Aboard the DreamCatcher

Archive Two







It wasn't long before the ship was hovering over the thick forests of Cuole that stretched for miles. Odi was the first one awake, as usual, monitoring the ship and its crew as they sailed, her winds blowing through the sails to give them direction. Her brown eyes studied the land below, her hands once again clasped in front of her. Today, she wore a delicate pattern of aqua-blue swirls on her cheeks and behind her ears, meeting in a circlet behind her head.

Iswe slowly peeked out of her cabin, wondering if it was safe for them to come out of their rooms yet. The night before, Odi had told them to stay inside until they were needed, but this morning found her restless. She clutched Ihara to her side gently and looked up and down the hall, then carefully inched herself out and closed the door, keeping a slumbering Idre and Sein inside. Aarin had been given his own room because of his status as prince, and so far showed no signs of having been awake. She trekked up from below deck and found her way to the port side, then looked around. Even this early, all of the ship hands were bustling about and calling out orders, laughing, singing, and just doing their jobs. Her blue eyes found Odi in the distance at the nose of the ship, and she smiled, moving to set Ihara on her shoulder as she walked.

"Good morning, Odi."

Odi glanced up, looking at Iswe slightly, then nodding briefly in greeting before looking down again.

Iswe frowned a little, shifting on her feet at the silence she was greeted with, and chewed her lip awkwardly. "Did you sleep well?"

Odi gave a small sigh and looked at her again. "Did you really come to me for idle chit chat, sister? Or do you have something more meaningful to ask me?"

Blinking, Iswe blushed in shame and coughed slightly. "W-well, I... I guess I just wanted to get to know you better. I mean, we're sisters and mother never told us about you. Why are we only finding out about you know? Did you know about us this whole time? How long have you been on this ship?" she asked, the questions just spilling out of her mouth until Odi held up a hand to cease her.

"My story is of no importance, but if you must know--yes, I have always known about you three. I have been watching you for a long time, ever since your creation. I am older than all of you, I was the first into which mother breathed life. She charged me with the task of protecting you three and making sure you fulfilled your own destinies of finding and protecting Prince Dyllin eighteen years ago. Do you recall suddenly feeling the urge to travel to Layfette?"

Iswe was speechless. "I do..." she conceded.

"That was I. I planted the seed of doubt into your mind that caused you to travel to the kingdom to seek work. It was the same for Sein and Idre before you. Once you had found your way to the kingdom, I was no longer needed. I kept my eye on you, but my overall purpose had been fulfilled, and so I set out to find a new purpose. As it turned out, it was on this ship. I came to join this crew just after Captain Hook took over from the first captain. He was stricken with my ability to create and control wind, and saw fit to keep me aboard. Over the last eight years, I have worked as both a deck hand, and his first mate."

"Why didn't mother ever tell us about you?"

Odi shook her head. "I cannot pretend to know what mother was thinking when she kept the knowledge of my existence from you. Perhaps it was to keep you from being distracted during your quest to find the sleeping Prince."

Iswe bit her lip again and looked at Ihara a little. "Do Idre and Sein already know this story?" She watched Odi nod once, and she sighed. "Wow. This is a lot to take in." She looked around a little uncomfortably, then rubbed her arm and cleared her throat. "So, what would you like me to do to earn my keep here?"

Odi watched her with her deep brown eyes, then looked around a little as well. "You may help clean the ship. We will need plenty of water for that, and since it is your area of expertise..." she trailed off, then gave a sweeping motion of her hand, saying she was excused. "Sein and Idre already know their duties."

Iswe gulped, but nodded and moved off to do her job, her eyes down on the deck as she did. "Ihara, was it just me, or did she seem a little... rude?" she whispered.

Hm..there are not many on this ship that seem to be to welcoming to our group. Ihara replied from where he sat on Iswe's shoulder. If this wasn't the safest method of travel for us I would tell you to leave this place immediately. But for now there doesn't seem to any other options. So just make sure everyone stays out of trouble. I won't be of any use if any fights break out.

Iswe nodded in agreement, looking nervous as she moved to a bucket of sudsy water and peered down into it. She sighed and with a flourish of her hands, the water slid from the bucket--and a couple others on the deck--and started to move about the deck of its own will, washing thoroughly, and leaving a few of the deckhands stunned as they watched.

Aarin sat in his room on the edge of his bunk--a simple hammock hung from the walls--and stared down at the floor. He couldn't stop thinking about his family. They were still trapped in the castle. He wondered if there was anything Hook could do? The books did say that wishes could be granted for work done on the ship. Maybe there was something he could trade? He thought deeply about this, then gasped. His sword! He had left it with Aveda! He stood up and pulled on her borrowed boots quickly, moving out of his room in only some loose trousers and a white shirt that hung loosely off his torso. He moved to Captain Hook's quarters and knocked firmly on the door. "Hook! I need to have a word with you!"

Hook groaned from his couch, pulling the blanket up over his head and letting out a growl. He stood roughly, pulling on a pair of his trousers and slipping on his boots before walking shirtless to the door, throwing it open with his good hand, his hook raised, "There better be a good reason as to why I am awake or someone is going to get his tongue ripped out" he frowned, stepping away from the door, leaving it open and flopping into his chair behind his desk. He put his feet up, closing his eyes and groaning. He didnt do mornings, "What is it? Aveda is still sleeping. Lucky little bitch."

Aarin entered the room, closing the door again and glancing at the red velvet curtain where Aveda was sleeping. He looked at Hook again and said firmly, "I've done the research about the tales of this ship. Stories say that the captain can grant any wish for a price. I have a wish, and I have a payment." he said firmly. "My family is trapped in crystal back home in my kingdom of Layfette. They were trapped there by my uncle. My mother is heavily pregnant with my baby sister, and I fear the repercussions of her being trapped for too long. Release them, and I will give you my grandmother's sword."

Hook sighed, rubbing his head, "You need to slow down, and sit down, you are making my head spin" he groaned. It was way to early to talk business. He shrugged off his tiredness, trying to blink himself awake and be more alert, "Listen, its not as simple as that. Firstly, I cant grant wishes a kingdom away. Well I can, but I cannot simply lift a curse unless I am with the object in question, which is, I am assuming, what has happened to them, right? Someone did it to them? I would need to sail all the way back and go there myself to do it, I cant do it in my pants from my desk" he sighed "And secondly, what makes you think I need yet another sword? Do you know how many enchanted swords I have on this ship alone? What makes yours so special?"

Aarin's resolve seemed to be melting. He couldn't grant the wish from the ship..? He slumped to sit in a chair, sighing heavily and shaking his head. "Honestly... I don't know. My grandmother gave it to me and said I would need it someday... She didn't say why." he whispered, frowning down at his lap. He had thought this would work. "All I know is that it is enchanted. See, my grandmother is a gypsy. Her sister is the one who created the sprites, including Odi, and saved my father from my uncle the first time."

"I will tell you what, Aarin, I will make you a deal" Hook said, straightening up, "Once we have finished what we came to do in Cuole, and I have my Axe..If you can find out what your sword does and if it is more than just a sword, I will sail with you back to where they are and grant your wish. Wishes are easy, but lifting curses is a whole other world of suck, they are not easy and I need to be near the item. Its the best offer I can give you right now"

Aveda had heard the loud knock at the door but had made no attempt to move, too comfortable amongst the pillows and blankets. Keeping her eyes closed she listened as Hook stumbled from where he lay then made his way through the velvet curtain to see who was disturbing him. After a few more moments of peace she finally opened one bleary eye then the other whilst letting out a loud yawn. Sitting up she stretched her arms upwards then slid from the bed and fixed the loose shirt and trousers she was wearing before creeping barefoot over to the curtain to listen to what was being said on the other side. He can grant wishes? She thought wide eyed. She leaned a little closer to the curtain trying not to miss anything that was said.

Aarin raised his eyes to look at Hook sadly, but nodded. He was worried about how long it would take to get that axe from Scabbar, and how much longer his parents would have to remained trapped. He stood up and sighed a little. "Deal. May I get my sword? I left it with Aveda..." he explained with a deeply disappointed tone, his eyes still down on the floor.

"Yes you may" Hook nodded, looking to the curtain, "Aveda? Be a doll and step back from the curtain so he can go through?" he smirked, "You may be able to sneak around, but you cant sneak around the person who practically raised you without me knowing" he grinned.

Aveda quickly straightened up and pouted lightly at being caught. "I wasn't sneaking.." She said as she poked her head through the curtain to look at Hook. "I was merely listening and trying not to be noticed, thats all." She grinned then looked at Aarin. "Morning. So what exactly is it you left with me?"

"My grandmother's sword." Aarin said simply as he moved past her through the curtain and moved to grab it from where she had set it with her other weapons and his clothes she'd been using for a disguise. He grabbed the sheath with the intricately decorated sword, holding it close to his side and not looking at Aveda as he passed her again to leave Hook's room, not wanting to dawdle. He nodded at Hook in thanks, then headed back out of the quarters, closing the door behind himself. He sighed as he headed back down below deck to put the sword away in his own room.

"Well good morning to you too.." Aveda muttered a little moodily after Aarin had rushed in and out with not even a smile in welcoming. "So now that i'm awake I guess I could be doing some work. What would you like me to do Titus? Steer the ship, maybe?" She said after moving back through the curtain to address her brother, a small smirk now on her face. "Or will we be reaching Cuole soon? Should I be preparing to fight?"

"We are hovering over the forests of Cuole now. The ship has stopped. No work for you or I, it is breakfast time. I need food" Hook nodded, moving to stand and walking to her, kissing her cheek, "And its Hook outside this room, remember?" he smiled, "I am sure we can find you better fitting clothes if you would like it" he nodded walking passed her and to his own wardrobe, pulling on a dark red shirt.

There was a firm knock at the door to Hook's quarters before Odi entered, staying on the other side of the red curtain obediently. "Captain, breakfast is ready and waiting for you and your sister in the kitchens." she called through the red velvet. "We should be seeing the Elf Kingdom in a matter of moments. Is there anything else you need?"

"More clothes would be great." Aveda replied with a nod. "But they can wait until after we've ate." She moved to pull on her boots then quickly tucked her shirt into her trousers, trying to tidy herself up a little before she moved to the curtain and stepped through it, smiling at Odi when they came face to face. "Good morning." She said pleasantly then waited for Hook to join them.

Hook fixed the flared cuffs around his hook and his hand, straightening himself up before he pulled his long jacket on and walked out smiling at Odi, "We are fine for now, Odi, but breakfast sounds amazing. Join us, wont you?" he nodded, opening to door for them and waiting, "After you both"

"I have already eaten, Captain, thank you." Odi said briskly as she headed out first, then looked at Aveda. "Good morning. Sein felt well enough to help in the kitchen this morning, Captain, so it's her food you'll be eating. She told me that was her duty in the castle as well, so she's confident you'll appreciate her cooking." she explained. "I must go back to work to make sure we reach the Elf kingdom on time, but I will bring you some of my spare clothes and leave them in the Captain's quarters." she told Aveda, then turned and moved on with smooth graceful steps.

"Thank you!" Aveda called after her then moved from the room, retracing her steps back down towards the kitchen. Sein could be seen limping around the stoves and every so often there was a small flash of fire from one of the large pots. Aveda slid into one of the chairs and the table then began to pile things on her plate that had already been set out. "It all smells pretty good.."

Hook watched them both leave, walking down the steps and turning off to follow Odi, taking her by the arm gently to stall her a moment. "Odi? Are you alright? You seem off today.." he frowned, watching her closely, "Has someone done something? I will fix it if so." he nodded, letting her go again.

Odi turned to look up at Hook the moment he'd grabbed her arm, and her eyes connected with his. She held his gaze as she whispered, "No, captain. No one has done anything to me. But I am not getting a very good feeling from these woods below us. The closer we get to the Cuole kingdom, the more unease I feel. I fear we may be wandering into a trap." she whispered. "We should prepare for the worst."

Hooks eyes became narrowed and sharp, "Aveda said she trusted these people, If I find that this is a trap set by them, I will kill them all" he frowned, "When we stop, we will throw the ladders down. Once they are down, I will go down also and then I want the ladder to be drawn back up. I want no way for anyone to get onto this ship without me ordering it" he nodded.

Odi nodded with a soft, "Aye, captain," but as an after thought, she added, "I'm going with you." She wanted to see what it was that was riding the wind and making her so... uneasy. Her brown eyes gave him the firm impression that she wouldn't take no for an answer.

"When do you ever not go with me on a scavenging mission?" Hook asked watching her, "You will take weapons though. I dont care how powerful you are" he nodded, "If there is anything I can do to make you feel less uneasy, dont hesitate to ask, Odi. I dont like seeing you uncomfortable"

Odi gave Hook a subtle, fleeting smile and nodded towards the door to the kitchens. "You should join your sister, captain." she said softly, watching him. With a spare moment on the deck where no one was watching, she reached out and grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze. "She will need you more than I." she then turned to go, refocusing her mind on things to be done before they landed on the Elf kingdom.

Hook watched her go before he sighed, nodding and beginning to walk to the kitchens with long strides. He walked down the steps and inside, walking straight to the table where the food was set out and beginning to fill his plate before he sat with Aveda, givng her a smile, "Get what you need?"

Aveda nodded happily as she stuffed more food into her mouth. "I could get used to this lifestyle very quickly." She said after she had swallowed the food down. "Comfy beds..hot food whenever I want. This is luxury." She grinned at him then took a long swig of water. "So whats the plan? Just go down there and hope the elves are welcoming?"

"It takes a lot of hard work to keep it this way, but you know the offer to stay is always on the table for you, Aveda" Hook nodded as he ate, "And I do not know, this was your groups plan. Isnt that frog thing something to do with those elves?" he asked, shrugging, "Odi say's she has a bad feeling about all this, that this might be a trap or something" he frowned, "She has good gut instincts and hasn't be wrong yet. How well do you know your group?"

"The frog is the King of the elves, Reise turned him into a frog for his own amusement. So Cuole is his home." Aveda replied as she continued eating but stopped when she heard Hook's last question. Slowly she looked up and couldn't help but look a little sheepish. "Um..well i've known them maybe a couple of days." She said before quickly adding. "B-but i've known them by reputation much longer, and they always seemed to be good." She gave an embarrassed smile then returned to her food. 

"That is encouraging" Hook frowned, taking another bite of his food, "Odi seems certain that her sisters are sound, but Aveda.." he said, turning to look at her, "If I find that that prince of yours is lying to me and trying to lure us into a trap, I will gut him. Just a warning." he nodded, looking back down to his food before he sat back in his chair.

"He's not..I don't think he would endanger the sprites. They're the closest thing he has to family at the minute." Aveda responded pushing her empty plate away from herself. "The only thing we have to worry about is if Reise has made it to the woods before we have..which is why I think Aarin should stay on the ship..at least until we know the place is safe." She knew the prince wouldn't like this idea but the whole point of going to Cuole was to keep him safe so there was no point allowing him to walk straight into a trap. "Maybe I should go down first..I mean i'm small and quick. I could get round undetected, take a look at the place and see whats going on. What do you think?"

