Hello again. New chapter! ^^ Amelia is feeling much better, thank you.

So, next chapter, enjoy. No warnings in this one, but I love feedback!

I stood up and examined the dress that Oma had given me. It was simple, the style very similar to what Oma was wearing, but it fit well and did not look to bad. It was a natural brown color and seemed to be made out of one piece of fabric. The fabric itself was unfamiliar, just like everything in this place. I sighed and picked up Alfred who had been playing on the floor. Oma had finally decided that it was time that I got out of the house. Frankly, I was terrified. Holding Alfred tightly, I pushed open the door and stepped out into the sunlight.

I squinted in the bright light, but as my eyes became adjusted, I found myself on the edge of a small village. It was more of a collection of small wooden huts, and I found myself thinking it rather quaint. There were several people walking around, all dark as Oma, and I realized that I must be on an island, and had been rescued by the natives. I wished I had a way of thanking them. I started walking away from the small hut in which I had been living with Oma and Alfred. It had been about three months since Alfred was born. I only knew that because I had started keeping track of the days as they passed.

As I walked I became aware of many eyes on me. I stiffened and held Alfred closer to my chest and began walking faster. I avoided eye contact and kept walking, headed to the beach, when I heard man's voice incredibly close to me. My heart began to accelerate and I forced my legs to move faster, but then my path was blocked by another man. My heart stopped and I stumbled backward, only to be stopped by another man. I felt my reason beginning to be overwhelmed by fear and dropped to my knees, sobbing, wishing I had never come outside.

Just then, I heard Oma's voice, sternly telling off the men. I opened my eyes and she offered her hand. I took it, and she led me back to her hut. I set Alfred down, who immediately began to occupy himself with a bug on the floor, and sat down on a stool. I buried my face in my hands and began to sob. Oma patted me on the shoulder but let me cry.

Alfred was an energetic child and grew quickly. Every day he grew, he looked more and more like my brother, his uncle. Every night when he would go to bed, I would tell him stories of Alfred F. Jones and Arthur Kirkland, heroes of the sea. He loved them, and as he got older, he would begin acting like them, especially Alfred, proclaiming he was the hero. He was adorable, and the light of my life.

Through Oma and the other village children, he learned their native language, and began acting as a translator for me, when I went outside. He also acted as a protector in a way, getting between me and anyone who would upset me. I also made sure that he could read and write in English. I also made sure he could do his sums. Even if we were in the middle of the ocean, I would make sure that my son grew up well.

He was a bright child, and by the time he was three, he spoke quite well. One day, he asked me who his father was. It was then that I chose to lie. "Sweetheart, you father is Arthur Kirkland."

"The hero?"

I nodded, smiling at his eager face.

"Yes! Then is Alfred F. Jones real too?"

I nodded. "Yes, he is your uncle."

Alfred pumped the air with his fist. "Yes! I knew it! I'll be a hero just like them! And then when I meet them, I can go and save the seven seas from evil villains!"

I laughed, feeling my heart break ever so slightly. It was unlikely that Alfred would meet either of his heroes. He ran off to go play with the other children and I stood at the doorway to watch him. I smiled at him, a bright flash of blonde in the midst of the dark natives. They were kind, and though communication was difficult, I had managed to explain most of the situation. That did not stop many of the men from trying to come onto me.

I had no doubt that they really meant no harm, but ever since I had woken, I had an irrational fear of any man that, no matter how hard I tried, I could not overcome.

"Hello," said a voice, in the native tongue, and I turned in surprise. It was Lykos. He had been one of the more forward suitors.

I took a small step away from him and nodded in greeting.

He smiled. He reached a hand out toward me and I took another step back, away from the reaching hand. He sighed and took a step toward me, effectively blocking my escape. My eyes widened in fear. He took one of my hands in his and touched my hair with his hand and I screamed, pushing him away. I jerked my hand out of his and fled, tears falling freely. Alfred had heard my cry and ran toward me. He grabbed my dress in his little hands, halting my retreat. I turned to him, vision blurred by the tears. I dropped to my knees and hugged him.

He wiggled out of my hold and touched my face, "Don't cry, Mommy. I'll protect you."

I smiled through my tears as he wiped away the tears. He turned to face Lykos. He said something in the native tongue, and though I did not understand what he said, his intent was clear. Lykos looked at me, then at Alfred and walked away. Alfred turned back to me and kissed me on the forehead. "It's alright, Mommy. He won't bother you now."

I hugged him tightly, tears falling again. "Don't cry, Mommy. Daddy wouldn't like that. Hero's don't let their girls cry."

I laughed and stood, bringing him with me. "I love you, Alfred. Never forget that."

He squirmed. "Put me down!"

I laughed, kissed his forehead, and set him down. He was red. "Mommy!"

"Heroes get rewards for saving people. That is your reward."

He brightened up. "Okay!" He ran off and joined the other children again.

I turned back to the village and decided to walk down to the beach, something I found myself doing with increasing frequency. It was as though some part of me believed that Arthur would still come for me, even though I knew it was impossible.

I walked through the village, avoiding, the eyes of the villagers and walking quickly, I did not want to have to try and get out of another situation like the one earlier. I left the village behind and walked down the sandy hill and out of the jungle, arriving on the beach where I had been found. I was always drawn to this spot, though I was never sure why.

I stared out across the ocean, letting my hair blow freely in the sea-breeze. My hair had grown out since I had joined my brother on Arthur's crew. It had been five years since I had last seen Arthur, beaten and bruised in the hands of the evil Captain Maleki. I felt my tears prick the corner of my eyes as I watched the sun set. I was waiting for Arthur. I knew he would come, he had promised me that when we were prisoners together, when he comforted me on those nights of pitch darkness.

I closed my eyes and listened to the water as it washed up onto the beach, then slowly pulled back. It was a dance. It was beautiful. My cheeks felt wet and I touched them to find myself crying. I heard Alfred's voice behind me and wiped my eyes as I turned to greet my son. He jumped into my arms, laughing. "Save me, mommy! The monsters are gonna get me!"

I laughed and twirled him around as some of the other village children ran onto the beach, roaring. My only solace was Alfred, who, though his father had been dark in complexion, had ended looking almost exactly like my brother, after whom he was named.

"But, you are a hero. You are the one supposed to be doing the saving."

His eyes widened. "You're right, mommy. Don't worry! I'll save you from the monsters!"

I laughed and set him down. "It is okay, Alfred. There are no monsters here."

He looked up at me, blue eyes so much like Alfred's it hurt. "Really?"

"This is a magic island enchanted to protect us. No one bad can get here. It is invisible on the map."

"Really?" his blue eyes were wide with wonder and innocence.

"Yes. Only heroes can get here."

"So, is Daddy coming? And Uncle Alfred?"

I smiled, feeling tears begin to emerge once again. "Yes, they are."

"Mommy, why are you crying?"

"I miss Daddy and Uncle Alfred."

He touched my face. "But they're coming, so why are you sad?"

"Because Daddy promised, but I do not know if he is coming back."

"He's a hero. And a hero always keeps his promise!" proclaimed Alfred.

I laughed and smiled. "Yes, you are right, Alfred. Now, how about we go home and get some food?"

I straightened as he cheered. "Yes! Food!" He grabbed my hand, he was surprisingly tall and strong for a four-year-old, and dragged me back to the village.

Aww! Isn't wittle Alfie just the cutest thing ever? *squee*

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