This story takes place only a few years after Wendy's first visit to
Neverland with Peter Pan, so it is considered a follow-up to the 2003 P.J.
Hogan film Peter Pan (with some references to the original Barrie novel
[1911] and his own Peter Pan prequel, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens
[1904]).
Again, I have no ownership of any of the characters or actors who portrayed them...but I have dibs on February 5, 2007. (mwahahaha!)
Here's Chapter VII .....please leave comments! :-)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
VII. SETTING THE STAGE
The Fates were on the side of James Hook that breezy evening. But even more a rare treat was that *Time* was on his side as well. I shall explain how each was thus.
Regarding Fate, it was most fortunate for the pirate captain that Peter Pan continued to be preoccupied scouring the forests of Neverland for his lost pixie whilst Hook chartered a dinghy for the mist-laden waters of Mermaid Lagoon.
But this was ultimately of little consequence, for even if Peter had not been distracted in searching for Tinker Bell, Hook would still hold an advantage over him. This is where Time came to the Captain's aid. The mermaids, you see, can only be called upon at night. (We were able to entreat of them our own query because of our distinct advantage over even Captain Hook.) If Peter had been back to the Bluff to see to Wendy – which he had not – he wouldn't have been able to question the mermaids until after dark anyhow.
Dusk had only begun to set upon the island when Hook boarded the dinghy, so he had Time. Ah yes, for such a brief occasion as this did Hook care to bestow a smile upon Time. So miserable a creature it habitually was, but not this day. And he had no intention of waiting until it turned itself over to the security of darkness, lest an unwanted run-in with the Boy should occur. By hook or by crook, the Captain would find himself a mermaid well before night had fallen.
Accompanying him on this mission were four of his dogs. There was Smee, of course, to row the boat; the Jolly Roger's chief fisherman, a French bloke named Ouellette; and a pair of surly thugs called O'Keef and Fulton. A fine, ruthless quintet they made, and the seas blackened with every stroke of the oars at their miserable presence.
They needed not to venture so very far from their Cove to reach the Lagoon, which shared the same stretch of beach. Ouellette lured the dark sea creatures with attractive baubles such as jewels and dead fairies. What proved to be the most effective were the pearls – for one can only obtain these from the mermaids themselves, so you can surely imagine the eagerness they felt to reclaim their stolen treasures.
With O'Keef and Fulton's muscle and a large net, the pirates were quickly able to snatch up one of these scaly ladies, though not without quite a labored fight. Oh Heavens how she thrashed and squealed! And all the time, Captain Hook sat at the rear of the boat, coolly puffing at a cigar – or two – and patiently waiting his turn to confront the creature.
Securely bound to the stern of the dinghy, she was now ready for Hook's scrutiny. The three dogs stood by, lest she try and escape, as the Captain made his way shrewdly toward her. She visibly softened a bit once their eyes met, as if their innate darkness had come together and reached a silent understanding. They were both equal outlaws of the sea. They both killed out of necessity and without remorse. In another world, they might be the closest allies. But in Neverland, the mermaids answered to Peter Pan, thus putting them in a rather unfavorable standing with Hook.
"Evening, m'dear," Hook greeted superiorly before closing his lips around his cigar once more.
The mermaid writhed angrily, venting a small snort of contempt.
"Let me get straight to the point, shall I?" He crouched down before his captive, close enough that she may be able to see clear past the blue of his eyes toward the threatening red spots lingering close behind. She saw them distinctly, and she froze.
"Peter Pan comes to you and your ilk for any and all hidden wisdoms of this detestable island, does he not?" This was rhetorical, so the mermaid did not respond. "And you know what fortune I currently harbor aboard my ship, don't you?"
At this, the mermaid only gave Hook the slightest of sneers, as if to say, "Yes, I know – what do you suppose to do about it?"
Hook easily matched her smug expression. "Of course you do. But you will not be indulging this valuable piece of information to the Boy should he come to seek it."
The mermaid's grin withered.
"You may tell him anything else you like – that she has gone back home or even that she is dead. But you *will not* tell him that she is in my custody."
Now the grin was back, and it told Hook where he could properly stick his preposterous suggestion.
But Hook was more the sly, and he crouched even closer to the creature, twirling his cigar between his fingers, dangerously close to her bluish face. She recoiled faintly.
"If you do not comply with my wishes, dear, I can promise you that myself and my men shall be feasting heartily on fish fillets in the very near future." He let his eyes widen and wash over her scaly lower half hungrily. "I bet you in particular would be most delicious with a nice sauvignon blanc..."
Had she not been so restrained, the mermaid surely would have slaughtered the Captain right then, and not for want of trying as she instantly threw up another horrifying fit. Hook leaned back a tad whilst his men held her at bay once more.
