Bravery is Just a Word (part 16 of My Brave Wendy)
by Isabelle
Disclaimers: The rights to the film and book "Peter Pan/Peter Pan and Wendy" do not belong to me; this is just done for entertainment. Chapter disclaimer: lyric credit is placed under the lyric.
Rating: PG-15 (for adult themes and mild sexual references)
Feedback: isabelle@komodo-skin.com
Archiving: It's a requirement that I have that you ask me before posting any of my written work. Thank you.
Summary: This is a work of fiction based on the 2003 film "Peter Pan"; it is centered, like the film around Peter & Wendy's relationship, just so you know. Basically the whole "never saw each other again" is out the window and for the purposes of the fiction they did.
Setting: This happens 1 year after Peter last saw Wendy, she's now been sent to a boarding school in Switzerland with her parent's new found fortune, but it's nothing like the place they thought it to be, as WWI is in it's starting stages there's fear all around and she's left without adult supervision along with some of her boarding school girls to find a way home and hoping that a certain first love will find her.
Spoilers: The film, it'll spoil you if you have not seen the film!!
Appreciation: Always to my beta Rogue, who is absolutely awesome!
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Cause nothing' lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain
November Rain, Guns -n- Roses
The winds did nothing to take away the beauty of the magnificent ship sailing through the waves, cutting them in half and parting them like some old Biblical tale of faith and survival.
Tall and grand, proud and commanding the ship toward over all. A man's creation in god's pond were what mattered was the destiny not the voyage.
The Splendor was the queen of these waters. She was over sixty feet above the water, paint as shiny as if coated yesterday, crew as diligent as if just hired.
Wendy stood in the upper deck, letting the wind blow through her hair her smile relishing the last of the rays before the sun would set. She inhaled the strong ocean air and exhaled softly, delighting in it's crisp coldness.
"Wendy! We've missed you for tea," a soft female voice came up behind her.
Wendy smiled and turned back towards the voice. "I really was no up for tea, Joanna."
Joanna shrugged and joined Wendy overlooking the ocean. "Neither was I but I was basically dragged by the girls who squealed when they saw all the young gentleman that came calling on us, asking for us to tell them about our adventures. Imagine that! Us telling them adventures!"
The girls chuckled.
"Seems rightly improper," Joanna continued.
Wendy smiled, contently and looked out to the dying sun. "What are we to do now, Joanna?"
Joanna smirked at her. "Well... we could go to American. To the Wild West... find us a fine horse," she spoke in a western accent. "... and a fine man with a ranch out in Kansas."
The girls dissolved in giggles.
"That sounds wonderful!" Wendy cried. "A woman on her own looking for adventure."
"Well it'll sound wonderful to me since it's quite clear that you wont be alone," Joanna motioned to a finely dressed man speaking to Helen's father.
Wendy turned to look at whom she was indicating and blushed, smiling.
"Yes... Peter." she said, looking at him wistfully.
He looked quite differently than how she saw him when she had very first met him. No longer was he adorned with leaves but with a fine suit, no longer was his hair wild but it was loosely combed in the proper fashion. His shoulders were much broader belonging to a man but his eyes still held that mischief that would last for a thousand years.
"I'm quit happy for you, Wendy," Joanna commented to her as she saw Wendy get lost in the sight of Peter. "I'm sure he will make a fine husband."
Wendy turned to her startled. "I... I feel so young to be married. As if my childhood all but ended yesterday."
Joanna smiled. "Yes, that's how you know it is the best."
"Do you?" Wendy laughed.
"Besides, you already know he's hopelessly devoted to you."
Wendy yelped at her expressive words. "Joanna!" her face was turning red.
"I know, I should refine myself now that we are in proper society... I suppose the adventure is truly over, no?" Joanna sighed and looked on to the now dark red sky.
"It was a grand adventure, though." Wendy commented, smiling over at Peter who had now turned to walk towards her.
"Speaking of adventures?" He asked, standing now behind them.
Joanna smiled and nodded to Wendy. "Good evening, I will retire to prepare myself for the ball tonight."
Peter and Wendy waited until the younger girl had left then turned to each other.
"How are you feeling?" Wendy asked him, and motioned that they should begin to "stroll" through the deck in an effort to appear properly civilized.
He followed her lead and extended his hand. She took it. "Very well. How are you this evening?"
She looked at him from the corner of her eyes and saw him smirking. This was a game for him, just like the mother and father game had been.
