Title: Spirited Away
Author: Squeezynz
Chapter: Eight - There and Back
Rating: PG13
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Author's Note: I wanted to thank all those who have so enthusiastically reviewed this story. You are all treasures.
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Wendy returned to their makeshift camp after she had calmed herself down with a dunk of her head in an ice cold stream and an internal dressing down for being such an idiot as to think herself in love with a boorish oaf like Peter Pan. For however long it took to solve the riddle of his parents and his memory Wendy was going to have to keep her distance, both physically and emotionally. It was clear that if she allowed him the slightest leeway he'd take that as permission to take everything, her heart, her body and her soul.
His ignorance, while endearing, was part of the problem. Emotionally he was still the boy she'd left in Neverland, curious, noble and self-serving, he was also kind, almost foolishly brave and quite possibly the love of her life. His notion that they marry merely to satisfy his curiosity about physical intimacy was an issue she felt woefully inadequate to address.
Wendy admitted, but only to herself, that she was just as curious, his kisses creating a desire in her that she was almost afraid to acknowledge, so intense the sensations. But in the end, when he had his memory back, when they had solved the mystery of James Hook and Peter's history, what then? Was she to choose a life on Neverland with him, to forget about her family back in London? Or would she, could she, return to the life she'd left behind and grow up without him?
She had told him she wouldn't leave him, Kirano had told her to listen to her heart, her body tempted her to let him take her ultimate prize, but her head, her head reminded her that Peter had only wanted to remain a boy and never grow up. Hook had said that growing up was a barbarous business and Wendy was starting to agree with the deceased pirate. She had never felt so muddled or torn in different directions, not helped by her bodies wayward reactions, apparently helpless to resist Peters' ample attractions.
But resist him she must, if only for her own sanity.
Denying the clamoring of her body and heart, Wendy decided that until things became clearer, she would have to keep her distance from Peter.
Her mind made up she pushed her wet hair from her face, tucking it behind her ears before drawing in a deep breath. Mentally girding her loins she entered the clearing to see Peter still sitting by the fire as she'd left him but with the packs beside him, apparently ready to go.
"How much further to the Indian village?" She asked, her eyes on the fire.
"A full day as we'll be going slower." Getting to his feet, Peter couldn't stop a grimace crossing his face.
"We could wait another day if you're in too much pain."
Peter shook his head. "I'll be fine...it's just a little sore."
As he reached down for the pack, Wendy darted forward and snatched it out of his reach, swinging it onto one shoulder before gathering the water skins and slinging them over the other. "I'll carry these, they don't weigh very much. Your one is empty after all."
"Wendy...about what I said..."
Already turning to leave Wendy twisted her head around. "Don't Peter...it's not important."
"But..."
"We have a long way to go..."
Wincing at her cold tone Peter started to kick dirt over the fire, dousing the flames. Wendy had already turned away, flicking her wet hair over her shoulder as she waited for him. Shaking his head he sighed and walked over to her, the fire put out.
Passing her he set out down the track, Wendy's footfalls behind him.
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Peter hated being at outs with Wendy, her silence, like a whip, flayed his nerves until he wanted to stop and shake her to make her talk.
That it was his fault they were incommunicado was little comfort, as he had no idea how to set everything right again. It had seemed to make sense to him that if they were married then there would be no need for them not to be together in every sense of the word. But apparently there was more to it than just saying the words, it required a ceremony and someone in authority, requirements that Neverland simply didn't have, at least not in the way that Wendy explained it.
Life had suddenly got a whole lot more complicated.
As the morning progressed to afternoon they crested the ridge and were starting down the other side when Peter drew to a halt on a ledge that gave them a view over the area of coastline that had supported the small Indian village.
"You did say the place had been deserted...didn't you?" Wendy asked, arching a brow as Peter stared in confusion at the multiple columns of smoke rising from the forest below.
"It was...there was nothing there!"
"Well it would appear that someone has returned."
Shooting her a fulminating look, Peter swung away and headed down the slope, Wendy close behind.
