Pirate Princess
The sound of the waves crashing against the shore was a comfort to me, as I stared out at the dark sea. Who knew I would long for the sea just as sailors do? Many a night, I would station myself on my balcony overlooking the Adriatic Sea. I inhaled deeply, letting my thoughts drift to the warm Caribbean Sea.
How were all of my friends doing? What was Jack up to? No doubt sailing the seven seas with his precious Black Pearl. I wonder if he has managed to stay out of trouble…doubt it.
And what of Elizabeth? It's been a year since I last seen or spoken to her. It was hard to stay in touch when in different countries, and miles of water separating us. But through all that she was still and always will be my best friend. She's probably married already to…
Will.
I turned my back to the sea thinking of the blacksmith Will Turner. How pitiful that his name is enough to turn me into mush. My stomach churned, but I controlled it as I thought of one of my dearest friends…and the love of my life.
Of course he doesn't know that, he would never know that. He's too busy loving Elizabeth to ever see me more then just a friend. But I…I am fine with that. Being a true friend means you sacrifice your happiness for theirs. Besides there's no point pinning away for Will, not when I am…engaged.
I shuddered involuntary looking down at the engagement ring on my left ring finger. It was a beautiful ring no doubt…pure silver with small diamonds covering it. Any woman would be lucky to have it…any woman besides me. It wasn't that I was against marrying, but I want to marry for love and I do not love my fiancée.
Viktor Kosir.
Head of the Slovenian Royal Navy, father loved him like a son and Anton loved him like a brother. It was a match made in political heaven but not for me. Viktor was 12 years older then me, him being 32 and myself being 20.
He looked his age, with wrinkles already on his face from the stress of being an Admiral. He was prematurely balding, already having a shiny spot on top his head. And even though he was a great strategist, and could come up with battle tactics in an instant he was a blundering idiot around me. We would have a nice life but I would walk all over him, I need someone as strong and as stubborn as I am. And Viktor is not that man.
I suspect him and Commodore Norrington would get along nicely and be the best of chums. I giggled thinking about the stern and strict Commodore Norrington. I yawned and realized how late it was, the moon was sinking down to the sea meaning the sun would be up in a few hours. I walked back into my spacious room and fell into a restless sleep.
--
I was surprised to see an argument occurring as I left the library, my arms full of books, on piracy. Father, Anton and Hugo were speaking in hushed voices. I quirked an eyebrow walking over to them as they finally noticed me.
"What's going on?" I asked shifting my books in my arms, hoping to hide the titles from the three men. It worked on my father and brother but I saw Hugo's eyes flash over them. He gave me a warning look. Father sighed sending an annoyed look to Anton.
"We have been invited to Costa Rico for a vacation, because of our new allegiance with them." I nodded, not catching onto the problem.
"So what's the problem?"
"I cannot leave Slovenia to take a trip and Anton will be busy with the navy, so we have no one to send in our place." I looked around confused. Had they forgotten about me? I am a princess.
"I'll go." I offered as all three men looked at me sharply.
"Irena I don't think that's a good idea." I rolled my eyes, my family was protective of me, never letting me do anything fun since I had returned from the Caribbean last year.
"Please father! Someone from the royal family has to go and I am the only one that can. I can speak politics and strategies better then anyone around, I'll be fine! What's the problem?"
"The Caribbean." He spat darkly as I rolled my eyes, when was everyone going to let that go?
"Yes, I'll have to sail through the Caribbean to get to Costa Rico, but nothing will happen."
"You're right nothing will happen because I forbade you to dock in Port Royal!" Well that sent a cloud over my happy parade, wait a minute…does this mean?
"Does this mean I can go? Just not to Port Royal?" Father's eyes widened as he realized his mistake, I smiled.
"Thank you father! I will be the best representative Slovenia has ever seen." I kissed his cheek and scurried off hearing protests from behind me. I was off to the Caribbean!
