BlackLynx17: My word document is screwed... oh well. This chapter was a bit long, and I've been a bit lazy, which explains the late update. Sorry friends. Hope you enjoy!


Title: Love At First Sight

Secret Title: Pirate Love

Summary: Wendy is a princess forced to be married at the age of 18. It wouldn't be a problem for her if she had fallen in love with her fiance, but alas fate is not too kind. Determined to runaway to chose her own love, she runs into a nice man who rescues her from her guards. Thinking this man is her one true love, she decides to escape with him. She had no idea that her true love was a no good pirate.


Chapter Twelve

Friends


Three days after her capture Wendy was allowed to explore the ship (with Sherria's supervision of course). What she found outside of her little four wall prison... was something she's never seen before. Sherria's ship looked completely different from the Vermillion. Everything looked newer; everywhere Wendy stared she could see sea stones and sea shells reflecting the sun and shining. The wood seemed to be dyed a dark blue color, or maybe it was black and her eyes were just playing tricks on her. Their sails were a misty green, the mermaid jolly roger painted a dark forest green standing out against it.

Not to speak ill of her own home... but it was old. Completely old, and less bright, and less... shiny. Their sails were simply black with their red fairy standing out, which looked dark and broody. Sherria's ship... it looked like an actual mermaid's ship, like an underwater mermaid pirate ship... which was probably what they were going for since they were call Mermaid Heel.

Sherria is by her side holding her hand as she shows her around. When they arrive on the deck they run into Lyon, who glares fiercely at Wendy as he passes by. She keeps her head down while Sherria sticks her tongue out at him. Before she realizes it lunch time arrives and she finds herself in a kitchen twice the size of the one in the Vermillion filled with men that completely outnumber the women eating there. Sherria takes her to a little corner by the wall and eats without a care in the world. Wendy is more on edge, flinching every time someone walks by their table.

Sherria reaches over and takes her hand, giving her an encouraging smile. Wendy tries to return it, but her mind is on other things. There seems to be a total of sixteen crew members, Lyon being the captain. There isn't anything familiar about the sea that gives her any clues on where she might be and she hasn't heard talk from anyone whispering in the halls. It feels like she's lost and completely helpless. Her only escape would be to take the dinghy... and go where? If she steals some provisions she'll be able to survive a few days and hope she comes across land, but what if she's knocked over? It would be instant death. Wendy can't swim, so she'll drown. She can't risk that. She'll have to wait until they dock somewhere, or at least have an island in the distance and hope she can make it.

She still gets chained every night despite her new freedom. The first thing she needs to do is find the keys to her shackles. Sherria has been... a friend Wendy has always wanted. She's been polite and kind. She's done what she promised and protected her, provided for her... Wendy really likes her. She told herself not to let her guard down, but she likes Sherria. She wants to be friends with her. She doesn't want anything bad to happen to her once Mest comes to save her... she doesn't know how to protect her and that makes her a bad friend.

"Here Wens, you can keep these when you go back home. They're my old medical notes that carry a little bit of everything I've learned. All the most common colds and diseases and some homemade remedies as well." Sherria smiles handing over three small journals.

And she keeps speaking to Wendy about when she's going to go home, not if, but actually when. Wendy lowers her head and blushes lightly, thanking her in a whisper. She won't hurt Sherria, she can't possibly. Three days isn't a long enough time to care for someone so much... but then again, an instant shouldn't be long enough to fall in love either.

"Sherria, thanks." Wendy whispers.

"Of course Wens, do you want to go over them? I can answer any questions you have and then maybe you can tell me a little bit more about yourself? I feel like I've done all the talking."

For good reason, Wendy didn't want to reveal anything about herself or have her learn anything more about her crew. She opens her mouth, planning on changing the subject and distracting her with something else, but she doesn't need to. The door to the infirmary opens up and a man comes walking in (not wearing a shirt Wendy must add).

"Sherria, don't ask how because I don't really remember, but-" the man stops and holds up his hand, a knife going right through it.

Wendy's eyes go wide and Sherria is on her feet in an instant, running over to his side.

"Toby! What did you do?!"

"I told you not to ask that question, I don't remember."

"This is going to hurt. Wens, do you mind helping? I'm sure when I pull this out blood is going to come flying out. Could you be ready with the bandages and disinfect it?" Sherria asks.

"Of course," Wendy answers getting up as well.

Sherria showed her where everything was in here, proud of her own infirmary, so Wendy grabs the needed products while Sherria sits Toby on a stool and rests his hand on the table.

"You sure that's a bright idea Sherria?" Toby asks.

