A Pirates Life

"A Pirates life will see you through a lot of running, a lot of scheming, a lot of bullets, a lot of women, a lot of curses, countless debts and best of all lots of rum. The one thing it gives you that is priceless though, is freedom…oh, and rum too, never can have too much of the stuff in my opinion…." A pirate's ideal (stated while drunk)

Jack Sparrow, that was his name, had been for as long as he could remember, not far when he came to think of it. It was because of the blessed rum of course, heavenly stuff, he couldn't understand why Elizabeth couldn't appreciate it, nor Will, both odd ones if you asked him, everyone had something they would not be ungrateful to forget. Then again, everybody had restricting morals too.

He breathed in the fresh sea air, standing on the balcony of the beautiful manor. Not him, he wasn't restricted by anything, not even the horizon; there was always something that came after, somewhere he could run, a brilliant plan to think up. That was the pirates life, no standing still, going wherever you wanted, doing whatever you could, it was pure and utter freedom. He heard the blacksmiths heavy steps as he came through the doors, heard him pause not sure if he should intrude on Jacks thoughts. He decided to anyway, much to Jack's annoyance, and walked on. He stood next to him, breathed in the air, the sounds of the party could be heard. Not the sort of party Jack would usually attend, classical music and upstart ladies, no fun at all and worst of all no rum. It wasn't Will or Elizabeth's party either for that matter; it was the Governors, the dear old father's way of sending his lovely daughter off, regrettably. He'd built the blooming mansion for them, as a wedding gift. It hadn't been inhabited yet, but by a few servants. Will and Elizabeth were waiting for the opportune moment, after the vows and such like. Frankly Jack didn't see the point of a piece of paper to tell you were married, but people so did love holding do's and dressing in fancy clothes, just like Will now, and dear Elizabeth within. Jack remained in the attire he loved, and therefore remained out of sight, upstairs away from the guests. It would be his neck in the noose again if he was spotted by anyone, the Governor, and especially the Commodore.

"So what brings you here unannounced?" Will asked, he kept on glancing behind his shoulder, as if expecting the Commodore to barge in at any time, with a troop of soldiers. By the people who had turned up at the party, a group of who were dressed in red coats, Jack didn't find that so unlikely.

"I notice you haven't inquired if I'm mad," Jack pointed out.

"Well we both know the answer to that," Will said.

Jack smiled appreciatively and turned to him. "What happened to the hat mate," he asked, noticing Will's bare head. "Really a stroke of genius, exchanged it for a parrot I see."

Will sighed and rubbed his head, the parrot on his shoulder fluttered its wings slightly. "Will you take it?" Will asked, looking at it with a bit of fear. "These are new clothes."

Jack shooed his hands at it, "Go on, back to the Pearl," he said. The parrot just looked at him, with those small black eyes. "Go on," Jack snapped, flicking it, "You mangy bird, Mr Cottons probably wondering after you."

The bird gave a small squawk and took flight, heading towards the sea, it became engulfed in the night. They both looked after it, there was silence for a moment.

"Your lucky Elizabeth is a quick thinker, the Commodore was trying to recall where he'd seen it before," Will said, almost reproachfully.

"How else was I supposed to let you know I was here?" Jack asked, "Bleeding sailed the Pearl right up to your pretty little hut and fired the cannons?"

"Why are you here?" Will asked, Jack sighed.

"Couldn't even offer a poor pirate a bit of rum before we get to the niceties, could you?" Jack asked indignantly.

"No," said Will, "Besides there's no rum in the house, Elizabeth said the last experience she had with it has turned her off it for life."

"Poor love," Jack sighed sorrowfully, "Got her little heart broken; it just wouldn't have worked though."

"Come on Jack," Will persisted, "What have you got up your sleeves this time?"

"Can't a friend just visit another said friend?" Jack asked, knocking on the pillar, and then inspecting it as if was something highly interesting, he began to circle it and Will followed him, he'd forgotten how odd Jack could be.

"Not you," Will snapped, "Now tell me or leave."

Jack swung around to him, "Fine," he sighed, "A bit of wine though, eh?"

"No," Will said, "You already look drunk."

