Pirate Gold

by Romania Black and Auzzie K

After a good long while, we're back on track! Time for Chapter Fourteen! When we last left our heroes, Eldarion had conquered the Mordor Pirate Captain, Clavehorn and the remaining Mordor pirates were ushered out with the heroes onto escape boats, as the Atlas started to burn apart. Danny was about to rejoin his love, Brandybuck, who had just been saved by Eldarion. And here we are with our heroes in the escape boats...

Enjoy!

Romania black and Auzzie k

P.S. We own nothing of JRR Tolkien! sobs

The fight was over and the smoke had cleared; there floated the ruins of the Atlas, but in the distance rang a bell. Varadhir and Audyaveil watched as a light shined through the fog. The entire crew were now in small escape boats, floating on the waveless, moonlit waters. Vardahir, Audyaveil, and Danny were in one boat, while Eldarion and Brandybuck were in another. Danny's heart swelled with heat as he stared over to their boat, neither aware of his gaze.

"Danny, do you see the light?" Vardahir said keeping an eye on the light.

Danny turned towards Vardahir, "Yes, I see it. It's probably the Marigold. About time Berethor and Fernin come back."

"Just in time to rescue us," The elf beside him smiled.

Brandybuck stared out into the open waters. She felt Eldarion shift beside her, but he said nothing to her. As the cold air whipped her hair into her face, she found herself feeling lonelier than usual and suddenly remembered Danny. Where are you my love? She looked around, but in the wind and the cold, she couldn't spot him.

The Marigold floated towards the escape boats. The once silent crew started cheering and throwing their arms up towards the ships edge. A rope ladder came down beside Vardahir's boat.

"So, do we climb aboard?" Vardahir smiled to the others.

"Well, unless you'd like to stay out here for a little longer, I suppose--" Audyaveil said matter-of-factly, but Vardahir laughed and started to climb the rope.

"Nevermind, I'm fine with getting aboard," Vardahir said climbing the rope. Audyaveil followed her up, and Danny was right behind her, when he spotted Brandy again. This time their eyes met. Brandy smiled at him, but Danny couldn't think of what to do. He started climbing the rope, but stopped and gave Brandybuck a look that clearly said, I will find you later and we'll talk. Another few seconds, and he was aboard the ship.

Danny smiled as he turned his attention towards what was happening on the Marigold and watched as Berethor and Fernin come towards them. Vardahir ran over to Berethor. She held him, not wanting to let go. Berethor met the embrace and kissed her gently, as Danny walked past. The pirate gave Fernin a wide grin and embraced him.

"Where have you been? You missed all the fun," Danny said. Eldarion, who had just boarded the ship, looked around and spotted Vardahir. He ran to her hugging her. Berethor smiled as the two royal siblings started talking about what had happened on the ship to Berethor.

"I'm so glad you're safe, sister," Eldarion smiled looking at Vardahir.

"Where's Brandy?" Vardahir asked her brother. Berethor spoke up instead, "She's at the captain's quarters now. She's still a little shaken from her whole experience, she says."

"Oh," Vardahir sighed. Eldarion looked towards Berethor. "Perhaps I should tend to her--"

"I think not, your highness."

Vardahir, Berethor, Eldarion, and Audyaveil, who had just joined them turned to see Danny striding past them towards the cabin.

"Danny--" Vardahir began with a scowl.

"I am deeply sorry if you are insulted, my liege, but I claim Brandy as my responsibility, and as such it is my duty to see to her," Danny said turning for a moment to meet the Prince's glance. Eldarion did not look happy, but he was certainly not looking angry either. A good sign, because Berethor and Audyaveil looked as if Danny had just committed a high crime. Inside, Danny smiled coldly. Serves him right, Danny thought, Brandy is not yours for the taking, King or not.

"Danny, that is completely uncalled fo--"

"Vardahir, let him be sister," Eldarion's voice rang out as Danny entered the cabin. "He is correct on this matter. She's not mine to see to."

Vardahir did not object to her brother, but looked crossly towards the cabin. All the same, Danny is taking this too seriously. Brandy's not his property! Is he jealous of my brother's feelings for her? Perhaps that's why he's acting this way...

In the room Brandy was now sitting up. Her face was still pale, though her hip felt much better than it had. Danny mended it some more and smiled at her. He put his hand to her face. He smiled and looked her in the eyes. It was as if he hadn't seen her beautiful face in a lifetime.

