Life on board the Andromeda was pretty boring at first. We did nothing but sail around and all I could do was either sit or lie down and clock the coordinates in my head. Luke wasn't kidding when he said I was confined to my cabin, and outside my door were a couple of rather heavy sounding monsters who were almost constantly grinding their teeth, probably thinking about gnawing on my bones but Luke had brought me to the main deck and made an announcement, warning all monsters that I was off the menu before I was then locked away. My room wasn't as spacious as Luke's, but still nice. My duffel bag had been given back to me with my iPod, headphones and charger all inside completely undamaged, and I'd squealed when it was given back and took it gratefully from the guy who'd delivered it, one of the crewmen I think. Sometimes I would hear voices outside my door and some of them I was almost certain I recognised as campers, though this was only a few times. I knew there were other half-bloods on board, but they were older and had graduated from camp years ago but clearly had bones to pick with the gods, or were just fed up of fending off monsters all the time so had teamed up with Luke just for a break. Can't say I blamed them.
Food was brought to me like clockwork at each mealtime and my fridge was always kept topped up with snacks and sodas, so I never went hungry, but I was just so bored. There was only so many times I could drift into my own world listening to music. I couldn't even exercise properly because in a few paces I was from one side of the room to the other. Luke could have at least given me another suite. Still, I had my own bathroom with was now decked out with my own toiletries, and the bath was pretty neat when filled with bubbles. I did enjoy the superior facilities compared to those at camp. I was lonely though, too. For the next couple of days I didn't talk to anyone, and Luke didn't come to visit. I could only keep track of the days through the number of meals and roughly guess the time of day after them. All the while I could feel the Queen getting further and further away as the cruise ship continued to sail at least double her speed, catching up only when we stopped I'm guessing to take on board new passengers. I hope Luke at least released the poor tourists from before. I winced, sensing my ship becoming strained to keep up, though I didn't want to tell her to leave yet. I wanted to walk on the deck one last time and say goodbye before sending her to Camp Half-Blood, hoping that maybe I could leave a message on board for Percy to find to let him know that I was okay, if a big frigate suddenly appearing on the beach wasn't already clue enough for him. After about three days, my patience had run out so I hammered my fist on the door and shouted. "Hey! Let me stretch my legs for a bit, I'm dying in here!"
"Prisoner stay put!" One of the gruff voices answered, though it wasn't the bear twins. I wonder what happened to them? I hadn't heard or sensed them around recently. Come to think about it, I hadn't even got the chance to ask Luke what the heck happened back then, because I'm still pretty sure we'd been stampeded by a herd of wild horses.
"I'm not a prisoner, I'm a hostage with privileges! Not let me exercise or something otherwise I'm going to start smashing my head against the wall! See if your boss will be happy when he comes down here and finds me dead on the floor. He'll probably kill you, you know." I told them, hoping that these monsters were as stupid as they sounded and be just as gullible. Changing my tone, I made it all buttery and sweet, hoping they would let me persuade them to open the door. "You could come with me, you know? It'll only be for a bit and you can keep an eye on me. I won't run away I promise, I just need to go outside for a bit for some fresh air. I'll get you doughnuts from the cafeteria?"
"Doughnuts?"
"Yeah. Big, sugary doughnuts. As many as you want!" The two monsters grumbled at one another in conference before finally, the door opened. Now, monsters always have a particular smell, but these ones smelled like swamp water and I really didn't want to know what they were. I flashed them a grin, trying my best not to grimace before stepping outside and immediately heading down the broad corridor in order to explore, hearing them lumbering after me. The moment I was out in the open I stretched myself and yawned, drawing in the salty air and refusing to acknowledge how much better it made me feel. I went straight for the part of the ship where the all you can eat, twenty four seven buffet was being served, making good on my promise to get doughnuts for my guards. I named one of them Bob and the other Joe, finding them their snack and giving them an entire tray where they immediately started to stuff their faces, smacking their lips and it sounded like they were slobbering a lot, so I grimaced and sidled away from them. I didn't go far because I didn't want to piss them off, finding a deckchair with an umbrella so sat myself down in order to enjoy the ocean breeze for a bit and think about things with a clearer head. I was starting to get cabin fever.
