The Story Untold: The Pirate & The Princess

Chapter Ten: Jefferson

Stuck in another land that’s not home yet again.  I know I can still go back home, but Eliza would never forgive me. Why is it that none of her family trusts me, just Snow? I’m not that bad of a guy. I just got caught up in weakness. I’m a good man, now. I always have been. Eliza kept me sane. I have to prove myself to her family.

“What are you storming about? I need you to stay concentrated,” Eliza so gently, note the sarcasm, points out.

“I’m sorry, my love. I’m just frustrated to be away from home. I was called upon by the good Captain himself for passage into Storybrooke. He told me that he had changed and needed to be in a realm without magic. I trusted him. I didn’t realize that he never changed, much less go after his ‘crocodile’. I didn’t mean to make this mess happen. It did, and I know how to fix it,” I say, trying to explain.

Her eyes flare in anger. This is not going to be pretty. “YOU did this?! How could you do such a thing? Why didn’t you tell me? I TRUSTED you!”

“I was summoned. I haven’t been called upon in a long time. I had no choice, but to…,” I start.

Eliza interrupts, “You didn’t have a choice!? What did he do? Hold you at gunpoint? Threaten your family? What?”

“He threatened to kill Grace and you, one at a time, if I didn’t do what he wanted. I couldn’t live without you. I knew he would find a way, waiting for you to come to him. I couldn’t risk your life. He really told me he had changed. I didn’t believe him at first, but his sister Keira told me of all the things he had done since we last met. He HAD changed, a lot, for the better. I was wrong to trust a pirate. I’m so sorry. I know how to fix the problem. That’s why I’m here, to fix the problem that I created. Can you forgive me,” I explain.

He eyes swelled with tears as I told her the story. She started to cry. “Of course I forgive you. I’m sorry for yelling at you. I love you so much,” Eliza says through her tears.

“There is nothing to forgive, my love,” I say. We share a tender, loving kiss.

“Prince Philip’s castle is not much farther, only about a mile away,” I tell Eliza.

A we near a forest, just a few feet away from the palace, we hear strange noises and breaking of wood. I pull Eliza behind me, protecting her from whatever danger may lure. I see a shadow of a man pass by in the treeline. I know immediately who it is...Prince Philip.

“Philip, it’s Jefferson. Don’t attack us. My fiance and I are here for your help,” I call.

Philip shows himself and laughs. He walks towards me and gives me a hug.

“So, my friend, what can I do for you,” Philip asks.

“We,” I say, encouraging Eliza to come out from behind me, “need all the information you have on Captain Hook and his sister Keira.”

“Oh my. Haven’t heard those names in a very long time. I will tell you all I know after we catch up. Who is this beautiful woman standing so timidly behind you? Why do you need to know about Killigan and his sister? What have they done to your home,” Philip says in a friendly manner, not realizing that the Jones could escape from the jail at any given time.

“This is my fiance, Elizabeth Charming, daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, twin sister of Emma Charming. Cap..,” I start.

“Your majesty, I did not realize who you were. I see it now, you look just like Snow White,” Philip says, bowing. “I see you and your sister have broken the evil queen’s curse. Very well done,” he says.

“Thank you, your majesty. We really need to get back as quickly as possible. Please be so kind as to tell us the information we are seeking,” Eliza states.

Philip laughs. “Straight to the point, like your father. Beautiful, like your mother. And sassy, like them both. A perfect mixture, you are Princess Elizabeth. You caught yourself a good one, Jefferson. She’ll keep you on your toes, just what you need in a woman,” Philip says good naturedly.

I’m getting frustrated. We need answers now. Who knows what could be going on back in Storybrooke with the Jones’ locked away.

“We need to know about the Jones’ because they are after Hook’s “Crocodile”. They are in the prison back in Storybrooke, Maine, a place with no magic. We need to know their past so we can understand who or what this “crocodile” is and stop them before they take action. They are a threat to our quiet town,” I calmly tell Philip.

“Wait a minute. They’re in your jail? In Storybrooke, Maine? Have you NOT heard their stories? They, the Jones’, are known for their crimes, but never getting caught for them. I have to see this to believe it,” Philip says.

“Fine. You can come back with us. There is nothing to hide. On one condition. You tell us EVERYTHING you know about the Jones’ after seeing them behind bars for yourself. Deal,” Eliza says, getting impatient with his antics.

“You got yourself a deal, Charming,” Phillip says with a smile.