Title: The Forever Dance
Author: Squeezynz
Chapter: Four - Spoiling for a Fight
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Author's Note: thanks to you all for your enthusiastic and wonderful reviews, it makes me positively glow.....your kind words are the best pirate treasure an author can hoard.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The view was breathtaking. Perched as they were on the side of mountain, they had a panoramic view over a wide sweep of the island. Wendy also noted that the vantage point gave them a clear view of the bay where the new ship, The Moonshadow, wallowed at berth.
Behind them the moon had risen in all her cold beauty, shining down on Neverland and turning the world black and white. At first Wendy had been intrigued to see Peter's world from such a high look-out, Peter pointing out familiar landmarks, all cloaked in shadows and looking nothing like they did in the daylight. TinkerBell had flown away after a little while, her temper not improved when Peter pulled Wendy down to sit on a rock ledge next to him, their sides touching. They watched as the bright ball of light sped off into the night, disappearing at length back into the forest.
"I'm sorry I've upset TinkerBell,"
Peter turned to look at her, shrugging. "Don't worry about it...Tink is just.....Tink. Remember when you asked me what I thought of as jealousy? That's Tink....I sometimes feel that she thinks I'm her property or something," Peter chuffed to himself, "I can't imagine not having her around."
"Won't she always be around?" Wendy asked, puzzled by his wording.
"Of course....I just...I wonder sometimes what it would be like.....to leave Neverland." Peter felt his face heat up, glad that the moonlight bleached out all colour.
The seconds ticked by, Wendy quite stunned that Peter would even consider such a thing. There had been times when she had wished that Peter would make the decision to stay with her in London, leave Neverland and grow up with her. But she was not so selfish as to wish him to give up his special world, having seen it again. She understood that Peter and his world were one and the same, the magical island as much a part of him as the air they breathed.
"Don't ever leave Neverland Peter....." Wendy finally whispered, her throat tight with emotion. "You belong here....where its clean, where the sky isn't filled with soot and fog. Where growing up is something that only happens to trees, not children."
She drew in a shaky breath, "I wish sometimes.....I could stay with you."
Finding it all too much, Wendy jumped to her feet and walked a pace away, her head bent.
Peter also rose, his hands suddenly clammy. Why don't you Wendy....why don't you stay......live with me here....don't go back to London....stay here......forever."
"What of my family Peter? My mother and father, my brothers, the lost boys?" Wendy shook her head, "I can no more leave them, than you can leave all this," she swept her arm in an arc.
"So you'd rather go back, grow up...grow old,"
"Everyone does Peter......it's the way of things."
"Not here Wendy.........here we can be as we are...no grownups, no rules...."
"But even here Peter.....things change. Hook may be gone, but now you have Captain Moon. I saw it in your eyes. If I wasn't here you'd be down there now, taunting them, fighting them.......it's what you live for."
"But you are here......and I want you to stay," Peter had stepped closer, the heat of his body reaching out and enveloping her.
Feeling torn, Wendy covered her face with her hands, blotting out the moonlight and Peter. "I can't....I have to grow up....I don't want to...but it's out of my hands."
Taking the last step to bring him right in front of her, Peter slowly reached up and took her hands away from her face. Instantly, Wendy turned her face away.
"Look at me Wendy......please. I know you've grown, I've noticed....but I don't think you have. I've grown too....I think....I think during all my visit to you, I've been growing a little each time....look at me."
Wendy lifted her eyes to his.
"I've noticed Peter......I just didn't want to believe it....I thought if I didn't mention it.....you wouldn't notice. I thought it might be my fault.......that I somehow made you grow up, when you didn't want to."
"I didn't.......then......but now........we could..." Peter swallowed, "we could grow up here......together."
For a second Wendy stared at him, blinking to stop her tears from blinding her.
"You would....grow up....with me?"
"Why not.....as it's happening anyway.....why not have it happen here.....in Neverland. You said yourself......London is dirty, cold.....here we'd have everything we'd need."
"And we'd grow up.....together....you'd become.....a-a man?"
"I've always hated the thought of being a man.....but that was before you, Wendy. I don't want to be......deficient or just a boy."
"Oh Peter.....you're not deficient, never deficient....I was just so angry..." Peter stopped her with his hand against her lips.
"I was deficient Wendy.......but now.....now I think that being a man wouldn't be so bad.......if you were to stay with me?"
Overcome by his confession, Wendy felt something tear inside her, a sob escaping her lips before she clamped them together. Troubled and unsure, she swung on her heel and turned her back on him, her hands covering her face again as she sought to compose herself.
Stung by her apparent rejection, Peter let his hands drop to his sides, a stone lodging in his chest as he took her silence for a no.
