OMGIFINALLYGOTTHENERVETOPOSTTHIS.
Whew. Deep Breath. Okay. This is an idea that has been stuck in my head for the past two years, and I have been working on writing it out for the past year. I have never wrote ANY fanfiction before, so I am trying to make sure that everything is executed PERFECTLY!
PLEASE send me any critiques/tips for this chapter, I am completely open to anyones perspective :)
All characters belong to their respective owners, Anastasia Marie Clearwater is a creation of my own :)
Enjoy!
"ANASTASIA MARIE CLEARWATER! If you don't get your pretty little self up right this minute, so help me!"
I shot out of my closet after this final threat from Emily. I was busy trying to hide my bow and arrow from that mornings hunt when her persistent banging started. Only when I was sure everything was safely hidden, I threw a dress on, ran over to the mirror to check my appearance, and after every curl was in place I opened the door.
"Sorry Emily..I-"
Opening the door, there stood my head Lady in Waiting, hand raised to knock and prepared to unleash another onslaught of threats.
"Princess, why on earth did you take so long to answer? And why is your door even locked?" Emily asked suspiciously.
"I was just practicing the new needle point stitches I learned yesterday. You know how focused I can be when I concentrate" I smiled innocently.
She looked me up and down while I silently prayed she wouldn't ask for proof.
"Very well," she sighed "At least you are up and ready. You know how your mother Queen Attina values punctuality, especially on days as important as today."
Following Emily down the hall, I rolled my eyes and sighed. I had been dreading this day for as long as I can remember. It was fifteen days before my twenty-fifth birthday, and today was my farewell party. There had been this tradition in my family, that started back when my Grandpa King Triton was just a boy. It's where all the daughters of the reigning king had to be married on exactly her twenty-fifth birthday. Being the oldest daughter of Queen Attina and King Regan, it was my turn to be traded off to some far off prince in hopes of uniting two kingdoms.
Any of my other 5 sisters would have killed to be in my place today, and I would kill to be able to trade places with them. I didn't want to be married off like some old broodmare, where my only expectation was to bear children, practice arts and crafts and bend to my husband's every whim. I wanted to travel, to be able to reach all the corners of the galaxy, and to shoot my bow and arrow whenever I pleased. In the middle of my own world, I accidentally bumped into one of the servants on their way to finish packing up my belongings.
"Umph! OH! I am SO sorry Jackson!" I apologized, once I realized just who it was I ran over.
"It's quite alright Anast-Your Highness." he corrected, trying not to sound too informal in front of Emily "After all these years I am pretty used to your daydream walking" he reassured.
Jackson had been my friend since we were two years old. He was the only one to know of me sneaking out in the early morning/late evenings to get some target practice in, or to just escape the palace walls for a bit. I didn't even want to fathom how once I left I wouldn't have that confidante anymore.
"Your Highness, would you PLEASE try and keep up?" Emily huffed "Your Mother and Father are waiting for you in the banquet hall, they have some last minute details they wish to share with you about the voyage."
"Sorry Jackson, but duty calls." I apologized.
Trying to keep my spirits from drowning in depression, I slipped into my princess mode and followed Emily back down the hall. If there was one thing that was irritating about being royalty, it was being the eldest child. I was responsible for setting the bar for my younger siblings; set it too high and you were seen as arrogant, set it too low and you were seen as an incompetent future ruler. It was an exhausting line that my parents had fought hard to teach me, and I am guessing since twenty five years has passed without any fiascoes, that I was doing a pretty good job of following the tight rope.
We came upon the colossal door that lead into the banquet hall. Once my arrival was announced, I glided across the room to dip into a deep curtsy in front of my parents.
"Good Morning Mother and Father." I quipped, trying to keep my annoyance of my current situation out of my voice.
"Good Morning dear," My mother replied, squeezing my hand reassuringly.
"Have a seat Anastasia. We have much to discuss of today's festivities, as well as your future journey." my Father grumbled. I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was in no mood for disobedience.
I took my place to the right of my father, thanking the servant for pulling out my chair, and eloquently sat down to await for breakfast to begin. Two things I have learned about my parents, especially with my father, is to be an effective ruler you must keep a level head and your personal opinions to yourself. That and they loved formality, pomp and circumstance, the whole nine yards. I've never had a personal relationship with my parents, every encounter with them for as long as I can remember felt strictly business-like. If we're being completely honest here, my Aunt Ariel and Uncle Eric felt more like parents to me, with their daughter Melody being like my little sister.
