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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
- 31
- 32
- 33
Chapter 32 – Making Up

Of course, no really damage had been done to Wendy’s health. She took a relaxing hot bath – without the very worried James Hook, who spent the entire time ordering Smee around to fetch hot tea and to thick comforters for the bed – then snuggled into the blankets and pillows and sipped at the delicious tea and ate some cheese and bread. All the while, James paced about nervously. Feeling a tad vengeful, she did nothing to allay his guilt. Maybe this would bring his oversized ego down a peg or two!
But when he asked her –for the seventh time -- how she was and if there was anything he could do for her, she couldn’t bear the worry and the self-reproach in his eyes any longer, and admitted that she was fine. No scratchy throat, no pressure in the nose or head, and certainly, no fever. His relief and soft apologies dissolved the last smidge of anger. How was it possible that such a strong and fearsome man could be so … adorable?
James also bathed, and soon joined her in bed, taking her in his arms. They spoke together a long time that evening, with quiet voices. But finally, sleep overtook them, and peace settled over the luxurious cabin, while the last candles burned down and went out, leaving the quarters in quiet darkness.

****************************************************

The air was cold, and a bitter wind blew in her face. It was dark, except for the large white moon and the cold stars, which seemed so near that she only had to stretch out her hand to touch them.
Bewildered, Wendy looked about her and took in her surroundings. There were only the sky, the stars and the moon. She had seen this sight only two times: during her travels to and from Neverland.
Neverland! Where was it? With growing trepidation, she looked down and saw the magical island far below her bare feet, moonlight glinting off the ocean as it curved away. Clouds covered the island up to the mountaintops, and wherever they parted, she saw that snow now covered the land. She could see no sign of life there, almost as if the island had fallen asleep. Or died.
She cast her eyes about for the Jolly Roger, her home for the last weeks. Yes, there it was, encased in winter, canted to port, stuck in ice where she had only seen warm ocean waves before. The large mulled windows of the captain’s quarters showed a dim light, and from there she could see the small shadow of the ship’s commander, glaring up at her. She was too far away to read his expression, but she could feel his rising despair. What was she doing here, so far above Neverland? Why wasn’t she secure in the warm bed she and the captain shared? Why were they separated? Where was she going?
Shaking her head in bewilderment, she made up her mind to return to the ship that was her home now; more importantly, to return to the arms of her beloved, when she became aware of a tight grip around her wrist holding her back. Frowning, she looked over her shoulder and saw a smaller figure she couldn’t recognize, only inches away. “Who--?” she began, but before she could go on, the figure pulled, dragging her up into the sky, away from Neverland.
Stunned, she tried to free her arm. “Let me go!” she commanded sharply, but the other didn’t listen to her, but only flew faster. Neverland grew smaller and smaller behind her. Panic rose in her throat. She knew that there was no way to return to the magical island if she left it now. She would never see her James again. With a combination of fear and wrath, she fought against the faceless figure, kicked and hit the other one, screaming at the top of her lungs to let her go. The grip around her arm tightened. The Neverland was nothing more than a small spot far below by now, the ship invisible in the distance.
Struggling, shrieking for James’ help, she finally could do nothing do no more than sob and beg her captor to let her return to him. But as Neverland disappeared and she found herself again among the stars and the colorful stardust, she knew that it was too late – that she was gone from him forever.
Crying out in anguish, she closed her eyes and let her head drop, wanting nothing more than to die. A life without James was no life for her.
A finger touched her cheek; warm and comforting. She wanted to slap the fingers away, but they came back and then she felt soft lips on hers. They were familiar to her, especially the gentle pressure and the slight scratching of short hairs around them, mixed with the familiar masculine scent. Warm breath stroked her cheek, and then she heard the voice she had thought she would never hear again. “Wake up, Wendy. Everything is all right!”
She wanted to believe it. She wished with all her heart she would see James’ face when she opened her eyes and --
“Come on, kitten, open those lovely eyes for me!”
Praying that he really had found a way to follow her, she opened her eyes, and—

***************************************************************

-- looked straight into the forget-me-not blues, darker now in the twilight of the cabin and the bright moon sending its beams over their bed. Wendy could see him looking down at her with worry and tenderness, and she realized that – yes! he was, indeed, here with her! And not only that, but she was where she belonged: on board the Jolly Roger! She and James weren’t separated!
With a sob of relief, she wrapped her arms around him and pressed him close. She could feel her eyes spilling over as she buried her face in his throat. “Shhh, my love, it was only a nightmare! Whatever it was, you’re safe now, here with me!” His dark voice was a calm, soft rumble, but Wendy only clung more tightly to him. He could feel her tremble and stroked softly over her back. “What is it, dearest? What are you afraid of, hm?”
