Elizabeth of the Lily

By Hook or By Crook

Lost Boy Rule: Dead men tell no tales. 

On the decks of the Jolly Roger, three trembling grown men were standing trial. They were, of course, the hapless Bill Dukes, Gentleman Starkey, and Mr. Dram. The sneering faces of their mates lined the side rails and the Captain stood before them testing the point of his hook.

"Gentleman Starkey," came the pompous snarl, "You and the other two bilge rats had good information from the mermaids that there were lost boys for the taking. You knew where they were, even that they were the smallest and weakest of the boys." at this his voice turned dangerous and soft, "and you dare to come back to me, sans boys, looking like you've been through a battle."

"But Captain," squeaked Mr. Dram, whom we have met before as Red Stripe, "it wasn't three boys!"

His protest were cut short by a red glint in his Captain's eye. Mr. Dram quickly stifled his protests and waited to see what his Captain would do next. Hook rolled his eyes and then said, "Gentleman Starkey...What exactly happened today?"

Gentleman Starkey straightened his coat and his shoulders before explaining in stentorian accents of a British aristocrat, "There was a young lady present, dear Captain. She had some training in the various fighting arts and protected the boys like a wild creature protects their young. We had almost captured her when she used magic and escaped." Starkey was vague on the almost slitting of the lost boy's throat. Hook always preferred to have the boys alive. It was easier to take their souls that way. 

At the mention of a young woman, Hook stiffened and then began to pace. He turned to the three again and demanded, "Describe her."

Bill Jukes, who had gotten the best look at her, began, "The woman was slim, taller then average 'eight. She had long, blond 'air tied in a braid. 'er clothes were of Gumgee armor made by the Wind People. She 'ad sharp features and dark eyes. 'er skin seemed to glow kinda like a faerie but she bled like a mortal. And, from what I could tell, she's a looker.. sir."  

Hook stopped dead and color drained his face. Anyone who didn't know him well would think that he had suffered a fright. His men knew better. This was fury. They all edged towards the sides of the ship, out of hook range and cowered. 

Hook, who was usually very placid, gave vent to a dangerous and deadly rage, "PAN!" he screamed and slashed madly with his hook.

The men cringed as the echoes of the yell harangued across Neverland. The three hapless men closest to him were dispatched with a blood rage that defied logic.  Their slashed and bloody bodies hit the deck and Hook was breathing heavily, his single fist was clenched. No one dared to make any sudden movements for fear of attracting the anger of this bull of a Captain. 

----

Mr. Smee was the only one who could reason with the Captain, when the Captain was this state. Smee had not been present on deck to watch the interrogation. Smee preferred to work on his maps below deck when not needed for first mate duties. He had heard the tell tale shout of fury. It made him jump so that he smudged out a few of the minor stars in the Constellation that he was working on. *

With a sigh, Smee put weights on the edges of his star map and jabbed his quill back into his ink pot and shoved in his chair.

 He ponderously made his way topside and noticing the scene, men shrinking in terror, the captain itching to kill something else, he rolled his eyes and said, "My dear Captain, What has brought you to such a pass? Come, we will go to your cabin, and plan our revenge. You know that always makes you feel better."

Hook said nothing but allowed Smee to guide him back to his cabin. Once the door closed the remaining pirates scattered to various places of safety and waited for the storm to pass, too afraid to even remove their three dead mates. 

Inside the cabin, Smee proceeded to pour his captain a ration of rum and waited with an air of tried patience. 

Hook downed the fiery liquid in on gulp and, realizing where he was, shook his head somewhat and pour himself another glass full. He then turned towards his first mate, whose good sense and keen intelligence he relied upon completely. 

"Smee, I know the reason our plans were thwarted in the land without magic. That ingrate upstart, Peter Pan, got in ahead of me and took her for himself." 

Smee listened without much expression, but when Hook was through he pointed out,  "We expected something of the like, Captain, when we she was gone from her abode in the land without magic." said Smee, trying to recall dignity and reasoned discourse to the conversation. 

Hook took the hint and steadied his voice before continuing, "She needs to be captured and brought here before Simwe finds out she is on the Island. How can we bring this about, Smee?"

Smee answered, "I suppose Peter is the key to flushing her out into the open. We could make a concerted effort to capture all the lost boys and hold them as hostages for trade."

Hook laughed derisively, "Ha ha ha! No! My goodness, Smee, these poor excuses for pirates couldn't find a rabbit in a trap let alone capture two scrawny boys. Not like our previous crew at all. That would be an exercise in disappointment."

Smee began to stroke the bald patch at the top of his head. It was smooth and shiny. Smee liked to think that he could massage ideas right out of his noggin when he rubbed it just so. More often than not, this proved to be the case. 

"If Peter has the girl, that means Tiger Lily trusted him with keeping the princess safe. Peter will be gathering his allies. Is Tinkerbell still in the Dulldrums?" Smee asked.

A small, slow grin spread on Hooks face as he replied, "I believe she is."

"Well sir, wouldn't that be a problem that Pan would seek to remedy before Tinkerbell turns?" Smee added slyly. 

"Smee, I believe you're on to something." Hook commended with glee.

Both men put their heads together and came up with a plan.

*The Constellations on Neverland are quite different than those on earth, they do not change seasonally as Neverland does not have seasons. The stars do get bored every few decades and rearrange themselves. Scholars of the sky maps like Smee, are hard pressed to explain this phenomenon.*