Chapter Fifty Three
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.
Yep, we've come to another break chapter! Huzzah! Why huzzah? Because it gives me time to mentally prepare for Choosing Love and I wrote the thing! Lol!
All the lullabies mentioned are from Disney movies, granted they may not be from the same Disney movie as the person singing them but they're Disney. I was in no mind to try to come up with my own lullabies for these guys to sing. And yes I adjusted the lyric of Baby Mine to read 'Olympus' instead of 'Heaven'.
LotusQuil: Well I couldn't resist bringing up Audie's timeline's fight against Maleficent though I did forget about Hades stepping in and Hercules' kids getting hurt. Though you're right, probably a good thing that she didn't mention it. Oh wow, that's insane re: Poseidon—I really need to brush up on my Greek mythology. Is there such a thing as too much of Greatest Showman? (She asks admitting that she listens to too much of Descendants music). And yep! Love Claudine!
Katt Kiki: Oh they're definitely busted! :D
Marcus Emrys: Oh I'm glad you liked it! And that's a good theory as to why Disney used Athena's name for Triton's wife. Though I have to wonder if they'd had a boy, would he be giving a 't' name? :D
danifan3000: Oh that's cute! And it was fun writing Dizzy of all people putting Leah in her place!
AmethystDragon14: Yay! Agreed, it truly can not come soon enough! I know, I find it hard to believe myself that we're here! Oh Henry's definitely in for a talking to!
SixUnderOneXSix: Oh I agree, they'd definitely be stubborn as hell based on both Mal and Ben's levels of stubbornness.
Hufflepuff24: Oh I'm so glad! Heh, Emir and Akiho do kinda remind me of the Weasley twins a little now that you point that out! :D
miranda88: Oh that would be nice wouldn't it? Like you said, a win-win-win.
Descendants-fan08: Of course!
Monkeymama1516: Oh that's going to be a lot of angry parents during that reading but…Natalie never died on the isle though. She never got sent to the Isle in the Choosing series. I'm sorry but Natalie's still around in Auradon…
GreenHybrid: OH I'm so glad you liked it! And that you live off of Henry and Claudine's forbidden love and that Harriet and Sammy's your OTP :D
SnowWhite45: Well you know what they say, time flies when you're having fun! :D
JudiAndTheFandoms: Yeah it's getting a bit crowded in here so there may not be any new people for a while. And now you've given me an idea for another fic…time to jot it down so I don't forget it. Dizzy's protective of Evie but who wouldn't agree that there's something wrong with Leah? And I love Claudine and Henry too! I still love Bal but Claudine and Henry are fun to write!
Guest: Well that's an interesting thing to think about!
JaclynnM: I'm so glad you're looking forward to it!
LOST MUSES: Oh trust me, I hate Natalie too. I still can't believe I came up with her, which is why she's probably never going to make an appearance as someone reading the scrolls. I just hate coming up with her dialogue.
jessaminego5134: So glad you liked the chapter!
smc-smfan1: 1. Zeus turns into a swan in Greek Mythology, actually he shape shifts into a lot of things in the myths, 2. Again, it's in the myths but he just wanted Zeus to be a better leader. 3. Because Elsa plays more of a role (still smaller but a role nonetheless).
Alyssa: Oh I'm so glad!
jedblack1997: I honestly wouldn't put it past them—I wonder if he still sounds like Tim Curry?
Guest: I have no doubt that CJ and Harry will talk as the scrolls continue.
Hope you all like the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
The group continued to stare at Henry and Claudine in shock, neither one of them noticing that they were clearly not on the Isle anymore.
"Um…why are they shocked?" Emir whispered to Ben and Akiho. "I mean, I'm not exactly a fan of watching people make out but it's harmless isn't it?"
"Henry Kersey!" Mal exclaimed, preventing either Ben or Akiho from responding, and also causing Henry to jump out of his skin.
"How long has this been going on?" Uma asked, standing up so that she could more comfortably put her hands on her hips. "And why didn't you tell us?!"