Backing away, Peter stared at the ground, his eyes burning.
"I made a mistake......I thought......but I see, I was wrong." Before Wendy could react, Peter twisted and leapt into the air, his body streaking away from the mountain, instantly invisible against the stars.
Shocked, Wendy stared up into the sky, her face as white as the moon.
"What have I done.....Peter......oh no......PETER!"
Hopelessly overwhelmed with the feelings churning inside her, Wendy sank to the ground and gave in to the sobs shaking her body.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Lilliana looked up at the sky and saw something steak across the moon. She blinked, not quite believing what she'd seen.
"Did you see that Paolo?"
The youth stretched out on the sand beside her grunted, his head tilting to look in the direction she pointed.
"No I don't suppose you did.......maybe I'm seeing things."
From the arched eyebrow, Lilliana easily read his question.
"I don't know.....it looked like...." she chuckled to herself, "it looked like someone flying across the moon."
Paolo's teeth gleamed whitely in the moonlight, his blond hair silver as Captain Moon leant across the small gap and ruffled it, as if he was a puppy.
As she pulled away, Paolo gripped her hand at the wrist, bringing it slowly back so that the palm rested again his lips. Feeling a shiver of desire spark down her spine, she submitted to his intimate caress, before pulling her hand free, her lips curving into a smile at his boldness.
"Not tonight, I want to keep my wits about me...and you are too distracting for your own good."
Pouting, Paolo flopped back onto the still warm sand, his arm coming up to cover his eyes. Relaxing back on her pallet, Lilliana stared once more up into the night sky, her expression thoughtful.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Peter flew to the other side of Neverland, as far from the girl he'd left on the mountain, as far from the source of anguish as he could get. Setting down on the pinnacle of a rocky outcrop, its base washed by waves, Peter stood looking out to the horizon. His body seemed to vibrate with tension, his heart beating wildly as he narrowed his eyes, trying to see beyond the limits of his world as if to wrest the secrets out into the open.
He felt hurt and confused, he'd been so sure that Wendy would welcome his invitation to stay with him, her signals, seemingly clear. Now it seemed he'd read her all wrong, she didn't want to stay, in fact couldn't wait to leave him again. Anger welled up in him, the sea below starting to rise as he felt an unbearable pressure build up, begging for release. Unable to keep the frustration inside, he put his head back and yelled at the sky, his arms outstretched as he screamed at the heavens, the waves below the rocks rising higher and higher, the spray reaching up to him. In an explosion of movement, he rose into the sky, swirling light surrounding him, greenish in the moonlight, his body infused with energy that demanded an outlet.
Jackknifing, he flew back across the island, his hand pulling his sword from his belt, the moon glinting off the wicked blade. Flexing it in his hand he dived towards the bay where the Moonshadow floated, his face pulled into a grimace of anticipation.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Wendy lifted her head, having heard something far away.
"Peter?" She stared out over the island, seeing a swirling ribbon of light in the sky above the far end of Neverland. Not knowing what to make of it, she started to look for a way down the mountain.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
As he swooped over the sleeping ship, Peter silently surveyed the decks and rigging, his eyes counting the number on watch as he circled the Moonshadow, his eyes sparking with excitement. In a graceful move, he came to rest on the very top of the mainmast, his gaze flicking briefly to the mountain range, a jolt reminding him that he'd left Wendy stranded there. Ignoring his conscience, Peter stepped off the mast and dropped down to the deck below. He landed silently on his feet, a gently as a thistledown. Looking around he noted the man on the quarterdeck, dozing over his musket. Another man leaned against the foremast, his chin on his chest. Peter grinned to himself, sure that the men wouldn't have been so lax if their Captain had been aboard. Darting into the air again, Peter flew to the first spar, swinging his sword and slicing through the ropes and ratlines, the sail instantly sagging, falling open as he continued to cut the halyards. The men on deck were now awake and shouting, unable to make out Peter against the dark sails and night sky. With the sail now hanging against the mast, Peter slashed his sword at the insignia, shredding the crescent moon and knife design to rags. One of the men must of spotted him because the report of the musket reached him seconds before a lead ball zinged past his head. Spinning in the air, Peter laughed, anticipation of a battle firing his blood. Swooping down, he came at the man trying to reload his gun, Peter kicking him and sending him sprawling before flying up to disappear into the rigging again. By now the ships company were alerted, crewmen spilling onto the deck with lanterns and torches, swinging around and trying to see their enemy. The man on the quarterdeck was screaming at them and pointing up into the rigging. Peter slashed at another rope and the spar started to slither downwards, the men below scattering as it landed on the deck in a tangle of ropes.
