19

Chapter 10: Davy Jones

By sunset, Jack was preparing to meet the Flying Dutchman. Although she was on Jack's side for the moment, Lucia couldn't help growing more and more impatient.

"Why must we wait? Let's just send them to their doom and be done with it!" she said pertly.

"There is an opportune moment for everything, darling, and that comes at nightfall," Jack told her.

Lucia calmed down and was comforted by Jack's words. She decided to take the air on the main deck. It was there that she saw Guinevere staring at her.

"What on Earth are you staring at?" Lucia asked gruffly.

"Your thickhead," Guinevere replied curtly, "I'd like to break a bottle over it to see if it would knock some sense into you."

"You may find that difficult while you're on the Flying Dutchman.," Lucia said icily, "Know that if it wasn't for Jack, you and your precious William would already be dead."

"When does it end Lucia? After you've satisfied your taste for revenge?" Guinevere asked pointedly.

"Precisely," Lucia replied wisely.

"You're wrong. It will never end. Revenge will only destroy you. Your father was a treacherous man, but a man of his word. You are his daughter, and his blood runs in your veins. He would not want his daughter to be a killer. Do you know why he died, Lucia? He died because he would rather die than live as a cursed man. He would rather die than see you curse yourself, Lucia. You are my friend, and you always will be. You have a good heart, Lucia," Guinevere explained sincerely.

"Are you certain of that, my friend?" Lucia mocked.

"I do not doubt you. You are a good woman, Lucia. There will be a moment when you will show your worth. You will remember that someday," Guinevere replied wholeheartedly.

Lucia hesitated a moment. Her friend's words worked through her mind like a water mill. Finally, she shook her head. "But that day is not here yet," she declared as she stormed off.

That night, it was time for Jack to uphold his bargain. The night came with a downpour and lightening as Will and Guinevere were released from the mast. As Will leaned on the rail of the Pearl and shivered in the freezing rain, Jack came to his side. "Always wished someone would have that look when they think of me," he quipped.

"Well, I think you'll have to wait a little longer. I wasn't thinking about you. But I never got to thank you for saving my life," Will told him gravely.

"No problem, mate. Tell me, Will, why do you look as if there's no more rum left?" Jack asked.

"I thought I would be a godfather and a husband by now," Will replied with much hurt.

"A godfather?" Jack asked in surprise, "To whom?"

"Your daughter. Juliet," Will said flatly.

"And the godmother could only be your bonny lass, Lizzie, savvy?" Jack assumed.

"May I ask you something, Jack? Why did you leave Guin?" Will wanted to know.

Jack paused a moment. "My first and only love is the sea," he explained, "But I love women. Why can't a man have both the sea and women in his life? Guinevere came along and she turned out to be quite a lass. But alas, we were not to be."

"So you give her a baby and that's it? Just like that? Just a few kisses here and there, and then a baby, and then you're gone?" Will asked in frustration.

"Yeah, pretty much," Jack answered carelessly.

"How can you be such a scoundrel?" Will asked with much exasperation.

"Pirate," Jack shrugged as if it answered the question.

"Guin cared for you. She went against what others have said about you, and she endured pain for you. You showed her what a worthless man you are. She loved you. You'll find that out someday and when you do, you'll never forgive yourself. Savvy?" Will told him gravely.

Jack said nothing. Suddenly, Gibbs approached him. "Cap'n, we've spotted a ship," he announced.

Jack and Will looked out and found a wrecked ship in the water.

Will was disappointed at the sight of the ship. "Is that the Flying Dutchman?" he asked in sheer shock, "She doesn't look like much."

"Neither do you. So what do you plan to do now?" Jack asked with enthusiasm.

"Guin and I climb aboard and find your bloody key," Will told him, "After that, you and I will return to Port Royal."

"Short and sweet. I like it," Jack replied.

A boat was lowered so that Will and Guinevere could make their way out to the ship. As they climbed into the boat, Jack called out to him one last time. "If you are captured, tell them you were sent by Captain Jack Sparrow. Good luck," he said with a smile.

The ships lights were blown out, and the Endeavor was hidden against the darkness of the night's storm. With a lantern in hand, Will rowed up to the ship and searched the wreckage. He found a sailor hurriedly, almost frantically, hauling the rigging.

