This is the retelling of Peter Pan that I have always wanted to read. Wendy Darling is living in 1944, London. She is under pressure from her parents to conform to the expectations of being the eldest. And a girl. She would much rather tell her stories to her younger brothers. Tales of courage, bravery, and adventure.
Her brother's, John, and Michael, are no different. John with his head in his books and Michael who has a disorder his parents can't hope to understand.
Life begins to change for Wendy when she meets a boy at John's birthday party that their parents hold. Isaac is sweet, thoughtful, and most importantly, someone her parents approve of. But Wendy has to someone she's not when she's with him. She can't tell him her stories, not without fear of him running to his horrible mother. Who would then tell hers.
But one boy does. A boy who has been listening to her stories for some time. A boy who isn't happy to hear about her new boyfriend. Or about how she might stop telling her stories.
But since the war is threatening to tear their family apart, Mr and Mrs Darling decide to send the children to their aunt in the country. But if that happens, Peter won't know how to find her. His Wendy. So, he takes her away.
This is the first chapter and my first ever time publishing on fanfiction. Please be kind in your reviews! Chapter Two will be up soon.
Chapter One:
"He hides behind a large rock. Waiting for his moment to strike. Quietly, patiently… Until… BANG!"
Michael Darling jumps slightly in his seat before smiling and listening again.
"Eric fires the canon at the sea witch. But nothing happens… not until…" Wendy Darling clutches her side and pretends to be injured. "You bastard. The sea witch hisses. You bastard, you could have killed me. In her rage she reaches for the mermaid that Eric so dearly loves-"
"No!" Michael roars. Wendy smiles wickedly.
"Oh yes. I'll take your little mermaid. Only she's not a mermaid now… I wonder if she'll grow back her gills at the bottom of the ocean." Wendy stalks toward her brother until a wooden sword blocks her path.
"You'll have to take me first." John Darling swings his wooden play sword back around behind him. He tries to get into a fencing stance, but Wendy has beat him to it, having grabbed another sword off the floor of their nursery.
"Have at it!" She yells and swings the sword at his. John blocks the attack and they begin to spar; laughing while they do. Michael cheers quietly from the side-lines.
"You're mine!" John shouts victoriously as he pulls back his sword and goes for her chest. Wendy considers conceding victory, but decides against it as she parries his attack, sending his sword flying.
"Ow. Wendy!" John mumbles, clutching his fingers that she must have nicked.
"Who is Wendy? I know of no such girl. You shall die now, Eric!" She lunges at him, abandoning the sword. They crash together, giggling as they wrestle on the floor. Michael stands to the side. "Get in here you rascal." Wendy says and pulls him to the floor with them. Michael climbs on top of John, trying to aid his sister.
"Ow. Michael, who's side are you on?"
Michael only smiles as he tries to climb on John's back. Wendy laughs and together, they bring John to the floor once again.
"You thought you could beat me? Not when I have my trusty shark to aid me." Wendy winks at Michael and he giggles more, happy to be involved.
"What… What in heavens name is this!?"
Mrs Darling stands at the entry to the nursery. Hands on her small hips. The normally grand nursery is in a complete state of disrepair; with toys everywhere, books knocked on the floor from all the commotion, and her three children. She takes them in. Michael, still in his school uniform, in a headlock with John whose glasses are askew on his head, his messy dark brown hair sticking up at every angle. And her only daughter, Wendy. Wendy was usually a remarkable sight with long dark curls and sharp, intelligent blue eyes. Now she looks…
"Get up this instance!" All three children scramble to their feet. Wendy pulls her night dress down, as it had ridden well above her knees. "Is this how my children chose to behave? Like common street urchins?"
Wendy's eyes flash and she opens her mouth to argue, but before she can, Mrs Darling says "I don't even want to hear it. Wendy, go to your room."
"But-"
"Now!" Mrs Darling raises her eyebrow. Wendy, knowing how useless it is to object to her mother when she is like this looks to her brothers and mouths I'll finish the story tomorrow. They both grin at her and she moves to leave the room.
