The waves rocked the Jolly Roger back and forth gently, lapping against the lumber. The metal bird cage swayed side to side with the boat as it hung high on a hook. Hazel gripped onto the bars of the cage in an attempt to keep herself from tumbling down. She tucked in her transparent yellow wings close to her body in any hope of preventing them from getting damaged.

Her blue eyes studied the room she had been put in, the Captain’s quarters. There was a set of four windows that displayed the amazing view of the ocean and the waves in front of her. A table underneath her that was rather messy with maps, the lantern that used to be hanging on the hook where her cage now was, and a bowl of fruit. There was a bed that was perfectly made to her left. There were books lining the shelves behind the bed as well as the bookshelves by the door leading out onto the upper deck. Accents of red were splashed about the room in curtains or fabrics as if it had been Killian’s flare on the room.

A soft sigh left Hazel’s lips as she slid down to sit inside the small cage. Her eyes immediately fell onto the view of the ocean through the windows as she crossed her legs underneath her and kept her fingers wrapped around the bars. Oh how she wanted to smell the ocean on deck just outside the door that she couldn’t get to if she tried without the Captain opening the cage for her. But watching the subtle clear blue waves dancing from the window with the sun shining had to be one of the best scenes she had ever seen in a long time. It was miles different from the familiar scenery of Pixie Hollow. This was all so new to her and as much as she hated being trapped in a cage until she was useful, it was worth it to her. She set her forehead against the cool bars, her eyes unable to peel away from the ocean.

That was until the door behind her opened up and she looked to see Killian coming in. He was dawning his red vest and his long black leather coat with matching leather pants and boots. He ran his hand along the scruff of his beard as he closed the door. The silver dagger and golden skull pendants on the silver chair swung low against his chest.

A small entertained smile creased his lips as it seemed like he caught her while she was admiring the ocean. To him that had been a good sign. That she seemed to truly love the ocean just as he had as a young boy, fascinated by the ebb and flow of the blue waves. Not that he would ever admit that to her. “Good morning, fae.” The Captain greeted. His blue eyes flickered up to the enchanted cage as he closed the distance between them.

“Hazel.” She corrected, standing up and moving to face the captain fully. Her hands were firm on the bars to keep himself steady as the cage swayed gently.

“…Hazel.” Killian began with a slight sigh leaving his lips. “…Here is what’s going to happen, love. Today I shall test your declared skills of scouting and navigation. We are headed towards a land called the Enchanted Forest. I would like you to scout it out, find a magic bean plant, and retrieve some magic beans.” He moved a chair out from the table enough to sit down, getting himself comfortable.

Excitement jolted from Hazel’s head to her toes and her face was creased by the large grin that sat on her features. It wouldn’t be much, but she would get some time out of this cage from the sounds of it. Even for just a little while to test her skills and get the magic beans that the captain desired. “Does that mean that you’re going to let me out of this cage?”

”Aye, but you are to stay in your fairy form and stay within my sights.” Killian answered firmly with a slight nod. He met her gaze from within the cage, leaning down slightly in order to do so. “If you don’t stay in my sights and even think about escaping, I will hunt you down and wish that the thought never crossed your mind.” He seethed in a threatening tone. The look in his eyes was sinister and serious as he meant what he said. There had been numerous occasions where he threatened and killed insubordinate members of his crew. Just because Hazel was female wouldn’t change any of that.

There was a knock on the door before a familiar voice could be heard from the door. “Captain may I come in?”

Killian’s dark gaze shifted from Hazel and the cage to the door. “Come on in, Mr. Smee.” He watched the door open and Mr. Smee enter the room. He turned his attention back to Hazel, bringing his hand to his scruffy chin to scratch a stray itch.

He held a silver tray in his hand with freshly made food from the rations they picked up on their journey from Pixie Hollow along with some fresh fruit. His right pocket bulged with a present he handmade for the fae. He made his way over to the table and set the tray down, taking out the contents of his pocket where the small bulge originated.

”If I may…I do have a present for Hazel, Captain.” Mr. Smee stated as he looked at the captain. His eyes pleading silently while he shifted nervously from side to side, awaiting patiently for Killian’s permission.

Killian’s tongue dragged along his bottom lip in thought before he nodded his head shortly. “Go ahead, Mr. Smee.” He gestured with his hand to the cage and brought his hand down to the table, closing it into a fist.

