Lightning & Time Part I (Old story) Chapter 36: Bewitched, an assassin's creed fanfic

Hello Reader! Sorry that I take forever to post new chapters, but I have to stay on top of my school work. And this part of the story hasn't given me vary much motivation, other then it's the only way to get to the part when (spoiler alert!) she meets Connor; which frankly isn't a spoiler (slam palm to forehead). And why does no one give me feedback!? (Stars crying like a big baby) Any-who, sorry for rambling!

Warning! Same language, and later… a Nightmare, a really graphic nightmare … enough spoil! And the music in her dream is "Blackheart" by Two Steps From Hell. And Edward's song is "Randy Dandy-o", I do not own them!

Enjoy!

"Alright boy," Elinana said softly to Hercules, staying afloat next to him in the gentle waves of the salty water, as she and Edward worked to get a tarp under the horse's belly, and attach the rope to a hook that would hoist him up. "Just keep swimming here." she glanced over to Edward, and asked him, "Are you certain about this?"

Edward looked over at her, and then turned back to work the ropes. "Aye Lass," he replied. "My men and I have hoisted many sea creators; your Beast is nothing compared to a Great White."

Elinana's eyes slightly widened to realization that the ocean was full sharks, and many a queer creatures that lurked below. The pirate pulled hard on the ropes, testing their strength. Satisfied, he pushed back and yelled up to his men: "Alright Lads, heave away!"

The dirty, sweaty, abele bodied men began to pull away on the pulley system; hauling Hercules from the water. Elinana rose up and down in the water as she watched Hercules steadily rising up. Concerned for his potential behavior once he reached the deck; she swam to the side of the ship, and clambered up with wet hands and boots. Heaving herself over the rails, she helped pull Hercules over, and soothed his muzzle once his hooves clapped onto the wood of the deck.

"There we go!" she smiled to the gentle giant, working to free him of the tarp, and ropes. Once he was free, she guided him through the ship, back to the hold. But this time, there was a light sprinkle of the grass from the island on the floor. Making certain he was as comfortable as she could make do with; she petted his neck, kissed his forehead, and withdrew back up to the main deck.

Wanting to exchange her wet clothes for dry ones, Elinana ventured into the Caption's quarters. She entered the nearly stifling room, and discovered Edward, now wearing a black and scarlet outfit that was similar in design to the blue and whit robs he had on earlier. He turned to her, strapping on his holsters. "Lass," he acknowledged, fastening the buckle. "How's your beast?"

She slowly breathed out a huff as she tilted her head in a half shake of announce. "Just let it go," she thought, marching past him. "He is a pirate; there is no changing their minds, unless you mention a reword!"

She removed the belt that held her knife, and placed it on the desk. "As comfortable as I can manage…thank you." she added with a small pause.

He said nothing; stretching, he made sure his gear was in the perfect placement. Elinana undid the buttons to the slightly baggy waist coat, and stretched it out on a hanging rope next to Edwards drying robes. She then turned to Edward as he polled a chair up to a table that held various small weapons and tools. He sat down, and polled up what looked like leather.

"What now Lass?" he sighed, he asked over his shoulder; feeling her gaze on him.

"I need to change," she replied, crossing her arms. "And I'm not doing it with you in the same room."

"Use the hanging tarp if you whish. I have work to do." he replied, eyeing the leather piece to one of two dueling pistols that where elegantly designed.

Gritted her teeth, she went to the corner where she hid her stuff, knelt down to dig out a pair of trousers, a chemise, and her indigo sash. Marching over to the bed, she tugged the rough tarp as far as it could go. "Ed," she called from behind the tarp.

"Aye?" he called back, cutting the leather with a blade.

"If you even think about coming over here, you'll taste my steel." She warned, stretching out her left arm, and activated her hidden blade.

"Yea sure… The corset on the bed is for you."

Elinana looked to the bed, only just noticing the brown, leather corset. "I am not wearing a corset…and what the heck are you doing with a corset?"

"If you must know, a Lade left it."

"You mean a prostitute." She grumbled in response from behind the tarp.

"A vary lovely prostitute by the name of…Jane? Or was it Janet?" he puzzled over his work. "It started with a Jan anyway."

"pff!" Elinana huffed.

