It was a breezy summer afternoon for young Magnolia, she was as happy as any young woman could be because today, was her wedding day. She was only 17 and her soon-to-be husband was 20. Her parents had arranged this when she was but a baby. But little did she know that a horrible Pirate named Rutsford, he was of the age of 21 and he had been watching young Magnolia since he first laid his eyes on her when he was 13. And he first became a Pirate like his father. Magnolia's mother was doing some last minute things to her daughter's dress before it was time. Her whole family was waiting on the beach as was her groom, Maxwell Voughn. She did not love him, but her mother always said that she would grow to love him. Magnolia had long blonde hair and the bluest eyes and wasn't all that tall for a 17 year old. Her father had tought her how to sword fight just in case she needed it.

The story of the horrible Pirate Rutsford was a story told to young children in the local library by sailors when they came back from sea. They would claim they saw him in his ship terrorizing innocent sailors. Magnolia loved the story and had heard it many times from her grandfather growing up. The last time she heard the story was when she went fishing with her grandfather when she was only 13 and that was the first time she had ever seen the horrible Capiton up close. He had come onto his boat and had taken her locket. She cried for days after the locket was taken it was a gift from her grandmother and she knew that she may never see that locket ever again. As her mother finished it she put the vail on her and smiled as she lifted the vail to show her face. Her mother took her hand and walked her outside to the sandy beach where everyone was waiting for her. The Pirate Rutsford got word of the wedding and set corse for the island and planned to kidnap Magnolia and take her for his own. She was walking down the isle when she saw the ship far in the sea. She ignored it and was standing in front of Maxwell as the preist started the ceramony.

"If any one does not think these two should not be wed speak now or forever hold you peace." The preist said before starting the service.

"I do." Said a deep, rough voice walking down the isle.

"It's Capitan Rutsford!" Someone screamed.

"Oh, you're too kind." He said pulling his sword.

"Leave, you are not welcome here." Maxwell said taking his fencing sword.

"I shall leave when I get what I have come for." He said looking at Magnolia.

"You stay away from my daughter!" Her mother yelled holding her.

"Give me the girl and no one gets hurt." He said putting the tip of the sword to her neck.

"Mama!" Magnolia yelled as Rutsford took her from her mother's grip.

He held the sword up and made sure no one was following.

"Send 2,000 pounds and you may have her back." He said as he took her to his ship.

"Magnolia!" Her mother cried as she left.

"Mama!" Magnolia yelled back.

Capitan Rutsford put chains on her wrists and told her to be silent as his first mate took them back to the ship. When they got to the large ship she was passed up to the men above and put on the side while they brought the other two up. She went for the side and tried to jump over board and get back to her family, but was stopped and thrown down below. Rutsford came down shortly after and unchained her and left her alone. Poor Magnolia sat in a cornor in her ruined dress for days without any word from her family, she was frightened and she missed her family. She fell asleep with her knees to her chest and her face covered; she awoke the next day and looked around. She had hoped that it was only a dream.

Before she knew it three months had passed and Rutsford came down. The man was shirtless because he was practicing his sword play. His arms were huge as were his muscles and his hair was tied back except for a few strands hanging in his face. She did not look up at him she just kept her head in her lap as he knelt down beside her with his sword behind him. Rutsford took her face in his hand and looked into her eyes and he saw a very dark blue and she saw a very light green in his eyes. He removed her vail and threw it to the floor and gave her a ribbon to put her hair back and left without a word. She took the ribbon and tied her hair in it the way she used to and she stood up and went to a little porthole to look out into the sea.

For the first time in months Magnolia cried into her hands and fell to her knees and started talking to the sky as if she were prying.

"Why am I here? Why did he take me?" She asked with tears running down her face.

"Because he has feelings for you." Someone said coming down the stairs.

"Who are you?" She asked drying her face.

"My name is Smith, I'm the first mate to the Capiton." He said sitting on a stool, "Now come here and let me clean you up."

