The Mermaid-Cursed Pirate

Chapter 26

Recap:

"Well, if that's the end of your story, it's time for you to leave," Pan orders.

"No!" Charlie shouts, standing up and walking to Pan. "She didn't do this to hurt us. She did what she thought was best. She is still a Lost Girl. So we will treat her like one. Tonight we celebrate our time with her and if she still wants to leave in the morning, we will let her."

The rest of the boys stand up and move between Pan and Sirena. Pan sighs and nods his head before walking away. The boys cheer and hug Sirena, surrounding her in love.

"Let's party!" shouts Charlie, making everyone laugh.

----------------------------

After a night of making happy memories, Sirena woke up by the smoldered campfire with Charlie's head resting on her leg. Once she sat up, stretching, she realized all of the Lost Boys were spread out around her. Not one boy had gone to his tent that night. Instead, they stayed together through the morning.

Unfortunately, the sun must rise. The boys' smiling faces faded once they realized that Sirena was leaving them. Charlie attached himself to Sirena's hip as soon as he woke up. Breakfast was a silent meal for the first time. Eventually, everyone made their way to the beach for Sirena's send-off, even Pan - who had watched the festivities but didn't join in. It was now time for the goodbyes. Sirena hugged each of the boys, then she turns to Peter. But he already knows exactly what she's going to say.

"I really am sorry I have to leave again. But you guys aren't losing me. If all goes well, I will return to Neverland someday soon. If it doesn't go quite as planned, we may still be able to talk to each other." She looks at the boys and gives them each a sad smile, then pulls out a beautiful shell from the bag. "I've enchanted this shell so I can talk to whoever is holding it. Unfortunately, I don't know if it will work where I'm going."

"Where are you going?" Pan hears Charlie ask.

"I may be going to the Land Without Magic." She sighs, "But I don't know. I could end up anywhere. Maybe I'll be lucky and he can break the curse." Charlie gives her a sad smile and one last hug before she picks up her bag and walks to the ocean. Before she touches the water, she turns around. "I love each and every one of you. Never forget that. I'll never forget you."

----------------------------

Sirena swam for a few hours before she felt a surge of energy hit her. She smiled, knowing that meant she was going the right way. She surfaced and saw the Jolly Roger making its way through the water. She saw a familiar form walking around the edge of the ship, looking at the water.

"Over here, captain!" she shouts to him.

"So I was right, that feeling was from you?" he shouts back.

"I believe so, captain."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Get up here!" he teases.

She creates a pillar of water that takes her to the deck with ease. Before he could blink, she was onboard. "Hello, captain," she says with a smirk.

He didn't say anything, he just stared at her with his mouth open and a strange look in his eyes that Sirena couldn't decipher. He shook his head and smirked back. "Someone has been anxiously awaiting your arrival, Sirena. We should go see her, ay?"

"Ay, captain," she mocks but follows him anyway. They go below deck and enter a cabin that has books tossed everywhere. "You should treat your books better, Viviane, or you won't have any soon enough."

Viviane attacks Sirena with a hug after she digs herself out of the pile of books she was searching through. "Sirena, you made it! I was worried you were never going to get here. You sure took your time."

Sirena's smile drops, "I didn't want to leave the boys. Again."

Viviane sees the captain reach to hug her for a second before he pulls back. She smirks as she sees him decide to place a hand on her shoulder instead.

"You can still talk to them, lass. We'll get this sorted out somehow. Who knows, some of them may want to join my crew someday."

"You would let them join your crew? Even after all of the things they've done to you all?"

"They were following Pan's orders. Besides, they thought it was all good fun. If they visit you and decide to stay, they are more than welcome. I know they were like your brothers."

Tears of joy fall from Sirena's eyes. She pulls him into a hug. "That means a lot to me, Killian. Thank you."

He hugs her back. "You are very welcome, lass."