The long trek to the Indian Village was an interesting one. The Chief had asked to meet with Peter, John and Wendy, but the lost boys refused to be left behind. They seemed to be filled with unnatural energy for how little they had slept. They ran along, behind and in front of the three older children. But despite the liveliness there was a sort of melancholy. The underbrush and other plants were even more withered than the day before, and the ground seemed dry and barren.
When they reached the village, Tiger Lily was waiting outside her dwelling for them. John suddenly didn't know how to act. He'd hardly slept all night, thinking of seeing her in the morning. He'd imagined various scenarios that involved him being a brave heroic figure, wrapping his arms around her. She would gasp at his prowess, and kiss him again. But seeing her now made him so nervous he couldn't seem to settle his eyes in one spot. She was standing in the sun, the high points of her copper skin glowing gold, and her black hair cascading down her back like a glossy black river.
Tiger Lily looked at the group of them approaching. She noticed John's uncomfortable posture right away. Maybe she'd been too forward with him the night before. She didn't know what had come over her. Her heart felt warm when he paid her the attention she seemed to be craving more and more. And then when his mouth began to move with the overflow of words, she had been mesmerized by them. They were plump, attractive. Kissable. He seemed to feel the same way, so she kissed him.
But maybe she was wrong; maybe he didn't feel the same way. She might have pushed him so far from thinking she was beautiful with the kiss that he had changed his mind.
She tried to push these thoughts away. "Welcome," she greeted them, looking everywhere but John. Wendy came forward and hugged her. Tiger Lily's eyes shot open, but hugged her back. She'd never been hugged by another girl, and she felt her heart warming toward Wendy. Despite Peter saying nothing had changed between them, she needed more than just another warrior as a companion. It was nice to have a female friend. It could be pleasant. Her eyes landed on John. He glanced up at her. Heat bloomed on her cheeks and she let go of Wendy, clearing her throat.
Tiger Lily curved her head to the side to gesture at the lost boys already roughhousing in the dirt, and looked back at them with a questioning glance.
"Children," said Wendy with a shrug.
Tiger Lily rolled her eyes and opened the door to the long house. She motioned them in. When the lost boys tried to enter behind them, she blocked the entrance. "This meeting is for the four of us only," she said crossing her arms in front of her.
"Ah come on!" protested Curly.
"That's my final word," she said. They pleaded at her with their eyes. She sighed and held up her hand signaling for them to wait, and disappeared for a few moments. She returned holding a bag of dried meat and some flat bread, and threw it to Slightly. The boys rejoiced, digging into it, forgetting momentarily about being left out.
Tiger Lily closed the door behind her. The other three were already cross legged in front of the Chief. She came over to join them, seating herself next to John. She snuck a quick glance in his direction, and found him statuesque, his back stiff as a board. She could feel the energy between them, it was so palpable she could almost reach out and touch it. She would find out for sure what he was thinking. She was a warrior, and warrior's never back down from a challenge. Her attention snapped forward, as her father began to speak.
"The magic on this island is an ancient one," he began. It was in place before you came here. It was in place before the pirates came here. It was in place before we came here. This island has an ancient name that means 'Place of the Fairies'. This is their home, it always was. We are here because of them; you are here because of them."
Peter thought back to the night that Tinkerbell had found him. She had saved him, brought him to Neverland, raised him and loved him. And he had cast her aside. He missed her.
"The fairies, from what I know of them," he continued, "live by their emotions, and only one feeling at a time. Mostly they are caught up in their love for us, for this land, and for their kind. Their emotions are tied to the island and to each other. When one is angry for a long period of time, they all begin to feel anger and the island is affected. Their love keeps us young."
Peter was astounded. Tinkerbell had never told him any of this.
"What is taking place now is rare," the Chief continued, "but it has happened before. Long ago, my great grandfather Soaring Eagle was a friend to the fairies. Soaring Eagle was a boy, and he had a bond with a fairy named Greenblossom. We still sing songs of the adventures they had together." Tiger Lily nodded, hearing the joyful songs in her head. "One day, an Indian maid caught his eye and he fell in love: my grandmother."
"But the fairies keep us from aging. You said he was a boy," said Wendy.
The chief looked at her with a wary eye. He was not accustomed to having his stories interrupted. "I did not say they keep us from aging. I said they keep us young. Our aging is slow in this place. Peter Pan," he turned to address him. "You were an infant when you came here to Neverland. And I remember when my own Tiger Lily was born. She has grown since then, but it has taken many, many years."
They were all bewildered at this news. Of course it made sense, but until recently, they had been children, and had not thought to question such things.
The Chief took a deep breath and resumed his story. "He had aged to the time when a boy begins to grow into manhood, just as humans do. Greenblossom grew so jealous, that she tried to kill my grandmother."
Wendy gasped, remembering the terror of being shot out of the sky because of Tinkerbell's jealousy.
"But fairies are not humans. They do not have the same understanding of right and wrong. They are wild creatures, slaves to their whims."
