Redemption: Chapter Seven
Wendy fought to keep her composure and face clear of any revealing emotions, as she exited the crimson parlor on her old enemies' arm. They walked in silence through the following corridor; matching strides rather easily- something that Wendy found surprising seeing as she wasn't trying to do so. Perhaps Hook was trying to unsettle her, or perhaps he was trying to make her feel more comfortable and make her drop her guard. At this point, Wendy was unable to tell which it was- but it didn't stop her intent ears from listening to their harmonized footfalls.
In the quiet lodge, their steps echoed rather loudly and yet briefly on the beautifully shined ebony floors- and Wendy took the time to observe her surroundings. Though she had agreed to stay in this place until Mr. Smee returned from his errand, the young storyteller wasn't taking any chances. If Hook tried anything or she even came close to suspecting foul play, she would be ready to run- or in the off case- fight her way out. But to have a prayer of doing either, she would have to know her way around.
Willow Wood Lodge looked massive from the outside, but internally it was even more impressive. Even Wendy, who wasn't one to faun over worldly possessions, had to admit that the Lodge could have put any other noble lord's home to shame.
The extravagant shade of crimson that had been show-cased so vividly wasn't restricted to just the parlor; everywhere one looked there was red. Red and gold décor and arrangements of flowers; drapes and Persian rugs mixed with so many breathtaking swirls and patterns that one could get lost in them. And the tapestries and murals that found purchase on every wall were nothing short of awe-inspiring. They consisted of family portraits of what the young woman assumed was Hook's ancestors, and realistic scenery captures of the English countryside, and even in a few cases fantastical depictions of stories or fictional characters. It was the last thing that Wendy had ever expected to see in the tyrannical pirate's homestead, but she didn't comment aloud on it
. . . . Until- when in the main hall and preparing to go through another archway- Wendy's eye happened to catch a flash of forest green. This wasn't odd by any means- there were plenty of green laced paintings in the corridors and halls of Willow Wood Lodge- but something about it caused the woman to turn and regard the painting fully. It was another colorful mural, but this one made Wendy Darling's breath draw in her throat.
It was incredibly large, two times her or Hook's height, and painted with the utmost care. But it was the content of the mural that caused such a strong reaction in the steadfast storyteller. It was a depiction of a boy hovering in midair, a sword held aloft in his hands as he looked at a large ship, readying to attack. Though the perspective was from behind the boy, and his face remained unseen by those who viewed it, he was unmistakable to Wendy. The colors in the piece were mostly darker shades of blue and gray, giving it an almost ethereal look, but the boy's clothes were green- the particular shade that had first caught her eye. The flying child wore leaves and other types of foliage- though Wendy knew that no vegetation of England grew that color or in that shape . . . It was undeniably the green of Neverland's forest . . . the signature shade of the boy who would never grow up.
Wendy had stopped walking, and though she had not intended to draw attention to her discovery, James stopped when she did. In truth, the pirate had wondered how long it would take his little Red Handed Jill to find the boy, and she hadn't disappointed him.
"Ahh, I see you've found Pan." The expression he wore was not smug but serene, as he too gazed up at the glorious rendition of his nemesis in flight, preparing to attack the Jolly Roger. "What are your thoughts on it, my beauty? I believe that the painter did a fair turn at it, seeing as he had no true reference. But it would take one who knew the ever-youth to say for certain."
At this, Wendy was silent for longer than she meant to be, but the painting had been quite the shock for her. The young woman had known that the pirate captain was a wild card, but even she, the open-minded storyteller, couldn't have dreamt of something like this.
". . . W-Why . . . have you done this?"
James eyebrow lifted as a small smile rose to his features, and Wendy immediately thought upon his change in expression. It almost seemed secretive, as the man answered her question.
"Pray tell, Miss Darling: have you ever heard of the philosophy of keeping ones friends close, but ones enemies closer still?"
Wendy was indeed familiar with this saying, though she knew that in this case it was utter twaddle. Hook was trying to brush her question away by giving her an empty reply, and she wouldn't stand for it.
