Author's Note: Well, what can I say? This is the actual end! Yes, the final chapter. reaches for a tissue Finishing a story is always sad for me. I want to thank everyone who has reviewed and has given me nudges for updating; I am flattered and humbled by how much you all have enjoyed this story. Now, here is the last chapter.

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Chapter Five: The Stars Come Out Again

Wendy rubbed a hand over her eyes before she folded up her partly done dress and tucked it in her sewing basket along with her thread and needle. After putting it away, she added a few logs to the fire. Wrapping her arms around herself, she watched thoughtfully the sleeping boys for a minute. A smile tugged on the corners of her mouth as she took note of Curly's head hanging over the edge of the bed at a seemingly uncomfortable angle. Holding back a giggle, she walked to him and gently placed his head back on his pillow, careful not to wake him. She quickly glanced at Peter as she crossed the room where her bedding was rolled up against the wall; he was asleep with his mouth slightly open. She began to pick up her pillow and one of the blankets. Then she paused, a thought brushing her mind.

Wendy hesitated a moment, gazing from the pillow and blanket in her hands to the others sleeping and back again, before settling her bed items back on the floor. Quietly she moved about the house. She got her dagger and strapped it around her waist. She then retrieved the small lantern that rested on a shelf, and lighted it. Quickly, carefully, she left house through her tree and stepped outside.

The night was cool, and Wendy shivered slightly. She smiled politely at the two Indians who noticed her presence before silently moving into the underbrush, holding the lantern high in front of her. It was her first time going to her secret hideaway in the dead of night, and she was unable to shake away a feeling of slight unease as she slowly made her through the dark island.

The Neverland, lighted by the pale moon, full of shadows, silent say for the light breeze stirring through the trees and brushes, was strangely different from the bright, pleasant, Neverland Wendy was used to, the one that basked in the sunshine and rang with the singing of birds, mermaids, and boys' laughter. Wrapping her free arm around her, she shuddered slightly. Being alone in this unfamiliar dark, mysterious Neverland frightened her a bit.

Pausing in her walking, Wendy looked behind her. In the dim light it seemed, to her eyes, the gnarled trees with their nearly bare branches formed a tunnel closing behind her. Wendy blinked and shook her head, knowing it was only her imagination, her eyes playing tricks on her, for she was certain she was not far from reaching the curtains of ivy.

Squaring her shoulders, she bravely plunged on but halted several minutes later as a nearby howl reached her ears. Wendy paled. She knew wild beasts roamed the island in the hours of darkness, Peter had told her of such tales. She regrettably recalled his warning her never to go out alone about the island after nightfall; if she ever did, she should have himself, Slightly, or Tootles go with her. He had told her, his hazel eyes full of sternness (very unusual for him).

She uttered a small cry when she heard an answering howl, this one closer. With a shaking hand she drew her dagger and looked wildly about, trying to pinpoint from which direction the howls had come. A rustle from her left grabbed her attention. Filled with panic, she was tempted to run but knew she would become lost if she ran away blindly, and Peter was one never to run away from danger… Quickly setting the lantern on the ground, Wendy waited for the unknown creature to appear, her heart pounding, her hands becoming wet, her mouth dry, and her eyes wide.

The scuffling came closer until the bush right before Wendy swayed in the windless air. She clutched her dagger tightly in her white-knuckled hands. She blinked in confusion when a bark like sound came from the bush. In the next moment Wendy's wet wolf bounded out from behind it.

A crashing wave of relief washed over Wendy as she let out a long, shaky sigh. Putting away her dagger with numb hands, she sunk slowly to the ground, her legs having turned to jelly. For a long moment, she simply wrapped her arms around her wolf's neck and buried her face in its warm, soft fur, trembling still. As she took a deep breath, the last of her fears vanished, and a sense of security gently embraced her. A happy smile crept across her face.

