The Windflower Chronicles

by RySenkari

Written for Elenaomi Week 2020, this is an anthology of seven stories focused on the love between Elena, queen of Avalor, and her chancellor Naomi. Follow along as they experience adventure on the open seas, political intrigue at home, and try their best to relax and enjoy each other's company amidst their busy lives.

1. Rogue Waves

The Windflower Chronicles is being written as part of Elenaomi Week! This story, and all the other stories featured in this work, are part of an anthology. While some can be considered in the same continuity, they're not strictly connected or even sequential.

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Day 1 - Sailboat Adventures - "Rogue Waves"

O-O-O

Master of my fate, and captain of my ship...

The warm, salty ocean air, the sound of the waves rolling over the ocean, and the feel of the wooden wheel against her hands... Naomi Turner was at home on the sea, and as the wind blew through the sails of her ship, she was as content as she could possibly be.

"It's a beautiful day..."

Naomi spoke softly, watching as the ship glided through the water, and knew that nothing could be better than this... only one thing could make this day absolutely perfect.

Then she felt a pair of soft arms around her, and now everything was perfect.

"It couldn't be more beautiful," came the soft voice of Naomi's best friend and now true love, Elena Castillo Flores. Elena was kind, brave, and beautiful, the perfect companion for Naomi, the only person she needed to keep her company out on the vast ocean. The fact that Elena also happened to be Queen of Avalor was important as well, but that didn't matter to Naomi... all that mattered was that Elena was here and Naomi was in her arms, and everything was going to be just fine.

"I'm glad you're here," said Naomi, turning her head slightly to give Elena a kiss on the cheek. "I know it's not always easy to get away."

"Not easy for you either, considering that you're the chancellor," Elena replied, continuing to hold her arms gently around Naomi as she nuzzled her face into her girlfriend's shoulder.

"True, but thanks to your decision to add diplomacy to my list of responsibilities, I get to take the ship out every now and again."

"That was your idea," said Elena. "You always have good ideas."

"Mmm, true," replied Naomi, smiling proudly as she continued to steer her ship. "I'm glad it's just the two of us today though... when I'm on my diplomatic missions, I'm usually with Armando..."

It hadn't taken long after Elena had been crowned queen and Naomi had been chosen as the new chancellor for the two young women to realize that their feelings for each other were more than just platonic. There hadn't been some big formal declaration, or anything like that... one night working late, Elena had stolen a kiss from Naomi, and Naomi's reciprocation said more than any confession or love letter possibly could.

"How long?" Naomi had asked Elena, after the two had finally stopped kissing.

"Since the day we met," replied Elena. The reply had sent Naomi into a brief mental tizzy of recalling every single time the two of them had interacted, wondering how she of the 'best instinct in the kingdom' had missed so many obvious signs, but thankfully, the two had plenty of chances to make up for lost time in the following weeks and months, and even though they tried to maintain their professionalism in public, telling only their closest friends and family about their relationship, the two were much less discreet when they were all alone, and deeply treasured the times when they could truly get away from it all and express their feelings more openly.

Today's sailboat excursion was one of those times, and the two planned to spend all day sailing as far as they could out onto the ocean before turning around and returning to Avalor late that night. Naomi could show Elena the wondrous sights of the ocean, and Elena had the chance to relax and let Naomi know just how much she cared about her. Though the ship wasn't the grandest in Avalor's fleet, it was quite large, with a sizable deck and room enough below for a whole contingent of diplomatic escorts and soldiers. With just two young women aboard, it was incredibly roomy, though the two didn't plan to spend much time below deck... there was far too much ocean to see.

"It's so beautiful out here," said Elena, taking a brief break from hugging Naomi to look over the side of the ship and watch all the fish and marine life swimming by. "I'm still amazed that you gave it up so soon to come back."

"Are you kidding? I could travel the whole world, but without you, it's just... empty, you know?"

"Naomi..." said Elena softly, walking back over and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Did you really miss me that much?"

"Every second," Naomi replied. "Honestly, I should've figured it out then that I had a thing for you... it's just... with you being the crown princess, and me still having feelings for Gabe, I just chalked it up to boredom, not to, you know, romantic longing. Someday though... someday I hope we get enough time to see the whole world, together, just you and me. Going on adventures, saving each other, helping people..."

"I'm sure we will," said Elena.

As the ship continued on its journey, Naomi's face grew slightly troubled as she sighted a distant shoreline and some landmarks that were quite familiar to her but unfamiliar to Elena. She groaned, and started to change course.

"What's wrong, Naomi?"

"I've been having such a good time with you that I didn't realize we were getting close to pirate territory," said Naomi, as the ship began to turn. "We're near the coast of Pezandri, it's a small and poor country that mostly relies on piracy for its income... they send boats out to raid other boats, stealing treasures and sometimes even holding sailors for ransom."

"Pezandri's pretty close to Avalor, how come I've never heard of it?"

"Like I said, it's small and poor, people don't really pay much attention to it."

"Well that's terrible..." said Elena, her voice heavy with concern. "Maybe if people paid more attention to it, they might be able to help them out, and they wouldn't have to rely on piracy."

