Hook gaped at the man, but quickly regained his composure. "It is bold for one to claim he has found a fulfillment to a prophecy," he reminded Smee.
Smee nodded, but replied, "She fulfills every one of the prophecies but the last." They both looked at the last part of the tattered scroll.
Stars in her Eyes, Blue like the Skies
Only Love will allow Her to Fly
This Shall be the Last Woman in Neverland.
"Why does she not fulfill this?" the Captain chuckled. "Are her eyes of a different color, or a dark blue like the ocean depths.
Smee shook his head. "She dares not love," he answered quietly.
Hook's brows furrowed. What did Smee mean, she dares not to love? Every woman loved at least someone or something. Surely the old man was mistaken. "But what of that? It only takes some of the golden dust to make a human fly," Hook wondered aloud.
Smee looked at him. "That I cannot answer, but somehow I know. . . I know that this is the one."
After much consideration, the scrolls were brought back to the ship for more studying. Smee left the Captain alone with the scrolls until dark, when he returned with his supper. Not only was Smee the first mate, but an excellent cook as well. The Captain turned as Smee entered the room. "Smee," he said after the scrolls were set aside and his dinner set before him, "I want to see this girl - this woman that you claim fulfills Neverland's Prophecy."
Smee's eyes widened. He had known the Captain would want to see Lilly after studying the prophecies more thoroughly, but he hadn't realized it would be so soon. Though Lilly seemed to trust him, Smee didn't know how she would react to another man, especially after what she had been through with her own father. But that chance would have to be taken. It wasn't exactly like the Captain was asking him if he could meet the girl, he just stated that he would see her.
Plans were made for that very evening, and Smee did his best to hide his worries of the future from Lilly when he took her breakfast. She seemed to be doing some better, but her eyes were red from crying. The little old man could not help be concerned for her, already he cared for her as if she was his own daughter. Trying to help lightened her spirits, he asked about the little doe whom Lilly was with the day they had met.
Lilly's whole personality was transformed from depressed to lively and excited as she talked about Jewel and her unborn baby, and Nomad. Her stories extended to the other forest creatures and her little bluebird friend. Speaking of the little bird, after watching Smee with his human, he saw that there was no harm to come from him. He had even gone so far as to take some bread from his hand while swooping down to the ground, but he would never perch on the man's hand or head or shoulder. That honor was reserved for his human girl.
The day passed much as it had the day before, but today the animals were in the mood for a story. The rabbits, foxes, wolves, opossums, racoons, deer, bobcats, and squirrels all came together to listen. Lilly wasn't sure if they could really understand her stories, but she liked to pretend they did. And the fact that so many of them came together - predator and prey alike - surely spoke for itself.
Both the storyteller and her captivated audience where so enchanted into the story, none of them noticed when two intruders crept up behind two trees to watch. Smee nudged Hook. "Do you see now why I am so sure?" he whispered. Hook could only nod mutely as he stared at all the animals that would sooner be shot then be anywhere near each other lay down listening to the story. His eyes roamed over the crowd to the human, sitting in front of a tree, her hands moving, acting out the story herself the best she could. His breath hitched in his throat. She was so beautiful, but not just the beauty that every woman has. Her eyes sparkled with such life, her hair falling around her shoulders - unbrushed but not matted or tangled in the least. (Little did he know she had the racoons help her with just that problem.) She did not have beauty, she was beauty. Words could not describe her.
The Captain shook his head to rid himself of these ridiculous notions. He had merely come to see why Smee felt this woman was the prophetic woman of Neverland, not to go traipsing off on a fantasy. It was not a good idea to billow the sails before making sure the masts were anchored.
After the story was finished, the forest animals quickly dispersed. After storytime, life was back to normal, and the prey wouldn't stickin' around there any longer! Smee motioned for the Captain to stay behind the tree while he went and explained things to Lilly. "Don't tell her everything," Hook warned. Smee shook his head; he wouldn't dare try to explain to Lilly about the prophecy at the moment. He was worried enough about this meeting as it was.
Hook watched as the girl's eyes lit up when she saw Smee. She smiled so warmly at him, and her whole personality changed to one of trust. The Captain strained to hear what they were saying as they spoke in very hushed tones. He saw a streak of fear flash over the girl's eyes, but she seemed calmed when Smee took her hand, apparently trying to comfort her.
The Captain rubbed the back of his neck. He tried to straighten his coat and fix his hat just so, not to intimidate the girl, but to show her he was not some scrumpled bum.
"You can come out now, Cap'n," Smee called over his shoulder as they both stood. Hook stepped out from behind the tree and slowly advanced toward them, somehow fearing if he came to fast she would flee from both of them.
Lilly gave a small gasp and took a step back. Her eyes studied his form, testing if he was a threat. When the Captain reached them, their eyes met, and both of them froze. It was as if time had stopped, and not like it had in Neverland. That one moment seemed eternity as they searched each other's eyes, neither knowing just what they were looking for.
Smee cleared his throat slightly, making them both jump and look at him. He stepped nearer Lilly. "Miss Lilly, allow me to introduce Master James Hook, Captain of the Jolly Roger brig." Hook cast him a glare for saying "brig" in front of the lady, even though it just meant their type of ship. He bowed low at the waist. "Miss Lilly," he greeted, making a note of her bare feet. After a quick glance at Smee, who nodded, she gave a quick curtsy. "Captain," she replied softly.
They all just stood there for awhile in silence. Normally Hook could come up with some witty comment at any moment, but his mind had drawn a blank, no matter how much he racked it for at least something to say. All he could do was stand there and study Lilly, remembering the everlasting moment they had shared only a few minutes ago.
Suddenly, the Captain was almost knocked at his feet by a fast-flying object hurtling toward his head! At the last moment, he dodged out of the way, nearly knocking over both Smee and Lilly! Lilly grabbed his arm with her hands to help steady him. "Are you alright?" she quickly asked.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. I apologize for almost knocking you over," he quickly answered.
Lilly shook her head, smiling just slightly. "No harm done." But then a frown swept across her face and she looked behind the Captain with her hands on her hips. "Now you come back here, and explain yourself!" she cried to the seeming empty forest behind him. Guiltily, a small bluebird fluttered over to her hand. "An angry chorus is one thing," she scolded, glancing at Smee, "but acting like a cannon is entirely different! What was going through your mind, you little mischief?" The little bird hid his face under his wing. "Apologize now," she whispered. He whipped his head up faster than a cheetah can run and burst out whistles so fast it would make your head spin. Lilly raised an eyebrow, and if bluebirds could growl, he could have; but he slowly turned to Hook and gave two short peeps before flying away as fast as his little wings could carry him.
Lilly shook her head, grinning now. "I don't know what I'm going to do with that one," she said gaily to the air around her. "May I suggest a cage?" Hook mumbled. Lilly whirled on him with anger flashing in her eyes. His face suddenly stung as her palm came in contact with his face. Then she turned and ran.
Hook's eyes were wide in shock as he stared after her and touched his still stinging cheek. What had he said to make her so suddenly angry?
Smee stared after her and slowly shook his head. "Well. . . that went well, didn't it?" he sighed.