A Marriage To A Fine Woman

Nothing Short of Terrifying

           
Aislinn’s eyes opened slowly before she felt her hand resting on
nothing but the feather mattress. She lifted her head and looked around a
moment, “James?” She called. When no answer came from the darkness she sat
up wrapping the sheet around her. The window was open and the curtains dancing
in the warm breeze. She thought it strange, when they went to bed, it was
closed. Slipping from the bed, clutching the sheet around her at her chest, she
walked over slowly to the window and looked out.

           
It was exceedingly quiet, a bit to quiet for Port Royal even this late at
night. Leaning against the ledge she looked a bit further out the window. The
moon was full and bright, with the occasional cloud rolling by. But something
didn’t seem right, something didn’t seem as it should be.

           
Shaking her head and giving a sigh, she ran her hand through her hair and
turned back to go into the room. However she came face to face with a blood
covered, pale, white face. Blood shot, dead eyes starring strait at her. She
gasped and fell back, tripping over something causing her to fall to the floor.
But when she looked up again, the figure disappeared.

           
Getting to her feet she looked around from left to right, but saw
nothing. Not even the smallest trace of what she had come face to face with. She
walked back to the window and looked down into the street. Aislinn realized now
that she couldn’t see the street, road or ground at all. There was a thick
misty fog obscuring it from view. From the fog, she thought she could hear what
sounded like a dozen voices whispering, but couldn’t make out what was being
said. She squinted her eyes trying to see if there was anyone below

           
A chill came over her body and she clutched the sheet tighter to her
body, finding it harder to breathe. Her heart began to beat faster in her chest,
and she could feel prickles all over the back of her neck. Her entire body was
swallowed by fear. She didn’t know what it was she was afraid of, she just
knew she was afraid.

           
Closing her eyes, she took a breath and slowly let it out. It was cold
enough that you could see her breath on the air. She struggled for each breath,
as her throat seemed to become tighter and tighter.

           
“Aislinn” A voice said right in her ear as if someone was standing
right behind her.

           
Suddenly, Aislinn’s screams filled the darkness causing James to wake.
“Aislinn.” He said reaching over and putting his hand on her shoulder. James
could see that she was still asleep, but the way her body twisted and turned and
her face spoke volumes of distress. “Aislinn!” He said shaking her a bit.
The young woman’s body sprang up, her arms stretched out in front of her, as
if reaching for help. Quickly James rolled over and lit a candle, before turning
back to Aislinn taking her hands, before wrapping his arms around her. Her skin
was pale, cold, and clammy, and her entire body trembled. “It’s just a dream
darling, you’re safe, here with me.” He said quickly stroking her hair
holding her tight.

           
Even though he tried to comfort her, he could feel her entire body
brittle as a board, and he didn’t need to see her face to know her eyes were
as big as grenades looking about afraid something was there that shouldn’t
have been. He could feel her fingers dig into his arms holding him tight.

           
Norrington cooed, and spoke softly to her until after a while, he could
feel her body start to relax. “Shhh.” He whispered stroking her hair. “Shhhh.”

Unpleasant

           
“I can give her something to help her sleep more soundly Admiral. But
that’s about all there is to be done.” The doctor said.

           
James was looking a bit run down himself today, circles around his eyes
that spelled out his exhaustion. “This can’t go on this way, doctor. Every
night, I awake to find her in the same state. Terrified out of her mind and
trembling from head to toe.”  The
Admiral rubbed his eyes slightly, “And that’s even if I could get her to
sleep in the first place. It’s gotten to the point that she doesn’t even
want to shut her eyes.”

           
The doctor gave a nod, “I can understand your situation Admiral, but
aside from giving you both sleeping aids, I can only suggest you sleep in
separate rooms.” He said.

           
“That simply won’t do.” Norrington answered immediately. There was
absolutely no way he would agree to that.