Peter laughed again, swooping around the mast, making sure the men below had a clear view of him, before he landed on an upper spar and swept his sword in a wide arc, the moonlight catching the blade with bright flashes.
The men below gaped for a few seconds before a yell brought their weapons to bear on the youth poised above them. Peter had barely seconds to move as the muskets fired together, the flash bright and the report loud as lead balls splintered the spar and mast where he'd been standing only moments before.
The blood singing in his veins, Peter swooped down low over the men, his sword whistling over their heads making them duck.
Laughing, Peter flew away, the volley of musket fire loud behind him, the balls burying themselves in the foremast and rigging, just missing Peter as he ducked behind the figurehead and sped off, skimming the waves.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Wendy was negotiating the narrow path down the hillside when she heard the shots, her eyes flying to the ship, seeing the bright flashes of gun fire and knowing, with a cold dread, that Peter was down there, causing the chaos.
Going as fast as she dared in the uncertain light, Wendy hurried down the steep slope, her breath hitching in her chest as she prayed that Peter would survive his first encounter with the Moonshadow.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Captain Moon was on her feet and running to the boats, seconds after the first shot was fired. Her men weren't far behind her, their senses all on alert as their Captain shouted for them to get the boats launched and back to the ship. They were rowing strongly when the shooting stopped and there was only the sound of confused shouting coming from the Moonshadow. Within minutes they were scabbling over the gunwales into a scene of devastation.
"What the hell's going on here.......where's the captain of the watch?"
A man ran up, his gun still in his hand.
"We were attacked......the rigging was cut and the spar dropped to the deck...."
"Hell and damnation.....where is they.....that did this to my ship?"
The man, finding himself hardpressed, looked to the other night watch to help him.
"We didn't see....that is.......we only saw one...." His attention on his crewmates, the man didn't see the fist that felled him to the deck.
"Someone tell me what the hell just happened here?" Stepping over the body, Captain Moon stalked towards the men standing nonplussed amongst the ropes.
"You!" Lilliana pointed to another man. "What did you see?"
Eyeing her furious face, the man gulped before answering.
"A boy....Cap'n......a damn flying boy!" The man cringed, sure that he'd get a blow as well. It never came.
"So its true.....I didn't think it was!" Captain Moon stood for a minute, her hand resting on her hip, her other hand against her chin. "A flying boy.....you were telling the truth James...and I didn't believe you."
Recalling herself, Lilliana shouted for the men to clear up the mess before signalling for her senior officers to follow her to the cabin. She also indicated for Paolo to follow, the other men jumping to her command as she left the deck.
Once in the cabin, Lilliana cast her pistols onto the table and rounded on her lieutenants.
"It would seem, gentlemen, that we have an enemy on this island. If what I have been told about him is true, and I have no reason to doubt the source of my information, this enemy is resourceful and creative."
"Who is he?"
Lilliana felt a grimace curve her mouth as she remembered the stories James had told her about the youth that tormented him.
"His name is Peter Pan.....and before you ask....yes, he can fly!"
The two men across the table immediately scoffed at her statement, thinking it a joke. After a second they saw her expression and their own became serious.
"A boy?....what nonsense is this.....and how can he fly?"
"I don't know......but I do know the man that sailed these waters before us had a long history with this infernal child....he caused no end of trouble and upset for James Hook and his crew."
"But a boy?"
"Yes Mister Trent, a boy.....but a very special boy.....and one I don't intend to allow to upset my ship or my crew." Lilliana said, a gleam in her chill blue eyes as she smiled wryly. "Where Hook failed to vanquish this sprite, I plan to destroy him....but first, I intend to find out all I can.....so my orders are not to kill this brat if he is captured.....I want to interrogate him first.....he will know what has happened to the Jolly Roger and its Captain. Do I make myself quite clear?"
"Yes Cap'n!" Both men answered smartly, keeping their expressions neutral and their thoughts to themselves.
Waving the men out, Lilliana sat down in her chair, her fingers steepled as she contemplated how she was going to capture a flying boy. Paolo had slipped out with the men but quickly returned, a familiar bottle in his possession. He filled a glass for her and placed it by her elbow.
Downing the heady wine, Lilliana rose to her feet.
"We won't be getting much sleep this night boy, so make yourself useful and return to the beach with one of the men. We'll need that rope we left there and any other supplies we'll need to get this ship back into shape."
Nodding, Paolo left the room after sketching a small bow to his Captain.
