Disclaimer:

I Aslansphoenix declare that I do not own 'Peter Pan', Neverland or anything that you find familiar. Technically some of the characters did come from my head ... but I think they belong to Neverland just as much as any canon characters.

*/*/*

Author's Note:

Thank-you for your patience.

*/*/*

"All Children Grow up Except One"

Everyone Knows about Neverland,
About the home of Peter Pan.

Second to the Right, and Straight on till Morning.
To the place between dreaming and awakening.

There are rules in Neverland
Rules that must be obeyed.

Boys forget much easier than Girls.
"No Girl can resist Peter Pan,
When he uses a specific voice."
One more thing, which is True ...
In Neverland, You learn all about You.

*/*/*

Chapter Eleven.

Her mellifluous voice soothed and lulled everyone into a drowsiness that was pulling them towards sleep. The last thought that George had before submitting to the siren song of sleep; was 'I bet when I wake up, that this proves to be all just a dream'.

*/*/*

It wasn't a dream.

*/*/*

George woke up with someone's elbow pressing against George's nose, and the blanket not covering George's leg. There was a kerfuffle, some confusion and some incoherent mumbling and arguing.

Overall George was warm, had slept well and had a lot of fun.

Margaret entered the hideaway and soon sorted out the group, then set them to having breakfast. Then Peter led them out to play and seek adventure. There were many adventures to be had, many games to play and many dangers to try and avoid. Not to mention the pranks the Lost Boys all played on each other.

Time passed differently in Neverland, Margaret seemed aware of a schedule, but George never was. To George, the cousin's adventures in Neverland seemed to be split into 5 stages. The arriving and meeting everyone stage, the Pre-Sap stage, the stage George would later refer to as the 'forgetful' stage, then there was the Scary time and the End-of-Time.

*/*/*

The Pre-Sap stage was when the group was still all together.

They were an interesting bunch. George fitted in with the Lost Boys, and felt quite at ease with them. George and Scruffy clicked instantly, Scruffy was full of laughter and fun, and he had an eagerness to learn. George enjoyed following Scruffy's mischievous ideas and being from England meant that George had some stuff that could be taught. They made a good team.

Wit and Stubby were fun to be around as well. They made up another pair of inseparable friends, and were as different as night and day.

Wit was quite short, with dark hair and eyes. His name served him well as Wit was quite intelligent and he was the Master of Pranks, George learned early on to be wary of accepting anything from Wit. The only ones he never pranked were Peter (as Captain he was, of course, exempt from being pranked) and Margaret (none of the Lost Boys wanted to face her disappointed gaze).

Stubby was tall, thin with bright red curly hair and an ever-present smile. He wasn't the most intelligent, but his heart was huge. He was the friendliest and most loyal person in the group. He often teamed up with his best mate Wit, and the two were able to create their own adventures.

Those four may have been the rascals of the group, George would hesitantly admit. There might have been a few incidences where the other had cause to laugh at them. Just because some of their rough-housing, may have caused Mother-Margaret to scold them … They all knew that she loved them despite their faults (or because of them).

Angela sometimes joined in with the rough-housing, but they always toned it down when she did. (George remembered that there was a girl back in England that would have kicked their behinds if they done that to her). It was an unspoken agreement that Angela was the baby sister of the group. She could join in any of the adventures and games, but she had to be protected.

Angela didn't seem to mind. In fact she usually seemed more interested in playing with the fairies than the Lost Boys anyway.

Angela and Mouse were the 'good children', just because they obeyed the rules more readily. Mouse, who was so tiny in structure, had at first seemed so shy and sweet. He could actually cause as much trouble as the rest of the Lost Boys … but he was also way more of a 'mummy's boy' than the rest (even Peter). He followed Margret around and helped her with all the chores. He wasn't the best at them, but he had such enthusiasm and his sweet smile made up for any mistakes. George would grudgingly admit that Mouse was actually alright at cooking.

Eliza, actually dealt with the entire situation far better than what George would have ever believed. She spent most of the time following Peter around and fawning over him – which Peter lapped up; he loved being the centre of attention. But when Peter went off on his own adventures, which he did often, and liked to then brag about, Eliza had to spend it with the Crew.

She did complain about dirt and mud and bugs … but not as much as what George thought she would. Actually it turned out that prim, proper, pampered Eliza was fairly competent at dealing with adventures and the outdoors. She just didn't like to. George sometimes felt quite confused by the whole thing, but mostly George was having a great time.

George leaned back against the tree and watched the scene below. They had been on some expedition and Peter had bravely saved the day from the danger that the adventure required. Now they were relaxing after a nice picnic. George had climbed halfway up a tree and observed the group. George may have been having fun with the Lost Boys, but still enjoyed being an observer.

Everything seemed calm and peaceful – a good naptime … then voices rose up.

Peter and Mitchell were at it again.

Or rather, Peter was riling up Mitchell, and he was responding with less than polite behaviour. The problem with those two, was that- they were too similar. They were both stubborn, believed themselves the best, and both wanted to be in charge. When Peter was off on his own adventures, or was showing off to the girls, Mitchell pushed himself into the leader role.