           
“Her dreams aren’t a medical condition, sir.” The doctor explained,
“But in all likelihood, there are reasons she has been having them. She has
had her fair share of trauma since arriving to the Caribbean. It’s not an easy
life, being the wife of an Admiral. It could be that everything has caught up
with her finally. What she hasn’t dealt with when she’s awake is trying to
sort itself out while she sleeps.”

           
James sighed, “There has got to be a solution to this. One that
doesn’t involve drugs, or witchcraft, or separating us from each other.”

           
“Has Mrs. Norrington attempted religion?” The doctor inquired.
“Some find it comforting.”

           
“Incessantly.” Norrington said with a roll of his eyes. “To the
point that it still seems as though I’m living with a nun.”

Night Times

           
James and Aislinn found themselves sitting across form each other in
silence in their bedchamber. The tick of the clock was the only sound that was
heard. It seemed that Aislinn had a solution to their problem as well, but the
Admiral was even less agreeable to her proposal then anything else that had been
suggested.

           
Knowing she had been keeping James awake, she thought it would be best if
she was sent back to London to return to the convent she had grown up in. The
problems with that idea were to numerous for James to completely list at one
time. His contract still had several years left, and she would have to return
alone.

           
The whole thought of the idea was so completely absurd that he demanded
she not say it again. Yet even then, he was still painfully aware that she was
convinced her leaving was the best way to resolve things.

           
Finally, James could stand it no longer, “We have been married now for
five years. You are a young, beautiful woman. A young woman who has adapted
extremely well considering your circumstances. A lesser woman might not have
survived this long. Even if you were to return . . . which you shall not do
without me,” he reminded her so she didn’t think he was relenting his
position. “You are not the same girl you once were. Things will not be as they
were when you left.”

           
“You would have no need to worry for us, James. Michael and I would be
well taken care of, and safe.” Aislinn said.

           
James arched a brow at her statement, “Safe?” He said, “I cannot
believe that after all this time together, you feel as though that convent is
your safe place to run back to. Your nightmares will pass Aislinn. We simply
have to ride out this rough patch.”

           
“James, I don’t think they’re going to stop.” She began, “Not
here, not in this place.”

           
The Admiral leaned forward taking her hands in his and looking into her
eyes, “They will.” He assured her, “IT may not seem that way now, but they
will pass. A great deal has happened in your life these past five years, perhaps
these dreams you’re having are simply the sum of all your fears working
themselves through. All you need to remember is that when you wake, you’ll be
safe, at home, in your own bed, in my arms. I will let no harm come to you.”
He promised. 

           
Aislinn looked in to his eyes, wanting more then anything to believe him.
“And then? When I wake and remember what you’ve told me . . . will all the
ghosts go away?” She questioned.

           
This was something new that James hadn’t heard before, “What
ghosts?” He questioned.

           
“The ones I see when I close my eyes. That wait for me in my dreams.”
Aislinn’s eyes closed as she could see them again clearly in her mind, “The
ones reaching for me, calling to me, demanding things I cannot understand.”

           
“Who are these ghosts you see, Aislinn?” James asked. “People
you’ve known? People you’ve seen?”

           
“Men and Women who were ill when they still lived . . . who died
horribly.” Norrington listened as she described the images that haunted her.
The more she told him, the more uneasy he became. The way she described the
dead, was almost an exact depiction of those who had been aboard the Crosswinds.
The plague ship her father died on months ago. He knew she hadn’t seen any of
the passengers while the ship was in harbor. Yet her descriptions were so vivid,
one would think that she actually walked among them.

           
Now he knew what it was that had created her terrifying dreams. They were
spawned from the horrific tragedy those months ago when he ordered the ship
destroyed. Yet how she knew of what was on the ship itself, was a mystery.

           
“Has someone told you about the Crosswinds?” James asked, “Have you
heard someone talking of it? Or talked to someone yourself?”

           
Aislinn cocked her head looking at him a moment, a bit confused at his
question. “No?” She said, “What made you think of that?”

           
“The images you described . . . were of the passengers.” He admitted
still quite unnerved about the whole thing.

