Chapter 36
At Peter's command the Indian braves, led by Tiger Lilly, clamored overboard and attacked the pirate holding the lost boys captive. The pirates released their hold on the boys in order to preserve their lives.
Peter lost sight of Wendy and Hook in the tumultuous fighting. Panic gripping his chest, he smashed his head into one pirate and kicking the other with his feet. Peter was free. He jumped up into the air, straining against the ropes that bound his wrists, trying to find Wendy. A gunshot rang out over the ship silencing the fighting. Dread lodged into Peter's stomach and he frantically turned towards the sound. Pirates, lost boys and braves parted around the Captain whose pistol was raised in the air, smoke curling from its barrel.
"Come down boy and tell your men to surrender, if you want her to live." Hook demanded as he pressed his hook into the girl's throat. The tip drawing a drop of bright crimson, making Wendy let out a small whimper.
Peter's heart clenched as he watched the blood trickle down Wendy's neck. He slowly floated down to the deck. Pirates pounced, dragging Peter in front of Hook and roughly forcing him to his knees. Hook sneered down at the boy, and then lifted his eyes.
"Listen well all of you, to the downfall of Peter Pan!" Hook spit. "Once upon a time there was a boy who never wanted to grow up. He thought himself invincible, without weakness, impervious to attack. He lived a carefree life tormenting the pirates who sailed the waters of his island. He thought his life was complete. Then one fateful day things changed. He met a girl, and he realized for the first time that he was incomplete, that he had a weakness. And it was in the form of a silly girl. A silly girl who could make or break the Great Pan with a single word!"
Hook turned his attention to Peter. Raising a fistful of Wendy's hair and sniffing it.
"She is such a delightsome little thing isn't she? All those stories, the flying, fighting side by side. It stirred feelings inside you Pan did it not? New and exciting feelings! You craved her smile, you lived for her laughter, and you longed for the next magical moment when it was just the two of you. Your heart pounded when she was near, you felt dizzy, and you felt brighter than the stars when she looked at you."
Hook forced Wendy's chin down. "Yes Peter that look! The one that set your skin ablaze. The look of someone who cares deeply for another. The look that, dare I say it, the look that meant she loved you. But Dear ME! What an awkward situation! Peter Pan cannot love! It is part of the riddle of his being; it's what makes him… a tragedy."
Hook twirled a piece of Wendy's hair. "Did you even know she wanted to leave you Pan? Could you see beyond your selfish desires to even notice how miserable she was? I offered her a chance to return home, a chance for freedom, even a chance for a life of piracy. But no. she gave it up for you. And you couldn't even be bothered to notice."
Peter's eyes grew wide. Wendy had wanted to leave him? His heart thudded painfully in his chest. Why would she want to leave him?
Hook smiled maliciously. He could see the wheels turning in Pan's head and he was delirious with the power he finally held over the boy. "Yes Pan. She wanted to leave you. To grow up. She was tired of playing games and pretend. How do I know this, well we had a lovely little chat the other night didn't we Miss Darling?"
Hook forced Wendy's face up and looked into her frightened eyes. "Miss Darling was tired and confused. Her heart was broken and she let it all out to ol' Hook. Didn't you?"
Wendy glared and spit into Hook's eyes. Hook roared, swung Wendy around, and bashed her on the head with his hook.
"NO!" Peter and the lost boys cried. Wendy slumped to the deck, blood oozing out of the gash on her head.
Hook crouched down and lifted Wendy by her neck.
"Since Peter Pan cannot return your feelings, he must not care for you. He cannot say how important you are to him. He cannot tell you how you have become his world, the most important thing. His happiest thought. He cannot say he loves you, because that would be admitting something far worse. That Peter Pan is a Coward because Love… makes you weak!" Hook hissed and turned to Peter.
"Isn't that right Pan?"
This conversation was too familiar, the situation too dangerous, Wendy in Hook's grasp and Peter helpless to save her. No! This would not happen, not again. Peter glared up at Hook and as he spoke, he felt renewed strength pour through his veins, feeling more invincible the more he spoke.
"You're right Hook. Wendy is important to me; she is my world, my most important thing, my happiest thought. But you are wrong about one thing… Love is not a weakness."
Peter burst upright, breaking the ropes that bound him, grabbed a sword off the nearest pirate and stabbed at Hook. Caught off guard Hook was merely able to block the blow with his hook. The lost boys and Indians cheered and started an attack of their own.
Tiger Lilly ran to help the injured Wendy stand up.
"Do you think you can fight?" The Indian princess asked.
