So here it is...after a long wait. I am working on more to this story, but wanted to get this up. Read and review please!! (I don't own any Pirates characters, blah, blah, blah)
Emily McNellis rested on the early morning beach, the only solitary figure to be seen on the vast white sand. She sat just above the ebb of the waves, looking out to the horizon, searching the sea for a flutter of sails. A piece of parchment lay beside her, her small hand barely holding onto it as it rustled in the soft breeze. She had wanted to escape her house as early as possible, she didn't want to be around when the rest of the family found out that two key figures were missing.
She lifted the paper up once more, reading the words that had broken her heart and yet made her so happy for her best friend all at the same time. Piper had left without her to pursue a father she had long thought dead. The letter begged Emily's forgiveness, but Emily couldn't be angry with her friend, maybe only slightly irritated that Piper had left her behind.
She heard footsteps behind her crunching in the sand and turned, finding shiny black boots and neat blue trousers. Her eyes drifted up and she caught sight of Edmund, his face drawn in a tense expression.
"Have you seen my sister?" he ground out.
Emily shook her head, standing so that they were at eye level. "Not since yesterday afternoon, why do you ask?" she inquired innocently, hiding the letter behind her back. "Has something happened? Or can your father just not keep a tight enough rein on her?" she quipped, smirking softly as she took his arm.
Edmund scowled. "It isn't proper for a young lady to be running off...she should be thinking about her future...like you are, Miss McNellis," his gaze softened somewhat, though Emily couldn't really tell how.
She offered him a fake smile. "Well, I have a very persistent suitor..." she managed, nearly choking on the words.
Edmund's grim smile returned and he walked with her up the beach. "What are you doing down here so early...and by yourself?" he asked, his voice as prim as his gait.
Emily shook her head. "Just thinking."
"What was it you were reading?" his eyes narrowed, gazing at her intently.
So he did notice the letter. She thought, her mind racing for an excuse. "It was just an old thing I wrote when I was little...nothing important."
Edmund's mouth tightened. "Hmm, so the fact that Piper's personal attendant delivered a letter to your house this morning has nothing to do with you being out here?"
Emily mentally cursed.
"Where is Piper, Emily...and this time, don't lie." Edmund pulled her to a halt, his hand tightening just slightly on her arm and his eyes narrowed dangerously.
Emily grimaced in pain and tried to pull away. "I don't know what you're talking about, Edmund, now let me go!" she squeaked.
"Where is she, Emily!!" he exclaimed.
Emily raised her eyes defiantly to Edmund's. "She left this morning...on the Black Pearl," she spat, taking a momentary triumph from the shock in his face.
It quickly faded as he hauled her back into town, however. "You will come home and tell my parents everything about how we can find her," he ground out, snatching the letter from her hands.
Emily made a grab for it, but Edmund whipped her back. "And don't you ever lie to me again, Miss McNellis."
She looked up at him, about to say something, but was silenced by the fire in his features. Somehow, she had to get away, to find and warn Piper.
"Land ho!" the cry came from the crow's nest atop the Black Pearl.
Piper gazed out from the prow, her eyes squinting to take in the speck of land just barely visible rising from the ocean. It had been two weeks, and she was finally becoming acclimated to life aboard the pirate ship. And it seemed as if the others were getting used to having another lady on board. Piper had hoped at first that Anamaria and her would form a camaraderie, but it seemed as if the other would rather keep to herself then share a friendship with the new sailor.
A sigh escaped the young girl's lips. She wished she had brought Emily along, if only for some friendly company. Will was the only person she really knew, but he kept to himself or was busy talking with Captain Sparrow most of the time.
"Penny for your thoughts, love," came a soft voice.
Piper whirled around, her face already drawn in irritation at the owner of the voice. "Can't you just let me be?"
Drew smirked roughishly. "I could, but bothering you is so much more fun."
Piper sighed heavily and turned back to the open sea.
