The Biggest Geek In The World: You really know how to make me smile, you're just far, far too kind! I'm sooo glad you're still enjoying this!
TAyukii: Neither did I! Thank you so much! :3 I KNOOOOW! I'm so excited as well. And PIRATES! Oh gawd I've always wanted to be a pirate. My favorite part of AC3 was the naval missions so a whole game of it is like AAAAAH! *.* The only thing is, I'm REALLY unhappy that we don't get anymore Connor. I really wanted to see the end of his story :(
AssassinsGurl2012: Oh yes, shit's certainly getting real now! I hope this chapter is up to expectations :) Thank you for reviewing so faithfully :3
edgaryg : Oh gawd, your review... Just... THANK YOU :3 I honestly don't know what to say, you're just way too sweet. I love you reviews! I didn't even plan that chapter, it just sort of happened XD I'm getting so nervous now because we're getting so close to the huge life changing part of the story. I hope you keep enjoying it, it really makes me happy to know that someone enjoys reading this as much as you do!
I would have posted this chapter up a few days ago but University has got me working so much that I didn't have the time. Which is really annoying 'cos I wrote this chapter like three weeks ago u_u Anyway, thank you to everyone for sticking with me. I can't believe there are still new people reading this, it's crazy. Love you all!
" What just happened? " I cried as I slammed the door shut behind me. " You can't tell me you've just agreed to keep me captive here. Tell me I heard wrong. " Haytham was slumped into the chair at the desk, leaving me standing by the door, barely strong enough to stand on my own.
" That's exactly what happened. " He sighed. " I'm afraid they fear your allegiance to the assassins more than they trust your allegiance to me. "
" But you let them walk all over you! " I protested, my voice rising.
" What would you have me do? " He replied just as loudly. " I am their leader, not their mother! We take decisions together! "
" I don't care! Go in there and make them obey you! " I insisted, fear rising inside of me as I pictured myself living as a prisoner in the fort until I grew old and died.
" They should think for themselves, make their own minds up. " He replied calmly, and I scoffed, mocking him uncaringly.
" You're a Templar. You should be against that sort of stuff. " I spat, my voice low.
" And you are an Assassin. You should not be telling me to order them around. " He retorted, making a very valid point.
" But I'm a prisoner. " I pointed out, attempting to walk over to him. " What am I supposed to do? Sit up here and sew all day? Cook you dinner? Raise children? " I mocked, horrified at the idea.
" What would be so wrong with children? " He replied faintly, looking shocked as the words escaped his lips. We stared at each other for what seemed like ages as his words sunk in. He wanted children? He wanted us to be a family? I hadn't even thought of it because I couldn't see how it would be possible. How could we marry when we were enemies? How would our children grow, at the centre of a cruel war, torn between their parents?
" I'm not that person Haytham. " I whispered, taking another shaky step towards the desk. " That can't happen. Remember who I am. Who you are. " I continued, watching his eyes turn sad for a split second before he wiped his face clean of emotion.
" I shall find a solution. " He nodded, looking down to his paperwork. " Get some rest. "
I sighed heavily, angry at him for not telling me what was on his mind, but I gave up. I was too tired and I managed to make my way to the bed and fall asleep, still in the purple dress.
It took me two weeks to get over my wounds and regain some strength. I barely ever left the room, and spoke as little to Haytham as I possibly could. He would insist on changing my bandages and looking after me, but neither of us spoke. I was still angry at him for agreeing to have me be a prisoner and on several occasions I tried to convince him to let me go, but he refused, claiming the wishes of his order were above his own needs. That only fuelled my anger even more and I would sometimes completely ignore him. He didn't seem to want to apologize, or even attempt to get me to talk to him, so I closed in on myself, staring out the window at the large, grim courtyard and the large, closed gates of the fort. Sometimes they opened and I would feel my eyes fill with tears as I watched people walk past, oblivious to my captivity. I grew envious of the birds that sometimes came to sit on the window sill and would watch them fly high into the sky before disappearing.
