Hello lovelies! So a few days ago was my 3 year anniversary of my story! *Confetti? It's a parade!* So I have decided to celebrate by updating with another chapter! Woot! Where I live, it is crazy cold, so I really wish I could be magically transported to the Caribbean. Anywho, please review! Feedback will be helpful!
Also, a special thanks to my great friend, Silvertounged Dreams for doing my cover art! She's great. Read her story. Anyways, enough of my babbling!
(Vanderbilt MDs is now my new favorite show. Watch it if you like medicine) ((And to the guest reviewers: y'all need to get an account! That's what pushed me to get one!))
Thanks so much everyone! Your support has been amazing. Sorry for the longest author note ever.
~Elanor
Captain Norrington escorted Elsie below decks to see Doctor Cresswell and the injured sailor. She walked down ladders and through all the insides of the ship. At the moment when she felt the most lost, Norrington came to a halt, asking her to stand and wait for a moment while he made sure everything was all set for her to walk in. Would hate to see a man without his shirt on, because I haven't seen anything like that before. She thought sarcastically to herself as she thought of all the incidents in which a man didn't have his shirt on. But then she had to remind herself that this was the 18th century and that sort of thing was considered scandalous.
"Miss Kirk, if you would follow me." Norrington beckoned for her to follow him through the door to sickbay. Her eyes immediately fell on the sailor who was still asleep. Her heart broke in two as she noticed his brow wrinkled in pain and the sheen of sweat visible. Doctor Cresswell was attending to him, writing in his ledger, but looked up when he saw his patient and the captain.
"Miss Kirk, Captain Norrington, I take it you both are well today?" he inquired in his cheery manner. Elsie smiled freely as she nodded her head. He noticed her attention was not on herself, but the sailor, so he began to make his report. "Our other guest has not made as speedy a recovery as you, Miss Kirk. While I have sewn up his gashes and wounds to the best of my ability, there is still a chance that the lacerations could become infected. The wounds I am most concerned with are these here on his face and down the right side of the body. They seemed to be the deepest."
Elsie's face was blank as she took in all of the information presented to her. She walked closer to the sailor and looked to the doctor for permission to touch him.
"My dear, do whatever you think is necessary. I know your background." He chuckled gaining another smile from Elsie. Taking a deep breath, she began by asking for the doctor's pocket watch. He gladly handed it over and watched as she opened it. It was to her satisfaction, so she nodded and turned her back to the two men. Captain Norrington and Doctor Cresswell observed as she ran through a whole list of vitals from taking his heart rate to measuring respiration. After doing what she could, she sat on the chair next to his bed, watching him. A look of concern covered her face as she muttered to herself. Elsie was so engrossed in watching the sailor, she didn't listen when the two men quietly moved to the other side of the room to talk.
"Doctor Cresswell, what do you make of this situation?" He spoke in hushed tones to the Doctor who stood opposite himself.
"To which party are you referring to, James?"
"I suppose first Miss Kirk," He offered, taking in the scene before him.
"Well for Miss Kirk, I believe that she feels responsible for the wellbeing of this young man. You know she was training to become a physician. She gets very quiet when I mention him, although I am still unsure as to why. Concerning her health, I believe she has made a full recovery. " The doctor watched as she took the sailors hand and gently rubbed his hand. "The sailor has a lot of healing to do, James. I am concerned that he won't recover. And if that happens, we will have a distraught girl on our hands. "
No one spoke for a long while, her eyes glazed over deep in thought. Suddenly, the man stirred, making Elsie lean forward in surprise.
"Doctor, I think he is waking!" Elsie backed up quickly to give room to Doctor Cresswell and Captain Norrington. Both men walked over, surprise evident on their faces, recalling the likely hood of the sailor recovering. The man took a few shaky breaths, but opened his eyes. He looked around, startled at his surroundings.
"Where am I?" He wildly looked around the room. His eyes locked with Elsie, who was as pale as a ghost.
"Steady, man," Norrington placed his hand on his shoulder, "You are on the Royal Navy vessel, Dauntless. I am Captain James Norrington. Do you remember anything, your name?" He inquired as the young man laid back on the cot, eyes sliding shut.
