The Jolly Roger shone brightly against the dark sky, all of the lanterns aflame and glowing through the many windows of the ship, as fireflies danced to music being played by Mullins, Skylights, and Jukes. The men were having a grand time; James felt they deserved a bit of fun after their ordeals with the Kraken and the loss of Blackbeard. James liked to see the men happy and enjoying themselves. He hardly had a moment to really take it in that this was his crew, and his ship, since everything that happened after he left Blackbeard in the Floating Boneyard had all happened so fast. Blackbeard was right when he said the men would do anything for him after he saved their lives by defeating the Kraken; it seemed they would follow him to the ends of the earth if he asked. When he told them they were coming to Never Land, he didn’t hear one protest, and they were all on board when he told them about his plans to spirit Tinker Bell off to the Many Kingdoms. Of course if all went according to plan, the men would go their own way once James delivered Tinker Bell to Lucinda and he returned to Never Land for good. He couldn’t expect the men to want to stay here with him forever. Of course they would be welcome to if they chose, but he didn’t see that happening. The men were at their happiest when they were on an adventure, or mission, and at that moment their mission was to pretend they were friendly pirates throwing a party for their new friends the Lost Boys, and by the looks of it James felt their ruse would do the trick.

James smiled, looking at the band of men playing a jolly little tune while the others danced. He could see the mermaids off in the distance, perched on some rocks. He hadn’t invited the mermaids, and wasn’t happy to see them, but at least they were keeping to themselves.

Smee had outdone himself preparing the feast for the Lost Boys: there were baked chickens, loaves of hearty bread, hunks of cheese, spiced apple cider, chocolate cookies, little cakes, pastries filled with sweet delicious cream, baked apples with caramel sauce, fruit covered in chocolate, shortbread, sugar cookies, bowls of sweet whipped cream, lemon curd, and of course there was the enormous chocolate cake, though that was still in the galley awaiting its grand entrance once the party was in full swing.