Trigger Warning: Mentions Abuse and Not Owning Pirates of the Caribbean

The soft whispering of the leaves in the wind kissed my ears. Sunlight speckled pale freckled skin. Soft cotton drifted in the silk sky. The gentle creek of wood as I shifted my weight to get a bit more comfortable, a foreboding reminder not to get too comfortable on the tree branch. The soft shuffling of feet in the tall grass reached my ears.

A group of children similar to my own age ran in the grass, their parents absent from their adventures. A single boy drifts from the group with fiery hair and soft skin. He settles himself into the grass and remains there, gazing up at the pieces of cotton on the silk sky. My curiosity kept me from looking away.

Slowly and carefully, I climbed down the old tree's trunk. Softly creeping to where he laid. The children giggled as they ran. I peered down at him, slightly bending with my hands behind my back.

"What are you doing?" I questioned the boy.

His curious gaze turned towards me before a smile spread on his lips, "Listening. I can hear they want to pass me."

The children had approached us and giggled in response to him. Whispers were passed to each other in tiny voices. My brows furrowed as I turned to face the children then turning my head to the boy.

"We're playing a game and they have to pass the pirate before reaching the princess," he explained with that wide grin on his face.

"Who's the princess?" I asked curiously.

His smile did not falter as his gaze stayed on me. The children laughed again as they came towards us wielding sticks. The youngest boy was pushed forwards towards us.

"U-Unhand h-h-her! Y-y-you pirate!" he stuttered anxiously with his weapon pointed towards the red head. The other children cheered and jeered at the "pirate".

He rolled his eyes at their cowardice before his eyes took on a playful glint, "Yargh, you have me! I guess I will have to return the fair princess to you… after we duel!"

The children pointed their weapons at the boy who now had a stick of his own to duel with. The boy parried their haphazard blows. Stick slashing through the air in a wild array. Laughter echoed as the boy finally allowed the youngest child to pierce him in the chest.

"Agh! This be my end…" The boy gasped in pain, his hand reaching for my own. "Treasure the beautiful princess for sh-sh-she is… my only... t-t-t-treasure…"

The boy fell in the grass, pretending to be dead. His last words had set my cheeks aflame but no one noticed as they all flocked around me. Their tiny hands grasping at mine to run off towards the tree. I glanced back at the boy. He smiled as I was rushed to the tree before getting up to follow after us. Sneaking up to them, he grabbed one of their wrists. The children squealed in delight at the boy who had snuck behind them.

They laughed, linking hands to run away from the tree and jump in the field of grass. I stared in awe when they jumped. Almost like a piece of heaven was waiting for me, just waiting for me to run up and join the little cupids in the distance.

So close.

My feet were waiting to run towards them, body tightening to begin a sprint towards the innocence that I saw.

The life I wanted fell out of reach when a heavy hand landed on my shoulder. My father stared at me with those cold steel eyes. My mother was settled silently behind him with blank, emotionless blue eyes. The sickly ring of a bruise barely peeking out from under her frilled sleeve.

"It's time to leave," He spoke with formality but dared not reveal what he truly meant. Not with the innocents in front of him or the wealthy in the distance behind him.

I knew though. I was to be obedient at his side, not in a tree looking at children play. The picture of a perfect suitor despite my tender age of ten. Something I could not be even if he did try to beat it into me.

My lips quivered knowing he was not pleased with me sneaking away from him, "Yes, father."

He turned his back to me. I followed the silent command, only stealing a single glance to the boy who watched as I left.

The children were oblivious to the Princess being taken away by a different, crueler pirate.

Blank eyes stared diligently ahead. Soft skin covered with makeup or cotton. The maids were fussing over straight hair that refused to curl. My fingers tensed and relaxed as my thoughts swirled.

It had taken years for a suitor that my father accepted to come along. I knew nothing about my suitor except his father owned a share of the East Indian Trading Company as a merchant and that my suitor was to inherit all of that share. The prominent name of Gier was going to be "bestowed" on me like a new identity. One that will never be erased. Any thought of being loved or freedom was tossed away. My hands clenched tighter.

I stared at the young woman in the mirror. Mercy Gier. Mercy of the Vulture. Greedy mercy. Her pale hair on pale skin with pale grey eyes with the only bright color being her light blue dress. She looked more like a ghost of the sea than a woman to be married within the month.

The maids giggled excitedly as I stood from my bench in front of the simple vanity. The echoes of people talking and the soothing scores of music drifted through the halls. My hands relaxed slightly with the swell of stringed instruments. The maids straightened my skirt, adding a necklace of pearls to my neck.

The lovely pearl collar to shackle me to a stranger.

A knock echoed from the door causing the maids to freeze in fright. "It is time, Miss Mercy," spoke the butler through the door. The maids visibly relaxed but hurriedly began pushing me towards the door. I smiled gently at them before leaving my room to descend down the stairs to the party.

My father stood outside the entrance waiting for me. I carefully took his out held arm and he guided me to my betrothed who stood by his own parents and my mother. The two men wore white wigs and gold embroidery to signal their status. My father released me to curtsy gracefully to my suitor.

My suitor smiled a closed lip smile before approaching me. His hand was held out and I placed mine in his. Those still smirking lips kissed my hand gently. A blush flushed over my face as he escorted me into the ballroom. My eyes slid over to observe his face as we walked to the center of the dance floor, past the people who bowed in respect.

We stopped when we reached the center. My body turned to face his as the musicians in the corner struck up another song. His hand fell to my waist while mine settled on his shoulder. The dance began.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," he spoke with a strong but soft voice.

I smiled gracefully, "A pleasure to meet you as well. My father has told me much about you."

The blatant lie flowed off my lips casually and was authenticated by my smile.

The young man's eyebrow quirked, a sneaky smirk came onto his lips, "Is that true? Your father does not seem the type."

My lips twitched faintly.

"But that is neither here nor there," his smirk dissolved back into a kind smile but his face crept forward to whisper in my ear. "I only want to treasure this beautiful princess."

I could feel my cheeks heat from the little puffs of air caressing my ear. My soft smile fell in shock. My eyes finally recognized the small curling strand of red hair that barely peeked through from under the wig. His lightly tanned skin still looked soft despite the years since our last meeting.

"Pirate?" I whispered almost silently.

His smile widened.

Author's Note:

Lol, you guys won't read this.

This is my first story in a loooooong time. It's been dwelling in my head for a while and I've been really running with it. Hopefully you guys like it. I've gone over the first chapter a lot of times but any critiques are welcome so long as it is not bordering on being cruel/troll-y. Any questions are welcomed as well!

This story is going to be a touch extended and will not reach the first movie for a good amount of chapters FYI. Hope you guys like it and stick for the long run!