"I am doing just fine, Mr. Pan. Thank you for your inquiry." she told him, calmly. They walked in silence for a while, comfortable silence that left them simply wanting to be closer, feeling each other's warmth even in their linked arms. "Have you ever heard of the United States?"
"Land of adventure?" he asked with a slight tease to his voice.
Wendy smiled back at him. "Sounds like a wonderful place, Peter."
"It does," he agree but made no more mention of it. She huffed for a bit then smiled brightly. "I'll propose to mother and father to let us go!"
He gave her an amused look. "Let us go? By ourselves?"
She stopped and looked at him, her cheeks flushed and her eyes narrowing. "Don't tell me you're going to turn all prim and proper on me Peter Pan."
He turned towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Taking a deep breath he gave her a patient look. "Wendy..."
"You are, aren't you?" she snapped. "Turning all prim and proper on me!"
She would've expected him to get offended, to get agitated to do something.... but nothing happened he simply continued to smile.
"You're simply amazing Wendy Moira Angela Darling." he said after a while.
And really, what woman could stand to continue being upset when a handsome man, that you happen to be in love with, tell you such words?
"Oh Peter..." she sighed happily leaning into him.
The would've kissed but an elderly couple walked by them giving them disapproving looks.
"We better get you inside, it's getting colder out here..." he took her elbow gently, his face still scarlet.
"Yes... I' better go in and prepare for the third ball now in our honor." she smiled and started to walk away.
"Wendy?" he asked, his voice timid.
She stopped, heart pounding and looked at him.
He bowed, just like he had bowed the first time they met. The ever gentleman. "May I escort you to the ball?"
She sighed and smiled. "Yes. Yes you may Mr. Pan."
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It was as if the entire world had become silent in a mere second.
The entire table of waiting gentlemen were quiet, poised and apprehensive. All eyes were on their leader; the man they were willing to risk family name and normality for.
Prince Adrien.
The Prince held the paper that had come to him in his hands, gently and neutral.
"I can have my men go in and take them. Covert operation--" one of the men next to the prince started.
"No," the Prince cut him off.
The room was still silent as a grave; breaths held and some heads bowed.
"What have we to worry about? Both Mr. Kelley and Jackal are gone and no one is aware of our plan... war is a moment's breath away and soon we will be the ruling government of the world."
Many nodded at the Prince's words.
"I will waste no more time or men in this pitiful case; we shall move on to bigger things."
And it was set.
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"I'm all flushed, darling," Mrs. Darling hissed, starring at herself in the mirror. Mr. Darling came up behind her and placed two gentle hands on either side of her shoulders.
"Yes you are," he smiled and kissed her cheek. "But I think you're simply stunning when you flush."
Mrs. Darling yelped and turned to him, playfully swatting his arm. "George!"
"Mother, father!"
You male voices called for them.
"They're here!"
Mr. and Mrs. Darling looked at each other, brimming with as much excitement as their boys... but with a strong wave of worry.
It had been two months since Wendy, Peter and the girls had been found and it had taken them that long to battle against the winter and the war to find their way back to London. The firs thoughts that went through the young parents was worry for their daughter's state. The next was her relationship to Peter Pan; the young man who has undoubtedly saved their daughter (just like he said he would).
Mrs. Darling took a deep breath accurately remembering the conversation she had with him before he left to find Wendy. She had been right when she had told the young man that her daughter kept all her hopes on him coming back. What she was afraid of now was if he would stay and be the man her daughter needed him to be.
"Come, Mary," Mr. Darling pressed her, extending his hand.
She looked up at him and smiled. "George," she took his hand. "Remember you were once in love too."
He had a dear-caught in headlights look on his face as she stood and walked pass him with a knowing smile.
"In lov... who said anything about anyone being in love?"
But Mrs. Darling had already left the room.
"Dear?" no answer.
"Mary?"
He finally grumbled and went down the stairs.
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"I'm quite nervous, Peter." Wendy confessed to him. He was sitting across from her fidgeting with his gloves and his top hat.
"So am I..." he nodded, fixing his hat once more.
Wendy looked at him and smiled. Leaning forward she fixed his hat. "There... don't touch it anymore."
Peter nodded, his lips still pale and slightly trembling. When the coach stopped their eyes met and it was Wendy who first nodded. "Come along, Peter..."
As the driver opened the side door to reveal the home she had grown up in excitement rather than nervousness filled her and she wanted to run to her mother's arms and kiss her brother's cheeks.
"I'm home!" she whispered excitedly and gave Peter a brilliant smile that took his breath away.
"Wendy!"
The front door was opened and out filled half a dozen boys, rushing to welcome their sister.