Mrs Darling follows her out and closes the large wooden door behind them both. This angers Wendy. So, I suppose I'm to get the lecture and not them? She shakes her head and they walk to her bedroom in silence. They live in a large terrace house, thanks to Mr Darling who holds a high position at the bank, so it takes them a minute to reach her room. Wendy contemplates what she will say to her mother, but what can she? They have this argument almost every night. She would simply sound like a broken record if she was to give her usual spiel to her mother. But to her surprise, her mother says nothing as she enters Wendy's room. Wendy stops, uncertain, before going in and waiting.
"Wendy, sit please."
"I'd rather stand." Wendy replies, nervous.
Her mother sighs and wipes her face. Very out of character, considering how put together she normally is. This puts Wendy even more on edge. Bad news must be coming.
"Wendy please. Just sit down." Her mother commands and, with a snap, Wendy sits. "Thank you." She takes a deep breath. "Wendy dear, your father and I feel… we feel it is time for you to enter society. You are fifteen years old and the only reason we've waited so long to announce you as eligible is because you've always been… well childish. We thought you might grow out of it, but tonight has proven otherwise. Times are tough as you know, with the war and what not, but… As you know, John's birthday is coming up. Now, Mrs Burton is coming tomorrow to fashion you a dress worthy of a lady. There will be all sorts of people at the party. Good people of course. It would suit you well to acquaint yourself with them."
When all that follows is silence, Mrs Darling looks to her daughter, surprised at the lack of objection this announcement has received.
Wendy stares at her mother. Eligible? Childish? Dress? She can't even comprehend all the catastrophes this implies.
"But… Eligible? You can't mean… You want me to marry?" Wendy asks, aghast.
"Well, not right away of course. You are still young. But you can certainly begin to ponder such things. You can't tell me you've never thought of boys before, Wendy. Now honestly."
Wendy thinks about this. She's definitely noticed boys before. But never in a formal situation. Never had she seriously considered the boys as potential partners. Why would she need to? She was perfectly happy with the way things were. She says as much.
"I don't want any of this, mother! I like how I am. I like telling my stories and performing. Can things not just stay how they are?"
Her mother's face hardens.
"Certainly not. We've let you indulge in those fantasies far too much as it is. It's time for you to be taken seriously. As a woman."
"I am a woman?" Wendy asks in confusion.
Mrs Darling arches a perfectly groomed eyebrow.
"You are no such thing. Right now, you are a girl. But don't worry, tomorrow begins your first step towards being a woman."
Wendy's eyes widen in alarm.
"It is nothing to fear, my dear Wendy. This is exciting!" Wendy looks incredulous and her mother chuckles softly. "Really, you look as if I have sentenced you to the gallows."
"Haven't you?" Wendy asks without much venom.
"Everything will work itself out, Wendy. Do not worry yourself too much. You are a beautiful girl. Any suitor would be lucky to court you."
"That's not what I'm worried about." Wendy grumbles and looks out the window of her bedroom. The night sky seems peaceful as she stares out and Wendy can't help but want to be out there. Out experiencing the world and all it has to offer her. Anywhere but here.
"I know it seems scary. But have no fear, my dear child. You will find happiness."
Wendy seriously doubts this but says nothing else as her mother bends to kiss her on the forehead. She goes to close the curtains next to her bed.
"No! Leave them open… please?" Wendy asks. Ever since she was little, Wendy preferred to have the curtains open so that she could look out. She liked to imagine all the places she could be. Her mother looks at her for a moment before smiling softly.
"As you wish." She says before leaving the room, closing the door softly behind her.
Wendy clutches her knees to her chest as she looks out to the night. So inviting to her naive mind.
If she'd known what waited for her, all of the battles, troubles, and hardships she would face. Would she be as eager? Perhaps if she'd known the boy who would lead her through all of it… Would she have done anything differently?