"To keep ones enemies close is fine, Captain. But to bear their likeness on your entry walls is not something that most would do willingly."
James's forget-me-not blue eyes twinkled as he once more returned his attention to Wendy, and then back again to glance at his old foe.
"I do believe that that is the first compliment you've paid me since your arrival, my dear. It seems I have finally tapped into that hidden reserve of kindness that you seem to give so freely to those who have gone astray."
Wendy frowned, and her green orbs shone angrily. What utter cheek! The last thing she had wanted to do was pay Hook a kindness, with her words or otherwise. . . . And yet, the poor woman had no idea how she had said something he could take in a positive light.
James watched Wendy's confusion with barely bridled amusement, before he took pity on her and continued. "You needn't fret, Miss Darling. I would have been most offended if you thought of me as 'common place' or 'ordinary', after our prior acquaintance. The normal throng is quite tiresome, and I would hate to have such a distasteful label thrown upon my person, by one of my own crew."
When Hook had said 'prior acquaintance' Wendy's memory had flashed to being blindfolded and forced to walk the plank- and by the time the man was finishing the young lady was already shaking her plaited head.
"I am not a part of your crew, sir- I never was. And what I said before was not meant as a compliment. But rather as an observation to your odd behavior, by way of that mural."
An amused chuckle escaped Hook as he turned his brilliant gaze to regard her, and his earlier smile turned playful beneath the rather becoming mustache that he wore so well. Wendy would have loathed such a smile, if deep down it hadn't intrigued her.
"My painting of Pan bothers you, doesn't it? . . . Well then, how does a trade suit you, my beauty?"
"Pardon . . . But what on earth do I possess that you want to bargain for," Wendy asked cautiously.
Catching the thoughts behind her wariness, James tsked and shook his head. "Honestly, my dear. Must you always think the worst of a situation? I propose nothing of great sacrifice or indecency, for I know you would refuse."
"I am glad that you are aware of my morals, Captain." Wendy couldn't help but notice the quirking at the man's mouth as she spoke. "And I wait for the worst, because I know that it will always come where you are concerned."
"So fiery. I am pleased to see that you have not changed since your adolescent years, Red Handed Jill. I should be very bored if you had." There was genuine appreciation in his tone, as he once more held out his arm for Wendy to take, so they could continue on their way to the dining hall. Once she had accepted it once more- albeit begrudgingly- James returned to his proposition. "What I suggest is really quite a trifle. As a matter of fact, it is something that I think you would rather enjoy."
"What is it you wish to trade, sir? Please state it, or let it lie."
"Quell your temper, Miss Darling," he chastised with no ill will. "I merely mean to suggest that I tell you the painting's tale in exchange for a story of your own."
Wendy's eyes grew wider than before, and her mouth formed an unexpected 'o' shape. In the brief moments since Hook had been teasing her with what his deal might be, the young lady had considered many different bargains that he might try to enact. . . But once again the pirate had surprised her (something that was starting to become a problem) and Wendy was left scrambling.
"In order for me to gain the truth about that painting of Peter . . . you wish for me to tell you a story?"
"Exactly," James said easily, as they finally drew to a stop before another beautifully carved door that obviously led to the dining room. "Though you needn't answer now, my beauty. Take your time to decide, for I shall be the one to specify which story you tell if you do accept."
"You might never receive an answer," Wendy said calmly, though her mind was currently racing curiously.
Hook inclined his head, as he moved to lead his guest into the dining hall. "There should be no fear upon that, Miss Darling. I shan't be going anywhere- in the off case that you do change your mind."
"It might be forever that you wait, Captain."
"Then it is a good thing that I am a patient man, Miss Darling. A very good thing indeed."
Sebastian the butler had waited- as he had been instructed earlier- in the wings of the Gray's dining room. Though he had been there for quite some time now, he showed no signs of boredom or fatigue, as he stood erect and at attention. After returning Master James's belonging back to its proper place, he had returned to his duties of setting out the evening meal with care. The spread of costly food fit across the entire expanse of the giant table, but it had only taken the butler a short time to finish setting it. And now, it was perfect- not a spoon or napkin out of place- and Sebastian stood back to wait.
