((I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean or any of the characters therein. I only created the OC's of the Fitzpatrick's and all family/enemies related to them as well as this story idea. This story is rather "epic" in scope so sadly it will take some time to get it all out-I do live outside of fanfiction alas-so I ask in advance for patience and "mercy". If you want to speed things up then send me reviews and messages egging me on-I'll openly admit I'm a sucker for nice reviews. The first few chapters, until otherwise stated, will all occur before the first movie.))

1727, Scotland

Some are blessed with family and some cursed. As time ticked past, and the longer she was in their company, Ashlynne Fitzpatrick felt that at this very moment her family was more of a curse than a blessing.

"Yer daft and ye willnae admit it e'en to yerself!" She gritted her teeth when she heard a condescending sigh following the exclamation shouted in her direction, "Ye are livin' in denial, m'dear."

Choosing to ignore her cousin Devlin's insult, Ashlynne instead concentrated harder on her struggle to stay seated on her horse, not an easy task when her rear screamed how much it hated her for the torture of two straight weeks of riding. Ashlynne pulled her long coat tighter around her shoulders. With the biting breeze, Ashlynne was glad she hadn't bothered with packing any dresses into her saddle bags. They were a nuisance when riding for long periods of time anyway.

Ashlynne sighed as she looked up at the dreary sky and squinted against the misty rain. She did agree with Devlin on certain points of what he said. At times, she did come across as being somewhat daft, for lack of a better description of her absentmindedness, but she was a very clever woman most of the time. However, dear cousin Devlin didn't see her oddness as a sometime thing but more of a continuous habit.

"How am I bein' daft? My sister's beggin' me to come to her and ye see me as mad for wantin' to figure out what's wrong?" Ashlynne suddenly yelled back at Devlin with a scowl on her face.

Brendan, the kindest and most patient of all her cousins present, pulled his horse closer, "He doesnae mean to say that ye shouldnae come to Hope's aid but I'm sure he does think yer missin' a few bits of common sense."

Before Ashlynne could argue her cousin Gamaliel flanked her other side, "Tis true that ye could have waited till these storms were gone afore we set out. It's quite idiotic of us to travel whilst the weather is so bad." His eyes took on a far off look as he dramatically struck a pose, "We could lose our way and wander lost for weeks until we all die of starvation and thirst."

Ashlynne shook her head at her over dramatic cousin but smiled, "Always the joyful one arenae ye Gamaliel? Also, how can we die of thirst when it rains so bloody much in this cursed place?"

Gamaliel just shrugged, "Death is always just a misguided step away. Just because I always see the truth in life doesnae mean I cannae be joyful. Ye ken that I can be verra joyful. I enjoy my share of merry makin'!"

"Aye, but only after ye have consumed half the barrels of ale in all of the Emerald Isle!" Ashlynne's good friend Parlan yelled from somewhere behind them.

Gamaliel grimaced, "And ye think that ye donnae drink just as much as me?"

"Aye I do," Parlan suddenly appeared close beside Brendan, his usual lopsided smile spread across his boyish face, "but at least I can hold my ale without prancing about like a silly dolt!"

Before yet another argument could break out amongst the two, Brendan shouted, "I do believe our destination is just ahead, if ye all would cease yer bickerin' we might be able to reach it before this weather takes another turn for the worse!"

Ashlynne managed to peer around Devlin's broad back to see that he spoke true and that Castle Dunkirdie was just on top of the next rise. Heaving a sigh of relief, Ashlynne hurried her horse along to keep up with the others. Although she dearly loved each one of her traveling companions, she was quite tired of having to constantly listen to them tease and provoke each other, let alone her. Two months was long enough in their company and she was eagerly looking forward to having a break from them. Though she enjoyed the male sex as much as any other female, her enjoyment had a tendency to weaken when confined with them on ships, in carriages, and on roads for over two months with no break.

At the ripe "old" age of nineteen and no husband in sight, no thanks to her choice of vocation as well as her choice of company—her cousins and Parlan did a good job of keeping away any would-be suitors—she definitely was no blushing virgin in regards to how men acted or thought. Sure, she had still never been with a man in the biblical sense but having to live with men in intimate quarters for extended periods of time had taught her many things—some she wished she could unlearn—about men. This excursion with her cousins had actually been mild compared to what she normally had to handle.

