AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is picking up where Kimberly Appelcline's "The
First Kiss" fanfic leaves off (you can find the fic on this very site),
somewhere halfway through the epilogue. Kimberly's story, in turn, is a
continuation of P.J. Hogan's movie Peter Pan, which is of course a version
of J.M. Barrie's novel Peter Pan, which is in itself a sequel (of sorts) to
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (also by Barrie - which can be read at
gutenberg.net). Confused yet? ;-)
After a nice long weekend break, here's Chapter XI.......Comments! Comments! Please! Please! (
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
XI. THE FATHER'S HOMECOMING
As they sat resting on a cold and stale cloud, Peter gazed down upon a world that he no longer recognized. Had he known his happy and hopeful journey would bring him to this, he may not have been able to fly at all. But the Happy Thoughts of he and his Wendy finding their son again and bringing him home sustained their flight the whole way. It was amazing how it all came back to Peter so easily. They barely missed a mark – save for Peter's brief stopover to Kensington Gardens, where he swooped down upon the Caw's tree and taunted them with his arrogance in finding his own way to get to Neverland.
"That was not very polite, Peter," Wendy had scolded as they flew away. But Peter only smiled that enigmatic smile of his, and so infectious was his smile that she had instantly forgiven him.
But now, after laying eyes on his once precious home, Peter's smile seemed like a distant memory. What had happened? Truth be told, had Peter seen the island but a day before, he would have undoubtedly been much more depressed. Thanks to his son, Neverland was starting to boast small yet revitalizing signs of life. The waters were no longer one continuous and stagnant sheet of ice but were now broken up into small floating chunks of ice in still waters. And even from the sky, one could make out tiny yet quite conspicuous dots of green sparkling magically among the chilly blue that occupied the majority of the land. (But Peter did not know his son was responsible for this, and he rather thought these minute flickers of life were perhaps due to his own presence.) On the whole, though, Neverland remained not a dreamscape but a nightmare.
Peter found this quite unacceptable and immediately became taken with a sense of obligation – to find some quick answers and even quicker remedies for Neverland's gross malaise. Wendy had to remind him that they were not there to fix Neverland, but to find their boy – his disappearance really the *only* problem needing to be fixed, as far as she was concerned. But Peter, stubborn as he was, still desired a solution. He dared not to inquire to the Sun – who was in a deep sleep behind the gloomy clouds, as is the natural way of things – for to wake him when he should not be woken is to play with fire indeed. So, he scanned the surface of the island, searching for any hints.
"Where shall we start?" Wendy asked.
"I don't know," came Peter's mumbled response.
"Well, where did you go when you first came to Neverland?"
Peter's reply was decidedly agitated. "I don't know that either."
Wendy bit her lip. "Then, what does your heart tell you?"
His heart told him nothing, for it was too occupied in weeping at the moment. He sighed deeply and surveyed the land more intently. If he were a boy again on his very first voyage to Neverland, where would he go?
"We ought to find the fairies," was Peter's ultimate decision.
And so the couple took their first tentative steps off the frigid clouds, which was quite a reprieve, and floated down towards the barely discernable forest. So too was Wendy quite distressed to see Neverland, a place holding so many dear memories in her heart, looking so withered and cruel. They flew past the Indian camp, where they could just make out the tiniest of fires struggling to stay lit and keep its many unfortunate inhabitants warm and provided for. They sailed across the mermaid's lagoon, with nary a mysterious creature in sight. Over the Pirate's Cove, Peter sneered as he threw a wary glance at the Jolly Roger, swaying from side-to-side between two large plates of ice. He and Wendy silently prayed that Captain Hook had not yet gotten a hold of Anthony.
Their hands tightly bound together, the Pans swooped down among the trees of the jungle. Peter felt the leaves slide against his fingers and he flew past, wet and cold, and very uninviting. Peter guided Wendy as he made a sharp turn back toward the Indian camp, where he remembered the fairies' lair resting in close proximity. Between the dense shrubberies were they able to finally perceive the smallest glimmers of green and gold, peeking out from between the tree branches like mischievous children. Soon, he turned to Wendy and pointed straight ahead, and in no time were they both greeted with the first lovely sight they had beheld since arriving as the great tree where the fairies lived stood glowing before them as if awaiting their arrival.
