Chantey II: Truth Among the Tides

Pirates of the Caribbean

-X-

Summary: It has been almost three years since Nim's heart has been broken by the Port Royal Blacksmith, yet there is still an emptiness that resides inside of her. With Jack's odd behavior, the crew of the Black Pearl's lust for treasure and the dead ends on the location of her father has left the twenty-three year old feeling more alone than when she had first entered the realm of Pirates of the Caribbean. Though after an odd turn of events she finds herself faced with the thought of who she really is and it takes a certain Sea Witch in order to aide her. Familiar faces, new foes and the truth of her identity all come swirling into one great challenge where Nim must decide the fate of her own self.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean, as much as I wish I did, it belongs to ©Disney and it's wonderful writers, directors and screenwriters. I am a poor college student; I wouldn't be poor or a college student if I had made Pirates of the Caribbean…trust me on that one. I do, however, own Nimphadora, Sebastian, Lynette and James Puget, Faye Sheppard as well as any other unrecognizable characters that will be found throughout the plot.

Story Type: AU/OC inserts

Paring: Will T./OFC

Other Pairings: Jack/OFC and Slight Elizabeth/Norrington/Will T.

Rating: E-T

Warnings: Heavy spoilers, alcoholism, violence, possible Mary-Sue…and of course, pirates ;) Arrgghhh!

Author's Note: Hello and welcome to the first chapter of Truth Among the Tides! I know in the trailer I said it would be out in July, but I have the first chapter ready and I want it out there lol. I'm sure you'll notice I mention "3 years" a lot in this chapter…well it isn't really determined how much time passes between the first and second Pirates of the Caribbean series, but I estimate it at 3 years. My reasons for this are simple. In the original diologue of Curse of the Black Pearl Barbossa mentions that Jack carries his pistol around for ten years…Davy Jones mentions in this one that their deal was that Jack would remain captain of the Black Pearl for thirteen…subtract ten from thirteen and you got a three year gap :D Ahem, anyways, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Much Love,
timexgone23

Pirates of the Caribbean:
Dead Man's Chest
I: Ill Tidings Sing in the Wind

Dawn broke along the horizon where the sea met the sky, the softly glowing star bringing warmth of a new day along the crystalline waters of the Caribbean. Light brown hair blew in the slight breeze that carried along the top of the water and filled the dark canvas that carried the large galleon smoothly atop the ocean and along with the tide. Green eyes gazed with lazy attentiveness to the surroundings about the ship, the sage irises surveying the bodies that lay upon deck from the party the crew had had the night before…as they had every night so it seemed.

Nim was vaguely reminded of her first semester studying at Oxford, the upper classmen had had a party within the house and when she awoke in the morning it had greatly resembled what her eyes saw now. She, unlike the other members of the crew, spent most of her time on the ship while they were docked in Tortuga.

It had been almost a three years, two days before her twenty-third birthday to be exact, since she had made her decision to leave with Jack and pursue the life of a pirate. But despite being welcomed and the family that the crew provided her, she felt empty. Over the last few years she had felt a continuous tugging at the sea and her dreams had haunted her with images of people she didn't recognize, though their screams were all the same.

She had refused to tell Jack of any of this, claiming that it was just an upset of her diet or that it was just her old injuries acting up. She knew she couldn't use excuses forever, especially since her insomnia was beginning to kick into over drive.

She sighed, leaning tiredly against the helm, though she would not allow her eyes to close. Amongst the screams and cannon fire, the cries and pleas she heard a single voice – the voice of a woman echoing in her dreams and entrancing her almost as a spell. The last dream Nim had, she recalled the voice calling her and telling her to venture out, but that hadn't been what bothered her. As her dream would fade a soft melody would push through the darkness of her mind almost as if a lullaby from a music box. The soft chime haunted her.

Shaking her thoughts she turned her eyes to where Gibbs was staggering up the stairs from the crew's quarters, his blue eyes squinting as the bright sun continued to rise. With a few clumsy steps onto the deck he looked around, noticing the brunette standing at the helm and offering her a smile.

"G'morning Lass," he greeted, coming to stand next to the young woman and looking over the charts. Being first mate, Gibbs was in charge of the navigations of the ship whenever Jack either didn't feel like guiding the ship or when he was otherwise unable to. Nim took it to be the latter.

The younger woman nodded tiredly and forced a smile onto her lips. "Good morning Gibbs."