Above her head the sounds of hammering broke into her thoughts, reminding her of the damage done to her ship. Growling, she quickly changed into some suitable work clothes and stormed out of the cabin to oversee the repairs.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Peter was on the beach that, until a while ago, had been covered in sleeping men. Now there were only discarded boxes and the still burning fire to mark their hasty departure. His blood still up, Peter stalked about the campsite, kicking over supplies, picking up bits and pieces only to discard them or throw them on the fire, his grin wide as he smirked at the sound of hammering coming from the ship across the bay. He approached the chair and pallet where the Lady Captain had obviously been sleeping when her ship had been attacked. Using his sword, he hooked up the plumed hat and tossed it into the air. As it fell he speared it, lifting his blade so he could pull it off and place it on his own head before strutting about the sand.
A splash alerted him that a boat was approaching the shore, two men inside rowing strongly, their backs to the beach. Baring his teeth, Peter flew up the beach to the treeline and stood in the shadows as the boat crunched onto the sand, one of the men jumping out and pulling the boat further up the beach. The second man jumped out as well but Peter could see that he was considerably younger, his blond hair catching the firelight, his lean body tall and broad shouldered, but slender with youth. As Peter watched the two men started to load supplies back into the boat, unaware of the watcher among the shadows.
As the two men continued to load, Peter rose into the air and hovered over the beach. In one hand he held a stone as big as a small coconut. Taking careful aim he hurled the rock at the older sailor, the man dropping to the sand with a groan. Spinning on his heel, Paolo stared at the man on the ground, his mind a blank as he froze. He heard a sound behind him and turned.
Peter stood rimmed by the firelight, his hands on his hips, legs braced apart, his mouth stretched into a broad grin.
"I didn't give you permission to use my beach!"
Glaring at the boy, Paolo took a step back, his eyes darting around, searching for more enemies. Peter stared back, noting that the youth was about his own height, his hair several shades lighter and curlier than Peter's but with the same dark brows and lashes.
"There's no-one else here......just you, pirate.....and me!"
Paolo stopped his search of the shadowy beach and fixed his eyes on the boy in front of him. He also noted the similarities between them, his eyes narrowing as he noted the sword and dagger on Peter's belt. Paolo had left most of his weaponry on the ship, only bringing his machete and dagger with him for the sortie back to the shore.
In a fluid motion he drew the wickedly sharp machete and swung it at Peter's head. In a quick move Peter unsheathed his sword and blocked the swing, the blades clashing noisily. Pulling back the two circled each other, finding their footing in the loose sand, eyes fixed on each other.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Immersed in the need to get the ship back into a good working order, Lilliana didn't pay much heed to the shore, satisfied that her orders would be carried out without delay. It was one of the men working on the ravaged ropes up on the mast that alerted her that all was not well on the beach.
"Captain.....look yonder.....the beach!"
Turning sharply, Lilliana strode to the railing and stared across the water.
"Bring me my glass!"
Squinting she could make out the fire and the boat drawn up on the sand, but little else. A crewman ran onto the deck and handed her the long telescope. A sharp fear curled into her belly as she lifted the glass and placed it to her eye. The scene on the beach suddenly swung into sharp focus. A body lay close to the boat and she jerked back from the glass, thinking it was Paolo. Looking again she saw it was the other crewman and she released a breath she'd not realised she'd been holding. Panning along towards the fire she caught the edge of something moving. Fixing her gaze, she saw two figures, the same height as each other, moving back and forth, light catching the glint of a blade as they parried and thrust.
"Get a boat in the water.....quickly, they're under attack!"
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
They were evenly matched, both honed in their skill, both determined to win the match. Peter had tried several times to taunt his opponent into speech but the boy refused to be drawn, his only sounds being the grunt and huff of the fight as they tested for each others weakness, finding none but trying anyway. Sweat was starting to trickle down Peter's back, his muscles flowing effortlessly as he parried and slashed, his opponent as strong as himself as they circled and counter feinted, both sporting nicks from close calls with the blades.
Out of the corner of his eye, Peter noted the two boats pulling strongly for the beach, giving him only a few seconds to either defeat his opponent or escape. In a brash move, he staggered, appearing to weaken. Paolo, not thinking clearly, dashed forward to give the killing blow, only to find his blade spun out of his hand and a blow landed from the hilt of Peter's sword against his jaw, dropping him senseless to the sand.
The whistle of a musket ball close to his head made Peter duck, crouching down to make himself a smaller target. The boats were close but he was loathe to leave. In a split second he made the decision. Sheathing his sword, he heaved Paolo over his shoulder as the boats crunched onto the sand, their cargo of enraged sailors spilling onto the beach. Despite the added weight Peter leapt into the sky with his burden, the beach left far behind as he angled above the trees and disappeared into the night. The men on the beach stared after him, dumbfounded and a little fearful.
