Title: The care and feeding of flying boys
Author: Squeezynz
Chapter: Eight – Battling on all fronts
Author's Note: a bonus, two chapters in one day...just because.
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It was still dark when Wendy opened her eyes, the fire having died down to embers while she'd been asleep. Jack was a darker lump opposite her, the knife clutched in his hand catching the last flickers of flames licking the blackened wood. Unable to tell what had awoken her, Wendy briefly closed her eyes, sleep stealing up again only to be dispelled by a soft growl sounding almost in her ear. With the hairs on her neck standing upright, Wendy stiffened and held herself rigid, her senses straining for what was out there in the dark. A bright flash of lightning way off in the distance briefly illuminated the clearing and Wendy gasped as light reflected off a circle of eyes peering out of the jungle around her. The growl came again and this time it was very close, Wendy imagining that she could feel the fetid breath of the wolf on her face as she lay frozen in place. Another flash of lightning speared across the sky, showing the circle of wolves for a split second, a huge grey beast approaching where Black Jack lay still sleeping, the creature pulling back its lips to expose a wealth of sharp, white fangs. Feeling her throat close up in sheer terror, Wendy tried to call out, to move, but fear kept her mute, her eyes wide as she watched the stealthy creatures approach. A log suddenly collapsed into the fire sending a shower of sparks into the air. At the same moment the giant grey wolf pounced, gripping Jack with his jaws around the young man's neck, effectively pinning him to the ground. At the same time Wendy felt clawed paws press her down to the ground, a hot breath panting against her cheek, but no teeth against her flesh. Jack was fully awake now and tried to free himself, flailing with his knife hand only to have it bitten by another wolf who held his hand immobile and made Jack drop his knife. With the two humans safely captured, another creature appeared on the scene and padded over to where both Wendy and Jack could see him clearly in the dying light of the fire.
"For why do you travel the wolf's domain, humans?"
Wendy heard the voice try to speak, but the words were mangled by the teeth and tongue trying to speak them.
"I-I can't...don't understand you."
"Why are you here?" Growled the voice again. Wendy tried to decipher the words but couldn't make head nor tail of them.
"I-I'm so sorry...I can't understand a-a-a word you j-just said."
A concerted growl from the pack made Wendy duck her head and bury it in her arms, sure that the wolves were about to eat them both. Realizing that communication was going to be all but impossible, the leader of the pack signaled his brothers to allow the humans up but to keep them closely guarded. Wendy felt the paws lift off her body and waited, expecting to be bitten or worse at any moment. Instead she felt a nose pushing at her to sit up. Doing just that she was then urged to get to her feet. Jack was also released, although the wolf gripping his hand didn't let go, making Jack bend over once he was upright. Two of the wolves bounded forward then turned their backs on the fire, using their back paws to kick dirt over the embers, dousing the fire and all light along with it. Wendy tried to see Jack's face in the dark but it was no good, the wolves around her tugging at her dress and urging her to follow the pack, her former captor similarly treated with wolves chivying his heels with nips and bites to keep him going in the right direction. The wolves obviously had excellent night vision and could see their way clearly, but their prisoners were not so lucky, Wendy stumbling and tripping along the invisible path through the trees, curses coming from Jack as he encountered the same difficulty and received a nip for his clumsiness. Occasional flashes of lightning pierced the woods, showing Wendy the pack jogging through the trees like liquid shadows, their coats a perfect camouflage for the night. The trek seemed endless and terrifying, the trees snagging at their clothes and hair, the wolves all around them constantly bumping the nipping them along, dragging at trouser and skirt when they lagged or fell down. After what seemed like hours, Wendy could start to make out shapes in the darkness, the dawn not far off as grey light filtered down to the forest floor. She could see now that the pack was made up of a great many wolves, more than she'd thought possible. All of them were big, shaggy animals in the peak of health, their coats colored in variations of grey through to black, and brown through to white. Wendy was being shadowed and moved along by mostly smaller members of the pack, their coats a mixture of brown, caramel and snowy white, as if they all belonged to the same family. When she looked back at Jack, he was surrounded by much bigger animals, their coats predominantly black and shades of grey with massive shoulders and gleaming teeth. With the light they were able to make a better pace, the wolves starting to lift up their heads and howl, answering calls from more animals off in the distance. Suddenly the forest started to thin and Wendy could see a broad meadow through the trees, the wolves not on guard duty bounding off through the tall grass, their tails held high as they raced to greet more members of their pack. A chorus of yips and barks ensued as family members greeted those returning, an orgy of tail wagging and bottom sniffing identifying everyone among the pack. Wendy and Jack were herded towards a mound of dirt and made to site down, their guard reducing to only two wolves, both of them with piercing black eyes and powerful bodies. Jack was trying to wrap the bite on his hand with a grubby length of shirt material, all the time cursing under his breath while shooting the wolves angry glances. Wendy watched the reunion of animals with both delight and trepidation. There must have been nearly fifty wolves altogether, the pack milling around, forming and reforming family groups until at last the greetings were over and the two captives once more became the center of attention. Wendy recognized, from the black stripe on his face, the wolf that had made noises that seemed to be speech, the animal finding a small mound to stand on while the others gathered around for all the world like an audience waiting for a parliamentary speaker to start his oration. Once the pack was silent, the wolf did indeed start to speak, a mixture of almost human sounding word intermingled with barks, growls and yips but spaced in the pattern of human speech. Wendy listened in awe, hardly daring to believe what was going on in front of her, having never heard of such behavior in any animal before.
