DISCLAIMER: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN IS NOT MINE. I DO NOT CLAIM RIGHTS.
groans I'MMMM SOOOOOOO LAZZZZZYYYY!!!!!! Sorry that it has taken me so freakin' long to get this chap up, you guys. I think that if I stop to type in shoutouts and thank-yous here, I might just stop writing. LOL. So this time I'm gonna skip all that, and just get right to the story.
THANKS TO ALL WHO REVIEWED BEFORE!!!!!!!! REVIEW AGAIN, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOTTIE'S P.O.V.
We were thrown down into a dark, dank cell. Marguerite was panting heavily and made no effort to pick herself up off the floor. I, needless to say, was in a dire state of panic.
"Marguerite! Marguerite!? Please, Marguerite, are you all right?" I shook her shoulder, frantically trying to rouse her.
"Don't..." She groaned. I pulled my hand away, dismayed to see a white shadow of it still there upon her red skin; her sunburn hadn't healed yet. "Let me sleep a while...wake me if...when, that is, you hear them coming." She instructed with slurred, tired words.
"Do not worry. I promise that I will." I assured her, and she nodded slightly, closing her eyes. All was silent.
I sat myself down on the filthy floor in the corner, hugging my knees to my chest. I laid my head upon them. I wished Marguerite had never talked me into this. Not that it was her fault that all of these things occurred, but...if she had not convinced me to take this trip...
Stop it, I ordered myself. You could have said no to all of her begging and pleading. You could have denied her requests. It was your choice to come. Besides, Marguerite has done nothing but defend and protect you this whole time. She has been there for you throughout this whole unfortunate mishap. You are thinking traitorous thoughts.
I shook my head, trying to clear away the battling consciences. It was ridiculous to argue with oneself, I decided. One can never do it because in one's heart lies the truth, no matter how consistently it is ignored.
Then there were footsteps on the stairs.
"Marguerite! Quick, Marguerite, wake up!" I hissed, feeling as though my heart were in my throat. "Marguerite! Please, they're coming!" Her eyes fluttered open. "Hurry! HURRY!"
Slowly, almost reluctantly, she heaved herself up, clutching the cell wall for support.
A short, stout man with a grayish and bristly beard came in through the doorway. "You," He stated, pulling the keys from his pocket. "Are wanted by the captain." He opened the door and waited. But Marguerite did not move, and so neither did I. "Come on, ladies, 'tis not wise to keep the cap'in a'waitin'." The old man growled.
"Well isn't that unfortunate," Marguerite replied, pulling herself up taller. I could tell that she was trying to conceal her less-than-perfect state of health. "Tell your captain that if he requires audience with us, then he had best come down and see us."
The aging pirate raised a bushy eyebrow, then slammed the door and walked off, muttering about the bud luck it was to have women aboard a ship. He stomped irritatedly up the stairs and out of sight.
Marguerite flopped unceremoniously back onto the floor.
"How do you feel?" I inquired, kneeling down beside her.
"Like I've been plowed over by a wild mustang." She paused to take a deep breath. "You?"
I sighed, not wanting to admit my true feelings and worry her more. But I could not stop myself. "Scared, confused, angry, upset, terrified...take your pick."
She gave a wry grin. "Don't worry; I won't let them harm you."
I smiled. She was completely sincere, of course, but there were more of them then there were of us. When they decided to do something, there would be little that Marguerite or I could do to stop them. I did not mention this to her, though. I just continued to smile in false optimism, and the two of us sat quietly for some time.
Soon, though, the peaceful moment was interrupted as the brig door creaked open and two pairs of feet marched down the stairs. The grey pirate had returned with the captain.
"Alright, which of ya's the stubborn wench?" He demanded.
Marguerite sat up straight. "If you are looking for a wench, Captain, you are looking in the wrong place. Try searching your bed."
She had dropped any hint of an accent from her voice, leaving perfect, proper English that could not be mistaken for anything but a noble woman's vocabulary.
"Clever, luv, very clever."
"I am not your love, Captain, and I pity the poor woman who is... If she is, in fact, a woman at all." She added.
The captain eyed her, mumbling a brief, "Must be her," He inhaled deeply, still examining her. "Alright, lass, what'dya want?"
