Peter tried to swallow but found his throat too dry. He was exhausted and felt like he would fall from the air at any second. But the mermaids urged him on, telling him just a bit further. Thinking of Wendy and her pained expression when he pulled away from her, he convinced himself to continue and somehow he found the strength to push ahead of the mermaids and fly on.
Peter was dismayed to discover there was a part of Neverland that he had never explored. From what the fairies had told him, a part of it remained cold and desolate. His face paled when he saw Leros coming into his view. He lowered closer to the mermaids and cleared his throat.
"Why have I never heard of this place?"
"It is rarely spoken of," Sedna said dismissively.
"But…why is it like this? I thought Neverland was supposed to be this... paradise." Sedna tossed her hair and fixed her wide eyes up at Peter.
"Many years ago, I don't think anyone knows exactly when, when Neverland was still very young, a storm ravaged the island. A large black cloud hovered over Neverland and dark creatures began to fall from the sky. Horrible, Peter. Dreadful to look at it and they reeked of death. The fairies put all of their magic together to banish those creatures to one part of Neverland and the cloud seemed to hang over the portion. For a long time, the entire island was a dark, gloomy place. Until you came, Peter. When you arrived, the island seemed to breathe again and it became the lush paradise it had once been. Except for that part of the island. It remained cold and dark and so the fairies decreed no one may go there. It is a place for the worst kind of exile. If the fairies believe someone has wronged Neverland, they are sent to the Isle of Leros. It is a fate worse than death, many say." Peter's heart pounded. The fairies would try to send Wendy here. He glanced around and mentally shook himself. No way he would let that happen. The very thought of his Wendy in this horrible place made him shiver.
"Why do the fairies decide on peoples' fate?" Sedna glanced at her sisters and they looked surprised.
"You are the dealer of fate, Peter. As Prince of Neverland, whether that is merely a title or an actual position, you dole out the just punishments." Peter frowned, shaking his head in horror.
"I have never—"
"Think back. Have you not taken people to the fairies because they betrayed Neverland in some way?"
"Well, yeah, I have, but the fairies told me they would send them away—"
"And where is it that you think they are sent to?"
"To the mortal world, maybe?"
"The fairies would never risk sending someone from Neverland to the mortal world, where they could reveal all of our secrets."
"Ok, then they could just send them to another side of the island, right?" Sedna bowed her head.
"They could but they do not. Leros is where they are sent." Peter's jaw dropped and he glanced around at the mermaids.
"I didn't know," he said softly, even weakly.
"You have been blind to much, Peter Pan," Tethys said softly. Peter swallowed uncomfortably and Sedna tossed her hair back.
"There is Leros, straight ahead. The moon is high in the sky so perhaps we should find a place to rest for a few hours." Peter looked relieved but Oceane looked worried.
"Are we not safer under the light of the moon, sister?"
"I do not believe we are safe under any light, sister. But Peter Pan is our protector and he is close to exhaustion. We should let him rest."
"No, I'm fine, if you girls don't want to stop…" he trailed off, fighting a yawn. Tethys nodded.
"We shall rest. That cliff over there, Sedna? He can rest on the rock." Sedna nodded and flicked her tail. They followed her over to a rock formation sitting in the middle of the dark water. Oceane grimaced.
"These waters make my skin grow cold. Danger waits underneath."
"We are already aware of this," Sedna hissed. Peter landed on a flat rock and glanced at the mermaids.
"Do you girls sleep?"
"We shall take turns, keeping watch. Sleep, Peter, and do not worry." Peter curled up and lay his head on his arm. He cast one final glance at the mermaids before his eyes shut and sleep found him quickly.
Wendy peered around the corner and waited until the brave passed her. Tink landed on her shoulder and hit underneath her curls, so that no one would see her light. Wendy looked around quickly then ran into the Indian Village and pressed herself against the wall. She quickly spotted Tiger Lily making her way to the stream and she silently followed.
Tiger Lily knelt at the stream and filled her bowl. She immediately dropped it and whipped out two daggers from her dress.
"Who is there," she demanded, looking fierce. Wendy crept out of the shadows with her hands in the air in defense.
"Tiger Lily, it's just me."
