A/N: Wow. Please don't kill me. I would like to live out my life as a successful and famous surgeon. Pfffffffft. I WISH. A lot of college money is needed for that, and alas; I do not have it. :sniffs pathetically: And err…what else. Oh yes, I am back to doing a big event. It is…Well-I suppose you shall see, hmm? And I'm sorry if my writing style changed a bit, but it has been quite awhile… Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Except for the pitiful mass of homework that I have lying before me:glares at the scribbled on papers: I really don't own anything.
Chapter Nine: Homecoming
This was it. My emerald eyes locked onto the piece of land that was forming. I was going back to Ireland, to my home. "Home sweet home." I muttered bitterly, wrapping my arms around the billowing shirt that was mine.
"Land ho!" A deep voice bellowed out over the vast sea that was being swallowed up quickly by the green land.
My back turned away from the sight with a depressing sigh as I trudged across the Black Ship to my room, the door hitting its closure noisily. "Are you ready for the landing?" The voice made me jump, flicking my eyes over the room before they found James's lounging figure.
Flashes of nights ago seared into my brain, but I forced a smile onto my face and made a dash to my pitiful mass of a knapsack. "Yes." I replied evenly as James crossed the room, a slight saunter to his step.
"Just to let you know," He paused as his eyes regarded me carefully, "I will still be with you on land until we see the queen and king up close. I will take the ransom, then leave, and you will never see me again."
An unnecessary wariness crept over my tight form. "And what of Riddle?" My sharp question penetrated the thick air.
"He will be with us also." The dark haired man slowly said, a frown creasing his face.
"For the money." I stated dryly before passing the man before me up and swiftly opening the door. "Did my parents raise the bid?" Genuine curiosity shown in my face as I stood with my back to James.
"Yes. Two million shillings." His idle voice hardened my countenance, my back straight stiff as I glared at the salty air defiantly. If my parents really wanted me that bad, they would have sent out patrol ships. There was no way in hell that this ship had maneuvered the Irish navy.
My footsteps signaled my departure from the stuffy room. Well, the queen and king of Ireland did honestly think of me as dead, but what did they think of Adam? Did they just stamp his death certificate as uncertainly as they did mine? My mother was no fool, but yet she did not see me suffocating under the dresses and jewelry that I was given. Father was more easily persuaded, almost to the point where I could do anything to get what I wanted. Someone might have secretly coaxed him into thinking I was dead. The person that was most likely to do that was my cousin Fredrick (1). He would do anything for the throne; even murder his own sister that was a favorite among the court. Ruthless-but yet cunning-Fredrick was known for his hostility around Ireland, but it ended at my country's borders. No one outside Ireland dared talk about him lest my cousin hear about it. And if that happened, a hanging was assigned.
A resounding clunk of wood hitting wood brought me out of my thoughts as I saw the plank slightly bend from the weight it was carrying. Several men were walking swiftly across the plank's body, only stopping to roughly throw down the crates they were carrying before returning to the ship. The crates could be filled with food, supplies. My eyes warily regarded the boxed up wooden items. Why would the export supplies if they were not staying?
"Girl." Tom Riddle's blank voice rang clearly over the ship, my head snapping towards his direction. "Get off the ship and start walking to the castle." A growl of annoyance flowed towards me as I remained still. With an inaudible leer to the man, I hitched up the extravagant dress that I adorned and loudly clunked down the plank.
As soon as my feet hit the ground, I whirled around to wait for the others, but instead came into contact with James's body. "Get moving, Lily." He muttered to me darkly, his hazel eyes narrowing at my stiff posture.
I silently mimicked James and Tom's voices in my head before gloomily walking towards the thick lush of trees; the man who got me into this mess skillfully following my trail.
The breath hitching in my throat roughly, I stood and stared at the cracking gray stones of the castle, the light idly playing across my features. Home. The word echoed around me, enveloping me in a mixture of terror and suspense. Would my parents welcome me with open arms? Surely they would recognize their own daughter. I looked at my long red hair and pale skin. I was the perfect example of an Irishwoman. But a princess? My fingernails were caked with dirt, and my hair had remained uncombed for most of my journey. I reeked of salt, the ocean providing its own aroma for me.