After about ten minutes of waiting, he heard footsteps outside the doorway and moved as silently as a ghost to stand there, hand at the knob waiting to turn it and open the door at a second's notice. Though he didn't mean to eavesdrop, Sebastian was clearly able to hear his Master and the man's guest speaking- more like snapping at each other, the butler thought- as he straightened his black suit coat. There was no rest of will between Captain James Gray and the young Miss Darling- their tongues were forever brandished with barbs- and the butler wondered how his Master would ever succeed in his goals of making her his wife.
Sebastian had known of James's plans since he had returned from Neverland, and had actually played a big part of setting said plans into motion. And despite spying on the man on his sister's behalf, the butler was quite faithful to the Captain.
In truth, Sebastian served both James and Alexandra without question- though neither of them knew it- and he took great amusement in seeing them strategize against the other, for both were rather talented at it.
Finally, as the conversation on the other side of the doorway halted, Sebastian drew open the door with a soft creak and bowed his head with the proper respect. He could tell that the young lady accompanying his Master was startled by the action, but the Captain himself was unaffected by it.
"Welcome, my Lord," Sebastian greeted smoothly. "Dinner is ready and served, if it should please you."
"Yes, Sebastian, it should please us very well."
"Very good, sir." The butler rose from his bow, and gave a tightlipped smile- noticeably making Miss Darling stiffen. "I must inform you that Miss Gray shall be joining you, but will be detained briefly."
As anticipated, James Gray waved off the words, "I expected as much, from my sister. Thank you, you may go."
Sebastian gave another incline of his head, before he departed from the dining room, to go begin on his nightly chores. And as the butler entered out into the kitchen he pondered upon what the future of the Gray household would have in store. Between this newest young woman Miss Darling and Lady Alexandra, there would most definitely be an upheaval, and it would be up to himself and Master James to stop it. . . If such an action was indeed possible. . .
As the butler left the dining hall, Wendy found herself watching after the man. She was truly in a strange place indeed, if Captain Hook was not the most unexpected person who lived in the home. It was true that Sebastian had been the perfect gentleman, and had been nothing but polite . . . And yet, there was something different about him. He wasn't normal . . . and yet Wendy also felt no threat from his person. It was almost as if her observations were just wary imaginings- but after having spent time in another realm, the storyteller never took any detail or gut instinct for granted. And because of this, the last thing Hook had said hadn't escaped her.
". . . You have a sister?"
"Indeed, Miss Darling. Does this surprise you?"
Wendy didn't want to show him any weaknesses or openings in her figurative armor, but she couldn't help but nod in the affirmative. She had never supposed that the infamous Captain Hook- whose eyes turned red as he gutted you- would have had any siblings. . .
. . . It was an unorthodox and confusing thought, at best.
"How old is she?" Wendy couldn't help the question, and blushed slightly when she realized how rude the inquiry actually was. But still she didn't take it back.
"Seven years my junior," James replied- his fingers on his sole hand flexing with a mind of their own- seemingly annoyed. "But I am sure that you shall learn all you wish to know of her when she joins us. . . Shall we be seated, Miss Darling?"
As Wendy let the man guide her to a seat that he pulled out for her, the young woman couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive at his words. From the way his tone had dropped, Hook made it sound as if his sister was some sort of fiend from the abyss, readying herself to kill all in her path. But surely she couldn't be all that bad? Considering that her elder brother was horrifically worse. . . Or could she? . . .
A/N: Wow, it's seriously been forever since I updated Redemption. Sorry guys! *grovels and begs for forgiveness* I honestly love this story so much, but every time I try to write a chapter it kills me off. XD I won't be giving up on this story, but know that my updates are sporadic and the quality varies. I hope that this chapter was alright, and that everyone was in-character. ^^; I know that the chapter was kind of a lull (not too much happened) but the next installment should be very very entertaining as far as dialogue and story development. *nods eagerly*
Please let me know your thoughts, I need all the encouragement I can get for this. lols
~Lyn