           
Aislinn shook her head in disagreement, “No.” She said taking his
hands in hers once more, “That couldn’t be. These people were sick, but it
wasn’t how they died.” James looked at her not sure what she meant. “These
poor souls were poisoned.”

           
James eyes went wide as he stood walking over to the window. Now, he
looked as though he himself had seen a ghost. Aislinn stood and moved over to
him, “James?” She said softly, “What is it? What’s wrong?”

           
“I . . .” he began, but stopped looking quite pale. “I can’t. Not
. . . not now.” He said before turning away from her and walking out of their
room closing their door behind so she wouldn’t follow.

Midnight Questioning

           
When James didn’t return, Aislinn lit a candle and made her way down
stairs. It was so quest in the house, you could hear mice breathe under the
floor boards.

           
Quietly making her way to James’ study, she slid open the door and
stepped inside holding up her candle. James was sitting at his desk, slummed
back in his chair with a bottle in front of him and a glass in his hand. He’d
nearly drained the bottle dry in the time he had been down stairs.

           
Aislinn never saw him look like this before, “James?” She asked
timidly moving a bit closer. “Are you alright?” James took another drink
from his glass. Walking around his desk, she put down her candle and kneeled
down beside him, “What’s wrong?” Her voice was soft and quiet but there
was a shiver. Chills ran down her spine, not understanding what was going on,
but seeing that he was incredibly intoxicated.

           
James starred at his glass in his hand a moment, “You would think, one
would never touch another drop, never take another sip, for fear of what he
might not know was in his glass.”

           
Aislinn was becoming a bit frightened now, hearing the way he spoke and
seeing the grave look on his face. “James,” she breathed wishing for him to
explain this.

           
“I never wanted you to see what I do, the choices I face, the decisions
I make. I wanted to protect you, and keep you safe from all that. Not know the
sort of man I truly am.” Aislinn closed her eyes, taking a breath, resting her
hand on his arm. “Now I find, despite all my efforts, my sins revisit you in
your dreams in the form of nightmares.” His green eyes turned towards her,
“The ghosts you dream of, are of the lost souls of the Crosswinds.” He said,
“The survivors that were left, were poisoned before we destroyed the ship.”
He looked into the glass in his hand, “We put it in their ale and rum before
leaving the harbor.”

            
Aislinn’s eyes were wide as she listened to him. Tears escaped and
rolled down her cheeks. “All of them?” She whispered.

           
When James didn’t say anything, his answer was given in the silence.
Aislinn’s whole body shivered as her eyes closed once more. “We said
nothing, but I believe many of them knew. Parents gave their children drink,
hoping it would ease their pain they were in, before drinking it themselves.”
James empted the glass, “They had suffered for so long, so severely and
knowing their fate . . . they wished to be laid to rest, to be at peace.”

           
“Why?” She whispered. “Why would you do this?”

           
“It was considered the ‘humane’ thing to do. They were all dying .
. . slowly. There was nothing that could save them. I had no desire to cause
them more agony by setting the ship to fire when they were still alive.” James
admitted starring into the flickering flame of the candle.

           
Aislinn hardly knew how to respond to James confession. She could see the
guilt he suffered for being the one who gave the orders that were carried out.
He’d been living with the burden of that knowledge since that horrible day.
Even then, she couldn’t stop what she said next, “My father?” she asked,
“Was he . . . did he . . .”

           
James sighed loudly in frustration, “You cannot ask me that, don’t
ever ask me!” He shouted as he stood up suddenly throwing his chair back.
“You already hate me for ordering his death and obeying his wish that you not
see him in his last days. I know you still resent me, I can see it in your
eyes!”

           
Aislinn quickly stood and backed away from him, trembling at the roar of
his voice. James started to walk towards her, his body language showing how
intoxicated he was. “Why their ghosts chose to haunt you instead of their
murderer, I do not know. Perhaps you resent me as much as they do, and are a
kindred spirit.”

           
Tears continued to stream down Aislinn’s face, “I never called you a
murderer.” She said shaking from head to toe, “I was angry with you for not
allowing me to see my father. I have never blamed you for his death.”

