Needless to say I didn't sleep well that night...

Heck, I didn't sleep at all. Not after what I had heard...

I blinked open my eyes to behold a pile of purple flowers, they must have gotten stuck in my hair when I climbed the tree back at Pan's castle.

...That must have been what Arden was picking out of my hair last night...

"Good morning Belle."

"Good morning Arden." I smiled tightly, sitting up.

He frowned. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." I snapped.

He looked down at the ground for a moment, before meeting my eyes again.

He looked around (as if to make sure we were really alone), and a blush began to color his cheeks.

"Are you?... that is do you?..." He was beet red, and stage whispered "Are you having your monthly women's sickness?"

"My monthly..." My eyes widened as the saying clicked.

"Arden!" I exclaimed

"Well you seem very grumpy and-" My hand across his face cut off his sentence.

"I'll be right back, don't follow me!" I warned with a glare.

After I had finished my business in the privacy of the forest. I leaned against a tree and thought hard.

I couldn't trust Arden,that much was clear.

I had no options though... I didn't even know where I was.

Panic bubbled up inside of me. I was so worried I didn't even notice the ring start to glow.

I did however notice a very familiar sound.

Singing.

An old sea shanty floated to my ears, and I looked up into the sky to see the Jolly Rodger.

Hook!

Wasting no time I launched myself into the tree, climbing it as fast as I could.

"Hook!" I shouted waving with my left hand.

The ring glowed brighter and the ship turned towards me.

A figure rushed to the front of the deck.

I could hear him calling distantly... "Belle!!"

And soon the chatter of the others reached my ears.

"Land ho!" One of the men cried.

"Damn it Belle get down from there." A familiar voice growled at my feet.

My heart jumped out of my chest, as I followed the sound of the voice with my eyes.

Arden's bright blue eyes were cold and angry.

"Hurry Hook!" I shrieked.

I felt the tree shake as He climbed up after me.

The ship grew closer as I pulled my father's knife out of my boot.

"Don't come any closer." I warned.

He froze a few branches below me.

"Belle..." He spoke softly, "You can trust me."

"Oh I trust you all right." I sneered.

"What really?" He looked perplexed, but hopeful.

"Yeah about as far as I can throw you."

His face fell.

"Belle I'm not going to hurt you." If I had really looked into those eyes. I'd have seen he was telling the truth. But I was oblivious...

I snorted, as Hook's ship landed on the beach.

"I swear it. In fact..."

He started to climb down the tree.

My eyes darted from where he stood, over to Hook's ship where Hook had jumped from the deck into the soft white sand, and was now running in my direction, sword drawn.

I looked back at Arden uneasily.

He watched calmly as the group of pirates Hook was leading surrounded him, swords at his throat.

"Belle are you alright?" Hook panted, not breaking eye contact with Arden.

"I am now." I replied.

I started to climb down the tree, as Arden gave hook a winning smile.

"I take it you're Captain Hook?"

Hook glared at him.

"Everard thinks very highly of you."

I joined the men and raised my own knife to Arden's throat.

"Put your hands up." I demanded.

Arden frowned, hurt in his eyes. And slowly he raised his hands.

I leaned forward and took the ring off his finger, sliding it onto the thumb of my right hand.

"Did you save your princess?" I asked, turning to Hook.

He smiled tensely. "She's back on the ship."

Arden let out a sigh of relief.

Hook glared at him again.

"Is there something you'd like to say lad?" he growled.

Arden blinked rapidly. "It's just that Everard will be pleased."

"You speak as if you know the man, yet he's never mentioned you."

"Really? How odd. We're very close." Arden replied nervously.

Hook snarled.

"Well captn' what should we do with the scoundrel." one of the men spoke up.

Hook pondered this for a moment.

Arden looked worried.

"Toss him in the brig." Hook said, with a dismissive wave of his good hand.

"Aye aye Captain!"

Hook offered me his arm and lead me to the ship.

"Wait." I paused as we stepped onto the sandy beach. I unhooked my arm from his and walked over to our camp.

Arden must have put out the fire I mused, as I gathered the saddlebags and untied Pegasus' lead from the tree.

I turned back to Hook, he blinked at me.

"We can't just leave her here." I pouted. 

Hook slid his good hand down his face tiredly. "Fine. I guess we have the room... but it's your responsibility..."

"Thank you!" I exclaimed.

The gangplank was lowered and our group boarded the ship.

Smee took Pegasus right away, and found a place for her in the lower decks, and the men locked Arden in the brig. Hook smiled at me.

"There's somebody who is very excited to meet you Belle." He gestured to the captain's quarters. "I'll be bunking with the crew tonight. And I'd better make sure your fellow is locked up properly."

"His name is Arden." I replied. 

Hook shrugged, and headed down into the lower decks.

I walked towards the door and knocked on it.

In a flash the door swung open.

"You must be Belle!" The girl smiled brightly.

"Guilty." I replied awkwardly.

She giggled and pulled me in for a hug, her soft blonde hair tickling the side of my face.

The girl's joy was infectious. I found myself smiling as she released me and closed the door behind us.

"Thank you so much!" She beamed.

"You're welcome..." I blinked. "What for?"

"You helped Phillip have the courage to kiss me... and well... Here we are!" She twirled about the room, her blue gown swishing around her legs.

"Phillip?"

"Hook." She replied by way of explanation.

I shook my head at her.

"You know something?" She asked suddenly.

"What?" I replied.

"I have the feeling we're going to be good friends!"

"Me too." I giggled.