-Intermission-
A/N: I am sooooo sorry my wonderful readers! But put away your fears, I have not forgotten you! Instead, the great evil known as school has robbed me of all my spare time, so, alas, I will be unable to post more than a chapter here and there for some time. I apologize to everyone, but, it is something I cannot put aside. Hopefully, if everything goes to plan, I will be able to once again take up pen and paper in the middle of November, but please do not hold me to this date. So, as an act of good will, I have decided to give you a small preview of wot is to come...please don't hurt me?
...Erin tossed and turned in her fever-induced sleep, the sweat pouring from her. Legolas periodically wiped her brow and gave her sips of water, deciding the the stifling heat that had built up in the cabin could not be helping the mumbling captain. He even had to remove his own shirt, and his tanned skin glistened with persperation.
It had been several hours since the Elf had taken the watch, letting Malcolm sleep, and he was feeling cagey in the captain's quarters. No wonder Erin never spent much time within the tiny chamber. His attention was caught by the sliver of moonlight that peeked through the small window on the door, pooling on the worn plank floor, thoughts once again drifting as he thought about home. Home. Even though he travelled alot, and was gone for long periods of time, Legolas found himself missing the forests of Mirkwood more than ever before...
...Erin stood at the stern of the Seahawk, her eyes narrow as she watched the vessel draw nearer.
Legolas joined her, and heard her swear under her breath.
"I didn't think that they are pirate," he said, nodding towards the approaching craft.
"Aye, they are'na. They're worse- Navy. Damn." She fell silent for a moment. "I thought circlin' back an' weavin' so much would put off any more pursuers. Can yeh see th' name on th' prow?" the captain inquired, knowing of Legolas' keen sight. They had come to almost rely on his eyes, as Hawk was no longer lookout.
The Elf nodded. "It says 'Gauntlet'," he replied.
"Bloody hell," Erin gasped out in a hiss before she could catch herself.
"Erwen?"
"Are yeh sure o' th' name o' th' ship?" she demanded.
Legolas looked again, and nodded a second time. "Aye, it says 'Gauntlet', alright."
"Damn him tae hell an' back," she muttered, turning around and bellowing to the crew.
"Lads, we have a Navy ship up our arse. Shall we shake her or take her?"
"She's flyin' the red!" someone shouted, making everyone glance around at the others.
"Before yeh make yer choice, she's th' Gauntlet," Erin warned.
"Take her!" the crew replied as one.
"Aye, lads. Midir, run up our own red! Might as well make our piracey official like," she grinned wolfishly. "Ready the cannons!"
The spry, flame-topped Irishman fetched the red flag from Erin's cabin, and within a minute it was snapping a warning from the mast.
"Red?" Legolas querried to Iain.
"Means that no quarter is given, and none asked for in return," the sailor replied soberly. "It's a quick, bloody fight with every man for himself." He pressed a pistol and some extra shot and powder into the Elf's hands. "We didna use the cannon nor pistols against the pirates, for the poor bastards didna hae any. But this is the Royal Navy, out for blood wi' a vengence. Watch your back, and doona be afraid to shoot anythin' in a red coat."
Legolas nodded, taking the weapon and munitions...
A/N: Sadly, that is the last I can supply y'all with for the time being. Again, I am sooo sorry. I'll see y'all with the next chapter.