was a little difficulty had in getting the last bit of clothing on but she eventually managed, adjusting all the clothing until she was satisfied with how it fit and looked – examining herself in the mirror. As she smoothed her hand over the corset she found it strange that there were any women clothes on this ship at all, every one of the pirates she had seen thus far had been very clearly and unmistakably of the male variety.
Shrugging her shoulders she let the thought pass from her mind as she removed her hair from the towel and fluffed it out with her hands, running her fingers through the damp tresses. Ariel pulled out the stool seat in front of the vanity, in the process knocking over a knee high leather boot she hadn't noticed before, the partner to the pair still standing upright next to the vanity leg. She quirked her head to the side at this but sat down and slipped them on, again, oddly surprised at how well these boots fit her small feet. They were nothing like the ball gown slippers she had become used to wearing at the castle.
When that was said and done and she was fully dressed she picked up a comb and started working it through her hair, brushing continually until her hair had air dried – leaving her long hair styled in a slightly wavy beach kissed look reaching down to the middle of her back. She ruffled her hair after she set the brush down and gave herself a self satisfied look. It wasn't the prim and proper hair or style she was used to; instead it was a rebellious kind of beauty.
Eying a small container of red pigment she smiled, it was something she recognized. Lifting the small crystal top of the jar she dipped her fingers into the red gel like material and lightly dabbed it onto her lips, smiling as the color stained them a lovely shade of red. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and gave herself a self-satisfied smile.
As she realized she was finished however her smile faded and her heart started to beat faster. She was presentable now, and that meant she had to go find the Captain as ordered. Maybe she could just ignore that portion of the note, stay in the cabin until he returned on his own. She could undress and get back into the dirty water until her skin turned prune-like and claim she had lost track of time.
She didn't imagine that would go over to well though, and as anxious as she was at the prospect of having to venture out of the room after him she was just as concerned about waiting for him to return instead. If she were honest though the idea of even having to see him again at all was unnerving – but it wasn't like it was something she could avoid. At least not until they reached land and she could escape.
For now she had to woefully participate in this charade, and it really was in her best interest to keep the Captain appeased.
With a heavy sigh she exited the bathroom, thankful that the main room was still absent his person. She stopped in front of the exit door and took a deep breath in an effort to calm her nerves and give herself a little pep talk before turning the knob and pulling the door open. She stepped out into the small hallway created by the bottom of stairs above her that lead up to the upper half deck, as she turned the corner out into the open she shielded her eyes from the sun and took in a small gasp.
The deck was bustling with men doing various chores. Some were pulling at ropes, others at chains, still others were polishing cannons, two were swabbing down the deck, and a few others were up in the masts dealing with the patched sails that seemed to keep ripping open, and there were two near the bow practicing their sword technique in a mock fight. It was quite a sight to behold and she couldn't help but compare this scene to that of the Royal Navy ships she had been on before. It seemed more efficient despite looking less grand. There were no orders being barked or given that she could hear. Every man had a job to get done and knew how to do it, and apparently didn't have to be told. That was a lot more then could be said for some of the Navy men that waited for and expected orders from their superiors before taking action.
She could feel her heart beating rapidly and realized she was very very nervous. She had no idea where the Captain was and she had to go find him – that meant she would have to brave venturing out into the crowd of preoccupied pirates. She steeled her nerves as best she could and stepped out into the sun, a light breeze playing with the tresses of her hair. Her first step was decidedly very shaky and she felt marginally faint. One of the pirates noticed her movement and glanced in her direction, staring for a little longer then comfortable but soon went about his business without a word said otherwise.
Ariel ventured a bit further out onto the deck of the ship, her fingers coming out tentatively to graze a tethered rope, knowing it was there to steady her if she were to trip or faint. Her head was swimming; with the things the pirates had said when she had first been pulled aboard she was surprised that for the most part they were ignoring her after a glance or two.