"Anyway, I've turned the ship and we should be out of the danger zone," Naomi said.

"That's good... I'm going below deck to grab some snacks, do you want anything?"

"Sure... some berries, maybe?"

Elena nodded, and disappeared below deck, while Naomi continued to steer the ship away from potential pirate encounters. As the queen made her way to the kitchen, she couldn't help but think how wonderful the last few months had been... not only was she finally the queen of Avalor, ruling her kingdom with kindness and grace, but she had found the love of her life in a most unexpected place... Naomi was, as she had put it, "just a girl from the port", but she was also the bravest person Elena had ever known, and she made the challenges and rigors of ruling a kingdom so much more tolerable. As Elena's chancellor, Naomi had helped make decisions that took all of Avalor's people into mind, and helped Elena rule fairly and compassionately. Without Naomi at her side, Elena knew that ruling the kingdom would have been a lot more stressful... second guessing so many decisions, not knowing the whole picture... but with Naomi's perspective, ruling Avalor was a lot easier... and a lot more fun as well.

Naomi was so lonely without me... and I was just as lonely without her. I can't imagine leaving her side again, especially now that I have all of Avalor to rule.

Elena grabbed some berries and bowls from the cupboard, and started to make a fruit salad for herself, while selecting several different varieties of berries for Naomi. She almost imagined feeding her while she steered the ship, though Naomi, like Elena herself, didn't like to be pampered like that, even for fun.

Maybe if I put a strawberry between my teeth and ask her to bite it out... thought Elena, her cheeks turning red as she imagined it. Mmmm, I wonder if we have any cream?

As Elena began searching through the drawers, she thought she could hear a slight bumping and scuffling noise from above, but dismissed it as the waves hitting the ship. Even in calm weather, things often got bumpy at sea, and Elena was grateful not to be seasick, as it meant that she could endure long voyages with Naomi... whenever she had the time to get away, of course.

No cream... oh well, guess this'll have to do.

Elena picked up the two bowls of fruit and headed back up to the deck, walking briskly so as not to keep her lover waiting. As she emerged from down below and looked up toward the ship's wheel, she noticed that Naomi wasn't at her post... and a quick scan of the deck revealed the reason why.

Naomi!

Her friend had been joined on deck by four individuals dressed in tattered clothes consisting of a patchwork of fabrics, with swords and daggers at their sides. Two were women, and two were men, and they appeared to be around Elena and Naomi's ages, perhaps even a bit younger. They were standing around one of the ship's main mast, while Naomi was seated against it, being bound tightly to it with ropes around her chest and wrists, while more ropes were tied around her ankles. She wasn't struggling much as the ropes were tightened, but was simply glaring at the leader of the pirates, a tall woman with long brown hair and a slight scar across one cheek, while protesting the rough treatment she was being given.

"You pirates have no idea who you're messing with," said Naomi, as the pirate leader leaned down toward her with a wicked smirk.

"And who might that be?" asked the leader, who seemed quite amused that the only resistance she had to deal with was from a single young woman.

"I'm Naomi Turner, and I'm the chancellor of Avalor," said Naomi fiercely. The pirate leader raised an eyebrow, then laughed and looked at the rest of her crew.

"Ya hear that, folks? We've got a very important person in our custody!" she said.

Naomi's eyes went wide for a moment, as she realized that she probably shouldn't have volunteered that information. She began to struggle again, testing the strong ropes that held her wrists behind her back to the ship's mast.

Whoever these losers are, they're good at rope tying, maybe almost as good as me... thought Naomi, a bead of sweat starting to trickle down her face. She couldn't see Elena, and was glad that her friend hadn't made an appearance... as much of a mistake as it had been for her to reveal her own identity, she knew the pirates would be even happier to realize that the Queen of Avalor was on board. Elena, just stay down there, don't try anything heroic!

"Well, Miss Turner, my name's Alma and I'm the leader of the Ruby Raiders!" said the pirate leader, gesturing to her crew. "And we'll be takin' ya back to Pezandri... I'm sure the chancellor of Avalor will fetch a heavy ransom!"

"Yeah, they'll be begging us to give you back!" said one of the male pirates, a young man with long, scraggly hair and a red bandanna on his head. "In the meantime, just get comfortable where you are... or don't, I don't care!"

"Nnngh... there's no way I'm letting you pirates ransom me!" shouted Naomi, kicking her bound legs up and down as she continued to struggle against the mast.

Naomi, I'll get you out of this! thought Elena, watching nervously as Naomi continued to taunt and insult the pirates from her seated position. I just wish I'd brought my scepter... I just didn't think I'd need it today, and Mateo wanted to test some potions on it! I can't fight four pirates by myself... maybe one or two, but not four! Naomi, just hold on, I'll think of something!

"Quit yer strugglin, you're only gonna make us mad!" shouted the other female pirate, pointing her dagger at Naomi in a threatening manner.

"You'd better hope I get out of this and escape, because I don't even want to know what my friends would do if they had to come rescue me! This is your last chance to let me go, before I get really mad!"

