Chasing Pan_Tales from Neverland Read online

  My heart in my throat, I watched him, praying every moment until his feet hit the deck.

  He took my shoulders in his hands and I felt the warmth from him infuse my body.

  “What is the matter?” Peter always came right to the point. I liked that about him.

  “Come with me,” I turned, and made my way below stairs, to our small cabin.

  Peter had raised a brow but didn’t comment as he followed my lead.

  Once we had entered the cabin he gathered me close and kissed my forehead almost as if he couldn’t keep his hands or lips from finding some part of my body.

  I felt an immediate response, but it was quelled by the other person waiting in the room.

  “I will throw-up,” Tink made gagging noises from the small chair that was bolted down in the corner.

  “Why are you here?” Peter demanded trying to push me behind him.

  “I asked her to come!” I quickly intervened, before they started to squabble. Apparently, there was a lot of animosity lingering between the two after Tink had treated Wendy so badly all those years ago in Never Land.

  I tried not to be jealous emphasis on try. What point was it to be jealous of a dead woman? I wasn’t going to think about that either.

  “Tink,” I turned what I hoped to be a charming smile on the fairy. “What did you find out about how they were keeping the ship afloat?”

  Her gaze sharpened, “Oh, Ebony, you aren’t going to like this.”

  I felt a sneaking suspicion in my gut that she was right.

  “Just tell us,” Peter demanded gruffly.

  Tinkerbell huffed, “I was trying too, before you interrupted!”

  Laying a hand on Peter’s arm I encouraged, “What did you find out, Tink?”

  “He has the devil’s sprite working for him. The Welsh call him Pwca. I’ve heard others refer to him as the Hobgoblin. He is trickster, and the worst sort of fairy imaginable. His true name is Robin Goodfellow, but to everyone else he goes by...”

  “Puck.”

  Peter and Tink said his name at the same time. It had sounded almost like a curse.

  “How did they find Puck?” Peter was livid.

  “I don’t know?” Tink was wringing her hands together. “Ebony, you don’t understand how awful Puck can be. I am in fear for us all. He has much greater skill with magic than I do, and he is known for his terrible tricks.”

  “Where are they keeping him?” Peter demanded. “I can’t believe that Robin Goodfellow would allow himself to be caged.”

  “He’s not caged,” Tink refuted. “He is in life size form much like myself. You have seen him on deck I am certain of it. I just thought he was a rather handsome pirate. I hadn’t a clue that he was Puck. His glamour must be iron-clad.”

  “What name is he going by?” I asked, “How will we know it is Puck?”

  Tink swallowed, “I will point him out to you. He is tall, broad chested and narrow waisted.”

  Peter scowled, “You just described more than half the men onboard.”

  Tink fluttered nervously, and her cheeks pinked, “Oh! Shut-up Peter!”

  I gave him a look as if to convey that he wasn’t helping.

  “Tink, I will come up with you to the deck. Do you think you could point him out without Puck noticing?”

  Tink straightened, “Of course, I can.”

  She hopped up and went straight to the door. Peter and I followed her up to the deck looking a little like goslings following their mother.

  Her eyes swept around the deck, but she didn’t seem to find who she was looking for.

  Peter rolled his eyes and went back to the rigging, “We will talk more on this later.”

  I nodded and turned back to Tink.

  She sighed, “Perhaps he is off duty?”

  I hadn’t seen anyone off duty unless they were sleeping, but I didn’t bring up that point to Tink. With a frustrated smile I patted her hand and turned to leave. I was thankful for the information that she had found out. Tink was indeed invaluable on our trip.

  “Thank you, Tink,” my smile fading, I wanted her to know that I truly was grateful.

  But before I could expound further, a large man came up the stairs. His mischievous eyes searched the space before alighting on Tinkerbell.

  I would swear later that the violet color deepened as a smirk spread across his rugged chin. He had longish back hair tied back in a que. He was dressed much like the other pirates, but he was undeniably handsome.

