Meh, sorry i haven't had time to draw pictures for this one. well, i have ONE picture for it, but it's of a character that doesn't come along for a few more chapters...sorry XD NaNoWriMo strikes again!

8

The next day dawned bright and cheerful, and the women were again awakened by the Fae Trinity had dubbed "the walking, talking AOL" with a stream of announcements and the ever-present question of whether there was anything she could do for them. Trinity was tempted to have the girl pack for her, but balked at the thought of someone else choosing her wardrobe. So, after the Fae woman was gone, Trinity and Evelyn packed a few shirts each (both long and short sleeved) and skirts and dresses, all knee length so they could wear pants under them practically.

Evelyn was rummaging around for a spare pair of boots when Trinity tapped her on the shoulder. The older woman turned and was surprised to find the young woman offering her two slender knives.

"What?" she asked nervously.

"Pray we don't need them," Trinity sighed, "But they are a necessity. Despite having Vorian around, we will be the only two females on this ship, and we will be traveling out of the Underground, where Jareth's powers are hopelessly weak. Otherwise he would have poofed back already."

Evelyn took the weapons with a shaking hand. They were sheathed in plain black leather, and the hilts matched black and silver.

"One of them goes on your belt," Trinity recited, "The smaller one you hide on your person. Always have one weapon in secret, Jareth says. His people love him, but he says you can never be too careful. He had a smith make them for me a long time ago."

"Are you going to carry any?" Evelyn asked quietly, attaching one knife to her belt.

"Yup." The smaller woman held up another set of knives that were very similar to the ones she'd given Evelyn. The only difference was the silver butterfly design embossed into the leather. "Let's see…do you want a wrist sheath or do you just want to stick yours in your boot? The only thing about the wrist sheath is that you have to wear long sleeves all the time. However, it is by far more comfortable than having a concealed knife in your boot. I don't know how on earth Raiv went so long."

"It doesn't matter…" Evelyn still wasn't sure about carrying knives she had no idea how to use on her person.

Trinity gazed her friend, assessing her reaction to the weaponry. "You know what? We'll go for boots for now. I'll just bring the wrist sheaths and if it gets cooler where we're going we'll switch to wrists."

Evelyn watched as Trinity expertly maneuvered her smaller butterfly knife into the groove in her leg caused by her calf muscle, and shake out her leg to make sure the knife was settled in the boot. "You are going to have to teach me how to use these."

Trinity smiled. "Sure thing."

XxXxX

Within only a few minutes, both young women were following Vorian out to the Morning Star. The sun was just beginning to rise, sending yellow and pink rays across the sky.

Captain Tesla was waiting for the new passengers, and he promptly informed them that both women were to have his cabin, and Vorian was to share a cabin with some of the crew. Vorian replied swiftly to this, telling Captain Tesla that he would be quite happy sleeping outside of the girls' cabin, stretched out comfortably in front of their door. He then put the women's baggage in their room (for he had carried all of their luggage, including his own), and placed his small bag in one of the ship's cabins.

"With the way the weather is faring," Tesla informed Trinity and Evelyn once Vorian was below deck. "We should make it just on time to Point de Rouck. If I can do anything to make your stay more comfortable, please inform me. Excuse me, ladies, but it is time to make way to the open ocean."

He walked past them, standing tall and moving with a graceful stride, and then began to call out orders.

"Hoist anchor! Set the sails! Heave to or ten lashes each!"

"This will be exciting!" Evelyn said, her eyes sparkling as she turned to Trinity.

"Sure," Trinity nodded. "Once I get over being seasick, the whole voyage should be a breeze."

"I'll probably get sick too, but just think," Evelyn smiled, moving over to the ship's railing. "We fit right in with 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' except that we aren't with pirates. Did you see Captain Tesla's eyes?" she asked, leaning over the railing a bit. "They were so unique. I've never seen that color before."

"Is this an attempt to get my mind off Jareth?" Trinity grinned, standing next to her friend.

"Not to get your mind off, necessarily, but for you to relax a bit. We're leaving, at this very moment, to go get him. Everything will be fine. Take a little time to enjoy this experience. Who ever thought we'd actually be on this type of ship? Oh, I've always wanted to be on one of these!"

