Chapter Text
The storm continued raging for a day but was relaxing by the next. The clouds began to let light through, and rain was reduced to a gentle downpour. Alina and Gaelug had spent the worst of the storm huddled together drinking wine and enjoying the rare time they got to spend truly alone.
But Gaelug had begun to get restless and the floor of the cave wasn’t exactly comfortable for lying on all day, so she’d set out in search of a solution. It took a couple of hours but she returned to the cave with a bundle of huge, strange leaves. “Alina, you should’ve seen it.” She called, spying the elf sitting down with an empty bottle. “Had to wrestle a weird plant for these, swear it was trying to eat me, but they’re as soft as any pillow.”
“Gaelug, my hero~.” She slurred her words as she spoke. “I’d missed you!”
Gaelug planted the leaves down and began to arrange them into a makeshift bed. “Have you been just sitting here and drinking wine?” She said. Without judgement since she was more than happy to see her lover relax occasionally, Alina so rarely got the chance and even less frequently let herself.
“Noooo...” Alina stood up, stumbled over to Gaelug and wrapped her arms over the orc’s shoulders. “I went for a walk while drinking. I even found something.” Alina spoke with a teasing tune in her voice, clearly waiting for Gaelug to ask her about it.
Gaelug obliged. “What did you find?”
“I found a lovely pool. Fresh water. I was thinking of going for a dip, gods know we need it.” Alina said, twirling he fingers in Gaelug's hair.
“Sounds nice, I dare say you’re right.” Gaelug gave her shirt a tentative sniff, they hadn’t changed clothes in a full two days and the warm tropical climate wasn’t doing them any favours.
Alina didn’t move, still draping herself over Gaelug’s back while she worked. “I’d rather not go alone.”
“Ah.” Gaelug finally got the point. “Lead the way then.”
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This was a first for the two of them, they’d never had opportunity to bathe together. They couldn’t exactly be seen in public, and their meetings were usually so brief they didn’t often get the chance to relax together. The pool Alina had found was indeed picturesque; a secluded natural little alcove shielded from the rain, the water, beautifully clear like a spring, was just deep enough to wade, but not quite to swim and the waters were wonderful and warm from the island's natural temperature, even despite the recent storm. They had given their clothes a quick wash and left them drying on a rock while they dipped into the water. Gaelug hummed while Alina ran gentle fingers through her hair. The pool edge was shallow enough that the elf could sit against it with Gaelug lying in her lap, eyes closed, her face the only thing above water. Gaelug imagined this is what fancy folk must get to do every day.
Alina contentedly watched her lover’s chest gently rise and fall with her breathing, running fingers over her strong shoulder’s, the faint influence of alcohol allowing her to just enjoy the moment. Wanting more intimacy; she cupped Gaelug’s face in her hands and bent over to kiss those lips. Gaelug opened her eyes and smiled, taking one of Alina’s hands in hers, she held it close against her cheek. “I wish I had an island like this one. So we could do this every day.”
“What would you do with a whole island?” Alina said as they looked into each others eyes.
“Hm... I’d build us a house.” The pirate said.
Alina had to laugh. “You don’t know the first thing about carpentry.”
“Can’t be too hard to learn, I’ve met shipwrights with less sense than fish.” Gaelug was adamant. “And we could grow our own grapes for wine.”
“Ah, of course. Except neither of us know anything about farming, let alone winemaking.” Alina said, smiling despite her cynicism.
Gaelug sat up a bit, leaning back into Alina’s chest. “You’d learn and then you’d teach me.”
The elf rested her head on top of her lover’s. “I see.” They both stared in the same direction at the rock in the back of the alcove, as if visualising it for themselves. “Why not this island? This could be our island.”
“It’s too perfect, I’m afraid.” Gaelug said wistfully. “Someone would want to take it from us. Then I’d have to fight them, I’d win of course. But there’d be someone else after them and after them. Eventually someone would get the better of me, it wouldn’t be fair, they’d cheat and catch me off guard. But after a valiant stand off I’d die cradled in your lap, sort of like this.”
