All of Neverland wept for their fallen prince. Peter's body was washed and dressed befitting a prince and laid on an altar stone near the entrance to the great mountain. The Indians had painted him in bright colors of red, green, and gold and had adorned his pyre with riches and spices. The Queen of the Fairies, with tears streaming down her face, hovered over his handsome face and illuminated his entire body with her brilliant white light. The Chief nodded to Tiger Lily, who started to chant in her native language. The Indians lit fire all around the pyre and stood back to watch the flames consume Peter. When they were satisfied the ritual was complete, they trudged back to their village, their hearts heavy and empty.

Back on the Jolly Roger, Wendy was inconsolable. Hook had her taken to one of his more extravagant cabins and had her chained to the bed. For three days, Wendy acted as if she were the walking dead. Her eyes were empty, her face blank of all emotion. Hook could run a sword right through her heart and she would feel nothing. In fact, she wished for that very thing. What was life without Peter? She searched the cabin for anything to help her escape this hell and wept when she found nothing. The window was left open but was not large enough for her to fit through. She would have gladly cast herself into the sea and allow the waves to drag her underneath. There was a quiet knock at the door and Mr. Smee peered in.

"Miss Wendy, you must eat something. Please, my dear, try some of this soup. You look paler than death."

"If starvation will deliver me from this hell, then I shall not pass a crumb to my lips," she muttered in a dead tone. Smee sighed.

"I am dreadfully sorry about Peter but…you must be spared! The Cap'n does not want to see you in such a state and he blames himself for your plight."

"As he should," she shrieked, casting a mad glare upon the pirate. "It's his hand that shed my husband's blood! I hope he feels the guilt a thousand times and lets it consume him. Let my death be on his conscience as well. If only I were offered an easier way to go about it, I would take my life this very day."

"You know, Miss Wendy…I cared for Peter while he was prisoner aboard this ship. He loved you dearly and would not want to hear you talk like this."

"Peter tried to take his own life only weeks ago. He knows we do terrible things in desperate times. I think losing the love of my life counts as a desperate time." Smee shook his head and stared at his hands in his lap.

"You haven't lost him. He'll always be with you, always be in your heart. And the Prince of Neverland is never really gone. Trust me." Wendy did not react to this in any way and realizing the girl was resolute, Smee took the tray with him and left the cabin. When he was gone, she collapsed in tears, straining against her chains.

"Peter, how could you leave me like this? Why couldn't it be me instead? It should have been me instead."

On the fourth day after Peter's death, the Indian village was in a frenzy. The Chief seemed very anxious about something and was ordering food and tools and other items be brought to one of the larger tents. Tiger Lily knocked on her father's teepee and bowed low to show her respect.

"What worries you, daughter?"

"Father, what about his wife? She is still Hook's prisoner. You know as well as I the first thing he will want to do is rescue her. Should we not try to save her ourselves?"

"We do not have the means to do so. If she is so important and if she really is to be our queen, Neverland will find a way to save her. With the Pan's help."

"What if it takes him awhile to remember everything? She could be dead before he remembers!"

"Hook wants her as his queen, he will not kill her. The Fairies tell me there is another treasure aboard that ship." Tiger Lily's dark eyes widened.

"What sort of treasure?"

"They do not say. The Queen tells me another treasure is being held as well and both treasures, this Wendy lady and this mysterious treasure, are important to the Pan. They will both be important if we wish for the Pan to succeed."

"Hook will not give up his crown so easily. I fear there will be much bloodshed." The Chief looked somber.

"As do I. But we know our place. And we know who the true leader is. And it is not a pirate." Tiger Lily was about to say something when she heard shouts from outside.

"He's back!"

"He has returned!"

Tiger Lily and her father ran outside to see a young man being led by Tiger's Lily two brothers. Tiger Lily's eyes traveled up and down the well-built figure of the man with her brothers. He had long blonde curls, his skin was taut sinew and golden brown from the sun, completely unmarked and unscarred. Bear Claw had lent the man one of his leather covers for he walked naked from head to toe. The man stopped in front of the Indian chief and his daughter and looked puzzled for a moment. Both of them bowed low.

"We welcome you back, Prince of Neverland."

"Can you tell me what has happened?" The man asked uneasily. The chief beckoned for the man to follow him into the tent and Tiger Lily followed them inside.

Tiger Lily poured steaming soup into a bowl and set it down on the blanket.

"Here you are, Peter."

"Thank you. We…know each other?" Tiger Lily bowed her head, not smiling.

