Entry:
For I'm not a native speaker, there may be a number of mistakes within my grammar.
I would be thankful for your help to find out where they are and your suggestion for a correction.
Foreword:
I do not own any rights on "Pirates of the Caribbean", its content or its characters (unfortunately). My story uses some elements out of the children's books about Jack Sparrows youth, without going deeper into those stories. I used those elements freely within my own story and as an idea for my own thoughts. When the story proceeds, I will use elements and motives from the four movies as well.
There is only one reason why I'm writing this story: the impressive and unique way in which Johnny Depp brought Captain Jack Sparrow to life. I'm breathless whenever I see him. He was able to show us the different sides of Captain Jack Sparrow: the humorous, the serious and the tragic side. That's really great.
In my story the funny moments won't get as much room as they got within the movies.
A lot of twists and complications as well as some characters are only brought to life by my own imagination – really Fanfiction...
Hope you'll enjoy it...
Prologue: 1715 The Hidden Bay
The picturesque bay was located on the back of the island. It wasn't directly visible neither of the sea nor of the country. And it lay far enough from the small, free trading port on the other site of the island, which was a point of reference for many ships of all kind of type.
So the settlement which nestled in the bay had remained secret to the curious eyes of the Spaniards and the English as well as of the numerous pirates who were looking for hiding-places in these waters.
The ship which was looking for its way to the bay in this early, still misty morning seemed to move with a sleepwalking safety through the narrow shipping channel, though. The sails were already reefed and the flag was retracted.
The "Silver Stream" returned back from her last adventure on sea almost unnoticed and some days too early.
"Mister Turner, make sure that this old lady finds safely to her place. I think we will cause some of our friends a surprise today."
"Aye, Captain!"
"I only hope, that we really stayed unchallenged. This adventure could lead us into a lot of trouble with the council of the brethren court. The boy we saved isn't only somebody at all."
"Teague will get in violent temper if he realizes what we did."
"Take my oath he will, my friend."
"And it doesn't cause you bellyache?"
"No!" A big grin was on the Captain's face: "Far from it! The boy owns all a pirate should own and much more. His talents would be wasted if we left him at Shipwreck Cove or Tortuga. Much worse: They're thinking their Code is much worthier than such a courageous and dauntless boy. It's a pity that he's too young to stay aboard."
"Come off it! One or two years to come and he is in command."
"What's this? I'll hope you're not planning a mutiny, my friend?"
Both men were laughing while the fog lifted and gave sight to the houses and the environment round the bay. Another ship was moored to the pier, when the "Silver Stream" reached nearly soundless at her berth.
Captain Patrick Swallow and his partner Rosalind Stevens were some of the last pirates who managed it to stay free from any rules. They were sailing the seven seas only for their own profit, while most of the others were vested with a letter of mark by the crown or had crooked to the council of the brethren court and its code. Patrick and Rosalind found this island on one of their preys and they knew how to use its unique bearing for their plans.
Swallow's crew was totally loyal, because there was neither an excessive strength nor an all too lax regiment aboard. They shared one to one with an extra part for the Captain which was mostly spent within the tavern – as payment for a proper drinking bout.
Patrick Swallow was a man in his middle ages. At the first view no one would have recognized him as a sailor, because he was neither tall nor strong. But he had an unmistakable feeling for doing the right thing up to the right moment. Within one year he and Rosalind sent about fifty trading- and marine ships to the depths. Both, the Spanish and the English, offered a prize on him, but his only answer was a loud laugh and then he ordered another beaker of beer. His missing strength he equalized with robustness and agility. Additionally his grasp for the sea and its dark depths was legendary. His weathered face was sunburnt and dominated by his lively gray eyes. His long hair was bleached by the sun and several gray strands were mingled in within the last months. He used to wear it in a braid which gave him a youthful appearance.
Swallow was a passionate Captain and he loved his ship and his crew.
From time to time he left his ship to stay ashore. Then he wasn't seen for weeks. Anybody knew that there was only one reason: Rosalind Stevens.
His crew knew it was time again to stay ashore now. But there was enough work to do. Repairing and renovation had to be done and they had to store fresh water and supplies as well. So the shore leave was welcome.
Of all questions he had to deal with, Patrick was bothered especially by one. He asked himself what would happen when the council of Shipwreck Cove would find out, on which ship the boy escaped. Swallow knew that he and his crew couldn't expect any mercy. For they weren't accepting the Code, they were free from its duties, but also without the protection the Code granted. Nevertheless Patrick was convinced, that his decision was right, although he had no illusions what would happen to him if he was found here.
"Are you taking the boy with you to stay at your cottage?"
Turner's voice brought him back to the here and now.
"Yes, that's what I thought. Rosalind will love him."
"Oh yes, she will. But what's with Caithleen? You didn't raise her as a lady. Sometimes she acts more like a boy it seems."
"Don't be at fault, Bill. She has enough feminine attractions."
"That's not to overlook and she knows very well how to defend them. Can't imagine that it was Rosalind who told her how to fight with a sword or how to use pistol and grapnel."
"It was only Rosalind who told her." Patrick replied twinkling.