           
“Haven’t you?” He started to quicken his steps, “Every time you
look at me it’s as though he dies again. You can’t look at me without seeing
the order I gave to seen those souls to a watery grave!” Reaching out he
snagged Aislinn by the shoulders holding her in place.

           
“That isn’t true!” She said, hardly able to form the words. “I
can’t forgive you for something that is not mine to forgive!” she cried.

           
“He was your father!” James said shaking her slightly, “He was your
flesh and blood and I could do nothing to save him!” Aislinn’s body stopped
shaking a little when she saw the pain in his face. Even though she was still
afraid, she began to see what it was that had him upset so. Norrington starred
into her eyes as his face told what was inside of him, “I tried, Aislinn.”
His voice started to break, “I swear to you I tried everything, everything in
this world to save him.” He said starting to shake a little himself.

           
Then, he released her and turned away falling into a nearby chair. He
covered his face with his hand, as tears filled his eyes. Aislinn watched,
seeing emotion spring from him that she had never seen before. Not like this.
Her heart started to break at the sight of his sorrow.

           
Moving to him she fell to her knees and wrapped her arms tight around
him. James wrapped his arms around her in turn, as the tears streamed down his
own face. Aislinn looked up at him and moved from the floor to sit on his lap in
the chair and rested his head against her bosom as she held him tight, letting
him weep.

New Day

           
Aislinn walked in the churchyard garden with the priest, having gone to
confession and wishing to stay just a little longer. The priest had come to know
Aislinn well and enjoyed her company, considering her a friend. She was unlike
anyone else, having come from his world, the church.

           
“The nightmares have stopped, father.” She reported, “We both sleep
soundly now, without fear or terror of what we might dream.”

           
“Perhaps your dreams where Gods way of offering help to your husband.
Of sharing his burden so that you might help him through it.” The priest
suggested. “All that was needed to put his fears and regrets to rest, was to
bring them into the light.”

           
“It was my fault, father. I was the reason he suffered so.” She
confessed. “I couldn’t accept my fathers death . . . and I think I harbored
resentment towards him.”

           
“And now?” He asked, “Do you still feel that way?”

           
Aislinn came to a stop, “No, father. I finally realized that he did
feel the loss as I did. The way he . . . seemed not to care when all of this
took place, I didn’t understand. He was simply being strong, because he is the
leader of so many. And strong for me.”

           
The Priest nodded. “So you have finally found peace? Both of you?”

           
“I think so.” She said starting to stroll again.

           
“Leaving this chapter of your lives behind, is perhaps the best thing
you can do for each other.” The Priest said as they continued to walk
together.

Surprises

           
Aislinn was eagerly waiting by the window, watching the end of the
pathway for when James would come home from work. She could hardly wait or
contain her excitement. Finally, just after dusk, she saw him coming from the
street.

           
Turning around quickly she clapped her hands, “He’s here!” She
exclaimed clapping her hands. “Everyone get ready!” She said quieting
everyone, and moving to close the sliding doors.

           
James entered the house, and the maid took his things as usual. “Where
is Aislinn?” He asked finding it odd that she wasn’t at the door to greet
him. “Waiting for you in the dining hall, My Lord.” She said with a curtsey
before leaving to put his things away in their proper places.

           
He walked to the sliding doors and opening them, “Aislinn, is
everything . . .” However when he opened the door, he was greeted by a huge
shout from at least 50 people. His officers, their wives, and E.I.T.C. agents
including Lord Beckett. The Candles around the room were lit and everyone
applauded. The room was decorated from the floor to the ceiling and there was
quiet the party planned it seemed. Not to mention gifts piled high on the table
next to the wall.

           
Needless to say, James was dumfounded and quiet taken by surprise.
“What’s all this?” He asked when Aislinn walked to him taking his arm.

           
She smiled, “James, you know full well it’s your birthday today.”
She said with a light in her eyes and a giggle. He grinned, having been teasing
her.

