The Caribbean sun shone down onto the ship making the eleven-year-old girl wish she didn't have to wear a corset as well as so many layers. The girl was standing by the railing looking out at sea with an older woman. The girl had wavy dirty blonde hair that was put up in a fancy up do. She was slim and had bright light brown eyes. She was beautiful. Anybody could see that especially a certain young boy of the same age that was also aboard. Ever since they met he has been in love with her but was too scared to say anything. The boy was equally as handsome as the girl is beautiful if not more. He was tall, medium build with shoulder length dark brown hair that fell in soft waves and striking mid brown eyes. The girl had also noticed how attractive he was but she too was too scared to say anything. Luckily, they had somebody who would help them with their happily ever after.
The young lad was sat on the railing watching the British Navy Officers do their work. While his Mother and the young girl were singing a pirate song.
"Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We're beggars and blighters, ne'er-do-well cads,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho" Catrina and Elizabeth sang together.
Elizabeth had shared her interest in pirates with Catrina so she taught the young girl her favourite song. Elizabeth loved it just as Catrina had as a child.
Elizabeth jumped scared as she felt somebody pull her arms causing her to stop singing. Catrina also stopped singing and sighed at her Uncle. He was a very superstitious man. He thought it was bad luck to have a woman aboard as well but Catrina always proved him wrong. Not that he would have gotten rid of his only niece anyway.
"Quiet, missy! Cursed pirates sail these waters. You want to call them down on us?" Joshamee asked her, glaring at Catrina./p
Joshamee Gibbs wasn't a stupid man especially when it came to his niece. He knew she had taught Elizabeth that song and he heard her singing it as well. Although he couldn't say anything because he'd be a risk of getting her into trouble. He made a mental note to speak to her later.
The new Governor of Port Royal, Weatherby Swann, and Lieutenant James Norrington approached the trio. The Lieutenant had a secret soft stop for both Catrina and the Governor's daughter, Elizabeth.
"Mr. Gibbs that will do!" James ordered sharply.
"They-she was singing about pirates. Bad luck to sing about pirates, with us mired in this unnatural fog... mark my words!" Joshamee told him.
"Consider them marked" James replied.
"Aye, Lieutenant" Joshamee muttered, walking away.
Joshamee returned to work sneaking gulps of his flask full of rum. He was also careful not to let young Will see him drinking it because he would want some. Catrina walked away with her Uncle staying out of trouble. While Elizabeth stood strong as she voiced her opinion to her Father and Lieutenant Norrington.
"I think it'd be rather exciting to meet a pirate" Elizabeth spoke.
"Think again, Miss Swann. Vile and dissolute creatures, the lot of them. I intend to see that any man who sails under a pirate flag or wears a pirate brand gets what he deserves: a short drop and a sudden stop" James told her.
Joshamee posed as if he was being hung causing Elizabeth to gasp in horror. Catrina quickly stole the flask from Joshamee and downed the rest of it before handing it back and walking away innocently.
"Lieutenant Norrington, I appreciate your fervour, but I'm concerned about the effect this subject will have upon my daughter" Gov. Swann spoke up.
"My apologies, Governor" James apologised, leaving Gov. Swann and his daughter.
"I think it would be exciting to meet a pirate" Elizabeth told her Father.
"That's what worries me" Gov. Swann muttered, leaving Elizabeth to her own thoughts.
Elizabeth stood alone looking out to sea. She caught a glimpse of a ship with black sails that disappeared in the fog. There was only one ship with black sails the Black Pearl.
A splash was suddenly heard and a woman screamed in fear and horror.
"Will!" Catrina cried.
She ran to the railing ready to jump in after her son but a hand grabbed her pulling her away. She was forced to look at her Uncle's serious face.
"I can't lose you too, Catrina. We'll get him back on deck safely" Joshamee assured her.
"I can't lose him, Uncle Joshamee. He's my son, my everything. I can't go on without him" Catrina told him.
"You won't lose him. We'll bring him back on deck safe and sound. Calm down" he promised.
Joshamee held his niece close to him as they watched the crew bring the young lad back on deck.
"He's not breathing" somebody said.
Catrina got out of her Uncle's grip and ran to Will pulling him into a hug. She began rubbing and patting his back trying to help him cough up the water and clear his airways. After a few seconds of her doing this Will finally coughed up a whole lot of water over her shoulder. Not that she minded in the slightest. All she cared was that her son was breathing.
"You and I will be having words later. I'm so glad you're okay" Catrina told him.
She like any other mother in that situation was feeling a mixture of emotion but above all relief.
Will nodded before falling back into unconsciousness.
"Thomas take him to his cabin" James ordered.
"Elizabeth help look after him" Gov. Swann told him daughter.
Elizabeth eagerly nodded wanting to help both Catrina and the boy she already loved.
Thomas was a tall red haired young man with light blue eyes. He was the doctor of the ship. He picked Will up in his arms and carried him below deck. Catrina and Elizabeth followed closely behind.
"Miss Gibbs could you wait outside for me? I need to speak to you about young William's condition" Thomas asked her.
"Elizabeth stay with him" Catrina told her.
Elizabeth sat down next to Will's sleeping body on the bed as Catrina followed Thomas out of the room. Catrina made sure to shut the door behind her.
"I am sorry to have to tell you this Miss Gibbs but William hit his head three times as he fell. He hit his forehead and the top of his twice head very hard. It is very likely that he will experience some memory loss. It may only be temporary but it may also be long term. If he loses some memory it would be best for now if you didn't try and get him to remember. He will remember things when he is mentally ready. He will be in pain both mentally and physically. I will check on him in an hour or so hopefully he would have woken up by then" Thomas explained.
Catrina didn't know what to say or do. She was completely and utterly in shock. Her son may not remember things./p
"What would he forget? Would he forget me? Uncle Joshamee? His Father? Jack? Oh god. What if he forgets about pirates? What will I tell him about his Father? I'll have to make up a story and start a fresh in Port Royal. I have to do this for him, Catrina told herself.
