Chapter 10 - Passed

Recap: The Captain was ambushed and many of the crew were killed. He sought out Milady for her to keep him safe while he was defenseless in his day time rest.

I apologize for any errors in advance; this chapter is unbeta'ed.

Milady's Journal

I had no idea how long I slept, but when I awoke, the Captain's strong arms held me fast. Shuffling out of his embrace, I tried to light the lantern that hung by the bedside, but alas before I rested for the evening I had forgotten to turn it off. The lantern was depleted of oil.

I climbed over the Captain, taking great care as to not disturb him as I stumbled forth to light the candles in the room.

The inner chamber, though sheltered from the elements, was quite brisk. The chill in the air sent shivers up my spine, giving me a horrid feeling of the Captain's state.

Swiftly I lit the candle that lain upon the Captain's trunk.

Spinning around with the flickering light in my hand, the Captain's chalky white face made me gasp, almost dropping the candle and setting the room ablaze.

Moving forward in utter disbelief I could not even think the words.

Could the Captain be….

I had not the heart to finish the question as I forced my feet forward one step at a time. Sweeping my eyes over his ghostly pale body I looked for indications that he had not met his final fate.

Laying my hand upon his chest I sought the breath of life.

Nothing. Silence.

His chest did not move even a fraction.

Tears prickled my eyes as I reached for my bedside mirror. Holding it up to his lips I prayed for any indication that he had not passed on from this world.

Nothing. Silence.

Falling to my knees I wept. Grasping his cold hand with mine, I held it close to my bosom, needing to remember his touch. His hand did not clutch mine, but fell limply into my arms.

My tears fell upon his ice cold flesh and I wiped them away with my gently kisses and a brush of my hair.

My sorrow crumbled me and my head felt as heavy as the surging sea and the jagged rocks tangling with the anchor. Pulling my weakened body up from the floor I lay my head upon his chest, warming him as I had done the night before.

Nothing. Silence.

I missed his crude humor and flirtatious banter. I missed the way he roused my temper as his eyes sparkled with mischief in the light. I missed his presence, his air of confidence as he commanded attention when he entered a room. But most of all I missed his touch and damned myself for my chaste behavior by not allowing it sooner.

For a moment I contemplated seeking help, for what art I to do? But it was the vow I made the previous night that kept me still; a promise I made while he held me. Breaking a vow was a serious offense and I silently promised him again that I would remain fast until Wolfgang appeared on the ship on the third day.

My decision and the Captain's words brought a measure of comfort, for he assured me that all was not lost.

Retrieving the book I claimed the previous night I began to read, occupying my thoughts on a mundane task, but I could not keep up the façade for long. Exhausted, I curled my warmth around the Captain and drifted to sleep. Comforted only by his words and steeled by his cold touch I traveled to a world where there simply was no Captain and Lady; the formalities had dissipated, and all that were left were our bare souls, spoken informalities, and a closeness without order of restraint.

OoOo~OoOo

"Do not weep Milady, for ye hath not a reason to be sad." I opened my eyes as a familiar, but weakened raspy voice brought me to my senses. Slowly I lifted my head to peer at him, for surely I must have dreamt the words.

He looked absolutely ghastly and so pale, almost translucent, but I could not focus on such trivial matters as his gaze sought mine in assurance of life.

Throwing propriety to the wind, I tossed my arms around the Captain, holding him tenderly to my bosom. I sought his touch, to feel the miracle of life that brought back his soul from the very depths of Hades. Forgetting my modesty in that moment my lips quested only for the softness of his. They were not as strong as I remembered; in fact, my lips dominated with a fierceness as they brushed his, completely forgetting his injuries until I heard him grunt beneath me.

Pulling away I realized the lack of my restraint and apologized profusely for my indiscretion. "Forgive me, Oh Captain; whence camest thou? I thought the angel of death hath taken thee away. Had I been dreaming when I looked upon thee? I embarrass myself with my indiscretion and took advantage when thee art not well."

"Appearances Milady, art not what they seem." He did not continue with an additional explanation.

Confused by what I witnessed, perhaps a miracle from his pagan gods, I busied myself with his care as I tried to hide the blush upon my cheeks. Gracefully sliding off the bed, trying not to disturb, I offered him water which he so declined. I could not let him go without, so I dampened his parched lips with a clean cloth, hoping that some of the moisture would seep within. He tried to shake his head, refusing my advances, but because of his weakness I won the battle.

