Title: Not All Treasure Is Silver and Gold
Author: Laera Elentari
Disclaimer: I don't even know why people bother to write disclaimers...but in my act of conformism I'll take the time to tell you that no, I'm not Disney, and am in no way associated in any of the corporations producing Pirates of the Caribbean. I just play with the action figures. That's all.
Seagulls wove their uncoordinated patterns throughout the mélange of watercolor splashes that the sky held, ranging from the most melancholy navies to streaks of pale rose as the sun's inferno rose into view above the calm ocean's edge. The waves, reflecting so brilliantly the sun-streaked horizon, cast their colors upon the ships that bobbed in reverie on their surface, tied docilely to docks leading to the sleeping village. Not a candle lit in a window, not even a cock's crow interrupting the pale stillness of the serene shore.
But for one flickering lantern, that sat carefully at the edge of Will Turner's sawdust covered desk.
Will frowned, tossed his sweat drenched, dark locks from his brow, blinked to evade the dust that covered every surface, the dust that filled the very air of every room off of the stable. But despite it as an ever present annoyance, he managed to put the suffocating tendency out of his mind and resolutely dragged his canvas bag up from the straw covered, wooden floor, aggravating but more of the dormant dust that lay upon it, to gather as silently as possible any books, any swords, any possessions that he could not bear to leave behind.
You're through with her, he reminded himself angrily as he shoved his belongings into the bag. She's never really loved you and you know it. She would have married the Commodore, even married Jack for the Black Pearl's sake before marrying you if it weren't for the fact that you're the only one here that's good looking, slightly respectable, and intelligent all in one. She doesn't really care about you, damn it. You're just a possession to her and you know it. He bit his lip as he shoved more of his possessions in, growling as they withheld and did not move at his pressure. You're just a possession and you know it! He tore out some books from the sack to leave but one, tossed them to the section of flooring most covered in hay, as not to make a loud noise, and furiously shoved into the sack the last few belts, shirts, and hats. He reached to the circular rack around which swords, becoming dim and dusty after days of long disuse, hung forlornly; picking those which he knew to be forged best, the best he had made only but a few years ago, and sheathing them about his belt. Roughly, he dragged up his bag one last time, ignoring the newly inspired rush of dust and straw that invaded his breathing. You're only a possession!
Pushing open the doors of the barn, ignoring the lamp left lit indoors, finally feeling the first breath of newborn freedom soothe his sweaty face, he kicked away the rubbish that sat inconveniently before the cobblestone road, ignoring the clatter as he stalked resolutely down the cobblestone path, sack slung over his left shoulder, ignoring the strain of his left arm as he used every ounce of strength that he had, mental and physical, staring down the road to his long awaited destination—the dock.
The sun rose in the sky, and pinks faded to lavenders, pale blues, then to brilliant, invigorating ceruleans, and when finally the first cock crowed in anticipation of a new morn, it fell ill on Will's straining ears. On the dock's edge where he sat hunched over on a post, sweat not yet cooled dripping down his forehead and creating paths through the dust that had rested on every inch of his extrusive flesh, Will found himself twitching in impatience, fear. Where was Jack? Where was The Black Pearl? At this rate, would Jack even be here before Elizabeth would come running down the streets calling out for him, voice laced with both fear and anger, with the Commodore striding confidently beside her, soothing her and telling her that Will wasn't worth worrying about, and with her father waddling quickly along, sharing with her a despair and anxiety? Where was Jack??? Will tossed his head impatiently, kicking the rough dock surface angrily, cursing beneath his breath as he swatted viciously at a whining mosquito that flew about his forehead.
"You take too much for granted, you know."
Whirling about, leaping to his knees, even half drawing one of the swords that he had laced about his waist, Will suddenly found himself face to face with the confident smirk of no one but Captain Jack Sparrow. Decked out in his finest accessories and tunic, a swarthy grin stamped across his features with impenetrable kohl-rimmed deep mahogany eyes, the pirate stared closely at Will's entire being, amusement yet something deeper running across his tanned features. Jack stepped forward, loosely swinging his hips, gesticulating freely as he began to speak and approach his target.
"I mean, you've got this beautiful lass, savvy? And you didn't always have her, no, not by any means--regular courtship such as killing the odd undead pirate and risking your own neck unnecessarily on many occasions was definitely utilized, no doubting that—but it's absolutely ridiculous that the moment that you finally have her in your grasp, you act as though you never wanted her and she's only been just a possession picked up during your travels about the sea and then cast her aside just as carelessly as you tossed aside possibly some of the, ah, greatest sword crafting manuals ever written just about...oh, I'd say an hour and fifteen minutes ago." With a knowing smile, Jack produced the books that Will had tossed away into the heap of straw while packing haphazardly before. "So...mate, d'you see where I'm coming from here? What I'm trying to say is: are you sure that you want to throw away all that you've fought for? Because I think you need to take a moment and realize that you've been fighting for what you have now—for Elizabeth—all your life, even before you met her...and now you're flinging away all of this for the feel of the Black Pearl swaying upon the waves beneath your feet." Jack frowned. "I think you're bein' a bloody asshole."
Will smiled halfheartedly for a moment, then gave up under the effort.
"I know what it is that I'm doing. And I'm ready for it...with my fight for Elizabeth all these years, I've been fighting to deny what runs within my very blood—the nature of a pirate—and I'm done with denying my birthright now. I want to feel the...the wind through my hair, the sea spray bathing my face...I want to be one with the waves, one with my Soul."
Jack frowned skeptically at Will's uplifted, peaceful features as he sat enraptured, wrapped away in his dreams.
Captain Jack shook his head doggedly. "Mmmm, touching, really. So...from what you're saying, I get that you really want to get away from the nag, the politics and the other joys of the shore, an' thus you're dumping your load onto meself and the Black Pearl. So all right--fine. But remember, when you're on board, it's just like old days—rather, the way old days should have been—you're under my command, the command of Captain Jack Sparrow, and any foolish notions that you have had better be left here with that which ye're leaving if you don't want to be tossed offboard. Savvy?"
Will cast his eyes down to the bag and sighed deeply, relieved. "Savvy."
Jack's face broke out into a manic smile and his deep eyes lit in utter glee. "Well, glad you finally came to your decision, mate...because it looks like you've got company."
Will turned around, suddenly picking up the shouts that rose above the general bustle of the village's awakenings—Elizabeth Swann suddenly appeared, running through the cobblestone roads, betrayed, angry, with a livid Commodore Norrington and anxious Governor Swann in tow.