George was reluctantly forced to admit that Mitchell didn't do too much of a bad job. He was good at planning and had more imagination for games than what George had believed possible. The problem was in the differences.

Peter was stubborn, but his mind could (mostly) be swayed – either by Margaret as his Mother, or by forgetting what his previous stance had been. Mitchell, didn't like to change his mind, and if proved wrong, would sulk in denial. Peter was cocky – it was his most irritating trait … and his most endearing. Mitchell was arrogant, and that was not endearing on him.

Peter was in charge because he was Peter Pan, the embodiment of youth and joy, whose imagination and dreams ran the stories of Neverland. Peter also had the respect of his crew, Mitchell did not, and it wasn't helped by constantly insisting that George should be known as Georgina.

Mitchell also had to fight to be accepted as a potential leader, that made him angry, and being angry made him lash out. And Peter found that very funny. To Peter, everything (mostly) was a game. And he had such fun getting a reaction from his new Itchy friend. Later George would look back and wonder if maybe the Lost Boys' admiration of Peter added to what happened.

For the time being though, George sat observing and silently laughing at the 'argument' going on between Peter and Mitchell. Until Wit, who was on watch, crashed into the group with a warning that the Pirates had been spotted. After that first day, the group had avoided the Pirates (Well Peter sometimes still antagonised them). At the warning, the group immediately hid.

*/*/*

George had seen the Pirates a handful of times, including the dreaded Captain Hook.

Hook was everything that Granny Wendy had ever described **

And absolutely the figure of all of George's most intense nightmares. The first time upon spying the Cruel man, George had panicked and stuttered out that "hadn't he died?!" Margaret explained that Hook had, but he was back. There were some lack of agreement as to how.

Most accepted the version that Hook had cut open the Crocodile from the inside out (but how was the croc still alive? Or was it a different beast?). Some thought that the Captain had not actually been eaten, but gone into hiding.

Oddly it was the least rational option that made the most sense to George. Angela thought that Captain Hook was back, because the everlasting story of Peter Pan required the enemy to exist. So after a time, and because of the belief that was (is) in Captain Hook as much as in Peter Pan; the villain came back.

If nothing else, it built up the Pirate's legend.

*/*/*

The Pirate crew passed. Peter for once did not play a trick or offer a challenge, and with a sigh of relief Mother-Margaret ushered them back to the hideaway.

George never found out what happened. Maybe it was the heat, maybe it was the lack of recent adrenaline filled adventures, or maybe it was just a fuse that was always going to lead to an explosion. Whatever the case, it wasn't long before Peter and Mitchell started to have an all-out fight.

George had been laughing at some joke Wit had told, when there was the wisp of weapons being drawn, and Peter and Mitchell seemed to be at each other's throats. The Lost Boys drew to the walls, some started to shout encouragements, Margaret and Eliza tried to break it up George tried to shield Angela from what was going on. Mitchell had height and strength, Peter had skill and speed. It was short, and luckily not as violent as, fights with enemies. Peter won with a laugh "Do you concede?"

Mitchell didn't laugh, instead he glared and shoved the sword out of his face. "Is everything a game to you? Why can't you just grow up?!"

Peter's eyes hardened "Never. If you want to grow up, then feel free to leave. But if you go –then you can never comeback."

George gasped with the rest of the Lost Boys, but Mitchell did not, instead he stood tall and held his head high. "Fine, I don't want hang around a bunch of children anyway."

Peter gnashed his baby teeth and thrust his sword at Mitchell.

Mitchell snarled and parried with a desperate block. It sent Peter's sword into a wall. Peter looked at his hand in betrayal as he felt the whiplash. To him, it was (like most other times with Peter) as if it were the first time feeling pain. He gasped in pain, and Margaret rushed to his side, and Peter, being the everlasting child he was, milked the motherly attention and care.

The rest of the group sat in shocked silence as Mitchell stormed around and grabbed his limited stuff. Angela made a sound, but Mitchell made a blatant show of ignoring her, then when he reached the entrance and stared at Eliza.

"Well … Are you coming?"

Eliza blinked in shock "What? I … Mitchell …?"

"Oh come on. You can't really want to stay in this place?"

"So what, you're just going to find your own way back home?"

"I could if I wanted to, but Eliza – we're in a land full of more than what 'Peter Pan' wants to show us. So come on, let's not be children about this and spend time here properly. Do this whole thing the right way. So come on, let's go."

Eliza looked at her brother, and she looked tempted, but then Peter made a soft sound. Eliza glanced in that direction, her eyes softened and she turned back to her brother. "I'm sorry, Mitchell … but I'm staying here."

"Ugh, you are such a girl."

Clearly not the smartest thing to say as it caused another short burst of arguing. And everyone ended up storming away – either in anger or rushing to support a friend. All that remained was George, Angela and Tinkerbelle.

Tink, in her lovely home, sat and laughed at all the 'stupid beings'. George leaned against the wall and stared round the room in silent shock. Sure Mitchell could be a right royal git … but George didn't think he would ever just … leave. He glanced around the room not sure how to feel.

George's eyes fell on Angela, who was sitting serenely in the middle.

"Hey, Angie – you okay?"

