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ajwild220 · 9 months

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Abord the Captain's ship

(Hero x Civilian-Civilian x Sea Captain)

Summary: A captured and chained civilian finds the pirate ship she is held on overturned by a battle with a sailing vessel. When a sailor mistakes her for a pirate herself, she is drug before the captain for him to decide her fate. She can barely keep her thoughts straight, will she be thrown overboard? Will she be given a fair trial? And oh my word why is the Captain handsome...

Rating: PG

Warnings: Captivity, chained, death (non-MC), battle, blood? Signs of the pirates mistreating civilian.

(I don't know what I'm supposed to put! It honestly isn't too graphic or scary)

The noise above deck was almost deafening, boots stomping on wood, swords clashing violently as shouts reverberated through to the inner bowels of the ship. A full-on war had been waged. Civilian shrunk further into the back of her small cell in the brig. This did not bode well. She swallowed, eyes darting up at the wood-planked ceiling separating her from her enemies’ attackers.

She had been in the brig of these filthy pirates for a week now, a cook stolen from the last ship they had looted. When she refused to aid them, the captain had planned to sell her off at their next port. She could remember the slap she had received for her defiance as she was dragged down away from the light of day and thrown mercilessly into a dirty cell to nurse her bruises.

Her breathing began to quicken as a particularly loud thump sounded right above her. She needed to get out. The short chain pinning her wrist to the side of the ship rattled as Civilian once again tried to pry herself loose. It was useless. She had already tried so many times before.

After she had escaped the first time, the pirates hadn’t spared any precautionary measures.

Civilian slid down the wall making herself small in her corner, perhaps she would be overlooked until the fight was over. However, a tinge of dread settled in the pit of her stomach, with her luck she would be forgotten completely to rot or drowned if whoever was currently battling the pirates decided to sink the ship. With great effort civilian forced the dark thoughts from her mind. Perhaps she would be rescued and released from this misery.

Just then, a great commotion sounded all around her. Her jailor ran down the steps from above deck, beard flying around him, his normally glinting evil eyes alight with fear. He passed in front of her cell, reaching for his sword, which had gotten stuck in his belt, violently trying to rip it from the leather. He never got the opportunity to draw it, however, as another figure rushed down from above. A young sailor clad not in pirate garb but in uniform appeared before her captor and as quick as a flash, the jailer’s body hit the floor lifeless right before her cell.

Civilian stifled a surprised and horrified gasp, her hand reaching to cover her mouth, which was agape at the scene that had just played out before her very eyes. Before she could comprehend what had happened, the sailor was gone, back above deck and into the fray.

A buzz entered Civilian's mind, something between terror and happiness, as she gazed at the man lying still before her when a glint caught her eye. From within the fallen jailor’s pocket, a tiny hint of silver peaked out, shimmering brighter than any diamond. The keys.

Making sure the coast was clear, Civilian began to crawl slowly toward the dead man. As she came up to the cold metal bars, her shackle jerked her back, pulling one arm back and away from freedom. A groan of frustration emanated from her lips as she stretched in vain, her fingertips just short of her goal. Civilian wanted to scream; she was so close.

Another thump from above decks deepened her resolve and without another moment to think, she pulled her chain taunt laying down on her side. Stretching out her leg she poked her toe along the fabric of his pocket and, with some work, managed to drag the keys within reach. Shaking hands made short work of the shackle, which dropped to the floor with a heavy and resounding clunk. She was free.

Civilian flexed her fingers as the key ring merrily jingled with each key she tried in the lock. Wiggling each one with growing confidence as one finally turned in the lock. The heavy cell door swung open with a rusty click, and Civilian risked a step out from her small prison.

This is where she faltered, fingers still gripping the heavy iron door. Even though the fighting from the deck was growing quieter by the minute, it would most definitely not be wise to make a sudden appearance. As she was frozen, pondering her options, a noise tore her from her thoughts, the noise of heavy boots descending the ladder.

Civilian didn’t move, in fact they barely breathed as a rather portly sailor with a stubbled chin and crooked nose practically stomped down the ladder with a fighting gleam upon his sweaty face. He brandished his sword taking note first of the dead man on the floor, then a rather perplexed looking Civilian. Before she could get a word out to explain his sword raised to her a wild grin on his face.

