Chapter Text
PROLOGUE
"Look there...on the piece of wood...it looks like a person!" one of the crew mates called out.
"Man overboard!" another voice yelled as the ship neared the wreckage of what once too was a ship. "It seems to be a young girl!" another voice belted out.
"For Pete's sake, pull her up" Governor Swann commanded to the men running about on deck.
"Is she still alive?" the first mate asked as the governor stepped closer to the lifeless figure of a young girl now laying on the deck. Governor Swann pressed two fingers against the girl's neck leaning in to hear for some sign of life. The girl quickly sat up coughing out excess water. "Thank God" the governor sighed in relief, squeezing the girl's shoulder.
"What is your name, dear girl" governor Swann asked in a gentle tone, wrapping the soaked girl in one of the crew members' uniforms. The girl looked up at the crowd of men surrounding her, "Lelani...Lelani Hale" she answered in a weak voice. "Do you have any parents?" the governor asked furrowing his brow. The girl merely looked back at what was left of the ship and shook her head in response. "These blasted pirates! Each of those scallywags shall pay!" a crewmate shouted as the rest chimed in to the cheering
"It's incredible bad luck to have a woman on board...especially a half drowned one, I..." a man's voice called. "Master Gibbs! Get back to your post and leave the poor girl be" the first mate cut the man off, helping Lelani to her feet to escort her into one of the cabins.
Following the Governor, Lelani looked back at the wreck watching as the Black sails from a mysterious ship disappeared into the fog.
"Now, miss Hale...do you have anywhere to stay perhaps?" the governor asked sitting infront of where Lelani was seated on the bed, shivering. The girl once again just shook her head, "Not too much of a talker? But if it suites you, You'd be most welcome to come stay with me and my daughter Elizabeth." the Governor stated sincerely. "I'd like that" Lelani remarked looking up at Mr Swann. "Then it's settled. Now get some rest" The governor declared, leaving the cabin.
A few years had passed
"But Father! I can't leave you!" Lelani screamed as the sound of canon fire filled the air. "My darling, I know you don't want to but it's the only way you'll be able to get off this damned ship before she sinks" her father said cupping her face. "You have to go now" he whispered in a shaky tone. Lelani shook her head as white hot tears streamed down her face, she hugged her father tightly. "You're such a smart girl, my smart girl...now please. Do this, do it for me. You're the one good thing I've done in this world" he smiled sadly, a single tear running down his hardened and aged face. The ship made an ear piercing noise as water started to flood in through the hull of Maria's Wrath. Everything went black after that. A hand pulled her from the water, she coughed up water from her lungs as she heaved in breath. The man layed her onto a floating piece of driftwood. Lelani looked up through blurry vision at the young man who saved her, he had kind brown eyes with long dark brown hair tied into braids completed with an assortment of trinkets. Lelani opened her mouth as to say something before she lost consciousness again.
Lelani jerked awake drenched in sweat. "That damn dream again" she sighed to herself, forcing out a pained chuckle.
A knock at the door startled Lelani out of her thoughts. "Miss Swann? May I enter" Rosie asked. Lelani took a deep breath before wiping the sweat from her brow. "Of course" she quickly answered.
"Are you okay? It's like you've seen a ghost" the maid exclaimed rushing to her bedside. "No, it's fine... it was just a bad dream" Lelani reassured her, plastering a fake smile across her face but the pain in her eyes betrayed her voice. Rosie's face softened immediately "Is it the same dream again?" she asked, picking up a dress from the closet. Lelani shook her head in agreement and climbed out of bed since there'd be no sleeping again after that nightmare.
Lelani loved the life she had now, she was officially adopted by mr. Swann and even had a lovely sister, Elizabeth who was roughly a year younger than her. But still her demons from the past haunted her almost every night.
"Lelani, are you up?" Mr Swann inquired before entering the room. "Morning Father" she greeted. "I'm glad to see one of my daughters are at least up, Elizabeth is still in bed" he chuckled, holding out one of the two boxes tied with a ribbon to Lelani. "What's this?" she asked, opening the box with a smile. Lelani paused, staring at the beautiful royal blue dress, "What's the reason?" Lelani asked, looking at mr. Swann with a sly grin. "Must a father always have a reason to spoil his daughters?" he held up his hands in defeat. "Fair enough" Lelani smiled crossing the room to the divider to try on the dress.
Rosie immediately came to her assist, tying up the laces of the corset, Lelani heaved with every thread of lace. "Are you alright dear? I hear it's the latest fashion in London" mr Swann stated absently looking at the vase on the table. "Women in London must've learned not to breathe" Lelani hissed with the last lace being tied.
Lelani stepped out from behind the divider, still gasping trying to readjust the corset. "You look absolutely gorgeous" mr Swann marveled. Lelani turned and gave the man a stiff smile. "Well actually my dear, I was hoping you would wear it for today's ceremony?" the governor smiled expectantly.
"Aha! I knew there was some ulterior motive" she boomed. "Dear, you know Mr. Norrington or Commodore Norrington...is quite fond of you and I think he would be a great match" Lelani looked at mr Swann for a moment, considering the man took her in and raised her as his own for the last 8 years made her heart grow heavy with guilt. "Of course Father" Lelani pushed out, trying to conceal any evidence of sadness, how was she supposed to tell him that getting married is not where her heart lies?