“Never mind,” I said. “Just follow me.”
I swooped down, pulling up short just above the treetops, and felt the smile spread across my face. This was the freedom I'd been needing. From the moment of my birth, I'd felt imprisoned, as if nothing was in my control. This was mine. I could fly as high as I wanted to or as low. I could twirl and swoop, and see things that no one but the fairies and the birds could see. The sky was a new world to explore.
I flew over the plains, watching the Indians hunting the buffalo that feasted on the sweet grass. Their horses thudded over the earth, herding the animals together. The men looked wild and as free as I felt, their bare chests glistening in the sun. But I didn't want to watch the hunt. I enjoyed the meat, and I understood that the Indians were needed to keep the herd from growing too large, but I hated watching the kill. So, I angled away and soared over the mountains.
The highest mountains of Neverland were too tall for Tink to go. She said that the higher up we went, the colder it would get until the air became too cold to breathe and then her delicate wings would freeze up. I looked longingly at the ice-capped peaks, but I didn't want to leave Tink behind, and part of me whispered that it wasn't wise to go against the teachings of an expert.
Instead, I veered along the rocky sides, following the trail of water that came down from the mountain's peak. The ice melted and fed several rivers and streams around the island, but I was most interested in the little pool that sat on a ledge, halfway up the side of the mountain. The pool overflowed the ledge, creating a magnificent waterfall which filled another, much deeper and wider, pool at the mountain's base. This pool was the one which fed the river which ran by our tree, and it was nice to see the source. I alighted on the ledge and peered over the side, watching the water tumble down hundreds of feet.
“What happened to dive bombing mermaids?” Tink asked as she hovered beside me.
“I wanted to have a quick drink first.” I knelt and scooped the water into my mouth.
It was briskly cold and bracing. I drank it down and sighed deeply. Then I turned and looked thoughtfully at the ice far above me.
“I don't like that look, Pan,” Tink said.
“I was just thinking that it would be nice to drink cold water all the time,” I mused. “And maybe the ice could be used to keep food cold.”
“Why would you want your food to be cold?” Tinker Bell asked.
“Because then it might not spoil so fast,” I said. “I've seen things in the pool. The humans have boxes that they put their food into. These boxes are magical and are very cold inside. It helps their food stay fresh.”
“Magical food boxes?” Tink blinked, getting that look again.
“Forget it.” I waved my hand. “I need some time to think this over, but I believe I may have a way to create our own magic food box.”
“I will look forward to seeing your creation.”
“Until then”–I shot up into the air–“let's dive!”
Tink gave a whoop, and we flew down into the valley, and then over to Mermaid's Cove. The cove was on the opposite side of the island from the bay, where Kadmos moored his ship. The entrance was hidden by flowering vines which draped all the way to the surface of the sea, but from above, I could see right into it. A channel from the ocean led into a roughly circular nook within the island. There, the land gradually dipped into the cove, allowing the mermaids to slide up the smooth rock and bask in the beams of sunlight streaming through the opening above. The walls were sheer and smooth, so the only way into the cove was by sea. It was a perfect, private place.
There were three mermaids currently lounging on land, and two mermen. Their tails gleamed in the sun, glowing with iridescence in green, pink, blue, and pearl. One of the maids was lying across a merman, kissing him lazily. I felt something clench inside my chest as I experienced a keen jealousy. I wanted to lay in the sun and kiss my lover. What bliss that must be.
“Come on,” Tink whispered. “They're going to be so surprised!”
“All right.” I grinned and her.
We swooped down, whooping gleefully, and the mermaids all jerked up in shock. Then they saw who it was invading their sanctuary and gaped at Tink and me.
“Pandora?” One of the women asked as I came to stand on the rock before them.
“Yes, it is I,” I said in a teasing tone as I spread my legs wide and planted my fists on my hips. “Are you surprised?”
“Yes,” one of the men said with a smile. “It was very shocking to see an earth-walker in the air.”
“I taught her to fly!” Tink said proudly.
“Well done, Tinker Bell,” another mermaid praised. “What wonderful magic to be able to take a woman from earth to sky.”
“Thank you,” Tink said shyly. “But Pandora did the hard work. I just sprinkled some pixie dust.”
“Could you teach me?” One of the mermen asked. “I would love to experience flight.”
“I don't see why not,” Tink said. “All you need to do is think happy thoughts, and then, when you are filled with joy, I will sprinkle some dust on you.”
“Laren,” one of the women chided the man, “we are water beings, we do not belong in the air. It will dry you out too much, and then you will suffer.”