"You are going nowhere without me" Hook said, watching her, "You and the boy can figure out what is going on with him if you want, I dont care what happens, but if you are going, I will be going with out. I just got you back, we were supposed to have a mission together" he nodded, That and he wanted to keep a safe eye on her.

"Alright it was just a suggestion." Aveda held her hands up to show surrender. "It'll just be like old times. Watching each others backs and hopefully getting a good result. I just hope you can keep up like old times." She grinned at him then finally stood up. "I'll go make plans with the Prince then get myself suited for a fight. This is going to be fun!" With that said she turned and hurried from the kitchen and up onto the deck heading straight for the crew living quarters. "Aarin?" She called when she realised she didn't know which room he was in.

Aarin raised his head from where he was in his room, looking over his grandmother's gifted sword, trying to understand what it did, when he heard Aveda call his name. These walls were not all that thick. He stood up and opened the door, looking out into the hall and at Aveda, who was a few doors away. "Yes?" he asked, his expression brightening the moment he saw her.

"We need to talk." Aveda replied as she moved to where Aarin stood, folding her arms lightly over her chest as she did. "I want you to stay here until we know its safe down there. Odi is sensing something isn't right and the last thing we need is to walk you straight into a trap. If Odi's concerns are right then you know what that means..Reise is already there Aarin. Do you really think its wise for you to face him if he is? I don't want you getting hurt." Her voice was quiet and concerned.

Aarin had stepped aside for her to come in, watching her as she moved before he closed his door. He looked deeply concerned. "No... I don't think it's wise for me to face him yet. I'm not ready to. But we're not going down there to battle, even if he is there already. We're going to find Raina and get her out of there. That's all that matters." he shrugged. "Your brother is more than welcome to risk his neck for that axe, if he sees fit. But I'm not staying here without you, Aveda. You should know that by now."

"So you're saying the only way you'll stay on board this ship is if I stay with you?" Aveda replied slowly. "Is that really the only way I can get you to do this?" She had looked forward to having an adventure with her brother but she also felt it was her duty to protect the prince and if he said yes then she would stay.

Aarin gulped a little, seeing the seriousness in her eyes. "yes. That's what I'm saying. I want to make sure you're safe too, Aveda. I wont let you go in there without me." he said firmly, then moved to grab his grandmother's sword. "I'll take this with me. I'm sure it'll help us somehow."

Aveda sighed but gave a small nod. "Alright but you must stay with me when we're down there, understood? And if I say run you do it." She nodded seriously but couldn't hold it long as a large smile spread across her face. "This is going to be fantastic. Back with my brother, setting out into the unknown. I mean if you think I'm good at what I do as Robin Hood then you should see my brother in action. He's incredible, taught me everything I know. If we make it through this today then maybe I can start teaching you how to fight like us too." She smiled again then stepped back towards the door. "You should get yourself ready, we'll be there soon. I'm going to get changed, Odi is going to give me some clothes..though now I think of it all i've seen her in is dresses.." Aveda frowned slightly then simply shrugged. "I'll see you up on deck. Don't forget that fancy sword of yours." She grinned one last time at him then turned and left the room, rushing back to Hook's quarters. Pushing the velvet curtain aside she stepped into the bedroom then moved to the bed to see what clothes Odi had set out for her.

Folded neatly on the mattress of the four-poster bed was a pile of clean clothes. But unlike the plain and simple, but highly flattering, dresses that Odi had been seen in the last couple of days, what was folded on Aveda's bed was a pair of snug, brown leather pants that laced up the outside of the thighs, a thick black leather belt with a large, clawed buckle, a pair of long socks, and a deep red shirt that buttoned up the front. Her brown riding boots were also at the end of the bed. It seemed Odi had some other clothes aside from just her dresses.

Aveda inspected the clothes before giving a smile of approval. Thank goodness its not a dress. She thought as she peeled off Aarin's clothes and folded them neatly on the bed before pulling on the fresh clothes. Once she was finished securing the belt around her waist she moved to the mirror and fixed her hair before checking her appearance one last time and heading back out onto the deck. Seeing that no one else had gathered she moved over to the side rail and jumped up onto it, gripping onto a rope that hung there. She looked down at Cuole and sighed. I hope Odi's fears are wrong.

It wasnt long before Aarin, Idre, and Iswe joined Aveda at the side of the ship. As they did, the beautiful kingdom--or as it once was--came directly beneath them. Bodies could be seen moving below, but the normally luminous Elven kingdom seemed darker than normal. Odi was suddenly beside her sisters, now dressed in a pair of pants and boots of her own, a cropped shirt showing off a firm midsection of dark flesh in contrast to its yellow shade, and the blue curls on her face replaced with bright red arrows under each eye. She frowned down at the gloomy kingdom, her expression stern. "Captain, the sails are drawn, we're ready to let the ladder down."

"You always know when I am behind you without me making a sound. It is a gift" Hook said as he walked up behind them, looking down. He placed his hand on his sword handle, then moved it to secure his pistol before he moved to raised his hook at one of the deckhands, nodding. He smiled when the ladder was thrown down, winking to them all, "Lets go then, shall we?" he asked, running and jumping off the side of the ship, letting himself free fall for a little moment before he grabbed onto the ladder and stopped himself, chuckling and looking up as he began to climb down, "What are you waiting for?!"

"Show off!" Aveda called after him then turned to Aarin and grinned. "Remember, always stick with me and you'll be fine. Now lets go!" She let out a loud laugh then quickly jumped over the side of the ship, grabbing the ladder and climbing down after Hook.

Idre, Iswe and Aarin all exchanged glances, and Aarin tightened his hand on his grandmother's sword at his hip--an obvious sign that he was going. He looked at Idre and Iswe indeterminably, as if challenging them to tell him to stay. Idre and Iswe both seemed uneasy, but they didn't say anything. Iswe adjusted her hold on Ihara in her hands, then made sure she had his crown, tied to her belt by a bandanna. She tightened the knot, nodded at Aarin, and watched him as he descended the ladder more carefully than Aveda and Hook had done. She started to climb down after him, and looked up at Idre.

"Sein and I will stay here, just in case anything happens." Idre said softly, giving Iswe an apologetic smile. After all, both she and Sein were still recovering from battle wounds incurred by Scabbar only a day before. She kissed Iswe's cheek, then Ihara's head, before watching them go. She watched them with a small frown, then looked over at Odi.

Odi had watched their goodbye, and even as Aarin and Iswe climbed down the ladder, she watched Idre. "Don't leave this ship." she told her sternly. Idre gave only a meek nod with a gulp, then Odi was over the railing. She didn't even grab for the ladder. Instead, she spread her arms and legs out to either side, letting the wind carry her down.

To The Kingdom of Cuole

---

---

"I am going to kill you!" Hook called, scrambling up the rest of the ladder and spilling onto the deck, "INTRUDER! GET BELOW, GET ARMED!" He shouted, running to the steps and racing down them until he got to the level the man had crawled through, bursting into the room with his sword raised, "What the hell do you think you are doing to my ship? Get off before I throw you off myself" he frowned, his men filing in behind him.

Scabbar didn't say anything. He whirled his axe on the spot, handle still slick with blood from the cuts he'd received, holding onto the broken wood pieces. He aimed a violent slice around head-height. Not particularly aimed at Hook, but more his direction, and anyone in the background who was dumb enough to be standing in swinging range.

Hook ducked, his men stumbling back to avoid the swing. When the Axe had cleared and he knew he had a window of opportunity before he could swing it back, Hook lunged forward, in attempt to tackle the man, colliding with him hard and fast as his men were instantly at his side, swords and pistols all aimed.

Hook was too close to swing, so instead Scabbar pulled the handle of the axe back hard, trying to slam it down against Hook's head, or against his neck. If he had his way, it would be somewhere soft and squishy so he could grind the bloodied wood against the man's flesh. "You are nothing!" he spat at the man through the hood.

Hook ducked, the wood just grazing his head as he dodged it, "You dont even know who the hell I am" he growled, swinging his arm to try and hook him with his hooked hand, his sword swinging at his midsection as fast as he could master.

"Which is why you are nothing!" Scabbar yelled at him. He slashed his hand out, his own hand stabbing against Hook's hook. They were locked as Scabbar grabbed hold of hook, pushing it through the rest of his hand and grabbing on tight as the other hand swung the axe around to parry the sword blow.

Very suddenly, they were broken apart by something that felt solid, but was actually just a large blow of air. Odi stood at the hole that Scabbar had made in the side of the bow, her brown eyes dark with anger. "How DARE you ruin this ship!" she snarled, the winds picking up around her, making even her own crew mates step back and whisper unnervingly. She then moved forward in a lunging step, her motions fast and practiced as a fist was thrust out in front of her, the other tucked in close against her side, which sent another hard wind at Scabbar, knocking him back from Hook.

They couldn't entirely be broken apart though, Scabbar's hand was still impaled on the hook that had replaced Hook's hand. So they jerked apart, but they were still connected, Scabbar letting out a yell of pain, but gripping on tight to Hook as he was slammed around by the wind. "You don't get rid of me that easy!" he yelled, taking another swing at Hook after they were all buffeted about. The man was always in range now, Scabbar's act of desperation had assured that.

Hook growled, throwing his sword up to stop the axe from connecting with his body. He bent his arm, unhooking himself from the mans hand and kicking him hard to get away the wind catching him and blowing him into the wall. He blinked the pain away from his shoulder, working his way to stand against Odi's force to stay upright, "Kill the bastard!"

Scabbar grunted, wincing slightly as he was thrown against the wall, but letting out a laugh as he gripped on tight to his axe and tried to fight the winds. "Ohhhh, you can try..." he muttered as he braced himself for the attack.

"Try this!" Odi shouted, her winds suddenly shifting. She swept her hands up then, the winds lifting Scabbar clear off the floor in his own miniature tornado, before directing it straight for the hole that he came in through. She knew that she would probably get yelled at by Hook for throwing his precious axe off of the ship, but at the moment all she cared about was getting this psychopath off of the ship in the first place. She would throw him out that hole he'd created and send him tumbling to the ground below. No man could survive that.

Scabbar HAD to stay on this ship. And that drop was going to kill him. This was... this was going to be a long shot but... He threw his axe as he was spun around on the spot, letting out a long scream of anger and frustration as the blade whirled through the air and buried itself in the cabin wall, before he was thrown out of the hole to the world below. The axe was still on the ship, exactly where he wanted it.

Odi watched Scabbar fall through the hole to his doom over one hundred feet below, and she scoffed through her nose. She turned back to Hook and the rest of the crew when she was done glaring at Scabbar's surely-dead body, and she glared at the crew. "Well?! Get this hole fixed! Get to work on a new ladder!" she ordered, making the men jump and scurry to get things done. She glanced at the axe implanted in the wall and then looked at Hook, calming herself by breathing and brushing down her shirt before moving to him, her face once again an expression of control. "Are you alright, my captain?" she asked, already inspecting him for bruises, cuts, or injuries.

"I am fine" Hook gruffed angrily, fixing his jacket and turning to look at her, "Are you? Did you see my sister down there? Who the hell was that?" he frowned, walking to the Axe and watching it, grabbing it and pulling it out of the wood, studying it, "This needs to go in a case until I can study it. I dont like how he just left it here. As much as I want it, I think it needs to be contained"

There was the sound of a wet splatter from below as Scabbar hit the floor. The effect was almost instantaneous for Hook. The axe jerked hard in his hands, a burning sensation ripping through the one hand that was still there, practically fusing to the flesh there, while a phantom pain seemed to seer across his missing palm. This wasn't just physical pain, but the kind of pain that burnt the soul.

Hook growled at the Axe, shaking it and throwing it into the wall again to try and release it, his knee buckling a little underneath him. He clamped his mouth shut, trying to keep the pain under control so he could steady up. He panted a little, stumbling back with it and watching it with a deep frown, "This is just fucking fantastic."

Odi gasped, having run to Hook's side and put her hands on him to steady him as well, glaring at the axe. "It's cursed, captain." she hissed lowly, her energy flowing into him to help fight off the evil soul inside. "We must lock it away until it can be studied." She looked around at whoever was nearby and shouted, "Get a pair of gloves and get this cursed thing from the captain!" She then heard the mighty roar of the dragon outside and she clenched her teeth. "Sounds like our other party members have returned."

Aarin leaped from Cyan's back when they were close enough to the ship, then looked back and up at Iswe and the queen, as well as Aveda and Raina. He held open his arms, offering to help Aveda down, helping Iswe first by setting her aside, then the queen, and lastly waiting for Aveda. "I hope Odi and the captain are okay... Did you see that giant hole in the side of the ship?"

Aveda leapt from the back of the dragon, straight into Aarin's arms with a smile. She opened her mouth to thank him but froze when she heard what he had to say. "W-what? The ship was damaged?" She exclaimed looking shocked before breaking free from Aarin's grip. "I have to find my brother..make sure he's alright." She said before running off towards the lower decks. "Hook!" She shouted as she ran, until finally she skid to a halt at the room Hook and Odi were standing in. "What happened?" She gasped first looking at the noticeably large hole in the side of the ship before turning to look at Hook. "You're hurt!" She stepped towards him looking worried.

Raina was the last to jump from Cyan's back, landing nimbly beside Aarin. Turning back to look at the dragon she smiled at him then motioned for him to go. "Go hide Cyan, stay safe..i'll call when I need you." She told him. He cooed lightly in protest about leaving her before finally giving a growl of defeat and flying off. Raina watched him go then turned back to Aarin as Aveda was running off. "Thank you for helping my mother and I. I was beginning to worry that no one could help us."

"I-I'm fine" Hook gulped, shaking his arm a little and groaning, trying to open his hand, "I just need to get this damn thing off me. Dont touch it, Aveda, stand back" he gulped, closing his eyes and lowering it to the ground. He steadied himself, putting a foot on the blade and trying to pull his hand away, hissing deeply.

His foot tingled, and the blade was practically shining. It was slipping free, gradually, but the burning sensation was still strong, and it was spreading upwards. Who knew what would happen if it reached his heart, or his head.

Odi could feel it invading his body the longer she held onto him, and she growled. "Get me the prince brat!" she yelled at the crew and they jumped, scurrying about to find him. Aarin was in the midst of talking to Raina and the queen when he was snatched up and dragged below deck to where Hook, Odi and Aveda were. She turned to look at him, her brown eyes hard, but her hands not moving from Hook's skin. "Your grandmother's sword--you said it was enchanted, yes?" she asked quickly. Aarin could hardly stutter out a response before she snapped, "Give it here!" Aarin fumbled to unsheathe his sword, handing it over to her, to which she reluctantly pulled one hand from Hook's arm. She grabbed the hilt from Aarin in a snatch, and held the blade towards Hook. "Cut yourself on it." she said firmly. "Not too much, just a little nick should do it."