"Sailor, sailor, you've run aground. You're ship is in danger," Will told the man.

The man, who spoke no English, only said pointed out to sea and said with obvious dread, "Dutchman."

"Dutchman" was all Will and Guinevere needed to know that this ship wasn't the Flying Dutchman, but if this wasn't the ship, then where was it? Suddenly, a group of deformed men attacked! Will and Guinevere slashed at them, expertly holding them off. Quickly, Will dipped his sword in whale oil and broke his lantern, setting the sword ablaze. The men backed away from Will. Just when Will was about to win the battle, he was knocked out from behind. For a moment, the men inspected Will. Then, they took his sword and tied his hands behind his back with Guinevere following suit,

When Will awoke, he was shivering, scared stiff, and forced to his knees beside Guinevere. Both of them knew exactly where they were. They were on board the Flying Dutchman along with a few other sailors hapless enough to encounter the vessel. Then, Davy Jones, the monstrous, tentacled captain of the vessel, approached them all. He requested that one man join his crew. When one didn't, he stabbed him and tossed him overboard. When he approached Will and Guinevere, he frowned. "You are neither dead, nor dying. How is it you came by my ship?" Davy asked.

Will and Guinevere knew in that moment that they had been set up. He knew he didn't want to, but reluctantly, Will answered, struggling with his trembling to speak. "Jack Sparrow sent us to settle his debt," he said softer than a whisper.

"What?" Jones demanded.

"Jack Sparrow sent me," Will said again in a louder voice.

"Did he now?" Davy told Will.

While Jack watched Will and Guinevere from a spyglass, Davy Jones appeared right before his eyes.

"You owe me your soul, and it's time to pay up," he told Jack.

"I noticed. I've come to negotiate," Jack replied.

"We have negotiated! You've been Captain of the Black Pearl for thirteen years. Deal's over," Davy said crossly.

"Well, you must know that I was only captain for two years," Jack said.

"But captain none the less!" Davy Jones argued, "Haven't you always boasted yourself as 'Captain Jack Sparrow?' One soul to serve aboard the Dutchman for one hundred years. That was our payment."

"Well, you have my payment there," Jack said, pointing to Will.

"One soul is not the same as another!" Davy Jones corrected.

"Just how many souls do you think my soul is worth?" Jack asked.

"One hundred souls in three days," Davy told him.

"Well then, give me the boy and the lass and I'll get started," Jack said.

"I keep the boy and the lass. Ninety-eight souls," Davy replied.

"Well, then, have you not met Will Turner? Beautiful singer. Did I mention he was betrothed and due to be married? It wouldn't be so cruel to separate them as opposed to having them in wedded bliss. Oh, and there is one more."

Lucia appeared with a knife to Rose's throat. "She's no use to me," she said uncaringly.

"I take the boy and the lasses. Ninety-seven souls in three days. But I wonder about you, Sparrow. Can you condemn a man to a fate worse than death while you roam free? Can you condemn a lover, too?" Davy asked suspiciously.

"Yep, I'm good with it," Jack replied with a smile.

Davy shook Jack's hand and Jack's spot disappeared. "Put the boy to work!" Jones commanded as he disappeared back on to his ship.

As soon as Davy Jones returned to his ship with no sign of Jack and Rose in Jones's clutches, Will was beyond furious. "JACK!" he roared.

Jones's first mate cut Will's bonds, and pushed him forward. "Shut your trap, and get to work, you weevil!" he snarled.

Guinevere and Rose were manhandled the same way as she was put to work.

In the mean time, Jack raced aboard the Black Pearl eager to pay his debt with ninety-seven souls left. Lucia set the bearings and Jack would soon be off to the infamous island of Tortuga to find a crew. Later that night, Davy retired to his quarters and played a pipe organ. Will, Guinevere, Rose, and the rest of the men were busily hauling a line. Suddenly, a crewmember called out for Mister Turner to tie down a line. Will and another man raced to fix the line. Both of them argued. "What do you think your doing? Get back before the Captain finds out!" the man said.

"He called for Mister Turner!" Will shouted.

