Eleanora stood before the dashing pirate captain, contemplating what he had just told her. He and his men had heard of the grand ball taking place at the palace nearby, and had decided to rob the unsuspecting guests. After all, royalty and nobility from near and far would be there, decked out in their finest. However, when they arrived at the docks and made their way through the town in the direction of the palace, Captain Hook had caught wind of the commotion at Eleanora's house, and his curiosity won out.
Thus, the pirates bore witness to the wonders of a fairy godmother's magic. Compared to that, even a trunk load of jewels and coins seemed like nothing. It was not worth possibly getting arrested over, and so Hook had decided to catch Eleanora alone and steal her glass slippers. To some, it might seem strange for one of the most fearsome pirates in the world and beyond to steal a woman's shoes, even if they were made of magic. However, Hook was greedy, and could not care less about that.
So, there he waited while Eleanora made a decision. " Come now, my dear. My patience is wearing thin. Either quietly hand over your precious slippers, and your jewels, or I shall take them by force. What say you?" Eleanora stared him down. " I propose we make a deal; I shall give it all to you to do with as you please, if you allow me to sail away with you." Hook's eyebrows rose to his hairline in surprise. " You wish to come with us? A pirate ship is no place for a woman! A pirate's life is filled with thievery and bloodshed, both of which make women tremble in fear." Eleanora smirked. " Well, you should have gathered by now that I am not like other women."
Captain Hook threw his head back in laughter. " Indeed. How true you are, lass. Very well, we have an accord." The pirate and young woman shook hands, sealing their deal. Eleanora proceeded to undo her hair, gathering all of the diamond stars that had adorned it. Handing them to one pirate and her slippers to another, the group began to make their way back to the ship. Eleanora, however, hesitated. Noticing this, Captain Hook stopped. " Aren't you coming, lass?" She nodded, but said, " In a moment. I just need a quick word with the carriage driver here." Hook smiled and nodded, continuing on with his crew.
Eleanora approached the driver, who had been watching the whole exchange in shock and fear. " I am sorry about all of that." Eleanora apologized. He simply waved it off, glad that the pirates were gone. " I need you to do something for me." Eleanora continued. " Go to the palace and find my stepfamily's carriage driver. Tell him to deliver a message to them when the ball is over. Say that I left and most likely will not be coming back, but do not reveal whom I left with. Have him tell my stepsisters that I love them and that I am sorry, but I have to do this. I am old enough to fend for myself and so no longer have to endure my stepmother's treatment." The driver nodded, having committed the message to memory. " Oh!" Eleanora exclaimed. " Please hurry. It is getting close to midnight, and you will no longer be human afterwards. Go!" She watched sadly as the carriage sped off towards the palace, knowing that those will be the last words she will likely ever give to her sisters.
With one last sigh, Eleanora rushed to board the ship, excited at the prospect of a new life filled with dangerous exploits and the exploration of vast seas and foreign lands.