“Prepare to die pirate scum!” His voice was gravelly, and he spoke from his throat.

Civilian instantly paled, “I am no pirate!”

He sneered “That’s what they all say the first time they see trouble.”

Civilian did not know what to do, he blocked the exit. Perhaps bravery, or perhaps it was just pure desperation fueled her as she leaped to the dead man beside her recklessly trying to pull his saber.

In her efforts, she felt a sharp nick in the arm and causing her to let out a loud yelp as she fell back. The sailor’s saber had clipped her bicep. Thankfully either due to her swiftness or the sailor's lack of proper aim, it was nothing more than a deep scratch, yet adrenaline began to surge throughout her causing her breathing to grow quick and her heart to thump rapidly in her chest.

“Please listen to me! I am not a pirate!” She had to throw herself out of the way of his next attack ramming into the wall.

He turned from where he had stumbled, eyes wild.

“You shall die like the lying dog that you are!” he growled, closing in with each step, boxing her in with his sword and body. Civilian couldn’t run, couldn’t move as she felt the cool steel rest against her throat. Her pulse ran wild as her eyes squeezed shut, preparing for the end.

“Wait!”

The end never came.

Instead, the keeper of the saving voice burst into view, pushing away his comrade’s sword and gripping onto his arm.

“Simmons! What are you doing? Take the lady before the captain, he will decide her fate.” The man stood between the two eyes staring accusingly at the man named Simmons.

Simmons wrenched his arm from the newcomer's grip, a deathly fire in his eyes.

“She is a pirate like the rest of them. She should die like one.”

Civilian stifled a whimper as the sword once again found a place on her throat. It was removed instantly as the new sailor once again gripped his comrade’s arm.

“Stand down now or I will tell the captain personally you disobeyed his orders.”

“Gah, his orders were to eradicate the pirate vermin from this ship!”

His rank spittle spewed as he spoke, hatred for every pirate etched in his features. The new sailor spared a glance at Civilian.

“You know as well as I, that killing unarmed maids is not what he meant!”

Civilian’s scared eyes had been darting between the two, hoping whoever this newcomer was, he could keep her from being pinned to the wall by the man Simmons saber. It seemed the goodwill offered by this man was, however, having little effect on the erratic sailor as his eyes continued to bore into Civilian's very soul.

His companion seemed to notice this and added more softly “God help you if the captain hears you have shed blood like this.”

Simmons’s glare seemed to falter at these words causing him to blink out of his bloodthirsty trance as his sword dropped from its place at Civilian's throat.

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Civilian blinked rapidly in the sunlight, completely unaccustomed to the warm glow. It took a moment for her to finally readjust to the light as she was continuously pulled across the familiar deck, rough seaworn hands firmly on each arm. Simmons on one side, the other man on the other. Her hands were bound firmly behind her with a bit of rope leaving her quite helpless.

Sailors were everywhere shouting, cleaning up any remnants of the battle that had ensued. They were swarming the deck, coming up from below, already in the rigging. Bright blue tunic-like uniforms with silver trim, while others wore simple white sailor’s clothes. It was so much to take in it made her head throb.

This new crew was strong, stronger than any she had ever seen to take down a pirate vessel so easily, so efficiently. After all, this was the second change of ships she had seen in the last week.

As she was pushed past a group of sailors moving weapons; she could feel their stares heavy on the back of her neck and sense the anger on their faces. It made her feel sick. Her captors were practically dragging her unwilling form forward step by step as a shout rang out.

“Hartley!”

Civilian could feel the man who had intervened for her turn sharply on her arm at what seemed to be his name. Almost causing her to trip as her captors abruptly stopped as a man of tall stature and jet-black hair strode into sight.

“Who is this?” his voice was deep and commanding. Surely he was an officer.

“A pirate” Simmons grinned toothily.

“We are unsure of that!” Hartley interjected “We are taking her to the captain.”

The tall man before them nodded solemnly as civilians squirmed in the sailors’ grip. Whoever the captain was, she was not sure she wanted to see him. The officer eyed her before nodding to her the men at her arms.