"Ah, there's the lovely lass!" she heard his voice boom across the deck and she spun on her heel pressing her back up against one of the mast posts, her hands tucked behind her back as she looked in the direction he voice had come from. He was standing up on the quarter deck at the wheel, even from this distance and angle she could still see the trademark smirk on his features as the breeze played with his messy locks. "C'mere love." He yelled to her, his voice was easy and casual on the wind but she could still discern that it wasn't a request. It was odd how he could appear so controlled and relaxed yet still have such a commanding and intimidating presence.
As she walked across the deck back towards the quarter deck with hesitant steps - unwilling to risk disobedience even though every fiber in her being was telling her to run in the opposite direction as fast as humanly possible. As she ascended the steps she started to hold her breath, her hand gripping the railing tightly as if that would keep her emotions in check and her senses grounded – like the railing was a life line.
His eyes never strayed from her form as she moved; his unwavering gaze had her feeling uneasy so she cast her own down so that she wouldn't have to watch him watching her. Again she felt like the prey being hunted. She wondered briefly if this was the same feeling sailors had when approached by a mermaid and drawn to their death. She felt so small under his gaze.
What she missed was the nostalgic look of appreciation he had for her as she got closer. She looked brilliant in Milah's old clothes, and just as he had suspected they fit his little captive perfectly in all the right places. At first the breath had been sucked out of him at the sight of her walking about below, it was like Milah had stepped onto the deck again, except it was the vibrant red hair shining in the sun - the sobering reality of his loss.
As she stepped onto the deck she kept her gaze lowered, some of her hair falling in front of her face and eyes like a protective barrier between herself and him. Like that would actually do something in her current predicament.
"I was wondering when you'd wake," he started coolly, but there was no irritation or accusation in his tone. "Dead to the world you were lass." He chuckled at that and the sound peaked her curiosity as she raised her eyes. This time he wasn't looking at her and she felt herself breathe a sigh of relief. Before his gaze had been so unrelenting and intense that she was sure she was going to suffocate. No – instead he was looking out ahead of them, turning the wheel to and fro as needed.
She wasn't sure if she was supposed to reply to that or not, so staying on the safe side she didn't say anything at all. Instead she turned her gaze out to follow his, and the scene was more breathtaking then earlier. The ocean was calm and stretched out in all directions for miles upon miles, the sun was high creating a glittering sort of effect on the waves below and from here she could see everything going on below.
"Beautiful isn't it?" she heard him ask, his voice sounding as if he too were in awe "It's a vision hard to tire of." He told her conversationally, catching her gaze with a teasing one of his own, quirking a brow as he looked her over with a suggestive look giving her the chills (and not in the good way).
"It is stunning." She replied softly, turning and looking out behind them, seeing the wake of such a large ship trailing out over the waves. She felt on pins and needles, like she was waiting for that other boot to drop – again. It was a sickening feeling. The breathtaking scenery only served to mock her.
"Here," he told her loudly, startling her and causing her to turn quickly in time to see him reaching into his leather coat pocket with his good hand, pulling out an apple and tossing it to her. She caught it easily, but her bewildered look went between him and the apple over and over. "Come now, you must be hungry sweetheart." He prompted, gesturing towards the fruit in her hand.
"I – " again she was at a loss for words. Her stomach stepped in for her and a large rumble coursed through her entire body. Now that she had food in her hand she realized she was ravenous.
"It's not poisoned love," He told her, amused at the way she just stared at him and the fruit as if she couldn't believe what was happening and completely untrusting of the situation. "'Sides if I wanted to kill you I would come up with a far more creative way to do it, one that hasn't been done already mind you." He finally told her, finding amusement in her reaction.
"Are you always so crass about such things?" she asked suddenly, moving the apple around in her hand. Finally taking a hearty bite from it, quickly followed by another and another.
"I'm a pirate love, we don't tend to sugar coat things to benefit the faint of heart." He responded simply.
Ariel looked around and took a seat on some crates next to the railing when her legs started to ache, looking out over the ocean and brushing her hair over one shoulder. When she was finished with the apple she tossed the core over the side. She was still feeling a bit of hunger but didn't mention it for fear of biting the hand that fed her literally – besides she would like to eat again eventually and she wouldn't put it past him to keep food from her for seeming ungrateful.