"Wens is really nice; if you all gave her a chance you'd know that." Sherria tells him.

"Nah, don't want to risk liking her and then having to killing her later." Toby says bluntly.

Wendy flinches and drops the supplies. Sherria fumes while Wendy goes on her knees, trying to pick them up. She can't forget, she can't let her guard down. Sherria may be nice, but that doesn't mean the rest of her crew is. She finds what she's looking for and stands beside Toby, giving Sherria a look.

"Ready?"

Wendy holds up the cloth and nods her head, "ready."

Toby howls as Sherria pulls the knife out of his hand. Blood oozes out and Wendy quickly covers it, letting Sherria's words echo in her mind as she disinfects and wraps it up. Sherria stands on the side with a smile on her face, placing the knife back on the table as she watches.

"Nice work Wens, couldn't have done it better myself." She praises.

"Yeah... thanks, I guess." Toby mumbles, looking up at her.

Wendy nods her head, "you're welcome."

Toby nods and gets up, poking Sherria's cheek as they tease each other.

"See, I told you she was sweet."

"Sure, sure, whatever. Just don't tell the captain about this."

"Hehehe, why not? I sure thought it was funny."

Wendy walks over to the corner and puts the supplies away. She watches Sherria and Toby out the corner of her eyes, making sure their attention isn't on her. When she's sure that it isn't she quickly swipes the knife from the table and hides it under her sleeves.

"Sherria? You think we could go to the refresher? I have a story I think you'd like I could tell you on the way. It involves me cooking and getting everyone in my crew sick."

Sherria is already giggling before she even starts, "really? Well I have to hear this! Toby, shoo, shoo. It's time for girl talk if you aren't going to be nice to my friend."

"Hey, I thought I was your friend."

Wendy keeps the knife close to her, completely hidden. She hopes she can tell enough stories to Sherria to distract her from realizing it's missing.


Wait for it.

Wait for it.

There, Sherria's soft snores echo through the room. Wendy slowly leans up from the bed and pulls the knife out she's hidden in her sock. She leans over and touches the lock on the chains, stabbing the knife in and twisting it around. It would help if she knew what she was doing. She twists and turns though, pulling and stabbing, but no matter what it doesn't budge. Wendy hisses softly to herself and stares at the knife, looking over at Sherria.

No.

She's close enough to Sherria. She could hold her hostage, demand she unlock her chains. She can even take Sherria with her, threaten that if they followed she will kill her, have her row, and Wendy's sure if she fell over Sherria would save her even if she tried to hold her hostage... no, Sherria would know Wendy wouldn't truly harm her unless... Mest is telling her to do it in her head. Telling her to do it and return back to him and she wants that, so desperately.

But...

The last pirate she trusted tried to kill her.

But...

Wendy raises the knife, her hand shaking as she stares at Sherria's sleeping face. All she wanted was a friend. That's all Wendy has ever wanted when she was still a princess, someone to really like her for her, to not care that she was a princess. She found friends like that on the Vermillion and it seems she's found a friend like that from Mermaid Heel too.

Wendy drops her hand and sighs out loudly, a frown on her face. Mest isn't going to be happy with her, but she can't help herself. Even if she tries she can never truly change. She wants to help people, not hurt them. She wants to trust them, not doubt them.

"Sherria? Sherria." Wendy calls out.

"Hmm? What is it Wens?" Sherria mumbles opening her eyes.

"Please don't get mad, but here." She says holding out the knife.

Sherria stares at it and slowly takes it from her hands. She doesn't know how to react, so she decides to just ask.

"Wens? What were you going to do with this?"

"Escape, but I couldn't. I thought about hurting you, but... I didn't want to do that... I'm sorry."

"Wens," Sherria's eyes narrow, "I... understand. You just want to get home, I know that. I'm sorry too that you're here with us. Thank you though, for trusting me. For not... yeah, I'm going to go get rid of this. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

Sherria gets up out of bed and leaves the infirmary. Wendy is left alone, tears falling down her cheeks. She trusted her. She trusted her and didn't get mad at her or hate her or yell at her, but forgave her. Sherria is too nice for Wendy. She can't kill, she's never had it in her to be a true pirate. Wendy sniffs and wipes her tears away. She's going to escape, for sure she's going to get back to Mest, but she isn't going to hurt people to do it. She's going to make it back being who she is. Sherria comes walking in a few minutes later; if she sees Wendy's tears she doesn't say anything.

"Here, let me just..."

Wendy watches as Sherria grabs her chains and pulls out a key. She unlocks the lock and lets it fall on the ground, smiling at a job well done.

"There, now maybe you can actually get a good night's sleep."