--
"I don't like this." Anton sulked as I laughed. We were at the docks and Anton was acting like a child. I smirked.
"No you don't like it that I am going to the Caribbean…again."
"It's not fair; you were on an adventure last time!"
"Well I sincerely doubt I will be on another adventure. What can top cursed pirates? Mythological sea creatures? Davy Jones? I don't think I'll be on any more adventures."
"You won't be I'll be there to stop you." A stern voice said as I turned to Hugo giving him a sweet smile.
"Just like last time, right?" His smiled vanished as he stomped onto the ship cursing under his breath. I turned back to Anton giving him a quick hug, as I walked over to father.
"I expect you to act like a proper young woman while you're away. No gallivanting with pirates!" I nodded, bored.
"Yes father." He nodded, satisfied and gave me a kiss on the forehead. He walked off as Viktor hesitantly walked towards me. I sighed, looking down at my ring.
"I…I hope y-you have a…a nice time." I nodded a weak smile on my face.
"I will, I love sailing, it will be nice to be back on the sea." I sent a longing look to the horizon, as the wind caressed my tan cheek.
"I shall be…waiting here for you to return f-for our…wedding." I nodded looking back at him.
"Goodbye Viktor." He nodded leaning down to kiss me on the lips. I turned my face so he only grazed my cheek. He coughed awkwardly but pulled away.
"Goodbye…Irena." I nodded, making my way onto the ship. I watched as Slovenia became small and smaller. I smiled looking at the sea breathing in the salty air. I was home.
--
The weeks went by quickly, much to my dismay. I tried to be of help to the crew but Hugo had been making that near to impossible. But I always found ways around Hugo. Since I could not help around the ship, I provided the crew with entertainment. And no not the naughty kind of entertainment.
I would stay on deck all day in the warm sun chatting with crew men asking about their experience on the sea. I would listen to their stories; tell them if they were doing something wrong on the ship. At night they would tell me stories of famous pirates such as Blackbeard, Henry Morgan, Anne Bonny, Mary Read, Francis Drake and Bartholomew Roberts.
Jack was even mentioned once, of course it was how he was crazy and delusional but he was mentioned.
I smiled as I stood at the railing, we were in the Caribbean and just as I promised we passed Port Royal without docking. It was fine by me, no need to see Will and Elizabeth happily married with a child by now no doubt.
I was in a dress but I longed to be in my sailor clothes with my weapons at my sides. Hugo would have a fit though, seeing me in men's clothing. It was bad enough when I had returned to Port Royal in a navy outfit.
"Princess." I turned as Hugo walked towards me; I gave him a slight nod.
"What are you thinking of?" I shrugged looking out at sea; the sun was sinking beneath the waves.
"The past." His eyes narrowed.
"You're thinking of piracy again! That man…Jack Sparrow was a bad influence on you!"
"Captain Jack Sparrow and he was a fine influence on me." Hugo rolled his eyes looking me over.
"Oh really, you've changed since you returned from this dreadful place last year. You skip balls and parties locking yourself up in the library reading of pirates, ships, and battle tactics. You don't act like the girl you once were. And you learned how to swordfight and use other weapons, training four hours a day."
"What's wrong with that?" I asked.
"It's just not right princess! Your father and brother agree with me." I snorted rolling my eyes.
"Anton only agrees because he knows I'm better then him." It was true, Anton was jealous of my fighting skills. I had beaten him numerous times and he had beaten me none.
"Still, it's not right. You know what people whisper about when you're not around? Do you know what they call you?" I shrugged.
"What?" I asked lazily not caring what people called me.
"They call you the pirate princess." I smirked.
"Pirate princess, you have to admit it has an audible ring to it." He glared at me.
"They call you it because of your association with pirates! You should have never gone on that adventure, chasing cursed pirates!"