In fact this whole interaction was unsettling and she couldn't decide if it was better or worse than their conversation in his quarters. At least then she knew exactly what he was playing at no matter how unpleasant it was. Right now she couldn't begin to guess what his endgame was.
"Why are you being so….nice?" she asked suddenly, regretting it as soon as the words left her mouth, but it had been plaguing her ever since she awoke with the blanket on top her that she knew she hadn't fallen asleep with. She could only assume he had put it there. Unless one of the men that had come in to draw the bath had and she just hadn't awoken, but something in the back of her mind told her that wasn't the case.
"Would you prefer I not be so?" he asked rhetorically already knowing the answer, his voice still filled with amusement. She found it rather irritating that everything she had done so far had been entertaining for him. "Let's just say I am having a good day."
"That so?" she found herself replying, feeling her irritation bubbling up. It would be so much easier if he just tossed her in the brig again or made more threats or did anything other than be so weirdly nice. Well nice for a pirate she assumed – he did after all fit a sentence about her death in there somewhere.
"Aye. We are in Neverland never to grow old, the sun is high and the wind strong, my men are healthy and well fed, we haven't been attacked yet….and I have a lovely new pet to play with." He said turning to look over his shoulder at her with a wink, his grin wide and eyes triumphant. "Thus a good day." He finished, answering her question more fully.
Ariel opened her mouth to reply with a snippy comment about not being any one's pet but quickly thought better of it. It wasn't like she was going to be on this ship for long so she could endure it for now. She was not chattel to be owned, but she could deal with it until the ship eventually came to port, because it had to dock near land eventually, and she could make her escape. That would show this arrogant pirate that she didn't belong to anyone better than any words she could say. Instead she settled on another question she had had for some time.
"Why Neverland?" her tone betrayed the fact that she was unsure of how this line of questioning would be received. "How did you even get here?" she followed up with quickly. There were a few beats of silence that followed where she was sure he was just going to ignore her.
"I have a score to settle, and it's going to take more time then I have readily available as a human." He finally told her reluctantly, leaving out all the important details. It wasn't like he could trust this mermaid turned woman. "As for how, let's just say I got lucky." He added, not sure how telling her about the magic bean would put him at any sort of risk but deciding it was better to not say – he didn't want to answer more follow up questions about a bean that wasn't supposed to exist anymore that he was sure would come if he let that little detail come about.
"Magic always has a price." She told him solemnly, her mind drifting to her deal with the sea witch and the price she had to pay in the end. She would never be able to portray how painful it was to be unable to live a full and complete life with a loved one. To watch as the other aged and became a shell of whom they once were against their will. A part of her wished she had dragged them both to Neverland, at least then they would have never grown old and could have lived together in happiness forever but she knew that wouldn't have been any kind of life for Eric. He wouldn't have accepted eternity – even if it meant he could spend it with her.
"Aye, that it does." He agreed a hint of sober sadness in his tone as he stared hard ahead, the grip on one of the wheel spokes so tight his knuckles were white. That little gesture told her more about this man then she had learned the past few weeks. He had had a bad run with magic also. It almost made her feel like they were kindred spirits in that moment, sharing a similar pain at the hands of magic. Almost. Not quite. She did however know best to drop the subject for now.
"Is that how you lost your hand, magic?" she asked softly, her eyes darting to the metal hook glinting in the sunlight as he turned the wheel slightly with it. She had been curious about that particular story as well since she had first seen spreading his arms out wide, daring the world of Neverland to throw everything it had at him because there was nothing left for him to loose. Such a reckless and arrogant confidence had shown in his eyes.
"That's one way to describe it I suppose." He said bitterly, his words tight as his lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze still focused unwaveringly straight ahead. She could practically see the tension rippling down his neck and body. This obviously wasn't a conversation he was interested in having. She was still increasingly curious, but did however know best to drop the subject for now.
The silence that followed permeated around them, it wasn't comfortable silence but it also wasn't entirely uncomfortable. It was more like a silence of understanding. She let the sea breeze whip her hair about as she tucked her legs up under her on the crate and started out into the never ending horizon of ocean. With the sun still high in the sky it glittered like sapphires with the way the rays would catch the waves.
