Chapter Four: The Truth Revealed

"What do you mean it is my fault Neverland is dying? What on earth did I do?" Peter fairly shouted after hearing the Fairy Elders story.

The Elders began to explain calmly. "Over two years ago-in earth years, that is-you travelled to London and listened every night at a window to a young girl who told stories. She told stories about beautiful princesses fighting their way out of trouble and acted out sword fights between fierce pirates. You realized that she would be a perfect mother for the Lost Boys, so you took her with you back here, to Neverland."

Peter listened, his features frozen in shock at these revelations. The Elders continued.

"As you came to know her better, she started to feel for you-to feel Love. You danced by this very tree, and her heart was so happy that she flew effortlessly through the air. But then, when she asked you about Love, you turned away from her, claiming that the 'very sound of it' offended you. Then you flew away from her, ignoring her cries."

As the Elders told of the dance, Peter gasped. The memory he had seen before he spoke to them was the very one they spoke of. So after the dance with that beautiful girl, he had hurt her and left? Peter felt a pang in his heart as he thought of tears sliding from the girl's beautiful eyes.

"Soon after all of that happened, she decided to return home to London, with her two brothers and the Lost Boys. She asked you to come, but you just told them to leave. When they left the tree-house, they were captured by the fearsome pirates of the Jolly Roger and your arch-enemy, Captain James Hook."

Peter furrowed his brows in confusion. He remembered this-something about medicine, and-"Tink drank my medicine! To save me! And then I went to the ship to save Wendy-"Peter gasped as all his memories came rushing back to him. Fighting Hook, the horrible lies he had told Peter in the air, Wendy's kiss-the Love he felt for her...

"I remember everything! And I forgot about her-it has been over two years since I promised to go back and see her-I never did...I never did..." Peter sobbed, feeling like a child who had lost their most prized possession. "I never went back-I have to go to London, to find Wendy. I have to apologize!" Peter shouted, starting to turn from the tree.

"Stop! Peter, you cannot go to London, because Wendy is not there. She is here." one of the Fairy Elders told him.

Peter stopped in shock. Wendy, here? In Neverland? "So that's what Tink was talking about. I just brushed her off because I didn't remember who Wendy was. Well, I have to go find her. Where is she?"

"Tinkerbell said that she left Wendy in the house the Lost Boys built for her. Be careful, Peter. You have hurt her deeply. She loves you very much. Let her know what you feel-we know that you remember. Good luck, child."

With these last words, Peter flew off in the direction of the small house in the clearing. Wendy, I am sorry that I forgot about you. Please forgive me.

Tinkerbell was in a panic. When she had arrived back in the clearing, the house was gone, along with Wendy. Thinking that she had somehow come to the wrong place, she flew around the entire forest searching. Returning to the clearing, she was surprised to see Peter standing in the middle, looking around in confusion.

Spotting her, he stepped forward and asked where the house was.

As worried as Tink was about Wendy's whereabouts, she was ecstatic to see that Peter's memories seemed to have returned. Looking around, Tink noticed that a few plants had straightened and grown greener. Come to think of it, the air had grown a little warmer as well. Tinkerbell refocused on Peter, who had started to speak again.

Peter repeated his question. "Tink, where is Wendy's house? And where is Wendy?"

Tink told him that she didn't know where it was. She had left Wendy there asleep when she went off in search of Peter, but when she had returned, the house and occupant were gone.

Suddenly getting a horrible feeling, Peter flew up past the trees and looked out to the water. Sure enough, there stood a ship-the Jolly Roger.

"Oh, no. I had heard that Hook was back, but would he kidnap her again? Wendy..." Peter trailed off. He called to Tinkerbell and quickly outlined a plan before flying off towards the ship in anticipation of a fierce battle.

Wendy opened her eyes and started in fear. Numerous pairs of dark eyes glared down at her through the small windows of her prison. Then the door was wrenched open and Wendy was dragged out into the open by a filthy pirate with one eye.

Captain Hook stood off to the side, looking nonchalant. "I see you were crying again. So like a girl." he sneered, causing the other pirates to laugh raucously. "This time I will take care of you myself. A sword through the heart should do it. Yes?" he said, drawing his sword and pointing it at her chest.

Wendy stood as straight as her ankle would allow and glared at the pirate. "Go ahead. I'm not afraid of you, Hook" she spat contemptuously.

Captain Hook looked surprised at Wendy's outburst. He thought she would be terrified at the prospect of death, but she was standing up to him. How dare she defy me! Grinning evilly, Hook pulled back the sword, preparing to plunge it into the impudent girl's chest.

Captain Hook's grin grew wider as he approached the young girl, blade slicing through the air. "Finally, I will have my revenge!" he cried.

Wendy closed her eyes and waited for the pain that would accompany the harsh steel blade of Hook's sword. Peter, I love you. I am sorry you didn't remember. I will always love you, even though you will never know. Goodbye. She breathed deeply and felt a calming peace wash over her. Maybe he would join her someday in Heaven.