Chapter Nineteen

So it's done, thought Archie as he left the courtroom. It had taken almost no time for Malley to be found guilty of assaulting two officers and sentenced to hang the following morning. It will be a long night for him, Archie thought grimly, but I cannot feel pity for him. He was well aware of the penalties for what he was doing.

Deep in thought as he made his way down the street, he didn't notice Whitney until he was almost atop him. He raised his head to look at the seaman, and saw that the boy's eyes were wet with tears, and he kept wiping at his dripping nose. He followed Malley, Archie thought dully. No doubt he considered him a friend, and now he must watch that friend swing from a noose. A difficult thing, to be sure.

"Mr. Whitney," he said quietly as he stopped in the street.

Whitney shuffled his feet, looking up and down the street, up at the sky, down at the dusty ground beneath their feet - anywhere but in Archie's direction. He was obviously struggling with something very hard for him, and Archie let him be, waiting until the boy was ready.

"Mister Kennedy," Whitney finally croaked out, and then fell silent.

Archie regarded the young man for a moment, then gently put a hand on his arm. "I know this is difficult, Whitney, but you must know that Malley deserves death for what he did."

Whitney lifted his head up, and Archie was struck by the anguish in his eyes as Whitney wiped them dry. "I know, sir, it's jus', well, it's jus' - he ain't the only one, sir."

"Fuller was given his release by the captain - he'll serve some prison time, but he'll not hang. It was the captain's decision."

Whitney was shaking his head vehemently. "No, sir, that ain't what I mean, sir."

Archie sighed and drew the young man into a nearby alley, away from any passerby who might overhear them. "Then what do you mean, Whitney?"

Whitney didn't answer for a moment, and Archie was stunned to see that he looked absolutely terrified. His eyes kept darting all around, and he was nearly wringing his hands in front of him.

"Speak up, Whitney. What are you trying to tell me?"

A single tear escaped Whitney's eye and trailed down his cheek. "It were me, sir."

"What was you?"

"I's the one who hit you at the Mermaid."

Archie, surprised, looked at him. "You, Whitney?"

"Yes," Whitney said miserably, not meeting his eyes.

"Why?" It was almost a whisper from Archie.

"Cuz Malley tol' me that you 'n' Mr. 'Ornblower was doin' unnatural things, things that you shoulda hung fer. He said you liked that stuff, that you might try it with me."

Archie closed his eyes. "No, Whitney. Mr. Hornblower and I are friends only, and I would never attempt anything untoward with you or any other man."

"I know that now, sir. It's jus' that Malley sounded so convincin', and I were so scared that you'd ask me to, and all I ever wanted to do was sail, sir, only ever wanted to be a sailor, din't want no trouble, so when I seen you 'n' Malley fightin', I thought, Malley'll protect me from you, so I gotta get on his good side, I gotta be his friend so nothin' bad never 'appens to me."

Oh god, Archie thought, the horror of the realization tearing a hole in his mind and his heart. He thought I would force him - he thought I was like Simpson. No wonder he wanted Malley - or anybody - to protect him. How long did I wish for someone to protect me, how many times did I lie in my hammock crying because I knew that nobody cared what happened to me?

"Whitney," he said quietly. "You will always be safe when you are under my command, do you hear me? I want you to know that if anyone ever makes such an overture to you, or threatens you in any way, you must come to me immediately, and I will take care of it. Do you understand me? I will protect you."

"Ain't no use," Whitney said, hanging his head. "I gotta hang like Malley."

"No," Archie said sharply. "You will not."

Slowly, Whitney raised his head, meeting Archie's steady gaze. "But I hit you, sir. I's the reason you missed your watch that time, I's the reason you got flogged. I gotta take 'sponsibility for me actions. Malley's gonna hang, so I gotta too."

"I'll not have a man hung for something he was not responsible for."

"But - "

"I don't know who hit me, Whitney."

"But, sir, I'm tellin' ya, it were me."

"I never saw who hit me, Mr. Whitney," Archie said slowly, enunciating each word carefully. "I do not know who did it."

