The Painter Of Port Royal

Chapter 24

Finding Elizabeth alone by the side of the ship, a regular place people went to brood, Lydia soon found herself stood beside her, ready to comfort the new pirate king. That title will never get old. Like a nickname you just can't shake. Even when the joke is old, even when no one says it anymore, it will still hold the memories of that time. Lydia was a princess and Elizabeth was a king. Royalty amungst pirates wasn't just reserved for Lydia anymore. Now her best friend shared her place. And it felt so good to share it.

"Your majesty," Lydia joked.

"Hi Lydia," Elizabeth grinned leaning on the edge.

"How are you feeling about what's to come?" Lydia asked.

Sighing, Elizabeth moved to face her, her blonde hair brushing past her in the wind.

"It all is coming to the end. I can't help but feel solemn it's over," She said.

"I understand," Lydia looked down.

But Elizabeth carried something else she was yet to share. Grief she was yet to pass on. She arrived at the meeting with her head held high, storming down to command power over the room. Really she felt shattered, see two people she cared for in the space of a few days pass away. A person Lydia cared for as well. Will wasn't there. He wasn't there for her to run to and to embrace. He'd betrayed them. Betrayed Lydia. When all those Elizabeth cared about were dropping like flies, she could only dread who were next. And her heart pointed to Lydia. A throbbing in her heart scared her that she was next. She couldn't go without knowing.

"James is dead."

"What?" Lydia questioned.

"While on Sao Feng's ship we were captured by the Dutchman. James helped us escape but in turn. Lost his life. I'm sorry Lydia," Elizabeth said.

Lydia didn't say a word. She hadn't thought of James in so long. And now he was gone. The man who first took care of her, took her in no matter what deal was made, was gone. Cold tears broke from her eyes, falling down her cheeks and dripping off her jaw.

"He can't... No," She choked up.

"Lydia I'm sorry I tried to get him to come but he wouldn't-" Elizabeth began to blabber as well, taking Lydia into a hug so she can sob in her shoulder.

"It's not your fault. He was a good man," Lydia mumbled.

The two stood there in their embrace as the stars twinkled above them. No one else was on the deck at that time, or if they were the silence drowned them out. When you loose something you can search and search for it and more often than not you can find it again. But when you loose someone, a person, you can almost never find them again. Only miracles can bring back that lost person.

"You know about Will," Lydia broke the hug.

"Yes I do. I understand what he going through but I feel he shouldn't have to go the course he is," She said.

"No matter what he does, or how he does it, I know he's only trying to do the right thing. Save the both of you," Lydia rubbed her arms.

"But what about you?" Elizabeth raised.

"I can handle myself. So can you from the looks of things. Will can act all high and mighty and sly but he's really the most selfless person we know. He's doing anything for a reason I'm sure," Lydia assured her.

Agreeing with her, Elizabeth walked away to a place to rest. Lydia repeated her own words to herself in her head. That Will would be doing all this for a reason. He wouldn't want to betray her. Not after everything that's happened. Ahead of her lied the cliff, obstructing her view of the sea. It was bleak and dark, growing her mood into more frustration than before. But thinking of being on top of that cliff, where Jack had taken her, broke that frustration down completely.