The Sea's Heart

I paused in my chore of moping the deck while many of the haggered hands took breaks from the high sun. It gave me time to do my job and the others a break to rest. One eyed Olly wretched out a lazy tune on his violin that was both sweet and a little sad. He always played the soft sad ones during the day. He saved the happy joyus ones for the night when we were free to do as we pleased and drink as much as we dared. Dango, a tall man that hailed from the shore of Africa, that was a lot nicer than he looked joined Olly with his flute. The other men lounged about the ship in what shade they could find and chatted softly while playing cards and sharing far fetched tales that many had heard over and over again. At the helm of the ship was Charmed Charlie, a man I couldn't help but admire, the man that was the first mate. He had been the previous captains cabin boy and earned the name by all the good luck he had in most anything he did. He got the best deals, he survived every sure death that had come at him, and for what he was most famous for was his ability to sweet talk almost anyone. He could read a person like a book and talk them into most anything. The only person that it didn't work on was the captain.

The Captain. Now there was an extensive story that would have to be saved for another time. Going with the short version, the Captain of the feared Sea Heart was a tempest of a woman. All though none dare speak of her past anywhere near the sea lady (which ment only when in port and she was aboard ship) did some of the elder crew members dare whisper to the newer ones, The ones that had come into employment since her being Captain, the tale of her. Even then very little had been known. Her name was Roseline Gelder. She had been raised by her mother a Lady at the royal palace until she passed on. The queen, having taken pity on the poor young girl kept her as a lady in training for when her daughters got older. She was a sweet beauty that had been more than once been mistaken for one of the royal children. When she had come of age a Merchant, the previous captain of the ship asked for her hand and they were wed. Then five years later her husband had fallen overboard and drowned leaving her widowed. Instead of selling the ship as many expected her to she took over as captain and hasn't stepped foot off the ship except for the few deserted islands where they stop to hide thier goods. No one speaks of how the sweet mild mannered Lady Gelder became the hard and sharped tongued Captian Roseline, having forbidden the use of her sure name Gelder to ever be spoken. I wasn't even sure if any of that was true. I did know for a fact she had once been employed by royalty and that they had been very upset to find that a court woman had turned to pirating. It was always the talk of the town when her ship was spotted. That was what drew me to seek out the ship and ask to join. I had to get away. I looked down at the wet deck in slight shame. I was greatful that she never asked questions either, she seemed to know the second she saw me.

The music had stopped and the deck fell silent. I looked up, having been stirred from my thoughts, I paused in my cleaning to see what was going on. The captain had emerged from her cabin dressed in brown pants and thigh high boots. Her white flowy shirt blew gently in the wind as she tied back her long wavy brown hair. Her eyes fixed on me as I leaned gently on the mop.

"Juniper! I need you to get me some items from the hold. Rei Tai, please take over for young Mathews." The Captain asked. Though it wasn't really a question and taken as an order. She cast her gaze about the men as Rei Tai crawled out from under a make shift tent to shield from the sun. He stretched his back and took my mop and shoved me in the direction of Captain Roseline. She bade me to go first and I relished the slight change in the temperature of the shaded cabin. The windows at the end were open for the breeze to whip about. Papers and scrolls were secured down with heavy items or behind glass cabinet doors.

"You needed me to fetch something Captain?" I asked softly. I was in awe of her ever since I came into her service three years ago. I was still a little wary of her.

"Not yet June. Sit and drink something before you give yourself heat sickness." She spoke off handedly as she gracefully seated herself behind her elaborate desk. An order not a question. She must have been in her late thirties, but she didn't look a day over twenty. Her skin was still smooth as a girls and kissed by the sun. Where others would wrinkle and wither, she glowed. Juniper often entertained the idea that she was a goddess hiding among mortals. Although, he wasn't quite sure why an immortal would hide on a ship full of men. Her sharp clear eyes of amber was looking intently at the paper before her.

"Thank you ma'am." I said as I poured myself some water and sipped it slowly. She scribbled away and I thought to myself of her. After what seemed like only short minutes she caught my eyes with that stong gaze of hers. She leaned back and relaxed in her chair. The corner of her mouth twitched in an almost smile as she observed me.