"This is your last chance to shut up!" shouted Alma, prompting Naomi to smirk tauntingly at her.

"You planning to make me?" asked Naomi. "You guys are real brave, threatening someone who's already tied up. Even pirates have a code of honor, you four are pretty much amateurs from what I can tell."

"That does it," said Alma, looking over at her crew. "Fetch me some of that... that sticky paper stuff we use to patch holes in the boat!"

"You mean this?" asked one of the male pirates, holding up a roll of white tape.

"Yes, that!" shouted Alma, snatching it from her subordinate and tearing off a strip. "You should've shut your mouth when you had the chance, now I'm gonna shut it for you!"

"Oh... right," said Naomi, her eyes widening as Alma leaned toward her with the tape. "I'm warning you, you're in serious- mmmph...!"

Naomi continued to protest even after the tape was pressed over her lips, but her muffled words fell on deaf ears, and simply prompted her pirate captors to laugh at her plight.

"All right then... Robbie, Marta, go look for any treasure they might have stashed down below. Juan, you keep an eye on the prisoner... I'll steer this ship back to Pezandri."

"You got it, boss!" said Robbie, as he and the girl with the dagger walked over toward the stairs leading down below deck... where Elena was currently hiding. Naomi shot a worried look over toward that area, but she didn't dare call out, lest she alert the pirates to her friend's presence.

Elena! Not good... thought Naomi, continuing to struggle as the pirate with the red bandanna kept an eye on her.

"It's useless to struggle, you know..."

Shut up! Naomi shouted at him.

"Ha! Imagine, the girl with tape on her mouth telling me to shut up!"

Juan began laughing at his own joke, prompting Naomi to roll her eyes and silently hope that Elena would be all right. Elena backed away from the stairs as Robbie and Marta approached, looking for something she could use to defend herself. She noticed the bowls of fruit she'd set down nearby, and decided to set a trap, tossing the berries out onto the stairs so that the two pirates would slip and fall when they came down. Then, she grabbed one of the now empty bowls and held it up, ready to swing it at the pirates once they fell.

"So what's the chancellor of Avalor doing sailing out on the ocean by herself, anyway?" asked Marta, as she and her fellow pirate started descending the stairs toward the rooms below.

"Maybe she's lyin'," said Robbie, his boot coming down on a discarded clump of berries.

"So then what do we do? Take the ship and set her adrift? It is a nice sh-"

Marta let out a scream, and so did Robbie, as the two both stepped on some of the fruit and slid down the wooden stairs with a series of loud thumps. As soon as they hit the ground, Elena was on them, swinging the wooden bowl down hard on Robbie's head. It slammed into his face with a loud thump, and Robbie let out a grunt of pain. Then Elena brought the bowl down on Marta's head... only for Marta to stick up her dagger, catching the bowl on it and tearing it out of Elena's grasp. As the stunned Elena stepped back, Marta then came forward, pinning Elena against the wall and pointing the dagger at her menacingly.

"Let my friend go!" shouted Elena, surprised that Marta had gotten the best of her, but also determined to rescue Naomi.

"Owwwwwwwwwwww!" Robbie whined, rubbing his forehead where Elena had smacked him. "What was that for?"

"What's going on down there?" shouted Alma, leaning her head down the stairway to see Elena struggling with Marta and Robbie rubbing his sore forehead. "Did you find someone else?"

"I said let my friend-" Elena began, before both Marta's dagger and Robbie's cutlass were pointed at her. "...ugh."

Elena soon found herself marched back up the stairs to join Naomi, who called out to Elena under her gag as the queen was brought over to sit down on the other side of the mast. Robbie was still rubbing his forehead, and was quite annoyed at the ordeal Elena had put him through.

"I'm sorry, Naomi..." said Elena quietly, sounding almost embarrassed that she hadn't been able to save her. "I tried to get the jump on them, but without my scepter..."

It's okay, Elena... Naomi tried her best to comfort her friend, looking more upset that Elena was in danger than anything else, before her expression turned to anger as she glared up at Alma and shouted fiercely under the tape. Let her go!

"How did you four get on board?" asked Elena. She had briefly looked around for any sign of a pirate ship, but there wasn't a single ship in sight besides the one she and her friend were currently being held hostage on.

"It's down there," said Alma, pointing over the side of the ship. Elena wasn't able to see it, but there was a small longboat that had been piloted right up beside it, coming up in the ship's blindspot and allowing the four pirates to covertly board. "Of course, we've just upgraded, so thank you very much for your vessel, which we'll be taking back to Pezandri now."

"You won't get away with this," said Elena, as she was trussed up by the pirates just like her friend Naomi. Elena knew better than to identify herself as the queen, but had a sinking feeling that her captors already knew exactly who she was.

"We don't need to," replied Alma. "All we need to do is collect the ransom, even if the people of Avalor know exactly who we are... they'll pay anything we ask to get back their queen."

They do know, thought Elena, bowing her head and sighing. Behind her, Naomi's expression was just as grim.

