Hours later Wendy was startled from her reprieve by a knock at her door. She took the thimble that was gripped in her fist and slipped the chain holding the thimble over her head. She would accept the gift from Peter. She knew that it had a deeper meaning, but she would accept the kindness of her host. She answered the door to find Curly waiting for her.
"Evening Wendy." He said with a smile. "Are you ready for dinner?"
"Yes, thank you I am very hungry actually."
"Good! We have guests tonight." He offered his arm.
She wrapped her arm through his as they walked out on to the branch.
"May I?" He gestured to pick her up.
"Yes, thank you." Inwardly she thought that she would need to speak to Peter about transportation up to her room. It was not fair to continue to need the Lost Boys to ferry her around.
He lifted her and they began their slow decent through the tree.
"You said that there were guests?" She inquired.
"Oh yes, many have heard of your return and were eager to see you. Tinkerbelle is impatiently waiting. Chief Great Big Little Panther and Priestess Summer Wind really wanted to see you again, so they are here. The mermaids have made us promise to bring you to see them as soon as possible." He landed at the base of the enormous tree. "Princess Tiger Lily is also here." He added quickly in a clipped tone.
"It's just a little further, but I thought you might like to see the ground level."
"That would be lovely." She said. Her wrists were starting to ache slightly and she had a small pinpoint headache where she had been hit. But her curiosity continued to outweigh her pain.
"Curly, may I ask how long I have been here?"
"We rescued you from the Jolly Roger 3 days ago. When we rescued you the ship had just returned."
So, she had been unconscious for 2 days.
They walked along the tree passing huge swaths of flowers.
"Curly, it is so beautiful! What a lovely place."
"You will have to tell Tootles you like it, he does all the planting. In fact, almost everything we eat tonight will be from his gardens."
"I will tell him. I take it that is his skill? Horticulture? Let me see if I understand everyone's roles. The Twins practice medicine, Tootles plants, Slightly is a woodworker, Nibs is your storyteller. Oh! Forgive me, I don't know yours!" She blushed.
Curly let out a loud laugh. "Don't worry, my skill, as you call it, is the most boring. I study mathematics, theory, that type of thing. Quite dull I promise."
"I actually enjoy algebra. I taught a small amount of it back in London. It is a very important subject."
He gave her a surprised look. "Thank you, there are few who really appreciate what I do." He leapt nimbly over a large tree root and held out his hand to help her over.
"And Peter? What does he study?" Wendy asked as nonchalantly as she was able.
He smiled knowingly and stole a quick glance at the thimble nestled against her chest.
"That is somewhat of a complicated question. Peter works with Neverland. He is connected to this place. They are in somewhat of a symbiotic relationship. He will be able to explain it better than I can."
They came to a large wall of vines which Curly began to pull aside. Wendy was suddenly hit in the chest and practically knocked her to the ground. As her eyes focused she saw that it was an impossibly small woman with wings hugging her. She shone as if lit with an inner light. She smiled and very gently placed a hand over her to reciprocate the greeting.
"Well hello Tinkerbelle." Wendy giggled. It was difficult not to get swept up in her happiness.
Tinkerbelle flew up and kissed Wendy on the tip of the nose before spinning into the air. The whole time a beautiful silvery bell sound emitting from her.
"I think it goes without saying she is happy to see you." Slightly laughed, walking over to her.
"It is a pleasure to re-meet her." She said watching the pixie dart through the air.
Slightly placed a hand on Wendy's lower back and guided her toward a large table in the middle of the clearing. "Let me re-introduce you to our guests."
Chief Great Big Little Panther was a huge man with dark copper skin. Unsurprisingly he was younger and considerably more handsome than she would have thought. She needed to remember that age here would be a deceptive thing. He caught Wendy in a great hug.
"Little Blue Star!" He boomed, "We did not think we would ever see you again! Your return brings our tribe great happiness. I am sorry to hear of your lack of memories of your time here. But we will help you remember."
"Thank you Chief." Wendy gasped through the strength of his hug.
He set her down and immediately her cheeks were cradled in the slight, beautiful Priestess Summer Wind's hands. She appeared to be nearly 40. She must have once been very old. "You are still hurting dear?" She asked concerned.
"I am fine, it's really not that painful." Wendy gazed into the deep black eyes of the wise woman. She seemed to know Wendy's thoughts before they were even formed.