Evelyn's enthusiasm wore off on Trinity, and within minutes, a small trace of her worries had disappeared.

The ship pulled away from the docks and made its way out to sea, Tesla manning the helm professionally. Evelyn watched him with delight, her imagination letting her completely enjoy the experience. She did get a bit seasick, but she considered all to be part of this new adventure, and it made things more bearable for her. Trinity had to sit down on the deck, her back resting against the ship's railings, and close her eyes.

Evelyn kept watching Tesla, entranced by the way he steered the ship and gave his men orders. No one argued with him, and Tesla looked the perfect image of a captain who knew what he was doing.

Tesla felt Evelyn watching him, and he glanced down, his face firm.

"You seem quite interested in the helm, Miss Evelyn."

"I am," Evelyn nodded. "I've written so many pirate stories and stories about ships, but never have I been on one. Is it difficult to man the helm?"

"You write about pirates and ships?" Tesla asked, interested. "I am certain you have done a great deal of research, then. Come up."

"Come up?"

"Perhaps you would like to man the helm yourself for a moment?"

Evelyn squealed with delight but then looked to Trinity.

"Hey, Trin, are you going to be okay?" she asked, putting her hand on Trinity's shoulder.

"Sure," Trinity nodded groggily. "I'll be fine. Go steer the ship. I know you want to."

Evelyn smiled and squeezed her friend's shoulder gently before she made her way, a bit clumsily, towards the quarterdeck. She was a bit sick, but the chance to actually sail a ship was too great of an opportunity to miss! Tesla stepped aside, giving her full access to the helm, and with shaking hands, Evelyn reached out and grabbed hold of the helm.

"Now," Tesla said coolly, "I want you to steer us south, fifty point nine degrees."

"I'm sorry," Evelyn asked, eyes wide.

"Fifty point nine degrees south. That should get us to Point de Rouck in about twenty days."

"I don't know how to tell directions," Evelyn blushed.

"Turn it a bit towards your left," Tesla said easily.

Evelyn nodded, embarrassed, and then attempted to turn the helm to the left. It was far heavier than she expected it would be, and her cheeks began to flame as she struggled with the helm.

"Dear me," Tesla chuckled, his voice low and pleasant. "I hadn't thought it would be so difficult."

"I didn't think it would be either," Evelyn sighed, releasing the helm.

"Watch," Tesla said kindly, reaching out and taking hold of the helm. "Do it like so."

He moved the helm slowly, with great strength coming from his arms. Evelyn could see his forearm muscles, strong and sturdy, tense as he turned the helm.

"It takes a little bit of muscle," Tesla explained. "Try again."

Evelyn nodded and then took the helm again. She followed his example and slowly turned the helm. Her muscles twitched as she worked and then began to shake violently. She felt the helm give way to her and looked to the side to see one of Tesla's arms at her side, moving the helm with her. She took in a deep breath, realizing that he was standing directly behind her, one arm on either side, helping her steer.

"Well," she said with a nervous smile and then dropped down low and slipped quickly out of his hold. "That was an experience. I shall have to try it again sometime. Thank you."

She made her way back to Trinity's side, not daring to look back and see what Tesla thought of that interesting display.

"Phew! That was harder than I thought it would be. How are you doing?" she asked, sitting down next to Trinity.

"A little better," Trinity smiled weakly, eyes still closed.

"Ladies," Vorian said, stepping onto the deck. He immediately noticed Evelyn's flushed cheeks and frowned slightly. "I have someone that might be able to help you with your seasickness."

Trinity opened her eyes with a groan and looked to Vorian's side to see her supposed "rescuer."

"This is Wilburus," Vorian smiled, and Wilburus smiled.

He was about twelve years old and had flaming red hair and adorable freckles. He had the quaintest pointed ears that made him all the more adorable. He stood several inches shorter than Vorian, but when Evelyn stood up, Trinity saw that Wilburus was about her friend's height.

"I've brought you a stunning concoction, m'lady," Wilburus said with a bow, holding a mug out to Trinity. "It is proven to ease any seasickness."