Haytham had bought me another dress to wear, this one a faint red colour in a similar style - floor length with long sleeves - and I hated it. I hated dressing like a rich man's wife who had never seen a hard day's work in her life, and in a vain attempt to look like myself, I refused to do anything with my hair and preferred to leave it hanging around my face. After a couple of weeks, I started to venture around the fort when I knew Thomas Hickey was out. I found that William's office was upstairs on the second floor and I would often sit in there with him and talk. I had resented him for agreeing to my captivity but soon realised that other than Haytham, he was the only person I could speak to.
I learnt that he was born in Ireland and came to America with his uncle when he was twenty-three and had built his own farm and mill. He was in good terms with the natives and he even knew how to speak their language, and had been appointed Superintendent of Indian affairs to help affairs between the British and the Iroquois. I was fascinated by the man's knowledge and intelligence, and often asked him to teach me what he knew. He would laugh and say he didn't deserve such praise, but I insisted, and he explained how he built his farm on a commercial route, and how he befriended the locals out of fascination and how he used the knowledge he acquired to progress in life.
John Pitcairn would sometimes join us, and though I resented him much more for what he had said about me, I soon came to accept it. He was a peacekeeper, and had deep respect for both his allies and his enemies. I would often listen to the two men discuss tactics, both of them trusting me enough to speak openly in front of me. John was a good leader and well liked by his troops, and I would listen and sometimes ask questions, keen to know how he did it. He told me that being fair and just was the main key, as well as respect and honour. I learnt a lot from the two men and was grateful for the distraction they offered from the boredom of captivity.
Sometimes I would come across Charles who would snarl at me, raising his head as if I was nothing but an ant under his boot. My dislike for the man never ceased to grow and I wondered why Haytham liked him. But then I would see them together and realize that Charles was the perfect image of decency in front of his master, kind and loyal and serving. It was disgusting. Even Benjamin Church didn't resort to such behaviour, and god knew I hated him.
I wrote a letter to Mary, Edmund and Nora to tell them that I was travelling for a time, having a lead on my family's heritage. Haytham delivered the letter to them and told me they were relieved to hear from me, but saddened that I had not said goodbye. Haytham assured them that I regretted it terribly but had not had enough time to do so. I even wrote a letter to Khan, telling him all about the fort and the Templars and how Haytham and I were barely speaking. I told him that I missed him, and I begged him to come back to me. But the letter ended up being shredded to pieces and I threw it into the bin, crying as I did so.
" Eleanor… " Haytham's whisper broke the darkness of the room as we lay in bed one night. We had gone to bed hours ago but neither of us had been able to get any sleep. " I am sorry for what has happened to you. I realize now that you are not made for this life. "
I turned around to face him and just about made out his features in the dark. " I'm going crazy. I've never been so bored in my life and I don't even have anyone to talk to. If it wasn't for John and William, I think I would have killed myself by now. " I complained.
" Do not say that! " He cried, grabbing my wrist. " Never say that again. " We looked at each other for a while and it struck me just how much I had missed him. I may have been angry at him, he may have put his order before me but I missed him. I needed to feel him against me, I needed to hear him whisper sweet nothings in my ear. " I will find a way to sort this out. I promise. "
" Can I at least start going out into the courtyard? " I asked. " I could start doing some cooking for you, you know how much I enjoy it. And I could spar with you to keep you in shape. And I could sharpen your weapons and clean the Fort's cannons. Anything. " I pleaded.
