Wendy was quick to be up the next morning. Before Mr. Smee had even knocked, she had used a cloth to wipe her face and ran her fingers through her hair. She felt greasy, the kind of greasy that comes from not being able to wash for several very warm days. She hoped she didn't look as gross as she felt. Looking down at her feet, she realized she still didn't have shoes. Releasing a breath, she squared her shoulders and left the cabin. Instead of turning to go up the stairs, she saw Hook observing a group of men along the right side of the deck before her. She rushed over, then slowed when she was able to see what the men were doing. Working together like a machine, guided by Mr. Smee, four men used a series of pulleys and rope to lower a smaller boat over the side of the ship and into the water. She was fascinated, stepping up just behind Hook to watch the smaller boat disappear over the side of the ship and be lowered without hitting the side of the hull.
"Are you ready to go ashore, Miss Darling?" Hook asked, continuing to observe his crew. She looked to the side of his face, before realizing there was land in the distance before her. Her mouth fell open as she took in the view of the large island. There were docks with several ships moored there, all of them smaller than the Jolly Roger. Wendy could see people milling about their lives, traveling around like ants withion the small hamlet, which stretched a ways along the beach and extended towards the base of the mountain range in the distance. It dawned on Wendy that she was looking at what appeared to be a village from the past. All the buildings appeared to be wood structures, none of them above three floors in height, and even those were few and far.
"Before we depart, I must have a word, Miss Darling." Hook's cold professionalism cut through her thoughts, he pulled her away from the group to face him, keeping his hand on her elbow. She looked up and suppressed a shiver at the domineering glare he was giving her.
"Yes?" She asked, trying to contain her impatience.
"It is of the utmost importance that you listen to me, now. This is a very dangerous town, full of very dangerous people. You will not leave mine or Mr. Smee's side. You will not eat or drink anything you haven't seen ingested by myself or Mr. Smee. You will do your best to refrain from speaking, especially about yourself. Do not give anyone information about you, anything about you. Do not accept anything from anyone, especially any children." She raised an eyebrow at him.
"They will smile praises to your face with their hands in your purse. I am speaking these rules for your protection. Do you understand me?" He asked urgently, staring down his aristocratic nose at her. She sifted slightly and nodded.
"I need you to tell me you understand, Miss Darling."
"Yes. I understand. I will stay by our side and silent." He smiled, for a moment she thought it was a friendly smile, quickly overtaken with the smirk he usually sported.
"Very well, then we shall go." He tried to steer her back towards the men gathered around the smaller boat below, his hand never leaving her arm.
"Wait." She slowed him down, Hook turned, eyebrows raised.
"I don't have shoes." She lifted one of her feet to prove her point. Mr. Smee smiled behind Hook, turning back to the group of men, now climbing over the edge of the deck and down to the smaller boat.
"If I'm not mistaken, Miss Darling, you don't have a lot of things. You will not be out of place walking through town in your bare feet. Though, your clothes will draw attention… However, we will adjust our plans as issues arise." He spoke more to himself, exhaling.
"I also don't have my wallet." Once again, he raised a questioning eyebrow. Wendy exhaled in minor frustration. "My wallet, my… my coin purse. I have money but it's in my wallet. Along with my ID, my cards…" Realization dawned on Hook, and he smiled easily.
"Oh Miss Darling, what sort of host would I be if I expected my guests to use their own finances? Especially, when I know they don't have any?" His eyes dipped down her form, before turning on the spot and directing her over to the side of the ship with the opening, allowing one to climb over and down. She tensed, stopping when her hands touched the railing. Hook took a paused moment, watching Wendy's knuckles turn white from gripping the short wall. After a moment, he stepped up behind her, leaning down to speak quietly into her ear.
"Miss Darling, what is wrong?" He was unsure what had happened suddenly, only that she was obviously terrified of something. He could feel her trembling, barely feel her breathing.
"I can't. I can't go over the side." She whispered, unblinking at the ocean below her.
"And, why not?" He asked, watching her carefully.
"Because… I'm afraid." Hook took a slow breath, trying to figure out exactly what she was talking about. He stood taller, turning to face Mr. Smee, while slowly bringing his arm across Wendy's front to turn her away from the edge and closer to his person. It was a mark of her fear that she didn't fight him, merely clutched at his arm, banded across her.
"Mr. Smee, we are going to need another rope, I would imagine a smaller one would be better. Please have it brought over immediately." He continued to stand there, placing himself between Wendy and the short wall of the ship. "Breath in, Miss Darling." He ordered softly, feeling her finally take in a breath. Wendy tried to slow her racing heart, tried not to think about the comfort she was finding while tucked beneath Hook's arm. His strong, warm body grounded her, calming her while drowning her senses with the sweet scents of salt and lilies. Once he was certain she was breathing again, he loosened his arm and she turned to face him.
