Hello everyone! I know, I know, I'm starting a new story when my other isn't finished yet, but I promise that one will get done in due time. This idea's been in my head for awhile, and I needed to start it. So... enjoy. And then review. :)
-- Captain Ella Raven
Prologue
Anne Bonny stood at the edge of her lover's ship, a sloop christened the William. Looking down at a small, blanket-clad bundle in her arms, she sighed, as one does when facing a great internal struggle. She gazed on the rapidly approaching shoreline to Port Royal, Jamaica, and wondered for the hundredth time if she was making the right choice.
A boy of fifteen or so appeared at Anne's side, startling her for a moment, and then she relaxed when she recognized who it was.
"Look, Jack," she said quietly, "Isn't she a beauty? This face 'ere will break a 'undred 'earts. Mark me words." It was the epitome of a mother's pride and love, even though her baby, a girl, was only a few weeks old. The boy, Jack, nodded, not really sure what to say. He wasn't particularly fond of babies in general, he had nothing against this particular one.
Anne spoke again, but in an urgent tone. "Jack. I need ye to go ashore ta' Port Royal, find a church or tha' like, and leave 'er there. When we dock ta' get supplies, I want ye to be as fast as ye can, an' don't tell anyone where ye be goin'. Savvy?"
The man in the crow's nest shouted, "Land ho!" and treading of heavy footsteps could be heard coming from below deck. "Jack!" Anne whispered, "Will ye do this fer me?" "Aye," he whispered back, just as figure emerged from below deck.
Calico Jack Rackham looked upon the baby in his lover's arms with contempt. It wasn't his child, it was her husband's, and he wanted no part in it, and he didn't want Anne tied up in caring for a baby.
"Anne," he told her severely, "I want tha' child gone before we leave Port Royal, or I'll be throwin' 'er to tha' sea meself." And with that, he left to supervise the docking of the sloop, and Jack emerged from the shadows once more, taking the child in his arms.
She stirred and opened big, blue eyes, waving tiny fists in the air, grabbing for Jack's face and hair.
"Anne," Jack said quietly so Calico Jack wouldn't hear, "What'll ye call 'er? A baby's got ter 'ave a name, don't it?"
Anne thought for a moment, and then responded with absolute certainty.
"Helena."
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So that's the Prologue. What do you all think? Read and review, loves.