She found her thoughts drifting off to that of the sea, and she realized even given her current position she didn't miss it as much as she imagined she would. – not this time anyway. Her first go around as a human with Eric she would often find herself staring out from her castle balcony to the sea and wish she could return home if only for a short visit.
Now she had no desire to return at all.
Ariel still loved the sea, but she loved it from this perspective. She loved being out above it like this, on this ship that rocked with the tune of the waves and the smell of the sea salt surrounding her and the sounds of seagulls above. This was the kind of connection she wanted with the ocean, so close like she was home, but not quite. She was free up here - well metaphorically free. In the ocean with her tail she had always felt confined and trapped, no matter how expansive the ocean was it still came down to feeling like a cage to her soul.
"Miss the water little fish?" he asked suddenly, having watched the way she started out at the water. He couldn't quite place the look that was in her eye but it had him intrigued. He chuckled when he noticed his voice had startled her, the slight jump and tense in her shoulders giving away the fact that she had become so lost in her musings she had completely forgone her surroundings.
"I thought I did," she started with a bit of nostalgia laced into her features "I thought I would…but I don't." she opened her mouth like she was about to say more but instead closed it and glanced over to look at the Captain 'on land is where I belong' she finished mentally.
"Hmmmm…" he hummed to himself, as if he found that tidbit of information enlightening but he didn't comment further.
"Captain," she asked, surprised at herself when the word didn't come out sounding like venom on her lips. There was still a whole lot of dislike entwined into it, but she was getting used to saying it as if it were his name instead of a title that once bestowed respect in her old world. At her next words she felt her own heart start to beat faster "Why did you summon me to find you?" she asked, feeling suddenly very nervous that she had even brought it up – it was all the possible responses that worried her.
"I wanted to see if you would obey." he answered easily, a smug grin pulling at his lips enunciated with a shrug of his shoulder as he looked over and quirked a suggestive brow at her. "Can't say I am disappointed, but I expected a bit more resistance from a so called former mermaid." His tone was teasing, like he had won something from her and it grated on her nerves.
"I am not some animal to be trained for your beck and call." She shot back, crossing her arms over her chest in a defiant manner – looking very much the wounded child.
"I beg to differ love" he said laughing heavily, this little red head was quite amusing to him. "Given your current situation n' all." He added, still chuckling at her expense.
"A situation you unwillingly forced me into!" she snapped, glaring at him. Oh how the tides turned. He raised a curious brow at her, as if her outburst were unexpected to him – it annoyed her that he would find her reaction questionable. A woman held against her will and threatened with rape, what she should be doing is ripping him a new one with her words. Darn that pesky self-preservation instinct.
"You'll find neither an apology nor your freedom from me lass," he told her honestly, the mirth fading from his features "I highly suggest you adapt to your current circumstances." She could tell by the slight change in his tone and diction that this wasn't a suggestion at all; it was an order, one he apparently expected to be followed.
"You're disgusting" she said through clenched teeth, her fists balling up tight even though her arms were still crossed.
"Was that you're same thought when you were watching me bathe in the lagoon?" he asked breezily, his words making her breath catch in her throat. Her reaction made him chuckle darkly "What darling?" he asked with false sweetness "did you think I hadn't noticed, or wouldn't recall?"
"How did you even know!?" she nearly hissed, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She had known he had heard something but how could he have possibly deduced that it was her that day. Had he seen her? She couldn't believe it so. She had dipped below the waters surface behind the rocks as soon as he had drawn his sword and she had swum off soon after as far as her energy would take her. There was no way he could have found out it was her that had been watching him undress.
"Well I hadn't been sure at first," he started quizzically "that is until just now love," he responded triumphantly, giving her a wink with that ever present cocky grin "thanks for clearing that up." He finished, looking rather smug and self-satisfied. It made her ire swell.
She had been had – caught unwittingly in another trap. He was insufferable. It was so irritating and frustrating. She had never had to watch for such word games at the Castle before, granted no one in the castle dare talk to the Princess and later Queen the way in which he was talking to her now. No wonder Eric had hated pirates and warned her away from the docks in which they flocked.
