Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean or any of it's characters.
On the day of my sixteenth birthday, I knew I loved him. On the day of my father's fourth wedding two weeks later, I knew my love for him would get me nowhere.
Captain Jack Sparrow: pirate, loner, and lover. The only problem: He was eighteen years, three months, and twenty-seven days older than me; that, and the fact that he was banned from all of the ports in my home city. That is why I have decided to join him aboard the Black Pearl. You see, my father, Tim, and his new 'bonnie lass', Sarah, are too enveloped in their newly wedded bliss to pay me much attention so my leaving will hurt no one. This way, I get to see my love, my father gets his privacy, and Jack doesn't have to do much on my behalf. All I need to do is get packed and meet up with Jack in the Port Royal about 15 miles outside our city limits. I happen to know he will be there this weekend thanks to a very close sailor friend of my father's.
If I am going to get this done right, I need to do it quickly. I snuck a medium sized trunk out of the coat closet directly across the hall from Tim and Sarah's bedroom. It wasn't very easy to do but I had the help of my maidservant, Mally. Luckily for us, Tim and Sarah were too preoccupied to take much notice to us. There were some close calls as we tip-toed as lightly as possible down the hall, the heavy trunk awkwardly balanced between us, but we managed to get to my room without a hitch.
Once in my room, I asked Mally to leave me be until I was ready for her company. As she walked out of my room, closing the door behind her, I began to think on my toes. I thought to myself about what would be best to occupy this chest. I also began to think it might be nice to leave Tim a letter. Nothing grand or informative, just something to tell him not to worry and that I would not be returning. I sat down at the tiny writing desk against my wall to quickly write a short letter and seal it into a nice envelope with a wax stamp I received when I turned 12. Once that was completed, I got back to packing very quickly, trying not to think too long otherwise I was bound to over pack.
In the end, the trunk was filled and I was finally ready. I had packed two of my favorite dresses, a pair of trousers I had taken from Tim's closet and hemmed to fit me, a couple of blouses, some personal items, and a few valuables; my journal and stationary set, a miniature pocket watch set on a chain, a diamond pendant, and a worn photograph of my deceased mother, Margarette.
Quickly, I called for Mally's assistance again. She came to my room. "Miss Leigh Anne, I do wish you'd explain one thing to me," she looked at me with very vulnerable, young eyes. I was kind of surprised at her boldness. Our servants are not allowed to question our actions or statements and this is the closest my dear Mally here had ever come to disobeying our rules.
"What is it, Mally?" I ask rather irritably.
"Why are you taking me? Aren't you afraid I will come back and tell the others where you have gone?" I could feel the worry in her tone.
"Oh Mally, I'm sorry but I can't let you come back. You are coming with me," I say looking to her apologetically. Immediately, I saw the look of sheer panic cross her face. "I really am sorry, Mally."
"Oh no, milady," she replied, "I was worried you might say that. I took the liberty of packing myself a very few things."
"That's fine, Mally, but we must get going now," I reply, trying desperately to get her to help me with the awkward trunk. She grabbed the other end and helped me carry it through the hall and down the stairs into the kitchen. "Now Mally, go gather your things, put on a coat and some proper shoes. And please, be quick about it!" I say after we've set the trunk down.
"Yes, Lady Leigh Anne," she replied and left quickly.
I turned to the lead cook, Mary. She was a nice round woman who liked to wear her hair in a bow. She treated me like I was her own daughter and honestly, I liked it. As I was growing up, Tim's ladies were not all that interested in me so Mary was. It was kind of a trade off in a way.
"Mary," I said, handing her the sealed letter in my hands which by now were starting to shake, "Would you hand this to my father this evening when he and Sarah take to supper?"
"Of course, deary," she said, smiling sweetly, "What time should I expect your return, Lady Leigh Anne?"
"Oh, I don't know, Mary," I reply, "Don't expect me back for supper, though," I say hugging her and turning back to my trunk. I won't cry. I tell myself. I can't. They'll know something is up.
As I stand in the kitchen surrounded by the smell of meats and pastries, I wait for Mally to return. Standing in my heavy dress and coat, I feel rather vulnerable. The weight of what I am about to do is weighing heavily on my conscience. My mind begins to race at the thought of what I am planning to do. I had zoned out so much I jumped nearly a foot into the air at the touch of someone's hand on my elbow. I turn to find Mally.
"Lady Leigh Anne," Mally says, her expression laced with concern at my reaction, "Are you ready to leave now, Miss?" she asks.
"Yes, Mally, let's get out of here," I reply, bagging the feeling of discomfort in my gut and taking a step towards the door and the beginning of my new life.
