Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer still owns the Twilight universe, the characters, phrasing, and images. I'm just happy to spend some time in their world. J.M. Barrie definitely owns the World of Peter and Wendy and their friends. And this is the tale of what happens when two worlds collide.
A/N: Though the last chapter had been a lot of fun to write, I needed a transition chapter. The story needed some other layers before moving towards the concluding chapters. In this one, I not only incorporate Emse's and Jacob's POV's but also Leah's. Before you think that we have abandoned Peter, Wendy, and the others, never fear they will be back in Chapter 6.
There are a number of Quileute Legends that are referred to in the story below. The retelling of stories, tales, and legends is part of an oral tradition among the Quileutes. For the link and citing for the stories that I have referred to, please check out my profile page.
**The title of this chapter refers to the song "My Side of the Story" by Hodges who wrote this piece for his sister Megan who was struggling through a difficult time. Just seemed to fit on so many levels….To see a video of the song, click on the link on my profile page.
My apologies for any errors....with the holiday, it was more difficult to connect with my beta. And thank you to miss understood615 for brainstorming and for reviewing what you could.
"My Side of the Story"**
"And then at last they all got into bed for Wendy's story, the story they loved best, the story Peter hated. Usually when she began to tell this story he left the room or put his hands over his ears; and possibly if he had done either of those things this time they might all still be on the island. But tonight, he remained on his stool; and we shall see what happened." – J.M. Barrie Chapter 10, pages 124-125
Leah's POV
Why does enrolling in college have to be so difficult? You wait around in one line only to get to the window and the person behind it tells you that you should have actually been in the other line which originally had no one there but now is snaking around the corridor. I needed to remind myself to keep it together. The Admissions Building of Peninsula College would not be the best place for me to lose control and phase into a wolf. Aside from the obvious concerns about exposure, innocent people could seriously become injured. I inhaled sharply, thanked the bored looking student worker for her time, and grabbed up my papers and trucked off to stand in yet one more line.
After another 45 minutes of waiting in line, I was able to submit all of the necessary pieces of paper needed to apply for financial aid, and enroll in classes for the fall. I was somewhat nervous about how I would tell all of this to my mom and the others. It hadn't been easy keeping it from Jacob and Seth and the rest of the pack so I had been maintaining human form as often as possible recently. I wanted to think this through and have everything in place before I announced my plans. Since there didn't appear to be any immediate threats to our tribe looming on the horizon, and with the pending departure of our resident vampires, it appeared that I might be able to pick up the pieces of my life and determine how to proceed. At one time, I had dreamt of marriage and children with Sam, but that vision had shattered with his imprinting on Emily. Instead of embarking on a fairy tale life, my transformation into a wolf turned me into a character in some pathetic B-rated horror movie.
Well, I didn't need to allow fate to dictate everything. My mother seemed to be putting her life together after the shock of both of her children becoming wolves and then the loss of my father. She had been spending more and more of her free time with Charlie Swan. How much more ironic could life get? The wolves' mother with the vampire's father. I chuckled sadly to myself. Charlie was a good man and he treated my mom well. When I wasn't focused on myself, I could admit that they were good together. Seth had his friends and still needed to finish up high school. Jacob's destiny and future lay with Renesmee and she belonged with the Cullens who would be leaving soon. So where did that leave me? I wouldn't go back to Sam's pack. I had a place that I belonged and that place was as a beta in Jacob's pack, or was it? Was the pack really needed anymore? Was I really needed anymore? As I headed back to Forks and La Push from Port Angeles, my head began to throb from it all.
Esme's POV
Several weeks had passed since Edward and Bella left for the Island. They would be coming home soon. In fact, everyone would be home soon. As much as I was enjoying this extended time with Renesmee, I did truly miss all my children. Even though time was different for us, and a few weeks was really insignificant, it was beginning to feel like an eternity to me. I could also tell that despite all of our attempts to keep Nessie busy by building the stage, creating sets, and making costumes she was missing her parents as well. Phone calls didn't seem frequent enough and bedtimes were getting harder. Carlisle and I needed to bribe her in order to get her to sleep. If not, she would try distracting us from tucking her in by repeated requests for more stories, drinks of water, and philosophical questions.