"Haven't touched a drop," Jack said sorrowfully, "I'm parched."

"Exactly!"

Jack turned back to the balcony, looked out onto the ocean, he slowly held up his hand.

"It's been paining me," he proclaimed with great reluctance.

"It's been paining," Will said blankly. "You sailed all this way, risked your life which Elizabeth and I saved, to tell me that your hand has been paining you."

"No, you simpleton, look closer," Jack snapped, giving him a whack on the shoulder. On closer inspection Will noticed the white scar running along the palm of Jacks hand; unconsciously he rubbed his own identical scar.

Jack looked at him closely, then smiled grimly. "Aye you've been feeling it too and the fair Elizabeth as well."

Will turned away from his suspicious gaze and the sinking feeling he had, "Old scars hurt, Jack, it's not unusual."

"But these, these be a curses scar. I tell you I've been feeling it, there's a change on the wind," Jack shivered slightly.

"You sound like Gibbs," Will said, trying to cover up his uneasiness.

"Aye, well if you spend enough time with him," Jack shrugged, "At least I don't smell like him, a blessing hey."

"Not yet," Will muttered under his breathe; Jack turned to him and Will got a whiff of the sea captains unhealthy breathe. He had forgotten you had to be careful where you pointed your nose around Jack.

"What was that mate?" he inquired, another large whiff, Will quickly turned his head away.

"So that's all you came for then?" he asked, changing the subject quickly.

"Aye, I just needed to see if you were feeling it too, thought I'd see if I could unravel a plan before they caught up to me, and to get a bit of rum…. No use telling you though, caught up like two birds you are with Elizabeth, both lost your senses."

"Were engaged, were happy," Will said shortly.

"When's the wedding, eh?" Jack inquired curiously.

"In a month's time," Will muttered, this time reluctantly. "You better not risk that neck of yours Jack, to come see it, the Commodores going to be even more vigilant."

"Wouldn't dream of missing it," Jack said, flashing his gold teeth. "But I don't think I'll be able to make that appointment despite your warnings."

Will turned to him curiously, "What's wrong Jack?" he asked.

"I don't know," Jack mumbled, "I have this gnawing feeling at the back of me neck, mate, it's biting at me like a mosquito, I tell you there's something I've forgotten, some debt. I think it's best I stay out of the way, keep whoever it is from a knocking. A storms coming."

"Oh Captain Norrington," came a shriek from the garden, "Do tell us about this new fellow…what is his name is again…."

"Lord Cuttler Bekhett" the Commodore supplied rather patiently.

"Yes that fellow, the new pirate hunter, he sounds simply amazing."

Some of Elizabeth's friends and the fair lady herself had walked into the garden below, accompanied by the Commodore and his red coats, Jack quickly hid behind the pillar, biting his fist.

"He's part of the East India Trading Company; I've heard he's quite an ingenious man, talks of a new world governed by the British filled with civilized people. He's quite bent on destroying all those who feel the law is beneath them, especially pirates," the Commodore supplied for the giggly young ladies. "I'll not be surprised if he doesn't succeed, they're a dying breed these pirates."

"Oh really Commodore," Elizabeth said coldly, she was a little apart from her giddy 'friends' and was much more composed in the company of handsome officers. Something seemed to be bothering her. "Any news of Jack Sparrow?"

Will gave an appreciative grin, his fair lady was clever.

"No, not yet," the Commodore said rather stiffly. "But I'm sure that Lord Bekhett would be able to aid us in that matter, he is quite ingenious, even more then Sparrow can even claim I'd say."

Jack snorted rather loudly, and the Commodore looked up at the balcony. "Good evenig Commodore," Will said, caught red handed, his face turned red. "I was catching a breathe of air."

Jack shook his head a bit in sadness; after all that they'd been though he'd at least hoped Will would have learnt to lie. He moved forward, hoping to salvage the situation, but Will quickly pushed him back with a heavy hand onto the pillar.

"Stay there," he muttered under his breathe.

The Commodore frowned down below, "Are you quite all right Turner?" he inquired suspiciously.

"Yes, completely fine," Will said, "I'm just a little fatigued; I think I'll retire for the evening." He quickly moved into the shadows were he was out of view and pulled Jack with him.