“Losing you,” came the stammered answer.
He kissed her temple and took a deep breath, relishing the familiar sweet scent of her. “You will never lose me! Never as long as I live!” he said firmly and wrapped his arms and legs around her, offering her the sort of shelter only a lover could.
Wendy shuddered, and snuggled even closer to him, taking an unsteady breath. “I pray you’re right,” she whispered and felt again his gentle lips on her cheek.
“Was your nightmare about losing me?” he murmured and the girl nodded.
“Yes. I found myself high above a frozen Neverland, and someone was dragging me away from it -- from you! I fought him or her, but it was no use and then -- then we left Neverland’s sky and — I knew that I could never return, if ever I was forced to leave this land.” She held him tighter. “I would never see you again!”
James felt a knife pierce his soul at the thought of losing his girl, his beloved Wendy. Yes, she was right. If she ever left the island and returned to London, no power in the universe could bring her back to Neverland. In this land, adults were not allowed. Whoever lived here as a grown-up could stay, but it was forbidden for adults to step again into Neverland once they left it. The island seemed to have a special protection against such, which weren’t welcome – ‘Except villains like Blackbeard to give the boy a new adventure,’ Hook thought caustically.
Sighing, he kissed her nose, which made her smile a moment. He knew that she was a little ticklish there. He met her big blue-grey eyes and saw the lingering fear in them. “No one will ever tear us apart, my love!” he swore, calm and fierce in one.
Feeling a growing contentment, Wendy huddled against him again, and sighed deeply. “I could never bear to lose you, James. I couldn’t live without you anymore!”
His hand stroked soothingly over her arm. “As I couldn’t go on without you, my sweet kitten. You’re my soul.”
Giving him one of her gorgeous smiles, Wendy kissed him tenderly. “As you are my heart, my beloved pirate!”
Smiling back at her he pulled her even closer and slowly they drifted back to sleep.

When morning came, Wendy shook her head. Such a foolish dream – and she had let it affect her so much, and even told James! Now, facing the clear skies and the warm golden rays, she could have laughed at herself. James was right. No-one would ever separate them!
After washing and changing into a cool yellow dress, she wanted to go to the galley, but Hook forbade it. He only mumbled something about “The dogs can prepare their breakfast alone!” and “I’ve something in mind for us today!”
Curious, she asked Smee to help the men with breakfast and followed James an hour later to one of the longboats. They were rowed to the southern shores of Neverland; her promised visit made at the Never-Tree driven from her mind. Nodding her thanks toward the pirates who had rowed them ashore, Hook and Wendy walked deeper into the beautiful area, back toward the cliffs. Only Smee and Cecco followed them, carrying baskets and blankets.
Wendy guessed at last what James had in mind, and gave him an amused glance. There he was: one of the most fearsome of pirate-captains ever to sail the Seven Seas, and now he was, picnicking with his girl! No one would have believed it, including herself, if someone had tried to tell her that only weeks ago. She would have brushed it aside as a … a big fish story! A fairy tale!
But as they reached a hidden beach, partially surrounded by high cliffs with blooming flowers trailing down them, and with pines in their half shadows, she was touched by his sense of beauty and his secret yearning for tranquility. The low waves rolled softly to the beach and several sea mews flew squawking above them in the gentle breeze. It would be a warm day, and the prospect of hours in the sun and shadows and of cooling down in the crystal sea made her heart soar.
Wendy met his questioning gaze. It was so obvious that he was eager to hear what she thought about his choice that she had to hide a giggle. She wrapped her arms around him and beamed at him. “It’s most beautiful here – and to stay all day here is the best idea you’ve had in decades!”
He saw the playful gleam in her eyes and decided to play along. “My best plan in decades?” he pretended to be indignant.
She nodded and finally released the giggle. “At least, much better than throwing me into the sea!”
“And who said that I will not repeat it?”
She nestled against him, ticking off reasons on her fingers. “Because (a) you’re a gentleman, (b) you don’t want to anger me again, and because (c) we’ll have a lot more fun if we’re not arguing.”
Pursing his lips, he pretended to think about it, and a smirk escaped. “No, kitten, in this case you’re right.” He held her gently in his arms and called, without looking back: “Gentlemen? Please spread the blankets near the pines and set the baskets in their shade. Pick us up before sunset!”
Two voices answered: “Aye, Cap’n!”
Wendy smiled up to him and lifted a delicate brow. “Do you have something special planned for us?”
He nodded slowly. “Aye. I’ll show you the Sculptor’s Cave with its entrance at seaside, which you can only reach at low tide. Today, this will be about noon, when the sun finds his way inside the cave as well. And,“ he stole a kiss from her, “I’ve something more in mind.” His voice lowered to that seductive purr that sent a shiver down her spine.