"I almost expect him to call a vote and have them all raise their paws," Wendy whispered to Jack, watching the scene intently.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they did. These are not ordinary wolves, if you hadn't figured that out already."
"Not wolves? But..."
"Oh I grant you, they look like dogs, behave like dogs...as you can see, but they were not always as you see them now."
"What were they?"
Jack suddenly laughed softly to himself. "Have you any idea what Neverland really is?"
"I don't understand you."
"What do you think Neverland is here for?"
"Here for? Is it here for something?"
"Not something...someone."
Wendy stared back at Jack, confusion on her face. "Someone? Are you meaning Peter?"
Jack stared back, his eyes dark and intense. "How old are you?"
"What has that to do with anything?"
"Answer me girl...what is your age?"
"If you must know...I'll be sixteen in just under a month's time."
"On the cusp...neither a child nor yet a woman. He chose you well."
"What are you talking about, what has my age to do with anything?"
The two huge wolves guarding them growled and stirred before turning their attention back to their leader still talking behind them. Jack shuffled closer to Wendy and lowered his voice.
"How old do you think I am?"
"This is ridiculous. We're the prisoners of a pack of wolves, likely to be torn apart at any moment and you are rabbiting on about our ages!"
"Alright...how old to you think Peter Pan is?"
"Fine, I'll play your silly game. I suppose...a year or two older than me, maybe the same age as you?"
"Then girly girl, brace yourself for a shock," Jack grinned knowingly. "I've been on Neverland for the best part of one hundred and sixty years, give or take a decade."
"W-w-hat?"
"And your precious Peter...well, no-one really knows how long he's been here. Hook reckons for as long as Neverland has been in existence...maybe longer..."
"Wait...what are you saying...that...th-at...Peter is hundreds of years old?"
"Maybe thousands...nobody knows..."
"But...he...you...can't be...it's impossible." Wendy stared at Jack appalled, her eyes darting over his face as if hoping to see some evidence of times' stamp on his features.
One of the wolf guards suddenly snapped at Jack, the other animal insinuating himself between them to halt their conversation. The wolf on the mound had finished his speech and was trotting over to where Wendy and Jack now stood some distance apart, their guards beside them.
"We have taken a vote and decided to hand your fate over to one you will understand."
Wendy stared helplessly at the wolf, unable to understand his guttural way of talking, her mind in a turmoil over what Black Jack had just told her. To her surprise, Jack answered the wolf in the same growling, barking language.
"Why not summon the Pan...or Hook and hand us over to them?"
"Because we know what you are trying to do, Black Hearted Jack. We know you harbor dark feelings for the Pan and want his reign to end by using this female as your weapon of destruction. We cannot allow you to take matters into your own hands.
The fate of Neverland, of us all could depend on the outcome. Hook is no better than you, a taker of pelts, and the Pan is not the one to make the decision about his own fate."
Wendy looked on, bewildered, while Jack continued his conversation with the wolf, some of the words and names almost recognizable while the rest was nothing more than the barking of dogs.
"Then let us go our own way...what I'm doing will benefit us all in the end. You can't want to continue on like this into eternity?" Jack argued.
"That is our right to decide...not you. This discussion is at an end. The female will go with the wives and have something to eat. You will be taken somewhere to wait." Having said all he wanted to say, the pack leader turned and left, the two guards instantly surrounding Jack and nipping at him to move away from Wendy.
"Where are you going?" Wendy cried out in a panic, "what did he say? What were you talking about?"
