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stahlop · 4 years

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Romancing the Throne

@mariakov81 this is a late birthday present for you. I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you @profdanglaisstuff for being my beta!

This also fits my Trope Card Challenge for Star-Crossed Lovers

On Ao3

Summary: Princess Emma has run off with the notorious Captain Killian Jones, who also happens to be the brother of her father's deceased best friend.

Dearest Mother and Father,

I’m sure you are beside yourself at the thought that I may have been taken or kidnapped, but let me put your fears at rest. I am fine and have left of my own accord. I have fallen in love, and I’m sorry to have to break it to you this way, through a letter, but I wasn’t sure how else to do it. Especially, because I know, Father, that you will not be happy with my choice. I have listened to you and mother tell me your love story so many times and it is something I have always dreamed of. Unfortunately, simpering princes and other highly esteemed men who only have the crown on their mind just don’t make for a great love story. I deserve better than that. I deserve a man who sees me for me and not as a chess piece.

So, with that said, if you want to send a bird to contact me, I am aboard the Jolly Roger with Captain Killian Jones. I know what you’re thinking, that a pirate could never love a princess for more than her wealth. That I’m just being naive in what Killian really wants from me. But I’m not. He loves me and I love him and we want to be together. I’m sorry that I had to run away to prove it, but it was the only thing I could think of to do, what with you about to announce a betrothal to Count Baelfire without even consulting me (yes, I knew about that).

I love you both and I hope you can be happy for me having found my true love.

Love,

Your Daughter Emma

“What the hell is this?” King David bellows holding up the letter his wife handed him that morning along with some pastries for breakfast. They were enjoying a lazy day; dining in the lounge area of their suite instead of the formal dining room, when Snow dropped the letter in his lap.

“It seems our daughter,” Snow says, taking a bite of a delicious almond poppy danish, “has run off with the man she loves.” She says as though this was just an ordinary, everyday occurrence, that their daughter, the heir to the throne, would just run off with a pirate.

David stares at his wife, her black hair down around her shoulders; not a single strand of gray runs through it yet, unlike at his own temples. It almost reaches the bottom of her breasts. As the queen, she usually wears it up. It was only in these private moments at the beginning and the end of the day that he gets to see the woman he fell in love with all those years ago. She takes another bite of her breakfast, her red lips smiling slightly as they close over the sticky poppy seed paste in the pastry.

“What do you know?” David demands. Snow rolls her eyes. She knows how her husband gets when surprised by information, especially when that information is about his beloved daughter. “How did Emma end up with Liam’s brother?” His eyes reflect the hurt he still feels over Liam’s untimely, and unnecessary, death.

David and Liam were friends before he and Snow met. Before Killian was even born. David’s mother, Ruth, often traded lamb and mutton for fish with Liam’s father, Brennan. When Liam’s mother died while giving birth to Killian, Ruth took the boys in for a while until Brennan could get back on his feet. Having been an only child for his first 14 years (not knowing about his twin brother, James, until a few years later), having an eight-year-old and a newborn underfoot was quite a transition. But they made it work. When Brennan finally settled down in their village, having finally given himself time to grieve for his late wife, David and Liam were thick as thieves, despite their six year age difference.

It was only two years later, at the age of 19, that David was contacted by King George to pretend to be James, who had died tragically, and David was set on his path to meet Snow and eventually become king.

After they stopped Snow’s evil stepmother from trying to take over the kingdom (the woman was convinced that Snow had ruined her life by scaring off her true love and had actually made her eat an apple laced with a sleeping potion; luckily, he and Snow shared True Love, and his kiss defeated not only the sleeping curse, but stripped her stepmother of all powers she had required, don’t ask him how that worked), David went to Brennan to invite his family to come live at their castle. Brennan was grateful and Liam and Killian were ecstatic, though, Brennan refused to accept ‘charity’ and left to continue selling fish and other seaside wares, while David had the boys tutored now that they were fifteen and seven. And while they missed their father, they knew they were being given the opportunity of a lifetime.

Meanwhile, Snow had fallen pregnant quickly after their official nuptials, and the next few years were focused on raising his daughter and getting the kingdoms back in order (they absorbed King George’s kingdom into Snow’s once they were married and George died).

Liam and Killian relished their lessons, they took up sword fighting, learned to ride horses, and Snow even insisted on making sure they could dance properly for the balls that she threw. At the first dance she was allowed to attend, five-year-old Emma made thirteen-year-old Killian dance with her, Liam and David laughing the whole time at Killian’s ears turning bright red.

Once they were old enough, they joined the kingdom’s navy. David had never been a prouder king and friend than when he finally got to promote Liam to Captain and Killian to Lieutenant. And he never thought lending out his two top officers to a neighboring kingdom for an exchange program meant to foster unity would result in the tragic loss of Liam’s life.

Killian came and told him himself. David barely recognized him. He looked much older than his 20 years, which was ridiculous because when he’d seen him right before they’d left on the mission he’d thought he’d looked so young still. Now there was a hardened man in front of him, grieving over his brother. The king had sent them on, what was supposed to be, a very simple mission to retrieve a supposed healing plant. Except the Dreamshade was actually a poison, and it killed Liam. With tears in his eyes, Killian continued to tell David how he had turned pirate in retaliation, and while he would never attack any ships in the kingdom he had once called home, he couldn’t guarantee safety for any other kingdom, especially the one that killed his brother. And while he knew becoming a pirate made him a wanted man, would David find it in his heart to look the other way as he went after the king of that neighboring kingdom?

While he didn’t agree to his plan to kill the king, David didn’t disagree with him either. And between Snow’s perfectly placed pieces of gossip and Captain Killian Jones’ attacks from the newly christened Jolly Roger the king was ousted and then mysteriously disappeared. Killian sometimes came by the castle to see David and have some connection to Liam again. Eventually, Captain Killian Jones' reputation became too great for King David to associate with, and it was with great sadness that they had to part ways. But Killian was still too angry to do something as respectable as working for a kingdom, and David couldn’t cavort with a pirate, regardless of their history.

And now, here he was with a letter in his hand stating that his daughter had apparently been cavorting with a pirate right underneath his nose.

“Explain!” David demands. Snow huffs and drops the pastry onto her plate and thoroughly wipes her hands on the napkin placed in her lap.

“They met two years ago, at Emma’s 18th birthday ball.” Snow says matter-of-factly.

“Two years ago?” David sputters. How can his daughter and his best friend’s brother have been together for two years and he not know about it?

“It was the Masquerade Ball. It was the perfect way for him to come in disguise without anyone recognizing him. And apparently it worked, because you didn’t even know he was there,” Snow says chuckling a little at this. David is not amused.

“Why was he at the ball in the first place?” David says, exasperated at the way Snow is dragging out this story.

“I invited him, of course.” She takes a sip of her tea as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. David stares at her as she sets her tea cup down and starts smoothing her night garment down under her robes.