She looked up to meet his eyes, a small wrinkle of worry between his eyebrows. She suppressed a shiver, unsure whether it was from fear or desire. All too quickly, Mr. Smee was back.
"Come, tie that around her." He spoke to Smee, who stepped forward with a slightly apologetic look, and wrapped the rope around Wendy's waist, tying it expertly in front of her. It was loose and Wendy clutched the rope, feeling very small among the group of pirates.
"Now, Miss. Darling, you are going to climb down the side and into the boat, and no less than four of my crew will hold that rope while that is happening. Therefore, there will be no danger, should you slip. Does that make sense?" He asked matter of factly. Wendy nodded, swallowing to try to ease the dryness in her mouth.
"Mr. Smee, you will be the last aboard the boat." With that, Hook turned and began to lower himself over the side of the ship, climbing down with more grace than Wendy had expected. In only a few moments, Hook was standing on the smaller boat, looking up expectantly at her.
"Come along, now Miss Darling!" He called up to her. Wendy turned to see Mr. Smee standing beside her, watching her with a kind look.
"We have you, should anything go wrong. Keep your eyes on me, and climb your way down the ladder." She nodded, focusing on his calm smile, and moved to step over the edge and down the ladder. He smiled warmly, nodding his encouragement as she made her way down the side of the ship. She kept looking up, until the warm hand of Hook gently touched her back, wrapping to hold her under her arms. He pulled her back against him, setting her feet firmly on the boat, and pulled the rope over her head.
"Very good. Please sit over there." He motioned with his chin, before taking the seat next to her. Quickly, Mr. Smee and another pirate descended the ship and took seats on the smaller boat. Ropes were tossed and two men began to row away from the ship and off to the island.
Wendy was so entranced by the town they were in, that Mr. Smee or Hook had to constantly stop and pull her forward. After several times, Hook kept a firm grip on Wendy's upper arm, leading her along while she took in everything she could. Wendy felt as though she had stepped back in time, as if she were wandering around the town that Belle had lived in before she found the Beast. Part of her was wondering if people would dance along, should she break into song. They had reached a town square of sorts, and Hook led Wendy into a tailor's shop. The man who stood behind the counter, saw Hook walk into his store, followed by several pirates and immediately stood straighter
"Welcome, Captain! What can I do for you on this fine morning?" He asked with a wide smile. He stepped around the counter, wiping his palms on his pants and stepping up to Hook. He was significantly shorter than Hook, with thick glasses perched on his previously broken nose. He looked up at Hook, as he answered.
"Good morning, we are in need of clothing for this young woman. A few pairs of trousers and shirts should do the trick." The older man then turned to Wendy, running his eyes up and down her body. He nodded, thoughtfully to himself. The other crew men had dispersed; one at the front door, one standing towards the back of the shop, others milling about.
"I'm sure I have a few things that will fit her, are you staying the evening?" The tailor asked, once again looking up at Hook.
"We are planning to leave port first thing in the morning." Hook nodded. The older man nodded, as well.
"Very well, Captain. I'll take some measurements and have the bundle delivered first thing in the morning. Elyzabeth!" He called towards the backroom of the shop. A younger woman, younger than Wendy, in a brown shift dress made of rough wool and a deep green apron came out. She smiled at the large pirate who had been standing in her way, and stepped up to the tailor, giving a small curtsy to Hook and Wendy. Hook smiled, politely back, dipping his chin in response.
"Do as they say, and remember what I told you." Hook pulled Wendy closer to speak quietly in her ear, before letting her go and meandering towards another area in the clothing shop, Mr. Smee trailing behind.
The morning passed in a blur of strangers measuring parts of her body, piling up articles of clothing, shoes, and Hook speaking with more people than Wendy could pay attention to. Walking between the different shops, Hook would often stop at a merchant's stall to discuss food or supplies. All the while, he kept his hand on Wendy's upper arm, making sure she was always at his side. By the afternoon, Wendy was exhausted, her stomach growling. As they walked out of another shop Mr. Smee showed up, offering Wendy an apple, which she took gratefully. They stood just outside the storefront, Wendy looking around at the crowds, taking in the hustle and bustle of the market square. Wendy wasn't listening to Hook or Smee, instead her eye had caught the most peculiar shape on the other side of the market square. She blinked twice to make sure she saw it correctly. It looked like a large dog covered with feathers. The small group began moving through the market towards the bird/dog creature, Wendy led by Hook, unable to take her eyes off the strange animal. At some point Hook had stopped at a merchant's stall, was intently discussing something with the owner, Mr. Smee standing just beside him, invested in whatever they were discussing, and had taken his hand off of Wendy.