"My name is Andrew McFadden of the Merchant Vessel Serenity, bo'sun's mate, sir. The last thing I can remember was being on the ship when it was attacked by pirates. But I can't seem to recall what those bastards wanted." He hesitated as he looked over at Elsie. "You, you were there." Elsie swallowed as she walked forward slowly to the side of the sailor.
"Yes, yes I was…" Her voice trailed off as she looked down at the ground. She was startled when the man reached for her hand. It was icy cold, but he held her hand forcing her to look into his eyes.
"Thank you…" He smiled laying back, closing his eyes. Elsie just stood there remembering the blue eyes that made her blood run cold.
"Perhaps, Miss Kirk, we should let him get his rest. Captain, we will be able to get more information out him once he has rested. Come along, dear." The Doctor gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
"No, I must stay with him. Please." She pleaded with him, concern evident on her face.
"As you wish, Miss Kirk. Captain?" Elsie watched as they both left the room. She found her seat again and resumed her post watching him sleep.
It had been a few hours since the sailor had woken up. During her time with him, she gently bathed his forehead with clean rags of water. At one point a steward had brought her a meal, causing Elsie to look at the pocket watch for the time. It had been a while since she had eaten, and the day had grown later than what she thought. She eagerly ate her soup and bread, excited to have something of substance to break her fast. After finishing her meal she took the man's hand again hoping to give some much needed comfort. She was surprised when his hand grasped hers causing her to jump.
"Andrew?" She called out softly. His eyes opened and he smiled at her.
"Ah I see you are back watching over me." A blush covered Elsie's cheeks as he eyed her carefully. "Alas, I don't know your name, miss."
"My name is Elsie." She gently brushed his hair out of his face.
"Alright Miss Elsie it is. I am glad to know that you survived the attack." His eyes grew wide as he began to recall what happened. "Miss Elsie! The ship, pirates!" He grew panicked and tried to get out of bed.
"You stop this instant! The Doctor said not to get too excited and to rest. I promise you that if you wait a moment, I can go get the captain and-"
"No, please you must listen. The pirate's name is Captain Bowman. He is one of the worst sorts of pirates. He gives no mercy to anyone!" He grabbed at her arm in urgency. "He is searching these waters for Jack Sparrow because he has something… a trinket that has this bastard, begging your pardon miss, on the warpath. All for some absurd bauble." He muttered to himself, agitating his bandages making Elsie slightly flustered.
"You must calm down, I will relay this to the captain but please you must settle down." She rearranged the bandages and made sure that he was completely covered with his blankets. Before turning to leave he reached back up and grabbed her arm causing her to stop.
"I know your face. You were my angel," awe covered his face. "You saved me from a watery grave." Her face softened at this.
"I couldn't just sit by and not help."
"If I remember correctly, you sang something to me. Please will you sit and sing to me again?" He asked starting to drift off to sleep.
"Of course." She sat back down, but by the time she had turned back, he was already asleep. "I will watch over you, your guardian angel." And with that she began to sing.
Of all the money that e'er I had
I spent it in good company
And all the harm I've ever done
Alas it was to none but me
And all I've done for want of wit
To mem'ry now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be to you all
So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate'er befalls
And gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all
Of all the comrades that e'er I had
They're sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They'd wish me one more day to stay
But since it fell unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all
Fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate'er befalls
And gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all
But since it fell unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all
Good night and joy be to you all.
Her eyes grew misty as she finished her song for the poor sailor. Her hand hastily wiped away her tears, but that didn't go unnoticed by Doctor Cresswell, who had walked into the room after she had begun her song.
"My dear, are you alright?" His voice startled her, breaking her out of her trance. She shook her head no, feeling a deep sadness cover her. She couldn't choke the words out, but she went and embraced him like she would her father. Doctor Cresswell gently patted her on her back and held her while she cried.
Song above is called The Parting Glass. Listen. It's beautiful and the lyrics are so moving.
Also, how would you envision James and Doctor Cresswell's friendship starting? Write a review or PM me! Give me ideas! If they are good enough, you will get some credit and a nice little shout out.
