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In the swirl of passion	By : Lywhn Category: M through R > Peter Pan > Het Views: 35043 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Peter Pan, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 19
- 20
- 21
Chapter 20 – For sheer survival

Both pirate-captains stood beside their seconds and threw assessing glares at each other. Blackbeard smiled, sure of his victory, bent to Richards and whispered something in his ear, at which the lieutenant nodded with a grin, and Wendy’s eyes widened, horrified. Richard’s hand clamped down on her mouth before she could say anything, while he pressed his dagger menacingly between her breasts. Teach shed his bullet-belts and the weapon-sash with the three pistols, and gave them to one of his crewmen.
Hook turned to Smee and Peter. “You both know the rules: No interference, no matter what happens! Clear?” Then his look fixed the boy – the selfsame boy he had always wanted so badly to kill, and who was now his ally. “Should I lose this duel, you know what lies ahead for you,” he grumbled and Peter nodded.
“I know!” He took a deep breath. “I never though I would say this but: good luck!”
Hook had to grin. “Yet another reason to mark this day in the calendar!” Then he grew serious again. “If I lose, then use your knife on yourself. It will be better than what Blackbeard has in mind for you.”
Peter felt a chill run down his spine. He knew Hook was right, but the thought of what his former foe was referring to made his heart sink. Then his look found Wendy. “What about…” he began and saw the sudden pain in Hook’s gaze.
“You might be able to free her. You’re quick, as I very well know. If not, and…” he bit his lips, “if I lose, then do whatever you must to get her from the ship. I trust you with her life! She is dear to you as well!” Peter stared at him open-mouthed. WHAT had Hook meant with ‘she is dear to you as well’ and ‘I trust you with her life’? WENDY was dear to HOOK? Unbelievable, impossible, it COULD NOT be true! Hook noticed the flabbergasted expression, but was already thinking of the coming events. “Smee?” he asked quietly. “Thank you for your loyalty. The fairy-queen was right: You ARE a friend!” He squeezed the upper arm of the completely perplexed Irishman, then he nodded to his other officers.
“Are you ready, James?” Teach’s rasp sounded. The mockery was easy to hear.
“Of course, Edward!” Hook replied calmly, and stepped into the middle of the circle the crews had formed. For a moment, his gaze found Wendy, and he took one last draught of courage from her wide eyes and her pale face. She seemed to want to tell him something, because she blinked at him and looked then straight in the direction of the bow and back. James lifted one brow; a silent questioning of what she meant. She did the blinking-thing again and gazed at him with rising desperation. What the heck…?
Blackbeard parted their contact by stepping in front of Hook and sneered: “Have you said ‘Good-by’ to your men and your sweetheart?”
“You only have to say ‘Good-by’ when you do not expect to return,” James answered mockingly, then his expression changed into a dark, firm mask. His eyes bored into this of his opponent, while he lifted his sword and his hook, waiting for the signal to start the duel. Teach narrowed his own eyes, lifting his cutlass and a dagger.
Israel Hands, Blackbeard’s helmsman, stepped forward and raised his voice: “This is a duel by the rules of the General Laws of Pirates and by the rules of the Code of the Fraternity, determined and sealed first time by Captain Rock Brasilano and Captain Bartholomew Portogues. The challenger is Captain James Hook, commander of the Jolly Roger. His adversary is Captain Edward Teach, also known as Captain Blackbeard. The chosen weapons are blades. The fight will continue until death or until one of the adversaries lies beaten and unable to rise. The winner may decide what to do with the loser. No crewmember nor ally may interfere; otherwise the pawn’s life is forfeit. The winner takes over the loser’s ship, his crew and his booty. Further, the boy with name Peter Pan will surrender to Captain Blackbeard, if he wins.” He cleared his throat. “The challenged captain has the first move! May the better one win!”
As he stepped back, Blackbeard attacked with a war cry. Hook had calculated this, and parried without a thought, while he struck out with his hook. Teach jumped back and raised his dagger, blocking James’ hook. Renewed, both commanders charged each other and exchanged blows, blocked by the other one. The clashing of the weapons was nearly drowned out in the loud shouts of the both crews.
Blackbeard attacked with all his might. The thump of his blows would have hurled the sword out of the hand of a lesser opponent. But the one-handed captain blocked every thrust and blow, and returned the attack with an agility and strength that took everyone by surprise. Where Teach had brute force, James had skill and a special power, and at the same time, never provided a fixed target for Teach, whirling around himself – like he had often done by fighting against Peter. But every one of his crew and even the eternal boy realized that this was a different kind of battle than Hook was used to fighting against Peter. Now Hook didn’t look for revenge, but fought for his ship, his men, and for his girl. Wendy’s tender and deep feelings. This he had clearly seen in her eyes and had felt in her kiss after his declaration of love; and it seemed to give him wings now – while Blackbeard’s fury made the heavy pirate even more dangerous, but therefore assessable.
Barely breathing, Peter watched the fight. He had seen Hook in the best of condition, but never like this. Suddenly he hoped that he will never meet the captain in battle when he was like this – even with his own ability to fly. There was no trace of fatigue or pain to be seen in the one-handed captain. He fought with a strength, a persistence, an agility that demanded respect from the boy. The firm, pale face of Hook gave nothing away; his gaze was focused, thoughtful, and he showed a style of fighting Peter had never seen before.
With flying coattails and wafting locks, he whirled towards his foe. Teach steadied his feet in the very last moment and struck after James, who jumped lissome to the side. For minutes, both captains encircled each other, looking for a weak point in their adversary. “I’ve to admit that you’ve turned into a hard combatant, Jas!” Blackbeard hissed through his teeth. “I mean, for someone who has a BOY as a sparring-partner!” he added gloatingly.
James only smiled: “The self-same boy who defeated you three times. This Pan never managed to do with me!”
