The Makings of a Pirate, by Hellborne
Pirates of the Caribbean - PG-13
Copyright: Characters, not mine, See the Mouse. Story, mine, but I make no money. He does, but not on this.
Typing convention. / is used for thoughts.
Summary: Jack Sparrow seems to be waging a personal war on slavery. Elizabeth and Will want to know WHY.
A/N: Let me know what you think about it.
- - - - - - -
Chapter 1 - I Saw Three Ships
The sunset was positively magnificent! The sky seemed to explode with reds, oranges, and yellows.
"Good sailing, tomorrow," he muttered.
Ana Maria climbed the stairs to the helm, careful not to disturb her Commodore when he was staring at the sunset. Jack Sparrow was more accurate than a barometer when judging the coming weather. He must have heard her, though, as he turned toward her, smiling.
"Good e'enin' luv. Fine night for sailing, this. Tomorrow we shall have clear skies, and a good tail wind. Looks like we shall be in position two days early by my reckoning. What say you?"
Ana Maria looked at the explosion of color. "Aye, Jack. Two days looks right. But do ye still mean t' sink her? She'd be a nice addition to yer fleet...Commodore." She used the word with meaning. It wasn't lost on Jack.
His eyes narrowed. "I'll not have a slaver ship under my command, former or not! However, luv, if she's escorted like I've 'eard, ye'll be sittin' pretty at the wheel of the Dauntless 'erself ere nightfall six days from now. What say you to that, eh?"
Ana Maria looked nervous. "I don't know, Jack...the Dauntless AND the slaver? That slaver is s'posed to have near 40 cannon on its own! Add to that the Dauntless, and I fear that the three ships we have will not suffice for the attack."
Jack gave her his sweetest toothy grin. The gold teeth glinted in the failing sunset. "Luv, we shall take them without a shot fired, and you shall take your crew and pilot the slaver home, drop off our new friends and scuttle her in peace, at which time the Dauntless is yours to keep. Make sure to give everyone the coordinates, luv."
Ana Maria still looked worried, though she desperately wanted to believe him. Jack had a penchant for underestimating certain situations, and completely blind to failure against slavers. They'd had this argument before, and she had never gotten any farther than this. She figured that Jack must have a love for brigs and nooses, though, since she had rescued him from so many. She resigned herself and stepped up to the helm officially. "I relieve you, Commodore. Now go get some sleep."
Jack stifled a yawn. "Good idea, luv. I'll be needin' me wits about me till we get home." He stepped back and headed down the stairs. "G'Night, luv. I shall see you in the morning." He walked around the bottom of the staircase and into his quarters.
- -
The sunset hadn't lied. The tailwind carried them fast enough that Jack had to order the sails of the Pearl trimmed in order that the Brigand's Wench and the Neptune's Folly could keep up with her. At nightfall, all three ships dropped anchor, and the captains of the other two ships rowed over to the Pearl with their first mates.
The Brigand's Wench was a fine 3-mast sloop, with 14 cannons and Captain Gibbs at the helm. He and his first mate Marty climbed the ladder and went straight to the Commodore's cabin.
The Neptune's Folly was a brigantine with a mere 10 cannon. Her captain called herself "Lizzy", though it was well known among the pirate fleet that her real name was Elizabeth Swann, daughter of Governor Swann in Port Royal. Her first mate was her lover William Turner, both of them close friends with the Commodore. Everyone thought that the two would marry right away. Jack had even offered to perform the ceremony himself at the helm of the Pearl. Elizabeth had refused, however, claiming that, in their new lives as pirates, being legally bound to any other person was akin to slavery, and she would have none of it. Oddly enough, she and Will had stayed together as if they HAD gotten married, although their relationship was seen as "odd" to say the least, since she took charge of it immediately, and Will seemed satisfied with being subservient to her.
As Will got to the top of the ladder, he saw Satan, one of Jack's two prized albino ferrets running after a rat. Jack had taken Satan and Kali as his portion of a raid, though nobody could say why he didn't want any of the other booty. Often as not, whenever Jack was aboard the Pearl, he would have Kali on his person somewhere, sleeping or looking around with her demonic red eyes from his shoulder or even from the top of his hat. Will smiled. He remembered the look on Jack's face when he first claimed them. He'd seen Kali's eyes glowing behind a barrel and went scrambling after her on all fours, looking like a toddler with a new pet. He'd come out of the hold holding both of them. They had been keeping the Pearl clear of rats and mice ever since.
- -
The captains and first mates sat in the Commodore's cabin, chatting like the good friends that they were, waiting for Jack. Ana Maria decided that it was about time that the Commodore made his entrance, so she rose and left to fetch him from the helm.