"Why does he keep me in this dark place?" She asked kneeling down in front of him.

"He fears you will leave him and die in the water." He said putting a warm wash cloth on her face.

"Why does he worry about me?" She asked moving the wash cloth.

"Because he has true feelings for you and you for him." He said smiling putting the wash cloth in the water and back on her face.

"How do you know that?" She asked blushing.

"Because I was with him when he first saw you." He said putting the cloth back in the bucket.

"Smith, where are you?" Rutsford yelled from his office.

"I must go just think about him and when he gives you a chance to get out of this dark place, take it." Smith said leaving.

"Thank you." She said standing.

"You are welcome." He said locking the door behind him.

After Smith locked the door he went to see what Rutsford wanted from him, but first he dumped out the bucket and put it back where he found it. As he went up the steps to Capitan Rutsford's sleeping quarters he fixed his bandanna. He knocked and entered the room where Rutsford was standing at a window in a puffy shirt with string holding it slightly open. He turned to the short man and went to go sit at his desk, but did not sit in the chair he sat on the desk facing Smith and crossed his arms. Smith looked to the floor and waited for him to speak because he was unsure that he knew that he was talking with his prisoner. Rutsford just sat there and Smith said something to break the silence.

"You called for me Capitan?" He asked raising his head.

"Yes, what were you talking to Magnolia about?" He asked with a kind of strerness in his voice as if he were mad.

"I was cleaning the dirt off her face." He said as if he had done nothing wrong.

"Did she say anything?" Rutsford asked nervously.

"Yes, she was very upset that you took her from her family and that you are keeping her in such a dark place. She wants to leave." He said in a disappointing voice.

He threw a bottle at the wall and it made Magnolia jump and she could tell that he was mad about something. Rutsford was more mad than he had ever been before, he threw things off his desk and threw things at the wall from the news. Smith tried to calm him down and get him to sit and think about what he was doing and that he was probably scaring Magnolia with all the noise. He stopped when he heard that he may be scaring Magnolia with his anger. Rutsford cared for her and didn't like scaring her and little did he know that he frightened her when he took her 3 months ago and would do anything for her forgiveness. He sat down and heard one of the men yell for him and that there was a ship approaching them. Rutsford got his sword and came out and Magnolia went to a crack in the door and watched as they pulled a man in a suit aboard. He had a suitcase and was walking to a barrel as Rutsford and Smith came to meet him and ask what he was doing here.

"Capitan Rutsford?" The man asked.

"What do you want?" He asked coming down and the streness returning.

"The money you asked for, here it is." He said opening the case.

Rutsford looked at the money in the open case, counted it, and looked back at the man in rage.

"Do you think that I am some kind of fool?" He yelled at him.

"What is wrong?" He asked looking around.

"This is only 1,000 pounds I said 2,000 now you can tell her parents that they must pay 4,000 for the safe return of their daughter!" Rutsford exclaimed.

"I am sorry, I thought it was 2,000." He said innocently.

Rutsford sent him off with the 1,000 and went back to his office. The man was sent back with his case and he sailed back and told her parents that they must pay more because of his mistake. Rutsford was mad and threw something at the wall and went to his bed and laid there in the quiet. Magnolia's family tried hard to get the money, but they could only get so much. Magnolia just sat listening to Rutsford talk to Smith from below and was thinking that she did have strong feelings for him. She thought of everything that she went through she always saw a ship not far from her room when she was growing up. She fell asleep in the corner she had gone to and dreampt of going home to her family and being with them again. The next morning she awoke to find Smith hanging a new dress on a nail and a bucket of water and a wash cloth. Magnolia stood up and went to the dress and had Smith help her lace it up in the back and he braided her hair and took her to meet Rutsford face to face and if she were lucky get her locket back. She followed Smith up into Rutsford's office, but she had to carry his tea in and put it on his desk while he was looking out the window.

She walked in with the tray and put it on his desk and filled the cup and started for the door. He didn't turn around and he thought she was Smith so he asked a very strange question she would be more then happy to answer.

