Chapter Five

"Mr. Hornblower."

Horatio turned from his study of the mast repairs. "Yes, Mr. Masters?"

"The captain would like to see you in his cabin, sir."

"Thank you, Mr. Masters," Horatio said, giving one final inspection to the mast. "Good job, men. Matthews, I'd like to see that rigging untied and secured better."

"Aye, aye, sir," said Matthews, motioning to Styles and Oldroyd. "You heard the lieutenant, men. Let's get to it."

Horatio left the deck and headed below, wondering what the captain wanted with him. They were now but two days from Portsmouth, the Indy still limping along. Most of the repairs that they could do had been finished, but they would need more extensive work done when they reached England. It was amazing what damage that tiny French ship had inflicted upon the sturdy frigate.

He nodded to the marine outside Pellew's door, then knocked.

"Come," barked the captain.

Horatio entered the spacious cabin, and closed the door behind him. Removing his hat and holding it under his arm, he addressed his captain.

"You wished to see me, sir?"

For a moment, Pellew remained silent. He was standing with his back to Horatio, looking out the skylight, the warm sun glinting off the gold braid on the cuffs and the buttons of his uniform. He was very aware of the young man behind him, but did not turn to address him. This was going to be a difficult interview for the both of them, and if he was to be honest with himself, he was dreading it enormously.

"Yes, I did, Mr. Hornblower," he said, and then fell silent again.

Horatio waited for a few minutes, discomfort growing within him. Finally, he spoke, not knowing what else to do.

"Is there something I may do for you, sir?"

Pellew's head dipped for a moment as he gathered his thoughts, and then he raised it back up as he turned to face the young lieutenant before him.

"You may tell me how Mr. Kennedy is doing."

"Well, sir, he is physically fine. Even his headaches have dissipated for the most part."

"And his memory?"

"His memory is returning, sir."

"Is it?" Pellew asked sharply. "That is not what the doctor tells me. He tells me Mr. Kennedy still does not remember his past."

"With all due respect sir, if you had already had a report from the doctor, why ask me? He is surely more knowledgeable than I."

Pellew glared at him. "Why must you always be so defensive, Mr. Hornblower? I asked your opinion because you are the man closest to him in all the world, and I thought you might have some insight into his progress."

Humiliated, Horatio lowered his eyes. "I beg your pardon, sir. You are correct, of course - I do know Mr. Kennedy better than anyone else. We have served together for quite some time."

"Yes," Pellew nodded, his face softening. "I know you two have shared much in your time together, and I know that Mr. Kennedy trusts you more than anyone else. Is that trust still intact?"

Horatio sighed. Five days had passed since his discussion with Archie in his cabin, and Archie still showed no inkling of remembering his past. He was making a determined effort to not let it bother him, and Horatio was encouraged by his positive attitude. Still, it was a far cry from a complete recovery.

"I believe we are working on that, sir. I have faith that Mr. Kennedy will have a complete recovery, and I am doing all I can to help him regain his memory."

"And how are you doing that?" Pellew asked curiously.

Horatio shrugged slightly. "The only way I can think of, sir. I spend as much time as I am able with him, talking to him about things we have shared, experiences that have shaped our friendship."

"And does he recall any of these experiences?"

Horatio dropped his head, studying the planking beneath his feet. "No, sir," he said quietly. "Not yet."

Pellew heaved a sigh. There was no sense in putting this off any longer, no need to prolong the agony.

"I am sorry to hear that, Mr. Hornblower. I had hoped that there would be some improvement by this time, but since there is not, I must take action. When we reach Portsmouth, I'm afraid Mr. Kennedy must go ashore, and remain there."

Horatio was shocked. "Leave the Indy, sir? Why?"

"I should think that answer to be self-evident, lieutenant. He is of no use to this ship."

"Sir, please. You cannot put him ashore such as he is. Where would he go? He has no family to turn to, he knows no life but the sea - how could he possibly regain his memory without people who know him, who...care...for him?"

"Mr. Hornblower, I cannot in all good conscience allow Mr. Kennedy to perform his duties aboard ship. What if he should forget something essential, causing injury to a crewmate, or damage to Indefatigable? That is not a risk I wish to take."

"With all due respect, sir, Mr. Kennedy has, by all evidence, forgotten none of his skills. The only memories he cannot recall are those of people and events from his past. I beg of you, sir, let him remain on duty. I truly believe it will help to jar his memory."

"And are you a doctor now, Mr. Hornblower?" Pellew said sharply.

"No, sir," Horatio replied firmly. "But it is also the belief of Dr. Hepplewhite. I do understand your reluctance, sir, and I may have a way to appease it."

"And that is?"

"Test him, sir," Horatio said fervently. "Have Mr. Bowles test him more thoroughly than he will be tested at his lieutenant's exam. Ask him anything about the ship, ask him when to tack, and what to do when a squall hits, or drill him on the procedure of beating to quarters. He knows it, captain. You must give him this chance."

