Hooked (Hook's Daughter Fanfic) *Completed*

Chapter Forty Eight

One poorly-weighted deal and two shadows later, the Jolly Roger came into port in the Enchanted Forest. Stories along the way had pointed them to a young woman Rumplestiltskin kept as his serving girl. If the tales were true, this woman had somehow fallen in love with the Crocodile. If anyone knew where the dagger was, it would be her.

The only problem was – as Hook found out after visiting a tavern on the docks – that serving girl was currently a prisoner in the Evil Queen's Palace.

"How is that a problem?" Kiliah frowned as Hook finished telling her this. "We're pirates – it's kind of our job to break into places and take things. What difference does it make if it's a ship or an oversized house?"

"The difference is," Hook replied, trying to be patient, "this witch knows a thing or two about magic. If we get caught, our shadows won't be the only things we would have lost."

"So what would you have us do?" Kiliah demanded. "Turn back around and sail off because some bitch with magic might kill us? Need I remind you that we are intending to kill the Dark One – someone ten times more powerful than this 'Evil Queen'. But if you don't feel up to it..." She started to walk away and Hook rolled his eyes before stopping her and pulling her back.

"Alright," he sighed. "But we go in disguise – try to go undetected."

Kiliah smiled in satisfaction. "That sounds better."

***

A few hours later, Kiliah watched from behind the castle walls as the Black Knights patrolled the parameter, moving quickly back as one walked past where she was stood. As he continued on past, Kiliah lunged forward and stabbed him in the bag before pulling into the woods him out of sight.

She stood watch as Hook changed into the dead man's uniform before he tied her hands behind her and they walked back up to the castle.

"The lass is being held in the tower," Hook told her quietly as they passed through the gates without being stopped. "It'll be heavily guarded, but just play along."

Kiliah nodded, and together they navigated their way through the dungeons and up the stony spiral staircase. As predicted, the cells were heavily guarded but they all nodded Hook through when they saw his prisoner. A few leered at Kiliah and she knew that if she was really spending the night here, she could expect a visit from them in the night.

At the very top of the stairs, a single knight guarded the Crocodile's heart. He moved, holding his spear across their path when he saw them. "Halt."

"Her Majesty has ordered for this pirate to be kept here," Hook said, and Kiliah struggled against his hold.

The Black Knight laughed. "Pirate? She's a girl!"

Kiliah rolled her eyes and brought her leg up before kicking the Knight in the balls. "Girl?" she repeated, kneeling down as Hook let go. "I prefer 'lady'." Kiliah laughed as the guard looked up at her in fear and watched as his eyes turned glassy before taking her sword out and wiping it clean.

"You didn't have to kill him," Hook said, bending down and picking up his keys.

"Didn't I?" she replied, nonchalantly. "It worked though, didn't it?"

Hook ignored her as he unlocked and opened the cell door. "Hi. You must be Belle."

Kiliah followed him in and saw a young woman – only slightly older than she looked herself – sat on her bed with her back against the wall and knees tucked up to her chest. She looked up, her tangled hair falling in curtains beside her round face. "The Queen sent you, didn't she? She wants you to kill me."

Kiliah looked around at the tally charts on the wall and counted far past a hundred. Hook stepped up closer to Belle, taking off the helmet and throwing it aside. "I'm not here to kill you, love," he said softly, bending down beside her and starting to unpick her chains. "I'm here to rescue you."

"Rescue me?" Belle repeated. "Who are you?"

Hook looked up at her. "A friend. We haven't much time. Your father's life is in danger. He's being attacked by the very same monster who stole you away from your family in the first place."

"What, Rumplestiltskin?" Belle laughed in disbelief.

"The Dark One - he must be stopped," Hook said, his tone soft and gentle but he sounds desperate as he continued. "You've spent more time with him than anyone. There are rumours of a magical weapon that has the power to kill him."

"No. No. No," Belle said, shaking her head. "Let... let me talk to him. He's not a monster."

"Belle, your father's life hangs in the balance," Kiliah said, also adopting the same tone. "We need to know what that weapon is and where to find it."

"I don't know what you're talking about, and I have no idea how to... kill Rumplestiltskin."

Kiliah's face fell and her tone became harsh again. "You don't?"

"No! And nor would I."

"Hmm," Hook said, his face also falling. "Then I'm afraid we're not here to rescue you." He reeled back and punched Belle, knocking her unconscious. He moved forward to stand over her and watched her ponderingly for a moment. "So pretty... yet so useless." He raised his hook to bring it down on her, but before he could strike he cried out in pain and Kiliah found herself in the grasps of somone – her father's hook by her throat.

"No. Not useless," the Evil Queen said from behind Kiliah. She struggled against her hold, but the Queen imposed such a tight hold of her that Kiliah was convinced it must have been magic. "She's a valuable chess piece."

"Do I look like I'm playing a game of chess?" Hook asked, glaring at the Queen. "My hook, if you please? And my daughter."

"No."

"The asking was me being a gentleman," Hook said, stepping forward towards them.

"Is that any way to address a queen? Even a pirate should have better manners than that." She let go of Kiliah but with a wave of her hand, a thick rope snaked its way around her wrists. Ordinarily, this wouldn't be a problem, but Kiliah found out very quickly that this rope had no end. And therefore no knot to untie. "Yes. I know who you are... Captain," The Queen continued, circling Hook. "I know all about your daughter. I know why you came here from Neverland, and I know all about the crocodile you wish to skin."

"Then you also know that we'll stop at nothing." Kiliah raised her eyebrows in disagreement, but said nothing.

"So dedicated. And resourceful." She turned back to Kiliah. "No one has been able to fight their way past my defences before." The pirate gave her an emotionless smile as she glared at the Queen, before the Queen turned back to Hook. "She can't help you kill Rumplestiltskin, Hook. But I can - if you do something for me. Care to join me for a drink?"