Henry jumped, as if not expecting to hear their voices, and stared at them in shock. His eyes were as wide as dinner plates as he stared at Mal.
"Wha—Mal? Uma? What the—where are—I mean cap'ns, I can explain!"
"You're damn right you're explaining this!" Mal said, a small smile on her lips. "How many years has the crew spent trying to get you interested in girls?"
"I believe guys were even suggested at one point," Harriet chimed in. "And still he said nothing."
"I-I don't—Where are we?" Henry asked, his face pale white though it was a little hard to tell due to the natural paleness of his skin thanks in part to his red hair.
"Don't change the subject Henry," Uma said, shaking her head. "Jake, Nick, hell even Dustin have suggested girls and even guys like Harriet said and you've never said anything! So answer the question, how long has this been going on?"
"…must be coming on three years now," Claudine said, her voice soft. She knew by this point there was no reason to deny that anything was going on and frankly she didn't want to deny it.
"Three years?!"
Kitty frowned as she looked over at Henry, finally noticing how pale he was. "Hey…is he okay?"
Mal looked over at Kitty before following her gaze back to Henry, seeing the paleness in her crew mate's face for the first time since his arrival. "Hey, hey, Henry, breathe," she said gently as Uma, Jay, and Harry continued to flip out over the three year bomb Claudine had dropped.
"Does anyone have any water?" Malinda asked as she went to kneel in front of Henry.
"…there's two of Mal…"
Malinda chuckled. "Oh right, I guess that would be a bit of a shock. I'm Malinda, I'm Mal but from the future. But let's focus on you for right now okay? You're not in trouble, especially if I know what my younger self is thinking right now. It's likely just a shock is all. I mean if you think about all the years you put up with the crew ribbing you about your no fling rule and you could have gotten them off your back?"
Henry looked between the two Mals in shock as Mal sat him down gently. "I'm…I'm not getting kicked out of the crew? Mal, you know who's sister she is…"
"Whoa, whoa, Henry calm down. I could barely understand a word you just said," Mal said as Henry had spoken faster than she'd ever heard him speak since she'd known him. "I did hear the phrase 'kicked out' and I can assure you Henry, you're not."
He's terrified, Benji thought as the two Mals tried to calm him down. He looks ready to faint…where's that water?
"Here!" Sammy said, passing a canteen to Uma. "I forgot I had this but I think Henry needs it more than I do right now."
Uma nodded, though not taking a break from her rant, and handed it to Mal, who took it without question.
"Henry, where is it written in our crew's bylaws that we kick people out for who they're involved with? Not to mention you're one of the Top Five swords pirates in our crew. We'd be stupid to kick you out, and Uma and I are many things but we are not idiots," Mal said as she handed the canteen to Henry though he'd yet to take a drink.
By this point, Jay had seen the genuine terror in Henry's eyes and elbowed Uma in the side to get her to stop her rant.
"Jay, wha—?"
"Uma, look at Henry for a minute and tell me your rant needed to keep going?" Jay asked. "He looks like he's going to faint in that chair he's in."
Uma sighed. Jay's right, of course he's right. This might have been a shock but come on Uma, you're Captain. Health of the crew comes first…besides, the crew is kinda the only family Henry knows.
"Henry…mate, we're happy for you," Harry said, walking over and resting a hand on his shoulder. "If you two had stayed hidden for much longer, the crew was genuinely going to muster up an intervention for you before you ended up with your sword as your life partner. Yeah so what if she's Freddy's sister? She's saved some of the lives of the crew during face offs. You've probably picked one of the most decent girls on the Isle."
"Is…is he going to be okay?" Hadie asked, looking at his mom.
"He's just shocked," Persephone said as Estelle went to rest his heads on Henry's leg as if to give comfort to the redhead.
"Just breathe Henry," Jay said.
"Yeah, you're fine," Harriet nodded. "We don't judge on who you love."
Henry shook his head. "..I…I can't lose you guys. Please…don't play games just because we're in front of some royals and Lord Hades and Lady Persephone. I…I promise I haven't give any crew secrets or anything…I'd die before I'd betray the crew like that, you know that. But…if you're going to kick me out, do it now so I don't have to see Ryan and Derek's face when you tell them…."