"So who's going to tell Captain Moon what just happened?" Asked a voice in the darkness.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
I know, I know....you wanted more P/W romance and fluff....what can I say......it just got too exciting.....but never fear....promise to do better next chapter......grin
Author: Squeezynz
Chapter: Four - Spoiling for a Fight
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Author's Note: thanks to you all for your enthusiastic and wonderful reviews, it makes me positively glow.....your kind words are the best pirate treasure an author can hoard.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The view was breathtaking. Perched as they were on the side of mountain, they had a panoramic view over a wide sweep of the island. Wendy also noted that the vantage point gave them a clear view of the bay where the new ship, The Moonshadow, wallowed at berth.
Behind them the moon had risen in all her cold beauty, shining down on Neverland and turning the world black and white. At first Wendy had been intrigued to see Peter's world from such a high look-out, Peter pointing out familiar landmarks, all cloaked in shadows and looking nothing like they did in the daylight. TinkerBell had flown away after a little while, her temper not improved when Peter pulled Wendy down to sit on a rock ledge next to him, their sides touching. They watched as the bright ball of light sped off into the night, disappearing at length back into the forest.
"I'm sorry I've upset TinkerBell,"
Peter turned to look at her, shrugging. "Don't worry about it...Tink is just.....Tink. Remember when you asked me what I thought of as jealousy? That's Tink....I sometimes feel that she thinks I'm her property or something," Peter chuffed to himself, "I can't imagine not having her around."
"Won't she always be around?" Wendy asked, puzzled by his wording.
"Of course....I just...I wonder sometimes what it would be like.....to leave Neverland." Peter felt his face heat up, glad that the moonlight bleached out all colour.
The seconds ticked by, Wendy quite stunned that Peter would even consider such a thing. There had been times when she had wished that Peter would make the decision to stay with her in London, leave Neverland and grow up with her. But she was not so selfish as to wish him to give up his special world, having seen it again. She understood that Peter and his world were one and the same, the magical island as much a part of him as the air they breathed.
"Don't ever leave Neverland Peter....." Wendy finally whispered, her throat tight with emotion. "You belong here....where its clean, where the sky isn't filled with soot and fog. Where growing up is something that only happens to trees, not children."
She drew in a shaky breath, "I wish sometimes.....I could stay with you."
Finding it all too much, Wendy jumped to her feet and walked a pace away, her head bent.
Peter also rose, his hands suddenly clammy. Why don't you Wendy....why don't you stay......live with me here....don't go back to London....stay here......forever."
"What of my family Peter? My mother and father, my brothers, the lost boys?" Wendy shook her head, "I can no more leave them, than you can leave all this," she swept her arm in an arc.
"So you'd rather go back, grow up...grow old,"
"Everyone does Peter......it's the way of things."
"Not here Wendy.........here we can be as we are...no grownups, no rules...."
"But even here Peter.....things change. Hook may be gone, but now you have Captain Moon. I saw it in your eyes. If I wasn't here you'd be down there now, taunting them, fighting them.......it's what you live for."
"But you are here......and I want you to stay," Peter had stepped closer, the heat of his body reaching out and enveloping her.
Feeling torn, Wendy covered her face with her hands, blotting out the moonlight and Peter. "I can't....I have to grow up....I don't want to...but it's out of my hands."
Taking the last step to bring him right in front of her, Peter slowly reached up and took her hands away from her face. Instantly, Wendy turned her face away.
"Look at me Wendy......please. I know you've grown, I've noticed....but I don't think you have. I've grown too....I think....I think during all my visit to you, I've been growing a little each time....look at me."
Wendy lifted her eyes to his.
"I've noticed Peter......I just didn't want to believe it....I thought if I didn't mention it.....you wouldn't notice. I thought it might be my fault.......that I somehow made you grow up, when you didn't want to."
"I didn't.......then......but now........we could..." Peter swallowed, "we could grow up here......together."
For a second Wendy stared at him, blinking to stop her tears from blinding her.
"You would....grow up....with me?"
"Why not.....as it's happening anyway.....why not have it happen here.....in Neverland. You said yourself......London is dirty, cold.....here we'd have everything we'd need."
"And we'd grow up.....together....you'd become.....a-a man?"
"I've always hated the thought of being a man.....but that was before you, Wendy. I don't want to be......deficient or just a boy."
"Oh Peter.....you're not deficient, never deficient....I was just so angry..." Peter stopped her with his hand against her lips.
"I was deficient Wendy.......but now.....now I think that being a man wouldn't be so bad.......if you were to stay with me?"
Overcome by his confession, Wendy felt something tear inside her, a sob escaping her lips before she clamped them together. Troubled and unsure, she swung on her heel and turned her back on him, her hands covering her face again as she sought to compose herself.
Stung by her apparent rejection, Peter let his hands drop to his sides, a stone lodging in his chest as he took her silence for a no.