Once the first plates of breakfast were sat in front of us, my father cleared his throat and prepared to speak.
"Anastasia, there has been a change in plans for your traveling arrangements to the kingdom of Montressor"
My head shot up, excitement which he could read clearly all over my face. Before I could even think to speak, he held his hand up.
"Now don't think for a second that your leaving today is postponed because that is not the case at all. We have a strict schedule we have to keep in order to ensure that you are in Montressor by your birthday."
Trying to keep my disappointment in check, I replied "Of course not Father. What sort of changes have occurred?"
"Well" he said "the original ship and captain that was supposed to carry you has been sent to Denmark for your cousin Princess Melody's eighteenth birthday. Your Uncle Eric has recommended another equally qualified captain to take you to Montressor to meet your future husband."
"Well then" I said, demurely patting my mouth with my napkin "May I ask who would be accompanying me then?"
"A captain that goes by the name of John Silver"
At this point, I had to choke down a piece of ham and cheese omelet and a servant quickly came to refill my glass so I could wash it down. Once I had calmed myself I asked "Do you mean THE John Silver? As in the cyborg pirate that tried to take over a ship to steal a treasure?"
"Yes Anastasia. That is the very one." he replied cooly.
"Father, you know I trust yours and Uncle's decision, but are you sure-"
He hastily cut me off "Anastasia, do you really think that I would just throw you into the hands of some would be pirate that would harm or even kill you? You as well as the rest of the galaxy knows that the man saved the entire crew of the RLS Legacy at the end of the mission. Ever since then he has been a privateer for many monarchs in many kingdoms. Your Uncle has even worked with the man personally and has had nothing but praises for him. If I say he is qualified to transport my eldest daughter to her wedding, then I expect no argument."
"Of course you don't expect any argument" I thought to myself "Only thing you expect out of any of your daughters is a grandson and an embroidered pillow."
"Also" he continued "I was able to squeeze in a few days for you to stop at a couple of ports as well as Melody's birthday party. I know you would like to buy some new outfits, and I think a visit with your cousin would do you some good."
I kept my eyes glued to my plate to keep them from rolling at his last statement. Of course I was excited to see Melody, but it annoyed me to no end that my father really thought I was as materialistic as my own siblings. Never in my wildest dreams would I tell the man that I owned more pairs of shorts and pants that I did ball gowns and heels.
"Thank you father" I replied "I know it must have been tough to schedule the extra stops in, but I appreciate you doing so."
He waved off my thanks "It is the least I can do Anastasia. I know you are going to make us all very proud on your new venture."
I tried not to take that last comment too personal. Me being the best shot in town, or being the best violinist in the kingdom should have cause for some praise I thought.
Instead, I asked "So when will I meet this Captain John Silver? I would like to make his acquaintance before we set sail tomorrow morning."
For the first time in the entire conversation, my mother answered me. "I'm sure you'll have a chance to meet him before you set off dear. Right now he is at the docks making final preparations for the voyage."
"Very well." I replied. "Mother, Father, if you don't mind may I be excused? I wish to spend the rest of the day sorting my luggage and saying goodbye to my sisters."
"Of course." Father said "We will see you tonight at the banquet."
I rose from the table, and tried to keep from running out of that room as fast as I could. You actually were able to keep your cool the entire time Ana! I thought to myself, as I hurried down to the corridor back towards my room.
It took me longer than usual to get back to my side of the castle, I kept getting goodbyes and farewells from the palace staff, but once I got there I was about to have a panic attack. I had meant to keep Father and Mother's conversation much shorter so I could get back in time to sneak my pants, shorts, boots and tank tops into some luggage without anyone else seeing. Being seen in possession of such commoner clothing would have been a huge problem and would lead to suspicion about what else I could have.
The night before I had arranged my secret stash into a special bag, that way all I had to do was stuff it in a trunk and throw a few gowns over it. When I went to go find it I immediately started to panic. Where on earth could it be?! I can't leave without my hunting clothes! Running to my closet, I reassured my self that at least my bow and arrows were still there. That was when Jackson surprised me.
"Looking for this?" he whispered, holding up the secret bag.
"Oh my God Jackson, don't EVER scare me like that again!" I breathed
"I made sure I was the first one in here. I got it out of the way before anyone else could see it." he grinned "After everyone leaves I'll be sure it gets put at the bottom of the biggest trunk."