"Looks like he's finally getting a bit of color back," Rowyn muttered to Robin, who nodded.
"Henry, you're not getting kicked out," Uma promised. "We don't play games like that, you know the rules and sneaking around with a girl, Angel or not, is not one of them that would get you kicked out. Seriously, give us one good reason why we should kick you out? So you got involved with a girl? So what? That's not a capital offense, it just stops us from worrying."
"Though I would like to point out that some times people just don't want a partner and they're happy about that," Elsa spoke up, looking at her sister.
"What? I'm just saying I'd like to be Auntie Anna at some point!"
"I can create life through snow, Olaf can be your nephew."
Claudine bit her lip to keep herself from chuckling at the exchange even if she wished she could have something like that with Fred. The banter, the back and forth. She used to have it…until their father twisted his brain to make Fred just like him. She couldn't help the sad smile that pulled at her lips as Henry took the canteen, fighting to keep his hand from shaking from nerves.
"I…forgive me Captain Mal, Captain Uma, but I think I know what Henry's about to say. I'm an Angel, our gangs are enemies. That'd be reason enough even if my brother wasn't…well my brother. But he's telling you the truth. The only thing Henry's told me about the crew are small day to day stories like Ryan and CJ's four hour sparring match or the time you strung Dustin up by his underwear. Nothing the Angels could use against the Rats," she said softly but then shook her head. "Look I know some would say it's wrong, an Angel and a Warf Rat. But if it's wrong, then call me wrong because Henry is the best thing I have in my life and yes I know that loving him could cost me everything but I'm not going to apologize for the one good thing I have on the Isle…but I also know how much Henry values you guys so if you're going to have a problem with it…please take it out on me and not him."
"Claudine…if it was anyone else in your gang with Henry, we'd have a problem with it," Mal said firmly. "But you would have to be the one Angel we actually like. Like Harry said, you've saved the lives of some of our crew during face offs…and we know you weren't involved in Dustin's jumping last year. That was Freddy, Shayla, Strat and…and Morgan from what Henry reported. But I swear to you, all we are is shocked that Henry's with an actual girl and not his sword. But um…since you've been with this guy for three years, any tips on how to get color back to his face? I'd rather the royals here to not think we terrorize our crew."
"Again, I really don't see what the huge deal is," Emir said. "So he's got a girlfriend? It's not like he's involved with a Pegasus or a tree—now that would be shocking."
All the VKs turned to look at the second son of Agrabah in shock. Yes, even Henry.
"A…a tree?" Hadie asked. "I mean…I don't know much about flings but I don't think you can have one with a tree? Can you mom?"
"No dear, you can't," Persephone sighed. "And if someone tried, they'd be in for a world of pain."
Ben sighed. "Really Emir? Pegasus or a tree?"
"Well the way they're acting, it was like the guy took a vow of celibacy," Emir shrugged. "He was just kissing the girl."
"Those don't exactly exist on the Isle but if they did, Henry's a pretty close example of a guy who's taken one," Claudine said as she crouched next to Mal and Malinda. "Hey, hey, it's okay. You heard Mal and Uma…and future Mal. They're not kicking you out of the crew. You've done nothing wrong sweetheart, it's okay. Hey, think of it this way, you've got something to use the next time the crew teases you. Love…please, relax. You look like you're about to pass out right here and now, that's how pale you are. It's okay…please breathe."
"Is he in shock or something?" Phil Jr. asked, obviously concerned. "Should someone slap him? I've been told that helps for some reason."
"That's only going to make Henry think we're upset with him," Jay said, shaking his head. "If he's spent three years thinking we're going to kick him out of the crew because of this, he's not going to just think that everything's fine now."
He bit his lip before an idea began to form. "Hey Henry? Wanna see if you can beat me in a spar? I think my footwork's getting sloppy."
"Jay, we just left the Isle, you really think that's going to—?"
