Victory Goddess: I know, I really wanted Haytham to be stunned by his daughter. And that's exactly how I imagine Eleanor's influence on him, as someone who shows him what's really important in life and who keeps his humanity intact. He's been so much loss and betrayal that he looses his faith in humanity, and Eleanor's there to restore it :) And OMG THANK YOU *HUG* You couldn't have said anything nicer!
MsNevermind: Yay thank you! *HUG* Haytham is the best :3
AssassinsGurl2012: No don't worry it's not over yet! There's many more adventures to come yet! :D Mary is four at the moment. I know she seems older but she wants to grow up quicker because she's the youngest person on the ship and she learns things very quickly. (Also, I'm not very good at writing young children XD) And I agree completely! An AC film will either be the best thing ever or a complete flop. It scares me...
edgaryg: Thank you so much :3 I most certainly will cherish every second of this story and I hope you do as well!
Kaytee33: I'm so glad this lived up to your expectations! I really wanted to see a scene like that with Connor as well, I wanted them to just hug all through the game. I was so sad they never did :(
hp772222: Yes I love happy "endings" (though this is far from the end XD). And yes, Connor... *swoon* Can't wait to bring him into this! :D
ObsessedFableFreak: Don't worry! I know, Khan needs more love, he's just so awesome. Awww haha seriously? I can just imagine you running around muahahah XD Thank you so much! :3
dylan gray: Oh darn I didn't notice that! I change these chapters so much that I make stupid mistakes like that. But I'm glad you're enjoying this! :)
I'm getting so excited writing this story now. I love it so much, and all my readers just as much! You are the best and I love you all :3
Chapter full of fluffy happy moments, which is unusual for me but meh, this story needs it!
I spent the rest of the afternoon in my cabin with Haytham. He strode over to my desk and sat in my large, expensive captain's chair as if he owned it. " So tell me, it looks like you have been busy during the past four years. " He smirked playfully. There he was, the cocky Templar I had fallen in love with, teasing me like he always had, and I had missed it terribly.
" Well… " I sighed, taking a seat next to him as I went on to explain exactly what happened. His eyebrows would raise, he would frown, look worried or look angry, but he didn't interrupt me once as I told him how I went to England, how Mary was born, how I had bought a ship and how we had ended up travelling around the world.
" So it is captain Eleanor now. " He teased me. " I do apologise. " He smirked, bowing as he stood up, taking his tricorne hat off as he did so.
" Shut up. " I giggled, smacking his arm playfully. " No one calls me that. "
" Then I shall, captain. " He winked, wrapping his arms up and lifting me up off the floor. I laughed and squirmed in his embrace as he kicked open the thin wooden door that lead to my bed and threw me onto it. I went to 'attack' him but within seconds he had me pinned to the mattress as he loomed over me, his expression calm and tender. " I am sorry for everything I put you through. " He whispered, his eyes full of emotion. Barely a few seconds before he had been teasing and laughing, and now he was apologising to me. This man had bigger mood changes than I did!
" I am the one who should be sorry. " I disagreed, shaking my head. " I left without a word. I should have told you I was leaving. I should have come back when I found out that I was pregnant, or at least written to you or something because - "
He made me stop talking by brushing his lips against mine softly as he shifted his weight to lay next to me, one arm keeping his head lifted up as the other arm stayed wrapped around my waist, pulling me towards him so that our bodies were pushed up against each other. " Never apologise for being who you are. " He warned me, his voice low and husky. " You have never done anything less than admirable. "
I smiled, feeling tears creeping up on me again. " Why are you so perfect? " I whispered, not believing how lucky I was at that particular moment in time. I felt like a young girl again, carefree and innocent, nothing more important than the man whose warmth surrounded me.
" You are the only person that I have ever met to truly believe so. " He replied coldly.
" What do you mean? " I frowned, not liking his tone of voice.
He went on to tell me what happened to him over the last four years. He told me that the Assassins of America had been disbanded, all of them dead except for Achilles who had to agree to never take up arms again. Since then, the Templars had barely been active and Haytham had bought a Homestead in Virginia where he lived on his own. Charles Lee had been called back to Europe to fight and would be leaving in a few months, having been promoted to Major. Jonathan Pitcairn had remained in America, having earned the title of peacekeeper, and William Johnson had recently donated more than three hundred square kilometres of land to the natives, still serving as Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Benjamin Church continued to serve the British army and the horrid Thomas Hickey had been keeping a low profile, counterfeiting money and continuing with his vast network of spies.
