The waves slammed into the sides of the Jolly Roger, violently shaking the ship and throwing the crew around like rag dolls. The sails roared, and the mast shook, as the old vessel tried and failed to remain steady. Hook took charge, as expected. Shouting orders loudly over the pouring rain, a giant smile plastered on his face. It had been a while since he had experienced a storm quite like this one and the sheer thrill of the violent ocean warmed his pirate blood, more than any amount of rum would have. He missed sailing like this, having not done as much since Alice's birth. He wished more than anything that he could bring Alice out on the Jolly Roger, so that she could experience the only side of her heritage that mattered, but unfortunately, he didn't see that happening in his lifetime and judging by how green the brunette was looking, he wouldn't wager on Robin taking over the Roger for him.
"You alright there lass?" Killian shouted as he jumped down the last remaining steps that led to his quarters, drenched in rain and looking very similar to a wet puppy dog.
"Yeah...just peachy," Robin mumbled back from her curled-up position on the Captain's bed. Her hood managed to block most of the rain from her hair and face, but the rest of her body was soaking wet. Her hands were shaky as she tightened her grip around the wooden bucket, that was slowly but surely starting to fill with the archer's vomit.
"If I had of known that you and sailing didn't mix well, I wouldn't have given out my blessing so easily." Killian joked, his huge smile growing ever so slightly, as he was trying to lift the archer's spirits.
"I'm usually fine…" The archer mumbled as she used the wooden railing to climb to her feet and steady herself. "Nope!" She quickly let herself fall onto the bed once again and grabbed the small bucket.
"Let it all out…" Killian whispered to the archer as he knelt down to rub the brunette's back.
"Can we not tell Alice about this? She has it in her head, that I'm this amazing person who can do anything...and I don't know what I'd do if I ever let her down." The archer quickly turned an alarming shade of red, embarrassment taking over her body. When Hook had mentioned the Jolly Roger, she had been excited, she had grown up living in the same town as the other version of Captain Hook she had heard all sorts of tales of the famous ship but had never been able to experience it herself. She thought she would have been able to handle the harsh waves, but boy, was she wrong. At the first sign of rough waves, she found herself running to the side of the deck, upchucking her breakfast as soon as her hands gripped the wooden railing.
"Having a touch of seasickness is nothing love," Killian laughed playfully as he shrugged off his jacket, throwing it into the corner. "But, aye. I promise that whatever happens on the Roger, stays on the Roger." The pirate winked as he moved to fetch a dry version of the same coat.
"Where is it we are even going anyway?" Robin mumbled, as she too removed her cloak, but instead of discarding it like it was nothing, she gently hung it up on the coat stand.
"Traders Bay...I've got a bone to pick with a certain drunken idiot." Killian snarled, as he pulled his sword out, startling the archer. "I've been waiting a long time to come face to face with this scallywag!"
"Is this a personal trip, or does he actually have something to do with the mission we are meant to be sent on?" Robin rolled her eyes, as her heartbeat returned to normal once again. She didn't mind either way, she knew that Hook had a number of unfinished business he had to take care of since Alice's birth and if she could help him in any way she would be honoured, but at the same time, she definitely would have preferred a little more time with Alice before she left on a seemingly unimportant mission.
"Do you trust me?" Hook smiled genuinely at the archer.
"Huh?"
"Do you trust me?" He repeated as he slid his sword back into its holder.
"Umm...I guess so." Robin shrugged, she didn't really know how to answer that. Of course, she knew that Killian had made a promise to Alice before they left, the same promise that she had made, that they would both look out for each other, but did that have anything to do with trust? She knew that she didn't trust the Captain Hook she grew up with, the one that was constantly drunk and didn't hesitate in bringing up both her Aunt's and Mother's past. But this Hook, he was so much more than a revenge ridden pirate. He was a Papa and a good one at that, he gave up everything just to keep Alice safe and after his heart was cursed he never gave up, he never stopped trying to get back to her. "Yeah, I trust you."
"Good! All hands on deck mates!" The pirate shouted as he walked back up the stairs, just as another wave of nausea hit the brunette archer.
"Oh god...here it comes again!"
Alice had been sad to see both her Papa and Robin head off on their mission, but at the same time, she was looking forward to spending some time with Rumpelstiltskin. Alice thoroughly enjoyed all of their adventures together, she longed for the thrill that came from the dangerous quests and sketchy people they encountered. But something seemed off with The Dark One, he wasn't his usual giddy self, he was closed off and grumpy, something Alice had never experienced before.
"Rumpelstiltskin...is everything alright?" Alice wavered as she leaned against the doorway of the Mills Farmhouse, a place that was slowly becoming like a second home to the blonde.