"…Jay, you're one of our best swords. I doubt your footwork could ever be sloppy," Henry said as he looked over at Jay, cutting off what Mal was going to say. "Seriously, Harry's been your sparring partner for how long? If he's letting your footwork get sloppy, then we have bigger problems because Harry's gotten very sick!"
"And he's back!" Harry grinned while Claudine chuckled fondly.
"You had us worried there for a second," she told Henry, gently kissing his cheek.
Uma shook her head. "We should have known that talking about someone getting sloppy in sparring would be what brought Henry back."
"He trains for eighteen hours a day, he'd be the best to know if someone's getting slopping," Mal said with a small chuckle. "Yet he's surprised when we have an intervention planned."
"I can multitask cap'n," Henry said. "'Love life' and training as you can see."
"Henry, you were going on six hour 'scouting runs' to accommodate your 'love life'," Mal countered.
"It was the only way you guys wouldn't get suspicious," Henry muttered with a small shrug.
"Henry, we knew something was up," Jay told him. "Scouting runs take three hours. Max. You know the only reason we didn't know earlier was because Ryan and Derek got lost trying to follow you one day?"
"Hold up, I can't go on a scouting run yet Ryan can follow Henry?" CJ exclaimed.
"Ry's slightly older than you and he got permission for this case," Harriet stated. "Not to mention we trusted Henry to come to us if there was something wrong."
"I'm sorry, I don't know what I need to be more upset by!" Henry exclaimed. "The fact that my best friends tried to follow me or the fact that they got lost! The Isle's not that big!"
Claudine shook her head. "I'm the subtle one in this partnership apparently. None of the Angels ever suspected."
"…I'm plenty subtle," Henry said, causing Jay, Mal, Uma, Harry, Harriet, and Sammy to all snort in amusement.
"I'm sorry but I'm still confused as to why this was such a big deal," Emir said. "Love's love, why are they acting like these two being together is the ninth wonder of the universe…not that their reaction's not a bit funny of course."
Mal sighed and looked at Henry. "It's your business. You want them knowing?"
"…I'm not ashamed of it Mal," Henry said and shook his head, Claudine gently taking his hand and squeezing it as he looked at the AKs. "On the Isle…there's a practice that I can't really go into much detail with the under fifteens present but it…it generally results in a kid with most of the guys not being the most attentive of fathers."
"As such, Henry has always said that he would not get involved with a girl and he's stuck to that," Uma said. "Even when there's been more than one girl on the Isle who'd be more than happy for his attention so…to find out that he has been involved with someone for three years without telling us…"
"What's more the Isle's different form where you all come from," Harry added. "There's a rivalry that goes deeper than just someone beating you in an argument. You've all had a small glimpse of what Freddy's like in the scrolls…so to find out one of our crew member's involved with a member of our rival gang…does that make it clearer why this is so surprising?"
"But…you've said multiple times Mal that you don't care that Henry's with her," Ben pointed out. "Yet you all acted like it was some act of the Gods when he showed up with his girlfriend."
"First off, the Isle doesn't have relationships like you guys have," Mal stated. "We have flirtationships or we have flings. A flirtationship is exactly how it sounds and a fling involves an act that I won't go into detail with my brother present. The other boys who are fifteen or older in our crew have flings—I think Jay, Harry and Henry are the only ones who haven't but I could be wrong about the first two. Second of all…we don't care. Her brother may be a…pain but Claudine's a decent sort."
"Yeah we flirt from time to time but Harry and I are too busy guarding you girls to spare time for flings," Jay said.
"You do know that Uma and I aren't slouches with our swords right Jay? You don't have to guard us," Mal said with a shrug and a fond eye roll.
"It's our duty as First Mates, co-captain," Harry said.
"And as fourth in command," Henry nodded with a small smile, causing Claudine to smile slightly. That was her Henry.
"I'd…I'd like to make it clear that my 'no flings' rule is still in effect," Henry said. "What's between me and Claudine…it's not a fling."
"We kinda figured Henry," Mal said gently as Claudine rested her head on Henry's shoulder.
"Yeah mate, flings don't exactly go on for three years," Harry nodded.
