Adrene
Hey everyone! So this is a new story I've started, mostly because I haven't seen a lot of pirate stories with a truly badass female lead. Most of them — and not dissing anyone here! — have the typical cliché of rough and tough Pirate King and innocent young maiden. Welp, I'm flipping that cliche around. Please let me know what you think, especially if I've made any historical inaccuracies. Enjoy!***
Having just arrived in his favorite port city of Adrene, Prince Leopold was in little rush to resign to the confines of the summer palace and his older sister's nerves. It was the eve of the most important day of his life: the day in which he would become crown prince of the throne of England. Apprehension gnawed at his stomach, but listening to his elders bicker over his future would do little to help. So the instant the vessel docked, the prince set off into the city, as alone and free as his birth would allow. Of course, his advisor Reginald quickly caught up, but at that moment, Leopold found he didn't care.
His let his feet him lead the way while his mind wandered. Within a day, trips like this would not be allowed. Even now it was a risk, but no one would dare attack the prince within Adrene, especially with the heightened security present.
Shaking himself from his thoughts, Prince Leopold found himself amongst the bustle of the marketplace. Looking around, he took in the cornucopia of personalities surrounding him: the usual vendors peddling their wares to anyone who would listen, the street performers lost in tunes of their own making, the shoppers, and her. The fairest maiden he had ever laid eyes upon stood just a short ways down the path. Her head was turned away from him, eyes gazing at the flowers for sale with an air of disappointment.
Just as he began to walk toward her, their eyes met, but for a brief second. So short was this second that he began to believe it never happened at all. He stood in the middle of the bustling marketplace, watching the beauty walk away from him, her long black hair cascading down the open back of her periwinkle cotton gown.
Without thinking, his feet began to follow her movements as she walked casually between the different vendors, stopping every once in a while to glance at various wares. After a while, she meandered out of the city and into the grassy hillsides that surrounded it to the north, picking wildflowers as they sprung up in her path.
Before too long, she had collected a fair-sized bouquet. A smile played on the edges of her ruby lips as she turned to sit in the shade of a nearby willow. Their eyes met, and he smiled wide, feeling shy for the first time in his life. "May I sit?" He asked after a second or two. Brushing her hair out of her face, she bit her lip and nodded. "Now what is a so beautiful a creature as you doing so far from the safety of the city?"
She blushed slightly and looked away. "Just collecting wildflowers for my grandmother. She's sick awful bad. Hasn't gotten out of bed in days."
His eyebrows furrowed in sympathy as he took a seat beside her. "I'm sorry to hear that."
The maiden sniffled a little, burying her face in her hands. "I-I just don't want to lose her." She admitted, blubbering out the words. He placed a hand on her shoulder as reassurance. She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, and sobbing softly into his chest.
He sat stunned for a second, before he pulled her tight. "It'll be alright." It was all he could think to say.
After a minute or so, her sobs faded into sniffles, and she sat up slightly. Her crystal blue eyes peered into the depths of his brown ones. A smirkish smile appeared on his lips, and he pulled her close. They were inches apart now. He reached with his left hand, gently brushing a strand of her black hair out of her face. She bit her lip with a small smile, and that was all that it took to drive him over the edge. Their lips crashed into each other, but for a brief second before a pointed cough echoed from behind the tree they were leaning against. They broke away from each other as though they were two teenagers caught in the act.
Reginald stood on the other side of the tree, a pointed stare fixed in their direction. "E-excuse me, Your Highness. But I - "
Her eyes shot to his, eyebrows raised, but upon seeing his solemn expression, she jumped away from him. Sitting on her knees, head and eyes downcast, she said, "I did not know it was you, Highness. Forgive me."
He lifted her chin so her eyes met his. "There is nothing to forgive. I have a right to kiss the most beautiful woman I've ever seen if I wish."
She giggled, and he laughed. She bent over to gather the flowers that had flown out of her hand when she was startled by Reginald. After a while, her bouquet was nearly complete, and she turned to look at the prince. "The most beautiful wildflowers grow just beyond the crest of the next hill. Wait for me, Sire. I won't be long."
