Hi, my dear readers!

I hope, you could enjoy a so-called 'golden October' so far and had a good week. Thank you for the feedback, I'm really happy every time I'll get a comment / review.

The big showdown is beginning now and I can promise that it won't be for the faint-hearted, so be warned.

So, have fun

Yours Starflight / Lywhn

Chapter 72 –Confrontation at The Manor, Part 1

Oscar Alister and Reuben Jackson moved quickly past Lunette's witch-kitchen and toward the dungeon, both in foul moods. Alister's nose had swollen twice its usual size and turned a curious variegated purple. It would remain crooked forever - and it still hurt! Jackson had burned his left hand at the hot stove, helping Olivia retrieve her damn kitchen towel. And now! – now they were supposed to bring the pirate to the main floor. They did not expect him to come easily!

The prisoner's level was silent; the torch was flickering, projecting a wavering light over the walls behind the bars. The two men exchanged a glance, and moved to the pirate's cell, thinking they would see him sitting on the cold floor and armed with a sneering comment, but – no! The man was sprawled on the floor, long hair covering his face. And he wasn't breathing.

Alister grasped the bars, staring at the motionless prisoner. "Is he …" Reuben began, and Oscar frowned.

"Can't tell; probably a trick."

"There!" Jackson pointed to the pirate's left hand. Alister spotted it and swore: Hook's fingers were closed around a small empty phial. "Poison!" Oscar whispered, then he cursed. "That bastard had poison on his person and took it! Looks like he refused to be a pawn." He slammed the key into the door and unlocked it. "He killed himself to save the brat! Had to be the bloody hero." The door screeched open and he moved into the cell while Jackson hung back.

"Maybe he isn't really dead," the other mumbled, "only unconscious or something like that."

Alister stopped beside Hook and kicked his side. No reaction. "Don't get yer hopes up, Reuben. The bastard's dead." He bent over the pirate and pulled him roughly onto his back. Hook's head lolled to the side, eyes closed, face expressionless. "Nah, he's had it and good riddance -"

Alister never saw it coming. One moment he was reaching to feel for the buccaneer's pulse, the next moment Hook's left fist hit him with full force on his cheekbone, hurling him against the wall.

Jackson gaped at the 'dead' pirate, who was immediately on his feet with Alister's collar on his metal claw and drew back his hand again. Reuben overcame his shock and was about to enter the fray when something caught his right leg and he felt the pain of something biting him. With a scream, he began to hop on his left leg and looked down upon a small creature with long pointed ears clinging to his other leg, teeth clamped on his calf; its brown eyes glaring at him. "Get off!" he screamed. "Dammit, GET OFF!"

He attempted to pluck the attacker from his leg, when a strong hand took his shoulder and, looking up, was immediately brained by the wooden cuff. At the same time the little creature climbed up Jackson's back and clawed his face from behind, yelling like a banshee. Reeling from the blow and the scream in his ear, Jackson hopped and stumbled through the space in front of the cells.

Hook wasn't done with him. "Nissa, get off him!" he ordered, and as she dropped to the floor, he threw a punch that sent the second opponent flying against the wall. Hitting his head hard, Jackson slid down onto the floor, now completely stunned.

Nissa was beside the hunter, pressing a hand against the side of his throat. "Alive," she stated. Then she gave Hook a triumphant grin. "We did it!" she cheered and lifted a little, wrinkled fist into the air. "A clever plan, Master Jamie!"

James briefly considered gutting the bastard, but times had changed, and he must as well. So he straightened, taking a deep breath to calm down. Turning around, he froze. Alister had regained his composure and stood at the door of the cell, pistol aimed at James' heart.

"Got ya!" the man from Liverpool growled, staggering; eyes burning with hate …

* PP *

It only took a moment for Nibs and Slightly to break through the separating wall. It turned out that it was – indeed – the back panel of a tall wardrobe, empty but for the fragrant moth balls.

John lifted his lamp and frowned at the closed doors to the wardrobe. "Huh, more doors."

