As the climb progressed the duo went back to silence, other than the occasion muscle aching grunt, but they were making good progress. Captain Hooks form perfect showing off his upper body strength as he quickly overtook her. While the hours ticked by, Emma only got increasingly anxious, feeling the pressure to get home she became distracted as they climbed. Losing focus on gripping the rock above, her foot slipped from the one below. Instinctively she looked downwards and gasped realising how high they'd climbed already.
"You alright Princess?"
Hook asked as he appeared beside her, completely calm and collected, one eyebrow raised with a smile lighting up his face.
"Fine, pirate"
"Really, you don't seem to be enjoying the climb?"
"Well, this isn't exactly" Emma paused letting out a small grunt as she continued to climb "A relaxing activity, I need to get home".
"We can at least enjoy the journey there".
"What's to enjoy, we could fall to our deaths at any moment and my blisters have blisters, if only I could at least shield us if we fall or was able to cast some sort of agility spell, give us more stamina".
"That would be cheating".
"Cheating?"
"I told you, in Neverland the obstacles that lay before us, there like a game and you have to follow the rules, or we'll never make it out of here".
"Games what kind of game forces you to risk everything, for treasure".
"One that tries to get you to remember the stakes, make sure you know what you're really fighting for".
Emma frowned, her climbing becoming more intense as she picked up the pace, almost passing Captain Hook.
"Your Prince sure is lucky".
"There is no Prince".
"You seem so determined to get back, I just assumed there was someone, waiting for you".
"Well, my parents, the kingdom there all in danger"
"They can't protect themselves".
"No, I mean, yes but I'm supposed to be there, it's my responsibility".
"Right… of course"
"What do you mean by that"?
"Just figuring you out Princess, seem to have a lot on your shoulders".
"May seem like a lot to a pirate, that's never had to concern himself with anyone else's needs".
"Maybe your right, but I wouldn't wish the weight of an entire kingdom's happiness on anyone's hands".
Emma froze for a moment, surprised by Killians kind words feeling somewhat guilty that she continued to disregard him as nothing more than a treasure hunting scoundrel. He really didn't live up to the reputation of a callous fiend, she began to pay more attention to him as he climbed. He would take risks reaching further then he needed at times, to simply swing a little bit longer. While making his way across and upwards with poise, at times he even paused just to enjoy the view.
"Ah, admit it, your impressed". He said looking back at her as he pulled himself up with one arm.
"I am, haven't seen moves like that, outside the jungles of Seonee".
"You should slow down, so you can enjoy the view a bit longer".
Emma shook her head as Captain Hook looked down at her with a smirk, but she knew he wasn't only referring to himself, but the surrounding jungle. Now that they had passed the treeline you could see most of the island, everywhere you looked there was something beautiful. Tall trees some large enough to call home, waterfalls falling down into gentle streams surrounded by lush green and flowers so vibrant, they were almost glowing. There was something else there Emma couldn't quite put her finger on as if it was just out of sight, but sort of everywhere in the air around them. Suddenly she was snapped away from her thoughts, as Killian called out to her.
"Quick jump!"
His warning came just a moment too late, and the ledge Emma had been leaning on, crumbled beneath her suddenly, desperately she scrambled trying to find a decent grip on one of the rocks, but her hands just scraped along the wall as she slid down. With her momentum building she couldn't stop herself from falling further. Captain Hook got hold of the grappling hook quickly swinging it downwards with precision, before he even saw it safely slot into place on the rocks above, he had jumped off. Just as Emma slid down beside him, he swung across grabbing her arm before she fell to her death. She desperately clung to the pirate, but her hand was slipping, and the captain strained holding to her up, with one arm. She leaped forwards grabbing hold of his waist, the leather providing more grip as they continued to swing around aimlessly, it seemed somewhat hopeless from her angle, but Hooks eyes lit up as he looked ahead.
"Hold on" he instructed.
"I'm not letting go, promise".
"I'm going to try something, just follow my lead".
Captain Hook began to try regaining control of their swing, but he wasn't slowing it down. Instead he used all the strength he had pushing and pulling his whole body, as he set his sights on a ledge, ten feet away.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked, catching onto his plan.
"No"
As the words left his lips Killian gave one final lunge forwards, as did Emma only this time, he flicked back the rope forcing the hook of the ledge.
"Oh, crap" Captain Hook yelled.
They went flying through the air, spending a few seconds in free fall, before just clasping onto a ledge. Clinging to the side of the cliff, with their fingertips.
"Who'd have believed it, you really can fly in Neverland" he said finishing with a chuckle.
Knowing they wouldn't have long before their arms gave way and they fell to their deaths, they had to use every muscle in the arms to pull themselves upwards and to safety. They looked at each other knowingly before they began to move, sliding their bodies upwards, until they reached safety then they both just lay there for a moment, out of breath.
"We made it, I don't know how we made it, but we made it".
"Yeah, thanks to you"
Despite the near-death experience, both the pirate and the princess found themselves to be smiling as the looked out from the cliffside at the view. Captain Hook took off his jacket, feeling the heat as the adrenaline wore off, he carefully took a small flask from his jacket pocket unscrewing the top and taking a sip before offering a drink to Emma. Who took it grateful but was pleasantly surprised it didn't taste off salt water, instead the rum had a nice smoky flavour.
"The crew left you for dead, took your sword, but didn't take your rum".
"Pirates code, never take a man's rum, even a dead one".
"Oh, so there is honour among thieves".
"Just a little"
Emma let out a slight sigh, her palms stinging covered in tiny cuts that she received, trying to cling onto the cliff.
"Here, let me help with that".
"It's fine, I can handle a few cuts".
The Captain held out his flask offering its contents up to ease the pain and sterilise her hands. Once again Emma was surprised by her strange new companion's gentle touch and thoughtfulness, as he poured out what was definitely the last of his rum and ripped off part of his sleeve to mend her wounds. There was a tension in the air, the good kind as he leaned in pulling tight the makeshift bandage with his mouth a manoeuvre, he had perfected while not taking his eyes off Emma's as he worked.
"Thanks" she simply said as he was done.
"Anytime"
"Not just the hands, you saved me, back there".
"Now were even".
"Right of course…. I'm just, I'm not used to being the one that needs saving".
"I figured"
"For a pirate you sure are gallant, most would have let me fall rather than risk themselves".
"I said, I'd get you home, I keep my word".
Emma blushed slightly, before looking back out into the surrounds the sun was beginning to set making for a beautiful orange pinkish sky. Captain Hook also looked out into the surrounding jungle; his eyes wide with wonder.
"I've dreamt of seeing this place for so long".
"It sure is a beautiful island, would stick around if it wasn't for the poisonous plants, murderous pirates, sweltering heat, … and the fact everyone's counting on me".
The sat in silence for a few minutes, readying themselves for the remaining climb, it was finally broken by the loud screech of a large red bird as it flew by. The sound echoed in Emma's mind taking her back to the ball, her relaxed demeanour abruptly faded. The chaos of her friends and family screaming in terror running for their lives, as she watched helplessly getting sucked into the portal encompassed her.
"Alright we better keep moving" she said getting to her feet.
"Right, the sun will be down soon, we better make camp".
"Camp?"
"We will need to stop, the jungle is even worse at night, most creatures are nocturnal".
"Isn't it better to keep moving, get out of here, as soon as possible"
"We won't get anywhere, if were dead love".
Not being able to argue with that logic, Emma fell silent, and the pair continued the short climb that remained until they reached the top of the summit. Exhausted and out of breath they finally reached the top, both eyes went wide, surprised by what they found.