Whitney looked at him in amazement. Mr. Kennedy was going to let him go, after he'd assaulted him just like Malley had? He'd been wrong about the lieutenant, he realized, so very wrong. He was a good, honest, and just man who would take care of his men, even, Whitney thought, at the risk of his own life. And now I owe him mine, and somehow I must repay it.

He finally looked Archie in the eye, and nodded his head. "Thankee, sir."

Archie smiled. "There is nothing to thank me for, Mr. Whitney. All I ask is that you and the men do your duty, and all will be well."

"Aye, sir," said Whitney, standing straight one again. "An' Mr. Kennedy, sir, you won't regret this none. I'm gonna be the best sailor you ever seen." Knuckling a salute, he turned and left the alley, headed back toward Indefatigable.

A salute, Archie thought with pleasure. Well, it's a start, I suppose.

*****

"How are you feeling this afternoon, Mr. Hornblower?"

"Restless, if you must know, Mr. Kennedy. I fear I shall soon be as mad as Malley, if I cannot get up on deck soon."

"You know the doctor's orders, Horatio. Three more days confined to quarters, and then limited duty."

"Blast," Horatio fumed. "You might as well send me to Bedlam."

"Now there's a thought," Archie laughed, settling himself on the end of Horatio's bed. "How long do you think you'd last there?"

"Not very," Horatio sighed. "Not being able to feel the sea air on my face, or the swells of the ocean beneath my feet - no, thank you."

"Then you'd best follow the doctor's orders."

"I'll miss the hanging tomorrow," Horatio said. "Not that I enjoy seeing a man die, but I cannot think of anyone who deserves it more."

"No," Archie agreed, and a silence fell between them. Neither one relished the idea of a man being put to death, but both understood and accepted the need for such discipline in the navy. Malley had known the consequences of his actions.

"So tell me, Archie, what about Haversham?"

"Hmm?" Archie queried. "What about him?"

"You said you had recovered all of your memories. Does that include what you and Haversham were having words about after the gun blew?"

"Heavens, Horatio, I'd forgotten all about that! Yes, I do remember."

"So, what is it?" Horatio asked impatiently. "Did you find out what his great, deep, dark secret is, what the mystery is behind Luke Haversham?"

Archie laughed. "It's really no great mystery. It all started on a dark and stormy night, when Mrs. Haversham gave birth to a strong baby boy..."

Horatio groaned. "Good god, Archie, I do not need to know his whole life story, just the parts about why he was aboard the Indy, and why he never spoke of his life before he signed on. The important things, Archie, not your storytelling embellishments."

"Why, Horatio. I thought you enjoyed my stories."

"You thought wrong, Mr. Kennedy. Now, will you please tell me?"

"Well, it's all very simple," Archie said with a shrug. "See, Haversham grew up as the son of a groom who worked for Lord Kindrich."

Horatio pursed his lips and looked impressed. "Rich and important man."

"And very, very powerful. He was also very generous to the offspring of his servants, providing them with a good education, and everything they could need. That's why Haversham is so well spoken, and seemed to be more refined than your everyday, normal sailor."

"I'd noticed that," Horatio mused. "I wondered about it."

"Well, Haversham has always had an eye for the ladies, and they for him. He, um, became intimate with Lord Kindrich's daughter, and got her in a family way."

"I don't imagine that her father cared for that very much," Horatio said wryly, and Archie laughed.

"No, not at all. His daughter, with child to the son of a groom. Not exactly what he wished for her future. Anyway, he came after Haversham with a gun, and Luke ran. He knew there was no future for him there, and he also knew if Kindrich ever saw him again, he'd kill him, so he joined the Navy, signing on with the first ship that came available."

"The Indy."

"Yes," Archie nodded. "And just before Muzillac, I found out about what had happened. The girl, hastily married off by her father, had given birth to a son, and I had overheard some talk last time we were in Portsmouth about who the real father was. It didn't really matter to me what went on in Haversham's personal life, but I couldn't resist teasing him about his past catching up to him."

"I take it he wasn't happy about that."

Archie shrugged. "Actually, he didn't mind it too much, at first. I suppose I went a little far after awhile. And then after the gun blew, when I hauled him to his feet, I said to him "dodged another bullet, eh, Haversham?" I guess that was the final straw. He'd been thinking an awful lot about his son lately, and the girl, and he was feeling guilty enough already - he didn't need my harassment on top of it. So, we had words."