Mostly, though, my thoughts went to the Queen Anne's Revenge that was still desperately chasing after us, and I could almost swear I could hear the rigging and masts creak like she was moaning wistfully, wanting me to come back. I really wanted to go over there. Just as I was considering going to look for Luke to ask him, the man himself appeared with an angry shout, demanding to know from Bob and Joe where I was. I could imagine them with their mouths stuffed to the brim with jelly doughnuts, looking blank and a little stupid before the plate clattered and they hurriedly started searching for me so I stuck out my hand and waved. "Over here." The poor things whimpered with relief and hurriedly pointed me out to Luke who came striding over. I smirked to myself. "Oh don't sound so mad, surely you didn't think you could keep me trapped in that tiny cabin forever, right? Fresh air is good for people."
"Lily, the deal was…"
"I promised I wouldn't escape the ship. I said nothing about escaping from my room." Flashing him a grin, I sat up from my deckchair and reached out for him, searching until I found his hand so I tugged on it. "I want to go to my ship for a bit. Can I please? She won't last much longer chasing me, and I really don't want her to end up sinking. If you let me over there, I can prepare her for the return journey and send her somewhere safe, but I need to be on the ship."
"Do you think I'm stupid? If I let you on that ship…"
"You think an eighteenth century frigate is going to outrun this cruise ship? My ship can do ten knots with a good wind, possibly a little more if I push her. This ship can do triple that. I'd have no chance of outrunning you, and although I can manage a ship myself, I can't manage the cannons on my own. I'd have to physically load the cannonballs and set the gunpowder and light the fuses, and I'd be lucky if I even breach your hull. Honestly Luke, I can't go anywhere, so you don't have to worry. You can send me over with more guards, or better yet, come with me. I can show you all the cool stuff Blackbeard left behind, it's really awesome!" I think my enthusiasm and clear disinterest in escaping is what persuaded Luke in the end, begrudgingly allowing me to go across when we next made a stop which would be soon. Happier than ever, I threw myself at Luke in order to tackle him with a hug, only realising too late what I was doing so I quickly let him go and cleared my throat, feeling my ears and the back of my neck grow warm. "Ahem…thank you Luke. I really appreciate it." He said nothing, but I could sense him watching me as my guards led me away.
Just as he promised, Luke let me go across to my frigate when we stopped and as I stood at the edge of the cruise ship, I whistled sharply and instantly felt the Queen respond. She surged forwards with a spurt of speed and caught up to us, coming to a halt alongside the ship as people started to gather and watch with slight interest. Climbing up, Luke said my name warningly, but I only flashed him a grin before leaping into the open air. Now he shouted, darting forwards but even as I started to fall, one of the ropes from the ship darted out and flew straight into my hand so that when it snapped taught, I swung like some kind of wild monkey through the ship's masts and rigging, the sails having rolled themselves up at my command. I whooped from the exhilaration, flying freely before I let go and tucked in my body so that I summersaulted, letting myself then stretch out into a swan dive before ropes coiled around my legs and pulled me back up as I bungee jumped, playing around as the ship responded to my every thought and desire, seemingly knowing what I wanted before I did. From the deck of the cruise ship, people and monsters just stared at me blankly.