           
“Thank you darling.” He said kissing her cheek. “You truly
surprised me.”

           
“It’s my first party.” She said looking around. Leaning closer she
whispered to him, “Did I do it right?” She asked.

           
“Oh, I think so.” James looked about the room and was rather
impressed. Aislinn had done a wonderful job, and it seemed as though she
didn’t miss a single thing. Even Michael was dressed in his best attire. “I
can hardly believe it, how did you manage all this?” He asked holding her hand
with an astonished smile on his face.

           
Aislinn grinned happily, “There were so many times I thought for sure
you knew. One of the invitations fell into someone’s hands and you were told
about it. I’m so glad that didn’t happen. Everyone I invited came.”

           
James wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly, “You are
truly a wonder, Aislinn.”

           
Almost immediately the party was underway. They had a huge feast, with
all sorts of foods, some of which were James favorite. Then a small dance, and
then cake. It was all quite perfect.

           
It was late at night when the guests started to leave, and the last one
was gone around midnight. James had gone upstairs to take off his uniform, but
stopped when he found himself quite alone.

           
Arching a brow, he went back downstairs and into the dining room. He
found Aislinn hard at work with the servants clearing away dishes and cleaning
up after their guests had gone. Crossing his arms, he leaned on the doorway
watching her for a moment, “You would think that by now I wouldn’t have to
tell you that isn’t your job.” He said.

           
Aislinn smiled and finished putting a few glasses on a tray as the maid
took them into the kitchen. “There’s no harm in helping a bit. It was a
large party,” she turned and walked over to him. “Did you enjoy it?” She
asked.

           
“Yes, very much so.” James wrapped his arms around her and kissed
her. When he pulled back, he looked down into her eyes seeing them shine back up
at him. He ran his fingers through her hair smoothing it back a bit.

           
“What is it?” She wondered when he saw the way he looked at her.

           
“Just admiring my beautiful wife . . . and how well she has done, how
far she has come since leaving the convent in London.” He said approvingly,
not being able to help but feel proud of her. “When I asked for your hand . .
. and our marriage was arranged, I had no idea who you were. I’d never seen
you . . . hadn’t even the presence of mind to ask your age.” He kissed her
forehead softly before looking into her eyes again, “Now, I’m thankful that
nothing kept me from taking you as my wife. You’ve given me a handsome son,
and so much more.”

           
Aislinn smiled, her eyes still gleaming with happiness that she had been
able to make his birthday memorable. “I would have no other man in this world
for my husband.” She said softly, “There is no better man then you.”

           
James started to laugh a bit, finding her quite the ego boost sometimes.
“You know, I think it’s about time to retire . . . what do you think?” He
asked leaning down and kissing her neck, pulling her tighter against his body.
Aislinn giggled a little bit, and nodded. James grinned and took her by the hand
as they ran upstairs, almost racing to see who would get there first.

War Times

           
It was 3am when the sound of cannon fire shook the Port Royal citizens
from their beds. Every man, woman and child were made painfully aware they were
under attack.

           
James sent Aislinn and the servants down into the cellar below their
house where they would be safe. Had it been a storm, he would have taken her
with him, but since the Fort was no doubt the main target for attack, he
didn’t want her there in the line of fire of all places.

           
Aislinn and the servants did as they were told, even though she was very
upset by the danger James was in. The Admiral immediately headed down to the
fort as fast as he could. It wasn’t his watch tonight, otherwise he would have
been on duty when the attack began.

           
“How many ships have invaded the harbor?” James demanded taking the
glass from the officer.”

           
“Three sir. Soldiers have been sent to the shores to intercept any
landing parties.” The officer reported.

           
“How is it that they attacked before the alarm was sounded?” He
demanded to know.

           
“We heard nothing, and without moonlight it’s incredibly dark. Not
even the watch on the beach were able to see them.” He said apologetically.

           
“Concentrate all fire on their flag ship. With any luck, the other two
will loose their nerve and attempt to run. Have the ships on the other side of
the island signaled immediately.” James ordered.