Haytham chuckled. " Anything but housework. " He smirked down at me. " Of course you can do all of that. I shall make sure we have the ingredients you need for whatever you want to cook, and I will buy what you shall need to clean the cannons. They have not been used since we arrived here. " He agreed, making me smile happily. " As long as it keeps you happy. "
" Thank you. " I whispered, and I brushed my lips against his slowly, for the first time since the meeting two weeks before. The kiss was faint and delicate, our lips barely touching as if it were our first one. But then Haytham pushed his lips forcefully onto mine, using my surprise to slip his tongue into my mouth and I savoured the moment of bliss, slithering my fingers into his soft dark hair and pulling him onto me, wrapping my legs around his waist as he continued to kiss me roughly. My body felt alive for the first time in weeks, and I knew then that I had fully recovered from my injuries, as my hands roamed the whole of his body, ripping the annoying clothes from his body and enjoying the heat radiating from his toned muscles as he did the same to me. I had definitely missed him.
And so that's how June turned into July and then into August. Two full months of captivity, kept locked within the confines of the Templar fort. I hated every moment of it and was desperate to run through the forest treetops, to feel the wind in my hair and keep running until I ran out of breath. But there, in that small fort, I could only run about thirty feet before coming face to face with the large stone walls, reminding me that I was trapped. True to his words, Haytham bought me the necessary equipment to clean the eight cannons which I spent hours doing. Charles Lee would watch me carefully whenever he passed through the doors, expecting me to charge at him and run through the door. But I wasn't that stupid, I knew I wouldn't get very far until he caught up with me. He was a fast runner, and so was Haytham.
On the few occasions my path crossed Hickey's, I would glare at him and he would smirk. On one occasion, I got so angry that I launched myself at him and tried to claw at his face with my nails, intent on revenge. But he drew his sword and Haytham pulled me off him, standing between the two of us. I huffed and stormed off to polish some swords for the millionth time. I had honestly never been so bored in my entire life and Haytham was painfully aware of this. He would try to find activities for me, he would find books for me to read but I was didn't have the patience to sit and read. In the end he bought me a violin after the third week and I plucked at the cords with my fingers disinterestedly. William laughed at me and gave me the bow that went with it and I attempted to slide the horse hairs across the violin's cords, and created the most hair raising shriek of a sound. I laughed when Haytham squeezed his eyes shut at the sound and blocked his ears with his hands while I continued to rub the bow against the cords. I knew Haytham loved the violin and I entertained myself by massacring it. But in the end I found myself attempting to play properly, even borrowing William's 'how to play the violin' manual that I found lying around. Well, it was neatly put away in his bookcase but whatever. I played for hours, and mastered how to hold the instrument properly, but the notes just wouldn't come out properly, making me all the more determined to master it. I wouldn't accept defeat, I could do anything.
But everything changed on a cloudy September evening. The sun was setting and I had cooked a roast chicken with potatoes and carrots for Haytham, William and John. I never cooked for the other three Templars because I hated them, but something told me that even if I did cook for them, they would refuse to eat it anyway. But that night, as we sat down to eat, the alarm bell sounded outside in the courtyard, alerting us of an attack. My head shot round to look at Haytham who had already stood and unsheathed his sword. " What is going on? " John asked, also unsheathing his sword.
" What do you think? " Haytham replied vaguely, peering out of the window. At the same moment, Charles Lee burst into the room, panting after having run.
" Mercenaries, dozens of them. " He huffed.
" Get the men to surround this building, it is the easiest to defend. " Haytham ordered. " Get every man and soldier we have in the Fort and do it! "
The Fort wasn't just home to the six templar leaders, but to about thirty other templars that served under Haytham. They weren't particularly important people but had been bought by the templar's ideals and happily obeyed them in exchange for a roof over their heads. John ran out after Charles and William rushed upstairs to arm himself. He wasn't a fighter but took up arms when he was needed. " Get upstairs and barricade yourself in our room. " Haytham ordered me. " I shall come get you when this is over. "
" No, I'm going to help! " I protested, grabbing his arm as he went to leave.
" These men are probably assassins. " He grumbled before slamming the door shut in my face. Assassins? But Charles said they were mercenaries, why would - Oh. Of course, there was only eight assassins left, seven now that I was out of the picture. Of course they would need mercenaries to fight for them, and thanks to me they knew exactly how the fort was organised. I had told Achilles everything.
