Beyond the Horizon (JELSA)

-Negotiations-

The Caribbean Sea

Rapunzel grunted as she dropped the wet brush on the wooden deck and started to scrub it. She wasn't used to chores like that anymore. When she was still the first mate of the ship she would always order the new hands to clean the decks. She winced silently when she changed positions, her knees were quite sore because she had been on them for while.

She exchanged glances with Anna and Merida who were also scrubbing the deck. The three of them got the worst chores. They hadn't had the chance to touch a sail or a spyglass ever since their beloved captain got marooned. It was cleaning, cooking, sewing the crew's ripped and ragged clothes and more cleaning. Things those arrogant men considered to be typical chores for women. They had been reminded again and again that they should be grateful for their tasks, and that they weren't worthy of being on the ship. The NTC employees had threatened to throw them overboard more than once. 

Rapunzel angrily threw her brush back in her bucket when the lieutenant who had been left in charge passed them. She quickly stood up and exclaimed. "I've had enough!" Anna held her breath and Merida was baffled at her friend's sudden outburst. The fiery redhead was usually the one to complain and get angry. It was unlike Rapunzel to react like she had just done.

The lieutenant turned around and cocked his eyebrow at her. He seemed to be stunned by the blonde's sudden outburst as well. "Give us some real chores! We also know how to handle a sail and climb up a ratline," Rapunzel continued, not paying attention to the puzzled expression on the lieutenant's face.

''You've got some nerve,'' The lieutenant observed, he didn't sound angry or mocking but rather impressed. ''Got that from the previous captain of this vessel, I take it?'' he said, his handsome features softening a bit.

''Yes,'' Rapunzel said silently, she was a bit surprised that the lieutenant reacted so calmly. 

''Uh huh,'' the lieutenant hummed. ''I'm just following the commodore's orders, so it's him you should go to if you are unsatisfied with your chores, Blondie.'' the lieutenant shrugged his shoulders, smiled charmingly and went on his way. Leaving Rapunzel standing there at a loss for words. She sat down again and looked at her friends, awaiting their responses. 

''Well, that didn't get us anywhere, now did it, lass?'' Merida said mockingly as she continued scrubbing theatrically.

''You were lucky it didn't get us anywhere,'' Anna remarked. ''It could've gone much worse. These men don't answer to anyone, let alone us women.'' 

''Is this really our faith from now on?'' Merida sighed, not being sarcastic for once. 

''It can get worse,'' Rapunzel sighed. ''They'll probably resign us to the gallows once we reach Norway. Or sell us to a brothel.'' 

''We are headed for Norway?'' Anna asked curiously.

''Most likely.'' Merida said as she glanced up at the sun. ''They are headin' for the Atlantic now.'' 

''Is there no way we can escape?'' Rapunzel asked in a low whisper. 

''Are ye out of yer mind?'' Merida hissed. ''We're headin' for open water. We can't just steal a dinghy and row away. We're stuck.'' 

''Elsa will come for us,'' Anna said with determination. 

Merida and Rapunzel furrowed their brows and looked down. ''Anna, I...I don't think we'll be seeing her again.'' Rapunzel said softly. 

''She escaped Weaselton and his men once before, she will do it again.'' Anna said hopefully. ''I just know that she'll manage to get off that island somehow.''