Heart of the Sea

Chapter 2 - A Small Explanation

(Three hundred and forty-two years ago)

The young girl edged closer to the table, sweeping quietly as she tried to eavesdrop.

"Milaah," a quiet male voice sighed.

Her heart nearly stopped. That's him! That was her father!! "I dunno, love. The Jolly's not a safe place for a lad."

"You know we could use the extra help and he's a very hard worker, Killian. Come on, please? He just...he reminds me so much of Bae."

Killian let out a deep breath after a few moments. "Lemme have a look at 'im."

Milah squealed.

"I didn't say I'd take 'im, I just said I'd take a look!" he defended, not without humor in his tone.

"Oh thank you Killy!!"

"You're welcome," he smiled begrudgingly as she pecked him on the lips and hurried off to fetch the child. The lass turned and fled to her cubby to gather her things, Milah right behind. She hurriedly packed her things.

"You have the trousers I gave you?"

She nodded quickly.

"Slip them on."

She did so and Milah fussed over her, quickly shearing off her ragged, tangled curls, turning her more boyish immediately. Milah looked her over one last time before nodding. "Right. Let's go. Remember, not a word unless he speaks first." Milah's hand hovered behind Lili's shoulder as she guided her towards the table to stand in front of Killian. She kept her head bowed. (It was him, it was actually him!)

"Look at me, lad." His voice was strong, but not cruel. She looked up and it was all she could do to keep her jaw from dropping. He was even more dashing in person. His keen blue eyes studied her, fingers shifting through her freshly shorn curls in search of lice. He was satisfied to find none. His hands pressed gently against her thinly covered ribs, fingers measuring the strength of her little arms. He hummed thoughtfully beneath his breath. "Bright eyes, no lice, terribly scrawny. You ever been sick, lad?"

"Not as I c'n remember, sir." Her eyes darted back to the floor, heart hammering in her chest. Her fate rested in his hands.

"Tell me lad, d'you have any experience in the workings of a ship?"

"Ah, no sir, but I've heard speak of it, an' I'm willin' to learn, sir, if I could. Please, jus' gimme a chahnce, sir. I'm a hard worker, I promise."

He saw desperation in her eyes, those broken blues, and whether it was because he caught a glimpse of his younger self in her, or saw how bloody terribly she was being treated, or because it was what Milah wanted (perhaps all three), his heart softened. "Hard worker an' willing to learn? Sounds t'me like a perfect candidate for an able-bodied sailor. Welcome to the crew of the Jolly Roger, m'boy."

She nearly started crying, she was so ecstatic. "Oh thank you sir, thank y'so much, I swear you won't regret this."

"Good. Get y'things an' let's get started!"

They were leaving!! She couldn't believe it. In her haste she forgot to look where she was going and ran straight into the innkeeper. "I'm so sorry sir," she apologized immediately. His hand came down hard on her head, knocking her down, a small whimper escaping her.

"You dumb bastard!!" he yelled, kicking her hard in the ribs. "Watch where you're going!!"

"Aye sir, I will."Just as his hand was rising to strike once more, Lili felt a shadow fall over her and heard the hard slap of skin on skin. "Wot the hell is going on here," a fierce voice growled, sending a chill down her spine.