"you touched it!" Aveda gasped as she watched her brother struggle to release the axe. She stood in shock as she watched Odi yell for Aarin before finally she took his sword. "woah! You're going to cut him! This is all your fault anyway, you told him about the axe and should have warned him not to touch it. What if that sword hurts him further?. Don't you touch him with that!" She growled distrustfully to Odi before stepping forward to pull the sword from her hands but she was stopped by one of the sailors who quickly wrapped his arm round her waist and lifted her backwards away from Hook and Odi. "put me down!"

"Would everyone just shut the hell up?!" Hook shouted, gulping and swaying a little, looking to the sailor who had his sister, "Release her, its fine" he nodded before he looked back to Odi, looking to the sword and raising his arm, setting the back of his hand that had the axe attached against the blade. He pushed down and moved, slicing the skin on the back of his hand before he dropped the Axe again, having to lean on it a little.

The axe was practically vibrating in the floor, the blade sharp and bright, as if reflecting a light that wasn't around. It was a deadly weapon, for all who used it. Death followed the user and their victim, and all those on board would no doubt discover that in time.

Odi watched as the cut was made, and where he started leaking deep red blood. But it didnt stay red for long. Black ooze started to come from his veins instead after a few moments, and she cursed under her breath. "I'm not losing him to you, demon!" she hissed at the axe, then turned, seeking out her sister. "Iswe! Bring me your canteen!" She hadnt seen or heard her come into the room... she had just sensed it. Iswe stepped forward and gave her the endless canteen dutifully after uncorking the top. Odi turned and placed Hook's arm across her lap, with the axe in his bleeding hand hanging over her thighs. She poured the water from the canteen onto his black-oozing cut, watching as steam rose when the water touched it. It would then feel to hook like the water was snaking into his system from the opening of his cut, forcing more of the blackness out. "Let go of the blade." she told him firmly. "Now!"

Hook gave a groan, leaning against Odi a little as his hand shook, trying his hardest to let go. Eventually he managed to pull his hand free, stumbling back a little and watching his black oozed covered hand, pointing his hook at the axe, "No one touch that thing, everyone out! Aveda, out!" he frowned, panting a little.

"I want to make sure you're alright first.." Aveda protested stubbornly as she stepped towards him making sure to avoid the axe on the ground. "why would you touch something like that you fool.." She continued but her tone was softer and gentler and full of concern. "maybe you should go and get some rest, we can fill you in on what happened on the ground later." She watched him for a moment before turning to look at Odi, the gentle expression quickly disappearing. "will he be alright?" She asked sharply, still obviously blaming the sprite for her brothers misfortune.

Odi shot the same hardened look back at Aveda, her small frame seeming to grow somewhat. "He will be." she said firmly, without hesitation. She helped Hook get steady on his feet, then wrapped one of his arms around her neck for support as she led him towards the stairs. "Make way for your captain!" she bellowed, making the men part instantly. She helped Hook all the way back to his quarters and to his bed behind the red curtain, before hurrying about to get a cloth to wash his hand with, having hung onto Iswe's endless canteen for just this purpose. She was still tense as she worked.

Aarin was in a daze, same as Iswe, beside the axe on the ground, and his grandmother's bloodied sword. He frowned and moved to pick it up, cleaning it briefly on his pantleg before resheathing it. He oversaw the men pick up the axe in hands gloved with blacksmith's gloves, then they put it in a thickly padded trunk and locked it tightly before carrying it out of the room to be put in Hook's trophy room. Aarin checked on Iswe briefly, who was still clutching Ihara to her chest, and after she excused herself to go see to the queen and Raina, he turned his attention to Aveda. "Are you alright?"

"Odi...Relax, I am alright" Hook frowned at her as he sat down, looking at his hand. "I dont need to rest, I want to know what happened with everyone else, I want to run my ship" he gulped, nodding slowly, "Are you okay? Aveda...she is just worried, I havnt seen her in so long, she is defensive. Pay no mind to her, I will make sure she apologizes."

Odi shook her head, wordlessly moving to clean his hand with the wet cloth and wrap it in bandages, keeping her eyes down. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest, but her small frame had seemed to shrink now that they were alone. She had been terrified. Even after all of the adventures they'd been on together--the Goliath eagle, the megalodon shark, and countless battles--that single experience with the cursed axe had made her so scared. Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to tie the knot in his bandage, swallowing hard.

When she finished, Hook over turned his hand to grab hers, squeezing gently, "Odi" he said again, frowning at her, "You are shaken, it makes me nervous. What is wrong? Are you alright? Talk to me" he frowned, squeezing her hand again, "Im just fine, you know. I'm always fine"

Odi gripped his hand tightly, her eyes locking with his as she said quickly, "I know... but one of these times you wont be." She sniffed, but refused to cry. She scooted closer to him and bravely rested her head on his shoulder. "I do not want to think of the day I inherit this ship from you..." She trembled against him. "Titus... do not touch that axe again. Ever. Please?"

Hook held his breath a little at his name, letting it out when he realsed they were alone. He slowly smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close, leaving a gentle kiss on the top of her head, "Well, No offense, but it will be a long cold day in hell when you get this ship. I will continue to be just fine" he winked, "I cannot promise I wont touch the Axe again. I probably will, but I will be a lot more cautious with it, that I promise. It needs studied.." he nodded, rubbing her arm, "Odi, look a me. Do you trust me?"

Odi shifted slowly, tilting her head back and looking up at him. "Of course not... If i trusted you, I wouldnt be your first mate." she said with a playful furrow of her dark brows. She smiled at him only slightly, her brown eyes locked on his. "If you die, my first mission as Captain would be to find a way to bring you back again so that I can kill you myself."

"Oh really? You are lucky you are cute, Odi, I wouldnt let just anyone away with such blasphemy" Hook smiled, shaking his head and rubbing her arm again, "I do not intend on dying. All that back there was merely a stumble. Thank you for your assistance with it" he nodded, watching her and tilting his head, trying to make her feel better but he wasnt sure how.

Odi gave him a crooked smirk, but it didnt reach her eyes. She sighed slightly, pulling herself from his embrace slowly, as if she really didnt want to move. She stood, moving to drop the bloody cloth she'd used to clean his hand with into the bucket to be washed later, and recorked Iswe's canteen. "You should see your sister. She was very worried about you." she said, softer this time, and added, "I'll go see to mine, as well as the Elven royals aboard this ship. I hope they do not demand extravagance from us." She would have to ask which neighboring Elf kingdom they could drop the queen off at. It would be too dangerous to keep her on the ship. She headed for the door without another word, her hands back to their placidly folded state in front of her, and her face once again an expression of unreadable calm.

Hook stood and walked after her, quickly wrapping his arm around her waist from behind and pulling her back to him just before the door, "I wish you would open up a little more to me, Odi. You know I am always here for you. I wont go anywhere" he nodded, leaning in to kiss her shoulder gently, "And if you wish for company later, I am always around" he nodded, letting her go and standing upright again.

Odi frowned slightly, but turned to look at Hook, her eyes seeming to drink him in before she whispered, "We are in a risky profession, captain. We cannot afford sentimentality." She stepped closer though, stood up on her tiptoes, and planted her lips gracefully against his, one hand pressed to his chest. When it broke, she breathed out, "But I would love some company later tonight." She let her eyes meet his, then turned and hurried out of the room, shouting, "ALL HANDS ON DECK! WE'RE MOVING THIS LOG!"

Hook chuckled to himself, shaking his head before he straightened his face and stepped out, slamming his door shut, "You heard the woman, what are you waiting for?!" he shouted after, walking down the steps and across the deck, going below to find his sister.

---

Aveda made a move to help Hook but froze when Odi got there first. She watched them leave with a frown then turned and moved to the large hole that had been torn in the side of the ship and looked out. When Aarin spoke to her she glanced over her shoulder at him still frowning. She gave a small shrug then sighed. "I feel so useless..I should be helping my brother but instead he has that sprite." She sighed again then turned fully to look at him. "Are you okay?"

Aarin gave her a weak smile and nodded, moving closer to her. "I'm okay." he whispered, also inspecting the hole in the ship's side. He peered out and down from it, studying the ghostly kingdom of Cuole below, and he wondered if they were going to start moving again soon. "That wasnt as productive of a visit as I had hoped... I guess we cannot count on the Elven army as allies if they're possessed." he sighed.

"that's true." Aveda replied with a sigh as she stood beside him. "this adventure its turning into a nightmare and for the first time in my life I'm worried that maybe we won't be able to beat this. Down there in cuole your uncle was so strong..I don't know how we're meant to beat him." She bit her lip. "what are we meant to do now?" She didn't like the thought of being defeated but she had never tackled anything so big before and she truly didn't know how they were going to win. "I'm sorry..I should be staying positive, after all its you that's carrying the heaviest burden."

Aarin frowned a little at Aveda, shrugging slightly and chewing his lip. "I guess.." he mumbled. He really tried not to think about his family right now. He knew it would just make him depressed if he did. He tapped his fingers against the hard metal sheath of his sword, then glanced back at Aveda. "I'm really just worried about Eon. I didnt see where he'd gotten to." he mumbled.

"I'm sure he's fine. Deep down I'm sure he still remembers you and that's what will help him break whatever your uncle did to him. He'll be fine, just you wait and see." Aveda replied reassuringly as she watched him. "Now come on, look at us, both being so down. We rescued the princess from Cuole and got rid of that crazy axe man..no matter how slow it may seem things are going to plan, we need to remember that." She smiled brightly trying to lighten the mood. "Now let me see your smile."

Aarin's brows furrowed, and he gave her a crooked smile. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked with a light laugh. She wasn't acting like her normal, touchy, irritated self that he had known her to be from the moment he'd met her. "I think you should go check on your brother. I can hear Odi yelling from here. I think I'll go see to Raina and the sprites." he nodded, heading for the stairs with a tight grip on his grandmother's sword. Crew members were already mending the hole in the side of the ship.

"I'm feeling perfectly fine thank you." Aveda replied looking hurt before smiling again. "I can go back to being Moody and down hearted if that makes you feel better?" She chuckled lightly then nodded when he mentioned going to see her brother. She waved him of as he left then after watching the sailors work at mending the hole in the ship a moment turned and wandered out into the hall, scuffing her heels as she did. She figured her brother would either be in his quarters or up on deck.

Hook smiled as he bounded down the steps and into the hall from the deck, walking to her and hugging her tightly, rubbing her back with his bandaged hand, "Hello sister! I am glad to see you are okay" he smiled, kissing her cheek, "we need to talk"

Aveda was a little taken aback by the sudden appearance of her brother and that he was so quick to pull her into am embrace. "Oh? Just a casual conversation or do you have a topic in mind?" She asked with a small smile. "Are you feeling better? Did the sprite take care of you?" She folded her arms lightly over her chest as she watched him with a raised eyebrow.

Hook smiled at her, "Her name is Odi, Aveda. She did yes and I think you may owe her an apology, this was not her fault" he nodded, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, "Come, lets get some tea and talk hm? There is a lot we need to address"

"I'm not apologising to her." Aveda replied stubbornly. "She told you about that stupid axe..she should have researched it more first and found out that it was cursed. That way you wouldn't have gotten hurt. She is lucky it was only your hand that got hurt, otherwise I would have made her pay." She frowned lightly as she kept her arms folded before sighing and glancing up at Hook. "What exactly do you wish to address? The events of Cuole?" She moved towards Hook's private quarters figuring he would just ask someone to bring them tea so they could talk in peace. "Everything went to plan I guess..We got the princess but couldn't hurt Reise. He was too powerful."

"Its her job to tell me about those things, Aveda, she didnt know it was cursed. Ii want you two to get along, please" Hook said as he linked arms with her and guided her back to his chambers, closing the door, "Aside from that, I want to know what happened down there I am sorry I couldnt go with you, I had to defend the ship. I am glad you were okay though" he nodded, sitting down after turning his portable stove on, watching it boil the teapot of water.

Aveda slid into a nearby chair then propped her feet up on the table, stretching her arms as she did. "Well..as you're aware the elven guards were possessed or something so Odi took care of them. The next thing I know Aarin is taking off into the tower after his wolf friend so of course I followed. I wasn't about to let him run into a trap." She paused to take a breath before carrying on. "The wolf attacked but didn't actually hurt us then he ran off and we couldn't find him, he just disappeared. So we decided to focus on finding the princess. She was in the throne room with her mother and the other sprite and him..Reise. We tried to fight him but he's too quick and powerful and honestly, I think he was just playing with us. He didn't really intend to fight. Anyway the sprite said some funny words and the princess freed herself then a dragon came crashing into the room and we used it to get back onto the ship. So now you don't just have a prince on your ship but a princess and a Queen as well, not to mention three extra sprites and me..oh and a frog." She chuckled lightly as she relaxed back, watching Hook.

"Well I hope they are aware that this is a working ship and we expect them to to pull their weight" Hook nodded, "I am glad you are okay. I am very proud of you, you know" he sighed, moving to make the tea and handing her her cup before he sat with his, "So what are your plans now? Where do they need to go? I talked to that boy of yours, he wants to trade his sword for a wish, perhaps that is where he wants to go?"

"You're going to ask the Queen of the elves to do chores aboard the ship?" Aveda asked with a raised eyebrow. "I can't imagine that conversation going very well.." She thanked him when he offered her the teacup then sipped at it lightly, giving a small sigh of content at the sweet taste. "A wish? Yes I heard your conversation remember. Can you really grant wishes Titus? What wishes have you granted in the past?" She questioned him, unable to stop herself grinning slightly, obvious that she didn't believe he could do anything of the sort.

Hook raised his eyebrow at her from behind his teacup, setting it down and folding his hands, "Would I lie to you?" he asked with a smirk, "Being captain of this ship gives you abilities to use in your favor. I trade wishes to those who work with me, and those wishes stay true during their service. Or I trade them for treasures, like his sword" he nodded, biting his lip, "But I wasnt always captain, as you know. Aveda, damn it, you are thirty four years old and you look sixteen, did you ever wonder how that happened? We have excellent genes, but they are not that good. No. I didnt just up and leave you, I was forced onto this ship. My wish was for you. I wanted you to stay young and healthy, so you could keep using that kind soul you have to help people in a way I couldnt. I keep a lock of your hair in my locket and we were able to use it to create the wish" he nodded, playing with his locket and sighing. "I didnt want to leave you, but after I became captain I figured you would have gotten used to being on your own and I was scared incase the wish wore off if I left. I didnt want that for you. I have only ever cared for you. So yes, I can grant them, as captain, but I dont do it all that often"

Aveda listened to him talk, her eyes widening as she listened to his confession. "Y-you did this to me?" She whispered in shock. She didn't know how to feel. She knew his heart had been in the right place but if given the choice, Aveda wasn't sure she would have chosen such a wish. She gulped lightly then looked down into her teacup. "I always wondered what was wrong with me..and I guess a part of me always knew it had something to do with you as it started at the same time you disappeared." She took a small sip of tea then looked back up at Hook. "Is it permanent? Am I never going to age?"

Hook shrugged as he watched her, reaching to take her hand, "I can lift it, if you want me to. I can put you to thirty four or just have you age normally from now or you can stay this way. But you know as well as I do that everything I do usually benefits me..." he said with a small frown, "Being captain doesnt just come with me giving gifts, it gives me everlasting life, Aveda. And Im not sure I can live happily without knowing you are living and doing what you do also. Do you hate me for it?"