"Sherria," Wendy whispers.

"I trust you Wens, this is my ultimate sign of it. I wouldn't take advantage and wanders the halls without me because that would be very bad, but I believe you won't betray me. Now let's try to get a good sleep tonight, huh?" Sherria smiles.

Wendy isn't worthy of her kindness, but she will start acting like it. She lays back down in her bed and Sherria lays down in hers as well, the room laced with silence.

"Sherria?"

"Hmm?"

"My real name in Wendy, not Wens."

"Oh, I thought as much, but didn't want to push. That Wens was a fake name, not your real name being Wendy. Ahaha, Wendy. I like that, it's cute."

Wendy blushes, "thanks... I hope we can be really good friends too Sherria."

"Of course we can, we already are silly."


Five days into her capture Wendy finds herself sitting next to Sherria on the deck... and for some reason her captain is next to them as well. She was teaching her the wonders of fishing when Lyon came strolling up and leaned against the railing.

"Hi Captain, did you come to join us?" Sherria asks with a smile on her face.

Wendy leans further behind Sherria and stares at her pole. She doesn't really understand when she can tell that a fish is biting, but she rather pretend to know what she's doing than speak with him.

"You'll never catch anything if you keep yanking on the line like that Sherria." Lyon shakes his head at her.

"What do you know?" Sherria asks sticking her tongue at him.

"More than you apparently... it's nice to see our guest make a full recovery." Lyon announces, finally acknowledging Wendy.

She doesn't say anything in reply.

"I know, right? Her fever was completely gone by the second day."

"Toby told me that she helped you with him. I wasn't aware she was a doctor."

"You would be if you were kind and polite and actually held a conversation with her."

"Sherria," Wendy whispers.

"Don't worry Wendy, I got your back."

Lyon scratches his neck and sighs out, "I guess you have a point there. Thank you... Wendy. Seems you've bewitched Toby just like you've bewitched my little doctor."

"She hasn't bewitched anyone, she's just nice. Something you should try doing."

Lyon laughs and Sherria soon joins him. Wendy keeps her head low, licking her lips. He'll leave soon, and if he doesn't then Wendy will make an excuse and leave instead. She's tired, got a headache, needs to use the refresher, there are hundreds she could come up with.

"How is Gray doing?"

Wendy blinks and finally looks up to meet the eyes of her captor, "huh?"

"Gray, my brother. Is he well?"

Her eyes widen as she gasps, "your brother?"

Lyon seems irritated by her reaction, "why do you act so surprised? You must have known... actually, maybe I shouldn't be the one so surprised. It makes sense if he's never told you about me. He wasn't a good brother; I don't even know why I still call him that." He growls staring out into the ocean.

"I know Gray has a brother! I just... never knew his name... I didn't know... if you're Gray's brother then why did you kidnap me? His friend?!" Wendy gasps dropping her fishing pole as she faces him.

"Ah- Wendy! No, that was a good one! Jura is going to kill me," Sherria sighs ignoring the confession because she already knew about it.

"So he does speak of me, just not by name. Figures. I kidnapped you little one because I need to speak with my brother, but every time I try he always runs away. This time he'll be forced to talk to me though." Lyon looks down at her.

"But wait a minute, aren't you brothers? Why wouldn't Gray want to talk with you?"

"Because he ran away and became a pirate of course."

"But so are you! It doesn't make any sense."

"It doesn't have to make any sense to an outsider like you! I need to speak with my brother and settle things once and for all! You my dear are just what I have to deal with in order to get what I want."

Wendy bites her lip refusing to back down, no, she raises her chin up and talks back, "he's your brother. Whatever things you need to settle it should be talked out, not met with violence."

Lyon's eyes twitch and he raises up his hand to strike her. Sherria screams out and jumps in front of him, eyes fierce as she glares.

"Sherria!"

"No! You should have left her alone! You asked for that! Now you leave poor Wendy alone! She doesn't deserved this!"

"I am your Captain!"

"Then you're going to have to hit me first Captain! If you want to strike her."

Lyon growls out in frustration and turns away, not before calling over his shoulder and glaring at Wendy directly in her eyes.

"My brother killed our mother then ran away and joined a band of pirates! I've spent years searching for him to find the truth and avenge her! Whatever you know about him is all lies. Gray is a murderer and he will be brought to justice."

Wendy eyes widen as she covers her mouth. Lyon leaves with a huff and Sherria is glaring at his retreating figure before she turns around, wrapping her arms around Wendy.

"Don't listen to him Wendy."

"Sherria, is he speaking the truth?"