Backing away, Peter stared at the ground, his eyes burning.
"I made a mistake......I thought......but I see, I was wrong." Before Wendy could react, Peter twisted and leapt into the air, his body streaking away from the mountain, instantly invisible against the stars.
Shocked, Wendy stared up into the sky, her face as white as the moon.
"What have I done.....Peter......oh no......PETER!"
Hopelessly overwhelmed with the feelings churning inside her, Wendy sank to the ground and gave in to the sobs shaking her body.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Lilliana looked up at the sky and saw something steak across the moon. She blinked, not quite believing what she'd seen.
"Did you see that Paolo?"
The youth stretched out on the sand beside her grunted, his head tilting to look in the direction she pointed.
"No I don't suppose you did.......maybe I'm seeing things."
From the arched eyebrow, Lilliana easily read his question.
"I don't know.....it looked like...." she chuckled to herself, "it looked like someone flying across the moon."
Paolo's teeth gleamed whitely in the moonlight, his blond hair silver as Captain Moon leant across the small gap and ruffled it, as if he was a puppy.
As she pulled away, Paolo gripped her hand at the wrist, bringing it slowly back so that the palm rested again his lips. Feeling a shiver of desire spark down her spine, she submitted to his intimate caress, before pulling her hand free, her lips curving into a smile at his boldness.
"Not tonight, I want to keep my wits about me...and you are too distracting for your own good."
Pouting, Paolo flopped back onto the still warm sand, his arm coming up to cover his eyes. Relaxing back on her pallet, Lilliana stared once more up into the night sky, her expression thoughtful.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Peter flew to the other side of Neverland, as far from the girl he'd left on the mountain, as far from the source of anguish as he could get. Setting down on the pinnacle of a rocky outcrop, its base washed by waves, Peter stood looking out to the horizon. His body seemed to vibrate with tension, his heart beating wildly as he narrowed his eyes, trying to see beyond the limits of his world as if to wrest the secrets out into the open.
He felt hurt and confused, he'd been so sure that Wendy would welcome his invitation to stay with him, her signals, seemingly clear. Now it seemed he'd read her all wrong, she didn't want to stay, in fact couldn't wait to leave him again. Anger welled up in him, the sea below starting to rise as he felt an unbearable pressure build up, begging for release. Unable to keep the frustration inside, he put his head back and yelled at the sky, his arms outstretched as he screamed at the heavens, the waves below the rocks rising higher and higher, the spray reaching up to him. In an explosion of movement, he rose into the sky, swirling light surrounding him, greenish in the moonlight, his body infused with energy that demanded an outlet.
Jackknifing, he flew back across the island, his hand pulling his sword from his belt, the moon glinting off the wicked blade. Flexing it in his hand he dived towards the bay where the Moonshadow floated, his face pulled into a grimace of anticipation.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Wendy lifted her head, having heard something far away.
"Peter?" She stared out over the island, seeing a swirling ribbon of light in the sky above the far end of Neverland. Not knowing what to make of it, she started to look for a way down the mountain.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
As he swooped over the sleeping ship, Peter silently surveyed the decks and rigging, his eyes counting the number on watch as he circled the Moonshadow, his eyes sparking with excitement. In a graceful move, he came to rest on the very top of the mainmast, his gaze flicking briefly to the mountain range, a jolt reminding him that he'd left Wendy stranded there. Ignoring his conscience, Peter stepped off the mast and dropped down to the deck below. He landed silently on his feet, a gently as a thistledown. Looking around he noted the man on the quarterdeck, dozing over his musket. Another man leaned against the foremast, his chin on his chest. Peter grinned to himself, sure that the men wouldn't have been so lax if their Captain had been aboard. Darting into the air again, Peter flew to the first spar, swinging his sword and slicing through the ropes and ratlines, the sail instantly sagging, falling open as he continued to cut the halyards. The men on deck were now awake and shouting, unable to make out Peter against the dark sails and night sky. With the sail now hanging against the mast, Peter slashed his sword at the insignia, shredding the crescent moon and knife design to rags. One of the men must of spotted him because the report of the musket reached him seconds before a lead ball zinged past his head. Spinning in the air, Peter laughed, anticipation of a battle firing his blood. Swooping down, he came at the man trying to reload his gun, Peter kicking him and sending him sprawling before flying up to disappear into the rigging again. By now the ships company were alerted, crewmen spilling onto the deck with lanterns and torches, swinging around and trying to see their enemy. The man on the quarterdeck was screaming at them and pointing up into the rigging. Peter slashed at another rope and the spar started to slither downwards, the men below scattering as it landed on the deck in a tangle of ropes.
Peter laughed again, swooping around the mast, making sure the men below had a clear view of him, before he landed on an upper spar and swept his sword in a wide arc, the moonlight catching the blade with bright flashes.
