DISCLAIMER: Yeah, everyone knows I'm not Elizabeth George Spear, and that I don't own her work, but just to let you know...I don't own anything.

A/N: Super excited about this one! Witch of Blackbird Pond is one of my all time favorite books, so this is also gonna be a toughy to write. I'm thinking of doing a chapter a week...updating on Sundays? I'll probably do more sometimes.

PLEASE review and let me know what you think. I know there aren't many common fans between DP series and WOBP, but what the hey! Ok, here we go...

Prologue

I stood on the dock, waiting for the ceaseless flow of heavy boxes, filled with provisions for the long journey, to ebb. I wasn't even on board the boat yet, and already I was talking like a sea-farer! I sighed a deep contented sigh, looking up at the beautiful ship that was our pride and joy. In the last year I'd learned to love any kind of ship, but especially this one. Especially when Nat was with me.

"Mistress Eaton!" a young sailor called out to me. I turned rather happily, my skirts swishing around me, to face Arnold Dempsy, Nat's right-hand. "Are you ready?"

"Now?" I gasped. Nat was nowhere to be seen. I wasn't even ready yet.

"Go, Kit," Judith urged. She'd been the only one able to get away to come see me off. I'd said good-bye to Mercy and John, and Aunt Rachel and Uncle Matthew, and even William, the night before. The night of my wedding.

"Oh, Judith, good-bye," I hugged her.

"You'll be back next summer," Judith reminded me, muffled by my hair.

I turned away from my cousin and bravely walked toward young Arnold. Nat had tried his hardest to give new sailors a job onboard his new ship. It meant more to him, giving them a chance, than getting real veterans. So most of the crew was my age, or slightly older.

Arnold helped me into the rowboat, and I settled my skirts. How glad I was to get away from this dreary place. Being so close to going home, for Nat promised me would stop sometime in Barbados, made me realize all the more how different these two places were.

Just when I was feeling disappointed that Nat wouldn't be there when I boarded, I heard, "Dempsey, do you have my wife?"

"Aye, Captain, she's here!" And Nat came swinging out of nowhere, onto the ladder. His tan face was practically lit up from his easy smile. I had a smile, too, as I watched him come down the ladder. I never would have imagined myself with a man like Nat: strong and able from working on the sea, with a towhead and bright blue eyes. But there he was, making the small rowboat rock as he jumped into it.

"After you," he said.

I got a firm hold on the ladder, and with Nat right behind me, climbed onto The Witch. Nat stood next to me. He leaned into me to whisper, "For keeps."

"Everything's ready," Nat told me, still grinning. "We were just waiting on the witch herself, to set sail."

"Everything?" I questioned. The dock had still looked like a flurry of activity. But before my eyes, the crew members were boarding, and then Nat was overseeing the dropping of ropes.

"Come with me, Kit," Nat said. He helped me up the stairs, to the wheel. The wind blew my hair about me, and I could already taste the life on the sea.

Nat made a huge show of taking the wheel, and all the men applauded and cheered. For many, this was their first professional voyage, too. I clapped my hands at the sight of Nat so happy. Then the sails were dropped, and we could hear people onshore clapping, too, for this new vessel.

"Congratulations, Captain," I called to Nat from the rail.

"Not a very impressive prospect, yet," Nat laughed. "But you know how it is when we're at high sea, in the middle of the ocean."

I just smiled and nodded, because the cheers would have drowned me out.

I went below decks, to see the rest of the ship. Unlike the Dolphin, this new ship didn't have the stink of horses, or dust clinging to the walls. I would make sure that The Witch stayed as new as ever. One of my biggest dislikes was cleaning, but I'd learned to deal with it in Connecticut.

Crew members bustled past me, all excited about the maiden voyage.

"Mistress Eaton, the Captain's courters are that way." The sailor who'd stopped to direct me hurried away. I knew that in due time I'd learn everyone's names, just like Nat's mother had. It didn't bother me that they were all just faces to me now. And since he'd pointed the way, I decided that I might as well see where I'd be staying. I realized now that I was actually excited to see it.

A sign hung on the door, in newly painted letter's Captain and Mistress Eaton's Cabin. I laughed to see he'd included me on the sign. He hadn't even known I would be with him when The Witch was built. Or, at least I never thought so. I opened the door to a wide room. Bigger than the other cabins, I knew. A wide bed, chests and furniture enough for two filled the room. It even had a window!

Nat had brought all my things. They were all set up around this perfect room. I looked out the window, and realized it was getting late. I would explore the rest before supper.

A ship is like a maze, as I learned coming to Connecticut. You will never learn your way unless you travel it day after day of a long journey. I would have trouble at first, I knew, but with so much time ahead of me…. The thought of staying on a ship for so long suddenly scared me…not about the dangers, but the monotony. But this journey was different from our last. We would be stopping many interesting places. And this time I actually had a reason to talk to Nat all the time. He wasn't just the Captain's son anymore.

I heard someone hollering above deck. There was laughter and calls, beckoning me above. The first day was done, and now the sailors were celebrating again.

Hope you enjoyed! Like always, sorry for any mistakes, and happy fanfic-ing : D