The Pirate's Family

chapter 22

Although Ella, Klutz, and Ashton pretended nothing changed Rudy could tell something was up. Rudy couldn’t figure out the change or act so he pulled Klutz aside and asked. Now that Rudy knew what was going on he collected his thoughts and made a plan that will hopefully help his son see how Ella feels about him.

Later that day as planned Klutz told Ashton to hide in the wardrobe for the kids wanted to play hide and seek, under no circumstance not to leave. Once Ashton was in place no later then a minute gone by when Rudy and Ella walked into the library. “Lass me son found about yer identity, not by the letter of marque, by Klutz telling him?” “Aye. Ashton mad and hurt.” Unaware to Ella Ashton could hear them clearly as well as Klutz who was outside the library door. “I wondered at first if ye really loved him or if ye acting to avoid getting hurt but I saw ye loved him.” “Aye. Aye, I love him dearly. I did not care if he pirate or not... Did ye know many years ago I ran from home to learn sword, archery, I even used the name Ella so no one knew me. Few people actually know me as princess but others think I am a commoner named Ella. That day when ye all met me, the royals and I was going to a neighboring country for a prince’s birthday. My parents though hoped it would also be an encounter to lead to courting but I-” “Ye went with us, sparing that ship.” “I did not want harm to me friends nor anyone else, I also did not want go to that there country so making that agreement made me happy, and I even fell in love.” “Are ye hurt? Ashton’s words.” “Aye. If he thinks about it while away-” “Away?!” “Ashton plans to sail longer after I give birth.” “Ye-” “I am going to wait for his return.”  

A guard then came in telling Ella and Rudy it was dinner time; Rudy told Ella to leave that he’ll be there in a bit. Ella did so; Klutz came into the library, went to the wardrobe door, opened it, and Ashton slowly came out. “To be clear she did not know ye were here, I planned this with Klutz, so ye know her true feelings and thoughts.” Ashton didn’t say a word, just left for the dining area for dinner. Dinner talk was the same that no one could tell Ashton and Ella had changed in anyway.

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Everyone went to the garden for relaxing and a little fun, except for Ella and Ashton who went to their bed room. Talking of future travel, Ella wrote another letter of marque and stamped her mark on it. In the few days to come Ashton tried his best to be with the kids and his wife. Ella was happy for time spent together even if it was an act. At the end of the week Ashton left the kingdom to the main docks, him and his crew went sailing coming back every few months like he did previously when Ella was first pregnant with Daria. Ella was happy for Ashton’s return even if it was still an act. Ashton returned for the birth of his newborn son, Merlin and like before stayed a couple weeks before going home that was built at least three quarters a mile away from the main docks.

“Everyone can ye stay out, me wife and I need talk.” Ella agreed with him, everyone stayed outside even James who took Merlin from Ella’s arms. Inside the house Ashton and Ella quietly as possible talked, about forty-five minutes later both Ella and Ashton came out of the house. Ella took Merlin back while Ashton talked to both his father and Klutz about his plans. Ashton and Klutz went a board their ship, while Rudy stayed behind. After The Dragon’s Haul left Rudy tried to console Ella but Ella told him it was fine, Ella sent Galvin to the main dock to mail a letter.

Several months went by, everything was the same for the most part. Two more guards from Snow’s castle came, Rudy helped Ella when she asked for it or played with his grandchildren as well as guarded them and chopped fire wood. Ashton hadn’t come back home since the day he left. Although several months passed Merlin was growing into a healthy, chubby, rosy cheeked baby. Cecil who also brought his kids taught archery to Wyatt while his kids played with Daria or awed over baby Merlin.

Even though Daria and Wyatt were busy everyday they started asking about their father and when he’ll come home to visit. Ella just like her kids missed Ashton too that she wrote a letter to Martha to pass a message and or the letter to Ashton if he ever stops there.