"Well we're coming up on three. We got involved when we were seventeen," Claudine said with a small smile.
"Best three years of my life," Henry whispered to her, kissing the top of her head.
Claudine gave him a loving smile. "I've said it before and I'll say it again Henry. You're the best thing in my life."
The other VKs couldn't help but smile as they watched the interaction. It was clear that it was more than just a fling or even a flirtationship.
"You know sometimes I wonder if Henry got switched at birth with an over the bridge kid with the way he acts," Jay said.
"Hey, Henry's plenty ruthless and tough," Mal said. "He's just got a moral code that could rival an AKs. And that's exactly what we want in our crew."
"Agreed," Uma, Jay, and Harry nodded.
Claudine looked over at Mal and the others. "So…now that everything's calmed down a bit…where exactly are we?"
"I'd like to know that as well," Elsa nodded.
"Me too!" Sammy said as her brothers clung to their father.
Hades smirked slightly. "I believe we're in the lair of the Fates," he said. Hey he may be decent as far as the Isle went but that didn't mean he didn't enjoy freaking people out a little.
"Lord…Lord Hades…"
"At ease Henry," Hades said with a small chuckle as the redhead's head popped up upon hearing his voice. "I'm not going to do anything to your girl. If it was her brother, that'd be a different story."
"Yes sir," Henry said as he took Claudine's hand.
"Stop looking at me like that, I'm not going to smite you," Hades told her as Claudine had been looking at him rather warily.
"Yeah, dad's not really the smiting type," Mal nodded. She figured it would come out in the scrolls anyway so why keep it a secret from Claudine?
Claudine's eyes widened as she heard that. "Yeah…I can see the resemblance," she whispered as her eyes flicked between the two of them. "Don't ever let Fred hear you say that."
Mal snorted. "Yeah, no thanks. I'm pretty sure Freddy boy's looking to get smote five ways to Sunday by the Gods in this room for everything he's done in the scrolls so far."
"Scrolls?"
"Yeah Mal, scrolls?" Henry asked.
"We are apparently reading about our lives," Mal explained. "And the Fates brought in me from the future and a different timeline's version of Sleeping Brat."
"And who's the dude?"
"My future husband apparently."
"Ah. Wait, what?"
Benji chuckled. "You're not usually this slow on the uptake Henry. Guess you're missing the Auradon sun."
"Wait…I know you in the future?" Henry asked, looking at Benji.
"Know me…use me for baby sitting…" Benji said, moving his hands as if they were scales.
Malinda shook her head. "We just got him breathing again Ben!"
"I…wait Ben?" Henry asked, looking at the younger Ben. There was only one known Ben in Auradon and the fact that there was a Beast insignia on his jacket pocket made it easy to pick him out of a crowd.
"Yes, yes, we're all surprised," Uma nodded. "But I'm also hungry."
"And I think it might be a good idea to turn in as well," Aurora nodded as the Fates began to provide them with a plethora of food. Everyone got up as they started to get some food…though Henry paused as he saw Esmeralda approach Claudine.
His fingers lingered over the hilt of his sword, as if preparing to have to draw it, but he relaxed as Esmeralda only pulled Claudine into a hug. The words 'I'm so sorry' could be heard from the raven hared woman's mouth.
"At ease," Phoebus told Henry, noticing how tense he'd gotten. "Let's just say Esmeralda can sympathize with the idea of having a young woman anywhere near Frollo."
Claudine shook her head as she broke from the hug. "He never did anything. Honestly, he preferred to spend his time with Fred, Sort of a 'women should be seen and not heard' thing."
"Huh, so somewhere there's a Freddy who's sane?" Uma asked. "I'm just saying that there's an Audrey who's sane here so there's stands to reason a timeline where Freddy's sane too."
"Well it's not my timeline," Audie said as she walked over to Claudine with a smile. "Though I will say you and Henry like to hide your relationship in both timelines. Stop that. It makes me want to hit him."
"I'll…keep that under advisement?" Claudine said slowly as she nodded.
"Thank you," Audie beamed as she went to get food.
