(There is music to this chapter. this is what Peter and Wendy have their first dance to.   https://www.deezer.com/search/folias%20criollas%20hesperion   ) 

Wendy's POV

The massive dark wooden doors were only an arm-length away. Clover and Allfie were doing final touches to my hair, floofing and preening it as necessary.

The Queen stood like a silent sentinel behind me. We were only waiting on Peter.

I picked at my nail beds nervously but my thoughts were with my brothers.

"Clover? could you please make sure my brothers are well before I leave the castle?" I asked politely.

She looked to the queen who nodded.

"It's alright." The queen smiled. "And Wendy you can check on them yourself, before you retire to bed for the night."

I smiled at her and was about to thank her when the words died on my tongue.

Peter stood at the top of the massive marble staircase. Clad in a loose dreamy white shirt and a Dark green vest.

As he caught my eye he winked at me before sliding down the banister, and joining us at the front door.

The Queen let out an annoyed sigh behind me, as Clover scurried off to do my bidding.

"You look wonderful." Peter purred.

Despite myself I felt my cheeks flush.

"Thank you."

"Shall we my Darling?~"

I fought the instinct to roll my eyes.

The servants opened the doors and the sight took my breath away.

Twinkle lights decorated the courtyard, every single tree.

I took his arm with light trepidation, and he led me out into the fray.

The people cheered as we stepped out of the castle, and Peter smiled so big I thought for a moment that his face might crack in two.

He led me out towards a table that was just at the bottom of the staircase.

There was lively violin and flute playing.

The people clapped and the Queen made a small speech, that I have to admit I didn't pay much attention to, The people's clothing was so bright and the wind caused the fairy-lights to sway hypnotically. It wasn't until Peter bowed dramatically and led me to the chairs that I came to myself.

He pulled out a chair for me and sat down beside me, his hand finding mine under the table. I resisted the urge to pull away from him and forced myself to pay better attention to the important people. My only goal was reconnaissance...

The Queen sat down on the other side of me momentarily abandoning the head of the table.

"So, my dear Wendy child. As this is your first festival as princess, there is a few traditions... you will be expected to dance. And of course there will be feasting. Then there is a bonfire to conclude the night."

"Dancing? I'm not much of a dancer." I felt the panic clawing up the back of my throat.

"There's nothing to it. Peter will lead you, and luckily nobody will see your feet under your dress." A tall black haired man approached our table and the queen glanced at him before excusing herself.

"Excuse me dear, duty calls." She stood up and smiled full force at the man. "Ambassador how are you?"

I scanned the woods and caught sight of the Lost boys playfully dancing about. Toodles caught my eye and waved at me.

I smiled and waved back at him, before taking a sip from the goblet in front of me.

A warm feeling spread through me, and my body tingled.

Feeling something squeeze my hand, I blinked rapidly and turned to face Peter, who was on one knee, both hands clasping mine.

"My lady." His eyes shone.

My heart skipped a beat.

"Will you do me the honor of dancing with me?"

I froze.

"Erm yeah of course." I stammered out, putting down the goblet.

Peter smiled brightly at me, his eyes flickering to the goblet.

"That wasn't wine was it?" I gulped.

"No! Just some Berry cordial. It's non alcoholic..."

Peter stood and dragged me into the fray of dancing couples. I scolded myself for assuming he was proposing. Not only is that an earthen custom, but why would he bother?

Peter stopped walking and pulled me close to his chest as the other couples cleared to the side of the makeshift dance floor.

I blushed at our closeness as the music changed to something very medieval. (Folias Criollas)

"Why are they leaving?!" I panicked.

"It's custom for the prince and princess to have their first dance alone." Peter replied, his voice like honey.

"We're hardly alone." I retorted.

"You knew what i meant." He replied with a wry smile that made my stomach flip over.

I broke eye contact as we swayed to the beat of the drums. Peter looked over my head at the empty seat beside the Queen and remarked.

"My Moth... The Queen looks worried." Peter frowned.

My thoughts raced back to what I had overheard. Dare I tell him?

The beat picked up and Peter grabbed my left hand with his, and pulled it up into the air palm to palm, walking me in a small circle.

"-and now we switch hands and walk the other way." He muttered just loud enough for me to hear.

We switched smoothly, and I swallowed thickly.

"Peter..."

His green eyes locked onto mine.

"I think I might know why your mother is so worried..."

"And why is that?"

"I-"

My eyes were drawn to a servant sprinting down the castle stairs towards the queen.

I frowned as the queen turned around, and the Servant spoke quickly. The Queen stood, panic written across her face.

The crowd around us started to mutter, as peter followed my gaze towards his mother.

"PETER!" She screeched.

Peter dropped my hand and flew over to her, his white shirt billowing.

I picked up my skirt and rushed over to the table.

The queen and Peter left me in their dust as they rushed up the castle steps.

I was woefully out of breath and had to pause in the door frame of the massive castle doors to catch it.

My chest heaved as I watched the madness of the castle. Servants scuttled up and down stairs and through hallways.

Allfie caught sight of me and walked over swiftly.

"What's going on?!" I exclaimed in a rush.

"It's the king... but no matter, I was told to bring you to your room."

"What's wrong with the king?!"

She grasped my arm and dragged me up the stairs to my room.

We paused at the top as she opened the door.

"Allfie!" I exclaimed.

A tear trailed down her cheek.

"He's dying."

My heart stopped, then pounded. Poor Peter...

"I have to go to him."

"The King?!"

"No! Peter!"

"No. He must face this alone."

"But-"

"-His words not mine."

I blinked at her.

"I was told I could see my brothers... I know you're probably busy."

