A Pirates Life for Me
Authors Note:
Hey, I was inspired by some of the Lily and James pirate stories and decided to write one of my own. Please read and tell me what you think. If this sounds like your story or someone else's that you've read please inform me IMMEDIATELY. I don't want to be accused of plagiarizing.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter sniff sniff or the characters, if I did James would be my husband, that all belongs to J.K. Rowling. But I do own the plot of my story.
Lilly Evans stood at the railing of the ship, watching the hustle and bustle of London's Port. The wind tossed her red hair in her face and in front of her emerald green eyes.
She felt, rather then heard a person come up behind her. "Aye, Thomas?" She asked. She had a feeling she knew where the conversation would be going.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked wearily.
"Thomas, you've been my mentor since I first met you on this ship with my father, when I was six. You should know by now that once I make up my mind about something I hardly ever change it."
"Aye lass, stubborn, like your father were ye are. But with our former captain, your father dead I cannot offer you the same protection on this ship that he could. Though, as his first mate, I am now captain, I am not sure you are safe onboard this ship any longer."
Lily turned around before making her reply, smiling, and looked Thomas straight in the eye. "Thomas, you know that I can take care of myself, I've been on this ship since I was 6, my father started teaching me how to fence at age seven. You taught me how to throw knives and fight with them till I can beat anyone on board at a contest. I can get out of handcuffs and rope bonds. I know street fighting and boxing, and I can use pretty much every gun invented. I also know that you know I can do that, so tell me, what's really bothering you?"
Thomas chuckled, "You know me too well lass, and aye, your right, it's not you that I really worry about. Truthfully it's these new men we had to hire on since the battle." Lily flinched, remembering that awful battle where her father had been killed. They were attacked by French privateers claiming they were in their waters, 'bloody Frogs,' she thought.
"Anyway," continued Thomas, snapping her out of her reverie, "these men don't look very friendly, I am concerned for the effect a female on board will have on them."
Lily smiled sweetly, "Remember the last time someone tried to do that to me, the baker's lad in London?" Her smile changed to a dark menacing one, "He woke up the next day with a broken nose, cracked ribs, and a shattered wrist bone." She sighed and looked up at Thomas, widening her eyes for effect, "Now the baker won't even serve me, I can't imagine why."
Thomas laughed; such an impertinent yet endearing child, and only just 17. "Your right Lily, I'm silly to worry about you."
"Nah," she spoke and gave him a hug, "that's why I love you." Thomas smiled, he would do anything for this lass, she was the closest thing to a daughter he ever had.
--
The sun was setting over London as once again Lily watched. She thought the color in the sky was the perfect way to honor their departure from land. She watched without a word as The Emerald slowly, but getting faster and faster, slipped away from the shore. She sighed, finally at peace, finally at home.
--
Lily woke with the six o'clock the next morning. Tying back her long red hair she quickly dressed in breeches and a shirt which she tucked in. She pulled on her shoes and walked to the galley.
"Hey Leno," she called as she took a biscuit and a mug of coffee from the table.
The cook, who was placing pots and pans in their respective shelves stood up. "Aye lass, it's good to see you, those of us old ship men were afraid Thomas would force you to stay behind."
"Now Leno," she said placing her hands on her hips imperiously, "you know that no one, not even Thomas can force me to do anything."
Leno looked at her and smiled, "right lass, we forgot you is about as stubborn as a mule." She looked at him, her lips twitching and he tried to hide a smile, failing miserably. The both burst out laughing. Lily smiled, she loved Leno. He was not your stereotypical cook, instead of being short and fat, he was tall and lean with a thin face. But his face almost always had a smile and his watery blue eyes almost always held a twinkle.
When she could finally breathe Lily, with her eyes shining skipped out the door calling, "I better get on deck, you never know what's in store."
As she made it topside, Lily practically danced on deck. This was where she belonged. Under the sun and the blue skies, with the ship rocking beneath her feet, the salt wind in her hair. She ran over to the netting and shimmied up it very fast. She leaned over the edge, just smelling the air. She smiled to herself, remembering her nickname 'monkey' from the old crew members.