"We request immediate passage—safe passage, as in without harm to us in any way, shape, or form. You will bring us back home to England immediately,"
The captain opened his mouth to say something, but was quickly cut off as Marguerite continued in her numerous demands.
"If you feel that you cannot bring us home for fear of your ship being recognized, you may stop a ways off and row us ashore. In the meantime, we shall require new apparel, the opportunity to bathe without audience or interruption, and more suitable quarters for the remainder of this voyage, starting now." Marguerite had risen while she was speaking, and now looked him confidently in the eye, her chin up. Only I could see the shake of her hands as she battled her own body's weakness.
The captain stroked his mustache thoughtfully. "And what, lass, is the benefit of all this for me?"
"In return for these things, and anything else that she and I may need or want, you will gain exactly half of my inheritance money and pardon from the officials, military and non, in my home."
His eyebrows rose, as did those of the man beside him. "How much, exactly, is your inheritance, luv?"
"Twelve thousand pounds. You will receive six thousand, precisely."
"Eight thousand."
"Done." Marguerite nodded. I gasped.
"But, but Marguer..."
"Shh," She cut me off with a wave off her hand. "It is already done. Now, Captain, if I recall correctly, that deal begins now."
"Indeed, luv, it does." He smirked. "Gibbs, open the door for these lovely ladies."
The old man jumped somewhat, startled to have been addressed so abruptly, and fiddled with the keys on the ring. He finally found the correct one, inserted it into the lock, and pulled the door open.
"By the way, luv," The captain stood in the way. "One more thing. Just who are you to gain me clemency from said officials?"
"I am Marguerite DeLacy, daughter of Judge and Mrs. DeLacy. This," She motioned to me. "Is the daughter of Judge Clare. Trust me, you will gain all of the pardon that you need." Again, she stared him straight in the eye.
He grinned smugly. "And I have your word, lass?"
"So long as I have yours."
"Then it is an agreement," He stated, stepping aside. "Right this way, ladies." He grinned widely, holding his arms out to show the way.
Marguerite started out the door without ever looking back. I followed her, eyes still wide.
==============
"Well, I suppose this will do," Marguerite murmured as she surveyed our new quarters.
"I should hope so, luv. They're mine." Captain Sparrow grinned.
"Oh. Well then, Captain, please be sure that the bed sheets are exchanged for clean ones. I can only imagine the number of...ladies that have inhabited them."
"Oh. Countless." He bragged.
"Of course." She sneered.
"Will ya be wantin' a new shirt, too, luv?" He asked, eyeing the torn shirt that she wore appreciatively.
Marguerite scowled and crossed her arms over her chest. "Obviously, Captain."
He raised and eyebrow, smirking. "Pity. I rather liked that one..."
Marguerite scowled harder.
The captain fished around in a nearby cabinet and pulled out a billowy, white shirt. "'Ere you are, luv. I would've said that it's too big for ya, seeing as it's me spare, but I think you'll be able to fill it up right..." He winked.
Marguerite glared.
Chuckling, Captain Sparrow reached into the cabinet again and tossed some new sheets onto the bed. "Goodnight, luvs. Be sure to let me know if you need...anything..." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Marguerite rolled her eyes and began ushering him out the door. "Yes, yes. Good night, Mr. Sparrow." She closed and locked the door behind him. "Jesus," She muttered. "What a pain in the a..."
"Marguerite!" I hissed. "What are you thinking!? That inheritance money is your dowry, and there's absolutely no way that you'll be able to gain THAT man ANY pardon!"
She rolled her eyes and waved her hand, as though waving away an annoying fly. "Please, Charlotte. We both know that I'm never getting married, anyway. Besides, granting him clemency won't be an issue. I simply slip into my father's office, find the appropriate papers, and sign them. Then it's just a matter of a certain pirate getting them, and he's off, leaving us to our boring days as 'proper ladies of the court' who'll never be anything more than miserable spinsters."
I rolled my eyes at the comment she had put in at the end, but decided not to say anything for fear or encouraging her. "Marguerite, you ARE insane if you think you can forge those papers!"
She scoffed. "Hardly. He's a pirate; he won't know the difference. Besides, I'll write up the papers so that they are only good for a while."
"How long?"
"Two weeks...tops."