"You know I could never hate you..its just i'm a little shocked, I don't know what to think really." Aveda replied as she grasped his hand before looking up into his face. "I want you to grant whatever wish Aarin wanted but I don't want you taking his sword. It means a lot to him, and he's already lost so much. There must be something else you will accept as payment.."

"The sword is what he offered Aveda, I didnt ask for it. But now that he has, and I know it helps with that Axe, I kinda do want it, If I have it and I ever get in a bind with that Axe again, I know I will have a way out if I have that thing" Hook shrugged, taking his hand back, "Unless he has something better to offer, Im not sure what I can do for him"

"I can't believe you're actually thinking of touching that axe again. If I were you I would throw it to the bottom of a very deep lake." Aveda replied seriously as she set her teacup to the side. "Well I suppose if the prince has set the payment at the sword then I cannot really argue. It is between you and him. What did he wish for anyway?"

Hook paused as he watched her. He would usually keep secrets between him and the person making them but she was his sister and he told her everything, "Well, he asked for me to free his family from whatever curse they are under. The sword as payment. I said If the sword was valuable to me I would, but that I cant break a curse unless I am able to actually touch and be with the cursed object. I figured he would want to go there now we have finished what you came to do"

"I'm not sure, I will have to ask Aarin what he wishes us to do. But yes, I think if you said you were going to grant his wish he would most likely want to return to Layfette. But do you really think you can free them? I mean I saw them myself. They were encased in solid dark crystal.." Aveda asked seriously. "What if you get hurt again?"

"You shouldnt worry about me, little sparrow, I am a big boy" Hook winked, "I may be able to, it depends on the magic. I wont know until I am there and we try, but I cant make promises" he frowned, watching her, "After that is done, will you go with him? I am going to miss you.." he frowned.

"I..don't know." Aveda replied as she gave an unsure shrug. "The prince did offer me a room in the castle once this has all ended but really i'm not sure the King and Queen would approve of that. I mean..who wants their son associating them-self with a thief? And anyway can you really see me fitting in with royals?" She chuckled slightly. "No..I'll probably just go back to being Robin Hood alone..though you could visit from time to time if you wished."

"Or you could stay with me. here. We go on many scavenge trips, Aveda, you can keep your own loot and do what you want with it.." Hook nodded, "There is a place for you here, Aveda, Ii will give you a nice room" he said, giving her a playful pout, "Ive missed you"

"Maybe it is time Robin Hood moved to the next level..a great sky pirate! Helping more people. I like that." Aveda grinned. "I have no one on the ground that would miss me..and I would be lying if I said I would want to leave you. I've spent the past eight years searching for you, maybe I should stay." She looked thoughtful for a moment as if she were truely contemplating it. The only friend she had on the ground was Aarin and she figured that once everything went back to normal he would go back to his royal duties and wouldn't have the time to see her or even be allowed to if his parents disliked her. "Would you really wish me to stay?"

"Of course I would, are you kidding? You could have any job you wanted, not to mention your complementary wish" Hook winked, leaning forward to her and kissing her cheek, "I love you. I want you to be happy but I dont wnat to let you go either. If you wanted to spend time down there we can always drop you off for a few weeks and come back to get you once we are done with what we are doing, or you can meet us at the next location, you dont have to stay with us all the time, you could go off and visit any friends you have" he nodded, rubbing her hand.

"Really?" Aveda asked then suddenly smiled and nodded. "Alright then..why not? I'll stay." Her smile widened, suddenly excited by the thought of staying. "So should we tell your crew and Odi? Do you think they'll be okay with me joining?"

"It doesnt matter what everyone thinks, I am captain. First though, you need to pass initiation" Hook grinned, starting to look excited, "You will pass with flying colours, I know it. Just trust me" he winked, "Then we will have a ship party. Go tell your friends and Ii will get everything set up" he smiled, standing.

"Alright then. Initiation then party, sounds good." Aveda said as she stood up as well then moved to Hook and gave him a swift hug before turning and hurrying from his quarters, a happy smile on her face. "Aarin?" She called as she moved up onto the deck searching for the prince.

Aarin was on deck now, leaning against the railing and watching the world move below them as they flew, concealed in the clouds. He had one hand on his grandmother's sword at his hip, the other braced against the rail, his face passive as he thought about things. On the outside, he didnt look as young anymore. After all that he'd been through over the last few days, he seemed to have aged a bit--matured. He sighed, running a hand through his blonde hair, and looking up when he heard his name being called. He gave Aveda a warm smile and tilted his head charmingly. "You seem really happy. What's going on?"

"I have wonderful news!" Aveda replied excitedly. "Hook has offered me a place on this ship and I accepted. Isn't that great? I've been searching for him for so long and now that I've found him I will get to stay with him." She smiled happily at Aarin. "and if I wish to leave the ship for a while he says I am free to do so, so I can still carry on my work as Robin Hood and even come and visit you sometimes if you like." She turned to look out over the moving land below. "I'm going to have my initiation and then Hook says we'll have a big party."

Aarin blinked at her words, his smile falling a little. He swallowed hard, feeling a knot in his gut at the thought of her staying with the ship. He wasn't entirely sure why though. He furrowed his brows briefly, but recovered before she saw and plastered on a fake smile. "That's wonderful... I'm glad for you both." he said softly. "You will, of course, be completely free to visit whenever you please. I just hope you do not forget me." he said, trying to be playful, but sounding all too serious instead. He frowned again. "I spoke with the queen and Raina... I have given them my room since it's bigger than all the others that were available." he explained, then turned. "Odi said she wanted to talk to me, so I suppose I should go find her..."

"I could never forget you," Aveda replied with a soft smile, "the boy who freed me from prison and basically led me on the right path to finding my brother. I have a lot to thank you for." she turned toward him, making a move as if to hug him, but he was already turning away, talking about going to speak with Odi. She lowered her arms quickly, looking a little embarrassed. "Would you like me to come with you?"

Aarin looked back at her briefly, then nodded and smiled. "Yes." he said firmly, then waved her to come with him. He headed down below the deck and to the room that Odi had told him was hers. He knocked on the door loudly a few times, then stood back to wait, glancing at Aveda with a small smile. "You're very pretty when you're happy, you know that? Your smile is radiant."

Aveda watched him for a moment looking a little stunned before quickly clearing her throat, hoping her cheeks weren't too red from blushing. "T-thanks.." She wasn't used to anyone saying she was pretty, as most of the time she kept her face hidden so wasn't really sure how to respond. "You're pretty too.. I-I mean handsome.. when you're not looking so worried." She groaned lightly then turned towards the doorway, wanting nothing more than to bang her head off of it from embarrassment.

Aarin blushed too, and opened his mouth to say something else, but the door opened and Odi glanced between them both a little impatiently. "Please refrain from flirting just outside my door." she chided, then stepped aside and nodded to the prince. "Come in." She waited until he stepped in, then glanced at Aveda coldly. "I asked only to speak to Aarin."

"Please, Odi... I told her to come with me." Aarin insisted with a small, hopeful smile. "Anything you tell me, you can tell her."

Odi frowned at the prince, then back at Aveda before huffing through her nose. "The only reason I'm allowing this is because we do not have time to sit and argue." She turned and headed into the room, leaving the door open for Aveda to come in on her own. She motioned for Aarin to sit, and took a seat herself, looking at him seriously. "That sword," she began firmly, pointing at his grandmother's sword, "is very powerful. However, I have an overwhelming feeling that you do not even know how to use it. Am I correct in assuming this?" she asked, tilting her head, her eyes stern.

Aarin stuttered a moment and coughed, then shrugged. "Grandmother never really taught me HOW to use it... I learned how to fight with swords from my father and his army general, but as for the magical qualities that the sword possesses... I have no clue." he admitted with a shrug. In fact, he'd been more than thoroughly impressed by her swift use of the sword a little bit ago. "How did you know it would heal him of the darkness inside the axe?"

"I didn't. I simply hoped." Odi shrugged matter-of-factly, making Aarin gape a little in shock.

Aveda glared at Odi then followed her into the room making sure to close the door behind her. She moved to stand next to Aarin's chair, folding her arms lightly over her chest as she kept her eyes fixed on Odi. Listening to the two speak she stayed silent until the sprite confessed to not actually knowing that the sword would help her brother. "YOU HOPED?" She exploded angrily as her arms dropped to her sides, hands balling into fists. "So basically you were taking a chance? How often do you take a chance when it comes to my brothers life?" She continued taking a threatening step towards Odi. "I'm glad i'm staying now so I can keep an eye on you!"

Odi looked back at Aveda with brown eyes laced with irritation. "Actually, your brother can atest to the fact that I've saved his life countless times on chance alone. He's very lucky to have only lost his hand so far." she said lowly. "I dont think you quite understand what the life of piracy entails, Robin Hood. Survival on this ship is all about being able to calculate probabilities and take chances. We dont have anything else on this ship that could have helped Titus if that axeman's soul had managed to take him over completely. If it had fully possessed him, we would have had to KILL him. That sword was our ONLY chance, and I took it. Thank gods it worked out for the best." she scolded. "Do not dare believe that you're the only one who cares for your brother, Aveda. That would be a dangerous bet to make." She glared her down hard for a few moments before Aarin held up his hands and stepped in.

"Let's get back to the original topic here..." he said uneasily, not liking the tension between them. "You asked me if I knew what my sword could really do. Are you saying that after today, you do know?"

Odi peeled her eyes from Aveda to address Aarin properly, taking a deep breath. "I do not know for sure, but there is a way to find out, and to train you to use the sword to its fullest potential--as well as your own." she explained. "The fact of the matter remains that your uncle is far too powerful for us as we are now. You all need to train and acrue allies if you're going to fight him and reclaim your home. I know just the place, but getting the captain to take us there might be difficult. He wont invest in war." she said with a soft sigh. "Your wish is to free your family in exchange for the sword, correct?" Aarin blinked at her, but as he opened his mouth to ask how she knew that, she interrupted, "Voices carry on the wind, Aarin. I know more than you think."

Aveda growled in irritation at Odi then stepped back to where she had been standing beside Aarin. "So where is this place you speak of? And who are these amazing allies?" She asked in a unconvinced tone as she continued to frown at Odi. It was obvious she didn't trust the sprite.

Odi didnt even look at Aveda this time, but simply continued to address the prince. "The place you seek is my homeland, and the homeland of this ship and most of her crew. It is no place you find on land." she explained. "I will convince Titus to take us there so that you may train, but finding allies will be your own work."

Aarin thought about this a moment, then nodded firmly at Odi. "I know a couple of kingdoms we can call on. They are friends of my fathers from before I was born. I'm sure they'll help him again." He then paused. "But what about my family? Surely we'll go back and try to free them first?"

"Brother spoke of going to Layfette now and seeing what he could do for your family..shall I tell him that you are happy with that plan Aarin?" Aveda replied. "But if wants the sword as payment. How exactly are you going to train with it if Hook has it?"

Odi shook her head. "Either you wait to free your family until after the fight, or you can have the sword on loan for a different payment." she explained. "If you chose to free your family first, we can hide them in my homeland. My sisters told me of your mother's impending due date..." she frowned seriously.

"What else could be offered to my brother to allow the sword to be loaned out?" Aveda asked. She knew it would need to be something good for her brother to allow the sword to leave his possession. "Do we have any other magical artifacts?"

Odi held up a hand with a shake of her head. "You may not need another enchanted artifact for that. It may be something as simple as just working on the ship for a certain amount of time."

Aarin was staring at the floor, his hands fidgeting in his lap as he thought about his options. He felt stressed--far more stressed than any of his tutors had ever made him. He gulped. "I'll work on the ship for payment if I have to... But if he wants another enchanted artifact... I have just one in mind that should pay off all of my debts to him."

Aveda couldn't imagine how long Aarin would have to work on the ship to work off the debts but before she could voice he concerns about this she heard what he had to say. "Another enchanted artifact? What exactly is it?" She asked curiously. He had never mentioned anything to her about another object.

Aarin looked between Aveda and Odi, frowning slightly. "My great aunt Jollel's crystal ball." he said softly. "My grandmother has it back at the castle, but she never uses it..." He looked back at Odi, who seemed surprised. "What?"

Odi blinked a couple of times, then shook her head and gulped. "I just cannot believe you have her crystal ball. Jollel--just like she is for the other three sprites--is my mother. I was her first creation, and am the oldest of my sisters." she explained solemnly. "I felt her when she passed. I believe that crystal ball was supposed to be passed to me."

"So you want to give this crystal ball to Hook in exchange to pay for everything you need his help with but now it turns out it actually belongs to her?" Aveda motioned to Odi before sighing and finally moving to sit down. "This couldn't get any more complicated. So does this mean that you're not willing for Aarin to use it as payment?" She looked at Odi seriously.

"If I could interject..." Hook said as he leave on the door frame, looking in at them all, "seeming as this involves me". He stepped into the room with his arms folded, "I will grant your wish. Your payment will be to give that crystal ball to Odi." He said, looking to her, "it's all yours. But on the condition at you both stop being catty with each other" he said, looking between aveda and Odi, "peace and quiet will be payment enough for me." He sighed. He had wanted that sword, but he didnt want to upset Aveda and he wanted Odi to have what she was due.

Aarin spun around in surprise at the sound of Hook's voice, and he stood up, a little on edge about how much Hook had heard. Odi, however, looked as calm as ever, as if she'd seen or heard him coming. She looked up at Hook and frowned slightly. "That's not how it works, captain, and you know that. He wants a wish for one price, and a favor for another. He has too many debts stacked against him as it is." she said as she stood. "His sword for his wish... my mother's crystal ball for a trip to Neverland." she said seriously, watching his face. "They need a safe place to train and gather their forces against Reise."

Aveda had jumped slightly at Hook's voice and she turned quickly in her seat to look at him. She scowled slightly when he spoke of wanting her and Odi to get along before giving a small sigh and relaxing. If it would make him happy then she would try her best to get along with the sprite. But when Odi spoke up her mouth dropped open in surprise and she turned to look at the other woman. Crystal ball for a trip to Neverland? But that was her idea! Why should Aarin pay for it.. She thought in disbelief. Unless this is some kind of strange plan or something.. She watched Odi for a moment longer before turning back to Hook to see how he would answer.

Hook frowned at Odi, biting his lip. "Neverland. Really? Why? Isn't there any other place we can go instead? It's pretty much as far off course as we go, and you know I don't like going there" he sighed, rubbing his head, "There has to be somewhere else.."

Odi shook her head. "Neverland is untraceable, and you know it would be the safest place for them to prepare." she said firmly, standing up and walking to him, her movements slow, but with a controlled sway. She moved closer to him and looked up into his eyes. "If you can set his family free from their curse, we can hide them there and they would be completely safe. Besides, if Reise becomes too powerful, what's to stop him from taking your ship and everything on it? We cannot let him. This war is becoming our war more rapidly than we can fathom, Titus." she whispered.