"Thank you," Trinity smiled, taking the mug from him. "What is it?"

"Juice from the sweetest peaches with a mix of pecans and sugar. It is entirely heavenly. I made it," Wilburus said proudly. "The cap'n doesn't care for it much, but I think it is the greatest drink ever!"

Trinity started when the young man plopped down on the floor next to her.

"Please, try some," Wilburus encouraged, and Trinity smelled the drink.

It didn't smell heavenly, and it certainly didn't look delightful, but the boy was hovering, waiting for her to drink, and Trinity certainly didn't want to hurt his feelings. Quickly, not giving herself time for second thoughts, Trinity brought the mug to her mouth and took a sip.

It was good, and her stomach immediately began to feel better. Trinity hastily downed the whole thing, hoping that all the pain would be gone from her stomach in a matter of minutes. She wasn't disappointed. As soon as the entire drink was vanquished, the queasiness left her stomach, and she felt as good as normal.

"See? Isn't it good?" Wilburus grinned, taking the mug from her.

"That was really good, Wilburus! I feel better already! Thank you!" Trinity exclaimed happily.

"You are welcome," Wilburus said proudly.

"Evelyn, do you need some?" Vorian asked, seeing that the woman's cheeks were still flushed.

"No thank you," Evelyn said, shaking her head. "I'll be fine."

"Your cheeks are red."

"I…I was able to sail the ship a bit," Evelyn said softly, her cheeks flushing again.

"And you needed help?" Vorian asked, his countenance darkening.

"A little."

"It's an old sailor trick," Vorian said. "The captain has a way he can make the helm difficult to manage. Let me guess. He offered to help you?"

"Vorian, he was very polite," Evelyn stammered, amazed at Vorian's apparent overprotection. "I don't think he did that."

"Oh, he did," Wilburus said helpfully. "Actually," he puffed up his chest a bit, "he told me to make the helm difficult, so I did it, but he told me to."

"I will have to have a talk with him," Vorian said, turning to leave.

"Wait," Evelyn sighed, taking hold of his arm. "I'm fine, Vorian. I'll just be a little more careful, that's all."

"No," Vorian frowned. "I'm going to talk with him. He shouldn't even be thinking of doing things like that to one of the king's trusted friends."

"He's a sailor," Evelyn persisted. "I'll be fine. Really."

"Your father wouldn't have been fine with him doing that," Vorian said, folding his arms across his chest.

"But my father isn't here. He doesn't even know I'm here. I can handle it."

"You are flushed," Vorian said, his voice getting as close to a growl as it ever would towards Evelyn. "I'm talking to him."

"But…" Evelyn started, but Vorian turned away and moved towards the helm.

"Oh great!" Evelyn sighed, sitting down next to Trinity. "What's gotten into him? I've never seen him that irritated!"

"He likes you," Wilburus said simply and then smiled at Trinity. "So you're the one the king is going to marry? He made a good choice."

Now it was Trinity's turn to blush.

XxXxX

Vorian came to the captain as he passed the helm to the helmsman. Tesla raised a cool eyebrow at him, as if he expected what Vorian was coming to him about. Vorian thought he probably did.

"Captain Tesla," he addressed the captain formally, "I have something pressing that I wish to speak to you about."

"You may speak your mind."

The captain was walking below decks, and Vorian had to follow him to speak.

"It concerns the treatment of the two young ladies aboard your ship," Vorian said hotly. "As captain, you are charged with their safety, and held to your word by your king. You may be sure that if I observe your treatment of either of them as less than honorable…"

"You will inform your king of my disobedience and have me stripped of my duties for always and eternity," Tesla said, rolling his eyes. "I'm sure your threat would be quite terrifying…if your king was actually on his throne."

Vorian stopped in his tracks. Tesla turned slightly, and smirked.

"You will remember who is in charge on this ship, sir," the captain said mockingly, and swept into a cabin.

The water prince was left standing below deck, glaring after the captain. He took deep breaths to calm himself down before he returned to the women, and turned to go back on deck.