"You've been watching me for the last thirty minutes." Had that much time really passed? "Instead of like any other cabin boy who's interest would have been caught by something else in the room or fallen asleep, you've stared at me. I can't help but wonder what your thinking of. You have something to ask me?" Her voice was sweet and anything but menacing. Perhaps a little of her old self showing through.

"I was wondering how old you were." My hand slapped over my mouth the second I realized it left my lips. My eyes felt so large that they might explode. It was as if I had no control, that she somehow made me speak my mind. Her eyes had widen and she stared at me for a moment before bursting into a round of hearty laughter.

"My my! What a bold young man you are." She spoke. A full smile on her cherry lips.

"I'm so sorry Captain Roseline! I.. I" I felt my throat close up not letting me find words. Would I get lashed for asking such a personal question. Many men had been for less.

"I'll forgive you this once since it was simply an honest answer to a question." She flicked her hair back. "Be brutaly honest... How old do I look?"

I looked at her and knew It wouldn't be her age, but she asked me my true opinion. Again I felt the words leave my mouth. "You look early twenties. Twenty one perhaps, but thats not possible. I heard stories of you when growing up on land for years and you couldn't possibly be that age. Your skin is smooth as though you couldn't wrinkle if you wanted to. I couldn't guess your real age at all." She laughed at my answer and her eyes twinkled softly for a moment. At least I made her happy.

"Another answer both honest and very flattering!" She tapped a finger to her lips and looked at me. "I'll say this just this once but NEVER repeat it again Juniper. To no one, not even you future lover or children... I'm forty-five..." She took a sip from her goblet and looked at my reaction. It clearly said I didn't believe her. Her gaze got thoughtful and she looked at me closely.

"How old are you June? You've been in my service for... two...no three years now?" She asked seriously.

"I'm sixteen ma'am."She smiled but after a moment I could see her mind drift away into the past. Then she stood. Her hand went to the front of her shirt as she clasped at the locket hidden beneath. Her back was turned to me as she walked to the small cabinet in the corner and looked at the large conk shell. This seemed like a good time to scram.

"Captain? I should return to my duties." I said rising from my seat.

"finish your drink and you may go." She stood completely still with one hand resting on the cabinet. I quickly drank down the cool liquid and ducked back into the hot sun. Kei Tai had finished my chore and called to me in his asian accent to come and play a round of cards with him before they had to go back to work. The rest of the afternoon went as usual as I occasionaly thought on the Captain's odd behavior.

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It was late in the night. With many of the crew below the deck delving in their drinks and singing loudly and off key, Aside from Dango at the wheel, and who ever got picked to sit in the crows nest, I was alone and the bow of the ship looking down at the water. Well... not completely alone. I could hear soft moans coming from one of the boats attached to the side of the ship. Apparently Charlie and Kei were having a good old time. I ignored them. I was used to tuning out the sounds of it from when I- No... I wasn't going to think on that. That was before and this is now. Its a new life and I would die before going back. I ran a hand through my shoulder length hair. A door burst open and I looked back out of habit expecting it to be the door leading to below deck. I was very surprised to find the captain stagering out of her cabin with a rum bottle in one hand and the conc shell in the other. She wabbled and lost her balance several times as she made her way to the side of her ship. Dango and I looked at each other as we couldn't believe what we saw. She NEVER drank! Her face was stained with tears and her hair an mess and undone. Her shirt had slipped over one shoulder exposing her left breast. Bootless she dropped the bottle and tried to bring the conk shell to her lips but accidently poked herself in the eye. She cursed loudly and then I saw Charlie sprint from the boat pulling up his pants while she cursed holding her eye with one hand and sway dangerously about to fall one way or the other. Kei stayed still as he observed from the boat. Charlie ripped the shell from her hands and she slapped him. I came forward then. The captain collapsed to her knees crying into her hands. The cool air whipped her hair around as she clung to his leg.

"I want him back! I want him baaaaackkkk.." She sobbed. "It's not FAIR!!!! He was mine! MINE! I could have raised him! He was mine." Her voice tappered of in to moans and sobs. Charlie straitened her shirt to salvage some of her dignity. Dango, being the type of man he was, stared off into the ocean as if nothing happened. He would say he never saw anything.