"Go with them...they'll look after you. Just remember...they are not entirely what they look like!" Jack called out before being chivvied away by his guards. Wendy found herself once more surrounded by a pack of wolfs with coats of brown, caramel and white, the animals tugging at her dress to make her walk forward, while others danced around like excited puppies or herded youngsters ahead of them to avoid being stepped on by the towering human. Wendy glanced back over her shoulder, but Jack was already lost to sight, only the howl and bark of his escort telling her where he went. A wet tongue lapping at her fingers drew her attention back to her own predicament, the wolves leading her over to what looked like a brush cover, the roof interlaced with green branches that sheltered the interior from the sun, and a dirt floor swept clean and dry. Wendy was pushed and cajoled into the strange hut and urged to sit on the ground. When she was settled, several of the puppies staggered over to her to investigate her dress and feet, their fur silky soft under her fingers as she fondled their floppy ears and stroked their soft puppy coats. Several female wolves looked on indulgently, either sitting our lounging, as their offspring entertained the human girl, their eyes alert to any sign of danger to their babies. Being familiar with handling dogs from her experience with Nana, Wendy soon relaxed and enjoyed the playtime with the puppies, several small bodies squirming on to her lap while others tried out their puppy teeth on her toes and fingers. To her surprise, several more female wolves appeared carrying strange, twig baskets containing a variety of fruits and nuts, dropping them at Wendy's side and nudging them towards her.
"Are these for me?" Wendy asked, smiling nervously at the she-dogs as they nudged the baskets again and looked expectantly at the girl. "Thank you very much. I am feeling hungry after that long trek last night." The fruit offered was all ripe and ready to eat and Wendy bit into the juicy flesh with obvious relish, her audience watching her every move with an intensity that was unsettling. Too hungry and thirsty to be afraid, Wendy tucked into her breakfast with a healthy appetite, the puppies helping her out and licking her fingers free of their sweet, sticky juice at the end. Well fed and feeling quite happy amongst the female wolves, Wendy felt the fingers of sleep steal over her, the strenuous, stressful night catching up with her at last.
"Thank you very much for that wonderful meal, I don't know what I can do to repay you," yawning widely, Wendy lay down on the dirt floor, the puppies gamboling around her and jumping on on her body as she relaxed and laughed, watching them. Within minutes she was unable to keep her eyes open and slipped into a doze, the female wolves shooing the puppies away to let her sleep in the shade, one brown and white wolf staying to keep watch.
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Tiger Lily's night had been as fraught with terror and discomfort as Wendy's. Chained to a rock and suspended in cold sea water was enough to make anyone on edge, but to have to witness a battle between your Enemy and your Rescuer was enough to make the stoutest heart quail.
It was fully dark before Peter made his move, together with the warriors that had followed him to rescue the Princess. Hook and his men were hidden within the sea cave, awaiting Peter's arrival to snap shut their trap. While Tiger Lily shivered in the sea water, Hook crouched expectantly only a few feet away. Knowing that Hook was baiting a trap made Peter cautious as he crept down the wall of the cave, the braves spread out and making their way stealthily to where the pirates waited in hiding. One by one the Indian's found, fought and silenced their quarry, reducing Hook's force with each muffled, unnoticed victory. The noise from the rising tide made distinguishing sounds difficult and Hook was unaware that anything was wrong until one pirate, in fear for his life, screamed and launched himself off his ledge, diving into the sea to escape his fate at the hands of the Indian's. After that, the battle was full on. Between flashes of lightning outside, the inside was lit up with bursts of musket fire, gouts of flames as shot after shot blasted at the fleeing shadows of their nearly invisible foes. Hook rose up from his hiding place and bellowed for someone to tell him what was going on, his own musket cocked and ready to fire. While the braves kept the pirates occupied, Peter dropped almost soundlessly onto the broad ledge where Hook stood ready. Some sixth sense, or maybe just years of playing the same game over and over, alerted Hook, the Captain swinging round and firing at the same time, winging Peter so that blood gushed from a flesh wound in one sun bronzed shoulder. Hook laughed triumphantly, throwing the musket away and pulling out a pistol from the sash about his waist.
"Thought you could catch ol' Hook unawares whelp! We've played this game too many times for me to be caught out so easily!"
A flash of a thrown blade buried itself in the broad sleeve of Hook's arm, throwing off his aim as the pistol roared, the shot barely missing Peter's head as he ducked. Hook threw the spent pistol at Peter and yanked the knife out of the material, the blade only grazing his good arm.