"Jackson, you are my guardian angel. What am I ever going to do without you?" I said.
This strange look fell over his face, and it was then that I could tell that he had so much more that he wanted to say. I myself, started getting choked up at the realization that this would be the last morning we would spend together probably for the rest of my life. Once a daughter of the king was married off, there wasn't too many reasons why she would be coming back home.
"This isn't goodbye just yet Jacks" I choked out, "We still have the party tonight. Speaking of that, I better finish packing so I can start getting ready."
"Of course Ana. I'll see you later." Jackson mumbled, disappointed that I didn't really give him a chance to speak.
After giving him a quick hug, I slipped back out to my room grabbing some last minute items that I would be carrying on my person once I got on the ship. Once everything was together, I sat it by my window and instructed a servant that it was to stay while the rest of the luggage could be brought downstairs. Taking one last survey around the room, I was satisfied that I had collected everything I would need. I ran off to the dressing parlor down the hall so I could start the agonizing primping process for tonight's ball.
Countless hours later I was lined up with my sisters ready to go downstairs. I had hoped to get a chance to meet the Captain before the actual ball started; I was still painfully awkward with introductions so the least amount of witnesses present the better. On the way to the ballroom, Mother had came and told me that Mr. Silver had some last minute issues come up and that once they were taken care of he would join the party later.
I tried to not let this delay add on to my stress. I had heard so much about the man that I was anxious to see what he was really like, add that to the fact I was leaving my home in twelve hours and my nerves were close to the breaking point.
I had managed to catch the first glimpse of myself in a mirror on our way downstairs. Looking in that glass, I closely examined the woman peering back at me. My whole life, I've been told I resemble my grandmother Athena more than either of my parents. Only difference between me and her is my hair held a deeper red and a tighter curl, while her's held more of a copper tone and a loose wave. My eyes, big and terrified in that moment, held my fathers color; the famous Clearwater blue. Standing there it hit me like a tidal wave, I am leaving home forever. I didn't feel excitement, or fear, but dread. I was essentially being transferred from one gilded cage to another.
"Come on Anastasia. You will be the first one presented and it's time to get in our places." My mother whispered to me.
"Annie!" My youngest sister Alice came running up to me. Alice was only six years old, so strict royal decorum wasn't expected from her yet. I knelt down to see what was the matter.
"I just saw the cyborg man! He just finished introducing himself to Daddy!" she breathed excitedly.
"Alice! Get to your place in line. This is no time for gossip with your big sister." Mother chastised while ushering her to the back of the line.
Hearing the fanfare begin, I squared my shoulders and prepared to be formally presented to nine hundred some-odd guests. I tried to focus on the music so I could hear my cue for when the curtain opened, but that focus didn't last very long. Don't freak out Anastasia, I thought. You've done this hundreds of times, it is just like every other time. Do like what Jackson taught you, breathe in...and now out. From the outside looking in, I looked every bit of a composed princess as was expected of me, but as I took down those steps I felt like I was a mirror shattering.
Once I was safely on solid ground, I began nodding in acknowledgment to random guests, but instead of looking into their faces I was scanning the crowd for Captain Silver. I am sure with it being the night before our two week journey, he had plenty of other preparations that needed to be attended to and would much rather be doing that than attending this stuffy ball. The sooner I could get the introductions over with the sooner I can get this nagging feeling off my back.
I still don't know how I knew to turn the direction that I did, but my eyes glanced to the farthest corner of the room. Out of nine hundred people and an entire ballroom away, I found him. Looking into his glowing eye, I felt a shot of thunder go through me and glued me to my spot. After what felt like an eternity of rudely staring, the electricity let go of my feet and I was able to walk over to him. "What the hell was that about?" I wondered to myself, "I've never felt THAT about meeting someone before."
By the time I reached him, I was gasping for a breath. I didn't really know what to expect, but I certainly wasn't expecting to NOT feel nervous. This was actual excitement shooting through my veins. He was dressed casually in a white linen shirt, striped pants and had a long black trench coat on, with one sleeve cut off to make room for his mechanical arm. He looked me up and down with an appraising stare, and when he seemed satisfied bowed and offered his metal hand out to me.
"So, ye must be the lass I'm escortin' to Montressor then, eh?" He winked at me. "Pleased to be makin' your aquaintance, the name's Cap'n Silver."
