Celeste

28.

Eli hated being a pirate.
They didn't have barrels of water for hygiene, they had barrels of strong alcohol for rowdy night after night playing cards, betting pile after pile of gold.
They even had a game of who could go longest without a wash, of which Eli was the sore loser.

Blue had accepted him well enough, but some of the other crew still gave him the stink eye and called him "scrappy lad."
There was at least one perk, the stops at strange and exotic places to buy and sell. Surprisingly enough, they had post offices and messenger birds. Eli sent a short one to Samantha,

Dear Samantha,
My travels have taken an unexpected turn, and I find myself travelling with a new crew and ship, with the sole purpose of finding Celeste. I wish not to worry you, I am well, if slightly smelly, and am learning new things. How is mr. Reed? How is he coping? More importantly, how are you coping?
Sincerely, Eli.

It wasn't long before a bird graced the skies, bundle on its back. Samanthas letter was much longer.

My dear, dear Eli,

Mr. Reed is just the same as when you left, going to the docks from morning until noon, staring wistfully out to sea. I elected not to tell him about you new mission. I don't want to get his hopes up and then dash them down if nothing is found.
I find myself a sort of spinster in town as I wait for your return. People whisper about me, my mother has demanded I get married as soon as possible. A few gentlemen have tried to court me, but i can't get you out of my head. I see you everywhere. I love you, Eli. I will keep waiting, I promise.

Should you find Celeste, and should she still harbour feelings for you, please keep me in your minds eye. Keep in mind that you will shatter my heart beyond repair to see you with another. Please, please, please come back to me!

Forever yours, Samantha.

The more Eli read, sitting on a grubby bench, the more he felt guilty. Something slid out of the envelope. A lock of blonde hair neatly tied with red. Eli forced a lump past his throat. What was he doing? Dragging another person down into his search for Celeste? Dragging a heart on a sting, scoring lines in the dirt?

He pressed his lips to it briefly, and put it back in the envelope, with a sigh.
Scenarios of finding Celeste ran through his mind.
In every single one it was ringing with romance and wedding bells. It was time to forge a new one, a realistic one. He put Samantha in this one, and her face when he walked home with Celeste.

No. He couldn't do this to her. Celeste was a childhood sweetheart, but Samantha was different. He could see a future with her instead of a big fuzzy question mark.

A hand clapped on his shoulder, and Eli jumped, the envelope dropping down to the ground. It was blue, who grinned. "Got to go, scrap." He teased.

Eli let his excitement rest, and scowled. "You calling me that as well?" He said, standing. Blue laughed. "Only if it annoys ya, kid. We're going now, if you want to send another message to ya mam."

Eli was tired of the teasing. "No. My mother is fine. Let's go." He grit, marching off towards the black sails in the dock, leaving blue behind. And the letter.

The crew were saying their goodbyes to a group of scantily clad women with red smiles and purring voices. One of them shouted, "want a goodbye kiss, kid? There's still time..." batting her lashes.

One of the crew gave a rumbling laugh that rolled over everyone. "It'd be too quick, lass!" More laughter. "One blink and he'd be done!"

Eli left the hollering deck and made his way to his bunk. There wasn't much difference than before, just less people, and more privacy. Eli slipped into his hammock, staring at the picture of celeste.
She was looking annoyed in this one, and demanded the engraver to carve her image that way. It was the same look she got when the shop ran out of sweets, or when her dad had to go away, and she was stuck with matron new.

Creaking and rushing water gave way to the fact that the boat was leaving. He could hear cheers and footsteps, with the snap of sails. Eli reached into his pocket and froze. Sitting up, he searched his clothes with mounting horror.
"Looking for this?"

Blue melted out of the shadows, envelope in hand.
"Not many people would get love letters." He said, opening the letter. "Especially ones so persuasive." He put on a high pitched voice. "Please, please, please come back to me!"

"That's private!" Eli shouted, standing. Blue jay cocked an eyebrow.

"This isn't rosewood. You are on a pirate ship, and privacy is non existent here, boy. Tell me this, who are you saving here? Some girl who's waiting, or someone who has been dragged through hell by the fins, and needs a familiar face when we rescue her?"

Eli frowned. "It's none of your business."

Blue jay only nodded, crunching the envelope and dropping it to the ground. Eli fell on his knees and soothed it out gently.
"I seem to remember when I first met you. You raved on and on about Celeste, and some part of me wondered about the other picture on the wall. But you persuaded me, lad. And all along, you wanted both. You have a priority. She may no longer be yah sweetheart, but she needs someone, even a friend." Blue said, sitting on the opposite bunk.

Eli dipped his head. "You're right. But who knows what she's been up to? She might already have found a merman, or a sailor. But ... she needs a friend." Blue rose a brow.

"Good to see you can make decisions, lad."

"Can you let me in on the plan now? Please?"

"Sure. In about three months, we go to a place called the kings oasis, in Spain. He's known for capturing mermaids, maybe he knows how we can find her."

Eli scoffed. "And I suppose you know the king personally?"

"No, but that won't stop me threatening him." Blue grinned.