madameHunterr: Thank you for reviewing! I still can't believe this story is doing so well *squee*
Shudderfly23: Omg I'm sorry I completely forgot to let people know about the spoilers! Sorry :( I know, I keep having to push myself to pay more attention to the plot rather than the lovey dovey stuff x) Thank you though! I read the book in a few days and just HAD to use it in my story. It also gave me a lot more depth for Haytham's character, I mean he's just so... aszaihegiohggg. Meh, he's perfect :3
edgaryg: I know, I know, I just keep having these ideas and just have to include them, and they are usually rather horrible for the characters... I can't help it XD And we're nearly at the top of her suffering so bare with, there are a few more depressing chapters to come before it all sorts itself out! But I think the story needs it, I mean an assassin and a Templar can't make things work out just like that. (Well, not in my mind anyway XD) Thank you for your wonderful review, it really made my day :3
The Biggest Geek In The World: I want to be her as well! I can't imagine anyone more gentlemanly than Haytham, it's what really struck me when I played AC3. Thank you for your enthusiasm :D
AssassinsGurl2012: Thank youuu! :) Both Haytham and Connor have pretty awful lives. Just makes me want to hug them
Laura201112: Thank you for sticking with me, it means a lot to me :)
LurkingLady: Ah, drama, the very thing that keeps everything moving! I'm glad you agree with me condensing it. I did actually start writing it more precisely and after two pages I just looked at it and thought BORING! So I started again x)
As always, a HUUUUGE thank you to everyone who bothers to read, favorite, follow and review 3
(Does anyone watch Spartacus? I nearly died of a heart attack watching ep.4 today... Urrrrg my feels! IT HURTS!)
This chapter is more or less an attempt at getting Eleanor back into a semblance of normality. But meh, you know, what sort of a normal life can an assassin lead? Especially living with the Templar grand master...
I left Haytham and Jenny alone for a while and stepped out onto the landing. Two people were making their way downstairs, looking very pale and gaunt, and carrying bags as Holden followed them into the hallway. Haytham appeared by my side and went after them when the woman gasped at the sight of all the dead.
" I'm sorry. " He apologized, though what he was sorry for, I don't know.
" We don't want your apologies. " She said. " We thank you for setting us free. "
" If you wait for us, we'll be leaving in the morning. If that's alright with you Eleanor? " He continued, looking over his shoulder as I came to stand next to him.
" Of course. I have nothing to go on anymore. " I sighed unhappily. " Who are these people? "
" My name is Monica, this is my son Lucio. " The woman said, weary of me.
" They are the Assassins that translated the book. " Haytham explained.
" Assassins? " I asked, a smile appearing on my face. " I've never met European assassins! "
" You are an Assassin? " The woman asked, frowning deeply when she noticed the Assassin seal on my belt. When I nodded, she continued. " What are you doing with this man? He is not an ally. "
" No he's not. But I can't choose who I fall in love with. " I said sternly, making sure she understood. " Do you need anything before you leave? "
The woman shook her head and ushered her son out of the door. I watched them leave then turned to walk back upstairs to look for any sign of Duchateau, but Haytham grabbed my arm and made me face him. " Who you fall in love with? " He repeated my words, his eyes full of emotion, his voice soft and almost broken.
" Are you so blind that you would think I do not love you? " I murmured. " Of course I love you Haytham, I have for a long time. "
He smiled and kissed me softly, holding me in his arms tightly. " I love you Eleanor. " He whispered into my hair as we parted. " Thank you. "
Before I could say anything, Holden cleared his throat from behind us. " What do we do now, sir? " He asked, and I saw Jenny appear on the top of the stairs, looking down at the carnage. I looked around as well, and noticed for the first time the bodies and blood that covered the ground floor.
" We leave in the morning. " Haytham decided. Before I could walk off, he handed me a book and I looked up at him questioningly. " This is the precursor book I told you about. "
I nodded in understanding and opened it, flicking through the pages to find the last one, where a small, ref flower had been drawn. " This is the one. " I muttered, remembering the night I had drawn it after hearing my father say it was a useless book. " This is the one my father had. "
I gave the book back to Haytham and disappeared before he could say anything more. While the men removed the bodies from the house and Jenny prepared a meal for us after the long day we had, I rummaged through every draw in every desk and cupboard in the house, desperately seeking something that Duchateau might have left behind. But I couldn't find anything that even mentioned him, it was like he had never been here and I slammed the drawer shut, letting out a cry of frustration, and kicked the desk for good measure.