And now they can get anything they want, thought Naomi, looking back over her shoulder at Elena and trying to muffle another apology to her. Elena, this is all my fault, I didn't watch where I was steering and I didn't see those pirates coming up alongside the ship! Now you've been captured and I couldn't do anything about it...

"Kidnapping the queen of a sovereign kingdom is an act of war," said Elena, her eyes narrowed into a fierce glare.

"Pezandri is a tiny country, how would it look for the old, grand kingdom of Avalor to attack a small nation plagued by piracy and poverty? Besides, we're just pirates, you can't blame all of Pezandri for the actions of a band of pirates."

Privateers, Naomi muffled under her gag.

"Excuse me?" said Juan, leaning toward Naomi and tauntingly putting his hand to his ear.

"Privateers," Elena said, speaking for her friend who could not, repeating the definition that Naomi had given her during a prior discussion of Avalor's affairs. "You're 'official' pirates, acting on Pezandri's behalf to plunder and pillage, with the majority of your profits going into the nation's coffers."

"Ha, we've got a smart queen in our midst!" said Marta with a laugh.

"I don't like smart queens," said Alma, tearing off a strip of tape. "We're taking you back to Pezandri and Avalor will pay us a huge ransom for you. If they want to start a war afterward, it's no skin off my nose, you can explain to all your other big kingdom friends why you're sending your armies to bully a poor little coastal country."

Seeing the tape and realizing that this might be her last chance to speak, Elena looked back toward Naomi.

"Naomi, I'm sorry I couldn't save you, I don't blame you for any of- mmmph!"

Elena's frantic words were soon cut off by the tape being pressed over her mouth, and she could soon feel her chin being taken in Alma's hand, gently but firmly, forcing her to look up at the pirate leader.

"I wouldn't try anything either... we've got your chancellor, so if you pull any more stunts-"

"Like smashing a bowl on my head!" shouted Robbie, who was still rubbing his forehead which now had a small bruise and a bump.

"Try anything else, and we might just throw her to the sharks," Alma continued.

There aren't any sharks in these waters, muffled Naomi, rolling her eyes.

It's good to see Naomi still has her positive attitude, thought Elena, turning away from Alma's grip to look back at her friend. Naomi looked back at her, and their eyes met, and they were both wearing matching expressions of regret on their face.

Elena, I'm sorry I couldn't fight back harder... it was four on one, and they got the jump on me... if I had my lasso...

Naomi, I should've been able to protect you. I couldn't even handle two of them! Some queen I am, I can't even protect the girl I love.

They tried to reach around the mast to touch each other's hands, but the tight ropes prevented their wrists from moving, and the mast was too thick for them to be able to reach each other. All they could do was sit in silence as the pirates steered the ship back toward Pezandri... they didn't care what happened to the ship, only to each other.

This day of adventure turned into a nightmare, thought Naomi. I just hope they don't hurt us. They don't seem like very vicious pirates, and they're pretty young too... maybe even younger than us. I think we'll be fine, but still...

Elena remembered all the previous times she'd been captured during her various adventures with her friends. She and Naomi seemed to have their fair share of trouble... though she couldn't remember a time when they'd both been captured together like this. The ropes didn't seem to budge, and even Naomi hadn't been able to make any progress on getting free. Seeing Naomi so frustrated and upset made Elena feel even sadder, and she hoped that her friend didn't regret bringing them out here...

Naomi, I wish I could tell you not to worry... even after this pirate attack, I'm still glad I came out here with you today. I don't know how we're gonna get out of this, but I know we will, and I'm going to tell you the first chance I get how much I love you.

Elena tried to smile under the tape, hoping Naomi could see. Naomi looked back and saw Elena's eyes soften, and it brought her some comfort, though not very much.

Elena... I'm glad you're not scared or anything... I mean, maybe you are scared, but you're trying to convince me you're not,, and that means a lot... you really do know how to make a girl feel special.

I love you, Elena muffled, hoping Naomi understood.

"Hmm?" Naomi blinked, trying to process what she thought Elena might've said to her. Her mind rolled it over for a few moments, and then came the realization. Her own expression softened, and she smiled back. I love you too.

The two sighed and looked up at the sky, which was darkening as the ship continued to sail.

I hope they keep us together, said Naomi. I'd be bored to tears if they kept me in some cell by myself.

Think they'll untie us when we get back? Elena asked.

"Hmm?" Naomi replied, leaning toward Elena.

I mean, they can't just leave us tied up if they're going to keep us too long. They have to feed us, they have to let us go to the bathroom... ugh, I really hope I don't have to go to the bathroom. Seeing all this water kind of makes me nervous. Also, I'm hungry.

The only word Naomi had recognized from all of that was "hungry", and she looked at Elena, half smirking and half glaring.

Don't remind me about food, weren't you going to get me a snack when you went down there? said Naomi. Elena understood the word "snack", and from there...

Yeah, I got you some berries but they ended up on the stairs, I was trying to trip up those pirates... it actually worked! They just got up faster than I thought they would.

Elena gestured to Robbie, drawing Naomi's attention to him. Then, with her eyes, and with a series of muffled sounds, she was able to sort of pantomime him falling down the stairs. Naomi snickered, and Elena smirked.