"Wendy-bird! I have been so worried. Are you alright?" Tiger Lily's eyes flicked over Wendy and saw her knapsack and a canteen of water and she crossed her arms over her chest. "Where are you going?"
"I know that Peter told you he was going on a faraway journey. He trusted you, Tiger Lily, did he tell you where he was going?"
"He didn't, Wendy. He told no one. Only one may know the location of his destination." Tiger Lily's eyes went to a spot above Wendy's shoulder and Wendy shrugged gently.
"Tink, you have to show us where he went." Tink flew out and hovered over the girls, holding her hands out in desperation.
I don't know how to get to Leros! And you bloody fools can't understand me either!
"I may not be able to understand what you are saying, Tinkerbell, but I know you well enough to know you are using some sort of language that I would not deem appropriate in polite society." Tink glared at Wendy and stuck her tongue out.
"Quite mature, Tink. Can you spell it? Perhaps find it on a map?"
The only maps I know of are in Hook's cabin and we are not going to the Jolly Roger. Tiger Lily flipped her braids and shook her head.
"It is useless, Wendy. We cannot understand her. And without knowing where he's gone to, it is useless to venture into danger. Go back to your hiding place and wait for him there."
"Tiger Lily, something terrible is going to happen to him! The pirates have some sort of trap planned and they are going to use me to capture him! We have to find him and warn him."
"He knows about the pirates' guile, Wendy. He is not stupid. He will not go to their ship again soon."
"Very well, then do me this favor. IF Peter returns and I am nowhere to be found, you will tell him I found a way back to the mortal world. My home." Tiger Lily and Tink both gaped at her and Wendy sighed.
"Don't look at me that way. Just think of this way, if Peter believes I have gone back home, he will not go searching for me. He won't go near the pirates."
You tried this plan before and it backfired horribly! You almost got him killed!
"Wendy, have you not tried this plan before? Peter surprised us all and his love for you surprised us all. What makes you think he will not go searching for you in the mortal world? What makes you think he would believe us?"
"Why should he doubt you? If I am captured by the pirates, I do not want him coming near. Let them kill me and let him never know. It is better that way."
"I think you underestimate him, Wendy-bird. And you underestimate the pirates. I promise you, if they succeed in capturing you, they will let Peter know. That is why you should remain hidden. Do not get yourself captured and get both of you killed." Wendy crossed her arms and both Tink and Tiger Lily followed suit. The situation would have been funny if it weren't so serious. If someone's life wasn't at stake. Someone who was very dear to all three girls. Wendy was the first to unfold her arms and she sighed.
"Very well. You are right, Tiger Lily. I just don't want anything to happen to him." Tiger Lily approached her friend and placed her hands on her shoulder. The princess was taken aback by how much taller Wendy was now.
"He's smart, Wendy. He's been around for a long time because he is powerful and strong. No harm shall come to him so do not worry."
"I hope you're right, Tiger Lily," she said softly, finally meeting the princess's eyes. "We can't lose him. He's far too important to Neverland." Tiger Lily nodded and waited, knowing there was more. Wendy took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"I can't lose him, Tiger Lily. I love him."
"I know. And you shan't. Now return to your hiding place and wait for him to return to you. Do you have enough food?" Wendy was not about to admit to the princess that she had been living on twigs and berries. Peter had packed her some meat but it was all gone now and Tink had ventured from the cave to find more food but was tiny, she was unable to bring anything back save for a few berries. Tiger Lily glanced down as she heard her friend's stomach growl.
"That is what I thought. Wait here." She returned in minutes with a bag and a bowl of soup. Wendy drained the soup in one gulp and peered into the bag to find dried meats, fruits, berries, potatoes, corn, and a slab of deer meat. Wendy flung her arms around the girl and Tiger Lily patted her back clumsily.
"Peter did not want me to know where you are hiding but if you tell me, I can bring you more food soon." Wendy glanced at Tink and bit her lip. She trusted Tiger Lily. She had just saved her life, after all, for she would not have been able to survive another day on twigs.
"The caves," Wendy whispered. Tiger Lily nodded.
"Wait for him there. I shall see you soon." Wendy hugged her again and slung the heavy bag over her shoulder. Tink buried herself in the girl's hair and Tiger Lily watched the two of them leave the Village.