They landed on the ground in front of the tree, the warm, soft grass an immense relief between their bare toes. And you can imagine the young couples surprise when, straight away, a dozen or more fairies came out to welcome them! Perhaps they really *were* awaiting them!
Much as they had done Anthony, the fairies buzzed all about Peter, talking at once and making broad gestures. A few other younger fairies fluttered around Wendy, as if surveying this strange creature whom they did not wholly recognize. Peter smiled and giggled childishly, having forgotten how it was to be completely admired and worshipped by all mystical beings in this strange little kingdom. Wendy watched with a tingle in her heart, knowing how her husband had missed this place so. Every so often, during the early days of their marriage, she would awake in a cold sweat, having dreamed that Peter had changed his mind and gone back to Neverland. But these thoughts only ever crept into Wendy's nightmares; never in her conscious thoughts. Not even now.
Peter carried on happily receiving this downpour of love from the fairies until they were all suddenly rapt by the most glorious luminescence now radiating from the great tree. And within this radiance, Peter and Wendy instantly identified the Fairy King and Queen. They floated, most distinguished, toward them, the King holding his Queen's tiny hand aloft. Upon seeing Peter, the Queen's eyes gave off a most affectionate twinkle.
"Peter," she cooed in a golden voice. "We are so happy to see you again." Both she and the King regally bowed their heads to him. Peter returned the gesture. The fairy monarchs then turned their attention to Wendy.
Peter took his wife by his side proudly. "Oh...surely, you remember *my* queen, Wendy?" Indeed they did, and they bowed respectfully to her as well, Wendy answering with a polite curtsy.
"We suspected that you might come back here," stated the King.
"Yes," Peter answered gravely. "To find my son. Have you seen him?"
"Naturally," replied the Queen. "A most charming boy. You two should be proud to have created such a beguiling child."
"Thank you," Wendy responded automatically, not quite knowing how much she really meant it.
"Where is he now?" Peter inquired.
"Oh, we cannot tell you, Peter," the King said.
Peter stamped his foot, suddenly awash with frustration. "I am tired of hearing that! Why can't anybody ever give me a straight answer?!" Wendy put a hand on his shoulder to calm him, but the fairies appeared unaffected.
"Peter, you cannot expect us to help you to take away the one salvation that this island has been sorely lacking these past years," the King explained.
"What *has* happened here?" Peter asked, his interest in this subject piqued anew.
"Since you went away to grow up, the island decayed into a great state of disarray," the Queen said. "From the instant your wonderful soul left our atmosphere, it was seized right out from under us most cruelly, with little hope to regain it. Until now."
"Seized? How? By whom?" Peter asked.
"Hook," came the King's dreadful reply. Peter's jaw tightened. "From the moment he got word of your imminent departure, he carefully laid plans to take over everything around us. After you left during the Indians' wedding ceremony, he and his men quickly ambushed us all. Now everyone and everything lay waste and subservient to his dastardly whims."
"That monster," Peter muttered under his breath.
"So, you see, Peter," the King continued. "We need your Anthony here, with us, if Neverland is to ever have any hope of crawling out from underneath Hook's thumb."
Peter shook his head in disbelief. "Had I known...if I had even suspected...I never would have..."
He felt Wendy's hand slip around his arm. He looked up to meet her troubled gaze. Never would have what? Oh, how could he even think such a thing?! Peter shook the suggestion from his mind. Wendy breathed a silent sign of relief. Her worst nightmare had nearly come true.
"You made your decision, Peter," the Queen said. "You knew you would have to make a great many sacrifices in doing so. This is just but one of them."
"How can you say that so flippantly?" Peter snarled. "Have you ANY idea what my wife and I have been through the past three years?"
Now the proud King became impatient. "Have YOU any idea what WE have been through the past three years?"
Peter said nothing. There was nothing *to* say. They were right. As selfish as he was, he could not possibly demean their pain and suffering in favor of his own. So, he remained mum, and Wendy spoke up for him.
"We are terribly sorry, Your Majesties," she pleaded, her eyes welling up. "Peter did not mean to be thoughtless. We just miss our son so very much."
"We are not unsympathetic to your predicament, my dear," the Queen said. "But the lives and well-being of a great many more are at stake here on this island. Your boy is alive and well. And happy. Is it not enough just to know this?"