"King," Peter stated, pushing past his friends. The old floor of the cabinet beneath his feet creaked, then he stepped fully inside it and shoved the doors; they slowly opened, and Peter stepped into a dark room, also cold and damp. "John, bring the light," he whispered; assuming it to be in a part of the lower levels. John's light revealed rough walls, the same as the cells where he had been held captive. He shuddered at the memory.

Wendy climbed through the cabinet, too, carrying Bumblyn, accompanied by pixies. The three other boys followed her. "Where are we?" the girl asked quietly, setting Bumblyn on his feet.

"Somewhere near the dungeon," Peter answered, then they heard voices from above; muffled, one talking quietly and the other one much louder. The boys and Wendy listened closely, then she gasped: "It's James!"

Peter nodded, but before he could reply, they all heard the other man screaming: "YOU GO NOWHERE! YOUR WAY ENDS HERE!"

"One of the hunters!" Nibs murmured.

That was all Wendy needed to hear. Whirling around, she grabbed John's wrist and raised his lamp, finding the old staircase that led upstairs, and began to run. "Wendy, wait!" Peter called.

"Wendy, not without light! You'll fall!" John gasped, following her. Dust of generations whirled up as first the girl then the others ran up the stairs, praying for another miracle that the opening at the end of the steps wasn't locked.

* PP *

Horrified, Nissa looked up at the mortal aiming a deadly weapon at her 'Master Jamie'. She felt the man's rage that seemed to rob him of any sense. Gasping, she pressed herself against Hook's leg, then heard noises from below. Odd! She knew that below them was another level, and the old secret passage, well hidden behind a forgotten cabinet. Which hadn't been traversed in centuries. So, why the sudden noise from there?

The captain remained calm. "Shoot me and you'll earn Ashford's everlasting fury – which means no money," he challenged.

"What do I care!" Alister spat, whose face was throbbing, jaw turning purple, lump forming on his head from the wall. He was having trouble aiming the pistol. "I have had enough from you lot – you, the brat, the little ungodly creatures … you can all burn in hell. Even better, I send you all to the devil meself!" He left the cell, still staggering, and raised the pistol; now pointing it straight at Hook's face. And a that distance he couldn't miss – which James knew all too well. The expression on the man's face was unnerving – one knew Alister was close to losing it, given the twitching in his eyes and the snarl that changed his features into an ugly grimace.

Raising both arms, Hook changed his tactic. "Alas, calm down," he tried to soothe his opponent's fury. "I won't fight you, I just want to go back to London, that's all -"

"YOU GO NOWHERE! YOUR WAY ENDS HERE!" Alister screamed. "I'll make certain of it." Taking his shooting stance, James tensed, looking into a barrel that seemed as big as eternity.

"If you don't calm down, all of this suffering you've been through will be for naught." For those few seconds, Hook vied for time, while his quick mind sought an escape. Yet there was no escape. Even if he let himself fall, the new guns had several bullets. His mouth was getting dry and his heart seemed to pause. He heard Nissa whimpering. Raising his eyes from the barrel of the gun to the other man's face, he saw his own death there. This bullet would not hit the dragon scale over his heart, but his head. This time he would die!

Wendy…

In that briefest of instants before his death, the dungeon around him vanished, and he was back in Neverland, in the middle of the Indian village, dancing with Wendy around the bonfire, her eyes shining, her happy laughter filling his soul …

A scream – indeed worthy of a Banshee – brought him out of the memory which he thought would accompany him to eternity. With widening eyes, he saw a figure landed on his enemy's back, forcing the arm with the pistol into the air. A figure with long walnut-colored hair …

"LEAVE MY MAN ALONE!" A small hand grabbed Alister's wrist, slim fingers scratched his face, slender legs in weathered-green leggings were clamped around the man's waist. Alister stumbled again – taken by surprise – while the human hellcat on his back continued to fight him; shouting deprecations.

For the blink of an eye, Hook couldn't tell what was happening, then he shook off the dread. Before he could react, another smaller individual appeared, caught the hunter's pistol with both hands, wrenched it out of the man's grasp and dropped it. The boy shouted angrily and rained kicks and punches on Alister. One really shouldn't anger Peter Pan too much. As playful as the boy usually was, he was a surprisingly fierce fighter.

