Growing up, Penelope was not part of a loving family. So she set out on her own to find one. However, sneaking onto a ship at port worked out much better than expected. Wearing pants and a vest, she hid her gender.
In the early days, Penelope had no idea what she was doing. But she kept her head down and she didn't speak. If she was told to do something, she did it. When the ship went on its first raid, she did her best to stay silent and not cause any trouble. Thankfully, one of the other shipsmen noticed and pulled her to the side.
"How much experience do you have with a sword?" The shipman asked.
Penelope just shook her head.
"Alright, we'll start at the beginning then." And so they did. Penelope began to understand how to wield a sword.
She was tested. And they didn't play with wooden swords. The shipsman - Marinus as Penelope came to know them better - showed Penelope how to handle a sword. But they never held back. In the early days, Penelope earned more scars and cuts. But over time, Penelope came to become quite good with a sword.
While Penelope wasn't sure about her ability to modulate her voice, she began to whistle in response. It was her way of communicating. She could whistle high and low. But Penelope was too nervous to use her voice. It earned her the nickname "Whistle" on the ship.
She stopped hanging back during raids and began charging forward with the crew.
Penelope will never forget the time that she and Marinus were on an enemy ship's bow fighting side-by-side but without anyone else from the ship nearby. Marinus had just beaten the captain and as he lay dying, Marinus threw open his shirt.
But it wasn't the hairy chest that she had come to expect from seeing the men pull off their clothes under the hot sun. No, instead Marinus' chest more closely resembled Penelope's!
"A woman," The captain whispered in anguish.
"And don't you forget it," Marinus replied. He, er, she redid her shirt.
"Come along, Whistle. Let's get back to our ship." Marinus said.
Penelope nodded. It wasn't her place to say anything. Besides, it had been years since she'd said anything.
"It's time we moved on from swords," Marinus said. "We'll start with a dagger at sunrise."
Penelope gave a sharp nod.
Four years. Penelope stayed on the same ship for four years. In that time, Marinus had exposed her breasts to hundreds of defeated enemies. However, Penelope noticed it was only when Marinus and her were fighting together.
"Whistle, wake up." Marinus shook Penelope in the night. "We need to leave."
Penelope was awake instantly. They had been at port for a couple of days, but the captain hadn't clarified when they were set to sail again. Not that Penelope was involved in those conversations. She was firmly in the category of deckhand - not anywhere near the top of the ship's hierarchy.
Penelope gave a sharp nod and grabbed the bag next to her hammock. She strapped her sword to her waist and gave a quick glance around to ensure she had everything. Once she was positive, Penelope turned back to Marinus.
Marinus led Penelope through the barracks and up to the deck. They shifted over to the dock and made for the town. While it wasn't uncommon for their crew to move freely about the dock, Marinus and Penelope typically stayed on the ship during port times.
Once they had gotten to an inn, Marinus paid for three nights in a single room. Penelope wasn't concerned, she'd shared a bed with Marinus in the past during times when the barracks were full.
Once they were safely absconded in the room, Marinus threw her bag on the table and sat on the bed. Immediately, Marinus put her head in her hands.
Penelope shifted from foot to foot. She decided to give Marinus a show of trust.
"Penelope," She said. Her voice was hoarse from lack of use.
Marinus' head shot up in shock. "You can talk? I assumed your tongue had been cut out or you were a mute."
"I could never be sure that I could disguise it. But you've shown me who you are, and I felt you deserved some trust from me. My name is Penelope." She said.
Marinus stood up. She put a hand across her chest in respect. "I'm Marina."
"What happened? Why did we need to leave?" Penelope asked.
"It was always an open secret that I was a woman. There was never any concern about it. The first mate knew, the captain knew, but there was no need for me to yell it on the ship." Marina paused. "But there are posters in this port promising money for turning in so-called 'women pirates' and with how long we've been docked … I couldn't risk it. Those damn Bridgerton men."
"Why grab me? Did you know about me?" Penelope asked.
"I suspected. You've become like a little sibling to me. I see so much of myself in you. But I could never be sure. I figured with how we fight together that you would come with me even if you weren't," Marina waved her hand as if that could wave away any gender concerns.
"What are we going to do now? Did you have a plan?" Penelope asked.
"I've enough funds for us to secure a new ship and crew." Marinus - no, Marina said. She opened her bag and began pulling out gold - a ridiculous amount of gold.
"That's an incredible amount of money! Where did you get all that?" Penelope exclaimed.
"Four years and not a word, and now all these questions." Marina shook her head in amusement. "I nicked it of course. I thought we could start anew. Maybe find ourselves a crew of only women."
And thus, the legend began. Lady Crane set sail the next summer with a woman-only crew. Marina was its captain and Penelope was the first mate. The crew grew. Marina and Penelope took the skills that they learned and applied them to their new ship.
Their successes grew and so did their legend. After the first five years, whenever they docked in port more women would attempt to join them. They were growing too quickly. So, Penelope and Marina agreed a second ship was in order. However, it meant a new captain was needed.
Marina asked Penelope to be the captain. Penelope couldn't turn down the appeal of her own ship. So, Lady Whistledown hit the waves. Every year, Penelope and Marina met to compare notes and treasure.
During their meeting, Marina had an interesting problem. "He snuck aboard the ship. He pretended the way we did initially. I'm not sure what I expected, but I didn't expect him. He was polite. He was fascinated by our work. He wants me." Marina whispered the confession.
"So take him," Penelope said. You didn't work as a pirate this long with no idea what goes on in the bedroom.
"I think if I do, I could see myself leaving Lady Crane. I might give it all up for him." Marina said.
Penelope looked around the bar they were in. It was a little spot hidden amongst the Caribbean. Most traders and pirates avoided it due to the choppy waters coming in. But Penelope and Marina had chosen it and brought in lots of money to help it grow.
"Where would you go?" Penelope asked. She understood that dreams changed. If Marina was done living as a pirate and wanted something different, she was more than entitled to it.
"Nowhere. We'd settle here. George is unlike anyone I've ever met. He's comfortable in his skin as a man and as a woman. While he prefers the male pronouns when we're not on the ship, I can't help but want to stay with him. Few people retire from pirating; it's always death. This could be a chance for me to get out on my own terms." Marina said.
"What should we do with Lady Crane?" Penelope asked.
"It's time for you to promote your first mate, isn't it? Why not give it to Felicity?" Marina asked.
"If you do this, can I still come visit you?" Penelope asked in a moment of vulnerability.
"Of course, Whistle. We're family. You'll always have a home with me and mine." Marina said and pulled the redhead into a fierce hug.
And wasn't that something to dream of - a life ashore with someone who loves you? But Penelope has since spent most of her life on open waters with short land breaks. She's not sure what could compel her to stay landside.
Half-remembered fights about the colors of ball gowns, rationing of food differently for different members of her family, and a man who pretended to be virtuous while gambling away the family's money? No. Penelope was better off in the life she carved out for herself.
Lady Whistledown offered her a freedom seldom offered to women in their society. So, Penelope turned to her first mate, Felicity, and offered her the captaincy of Lady Crane.
Penelope would continue chasing dreams and adventures on Lady Whistledown.
The End
A/N: Listen ... was I trying to build out a Polin Pirates of the Carribean story? Yes. Did I forget to add Colin? Correct. I may one day try to come back and squeeze in the Bridgertons to this narrative, but I'm happy with it as is.