"Losing your aim, dear boy...is that the best you can do?"
"Have at thee Hook!" Peter yelled, drawing his sword from it's scabbard and bringing it down in an arc designed to lop off Hook's head, or at least eviscerate him. Dancing out of reach, Hook drew his own rapier and stood poised on the balls of his feet, the blade flashing wickedly in another burst of lightning. Blade met blade and sparks flew as each opponent tested the others reach and strength. Both were experienced swordsmen, both had the ability to wield the weapons to the others detriment, but as with every battle engaged between Hook and Pan, it came down to who had the strongest motive to win. A broad grin lit up Peter's countenance as he circled his enemies form, the Captain keeping the younger man's eyes locked with his as they tried to find some weakness in defenses that had been tested time and again and rarely found wanting. Lightning flashed almost continuously, the roar of thunder near deafening as the two combatants circled and feinted, blade against blade while feet searched for purchase on the slippery rocks made more so by the lashing waves whipped up by the wind. Each blow was met by a counter, each lung blocked and parried. For Tiger Lily, reluctant witness to the fight, it appeared like some macabre dance, Hook and Pan moving forward and back in some strange pattern, both wearing the same expression of fierce concentration. It ended in a moment, Hook swinging at Peter's head, the pirate losing his footing on a piece of seaweed, allowing Peter to land a stunning blow with the hilt of his sword to Hook's jaw, knocking his opponent out for the count. Not bothering to deliver the coup-de-grace Peter hurried to where Tiger Lily hung in chains, releasing her just seconds before two pirates finally reached the ledge and tried to skewer them both. Lily pushed away from the rocks and trod water, out of reach of the pirates but unable to help Peter who now had to fend of two attackers. Swimming to the ledge, the Princess hauled herself out despite numb legs and chattering teeth. Finding Hook's prostrate form, she searched for his sword. Making her shaking limbs stiffen, Tiger Lily lifted the ornate rapier and shuffled forward to help Peter against the pirates. Her help ended up not being needed, Peter able to rout one of the ruffians while the other took the cowards way out and dived into the sea. Panting heavily, blood streaming from his injured shoulder, Peter swung around to see Tiger Lily tottering towards him, her blade held shakily in two hands.
"Are you alright?" Peter asked, walking to meet her and taking Hook's sword from her grasp.
"Cold...tired...freezing," Lily's teeth chattered noisily and she wrapped her arms about herself. Sheathing his own sword but keeping a grip on Hook's, Peter warily approached the mound that was the pirate Captain. Using his toe, Peter nudged his enemy, ensuring the man was truly unconscious before roughly stripping him of his ornate frock coat.
"Here...put this on, it'll help warm you."
"Thank you..." Lily took the coat and hastily shrugged it on, her face screwing up in an expression of disgust but grateful for it's instant warmth.
Putting his fingers to his lips, Peter let go a shrill whistle, the sound echoing off the enormous cavern again and again. From the shadows, the Indian braves presented themselves, each expressing to the Princess their joy at her rescue.
"Everyone accounted for?" Peter did a quick head count, before directing them to use Hook's long boat, handing Tiger Lily in himself while the braves sorted out the oars. "Pull away me hearties, we've a way to go to get home."
Outside the cave the sky was starting to clear, the storm passing over and leaving behind crystal clear stars over an inky sea. The Princess still shivered, her former bravado buried under the weight of weariness, so Peter put his arm about her and let her rest her dark head on his uninjured shoulder. The distant peeping of sea birds flying overhead guided the boat across the stretch of water to the shore, the lights of the Jolly Roger just visible along the coast. After collecting the canoes and beaching the long boat they all stood on the sand and stared out towards the hulking bulk that was Skull Rock.
"Why didn't you kill him?" Tiger Lily asked, a spark of anger coloring her voice in the dark.
"I can't kill a defenseless man, would you have me stab him when he's unconscious?"
"Hook is never defenseless Peter...you could have ended all this."
"Ended what? If I know anything about pirates, Black Jack is just waiting for me to kill Hook for him so he can step into the Captain's shoes. Which would you prefer?"
"I suppose so. This was not like other raids Peter...I almost feel that my capture and the raid on the village were only a mean to an end...not the end itself."
In the darkness Peter jerked in surprise, her words ringing alarm bells in his head. "What do you mean?"
"I don't think...oh I don't know, I'm so tired I can hardly think at all..."
