"So, these movies." Killian said testing the new word with her. "They are the inspiration you get your stories from?"
The two sat on the deck of The Jewel, the sun and cool breeze being too pleasant to ignore. For once it wasn't scorching enough for the crew to melt in the sunlight. Emma was enjoying it greatly and refused to go below deck much to the pleasure of a lieutenant. For the better part of the morning, he taught her all about catching the fish from the net and the two were spending the pleasant time gutting it. She thought it was perfect other than the smell, but she wasn't going to let that drag down a nice time spent with Killian.
"No, they told the stories. It's like a performance with actors and costumes."
"Oh! Its theater then."
"Sort of, the only exception is that it isn't live." Emma bit her lip in concentration for her own fish she was getting and how to explain the entertaining concept.
"So, then these performances, are they based on books of the stories then?"
"A lot of the time yes. They reenact things that have been written that are very popular. Before I left, they were doing one based on a popular children's book about a young boy wizard."
"For a society that doesn't believe in magic they certainly discuss it a lot." He chuckled.
"We like to pretend." She laughed back. Ever since he asked about her staying, he didn't bring up the subject again. Instead, they just moved on and found other topics and it hadn't been brought up again. This pleased her, as she didn't really want to think about leaving. The truth was that she would miss this. Miss just sitting and talking with him for hours and exchanging stories and jokes. Learning from his passion of sailing and whatever he was willing to teach her. She would especially miss how cute he was when he got confused over her explaining things from the modern world.
Stop that. She chided herself. I can't think like that about him.
"What's your favorite movie then lass? I'm sure it's a good one."
She blushed a little at that and shook her head. Sensing her embarrassment, he leaned closer. "Are you blushing Swan?"
"No! I just know you won't like it!"
"Is it scandalous?"
"No!"
"Do you think it's silly?"
"No!"
"Oh, come now I'm interested. What is it?" His grin broadened. "I bet it's a romantic. You probably just don't want to admit you like the sweet romantic stories."
He was right about that.
"Please Miss Swan tell me?" He was giving her a look that she wasn't able to resist refusing. Closing her eyes she released a heavy exasperated sigh.
"It's called The Princess Bride."
A beat of silence passed between them and when she opened her eyes he had a smug but interested look.
"Well, that wasn't so hard now was it? It definitely sounds like a romantic based on the title. Come now then, it can't be that complex a story to follow. I think it might even sound familiar."
"It probably would, its pretty close so far to things in this realm. Maybe a little more medieval though."
"You wound me." He placed a palm on his chest mockingly. "You think us old."
"I don't think you old, just your time period."
"Alright, but what's the story. I'm intrigued on what makes it your favorite."
"You won't like it."
"I'm sure I will."
"No, you won't."
"Why not then?"
She bit her lip.
"Because….it is a love story...but it involves...pirates."
He stared at her for a minute, playfulness melting off his face as he sneered at the word.
"Pirates." He repeated in a guttural tone. She only nodded, watching him as his tongue ran over his lips clearly at a loss for words. "And it's a romantic?"
"Yeah, a real popular one too."
"What could be so popular about bloody filthy pirates! They are nothing but blackhearted thieves with little to no honor. How could that be popular?"
Emma was superseding her chuckle from watching his tirade. Clearly the subject of pirates was a trigger for the sailor.
"Well, it's just one pirate." She corrected. "And I guess it's because what he does is romantic, not to mention how he's played by a dreamy blue-eyed actor."
Killian stiffened again. His lip cast in a downward frown while his own crystal blue orbs appraised her.
"A what?" He practically hissed.
"An actor, you know they act in the role they are given."
"No, I understand that part Miss Swan. It's just...this actor...you find him...attractive?" He sounded so hurt in saying it she couldn't fathom why.
"Well, yeah?" She shrugged. "But nearly every woman found him attractive especially in that movie. His blonde hair, his accent, and his eyes. They were so blue." She chuckled to herself and looked up to him with a small smile. "Nowhere near as pretty as yours though."