“What is happening here?” he yells. “Snow, I need you to explain why my daughter, the princess, heir to the throne, has run off with the most feared pirate, Captain Killian Jones, and why you willingly invited him to a ball? How did you even contact him?” David thinks he now knows what going crazy must feel like. He thought Emma fleeing in the night with a pirate was bad enough, but Snow is in on this as well?

Snow gives a little huff as she pushes away from the breakfast table. She walks into her dressing room and sits at her vanity and starts to brush out her hair.

“Snow!” David says, incensed, and stomps in to join her.

Snow turns to him, brush in hand, “David!” she says in the exact same tone. He holds her gaze until she finally breaks. David knows Snow can’t keep a secret, although it seems she’s been holding onto this one for quite some time.

“Fine.” Snow huffs again and turns back toward the mirrored glass refusing to look directly at David, but does meet his eyes through the mirror. “I invited him because I knew you missed him, and Liam. I thought you could use your friend again. He keeps port in Arendelle during the colder months, according to Elsa, so I sent a bird with the invite, and he happened to be there. That’s why I wanted it to be a masquerade ball, so he could come in undetected and you two could resume your friendship. And also, because I’d heard through the grapevine that he hadn’t really ‘pirated’ in awhile.”

“But I never saw him.” David says, stating the obvious.

“No, he ran into Emma instead. Do you really not remember her dancing with the same man almost the entire ball? I even commented on it once or twice.” David tries to remember the ball. Snow throws many balls throughout the year and they tend to all blend together. But he does remember how beautiful Emma looked in her red ball gown, her hair up in a loose bun, and a tiara topping it all off. She’d not been happy about the tiara, she was very much his daughter, always wanting to sword fight and horseback ride as opposed to learning how to host dinner parties and plan balls with her mother. He vaguely recalls wondering who the stranger she was dancing with was, and thinking he looked familiar (but impossible to tell with a mask on), before being whisked away by Lancelot about some problem at the gates.

“And what? They fell in love at first sight?” David asks, still not believing this whole situation has been happening right under his nose. Snow starts to giggle at that.

“Oh, no, once she found out that he was not only a pirate but the boy who had grown up in the castle when she was younger, she completely rebuffed him. She practically had a tantrum at the end of the ball, although, out in a secluded hall where they had privacy.” Snow says smiling and knowing what her husband is going to say next.

“She was in a secluded hall with him?” David says, raising his voice again.

“Don’t worry,” a voice says from behind him, “I could hear them the whole time. I can always hear them” David turns to see Red, Snow’s closest friend and confidante, also Emma’s godmother, and also a werewolf, who has excellent hearing even as a human. She’s also the only person in the castle who doesn’t get reprimanded for coming into their private chambers unannounced. She is already dressed for the day, her lips done up in bright red lipstick and her curled hair down. While Snow did honor her with the title of a Lady, Red has never acted nor dressed like one. “Do you really think Emma could have a secret romance without me knowing about it?” Red almost looks insulted.

“So, how did they go from Emma rebuffing him, to her running away with him?” Why it is taking Snow so long to get to the part of the story he’s most interested in is beyond David. She’s usually pretty direct, but now it seems she is trying to torture him. Maybe she is.

“He kissed her.” Red says, stretching out on the chaise. “That same night. She walked away saying it could never work, they were too different, blah, blah, blah, and he went after her and kissed her. And it must have been one hell of a kiss, because he came back two weeks later, and then two weeks after that, and so forth.” Red’s smile was a devious one.

“Wait. You mean to tell me Killian has been sneaking into the castle for two years, and no one thought to tell me?” David is at the end of his rope. “I need to sit down.” He collapses onto the other end of the chaise.

“Well, look how you’re reacting David.” Snow admonishes him. “And then you went about trying to find her a husband. I mean, Baelfire, really? Do you know your daughter at all?”

David thought he had. She’d been attached to his hip from the beginning. Always calming much more easily for him than for Snow. He knew Baelfire wasn’t the best, but she’d shown no interest in any prince or nobleman since she’d become of marriageable age. Of course, now he knew why.

“You went along with the Baelfire thing!” David says to Snow. Red has started getting her ready for the day, even though Snow has dressers to do that. She’s always preferred Red’s company over hired help, ever since Red had taken her in when Snow was on the run from her stepmother.

“I knew Emma would find out about it. I was trying to get her to come clean to us about Killian. I didn’t think she’d run away with him! Away from us!” Tears form at the corners of her eyes, and David goes over to comfort his half-dressed wife. He realizes that she is just as upset about this as he is, only she already knew Emma was in love. Even if Emma hadn’t told her, she already knew and all she had wanted was to have Emma painted into a corner enough to tell her parents the truth.

They stand there for a moment, David’s arms encircling his wife, memories of their younger days when they were living in the forest on the run, having adventures that they were not quite prepared for bubbling in his mind. Emma is older than he and Snow were when they met. She’s barely been off the castle grounds, even though she’s yearned for adventure since she could walk. How many times had they found her so high up in the trees that they could barely see her? How many times had she snuck out horses to go riding in the middle of the night? How many times had she expressed her sheer and utter boredom of living a life most would dream of? They sheltered her too much, David now realizes. They were so worried about giving her the life they’d been denied at one point, that they never thought about the life she wanted to live. And that had led her to a clandestine relationship with a pirate (albeit, old family friend) right under their (his) noses.

“You said that Killian originally came to the ball because he was tired of being a pirate?” David asks, remembering how he glossed over that snippet of information earlier.

Snow breaks their embrace to look at him. “Well, the name Killian Jones hasn’t been mentioned as much recently. I think he’s lost his taste for it.” She frowns slightly. “I’m almost positive he was going to ask you if he could work for you as a privateer.”

David frowns along with her. “So why didn’t he?” He wonders.

“Because of Emma.” Red says breaking up the private moment. “He knew she yearned for adventure, and keeping up the pirate persona was exactly what Emma wanted from him, despite his reluctance to keep it up. Plus, once she asks you to forgive him for being a pirate and making him a privateer, then it all looks like she reformed him.” Snow and David give Red a befuddled look, wondering how she knows all this. She laughs. “Just because Emma didn’t confide in you two doesn’t mean she didn’t confide in someone. She knew Killian sneaking in wouldn’t get past my hearing.” Red shrugs.

“Fine!” David says, throwing his hands up as if he’s just been bested. “Snow, send a bird!”

Our Dearest Emma,

Despite what you may believe, your father and I are thrilled that you have found love. We are only sorry that you felt the need to run away with your pirate captain instead of coming to us about it. We really hope that you will come home so we can discuss this as a family.

Love,

Your Parents

“They don’t seem mad, love” Killian says, kissing her on the temple. Sometimes he still can’t believe that this beauty by his side chose him. She is dressed in simple blue leather pants and vest over a plain white tunic. Her long blonde hair, which he’s only ever seen down (with the exception of the first night they met), is now up in a messy ponytail with braids throughout to keep the sea wind from making it a tangled mess. He blesses the gods every night that Queen Snow invited him to that ball.

“I don’t know.” Emma says. “This doesn’t seem too easy for you? I run away with a notorious pirate and they’re just okay with it?”

