Chapter 3

Authors Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed, special notes below. I'm dying to start this chapter…  see above the review button (hint hint) for comments. J

"Anamaria McRyn, you are charged with aiding and abetting the pirate Jack Sparrow, a law treasonous against the crown. You will be charged with crimes against the Queen, and be tried accordingly." The magistrate read from a rolled up scroll that had obviously seen better days.

"I didn't commit any crimes." Ana objected, "Whose basis are you here on?" anything she could do to stall, Jack would have to make his escape unseen by all the people standing here in the village square.

"That information's under our discretion. Do you come quietly?"

"There's no proof against your charge." She continued, "You can't arrest me without it, I haven't done anything wrong."

Ana heard the hoof-beats echo into the distance, the horse was at a fast canter and as they were standing in front of a stable, no one looked to investigate the matter. She felt her heart plummet as she saw the white horse, it's rider bent low against the animal's neck. There was no reason for her to feel this way, but knowing that didn't help much either.

"Gentleman," Losthun shot her a dark grin as he stepped in front of her. "I saw them, her as wanton as any strumpet you'd imagine."

"Wretch!" Ana snarled, "They're all lies!"

"Do you have supporting evidence?" Losthun raised his eyebrow and smirked knowing that he was close to victory. Ana kept in mind that Jack had escaped to freedom, it was a small price to pay. The magistrate wouldn't be able to hold her in prison forever and once she was free she'd pack what little she had left and go off in search of her own adventures.

"What evidence is there if I didn't do anything?" Ana threw up her hands in exasperation. Among all of these educated men, not one of them was wise enough to see facts. It was disappointing to say the least, the only reason she had stayed was for her mother. She still wasn't sure why she hadn't left when she had the chance.

"Miss. McRyn!" the magistrate shouted to restore order, "We'll have to detain you for further information. If you'd just cooperate…"

There wasn't a chance in hell of that happening, Ana thought grimly. She was above causing a senseless scene, but if they thought she'd come along meek and amiable, they had another thing coming.

Thunder sounded against the gray sky, raindrops fell only moments later. She had known it was going to rain, the horses had been on edge and there was a heaviness in the air.

"Ana, really. Stop being so bloody difficult and let the men do their job." Losthun grabbed her wrist brutally, the magistrate and townspeople couldn't see how tight his grip was, but then she didn't think they really cared. The look on his face made her stomach churn in revulsion. She'd cut her own throat before letting him get her.

A horse's shrill scream had everyone looking towards the entryway of the stable. Thanatos reared when the next crack of thunder shook the earth, the tree boughs shook with the reverberation. The horses' eyes were wild, and his massive forelegs pawed the air.

Jack stayed seated and kept a firm hand on the reins. He used no saddle, her breath caught at their beauty. Man and beast, never had two looked more suited for the other. Both untamed by any, Thanatos only accepting of a rider because said rider was as wild as he was strong-willed. The predatory glint in his eyes had most edging away without knowing what else to do.

He turned the horse in a tight circle, guiding him with a light touch and the pressure of his legs. Thanatos was hard enough to handle under normal circumstances nigh impossible to calm during a storm. Jack had done it though, he had even got the horse to accept bit and bridle.

As they got closer the men and women moved backwards out of the way. Thanatos' coat steamed in the cold air, and the raindrops turned his black coat to sable. She took Jack's proffered hand and swung up behind him.

She could ride in any weather, in any way. Her mother had watched proudly as she tried new techniques. Western, English, sidesaddle, hunting, backwards, and bareback with no reins, the terrain didn't matter to her in the least.

The added weight wouldn't matter much to Thanatos. He could carry them both comfortably for a number of miles before tiring. He had been the colt of a chestnut mare they found wandering starving and dehydrated. Her mother had gained her trust and confidence, Thanatos was born nearly three months later. A prize colt he was, but from the beginning Marie and Ana were the only ones who could get near him.

They saved up their money and fed, watered, and provided for him themselves. No other wanted anything to do with the black 'devil-horse.' Their time and care paid off, he was loyal to a fault, and though a bit headstrong, he would jump off a cliff if she directed him too.

"Gentleman," he mocked Losthun's earlier declaration, "Ladies, you will always remember…" he ran a hand down the horse's sweat and rain dampened coat to calm him, "… this as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow, and the innocent Anamaria."

He noticed Tim holding the reins of Poseidon and nodded to the lad. As Thanatos again reared, Jack turned him and Tim let go of the russet, star-nosed mare. Ana understood and whistled through her teeth, the piercing sound had the magistrate covering his ears.

Thanatos broke into a swift canter, Jack gave him his head while Ana waited for the right opportunity. Poseidon caught up to them and Ana caught hold of the shortened reins. Any who would have tried to stop them were left standing in the middle of the downpour, dumb-founded over what had just happened.

As it was, Ana vaulted onto Poseidon's back and both horses ran out their fear. Jack was too preoccupied with keeping Thanatos from bolting to worry about anything else. The thunder and lightning had stopped, the rain kept pouring down in buckets. They were lucky for that, the water would wash away any hoof-prints they might have left behind.

Though she was cold, soaked to the skin and shivering, she was ecstatic. She felt like throwing her head back to catch drops of rain meanwhile laughing in pure happiness. At a moment's hesitation she did, no longer recognizing anything that reminded her of home she was completely carefree.

By doing so she failed to notice Jack's look of appreciation, Ana had the same reckless, wild, uninhibited, pure trust in life that pirates and sailor's had. He saw Marie in her stubbornness, but the similarities ended there.

With rain dripping from her long lashes and skirts, which he noticed she had long-ago split, falling around the darkness of her horses' back, she looked like a water sprite. All energy and feminine elegance.

