Held Captive

To say that Emma caused a ruckus would be an understatement. She yelled until she nearly lost her voice and would kick at anyone who came near her. She even bit Reggie on the arm when he tried to grab her and force her to move. She had bitten him so hard that she tore the skin and caused him to bleed. Nels had just laughed at him and walked away. Emma refused to speak to Silas and when he would approach her she would glare at him like an animal being backed into a corner. She was a spitfire...that much would be immediately clear. She never cried in front of him or any of his other crew. She refused to give them that pleasure. They would poke and sneer at her and call her horribly crude names, but never once did she react. She was stronger than most had first believed her to be. They had thought that just because she was a Duchess that that meant she would fall apart. That didn't happen with Emma. She was determined to make their lives hell in any way she could.

During her short time being held captive she had refused to eat or drink anything. She was being held in Silas' cabin and did not know where Emily or Helen were. She had not seen them since they were all separated shortly after being brought aboard the ship. Because of how she would behave her hands had been chained. She heard a key in the lock and then the door opened. She looked up to see Silas walk in carrying a tray of food. Emma's beautiful auburn hair was in need of brushing and her dress had been ripped in several places from her fighting against Silas and the crew. He set the tray down on a small table next to her and she refused to look up at him.

"I'm not hungry."

For the past 24 hours Emma had been the bane of his existence. Willful, combative, mean as badger left in a sack. There was no getting away now, not on a ship, in the middle of the ocean! He figured all she had was to fight but she had not considered everything, not yet. Tat morning Silas brought in a tray for her. Even as disheveled as she was she was beautiful. Her cheek was still red from where he slapped her and her hands were chained behind her back. He hated having to do that and she had been in the chair all night. He knew she had to be exhausted.

“Oh, I think you might be and in any case you’ll eat,” he said in a tone that would brook no argument. As he set the try down on his desk. “If I remove your bonds will you be civil? Or will you need more convincing that there is nowhere for you to go?” he asked. Her scowl was proof enough that no, he wouldn’t be removing her bonds just yet. He smiled. “Water?” he asked and held up a pewter mug. Crystals of condensation beaded down the sides of it, it was cool she knew and her throat was so dry.

Emma's hands were bound behind her back and her wrists and arms ached, however she never once complained. She glanced over at the tray of food and indeed felt hungry, but wasn't going to say that. She just sat there without saying a word. When he asked her if she would need more convincing to know that there was nowhere she could go she glared at him. The shackles were rubbing against her skin and she twisted her wrists slightly, trying to get some relief. Looking at the pewter mug of water she suddenly felt horribly thirsty. Her throat was still hoarse from all the yelling she had done throughout the night and she could imagine how good it would taste. But she refused to give him the satisfaction.

"I want you to let Emily and Helen go," she finally said. "They mean nothing to you. It was me you were after and you have me. I want to know that they are safe. If you let them go at the next port I...I will sleep with you...willingly. I know you want me. I've seen the way you look at me, but I know that you are the type of man who would never force himself upon a woman and that is why I am offering myself to you instead for the sworn promise of my friends' safety and release."

Silas jerked back his head and roared with laughter at her...adjudication. “Well, how very noble of you Emma,” and he laughed again uproariously and had to wipe his eyes. “I will admit that I am attracted to you, I Mean your beautiful,” he said as if she didn't know. “But let's shelve that a while shall we?” Silas said then shifted the other chair to sit across from her.he saw her scowl and her anger.she could get combative again to be sure but that didn't get her anywhere and he was talking to her so he figured she’d take that as an improvement.

“You are very important to me Emma,” He said and his eyes did move down to her breasts then up again. “Your husband the Duke of Cumberland has essentially declared war on me and I’ve decided to fight back,” he said. He now knew though that something was not right. Barely any security and none of the other wives of not were there. He couldn't put his finger on the truth of it all but something just didn't feel right. But Emma didn't need to know that.