"Forgive me?" he said looking at her. "I should've never left you there alone. I was just worried about you getting hurt, and I seemed to...get carried away in battle. I will never do that again as long as you are with me."

"Danny, I love you...no matter what. I forgave you the moment you did it." She said lifting her hand to his. He simply smiled and kissed her. And at that moment, it seemed that everything was fine again, as if nothing had ever happened.

Everyone had boarded the Mariglod and set off for Minus Tirith. Fernin sat in the crowsnest. The Gondorians, Vardahir, Berethor, and El slept in the back room, as Brandy, Danny, and Audyaveil slept in the front. They slept soundly as the ship started its way to the docks of Minas Tirith, where King Elessar and Arwen Undomiel waited for them. The sun rose slowly into the skies above the white city.

Dawn was soon on the horizon, and the entire crew was up and ready for the arrival of the Royal couple.

Brandy sighed as she walked to the edge of the ship, Danny trailing somewhat sleepily behind her. She sighed aloud as he placed a hand onto her shoulder.

"Finally," Danny smiled. "A good night's sleep with no fighting, no war, and no pirates!"

Brandy giggled. "No pirates? Well, then, shouldn't you be going then?" She pushed him with a tease. Danny laughed.

"I guess so. Oh well," He looked around at his crew. "Not all pirates are bad!" He hugged a pirate standing next to him, which gave him a groggily mean look and wandered off. Danny smiled and shrugged his shoulders as he made his way to the upper deck to check on how close they were. Brandy stayed behind and continued to stare out at the sea ahead of her.

A strange voice picked up in the air. "Alright, Miss Brandy?" It was Eldarion. Brandy had to blush slightly before turning her attention back to the ocean. She watched as the waves rolled up and down, afraid of the attention Eldarion was giving her. It felt like a betrayal to Danny. She liked Eldarion, but not in that way or manner. Yet, something told her that was not how the Elvish-Mortal prince viewed the situation.

"Yes," She swallowed loudly and picked up a piece of rope off of the ground and stared at it trying to occupy herself. "And you?"

"Perfectly wonderful," Eldarion smiled, and leaned in beside her. "May I ask you something, Miss Brandy?"

She looked slightly shocked. "Of course! What?"

"Why did your parents name you Brandybuck? It seems like such an odd name for a Rohan woman like yourself." This question was odd, but Brandy merely smiled, as many had asked her that before.

"My aunt was assisted in killing the Witch King by a hobbit named Meriadoc BrandyBuck, back in the war of the ring. My aunt convinced my father to name me Brandybuck after Meriadoc's selfless service to the house of Rohan." She smiled and thought of Master Merry, whom she was sure was in Buckland at this very second.

"Oh," Eldarion said simply, as he leaned in even closer to her, "If it had been me, I'd have named you something that suits you, Like Elashia, or Ellewindria. Beautiful names to match a beautiful person."

As he leaned in to kiss her, Brandy moved away, and Danny stepped in between them.

"Everything alright, luv?" Danny asked curiously, glancing for a swift second at Eldarion, who looked both crushed and slightly embarrassed. Berethor called for Eldarion and he walked away from the two wordlessly, a slight saddened look on his face. Brandy turned to Danny.

"How do you do it?" She asked him.

"How do I do what? Somehow manage to cut in at the right moment and ruin a special moment between two people?" He glanced towards Eldarion, "I don't know how I do it."

Brandybuck smiled and leaned towards him, "Well, for once, I'm happy you did cut in at the right moment."

"Why? You didn't want me seeing you kiss on the Prince of Gondor?" There was a hint of bitterness in his voice.

"I don't want the Prince of Gondor!" Brandy kissed him and then smiled at him. "Not when I have you, Danny."

Danny was suddenly relieved and surprised at the same time. "Seriously? You would choose me over the Prince of Gondor?" He gave her a skeptical look.

"Of course," Brandy sighed with a smile and started to walk away. "Let's go," She pointed to the edge of the ship. "We've reached Minas Tirith!"

So what'd you think? Now the gang is back at Minas Tirith, but the journey isn't over yet! Tune in next time, as we see what happens to our heroes next! Peace out and rock rock on!

romania black and auzzie k