"You know I am sick of people telling me what I can and cannot do! If Anton had been in my place and did the things I did he would have been praised! Everyone would respect him and glorified him if he fought cursed pirates! I do it and I'm called improper and a loose cannon! And it's only because I'm a girl! Well I'm sick of it, yes I fought pirates, yes I'm friends with pirates, and yes a part of me wishes to be one! But here I am standing before you as a princess! And I demand the respect that a princess holds!" I took in a deep breath as Hugo and I scowled at one another.
A sailor came up, sensing the tension between me and Hugo.
"Sir." He said addressing Hugo as Hugo turned to him.
"It's late and the only where to dock sir is…Tortuga." I perked up, Tortuga! Vile town may it be but it was familiar. Hugo shook his head.
"No, we are not docking in Tortuga!"
"It should be up to the sailors, if we don't dock they're the ones who have to work during the night. I call for a vote." I hurried past Hugo going to where all the sailor sat assembled.
"Men! It seems we are at a cross roads, the only port in reach is Tortuga! We can dock there or continue on through the night. It's your decision. Who's for Tortuga?" Cheers erupted through the ship as I smiled, pleased.
"Who's for continuing on?" The ship was dead silent as I turned to Hugo.
"To Tortuga!" The men cheered as we changed our direction to Tortuga. Hugo glared at me as I shrugged smiling cheekily.
"Princess." He muttered under his breath as I returned to my cabin. Time to change.
--
"You are not wearing that!" Hugo hissed as I emerged on deck a short while later. I looked myself over; personally I thought I looked grand…for a pirate. I had secretly brought my pirate clothing and weapons aboard, you never know when you'll need them.
I was in black trousers, a white shirt with a black vest, two swords and pistols at my hips and a dagger in each of my boots. My hair was down with a black bandana over it as Hugo glared at me.
"What?" I asked innocently.
"I'll fit right in Tortuga." I said placing my hands on my hips.
"Irena Anja Toman you are not going to Tortuga!"
"Oh yes I am, if the crew can go so can I."
"You promised you father!"
"I promised my father we wouldn't go to Port Royal, does that really look like Port Royal to you?" I asked motioning to the loud town of Tortuga, we were about a mile off and already I could hear the commotion of Tortuga. Hugo sighed defeated as I smiled, time to have some fun.
--
Tortuga hadn't changed in the slightest as I walked through the worn streets, mindful of drunks and prostitutes. Hugo at my side. Except unlike last time I had confidence. I wasn't the scared timid girl in a ruined nightgown. I was Irena Toman a fierce swordfighter who could take on anyone willing to cause trouble.
"How can you like it here?" Hugo asked disdainfully over the sounds of gunfire. I shrugged smiling.
"It has character." A man leered at me but I kicked him in the shin continuing on, Hugo trailing behind. I smirked as I saw a woman prostitute by herself leaning against a wall.
"Excuse me for a moment." I said to Hugo hurrying over to her.
"Excuse me Miss, but could you do a favor for me?" She shrugged. I discreetly pointed to Hugo as he argued with a drunken man.
"I need you to keep that man busy for the rest of the night and maybe into tomorrow, I'm willing to pay." I produced a pouch from my pants, full of coins. I handed it to her as her eyes widened. She nodded.
"You've got it girly." She hurried over and I snuck off, pleased when Hugo didn't appear behind me. Free at last! I walked through the streets of Tortuga, fending off drunks but having fun. Just as I rounded a corner I froze as I saw two familiar faces. Scarlet and Giselle, Jack's wenches. They seemed like friends now as they stood together talking to a man, who had his back to me. I heard their shrill voices even from here.
"Jack Sparrow!" Giselle screeched, as I raised an eyebrow. What would that man have to do with Jack? I listened intently, maybe Jack's around and I can stop by and see him.
"I haven't seen him in a month." Scarlet said as Giselle nodded.
"When you find him, will you give him a message?" Giselle slapped him before the man could answer. I winced, poor man, just looking for Jack and he gets slapped. My eyes widened as I got a good look at the man's face.
"Will?" I chocked out.
(Please R and R! I do not own Pirates!)