“I think I know what that might be!”
Grinning, he kissed her again and glanced over his shoulder, letting out a sigh. “Finally alone!” he murmured.
Wendy wrapped her arms around him. “This sounds splendorous,” she whispered and snuggled closer to him, before he took her hand in his and went with her to the blankets. She let herself take inventory of his appearance, enjoying every inch of it. He was wearing a light blue waist-coat, a simple white shirt, dark blue breeches and his beloved black boots. Of course, he hadn’t left the ship without his weapons-sash and his sword, and where the waistcoat was open, she could see the handle of a pistol, but she knew that it would have been foolish to be on the island without weapons. After all, it was almost completely covered with deep jungles and populated by predatory beasts.
But despite being armed, James seemed completely relaxed, and his eyes sparkled with genuine joy. He seemed younger than before, when she first saw him after her return to Neverland. The harsh lines around his eyes and mouth had softened and almost disappeared, and the haunted look and the lines of irritation had transformed into confidence and composure. His restless mind seemed to have finally reached a state of harmony, and Wendy was grateful that fate had decided to save his soul by letting him find love.
He escorted her to the blankets, and Wendy smiled when she saw what he had ordered for their picnic. He even had thought of bringing a bottle of olive-oil with them to protect their skin against the sun when they went into the water. And, truthfully, Wendy was eager to splash into the waves.
“It’s still cool from the morning hours,” Hook commented, as Wendy started to remove her dress, and she told him she would repeat her morning-washing in another way.
“I don’t care,” she answered cheerfully. “And even if it is a bit cold: I know a way to get warm again!”
James grinned and shook his head. “Never call me insatiable again!”
“I only do as you wish,” she answered with a hidden smirk and slipped out of her garments. Of course, she knew he was watching, and as she dared to peek over her shoulder and saw the adoration on his face, she felt an odd pride and new confidence. Wendy had finally accepted that she wasn’t a child anymore, and to be a young woman, admired and loved, was delightful. Smiling and without any shyness, she folded her clothes and lay them in the shade while she felt his eyes on her the whole time – and it made her happy.
Finally she turned towards him, wearing only her creamy birthday suit, and closed the little distance between them. “Now you, love,” she murmured.
He cleared his throat. “Do you really want to swim now?
She nodded and opened his weapon-sash. “Yes, with you.” He undressed quickly, but somehow he managed to show no haste in the process. Of course, he had still to protect his reputation as a strong commander, which made Wendy giggle. He could pretend what ever he liked, but she could see right through him. “Ready?” she asked when he stood completely nude beside her, and moved to bolt to the sea, when he held her back.
“First protection against the sun, my beauty!” He bent down smoothly, and Wendy realized what he meant.
“It smells and it’s sticky,” she protested, as Hook took the bottle of olive oil and gestured to her to lie down on her stomach on the blankets.
“Better this than yammering about sunburn.”
She pouted. “I NEVER yammer and—“
“—And it also feels wonderful. So lie down and turn around, kitten!”
Grumbling, she obeyed, but after he started to rub the oil into her skin, she almost hummed in delight. He took care that her whole body was oiled, and she had to admit that it really felt wonderful to have not only his hand on her skin, but also to feel the oil on her, as the wind softly stroked her. Of course, she did the same for James. She could tell that he enjoyed her care enormously, and she could have sworn that his purr was loud enough to be heard over the half island. Finally ready for the sun’s caresses on bare skin, they made a short race down the white sand to the turquoise sea, and Hook showed his gentlemanly manners once again by letting her win.
“You cheated!” she realized, as the first crystal waves played around her legs.
“No! Believe me, my sweet, I had the best prize of all – seeing your sweet bottom running ahead of me!” he smirked and dove into the next frothing wave, as she tried to jump at him with an “Oh you!”
The next half hour or so, they played in the sea. James was amazed how well Wendy could swim. It was unusual that a well-bred town girl could swim. But Wendy was like a mermaid in the water, and he loved to see her graceful movements in the waves and watch her hair flowing behind her. And he loved it even more as she splashed him, and they both ended up in a water-battle. After both had swallowed more salt water than they had tea that morning, and were both out of breath, James took her in his arms and carried her back over the now heated sand towards the pines, but he didn’t stop at the blankets, but moved further between the trees and to the high stony wall of the cliffs.
Only now, Wendy could hear the soft noises of a little waterfall, which ended in a small pool, and flowed in a brook down to the sea. “You thought of everything!” she beamed, as he sat her down into the fresh water, where they could wash the salt from their skin.