"Well, for the sake of clearing things up Captain." She started, her voice sassy - fueled by her ire and contempt "I didn't watch you bathe, I left before you even had your pants off." She finished in a clipped tone.
"Nuances dear." He said light heartedly, dismissing her clarification easily as if brushing a fly away with his hand. As far as he was concerned nearly watching him bathe and watching him bathe were practically the same thing in his book. "Perhaps it would be fair trade if I made you take your top off for me – I promise I won't touch." He teased, a dark vibe underlining his lust filled words.
Her mouth opened to retort but she was stopped short at the sound of heavy boots coming quickly up the stairs towards them. Both their eyes drawn towards the sound, watching as none other than John Smith stepped onto the upper quarter deck, a large parchment rolled up in one fist.
"Captain," he started with a nod of his head, glancing quickly over to her and making eye contact "Milady" he added also with a slight nod of his head. His acknowledgement had caught her off guard.
"Sir." She replied with the faintest of smiles and a tilt of her own head out of old habit. The word and action had come out before she could stop it. She shouldn't have treated him with such respect and reverence considering her position but no one had called her milady in centuries, yet still she had the same practiced response of a royal woman. She had been trained that it was rude to brush of an acknowledgement, even from the lowest of people. Ariel doubted that he was addressing her as the royal she was or felt herself to be, but all the same it was a knee jerk reaction that brought the sting of tears to be felt in the back of her eyes.
She closed them tightly and took in a deep breath to steady her nerves. The flash backs of another time haunting her for only a moment as she gathered her bearings.
When she glanced at the men again she was glad to see they were not focused on her but on each other, and that the map John had been carrying was sprawled out over the railing as they conversed, their fingers pointing to various spots on the map.
"Some say the Oracle's are here….in the lands of Lydia" John said, his words faint but still reaching her ears. "Others are insistent that you will only find them in Arcadia." She watched as his fingers pointed to the various spots on the map and she felt a pit in her stomach start to settle at his words.
`The Oracles` her mind repeated, her eyes widening in confusion and fear. Would the men be so foolish? Would the Captain be so reckless? Many a man had died in search of the practically mythical creatures. It was worse than going in search for Atlantis – the home of the merfolk. Triton was not to be feared as much as the gifted divine seers to the gods and those guarding them.
Acting against her own will she stood and strode over to them with purposeful steps, pushing herself through between the two men much to their surprise as she smoothed her hands over the map and her eyes glanced over it frantically. "You are fools." She breathed out, glancing at the various lands spread out around the world of Neverland, the nefarious island itself situated in the middle.
"Come again." The Captain said with a strained and tight voice. The only reason he was tolerating her actions was because his curiosity was stroked and he was usually a man to let something play out before reacting or making a conclusion on it. She could hear the tight lipped displeasure in his voice in regards to her actions but this time her body didn't react, her mind racing with the worry and fear of something far worse than what he could do to her – even with the knowledge that she was trapped in this human body.
She whipped around to look at him her steely eyes going between the Captain's striking blue and John's ferocious grey. "Fools." She spat at both of them again, turning back to the map and stepping aside so that they could see, one finger coming down harshly over the land of Lydia "Here you'll find them not, a common mistake for those looking for which should not be found." She said quickly, as if she didn't have much time. "The route to Lydia is littered with the skeletons of ships and the souls of the lost – never has a man returned from such waters." She hissed, her eyes turning back to stare hard into the Captains. "Even the most arrogant of man knows it best to avoid – even if they are not from this world." She accused.
"And Arcadia," she laughed but it was humorless "you'll find nothing but trading posts and weary merchants, a land ravaged by poverty. No God, much less a divine vessel attributed to them such as the fearsome and unforgiving Oracles would be caught near such an unprotected and sacrilegious place." She spat, crinkling the map into one fist and shoving it into John's chest who took it from her with a surprised look, the Captain however had his eyes narrowed and was less than pleased. "You'll kill us all." She hissed under her breath, her accusing eyes locking with that of the Captains. Her posture challenging.