           
“Aye, sir.” The orders were quickly shouted and passed down the line
of cannons. Reports continued to come in, until the one he absolutely hoped
would not come.

           
“Admiral Norrington! They’ve breached our forces on the beach,
several landing parties have broken through our lines and are now wreaking havoc
on the town!” A panicked soldier said.

           
“Send our reinforcements to help our other units that are under attack.
Use deadly fire, I’m not interested in prisoners today. Protecting civilians
is our first priority. GO!” He shouted sending several officers to organize
the attack.

           
Not long after, Lord Beckett appeared on the scene, “I supposed Port
Royal has been long overdue for a misguided attempt to overrun it.” He said
walking to the wall looking out towards the harbor. The view was beginning to
become obscured by the smoke from the weapons fire.

           
“Lord Beckett, this is hardly the place you should be right now. You
should be below where it’s safe.” James said hardly wanting his company when
he was trying to coordinate an offensive.

            
“Whoever they are, they will be sorely disappointed to learn Port Royal
has been without a Governor for sometime. They’ll have no one to hold to
ransom.” Beckett said ignoring James words. The Admiral knew it would be
useless to order him, since he would simply ignore him anyway.

           
“It’s not always their intention to do so, My Lord.” Norrington
said with a sigh, aggravated that he couldn’t be left alone, even now. “Many
have no ambitions beyond destruction and pillage.”

           
“Either way, Admiral. It’s preferred they do not leave this harbor.
An example must be made of those who are foolish enough to attempt an attack on
this colony.” Beckett informed him.

           
It was obviously a given that was exactly James intention. Beckett’s
acting as though Norrington didn’t know how to do is job, was only insult to
injury. “Of course. Our ships patrolling the area around the far side of the
island have been signaled to come in immediately.” Norrington sighed, “For
three attack vessels to make it into the harbor, I have to assume our sentry
ships were overtaken.”

           
More reports flooded in about the progress of the attack, and even some
reports of casualties. The civilians in the town were brought into the fort to
get them out of the way of the very real war that had been waged on Port Royal.

           
However, the attack seemed to come to an abrupt halt, for no reason that
James could see. It seemed as though the ships and the raiders were all in
retreat. James thought that extremely odd. There wasn’t nearly enough damage
done to the town or the intruders to call a retreat.

           
The other ships that had already been signaled, were signaled again to
begin pursuit of the trespassing ships. James ordered that a full inventory of
what had been damaged and what was looted to be taken immediately. Something was
amiss, but he wasn’t sure what.

 Terrorized

           
James received a report that his own house was one of the buildings that
had been damaged. With this news, he immediately headed home wanting to see that
Aislinn and the baby were alright taking several soldiers with him.

           
Much to his dismay, when he arrived he found that his front door had been
broken down, the windows broken, and what looked like two massive holes through
the walls that had to have been caused by cannon balls. His breath caught in his
chest as he rushed up the path entering the house.

           
Norrington had to kick debris and splintered wood out of the way to get
into the door. His eyes went wide as he saw the destruction that had been done.
“Aislinn!” He called out into the house. As he went further inside, he found
something even worse. There were men, dead men strewn about the house. They had
obviously been some of the intruders, that had been killed during the attack.
“AISLINN!!!” He called even louder then before.

           
He and the soldiers instantly went searching through the house for any
survivors. When several bodies of his servants were found, James found himself
in a full panic. He ran from room to room kicking the doors open, kicking things
out of the way. When he had started to give up hope, he heard what sounded like
a moan.

           
Turning on his heel, he followed the sound to a large pile of rubble.
Underneath planks of wood he saw a female hand sticking out that seemed to be
twitching. “HERE!” He shouted. Two soldiers came into the room and helped
him move the stones and wood out of the way. Moving the last, he found Aislinn
laying unconscious, having taken a hard blow to the head. The important thing
was, that she was alive. However there was blood on her hands and smeared on her
face, which gave him even more cause to worry.