My gaze flicked back towards the tall gates that were slowly opening up as I tugged nervously on the sleeve of my dress. A roaring wave of fear gripped my heart as I was pushed forward for taking too long. With nervous and clumsy steps, my feet finally stopped before the throne room's entrance. Oh my Lord. I was home. I was back in Ireland.
A sigh of impertinence filled my ears as James sauntered forward and pushed open the large, heavy, dark doors roughly. Riddle was at his heels, nipping words at the younger man's back that he was not going fast enough for him and to hurry it up. It seemed that the gold was the only thing flooding their brains as I stood their, a shocked look on my face as I examined the refurnished room with awe. The tapestries were still the same royal blue that I remembered, but they held fine golden strands woven throughout them. Almost in a dream-like state, I followed my instincts and pushed through the threshold of the huge doors.
There stood my cousin, Fredrick, sneering at an amused James and a frowning Tom. The click of my heels brought the red haired man to flick his gaze towards me. With a snort of incredulity, his face contorted at the sight of me. It was no surprise that my cousin was not happy to see me. "You're dead." He said loudly to the empty throne room.
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms protectively over my chest. "Yes, Fredrick, I am the living dead." My tone was as sardonic as his next comment.
"You look like it."
"Thanks." I muttered dryly before the clicking of my heels echoed around the large, elaborate room once more. "Where are my father and mother?"
I came to stand before him in full height, James's gaze burning into the side of my face. "You're dead." He repeated, and I thought about smacking his pale cheek until it was bruised. "Leave. You have no place here anymore."
"Like hell I don't." I sneered at him.
"So, being a pirate really did rub off on you then, dear cousin?"
My look of shock made him laugh ardently at the empty space between us. "You knew…" My voice trailed as I gazed at him uncertainly. "How did you know?"
"Do you honestly believe that I would let the heir of the throne get away in the middle of the night without a consort?" He laughed lightly again. "Dear, dear Lily. I knew you ran away the night you left." His gaze flicked towards James, then rested of Riddle. "And I know of your ransom also. But you see, it is not going to work, you disgusting thieves." His tone made me want to rip out his voice box and feed it to the snarling dogs that were itching for food. "Your father and mother are dead. Killed by the hands of a murderer who has not been discovered yet."
My gaze burned Fredrick's flesh, searing into his eyes with contempt. "You bastard." I snarled out, my hands gripping and releasing as I stared at him. "You killed them."
"I wouldn't say I personally killed them. But I had some degree to enforcing the plan, yes." A hand held my rage ridden body as my eyes flicked to the inhibitor before coming to land on James's placid face.
"Look, asshole, let me go. I will kill this son-of-a-"
"Now, cousin!" Fredrick interrupted gently. "No use of bad language in the throne room, please." He made his way to the throne and lazily traced a finger of the red silk that covered the back of the seat. "Let me remind you Lily, who sits here in this very moment." I gaped at him, the message finally clicking with me. "King Fredrick does have a nice ring to it; does it not?"
"No. Not really." I hissed at him with blazing eyes my agitated will barely refraining my tightened fists. "I think Asshole Fredrick sounds better."
He frowned darkly at me from his position, and then an elated grin found itself on his face as the hazel eyes he adorned gazed at something in the corner. "Do come out, Alicia. It is only appropriate to meet your cousin-in-law." Shy steps sounded as the girl, Alicia, carefully stepped out of the shadows. Her dark brown hair glistening and her bright blue eyes twinkling attentively, she stopped nervously in front of me, giving me a stiff curtsy. I did not return the gesture.
"Cousin-in-law." I repeated with a monotone as my gaze pierced hers. "So you're his bitch?"
She inhaled sharply, the twinkling blue eyes smoldering into fury. But with an expertise pseudo smile quickly plastered across her pretty face. "No, his wife." As if it wasn't that obvious since Fredrick had brightened up like the sun under a good hydrogen day.
"Wonderful." James finally interjected in a drawl. "Can I have my money now?"
Alicia's sharp blue gaze turned towards, giving him a look over before giving me an appreciative glance. Why was it that every single female that I have ever met with James assumes we are together? "Indeed." Tom remarked dryly, his eyes traveling up Alicia's slim form.
"Ah, yes." Fredrick clapped his hands together, his happy mood brightening considerably. "I must pay you for my sister's assassination."