Teach’s eyes were now glistening slits, in which danger flashed. “For this, he will have to pay as well!” He cocked his head. “I ask myself, James, for whom are you fighting? For your men and your ship, or for the girlie over there?”
James’ smile turned to a cold sneer: “I am fighting against a fat, cowardly imitation of a pirate, who wears his rank falsely, and who doesn’t realized that time has already outdistanced him!”
Blackbeard made another sally and pushed his foe back to the mainmast. “Time has outdistanced YOU!” he snarled. “You’re going stale here!”
James ducked, evading the murderous blow Blackbeard had aimed at him. The blade of Teach’s cutlass drove deep into the wooden mast and he pulled with all his might to free it. “After all, I am still in the training,” James said cynically. “It wouldn’t hurt you to take some lessons yourself!” He stepped back from the mast, while Teach kicked blindly backwards, missing his target. James looked chuckling at the tall, heavy figure, which seemed to celebrate a comical sort of war dance. “Having trouble seeing, Edward?” he asked with false politeness. “If I’d known, I would have asked my boatswain to lend you his spectacles.”
His whole crew roared with laughter, while Teach tore his cutlass free and whirled around to Hook with a scream. Not anticipating this, James jumped back almost too late. The blow missed him, but slit open his overcoat. Peter only realized a second later that he had cried out. His heart was in his throat, and he felt the hard grip of Smee’s hand on his shoulder, as the Irishman forced himself to remain calm. Alas, that had been curt!
In the meantime, Wendy died thousands deaths. Every stroke of Blackbeard made her cringe and every time James could evade certain death, new hope flamed up in her. She couldn’t stand to see him die, but she knew even if James would win this duel, all would still be lost! If only she could warn him! She had heard the insane plan of Blackbeard, if he should lose the battle. He had told it to Richards, who still had his hand clamped over her mouth to prevent any warning-shout she could give. It was an additional torture for her to know that James, Peter, her brothers and friends were lost – no matter what the end of the duel. Nothing was worse than to see a catastrophe approaching and being unable to do anything against it! She wanted to bite in the hand of Richards and to cry out to James, warning him what devilish plot Blackbeard’s insane mind had come up with, but she couldn’t. The First Officer held her close to him and pressed his fingers so hard over her mouth that it hurt.
Suddenly she felt his breath stroking her cheek and heard him whispering: “Don’t be afraid, lassie. Maybe I can convince t’e cap’n to spare you.” He chuckled. “Depends on how nice ye’re to me!” A hundred insults instantly flew to Wendy’s mind, and she threw him glare that would have sent him straight to hell, if looks could kill. She heard him giggle and turned her attention back to both captains.
Her heart went out to James, trying to send him strength and security only by concentrating on him. He had to win! And there had to be a way to warn him, before Teach’s plan was carried out! With a mixture of fear and fascination, she watched the duel in front of her. The fight was hard and brutal, and both men showed a primordial wildness which thousands of years of civilization hadn’t been able to erase. Their battle was bestial, but in an odd way almost beautiful – like a fatal parody of dance.
Hook made another sally, and this time Blackbeard didn’t back off, but encountered. The men collided hard, and Teach’s heavier weight threatened to bring James to his knees, while he again blocked the hook with his dagger and pressed his cutlass against the sword. “Surrender, James!” he hissed. “You got no chance!”
Hook only smiled mockingly. “Are you already tired, Edward? You should have dropped some weight! Women don’t like overlarge men!” He let his sword dance around the cutlass-blade, while he appraised his opponent. “On the other hand: with your weight you cannot drown so easily. Fat rises to the surface of water!”
Blackbeard drew his weapon back and threw himself again at James. Hook really had to be careful now, to evade the blows that pelted down on him. Teach had almost lost all control, and in this condition he truly was most dangerous. In this state, he had brought dozens of foes to their death within seconds, as many eyewitnesses recalled. Blackbeard had the unleashed strength of someone running amok. James ducked under a double-sally and tore his hook up, hitting Teach directly in the forehead.
Teach cried out and retreated several steps. The sharp point of the hook had left a deep wound, deeper than Peter’s all these years ago. Instantly the blood and the pain pulled Blackbeard out of the red fog of rage – if only for several seconds. Disbelieving he looked at the back of his hand, with which he had wiped the cut. “Ye… Ye’ve hit me!” he whispered.
James used these seconds for a short rest. He heard the shouts of his and Blackbeard’s men around him, but didn’t bother to look at them. His gaze was fixed on Teach, who still glared, perplexed, at his hand and blinked, as the blood started to flow into his eyes. He looked for a long moment like a child that had scraped his knees and saw his own blood for the first time.
In this instant, James realized that Blackbeard really was undeniably insane. “YE’VE HURT ME!” he screamed and directed his wild gaze back at his enemy.
“Wipe away the blood, Edward. I do not fighting injured men and cripples!” Hook’s voice was vitriolic.
That did it. With a roar Teach jumped at him and both men went to the ground – followed by an outcry of almost 120 throats. The commanders rolled over the deck, until Blackbeard finally managed to stay on top of Hook, sat himself over him, blocked the sword and the hook with his own weapons and pressed them slowly down towards his throat, using his full weight to do so. In his black eyes flickered pure frenzy, while saliva ran from out of one corner of his mouth. The blood from his cut dripped down on James, who tensed all his muscles to throw him off. But as before, Blackbeard was simply too heavy. The blade of his own sword and of the cutlass slowly closed in on his unprotected throat.
“Still so haughty, Milord!” panted Blackbeard with rising voice. “But after all ye’re dying adequate your standard: in duel!”
Peter stared shocked at the scene and tensed as he felt Smee’s hand gripping his upper arm hard. “No, Peter!” the old Irishman whispered hoarsely. “Think of the agreement and of Miss Wendy.”
“But if Blackbeard wins, then--” the eternal boy began, but was again interrupted by the boatswain.
