Yay for chapter 6!!
Title: Sapphire Eyes
Rating:PG
Paring: Will/Alanna
Chapter: 6: Origins
Summary: After seeing AWE, Alanna Livingston could only dream of being in the world of swash-buckling pirates. Little does she know her dream is about to become a reality
Righty then. Things are getting more and more interesting as this story progresses. Every day there's a new adventure. A series of awesome momenrs are about to begin. You don't want to miss out!
A.N Ahoy mateys! The nest few chapters are a mixture of cool little expierences aboard the Dutchman....and of being a pirate in general. So enjoy these next few volumes and watch as Alanna continues the adventure of a lifetime!
Origins
As the weeks dragged on, a few things were beginning to become apparent. For one, Will and Alanna were definitely becoming an item aboard the ship, and they no longer bothered to hide it. For another, the days in the Caribbean were getting warmer and warmer as spring melted into summer. Fresh water was running low and the men were noticing it. Though they followed orders without complaint, they couldn’t deny it was time for a little change. Will noticed the restlessness of his men one day and called them to attention, with Alanna looking on curiously.
“All right lads,” he announced. “I know things have been a little tireless lately, so I think it’s time for a break.”
The crew, including Christopher, who had come down from the top of the sails, looked around at one another, murmuring in agreement. Their shoulders tightened as they waited impatiently to find out what their captain was planning.
“Lads, drop anchor. We’re going for a swim!”
The men cheered enthusiastically and hurried to follow his orders. The sun had been scorching on them for days, leaving their bodies longing for some refreshment. Before long, the heavy clanking of the anchor could be heard as it was sent careening into the open water. Easily picking up on the anticipation, Alanna followed Will up the stairs to the helm.
“It’s amazing,” she commented, unbinding her hair from the leather thong that kept it up. “How much excitement that generated from something as simple as a swim.”
“It is a rarity,” he confirmed, shedding his shirt. “For these men, maintaining a ship like the Dutchman is more like a job than an adventure. A pleasure like this doesn’t come around often. These waters aren’t typically pleasant and there’s always something that needs to be done. Therefore, they’re taking advantage of it.”
Alanna smiled as she watched her new family jump the ten or so feet from the rail, yelling like children. Now shirtless, Will climbed onto the rail himself, his bronze skin almost glowing in the sun. He stretched his arms above his head and jumped, landing cleanly in the tropical water. Having been in the sun for so long, the reunion with the ocean set his body tingling. The water felt fresh and welcoming on his skin, like a lover’s long-awaited caress. If this was considered an affair, he was guilty.
He took a turn about the half circle his men had created, relishing in the sea’s welcoming embrace. With a smile on his face, he turned toward the Dutchman, expecting Alanna to be right behind. As such, he half-expected to see his love still standing on the rail, an apprehensive look on her face. Though he thought it to be absurd, he took notice of the way she stood there, with one hand firmly on the rope, her hair and the sleeves of her shirt flapping in the breeze. He embedded the image into his memory before a playful grin lit up his features.
“What are you afraid of?” he teased. “It’s only water.”
“It ‘s not the water I’m worried about,” she yelled back, looking defensive. It’s the height. The crew shouted at her encouragingly, while some chuckled at her childish fear. She could do every task with the best of them, and was even starting to wield a sword with ease, yet there she was, cowering on the rail like a rookie sailor.
“It’s now or never, lass,” Arthur shouted, smiling broadly. “Do it once and you’ll never want to stop.”
Despite her dread, Alanna couldn’t help but laugh at Arthur’s directness. She gave an exaggerated sigh and squared her shoulders. As much as I want to argue she thought wryly. He’s right. Here goes nothing.
With that, she heaved a big breath and jumped, feet first. The wind whistled beside her ear, but only for a moment. She hit the water with a petite splash and came up to a round of exuberant cheering. The adrenaline rush was alarming, but in a good way. For once in her life, she had done something that was totally against her nature, and she loved it. The ocean carried her gently on its swells, surrounding her with the untamed power that was held beneath its depths. Every cell in her body was awakened; she had never felt anything like it. She swam easily to Will’s side, using the rhythm of the sea to reach her lover’s embrace.
“Well?” he asked, beaming at her.
“I feel,” she said, searching for the right word to describe the new pulse now flowing through her veins. “Alive, I guess. Something new has come over me, and I love it.”
“I’ll not argue with that,” he laughed, taking her in his arms. “It is a love I dare not compete with. But, like a woman, the ocean is not to be underestimated. She may look calm now, but that can change. She is force to be reckoned with, and I dare not test her when she gets in such a temper.”