"Alright? Nothing is ever just alright Alice." The scaly man giggled, "You don't see it, do you?" Rumple quickly jumped to his feet startling the blonde girl slightly.
"See what?" Alice stood her ground. Her Papa had always told her that people like The Dark One, could smell fear and that if she ever found herself intertwined with him in any way, to never let him see you scared.
"These little relics…they need someone strong, someone…pure." The Dark One started as he played with the small ball like object, letting it run over his fingers. "They need you, Alice."
"Me? I don't have as nearly as much magic as you…how could they need me?" The blonde was utterly confused, like most times when she spoke to her formerly evil friend.
"He's right Alice." The blonde jumped at the sound of Regina behind her, she had thought that she and Rumple were the only two that hadn't left yet. "You have more magic than you realize."
"And if what The Dark One says about your potential is true, you are so much more powerful than that godforsaken woman that dares to call herself your Mother!" Zelena added as she wrapped a supportive arm around the blonde, feeling a strong urge to protect the blonde at all costs.
"I don't know…I don't even know how to control my magic." Alice wavered, a look of sheer worry and panic flashing across her face.
"That's okay…because I am going to teach you." Rumple jumped towards the pair, wiggling his fingers together happily. "I taught these two everything they know, and now I'm going to do the same with you, Alice."
"If you want to that is," Regina spoke up, knowing what it was like to be forced into a world of magic without having a say in the matter.
"Yes, this decision is completely up to you and nobody else." Zelena agreed as she lessened up on her hold on Alice.
"That's why you sent Robin and my Papa off before everyone else?" The blonde mumbled, finally catching on to why everyone had been such a rush to get rid of them.
"We thought that they would try and talk you out if it…Alice with your magic, we could finally put an end to Gothel." Zelena frowned as the blonde pulled fully away and began to pace the small porch. The trio waited, all of them afraid to speak. They knew that plotting behind Hook and Robin's back wasn't the best idea, but they had to do what they thought would work.
"Okay…if it means protecting the people I love, I'll learn how to do magic." Alice finally agreed, but the two women could tell that she was terrified.
"Thank you," Zelena muttered, feeling a wave of relief wash over her.
"So…where do we start?" The blonde perked up, trying to seem at least somewhat excited.
Robin has never been as happy as she was when the Jolly Roger docked at Traders Bay. The brunette had been the first one in the small rowboat and even insisted on taking over for a slow rower. And when they finally reached the shore, she was out of the rowboat before it was even secured. The archer was definitely surprised by the small island. She had been expecting to be surrounded by drunken fools and ladies of the night, but instead, this place looked closer to a tropical paradise.
"So, this is Traders Bay? I thought it'd be a lot filthier." Robin chuckled as Killian joined her on the shore.
"Your Mother never tell you not to judge a book by its title...or was it Author?" The pirate Captain shook his head, annoyance coursing through his body. He swore years and years ago, that he would never set foot on this island again.
"I'm pretty sure it's: Don't judge a book by its cover." The archer shrugged, smirking slightly at the pirate's confusion.
"Whatever the bloody quote is, the same rules apply here!" He warned as they started to walk through the large jungle walkway, filled with market stalls. "This place is crawling with scum. Scum, that has a thing for pretty little girls, so stay close and keep your wits about you."
"Aye aye, Captain!" Robin mock saluted, trying and failing to put on her best pirate voice, frowning slightly at the older man's look of disgust on his face for a short moment.
"Robin?"
"Yep?" The archer answered with a pop.
"Don't ever say or do that again." He shook his head amusingly, enjoying how easy it was for the two of them to get along.
"Roger that." The brunette nodded playfully, bumping shoulders with the man slightly as they walked.
"Why did I give up the rum?" Hook muttered under his breath, but he knew that the archer was just trying to have some fun.
The rest is the walk was carried out in silence, not an uncomfortable one but one filled with mutual understanding, that there was a time and a place for their playful banter, and this island was not the right place. Robin could tell that the pirate was on edge, he was alert and his hand never left the handle of his sword. They didn't walk far, having Hook's vast knowledge of the island at hand, they were able to use secret shortcuts that lead them to a beat down hut. The horrid smell of stale rum and rotting seaweed filled the air and the loud cheering startled the brunette archer.
"Well, look who it is lads." A tall man with a thick black beard spoke as soon as they walked into the hut. He looked like what Robin envisioned a real pirate to look like, he was dressed in a fine red jacket, with a proper pirate secured on his head and a large bottle of rum in his hand. "The dreaded Captain Hook...or is it Daddy Hook?"
"Blackbeard...I would say it's a pleasure to see you again, but then I'd just be lying and what kind of example would that set for the kids." Killian smirked as his grip on the sword handle tightened. Robin couldn't believe what she was seeing, she had never seen Killian so angry before and she had always longed to see a real pirate showdown.