Hook froze, staring, remembering the episode five years ago – on the flank of the Mount-of-no-Return, trolls about to kill him. An equally belligerent Wendy had come to his rescue, wearing the same Elvish clothes and she hadn't come alone. There was Peter and four of the older boys, her little friends had accompanied her, too. In wonder he saw a determined Bumblyn who crawled up at the hunter's belt buckle and tore at the man's waistcoat, while Tink flew at his face and kicked the man's nose; he screamed in pain as he did when Aurora attacked him. Kailen flew past Hook, bowed towards Nissa and then inspected the other unconscious hunter. "Binding him we should!" he remarked practically, surrounded by a dozen or more of his companions.

Hook couldn't guess from where they'd come, but he was grateful for this twist of fate. The hunter didn't stand a chance against a furious Wendy Darling and an outraged Peter Pan. Alister dropped to his knees, nose gushing blood, and Wendy found herself straddling his back. She yanked on his arms, dropping him grunting to his belly. James knew he wouldn't stay down, and moved to help, but Slightly and Nibs jumped over the fallen man, almost colliding with him.

"Sorry, Capt'n sir, we want to tie up the other one," Nibs told Hook, who only snorted, noticing that at least the rascals had learned some manners. Then he turned back to the others.

John sat on Alister's legs, while Peter and Wendy still rode the squirming hunter. Curly took a rope from the satchel. "Hold him, Peter," he called and tried to bind Alister, who cursed evilly.

"Such foul language," Nibs said, who had convinced himself that Jackson was indeed unconscious.

"Yeah, we should wash his mouth with soap," Slightly nodded, who helped him tie Jackson after Curly tossed him another rope. (He was remembering an episode with Millicent several years before.)

The distraction allowed Alister push Wendy off. Freeing his right arm from Peter's grip, he reached for the pistol again. Seeing the new danger, Peter grabbed Alister's wrist; pointing the muzzle away from the others, but it slowly turned toward him.

Suddenly Peter was shoved out of the way, and the pirate stomped on the hunter's wrist. Alister screamed in pain, pulling the trigger in reflex. The shot rang out. The bullet missed them all, flying into the stairway, burying itself in the wall.

"You will cease and desist!" Hook snarled. He hauled the man to his feet, spun him around and pressed his metal claw against Alister's throat. "Another move like that and you get to drown in your own blood!" he hissed; eyes flashing. Oscar felt the hot breath of the pirate on his ear: "It doesn't take long; you get enough time to pray your soul out of hell." The man seemed to come to senses, freezing where he stood, seeing the deadly intent in the captain's eyes, feeling the edge of the wicked hook on his throat. "John, Curly, if you lads would please make use of the ropes?" James addressed the two boys with cold courtesy, still staring into the alarmed face of his captive. Alister was soon wrapped like a Christmas package, while Nibs and Slightly finished with Jackson.

Peter had regained his feet and met Hook's gaze. "You alright?" James asked and the boy smirked.

"Nothing leaking – thank you!"

Then Peter went to Wendy, still on the floor, rubbing her elbow; Bumblyn and Nissa watching her, but she was watching James, examining every inch of him. To her relief there were no injuries, but he was pale, with a bruise by his left temple. Nothing serious. And, more importantly, he was safe. The bullet had missed him.

"Wendy?"

She glanced at the boy, now seeing that Peter was offering her his hand. Still trembling, she allowed Peter to help her to her feet. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly but got no answer, for she only had eyes for Hook.

Beside them Nissa sighed with relief that her beloved 'Master Jamie' lived and the 'brave Wendy-lady,' who had indeed saved him, was unharmed. Then she frowned. "Hearing the noise the dorcha bhiorach certainly did," she said aloud. "Securing the door upstairs you should."

Cadan heard the Brownie and nodded, whistled to his mates and half the pixies followed him up the stairs. Finding themselves in another part of the cellars, the warrior waved at his troop to follow him up to the building's ground level. They arrived in time to hear persons drawing nearer, the voices of men and a woman. Cadan frowned, feeling the dark power that surrounded that woman.