“Too right you are, cap’n,” Arthur agreed, swimming over to join the couple. “I’ve seen to many foolhardy lads who think they can handle it. Oh what a surprise when they sail into port with a tattered ship and with half the men and supplies than what they started with.”
Alanna looked shocked, but Arthur merely shook his head. “As terrible as it is, lass, it happens. It just goes to show that the ocean’s wrath is not something to be taken lightly.”
Alanna nodded, but brushed it off, taking it for something she already knew. Still, the mystical talk left her curious. Whether from her liberating leap of faith or from her increasing restlessness, she almost dared the sweeping body of water to do her worst. Shaking the dark thoughts away, she looked up to the sky. Like many days before, the cerulean sky was still clear, with nothing but a few clouds to hint on any coming moisture. She laughed at her foolishness and once engaged in the activities around her, which carried on until late in the afternoon.
Later that evening, another feast was held aboard the Dutchman; whether to celebrate Alanna’s latest accomplishment or just for the heck of it, Alanna know not, and hardly cared. She had become extremely attached to the crew, and they her. They laughed and jested with one another as if Alanna had spent her entire life with them. As wonderful and adopting as they were, however, they were too much like her own family, which left her aching. She kept her homesickness to herself, putting on a brave face for the men, and more importantly, for Will. They had accepted her as one of their own, and she wasn’t about to show any amount of weakness. Nevertheless, the charade couldn’t be kept up for long, and she retired early. Making his excuses, Will followed her into the cabin, puzzled by her abrupt exit. She seemed fine as the party began, but he was no fool. Whatever the nature, he knew something was troubling her.
“Alanna?” he called softly.
He rounded the corner to the bedroom, only to find nothing. Instead his attention was turned toward a soft voice coming from the windows. Sure enough, the double doors were open, sending a pillar of moonlight across the floor. He stood there a moment, captured once more in the vision before him. Alanna stood on the narrow balcony, singing to herself. Her voice carried on the wind like a nightingale, ensnaring him. If Will thought she wasn’t a siren before, he was convinced she was now. The tune she sang was unfamiliar, but the words grabbed his attention.
Reach out to me
Call out my name
And I would bring you back again
Today
As the song faded to silence, he took a step forward. What happened next made his heart lurch. Her shoulders began to tremble as two tears fell from her beautiful eyes, glinting in the silver light. His hesitation gone, Will stepped into the moonlight and embraced her.
“What’s wrong, love?”
Alanna squared her shoulders and stilled her trembling. “It’s nothing,” she said shakily, wiping her cheeks. “I promise. Don’t worry about me.”
Will laughed softly and hugged her tighter. “But I do,” he admitted. “You have a tough, tom-boy exterior but I know better than to say that’s all you are. You are a woman, Alanna, and you should have the right to let that show. Especially with me.”
Alanna laughed bitterly and turned to face him. “ Who said I was hiding who I am?” she retorted. “ If anything, I’m’m being more myself. The person I was born to be.”
Will sighed and cupped her chin, confused once more.
“I wasn’t accusing you,” he told her. “I’m just concerned. You looked upset tonight. I just want to know why.”
The genuine look on his face was enough to break the defensive wall. Her lower lip began to quiver and she looked down, hiding her face in shadow. Hesitantly the young man invited her into his arms, and she eagerly accepted the offer. She sobbed into his shirt, letting her tears flow freely.
“I’m sorry,” she cried, burying herself further into his chest.
Will shook his head and continued to hold her, whispering comforting words into her ear. After a while, she began to calm down, inhaling deep breaths of the ocean air. Though she was silent, he did not press her, but waited patiently for her to gather her thoughts. Finally, she looked up at him, her royal-blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight.
“Don’t get me wrong,” she began. “I’ve had a wonderful time here. The way you and the crew have treated me is truly amazingthey just remind me so much of my familyof the place I came from” she trailed off, but he needed no further explanation.
“I see,” he murmured. He lifted her hand and placed it on his breast, a tender look in his eyes. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. Even one who’s been on a ship his or her whole life had to someone to come home to. Even with a full crew like this, it does get a little lonely at sea.”
She looked down again, so he switched gears.
“Alanna,” he said thoughtfully. “It’s a very pretty name. Where’s it from?”
She paused, turning back to the sea. The water was calm, reflecting thousands of stars in the cobalt sky.
“It’s Celtic,” she said finally. “It means ‘little child’. My father insisted I was his and his alone. I’m still convinced he won’t let me go when I get married.”