"Well, Mr. Kennedy, I hope you have learned your lesson. Not everyone enjoys being teased, you know."

"No, I suppose not," Archie sighed. Then he glanced up a Horatio, a devil-may-care grin upon his face. "Doesn't mean you're safe from it though."

"Damn," Horatio said mournfully.

*****

It was a cool, crisp morning, so lovely that it almost hurt. Indefatigable, still at anchor in the harbor, rocked gently, tugging at her anchor as if anxious to be out sailing free upon the wide ocean. The sun shone in an endless blue sky, the rays touching the water and painting it full of rainbows and hope as it began its trek upward.

In contrast to that, a yellow flag flew at the masthead of the Indy, and an air of solemnity filled her decks. The crew gathered on deck, all of the men unusually silent and grim, especially for such a beautiful morning. Today was not a celebration. Today they hung one of their own.

Captain Pellew, flanked by Lieutenant Bracegirdle and Lieutenant Kennedy, looked out over the gathered men. This was never a pleasant task. His eyes briefly met Archie's, and with a nod, he turned to the crew, removing his hat. The crew did the same as they looked up at their captain.

"Prepare to run him up," came the simple command. Six crew members, those who had recently suffered punishments of their own, placed a noose around the neck of seaman Malley, then stood waiting.

"Seaman Malley," Pellew said, his voice controlled but still carrying to all corners of the ship. "You have been found guilty of violating the 21st Article of War, which states: If any officer, mariner, soldier or other person in the fleet, shall strike any of his superior officers, or draw, or offer to draw, or lift up any weapon against him, being in the execution of his office, on any pretence whatsoever, every such person being convicted of any such offense, by the sentence of a court martial, shall suffer death; and if any officer, mariner, soldier or other person in the fleet, shall presume to quarrel with any of his superior officers, being in the execution of his office, or shall disobey any lawful command of any of his superior officers; every such person being convicted of any such offence, by the sentence of a court martial, shall suffer death, or such other punishment, as shall, according to the nature and degree of his offence, be inflicted upon him by the sentence of a court martial."

Pellew paused and replaced his hat firmly on his head. "Do you have any final words, Jethro Malley?"

Malley looked at Archie and spat. "I do not."

"Then may God have mercy upon your soul," Pellew said emotionlessly, and gave the order. "Run him up." A single gunshot was fired. Malley was run up the yardarm and blessedly died almost instantly, his neck broken. Archie watched his body as it jerked and then was still, and tried to find something good in his heart to think about the man, but he couldn't. There had not been one single redeeming characteristic about Jethro Malley, and it was for the good of the ship that he was dead.

Pellew watched Archie for a moment, knowing how difficult the last several months had been, but feeling proud of the lad for the way he had handled himself throughout it. With a final glance at the corpse of Malley dangling from the yard, he called Archie to his side.

"Yes, Captain?"

"My cabin in a quarter hour, Mr. Kennedy. We have something to discuss."

"Aye, sir," said Archie as he watched his captain turn and leave, and his heart sank. No doubt he would be called to task for his failure to redeem Malley, and for the loss of two crewmembers from his division. Well, he deserved whatever the captain would give him. At least it would not be another flogging.

Fifteen minutes later on the dot, he presented himself before his captain.

"Come in, Mr. Kennedy," Pellew said, and Archie felt a small stirring of hope. There was no anger or disapproval in Pellew's tone, and no stern look upon his face. Perhaps he was not in as much trouble as he had envisioned.

"Aye, sir?" he said, a little nervous nonetheless.

"Relax, Mr. Kennedy," Pellew said with a smile. "I am not here to reprimand you, nor to order you to another flogging."

Archie winced. "I thank you for that, sir."

"The reason I asked you here is for this," Pellew said, his hand resting on a document that lay upon his desk. "It concerns the business I had to conduct at the Admiralty the other day."

"I remember," Archie said, eyeing the document. "It was the day of my exam."

Pellew nodded. "I have already dispatched the other message. Lieutenant Lawson, who has distinguished himself very well over the last several years, has been transferred to the Excellent as fourth lieutenant."