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They needed the rest of the afternoon to reach the outskirts of the village, Peter still nursing his injuries and Wendy loaded down with the packs and water skins. They had eaten their lunch as they walked, not wanting to waste time making a fire, the fruit snatched from handy bushes along the trail. Still munching on a hand of bananas, Wendy tossed the remains away when Peter signaled her to crouch down.
"We're nearly there...I want to scout ahead before we go any further."
"But if it's the Indian's they're your friends Peter."
"We're only assuming it's the same Piccaninny tribe that you knew before...maybe its a whole new bunch...either way I'm not taking any chances."
"And what do you want me to do while your scouting?"
"Stay hidden...I'll come back if it's all clear."
"And what do I do if you don't come back?" Wendy had risen to her feet and stood in the center of the trail with her hands on her hip.
"What?" Peter had also risen, the Indian's forgotten for the moment.
"You heard me." Tossing her head she tilted her chin. "I'm coming with you."
Peter gaped at her. "You hardly speak to me all day and now you want to argue with me?"
"I don't want to be left behind."
"I wasn't going to leave you behind...I was going to come back for you."
Wendy rolled her eyes. "And I said..."
"Do all girls argue all the time, or is it just something special to you?"
All her best intentions of keeping her distance flew out of the window as she stepped toe to toe with Peter, their faces only inches apart, hers perforce tilted up to his, oblivious to their surroundings.
"Whoever is camped at the site now, we can investigate together."
"It might not be safe!"
As he stared down at her, his temper rising, he still had to marvel at her spirit, her eyes flashing up at him like twin stars. So absorbed in his admiration he didn't notice the figures moving stealthily towards them, Peter and Wendy surrounded before they even noticed their approach.
"Seri pas nichasa."
The deep male voice made Peter jerk his head up in alarm, the sound of bow strings pulled back making him reach for his knife only to have his arms seized and pulled behind his back before his fingers got close. Wendy had whirled around and stood with her back to him, facing the man who'd spoken.
They were surrounded by armed and painted redskins, their bows notched and ready to fly, their leader standing slightly in front of his braves, regarding the young people with an enigmatic expression.
"Seri pas nichasa?" The man spoke again, the words foreign to both Wendy and Peter's understanding.
Despite being bound and held by two braves, Peter tilted his chin and addressed the man. "Is this how you greet travelers? We mean you no harm."
"Then why do you sneak up on our village...although if you were, you were making a poor hand of it. The youngest girl-child in our camp could have done better."
Wendy gaped at the man, his English perfect with only a trace of an accent. Shutting her mouth hurriedly she glanced back at Peter before speaking.
"Please...we only came here to see who had moved into the village. It had been empty for so long we were...curious."
The leader gave her a perplexed look, exchanging glances with his braves before bursting out laughing, the braves joining him.
"You must be touched by the sun. Our village has been here more moons than I've been alive, or even my Father's Father has been alive. We have never gone anywhere but here."
Wendy exchanged a surprised look with Peter. "But Peter said..."
"Peter?" The man interrupted her. "Where is this Peter?"
"I am Peter...Peter Pan."
The brave stepped closer, brushing Wendy to one side to peer into Peter's face, searching his features as Peter stood his ground.
"You cannot be the Pan...he is..." The man indicated the height of a child with his hand. "And you are big."
"So I've been told...but I am Peter Pan."
Narrowing his eyes, the man stared at him, brown meeting green in a clash of wills. Abruptly turning away the leader signaled and Peter found himself free, his hands absently rubbing at his wrists to ease the rope burn.
"Come...you must meet our Chief and the Elders...they will want to speak with you."
Not waiting for an answer, the man signaled his braves to lower their weapons before surrounding Peter and Wendy and starting back along the trail with them at the center of the hunting party.
Wendy had been largely ignored, separated from Peter by the broad backs of the braves walking in front of her, their faces carefully inscrutable.
