My Treasure (Norman Reedus Pirate)

Twenty One: Attempt

(Omg flip off emojis!! 🖕🖕🖕 anyway, play that song up there for full effect again. :D)

Norman:

Later that night, I could hear the soothing sound of violin playing from somewhere far off in the castle. Violin was one of the few instruments I enjoyed, and could actually play. I had learned many different melodies in Ireland and Sweden. I didn't own a violin, but that didn't mean that I didn't want one. But listening to the music playing in celebration of Isabelle's return, I wished that I were up there dancing with her. I sighed. Knowing castle traditions, I would be hung tomorrow for kidnapping royalty. This wasn't the first time I'd been in a situation like this, though. But it had never been for kidnapping. Usually by the means of stealing something. Ah, but back then, those castles weren't stable, and slowly crumbling. I could easily find a hole in the wall or something. But this castle was sturdy. Not a single escape route was noticeable.

"Quit sighing!" One of the guards ordered. I glared up at him, and sighed again, just to piss him off. He let out an agitated growl, and shook his head. I smirked, and slowly, a plan was forming in my head. I sighed once again, and the guard whipped his head around. "Shut up, you maggot!"

"Make me." I challenged, standing up. I was taller than he was, and stronger. He glared up at me.

"I will tomorrow." He hissed. I sighed once again, and the guard just continued to glare at me. Then I sighed obnoxiously, over and over again, until finally, the guard whipped out his keys and started unlocking the cell. "Fine! I'll put an end to your miserable life now!" He snapped, whipping the cell door open and withdrawing his knife. I smirked, prepared for whatever he was going to do. He lunged forward with the tiny knife, and brought it down. I quickly sidestepped him, and threw him against the wall. He sat up, and before he could do anything, I grabbed his wig off of his head, grabbed a fistful of his long light brown hair, and slammed his face into the stone wall. I did it over and over again, until he was still. I checked his pulse by putting my hand against his throat. Nothing. I glanced over my shoulder, making sure that there were no guards. I then calmly stepped out of the cell.

I glanced around, and found that there were no guards stationed anywhere else in the cells. I smirked silently, and I felt the keys in my belt. I made my way to each cell, and unlocked it. The first cell I unlocked held a strong looking man. I smirked slightly, and opened the cell.

"You're free to go, sir." I stated. He glanced at me, then at the open cell. He slowly made his way towards the opening, before I stopped him. "On one condition; you help me out of this kingdom. And we steal a boat, and reclaim my name at sea." I stated. The man narrowed his eyes at me.

"You a pirate?" He demanded.

"Yeah. Are ya with me?" I demanded. The man smirked through his beard, and rolled his shirt sleeve up. He revealed a white pirate skull tattoo on his bicep, and I smiled slightly.

"Aye, Captain." He stated. I nodded, and released him. Then I tossed him a set of keys.

"Start unlocking cells, and they'll them that they can go free if they agree to become pirates." I ordered.

But the burly man just laughed. "Captain, these men are pirates."

I grinned, and started releasing my new crew. The men followed me without protest, and as soon as all my men were released, I stood on top of a barrel and cleared my throat.

"Men, we are to take revenge on the kingdom who captured us! But there is one person who we do not harm in any way, and that person is Princess Isabelle. She has dirty blonde hair, and is gorgeous. If you happen to come across her, tell her Captain Reedus will come for her! Then you'll notify me that you found her. Understood?" I demanded. I got a roar of "Yeah!", making me grin. "Then let's go!" I roared, causing the crowd below me to roar as well. Suddenly, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. I glanced at them, just as about a dozen British soldiers came in. They froze at the sight of my army, which numbered to about three dozen. I glanced at my men. "Attack!"

The pirates roared, and charged at the soldiers. They British, who knew that they were outnumbered, spun around and started to race up the stairs, shouting for reinforcements. I charged too, although I was the last one. I glanced around, and found some flimsy English fencing swords. I grabbed a few, and followed my men out of the dungeon.

When I emerged from the dungeon into a neat and tidy hallway, I heard screams erupt from a large room at the end of the hall. I raced that way, assuming that it was the ballroom. I flung the massive doors open, revealing an absolute massacre. My men were slaughtering women and gentlemen left and right, and I knew it was getting out of hand.

"Stop!" I ordered, fearing that Isabelle may be killed by accident. The pirates froze, and turned their attention to me. I scanned the crowd, and in the corner of the room, was Isabelle, cowering. I made my way over to her, and as soon as she saw me, her eyes lit up. She leapt to her feet, and threw her arms around my neck. I embraced her, and almost immediately let her go when I heard the armor clad soldiers feet racing down the hall. I turned to my men, and saw a large open window on the opposite side of the room. I raced to it with Isabelle in tow, and jumped onto the marble windowsill. I found that it led to the roof of the castle wall. And them that led to a lower roof, and from there we c led easily jump off and onto the street. I turned around. "Follow me!" I ordered, leaping onto the roof. Isabelle followed without hesitation, and once we landed, I turned to her. She was smiling hugely, and I saw her eyes sparkle with adrenaline.

When my men were all on the roof, I charged down it with Isabelle racing behind me. I felt my heart racing, and blood pounding. Our feet clattered on the tiled roof, and the moonlight guided our way. I heard the Englishmen calling after us, though when I turned around, I saw that they were standing at the window, not following us. I smirked. Land loving cowards! I thought to myself, and laughed into the still night air. The men behind me laughed as well, and so did Isabelle.

Once we had run across the roof and jumped onto the streets, it was an easy trek to the harbor. But about halfway there, I heard the sound of horse hooves on stone, and I knew that if we didn't hurry up, then we'd all be hung in the morning. "C'mon!" I shouted, urging my crew to go faster. With our feet pounding on the stone road, and our hearts racing to get to our home, we soon came into view of the harbor. "I see the harbor!" I called, and Isabelle's grip on my hand tightened. I squeezed back, reassuring her that we'd make it out of this kingdom.

Suddenly, there was a loud gunshot, and fire seared through my shoulder. I roared in pain, falling to my knees. "Norman!" Isabelle cried, falling beside me and tugging my shirt collar to the side. I felt hot blood running down my shoulder blade, soaking into the sweater. My crew raced ahead of me, towards the nearest ship. I watched as they hopped on without me, and started raising the sails. I struggled to my feet, and tried running after them. Only to have rope thrown over my body, and making me fall. Second later I was being pinned to the ground by the redcoat soldiers, while ropes were being bound to my wrists. I stared in defeat as the redcoats raced towards the sailing ship. The free ship. The ship Isabelle and I should've been on as well.

As the British led me back to the castle, I couldn't help but feel awful. Two words kept running through my head.

I failed.