" Nothing? " I jumped a little as Holden's voice surprised me.
" No. He's like a ghost. " I grumbled, crossing my arms angrily.
" I wish I could help. " He said. " Haytham cares for you more than I thought him capable of. You make him very happy. " He spoke calmly.
" As he does me. " I smiled sadly. " Are you alright Jim? " I asked, putting a hand on his shoulder as I looked into his deeply sad eyes.
" All I want is to see Haytham happy. " He answered and walked off. I like the man very much, he was the only true friend Haytham had. He truly cared for him, and was polite, honourable and had a heart of gold. But I pitied him for what had happened to him and felt incredibly sad.
I was woken by Jenny's screaming. I rushed down to see what the problem was and found Jim Holden hanging from a clothes dryer. He had left a note but I didn't read it. I passed it to Haytham when he arrived not long after I did, and he read it quickly, screwing it up and immediately pulling his friend down. He was deeply upset, I could tell, but he said nothing as he removed the rope from Holden's neck. I helped bury him and held Haytham's hand as he stood over his grave.
" He was a good man. " He said. " I've never known a greater man than he. Never will. " He whispered and turned to hold me in his arms and I knew in that moment that Haytham had broken under the weight of it all.
I'm not surprised really, one man shouldn't have to live through what Haytham had. To witness his father's murder, to then be raised by a man he admired and then learn he was the one who caused the attack on his family's house… And then find his best - no, his only friend hanging from the ceiling after having been tortured… No one deserved that. No one.
Jenny left to return to their house at Queen Anne's square in London. She said goodbye to Haytham and I politely but without much enthusiasm and soon we were alone in the large château. I packed our bags while Haytham sat by Holden's grave despite the October rain, and I saddled the horses for us to leave on. We left soon after lunch and made our way back to Bordeaux, which only took us a week thankfully, and arrived - with a huge amount of luck - only a few hours before a ship left for New York. I was saddened to find that Kevin Roux was not on board and I would not be able to continue the training he had started. I asked around for him and they told me he was on another ship destined for London. Upon hearing my questions concerning another man, Haytham spoke up and asked about this Kevin, so I laughed and told him that he was only a sailor who had been teaching me to sail on my own. He didn't seemed particularly pleased and brooded in our cabin. In fact, since leaving the château, Haytham had barely spoken to me, only clinging to my body while we slept and avoiding eye contact during the day.
" Please talk to me. " I begged him one evening in our cabin. " I hate seeing you like this. "
" What is there to say? My life is a lie. " He scoffed from his chair. He always sat at the desk in our cabin and I stood behind him, brushing his hair with my fingers. I sighed heavily and took hold of his hand, pulling him to the bed where I sat him down and faced him.
" You're barely talking to anyone anymore. I know you're suffering, but please don't lock me out. " I pleaded with him, brushing my hand over his cheek.
" Holden was the only true friend I ever had. When I was a child, I was never allowed out on my own. I never played with anyone but myself, never had any friends. Then I became Reginald's companion, and followed him all around Europe, and didn't make any friends either. We were never in one place long enough to do so. And even in America, the closest person I have to a friend is Charles. He admires me, that much is certain, but he disagrees with a lot of what I do. He's an ally, hardly a friend. But Holden… Holden was a friend. " He muttered.
" I liked him. " I agreed. " He was loyal and kind, I wish I had known him before… " My voice trailed off, not wanting to explicitly talk about his downfall.
" You would have liked him even more. " Haytham smiled sadly. " I think I will always grieve for him. And for Reginald's betrayal. " He sniffed, refusing to break down.
" I'm terribly sorry. " I whispered. " If ever there's anything I can do… "
" Don't betray me. " He demanded, looking me in the eyes. " Please, don't ever betray me. " He pleaded me. " Reginald and I had such a good relationship, and now I realize it was all lies and treachery. I don't think I would be able to handle any more of it. "
" I promise Haytham. I won't betray you even if my life depended on it. " I reassured him, and he kissed me deeply, pulling me to him. But even when my body was pressed against his, I wasn't close enough, not with all the clothes that separated us.
We arrived back in New York in early December and got back to Boston a few days before Christmas. The ground was covered in snow and I felt glad to be home again. In fact I was glad to know I had somewhere I could call home, and I skipped happily in the streets as Haytham followed me, shaking his head at my childish behaviour. But he was feeling better than he had, and I was ever so relieved. I hoped that I had helped in some way, even a small way. I didn't want to be useless to him.