"I am Princess Tiger Lily, third daughter of Chief Mojhagata. And your good friend." Peter sipped the soup, still looking puzzled.

"Have no worries, Peter. Your memory will return in time. It always does."

"Those men out there told me I was dead."

"And so you were. Hook pierced your heart right after he cut off your hand." Peter raised his hand, which was very intact, in front of his face and frowned.

"I'm afraid I don't understand."

"We invoked the rights of the Phoenix. You are the Prince of Neverland, the Pan, and you can be reborn in the ritual of the Phoenix. In living memory, it has been performed three times. Today we welcome you back as our prince. It will take some time to regain all of your memories."

"Do I have any friends? Family? A wife?" Tiger Lily bit her lip but the chief merely bowed his head.

"We are all your family and we shall help you remember. Finish your meal and get some rest. You are weary with toil and trouble. Tomorrow, we shall talk some more." The Chief bowed his head once more and left the tent. Tiger Lily watched Peter eat and she sighed.

"It's so good to have you back, Peter."

"Thank you…I suppose it's good to be back. I hope my memory doesn't take too long."

"I'm sure it won't. Please let me know if you need anything else. Pleasant dreams, Peter."

"Good night," he watched the girl exit his tent with a frown on his face. Setting the bowl aside, he lay back on the pallet and draped his arm over his eyes and fell fast asleep.

Tiger Lily crept into her father's tent and rummaged through the pile of clothes that lay in the corner. Peter's wedding clothes, along with his boots, his dagger, and a small silver necklace had all been stripped away before the ceremony. Tiger Lily found what she was looking for and tucked it in her pocket before she crept back out, completely silent.

On her sixth day aboard the ship, Wendy was starting to waste away from not eating. She only took water when Mr. Smee practically poured it down her throat but he still had not figured how to make her eat. He paced his captain's cabin and stroked his chin worriedly.

"I fear she will die in a day or so if we do not get her to eat something, Cap'n. The girl is as stubborn as her husband."

"Her late husband," Hook snapped. "And just tie the girl down and pour soup down her throat. Force her to eat."
"She's lost the will to live, Cap'n. What if we were…to return her to her family? She may have some comfort in that."

"She will make a fine queen once she gets over that insolent whelp. Have Vranch and Starkey help you hold the girl down and force her to eat. I have complete confidence in you, Mister Smee." Mr. Smee gave him an uneasy smile and bowed out of the cabin.

Wendy felt the room spinning. Her lack of food had made her dizzy and sick but she no longer cared. With any luck, her refusal to eat would deliver her from this world and reunite her with Peter very soon. She didn't notice when footsteps approached and hands grabbed her and forced her down on the bed. She tried to scream but her throat was too dry to utter a sound. The two men held her securely on the bed and Mr. Smee held her mouth open, tipping a bowl into her mouth. She felt hot liquid, deliciously spiced on her tongue and started coughing.

"No," she croaked and she tried to fight back but the men held firmly. Smee tipped more soup into her mouth and coaxed her to swallow it. It was pure heaven on her starving tongue and she longed for more.

"Let her up. She wants to eat." Starkey helped ease her up and Smee held the bowl to her lips so she could drink. Wendy felt her strength return and she lost all hope of dying. The bowl was empty and tears started to fall as she realized she had failed. She had failed herself and she had failed Peter.

"I'm so sorry Peter," she whispered, leaning her head back into the pillow. Smee gestured for the men to follow him and they left the weeping girl alone to her miserable thoughts.

Peter stoked the fire, lost in his thoughts. He felt someone sit beside him and he looked up into Tiger Lily's dark eyes.

"How long has Hook been King?"

"Since you left. It's been over a year. No one stood up to him so he ruled over Neverland with a cruel and unsteady hand. Everyone wished for you to come back but no one could find you." Peter shook his head.

"I'm so sorry, Tiger Lily. I didn't abandon you. I don't know what I was thinking, leaving Neverland."

"I'm sure you had your reasons," she said quietly.

"If we plan an attack, we have to be very careful. Hook is cunning and he will be expecting you to retaliate in revenge."

"But he won't expect you to be there. Hook doesn't believe the Ritual of the Phoenix. He would never believe that you have come back."

"If we stand here, here, and here, we have a chance of sinking the Jolly Roger. Kill everyone on board." Peter studied his drawings in the mud and didn't see Tiger Lily go pale.

"Peter…we have to go aboard the ship." Peter's head snapped up.

"Why? What reasons would we have for going aboard that devil ship?"

