Luckily for them, there was a ship passing by as they broke through the tree line and onto the beach. They all screamed and jumped, waving frantically. The ship made its way towards them, and Rapunzel couldn't help smiling. Her smile vanished though as she saw the ship get closer.

"Mer...is that...?"

Merida nodded.

Rapunzel cursed, and Hiccup just stood speechless. "Who's that?" Jack asked.

"Eret" Hiccup finally said after a few moments of silence. "And who is that exactly?"

"Just an old enemy who I haven't seen in a while" Rapunzel answered. Jack raised an eyebrow. "Don't ask" Rapunzel said before Jack could even open his mouth.

A small life boat was lowered into the sea, and two men got on, and then proceeded to row towards them. The closer they got, the more Rapunzel wanted to run back into the forest, but then thought of Pitch capturing them made Eret and his crew of idiots seem like angels.

"Well well, what do we got here?" one man asked. He wore a worn out eye patch and was missing two of his bottom teeth. The other silently waited for them to get on. They did, and were silent the entire row back to the ship.

Rapunzel and Merida exchanged looks, but didn't dare say anything. As they climbed on the ship, Rapunzel had to clench her fists to keep herself from making a face. The ship reeked of rum and vomit, as well as other things Rapunzel wold rather not think of.

Eret stood there in the middle of the deck, his crew standing behind. He smirked, and Rapunzel wanted nothing more than to mop the floor with his face to wipe off his smug look.

"Why, this is truly a pleasant surprise" Eret drawled. He strolled forward, circling Rapunzel and her friends who stood behind her.

"Eret" Rapunzel said as nonchalantly as she could. "Why, my dear Rapunzel, who would've thought that this of all places would be where we would meet again". Eret caressed her cheek. Merida growled, but Rapunzel raised a hand, stopping Merida from advancing. She removed Eret's hand from her cheek.

"Eret, this surprise is as unpleasant for me as it is for you. But, as much as I hate to ask, I need your help."

Eret raised both eyebrows,clearly stunned. He broke into a smile that only made Rapunzel want to throttle him even more.

"Hmm, this is quite interesting" Eret unsheathed a bejeweled dagger, inspecting it and cleaning nonexistent smudges. "Now, why does the so called 'Queen of pirates' need my help? If I'm not mistaken, last time we met you called me a-what was it? Oh, a no good, scum bag pirate, and an even worse captain". A few snickers escaped from the crew behind Eret, and he threw them a venomous glare, shutting them all up.

Rapunzel took a deep breath. "Pitch Black is after me and if you don't want him to take you too, then I suggest we get out of here."

The silence stretched on for a few long seconds. Eret laughed. "You really are funny. You expect me to believe that the infamous Pitch Black, would waste his time chasing a decieving whore lik-" Eret stumbled back as Rapunzel's fist connected with his jaw. She snatched the dagger from his hand, kicked his leg out so he was on one knee, and held the blade against his neck. He looked up at her in shock, his hair tightly clenched in her hand.

Merida had nocked an arrow and aimed it at the crew. Her murderous glare was enough for them to know that if they so much as moved an inch towards Rapunzel, they'd end up with an arrow in their throat.

"Listen to me you worthless bastard. Pitch Black is coming, and if he catches us you will all die. You, your crew, and that rude parrot that always steals crackers from your boatswain. Now, I am not in any mood to be captured and killed by that monster, so you either help me, or I will not hesitate to throw you overboard and take off with your own ship and crew."

Eret was speechless. "Y-you wouldn't dare. You're too righteous" he said. Rapunzel arched an eyebrow, but true to her word, she dragged him towards the ship's railing and pushed him overboard. She turned back to see the stunned faces of the crew.

"If anyone wishes to join your captain, please be my guest. But, if you want to live, then you will do as I say."

No one objected. "Alright then. Everyone to your positions. Now!"

The men scurried around to their positions. She turned to face her friends. Merida had lowered her bow, a small smile on her face. Hiccup was leaning against the railing, and Jack...Jack looked like he'd been slapped with a fish.

"You're...a pirate?" he asked.

Rapunzel fidgeted with her hands and nodded. She opened her mouth to say something, but someone else spoke behind her.

"Excuse me, milady."

She turned to see a young boy, most likely not even her age, standing there holding a raggedy hat in his hands. "Yes?"

"Where should we set course to, milady?" he asked, his voice shaky.

"Who are you?"

"The ship's helmsman" the boy answered. Rapunzel looked back at Hiccup, he was still leaning against the railing, except now his face looked somewhat pale.

"What's your name?" Rapunzel asked, turning back to face the boy. He looked like he must've been about nineteen. He had big brown eyes and hair that looked both red and brown at the same time.

"Peter, Peter Pan."

"Well, Peter, please do set course for Montressor" Rapunzel said, smiling softly at the boy. He nodded, smiling back and then scurrying towards the wheel.

She heard Merida exclaim, and then a loud thud. She turned to see Merida shaking and shouting Hiccup's name. Hiccup lay sprawled on the floor, unconscious. She rushed to kneel beside him.

"What happened?"

Merida shook her head. "Ah don't know, he looked really pale, and when Ah asked him what was wrong, he just collapsed" Merida was close to tears.

Jack pulled up Hiccup's pant leg. Rapunzel covered her mouth with her hand. His cut, although only having received it half an hour ago, had now stopped bleeding and looked red. There was pus in the middle. Rapunzel exchanged looks with both Merida and Jack.

"How is this possible?" Jack asked. Rapunzel shook her head. "I don't know."

She looked at Merida again. "Mer, it looks like it's been badly infected..."

Merida shook her head, knowing what Rapunzel was trying to say. "We can't, he'll die from blood loss."

"I know it's a big risk, but he'll die anyways of we don't. Montressor is still weeks away. If we want him to make it we're going to have to amputate his leg."