Wonderstruck
Chapter 36
Author's Notes: So I messed up and forgot to post this last week. Sorry about that. I also wanted to do some editing on this as we're coming up on some heavier parts of the story. More action I hope. I need to get better at writing action admittedly. I hope you enjoy and as always let me know if you enjoy! ~ Scarlette
The Empty Bay was closer than ever. Each of the members of the royal party had seemingly slipped into place aboard the Jolly Roger, enjoying the other sailors and sparring when possible in Emma's case. Regina loved watching the easy transformation her wife took into a more light hearted, smiling woman from the usually tense frame she'd held throughout their journey. Though she was more reserved, choosing to spend time with Venar and her wife exclusively, she still enjoyed watching the way her wife interacted with those around her. Though she'd be a fool not to say that the way their Captain eyed her wife angered her, she held that in check. What she'd failed to notice was the way the Captain eyed her as well. Her wife, however, unbeknownst to her had taken it upon herself to stop the Captain's wandering eyes and leering grin towards her wife.
"It's a beautiful day to enjoy the sunshine my Princess." The older servant's weak voice spoke near her. She twisted, pulling her shawl a bit tighter around her. The wind was light but still carried a touch of the salt and water. She smiled softly, hair blowing around her small frame as Venar slowly made his way towards her.
"You look as though you're finally getting over your sea sickness. You're still a bit green though." A touch of concern colored her words.
"Less so than I was. At least I am able to stand." The servant dipped his head. "Thank you for your concern my Princess. I will be all right though I won't say I will be anything other than relieved to leave the ship when we reach the Empty Bay."
"It's close now isn't it?"
"Very, I believe we'll be there by night fall."
"Then we need to find…. um…"
"Jacqueline my Princess."
"Yes, Jacqueline." She twisted her wedding bracelet for a moment, eyes drawn to her wife's beautiful strong figure. Today she was sparring with the Captain who seemed to be relishing pulling her frame to his in a poor attempt at disarmament. She shook her head, "I dislike how that man watches my wife."
"He does the same to you my Princess. His eyes roam your body as much as they do your wife's."
"I suppose that's the nature of Pirates."
"They do take great pleasure in pillaging spoils." He agreed softly. The small blonde navigator moved towards them than stopped. He cut his icy eyes at her, forcing her to take the hint to leave his charge alone.
"She keeps trying to speak with me." She muttered, watching the interaction.
"I will do my best to ensure she stays away from you. As will your wife."
"I haven't told her what's happened. She only knows she makes me uncomfortable."
"You shouldn't keep that from her. Her Highness loves you very much."
"I love Emma too very much but I don't want to put her in danger."
"You don't want to get too close. If you do and that's taken from you…"
"I won't survive." She finished and he dipped his head carefully, the bones under the sallow skin of his neck grinded slightly together with the movement.
"Have you spoken with her about your plans once we reach the Abyss?"
"You mean Jacqueline and the Grimoires you wished for me to see?"
"I think it would be beneficial to have your wife's sword with us rather than against."
Regina frowned, "Emma would never go against me. She loves me and I love her."
"My Princess forgive me but yourself and your wife were born of royalty…the blood line of Raithewell flows through you both. With that blood comes hard decisions. Should it come down to a choice between you and your wife's people…I believe she has more of Ashleigha in her veins than anyone since Ashleigha herself. Though it would pain her greatly…I believe she would choose her people in the end."
"I would never ask her to do otherwise." Regina frowned, "And I would do the same for SpringFall should that arise as a problem. Though it would break my heart to have to do so."
"Then you are ready my Princess."
"Parry, Parry, Thrust, Thrust Good!" Hook cheered as he deflected Emma's blows.
"Must you be so annoying?"
"Must you be so predictable?" He countered with a smarmy grin.
"How am I being predictable?"
"You fight honorably. It's easy to see despite the multiple openings I've given you that you haven't taken because you think they will somehow undermine your victory." He swung low and she jumped to avoid the blade cutting her off at the knees. She rolled across the polished boards of the deck and brought her sword up as he brought it down on her once again.
"There you see? Predictable. It'll get you killed where you're going."
"A victory without honor is no victory at all."
"Now that's where you're wrong." He swung again and she ducked only to be caught by his hook, which he used to pull her sword away from her and throw it across the deck. It hit the bottom rung of the rail and stopped, not going over the side and into the deep blue waters.
"A victory regardless of how it's obtained should always be your end goal. Walking away with your life more than trumps your honor." He sheathed his sword carefully and held out his hand to pull her back up.
She glared at his bejeweled hand for a moment before taking it and allowing him to pull her up.
Grumpy eyed her from his place near the mast before pulling out his flask and taking a long swig of the rum that flowed readily available from the ship's stores. He didn't like the watered down flavor nor did he take to the lime that was added to mask the stagnant water that mixed with the rum but since his port had long since run out he was stuck drinking this. He took another long gulp and watched his goddaughter closely as the smarmy pirate grinned and said something he no doubt believed to be charming. He longed to punch the man in his smarmy face but had refrained after Emma told him it would likely get him thrown overboard. Dwarves sunk like stones in water. It was why they never swam nor got near water that was over their head. Too dangerous, one could drown quite easily in those circumstances.
"Darling?" Regina's voice drifted down the damp wood stairs as she moved slowly, gripping the rail tightly to avoid sliding and falling.
"Your wife doesn't like you close to me does she?" Hook eyed her before looking back at Emma whose hand he had yet to release.