"What it's now?"

"You," she replied, pocking her head out. "All men are the same; the only thing you all think about is alcohol, food, fight, the 'you-know-what', and sleep." She vanished back behind the tarp.

"The 'you-know-what'?"

"You know…the 's' word."

When Edward finally got it, he started to laugh. "Now I know that you are a Virgin. You can't even say 'sex!"

"Yea, so? What's it to you, that I'm saving myself for the guy that I'll one day marry? When I eventually find him." she stepped out from behind the tarp, wearing her white chemise with the sleeves rolled up just below her elbows, reviling her hidden blade straps, dark gray trousers, and her indigo sash hugging her hips with the corset in hand.

"Well," he replied, turning in his seat to face her. "With that audited, you'll end up an Old Maid."

"If I do, then I do. It's no concern of yours."

He held up his hands in defense. "Fine, have it your way." he smiled and shock his head. "Are you going to wear the corset, or not?"

"If I did, I have no clue how," she huffed a chuckle. "In the future, women no longer wear corsets…well some do, but it's not a 'need' any more."

"Really?"

"Yep!"

Edward rose then approached her, and then took the corset from her. Stretched his arms around to her back, he then wrapping the corset around to her front, then he worked the leather string; steadily pilling the corset closer to her slender frame. Once that was done, he turned her around to adjust it a bit more, but not too tightly—thankfully.

"There," he said, then took a step back, crossing his arms. "How does it feel to be a Pirate Wench?" he smirked playfully.

She eyed him darkly over her shoulder, then tested how much she could move, which was more then she thought she could.

"Caption!" called a muffled voice from above.

Edward darted to the door, with Elinana on his heels after she grabbed her belt and knife. She fallowed him out onto the deck, and paused to a sight she will never forget. Far out on the crystal water, a Brig fired upon a large, fat ship; flanked by Brigs that seemed like dwarves next to it; flying British colors. But what pulled a small gasp of awe, was the thunder like rumble, as what looked like rickets flew into the air, then rain fire down from the heavens. Fear broke Elinana's spell, and she ran up to the poop-deck.

"What the heck is that?" she asked over to Edward that surveyed the doomed battle.

"The Man-O-War, or the Mortars?" he replied.

"Either."

"Pull into half sail," he barked to his men. "Be ready to get them down again, and be ready for a fight if they want one!" he then exchanged words with Adéwalé, and then stood next to her as more thunder, and fire rain onto the Brig.

"You see that?" he asked to the still Elinana, but she gave a small nod. "That is what we call a Mortar. Not something you want to get caught under. And that beast of a ship is a Man-O-War; they beat you hard, and damn nearly impossible to take down without proper hall armor, and lots of fire power."

"There is always a need for more power." she mused.

"Aye." he agreed, looking at her, and then stretched out Adéwalé's telescope. Rising it to his eye, Edward saw that the ship was ready to sink with the burning, tore sails, and the splintered hull. Even if he dove into that to help them, the lone Brig would still sink.

"We have to help them."

Edward turned to Elinana, her after storm, gray, eyes gazed firmly on him. "You have heart Lass," he sighed, and looked back to the Brig that was smoking up a storm. "I'll you that. But even if we did help, not only would that Brig still sink, but we would as well to the two Brigs and a fucking Man-O-War."

He looked through the telescope again; and saw the lone Brig in a plum of smoke, sink down to Davy Jones' Locker. "Besides," he continued, almost sympathetic for the poor souls that just died. "We can't any more." Edward left her side, and retuned to the helm.

Elinana paid no mind to Edwards barks. Only the British ships that sailed away, the rocking movement of the ship, as it carried them all, closer to what was left of the massacre. Burnt rope, tarp, and broken planks of wood littered the waving water. Elinana along with other crew members searched for any survivors. As time slowly pasted, any hope of finding survivors slowly dwindled.

"Man over board!" yelled a crew member, and everyone fallowed where he was pointing. There on a board of wood, flouted a still form; half in the water. Elinana turned to Edward just as he left the helm, and darted to help fish the body from the water.

Instead of watching, Elinana darted below to fetch Eric. "Eric!" she yelped as she skipped to a halt in the Sick-bay. "Come, we found someone from a battle that was more of a massacre really!"