"Why, pray tell, should I believe you of all creatures." He told her darkly, stepping forward into her personal space, causing her to take a step back and back up against the railing, her hands clenching around the wood behind her. "Mermaids are notorious liars" he seethed, his face leaning down closer to hers, his stance rigid and intimidating as the scent of him filled the space between them.
"If you haven't noticed." She replied in a strained voice, never breaking eye contact with his "I am human just as you now – only a better one." She spat.
"That so." He replied, reaching his hand up and brushing a few stray red locks behind her ear, the movement more threatening than comforting – she assumed her intended it that way. Her resolve wavered slightly at the touch but not completely.
"Yes." She responded with conviction "It is."
"So righteous, well then," he leaned over her, placing his hands on either side of the railing next to hers, completely in her space now, their bodies almost touching. "If you know so much my pet," deliberately drawing out his chosen moniker for her "perhaps you could tell me where I can find what I am looking for then hmmm."
"Never." She whispered her gaze hard as he seemed to press ever closer to her but still never touching.
"So then you do know where they can be found?" he seemed to lean up a bit from her, a dangerous glint in his eyes combined with a bit of a triumphant smirk – again his words had trapped her providing him knowledge she hadn't realized she was giving. Her heart stopped in her chest at that realization.
"Even if I did – I would never tell you." She snapped suddenly – feeling the remnants of panic start to grow and consume her.
The sting that came after her words took her breath from her lungs and brought tears of pain to her eyes. He had back handed her with his good hand, hard enough to make her face snap to the side and her body jolt with the force of it. It was sure to bruise deeply and the small cuts on her cheek caused by his many rings –including her wedding band - oozed blood slowly down the side of her face.
"Captain?..." she heard John's questionable slightly wavering tone in the background.
"Do you have something you wish to say Smith." She heard the Captain snap harshly. Still refusing to turn her head to look at them, the heat of the wound inflaming her cheek and she could feel her pulse beating underneath the sore flesh.
"No sir." John responded dutifully but she could tell his tone was hesitant.
"I didn't think so." Hook responded darkly as he grabbed her chin in a vice like grip that made her wince and forced her to look at him. "You forget your place on this ship love." He seethed.
"How can I?" she accused, meeting his gaze while trying to suppress the pain of his hold. "When you won't let me." A single tear made its way down her cheek unwillingly, meandering over the small cuts, the salt of her own saline causing her to clench her teeth tightly as it burned on the way down.
He reached his hooked hand up and brushed the tear away with the blunt curve, the cool metal sliding over some of the small cuts spreading them open and allowing new pain to flash through her as she gritted her teeth almost painfully together.
"You will tell me." He threatened, the hold on her chin becoming tighter as he brought the hook down to her neck and pressed the sharp tip into her rapidly pulsing jugular, adding enough pressure to pierce the top of the skin as a small droplet of blood trailed down past her clavicle and down under the edge of her blouse to flow down the valley of her breasts.
"I won't." She whispered in defiance, trying to think past the pain he was inflicting. Realizing how marginal and insignificant it was to what he could be doing.
"You shall." He whispered just as darkly, drawing his hook along the crook of her neck careful just to slice the skin shallow enough that he wouldn't be risking her death but deep enough to make his point. She took in a sharp breath and when she tried to flinch away he pressed his body against hers and pinned her in place.
He had had a little chat with Peter Pan, and they had come to an understanding. Both wanted to see the The Dark One dead and to suffer for his transgressions for different reasons. Upon this revelation Peter was more than inclined to help the pirate, he was practically giddy about it. It was easy for two dark souls with a common goal to see eye to eye so to speak. So Peter had told Hook what he needed to do first in his quest of revenge against the crocodile.
He needed to find the Oracles.
They would tell him what he needed to best the most evil being of all the worlds. They would guide him to what was necessary to succeed.
This little bitch wasn't going to get in his way.
No one would.
More tears slipped down her cheeks as she tried to numb out the pain as he sliced her flesh like butter, his movement curving around the shallow of her neck to follow the trails of blood streams down between her breasts, his movement stopping at the cusp of her corset. "I won't lead you to my death." She bit out, the pain in her voice now more evident than her resolve.