“I am willing to make a bargain of sorts with you but if you intend to continue to fight and not eat well,” he began and leaned in toward her and his smile faded right then. “I will let every man on this boat at your 2 younglings. And right now my men are quite thirsty and they 2 glasses of cold water,” he said darkly.

Emma looked away from Silas when he began to laugh at her. She had meant what she had said and to be laughed at like that hurt her. She cared about Helen and Emily and their safety suddenly meant everything to her. She didn't care what happened to her, she only cared about them. The only reason they were caught was because they had been trying to help her.

When Silas mentioned a bargain she looked over at him. She didn't even hesitate to respond. Silas would know that she truly cared for Emily and Helen.

"What's the bargain?"

Silas nodded as he felt that now they were getting somewhere but before he would say any more he fed her and made her drink by his own hand.

After he had released her from the shackles and he paused while she rubbed her wrists. Right now he k ew she thought then animals and rapists and worse and no convincing by him otherwise was going to change anything. As far as she was concerned anyway. They had killed men and removed her and her friends by force of arms.

After the tray was removed and she held yet another goblet of water he decided he could speak to her on a much more reasonable light.

“I will guarantee the safety of Helen and Emily,” he had learned their names. “I'll need Helen to deliver a message that you were taken,” he explained. “But any of the hostages would be suitable for that. But because they appear to have specific significance to you I will protect them and see them unspoiled to safety.” He explained. “For a price,” he said and looked at her. Not hungrily or darkly. But his eyes shone so blue and he looked into her eyes and she could see that he liked what he saw. That much, at least might be something she could work with.

Emma really didn't like being hand fed by this man, but she didn't argue or resist him. She was very hungry and while the food wasn't the best food she had ever had, it wasn't the worst either. At the very least it was warm and the cool water felt good on her dry throat and lips. Finally, he released her from her shackles and she rubbed her chaffed wrists. They were red and swollen and there was some dried blood on her fingers from where she had been twisting and trying to escape. She accepted the second goblet of water and drank it quickly, not caring if she spilled any. She placed the empty goblet back on the tray and waited for Silas to speak. She was relieved to hear that he was going to let Helen and Emily go and guarantee their safety while aboard the ship. However, when he mentioned he would do it for a price Emma's heart sank.

"I...I have no money. The only thing I have is this," she said as she pulled off her large diamond engagement ring.

He raised his hand. “I don’t want money Emma...are you an honorable woman? If I allow the women to leave can I get an assurance from you that as long as you remain unharmed while on this ship you will not try to escape? We may visit ports to take on supplies, if I allow you to accompany me, will I have your word you will not try to alert the authorities or try to escape? And also, there are no passengers on my ships I am in need of a cabin girl. A person who brings me tea, or rum my meals and cleans my clothes and cabin. Not a slave,” he said quickly. “You will be given a loot share like everyone else. Until such time that we find resolution with the Duke...if you can agree to these things I will allow your ‘women’ to leave. If not I’ll still keep you and their stay here will not be so...accommodating,” he said. It was an oath based on duress but he could keep her and Helen and Emily anyway and keep her prisoner in shackles the whole time.

“You will be allowed full access to my ship but there will be no inciting the men, no provoking them and no sabotage. For the bargain I have spoken,” he said then spit on his palm and offered it to her to shake on it. Apparently this was akin to giving a binding oath? She might think that it was.

Emma listened to his side of the bargain and felt, under the circumstances, that it was fair. At the very least she would know that Emily and Helen were safe. Emma didn't know a thing about cleaning clothes or anything else for that matter, but she would learn. She was about to say that she agreed when Silas suddenly spit into his hand and held it out for her to shake. She found the entire thing disgusting but knew she would need to do it. And so she spit into her own hand and shook his.

After that was done she looked at him. "I would also like my diamond bracelet back...the one you stole from me at my engagement party and then gave to that blonde haired girl."

Silas raised his eyebrows. “Well, that was given as a gift, I suppose you could ask for it back from Nels but I doubt she’d give it to you,” he said.