"I am Mister Turner," the man told him.

"I am Mister Turner," Will replied.

The man stopped and froze. He looked at Will in disbelief, and the line slipped from his hands, sending Will crashing to the deck. The crewmembers heard the ruckus and found Will on the deck.

"Perhaps a taste of the cat will remind you to stay on task," the Bo' sun snickered.

The Bo' sun decided to flog Will for the disturbance he had caused. Two men shoved Will against the mast and tied his hands. Will prepared for the worst, but before the Bo' sun could strike the man stopped him. "Wait!" he said, "I'm responsible for all this. I will take all of this man's punishment."

"And what would provoke such an act of charity?" asked Davy Jones who appeared on deck.

The man hesitated a moment. "He's …my son. That boy is my son," he confessed.

Will turned and looked at the man in shock-horror. "Father?" he asked in incredulity to find that this man was Bootstrap Bill Turner, his long-lost father. Rose and Guinevere, who had watched this ordeal play out, were flabbergasted.

"Very well," Davy agreed as he handed Bootstrap the cat o' nine tails, "Five lashes and then lock him up."

Bootstrap was horrified. He wouldn't dare harm his own child. "No!" he cried.

"Very well, make it ten lashes," Davy commanded.

"No, please!"

"Do you want to make that fifteen lashes? I suggest you do your duty!"

"I can't!"

"Bo 'sun!"

"No!"

Before the Bo' sun could take the cat o' nine tails, Bootstrap complied. Will winced as his shirt was shredded from his body. Reluctantly and tearfully, Bootstrap raised the whip and crack! The whip smacked Will's skin. Will groaned and gripped the rigging with white knuckles. Again, the whip lashed him. Will tried hard, but finally gave into horrible screams, as the lashing was far worse then the twenty lashes he received from Cutler Beckett. Rose and Guinevere wept as they watched poor Will suffer.

At last, both of them could take no more and attacked Davy Jones. Jones quickly overpowered them, sending them to the deck with his claw.

For Bootstrap, the pain on Will's face was intolerable. After an eternity, it seemed, Will felt the terrible whip strike his skin one more time. Davy gave the order for his men to get back to work. The Bo 'sun cut the ropes at Will's wrists, and Will fell. Two other crewmembers dragged Will to his feet and tossed him down the steps with Guinevere and Rose following behind.

"William!" Bootstrap gasped, rushing to Will's side.

Bootstrap tried to help the bloodied Will to his feet, but Will angrily pushed him away. "I don't need any help from you!" he said in fury.

"You must understand, Will. The Bo' sun takes pride with every lash," Bootstrap explained.

"Am I supposed to believe that was an act of compassion?" Will asked, exasperated.

"Yes," whispered Bootstrap, "I'm sorry. Forgive me."

Will realized that his father had saved him from a terrible fate and his heart forgave him for what he had done.

Rose stepped forward and introduced herself to Bootstrap. "Now that you two are reacquainted, I should introduce myself," she declared primly, "I am Rose Miller, and this is Guinevere, or Guin Parris."

Just then, Guinevere exploded into another fit. This time it was worse, much worse. Unable to speak or breathe, Guinevere keeled over and landed unconscious in Will's arms!

Will was frantic. "Guin? Guin? Come on, wake up. Wake up, love," he pleaded futilely.

Guinevere lay still in Will's arms. Will began to fear the worst.

"Set her down," Rose commanded.

Will set Guinevere down and Rose put her ear on her friend's chest and by her nose. To her and Will's relief, Guinevere's heart was beating slowly, but steadily, and she was still breathing.

"My God," Will gasped, recovering from his shock.

Rose turned Guinevere onto her stomach and inspected the lash marks that Guinevere had received from Lucia. They looked rotted and disgusting.

"Give me some water," Rose said calmly as she took out a rag, "These cuts will become infected soon. I must treat them. I must treat you too, Will."

Bootstrap quickly fetched a bucket of water and Lucia was at her work in a flash. First, she tended to Guinevere and then Will. Guinevere was unable to feel the sting as she was unconscious; Will was a different story.

"Ow! Ouch!" he cried.

