The Land of Dreams

6: A Race

After Peter manages to control the boys once more after my announcement – it took a whole lot longer than before, for the Lost Boys had just gained a mother and were elated with the development– he tells them to "Scamper back to camp and prepare the greatest feast for our here queen, Cara and her best bud, James." They had saluted and then sprinted off, their voices loud and presumably speaking of meal plans.

I had frowned upon his use of "queen" and James looked flustered at Peter's use of "best bud." I suppose he'd considered himself a brother to me: I know I did. Before James could comment, little wee Andy-Smee stumbled up to him and pulled on his pant leg, which was covered in fine yellow sand.

He must have stayed behind after the rest of the Lost Boys ran off, their loud voices flitting through the morning air.

Next to James, little Andy-Smee looked to be the size of a small watering jug next to a large tree". "James, is it?" Smee asks and James bends down to Smee's level, which to him must have been like a lamppost bending down to give a flower a peck on the check.

"Yes. And your name is Smee, correct? Or do you prefer being called Andy-Smee?" James says gently, as if scared to frighten Smee, who is now hugging him tightly against his chest. "I like Smee," Smee says and then looks over at me, as if checking that it was alright to say that. I just smile at him, encouraging, and Peter gives him a cheeky thumbs up.

"Well, James, I was wondering if-if..." He stumbles over his words, suddenly very aware of his audience. He looks over at Peter, wide eyed.

"Take your time, Smee, for time never moves here on Neverland." Peter says gently, in a way that sounds like he has had to say this very same thing to Smee before. It catches my attention nonetheless. Time never moves? What does that mean? I wonder and make a mental note to ask Peter more about it later, adding it to an already lengthy list.

"Sorry, Peter." Smee mumbles and then looks back at James, who has a kind smile on his calm face. If I know James, his lack of patience must be killing him right about now.

"I was wondering if you could hold Teddy for me?" he asks innocently and my heart melts into a puddle of adoration right then and there. James beams like Smee just asked him if he wanted ten million pounds free of cost, along with a mansion with an indoor pool.

"Of course I will, Smee. I am honored to hold your teddy. Does he have a name?" James asks.

"Benny." Smee says, and then hands the ratty old teddy over to James, who holds it gently by one little muddy paw.

"How about you take the other side and we both hold Benny?" He offers and then off they go, Smee holding onto Benny's left paw while James holds the other, Benny swinging happily between them.

I turn to Peter and raise an eyebrow at him. "Benny? Queen Cara? And a feast?" I inquire and to my shock, Peter blushes, looking down at his bare feet in embarrassment.

"Let's walk, shall we? The boys hate it when I'm late." He suggests, gesturing with an arm towards the hill in front of us, where the boys both came over when both arriving and leaving. Their camp must lie behind it.

"Sure, but can't we just fly? It's Neverland, after all." I ask, and Peter laughs.

"True, very true, but I thought you wanted to talk? We will have more time to talk if we were to walk." He has a point. So we start after the boys, me asking Peter questions and him answering them all the while.

"Why did you call me your queen?" I ask and he looks over to me, his cheeks flushed. "Every king needs his queen, Cara Darling." He informs me and then stops talking. He really ought to stop doing that, I think.