"We don't know. We'll never know the truth unless he faces Gray and finds out. So don't worry and trust in your friend, just like I trust in my captain. I'm sorry he scared you; are you okay?"

Wendy gulps and nods her head, "yes... thanks for rescuing me."

"You're welcome Wendy. Do you think you want to head in for a rest and some reading? I'm afraid I've lost my mood to continue fishing," Sherria frowns, especially since she's lost both poles.

Wendy nods her head and follows after Sherria, their fingers intertwining. Lyon is Gray's brother? She never would have guessed. But... if what he's saying is the truth... killed their mother? Ran off to sea? Gray mentioned having no living family... he didn't mention anything else... he didn't mention murder...

Lyon wasn't evil or mean. He was just trying to find out the truth. If someone had murdered her parents she would have wanted to know the truth of who did it and why. But they're brothers, family. There's no way Gray... she isn't going to find out until they find her. She can help... yes, this is how she can be useful. Gray trusts her. Maybe she can help mediate between the two, her and Sherria. It doesn't have to end in a blood bath. If Lyon and Gray talk it out then maybe their crews can talk it out as well and everything can end well for both sides.

She doesn't want to be rescued in blood.

She doesn't want to see Sherria's cold, lifeless body in front of her.

She doesn't want to see Sherria alive, but crying and surrounded by the bodies of her friends.

She refuses to see those endings.


"Wendy! Wendy! Guess what? Guess what? You'll be going home sooner than you expected!" Sherria cheers running into the room.

Wendy knocks over the books she's stacking in surprise, her eyes widening as she turns and stares "what?!"

"I know, right? I was just speaking to Lyon! We're going to be docking at Shell Town for some supplies and lie in wait for your friends to catch up before ambushing them!"

Wendy's face pales and she shakes her head, "what do you mean ambush?"

"Oops, that's not really a good thing for you, huh? No, not ambush, I mean, more like, we're going to have a pirate meeting! That's right! We're going to send a message when your ship docks, and then we'll have ourselves a good old pirate stand off. It'll be fun, I promise."

"How do you think people dying could be fun?!" Wendy screams out. She gasps and quickly covers her mouth, lowering her head. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

"I know, I guess it was pretty inconsiderate of me to say it like that. I just have a good feeling, that's all. Are you happy?"

Wendy nods her head, "yes, but also scared. I've missed Mest so much, but I don't want him or my friends to get hurt."

"Mest? He's your husband, right? I've been wanting to ask you questions about him, but you always seemed distant when I said his name."

"I'm sorry, I just... miss him is all." Wendy gulps.

"How did you meet him? Did he pass by your town a lot during his travels? Were your parents pirates together? Tell me, I love love stories."

"No, nothing like that. I just saw him and... love at first sight."

Sherria squeals, clapping her hands, "that's romantic! Was it the same for him?!"

It hurts to lie to her a little, "yeah, it was for both of us. I asked him to take me with him; my parents were pushing me to marry this guy I didn't love-"

"Oh my goodness, a forbidden love."

"I guess, well, I met Mest and he took me with him. I didn't know he was a pirate, I had no idea, but it didn't matter to me. I wanted to marry for love, so I did."

"Wow Wendy, that sounds... Mest sounds like a really amazing guy."

"Yeah, he is. I mean of course we fight. We barely knew each other for a day before we swore to be with each other. He was hard to understand at times, I was hard to understand as well. We grew up in two different parts of the world. We had a problem with talking things out, but once we realized that we tried our best... well, our best wasn't really good enough, but we kept going at it because we wanted each other. I wanted Mest, so I tried hard to keep him. You know it's silly. I cried so many times over him because of our fights, but thinking back all those fights were so stupid and childish."

"He must have really loved you though to be with you. My parents, they fought all the time and never once tried to listen to each other and ended up separating. That's how I came to live with Sherry. But you Wendy actually talk with your husband, you listen to each other. Never lose that... okay, on a different and more personal note... what does it feel like?"

Wendy blinks and tilts her head, "what does what feel like?"

"You know, being married to a man! Kissing him, touching each other, and other junk. I hear the first time is the worst, so tell me everything."

Wendy blushes slightly and shrugs, "there's nothing to tell really."

"What do you mean nothing to tell?!"

"Well I told you when we married we barely knew each other. He wanted to take things slow."

"I respect a gentlemen like that, but are you seriously saying he hasn't tried anything with you?!"

Wendy blinks, "I mean, he kisses my forehead sometimes-"

"But not your lips?!"

She's suddenly feeling ashamed of herself, "is that bad?"

"No, no Wendy don't stress, it's not bad, it's just... weird. Are you sure you guys are married? I see you wearing a ring, but..."