I rushed upstairs, torn between trying to escape and staying to defend Haytham. I paced the room I had been staying in for nearly three months, peering outside every so often at the fight that was going on. It was dark now, and the shapes were indiscernible from so high, and I bit my lip nervously, hoping Haytham was alright. If these people were assassins, did that mean Khan was among them? What would he do if he came face to face with Haytham? Would they fight each other or would they still their blades? Who would make it out alive?
" Hide. " Haytham shouted at me as he burst through the door, locking it behind him. " Now! " I panicked and ducked underneath the desk, obeying him without question. I heard the door break down and heavy footsteps make their way inside. " Do not think you have the advantage. " Haytham growled darkly.
" Come to meet your end. " Replied a deep, strong voice that I didn't recognise. Swords started swinging and I felt utterly useless, hiding away like a child. But I was unarmed and I hadn't gotten back into shape after my injuries, I would be utterly useless. Cursing myself, I peered around the corner of the desk and my eyes widened in horror when I saw the man Haytham was fighting. He was over a head taller than the templar, with bulging muscles barely covered with a thin short sleeved shirt and tight trousers. He had shaved his hair and it was only just growing back, and had a nasty looking scar on his lip. But what shocked me the most was the large assassin symbol attached to his belt, the metal shining proudly in the candle light as he wielded his sword expertly, knocking Haytham to the ground. I whimpered quietly as I watched him fall to the floor, his sword flying from his hands. The assassin laughed deeply and stepped on Haytham's chest, stopping him from moving. " Goodnight, Templar. " He said.
I panicked, rushed out of my hiding spot, grabbed the metal tipped feather Haytham used for writing and stabbed the assassin in the back of the head. He screamed in agony and I quickly grabbed Haytham's fallen sword and imbedded it in the man's stomach. His eyes gawked at me as he realised he was a dead man and he whimpered. " Why? " He whispered.
" I'm sorry. " I cried, my eyes filling with tears. " I couldn't let you kill Haytham. "
The assassin's eyes filled with understanding and he nodded. " I hope… You find your way. " He groaned, and then fell to the floor, his eyes staring into nothingness as I began to cry. I then felt strong arms around my waist and my hearing vanished as I watched the fallen assassin as I was dragged out of the room. I paid no attention to anything that was going on, all I could do was replay the man's death in my head over and over again. I had killed an assassin. I had killed a brother, a fellow member of the order. He had known I was a prisoner, he had probably been sent to rescue me. What had I done? How could I live with myself now? Had my love for Haytham truly overcome all and any allegiances I had with anyone else? I had become a monster.
" Eleanor! " I could vaguely hear someone calling my name. " Please Eleanor, can you hear me? " I laughed to myself, knowing I had gone completely crazy because it sounded like Khan's voice. " I'm begging you, look at me! "
There was no point in responding. I was a disgrace, a traitor. In the past few years I had helped the Templars more than I had helped the Assassins. Proof? Well, I had helped the Templars kills Silas Thatcher, I had freed them from the redcoats and successfully supplied them with a fully equipped fort. I had homed the templar master and defended him with my life, even taking the life of an Assassin. What was left of who I used to be? I wasn't care free and light hearted anymore. I hadn't boxed for months, and had been living in a luxurious house for a couple of years. I had lost my best friend over a stupid argument and betrayed the people who had saved my life. Who was I?
" Eleanor! " The voice cried again, and I felt myself be shaken so I focused my vision to look up at the annoying person who wouldn't leave me alone. My mouth fell open as I recognised Khan.
" Kahnawà:ke? " I muttered. " Sweetie? " I couldn't believe it, I must have been hallucinating. But Khan's eyes filled with relief and he pulled me into the most heavenly embrace.
" I was so worried Ella. " He muttered, his voice broken with emotion.