Rubbing her face over the silver-grey fur a final time, she drew back, keeping her arms about her pet, and became aware of the fact that her wolf had its head thrown back and was howling in perhaps a joyous fashion, as though saying, I found you! over and over again. Wendy's smile broadened, and she giggled when her wolf ceased its howling and covered its mistress's upturned face with wet kisses.

When both had calmed down, Wendy playfully wagged a finger at her wolf. "You shouldn't scare like that," she scolded.

Her wolf's only response was to lick her a last time and to wave its tail back and forth wildly.

Wendy rose to her feet and retrieved the nearly forgotten lantern. She resumed her journey with a new sense of protection and excitement. She gently had hold of her wolf, while again she held the lantern before them to provide a little light as they moved into the forest.

Within minutes they passed through the first curtain of ivy. Wendy stumbled slightly, but her wolf led her slowly, knowingly, forward. An undeterminable time later, the two walked through the final curtain. Wendy tilted her back, her eyes widening at the sight she beheld, gasped, and quickly blew out the light in the lantern.

Silently she sat down and felt her wolf settle beside her. She wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her chin on her knees, suddenly feeling small and insignificant, an intruder.

The enclosed clearing was not dark and gloomy as the rest of the island tonight, nor as deserted and silent as this morning. Beams of light darted about the area, many appearing from and disappearing into the gold and silver trees. Pixie dust of dazzling colors, blue, white, orange, yellow, green, and violet rained down to the forest floor, twinkling like stars having fallen to the earth from the heavens.

In delight and awe Wendy watched the breathtaking spectacle high above her head. At times when she narrowed her eyes, she thought she could make out the forms of the fairies that flew close by her. As the balls of light ceased darting about and seemed to form pairs, the air seemed to be filled with a lighthearted, mystical music.

A dreamy sigh escaped Wendy's lips, and she momentarily turned her attention to her wolf who requested a pat on the head. When she raised her head again, Wendy's brows rose.

Sailing almost lazily among the dancing, whirling fairies and dust was a figure that did not glow or shimmer. Descending through the air, Wendy gradually realized who it was. She was unable to keep from gaping as Peter gracefully landed before her, a smile on his face. She continued staring as he seated himself beside her. He gazed at her for a long time, two stars twinkling at her. Blinking, she found her voice.

"What are you doing here?" she asked in a near whisper.

Peter grinned cockily. "Looking for you," he said.

Blushing at this unexpected answer, Wendy dropped her eyes. "Really?"

"You've always been sitting before the fireplace, sewing, whenever I would look." A thoughtful look came to Peter's eyes. "But you were not anywhere in the house tonight. The redskins pointed the way you went – a long while ago. Your wolf was nearby and anxious to help me find you." He frowned, troubled.

Wendy listened, speechless.

"I heard her howls signaling she had found you. And I found you here," he ended. His frowned softened when he turned to Wendy.

"I'm sorry I worried you," she stammered.

With a shake of his head, the worry lines disappeared from the boy's face, the stars in his eyes winked at her, and he smiled. He motioned to the fairies above them.

"They have a dance here every year," he said, "all the fairies from the island, and the fairy court."

"Oh, how sweet!" Wendy breathed. Among those hundreds balls of light, was she watching fairy royalty?

The three companions watched the dazzling display in silence. As time slipped on, Wendy blinked her eyes sleepily and fought back a yawn; she did not want to fall asleep during this amazing spectacle. Unconsciously her head slowly came to rest on Peter's shoulder as she grew drowsier. Her attention focused on the magical creatures, music, and rain; she was not aware of Peter peeking down at her and smiling tenderly, nor of his hand brushing her hair before he lifted his head up once more.

"It is so lovely," Wendy mumbled before allowing her heavy lids to close shut. Never would she forget this night, never.

"Yes, you are."

Wendy opened her eyes for a second to discover the raining dust subsiding and the balls of light lessening. Closing her eyes, she allowed sleep to creep over her. The warmth of something like a blanket surrounded her. Her last conscious thought was that she had only imagined hearing those words.

THE END