We had set up some tables and chairs in the ballroom. I had helped with that, much to Violet's chagrin. The Pirates looked very out of place amongst the white table cloths and fine golden candelabras. But they seemed very much at home. Leading me to the suspicion that Everard had been friends with Hook for a very long time.

The household staff had done a lovely job of cleaning up the west ballroom. That's right. The castle had two, the west and the east. I have no idea why you would need two ballrooms, let alone two on separate sides of the castle... oh well what do I know about magical architecture.

Anyhow, Everard's hackles seemed to be up. I couldn't put my finger on it but I knew it had something to do with Hook. Hook was gathering his things from the ship, and I needed to talk to Everard. It didn't take long for me to find him. He was talking to Violet about the seating as I came up to them.

"I'll get those right away your Majesty."

"Thank you Violet." He nodded to the seemingly empty space in front of him.

"Hello handsome." I chirped.

Everard beamed, showing off his pearly white fangs,"Belle! How are you?"

"Well to be honest I'm reeling." I smirked, grabbing onto his arm. 

"Oh? Why's that?" he frowned. 

"Princes don't seem the type to socialize with pirates."

Everard's arm tensed.

Everard cleared his throat and spoke with great care."In case you have forgotten my dear, I'm not much of a prince anymore. Besides, Hook wasn't always a pirate."

"He wasn't?" I pried.

Everard nodded and pulled his arm out of my grasp.

"Well what was he then?" I tried again. 

"It's really none of your business." he snapped, stalking off to talk to one of the pirates.

"Alrighty then."

I'm not going to deny it. It really hurt to be brushed off that way. I was kind of miffed...

I took a deep breath and wrapped my arms around my middle as I watched Hook walk into the ballroom. He caught me looking and gave a cheerful wave.

I smiled and waved back at him as he walked over to greet me.

"Hello Belle." He smiled, his Irish accent lilting and charming. 

"Captain." I smirked.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly. 

"Erm."

"Is Everard being Beastly again?" he asked crossing his arms over his chest. 

"Not beastly, snippy maybe." I huffed, blowing my bangs off my face. 

He chuckled. "Ah well, he can be like that some times...But enough about him, I want to hear all about you."

"Well for starters, I'm from earth. My father and I run a small antique shop in central London. "

"Ah, hence the accent."

"Precisely." I smiled. 

"Is it just you and your father?" he asked. 

"Yes, I'm an only child. My mother died when I was very young."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you."

He nodded at one of his men and turned back to me.

"I don't suppose you like dancing do you?" Hook asked. 

"I do actually. Although I'm not very good."

"I doubt that. I'm sure all you need is a strong leader."

I quirked my eyebrow at him.

"In fact, I was wondering if you'd do me the honor of saving a dance for me?" he asked with an over-dramatic bow. 

"I'd be delighted." I giggled.

"Uh oh, We've been spotted." he muttered. 

I didn't have to turn around to recognize the gloomy presence, as Everard sidled up to me.

"So are you going to tell me the good news or do I have to guess?" He fairly snarled, placing his arm around my waist. 

"Lighten up Everard. Relax, have a drink. Perhaps dance with your princess." He smirked cocking his head to the side. 

"I don't want to dance. I want answers." Everard clipped. 

"Well you'll just have to wait." Hook smiled. 

"Fine I'll be in my study when you finally want to be an adult!" 

We watched as Everard stalked out the grand doors, slamming them behind him.

My face was hot and I could feel my eyes burn. But there was no way I would cry in front of a ballroom full of pirates.

"Charming..." Hook deadpanned,"Forgive my friend. He's not used to company, especially of one so fair. And his temper has always been a problem. Even before the curse."

I sighed.

"Cheer up Bonny. I think you'll find pirates are more fun than stuffy princes." He smirked.

I laughed softly.

"Ah, there's a smile."

Just then, one of the Pirates pulled out a well loved violin. He nodded at Hook from his position on the stage and started up a fiery tune. 

"I love this song!" Hook cheered. 

"Whats it called?" I ventured. 

"Pelimanni's Revenge"

I fell into a simple dance with hook, and we talked as he lead me through the steps.

"Everard said something to me earlier..."

"And what's that lass?"

"That you weren't always a pirate."

He stopped dancing suddenly, causing me to step on his toe.

"Oh! Sorry." I gasped as he hissed in pain. 