Killian tugs on her shoulder to face him, her eyes still lost in the short letter her parents sent. She is, understandably, confused. It’s adorable.

“You forget, my love, that I knew your father before I turned pirate. In fact, you’re the same age I was when Liam died and I went rogue. He knows I would never let any harm come to you.”

“Please don’t ever mention that you and my father used to be friends. It’s weird.” Emma makes a disgusted face and Killian laughs at her while leaning into her to softly kiss her lips.

“And,” he says slowly kissing along her jawbone, “you know I haven’t been ‘notorious’” (he growls that into her ear making her shiver) “since we met.” He pulls away from her. She stares at him, her face showing dissatisfaction at the fact that he stopped what he was doing. Killian gives her the most serious face he can muster when she’s looking so put out, and absentmindedly scratches the back of his neck. “You know I want to do right by you, Emma. This was the plan all along. Make your parents panic a little and then let them think they’ve worked out the solution for us to live happily ever after.”

Emma looks into his eyes, the ones she always compares to the blue of the ocean, the ones that she loves to stare into while they make love, and the ones she loves seeing first thing in the morning, usually before he would kiss her passionately on the lips and then sneak out before anyone in the castle knew anything was amiss. She worries her lower lip between her teeth, and slowly nods her head in agreement.

“Yes. You’re right, Killian. I…, I guess I just hoped we’d get a little more adventure before we had to go back and start palace life.” Killian smiles at her.

“Well, no one says we have to send a letter back to your parents right away. I think we could spare an extra two days before responding back, don’t you think?” Killian says, waggling his eyebrows.

“You think you’re all sexy when you do that, and I’ll just fall into your arms and do whatever you say, hmm?” Emma says getting face to face with him. Killian lifts just one eyebrow in response.

“Well, I prefer dashing rapscallion, but sexy works as well. And you do whatever I say because you love me, and you want to spend more time with me before heading home to your parents.” He smirks because he knows he’s right. Emma tries to make it seem like she’s going to disagree, but she can’t resist him for long. She grabs the lapels of his leather duster and pulls him in for a searing kiss before they head back down to his quarters to hammer out what they should write back to her parents, and other more enjoyable activities.

They arrive back at Misthaven a week later, and even though Emma has only been gone a total of two weeks, David notices how much older she seems. And how happy she looks. There is nothing in the realm that would make him want to take that smile from her face. David also sees a sense of calm and peace in Killian. Sure, Killian looks apprehensive when the Jolly Roger is met by the King and Queen themselves, but he relaxes immediately when David thrusts his hand out to shake Killian’s in acceptance. They have many details to work out, but in the end, David couldn’t have honored Liam’s memory more than to make Killian part of his family. Maybe someday David will tell them how at that first dance that five-year-old Emma attended, and thirteen-year-old Killian danced embarrassingly with her, that he and Liam joked about them marrying some day. It’s too bad Liam didn’t live to see the joke become a reality.

@profdanglaisstuff @thisonesatellite @mariakov81 @hollyethecurious @winterbaby89 @jennjenn615 @kmomof4 @superchocovian @lfh1226-linda @ilovemesomekillianjones

#cs ff #cs fanfic #princess emma #pirate killian #david is clueless #snow knows everything #captain swan #captain swan ff

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flipperbrain · 6 years

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The Deckhand and The Dagger

CHAPTER 16: REPENTANCE AND RESOLUTION

Summary: Hook must face up to his error in judgement and realizes along the way that there is often more to the story than meets the eye.

[Ao3] [CH1] [CH2] [CH3] [CH4] [CH5] [CH6] [CH7] [CH8] [CH9] [CH10] [CH11] [CH12] [CH13] [CH14] [CH15]

Hook looks wistfully at Jones' nude reflection in the mirror whilst he dresses, and ponders what a shame it is that he must cover his body with cloth; his skin fresh and clean from their bath should be proudly displayed, he has a glorious physique, muscled and lean... the curve of his back is what dreams are made of. His companion was quiet throughout their ablutions, lost in contemplation or possibly irritation, his silence most likely by design.

Hook does regret his rash actions, but only for their consequences and how they affect his love. Dr. Martin Fleming deserved to be strangled for his ill-advised treatment of Jones; he will not say so aloud, but he will think it. As for manhandling his daughter, well, he should not have done so. He was angry but there is no excuse, she was merely following the direction of a physician whom she presumed to know the best course.

Hook has seen more than one death by this method, sailors so weakened by blood loss they could not recover; painful and unnecessary deaths caused by stupidity and arrogance. He was livid at the sight of his lover blanched and bleeding into that basin, and he very nearly ended the doctor’s life, but he stepped back from the abyss. Jones has changed his heart on that account, facing his disappointment would be too much to bear. Perhaps one day he will see the error of his ways on his own, for now Jones helps him move toward the light.

Jones sniffs the air as he buttons his vest, savoring the wafting smell of meat roasting on the spit. He grins at Hook then trots off in its fragrant direction and skips into the kitchen to find Sophia as suspected, muttering to herself with spoon in hand. She turns toward the sound of his footsteps on the wooden floor and sees him there by the door grinning sheepishly, his cheeks rosy from scrubbing.

‘Master Jones!! Look at you!!’ She squeals setting the utensil aside and hurrying to throw her arms around him. He smiles brilliantly and hugs her back, his arms cannot quite circle her round form, his chest is pressed against two very large breasts that jiggle when she laughs. She smells like cinnamon and cooking oil and he grins at the touch of her hand gliding fondly over his hair. When she finally releases him his cheeks are even redder than before, he scuffs his toe and looks at his feet, blushing with embarrassment.

‘You are up and about, and so dashing!’ She chortles, ‘I was terribly afraid when I heard you were ill, but you seem to be in fine fettle now!’

He looks up at her, his face solemn and serious, ’Yes, yesterday was a blur but I understand you were instrumental in my recovery… thank you Sophia,’ Jones says sincerely.

‘You are very welcome dear, your Captain was beside himself with worry. I am grateful that La hechicera was able to cure you… let us hope the price does not come back to haunt, she is a strange and powerful woman but has helped many including my husband,’ she replies.

‘The price? What price?!? Hook did not tell me…’ Jones frowns and is suddenly fearful, he can see the look of trepidation on the cook’s face, she inadvertently shared information that Hook chose not to divulge. He will not press her for more details but will certainly ask his companion later this eve. ‘No matter,’ he says brightly, 'it is marvelous to see you! I am afraid we must be off soon, but I was wondering if you might help me with two requests, the first would be the recipe for the delicious stew you prepared,’ he asks smiling at her proud expression, ‘and the second… tell me what you know about Dr. Fleming.’

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Hook sits by the fire wracking his brain about how to remedy the mess he has made, Jones is insisting he apologize to the doctor and it grates him to think of it. The days here have passed in a blink of an eye, their carriage was scheduled to retrieve them and take them to the docks near sunset, but at Jones’ prodding he asked Garrett to arrange for transportation into town this afternoon instead. They will meet with the Doctor and his daughter at their home, what will come of it remains to be seen. Perhaps he will be arrested. He chuckles at that thought, they may try but will not succeed.