Alina looked down at Gaelug, admiring her form. “Like this? So you’d fight them naked?”
Gaelug burst out laughing. “If I have to.” She managed to get out. “But no, I’d lose and you’d cry soft tears onto my face.”
“How dramatic. Then do my tears bring you back to life?” Alina asked.
Gaelug sighed and paused before answering. “I don’t think so. I don’t think you and I get a fairy tale ending.”
Alina was still rather tipsy and so didn’t put much more thought into. “That’s a shame, I’d have rather liked a fairy tale ending.” She returned to silently stroking her partner’s face as the sun set behind them, feeling Gaelug gently humming into her touch.
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The storm grew lighter still over the next day and after an eventful day they were feasting on a couple of well roasted fish. At first Gaelug, in all her bravado, had insisted she catch the fish but after watching her getting more and more frustrated, Alina decided that perhaps more finesse was required. She was by no means a natural, Gaelug laughed as Alina’s initial confidence faded much like her own had. But they both yelped with excitement when Alina speared her first fish, the orc rushing to pick up her lover triumphantly.
After food they enjoyed another relaxing bath before they returned to the cave.
“I’ve had a burning question in my head.” Alina said as they walked back, hand in hand. Gaelug gently squeezed her hand and looked at her. “What did you say to that halfling girl?”
“What, Ducky? When?” Gaelug puzzled her brain but was lost.
“You said something like sail away... Is that some sort of secret pirate code? She seemed to take it very seriously.” Alina looked up curiously.
Gaelug simply smiled and shrugged. “Oh I might have done. Ducky probably thinks it was, the trick I learned with pirates, you see, is to never say too much. Or too little.” Alina looked even more confused, hoping for elaboration. “Pirates- especially ones like little Ducky- will believe what they want, you just have to give them something...” But Gaelug’s voice trailed off as she squeezed Alina’s hand, more forcefully this time.
They both stopped moving and listened. They were near their cave when they heard noises and voices. Creeping close they took cover behind some trees and watched. A group of three elves were standing around, inspecting the smouldering campfire they had made.
“Shit. I thought we’d have more time.” Alina whispered. “You go and hide somewhere, I’ll lead them off the island. I’m sure your crew will be back to pick you up.” She planted a gentle kiss against the orc’s cheek.
Gaelug leaned into the kiss and nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure they will.” Was all she said as she turned to leave but Alina didn’t let go of her hand. Gaelug turned to look back at her.
“I l-...” Alina clenched her hand tight and swallowed. “I’ll see you again.”
“Yeah.” And with but a nod, Gaelug snuck back into the trees.
Alina tucked in her shirt and smoothed over her hair, standing up straight she marched towards her crewmembers. Hearing the deliberate footsteps they spun around, swords at the ready. “Captain!” One announced and Alina saw it to be Lieutenant Gelwyn. They rushed up to check on her.
“We came back to the island as soon as we were done repairing the ship and saw the smoke signal, captain!” Another announced with a salute. “We feared you lost in the sea or taken by The Dread Pirate.”
“No, she should be so lucky.” Alina said, smiling.
“You seem to have got quite comfortable, captain?” Gelwyn looked about, inspecting the campsite, he kicked at the fire before looking into the cave, eyeing the piled of bottles in one corner.
Alina maintained a neutral expression. “Yes, I found an old crate washed ashore. There wasn’t exactly much else to do on this island.”
Gelwyn turned to look at Alina curiously. “It just seems like a lot to drink for one person...”
“Did you come here to help me or to Judge me, Lieutenant?” Alina said with a huff as she crossed her arms. Gelwyn had the good grace to look contrite. “Well, if we’re done I should very much like to get off this island.”