"Oh," the Commodore said, but the ladies were already trying to grab his attention again, and pulled him away before he could inspect any further.

"Do tell us more," exclaimed the one who had first ventured upon the conversation

"As I said, he has often stated that he will civilize the world, modernize the people within it, eradicate those who are not willing to change and bring it forward," the Commodore continued, slightly distracted and frowning.

"You have to wonder Commodore," said Elizabeth sharply, she was looking at her eager and excited friends with disgust, "What civilized is, a man who fights for his freedom, or a man who fights to enslave others and brands his fellow human like cattle."

"Don't be silly Lizzy," said one of the girls, "Pirates are evil, everyone knows that, they break the law, and kill and steal and drink, and their not respectable, they deserve to be branded to warn common people." Elizabeth pursed her lips trying to bite back what she had been dying to say once she had left the pirates and come back to society with a revelation.

"What's the matter Lizzy?" she asked in a high voice, "Are you still upset over that awful maid falling over you?"

"Maybe you should be branded too then," snapped Elizabeth, finally losing patience that they could not see the truth in the matter, "To warn people of your ignorant tongue, really you are all so superficial, chained down by a society which is filled with illusions. Branding people with titles and stations just because of what their born into. If I was to choose between a pirate or one of you I'd choose a pirate, they have a sense of decency and don't brand a person because of their money and station, they appreciate hard work. Why just last week I heard you gossiping about how my marriage to Will would amount to nothing because he is a blacksmith. At least pirates value friendships."

"Well I never," the girl exclaimed, she had turned slightly red, "If that's how you feel then maybe I should call for my carriage… You've changed Elizabeth," with that she flicked her hair and sailed away, the Commodore motioned for his guards to follow but he remained where he was. They both stayed in silence while Jack and Will watched the drama unfold.

"Elizabeth," he said quietly, "Just because Lord Buhkett shares these views does not mean we all do."

Elizabeth looked at him and sighed heavily, they didn't understand, no one did, except Will and Jack, and the crew of the Black Pearl. All these people had ever done was live lives filled with gossip, no adventure, no fun, no freedom, just invisible chains called society which held them down.

The Commodore moved closer to Elizabeth, he had lost her as a fiancé, but he did not want to lose her as a friend, this was evident. "If there weren't those who broke the law now and then, I wouldn't have a job, and life would be…well… mundane," he said this rather painfully, aware that it went against what he believed in, but it was the truth. "I understand it's hard to settle back, after experiencing such…. Freedom, but sometimes it is better to have friends from both worlds, so you do not get carried away with either duty, or leisure, I have learnt that from our latest exploit."

Elizabeth looked up at him with new eyes, maybe he was not the most free man, but he had experienced the sea as well and met more pirates then her, he had seen the other side of life too, and although he was against piracy, he had still given Jack that head start.

"I'm quite glad to see that friendship go Commodore," Elizabeth said, "I never really did like those girls, but I'll always have you to remind me to hold my tongue more firmly next time, will I not?"

It was request of friendship, and the Commodore bowed in submission.

"Commodore," called a red coat from within, "The Governor has requested to see you he wants to confer about provisions before you depart sir."

The Commodore turned to go, but Elizabeth pulled him back for a second. "Commodore," she requested, he turned to her, curious.

"Yes Elizabeth?" he requested.

She stood there for a moment, unable to voice her concern, and then she finally found the words. "Do you really think that this man, this Buhkett will end the age of pirates… do you really think he's a threat to… to there way of life? To the age…of….of?" she trailed off.

"I cannot say Elizabeth," he said almost gravely. "But it is evident that the pirates have been dying rapidly by the crown. This Buhkett is a very driven man I have heard, and he will stop at nothing and nobody to gain the new world he wishes for. Maybe even Sparrow will have to bend to his conform."

Elizabeth thanked him, and watched with a furrowed brow as he retreated within. Jack and Will both watched her as she stood there, illuminated by the moonlight, her hair falling free and her red dress glowing.

"What will you do Jack?" she finally asked, looking up the balcony. Jack and Will slowly moved to the edge again.

"Well I'll drink some rum love, and then get back on the Pearl," Jack answered.