Emma wanted to laugh at the blush that hinted at his ears from her flirting with him, but she resisted. Maybe it was mean of her, but she loved to call his bluff over his cool suave act he tried to pull. The moment he was engaged with her flirtations he turned red. The lieutenant cleared his throat and raised a finger to scratch behind his ear shyly.
"S-so what happens in this tale exactly?" He asked, clearing his throat. "How does a love story involve a pirate?"
"Well, it all begins on a farm. The girl who lives there and the farm boy who loved her. Anything she asked he would do for her. And all he would ever say in return to her would be 'as you wish'."
"As you wish?" Killian asked with a crinkled brow. "Sounds like a pretty appropriate response from a farmhand."
"He just meant something else by it." Emma began sliding her blade down the belly of her fish before casting a glance up to him when her knife fumbled and instead ran against her forefinger. She immediately dropped the utensil along with the fish to hold up her finger for inspection.
"Ouch." She whined. The blade of her knife having made a small incision in the pad of her finger. Already blood was welling out if the cut and with nothing else she held it to her mouth to stop the bleeding.
"Emma!" Killian immediately moved closer, his hand gently taking hold of hers. "Let me take a look."
She rolled her eyes at that but removed her finger from her mouth. She assumed the bleeding would have already stopped but it started up again just as quick.
"We should go down and have Matthews take a look." He made a move to get up when she instantly placed a hand on his shoulder, lowering him back down into his seat.
"It's fine. I'm sure you do this all the time it's not that deep." She tried to assure him he raised a brow at her clearly unconvinced. She wondered if he too had an innate gift of telling whenever she was lying or if he was just that attune to her.
He appraised it with inquisitive eyes before glancing up to her and pulling it to his own mouth. His soft lips folding over it and she audibly swallowed. He held it there for a few moments short of eternity before removing it to gaze at again.
"You're fortunate it isn't very deep Miss Swan. I've seen cuts to the bone when handling fish before." He probably meant it to be a joke, but she did feel nervous at the thought of that happening. But those thoughts were eclipsed by her noticing how soft his lips felt and the desire to feel them with her own. She had the innate desire to lean forward and find out.
No! You cannot grow attached to him. He lives in one world, and you live in another. Forget Romeo and Juliet level of star crossed it would never work!
He pulled her finger away again to look it over before fumbling into his pocket and withdrawing a handkerchief. Taking a corner between his perfect white teeth he yanked on the fabric. He dropped the larger piece and took the strip dangling from his mouth and began wrapping it around her finger. Emma couldn't help but realize how dry her throat suddenly felt.
"You didn't have to ruin your handkerchief like that. I could have found something later." He glanced up at her from his work making her heart flutter.
"It's a small sacrifice to make for you Miss Swan." His crooked grin returned. She rolled her eyes at him.
Fine two can play at that game. She leaned closer looking up at him from beneath her own eyelashes.
"You're just saying that for an excuse to hold my hand."
His blush and still breathing satisfied her as he yanked on the knot. His hand held hers a moment longer before he removed his touch. Judging by his face, Emma could tell he didn't want to let go. She was just surprised how much she didn't want to either. It felt as if somehow, they were gravitating closer when a sudden strong gust of wind blew by. The two immediately glanced up in confusion.
Emma's free hand went up to grip the hat Killian was kind enough to lend her and looked up at the swirling procession of storm clouds. The white sails puffed with the added gale wind and all around on the deck sailors murmured in disbelief. Gone was the sunlight, and instead the sky was becoming greyer and greyer by the minute.
"Where did this wind come from?" She had to shout to be heard over it. Killian's gaze was focused on the clouds before he released her hand and walked over to the side of the ship. Out of confusion, she followed over with him and looked down at the waves. All day they had been calm and blue much like his eyes, but now they had become darker. Choppily clashing against the hull of the ship. She didn't have to be an experienced sailor like Killian to know that something bad was brewing.