He must have a really hard head! I can see the bump you gave him! If you had your scepter or even your sword, he would've been toast! And don't get me started on the girl, she looks like a total lightweight. Maybe even wimpier than Carla!

She kind of looks like Carla, doesn't she?

No, Carla's way prettier, and way smarter.

Wait 'til I tell Carla you think she's pretty.

"You two are gagged, and you still won't shut up!" shouted Juan, starting to get frustrated as he watched the two captives.

"Can you two even understand each other?" asked Marta. Elena and Naomi looked at each other, then shook their heads and shrugged. "Ugh, I can't wait until we get back to Pezandri..."

"Hey, Alma!" shouted Robbie, looking up toward the ship's wheel. "When are we getting back?"

"Just shut up and let me steer, the sea's getting rough!" Alma shouted.

Naomi looked up at the sky again... it was even darker now, way too early for the sky to be this dark.

Hey, you're sailing right into a storm! shouted Naomi, looking all around to see the waves picking up in intensity as the ship continued sailing toward them. You're not even going toward Pezandri, you've got the ship turned around!

"Sounds like the chancellor's getting scared," taunted Marta, as she dismissed Naomi's increasingly worried shouting.

"Maybe we should take the tape off," said Robbie.

"Maybe I should put some tape on you," replied Marta. "You nearly got knocked out by the queen after all!"

"Yeah, but I didn't, did I?" Robbie shouted back.

Naomi, how bad is it? asked Elena, looking back at her friend with concern as the ship began to rock from the increasingly choppy waves.

Naomi could feel the wind picking up fast... she could feel the air pressure dropping. The ship was sailing into a bad storm, and from the looks of things, Alma had no idea what she was doing.

She probably hasn't even piloted a big ship like this before, thought Naomi. She's used to paddling that little longboat, this is probably the first time her crew's ever taken a vessel like this! She's going to get us all killed!

"Hey...!" shouted Alma, feeling herself starting to lose control of the ship's wheel as another large wave rocked the boat. "Come on, this should be easy, it's a sailboat, more wind means more speed right?"

That's not how you steer a sailboat! Naomi shouted, struggling at her bonds with more intensity than ever. Let me out, I can help you!

"All right, fine, let's hear from the chancellor," said Alma with a groan. "She was the one sailing this thing after all..."

Marta sighed, then pulled the tape from Naomi's mouth, prompting her to let out a loud yelp as it was peeled back from her soft lips.

"Not so hard!" shouted Naomi.

"How do we steer this ship?" asked Alma.

"You need to untie me so I can take over," said Naomi.

"That's not gonna happen," replied Marta. "Tell us how to steer!"

"I can't just tell you! If you don't know what you're doing, you'll just get turned around!"

"Does she even know how?" asked Juan. "I mean, she's just some stuffy chancellor after all."

"I was the one sailing the boat before! Your leader just said that!" snapped Naomi, getting increasingly frustrated. "Sail toward the flats, don't try to steer when the waves are hitting the boat!"

"That's stupid, how do you get away from the waves if you don't steer?" said Robbie, scratching his head.

"Turn the ship gently and let the wind take you toward the flat part of the ocean!"

"Let the wind take you, and sink the boat?" said Alma. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard!"

"Why are you arguing with me?!" screamed Naomi, as another huge wave slammed into the side of the ship and water started to rush over the deck. "I'm trying to save all of you!"

"I don't think we need to hear any more from her," said Alma.

"What?!" Naomi shouted, her eyes fierce with rage. "You're going to get us all killed!"

Listen to her! Elena screamed, struggling as furiously as Naomi. She knows what she's doing!

Naomi didn't have the chance to protest again, as the tape was pressed back down over her lips. She shouted again, swearing at her captors and at Alma, sweat and rain pouring down her face.

"Let's hear from the queen," said Alma. "How do we get out of this storm?"

Marta pulled the tape from Elena's mouth, and Elena had one simple bit of advice to give.

"LISTEN TO NAOMI!" she shrieked, looking up at Alma with more ferocity and anger than she'd displayed toward anyone since she'd learned about Esteban's betrayal. "She's telling you exactly what you need to know, and you're too stupid to follow directions!"

"How dare you!" said Marta, leaning forward to tape Elena's mouth shut again. Elena turned her head away and continued to address Alma, trying her best to calm down and get her to see reason.

"Naomi's my chancellor because she has the best instinct in all of Avalor, and she's one of the best sailors too! I trust her with my life!"

"Yeah, and look where that's gotten you," said Robbie with a laugh.

Naomi bowed her head... even though she knew those words were false, and that Elena didn't blame her for any of this, they still stung, and deep down she still knew that if she hadn't been so careless in where she'd steered the ship, she and Elena wouldn't be in this situation.

Elena, I know you trust me... that's why I still feel so bad that I let this happen... I just want a chance to get you out of this. I hate that you're the one who has to fight for it.

"Please," begged Elena, whose pleading eyes hid her fury at even having to beg. "Untie Naomi and let her steer us out of this storm. You have me. Let her go."