“Of course. After all, I am the captain!” he answered with a hint of arrogance in his voice, which made her laugh. She took a long drink of the clear water of the little waterfall, and to her surprise, James mirrored her action. “I thought water was only good for brushing your teeth?” she joked, and he grinned back.
“I brought an excellent wine for our lunch, kitten, and I will enjoy it far more without the salt! The water will cleanse the palate.”
Laughing again, she rinsed out her hair in the cool streaming water. As they finished, he surprised her when he lifted her again on his arms, indicating the stones on the ground under the pine needles. “It might hurt your bare feet!” he said gently and Wendy wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder, again touched by his thoughtfulness. Had this side of him been hidden all this time behind the mask of the cruel and brutal pirate, or had he changed so very much? She didn’t have an answer for it, and she really didn’t need to know. All that mattered now was what he had become. Or returned to.
It was after this they enjoyed the delicious food and wine, naked as newborns, which finally struck Wendy’s mind. Her shyness about her body was nearly completely eliminated when she was with James, but suddenly it struck her that she was out under the sky wearing absolutely nothing. And then, in her imagination, she saw the face of her aunt grow very pale -- before she fainted – and Wendy burst out laughing.
“My dear?”
Gasping for air Wendy wiped her eyes. “I—I was remembering my aunt, and pictured how she would react if she saw us both NAKED, sitting in the sun, under the sky, oily and wet, and having lunch! She would collapse, and an entire bottle of smelling salts would not wake her up!”
Of course, Hook didn’t know this ominous Aunt Millicent. Wendy had often told him about her, but the image of a starchy lady in her forties, strictly nurtured, with a bourgeois point of view, seeing her niece sitting in the sunlight, ‘naked as a jaybird’, made him laugh as well. “You see,” he said between chuckles, “another of the pirate’s advantages. Never could you be freer than now!”
They laughed as they considered other people’s reactions, if those others ever learned about this ‘freedom’, throughout the entire lunch. Afterwards Wendy felt lazy enough to take a nap, but James saw the receding tide and told her that the time was right to visit the cave. Slipping only into his breeches and putting on his hook – better to wear the weapon in case something unforeseen would happen – and then he waited for Wendy to get dressed in her chemise and petticoat, which she shortened by pulling the rear edge of the skirt through her legs and tucking it into the front of her waistband. Then he took her hand in his and walked with her along the beach, until they reached the cliffs, towering over the water.
James led her into the water a distance of several meters, until it reached their waists, and then made for the seaside of the cliffs. He was very wary of the power of the tide, and aware that the waves could throw them onto the rocks, but the sea was calm today, and allowed them to reach their destination.
With growing curiosity, Wendy looked up along the giant boulders which had the color of rust and dark gold in the midday sun. The eternal caress of the sea had worn into the rocks and had given them the most complicated appearances. With a little imagination, you could see there the head of lion, there the face of woman, and over there the wings of a bird. In earlier times, Neverland must have lain deeper in the sea, because at the height of several meters, the cliffs changed their colors. Beneath this line they were a dark grey.
The wind blew the scent of salt and summer air down to the couple, where it mixed with the smell of algae and the typical smell of the sea. The water was warmer now, like the air, and out of a reflex Wendy closed her eyes, spread her arms, and lay her head back, breathing deeply. She felt utterly free and one with the pristine nature that surrounded her. Only one other time had she known this kind of emotion: during her visit in the crows-nest.
James watched her while he still held her hand. He saw the deep joy on her face, as well as the peace and the wonder. This girl had been born to freedom. Her fiery spirit and her yearning for independence made her a survivor – more than that, a thriver, who needed challenges like she needed air to breathe. The rules and strict behaviors of Edwardian society would cage her, like a bird that would die without freedom. She would fade, like a rose without sun, if she would ever be forced to live the life of a domesticated wife at the side of a boring husband, making the social rounds, pouring tea in a nice house between other nice houses, and with nosy talkative neighbors all around her. Wendy craved freedom with all her heart and soul the same way he did. He had never thought that he would meet someone like him in this way. And in Wendy it was even more pronounced.
She was someone who had opened his eyes and – above all – his heart. She showed him the beauty of life again, and had helped him see the little wonders which had been around him all time, never recognizing them. Yes, he had always liked flowers, and his restless soul had found a fragment of peace by listening to sweet music, but he had really opened up to them and much more after the girl had wriggled herself into his heart, cut his chains, raised him up and set him free.