The men below gaped for a few seconds before a yell brought their weapons to bear on the youth poised above them. Peter had barely seconds to move as the muskets fired together, the flash bright and the report loud as lead balls splintered the spar and mast where he'd been standing only moments before.
The blood singing in his veins, Peter swooped down low over the men, his sword whistling over their heads making them duck.
Laughing, Peter flew away, the volley of musket fire loud behind him, the balls burying themselves in the foremast and rigging, just missing Peter as he ducked behind the figurehead and sped off, skimming the waves.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Wendy was negotiating the narrow path down the hillside when she heard the shots, her eyes flying to the ship, seeing the bright flashes of gun fire and knowing, with a cold dread, that Peter was down there, causing the chaos.
Going as fast as she dared in the uncertain light, Wendy hurried down the steep slope, her breath hitching in her chest as she prayed that Peter would survive his first encounter with the Moonshadow.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Captain Moon was on her feet and running to the boats, seconds after the first shot was fired. Her men weren't far behind her, their senses all on alert as their Captain shouted for them to get the boats launched and back to the ship. They were rowing strongly when the shooting stopped and there was only the sound of confused shouting coming from the Moonshadow. Within minutes they were scabbling over the gunwales into a scene of devastation.
"What the hell's going on here.......where's the captain of the watch?"
A man ran up, his gun still in his hand.
"We were attacked......the rigging was cut and the spar dropped to the deck...."
"Hell and damnation.....where is they.....that did this to my ship?"
The man, finding himself hardpressed, looked to the other night watch to help him.
"We didn't see....that is.......we only saw one...." His attention on his crewmates, the man didn't see the fist that felled him to the deck.
"Someone tell me what the hell just happened here?" Stepping over the body, Captain Moon stalked towards the men standing nonplussed amongst the ropes.
"You!" Lilliana pointed to another man. "What did you see?"
Eyeing her furious face, the man gulped before answering.
"A boy....Cap'n......a damn flying boy!" The man cringed, sure that he'd get a blow as well. It never came.
"So its true.....I didn't think it was!" Captain Moon stood for a minute, her hand resting on her hip, her other hand against her chin. "A flying boy.....you were telling the truth James...and I didn't believe you."
Recalling herself, Lilliana shouted for the men to clear up the mess before signalling for her senior officers to follow her to the cabin. She also indicated for Paolo to follow, the other men jumping to her command as she left the deck.
Once in the cabin, Lilliana cast her pistols onto the table and rounded on her lieutenants.
"It would seem, gentlemen, that we have an enemy on this island. If what I have been told about him is true, and I have no reason to doubt the source of my information, this enemy is resourceful and creative."
"Who is he?"
Lilliana felt a grimace curve her mouth as she remembered the stories James had told her about the youth that tormented him.
"His name is Peter Pan.....and before you ask....yes, he can fly!"
The two men across the table immediately scoffed at her statement, thinking it a joke. After a second they saw her expression and their own became serious.
"A boy?....what nonsense is this.....and how can he fly?"
"I don't know......but I do know the man that sailed these waters before us had a long history with this infernal child....he caused no end of trouble and upset for James Hook and his crew."
"But a boy?"
"Yes Mister Trent, a boy.....but a very special boy.....and one I don't intend to allow to upset my ship or my crew." Lilliana said, a gleam in her chill blue eyes as she smiled wryly. "Where Hook failed to vanquish this sprite, I plan to destroy him....but first, I intend to find out all I can.....so my orders are not to kill this brat if he is captured.....I want to interrogate him first.....he will know what has happened to the Jolly Roger and its Captain. Do I make myself quite clear?"
"Yes Cap'n!" Both men answered smartly, keeping their expressions neutral and their thoughts to themselves.
Waving the men out, Lilliana sat down in her chair, her fingers steepled as she contemplated how she was going to capture a flying boy. Paolo had slipped out with the men but quickly returned, a familiar bottle in his possession. He filled a glass for her and placed it by her elbow.
Downing the heady wine, Lilliana rose to her feet.
"We won't be getting much sleep this night boy, so make yourself useful and return to the beach with one of the men. We'll need that rope we left there and any other supplies we'll need to get this ship back into shape."
Nodding, Paolo left the room after sketching a small bow to his Captain.