“Take her.”

They didn’t need another word as she was dragged all the way to the edge of the ship.

Everywhere sailors were carrying supplies, weapons, rope, and the like. It was chaotic as some swung on ropes and others walked across several boards connecting the ships at the sides. It was to one of these boards that civilian was pushed to where she had a sickening view of the beautiful yet steep drop and the lapping blue water below. The breeze blew her hair into her eyes and mouth, but she couldn’t move it with her hands securely behind her. What little she could make out was the ship across was beautiful and well-trimmed. Crimson and blue flags flapped in the wind. It was larger than the barnacley vessel she was currently on and twice as well scrubbed.

Her arms being released sent a shock to her brain as she turned to her sailors. Simmons had begun to lean down as if to heft her on his shoulders like a bag of meal. She stepped back instantly.

“Don’t touch me! I-” She once again gazed at the dizzying drop. “I’ll walk.” She insisted unsteadily. Simmons offered a toothy grin sweeping his arm in the direction of the board.

“Be my guest.”

Shakily she placed a foot on the board, muscles tense as she tested her weight on it. How she wished for her arms to balance. Looking back at Simmons’ frightening expression and she turned instantly, raising her chin. Civilian would do this alone.

And she did... until Simmons stepped out behind her.

The sudden shift of the board was too much for her to compensate for, and the world turned dangerously on its side as she felt her footing leave the board and slip easily into the air below.

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The cold water was a shock as Civilian’s head went under. Her muscles tightened and her hands fought to be free, but the ropes were too tight. Civilian kicked with all their might, even kicking off their shoes in an effort to rise to back to the surface. Yet it didn’t work. The fabric of her clothes and the inactivity of her arms drug her down. A scream tried to surface yet she smartly held her mouth shut. The more she kicked the more her lungs begged for air, pretty soon she would be forced to take a breath whether or not she had come to the surface.

As Civilian had reached a point of absolute panic, she felt the weight of strong arms around her. They pulled and Civilians head finally broke the surface of the waves. She coughed trying to take in as much salty air as she could.

The rest was a blur as Civilian was heaved aboard the great ship and thrown to the deck, coughing and spluttering. Forced to her knees, her forehead rested against the wood in front of her as she tried to breathe properly again, gulping in deep breaths of blessed air.

Slowly and surely, she began to become aware again. She could feel the sting of her arm where Simmons's blade had scratched her, throbbing from the salt. The ropes that held her hands made her skin smart horribly where it was bound too tightly, but at the moment, that was one of the least of her worries. The lovely sea breeze was bitterly cold now that her clothes were doused with salt water and clung to her body. She could hear the crew as well, some soft whispering, others louder. It seemed the whole ship had drawn its attention to her sopping-wet existence.

Nerves ate at her stomach as she became aware of her vulnerable position, and she gulped down the desire to cry. As if summoned the sounds of boots hitting the deck as if someone had jumped down from a height resounded through the crowd. The crew went almost completely silent.

“What is all this?” A commanding voice challenged.

Civilian closed her eyes, hiding behind the curtain of her dripping hair, praying her fears were incorrect.

“A prisoner, Captain.” A man called.

Civilian mentally cursed her luck.

A slight pause.

“A very wet prisoner.” Several chuckled at the captain's statement and Civilian tensed as she could feel the vibrations of his footsteps tread around her.

Simmons's throaty growl was heard, “She’s a filthy pirate, captain. We were bringing her to you, but she jumped.”

Through the terror, Civilians' blood boiled at the outrageous lie.

“Is that how you speak to a lady after you drop her in the water?”

The captain’s voice was displeased, he must have seen the whole thing and it sent a shiver down Civilian's spine. She didn’t dare look up.

“Sir, beggin’ your pardon, she did it on purpose!”

“Jumped in the water on purpose, arms bound behind her?”

The crew gave a light chuckle at the absurdity. At least Civilian didn’t look the type to do such a thing on purpose.

“I uh, well,” Simmons tried to hobble together his excuses. “Captain, I certainly didn’t do it on purpose. Of any rate she’s a pirate!”