"I'm sorry rose. I really am..." Charlie looked at me and motioned me closer. "Help her back to her cabin Juniper. Don't tell anyone about this. This never happened, do you understand me?" He sighed and looked at the shell in his hand. "I should toss this damn thing over board. I'm going to take it below. When she sobers tell her you don't know where it is. Tell her you never saw it. No... She'll know otherwise... Tell her the truth. I have it. Go on now." I nodded and prayed she never asked me. She always knew when someone lied.

"Give it back! Ch-Charlieeee!!!" She wailed at him.

"Get her out of here before someone else comes up from below." Charlie turned, and dislodged the Captian from him. Kei joined him as they dissapeared into the bowels of the Sea Heart.

I was scared. Never had I seen her in any state but proud, regal, scary, or occasional playful. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to her feet. Her sad Amber eyes looked at me and then I had arms full of woman as she cried into my shirt. It hurt. In a way she was like my older sister, or better yet... a very stern mother.

"Come on Captain... Lets get you into your cabin." She nodded and allowed me to maneuver her into her room. She collapse on the large ornate bed and grasped my arm.

"I'll never see him again!" I had no Idea who she ment. Perhaps her husband. I doubted this. From the way she tried to kill off his memory completely I didn't think it was him. Maybe a lover lost at sea or had died protecting her... A little too romantic for the captain tho. I don't think shed let anyone defend her.

"It'll be ok, Try to sleep ma'am." I soothed.

She looked every bit of her age in that moment. She sighed and cried into her pillow. When her grip on my wrist did not loosen I had no choice but to lay beside her. I petted her hair until her breath evened with sleep. I followed soon after. Hopefully I'll wake up to find that this was all a dream. Perhaps I had fallen asleep on deck again. I have always been a wisher.

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I stretched out on the softness and nuzzeled the pillow. I peaked my eyes open and found myself in a sea of pink. Silk sheets were rumpled around me. Light streamed in through the open windows. Looking up at Roseline, who was perched on the wide sill over looking the green sea. The sun was higher than I first thought and I jolted from my bed.

"I'm so sorry ma'am! I I-" I kicked my way out of her bed and fell on the floor. My knee stung slightly but I ignored it. Roseline looked at me, her regalness had returned. Her face was as perfect as the day before and her clothes and hair was fresh and proper. I slightly wondered if last night had happened. Maybe I had heat sickness and been brought into her care like the time when I overworked myself when I first boarded the Sea Heart.

"Thank you Juniper, for staying with me last night. I was... not myself...My lapse will not happen again." Her eyes seemed to lack life as she moved to her desk. "I seem to be missing something... I remember very little last night, but have you seen my conc shell?"

I straitened my shirt and ran a hand through my hair to straiten it the best I could. " I-I uh...C-Charlie took it from you last night. M-Ma'am-"

"Please go about your duties June... but tell Charlie I require his presence. You're dismissed." Her voice was final.

Closing the door as I left, I searched out Charlie amongst the other workers and told him the messege. He looked hesitant, but eventually nodded and passed his rope to a nearby man and left. I, however, decended down to the kitchen and grabbed a bun from the cook only to reamerged to a silent crew staring at the Cabin. Dango was silently at the wheel staring out to sea. See no evil...

"How DARE you!-" Came the captains voice. I swear the ship creaked under her wrath.

"I did what was best for the crew! You remember the last time that happened? You may be safe but the others weren't! You feel the need we can drop you off on Isla Branna or something-" Charlie was livid.

"You mutanus bastard! You dare kick my off my OWN ship!?" We all cringed at that tone. The last time we heard that someone got shot and tossed overboard. Frankly we all like first mate Charming Charlie but no one was brave enough to step forward. Forty some hardend pirates afraid of a woman. The men on land would laugh them selves silly at our cowardice. I feel its justified.

"Thats NOT what I'm saying at all! Its been twenty five years! Twenty five!!! You need to get a grip!" A slap resounded solidly followed by a crash.

"You yellow bellied bastard!" She howled.

"Sea whore!" He called back. We all took a deep breath. Another slap.

"Give me back whats mine!" She howled.

"No." He said solidly. Kei came to stand beside me and watched in worry at the door.

"Fine. How about a bullet to the head!?" I think Kei almost collapsed at that.