I guess a lot had changed since I left, and learning the decimation of the Assassins came as quite a shock, but Haytham assured me that it was mostly due to the seven year war and that he had been the one that insisted Achilles be left alive on the condition he resigned as an assassin. I was thankful to him, but I forced myself to not care. I had left that war behind me and I wasn't prepared to be pulled into it once more. No, I was neither assassin nor Templar, and it would remain as such for the remainder of my life. It was over, finished, and Haytham respected that, further proving how perfect he was despite him disbelief in my words.
When the sun started to set, there was a knock at the door and Mary told us that dinner was ready. Haytham hesitated but agreed to follow me down into the ship where he ate with my extended family. Catherine and Charlie, Khan and Nakoma, Mary and Nora, and Kevin and his fiancée Sophie. They all smile brightly as I came in, and warmly greeted Haytham. Mary had obviously told them about her father so none of them questioned his presence or our closeness as we ate in relative peace, all of us enjoying the warm meal and laughing at the jokes that were passed around the table. Haytham barely spoke, his eyes darting from one person to another as he quietly observed the people that surrounded me. I think he was slightly overwhelmed by the friendship and love that we shared for each other, though he would never admit to feeling like that. He was far too proud to admit it. At the end of the meal, just before pudding was served, Kevin stood from the table and raised his wine.
" To capitaine Eleanor! " He cried. " The greatest, most beautiful capitaine I have ever met! May you be loved, and receive beaucoup d'amour from your British man! " He grinned, and everyone scoffed and raised their glasses for the toast.
" To Eleanor and Haytham. " They laughed, making me blush immensely.
" I'm sorry… " I whispered to Haytham, who couldn't believe what was happening. " They get a bit carried away sometimes… " I was actually feeling very embarrassed. They were already assuming Haytham and I had patched up for good, and though I hoped that nothing would separate us, nothing was decided yet. Not only that, but it also obvious to Haytham that I had told them all about him.
" Well I never. " He breathed, looking around him at the people I now called my family.
" You get used to it. " Mary giggled from in front of him. " They are crazy but it's charming. " She winked, echoing his words from earlier.
I looked from my daughter to Haytham as he winked to her and I suddenly realised what had happened. The bond I was afraid they wouldn't be able to form has most definitely formed, stronger than I could have imagined. Mary wasn't just his daughter, she was his double and I could only imagine the smart arse, sarcastic remarks she would start to come out with now that she had Haytham to look up to. And the two black haired people knew exactly what went through my mind as they grinned at me with an evil look in their eyes, ready to give me hell.
After dinner, my crew decided to host a small dance in honour of my heart finally being conquered. After four years of celibacy, they decided that it was something worth celebrating, but really they were just using it as an excuse to drink and dance. I hope, otherwise it would be another wave of embarrassment for me.
" This is amazing. " William Johnson sighed as he watched the dancing on the top deck.
" Why? " I inquired, taking another gulp of ale as I did so.
" This music. It's unheard of. You have African instruments, European instruments, Native American instruments… And the singing - what language is it in? " He was awed by it all.
" I think this song is in Bantu. " I frowned. " I don't know, it doesn't matter to me really. " I shrugged, winking at Nora as she danced with her friend Kwasi.
" You take freedom to another level. " Haytham agreed as he joined us, looking out of place with his neatly brushed hair and fancy coat when everyone else was only wearing breeches and baggy white shirts, though some women were wearing thin brown or white dresses that they had made themselves.
" We're not completely free. " I frowned. " No one is more enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. " I recited, having read it somewhere before but with all the alcohol I had drunk, it was a big foggy. " But on board this ship, I make no difference between men and women, between white people and black people, and err, everyone else. " I laughed to myself, drinking the last of my ale.
" Have you not drunk enough of that? " Haytham frowned.
" One can never have enough ale. " I winked and stepped towards the crowd to get some more when Nakoma threw herself onto me and grabbed my arms to lift them in the air.