It was around this time that Jacob had shyly approached us with a request. He had been somewhat reticent since the day that I came home to find the house turned upside down. However, he wanted to know if we would allow Nessie to come to La Push. They were going to be having a special gathering on the reservation and he thought that she might enjoy it. He assured us that Sue and Charlie would be there and that he would not let anything happen to her. I had to conceal a smile at that thought. Jacob would more quickly permit his left arm to be cut off than to allow any harm to occur to Nessie. Carlisle and I shared with him that we would discuss the request and get back to him. Not that we hadn't forgiven him for the recent episode, but we both thought that it might be good to let him sweat it out. I am pretty certain that Jake never left the woods that night in anticipation of our response.
Before giving Jake the okay that he so desperately wanted, Carlisle called Charlie to discuss the event on the reservation. I watched as Carlisle picked up the phone and quickly entered in Charlie's number and waited for him to pick up.
"Hello Charlie, This is Carlisle. How are you this evening?" Even when Carlisle was trying to be casual, his faint English accent still gave his words a more formal sound.
"I was calling to ask you about a gathering that you will be attending down at La Push. Jacob would like Nessie to attend and we were wondering if you would be willing to bring her to the event and then back home?"
I could not clearly hear Charlie's response but it appeared affirmative. Carlisle discussed with him some logistical details and after agreeing on a time for pick up, Carlisle bid him a good evening and placed the phone back on its cradle.
Carlisle turned to me and a smile crept across his face. "Charlie does not understand why our family never goes to the reservation." Ah, trying to explain the history between our kind and the tribe. Fortunately, he understood that some things were on a need to know basis. Sue had explained to him that certain traditions were best left the way they were. "However, he is more than delighted to be able to take his granddaughter there on our behalf."
I stepped outside the kitchen door and called out to Jacob. Even though I hadn't called him very loudly, I knew that he would hear me. His hearing, especially in wolf form, was as good as mine. Sure enough, I could see Jacob now in his human form lope across the backyard with long, smooth strides.
"Hi Jacob" I greeted him. I could see the anticipation on his face and in his eyes, but I could tell he didn't want to seem too eager to ask for our decision and was waiting for my lead.
"Hi Esme, Hi Doc" Jacob greeted us as he strode into the living room and settled himself on one of the chairs.
Carlisle and I sat down across from him. "Jacob, we spoke with Charlie this evening and he has agreed to pick up Renesmee and bring her to La Push for your gathering. However, we do expect that you will have her home by 10 p.m."
"That's cool, Doc. No problem. Charlie and I will make sure that she is fine and we'll make sure that she is back by 10."
"Thank you Jacob. Tomorrow, we will tell Nessie about it. I am sure that she will be thrilled."
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After Nessie woke up, Jake, Carlisle and I shared with Nessie the plans to go to the reservation in a couple of days. As expected, she was thrilled and struggled to remain seated. If she could have left right that minute, she would have. We also made sure that she understood that on the day of the trip she would need to take a nap since she would be out later than usual. She vigorously nodded her head and her curls bounced around her face. Carlisle wished everyone a good day and headed out to the hospital. Jake offered to take Nessie hunting. It had been awhile and as they set out I reminded Jacob to stay nearby and stay out of the path of humans.
While Jacob and Nessie were off making a game of hunting, I thought I would take advantage of the sunshine to do some gardening around the outside of the house. I was in the middle of moving around some scotch heather referred to as "Red Fred" and adding some additional "Briggs Moonlight" when I heard footsteps. I looked up to see Leah standing there looking slightly uncomfortable. "Good morning, Leah. I didn't expect to see you today."
"Uh, hi. I-if you're busy, I can leave" mumbled Leah.
"No, don't leave. I'm just re-arranging some plants. I would be happy to have some company. Alice typically joins me and with her being away it isn't quite the same."
"I was wondering if I could ask you a question?"
"Leah, you are always welcome to ask me questions. What's on your mind, dear?"
"Well, I went over to Peninsula College yesterday and submitted my paperwork for the fall. I…"
"That's fabulous Leah, I am so glad for you."
"Thank you Esme, but that is part of the problem."
"Problem??? I don't understand. Why would going to college be a problem?" I finished patting down some dirt around one of the plants and dusted the remainder off of my hands on my jeans. I was curious as to why college would be a problem for Leah. I stood up and looked squarely at Leah. "Would you like to come in and I could fix you a snack? Or would you prefer to pull-up a rock to sit on while we talk." It seemed this might be a little more complex than I thought. I pointed in the direction of some large boulders that we could sit on.
"I think the boulders will be fine. I-I'm not hungry right now."