I took my key out to open my front door but Haytham noticed a light from inside. We armed ourselves - him with his sword and me with my dagger - and crept inside, ready to pounce on whoever had broken into my house. But we needn't had worried as I immediately recognized the person sitting on my sofa. " Khan? " I asked as he turned to face me. " What are you doing here? "
He ignored Haytham and threw himself onto me, wrapping his muscular arms around my waist. " I'm so glad you're home. " He gasped as he dug his face into my hair. " I never want to be away from you for that long again. "
I smiled and relaxed into his embrace. " I missed you as well. " I smiled. He pulled away and nodded to Haytham, whose knuckles were going white under the strain of his grip on his sword. I cocked an eyebrow to warn him not to cause a scene, so he went back outside to fetch our bags. " What are you doing here? " I asked Khan again.
" I was kicked out. " He mumbled, looking at his feet.
" What? " I exclaimed. " Your wife kicked you out? "
He nodded slowly, looking at Haytham as he appeared again. " It's her house, not mine. Things haven't been going well for a while now, so she kicked me out three weeks ago. " He explained.
" I'm so sorry. " I whispered, hugging him again. " How are you coping? "
" Fine. It was agreed between us. " He replied with a shrug. " I'll go find somewhere else to live now you're home. "
" Nonsense! " I cried. " You're staying right here, isn't he Haytham? "
The Templar shot me a confused look but then agreed when he saw the look I gave him. " Of course Kahnawà:ke, you are welcome to hide yourself away in another woman's home. " He sneered.
Khan growled at the remark but said nothing. It was going to be hard keeping the peace between these two. Haytham soon went into the kitchen and Khan watched me as I let myself drop onto the sofa and stare into the flames. " Did you find him? Duchateau? " He asked cautiously.
" No. " I whispered. " He got away. I was so close god damn it! " I suddenly cried out in frustration. With Holden's death and the state it left Haytham in, I hadn't been able to let out the frustration, anger and disappointment I felt about not finding Duchateau.
" What happened? " He asked, coming to sit next to me.
So I explained everything to him. From my arrival at Bordeaux to Birch's last words. " So it was all for nothing. He knew for god knows how long and has gone back into hiding and I'm never going to find him again. It was a waste of time. " I sighed heavily, feeling defeated, exhausted and sad.
" You'll find him one day, I'm sure of it. " Khan tried to reassure me. " At least you now have a lot more information on him. And even if you didn't find him, you're obviously closer to him. " He smiled, though rolling his eyes when he nodded towards Haytham in the kitchen as he emphasized the word 'him'.
" I guess. " I sighed. " I am very glad to have been there with him. He needs someone there for him Khan, he has no one else. "
Khan didn't answer, and I knew it was because he didn't care. I hated the fact that the two most important men in my life were enemies. I really wanted them to get along, needed it almost, but they were both too stubborn. Not that I can blame them really, I was more stubborn than the two of them put together when it came to it, but still. I wanted us to make a happy family. But I had forgotten that happy families don't exist.
Christmas 1757 was certainly eventful. Mary, Edmund and Nora came round to spend the day with Haytham, Khan and I. My boys spent the whole time trying to provoke the other, trying to cause a fight and poor Edmund was stuck in the middle of them, completely at a loss of what to do. Mary - though intimidated by their attitude until I had explained the situation - kept laughing at their immaturity. Nora was oblivious to my jealous lover and possessive best friend and kept trying to steal everyone's food. Mary would tell her off, Khan would discreetly add more food onto her plate and then send a smug look of victory to Haytham when Nora would cuddle up to him. But the Templar had me, and when Nora came over to play with me, she would include Haytham, so he would return the smug look to my native friend, thus ensuring the never-ending competition between them.
I was very happy to escape their bickering for Nora's third birthday in early February. I took her down to the port, just the two of us, and found an area with lots of sand to make a sand castle despite the cold wind. She was growing into a very strong minded young lady and was sure that she would grow up to be a powerful leader and fighter. As I watched her run after a cat in the streets, her long blonde hair swaying around her beautiful face, her stern voice commanding the cat to obey her, I had no doubt that she would be a strong woman. She already was.
" Cassandra is selling the house. " Khan announced when I arrived home that night. " She's going back to live in France as soon as she has the money. "
" So there's no chance of it working out between you? " I asked, saddened by the end of his marriage. Though I had been jealous of having to share him, I only wanted him to be happy and find someone to love him as I loved Haytham.