" Khan… " Was all I managed to reply as I began to sob uncontrollably in his arms, grabbing onto his clothes so tightly that he wouldn't have been able to pull away if he wanted to. I didn't know where I was, what had happened or how long it had been since I had killed the assassin, but I didn't care at that moment. I was back in Khan's arms and he was there to protect me. He rocked us backwards and forwards for a long time while I cried myself dry. I was lost, completely lost, and I had no idea who I was anymore. I felt like I had finally started thinking for myself, truly, properly thinking and I found that I had been walking on ice, and the ice had broken when I stopped to think. And now I was drowning in questions, regret and confusion.
" It's okay Ella, I'm here, I'll always be here. " Khan whispered into my hair while be brushed it with his hand. I knew I had missed him, but feeling him against me made my heart ache. He was everything to me, and I didn't know how I had managed to live without him for so long.
" I'm sorry. " I sobbed. " I'm so, so sorry. I shouldn't have driven you away, I shouldn't have doubted, I shouldn't have wondered. "
" Shh… " He soothed me, pulling away to wipe my tears away. " You have done nothing wrong. " He said, kissing my forehead softly.
" I have! " I cried. " That assassin is dead because of me. I killed him! Not Haytham, me! " My throat hurt because of all the crying but I couldn't stop, and I fought against Khan as he tried to hold me again. " I've betrayed the order, I've betrayed you. "
" You have not betrayed me. " He said sternly. " You have betrayed the order yes, but not me. You killed him to protect the man you love, there is nothing wrong with that. Now you need to calm down, you're safe now, you're free. "
" Free? " I sniffed. " Where am I? " I asked, looking around at the small, dimly lit bedroom we were in, sitting beside each other on a small double bed.
" The inn I've been living in for the past four months. We're in Concord, in the Frontier. You collapsed soon after I pulled you out of the fort. " He explained.
" What about Haytham? Is he alive? Is he safe? " I panicked, fear rising inside of me.
" He is safe. " Khan nodded. " He and the other templar leaders escaped from the fort as the mercenaries set fire to it. He is the one who told me to get you out of there. I arrived in the room in time to see you kill Erik, and when Haytham saw your reaction, he pulled himself from the floor and ordered me to get you out, to keep you safe. "
I swallowed, my eyes not leaving his. I didn't even know what to think, my mind was just blank. Of course I was grateful to Haytham, and I was relieved that he was safe. But what was going to happen now? The tensions between Assassins and Templars were going to be a million times worse now, and there was no way Haytham would be able to live with me anymore because his allies would no doubt murder me in my sleep. Would Haytham even want to see me anymore? Did I want to see him? Of course I did, I loved him. But I wasn't sure. He was the one who turned me into this… this person I didn't recognise. This person who aided Templars and murdered Assassins. He had never asked me to do any of it but I had done it willingly just to save him. Was he really worth destroying all that I stood for?
" I love you. " I whimpered quietly, so quietly I was surprised Khan heard me.
" I love you too. " He smiled sadly, as he pulled me down onto the bed to lie with my head on his chest, where I fell asleep almost immediately.
September turned to October before I found the courage to leave the Inn. I wondered from our small room to the bath house, to the tavern on the ground floor but never farther than that. Khan would leave for a few hours every day to hunt and buy potatoes and clean water and I would cook for him in the tavern's kitchen that the owner kindly let me use in exchange for a few extra coins every night. Khan and I would talk about the months we spent apart, and I told him how life with Haytham had been until the fateful night Brown and Hickey had got me. I would vaguely explain what they did, and then tell him about my captivity and how I learnt a lot from Pitcairn and Johnson. Khan then told me that after he left me, he had gone back to his village for a few days until he decided to take a room at the inn and heard about my capture only a few days after it happened and had spent three months preparing the plan to raid the fort, hiring mercenaries and collecting information and weapons for the raid. Khan also helped me with my questions, guiding me to the answers and when he couldn't, he would hold me and reassure me. He was the only thing keeping me sane.
