~ They were just off the coast when the storm had hit. A storm that had been brewing for most of the day and as the last rays of sunshine slid over the horizon, the sky had taken on a ominous darkness. The winds however were in their favour and Walker knew that if conditions didn't get too bad, these winds would hasten their speed toward land and a safe haven before morning. But as fate would play its evil hand, close on the heels of the visible storm was another storm cell more ferocious than the one about to hit them.

His new wife, Lady Rose was travelling with him on this journey, her first on the high seas but unfortunately throughout this trip she was having trouble finding her sea legs. Most of the journey she was very much confined to their quarters with seasickness much to her embarrasment and disgust, that her usual strong resilience was letting her down. But he was proud of her regardless for this was her first voyage and knew that over time she too would come to love the sea as much as he did.

The orders were given for all hands on deck, to batten down the hatches, lash everything down and to bring the ship about into the wind to fill the sails . He would use this wind in their favour to guide them home hopefully earlier than they had expected. The sky was black as pitch and the water was churning beneath them, lashing them with white waves that washed the decks over and over as the large ship groaned and creaked in loud objection. But Walker knew his ship the Emily Rose well and he knew that although she would come out a little worse for wear, she would weather this storm to sail another day.

Walker was concerned about Rose and knew that even though she wouldn't be scared, she would be having a rough ride below decks. He had to check on her before the storm got any worse.
He ordered his First Mate to stand watch, to keep a sharp eye out in the hope of seeing the light from the lighthouse on Deadmans Bluff. Many a foreign ship had come to a tragic end on the treacherous rocks of Deadmans Bluff and
Walker had no intention the Emily Rose becoming another tragic statistic.

It took him quite some time to reach their cabin as the ship was pitching so badly that every step he would take would throw him from wall to wall as the ship rolled and pitched with the enormous waves.
He had to use all his strength to keep himself standing as he opened the door to their cabin just as another great wave tossed the ship above the wave landing in a trough with an almighty slap as it hit the water.
One look at Rose and his heart went out to her. Her eyes had fear in them as he had never seen before and the colour of her skin was almost grey green. He could see she was not faring well at all.
He made his way to her and held her in his arms comforting her and said " It will all be over soon my love. This will blow over before long and in a few hours we will be home and on dry land again. Just try to hold on tight
so you aren't thrown around and hurt. I could hardly make love to my beautiful bride with broken bones now could I " he said with a smile as he tipped her face up to his with his fingers, looking into her scared eyes.
"But for now my sweet, I must leave you. I intend to get us home safe and sound before daybreak".
He had barely spoken this last sentence when all hell broke loose. With the screeching sound of wood being torn apart and splintering, the ship had hit rocks. They had both been thrown to the floor of the cabin, Walker hitting his head hard on the corner of the cabin door.
The sounds of twisting splintering, shattering wood were all around them. The ship had split in half, aft was listing badly into the water sending them both sliding out of the cabin, down into the icy churning water and darkness.

Rose had thought she would die. She was being hampered by her nightdress as she tried to kick and swim. She had to get air, her lungs were filling with water and a darkness was threatening to take her over. But as she kicked out, she made contact with Walker. Her mind was in turmoil, her chest was burning with the need for fresh air but this is when the resilience that had deserted her the entire voyage would take over and save them.
She had somehow taken hold of Walkers belt pulling them both free of the debris, kicking as hard as she could to reach the surface, breaking free and taking her first deep breath of fresh air as she broke the surface. Somehow she was still holding on to Walker. He was unconscious and she prayed out loud that he was still alive. She kicked as hard as she could to free themselves of the debris and floating bodies around them. She knew that if they had any chance of staying alive, they had to get away from the ship.
Progress was slow and labourious but she was not going to let go. She could not lose her beloved Walker....not now not ever.
When she was a safe enough distance away from sharp shards of timber from the wreck she chanced her first rest. She had to see if Walker was alive. She pressed her fingers against his neck feeling for a pulse, holding her breath for dear life hoping, praying to feel that throb of lifeblood still flowing through his body. Tears mingling with salt water ran down her face as she let out a great sigh of relief when she felt a faint but definite pulse. He was alive !!! She sent up a silent prayer of thanks before she lay him on his back positioning herself underneath him and began to pull them both away from the wreck.

It had just broken dawn when Rose had spotted the inlet. The water had calmed through the night as the storm had passed and she had to stop and rest many times through the night to dig deep within for the strength to carry them both.
The inlet that ran between the sharp rocks looked shallow and as a wave gave them a helping hand toward it, she dragged them both into the calmer sandy waters.
Walker was coming around. He was coughing and gasping for air as he was trying to lift himself up.

And this is how, in the soft warm light of the dawn sunrise, that we find Rose and Walker, wet and exhausted but very much alive.

This was a voyage they would never forget, a voyage that will be remembered and told as it was passed down from generation to generation. A voyage of love, hope, devotion and survival.
For they both lived to tell the tale of being "Shipwrecked" .....~



Best seen in Full View


A very special thank you to who has so kindly allowed me to use his NON STOCK photograph "Coastal-Kaleidoscope" for this manipulation.


Stocks:

Rose [link]
Walker [link]
Sailing Ship
Lighthouse
Wood Flotsam
Sea Foam and Gulls over Ship
Gulls in foreground
Barrels
Chest
Seaweed
Floating Pages




I hope you all like "Shipwrecked".

Since I dont have time to thank for each individual , please accept my thanks for 'g my work. Your support is truly appreciated.