" Let's dance! " She giggled and pulled me into the centre of the crowd so that we could dance together, which I happily agreed to.
Khan walked over and joined sometime after that but it was all a bit hazy as I grinned, twirling in circles and shaking my hips. Nora joined in as well, and I pulled Mary into our little circle as I didn't want her feeling left out. I wrapped my arms around Khan's neck as our bodies swayed together at the same time, and I felt Nakoma hug me from behind and after a while I felt completely exhausted so I managed to crawl out and find Haytham, sitting on the floor next to him.
" Well, that was fun. " I grinned, pleased with myself. " Mary come here sweetie! " I called as she walked passed, a heavy book in her hands. " What are you up to? "
" I want to read before bed. " She said. " You should go sleep as well, you're drunk. " She frowned making me giggle.
" You're four years old, you shouldn't know what drunk means! " I laughed, pulling her into my arms for a hug. " I love you, you know that? "
" I love you too mama. " She smiled brightly, kissing me on the cheek. " Goodnight! "
" Don't forget your father. " I reminded her, looking up to Haytham as he watched us.
" Of course. Goodnight father. " She smiled timidly, wrapping her arms around his waist as she hugged him. " Sleep well! " She sung as she made her way to our cabin.
Haytham watched her as she pushed pass several people who were playing card games or talking over glasses of alcohol, bidding everyone goodnight as she did so. " How is it that she is so polite and well mannered when she had been brought up among sailors? " He frowned.
" Good question! " I laughed. " I always put it down to her being your daughter. Same reason why she's so bloody mature for her age."
" What has that got to do with it? " He said, sitting down on the floor next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders so that I could rest my head on him.
" Well, you're posh and stuff. " I shrugged. " Must be heret - heredim - har - " I stuttered.
" Hereditary. " Haytham corrected me, smirking.
" Whatever. " I shrugged, making him chuckle against me.
I closed my eyes and must have fallen asleep right there, right then because when I next opened my eyes, I was in my bed in nothing but a white undershirt, the moonlight shining into the small room. When I turned my head, I found Haytham's face dug snugly in my messy hair, his deep breathing caressing the side of my neck as he snored lightly, his legs wrapped around mine. I smiled to myself, hardly believing my luck. Everything was well and truly perfect.
Around noon the next day, the ship we were tracking was spotted. I ordered everyone into their battle positions and gripped the helm, staring directly at my target with Haytham and William standing by my side. " How are you going to do this? " Haytham asked me.
" Like I usually do it. " I retorted, too busy going through the paces in my head to stop and chat to him. " Prepare to fire! " I called out to my men who immediately started placing the cannonballs inside the cannons, ready to fire. The wind was behind us, pushing us towards the target.
" They don't realise we mean to attack. " Kevin informed me, coming to stand by my side.
" Good, I can creep right up beside them. " I grinned, turning the helm to the left to come up beside the ship. " Full sail! " I shouted.
" Ils ne vont rien comprendre! " Kevin laughed beside me as I smirked, preparing myself for battle. We slowly crept up beside the ship, so close that we could wave to the other captain and it was only then that they realised that we were prepared to attack. I saw the captain's mouth open to order his men to prepare the cannons, but at the same time I ordered my men to attack.
" Open fire! " I commanded, and a series of deafening cannon shots followed. Many men covered their ears with their hands but I couldn't, not whilst I was at the helm. The enemy ship took a huge blow, most of their cannons rendered useless from the close impact and I could already see that many were dead or injured. " Half sail! Prepare to board! " I commanded my men, handing the helm over to Kevin and turning to Haytham. " Donato Mancini is all yours Haytham. " I smiled triumphantly, enjoying the look of surprise on his face.
I then turned to rush down the stairs to join my men as they prepared themselves to jump on board the enemy ship, and I was the first to make the jump, landing on top of a sailor with my dagger embedded in his neck. I noticed Haytham run after the ship's captain and I took a moment to admire his fighting skills. His childhood training was still obvious, his sword fighting technique skilful and elegant, his posture straight and chivalrous, very different from mine as I preferred fighting with two daggers rather than with a sword. They were more easily manoeuvrable and much lighter.