"Marguerite, I have a bad feeling about this."
"You have a bad feeling about everything, Charlotte. I think that you need to lighten up. Relax. Everything will be just fine."
==============
The next morning, when I woke up, Marguerite was sound asleep next to me. I looked out of one of the small portholes. The sun was high in the sky. We had apparently slept in very late.
I yawned and stretched, then climbed out of bed. Marguerite never stirred.
I decided to let her sleep. The poor girl hadn't fully recovered and the small bout with Captain Sparrow yesterday probably had not done her any good.
My stomach rumbled. I had not realized that I was so hungry. Where was I going to find food? I looked down and realized that I still had on the nightdress given to me by Captain Moreton. I paused. What had Sparrow done with him anyway? I shuddered to think. I didn't trust Captain Sparrow as far as I could throw him...which was not very far.
Sighing, I grabbed up one of the blankets and wrapped it around myself for modesty. Then, opening the cabin door, I made my way out into the bright sunlight, squinting.
"Miss Clare!" I heard someone exclaim. I glanced up and saw the old pirate, Gibbs, I think, standing there.
"Hello," I nodded, at a loss for what else to say.
"What are you doing out of the cap'in's quarters?" He asked, looking at me suspiciously.
"I was looking for food."
"I'll see that some is brought fer ya." He stated, shooing me back into the cabin.
"Oh, well, uh...thank you."
"Yes, yes. Just be sure to stay outta the crew's way."
My eyebrows rose. "Uh...oh...well..."I stuttered.
"I'll bring ya the bloody food, jus' go back inta the cabin, a'ready!"
Eyes wide, I nodded and turned back inside as Gibbs stalked off, irritated once more.
==============
It did not take long before Gibbs arrived with breakfast...or lunch, really (how had I slept in so long?)
I was quite happy to see the food... but not the pirate following it.
"Mornin' lass!" Captain Sparrow smiled, taking a piece of bread from the food tray and gnawing on it.
"Captain," I dipped my head courteously. "Thank you, Mr. Gibbs." I smiled at the aging pirate. He grumbled something about unnecessary, extra work and stomped out.
Captain Sparrow watched him go, but didn't actually seem to see him, strange as that was. Then he turned to me, swallowing down the last piece of bread, sitting back, and plopping his boots onto a nearby desk.
"'Ow did you sleep, luv?" He asked, his lips pursed as he fiddled with his braided beard.
"Just fine, Captain."
He smirked. "Of course. What a stupid question for me to ask. After all, you did sleep in my bed."
My jaw dropped and my cheeks flushed a brilliant red. "Captain Sparrow, I find that highly inappropriate and I would greatly appreciate it if..."
"Yer friend is still asleep?" He motioned to a practically unconscious Marguerite, completely interrupting me.
"Obviously," I hissed, still feeling offended.
His gaze instantly snapped to my face, and the grin seemed to grow on his lips. "No need to be insulting, lass, I was merely askin' a question."
I crossed my arms and faced the other way indignantly.
"'Ow long was the lass out in the sun?" He pursued, completely oblivious to my actions.
"Several weeks," I answered quickly. Then I paused and turned to face him. "How did you know?"
Again, the smug look crossed his features. "Ah, you see, luv, there are benefits to being a pirate. You can always tell when you have the upper hand. Your friend is certainly in the less desirable position." He finished with a look that seemed to say, "I know all."
I merely gaped at him.
Standing abruptly, he strode across the room and stopped at a plant growing in a pot on the desk, which was placed in full view of the sunlight. Without a word, he snapped a stem from the plant and handed the broken piece to me. "Rub the sap from the plant onto her burns; they will cool and heal much more quickly." He stated.
"What plant is it?" I asked, never having seen its likeness.
"Aloe vera, luv," He replied in a soft tone, as though speaking to a small child. He glanced again at Marguerite. "When she awakens, be sure that she finishes all of the water brought here, understand? When she is steady, she may get out of bed, but not before then." He instructed matter- of-factly.
"You also learned all of this from being a pirate?"
"Of course, luv," The grin broke out on his lips again. "The lass is not the first to swoon at the mere sight of me," He winked jokingly, and swaggered out the door, whistling what I suspected was a pirate's shanty.
==============
So does that make up for the unbearably long time I didn't update? I hope so! Please review!
