A year aboard a pirate ship Ella and Ashton gotten close, seeing each other as friends. Although Ella still had chores Ashton helped sometimes, Ella learned some rope tying, Ella still sent letters when she could, and when looting many times cap’n Rudy gave quarter, very rarely he gave no quarter.
Out of the blue captain Rudy asked Ashton to bring Ella to his quarters. Ashton wanted to stay but his father sent him to the front of the ship until Ella goes to find him, reluctantly he left for the fore of the ship. “Cap’n?” “Lass ye indeed taught me son not just what i asked for but taught him and me hands archery.” “What is it ye trying saying?” “Thank ye and to where ever ye want to go.” “No need for thanks. Where are we?” Captain Rudy showed Ella a map, then pointed to their location which was close to the kingdom in which she was supposed to be with the royals and guards last year. Taking her finger Ella pointed to the land, saying “stop here for a moment then we will head back over here.” “Ye want travel with us more after arriving there?” “Aye, I feel safe with ye and yer all real nice.” “Nice?” “Me opinion.” “Aye, aye. Tell me son to set sail, north for Cumberland.” “Aye, Cap’n.”
Ella went to the fore of the ship to find Ashton, to explain that they are sailing for two different places. Ashton then went to Strummer who was in control of the wheel at the time of day to change course. Even though changed direction Ashton and Ella still seemed close, until Ashton found out they will be dropping her off at her homeland. Once Ashton found out Ella was leaving he was upset, angry, and kept his distance. For Ella she was sad for the distance and angry at Ashton for being squiffy at night. It got to a point that Ella avoided Ashton at all costs by swabbing the deck early in the morning and staying in the crows nest. By the time they reached Cumberland you’d think Ella and Ashton was strangers or a married couple who never stopped arguing. Ashton made his way to a parlor to drink. Before Ella left she asked everyone to get whatever they needed. Of course Ella ran into a familiar face, captain Boone whom delivered her letter to king Alvin and her guards last year. Ella went up to that captain, “do you remember me? You delivered a letter for me after the pirates let your ship go.” “Ah, yes. You are off?” “Yes visiting, then they will take me home.” “I can take you home miss.”
“That is not necessary, I feel safer with them, they are friends now and I want continue my journey with them.” “I see, well I hope you have fair winds and do not get hurt along the way.” “Before you go can you watch the ship, I do not want a bounty on them. If an officer appears show him this letter and whatever happens do not show or tell Cap’n Rudy about this letter. Do we have an accord?” “Yes miss.”
Ella then left for the palace to apologize for her no show and explaining what she will be doing. Although King Leonard did not like it he agreed to her wish of returning home on a pirate ship and promised he would not hunt them down. Ella appreciated the king’s opinion, promise, as well as some gold and silver coins.
Ella left the palace, as she hunted down Ashton she came across an interesting way of sending letters, by birds. Before she continued her hunt for Ashton Ella used a few gold coins to buy a delivery bird, then started her search for Ashton again. Ella spotted Ashton in a pub, “come on.” “I am having rum lass, just go home.” “Ashton I will not make it home if ye stay here.” “Just go!” “Ye want me get yer father so we can go.” “What nonsense are ye spouting?” “Me homeland is elsewhere, we only made a stop, I got us something.” Ashton then looked down, “a bird?” “Tis a delivery bird, I will explain when yer not tipsy.” Ella put down a silver coin down; Ashton reluctantly followed Ella, believing her. “Miss you are back.” “Yes. Any trouble?” “No, here you go.” “Thank you, good bye.” “Fair winds miss.” “You as well.”
“Lass, Ashton... Lass ye got a bird?” “I will tell ye at different time for now get Ashton to bed he is-” “Grog blossom.” “Aye.” Brown Noser put Ashton to bed, while Ella put the bird cage in her room. Cap’n Rudy then set a destination, afterward Ella explained the bird to everyone which seemed to amaze them. Later that day when everyone was starting to eat Ashton strolled out of his room a lot more sober then earlier. Ashton had his dinner then went back to sleep while business went on as usual.
Ella woke early to try avoid Ashton just in case but got startled instead when coming out of her room. “Ashton; you scared me!” “Avoiding me?” “Aye, I thought ye be mad at me still.” “I heard of that pigeon, so we will still be in contact.”: “Aye. I never want forget this amazing experience or ye hearties.” After clearing his voice Ashton then said “I will help ye if ye think me a bucko still.”