"'Tis a very simple request," Hook stated matter-of-factly, toking his cigar. "I can't imagine why you should make such a fuss about it. Either keep from Pan the truth to the girl's whereabouts, or become a pirate's supper!"
He shrugged and graced upon her the most deviously charming smile, and she was quick to acknowledge the sincerity in his threat. One must never put anything past this wicked man. She quieted and looked to him with an almost somber expression, something of a scarcity with her kind. He would surely follow through on his words if she did not obey, this could not be denied. He was just mad enough to do it.
Seeing her struggles cease, Hook once more leaned in toward her. "I presume we have an understanding. So, you may run along and tell your sisters the jolly pact we have just made. Oh, and one more thing..."
He leaned in further.
"In case you forget, do give the rest of your kin their equal share of THIS – "
In a flash, Hook's claw was raised and had swooped down through the netting to carve a brutal gash down the mermaid's scaly chest. Her wretched wail was deafening, but Hook paid it no heed as he leisurely stood, his cigar once more clasped between his teeth, and wandered back to the stern of the boat.
He tossed his good hand to his men. "Get that vile thing out of my sight."
Thus the wounded and infuriated creature was tossed overboard back to her briny domicile. As a final statement to her dissatisfaction, she hurled up a goodly wave of seawater with her tail before descending, drenching the pirates aboard the dinghy, and promptly extinguishing Hook's cigar.
The Captain sighed and flung the useless cigar into the sea behind him.
"Detestable island..."
* * * *
'Twas well past nightfall when Peter finally recovered Tinker Bell in the jungle. He had turned the whole island practically on its ear in search of her. The one-eyed parrot had not carried her long – he swept her up a few meters and then dropped her whence his tattered wings began to give out, and he returned to his pirate masters before they had an inkling he had ever been gone. Peter was unaware of this and imagined he must have carried her further into the jungle when in fact she was lying quite near where she had been plucked up.
Peter found her at long last tangled within a tree branch, not seriously harmed but quite immobile. She began to cry tiny fairy tears upon seeing Peter again, so immensely sorry that she was unable to carry out the orders he had given her to help Wendy. (Mind you, though, she was not sorry for Wendy but only for failing Peter.)
Not until Tinker Bell had broached the subject did Peter suddenly remember – Wendy!
Right then and only then, Peter contemplated all the possible consequences of leaving Wendy behind to rescue Tinker Bell. And with his faithful pixie now found and none the worse for wear, he dashed off hastily back to Blind Man's Bluff to see what had become of the girl.
Of course, he did not find her there. Of course, this baffled him greatly. And of course, he sought the mermaid's guidance as to her fate.
Quite as Hook had predicted, Peter descended upon the Lagoon that very night to call upon his slithery allies. They did not come to him right away. In fact, Peter had to fight the urge to dive into the water and pluck the peculiar creatures from their den himself! But with great hesitation did they eventually surface, peering at the Boy on the rocks in utmost uncertainty.
The mermaid which Hook had interrogated kept her distance the most, lagging behind the others and never breaching the surface any further than her chin so that her telltale wound could not be discovered. She was allowed this reprieve, after all she had been put through earlier, and her sisters took on the loathsome task of deceiving Peter.
Clicking and clucking away fluently in the mermaid language, Peter posed his question to the scaly females:
"Where is Wendy?"
The mermaids remained silent a moment and glanced at one another briefly. Then all eyes met again with Peter's, and they shook their stringy heads in unison.
Peter found it a trifle queer that they should be so muted and laconic, but far be it for him to question such inherently baffling creatures.
"Do you not know?" He asked in their special tongue.
They only stared back at him unblinkingly.
Peter was growing impatient. "Is she...dead?"
Another wary glance was exchanged amongst themselves, followed with a slow head shake.
"Then where is she? Did she go home?"
One more silence, then one more look exchanged, this time proceeded by a languid nod.
Peter sighed in relief. "Oh, thank goodness! I believe it is just as well that she is gone."
The mermaids remained mum, their glassy eyes fixed upon his in an almost guilty expression. But Peter was far too careless to notice. He promptly thanked the mermaids for their time and flew away from the Lagoon with not another thought on the matter. Wendy had gone, and it was for the best. Despite any lingering affection Peter may have held for her, she had no business being in Neverland. She had learned this the hard way. And neither she nor Peter would repeat such a mistake.
As for the mermaids, they watched his departure sullenly, but their somber mood quickly gave way to contempt. And as they slithered back below the surface of their watery lair, they silently vowed their retribution upon the dastardly pirate captain for making them betray Peter.
