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Second Star to the Right: Chapter One

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:bulletblue: Second Star to the Right: Chapter One :bulletblue: 


For as long as anyone could remember- James Alexander Magnus Wynter, the only child of Victoria Mira and Charles Raleigh Wynter- had been an early riser. From the time he was just a tyke in his silver embedded crib; the little heir of Faerenguard Manor had always been wide awake as the sun's first rays rose over the elegant city of London. And today was no exception. 

Somewhat groggily, James slowly opened his bright brown eyes, blinking several times in the early morning light before his gaze finally focused on the ceiling above him. The familiar sight of  light blue paint made the young man smile sleepily, before he rolled; moving his body to the edge of his bed, resting precariously there in a slouched over position.

The 20 year old youth had had a very late night prior- somehow or other he had gotten himself roped into an outing with his lads at the nearest pub- but even with this in consideration James’ body clock was absolute. No matter what kind of night he had had, the man couldn't sleep past six o'clock. Today the heir of Faerenguard Manor would be running on only three and a half hours of sleep, but seeing as he’d suffered far worse plights in the past, James decided to claim the day with a smile on his face.

For several long moments, said ‘smiler’ sat, fighting back the arms of sleep with a soft sigh, before he moved to push his long, untied locks away from his face. He held them back in a makeshift pony tail with his left hand, absently noting that his raven hair needed to be thinned and trimmed before he returned to his studies at Eton the following week. Even in his half-awake state, James Wynter knew that it would be unseemly to enter the hallowed halls of the infamous school when one didn’t look one’s best.  

Such detailed thoughts would have been ignored by most people upon waking from their slumber, but James was different. Such contemplations and concerns were quite commonplace for the lad, and had long since become his normal thought process. So, the realization was recognized and given its proper dues, before James pushed it aside and put his main focus on fully waking up.

Painstakingly, the man stretched his arms over his head- making his back and neck pop rather loudly- before rubbing the sleep from his eyes and looking to the foot of his bed. His smile grew in size at what he found there. 

Since James could remember, Nanna- the Faerenguard golden retriever of a shockingly old age- had been his best friend and companion. And despite the slower pace she was now forced to engage and live by, the heir of Faerenguard was hopelessly devoted to her. Nanna had been James’ makeshift sister since he was but a lad, and the two were closer than most biological siblings could claim to be. The reason for this was simple: Nanna loved her boy unconditionally and James returned the sentiment, knowing full well that his canine companion would never betray his trust. These promises had always remained unspoken, but the kinship between the man and his dog was nothing short of genuine.

"Hello, old girl," James said softly, reaching out his free hand- that wasn’t holding onto his hair- to gently rub the fur between Nanna’s floppy ears. "Did you sleep well?" 

Nanna yawned widely before licking her boys’ fingers lovingly. James leaned down to nuzzle her, and placed his forehead against her own fuzzy one, looking at her directly in her golden-hazel eyes- that were beginning to form cataracts.  

"Well, I slept like a babe, thanks to you," James confided with an easy laugh, continuing to pet his dog. "My toes would have frozen if it wasn't for your glorious body heat and thick fur." 

The old retriever gave him a doggy smile as she panted, before she sobered and placed her head back down on her paws. And as she did so a painful little whine escaped her, and she shook- a newer symptom of her old age.

James instantly felt like crying- as he watched his childhood friend suffer- but for Nanna's sake he refrained from tears. The poor thing had enough troubles to deal with without seeing him break down. For both their sakes he would remain strong and happy. It was the least he could do. But the frightening possibilities that the future held didn’t escape James for a moment. He knew what coming, and in his own way the young man fought to prepare for it.  

It was a fact that Nanna was past the regular lifespan for her breed; nearly eighteen years old she had lived a full life. And after having a life so full, her age was beginning to catch up with her. Where she had once run and barked, she now hobbled and whined. Where she had once had limitless energy, she now stopped to pant every few minutes. Nanna was old, and no amount of prayers or wishing would change that. Their adventures were slowly coming to a close, and James had been trying to make them last. 

Nanna continued to stare up at her master with soft eyes- silently telling him a thousand of things-before James spoke again.

"You are lovely today, my dear," he complimented tenderly with a crinkle-eyed smile. "How can you be eighteen cycles? I swear you don't look a day over three." 

Nanna huffed at him- telling him that she knew he was trying to butter her up- and he chuckled in response. 

"Alright, milady," he said between his laughs. "I shan’t flatter you anymore this morning. . . But I'm sure you wouldn’t refuse more compliments if they came in the form of some warm breakfast and a stout bowl of milk from the kitchens? Would you?" 

The retrievers’ approving expression and immediate drooling told James what he already knew, and he stood from the bed knowingly. "I'll see what Eliza has for us; I won't be but a moment- don't go back to sleep."  

Then, donning his bathrobe- it was unfit to walk around in only one's sleeping clothes- James exited his chambers to go find the maid. Thus leaving old Nanna alone long enough for her to resume her wonderful beauty sleep- completely ignoring her master’s request that she stay awake.

*



*

Eliza May had been working in the Wynter household for many, many years- having started long before Master James was born. And because of her long years of service to the family, she had long since become familiar. Though the matronly woman of 40 was always the perfect picture of an obedient servant when Mistress Victoria or Master Charles was around- Eliza was always herself when she was alone with the youngest Wynter. Sometimes, the maid completely forgot that he would one day inherit the Faerenguard Estate- because deep down she knew she would always see him as the babe she had fed and changed; the one she had been nursemaid to.

