Author's 2 cents: This part of the story takes place about ten or fifteen years before the first movie. (also because it's been confusing some folks this is NOT a daughter-of-jack-sparrow-in-drag-and-pretending-to-be-a-son fic just so we're clear on that.)
Disclaimer: I'm a bit prettier than ol' Jerry Bruckheimer and the folks at Walt Disney Corp. so I don't own Jack or any of the characters from the movies but the made up ones in this story are all mine.
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"Once upon a time, 'dare lived a boy named Jack Sparrow, who wandered da seven seas. He hair was dark as night, and he eyes were da most remarkable dark eyes. 'Dye were clever eyes 'dat shined like black pearls. He was a clever boy dis Sparrow, d'ough you never know it from de idiot tings he do. He was a t'eft dis boy, always getting himself into trouble, but somehow he always talk himself out of trouble. Dis boy became a pirate. Soon he find himself working for a wealt'y Count as a servant. What de Count didn't know was dat Jack be only biding he time until he could find out were da Count hid a ring. Ya see dis ring was no ordinary ring, it belong to a beautiful and powerful princess before da Count stole it from her. Dis princess she send Jack to get her ring back in exchange for a very special compass, one dat shows da heart what it wants most. But what Jack didn't know was dat da Countess, de wife of de Count had been watching Jack and knew what he was up to. Da Count kept de ring locked, hidden away in a secret room dat not even da Countess knew about. One day while spying on da Count, Jack sees him opening a wall, den Jack, he know dat is where da ring must be. When da Count leave he go into dis room to find dat it is filled with jewels and treasure more dan even he could have imagined. And atop a mound of gold sitting in a box he sees something glittering green surrounded by tiny silver skulls, it is me ring he sees. As he leaves da room with da ring and more gold dan he can hold he sees da Countess with a sword ready to slit he throat. Dey fight until da Countess have Jack against a wall, and den she pierce he heart."
The small Spanish girl gasped as she held her blanket. "Did he die?"
Tia Dalma smiled charmed by the large eyed girl. She grinned both frightening and charismatic to the small girl. "No chial', He live, he live as though he just been born at dat very moment, but what da Countess didn't realize was dat Jack had already pierce her heart long before. And den Jack say to da Countess…"
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Jack stood up against the wall, a grin smeared across his face, and his hands up one holding the prized ring. His sword was three feet away from him but doomed from his reach due to the sword poking his chest. His hair was shorter and minus several beads and the deer shin bone but he had the same smug air about him.
The young countess' hair was a mess from the sword fight but to young Jack's surprise she was a great swordsman er… swordswoman. In any case here she was in her nearly sheer under things with a sword pointed straight at Jack's heart (which was beating a little harder at the notion of what was beneath her nearly sheer under things).
"What are you grinning about?" said the countess venomous even if in a silvery tone.
"I was thinking," he snickered. "What a delight it is to die at the hands of such a beautiful creature as yourself, my dear countess."
The countess smiled yet another lock of her brown hair falling out of place and in front of her face though she didn't move. Her fearsome blue eyes still leered at Jack. "Trying to charm your way out of death?" she pressed the sword closer to his chest ready to prick the skin. "That's low even for a pirate."
"And sharp too, how ever did you guess luv?" he seemed absolutely fearless.
The countess eyed his attire up and down. "It's easier than you give me credit for."
"Tell me luv," he tilted his head to the side slightly. "Why risk life and limb, fight a pirate for what is clearly a very dishonest husband." His brow creased appearing both sympathetic and concerned.
Her delicate features became stern. "A wife must always stand by or defend the honor of her husband, even if he be a less than honorable man." She held out her small hand. "Now give me the ring."
He glanced at the ring in his left hand twirling it in his fingers. "Oh this, well… no."
She pressed the sword closer now cutting the first layer of skin. "Then you force me to kill you, Sparrow."
Jack winced as the sword cut him. "Might I be granted one last request?"
"Say it and be done." she commanded.
His dark eyes glinted as they looked at her. "Why would a woman who clearly has no love for her old geezer of a husband defend his honor so?"