Will said nothing, but let her feed his curiosity. Now he was finally finding out where this mysterious, beautiful, amazing girl had come from.
“I never knew my mother,” she continued. “Shewhen I was born. This locket is all I have of hers.” Automatically, her hand moved to the silver locket around her neck, which Will had never seen until now.
Alanna took another long breath, and Will prepared himself for more.
“A couple years later, my father remarried. He was infatuated with her, but he made sure I approved of her before anything else happened. I never knew my mother, so I guess that’s why I got used to her so quickly. I love Carolyn’s her name. But for some reason, I could never call her ‘mom’. Three years ago, she gave my dad a son. He loves him a lot, and so do Ijust hope he doesn’t forget his girl.”
Her voice began to shake again, and Will placed his arms around her shoulders.
“No one could forget you, my sweet,” he told her. “It would be impossible.”
She laughed shortly. “I hope you’re right,” she said, smiling softly. “I hope they miss me as much as I miss them.”
For a long moment, the only sound that could be heard was the constant pulse of the ocean and the distant buzz of noise from the deck. Surprisingly, Will began sharing some origins of his own.
“William,” he started. “It was my father’s name. Though I fought to deny it, he was a piratea good man. My mother brought me up in England. She was all I had when my father left. After she died I went looking for him. When I came to Port Royal, I signed up to be a blacksmith’s apprentice. I’d start there until I had the money to support a ship and a crewwasn’t going to give up until I found him.”
Again, Alanna kept her face neutral, for fear of revealing anything. “That sounds very noble of you,” she observed. “Did you ever find him?”
He sighed. “Yes,” he said heavily. “And no. I found him, but he was a changed man. He wasn’t the man I had known when I was a boy. It’s a little complicated.”
Alanna nodded, not wanting to press the matter further. She knew plenty about Bill Turner, and the supernatural occurrences that came with their reunion.
Once more, the resulting silence hung, allowing the couple to think over each other’s words. Finally, after a long pause, it was Will who spoke again.
“Well, Ms. Livingston,” he said with a hint of formality. “The rest of the night is yours. Shall we bid each other goodnight right here and go our separate ways orshall we learn a little more about each other?”
Alanna, her eyes shining with an indescribable emotion, said nothing, but led him back into the cabin, closing the door behind them.
Rating:PG
Paring: Will/Alanna
Chapter: 6: Origins
Summary: After seeing AWE, Alanna Livingston could only dream of being in the world of swash-buckling pirates. Little does she know her dream is about to become a reality
Righty then. Things are getting more and more interesting as this story progresses. Every day there's a new adventure. A series of awesome momenrs are about to begin. You don't want to miss out!
A.N Ahoy mateys! The nest few chapters are a mixture of cool little expierences aboard the Dutchman....and of being a pirate in general. So enjoy these next few volumes and watch as Alanna continues the adventure of a lifetime!
Origins
As the weeks dragged on, a few things were beginning to become apparent. For one, Will and Alanna were definitely becoming an item aboard the ship, and they no longer bothered to hide it. For another, the days in the Caribbean were getting warmer and warmer as spring melted into summer. Fresh water was running low and the men were noticing it. Though they followed orders without complaint, they couldn’t deny it was time for a little change. Will noticed the restlessness of his men one day and called them to attention, with Alanna looking on curiously.
“All right lads,” he announced. “I know things have been a little tireless lately, so I think it’s time for a break.”
The crew, including Christopher, who had come down from the top of the sails, looked around at one another, murmuring in agreement. Their shoulders tightened as they waited impatiently to find out what their captain was planning.
“Lads, drop anchor. We’re going for a swim!”
The men cheered enthusiastically and hurried to follow his orders. The sun had been scorching on them for days, leaving their bodies longing for some refreshment. Before long, the heavy clanking of the anchor could be heard as it was sent careening into the open water. Easily picking up on the anticipation, Alanna followed Will up the stairs to the helm.
“It’s amazing,” she commented, unbinding her hair from the leather thong that kept it up. “How much excitement that generated from something as simple as a swim.”
“It is a rarity,” he confirmed, shedding his shirt. “For these men, maintaining a ship like the Dutchman is more like a job than an adventure. A pleasure like this doesn’t come around often. These waters aren’t typically pleasant and there’s always something that needs to be done. Therefore, they’re taking advantage of it.”