"There be no trouble I suppose as everything is still rather quiet." Nim only nodded in response.

"The waters haven't changed much since we anchored last night."

The weathered sailor only glanced at her. Nim had certainly changed over the last three years of them being out at sea. Her hair, as always remained in a bun at the back of her head (very rarely would she change the style to either braid it or leave it down the old sailor noticed). The green of her coat once bright was now weathered the color having faded with time as it had been bleached by the sun and by the elements, though her other clothes had not changed much either, only the substitution of the shirts she would wear underneath her leather, vest-like waistcoat – the colors varying between dark grey, red and white. She had long since reclaimed her charm back from Jack, the pirate stating that it choked him and Nim had taken the necklace back without a fuss, only laughing at the pirate's annoyance. Though she had not changed physically the old sailor knew that she had become a different person mentally.

Nim, he noticed three years ago, had been much more reserved and almost hesitant around people – now she had no problem speaking her mind and it amused the old sailor immensely. While naturally quiet and thoughtful as she always had been, Nim carried a much more confident air about her and she was hardened by the life of a pirate and he had to admit that she had adjusted well to the change.

"Well that's good," He nodded after appraising the women to himself. "Has the cap'in been up yet?" When Nim shook her head he frowned. "Must'a had himself one too many bottles of rum he did."

"I doubt the drink even phases him anymore Gibbs," Nim smirked as she looked at him, a mirthful glimmer appearing in her sage irises. "I would think by now he has such an immeasurable tolerance of the drink that it practically runs through his veins."

Gibbs chuckled, rubbing his neck of the kink he had in it and nodding, "Aye that be true." After a few moments of silence he stood straight, cracking his back and sighing in relief. "I'll go see where it is we need to be going…keep steady Lass and I'll have the boys up and ready to move."

Nim nodded, offering him a solute and earning a laugh from the man as he disappeared once more. Each person had their jobs on board – the old sailor being first mate, also took to the navigations of the ship. Gibbs happily explained it to her whenever she asked and had promised to teach her, the younger woman grasping it slowly.

Her job amongst the ship was crows nest for the most part with the addition of ship scout as her knowledge of ships and her keen eye to their weapons and judgment of possible damage came in handy for the crew of the Black Pearl. It had made many of their captures very successful over the last three years, though it never seemed enough for the crew.

Nim would never admit it to Jack, but she was heavily suspicious of the newer members of the crew and she didn't speak to any of them for any length of time. She had adopted the surname of Sparrow, which normally kept her presence on board less suspicious, but she knew that the newer crew members were heavily doubtful of her.

"I didn't think you would be up this early."

Nim turned her eyes to see Leech, a pirate that Jack had recruited in Tortuga almost a year ago and was of Indian decent. He was one of the pirates that the brunette was extremely leery of. She hadn't understood why Jack had recruited so many other sailors in the first place, but she intended to find out. Leech stared at her with his brows furrowed from underneath his red turban and Nim did her best to ignore him. He had come on rather strongly with her the first month he had been aboard the Black Pearl and ever since she had wanted nothing more than to shoot him right between his eyes.

"I'm always up early." She answered, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye as she moved her coat away from her waist to show one of the many pistols that she used.

Gibbs, Marty, Cotton and Anamaria had gotten Nim a pair of small pistols as a present for her twenty-first birthday and she took very good care of them, Jack having supplied her with another pair that she kept around her waist and she took care of each one as if it were her last. The set that the original crew of the Black Pearl had gotten her were classic Flintlocks with smooth steel barrels and casted in a finished and polished oak, the sides casted with silver plates and engraved was a depiction of Calypso blowing the winds and churning the sea. These were normally carried in the back of her belt and concealed so that no one knew they were there. The ones Jack had gotten her was a little more pricey. They were French Dueling pistols made with exceptionally carved ebony stock with several demonic heads and figures. Solid silver mounted fantastically detailed with floral and demonic winged creatures. Percussion lock, beautifully silver overlaid signed in bold A Paris, octagon barrel also beautifully overlaid in silver with makers name Devisme a Paris in gold. These were her favorite and kept on her waist at all times.

Leech took notice of the gun at her waist and took a step back away from her and Nim tugged her coat back over the pistol to hide it from view. When it came to her privacy and especially her personal space she did whatever she could to ensure her own comfort and if she needed to threaten members of the crew that decided to break this small cardinal rule than she felt no remorse in using whatever means necessary. Glancing at the pirate she frowned as he traced her form and she cleared her throat.