"How dare you! You cheek bastar--"
"You didn't answer, luv!" He said quickly holding his hands downward to vainly stop the sword before she ran him through. He was frozen for a moment in a bizarre pose one leg bent as though trying to also shield him. His eyes darted from the sword to the countess as he waited for an answer.
She paused for a moment her furious features calming. She looked at him for a moment then glanced down with a faint sadness despite her hardhearted front. "I didn't have a choice, I was forced into it." She said softly.
Jack's face softened as he eyed the young woman. A faint smiled graced his lips. He lowered his leg and his arms slowly and stood as normal, or rather as normal as he ever stood.
The countess didn't look at him as she slowly lowered the sword. "Take the ring and just go." She commanded softly
Jack didn't take his eyes off her as he sauntered with his normal hip swiveling walk towards her. "Why the sudden change of heart luv?"
"I decided to be merciful, and don't call me that!" she still couldn't seem to look him in the eye. She took the smallest step backwards her head pointed downward. The sword was now held at her side as though she were trying to conceal it.
Jack, seeing a clear opportunity and never being the sort to pass one up pressed his luck even further. "What should I call you then? Darling perhaps?" He took a step closer. He slipped his hand along her waist.
She looked up at him fiercely her face pink. "I said take the ring and go."
His eyes stared back at her soft and dark, as he tossed the ring across the floor.
She looked up at him confused for a moment then shocked as he grabbed hold of her and kissed her. Slowly and dazed she wrapped her arms around him.
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" 'Dye fall in love."
The little Spaniard grinned.
Tia Dalma's face became somber and sullen. "But it was not to be for soon da Count found out about dare love affair, and was quick to do away with Jack, but Jack is clever and he manage to outwit he hunters."
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Jack wailed as he went tumbling out of the countess' window and landed in the stables below.
Jack rubbed his head with one hand holding his shirt and boots in the other. He dizzily staggered into the rear end of one of the Count's prized horses and one Jack had cared for while waiting for the location of the ring. "Chico, is that you?" He said talking still delirious from the fall and a good deal of rum prior, into the animals tail. "How've you been, mate?" He took a step back taking a look at the hole he'd left in the roof. Just looking at it made his head hurt. "Frankly, I've been better" he said rubbing his head.
"Jack!"
Jack turned to the horse with dazed confusion. "Chico?"
"Jack!" Jack recognized the countess' strained whisper from the … very high window above.
"Oh, I suppose that would be the soon to be little Mrs. Sparrow" He leaned close to the horse's ear. "Seems a bit ambivalent about the whole separation matter." He glanced up again at the hole in the roof. He rolled his eyes remembering the pain "Very ambivalent."
"Jack!"
Jack tiptoed with his arms out, struggling through rum and concussion induced delirium to get to the door.
The countess poked her head out the window as Jack stumbled out of the stables. "Jack, you must run the Count has his men looking for you."
"Oh I'm fine thank you for asking." Jack said mildly annoyed.
"Oh" the countess' face turned sympathetic. "My poor darling, I'm so sorry." She looked at him terribly pained. "Are you badly hurt?"
"No, luckily I landed on my head." He rubbed his head once more. "A part of my anatomy I've been using sparsely these days."
The countess' hand went up to her lips in worry. "Really Jack you must hurry, they'll be after you."
Jack just grinned, blew her a kiss and began to run for his life.
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Jack skidded down the alley way tugging on his boots when he heard the very distinct voice of danger behind him.
"There he goes get him!"
Jack yelled as he dodged and ran from the hail of bullets after him.
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"So da countess realized she must stab he heart once more to save his body and soul…"
"Come with me."
"No, Jack."
Jack's soft eyes shone as he looked at her. He cupped her face with his hand. "Why stay with a man who doesn't love you," he gently stroked her hair with his ring covered fingers. "Think about it luv, all he can offer you is a cage I'm offering you the world" He tilted her chin to look him in the eye, which she had been avoiding. "Nothing but golden horizons on the deck of a ship."
The countess laughed awkwardly still trying not to look him in the eye. "Smooth talker, you don't even have a ship."
