Author's Note: Hello lovelies. At long last, here is another chapter... another one will be coming in quick succession, as this is as much as I could write within this stanza of lyrics.
Chapter 3
"My heart is pierced by Cupid
I disdain all glittering gold
There is nothing can console me
But my jolly sailor bold…"
Three Months Earlier…
Tchhhhhhhhhhhh tch tch tch….. Tchhhhhhhhhh tch tch tch
What could only be described as soft, rolling clicks echoed in Wendy's ears, stirring her from a deathly slumber. Wendy warily opened her eyes, struggling slightly as her lids felt heavy. Too heavy.
She jumped, alarmed by dark shapes moving in her peripherial vision, disguised soon by golden locks floating near her cheeks. It was her hair, she realized, stretching jovially in the direction of the surface. Blinking, Wendy was alarmed as she realized she was still underwater.
She took a panicked gulp of seawater and she reflexively screamed. To her surprise, it created no discomfort.
Tchhhhhhhhhhhh….
Wendy jumped, though she did not move very far with the more unique sense of gravity under the waves. Looking sharply to her left, her eyes widened as the shadowy figures drew closer, materializing with greater clarity. They were… stunning. Three women of captivating beauty waded in front of her, their hair of red, brown, and blued silver floating about their faces as hers did. Near their temples were beautiful pieces of coral, shells, and starfish— framing their faces in ethereal decoration. Their skin, varied by pigmentation of pales and tans, held a glow— almost like the luster of a pearl as the light filtering in from above danced across the reflective skin.
But how?
Wendy reflexively lifted a slender hand to her heart, feeling the steady rise and fall of her breath.
"Wendy Moira Angela Darling…" Came a silky, slightly raspy voice from the blue haired creature, yet her lips did not move. "I am Azra. These are my sisters, Noa" a small nod to the dark haired creature, and then to the red haired creature "and Beatriz."
How is this possible?
"We communicate with our thoughts while below, dear one." Came the silky, soft voice. Azra's expression was sympathetic, yet it held a keen interest as she examined Wendy. You do not remember a thing, do you?
Wendy shook her head, feeling strangely at ease with the three creatures. It was if they understood a deep part of her being, though it remained unspoken. I only remember the water swallowing me… I could not move…. I… Her eyes traveled down to her hands, still wrapped in thick rope. Then her eyes traveled further to her ankles, a gasp robbing her of any coherent thought. Where smooth, pale legs had once been was a glittering tail of blue, green and silver.
Seeing her distress, Azra glided forward, gently touching Wendy's forearm. Neverland has mysterious ways of ensuring each who enter never grow old… and never die. You have been given a second chance, dear Wendy.
Wendy's hand came up to clasp Azra's, meeting her eyes in earnest. H-how… how has this come to be?
In the only way… what has happened to us all. Her eyes traveled upwards, looking to the surface above as an indiscernable expression crossed her features. Stolen from our beds, enchanted by the wonders of a far away land where we might never grow up… it is what brought us here. A feud, so deadly, we have fallen victim to… Truly, now, we may never grow old, Wendy. He has ensured that much.
Peter? Came a hollow whisper from her mind, her heart sinking.
Yes, dear one. We are those who have proven too unlucky to return. Now we are a part of Neverland… it is what each of us has always wanted, yet were granted in this way. Azra's hand came to rest against Wendy's cheek. Do not despair too greatly, dear one. Happiness may be found here. We, your sisters, will ensure it in due time.
Wendy nodded, her gaze full of melancholic regret. Seeing no other choice, she nodded and looked to the glimmering waves above. Sensing her question, Azra and her sisters guided Wendy to the surface. It was effortless— and as the warm summer air bathed across her face and shoulders, Wendy gazed at the place of her childish dreams from her new perspective for the first time.
Happiness could be found here, in time. Azra's words echoed within her ears as the gentle ocean current swayed her like a gentle mother's embrace… rocking her back and forth into an eerie sense of contentment. She warred against the urge to become so… calm and complicit within her own mind. And she did succeed in shaking herself from the reverie of the wonder of what was before her.
The greenery and tropical foliage of the island and its shore spoke of untold secrets, waves crashing against the sand in an unstoppable reverie. Frozen in time, never moving forward and never moving back. Dreams had gone to die here, she realized. Forget them Wendy, forget them all. Come with me and you will never, never have to worry about grown up things again.
"Never…is an awfully long time." She mused, tearing her eyes away from the sands she had eagerly called home. Rather, she was drawn to the ship on the distant horizon. Scarlet red caught her attention, a moving figure amidst the dark wood and billowing sails. Hook.
"His hair it hangs in ringlets
His eyes as black as coal
My happiness attend him
Wherever he may go…"