It was a right fitting name too. She didn't boast or anything but she knew she was the fastest rigging climber in close to all of London. She had hawk like eyes and could see very far away, which is why she was used as a lookout. Heights didn't bother her at all. She relished them.
Looking to her left she grabbed the rope, swinging to the opposite side of the ship before letting go, and grabbing another one while still in thin air.
The crew members on the deck that knew her smiled and shook their heads. That girl would never change, they thought as she swung all the way around the ship, never letting her feet touch the ground. She was always monkeying about in the rigging. The likes of her had never been seen before, it was like she had been born in the air or on the sea. The crew members who didn't know her looked at each other and muttered darkly.
Lily spotted Thomas and smiled inwardly, she was going to give him a surprise, and the new crew member he was talking to. Swinging her way down the deck she swung till she was right above them before dropping to land in a crouch right at Thomas' feet.
The new crew member swore and jumped backwards while Thomas shook his head. Having been with Lily for a long time, he was used to all her antics.
"Lily," he gently scolded, trying to keep the smile off of his face, "what have I told you about doing that."
She smiled mischeviously, "not to, sir."
"Now why do I tell you not to do that?"
"Because it frightens people," she said with a smirk, standing up and looking at the new crew member.
"Right," said Thomas, his smile breaking through now, "what can you tell me."
Lily snapped to attention, "The Emerald is in good condition sir, winds now light heading North West, no clouds and no sign of a storm, crew seems to be looking good and no ships in sight."
"Good"
"Thank ye captain,"
"Now back to your post Lily."
"Aye, aye Captain," she said and within seconds was halfway up the rigging.
"Is she even human?," the crew member muttered.
"What was that," Thomas asked, pretending as if he hadn't heard.
"Nothing, sir."
--
Lily sat in the crows nest, thinking while looking out at the ocean. She fingered the gold locket around her throat. She didn't know how to open, or even if it did open. Her father had given it to her.
The smell of blood and gunpowder assaulted 16 year old Lily. She chocked on the fumes as her eyes watered. She looked at the wake of destruction the damn Frogs had left. After attacking the ship they had left her there, helpless.
Lily looked frantically around her, looking for the one person-There! Was that him, by the steering wheel, why wasn't he standing up, the ones that had survived the attack were.
"Father," se shouted to get his attention, why wasn't he standing up?
She ran over to him. He was alive she saw with relief, but he had a gun wound in his chest that was bleeding furiously. She started ripping her shirt and began to bandage him when she felt a hand on top of hers.
"Don't," he whispered, "it's too late for me."
"You'll be fine Father," she said, fighting to keep her cool, "all we need to do is stop the bleeding."
He chuckled softly, "No, it's too late. Here," he took a long golden locket from his neck and put it around hers, "I want you to have this, don't tell anyone about it but keep it safe."
"Father?"
"Remember, I love you Lily," and with that he closed his eyes.
Lily touched the necklace he had given her. "I promise," she whispered, "I will keep it safe and in memory of you."
She stood up, and went to find Thompson to inform him of the death of the Captain.
She studied the locked again even though she practically had the look of it memorized. Lily wondered what was so special about it that she needed to keep it secret and safe. It was gold, with a long chain so it slipped between her breasts. It was oval and there was a golden pearl set in the center of the oval.
However mysterious it was, she did have to admit it was beautiful. She wondered where it came from.
She sighed and looked out over the sea, enough musing for now. She smiled and stood up, jumping down and catching a rope. She had a job to do.
Authors Note:
Please tell me what you think. And yes, I know the title is BEYOND cheesy and corny but I couldn't think of anything else. Be nice in your reviews please. BTW, anyone have a name for James' ship, the Marauders is a little over used in my opinion. And finally, I know the idea of a necklace/medallion/whatever is very clichéd buy I couldn't think of anything else, take mercy on me.
Much Love, Casey