{ enchanted forest }

16. { the miller's daughter }

The ship sailed almost silently into the harbor under the cloak of night. Captain Hook stands at the helm of the ship. The lights of the torches in the harbor reflect on the water as well as in his dark eyes. After months at sea it was a welcome sight.

He commands his crew to prepare to dock and barks a command at Mr. Smee to take over steering the ship. Hook walks away from the wheel and heads below deck.

The pirate scans the small space, but was unable to spot the loot of their journey. Their passenger of the past few months.

"Winter, are you here? We're going to dock."

A moment of silence follows. The pirate rolls his eyes. "Aren't you at least a bit excited to see your mother again," he asks. He was a bit impatient. He had taken this girl, endangering his crew and himself. The least she could do was be a little appreciative.

But then a figure stepped out from the shadows. Hook tries to push down the gasp errupting from his throat, but was only partially able to.

Weeks ago one of the crew members told the girl they were nearing land. Since then she spent all of her time below deck. Each time he went to check upon her he found her bundled up in her cloak, tucked away in the dark. She barely ate or slept.

He tried to ask her what was wrong, but she refused to say a word. His coaxing did not work, nor his attempts to get her to at least appear above deck. 

Belle had told him how her daughter was an innocent, pure soul before being taken to Neverland. Hook could see that same girl in her eyes, but she was buried underneath all of her experiences on the island. So much so that the pirate even starts to question if her mother will instantly recognize her.

"Come above deck, luv. She will be waiting for us in the harbor."

He beckons her closer with his hand. Winter glides off the bench. She had lost quite a bit of muscle now her daily activities were heavily reduced. It only got worse when she started confining herself to the small cabin below deck. Her cloak hangs off her body, the hood covering most of her face.

Once she was close enough to him the pirate wrapped his arm around her and started leading her up the stairs. Together they stood at the prow of the ship while the pirates surrounding them made sure they could get off as soon as possible. 

After they put down the plank Hook helps guide the girl down onto the pier. He keeps her close to his side while they push through the crowd in order to find Belle. She was standing a few feet away from the mass of people. As soon as she saw the captain with someone standing besides him, she burst into tears.

"Winter!"

Hook let go of the girl, who immediately sets in a sprint towards her mother. Brown wool flutters around her as the wind of her fast motion catches underneath her cloak. She throws her arms around Belle's waist and squeezes tightly.

Belle in return wraps her arms around her head, cradling the girl close to her body and not willing to let her go.

The pirate had to admit that the reunion touched his heart. He watches as Belle takes a step back but never let go of the girl in her arms. She instead cradles her face in her hands. "How was the journey? Did the captain treat you well?"

Winter nods. "He was very kind to me. He even taught me how to sail a ship!" Belle raises her head. She looks away from the girl for the first time since their arrival and instead looks at the pirate captain. "You did?"

"She's a quick study, that one," he says, not going into it so much. "Now.. for my price."

Belle swallows. She knew this was coming, but she had hoped for it not to be so.. public. She turns to Winter and quietly whispers into her ear. The girl rolls her eyes, but then turns away from the two of them. Belle walks up towards the captain.