“Aye!” Things then went back to normal between Ashton and Ella as if the arguing never happened.
A week of sailing and everything was normal indeed until one night when Ashton led Ella to his quarters. “What is wrong Ashton?” “I know what I said will not change yer mind bout leavin but I love ye.” Even with Ashton saying that to Ella he was right, it didn’t change her mind. Instead they spent as much time together whether it was during the day or night, and sleeping.
After about a month of deciding to spend every second together Ella got nauseous, of course everyone was worried for Ella. Ashton like the crew was worried that he took her off any chores and made her rest, only time she came out of quarters was for fresh air and food. Eventually the nausea wasn’t that bad but from Light foot Billy observations he had a suspicion that he asked to make a small stop on an island named Juju.
“Ella come with me.” “Light foot Billy why do ye want Ella go?” “Ella wants to get ye something.” Ella agreed with Light foot Billy and left with him. “Why lie, what tis wrong?” “I have a bucko living on this island, she tries help people when they are sick.” “I feel better.” “Please.” “Aye.” They both hurried to his friend, Martha.
“Light foot tis been long.” “Aye... This me bucko, Ella.” “Nice to meet you, come in.” They walked into Martha’s cottage and stood for a moment.” “Martha me bucko I think is uh with child-” “What, no! How can ye think-” “Just want be sure.” “Aye.” “This way dear.” Martha showed Ella to a room and closed the door, after some questions and inspecting they both returned to tell Light foot Billy the news. “Ye telling Ashton when we return?” “I am not sure, do not tell him or the cap’n.” Before returning to the ship they bought some things, such as: a bow and arrows, a cow, some clothes for women.
“Me hearties bought a lot; that will taste good.” “Ashton the cow is not fer food, light foot take it below deck and take this to my room.” “Aye.” Light foot left to do what Ella asked for and so they could converse more. “Here Ashton, got ye this.” “I have one.” “Ye made. I wanted buy ye something, remind ye of me.” The moment Light foot returned he wanted to ask Ella if she told Ashton instead Ella asked Light foot to keep Ashton company while she went to talk with the captain.
“Cap’n how long till we get to D’ Boleuvere?” “Bout two more months. Why?” “Is that with or without chasing and winds in favor.” “Both. Arr, why ye askin many questions?” “Light foot wanted to stop on this island fer a reason. He wanted me to see a doctor to clear his suspicion but he was right.” “Lass.” “I- I’m with child.” “Blimey lass, me son... Tis me son, aye?” “Aye.” “Ye told him?” “Nay, I do not want distract him nor do i wish to stay on Juju Island. I want be with me family and friends.” “Ye need tell him, tis dangerous on a pirate ship in yer condition.” “If we changed to yellow jack then no ship be willing come near us. I will tell Ashton when closer to homeland.” “Tell me what?” ”Me apologies Ella, I tried.” “How much ye heard?” “That ye say something when closer to yer homeland. Ella?” Ella hesitantly looked from the cap’n to Ashton, when Ashton spoke again. “Light foot ye know?” “Aye, I cannot tell ye. I gave Ella me word.” “Ye scurvy dog will tell me else ye get flogged.” “Me apologies Ashton.” “Go kiss the gunners daughter, I be there soon.” “Wait do not hurt him, please!“ “Once he is done his punishment then he may do whatever.” “But-” “Ella it is fine.”
Before Ella could say another word Light foot left, “Ashton do not punish him. He done nothing wrong.” Ashton then turned to leave when Ella abruptly said “I’m pregnant!” “Ye only saying that-” “No! Light foot suspected, that is why we stopped here and bought-” Ella couldn’t finish her sentence for she was tearing up, Ashton turned around and said “Really?” “Aye. Savvy why- why" “Quiet me belove, shh tis ok.” “Ye not mad?” “Begad no! Very, very happy.” “Light foot is waiting.” “Come on.” They left to the bottom deck where Light foot was waiting, “me bucko me apologies.” “Needs be done.” “No, get up mate; Ella told me.” The cap’n then spoke up; “me hearties avast ye! Ashton splice the mainbrace fer I going be a grandparent and ye a pa.” All the crew looked at Ella, Ashton, and Ashton’s father and whooped at the happy news.