"The Queen of the Fairies tells us there are two treasures aboard, that we must save. They are precious to you."

"What treasures are these?"

"She doesn't say. She simply says we must rescue them. So we have to go aboard before we can sink the ship."

"That doesn't leave us much time and it will certainly give our positions away. Are you sure I need these treasures?" Tiger Lily took a deep breath. Her father would be most displeased for he had given her explicit instructions to allow Peter's memory to come back on its own, with no intervention. But they were running out of time.

"Peter…think. Try to remember. Why did you leave Neverland? Why have you grown up? Is there someone that invades your thoughts all of the time? Someone your heart longs for?"

"I…I don't know. Lily, what is this-"

"Please Peter. Close your eyes. Close them. And think. Remember." Peter did as he was told and sat completely still for a moment. Tiger Lily pulled the silver chain out of her pocket as well as the golden ring. She opened his hand and set them both in his palm.

"Remember her," she said softly in his ear. Gasping, his eyes shot open and he stared down at his hand. The thimble lay against his palm and he held the ring up to read the words.

"To love will be an awfully big adventure," he read aloud. His eyes widened as he brought the thimble up to his face and he saw flashes of a beautiful young woman with golden hair and soft blue eyes. Peter nearly fell back as he clutched at his chest, his heart racing. Tiger Lily watched him in alarm.

"Peter?"

"Wendy! My God, Wendy, where is she?"

"Hook has her, Peter. You can't!" Peter had jumped to his feet and taken off toward the exit of the tent but Tiger Lily grabbed his hand.

"Please, Peter, you're not strong enough! We need to plan the attack. I promise we will save your wife but we can do nothing tonight."

"Eight days! Eight days he's had her on that ship, who knows what he's done to her," Peter said, covering his face with his hands. Tiger Lily set her hands on his shoulders and squeezed.

"Hook will not harm her. We will rescue her. We will get her back. But it's going to take time and planning. He will not surrender easily and we cannot lose you again. You must take your place as King of Neverland."

"I don't want to be King if Wendy isn't my queen," he said in despair.

"After all of this is over, you shall have your queen by your side. But you must rally support. Go to the creatures of Neverland and ask for their help. If we must fight this war, we will need every support we can muster." Peter forced himself to calm down and sat back down. He put his wedding ring back on, then slipped the chain over his neck and stared into the fire.

"You're right. Tomorrow morning I'll venture across Neverland. I'll see who I can rally together. But mark this. I'll be the one to finish Hook. I owe him for so much." Tiger Lily nodded and sat back down beside him. He noticed her staring at him and he raised his brow.

"It's just funny. I know all about the Rites of the Phoenix and yet I still wept over your body. Knowing I would see you whole again, the sight of your lifeless body still drove me to grief. All of Neverland wept for you, Peter. We are all behind you."

"Only you and your people know about the ritual. Everyone else believes me to be dead. Including Wendy. Did she…did she see it happen?" Tiger Lily blinked and stared at the floor. Peter understood her reaction.

"We have to get on that ship. I know Wendy, I know what she's been through…she will try to harm herself is she believes I'm gone. If only I could get some sort of sign to her, some way to tell her I'm alive and I love her. To tell her not to give up hope."

"I will see what we can do. Perhaps we may speak to the fairies in the morning. Sleep now, Peter, and try not to worry about anything else." Peter lay back on the pallet and barely felt it when Tiger Lily pressed her lips to his forehead and left the tent.

The next morning Peter asked for a meeting with the Chief. He welcomed Peter into his tent and Peter immediately asked for a meeting with the Queen of the Fairies. The chief's brow raised.

"What is so important you must speak to her Majesty?"

"It's about my wife, sir."

"Ah, so you remember." Then his eyes fell on the necklace around Peter's neck and they grew angry. "My daughter. She was the one who told you. She disobeyed me."

"She's the only one who has been honest with me! If you had waited any longer, Wendy may be dead. How could you not tell me?"

"We wait for your memories to return on their own. Some things are best forgotten." Peter's eyes flashed.

"Wendy is the other part of my soul, I can't possibly survive without her! Even the last time I lost my memory, I remembered her. If something had happened to her while you waited for me to remember, I would have held you accountable, Chief." The chief bowed his head, not missing his Prince's tone.

"Forgive me, Majesty. I only did as the Ritual told. We are not supposed to help you remember anything. Some things should be left to fate."

"Fine. I remember her. Now we must devise some plan to save her. In the mean time, I need to get a message to her so that she knows I'm still alive. Would you call the Queen, please?"

