Little Arthur and Reader

Never grow up! 

*...*...*...*...*...*...*...*...*...*...*

"And with a single swipe, Peter cut off Hook's left hand and threw it overboard, landing it straight in the mouth of a hungry crocodile in the ocean below!" 

"Yes!" Little Arthur cheered. 

"And so began the many adventures of Peter Pan and the dastardly pirate Captain Hook! The End." ________ brought her story to a close. "Alright my little Lost Boy, time for bed." __________ began to tuck Arthur into his bed sheets but his head shot up off of his pillow.

"But I'm not tired yet! Please, _________, tell me another story! Just one and I promise to go to sleep!" Arthur begged.

_________ was a young maid in the Kirkland residence, only sixteen years of age but working to provide for her struggling family. Her job was to take care of young Arthur, who was only eight. She adored the sweet child and he adored her. She would tell him stories about a young man named Peter Pan, who was Arthurs absolute favorite hero. _________ was the top authority on Peter Pan, she knew every adventure, every detail, as if her stories were something out of a History text book! 

_________ giggled and sat on the end of Arthurs bed. "But you have school tomorrow, you must get a good nights rest if you want to have energy to play with your friends." She insisted. 

"All the kids at school laugh at me. They think I'm strange." Arthur pouted.

"Arthur, I'm sure that's not true." 

"It is! They think it's strange for me to believe in pixies and other creatures and far off places and flying pirate ships! None of them like me." 

"Well that's just not right, now is it?" _________ scoffed. "If anyone's strange, then they're the strange one's! What a silly thing to not believe in pixies and Neverland!" 

"_________, does Neverland really exist? Is Peter Pan real?" Arthur asked doubtfully.

"Why of course he's real!" _______ exclaimed. "He's as real as you and I! And of course there's such a thing as Neverland! You know where to find it, don't you?" 

"First star to the right and straight on till morning." Arthur replied. "________, have you ever been there?" 

"Indeed I have, Artie." _______ smiled. "I was not much older than you when I first met Peter Pan." 

"You met Peter Pan?!" Arthur exclaimed. 

"Yes. I was almost ten years old when he took me to Neverland. The kids at school thought I was strange too, for believing in Tinkerbell and crocodiles who chase pirates." 

"What happened while you were in Neverland?"

"Well, a lot of things but the most exciting thing that happened was when I was kidnapped by Captain Hook!" 

"Kidnapped!? What did you do?!" Arthur exclaimed.

"Well there I was, on Marooners Rock; tied up and without any pixie dust to fly away when I noticed a green, scaly tail poke out from the water...." 

"The crocodile!" Arthur gasped.

"Indeed! Captain Hook had captured me and left me to be eaten without any escape!"

"Did you die?!" Arthur asked.

"Let me finish!" ______ giggled. "Captain Hook had captured me and told Peter that if he revealed where he hid Captain Hooks treasure chest that Hook would tell Peter where he had hidden me! But instead of revealing the place where he had hidden the treasure, Peter, Tinkerbell and The Lost Boys split up and searched the island for me!"

"Then what happened?!"

"Just as the crocodile spotted me and inched closer, Peter flew over head and found me! Quickly Peter grabbed me and flew me to the beach." 

"What about Captain Hook?" 

"While we were celebrating victory we were unaware that Captain Hook and his crew had been watching us. Out of the forest they came charging with swords and daggers! The only weapon we had to defend ourselves with was a Peter's dagger and a piece of drift wood that was washed up on the shore. Peter was able to fly and  fight off the pirates from overhead but I had to stay on the ground and defend myself! It seemed hopeless, but Peter refused to surrender! I hit pirates on the head with the driftwood and knocked them out! But there were still too many and right when Peter and I thought we were done for, the Lost Boys came charging from the forest and saved us! 
With all of us fighting together, we were able to defeat Captain Hooks crew! But Captain Hook would never admit defeat to a child! He fought Peter until Peter tripped and fell on his back! Almost did him in, he did! Before Hook could get Peter with his sword, Tinkerbell covered the Captain in Pixie Dust and he went flying up into the air! Hook was so shocked and surprised, he had no idea how to control it and flailed his arms around in the air! Peter took his confusion to his advantage and tied him up to a palm tree! Peter promised to let him go if Hook said he was a Codfish!" 

"A Codfish!?" Arthur giggled.

_________ smiled and ruffled his shaggy blonde hair. "I promise you, Arthur, Neverland is very much a real place and don't let anyone ever tell you any different." 

"Thank you, ________. Do you think I will ever get to meet Peter Pan and have my own adventure in Neverland?" Arthur asked. 

"If you believe in Peter, I'm sure he'll pay you a visit." ________ kissed his forehead and bid him goodnight. She turned out the lantern in his room and softly shut the door behind her. Outside of Arthurs room, standing in the hallway was Master Kirkland, Arthurs father. 

"That was a wonderful story you told him." Master Kirkland grinned. "Did you just think of it?" 

"Oh, I didn't make it up sir. That story is very true." ________ smiled. "Have a good night, Master Kirkland." 

"Um.. Yes, y-you as well." Master Kirkland shook his head and chuckled, not quite understanding. When ________ reached her living quarters in the Kirklands attic, she heard a tapping at her window. She quickly ran to open it and found Peter Pan waiting outside for her. 

"Hi ________." He grinned 

"Hello Peter." ________ smiled. "It's been quite a while since I've seen that smile." 

"I listened to the stories you told to that boy. I really like your stories." 

"All of my stories are about you." ________ giggled.

"Yeah, that's why I like them! I came here to bring you back to Neverland with me, _______." 

"I can't go back, I'm no longer a child, Peter." 

"But you're not a grown up yet. You can still come back and you won't ever have to grow up. We can go on more adventures like we used to!" 

"I would love to, Peter, but I have responsibility now. I have to take care of young Arthur. He needs me." 

Peter crossed his arms and pouted.

"But I do know someone who'd love to go on an adventure; someone who truly looks up to you."

"Who? That boy?"

"His name is Arthur, and you're his hero, Peter."

Peter sighed. "So you really won't come back with me?" 

"I'm sorry, Peter."

"Well... See you later then." Peter was about to fly off when ________ stopped him.

"Wait! Where are you going?" 

"To visit Arthur. It's about time he made his own stories, don't you think?" 

________ smiled and nodded her head. "But you have to bring him back by morning!"

Peter smiled and waved goodbye.

"I will always believe in you, Peter Pan." _______ waved goodbye and watched as Peter flew to the window a on the floor below yours. 

That night, little Arthur went on an adventure he would never forget. The End!