In a trance, she walked past the last of the stalls and started down a street, trying to get closer to the strange dog thing, taking care of her steps because it kept backing away from her. Wendy was standing at the opening of an alley between two buildings before she realized she was no longer surrounded by a crowd. She stopped and looked back, to see Hook and Smee still discussing something with the vendor. Hook continued to point to the man's table, both appearing to speak very animatedly. Then, she heard the rustle of the feathers from the dog and snapped back to face it. The dog thing had stopped a short way down the alley. Wendy followed, unaware of where the thing was going, only staring at its odd brown body covered in short feathers, much like a chicken. Except for its tale, a long sweeping quill of deep brown and gold. Still Wendy followed, wondering if the animal would plume like a peacock if she could just pet it.
Suddenly, a strong hand clamped down on Wendy's arm and yanked her back. She let out a small yelp, gasping when the owner of the hand, a large and menacing man, slammed her back against the stonewall of the building. He towered over her, staring down his large nose at her with a predatory gaze, as another man just as large stepped up beside him. They were both broad and dirty, blackened teeth showing from their cruel smiles, obviously excited by the mouse they had caught. Wendy tried her best not to give into the panic building in her chest.
"Look wha' we caught today, Digby." The first brute smiled down at her. Wendy tried to glance around for someone, something, anything that could help her. There was nothing and no one in the alley, she had walked into this dangerous situation.
"You're not from around here, are you, love?" The second one, Digby, asked; reaching out a beefy hand and gripping a lock of her hair. Wendy jerked away, trying to think of what to do.
"Hook is looking for me." She spoke quickly, trying to sound braver than she felt. They shared a quick look between them, before turning their hungry gazes back to her.
"So, you're Hook's, then? Well, he's not here now." The first one looked around, mockingly. Wendy inconspicuously repositioned her feet, forcing herself to breath.
"He will be. And he will kill you, if you hurt me." They laughed, tossing their heads back. Wendy took the moment and balled her first, punching directly into the groin of the first man as hard as she could. He dropped instantly, to the ground, clutching himself with a loud, wheezy groan. The second man, Digby, stepped away from Wendy in confusion, yelling at his friend to tell him what happened. Wendy turned and threw her leg up as hard as she could, nailing the second man in the groin, as well. Then, she turned on her toes and began to run. The first man's fingers grabbed at her ankle and Wendy stumbled, her hands hitting the dirt ground. She didn't stop though and continued to run back to the main road, hearing them shout behind her. Wendy got to the street and turned the corner, running back to the market. She chanced a look back to see how close they were, then immediately slammed into a wall of pure muscle.
A single hand grabbed her arm, stopping her from falling back. She pounded her fists on his chest before looking up and realizing it was Hook. He looked down at her, pure anger radiating from his cold, blue eyes. The sounds of the two men turning the corner drew Wendy's attention behind her. Hook pushed Wendy to his side, stepping partially in front of her, though she watched the two men stop a few yards away. She didn't notice the other pirates stepping up around them, until one of them quickly wrapped their strong hands around her upper arms, holding her still.
"Oiy, Hook, that there is our little treat." The one named Digby called out. Hook didn't move, simply looked down his aristocratic nose at the two of them.
"No… I believe you will find that this lost little lamb belongs to me." Wendy shivered at the frigid sentence. The crowd at the edge of the Market Square behind them had gone still, quiet. Everyone seemed to be watching, waiting to see if a brawl would begin. The two brutes stood taller, measuring up their chances. It was a moment so tense, it weighed heavy in Wendy's chest. Both of the men across from them were easily twice Hook's width, and several inches taller. In a fight, Wendy was sure they would destroy him, quickly. But, Hook had a power about him, a charisma that exuded power and dominance. Even if there weren't other crew members around him, Wendy wouldn't wish to see how the brawl would turn out. After a tense moment of silent challenge, the two men finally dropped their shoulders.
"Put a bell on your little lamb, Hook. She won't get away, again." They turned to leave.
"Gentleman," Hook called and flipped a gold coin to Digby once they had turned. "For your troubles." They took the coin with a filthy glare and turned to leave.
It was as if the volume had been turned up, suddenly there was noise and movement all around Wendy. It didn't matter though, for Hook turned and gripped the back of her neck, walking through the crowd, holding her close beside him. The crowds moved out of his way, quickly. Some scrambled to get behind others.
"Was it the instructions that you didn't understand, Miss Darling?" He hissed in her ear, marching her back to the harbor.
"I'm so-"
"Do not speak. Do not dare to speak, now." He ordered. For the first time, Wendy was afraid of Captain Hook.