It took barely half an hour for the ship to be ours, and Haytham came to stand next to me again whilst I was ordering my men around to gather up the provisions the ship had. " You did good. " Haytham commented, watching me do my work. " You have certainly acquired a certain skill for this sort of thing. "
" It feels right. " I nodded. " I much prefer it to what I used to do. "
" It shows. " He smiled down at me before jumping back onto my ship to meet up with William Johnson. I smiled to myself as I watched him, glad that he was around. I had missed him.
Within a few hours we turned around and set sail back to New York, where William Johnson left us as soon as he could get off the ship and back onto hard land. " Has he changed or is it me? " I asked Haytham as I watched the Templar walk away. " He and I used to share… Some sort of friendship. And now… "
" Yes. " Haytham muttered. " He has become colder and harsher. " He nodded. " We all have, myself included. " I looked up to him questioningly as we stepped onto the harbour hand in hand, wondering what he meant. He didn't seem any different to me. " Death and betrayal has a way of making us turn sour and cruel. " He explained briefly.
" What do you mean? " I asked, not understanding.
" Do you remember me ever having friends? " He asked bitterly. " A family? People I trusted? " I shook my head, wondering where he was going with this as we strolled down the port. " That's because there never has been any. Holden was my only friend, and you remember what happened to him. Then there was you, and even you left in the end. "
" Haytham, I - " I started, feeling horrible despite the sunshine.
" Do not apologise. " He interrupted me, putting a finger on my lips. " You did what you had to do, and you came out of it stronger than ever. "
" What about you? " I sighed, passing my hand over his cheek in a gesture of adoration. " I can't just leave you. I'll never leave you again, do you understand that? " I meant every word I said. Now that we were reunited, there was no way that I would let him go. I loved this man, this Templar, and I would do anything - everything - to stay by his side.
He shook his head. " You have a crew to look after. You have two daughters to raise - "
" Exactly. And Mary needs her father. " I said sternly. " Don't even try to tell me that we're separating again. " I frowned and put my hand over his mouth when he opened it to protest. " Don't! " I cried. We had spent four years apart, four years during which time I had become stronger, independent, and confident. I was now a mother, a leader, a captain, and I was happy with myself. But seeing Haytham again had made me realise that none of it was important without him by my side. If I couldn't share my life with Haytham, then what was the point in living it?
" What do you propose? " He eventually said, cocking an eyebrow as he looked behind me to where I could hear Mary and Nora running around together while Khan shouted at them to not run off. When I didn't answer, he looked down at me questioningly and I smirked. I had been thinking about this for a while now, and I finally had the occasion to put my plan into motion.
" Half sail! " I shouted. It was June 1764, three months since Haytham and I had found each other once again. We were approaching an empty beach in south Virginia, the sun shining down on us as I manoeuvred the Warrior Princess to get her as near to land as possible before weighing anchor. " Prepare the rowing boats. " I told Khan, who nodded and set to work. I left the helm to Kevin as I jumped over the railing to land in front of my cabin and went inside to find Mary sitting on Haytham's lap as he read to her. Over the last three months that we spent together, Haytham and I had renewed our relationship and we were as close as we had been all those years ago. It was so natural for us to fall into synch with each other, and it was as if we had never been apart. And his relationship with Mary was blossoming ever so quickly as he happily took on the role of a loving father. It suited him well and it made my heart swell every time I saw them together. He loved his daughter with everything he had, and I knew he wanted to be the best father he could possibly be. And Mary always looked at him with adoration in her eyes. She had always wanted to meet her father and now that she had, it would be impossible to tear her away from him. It was cute beyond words0 " We're here. " I smiled, the two black haired Kenways looking up as I did so.
" I want to see! " Mary said excitedly, running off outside happily.
" Are you sure this is what you want? " Haytham asked me for the millionth time since I had proposed the idea. He stood up, putting the book on the table and wrapped his arms around my waist. " You don't have to give all of this up just for me. " He whispered against my lips.
" I'd give the world up for you. " I smiled, kissing him deeply and he responded my moaning in delight as he slithered his fingers through my hair as he held me against him, never wanting to let me go.