"Smith, do you think she loved the man her parents choose for her?" He asked depressed.

"No, I didn't love him, but my mother said I would learn to love him, though I felt in my heart that I could never love him." She said.

He turned and saw her standing there with her hands folded on her apron with a frown on her face. Rutsford just stood there looking at her taken in by her beauty and this was the first time she had laid eyes on Capitan Rutsford and was shocked by his looks, she had only seen his face, but now she saw him standing. Magnolia never thought that a Pirate could ever look like this and the shirt he was wearing gave her a smile she had not had in months and she had a feeling she had not felt before. She smiled at him one more time and left him alone, but he felt he was ruining his chance to know more about her so he said.

"Magnolia, wait." He said extending his hand.

"May I help you?" She asked turning her head back looking over her shoulder.

"I would like, you to stay and I wish to speak with you." He said pulling a chair up.

"My family will pay you your money and I will be able to go home. That is all I have to say to you." She said leaving.

He frowned and sat in his chair and poured himself a bit of Brandy and called for Smith. Smith entered as she went back below with a single tear running down her face, the short man was confused because he heard no yelling. When he looked at Rutsford he was in his chair sipping his Brandy looking out the other window. He was thinking what he did wrong he thought he had done nothing wrong. So he asked Smith if he knew.

"You took her from her family." Smith answered without thought.

"Is she still mad?" He asked putting his empty cup down.

"May I suggest something Capitan?" Smith asked.

"What?" He said standing.

"Be nice to her." He said smiling.

"How do I be nice to her when she acts this way?" He asked walking to the front of his desk.

"Show her your soft side." Smith said sweetly.

"How do I do that?" He asked tucking in his shirt.

"Show her you care." He said sitting him down.

"Can you help me?" Rutsford asked.

Smith nodded and brought out a pair of scissors and started trimming Rutsford's facial hair. He gave Rutsford a lovely mustache and took off his beard giving him a small patch of hair on his chin when he was given a mirror he liked the way he looked. But, Smith told him that this was just the beginning of something that Magnolia would love. So after the men went to bed Smith taught Rutsford to be more caring towards her and show her how he felt when it was time. Before they started Magnolia came to the top of the stairs and watched as Smith talked to Rutsford. He hit the door to get her attention and get her to watch. They started out with something so simple like talking to her in a sweet tone like he did when he would talk to the sea. Rutsford gave him a you're carzy look and walked to the side of the ship.

"I care for you with all my heart and I hope that you feel the same for me. Though I am a rough pirate on the outside, I can be a sweet and caring man when I want to be, or need to be." Rutsford said looking to the sea.

Magnolia sat down on the top step and held her mouth to keep from making any noises from what he had just said. She never thought that such a horrible man could be so sweet on the inside and hide it so well and be tough to his men and those who fear him. She thought to herself, all the stories about him are wrong and he's a sweet guy under all that roughness. She smiled and stood back up to hear what else he had to say or if he was going to say anything more. But, when she stood he was sitting on the side looking out to the sea with his sword holding him up. She leaned on the door looking at him and thinking how wrong everything she heard was. Magnolia walked back down and looked out her window to the sea.

"This can't be real because such a horride man couldn't have a sweet side no Pirate does. Do they?" Magnolia said looking out to the blue water.

She heard music from above and started spinning around and around like she did when her father would play music as he worked. She felt like a little girl again and kept spinning letting her hair come out of the ribbon it was in. After Magnolia spun she fell to the floor laughing, but was also brought back to reality and saw that she was still trapped in a dark place. She than fell asleep on a pile of hay that was there using her wedding dress to cover up and keep warm from the cold. Before Rutsford went to bed he took a blanket down to Magnolia and covered her and put the dress under her head. Rutsford than started back up to his own room and went to sleep. She dreampt of her family and how they must feel without her there and what it would be like when she got back. Magnolia knew she had a husband waiting to finish something that was started a few months ago and she could wait for that. Magnolia wasn't too happy about the marrige and was only doing it to make her mother happy. Though it made her mother happy, but that's not what Magnolia wanted, she wanted more from this than a marrige full of unhappiness.