Eric only nodded and quickly fallowed her up-top. Pouching trough the crowd, Elinana saw Edward turn the wet, dark clothed body. She and Eric quickly knelt down to aces the man.

"The good news is that he's breath'en," Eric informed. "The bad news is that he suffered a bad blow to the head, and he my-vary well have a concussion."

"Alright," Edward replied. "Just give the ward, and we'll take him to the Sick-bay."

He nodded, and then turned to her. "Elin, I need you to lay a fresh sheet down on the bed. You can find some in the cabinet to the right of the herbs."

She nodded, then cut through the crowd, and darted below. Skipping to a halt before the cabinet Eric told her about. She flung open the doors of the cabinet, and grabbed one of the nicely folded sheets. Quickly unfolding it, she laid it out over the bed. Not long later Edward, Eric, and some other men carried the man into the Sick-bay.

Elinana stood towards the head of the bed as they slowly lied him down, so she could support his head. Once the men left, she finally got to take in the man's face. He appeared to be near her age, he had a strong jaw, and handsome fetters. His near shoulder length, jet black heir curled with droplets.

"Fancy the lad, Lass?" Edward playfully asked with a smirk.

"Yea, like I'm a bobbled headed Barbie that falls for the first guy she meets!" She retorted sarcastically, and then rolled her eyes.

He arched his brow as Eric felt the young man's head. "Elin?" he quickly graced at her, then back to his patient.

"Yes?" she replied, ready for any task he gives her. "Keep preacher to his wound."

She leaned over, and slid her hand in place of Eric's. He went around, gathering things he needed to tend to the wounds. Standing over his patient, he rolled up his sleeves, and then began to work. She paid close attention, studding his actions and how what items could be used for what. Then he asked her to hold the man's head as he wrapped a long cloth around to hold the bandage in place. And soon he sent her away so he could get the man out of his wet cloths, and into some dry ones. She didn't protest the slightest, and went to the hold to be with Hercules.

Later at dusk

Far off on the horizon, sat a red sun; lighting the ocean a blaze. Elinana took in the sight, leaning on the rails. "Despite certain things," she thought. "Like smelly pirates, the food, drink, and toilet system…times like this are slightly worth the heartache." She sighed, then she felt the same feeling she experienced on her first day in Rome; the wonder of this all is but a dream. The feeling grew upon the shimmering water, the dolphins that leaped in arches, and the humpback that rose and backward splashed into the sparkling water.

"Oh yes," she smiled as she thought. "Not even pirates could totally ruin this beautiful world…though… they aren't that bad." She looked over her shoulder to Edward and Adéwalé. A yawn over came her, and she noticed she was growing weary.

"I think I'll…" she paused feeling foolish for not knowing where she could sleep.

"What now Lass? Out with it!" Edward ordered, not kindly, or harshly.

"I…" she hesitated, feeling even more like a foolish child. "Where do you propose I spend the night?" she replied, crossing her arms.

"In my quarters," he replied. "I'll be able to keep my eye on you there, and no one will dare bother you."

"Thank you." she replied. Once inside the Caption's Quarters, she strolling to the bead, and took of her belt, boots, and the corset. But that was all that she removed. Testing the mattress, she sat down. It was comfortable to a point, but as long as there was no tiny bugs, or filth; she was content. She lied down and steadily drifted into the realm of dreams.

Enchanting orchestra music filled Elinana's ears. Along with the laughter of marry people. Colorful lanterns hanged on reaching strings over head, and colorful gowns danced and morphed together in the crowd around her. "What do you think?" whispered a musical, deep, warm voice that reminded her of a kind summer day.

She turned to its owner, and smiled. "I think it's amazing."

Ezio smiled warmly at her from under his white and crimson, convivial mask, and offered her his arm. Elinana's white, feathery mask crowned her smile. She wrapped her white silk, covered arm on his firm arm, and he guided her onto the center of dancing crowd.

He relisted her arm, and bowed at the waist. She curtsied in response, and then he gently reached for her and pulled her close. She placed her left hand on his shoulder, and intertwined her slender fingers with his, that was larger, and warm. Ezio then guided her around in graceful, fluid movement. The stars and lanterns seemed to dance as well, as she and Ezio glided across the ground.