Wendy could feel herself beginning to sob, though she tried to suppress it. Peter put his arms around her. They were silent for a long moment. Again, the fairies were right. As long as they knew Anthony was all right and doing something for the Greater Good, who were they to be so stingy? But this did not make the pill any easier to swallow.
Finally, Peter said: "May we at least see him?" He stole a quick glance to Wendy. "Before we leave?"
The fairies smiled broadly. "Yes, of course you may."
"But you can't tell us where he is," Peter reaffirmed.
They shook their little heads. "No, you must find you own way to him. And you must not try to take him away. All the island will have its eyes on you, so use caution."
Peter and Wendy nodded.
"Maybe Tinker Bell can help us," Wendy whispered to Peter.
"Oh, no," the King interrupted, catching the couple off-guard.
"What?" Wendy asked, amazed that they should be able to hear her.
"Tinker Bell could not possibly help you," said the King.
"No, indeed." The Queen shook her head sadly.
"Why? What's wrong?" Peter asked, his heart starting to pound in his chest.
The King grinned apologetically. "The fairy Tinker Bell is in exile."
"Exile? For what?"
The monarchs exchanged a look as if not quite sure if they should tell him. But the King gave a reassuring nod and pressed on. "After you left, and Hook took over, I am sad to say that Tinker Bell went quite mad. She began taking frenzied trips back to Earth, pushing innocent babies out of their prams at random, in some pathetic hope that this would somehow bring you back. Hook got wind of these excursions and threatened to squash her, but fortunately we were able to step in and suggest she simply be exiled instead. Thankfully, Hook agreed."
"Oh, how awful!" Wendy exclaimed. "So you don't know what's become of her at all?"
The Queen shook her head. "She was banished to the Black Castle, but a worker party sent there recently to collect coal returned saying there was nary a sign of her anywhere."
"We are sorry to tell you this," the King said. "We know how great a friend she was to you."
Now Peter felt his own eyes becoming moist, and he hung his head. "It was because of her that we were able to come here."
With every passing second, Peter and Wendy's trip to Neverland, which had so promised to be the happiest event to occur for them in a very long time, was sinking further and further into darkness. Just like the island itself.
Soon, there was nothing more to say, nothing more to be explained, and so the Pans took their leave from the fairies' den. They thanked the King and Queen for all their continued kindness – especially toward Anthony – and then disappeared into the woods to find their son for one final, heart- wrenching farewell.
And as they watched the dark and unforgiving jungle engulf the couple, the King and Queen exchanged a most impish grin...
After a nice long weekend break, here's Chapter XI.......Comments! Comments! Please! Please! (
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
XI. THE FATHER'S HOMECOMING
As they sat resting on a cold and stale cloud, Peter gazed down upon a world that he no longer recognized. Had he known his happy and hopeful journey would bring him to this, he may not have been able to fly at all. But the Happy Thoughts of he and his Wendy finding their son again and bringing him home sustained their flight the whole way. It was amazing how it all came back to Peter so easily. They barely missed a mark – save for Peter's brief stopover to Kensington Gardens, where he swooped down upon the Caw's tree and taunted them with his arrogance in finding his own way to get to Neverland.
"That was not very polite, Peter," Wendy had scolded as they flew away. But Peter only smiled that enigmatic smile of his, and so infectious was his smile that she had instantly forgiven him.
But now, after laying eyes on his once precious home, Peter's smile seemed like a distant memory. What had happened? Truth be told, had Peter seen the island but a day before, he would have undoubtedly been much more depressed. Thanks to his son, Neverland was starting to boast small yet revitalizing signs of life. The waters were no longer one continuous and stagnant sheet of ice but were now broken up into small floating chunks of ice in still waters. And even from the sky, one could make out tiny yet quite conspicuous dots of green sparkling magically among the chilly blue that occupied the majority of the land. (But Peter did not know his son was responsible for this, and he rather thought these minute flickers of life were perhaps due to his own presence.) On the whole, though, Neverland remained not a dreamscape but a nightmare.
Peter found this quite unacceptable and immediately became taken with a sense of obligation – to find some quick answers and even quicker remedies for Neverland's gross malaise. Wendy had to remind him that they were not there to fix Neverland, but to find their boy – his disappearance really the *only* problem needing to be fixed, as far as she was concerned. But Peter, stubborn as he was, still desired a solution. He dared not to inquire to the Sun – who was in a deep sleep behind the gloomy clouds, as is the natural way of things – for to wake him when he should not be woken is to play with fire indeed. So, he scanned the surface of the island, searching for any hints.
