Because there's never enough Pirate!England

My Dearest Samantha

Although our time together was short, in that time my heart was flooded with enough love to last a thousand lifetimes. I will always remember those perfect summer days when we would sneak away for a walk in woods. Down our secret path, past the trickling stream, under the large old oaks, to rest in that dream like field of wild flowers were we would simply talked and laugh for hours on end. No other woman could ever compare to you. Your flawless, smooth, sun kissed skin, your long flowing golden hair with its gentle curls. You sparkling violet eye's, and your angelic form that god himself must of spent a millennium sculpting until he found fit to bless this world with its presents. I wish, no, I pray that there was a way for me to stay with you, my love. But to abandon my responsibility to my homeland would feel like nothing less than treason. I could never ask you to leave your friends and family. I know it will be hard but I must go. I will think of you always and prey you will find a new love with a man that will take care of you and will live a full and happy life together. Goodbye my dearest, my love, my sweet sweet Samantha.

Forever yours, Thomas Jones

Alfred eyes lingered on the name a second longer as he had finished the letter. He has read this letter so often now he could recite it from heart. He has come to know every word, punctuation, smudge, and tare on it since he discovered it in his mothers belongings three years ago. The date on the envelope was just over 14 years old, leaving no doubt in Alfred's mind to whom Thomas Jones was. His Father.

He had tried to send a letter to the return address, but he was told the cost of mailing across the ocean was too much for such a small chance.

Sitting up silently, he carefully folded the worn parchment back into its envelope before he gently placed in back into his pack. Quietly as possible, he lowered himself back down on to the floor boards. Despite his effort the old wooden floor beneath him creaked causing Alfred to tense. He closed his eyes and listened for any suspicious movement from above. When there was none he sighed and laid down the rest of the way, resting his head on his pack. He could feel his stomach ache for food but ignored it. It was another two hours before it would be safe to sneak about the ship. It had been nearly two weeks since he stowed away onto the vessel, and if he was found they would throw him over board.

Reopening his eyes, he stared blankly at the ships rafters, frowning as he watched the flickering shadows of his single candles light before slowly turning over and blowing out the flame. He didn't need to read any more and may need it later. The room fell into pitch darkness and Alfred closed his eyes again, he didn't like the dark, but it was better than the flames shadows playing tricks on him. Alone in his thoughts, Alfred could faintly hear the crew up above, their voices too muffled by the boards to make out any words. The faint smell of meat and food had floated its way down, causing his stomach to twist and grown in protest. Clenching his fist, Alfred tried to block out the delectable aroma and attempted to focus on something else. A sudden image of home flashed to the front of his mind and he felt his heart start to sink as his stomach let loose another growl.

He really missed is little town home, his clean and rather comfortable bed, his fellow servants, his jolly old master Mr. Williams, their watch dog Kuma-something, Molly the carriage hoarse, and that kitten he found who he had been training to hunt mice. Oh! And his twin brother, Matthew.

Matthew…

Alfred bit is lip, 'Please don't hate me for this' he thought. He knew what his brother thought of his plan, to go to London and find their father. Mattie told him that it was dangerous, of all the ways he could die, and that if he dared to go through with it he would tell Mr. Williams. Alfred frowned. Why couldn't he understand? This wasn't some adventure he wanted to do for fun like when he was a kid, this was a chance to find their father. The man that their mother would speak so lovingly of when she told them what he was like, and how much he would of loved them if he had known of them. How could Mattie not want to meet him after all these years of hearing how wonderful and great he was? He was their hero! So Alfred packed what he could fit, his clothes, his savings, the letter, and some food. (Alfred stomach painfully gowned yet again at that thought.) When he left he vowed he wouldn't turn back or regret, and when he returns he would brag to Mattie about all the things he missed out on.

Yes, that's what will happen, no doubt about it. He will find his father and every thing would work out fine.

Alfred clenched his fist as another hunger pain twisted his stomached. Taking a few shaky breaths, he rolled on to his side and faced the stack of crates a few inches away. He hardly had much room to move around in his hiding place between the crates and wall, but it kept him hidden. No one's found him yet, not even when the crewmen came down to check the cargo.

It would be over an hour now before he could leave to look for food or water. Thankfully he already knew were to find water, the crew kept a barrel of it on deck by the cargo hatch. As for the food, he would need to get to the kitchen. He managed to swipe half a head of cabbage the night before last but that was all. 'Tonight, maybe I could get some meat?' he thought before drifting into a restless sleep.

