Everard was not in the mood to talk in the morning.

I got dressed in the clothes I arrived in, If I were to win Everard over I would need the confidence boost of feeling like myself. Afterwards, Violet summoned me to his room and I followed behind her. 

I vaguely wondered if this is what being called to the principal's office felt like. She opened the door and left rather quickly. I could hear her heels clack rapidly down the stone corridor.

"Good morning Everard." I stated tentatively. 

"Is it?" He growled, taking in my attire. 

I froze.

"Because the last time we spoke you humiliated me in front of hook's entire crew. That's 75 men Belle." His deathly calm was more frightening than his yelling.
I felt my face flame.

"Really? Because I could have sworn you humiliated yourself the second you wrapped your paws around Hook's throat." I retorted, crossing my arms over my chest. 

He was in my face in an instant. "You never should have left the castle!" He shouted.

I took a step back before retaliating with, "You never should have left the Ball!"
He ran his fingers through his wild black hair and sighed. "I-... You're right. I never should have left you alone with Hook. I know the influence he has with women."

"I beg your pardon?!" I scoffed. 

"Hook is notorious. I made a mistake in leaving you with him."

"What do you think, happened Everard???" I asked angrily. 

He stared at me unblinkingly.

"No, go on I mean it! If you suspect me of something say it!!" I dared him, my eyes flashing

"You said you wanted to go with him into the forest. Hook can be very persuasive..." Everard looked down at the floor, before meeting my eyes again. "Don't look at me like that Belle, you know exactly where I'm going with this." he sighed.     

"Do you really think so little of me?" I asked, holding back angry tears. 

His eyes widened, "No! It's Hook I don't trust."

"Because of what happened with your sister... In that very same forest." I realized softly.

Everard sighed and stalked away from me, "I should have known they were in love. They were always sneaking off together, causing trouble... He wasn't good enough for Rose..." He walked over to the window looking off into the forest. "Then one day, Hook came to me to ask for her hand in marriage... I said no."

"Why?" I asked. 

"I couldn't risk the kingdom. Pan was in love with her too." He growled. 

"If she married Hook, you'd have a war on your hands." I realized softly. 

"Yes." He took in a breath. "I had no idea how unhappy I had made her... I made her so unhappy that she went to an enchantress for help. Rose was always too trusting... Pan got to the enchantress first. He payed her off and they worked their magic together. Their combined magic backfired."

"Is that why she's stone?" I asked.

Everard continued to speak as though he had not heard me. He shoved an accusing finger in my face, "You had no right to go there! He has NO RIGHT to see her again."

I gently swatted away his dark clawed hand.

I sighed softly, "He's still in love with her Everard. That gives him right enough."

His face contorted into a mean snarl. "She is under my protection. I'll see to it that he never sees her again!"

"He's willing to risk his life to save her! Give him a chance!" I shouted. 

He crossed his arms.

"What harm could it do?" I pleaded. 

He sat down hard on the edge of his desk.

"If this other faerie can help then shouldn't you let Hook go to her?" I argued. 

He looked at me impassively.

"Everard, one chance is all he's asking!" I sighed frustratedly, throwing my hands into the air. 

Everard's breathing slowed, "...Fine. But just him."

I bit my lip. 

"And what if the Faerie can help you?"

"She won't." He frowned. 

"How do you know that?"

"I just do okay!" He roared, crossing his arms over his chest. 

"No it's not okay! Why won't you let me help you?!" I huffed. 

"Princes are supposed to save princesses not the other way around!"

"Are. You. Kidding me?!" I shrieked. 

"Wh-" His eyes widened as I cut him off. 

"So all of this is about your wounded pride?! Really Everard?!"

"Belle." he stated warningly.

"So you're just going to sit here and mope for all eternity, because your masculinity cant handle getting a woman's help?!" I raved. 

"Belle."

"No Everard I'm tired of men who feel threatened at every woman in a five mile radius! I'm going and you can't stop me!" I snapped. 

"Oh can't I?!" He bellowed, towering over me as he stood. 

"Try me!" I challenged. 

His fists clenched.

"Get. out." He ground out. 

"What?!" I bit.

"I said GET OUT!!!"  he bellowed flipping his desk over. My heart leapt into my throat as I ran out of the room. I ran down the hallway and back to my room, my heart hammering.

"As you wish..." I muttered darkly, shoving pillows under the bed covers. Approximating my shape. I walked over to the window of my room and forced up the sash. 

"Ahem..." 

I froze, one foot out the window.

"Miss?" Violet asked innocently.

"Violet?" I squeaked. 

"Yes it's me miss." I could the amusement in her voice. 

"This isn't what it looks like." I faltered. 

"So you aren't sneaking out and onto Hook's ship?" She giggled.

"Uh..." I hedged.  

"Don't worry miss, I have something for you. For protection."

Out of the thin air in front of me, appeared a ring box.

"Um, What?!"

"Trust me this is no ordinary ring." She encouraged. 

"How so?" I mused.

"You'll understand when the time is right. Just be sure to wear it where a wedding ring would be."

Odd but okay...

"Violet why are you helping me?" I asked suspiciously. 

"...Rose and I were very close. Trust Hook, he's a good man."

"I will." I nodded in resolve. 

"Now get out while you still can." Violet instructed.

"Violet?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

"My pleasure miss."

The door to my room opened and closed. I swung my other leg out the window and placed my booted foot on the tree branch. I stretched forth my hand and grabbed hold of the tree. Clambering all the way down to the ground.

I had specifically dressed for stealth, to blend into the foliage.

The men were loading up some crates into the ship. All I needed now was a distraction. I crept silently around the pillars of the castle sneaking behind bushes and remaining out of sight. I headed to the outer entrance of the dungeon. 

Water dripped from the roof of the dungeon creating an eerie cave-like noise.

"Hey, dog... or whatever you are? Are you here?" I called out.

Red eyes blinked open and I could hear the creature panting happily. 

"Hey, Bud. I need a favor..."

Soon the hound was out of his unlocked cage and bounding around happily in the foliage.

"What the hell's that?!" One pirate shouted.

"Captain!" Another called out to Hook.

"It's Everard's hound. Why is it not in its kennel though?" He sighed, "Don't worry lads the pup's harmless. I'll put him back."

I took advantage of the confusion and hopped into a crate, closing the lid shut behind me. 

"What's all the ruckus?" Everard's voice cut clearly through the dog's barking.

"Your pup got loose." Hook gestured to the frolicking animal. 

"I suppose that's my fault for leaving the door unlocked but usually he's content to stay in the dungeon..." Everard replied shaking his head.

"Hmm, Where's Belle?"

I peered through the slats of my crate. Everard crossed his arms defensively. 

"Violet told me she's not feeling well. I'll say goodbye to her for you."

"Oh." The disappointment was clearly heard in Hook's voice. 

I made a mental note to thank Violet when I returned. 

I fiddled nervously with my ring as I watched two pirates approach my crate. This would be my last chance to show myself. The crate lifted off the ground and one of the pirates grunted.

"I thought you said this one was empty!"

"Well I was obviously wrong Smee..." The other pirate grumbled.

I watched dismally as the castle grew smaller. The men tossed my crate into the belly of the ship amongst the other crates and closed the door behind me. 

"I'm so sorry Everard." I whispered to the darkness.