ElfPilot
groans I'MMMM SOOOOOOO LAZZZZZYYYY!!!!!! Sorry that it has taken me so freakin' long to get this chap up, you guys. I think that if I stop to type in shoutouts and thank-yous here, I might just stop writing. LOL. So this time I'm gonna skip all that, and just get right to the story.
THANKS TO ALL WHO REVIEWED BEFORE!!!!!!!! REVIEW AGAIN, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOTTIE'S P.O.V.
We were thrown down into a dark, dank cell. Marguerite was panting heavily and made no effort to pick herself up off the floor. I, needless to say, was in a dire state of panic.
"Marguerite! Marguerite!? Please, Marguerite, are you all right?" I shook her shoulder, frantically trying to rouse her.
"Don't..." She groaned. I pulled my hand away, dismayed to see a white shadow of it still there upon her red skin; her sunburn hadn't healed yet. "Let me sleep a while...wake me if...when, that is, you hear them coming." She instructed with slurred, tired words.
"Do not worry. I promise that I will." I assured her, and she nodded slightly, closing her eyes. All was silent.
I sat myself down on the filthy floor in the corner, hugging my knees to my chest. I laid my head upon them. I wished Marguerite had never talked me into this. Not that it was her fault that all of these things occurred, but...if she had not convinced me to take this trip...
Stop it, I ordered myself. You could have said no to all of her begging and pleading. You could have denied her requests. It was your choice to come. Besides, Marguerite has done nothing but defend and protect you this whole time. She has been there for you throughout this whole unfortunate mishap. You are thinking traitorous thoughts.
I shook my head, trying to clear away the battling consciences. It was ridiculous to argue with oneself, I decided. One can never do it because in one's heart lies the truth, no matter how consistently it is ignored.
Then there were footsteps on the stairs.
"Marguerite! Quick, Marguerite, wake up!" I hissed, feeling as though my heart were in my throat. "Marguerite! Please, they're coming!" Her eyes fluttered open. "Hurry! HURRY!"
Slowly, almost reluctantly, she heaved herself up, clutching the cell wall for support.
A short, stout man with a grayish and bristly beard came in through the doorway. "You," He stated, pulling the keys from his pocket. "Are wanted by the captain." He opened the door and waited. But Marguerite did not move, and so neither did I. "Come on, ladies, 'tis not wise to keep the cap'in a'waitin'." The old man growled.
"Well isn't that unfortunate," Marguerite replied, pulling herself up taller. I could tell that she was trying to conceal her less-than-perfect state of health. "Tell your captain that if he requires audience with us, then he had best come down and see us."
The aging pirate raised a bushy eyebrow, then slammed the door and walked off, muttering about the bud luck it was to have women aboard a ship. He stomped irritatedly up the stairs and out of sight.
Marguerite flopped unceremoniously back onto the floor.
"How do you feel?" I inquired, kneeling down beside her.
"Like I've been plowed over by a wild mustang." She paused to take a deep breath. "You?"
I sighed, not wanting to admit my true feelings and worry her more. But I could not stop myself. "Scared, confused, angry, upset, terrified...take your pick."
She gave a wry grin. "Don't worry; I won't let them harm you."
I smiled. She was completely sincere, of course, but there were more of them then there were of us. When they decided to do something, there would be little that Marguerite or I could do to stop them. I did not mention this to her, though. I just continued to smile in false optimism, and the two of us sat quietly for some time.
Soon, though, the peaceful moment was interrupted as the brig door creaked open and two pairs of feet marched down the stairs. The grey pirate had returned with the captain.
"Alright, which of ya's the stubborn wench?" He demanded.
Marguerite sat up straight. "If you are looking for a wench, Captain, you are looking in the wrong place. Try searching your bed."
She had dropped any hint of an accent from her voice, leaving perfect, proper English that could not be mistaken for anything but a noble woman's vocabulary.
"Clever, luv, very clever."
"I am not your love, Captain, and I pity the poor woman who is... If she is, in fact, a woman at all." She added.
The captain eyed her, mumbling a brief, "Must be her," He inhaled deeply, still examining her. "Alright, lass, what'dya want?"
