Chapter 1
Once upon a time, back during the 1600's, there once lived a little girl who lived on a ship with her father and a crew of 12 out on the high seas. The little girl was the only female on board. The crew called her their "lucky charm". They knew that it was suppose to be bad luck to have a female on board. But they did not care. With her on board they never lost a battle. Of course they would only fight one ship at a time and only then if they were in the mood. Most times they just sailed the seas enjoying the open air and the feel of the waves under the ship. Most of the men were retired from work and enjoying their life. The crew treated the girl like she was their own. They each loved that girl very much. Any one who knew the crew would be shocked if they knew. For the crew were pirates. Their Captain, her father, was one of the best buccaneers around. He was a tricky and cunning man wanted in many ports. Most wanted to get him since he would embarrass them.
While she was growing up the little girl, who was named Serenity, was told that her mother died after she was born. The only thing Serenity had from her mother, besides her name, was a pure gold locket shaped like a half moon with a real diamond crystal in the center. Serenity always wore the locket around her neck. It was a one of a kind she was told. Her father always told Serenity that she had been a gift from the Moon Goddess Selene. His very own "Moonbeam". His "Moon Princess". His little "Moon Flower" He would call her. Of all the stories he told her, Serenity loved that story from him the most. Her second favorite story was the one where he had met Mr. Lee and Mr. Lee saved her life and gave Serenity back to her father.
Serenity sighed as she sat at the bow (front) of the ship and looked out at the water. Her right hand up playing with her locket. Her long dark blond hair, which went to her waist, blowing loosely in the soft breeze that blew. No one would play with her because they were busy fixing the ship. They had just gotten through a bad storm that had lasted four days. Serenity was glad her father's ship was strong. He had the fastest and strongest ship at sea Serenity thought.
Today was Serenity's birthday, but they couldn't give her a party yet. Not since that storm. Her father promised that when they arrived at their island, that the crew had claimed, Serenity would be given a big party. Serenity understood that they had to fix the ship first.
Serenity suddenly stood up fast and looked when she saw something dark in the water to her right. Her eyes went wide when she realized it was a small rowboat. It hadn't been there the first time she looked in that direction. Only thing she had seen were broken pieces from a ship that must have been destroyed by the storm.
"Papa! Mr. Lee! A boat! A small boat be in de water Papa!" Serenity yelled out keeping her eyes on the boat.
The crew looked at her and saw where she was looking and pointing at as she ran to the railing.
"Papa! There be someone in it! Someone be in there!" Serenity yelled out excitedly from the railing as she hung half over still looking at the boat as the ship sailed pass.
Everyone on board ran over to her and looked. Serenity's father pulled her back to safety. He was more concerned about her not about what was in the water. The crew worked to turn the ship starboard (right) and to slow it down. They all saw that Serenity was right. Inside the rowboat a young boy, who looked to be a few years older then Serenity, lay passed out.
Mr. Lee, Serenity's fathers, quarter master/first mate/best friend, climbed down and checked the boy over.
"Blimey! He's alive." He said picking the boy up. He carefully handed the boy up. The crew worked together to get the boy on board. Mr. Lee climbed up, with a bag that had been beside the boy, after he made the small boat sink.
"Take de lad to me cabin. Get some fresh water." Serenity's father said as he started walking to his cabin. Serenity followed close behind him and the man carrying the boy. She was very happy.
"Go put him in Serenity's bed." Her father said to the man who had the boy in his arms. Mr. Lee walked in and placed the bag down then went to Serenity's room. Her room was right next to her fathers. Only door into it was through the captain's room.
A young man came in with some water and sat it down then left out with the other man that had carried the boy. They went back up to the deck.
"Serenity."
"Aye Papa."
"Ye take care of this lad. Come and get us if he wakes."
"Aye Aye Papa." Serenity just about yelled as she grinned even more while her eyes shined.
She then went to get a clean rag. She went to the boy and wiped his face. The boy moaned but didn't wake.
Serenity's father and Mr. Lee walked out of her room together.
"That should give de lassie something to do. Keep her busy." Mr. Lee said with a smile.
"Aye until we get to de island." Her father said as he smiled.
"This bag was by him."
"Just leave it there. I'll look later. I want to start toward de island. I believe another storm be coming."
"Aye Cap'n."
The two men left out.
Serenity cleaned the boy's face and took off his dirty clothes. She blushed when she saw his privates. Oh she had seen a man's privates before since the crew was all male but the boy was handsome and close to her age. The closet one to Serenity's age on board, before the boy showed, was 19. And that young man treated Serenity like a kid sister.
Serenity slowly cleaned the boy's body taking care to be gentle on the spots that were sunburned. Again he moaned while his head slowly rolled toward Serenity.