“This isn’t final. Hook always has a new trick up his sleeve. Believe me! I been with ‘im since he was a very young man.”
Peter still felt he was going to explode. He knew from his own experience that Hook used tricks, but what could the captain of the Jolly Roger do now? Hook had to call on all his strength to hinder Blackbeard from cutting his throat, and Peter knew exactly how difficult –virtually impossible! – this was! Only hours ago, he had been in the same position!
Teach smiled grimly down on his enemy before he lifted his – suddenly surprising clear – gaze at Wendy.
Tears swam in her big eyes, which were only fixed on Hook. “Do ye’ve any last words for your noble cavalier?” he sneered and forced the blades finally down to Hook’s throat. Richards disengaged her mouth, but not without murmuring: “I warn ye! One wrong word and I’m forced to kill ye! And t’is would be a shame, or not?”
Wendy trembled and met James’ gaze, which turned from wrath to frustration and a silent plea for forgiveness. No! It could not be that he really had to die! She couldn’t lose him – ever! They had only a few days together and so much lay ahead for them! He had so much to show her, and she’d wanted to heal his wounded soul and to keep his heart safe. Suddenly she knew that she wanted to stay with him, despite the certain shock of her brothers, friends -- and especially Peter. All right, it was crazy. They’d only had several days – if you could call it so. Even her mother, who was a tolerant and warm-hearted person, would try to talk her out of this, beg her to give the whole thing time. But in her heart, Wendy knew that the only man she ever had and ever would want was he: James Hook. The pirate-captain of her fairy-tales. Later her almost-killer. Her captor, seducer, lover and finally the love of her life.
But now, there seemed to be no hope for them anymore. In moments he would die. She had wanted to share her life with him, to find a way to break the spell that bound him to Neverland and to sail away with him – if into his world and time or into her world and time didn’t matter, if only she could be with him, and to live in the warm, bright net of his love. She wanted to share every morning, every day and every night with him. It didn’t matter that he was a criminal – a pirate! She loved him and he loved her. He had changed for her. Nothing could be more important. And he didn’t know how much she loved him. She hadn’t had the chance to say it. She didn’t fear her own death, which was now a certainty. If he had to die, then she would follow him gladly.
And with this realization, she suddenly grew calm. If fate had decided to dissociate them and that these last days were all they would have, then he had to know how she felt. Maybe death would be easier for him so. Her clear eyes fixed his forget-me-not-blue ones, while a soft smile played around her lips. “Do you remember what you told Peter all these years ago at this special evening? That he would die alone and unloved, just like to you?”
Hook didn’t answer; he only looked uncomprehendingly at her.
Wendy’s smile widened. “He was wrong, James. You aren’t alone and unloved anymore!” His eyes grew wide as he realized what she was saying. And then her lips started to move without any sound, but he could clearly read what she mouthed to him – words, he had longed for: ‘I love you’!
James stared at her and was for a moment almost numb. He didn’t think of the mortal danger that was so close at hand; he didn’t think he would die within the next few seconds; he didn’t think of what would happen to her – or to his men and ship. The only thing that rang in his mind was her silent words ‘I love you’. She loved him! His sweet, brave, beautiful Wendy LOVED him! And not only to be with him or to experience passionate hours in his arms – no! She loved HIM!
Suddenly his heart began to beat again, while a deep warmth spread through his mind and soul, found an echo in his body. He didn’t feel the pain or fatigue of the battle anymore -- only a bliss that was so different from what he felt while he made love to her, ran through his body, while his soul started so soar – free of the chains of hate and bitterness, which had held him so long in their iron, cold grip. He felt redemption, and his resentment went up in smoke. He felt like bursting with joy, but he could only gaze at her; his eyes betraying the love he felt for his ardent little wildcat.
Peter could only look at Wendy and finally at Hook. He hadn’t understood what she had tried to mouth to the pirate-captain, but to hear her calling him ‘James’ had shocked him so much that he hadn’t even gotten the rest of what she had said to him. Almost afraid, he glared up at Smee.
The old boatswain wore an expression of joy on his face. He seemed to be touched and near to tears. And then Tinker Bell pulled at Peter’s hair, pointing to the skies.
Above, the boy saw that the clouds in the heaven dispelled, and freed their gaze on the stars and the moon. A strange power, similar to the one which had condensed and compacted around the Jolly Roger four and a half years ago, after Wendy had given her first hidden kiss to Peter, was surrounding both ships. It was a different energy, darker and hotter, but nevertheless full of magic and strength. Everyone could feel it – even the hostile pirates.
The air stood still as though Neverland was holding its breath, while warmth chased the chill of the night and the threatening catastrophe away. It wasn’t this uncanny wave coming from the stars, but it was similar – born out of the same power that moved the whole universe. And with this Neverland disclosed once again its hidden magic. The only two people on the whole island who didn’t recognize it were the two who had conjured this power.
Wendy looked deep into Hook’s eyes, and even Richards strong hand, which was again clamped on her mouth, didn’t change that she felt lighthearted and completely at peace now. James glared back at her, happier than ever before in his whole life. A smile played around his mouth, while he felt the burning behind his eyes – but not the red tears of hate nor the hot tears of bitterness and desperation, but the tears of joy and love. And with this he sensed his strength returning, until he thought he had to explode from the accumulated forces which flowed through his mind, soul and body.
With a shout, he rose up and hurled the completely surprised Blackbeard off him. Ignoring the yelling around him he rolled like a flash to the side, jumped to his feet and was in an instant over his enemy, kicking his cutlass out of his hand before Teach could blink an eye. Standing with one foot hard on Blackbeard’s other hand to hold it with the dagger to the ground; he pressed the tip of his sword at his adversary’s throat, whose expression was uncomprehending.
