Tiger Lily (A Peter Pan Fanfic)

Chapter Eighteen

A/N: I know I described Neverland differently earlier on, but just bear with me.

"Why are you slowing down?" Regina demanded, throwing a glare towards my father.

The Jolly Roger had just come up in Neverland's murky waters, causing an ominous chill to rush down my spine. Neverland was definitely not like it was pictured in Disney's adaption of it.

A low fog rolled off the water, surrounding the dark, sinister-looking island that loomed in the distance. No sounds could be heard except for the occasional creaking of the wooden floorboards beneath my feet. As if coming to me by second nature, I clasped a hand around the hilt of the sword that was strapped to my side.

"My son's life is in danger, in case that escaped your notice." she continued, circling the ship's wheel like a predator stalking its prey.

"Oh, I know, my hotheaded queen, " my father quipped, quirking an eyebrow at her, "the plan's to bring us to the far side of the island, come through the widest side of the river and ambush him...the irony."

"What irony?" I questioned, their conversation peaking my interest.

I watched closely as he bit his lip, as if regretting bringing up a certain subject. Finally, he spoke, "I spent more than my fair share of time here trying to figure out how to kill Rumplestiltskin. And now, I'm back. With him as the guest of honor."

Furrowing my brow, I tilted my head. "When did that happen?"

"After you came to Storybrooke, I suppose. I'm sorry, lass. I never got to tell you what happened that day..." he trailed off, studying the ocean ahead of him.

Ah, yes. I remember that day quite well. We were making a trade in the Enchanted Forest, and when I came back to the dock, the Jolly Roger was nowhere in sight...leaving me to the rolling, green smoke that was eating everything in its path.

Naturally, once the curse broke and I remembered what had happened, I was angry. Angry with my father for leaving me, angry with Regina for casting the curse...just...angry. However, in time, I did come to terms with it, and I never really brought it up with my father once he arrived in Storybrooke as well. Though, that is a story for another time.

Turning to look at him, I replied, "It's fine, dad. I'm not mad. Really."

He gave me a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, before turning back to the wheel. 

From there, the conversation drifted away, leaving us with only our thoughts and the quiet lapping of the waves against the sides of the ship. I didn't mind it though. It gave me more time to collect my thoughts, to get ready for whatever the eerie island before us had in store.

However, the peaceful silence didn't last long.

Farther down the deck, Emma was speaking with Mary Margaret and David. Her voice was breaking angrily. She blamed herself for lifting the curse, which initially caused all of the chaos we were facing. She was indignant towards her parents for being so optimistic.

Honestly, I didn't understand where she was coming from. Surely, we would get Henry back. It was as if, after all this time, she didn't believe. Not just in magic, but herself as well.

"We will get Henry back." David spoke, his tone dripping with determination.

"No, you won't, " Gold said suddenly, coming from below deck, "I'm going to get Henry."

"We agreed to do this together." Regina hissed.

"Actually, " Gold corrected, "we made no such agreement."