Within a couple of hours we were on firm land and Haytham, Mary, Nora and I walked straight up to the large mansion that was set in the middle of tobacco and wheat fields. It was built in red brick, two stories high with a large porch on the front of the house held up with Greek styled columns in white marble. It was beautiful. " So this is where you live? " I smirked, teasing Haytham as we made our way up to his manor house.
" No. " He shook his head. " It is where we live. "
I rolled my eyes and laughed just as Nora pulled on my sleeve. " Can I go play in the fields? " She asked, looking around at the tall grass, dying to run through it.
" Of course princess. " I agreed, and she ran off with Mary just behind. I smiled happily as I watched the two girls run hand in hand through the fields of wheat until I caught sight of a couple of dark skinned people working in the fields and I turned to face Haytham. " Are they slaves? " I asked, anger growing inside of me. I looked round to find him biting his lip, nodding slightly and I frowned angrily. " Free them this minute. " I ordered him. " I will not live here surrounded by slaves. "
" How else will the fields be tended to? " He protested. I suppose I was being rather harsh, I had barely arrived on his land and I was already giving orders. But after living with my crew for four years, I couldn't bear the idea of slavery. That wasn't how I wanted to bring my children up.
" I have a crew! " I argued. " What do you think they are going to do? Continue to live on the ship in cramped conditions whilst I live in this large house? " I rolled my eyes, calming myself down and forcing my voice to be softer. Haytham didn't deserve to be shouted at. " Free the slaves. They can stay if they wish, and if they don't, they can do as they please. My men will begin building their own houses soon enough. " I told him, brushing a hand over his cheek. " I'm stronger now. " I told him. " I am a mother, a captain, a leader. I haven't taken orders from anyone in over four years Haytham. I'm sorry if I seemed angry. " I said softly, brushing my lips against his softly in the hope of being forgiven.
" Do not worry about it. " He waved his hand in the air. " It's sexy. " He winked, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me against him, making me giggle like a little girl. He no longer bothered hiding his emotions around me or our daughter. He always used to, he used to need to keep his mask of certainty and calmness intact no matter the situation. But now it just dropped completely and the real Haytham shone through. I hadn't dared ask him about it just yet, fearing that he would put the mask back on as soon as I did so, but I cherished the fact that he trusted me enough to be himself.
So that is how it went. Haytham, Mary, Nora and I lived in the large mansion together, making a proper family for the first time. Khan and Nakoma turned the outhouse into their home, only forty feet away from the mansion. Charlie and Catherine, Kevin and Sophie, and all my other crew members - the men and women and the few children that had either come with us in the first place or been born during the four years since we started out - built their own houses around the large estate. They had all happily agreed to live on Haytham's homestead, of which I was immensely relieved. We were keeping the Warrior Princess of course, none of us could simply part with her after everything we had been through. I fully intended to go out at sea from time to time - after all, the ocean was my first love, even though Haytham hated hearing me say that. But it was general consensus that living on firm land was a far better idea for us all - most of us were getting older and loosing our agility, and nearly everyone either already had children or wanted them, so it was safer to bring them up on land. Not only that, but it gave us all more privacy and space, something that the ship severely lacked.
In fact it turned out perfectly well and Haytham's homestead quickly turned into a thriving community. We had fishermen, smithies, hunters, farmers - every trade you could think of. The estate was large, with a beach on one part and cliffs on another, both looking out to sea. There was a small forest that continued past Haytham's land, but enough of it was on his land for us to hunt in it. Then there were the fields and the houses, and small gardens here and there. Haytham would play the grumpy old man, often refusing to partake in the festivities that were held every week, and prefer to lock himself away in his study. Mary would often sit with him, wanting to learn everything that he knew - he was fluent in both French and Spanish, so she wanted to learnt it all as well. Nora on the other hand continued to live in a fantasy world, and soon took up archery with the hunters and I taught her how to scale buildings and trees properly. I had given up trying to convince her to become a proper lady, and thought that teaching her myself was better than letting her learn the hard way. So we would often wave at Mary and Haytham as we climbed passed the open window by their study and they would both frown, shaking their heads. I still couldn't believe how much Mary was like Haytham, and if she didn't have the exact same face as I did, I would have thought Haytham had fathered her on his own.