"Get over here ya old fool!" Blackbeard's scowl quickly turned into a huge smile as he opened his arms to the man, pulling him in for a tight hug.
"How you been keeping?" Hook asked as he pulled out of his oldest friend's arms, with an equally as big smile on his face.
"Same old, can't complain." The bearded man shrugged, slapping Hook on the back gently, before smirking at the brunette in the doorway. "Is this the daughter?"
"More like the future daughter in law." Hook smiled brightly, as he held a hand out signaling for Robin to come over to them. "Robin, meet Blackbeard, my oldest and most fearsome friend."
"Nice to meet you." Robin nodded, trying not to let the look of disgust creep onto her face, as the smell of rum intensified.
"The pleasure is all mine my dear...such a pretty little thing." Blackbeard purred, repulsing the brunette archer.
"Hey! She's practically family and will be treated as such!" Killian called out, warning all men present.
"Aye...what brings you and the lass here anyway?" The tall man shook the thoughts of the archer out of his head, as he reclaimed his seat at the small table.
"I'm looking for him," Killian said simply, as he made the decision to follow Blackbeard's lead, sitting facing the pirate.
"It's been well over twenty years. Isn't it time we let bygones be bygones?" Blackbeard shook his head, taking a large swig of his rum.
"Where is he?" Killian asked nicely, as the room fell silent. "Now!" He shouted and banged his hook on the table hard.
"He's out back...but good luck getting anything out of him, it's past twelve and he's already on his eighth bottle." Blackbeard spat, not appreciating Killian's tone.
"Thank you old friend...I'm happy that I ran into you again." Hook nodded apologetically at the taller man, who nodded in return.
"Aye, me too. Sail safe." Blackbeard stood and held his hand out for Hook to take.
"Sail hard." He replied sternly as their hands touched. After a short handshake, Hook quickly ushered Robin out of the hut and into the small entryway.
"That was intense," Robin muttered, the adrenaline from the encounter buzzing through her veins.
"Indeed, unfortunately, we don't have time to be nice to everyone we come across." Killian nodded, although Robin could tell that he wasn't happy. She knew that he had left this life behind and being surrounded by it again must have been hard for him to handle.
"Hey, I'm all for it. I've just never seen you like this before." Robin reached out to touch the older man's shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze.
"Neither has Alice, and I'd appreciate the full discretion that I promised you, to apply to what just happened and whatever you are about to see here." He pleaded sternly, even though he knew that Robin would never betray his trust like that.
"Pirates honor! Whatever happens at Traders Bay, stays here." The archer smirked, playing on the words he had spoken to her a few hours previously.
"Aye, but you got one thing wrong there lass." Hook chuckled, as he used his hook to hold back a large leaf for the archer.
"What's that?"
"Pirates don't have much honor to swear by." He admitted, with a hint of playfulness in his tone.
"Fine then, archers honor! I've got bucket loads." The brunette laughed, as she poked him in the back with her bow.
"I'll drink to that." He agreed almost instantaneously. He knew that Robin was the honorable person that he could ever have the pleasure of meeting, she was strong and kind. She was the best match for his little girl, it was almost like they were made for each other.
"Can I ask yet?" Robin mumbled as the path darkened around them.
"Ask what?"
"Who is the 'he' we are after?" Robin didn't dare pry earlier, but she thought that this would be as good a time as any.
"He's the most ruthless of man you'll ever meet. I met him shortly after Alice was born, caught him trying to capture a friend of mine...she got away thankfully, but I left him with a pretty nasty scar." Hook explained, hatred laced in his voice.
"Woah…I take it back, that was the intense part!" Robin tried and failed to lighten the mood, before the pirate in front of her stopped dead in his tracks, forcing her to walk into him.
"It's about to get a whole lot worse," Killian mumbled. "Stay back, I'll make sure the coast is clear." He whispered, as he pulled out his sword and stepped away from the archer carefully. The world around them was silent, the only sounds to be heard was the hushed breathing of the pair. The snapping of a twig and the gasp of the archer, pulled Killian back, forcing him to turn and face the brunette at lightning speed.
"Big mistake Captain Hook!" The brown haired drunk hissed as he pressed a small blade to the archer's neck, the pressure already causing the blade to draw a small amount of blood from her neck.
"Eric! You no good bastard! Let her go before I give you a matching scar!" Hook shouted violently, he knew there was no time for pleading or talking, he needed to protect the archer at all costs.
"Silly Killian...didn't anyone ever tell you not to leave your women alone on the Bay?" The former prince let out a hearty laugh, the wickedness in his eyes shining through the darkness.