True to his word he allowed her to see Helen and Emily. They were frightened half out of their wits as they sat in the first mates cabin. Once they saw her they ran up and hugged her. Emily trembled visibly, her nerves were completely shot.”Oh Emma...what shall become of us?’ She asked. Her eyes were red as if she had been crying. Helen did look so bad but she was worried too. “The way those sailors looked at us Mon Ami. I dare say we shall not survive this night,” she said and Emily started weeping once more.

Emma was not happy with Silas' response about the bracelet but let it go for now. She was relieved when she saw Helen and Emily. She hugged them both, trying to keep back her own tears. She didn't want to cry in front of Silas or any of the others. She didn't want them to think of her as weak.

"You don't need to worry about anything. No one is going to touch you and you both are going to be set free. I've gotten Silas' sworn promise on that. It's all going to be over very soon."

The relief on their faces was palpable and it was clear they didn’t want to let her go. “How did you do this emma?” Helen asked. Emily just murmured ‘Thank you, thank you,” over and over. She thought that she was going to be raped over and over and was just barely hanging onto her sanity. “What happens to you Emma?” Helen asked in her French accent but Emma’s look made more tears come. “You are staying, aren’t you? Oh I hope this Mormont dies a horrible death!” She said with a scowl.

Emma sighed and didn't know what to tell the girls exactly. "I have to stay, but I've gotten his promise that I won't be harmed either. And I'm certain that all of this will be over very soon. We all must continue to be brave and strong." She hugged them both again. "I'm so sorry I got you both into this."

It was only a few hours that the two women waved goodbye to her as the ship pulled further away from the docks. A mist was coming on, it looked like rain but the chill in her bones had nothing to do with the weather. As she turned to look at the deck men hauled ropes, adjusted the sails and cleaned and scrubbed every surface on the deck. The waves made the ship bob and shift and the salty spray made her face damp with moisture. There were several sailors who looked at her with hungry eyes but not for long. Work was the order of the day and they all seemed to get to it.

The crew quarters and the main mess and storage was below decks in the hull; The rear of the ship was called the stern, the front the bow and to left was port and the right side, starboard. Reggie smiled as he explained all of this, he had kind eyes and he seemed quite gentle actually for how big he was. He set her up in the tiny cabin next to the Captains. She had a cot with a bedroll, a pillow and 2 blankets. He gave her a wet coat, a dry coat and several articles of clothing, dresses and also pants and shirts should she prefer those. The sailors wore no boots or shoes, it was slippery on deck but the Captain and Reggie did. Bale too he explained. He showed her where the laundry ws done and how to do it. He showed her where the service trays were and the cups and plates and such to serve the captain his meals.

“If you have any questions, just ask. Better that you do than you do not know,” he said and gave her a nod and even a pat on the shoulder. “The Cap’n don’t allow no rapin and such, Thas Crow and his goons O’er there,” he gestured to one of the sloops that sailed next to the large brig. Silas was eating an apple on the Captain's bridge and he looked down at her. Her eyes met his and then he smiled and shook his head and looked away.

For Emma, saying goodbye to Emily and Helen was extremely difficult. They were the only familiar faces on the ship and she wondered if she would ever see them again. She was relieved, however, that they were safe and that Silas had kept his word. That, of course, then meant that she would have to keep her own.

She followed Reggie as he gave her a tour of the ship. She repeated everything he said and Reggie might see that she was the type to catch onto things quick. She was still terrified, but was going to remain true to her word and perhaps even impress Silas. She looked around the small room she had been given, which felt more like a closet to her than a bedroom, but she did not complain. She simply nodded and remained quiet. She then followed Reggie to where the laundry was done and for the first time in her life she listened as someone explained how it was done. She wasn't thrilled at the idea of doing it, but once again she said nothing.

After the tour and instructions were through she walked with Reggie up to the main deck. She looked out at the open sea and truly realized how alone she was. Feeling eyes upon her, she looked up to see Silas standing on the Captain's bridge eating an apple. He looked down at her and she looked up at him. Their eyes met for a moment before he smiled and looked away.