"We request immediate passage—safe passage, as in without harm to us in any way, shape, or form. You will bring us back home to England immediately,"
The captain opened his mouth to say something, but was quickly cut off as Marguerite continued in her numerous demands.
"If you feel that you cannot bring us home for fear of your ship being recognized, you may stop a ways off and row us ashore. In the meantime, we shall require new apparel, the opportunity to bathe without audience or interruption, and more suitable quarters for the remainder of this voyage, starting now." Marguerite had risen while she was speaking, and now looked him confidently in the eye, her chin up. Only I could see the shake of her hands as she battled her own body's weakness.
The captain stroked his mustache thoughtfully. "And what, lass, is the benefit of all this for me?"
"In return for these things, and anything else that she and I may need or want, you will gain exactly half of my inheritance money and pardon from the officials, military and non, in my home."
His eyebrows rose, as did those of the man beside him. "How much, exactly, is your inheritance, luv?"
"Twelve thousand pounds. You will receive six thousand, precisely."
"Eight thousand."
"Done." Marguerite nodded. I gasped.
"But, but Marguer..."
"Shh," She cut me off with a wave off her hand. "It is already done. Now, Captain, if I recall correctly, that deal begins now."
"Indeed, luv, it does." He smirked. "Gibbs, open the door for these lovely ladies."
The old man jumped somewhat, startled to have been addressed so abruptly, and fiddled with the keys on the ring. He finally found the correct one, inserted it into the lock, and pulled the door open.
"By the way, luv," The captain stood in the way. "One more thing. Just who are you to gain me clemency from said officials?"
"I am Marguerite DeLacy, daughter of Judge and Mrs. DeLacy. This," She motioned to me. "Is the daughter of Judge Clare. Trust me, you will gain all of the pardon that you need." Again, she stared him straight in the eye.
He grinned smugly. "And I have your word, lass?"
"So long as I have yours."
"Then it is an agreement," He stated, stepping aside. "Right this way, ladies." He grinned widely, holding his arms out to show the way.
Marguerite started out the door without ever looking back. I followed her, eyes still wide.
==============
"Well, I suppose this will do," Marguerite murmured as she surveyed our new quarters.
"I should hope so, luv. They're mine." Captain Sparrow grinned.
"Oh. Well then, Captain, please be sure that the bed sheets are exchanged for clean ones. I can only imagine the number of...ladies that have inhabited them."
"Oh. Countless." He bragged.
"Of course." She sneered.
"Will ya be wantin' a new shirt, too, luv?" He asked, eyeing the torn shirt that she wore appreciatively.
Marguerite scowled and crossed her arms over her chest. "Obviously, Captain."
He raised and eyebrow, smirking. "Pity. I rather liked that one..."
Marguerite scowled harder.
The captain fished around in a nearby cabinet and pulled out a billowy, white shirt. "'Ere you are, luv. I would've said that it's too big for ya, seeing as it's me spare, but I think you'll be able to fill it up right..." He winked.
Marguerite glared.
Chuckling, Captain Sparrow reached into the cabinet again and tossed some new sheets onto the bed. "Goodnight, luvs. Be sure to let me know if you need...anything..." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Marguerite rolled her eyes and began ushering him out the door. "Yes, yes. Good night, Mr. Sparrow." She closed and locked the door behind him. "Jesus," She muttered. "What a pain in the a..."
"Marguerite!" I hissed. "What are you thinking!? That inheritance money is your dowry, and there's absolutely no way that you'll be able to gain THAT man ANY pardon!"
She rolled her eyes and waved her hand, as though waving away an annoying fly. "Please, Charlotte. We both know that I'm never getting married, anyway. Besides, granting him clemency won't be an issue. I simply slip into my father's office, find the appropriate papers, and sign them. Then it's just a matter of a certain pirate getting them, and he's off, leaving us to our boring days as 'proper ladies of the court' who'll never be anything more than miserable spinsters."
I rolled my eyes at the comment she had put in at the end, but decided not to say anything for fear or encouraging her. "Marguerite, you ARE insane if you think you can forge those papers!"
She scoffed. "Hardly. He's a pirate; he won't know the difference. Besides, I'll write up the papers so that they are only good for a while."
"How long?"
"Two weeks...tops."
"Marguerite, I have a bad feeling about this."