Thus peace and silence once again fell upon the mermaid's den and its immediate surroundings. Not a soul hereto stirred within the vicinity – that is, all save for the bearded little man some distance away with a spyglass fixed upon the Lagoon...
Again, I have no ownership of any of the characters or actors who portrayed them...but I have dibs on February 5, 2007. (mwahahaha!)
Here's Chapter VII .....please leave comments! :-)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
VII. SETTING THE STAGE
The Fates were on the side of James Hook that breezy evening. But even more a rare treat was that *Time* was on his side as well. I shall explain how each was thus.
Regarding Fate, it was most fortunate for the pirate captain that Peter Pan continued to be preoccupied scouring the forests of Neverland for his lost pixie whilst Hook chartered a dinghy for the mist-laden waters of Mermaid Lagoon.
But this was ultimately of little consequence, for even if Peter had not been distracted in searching for Tinker Bell, Hook would still hold an advantage over him. This is where Time came to the Captain's aid. The mermaids, you see, can only be called upon at night. (We were able to entreat of them our own query because of our distinct advantage over even Captain Hook.) If Peter had been back to the Bluff to see to Wendy – which he had not – he wouldn't have been able to question the mermaids until after dark anyhow.
Dusk had only begun to set upon the island when Hook boarded the dinghy, so he had Time. Ah yes, for such a brief occasion as this did Hook care to bestow a smile upon Time. So miserable a creature it habitually was, but not this day. And he had no intention of waiting until it turned itself over to the security of darkness, lest an unwanted run-in with the Boy should occur. By hook or by crook, the Captain would find himself a mermaid well before night had fallen.
Accompanying him on this mission were four of his dogs. There was Smee, of course, to row the boat; the Jolly Roger's chief fisherman, a French bloke named Ouellette; and a pair of surly thugs called O'Keef and Fulton. A fine, ruthless quintet they made, and the seas blackened with every stroke of the oars at their miserable presence.
They needed not to venture so very far from their Cove to reach the Lagoon, which shared the same stretch of beach. Ouellette lured the dark sea creatures with attractive baubles such as jewels and dead fairies. What proved to be the most effective were the pearls – for one can only obtain these from the mermaids themselves, so you can surely imagine the eagerness they felt to reclaim their stolen treasures.
With O'Keef and Fulton's muscle and a large net, the pirates were quickly able to snatch up one of these scaly ladies, though not without quite a labored fight. Oh Heavens how she thrashed and squealed! And all the time, Captain Hook sat at the rear of the boat, coolly puffing at a cigar – or two – and patiently waiting his turn to confront the creature.
Securely bound to the stern of the dinghy, she was now ready for Hook's scrutiny. The three dogs stood by, lest she try and escape, as the Captain made his way shrewdly toward her. She visibly softened a bit once their eyes met, as if their innate darkness had come together and reached a silent understanding. They were both equal outlaws of the sea. They both killed out of necessity and without remorse. In another world, they might be the closest allies. But in Neverland, the mermaids answered to Peter Pan, thus putting them in a rather unfavorable standing with Hook.
"Evening, m'dear," Hook greeted superiorly before closing his lips around his cigar once more.
The mermaid writhed angrily, venting a small snort of contempt.
"Let me get straight to the point, shall I?" He crouched down before his captive, close enough that she may be able to see clear past the blue of his eyes toward the threatening red spots lingering close behind. She saw them distinctly, and she froze.
"Peter Pan comes to you and your ilk for any and all hidden wisdoms of this detestable island, does he not?" This was rhetorical, so the mermaid did not respond. "And you know what fortune I currently harbor aboard my ship, don't you?"
At this, the mermaid only gave Hook the slightest of sneers, as if to say, "Yes, I know – what do you suppose to do about it?"
Hook easily matched her smug expression. "Of course you do. But you will not be indulging this valuable piece of information to the Boy should he come to seek it."
The mermaid's grin withered.
"You may tell him anything else you like – that she has gone back home or even that she is dead. But you *will not* tell him that she is in my custody."
Now the grin was back, and it told Hook where he could properly stick his preposterous suggestion.
But Hook was more the sly, and he crouched even closer to the creature, twirling his cigar between his fingers, dangerously close to her bluish face. She recoiled faintly.
"If you do not comply with my wishes, dear, I can promise you that myself and my men shall be feasting heartily on fish fillets in the very near future." He let his eyes widen and wash over her scaly lower half hungrily. "I bet you in particular would be most delicious with a nice sauvignon blanc..."
Had she not been so restrained, the mermaid surely would have slaughtered the Captain right then, and not for want of trying as she instantly threw up another horrifying fit. Hook leaned back a tad whilst his men held her at bay once more.