Wendy held a hand to her head, "I think so,"
Tiger Lilly nodded. "Good, stand by me. We have a plan to help Flying Eagle. We brought along an old friend of the Captain's." Tiger Lilly smiled and held up an old clock.
"A friend?" Wendy asked confused.
"Tick Tock goes the Crock." Sang Tiger Lilly.
Wendy's eyes lit up. "Oh that is perfe…Watch out!" Wendy grabbed the Indian princess and pulled her out of the path of Mullin's sword. Tiger Lilly swiftly put an arrow into his leg. Mullins howled and backed off. Tiger Lilly turned to Wendy with newfound appreciation and handed her Mullin's sword.
"Fight strong Little Sparrow."
Wendy nodded and headed into the fray, followed closely by Tiger Lilly.
On the other side of the ship Hook swerved as Peter flew and slashed by. Hook growled.
"SMEE GET ME A SWORD!"
The clumsy first mate bumbled his way over to the Captain, sword in hand. "H..here you go Cap'n."
Hook snatched the sword and searched for Pan with rage filled eyes. But Pan found him first.
"Have at thee!" Peter yelled landing on the deck. He advanced towards Hook. Lung. Parry. Block. Peter's moves were swift and calculated. Hook's were strong and forceful. They were equally matched. Swords clashed, Hook locked Peter's sword against his own, pulling the boy towards him.
"You said Love was not a weakness, but that is all I see. She makes you weak Pan. She makes you venerable. She is the chink in your armor." Hook sneered.
Peter yanked his sword out of Hook's grasp. "Wrong again old man! She makes me stronger, she makes me want to fight harder."
"And what if she was taken from you Pan? What then?"
Peter lunged at the captain. "That will never happen."
Hook blocked his approach easily. "Oh but it will. On day Wendy will get bored of you and demand to be taken back to London."
Hook slashed out at Peter. "Let us now take a peep into the future. What's this I see? Tis the fair Wendy in her nursery. The window is shut."
"I'll open it!" Peter shouted as he advanced on Hook.
"I'm afraid the window is barred."
Peter swiped, "I'll call out her name."
"She can't hear you, she can't see you, and she's forgotten all about you."
"NO!" Peter swung his sword with all his might.
"What's this? There is another in your place. He is called a husband. And he has taken your precious Wendy away from you." Hook smiled as he blocked Peter's moves.
Hook's words were worming into Peter's mind, making it hard to fly, he was sinking. Hook lashed out, cutting Peter across the shoulder. Peter cried out in pain. He glanced over and saw a flash of blue. Mouth set in grim determination Peter attacked Hook again.
"She said she loves me! And I love her!" Peter slashed Hook's arm. Blood poured from the wound.
"Insolent boy!" Hook roared. "What do you know about love?"
As Peter fought he thought of all the special little moments he and Wendy had shared. All of her smiles, laughs, and tender touches. He thought about taking care of her bruises, training her, being proud of her accomplishments. A swelling feeling rose up in Peter's chest until he could hardly contain it. Peter stuck one last mighty blow and stabbed.
Hook faltered and missed the block, the sword going straight into his gut. Peter looked Hook dead in the eyes, hand catching Hook's hook as it swung down. Seeing the life bleed out of the captain Peter spoke.
"I know more of love than you."
Peter pulled out his sword and shoved Hook down, leaving the pirate to bleed out. Peter looked down at his long time enemy.
"Old, alone, and done for."
Peter left the fading pirate and went to find Wendy. He grabbed her arm as she was about to strike at him.
"OH! Oh! Peter I thought you were a pirate!" Wendy exclaimed. She saw red on Peter's shoulder, "Peter are you alright? Goodness what's happened? Where's Hook?"
Peter chuckled at Wendy's spill of words. He brushed her hair tenderly out of her face. "I'm fine, Hook is dead, or will be soon. Are you alright?"
Wendy blushed under the intensity of his gaze. "I'm fine."
Relieved Peter let out a breath. Taking one of Wendy's hands, and ignoring the fighting around them, he brushed his thumb over her soft skin.
"Wendy there's something I need to tell you."
Confused Wendy looked up at Peter. "Yes?"
"Wendy I…"
A gun shot sounded across the ship. Wendy's eyes went wide and she doubled over. Peter hurried to catch her, his hand touching something sticky.
Hook stood behind Wendy, hand staunching the blood gushing from his wound. Hook staggered and dropped the pistol, falling to his knees. With one last laugh he looked at Peter.
"Now it is you who is done for."
...
Don't kill me! *Hides*
Sorry it took so long to update. I have loved reading your reviews and the follows and fav support has been amazing! I will update super soon I promise!
Special thanks to sultal for reassuring me when things get a little hairy. And to DemonHeart42.