"I love you Brother." she whispered near his ear.

"And I love you as well," he replied. "La mia Piccola Colomba."

She smiled warmly to his nickname for her, and she broke away and twirled gracefully while looking up to the havens.

Just as she looked back to normal eyelevel, Desmond wrapped his right arm around her waits, and gently grabbed her hand. "Desmond?" she exclaimed.

"Hay to you too!" he smiled from under a mask similar to Ezio's, and he guided her around, just as gracefully as Ezio had. "Quite a party, but I have a feeling it's not me you want to dance with." he spun her around into familiar arms.

"Hay baby girl." said a deep, rumbling voice that was kind, and warm.

"Daddy?" She looked up and saw her father smiling down at her. "Daddy!" she flung her arms around her father's neck, and buried her face into his shoulder. "I miss you, I'm trying to get back, I'll do what ever it takes to get back I swear!" she sobbed into his shoulder. "I love you!"

"I love you too." He murmured back, and suddenly vanished from her arms. She looked around with frantic eyes, but all she saw was melding colors. "Daddy?" she yelled. "Desmond? Ezio?"

None replied as the colors faded to gray then black and scarlet. The dark shadows formed into gothic arches and columns, reaching into the starless sky where a crescent, blood moon sat, and smiled. She slowly turned around, and froze to see Altaïr, Ezio, and Desmond; all tied to stone crosses running crimson with their blood.

"No!" she breathed, and moved to run to them. But cold iron clamped around her wrists, and jerked her to a halt. She looked back to see dark stone columns rise, wrapped with the black chains that lead to the shekels around her wrists.

Elinana fought the biting iron, but to no avail. She turned back to see a shadowy figure standing at the center of a carving of a circular 'Z', with a ring in the center; rate where he was standing. The dark figure pull his hood down to revel one blue eye, one amber, and a dark brown mustache that creped down the sides of his lips to his chin.

"Hello, Eve." He smiled menacingly.

"Gasparo," her voice quivered. "Let them go!"

"Or what little girl?" he mucked, tilting his head. "You haven't learned a thing."

Just then the horrid crack of a whip cut the air, fallowed by a stinging pain across her back. She held most of her screams, but the ones that escaped her came out in harsh breaths. Warm liquid ran down from her back, down to the carving below her feet. Dark crimson flowed, filling up the carving.

Thirdly rising her heavy head, she saw her blood meet the blood of Altaïr, Ezio, and Desmond. Dark shadows, danced around Gasparo. His body jerked, and he howled in pain to the blood moon. He sank to his hands and knees, but his hands grew into long curved clews. Before her wide, horror filed eyes. He transformed into a black, snarling beast, with blood red glowing eyes. The beast seemed to smile at her with long dagger like teeth. Then it leaped for her, mouth wide and claws shining in the red light of the moon.

Edward slapped Adéwalé on the back as they parted ways for the night. He approached, and silently slipped into his quarters. As he removing his gear, a sharp gasps of a sob touched is ears. He eminently saw the sleeping form Elinana, turning this way and that, moaning a faint, hurt breath.

"The Lass must be having a nightmare." he thought with pity. Then she gave a small gasp of a scream, and burst forth with wide, horror filled eyes. Her hidden bade slide out into the light of the pale moon, and she searched franticly around with mad fear.

Some deep instinct took hold of him, and he firmly, but gently wrapped his arms around her, and held her close to his chest. He firmly locked her in his arms; hand on her wrist to keep not only him from harm, but her as well. She forcefully thrashed, and panted.

"Ana," he side firmly near her ear. "Elinana it's alright, it's alright. You were dream 'en, that's all." His words seemed to reach her, for she slow stopped fighting him, and stared relaying on him completely to hold her up. "You're alright Ana."

A sharp sob slipped from her, and he felt her chest vibrate against him. He loosened his hold on her, but still held her close as he knelt down. Her hidden blade slid back, and she leaned into his chest as she feebly tried to hold back her tears and sobs. He let her cry, and let her release the pain she held in. Then he softly sang one of the shanties he thought would make a nice lullaby; in a deep voice.

"Now we are ready to sail for the Horn,

Weigh hey, roll and go

Our boots and our clothes, boys, are all in the pawn,