" I don't want t to work out. It was a mistake. " He groaned, finishing his hot evening drink. " Don't worry about it, I'm glad to be rid of her, she was a pain in the arse. "
I giggled and ruffled his hair up as I went to get an apple. " As long as your happy. "
" I am. " He reassured me. " Kenway's upstairs in your office. " He added. " Doesn't he have his own place to stay? "
" He used to stay at the Green Dragon Tavern. " I explained, munching on my apple. " He lived there with the other Templar leaders until we got together and he just sort of ended up living here. I don't mind, quite the contrary. " I smiled happily.
He sighed. " Don't let him take advantage of you. I'd have to cut him down. " He warned me.
" He buys all the food, so technically I'm taking advantage of him! " I grinned, kissed him on the forehead and rushed upstairs to find said Templar. He was sitting at my desk, his back turned to the doorway as he wrote a letter to his sister. He had received a letter from her only a few days after we arrived home to let us know what she was settled into their childhood home in London and had hired a few maids again, and was doing fine. Haytham replied out of politeness, because they shared the same name and felt as though they should stay in touch, but neither of them particularly liked the other. I wished they would become good friends as I envied the fact that they still had each other, still had a family. But I knew they would never get on, they were too different.
" How is Nora? " He asked, sensing my presence as I watched him from the doorway. " Did you enjoy the freezing winds? "
" Now, now Haytham, don't mock. " I scolded him playfully. " For your information, Nora and I had a wonderful day building castles and chasing cats. "
He chuckled as he stood to wrap his arms around my waist, pulling me against him. " I can make your day even more wonderful. " He purred against my lips.
" You can try. " I teased him, laughing as he frowned in offence before locking the door, adamant to prove just how much better he could make my day.
I still couldn't let go of the fact that I had lost Pierre Duchateau. I had began dreaming of him teasing me, provoking me and I often wondered who had told him about me. Whoever it was, they had known more about him than they had let on. " Be patient. " Haytham would say. " I have no doubt that you will find him one day. "
" But what if I don't? " I wined, snuggling up to him under the heavy blanket we had on our bed. He only shushed me and kissed me, taking my mind off of the subject.
" Your next target is Giovanni Martelinni. " Achilles informed me. " He's living in New York, spying on the patriots' movements and selling them to the crown. He's also counterfeiting money with Thomas Hickey, who I'm sure you're already aware of. " My heart dropped. If Hickey saw me killing Martelinni, he would tell the other templars, and who knew what they would do to me and Haytham. This was going to be tricky.
I informed Haytham about my mission and he agreed to try to hold Hickey in Boston whilst I travelled to New York. But he wasn't happy about me leaving for two weeks or about me coming so close to his order. He kept his mouth shut about it but for how long? How long would it take for one of us to crack under the pressure of our conflicting allegiances?
I got back to New York finding it looked the same as it had last time. I rented a room and began my search for Martelinni but instead found Charlie and Catherine, the beggar and the slave I had helped last time I had been in New York. " Eleanor! " Charlie called, both of them running after me as I headed for a tavern. " It's good to see you again! How was France? "
They were both cleaner and better dressed than before, and Catherine was heavily pregnant, a large stomach producing itself from underneath her brown dress. " It was beautiful! " I smiled, glad to see them both doing well. " I didn't find the man I was searching for though, but I learnt how to steer a boat. " I grinned proudly, wanting desperately to learn more about sailing.
" A woman sailing a ship? Well I never! " Charlie mocked me. " If I ever hear of that man you were looking for, I will inform you. We owe you so much! " He said sympathetically, patting my shoulder.
" Thanks to you, we have our freedom, our own home and Charlie has found a job. " Catherine confirmed, her tone of voice much calmer than her husband's. " If there is anything we can do… "
" There is actually. " I nodded. " I'm looking for Giovanni Martelinni. " I told them, hoping they would be able to point me in the right direction because I wanted to go home already. I needed to make sure Haytham and Khan weren't strangling each other now that they were on their own.
" Martelinni? Yes he words at a bank. I can show you where if you like. " Catherine nodded. " I hear he is counterfeiting money. Is that why you are searching for him? "
" Partly. " I confirmed. " I shall pay him a visit in the morning. "
" In the meantime, join us for dinner! " Charlie boomed cheerfully, his beer belly bouncing with his enthusiasm. His greying hair and beard made him look older than he was, he could only have been in his mid thirties. His skin was still tanned from his work outside I noticed as I followed the couple back to their home far from the centre of town. Catherine's walnut brown hair shone in the light of the setting sun and I thought of Edmund and Mary. Both couples loved each other dearly and were completely and utterly devoted to each other. But where Edmund was small, soft and submissive to his wife, Charlie was loud, large and cheerful. And where Mary was happy, graceful and talkative, Catherine was reserved, stern and headstrong. Complete opposites yet the same, the New Yorkers accepting me into their home as eagerly as the Irish couple in Boston.