Alma's eyes met Elena's, and she knew after only a few seconds of looking that the queen meant what she said. Naomi's instructions might not have made much sense to the pirates, but clearly she was the only one who could get them out of this mess, and they needed to trust her.

"...all right. Cut the chancellor loose. As for the queen..."

Alma stepped down from the wheel and walked over to the mast, gesturing to Marta and Robbie to cut Naomi free. She then leaned down toward Elena.

"We'll make sure she knows exactly what's at stake."

"Naomi, I love-" Elena began, before Alma replaced the tape over her mouth. Hey!

As Naomi was cut free from her bindings, Elena was untied from the mast, her wrists and ankles still bound as she was taken over to the side of the ship.

"Hey, let her go!" shouted Naomi as soon as she was able to peel the tape from her lips. "Why are you doing this?"

The longboat that the pirates had used to board their ship was still secured to the side of it, and Alma roughly dropped Elena down into it, causing the queen to let out a shout as she fell into the bottom of the boat. The longboat was already half filled with water, and was taking a beating from the waves, causing her to roll back and forth inside it as the wind and waves continued to crash against its sides.

"Elena!"

"You'd better hurry and get us out of this storm, before your queen-"

Naomi suddenly grabbed the dagger from Marta and stormed toward Alma. Robbie and Juan both took out their swords and pointed them at Naomi, who didn't even blink as she continued to threaten the pirate leader. Alma simply held up her hands and smiled, knowing that if Naomi stabbed her, she'd lose her chance to save her friend.

"If Elena falls off that boat, you lose your ransom," said Naomi.

"She's, uh... she's actually kinda right," Robbie replied, briefly lowering his sword.

"I know. But I have a feeling Elena means even more to our friend here than she does to us," said Alma. Another powerful wave slammed into the ship, and Elena's muffled screams could be heard from below. "So, Miss Turner... what's it gonna be?"

For the briefest of moments, Naomi actually thought about stabbing that dagger right through Alma's heart. Her hand trembled as she gripped it, her knuckles white with rage. This girl... these pirates... they'd hurt Elena, and Naomi was furious with hatred toward each and every single one of them.

But she loved Elena far more than she hated Alma, and without another word, she dropped the dagger to the deck before heading up to the captain's wheel.

Okay, Naomi, this isn't even the worst storm you've been in. Just take the helm and do what you do best.

Naomi began to steer the ship, and almost immediately, the pirates noticed that the ship was turning much less erratically, as the blonde's skilled hands gripped the wheel tight and aimed directly for the flats. Once she'd found her bearing, she used the wind to guide the ship away from the choppier waves, but she wasn't out of the woods just yet, as a much larger wave was coming from just ahead.

"What are you doing?" shouted Alma, watching as Naomi steered directly toward the big wave. "I thought you said not to steer into the waves!"

"I said not to turn into the waves, and I'm not turning this ship an inch!" she shouted, continuing straight forward and hoping that Elena was okay. "Just hang onto something!"

Inside the small longboat, Elena could feel the seas getting calmer, but the commotion from above was making her incredibly nervous. She began trying to slip the ropes off her hands and feet, thinking her wet skin would make it easier, but the tight ropes didn't budge, and Elena found herself being rocked back and forth inside the boat by the still fierce winds.

Naomi, I know you know what you're doing... thought Elena, sliding under the wooden seats inside the boat and trying to keep her face above the water. Just get us out of this storm... even if something happens to me, I want you to be safe.

The ship started to rise as the wave drew near. Juan and Robbie both let out a scream, and Juan nearly tumbled over the side, with Robbie and Marta just barely being able to hang onto him. The ship continued to rise and twist, and now Robbie and Marta were struggling to hold on.

"You idiots!" screamed Alma, her voice betraying true fear for the first time since she'd boarded the ship with her companions. She looked back at Naomi. "Stop, they're going to fall off!"

"You have to tie them down to something!" Naomi shouted. "They're not used to this kind of weather, they can't keep their balance."

"You mean tie them up?! I'm not tying them up, that's just what you'd want me to do!"

"It's that or they fall over the side, do whatever you want, I'm trying to save us! Give me some rope, I'll do it myself!"

"You're steering the ship!"

"I can do it from here, trust me!"

Juan, Marta, and Robbie all screamed as the boat rocked again, nearly sending the three of them overboard. In a full panic, Alma grabbed the longest length of rope she could and tossed it to Naomi, who quickly formed a lasso and secured it around the arms and chests of the three pirates, pulling them to safety just in time. She tugged on the rope again, tightening it and pulling the pirates safely over to the mast, then tossed the end of the rope to Alma.

"Tie it off to the mast while I ride this wave!" commanded Naomi. As Alma did what she was told, Naomi steered the ship directly into the large wave. "Elena, I don't know if you can hear me, but hold on!"