The first few days were the hardest for Emma. She was not used to rising at such an early hour. Nor was she used to doing laundry or serving other people. She did her best though and with barely a word to anyone. She kept to herself and did not give anyone any trouble...even when Nels tried to start some with her. The days were long and hard and Emma became sea sick several times. She was not used to being out on the water in anything other than a small rowboat. However, she slowly became used to the constant movement. Several times she dropped her service tray on the way to Silas' cabin due to heavy waves, but she would always clean it up and then go and start over.

On the fifth night, Emma returned to her cabin and laid down on her cot after a very long day. The loneliness was getting to her and she was still terrified, even if she didn't show it. For the first time since being captured she began to cry. She tried to muffle her cries into her pillow, but Silas would be able to hear it through the walls nevertheless.

He was not always the man he was now. As he lay there listening to Emma weeping he was tempted to go to her. Once, he was a young lord. He had a brother and a sister and a mother and father. In a moment of rage it all ended. One moment where his judgement was impaired by anger and he killed. Stabbed his father with his sword when he caught him sleeping with another woman, not his mother. Silas, Angus then, Angus Chapman had been his real name, had loved his mother but she had loved his father and telling her what he had been doing was too much to bare so he left without saying anything. A criminal a wanted man then, now? Pardoned by the King himself and given leave to conduct acts of piracy against the crown's enemies. He killed alot of men and slept with alot of women. And this...this woman, this ‘young’ woman, who was crying made his heart go out to her. He lifted up the bottle of rum and swallowed what made it into his mouth. The rest flowed down the sides of his face onto his pillow.

Tomorrow they’d be back into the shipping lanes and he was hungry for a fight. He fell asleep to the feel of the waves as they crashed against the bow and the sound of Emma weeping nearby…

The ship lurched as it was turned sharply and Emma’s hand slid off of her stomach. From the slats in the door she could see bits of sunlight. She knew she overslept but then she heard Silas’s voice.

“Full astern, prepare to turn!” he shouted and men echoed his commands. She could tell the ship was moving fast and as she got dressed she could see men down below run across the deck. “Cannons at the ready!” Silas shouted and she heard a loud boom crack. Not this ship but another? And then she knew. They were fighting!

Outside it was a hazy morning, the air was damp as if there was a mist instead of rain. Silas was up on the deck and turned to look at her briefly as she came outside. “Morning!” He said loudly and his voice resounded over the din of what was happening so she could hear him. When the ship lurched she slid and he shifted to catch her. “Hang onto the rail woman!” he snapped annoyedly. “If you can’t manage to walk,” he added. Her confused and worried look hadn’t gone unnoticed. A frigate and a Barque were just ahead she saw and the 2 smaller sloops fired their cannons again. The frigate fired back but didn't seem to hit anything. She noticed immediately that they were flying French flags. “Our first catch of the day,” Silas said with a smile. She saw that the frigate had taken damage and the Barque was trying to run.

When Emma finally fell asleep she dreamt of many things. Her mother...her father...Nathan...Silas and that kiss he had given her...and also of the sea. She dreamt that she was the only one aboard the ship and that a huge wave came and crashed over the side. The entire ship began to sink and she was pulled under the water, but then a hand reached down and grabbed her wrist and began to pull her up. Through the water in her dream she could just make out his face...that blonde hair and those blue eyes.

The ship suddenly lurched and Emma's eyes snapped open. A quick look outside told her that it was already morning and she was late in getting up. However, as she began to dress she could tell that something was happening. The crew were yelling and she could hear them running across the deck. She then heard Silas' voice followed by a loud boom as a cannon was fired. Emma quickly headed outside and looked at Silas. She was about to ask what was going on when the ship suddenly moved lurched again and she began to slide. She felt Silas' strong arms go around her and he held her for a moment. She had never felt such arms before and feeling herself briefly pressed up against him caused her cheeks to flush ever so slightly. When he let her go she grabbed onto the railing and looked out at the scene that was unfolding before them. She could see two smaller ships and it became immediately clear to her that they were trying to outrun Silas. But she knew that there was no way it was going to happen. She could see the French flags being flown and her heart sank. She knew then exactly what was happening and felt sick to her stomach as she watched it all.