Deathly silence fell over both ships, interrupted only by the panting of the two enemies. “You have lost, Edward!” Hook said, breathing heavily, but with a voice that could have made ice shatter. Blackbeard stared with a mixture of bewilderment, growing fear and utter hate at him. “Edward Teach, also know as Blackbeard, to you surrender?” James asked loud enough to be heard at both ships.
Grinning Peter looked up at Tinker Bell. Smee had been right. Hook always had a trump up his sleeves. For the first time, the boy was glad for the resilience and the strength of the pirate-captain. Then he saw Tink’s concentrated face and the distrust in her oversized eyes. Something wasn’t right! “Tink? What is it?” he asked but got no reply at first.
Then the tiny fairy murmured something in her language before she suddenly pointed frantically at Blackbeard’s officers. The boy looked in the pointed direction. “What do you mean?”
In the meantime Blackbeard glanced straight into Hook’s eyes and finally cleared his throat. “It seems t’at ye really have won,” he growled. He sounded unexpected composed and suddenly an odd smile appeared on his red face. “As I said: it SEEMS so, old boy!” He lowered his gaze and took a deep breath. All of James’ instincts went alert in the same moment, as Teach suddenly barked “NOW!” struck the blade with his fist to the side and rolled away.
Hook wanted to pursue him, but Smee’s and Peter’s simultaneous shouts stopped him and whirled him around where he saw several of Blackbeard’s pirates leaving the circle and running to the bow and the aft, holding their torches high over their heads.
Terrified Wendy looked after them, knowing exactly what their intention was – and bit with all her might in Richard’s hand. More from shock than pain, he cried out and the girl took this little chance to warn her friends, “He wants to blow up the Revenge if he loses!” she screamed, while she violently kicked the First Officer on his shin.
In this moment Tinker Bell flew towards her. Wendy saw the fury in the tiny face and closed her eyes, but she could still see the angry glare through her lids. She heard Richards’ “I’m dazzled!” while he lost his grip and the blade disappeared from her throat. Quickly she let herself fall, rolled to the cutlass that had dropped from Richards’ grasp, took it and came back on her feet. “Thank you, Tink!” she called to the tiny fairy, who shimmered again in her normal light. Then Wendy brought her attention back to the events around her, which had, you might say, exploded.
Hook had shouted: “Smee! Back to the Jolly Roger!” In the same moment, he parried new attacks from Blackbeard, who struck at him, newly enraged. NEVER before had anyone defeated him and than came this… this cripple and…!!! A red haze rose before his eyes, shutting out everything except the wish to kill the one-handed captain. Behind the circle, several of Teach’s men threw torches on the deck, trying to ignite the powder-tracks to blow the Revenge.
Smee came to life. He knew that it was a question of moments until the sloop would explode. “Brutes, back to our ship!” he bellowed. “Raise anchor, release sails! Put distance between us and the Revenge!”
Blackbeard’s men blocked their way, but Hook’s pirates fought through the hostile line. As soon as the first of them reached the Jolly Roger, they stormed to the capstan, while the others scrambled into the riggings. If they were unable to make the ship ready to sail, the galleon would be engulfed in flames after the Revenge exploded, and they all would follow the sloop down into a wet grave.
Wendy confronted one of Teach’s men, but before she was forced to defend herself, Billy Jukes appeared beside her and finished the opponent with one stroke of his cutlass. Then he took her arm. “Come on, Miss! I’ll take ye t’ safety!”
That same moment, Peter dropped in front of them, glared at Jukes before realizing he was helping Wendy, and nodded shortly to him. “Thanks!” he grumbled. “I’ll take her!”
“No!” protested the girl. “I won’t go without--” Not bothering to listen, the boy took her on his arms and took the air.
“Slightly, John – back off!” he yelled, while he flew to the Jolly Roger, holding a struggling Wendy tightly.
“No, Peter, take me back!” she demanded, looking over her friend’s shoulder for James.
He landed on the main-deck of the Jolly Roger, pressing her behind the mainmast. “Stay here!” he ordered, seeking cover as bullets flew around them. Teach’s crew had opened fire on their adversaries, and only steps away, one of Hook’s pirates sank dead to the deck, while Cecco’s upper arm was grazed by another bullet; he hissed several curses. “Damnit!” whispered Peter. “They really don’t want to let us escape!”

With rising despair, James blocked the savage attacks of Blackbeard. Time was running out! He knew that any moment the Revenge could turn into a fireball – and it seemed that Teach wanted him there when it did. “Ye’ll not leave t’is ship alive!” Blackbeard panted.
“Coward!” he hissed. “You’re unable to lose with decency!”
The small black eyes of Teach glistened with hate as he started to laugh; in his voice announcing the insanity that ruled his mind. “You don’t get it, James! I’m losing with decency. BECAUSE I’LL TAKE YOU WITH ME!” He threw himself to the side, plunging his dagger at his enemy.
James cried out, as the blade pierced even the hard leather of the harness and drove into his right shoulder. In the first seconds he felt nothing, but then the pain came. But this only goaded him on in his righteous wrath. He tore his sword back and the mighty handle of the weapon hit Blackbeard on the forehead –exactly at the same spot where minutes ago his hook had left its mark. Instantly the wound reopened and the blood poured into Teach’s eyes.
Blackbeard grunted and stumbled backwards. Taking his chance, James pursued him and struck again, the same spot, but in his fury, Blackbeard didn’t give in. Teach began his next attack, even more fiercely than before, and for a second, James remembered what Wendy had told him two nights ago about Blackbeard’s so-called ‘death’: It was said that he was shot five times, was wounded 25 times, but after all that, it was the blow of a Scottish sailor’s cutlass in the neck that finally killed him. He must have fought like a berserker… The description was apt, even if Wendy couldn’t have known all this – and after all, Teach was still very much alive.
