Author's Note: Welcome to a story which I have absolutely loved writing. This story is fanfiction for the story All for You by tweedledee123 (written with the author's blessing). If you haven't read it, it's listed under my favourite stories. Read it! First, because it's an amazing story which I love dearly. Second, because this story will make much more sense if you do. This is the story of Ella's life during the years that she was separated from Finn.

It's largely completed already, which is good news for anyone who might like it because that (hopefully) means that it will be updated often. I hope you enjoy it!

~Star

"Ella!"
The terror in Finn's voice rose in my chest as another wave crashed into me. My mouth filled with water and I choked, going under the waves. When I managed to get back to the surface, I couldn't hear her anymore, couldn't see her anymore. I began to panic. Angry black clouds overhead poured down rain and wave after wave slammed into me; it took all of my energy to stay afloat.
"Finn! Finn!"
Frantically, I swam in the direction I desperately hoped was where I had last seen her, but it was no use; I could not see her at all. I began to cry, but soon my sobs and the water that I was choking on forced me to stop screaming. I knew that there was no one to hear me anyway. Attempting to quell the panic rising in my stomach, I concentrated on breathing each time my head broke the waves. There was nothing to distinguish the passing of time: the clouds covered the stars and the sun wasn't up yet. Although this wouldn't matter as I had no idea what time it was when we had arrived here. The only thing giving any light were the lightning bolts raging overhead. Before long, I was shivering and barely conscious. The roar of the waves deafened me. I couldn't even think. I suppose it was a miracle that I didn't sink.
But perhaps that wouldn't be so bad. Just give up and slip away. Yeah, not so bad. Finn's gone anyway.
But by then, my body was so used to the motions that it had been going through for hours that I couldn't stop. I tried, I really did. Finally, I began to sob, although I don't know whether or not tears actually came from my eyes.
Please, please Lord, Just let something happen. If I can't sink, please save me.
It was almost comical how quickly something hit my arm and I groggily looked over to see a larger piece of driftwood. My numb fingers refused to bend, but I somehow managed to pull myself up, hooking my armpits over it. Finally, my limbs stopped twitching and I laid still, staring straight up. Despite my discomfort and distress, I was able to appreciate the fantastic light show. To this day, I have never seen anything more spectacular. However, I must have been swimming for hours and gradually my limbs stopped moving and I let myself go limp.

I think I was floating for one full day. I know that the sun rose somewhere behind the clouds, but the storm continued and the sky didn't get all that much lighter. I was colder than I had ever been in my life, but soon I became completely numb. Then it became dark again, and I just closed my eyes. Soon all there was were the flashes of lightning through my eyelids.

It could have been days, it could even have been years. My eyes were closed for a long time. Then, for some reason, they opened, almost on their own accord. Still there were only darkness and waves, lit by the flashes of lightning. Suddenly, someone appeared in front of me. If I had still been capable of it, I would have screamed. As it was, I started wildly, apparently still capable of movement, which sent me under, thrashing. Then I felt strong arms around my waist and I struggled harder, inhaling water until my dysfunctional brain registered that this person was, in fact, trying to save me. Then I began fighting toward the surface as well. We broke through the waves and I started again as I saw a ship not 100 yards from me, looming far above my head. I had failed to see it and, presuming that people had been yelling to me from the deck, I had also failed to hear anything. I clung as best I could, to the young sailor who was now pulling us toward the ship by the rope around his waist. I began pulling as well although I knew I wasn't helping much, and soon our effort brought us to the ship's side. Another rope was lowered over the side, which the sailor tied around my waist, and we climbed the rungs in the ship's side. It was a long process, as weak as I was and with my fingers unable to grip anything, even with the sailor doing what he could to help me. By the time we finally reached the deck, I was shaking even harder and unable to pull myself over the railing. Several strong pairs of hands reached out, pulling me aboard. Quickly, I was wrapped in a blanket, the rope was cut from my waist, and there were people all around me. Their mouths moved noiselessly and everyone was moving so fast that my eyes couldn't register them. I closed my eyes and buried my face in the blanket, shutting everything out.
This isn't real. It can't be real. I'll wake up soon. I'll be at home and Finn will be alright… I'll see her at school tomorrow this will just be a fantastic story to tell her.
Someone shaking my arm forced me to open my eyes. An older man knelt in front of me, and my heart dropped through my toes to see him. He was holding a cup which he handed to me.
"Drink this."
I took it without thinking and drank. It was water, fresh and not too cold, but unsalted like the water that I had been consuming for hours now. My stomach revolted then, and I barely made it to the railing before I threw up. After at least five minutes of this, my stomach had gotten rid of all the offensive material and I hung limply over the railing, shaking violently. I felt comforting hands on my back and I attempted to straighten, but collapsed coughing over the railing again. The hands moved to my waist, supporting me as I shook uncontrollably. This lasted several minutes more, after which I finally managed to stand and turn. The strong arms belonged to the young sailor who had saved me. Wrapped in a blanket as well, he continued to hold onto me as I clung to him for support. I glanced up.
"Thank you."
My voice was still barely audible, and I was completely miserable, not even able to smile. He smiled however, encouragement and understanding in his eyes, and released me, although I could tell that he was waiting to catch me if I fell. The older man handed me the cup again and I took another tentative drink. This time it stayed down, but tasted dreadful: bile, salt water, and the coppery taste of blood. I wiped my mouth on my sleeve and indeed, it came away bloody. But I put my arm down quickly so no one saw this. I turned again, clutching the railing, staring out over the sea. I was completely numb, but the night air was warm compared to the water. I didn't expect to see her, so I wasn't surprised when I didn't. Tears filled my eyes, making my vision swim. I felt the young man's hand on my arm, but didn't turn again.
"Miss? You should get some rest."
"My friend… she. Can't I stay here? Please?"
I turned back and his eyes saw the tears in mine, but I was so upset that I didn't even care. He seemed like he was going to object, but after a moment, he merely nodded.
"You had better come and change first though, miss. It's going to get cold and you need dry things."
Even in the state I was in, I had to admit that this was smart, so I followed him below and changed into the sailors' clothes he gave me, which took a very long time as they did not offer to help me and I did not want them to. Then I returned to the deck and sat watching the waves… all I could do was watch, pray, and hope.