Next, I lowered the sheet from his neck, gently exposing the bandages wrapped around the wounds from his shoulder and torso. Miracles upon miracles, as I removed the bandages the wounds had almost healed!

Sweet Mary, Mother of God!

"Thou art healed! Bless be the gods!" I praised in sing-song delight. I examined the wounds further to find that it had even covered over with a fine layer of skin. "Thou gods hath surely made thee well, for I hath never seen such miraculous revelations."

The Captain kept quiet through my excited babble, saying naught, but staring intently at me. I fastened fresh bandages to the wounds, having him turn gently too and fro. Just as I was to exit the chamber, disposing of the waste the Captain called to me.

"Do not leave me. I beseech thee to lay upon my side, for 'twas thee warmth and not a miracle that I rose."

"Oh Captain, my captain our fearful trip is done. Thou flatters me, for nothing shall please me more than to sit and rest with thee."

"Come hither to me, so I may find refreshment in your touch, and thy spirit may renew my soul." He extended his waiting arm and my traitorous heart fluttered, knowing that I desired the same.

Gathering the soiled bandages into a pile, I could not bare to leave his side even if 'twere only for a moment. As I had done the previous night, I gently crawled over the Captain and curled unto his side.

After a few minutes of silence he quietly stated, "Thou kept….thy promise to me. Thou did not seek the assistance of the doctor on board. Thou waited as I implored thee."

Tangling his fingers with mine I answered, "How could I defy the last wishes of thee? I could not…I would not."

Satisfied by my words, he again besought the same plea. "If I shall…if I seem worse, wait for Wolfgang. He arrives the next night at sunset and will take care of my needs."

"Doth not I care for the needs of thee?" I asked meekly, hoping he would divulge his secrets so I could make him well.

His chest rumbled under me as he sought my understanding. "Thou hath cared for me well, but there is one remedy that thee canst not provide." His voice was as soft as a whisper, but I harkened every word. Unsure of his meaning I drifted into a light slumber, drained mentally, physically and emotionally for the hours past.

But before I lost consciousness for the night, in his waiting arms I found solace. 'Twas not what I had expected.

The Captain was not as vile and cruel as I was once led to believe. My weeping heart would not allow me to punish him for his crimes any longer. In his weakened state I could not turn my back on him.

My father's spoke words governed my sense of morality and guided my actions towards rightness. "Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none." It would dishonor the memory of my father if I did not show compassion when it was warranted. I could not turn aside someone who wronged me just to wrong them in return. For what honor would that bring unto my family name?

These words and more I pondered while I sought refuge in the arms of my wounded captor. Certainly he had become to mean more to me than what at first seemed.

Wither we goest from here remains to be seen, but my path hast been chosen and I planned to see it through.

OoOo~OoOo

Upon awaking the next morning I felt the same panic as the day before. The Captain again appeared to hath moved into the next world. Only the memories from the previous night saved me from a fit. Instead, I busied myself with mundane tasks to keep my mind well occupied.

Wolfgang would return hopefully as promised at sunset, so I tidied up, cleaning, changing the linens, bathing, and finally changing my own clothes. Sustenance was waiting for me in the outer chamber, so I partook, regaining my strength for the long night to come.

Disposing of the bandages from the previous night, I tended to his wounds once again. New flesh covered the wounds to an even greater degree. His hue though, 'twas even grayer than before. His closed eyes sunk and dark circles formed under each lid. His face haunted me and was reminiscent of childhood ghost tales of monster that stalked the woods at night.

I took my time, needing to fill the hours, as I busied my hands with clean water and a cloth, bathing his chest. My hands ghosted over the ridges of his superbly tight body as my cheeks tinged pink. I had not felt a man's chest before and the strength he carried over each plain showed his battle prowess. He had the body of a seasoned warrior; hard and impenetrable.

Slipping his coverings down lower I cleansed his arms. Under each pass with my cloth my hands dipped into the contours of his toned muscles as I massaged him clean. Gliding the cloth up his neck, I washed his face, hoping to cleanse away his haunting features.

As the time ticked by the growing knot in my stomach tightened. What if Wolfgang was too late? What if last night had been his last moments in this world?

The more I cleansed the deeper the fears became.