Jack strolled into the room preceded by Ana Maria. Upon his entrance, the waiting group hushed; Jack was stone sober...something he only did when he was nervous about a raid, which was almost never.
"Hello Joshamee, Marty. You have prepared your boarding crew for their duties?"
Gibbs smiled. "Aye, Commodore! Them wot we brought for boardin' be right thirsty for the slaver's crew's blood. I appointed Mutambo as their leader, seein' as Ana Maria trusts him to her back."
"I dare say I would trust any of them to me back, blow guns, spears, and all," Jack said loudly. "But yer right proper to choose Mutambo as Ana Maria's first mate. Twas he who kissed her boot when she freed his group. She's always gone soft where he's concerned." Ana Maria's eyes flashed. Jack's eyes twinkled in mirth. "I be only foolin', luv. What say you to havin' Mutambo as your first mate, eh?"
Ana Maria didn't hesitate. "He be fine. He speaks good enough English to understand him, and speaks three or four tribal dialects besides."
Jack turned to Lizzy. "So, Lizzy. How are you and your bonny wife doin' then?"
Will's eyes flashed, then he smiled. Lizzy just grinned. "My CABIN BOY and I are doing fine, Commodore. His sailing abilities rival mine now, and you know full well his fighting skills."
Jack chuckled. "Cabin boy, now, is he? Only a week ago he was your first mate. Have you then had a little spat? Lovers' quarrel p'rhaps?"
For this, Lizzy slapped him, followed closely by Ana Maria.
Jack adjusted his jaw and looked at Ana Maria. "Now I KNOW I didn't deserve that!"
Ana Maria's eyes flared. "Aye you did! Here are all of us together in a war council, and you publicly humiliate her, making jokes about the girl's heart!"
Jack looked hurt. "Luv, I would never say anything like that in public. All who are around this table are friends. And I think that both of you bonny lasses know it. You just enjoy beating on me, and THAT is something that should not be performed in front of the crew either." He smiled slyly. "Now, if you girls wish to beat me alone in me cabin in PRIVATE, we could -"
SlapSlap! Both ladies had slapped him again. Jack re-adjusted his jaw, grinning broadly. "Now I DEFINITELY deserved THAT," he chuckled.
Will chuckled softly. "Commodore, Neptune's Folly is ready for the Dauntless. The cannons are ready with the new shot that I designed just in case we need them, and the boarding party you sent over is getting restless."
Jack grinned. "Good! Now, the supplies are being loaded onto the Wench to get the slaver home. There'll be no time once the boardin' starts to move it all from here. I want the slaver secured and removed from the area a'fore they know the Pearl's surrender is a ruse."
Ana Maria nodded. "Aye, we'll start loading the instant she's secured, and be away before they know what has happened."
Gibbs agreed. "Aye, as soon as the longboats load onto the slaver we'll be off. I don't be a wantin' to leave her unprotect-"
Jack interrupted. "I've changed me mind regarding the longboats. As soon as the supplies and men are on board the slaver, get out of the area. The Pearl will pick up the longboats. I do NOT want anything to happen to the slaver before it makes landfall at home."
"And where is 'home,' Commodore?" Will asked. "I always thought your home was here, aboard the Pearl."
"Aye, it is. But I do have a land home for when I need it. Ana Maria will give everyone wot needs them the coordinates." He refused to say more.
Lizzy looked thoughtful. "Jack, with all hands that know how to care for sick and injured going with the slaver, what about injured crew members here on the Pearl? Surely you do not believe that nobody on either side will be injured?"
"Not to worry, luv! I can stitch with the best of 'em, and I have a couple of sail makers who can fill in if need be. And I know that there is a real doctor on the Dauntless. Stop worrying about the Pearl, and just look to the Folly. You shall have ample time to worry about your cabin boy's steering ability after he takes the Dauntless. My only worry is if your ex-fiancé is aboard her, and what YOU would do to ME if he were to be accidentally killed."
Lizzy relaxed. "Is THAT why you're nervous? If Commodore Norrington is protecting slave ships personally, I would not be opposed to running him through myself!"
Jack appeared to relax, but Lizzy could see in his eyes that this was not the only reason for his nervousness. She pretended not to notice, however. Jack went on. "Good then! Let us get the ships into position. If my estimates are correct, we have at least three days to wait, but I'll not take any chances with this catch. The Dauntless will NOT find us with our breeches down!"
Jack rose and left without another word, and marched back to his helm, never mind that the Pearl was anchored. The helm was where Jack and his Lady could talk together best.
