And ten years can pass by so swiftly, when one is prepared to die.
In fact, to Wendy, those ten years of reality seemed more like a dream than any of her adventures in Neverland.
She had not bothered too much with becoming a lady. Oh, she had learned how to do all of the proper things that ladies did, and she wasn't above going to balls, or even flirting with the young men of London society.
She had even been in trouble with the headmistress of each school she had attended, and had spent some time locked away in her bedroom by Aunt Millicent, who had forgotten to take away Wendy's ink and paper.
When she was supposed to be thinking on her shameful behavior. . .she was usually sitting in the window seat, scribbling down stories of pirates and highwaymen. . .all of which she kept hidden in a hat box beneath her bed.
She intended to leave them to John or Michael, or even to their younger sister, Elisabeth. . .that they might read them to their children one day. Well, not Elisabeth. She was everything that a young girl should be. . .as Aunt Millicent occasionally pointed out. Delicate, and quiet. Not running around in her nightdress with strange boys, fighting pirates! Wendy laughed at the thought.
Well, she was rather excited about returning herself. Certainly, it was horrible, and John had tried to convince her it was silly. There was no need to return, he said.
He had almost convinced her that it was indeed foolish, when he made a mistake.
" Besides, it's not for a lady to go about, fighting pirates and keeping promises. That's a gentleman's job. You would probably be afraid now, that your all grown up." he had said, yawning.
Well! Wendy wasn't going to let a so-called gentleman re-arrange her definition of manners. Not when she thought he ought to show a little more gratitude.
" You might be a bit more thankful, John! I did make that promise for yours and Michael's sake!"
John just grinned. " I thought you made it for Peter's sake. . ." he said slyly.
Wendy blushed furiously. "Don't be ridiculous."
" Oh. . .I see. But, you were fond of him."
"Well, he was very angry with me when I left. I doubt he would ever speak to me now, especially since I am grown up."
" Yes, I am curious. . .how were you supposed to return? Surely you can't fly anymore?"
" I can fly. I have never forgotten. And. . .Peter did promise to send someone to help me find the way. He had to, or else he would have been just as wretched as the pirates."
"We'll see if he keeps his promises!"
" Yes. I will see." she said with a small smile.
The night of Wendy's departure came, at last. She felt a small thrill of excitement run through her. She was neither afraid, nor sad. She thought maybe she ought be ashamed of that fact. . .but she didn't have the time to be ashamed.
She had rested earlier that afternoon, and woken again from a dream of the Captain, waiting for her on the deck of the Jolly Roger. She was certain that this time, she could see him clearer, and that he was. . .well. . .watching her.
Not watching her as a little girl rowing away. . .but watching her right now, as she slept.
When she woke, she felt rather warm, and a tiny smile kept tugging at the side of her mouth, no matter what she did to control it.
After waking, she had eaten dinner with her family, and bid them all an early and affectionate goodnight. Michael looked appropriately glum. John winked at her, not believing she would be gone in the morning.
Her parents, Aunt Millicent, and Elisabeth noticed nothing more unusual than that Wendy was rather blushy and distant.
Later, Aunt Millicent would remark to Mrs. Darling that she was sure Wendy was in love. Probably with one of the young Hedgeworth boys, and that she was no doubt upstairs, writing a long love letter, or a poem. Perhaps planning an elopement.
"They are very fashionable these days." she said.
And Mrs. Darling smiled. After all. . .like mother like daughter, she thought.
Actually Wendy was packing a small carpet bag. She had written a letter. . .saying goodbye to her family, and to not worry, she was away on a grand adventure. She bequeathed her few possessions to them, and left the letter propped by the mirror on her dressing table.
Then she had only to wait. She sat at the window, holding her carpet bag, and her acorn. Peter's kiss.
But it was not Peter who came for her. It was another boy. One she had never seen before. He had wild red hair and such a dirty face you could barely see his numerous freckles.
She was afraid at first, that something had happened to Peter, or even the other lost boys. But the boy just grinned a wide and gap toothed mouth. " A-are y-yy-ou th-the mm-m-misss W-Wendy L-lady? " he stammered.
When she nodded, he bowed. " I-I-I am...c-c-called...S-S-t-tutt-tter. Stutter." He said, with a nod. " P-P-eter sssent mm-m-e t-t-to f-f-fetch you. C-c-can you s-s-still f-f-ly? " he pointed out the window.
" Yes, I can. I am ready to go, Stutter." she said, after a last look around her room.
Stutter looked too. " Y-yes, P-P-eter t-t-old m-me the wrong rrroom! I had t-t-to l-l-loook in all th-th-the windows. I s-say, it's j-jolly nice."
"Thank you." she said.
" S-so, let's g-go then." he said, and watched skeptically as Wendy stepped out onto the ledge.
"W-wait! Are y-you ssure y-you c-c-an f-f-ly? I-I n-never heard of a g-g-grown -up th-that could f-f-fly..." he looked a little worried that she might fall to her death, and he would have to face Peter's wrath.
Or Hook's.
Apparently, everyone in Neverland knew about the "Promise."
Wendy curtsied and grinned mischievously at Stutter. She stepped backwards toward the edge, slowly, teasing him once as she pretended to teeter back. He gasped and reached for her, and she waved at him before stepping backwards into dark emptiness.
She heard him cry out over her, and she laughed spinning over and over as she closed her eyes. How could anyone forget this?
She let herself almost dash against the cobbles before she pulled up into a graceful arch, shooting back to the edge and stopping, just inches from Stutter's white face.
He laughed a bit, rubbing his hair. " Y-y-you j-j-ust aren't as g-g-grown up as others, I-I g-g-uess. W-well, c-c-come on th-then. Y-you have a p-p-romise t-t-to k-k-eep" and taking her hand, he pulled her upwards into the night sky.
The crystal sound of her laughter sounded far across the still night, joined by his childish and infectious giggle.
No, Wendy, was not in the least bit afraid.
She was going home.
Somewhere, in the land of imagination, a pair of icy blue eyes opened. They peered through the shadows at the round portal window.
She was coming. He had dreamt of her again. She was coming back to Neverland, and her laughter seemed to echo in his head. Silly girl! She was certain she was going to die, and yet she was laughing!
He felt an awe at this piece of information. Brave girl. No. . .Woman. She would be a woman now, and she was coming to him.
He grinned maliciously.
Oh yes. He would get his revenge on Peter Pan, in the best possible way.
Tomorrow.
She would come to the Jolly Roger, tomorrow.
The blue eyes closed, once more seeking out the great possibilities of dreams.