XxXxX

Trinity had opted to stay on deck until her seasickness was gone, and so she and Evelyn were still leaning on the deck rail. Both of them had improved greatly, and Vorian was amused to note that Wilburus was standing in front of them, apparently in the middle of a very detailed explanation of something. The boy jumped when Vorian tapped him on his shoulder.

"Wilburus," he said, smiling, "Don't you have duties to attend to?"

The boy looked at Trinity nervously, and opened his mouth to protest. Then a voice reached them from the galley below decks.

"Where is that boy?! Wilburus, get down here before I take your hide!"

Wilburus gave the women a hurried bow before scampering down to the galley. Trinity giggled slightly, and Vorian and Evelyn looked at her.

"Thanks, Vorian," the black-haired woman said, "Cute kid, but I was a little annoyed at the graphic descriptions of battles with pirates. He, uh, knows how to use his imagination."

"Trinity was turning green again," Evelyn said, smiling and rolling her eyes.

Vorian joined them against the railing, on the other side of Evelyn. "Well, ladies," he said cheerfully, "We have an entire three weeks ahead of us on this rather…charming…ship. Whatever shall we do to occupy ourselves?"

Trinity's face had fallen, and she didn't respond. Evelyn gave Vorian a look that said, "Great job, genius."

The water prince cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"Trinity, I think you need to teach me how to use the pointy objects you gave me," Evelyn said brightly, "I don't think they are very useful until I can actually figure out how to use them."

"They are called daggers," Trinity grinned, slapping Evelyn gently on the shoulder. "All right. I'll show you how to use them. Take out your dagger."

Evelyn nodded and pulled her dagger out of its sheath on her side.

"Ooh! I love that sound!" she exclaimed, referring to the metal sliding against the leather sheath.

"A great deal of it has to do with your body position," Trinity explained, drawing her own weapon. "You want it to be held steadily in your right hand, and the rest of your body does most of the work. It takes a lot of flexibility and speed, but you'll get it. Okay. Get your dagger ready."

Evelyn held her dagger the way Trinity told her to, and then she was instructed to move with it, pretending to block advances, lash out, etc… Evelyn wasn't particularly pleased with the idea of "playing" with knives, for she had cut herself before and she wasn't eager to do it again. The knife was lightweight, but she held it very much as though it was going to turn and attack her.

"It's not going to hurt you, Ev," Trinity sighed after fifteen minutes of watching her friend deal with the knife.

"You need to hold it more securely. That will help your confidence," Vorian said, stepping forward and offering to show Evelyn a better way for her to hold it.

He stepped over to her side and then moved his hand to her hand, the one that was wrapped insecurely around the dagger. He took her fingers and gently wrapped every single one of them firmly around the hilt.

"Now hold it tightly," he said gently. "Let the full force of your fingers cling to that hilt."

"I don't like knives," Evelyn said uncertainly. "I've cut myself with one before, and I don't want to do it again."

"You'll be all right," Vorian said reassuringly. "Now I want you to move towards me with it, like you're going to attack. Come on."

He stepped away from her and began to move, keeping his eyes on hers.

"Let's go, Evelyn."

"I'm not ready to attack someone! What if I hurt you? Maybe I should do this with Trinity, and just go a whole lot slower," Evelyn said uncomfortably.

"You know fully well you wouldn't ever want to even try and attack me," Trinity grinned. "But I do need some practice too."

"Then both of you come at me," Vorian said easily. "I think I'd be all right with both of you."

"Are you sure?" Trinity asked. "You don't have a dagger."

"I'll just borrow a sword," Vorian said, reaching down and grabbing a sword that was leaning against one of the railings. "Don't fear for me, ladies. Both of you need to learn how to do this, in case there should be some emergency. And don't attack me lightly either. I'm a vicious pirate captain, and I have to be stopped."

Evelyn stopped moving and watched, biting her lip ferociously, as Trinity quickened her pace and moved quickly towards Vorian.

"These are knives we're playing with!" Evelyn exclaimed nervously. "Don't kill each other! And I mean that seriously!"

Trinity grinned as she swung at Vorian, who promptly flipped backwards and landed on the stairs to the helm.

"Now that's just not fair!" Trinity exclaimed. "I can't do that!"