“And that pardons your incompetency?” The captains words resonated cold. The crew grew silent as his voice rang out once more, “I shall deal with you later. But in the meantime-“ Civilian once again could hear his boots as they came into her view and stopped right before her. Civilian swallowed mouth gone dry as she felt eyes burning into her entire body.

The captain spoke, the anger now absent as he looked down on the kneeling captive.

“Hartley. Tell me what happened and why she is bound.”

The nervous voice of Hartley spoke out and Civilian could picture him ringing his hands.

“Well sir, Simmons found her in the brig and was about to kill her for being a pirate. I came upon him and said that we should bring her here for a trial. After all she doesn't look like any pirate I’ve ever seen. So, we did, she seemed like a real slippery thing so we tied her so we could bring her to you.”

The captain must have nodded as Civilian heard no response. “Piracy is a very serious charge.”

Civilian gulped and bit her lip wishing she could melt through the deck and back into the water forever. The captain’s boots took another step forward and civilian’s body tensed in the rope binding in anticipation for what was to come. However what happened was nothing like she expected.

“Miss, would you tell me your side of the story?”

The captain crouched before Civilian elbows on his knees and hands loosely in front of him ducking his head ever so slightly trying catch her eyes.

“Miss?”

Civilian’s eyes however remained firmly fixed on the well-scrubbed boards of the deck, and the ever-growing puddle that came from her wet form. She could feel his warm presence before her, so insanely calm, he was completely in control. Surely if he wanted, he could call Simmons in an instant to throw her back overboard for crimes she did not commit. This thought only aided her shivering, and against her will a single salty tear slipped down her nose joining the water from her sopping curls as it fell and onto the already dark wood.

When she didn’t reply, he tried a different approach.

“Tell me this, are you a pirate?”

Civilian shook her head urgently: no.

She could hear him whisper to himself “I thought as much.”

His voice returned to its normal volume as he queried. “Can you tell me how you came to be abord a notorious pirate ship?”

Civilians mouth opened and closed trying to formulate the words when he interrupted her thoughts.

“You can look at me, I don’t bite. I promise.” He once again ducked his head slightly and dropped to kneeling on one knee. “Please?”

His tone took her off guard. He had been gentle before, a nicer voice than she had heard in months. However, the tone he used as if for a wounded dog or frightened child. To hear such gentleness from someone with such power gave her the courage to lift her head even slightly. Slowly Civilian raised her head, cautiously coming out from her wet curtain of curls to see the man in front of her.

What met her eyes made her pause in wonder. To that moment all she had seen was well kept brown leather boots and a dark brown pair of breeches. When she lifted her eyes, everything seemed in order with a captain of his standing, a well-tailored patterned red vest over a pristine cotton shirt. Well, it would have been pristine if it wasn’t partially wet with salt water and small splashes of blood from the battle. A leather belt was secured around his waist holding his saber which stuck out far behind him, as well as an oiled overcoat and tricorn. What astonished her was not any of this but rather his face.

He could not have been more than several years older than civilian. His face was a deep tan with well arched eyebrows, dirty blond hair sticking out from beneath his tricorn and full lips forming a small smile at her compliance. What told her his age however was not his youthful face but rather his eyes. Dark and warm like the leather of his boots, a deep welcoming brown that showed strength and intelligence, after just a moment of seeing them she understood why the crew entrusted their service to him. For the first time since being thrown to the deck a spark of hope fluttered in Civilians chest. She just might make it out of this mess alive.

“Excellent.” He smiled softly as she looked at him. “Would you mind telling me why you are here?”

She swallowed “My ship was captured a week ago.” Civilian could feel the crew lean in listening to her unsteady words. “I was taken aboard.”

“What about the others?” his head cocked, and you could tell he already had guessed.

“No others. Just me.” Civilians head drooped in remembrance trying not to think about the event which had plagued her dreams for the last week.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” His voice was genuine yet not surprised. “I beg your pardon, but out of the whole crew why would they choose you?”

Civilian took a breath once again looking up, her arms aching horribly from her position, but she pushed through. “I’m a cook. A-And-“she paused wondering just what she should include “the brute who grabbed me seemed to fancy me. He advocated to the captain that I could aid them in the galley.” Civilian stole a glance at the young man before her she was met with an expression of understanding.

