Hooked (Hook's Daughter Fanfic) *Completed*

Chapter Twenty

Several hours later, the Jolly Rodger made it to port and one of the crew were sent out to find a healer. Milah got up and, with some help from Killian, changed into some clean clothes.

Still exhausted from the childbirth, Milah returned to the bed and cradled Kiliah as they waited for the healer to arrive. It didn't take long - fifteen minutes later they heard voices on the decks above and footsteps as they descended the steps down to the room.

Killian rose and greeted the healer before leading her towards Milah and Kiliah.

"Thank you captain," she said, stopping beside the bed, "now if you would, I'd like to examine your wife in private please."

"Of course," Killian replied, coming round to Milah and kissing both his girls on the forehead. "I'll be just upstairs if you need anything, love." Milah smiled and watched as the pirate disappeared up the stairs.

"Now, let me see the child," the healer said, drawing her attention away as the door closed. Milah gently passed her beautiful daughter over to the elderly healer, and the woman cradled her gently. "Yes, yes, very nice. Very nice indeed." She looked away from Kiliah and down to Milah. It's good to see you again, Milah."

Milah looked up at the woman in confusion. "Have we met before?"

"I'm surprised you forget so easily," the woman said, revealing her blackened teeth as she smiled. "We met close to the start of your pregnancy. Your husband exchanged the life of your babe for a potion to cure your boy." The healer took a hand away from holding Kiliah and waved it slightly, and suddenly a purple smoke enveloped them. When it went, the old woman had turned into a middle-aged man with a heavily tattooed face.

"Fendrake!" Milah gasped, moving to rise. "Killian!"

The pirate was down in an instant, his sword drawn. "Who are you? Let go of the child!"

"The child is mine," Fendrake replied, producing a piece of parchment. "We had an agreement - a life for a life."

"Rumple sold away my second-born child," Milah explained to Killian. "I had no say in the matter."

"Demon," Killian said, rushing forward, but the healer waved his hand again and the sword disappeared. The pirate stopped and looked up at Fendrake. "You like deals, what say we make another one?"

The healer raised an eyebrow, interested. "And what would you propose?"

Killian looked down as he thought. Milah tried desperately to catch his eye to dissuade him, but he ignored her. "Let Kiliah live and remain in our care - your deal was not made with Milah but with her husband. Take Rumplestiltskin's second-born instead."

The healer laughed. "I already have."

Milah looked away as Killian looked to her for an explanation. "Is this true?"

Milah closed her eyes and began to sob. "I was only a few weeks gone when you came into port. I couldn't condemn another child to the same life as my first - I hoped you would raise her as your own."

Killian looked over at the girl, still in the healer's arms. At last he'd had a chance to have a family, and now it was being taken away from him. He looked at Milah. "You lied to me?"

"I'm sorry," Milah sobbed. "I thought I'd lost it soon after I arrived, but when I kept growing I realised I was wrong."

Killian's eyes narrowed, and flitted around as he processed what she said.  He looked over at the healer. "Are you certain the child is Rumplestiltskin's?"

The healer frowned. "No, but the chances of Milah losing and conceiving another child within a few days is very low."

Killian and Milah exchanged a look. Not at the rate they were doing it.

"Well isn't there a way of checking?" Milah asked.

"There is one way," Fendrake replied, "but I believe it will reveal very little. I can do it for a price."

"Name it," Killian replied instantly.

"One hundred gold crowns," the healer replied, eyeing Killian carefully. "Petty cash to a pirate."

Killian hesitated for a moment, then marched over to a chest by his desk and produced a purse of coins. He handed it to Fendrake. "It's all there."

The healer nodded and pocketed the purse before waving his hand slowly across Kiliah. His frown deepened by each second, until he stopped and handed the child back to Milah. "You are very fortunate," he said after a moment. "I am a man of my word. The debt is still owed, but I can only enforce it against the man who took out the deal."

Milah and Killian exchanged a look of disbelief, and Milah cradled her daughter close. "Thank you," she said. The healer nodded, and as he waved his hand he vanished.