In the morning, I adorned my skirt and corset and posed as a young woman looking for a loan and I was directed to Martelinni's office after a short wait in the small entrance hall of the modest bank near the centre of town. Martelinni was around forty years old, his black hair shiny with grease and his moustache too long and as unkempt as the rest of him. He leant backwards in his chair and his eyes devoured my body as I entered his office and took a seat in front of him.
" Good morning my dear, how may I be of service to someone so beautiful? " He smirked, running his tongue over his top lip. He was repulsive.
" I wanted to ask you how it feels to be a traitor. " I smiled innocently, cocked an eyebrow when he frowned in confusion. " Counterfeiting money, selling information to the crown… You're a busy man, Mr Martelinni. "
" What did you say? " He hissed, not believing what he was hearing. " Are you threatening me? " He scoffed, thinking a small woman like myself couldn't hurt him.
" I believe I am. " I smirked, standing up. Before he could blink, I had pulled out my dagger from my boot and had pressed it against his neck. " Any last words? " I asked calmly.
He swallowed hard, wanting to scream for help but knowing it would do him no good. " My only regret it not violating your corpse. " He spat, and I wasted no time in stabbing him in the heart at his sickening words.
" You won't be violating anyone ever again. " I growled as blood dripped out of his mouth during his lasts moments of life. When his eyes glazed over with death, I wiped the blood off my blade with his shirt, and picked up the bag of coins that was in his drawer in compensation for my work.
No one paid me any attention as I left the bank, acting like a young, shy woman yet again. I smirked to myself happily as I proudly walked down the street, deciding to head home the next day.
" One more drink my friend! " Charlie pleaded with me as I bid the couple goodbye. Thanks to their help I had only spent three days in New York and I couldn't wait to get home. Even in such a short time, I had come to greatly appreciate the two but my heart lay in Boston, where Mary, Edmund, Nora, Khan and Haytham were waiting for me to get home.
" I'm sorry Charlie, but I really must go home. It's been a great pleasure. " I smiled widely as I thanked him. " I promise to visit next time I'm in the area. "
" You better lass! " He waved his finger at me before pulling me into a quick, tight embrace.
" Take care of yourself Eleanor. " Catherine smiled. At first I had thought she didn't like me but over the few days I had spent with them I had learnt that she was just naturally reserved and rather unemotional. She kept her feelings to herself and I respected that. But we still got along well and I enjoyed her refreshing calmness, especially with her loud husband.
" You as well. " I smiled, hugging her briefly as well.
I enjoyed the short two day sail back to Boston. The spring breeze felt wonderful and I once again felt free and content as I sat up the main mast of the ship, admiring the horizon.
When I stepped into my home the, dropping my small bag onto the hallway floor, I heard my two men arguing in the kitchen, neither of them having noticed my return.
" You're supposed to leave the chicken as it is before cooking it. " Haytham said sternly.
" That is not how my tribe cooks them. We remove the skin and cut the legs off and cook them - " Khan started, his voice betraying the exasperation he was feeling.
" I don't care, do it as I say. " Haytham simply said, no emotion in his voice.
" I'll do it as I want to, unless you want to do it yourself. " Khan countered and they both fell silent. I giggled silently, imagining the whole week I had been away had gone by in much the same way. I was glad they were at least dealing with each other's presence and working together despite their dislike of each other. They were only doing it for me but I appreciated it more than they would ever know. " Don't to that! " Haytham suddenly cried loudly.
" Oh man up Templar, I'm doing it my way. " Khan spoke as if he was scolding a child and I couldn't help but laugh out loud that time. They both paused and suddenly they appeared in the doorway looking at me as if I had two heads whilst I laughed all by myself.
" You're back. " Haytham eventually said when my laughing had died down.
" Can't handle seeing a chicken be manhandled? " I smirked, and I saw Khan smile in victory, his hands covered in chicken grease and blood.
Haytham grunted and went back into the kitchen, sulking. I laughed again and kissed Khan on the cheek. " Don't hug me, not with those hands. " I winked.
" I'm glad you're home. " He smiled.