He would be sorry to leave the memories of this place behind though not all have been pleasant, he has shared many tender moments here with Jones. But there are other houses and other towns, they will move on to a new adventure if resolution cannot be found.

Jones saunters into the living room with a strange look on his face, he stops at the well-worn liquor cart in the corner of the room to pour them both a glass of brandy. He walks over to Hook, hands him his drink then plops down beside him on the sofa. ‘Hello my sweet,’ Hook says, ‘You conversed with Sophia earlier this morning, is she well? What did you speak of?’ He asks innocently. ‘Oh, this and that, nothing really,’ Jones answers.

He knows what Hook is doing, his transparent prying to discover if he now knows the terms of his deal with the witch are obvious, but he will not placate him. He sips his brandy, grimacing at the burn, ’She gave me her recipe for stew. I shall attempt to replicate it when we sail, but I fear it will pale in comparison.’

’Somehow I doubt that my love, you are an excellent cook. Only one of the many reasons why I love you so much, a tasty meal created by a handsome lad does much to provide a happy existence,’ he says and leans to kiss him on the cheek but Jones turns his face to meet his soft lips instead.

They lounge in the warmth of the fire, drinking and talking about the next leg of their journey. Now that the hour of departure grows near they are both anxious to march toward their goal. It is late in the year, the waters near Acela’s island will be treacherous and extremely cold, they must brace themselves for the weather. Fortunately Garrett has taken care of restocking the Jolly Roger with foodstuffs along with additional blankets and warm clothing for Jones. She is ready to sail when they are.

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A bell chimes from the kitchen to signal lunch is ready to serve, ’Sophia has prepared us a light repast, shall we eat? Jones asks, ‘The carriage will arrive soon.’

Hook would transport them to town with magic were he not concerned it would engender additional gossip. He would prefer that Jones did not have to travel past the lake again, but it cannot be helped.

‘Yes love, let us sustain ourselves for the humbling ahead,’ Hook grumbles as they walk toward the dining room.

Roasted chicken with freshly baked baked rolls, greens and hominy awaits them, ’This is a meal fit for a king,’ Hook remarks winking at the cook.

’Do you require anything else Sir… my apologies, Hook?’ She asks, then continues excitedly, ‘Oh, I have coffee for Master Jones! Would you care for a cup as well?’ Hook arches an eyebrow and glances sideways at Jones, ’That would be delightful,’ he replies. ‘One moment,’ she says whirling on her heel with her index finger pointed at the ceiling and hurries back to the kitchen to fetch two cups.

‘Master Jones?’ Hook whispers with a wry smile on his lips. Jones waves him off, ‘Behave yourself,’ he quips as Sophia returns with the coffee. ’Thank you!' he exclaims, 'would you conjure some cream for me my love? I have developed a taste for it.'

Hook waves his hand and a small pitcher appears on the table in front of them. ‘I am not thrilled at the prospect of begging for forgiveness from that lout,’ he crabs sullenly whilst buttering his bread.

‘I am sorry to hear it but you will go just the same. Now may I enjoy my food?!’ Jones huffs. Hook continues to moan and grouse under his breath but the deckhand pays him no mind.

They have barely finished lunch when Garrett appears to announce that the carriage has arrived. Hook wipes his mouth and rolls his eyes then pushes himself back from the table. Jones cannot help but giggle at his crankiness, he has no one to blame but himself, but he is satisfied that by the end of the day all will be well.

‘You should have the dagger with you,’ Hook says matter-of-factly, ‘You must accustom yourself to keeping it on your person. I feel fine at this minute but it is not worth the risk.’ Jones brows knit together, he had nearly forgotten that it existed. He nods and runs to retrieve it from the library and attaches it to his belt. He does not yet know exactly how it functions, it feels strange to be in possession of a device that can control his love. He must be careful not to unwittingly order him about and will speak only as necessary during their visit with the doctor.

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They climb into the carriage and ride wordlessly toward the home of Dr.Fleming and his daughter Anne, they were kind enough to grant this audience and Jones is not sure if he would do the same were he in the doctor’s shoes; he took advantage of the situation with his very public complaint, but Hook was wrong to react violently and it must be addressed.

The horses clip clop down the narrow lane and the deckhand busies himself pulling at an errant thread on his vest as they roll past the lake. Hook notices this of course but does not comment, inwardly however, he is enraged that his love would be frightened of such a lovely place, one that he was so eager to visit when they first arrived. That bastard kraken, he would tear it to shreds if he could.

A quarter of an hour later they arrive at 10 Mendoza Street, and Hook is slightly taken aback by the modest home the physician resides in, by his lofty manner he imagined a castle on a hill. It is well kept and painted a cheerful shade of yellow, Anne is tending to a young boy who sits in the shade of a large maple tree. She turns to greet them as they approach, shading her eyes from the sun,

‘Hello again Captain,’ she says politely enough, but her eyes tell a different story, ‘and Mr. Jones, I am glad to see you have recovered. This is my brother Thomas,’ she says gesturing toward the boy. ‘Good afternoon Anne, nice to meet you Thomas,’ Hook says.

‘Are you a pirate??’ Thomas asks gleefully. ‘The most fearsome pirate on the seven seas!’ Hook answers with a devilish grin. Thomas claps his hands with joy at meeting a real pirate. The boy looks to be 8 years old or thereabouts and is pale and painfully thin.

‘Father is inside,’ Anne says waving her hand toward the door. ‘Come darling, let us go into the house, these gentlemen have come to converse with us, we will play another game later the evening,’ she says sweetly. Thomas reaches for the crutches that lean against the chair beside him and hops up on one foot, the other leg is twisted and misshapen and apparently cannot support his weight, but he is quick and agile enough with his crutches.

He scampers alongside them firing questions at Hook, ‘Have you fought many battles? Do you have a pirate ship and if you do may I see her?’ He asks excitedly, ‘Too many to count and yes I do! Her name is the Jolly Roger and she floats in the bay as we speak. Mr. Jones and I plan to sail away this evening, but I believe we could find time for you to see her if your father agrees,’ Hook offers.

The boy looks to be cheerful enough, but he has a soft place for those who have experienced such an injury, he is quite familiar with the trauma that comes with loss of limb; and Thomas reminds him so much of himself when he was a lad, before his father's unthinkable betrayal ripped his world apart. High-spirited and inquisitive, a charming naivety. Despite whatever obstacles blocked his path, he was determined to overcome them. And this endearing boy looking up at him with such undeserved admiration, well, if he can brighten his reality for an hour then it is the least he can do. There is no question that Jones fully supports the idea, his smile and the sparkle in his eye tells him all he needs to know.

‘Oh Anne do you think he will say yes?? Please make him say yes!!’ Thomas pleads tugging on her skirt. ‘We will see,’ she says as they enter the house, ’Now go find something to do darling, we have things to discuss. I will fetch you when the Captain is ready to leave.’