"Boys!"
Wendy would've jumped out of the carriage if Peter hadn't rushed out and helped her down himself. The moment her feet had touched the floor she rushed forward to greet her brother who were filling all around her, most as tall as she or taller themselves all with happy smiles in their faces and greetings in their lips.
Peter smiled at the scene, she was the flower amongst them; poised and lovely.
".... and we were so worried, weren't we, Michael?"
"... you must tell us plenty of stories, Wendy!"
"... you wont ever have to go away again, will you?"
"... boys, really! Let me settle before I answer questions!"
"Oh Wendy!" Mrs. Darling said when she opened the door.
Wendy looked up to see her mother and a shone with exhilaration. "Mother!" she cried and disentangled herself from her brother's arms and ran to meet her mother.
They embraced and Mrs. Darling ended up sobbing with joy. "Oh my darling!" she kissed her daughter's face over and over. When Mr. Darling came out with a strange expression on his face he was equally eager to see his daughter and though he shed no actual tears his eyes shone with both relief and love for his eldest and only daughter.
"Father, Mother...." she stood back, with a silly smile plastered on her face. "...you do remember Peter, no?"
Peter, who for his part had been entertaining the boys with tales of the land of Switzerland and being mercilessly teased about his "grown up" attired turned when he heard Wendy say his name.
Mrs. Darling's eyes went wide and she quickly sported a wide smile, pleased to see the young man. "Peter, dear..." she extended her hand, graciously.
Peter went up the steps and formally took her hand and bowed. "Mrs. Darling." he murmured.
Mr. Darling for his part was stiff as he stood next to his daughter, wincing at the dreamy expression in Wendy's eyes.
"George, darling... you remember Mr. Pan, no?" Mrs. Darling gave him a warning look.
George Darling cleared his throat and nodded. "Yes of course... Peter." he shook Peter's hand and bowed back to him.
Wendy stepped in. "Shall we go inside?" she suggested.
Mr. Darling nearly jumped. "Yes! Of course!" His eyes didn't fail to narrow when Peter extended his hand and helped Wendy up the final steps.
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After surviving many attacks from Aunt Marge and piercing glares from her father Wendy was finally ready to retire.
She kissed her mother goodnight and made sure her younger brothers were all in bed before turning to find Peter right behind her, with a shy smile on his face.
"Peter!" she gasped. "You startled me."
"I did?" he teased, a crooked smile on his face.
Wendy blushed and pushed passed him.
"You should get to bed, mother has fixed the guestroom for you to rest in," Wendy continued, entering her own bedroom. "... at least until we can get you... situated."
"Duke Waterford spoke to me while on the ship," Peter started and walked to her window, looking out into the night. "He proposed I join him as his very special ward... take me through school and introduce me to society."
Wendy turned from his steady gaze and meddled with her jewelry box. "That is a wonderful prospect, Peter."
"I would start school in the fall... a school in a place called Wales. There's a private boy's school there," he looked down to his fingers.
She sat on her bed, letting her skirts flow around her as she looked on at him, waiting for him to share his decision with her.
"I've decided... that I can no longer be a boy... time has finally caught up with me," he swallowed and looked away from her clear blue eyes. "But I have to go back."
"Back?" Wendy stood, outraged.
"To Neverland," Peter told her, opening her window as he did.
It was like the wind was slowly being drained from her, but in five seconds' time.
"But why?" Wendy urged. "To go back? To go back and never remember? To never come back?"
"Yes," Peter turned to her and took her hands in his hands. "Yes, I will come back."
"But how do you know?" Wendy wrenched her hands from him. "How can you be sure? You were quick to forget last time... so quick, Peter!"
"I have to set things right there before I can come here... indefinitely!" Wendy cried, desperately, tears now swimming in her eyes.
"Wendy," he murmured and placed his larger hand cheek, brushing away her now falling tears. "I will come back to you... please hold on to that."
He kissed her cheek then pulled back when he heard Tink making sick noises by the window. The fairy flew over him and sprinkled him with her dust.
Wendy watched as Peter as levitated to the air and smiled at him. "How long will I have to wait?"
He smiled, shedding his jacket, tie, shoes and socks; handing them to her. "Not long. I promise."
She nodded and watched him fly off never turning for a final goodbye.
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TBC....
A/N: There is only one final chapter to go for this series; I want to thank all those who keep reviewing, I really appreciate it. I'm hoping that the final chapter will be completed this weekend but it's not a promise since I have a midterm on Tue that I really need to do well in.