"The witch is coming," he growled. "Prevent her to go downstairs we must!" Flying close to the door, he saw that the old mechanism bolt and latch was still mounted to the door above the new lock. He grinned triumphantly. "Quick!" he ordered and pointed at the bolt. With their united strength, the pixies were able to move the rusty bolt and to shove it into the latch – a moment before someone tried to open the door from the other side.

"It's stuck!" a male voice called.

"It can't be stuck, I just came from here!" (The accent was Lunette's, the voice had taken the timbre of her master) The pixies congratulated each other, then flew down the stairs again; giggling, even in battle betraying their mischievous nature.

Then they heard it: voices from behind another door. And a quiet hissing and snarling, Victoria cooing soothingly – soft noises, yet they all knew what it was. "The dragonling Master Kailen spoke of," Cadan whispered in awe. "Hatched it is."

"Getting it to safety we must!" another pixie peeped.

They flew to the door to the witch-kitchen. Cadan examined the hatch and bolt, and together with two other pixies he opened the bolt, yet the door remained locked. Rubbing his upturned nose he grumbled: "Tricky this one is!" Then he pushed an arm into the keyhole and felt for the old lock mechanism …

* PP *

As Cadan and his comrades flew away, the boys began to drag the bound Alister into the cell where Hook had been held, then Jackson, too.

Wendy could only see James, who now looked fully at her. Wendy found herself the focus of those forget-me-not-blue eyes. He was safe! She had arrived just in time!

She had run faster than the others – faster than Peter could fly in this narrow space. She had reached the cells and found that man about to shoot her James! As the boys now trussed the two hunters, all she could do was gaze on him. Her knees trembled as she approached. Walking into his arms, she wrapped her own tightly around him. James took a deep breath; astonished to be alive and with her once again. "You came," he murmured, laying his cheek against her hair.

"Of course I came – I had to," Wendy whispered into his curls. His clothes may have changed, his scent of sea, tobacco, patchouli and himself hadn't, and her trembling eased.

He hugged her close, feeling his pirate identity slipping yet another notch, wishing he could hold her forever. He felt her trembling. "Thank you," he said quietly in her ear. "Thank you so much, me hearty," he voiced the same words as he had five years ago.

Something between a sob and a giggle escaped her as she looked up at him. He saw her sweet face, the fierce expression in her eyes – she would always be there for him – the memory was there, of the volcano, the cold wind and snow tearing at his clothes. It had been that moment he had felt the first impulse to kiss those trembling, luscious lips – and now he could! He knew time was short – that their enemies were coming – but he snatched that brief moment of happiness; fingers in her hair, his mouth finding Wendy's in a hungry kiss, tasting the honeyed softness of her lips, her breath, her arms about him. As their hearts beat as one, he was aware of how alive he truly felt – and how close to death he had come. Again!

Wendy returned the kiss with a fierceness he enjoyed. The heat of his body and his long arms around her eased the fear of the last moments: She had very nearly seen him killed. But he was very much alive, and they held each other. Wendy melted against him. Had it only been apart one day? It felt like a … a year! And now she was back in his arms and returned his kiss with her whole being. The danger was past – for now. And she loved having him close to her.

Peter helped John and Curly drag Alister into the cell. The man's nose was bleeding again. "Don't come near my Da ever again, you stupid man!" Peter spat before he stood, unaware what he had just called Hook, missing the glances John and Curly gave him. He turned to see Slightly and Nibs dragging the other man into the next cell, Nissa watching with Bumblyn. Then he glanced at Hook, who … who was quite occupied with Wendy. When they parted, they laid their foreheads together, lost in each other's eyes. Peter huffed, "You two and your thimbles."

Hook merely replied, "Jealous?"

"Of that?" Peter asked and stuck his thumb to his chest. "Not me! You two can do that all day if you want." Then, looking over the captain, he saw the dirt on the new coat, the scuffs on the elegant boots. "You're really alright?" he asked, moving nearer and feeling guilty. It should never have come to this!