Jones’ heart melts watching this exchange, Hook is as wonderful with children as he knew he would be. Sophia explained earlier what had happened to Thomas, he and his mother were riding to town in their buggy when the horses were somehow spooked and galloped out of control. The buggy overturned and Thomas was run over by an oncoming carriage, he barely survived; his mother was thrown and hit her head, she died a few days later. Martin was devastated by her loss and hardened by it, he did all he could for his boy but his leg was mangled in the accident and no surgery could help it.

Dr. Fleming enters the room and looks down his nose at them both. ’Thomas is a fine boy,’ Hook remarks and Jones perceives the slightest softening in the doctor’s expression, ‘Yes, he is a good lad… you requested this meeting, I presume you saw the story in the Gazette? What do you have to say in reply?’ he asks curtly. ‘Yes, we did see it, but that is not the reason why we are here… rather it is not the only reason why. I wish to apologize for my behavior, for my rough handling of Anne and for what I did to you. I hope there was no lasting harm. I acted out rashly in anger and worry for my companion, my fear for his wellbeing was so great I was not thinking rationally. You have a beautiful family who need you and I was terribly wrong to lash out the way I did. I am truly sorry and I ask for your forgiveness.’ Hook says earnestly.

The doctor contemplates Hook’s words for a moment then nods brusquely at him, ‘I accept your apology Captain, I was exceedingly angry myself, but I very much understand the strain when a loved one is hurt or ill. I am relieved to see you discovered a cure for your friend. How, may I ask, did you do it?’

‘We called on the sorceress, it was the only way,’ Hook answers. Dr. Fleming raises an eyebrow and glances at Anne but inquires no further on the subject. ‘Are you content as well my dear?’ He asks her. ‘Yes, I will forgive you with one condition,’ she replies then turns toward her father, ’The Captain has offered to show Thomas his ship and he is desperate to see it. If you will allow it, that will satisfy me.’

‘Oh please father, please let me go!!’ Thomas chimes in from the next room, then appears a moment later, ‘A real pirate ship father! And a real pirate! You must let me, they are leaving tonight and I might not have another chance!!’ He begs. The doctor sighs heavily not at all liking the spot he finds himself in, but he is loathe to disappoint Thomas after all that he has endured and eventually concedes, ‘Alright, I will allow it,’ he sighs.

‘Hurray, hurray!!’ Thomas shouts and nearly topples over in his excitement, Hook reaches out swiftly with a gentle hand to steady him before he falls. ’Thank you for seeing us,’ Hook says then bows in Anne’s direction, ‘We will take up no more of your time. Would 6 o’clock at the docks suit?’ he proposes. ‘That will be fine,’ Dr. Fleming answers with a much more conciliatory tone.

Hook squats down on his haunches, his face level with the boy’s pleased countenance, ’Aye Thomas ‘ye landlubber, prepare yerself!’ Hook declares ruffling the boy’s hair, his voice a caricature. ‘It was lovely to meet you all, we will see you later then,’ Jones says shyly and they exit the house.

The deckhand smiles to himself as they bump along the road home, ‘I am proud of you my love, your speech was perfect.’

’It produced the desired effect but the population is none the wiser, perhaps they will forgive over time,’ Hook remarks. ‘At any rate we must pack our things and ready ourselves. It has only been three days but it feels like far longer, do you suppose I will remember how to sail?’ Jones giggles in response, ‘If you do not, I will remind you.’

————————

They have already said their goodbyes to the cook and the caretaker, Sophia tearily presented Jones with a basket of muffins, Apple cinnamon this time; he will miss her kindness and her rumbling laugh. Garrett assured them that all will be looked after until they return, Hook apologized to him for his poor behavior the day before and thanked him for his good service.

Now all that remains is to make sure nothing is left behind. Jones surveys the bedroom, his new old robe is tucked away in their trunk along with a selection of books to pass the time. He hopes there will be a few moments of peace for reading and other activities he is fond of, his eyes discreetly rake over the gorgeous man across the room. ’Well my sweet, what say you?’ Hook asks, Jones shrugs his shoulders and nods, ’Let us be off then, we must say farewell to this place for now.’ He waves his hand and the trunk disappears, another flick of his wrist and the violin case is gone.

Hook is finished with carriages. They are leaving now and there is no point in pretending he is anyone other than who he is. He touches Jones’ sleeve and in an instant they appear at the docks. A few minutes later Dr. Fleming and his family roll up, Anne helps Thomas exit from their buggy and he hops enthusiastically toward Hook, his crutches barely touching the ground. Hook stands with his hands on his hips looking down at the frail boy, ‘Aha, our new Swabbie has arrived!’ he grins then glances at the doctor, ‘I will have him back in an hour,’ he promises.

‘Come Thomas, touch my coat!’ the boy looks back at his father and sister then reaches out to grasp the leather of his duster, Jones takes hold of Hook’s elbow and all three of them disappear in a cloud of red smoke. Dr. Fleming and Anne are agape at the sight, and run to the end of the dock searching for movement on the deck of the ship.

Thomas is exuberant, thrilled by their method of travel, ’You are a pirate and you have magic??’ He gasps. ‘Yes indeed Swabbie! And speaking of which, I would like to try something before we show you our beautiful lady,’ Hook says,

‘What is it you wish to try? Thomas asks curiously.

’It is a surprise! Whilst pirates are notoriously untrustworthy chaps,' he laughs, 'I trust Mr. Jones with my life, he has my every confidence and will watch over you until all is revealed. Sit here on the deck and be still, I will not hurt you,’ Hook directs.

Thomas looks up at Jones who winks in return then dutifully sits and Hook kneels beside him, ‘Now close your eyes and imagine running through a green meadow,’ he says and waves his hand over Thomas’ damaged limb, a beam of healing magic begins to work at the muscle and bone. ‘There are birds and rabbits and a dog runs beside you.’

Jones can see the leg gradually untwist and he is moved beyond words. He chokes back tears and is on the verge of sobbing, his hand unconsciously flutters to rest over his heart. ‘Do not open your eyes yet… can you see the dog Thomas? What color is it?’ Hook asks as he moves his palm toward the boy’s hip. ‘It is black like your coat, it is a pirate’s dog!’ He says laughing, ‘My leg feels strange, may I open my eyes now?’

’Yes Swabbie, open your eyes.’

Thomas opens one eye to peek at his leg and it looks different now, straight and the same length as the other one. Hook helps him to his feet, ‘How does it feel? Can you walk on it? Hold my hand and try,’ he says. Thomas takes a tentative step forward and then another, he walks slowly along the rail at Hook’s side, clutching his hand.

’Now try to walk without holding on.’

Thomas lets go and walks a few steps then bounces ahead a few more, and soon he is running circles from bow to stern giggling wildly. Jones slips his arm around Hook’s waist and looks at him as if he were an angel on earth.

‘Swabbie! Come here!’ Hook commands, and Thomas skips over to him. ‘How did you fix me?!’ He asks, his eyes filled with wonder and joy. ‘With magic my boy! It does come in handy from time to time.’

Hook gestures and a thousand points of light fill the air illuminating the ship. ’And now for the tour!’