A look of disdain crossed Wendy's face at this. This revelation did not justify the fairies actions. She had almost died. She would not dismiss Tinkerbell's deeds so easily.
"Soaring Eagle told Greenblossom to never show her face again, and she disappeared to the Never Peak, where the lodging of the fairies is. The land began its slow change to one of winter and cold, beginning with Soaring Eagle. You see the ones closest to the fairies are the ones who begin the change the quickest. But then others soon follow."
Peter felt foolish. This was all because of Tinkerbell. And he was to blame. Instead of talking with her; reasoning. He'd cast her out.
"But sir, I've been growing as well," said John. "I barely met any fairies. How does that explain my development?"
The Chief cast his gaze on him. "That I cannot tell you. There is magic I do not fully understand at work, but when young people begin to feel love, do they not grow up faster? Perhaps that is your answer."
John blushed furiously. He glanced at Tiger Lily and the Chief's eyes regarded him warily.
"That is why my people are so numerous. It was at that time we grew quickly and fell in love quickly. We had many children. But when Soaring Eagle was old, he went searching for the Place of the fairies on Never Peak. He went to seek answers, and to see Greenblossom once more."
"What happened?" asked Peter. He shifted uncomfortably.
"He never returned. But the seasons began to change once more to the green and the living beauty we have reveled in for so long. There are rumors of that place; that there is magic there that holds great power."
"What kind of power?" asked John. His shoulders slumped under the scrutiny of the Chief's eyes as they flicked over to him again.
"No one knows. Some say the chance to live forever. Some say the power to control living things. My people do not trouble ourselves with these matters. We wish to live peacefully and in harmony with living things. We do not seek these abilities."
"Chief, how do we stop what's happening?" asked Peter. "Are you suggesting we climb Never Peak to the Fairie's home?"
Wendy clutched Peter's arm.
The Chief sighed. "I do not know if all of the story I told you is true, but it would seem that that is the only way to stop the winter. We have survived it before. But it must be your choice. I don't know if you will return from such a quest. Soaring Eagle was an old man, and death may have befallen him on the journey. I have no certain knowledge."
Wendy looked into Peter's eyes, willing him not to go. He closed his eyes.
"Go, discuss it amongst yourselves," said the Chief, rising from his seat. "I will hold up your decision." With that he left the dwelling.
Peter stood, and pulled Wendy up to him. He lingered on her face for a moment, and then pulled her lips to his in a searing kiss. It left her blissful and sad. She knew what he had decided. "Let's go home and plan," he whispered, forehead against hers.
She nodded slowly and took Peter's hand following him outside.
John stood up as well. He began to walk to the door, but Tiger Lily spoke.
"John," she said softly. His heart fluttered in his chest at the sound of his name on her lips. He whirled around.
"Yes?" he asked. She was coming toward him. Her hips swung, and her eyes were dark and lusty. He stopped breathing.
"What my father said about your changes. Do they have to do with me?" she purred. She was in front of him now, staring up into his eyes. She stretched her hand up to place it over his heart. John swallowed hard.
"Y-yes, yes, I believe so," he stammered.
Tiger Lily smiled. "So you still think me beautiful?" she asked. Her fingers danced over his shoulders. She leaned closer.
John nodded. His ribcage hurt from the force of his beating heart. "M-hm," he murmered.
"So, you would like me to kiss you again?" she whispered.
John's eyes shot open wide. God yes.
She didn't wait for an audible answer and kissed him lightly on the mouth.
For John, the moment seemed to last for an eternity and was over too quickly. His eyes had closed and rolled back in his head. Tiger Lily pulled away with a soft smack from their mouths. He could still feel the tickle of her lips on his.
He opened his eyes to her removing his spectacles. She looked like she was about to throw them on the ground, but then she stopped, her gaze growing curious. She put them on instead. Her eyes crossed, making John throw his head back and laugh. She took them off and scowled at him, handing them back.
The sight of Tiger Lily looking so adorably silly under his spectacles seemed to put them on a level playing field. He smiled and he grabbed her wrist. He reeled her back to him. This is the way he wanted their next meeting to go. Him confident. Controlled.
"You're adorable," he said, and enfolded her into his arms. She smiled at the praise. He bent down and kissed her again. She smelled like the wild wind and honeysuckle. He moved his hand along the small of her back and she gave a little moan. It proved to be his undoing.
He deepened their kiss, parting his lips and adding his tongue to the movement of their mouths. She moaned again, wrapped her arms around his neck. The noises she was making was sweet music to his ears. Her fingers massaged their way into his hair. He was surprised at the growl this action elicited from his throat. She lifted her knee slowly around his leg.
His hand went to the hem of her dress, and he began to slide it up her thigh.
"John!" called Wendy from outside. "Get out here, we're leaving."
"Bloody hell!" he cried. He reluctantly released her dress.
Tiger Lily smiled and nuzzled him with her nose. "I will come to you tonight," she whispered. She stepped out of his embrace, and placed his spectacles back on his nose. She took his hand and led him outside.