  He strode over to us with a determined air. I held my breath not knowing what the King of Tricksters might do to us. But when he bowed and took Tinkerbell’s hand into his large one I wasn’t the only person to drop their jaw in astonishment.

  “Tinkerbell,” his voice coated us like dark chocolate. “It has been far too long.”

  Tinkerbell tried to tug her hand back, but Puck held it as if it were nothing.

  Turning to me, she gave me a look of pure terror.

  Fuck, and I was starting to hope that things were looking up.

  CHAPTER 18 – Peter

  “RELEASE HER!” I HADN’T even released I had spoken until Puck turned to smirk at me.

  “Ah! Jim Hawkins, how did I know that you would somehow get yourself entangled in this mess?”

  “Let Tinkerbell go,” I said through gritted teeth. I hated this man/fairy/prick with everything that was in me.

  Puck was as old as time. And when I first met Tinkerbell she was under his control, much like a slave would be. I knew Tinkerbell could be a pain in the ass, but no one deserved to be chained to Robin Goodfellow.

  Puck raised a brow, “No.”

  “Oh, for the love of Titan, let the fairy go!” Silver boomed, and Puck immediately released her hands.

  This was interesting. Puck usually only answered to Oberon, the king of the fairies. For Silver’s word to insight the same type of obedience was curious indeed.

  Puck scowled, “I wasn’t harming the ladybird.”

  Ebony’s brows rose.

  There have been many definitions to the term ‘ladybird’ over the years. In truth it is a small beetle with a domed back, usually red or yellow with black spots. In recent years it could be meant complimentary, as in someone who looks just as good coming as they do going.

  But I had a feeling Puck meant neither of those definitions. Because a hundred years ago or so the term ‘ladybird’ referred to one’s mistress or even a prostitute. It was not for a lady, but for a woman of ill-repute.

  Now, I am not one to judge, and I know that Tink has had more paramour’s than eyelashes in her lifetime. But a man didn’t sit back and watch a woman be insulted.

  I pulled the sword from its sheath and advanced.

  Ebony screamed, but Black Dog caught her before she could intervene. Captain Silver seemed to be yelling something and Tink was harshly shoved to the side as Puck brandished a sword of his own.

  “It’s nice to see that you are still in there, Peter Gallagher,” Puck taunted.

  “You will apologize to the lady, Puck,” my voice was deceptively quiet, and laced with malice.

  “You may have beaten me all of those years ago, Peter,” he spat my name. “But times have changed, and I am not the same boy you bested. Besides, I don’t see a lady present.”

  “What is he talking about?” Ebony cried out, but I ignored her. For me to take my eyes off Puck for even a second would be folly. He had now included Ebony in his insult.

  “Tell me, Peter,” Puck taunted, “How have you liked your banishment from fairyland?”

  I swore beneath my breath, “You will apologize you guttersnipe!”

  But Puck’s face had turned at Ebony’s surprised cry.

  “What is this? Do they not know who Peter Gallagher truly is? This is indeed a grand surprise!”

  “What are you talking about?” Ebony stared him down, like a queen. “He is Peter Pan.”

  “A name he took up as a youth when his days of rabblerousing with me ende
d,” Puck sneered, and Tink hung her head. “You see, our dear Peter Gallagher was once a celebrated member of the fairy guild. But he betrayed his own and was cast off forever.”

  Tink lifted her head. Her eyes were full of shame and sorrow.

  “Peter never betrayed anyone. He rescued me from this monster. In fairyland a tinker is little more than a slave. When it was discovered he was banished to earth. That was when he got tangled up with the pirates.”

  Captain Long John Silver came forward. His wooden leg clanking against the deck as he meandered forward disregarding the two men with swords at each other’s throats.

  “I had wondered where you came from,” Silver stroked his white beard, “It makes sense that you are more than a mere mortal, and why you should have changed your name to hide who you had been.”

  That had been a long time ago and I had no wish to rehash the past.

  “Where did Tinkerbell go?” Ebony asked quietly. “When you came to earth for your banishment? What happened to her?”