Above her head the sounds of hammering broke into her thoughts, reminding her of the damage done to her ship. Growling, she quickly changed into some suitable work clothes and stormed out of the cabin to oversee the repairs.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Peter was on the beach that, until a while ago, had been covered in sleeping men. Now there were only discarded boxes and the still burning fire to mark their hasty departure. His blood still up, Peter stalked about the campsite, kicking over supplies, picking up bits and pieces only to discard them or throw them on the fire, his grin wide as he smirked at the sound of hammering coming from the ship across the bay. He approached the chair and pallet where the Lady Captain had obviously been sleeping when her ship had been attacked. Using his sword, he hooked up the plumed hat and tossed it into the air. As it fell he speared it, lifting his blade so he could pull it off and place it on his own head before strutting about the sand.
A splash alerted him that a boat was approaching the shore, two men inside rowing strongly, their backs to the beach. Baring his teeth, Peter flew up the beach to the treeline and stood in the shadows as the boat crunched onto the sand, one of the men jumping out and pulling the boat further up the beach. The second man jumped out as well but Peter could see that he was considerably younger, his blond hair catching the firelight, his lean body tall and broad shouldered, but slender with youth. As Peter watched the two men started to load supplies back into the boat, unaware of the watcher among the shadows.
As the two men continued to load, Peter rose into the air and hovered over the beach. In one hand he held a stone as big as a small coconut. Taking careful aim he hurled the rock at the older sailor, the man dropping to the sand with a groan. Spinning on his heel, Paolo stared at the man on the ground, his mind a blank as he froze. He heard a sound behind him and turned.
Peter stood rimmed by the firelight, his hands on his hips, legs braced apart, his mouth stretched into a broad grin.
"I didn't give you permission to use my beach!"
Glaring at the boy, Paolo took a step back, his eyes darting around, searching for more enemies. Peter stared back, noting that the youth was about his own height, his hair several shades lighter and curlier than Peter's but with the same dark brows and lashes.
"There's no-one else here......just you, pirate.....and me!"
Paolo stopped his search of the shadowy beach and fixed his eyes on the boy in front of him. He also noted the similarities between them, his eyes narrowing as he noted the sword and dagger on Peter's belt. Paolo had left most of his weaponry on the ship, only bringing his machete and dagger with him for the sortie back to the shore.
In a fluid motion he drew the wickedly sharp machete and swung it at Peter's head. In a quick move Peter unsheathed his sword and blocked the swing, the blades clashing noisily. Pulling back the two circled each other, finding their footing in the loose sand, eyes fixed on each other.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Immersed in the need to get the ship back into a good working order, Lilliana didn't pay much heed to the shore, satisfied that her orders would be carried out without delay. It was one of the men working on the ravaged ropes up on the mast that alerted her that all was not well on the beach.
"Captain.....look yonder.....the beach!"
Turning sharply, Lilliana strode to the railing and stared across the water.
"Bring me my glass!"
Squinting she could make out the fire and the boat drawn up on the sand, but little else. A crewman ran onto the deck and handed her the long telescope. A sharp fear curled into her belly as she lifted the glass and placed it to her eye. The scene on the beach suddenly swung into sharp focus. A body lay close to the boat and she jerked back from the glass, thinking it was Paolo. Looking again she saw it was the other crewman and she released a breath she'd not realised she'd been holding. Panning along towards the fire she caught the edge of something moving. Fixing her gaze, she saw two figures, the same height as each other, moving back and forth, light catching the glint of a blade as they parried and thrust.
"Get a boat in the water.....quickly, they're under attack!"
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
They were evenly matched, both honed in their skill, both determined to win the match. Peter had tried several times to taunt his opponent into speech but the boy refused to be drawn, his only sounds being the grunt and huff of the fight as they tested for each others weakness, finding none but trying anyway. Sweat was starting to trickle down Peter's back, his muscles flowing effortlessly as he parried and slashed, his opponent as strong as himself as they circled and counter feinted, both sporting nicks from close calls with the blades.
Out of the corner of his eye, Peter noted the two boats pulling strongly for the beach, giving him only a few seconds to either defeat his opponent or escape. In a brash move, he staggered, appearing to weaken. Paolo, not thinking clearly, dashed forward to give the killing blow, only to find his blade spun out of his hand and a blow landed from the hilt of Peter's sword against his jaw, dropping him senseless to the sand.
The whistle of a musket ball close to his head made Peter duck, crouching down to make himself a smaller target. The boats were close but he was loathe to leave. In a split second he made the decision. Sheathing his sword, he heaved Paolo over his shoulder as the boats crunched onto the sand, their cargo of enraged sailors spilling onto the beach. Despite the added weight Peter leapt into the sky with his burden, the beach left far behind as he angled above the trees and disappeared into the night. The men on the beach stared after him, dumbfounded and a little fearful.
"So who's going to tell Captain Moon what just happened?" Asked a voice in the darkness.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
I know, I know....you wanted more P/W romance and fluff....what can I say......it just got too exciting.....but never fear....promise to do better next chapter......grin