“Cap’n! Let this damn bastard be and come on!” Smee’s voice penetrated the other noises. Out of the corner of his eye, Hook saw the gangway gliding away and disappearing into the water. The proud galleon was under sail and taking up speed.
Blackbeard threw himself in James’ way, sneering: “Yer crew let ye down, Jas, as well as yer ‘allies’.”
Hook knew that he had to leave the sloop NOW, or he would be lost. Even if he desperately wanted to kill this bastard, he had no more time to try. The first flames licked along the planks of the deck and flew toward the rail. James turned away and faced almost twenty of the hostile buccaneers blocking his way. Teach threw his head back and roared with laughter. “We’re going together to Davy John’s Locker, Jas. Yer wench had lied to ye. Ye ARE alone! Even she had left ye behind, like all t’e ot’ers!”
Hook ignored the hurtful words. No! His Wendy would not let him down. She had proved it often enough. She even had crept into a ship full of deadly enemies to save him, and she said that she loved him! Teach was wrong! He wasn’t alone anymore!
For a moment, he remembered at the scene four and a half years ago, as he had said similar things to Peter Pan to weaken him. But in contrast to the boy, he KNEW that he was loved. He had felt it in the heat of passion in the last nights and days and he had read it in Wendy’s eyes, which did not lie.
Calculating, he glared back at his ship, which by now had steadily distanced itself from the sloop. Even now it would be difficult to swing back to the Jolly Roger. Playing one last card, he stormed forward to a surprised Blackbeard, lifted his sword in a feint, and as Teach blocked the blow, he struck the man’s shoulder with his hook. Blackbeard screamed and fell into his knees. Without hesitating, James yanked it free out of the flesh of his enemy with a sickening noise, and used the instant chaos to storm toward his ship. With sword and hook, he broke through the hostile lines.
He was never able to recall how he managed to block all the blades, to avoid bullets and to duck under grasping hands, but suddenly he was at the rail, shoved his sword into the sash, gripped one of the riggings and jumped on the balustrade. Two bullets flew through his dark locks into the night. The distance to the Jolly Roger was too great to allow him to swing by a rope and board. All of the grappling-irons had been cut, and between both ships lay almost 150 feet – and the distance was growing. Behind him he heard the angry shouts of the hostile crew, while he saw his men waving at him and their calls ‘to jump’ reached his ears.
He prepared to throw himself into the water as an ear-deafening explosion roared from the belly of the sloop. A mighty fist seemed to grip him and hurled him overboard. The dazzling light around him turned into enormous blackness. He didn’t even feel the waves closing over him…

As the heavy curtain of bullets stopped, Peter peeked around the mast and saw, to his great relief, all of his friends cowering behind the Jolly Roger’s rail, between them the most of Hook’s men, who had opened fire as well, shooting at their adversaries on the sloop.
“Peter!” called Nibs, running crouched towards him, followed by John, Slightly, Jump-Jump and Weasel. “We tried to disarm the Revenge.”
“We’ve thrown the most barrels over board!” added Slightly.
“I don’t think that we got all of them, but most!” John smiled. Peter started to grin wide. “Good! Now the ship can’t destroy itself and--”
The boys were knocked from their feet as several pirates stormed on deck and to the riggings, and climbed hectically up to the yards. From somewhere, Smee’s voice gave instructions. The rumbling and squeaking of the capstan sounded through the planks. Wendy left her cover and found her brothers and friends. With a joyful shriek Michael threw his arms around his sister, happy that she was still alive.
The girl returned the embrace half-heartedly, looking toward the sloop. “Where is Hook?” she asked, her eyes big with fright.
Peter shrugged, “Still on the Revenge, as far as I know.”
Her gaze flew to the sails, which were now unfurled. “He should be here by now!” she whispered and wrapped her arms around her. Her fear for his life burned her.
Peter recognized her ashen face and the rising panic in her eyes, and lifted back into the air, looking to the Revenge. He saw the two adversaries and gasped: “This could not be! Blackbeard attacks as if nothing has happened!”
Soft breezes tossed Wendy’s hair. The Jolly Roger was gaining speed. The girl whirled around, calling for Smee. “We MUST wait until he’s aboard!” she screamed to the old Irishman, who looked full of sorrow at her.
“T’e cap’n gave me the order to make t’e ship ready and to bring distance between the Revenge and us!” He looked down at her. “Don’t be afraid. T’e cap’n will come, be sure of it!”
“But if Blackbeard doesn’t kill him, then the explosion will!” she snapped back, torn between fear and wrath. She would NOT abandon him! “Send some of the men back and--!”
In that same moment they heard Blackbeard’s “BECAUSE I’LL TAKE YOU WITH ME TO DEATH!”
Wendy pressed her fist on her mouth to muffle a cry. She saw the spreading flames on the sloop and how the circle of the enemies narrowed around the both fighters.
Smee frowned worriedly. “Damn it! What’s taking him so long?”
Peter was still in the air and watched the whole mess. “He bleeds.”
“NO!” Wendy’s outcry distracted several of the pirates around them and looked over to the Revenge.
“Teach is bleeding!” Peter tried to calm her; he hadn’t seen how Blackbeard had wounded the one-handed captain. “And Hook tries to flee.”
Most of the pirates were now at the rail, looking for their captain, while the Jolly Roger moved away. “Cap’n! Let this damn bastard be and come!” Smee’s voice rang through the air, as the fear for his commander burst out of the loyal Irishman.
The boys and Wendy stepped to the rail as well and stared at the Revenge. “We’ve got to do something,” Nibs murmured.
Curley nodded. “Aye! He saved Wendy!”
Peter bit his lip. He still heard Wendy’s ‘James’ in his mind, as well as Hook’s words about that she was dear to him, but his friends were right. Hook had fought for her life, and Blackbeard really WAS a danger to Neverland, and HAD to be defeated!