"Secure he sails!" He shouted, immediately walking around to the quarter deck. All deckhands jumped at the command and began climbing up to their respective posts, beginning to pull down the billowing sheets less they become damaged. "Man them down tightly gents!"
"Is it another storm?" Liam walked up from bellow deck to head over to Killian. "Let me guess, it came out of nowhere."
"It seems to be that way."
"Again." The captain chuckled dryly, but clearly; he was less than pleased. "Alright, Killian I want you at the helm."
"Aye sir." Killian nodded and turned to Emma. "Miss Swan I think it might be best if you go below deck for the time being."
She grimaced at that, but at the same time didn't want to be in the way. Turning away her gaze caught on a weird glimmer in the water, like there was something reflective. Then a long aquiline body. A head of hair. She stuttered back a step and pointed towards it.
"There in the water!" She shouted over the wind. Liam, knowing that she wouldn't exaggerate on anything, immediately came over and looked over the edge, his face paling.
"Mermaids." He hissed. She looked to him in confusion, unsure of what he was so upset about.
"Mermaids? What harm can they do?"
"Enough that we really don't want them." The captain responded. "Ready the harpoons!"
She was shocked to watch them readying the weapons and staging them to be fired at the creatures splashing around in the water. Emma was perplexed at what they were doing, any mermaids she ever heard about were kind and shy. Wasn't Ariel told to stay away from humans and here they all were around the ship.
"They brought this wind." One of the deckhand's replied, Travers she thought his name was. "They control the elements of the sea."
"Why are they doing this then?" She asked looking down to them. "We didn't do anything to them."
"Mermaids don't need a reason why lass they just do it for the fun of it." He growled. "I've never seen a pod this large; they must be after something."
His face was ashen, clearly scared of the creatures as he looked over to her and then froze.
"Maybe they are after you. That would make sense." Travers choked, his frantic eyes going from her to the water. Emma just stared at him blankly in confusion, not sure how he got to that conclusion. "We found you that morning in odd weather like this. No one else questioned what a beautiful woman was doing in the ocean so far from sea. They want you. It's you that should die not us!"
Emma could feel the tension and stepped back slowly. She needed to get away from him. Obviously, the man was confused or insane. Where was Killian? Travers lunged for her and hoisted her up with ease. Emma struggled in his hold as he neared over to the side of the ship. She reached her hands out and snagged onto him, clawing at his face and eyes, anything to throw him off balance and let go.
"Go back to where you came from whence you came!" He guttered and then tossed her over the side of the boat. Emma felt a second of falling and could faintly hear her name being shouted by others before she crashed into the cold swirling waves.
I am not dying like this. She struggled, kicking as hard as she could against the current to break for air, hoping that someone could toss her a line. If Liam didn't like these mermaids, she did not want to be in the water with them. I cannot die like this!
Her fight was in vain when she felt the firsthand grip around her ankle and something pulled her further down.
She felt her lungs squeeze in want of oxygen and she burned herself more to not give in. She tried kicking her legs and struggled against the deathlike grip that was holding her wrist but nothing broke free and she felt the involuntary gag of breath when the sea water filled her lungs.
That's when she heard the voices.
We found her. We found a sister. We saved a sister. A sister of magic. A sister of purity.
The voices were everything perfect and sweet. Melodious and soft. And they were vocalizing. Louder and louder as she sank into the water.
Fear not sweet sister. You are safe in the water. The voices cooed.
It took Emma a moment longer to realize then that she wasn't struggling to hold her breath any longer but was able to breathe normally. Under water.
Holy shit. She thought and fought against the grip holding her, but it still held tight and continued to drag her down. She felt other things brush up against her. Cold fins and fingers that coiled into her hair in an almost loving manner. She was never one to feel fear before, but in the water, so far below from help she did. She didn't know how to fight, and she didn't even know what to do.