"Do that and you'll never find it. Ever." There was silence and then the door burst open as Charlie was thrown out on his arse. Roseline was a force to recon with at times.

"Stay out of my sight. It's best I don't lay eyes on you! I just may KIll you!" She spit the words like venom and Captain Roseline slammed her door as she retreated into the cabin. Charlie ran a hand through his short blond hair and sported a bloody lip. Kei released the breath he had been holding and went back to what he had been doing. He brushed the back of his hand along Charlie's and was probably unseen by anyone not looking for it. Charlie looked and me and cracked a weak smile. I could tell the Captains wrath had scared him. She wasn't completely sane all the time. I handed him a rag for his mouth and he disappeared below deck and then the world began to turn again. Everyone went back to what they were doing as if nothing had happened. All were silent in their chored as if the smallest word would turn the Sea Heart's Captains wrath down on them.

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One Month later...


After attacking and sinking two royal navy ships and surviving an attack from another set of pirates that had no chance we were pulling into dock at Hearts Cove. A hidden place just a few league from Isla Branna. The crew was divided up so that the majority stayed on ship watching out for unwelcome visitors and the rest including Charlie organizing and ordering where the booty was to be put. It took many hours but finaly everything was well hidden in the caves. Charlie logged everything that came in and called for all the men to return to ship for a night of rejoicing on Isla Branna. During the transport he noticed that my shirt had become worse for ware. I only had the clothes on my back when I joined three years ago and even though the Captain said I got a equal share of the profits like all the others I never left the boat to do any shopping. I was too afraid of the land people unless we stopped at a place where it would only be crew members. He dug into one of the trunks that we had seized from the navy ships and tossed a bundle my way. Thanking him I wondered off down one of the filled cavern hallways with my lantern until I was out of site. I gazed around the mounds of treasure and my eyes laid upon a mirror. It was beautiful. I looked at my self in it and sighed. I had gotten taller and my hair, just a bit longer, but I still looked the same. Lanky, a little sun scortched, and some muscles that Dango promised me would fill me out once I got past my 'colt' stage. My ungodly red hair blazed in the torch light and was tied back with a bit of twine. My pale green eyes stood out against my tanned skin. My lips were chapped and my old clothes, having been through so much, was a bit too big and ragity, but I was a few weeks from seventeen and I looked healthy, something I hadn't looked in awhile. This was my life and that was that. Lady Roseline was my savior and I'd follow her till her death. I had friends, Many of the older sailors who tried to teach me swordmenship and the use of a pistol watched out for me in small ways so I didn't have to worry of harm to me, The Captain made it clear that I was her charge and that kept me safe from unsavory looks from the youngest of the crew, and I was well fed by Tralou, the Sea Hearts amazing cook, and was given my own hammock in the Captain's Cabin. Even though that was were my hammock was supposed to hang there, I spent most of my sleeping hours deep in the ship just off the cargo hold, where it was more quiet. I felt safer hidden away beside the kegs of ale with only the sounds of the creaking ship to sing me to sleep. At first it bothered Roseline, but eventually she conceded to let me go where I pleased. Especially after the Ingenious Kei hooked up a small rope that weaved on pulleys all the way from her cabin down to the hold that connected to a bell. If ever need by the Captain the bell would ring. She had fun testing it the first night. I must have run those stairs at least ten times. She even let me sleep in the next morning. She always loved to test Kei's inventions to the max. I changed clothing and washed quickly in the pool that developed near the mirror. I was just gathering up my clothes as Charlie sounded the calling horn to summon all the others back from where ever they were told to deposite the cargo. I huridly bundled up my clothing and glanced once more at my self in better fitting white flowing shirt and black pants.

"Juniper! Boat! Now!" Called Charlie from the entrance. I weaved my way out and found him and Kei waiting with Serious Sirius in the last long boat. In his hands Charlie had a pair of sturdy looking black navy issued boots. "These should fit you better!" He smiled and Sirius just looked at me blankly. I stumbled a couple of times as I put them on and nearly landed on Kei when getting in the boat

"Sorry." I mumbled as I sat down. Kei playfully hit me in the arm, and Charlie nodded as we rowed out and back to the boat as it already was making its way to the Island. Kei and Charlie exchanged jokes as Sirius stared at their backs blankly. The guy had NO funny bone. Nor, have I ever seen him crack a smile. He was always like that.

