"Papa, tell me the story about the pirates of the seven seas!"
My father would pick me up and cradle me in his arms while showing a tired yet content smile, "Again cheri?"
"Please papa?" I would beg and beg him until he'd sigh and let out a soft chuckle, "Oui oui, I will tell you."
I'd nuzzle closer into his arms and he sit in his favorite chair while he retold the story.
"Once upon a time, there was a pirate who fought against everyone. Merchants and even other pirate feared him and wanted the riches he had. His name was, Arthur Kirkland."
I never thought Papa's story was real, until I turned twenty-one.
Matthew Bonnefoy let out a troubled sigh as he stood on the balcony of his father and his new home. The Bonnefoy's were famous merchants of the seven seas and were known from moving to place to place often to meet the needs of the people.
Matthew Bonnefoy was the son of this famous merchant and was forced to go with him where ever he went.
The young boy didn't mind much, but being forced on boat after boat by the sea was never fun, especially when it was his father's rule to never go on the beaches or near the sea unless he was there with him.
Thankfully to Matthew's happiness their new home was on the shore line near the Caribbean. He really loved the oceans beauty, even if he couldn't swim. He looked out to the sea and sighed, "If only I could see the town once."
"Cheri?"
Matthew turned and saw his father Francis Bonnefoy, "What did I hear about you wanting to go into the town?"
"It's my birthday Papa! Can't I have a lazy moment in my life once?"
"You know it is not allowed. The town is dangerously close to the ocean and I will not be able to have a straight mind if I worry over you. Why can't you ask for clothes or money like a normal child?"
"Because I am not normal and you know this! Please Papa, a day out is all I ask."
Matthew begged and begged until finally his father let out a chuckle and a sigh, "Alright, I will let you go."
Before Matthew's father could change his mind he kissed Francis's cheek and ran out yelling that he was the best dad ever and that he loved him.
"Please be careful cheri! You do not know the half of what lives in the seven seas!"
Matthew's heart was overwhelmed with joy.
The town was full of life and sounds that he had never heard in his life. There were young children playing the streets, old people talking amongst one another, and people on their way to work with stone faces.
He walked the streets slowly looking at what the street merchants were selling. There were some that sold food and others selling jewels and bracelets.
One stand caught his eye and he stopped seeing it was a woman and her jewelry stand. What caught his eyes was a locket with a flower pattern on it.
"Do you like that locket young man?"
Matthew was so drawn in by it he was surprised when the woman spoke to him, "W-what? U-um no I'm alright thank you!
When Matthew turned to leave the stand he bumped into something making him almost fall over, "S-sorry."
"Nah It's alright. Are you okay?"
Matthew looked up some and saw who he had bumped into was a boy who looked about the same age as him. He had on a torn shirt with some ruffed up pants and glasses on just like his own. Yet the first thing Matthew noticed was the boy's pure blue eyes.
"I-I'm alright."
The boy looked over at the locket that Matthew was looking at and smiled at him, "How about I repay you by getting you that locket you like so much."
"P-please don't do such things! It looks very expensive." Matthew was embarrassed by the offer, he didn't even know this person and he was offering him a present!
"You think I would pay? I think you're confused…"
Before Matthew knew what was going on the boy had grabbed his hand and was running with him. "W-what are you doi-"
"Stop them!"
"They stole that locket!"
The boys ran as fast as they could until their feet reached sand on the beach. Matthew's lungs were panting inhaling the sea air and saw that the other boy was laughing.
"Man, I haven't had that much fun since Iggy chased me around the ship for his maps!"
Matthew just stared as the boy continued to laugh. He had never seen someone so care free before, it was odd.
Once his laughter died down he turned to Matthew and held out the locket, "I believe this is yours."
Matthew snatched it and gave the boy a glare, "This is not mine! You stole it from that merchant lady!"
The boy blinked at him, "So you don't want it?"
Matthew looked down at the necklace and fiddled with it in his hands, "I n-never said I didn't want it."
The boy smiled, "Then think of it as a gift. It can be a un-birthday present from me to you."
"Um, it really is my birthday today."
They both looked at one another for the longest time before letting out a joyful laugh. Matthew had never laughed so care free, but he felt like he was on top of the world.
