Chapter One

"What I do, I do for Love"

412 AD, Roman Territory

Malcolm dropped his bare body weight on top of Gwendolyn, the sweat rolling from his face and onto the makeshift cushion under her. Gwendolyn was equally as tired, her clothes ripped away and her hair untangled from it's braid and left sprawled like a fan on the cushion below her. Though it was a bit chilly that night, heat radiated from them. Malcolm kissed her forehead, leading a trail down her face and her neck and continued to go down. She sighed in pure contentment.

A few hours later she was dressed again, and helped Malcolm tie up the laces of his shirt, unarguably her favorite part of the night. In the chilly air, the sky was filled with the light of the stars. So many, the grounds don't seem as dark. "I must be off," said Gwendolyn who had just finished tying his shirt. Malcolm placed a hand gently over hers, to keep her from running off.

"Tomorrow I am to speak with a man about work."

This caught her attention, "You have work. You are a shepherd."

"If we are to be married, I must find work so I can care for you."

Gwendolyn pushed some of his hair away from his eyebrows, smiling sweetly upon him, "You wish to be married to me? This is the first I've heard of it."

Malcolm smiles back at her more sheepishly and embarrassed, "I do, only if you wish it, too."

Gwendolyn paused as if to think upon it but almost immediately after, she could not keep up with the charade. "Ofcourse!" she jumped on him and kissed him deep. Malcolm caught her and kissed her just as deep back, letting her hands move from his face and move down his back. "You will find work," she paused to kiss him again, "I will run away with you so they can not stop us…" she paused to kiss him more, "and I will be your wife." She kisses him again, this time with no plan to pull away. Malcolm's hands moved around the small of her waist and down her curves. Every now and then he would tangle his fingers into the ends of her wavy hair as she pushed herself closer to him.

Reluctantly, Malcolm pulled away. "Okay, Okay… You must be off," he whispered, knowing very well, if she did not leave now, he wouldn't have the strength to let her leave later and her father would surely wake up and notice his daughter missing, causing all sorts of unwanted attention. Gwendolyn smiled at this as he allowed one more quick kiss before he walked her home.

…

1651 AD, Neverland

It was morning when Pan went on his regular morning visit to see Wendy. Ever since he put her in that cage, she acted as if she hated him, which he knows is not true based off the promise she still wears around her neck. To the untrained eye, you'd see an acorn but to Pan, it is much more than that. It is the promise that she is forever his and though she is bitter with him now, she will someday see it his way, this he swears, but it doesn't change the fact… he misses the sound of her voice, her laugh, that sigh of contentment when he was just around her. So when he arrived at her side, he was prepared to give the world.

It was still dark out, so, if you didn't know her, it wouldn't be a surprise to see her sleeping form in the middle of the cage, but Pan knew better. She wasn't asleep. She was merely pretending, so he would leave, but not this time. Pan kneeled at her side.

"Please leave me alone," she requests more gently than usual. He hasn't heard this tone in a long time and he almost fell off his heels hearing it. "I'm tired today. Too tired for your visits."

He paused playing with the pipes in his hands. Letting them slide across his palm as he turned them over, inspecting the crack on one of the wooden tubes. "How about we go for a walk?" he offered.

Wendy turned, her tired and defeated gaze landing on his. Slowly her expression softened and Pan saw that enough for a 'yes'. With a flick of his wrist, the cage door fell over. Pan took Wendy's hand and gently pulled her out, revealing the bulge on her stomach. To the young boys, it's barely noticeable and could be easily explained. Pan simply told them she was fat, is all. Little did they know, Wendy's bump had nothing to do with her weight. Slowly she hobbled out, a gentle hand resting on the bump.

They walked through the forest of Neverland. Every now and then, he would glance back at her and the bulge. "Your lost boys will wake up soon," Wendy warned, after fifteen minutes of just walking.

"No they won't," he reassured her. Pan grabbed her hand, to stop her. Gently pulling her down with him, as he carefully bend down to the ground to sit. Wendy struggled in defiance. "Wendy please. You need to rest."

"I don't have to do anything!" Wendy quickly growled back. "I had enough rest in that cage, thank you very much. It's not like he grows anymore than we do."

"He?" Pan laughed, "Are you so sure it's a boy?"

"Yes."

"How are you sure?"

"Because I'm his mother."

"Okay," Pan laughed again, throwing his arms up in defeat.

Wendy allowed a smile, a small one, barely detectable, as she finally gave up and sat down. Admittedly she was very tired, now more physically than she was mentally. Pan tried to pull her to him, have her lay on him, like she did years ago, but she would not. She folded her knees below her, sitting up straight next to Pan, who was comfortably leaning on his elbows. "Wendy? Do you still love me?" he asked her.

She did not dare look at him, as she huffed. "I do," she whispered, twiddling with her thumbs. Pan smiled at this. He was always so certain she did, but reassurance was nice too. Wendy turned to look at him, and she did something he wasn't expecting. She looked at him with anger and betrayal. The usual looks he gets from her when he's with his lost boys. "But I don't like you anymore," her voice is still quiet as she continued, "You… are not the man I married. Not the man I fell in love with."

Pan didn't let the sudden stab of pain, he felt, show. He jokingly replied, "Perhaps you should have married Felix instead."

She didn't reply, she simply dropped her eyes to the ground.

Pan's smile fell, the twinge of jealousy and worry filled his chest, his eyes which were locked on the promise tied around her neck, dulled in wonder and anger.

…

415 AD, Roman Territory

Gwendolyn was out picking berries. She piled the basket her mother woven just for her.