Her arms flung out and tried to dig into the water to swim out of reach, but that was no use. With her eyes closed she couldn't even gather if she was close to striking them.
"Well done my lovelies." A voice called in the water. "Very well done indeed. You have saved our newest sister."
Saved? Saved from what?
"So lovely." A hand gripped her chin, thin fingers brushing over her cheek. "Your beauty matches your pure heart. You will make a fine sister."
She's crazy. Crazy. Crazy. Crazy.
"You can open your eyes child. You can speak in the water thanks to my magic."
More scared of not being aware of her surroundings, Emma hesitantly opened her eyes. Her breathing stilled at the sight around her. Mermaids. Enchanting and dancing in the water, twirling and playing in pairs. The water which seemed so crazy above was now calm and a serene blue. The light was reflecting downwards to the beautiful sea kelp and the rocks that stuck up in a field of sea flowers. And the mermaids were everywhere, sitting and twirling their hair. A few loitered around her, moving around cautiously, while who she assumed the leader was looked to her expectantly with a pleasant smile.
She was the prettiest of them all, with long strawberry blonde hair pushed away from her face by a sort of crown that dripped down her brow. Her angular face was that of a models, high cheekbones and thick blood red lips spread in a smile. With her tan skin she was easily the most beautiful woman Emma had ever seen before, however only half of her was a woman. Dropping from the waist, a golden tail flicked back in forth, long and glittering, it too was beautiful.
"What…what do you want with me?" She asked, looking to the two mermaids that were holding her. The leader tilted her head to the side, studying her carefully.
"We saved you my dear. We smelt your blood and knew that you would be a worthy sister to us."
Emma hesitantly hung her mouth open and thought over how to respond. This was a precarious situation that she had to really be smart about before she said the wrong thing and ended up dead.
"I...I can't be your sister." She said slowly, trying to gauge a reaction. "I don't belong here. I'm just trying to get home."
The leader just eyed her carefully before she let out a soft melodious laugh. The others joined in clearly amused at her statement. With a wave of the leader's fingers, they let her go and Emma wasted no time in paddling her way up to the surface. She had to get out of the water.
She didn't make it far when a flurry of bubbles surrounded her, ceasing her swimming as a burning feeling tore at her torso and legs. It wasn't painful, but it did have her gasping at the odd feeling that occurred to her.
"Don't worry my dear, I wasn't going to insist on you staying human. Now you are one of us, and this will be your new home."
The bubbles cleared finally, leaving Emma to look around in confusion. Several of the mermaids had followed her up, the leader languidly floating before her. She gave an indicative wave of her hand and Emma followed the movement down. Her jaw dropped open to gape at the tail that replaced her legs. Emerald green and glittering with speckles of golden scales, long and thin it swished in the water along her directed movements. Hesitantly she ran a hand over the cold scales. She couldn't believe it.
"What did you do?" She gaped looking up to her. "Change me back!"
"Why? You belong here with us. You a pure hearted maiden that needs to be saved from the world of man."
"Okay lady." Emma rolled her eyes at this. "First of all, I'm not a maiden. Second, I don't need to be saved. Third, I told you I need to go home. I'm not from this world!"
"Not from this world?" She asked, tilting her head, and studying her carefully. "How is that possible? Your blood sings with magic. Strong magic that would make an excellent mermaid."
"Magic?" The blonde questioned. "I don't have magic! I come from a world without magic!"
"A world without magic?" The others murmured, looking around in confusion.
"That...is not possible." The leader raised an arm to silence them. "I know I was not mistaken about your blood."
"Whatever lady, I'm out of here." Emma struggled in moving her body upward but only succeeded in somersaulting in the water. The laughs of the other mermaids only added to the humiliation.
"Where do you think you are going little one? You barely know your tail from your dorsal."
"My friends are going to be looking for me."
"Your friends?" The leader laughed. "You mean the men on the ship. Surely you don't want to go back there, they threw you into the sea. They don't care."