They show Thomas everything there is to see, the deck and the ship’s wheel and compass, their cabin, the ship’s mess, the hold and the crew sleeping quarters. Hook even takes him aloft to the crow's nest to see the rigging and the sheets up close whilst explaining basic sailing terminology. ‘So, Swabbie, what do you think of her?’ he asks when they have finished. ’She is wonderful! A real pirate ship!!’ Thomas exclaims, ’This is the best day of my whole life!’

‘Well Thomas, unfortunately all good things must come to an end and now we must send you to your father and sister… but, when we return I promise to take you sailing, if your father consents of course.’

Thomas claps with glee, ’Truly? Oh please, please hurry back!’

’Truly. I swear it upon my black heart,’ Hook chuckles, ‘We will be back before you know it, and you will be occupied running and playing in the meantime,’ Hook assures him then hands him his crutches, ‘You no longer need these but another boy might, give them to your father.’ Thomas smiles brilliantly and hugs them both, ’Thank you Captain, thank you Mr. Jones!!' He cries, his face radiant with happiness. Hook slips three gold coins into the tiny pocket of the boy’s vest, ’Pirate treasure, spend it wisely! Until the next time mate,’ Hook smiles and waves his hand transporting Thomas to the shore and into his father’s arms.

Jones leans in for a kiss and they linger for a moment, holding each other close. Hook gazes at Jones and says quietly, ‘You engineered all of this, I can see it in your eyes... Let us make sail, my sweet.’

Tagging some lovelies: @laschatzi @hollyethecurious @suwya @artistic-writer @ilovemesomekillianjones @therooksshiningknight @ashley-knightingale @cocohook38 @spartanguard

I didn’t do any new art, so sorry Sandra :) I’ve been shirking my responsibilities with some things I’ve promised but there’s a couple scenes here I’d love to illustrate when I get around to it. ❤️

#HookxHook #hookxhook ff #The Deckhand and The Dagger CH 16 #slash fic #slash #fluffy mcfluffsville #mostly #pride swallowing pirate #these boys make me weep #dark!hook #deckhand hook #hook ff

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aneesaprice · 7 years

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Paris accurately conjures up images of couples in love, strolling hand in hand along the Seine, sipping café au lait at a bistro on the Champs-Élysées and devouring gastronomical delights by candlelight after a full day of filling your soul with art, history and the unique bohemian air that covers the city. White sheets and tangled limbs chase the morning’s frost away only to step out onto chilly balconies, warming liquid in hand to see clusters of Parisians unhurriedly enjoying gossip and smoke breaks in time to slow tempo of the age-old buildings that surround them.

The only people that rush in Paris, are the sightseers off to one more art gallery, museum or an item on their bucket-list. I imagine that those Parisians who are not yet immune to the throngs of tourists scurrying about the most visited city in the world, must be amused by us. I can’t imagine wanting to see Paris to it’s fullest and not feeling the urgency to add more to the itinerary as you go along. There is so much and all of it is magnificent.

Valentine’s Day naturally makes me think of love and as a recent self-professed travel addict and bucket-lister, my thoughts roam to Paris. Paris, with it’s dramatic and macabre history of rolling heads, power-hungry and petulant rulers, pestilence and drama is hardly the type of city that would logically be considered to be the City of Love and epitome of romance. Yet, it’s the very fact that despite all it has been through, Paris and its people live, laugh and love through it all – as strong and persistently as the beautiful buildings that form its landscape.

My Valentine’s blog is dedicated to the city of Paris, my love, my husband, that took me there and the beautiful children of mine that shared it with us.

Here is my directory of where to stay, eat and the top sites I recommend that you visit. I like to know exactly what I’m getting, how and when so my inner control freak rebukes at the thought of travel agencies. Instead I spend inordinate amounts of time painstakingly researching and cross-referencing reviews on where to go, stay, eat, shop and how to travel.

Note – I do not get paid to refer or advertise any establishment that I’m recommending. My recommendations are my personal opinions based on my travels and are colored by my experiences as a South African expat living temporarily in the Middle East. I’m a mom of a tween and teen girls who are as different as chalk and cheese. I travel with them and hubby. I do not prescribe to budget holidays nor the lifestyles of the rich and famous. I like hotels / restaurants / sights with top reviews that offer good value for money. I do not eat McDonald’s on holiday and I won’t stay in hotels where I need to shush the kids every 2 minutes.I do not limit my children simply because they’re children. My kids go to art galleries, museums as well as amusement parks and candy stores. If you’re like me, I may save you some time in planning your trip to Paris…

Where to Stay:

Hotel Ekta (http://www.hotelekta.com/en/) met ALL my requirements and thoroughly deserves their top rated 25th spot on Tripadvisor and 9.2 rating on Booking.com. Despite being a 3 star hotel, it has a 5 star rating and location. I found it the equivalent of quite a few 5 star hotels that we’ve stayed at and at a fraction of their prices. The design of the hotel is contemporary, modern. It is a step away from Avenue des Champs-Élysées, has it’s own breakfast serving restaurant, a terrace garden and offers suites with terraces. We stayed in the Terrace Suite which had a shared bathroom with amenities, a kitchenette, a separate adults room which led to a furnished terrace and a lounge with ample space for our many suitcases, a sleeper couch that turned into a bunk bed and a safe. Even though the children were with us, waking up in Paris with a view of grand old buildings and the overcast Spring sky in unarguably romantic.

Rooms range from 115 Euro to 305 Euro per night.If you decide to stay here, you don’t have to have their breakfast as there are many nearby restaurants – including a Starbucks. I highly recommend that you ask the hotel to book a table at the famous patisserie, Laduree, for breakfast one morning.

Hint: If a website doesn’t yield the results you’re looking for, call the hotel and negotiate. Have a look at booking websites as well as hotel websites because one of these sites may have a discounted rate.

What to see

A few days ago, my husband pointed out a few places we hadn’t yet been to in Paris despite having visited twice this past two years. I replied that it would take weeks to see all that Paris had to offer and that would be seasonal, so a return is inevitable. I won’t thus be listing every place we’ve visited but am rather going to focus on the ‘hot spots’. If you’re a museum and art lover, I strongly suggest that you buy the Museum Pass. You can purchase it in advance on the official websites (http://booking.parisinfo.com/il4-offer_i147-paris-passlib-paris-pass.aspx – the official tourist website for Paris – or the museum pass website – http://en.parismuseumpass.com/) or during your stay in Paris at a tourist office or through the hotel’s concierge if they offer that. It also allows you access to other attractions and discounts. As well as being cheaper, it allows for fast-tracking at certain attractions. We used it to gain magnificent views of the artist’s quarter, Montmartre and the Champs-Élysées from the terrace of the Arc de Triomphe.

