Chapter Text
One would say that a pirate is only in for the treasure, or booty, as many of them like to call it. Although, your situation would defy that clichéd logic.
The seas were unusually placid, as the Jackdaw rocked gently at a slow tempo. The breeze was gentle, but refreshing. The crew was boastfully singing their joyous shanties, sharing drinks and mirthful laughs, and talking many of their hearty adventures. All was well as it seemed, the merry pirates loud and happy- except for you.
Your hands manacled and chained, a cloth tightly fastened around your jaw, ropes restraining your legs- surely you didn't pose that much of a threat? You sighed mentally and shot glares at whoever looked in your direction.
"Ha- look at the lovely maiden, all tied up and helpless," exclaimed a familiar voice. Looking towards the source, you groaned in annoyance when you had confirmed that the voice, indeed, belonged to the egotistical Captain Edward Kenway. As of now, he was the main talk among your crew- that's why you remained cautious.
For cloth restricted your jaw movement, you could only express your feelings by giving him a death glare- one telling him that he should be frightened, were you to move again. Although he reacted with the contrary of your expectancy- a felicitous laugh.
You let out an exasperated and frustrating groan, looking upon him with eyes that told him you were tired of his nonsense.
"What?" he questioned your mirthless expression.
You began ranting at him, attempting to shout with the valor any pirate would possess, but only muffled cries had escaped through the cloth.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" he spoke, sneering almost. "I can't quite understand the mumbling that's supposedly coming from your mouth, lass."
You rolled your eyes, just about done with him and everything relating to him. You began squirming and writhing in discomfort when he had held your chin up with one of his hands, causing direct eye contact. You would admit that his eyes were truly a sight to behold, such a captivating color and shine- but now was not an appropriate time to be admiring the man who had kidnapped you. Your continual wriggling had become bothersome to him, and so he had said, "Calm yourself, girl. Jaysus, I'm only getting this rag off of your face." He took ahold of the cloth behind your head, where the knot was, and attempted to untie it. He cursed. "Damn, why is this so tight?" He yanked it, causing you to whine out of malaise. "Ah, screw it." A blade suddenly protruded from his wrist, causing you to shriek in abrupt fear, until you felt not pain, but a relieving feeling. He had used his blade to cut the cloth. "Now, isn't that better?"
You nodded slowly. While it felt better than before, you still weren't comfortable about your tied up wrists and ankles.
"What is it? I thought a second ago you were practically begging for me to allow you to talk." He said, pouting like he wasn't receiving the gratitude he expected.
"I still feel rather restricted to my movements, though..." You mumbled, gesturing to your hands and feet.
"And I still don't feel like I should be able to trust you at all. Yet." He returned.
"But I'm just a woman, what could I possibly do?" You said with a wry smile.
"Right. I've seen your face before, on Wanted Posters and such. What's your name lass?"
You sighed, giving up on your attempted facade. "My name is [First Name] [Surname]. What of it?"
"Well, Miss [Surname]- or should I say, Captain [Surname]- that's a pretty impressive vessel there," he says, motioning towards your ship. "That's the Belladonna, is it not? Also known as The Crimson Cutlass of the Sea? It would be a shame if such a grandeur ship as her would... go to waste."
"Don't you do anything to her or her crew, you- you picaroon! Rapscallion!" You tried to break free, but the ropes forbade you from moving.
"Peace, [Name]. I wouldn't do such a thing. But-"
"But what?" you scowled.
He raised his hands up in defense. "Relax." You sighed and eased your shoulders. "Now, because I captured you fair and sq-"
"Oh, bother." You rolled your eyes, knowing where this was heading. You looked back up at him when you heard him clear his throat.
He crossed his arms and looked at you with annoyance. "Anyway, I don't for a fact doubt that your skills are prodigious and perfectly apt for what I'm about to ask of you."
"... What do you want from me?" you asked.
He gave a quick triumphant smirk and said, "Glad you asked. With your influence, we can gain power in these seas."
You raised an eyebrow. "Explain."
"Well, our battle wasn't at all idle nor quick was it? You actually put up more of a fight than I had expected." You tried not to take offense from that. "See, even the Jackdaw isn't in her best shape either."
"I hope you know I'm not easily affected by mere flattery." He gave a quick, charming smile in response, causing you to avert eyes and stutter, "C-continue." You saw that damned triumphant expression he gave afterwards.
"I'm not asking much. All I want is to be known as someone affiliated with the Belladonna."
"And why is that?"
"Because," said he, using his hidden knives to cut the rope around your wrists. You eyed the blades with interest. "I overheard one of my men speaking of your ship, how it could cause any ship in its path to flee. Power like that can make our lives much, much easier. I want our enemy to tremble in fear from the sound of my ship's name." The blade cut through the ropes, and your arms were once again able to move. He began to work on ropes restraining your legs.