"Oh I must, must I?" growled Pellew, uncertain whether he was angry with this impudent young man for challenging his decision, or whether he was proud of him for suggesting it, for wanting to protect and aid his friend in his troubles. "Are you now giving me orders, Mr. Hornblower?"

Flushing, Horatio nonetheless met his captain's eyes. "No, sir. I am just thinking of the good of the ship, sir."

"The good of the ship? How do you reach that conclusion?"

"You yourself said, sir, that the loss of one of your officers right now while Indefatigable is damaged would be most inconvenient. I agree with you."

"Of course you do," harrumphed Pellew. "He is your friend, and you wish him to stay aboard with you."

Horatio squared his shoulders and looked directly at Pellew. "I'll not deny that, sir. But I also remember another conversation we had in this cabin regarding Mr. Kennedy and his future. I hope that you recall it as well."

Silent for a moment, Pellew thought back to that conversation. Hornblower and his men had recently been released from imprisonment in El Ferrol, and Pellew had sought out Horatio's advice on the promotion of Archie to acting lieutenant. Normally, he would never solicit advice from such a junior officer, but this was a unique case. Technically, there were other midshipmen aboard who had not been locked in prisons for the previous two years, men who were very capable and confident. But Pellew, months before, had made the decision. He had made it the instant Archie had volunteered to return to El Ferrol with his commanding officer, despite the abuse he had suffered there. It had been a huge step forward for the young midshipman, and Pellew had wanted to reward his loyalty. However, he had heard rumors of how Kennedy had been thrown into the oubliette for an entire month, emerging without the use of his legs or his mind, had heard talk of how he had tried to take his own life, and the captain had wanted to be certain that Archie was fit to undertake the new responsibilities of acting lieutenant. Horatio had assured him that Archie was ready, that he was healed, and ready to command.

Smiling slightly, Pellew inclined his head. "I do indeed remember it, Mr. Hornblower. You presented a very compelling argument then. Something about the strength and heart within Mr. Kennedy being equal to ten men."

Once again flushing, Horatio nodded. "Yes, I do believe it went something like that, sir. Perhaps I exaggerated slightly, but the idea is still the same. Mr. Kennedy belongs aboard the Indy, sir, and she needs him. His expertise and especially his knowledge of her guns will certainly be well used. Should we come under attack, you have always in the past wanted him at her guns for that reason. I beg you not to turn him off, sir."

Pellew sighed and again turned to look out the skylight. He wanted to take Hornblower's suggestion, for he very much wanted to keep Kennedy aboard his ship. Before his accident, the lad had shown great promise as an officer, and Pellew was loathe to lose him just as he was getting started. He thought for a few moments, weighing the options carefully in his mind. Finally, with a slight nod, he turned to face Hornblower.

"Very well, Mr. Hornblower. I shall take your advice. Mr. Kennedy will be tested."

"Thank you, sir," Horatio said, a smile lighting his face. "You will not be disappointed, sir, I promise."

"Then I shall hold you to that promise, sir. However, there will be one stipulation."

"Sir?"

"Mr. Bowles will not test Mr. Kennedy. I shall do it myself. And believe me when I say, Mr. Hornblower, that there will be no quarter given, no second chance at this exam. If he cannot satisfy me that he knows all there is to know about sailing this ship, he will be set ashore, and his career will be finished. Am I clear on this?"

"Absolutely, sir," Horatio replied. "And thank you. You will not be disappointed."

"Pray I am not, Mr. Hornblower. Pray I am not."

**********

"Archie, this is a wonderful opportunity for you."

The two men were sitting at the table in the officer's wardroom, where Horatio had just told Archie of the captain's plan to test him on the care and running of the ship. It was midmorning, and Archie was half-heartedly picking at the bowl of burgoo before him.

Archie glanced up at him. "You know, Mr. Hornblower, I'm not so sure I want to remain aboard ship."

Horatio laced his hands together atop the table. "Whyever not, Archie?"

"Have you eaten any of this stuff? It's bloody awful."

Horatio laughed. "I told you that you would not enjoy shipboard food."

"Well, you didn't tell me how completely inedible it was," Archie grumbled. "How does the Admiralty expect us to keep up our strength if we are subjected to slop such as this?" He sighed, and placed the spoon in the bowl, shoving it aside as he looked across at Horatio. "The captain himself is going to test me?"

"Yes," nodded Horatio. "Does that bother you?"

"Should it?" Archie asked, a puzzled look on his face.

"Well, you've always been a little bit...intimidated...by the captain." Instantly, Horatio wanted to kick himself. Of course Archie wouldn't remember that, and now Horatio had placed the idea in his head - that couldn't be good.

"Honestly?" Archie sounded puzzled. "Why is that?"

Damn, damn, damn, thought Horatio. Why do I never know when to cease speaking? "Truth be told, we all are, I think. He is the captain, after all, and may issue any sort of punishment he desires."

Archie frowned. "He favors the cat, then?"