"I am." She replied, closing the door behind her.

I sat down on the bed, hard. My head in my hands.

When I heard the door open again and looked up to see the sleepy faces of my brothers.

"What's going on Wendy?" John asked dragging a sleepy Michael by the hand.

"The king... Peter's father... He's dying.

John jumped as the door behind the boys was slammed a bit too enthusiastically by Allfie.

I stood and walked over to pick up Michael as John became more animated, peppering me with questions that I could not possibly know the answer to.

"John!"

He jumped again.

"I'm sorry but I'm in the darkness as much as you are."

"You alright?"

"Yeah why do you ask?"

"Your mark seems bigger..." John pointed at the green mark.

I tossed Michael onto the bed, -he let out a noise of disgruntlement.- And rushed to the mirror.

John was right... The mark had branched out up my neck and down my arm.

It looked like roots, crawling up my neck...

I gasped and clawed at my throat.

"Wendy!" John exclaimed, pulling my hands away from my neck. "Breathe, just breathe."

I sucked in the air and held it in for a moment, before letting it out in a whoosh.

"I wish..."

"What?" He asked softly.

"I wish mother were here. She'd know exactly what to do." I sobbed.

John pulled me into his arms, and at the moment the door burst open.

And in came a gaggle of boys. They chattered excitedly as the door closed behind them, and a few of them ran off to explore the room.

It was Toodles who first noticed me crying.

"Wendy are you alright?" He asked, as John stepped away from me to better keep an eye on the other boys.

I sniffed loudly and tried to dry my tears with the back of my hand.

"What's wrong?" This time he addressed John.

"She misses our mother."

"What's a mother?"

"You don't know what a mother is?" The thought shocked me out of my tears.

"Well to be honest I have heard Peter talk about it but I didn't want to ask him." Toodles lowered his voice considerably. "Sometimes he scares me."

I couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Me too Toodles... Me too."

He smiled at me again, a blush coloring his face.

He looked at me for a moment, then did a double take.

"Wendy-lady! Why didn't you tell us you decided to be our Queen?!"

"I beg your pardon?!"

"Your mark is growing... You must have eaten our food."

"What? No I haven't eaten anything... Come to think of it I haven't really been hungry."

"Nobody gets hungry here. We just eat for fun." One of the twins piped up.

"You must have drank something then." Toodles reasoned.

"I had some water, and cordial at the festival."

"Then you will stay! We were worried."

"What does that have to do with staying?"

"There is a magic in our food and drink... didn't you know. It's nigh impossible to leave once you've had some!" He beamed.

"Oh."

The panic in my voice matched that of John and Micheal's face.

"Anyways, we came here to make sure that you're alright."

"I'm fine... have you seen Peter?"

"No, but he told me to say he changed his mind. He wants to meet you at the old ash tree."

I stood to my feet, "Where is it?"

"You can follow the King's lights. But you should go now before he passes, and look for them in the courtyard."

"The kings lights is the spirit of the king as he makes his way to the Ash tree and the afterlife." Nibs said knowledgeably.

"I'd better hurry then. Are you okay to watch Michael?"

"Yes." The boys chorused.

I sighed, and made my way to the door as John nodded at me.

The door was unlocked and I ran, down familiar hallways to the courtyard.

~-~

(Finn)

The plan was simple.

Finnegan and the Doctor would ride their horses to the castle, and wait till they saw Wendy.

Then Finnegan would stake his claim.

He was still processing the information he had been given. "I can't believe I don't love her..." he groaned.

"I'm sure you do my boy... in your own way. It's just that there's someone out there who loves her more."

Finn's jaw twitched, and his grip on the reigns tightened.

"Do you think it's Peter?" he grit out.

"There's no use speculating boy. that's a good way to set yourself up for more hurt. All we need to worry about is her finding out..."

"Why?"

"Women can be... well lets just say they have certain ideas about marriage."

Finn sighed heavily.

"This is the only way to keep her safe." Doc reminded him.

"Maybe you're right... but is it the right thing to do?"

"Would you rather leave her in the arms of a known killer?"

Finn frowned.

The doctor nodded "I didn't think so... Believe me boy, you never want the blood of a loved one on your hands..."

Finn's eyes widened and he looked over at the Doctor in interest.

"What happened?"

Emanuel dragged a hand down his weary face.

"Pan got her... and I was too late."

"Pan got who?" Peppered Finn.

"Colleen."

Finn cocked his head to the side confusedly.

"Wendy's grandmother." Manny clarified.

"You... and Wendy's Gran?!"

A glare from the Doctor silenced Finnegan.

They rode on, the moon finally beginning to rise overhead.

When the doctor spoke again his voice was strained.

"I knew pan was about to make his move. Wendy was coming of age and Colleen demanded I go warn her children. I knew it was dangerous to leave her there alone, we argued... and I told her..."

Finn leaned closer to hear his words.

"I told her she should have married me... that then her children would be safe."

"What did she reply?"

"I... she told me she never knew I felt that way... But even if she had that she wouldn't change a thing. You have no idea how much that stung. But she was madly in love with Damien. I know that. I should have just kept my mouth shut... But she got upset with me and threw me out. I stormed off, and when I came back the next morning she was dead... poisoned."

"Pan?"

"Probably not, she had many enemies. People don't take well to folks that marry the Fae."

"She married a Fae?!"

The Dr. continued as if he hadn't been interrupted.

"So I know how you feel." The doctor sighed dejectedly.

Finn went back to riding in silence, the doctor had given him a lot to think about.

(AN: Sorry this update took so long, I've been struggling pretty hard with writers block, but I'm very near to the end of this story. I hope I can finish strong! Love you guys you're the best.)