“Boarding party up!” Silas shouted and he moved himself to the starboard side. Bale swung the boom over to him and he wrapped a chick rope around his wrist as men ran to the barrel stays and grabbed cutlasses, cudgels, rapiers, swords, daggers and pistols. Some men had muskets and others unlashed long planks that they set at an angle against the railing. It was clear now what was going to happen, they were going to board the French ship. Silas had 2 swords, one on each side, a Cutlass and a Rapier. He took off his long coat and tossed it at Emma. “Keep that for me please, I’ll be back for it soon,” he said and his smile was just as warm and bright as it had ever been. Like he was about to go for a walk in a garden or sit down for a fine meal.

God she was beautiful, he thought and his gaze lingered for a long time before he turned back to the matter at hand. Hooks went out and caught the enemy ships lines. The french sailors tried to cut them loose but there were too many. “Fire!” Reggie shouted and the men with muskets fired and they fired back. Emma saw 2 men go down on their deck, many more on the French ship. “Now!” silas shouted and the sailors lifted up the planks and slid them over. Silas jumped off the Captain’s deck and swung over. Muskets and pistols shifted toward him as he drew their fire and blooms of smoke rose as they did fire, at him! Silas landed cleanly rolled and shot the closest man to him before he flung his pistol at another and drew out his weapons to fight. Armed sailors yelled as they ran across the planks to the other ship and the fighting began.

Emma felt numb as the full realization of what was going to happen sunk in. They were going to board those ships and kill those men and steal whatever the ship was carrying and being aboard Silas' ship she was just as much apart of it as she would be if she boarded those ships as well. She caught Silas' long coat and just stood there looking at him. Her long, auburn hair had a wind swept look to it and the wind was pulling it over one side of her head.

She just stood there as Silas and the other men swung over to the French ship and began to board it. The men on that ship didn't stand a chance and as she watched Silas kill the closest man to him she felt tears come to her eyes. Unable to watch anymore she quickly went back inside and to her cabin. She closed the door and put her hands over her ears and closed her eyes so she wouldn't have to hear what was happening.

In just under an hour the men cheered. Silas had killed the French Captain in single combat and the fighting was over. Already the men began looting the dead and the ships and they were very happy about it. “Emma, my coat you lazy git!” he said. “And Ale!” he shouted though his voice seemed pleased. When she brought it his white shirt was covered in blood but he didn’t appear to have sustained even a scratch. As she looked at him as he took the Ale from her Reggie cleared his throat as Silas stepped away to salute the men. “That there is the luckiest man I’ve A’er known Emma...never takes a wound, no’er a scratch,” he said. “Damn fool and brave ta boot. Nuthin ta lose,” he added suggestively as the Captain moved down the stairs to his men cheering for him. He wasn’t the smartest man in the world, that much was certain but he wasn’t blind. “A man like that needs someone ta keep em grounded. Is luck ain’t gunna hold ferever, I think,” he said. Nels was down there too and she came up to him and put her arm around him and help up her mug too. Reggie was manning the wheel so there wasn’t any drinking for him.

Emma stayed in her cabin until it was all over. The entire event was rather traumatic for her and she didn't want to know what was happening. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity it was over. Emma sighed softly and picked up Silas' coat and then went to get some ale. As she handed Silas his coat she noticed the blood all over him. A quick glance was enough to tell her that none of it was from him. For some reason she felt glad to know that he was unharmed, but she couldn't understand why she felt that way. This was a man who had just killed men and looted a French ship. And for what purpose? She looked over at Reggie slightly as he began to talk about Silas and how lucky he was. When he mentioned that he had nothing to lose she glanced at Silas slightly and then looked away. She remained on deck until she was no longer needed and then she went back to her cabin. She laid down on her cot, trying to push everything that had just happened out of her mind.