"That was someone else! They feared you!"
"If your friends cared, they would have protected you from going into the sea. They would have protected you. The only protection you will ever find is here with us dear, we are a bond of sisters. Sisters of a coven that do everything together." The others around laughed with glee, shouting all the things in melodious voices all the things they could do.
We will teach you to ride the waves.
To read the stars.
Enchant with a harp.
Love deeper than any sea.
Emma believed them. They all looked so happy as they swam about, several of them swimming alongside her to play with her hair.
"You'll be safe here." The leader cooed, brushing a hand along her cheek. "This is where you belong."
"No." Emma was as shocked as the rest of them with how plainly she said it. The leader blinked in disbelief, but she continued. "I know that this isn't it, not for me at least."
"Emma!" A familiar voice called for her. She looked up, shocked how well she could hear under the water.
"Emma!" Killian's voice shouted after.
Killian and Liam! They were looking for her!
"He came for me." She found herself whispering aloud.
"You...choose men over this?" The leader hissed. "Men, the most impure and vile creatures of the world! We drown this for a reason. We sing them to shipwrecks to cease their plague on the land. You have much to learn about that. Get them!"
Several of the other mermaids dispelled and began swimming for the surface.
"Emma!" Killian's shouts cluelessly dragging the danger closer to him.
"No!" She cried. "Don't hurt them! They're my friends!"
"They are men!" The mermaid hissed. "They are evil and corrupt. We saved you from them."
"No, they weren't going to hurt me."
"Regardless they will die. We will dance in their bones on the ocean floor. Go my sisters! Drown those men!"
"No!" Emma cried and swam up alongside them as fast as she could. She was clumsy with the tail, but she managed to swim behind them shortly as they rocked the boat. Killian and Liam shouted in shock above the water.
Without thinking of anything else she could do to protect her friends; Emma swung her tail around and knocked aside two of the mermaids threatening to overturn the boat. They summersaulted in the water off balance and hissed at her before she evaded their attacks. Moving to the other side and doing the same. She was bravely outnumbered, but she swam around them, weaving around and knocking them aside when she could with her tail.
"Emma!" Killian's shouts could be heard from below the water.
"Don't get in the water Killian they'll drag you down!" Liam told his brother. Emma just hoped he was holding him back from jumping into the water after her.
"There are too many for her! She can't fight them all off on her own!
"Get out of here both of you!" She pulled her head up over the waves to shout to them. Killian was standing in the longboat, his arms bracing for balance on both sides as he moved from one side to the other to follow her.
"We're not leaving without you Emma!"
"They are trying to kill you!" She dove under again to evade another mermaid swinging around to hit her. She grunted but swung her own tail out and smacked them away before returning up.
"And they will no doubt try to kill you if we get away!"
"I'll take care of myself Killian! I always have!"
"And that's why I'm not leaving you!" He declared so solidly. She looked up to him and caught sight of his ocean blue eyes, gazing at her with such determination. Her stomach was starting to flip from it. A hand caught hold of her tail and yanked her down under the waves, leaving the two in the longboat. Once again, she heard Killian shouting out her name in concern until the mermaid matron was right in her face.
Emma struggled in the held grip of the other two mermaids that took hold of her arms, but they held strong. Holding her prone before their leader.
"I don't understand you girl. You would choose mortal men over this? Living forever in the sea as one of the most enchanting things alive? I just don't understand it."
"That's your problem then." Emma retorted with an angry huff. "But I care for the men in that boat, and I will not let you or any of your sisters hurt them."
"You risk yourself to save these mortal men and they are willing to do the same for you?"
"Yes." Emma heard herself answer before she could even process it.
"And you truly would rather be with them than under the sea with us as sisters." Her melodious voice was laced with disgust.
"I would lady. This isn't where I belong. Thanks for the chance of living out a childhood fantasy I guess, but I prefer being on land."
The leader sniffed before waving her hand in Emma's direction.
