On Stranger Tides

Chapter 12

Emma and Killian's date went very well, they had already planned to go out again soon. Emma was still a little hesitant, she didn't want to fall too fast but it was hard. There was something different about Killian. As Killian was rowing back to the docks, she felt that something unwelcome was awaiting them. The crew was waiting for them at the docks, staring intently at the two as they made their way back to the docks. A sudden wave of worry came upon Emma, what could be going on now? Killian tied the boat up and climbed out with ease then lifted Emma out of the boat.

"What's the matter, men? You seem upset about something, enough to wait for us here." Killian asked.

"A messenger from Misthaven came into the tavern hanging up fliers about the lost Princess," Smee said handing out a piece of paper. Hook quickly grabbed it looking down at the sketch which was definitely Emma underneath it said, 'Princess Emma Nolan of Misthaven, MISSING, REWARD.' "That looks an awful lot like our Emma. Is there something you wanna say, Princess?" Smee continued. The men seemed to be quite angry and were acting quite hostile toward Emma. She looked down at her feet, debating if telling these men the truth was the right thing to do. She wasn't sure what they would do. Emma was almost certain that they would want to turn her in for the money. Emma just decided to tell them the truth hoping that they could accept it. If not, she could easily run.

 "Yes, that's me. But I cannot go back there, you have no idea what it's like being royal. To be restricted from everything, and not being able to live the life that you chose. It's not all that great being royal when you can't do anything to change your life or to change the world. You can't tell anyone." Emma begged, thinking that it sounded much better in her head as soon as she finished.

"There's a reward involved, we should take her back Cap'!" Someone shouted.

"Yeah, we could probably live the rest of our lives in peace with that reward, Jones." Another said.

"Enough!" Killian yelled. " We will not be turning Emma in if that is not what she desires. She is not being held captive she is a part of our crew. You all need to accept that, you all have shown her more disrespect than I've ever seen you show any lady. That is no way to respect her or anyone else on this ship. Is that clear? Emma is your Princess, you listen to what she wants. If there ever comes a day where she wants to go back we will take her back, but we will not accept that reward. Do you hear me, mates?" Hook finished.

"Cap'n you need to get over the fact that you are falling for this woman and think about what's right for ye' crew. We've been here for ye' all along and now a bloody woman is going to change all that?" A man named Richard shouted from the back. 

Hook started to raise his voice. "Aye, I may be falling for her, but that shouldn't change the way you all act or think of me. I am your Captain and I am so grateful that you all have stayed with me for so long, but have I ever judged your decisions or questioned you? No. I have all listened to you and even risked things for you all, and this is how you repay me. I've let go of my revenge, but that doesn't mean that our adventures or our pirating is over. Do ye' hear me?" He said, then took a deep breath. "Emma is not just a bloody woman, she is apart of our crew and hopefully one day your friend. If she tells you she doesn't want to go back we won't take her back. Until then we are going to continue like before. Do you understand?" Killian said sternly and with such authority.

"Yes, Captain." The crew mumbled. They all seemed very disappointed in the fact that they weren't getting a reward and that they had lost the trust of their Captian for a minute. Killian turned back to Emma.

"Better put that hood up in case anyone recognizes you." He said as he reached for her hood and pulled it above her head, adjusting it along with her hair. "We should go to the inn and get some rest. Now that the fliers are up we will have to find somewhere else to go tomorrow." He announced.