Michael decided to remain with his sister while the boys carried out Nibs's plan. He was the only one, after all, who had not lived on the island for long and therefore did not know much of Neverland's secrets.
Nibs, however, was the one who studied maps and charts and whatever else he could find. He had been the one who told Wendy the secrets of the Wendigo, back when the curse had taken Peter, and when the Astrumi had kidnapped Wyatt, he had lead his Queen to their planet in the stars.
As the boys filed out of the tent, Peter dropped the bowl of stew he had been sipping on and jumped to his feet, his eyes widening in question.
"Our apologies, Peter," Nibs said quickly, his hand flying into the air. "There have been no changes. Michael wanted a moment alone with her." Peter nodded and sank back down between his daughters. Addy quickly picked up the bowl and refilled it, pushing it into her father's hands. Up close, the boys could see a week's worth of scruff on Peter's face and chin. The way the fire cast shadows on his face did not make him look any less sickly.
Wyatt was cradling the baby princess and he spread her out on his lap, leaning down to make faces at the babe and making her giggle.
"Dad," he said softly. "You should hold your daughter." Peter closed his eyes and turned his head.
"I…I can't. Not yet."
"Dad it's not her fault!"
"I know it isn't! Still. If we had done something in time…if we had taken Tacumwah's advice and gotten rid of…ended the pregnancy…she would be fine. She would be in my arms right now." Addy and Farrah gasped, and even Wyatt looked outraged as he shielded the princess from her own father.
"I'm sorry," Peter mumbled. "I didn't mean…"
"Yes you did," Wyatt said in disgust. "And if Mum does not recover, you will never be able to look your daughter in the face. You're not the King I know. You're a coward!" Before Peter could react, Wyatt leaped to his feet and flew away with the princess tucked safely in his arms. Peter lowered his head, gripping his curls tightly. His daughters, too, seemed to want to get away from him and they hurried off toward the stream together.
"Wonderful. My own family loathes me."
"They don't loathe you," Tootles said softly. "But they're hurt. You cannot possibly blame the babe, Peter. Wendy wanted to go through with the pregnancy. She knew the risks. She wanted to bring that little girl into the world and she did. You cannot fault her for that. And you cannot place the blame on anyone. Your children love and respect you. You are our King, after all. But at this moment, you are not behaving as such. You are much like the boy we used to know, long ago." Peter's head jerked up and he gaped at the Lost Boys.
"You think I'm being unreasonable?"
"We think grief is changing you," Nibs said quietly. "And if you allow it, it will tear your family apart. Do not let it. Go speak to your children." With a heavy sigh, Peter started off in the direction the girls had gone. As soon as he was gone, Nibs approached a solemn John.
"We are leaving but Peter can't find out. Not immediately anyway."
"Leaving? Where are you going?"
"We are traveling to the other planets, as we did when Wyatt was kidnapped. We're going to split up and search the island. Nibs knows Neverland better than anyone, next to Peter. He's going to search for a cure."
"While the rest of the boys will split up and travel to various planets. Perhaps someone knows of something that will save our queen."
"It is too dangerous," Lily hissed, having heard all of the boys' conversation. "Peter will be furious if you get captured or killed."
"Lily, relax. We will be fine. We know which parts to avoid. And we have the maps and charts that Pahana gave to Wendy years ago. We have to do this. For Wendy." Lily sighed and looked to her husband for his assistance. He could give none.
"Very well. I'll keep your secret for you but do not tarry. Peter will return shortly and I don't know how long I can keep your plan from him."
"We just don't want him to come after us. Neverland still needs its King. Peter must put himself first, and he has always had a problem with this." John nodded in agreement.
"Alright. Be safe, boys. SilverBell will give you enough dust to last you several days. Please don't do anything foolish."
"Us? Foolish? Never." Nibs grinned as the fairy flew around them, once again coating them in dust. They waved to their brother as they flew higher and higher into the stars.
"The Dragon Star," Tootles exclaimed as they came closer and closer to the familiar star. He glanced at Curly and grinned.
"We are welcome here."
"Good! Because we weren't welcome on the last two stars," Curly spat, still shuddering from the terrible creatures that occupied the last two stars they had landed on. Tootles shook his head but said nothing as they made their descent. Since Curly had not been present on their rescue mission the last time they had been to this star, he was apprehensive and couldn't stop twitching. Tootles, however, was excited to see the Star People again. It had been a long time.