She awoke the next morning and saw the blanket over her and was confused about it and there was a bucket of hot water with a clean wash cloth hanging next to it. Magnolia went over and cleaned her face and sat in her usual corner to wait to see if she could daydream and think of home. But, the memories of home where becoming more faint, because she had been away from her home for 4 months and was hoping that her family was getting the money. In the middle of the day Smith came down and took Magnolia's hand and brought her to the deck. As Smith brought her up he gave her a sword and not a little fencing sword a sword a man used. Rutsford was in the middle of a circle fighting anyone who thought they could fight him.

"Smith, what is going on?" Magnolia asked confused.

"You are going to fight Rutsford, Magnolia." Smith said in an encouraging voice pushing her into the middle with Rutsford.

"What, are you crazy?" Magnolia asked in fear.

He pushed her through and Magnolia stumbled, but held the sword tight in her hand, the men laughed at her and Rutsford looked puzzled. He gave no sign that he would take it easy and he wasn't going to either. Rutsford looked at her and laughed pointing his sword, he looked over at Smith and asked him if he was serious about this? Magnolia stood tall and sliced his shirt while his back was turned, his smile dissappeared and he removed his ruined shirt and came at her with a force. She came at him and their swords hit and they looked into eachother's eyes for a few seconds and pushed apart. They fought they sliced eachother's clothes, she sliced his pants and he sliced her dress and apron, but there was no blood. They stopped.

"A worthy apponent." Rutsford said panting.

"As are you, Capiton." Magnolia said panting as well.

"What do you want if you should win?" He asked raising his sword.

"A night out of that dark room to look upon the sea from a better view." She answered.

"Hmm, agreed, beat me and enjoy your night of the sea." Rutsford said with an evil smile.

When it came to sword fights Rutsford never lost and Magnolia her father had tought her well in sword play and wasn't about to let a Pirate beat her at something she knew very well. Magnolia and Rutsford held their swords at each others throats and walked in a circle waiting for the other to make the first move so they could strike. Rutsford knew little about young Magnolia and her past of sword play and how she would fight for her honor and she was ready to strike.

"What an interesting girl." Rutsford thought to himself.

"When is he going to strike?" Magnolia asked herself.

Than finally Rutsford became tired and took a swing at Magnolia in anger and missed the dress by just inches, Magnolia smiled and swung back and put a big hole into his pants. Rutsford fell to the floor and looked up at Magnolia in surprise and she looked back at him with a smile on her face because she had a night of freedom. After Rutsford got the sword back he went back to his office and sat at his desk still in shock at what had happened. As for the rest of the men they went to their bunks and went to sleep and Magnolia claimed her prize when Smith went with the rest of the men. She sat on the rail and leaned against a pole looking out to the sea smiling. Rutsford was sitting on his bed with his head in his hands and thinking of his defeat he did not like losing. It was a new feeling to him. After a while he heard footsteps on the deck and he thought that Magnolia had gone to bed. So he went out to look out to his sea to see if that would calm him and help him to sleep, as he walked out he did not see Magnolia sitting close by. He put his hands on the rail with his head hanging between his shoulders.

"Couldn't sleep Capiton?" Magnolia asked.

"I thought you were in bed." Rutsford said jumping from her words.

"Can't sleep. What about you?" Magnolia asked letting her foot dangle below her.

"Couldn't sleep as well." Rutsford said sitting on a barral.

Magnolia looked away and didn't look at him not even for a second and just looked in the direction of her home as a tear fell from her eye.

A year had passed by and Magnolia had not heard word from her family or seen a small boat with a suited man that carried the 4,000 pounds. Magnolia was very sad and lonely and her feelings towards Rutsford had changed very little. She saw Rutsford as more then a horrible Pirate she saw him as a sweet man. One day while she was in her usual place Rutsford was talking to Smith with something big on his mind.