You sighed as your expression became serious. "That's a lovely fantasy of yours, Captain. Honestly, I'm quite pleased that you believe that. But it's only half true. While my vessel may be able to repel a gunboat or a brig even, something like a frigate wouldn't back down from battle. I'm not saying that my ship herself is incapable of taking one down- hell, she could destroy eight if she wanted to- but you still get my point, right? There is no such thing as complete power over the seas in the world of piracy. In the world of all naval affairs. Being the pirate you are, I would have expected you knew that, Kenway." You frowned. Your legs were now free and moving as well.
"Well..."
"I wouldn't waste your time on me. Becoming affiliated with the Belladonna won't change anything of your current status or how others view you."
"That doesn't mean there can't be a compromise," said he, full of ambition. He offered you his hand.
"And what is it that you propose?" said you, grabbing his hand and standing up. You stretched your tense muscles, feeling once again the freedom of a pirate.
"I'm not exactly sure... Actually," said he, "meet me in Nassau."
"And where in Nassau?"
"The tavern, preferably." He climbed up towards the quarterdeck. "I'll be waiting, lass," said he, with a wink.
"Good. Wait. I'll be there in four months," you said bluntly in response to his charismatic talk.
"F-four mon-," he began. "Are you being serious, [Name]?" You burst out in laughter. He scoffed, "Four months sailing in that beat up ship? Jaysus, I'd like to see you try."
"Relax," said you. "I only kid. After all, Nassau is the closest land from here- I'd say about... four leagues perhaps? Why would I go elsewhere?" You began walking towards the starboard side, in the direction of your vessel. You picked up a bottle of rum, opening it and then taking a large, satisfying swig of the beverage. You later tossed the bottle and what remained of the drink to one of the hands of the Jackdaw.
"Good. Now that that's sorted out..." He began.
"Edward Kenway!" shouted you, facing the portside of your ship. "I command you to let me salvage part of your ship so that mine shall be repaired and as it was before I met you." Your cold declaration had caught the attention of some of his crew.
"Well then, [Name]. It seems you have no choice but to follow up behind us." You gave a slight abhorrent look, then sighed in defeat.
"And where is my crew?"
"Open up the hatch there." He said, taking up the helm of his ship.
You slightly tilted your head to the side, then bent down to open the hatch that lay before your feet. Once you had lifted it, you heard shouts of relief and gaiety. You easily recognized the voices of whom the shouts belonged to, for you heard it every day. You sighed and cursed, "Damn ye, Edward! Damn you for the irreverence you treated my crew with!"
"At least I didn't kill any of them of! Just knocked out a few... but that's beside the point!"
As you helped each of your crew members up, most expressing ardent gratitude, your temporary quartermaster, Samuel Bellamy had cleared his throat, and you had turned your attention to him. "How did you all fare? No one severely wounded?"
"We're all fine, thanks to you, Captain." He nodded. "I have some private matters to speak to you about. I'll meet you in your quarte-" He turned towards your ship to see its incapacitated state. "Oh."
You shrugged and said, "Let's just do as Mister Kenway says for now." You lowered your voice. "No need for worry; once we reach Nassau, I'll have the harbormaster repair the Belladonna and we'll set our course for Kingston."
"About that..." said he, grabbing your attention. "I've de-"
"[Name]!" Edward shouted in urgency. "I suggest you head to your ship and grab ahold of her wheel before those frigates over there catch sight of us."
You cast your gaze towards starboard bow and cursed when you saw three frigates heading in your direction. "Bellamy! Tell the crew to return to our ship! " You quickly used one of the Jackdaw's swinging ropes to land amidships of your vessel. Among taking the wheel, you shouted, "All sail- haul wind!"
You ignored Edward's command of staying beside the Jackdaw as you sailed, for you began to pass him and proceeded in heading to Nassau. You heard him shout, "Not too far, lass! The Belladonna is in no shape to be engaging in battle alone!"
You responded, "Does it look like I'm trying to fight them? They haven't even noticed us yet, you half-witted donkey!"
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that!"
You ignored his comment after that and focused on getting your ship and crew to Nassau.
..........
"Yes, that would be great. Thanks, sir." You said, walking away from the Harbormaster's stand. You ran into Edward, who you began walking next to. "Cursed perverted scoundrels. When can I ever have a normal conversation with a man without him ogling my damned breasts?"
He raised his eyebrow and said, "Nice to see you, too."
You shook your head. "Sorry. Anyway, what was it you needed?"
"Tavern."
"Oh, right."
"How fares your crew?" he asked.
"They're fine. They've experienced far worse- all of them. Sometimes, it makes me wonder why they would ever tag along with a pirate like me- one with no actual cause, no essential motive. I ruin the lives of others to benefit only myself."
"All of us feel the same way, [Name]. But it's how we choose our lives."
You nodded. Upon arriving at the tavern, you took a seat across Edward with a tankard in hand.
"So, what's your plan?" you asked, taking a sip of your drink.
He took a deep breath. "How would you like to come with me on a mission?"
You raised an eyebrow. "... And what sort of mission are we talking about? What's in it for me? What about my crew?"
"Easy, [Name]. I'll explain it all to you. All I ask... is that you abandon your ship and crew for a few months- perhaps maybe even a year."