Mid-October, I decided that I wanted to see Mary, Edmund and Nora so Khan accompanied me to Boston, where he left me to go about some business at the port, and I made my way to their house. Mary shouted with joy when she saw me and squeezed me in her arms. Nora came running over to me and hugged me just as much, her blonde hair flying around in the wind. She was three and a half years old now, and I couldn't believe how much she had grown in the six months since I had last seen her. Edmund was also very happy to see me, though he was very tired and he soon went to bed. His job as a farmer was becoming more and more demanding and he was ageing quickly, and Mary was worried about him. I played with Nora for a couple of hours, helping her climb the tree in their garden - something she was already good at on her own - and dressing her doll up to look like a pirate. Mary then put her to bed and I stayed a while longer to talk to her. She noticed how quiet I was, but thankfully said nothing about it. She was brilliant in that way, she always knew when to speak and when not to. She poured me some hot chocolate, something she had recently discovered and loved, and we tried to imagine how Nora would be when she grew up. We agreed that she would grow up to be a beautiful, intelligent young lady, but feisty and argumentative.
Khan soon knocked on the door to collect me, so I said my goodbyes to Mary. " Take care now, and say goodbye to Edmund for me. I hope he feels better soon. " I smiled.
" Of course. And you take care as well Eleanor, I don't like you looking so sad. " She smiled sadly. " Please look after her Khan. "
" Always. " Khan nodded.
" I'm fine. " I protested, hugging the woman.
" You will be. " She whispered, kissing me on the cheek as I left.
I walked arm in arm with Khan through the streets of Boston, the streets that I knew so well. I remembered walking through them in the dark after boxing, I remembered racing through them in the sun and playing around in the snow. It had been home to me for years, yet not I no longer felt it was my home, it was just a city. And I didn't belong there anymore.
As we turned a corner near the Southgate, nearing the stables where we had left our horse, I spotted Haytham walking along in the opposite direction. Our eyes locked onto the other's and I immediately stopped moving, as did he. Khan looked over to see him and let go of my arm, encouraging me to speak to the Templar. I was too afraid to move so Haytham came over to me, looking as nervous as I felt.
" Good evening Eleanor, Khan. " He greeted us politely.
" Master Kenway. " Khan replied. " I'll be over there. " He added, patting my shoulder as he walked off to give us some privacy.
" Haytham. " I whispered. " How are you? "
" I've been better. And you? " He spoke quietly, his eyes sad as he looked at me.
I chuckled humourlessly. " Alive. "
Haytham frowned and licked his lip nervously. " I am terribly sorry for everything that I put you through. If you could only know how much I regret - "
" It's fine. " I stopped him. " You never pushed me into anything, I don't hold it against you. " I spoke with more confidence than I felt. " I am the one who should be apologising. "
" What for? " He shook his head.
" Not being stronger. " I whispered. " I do love you Haytham, but I can't… I need to think. I don't know who I am anymore, I just want to be alone. I am so sorry. " I explained, my heart breaking as I told him the inevitable. " I wish it could have been easier. "
Haytham paused for a second, swallowing hard as his sad eyes watched me. " I love you too Eleanor. " He whispered, before lowering his lips against mine delicately, in the saddest, softest kiss I had ever had. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I wrapped mine around his neck and I started to cry. " Take care of yourself my love. " He whispered against my lips." Don't you dare get yourself into trouble. " I replied, kissing him again.
He pulled away and took a step back. " Goodbye Eleanor. " He forced himself to say.
" I'll see you. " I replied, unable to say goodbye as I watched him walk off into the night, my feet rooted to the ground. I felt Khan wrap an arm around my shoulder as he guided me to the stables and took me back to the inn.
I'M SORRY! PLEASE DON'T HIT ME! I PROMISE THINGS WILL WORK OUT, I SWEAR! (Khan's back 3)