Smiling, he let his gaze wander over her, before he bent down and stole a kiss from her, which made her smile. “Sorry,” she murmured, “I didn’t want to stop, but it — it’s so beautiful here.” Her gaze returned to the cliffs and then down to the sea. “Those ancient elements!” she whispered. “They were the first, as the land rose out of the sea. How young and small we are compared to them! They were here long before we were born, and they will be here long after we die and have vanished out of memory.”
Hook lifted an eyebrow. Such thoughts from such a young girl! He knew she had an bright mind and a great respect for all creatures great and small, but to hear these thoughts from her – a young woman, barely out of childhood – showed him again the kind of spirit, faith and intelligence that moved her. Most people wouldn’t consider such things, even if they could see the strange beauty in these rough stones and salty waves. But here she was: a young girl, one step beyond the threshold of childhood, and she thoughtfully considered the incredible enigma of how the world ran. Could it be from her sense for stories and the miracles in them that she was able to recognize the true wonders of the world? Or was she simply blessed with a kind of understanding even the most savants never fully experienced? James didn’t know, but he loved her even more for it.
Wrapping his arms around her, he murmured in her ear: “Wait until you see the cave! It’s the perfect example of what can happen when two different worlds meet and combine.” With a beam, she nodded and followed him toward the opening of the cave that the receding tide had exposed.
They waded into the black hole, and as they came nearer, Wendy could see the sunbeams dancing in the water, leaving a golden trace in the pale shallow waves. One quick glance told James that the time was optimal, and he stepped near Wendy, commanding her to hold his right arm and lay his left hand over her eyes. Allowing this, trusting as a little child, she let him lead her into the cave, eager to see what lay inside. “Only a few steps more, my beauty,” he whispered at her ear, and she could hear the quiet echo from the walls.
Unable to see, she clumsily tottered half beside, half in front of him as they waded, and tried not to giggle. “My father did the same thing to me on my birthday, so as not to spoil my surprise,” she explained.
“Nice,” he smirked. “You’re making a pretty victim of disorientation.”
“James!” she scolded him, anything but serious.
He stopped. “Ready?” he asked softly, and as she nodded he removed his hand. She gasped as she looked around, trying to see everything at once.
Beams of radiant sunlight shone through the entrance and several openings in the walls facing the sea, and bathed the high cavern in a dark-golden glow. Mighty stalagmites grew out of the stony earth, and reached for their parents in the heights, the stalactites. Several of them had already connected and formed the most diverse figures. Some of them were only thin bars, others were heavy columns, which seemed to hold up the cave’s roof and changed it into a rough sort of arcade. The daylight broke among the stony pillars and immersed the area behind in a dark twilight. But where the sun reached the silent and slowly growing monuments, the colors danced between pearl-white, rose and soft ocher. The blue shimmers of the glimmering waves skipped over the walls and changed the rose and ocher into soft lavender and green, wherever they mixed the light with the pale colors of the stones. Here and there it glistened as if hundreds of brilliants were fixed in the rocks. It was quiet here, the only sound the gentle noises of falling drops. The air was cooler than outside, and slightly damp, but it didn’t smell moldy, but of rich minerals and salt.
Wendy gaped at the ancient beauty around her. Never before she had seen anything so breathtaking. It seemed as if she and James had stepped into another world, hidden from the eyes of the outside creatures. Letting go of his arm, she approached the stony shapes, her feet touched smooth sand which had washed up from the sea. Her fingers touched the growing stalagmites, and she captured a falling drop from the roof in her hand, tested its salty taste. Her gaze fallowed the mighty columns upward to the roof, studded with the first small peaks of new stalactites. Glancing around again, she suddenly realized that it looked exactly as she had always imagined the cave where the dwarfs of Snow White worked during the day.
Laughing, she waded deeper into the cavern and climbed up on a low, flat stone that was unlike the products of the cave’s own magic. Spreading her arms she turned around herself, meeting James’ bemused gaze. “This is like a world inside the world!” she called.
The buccaneer smiled to himself, as he watched Wendy. There she was again: the girl-child he met four and a half years ago, innocent eyes shining with a great love of life, and her head full of fairy-tales, her mind wide open for the miracles of the world. Yes, her shape was that of a young woman now, but nevertheless deep inside of her the careless and carefree child still lived – and he loved her even more for it. Closing the distance to her he looked up at her, because she was now more than a head higher than he as she stood on the stone. “So,” he started slowly, “you like it?”
She laughed delightedly, bent down and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I. Love. It!” she answered and kissed him deeply. She felt his arms encircling her waist and smiled against his lips. “So, have I made up with you – regarding our little argument?”
She nodded. “It’s like in one of my favorite stories, where the dwarfs and gnomes lived beneath the earth in their own land.”
He chuckled. “What story, my sweet storyteller?”
She cocked her head and grinned. “Do you want to hear it?” He nodded. “You, the fearsome pirate-captain, want to hear a story?”