But that's how life was in our household. Two frantic women jumping around all the time, and the other two sitting down carefully sipping their tea as they read the newspaper. It would seem rather crazy at times if Haytham didn't insist we spar together every other day. I loved sparring with him, and I would giggle and tease him as I used my smaller body to swivel out of his reach whilst he used his strength to try to pin me to the ground. Sometimes he managed it, and we would end up struggling with each other until we reached our bedroom, where we continued our struggle for power.
One evening a few months later, I got home after helping Khan and Nakoma paint their bedroom walls. I took my coat and boots off, leaving them in the hallway in a mess like I usually did. I knew it drove Haytham crazy but I was too lazy to be bothered. It was late and I ached all over, and I just wanted to see my daughters and hold Haytham. I trudged into the living room in nothing but my shirt and breeches, my shirt revealing quite a bit of cleavage since it had gotten torn on a branch when I had climbed a tree earlier on, and froze when I came face to face with Charles Lee as he stood in front of the fire place next to Haytham.
" What the hell are you doing here? " I couldn't help but demand when they both turned to me, bearing very different expressions on their faces. Haytham looked worried, his eyes darting from Charles to me and he held himself ready to pounce in case a fight broke out. Charles on the other hand was frowning deeply, his lip curled up in disgust and anger as he looked at me.
" William said you had reappeared. " He spat. " But he failed to mention about your living arrangements. " He cocked an eyebrow as he turned to look at Haytham.
" That is none of your business Charles. " Haytham explained before I could retort, fully intending to insult Charles. If living with sailors for years had taught me one thing, it was how to insult people and get into fights with as fewer words as possible.
" But sir it is our business. " Charles retorted. " She may not be an assassin anymore but she is still our enemy. She knows too much of our order and she may yet pose a threat to us. "
" I'm standing right here you arsehole. " I cried, pushing him on the shoulder to catch his attention. " I haven't the least bit of interest in your pathetic little order and your ridiculous claims of wanting to save the world. " I spat, meaning every word of what I was saying.
" I should have killed you years ago. " He replied darkly, almost growling as he looked straight into my eyes, standing so close to me that I could have kissed him.
" That's enough! " Haytham decided, putting his arms between us to separate us as Charles and I growled at each other like dogs. I wanted nothing more than to rip his head off but I wouldn't dare do it, not in the living room.
" Mama? " I heard Mary's little voice from behind us. The three of us turned at the same time to find her standing in the doorway looking very worried in her nightgown as she gripped the small teddy bear Haytham had bought her in her arms.
" It's okay sweetie, go back to bed I'll be there in a second. " I smiled softly to her, not wanting her to stay down here with Charles.
" No. " She frowned, walking towards us. " Why are you shouting? Dada? " She tugged on Haytham's shirt as she looked up at him with adoration in her eyes. She had stopped calling him 'father' and went with 'dada'.
" You have a daughter? " Charles almost chocked as he witnessed the interaction, hardly believing his own eyes.
" We do. " Haytham said sternly as he picked her up into his arms whilst she simply stared at Charles with wide eyes, chewing on her teddy's ear. " Now if you could leave us Charles, we have to put her to bed. It's past her bedtime. "
Charles scoffed. " The others will not be happy when they hear about this. " He said darkly. " You tread on dangerous ground master Kenway. "
" Threaten Haytham again and I'll feed you your balls. " I whispered into his ear as he passed me. He turned to look at me with wide eyes and I smiled innocently at him, not wanting to scare Mary.
" You will be dealt with. " He simply stated before striding off quickly, slamming the front door behind him. I looked over to Haytham as we shared a worried expression, neither of us daring to speak openly whilst Mary was still with us. She was far too young still.
After putting her back to bed, Haytham joined me in our bed, discarding his clothes as he crawled into bed to wrap his arms around me, pushing our naked bodies against each other. " Do not worry about Charles or the order. " He whispered. " I will never let them touch any of you. "
" I know. " I smiled, bushing my lips against his as I untied his hair, throwing the ribbon onto the floor as I ran my fingers through his long, soft hair. " Thank you. " I whispered before pressing my lips against his lovingly, pushing against his chest to roll over and straddle him with a large, teasing smile on my face as he looked up at me with predatory eyes.