As they walked along the trail Wendy glanced at the proud faces around her but recognized none of them, their eyes avoiding hers, none of them so much as brushing against her.
Perplexed she trudged along behind them, unable to see much beyond the wall of copper skin surrounding her. Her nose twitched when the smell of campfires filled the air, the noise of many people starting to filter through the trees as they thinned until they were suddenly standing at the edge of a substantial camp, tall tepee's positioned at even intervals all over the large circular grounds, a broad avenue splitting the camp in two down which the hunting party marched with their captives.
Wendy stared around her, peering between the bodies that marched beside her seeing her stare returned by the women and children of the tribe, the crowd starting to trail behind the braves as they traversed the wide path between the tents. Voices washed over them, some calling to members of the hunting party who lifted hands to wave or answered back in their own language. When they finally halted a sizable crowd of Indian's surrounded them, the voices dying down until they all stood in silence. The leader of the hunting party stepped forward and entered a large, ornately decorated tepee, decorative spears on either side of the doorway holding back the flap of the opening. Almost at once he reappeared and stepped to the side to allow free passage to another man who stooped as he left the tepee, before straightening up. His head was crowned with an ornate feather bonnet which draped down his back almost to the ground, a large fur hide covering his shoulders like a cloak and secured with a bone broach at the front. In his hand he held a heavily carved staff taller than himself, the top and bottom surrounded by shell beads which rattled loudly when he thumped the ground for silence.
"Who are these strangers that you bring amongst us?"
The leader bowed to his chief and turned, pointing to Peter.
"This one claims to be called Peter Pan...the other is of no importance."
Wendy, still partially hidden behind the wall of redskins let go an outraged gasp, dark eyes turning to frown as she opened her mouth to retort only to have a large red hand clamp over her lips to silence her.
Ignoring the slight scuffle behind him, Peter lifted his chin and stared back at the chief, meeting the brown eyes fearlessly.
"I am Peter Pan."
The Chief stepped forward, his braves parting before him until the man stood in front of Peter, his dark eyes traveling over the young man from the top of his head to his dusty toes.
"I know of Peter Pan...and you are not he."
At a wave of the Chief's hand Peter once more found himself held tightly from behind, his struggles useless against the brawny braves.
"I am Peter Pan...I just got...big."
The Chief smiled at that, his eyes narrowing at he flicked a glance at the boy struggling to free himself.
"If you are Peter Pan...then fly...crow...these are things that Peter Pan would do without a second thought."
"I can't." Peter ground out.
"Then you are not Peter Pan...you are just an ordinary boy. Take them away."
Turning his back on the captives the Chief quickly returned to the tepee and ducked inside. Instantly the crowd burst into a babble of voices, conjecturing on who the strangers were while the captives found themselves bundled away, Peter bound hand and foot and Wendy still held tightly to prevent her crying out. They were taken to a small tepee near the back of the camp, the hide held to the ground by many wooden stakes to prevent anyone slipping under the edge while the single entrance was small and guarded by two braves. Peter and Wendy were pushed into the small tent after being stripped of the packs and Peter's weapons, including the golden hook. They both sprawled on the pile of skins against one wall, Peter narrowly missing the central pole before hitting the ground, unable to prevent his fall with his hands bound. As the braves left they shut the flap, plunging the tent into semi gloom, the only light coming from the smoke hole at the top of the tepee. Quickly righting herself, Wendy scrambled over to Peter and started to work on the knots of the thongs binding his hands, Peter laying still while she worked. Once free he went to the entrance flap and pulled it back only to have a large hand appear and push him back with such force he stumbled and fell back against the central pole with a yell, the flap closing once more. As he made to get up Wendy grabbed his arm to prevent him throwing himself at the tent flap.
"Peter, there's nothing you can do!"
Shaking off her hand he clenched his fist and thumped the dirt floor before throwing himself to the side, his face like thunder. Brushing herself off Wendy settled herself on the opposite side of the tent and crossed her legs Indian style.