"Your defiance will lead you there regardless." He answered, pressing the hook deeper into the flesh above her cleavage, piercing deep enough to reach the sternum bone, a yelp of pain escaping her lips as she brought her hands up to his chest and tried to push him away with no such luck. He was stronger then she was. What terrified her was the empty fire in his eyes. He was being driven by something dark and inhuman and it was eating him alive.
She didn't doubt he was capable of killing her in this moment.
"Captain." She heard John's voice cut through the thick emotions and tension between the two of them, she watched as his hand was placed over the Captain's shoulder, tugging him back lightly. When Hook didn't respond or budge she saw John's fingers dig deeper into the leather and the man's shoulder "Captain!" he said more sternly.
"What!" he snapped, pulling back slightly to glare at the blond man and his blatant interruption.
"Perhaps this isn't the way." John said his tone light but with a definite air of distaste. As if he were trying to compel the Captain to understand.
"Who are you to tell me what is and isn't the way." Hook replied "I am the bloody Captain!" He iterated with a harsh tone, straining not to yell at the infuriating blond man currently getting in his way.
"And I am the second in command!" She heard John snap his tone full of exasperation as he said the words with a commanding presence and yet oddly not nearly as challenging as she expected from such an outburst while still keeping a semblance of his composure and control. "Your first mate and more importantly, your best friend." His words softened. "I am telling you – this isn't the way to get what we want." He added, reaching his hand down towards the Captains hooked wrist and pulling it out and away from her body gently.
She could see the raging war of emotions flashing in the Captain's eyes, behind the brilliant color that betrayed the darkness inside this man. Like a mermaid, his eyes were beautiful but dangerous. How ironic and telling.
"I have an idea" she heard John say, watching as he was able to coax the Captain to take a small step from her and turn towards him and she took her chance, pushing off from the railing and fleeing down the stairs with rapid steps as soon as she had the opportunity, she was moving so fast she jumped and skipped the last two steps of the stairs all together. The blood of her wounds and the tears of her pain staining the material of her blouse.
She heard the Captain bellow her name but it only served to push her to run faster. Even if she had nowhere to run or to go but back to the room from which she came. In her haste she missed the look the fat white man named Eustace she had nearly eaten in the hallway before she was given her legs gave her as she shoved past him, causing him to drop the sack of whatever it was he had been carrying its contents spilling noisily onto the wooden deck floor.
"Let her go." John said as he pulled Hook back from the edge of the steps. Back from following her down the steps in his angry state as she rounded the corner of the steps at break neck speed. Her path taking her back towards the captains quarters no doubt. John was sure that if Killian were to follow the girl that he would probably kill her in his hazy irate fog. He couldn't let him follow her now. Ever since Milah had died Killian had been a different man and it had been John's own personal quest to try to keep him from completely going over the deep end. Killian had always been rough around the edges, always walked the fine line between the light and the dark of his own character, but never had he hurt a woman before.
Mermaid or not, that red headed girl was now a woman. A human woman. Maybe not innocent but certainly defenseless now in her new state. It pained John to watch how violently his best friend seemed to be spiraling out of his own control. As if he was losing his mind to the grief.
He had to keep Killian from doing something he wouldn't come back from. Killing that girl, that would be the tipping point in which there was no return for his friend. He couldn't allow that to happen.
"She knows something!" Hook spat loudly, feeling irritated and enraged, rounding on John and shoving him back with both hands "And you let her go." He accused, his anger rising up out of him now directed at the man in front of him.
"Where is she to run Killian! Tell me – where can she go!?" John raised his voice marginally, not quite yelling but this time his tone was challenging. A few men on the lower deck stopped and watched the scene unfolding. These fights were always few and far between before Milah, and almost never happened when Milah came into the picture, but now with her unfortunate murder they were more common than John would like, but never until now had they had a fight in plain view of the crew.
Milah had changed Killian in ways that had astounded John – she had brought the absolute best out of his mate. Killian had changed for love and they made one hell of a pirate couple.
Her death had changed Killian in ways John never imagined possible. Released a darkness he never knew his friend able to possess.
"That is not the point!" he yelled back, pushing past John his shoulder hitting against the blond mans with unnecessary force as he stalked back towards the wheel.