"I don't like you close to her either so I suppose we have that in common."
Hook smirked, and lifted his hand, releasing Emma's in the process. "I am merely a humble servant trying to ensure your safety. The Knights of Fortune won't fight honorably. They'll fight to win no matter the costs."
"Just like you." She muttered as she moved to the bottom of the stairs and held up her hand. A moment later, Regina laid hers in the offered palm with a small, happy smile.
"Good afternoon my love."
"Good afternoon. Surely you are at a stopping place? Perhaps some lunch would be in order?" She swung their hands playfully for a moment and Emma grinned brightly.
"I believe that's acceptable yes."
The Empty Bay was nothing like what Regina had pictured. She and her wife stood at the railing on the starboard side, watching the lights flicker and move. They were still too far away to see much beyond the lights from the lamps that were used to light the docks and the lamps likely on the dark structures that could be made out from a distance. Located close to the seat of the Yorian Empire, the warmth of the desert that surrounded the Abyss could be easily seen in the light of day: an oasis close to the sea with sloping red rock walls surrounding it to the North. The Abyss was nothing and everything it had been made out to be in one breath. Regina shivered as Emma tightened her arms around her.
"I want you to stay on the ship."
Regina turned her head, trying to get a glimpse back at her wife's tense face. "Why would I do that? I'm your wife, I should be at your side."
"I don't know what we're looking at by way of trust. I don't know our enemies or our friends here."
"And you think I'm safer with a lecherous Captain that moonlights as a Pirate?"
"He doesn't moonlight as a Pirate. He is a Pirate." Emma blinked, head tilted in confusion.
Regina laughed, "I love you."
"I love you too." She tightened her hold on her smaller frame and smiled happily when she felt the return squeeze from her wife's hands that rested on her forearms.
"I just want you safe that's all. If you're here, I know you're safe. Hook won't let you come to harm otherwise he'll never get his precious map."
The Spring Princess sighed, "I'm not going to stay confined to the ship while we're here."
"I don't want you out there where it's not safe." Emma countered.
"Then I'll take Hook with me. You've said it yourself he'll not let harm befall me while his payment hangs in the balance. You'll need Grumpy and Lancelot both to watch your back and keep you safe for me. I don't want harm to befall you either you know."
"This is a tough position for us to be in."
"I am aware that these circumstances are delicate at best." Regina sighed softly, "You promise me right here right now that you're coming back to me. Honor be damned I want you with me no matter what it costs."
The Winter Princess frowned, "You have my word wife. I will come back to you."
"I know I keep asking but…"
Emma rested a calloused finger against rose petal lips. "I understand. You're afraid to lose me. I feel the same about you."
"I would die without you."
"You wouldn't." Emma smiled softly, "You'd carry on because that's what you must do. You're going to be a great Queen one day my love. I have every confidence in you."
"I won't be great without you at my side." She vowed.
At night the Abyss was truly…frightening. Though that may not be the best word for it Regina found herself at a loss. The docks had been clear and there hadn't been a problem when they docked and made their way into the port. It hadn't started until they reached the ends of the docks. Painted women with blackened teeth and heavy sandalwood perfumes threw themselves at the sailors, jabbering about fun evenings and coin. Regina had found herself tucked behind the girth of Lancelot and her wife while Grumpy complained loudly about the lack of alcohol readily available. Now that they had reached land surely a cup of ale should be easy to come by.
Hook grinned and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. "I've always been fond of this place."
"Seems like something you'd like." Emma offered tensely, hand tightening on her wife's tiny hand. Their wedding bracelets clacked together with the movement.
"It's got its benefits for shore leave." He wiggled his eyebrows and she scoffed.
"Remember what we talked about?"
"I agreed didn't I?" He countered.
"You gave me your word you would get my wife back to Il Mira safely should anything go awry."
"You'd trust your wife with a Pirate?"
"I don't have much of a choice." They eyed one another and he offered a smarmy smirk.
"Well then if I may? My lady?" He dipped into a lavish bow offering his hand to Regina. She eyed it and then her wife for a moment.
"Did you wash your hand first before offering it to me?" She asked.
He pouted, "What sort of man do you think I am?"
"The kind that likes his women painted."
"The painted woman has her own mystery." He waxed poetic.
Emma rolled her eyes, "Regina," She slowly released her hand and placed it in Hooks who grinned and tucked it close to him. Regina made a low sound of disgust in her throat before looking at her wife with wide pleading brown eyes.
"You'll be safe with him. You and Venar both."
"You have no idea what this man may or may not do. You know you cannot take the word of a pirate at face value."
"Regina, promise me you'll stay with him."
The Spring Princess opened her mouth and then snapped it closed with an audible click of her white teeth. "Fine," She muttered.
"You won't be finding the Knights of Fortune tonight." Hook pointed out. "But you should begin your search by going to the tavern they like to favor. Any Pirate worth his salt knows to stay away from it so you'll be on your own. I'll just be keeping your lovely wife company aboard the Jolly Roger."
"And what tavern is that Pirate?" Lancelot asked.
"They got ale?"
"Grumpy!"
"What? It's a valid question!"
"Yes, my good man they have ale; The Black Eyed Jackal. Can't miss it, dead center of town."
"What are we waiting on then? Ale is what I require." Grumpy waved a hand, seemingly not concerned.
"Shall we my lady?" Hook asked, motioning back towards the ship with his hook. Regina eyed him for a moment then looked back at Emma with a slight pleading look. Thin, pink lips pressed to her fuller red ones. This was the best she could give.