The Pirate's Princess

The Beginning

Picture on the side is of the dress :)

Chapter 1:

A chilling scream fills the night, we all know what it is. It is the pains from childbirth. The Queen of the land has had a troubling pregnancy, and many are afraid she will not survive.

Deep within the walls of a castle, a figure makes it's way down the halls, straight towards the Queen's chambers.

Unawares that she is being watched, the Queen cuddles her new, but weak, baby girl. For it was not the mother who was set to die this frightful night, but the newborn princess. The baby girl looks up at her mother, her eyes as blue as the ocean on a sunny day, her hair as golden as the sun itself.

As the figure approaches, the baby starts to whimper, too weak to cry. "She shall not make it." The figure whispers, it's voice raspy and cold as the night itself. "I can help her survive.... for a price." Moving towards the princess, it's hand slithered around the bundle before the Queen even had a chance to run.

"W-what are you doing to my baby? Give her back to me!" The figure doesn't respond, instead rocking the child back and forth in it's arms.

"You have only minutes before she is lost forever. Tell me... will you pay the price to keep her alive?" Nodding frantically, the Queen agrees.

"Whatever the price, it does not matter! Just give her back to me!" She cries out, praying that her only child would be safe from this... creature.

"Very well." A bright, shining light flows from the figure's hands, enveloping the princess. The light begins to fade after a moment, leaving the princess smiling, her laughter echoing throughout the room. "I will be back in 18 years time to claim the price." He hands the princess back to her mother, before disappearing in a cloud of black smoke. Tears cascading down her eyes, the Queen holds her daughter close, happy that she is healthy and laughing.

"I will name you... Elizabeth."

***** 18 Years Later ******

"ELIZABETH! GET DOWN HERE!" I cringe at the sound of my mothers voice, her anger causing me to stop in my tracks and look over the balcony. Face red, I see my mother with her hands on her hips, her greying hair falling in her face. "If you aren't down here to try on these ball gowns in 1 minute, I'll have your father throw you in the dungeon until you're 25!" Groaning, I turn around and make my way down the stairs, my bare feet carrying me down the stone steps.

"Mother, must I try them on? We still have a fortnight before my birthday ball!" My mother rushes up to me, and begins to push me into the sitting area, ball gowns covering every surface.

"Liza, look at you! Your feet are covered with grime, you almost look like a boy! Why can't you wear dresses like a normal woman?" I roll my eyes, letting her fuss over and measure me. She continues going on and on about the way I look while I skim over the dresses, my eyes landing on a black and blue dress hidden behind more elegant ones. I step off the podium and walk over to it. I pick it up gently, my eyes going over the intricate lacing on the corset. Turning back towards my mother, I shove it in her hands.

"Help me?" I ask simply. She gets quiet and takes the dress, her nimble fingers quickly unlacing the corset. She slides the dress over my head, and once my arms are in the sleeves, she begins lacing it up. I look at one of the mirrors, not knowing the girl who stood on the other side. As she finishes, she takes a step back to look at me.

"You look beautiful..." She whispers, tears running down her face. I notice several spots in the dress where I could hide the dagger I got as a present from my father, pleased that it matches the dress perfectly. Turning around, I hug my mother tightly. She hugs me back, sighing. "Come now, let me take this off before you dirty it. Then you can go down to the ocean." I release her, unable to wait any longer.