"Where shall we start?" Wendy asked.
"I don't know," came Peter's mumbled response.
"Well, where did you go when you first came to Neverland?"
Peter's reply was decidedly agitated. "I don't know that either."
Wendy bit her lip. "Then, what does your heart tell you?"
His heart told him nothing, for it was too occupied in weeping at the moment. He sighed deeply and surveyed the land more intently. If he were a boy again on his very first voyage to Neverland, where would he go?
"We ought to find the fairies," was Peter's ultimate decision.
And so the couple took their first tentative steps off the frigid clouds, which was quite a reprieve, and floated down towards the barely discernable forest. So too was Wendy quite distressed to see Neverland, a place holding so many dear memories in her heart, looking so withered and cruel. They flew past the Indian camp, where they could just make out the tiniest of fires struggling to stay lit and keep its many unfortunate inhabitants warm and provided for. They sailed across the mermaid's lagoon, with nary a mysterious creature in sight. Over the Pirate's Cove, Peter sneered as he threw a wary glance at the Jolly Roger, swaying from side-to-side between two large plates of ice. He and Wendy silently prayed that Captain Hook had not yet gotten a hold of Anthony.
Their hands tightly bound together, the Pans swooped down among the trees of the jungle. Peter felt the leaves slide against his fingers and he flew past, wet and cold, and very uninviting. Peter guided Wendy as he made a sharp turn back toward the Indian camp, where he remembered the fairies' lair resting in close proximity. Between the dense shrubberies were they able to finally perceive the smallest glimmers of green and gold, peeking out from between the tree branches like mischievous children. Soon, he turned to Wendy and pointed straight ahead, and in no time were they both greeted with the first lovely sight they had beheld since arriving as the great tree where the fairies lived stood glowing before them as if awaiting their arrival.
They landed on the ground in front of the tree, the warm, soft grass an immense relief between their bare toes. And you can imagine the young couples surprise when, straight away, a dozen or more fairies came out to welcome them! Perhaps they really *were* awaiting them!
Much as they had done Anthony, the fairies buzzed all about Peter, talking at once and making broad gestures. A few other younger fairies fluttered around Wendy, as if surveying this strange creature whom they did not wholly recognize. Peter smiled and giggled childishly, having forgotten how it was to be completely admired and worshipped by all mystical beings in this strange little kingdom. Wendy watched with a tingle in her heart, knowing how her husband had missed this place so. Every so often, during the early days of their marriage, she would awake in a cold sweat, having dreamed that Peter had changed his mind and gone back to Neverland. But these thoughts only ever crept into Wendy's nightmares; never in her conscious thoughts. Not even now.
Peter carried on happily receiving this downpour of love from the fairies until they were all suddenly rapt by the most glorious luminescence now radiating from the great tree. And within this radiance, Peter and Wendy instantly identified the Fairy King and Queen. They floated, most distinguished, toward them, the King holding his Queen's tiny hand aloft. Upon seeing Peter, the Queen's eyes gave off a most affectionate twinkle.
"Peter," she cooed in a golden voice. "We are so happy to see you again." Both she and the King regally bowed their heads to him. Peter returned the gesture. The fairy monarchs then turned their attention to Wendy.
Peter took his wife by his side proudly. "Oh...surely, you remember *my* queen, Wendy?" Indeed they did, and they bowed respectfully to her as well, Wendy answering with a polite curtsy.
"We suspected that you might come back here," stated the King.
"Yes," Peter answered gravely. "To find my son. Have you seen him?"
"Naturally," replied the Queen. "A most charming boy. You two should be proud to have created such a beguiling child."
"Thank you," Wendy responded automatically, not quite knowing how much she really meant it.
"Where is he now?" Peter inquired.
"Oh, we cannot tell you, Peter," the King said.
Peter stamped his foot, suddenly awash with frustration. "I am tired of hearing that! Why can't anybody ever give me a straight answer?!" Wendy put a hand on his shoulder to calm him, but the fairies appeared unaffected.
"Peter, you cannot expect us to help you to take away the one salvation that this island has been sorely lacking these past years," the King explained.
"What *has* happened here?" Peter asked, his interest in this subject piqued anew.