"We all are. We're safe enough for the time being, we'll make camp here then return to the village in the morning...agreed?"
No-one disagreed and a fire was quickly built on the sloping beach, the signal for the Lost Boys in the bay to return to shore. One of the braves caught a brace of fish while the others set up the campsite, the meal consumed voraciously before they all settled on the warm sand to sleep away the rest of the night. Peter slept close to where Tiger Lily lay huddled in Hook's coat, his mind turning over what the Princess had said. If Lily was right, and her capture was merely a ruse to draw Peter into another trap, and not a particularly clever one, then what was the real purpose of the attack on the village and everything that followed. He thought of Wendy waiting for him back at the Indian village and was tempted to fly back that night, but even as he thought it a yawn nearly cracked his jaw, the wound in his shoulder reminding him that he needed to see to that come morning. Turning onto his uninjured side, Peter listened to the sounds of the Indian's and Lost Boys around him, their soft snores and the distant roar of the waves lulling him to sleep.
With the dawn they were up and on the move, the sun still below the horizon as they trekked through the jungle. A quick tally of injuries reinforced the need for a side trip, Peter leading the way to a secret place hidden deep in the vegetation.
"Where are we going Peter? I'm sure the village is not this way?"
"You are right Lily...its not...but a healing pool is."
"A healing pool?" Tiger Lily's face lit up, all the lines of tiredness falling away. "Oh Peter that's marvelous."
"Thought we could all do with a soak before we return to the village. It won't take long, plus I need some new leaves." Peter stared down at his costume, several patches of skin showing through the coverings. He was still decent, but only just. Lily giggled and told him to hurry, the braves and Lost Boys grinning at the thought of the pleasure to come. They didn't have to wait long, the jungle soon parting to reveal a cloud of steam rising from a system of hot pools, the vegetation particularly lush around each pool, screening it from the one next to it. With whoops and yells, the braves scampered over to one of the bigger pools, throwing weapons and clothes in all directions as they raced to be the first in. Crate, Tophat and Rat bounded noisily over to one of the smaller pools, clothes flying, whooping in delight. Peter laughed out loud while he led the Princess to a smaller pool, steam spiraling lazily into the air before threading through the overhanging branches above. They could hear the laughter coming from the other pools and smiled to each other.
"Off you go Peter...I can't wait to get in!"
"Maybe I should stay...for your protection of course," Peter waggled his eyebrows outrageously and Tiger Lily laughed.
"I prefer to bathe alone, thank you...so run along..." she waved her hand, her eyes twinkling. Tiger Lily was well aware of Wendy's presence unspoken between them. "Make sure the leaves cover everything...this time!" Lily watched a tide of crimson rise up Peter face, turning his ears pink.
"You said you wouldn't mention that again," Peter grumped, feeling the blush staining his cheeks while a broad grin stretched his lips. "I told you at the time, it was just a mistake."
"Of course Peter...as if I don't see enough bare bum-cheeks in the village, with all the idiots there trying to catch my eye." Tiger Lily snorted, her fingers busily unbraiding her long plaits. "Just see you don't let it happen again."
Peter lifted his hand in a wave before turning away to find his own steaming pool, his mouth still curved in a smile as he recalled the incident the Princess alluded to. He'd been going through a difficult time, his body reacting every which way to the slightest stimuli with embarrassing consequences. One such incident had involved a swim, new leaves and the Princess. Pushing through the dense plants fringing his pool, Peter stepped straight into the steaming water, sighing with contentment as the water soaked into his sore muscle, gradually easing the pain in his shoulder as he sank into the deepest part of the pool, the bubbles closing over his head like a warm blanket. Surfacing, he found the water full of his leaves, the substance of his clothes shriveling in the hot water before sinking from sight. Floating, he stared up at the steam weaving lazy patterns in the spears of sunlight slanting through the canopy. In the distance he could hear the Indian warriors splashing and horsing about, nearer to hand he could here Crate and the other two Lost Boy's shouting and mock-fighting. More faintly he caught the notes of an Indian song floating up from the Princess's pool. Above his own pool a small flock of jewel colored birds sang and twittered, their bright bodies darting from branch to branch, calling to each other in their flute like songs. One bright spot separated itself from the flock and floated down towards him, the bright light resolving into the form of a familiar looking fairy.
"Tink...you came back!"
Pleased that Peter seemed happy to see her, Tinkerbell preened and fluttered across the surface of the pool, alighting here and there and making circular ripples appear about Peter's floating body. Finally she floated down and landed on his chest, walking delicately across his skin until she stood just below his chin.
