Chapter 11: Captivity

"Squaw stays!"

Wendy bumped against the chief's open palm. She stepped back, resentfully rubbing her shoulder. The Indian chief towered over her, an intimidation technique favored by his magnificent headdress. Equally minimized at his side where two members of his tribe: Peter and Tigerlily. All three regarded Wendy with their arms crossed.

The chief, arms folded, fixed the girl with a hard stare, daring her to disobey his order but amused she had attempted to do so the first time. Peter, mimicking the chief's stance, nodded approvingly at the elder's words. Tinkerbell, although she was not a member of the tribe, smirked at Wendy from the safety of Peter's feathered cap. Tigerlily's arms were also crossed, but in a way to translate her loathing.

The Indian princess was not happy. Wendy couldn't very well blame her. Peter and the chief had jointly decided the two squaws should spend the day together. Peter had requested that Wendy be confined to the Indian camp that day. The chief, very proud of his daughter's vigilance, had agreed that Tigerlily would be the perfect sentry.

"But I don't want to be guarded," Wendy protested. The chief's and Peter's eyebrows rose in unison. Tigerlily looked hopeful, until meeting Wendy's gaze with daggers.

Beseeching Peter, Wendy asked, "Couldn't I go with you and the boys? I—"

"Squaw will stay!" the chief boomed, practically blowing the girl over, "You will go with the Princess Tigerlily!"

Wendy clasped her hands, trying to find patience. "And I am sure it would be lovely."

The chief nodded. Daggers left Tigerlily eyes.

"But…" Wendy braced herself and spoke quickly, "But I would much rather explore the High Mountains and Evergreen Outlook wi—"

"SQUAW WILL—"

"—Wendy! You heard the chief!" Zipping to Wendy's side, Peter placed a hand on her shoulder.

As the chief deflated, Wendy released her breath. Realizing she had clutched Peter's leafy tunic, Wendy let go. Blushing, the girl turned to fix her torn skirt, as it had slipped from her hands.

Tinkerbell pointed and encouraged Peter to laugh at the poor girl's distress. But Peter frowned and brushed the pixie from his ear. As Tinkerbell tumbled, satisfied to giggle alone, Peter gingerly patted down the place Wendy had gripped his garment.

"Peter?"

The boy's head snapped up. Wendy's eyes were large and imploring. Peter looked away, tempted to give in to her words, "Peter, please. Can't I go with you and the boys? It sounds so exciting and I…Peter?"

Peter released her shoulder. "You heard the chief Wendy. You'll stay here. Where I know you'll be when I return." Peter's face darkened, "And not chasing imaginary mermen."

Tigerlily tilted forward, intrigued with the dialogue. Sensing the change, Wendy looked over, but Tigerlily was fast to frown at the girl. Wendy might have felt terribly lonely had she not recognized an Indian boy watching the group from a nearby totem pole. Pausing from his witling, Black Antler nodded at the girl. Afraid to respond under Peter's vigilance, Wendy raised her fingers in return.

She felt Peter press against her. "What does he want?"

Tigerlily turned, and then looked quizzically at Wendy.

Black Antler, realizing his exposure, stood. Calmly, he brushed bark shavings from his bare chest, and made for the group. Striding easily, Black Antler penetrated the circle. Aside Tigerlily, he addressed Wendy as if the others were standing trees.

"You're not weak again," Black Antler noted. Seemingly impervious to Peter's glower, the Indian boy continued, "The flower worked."

Peter spoke before Wendy could think of a response. "What flower?"

Black Antler did not dignify Peter's demand. Instead, he noted wryly, "And I see Little Flying Eagle noticed your absence…this time."

Recognizing that the native was slurring him, Peter decided to take offense. Black Antler seemed pleased.

Thankfully, Tigerlily distracted the potential skirmish by stomping her foot on her father's moccasin. They had been arguing silently.

Lifting his eyes to the sky, the chief recited to his daughter, "Braves are not squaws and squaws are not braves, my child. Walking our lives in balance places each on her separate path." To the four perplexed expressions, the chief added, "Tigerlily, you must watch the squaw."

Pursing her lips, Tigerlily jut a finger at Black Antler. The chief closed his eyes, and Wendy sympathized as a vein throbbed in his temple, "The brave cannot watch the squaw for you."

"If the Princess wishes," Black Antler spoke smoothly, one eye tracking Peter's expression, "I would gladly—"

"No!" Peter interjected as Tigerlily nodded vigorously, "Tigerlily, listen…"

Wendy fumed as Peter whispered furiously to Tigerlily, his hands flying. Never before had she been treated like such a…child! It was infuriating!

To the side, Wendy noticed the chief regarding her. Expecting a glare to match his contemptuous daughter's, Wendy was surprised. Set inside the Indian chief's chiseled face were soft brown eyes, like warm chocolate. She was unsure, but supposed the chief might have been smiling at her.

"He likes you," Black Antler murmured as the chief turned to his disgruntled daughter.

Wendy was comforted, but not convinced. Dubiously, she watched the chief snap shut Tigerlily's open mouth with a flick of his enormous hand. "How can you be sure?"

Black Antler shrugged, "He has not scalped you."

Wendy's eyes rounded. She took a step back. "Oh."

