A PIRATE'S LOVE

CHAPTER 7 To Dine with the Enemy

Fluttershy felt numb. She was being held for ransom in place of her father's spot as a king. That's alone was enough to make the princesse's head swirl with more disbelief.

Her father was a devoted king and held his position highly, it would take something highly worthwhile to make him give up his spot, was she worth it?

Fluttershy could only hope her mother and father would rescue her soon, so she could get off this dreadful boat. Sure she was lucky, and grateful, to be alive but the wood under her hooves was leaving splinters in her fur not to mention the smell that was making her nose sting and the sway of the boat was leaving her feeling sick to her stomach. Fluttershy wasn't one to complain and left the issues unresolved as Twilight dragged her across the boat.

The unicorn shoved the prisoner into a room, slamming the door shut behind her.

The pirate made quick work of the blindfold across the mare's eyes as the material fell to the floor with a flutter.

Fluttershy blinked rapidly as light filtered to her eyes, revealing her surroundings.

Once her orbs had adjusted she saw she was in a small wooden room, across from her was a wardrobe and a stall, next to her was a single stool that had rotting wood.

"Now the captain told me to get you dressed for dinner." Twilight stated with a firm voice as the unicorn moved towards the wardrobe.

That was right, dinner.

After dropping the bombshell of her being a ransom the captain had murmured something about dinner but Fluttershy had been too shell-shocked to listen.

"Take your pick." The pirate called as she opened the wardrobe.

Pick? Fluttershy had never been asked to choose anything before, it had always been chosen for her before.

"Oh...okay." Fluttershy blinked with surprise as she trotted over towards the wardrobe. It was filled with dresses, almost like a rainbow of colour.

They were all simple, no laces or frills, they were perfect.

Her teal eyes traveled over the fabric in awe before one particular one caught her eye. It was green, and was a really classic design with long sleeves and somewhat glittery fabric.

"I'll take that one." Fluttershy moved towards the dress with a small smile.

"Go right ahead, I'll be out here when you're done." Twilight graced the princess with a grin of her own before retreating to sit on the rickety old stool.

The butter coloured mare gingerly took the dress off it's coat-hanger, the material silky under her gentle hooves. Fluttershy smiled and looked back towards Twilight as if confirming this was reality. The pirate rolled her purple eyes teasingly before she motioned with a nod towards the stall.

Fluttershy slid the wedding dress off, holding the tattered material in her hoof before setting the frilly dress to the side with an annoyed look. The mare sighed as she gently combed a hoof through her mane. Her curls had come undone and were littered with pieces of mouldy hay, the ends frayed needing a brush desperately. With an aggravated sigh Fluttershy picked up the green dress and slid it on, the fabric hugging her nicely. Silence fell upon the stall and Fluttershy felt an urge to curl up and go to sleep, resting her aching muscles from either being locked up and standing up all day. The prisoner resisted and tentatively opened the stall door, stalking forwards toward the bored looking Twilight.

"Oh you're done, brilliant the Captain will be waiting." The pirate stood with a protesting creak from the old rotting stool and with her magic picked the blindfold up from where it lay crinkled on the floor.

Here we go again.

Fluttershy listened attentively as she heard Twilight's hoofsteps retreat into the shadows, her nervous breathing the only sounds that she could make out.

"Glad to see you could make it." The captains voice made her freeze, her legs locking in place.

"Now now my dear, you don't have to be afraid of me! at least for the moment." Discord continued and Fluttershy whimpered with fright.

"Okay I'll stop my teasing, let's get you something to eat!" The pirate gave a hearty chuckle and roughly nudged the mare inside a room, her hooves scraping against the wooden planks as she protestingly slid against the floor. The mare's eyes struggled to adjust to the new lighting as it became a lot darker behind her blindfold.

"Have a seat Madame!" Discord's voice sounded posh again and Fluttershy visibly shrunk away as the pirate helped her to her seat.

The mare' hooves hit the table and she leaned back into her chair, eager to get away from the captain across from her.

She couldn't see him, but she could feel his eyes boring into her skull, a reminder that she was a prisoner here.

Soon the sound of cutlery scraping against the plate was heard across from her.

The princess took a sniff of the air and could smell the food in front of her.

Cucumber sandwiches. One of her favourites.

Her mouth watered at the thought of food and a loud rumble from her belly interrupted the peace of the room.

When had she last eaten?

An embarrassed blush crossed Fluttershy's pale cheeks and she ignored the desire to dig into her food ravenously and with abandon.

A thought danced across the mare's mind, it could be poisoned.

Sure she wouldn't be much of a ransom anymore but she wouldn't put it past the pirate in front of her to poison her food.

"Why aren't you digging in my dear?" Discord's voice shook the Pegasus out of her thoughts and she jerked upright abruptly.

"I- uh... Couldn't find my fork!" Fluttershy struggled to make up a lie.

"You have a sandwich my dear, you don't need a fork." The captain answered with a teasing tone, obviously knowing she had been lying.

"Right..." The mare gave an awkward grin and she hesitantly found one of the sandwiches with a searching hoof.

The pirate's eyes drilled into her with such an intensity she didn't need to see them.

Taking a nervous gulp the prisoner brought the sandwich to her mouth, nibbling on the corner with delicate little bites.

It tasted good. Very good.

Especially to a mare that hadn't eaten in ages.

Fluttershy took a larger bite this time, nothing that could taste this good could possibly be poisonous!

In no time at all the Pegasus had eaten her sandwiches and had licked the plate of crumbs, her mouth watering as the taste of cucumbers lined her mouth.

The pirate across from her had ignored her animal like eating habits and stuck to watching with an amused grin.

Fluttershy wiped the remaining bread crumbs off her face with a hoof.

Discord's cutlery scraped his plate across from her and Fluttershy heard something...unusual.

"Are you eating paper?" She confusedly questioned, the sound of crinkling paper continued.

"It's very good in nutrition!" Discord joked with a hearty laugh, one that almost tempted the mare to smile.

A rather large sway of the boat nearly knocked the mare out of her seat, her empty plate sliding across the table.

Fluttershy felt sick to her stomach and she held a hoof to her mouth as if to resist the urge to vomit.

"You'll get used to that my dear, but for now let's distract you with a little conversation." Discord's voice grew quieter and quieter until the princess had to strain to hear a word that came out of his mouth.

"Tell me all about you..." His voice came out in a loud whisper In her ear and she jumped with fright.