And though James had been born Gentleman and certainly acted as one, Eliza was as good as his mother. She had cared for him and loved him since his first breath- perhaps even more so than Lady Victoria Wynter- the one who had given birth to him. And to Eliza's private joy, James had always seemed to feel the same way. He had never actually called her mother, but his actions left little for her to wonder at. She and James were a family, and Eliza May was content. 

Currently the house-maid was in the kitchen, scrubbing a skillet that had only moments before had cooked breakfast for three. It was still early enough that the rest of the household slept, but she and James were always up with the cock's crow. And due to their early rising, the heir and his maid had started a nice ritual that only they shared.  

James would eat with Eliza in the kitchens without the ceremonies and high airs that befitted his status. He would talk to his old nursemaid and they would enjoy the early morning in each other’s company; a simple yet invaluable event that both had come to treasure over the years. Only when James was sick, did the two not eat breakfast together. And James Wynter hadn’t been sick in many years. 

"Eliza," James said from his place at the wooden table, between mouthfuls of sausages and freshly gathered eggs. "Stop scrubbing that infernal pan and come eat. Your food will be cold before you ever take a bite!" 

"I can finish the pan, if'in I want to, young master. I can't have nasty pots and pans decoratin' my kitchen now can I?" 

"It's not like it's going anywhere," James replied with a shake of his head. "You worry about things too much. The rest of the servants won’t be up for another hour yet." 

“Oh fie!” Eliza scowled playfully at the youth and flicked one her soapy hands in his direction, splattering bubbles in his general vicinity and instantly making him protest. Then the two tried to stare each other down, before Eliza sighed and moved to wipe the soap from her hands. When she was sitting down next to him, James smirked, which earned him a motherly clobber from Eliza's serving spoon. 

"What was that for?" James asked rubbing the now tender spot on his head. 

Eliza gave him a loaded look as she lifted her fork and stabbed a bite-full on the end. "I've told you not to use those puppy dog eyes on me, James Magnus. And I meant it." 

From where he had resumed his meal, James gave her an all too innocent look. "Puppy dog eyes? Eliza, what on earth are you on about?"

Eliza laughed. "You're a wee shite you know that? . . . Oh for heaven sakes! You're doing it again!" 

James' expression immediately turned wicked as he openly laughed at his old nurse. "What? . . . OH, you mean 'this'?" 

And to prove his point, the Heir of Wynter flashed the house-maid with the saddest, most endearing expression that had ever been seen on a gentleman of high birth. Upon seeing the familiar expression, Eliza shook her head with a sigh- though both she and James knew that there was no ire within the gesture. 

"What I am going to do with you, young man?" 

"Chastise me, forgive my candor, and focus on my stunning intellect and charms?" 

Both maid and heir laughed, "You sure are a conceited bugger." 

"But you love me anyway." 

"Aye, that I do. God forgive me." 

James smirked before he and Eliza continued to eat their meal in comfortable silence. Neither minded the lapse in conversation for both were content with their meal and the company, and soon enough they had finished and the maid was back to scrubbing her skillet. 

"An excellent breakfast, Eliza," James commended leaning down to kiss the motherly woman's cheek. “You have my thanks." 

"Any time, duckling,” Eliza replied easily- for James thanked her for every meal she cooked him. “Now don't you have a beautiful pup to take food to? I’m sure Nanna won’t be happy if you make her wait." 

James nodded, before taking the dog dish full of warm food in his hand, a cold bowl of milk in his other. "So eager to be rid of me. Well, no matter. I’ll see you later, Eliza." 

"Bye, James Magnus," the maid called after his disappearing figure. “Don’t make the ladies swoon too much today, aye?”

 "I can make no promises!" James called back with a laugh, before Eliza heard his footsteps echo on the stairs.

 As she was left alone, the housemaid quietly chuckled to herself, continuing her work- beginning to dry the well-cleaned skillet.

"Just you wait, duckling.” Eliza whispered thoughtfully, thinking of the man who she considered her own son. “One day you’ll find a woman who is your equal- all the good’ens do- and then you’ll be the one swoonin’ and me and your lass will be the ones laughing. That much I’m certain of."


This chapter was mostly setting James up as a character- his life as a noble's son, his two meaningful family relationships (not his parents), and overal background work. I apologize if you found this filler chapter boring. ^^; 

Just to be clear, this story is purely a mixture of Disney's Captain Hook with Pirate Fairy's James. Which means that young James dialogue should equal Hiddleston's interpreation of the character, and the older Hook (which will pop up in flashback moments) will be the old Disney Hook that we all loved as tiny-boppers. :XD: So if it doesn't sound in-character please slap my wrists. :la:  Hope you found some enjoyment in this lovelys! :iconcocoloveplz: 


Disclaimer: I do NOT own Disney, Captain Hook, James, Peter Pan, Pirate Fairy, Tom Hiddleston, or the Second Star. 
The cover picture was created by the very talented TheLastUnicorn1985

James' background details and surname are of my own concotion, with the invauable co-creativity of TheLastUnicorn1985 who is collabing this story with me.  Eliza May and Nanna the Golden Retriever belong to meh! Tarnisis ;p



:bulletred: Prologue: fav.me/d7x6l4r
© 2014 - 2024 Tarnisis
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DisneyThorn92's avatar
His middle name is Bartholomew, not Alexander Magnus.

it's not a bad setup for a story. The only real issue I have is with James. The James in your story and the James in The Pirate Fairy are not the same character. There is no way this "little angel" would throw a fairy in a box, leave his crew to drown in an unfamiliar ocean, or even DREAM of calling someone a cretin. But I like the idea of him coming from money - Hook was always too sophisticated and intelligent to have been an orphaned street rat or one of fifteen kids crowded into a tiny apartment.