Archie's eyebrow quirked. "Under Collingwood - no, wait, now it's Captain Robert Stopford. That is a wonderful opportunity. He's done well for himself."

"Indeed he has. However, that leaves me just a little short of officers."

"Aye, sir," said Archie, still busy picturing Lawson aboard the 74 Excellent. "I expect it does, sir."

Pellew shook his head, and handed him the packet from the desk. "If you will open that, sir."

Archie took the package, noting his name elegantly spelled out on the envelope, and then broke the seal and pulled out the papers from within. He scanned them quickly.

My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having been

pleased to appoint you a Lieutenant of H.M.'s ship

Indefatigable...

He looked up at Pellew, a wide grin splitting his face. "I'm to stay aboard the Indy, sir?"

"Aye," Pellew said, smiling back at him. "I did not feel it would be for the good of the service to have you assigned to a ship away from Mr. Hornblower. The two of you work very well together."

"Yes, sir, we do," Archie said, feeling his joy about to burst from his chest. To receive his commission and stay aboard the Indy as a full lieutenant - it was more than he had ever dreamed possible. "I do not know how to thank you, sir."

"It's not necessary, Lieutenant Kennedy," Pellew said. "You are a fine officer, and will only be an asset to my ship. However, I think it only fair to tell you something."

"Yes, sir?"

Pellew regarded him, dark eyes looking into blue. "There will come a time, sir, when an opportunity will present itself for me to have you transferred to another ship. Rest assured that when I do, it will be with a great deal of regret at your loss, but it will only be to further your career. The ship I choose for you and Mr. Hornblower, for I will do my damnedest to keep you together, will be only the finest, with great opportunity for advancement for you both. You both have a bright future in this navy, sir, and I will do whatever I may to further it."

"Thank you, sir," said Archie with wonder. "And may I say, sir, that it has always been an honor and a privilege to serve at your side. I could have learned from no one better, sir."

Pellew smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Kennedy. And now, I expect you wish to share your good news with Mr. Hornblower."

"Aye, sir," Archie said, his face lighting up. "I believe he will be quite pleased."

"I would hope so," Pellew said dryly, and then held out his hand. "Welcome home, Mr. Kennedy."

"Thank you, sir," Archie said, clasping the captain's hand and shaking it firmly. "It is indeed my home."

A look passed between the two men, one of mutual respect and understanding, and then Pellew nodded.

"Very good. Dismissed, Mr. Kennedy."

Archie snapped to attention and tendered a smart salute, which Pellew returned with a brief smile. He left the room, wanting to see Horatio and tell him the wonderful news, but knowing that there was something he had to do first. It was time that he looked on the Indy with new eyes, time that he looked at her as his ship, his future. The past no longer concerned him, and now he felt as if the future was opening up for him, with limitless possibilities and joy. As he stepped up on deck, he took a deep breath, looking around the deck of his ship as he did.

His ship. Archie smiled at the thought, knowing that everything he had ever dreamed of, everything he had worked so hard for, was here in the sleek timbers of Indefatigable, aboard her gleaming decks, high above in her masts and sails, and down in her holds that no longer frightened him. He'd never known a home before, but now he had one, a place where he belonged, where he was wanted and respected. A place that held no demons.

He took a moment to watch all the men as they went about their duties, seeing Walters as he showed Whitney the best way to tie the rigging, and he smiled as he saw Haversham tease the lad a bit, the three of them easy and natural with each other. Haversham was a different man now that he knew Archie would not betray his secret to Lord Kindrich and his like, and he was taking an interest in Whitney, helping the boy in his duties aboard ship. He smiled as he watched them while they worked. His men. They were fine men, all, and he was proud to serve with them. With all of the crew.

A grin lit his face as he thought of the one certain person he was most proud to serve with. His best friend, his fellow officer, and the man who had helped to lead him out of the darkness that had held him captive for so long. A new chapter of his life was beginning, and he wanted to share it with Horatio. And so, with a grace born of long years at sea, he crossed the deck of the Indy and went below to tell his good news to Horatio, knowing that the ties that bound them could never be broken.

~Fin~