Tour Eiffel

The Eiffel Tower (http://www.toureiffel.paris/) is one of those bucket list attractions that you absolutely have to visit. The first time I was at the Eiffel Tower, my younger daughter refused to go up as she was petrified of heights and so we picnicked on the grass at its based and explored the little market across from it, along the Seine. My eldest daughter had been to the top on a school tour and although she described the view as astoundingly beautiful, the many notices coming from the intercom system about being weary of pick pockets put a damper on the experience. Coming from South Africa, where crime is rife, I was not in the mood for that. I found a great compromise that made my visit to the Eiffel Tower more memorable than an elevator ride and a few pics of a view. I booked a table at 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant. It has its own entrance so again, I skipped queues, and its own elevator. We booked an early evening sitting and paid extra to ensure a Trocadero view. It was worth every cent. We sat by a window directly in front of the Trocadero and could see the bridge across the Seine, the boats cruising up and down as well as the market across the road. When the sky darkened, we were treated to a spectacular view of Paris lit with a multitude of golden lights. The dinner itself was gourmet and beautifully presented. Even my younger daughter’s meal was made with special care and ended off with an Eiffel Tower shaped dessert. The only let down was the service. I think our waiter was allergic to children. We did not let him spoil the experience for us though. Very little can in such an atmosphere where every few minutes a bottle cork is popped and restaurant patrons are cheering for another happily engaged couple. It was incredibly romantic.

The chill in the air and late hour after dinner ensured a nearly empty viewing platform and we managed to walk around and take photos to our heart’s content completely undisturbed.

This dinner is admittedly expensive at 87 to 120 euro per adult and 26 euro per child. Lunch is cheaper at approximately 42 euro per adult and 19 Euro per child. I wanted to see Paris by night. It was worth every euro.

Hint: Print or save your confirmation as it appears on the screen after you pay as I did not get mine in email straight away and had to contact the restaurant to forward it to me. The ‘early bird gets the early worm’, so email or Facebook message the restaurant requesting a good table with a view if you’ve booked one as soon as you’ve received your confirmation. There were other tables in the same category that did not have a seat right by the window.

The Louvre

No visit to Paris is complete without a visit to The Louvre (http://www.louvre.fr/). I’ve heard about how massive it is, how much time it takes to take it all in and not knowing where to look for certain pieces. I’d also, on a previous visit, spotted the long queues to get in. With tightened security in light of terrorist attacks, the queues can be even longer. My research offered a solution in the form of a private guided tour of the Louvre. There are many and they vary in price. Again, I wanted a top rated guide at a good price. I found that Paris Muse (http://parismuse.com/) deserved their excellent reviews.

The tour guide met us at the Arc du Carrousel at 10 am. By then the lines of people waiting to enter the Louvre were inordinately long. We sailed past them, behind our guide and entered the building seamlessly. That was the first reason I was glad I booked the tour. The second came when she whipped out a treasure hunt map and a list of questions and began engaging the children. She wove stories that my husband and I were drawn into as well and when the children went off with her to hunt for clues, it gave us time to have a leisurely look at what we wanted to. The third reason for using a private tour guide such as this is that there are bits of information that is not stated on plaques next to exhibitions. This guide offered a treasure trove of interesting facts that we would not have noticed on our own. Lastly, we managed to get prime spots to take pics with highly photographed exhibitions such as the Sphinx and Mona Lisa as our tour guide knew how to move around and through the crowds.

Why did I book a private tour guide and not one of the many group tours available? As a family paying per person, even with child rates, it is often cheaper to book a private guide. Additionally, a private tour guide matches the tour to your pace, stopping longer at exhibitions that you’re interested in and whisking past those that don’t engage you.

Paris Muse’s prices are middle of the range at 320 Euro for the 2 hour family Louvre tour including a prize for the children, entrance fees and the tour guide’s services. (http://parismuse.com/tours/paris-muse-clues-louvre-family-tour/)

However, if you’re on a tight budget then it is perfectly fine to visit the Louvre on your own. All museums are free for children under 18 and all EU citizens under 26. Proof of age may be required in the form of official identification such as a passport copy or ID card.

Notre Dame

I know many who love the building and fondly think of the fabled hunchback. Compared to the older, more beautiful churches in places such as Istanbul, the UK and other parts of Europe, however, it is disappointing. It is beautiful but it is not as beautiful as it is made out to be. However, if the likelihood of you visiting other churches in Europe is slim, then do go have a look. In this case, it will blow you away.

Hint: Book a tour to see the towers. Paris Muse offers family, private and group tours to Notre Dame. The queue had a waiting time of over an hour and we opted to forgo it. Also, in the square in front of the cathedral there are steps leading down to an archaeological museum. It is tiny but worth the quick 15 to 20 minute visit if you want insight into how Paris has changed over the centuries. They have a few interactive digital games that engage the children as you move through it.

Moulin Rouge

The movie! The song! The legend! The many pictures of the iconic windmill! It is a must in Paris. However, I would suggest that you arrange for a babysitter through your hotel. The show is for 6 years and upwards and they even serve kiddies’ meals. The meal will be enjoyed in beautiful surroundings, with excellent singing, choreography and fantastic acts – from stunts to trapeze. The catch… the ladies go topless in the first song and don’t put their tops back on. We did try to look past the nudity because we were in Europe and the Europeans tend to be blasé about this sort of thing. However, my husband did feel a tad uncomfortable with his daughters at the table and my teen did go a lovely shade of red at times.

I honestly recommend it though. The most unbelievable act was when the floor parted and up rose a gigantic aquariam filled with anacondos. A beautiful snake handler swam amongst them without flinching. What made it even more amazing was that our table literally touched the tank. http://www.moulinrouge.fr/?lang=en

Hint: We didn’t buy the most expensive tickets. We bought mid-range tickets a few months in advance and I emailed the establishment to ask for a good table. They obliged.

Seine River – Cruise or Walk?

If you really must cruise along the river or you have a free ticket in one of your passes, then do hop aboard. Personally, I found it to be like a bus tour on water. A lot of inaudible talking over the speaker system and sitting around staring at scenery without actually getting a proper look at the sights.

Otherwise, walking is a much better way to see the Seine. Paris is made for walking and there are ample benches and good walkways all along the river, offering close up views of beautiful buildings, fascinating houseboats and the Parisians’ daily lives. On the street level, there are many bridges to cross, including the famous Bridge of Lovers with its locks as testament to lasting love, as well as book stalls, museums and eateries.

It is a much more educational way to see the Seine for the children and an infinitely more romantic route for lovers.

Hint: the Seine is easily reached from tourist hot spots such as the Louvre and Eiffel Tower. We had no difficulty obtaining directions. Wear comfortable walking shoes as the cobble stones don’t take kindly to heels.