           
Quickly picking her up into his arms, he left the house carrying her to
the fort. On his way out of his home, he ordered that the house continued to be
searched for any other survivors, particularly his son.

Condition

           
The doctor attended Aislinn, cleaning her face and wound before wrapping
a bandage around it. It took a few stitches before he could cover it, but he
stopped the bleeding. It looked much worse then it actually was.

           
James paced outside the door, having been to upset to let the doctor do
his job, he was asked to leave the room. Finally, the door opened and he was let
back in. “Well? How is she? Will she be alright?” He asked.

           
“She’s lucky her skull wasn’t broken. Otherwise I would have less
confidence that she would be alright. A few scrapes, and bruises but she should
be fine.” He reported. James looked at her hands and arms.

           
“The blood on her hands, . . . there was no wounds on them . . . were
there.” He asked, almost hoping that he would say there were.

           
“No. There was to much of it for it to have been hers. It must have
been someone else’s.” The doctor picked up his case and left having a number
of other people to see to. James crossed his arms and paced by her bed again. Oh
God, whose blood was that? Could it have been Michael’s? There was still no
word on his whereabouts, or even his body if he’d been killed.

           
A few minutes later, he saw Aislinn start to mutter and her body squirm
about. Norrington sat down beside her and spoke to her gently trying to calm her
down. Then suddenly, her eyes popped open and she screamed, “NO!” her arms
struck out as if beating away an attacker.

           
The Admiral quickly caught her in his arms, “It’s alright, you’re
safe now. It’s over.” He said quickly trying to let her know that the siege
was done. Aislinn was breathing hard as she looked about.

           
“Michael . . . where’s Michael!” She screamed pushing James away.

           
“We . . .we didn’t find him.” He said still holding her arms trying
to calm her down. He was afraid to ask, but he had to. “What happened,
Aislinn.”

           
“They took him, they took my baby!” She screamed tears filling her
eyes, “They took my son!” She cried. James eyes went wide.

           
“What?” He said looking at her. “Are you sure?” He asked. She
nodded, tears in her eyes. Norrington had so many emotions pulsing through him
at once he could hardly breathe. “Aislinn . . .tell me what happened.” He
said holding her by the shoulders and finding her gaze so she would focus and
look into his eyes. “You must tell me.”

           
“They came for us. They came looking for us. When we were discovered,
the servants tried to help us escape. But . . . but we couldn’t. They caught
us, and took Michael from me.” Tears streamed down her face as she remembered
more and more, “They tried to take me, but I wouldn’t let them. The walls
were exploding, people started dying. And the man who held me . . . wouldn’t
let me go, and I couldn’t see Michael anymore.” She paused there, as if she
had just remembered something else. She lifted her hands starring at the dried
blood as her body started to shake from head to toe. “Oh my God . . .” She
said, horror across her face.

           
It wasn’t Michael’s blood, that much was for certain. However the
look on Aislinn’s face spoke volumes. She had done something to defend
herself. The shock in her eyes made him realize that she may have been quite
successful. “What happened?” He said trying to get her to continue to speak.

           
“He’s dead . . . he’s dead, oh my God, HE”S DEAD!!” She cried,
her eyes never blinking or leaving her blood covered hands. “I just . . . I
was just trying to make him let me go . . . I didn’t mean . . . I didn’t . .
.” She said hardly able to speak.

           
“You defended yourself.” James said trying to finish her thoughts and
make sense of them. “To protect you and the baby from the intruders. 

           
“It all happened so fast . . .” she cried. “I didn’t mean to! He
ran at me and . . . and I was holding your dagger in front of me. I was afraid
he was going to grab me again.” She said, her eyes seeming to glaze over
beneath the tears. “The walls blew up, and shattered everywhere . . .” She
said. “I . . . I killed him.” She said.

           
James quickly pulled her against him holding her tight. It was obvious
she was incredibly traumatized, and who wouldn’t be? She was going into shock,
and he could see it and feel it in her body.