The Captain and His Lady (A Fantasy Short Story) √

A Riddle. (Alternate Ending)

Michael blew out his cheeks. Having been walking for several hours, the heat was getting to him. Emma turned to look at him and laughed.

"Do you want to stop and rest for a while?" she asked, motioning to the nearby park bench.

"Please," he replied, chuckling. "I'm enjoying our trip, but we do so much walking in this heat."

"I never thought you would be one to complain."

Emma giggled and led Michael to the bench. She handed him a bottle of chilled water, which he drank thirstily. He looked at Emma and smiled.

"You look beautiful," he said, poking her cheek.

"With flushed cheeks from the heat as well?" she smiled weaving their fingers together. "Thank you, love. I saw an advertisement for a museum exhibit. Pirate themed."

"Want to see it?"

Emma nodded, "I would like to see it. We would be indoors for a few hours. Air-conditioned building?"

Michael chuckled and squeezed her hand. After a few moments of rest, the pair stood and hurried to the museum.

***

"And this is a portrait of the pirate family," the tour guide spoke with an infectious glee. "Captain Michael of the Red Fox, along with his wife and first mate, Lady Emma."

Michael and Emma gasped, glancing at each other.

"Do you mean to say the Red Fox was a real ship?" Michael asked, astonished.

"Yes, haven't you read the history books?" the tour guide chuckled and shook her head. "Captain Michael was known for strong will and compassion, and for the love he had for his lady. It is said she was once captured by dragons and he set out with the sole intention of finding her. Would not cease until he knew she was safe. Of course, dragons are only stories. So I suppose, in truth, Lady Emma was taken prisoner for piracy and the captain broke her from the cell."

Emma squeezed Michael's arm as she listened intently. The story was fascinating, but so familiar due to the games she and Michael had so often played as children. How could such things be possible, when they had never heard of the tale till now?

"Now, are there any questions before we move on?"

Michael raised his free hand, the guide nodded.

"Did the captain never love another?" he asked, squeezing Emma's hand.

"No, as a matter of fact, the captain could not bear to think of anyone else at his side. When the pair learned they would have a child, he turned the ship home. After the birth of their son, the captain spent several months with his family. When the boy was nearly a year old, Captain Michael prepared to set sail, when his son said his first words. He appointed one of his crew as temporary captain and supervised the ship's whereabouts until his son was four years old."

"He was a man of loyalty, then," Emma observed, smiling at the portrait before turning to whisper in Michael's ear. "He looks like you. It's the copper hair colour."

"Ha-ha, hilarious," he rolled his eyes.

They moved to the next display. A miniature replica of the Red Fox. Having imagined the ship in his mind so many times growing up, it was hard for Michael to believe that every detail was the same. He and Emma had drawn pictures of what it might look like, so they could both imagine the same ship.

"The Red Fox took a harsh attack and could not be recovered?" Emma asked, reading the plaque.

"Yes," replied their guide. "However, Captain Michael, Lady Emma, and their son, were not on-board. Young Michael was about ten years of age when it happened."

"Did the captain never wish to sail again?"

"Some say the captain and his family built a new ship. Others say he retired and worked an honest profession."

"What do you believe?" Michael asked, sensing the woman wanting to share more.

"One of the lesser-known stories is the Legend of the Fox Moon," she explained, excitement bubbling from her smile. "Under the light of a new moon, the captain and his lady would change, taking the form of a fox. There is a possibility their son inherited the ability, but of course, it's only a story."

Emma glanced at Michael, her grin reaching her eyes. She brought her finger to her lips. The light reflected off the ring on her left hand. Shiny and bright orangey-red, the fox ornament could not have been better fitting.

"Seems we are not the only ones who know what it takes to battle dragons," she said, winking.

Michael grinned, "I think we've seen what we've come to see, yes?" he asked, hooking his arm around Emma's waist. "Shall we, my lady?"

"Lead the way, my captain."

They waved to the tour guide as they turned for the exit. She watched them leave with a hint of amusement. Something about the young couple intrigued her. Not for anything other than the fact they maintained their childlike faith.

***

Emma squealed as Michael spun her in a circle. Water splashed around them and flew in every which way from the sprinkler in their yard.

"Michael!" Emma screamed, pounding her fists into his back. "Release me at once! I beg of you!"

"Never!" he replied, whirling about once more. He returned Emma's feet to the wet grass beneath them. She sat, closing her eyes as she swayed slightly from dizziness.

"Are you alright?" Michael asked when Emma fell to her back. "I only meant it in fun."

"I know," she nodded, her eyes still closed as she inhaled slowly. "I suppose I should mention that I've been . . . feeling nauseated recently. Sickly when I move or sit up too fast . . . And extremely odd food cravings."

"Odd food cravings?"

Michael sat beside Emma, resting his elbows on his knees while contemplating what she was telling him.

"Very odd cravings," she said, her voice becoming a soft whisper. "Ice cream and pickles."

Michael glanced at her with an odd expression. Emma blushed as she sat upright, smiling and giggling, as if waiting for him to figure out a riddle. Which was precisely what she had given him. A riddle. She leaned against Michael's shoulder, waiting for him to put the pieces together.

"Our family is growing, isn't it?" Michael asked, a smile spreading across his face. "Or are you just teasing? Please, don't be teasing."

"Why would I want to tease you with this?" Emma giggled as he pulled her to his lap. "Since we've said our vows, all you've ever wanted was a family. And I want this with you."

Michael grinned and pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her lips. They were going to be parents. That was an adventure in itself.

THE END