Out in the jungle Gaelug trudged on without any aim, she wasn’t sure where she’d go but she just assumed she’d know when she saw it, as she’d always done with life. She reckoned it would be a couple days for her loyal crew to come search for her, once they were done fighting amongst themselves. She forced her way through jungle vines with little care, more difficult and frustrating without a sword. She missed her sword.
She didn’t get too far when she heard a crunch. Not of her own making, and too loud for a jungle bird. She carefully turned around and found herself at the tip of a blade, an elven soldier at the other end. Gaelug grinned and before the elf could react she reach up and grabbed hold of the blade in one strong grip, the elf grunted as he tried to thrust it forward into her chest, but Gaelug held the blade firm and careful so the elven steel couldn’t cut through her skin. When that proved fruitless the elf began to pull, trying to wrestle the blade free. Gaelug grinned harder and decided to help the poor soldier, suddenly pushing it forward and with their combined momentum the hilt flew backwards hitting the elf square in the chest, making a satisfying dinging noise as it knocked into his breastplate.
The elf stumbled as they were knocked off balance as Gaelug used the opportunity to wrench it free, flipping it around in the air to point it back at the elf’s neck in a fluid, practiced motion. But the elf just smiled back at her as she felt steel at her neck as half a dozen elven swords seem to materialize from the trees. “Fuck...” With a sigh Gaelug dropped the blade of the ground and threw up her arms. “I surrender.”
They took her back to the rest of the search party.
“Captain!” A soldier said as they spotted her, throwing Gaelug at the foot of Alina at the mouth of the cave. “We found her not too far from here.”
Alina eyed up the prisoner. “It’s good you all turned up when you did, she must have spotted the signal fire and have planned to ambush me.”
Gaelug sat back on her haunches. “Figured only an elf would be so stupid as to let everyone know where they were. Shame you only brought a handful of soldiers this time though, if you let me go now I won’t call on my crew to come gut the lot of you.” She said, baring her fangs.
There was a nervous shuffling around the camp until one soldier spoke. “We’ve checked the perimeter, there’s no one else around.”
All eyes turned back on Gaelug. “Well, you can’t blame a girl for trying.” Unphased at her bluff being called.
With a sigh Alina stepped forward and pulled the orc onto her feet. “No more tricks this time?”
Gaelug made a show of patting her pockets before holding up her arms. “Doesn’t look like it. Don’t suppose you’d give me a five-minute head start?”
It was beginning to feel like déjà vu as Alina pushed Gaelug through the jungle, Gelwyn walked just in front and kept glancing back to check on the prisoner, he hadn’t lowered his sword since she had been dragged out. They walked along, eventually getting to the same beach where they had previously landed. Gaelug obediently walked up to one but this time Gelwyn made sure she sat down first before getting in himself followed by Alina.
Gaelug looked about at the clear skies as they were rowed towards the main ship. They were all silent this time, Gelwyn still glared at the pirate and she in turn, smiled back. Eventually they were hoisted up and all stepped foot on the deck, Gelwyn made a point of leading Gaelug into the centre of the ship this time. She admired the freshly refurbished main mast as the elven crew darted around her, taking turns to glare at her. “So what now?” She said.
Alina strode up with a length of rope and began to tie it around Gaelug’s wrist. Gelwyn never left her side. “Well, you can get comfortable in the brig before we take you back to the capital for summary execution.” Alina said with no hint of emotion.
For once, Gelwyn actually smiled. “Not so smart now, Pirate.” He spat as Alina went off to attend to her Captain’s duties, giving orders out to the crew.
Gaelug watched her walk away before she looked down at the lieutenant. “Don’t have to be smart.” She said, leaning down close to his ear. “Just have to be lucky.” When she stood upright again he saw her staring out into the distance and followed her gaze where they both watched black sails come around the edge of the island.
