(The following section is the last thing I managed to write for this story, it's obviously not a whole chapter, but I thought there might be some of you who would want to read it. Below that, is my notes for what the rest of this fic would have been in its entirety. It's messy. Some of it doesn't make any sense plot-wise, these are logistics I would have figured out as I wrote. I'm releasing these now for those who still want to know how this would have ended, and because it will give a sense of closure for me. I don't know if I'm posting to the void at this point. But it will allow me to move on without this fic always at the back of my mind as something I abandoned. Obviously, huge spoiler warning.)
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Fraying rope itched around Sanem's wrists as she was shoved into the chair. A rickety thing. It creaked under her weight, but the sound was lost to the voices of those crowding in the stands behind her. Here for the show, she thought morbidly. Her guards took a step back, but they remained at attention.
The courtroom was pretty at least. A judge's bench of brilliant, white marble, the podium standing tall enough that it seemed a tad obnoxious. And a man seated there with ridiculous white coils over his head, looking very much like he wanted her dead but was too apathetic to do it himself. Isn't that the way of things, she thought idly. There are those who write out the rules in paper and ink, those that step up to actually enforce them. And those that end up dying just trying to survive despite them.
"Sanem Aydin," He cleared his throat harshly, the crowd quietened. "You appear before us today not only accused of piracy; but also the murder of a high Admiral belonging to our own Royal Navy, the destruction of multiple vessels in possession of our illustrious, Royal Majesty the King, and the larceny of one ship, The, uh-" He flicked through his notes. "-The Royal Gallant."
Gods, that had always been such a stupid name. Carving it out of the side of the ship had taken weeks, but The Albatross always looked so much better etched into its side. Even if the calligraphy was shabby.
She was surprised when the judge continued speaking, evidently that fun little list was longer than she remembered.
"Additionally," He drawled. "You are to be charged with allegations of the pursuit of witchcraft-"
Sanem snorted, which, in hindsight, might not have been the most sane reaction. But really? Really?
He leant back into his chair, settling the papers back against his desk, his expression unforgiving. "The penalty for any one of these crimes is death, Mrs, Aydin. I assume you are aware?"
She nodded, meeting his glare.
"And do you have anything to say in your defense, or shall we, perhaps, move forward with the verdict?"
Something witty? Clever? Miraculous enough to get her free passage out of this? Probably not.
"I've never met a pirate witch, but honestly that title sounds charming, can you put that down? On the record? If I'm gonna be remembered might as well make it sound exotic for the history books."
He cleared his throat, his face red. "Miss Aydin."
"You know, technically that's not my name anymore-"
"MA'AM!" He slammed the gavel, twice, the noise ricocheting around the room. Now he looked ready to kill her. "The court accepts both confirmation of your crimes and identity. And as such, I sentence you to death by hanging by midday tomorrow." His jaw set. "And it is only by my kindness, woman, that I not have you burned." The gavel echoed again, and it would be ringing in her head for hours after. "Dismissed."
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On The Wings Of An Albatross
Fanfiction"It was pure luck, really, that this hadn't happened sooner. Two years of keeping out of his reach had really been testing the limits of fate, and the sane voice inside her head kept telling her she would have to face him eventually. The world was b...