“Th-Thank you, Captain.” The thicker male stepped sheepishly forward to the cage and opened his hand to reveal a number of things made by hand; a cushion, a pillow, and a blanket. All three items appeared to be rather mismatched from different fabric scraps. Small red marks peeked through his fingerless gloves that showed the effort he put into making these items for Hazel’s comfort while aboard the Jolly Roger. “I made these for you to make your stay on the Jolly Roger more comfortable for you while you are in the cage here. I understand that it has been roughly a week and a half and I should’ve gotten this done sooner…but—”

“I love it! Thank you so much, Mr. Smee. I’d hug you to thank you, but I’m not allowed out of this cage of mine.” Hazel wore a large smile on her features and her eyes were gleaming with a line of happy tears as she interrupted him. She used the end of her palm to wipe away the wetness that began to pool in her eyes. “That is the sweetest thing that anyone has ever done for me.” Her eyes drew down to Mr. Smee’s hands and saw how battered they were from the work he put into making the pillow, cushion, and blanket for her.

A deep red blush rose to the first mate’s cheeks as a hand came up to rub the back of his neck. “You are very welcome, Miss Hazel.” He uttered, gently clearing his throat before setting the items on the table and turning his gaze towards the captain. “I shall return to the upper deck and leave you two to eat your meal in peace.” He scurried out of the captain’s quarters and closed the door behind him.

A single chuckle left Killian’s slightly parted lips, a quirked smile sitting on his features. “Seems that Mr. Smee is quite taken with you, Hazel.” He remarked teasingly, bringing his gaze to the fae.

A large grin creased her lips, admiring her little home on the ship. It wasn’t much or ideal…but it was hers. “That’s quite alright. But I believe it is simply him being nice. I hardly think that he is ‘taken’ with me.” She admitted, turning her head towards the captain as she sat herself down on the bottom of the cage.

Killian’s brows rose curiously while he watched her eat. A corner of his lip tugged into the smallest of smiles, curling ultimately into a smirk. The captain gathered some food for the fae on a small plate and opened the cage to set it in there for her to indulge herself. He shook his head only just while he took his plate and began eating it.

After the plates were thoroughly emptied and their bellies full, Killian cleaned up after them by stacking their plates on top of one another and set them on the tray. He reached out and took the cage, letting it hang at his side. He made his way out of his quarters and closed the door behind him. He looked out to his crew and sighed, watching as they sailed the ship towards their destination which he spotted coming into the distance.

It wasn’t long until the Jolly Roger pulled onto the harbor of the Enchanted Forest in one of the many kingdoms that resided inside of it. The crew readied everything to dock the ship there. One of the deckhands propped the large wooden board against the side of the ship, letting it fall onto the dock.

Killian turned to his first mate, looking down at him. “You should be able to handle the crew while I’m gone. I shouldn’t be long. I shall meet you and the others at the tavern by nightfall.” He ordered, giving a quick nod to him and then the rest of the crew before stepping off his ship. He fastened the cage onto his belt and moved his long black leather jacket to cover it from the prying eyes. This wasn’t before a particular set of eyes caught sight of the fae inside of the cage.

”Of course, Captain.” Mr. Smee responded with a nod that was more to himself than anyone. He turned to the crew and led them off the ship to the city to do as they pleased before ending up at the local tavern for drinks and bar women.

Once Killian reached the forest line, that was when he unhooked the cage from his belt. He swapped it from his hand to his hook and opened the door to the cage. “Your test will begin now to find the magic beans before nightfall so we can join the others at the tavern.”

Hazel nodded her head and flew out of the cage happily. A smile sitting on her lips. Although she couldn’t see much in the cage on their way there due to the fact of the jacket creating such a small slit for her to peer through. She was able to listen to the city they entered. To the people and the attractions. All of this was invigorating for her compared to her time on Pixie Hollow that she didn’t really care that she had to become a part of a pirate crew in order to achieve her dream like this. It had yet to hit her of the true dangers that were involved in this lifestyle. “Of course, Captain.” She said, taking a moment to stretch out of her muscles from being inside the cage.

The forest line was lush with greenery and already teaming with flora. The fauna had to be just as exciting as the flora in the Enchanted Forest. The fae couldn’t wait to get into this new environment and scout it out. However in the back of her mind she would have to remind herself that this was a test of her skills lest she desire punishment for disobeying the pirate captain. Excitement was washing over her like a flood though she had to do her best to control the waters.

”When you are ready, Hazel.” Killian noted with a small nod. He kept a firm gaze on her for he may have to chase after her to find the magic beans. He clearly saw the excitement and her adventurous side seemed to control her. He also noted the effort she had put in to control it. It was admirable given the circumstance, but he wouldn’t allow himself to put his guard down for one moment on this small quest to test her claimed skills of a scout and navigator. He reached into his pouch to take out his document on the plant, his eyes down for a moment.

