The Fairy and Her Captain - Chapter 3

Hazel sat cross legged rather uncomfortably in her cage, watching the celebrations and joy that filled the patrons of the tavern. It was truly fascinating how everyone seemed to act while under the influence. Including that of her captain who was preoccupied with the copious amount of women throwing themselves at him. She didn’t dare say anything to disturb him. Not that she liked what she was witnessing. It sent an odd sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach seeing those women practically crawling all over her one-handed captain. She simply looked away and watched everyone else. Though seeing the kind of attention everyone else in the crew was getting didn’t sit well with her either.

In the end, the fairy turned herself to the side to face the wall. She rested her head against the bars and sighed heavily, closing her eyes for a moment. Now she was wishing that she insisted on Killian to put the cushion, blanket, and pillow in here for her before they left. It wasn’t if those items, once in here, would be able to slip away unless the door was open, just like her.

She became lost in her own thoughts of exploring the Enchanted Forest again. To fly in those woods again and find the highest tree to overlook everything, to take it all in for herself. It sounded like a dream to her. One that she so badly wanted to chase. But in the condition that the captain had been in, it would be a little while before she was able to scout out the Enchanted Forest again.

The latch opened on the cage and a hand reached in to snatch her up, covering her mouth in the process as their crouched form scampered out of the tavern. Hazel fought tooth and nail against her captor, thrashing about as furiously as she could. She reached down to the pouch to dig out her dagger, but she couldn’t quite reach it. Her finger tips barely brushed against the steel blade. She cursed under her breath, unable to free herself from her captor’s hold.

Her eyes noted the path her captor had been taking when they finally stopped at the docks. She struggled against the hand the held her, clenching her jaw. She wasn’t afraid of this man. She would find a way to escape and return back to the captain.

The man who held tight onto the fae as he brought her onto the ship captained by none other than Black Beard himself. He grabbed an empty red candle lantern and put Hazel inside of it. He closed the door and flipped the latch closed, successfully locking her in until Black Beard was ready to see her. The deckhand took her into the lower deck storage room and placed her on a barrel before finding a spot on an empty barrel across from the fae.

Hours passed and Hazel stayed awake, staring at the male who was keeping an eye on her. After a while, she turned her head towards the small porthole window. The sun was just peaking over the horizon and she closed her eyes, leaning her head on the back of the glass window of the lantern. She ran her fingers through her blonde hair and opened her eyes to gaze at the porthole window, watching the sun rise.

The door to the storage room opened and revealed a male who wore a long red coat, the signature pirate captain’s hat, black leather boots, and black pants. He was taller than Killian with broader shoulders. His long curly raven hair laid over his shoulders and a prominent black beard on his face.

The yellow fairy turned her head towards the door, hearing it open up. “What do you want from me?” Hazel asked bluntly. “Why do you want me?” She wasn't scared in the least bit over the man that came through the door. Though she certainly should have as he was the infamous Black Beard, the most ruthless pirate to ever sail the seven seas.

”You see, one of my men saw you and your captain heading to the Enchanted Forest. A fae this far out from Pixie Hollow. You must be something special if Captain Hook has you in his employ. My deckhand caught sight of the little cage and followed your trail of pixie dust as well as your captain to see what it is that you can do.” Black Beard answered smoothly while closing the gap between them and taking up the lantern.

Hazel listened patiently to his answer and put her hands behind her back, shifting her pouch along with it. Her hands worked on digging out her dagger to break the glass to make her grand escape. Once she held it in her hand and hid it behind her back, waiting for the perfect time to launch her attack. "…I see…and who exactly are you?"

A devious smile curled on the pirate captain’s lips. "So you haven't heard of me? I…my dear…am Black Beard. It’s a pleasure to meet you, fae.” An amused deep chuckle rumbled in his throat at the naivety of the blonde fairy in front of him. It seems that word hadn’t reached the likes of Pixie Hollow of the handsomely famous and ruthless Black Beard.

”I’d like to say the pleasure is all mine, but truly it isn’t I’m afraid.” Hazel retorted as she bashed the metal handle of her dagger against the glass. The glass shattered in webs and fell to the ground, creating a hole for her to escape. Which she gladly had with a proud smile on her lips.

Black Beard winced in pain. Though it would seem like she would be the fool if she thought she could fight him, let alone not take the time to escape while she could. “Wench!” He growled, reaching to grasp her in his hand. He was just out of range when the fae transformed into her larger form.

There was determination sparkling in Hazel’s eyes as she stood in her human form, ready to protect herself the best she could against this pirate to prove herself against the odds. That she could handle herself outside of her cage. Not that Killian was present to witness her act of bravery against the baddest pirate of them all.