Alanna smiled as she watched her new family jump the ten or so feet from the rail, yelling like children. Now shirtless, Will climbed onto the rail himself, his bronze skin almost glowing in the sun. He stretched his arms above his head and jumped, landing cleanly in the tropical water. Having been in the sun for so long, the reunion with the ocean set his body tingling. The water felt fresh and welcoming on his skin, like a lover’s long-awaited caress. If this was considered an affair, he was guilty.
He took a turn about the half circle his men had created, relishing in the sea’s welcoming embrace. With a smile on his face, he turned toward the Dutchman, expecting Alanna to be right behind. As such, he half-expected to see his love still standing on the rail, an apprehensive look on her face. Though he thought it to be absurd, he took notice of the way she stood there, with one hand firmly on the rope, her hair and the sleeves of her shirt flapping in the breeze. He embedded the image into his memory before a playful grin lit up his features.
“What are you afraid of?” he teased. “It’s only water.”
“It ‘s not the water I’m worried about,” she yelled back, looking defensive. It’s the height. The crew shouted at her encouragingly, while some chuckled at her childish fear. She could do every task with the best of them, and was even starting to wield a sword with ease, yet there she was, cowering on the rail like a rookie sailor.
“It’s now or never, lass,” Arthur shouted, smiling broadly. “Do it once and you’ll never want to stop.”
Despite her dread, Alanna couldn’t help but laugh at Arthur’s directness. She gave an exaggerated sigh and squared her shoulders. As much as I want to argue she thought wryly. He’s right. Here goes nothing.
With that, she heaved a big breath and jumped, feet first. The wind whistled beside her ear, but only for a moment. She hit the water with a petite splash and came up to a round of exuberant cheering. The adrenaline rush was alarming, but in a good way. For once in her life, she had done something that was totally against her nature, and she loved it. The ocean carried her gently on its swells, surrounding her with the untamed power that was held beneath its depths. Every cell in her body was awakened; she had never felt anything like it. She swam easily to Will’s side, using the rhythm of the sea to reach her lover’s embrace.
“Well?” he asked, beaming at her.
“I feel,” she said, searching for the right word to describe the new pulse now flowing through her veins. “Alive, I guess. Something new has come over me, and I love it.”
“I’ll not argue with that,” he laughed, taking her in his arms. “It is a love I dare not compete with. But, like a woman, the ocean is not to be underestimated. She may look calm now, but that can change. She is force to be reckoned with, and I dare not test her when she gets in such a temper.”
“Too right you are, cap’n,” Arthur agreed, swimming over to join the couple. “I’ve seen to many foolhardy lads who think they can handle it. Oh what a surprise when they sail into port with a tattered ship and with half the men and supplies than what they started with.”
Alanna looked shocked, but Arthur merely shook his head. “As terrible as it is, lass, it happens. It just goes to show that the ocean’s wrath is not something to be taken lightly.”
Alanna nodded, but brushed it off, taking it for something she already knew. Still, the mystical talk left her curious. Whether from her liberating leap of faith or from her increasing restlessness, she almost dared the sweeping body of water to do her worst. Shaking the dark thoughts away, she looked up to the sky. Like many days before, the cerulean sky was still clear, with nothing but a few clouds to hint on any coming moisture. She laughed at her foolishness and once engaged in the activities around her, which carried on until late in the afternoon.
Later that evening, another feast was held aboard the Dutchman; whether to celebrate Alanna’s latest accomplishment or just for the heck of it, Alanna know not, and hardly cared. She had become extremely attached to the crew, and they her. They laughed and jested with one another as if Alanna had spent her entire life with them. As wonderful and adopting as they were, however, they were too much like her own family, which left her aching. She kept her homesickness to herself, putting on a brave face for the men, and more importantly, for Will. They had accepted her as one of their own, and she wasn’t about to show any amount of weakness. Nevertheless, the charade couldn’t be kept up for long, and she retired early. Making his excuses, Will followed her into the cabin, puzzled by her abrupt exit. She seemed fine as the party began, but he was no fool. Whatever the nature, he knew something was troubling her.
“Alanna?” he called softly.
He rounded the corner to the bedroom, only to find nothing. Instead his attention was turned toward a soft voice coming from the windows. Sure enough, the double doors were open, sending a pillar of moonlight across the floor. He stood there a moment, captured once more in the vision before him. Alanna stood on the narrow balcony, singing to herself. Her voice carried on the wind like a nightingale, ensnaring him. If Will thought she wasn’t a siren before, he was convinced she was now. The tune she sang was unfamiliar, but the words grabbed his attention.