Aveda glanced towards Aarin and raised an eyebrow. "Whats Neverland?" She mouthed silently then looked back towards Odi as she stood up and moved towards Hook. "I was always told it was rude to whisper in front of company.." She muttered quietly to herself before slumping back in her chair. "We need to come up with a plan quickly..time is incredibly valuable now." She spoke aloud.

"That is where you are wrong. This war is not our war. I will not wage a side, I am not a puppet ad neither is this ship" Hook frowned, looking back to Aarin and Aveda, "Let me be clear when I say your business here is as it states. Business. I am on no side in whatever is going on, you happened to get here first. If that guy you are running from had come here first, Ii would have given him the same demands as I do you and depending on his offer, at some point he may very well be. This is not a friendly sleepover ship where we make tea and hold hands and be friends forever" he frowned, looking back to Odi, "As for Neverland. I will think about it. Aveda, your initiation is in an hour, be ready." he frowned, turning and walking out of the room, heading back up onto the deck again with his arms folded, watching his men.

Odi watched Hook leave with a small frown on her face. She'd upset him. She turned back to Aarin and Aveda and said softly, "We're done talking now. All we can do is wait for his decision." she said softly. "Go see to the queen and the princess." she said dismissively, turning away.

Aarin frowned, watching her, feeling like he'd somehow ruined something. He turned and grabbed Aveda's hand, whispering, "C'mon, let's go." He didn't want to overstay his welcome in Odi's room. He pulled Aveda outside and sighed deeply, heading towards his old room where he'd left Raina and the queen. He knocked lightly and peeked inside, seeing Iswe with Ihara in her lap as well. He slid inside and smiled at them all as pleasantly as he could. "We're going to Layfette to try and save my family... then we'll find a safe place for you to hide." he told Raina and the queen, moving to sit down in front of them.

The elven queen gave a nod of thanks but Raina quickly stood up from where she sat and shook her head. "I don't want to hide, not anymore. I can help. I want to fight." The queen sighed and looked up at Raina. "You do not know how to fight, my child." She said, her voice tired. "I know I don't now..but these guys will teach me, won't you?" She turned to look at Aarin with a hopeful smile, her hands clasped together pleadingly.

Aveda moved to sit by the window, only half listening to the conversation. She was thinking about what her initiation could possibly be. I wonder if I will have to fight someone? Or maybe it will be a test of knowledge? Whatever it is, I am not worried that I could not do it. She thought for a moment longer before finally looking at the others in the room.

Aarin nodded at Raina with a smile of his own. "Yeah... I need training too, so we can train together and help each other learn." he smiled. "I'll push you to your very best if you do the same to me." He then held out his hand for her to shake. "Deal?"

Raina's eyes sparkled with excitement as she extended her hand until she gripped Aarin's and shook it firmly. "Deal!" She exclaimed. "No." The Queen spoke up and finally stood up moving to there side. "I am not going to lose you. I have already lost my husband and I do not know where my son is. You cannot get involved in this fight and you should not be encouraging her." She frowned at Aarin.

Iswe..you need to tell my mother who I am. Give her my crown. Ihara told the sprite as he watched his mother, Raina and Aarin. Maybe we can help convince her to allow Raina to help.

Iswe nodded and looked up at the queen and Raina and stood up, clearing her throat a little. She reached into the pouch on her belt and pulled the crown out, offering it to the queen gently. "Highness?" she asked meekly. "Ihara is here with us." She held the frog up in one hand for the queen to see. "Reise turned him into a toad." she explained sadly. "But he is here. You have not lost him."

The Queen turned to Iswe when she addressed her and her eyes widened when she saw the crown. Reaching out she took it carefully in her hands before looking back up at Iswe in confusion when she mentioned that her son was there with them. "This is my son?" She whispered in disbelief as she lookied down at the toad in her hand as Raina peered over her shoulder in awe. Placing the crown to one side, the queen held her hand out shakingly to Ihara who immediately stepped onto it. She studied the creature and gulped lightly when she saw its familiar deep hazel eyes and that it even had a scar on its shoulder in the same place her son had one when he had been struck by Scabbar's axe. "Ihara?" She whispered and he gave a small ribbiting noise in response. The queen gasped and glanced at Iswe in shock before looking back down at the toad. "You're always getting yourself into trouble." She smiled weakly. "Now how are we going to fix this?" She looked back up again at Iswe. "Can this be fixed?"

Iswe nodded, but it was Aarin who spoke up, moving to stand beside Iswe and the frog in the queen's hand. "Defeating my uncle will undo everything he has done. He has to be stopped." he said firmly, but respectfully to the queen, glancing at Raina. "We would stand a better chance of defeating him with the Elves as allies. I know Cuole is not your only territory... your kingdom branches out in all directions. Please, your highness... can Layfette--and my entrapped family--count on your aid?"

The Queen listened intently as Aarin spoke then looked back down at Ihara who sat looking back up at her from where he sat on her hand. Her gaze suddenly became more determined and she turned back to Aarin after passing the toad back to Iswe. "The elves are usually peaceful people but for the crimes that Reise has committed against us and all the other Kingdoms, we will fight." She nodded as if confirming her words. "My best fighters will be yours..just make sure you bring an end to your uncle and his evil ways."

"So..does that mean I can fight?" Raina asked hopefully as she stepped closer to her mother and Aarin.

The Queen watched her for a moment then gave a small nod. "If you really wish to do so then I cannot stop you. But I am unsure that there are any capable of helping you train.."

"Because i'm from the dragon tribe?"

The Queen's eyes widened slightly as she heard Raina say this. "How do you know that?"

"Reise mentioned something..he wanted me to fight for him because of it. I didn't want to but he threatened to kill everyone in Cuole." Raina replied sadly, still unable to stop herself feeling guilty about Cuole. It was her fault he had got in.

The Queen's gaze hardened. "Then its settled. He dared to try and make you fight for him..now go against him. Show him what you can truely be." She looked back at Aarin and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Do you really think you can help her train? She has powers that have not been seen for many years."

Aarin smiled confidently at the queen and nodded once firmly. "I can do it." he said and then looked between them both. "I've done a lot of research about the Dragon Tribe and the powers they possessed. My family's library in the castle is the only place any literature on their tribe can be found now. I grew up reading those books." He shrugged as if this was no big deal, then smiled at Raina. "I can even remember most of the pages. It would also help to just keep an open mind and be prepared for anything." he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I think we can do it. All we need is a place to do it in secret so my uncle cannot infiltrate us... and if things work out in our favor, that'll be in Neverland." he said, glancing at Aveda.

Aveda smiled and nodded before having to stifle a laugh when Raina suddenly threw her arms round Aarin's neck and hugged him tightly. "thank you!" She exclaimed as Aveda pushed herself up to stand and moved over to them. "Raina please release the prince." The queen said with a small smile from where she stood beside Iswe. Raina laughed and let go of Aarin. "Sorry."

Aarin was blushing deeply, his blue eyes wide as his face was a clear expression of shock. That was the first time a girl other than his mother had ever hugged him. He coughed slightly and stepped back, mumbling an apology as well and looking at the ground modestly. He glanced at Aveda and then nodded at Raina and the queen. "I'll leave you all to rest then." he said, nodding at Iswe and Ihara as well.

Raina giggled slightly at Aarin's obvious embarrassment as she moved to stand next to her mother. Aveda grabbed his hand and after bidding farewell to those in the room pulled him from the room to save him from anymore humiliation. "I think you've got an admirer." She teased him lightly after closing the door and smirking at him before laughing.

Aarin was still a clear mess as he fixed his clothes bashfully and kept his face down, willing the blush to go away. "Y-you think so..?" he asked softly, then coughed and shook his head. "No... She's just grateful." He ran a hand through his hair nervously, and glanced at Aveda with a small frown. "Right then, moving on. You have an initiation to get to."

"I was only joking with you, Aarin. That girl is probably older than your mother." Aveda said as she continued to grin at him before nodding when he spoke of her initiation. "I guess I should get up on deck then." She replied as she quickly fixed her shirt before looking at him as she ran her fingers through her hair. "Do I look okay? Do you think the crew will like me?" She asked sounding a little panicked.

Aarin looked her up and down and then gave a small scowl. "You sound like you're preparing to court them." he grumbled, folding his arms. "You look fine. Just go do this thing." he shrugged. He wouldn't admit that he was a little sour about her staying on the ship. He had been hoping she'd stay at the castle as per his offer before. But he supposed they weren't really friends, even after all that they'd been through already. They were just partners in his uncle's downfall.

Aveda gaped slightly at Aarin's scowl then blushed slightly when he mumbled that she wasn't going to court the crew. "I know that, I just want to fit in. This is my first chance to try and fit in somewhere and not have to worry about moving on in a year or so when people start to notice I'm not aging." She frowned slightly at him, unable to understand why he was suddenly acting like this. "Nevermind." She muttered then turned towards the stairs that led up onto the deck, but paused on the bottom step and turned back to look at him. "Can you give me any reason I shouldn't do this?" She asked seriously as she watched him carefully.

Aarin watched her closely, his face full of concern, anxiety, confusion, betrayal, and just hopelessness. He gulped and his heart fluttered a little, his head giving a pound behind his eyes. He hesitated, opening his mouth, and then closing it again, seeming lost for words. He shifted on his feet, his eyes going to the floor. Even if he said something, asked her not to go through with this... what chance would he have that she'd oblige him? None. There was no chance. He coughed and rubbed his arm awkwardly, his eyes down. "No." he lied, his cheeks pinked with shame. "This is what you wanted... This is what you've been searching for, right? Your brother... and a place where you can belong. You found it." He glanced at her sadly, then turned and headed on down the hall towards his room. "I'll be rooting for you. Good luck." he mumbled.

Aveda watched Aarin's flurry of emotions and the way he shifted uncomfortably on his feet, her breath held as she expected him to say something because of the way he acted. But when he told her he had no reasons and that she should do it, her eyes widened slightly in surprise. "T-thanks.." She stuttered as he walked away, her stomach jolting a little at how sad he looked. What's wrong with me? I'm so happy to have found my brother and I want to be with him but.. Her thoughts tailed off before she suddenly gasped. "..but I want to be with Aarin too." She whispered, sounding shocked, unable to understand why she felt this way. Biting her lip, she glanced down the hall where the prince had gone and then up the stairs to where her brother was waiting. Shaking her head quickly, she began to climb up the stairs. "You're just being silly. This is what I've wanted for so long; to finally be with my brother." But as she said this she couldn't help but glance over her shoulder to where Aarin had stood before. As she reached the top of the stairs she took a deep breath and placed a smile on her face before stepping out onto the deck in search of Hook.

Hook stood at the ships edge, looking over his shoulder to Aveda with a small grin. The deck was swarming with every man and woman who worked the ship, all watching her and going silent as Hook stood up on the wood railing, holding onto a rope, "Aveda. Come" he nodded, waving her over. He looked around for Odi, trying to find her in the crowd. She would be here, he knew. She was the key to their initiation. He moved to put a foot on the plank, moving his eyes to Aveda with a small grin and a tilted head.

Aveda took a deep breath and with one last quick glance at the stairway behind her stepped forward, making her way through the crowd until she reached her brother. "I didn't think everyone from the ship would be here.." She whispered with a small smile as she looked up at him. "Now I have to prepare myself for complete humiliation if I fail.." She looked at the plank curiously then back up at Hook. "What exactly am I going to have to do anyway?"

Hook chuckled, reaching to place his hand on her shoulder, "You are going to be fine. You will not fail" he winked, "You, my dear, are going going to walk the plank" he said, holding the rope out, "Put your hands behind your back"

"W-walk the plank?" Aveda stuttered as she leant over the rail of the side of the ship to look at the clouds and nothingness below. "Ok..I trust you." She gulped lightly then climbed up next to Hook before turning her back to him, her hands clasped behind her back as he had instructed.

Odi was watching, strolling through the many crew members of the ship, her brown eyes locked on Aveda. She was far more trusting of her brother than anyone else had been. She impressed Odi. She was wearing a new outfit now, changed out of the dirty mess that had been her red blouse and pants. Now she was in a feathery-light, sun-yellow gown that dropped off her thin shoulders into belled sleeves and brushed the tops of her feet in a long skirt. Her face and hairless head were painted with white paint now, in long, round swirls that haloed her eyes, ears, and left trails around the crown of her skull. She floated, her feet never touching the floor, to stand near where Hook and Aveda were, but being discreet in her movements. She knew Hook would see her, but Aveda would not.

Hook smiled when he felt Odi beside him, tilting his head a little to smirk at her before he reached to tie Aveda's hands, just as tight as he did all the others. "If you Jump and Live, you will be a member of this ship, with your own job and room and wish, If you do not jump, you will be gutted on our deck and if you jump and die...well I am awfully sorry about that" he said, obviously quoting what he had said many times before. He smiled at her nodding to the plank hoping she would trust him enough to know he would never harm her. He knew Odi was there and he also knew she would thrust Aveda back up once she got to the clouds and have her land in the net above them. He trusted her. "Walk and jump!"

Aveda listened to him speak, wriggling her fingers slightly to see if she could loosen the rope before turning and nodding to Hook. "Understood." She replied trying to mask the nervous feeling that was overtaking her. I'm about to step off the side of the ship..I must be mad. she thought as she slowly stepped to the edge of the plank and peered over. "Well here goes nothing." With that said she took a deep breath then closed her eyes and stepped forwards off the plank and down towards the earth below.

Odi let Aveda's drop last only a few short moments, everyone on the ship crowding behind her as she leaned over to watch her slender form be eaten by the clouds below. She glanced at Hook, then suddenly pulled herself onto the railing, leaping off after her with a sort of practiced grace. She fell with her arms and legs spread, her gown flowing around her. She'd never actually jumped off after someone before... She kept her eyes on Aveda as she quickly caught up to her, and then fell passed her until she was just beneath her. She rolled to fall on her back, staring up at Aveda's closed eyes. "If you hurt him, I'll kill you." she said just loud enough to be heard over the roar of the wind around them. She didnt give Aveda the chance or satisfaction of responding, and opened her hands and arms wide. Suddenly they were both engulfed in a wild typhoon of strong winds, tumbling them about and back up into the sky to where the ship waited. Within moments, they both landed safely in the giant net hung amongst the sails. She rhythmically reached out once the winds had died, and cut Aveda's hands free before offering the rope to her to keep. "Congratulations." she said dryly, watching her.

Aveda's eyes snapped open at the sound of Odi's voice in the clouds but before she could respond she was being thrown back upwards until she landed in the ships net. Pulling her arms back round to herself once she had been cut free, she gave her wrists a rub before looking up at the sprite with an unhappy frown. She snatched the rope from her. "Thank you." She replied automatically but there was no gratitude in her voice. She didn't appreciate Odi's threat. She was Hooks sister, how could she ever hurt him? She glared at Odi a moment longer before turning and rolling from the net, stumbling slightly when she hit the deck. Looking round for Hook she smiled weakly as she gripped the rope. "Well did I pass?"