"Then you should warn the poor boy, before he makes the mistake to think she's only a girl. Maybe you should teach him some tricks for self defense against her."
"I thought of that, but he spent his whole life within Shipwreck Cove. I think he's able to resist her." With a shrug he added: "Either they will hate each other or they will end up at the hayrick. In that case, Rosalind will throw me out, but I would prefer that anyhow."
Both men were laughing.
With a loud rattling the anchor fell and the "Stream" reached her berth. Swallow was confident. There weren't many steersmen being as virtuous as Bill Turner was. He was a really great sailor, a couragous pirate an a good man as well. However, Patrick sometimes asked himself, what it was that threw the discreet Bill Turner and his young wife Elianor amongst a crew of wild pirates.
However the answer would be, he was glad to have him aboard. One cool-headed man was good to have, two of them were even better. So throughout the years they had become close friends and their friendship worked without a lot of words.
"Captain, do you have orders for us?"
"If the ship is tied up, if all is in its place and if the guards are organized you're free to go ashore. Work can wait until tomorrow and you all know the way to the tavern. Tonight we'll going to divide the prey."
"Aye, Captain!"
Shortly after a crew of tired sailors left the "Stream" to feel solid floor under their feet for a while. Swallow was assure of his crew. He knew that they had organized the guards by themselves, so there were no problems to expect. With sunrise they would start with the reparation to be sure that this time ashore wouldn't last an eternity.
One thing was different this time – and he had nearly forgotten what it was.
"Sir!" The youthful voice tore him out of his thoughts: "What's going to happen with me?"
In front of him was standing a boy of maybe fifteen years. He was slender, lithe and really keen for his age. His well-proportioned face with its soft brown eyes and its fine curved lips would turn a lot of girls heads some day.
He hopefully looked at Swallow. If it was admiration or only relief wasn't easy to say. Without fail it seemed, the boy was glad that Patrick pulled him out of the water in the bay of Shipwreck Cove and took him to this hidden hideout.
Swallow wrapped an arm around his shoulder and said: "So, now, Jack Sparrow, you'll accompany me. The two of my crows will please you, I promise."
The house was settled on top of the cliff high above the bay. It looked like a little cottage with its whitewashed walls and its garden. It was possible to have a wide view over the open sea, without being seen oneself. On the other side the view went from this side of the island to the other side. A thin trail of smoke ascended from the chimney and a woman was just opening the blinds, when she recognized her early visitors.
"Patrick!"
Only one moment later she opened the door and threw herself into the arms of her Captain. For a moment they forgot everything, the here and now and also the boy. Another woman appeared. She was young, more a girl than a woman, with untamed black curls and bright gray eyes. When she saw Partick and Rosalind she rolled her eyes knowing what was going on.
She waved Jack to follow her: "That will take a long time, I suppose. C'mon, I think you must be hungry."
With another glance at the entangled pair Jack followed the girl into the house: "They like each other, I suppose?"
"That?" The girl laughed: "Oh yes, they like each other deeply!"
"Who are you?"
"I'm Caithleen. Rosalind's daughter. I will get the ship which is moored at the pier some day. And who are you?"
"Oh...I'm Jack Sparrow!" They smiled at each other.
"Sit down. I think, Patrick wants you to stay here?"
"He said so! Aye!"
"Then I'll have to try to behave like a lady."
Jack shook his head: "No you haven't. Not for me!"
While she was laying the table she glanced at the boy from time to time. Her curiosity was nearly boiling over when Patrick and Rosalind entered the room.
"So, you're Jack Sparrow, the son of Captain Teague?" Rosalind perched herself astride on a stool and looked straight into his eyes. She grasped a goblet with vine and added: "Surely it isn't easy to survive within the fortress, isn't it"
"I prefer to be free."
"Yes, I can understand that." A shadow passed over her face. She looked like an older version of Caithleen with one difference: She wore her long black hair in a braid. On her left cheek she had a scar and when she replaced her goblet Jack noticed that her hand and her arm were also scarred.
"It's not really a sight to behold, isn't it?" she asked.
"I'm sorry! I don't want...!"
"I know, I know. Never mind! Patrick told me about your bold escape. I visited the fortress for several times. Not often, but often enough to know that living under the Code isn't easy. Especially if I think of that scum, that calls itself pirate or buccaneer, accepting the Code only for one thing: needing the shelter of the community."
Rosalind's voice reflected her feelings: disgust and reluctance.
It rapidly passed by and she continued: "If you're Teague's son I suppose you to be a suitable sailor up to now."
"I sailed with my own ship for several times."
Rosalind and Patrick glanced at each other in surprise, then she smiled: "What do you think, are you interested to sail under my command? I need someone me and Caithleen can count on"
"But you don't know anything about me"
"Then we should find out who you are, young Mister Sparrow. You're loving your freedom, right? She as well..." Rosalind pointed towards Caithleen: "If you're both are willing you can make a lot out of this. Both ships moored at the pier will need a younger Captain some day. Show me, what talents are yours. If I do not know much about you now, I will know a lot if we were together at sea for the first time. And who knows, if I can trust you, I will give the "Wing" to you and Caithleen. Because I would really prefer to stay ashore some day..."