They wandered the streets, unsure as to who they talk to. The Valdes had been disposed of and Tootles wasn't sure who was in charge anymore. The Palace still sat at the top of the hill, so Tootles suggested they start there. Curly followed, keeping his head down and his mouth shut.
As they approached the palace, Tootles shot Curly a nervous glance before he raised his hand to knock at the door.
"Halt! Who goes there?" Both boys jumped back and held their hands in the air as they were surrounded. Tootles could see the bright Stars glowing on their forehead, a birthmark signifying that they were the Star People, and he sighed in relief.
"Sirs, we mean no harm. My name is Tootles Darling, and this is my brother, Curly. We were hoping to speak to someone in charge. Or…if possible, we would like to be taken to Christoff or Chase…?" He repeated the names of the boys they had teamed up with years ago to fight the Valdes. Tootles had not heard anything about the boys since then and wondered if they even still resided on this planet.
"Take them inside," one of them men barked out. Tootles faced forward with his back straightened and proud as they entered the palace.
He immediately recognized the long cloaks and the heavy hoods. It's what the Valdes had worn. Could it be that they were back in charge? If so, they were in MAJOR trouble. Curly swallowed audibly behind him.
"Remind me to punch you if we make it back to Neverland." Tootles could say nothing as they were frog-marched toward the cloaked figures.
"My lords," the man who stood beside Curly said loudly. "These men are looking for 'someone in charge'." There was chuckling from underneath the cloaks and Tootles gulped.
"Well, bring them forward." The two boys were shoved towards the Cloaks and they tried not to visibly draw back.
"Wait a moment." One of them men yanked back his hood, revealing messy dark hair. His wide eyes rested on Tootles for a moment, and Tootles's eyes flicked upwards to the man's birth Star.
"Chase?"
"My god, it IS you. A Neverlander here on our Star again!" The young man strode forward and they shook hands, as the fear slipped from Tootles.
"Good to see you again," Tootles said with a smile and a nod.
"Where are the rest of you? The Lost Boys, I believe you call yourselves?"
"It's a rather long story," Tootles answered nervously.
"Well, come join me for some hot tea and tell me all about it. I'll summon Christoff too, he will like to see you again." Chase lead them into a room off to the side and Tootles glanced over his shoulder.
"You are their King?" Chase let out a bark of laughter.
"By the stars, Tootles! Are you mad? You really think they'd let me be King?" Tootles only shrugged while Chase continued to laugh.
"No, we have no Kings. We rule ourselves, and there is a group of men and women who act as a Counsel, for the people to bring their problems to. We no longer answer to anyone save ourselves. The people seem to like it this way and Stella Draconis thrives happily."
"It's definitely more lively than the last time I was here." Chase nodded and gestured for them to sit down.
"Sugar?"
"Please."
"And you, sir?" Curly jumped, startled, and Tootles smiled.
"How terribly rude of me. Chase, this is my brother Curly. Curly, Chase is the Astrumi we have told you about."
"How is everyone? Nibs and Slightly and Landion? And Prince Wyatt? He must be older now as well. And I trust King Peter and Queen Wendy are well?" The boys' faces fell and Chase lowered his cup.
"Alright. You need to catch me up on everything."
Tootles did not know how much time had gone by, but he finished his story and Chase and Christoff sat across from them, looking stunned.
"Poor Slightly."
"And poor King Peter," Christoff said, shaking his head. "To see his Queen that way."
"What can we do to help, Tootles?"
"I'm not sure to be honest. Nibs sent us in every direction to ask for a cure or a potion…anything that might help restore Wendy."
"I don't know of anything," Christoff said uncertainly. "But my wife might. She was a bookkeeper for the Valdes, she has access to all of the old records and documents. I'll go talk to her at once."
"Thank you," Curly finally spoke. "We appreciate whatever help you can provide."
"Queen Wendy helped free our planet and our people. If there is anything we can do, we will do it. I'll go inform the men of what is going on. They all know of Wendy and Peter as well. You boys wait here and enjoy your lunch that we will have sent here. We will return shortly." The Star boys-now fully grown men- rose and readjusted their hoods. They briefly shook hands with the Lost Boys, then left the room quickly. Curly watched them leave and he turned back to Tootles.
"You think they'll find anything?"
"The Star People are some of the oldest and wisest, according to Nibs and Pahana and everyone else. I think if anyone has a chance of finding anything, they have the greatest."
