Elizabeth of the Lily

Long Lost Relations

Lost Boy Rule: When addressing a Wind Person, look them directly in the eye and don't blink. It is a sign of respect and it will also reveal if they are telling the truth. Wind People's Eyes darken when they lie.

It was morning when they reached Neverland. How long Melody and Peter had been flying, shadow in tow, was anyone guess. They landed with a gentle thud and Melody found herself in the middle of a busy and thriving village. Longhouse style dwellings made of bark and wood spanned out forming a starburst with their arrangement. Dark haired men,  women, and children paused in their various tasks to study the new comers. 

Melody hugged herself trying to quiet the overwhelming dread that she had had a mental breakdown. She had though telling David about her plans to leave had been freeing...at the time. 

Peter sent his shadow to tell the Lost boys he was back in Neverland. Then he confidently strode into the middle of the village and let out a crow. The flap of a tent that was decorated with beautiful geometric designs in turquoise and lavender opened with a grand flourish revealing a dignified old woman. Her wrinkles and white hair were the only outward signs of her age for she moved like a much younger women.  

Peter approached this woman with deference which was a stark contrast to his cocky greeting. The old woman, with a fluid movement greeted him.

Peter bowed with a flourish and said with triumph, "Chief Tiger Lily of the Wind People, I return to you the girl you asked me to hide in the world of Wendy. Here is Princess Elizabeth of the Lily, your granddaughter."

Peter straightened and took Tiger Lily by the hand and led her to Melody. Tiger Lily reached out her hand and cupped Melody's face with it tears ran down the crags and wrinkles on the old chieftain's cheeks. "Eyes just like your mothers, so beautiful," she intoned like a benediction. Without warning Melody was pulled into a fierce embrace which she hesitatingly returned. She had not had a hug like this in years. The motherly gesture brought tears to her eyes. 

When Tiger Lily released her from the hug she turned and, grasping Melody's right hand, she held it aloft proclaiming, "Princess Elizabeth has been returned. She shall be chief when I am gone and also reclaim her father's throne as Queen of the Faeries! Neverland will have peace and a strong alliance over the pirates once again!"

The People of the Wind set up a great cheer and began to dance joyfully! Melody shot Peter a worried look. She was not who they said she was. She was just Melody Phillips, a widowed teacher from nowhere. Her parents were farmers, she wasn't a princess, let alone the granddaughter of this famous lady Tiger Lily. She only knew these people because of the books and movies that had been made about them.

She was however getting very angry. Though, she couldn't tell if she was more angry at Tiger Lily and Peter Pan or herself for having a delusional breakdown of some sort. She thought she was getting better, she had even made plans. She was going to travel to distant lands. Ah! maybe that was it. Her brain took her to a distant land alright. She though derisively.

Then there was the other possibility, she was perfectly sane and that this was happening. The thought then crossed her mind people who have lost their minds don't realize it. Her self diagnosis could be was just like a person pinching themselves to make sure they weren't dreaming. This could be real. She didn't know which was scarier.

As if sensing her inner turmoil, Tiger Lily led Melody to a private clearing. Peter followed close on their heels. This space in the woods was charming, with a clear blue pool right in the center and trees that seemed to muffle outside sounds of the village.

Tiger Lily motioned for Melody to have a seat on a rock and then turned to face her.

"You have many questions I am sure. First things first, you need to understand and accept that you are who we say you are, that this is reality."