Once everything was docked and the majority of the crew were off and starting up the fire pits to camp on solid ground everyone kind of did their own thing. Captain Roseline stayed on the ship, having been a bit distant the last month, while Charlie and Kei Tai went out to the party that was going into full roar. The sun had set and I was leaning on the rail looking at the gagle of pirates in the distance when the Captain called out to me from the door.

"Juniper? Would you go down to the hold and fetch me one of my bottles of wine. The special ones that I got earlier this year?" She leaned gracefully on the door frame. She did like her wines.

"Yes ma'am." I answered. I took a lantern and made my way down to the Ale kegs. Behind them was several crates along the wall and my hammock. I hung the lantern, opened the crate, and retrieved the bottle just as something caught my eye. Lodged in between the crates and the back on the Ale keg was a bundle of cloth that had something pearly sticking out. Setting the bottle back down I grasped at the large object to find the conk shell glowing as if it was made of light. I looked up at a small unhinged door in the ceiling that if it was closed no one would have noticed it at all. The Captain and Charlie had several rounds about the shell. It was certainly beautiful, but I couldn't see what the fuss was. I thought of that night when she put her lips to it and I wondered what kind of sound it would make. The shell was at my lips befor I realized it. What could it hurt to try it... just this once? I caste my gaze around as if Charlie or the Captain may just appear out of thin air, and took a small breath to blow gently. The sound was beautiful and strong! I could feel the energy pulse in my blood as the small breath made an ungodly amount of sound. It resonated off the walls and It felt as if the ship was shuttering. The lantern swung back and forth for several minutes and all was calm. Footsteps pounded down the stairs and then the Captain appeared. She spotted me and the conk shell and held her hand over her mouth.

"What have you done?" She whispered. I looked at her wide eyed and then at the shell in my hands. The next thing I knew, my arm was in her grasp and I was being hurridly pulled back to the deck. Captian Roseline let my arm slip from her grip as she went to the side of the Sea Heart. She looked out at sea and then to the Island. Pirates were running deeper into the island as Charlie and Kei Yelled at them to hide and not make any sounds. The water was rippling in an unnatural way as the few men on the ship were approaching the Captain. Roseline was livid and whipped around to face them.

"Get to the crows nest! You fools go!!! Don't come down!" Hissed the Captain. They did as they were told. She pulled her pistol and sword from her hip and looked stepped back from the edge. Roseline then looked at me as if just remembering my presence. "My cabin! Now! Go!!! Hide and don't come out no matter what! MOVE!!!" She replaced her sword and took the shell from me.

I dashed off into the darkness of the cabin and looked for a place to hide. The only spot big enough for me was under her desk and even though I felt a bit rediculous I felt their was an urgency that I didn't quite understand so I made myself comfortable as possible. Listening for any sound I waited nearly an half hour before it began. I heard strange clicking and hissing coming from the sides of the ship. Then, I heard the splashing and clawing at the deck side. A pistol rang out. My Captain was out there by herself! What was I doing hidding here letting her face it! I slipped out from under the desk and made it to the door. I peered out past the darkened glass and spotted the deck covered in people! Very... strange people. I squinted and looked as best I could. It looked as Massive serpents swarming around them. The captain was out of my view. I heard her pistol again but the figures did not move in her direction. The new commers moved oddly amongst them selves. Many looked almost blue or green in the moonlight. Some glittered and wore little clothing. Suddenly I felt the breeze at my back and as the window creaked softly as it opened. I was in plain view and I shivered as I felt eyes on me. I heard claws on the sill and turning slowly I looked at a silouette. The thing, creature, slipped over the sill and straitened. It was tall and wet, It's skin was illuminated by the moonlight with patches that glittered on his skin, and long hair the color of seaweed framed a muscular body. Shells and sharkteeth hung from its neck and as I got the courage I looked into its face. Eyes solid red stared at me and a mouth of sharp teeth shown in a smirk. A sea god... was all I could think. I closed my eyes as it approached. This isn't happening! This isn't real!!! I felt a cool wet hand on my head as the thing bent into sniff me. Its tongue lashed out and tasted the tear that slipped from my eyes. Sharp claws adorned his darkened fingertips. It clicked at me and I looked at it fearfully. My think I stopped breathing as I found his face mearly inches from my nose. Was it going to eat me now?!

