The Huntsman, Edyta and Edina were skilled in combat. It wasn't a surprise when they defeated all of the brigade, in a matter of minutes.

" Cowards! They dare call themselves the 'Big Bad Wolf' ,when they are not half as deadly. Criminals are no good these days !" the Huntsman disapproved.

" Thank you so much but how did you know that we needed help?" Hazel asked.

" We were on a hunting trip. We had run short of meat ..." Edyta said, "We happened across the area where you both were attacked. We found your satchel with the map and food. We recognised from the map that the satchel must've belonged to you both, as you were headed to Neverland. Being Princess Snowflake's helpers, we are aware of every quest assigned."

" We decided to look nearby, for a clue as to what had happened." Edina continued,  "We were wandering around, when we heard a voice in our mind. Your voice, Hazel."

"Mine?" Hazel asked, surprised.

"I didn't, mind you." the Huntsman added.

"You were asking for help. So we decided to follow your voice, as it grew louder and reached the bandits' hideout."

Hazel remembered wishing for someone to come and save them. She had never performed telepathy before, not intentionally anyway. Perhaps, her powers had a way of showing up in the face of danger. They always seemed to surprise her. She realised that it was impossible for her to be familiar with the full extent of them.

" Thank you so much for saving our lives. We cannot express our gratitude sufficiently." Ced said.

"Maybe treat me to mead, eh?" said the Huntsman, smirking.

"You can take me up on that, later." Ced said.

After understanding the map to Neverland with the help of the Huntsman, Hazel and Ced bid adieu to the trio.

They had to walk up to the edge of the forest, till they reached a river from where they could take a boat to Neverland.

The sky was changing its hues into those of a mellow evening.

"Is your hand alright ?" Ced asked Hazel. She nodded.

"Are you alright, Ced?"

"Yes, what makes you think I'm not?" he said, " We lost our way, we got abducted and I got to stand and watch while you were being hurt. If anyone needed any indication that they chose me for this quest wrongly, they got it in spades. I, for one, am not at all surprised by how any of these events have unfolded."

"Must you be so cruel to yourself ? I don't see how any of this was your fault. And if it was, it is as much my fault as it is yours." said Hazel.

"Save that false optimism for you and your conceited friends, Hazel. They might be willing to think that they're better than they are, but I am painfully self aware, thank you."

"That was totally uncalled for, Cedron."

Ced shrugged. "Truth hurts."

"No, just you." Hazel replied.

*******

Neverland was situated on a lagoon. Golden lights shimmered over its blue green waters. It was as if the stars had descended from the sky to surf the waves.

It was unbelievably beautiful and extraordinary. The enchanting song of the sirens floated along with the wind, into Ced's ears.

As a boat descended on the earth, he walked up to the boatman.

" Good evening. We have business with Peter Pan. Can you help us reach him ?"

The man gave him a wide and jolly smile and gazed at him with unfocussed eyes.

" Certainly, my good chap ! Hop on !" , he said , patting Ced on the back enthusiastically.

They climbed aboard. As the man turned the engines on , the boat slowly lifted itself into the air and moved ahead , propelled by the wind.

They floated into the silence of the skies , the vastness of which seemed to humble him as well as make him feel slightly lost.   He stole a glance at Hazel, who seemed to appreciate the scenery around. They had not talked since his unsavoury remark a few hours ago.

" Excuse me," she said to the boatman, " Your city is on a lagoon. Why not row in the waters instead of the skies ?"

" Oh, it's because of the sirens ! You wouldn't want to cross them , would you ? They are not so friendly to intruders." he said , " But do you not like the ride ?"

" Oh no ! It is definitely more fun this way." Hazel said. The ferryman beamed at her. " Ha ha !" He took hold of the steering wheel and tilted the boat to the right, to avoid crashing into a building .

They were all thrown sideways, because of the sudden movement . But the boatman seemed to enjoy it that way. He turned the boat and made it swing on the unpredictable wind. There were moments where Ced was certain that nothing could prevent their fall onto the ground, but the ferryman knew his job well, luckily.