Angela blinked and smiled at George, and spoke with a calm certainty "He'll be alright, George. This is what he needs."

"Ahhh …?"

"He was being stifled here. Mitchell needs to go off on his own adventure, that way when he comes back to us, he'll be his true self. The Leader he can be, rather than the Bully he was. So you don't have to worry about him."

George nodded, pretending to understand.

*/*/*

It was night-time, and the children were supposed to be in bed. But there was still a lingering focus on the fight. Eliza was stubbornly pretending that she wasn't bothered by her brother's departure, and Angela was 'reassuring' her of Angela's odd story theory. George … didn't know how to feel, so George snuck out and sat in the tree and watch the stars.

George sat and let thoughts flow away from the mind, and for a while was lost in the swirly sparkles of stars. Then another figure stepped out of the Tree. It was Margaret, she was carrying a bundle. George gazed at her in worried confusion, then quickly climbed down the tree and followed her as she made her way through the woods.

Margaret made her way for a short time until she reached one of the clearings. George's eyes went wide when seeing that Mitchell was there. George felt a tinge of fear – was Margaret going to leave too?

George sat on a low branch and leaned against the tree trunk to watch the scene.

*/*/*

Margaret let out a sigh of relief "Mitchell." Mitchell looked surprised to see her. "What are you doing here? How did you find me?"

"My Dad has taught me how to track. Besides this is one of the three most likely places you would have gone too."

"Whatever. Look what are you doing here? I highly doubt that you're planning on leaving your precious 'children'."

"Of course I'm not leaving them, not until the end of this whole adventure."

"Well, you're not going to convince me to go back with you."

"I'm trying to do that either. You would be unhappy. But I want to give you some help, so that you stay safe."

She handed him the pack she had been carrying.

"There's a blanket, an exercise book and a pencil, there's your jacket – which you forgot to take with you. There are also gloves, a hat and some spare socks. There's also a special clock in there; it runs on London time rather than Neverland time. My Mother had it made specially. She and Dad mostly used it when in different countries, and it is useful here because there's a third hand that shows the days.

This is important, Mitchell - When that third hand lands on the picture of the rose in bloom - that is when you have to come find us. You must do this, because that is when we have to go home."

Mitchell looked skeptical and as if his face was trying to scowl, but his eyes were soft, and had a suspicious gleam. He opened the pack and saw the items that Margaret had been talking about "Home?"

Margaret nodded and spoke an intense seriousness, a kind that the listening George had never heard from her before.

"Listen to me. I have three pieces of advice that will hopefully help you stay safe.

Firstly; Neverland is the island made from and for Children. It exists on belief, on dreams, and on stories. If you think too much like an adult then it will hinder you. It is possible to grow up; physically, mentally, emotionally, without giving up the childish innocence, and faith in dreams or stories.

Secondly; do not give in to the shadows. Do not let the darkness of dreams, or the undercurrent of stories, or the fear in your heart win. Those things are much more tangible here. They can destroy you, so do not let them.

Thirdly; make sure that you remember who you are. Neverland is a wondrous place, and that makes it very easy to forget. The exercise book includes some information about you and us, but if you ever find yourself struggling to remember your life back home, make sure you write down everything you remember. Then read and re-read all that is written.

We are the lucky ones, Mitchell. We have parents who love and will miss us, the window is left open for us. When it's time, we have to return to them, to our home. For that, we must remember who we are. It will be more difficult for you, Boys always forget. But remind yourself at every opportunity and you should be ok.

Remember those three thing Mitchell, and stay safe."

Margaret turned and started to leave. Mitchell looked at the pack in his hands and back to the retreating girl. "Why are you doing this? Helping me, wanting to bring me home, but without controlling me … I've never been that nice to you."

"You're nicer than you like to appear. And besides; you're family. Good luck."

She left the clearing and George scrambled to follow her. They went a little way then Margaret stopped and looked right at George – she obviously hadn't been fooled for a moment. "George, you know that you shouldn't be out this late."

"Eh, Georgie-Cub and I were just making sure you were safe, Mother."

George leaped in fright as Peter landed between them. Apparently George wasn't the only one to see Margaret leave.

"I had to go Peter."

"I know Mother, and we had to make sure you were safe."

"Well, now it's bed-time for you both. Come on."

George gave a bemused chuckle and stepped in the moonlight to start walking back to the hide-away. Only to be stopped by Margaret's sudden horrified screech "My goodness! What on earth happened to your hair?!"

End of Chapter Eleven.

Author's Note:

Here this chapter ends.

Thanks to Car0lin31, Axiemiazi

I thank you all for your patience.

In the last few week I have discovered that the line "All boys forget" actually rings true in real life as well as in association with this story. I am in the process of directing an original play that I wrote (my first!).

- The female actors involved are reliable, punctual and always at rehearsals, if they can't make rehearsals, they let me know.

- The male actors however … well they tend to forget.

It's a little bit annoying, but in relation with this piece of writing, it is a little bit funny to find out the truth of the statement "Boys forget."

Hopefully this story is not too horrible.

If you have read this, then thank-you.

I will update whenever I update.

Friday 30th November 2018.