It was a long two weeks before Endeavour and the children reached Port Royal. The four vessels, three of which were only months old and had just witnessed the death of their father, had not gotten even remotely close to moving on. Endeavour was shattered but had to remain strong for her children. Dark Shadow was quiet and inattentive, almost eerily. Long Shadow looked to have been crying a lot. But Black Shadow… Black Shadow seemed angry and confused.

Entering the harbor they were approached by Britannia herself. The flagship took in the sight of Endeavour and had to restrain herself from giving the fellow man o war a hug. "What happened?" She demanded. Looking around, she failed to see Oak. Realization hit her like a hammer when Endeavour spoke a single word. "Pirates." Britannia's blue eyes darkened. "I'm so sorry." She said. "Please accept my deepest condolences." Endeavour dipped her head. On her deck, Long Shadow had perked up at the new voice and she crawled up to the railing, peering out. She was mesmerized by the sight she saw. The grand man o war before her was absolutely gorgeous. She wanted to feel sorrow for her father. But Britannia… The aura around her drew Long Shadow's attention away from Oak's death.

Britannia continued to speak, filling Endeavour in to events that would be helpful as she assumed her new post. She didn't want to do it, not now. But it had to be done. "I'd recommend you get in some cannon practice. Now that your shiplings have been born, your aim will be much improved." She suggested. Long Shadow eyed Britannia's own gunports which lined her decks giving her more weaponry than her mother. "Oh what I could do with those." She shook herself. Did she really just think that? "Mamma… I want to go back home." Dark Shadow managed to whimper. Ever since Black Shadow had screamed daddy, all three had hesitantly tried to talk and were impressively growing better at it by the day, for their age. Endeavour shushed him gently and turned her attentions back to Britannia. "That's as much as I can give you right now. But I'd like you to report to my office in 5 minutes. Cedar will have more information for you. You're not the only Royal Navy ship that's been attacked by these pirates." "Yes ma'am." "Give me 5 minutes honey and I'll give you a report." Long Shadow whispered to herself. Unfortunately, Dark Shadow heard her. Her brother looked at her and his expression turned to disgust. "Papa is dead and that's what you care about?" Long Shadow immediately tried to deny it. "I didn't say anything." She said. "Yes you did." Black Shadow spoke up. "I heard you loud and clear. You like her!" "She's pretty okay?" Long Shadow huffed. "You like her!" Black Shadow sang. Long Shadow growled and lunged at her sister. The commotion got the attention of both elder ships. "What's going on?" Endeavour looked at her shiplings and pulled them apart with her rigging. "Long Shadow likes Britannia." Dark Shadow said quietly. "I do not!" Long Shadow denied, trying to strike at her brother. "Yes you do." Black Shadow spoke up. "I do not!" Long Shadow hissed at her big sister. "It's nice here though. Can we stay?" She asked her mother. "It's hot and muggy and I want to go home." Dark Shadow said again as his sister declared her desire to stay. "You are home." Britannia smiled gently at him. "Endeavour, I can give you a little bit if you need to rest. I can watch the shiplings in the meantime." Long Shadow was all for the idea. Black Shadow just rolled her eyes at her sister. Dark Shadow slumped.

However a new voice from across the harbor caught everyone's attention. Looking over, two cutters were running from a top sail schooner. "You'd better run, you miscreants! That wine is for the officers and if I catch you stealing a barrel again I won't be so forgiving!" Black Shadow giggled. She didn't know what wine was but if it was something she shouldn't be having, she was definitely interested. "That's Cedar. Loyal, that one is." Britannia explained simply, hailing the schooner. He quickly moved over. "Ready for your orders ma'am!" He saluted, masts straight. "Please escort Endeavour to her berth. Provide her with anything she needs." Britannia ordered. The three shiplings were set down. Long Shadow practically bounded over to Britannia. "Easy there." Cedar interrupted her. "Port Royal is no place to be scampering around by yourself, young one. So many merchants and warships around, you could get lost or hurt." "I'll be careful." Long Shadow squeaked, snuggling close to Britannia. Black Shadow sighed and joined her sister although she was less cuddly than her. Cedar looked at Britannia for her reply at the tag alongs. "They're fine Cedar." She assured him. Having never had children of her own, she always enjoyed playing babysitter. Dark Shadow was the quiet one but she could see he'd be a good warship one day. Black Shadow was going to be a handful, she could just tell. She had that defiant look about her. Long Shadow was clearly attached, something that Britannia found a bit confusing to deal with but she chose to humor the shipling.

While Cedar got Endeavour settled in, the three shiplings made Britannia's time with them a nightmare. Dark Shadow wasn't much trouble but Long Shadow tired to get into her business at every chance and Black Shadow simply acted out. The eldest's main interest lie in the barrels conspicuously tied to the dock. She approached one and poked a hole in it. Red liquid streamed out and she squealed with delight. She tried another barrel and this one released a sweet smelling brown liquid. She immediately started drinking it. "Black Shadow!" Dark Shadow gasped. "What are you doing?" "It's good." She replied with a belch. "Try some." He shook his head no, fearful of the new substance. Black Shadow downed another gulp and belched again which drew Britannia over. Dark Shadow instantly ran to hide, warning his sister of the man o war fast approaching. Black Shadow wasn't fast enough, wobbling on an unsteady keel. She faced her flagship with an innocent grin that hid nothing!

With Britannia was Long Shadow, if it wasn't obvious, and both looked at her disapprovingly. Black Shadow belched again and stumbled into Britannia. "Alright, come on you." She picked her up. "What's gonna happen?" Dark Shadow asked originally, from the shadows. "I'm going to give your sister a bath." Britannia replied and dunked Black Shadow in the water. Dark Shadow squealed in surprise while Long Shadow couldn't help but squeak. Black Shadow started to turn green and barged up all she had drunk. "Ever gonna drink it again?" Long Shadow teased. Black Shadow stuck her tongue at her, then retched again. Britannia held her until she had finished. "Maybe now you'll know better." She said.

When she was returned to Endeavour later that day, her mother was worried. "What's wrong mama?" Dark Shadow asked her before Black Shadow could do so. "Britannia what happened?" Endeavour demanded. "She got into the rum. I got her to barf it up. She'll be fine." Britannia assured her. As the two talked, Dark Shadow noticed his sister staring at Britannia again. "You know homosexuality is a no right?" He asked her. "Don't care." She huffed with a shipling's typical brazen, innocent attitude. Staring at Britannia her mind began to think of all sorts of delicious things she could do. The word cannon had become something unspeakably lewd. Behind her Black Shadow exchanged glances with Dark Shadow and the youngest shipling made gagging noises. Long Shadow rounded on them. "One more like that and I'll have you both rounded up for a tickling session." She waved her rigging lines menacingly. This brought a grin to her brother's face. The first he'd given in a long time, if ever! They were not going to let Long Shadow live this up. Fun times lay ahead. Long Shadow tackled him and immediately started accosting him with tickles. Black Shadow who was by now very sleepy, wisely kept her distance.

As the shiplings played Britannia took a look at them and then at the sleeping Black Shadow. "This'll be interesting." She remarked. "Interesting, Britannia I doubt covers even half of it." Endeavour said