Drew leaned against the rail beside her, his green eyes holding a faraway look. "Beautiful isn't it?" he asked after a moment.
Piper looked at him, confused. "What?"
"The sea...restless and unstable, but beautiful," he continued, not turning to face her.
Piper's expression softened and she nodded slowly. "I know why my father fell in love with it."
Drew's eyes turned to study her for a moment, his expression softening with compassion. "He loved you too."
"What?" Piper answered, half-listening.
"He loved you too...I mean, more then the sea. Men fall in love with the sea, but it's the beauty and touch of a woman that brings them back to land," Drew's hand touched her arm softly. "You know that. No matter how much your father loved the sea, you were always worth more to him."
Piper turned to meet his gaze, her blue eyes glistening with tears, though none spilled onto her cheeks. "I've always wanted him. Ever since I was little, my mum would take me down to the docks at sunset and tell me to keep watch. That my father would return on the evening tides to rescue us from shame and destitution," her eyes fell. "But he never came."
Drew took her into his arms, filled with sympathy for the young woman. "Hope is the only thing we can hold to," he whispered.
Piper suddenly went rigid and pulled away from his embrace, her eyes flashing and churning like the sea in a storm. "Hope is for pitiless fools who base their whole lives on broken dreams. I will not let his failure change my future," she spat.
Drew shook his head violently. "No, I didn't mean..."
"And I don't need sympathy or comfort from the likes of you. You're just like all the rest..." she retaliated. "Singing the glories of the sea and treasure and adventure to others and then leading them to naught but sorrow and heartache. Save your glories of the sea, I'll find my own way...on my own two feet."
She whirled around, her dark hair fanning out behind her like deep storm clouds. Drew stood, ashen faced, unsure of what had just happened.
Captain Williams, Rose, Edmund, and Commodore McNellis all stood in the Williams parlor, surrounding Emily like an Inquisitional Board. Piper's letter was in the Captain's hand as he re-read it for the third time. Edmund's grey eyes bored into Emily's and she quickly dropped her gaze, not willing to continue the silent challenge.
Captain Williams sighed, hitting his leg with the parchment, his tired gaze resting on his wife. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked in a low, dangerous voice. "If you had told me, we could've prevented this madness."
Rose's cheeks colored. "I'm sorry Henry...I thought you would turn her out if you knew. Please...she is in grave danger..."
"Oh yes, grave indeed...your teenage daughter is on a pirate ship with some of the most notorious criminals on the seas!!" his voice rose to a crescendo, making Rose cower slightly under the force.
"She is a daughter of pirates and much more savvy then any of you!" Emily blurted out.
The Commodore turned stern eyes on his daughter. "She is a young lady amongst thieves and brigands..." he replied, his voice icy. "And when she is found and punished, you will have nothing more to do with her, Emily, do you understand?"
Emily opened her mouth to reply, but stopped when his penetrating gaze caught her. She had lost, and she knew how to graciously accept defeat...for now.
"And when our ships return and this matter is put into the past, you and Edmund will marry."
"But Father..."
"NO!" his voice silenced the room. He stalked over to her, taking her arm roughly in his hand. "It is time you grew up, Emily...no more running about with childish fancy. And you are never to see Miss Roberts ever again."
Emily nodded mutely, tears streaming down her cheeks. "She's my best fr..."
"She is the bastard of a pirate!!" her father roared, throwing her back into the settee. "You will marry Edmund, and then you are going back to London."
Emily caught Edmund's smirk from behind her father's back and her eyes hardened. She had to get out. Curse Piper for not allowing her in on the scheme.
Captain Williams turned an icy gaze on Rose. "And you are to stay in the house. Piper's punishment will be severe, make no mistake. When she is brought back, she will be married and you will not interfere."
Rose nodded, tears slipping down her face.
"I will not have my reputation tarnished for your indiscretions...no one must know this," he turned, and all three men exited the room, leaving the two women to their misery.
Please review...you know you want to...make me believe that I'm not just putting these up for my amusement!!