Wendy only saw the events on the Revenge, while the men around her shouted encouragement to their commander. She saw how James threw himself into the hostile circle and went sick. Every moment she imaged him to sinking, wounded or dead, to the ground, then he was blocked from her sight. Holding her breath she waited and started to pray again.
“THERE is Hook!” Tootles called and pointed at the slender figure, which emerged at the sloop’s rail. With wide eyes Wendy watched James pulling himself on the balustrade; chased by a running mob. But as he readied for the jump, a mighty fire-column erupted from the ship’s belly and sent a shock wave into the air. For a long moment Hook’s silhouette stood out black against the light of the fire, then he was hurled away, down into the sea, while the shock wave growled over the cove.
Wendy didn’t recognize her scream, while Peter pulled her down into cover. The Jolly Roger was shoved into the night as the power of the detonation overran her. Planks groaned, wood shrieked, riggings creaked, sails were torn out of their cams and snapped in the air. For a moment the girl was convinced that the mighty galleon would capsize, then the ship righted again.
“Jukes, hold the course!” Smee bellowed up to bridge and the slim gunner showed a strength in this moment which nobody had suspected of him, as he drove against the might double-helm. The elegant bow of the ship plowed through the wild waves, while the still intact sails drove it forwards, away from the burning sloop. Smee stood up at first and bent over the rail, searching the black water for any sign of Hook. “CAP’N!” he screamed. But the body of the captain came not to the surface. Only the reflection of the fire danced on the black waves.
The other pirates looked for their commander as well. “Where did he go down?” asked Mason.
“That way!” answered Cookson and pointed at the spot, where Hook had disappeared.
“He hasn’t come up!” Cecco grumbled, holding his still bleeding arm.
“What, if he is unconscious?” Wendy whispered, tears in her eyes. “He’ll drown!” She stared down into the waves, which had swallowed her James. The sea was wide and beautiful, but merciless when it takes a victim. ‘What the sea has taken will never be given back’ was an old saying, and the girl knew that it was true. If James had lost consciousness, unable to surface, then the water would kill him. Had he really managed to survive all these years only to find death now by drowning?
Her gaze met Peter’s, who looked alarmed at his friend. Wendy’s whole body was trembling and her eyes were desperate and pleading, such as he’d never seen before.
“Blasted it all! He should have surfaced by now! He is lost!” Albino hissed and Wendy let out a scream so full of sorrow and despair that even the magical creatures of Neverland stopped in their tracks. For a moment, Peter hesitated, then the Prince of Neverland made his decision, gave his knife to a surprised Slightly, jumped on the rail, took a deep breath and threw himself without another thought down into the sea.
The outcry of many voices followed him before the waves cut off any sound. It was too dark around him to see anything, but he had watched where Hook had fallen. Nevertheless there was almost no chance to find the captain in the night-black water in time. Suddenly a dim light was beside him and he recognized Tinker Bell, who dived with him, sending her fairy light down into the sea. Peter smiled at her for a moment, grateful for her loyalty, for now there was a chance. With mighty strokes, Peter descended, and saw finally the tall, slender figure below him. Hook made no movement; his long curls and coattails suspended around him.
Peter felt his air running short, but he knew that wouldn’t be able to find the captain in time if he returned to the surface now, for Hook would surely be dead before Peter could return. The pressure in his ears grew, the water grew colder, and his eyes started to burn. He thought that Tink might have said something, but the water was too loud now to understand his fairy-friend. As he thought he couldn’t go any deeper, he grabbed Hook’s hair, took it none too gently, and pulled. The captain’s descent slowed, and Peter used this chance to shove his arms under Hook’s shoulders and to begin the ascent. As he looked up, the glow of the burning ship was far away – too far! Even without Hook’s weight, he wouldn’t make it. He thought of the panpipe to call the mermaids, then realized that he couldn’t use the pipe underwater. Desperately he looked around him, while he hauled himself and the captain upwards.
Tinker Bell, who was also weakening, swam beside him and pulled at the weapon-sash, but her mighty fairy-strength was waning. Blood began to hammer in Peter’s ears and fiery rings danced before his eyes. His chest threatened to burst. Breathe! He had to breathe! But with a last spark of consciousness, he knew that this would be certain death. His body started to rebel, his legs and arms burnt, the blood roared in his ears and the glowing surface was still so far away. ‘I’ll not make it!’ was the last clear thought of the eternal boy. ‘We will both drown!’
Suddenly a strong, cold hand gripped him, then a pair of cool, smooth lips was pressed upon his – and suddenly he could breathe again. Gorgeous, redemptive air reached his lungs, eased his burning muscles and dispelled the brawling in his ears. Arduously he blinked several times and recognized the silvery, ascetic face of a mermaid in front of him, who smiled at him with her black eyes. A second mermaid swam to his side and helped Tinker Bell in the same way.
Peter, exhausted, smiled back gratefully at the mermaid, and nodded then in the direction of Hook. The water-creature frowned then shrugged its shoulders, swam around Peter and pressed its full lips on these of the pirate-captain. It only lasted seconds when a shiver ran through Hook, as his body was supplied with the essential air. A third mermaid appeared and repeated the whole procedure, while it stroked the long black curls with her webbed hands back.
Peter, who had gotten his third ‘kiss’, had to grin. Let somebody try to tell him again that mermaids loathed the human men! Around him now were more than a half dozen of the water-creatures, and every one of them had ‘saved’ Hook, for what each of them took its time. Their clicks and cries, their language, sounded like giggles. Tinker Bell said something in her own language and held tight to Peter’s clothes, still swimming to the surface – accompanied by the laughing mermaids, who assisted them again with air whenever necessary.
Finally – after what seemed an eternity – they broke through the water’s surface and the boy and the fairy gasped for cool air, in which the smoke of the burning ship and gunpowder hung. Peter pulled Hook to his side, laid the pirate’s head on his shoulder, and looked around at the Revenge.