  Puck laughed, “The naughty sprite has never been loyal. She didn’t want to leave fairyland, and so she went into hiding. It was then she was cursed to remain tiny and at the whim of a human’s wish.”

  I had the feeling that Tink was going to do something stupid, so I acted quickly. I brought my sword down and it clanked loudly as it struck Puck’s. His eyes narrowed, and, in an instant, the cold-blooded predator came out in him.

  He met my sword thrust for thrust, advancing, and then retreating in the age-old dance of fencing. His skills were much improved from the last time our steel had met. But I was still better.

  Arm moving with precision, my sword flew in a flurry of angles and arches. Puck met every parry with one of his own and soon we were brandishing our swords at so rapid a rate that one couldn’t tell where the clanking of metal was coming from. Sweat began to bead on his brow and I smiled knowing that it would only irritate Puck further.

  “You always were a pompous ass, Peter!” he snarled at me, and I used his jab to make one of my own. But I used my sword, slicing the top of his arm.

  I didn’t cut him deeply, but you would have thought that I severed it by his thunderous expression.

  Puck began to fight wildly, showing signs of exhaustion and making mistakes. I nicked him again on the thigh and I grazed my chest.

  I hardly noticed the sting, but I didn’t miss Ebony’s horrified indrawn breath.

  I needed to end this as quickly as possible. The last thing I wanted to do was frighten her. I shouldn’t have let the old devil rile me. The hiss of the blade came rather close to my ear but with a flick of my wrist I was able to draw him in close and smack his wrist hard enough with the hilt of my sword to make him drop his.

  “Are you man enough to finish this off?” Puck spat at me, not caring about the sweat that coursed down both of our faces.

  “I have no wish to kill you, Puck. Or I would have eons ago, you know that you’ve given me enough provocation through the years.”

  I bowed and released him.

  “But you will apologize to the ladies, if you please.”

  Puck knew he had been bested. So, like the changeling that he all too often was, a brilliant smile crossed his lips and he bowed as if addressing royalty.

  “My dear, ladies, please do not take offense from me. I am truly sorry if I harmed your delicate sensibilities in any way.”

  Fucking prick.

  Tink eyed him warily, but Ebony choked out a laugh, “Do you have a standard apology that you use? Or was that for our effect only? I must admit, very impressive.”

  She couldn’t have done anything more than feed his ego. Puck felt that his acting skills were superb to none.

  He faked a blush, “My dear, I haven’t the foggiest idea what you are speaking about. But I declare, you are the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on.”

  “Is he for real?” Ebony turned to me and pointed a finger towards my childhood friend turned nemesis.

  Puck beamed, “I guarantee you fair lady, that I am one hundred percent masculine perfection beneath these rags. If you have a wish to verify that?”

  My sword was immediately at his throat again.

  His lips twitched, “So, that is how the wind blows?”

  I moved forward so the tip pricked his skin, “You will not come near, Ebony, or I assure you today will be your last.”

  CHAPTER 19 – Ebony

  NEVERLAND HAD BEEN sighted, and the ships sailed their plotted course, hurling ever closer to Hook. The arrival loomed over me in a way that defied description. I had never been so nervous about going home. But the kicker was that it really wasn’t home, not anymore.

  It wasn’t like Hook was the kindest of fathers. I don’t have memories of parental chats or bedtime stories. But he had been mine for quite some time, every horrible inch of him. To learn that it was all a lie, well, I felt numb.

  Puck had been restrained by Silver for the remainder of the voyage. I just haven’t the foggiest notion how it was accomplished. I had enjoyed getting to know Silver in the short few weeks that we had spent onboard.

  But I had a sneaking suspicion that I didn’t know him any better than I had that first night they pirated the Jolly Roger. For as congenial and witty as the man was, Silver was also crafty and sly.

  Peter had been distant as well. I knew that he was shaken up by Puck’s appearance on the scene. It was boggling to think that Peter was once one of the fae. I didn’t ask him if he had any of the magic still within him. But I figured that it had to be there somewhere.

