Once A Lost Girl | Once Upon A Time Story | Peter Pan

03x04 - Port and Starboard - Past

        I watched as the island disappeared behind us. I really just did that. I just lied and got away unscathed. In the process, I left Baelfire behind. He's lasted this long. I'm sure he'll be okay... I hope.

        The boat gently swayed on the open ocean. It looked like there'd be nothing for miles. I suppose I should get comfortable--make nice with all the pirates on the ship. Specifically, I should make friends with the Captain. If he respects me, the rest of the crew should follow.

        I made my way up the stairs to where Hook stood, manning the wheel. He spared me a single glance. "I'm not sure whether that was brave or incredibly stupid."

        "Doesn't matter--it worked," I said, "I got us out."

        "Us, lass?" Hook cocked his eyebrow and gave me an incredulous look, "since when was it us?"

        "Not sure," I looked out over the ship. The thing looked to have more sails than it could handle, but handle them it did. A couple of swabbies were mopping the main deck, loudly recounting stories of youth and apparent vitality. Mr. Smee was taking a few items below deck. "But Bae gave me a lot to think about while I'm gone."

          "Yeah, well. It won't be 'us' for long. Once you're back with the Queen I have my own business to take care of--and then I have that bloody demon to deal with."

          "Peter?" I asked.

          He leered at me, "Pan, love. No one ever calls him by his first name--he's too dark for that. Whatever he's told you, forget it. It's a lost cause to trust someone like him. We'll be lucky if he waits to skin me an' my crew till we return to Neverland."

         "He won't."

         I glanced down. Carved into the railing was a compass. The letters 'P' and 'S' were written on the left and right sides respectively. My fingers traced the carving absently. What reason would a Pirate have to carve directions into his own ship? An actual compass would be more efficient. What do P and S even mean?

         "Port and Starboard," Hook said. It was like he read my mind. "Sides of the ship."

         I looked up at him. His eyes seemed distant and regretful. "Why'd you carve them into the ship?"

         "Doesn't matter." Hook stared forward. "We'll be in the Enchanted Forest soon enough. There's one stop I do have to make, however."

        "Stop? Where?"

        "Oh, nowhere in particular. I've just got to see my old friend Blackbeard. He owes me a debt."

        We didn't speak much after that. It was silent for a while after I'd spoken to the Captain when his First Mate Mr. Smeed walked up to me. He was sweet--definitely too sweet to be on a pirate ship. It makes me doubt how genuine he is. A pirate is a pirate and one thing they have in common is they're all rough-necked and scarred. They've got some bone to pick with the reigning army or monarch. What exactly would a king or queen have to do to make Smeed so sour?

       One shout of "port!" from a crewmember and suddenly the entire crew was in motion, preparing to dock. I stood and moved portside making sure to stay out of the way. The land was right there and as such was the dock. We pulled in and they were finishing tying up sails.

       "Right, lass. Stay on the ship, stay out of trouble. We'll only be a moment." Hook departed, his crew following behind him. I huffed.

       "You'll be walking into a tavern. We'll be here all night," I said to the sky.

        It was around midday now, and I'd sat for an hour in the heat wasting away on the deck of the ship. I couldn't sit there anymore. I got up and walked onto the dock. I could see a couple of Hooks men walking over, laughing boisterously. I ducked behind a barrel and waited for them to pass before taking off before they could realize I was gone.

        The little port town was a decent size. There was an inn and a tavern, of course, but there were quite a few fishermen and some of the displays in the market were selling the fish so cheap I was wondering if the catch was always that good. If even the merchant is willing to sell it for only a few copper pieces then there must be plenty. Or it's old.

        I figured I shouldn't go into the tavern, but my curiosity bested me. I crept up to the door and pushed it open. Everyone was minding their own business. The barmaids were passing out ale and the swashbucklers were heckling a man telling a story about a time he wrestled the Kraken. I couldn't tell if he knew he was lying or if he believed it.

        Hook spotted me and only sighed. The man opposite him wore a red coat. He turned, noticing Hook's gaze and chuckled. I don't know what he said, but the pirate captain waved me over. I had half a mind to leave. Instead, I walked over and sat by Hook.

        "Who's yer lass, Hook?" The man said, "innit she a bit young?"

        "We're not together," Hook explained, "and you still owe me an answer. You'd better pay up Blackbeard--"

        "Or what? You'll sick your men on me?"

        "It's not the men you should be afraid of," I said darkly. I have no idea what was prompting me to do this. Threatening a man of the sea is asking to die. It was too late now.

         Blackbeard chuckled. It was a hearty laugh that resonated deep in his chest. "Then who exactly should I be afraid of?"

        "Take a guess. I could snap my fingers and burn you alive."

        "You? Kill me? That's cute lassie, but this is no time for games."

        "I'm not playing games." I let the anger wash over me. I could feel it tightening around my heart. I flicked my hand and threw his rum in his face and the cup against the wall. "And if you even think about coming for me, the Queen will finally have a reason to care about your pathetic life."

        Blackbeard didn't scare easy, but he got the message. He took his handkerchief and wiped the alcohol from his face and beard, sneering at us both. "You'll get what I owe, Hook. No more, no less. Threaten me again, and you'll have to worry about more than that crocodile of yours." He got up and left.

        Hook sat there, genuinely dumbfounded. "That worked?"

        "It's been my experience that men have two responses to being threatened. Men with honor stand and fight, men who are cowards talk big and never show up to the battle."

        "And you could tell he was a coward?" The captain asked.

        "No. But most people cower at mention of the Evil Queen." I stood. "We should go before said Queen loses what's left of her mind."

        Hook led me out. No one seemed to have paid much attention to what I'd done or said to Blackbeard. It's better that way, even if they'd never move against the Queen I'm tired of people trying to crucify me.

        Just before we'd gotten on the ship Hook paused and turned to me. "Forgive me, but I do have one question." I nodded for him to continue. "Where, exactly, did you learn how to threaten people?"

        "People have always felt threatened by me. Add words to the magic and they'll never trespass against you again."

        I boarded the ship before the captain and took place in an out-of-the-way corner. It would be a long time before we made it back to the port closest to the castle. Might as well get comfortable.

And I am so glad it's towards the end of school. I'll get more time to write and be able to focus on all of my stories which I'm honestly so stoked about. This last half of the semester took me out, guys. 

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Hope everyone has a good day/night/week!

Yours Truly, 

              The Black Rose