"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me," sang Elizabeth Turner absentmindedly, rocking young William. William was not even a year old, yet Elizabeth could already see his father in him. William finally closed his eyes and fell asleep. Elizabeth kissed his forehead before gently laying her child in his crib. "Good night," she whispered.
Jane, who was Elizabeth's maid and William's nanny, entered the room she shared with William. "It's all right, he's asleep," Elizabeth whispered. Jane nodded and smiled, not saying a word for fear of waking the baby.
Elizabeth went to her room. It was pitch black outside, for it was late. She yawned and walked to the window, sighing as a breeze brought the smell of the ocean to her. Will was out there, somewhere, ferrying those who died at sea to the afterlife. It would be nearly nine years before he could come onto land again.
Movement broke Elizabeth out of her thoughts. She swore she saw a shadow move outside. And again—the shadow was creeping slowly towards the house. Elizabeth backed away from the window, instinctively reaching to her waist, grasping for a sword that was no longer there. Elizabeth rushed to her wardrobe and shoved the heavy dresses aside.
In the back of the wardrobe was what appeared to be a man's outfit, complete with a tri-corner hat. Hanging on a peg next to this was a sword belt. Elizabeth grabbed the belt and quickly drew the sword.
A heavy knock echoed through the house. Elizabeth froze for a moment before leaving her room, running into Jane in the hall. "Who would be calling at this hour, miss?" Jane asked, her eyes watching the sword in Elizabeth's hand.
"Watch William," Elizabeth said, making to go down the steps. Jane grabbed Elizabeth's arm to stop her, but Elizabeth jerked away. "I'll be all right, just go to William!"
Elizabeth ran down the stairs as another knock resounded. She grasped her sword so tightly her knuckles turned white as she peeked out the window next to the door. Because of the darkness outside, all Elizabeth could see was the shadow of a man wearing some sort of hat. The figure lifted his hand to knock again.
Elizabeth suddenly threw open the door, holding the sword to the man's throat. As light from inside her home showered him, she lowered her weapon in surprise. The man had a rough beard, a large hat, and a monkey on his shoulder. "Barbossa?" Elizabeth exclaimed in shocked.
"Mrs. Turner," Barbossa said in greeting, stepping into the foyer. Elizabeth watched him in both surprise and suspicious. "So this is your loverly home."
Elizabeth nodded, arching an eyebrow. "Captain Barbossa, what are you doing here?"
Barbossa continued looking around the house, his eyes drawn to the shiny objects within view. "I came to see how you were faring without us humble pirates."
Elizabeth shook her head with a small smile. "Can't you at least come up with a better lie than that?"
Barbossa chuckled, something that was rather frightening to see. "You're no mere pearl o'woman-ware, missy, that's for sure." Barbossa wandered further into the room, looking through the door to the dining room. "I've come to ask you for your help."
Elizabeth shook her head again. "That's still no good. There's nothing I can do for you."
"Yet there is, lass." Barbossa walked toward her. As he got closer, Elizabeth raised her weapon to keep him at a safe distance. Barbossa chuckled again, revealing his yellowed teeth. "You remember the map we…acquired in Singapore?"
Elizabeth nodded slowly. The map had let them to world's end and back when they had saved Jack Sparrow from Davy Jones' Locker.
"Well, I be needing that map, but a certain accurst former captain of mine plundered it! I have chased him all over the Caribbean—but I admit, I cannot catch him."
"And why do you need my help?" Elizabeth asked, although she was almost afraid to hear what Barbossa had in mind.
"Eventually Jack will—not you, Jack," Barbossa said as the monkey on his shoulder screeched. "Jack will end up in Tortuga, but it'll be hard to catch him—he knows we're looking for 'im, and he'll avoid me and me crew."
"So you want me to…capture him?" Elizabeth asked.
"More or less. Just bring him out of hiding so we can close in on him."
"Uh, huh," Elizabeth said, nodding. "And why should I?"
Barbossa smiled and shook his head. "Sharper than most men of good fortune, you are." Barbossa stepped closer, reminding Elizabeth to raise her sword again. He glanced at it, but appeared unworried. "The map leads to more than one place, Mrs. Turner. And where I'm headed—how often can you see William?" he asked suddenly.
Elizabeth looked down sadly. "Once every ten years," she said with a small sigh.
Barbossa nodded understandingly. "Once every ten years," he repeated. "You'll be lucky if you get to see him four times in your life—and for half of that, you will be an old woman."
"You're not convincing me to help you, Captain Barbossa."
"Aye. But if you live forever…every ten years would not be so bad, now, would it, Mrs. Turner?"
Elizabeth smiled sadly. "Except that it's impossible to live forever."
Barbossa held up his hand. "That's where you're wrong, lass." Elizabeth's brow furrowed. Was it possible for her to live forever? "The place I'm headed, with the map leadin' me, is the Fountain of Youth. One drink and you'll be young and beautiful for eternity." Jack the monkey jumped up and down on Barbossa's shoulder, screeching excitedly. The captain reached up and scratched Jack's head to calm him down. "What do you say, Mrs. Turner?"
Elizabeth looked upstairs and at the door she knew Jane was cowering behind. She bit her lip and thought of William. "Would-would I be able to bring some back?"
Now Barbossa's brow furrowed. "Why, lass? You plan on selling it?"
Elizabeth shook her head, still thinking of little William. "I want to give some to…one person. Someone else that should live with Will and me forever."
Barbossa surveyed Elizabeth curiously. He obviously wished to press the point, but he decided against it. "So you'll help?"
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes. When are you leaving Port Royal?"
"Tonight," Barbossa answered quickly.
Elizabeth stared at him in shock. "That soon?"
"Pirates—especially the Pearl—aren't exactly welcome here, Mrs. Turner."
"Of course," Elizabeth said, feeling a little silly. "Of course—just let me change," she said, looking down at her nightgown covered by her dressing robe. "Stay right here—I'll be back." She began up the stairs. "And don't touch anything!" she ordered, turning to see Barbossa reaching for a vase. Elizabeth ran into her room and began tearing off her clothing. She pulled on the shirt and trousers from the back of her wardrobe and fastened the sword belt around her waits. As a final touch, she put on the dirty tri-corner. Jane entered the room suddenly, carrying William.
"Miss, what's happening? Who's that man?" Jane's eyes swept over Elizabeth. "Where are you going, miss?"
"I'll be back as soon as possible, Jane." Elizabeth took William, who was not awake, though strangely silent. "I promise I'll be back soon," she said, kissing William on the forehead.
"But, miss!"
"Take care of him, Jane, please."
"Yes, miss, but—."
"I'm afraid I don't have time to explain—I will when I return." She suddenly had a thought. She would bring some back for Jane as well. Elizabeth gave young William back to his nanny. "I love you, William." Elizabeth raced down the stairs, finding trousers much more comfortable than she remembered.
Barbossa nodded to her, taking off his hat. "Mrs. Turner," he said, making a dramatic bow. "My ship awaits."