"Don't you have a station to be manning?"

Nim and Leech turned their eyes to the new voice to see Jack standing there, his arms crossed over his chest and narrowing his eyes on the pirate, glancing to Nim briefly before quirking a brow in challenge as the man only glared at him before walking away. The younger woman ignored what had transpired before turning her eyes back to the deck to see the crew beginning to return to their stations. "Do we have a heading Jack?"

"Don't be all serious with me love," The pirate stated, shooing her away from the helm and Nim happily stepped aside to allow him control of the ship. Shooting a weak glare at the younger woman Jack pulled out his compass and furrowed his brows as the arrow swiveled back and forth as if unsure and he glanced at Nim to see her standing there with her arms crossed and her brow quirked, Gibbs now standing next to her and glanced between the two with his own brows arched. "We'll be sailing in…" Glancing at one another, Nim and Gibbs returned their more concerned stares back to their captain. "Mr. Gibbs!"

"Aye Cap'in?"

Nim and the old sailor shared another concerned look as Jack's brows furrowed deeper at his compass.

"It seems we have a need to sail to where no other pirate would sail…savvy." When Gibbs' eyes widened Nim's scowl only deepened and she tensed slightly. If it was a place that no other pirate would sail to and it made both Jack and Gibbs concerned, it could only mean ill tidings for them and after a moment she decided to voice her thoughts.

"Is it an island?" She inquired, "Jack there are hundreds of islands in the Spanish Mane…"

Gibbs shook his head with a frown, "Not just any island in the Caribbean Nim, The Island, it's a decrepit island off the coast of Turkey that has one of the worst prisons a man could be condemned to." He explained as Jack barked his orders to the crew, otherwise remaining silent as the weathered sailor took to the helm, but the pirate was only half listening to what Gibbs was explaining. "They say that once you go in…you never come back out if only to be thrown into the ocean in a coffin – the tall peeks give home to crows that so much as eat ye alive. That prison is bad news for any man that would name his self pirate." With concern now riddling her otherwise tense features she turned her eyes to Jack to see that he wasn't looking at the two of them, rather focusing his attention on his compass.

"And we have to go there why?"

"Love, if I told ye everything nothing would be surprising and without surprises ye can't no anything savvy?" This had become a common thing between Nim and Jack the last three years. The vague answers and the more misdirection only put Nim on her guard whenever they were meant to sail anywhere, even to common places such as Tortuga. Jack had been acting strange ever since the beginning of this year – it was as if he knew something was going to happen, but didn't know exactly when it was meant to happen and it made him extremely jumpy. Pushing these thoughts to the back of her head for later pondering she returned her eyes to Jack as he coughed to get her attention. "Now, Nimie, I'll need ye in the crows nest as always."

Rolling her eyes and muttering a small goodbye to Gibbs, she grabbed the glass off of the small table and made her way to the crows nest, the entire time cursing the pirate under her breath. Though she had conquered her fear of heights three years ago during their first journey, she still hated climbing up the mast to the crows nest above. During one of their skirmishes the other ship had blown part of the crows nest off and now there was only half off a wall to lean on and it annoyed her to no possible end.

She and Jack had become close over the course of time and she had adopted his name as her's if only to not be reminded of her family for the time being. A few months ago she had received a letter via hawk from her mother and it still remained unopened in her coat pocket. Ignoring this small detail, Nim returned her thoughts to Jack's strange behavior.

The pirate, who had very much become a brother to her, had become very up-tight in the last few months specifically and this had done nothing but worry her. She and Gibbs had spoken briefly about it when not in earshot of Jack or the crew and both agreed that whatever was wrong with the agitated captain would not bode well for them in the future and both had agreed that they would be keeping a watchful eye on him. Unlike others, Nim noticed, when Jack was pumped up with alcohol he rarely spoke about what was wrong with him – instead he would make up extravagant stories about something that either did not happen or was less dramatic than he made it out to be. Both instances amused the brunette, but of recent he had kept to himself, holding himself in his quarters for most of the time and over his charts.

Nim sighed to herself as she leaned against the last remaining wall of the crows nest, a scowl twitching at her lips as anxiety settled in her gut. She could only hope, after three years, that everything was going to be okay and with her arms folded over her chest she couldn't help but feel as if their luck was running out.

