The face I saw in the looking-glass surely wasn't me.

Her eyes were too sunken, terror filled.

Her smile too hollow.

And yet she moved as I did, patting her face dry with a towel and letting out a sigh.

The sun had not yet risen. From what I understood about the Fae, they must get very little sleep.

Perhaps the beds were just for decoration...

I shook my head and fought back a yawn. What I wouldn't do for some coffee.

I could hear a scuffle in the next room and Allfie and Clover arrived, waking my brothers.

I opened the door and the two women beheld me.

"Princess! Well don't you look..." Allfie seemed to struggle to say something positive.

"Awake!" Clover supplied.

A groan was issued from my bed and the two lumps under the cover moved slightly.

My brothers were very groggy and not pleased to be woken.

"And the little princes. Good morning to you!" Allfie smiled, walking over to the bed and pulling back the covers.

"It's still dark, it's not morning yet!" Michael whined, reaching out to pull the covers back.

"Ah but little prince today is a special day, we wake before the sun so your sister can be married!"

"What?!" John exclaimed, eyes popping open.

I smiled softly at him.

"Excuse us ladies..." John stormed over to me and grabbed my hand dragging me into the washroom."

When the door closed behind us John spun to face me.

"What are they talking about?!" He hissed.

"Don't worry this is all part of the plan." I smiled awkwardly.

"What plan?! Wendy these are the Fae! You should know better then to make deals with them!" he hissed.

"I'm not making any deals!" I replied.

John cocked his head to the side. "Oh~ I'm sorry, I didn't realize marriage wasn't legally binding! Come on Wendy!"

"Finn's here." I whispered.

John's face changed to shock.

"Here?"

"Yes."

"Here in Neverland here?!"

I nodded quickly, "We just have to make it to the courtyard, he'll meet us there. The wedding was the only way to get us all out of the castle!"

"Oh..."

There was a brisk knock on the door.

"Come on now Prince, Princess. It's your turn. We must prepare quickly!"

John squeezed my hand before opening the door, and I pasted on my brightest smile.

The boys were taken back to their room, to be prepared for the wedding.

Meanwhile Allfie and Clover prepared me for the wedding. My dress was very medieval and the purest white interlaced with a lovely robin's egg blue. And I dimly noted that it was a lovely gown that flattered me immensely.

Once I was in the gown. The two faeries eyed my face worriedly.

You poor thing! It looks as if you didn't sleep a wink last night.

"Oh, it's just pre-wedding jitters" I replied.

Allfie smiled, "Quite right. Clover get some makeup for the princess will you?"

They covered the bags under my eyes and added some colour to my cheeks and lips. While I stood there numbly. As much as I was counting on Finn. I was terrified that not all would go according to plan.

All too soon, the two fae were leading me down a back staircase, and to one of the large palace windows to watch the crowning ceremony.

It was of course bad luck for Peter to see me, though I could see him.

It was dark, the dawn was just about to break, as me and my brothers waited in a richly furnished room, and watched one of the Fae elders place a glittering black crown on Peter's head.

A cheer went up from the crowd and before I could blink, My wrists were grabbed and Allfie was settling a veil and flower crown down on my head whilst clover pinned it to my hair with pins.

My brothers were send up ahead of me as the two ladies maids gathered the train of my skirts.

We walked down the hallway the noises from the high heeled shoes on my feet echoing off the walls.

At every window I couldn't help sneaking a glance through my gauzy veil at the treeline, praying that Finn would be alright... that he'd make it in time.

Taking the last flight of stairs proved difficult in the heels but with the help of my little wedding party I soon stood at the ornate wooden doors waiting for my signal to meet my groom. The King of the Faeries...

(Peter's POV)

As soon as the doors behind me opened the crowd cheered wildly. I could feel her behind me, hear her footfalls as she walked down the palace steps.

My heart filled with joy. I would be making good on my promise to my father, Neverland would have a queen. And I... I would have my Wendy.

My smile was broad and my heart was light, as the orchestra played a merry tune. And though it felt like forever finally I felt a presence by my side.

The Fae elder cleared his throat, "Sisters and Brothers. We are gathered here today to bind our new King and his princess in marriage."

A rousing cheer resounded off the stone of the castle.

"Your majesties may turn to face each other." He smiled.

I smiled as I turned to see my bride. And though I couldn't make out her features under the heavy veil. I could immediately sense something was off.

I gave her an easy smile to calm her as the Elder fae continued.

"This binding of the souls is not to be taken lightly, for as much as you are to become our new monarchs. This binding also will draw the two of you together." The Elder repeated the age old script.

"Princess, you may unveil yourself." He spoke softly.