Everyone stared at them both in awe as Odi slid off of the net after her, floating delicately back to the planks that made up the ship's deck. Then everyone cheered. They clapped, hooted at Aveda and surrounded her, patting her on the back and congratulating her left and right. Odi wordlessly locked eyes with Hook, then disappeared below deck to tell the cook to prepare a feast for Aveda's new membership.

Hook chuckled at Aveda, tilting his head and shrugging, "Well you lived I guess thats as good as anything" he winked, leaning to kiss her cheek, "Welcome aboard. Come. Its party time" he said, turning to the rest of the men, "Boys! Party time, drop your brooms and lets get the ale out, shall we?" he smiled.

There was another thunderous boom of cheers before the men hurried about to put their tools of the trade away. Cook was already making delicious food, with Sein helping him, and soon Idre and Iswe were helping out as well. Aarin could hear the commotion all over the ship, but he stayed in his room, giving a soft, disappointed sigh as he ran his fingertips along the blade and hilt of his grandmother's sword, caressing it preciously. His brows furrowed. "What secrets do you hold...?" he asked it in a breath, then sighed again and laid back on his cot, his pillow over his face.

"Th-thank you! It was nothing..really. Thanks!" Aveda found herself saying over and over again as she was spun and twirled in every direction by the ships crew as they congratulated and patted her on the back. Finally she stopped when Hook joined her side and kissed her cheek and she couldn't help but grin when he told the crew it was time to stop working and celebrate and even found herself joining in their cheers, her earlier annoyance at Odi quickly forgotten. "I haven't been to a party in..I can't even remember!" She exclaimed with a laugh as she stood next to Hook, watching others around her hurry about to get things ready. She spotted Iswe and Idre helping too and her eyes quickly began to scan the crowds, expecting to see Aarin close by them. Her heart sank slightly when she could not see him and her grip tightened on the rope in her hands. "I'll just be one moment.." She told her brother then took off, dodging and pushing her way through the crowd until she reached the two sprites. "Is the prince not going to be coming to the party?" She asked them in as casual a tone as she could manage.

Idre and Iswe both looked at her, then at one another. Iswe was in the midst of pouring ale into mugs and passing them around for everyone, and Idre was helping Sein serve food. Iswe looked at Aveda and shook her head. "I haven't seen him since our little talk with the queen and Raina." she explained, keeping one hand on Ihara as she worked to make sure he wouldn't fall off her shoulder. "Perhaps he's in his room?" she suggested.

"Perhaps.." Aveda replied looking a little downhearted before quickly glancing up when she heard footsteps coming from the stairs to the living quarters below. She looked away though with a small sigh when it was only the Elven Queen and Raina emerge to join the festivities. "He probably just wants to be alone..and as a prince he's probably used to much grander affairs than this. Why would he trouble himself with attending such a small party as this? It obviously holds no importance to him." Aveda replied with as best a smile as she could manage as she shrugged her shoulders lightly.

The Elven Queen moved smoothly through the crowds with Raina practically hopping along behind her excitedly. She had never been to such a gathering. Finally they stopped when they stood before Hook and the Queen bowed her head respectfully. "I am to believe you are the captain of this vessel?" She asked but did not wait for an answer. "I wish to offer you my thanks for allowing myself and my daughter safe passage on your ship. I do not know what would have become of us if you had not been there. You will always be welcome in Cuole."

"Oh, sweetheart, I doubt all that." Idre said to Aveda, seeming to clue in on her disappointment. She put a hand on her shoulder and turned her towards the stairs. "Aarin has never been a fan of celebrations and balls, actually, not even the grand affairs back home. In fact, the baby shower was the first celebration he was going to attend willingly." she explained with a small smile. "He didn't even like to go to his own birthday balls." She chuckled and shook her head, then nudged Aveda towards the stairs. "But I'm sure if you were to ask him... he might consider coming to this one..."

"No!..I can't go down there, I mean if he really wanted to come he would be here right? He shouldn't have to be forced. And anyway..it wouldn't be right for me to leave my own party." Aveda replied quickly, looking over her shoulder at Idre as she nudged her towards the stairs. "I should go back to my brother..I mean Captain Hook. His Highness can stay in his room if he so wishes it."

Idre and Iswe shared a knowing glance, then Idre shrugged and let Aveda go. "Suit yourself." she said simply, turning and going back to the work she'd been doing with her sister, getting everyone food and ale. Somewhere on deck, instruments had been pulled out, and a jaunty tune was playing, harmonized with dozens of loud voices singing the words.

Aveda frowned lightly as she watched the spites return to their work then with a final glance towards the stairs turned and wandered back to where she had left Hook. She paused next to him, when she saw the Elven Queen and Raina already with him and stayed silent so he could respond to their gratitude.

"What a strange girl.." Sein mouthed silently to her sisters as she watched Aveda quickly wonder off. She wiped her hands on a rag then tucked a fiery red curl behind her ear. "I will go see to Aarin..take him some supper and see that he is alright. You two stay here." She picked up a small platter of food and grabbed a mug of ale then wandered down the stairs to the living quarters below. Once she reached the prince's room she kicked the door lightly with the toe of her boot, unable to knock as her hands were full or call out to him to open the door.

Hook smirked at the queen a little before he gave her a nod. He was quite used to being around Royals, they didnt unnerve him, "I will not lie to you and say that I did it out of the goodness of my own heart. It was business, but all the same I am glad we were of service" he smiled, "We are having a party, im sure you will stay and enjoy our ales and wines?"

"I shall pass on the invitation, this has been a long and tiresome day and I would rather retire to my room for the remainder of the night, but thank you." The Queen replied politely before looking at Raina. "You may stay if you wish, just be careful." She told her and Raina nodded quickly, unable to hide her excited grin. The Queen nodded once more at Hook then turned and made her way back the way she came leaving Raina with Hook and Aveda. Once the Queen had departed Aveda stepped properly up to Hook's side, watching as Raina distracted herself with the singing and dancing around her. "This is quite the party Captain." Aveda commented with a small smile as she clasped her hands behind her back.

"Aye she is" Hook smirked, moving to nudge her, "I told you you would do fine, didnt I? You are at the unfair advantage of knowing me and how I wouldnt let you down. Many a man has coward out of that" he nodded, "So what will your wish be, recruit?"

"I'll admit I was a little nervous about what you were asking me to do but as my brother I knew you wouldn't really do anything to harm me..I hope." Aveda replied playfully as she glanced at him sideways. though I'm pretty sure if Odi had had her way she would have allowed me to fall.. she thought and couldn't help but shudder at the image. When Hook mentioned her wish she frowned slightly and began twisting the rope between her fingers. "I think I want to wait a little to use it.." She replied as she looked over to where the sprites were still working. "I think..when all this business with Reise is over I want to use my wish on the prince." she looked back at Hook. "I want him to forget he ever met me. He should go back to remembering Robin Hood the way he used to.."

Hook frowned a little, tilting his head at her, "Are you sure? I thought you like that kid?" he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, "Come on, what is it? Lovers tiff?" he asked with a smirk. He kissed her forehead and then dragged her to the drinks table, handing her a tumblr of ale and taking one for himself.

Aveda's cheeks turned red from embarrassment. "It is not a lovers tiff.." She muttered moodily as she shrugged his arm off from round her shoulders and took the ale from him. She took a large swig then wiped a few stray drips from her lips. "I just thought it was best he forgot me..don't want to leave him sad and missing me." She joked with a small smile then took another drink. "I should go and get him..he should be enjoying this party too." She continued as she set her tumbler to the side. "You know..we don't want him sulking in his room all night." She added quickly trying to disguise any hint that it was in fact that she just wanted him to be there. "Plus i'm sure there are others who would like to share your company tonight and not just me..don't want the other crew members to feel left out now do we?" She grinned. "So can I be excused Captain?"

Hook smirked at her, shaking his head and taking a gulp of his ale, "You are going to have to be a better liar if you want to be a pirate, sister" he smiled, leaning in to kiss her head, "Go, have fun." he said, walking a little way to his larger captains chair that was sitting at the head of the room. He slumped down on it, putting his feet up and sipping at his beer, watching the room silently.

"I won't be long I promise." Aveda replied then couldn't help but chuckle as she watched Hook seat himself almost regally upon his chair. Being a captain definitely does suit him. She thought with a small smile. "And when I get back you better save me a dance!" She exclaimed before giving an exaggerated bow to him then turned and hurried towards the stairs that led down to the living quarters. She paused outside Aarin's door then raised a hand and knocked it gently.

Aarin peeked out from under the pillow over his face, curious as to who was knocking on his door when everyone was up at the party. He rolled off his cot and shuffled to it, opening it gently, and frowned when he saw Aveda. "What are you doing here..? You're missing your celebration." he said softly.

"I came to see why you weren't up there celebrating with us?" Aveda replied as she watched him. "You already missed the best part. I had my hands tied behind my back.." She held up the rope that she still gripped tightly in her hand. "..and then I was made to walk straight off the side of the ship. But I came flying right back up and landed in the nets..of course with a little help from Odi." She smiled trying to lighten Aarin's mood. "There's food and ale and music..its going to be a lot of fun. You should join us!"

Aarin listened to her and gave a faint smile at her story. He was rather sad that he'd passed up watching her initiation. His smile fell however, and he shook his head. "I don't like parties. Besides, i don't know anyone else up there who would enjoy my company right now. " he mumbled. "I'm better off in here. "

"Do you think I would have come all the way down here if I did not want you at my celebration?" Aveda asked with a raised eyebrow before grinning. "Come on prince! How many people can say they have partied with the infamous siblings Captain Hook and Robin Hood?" She chuckled lightly. "So what do you say are you going to come up or stay here?"

Aarin seemed to consider it, then said stubbornly, "I'll only come up there on the condition that you use the dance skills I taught you... with me. Just one dance. Promise me that, and I will go up there." he said firmly, his blue eyes locked on hers.

"Dance? With you?" Aveda seemed to take a moment to consider his words then suddenly gave a sharp and determined nod. "Fine.. but you have to stop frowning and actually try to enjoy yourself, got it?" She finally smiled then held her hand out to him. "Have we got a deal?"

Aarin reached out and took her hand, smiling again softly and stepping out of his room. He glanced back at his grandmother's sword on his bed, and bit his lip, feeling a yearning to take it with him. He ignored those feelings though and followed Aveda back up to the deck of the ship where everyone was singing, laughing, drinking and eating.

Aveda led the way to where the drinks sat then grabbed two mugs of ale before handing one to Aarin. "You said you've never tried ale before..well here you go!" She grinned then took a large drink from her own cup. "Just don't tell your parents." She chuckled lightly then waited for him to try the drink.

Aarin looked down into the mug suspiciously, swirling the foamy, caramel-brown liquor. He sniffed it, studied it some more, then lifted it to his lips. Very gingerly, he tipped the mug and took a small swig, letting it sit on his tongue for only a few moments before he reeled back. He made a face, his nose and eyes scrunched, and he shook his head but forced himself to swallow what was in his mouth. "Ugh! That is foul!" he yelped, wiping his lips with his sleeve. "How can you drink this?"

"Well, it's not the best, but we do what we can with what we have." came Odi's clear, authoritative voice from beside them. Aarin jumped a little in surprise at her sudden appearance, and she gave him the barest of smiles. "You will get used to it if you drink it more often." She watched him as he took another, reluctant drink. She glanced towards Raina and where she was surrounded by a few large men, all of them singing, and she sighed lightly. "I just came to tell you that we will hit your kingdom of Layfette by the evening sun tomorrow." she told Aarin formally. "The captain will try to deliver on your wish to free your family, then we will head to the Neverland."

Aarin listened closely, his face determined, and then nodded. "Thank you."

Odi gave a small nod in return. "Enjoy your evening." This was directed at Aarin, and less at Aveda. She turned and glided between the people on deck to Hook's side, her ebony hand reaching out and brushing against the sleeve of his shoulder, her brown eyes locking with his briefly, seductively.

Aveda couldn't help but stick her tongue out childishly at Odi as she left before turning back to Aarin. "I think it is safe to say she and I will never be friends." She said unhappily before draining the rest of her ale and slamming the mug down on the table making a few people round her jump in surprise. "But at least she had good news for you..your family might be free tomorrow? Thats good." She patted Aarin's shoulder then looked over to where Raina was standing with the pirates, trying her hardest to sing along with them. "Should we go rescue her?"

Aarin looked over at Raina as well and gave a small laugh. He set his mug down a bit gentler than she had and nodded. "Yes, I suppose we should." He smiled at Aveda, then pushed his way between the huskier, dirtier bodies on the ship towards the Elf princess. "Raina!" he laughed above the voices.

"Hi!" Raina exclaimed with a grin when she turned to face Aarin and Aveda. "They're teaching me pirate songs! And look!" She quickly held up a mug of ale which sloshed over the sides and onto the floor. "Ale! Its absolutely revolting!" She laughed loudly causing Aveda to laugh as well then quickly move to remove the mug from her hand.

"I think you've had enough ale for tonight princess." Aveda told her then turned to set the cup aside but froze when her eyes fell on Hook and Odi and at how close they were. Are they together?

"Its good to see that you decided to come to the celebration." Raina continued saying to Aarin after briefly pouting that Aveda had taken her cup from her. "Now all we need is some dancing and this party is complete!"

Aarin laughed and nodded in agreement. "I will dance with you, princess!" He grabbed her hand and spun her smoothly in a wide arc before pulling her against him. The other men around them watched, ooh-ed and ah-ed, and then cheered. The band picked up a faster tune and Aarin began to spin her around to keep with the beat, all the while smiling and laughing. He then suddenly reached out and grabbed Aveda's hand, pulling her into the dance as well.

Aveda had almost given a small sigh of relief when it seemed her brother was moving away from Odi, leaving her alone at his chair. She looked back in time to see Aarin suddenly reach for her and pull her into the dance. Raina laughed again then suddenly pulled herself free from the dance leaving Aarin and Aveda together, grinning at them both before turning and beginning to dance with another who offered her his arm. Aveda couldn't help but laugh at the fast pace of the dance, gripping Aarin's hands as they spun to the music. "Are you having fun?" She asked him.

"I am now." Aarin called to her above the music, smiling at her as he admired her. She moved gracefully... like she'd known how to dance all along. She was happy, and he liked seeing that on her face. He spun her around one more time, then pulled her closer against him. The pace of the song suddenly changed, and it was slower and softer. A ballad. He moved instantly, putting a hand on her hip, holding her other one aloft, just as he had done when he had taught her how to waltz. "Ready to show off?" he asked softly.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Aveda whispered back as she placed her other hand lightly on his shoulder. A part of her was now happy her brother had left the celebration. I can just imagine the teasing Titus would do if he saw me in like this. She thought feeling a little embarrassed before smiling nervously at Aarin. "Lets just hope I don't tread on your toes this time." She whispered again as Sein caught sight of them and quickly nudged her sisters to draw attention to their dancing.