Wendy starts fiddling with her necklace, feeling the cold jewel against her fingertips. She never questioned these things. She simply likes being around Mest, enjoys every minute of it, so she is content with what she has. Of course she knows about kissing and sex, but Mest was clear on those things about wanting to wait until she was older. She thought of it sweet of him, but what if...

"Is it bad? That he hasn't kissed me yet?"

"It's not bad... it just makes me question how much he loves you."

Oh, well then that makes sense because Mest doesn't love her at all. At least not yet. Maybe one day when he does she will feel the passion and experience kisses and soft touches... but he does kiss her sometimes, and plays with her hair, and gives her hugs... he likes her, and she loves it when he gives her those things...

"You're his wife Wendy, I'm sure if you told him or initiated it yourself he would go along. Maybe Mest is just shy? I don't know, I've never met him. You love him dearly though, right? Sometimes I hear you whisper his name in your sleep."

Wendy snaps her head up, "I do?"

"Yeah, just soft murmurs. It makes me want to wake you, but I thought of it cruel since you can't see him now. Might as well see him in your dreams."

Being away from him has been torture. Out of all of her friends back on the Vermillion, Mest is the one that keeps her up at night and has her crying at random times. She knows she feels something close to love for him, hell she may even love him right now. It's been on the tip of her tongue for so long. She's never felt this kind of pain and hurt and yearning before. Her heart does flips and lurches every time she thinks of his face, his smile, his laughter. She fears that she's forgetting it all; it's been too long.

"Wendy? I'm sorry, do you want to change the subject now?" Sherria asks, a small frown on her lips as she wipes her tears away.

"I'm sorry, it's not that. I just... I didn't realize how much it hurts. I mean I did, I kept trying to distract myself, but it doesn't matter because I'll be seeing him soon, right?" Wendy sniffles.

"Yes, that's right. What are you going to do when you see him?"

"Ask him what took so long," Wendy laughs and snorts, wiping her nose, "I don't know. I think I'll run up to him and jump into his arms."

"And plant a big kiss on his lips, I want to see that." Sherria teases.

Wendy blushes and looks at her fingers, "I don't know about that."

"How long have you been married?"

"A few months."

"And what are you in love with him for? Of course his looks, since it was love at first sight, but tell me more if you can. What makes you smile?"

"Um, I've never talked to someone else about this." Wendy blushes.

"Don't worry, I'll tell you all about my own love stories as soon as we're done. We're friends; I won't have you gushing out all your secrets with me telling mine."

"Well... I love how gentle he is with me. I love it when he smiles at me and how it makes my heart soar. He always makes sure I have enough to eat and pays closer attention to me than I notice. He doesn't shower me with gifts, he knows I don't like that, but the ones he does give me mean the world." Wendy smiles holding her necklace, "he has the most amazing stories about his adventures, he's a great story teller, he treats me... like a princess. He cherish me like on too... he must really love me," she whispers.

Who would do all those things for her if it wasn't for love? And that's what she loves about him. Because he does all these tiny little things that doesn't seem like much, but mean the world to her. Oh... well that's a new feeling. She doesn't think she's ready to think about all that when he's not here beside her.

"Okay, your turn. Tell me about your love stories." Wendy says.

"Well, my love story hasn't begun yet, but when it does let me tell you it's going to be amazing. I already have my perfect guy in mind. I hope once he accomplishes his life goal that he'll finally be able to see me."

"What? Sherria?" Wendy whispers tilting her head.

"Come on Wendy, I thought it was obvious. I love Lyon. He's a great captain and a great friend and I hope when all this is over... he'll be a great husband as well," Sherria blushes lightly.

"Oh... does he feel the same way?"

Sherria's smile falls, her head lowering as she stares at her fingers, "... that's the big question, huh? Sometimes I feel like he does, other times... I don't know. Love is confusing. You're lucky your love was so simple and sure Wendy. Most of the time love isn't like that."

"Mine wasn't like that either Sherria, it took time and patience. I'm sure that Lyon... I'm sure he'll realize what a wonderful person you are Sherria, like I have. I love you and we've only know each other for a few days, so I'm sure he loves you after knowing you for years."

Sherria's eyes start to water as she throws her arms around Wendy's neck, pulling her in close.

"Wendy! I love you too! Thank you!" Sherria cries.

She doesn't know how she's going to be able to keep being friends with Sherria after she returns home, but she's going to try. No matter what happens between their crews she's going to stay her friend no matter what. She's going to help protect what is precious to her.

She's going to have to make sure that no fights happen once Lyon tries to exchange her for Gray.