My Treasure (Norman Reedus Pirate)

Twenty Five: Returned

One week later

Norman:

I walked up to a small bread stand. Since I had been freed by Queen Annabelle, I was free to roam around the village. Unfortunately for me, I was still treated like a criminal. People refused to sell me anything, including a house. I was forced to sleep in an alleyway with a bunch of rats. I had gone a week without food because of it, and I was hungry. I didn't want to resort to stealing, because that was exactly what the townspeople wanted; a reason to kill me. So I was going to try and buy some bread using the money Queen Annabelle had given me.

The owner of the little bread stand was a young woman with long black hair and green eyes. She gave me a disgusted look, before turning to another customer. I waited patiently, my stomach rumbling. I was thinking about Isabelle, wondering if she found a new suitor yet. The other day, I watched as Prince Charles was banished, and it was one of the best days of my life. Sadly, I hadn't seen Isabelle since I was freed. She never went into the village at all. I missed her dearly, wishing sometimes for her to come down just to buy some bread or something. Then I'd see her, tell her how much I love her, and give her a small kiss before she went off.

Finally, I was the only person at the bread stand, forcing the young woman to attend to me. "What do you want?" She demanded.

Ignoring the rudeness in her voice, I cleared my throat. "Good day. I'd like to purchase some bread." I said.

"We're out." She muttered. I looked over her shoulder at the amount of bread stacked against the walls.

"What about that bread?" I asked, pointing to it. But the second I lifted my hand, she let out a scream and fell back.

"Don't slap me!" She exclaimed. I stepped away, knowing this routine all too well. The shop owner would act like I hurt them, draw the attention of the guards, and try to get me arrested. It didn't work, since there was always one bystander who'd say I never hit anyone. Luckily, it'd work.

I turned around, and headed for a small fruit cart. I pulled out the sack of money, and set it on the counter. "Excuse me." I said to the shop keeper, which was a little man. There were no other customers, and he was sweeping the floor. "Excuse me, sir." I tried getting his attention. By this point, my patience was thinning. When he continued to ignore me, I slammed my fist in the counter, which got his attention. "I said excuse me!"

"What can I do for you?" He asked.

"I'd like to buy some food, if you may." I said.

"We're closed. Come back another time." The man stated, before turning around and continuing to sweep. I let out a low growl, and glanced around. I saw a small bowl of fruit on the counter, with a bright, juicy looking red apple on top. I felt my stomach rumble again, and I was extremely tempted to take it. I bit my lip, and glanced around. Nobody was watching, and the storekeeper had his back to me. I quickly snatched the apple, before leaving five gold coins on the counter. It wasn't considered stealing if I paid for it.

Tucking the sack into my pocket, I bit into the sweet, juicy apple. My stomach gladly thanked me as I walked down the street, glancing from shop to shop. The village was quiet, due to it being dusk. I suppose that the shopkeeper was right, and that he was closed. Oh well. I paid him. Therefore, I didn't do anything illegal. I shrugged, crunching into my apple some more.

I walked around the small town until I could see the moon in the sky. Since I didn't want to sleep in the alley again, I decided to take a walk throughout the whole village. By now, my dinner was gone, and tossed to the ground where a rat or stray dog could eat it. I found myself daydreaming about the sea, and the endless expanse of blue. And my crew. And treasures. And all the enemies we've fought and conquered. I'm not going to lie, but there were a few battles where I was sure we'd lose. But we usually came out victorious. Our toughest opponent we ever had to face was probably a large group of Vikings. The battle was won when a few of my sneakiest men lit the ship on fire, stopping the hordes of Vikings from coming onto my ship. I chuckled, remembering everything. I missed it all. Back then, on that ship, I was treated fairly and with respect. I'm Captain Norman Reedus! Or, I was.

I sighed, stuffing my hands in my pockets. It was dark, and the only light source I had was the moon. I wonder what Isabelle is doing now. Probably getting another suitor. I wonder if she's pregnant, and with who's child. God I hope it's mine. I kicked some sand by a building, and heard some crunching behind me. Assuming that it was only a mere alley cat or rat, I ignored it.

Suddenly, a hand flew over my mouth, keeping me from moving. I struggled against them, and felt the tip of a knife being pressed against my neck. I looked down at the man's hand, and saw a gold ring with a green gemstone on it. I knew that ring! I thrashed my head wildly until my mouth was free. Before they could cover my mouth again, I spoke.

"Jack, I command you to let me go!" I ordered. Jack froze, and lowered his knife.

"Captain?" He asked. I pulled away, and saw my old first mate. I smiled for the first time in forever, and grabbed his hand, pulling him in for a manly hug.

"I thought y'all were dead!" I exclaimed when we pulled away.

"I thought so too. Until we woke up, and it all seemed like it was a dream! We woke in our bunks, but when we didn't see you or Isabelle, we knew that it wasn't a dream, and we assumed that you were here. Turns out we were right." Jack explained.

"Do ya know how ya lived?" I asked. Unfortunately, Jack shook his head. "How's the ship?"

"Perfectly fine. Oh, Captain, that reminds me. Here's your things." He said, handing me my gold handled sword, my belt, my gold skull necklace, and my pirate's hat. I put them on, and sheathed my sword in my belt. I let out a sigh of content. "Captain, where's Isabelle?" Jack asked.

"In the damn castle." I muttered, pointing to the castle walls in the distance.

"Well, let's go get her. I think she'd like to see the crew again." He said, smiling slightly. I smiled as well, and knowing that I had an army behind me, I felt confident. Confident enough to "kidnap" the Princess.