"I'm fine. Will you excuse me?"

He bowed and limped away from me, towards the glass doors of the gardens.

"Nice going Belle." I chided myself. 

I paused, then slowly followed him out into the gardens.

"I'm terribly sorry I didn't mean to pry." I said softly, walking up beside him. 

Hook gazed out into the woods.

"If it's too painful for you to talk about I understand." I tried again. 

He cleared his throat.

"It's not like it's some big secret... I was a lost boy."

I stared at him blankly.

"Peter Pan's best friend. Have you bumped into him yet?"

"You could certainly say that." I muttered ruefully. 

"Well at least that explains why Everard is so possessive of you." Hook replied, leaning against the stone balcony. 

He looked off into the forest again.

"What happened?" I asked softly. 

"Peter was the one who cursed Everard... and Rose." He whispered. 

"Rose?"

"His sister... Do you want to meet her?"

Something in his expression told me whatever had happened to her hurt more than just Everard.

"Absolutely." I replied. 

He took out his knife and walked over to a nearby rose bush, chopping off a few flowers and tying them together with a piece of twine. He stood up and sighed, offering me his arm. I took it as he led us out of the gardens, towards the forest.

"I was one of Pan's lost boys once. That's the cult that he runs. He captures children. Boys and makes them play games. Pan lives in a constant state of childhood. And I was once the only person who knew why."

I looked up into his soft blue eyes.

"Peter is a changeling. He's human. Or, well, he was."

I listened to the sound of our boots crunching the leaves into the ground.

"The King and Queen of Neverland are high Fae. But they both come from a very pure bloodline, and therein lies the problem. You see if the Fae don't... Pardon me. The Fae are very fragile creatures and if a bloodline is too pure, meaning if they do not... mingle with other heartier species, they can have a lot of trouble having children. Hence why they steal babies. Peter was one of those babies. They stole him from Kensington park."

"Oh my." I replied. 

"They then took him and steeped him in magic."

"They what?"

"Magic takes many forms. There is a spring in Neverland that flows with green Magic. Peter is frequently taken there to replenish his magical ability. "

"What does all this have to do with you?" I asked impatiently. 

"I'm getting there Belle!" He huffed.

"Okay okay! Sorry."

He laughed lightly. "So Peter had been with them for many many years. Everyone ages slower in Nodnot. Peter was getting bored though. None of the Fae were fun enough for him to play with in his opinion. So finally, the king and queen ordered their servants to steal a playmate for Peter. They stole me."

"Why did you leave?" I asked softly. 

"Peter started 'thinning out the herd'"

"Killing off the older ones?" I gasped.

Hook nodded gravely.

"He attacked me. I was able to escape with my life,but he kept my hand." He frowned. 

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. If I hadn't ran away I wouldn't have met Everard!"

"And his sister." I smirked.

His eyes widened as he stopped short.

"You bonny, are far too perceptive."

"Not at all, you are just very see through." I smiled as I walked over to the stone building.

There was a bright blue fire burning around the outside of the stone building. I gestured to it.

"What's this?"I asked.

"Salt fire. It keeps the faeries away. They detest salt."

I nodded and stopped in front of the door. Hook took a deep breath and walked over. He pushed the door open.

I stood on my tip toes and I peered over his shoulder.

She was stone.

"She's stone." I breathed.

Hook wasn't listening. He laid the bouquet of flowers at her feet and I had to blink back tears. The room was overflowing with bouquets of roses, always with the twine holding them together.

"It's odd to see the roses alive. Usually they're dead." he smiled as he traced the rose with his fingertip. 

"You said you had good news about the curse." I spoke up. 

He stood up, towering over me.

"I found a Fairy who is willing to help me break the curse, the only bad news is that I would need someone to represent Everard. I was going to suggest one of his servants, but who knows how she'll react to invisible people? Or if anyone would even want to go."

"I could do it!" I chirped. 

"I don't know. I doubt he'll let you go." He frowned. 

"Well maybe he won't have a choice." I sassed. 

Hook's eyebrows shot up. He smirked down at me.

"Good luck with that princess."

"Urg I'm not-" Hook's hand shot out to cover my mouth.

"Shhh." he commanded.

I glared at him batting his hand away, and that's when I heard it.

Voices outside.

Hook stealthy drew his sword.

"Stay behind me." He demanded.