A defining blast and the quaking of the ship jerked Alfred from sleep. He could hear muffled screams and shouts of the crew from above. 'W-what's happening? Is it a storm? No, no rain, then what-'

"Captain! The pirate's have made it aboard!"

Alfred could feel his blood turn to ice and breathing became much harder as gun fire and screams and cannons rang out over head.

'Pirates, the ship was under the attack of Pirate's' Alfred could barely grasp at the idea. He has heard what they are like, Master William told him of his days as a sailor. How they would brutally kill men without mercy, rape woman and pretty boys without remorse, and sell children to slavery without any guilt what so ever. Money and drink were all they cared for. They were as ruthless and savage as the ocean they sailed on. In some cases death would be a blessing compared to what they would do if you were taken prisoner.

'Alright Alfred, calm down, you just need to calm down, and think of a way out. The life boats aren't to far from the hatch, maybe if I-, or I could-' Another cannon blasted above, jolting Alfred in his spot. 'there had to be a way out, there had to!'

The battle continued to rage on mercilessly. Screams fallowed by the occasional thump of a body hitting the boards above, indicating someone was wounded, or more likely, dead. After some time the cannon finally stopped. A good or bad sign, Alfred didn't know.

Alfred pulled his pack close to his chest as he moved to stand, a wave of dizziness fallowed but he manage to snap himself out of it. With a shaky breath, he studied his surroundings. Aside from the shadowed outlines of the crates, it was almost complete darkness. His still had his candle but there wasn't much wax left and if someone saw the light then... Alfred swallowed.

He needed to escape.

The hatch was slammed open fallowed by a pained cry as a man was shoved down the stairs. Alfred gasped and quickly ducked back down into his spot. An ominous creaking of the steps shortly after brought forth a second person.

"Now" a young but threatening accented voice asked, "Were is it?" Alfred held his breath as the yellow glow of a lantern illuminated the room. The person that had been pushed fearfully stuttered and stumbled over his words.

"I-in the b-b-back, the seco- no, third the-the lef- I mean right! P-please, I-I have a wife and a ki- three kids!"

The person who asked ignored the man as his foot steps traveled farther into the room. Alfred covered his mouth and nose to silence himself as the assumed pirate passed. The steps stopped at the end of the room as he set down the lantern with a soft 'clink'. Alfred could hear one of the crates being forced open, then once the noise stopped, a satisfied whistle.

"'Ello there love," The pirate almost sang. The man on the floor took this as his queue and bolted up the steps. The pirate either hadn't noticed or cared.

Seeing this(or rather hearing) Alfred looked around himself, the lanterns glow and open hatch having brighten the room for him to see. Al nearly cried for joy when he found a gap behind the crates just big enough for him to slip through. It lead close enough to the door that he would literally be a quick sprint to freedom.

Carefully he crawled through the gap, minding to avoid any loose looking floor boards or nails while keeping an ear on the pirate. He could faintly hear the ruffling of clothing as the pirate seemed to be either removing or adding something to his pockets.

Looking ahead he saw that he was less then ten feet from the gaps opening, 'just a little farther.'

Alfred was about half way when a familiar feeling returned to him. An almost painful twist of the stomach, fallowed by a low but audible growl.

Al's breathing hitched and he immediately strained his ears for any sigh that the other heard him.

.

.

.

There was nothing, no foot steps, no russle of clothing, not even any breathing! It was as if the pirate wasn't even there.

Alfred remained as still as possible, desperately trying not to disturb the agonizing silence that surrounded him. All the while his heart was pounding in his chest. As each deafeningly silent seconds past the drum-like beating seem to grow louder and louder until it was thundering in his ears.

"Capin' the ship's ours! 'em merchants di'nt stand a chance!"

Alfred almost collapsed at the sudden break of the silence, and then the words sunk in, ''their's', what does he mean 'theirs'? What about the crew?'

As if reading Alfred's mind, the pirate responded, and he sounded much closer then footsteps did moments ago. "And the survivors?"

"Whot survivors?" The other cackled back from the hatch.

All the blood drained from Alfreds face 'Oh god.' Alfred clenched his jaw and tried to stay calm. 'It's ok, they still might not know I'm here, if I just wait long enough they'll leave and I can steal a life boat'

"So should I call th' others to unload yet?" the other asked.

"No, not yet, there seems to be a rat I need to catch first."

