Chantey II: Truth Among the Tides
Pirates of the Caribbean
-X-
Summary: It has been almost three years since Nim's heart has been broken by the Port Royal Blacksmith, yet there is still an emptiness that resides inside of her. With Jack's odd behavior, the crew of the Black Pearl's lust for treasure and the dead ends on the location of her father has left the twenty-three year old feeling more alone than when she had first entered the realm of Pirates of the Caribbean. Though after an odd turn of events she finds herself faced with the thought of who she really is and it takes a certain Sea Witch in order to aide her. Familiar faces, new foes and the truth of her identity all come swirling into one great challenge where Nim must decide the fate of her own self.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean, as much as I wish I did, it belongs to ©Disney and it's wonderful writers, directors and screenwriters. I am a poor college student; I wouldn't be poor or a college student if I had made Pirates of the Caribbean…trust me on that one. I do, however, own Nimphadora, Sebastian, Lynette and James Puget, Faye Sheppard as well as any other unrecognizable characters that will be found throughout the plot.
Story Type: AU/OC inserts
Paring: Will T./OFC
Other Pairings: Jack/OFC and Slight Elizabeth/Norrington/Will T.
Rating: E-T
Warnings: Heavy spoilers, alcoholism, violence slight Mary-Sue…and of course, pirates ;) Arrgghhh!
-X-
Author's Note: UPDATES~ haha, yeahhhh I've basically pulled a few all nighters in order to get this nice long chapter out to all of you as I realized I left you at a rather cruel ending last chapter. It's up earlier than normal and is a slight filler, but it's totally worth it I promise! You're really gonna get to see how everything is affecting our favorite cannons as well as Nim and Lynette and even a little bit of Sebastian in there ;) Oh boy, do I got big plans for the coming chapters! Looks like you're all gonna have to just stick with me to find out haha! As always, reviews are lovely and appreciated, but not mandatory for an update! I felt as if I needed to bold that, haha! Ahem, so without further adieu, let's move right along to thank the reviewers and off to the wonderful world that is Pirates of the Caribbean!
I'd like to thank my reviewers for chapter 6: Danda225, Why Fireflies Flash, Crystal-Wolf-Guardian-967, xxz0eyxx, and !
Danda225 – I honestly couldn't agree more with you! And I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the review :D
Cystal-Wolf-Guardian-967 – Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed it :) Thanks for your review!
Why Fireflies Flash – Ahh! Good to hear from you again! How I've missed our long conversations! I actually dropped by your profile the other day and noticed you're majoring in Psychology! You're gonna love it :D maybe not all the lab reports, but it's a really interesting field (that and it will definitely help with writing characters lol!) Ahem, anyways, before I begin rambling let's get on to your review reply haha! In response to said review, I think I peed my pants laughing xD I really do enjoy torturing them and to be honest, there's nothing like some sexual tension to ease some waters heehee. After a lot of consideration I decided to send Will off with a rather hot scene, but it's all mandatory for furthering the pairing (I've noticed how difficult it is to figure out where to put Nim in with all this Elizabeth/Will fluff going on *sighs*). Anyway, yes! I didn't want to send Nim aboard the Dutchman for a few reasons, most of which you'll discover next chapter, but it just didn't feel right to send her to join Jones' crew so I decided against it lol. Ahh, yes, Jack putting Nim in the brig is a huge twist in the plot (granted it's all explained below so I'm not going to go into too much detail here), but it's completely necessary to Nim's development as a character ;) and I agree – I'd totally slap him around. Awww *gushes* thanks! I try to make it as good as possible for you guys because I know there aren't a lot of Will/OC stories out there and to be honest, it's kinda surprising! Anyway, long reply and I apologize, but thanks for the review and hope you enjoy the next chapter :D
xxz0eyxx – Yay! Fluff is always good heehee ;3 Yes, Nim is in the brig, but no worries, there's total back story here! And that is actually a very good question. I'm actually going to let you sit on that one because if I try to answer it I'll probably spoil my entire plot lol :) Anyway, thanks for the review!
– I'm just gonna reply to both of your reviews lol! Anyway, aww~ I'm sorry! But don't let your disappointment with Faye go to waste ;) just trust me on it lol. And to be honest, I kinda considering making Jones take Nim with him, but decided against it last minute because I have a completely different idea for Nim and Will's relationship! I'm uber excited for the new developments haha! And thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far and that you enjoy my characters. I really try hard to keep them all as individual as possible, while also adding the correct amount of depth to them :) I'm glad to know it's appreciated haha. Anyway thanks for the review!
And a special thank you all who have reviewed so far and have subscribed/favorited/followed this story :D You all warm my heart
Without further adieu
ON WITH THE FIC!
Pirates of the Caribbean
Dead Man's Chest
X: Churning Sands
Elizabeth frowned as she made her way through the crowded and bustling streets of the Pirate Port she remembered Will saying he would look. She knew it was possible that he was no longer there, but it was the only place the blonde knew to look for those that would call themselves pirates. After managing to persuade her crewmembers and captain into making port, she had raced off in an attempt to find anyone she deemed familiar.