The four pirates all screamed as Naomi rode into the wave as it crested, steering the large vessel over the top of it, while inside the longboat, Elena could feel more water splashing over her. She tried desperately to keep her head up, but found herself trapped under the seats of the boat and unable to extricate herself. She gasped and struggled, pushing her nose up above the rising water, only to find herself pushed back down by the force of the wave as it came over the boat. When she was able to lift her head again, she realized that she couldn't get her nose back above the water... the entire longboat was full, and would have capsized were it not secured to the side of the ship. She gasped, and tried to hold her breath.

No...! Naomi, I'm trapped...!

Elena struggled fiercely, trying again to get the ropes off of her wrists and ankles so that she could push herself out from under the seats. The ropes continued to hold tight, and she started to panic. Meanwhile, back on deck, the seas were much calmer, and the ship was no longer rocking. Naomi looked down to the mast to see the three still tied-up pirates all closing their eyes and shivering, as Alma crouched down shivering right alongside them.

"Hey... you guys can stop cowering now, we're pretty much home free... we're on the edge of the storm now."

Alma and the other pirates looked around to see that indeed, the waters were much less choppy, and the seas were calm. They were safe... and couldn't help but let out a loud cheer at realizing that Naomi had saved them.

"You... you really did it! I thought we were goners for sure!" said Robbie, looking up at Naomi with gratitude. "You saved us!"

"You really are a great sailor!" said Marta, who squirmed in her ropes for a moment but was mostly just happy to be alive.

"That's what I was trying to tell you," said Naomi, who then saw Alma going to free her companions. With a smirk, she picked up another length of rope and tossed a lasso around the pirate leader, pinning her arms to her sides and wrapping her up as tightly as the rest of her crew. "And now you're all my prisoners. Serves you right for trying to hold me and Elena for ransom."

"H...hey!" shouted Alma, who began to struggle as Naomi approached. "You tricked us!"

"No, I saved you," replied Naomi. "...then I saw a chance to trick you, and I did. So I guess we're both right."

Naomi made sure to bind up Alma even more tightly than the rest of her crew, binding her up in a secure hogtie before picking up a dagger lying nearby to prevent the pirates from using it to free themselves.

"...I guess I can't blame you," said Alma with a sigh, still looking bitter to have been tricked and captured, but also grateful to Naomi for saving her and her friends from the storm. "...thanks, by the way."

Alma and the other pirates looked at each other... none of them was happy to have been captured, but all of them were happy to be alive, and Naomi could tell from the looks on their faces that they all genuinely cared about each other.

You know, in a twisted sort of way, it almost reminds me of me, Gabe, Mateo, and... oh, god, Elena!

Naomi ran to the side of the ship and looked down. The longboat was full of water, and Elena was lying in it, her eyes closed.

"NO!" Naomi screamed, before leaping immediately down into the water next to the longboat and swimming over to it. Elena, no, no, no! Please be okay, please be okay!

Naomi lifted Elena's head up from the water and ripped the tape from her mouth, then lifted her out of the boat the rest of the way and laid her down on the partially submerged seats, untying the ropes from her wrists and ankles as she did so. Elena wasn't moving, or breathing, and Naomi reached up to her neck to feel for a pulse.

Elena, I'm so sorry, I couldn't save you, I couldn't stop them, I couldn't do anything-

Naomi's fingers pressed against Elena's neck, and two things happened.

She felt a heartbeat.

And Elena sat up and began to cough out water.

"Elena?"

Elena continued to cough, unable to speak for the first few breaths... then she finally got out enough water that she wasn't coughing when she took a breath, and she turned to Naomi and smiled.

"Looks like you got us to safety, Naomi..."

Naomi was unable to come up with a witty reply, and instead, she leaned into Elena and hugged her tightly, holding her close, not wanting to let her go. Elena returned Naomi's embrace, and the two lovers held each other, not caring that they were soaking wet, only that they were safe and free and together... and no matter what happened, nothing was going to change that.

"Elena, I'm so s-"

Naomi was suddenly silenced again... by Elena's lips pressing against hers. Just as she had done the very first time they kissed, Naomi reciprocated, and Elena deepened the kiss, and the two continued to kiss and hold each other as the raindrops slowly fell onto them and the storm clouds faded to reveal the setting sun.

A few minutes later, the two women had climbed back onto the deck. Alma and the pirates were still just as Naomi had left them, tied up and grateful to be alive... and they all had looks of genuine concern on their faces, looks they'd worn since hearing Naomi's scream of agony upon finding Elena nearly drowned.

"Elena...! Is she all right?" asked Alma.

"She is, no thanks to you," said Naomi. She walked over to Alma and grabbed the roll of tape out of her pocket, then stretched out a strip and prepared to tear it off. "And I don't want to hear one more word out of your filthy pirate mouths until we get back to Avalor, where all four of you are going to spend the rest of your lives-"

"Naomi, wait," said Elena, placing a staying hand on her friend's shoulder. She looked down at Alma, sternly but with calmness in her eyes. "Alma, you and your crew are under arrest for piracy and kidnapping. You'll be taken back to Avalor, and my chancellor and I will decide your sentence. In the meantime, I have one question for you. ...why? Is Pezandri in such a terrible state that piracy is the only way for the people there to make a living?"