Idre and Iswe both paused in their duties, Iswe cradling Ihara in both hands, and they turned to watch. They both smiled widely, and Iswe looked down at Ihara lovingly. "How sweet..." she said softly, and a bit sadly. She wished she could hold Ihara in her arms as a man and dance with him as well. Instead, she did the next best thing: just as Aarin was pulling Aveda into the waltz, she moved onto the open floor as well, hugging the toad to her chest and moving slowly to the music, swaying with him. "I'm so sorry, Ihara... for everything. For working so much, for losing contact with you for so long... for you being a frog.." She giggled at the last part, her eyes soft on him. "When you're human again, it will all change, I promise."

"I am just as much to blame as you are. I should have taken the time to come and visit you in Layfette and stopped putting my duties before you and my happiness." Ihara replied as he looked up at Iswe sadly. "But I promise, if I can free myself of this curse, then it will all change. I will never leave your side again." He continued seriously as Sein just smiled sadly at Idre before quickly turning and moving away, wiping her eyes as she did.

Idre leaned against a wooden keg, watching them as they all danced. She glanced at her sister Sein and recalled that Eon was not there, and her heart fell. She knew Sein would give anything to be dancing with him right then. They had been talking about children, after all. She reached out and put a sympathetic hand on her shoulder, but didn't say anything as she went back to watching them.

Aarin smiled. He smiled wider than he had done since he had learned how to build a fire and got it to light all by himself. And before that, the largest he'd smiled was when he'd realized that Robin Hood was in his castle and that he was her apprentice. There were so many more moments between those, and up until now. And they all involved her. "Aveda..." he started, then coughed awkwardly as they moved to the music.

Aveda had been concentrating on the steps of the dance and didn't properly look at Aarin until he spoke her name. When she looked at him she smiled brightly in response to his own smile, fixing her mismatched-coloured eyes on his. "Yes?"

"Aveda, I--" Aarin started, then sighed in defeat. What was he trying to say? What should he say here? He blushed deeply. "Aveda," he started again more firmly. He felt like he was drowning, even though his face was on fire. "I'll miss you." he said finally, settling for those few simple words, instead of what he'd actually meant. He looked her in the eyes, then suddenly leaned in with a burst of confidence, and pressed his lips to hers. There was a heart-pounding moment of still silence around them, then the pirates around them began to hoot and holler at them.

Aveda had tilted her head as she listened to him struggle to find the right words then smiled sadly when he confessed that he would miss her. She looked at the ground a moment tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll mi.." She began to say in reply as she looked back at him but her words were stopped when he suddenly moved to kiss her. Her eyes widened in shock but she didn't move. Finally when it broke and the cheering erupted around them she couldn't help but blush crimson then smiled bashfully at Aarin. "that wasn't part of the dance we practiced." She said jokingly before suddenly wrappingt her arms round him and hugging him tightly.

Aarin was shocked, to say the least. Not only at his own bravery, but also at her gentle reaction. He had half expected her to slug him in the face for that stunt. He hugged her back tightly, gratefully, and smiled as well. He was so relieved. He held her tightly for only a few moments as the ship's crew cheered and clapped, then the rucus died down and he pulled back to look at her. He suddenly decided he didnt want to be at this party anymore, not because he wasnt enjoying it, but because he wanted Aveda to himself now. But he wouldnt pull her from the celebration. Instead, he held her closer than before, and led her into another dance.

Aveda allowed Aarin to steer her into another dance, placing her hand lightly on his shoulder again as she smiled up at him. "So does this mean you are going to join us on the ship now? I'm sure Hook would allow you to take the initiation. You could be a pirate instead of a prince."

Aarin gave Aveda a crooked smile and shrugged. "Maybe... I havent thought about it. But i need to focus on saving my family first. Then I'll consider my other options." he said softly, watching her face as they danced. He still couldnt believe it: Robin Hood was his first kiss.

"Of course your family. We must help them first." Aveda replied with a nod before chuckling softly. "I wonder what they'll make of me?" She laughed again then finally pulled herself free from him then took his hand and pulled him over to the rail at the side of the ship, grabbing them each a mug of ale as she moved. When she had handed Aarin's his she hopped up to sit on the rail, smiling up at the stars as she did. "Things have changed so much in only a few days. I mean less than a week ago you thought I was a man! And I would not have taken so kindly to that kiss." She laughed again.

Aarin laughed too, looking up at her almost dreamily. Her blonde hair shimmered in the starlight and the pale shine of the quarter moon. He sipped absent-mindedly at his ale as he was hypnotized by her, then seemed to remember what was in his mug the instant it touched his tongue. His face scrunched up in disgust, but he found it easier to drink this time. He set his mug aside and said softly, "I'm just glad I didn't get punched." He tilted his head at her. "Would you be opposed to another?"

---

"Odi.." Hook smiled, turning to look at her with a smile. He was already two large tankards of ale down and was beginning to get a little tipsy. He reached to place his hand on hers, running his thumb over her fingers and smiling up at her, "Tell me, my ebony diamond..." he said, standing suddenly and kneeling on his chair, leaning in to her with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, "What is your issue with my sister?" he asked, tilting his head, "I dont take offense to it, you ladies can hate each other if you want, I am just interested" he shrugged.

Odi held his gaze, turning her body to face him more rightly. She let their closeness linger, a smile in her eyes rather than on her lips. "You smell of ale." she said softly, their lips inches apart. She didn't seem willing to divulge any information to him about her feelings towards Aveda. "Do you really wish to enjoy your sister's celebration up here? Or would you prefer to enjoy your sister's celebration in my room?"

Hook chuckled, raising his hands in defense, "Okay okay, I wont push it now. But I will find out" he said, pointing a finger at her. He downed the rest of his Ale before setting it aside and standing off his chair, "I did promise you company, didnt I?" he asked, giving her a small wink, "I shall meet you on deck" he said against her lips before he turned, walking across the dance floor between a few of his men, shoving a few of them who were brawling playfully before he walked up the steps and onto the deck, taking in a breath of air.

Odi watched Hook walk away. She seemed only slightly confused. Her eyes roamed the crowds to make sure no one had seen them--no one had. Everyone else was too preoccupied with the party to pay them any mind. She moved through the bodies after her captain and up onto the deck where the steering column was, watching him as he breathed in deeply of the evening air. "Why the deck, my captain? Wouldn't you prefer somewhere more private?" She could hear the music below slowing and becoming softer, more of a slow-dance tune.

Hook chuckled with closed eyes before he turned to her, smiling and giving a shrug, "Well yes, Odi. You dont expect us to teleport to your chambers, do you?" he smirked, reaching to take her hand and pulling her to him. He gave a small chuckle, walking across the length of the ship and to the roomier side of the ship and walked up the small wooden steps to Odi's chambers that were just beside the door to his own. He leaned against the door frame then, tilting his head at her a little, "I would offer up my own room as usual but Aveda is staying with me until we find her a room, and that might be slightly awkward" he winked.

Odi gave him the barest of smiles, unlocking and opening her door to her small room, before wrapping her hand around his hook and leading him inside. The instant that the door was closed, she wrapped her arms around him, fusing their lips together and kissing him like she was starved for him. She began to slip herself out of her feathery-light dress, running her hands up into his hair once her arms were free of her sleeves. "Titus..."

Hook smirked against her lips, pulling her to him and backing her to the door, pressing her there, "Odi" he replied, leaning in to gently nip her lip, "Hearing you say my true name makes me feel a little like my old crooked self, I like it" he chuckled. He moved, leaning in to kiss and bite her neck softly, digging the end of his hook into the door and beginning to unbutton his own shirt.

Odi gave a soft moan against his lips, but before they could get too far out of their clothes, she stopped him and looked up at him. "Titus, I have news." she whispered before she kissed him again deeply. She had hoped hed be more drunk to receive it... but this would have to do.

"Mmm News..you say..." Hook said in between kissing her, "New is good...news is fine, whats the news?" he mumbled, quickly finishing the buttons on his shirt and letting it slide off his shoulders before he moved to kiss her neck again.

Craning her neck to give him more room, and closing her eyes breathlessly, Odi continued, "I'm pregnant, Titus." She waited for it to sink in for him, her motions ceasing with her hands resting on his biceps. Slowly, she pulled back to look up at him.

Hooks body tensed instantly and his hook scraped down the wood in the door it was latched into, making it crack. He breathed against her neck a little before he straightened. He stumbled back slightly, frowning a little and awkwardly tugging on his hook to free it. "Oh. Um.." he gulped, looking to his feet and coughing a little before he scratched his head with the tip of his hook, looking back at her, "...Congratulations?" he asked. He bit his lip hard. He wasn't sure what to say to that. "I mean..you are sure? Are you wanting to leave the ship?"

Hurt and disappointment were not emotions that Odi was accustomed to feeling, nor portraying. Her dark brows furrowed, and she undid the rest of her dress, letting it fall to reveal a small, but noticeable roundness in the front of her hips. "I'm sure." she said almost coldly. She then pulled her dress back on and buttoned it up, looking away in shame. "I am asking you what we should do. I can take herbs to end it... if you so wish. I can stay on the ship, if you so wish, or when we return to the Neverland I can... retire." The word seemed painful to say. She was having trouble looking at him. "I will not force you into this life, Titus. I just thought you should know."

Hook blinked widely, pointing his hook at her slowly, "wait, thats mine?!" he asked. He groaned, putting his head in his hand and giving a small pant. He suddenly had a headache, "I'm sorry" he mumbled. He looked back her, looking defeated, "I...I dunno, Odi, I cant make that decision for you. I can barely keep myself alive nevermind..." he paused, pointing at her again and going pale, "I-I am a captain. This place isnt even safe for a fully grown man who knows his way around a sword.." he gulped, moving to scratch the place between his eyebrows with his hook, "Fuckin' hell."

This time it was easier for Odi to look shocked and offended. "Of course it is yours! " she snapped, a gust of wind blowing against him suddenly. "You are the only one I have spent my evenings with for the last eight years! " She backed up a little from him, her brown eyes hardened. "I suppose I have my answer. We're done here. " she snarled lowly, then turned and headed out of her room.

Hook stumbled against her blast of wind, groaning when he steadied himself. He scooped to lift his shirt, pulling it over his arms and leaving it open before he dashed after her, taking her by the arm at the bottom of the steps, "Wait!" he frowned, "Look, I am sorry if I sounded offensive, its just..I mean we weren't exactly fucking official, Odi, how was I to know I was the only one, hm?" he whispered to her, not wanting any straggling deck hands to over hear. "What do you want from me? I dont know what to do, my mind is completely scrambled."

Odi resisted his grip only slightly, her eyes hard on him. She shook her head at him and scolded, "I want nothing from you but the same thing I've received for the entirety of my devoted service to you: honesty." She pulled her arm from his hand. "You may not have considered us official, Titus... but I had enough respect and admiration for you as a man not to want for anyone else."

"Well it's not like I have been spending my evenings with anyone else, I mean you are the only woman on this ship aside from my sister!" Hook frowned before he growled at himself angrily, clutching his hair in stress, "I didn't mean that to come out like that. I didn't mean if there was I wouldn't have spent it with you, I would. I mean I did. I mean I do!" he spluttered. He felt like he was having a heart attack. "I don't know what to do with this, Odi. I usually know exactly what to do about everything, but I don't have answers for this" he frowned, walking down the last few steps, "You should go back to your chambers and rest. I need more Ale. I will see you at sunrise" he nodded, folding his arms and looking to his feet.

Odi stayed silent. She didn't want to go back to her chambers to rest, she didn't want them to end the discussion on the note that he needed more alcohol, and she certainly didn't want any special treatment. She was still the first mate, his right hand, and one of the strongest fighters on board the DreamCatcher. No baby was going to ruin that for her, or for him. She knew she had been dismissed though, so obediently she mumbled, "Captain," and turned on her heel, heading back into her quarters and locking the door.

Hook frowned, walking back over the deck and down the stairs again, stepping into the party again with his shirt still undone. he snatched a tankard off one of his men on the way passed, gulping the ale down and then throwing it away, watching it clink and shatter into bits of wood. He slumped down onto his chair, putting his feet up and grabbing another from the table beside him, looking to at the room as it quietened. He frowned, looking to the men with the fiddles and handheld drums, "Did I tell you to stop? PLAY!" he shouted, frowning deeply until they did and the noise of his men started again. He breathed hard, downing half of his ale before he burped, wiping his mouth. "Fuck."

Aveda pretended to look thoughtful for a moment, as if pondering whether she really wished him to kiss her again before smiling and pulling him towards her. "I guess another kiss wouldn't be that objectionable.." She told him then leaned forward and placed her lips to his for only a second before suddenly jumping at the sound of smashing glass and the shout from her brother when the band had stopped playing. Aveda pulled back from Aarin and peered over his shoulder to watch Hook slumped in his chair. "Somethings wrong.." She whispered then quickly hopped off the rail and after grabbing Aarins hand led the way to where her brother sat. "You wait here." She told the prince when they were a few steps from the captain then she left his side and hurried to Hook kneeling down beside his chair so she could look into his face. "what's wrong?" She asked him quietly looking concerned.

Hook gulped, shaking his head and moving his hand to rest on her head after balancing his tankard on his knee, "Nothing" he sighed, leaning back with a groan and closing his eyes, "Nothing a few liters of ale wont fix for a few hours." he mumbled. he took his hand back to grab his tankard, gulping down the rest of his ale and then throwing that one away too, reaching to the table for another with another burp, "Not here, little sparrow. Prying eyes. Are you enjoying your celebration?" he asked, looking back at her.

"It's perfect, thank you." Aveda replied but the look of concern did not leave her face. She watched him lift the second tankard but before he had lifted it to his lips she quickly moved and placed her hand over the top. "I think you've had enough for tonight brother." She said softly. "Maybe you should go and get some rest. We'll be landing in Layfette tomorrow and you promised Aarin you would try and help his family. I will help you back to your room if you like. You know how unsteady you are when you've been drinking. Don't want you falling overboard." She joked trying to make him smile.

Hook frowned at her a little angrily when she place her hand on his tankard, but it melted away quickly. He gave a grumble, looking away from her in a sulk like he did when they were kids. She was right. He had a lot of work to do in the morning and he didnt want to be clouded by a hangover. "Fine" he sighed, looking back at her and tugging his tankard closer, "But im finishing this" he said. He swatted her hand away and gulped the whole thing in a few seconds, setting it down and standing with a wobble.

Aveda chuckled as he swatted her hand away then stood up and brushed her knees off. "It's a good thing I found you. It seems you still can't take care of yourself." She smirked then quickly grabbed his arm when he wobbled unsteadily once he had stood up. "Careful!" She told him then wrapped his arm round her shoulders to help support him she glanced over at Aarin. "Can you help me?"

"I dont need help from your little boyfriend" Hook slurred, steadying himself and stepping down from his chair, "Im fine" he said, hiccuping a little and moving to look down at his still unbuttoned shirt, "Mmmm I am half ready for bed it seems" he mumbled, taking a step, "Say good night and come back with me, I need a hug" he pouted, shuffling to the steps and stumbling up onto the deck.