Finally satisfied I striped the soiled linens modesty, placing the clean sheet on top and removing the other underneath. Now I needed to wait, wait for the miracle of life that happened the previous evening. Time seemed infinite when one was in a hurry to let it pass.

Pulling a chair to his bedside I opened the book that I had started the previous day and began to read aloud. It was a past time that I enjoyed immensely and found solace in the written word. I focused on the task as if my life depended on accurate reading and threw all my energy into what was written.

The candlelight danced over the page as if each flicker felt my passion.

"Milady," the Captain whispered hoarsely.

"Oh my Captain!" I exclaimed, putting the book aside. "Surely I thought thou expired. Forgive me sir, for now I believe the gods had found favor in thee. I shall never doubt again." I gripped his unnaturally chilled hands and brought them to my warm lips. He moaned as I kissed each finger and brushed his hand against my cheek.

"The gods do not smile upon me. Thou shalt not hold me in such high esteem." He stumbled through his words, his voice trembling as he spoke.

"Shush now, save thy strength. Wolfgang should be here soon," I said, placing my fingers upon his parched lips. He tongue darted out, suckling my finger as he swirled it in his mouth.

My body filled with warmth, such as I had not felt before, at his erotic gesture. In his state I could not chastise him, but I withdrew my hand as a modest Christian Lady should.

"Milady," he breathed. My eyes searched his and found something I had not seen before. We gazed at each other as if we were frozen in time, caught under a spell. I could not breath or speak, but only match his smoldering stare.

He cleared his throat, slightly shook his head, and blinked a few times which seemed to release me. "Lay with me until my first mate arrives, for I fear once thee hath witnessed my truest nature thou shalt not seek my company anymore."

His words confused me, for I had seen him at his worst. I witnessed his wrath upon my backside and I witnessed him knocking on death's door. What was left to see?

I spoke as much to him. "Sir, I hath seen and shall not be afraid. I shall comfort thee until assistance arrives." Nothing more was said as I lay beside my Captain and offered him warmth to his chilled flesh.

OoOo~OoOo

The chamber door creaked a time later and my hopeful eyes flew open as I stared at the man I had waited three days for. Wolfgang, the man who was to save the Captain was finally at the entrance.

"Sir," I declared as I bounded over the Captain whose eyes were still shut. "Dreadful things hath happened while thou hast been away. The Captain fell to the edge of a blade and hast been near death. He claims that thee holds the key, an elixir, to his survival. If you please sir, provide him with the potion he needs to get well."

As I stood in front of Wolfgang a smile ghosted upon his face which drew out my impatience. Why did he not sense the urgency? Did he not see the captain laying upon his death bed?

Imploring again, I demanded, "Sir, please! There is little time. Help him! Help him get well!"

Finally Wolfgang's gaze locked with mine and he replied, "Madame, thou hast been in possession of the 'cure' all this time."

Confused I asked, "If I held the cure, why did not the Captain instruct me on how to make use of it?"

"That remains a mystery."

The man was simply exasperating. Did he want the Captain to die? Why was he frolicking about, dancing around the issue as if he were an idiot who could not find his way to food? Had something changed in the last three days? Had his love for the Captain died out? Should I defend the Captain and take up arms?

My eyes drifted to my strategically placed sword that lay against the bedpost. If Wolfgang had turned traitorous than it fell to me to protect the Captain, for I was the one standing in the way.

Swiftly sidestepping to the right I clutched the hilt of my sword and extended the blade, pointing the tip of the weapon at Wolfgang's chin. "Now sir, instruct me for how I might care for the Captain before I run your through." I twisted the blade at his hesitation, forcing him to take a step back, lifting his hands in a move of surrender.

"Thou hath made thy point clear. Withdraw thy weapon and I wilt tell thee what must be done."

Continued…..

A/N: I hated to leave it there, but if I could have kept going forever. RL has kicked my ass this week and I apologize for the delay in updating. With that said, there will be no update for My Captain next Friday. I'm going to be out of town to bring in the new year with friends.

Keep in mind that this chapter and the next is a continuous read for Sookie. She won't express herself until all the drama has taken place. I thought it would be better than having her take continuous breaks in her life. If I was reading a story I know I wouldn't want to stop after just one entry.

Thank you for your wonderful reviews; I appreciate and comment to each one that I can. I love hearing what you think.

Happy Holidays and best wishes to all no matter what you celebrate!