"Fine. Reject my beautiful gift. Shortly after you get out of the water you will get your two legs back. But never come back into my waters again, I will not be so generous."
"Well thanks, I'll keep that in mind."
"Come sisters." She turned to the others. "We will leave this girl. Let her go to the men she so desperately wants to be with."
The mermaids all sneered at her in obvious disgust before following their leader, soon disappearing back into the deep. Emma huffed a breath of relief before swimming back up to the surface, her head bobbing up next to the longboat.
"Are you both alright?" She huffed, swimming closer. Liam and Killian swung around in the boat to look at her, the captain's face lighting up with pride.
"Are we alright?" He grinned. "Lass that was amazing! You fought off several mermaids at once! You were amazing!"
"Well, I wasn't going to let them drown you." She sighed in relief. "I understand now what you meant about mermaids."
Her gaze went to Killian who was just staring at her, his mouth hung open in quiet shock.
"Is he alright us he hurt?" Emma asked looking to him. Liam laughed loudly and nudged his brother who promptly shut his mouth.
"I think he's fine. Maybe just a little shocked, seeing you with mermaid magic and a tail."
"Mermaid magic?" She asked. Liam grinned and pulled forth a dagger and held it up for her to see her reflection in the clean blade. Her golden hair was pinned back with a few of the sea flowers she had seen and floating around her in beautiful, crimped sea waves. Her lashes seemed to look longer and lusher than usual and even on her cheeks there was a dusting of what looked like golden scales. She looked as beautiful as the others.
"Oh." She said quietly, touching her cheek and blushing slightly. "Well...um...the mermaid said once I get out, I'll turn back to normal. Is it that odd?"
She asked it as a joke. After all, how could it not be odd that this morning she woke up with legs and right now she had a tail flipping around behind her. But Killian still was just silently watched her, a small smile gracing his face.
"It's beautiful."
Liam coughed awkwardly and nudged his brother again.
"Alright, enough of that. Let's help Miss Swan into the boat before we find more trouble."
The two helped her in getting in the rowboat, when with a tug she managed to be sprawled across Killian's lap. His arms wrapped around her shoulders to keep her steady, but it was just like he was cradling her body, when they both realized the position, they were in. But with the boat still rocking unsurely, no one made a sudden move in fear they would flip over.
Emma was lost in Killian's eyes, that were looking at her so intently. She couldn't help but blush. Especially with the way he was studying her so intently.
Just like that the magic that made her a beautiful mermaid was gone. Her perfect hair became a sodden mess of saltwater tangles, and she was back in damp clothes. Emma let out a sigh of relief she didn't know she was holding. But Killian kept looking at her as if she still looked like the preened and perfect mermaid. Blinking as if out of a trance, he moved her onto one of the seats and began peeling off his own jacket.
"Here, it must be cold." He stated, and wrapped her in it, his hands rubbing up and down her arms to provide additional warmth. The sudden shivers that spread through her body confirmed that she was desperately chilled now. She clutched it tighter around her as Liam took hold of the oars and began steering their way back to the ship.
"You...you came back for me." It was a statement, but Killian could sense it for so much more. After learning she was orphaned and was constantly moved from place to place, she trusted no one. In her eyes it was clear that she believed no one would ever care for her as she hopes. But right now, after not leaving her in the ocean with the mermaids, she was shocked that they didn't immediately leave her.
"Of course." Was all he managed to say. "I promised."
Emma had been left behind for a lot of reasons. Several she knew and several she didn't.
New baby. Lost job. Moving. Didn't want a girl. Wanted a different girl. She probably heard every reason in the book that someone gave up on her. She was so used to it already. Yet the Jones were still here. They stayed when they arguably had the best reason to possibly leave her behind. But they stayed. He stayed. Even though she was back in a boat Emma felt a part of her was in danger. A part that she suddenly didn't mind being in danger at all.
.
.