A deep amused chuckle left Black Beard’s throat upon seeing that determination in the fae’s eyes and the defensive stance she took. He had see something like this before from a previous love that Captain Hook had on his ship, Milah. Surely the man knew how to pick them. “You’ve got quite the spunk in you fae. I could really use that on my ship and your skills. This isn’t the first time that dear old captain of yours has had a female aboard the Jolly Roger, you know. There was one before you. She went by the name of Milah and she proved herself to me once, similarly to how you are doing now.”

”So what?” Hazel questioned, her brows stitching together for a moment. Her curiosity would’ve gotten the better of her in this situation, to ask the questions that now shook her mind, but she was prepared to defend herself against this adversary. “What does she have to do with anything?” That same pang filled her stomach and her face contorted for a moment as it had in the tavern.

”I just figured to mention it.” Black Beard knew what he was doing the moment he mentioned Milah. He saw for himself how the fae acted when he put those women on Killian. Her face told it all to him now. That without realizing it through however long she had been aboard the Jolly Roger that she was developing feelings for the one-handed captain. A smirk spread and curled on his lips. “I would like to extend an offer to you, fae. Seeing as how you seem to be a skilled scout and navigator, I require someone like that aboard my ship. I would be happy to pay you handsomely for your services and you would get room and board…I wouldn’t put you in a cage like your one-handed captain has. And you could freely take whatever form you wish.”

Hazel blinked a few times and lowered her arms, processing the offer that Black Beard presented to her. As tempting as the initial thought had been, she didn’t leave Pixie Hollow for fortune or fame. She left for the adventure regardless of her living arrangements be it a cage or a room on this ship.

Something about the Jolly Roger, about the captain of that vessel drew her in. Perhaps the reason was because Killian was the one who saved her from the isle to have a life outside of Pixie Hollow that she so desperately desired for a number of years. Her mind raced with all the reasons why she shouldn’t take up the offer from the captain standing in front of her and all the reasons why she should. It tempted her for a second.

That singular second was long enough for Black Beard to take up his sword and lunge towards the fairy in a direct attack.

Hazel quickly pulled herself from her thoughts just in the nick of time to block his attack with her dagger, but the force from it made her step back. The side of her foot brushed against a crate and nearly bumped into it with her other foot as she blocked a second attack. Her heart pounded in her chest in exhilaration and a hint of panic. Her determination quickly returned to her as she blocked more attacks from the male, stepping back with every block. This went on for quite some time until Black Beard would ultimately gain his ground and take on a true series of offensive attacks.

”You’re doing quite good for a novice, but you’ve never faced a pirate like I.” Black Beard quickened his attacks and added a second hand to his sword, forcing her to fall back into some pork barrels.

She fell with a loud thud and wooden splinters dug themselves into her back, seething a wince through closed teeth. She used her hands to pick herself back up, but only got halfway when Black Beard kicked her back down into the same barrels with such a force that nearly broke the barrel. Her head hit hard against the wood resulting in a resonating ringing in her ears. She took a few breaths to compose herself before crouching low and springing off of the floorboards, swiping her dagger upwards in hopes of disarming the captain.

It was all to no avail as he swung downward and disarmed the fae effortlessly. He watched as the silver dagger struck the ground and used his boot to kick it out of reach. He stepped forward, closing the distance between the two of them. The edge of his sword pressing against Hazel’s chin. Black Beard delicately turned the blade to graze her skin with the sharp edge. “You have a fighting spirit. I can admire that and I’ve seen it in your captain many times in his attempts to duel me. My offer, as hard as it may be to believe, is a true one.” He looked down at the female and expected fear to be in her eyes as he stood tall over the fae. He traced the end of his blade against her jawline and up her cheek, waiting for her answer to his generous offer while her blood soaked the sword.

That wasn’t the case for Hazel. A fire burned in her blue irises and she clenched her fists against the floorboards. This time, she knew what her answer was to his ‘offer’. Temptation was no longer present in her mind. Hazel shook her head. “No! I won’t be joining your crew, Black Beard. I’m already part of the crew on the Jolly Roger. Nothing you say or do will change that fact. I’d sooner die then join your crew!” She declared confidently, the fire in her eyes burning ever brighter now. There was no doubt in her mind that she was making the right choice and fear didn’t shake her at her possible death at Black Beard’s hand.

A sadistic chuckle snaked out of Black Beard’s throat upon hearing her declaration to stay with the crew on the Jolly Roger with Captain Hook. “I truly wished that you would have taken me up on the offer…well because…you’re going to have to die.” He struck her without hesitation with the end of his blade, cutting her right arm open at her shoulder and stabbing through her flesh just below her ribs on her left side.

