Unshadowing Pan

The Queen's Castle

As we entered we were met with people swirling and dancing below a large chandelier which hung from the middle of the ceiling. It was all completely amazing and extravagant. The party was in full swing.

"Wow," I said, admiring the scene. Everyone looked so beautiful in their dresses and they looked so happy. 

"You're impressed?" he asked. 

"I've never been to an actual ball before. I can't help it," I admitted. 

"Come on" he grinned extending out a hand. It wasn't something  I could ever imagine from him, to each my hand to dance. 

"I don't even know how to dance," I admitted.

"That's fine," he smiled.

"You know this dance?" I snorted. 

Pan grumbled slightly, but pulled me out into the middle of the room. He placed a firm hand on my waist and held my other hand in the air. I placed a hand on his shoulder as we had begun to slowly waltz along to the music. It was surprisingly easy. 

"Not bad" he smiled.

"Was that compliment?" I teased.

"Why is that so hard to believe?" Pan seemed quite calm. He had changed so much from who I knew before. It filled me with guilt for everything that was wrong with me. 

"You should say what's on your mind," he said, quitely. 

I shook my head not wanting to, but feeling like I truly held no choice. "I'm scared." 

He squeezed my hand, encouraging me with his eyes. 

"What could there possibly be that I haven't heard? I'm Peter Pan, remember?" 

"If I do regain my memories, what if I lose myself? I like who I am now. I like the way everything is. What if my memories bring back parts of my past and I can't come back to this." 

Pan clenched his jaw, thinking for a moment. "Aria, even if you lose yourself, I'll find you. I'll never let you lose yourself. That's my promise."

I smiled solemnly. "You sound so confident." 

"Of course I am." He leaned in dangerously close, but gravity was pulling us both closer.

Regina walked in wearing an extravagant black dress and black crown, a deadly look on her face as her black knights came in before her. The blocked the entrance to the castle. No one was getting out. Fear filled the room .

"She was invited?" I asked.

"Of course, she's the evil queen. If she doesn't get invited she goes on a rampage," Pan whispered beside my head from behind me.

"Talk about a party crasher," I mumbled.

"Guys," Emma rushed from the crowd over. "We have to check up on Snow."

Sinking into the crowd, we hid amongst them. Making sure no one paid much attention to us, we went seemingly without getting recognized. We rushed out the side door and out onto the terrence which returned to the bridge and found Snow climbing over the ledge and down a rope. As she landed on her feet, she quickly began to run away to the horse waiting for her at the edge of the woods