She dropped her hands from Wendy's face and turned and beckoned the Twins over.
"When is the last time she was given something for the pain?" She questioned.
"It has been some time." The first twin answered.
"We did not want to disturb her rest." Finished the second.
The three left Wendy where she stood and began to gather herbs from another garden near the table.
"They are concerned for your health, forgive their abruptness." Explained Great Big Little Panther. "Daughter, come welcome Little Blue Star home."
A woman of about Wendy's age stood from her place at the table and began to stroll to where they were standing. Wendy could not recall ever seeing a woman as breathtaking as this woman. Her long curtain of hair that hung to her waist was so black that it was almost blue. Her square jaw and razor sharp cheekbones complimented her full mouth and green brown eyes perfectly. She was tall and slim but also athletic in build. She walked without a sound in almost a feline prowl. Wendy had suddenly become somewhat self-conscious.
Tiger Lily stopped next to her father and stared down at Wendy. Her cold eyes appraised Wendy in a hard way. After a long moment she murmured "Welcome." As her gaze lingered she seemed to notice the thimble around Wendy's neck, at this her nostrils flared and her mouth turned down into a grim line. Her hand seemed to twitch toward her waist where Wendy noticed a tomahawk hanging from a thin strap. She snapped her head to Slightly and demanded, "Where is Peter?"
"He will not be joining us for the meal. He had some things that required his attention." He replied in a voice so unlike the jovial tones Wendy had heard since arriving that she jerked her head to look at him. She was startled to see him wrapping his hand around the hilt of the knife he kept on his belt.
"Father, I have welcomed the girl back as you required. I am leaving now." She said while sneering at Slightly. And without sparing Wendy another look Tiger Lily vanished into the surrounding forest.
Great Big Little Panther sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers. "I am sorry everyone. I had hoped with Little Blue Star's return this issue would finally be resolved."
"Apparently not." Spat Nibs returning a bow and arrow to a quiver slung over a chair. "You and your people are always welcome here Chief, but I think it has just been proven that the Princess should continue to stay in your territory."
"Agreed, again my apologies."
Wendy was bewildered at the change of events. It had been such a joyful event that had suddenly become strained and hostile. What was happening? She glanced around at her company hoping for explanation. After many avoided her eyes shuffling their feet uncomfortably it was finally Great Big Little Panther who obliged.
"She is in love with Pan. He has never given her reason to believe the feelings are reciprocated but her greatest weakness has always been her pride and stubbornness. I had hoped that with your arrival she might finally lay her hopes to rest. It would appear that instead of this she will now view you as a rival, an obstacle, if you will."
"But I am no threat to her. I only just arrived here, I didn't even know that Peter existed until this morning. I have no feelings toward him other than gratitude, at this moment." Wendy protested.
"Unfortunately your emotions, or lack thereof are not the problem." The Chief replied soothingly, resting a hand on her shoulder. "My daughter will not bother you again, I will make sure of this."
With Tiger Lily gone the evening again became one of laughter and reminiscing. The Twins and Summer Wind brought her a glass of liquid that slowly dulled the pain from her injuries once more. The food was plentiful and delicious. Wendy had attempted to compliment Tootles many times but every time she thanked him he would turn ruby red and assure her it was nothing. Tinkerbelle never spent more that a few minutes flying around before again stopping to sit on Wendy's shoulder, hug her cheek or ruffle her hair. Everyone in attendance took turns telling Wendy both stories of when she had been in Neverland and of things that had happened after she left. In spite of herself she found that she was feeling more at home here than she had in England in a very long time. The whole table was in tears laughing as Slightly finished a story about a time Curly had gotten himself hopelessly stuck in a log trying to prove a physics equation, when the sunset suddenly turned violent shades of orange and purple.
"Peter's angry." Tootles whispered.
"Eh, I've seen it worse." Slightly shrugged.
"You remember what I said about Peter and Neverland being connected?" Curly asked Wendy.
Wendy nodded.
"This would be an example of it." He said gesturing to the sky.