A part of the front rigging and the central deck were in flames, but her sails were made, and the crew was busy tearing the burning riggings and sails down into the water. Peter could hear Blackbeard’s furious shouting, despite all the noise, and shook his head. “The guy really is wrong in the garret!” he panted, and Tink, who sat exhausted on his shoulder, nodded. Then the boy turned in the direction of the Jolly Roger.
The mighty gallon had been driven more than 500 feet away, but the shouts of Hook’s pirates were clear. One of the mermaids appeared beside him and Peter smiled gratefully. “Thank you! I’ll never forget this!” Another water-creature broke through the surface and pointed with several clicks at Hook. The boy had to grin, spitting out seawater. “No, Miladies, I am sorry, but I cannot give him to you. He will be needed over there!”
He nodded in the direction of the Jolly Roger, and for just a moment, he looked for the small figure of Wendy at the rail. An voice whispered in his mind that Hook was not only needed as the captain, and that it had to do with the girl, but in his innocence Peter simply ignored the voice; didn’t knowing what it meant. Suddenly he heard a shout. “THERE THEY ARE!” which he recognized as Smee’s.
“Good to know that someone is missing us,” the boy grumbled and started to swim towards the Jolly Roger. His arms and legs felt like lead and he was more than grateful as the mermaids accompanied him, romping about like dolphins, and finally taking mercy on the boy and helped him by dragging him forwards. “There is nothing better than friends,” Peter wheezed and one of the water-creatures gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, which made Tink roll her eyes.
“THERE! HOOK AND THAT DAMN BOY!” Blackbeard’s scream echoed over the waves. “SHOOT THEM!” A bullet yowled through the night and struck the water near Peter and Hook.
“Take cover!” Peter called to his watery friends, and the mermaids instantly submerged. Another shot rang through the air and this time the bullet missed Peter’s head only by an inch; letting him feel it pass. He had no other choice, took a deep breath and submerged together with the man in his arms. The third bullet hit the spot where he had been only seconds before.
Doggedly Peter fought his way, foot by foot, through the waves, until he was forced to surface with Hook again. The Jolly Roger wasn’t far anymore. Her sails were shortening by now and the sounds of firing muskets and pistols were heard. Smee had ordered return fire to give his commander and the boy cover. Peter didn’t know how he had managed to close the last distance between himself and the ship; evading the bullets and to holding Hook’s head out of the water without any of them getting shot. But finally he reached the sides of the giant ship, and banged against the wood.
Panting, he swam to the Jacob’s ladder and held tight. He felt completely drained, his arms and legs hurting, his breathing labored. Two of the mermaids were suddenly beside him again and held him and Hook cautiously. Tink stood up on his shoulder, tugged at his hair and pointed up to the rail, where several looked over the side, but the eternal boy shook his head. No! He was too weary. He could not climb this long rope ladder – and Hook as well, even if Tink gave him her fairy-dust.
Something smacked beside him into the water and he saw two ropes hanging down. He blinked upwards and saw Cecco and Mullins climbing down toward him. “Hang on, boy! We’re soon t’ere!” Mullins called. Seconds later, he reached the little group, Cecco right behind him, looking suspiciously at the mermaids. Everyone in Neverland knew that these beautiful creatures were very dangerous. They not only had great knowledge of magic and spells – even the black ones – but considered it fun to drown unwary swimmers. The only reason they were helping the humans now was because of Peter, whom they really liked.
“What’s wit’ t’e cap’n?” Cecco asked, collecting all his courage, and sliding into the water, reaching for Hook.
“I don’t know,” Peter answered out of breath. “He’s unconscious.”
Mullins gripped his free arm and gave him one of the ropes. “You were both a long time underwater – maybe too long for him.”
The boy shook his head. “The mermaids helped us breathe. He’s alive!”
One of the mermaids dug at his back and pointed to the Revenge, saying something in her strange language. The sloop had lifted its anchor and started toward the galleon. Cecco and Mullins looked uncomprehendingly at the approaching sloop as a third mermaid emerged between them, clicking something to Peter, who listened intently. “Blackbeard intends to ram the Jolly Roger! He will not let us escape!” he translated hectically and the two pirates stared at the Revenge.
The sloop was smaller and shorter than the Jolly Roger, but she was faster because of her shallower draft. In addition, Blackbeard had planned to vacate her and everything was now aboard of the gallon – except Teach himself and his crew. So the gallon was heavier than normal. “Mr. Smee?” Mullins barked over the shouts of his comrades, who had also seen the approach of the sloop. The old Irishman bent over the rail, holding back the small figure of Wendy who stood beside him. “Hurry, Robert!” he screamed.
“Blackbeard plans to ram us!” Cecco squalled back.
The old boatswain stared disbelieving at the black gunner, and then back at the Revenge. Damn it all to hell, but Cecco was right. Teach’s intentions were obvious. He whirled around. “Brutes! Make sails! Haul her close to backwind her!” he screamed up into the riggings. “Jukes! Ready to heave to!” The small gunner at the helm nodded. “Albino, Mason, Cookson – to the cannons with ye. There MUST be dry powder somewhere!”
It was Nibs who started to wave excited. “Smee? There are several barrels in the sea. They must be these barrels we threw overboard the Revenge! And they are full of gun-powder!”
The old boatswain blinked and exchanged a glare with some of his comrades. “Boy, if they are really powder barrels, I’ll happily release ya the next time we got you and your friends!” he called out; new hope rose in him, while his comrades fetched several nets and ran to Nibs.
Wendy only had eyes for James, who was hauled aboard with Cecco. His chin lay on his chest; his long wet curls covering his face. Her heart beat almost painfully. He had been so long underwater! What if the mermaids were too late? Helpful hands hefted Cecco and his valuable ‘freight’ through the opening in the rail and laid the captain on the deck. In an instant Wendy was beside him, reaching with trembling fingers for him.