Hazel screamed out in pain as the cold blade sliced through her flesh and her hand immediately went to grip the sword inside of her. She took it in her hand with all her strength and pulled it out of herself by pushing herself backwards, wincing through the pain. “I will…not…give up.” She declared, her eyes clearly showing the pain she was in, but she tried her best to not let it show.

”Soon you won’t have to worry about giving up since you’ll be dead!” Black Beard raised his sword high in the air and swung his sword down with everything he had.

Her eyes opened as wide as they could and she held her breath, expecting any moment that her life would simply end in that moment. Fear shook her body and she shut her eyes as tight as she was able.

Killian burst through the storage room door and raced without hesitation to Black Beard. Just before he could deliver the final blow, he caught his sword with his hook from behind the taller male and used his strength to keep it at bay. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you if you knew what was best for you, mate.” He threatened darkly, throwing his hook backwards, forcing Black Beard’s sword back along with it. He used a swipe of his sword to force Black Beard to back off or otherwise be struck by his blade. The fellow captain chose the former.

”You came to rescue your scout. You’ve gone soft, Hook.” Black Beard retorted, taking up his sword and purposefully using his more colorful moniker. He hadn’t expected for him to even think about the fairy after the women he threw at him at the tavern the previous night. But here he was to save the life of the fairy.

”And you’ve gone daft, Black Beard. I am not going soft. I’m here to take back what you stole from me!” Killian declared, his eyes not once leaving the fellow pirate captain.

Black Beard stepped forward and the pair of captains struck their swords against one another a few times in a courteous manner. This was part of some unwritten pirate code between captains who would duel for something. Whether it truly be something or someone that was stolen or otherwise.

Killian quickly took control over the duel once it began with a fast swipe of his sword to push Black Beard backwards. The same determination that was in Hazel’s eyes shined in his. He was going to take back what was stolen from him and take her back to the Jolly Roger where she rightfully belonged as his scout. He clenched his jaw while he fought against the fellow captain, easily keeping up with all of his attacks and taking his moments to strike while Black Beard’s guard was down.

Hazel’s eyes opened the moment she heard the familiar voice of Killian, widening as she witnessed his fight to take her back. She thought that her death was certain. That Killian was too busy with the women who were throwing themselves at him in the tavern. That he would be too far gone to even realize that she was gone. But here he was, protecting her as a great captain would for anyone who was apart of their crew. Admiration filled her core and her mouth sat slightly agape through her pain. Witnessing his fight against the man she could barely hold her own against despite the experience she had in Pixie Hollow protecting herself and the other fairies, it made her feel lighter through the waves of pain in her side. Though that feeling could be attributed to the amount of blood she was losing.

”Time to end this!” Killian declared as he sought the opening he needed to finish this swiftly and definitively. He used his hook to take Black Beard’s sword once again and his own to distract the captain before using his foot to knock him on his back. He pressed the tip of his blade against Black Beard’s chin.

”Finish it!” Black Beard begged, his eyes not once wavering as he urged for Killian to take his life in front of the fairy.

Killian lowered his sword and sheathed it at his hip. ”No. I won’t. I think I will let you wallow in the fact that I, Captain Hook, was able to take back something that the famous Black Beard stole.” He turned around and walked to Hazel. He looked her up and down, assessing her condition. Seeing the worse shape that she was in, he offered his hand to her and gave her a simple nod.

Hazel reached out and took his hand, letting him help her up. Her other hand pressed against her wound and she looked over to Killian, nodding her head back. That simple gesture of the nod was all Killian needed before guiding her off of the wretched ship, taking her dagger on the way out, and back towards the Jolly Roger.

When they arrived Killian took her into his quarters and that’s when he released his hand from hers. He grabbed a chair at the table and pulled it out for her, taking the second chair and sliding it across from the chair. “Sit.” He ordered, a gentle sigh leaving his lips. He rubbed his hand against the scruff of his chin before he went to grab the medical supplies he stowed away in his quarters.

She walked to the chair and sat down in it as he orders, closing her eyes for a moment as pain shot through her.

Killian returned to the table and set the medical supplies on it along with a half drunk bottle of rum, sitting across from her. “Lift your shirt.” He instructed simply, gesturing to her by lifting his hand.

”What? No!” Hazel retorted defiantly, shaking her head furiously from side to side.

He rolled his eyes, hiding the fact that he was in slight awe that Hazel defied him so quickly after saving her life. “It isn’t anything that I haven’t seen before. I can’t very well tend to your wounds if you don’t bloody cooperate. I do have some medical training, love.” He flashed her his charming smile and gestured a second time for her to lift her shirt.