"Since you went away to grow up, the island decayed into a great state of disarray," the Queen said. "From the instant your wonderful soul left our atmosphere, it was seized right out from under us most cruelly, with little hope to regain it. Until now."
"Seized? How? By whom?" Peter asked.
"Hook," came the King's dreadful reply. Peter's jaw tightened. "From the moment he got word of your imminent departure, he carefully laid plans to take over everything around us. After you left during the Indians' wedding ceremony, he and his men quickly ambushed us all. Now everyone and everything lay waste and subservient to his dastardly whims."
"That monster," Peter muttered under his breath.
"So, you see, Peter," the King continued. "We need your Anthony here, with us, if Neverland is to ever have any hope of crawling out from underneath Hook's thumb."
Peter shook his head in disbelief. "Had I known...if I had even suspected...I never would have..."
He felt Wendy's hand slip around his arm. He looked up to meet her troubled gaze. Never would have what? Oh, how could he even think such a thing?! Peter shook the suggestion from his mind. Wendy breathed a silent sign of relief. Her worst nightmare had nearly come true.
"You made your decision, Peter," the Queen said. "You knew you would have to make a great many sacrifices in doing so. This is just but one of them."
"How can you say that so flippantly?" Peter snarled. "Have you ANY idea what my wife and I have been through the past three years?"
Now the proud King became impatient. "Have YOU any idea what WE have been through the past three years?"
Peter said nothing. There was nothing *to* say. They were right. As selfish as he was, he could not possibly demean their pain and suffering in favor of his own. So, he remained mum, and Wendy spoke up for him.
"We are terribly sorry, Your Majesties," she pleaded, her eyes welling up. "Peter did not mean to be thoughtless. We just miss our son so very much."
"We are not unsympathetic to your predicament, my dear," the Queen said. "But the lives and well-being of a great many more are at stake here on this island. Your boy is alive and well. And happy. Is it not enough just to know this?"
Wendy could feel herself beginning to sob, though she tried to suppress it. Peter put his arms around her. They were silent for a long moment. Again, the fairies were right. As long as they knew Anthony was all right and doing something for the Greater Good, who were they to be so stingy? But this did not make the pill any easier to swallow.
Finally, Peter said: "May we at least see him?" He stole a quick glance to Wendy. "Before we leave?"
The fairies smiled broadly. "Yes, of course you may."
"But you can't tell us where he is," Peter reaffirmed.
They shook their little heads. "No, you must find you own way to him. And you must not try to take him away. All the island will have its eyes on you, so use caution."
Peter and Wendy nodded.
"Maybe Tinker Bell can help us," Wendy whispered to Peter.
"Oh, no," the King interrupted, catching the couple off-guard.
"What?" Wendy asked, amazed that they should be able to hear her.
"Tinker Bell could not possibly help you," said the King.
"No, indeed." The Queen shook her head sadly.
"Why? What's wrong?" Peter asked, his heart starting to pound in his chest.
The King grinned apologetically. "The fairy Tinker Bell is in exile."
"Exile? For what?"
The monarchs exchanged a look as if not quite sure if they should tell him. But the King gave a reassuring nod and pressed on. "After you left, and Hook took over, I am sad to say that Tinker Bell went quite mad. She began taking frenzied trips back to Earth, pushing innocent babies out of their prams at random, in some pathetic hope that this would somehow bring you back. Hook got wind of these excursions and threatened to squash her, but fortunately we were able to step in and suggest she simply be exiled instead. Thankfully, Hook agreed."
"Oh, how awful!" Wendy exclaimed. "So you don't know what's become of her at all?"
The Queen shook her head. "She was banished to the Black Castle, but a worker party sent there recently to collect coal returned saying there was nary a sign of her anywhere."
"We are sorry to tell you this," the King said. "We know how great a friend she was to you."
Now Peter felt his own eyes becoming moist, and he hung his head. "It was because of her that we were able to come here."
With every passing second, Peter and Wendy's trip to Neverland, which had so promised to be the happiest event to occur for them in a very long time, was sinking further and further into darkness. Just like the island itself.
Soon, there was nothing more to say, nothing more to be explained, and so the Pans took their leave from the fairies' den. They thanked the King and Queen for all their continued kindness – especially toward Anthony – and then disappeared into the woods to find their son for one final, heart- wrenching farewell.
And as they watched the dark and unforgiving jungle engulf the couple, the King and Queen exchanged a most impish grin...