We both settled ourselves down on a boulder and I waited while Leah made herself more comfortable. She stared down at the ground for a moment and her hand fiddled with a string on her shorts. "You need to understand the Pack and the Tribe. Once you are part of the Pack, your role or job is basically as a protector of the Tribe. There isn't really a need to go to college or get a job. It's just that lately I have been trying to figure out what is right for me. I don't really fit anywhere. The pack has always been males and then here comes me, the freak. I don't, I won't go back to Sam's pack and Jacob will likely be leaving when your family leaves. As his beta, I could follow him, but I don't really want to leave. My family and friends are here. And there aren't any immediate threats to the reservation at this point. I-I just don't know what to do? How do I explain what I want to the others?" This was nearly the longest conversation I had ever heard come out of Leah's mouth with the exception of the time during Bella's pregnancy when she clearly let Bella know her thoughts about how she was treating Jacob. I was getting a clearer picture of her desperation to confide in someone as I watched her. While she talked, she managed to unravel more of the fringe on her shorts. Her nervous energy evident more in her hands than in her voice.
"Leah, it sounds like you know what you want to do and you have been very articulate in explaining it to me. I don't think Jacob would object. My guess is he would be only too happy to support you in your decision. Your mother seems very practical to me and I can't imagine that she would mind you working on a degree."
Leah's eyes darted in every which way, but my face. "Yah, I guess that's true. Maybe I just needed to hear myself say it aloud to someone other than me." She chuckled somewhat bitterly. When she finally looked into my eyes, she tossed out a quick thanks and good-bye and then bounded off the boulder and back into the woods.
I shook my head sadly. It had to be hard for Leah on so many levels. I hoped that she would find the wisdom and strength that she needed to make her decision.
Jacob's POV (A few days later...)
In the summer months, the members of the Tribe gather together. There would be food, fun and games, but one of the traditions would be the bonfire where everyone would sit around and listen to the elders tell the stories and legends of our people. This would be Nessie's first tribal event and bonfire. I was excited to have her join me. Billy did not often get to see Nessie and he was excited to see her. Leah had already arrived and was hanging out with my sister Rachel. Paul was of course not far from my sister. I situated my dad's wheelchair near them and turned as I heard Nessie's laughter ringing down the hill.
Charlie had stopped by the Clearwater's home on his way to the meeting place. Seth was racing Nessie a few yards in front of Charlie and Sue. Sam and Emily were in the crowd along with Quil, Claire and other members of their families. Embry was standing near Jared and Kim and some of their friends. They were laughing and joking around. All of the members of each of the wolf packs were present and as protectors of the Quileute tribe, they were considered honored guests.
Soon, everyone was gathered around the tables of food. Like the others, I piled my plate full with some of everything. Of course, there was always the friendly competitions about whose fish fry was better than another's or who made the best fruit pie. I, like most, didn't care. Stuffing oneself completely full was my only goal. Nessie, on the other hand, was less interested in eating and more interested in all of the people and what was happening around her. I kept an eye on her as she flitted about chatting with everyone. She did have an amazing ability to draw people in and no one appeared to be able to resist her charm.
Finally, the time arrived for the bonfire and the retelling of ancient legends. I had spoken with my father and Sam and some others and we agreed that tonight we would pass on the tales of the Cold Ones. There were plenty of tales that could be told and I was certain that Edward wouldn't appreciate Nessie hearing those stories at this time. There would be time in the future for her to learn of those legends and to understand how in many ways she had helped create a new bond between the Quileutes and the Cold Ones.
Tonight, the first of the elders began with a tale of how the various tribal groups had come to be named. The story was commonly referred to as the Quileute Creation Myth and I had heard it told many times before. The storyteller's deep, strong voice rang out among the crowds. Several members of our tribe were dressed in special costumes and acted out the tale and others provided a simple musical rhythm as the words drifted across the many listeners. The words told the story of how Q'waeti' had traveled around instructing the people on how to behave, how to fish, or build houses. The tale explained how he taught the Hoh to walk on their feet and to catch smelt, and how he taught the Neah to fish so that they would not perish. When he arrived at the Quileute land, he found no people only two wolves. He transformed them into people and instructed them on how to live. When he came upon the Ozette or Makah, he only saw two dogs and changed them into people. The tale ends with Q'waeti' wandering further and continuing to instruct those he found.
Nessie's eyes widened as she watched the actors on the stage and listened to the tales. She appeared to have blocked out everything around her and was completely enraptured by the story unfolding before her. Before the next storyteller took center stage, Nessie placed her tiny hand on my face and compared the story of Q'waeti' turning the wolves into Quileutes with images of myself and the others as wolves. She had indeed been paying attention to the stories.