Black Antler smiled and drew Wendy forward. Peter was distracted from his bickering. The boy glared accusingly at Black Antler's hand.

"It is a joke," the Indian boy assured Wendy, who eyed the chief warily. Soothingly, Black Antler explained, "I suspect you remind him of the Princess."

Wendy almost laughed out loud, "Me? Tigerlily? How could he?"

Black Antler did not answer immediately. Mouth twitching, the Indian boy watched as Tigerlily threw up her arms exasperatedly and drove her heel against Peter's toes. Horrified at the Indian princess's behavior, Wendy rushed forward as Peter hopped in mid air, holding his foot.

"Oh yes…"Black Antler said as Tigerlily stuck her tongue out at the angry chief, "I am sure he sees the resemblance."

Wendy frowned a little at the comment, especially as Peter nursed his bruised toes. But despite her resentment and confusion, the girl reached worriedly for the hurt boy.

"Are you all right?"

Peter forgot the throbbing burn when Wendy touched him. For a moment he floated, eyes on her hand. He could take it. He could take her hand and lift her into the air. He could lift her into the air and share the afternoon adventure with Wendy, right now! All he had to do, was take her hand.

She left.

Peter's eyes darkened.

She left him for a story. For a fake merman. She left him.

And he despised her for it.

A wasp was boring into Peter's mind, injecting a feeling into the boy that he had never experienced and could not articulate. It was a wonderful and terrible feeling. All at once, Peter wanted to protect and hurt the girl. He wanted to make her laugh and see her cry. He wanted to hug Wendy until all her bones broke. Ponderously, Peter massaged his chest. It ached every time he thought of Wendy. But strangely, Peter enjoyed the hurt.

It was overwhelming. It was too overwhelming.

Curtly, Peter pulled from Wendy's hand. The girl paused, then tentatively rested her fingers over his knee. Peter also paused, then thrust them away.

Too overwhelming. He needed to fly.

Swaying, the boy scowled at Black Antler, nodded purposefully at Tigerlily, and saluted the chief before lifting skyward.

"Peter! Wait!"

Peter heard Wendy running below him. Closing his eyes, the boy filled his ears with wind, trying to block her voice.

Peter relished in Wendy's admiration, especially during their adventures. He took secret pleasure in scaring Wendy, only the slightest, slightest bit, to feel her press against his side and hear that adorable little gasp when she was surprised by the wonders only he could introduce. And adventures with Wendy were different; unlike the boys, Wendy begged for more and was never eager to complain. With Wendy, Peter risked greater and flew higher. And when the adventure had come to an end, Peter would soar on her laughter and just wallow in her delight.

But more than that, Peter did not want to share Wendy. Even at the expense of her happiness, Peter would lock Wendy away where she could never escape him.

So as Wendy dodged the natives and reached her fingers to the sky, Peter disappeared into the sun and into an adventure she would never experience.

"Little Flying Eagle will return."

Wendy sagged under the chief's heavy hand. She did not respond, so the chief steered her back.

"Every night the Little Chief comes back. You will stay. In the meantime, my daughter is happy to— "

"—guard me." Wendy finished the sentence, more bitterly than she intended. But the chief did not seem to notice. As a matter of fact, he looked quite relieved that one squaw was finally cooperating.

"Yes," agreed the chief, patting Wendy's shoulder, "to guard you. Good. And you will stay until the campfire tonight, when Little Flying Eagle returns. Now…"

Gently for a large man, the chief gave Wendy a little shove toward his furious daughter.

"Tigerlily," said the chief, gesturing at Wendy, "Introduce yourself."

Tigerlily regarded Wendy. Her eyes, colored dark chocolate, scrutinized the fair girl. Rudely, Tigerlily scrunched her nose at Wendy's unkempt curls, sunburned cheeks, ripped nightgown, and frustrated blue eyes.

When the girls met eyes, Tigerlily tightened her folded arms. Scoffing, she barked a strange, harsh word, and spit in the dirt.

Wendy's mouth dropped, appalled as the little Indian Princess marched off in a huff. Having recently excelled in the vial art of spitting, Wendy was quite familiar with its indications.

Obviously, the princess did not care to share her company. So, with a small "hmph," Wendy turned and headed in the opposite direction.

Black Antler tried to suppress a smile. He had seen the chief defeat swarms of pirates, packs of wolves, hungry bears, and evil spirits with nothing more than his naked hands. But control two squaws…

Unable to hide his amusement, Black Antler tilted his head to conceal the grin behind long black hair. Noticing the chief's expectant stare, Black Antler put up two disclaiming hands. The brave knew better than to fight an angry squaw.

The chief's eyes roll to the heavens. Then, praying for his ancestors to grant him patience, the great chief reached, took both of Wendy's shoulders, and picked the girl up.

Holding her at arms length, the chief walked Wendy to the long totem pole. After setting her down in the soft grass, the chief quickly blocked Wendy's path with an outstretched arm. The arm, Wendy noted, was pointed at Tigerlily.

Helpless, Wendy looked at Black Antler, who provided little feedback. But as the chief pointed again, Black Antler nodded after Tigerlily, "All will be well. And then I will see you tonight."

Wendy sighed. Defeated, she picked up her dress and followed the Indian princess.