The Land Never Lost

Chapter 25

The name rang true in Peter's mind, and he knew it was the name of the girl from his visions. He recognized the name, even though it was his first time hearing it, and it seemed obvious to him. Like a name stuck in a time before Peter's own. Yet, he knew it the same way he knew how to breathe or walk. Wendy was the girl. She was the key and not just his connection to Pan, but the shadowy man that filled his mind with terrible memories. Peter stood with Reinhold's hand on his cheek and a tear fell from his eye. It ran down the boy's face and over the fairy's hand and they stood there sharing something unspoken.

Reinhold looked at his granddaughter and she saw not only sadness, but guilt. He turned to his son and hung his head as he said, "It was my own curiosity, my adventurous spirit, and my selfishness." Everyone present was stunned to hear the old king talk, for as far as they all knew he had been senile for a long time. But this old fairy was speaking coherently, and with renewed fervor. "Let's move to the throne room, everyone present can hear what you have to say." Riordan said as he led his father to the room.

Reinhold sat on the throne, as the current situation called for less formal actions. Reinhold removed his crown, gingerly ran his fingers through his hair, and looked dreamily into the flowers that danced across the ceiling. The flowers swayed with anticipation, as if they too were listening to the tale. After a deep breath, Reinhold began the story of the human girl Wendy.

All throughout the kingdom, the young prince Reinhold was beloved. Ever since the day he came into existence, nestled in a field of magnolias, the fairies of Pan honored him. This particular day started like every other, with the prince walking among his people offering his help and service. He did it, not for recognition, but a sense of duty.

As Reinhold passed through the town, stopping frequently to talk to his fellow fairies, he saw a boy chasing after a bird. "Give me back my bag you stupid bird!" The boy ran past the prince and continued on after the bird. Reinhold bowed, "If you all would excuse me..." and he flew into the air after the bird. The chase went higher and higher, towards the stars. "Drop the bag! Silly bird!" Reinhold said as he reached out for the bag. With his hand fully extended he made one last lunge for the bird, and suddenly the sky flipped.

One moment the prince was flying upwards, the next he was falling down. A loud bang echoed through the calm sky as Reinhold hit the ground. "Ow! What was all that about? Where? Where am I?" Prince Reinhold looked around curiously. He did not recognize anything and, considering Reinhold knew Pan better than most, that worried him greatly.

The lack of familiarity around him was only exacerbated by the screams he heard piercing his thoughts. A simple cry, "Help!", forced Reinhold to his feet and towards the scream. He ran down a road, turned onto another, and when he turned the final corner he saw a girl running towards him. She was being chased by a man, dressed in all black, and the man was quickly closing the gap between them. Reinhold saw, even from a distance, that the girl's face was bruised and twisted with fear. Whoever she was, she needed help. That was all the motivation the fairy prince needed, as he ran towards the girl. Before they reached each other, the girl tripped over her worn dress that was far too big for her frail frame. The man jumped at the girl, like an animal hunting its prey. Reinhold leapt over the girl and thrust his hands forward, "Go Lamina!", he shouted as a large wall of nemerald shot up from the ground.

The man hit the wall with a loud thud and fell backwards onto his backside. The girl said in a shaky voice, "Don't let him get me. Please don't let him get me.". Reinhold looked back at the girl and smiled, "As long as I have my honor, you are safe now". She would have thought she was dreaming, but her life had been too full of nightmares to think dreams were true. The man got to his feet and walked to the wall of green light, inspecting the construct from under his black hat. The man punched the wall, and as he did, the girl put her face in her hands and shrieked in fear.