My Treasure (Norman Reedus Pirate)

Ten: Preperations

The next day, the men were busying themselves with small tasks I've assigned them. Nobody seemed to have a big problem with me taking charge, except Jack. So far, everyone was seeing me as more than a princess or royalty. I still had Norman's pirate hat on my head, which I liked. Norman was asleep in his bed, his chest rising and falling with each breath. I bit my lip, setting a hand on his forehead. It was still extremely warm, which was a sure sign that his body was trying to fight off any infection, but it would lose unless we got some medicine. I slowly stroked him thick mane of hair, deep in my thoughts.

I couldn't help but wonder about the kingdom. How is my mother faring? I wouldn't be surprised if she had the whole British navy after me. She's probably mourning the loss of her daughter though. I may have not loved every little thing my mother did or forced me to do, but she was still my mother. I sighed. Prince Charles. How is he handling this? Does he even care about my disappearance? He's either mourning the loss of his kingship or celebrating the possible death of his annoying bride. What'll happen to the kingdom? Who will run it when my mother perishes? Well, I suppose she could marry Prince Charles and have another child. I inwardly shivered at the thought of having a sibling from a different, disgusting, old father.

A sudden knocking broke my train of thought. I stood up, and opened it for them. It was Henry.

"What's the matter?" I demanded.

"We're here." He muttered glumly. I glanced past him, and saw a fair sized island. It was only a few hundred feet away from the ship. Due to the sun rising behind us, the island was only a black shadow, with trees outlined against the horizon. I gently pushed past him, and watched the dark island start to loom closer to us. All around us, the sea was brilliant orange, pink, and gold with the rising sun. It was by far he most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

Then something metallic brushed my hand. I glanced down, seeing a gold and wooden telescope being offered to me. I took it, nodding to Henry in the process. Then I held the lens to my eye. The island instantly became larger, but not much clearer. I did, however, notice small, sharp rocks protruding from the ocean nearer to the island. Lowering the telescope, I handed it back to Henry and made my way towards the steering wheel.

"Stop the ship in about five minutes. There are sharp rocks off the coast." I ordered William. He was a buff pirate, just like almost everyone else around here. He nodded in response to my command, and repeated my orders to others. I nodded once and went back down the captain's quarters.

Norman was still asleep, his raspy snores echoing off the walls. I watched his bare chest rise and fall with each breath. His mouth was parted ever so slightly, and his eyes fluttered under his eye lids. I smiled slightly, and strode forward. I removed the damp cloth from his forehead and rested the back of my hand on it. He was still extremely warm, which worried me. Dipping the cloth back into the bucket of chilly water, I felt the ship gradually slow down, until it stopped completely. I rested the cloth back over his forehead, and leaned down to kiss his cheek.

"Rest well, Darling." I murmured, tucking some of his hair behind his ear. He didn't respond in the slightest. I straightened up again, and went towards the door. I paused, however, right beside it. Norman's long, gold handled, curved sword was resting beside the door. The weight of Edward's old sword in my own belt wasn't much, and I doubted that it would be useful. Biting the bottom of my lip, I leaned down and grabbed Norman's sword. Immediately, the weight overwhelms me. I accidentally dropped it, and I heard Norman cough. I glanced at him, just in time to see his eyes flutter open.

"Isabelle? What are ya doin'?" He asked, struggling to sit up. When he saw his sword on the floor, he narrowed his eyes. "What the hell is going on?"

Before I could answer, Jack just so happened to barge in at that exact moment. "Isabelle, we've prepared the boats to get us to the island. We're waiting for you." He declared. Then he noticed Norman's consciousness. "Good awakening, Captain."

"What the hell is going on? What island?" Norman demanded, wincing when his wound strained him.

"Norman, just lay down." I ordered, going over to him. "We're just going to an island to find you some herbs to treat that wound and fever." I gently explained, trying to get him to lay back down. But he stubbornly glared up at me.

"What island?" He demanded.

"Just an island. Now get some-"

"Jack, what island?" He growled, turning his attention towards Jack. Jack shifted uncomfortably.

"An island, sir." He stated.

"What're ya hidin' from me?" Norman growled. Again, Jack started shifting. I shot him a glare. If Norman knew where we were heading, he'd never let us help him. And it may be too late to go to a different island and find the right herb. Jack couldn't mess this up.

Jack bit his bottom lip. "Nothing, sir. We're just going to a simple island." He lied. It was obvious that he was lying.

"Where are we, Isabelle?" Norman demanded, glancing at me.

"At an island." I declared firmly.

"What's on the island?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. Probably some wild boars or birds. I've never been here before." I retorted. Norman continued to glare at me, and I could tell that he didn't want us going. "Do you want to die? Because I sure as hell don't want you to."

Norman muttered something under his breath. "Fine. But you'd better make it back." I nodded, and Jack and I turned to exit. "Isabelle, wait." Norman ordered. I paused, letting Jack leave. When he passed me, Jack gave a small nod, indicating that he will take charge while I'm absent.

I turned to Norman, who motioned me over. I obeyed, and stood by his head. He motioned me closer, until he was able to pull my face down. His lips connected with mine, while my hands went to the sides of his face. His stubble scratched my palm while it tickled my chin. I had my eyes closed, and felt his hand moving down my body, to the small of my back.

When I pulled away from the kiss, he gazed up at me. "Please be safe." He murmured, rubbing my cheek with his thumb. I smiled, leaning against his hand.

"Of course. I'll be back before sunset." I stated, brushing some hair out of his face. He nodded once, and I leaned back down to kiss him again. After we pulled away, Norman closed his eyes. I felt his forehead. It was still warm, but the heat was less intense. I had a faint glimmer of hope. I considered recalling the mission, but I knew we had to be certain that Norman was getting better.

I exited the cabin, and saw a bag being tossed into a small wooden boat. Jack had a small group of men gathered around him, and I heard him barking some orders. I headed over to them. Once I was near him, however, the men dispersed. Jack was holding a map , inspecting it. He glanced up at me when I approached.

"I got corrientes. The island isn't very large, and it only takes a full day to walk from shore to shore. No mountains, though there are some steep hills that may be difficult to climb over." He explained, showing me the map. The island itself was a fairly random shape, and the shores were lined with palm trees. A couple hills were sketched towards the center of the island. I also noticed large red and blue circles scattered across the map. The red severely outnumbered the blue, however. 9 red and 1 blue.

"What're those circles?" I asked.

"Cannibals. That big blue one in the middle is supposedly a peaceful group. The red ones aren't." Jack explained. "The blue group will most likely have the herb to cure the Captain."

"Ok." I said, taking note.

"You sure you're ok with doing this? If we get captured by someone, we won't be able to save 'em. They outnumber us." Jack asked. I glanced at him, then back at Norman's cabin. I turned my attention back to Jack.

"Yes."

Jack nodded, and gestured to the boat. I went towards it with my heart pounding.

I was going to a cannibal island to save Norman.