Outside they could hear the murmur of voices as people went about their business, the laughter of children and barking of dogs punctuated with the chatter of women as they passed. Occasionally someone would stop and speak to the guards outside the tent and Wendy would listen intently but they spoke in their own language which she couldn't understand. Peter lay on the pile of skins to the side, his face covered by his arm, his head turned to the tent wall.
After a long stretch of silence Wendy looked up from her contemplation of the dirt floor and stared across at Peter.
"What are they going to do with us?"
"I don't know."
Another silence stretched the tension further between them. This time Peter was the one to break it.
"Did you recognize any of them from the time before?"
"I don't think so...I only spent a very little time in the Indian camp before and really only met Tiger Lily."
"Did you see her out there?"
"No."
Again they lapsed into silence, Peter not moving from his position on the skins, Wendy several feet away, the gulf between them widening with each minute.
Both of them jumped when the tent flap suddenly opened admitting a frowning brave followed by a woman bearing a tray.
The brave stood to one side, his arms crossed and a wicked tomahawk in one fist, watching the captives closely. The woman knelt down and placed the tray on the ground, lifting off the jug and crude mugs as well as a plate holding what looked like flat bread and slices of meat.
The meal laid out, the woman rose gracefully to her feet, the tray tucked under her arm. All the time she'd kept her head bent but just before she turned to go she lifted her head and stared directly at Wendy, her brown eyes full of curiosity, then widening in recognition, her lips parting as if to speak. Before she could the brave ushered her out leaving Wendy to stare after them, Peter having not moved an inch since the flap opened. Once alone he rolled over and sat up, one leg bent as he stared at the food and drink left for them. Wendy was still staring after the Indians, her brain trying to work out where she'd seen the woman before.
"At least they don't intend to starve us." Peter remarked, reaching for a piece of the bread and wrapping it around several slices of the meat.
"I think I know that woman...I think...I think it might have been Tiger Lily."
Peter was already chewing on a mouthful of food and spoke around it.
"Why didn't you say something then?"
"She looked as if she was going to speak but that brave hustled her out before she could."
"Hmmmm..."
"What are we going to do Peter?"
His only reply was to shrug, still occupied with the food left for them. Wendy glared at him, baffled and confused by his strange mood.
"I don't understand...I wish Kirano was here, he might have some idea of what to do next."
"I'm not sure I can do much, dear lady." Kirano's voice coming from beside her made Wendy jump so violently she screamed, twisting around to find the pint-sized savage sitting calmly beside her as if he'd always been there. Peter was sitting staring over at the man, his hand half way to his mouth, his eyes wide.
"How did you do that?" Peter barked, replacing the food on the plate.
"Wendy called...I came." The dark skinned man replied, shrugging indifferently as he reached for a handful of the food.
"Goodness you frightened me half to death." Wendy gasped, her hand pressed to her chest to still her hammering heart.
"So sorry dear lady...it is in the nature of surprises...to surprise."
"Yes...well, as you say." Wendy murmured, her pulse slowing down at last.
"Now...you want to ask me something?" Kirano raised a dark eyebrow inquiringly, his mouth working as he chewed.
"Well yes...the Indians don't believe that Peter...is Peter."
"Don't they? How unfortunate. Did you tell them he was the Pan?"
"Of course...but they remember Peter as a child and as he can't fly, or crow or do any of the things he used to, they don't believe him."
"I see...that is a problem." Kirano turned to face Peter, who had listened to Wendy's explanation of their predicament with a frown marring his forehead. "And what of you, young man? Has none of your memory returned?"
"Nothing worth noting...certainly nothing to tell me how I'm supposed to fly and crow and stuff." Peter replied, his eyes dropping to the ground. "I did find out I can fight with a sword."
"That's a start, I suppose." Kirano wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "And how are things progressing between you two?"
Both of the young people beside him suddenly found something else to look at other than each other, their faces rosy with blushes.
"Hmmmmm I see..." Kirano tipped up the jug and poured himself a drink, appearing to mull the problem over as he sipped.
