Fanfiction: Horatio Hornblower (G)
Title: K is for Kennedy
Pairing/Characters: Edward Pellew, Archie's parents
Rating: G
Fandom: Horatio Hornblower
Word Count: 623
Spoilers: For Duchess and the Devil.
Summary: Captain Pellew delivers Archie's letter
Notes/Warnings: Written for the Alphabet Soup challenge lokei is hosting. The character of choice for this round is Archie. Directly inspired by E is for Epistle. Beta by mylodon.
K is for Kennedy
Sir Edward Pellew, captain of His Majesty's Ship, the Indefatigable, hesitated on the front steps of the London residence. He had been here only once before, several months ago, to deliver the worst news a captain could give to a sailor's family. Considering the fact that the sailor in question had been one of his officers, Captain Pellew had felt it only fitting that it be delivered in person and not through the post. Now, however, the news he was about to deliver was the best he could offer. He only hoped they wouldn't be upset that he'd misinformed them in the first place.
Before he could think too much, Edward rang the bell. He recognized the butler who answered the door and gave his name, stating that he had a letter to give to the Earl and his wife. "If you'll come in, Sir, I'll ask if they're receiving company today."
"Thank you, Preston." Pellew stepped inside, removing his hat. He'd worn his best uniform for this visit, the one he usually only wore when he visited the Admiralty. Now he wore it in acknowledgment of the occasion and the good news it conveyed.
He only waited a few minutes before the butler returned, gesturing back the way he'd come. "They will see you in the salon. If you'll come with me, Sir?"
"Yes." Straightening his spine, Edward followed the butler down the hall to that room, finding Archie Kennedy's parents waiting for him, puzzlement and curiosity on their faces.
Once Preston had announced the captain's presence, he was dismissed to bring tea for their guest. The Earl greeted Captain Pellew with a handshake. "Sir Edward, welcome."
"Thank you, My Lord." He sat down on the settee once the Countess had done so. "I have a letter with me that I felt would best be delivered in person."
The Earl raised an eyebrow and tilted his head in a manner uncannily like Archie Kennedy's. "Do you? Who is it from?"
"Perhaps you should simple read it, My Lord." He offered the envelope to his host and sat quietly as husband and wife read the epistle it contained. Disbelief was the chief emotion on both faces at first, accompanied by anger on the Earl's face. Those emotions faded as the couple continued to read, replaced by cautious hope, relief, and joy.
The Countess was teary-eyed by the time she looked up to meet the captain's eyes. "Is this really a letter from our Archie?"
"It is, My Lady." Pellew nodded, watching as she clutched the single sheet of paper to her bosom.
The Earl turned to Edward. "Is Archie in that prison as he predicted?"
"Unfortunately, yes." The captain nodded again. "He was in the best health that can be managed for someone who has been imprisoned as long as he has been."
Clearing her throat, the Countess asked, "How do we arrange an exchange? I want my Archie back."
"It may take some time to manage, but I will help all I can," Edward told her reassuringly. "From things he said, I'm sure he misses you. He needed very little prodding to write that letter."
The Earl nodded as his wife pressed kisses to the missive, as if she was holding her youngest in his arms and refusing to let go. "While my lovely wife reads that letter over and over, I'll go with you to start the process. I want my boy back, too."
"Yes, My Lord." He resisted the impulse to salute. It was clear where Archie's leadership qualities had come from. For some reason, that made Pellew even more proud of the young man. The minute he's free, I'm going to promote him to acting lieutenant. He deserves it...
End
Pairing/Characters: Edward Pellew, Archie's parents
Rating: G
Fandom: Horatio Hornblower
Word Count: 623
Spoilers: For Duchess and the Devil.
Summary: Captain Pellew delivers Archie's letter
Notes/Warnings: Written for the Alphabet Soup challenge lokei is hosting. The character of choice for this round is Archie. Directly inspired by E is for Epistle. Beta by mylodon.
K is for Kennedy
Sir Edward Pellew, captain of His Majesty's Ship, the Indefatigable, hesitated on the front steps of the London residence. He had been here only once before, several months ago, to deliver the worst news a captain could give to a sailor's family. Considering the fact that the sailor in question had been one of his officers, Captain Pellew had felt it only fitting that it be delivered in person and not through the post. Now, however, the news he was about to deliver was the best he could offer. He only hoped they wouldn't be upset that he'd misinformed them in the first place.
Before he could think too much, Edward rang the bell. He recognized the butler who answered the door and gave his name, stating that he had a letter to give to the Earl and his wife. "If you'll come in, Sir, I'll ask if they're receiving company today."
"Thank you, Preston." Pellew stepped inside, removing his hat. He'd worn his best uniform for this visit, the one he usually only wore when he visited the Admiralty. Now he wore it in acknowledgment of the occasion and the good news it conveyed.
He only waited a few minutes before the butler returned, gesturing back the way he'd come. "They will see you in the salon. If you'll come with me, Sir?"
"Yes." Straightening his spine, Edward followed the butler down the hall to that room, finding Archie Kennedy's parents waiting for him, puzzlement and curiosity on their faces.
Once Preston had announced the captain's presence, he was dismissed to bring tea for their guest. The Earl greeted Captain Pellew with a handshake. "Sir Edward, welcome."
"Thank you, My Lord." He sat down on the settee once the Countess had done so. "I have a letter with me that I felt would best be delivered in person."
The Earl raised an eyebrow and tilted his head in a manner uncannily like Archie Kennedy's. "Do you? Who is it from?"
"Perhaps you should simple read it, My Lord." He offered the envelope to his host and sat quietly as husband and wife read the epistle it contained. Disbelief was the chief emotion on both faces at first, accompanied by anger on the Earl's face. Those emotions faded as the couple continued to read, replaced by cautious hope, relief, and joy.
The Countess was teary-eyed by the time she looked up to meet the captain's eyes. "Is this really a letter from our Archie?"
"It is, My Lady." Pellew nodded, watching as she clutched the single sheet of paper to her bosom.
The Earl turned to Edward. "Is Archie in that prison as he predicted?"
"Unfortunately, yes." The captain nodded again. "He was in the best health that can be managed for someone who has been imprisoned as long as he has been."
Clearing her throat, the Countess asked, "How do we arrange an exchange? I want my Archie back."
"It may take some time to manage, but I will help all I can," Edward told her reassuringly. "From things he said, I'm sure he misses you. He needed very little prodding to write that letter."
The Earl nodded as his wife pressed kisses to the missive, as if she was holding her youngest in his arms and refusing to let go. "While my lovely wife reads that letter over and over, I'll go with you to start the process. I want my boy back, too."
"Yes, My Lord." He resisted the impulse to salute. It was clear where Archie's leadership qualities had come from. For some reason, that made Pellew even more proud of the young man. The minute he's free, I'm going to promote him to acting lieutenant. He deserves it...
End