When Serenity was done she covered him up and then ran out and went to the galley (kitchen) to get him some broth and something to drink in case he woke up.
She went back to her room and sat the bowl and cup down as the boy woke up and whispered, "Water." Serenity looked at him and nodded yes and helped him to sit up a little. She then held the cup as he drank. Serenity knew not to let him drink to fast or he could get sick. She sat by the boy and slowly feed him. He looked at her and she smiled. She loved his dark blue eyes.
"Who are you?" He whispered looking into her light blue eyes. His voice was sounding horse.
"I be Serenity. Who are ye?" She answered.
"My name is…." He paused as he tried to remember. "It is Endymion." "How old ye be?" "I am…. 12 years old."
"I be 10 today and yer on me Papa's ship. We found ye in a small boat." "Happy birthday Serenity." "Thank ye. What happen to ye?"
"The ship went down….. Because of the storm and I think…. A fire?…..A horse?…..He paused looked down then shock his head and said, "Everyone…everyone on board died I believe."
"I be sorry. Was yer family on the ship?'
Endymion thought then shook his head no and said, "No they were not…..I do not…. Remember where they are." He looked at her confused.
"That be okay. Me Papa will take care of ye. Are ye still hungry?"
"No thank you. I am okay for now. Thank you very much Serenity."
"Yer welcome. Lay back and rest. I have to tell that yer awake." Serenity said as she laid Endymion back and covered him better.
"I be right back Endy." Serenity said as she smiled at him.
"All right." Endymion said as he smiled and watched her run out of the room. Endymion laid still and let his eyes roam around the room as he tried to remember.
Serenity ran out of her room fast and ran up to the poopdeck and saw Mr. Lee. She told him that Endymion was awake and told him everything that he had told her. Saying it all fast. Everyone who heard her could tell that she was happy. They all smiled. Serenity then ran back to her room. Endymion smiled at Serenity as she came back in. She was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. Serenity sat by Endymion smiling as her father walked in. He smiled at the young boy as he stood by the doorway. Serenity started to mix a ointment in a bowl as she looked at Endymion and smiled.
"Ahoy Endymion." Her father said looking at him.
"Hello sir. Thank you for saving me." Endymion said, as he looked at the handsome man with hair almost the same color as Serenity's. The captain's hair was lighter thanks to his long hours on deck in the sun. His hazel eyes sparkling as he smiled over at Serenity.
"Nay laddie ye thank Serenity. She seen ye first. I hope she be caring for ye well." The captain said as he smiled more looking back at Endymion.
"Yes sir." Endymion said looking back at the man. He had also looked at Serenity.
"Good. Well get some rest. If ye need anything tell Serenity and she will help ye."
"Yes sir I will."
"Moon Flower come with me." Her father then said as he walked back into his room.
Serenity ran to him and he hugged her and said, "Yer to take care of him. He be in yer hands."
"Yes Papa!" Serenity said as she smiled even more. She then let the man go and ran back to her room to Endymion. She sat by him. Endymion got hot and Serenity wiped his forehead. Making sure to move his black hair out of the way. Endymion smiled as he continued to look at her. Serenity very slowly and very gently rubbed the ointment on his skin.
Serenity's father smiled then glanced over at the bag that Mr. Lee had placed down. He went to it and looked into it going wide-eyed. In the bag there was a gold handled dagger, a crown and some clothes. There were also some papers. He read the papers and learned that Endymion was a prince. He took the bag and went up to the top and had his crew called to him. He told them what he had found out about Endymion.
The crew all talked and agreed not to say anything since Endymion couldn't remember anything about his family or his past. Since the crew were pirates and didn't want to get caught they wouldn't say anything. They were wanted men in some parts. The Captain knew the area that Endymion was from and he knew to stay clear. He didn't want his crew hurt or chance his daughter being taken away.
That night as the two kids slept by each other, Serenity's father hid the bag after he took out the clothes. Endymion would need something to wear until the crew could get him more. The nicer clothes were tossed over board, which was most of them. The Captain then hid the bag with the other items still in it, in Serenity's room in her closet behind something's that he kept in there. He then went to bed.
When Serenity first got into the bed with Endymion, he was shocked and happy. Serenity hugged him and he let her hold him close. He smiled when she kissed his forehead and pulled him closer to her body. Endymion tried to remember if anyone had ever held him like she was. He didn't think so. It didn't fell like it. He felt calm and happy now. He couldn't remember. He got another shock when her father came in and tucked them both in better and gave them each a kiss on the cheek. It was all so new to Endymion. He couldn't remember anyone doing that to him ever.
To be continued.
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