"You should know," said Marta. "You're right next door and you haven't lifted a finger to help us."

"Avaloran fishermen take all the fish out of our waters. Avaloran merchants cut sweet trade deals with everybody but us, because we don't have anything worth trading for," said Robbie.

"It started under Shuriki, and continues under the new queen," said Alma.

"I'm nothing like Shuriki," replied Elena.

"Neither of you have ever done anything for Pezandri, so in our eyes, you're exactly the same," Alma continued, her words both sad and bitter. "...go ahead, Naomi, you might as well put that tape on, I've got nothing more to say to your queen."

Elena and Naomi looked at each other, and Elena's hand started to fall from Naomi's shoulder.

Are you okay? Naomi's blue eyes glistened with silent concern.

I'll be just fine, but you already know that, replied Elena, her expression telling Naomi everything she needed to know.

Naomi looked down at Alma. Then, she tossed the tape aside and knelt down.

"As chancellor of Avalor, I'm also the highest ranking diplomat in the kingdom. You have my word that from this day forward, Pezandri will be given a fair shake by Avalor, and plenty of aid to get back on its feet. In exchange, your leaders have to immediately move to stop all piracy. I don't expect things to change overnight, but change has to start tomorrow."

"More lies," said Alma, looking away. Naomi reached forward, gently cupping Alma's chin in the same way she had done to Elena after sealing her lips earlier.

"I already saved you and your friends, what else do I have to do to get you to trust me?"

Alma started to look away, only for Naomi to keep her head in place. Alma looked up and saw in Naomi's eyes genuine sincerity... and even the start of genuine forgiveness.

"I almost killed your queen... your... lover, and you're already forgiving me?" asked Alma.

"Not quite," replied Naomi. "...but let's just say that if you hadn't tried to drown Elena, I'd be smiling at you right now."

"Pretty easy to smile at a bunch of people you tricked and tied up," said Marta.

"Yep, it really is!" said Naomi, standing up and finally smiling again. "Elena, does that deal sound agreeable to you?"

"It sounds just fine to me, if the people of Pezandri really are ready to end their piracy," said Elena. "In the meantime, you four can stay right here, and Naomi and I will get this ship back to Avalor."

As the four pirates remained trapped and contemplated everything Elena and Naomi had said to them, the queen and her chancellor returned to the ship's wheel, and Naomi started to steer the vessel back home to Avalor. It would most likely be a few hours before they'd make it back, but in the meantime, they'd have each other as company... and despite their brush with death, they both felt pretty good about the adventure they'd had that day.

"So, are you still ready to lock them up and throw away the key?" asked Elena, hoping her friend wasn't still too upset about everything that had happened.

"As your chancellor, I'm officially recommending leniency," replied Naomi. She wasn't quite as forgiving as Elena, and was still a bit upset that Alma's actions had nearly drowned the woman she loved, but these pirates were young, and hopefully Avalor's improved relations with Pezandri would set the nation's pirates on the right path. "Maybe some community service swabbing the decks on mom's ship could teach them some things about hard work and how to treat others... and if we're really lucky, they'll learn how to sail."

The two shared a laugh, and once again, Naomi found herself tightly wrapped in Elena's arms, watching the sunset over the ocean as the ship sailed over the newly calmed waves back toward the palace... back toward home.

"...how many times have you saved my life, Naomi?"

"...five, maybe?"

"I'm thinking more like seven or eight."

"What can I say, I have a thing for rescuing damsels in distress," said Naomi, nuzzling her face against Elena's shoulder as Elena gently took her hand. "Or maybe just rescuing you."

"I'm not the kind of queen who likes needing to be rescued... but if it's you... it's okay," said Elena, gripping Naomi's hand even tighter.

Naomi had to admit, she was of two minds about today. On the one hand, seeing Elena nearly drowned in that boat was the scariest thing she'd ever gone through, and part of her never wanted to see Elena in danger again. Holding Elena in her arms, thinking she had died... it was the worst Naomi had ever felt, and she couldn't imagine what might've happened if she'd gotten there just a minute later.

On the other hand, being Elena's protector was the greatest feeling Naomi had ever experienced. She knew Elena could protect herself, she could protect all of Avalor, she was the strongest and bravest person Naomi had ever known... but coming to her rescue, seeing the look of relief and joy in her eyes, and holding her close...it brought her an unimaginable rush of adrenaline, the same thing she felt when she was sailing on the open ocean. Naomi loved adventure, and protecting Elena, her queen, the love of her life, was the greatest adventure of all.

And she knew there would be more adventures, more close calls, more rescues. Maybe Elena would save her... Naomi enjoyed that feeling too.

But the feeling she enjoyed just as much, if not more, than going on adventures with Elena and the two of them saving each other... was being safe and warm in her arms, just like they were right now.

Maybe I'll save her. Maybe she'll save me. Maybe we'll never need saving again.

"Naomi, I love you..."

"Elena... I love you too."

Their lips met, and as the last of the sunlight faded over the horizon, the two embraced, locked in passion, bound by love.

And as one adventure ended, they were ready for another.