"While you are at odds with each other there is little likelihood that anything will be sorted out regarding your memory. You both need to be working together, not pulling apart."
Staring down at his feet Peter mumbled something which neither Wendy nor Kirano could make out.
"Speak up Peter...what was that?" Kirano prodded, leaning forward.
"She won't marry me."
"Oh really Peter, this is hardly the place..." Wendy started only to have Kirano raise his hand to interrupt her.
"Why won't Wendy marry you Peter?"
Still staring at his feet Peter mumbled again, Wendy rolling her eyes but keeping her mouth shut when Kirano raised his hand.
"Wendy won't marry you because...?"
"I called her a...trollop."
"And is that the only reason?"
This brought Peter's head up, his eyes frowning at both Wendy and Kirano. "She said she was too young...and that there was no-one to marry us even if she wanted to...which she doesn't."
Turning his head Kirano raised an eyebrow to Wendy.
Blushing furiously, Wendy opened her mouth but found the words strangled in her throat. Closing her eyes she counted to ten silently then took a deep breath.
"What Peter said is true...we had an argument and I decided we would not suit."
"Then I have failed. There is nothing more I can do..." Lifting his hands in defeat, Kirano rose up onto his feet. "It is time for Wendy to return to whence she came..."
"What?" "NO!" Wendy and Peter cried out at the same time, both shocked at Kirano's pronouncement. The little man looked consideringly at them both, seeing the truth in their eyes and the conflict in their hearts.
"Then I will give you another chance to resolve this...more than just your futures are dependant on the return of your memory, Peter Pan. And more than your virtue is at stake if you choose to leave now, Wendy Darling."
Despite the man's small stature, he projected an aura of stern authority which both young people respected, even if they didn't entirely understand why.
"I don't want to leave." Wendy whispered, her face hidden behind the curtain of her hair. "But I don't want to get married either...at least not right now..I need some time."
"I'm sorry I called you a trollop...you're not, you know. And if you don't want to marry me...that's okay too. I understand."
"Do you Peter?"
"No...but I won't press my unwanted attentions on you. At least not unless you want me to."
Glancing up at him, Wendy saw his lips curved into a smile as he stared down at his hands, peeping up briefly to see if she was looking his way. Seeing her blue gaze fixed on his, his lips pulled further apart, her own mirroring his until they sat staring at each other, grinning like fools.
Forgotten, Kirano smiled to himself before fading away, his presence no more substantial than mist until nothing remained but his memory.
Glancing to the left Wendy suddenly realized that Kirano was gone, her eyes darting around the tent before coming to rest once more on Peter.
"How does he do that?"
Peter only shrugged, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the place Kirano had sat. Seeing something, he rose to his feet and started inspecting the tent wall, his fingers finding a long slit cut into the skin. Peeping through he saw the edge of the camp only a few feet way. Careful to replace the edges of the cut so that it appeared invisible, Peter turned back to Wendy and sat beside her.
Putting his mouth close to her ear he spoke. "We'll leave tonight...do you think you can find the fairy tree from here?"
Shivering from the feel of his warm breath against her skin, Wendy could just manage a nod before turning to face him. Finding herself so close to Peter, she blinked at him, noting that his hair was starting to grow out, the short stubble starting to curl against his scalp. Unable to prevent herself she reached up and ran her hair over his head, the short strands like silk against her finger tips.
Suddenly realizing that she was stroking his head, his lips pulled into a smirk, she snatched her hand back and turned away from him, resisting the urge by clenching her hands in her lap.
"That was nice...why did you stop?"
"I-I...promised myself I wouldn't get so close to you."
"Because I called you that name?"
"Y-yes, and because I think we're not ready for...this."
"Wendy?"
"Yes."
"I really want to kiss you right now."