"No, I mean…" Elizabeth tried to explain, she was struggling with the concept herself, "What will you do if… if the pirates really die out?"

"Well there'll always be me," Jack said.

"Yes but you heard the Commodore," Elizabeth said, "This man… this Buhkett will stop at nothing to destroy all the pirates. I heard others talking before, apparently he calls pirates the dying race. What will you do if he tries to make you conform?"

"It'll never happen," Jack said, "You forgot a very important thing, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow love, savvy."

"But they'll catch you sometime Jack," Will said, rubbing his scar unconsciously, thinking about what Jack had said earlier, "Something will catch up to you one day."

"Gosh you can't win with you lot, can you," Jack exclaimed, raising his hands to the skies. "These men come and go, but pirates are always there."

"Yes and the Greeks and Romans were always there too, look what happened to them," Elizabeth pointed out. "You've already been caught by that same company once You have to be more careful Jack, you can't come here like this and risk everything"

"Just me life love," Jack said, giving a small grin.

"She's right Jack," Will said, "You can't gamble so much."

"But I love gambling," Jack whined. "And since when have you two become so cautious. I've never been stupid enough to want to die for love."

"Yes but you've been stupid enough to be an honest man," reminded Will.

"Never," Jack said indignantly.

"Stop sallying Jack, this is serious," Elizabeth pointed out, "It would be horrible and ungrateful after all we've done if you finally end up hanging on the hang man's noose. Norrington hasn't really been searching for you, but this Buhkett man won't give you that same respect."

"There's always a price on my head," Jack sighed, "Why was I cursed with so many admirers."

"Stop it," Elizabeth snapped, "It would be horrible if anything happened to you and the Pearl was lost, and piracy was lost…it's a wonderful race Jack, well at least you and your crew are, don't gamble it all away…."

"Never was one to let people collect on my debts," Jack said quietly, almost absent mindedly looking up at the stars and frowning, as if he saw something extremely interesting. He was swaying from side to side, waving his hands.

Both Elizabeth and Will looked too, but all they saw were stars and the full pale moon.

"What would you do Jack?" Will broke the silence.

Jack sighed, and put his hands together as if asking for patience, finally he turned to Will and Elizabeth. "I thought I explained this," he said carefully, as if he was talking to simpletons, "There'll always be me and the Pearl and the crew, and you two of course, to pilfer our black hearts out… and freedom… nothing will change that."

"A storms coming," Will reminded Jack of his earlier words. Jack turned to him.

"It's best I get going then eh, before it reaches me ship," he said grimly. "I'm sure I'll remember who I owe before the end of the month, besides, they won't be able to get to me unless they were Satan themselves, and not even then, I hate having to pay debts."

With that he sprung to the ground, climbing down the pillar neatly. He bowed at Elizabeth and saluted Will.
"A happy marriage to you both," he said, "And if I can, trust I'll be at your wedding."

"Jack," Elizabeth reproached, but he was already gone.

Both her and Will stood in silence again, each consumed in their thoughts.

"Do you think that he'll be all right?" they both asked, then looked at each other.

"He's Captain Jack Sparrow," Will reminded them both. Elizabeth ran her hand over her scar.

"A storm is coming Will," she said, "And were caught in the middle of it. Everything's going to change."

"Everything always does," Will said, "But like Jack said, we'll always be here no matter what, and we'll always be pirates."

"Don't forget the Pearl," Elizabeth laughed and looked up at Will, "and the crew."

"Do you really think he'll make it to our wedding?" Will asked.

"I hope not," Elizabeth prayed, "But I suppose he will. He'll just drag whatever's looking for him into Port Royal, and he'll drag us into it too, you mark my words. He'll probably ruin the whole wedding, and what hope will we have but to follow him."

"As long as it's not as bad as Barbossa I don't really mind," said Will.

"Nor I," said Elizabeth.

They stood their contentedly, looking up at the stars. "We forgot the other thing Will," whispered Elizabeth, "The most important thing that will always be here, that will never change."

"Hmmmm," Will inquired with a mumble.

"Freedom," said Elizabeth.

But Will remembered one last thing, "And don't forget Jack Sparrow."