He snapped himself back to reality tipping his head to the side to let the water fall off the brim of his hat. He was supposed to be watching out for her, not thinking about defiling her! At this rate the only person he'd have to protect her from was himself.

It didn't help the lump of respect he had for her, fortitude enough for two men and the confidence of them as well. Facing down the entire town and risking the danger she had too courage that few could hope to match.

Marie had been like an aunt to him, someone who had helped guide him through the uncertain parts of his child-hood. He doubted if he could think of Ana as a cousin. Maybe if he had a cartload of rum, but then he'd probably end up-

"Keep a sharp eye." He said to quell his wayward mind. "Anywhere out of sight you see would do for hiding in tonight."

"Ah, but if it's out of sight, how will we see it?" she grinned.

He laughed and met her gaze, barely an hour away from the town and already he could see the change in her. Back there was only duty, obligation, and the straight-laced responsibilities of town life. Out here was just lots of open sky and plenty of places to roam. When the ocean wasn't here to lend her horizon, a sky cluttered with stars did just as well, maybe not as good, but it served it's purpose for the time being.

So caught up in thoughts he almost missed the opening of a cave towards the back of a rock wall. She saw it too and without having to say a word they maneuvered the horses over to the entrance.

"Do you think anything's waiting for us inside?" she asked, it was pitch-black for as far as she could see. She wouldn't risk taking the horses inside for fear of them breaking a leg or losing a horseshoe.

"We're not going to find out." Jack had nothing to start a fire with, any logs or wood he might find would be drenched through. Even though the rain had lessened to a light mist, it would be a good two days before the wood dried up enough for kindling.

"You have a plan?" she wondered aloud, she saw no alternative place to stay and if they weren't going inside…

"Always." He assured her. "Watch."

Jack dismounted and tied the reins to an overhanging rock that came to a sharp point. From the saddlebag he had clipped to his belt he took a weathered piece of leather and put it under the rock. From there he also procured the blanket from before, there was plenty to last them the night in at least decent comfort.

"Thought of everything, didn't you." She too slid down from her horse and tied the reins close to Thanatos.

"I just took the bag, you put everything inside." He watched in amusement as Thanatos moved around Poseidon as if to shield her from harm. "Care for an apple?"

"No, you go ahead." She shrugged, "I'm not hungry anyway. Is the brush still in the bag?"

Jack handed it over to her and took a bite of the apple while watching her start to brush down Thanatos. He wished there was another one so he could at least help her, but settled himself on the leather and set the core beside him on the other side.

Ana glanced over at where he was sitting, she was almost thankful for the grooming that had to be done. It saved her time of having to think of something to say. He had found another shirt to wear, the saddlebag wasn't at all heavy so she would be able to carry it come morning.

"Come on, love. They're fine for tonight." He said gently as he saw her falter once the task was done. She crossed over and sat on the edge of the leather not wanting to take up space.

He stared at her for a moment waiting to see if she would make a move to get more comfortable, "Unlike your 'devil-horse' I promise not to bite."

"Thanatos bit you?" she asked surprised.

"He didn't mean too." Jack shrugged, "I wasn't patient enough, didn't take care enough to start with." Ana caught the hidden meaning in his words and moved closer to him. He put his arm around her shoulders, "Why didn't you tell me you're cold?" he asked.

"I'm not." She replied, and it was true. She wasn't at all cold anymore, and with that thought in her mind, all the exhaustion caught up with her and she drifted off to sleep with her head resting on his shoulder. The last thing she remembered seeing were the stars twinkling in the sky and Jack sighing contentedly.

He had been to Tortuga, once to Persia where eunuchs guarded the prized concubines like the rarest gems. He had been to so many taverns, bedded wenches, and escaped the wrath of one irate clergyman. None of them had ever last a memory as this night would, it was the first time Jack Sparrow had ever felt truly at peace.

He had the ocean to turn to always, but he had to be on guard with her, never sure when she would turn on him. To face her wrath was deadly, but battling it out with the waves… invaluable.

They hardly knew one another, but he found that he wanted to get to know her. To find out what the salt on her hair would smell like, whether she would love sailing or might she prefer land to currents?

Jack snorted at his thought trail, he was turning into a bloody poet. She knew nothing of what had happened the last ten years, he wouldn't allow the darkness that had touched him to mar her. What would he do from here, he couldn't leave her on the shore of some island and hope for the best. He might take her with him, but what to do from there?

Questions waging wars inside his mind, he too fell asleep calmed by her presence, knowing that there was a solution somewhere and he'd find it or die trying. She was under his protection and no one would take her away from him. 

Authors Note 2:

AhiFlame-  thank you so much! You've faithfully reviewed every story, it means so much that you've taken the time. I'm glad that you're liking this story as well. ;) What's your ponies name? Your lucky… I live in the city, I want a horse… lol

Kungfuchick- also another great resounding thanks to you! Ana protecting him, hehehe, she might just have to in future chapters. Muhaha

Dawnie-7: another loyal reviewer. I'm glad that you all think that they're in character, I try but Jack doesn't seem the real romancer type. You know, so I'm trying my best at any rate.

PiratePrincess91- thanks so, so much. I hope you stick around to see what happens next, I've tried to fix the spaces in this chapter, thanks for the mention! I wouldn't have noticed had that not been brought to my attention

Savvy-Rum-Drinker: I'll try to post a chapter a day, I did it once, I'm pretty sure that'll be the case. If not, one every other day. Lol

Missa5- Any of you whom I haven't gotten around to writing reviews for, I promise I will. I've been slowly getting through everyone who's reviewed, I swear on pain of death that when you check email for review alerts, one day soon you'll see one from me.