"A minor set back" He said airily. Her silence was causing his confidence to waver. He lowered his voice as he spoke. "you don't love him."
She tilted her head down so he couldn't see her bite her lip. She summoned all her strength to do what she had to do. She ignored the knot in her stomach that was screaming that he was right, that she was willingly staying in her cage when she could be free, free with Jack Sparrow. She didn't have a choice. With her head still bowed she spoke softly a small ironic smile on her heart-shaped lips that he couldn't see. "You are right Jack I don't love him." Kill him to save him. She looked him straight in the eyes her features cold and stony. "But that doesn't mean I love you."
Jack stared at her blankly for a moment certain he hadn't heard her correctly. "You're lying." he said calmly.
Her eyes looked up at him pleadingly though the rest of her face remained cold. She touched his hand that was still holding her face. She squeezed tightly then slowly removed it from her cheek and pushed it towards his chest.
Jack still looking expressionless gazed down at his hand. He uncoiled his fingers to reveal the green stone ring.
"I never want to see you again." she said in a low near trembling voice.
A small smile appeared on his face to her surprise. He lightly brushed her face one last time. "Whatever you say, luv." And with that he was gone.
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"But why didn't the countess go with Jack?" Asked the wee Spaniard sitting up in her bed in outrage.
"She wanted to," Said Tia Dalma stroking the girl's hair in a tender and maternal way. "painfully she long to sail a-way with him, but you see what Jack didn't know was dat de countess was keeping a secret dat…"
"Get the hell out of my home" A silvery voice interrupted the voodoo priestess at the peek of the story.
Tia Dalma calmly almost coyly turned to look at the woman pointing a sword in her direction. She leaned down on the little Spaniard's bed that she had been sitting on until now with her head resting on her hand. "Now, now Amelia is dat any way to talk to an old friend."
"Don't lie to yourself Tia Dalma we've never been friends"
Tia Dalma smiled. "I su'pose you are right" She stood up with the posture of an empress and more dominance than even the woman who stood before her, if that was possible. Her right arm was crooked touching her shoulder. Her exotic clothes seemed to flutter as she advanced towards the woman who would not lower her sword.
The little girl seemed shocked, never in her life had she heard her saintly, poised mother use such language.
"T'ink hard before ya decide ta turn a blade upon me." Tia Dalma never stopped smiling, but through the sweetness of her smile and her voice, was a clear threat. The woman seemed unfazed by it.
The beautiful woman stood calmly with perfect posture not for a swordsman but for a lady. She made what by a great stretch of the imagination could be interpreted as a smile at Tia Dalma. "Think hard before you decide to risk this blade."
"Aye, ya be more skilled wit' a blade dan anyone I've seen," She stopped gliding towards her now and simply stood before her hands as her sides. "But even if ya held da best prowess wit' a sword in all da seven seas do ya t'ink dat would protect ya from me?" Both women were very aware of the situation, that even if the woman wanted to kill Tia Dalma she could never manage it.
The woman decided to try a different tactic. "Why are you here?"
"Ya didn't t'ink I could miss de birt'day of my favorite little countess ta be could I?" she spun on her heel to look at the little girl sitting in the bed. She reached behind her back which was now facing the woman and a small purple box with black ribbon materialized in her hand. She brought her hand forth to show the young girl.
The girl's blue eyes grew big with excitement at the sight of the gift. She clapped her hands as Tia Dalma glided next to her bed. Before the woman could object the small Spaniard grabbed the box eyes locked on it. She frowned then she looked up at Tia Dalma. "But my birthday isn't for months."
Tia Dalma pouted. "Does dat mean ya don't want it?" she said extending her arms to the box.
The girl hugged the box to her chest defensively. "No."
Tia Dalma smiled and lightly played with the girl's golden hair as she looked at the woman clearly tensed by Tia Dalma being so near to her daughter. "I t'aught it be a nice way of reminding ya mo'der what an important day it t'is today. Do ya be remembering why today be so important Condesa Amelia?"
"May I open it now?" she asked. Quickly she covered her mouth embarrassed she had interrupted.