"Assassination?" My whisper of disbelief was soft as my searing eyes burned holes through hazel. "You were planning on killing me?"
James opened his mouth to retort, but my cousin beat him to it. "Don't have a tantrum, Princess Lily. I wanted to assassinate you. When I had gotten the letter that you were to be returned to Ireland with a bid of one million pounds or higher, I knew I had to get rid of you for good." He paused as his gaze flicked approvingly towards the dainty figure of Alicia. "But for your gold, it is being brought here right in this instant, unless Alicia forgot to give the orders."
It seemed as if all Alicia's shyness was wiped away as she gave her husband a sharp look. "I did not forget." Her voice was a restrained; she obviously had a vicious temper like me.
"Good." My cousin cooed to her. The big, dark wooden door that had been our exit echoed multiple footsteps along with the clink of metal. "Right on time." He happily clapped his hand together as he had before. "James Potter and Tom Riddle: I give you two million pounds each." As soon as Fredrick's voice had faded away, a dozen men hauled crates of clinking noises to the room and set them down roughly. "Each box contains 100,000 pounds, so you each get ten."
It seemed as if the room was flooded with Tom's men as he called for them. How had they followed us without giving warning to the drawbridge soldiers? Would they not take offense to the dirty and ragged clothing. I visibly blanched at my captor's assistants. They would have had to kill the guards to get in the throne room…
When the boxes were all hauled out, the only people that remained were myself, Tom, James, Alicia, and my grinning cousin. "Go, dear. See to our bedroom." With a stiff curtsey and a sympathetic-and almost empathetic-look sent my way, the graceful heiress to the throne swept across the room and left with a bang of the door. "Now, honestly, I would like to-"
A click of a gun brought my eyes to widen at the black mechanical weapon. My eyes traveled up to the gun's master's arm before landing on the frowning face of Tom Riddle, his eyes heavy with annoyance. "I think I have had my use for you." In a flash, he pulled another gun to round on James before idly shooting Fredrick down.
I quickly stepped forward, but was silenced when the gun that had shot my cousin brought its empty hole to look at me, my throat constricting tightly. The smoking gun was aimed straight for my heart.
"I also have no use for you." Voldemort sneered.
A/N: Major cliffhanger! Heh heh. I hope that was good. / And do tell me what you thought of it! As for the review replies, I can't do ALL of them, because wow! I got 55 for the last chapter, and my story would be kicked off. Ironic that I get 55 when I don't update. :pats chin in thought: Interesting...
Muchos gracias to:
-blessed-indian-rose576, Brooken Wings, Laughing Maniac, Lovmysr, Slytherin Luvver, TigerLily141, Oo Soul of Fire oO, Animals are my LIFE, Bohemian Pirate, Star12345, FreedomStar, misstoxic, SpAzZzZzAtTaCk, lilmimistar, boiz9, mb4, xXfire PhoEnixXx, starburstsweetie, Helen, jenn, Ethuiliel, Blood Red Potter, the-one-and-only(Eeek! Sorry about the update rate!), XXXpinkkitty5467, Chelle692, soft N' fluffy, misha1989, Beebs, wizemunkee006, Julia, dolphin girl, SadieBabe0102, (blank name) O.O, the-honest-liar, J.E.A.R.K. Potter (Hello again!), angelofmynightmare, twighunter, blue-knickers (HA.), Hurleygurl, Brighton Baby, MaD-4-u, pia, Gray Faerie, WolfGirlOfTheFlame, what my parents gave me..., Katty03, Tearful Sins, MagikMishiefMaker, Little Sunflower, Ivy Climbing, -black-stars-006
-Miss Myrtle 360- :glomps reviewer in a massive hug: I am SO sorry for the long update. Juggling school and practice is quite difficult, but I got this out... Finally. You were my first faithful reviewer :tear, so please tell me what you thought of this chapter!
-Jingle-Bellz-ROCK- :glomps other faithful reviewer in a massive hug: Eep, sorry about this! But, I have good news. I got that song stuck out of my head (well, after four months, I think it would be...), and my cookies are steaming and in tact! Yess! Thank you so much for being one of my faithful reviewers so far!
THANK YOU; ALL OF YOU! You guys make me happy, seriously. If I missed you, get your frying pan out and ready. :D
Until next time (which hopefully won't be too far away),
Shattered Serenity