Startled, she turned to face him again, her eyes wide. Leaning forward just enough Peter pressed his warm lips to hers, his eyes sliding shut as did hers. It was soft and sweet and unbearable short, Peter pulling away, his eyes opening to see that hers were still closed, dark lashes laying softly against her cheek. Smiling he leant forward again and kissed her again, Wendy adding her own pressure to the kiss, her head tilting to change the angle as, by unspoken agreement, the kiss deepened, lips parting to allow tongues to tangle.
The tent, Indian village and Neverland all faded away as the world narrowed down to just the two of them, their senses attuned to each other in harmony, their lips sealed one to the other, Peters' hands cradling her face, her own at the back of his head and neck, both unwilling to break the contact for more that a few seconds before resuming.
Somehow, without ending the kiss, they ended up laying side by side on the bed of skins, Wendy's' arms wound about his shoulders while his fingers threaded through her hair, holding her head gently as his mouth explored hers. Pulling away he stared down at her with hooded eyes, drinking in her swollen mouth, her cheeks flushed with colour, her eyes blinking sleepily up at him.
"Why don't you want to marry me?"
"Because I'm scared." Wendy replied with inate honesty.
"Of me?" Peter asked, his heart thumping as he waited for her reply.
"No...not really. I think I'm more scared of myself and the way you make me feel."
"Does this scare you?" Peter asked, lowering his head to press light kisses against her mouth, the corner of her lips, her nose then her cheek. Wendy had closed her eyes, submitting to his teasing caresses, her lips pulling into shy smile. When he stopped she opened her eyes and stared up at him.
"No...that doesn't scare me."
"Good."
Bending his head he resumed his teasing kisses, Wendy returning the pressure with nips and kisses of her own. So caught up in their own world they failed to notice the flap of the tepee lift and the man enter, his face changing from serious concern to wry amusement, his presence ignored by the young people at his feet. Exchanging an amused glance with the brave that had entered with him, the man cleared his throat loudly, his eyes staring up at the sides of the tent.
Peter heard him and froze, his eyes popping open to find Wendy staring up at him in alarm, her gaze going past his shoulder, a blush suffusing her face as she noticed their audience.
"Peter...get up!" Wendy hissed, pushing at him and struggling to get up herself.
Clambering to their feet, Wendy tried to bring some order to her disheveled hair, while Peter positioned himself just in front of her, protectively.
The tall man regarded the wary couple with an amused glint in his eye.
"For captives that have no idea of their fate, you seem remarkably calm."
Wendy was gripping Peter's hand behind his back, her fingers trembling in his.
"Have you come to tell us?" Peter asked, refusing to give in to his own fears for himself and Wendy.
"I am here to inform you that the elders are meeting tonight to decided what to do with you. It seems there is someone here that has recognized one of you, confirming that what you say is the truth."
Wendy's fingers suddenly squeezed his, Peter realizing she was thinking of the woman, Tiger Lily.
"Then why are we still being kept under guard?"
"For your own safety...the meeting tonight will decide the truth."
"Are we not to be allowed to speak?" Wendy interrupted, stepping up to stand beside Peter's shoulder.
"What could you add? You are prejudiced, he is your man."
"I would tell the truth of what I know." Wendy replied indignantly.
"You would not be believed."
"I don't lie...how dare you say I do."
"Whether you lie...or not, is irrelevant. Your fate will be decided tonight."
Before Wendy could voice another protest, Peter squeezed her hand asking her wordlessly to remain silent. Fuming, she did so.
"There will be guards posted outside this tent, so do not attempt to escape, it will not aid your cause."
Not waiting for a reply the man turned on his heel and left, the braves following him out, closing the flap behind him.
Putting his finger to his lips Peter indicated for Wendy to remain silent while he crept to the flap and lifted it just enough to peep outside. It was growing dark and he watched the man walk across the camp, leaving two brawny braves to stand either side of the entrance, their arms crossed over their bare chests.
Releasing the flap, Peter returned to where Wendy stood, the gloom of the tent almost impenetrable, only her pale face and white shirt easily visible within the tent.
"When its full dark we'll make our escape." He told her, keeping his voice pitched low.
"What if they've posted someone to guard the back of the tent?"