The two of them sat on the sand and stared off to the sea, "I'm Alfred by the way," the boy said finally introducing himself, "What's your name?"
"My name is Matthew, Matthew Bonnefoy."
"Bonnefoy…," Alfred stood up, "I'm sorry Matthew I have to get back to my, um, my family I guess. If I'm not back in time for my job they'll give me a good scolding."
He held his hand out to Matthew, "Want me to help you with your locket?"
Matthew could only nod as Alfred easily clicked the locket around the others neck. He showed him a dazzling smile, "Just like I thought, it looks great on you."
Matthew could only blush as Alfred ran off saying goodbye, "Hope to see you around Matthew!"
Matthew waved bye while holding his locket close to his chest. He smiled to himself and said how amazing his birthday was as the sun started to set.
Matthew walked slowly on the beach a little longer before heading back home. He knew his Papa would scold him for being so close to the water but he hoped since it was his birthday he would forgive him.
'Maybe tomorrow I'll see Alfred again... ' Matthew was pushed from his thought when he noticed in the distance his house has a red glow. 'What is Papa doing?'
He picked up his speed and started to run to his home seeing that the town he was in a few hours ago was now in total chaos.
The people were being chased by men in ragged clothes and bandanas with long swords. The men were fighting and dying around him with their blood stand the road while the woman were being picked up by the men as they yelled for their lives.
However, Matthew didn't stop to help them. He forced himself to keep running to his home, to his Papa. The yells and begs for help made him feel sick, but he focused hard and swore that by his life he reach his Papa.
When he finally reached his home it was engulfed in a pure red and orange flame. The servants were running our and screaming while some of the ragged clothed men chased after him.
Matthews first thought was to run, but he ran to the flames while he gripped his locket. "Papa! Papa where are you?"
He ran down the halls looking into every room he could think of. Finally the only place left to look was the balcony. He moved quickly and saw that his father was there, but so was someone else.
"Papa!"
He was about to reach his Papa when to unknown men grabbed him and held him in place.
"Unhand me!"
"Arthur you never said my son would be brought into this," Francis said with venom in his words.
Matthew looked and saw that his Papa was addressing the stranger in front of him. He wore a long pure red over coat with a black hate and a long feather on top. Messy blond hair framed the man's face with black and white pants. He also had bushy eyebrows that by some way framed his face.
"I can take whatever I want you frog." The stranger named Arthur turned to Matthew and showed him a scowl that was matched with bright forest green eyes.
"Take him away."
The two men pulled Matthew along tugging and pulling him with a fight as the small boy tried to fight back, "S-stop!"
Francis pulled his sword ready to take on the two men, but Arthur raised his sword to him, "If you're going to fight anyone Francis it's going to be me."
"I will not let you take my son!"
The two fought sword to sword as Matthew was thrown on the balcony and onto what seemed like a huge ship, "Tie that one up!"
"Ie Ie!" It seemed like just few seconds Matthew was tied against the mast tightly with no room for struggling. He could only watch in horror as his Papa fought against the man name Arthur with their swords clashing.
"Sorry Frog it seems I have to take my leave." Arthur jumped onto the balcony and showed a smirk to Francis, "Let the Bonnefoy family know that Arthur Kirkland has Francis Bonnefoy son!"
He jumped from the balcony and onto the deck almost as graceful as a fallen flower, "Get this ship moving now! Don't be slow about it you hear!"
Francis leaned over the rail in defeat and could only look at Matthew with horror in his eyes, "Cheri! I promise you I will get you back form him!"
"Papa!
The ship started to move away from there burning home, but Matthews vision was blurred by tears, "I will miss you Papa!Je t'aime!"
"Stay strong Cheri!Je t'aime!"
The pirates just laughed as well as Arthur, "Hear that boys! The little boy will miss his Papa." The men laughed harder as Arthur moved in front of Matthew and lifted his chin with his hand, "Hello there poppet, Arthur Kirkland at your service."
I never knew pirates were real.
I never knew Arthur Kirkland was real.
I never knew my future would be intertwined with these people.
I didn't know a lot of things back then.
-Enjoy