Reach out to me
Call out my name
And I would bring you back again
Today
As the song faded to silence, he took a step forward. What happened next made his heart lurch. Her shoulders began to tremble as two tears fell from her beautiful eyes, glinting in the silver light. His hesitation gone, Will stepped into the moonlight and embraced her.
“What’s wrong, love?”
Alanna squared her shoulders and stilled her trembling. “It’s nothing,” she said shakily, wiping her cheeks. “I promise. Don’t worry about me.”
Will laughed softly and hugged her tighter. “But I do,” he admitted. “You have a tough, tom-boy exterior but I know better than to say that’s all you are. You are a woman, Alanna, and you should have the right to let that show. Especially with me.”
Alanna laughed bitterly and turned to face him. “ Who said I was hiding who I am?” she retorted. “ If anything, I’m’m being more myself. The person I was born to be.”
Will sighed and cupped her chin, confused once more.
“I wasn’t accusing you,” he told her. “I’m just concerned. You looked upset tonight. I just want to know why.”
The genuine look on his face was enough to break the defensive wall. Her lower lip began to quiver and she looked down, hiding her face in shadow. Hesitantly the young man invited her into his arms, and she eagerly accepted the offer. She sobbed into his shirt, letting her tears flow freely.
“I’m sorry,” she cried, burying herself further into his chest.
Will shook his head and continued to hold her, whispering comforting words into her ear. After a while, she began to calm down, inhaling deep breaths of the ocean air. Though she was silent, he did not press her, but waited patiently for her to gather her thoughts. Finally, she looked up at him, her royal-blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight.
“Don’t get me wrong,” she began. “I’ve had a wonderful time here. The way you and the crew have treated me is truly amazingthey just remind me so much of my familyof the place I came from” she trailed off, but he needed no further explanation.
“I see,” he murmured. He lifted her hand and placed it on his breast, a tender look in his eyes. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. Even one who’s been on a ship his or her whole life had to someone to come home to. Even with a full crew like this, it does get a little lonely at sea.”
She looked down again, so he switched gears.
“Alanna,” he said thoughtfully. “It’s a very pretty name. Where’s it from?”
She paused, turning back to the sea. The water was calm, reflecting thousands of stars in the cobalt sky.
“It’s Celtic,” she said finally. “It means ‘little child’. My father insisted I was his and his alone. I’m still convinced he won’t let me go when I get married.”
Will said nothing, but let her feed his curiosity. Now he was finally finding out where this mysterious, beautiful, amazing girl had come from.
“I never knew my mother,” she continued. “Shewhen I was born. This locket is all I have of hers.” Automatically, her hand moved to the silver locket around her neck, which Will had never seen until now.
Alanna took another long breath, and Will prepared himself for more.
“A couple years later, my father remarried. He was infatuated with her, but he made sure I approved of her before anything else happened. I never knew my mother, so I guess that’s why I got used to her so quickly. I love Carolyn’s her name. But for some reason, I could never call her ‘mom’. Three years ago, she gave my dad a son. He loves him a lot, and so do Ijust hope he doesn’t forget his girl.”
Her voice began to shake again, and Will placed his arms around her shoulders.
“No one could forget you, my sweet,” he told her. “It would be impossible.”
She laughed shortly. “I hope you’re right,” she said, smiling softly. “I hope they miss me as much as I miss them.”
For a long moment, the only sound that could be heard was the constant pulse of the ocean and the distant buzz of noise from the deck. Surprisingly, Will began sharing some origins of his own.
“William,” he started. “It was my father’s name. Though I fought to deny it, he was a piratea good man. My mother brought me up in England. She was all I had when my father left. After she died I went looking for him. When I came to Port Royal, I signed up to be a blacksmith’s apprentice. I’d start there until I had the money to support a ship and a crewwasn’t going to give up until I found him.”
Again, Alanna kept her face neutral, for fear of revealing anything. “That sounds very noble of you,” she observed. “Did you ever find him?”
He sighed. “Yes,” he said heavily. “And no. I found him, but he was a changed man. He wasn’t the man I had known when I was a boy. It’s a little complicated.”
Alanna nodded, not wanting to press the matter further. She knew plenty about Bill Turner, and the supernatural occurrences that came with their reunion.
Once more, the resulting silence hung, allowing the couple to think over each other’s words. Finally, after a long pause, it was Will who spoke again.
“Well, Ms. Livingston,” he said with a hint of formality. “The rest of the night is yours. Shall we bid each other goodnight right here and go our separate ways orshall we learn a little more about each other?”
Alanna, her eyes shining with an indescribable emotion, said nothing, but led him back into the cabin, closing the door behind them.