"If you stopped squirming, this wouldn't hurt as much, you know," Rose said sternly, "Goodness, you're worse than trying to feed Juliet!"

Will stopped squirming at the mention of Juliet. "Oh, God!" he sighed, "Jack still has Juliet with him!"

"Juliet?" Bootstrap asked.

"She's Guin's daughter, and she will be my goddaughter soon," Will explained, "Anyway, Jack still has her."

"Well, there's noting we can do about that now," Rose said calmly, "Besides, she's safe."

"Safe? You call leaving that baby alone with Jack safe?!" Will demanded.

"Jack will look after her," Rose reassured him.

"It's not just that. He doesn't know how to take care of her. He doesn't know anything about babies besides making them. Besides, he's got Jones after him. And, what if Juliet is hungry? Jack might just give her rum instead of milk!" Will said in frustration.

"Will, you're overreacting," Rose told him, "If Jack can take care and safe himself, he should have no problem when it comes to an infant."

"Aye, that's true," Bootstrap agreed.

"All right," Will sighed, "Father, could you give Rose and I some privacy?"

"Aye," Bootstrap said as he ambled off.

Will then turned his thoughts on Guinevere. She looked worse than she had before. Will swallowed hard.

"How long do you think she has?" Will wanted to know.

"I don't know. Guinevere is strong, but she has lost faith after what she did to you. Being on this ship, I think she only has two days," Rose said gravely.

"Not if I can help it," Will said, fingering the bottle Tia Dalma gave him.

"What are you talking about?" Rose asked in confusion.

"I have a potion. It will cure her. I must give it to her before she dies," Will explained.

"However did you find that?" Rose wanted to know.

"Let's just say it was destiny," Will said slyly, "Give her this potion."

Will handed Tia Dalma's potion to Rose. Rose took Guinevere in her arms and gave her some of the potion. Much to her dismay, Guinevere choked and spat the potion out.

"Well, most of it went down," Rose sighed.

"She has to drink the whole potion. She must," Will told her, "Let me try."

Will cradled Guinevere in his arms and spoke to her. "Guin, it's Will, Sweetheart. Can you hear me? I'm here," Will whispered in Guinevere's ear.

"Will…Jack," Guinevere moaned in a whisper Will could barely hear.

"Guin, I need you to take this medicine. It will help you get well again," Will told her.

Will gave poured the potion into Guinevere's mouth. This time, Guinevere did not choke.

"Good. Now swallow it," Will whispered gently.

Slowly, Guinevere swallowed the potion.

"Very good, Guin. Drink a little more for me," Will told her.

Guinevere drank the potion until the last drop.

"Good, Guin. Excellent," Will whispered, kissing Guinevere's head.

Rose looked at him with a faint smile. "Well, I guess I will have to try that technique next time with my patients," she said.

"Why is it she never told me about Lucia, her disease, or Jack?" Will asked.

"Why is it you ask questions in which you already know the answer?" Rose asked sharply.

Will sighed. He did know the answer to his question. He knew all along. "I do know," he said sadly.

"I knew you were a smart boy, Will," Rose said bitterly.

"There's something else I don't understand: she's not waking up!"

Rose listened to Guinevere's breathing.

"Her breathing hasn't changed. Who gave you this potion?"

"Her name was Tia Dalma. She's an old friend of Jack's."

"Probably the right explanation."

"What are you talking about?"

"Can you not think, Will? I doubt that Davy beat you senseless! Who caused you to be in this position? Jack. Who is the reason your wedding was ruined? Jack. Who is responsible for this whole mess? Jack."

"Don't forget, Cutler Beckett was the one who had Elizabeth and I arrested."

"So you're right. But if it wasn't for Jack, you'd be married by now. Who left you at the mercy of Captain Hector Barbossa? Jack. Who told you to get that potion from Tia Dalma? -"

"I did."

"Come again?"

"Jack took me to Tia Dalma to save my life as well as for other reasons. It was I who trusted Tia."

"Have you lost your senses? How do you know that you could trust that woman? You didn't."

"I trusted Jack's word. That was all I needed. Tia Dalma can be trusted, I promise you."

