Hiraeth: Return to Neverland #1 (a darlinghook fanfic)

10 | captain

Wendy spun around and pointed her sword at him. He wasn't as impeccably dressed as usual, wearing knee-high boots, black pants and a loose white shirt. The shirt showed the strap that went around his arm, holding his hook in place. His long black curls spilled loose over his shoulders. He looked... younger than she remembered him.

Even though she had planned everything out in her mind, Wendy was afraid. In the dim lamplight, Captain Hook's cold blue eyes and hook gleamed.

Recognition flickered across his face, followed by surprise. "Wendy?" he said, caught off-guard.

Although she first was startled, the island had been getting to her, making her braver, maybe a little reckless, so she held her head up. "Captain."

Hook tried to regain his composure and said, "My, my, you have grown up. How many years has it been on the mainland?"

"Quite a few," she said shortly.

"And, pray tell, what are you doing on my ship?"

"I am here to kill you," Wendy squared her jaw and looked him straight in the eye. "and then take over your ship."

"Really?" he said. A threat, that was something he knew how to deal with. He put his hook on her sword, which was still pointed at his chest, and pushed it aside with a little more difficulty than he had expected. "Hmm," he said, not impressed.

But Wendy was not about to give up and she stepped forward, resting the tip of her sword on his collarbone.

"Give me complete control of the ship and maybe I won't kill you," she said, raising her chin confidently.

Hook wanted to laugh, the idea that Wendy, even an adult Wendy, could take his ship from him was absurd. But there was this look on her face, this fire in her eyes that made him hesitate. He felt like she might be able to succeed by sheer force of will.

He had no sword at his side, and while his hook was an alright weapon, it did put Wendy at an advantage. His rapier lay on his desk, behind Wendy, and to get it, he would have to stall and distract.

"So, I'm assuming you all crept aboard the ship and quietly got rid of the men on watch. The boys took the forecastle, slicing the men's throats as they slept. Peter" He noticed Wendy tense slightly. "sent you here until he came to kill me." She was expressionless, but he continued, slowly moving to the left. Wendy kept her sword at his neck. "I know of his rule that none of his men, ahem, boys may kill me. Although," He was now almost close enough to grab his rapier. "perhaps he has given you that privilege. After all, he did care for you."

The past tense bothered her, although it shouldn't have. Wendy was torn between claiming to have the Lost Boys and Peter with her or distancing herself from them in pride.

Hook took advantage of her few moments of confusion and managed to lean around her and grab his own rapier.

Wendy, angry at herself for getting distracted, attacked immediately. But Hook was ready, and while Wendy's previous opponent was only her better in physical strength, not in swordplay and speed, the captain was better at both.

Soon her sword was twisted from her grasp by a clever wrist movement by Hook. His blade at her throat, she backed up until she hit the wall of the cabin. She looked up at the captain, trying not to let her fear show.

She tried to reach for her dagger and hunting knife but he noticed and pressed the tip of his sword harder against her neck. She quickly raised her hands above her shoulders and he pulled the knives from her belt, tossing them to the ground. Although he didn't take her pistol, she knew that she would never have time to use it. He had lowered his rapier, but his hook had taken its place against her neck, the cold metal against her skin.