Alfred could feel his knees going week, 'They know, shit, what now? What do I do now?' he could feel himself start to panic.

"H've fun sir" the cackling pirate then closed the hatch with a loud slam causing Alfred to flinch. Yet again the room was enveloped in silence, and with the hatch shut the only sours of light that remain was the now dim flicker of the lantern. He heard the steps of the pirate captain walk away from his direction and back to were the lantern was set. Lungs preying for oxygen, Alfred released the breath he hadn't realized he held as slowly and quietly as possible.

"Don't think I don't were you are." Alfred tensed. "I simply find a chase more fun; I'll even give you a 5 second head start if you like."

Alfred frowned, he was mocking him. 'Then again, he does have a gun.'

"Are you ready?" the Captains voice seemed to chime.

Alfred swallowed heavily.

"Now" the latch of the lantern snapped shut and the room went black. Alfred could feel himself panic and instantly moved toured the hatch. However he barely managed a few steps before a sword was stabbed between the crates and lodged into the wall mere inches away from his nose.

'So much for the head start!' Al thought frantically. With no ideas were to go, Alfred slammed his body against the crates, toppling them over. Ignoring the surprised yelp from the other side, he wildly climbed over the crates in one last desperate attempt to reach the hatch.

He had just gotten his footing again when a force slammed into him from behind as the pirate tacked him to the ground.

Kicking and hitting blindly, Alfred struggled with every bit of his strength that remained. But his efforts were useless as the pirate easily over powered him. The pirate cackled as he caught Alfred's wrist and pined them down.

"Let go!" Alfred screamed.

The pirates movements and laughter stopped, Al swallowed in fear that he had done something wrong. Suddenly he was forced to his feet and dragged across the room, nearly tripping over the crates in the process. After stopping the room was brighten as the lantern was relit, causing Alfred to squint at the sudden change.

"Your just a boy!"

Eyes adjusted, Alfred looked at his capturer, surprised to see he wasn't to much older then himself. A few inches taller perhaps (and some seriously thick eyebrows), but definitely still in his teens, judging from the smooth face.

"S-so are you!" Alfred exclaimed, after finally finding his voice.

"I am not! I'm 18, an adult, and your only what? Twelve? And dear Christ lad, when was the last time you ate?"

Alfred could only stare in disbelief, seconds ago he was fighting for his life, and now he was being lectured by the very man who was trying to kill him!

"I'm 14!" wincing from the unfortunate crack of his voice, Alfred stood himself up straighter then before, as though to prove his point.

Only to stumble a bit from a dizzy spell.

"Watch it there," The pirate advised, grasping his shoulders to help steady him.

"Now again," the captain asked, his emerald eyes studying Alfred. "when was your last meal?"

"You tried to skewer me." Al bluntly stated, "Why do you care?"

"That was before I knew you were a guppy" he easily replied.

"You're a Pirate, what difference does it make?"

"I'm a gentlemen too" A boastful grin formed on the pirates lips as he straightened his red coat.

'He's insane…'

"Anyhow, what are you doing here in the first place?" he asked as he crossed his arms and casually leaned against the crate behind him.

"What am I? What are you? You and your friends murdered the crewmen!" Alfred snapped as he took a step back.

"First of all, those mongrels are not my friends, they simply fallow my orders until they get their pay. Second, if those crewmen had caught you there was no way they would of let you live, so consider this a favor. And third, this is what happens when you steal from me." Alfred could only shiver under the now unsettling stare of the pirate captains eyes, which, although likely to be a trick of the lanterns light, almost seem to glow an eerie acidic green.

"Now, moving on from that, I do believe that you're a run away, right?"

"Well, I-"

"Perfect, in that case you'll have no problems joining me!" he chimed

"What? No! I'm not a criminal!" Alfred exclaimed, stepping farther back.

"Didn't ask if you were. But lets go over the basics, shall we? Seeing as you're currently trapped on a ship full of deranged men who wouldn't bat an eye to the act of killing, or worse, violating you. I may be your best and only bet in escaping this predicament unscarred." he explained as he picked up his lantern.

Alfred remained silent. He was right. Even if he had escaped through the hatch back then, he would only of met his death quicker. But despite the reasoning, this still left a very good question unanswered.

"Why? Why help me?" he asked shifting from one foot to the other.

The green eyed Captain grinned again as he stepped away from the crate and next to Alfred.

"Why not?"

Soooo... Continue? c:

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