The three returned to the ship with little fanfare. Mostly the crew happy that she wasn't lost to the sea and the waves had finally calmed again. It turned out no sailor was really a fan at the idea of mermaids, so they kept the fact how Emma sprouted a tail a secret for then. The blonde excused herself to her quarters for the rest of the day, mostly to clean herself off from the sea water she was drenched in and to wait for her clothes to dry somewhat. After scrubbing her skin and washing her hair, she tied her hair in a tight braid down her back and perused around the borrowed room in the night shirt she would still wear for bed. In all her time on the ship the previous few weeks, she rarely spent time in the cabin as to be more active, but alone now she noticed the few books lining the shelves and helped herself to one.
It was when she was on the third chapter of a book on nautical war strategies that she heard the commotion from up on deck. Closing the book, she went over to under the pillow and pulled out her jeans that were still stiff from not being cleaned properly, but decent enough to wear and slipped them on along with Killian's uniform jacket, figuring it was better to be seen still wearing that than the low-cut shirt.
The passageway was empty she found, usually there would be a few deck hands passing by doing chores. She proceeded up to deck then, where everyone was gathered from deckhand to the cook to Matthews who was waiting by the door. Immediately he noticed her and moved in front of her, but he couldn't stop her from hearing a crack followed by a small yelp.
"Matthews? What's going on?" She asked, craning her neck to try and see what was causing all the commotion on this eventful day. The surgeon seemed hesitant to say anything but kindly took hold of her arm to direct her back to the door.
"Emma, it's probably best for you to go below deck for now. This isn't something you should see." She raised a brow at that before she heard a loud crack followed by a pained grunt. She jerked her arm away from his touch before following closer to the pained cries. Immediately she wished that she hadn't. The man that accosted her was tied to the mast, his shirt gone and already there were welted cuts down his back. Killian himself stood with the tasseled whip in hand before administering another blow. The sound of the cracked whip made her want to vomit.
"Why is he doing this?" She croaked, glancing up to Matthews. He solemnly stared on, clearly uncomfortable by talking to her about this.
"For insurrection and disobeying orders."
"What orders could possibly warrant this?" She gasped.
"Any orders Miss Swan. We are to listen to the orders from the captain and lieutenant above all else on this ship."
"And that reasons this kind of treatment? There can be nothing to justify doing this."
"There are several things that can justify doing this milady. And it's one that has to be followed through for the safety of the ship." His face was grim. "The lieutenant is being lenient with only giving him five lashes."
"That does not seem lenient." She answered. "For Christ's sake his back is cut open."
The doctor grimaced himself and took hold of her to pull her into a corner.
"Miss Swan, I understand you are from a different world, one that doesn't do these kinds of things. But this is how it is done here. That man must be punished, regardless of what you think. When you came aboard this ship, everyone was given the order to respect you, and he practically tossed you into the waves. I'm sure he regrets it now, he was probably overcome with some old wife's tale about you, but he disobeyed, nonetheless. That is why."
Emma jerked her arm away and she heard another blow. She looked up and caught Killian's gaze watching her, a pained expression on his face before he flicked the whip again. The last time but also the hardest as it hit the man's skin. She returned below deck before he could even make his way over to her.
She was only in the cabin for an hour before he came knocking at her door. Knowing that it was best to not avoid this conversation she opened it to see Killian sulking in her doorway. His sleeves were still rolled up, and everything on his uniform was still neat and tidy, the only thing missing was his jacket. Reaching over to the bed, she picked it up and handed it over to him.
"Thank you. I'm sorry I held onto it for so long." Her tone was a little clipped. He looked down at the blue material and ran a tongue over his lips.
"Miss Swan, I'm sorry you had to see that. I thought to do when…"
"When I wasn't around?" She asked him. He only nodded in response.
"Seeing something like that is not fit for a lady as yourself."