Once they arrived in the keep and were ushered towards the great hall, Ashlynne noticed that something was amiss. Castle Dunkirdie had never been a place of great warmth and laughter but it seemed especially cold and dreary this day and it wasn't completely due to the weather. She hoped that her sister would explain to them why their childhood home was so dark. They were left alone once they were standing in the great hall. Gamaliel wore the look of one who was waiting for the other shoe to drop and Ashlynne was sure the rest of the group wore similar expressions.

"Welcome!" Ashlynne instantly stiffened when she heard his voice.

Her cousins quickly formed a protective barrier around her as Parlan approached Laird Ingram Comyn, the man who had framed then brutally murdered her parents and forced most of her family to flee back to Ireland after false accusations of betrayal and traitorous behavior. Ashlynne had long prayed that the man had finally met his fate and died a horrible death, but obviously that was still yet to come.

"Why are ye here?" Ashlynne barely kept herself from yelling her question as she tried to lunge past her cousins; sadly Brendan and Gamaliel held her back.

Ingram smiled, his lips thin, "Why my dear that is no way to greet yer host and laird."

Gamaliel growled and stepped forward with his sword ready, "How did ye become laird of Dunkirdie?"

"I merely took what was mine," he waved his hand and a whole garrison of soldiers quickly filled the room with their swords drawn, "Withnae all of yer family here, yer sister had no choice but to let me in. Now if ye would be as kind as to lower yer weapons I believe we can all have a pleasant conversation without bloodshed."

Ashlynne grimaced and lowered her head. Never in her life had she felt so useless and such a failure. When her sister had needed her most she had failed to come. She'd always been there for her sister, from the time when Ashlynne took the blame for painting the family dog to the time when Ashlynne covered for her sister's absence while she went out fishing when she was supposed to be studying with the tutor. Though their personalities differed, Hope and Ashylnne had always been kindred spirits and supportive of one another.

The message, when it had finally reached her, was already almost a year late. Ashlynne had been on an anthropological expedition with Parlan in the Himalayas for the scientific society of England—her sex overlooked by the wealthy old patron she'd managed to charm a few years ago while he'd been in Ireland—when she got word of her sister's dilemma. Even then, it had taken her a good amount of time to travel back to Ireland to collect three of her closest cousins in order to make the journey fully prepared.

"What? Have I rendered ye speechless my dear? What a pity, I do so love yer ranting." Ingram snickered and waved his hand again.

Moments later Hope appeared, not terribly battered but clearly shaken. Nothing could've held Ashlynne back as she rushed to her sister's side and embraced her. Hope felt much smaller from when Ashlynne had last seen her nearly a year and a half back and Ashlynne knew it was from Ingram's cruelty. For a few seconds, Ashlynne was blinded by her fierce hatred for the man and a blood lust began to take over her but then Hope clutched Ashlynne fiercely and began to cry, bringing Ashlynne back to reality.

"Why have ye done this?" Ashlynne yelled as she held her shaking sister.

Ingram clicked his tongue, "Now donnae be losing yer temper dear, ye know how little ye listen when that happens. This will all resolve itself if ye but do me a slight favor. I ken that ye would nay come back, or help me for that matter, if I didnae take things into my own hands. Now, if ye all would excuse us?"

Ingram nodded his head and Ashlynne's cousins, friend, and sister were quickly taken from the room. From the stricken look that Hope gave her what Ingram was about to suggest was horrible and would probably cost her her life. Ashlynne suppressed the urge to throw herself at the man and tear him limb from limb and instead stiffly sat in the chair across from his.

"What do ye wish of me?" she was surprised at how calm her voice sounded.

Ingram slowly poured some ale for the both of them, "Ye always cut to the true subject at hand donnae ye? I was so hoping we could enjoy a few moments trading stories from the past, but if ye insist then I will abide ye."

Ingram paused and slowly sipped at his ale. Just to spite him, Ashlynne downed the contents of her cup in one gulp. She was in no mood to deal with his games, especially when he held all of their lives in his unstable hands. Although he was a very sly man, he was also on the brink of insanity. Her parents had discovered this too late in the past.