Tia Dalma looked down at the girl. "I t'ink perhaps ya should wait until I am gone, Don't ya worry I won't be much longer." She turned her attention back to the woman. "Do ya be remembering da vow you made to me?"
The condesa stiffened. "You were vague, but as I recall I still have ten more years before my debt is due."
"Dis is true," Smiled Tia Dalma her wide grin reminding the condesa of a shark's grin as she moved towards her. "but wit' you moving fur'ter and fur'ter a-way from my watchfully eyes and da sea I t'aught you might be trying to…" Tia Dalma had somehow managed to move from in front of her blade to right next to her without her knowledge. Tia Dalma leaned so close the condesa could feel her breathe on her neck, and whispered in her ear. "forget."
The condesa couldn't move even to look at her. Despite hiding it like a soldier she was petrified. "How could I?" She stared straight ahead stone faced. "Not a day goes by where the thought doesn't plague my mind." she said bitterly
"Good" Tia Dalma glanced over at the little Spaniard then pressed her cheek next to the condesa's so she could see her exactly as she saw her. "I've been t'inking dat a growing chial' should grow up near de ocean, a house rit on de wat'a"
The contesa was now trembling she would sooner dance cheek to cheek with a great white shark than the demon she was next to now.
"Sea air does da body of a chial' good because if ya don't," She moved away now and the condesa felt compelled to look Tia Dalma in the eye. "I'll call in ya debt early." Tia Dalma slowly moved away from the condesa, a grim and foreboding smile on her face. In the blink of an eye she was next to the little Spaniard she kissed the top of her head. "Take care chial'."
The girl looked up and smiled. "Thank you for the gift."
Tia Dalma only smiled down at her, then she gave one last glance to the condesa. She pulled her hood over her head which was silken and looked like it was made from the hide of a great sea beast. She walked over to the balcony. Tia Dalma took a quick glance at the other pair of eyes that had been watching from the slightly open door. For a moment she locked eyes with a small black haired boy with dark eyes that shined golden due to a pair of small gold rimmed spectacles. The boy leered at her through the door. She only smiled then stepped onto the railing and leapt off.
The condesa ran over to the balcony and looked down, knowing it was too much to hope for that she had fallen to her death. She looked down nothing but green grass far below. The condesa fell to her knees one arm wrapped around the railing the other holding the sword and lying limply next to her.
'What am I to do?' She thought franticly. Her initial plan to slowly, gradually move her child inland and away from Tia Dalma's power had been foiled. She was enraged and desolate at her helplessness to save her child's life. She stared at her reflection in the blade of her sword. 'there must be something I can do.' She leered at the sword gripping it tightly coming to a conclusion, though an uneasy one.
"mummie?" She heard her daughter's voice calling her. "mummie may I open the box now."
"Certainly dear." the condesa called weakly. She knew Tia Dalma wouldn't kill her now no matter what was in that box, what she had planned was far worse. She stood up her legs weak like a newborn horse as she walked to the side of her daughter's bed.
The wee Spaniard was looking confused down at the inside of the box.
"What is it?" the condesa said wearily.
"oh it's…it's just that I thought it would be more…uh," she glanced up at her mother once. "impressive"
"Well what is it that is so unimpressive?"
The little Spaniard raised her eyebrows reaching down into the box. "It's a doll." she said holding the small twig doll in hand.
"Let me see it" the condesa's tone was strange with fear bubbling to the surface.
The wee Spaniard handed the little twig doll to her mother.
Her mother held the doll in hand ready to faint from rage. She eyed it's little dreadlocks full of tiny beads, it's small mustache and beard, the red bandana, the hair was longer than she recalled and even the tiny painted features seemed older than she remembered, but there could be no doubt, not a doubt in her mind as to who the doll was meant to look like. Her fingers closed on the tiny stick abdomen of the doll beginning to crush some of the twigs.
The little Spaniard looked up in horror at her mother's hand crushing her new treasure, but her mother paid little mind. The contesa grit her teeth when reflecting at the source of all her plight that this little trinket represented. The danger her child's soul was now in, the pain and fear the contesa had felt that had caused her to flee the sea, was all the consequence of saving the life of one man.
'Jack Sparrow'
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