"'Tis a very simple request," Hook stated matter-of-factly, toking his cigar. "I can't imagine why you should make such a fuss about it. Either keep from Pan the truth to the girl's whereabouts, or become a pirate's supper!"
He shrugged and graced upon her the most deviously charming smile, and she was quick to acknowledge the sincerity in his threat. One must never put anything past this wicked man. She quieted and looked to him with an almost somber expression, something of a scarcity with her kind. He would surely follow through on his words if she did not obey, this could not be denied. He was just mad enough to do it.
Seeing her struggles cease, Hook once more leaned in toward her. "I presume we have an understanding. So, you may run along and tell your sisters the jolly pact we have just made. Oh, and one more thing..."
He leaned in further.
"In case you forget, do give the rest of your kin their equal share of THIS – "
In a flash, Hook's claw was raised and had swooped down through the netting to carve a brutal gash down the mermaid's scaly chest. Her wretched wail was deafening, but Hook paid it no heed as he leisurely stood, his cigar once more clasped between his teeth, and wandered back to the stern of the boat.
He tossed his good hand to his men. "Get that vile thing out of my sight."
Thus the wounded and infuriated creature was tossed overboard back to her briny domicile. As a final statement to her dissatisfaction, she hurled up a goodly wave of seawater with her tail before descending, drenching the pirates aboard the dinghy, and promptly extinguishing Hook's cigar.
The Captain sighed and flung the useless cigar into the sea behind him.
"Detestable island..."
* * * *
'Twas well past nightfall when Peter finally recovered Tinker Bell in the jungle. He had turned the whole island practically on its ear in search of her. The one-eyed parrot had not carried her long – he swept her up a few meters and then dropped her whence his tattered wings began to give out, and he returned to his pirate masters before they had an inkling he had ever been gone. Peter was unaware of this and imagined he must have carried her further into the jungle when in fact she was lying quite near where she had been plucked up.
Peter found her at long last tangled within a tree branch, not seriously harmed but quite immobile. She began to cry tiny fairy tears upon seeing Peter again, so immensely sorry that she was unable to carry out the orders he had given her to help Wendy. (Mind you, though, she was not sorry for Wendy but only for failing Peter.)
Not until Tinker Bell had broached the subject did Peter suddenly remember – Wendy!
Right then and only then, Peter contemplated all the possible consequences of leaving Wendy behind to rescue Tinker Bell. And with his faithful pixie now found and none the worse for wear, he dashed off hastily back to Blind Man's Bluff to see what had become of the girl.
Of course, he did not find her there. Of course, this baffled him greatly. And of course, he sought the mermaid's guidance as to her fate.
Quite as Hook had predicted, Peter descended upon the Lagoon that very night to call upon his slithery allies. They did not come to him right away. In fact, Peter had to fight the urge to dive into the water and pluck the peculiar creatures from their den himself! But with great hesitation did they eventually surface, peering at the Boy on the rocks in utmost uncertainty.
The mermaid which Hook had interrogated kept her distance the most, lagging behind the others and never breaching the surface any further than her chin so that her telltale wound could not be discovered. She was allowed this reprieve, after all she had been put through earlier, and her sisters took on the loathsome task of deceiving Peter.
Clicking and clucking away fluently in the mermaid language, Peter posed his question to the scaly females:
"Where is Wendy?"
The mermaids remained silent a moment and glanced at one another briefly. Then all eyes met again with Peter's, and they shook their stringy heads in unison.
Peter found it a trifle queer that they should be so muted and laconic, but far be it for him to question such inherently baffling creatures.
"Do you not know?" He asked in their special tongue.
They only stared back at him unblinkingly.
Peter was growing impatient. "Is she...dead?"
Another wary glance was exchanged amongst themselves, followed with a slow head shake.
"Then where is she? Did she go home?"
One more silence, then one more look exchanged, this time proceeded by a languid nod.
Peter sighed in relief. "Oh, thank goodness! I believe it is just as well that she is gone."
The mermaids remained mum, their glassy eyes fixed upon his in an almost guilty expression. But Peter was far too careless to notice. He promptly thanked the mermaids for their time and flew away from the Lagoon with not another thought on the matter. Wendy had gone, and it was for the best. Despite any lingering affection Peter may have held for her, she had no business being in Neverland. She had learned this the hard way. And neither she nor Peter would repeat such a mistake.
As for the mermaids, they watched his departure sullenly, but their somber mood quickly gave way to contempt. And as they slithered back below the surface of their watery lair, they silently vowed their retribution upon the dastardly pirate captain for making them betray Peter.
Thus peace and silence once again fell upon the mermaid's den and its immediate surroundings. Not a soul hereto stirred within the vicinity – that is, all save for the bearded little man some distance away with a spyglass fixed upon the Lagoon...