"I want ye to go to the Caribbean and retrieve something verra precious to me. I'll have a boat waiting for ye o'er in Dover. Ye have one weeks time to get to Dover and set sail. I can assure ye that there is nay a way for ye to escape this, and e'en if ye try I will kill yer sister and torture yer family and friend until each of them dies a slow and verra painful death. Now how say ye?"

Ashlynne leaned back in her chair and processed all that Ingram had just told her. What he was suggesting would not only cost her life but it would most likely cost her cousin's lives and her friend's. She couldn't abandon her sister though; there was no possibility of her doing that; that wasn't even an option. They had always been there for each other; the daughters of the Fitzpatrick's were close and would never abandon one another.

"Well? Speak up!"

Ashlynne leaned forward and poured herself some more ale, "Ye cannae expect me to give ye an answer immediately after all that ye have thrown at me! I need some time to think over all that ye have suggested and converse with my family in order to come up with the best decision." Ashlynne calmly leaned back and drank her ale.

"Best decision?" Ingram coughed as he choked on his laughter, "My dear, there is nay other decision in this matter! Ye have to do this or ye will pay with all their lives!"

Ashlynne nodded grimly, "I ken that, but I would like to discuss this matter with my family afore we are forced to leave."

"Och! Ye didnae think I'd let ye take yer cousins with ye now did ye?" He let out a harsh coughing sound that Ashylnne could only assume was laughter. "Nay, my men'll escort ye to Dover and from there ye'll be under the watchful eye of a trusted captain friend of mine."

"A pirate no doubt." Ashlynne growled into her mug.

Ingram smiled sinisterly as he stood, "Aye, that'll be the truth of it. Though he's considered more of a privateer for the crown these days. I'll leave ye to say yer goodbyes then it'll be off ye go."

Ashlynne nodded to herself and stood calmly until Ingram left the room. With stiff legs she walked to the fire and placed her hands on the stones of the mantle above it. Taking deep breaths in order to calm herself, Ashlynne thought over all that had just occurred. She was still in shock from finding her old home in the hands of her enemy and now she had to deal with all else that he had said. So much anger was building up inside of her that she feared her head would explode. Taking one last breath she let it out in a loud scream.

"Lassie! Shut that mouth of yers afore ye deafen us all!" yelling as well, Devlin suddenly appeared at her side.

Ashlynne stopped and put her hand against her now light head, "Sorry, I just didnae ken how else to calm down."

"Most people merely take deep breaths and count to a certain number, but I suppose everyone has their own ways. Personally, I find getting drunk, finding a nice big tree, and then pissing my cares away quite relaxing." Gamaliel spoke from the table where he poured a glass of ale but then proceeded to drink the rest of the pitcher.

"I think by now ye all ken that Ashlynne isnae like most people." Hope spoke up as she walked into the room.

Ashlynne hurried to her younger sister and took her in her arms. Although Hope had indeed grown smaller, Ashlynne could still sense the strength and fire that was inside each one of her family members. It was this assurance that Hope hadn't been completely defeated that allowed Ashlynne to let go of her sister and step slightly away in order to let her speak.

"Hope, how did this all happen?" Parlan was the first to voice all of their thoughts.

Hope took a deep breath, "Well, me and a few other lasses were out collectin' herbs for our healer when out of nowhere the soldier's appeared and took us hostage. It wasnae until hours later that Ingram came and it was then that I ken all was doomed. He ransomed me for entrance into Dunkirdie then promptly set about disarming all of our men and taking command. It was at that time that he instructed me to write to ye but he wouldnae let me tell ye why for fear that ye would come with all of our family."

Ashlynne nodded and took her sister into her arms again, "It wasnae yer fault Hope, there was nothin' anyone could do in that situation except what was done."

"Are ye going to do as Ingram said?" Hope pulled away and looked into Ashlynne's face, fear apparent in her gaze.

"I ken there is naught else that I can do! If ye all value yer lives I have to!" Ashlynne exclaimed, throwing her arms about in anger and frustration.

Brendan looked up from the fire in curiosity, "What did he ask ye to do?"