"And pirates fight fairly?"

"Can't you fight without daggers?" Evelyn shouted to them, closing her eyes as Trinity stepped towards Vorian again and lashed out at him.

"How can you learn to use daggers if you don't fight with them?" Vorian asked, easily blocking Trinity's dagger with his sword.

Evelyn frowned and gazed at her knife. She then shook her head and proceeded to join Trinity in the fight.

Vorian jumped onto one of the railings and began to run across it, completely at ease as Trinity and Evelyn chased after him. Trinity jumped onto the railing after him, but Evelyn, always thinking practically, refused to jump onto the railing. Why jump onto the railing when one could stay on the deck? Plus, they were way above the water and if someone got knocked over, it would hurt.

Trinity began to lose her balance, and she jumped off the railing and onto the decking, hitting someone hard in the back as she did so.

"Oops! Sorry!" she exclaimed, turning around to apologize to the man she had hit.

"Oh, that's alright lass," the man said, turning to face her.

To Trinity's absolute horror, the man's eye fell out. She let out a bloodcurdling scream and jumped back.

"Ah! Vorian! Vorian!"

"Sorry about that," the sailor said with a smile, bending down to pick up the wooden eye. "That always happens. It's most annoying. Especially when it splinters. It itches something terrible."

"Good grief! Trinity!" Evelyn shouted, running to her friend and catching her as she swooned. "It's only a fake eye!"

"Pintel, keep that thing where it belongs," Captain Tesla demanded from the deck.

"My apologies," Pintel nodded and then promptly put his eye back in its proper place.

"Are you all right?" Vorian asked, coming to a stand next to Trinity.

"I'll be fine," she grumbled, pushing away from Evelyn. "Let's keep going."

Vorian nodded and then jumped back onto the railing. He and Trinity began to fight again, and Evelyn watched, letting out a slight sigh as she did so.

"I just know there's some other way to do this," she said, and then glanced to her side.

There it was. There was a sail rope hanging just a few yards away from where she stood. Evelyn put her dagger back in its place and then grabbed hold of the rope.

"If Jack Sparrow could do this, than so can I," she said with a grin.

She climbed onto one of the railings and then pushed off, moving rapidly towards Vorian. The rope spun, Evelyn spinning along with it. And she hollered, just like Jack, her legs flailing about as she moved. She moved towards Vorian, hoping that she could turn around him and then knock him onto the ship. Unfortunately, this plan failed, and she passed Vorian kicking him off the railing in the process. The rope swung back towards the ship, giving Evelyn the opportunity to watch Vorian fall into the water with a terrific splash.

"Oh my goodness!" she gasped, jumping off the rope onto the deck. "Vorian! I didn't mean to knock him off!"

"Good move!" Trinity giggled, hopping off the railing.

Evelyn ran full speed to the railing and then looked over. Vorian was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh my goodness!" Evelyn gasped again and then climbed onto the railing. "I can't see him anywhere! Oh my goodness! I'm going in! Throw me a line when I get down there!"

Fear had covered all logic, which was why Evelyn very promptly forgot that Vorian was a prince of the water. She jumped off the railing and dove into the ocean. It was cold, when she became submerged, but she pushed aside all complaints and struggled with the tide, trying desperately to find Vorian.

"Vorian!" she cried out, looking through the waves and seeing nothing. "Oh God!" she pleaded, gazing up at the clear sky. "Help me find him! Vorian!"

She dove under the water, still searching and finding nothing.

"Trinity!" she panicked, coming back up for air. "Trinity, I can't find him!"

She glanced up, and to her utmost surprise, found Vorian standing on the ship's railing, soaking wet, a sail line in his hand.

"How did you…what did you…how did you get there?" Evelyn sputtered, eyes darkening.

"I swam under the ship and climbed up the other side," he grinned.

"Why you…you…I thought you had been hurt!" Evelyn shouted.

"Would that have bothered you?" Vorian asked, suddenly serious again.

Evelyn closed her mouth and moved her lower face beneath the water, hiding her flaming cheeks.

Vorian smiled slightly and then, rope in hand, jumped off the railing and swung towards the water.