Noise broke out on the other side of the door as men began to yell and scream. The thing reared back and stood... definantly male. I shook in fear of the creature so much larger than me. He looked down at me and I notice a sharp spear in his hand, and I was made to rise slowly against the door as he place sharp fingers under my chin, pushing me up gently.

".... mine..." I heard it mutter at me. It leaned closer again as I tried pushed back against the unyeilding door.The next thing I new, I was flying forward into his arms. His look of shock quickly turn to anger as he wipped me behind him with a strong arm and held the spear out with the other. I couldn't get away from him even at the angle so I watched from peaking around his bicep. The door had been blown to pieces and a body lay ravaged and torn with what was left of the face staring in horror up at the ceiling. It was Laughing Louis. He had a comeback for everything...I felt bile rise in my throat and buried my face in the long tendrils of the creatures hair as if it would simply make everything go away. As if I'd wake up to find my self in bed or passed out in a damp corner. Hearing a growl emmenate from my captor, I peaked out as another creature with a long Tail instead of legs slithered in through the debris. It's cold black dead eyes fixed on me as it hissed softly in rythum. Even though I was scared I felt my body move on its own... Getting closer to the fearsome thing until an arm, with small iradecent scales pulled me back against a hard chest and I became limp in the grasp of the first creature. It clicked and hissed at the new comer and the tailed one went silent to observed us for a moment. Then, as quickly as the blood covered monster appeared it disappeared back out onto the deck.

"...mine..." It said again. His face rubbed against the back of my head and oddly I seemed to feel comforted. I felt safe and I was held like that for what seemed like forever until the fighting stopped. I wasn't harmed or anything. Just held in one place as the creature from the sea sniffled my hair and stood still behind me, arms caging me to him. Was it going to eat me?

"Juniper!!!" I heard someone shout. It sounded female, but I felt so sleepy.

The next person to emerge into the cabin was the Captain. Her figure was blurry, but I could tell it was her. She, completely unfazed by the creature walked right up to us and touched my face.

"Cerenan... What are you doing with my cabin boy?" She asked. She seemed calm and unafraid. How did she know what his name was? Cerenan... Cerrrrreeenannnn.

"He is mine. He made the call and is now mine. I feel the ocean in him... my mate." I moaned as he licked at my ear and grazed it with a fang. The words sounded strange but still understandable. Like he couldn't form certain sounds, but got along without it. It seemed like he spoke in my skull. I could understand him so much better than Roseline.

"Is he now? Your not gonna eat him are you? I wouldn't like that very much... Cerenan? I think your... MATE... Is passing out... " I wondered if the Captain had a few screws loose in that head of hers. She was talking to a clawed, fanged, solid sea creature as if he were a simple man.

"NO! I would never eat my mate! ... er... I noticed... He was pulled deep into the siren call. It's drained him... He is mine, No one elses... " Roseline said something and I felt my boneless body be lifted and then placed on the bed. The creature pulled back and The Captain appeared over his shoulder looking at me. She was so calm.... erriely calm. In the blink of a second she had a hold on his ear pulling him away. Nimbly she stepped over the ruined door with Cerenan in towe.

"Mother!!! Ahhh! Stop! Stop! Mother!" He shouted at her. His pointed ear giving Roseline a good handle on him. She gave him a good shake sending his head this way and that as if she ment to have it snap. They were then gone from my site.

I heard her voice call out at him even though I couldn't see. The words made little sense as my eyes grew heavy. "Don't Mother me!!! Call them off the hunt! I need my crew!"

"Tis only their nature!" Cerenan said back

"Call them OFF!" I heard a high pitched sound and then many others like it replied from farther away. The Captain and Cerenan came back and Roseline took a quilt from the cabinet and tucked it around me. The Creature seemed to glow in the darkness.

"Now whats this about a mate?" The world grew black and silent. Finnaly, I can rest.

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Wow! Took awhile to clean this one up. I was going through my brainstorm book and the summery for this one just grabbed me. I must have scribbled this one down two years ago. Bout time I got to writing it and putting it up!