"Miss Elizabeth, could it be that he does not see the Pearl's danger? I hear that the slaver has a crew of an hundred. When she sailed from Port Royal to meet the slaver, the Dauntless was fully staffed with a compliment of 250 marines! And here floats Jack, nary a concern for his Pearl being blown out of the water?! Norrington was so angry when you left with Will and no weddin' tha' he would drink Jack's blood, and Jack seems obliged to give it to him in a crystal goblet."
Lizzy responded, looking upset. "The name is Captain Lizzy, if you please, Captain Gibbs. But I do agree. However, I read his eyes. He'll have no argument on this one. I still do not know why he is so violent against the slave trade. I agree with him that it is wrong and must be fought, but Jack...he is insane about the subject. That he has virtually STOPPED the slave trade in the Caribbean is why the Dauntless itself is guarding this one. That, and this slaver's size."
Ana Maria looked angry. "Aye! Five hundred tribesmen left Africa in the hold of that ship! I have high hopes to find even half of them alive still. I am all for attacking the slaver, but I agree with ye, Jack surpasses even me with his hatred. I've asked him, but he looks at the horizon and changes the subject. He will not give even me his reasoning."
Will stood up and left quietly. He climbed the stairs almost to the top and watched Jack, who seemed to be watching the stars. Will was careful to speak very softly. "Jack, why do you attack slavers with no quarter given?"
Jack glanced at the boy, then looked back to the stars, his eyes suddenly hard. "Whelp, of all people, your father is the only one I ever trusted with that information. When he died, that secret died with him, and I shall not resurrect it for you nor anyone else. Suffice it to say that I hate slavers and shall not suffer them to live. If I had a son of me own and found him workin' a slaver ship, his life would be forfeit. Do not ask me more." He looked down at the deck, his eyes softening again. "Your bonnie lass and captain is waitin' for you." He went back to watching the stars.
As the Neptune's Folly pulled away, Will thought he heard a single shot of gunfire from the Pearl. He became worried, but kept the Folly on target to his appointed position. He didn't bother Lizzy with it.
The ships drew away, stringing out until they could only make the other ships out through their spyglasses.
- -
TBC
A/N: Now hit that REVIEW button and let me know what you think about it! Plot bunnies need REVIEWS to live, and I'm writing the sequel even as you read this. So REVIEW and I'll publish it here, savvy?
Pirates of the Caribbean - PG-13
Copyright: Characters, not mine, See the Mouse. Story, mine, but I make no money. He does, but not on this.
Typing convention. / is used for thoughts.
Summary: Jack Sparrow seems to be waging a personal war on slavery. Elizabeth and Will want to know WHY.
A/N: Let me know what you think about it.
- - - - - - -
Chapter 1 - I Saw Three Ships
The sunset was positively magnificent! The sky seemed to explode with reds, oranges, and yellows.
"Good sailing, tomorrow," he muttered.
Ana Maria climbed the stairs to the helm, careful not to disturb her Commodore when he was staring at the sunset. Jack Sparrow was more accurate than a barometer when judging the coming weather. He must have heard her, though, as he turned toward her, smiling.
"Good e'enin' luv. Fine night for sailing, this. Tomorrow we shall have clear skies, and a good tail wind. Looks like we shall be in position two days early by my reckoning. What say you?"
Ana Maria looked at the explosion of color. "Aye, Jack. Two days looks right. But do ye still mean t' sink her? She'd be a nice addition to yer fleet...Commodore." She used the word with meaning. It wasn't lost on Jack.
His eyes narrowed. "I'll not have a slaver ship under my command, former or not! However, luv, if she's escorted like I've 'eard, ye'll be sittin' pretty at the wheel of the Dauntless 'erself ere nightfall six days from now. What say you to that, eh?"
Ana Maria looked nervous. "I don't know, Jack...the Dauntless AND the slaver? That slaver is s'posed to have near 40 cannon on its own! Add to that the Dauntless, and I fear that the three ships we have will not suffice for the attack."
Jack gave her his sweetest toothy grin. The gold teeth glinted in the failing sunset. "Luv, we shall take them without a shot fired, and you shall take your crew and pilot the slaver home, drop off our new friends and scuttle her in peace, at which time the Dauntless is yours to keep. Make sure to give everyone the coordinates, luv."
Ana Maria still looked worried, though she desperately wanted to believe him. Jack had a penchant for underestimating certain situations, and completely blind to failure against slavers. They'd had this argument before, and she had never gotten any farther than this. She figured that Jack must have a love for brigs and nooses, though, since she had rescued him from so many. She resigned herself and stepped up to the helm officially. "I relieve you, Commodore. Now go get some sleep."