"I don't need you protecting me like that. I can fight my own battles and that guy wasn't worth making a fuss over." She hissed, clenching her hand at her side as she strode over to the bed and plopped onto the hard mattress. He hesitated a moment in the doorway before following it in, closing it shut behind him. His back was towards her a moment before he turned around and she began to see the tense anger beneath him. Boiling to get out.
"Do not think that a man throwing you into the waves during a storm is a small matter. Because it most certainly is not."
"I lived, didn't I?"
"And you could have died!" His voice raised a little at that statement before he pinched the bridge of his nose. "The point being, Miss Swan, I gave the order the first day you were here. The first day to treat you with respect and that man risked your life today. It deserved punishment and it could have caused disorder if it was left ignored."
"Order, you and Liam keep that fine enough on this ship that surely just an apology would have sufficed."
"An apology? Are you that naive to think that we can keep the peace of this ship without some form of threat? There is little we have to keep everything in check. We are out to sea with nothing more than a brig to hold a few sailors at best if there is disobedience, order is essential. Otherwise, there could be a mutiny." The horror in his eyes frightened her. "That is quite literally the worst thing that could happen on board Miss Swan...especially with you here."
Her eyes met his in question, searching his face. Within the blue orbs she saw the truth and the realization froze her veins. She had forgotten how friendly they were all becoming, but this was still a vessel managed by men who had been at sea for some time. Under the protection of Liam and Killian she was safe and comfortable, but if that changed there would be more at danger.
"Oh." Was all that escaped her mouth.
"I won't let that happen to you Miss Swan. You can be disgusted by me. Appalled by me. Even hate me. But if I have to flog a man to ensure the safety of this ship, I will do it."
For you. Was the unspoken portion.
"I could never hate you." She whispered. "I'm...sorry. I don't understand everything here. And it...frightens me. This isn't anything like home."
She didn't realize how cold she suddenly was until he was unfolding his jacket once again to drape over her shoulders.
"I know lass." He whispered. "I...I promise I will do all in my power to help you get to your world again. Because staying here...staying in this world, there will be times you may see things like that. I wouldn't want to ask you to stay and see these horrors, if your own world is free of them."
"My own world has its own horrors too. They're just...different."
They sat in silence.
"It's happened to you before...hasn't it" She asked, looking up at him. His pained face was answer enough for her, and immediately her heart felt heavy from it.
"I wouldn't do it to someone without having felt it myself." He croaked out.
"How old were you?"
He's only a few years older than I am.
"I was just a lad. The first time was when I was ten."
"So young. What for?"
"For insolence. I thought about reorganizing the cargo to save space in the hold. The captain of the vessel thought me...criticizing his orders and flogged me for it. Seven lashes with a cane. I couldn't move for days. Liam...he had to care for me on top of doing both our duties."
The pain of his voice tore through her. To think of him experiencing that and as a boy no less. He didn't deserve that. Not him. For some reason she couldn't really understand then she wanted to touch him. To ensure that he was safe, and he knew that he would never suffer that sort of pain again. So very hesitantly, she reached out and took hold of his hand in hers. Brushing her fingers over his callouses of hard work. He seemed shocked at the touch before he slowly entangled his fingers in hers in silence.
"I'm sorry that happened to you." She whispered. "Nobody...no child deserves to go through that."
"Aye. They don't." He whispered, and with a huff clenched her hand in his. His blue eyes looked up to her with a mixed emotion, caring yet full of sorrow that no longer reflected the pain he once felt. "I thank you for your comfort, Miss Swan, but you don't need to worry yourself with me. I'm not worth pity."
"It's not out of pity. I want to Killian." She whispered. "I care for you."
Killian's face melted into wonder and shock for her admittance. Truthfully, she had no idea what she felt towards Killian, but her words were true. She did care for him and didn't want to see him get hurt ever again. The lieutenant smiled at her and lifting their joined hands he pressed a kiss to the back of her hand before lifting it to his cheek. The touch sending a warm feeling throughout her and making her cheeks flush.
"I as well lass. I care for you as well."