·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•٠·

Today was the day.

Will sighed, adjusting his ascot as it rubbed uncomfortably against his throat and leaving him feeling rather irritable despite the joy this day should be bringing to him. He had been courting Elizabeth Swann, the governor's daughter, for three years now and a part of him was thrilled – rather, a very large part of him was thrilled, but despite this he couldn't help feeling as if there was something missing. And it was that smaller part of him that was making him almost irritable with everything that day. His hair wasn't working with him, the clothes he donned were uncomfortable to him – even though he had been completely comfortable in them three days prior when he had bought them, and his ascot was itching him terribly.

Why was everything so suddenly uncomfortable?

He was about to marry the most beautiful woman in Port Royal, so why did it seem as if everything that could have gone wrong was doing just that? Was it because fate was spiting him? Shaking his head of the thoughts he allowed his mind to wander further into the past to almost three years before when he had gone on that crazy endeavor to save Elizabeth from the undead pirate crew and suddenly a frown twitched at his lips.

It was Nim. Everything was beginning to click together as he linked all of his discomforts back to her and a frown tugged further at his lips and pulling his brows tighter over his eyes. The smaller part of him that had been bothering him seemed to quell slightly at the name and he rubbed his forehead with a calloused hand before shaking his head. It was three years ago since the brunette had disappeared – the only remnants of her was a piece of parchment that still lay on his dressing table, slightly crumpled and the paper warped slightly with how many times he had read and reread it. He remembered vaguely being so annoyed with it he had almost ripped it apart before deciding against it and just leaving it there. Pinching his brow he took the letter up in his hands and allowed the neat script to speak to him, almost as if Nim herself was narrating it:

William,

No doubt you have discovered that I am no longer in Port Royal. I would have stayed had there been a reason for me to, but at the current time it is just not appropriate. As it turns out my mother had been withholding a large amount of information from me and I've gone to discover what the truth is.
Do forgive me for my sudden disappearance, however, in light of your newly acquired lady I find it is best for me to leave. I thought that leaving a letter would hopefully douse whatever worry you may or may not have had, though a part of me wishes that I wasn't so benign. My only regret, upon leaving, is not having told you the truth of my feelings sooner.

All the best,
Nimphadora Eloise Jade-Marie Puget

Even as he contemplated her words he couldn't help but feel as if there was a part of him missing. His thoughts were abruptly halted as the door of the smithy was nearly kicked open and there were a large number of Navy officers standing there, manacles in their hands. With a furrowed brow he was quickly seized and cuffed before dragged through town to where he was supposed to be getting married. The rain beat down around him and he couldn't help but find the situation acutely ironic as the weather seemed to only heighten his sense of foreboding as well as reflect the conflict of his inner thoughts. With his jaw set he was led through the stone arches to see his fiancé now hurrying towards them her dress and hair dampened with the rain, but despite this, the blacksmith couldn't help the twinge in his heart.

"Will, why is this happening?" She inquired, her lip trembling slightly as she looked up at him. The blacksmith was at a loss as well, his mind running blank as he could not recall ever doing anything illegal of recent. With a frown he sighed.

"I don't know." Elizabeth looked up at him, her trimmed brows pinching together as she fingered the front of his lapel, a nervous habit she had picked up whenever she was either upset or worried and if only to offer her comfort he looked down at her and offered her a slight twitch of his lips. "You look beautiful."

The blond offered the taller male a tight smile as he tried to make light of the situation and she paused, "I think it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding." Had it been another time at another place and in different circumstances, Will probably would have laughed at the slight joke, but now was not any of those times. The couple could hear Governor Swann beginning to make his appearance known as he pushed through the crowds only to be stopped by two officers crossing their spears to prevent him from passing.

"How dare you! Stand your men down at once! Do you hear me?"

"Governor Weatherby Swann, it's been too long." Will's eyes turned now to the apparent cause of his arrest and frowned deeply, Elizabeth still curled into his side. Governor Swann frowned deeply, disbelief etching into his aged features.

"Cutler Beckett?"

"It's Lord now, actually." He corrected as his hands came to rest on his hips and with a slight nod the two soldiers uncrossed their spears and allowed the enraged governor to pass, the older man frowning deeply.

"Lord or not, you have no reason and no authority to arrest this man."

