"What am I going to do?" She asked herself, standing on the docks of Tortuga. The place had once been vile to her; it was what she considered the armpit of mankind. The human race was at its worst here. The events that took place in this shoreline town were things only the most unrighteous sinners could commit to doing. Drunken sailors swayed in the boulevard, whores at their sides. Bets were made and fingers were lost. Fights broke out right in front of you for no apparent reason and murder happened on every street corner.
Tortuga smelled of murder, sex, treachery, and alcohol; Elizabeth had come to love it. It wasn't truly the armpit of society, it was simply a place where people did what they have always done and had no qualms about it. It was a place where people were free.
Elizabeth roamed the muddy half lit streets missing in her own shallow contemplation. Will had been gone for nearly two years now.
'Will.'
Her heart sank at the thought of him. 'Will how can you expect me to do this? How can I expect myself to do this?'
She itched to be out on the seas again and with each passing day that itch grew, eventually consuming her, embedding itself beneath her skin in places that could never be reached. She itched to be vile. She itched to be free.
She was here for the Pearl and her freedom, not its Captain and the comfort he offered in his own, but strange way Elizabeth told herself. But alas the ship was no where to be found. Nevertheless that was acceptable to Elizabeth, she had time. In fact, all she had was time and eventually she would see those black sails on the horizon. Until then, Tortuga would be the place to rest her head.
Months had passed before the sails finally appeared. The sun had embarked on it's descent into the ocean, and Elizabeth had been on the beach lost in the memorizing crash of the waves. At first she thought her eyes had deceived her and she was simply allowing herself to see what she had been hoping for during her stay here in Tortuga. Slowly realization slithered through her; the Pearl was there. Exhilaration washed over her sending a girlish excitement pulsing through her body. It was like being a child again, seeing the ship in all her glory for the first time. Giddiness spread over her face in a smile. Her first instinct was to find a way to it as quickly as possible; to run to it and dance about her decks. But she was Captain Elizabeth Swann, King of the Brethren Court, and pirate kings did no such thing. She sighed, regaining her composure and heaved herself up from the sands.
'Composure. Composure and a boat; that is what I need.'
Elizabeth had reached the Pearl but a few hours after sundown. "Who goes there!" She heard a familiar voice shout as she climbed the side of the ship.
"Good evening, Master Pintel." She responded, hauling herself up onto the decks.
"Elizabeth! Pintel, its Elizabeth!" Ragetti bellowed joyfully running out of the darkness to his friend's side.
"I can see that!" Pintel retorted with a glare.
Elizabeth smiled, 'Nothing's changed.' And for the first time in almost two years she felt as if she were home.
"Gentleman, I am here to see your Captain." She announced.
"Of course, right this way Poppet." Pintel honored the request, leading her to the cabin.
Ragetti stood in his place; amazed. "It's Elizabeth." He repeated frivolously as she strolled away behind Pintel. Elizabeth smirked again, 'I've missed them.'
Pintel quietly opened the doors to the cabin; peeking his head inside. He wore a wide grin upon his face; a knowing grin Barbossa instantly recognized. "Cap'n… You 'ave a visitor."
N/A – I couldn't help myself. I just needed to add some more. I know it is short, but there is more to come. I promise. In fact I am working on it at this very moment. Thank you to apples, paul, Kyra Neko-Rei, YoursAnonymously, and Barbossabethfan for your reviews, you are all truly wonderful and I give each and every one of you kisses. Stay tuned. Later babes!