“Only from you, my beauty!” he murmured.
“Yes! I want to hear as well!” cheeped a high voice nearly on them, yet echoing about the cave, and James whirled around, his hook risen, ready to strike at any danger that lurked in the shadows.
“Show yourself!” he growled, his eyes searched the water and the sunlit area behind the stalagmites.
“I am here beside you!” chirped the voice, again seeming to come from everywhere, and Hook looked around him, scanning the whole area for the intruder. “Hey, you overgrown pirate, right here!” This time the voice sounded almost impatient.
This irritated the pirate-captain even more, while he turned his head in all directions. “Blast this invisible-game!” he hissed.
Wendy, on the other hand, had understood the hint of the voice hidden behind the words ‘you overgrown pirate’, and looked down. A sound of rapture escaped her as she saw the owner of the voice. “Oh, how sweet!”
Confused, Hook turned toward her and followed her gaze. At his feet stood a small creature, no taller than his boot. Long pointy ears stuck out from its head, and its skin was grey and rough. The face seemed to be nothing more than a big round nose and brown eyes. Longer arms and fingers, as well as a long tail indicated that this creature was a good climber. It wore a doublet made out of something that looked like leather, and its feet were bare and showed long toes, which were likewise a hint that this genus was genial in clambering – almost like monkeys.
Wendy started to leave the rock, but James held her back. “Careful, kitten. Not every creature in Neverland is pleasant, even if it looks so.”
“I know – I’ve seen the mermaids!” she answered, but – despite his warning – she slid down the rock and knelt in front of the little visitor. “Who are you?” she asked kindly, and the little creature grinned.
“I am Swarndy,” it introduced itself and bowed deeply.
“Pleased to meet you,” the girl smiled. “I am Wendy Darling.” She nodded toward James. “And this is—“ she saw that he still stood in a threatening pose and rolled her eyes, “Honey, calm down!”
Full of distrust, Hook lowered his iron claw. “What are you?” he asked harshly and earned another grimace from Wendy.
The little creature frowned. “Why, I am a cave-gnome, of course!” It almost sounded offended.
James rolled his eyes. “Of course. How inventive.”
Wendy shook her head and winked at the cave-gnome. “To what do we owe the pleasure of meeting you, Swardny?”
The cave-gnome seemed to be suddenly shy, before it murmured: “You said you know a story about dwarfs and gnomes. See, we are friends with the dwarfs, and a story about us—“ he ended with a shrug and gave her longing look.
“Of course you can listen.” She looked around and pointed towards the little beach. “I think we would be comfortable there.”
Hook sighed. “Sweetheart, do you really think it is wise to tell this little rat on two legs a story, that.—“
“I am NO rat, Mr. Honey-calm-down!” the gnome protested harshly. Hearing this name, Wendy burst out laughing, while on Hook’s forehead the frown deepened. The cave-gnome blinked uncomprehendingly. “Did I say something wrong?”
Wendy wiped her eyes and held her belly, but it was no use. As Hook straightened himself to his full height and said in his most grim voice “Learn it well, gnome, I am James Hook, captain of the Jolly Roger!” the girl sat down on the sand and broke into another outburst of giggles.
The cave-gnome stared at him and pointed at Wendy. “But the lady called you ‘honey-calm-down’. Why should she call you by a name that isn’t yours?”
Hook moaned and rubbed his eyes. Why him – again?
Wendy patted the place beside her and gestured to the little creature, to sit down. “ ‘Honey’ is a sort of nick-name,” she explained, deeply amused and the gnome frowned visibly.
“What is honey?”
A scoffing noise escaped Hook’s throat while the girl smiled: “It’s sweet and very valuable to some people.”
The gnome glanced up at the tall man. “Sweet and valuable? We certainly have different opinions!”
Wendy giggled again and touched the tiny shoulder of the gnome to draw his attention. “That’s certainly true. But look, I’m not a gnome and you’re not a human, so it’s normal that we have different preferences.”
The little creature cocked his head and nodded finally, “Alright,” and positioned itself contentedly on the sand. “Could you tell the story now?”
The girl exchanged a quick look with James, and as the buccaneer nodded – most resignedly – she cleared her throat. “Once upon a time, in a far away land …“

“… and so the prince and the maiden found their way back to the surface, and vowed to keep the secret of the world deep beneath the mountains. As they looked back for the last time, they saw the dwarf-king and his gnome-friend standing at the nearly invisible entrance, and both lovers raised their hands in a final farewell. Both little men waved back and then – from one moment to the next – they were gone, vanished back into the hidden world, no mortal had ever seen before.