Aveda sighed as she watched him go then quickly moved to stand in front of Aarin looking apologetic. "I'm sorry..I really need to go with him. He needs my help. I'll see you in the morning." She smiled at him weakly then hurried after Hook but paused and looked back at Aarin. "Goodnight!" She called to him then carried on. She grabbed her brothers arm and pulled it round her shoulders again as she helped him towards his quarters. Once she had struggled on and finally pushed her way through the curtain to his room she dumped him on the bed. "I'll sleep on the couch tonight and I don't want any arguments about it." She told him with a small frown then turned and began fixing the blankets so he could get into bed. "So are you going to tell me whats caused this mood?"

Hook groaned as he fell on the bed on his side, sitting up again and reaching for her with his good hand. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him, resting his head on her shoulder, "No, dont sleep on the couch, sleep with me. I want a cuddle" he pouted, looking up at her childishly and tipping them sideways so they were laying. He curled up with her, wrapping his arms around her and sighing, "Like we used to when we were kids and you had a bad dream. Im here, its okay, I'll fight the monsters, I'll fight all 'em sons 'a bitches" he mumbled in a slur, closing his eyes. He stayed quiet for a bit then before he opened one eye and groaned, "I think I screwed up"

Aveda groaned when Hook grabbed her arm then tipped them onto the bed. "Yes Titus you can fight all the monsters." She told him with a sigh, allowing him to hold onto her. Something was obviously bothering him. When he spoke again she shifted slightly so she could look up at him. "Screwed up? I thought that was something you were usually good at?" She smiled lightly at her joke. "What have you done?"

"Mmmmm ha ha. Dont be a bitch, im fragile" Hook pouted, closing his eyes again sleepily and snuggling into her again, breathing deeply, "Mm. I made a person" he hiccuped, petting her head, "I didnt mean to but I did. Shhhh." he mumbled, "Secrets.."

"You made a person what?" Aveda replied slowly, thinking he had obviously not finished his sentence. "I don't understand..why is it a secret? Did you hurt someone? Did you wish something? Try and be a little clearer.." She asked patiently, feeling confused by his words.

"Mmm yeah..I think I hurt her. I-I dunno, its hard to tell, she doesn't show it" Hook mumbled, leaning to kiss her head and snuggling down again tiredly. "I didnt mean to make a whole person, it just happened. I can't be a Da, im a ruthless, murdering pirate.." he said in a mumble, huffing out a breath and being half asleep. He shook himself awake and then close his eyes again, taking her hand, "Mmmm this bed is soft. Please dont go away, I need you right here"

Aveda continued to listen in confusion until he said the word da. She froze in his arms and her eyes widened in shock. "Y-you're going to be a father?" She whispered in disbelief. "But who? I mean all of your crew are men.." She suddenly gasped when she remember Odi. "Titus! You wake up this instance..you understand me! You have some explaining to do!" She snapped as she began to struggle to get out of his arms and stand up.

Hook groaned as he slowly sat up and reached for her, "Dont go, come back" he frowned, sitting with his legs over the side of the bed. He looked up to her finally, watching her face and looking depressed. He hated feeling this weak and confused. "I really fucked up" he gulped, moving to put his head in his hand, closing his eyes with a small sniff, clearing his throat. "I dunno what to do, little sparrow"

Aveda had made to leave the room, furious of her brothers secret relationship with Odi, an enemy in her eyes but when he asked her not to go she paused and spun round to shout but stopped when she saw how lost he looked. Her brother was always so strong and always had a plan to hand so she didn't like seeing him like this. With a sigh she moved back to the bed and sat down grabbing his hand up in hers and squeezing it gently. "Why must you always upstage me? This was meant to be my night." She whispered then glanced at him with a small smile. "It will all be alright, I promise. Anyway who says you can't be a father and a pirate at the same time?"

"I do" Hook frowned, "I cant be someones Da, aveda" he swayed, laying his head on her shoulder and squeezing her hand, "I can barely keep myself alive never mind someone else who cant defend themselves" he sighed, shaking his head. He could feel himself sobering up when he talked like this. He didnt like it. He wanted to get wasted. "Besides, a pirate ship is too dangerous for a kid. Most times we dock for supplies we get ransacked and have to fight looters off. People die, I have lost a hand for hades sake! How can I keep that alive too among all that? This isnt the place for a kid. A-and I dont know what to do about it. Its freaking me out that its not even my choice, its hers. I dunno if she is keeping it and staying, or keeping it and leaving when we get to neverland, or getting rid of it altogether" he shrugged. "None of this makes any sense"

"I know I usually am good at thinking of the answers to problems but this..this is one I don't know what to tell you to do." Aveda replied as she continued to grip his hand. "But I do think you need to talk with Odi, you both need to come to a decision about what is best for everyone. And as much as I hate saying this..be kind to her. I'm sure she's just as worried and confused as you are." Aveda smiled lightly at Hook. "She obviously means something to you that you have been having relations with her and now she is carrying your child..you've basically got your own little family now." She gulped when she said this. And there will be no room for me..I will be alone again. She cleared her throat as if trying to push the emotions back then looked back at her brother. "I don't suppose you have any alcohol in here? Really think I could do with a drink now and you should go and see Odi.."

Hook shook his head quickly, still gripping to her hand as he looked to her, "I cant go and see her, not now. She is angry at me, I will wait until morning" he nodded, leaning in to kiss her cheek, "I cant be a da. This ship is too dangerous and I cant lose my ship. It is all I am. I just need time to think about it." he sighed, pulling her into a hug, "Please dont go? You are my little family, Aveda. You always have been.". He kissed her cheek then and slowly stood, being less wobbily than before, "Well that conversation certainly sobered me up. Stay with me. Lets have a glass of whiskey or something and you can tell me about your new boyfriend. Dont think I didnt see you just because I was angry when I came back. I see everything."

"He's not my boyfriend.." Aveda said looking embarrassed as she stood and moved to the couch to sit down. "I don't know what he is..i'm so confused." She sighed and rested her head back against the back of the couch. "He and I come from two very different worlds. I mean he's a prince Titus and one day will be king! And me? I'm nothing but a thief."

"That is not true" Hook frowned, moving to his chest of drawers and lifting two glasses, filling them half way with whiskey and handing her one. He sat beside her, sipping his own and then setting it on his knee so he could pet her head, "You are Robin Hood. You are the kindest person on this planet and you are worth a lot more than any royal" he said, pinching her cheek a little with a smile. "He is smitten with you. Aveda, I can smell it off him. Its a little sickening." he sighed, biting his lip, "What is it you want? Be truthful with me, no blushing and clamming up. I am your brother. I wont ever judge you. Be honest, what do you want?"

"I..I don't know!" Aveda whined as she sat up again, clutching her glass of whiskey. "I'm not used to this. I-I think I like him, I mean I didn't even hit him when he kissed me and that's a good sign right?" She took a small drink then looked at Hook. "I think we're both in trouble." She smiled weakly then drained the rest of her glass.

"We always did synchronize disasters" Hook smiled, tilting his head at her, "You should tell him you like him. I know its a risky think to do, but he wouldnt have made a move if he didnt expect you to make one back." he shrugged, "Otherwise you will both end up doing this careful dance forever and it will never go anywhere. Its better to be honest with him so you both know where you stand." he said, taking a sip of his whiskey, "Its not supposed to be easy, thats why its supposed to be worth it"

Aveda glanced at Hook and couldn't help but smile at him. "That sounded like some wise advice brother, not like you at all." She chuckled lightly then turned to face him properly. "Alright, i'll make you a deal. I'll speak to Aarin in the morning if you speak to Odi and discuss things with her properly, no going in with your mind already made up. I want you to stop thinking that you couldn't be a father, you raised me didn't you?" She raised an eyebrow at him and continued to smile. "So have we got a deal?"

Hook sighed, looking down into his glass, "You drive a hard bargain, sister" he said, downing t and setting it aside, "Fine. Deal." he nodded, moving to pull her into a hug and gently cupping her head with his hand, being careful so his hook wouldn't scrape her, "I love you, Aveda. Im so glad to have you back"

"I'm glad I finally found you. I missed you so much Titus." Aveda replied then hugged her brother tightly. "Just please..don't ever disappear again." She whispered with a sniff then finally leaned back, wiping her eyes. "Look what you made me do." She grumbled, but there was still a hint of a smile on her lips. "I think i'll try and get some rest now.."

"Yeah, me too." Hook nodded, leaning to kiss her cheek, "I wont go anywhere Aveda. I am sorry" he said, giving her a smile, "Go get in the bed, I am sober enough to sleep here" he nodded, grabbing her arm and gently pushing her off the couch, laying down, "We have a big day ahead of us"

"But hopefully it will be a good day." Aveda said as she grabbed his blanket from the night before and draped it over him in her usual motherly way before turning and moving to the bed and after kicking her boots off she crawled under the blankets and nestled down into the soft pillows. "Everything is going to work out just fine. I know it." She spoke softly before yawning lightly and closing her eyes. "Goodnight.." Was her final word then she drifted off into a deep and dream filled sleep.

---

Raina watched Aveda go then moved to stand next to Aarin looking at him with a small smile. "This was a wonderful celebration wasn't it? The best one I think I have ever been to." She said to him conversationally before her smile became more sympathetic. "I hear we're going to your home in Layfette tomorrow to help your family. I'm sure they'll be okay."

Aarin watched Aveda lead her brother away from the party, obviously disappointed. He was polite and turned his attention to Raina, however, and gavea grateful smile, but it was strained. "Thank you. I'm sure they will be too. I hope so." he whispered, looking down into his mug and swishing the contents slightly. "I'm glad we got to your kingdom when we did."

Raina nodded in agreement then suddenly frowned and began fidgeting with the sleeve of her dress as she stared at the ground, as her thoughts returned to her home. "It was all my fault..what happened in Cuole." She whispered then looked up at Aarin with tearful eyes. "I let Reise in without any questions. How could I be so foolish? Because of me people suffered and my father..." She gulped lightly unable to finish the sentence.

Aarin watched, listening to her, and seeing the pain in her eyes, he grabbed her hand, pulling her into a soothing hug. He felt kindred with her. She was the luckier one though... she still had her mother. "It wasnt your fault, Raina. Dont lie to yourself like that. My uncle is a horrid, foul, evil.... creature." He didnt deserve to be called a man anymore. "He tricked you. It wasnt your fault. He tricked me too."

Aarin watched, listening to her, and seeing the pain in her eyes, he grabbed her hand, pulling her into a soothing hug. He felt kindred with her. She was the luckier one though... she still had her mother. "It wasnt your fault, Raina. Dont lie to yourself like that. My uncle is a horrid, foul, evil.... creature." He didnt deserve to be called a man anymore. "He tricked you. It wasnt your fault. He tricked me too."

"But my guard warned me and I wouldn't listen and then Reise he..he killed him." Raina sniffed as she clung to Aarin. "How can I ever return there?" She wiped her eyes then looked at Aarin. "I'm sorry..this has just been such a long day..with everything that happened at home and meeting your uncle and finding out what I truly am. I had never even heard of the dragon tribe before today and now suddenly I am one of them..the only one!" She gulped lightly before giving a weak smile. "You said your home has books on the tribe. when we go there tomorrow can we fetch them too? I wish to read about my people.." She asked unaware of the terrible things her people did.

Aarin seemed to tense. "Well... They may still be there. I honestly don't know what sort of destruction my uncle might have done to my home while I've been gone." This wasn't a lie. He knew there was every possibility that it could have been burned to the ground by now. He shifted uneasily. "But if the library is still untouched there, I will let you research. Though I should warn you: you may not like what you find." he said gravely, his brows furrowed. "But Raina, I swear, we'll fix what my uncle has done to your family. My uncle uses black magic, and if being my grandmother's grandson has taught me anything, it's that all magic can be undone." He gave her hand a squeeze and a reassuring smile.

"So could we save my father?" Raina asked hopefully. "And all the guards?" She watched Aarin expectantly. "It could all go back the way it was before like Reise hadn't been been there?"

Aarin nodded. "I cant make promises... but there is always hope there. We can fix as much as possible." He squeezed her hand again. "But first, let's focus on getting back to Layfette, and then to that place Odi was talking about." he nodded. "We'll train to fight my uncle, and bring him down."

Raina gave a determined nod. "You're right. We'll train and we'll fight and we'll win. And then hopefully I can go home and you can go back to Layfette with your family." She smiled brightly before glancing round at those still standing around, wondering how long the celebration would continue now the Captain and Aveda had gone.

Sein stepped up to their sides and smiled at each of them in turn. "I think it is time you both retired to your rooms." She mouthed silently and Raina gave a small nod of agreement. After bidding farewell the princess turned and skipped off towards her quarters leaving Sein with Aarin. "Let me escort you to your room." She said watching Aarin.

Aarin let his eyes linger on Raina as she walked away, making sure none of the burley pirates grabbed for her as she passed. Once she was safely in her room, he looked at Sein and nodded with a grateful, tired smile. "Thank you, Sein." he whispered. He suddenly felt so guilty for all of the times he avoided her and Eon... she was a good person, and a good guardian, and he felt bad for being a little brat. "I'm so sorry about Eon. But we'll get him back."

Sein smiled weakly, her eyes full of pain at the mention of Eon but she gave a small nod in response to his words. "I know we will." She replied then carefully took his arm and began steering him towards the steps that led down towards the living quarters. "When you were down in Cuole..did you see him? Was he alright?" She mouthed the words slowly, knowing that without sound some people would find it hard to understand her.

"yes... I found him. But he ran from me. I dont know why, but i followed him and we were alone in a room... then Aveda came in and he got away. I lost him." Aarin explained, looking down at the ground solemnly. "i'm sorry. I should have tried harder." He sniffed. He missed Eon. He had been his closest friend.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Aarin. Eon is one of the fastest runners I know, if he didn't want you following him then theres nothing you could have done about it." Sein replied as she carried on walking until she stood outside his room. "I'm just relieved to know he is still alive." She released her grip on Aarins arm and pushed the door open then stepped inside. Moving round the room she gently blew on each of the candles situated inside, igniting a small flame atop them before turning and motioning for Aarin to come in. "I'm going to stay here tonight. Those pirates drank more than their fair share and I want to make sure none of them try and come down here and start any fights with you. They even think of it and they'll have me to deal with." Her eyes flashed red before she turned and moved to the chair by the window and sat down.

Aarin hesitated, having had a harder time understanding her lip motions that time, but when she sat down, he got the impression that she intended to stay the night. He gratefully smiled at her, then pulled himself out of his boots and vest, moving to sit on his cot, and pulling the embellished sword into his lap, tracing his finger over the augment slots in the blade. "What do you think these are for?" he asked her softly.

"I'm not really sure." Sein replied honestly before standing and moving over to bed to study the sword a little closer. "We can ask your grandmother tomorrow if all goes to plan. But for now bed." She held her hand out for him to give her the sword so she could guard it whilst he slept.

Aarin glanced at her hand, his hands tightening around his sword a bit protectively. He looked down at it, then slowly handed it over to her with both hands. He pulled his hands away quickly, like he was afraid something was about to happen. When nothing did, he relaxed and shifted to lay down, shuffling under his covers and curling up on his side. He eventually relaxed enough to fall asleep, his heavy eyes falling closed.



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