Beckett only sighed, his blue eyes turning to the older man unperturbed, "In fact, I do. Mr. Mercer," another man stepped out of the crowd and held open a box for the shorter male. Will and Elizabeth watched as Governor Swann took the parchment from Beckett, the other man remaining calm and with an aloof disposition, "The warrant for the arrest of one William Turner."

"This warrant is for Elizabeth Swann!"

Elizabeth and Will looked at one another as the man scoffed, feigning surprise.

"Oh, is it? That's annoying, my mistake..." He commented airily as he took the warrant back from the governor looking up to the guards behind Will and Elizabeth and adding almost as an afterthought, "Arrest her."

"On what charges!" She inquired her eyes wide as Will moved to stop them, almost forgetting that he was shackled and being held by officers of the East India Trading Company.

Ignoring the outburst Beckett continued, "Aha, here's the one for William Turner." He stated, handing the warrant to the older male before removing another from the box. "And I have another one for a Mr. James Norrington and a Miss Veronica Thynne. Is he or she present?" The younger man asked, waving about the warrants to the gathered crowd. While still looking at the parchment in disbelief, Governor Swann frowned.

"What are the charges!"

"Commodore Norrington resigned his commission some months ago, Veronica missing long before that."

Beckett turned to the Governor and frowned deeply, as if accusing him of withholding information, though not saying this aloud. "I don't believe that was the answer to the question I asked."

"Lord Beckett, in the category of questions not answered –" Will began with his eyes narrowed, annoyance clear in his tone before Elizabeth, sensing the tension in her fiancé's voice, cut him off.

"We are under the jurisdiction of the King's governor of Port Royal and you will tell us what we are charged with."

"The charges," Began the governor to his daughter, disbelief still the most definitive emotion on his face. "Conspiring to set free a man convicted of crimes against the Crown and Empire and condemned to death for which the..."

When the governor trailed off, his eyes wide, Beckett found it necessary to take over. "For which the punishment, regrettably, is also death." He watched as a look was shared between the couple and he stepped up to the blacksmith, who looked at him irritably among other things, "Perhaps you remember a certain pirate named Jack Sparrow."

"Captain," The couple chorused the correction forcibly before looking at one another once more, the blond taking over as she glared at the other man, "Captain Jack Sparrow."

"Captain Jack Sparrow," Beckett pronounced his correction slowly, glancing between the two of them. "Yes, I thought you might."

"And what is Nim to you?"

Beckett turned his eyes to the blacksmith and frowned deeply, "I suppose she uses the name of her cursed father as well." The blue eyed male said more to himself than the blacksmith. "She is the very reason I never got what I wanted." Beckett almost sneered at the blacksmith and Will could see a flicker of barely contained rage for the younger woman or even at her mention before the male was able to recompose himself, looking instead to his guards. "Take them away."

As the couple was taken to Fort Charles, Beckett turned to Ian Mercer, his right hand man and frowned. Without a word the two pushed passed the stunned governor and began the walk to the Lord's new office. After a moment's pause Ian Mercer looked to his employer and frowned.

"Is there anything you'd like me to do sir?"

"As a matter of fact, there is." Beckett nodded, seemingly broken from his train of thoughts. "I want you to track down Lynette Thynne. It appears we have a reason to ask her a few questions."

"Of course sir."

Beckett watched as his subordinate disappeared into the crowds of Port Royal before smirking to himself. Soon little Veronica…soon I will have what I have been promised.

Sorry for the shortness of the chapter everyone, I promise chapter 2 will be longer :) But I think this is a decent intro to the next story...and what is Beckett talking about? Who knows ;) Haha like I always say, reviews are lovely and appreciated, but not mandatory for an update!

Let me know what you think ;)

And right now, as it stands currently, the poll from my last story is stating that this be a Jack/OC pairing. I will still accept poll results. It's up to you folks! It's between Anamaria and another OC (not Nim!) either PM me your vote or write it with your review :)

Also, feel free to check out my profile under "Meet the Characters" there you'll find the images and portrayals of all my OCs...but if you want a more detailed description I have just published a "story" called "Meet the OCs"...the first profile you'll find there is Nim's and each "chapter" will be a different Original Character from this story and from my Sly Cooper story :) Feel free to check it out if you'd like a more "in depth" description of my characters :)

Much Love,
timexgone23

xoxo