New drabble. :)

Disclaimer: Credit to Elizabeth George Speare.


:Of Feathers and Beaks:

Barbados was even more beautiful than she had remembered it. The shimmering blue of the water, the bright green of the trees, and all the different colors around her made Kit jump in glee beside her husband.

"Excited, Mistress Eaton?" Nat asked his wife.

Kit laughed, clutching the railing of the ship as they sailed smoothly through the turqiouse bay. It had been so long since Kit had left this wonderful paradise island. She could remember the day she once stood on that harbor, waiting with a heavy heart as she bid farewell to her home. Now her heart was free and light, joyous that she should return.

"How I've missed it all." She sighed, gazing at the beautiful scene before her.

The Witch approached the port of Bridgetown, and Kit could not contain her impatience. As Nat and the crew were busy docking, she paced about the ship, from forecastle deck to the bridge. The crew watched her with amusement, and she chided them playfully.

"Careful, Mistress Eaton!" One sailor called from the mast. "You'll likely run the wood deck to pieces and fall straight through!"

Kit waved him off, a grin on her face. "You give me too much credit. I'm not as strong as seamen. I'll only leave a few scratches here and there!"

At this Nat turned around wryly, narrowing his eyes at Kit. The other men laughed, enjoying their captain's wife and her vivacity. When they had settled the ketch in properly, Kit practically flew off the boat. Standing on the land she loved so much caused her to sway a little but she remained steady.

"Let's go see your home, Kit." Nat said as he took her arm. She held on to him, a happy fool.

"Of course, Captain Eaton."

They were followed by two sailors who carried their two trunks. Kit lugged her other trunk willingly, too excited to let it's weight drag her down. Indeed she had only taken three trunks with her, and Nat only one. She had planned on not wearing her old gowns again, but Nat had convinced her otherwise.

"I miss my old tropical bird." He had said as she had been unloading her green and purple dresses, unsure of what to do with them.

"Oh, a bird. How romantic." Kit replied. "Tell me, is it my beak you fell in love with or my feathers?"

Nat bent down to place a small kiss on her lips. "You have a very nice beak, you know." He reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. "And also very agreeable feathers."

Kit smiled. "Well, a bird has to grow new feathers sooner or later."

"Yes, but it doesn't mean she should change completely. Especially when she looked so enticing in her old feathers."

To this the young woman before him could only laugh. She touched a silky brocade with gentle remembrance. "I suppose your right. After all, there's no more sparrows to peck at me now, are there?"

Nat grabbed her by the waist. "No. Only one seabird."


Makes me want to go to Barbados. It's just so pretty there!