Jack stifled a yawn. "Good idea, luv. I'll be needin' me wits about me till we get home." He stepped back and headed down the stairs. "G'Night, luv. I shall see you in the morning." He walked around the bottom of the staircase and into his quarters.
- -
The sunset hadn't lied. The tailwind carried them fast enough that Jack had to order the sails of the Pearl trimmed in order that the Brigand's Wench and the Neptune's Folly could keep up with her. At nightfall, all three ships dropped anchor, and the captains of the other two ships rowed over to the Pearl with their first mates.
The Brigand's Wench was a fine 3-mast sloop, with 14 cannons and Captain Gibbs at the helm. He and his first mate Marty climbed the ladder and went straight to the Commodore's cabin.
The Neptune's Folly was a brigantine with a mere 10 cannon. Her captain called herself "Lizzy", though it was well known among the pirate fleet that her real name was Elizabeth Swann, daughter of Governor Swann in Port Royal. Her first mate was her lover William Turner, both of them close friends with the Commodore. Everyone thought that the two would marry right away. Jack had even offered to perform the ceremony himself at the helm of the Pearl. Elizabeth had refused, however, claiming that, in their new lives as pirates, being legally bound to any other person was akin to slavery, and she would have none of it. Oddly enough, she and Will had stayed together as if they HAD gotten married, although their relationship was seen as "odd" to say the least, since she took charge of it immediately, and Will seemed satisfied with being subservient to her.
As Will got to the top of the ladder, he saw Satan, one of Jack's two prized albino ferrets running after a rat. Jack had taken Satan and Kali as his portion of a raid, though nobody could say why he didn't want any of the other booty. Often as not, whenever Jack was aboard the Pearl, he would have Kali on his person somewhere, sleeping or looking around with her demonic red eyes from his shoulder or even from the top of his hat. Will smiled. He remembered the look on Jack's face when he first claimed them. He'd seen Kali's eyes glowing behind a barrel and went scrambling after her on all fours, looking like a toddler with a new pet. He'd come out of the hold holding both of them. They had been keeping the Pearl clear of rats and mice ever since.
- -
The captains and first mates sat in the Commodore's cabin, chatting like the good friends that they were, waiting for Jack. Ana Maria decided that it was about time that the Commodore made his entrance, so she rose and left to fetch him from the helm.
Jack strolled into the room preceded by Ana Maria. Upon his entrance, the waiting group hushed; Jack was stone sober...something he only did when he was nervous about a raid, which was almost never.
"Hello Joshamee, Marty. You have prepared your boarding crew for their duties?"
Gibbs smiled. "Aye, Commodore! Them wot we brought for boardin' be right thirsty for the slaver's crew's blood. I appointed Mutambo as their leader, seein' as Ana Maria trusts him to her back."
"I dare say I would trust any of them to me back, blow guns, spears, and all," Jack said loudly. "But yer right proper to choose Mutambo as Ana Maria's first mate. Twas he who kissed her boot when she freed his group. She's always gone soft where he's concerned." Ana Maria's eyes flashed. Jack's eyes twinkled in mirth. "I be only foolin', luv. What say you to havin' Mutambo as your first mate, eh?"
Ana Maria didn't hesitate. "He be fine. He speaks good enough English to understand him, and speaks three or four tribal dialects besides."
Jack turned to Lizzy. "So, Lizzy. How are you and your bonny wife doin' then?"
Will's eyes flashed, then he smiled. Lizzy just grinned. "My CABIN BOY and I are doing fine, Commodore. His sailing abilities rival mine now, and you know full well his fighting skills."
Jack chuckled. "Cabin boy, now, is he? Only a week ago he was your first mate. Have you then had a little spat? Lovers' quarrel p'rhaps?"
For this, Lizzy slapped him, followed closely by Ana Maria.
Jack adjusted his jaw and looked at Ana Maria. "Now I KNOW I didn't deserve that!"
Ana Maria's eyes flared. "Aye you did! Here are all of us together in a war council, and you publicly humiliate her, making jokes about the girl's heart!"
Jack looked hurt. "Luv, I would never say anything like that in public. All who are around this table are friends. And I think that both of you bonny lasses know it. You just enjoy beating on me, and THAT is something that should not be performed in front of the crew either." He smiled slyly. "Now, if you girls wish to beat me alone in me cabin in PRIVATE, we could -"
SlapSlap! Both ladies had slapped him again. Jack re-adjusted his jaw, grinning broadly. "Now I DEFINITELY deserved THAT," he chuckled.