  What would a fairy want with a human?

  The thought plagued me. And was I truly human or something else? There were too many conflicting thoughts and emotions swirling about. I half expected Hook to fire at the ready as we entered Neverland’s atmosphere. But there was nothing, not even an ounce of trouble.

  We landed to the east, just passed Skull rock. As the ships reunited with the sea there was a mighty groan from the timber. We still needed to sail north past Hangman’s tree to the Indian Camp where Princess Tiger Lilly would be returned to her people.

  It would be then, that the Lost Boys, could return to their homes and finally, we would go in search of Hook.

  “What are you doing over here all alone?” I glanced up to see Tink with a curious expression.

  I looked out of the sea and smelled the familiar salty air, “Did you miss it? While we were gone?”

  “Neverland?” she asked surprised.

  I nodded, “I know that it isn’t your first home, but you have become an integral part of Neverland over the years.”

  Tink smiled softly, “In my first home I was a slave. I worked from dusk till dawn and was treated like an animal. I do not miss fairyland, nor its people. Neverland accepted me as one of their own. I was celebrated. No one could do what I can with a flip of my wrist or a nod of my head. Even with the punishments of being subject to human’s wishes, I am free. I know that I haven’t always been the friendliest, Ebony. I have a hard time trusting, and now that you know my past, it’s clear to see why.”

  I turned to the curvy blonde woman, “I understand much more than you think. I hope that you have reason to begin to trust me.”

  She bit her lip, “You have been fair with me Captain, and I will show you the same loyalty. With that said, I feel that I must warn you. Something is amiss in Neverland, I feel it against my skin like a whispered plea.”

  I looked back out over the water to the cliffs nearing the Indian Camp.

  “I too feel that eerie sense of foreboding.”

  It was at that moment, arrows began to rain upon us from the land. There was a cry as a pirate was hit in the rigging and fell to his death in the water below.

  I grabbed Tink’s arm and dropped like a stone to the deck. There was screaming of orders from Silver and men’s cries as they loaded the cannons for battle. I wondered what Princess Tiger Lilly could be thinking. These were her people if any were killed it wou
ld be like losing a part of herself.

  I hadn’t seen Alex or Lilly as they sailed the Jolly Roger. I wondered if they had resolved their differences, or if they were still dancing around each other in a painful but strangely intriguing minuet.

  “Stop!” I heard her scream from the other deck and knew that they had sailed in close to us. “Don’t kill them!”

  But Silver paid her no heed and ordered the first round of shots to be fired.

  There was chaos as Tinkerbell, and I tried to get closer to the action. With the enemy on land and us on the sea, it made sense to sail further out until we could assess the situation.

  I had made my way from the back deck to the ship's wheel where I instructed the sailor who was manning it to step down. He blinked once and swallowed twice, but wasn’t about to contradict Captain Ebony Hook, natural daughter of Captain Long John Silver.

  Silver soon figured out my plot and was racing as quickly as his peg leg would allow to my location.

  “What is the meaning of this? I am the Captain!”

  I stared him down, “You are not from Neverland.”

  “Why in the bloody hell should that matter?” he growled, trying to take the wheel from my hands.

  “We need a plan,” I shouted. “We don’t kill first and figure it all out later.”

  “That’s worked for me,” he yanked the wheel, and I almost lost my grip.

  “Well,” I yanked back as hard as I could, “Maybe, you could listen to someone else once and a while?”

  “Damn it, girl! That is a terrible idea if I ever head one!” he challenged. I could see sweat forming on his brow.

  I was sweaty and tired, but not beaten.

  “If you truly want me to ever consider you as my father,” I began.

  He jerked back, his hands almost leaving the wheel, “I am your father!”

  I went on as if he hadn’t spoken, “If you want me to think of you as my father you need to start treating me like your daughter! I have knowledge of this land and these people. Before you go in guns blazing and ruin this entire planet, let’s make a plan!”