"Settle down children, I have a story to tell you" Myrtle began.

Hook held Aurelia tightly as she shook. "Don't worry" he murmured "I'm not going to let anything happen to you." She looked up at him, and he put a hand on her cheek.

"As some of you may not know, our dear little creature here swam down to my home, and made a deal with me. She was a mermaid, at the time you see- another long story- and was turned once again human. She then had three days to find her true love and kiss him, or she would be dragged back into the dark depths of the sea as my slave"

"And she has found her true love" Kai shouted.

Shouts of agreement.

"And she has kissed him" Nixie added.

"The sun had almost set" the sea wtich hissed.

"You've lost" peter said "Now leave, or we will all fight you"

"You're not getting her" Hook added, still holding the girl in him strong arms.

Myrtle gave a long, dark chuckle.

"You pathetic beings, you think you can stop me? I'm taking her, and there is nothing you can do about it"

Out of nowhere, a flying spear had pierced the sea witches shoulder, black blood spilling out.

"WHO DARES THE TRY AND WOUND ME?" she screamed, spit flying out from her mouth, her eyebrows rose high and her face drawn.

Tiger lily stood forward.

"That was a warning" she said, quite calmly "Leave us all in peace"

The sea witch raised her hand, pushing it in a rapid movement. Tiger Lily went flying down, and Kai flung his body at Myrtle.

Nixie joined him, and as Myrtle flicked them back, other mer joined, surging like a great wave in a valiant attempt to sway the witch.

She used her power to snatch Aurelia off the ground, and Hook held onto Aurelia's hand, but she was pulled from his grasp. Hook ran at Myrtle, along with Peter, the pirates and the lost boys. The numbers combined with the magic of the witch created a massive battle.

"I'm tired off this" Myrtle panted, sweeping across against the Indians who were raging at her with spears and daggers. She grabbed one, and created a space bubble between herself and the others. They could not penetrate it. She had Aurelia's arm, and Aurelia ducked, swinging a leg to kick the bitch in her face. The foot connected with her cheekbone with a satisfying crack, but she was rewarded with slap bringing her to the ground. She rolled up, punching the witch in the stomach, then grabbing her hand and mashed her knee into Myrtles face.

The fight continued between the women, until Myrtle screamed as Aurelia cracked her nose. Aurelia didn't even feel the dagger slip in, quietly and easily. Aurelia gasped, looking down at her ribs. She touched the handle of the dagger and everyone grew silent. Aurelia fell to her knees, looking up at the triumphant looking sea witch.

She let out a whimper and some weird breathing noises as she pulled the dagger out, feeling the warm deep red blood spill over her clothes.

Hook let out a roar, running at the bubble, and he broke through it. Maybe it was his anger, or love for Aurelia, but his sword easily reached Myrtles heart… if there was one.

She screamed, a monstrous, horrible noise and broke apart into a million tiny black pieces that dissolved into nothing.

Hook ran to Aurelia, holding her.

"Fancy seeing you here" she said, delirious "I have a strong sense of déjà vu"

"Come on, I'm taking you to get help" Hook said, his face worried, a little frown on his forehead. He picked her up, and started carrying her.

He carried her back to the lost boys cave, and laid her down on a bed. One of the women from the indian cabin studied the wound, and soon, the work began. Over the next few days people came in and out of the room, bringing ingredients and grinding plants for some sort of potion. Someone brought incense, and the small dull room was often stuffy and smelling of cinnamon. The mer people handed over some sea plants with healing properties, and the lost boys helped.

Aurelia was fed by the woman, washed by them, her hair was brushed, and although she tried her hardest to appreciate this loving action from her friends, the pain hurt and she could feel herself slipping away, a little piece gone every day.

She was completely delirious, not knowing what was real or fantasy, memories weaving in with present actions. She saw Peter- but he was split in two halves- one, the childhood peter she had known and loved, and the other, elder warrior who had responsibilities as a leader.

"I'm sorry Aurelia" Peter said. "I was jealous, I've changed. I'm not the boy you knew"

"he's still in there somewhere- my best friend." Aurelia managed. "I'm proud of you Peter- but you need to accept your responsibilities as a leader. you need the pople to love you, not fear you."

"I will, I promise." he bowed his head, and left.

Hook was almost always by her side, holding her hand, stroking her face, with a soft kiss or reassuring word when she needed it.

One night, when it was just the pair of them in the room, she had a particularly bad fever, and she gripped his hand.

"Killian"

"Yes, what's wrong? Need anything?"

"I need to talk to you… tell you"

"No" he said, his face stern "Don't say your goodbyes. You're not going to die. I won't allow it"

"you can't protect me from death" Aurelia gave a soft laugh. "I'm sorry, if I've ever done you wrong. I always knew you were a good man, and you are. If I die, you need to promise me you will continue to love the way you do now. Don't be angry, don't kill needlessly, just… be happy" she gave a cough. "And remember… I will always love you"

"I love you" he said, a tear sliding down from his beautiful blue eyes. "Please don't leave me, Aurelia, please"

Aurelia had stopped breathing, and her heart had slowed down, finally stopping. Slowly, she grew colder and paler.

They found them, hours later. Hook was inconsolable, holding his dead loves hand.