“James? Do you hear me?” she asked, and felt Smee push her aside, as the old Irishman made room for the first aid.
“’Scuse me, Miss,” he murmured, gripping Hook’s arms, and started to pump the remaining water out of his lungs. Even in his unconscious state, James threw up the salty water. Then the boatswain turned his captain to his stomach and massaged with strong fingers his back, he forced the body to throw up the rest. Wendy helped as she could. She didn’t even realize her tears. All she could see was the wet, motionless and bleeding form of James, lying still before her.
As Smee was finally satisfied with his work, she pulled James’ head into her lap, bent over him and stroked his back, embracing him. He was so cold, almost like death and longed to warm him. “James?” she whispered, smoothing back his hair, and kissed his temple. “James! Wake up. Please, wake up.” She buried her face in his dripping curls and held him tight.
“Miss Wendy?” It was Smee, and as she looked up she saw an oriental pirate and Sky standing beside him. “They’ll take ‘im into his quarters. He’ll need help with his injuries and…”
The girl simply nodded. “I need fresh water, bandages and someone who can help me hold him.” Tears ran over her pale cheeks, but in her gaze was the well-known fiery spirit they’d seen before. She had to be strong one more time and then – when James was doctored and the danger of Blackbeard defeated – she would allow herself to cry. But not now!
The pirates lifted their commander carefully from the deck and carried him toward the stairs that led to his quarters. Wendy accompanied them, ignoring all others – even John, who tried to stop her. She didn’t see the shocked face of her brother; she only saw that James was brought to his cabin as soon and safely as possible – if you could speak of safety while they were being attacked.
John looked numbly after his sister. He had stood close by and seen everything. He couldn’t believe his eyes and ears, as she had called Hook by his given name and took him into her lap. But now, seeing her care for him as she escorted the crewmen and Hook to his quarters, he admitted what he’d been refusing to see the whole time: Wendy had lied to them – more or less. Hook hadn’t kidnapped her (except possibly the first time) and she hadn’t ‘escaped’ him. Somehow the pirate-captain had managed to persuade her completely, and she was with him on her own free will. And she was not only WITH him, they were CLOSE. Good God, she even had KISSED him, calling him ‘James’ and Smee addressed her as ‘Miss Wendy’.
John’s heart refused to believe that his sister and the one-handed pirate-captain were a couple, but it was obvious, and there was no denying it anymore, as he recalled her fears for Hook hours ago in the hideout and her tears now. And Hook had fought for her, had risk his own life and that of his men to save her. There was no other explanation for the strange behavior of the two. They were together and John felt in his bones that they had done more than simply ‘hold hands.’
Slightly came beside him and asked him something, but John was too deep in thought to react. His adopted cousin shook him roughly. “John! Where is Peter?”
“And where is Mullins?” asked Smee, who stood only meters away from them with a wet dripping Cecco. The giant Negro wiped his eyes clean of the seawater. “The boy has a general plan to stop Blackbeard. I don’t know if he’ll be successful, but if he is, he saves our all sorry asses – he and Mullins!”
“What does he want to do?” asked Curly, and Smee lifted one brow.
Cecco – still panting, answered: “He and Robert are swimming to t’e Revenge and try to release t’e timing chain from t’e rudder. Then Blackbeard will be unable to maneuver and we can heave to and give him a full broadside.”
“Pan has WHAT in mind?” Smee squeaked.
“That’s crazy!” Slightly burst out.
“Aye! Teach’ll shoot ‘em like rabbits!” Cookson added, who joined the little group.
Cecco shook his head. “T’e mermaids accompany t’em and dive wit’ t’em to t’e Revenge and under her along to the rudder. Blackbeard will not see ’em.”
“Diving TO and UNDER the Revenge in one stroke?” gasped Smee. “This is impossible. That’s worst than keel-hauling five times over!”
“Pan said something about ‘bein’ able to breath under water, when the mermaids are, um … kissing you’,” Cecco explained and Cookson started to laugh.
“T’is is the reason Mullins chose to help t’e boy with his crazy plot. He really doesn’t stop at nothing when a female is near – even if she has a fish-tail.”
Cecco snorted with loathing. “I would rather turn into a monk before I let a cold fish-hag kiss me!”
“Even after this long, you’re satisfied with this!” Mason grinned, who had also stepped to the little group. His gaze found Smee’s. “By the way: the barrels were full of DRY gun-powder.”
A wide smile played around the Irishman’s mouth. “The best news I got all day!” He turned around; his normal stoop gone, and shouted orders with shoulders back. “All men to the starboard side cannons! Load ‘em but don’t open the hatches. Blackbeard and his rats cannot know that we have full cannon-power! Jukes? Hold the course and be ready to heave to, but wait for my signal! We will only change the course at the last moment, so Blackbeard won’t be able to alter course, passing us by and giving us a very nice target!”
He could hear the ringing shouts of the hostile buccaneers now very clearly, and looked toward the Revenge. The sloop was only three hundred feet away, and picking up speed. Most of the burning riggings and sails had been thrown overboard, but part of the deck was still in flames, now being fought by several crewmen. Directly in front of them, on the bowsprit, stood the tall figure of Blackbeard, cutlass in one hand, a pistol in the other.
Smee, who had taken Hook’s spyglass, glared at Teach, and finally let the spyglass sink. He had seen many things in his life, and had taken part in many battles, but this time he really felt cold fear, as he looked at Blackbeard. “Like the old Harry had shown up!” he whispered and took a deep breath. The coming minutes would decide life and death, and even if the sloop was chippy, the crew was decimated and they had no munitions, there was still the chance that they all would die, because the devil himself seemed to have risen from the hell – and it was up to a small boy and a superstitious carpenter to safe the day.

TBC…
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In the swirl of passion