"Never better, thank you," James replied. Another look at Peter, and he understood the reason for the expression in the teen's eyes. The great Pan, Prince of Neverland, would never need a hug, mind you – but for that moment he was just a boy, and boys did need a cuddle now and then. Turning from Wendy he flung out his right arm. "Come here, boy," he murmured, and Peter threw himself at him, burying his face in the new coat. Wendy smiled and moved to James' side, allowing James to pull Peter into a strong embrace, stroking the youth's curls with his left hand.

There they stood: The pirate-captain, the eternal boy and the storyteller – wrapped in a family-hug. The four other boys began to grin. Maybe they were getting a peek into the future, and it felt right somehow.

John watched the unusual scene thoughtfully. He slowly shook his head, and Curly saw it. "What ya thinking?" he asked softly.

"Who would ever have imagined it?" he replied. "Villain of villains, my brother-in-law? Certainly not I!"

Curly, Slightly and Nibs grinned at each other. "Not ME!" they all said, and the four laughed.

"I'm sorry," Peter was saying, close to tears.

"For what?" the man asked quietly against the boy's tousled head.

"I left you – I ran away! I should have stayed, then we could have fought them together." He lifted his head and – behold – a tear rolled down his cheek! "I let you down -"

"Not true!" James objected firmly. "You did as ordered, and weren't captured. You went to find help." He frowned. "Didn't I also tell you to run to Mab? Then why are you here?" He looked toward Wendy. "And you as well? Why are you here?"

"How could we leave your rescue to others?" Wendy asked indignantly, "You know us."

"Aye. You and Peter are the most irresponsible … and daring people I ever knew," he grumbled. Then he gave Wendy a glare. "Stop putting yourself in danger for me!"

The girl smiled broadly. "As often as you put yourself in danger, dear James, we will be there, too."

Hook took a deep breath. "When we get back, beauty …" She grinned and stuck out her tongue at him.

"Does this all look a bit familiar," Slightly sighed, while Alister was still cursing vividly.

"Oh, for glory's sake, shut up!" John snapped, taking out his large white handkerchief and stretched it into the man's mouth and tied it around his head; eliminating Alister's ability to speak coherently, which earned him a furious glare. "Silenced! What a blessing!"

A pixie appeared at the door opening, and peeped: "Hurry! The witch and the evil men upstairs – come down to us they try!"

Now it was Hook who uttered an appropriate oath, releasing his beloved and his boy, and snatched up Alister's fallen pistol. Barely had the other boys had left the cells while Nibs barred them, Peter heard a furious shrill female voice, accompanied by pounding noises against the door upstairs. "We should prepare for battle," he murmured.

"Aye!" Hook took a firm grip on the unfamiliar pistol, looking it over. "Wendy, behind me!" he ordered, while Peter told the others, "Boys, to me – and be aware!"

"Pixies, Tink, Bumblyn, Lady Brownie, me to follow!" Kailen chirped.

They rushed the staircase that led into the upper cellar; ready to face the enemy. They reached the first level when Tink let out a shrill warning and Nissa screeched "DUCK"– and the door to the entrance hall above them seemed to explode. Most of it fell down the stairs, the rest rained down in splinters and smaller chunks. Instinctively, Hook immediately let himself fall, taking Peter with him, hook turned aside. Behind them Bumblyn and Kailen pushed Wendy out of the way; behind her, the boys cowered, catching her.

Something like an invisible fist flew down the stairs from the entrance hall, kicking up dust. The pixies squeaked and shot to the ceiling as well as Tinker Bell – avoiding the gust of magic that had destroyed the door they had locked. Only Cadan remained to unlock the door to the witch-kitchen, still working with his long arm in the keyhole.

"Coming is she!" he hissed. "Comrades, prepare!" Then he concentrated on the lock mechanism again. He refused to quit, sure that the door would open.

Hook cocked the pistol. "Let them come!" he growled.

* PP *

George Darling was angry. How dare that arrogant siné nobilité lock him up? Didn't that insolent infant realize the trouble that would rain down on his pretty yellow head? Embezzling was one thing, but kidnapping, imprisoning and drugging other people was a crime that would send Dalton Ashford behind bars for decades – not in a local jail but in a prison that was much, much worse.

