The Girl and the Nutcracker ~ A Once Upon a Time Story

2x04: The Crocodile

"Always nice to make an impression." The man teased, "Where are my manners? We haven't been properly introduced. Rumplestiltskin! Or as others know me, the Dark One."

Clara looked at him with curiosity, as the pirates backed down in fear. Rumplestiltskin giggled, "I see my reputation precedes me."

"It does." Killian said and Rumplestiltskin smiled and approached him, "Good! That's gonna save us time during the question and answer portion of our game." Killian clenched his jaw, "What is it you want to know?"

"How is Milah, of course?" The Dark One asked, but Killian scoffed, "Who?" Rumplestiltskin smirked, "Only too happy to uh, dig out the memory. But it gets really messy."

"She's dead." Killian answered, "Died a long time ago. What is it you want?"

"We didn't get a chance to finish our duel." Rumplestiltskin answered, and Killian drew his sword, "Ah! Not now."

The Dark One posed and started his announcement, "Tomorrow at dawn! I am not a cruel man, get your affairs in order. Also, you can spend tonight knowing it'll be your last... maybe I am cruel. And don't think about trying to escape, because I will find you, and I will gut your entire crew like the fish. Starting with her."

"Me?" Clara asked, "Why? I thought Baelfire would find a place for you two to live together without... this. Wh-"

Before Clara could continue her sentence, the Dark One stuck out his hand and started to choke her with his magic, "Do not mention my son!"

"Let her go." Killian ordered, "I will duel you, and you will let her go." Rumplestiltskin thought for a moment, and then released his magic from Clara, making her cough as she was able to breathe again. He then disappeared with his magic, and Killian looked over at the girl, "You alright, lass?"

Clara gave him a nod, "Yes. I think it's about time we head towards your ship."

_____

When Clara arrived on board of the ship, a woman walked towards her and Killian, "Who is this?"

"I'm princess Clara of Arendelle." Clara answered with a smile, "Captain Jones was kind enough to let me on board of the ship to take me away and sail wherever I can go."

The woman smiled at Killian, "He is quite the gentleman, isn't he? My name is Milah." Clara looked confused towards her, "I thought you were dead?"

"What do you mean?" Milah asked, and Killian cleared his throat, "We ran into the Dark One... Rumplestiltskin."

Milah looked shocked, "Rumple? What does he want from you?" Killian shrugged, "He asked about you, and he wants to finish our duel tomorrow morning."

"Duel?" Milah asked, "You can't duel with him, he has magic."

"Maybe I can help with that." Clara interrupted, and they looked at her, "I uh... I don't know exactly what it is. It's very, very recent, so..."

"You have magic?" Killian asked and Clara nodded, "Something like that, yes. I asked my uncle about it, but he didn't know a thing. Last Christmas I accidentally killed a mouse with a magic blast.... it's a long story."

Killian looked confused, "What's Christmas?" Clara chuckled, "It's a holiday in Arendelle during the winter. I guess it's hard to explain to someone who doesn't know what it is, though..."

Milah sighed and looked at Killian, "You want to risk this chance?" Killian gave her a nod, "A pirate never backs down from a duel... but I can't let her come with. If he knows she's there, he might harm her."