Pirates of the Caribbean: The Pirate's Pearl

by Romania Black

Hello everyone! I'm still reeling from how amazing Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End was! Didn't like some parts, but overall a great film! Anyway, I'm still trying to get one of my stories done, The Taming of the Saiyan, but I'm in a pirates kick, so this is the start of my new story! I hope you all like it! I'll try to have a few chapters out shortly to set the story up!

Enjoy the story!

Romania Black

Chapter One

The murky black waters washed up against a small wooden dingy as it made its way to the edge through the bleak and ominous fog to the grand ship known as the Red Eagle. Gripping the edge of the small boat's wooden rail, and letting down the oars she'd used to row out to the magnificent ship, Elizabeth Swann leaned forward and braced herself for nudging the ship.

It had been eleven years since she'd heard of the infamous Captain Teague, keeper of the Code, and his ship, the Red Eagle. She'd never been aboard it, only heard rumors of what it was capable of, a fast ship with many powerful cannons and a knack for running up on ships carrying swag to be pilfered. While it was not as fast as the Black Pearl, nor was it the most powerful ship, the Red Eagle was known for escaping battles and trifles with great ease.

Elizabeth was brushed by a small rope that had been lowered down to her. Gripping the rough surface, she started to hoist herself towards the top of the ship. Despite having been a little rusty at the "sailing" business, she was not inadequate. She was capable still; eleven years had aged her body slightly, her eyes forming the tiniest hints of crows feet, but her spirit and vigor were still as strong as ever.

Two pirates, one a peg-legged man with a graying beard, and the other a toothless balding sailor with a sagging face lifted her aboard the ship, each eyeing the fact that she was wearing a dress. Elizabeth tugged the hem of her black skirt down somewhat nervously as the pirates eyed her.

"Captain didn't say nothin' 'bout a woman," The graying bearded man spoke with a very slurred accent.

"Aye," The balding pirate nodded approvingly, gazing at her dress with a distinct hunger in his eyes, "Gots no complaints though," He said and reached for her. Before he could touch her, however, Elizabeth had already drawn the dagger from within the belt that slung on her waist, and had it at the pirate's neck.

"I am here to speak with Captain Teague and Captain Teague alone," She hissed fiercely in the pirate's ear, her eyes flaming, "Is that clear?"

"A--As a bell, miss," The balding pirates sputtered.

Elizabeth let the pirate go roughly and gave him a hateful look, as she slowly sheathed her knife. The two pirates looked at each other with obvious nervousness, and pointed her towards the captain's cabin.

Captain Teague stroked his long black beard as he slowly paced the quarters of his cabin. He occasionally eyed the half-full rum bottle on the table beside him, but never reached for it, one hand constantly stroking the beard, and the other holding himself up by gripping the top of a wooden chair to his right.

The Cabin was dimly lit, a constant yellow glow filling two corners of the room, so the cabin maintained an intimidating, yet oddly romantic glow. The doors to the cabin opened up loudly from the silence, and Teague's brown eyes, that had been focused on his beard, raised themselves to meet the window in front of him. In the glass' reflection, he saw the shape of a figure behind him.

"Captain Teague," the figure said with almost a defiant tone. The Captain smiled a wide grin of knowing, it was Elizabeth Swann.

"Captain Swann," Teague said as he turned around slowly, with a hint of a swagger that was always present in his son Jack's movement.

Elizabeth frowned, "You know I'm not a captain anymore."

Teague nodded, but it was not a nod of acceptance of her words, "You're still a pirate lord, so still a captain."

"So says you," Elizabeth said with a testy voice.

"So says the Code," Teague retorted, with a calm and serene voice, but the testiness did not need any help making its way back to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth frowned and came closer to him, "I did not leave my son and come all the way out here for nothing, Teague." She rounded the edge of the table, coming closer to the captain that did not move, but maintained his focus on her. "Why did you summon me here?" She asked, the testiness giving way to curiousity.

Teague turned from her, and smiled grimly, "This is a very intricate matter," He said, now reaching a hand towards the rum bottle, "One that requires complete anonymity and confidentiality."

"It's a secret?" She asked confused, letting her guard down.

Teague picked up the rum bottle and held it in front of him, "To you and many others."

"So what is it?" Elizabeth stared, her eyes narrowing, "You want me to keep a secret for you?"

The captain raised the bottle to his lips and took a swig, then paused, and looked at her, "So to speak, anyway. Can you do it?"

Elizabeth puffed her chest slightly, in pride. She didn't like being challenged, "Depends on what it is, Captain Teague. What's the matter in question?"

"Not what," Teague said with a dark playfullness, setting the bottle down, "Who."