With a sigh, he cast aside all thoughts about the justice the viscount was going to face. Just now, action was required. And the tumult in the cellars? Either Victoria was breaking out of the witch kitchen, or Hook was attempting an escape. Now that he'd met the pirate in person, George was certain it would take more than a few bolts and bars to keep that man incarcerated. And concerning Victoria … George felt responsible for her safety, since he had driven her here. He sent up a heartfelt prayer that the girl would be unharmed, and an immediate reassurance. It was up to him now – George Darling – to do something he had never considered in his life. He had to find a way out of this room, then fetch the members of Hook's crew who now waited beyond the gate.

He walked to the windows and tested them – unlocked! – then quickly climbed out. He remembered that, as a young boy, he'd climbed out of his grandparents' window in their summer house in Berkshire, where they'd moved after his grandfather retired. He had gone to meet a few new friends and to steal some apples and cherries from a neighboring orchard. Now he was doing it to – God help him! – to alert some pirates to invade a manor!

He shook his head to dispel the sense of the ridiculous: What a crazy adventure had he gotten involved in? Adventure – stories – Wendy. This was his daughter's doing, but as a good father there was only one thing left for him to do: Take another deep breath and get to it!

That was exactly what he did, sitting on the outer sill then dropping to the grassy lawn not far below. From somewhere he heard an owl calling, then spotted some tiny lights dancing in the air deep in the gardens. Pixies, fairies or other little bits of fantasy he remembered, and looked around to orient himself. He was around the back of the manor, and quickly moved beyond the wing, toward the front; ducking below every window he passed.

Then he heard shots – they seemed to come from the front of the manor, accompanied by furious shouting coming from many individuals.

* PP *

Hook watched two sets of shoes cautiously descending the staircase. His hand tightened around the pistol and the trigger. Knowing he had more than one shot was reassuring, yet he had to be quicker than the hunters – and the witch. He had gotten a taste of her powers; he had to be careful.

A tug at his right ear and then the voice of one of the pixie-warriors: "Leaving the witch to us you should. Knowing how to handle her magic do we."

James' eyes flicked to the prankster, then he felt another tug at the hem of his coat. "Truth, Master Jamie. Powerful pixies are," Nissa whispered, still at his left.

"Wickham, Fulsom, keep going!" Dalton's voice sounded from above.

The two cautiously descended – and Hook aimed alongside the leg before he pulled the trigger – a warning shot.

"You didn't get him!" Peter growled, also beside Hook. "He's the one who told me they'd kill you!"

"I didn't kill him because we are not in Neverland anymore. And stay behind me!" James ordered quietly, while the two figures retreated, shouting threats. Ashford's voice rose above the others.

"SHALFORD! I know it's you! Stop this pathetic attempt and surrender – or your dear Wendy will lose her father!"

Wendy nearly gasped, but Nib's hand clapped over her mouth. "He mustn't know we're here!" he whispered in her ear.

Hook threw her a warning gaze, then he cleared his throat. "If you want to meet your maker so badly, I can help you. It would spare the hangman a disgusting task!"

At the same moment, nearby Cadan murmured a triumphant "Éla!" as the lock to the witch's kitchen snapped open. But before he and others could push the door open, a voice using Lunette's throat cried out, speaking in a language not made for human throats and ears. A bright ball full of energy flew down the staircase, and Hook dropped the pistol, shoving Peter and Wendy to the floor with the same movement. Throwing himself on top of them, he felt heat rushing over his back, while the pixies screamed in anger and fear. Tink retreated to the ceiling; Nissa and Bumblyn were protected by the boys.

The fiery curse seemed to have a mind of its own as it rushed back and forth like a ping-pong ball. Hutchings, having opened the door a few inches, tried to bang it shut again, but too late. The fireball raced through the open gap and shot through the kitchen. With a scream, Victoria dropped and crawled beneath the large table; still holding the dragonling in her arms. It clung to her and squeaked in fear. Archibald threw himself under it as well. Then it happened.