"That is entirely the point!" John responded - he didn't yell like Killian, he kept his voice composed but it was certainly a higher decibel than usual. "My friend, listen to me, if you want what she has, what she knows, threatening her and hurting her will get you nowhere." He tried to reason, lowering his voice to a softer more understanding one.
"What if she is lying, as mermaids are told to do?" Killian countered, gritting his teeth. "What if Lydia is exactly where we need to go?" he looked out over the water, his anger receding as quickly as it had come, being replaced by the void that was the loss of his love.
"It's possible." John conceded. "I happen to believe her though." He said honestly, unfolding the crinkled up map to stare down at it.
"What makes you say that?" Killian asked, cautiously curious of what the other man had to say.
"I saw the fear in her eyes as she called us fools. If she is as human as she looks, she can die as easily as we can. She hasn't jumped ship so I know she has the passion to live. Why would she direct us towards our death when that would also mean hers?" John reasoned
"What if the Oracles we seek are in Lydia and the only reason she is saying they are not is so that she can avoid her own timely death – the journey may be perilous but that doesn't mean what we seek isn't on the other side." Killian shot back.
"Also a possibility, yes," John conceded, rounding to the other side of his friend, glancing sideways at him before staring out ahead. "But even Pan was unsure of the Oracles exact whereabouts and he is supposedly ruler of this world."
"A tiny king of a tiny pathetic island is all that boy is – nothing more." Killian snapped under his breath, he was irritated at having to work with the child who suffered from delusions of grandeur. However the enemy of thy enemy is always thy friend. Working with that insufferable child was a necessary evil in and of itself. A means to an end.
"I still think the mermaid's words might have some merit, let me talk to her?" he asked gently.
Killian glanced over at John with a hard stare, searching in his eyes for something before his posture and demure seemed to relax considerably, his eyes lightening up with the change in his mood. "Have at it my friend." He sighed heavily. "Perhaps you'll have better luck."
"Thank you." John said, his own posture relaxing as the tension in his muscles washed away. He always hated these fights. He would never truly go against Killian – John would never mutiny. However he wasn't a fool to not realize that he was losing his friend. His comrade. It was a struggle every day to keep the grief and despair from swallowing Killian whole leaving a shell of the man he once knew behind.
Milah was a great loss for them all.
"I'll report back what I find out." John said, knowing the words didn't need to be expressed but filling a need to let Killian know that he understood who was Captain, and that he was falling back in line fully under his command.
"Please do." Killian called after him as he watched his friend descend the steps, in pursuit of the infuriating red head. As soon as John was out of site he hit the wheel with his fist, letting out a grunt of frustration. Nothing was going as planned lately.
"Men!" he yelled, catching their attention as they stilled on the lower deck. "We set sail to Lydia!" he bellowed, some of the men cheering and clapping at the prospect of land and a decided destination before they went back to work. Until the bloody chit told John what it was he wanted to know, he would sail blindly into the depths of hell if he had too. She didn't want him going to Lydia, well that's exactly the route he would take then.
He was going to find the way and means to avenge Milah.
Or he was going to die trying.
And he would take everyone on the ship down with him.
A/N: So I am working off the fact that Killian very recently lost Milah and he is having some serious issues with that. Obviously he had some issues in the show but he had 300 some odd years to work through that and let it balance out a bit by the time we were introduced to his character. I always imagined at first those feelings would be very raw and be expressed in much more savage and dark ways. Hence why my characterization of Hook is leaning towards more violent and seeming perhaps a bit unstable.
Now I will warn you all that you might not see an update for about two weeks. I will be heading off to a well earned Disneyland vacation to celebrate my birthday and passing my first Graduate Class with an A and doubt I will find any time to write. I am especially excited to go during the "Halloween month" to see all the villain's, for the re-release of The Little Mermaid celebration, and to go visit the OUAT exhibit! Hellz yeah! Don't worry this trip is sure to give me plenty of muse for this fic :D...See you all soon!
Playlist for this chapter if you are interested: Daughtry – Waiting for Superman / MSMR – Bones / Jason Aldean – Night Train. (I have an eclectic taste in music.)