That evening they ate well, the beef stew was lightly spiced in a nice brown sauce and bread, lots of bread! Now that was a rarity. As she sat down Nels sat down across from her. She had known Nels was watching her, the woman had nothing but scorn and suspicion for Emma. She could admit she was beautiful Nels wasn’t picky when it came to pleasure. Men or women, it was all the same to her and she knew what beauty looked like. She also knew Silas did too and the way she saw him looking at Emma made her jealous beyond belief. She had Emma’s diamond bracelet on her right wrist and it clinked with the others made of gold and silver as she ate. Nels was not beautiful like Emma was but she was pretty. And had been his closest friend and confidant for years. She didn’t like Emma, didn’t want her here but she was here and so she decided she had to make it plain what was hers.

“You think about fucking him, doncha?” She asked as she ate and never even looked at her. If Emma tried to move she’d block her with her leg and foot. “He thinks bout fuckin ya too,” she said as she tore her bread and dipped it into her stew. “Lies awake at night thinkin o it, I know em,” she said and smiled. She did know him and by now he’d have at Nels but now that Emma was there he set his needs aside. “I doubt you’d know what ta do with a man like im anyway,” she said. Silas had told her not the threaten Emma but it was so hard for Nels to just let this go unsaid.

Emma wasn't terribly hungry and really only picked at her food. When Nels sat down across from her she felt some tension set in between them. She knew that Nels did not like her...at all and Nels always made her feel uncomfortable. Looking at her, she could see her mother's diamond bracelet upon her wrist and part of her wanted to just reach out and grab it and take it from her, but she didn't feel that would end well for her. She was determined to get it back though. She would not leave this ship without it.

At first Emma thought that Nels wasn't going to say anything to her because she seemed rather focused on her meal. However, when she did speak Emma felt completely stunned by what she said. She tried to get up and move, but Nels quickly blocked her way with her leg and Emma was forced to stay. She felt her anger grow at this woman. She hadn't done anything!
"It's not my fault he looks at me and I cannot control what he thinks about. And if you think I wouldn't know what to do with a man like him then you are sorely mistaken. I would know exactly what to do. One night with me and he wouldn't think about you or any other women ever again. I would become his one and only craving. So if I were you I would back the hell off."

Nels paused when she listened. So far she got what she expected, a bit of defiance and they had already seen how stubborn strong she was. Reggie still talked about how hard she bit him and yet he seemed to like her. Nels pushed her bowl aside and fingered her dagger. Surprisingly Nels face softened right then and she looked up at her. Killing her would get her the same she knew. She grinned. “Are all mainlanders like you...uh, Emma?” she asked as if the angst that was just between them was gone and her eyes look on a more thoughtful look. “He don’t...love me,” she said. She didn’t know why she was talking to Emma but being she was another woman she just felt like she needed to. She frowned knowing it was true. “I mean...he, uh, makes love...but...in here,” she said and pointed awkwardly to her chest. “He don’t feel it in here,...fer me,” she said.

Emma had seen them together, they looked like good friends but Silas did seem to keep Nels at a distance. But, he did that with everyone. He was brave, strong, competent and well liked and respected by everyone. He was lucky, far too good looking than a man should be. It was natural for Nels, a woman to be so into him. Especially when he fucked her once in a while. But Nels didn’t understand. Though she was older than Emma, she was naive in many ways. About love and men most of all it seemed.

Emma was rather surprised by Nels sudden change towards her. She had been expecting her to threaten her life...or to call her bluff about what she had just said. To be perfectly honest Emma wouldn't know what to do with someone like Silas. She had only ever been with Nathan and he left little to be desired sexually speaking. However, she wasn't going to let Nels know this.

As Nels began to speak about Silas and how he didn't love her she sighed softly and looked at her. Besides the two of them there were no other women on the ship and she doubted Nels ever really got to talk to other women. She behaved more like a man in many ways, but she was still a woman in the end.

"Then don't waste your time going after him," she told her honestly. "Find someone else who actually does love you otherwise you are going to waste your entire life seeking love where you will never find it. No one should go through life like that. Having someone who loves you...is the most wonderful feeling in the world."