The fireball raced around the room three times, then it seemed to lose some of its power and dropped – straight into the potion Lunette had prepared in the smaller cauldron. The kettle instantly exploded, and its contents filled the air, leaving ugly smelling sludge everywhere. Then silence.

For a moment.

Then all of them were startled by the sound of many guns firing!

And they came from the outside …

* PP *

"I dinna like tha'!" Billy Jukes said what the others were thinking. It had been more than a quarter hour since the banker and the young lady had vanished inside of the manor, and except for one hunter entering the building, nothing had happened.

"Sumpin' ain't right 'ere," Mullins nodded.

"Yes, it is too quiet," Daniel Kempton agreed.

Tootles looked at Aurora, now sitting on Michael's collar. "Can you get a closer look?" he asked her. At the same moment, they saw one of the hunters on watch turn toward the manor, then trot to the wide stairway. The moment he opened the entrance door, they heard loud voices, then something like a shot.

"Right, tha's 'r signal!" Smee announced and rose. "Brutes, th' grapples!" he ordered.

Aurora shot out of Michael's collar toward the gates, dodging between the pirates. And then she spotted something shining on the ground, half buried in the soil – something that looked a lot like the head of a key. After they passed, she dropped down for a closer look. Her eyes widened. It was indeed a key. Shouting with her loudest jingle, Tootles, at the back of the group, heard her. Looking back, he saw the rose fairy waving at him, then pointing to something on the ground. Pulling it out of the mud, he laughed as he realized what he held in his hand.

"Hey, lads, I think Aurora found the key to that gate!" he called to them, jogging to Akeele and Herb, who were about to hurl the boat-hooks over the gate.

"An' why d'y' think tha's th' key t' th' gates?" Akeele asked with a frown.

"It was just over there. Maybe Wendy threw it away after she escaped. She must have gotten a key to get out, so …" he shrugged, "let's try it." Scrubbing the mud off the key on his trousers, he went to the gates and put it into the lock. Turning it, the lock snapped, then the gate creaked open.

"Voilá, messieurs, welcome to ze manor," he smirked.

Smee chuckled and Daniel shook his head in awe. "Luck of the Irish indeed!" he murmured.

Grateful they didn't have to scale the gate, they moved into the estate grounds, faces grim, hands on their weapons, determined to retrieve their captain. They moved forward like shadows; ready to face any opponent who was stupid enough to get into their way. They knew that it would be better to be as silent as possible. They didn't face their usual enemy, but a witch, and they must take her by surprise. If she couldn't play her magic tricks on them, they might be able to beat her.

Beside Mason, Dark Owl looked around. He could feel the magic in the air – white and black. Then he heard it: The soft hoot of an owl. Raising his eyes to the next tree, he spotted the bird on one of the lower branches. He knew this owl! Through its eyes, he had watched the witch and the red-haired boy stealing the large metal pot, had seen the little green brothers. He knew that this bird was his spirit partner – the companion of his soul.

Courtesy demanded that he greet this bird, but there was no time for ceremony, yet he gave it a slight bow. The owl screeched again and lifted a wing – as if to point. Turning, the young brave caught his breath when he saw the tall blonde figure behind them in the greenery. He knew this man who now aimed his weapon at the pirates – at Smee! It was the most ruthless of the men who had brought so much sorrow to Neverland. "Grey Beard, watch out!" Dark Owl shouted, flinging his tomahawk toward the enemy.

Einar Anders heard the shout as he had the old fool in his sights. Startled, he turned his head instinctively ducked, he avoided the tomahawk. Then he opened fire …

TBC…

Yeah, a cliff-hanger – the first of more to come, promise (*laugh*). After the re-union of Wendy and James (and the rescue of the latter), now the big showdown begins. And I'm sure it will take twists you won't see coming.

Therefore I won't give a few previews like always, but simply let you wait. Yes, I'm evil, I know (*snicker, at least not as evil as Lunette has become).

I hope, you liked the new chapter including the 'family-hug' and how Wendy the boys came to the rescue. Like always, I would love to get some reviews, so please don't forget to leave a comment.

Have a nice Sunday and a good start into the next week,

Love

Yours Starflight / Lywhn