Arc de Triomphe

Arc De Triomphe (Arch of Triumph) is found along the Champs-Élysées. This spectacular piece of architecture commemorates the French soldiers who fought during the Napoleonic wars. An eternal flame burns at the base of the arch. The detail and architecture of this monument alone is worth the visit. Inside the building, spiral wrought iron stairs, straight out of a gothic novel, wind up towards a historic level where bathrooms, tourist shops and the history of the arch may be found. Thereafter, comes the highlight of the attraction – the unbelievably spectacular views of Paris including the famous Bohemian suburb of Montmartre where Moulin Rouge is situated and the Eiffel Tower. The view of the Champs-Élysées itself is grand. http://www.arcdetriompheparis.com/

Disneyland Paris

Magic everywhere! A much smaller Disneyland than the one in the US, it does have a number of rides and being in France, there is an odd mix of American Disney with a hint of France. It makes for a fascinating experience. I love Disney so I don’t mind the queues, waiting for parades and the themed food. I thrive on it as do my children. Hubby, not so much. I won’t go into detail about Disneyland Paris here as I think it deserves a blog post of its own. I will recommend the following though:

While a day trip from Paris is easily accomplished via train directly from Paris, I recommend that you stay at a Disneyland Paris during peak times as it gets packed. It is not unheard of to wait in queues for 2 hours. My daughter did a day trip from Paris with her school and managed to do 3 rides for the entire day while my younger daughter and I who were staying at a Disney hotel managed to do double that during the extra magic hours exclusive to hotel guests before it opened to the public – and on the same day!

There are a number of excellent nearby hotels – from 5 star to unrated. However, if you do the math and calculate the cost of the park entry plus the accommodation, it makes more economical sense to stay in a cheaper Disneyland Paris hotel if one a budget. I’ve stayed in two hotels there – the first was with my daughter in the Wild West themed Hotel Cheyenne. It was a 2 star hotel but breakfast was adequate, it was clean and one fast past per day and extra magic hours were included. The second time we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel at a 50% discounted rate when they had a special on accommodation. While I don’t think this hotel is as posh as it is made out to be and the breakfast is not that much better, the hotel is situated at the very gates of the park and there are extra fast passes included in the stay. Many recommend the mid-range, 3 star Sequoia. I may try that out next time.

Buy the meal plans – they work out much cheaper. I recommend the half-board plus plan.

Don’t book the tours. I did a Paris bus tour. It was horrible. If you want to claim to have seen a city from the seat of a bus, then this is a good option for you.

If you need a break from Disneyland, consult the ladies at the tourist office outside the train station and they’ll advise on villages you can take a train or bus to. We opted to go to nearby Lagne, which had a tiny medieval village (2 small streets), good restaurants, a bakery with the best meringues I’ve ever had and award-winning croissants and a good beauty salon.

http://www.disneylandparis.com/en

Where to Eat

This all depends on your budget. You can dine in Michelin star splendor for a steep price, see where your feet find you and stop off at a bistro or pop into the ample global dining franchises that have even infiltrated France. There are very few places to go wrong as far as food is concerned, particularly if you stick to French food.

I recommend…

Macaroons and breakfast from Laduree on the Champs-Élysées – a Parisian institution (the best macaroon I’ve ever had). If you don’t want to eat here, then do pop in to gawk at the impressive array of pastries and sweets. I bought one of the most beautiful dessert cookbooks I’ve ever seen here. Even if you don’t like macaroons – just buy one, preferably vanilla and try not to moan when it hits your tongue.

Crepes – most places although my daughter swears that the artists’ quarter has the best creperies

Roasted chestnuts from a traditional roastery – found in the market next to Eiffel Tower when I was there last

French hot chocolate – thick, liquid heaven and served with ample amounts of cream

If you’re craving fast food – the entrance to a small mall (and paid fancy toilets) is under the bridge at the road next to the Louvre’s pyramid structures. The mall is called Carrousel du Louvre.

Hint: The best food I’ve eaten in France is in a village that’s a 30 minute public bus trip away from Disneyland. It was also the cheapest as Paris and Disneyland inevitably charge ‘tourist prices’. So, if you’re a foodie, consider renting a car / taking a bus or train to explore the nearby villages. Regarding Laduree – if you want to avoid the busy period, go for the first breakfast sitting. Afterwards, it becomes considerably busier until late afternoon.

Getting there and getting around:

Getting around town:

While taxis are plentiful and you can easily hail one or arrange one through the hotel you’re staying at, I recommend that you buy a Paris Visite travel card and use that for public transport. Paris metro is one of the most user and tourist friendly metros I’ve used and if you don’t know which line to use, you can always ask your hotel’s staff beforehand.

For more information:

http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/visiting-paris/

http://booking.parisinfo.com/il4-offers_p7-transport.aspx

I absolutely do not recommend that you use the tuk-tuk style vehicles. They’re an absolute rip off. We had a nasty incident of triple checking prices and then being ripped off and dropped off in the wrong place. When we informed the hotel, they weren’t surprised and urged us not to use them.

Hint: A European’s view of distance is different to a South African’s as they walk and take public transport whereas we drive. So, when in Europe, when someone tells me a place is a short 30 minute walk away, I take public transport if I’m in a hurry or the kids are tired because it is most likely 45 minutes to an hour away. If they tell me it’s 10 or 20 minutes then I’ve found that it is generally okay to make the kids walk quickly if rushed.

Transfers:

After combing the Tripadvisor forums and online blogs, I discovered that Prestige Transfer (http://prestige-transfer.com/) was the most recommended transfer company. Sure, you can get a taxi from the airport or take the metro. If travelling with kids though, I recommend using this transfer – they’re affordable, reliable and provide excellent service. I do not recommend travelling with the metro. It was not fun at all to lug huge suitcases around with us up and down stairs, cobbled streets, hills and past throngs of people. We did it once and not again. If you’re transferring from Charles De Gualle airport or Paris to Disneyland Paris, then this transfer company is also a good option. If the French countryside bores your children, then the in-car tv’s playing Disney movies will keep them occupied.

Flights:

From Europe or the UK, it’s fairly easy to get to Paris via train but as I only know of people that have done this and haven’t done so myself, I won’t elaborate on this here. Flight options depends on where you’re coming from. I recommend that you do a search on https://www.skyscanner.net/ or Google to see which airline flies direct or with as few flights as possible to Paris. This is a sanity saver when travelling with kids. I then book my flights directly through the airline’s website as I’ve found that to be cheaper every time – not to mention more secure. From Kuwait, I fly to Europe with Turkish Airlines and preferably transit in Sabiha Gocken as it is the quieter airport. I’ve found this to be not only a cheaper option but also excellent value for money. Why pay three times for something very similar with a European airline or Emirates Airlines?

Paris Is Always A Good Idea…

I did not always love Paris. In fact, the first time I visited it, I hated it. I fell in love with Paris on my second visit when accompanied by all the loves of my life – my husband and both of my children. There is something about the city, when visiting with those who hold your heart, that taints the entire city in the light red hue of romance and if it is magic, then consider me be-spelled by Paris.

This framed Audrey Hepburn quote my husband photographed in Hotel Ekta says it all…

Paris – My Tips For Planning Your Visit to the City of Love Paris accurately conjures up images of couples in love, strolling hand in hand along the Seine, sipping café au lait at a bistro on the Champs-Élysées and devouring gastronomical delights by candlelight after a full day of filling your soul with art, history and the unique bohemian air that covers the city.

#disneylandparis #europe #expatlife #expattravel #family #family travel #france #paris #planning a vacation #travel #travel with kids #travelwithkids #valentines day

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