"I thought you'd come back eventually...I do forgive you for your bad behavior as I'm sure you didn't mean to be."
Happy to be forgiven for a transgression she'd already forgotten, Tinkerbell clapped her hands and tinkled merrily up at Peter, her wings bright with light and fairy dust. This was the Peter she knew and loved, this golden boy floating in a sea of steam, his long limbs lazily paddling in the water, his long lashed eyes closed as the water worked it's magic. Content, she sat cross-legged on his chest and sang, her voice blending with those of the birds in a sweet harmony while Peter dozed beneath her, his chest lifting her up and down as he breathed. This was her Peter Pan, with no great lumping girl to interfere or intrude.
At length, Tinkerbell had to fly up as Peter finished his bath by sluicing himself all over, paying particular attention to the wound on his shoulder, the skin already healed over, all trace of blood washed away. By the time Peter hauled himself out of the pond only a scar remained to show where the bullet had scoured a furrow in the brown skin. Flexing his shoulder, Peter absently rubbed the injury, his body once more whole and healthy, all scratches and bruises healed. Spotting a Neverbush, he sauntered over, whistling as he pushed his way in to the thicket, the leaves rustling around him in a frenzy while Peter let his head fall back and turned slowly. Tink hovered overhead, getting an eyeful of the Indian's pulling on their clothing, the Lost Boy's still wrestling each other while trying to get dressed and the Princess wringing out her long hair before checking that her fringed tunic was almost dry. When Peter emerged from the Neverbushes, he was once more clothed from waist to knees in a bright covering of leaves. Stopping briefly to gather up his weapons, he wandered over to stand just beyond the hedge of jungle that shielded Tiger Lily's pool.
"Ready yet?" Peter called out, "need a hand?"
From further round the pool Tiger Lily appeared, her dark hair flowing down her back, her dress molded to her form, the tunic having shrunk a little in the warm water when she washed it. "I feel as clean and fresh as a newborn babe. These pools are just wonderful."
"Certainly magical...look," he flexed his previously bloody shoulder, Tiger Lily running a finger down the scar that puckered the skin.
"Doesn't it even hurt a little bit?"
"Nope...not even a twinge."
"I don't feel tired either. We should reach the village by nightfall."
They joined the party of young warriors gathering up their bows and knives, each of them looking refreshed and ready to do battle again. Crate swaggered up, followed closely by Tophat and Rat, both boys still shoving each other and grinning.
"I'll fly the Princess back to her father. The Chief will be anxious for news of the Princess. It will also give the village time to organize a feast for you, the returning heroes." Peter shared a grin with Tiger Lily when the braves and Lost Boys started to whoop and stamp their feet at the thought of being hailed heroes by their friends and family. Tinkerbell hovered overhead and when Peter waved her down, sprinkled fairy dust over the Indian girl, coating the dark hair with sparkles. After saying their farewells, the pair then flew straight up, leaving behind the steaming pools waving warriors and gleeful Lost Boys, Tinkerbell not far behind them as they set a clear course back to the village. Peter, in deference to Tiger Lily, didn't fly at top speed, despite a nagging worry that all was not well back at the Indian village, his brow creasing in a frown as he negotiated some particularly tall trees, his companions keeping up but just barely.
"Peter slow down...please...I'm not so adept at this flying as you!" Tiger Lily's plaintive cry slowed his pace a little, Peter turning to watch her fly towards him, Tinkerbell's bright light darting back and forth around her.
"Sorry Lily. I just feel...I don't know...I just...Wendy!" He finished on a sigh, "I don't know what's the matter with me, but I feel that something you said might just have a ring of truth to it. What if everything has just been a ruse to lure me away from Wendy, leaving her prey to...I don't know what!"
"I understand...truly I do. Go on, Peter, fly your fastest back to the village and find out. She may be there waiting for you..." Tiger Lily tried to look hopeful, but even she was starting to feel a lump of dread growing inside her.
"Tinkerbell...make sure Lily gets home safe," Peter listened to a brief protest from his fairy friend, but a stern look silenced the sound of tiny bells and the fairy agreed to his request. With a quick wave, Peter turned away and streaked off, leaving the Princess and the fairy far behind in the blink of an eye.
"I hope he finds her safe and well with my father," Tiger Lily muttered, floating forward once more, Tinkerbell darting around her head like a demented firefly, trying to urge the girl faster through the air. "It's no good Tinkerbell, I can't go any faster."
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To Be continued...