Will chuckled softly. "Commodore, Neptune's Folly is ready for the Dauntless. The cannons are ready with the new shot that I designed just in case we need them, and the boarding party you sent over is getting restless."
Jack grinned. "Good! Now, the supplies are being loaded onto the Wench to get the slaver home. There'll be no time once the boardin' starts to move it all from here. I want the slaver secured and removed from the area a'fore they know the Pearl's surrender is a ruse."
Ana Maria nodded. "Aye, we'll start loading the instant she's secured, and be away before they know what has happened."
Gibbs agreed. "Aye, as soon as the longboats load onto the slaver we'll be off. I don't be a wantin' to leave her unprotect-"
Jack interrupted. "I've changed me mind regarding the longboats. As soon as the supplies and men are on board the slaver, get out of the area. The Pearl will pick up the longboats. I do NOT want anything to happen to the slaver before it makes landfall at home."
"And where is 'home,' Commodore?" Will asked. "I always thought your home was here, aboard the Pearl."
"Aye, it is. But I do have a land home for when I need it. Ana Maria will give everyone wot needs them the coordinates." He refused to say more.
Lizzy looked thoughtful. "Jack, with all hands that know how to care for sick and injured going with the slaver, what about injured crew members here on the Pearl? Surely you do not believe that nobody on either side will be injured?"
"Not to worry, luv! I can stitch with the best of 'em, and I have a couple of sail makers who can fill in if need be. And I know that there is a real doctor on the Dauntless. Stop worrying about the Pearl, and just look to the Folly. You shall have ample time to worry about your cabin boy's steering ability after he takes the Dauntless. My only worry is if your ex-fiancé is aboard her, and what YOU would do to ME if he were to be accidentally killed."
Lizzy relaxed. "Is THAT why you're nervous? If Commodore Norrington is protecting slave ships personally, I would not be opposed to running him through myself!"
Jack appeared to relax, but Lizzy could see in his eyes that this was not the only reason for his nervousness. She pretended not to notice, however. Jack went on. "Good then! Let us get the ships into position. If my estimates are correct, we have at least three days to wait, but I'll not take any chances with this catch. The Dauntless will NOT find us with our breeches down!"
Jack rose and left without another word, and marched back to his helm, never mind that the Pearl was anchored. The helm was where Jack and his Lady could talk together best.
"Miss Elizabeth, could it be that he does not see the Pearl's danger? I hear that the slaver has a crew of an hundred. When she sailed from Port Royal to meet the slaver, the Dauntless was fully staffed with a compliment of 250 marines! And here floats Jack, nary a concern for his Pearl being blown out of the water?! Norrington was so angry when you left with Will and no weddin' tha' he would drink Jack's blood, and Jack seems obliged to give it to him in a crystal goblet."
Lizzy responded, looking upset. "The name is Captain Lizzy, if you please, Captain Gibbs. But I do agree. However, I read his eyes. He'll have no argument on this one. I still do not know why he is so violent against the slave trade. I agree with him that it is wrong and must be fought, but Jack...he is insane about the subject. That he has virtually STOPPED the slave trade in the Caribbean is why the Dauntless itself is guarding this one. That, and this slaver's size."
Ana Maria looked angry. "Aye! Five hundred tribesmen left Africa in the hold of that ship! I have high hopes to find even half of them alive still. I am all for attacking the slaver, but I agree with ye, Jack surpasses even me with his hatred. I've asked him, but he looks at the horizon and changes the subject. He will not give even me his reasoning."
Will stood up and left quietly. He climbed the stairs almost to the top and watched Jack, who seemed to be watching the stars. Will was careful to speak very softly. "Jack, why do you attack slavers with no quarter given?"
Jack glanced at the boy, then looked back to the stars, his eyes suddenly hard. "Whelp, of all people, your father is the only one I ever trusted with that information. When he died, that secret died with him, and I shall not resurrect it for you nor anyone else. Suffice it to say that I hate slavers and shall not suffer them to live. If I had a son of me own and found him workin' a slaver ship, his life would be forfeit. Do not ask me more." He looked down at the deck, his eyes softening again. "Your bonnie lass and captain is waitin' for you." He went back to watching the stars.
As the Neptune's Folly pulled away, Will thought he heard a single shot of gunfire from the Pearl. He became worried, but kept the Folly on target to his appointed position. He didn't bother Lizzy with it.
The ships drew away, stringing out until they could only make the other ships out through their spyglasses.
- -
TBC
A/N: Now hit that REVIEW button and let me know what you think about it! Plot bunnies need REVIEWS to live, and I'm writing the sequel even as you read this. So REVIEW and I'll publish it here, savvy?