"Then we'll fight our way out...don't worry Wendy...we're not going to wait to find out what they decided, we'll decide our own fate."
"Oh Peter..." Crossing the short distance between them, Wendy threw her arms around his neck and pressed her face against his shoulder, Peter quickly wrapping his own arms around her and holding her close, all their previous enmity forgiven and forgotten.
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Wendy awoke with Peter's lips brushing her ear as he whispered to her.
"Time to wake up sleepyhead."
Rubbing her eyes she stared into the darkness of the tepee, her body tense with expectation. Peter was rising to his feet behind her, his hand groping for, and finding hers in the darkness, pulling her to her feet to stand beside him. Together they approached the tent flap and carefully peered out, the dark bulk of the two guards readily visible against the flare of the fire burning between them. Replacing the flap they snuck across the dirt floor to the opposite wall, Peter opening the cut slit, sticking out his head to check for another guard. Finding the way clear he passed through the gap, holding it open for Wendy to climb through before grabbing her hand and crouching low, both of them crossing the bare ground until they reached the shelter of the sparse trees, the soft ground deadening their footfalls as they ran through the forest. Out of sight of the Indian camp, Peter and Wendy paused in their flight, Peter holding Wendy close to his side as they fought to regain their breath. Wendy was trembling with fear and excitement, her hand pressed against Peter chest, his heart thumping against his ribs under his shirt.
"Do you recognize anything here?" Peter asked in a whisper, Wendy turning her head to look at their surroundings, trying hard to remember what it had looked like when Peter had lured her away to watch the fairies.
"There was a large grove of elephant ear ferns, you were hiding among them." Wendy told him, her breathing still labored.
"Then we'll need to circle the camp until we find it...come on, don't let go and keep low."
Staying within the deep shadows of the forest, they moved stealthily under the trees, the few fires still burning within the Indian camp casting little light beyond the tepees but providing a point of reference as they edged their way around the edge of the village. At one point a dog barked and Peter pulled Wendy to the ground in the deep shadow of a tree, Wendy pressed close to him as they waited for the alarm to be raised. Their luck held and the dog found itself told to be quiet, nobody bothering to investigate what had caused it to bark in the first place. With the village once more quiet they resumed their search, Wendy exclaiming when they found themselves amongst the very plants they'd been searching for, the huge leaves brushing against them as they waded through the mini-forest.
Turning her back on the camp Wendy tried to pierce the darkness and find the path that lead towards the fairy tree, remembering that Peter had flown her there, rather than walk across the forest floor. As she searched the darkness she spotted a pin-point of light in the distance. Peter also saw it and squeezed her hand. Silently they pushed through the large leaves until they stood within the circle of a grove of tall trunks, the bark covered in moss that hung down like hair. Staring up and around they searched for the light they'd seen. As if conjured from the air a tiny light appeared above their heads, flitting about way up in the branches, never still but darting back and forth, a trail of fairy dust twinkling behind it as it danced in the darkness.
Peter stared upwards with his mouth agape, his eyes following the darting light, hardly believing what his eyes were seeing.
"I didn't dare believe that they existed.." He breathed, his eyes tracking the darting creature as it floated down towards them.
"Didn't I tell you, you only had to believe..." Wendy replied, her arm lifting as if to touch the fey creature that fluttered still beyond their reach, the air glowing with fairy dust that cascaded down onto the pair watching below.
Slowly the fairy descended to where they waited, her wings beating rapidly as she circled above the couple, her movements jerky with suspicion and alarm. Keeping herself out of their reach the sprite started to speak, her voice reaching Peter and Wendy as a series of tinkling bells interspersed with ringing chimes that seemed to indicate the fairy was expecting them to answer her.
Peter felt something tickle the back of his mind, the chimes and bell-like sounds teasing his senses, the sounds forming words in his mind until he felt his lips forming the words, speaking them aloud.
"What are you doing here?"
Surprised, Wendy turned to Peter and stared at him. "Why do you ask that?"