"The Queen will not risk one of her fairies for a mere mortal girl—"
"Hold your tongue," Peter was becoming angrier by the minute and the fury on his face was terror to withhold. The Chief, hundreds of years old and the bravest warrior on the island, trembled. "Wendy is my wife and the future Queen and Mother of Neverland. She is not just some mere mortal girl. She holds magic that is vital to the survival of this island. If she is lost, Neverland will fall."

"I will call the Queen," the chief finally said in a quiet voice. Peter crossed his arms over his chest and waited for the Queen to arrive.

When she did, she brought a light so brilliant, the men had to shield their eyes.

"Peter Pan," her voice rang out as clear as bells, "we thank the second star you are alright."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. The Chief performed the Ritual of the Phoenix quite admirably and so here I am."

"Thank the second star," she said again.

"Majesty, I am in dire need of your assistance."

"Anything, Peter."

"There is a girl aboard the Jolly Roger by the name of Wendy. She is my wife and my queen. She holds a magic that can save Neverland. I have seen what Hook has done to my world. Wendy can help restore the beauty and the magic to the island but only if we can get her away from Hook. I must get a message aboard the ship to assure her of my well being."

"What you ask is a great feat, Peter. The pirates are tricky and they have captured and killed many of us."

"I understand, Majesty. But understand that if I cannot get a messenger, I will be the one to go aboard." The Queen and the chief exchanged looks and silent understanding passed between them. If Peter went aboard so soon, all could be lost. They could not take that chance. And the Queen knew of another treasure aboard that must be rescued as well. Finally, she nodded.

"Very well, Peter. I shall send someone aboard. What is it you wish for the girl to know?"

"Just tell her that I am alive and well and that I love her. And that we will be rescuing her as soon as we may devise a plan." The Queen bowed her head and disappeared in a flash of blinding light.

"Chief, gather your warriors. We need to plan this great war that is upon us." The Chief glanced sideways at Peter and saw how resolute he looked, his eyes cold with fury, and his mouth set in determination. He decided right there he would follow no one else while Peter Pan drew breath.

Wendy jerked awake to the sound of chains and felt her hands being freed. She opened her eyes to see Smee above her.

"What's going on?"

"The Cap'n would like you to dine with him tonight. I'm to take you to the bath and get you dressed nice like for dinner. If you'll follow me, Miss?"

"I really don't want to go anywhere, Mr. Smee." Her hands went to her stomach and she felt extremely nauseated as she moved to the edge of the bed. Smee caught her expression and waved it off.

"You're not eating enough and you're feeling the toll of seasickness. Please Miss. It'll do you some good to get out of this room."

"When will Hook release me? He's killed Peter, why does he still need me? Either kill me or let me go."

"I'm afraid I don't know his plans, Miss Wendy. But talk to him over dinner tonight. Plead with him to take you home." Wendy searched the old man's eyes and saw only kindness. Finally, she nodded and followed Smee from the cabin.

It had felt like forever since she had soaked in a bathtub and she relished the feeling of the hot water. She sank beneath the water and stared up at the ceiling for a moment. She knew Hook would not let her go. For some reason, he wanted to keep her. She felt as if this bath was somewhat of a purge. Wash away her old life and prepare for her new life as a pirate queen. The thought made her blanch and she sat straight up and cried for hours. She reached around her and touched the inflamed words on her back, proof that she really did belong to Hook now. Finally, Mr. Smee knocked on the door and asked if everything was alright. Wendy wiped her face, dried herself off and dressed quickly in the gown he had set aside for her.

Although her stomach rumbled, she hardly touched a bite of food. Hook surveyed her over his goblet and sighed.

"You are looking much too sickly, my dear girl. I implore you to eat something."

"What are you going to do with me?" she asked, fixing her eyes on his.

"I don't expect you to survive much longer if you refuse to take nourishment. I know you must be hungry. Please, my dear, take a bite." Wendy looked down at the plate he had pushed toward her and closed her eyes. Silently, she apologized to Peter before she hungrily dug in. Hook smiled.

"That's much better. Now then, I have a proposition for you. I cannot return you to your home in London-"

"Why ever not?" Hook's eyes narrowed.

"Didn't your parents teach you not to interrupt your elders? Or do I need to teach you that lesson?" She fell silent immediately.