” ‘You see,” the maiden Maureen said, ‘not all treasures are made of gold and jewels. Friendship is worth far more.’
“The prince nodded and lowered his gaze. ’I’ve learned so much from you and the little people. I am grateful forever.’
”Maureen smiled gently and pointed to his bag. ‘As is the dwarf-king. Just have a look inside. I am sure that he tried to pay his depth.’ After glancing at her questioningly, he opened his little bag, and sure as the sun rises in the east, there lay a huge gem, blue as the sky above him. It was exactly like the stone his father had demanded that he find. Now he would be declared a man as soon as he reached his father’s kingdom.
”But he hesitated, as he remembered the misery Maureen and her father lived in. No, this stone was not for him. His father was rich enough, and this stone from the dwarf’s world would help the poor people. So he reached into his bag and gave the maiden the valuable gem. ‘Take it,’ he said. ‘It will ease the misery of your people.’
”She looked at him thoughtfully. ‘Are you sure that you want to give it to me? What will your father say?’
” ‘I don’t care! He collects treasures and someday he will realize that they can’t give him what he misses the most: love.’
”The maiden still made no move to take the gem. ‘So you love me?’ she asked finally, and he smiled: ‘Yes, from the very first moment,’ he admitted and took her in his arms.
”She bit her lip. ‘Your father will never accepting me. Would you really give up your comfortable life in your castle?’
”He took a deep breath. ‘Not the richest palace nor the most comfortable life could keep me from marrying you.’ And with that, he bent down and kissed her. They did not see the two smiling faces – one covered with a long grey beard and the other with a big nose and tousled hair. The prince had passed their last test, and with a wave of his hand, the dwarf-king
filled the little bag with gold-pieces.
”Then the friends disappeared and were never seen again. However, the prince and Maureen went to her home … and they lived happily … ever … after.”

James was leaning against a stone, while his legs were in the warm water. He had closed his eyes and had listened intently to the story. Yes, he was not only a grown-up man, but a man with great responsibilities, too – a PIRATE-captain after all – but Wendy’s sweet voice had painted living pictures into his mind and he had gotten lost in the story she told. Sometimes it was balm for every soul to get lost in a fairy-tale with a happy ending.
He was startled by the many cheeping voices cheering and many, many tiny hands applauding, echoing from the walls. Also startled, Wendy looked up and realized that she and James were surrounded by almost four dozen cave-gnomes, who sat or stood about and beamed up at her.
“What the hell—“ Hook murmured and looked about him at the cave-gnomes, who jumped up and down, cheering. Wendy, leaning against a stalagmite, bowed, blushing and smiling at the little creatures. “Thank you,” she said gratefully.
Swardny climbed on her lap. “Please another one!”
The girl shook her head. “I am sorry, but we have to go.” She looked at the water. “The tide is returning and we have to leave now, or we could be trapped in here.”
A disappointed protest sounded through the cavern. “Would it be so bad?” Swardny asked.
Hook anticipated the direction this talk would lead, and because he was not in the mood for any kind of fight he said firmly: “We have to meet our friends outside. If we are not there when they arrive, they will start to search for us and will come to his cave.”
The gnomes grew nervous. “Mortals as well?” Swardny wanted to know, and, as Hook nodded, he hopped from Wendy’s lap. “It isn’t good when too many humans know about this place.” He sighed. “Will you keep our secret like the prince you told about?”
Wendy nodded. “I swear!” she said and laid her hand over her heart. The little creature glanced at James, who did the same – but not without a look of annoyance. Satisfied, Swardny gestured to his friends to make room for the two mortals, who stood up and stretched themselves. James made a face and grumbled something, while he tried to shake his breeches, which was naturally impossible.
“Is something wrong, darling?” Wendy asked as she saw his gyrations.
He shook his head, but continued his odd behavior, while he grimaced. He was clearly uncomfortable. He met her gaze and saw that she had lifted a brow. “Did you ever have had SAND in your … your … bloomers?” he growled and the girl started to laugh.
“You don’t wear such things,” she giggled and Hook made a face.
“You know what I mean!”
Wendy sighed. “Pull them off when you’re in the water, wash them and redress afterwards, and voilà: No sand in the breeches!”
“I don’t care about the breeches, but about my—“
He stopped suddenly and to Wendy’s amazement a slightly pink crept into his cheeks. Putting on a very innocent face she asked: “Do you mean your best friend?” In the next moment she realized first that they were not alone and second, that she sounded very bold now, and went crimson red.
Hook chuckled and several of the gnomes exchanged knowing looks. Bending down and collecting some water in her hands, Wendy tried to cool down her flaming cheeks, before she turned toward Swardny and his friends. “Thank you, you were good listeners. I hope to see you again!”