Hazel opened her mouth to say something, but she pursed her lips together and felt her cheeks heat up as she did what he ordered. She used her free hand to point to the bottle of rum on the table. “Drinking or disinfecting?”

Killian studied the wound on her left side first before he looked up to answer her. ”Drinking. Feel free to have a sip because you’re going to need stitches and it will hurt.” He used his hand and the pointed end of his hook to open up the box with the suture kit.

”Alright.” Hazel said, shrugging softly before she reached over to the bottle and opened it up. She brought it to her lips and tipped the bottle, letting the liquid meet her lips. However when it flowed past her lips and down her throat, it burned the whole way down and she immediately pulled the bottle away. She set it back down on the table and shuttered after she swallowed. “Oh that is strong!”

Killian couldn’t help when the corners of his lips curled into a smirk, catching her reaction. “First time?” He questioned, a chuckle rumbling through his throat as he rose an eyebrow in her direction.

”Yep.” She answered, nodding her head as she looked to him. Already she was feeling the effects of the drink and it seemed to help ease her pain.

”Well it should numb the pain a bit while I stitch you back up. Though I will need your help, love. After all, I can only get so far with one hand.” He stated in a slight joking manner as he held up his hook. “I have been known to surprise women with what I can do with one hand.” He added smoothly in a flirtatious tone and a teasing smirk on his lips.

She wasn’t sure if it was the booze or the smoothness of his voice or even the smirk on his lips, but her face felt scalding hot in her furious blush that overcame her cheeks.

With the extra hand, Killian was able to clean, disinfect, stitch, and dress Hazel’s wounds.

As Killian finished cleaning up, she decided to speak up and talk about what happened. “…Black Beard made me an offer…and I…” Hazel looked in Killian’s direction as he walked to his seat, taking his place. “…I was tempted…for a moment…a small fraction of a moment…to accept his offer at the chance of being out of that cage. …But I realized that I was already part of this crew and that I am grateful…for you taking me off of Pixie Hollow and onto the Jolly Roger. It hasn’t been…ideal, but…I feel as though I belong here. This is where I am meant to be.” She admitted, flicking her gaze to her hands and fiddling with her fingers.

The captain looked over at her, raising an eyebrow for a moment as he listened to her confession. His tongue glided along his bottom lip as he rubbed the dark stubble on his chin. “I’m…flattered that you feel that way, Hazel. Truly.” He paused for a brief moment before giving her a serious look,”…Do you know how much danger that you put yourself in with picking a fight with Black Beard of all people? He is the most dangerous and ruthless pirate to ever set sail. At least I have a code that I live by.”

”Clearly no. I wasn’t aware of how dangerous he was until it was nearly too late.” She answered with a hint of sarcasm lining her voice. “…You…? Have a code?” Hazel questioned, blinking a few times in disbelief. From what she saw, pirates didn’t have ‘codes’. Certainly not Black Beard from what she experienced first hand.

”Aye. And one of those codes is to not leave anyone on my crew behind. No matter what.” Killian noticed a spot of blood on Hazel’s cheek and wiped it away with his thumb, letting it linger for a moment. Without thinking as he looked her over one last time, his hand rested on her cheek.

Her eyes widened only just when she felt his hand against her cheek and a wave of silence struck them. Her eyes found Killian’s and she lost herself in his blue eyes for a moment. The close proximity became apparent with their knees barely grazing one another. Slowly, without knowing it, her body leaned in closer to the captain’s.

His body responded in kind out of instinct, but he stopped himself just inches before their lips could connect. He pulled away and cleared his throat, getting up from the chair. “ …You should get some rest. You’ve had a long day. There is a spare room at the end of the hall below deck if you want it, it’s yours. …Allow me to walk you there.”

”…S-Sure.” Hazel answered with a nod, rising from her chair and following him to the door out of his quarters. She followed his lead below deck and down the hall, intermittently stealing glances in his direction. It soon became apparent that the fairy could never leave the crew of the Jolly Roger. That he saved her life not once, but twice since she had known him. His honor code only seemed to add to the list of reasons why she couldn’t leave the crew. His first mate was certainly another, but it was his devotion to his crew and his ship that was the foundation of her loyalty to him as her captain.

Killian stopped at the end of the hall and gestured in the direction of the room. “Here we are. Your…official room on board the Jolly Roger. I shall leave you to settling yourself in.”

”Thank you, again for everything.” Hazel responded with a small nod, putting her hand on the doorknob. A soft smile rose to her lips.

He watched her for a brief moment before deciding to say, ”Goodnight, Hazel.”

”Goodnight, Captain.”