" Well, isn't this fun ! I wonder if this ride would've been as unpleasant, if you hadn't encouraged our driver to go gaga." Ced said. 

"And I wonder if this journey would've been as unpleasant, if you weren't on it." Hazel retorted.

Suddenly, the boat picked up a head spinning speed and started rocketing downwards . It landed on the ground with an enormous jerk.

" This is where I leave you folks." , the man said cheerfully, " Buh-bye !"

" Wait a second. Take your fare!"  Hazel said. But the man had already taken to the skies.

"Strange." Ced remarked.

The moons and the stars seemed to waltz in the zenith. Birds soared into view, like vibrant colours flying about.

They stood in front of a group of gigantic trees, the hollows of which were entrances beautifully decorated with tendrils entwined around it. They jumped into the hollow and slid down a narrow passageway, into Pan's abode.

As Ced got up from the ground, he inhaled the whiff of a strange sweetness. It was an unbearably beautiful fragrance.

He was startled when a boy swinging on a rope landed in front of them.  

" Hullo !" he said. His wide eyes inspected them with excitement and enthusiasm. He was clad in animal skin clothes.

" Hello !" said Hazel " We are here to meet Peter Pan."

" Pan , you say ! Sure, sure." he said, " Follow me."

As they neared, what was Peter Pan's room , a melodious tune was heard. It was so beautiful that the effect it was creating on his mind  was almost cruel. It was almost unbearable.

He did not even realise that he had reached his destination and now , stood face to face with Pan.

The boy stopped playing his pipes , ceasing the enchantment.

His eyes were insanely bright green and his sense of fashion was an acquired taste. He wore an elven tiara upon his head.

" Hello , Peter Pan. We are pleased to finally have met you ." Hazel said.

Ced bowed in greeting as well.

Peter stared at them for a moment. He looked like he might have spaced out.

Ced cleared his throat to grab his attention.

Peter broke into laughing smiles. " Hi ! Hi !" he said, shaking their hands with great force, " Who are you, again ?"

" I am Hazel Smith and this is Cedron , descendant of Cinderella. We come as representatives of the rebellion. Our leader, Princess Snowflake wishes that  we will be able to forge an alliance against the Council."

Pan looked confused. 

" Uh yes , yes. Sure !" he said.

Ced had a strange feeling that even if they managed to explain to Peter what an alliance was and how it worked, he would hardly be of any help to them, with his dazed and confused demeanor.

A pair of twins entered the room with a tray of drinks. They were bright and colourful and appealed very strongly to Ced's thirst , which seemed to be burning his throat, after an entire day's tiring journey.

Hazel seemed reluctant to take the drinks, but ultimately gave in and took a glass in her hand.

As the clock struck midnight, Ced was astounded to see a crocodile head popping out of it.

" Well, that's Tick Tock !" Peter said.

" The Crocodile." Hazel said. Peter nodded.

Ced felt like he was the only sane person in the room. The Crocodile? The nemesis of Captain Hook? A clock after Hook's life ?

" Huh, Hook was a friend, initially, wasn't he ?" Peter said. The Twins nodded in agreement.

" I kind of miss him. No more adventure these days !" Peter sighed.

" It's a pity that the clock ate his hand up and haunted him for the rest of his life." Ced said, rolling his eyes.

" Hook was never the same after that duel which took his hand.  It wasn't the clock. It was time that Hook dreaded; time ticking away." Peter said.

"It reminded him that death was just around the corner. The idea of it haunted  him. Poor Hook, he was running from death."

*********

AUTHOR'S NOTE :

I  know I promised two updates a week , but Peter Pan definitely gave me my share of troubles . I wanted him to be perfect , and that is what took time . We are nearing end of part one . Hope you all liked this chapter . There will be more of Neverland in the next one , this was just an introduction .

Adieu

Bookworm