The Pirate and The Rose

" Gather round and listen, "the old woman said. " And I will tell ye the tale of Bloody Anne, one of the most fearsome pirates you've ever known." "I heard Bloody Anne died in prison," said one man. "I heard she died in childbirth," said another. "I heard she escaped with her lover and was lost at sea," cried a young woman. "Aye, I see you've all heard the rumors surroundin' Bloody Anne and her lover, The Devious Blackstone," the old woman stated. "Sit and I will tell ye the truth of it all, starting with Anne's beginning." Anne had been born from the union of her father, a proud advisor to the king, and her mother, a bar maid, not her father's wife. She grew up poor and working to survive. Her father paid enough for her not to starve, but not enough to live beyond her mother's means. When her father's wife died in childbirth, he came to fetch her and make her a proper lady. Being sixteen at the time, Anne thought it was a new adventure and something more fun, but she found out quickly that it was not. Between the corsets, the rules, and every nobleman trying to win her favor, she grew restless quickly and started to lash out. "Father, I don't understand why I have to follow all the silly rules. I have to listen to all the nonsense gossip of who is dating who, and who i should marry. I was much happier living with mother." "Well, you can't go back. Your mother is gone and you have to marry soon. That's the way of life." "I don't like anyone here at court and I have no friends." " If you don't marry within the next month, I'm sending you to your aunt in America, maybe she can deal with you." " Fine! Anything is better than this boring, well-to-do life." Anne's father kept his word and sent her off at the end of the month. He sent several dresses, some money, and several servants with her. Lucky for Anne, he couldn't go with her. At eighteen, Anne left the world she knew and began her journey to becoming, Bloody Anne. A month out at sea and Anne had grown quite accustomed to the sea life, always asking the men questions and how to do things on the ship. Some of them would oblige her and answer her, others would just say, it's man's work and that's that. "Ah hoy captain, there's a ship off the stern and gaining." " What are her color's?" "She isn't flyin' any." "D**n, pirates. Unfurl the rest of the sails and prepare for battle." Anne grew excited at this notion and ran to the helm hoping to see, but was promptly escorted to the captain's quarters and locked in. The captain fought bravely, but the Pelican was captured by the pirates. After killing most of the crew and claiming the ship, the pirate captain broke down the door to the cabin. Much to Anne's surprise and relief, the captain was a woman. "You, what's yer name?" "Anne Sinclair, Daughter of Sir Sinclair of Scotland, advisor to the king." "Lads, we may get a pretty price for this one. Take her to my cabin and sink the ship. Send a note with a survivor for ransom." "Please, don't send me back to my father! I don't care if you're pirates or what you have in store for me, just don't send me back." "You are a brave one. Don't you know who I am? I am Dread Marie, the most feared female pirate in these waters." "I'd rather be dead than go back. I've learned a lot this last month at sea. Maybe I can help out or something? I grew up in a tavern with ma mother til I was sixteen." "Well, you're going to stay at least until I get my ransom. Enough of this chatting, take her to my cabin boys." "... And so Anne was captured. A new life about to begin."