AN: Just in case you become confused, we will be taking a momentary sidetrack from our dear Winifred to introduce none other than Ella! Enjoy.
Ella woke up groggily, blinking at the bright light that was shining in her eyes, only to realize it was the sun. She sat up and studied her surrounds, which happened to be a cell. Oh yeah, I was kidnapped. For whatever reason, the prospect wasn't as scary as it could have been.
She began playing with the hem of her dress. The past few years had been nothing but one surprise after another, what was just one more? First, she loses her best friend in some freak accident that even she couldn't understand, is rescued by a Commodore, then ends up in the town of Savanna only to be hired by the Tremaines to help run their store. It had been tough at first. There were times she considered suicide it was so painful. She had always been completely confident in herself before, however, when Finn died, it all disappeared.
But after spending more time with Richard Tremaine, she began to heal. He was so sweet and understanding, nothing like some other boys she had met before. Not only that, but he was funny and brave, and willing to do anything for those he loved. If she wasn't going to be able to ever get home again, at least she had Richard. And the more she was with him, the less she wanted to go home.
And now she was stuck in the cell of an unknown ship for a reason she didn't understand. Did it have to do with the Tremaines? They were not connected with pirates that she knew of…
"Hello, poppet," greeted a grimy, balding pirate. He smiled, showing a set of rotting teeth. Ella nearly gagged, but was able to compose herself before she did.
"What?" snapped Ella. There was really no point in being polite to these monsters.
"My, you're a feisty one. But the Cap'n has dealt with that type before. Speaking o' which, he wants you in his cabin. Wants to 'discuss' things with you."
"No. I'm not going to go."
"He said you might say that. So he told me to tell you…" the pirate paused for a moment "…I don't rightly remember…oh yes, if you don't come, the crew can 'ave their way with you." He smiled evilly. "Your choice."
Ella stood up quickly. "I'll go to him. Now let me out." The pirate did so, muttering something under his breath as he led her up onto deck. It was early morning, and much of the crew was already up and working. As she approached the captain's quarters, they cat called and whistled. In response, she glared at them and walked straighter than before.
"Cap'n, she's here," announced the pirate to the closed door. A muffled 'enter' was heard, and Ella walked thru the door defiantly.
"How dare you threaten me!" she shouted at the captain, whose back was now turned to her.
He faced her slowly, grinning. His hair was thin and wispy, covered by a large hat with a feather. He sported a beard, which was also thin. However, he was quite tall, maybe six two or three, a height Ella had not seen for quite some time. Against her five two, he was a giant, and quite menacing. "I don't recall threatening you." The voice was low and raspy, but had humor on the edges.
For whatever reason, Ella was not particularly afraid of this man. "You know perfectly well what I'm referring to. If I don't come to see you, than the crew may have their way with me."
The captain frowned. "I didn't say that."
Ella and the captain turned toward the balding pirate, who shuffled his feet nervously and coughed. "I thought it was worth a shot. I'll just leave."
"Now that's cleared up," smiled the captain, "why don't you have a seat."
"I like standing."
"Suit yourself." He sat, staring at Ella. "My name is Captain Barbossa. I'm afraid that I am unaware of yours."
"That's none of your concern." Ella glared, then asked, "How did you know to kidnap me if you didn't know my name?"
"That's none of your concern," the captain copied.
"Ella Bronte," she replied after a moment.
"Very well. I don't suppose you know why you're here. Am I right?"
"Yes."
Barbossa smiled. "I didn't think you would. Rumor has it that you have a key of great value."
Ella blinked. The only key she had was the one the Commodore had given her for safe-keeping. "I don't know what you're talking about."
He pulled the key out of his coat. It was rather small for a key, actually. The straight of it was solid ruby while the teeth were gold. When the Commodore had given it to her, she had asked who had made it, for it was very peculiar. He had said he didn't know. "Oh," was all she could answer.
"Oh? So you do know about it."
"Not really," muttered Ella. "I was given it for safe-keeping. He didn't tell me about it."
Barbossa furrowed his brow and growled. "By whom?"
"A Commodore." No point in lying. She was horrid at it anyway.
Barbossa rose and began pacing around her. "Are you sure he didn't tell you about it. Did he mention a map, another key?"
Ella squirmed in her shoes. This man was obviously not hearing what he wanted, which could put her life in grave danger. "What did these objects look like?"
Barbossa stopped in front of her, his eyes glaring from above. Ella had to tilt her head to almost 180 degrees to glare back. "The key is rumored to be embedded with emeralds. No one knows about the map, except for this Commodore friend, I assume." Ella's eyes widened at the description. Finn had had a key with emeralds, the one that came with that cursed pocket-watch. Unfortunately, Barbossa noted the reaction. "I thought you might remember."
"The owner is dead," Ella whispered, her voice cracking. Recalling that night was bringing back old wounds, terrible wounds.
"Excellent. That will make it all the easier to retrieve."
"No, it won't. She drowned off the coast of England, along with the key."
Barbossa's expression was unreadable. "What did you say?"
"The key is gone, with the owner. You won't be able to get it."
Barbossa grabbed an apple from a barrel next to him and took a bite out of it. "Looks we have some traveling to do." Grabbing Ella's arm, he barreled out to the deck. Addressing the crew, he shouted, "Turn this ship to due north. We're going to take a little visit to an old friend, Miss Odessa."
The crew whooped and immediately scrambled to obey orders. "Whose Miss Odessa?" asked Ella sharply.
Barbossa only smiled. "Someone who is going to get that key back for us."