"You can't prove it! Jack Sparrow is a traitor and a liar. You fool! You trusted him and some witch with Guinevere's life. Now because of your lack of judgment, Guinevere will die!"

"She will not. I have faith in Jack."

"You had better be right. If Guinevere dies, I will send you to the Locker myself."

Irately, Rose turned away from Will.

"Rose," Will coaxed.

Rose simply smacked him across the face and turned away.

In that moment, Will began to doubt his trust in Jack. He knew that Jack was the reason he was aboard the Dutchman, and he betrayed him before. Will began fret about Guinevere. He knew that he had to act quickly, or Guinevere would not survive aboard the Flying Dutchman. He did not know what to do, though. Will knew that the potion Tia Dalma gave him would keep Guinevere alive as well as cure her. Will feared that the potion was not going to help, as Guinevere was only moments away from her death.

What if Rose was right? Will contemplated this with shivers running down his spine. As he held Guinevere in his arms, Will knew that he had to escape from the Dutchman. If he could escape, that could be Guinevere's only chance for survival.

That night, Elizabeth crept into Lord Beckett's office. Beckett had been aware of her presence as she entered the room. The Letters of Marque were missing, and he knew of only one person that would want them.

"I'm afraid loyalty is no longer the currency of the realm as your father believes," he said.

"What is?" Elizabeth asked as she entered.

"Currency is the currency of the realm," Beckett replied.

"Perhaps we can come to some kind of understanding, then. I am here to negotiate," Elizabeth told him in a sinister tone.

"I am listening, Miss Swann," Beckett answered.

Suddenly, Elizabeth pointed a pistol at Beckett's head.

"I am listening intently," Beckett said with a slight hesitation, "What might I do for you?"

Elizabeth held up a leather book. The book contained the Letters of Marque, signed by the King of England. The letters would pardon any pirate in the time of war.

"The Letters of Marque, they are signed by the King, no?" Elizabeth asked.

"Indeed they are," Beckett answered.

"And they do grant a pardon to any pirate?" Elizabeth wanted to know.

"Yes, but they are useless unless they bear my signature with my seal of approval," Beckett replied.

Elizabeth put her finger on the trigger. "Otherwise, I would not still be here. Sign them," she commanded.

"I beg your pardon?" Beckett asked.

"You have denied me my wedding, threatened Miss Parris, manipulated us all, and you have sent my love out to danger. Sign the pardon, or I swear on my future husband's name that I will blast you!" Elizabeth growled.

Reluctantly, Beckett signed the pardon and marked them with his seal. He knew that he had lost his bargaining chip. Still, Beckett wouldn't go down without a fight.

"You seem desperate to save Captain Sparrow's life again, Miss Swann," he said smoothly.

"Do not make me kill you! These are not for Captain Sparrow," Elizabeth snapped.

"Oh really? Mr. Turner, then?" Beckett said knowingly, "Although you have these letters, I will not stop until I have that compass. Remember that if you want to protect your said fiancé."

Elizabeth snatched the book. "And you can remember that I will not stop until you are brought to justice," she snarled.

"Anything else I may do for you?" Beckett asked.

"Tell me what you have sent my fiancé after," Elizabeth demanded.

"You know that I have sent him after Jack Sparrow. But that is because Jack Sparrow has something that I want. A compass. You know of it, do you not?" Beckett explained.

"Jack's compass only points to the Isla de Muerta. It will do you no good. I have been to the Isle de Muerta and the gold you desire-" Elizabeth told him.

"Gold? Who said I wanted gold? What Jack Sparrow's compass leads to is a chest. And this chest is not located in Isla de Muerta," Beckett interrupted.

Furious, Elizabeth headed out of Beckett's office with the pardon in hand. Now Elizabeth knew that Will's situation could be more precarious. Elizabeth knew she had to find him and Jack. Elizabeth knew exactly where to look for Jack Sparrow: the island of Tortuga. Elizabeth spied the trader ship The Edinburgh and quickly slipped on board, unnoticed by the men. If there was anything Elizabeth learned from Jack, it was cunning. As she eased aboard the ship in disguise as a young man, Elizabeth had a few tricks up her sleeves.

"Hold on, Will," Elizabeth prayed, "I'm coming."