"That's better. As I say, I cannot return you home…for one, I do not have the means to leave Neverland at this present time and I quite like the idea of you staying here. You add beauty and light to this dismal place. I had thought to sell you again but why waste such a precious treasure? I am Captain of this ship, as well as King of Neverland. Stay by my side and become my queen. We shall rule Neverland together as a mighty couple. With you as my queen, we may produce an heir and start a dynasty that Neverland will remember for generations." Wendy's eyes widened in horror as Hook talked. He smiled and leaned in close.

"What say you my dear? Will you forget that insolent youth you gave your heart to and be with a real man?"

"I see no man in front of me…but a monster!" She jumped to her feet, sending dishes flying. Hook jumped to his feet in rage. Her fists were by her side, clenched, and she gave him a look of cold fury.

"I will never be yours, Captain Hook. And you will never win. As long as I remain faithful to my husband, Peter will always beat you. You can try to make everything yours—Neverland, me, but you will always lose to Peter Pan!" She gasped as Hook's hand clutched her throat and his eyes turned deep red.

"If you don't wish to lose that tongue of yours, I suggest you still it at once. Or I have a better use for it." He leaned down and forced his lips upon hers. She tried to fight back but Hook held onto her and forced his tongue past her lips. Wendy felt sick to her stomach and started stamping her foot, hoping to hit his foot but he yanked back and held her by the throat.

"Let's see if you are so saucy after spending a night with the Hook." He threw her to the ground and called his guards, ordering for her to be taken to his cabin and be chained there. Starkey jeered as he chained her to his captain's bed, then ripped at her dress so that her bosom was exposed.

"The Cap'n'll like to see such a pretty thing awaiting him when he returns," he leered at Wendy, making sure her chains were secure. When he left, she allowed her tears to flow freely.

The fairy darted from window to window, searching for the girl. Finally she saw a young woman chained up in Hook's cabin. She pushed on the glass but she didn't see a way in. She tapped on the window, attempting to get Wendy's attention.

Wendy glanced up and saw a bright light hovering near the window. She frowned and tried to get closer, wanting to make sure she wasn't going mad. The fairy waved to Wendy urgently and tried to get inside. Wendy glanced down and saw a handle on the ledge and very quietly she tried to open the window. The fairy was small and could fit through the small space and she zoomed in as soon as Wendy had opened it enough.

"What are you doing here?" The fairy chimed and jingled and Wendy's face fell.

"I'm afraid I can't understand you." The fairy gestured emphatically but Wendy shook her head. The fairy sighed and searched the room. How could she deliver the Prince's message? She caught sight of the necklace around Wendy's neck and zipped up to her, holding the acorn in her hand. Wendy shook her head.

"Leave that alone, it's from Peter." The fairy nodded her head emphatically and held the acorn up even more. Wendy's brow furrowed and the fairy gently touched the girl's hand, pointing to her wedding ring.

"My ring?" The fairy pointed to the ring and then the acorn.

"Peter?" Nodding, the fairy dropped to the ground as if she were dead then jumped into the air again, stretching her arms wide. Wendy was getting frustrated. Why was the fairy bothering her? Peter was dead. She had seen it herself, seen his body being discarded. She shook her head and looked sideways.

"Go away. Leave me alone." The fairy shook her head and flew to Wendy's chest, touching her heart.

Please. He's alive! He's alive and he wants you to know how much he loves you

Wendy grew angry with the jingling.

"I can't understand you! Go away! Tell your fairy friends to leave me alone! I never want to see another Neverland creature again! Leave!" The fairy's hands fell to her side, defeated. She hung her head and she wanted to cry. She didn't notice Hook approaching and she couldn't fly away fast enough before his fist closed around her tiny body.

"So, you will talk to fairies but you won't talk to me, Wendy?"

"I don't talk to fairies," she said coldly. "I can't understand them. I don't want to talk to any of you."

"Filthy vermin. Do you know what happens to fairies when their wings get wet?" Without waiting for an answer, Hook went to the window and tossed the pixie into the sea below. Wendy could just make out the tiny being's screams as she hit the water. Hook turned back to her, a cruel smile on his lips. "They drown."

"Aren't fairies your subjects? Shouldn't you be trying to protect all of Neverland's creatures?"

"Why do you care? You despise this place, I can tell."

"I despise everything, Captain Hook. Including myself." He leaned down and sucked on her neck and she closed her eyes in anguish.

"I used to despise everything too. Until I started to win and triumph. Now I relish life. Just like I shall relish my nights with you." He started licking and sucking lower, latching onto her round breast. Wendy couldn't stop the tears as she lay back and could do nothing while her husband's murderer used her body for his pleasure.