Within our culture there were numerous tales of the Thunderbird. I explained to Nessie that the next story would be about how the Thunderbird and whale saved the Quileutes from starvation and death. The voice of the second storyteller rang out as the first had. It told the tale of how rainstorms and hail had killed many of the people and driven the others to the prairies. The storms prevented the people from fishing and killed much of the vegetation that the people needed to survive on. The Great Chief called upon the Great Spirit for help. It was believed that if the Great Spirit did not help, then it was his will for the people to die and they would die bravely. However, the Great Chief called out and the people prayed expectantly to the Great Spirit.
"The people waited. No one spoke. There was nothing but silence and darkness. Suddenly, there came a great noise, and flashes of lightning cut the darkness. A deep whirring sound, like giant wings beating, came from the place of the setting sun. All of the people turned to gaze toward the sky above the ocean as a huge, bird-shaped creature flew toward them.
"This bird was larger than any they had ever seen. Its wings, from tip to tip, were twice as long as a war canoe. It had a huge, curving beak, and its eyes glowed like fire. The people saw that its great claws held a living, giant whale.
"In silence, they watched while Thunderbird - for so the bird was named by everyone -carefully lowered the whale to the ground before them. Thunderbird then flew high in the sky, and went back to the thunder and lightning it had come from. Perhaps it flew back to its perch in the hunting grounds of the Great Spirit. Thunderbird and Whale saved the Quillayute from dying. The people knew that the Great Spirit had heard their prayer." (Quileute Thunderbird Tale)
The final stories were a collection of tales about the Raven. The Raven was a lazy, mischievous, trickster who often listened to bad advice or copied others which got him into trouble. The fables involving Raven were meant to teach people especially children lessons about why it was wrong to lie or to treat others poorly. There were many other yarns that had been spun involving human-like creatures with the names and characteristics of certain animals. Raven often met with Bear, and Eagle, and Fish-duck in these stories. As Nessie continued to watch the fire burn, and the various individuals dressed in character representing Raven and others, she once again reached up to ask a question. She was imaging her own gathering back at the Cullens with the stage, set, and costumes. Could some of her friends from the reservation come and see the story about Peter? She also thought that Peter was a little like Raven and how they were both very mischievous and got into trouble. I assured her we could invite some friends and that they would come to see her play. And I chuckled about her comparison of Peter and Raven. I had never thought about it before, but she was right.
Nessie turned her attention back to the story and settled more comfortably on my lap. I became absorbed in the voices and the images of the tales, as they seemed to come alive around us. Nessie, despite her enthusiasm for all of the richness of the colors, and music, fell asleep after the first Raven's tale. She was cradled in my arms, her hair rippling around her. I could feel her breath softly against my skin. Though I knew we both tended to run hotter than normal, I still pulled a blanket over her small body for protection.
Charlie suddenly came over and placed his hand upon my shoulder. "Hey Jake, I know both you and Nessie seem comfortable but we promised the Cullens that we would have her back home by 10. Time to head out."
I slowly and carefully rose to my feet attempting to limit any jostling to Nessie's sleeping form and carried her to Charlie's car. I placed her in the booster seat in the back of the car and attempted to use the blanket and a jacket to keep her head from bouncing around. "Charlie, thanks for coming down tonight. I know that my dad and Sue and the others appreciated it. And thanks too for bringing Nessie." I watched as the car drove down the road and as the taillights grew dim and I turned reluctantly to return to the others. In my mind, I still held the image that Nessie had shared with me of her understanding of the wolves from the story as compared to my pack in wolf form. Though I knew the stories, there was something about her understanding that resonated in my core and reminded me of where I had come.
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Beginning quote is cited directly from The Adventures of Peter Pan, copyright © 1911 by J.M. Barrie
Let me know what you think of this chapter….did I verve too far off…please read and review….Thanks.
Live links to each of these can be found on my profile page. I have included partial information here by way of referencing the stories and giving credit where credit is due.
Quileute Creation Myth
This version of the legend comes from Manuel Andrade's 1930 collection Quileute Texts, which is out of print. The storyteller was a bilingual Quileute man named Hallie George.
Quileute Thunderbird Tale
These stories are adapted from Indian Legends of the Pacific Northwest by Ella E. Clark, University of California Press, 1953.
Raven Tales
Told by Fred Woodruff, Sr., Compiled by Vicky Jensen and Jay Powell for the Quileute Tribe