Farewells in many voices answered her while she took James’ hand and they waded through the water toward the cave opening. She recognized that he still walked oddly and knew that the sand was scratching him where it hurt the most. They left the cave and blinked in the clear sunshine. As soon as they were waist-deep in the water and were out of sight of the gnomes – almost back at the beach – James ducked under the water and started to remove his breeches. He sighed relieved, as the discomfort was eased. But as he looked up and straight into at a very bemused Wendy, he grumbled something again and started to rinse out his breeches.
Have you ever tried to wash out your swim trunks in the sea while you crouch just off the beach, and have you then tried to put them on again, WITHOUT a new invasion of sand in the material? If you have you know it’s nearly impossible. And this was exactly that what happened to Hook now.
After the third try he gave up, hearing the choking giggles of Wendy. “Do you have NO sand in your petticoat?” he snapped and she gave him her sweetest smile. “Yes, but I will wash it out under the waterfall and will hang it on one of the pines to dry. There is no sand.”
He stared at her. “Was it not YOU who told me to wash them out in the sea?”
“Yes, but near the cave, where the water is free of sand.” She cocked her head. “Heavens, James, who is the seaman here?”
Growling again, he stood up, the breeches dangled from his hook. “So, Miss Know-It-All, then let’s do some laundry!” He strode toward the beach.
Giggling Wendy caught up to him and wrapped her arms around him. “Oh, poor James! The little girl knows one little thing more than the great big bad captain!” He lifted both brows and suddenly she found herself thrown over his shoulder. “James! Do you have to carry me like this every time we disagree?”
She could hear the smirk in his voice. “No, but this way it’s easier for me to make sure you aren’t going to try anything foolish!”
“Really?” she asked and started to wiggle like mad. It ended with both of them landing in the water and starting a new water-battle. This time – admittedly – Hook had the upper hand, because the skirt hindered Wendy. But nevertheless she defended herself as good as she could, but still lost.
After several minutes of splashing water and a mild scuffle with James, she found herself on the blankets and him over her. “Give up?” he grinned and pulled at her chemise.
Their rough play had suddenly turned into something else – something very exciting and more arousing with every passing moment. “Yes,” she whispered and her hand slipped under his wet hair at his neck, pulling him down toward her. “You’ve won, O great Captain!”
He smiled arrogantly and closed his lips over hers, and their bodies sang together, and joined together in a dance they were beginning to know very well.

It was late that afternoon, sun swimming just above the sea, when Smee and Cecco came to pick them up. They found their captain and their lady more-or-less dressed in damp clothes. Their hair was a mess and they were in a very good mood. They went hand in hand back to the longboat, while the other pirates packed the baskets and carried them to the boat as well. James helped Wendy into the longboat and shoved it, together with the other men, into the water. Smee and Cecco exchanged a glance. It was the first time Hook had ever lent a hand with it. Normally, they had to push the boat WITH him in it back into the sea. What a change!
Shortly they reached the Jolly Roger, and Wendy climbed the Jacob’s ladder to the deck, James directly behind her. Two men of the crew helped them aboard and Mullins came to them, bowing slightly. “Miss Wendy? T’ere are two visitors fer ye. T’ey’r waiting at the top-deck.”
Hook cocked his head, while the girl lifted a brow. “Who is it?”
“Yer lill’ brot’er and t’e boy who wants to be a doctor, Miss.”
Michael! Slightly! O dear Lord, she had completely forgotten about her brothers and friends! With an “Excuse me please, James” she shortened her skirts and ran toward the steep stairs and climbed up as quickly as possible. As she reached the top-deck she was a little bit out of breath and she looked guiltily into the face of her youngest brother and the worried one of her step-cousin. “I… I am sorry,” she began. “I’ve completely forgotten—“
Slightly declined. “Don’t apologize, Wendy. Peter saw you and Hook leaving the ship in the morning and rowing toward the southern area. Then we knew that you had, uh, something else to do.”
Michael pouted. “She SHOULD apologize! I waited for her!”
Wendy took him into her arms and pulled him close to her. “I’m sorry, Michael.” Then she looked to Slightly and something told her that he had something to say – something unpleasant. “What is it, Slightly?” she asked and the boy took a deep breath.
He seemed to search for the right words, until he said: “We—we’re leaving tomorrow.”
Wendy frowned. “Where to? A new adventure? Then please have a look in on Michael and the Twins and--”
Slightly shook his head. “No Wendy. Not a new adventure somewhere in the island. We’re returning home.”
Still uncomprehending the girl glanced at him. “Home?
“Yes. Home. Back to London!”

TBC…
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In the swirl of passion