Tiger Lily (A Peter Pan Fanfic)

Chapter Three

"So...this is Neverland?" I asked, peering over the side of the ship. 

I'd never seen anything like it. The water was as blue as the sky, and there were rich, green, rolling hills everywhere. The sand on the beach appeared to be purely white, and there were bursts of color everywhere from groups of gorgeous flowers. 

At the edge of the beach, however, was a deep, dense-looking jungle, leading to who knows where. Just how exactly could a place be this beautiful, and belong to one of the most fearsome villains of all time? 

A shiver ran down my spine as I thought about what would happen if we encountered him.

"Aye it is, lass, " my dad said from beside me, gazing out at the anchor. Turning his head to the crew, he ordered, "Get ready to drop the anchor and prepare the dinghies!"

As my father said this, an un-moving object caught my eye in the water. It appeared to be...human.

"Wait!" I exclaimed madly, pointing to a spot in the water. "There! In the sea! There's a boy!"

As my dad began barking new orders for the crew to hoist the boy up, I watched with my lips pressed tightly together. The boy in the water wasn't moving at all. Perhaps he had drowned? 

The crew tossed a knotted rope overboard, heaving the boy up over the edge of the ship. He was sopping wet with dark hair and seemed to be dressed in very strange attire; a red plush-looking robe and strange striped pants.

Upon landing on the deck, the boy began sputtering and coughing up water. Watching with interest, my father said, "Good, lad. Get the sea out of your lungs."

Peering up at my father through half-closed eyes, the boy replied, "Who are you...?"

"The name's Hook. Captain Hook. Welcome aboard the Jolly Roger, my boy."

As we approached the island, the sky began to turn an ominous dark grey color, clouds blocked the sun completely, and the waves picked up more. Turning my attention to the boy, I helped him up off the ground and got a towel for him to dry off with. 

He gratefully hugged the towel to himself, and I led him below deck to my quarters. If I'd been lost at sea, the first thing I'd want to do is sleep. "You can sleep here, if you'd like, " I said, "Don't worry, we're not that bad. We don't bite."

"Thank you, I appreciate it, " the boy said, climbing on to my bed, "What's your name?"

"I'm Lily, but some people call me Tiger Lily. You are?" I asked, leaning against the door frame.

"I'm Baelfire."

"It's been a pleasure. Now, get some rest."

With that, I turned and headed to the bridge of the ship. Where had I heard that name before? Baelfire...Baelfire...I recognized it somehow. It was just the "how" part that was getting me. Perhaps my father knew him.

"...What if the boy belongs to him? The ones he kidnaps from the other worlds. I'd bet my rations on it." I heard Smee say.

He and my father seemed to be in somewhat of a deep conversation, and I approached them, eager to find out what it was they were talking about.

"Indeed..." my father murmured, "but could we be so lucky?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"We believe the boy might belong to...the owner of this place." my father responded.

No one dared to say his name, that much I picked up on. I had never seen this villian in person, and I wasn't sure I wanted to. Given the right circumstances, though, I would not pass up a duel with him. My nickname was "Tiger Lily" for a reason. I could take on almost any adversary. What would make this one any different?