"Seriously can we keep her?!" Emir exclaimed causing some of the people around him to chuckle.
Sammy turned to Harriet and gave her a smile. "So…what's like having your mom again cap'n?"
"It's great Sammy," Harriet said and wrapped her arm around Sammy's shoulders, ignoring the slight shudder that went up her spine at that. "Hey, maybe the Fates will send your mom here too."
The groups ate and before long, it was time to turn in. The Fates were kind enough to provide padded sleeping bags though Mal suspected it was mainly for Elle. They just didn't want to make her stand out.
Though it was probably appreciated by Ariel and Eric since there's not really any place for us to sleep comfortably. Elle shouldn't have to sleep in her chair, Mal thought, pretending not to notice said royals set Elle up for the night.
She couldn't help but smile though as she heard the various lullabies be sung throughout the room, the kids curled up by their parents and other trusted adults without any fear of appearing weak to others.
In a strange way, it was nice as well to see the different cultures at play with the lullabies.
"Oh the waves roll low, and the waves roll high and so it goes…under a bright blue endless sky…"
"Lavender's blue dilly dilly, lavender's green. When you are King dilly dilly, I will be Queen…Lavender's green dilly dilly, lavender's blue. If you love me dilly dilly I will love you…."
"Little town, it's a quiet village. Every day, like the one before…little town full of little people, waking up to say…"
"Where the North wind meets the sea, there's a river full of memory. Sleep, my darling, safe and sound. For in this river all is found…"
"I have often dreamed, of a far off place, where a great warm welcome will be waiting for me. Where the crowds will cheer when they see my face…"
"I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream…I know you, the gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam…"
Not even Audrey is immune to a cuddle toy it seems, Mal thought as she noticed the shrieking brat was silent. In fact, she was holding the plush rabbit close to her and listening to her parents sing like it was the most beautiful thing in the world.
Granted it was probably easier for her to do so since Leah was still unconscious.
"For one so small, you seem so strong. My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm…this bond between us can't be broken, I will be here don't you cry," Sammy sang to her brothers; a melody that was often heard on the Lost Revenge as she sang them to sleep; Smee smiling a bit sadly as he gently took off the boys' glasses and tucked them in.
Normally, Harriet would be curled up next to her best mate's side. But for tonight, she was curled up, sitting next to her mother for the first time since she was five. Harry was on Mliah's right side while CJ laid on her sleeping bag, a slightly forlorn look on her face.
"…she's the angel voice that bids you goodnight, kisses your cheek, whispers sleep tight, your mother and mine. Your mother and mine…" Milah sang as she brushed a bit of hair out of Harry's eyes as he tried to blink back sleep and failed.
Huh…you'd think a Captain's wife would go for a pirate shanty for a lullaby, Uma thought to Mal.
Considering that's from Pan's story, I think that's the point, Mal thought back. Besides, the typical pirate shanty isn't really that restful.
Ah good point. So…are we going to pretend to need a lullaby?
Mom might sing Hadie to sleep and…I might listen in. You?
…Aunt Steph does have a good singing voice. Plus we can drag Jay into the mix.
Actually…I think he's been lured over by the Agrabah contingent, Mal thought as sure enough Jay was sitting by Emir and his family though he was far enough away that he didn't look like he was with them.
"Riffraff, street rat, I don't buy that…if only they'd look closer. Would they see a poor boy? No siree. They'd find out, there's so much more to me…"
Huh…Aladdin's got a good voice. Mal thought.
"…rest your head close to my heart. Never to part, baby of mine. Little one, when you play don't you mind what they say…" Persephone sang softly as she held Hadie close to her and held her arms out for Uma and Mal to join the little cuddle session.
An invitation they had no qualms in accepting.
"If they knew all about you, they'd end up loving you too. All those same people who scold you, what they'd give just for the right to hold you. From your head to your toes, you're not much, Olympus knows. But you're so precious to me. Sweet as can be, baby of mine."
One by one, all the kids fell asleep—as did the adults. The next scrolls could wait, hopefully nothing would be as exciting as what they'd just read.
Right?