She swayed her hips as she walked away, knowing his eyes would be fixated on her ass. When she reached the crest of the next hill, there were indeed wondrous azure wildflowers growing all around, but she was not alone. She heard footsteps behind her, but before she could turn around, a large, rough, hand covered her mouth and she was pulled against what felt like a wall.
Fiora turned, looking into the eyes of her captor and first mate. They shared the hint of a smile, and he uncovered her mouth. Immediately, she let out a piercing scream. When the prince appeared a few seconds later, she struggled against her captor for effect. "Leo! Help me!"
He drew his sword. "Let the maiden go, or feel my wrath."
Her lieutenant chuckled as more of her men appeared from the hills surrounding them. "I fear it is you, Princeling, who will feel our wrath if you do not surrender. You are a good swordsman, yes, but you are no match for the crew of the Arcfyre."
His face paled. "The Arcfyre is a myth."
Her men smiled and laughed amongst themselves. "I assure you, we are no myth. But no matter what you think of us, be certain that if you make a move against us, my knife will slit through your girl's throat as if it were butter." He held his knife to her throat for effect.
Before the prince spoke, two of her men dragged a struggling Reginald into view. His face was bloodied, and his clothes were torn in places. "Do not give in, Highness," he managed, receiving a vicious backhand for his troubles.
The prince's eyebrows furrowed in concern, and he choked out, "Reginald." Then he turned his fiery gaze upon her lieutenant. "You will pay for this; I swear it.
The pirate threw a searing gaze right back. "If you do not surrender in the next ten seconds, I will kill your man." Motioning to the two men holding Reginald, he began, pausing for a second in between each number. "Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five." Reginald began to struggle harder against his captors' hold. "Four. Three." A full three seconds elapsed before her first mate said, "Two."
Leopold's expression, as defiant as it had been before, grew weary. "Wait." Slowly, he let his falchion drop from his hands, and raised his hands above his head. His eyes met her first mate's. "I put my life in your hands. If you do not harm him, I will go with you willingly."
Her lieutenant smirked. "Good choice, Princeling."
"No, Leopold, don't! My life is not worth it," Reginald cried, receiving another backhand, which threw him to the ground.
"Let me go!" Fiora cried, throwing herself toward where Reginald lay. "He's not moving. Please let me go!" Her voice cracked as she added, "I won't escape; I promise I won't." To everyone's surprise, the man released her, and she ran to Reginald's side. He seemed even more battered up close, and she could see the pain in his eyes as they met hers. She put a comforting hand on his shoulder, and pulled him into a tender hug, careful of his bruises. He smiled gratefully back at her, and she turned to glare at her lieutenant. "You're twisted. Can't you see he's hurt? Have you no honor?"
The lieutenant's expression softened. "We do, miss. There is honor among pirates just as there is honor among thieves. But, even so, we will not stand defiance. If you will not come willingly, then we will not hesitate to use force until you will." Turning to the prince, his tone hardened. "That goes double for you, Princeling. You'd better be on your best behavior." The prince nodded, head down, but his eyes met hers. She could see that he had not given up hope, and his eyes burned with anger. "Good. Now, come with me."
Turning, the lieutenant led the way up the crest of the next hill. One of her men brutally broke Fiora and Reginald apart, shoving the pain-stricken man to his feet in the process. The prince inwardly squirmed, but outwardly did nothing. Instead, he made his way over to where Fiora was, walking beside her. "It's okay. It'll be okay," he reassured with a whisper. "I'll find a way out of this, I promise." He was silent for a minute or two, before he added, his voice breaking, "I'm sorry. This is all my fault. If I wasn't a prince, you wouldn't be here." He opened his mouth as though he were about to say more, but didn't have the chance. The sight that rose as they crested the next hill drove the words from his mouth. A small cove sheltered the grandest frigate the prince had ever seen. From the mahogany planks along her bow, he could read a name painted in white lettering: Arcfyre.
***
Well, what did you think? Is Fiora acting, or is she truly who she says she is? The Lieutenant is a pretty sarcastic guy. Do you like that, or nah? Lemme know; I'd be happy to hear from you!
And just as a reminder, feel free to press that little star and vote. They mean a lot to me. :)
I have rambled on long enough.... ~ McDazzle out ~
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