She was in an orchard, a private one she found stumbling through the woods, one day. This was her favorite place in her village. It was always blessed with the sweet tastes of berries and fruits. Sunlight seemed to glow through the leaves and shine rainbows on the grounds. Not many knew of this place, and that's what she loved most about it.

On her way home she made a mental note to bring some berries to Malcolm, but the thought was quickly interrupted by the sound of pounding feet, and an unfamiliar face walking through her door. Shocked, Gwendolyn dropped a clay bowl, helplessly hearing the sound of the crash on the floor, eyes still locked on his.

"Forgive me!" said a boy, from which she's never met, "I'm sorry I've startled you."

"Worry not," Gwendolyn whispered with caution, "I am hopelessly clumsy. The fault is all mine."

She continued to stare at him in silence, the broken pieces of clay left below her. It was the sound of her father's voice which broke the trance, "What happened here child," cried her father in more amusement than worry. No one says anything as her father kicks over a few pieces and he smiles at his daughter, "Well I'm glad to see to the two of you have met."

"I'm afraid we haven't been acquainted," Gwendolyn corrected.

"Well then," said her father, clearing his throat, "Gwendolyn, meet Felix, son of a roman soldier and heir of a small fortune." Turning toward Felix, he continued, "Felix, my daughter Gwendolyn, a fine lady both in beauty and strength."

"I have no doubt about that," said Felix with a smile.

Gwendolyn curtsied in respect as Felix bowed, eyes now locked on hers. Uncomfortable she turned her eyes away from his gaze, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Felix."

"The pleasures all mine."

"He is a very respectable young man," continued her father, giving her a very serious stare, "A perfect match for a very respectable young lady."

"I'm sure he is," said Gwendolyn. "Any lady would be foolish to not already fallen for you."

Felix smiled wider.

"I'm glad you feel that way, sweetheart," said her father, satisfied. "Because I've chosen him to be your husband."

Her heart stopped, and her blood ran cold. The first she thought of was Malcolm, who was currently waiting for her. What was she going to tell him. She had thought… "Father what about James? The boy of the sea?"

"I have eyes, child," he answered, "And I know when my daughter isn't satisfied with someone."

It was true. James was a bit of a… boring and safe young man. She loved adventure and free will, it is the reason she fell in love with Malcolm. Though it is not James's fault. Surely he would find someone else, one day, who isn't her.

"Now don't be rude," her father scolded lightly, "Show him around."

Gwendolyn did as she was told, leading him out of the kitchen and out the door. First she showed him the arenas, the most popular, sociable places on the Roman territory. It's tiny, and not nearly as grand as Rome's arena, but popular enough. Then she showed him the beaches, and introduced him to most of the fishermen, she befriended, and lastly she showed him the fields. She made sure to make this visit short and quick. Praying that they would not run into…

"Gwendolyn!" Biting her lip, she turned around and found a very happy shepherd, jogging his way toward him, "I thought you'd never come."

"Malcolm," she said in a warning tone, "Meet my betroved, Felix."

Malcolm's eyes slowly moved from her's to the young man standing next to her. Eyeing Felix's arm, which was bravely wrapped around her waist. "Pleasure to meet you," said Felix, offering a hand to shake.

Malcolm didn't move, "Pleasure... to meet you… ughh... sir." Words seemed to feel foreign to him for a moment as he also seemed to lose the ability to breathe. Gwendolyn watched him carefully. They were aware something like this would happen, but it was quite clear he wasn't prepared for it.

…

1651 AD, Neverland

Pan was fuming mad, and aggressively jealous. He could barely breathe. He had meant, Wendy marrying Felix instead of he, as a joke and nothing more, but the more he thinks about it. The more he realizes it may be true. Wendy didn't even answer him when he said it. He was hoping she would deny the idea, but she remained quiet. Had she thought about it? Did she fall for him while Pan was away?

IF HE EVER TOUCHED HER-!

The lost boys were awake and so was Felix. As Pan made his way back into camp, Felix was looking over the boys like a shepherd to his flock, like Pan does when there's work to be done. First Wendy and now his status!? Is nothing sacred!? Pan made it perfectly clear he was upset with Felix, colliding his shoulder with Felix's as he moved passed him.

"Sword!" He mumbled under his breath.

Felix, hesitantly, did what he was told. He picked up a spare sword from the ground, the camp was littered with them, and watched as Pan pulled out his sword from it's sheath. This was a battle and Felix was in no mood to fight. He knew what it was about. It was obvious. Realizing how stupid this was, Felix tossed his sword to the ground, "Gwendolyn wouldn't want us to fight."

"Pick up your sword!" Pan bellowed, but Felix still refused. It was an act that was both very brave but also very stupid. No one told Pan no! Especially not one of his sheep! "Then you have chosen your own demise!"

The lost boys looked at their leader in question as he moved forward and swung his sword. Skillfully, Filex moved. Dodging Pan's swing just in time. Only a hair was sliced and slowly fall to the ground. Pan yelled and jumped at him again, his sword pointed straight at Felix's heart, but again Felix dodged it. It angered Pan even more that he couldn't catch him. This pattern continued. Pan would attack and Felix would dodge, staring at the young man pitifully. Until finally…

"UUGGHH!" Felix yelled as he fell to the ground, holding his face. Red dripped from his chin as Felix groaned in pain. Looking at what he had done Pan smiled in victory. He knew Felix would not die but it satisfied him, he now shared pain with him.

Pan moved toward Felix, kneeling down to his level, he whispered in his ear, "You stay away from her."

READER'S NOTE:

Sorry that took forever! Well here it is and I know. Kind of messed up. Also if you're wondering Henry and Grace will be in the next chapter. I know it took forever for them to join the story but I had trouble writing their part. Anyway! Love it, Hate it, don't understand it. Please…

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