Eventually Luke dismissed them, ordering them to get back to work as I swung back and reached out, grasping hold of the railing with one hand whilst holding the rope in the other. "You coming?" I asked him, breathless and beaming. I probably looked like a fright, hair messed up and tussled everywhere, acting like a child in front of his very important monster army, but I didn't care. I loved my ship, and I had never felt more alive. Asking for another rope, one flew towards Luke then coiled itself around the railing to hold there, leaving it as an open invitation before I swung away again. Now I landed on the main deck of the ship and immediately pressed my hand to the mast, getting a sense for how she was feeling before then leaning my head against her. "You did so great, thank you for coming after me. I promise soon I'll completely refit you with all kinds of cool new toys and gadgets. I'll even get you a new paint job and fresh sails, how does that sound?" I questioned and the sails fluttered in answer, telling me she liked it. Hearing Luke land, I turned around to face him as I then spread my arms in welcome, quickly grabbing him in order to show him the captain's cabin and everything from bow to stern before going below decks. I even showed him the armoury where I picked up a pair of cutlasses and tossed one to him, lifting mine to point at his chest. "Avast ye scallywag! Fight me if ye dare!" So it was probably clear that I turned into a little kid in a ball pit whenever I was on my ship, but I couldn't help it. It was all just so cool. Luke didn't turn pirate and join the fun, but he did snort and meet his blade with mine. I soon realised that these cutlasses were actually celestial bronze, hence why they hadn't rusted over time though I supposed the ship had somehow remained in pristine condition. I wonder if perhaps Circe had stopped time around her island so that everything remained exactly as it was the day it had arrived. Anyway, putting that thought aside, Luke and I were now battling one another but this time, it was nothing like our duel. It was almost playful, using these lighter swords to fight and prod at one another though Luke of course was far better. He even managed to smack me on my butt with the flat side of his cutlass, making me yelp and grasp at the affected area as he laughed. I think he was getting into it a bit more now.
Anyway I lost when he disarmed me, my cutlass clattering to the floor so I yielded, though the Queen immediately picked up the sword with one of her ropes and handed it back to me, and I got the impression that she was offering to tie Luke to the mast. I thanked her, but told her it wasn't necessary. After a rather refreshing duel, I lounged back against the chair in the captain's cabin as I plotted a chart for the Queen to sail by herself to Camp Half-Blood, plotting it entirely in my head and giving her instructions as she prepared herself to get going, though she didn't really want to leave me. "So you can really hear the ship?"
"Sort of. It's almost like she has her own spirit and I can sense her emotions. She is an old vessel, so she's more evolved and mature than yours which is why I can interact with her better." I answered Luke as he continued to look around, rustling through papers and maps that were strewn across the desk. "If ever I get the chance, I'd love to sail the sea with her for a time. Maybe slay a few sea monsters. Maybe even take mom on a cruise."
"I thought you hated the sea."
"I do, but I love this ship." The ship shuddered happily in response. "I don't feel blind here. I know where everything is and where I'm going. I can tell where things are and what condition the Queen is in. I'm not afraid about bumping into anything or tripping over. It's like…I don't know. It's like when I'm on land, I can feel the vibrations through the ground to help me map out where things are, but here I don't even need that. It's liberating. I don't feel entirely helpless." I explained to Luke as he paused and glanced at me, seemingly considering me for a moment.
"You do seem happier." I smiled, knowing he was right. "We should get back now, I have things I need to see to."
"Alright, but at the very least come check on your hostage from time to time. I'm bored out of my mind. Could I at least do some training? It would really suck if all my hard work goes to waste because I can't keep up my practice. I can only fight well if I hone the skill." I asked hopefully but Luke only said he'd think about it, making me no promises. I said goodbye to the Queen, though I was already considering a new name for her. She didn't like the name Blackbeard gave her, or the ones she'd had before he'd stolen her, so I promised to think of a good one. Last but not least, I asked her to try and convey to Percy that I was alive and alright, not speaking a word but she understood, her sails fluttering in the breeze as they unfurled. Ropes brought us back to the deck of the cruise ship which was so solid and sturdy that it was almost being on dry land. I stumbled slightly, my legs not adjusting quick enough to the change in sensation though I felt Luke's hand rush to grab me, pressing against my stomach to hold me upright. I blushed. "Thanks." Quickly stepping away, I then grabbed the railing and leaned over as the Queen began to sail away to Long Island Sound, where I knew she would moor herself in the shallows and wait for my return. How could I miss a ship so much? It was like missing Snowstorm, but the Queen was just as real to me as she was.
"You alright?" Luke asked me and I sniffed, feeling a pang of misery.
"Yeah, I'm good. You hungry? Can we have food?" After a moment I felt his hand rest upon my shoulder briefly, making my face naturally turn towards it before it was then gone, and Luke murmured rather softly that I could eat with him today just this once. I was glad to have company, and further glad that Luke hadn't meant it when he said 'just this once' because we ate together a lot after that, seemingly falling back into our old patterns as if none of the bad stuff had ever happened, and we were back at Camp Half-Blood stuffing our faces with stolen food from the supply cupboard.