“She aided the pirates!” A man yelled from the crowd of sailors.

The captain’s head snapped upwards, his face and tone stern as he shouted.

“Silence! Let the lady speak!”

The deck obeyed instantly, and Civilian couldn’t help but tremble with wide wondering eyes at the one before her who could command a ship so young.

“I-I didn’t aid them! I refused. They threw me in the brig where-where” she turned slightly cursing her sore body searching for Simmons. “Where Simmons found me. I have the cuff marks on my wrist to prove it.” She stuttered, voice begging to be believed. Eyes daring to dart to the sailors in sight and back to the captain trying to keep herself from growing frantic. “Believe me I would have rather died with my own before becoming one of them!”

There was a pause as he searched her face for a brief moment, “I believe you.” He finally pronounced, as his eyes flicked over her, noticing the slight panic as her eyes swept over the crew.

His voice lowered so only she could hear “Breathe; they are under me. On my ship we strive for justice.” His tone was serious yet once again calming and soft. “None of them will so much as touch you.”

Somehow his voice cut through Civilian’s fear, and she nodded body relaxing slightly. She believed him.

“One last thing” The captain raised his voice so the crew could hear “what was your ships name?”

She glanced around at all the faces peering at her before she answered loud enough for all to hear. “The Tide Runner.” Civilian paused the sentence feeling incomplete. “Sir.” She added.

The captain’s eyebrow quirked slightly at the last bit, but he shrugged it off to glance over his left shoulder. Civilian followed the captain’s gaze to one of the sailors who seemed to be deep in thought. Suddenly the man’s eyes cleared as if he had finally found what he was looking for and gave a quick nod to the captain.

The captain offered Civilian a small smile as he rose to his full height shoulders thrown back in a stance of authority. Voice booming out to all the crew.

“Listen up lads! It has been confirmed. This young lady is not a pirate but the unfortunate victim of those whom we have just defeated. She will be sailing with us at least until we reach port.” He paused, looking out among the familiar faces. “Until then! She is a lady and shall be treated as such. She is under my protection. Any who dare disobey this order will suffer the dire consequences.” A powerful glint came to his eyes. “Am I understood?”

Instantly a hearty answer of “Aye aye Captain.” Rang out from every sailor, contrasting greatly from the silence of before.

“Alright then lads, as you were!” Immediately the deck was alive and moving again like a well-oiled machine. Just as it was before civilian was the center of attention.

The captain took one look at his handiwork, offering a small nod of satisfaction before once again turning his attention to the girl, whose teeth were now chattering, kneeling on the deck. He took a knee before her as he was moments ago.

“I’m sorry my crew tied you and treated you as they did. Believe me on my honor, it was not by my bidding.” His face was so earnestly concerned Civilian almost forgot about how badly her body ached from kneeling so long…almost.

Her eyes shyly met his, unused to such chivalry. “I accept your apology.” She couldn’t help but smile at the happiness on his face. “But would you mind helping me up? Please?”

He sprung into action looking almost sheepish that he hadn’t done it sooner.

“Of course!” He swiftly came up beside her arm looping under her armpit and easing her to her, rather unsteady, feet. No longer sheltered from the sea breeze, civilian couldn’t stop her teeth from chattering another moment as she subconsciously leaned closer into the captain’s warm grip.

“I don’t suppose you have a dry change of clothes?” The captain questioned.

Civilian just shook her head slightly embarrassed. The captain simply nodded, and you could see the gears turning in his head.

“Can you stand?”

Civilian focused on their numb legs testing their balance before replying. “I think so.” The captain slowly released his grip on her arm, watching to make sure she didn’t fall back to the deck. When he was sure of her footing, he peeled off his over coat and delicately draped it over her shoulders.

“It’s the best I can do at the moment.” He offered her an apologetic smile as he reached for his knife. “Hold still while I remove the ropes.” He moved behind her having to readjust his coat for a good view of her bound hands before he began to saw away at the coarse wet rope. Civilian winced as the cord was pulled taunt to avoid cutting her skin. “Sorry,” the captain’s voice was genuine.