Ashlynne quickly explained all that had been spoken of and of the chances they had if they tried to escape. She knew in her heart that there was no other way but to proceed with what Ingram had ordered but she dearly wished there weren't so many lives depending on the outcome. Ashlynne had gone on dangerous missions before, after all that was part of her job; she was used to her life being threatened, who wasn't when they were the first to come upon an uncivilized culture, but she wasn't ever comfortable when more than her own life was threatened.

"Well how do ye expect to come about this object when ye donna e'en ken what it is? And if it's so precious then how are ye supposed to bring it back to this devil without his 'friend' layin' his piratey hands on it?" Gamaliel asked between gulps of ale.

Ashlynne glared at Gamaliel and placed her hands on her hips, "How daft do ye think I am? I ken that what e'er I do will have to be verra cunning but I donae ken what yet! So if ye would please stop drownin' yerself in ale and help me come up with a plan!" Ashlynne marched over to the table and knocked the ale pitcher out of her cousin's hands and into his lap, earning a few choice curses from the now soaked man.

Parlan began pacing and Ashlynne could only watch with bemusement as each one of her cousins in turn took to pacing the length of the room as well. She decided to sit at the table with Hope and wait out their pondering. Ingram came back and asked her decision in the time frame it took for her cousins to realize that pacing wasn't very helpful.

"I will do as ye say." She stood and glared over at the man. "However, I will do it in my own way."

Ingram frowned, "I donnae think ye are in any position to be setting stipulations."

"Do you trust this captain friend of yers more than ye trust me? Do ye have somethin' o'er his head the way ye have with me? How can ye trust him not to take this precious thing from me and leave ye with nothin'?" As she questioned him she saw his resolve wavering and so pressed on. "Let me sail to the Caribbean in my own fashion, under my own disguise, that way I can find this thing and bring it back to ye withnae botherin' yer 'friend' with this matter."

"How do I ken ye willnae go off and find reinforcements to try and rescue this lot?" Ingram stepped closer, attempting to use his height to intimidate her. "Yer no better than a pirate yerself."

Ashlynne stood to her tallest and squared her shoulders, "I give ye my word as a Fitzpatrick that I will retrieve this precious object from the Caribbean and return it to ye in one piece with nay fightin' ye so long as ye promise not to lay one threatenin' hand upon my family in my absence."

Out of the corner of her eye she could see her cousins stirring amongst themselves. It was obvious to her that they were weighing the pros and cons of killing Ingram now and being done with it. She hoped that they understood, as she did, that if Ingram fell now then they would all fall. His men were loyal to the death and where one evil man fell there were always two or three more to take his place.

"Verra well. I will give you a year to retrieve it and come back."

"A year? That is nay nearly enough time to get passage there, find this object, and come back again. There are too many variables." Ashlynne steeled herself against any more of his arguments. "Give me two years. If I am nay back in this verra spot in two years time then ye may do to my family as ye will and may God be the judge between us."

Ingram was silent in response. Hope was wringing her hands and out of the corner of her eye Ashlynne could see her cousins eyeing Ingram and herself with caution.

"Ye'll be sailing to Port Royal with this," he held out a bejeweled dagger of intricate design, "there's a blacksmith there in the town. Give that to him and he'll give ye what I want." Ingram held her gaze and for the first time she glimpsed what could have been mistaken as emotion beyond selfish pride. "If yer a day late, they'll all die."

Ashlynne clenched the dagger in her fist and nodded, "I understand."

And she did indeed, for if she failed her family would die. If she succeeded, well, she could die as well. Life was rapidly beginning to look more grim than the weather pounding away at the walls outside.

Ingram left her with her cousins then and they all sat at the table in a solemn hush. Each was wrapped up in his or her own thoughts. The longer they sat there the more and more convinced she was that she was most likely going to die but at least a plan was coming to fruition. It was Parlan who broke the silence.

"So what grand scheme do ye have?"

Ashlynne looked out the window and smiled, "I donna ken how grand it is but I have a wee lil plan cookin' up as we sit here."

"Heaven save us when she smiles like that!" Brendan spoke up from her side and the lot of them laughed, the sound strained but welcome.

Ashlynne continued to chuckle, though her heart clenched. Heaven help them indeed.