Wendy hesitated for a moment, then with shaking hands pulled the front of her veil over her flower crown.

Her eyes were tired and worry marked the lines of her face.

Though, I thought proudly. She was still the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen.

"King Peter, the sword?"

I pulled the ceremonial sword out of it's scabbard, as Wendy shot me a frightened look.

I passed the sword to the Elder and his assistants unwound the green and white ribbons that would bind us together.

I kicked myself mentally, for not explaining what a hand fasting ceremony was to her. The poor girl probably thought I was going to cut her.

Though I couldn't see why...

I gave her another steady smile and turned to look at her little brothers.

They looked uncomfortable in the fae clothing that they were wearing. But they'd get used to it.

The elder grabbed my hands and guided them to hold the sword blade downwards, in between Wendy and I.

Her brow furrowed adorably. And unbidden my mind shot back to the thimble she gave me last night.

I turned red as the Elder brought Wendy's hands over mine.

The ribbon was placed over our hands and tied neatly.

"As this knot is tied so are your lives now bound." Began the officiant.

Wendy's face paled.

"Know now that in this cord is woven the hopes and dreams of your people, and of Neverland herself. I bid you look into each other's eyes."

Wendy's chocolate brown eyes looked deep into mine, and I could see something there...

What was it?

"King Peter, will you cause Wendy Darling pain?"

I answered truthfully. "I may."

Her gaze broke from mine.

"Is that your intent?"

"No." I replied.

"Princess Wendy, Will you cause Peter Pan pain?"

"I may." She squeaked.

"Is that your intent?"

"No..." Her eyes flickered into the forest. "Peter I'm so sorry."

Ah, That's what that look was...

Guilt.

Quickly she snatched the dagger out of my scabbard and sliced through the cords that bound us.

(Wendy's POV)

Peter looked at me as if I had ripped the heart out of his chest. And in a way I suppose I had. The distant thunder of horse hooves and the snapping of pirate ship sails drew both our eyes to the skies above the forest.

A massive flying ship flew the Davy Jones, and cast a shadow over our wedding party, as it landed in the nearby field.

The guests in the crowd seemed to breathe again and there were sounds of shock and anger.

Neverland's people were ready to riot.

"Wendy..." Peter's voice thundered. "What did you do?"

I moved slowly to put myself in between him, and my brothers.

"What I had to do, to keep my brothers safe." I replied, looking him steadily in the eye.

Peter glared at me. His eyes flickering to the treeline where a white horse burst out of the shrubbery.

"Finn!" I exclaimed.

Finn stood in the stirrups and pulled his horse to a stop at the bottom of the stairs.

"My King... What shall we do?" Panicked one of the guards.

His green eyes darkened. "Kill them."

All the air drained from my lungs.

The guards went to draw their swords, but froze. A bright violet magic keeping them in place.

The wedding guests gasped in terror.

Finn dismounted and drew his own sword, coming to stand beside me.

"I have come to claim what's rightfully mine!" His voice boomed over the din of the restless crowd. "Hear me Neverland and hear me well!"

Peter raised an eyebrow, hands on his hips, daring him to go on.

"I, Finn Redmond, have a claim on Wendy Darling!" He announced.

"I beg your pardon?" I hissed.

"Our mothers had an understanding. We were to be married." Finn explained, half to the crowd and half to me.

Peter took a step forward. The tip of Finn's sword on his chest.

His eyes darted over to look at me.

"Wendy is this true?"

I shot a glance over at Finn, who nodded.

I cleared my throat. "Yes."

The crowd gasped. Peter squinted at me.

"Be that as it may, I also have a claim." Peter replied, glancing from Finn to me. "So perhaps, we should let the lady decide?"

All eyes were on me.

"So Wendy, what's it to be?"

There was such hope in his eyes... Though he must have known what my answer would be.

"Peter..."

He smiled at me.

...

"I'm so sorry."

His face crumbled as I turned to Finn with a heavy heart.

"Take us home Finn... please."

The doctor stood in the trees with his hands out, keeping the guards at bay.

My brothers and I rushed down the stairs and into the forest, as Finn shouted directions at us.

"The Ship will land in that field where the tree is Wendy, Just run... Don't turn back."

But I did, and as I did, caught sight of Peter turning and walking up the palace steps.

His posture showed no change, he seemed completely unaffected. But as the vines around my heart seized I knew he was in pain.

And so we ran.

It seemed like the forest stretched on forever.

But finally the very welcome sight of the Jolly Rodger greeted our eyes.

My brothers and Finn went up the gangplank as I took off my shoes, blisters already beginning to form on my feet.

"Wendy."

I looked up at Finn's easy smile and stretched out hand. And I knew I'd made the right choice... Or at least the best one.