“It’s alright.” Civilian almost whispered, attempting to keep her voice steady. With a bit more sawing, the ropes released Civilian's wrists, eliciting an almost immediate sigh of relief as her shoulders were able to relax once more. She drew her wrists to the front of her body, easing her stiff muscles and gently rubbing over the sore skin.

The captain’s boots thumped on the deck as he once again came into view to stand in front of her and Civilian couldn’t help but heartily thank him with a smile of relief.

He scratched the back of his neck, “No need to thank me, it shouldn’t have happened in the first place.” His gaze fell to her now freed wrists, and his brow furrowed in concern. He reached out hesitantly before looking into her eyes. “May I?” She nodded and gave him her wrists. He turned them over, examining how the ropes had rubbed them raw, his callous hands careful to avoid the damaged skin. It also became apparent to Civilian that one could see the bruises and cuts from her shackling in the brig. Apparently, the captain noticed too, as he held up that wrist in particular.

“Iron cuff?”

“Yes.”

His expression was confused as if to ask why they would chain someone like her. “I escaped once.” she offered. His eyebrows raised in surprise causing her to smile.

“Quite impressive.” His face reflected his words as he released his hold on her wrist. “We will treat those, as well as your arm” He gestured to the place Simmons cutlas has clipped her “as soon as we can, I’m afraid our physician can’t be spared at the moment. I hope you understand.”

Civilian nodded with a tight smile. It couldn’t be easy for any physician after a battle of that size.

He interrupted her musings as he jumped into action. “In the meantime, we need to find you some dry clothes.” Civilian watched as he drug his teeth over his bottom lip issuing a shrill whistle. It almost made her want to cover her ears. Before long a young boy with a shock of red hair and peppered with freckles scampered his way up to them standing stick straight and saluting very seriously. Civilian noted the proud smile on the young captain’s face as he turned to her.

“This is Auggie he will help you find some suitable clothes.” His attention turned to the boy. “Take her to my quarters” He paused eyes thoughtfully studying civilians wet form. Normally civilian would have blushed at such an examination. However, the captain seemed good in his intentions. “See if you can find anything in my clothes.” He decided firmly.

His attention once again was on her face, “I’m sorry I doubt anything will fit.”

She tried not to blush and rubbed her arms underneath his borrowed jacket. “That’s alright I’ll manage.” She offered a smile.

“Excellent.” He returned her smile. It was quite dashing now that Civilian had a moment to think about it. Yet she pushed that unwelcome thought away as soon as it entered her mind.

“Well, there was just one more thing I needed to mention before you go. I apologize, I will be brief I know you are cold.” The captain nodded to Auggie as he led civilian a few steps away out of the boy’s hearing.

“I will have you know Simmons will be punished. I can tell there are things that I do not know yet and I intend to find them out.” He was very serious, and Civilian could see a determination in his eyes. “However, I wanted to ask you if there was anything I should know.” Civilian didn’t know what to say. She had gone from being nearly abandoned in a brig to being under the watch of a strong and vigilant, not to mention young and handsome, sea captain, it was almost too much. Her voice came out scratchy, as she looked at the deck beneath her feet.

“No, nothing you should know, sir.”

He chuckled, “Please, you make it sound as if I am my father. You can drop the sir.”

Her eyes rose to his deep brown ones once more and smiled. “If you insist.”

“But honestly, you need not spare Simmons.” He grew grave once more, “You can tell me any wrong he committed against you.”

“None that no one else knows” she answered honestly.

His face was still grave, which puzzled her.

“Your cheek tells a different story.”

He reached up gently, pushing her damp curls out of the way of the bruise upon her cheekbone.

“Oh.” Her eyes broke contact before returning to his, “That was not Simmons’s doing. That was yesterday.”

He nodded and she could see the anger against the pirates simmering behind his gaze.

“I am both sorry and happy to hear that.” He nodded deeply. “Thank you.” He paused, looking over her, over the ship, over his men who were scurrying about as busy as could be before again putting on that stunning smile.

“Well! You should follow Auggie. Tell him to get you something to eat from the galley. I shall see you later.”

With that, he tipped his hat and, upon seeing her safe with the cabin boy, walked away with the proud stride only sailors possess, leaving behind a curious civilian to go down below decks.

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