"You have a bad feeling about everything, Charlotte. I think that you need to lighten up. Relax. Everything will be just fine."
==============
The next morning, when I woke up, Marguerite was sound asleep next to me. I looked out of one of the small portholes. The sun was high in the sky. We had apparently slept in very late.
I yawned and stretched, then climbed out of bed. Marguerite never stirred.
I decided to let her sleep. The poor girl hadn't fully recovered and the small bout with Captain Sparrow yesterday probably had not done her any good.
My stomach rumbled. I had not realized that I was so hungry. Where was I going to find food? I looked down and realized that I still had on the nightdress given to me by Captain Moreton. I paused. What had Sparrow done with him anyway? I shuddered to think. I didn't trust Captain Sparrow as far as I could throw him...which was not very far.
Sighing, I grabbed up one of the blankets and wrapped it around myself for modesty. Then, opening the cabin door, I made my way out into the bright sunlight, squinting.
"Miss Clare!" I heard someone exclaim. I glanced up and saw the old pirate, Gibbs, I think, standing there.
"Hello," I nodded, at a loss for what else to say.
"What are you doing out of the cap'in's quarters?" He asked, looking at me suspiciously.
"I was looking for food."
"I'll see that some is brought fer ya." He stated, shooing me back into the cabin.
"Oh, well, uh...thank you."
"Yes, yes. Just be sure to stay outta the crew's way."
My eyebrows rose. "Uh...oh...well..."I stuttered.
"I'll bring ya the bloody food, jus' go back inta the cabin, a'ready!"
Eyes wide, I nodded and turned back inside as Gibbs stalked off, irritated once more.
==============
It did not take long before Gibbs arrived with breakfast...or lunch, really (how had I slept in so long?)
I was quite happy to see the food... but not the pirate following it.
"Mornin' lass!" Captain Sparrow smiled, taking a piece of bread from the food tray and gnawing on it.
"Captain," I dipped my head courteously. "Thank you, Mr. Gibbs." I smiled at the aging pirate. He grumbled something about unnecessary, extra work and stomped out.
Captain Sparrow watched him go, but didn't actually seem to see him, strange as that was. Then he turned to me, swallowing down the last piece of bread, sitting back, and plopping his boots onto a nearby desk.
"'Ow did you sleep, luv?" He asked, his lips pursed as he fiddled with his braided beard.
"Just fine, Captain."
He smirked. "Of course. What a stupid question for me to ask. After all, you did sleep in my bed."
My jaw dropped and my cheeks flushed a brilliant red. "Captain Sparrow, I find that highly inappropriate and I would greatly appreciate it if..."
"Yer friend is still asleep?" He motioned to a practically unconscious Marguerite, completely interrupting me.
"Obviously," I hissed, still feeling offended.
His gaze instantly snapped to my face, and the grin seemed to grow on his lips. "No need to be insulting, lass, I was merely askin' a question."
I crossed my arms and faced the other way indignantly.
"'Ow long was the lass out in the sun?" He pursued, completely oblivious to my actions.
"Several weeks," I answered quickly. Then I paused and turned to face him. "How did you know?"
Again, the smug look crossed his features. "Ah, you see, luv, there are benefits to being a pirate. You can always tell when you have the upper hand. Your friend is certainly in the less desirable position." He finished with a look that seemed to say, "I know all."
I merely gaped at him.
Standing abruptly, he strode across the room and stopped at a plant growing in a pot on the desk, which was placed in full view of the sunlight. Without a word, he snapped a stem from the plant and handed the broken piece to me. "Rub the sap from the plant onto her burns; they will cool and heal much more quickly." He stated.
"What plant is it?" I asked, never having seen its likeness.
"Aloe vera, luv," He replied in a soft tone, as though speaking to a small child. He glanced again at Marguerite. "When she awakens, be sure that she finishes all of the water brought here, understand? When she is steady, she may get out of bed, but not before then." He instructed matter- of-factly.
"You also learned all of this from being a pirate?"
"Of course, luv," The grin broke out on his lips again. "The lass is not the first to swoon at the mere sight of me," He winked jokingly, and swaggered out the door, whistling what I suspected was a pirate's shanty.
==============
So does that make up for the unbearably long time I didn't update? I hope so! Please review!
ElfPilot