"Not usually," said Horatio, shaking his head. "He much prefers other methods of enforcing order, but he will not hesitate to order a flogging if he thinks it necessary or called for. He did flog one of the midshipmen last week for insubordination, and another three weeks ago for leaving his post."

Archie looked curiously at him. "Have you ever been flogged?"

"Heavens, Archie, of course not. Why would you ask such a thing?"

"I should have known," sighed Archie. "I see I have you figured correctly, then."

Leaning back, Horatio warily regarded his friend. "Oh, you have me all figured out, do you? You know me so well already?"

"It's not difficult," said Archie, shrugging. "You follow orders. The captain favors you."

"I would not say that, exactly..."

"You may not, but others would. I have heard talk, Mr. Hornblower."

"And what kind of talk is that, Archie?"

"Just gossip from the men whilst I have been on deck. It seems you can do no wrong in our captain's eyes."

"Even if that were true, Archie, it does not mean he does not hold you in high regard, also. After all, he did promote you to acting lieutenant, and he is willing to give you this chance to prove yourself before him. I know of no one else he has ever offered that particular opportunity to."

"I'll wager he has never had the need to," answered Archie dryly. "Well, perhaps it is a good thing I have no memory of him, for it also means I have no fear of him."

"He is a fine captain, Archie."

"I'm certain sure he is, Mr. Hornblower. The men speak very highly of him."

"And how about your men? Have you spent any time with them, talked to them at all? Do you remember any of them?"

"Yes and no," Archie said slowly. "Yes, I have spent time with them, and no, I do not remember anything about them. It does appear, however, that Misters Malley and Fuller do not care for me one bit."

Horatio snorted. "I'd not worry about that, Archie. They do not care for any officers."

"Yes, I got that impression. Malley certainly does not care any more for you than he does for me. He will be a hard man to win over."

"I do wish you luck in that endeavour, Archie. If anyone can do it, you can."

His eyebrow arched, Archie looked across the table at him. "And what does that mean, exactly?"

Horatio smiled widely. "Only that the Archie Kennedy I know is capable of charming the fins off of a mermaid. Perhaps it will work with Malley and Fuller."

"Do that often, do I?"

"What?" asked Horatio, confused.

"Charm the fins off mermaids."

Horatio grinned at him. "We've never actually met a mermaid, but I imagine you would have no problem doing it."

"Hmm," Archie mused. "That would be an interesting challenge. Well, I assume I at least have better luck charming the petticoats off of young ladies whilst on shore leave."

"Archie!" Horatio exclaimed, blushing.

"Have I embarrassed you, Mr. Hornblower?" Archie teased, watching Horatio's face turn another couple shades of red. "Don't tell me you don't like young ladies."

"Of course I do," sputtered Horatio. "I just do not care to discuss them in that manner."

"That manner?" Archie laughed. "For heaven's sake, Mr. Hornblower, you are a sailor, are you not? Does it not come with the territory?"

"No, it does not," said Horatio firmly, rising from the bench.

Archie sat back, his blue eyes sparkling with mirth. "Well, it does for me. I fully intend to take advantage of it when we finally reach Portsmouth, just as soon as I am given the opportunity. Will you not join me?"

Horatio was saved by the sounding of the watch. "If you will excuse me, Archie, I am due on deck. Finish your breakfast, why don't you?"

Archie turned his eyes back to the bowl of burgoo, his good humor instantly evaporating. "Oh, thank you, Mr. Hornblower. I thought we were friends."

"But we are, sir, the very best. I am merely thinking of your good health. You must not be in a weakened state when the captain begins to test you - you must have your wits fully about you, or he will know it. Trust me on this, Archie."

Archie's eyes met Horatio's. "I am not worried, Mr. Hornblower. I feel as if I know this ship from stem to stern and back again, better than I know myself." His voice trailed off, and he dropped his glance to the table. "Then again, I suppose I know just about anything better than I know myself."

Horatio walked around the table, and placed his hand on Archie's shoulder. "Do not fear, Archie. You do know Indefatigable, and you know how to sail her, and that is what is important right now. The rest will come. Trust me."

Archie looked back up at him. "You seem to say that to me a lot."

"You've always trusted me in the past, Archie. Please do not stop now."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Archie's mouth. "I think I do trust you, sir. And I must say, it is a...pleasant...feeling."

"I am glad to hear that, Mr. Kennedy." Horatio removed his hand from Archie's shoulder and moved to the door. Stopping in the doorway, he looked back at his friend.

"Finish your breakfast, Mr. Kennedy. Consider that an order."

Archie's glare could have set fire to the ship, but Horatio only laughed as he left. It felt right between them again, easy and comfortable. It was interesting, he thought, how we can be friends even without all the shared experiences, even if Archie can't remember all we have been through together. There are those who would say it is fate or destiny, but I prefer to think that our ties can never be severed, that we will always be friends, no matter what life throws at us. With that thought, Horatio returned to his duty, encouraged that Archie was doing better.