"Smith?" Rutsford asked nervously.

"Yes, Capiton?" Smith answered.

"I think I have fallen for Magnolia." Rutsford said with a smile.

"That's great sir." Smith said with excitment.

Rutsford pushed away from the side and went for Magnolia's door and walked down silently while she was looking out the window looking upon the sea as always. He came behind her and spun her around. He kissed her firmly on the lips and held her close in his arms. Magnolia was in shock, but after the first few seconds she closed her eyes and rested her arms on his shoulders. His hand on her wrist and her foot popped at the right moment as the kiss between them became the most romantic thing she had ever done. Rutsford dipped her down and brought her back up still holding her in his arms it was the best thing Magnolia had ever felt. When they separated Magnolia was as red as a Rose and Rutsford walked out moving from side to side. It was a whole different sensaition that was new to him and her. They sat down when the other was out of sight and sighed when they sat smiling. When Magnolia came up she went straight to Rutsford while he was doing his daily sword play and took a sword and fought him.

"What will the prize be?" Magnolia asked with confidence.

"A kiss under the moonlight." Rutsford said with an evil smile.

"Alright, and when I win I get another night under the stars." Magnolia said with a sweet smile.

"Agreed." Rutsford said cutting her apron to get things started.

So she swung at his pants and ruined them yet again and smiled big at him as he but the skirt of her dress. They did as they did the first time and she won yet again. The men went to bed and Rutsford couldn't sleep so he came out to find Magnoila sitting on the rail looking to the sea. She had forgotten all about Maxwell and the only people that were on her mind were her family and Capiton Rutsford, but when the time came she could go home she would be forced to leave and marry Maxwell. Magnolia did not love Maxwell and she would never grow feelings about him as she has grown for Rutsford over the past year.

When she saw Rutsford he was next to her with his hand on hers. He took her by the waist and took her off the rail and looked into her eyes and his plans were to tell her that he had true feelings for her. Magnolia was going to tell him how she felt about him. But, instead she said she was tired and went to bed, he grabbed her arm and admitted that he had true feelings for her and wanted her to stay with him even if the money came. She ran off to her room and shut the door and said how she felt as she ran and made Rutsford scream to the heavens that he was greatful for her. When she woke the next morning she was happy about everything that had happened that night.

A few days passed by and while she was sitting with Smith talking to him a man from the look out shouted out that someone was approaching them and he was holding a suit case. Magnolia feared the worst. As they brought him up Rutsford came down and saw the man count out 4,000 pounds and drag Magnolia off. When she arrived home Rutsford was still looking to where she was taken. Magnolia was being put into a new wedding dress and getting ready for her wedding, yet again. As she walked down the isle Rutsford was still standing there.

"What are you still doing here?" Smith yelled.

Rutsford looked at him and said nothing.

"You love her don't you?" He asked again.

Rutsford nodded and jumped into a boat and started towards the wedding to stop this thing yet again. Magnolia was standing at the end of the isle waiting for the band to begin. As they began Rutsford was only a few minutes away and he could hear the band playing so he rowed faster and faster. When he got there he had landed on the far side if the beach just a few moments away from the wedding so he began to run. Rutsford stopped when the preist said his exact words for the second time and he said that he objected and the preist stood to the side and the guests.

"Magnolia, I care for you and I was too stupid to say it before in words." Rutsford said walking closer.

"Rutsford..." She said with tears in her eyes.

"She could never love a man like you!" Maxwell yelled.

"Let her speak. Magnoila do you love me?" Rutsford asked sweetly.

"Yes, I do." She said running to him.

"Magnolia!" Maxwell said angerly.

"Oh, shut up!" Her mother said as Magnoila kissed rutsford.

As Maxwell started towards them her father tripped him and they were wed with in a few hours. A year past and they had three boys and a little girl as tough as her mommy. As for Maxwell nobody knows what happened to him. :)

The End!