”I’m ready! Let’s go find us some magic beans!” The fairy proclaimed giddily before she flew into the forest in a blur of yellow pixie dust. Her heartbeat quickened and her eyes immediately took everything in while she flew through the air. She made note of everything she saw, big and small, tall and wide, the flora and the fauna. Her mind was racing in the best possible way being on a new land finally that wasn’t the home she knew.

”Wait! …You don’t even know what you are looking for, fae!” Killian called out as he followed after her as quickly as his legs could take him. He managed to catch up with her while tailing her pixie dust trail along the ground. “I was going to show you a picture of what you’re looking for before you went and rushed off without me.” He snatched her up in his hand before she was able to fly any farther. He held her up to his eye level and his jaw slacked slightly when he saw what was in her hand. A gray translucent bean…the magic bean that they were searching for. “…When did you?”

”Captain…you’re stepping on the plant.” Hazel noted, looking down at Killian’s feet and seeing them squashing the plant. “I found out about magic beans and what they look like a long time ago on Pixie Hollow in the old archives that I may or may not have snuck into while I was younger because I was bored. You also almost stepped on me too by the way while I was picking the rest of the beans from the plant. Luckily I was able to put them all in my pouch here before you snatched me up like you did…Captain.”

Killian took a step back and rose an eyebrow in slight confusion as well as curiosity. “…You certainly are a strange one, fae.” He said with a gentle sigh. “Now let’s see if you can make your way back to the city from here. This time…don’t run ahead. I will not hesitate to rip out your heart from your chest using my hook.” He let her go and watched her flutter her wings, hovering in place.

”Right. Follow me.” Hazel stuffed the last magic bean into her pouch before she effortlessly led them back to the city through the forest. As was her nature, she slowed down, but it didn’t mean that she hadn’t swerved through the branches every now and again to have her fun flying. When they returned to the very spot they had begun this little journey on in the city, that’s when Hazel halted her flight and hovered there with Killian not far behind. “See? Right where we started, Captain. My claims were true of my skills.”

You have proven your usefulness and your spot on my crew.” The captain spoke as he fiddled with the cage secured on his belt. “Now before someone unsavory sees you and thinks about taking you, I would suggest that you return to your cage, Hazel.” He opened the door to the cage and looked up to her. “It isn’t a suggestion, it’s an order from your captain.”

”Of course.” Hazel wanted to explore the city and fly high above everyone and everything. She couldn’t help her burning desire to scout every single part of this new land that was called the Enchanted Forest. Especially the harbor that the Jolly Roger was docked at. She hesitated for a moment before flying into the cage and sitting down on the cool floor, tucking her wings in.

Killian secured the latch and brought his coat over the cage before walking into the city in the direction of the tavern. It didn’t take him long to find the tavern where his crew was as he knew this place like the back of his hand from the numerous times stopping here for supplies and other necessities such as taking care of his men’s needs as well as his own. He opened the door, hearing the faint chime above his head from the bell stuck above it. He saw his mates and made his way to them, ordering a stein of rum for himself. Before he sat down, he faced the wall to remove the cage from his belt and set it between him and the wall on the bench beside where he sat.

The night seemed to become a blur the more and more settled in the captain got in this tavern, joking around and having fun with his mates. The drinks kept coming and so did the women as well. He seemed to be having the time of his life, distracted by booze and the bar wenches that gave him attention because of who he was, the infamous Captain Hook. If only he knew who had been supplying the seemingly infinite steins and the women to get him so drunk and distracted to steal the fae in the cage.

By the closing time of the tavern, Killian was slurring his words immensely and he wobbled when he walked. He took the cage without a second thought as to glance inside if Hazel was there because she couldn’t possibly get out on her own. She would need a hand in doing so and he hadn’t known who could’ve possibly given her that hand. His mind was occupied with the wench who he would bed tonight after all and he guided them to the docks…towards the Jolly Roger…into his quarters and set the cage down on the table.

The morning sun rose over the Jolly Roger and Killian groggily woke up. His eyes drifted over towards the table and to the cage. He blinked a little, narrowing his gaze. “Hazel? Where the bloody hell is that fae? She couldn’t have…she would’ve needed some…” It hit him like a ton of bricks who would’ve taken sight and interest of the fae and he seethed out the very name of the person who was responsible. “…Black Beard…”