"Not me...her." He pointed to the fairy.
"You understand it?"
"I-I..er...think so."
"Peter..that's wonderful...you remember!"
"I'm not sure...I hear the sounds,and then words form in my head..."
The fairy was hovering just out of reach directly above them, listening to their conversation. When Peter paused she chimed again, bobbing up and down in her excitement.
"She's asking who I am?" Peter told Wendy when she looked to him to translate.
"Tell her Peter." Wendy urged, excitement coloring her voice.
Drawing in a steadying breath, Peter turned back to face the fairy. "I am Peter...Peter Pan."
As soon as the name left his lips the fairy darted down directly into his face, her wings brushing against his skin as she darted around his head her hands touching his skin, his shoulders and head becoming coated in fairy dust until he appeared to glow, Wendy stepping away from him as the fairy wove strange patterns in the air around him, Peter laughing as the fairy tickled him with her wings.
As she stepped back a hand suddenly clamped itself over her mouth, her body pulled back against a hard chest by an iron arm. "Don't make a sound m'dear...we wouldn't want to spoil the lads moment, would we?"
Squirming helplessly against the hard arm dragging her backwards, Wendy could only watch as her world turned black, the hand over her nose and mouth suffocating her until she slumped in her captors' arms, insensible.
Unaware of the struggle taking place a stones throw from his side, Peter stood enthralled as the golden fairy continued to dance around him, her voice sing-songing around him as she bombarded him with questions of where he'd been hiding all the time, why he hadn't been to see them in such a long time, all fired at him in a bell chime that he heard in his head as words. Opening his mouth he allowed some of the dust to soak onto his tongue, his skin instantly tingling when he swallowed, a warmth pooling in his stomach, spreading outward to encompass his arms and legs until he felt as light as air, his arms coming up to spread out from his body, his head falling back on his neck, eyes closed.
Peter had felt nothing like this since he'd awoken cold and shivering on a black beach, the closest he could equate with the warmth flowing through him was when he kissed Wendy. Twirling on the spot he spun around, feeling something well up inside him, bursting to break free, his heart fit to burst with something bright. A chime from the fairy snapped his eyes open and he shouted in surprise to find himself floating high up among trees, the tendrils of moss floating in an unseen wind around him as he rose, his body as light as a feather. Looking down the ground appeared far below, lost in the darkness and shadows, his view distorted by the golden glow surrounding him. Another chime from the fairy drew his attention back to her, her body darting so fast about his head she appeared a blur, her fairy dust spiraling around him, soaking into his shirt and trousers, changing them from cotton and fine wool into skeleton leaves and soft kid leather that molded to his flesh like a second skin.
The fairy finally stopped her hectic flight, hovering in front of his face, her hands reaching out to him, a smile splitting her tiny face.
"Welcome back...Peter Pan."
Filling his lungs Peter suddenly let go a loud crow, the sound echoing around the forest sending birds flapping from their nests, animals scurrying from their burrows in alarm, head's popping out of the serene ocean lapping along Mermaid Bay, their gleaming eyes exchanging knowing glances before diving back under the water.
With a surge of power Peter jack knifed his body and dove through the air, twisting and turning as he refamiliarised himself with the sensation of flying, the fairy keeping up with him as he corkscrewed through the air, tumbling and somersaulting, pinwheeling up and down and around the tree trunks, oblivious to the fact that they were almost invisible in the darkness.
"I'M FLYING!" He cried out into the night, putting on a burst of speed that returned him to where he'd started. Touching down lightly he spun around, expecting to see Wendy waiting for him. Instead he was greeted by several copper skinned bodies rising from among the leaves, their painted faces regarding him in awe as he stood, legs apart, elbows bent, his fists resting on his hips, an arrogant tilt to his head.
As he stood there the glade rapidly filled with more of the Indians, those in front kneeling on the ground as others formed up in ranks behind them until the entire village, braves, women and children were all around him, their faces pressed to the earth in abeyance to the Pan standing before them.
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TBC...