What was Peter upset about? What was he doing that would cause such anger? She watched the colors clash as they returned to their meal. But the frivolity of the evening had ebbed and soon they began to clear the table to a rudimentary kitchen cut into the base of the tree. Soon Summer Wind and Great Big Little Panther bid them farewell and promised to visit again soon with others from the tribe who remembered Wendy and wanted to see her again. Nibs was now her escort back to her room. Were they taking turns out of obligation or enjoyment of her company? She hoped it was the latter.
He was a pleasant person to be around, especially when deep in thought as she was now. He didn't say much but seemed to content to observe his surroundings. The light had faded completely at this point and stars began to light the sky. He held a stick that he had politely asked to glow. This provided enough light to aide their return. He deposited her on her branch and held the stick so she could find the locking mechanism for her door. She was about to bid him goodnight when he finally spoke.
"We would have never let her hurt you. Even if Peter was not here, you would always be safe with us." He spoke in a low tone with his eyes trained on the ground.
These lost boys would never cease to surprise her. In his voice she found only truth and comfort. She would be glad to live with these people, even if it was not by choice.
"I know, thank you. You don't know what a comfort it is to have friends here." She said reaching out and taking his hand in hers.
He met her eyes with his and smiled. With a squeeze of her hand he stepped off the branch to begin his decent to the lost boys' portion of the tree.
Back in her room Wendy readied herself for bed. She decided to sleep with the window above her bed open. It was a pleasure to hear the sound of the ocean in the distance and see the glow of the stars. She had just turned back her blankets when there was a knock at the door. Safe in the knowledge only the lost boys would know where her room was she did not hesitate to open the door. In the moonlight stood Peter, his face was grim but determined.
"I am sorry to bother you so late in the evening Wendy. I am also sorry to hear of the troubles at dinner, I can promise you that will never happen again."
"It's all fine Peter. The trouble was not your doing. Would you like to come in?"
"No, it's late and I am sure you are still in need of a great deal of rest. I have only come to deliver a message and a promise." He held out a rolled scroll of parchment with a gold seal. "The message I have not read, it is from Hook."
Wendy's eyes widened with fear at the name of the man who started this whole thing. In spite of herself her hand shook as she reached out to take the document. When her hand closed around the paper Peter's other hand closed tightly around hers.
"And the promise is that he will leave you alone. He will not attempt to reach out to you again unless you request it. And that is a promise I will be sure that he keeps."
Wendy nodded; she was having a difficult time taking her eyes off the seal.
"Would you join me tomorrow morning? I would like to take you on a proper tour of the island. I thought we might also visit the pool. Only if you are feeling well enough of course."
Wendy's eyes finally broke away from the gold wax to smile up at Peter. "That sounds wonderful."
"Until tomorrow then." Peter began to back away from her door when he suddenly leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. As suddenly as his lips touched her skin he was rocketing up through the tree into the air.
Wendy couldn't help but stroke her cheek with her fingertips as she closed the door. Her smile fell from her lips as she sat at the table and broke the wax from the paper. She noticed that it was in the shape of a hook. Taking a deep breath she began to read the fine calligraphy.
"Dearest Wendy,
Please accept my most sincere apology. I cannot imagine the fright and confusion you must have felt when you awoke in my ship. I had wished to be present to explain why I had done what I had but examining my actions now I see that even with my best intentions, there is no excuse for the methods I used to bring you here. I had but a small window of opportunity and I acted in a hasty manner. I had thought the restraints would prevent you from harming yourself before I was able to speak to you but I know now that I underestimated you in a great number of ways. I can only hope that my foolishness has not harmed you much.
Know it was never my intent to harm you in any way. I want only for your safety and happiness and as such I, nor any of my men, will seek you out in any way. I have many things that I would ask you and I am sure there are many things you wish to ask of me. But it is completely reasonable that you may be much too frightened of me now to ever have this conversation take place. This I accept as penance for my wrongdoing. I hope that your transition back to living in this place is an easy one. I also hope that the children who have taken you treat you with the respect, kindness and reverence that you deserve. May they be able to provide you with at least some of the answers I have no doubt you need to be content. I have no doubt that they will protect you as ardently as I would have.
If you ever need me for any reason, all you must do is come to Buccaneer Point. I have provided a map below. From this moment forward there will be a man stationed at this place to bring you safely to my ship. I do this with the expectation that my offer will never be taken, only the hope you may find it in your forgiving nature the opportunity for me to apologize in person.
Please be safe and happy my dear.
Sincerely,
Captain James Hook"