“Captain!” Was all he shouted before they heard the bang of a cannon and felt a shot crash against the hull, rocking the ship. The crew stumbled about amidst the cannon fire, racing to get into positions to retaliate. In the chaos Gaelug stepped up behind Gelwyn and wrapped her bound arms over his head and around him, pinning his sword against his chest with the rope as she pulled him close. He struggled, but the pirate proved much stronger than he was as he grasped feebly at her arms. It was too late that he realised Gaelug wasn’t trying to throttle him, instead she was using his blade to cut herself free.
The rope split but before the man could do anything he felt her grab at his sword arm and twist, forcing him to drop the sword as Gaelug snatched it up and held it to his throat. It all happened so fast the rest of the crew who weren’t busy attending to the ship didn’t have time to react. Only able to ready their weapons when she already had the lieutenant hostage. Slowly she walked them both over to the edge of the ship and glanced out, seeing her ship approach, a figure stood over the bow, a long coat billowing behind them in the wind.
Ducky pulled up a spyglass to peer through and grew excited when she spotted a tall figure on the elven vessel. “Cap’n!”
Gaelug was outnumbered, but no one dared approach, Gelwyn struggled despite the blade at his neck. “Raise the white flag, or the elf gets it!” She raised her voice to boom over the deck, no one moved, no one answered.
“Don’t let her-” Gelwyn tried to get out against Gaelug's choking hold.
“Do what she says.” Came the voice of Alina as she strode to the front of the crowd. “And not another word, lieutenant.” She tapped on the shoulder of one sailor. Quick as they could they found the flag and ran to the front of the ship to start swinging it. The cannon fire came to a halt, but not before one final shot collided with the main mast, shattering the fresh repair job as it came tumbling down once again. Gaelug had to laugh.
“It’s been fun, Alina.” She announced, with a theatrical tone.
“Yes, I suppose it has.” Came the reply. “I’m sure we’ll meet again.”
They waited, watching one another, as the Dreadcruiser came alongside without slowing down. “I’ll make sure of it!” Gaelug shouted before kicking her hostage away as a rope swung over the side of the ship which she grabbed as it went swinging passed, pulling her up and away. Gelwyn fell to the floor, turning around just in time for her to throw his sword back at him, impaling it in the deck squarely between his legs.
Gaelug swung around the deck of her own ship once before landing with a roll and a bow. Ducky rushed to meet her, pushing her way through the cheering crowd. “Cap’n!” She yelped. “We came round as-”
“My coat, Ducky.” Gaelug held out a hand.
“Oh yes, of course cap’n.” She said taking it off and handing it over. “Don’t worry I made sure everything ran smooth while you were gone!”
“Yes, I can see you did excellent work taking care of the ship Ducky, I knew I left everything in great hands.” Gaelug said, patting her on the head.
Ducky beamed with delight. “Oh, uh thank you Cap’n. There was a bit of trouble with the crew, but I just thought how would Gaelug handle this and-”
“Captain! I just knew you’d be alright.” Lum the orc stepped forward with a bright smile on his face, Ducky tensed up as she stared daggers at him, but she didn’t say anything after being interrupted. “Can always trust our Gaelug to make it back, don’t I always say that, Jared?”
Jared Jurns grumbled something at his side, while Lum and Gaelug shared a pirate’s handshake. It was almost enough to make Ducky’s blood boil. “Thank you, Jared, Lum.” She looked like she was about to say something else, but stopped, her eyes narrowed as she looked at the dwarf, Lum felt her grip tighten around his. He crumpled to his knees, wincing in pain as she continued squeezing the life out of his hand. “Jurns... Is that my earring?”
Jared Jurns gulped, Ducky smirked.
Lieutenant Gelwyn leaned over the railings as he watched the pirate ship sail away. Alina walked up alongside him, a slight smile on her face. “I don’t understand how it keeps happening, Captain.”
“I don’t think it’s possible to understand her. Though you do underestimate her.” Alina simply said.
“Is that how she got the jump on you, Captain?” Gelwyn said, turning to look at her.
Alina’s smile dropped. “Don’t make me fire you, Lieutenant.”
“Sorry Captain.”