Again In Neverland

Chapter 33: You can Fly

" All it takes is faith and trust. Oh! And something I forgot. Dust."
- Peter Pan (1953)

LIL'S POV:

Once things finally settled down with the whole initiation ceremony, I had a minute -- yes, a full minute -- to myself before I was expected to be outside again for some other ritual.

Still, the whole idea of being in a tribe was strange for me. The people were nice enough, they welcomed me with open arms and pats on the back, but actually being able to say 'I'm in a tribe' is something entirely unique.

It's different than being in a family, or being a part of an organization. It's sort of like being individually selected for a secret club, that only exclusive members are allowed in to. Being a part of a tribe is a sacred bond between members who vow to pretty much die for each other. It's a powerful commitment, and it was really just thrown into my lap.

Chief was all like, "I make you official member of our our tribe.", and I'm standing there all like, "Excuse me?".

No one asked me if I wanted to join, no one thought checking with me before the ceremony began would be a good idea, no one even stopped to tell Chief Great Big Little Panther that I'm not an experienced Neverlander.

Since the whole initiation earlier today, I've been yet again tossed head first into the lifestyle that is a tribe.

Chief showed me around the camp grounds. He took me through the snow covered fields and told me that, during the warmer days, they would plant and grow crops from the dirt. Apparently the growing season is extremely quick here in Neverland, because he told me that over night that plants grew and were ready for harvest within a few hours. At first light, harvesters would go out to the fields and collect all they could salvage before the icey weather took control of the environment again.

Then Chief took me around the hideout locations from which certain warriors surveyed the land for intruders. The warriors of the Piccaninny's were a fearsome group of people who spent their entire lives training to be the perfect military men. Except, methods of fighting here included only spears, nets, and fists. A little too personal for my liking....
Swords, or even bows, have lately been my weapons of choice.

Later, Prince Elliot Rootith showed me where they kept their animals.
He was a kind boy, seemed a bit older than me. The way he spoke about the animals reminded me of the way an old book-keeper talks about his favorite selections. With great knowledge and deep appreciation. Prince Elliot Rootith never once made me feel uncomfortable, or awkward, in any way. Our time together was merry and lively.

Not only were there normal farm animals in their supply, such as pigs and cows, but among the horses in the back of the hand-made stables, I saw something that caught my eye.
Some of the horses had horns.

I ran to them with a speed I didn't know I possessed and stared, completely enchanted, at the creatures.
"Are those what I think they are?" I asked Prince Elliot Rootith.
He chuckled and called one of them over, "These are the Unicorns of the Wild Prairies. Many more roam free, but these few steeds were kind enough to follow us home."
I could hardly catch my breath. Unicorns. In Neverland? What surprises this place held!

The unicorn he was petting was named 'Nova'. Her coat was a shimmering white, and her mane was a glistening gold. What I thought was the most interesting was the rainbow colored horn that sat on the top of her head. With shaking hands, I rubbed Nova's chest and stroked her chin. In glee, she nuzzled herself closer to me.
Prince Elliot Rootith laughed, "I think she likes you."

After my loud disapproval, we left the stables and met up with Princess Tiger Lily and Princess Avani Star. Together, the four of us travelled from Teepee to Teepee and I was introduced to each member of the tribe. There was Bright Eye (the tribe's healer), Keen Crab (the tribe's hunter), Yellow Poppy (one of their wet nurses), and Tall Moon (a guard whom I met earlier) to name a few. As time passed the names and faces blurred together in my mind, but I tried as hard as I could to pay attention.