Her thoughts, jumbled as they were, were brought to an abrupt halt as she crashed unceremoniously into another body. Before she was able to fall, she felt large hands steady her on her feet and she had half a mind to curse the man before looking up at him. His vivid green eyes expressed a sober mirth and she found it surprising to find that they weren't clouded with alcohol. His dark hair was tamed and well kept and she couldn't help the surprise that showed visibly on her face, though taking in his apparel she realized he most certainly fit in at this port.
"Sorry," He smiled, "Didn't quite see you there."
"Um," She murmured almost breathlessly, "Quite alright."
He only smiled caringly at her before releasing her arms and stretching his hand out to her, "Sebastian McCormick."
"Elizabeth," She murmured despite her better judgment.
Sebastian frowned down at the woman before him. At first he had thought that she was a boy thanks to the large hat hiding most of her features, but since he had run into her, quite literally, and she had introduced herself he could most certainly tell she was female. From her pretty face to her petite frame, it was clear to him that she was undoubtedly lost. He offered her another smile, "Are you looking for someone? You look a little lost."
"As a matter of fact, I am," Elizabeth nodded, her brown eyes clashing once more with green and she wondered why his eyes and even his features looked so startlingly familiar. "I'm looking for my fiancé, Will Turner."
Sebastian's eyes widened, "So you're Elizabeth Swann." When her eyes widened he smiled at her, "Don't worry, you're among a friend. I was the captain assigned to escort him to whatever port he wished. He jumped ship as soon as we made port here. My father and I assumed that he had found passage and left."
"Curses," She sighed heavily, her heart plummeting to her stomach in disappointment. "He only told me that he was coming here and I was hoping that a few weeks and knowing Jack as well as I do would have postponed him here in Tortuga."
Sebastian shook his head, "With how intent he was on finding Sparrow it's little surprise that he found passage out of here as quick as he did."
"Well, that defeats the whole point of me being here."
"I didn't say that he definitely booked passage," He grinned suddenly, "I'm saying that my father and I assumed he did when he didn't come back to my ship."
Elizabeth suddenly smiled, "Well that puts a whole new spin on things."
"Glad I could help," He smiled kindly at her before fingering the charm around his neck. Elizabeth noticed the motion and it suddenly clicked why he looked so familiar.
"Are you looking for someone?" She questioned lightly, her lips quirking suddenly, "You seem a bit lost."
Catching the joke the young man only laughed, "I am, as a matter of fact. My sister…it was rumored that she was last seen with the crew of the Pearl and as I made port I noticed that she was also moored…which means that my sister has to be somewhere on this island."
"Who exactly are you looking for?"
"Well," He sighed. "She has many names throughout Tortuga, but I'm looking for the woman who calls herself Nimphadora Sparrow."
"I know her!"
Sebastian's brow quirked as he looked down at the slightly shorter woman, "You do?"
Elizabeth smiled widely as she nodded her head, "Yes! She helped Will save me from Captain Barbossa's undead crew at the Isle de Muerta three years ago. She left the day that Jack was supposedly hanged and no one has seen her since." She suddenly frowned, "That means that the rumors of her being meeting up with Jack are true…if he's here, undoubtedly she is as well."
"That's what I had hoped to hear," Sebastian smiled.
The blonde suddenly frowned, "Is there a particular reason you're looking for her?"
"Well, it's a bit complicated." When Elizabeth quirked a brow in challenge, the dark haired man sighed deeply before looking just passed her head and returning his eyes to hers, "Do you have time to spare?"
Now that she thought about it, she really didn't have time to sit and chat with a man she had just met, but she knew it would be rude to just leave him when he had helped her. However, the thought of Will not being on the island bothered her greatly and a sudden desperation settled in her chest at the very thought, but her mind quickly concluded that if Jack was here in Tortuga, Will and Nim had to be with him. After a moment's thought she nodded.
Sebastian smiled before frowning at their surroundings, "As jolly a setting this is, we're going to need to go somewhere a bit quieter and without prying eyes." He then noticed the way she tensed and his eyes widened as he realized his implications, "No harm intended, I promise. As hard as it is to believe, I am an honorable man."
She appraised him quickly before nodding her consent, "If Will trusted you to get him this far, I don't see why I can't trust you as well."
"Great, follow me."
She gasped as his hand wrapped around her wrist lightly in order to direct her before she met his pace. She watched as his eyes darted around in every corner, sweeping his surroundings while his legs led him in different patterns, through alleys and through the bustling streets. It was clear that Sebastian thought they would be followed and considering everything that had been happening of late, Elizabeth didn't blame him for his paranoia. She only hoped and prayed that Will was safe.
~Four Days Earlier…~
"I really am sorry about this, Ronnie."
Nim sighed deeply for the umpteenth time that hour as Gibbs brought her food. Jack had confined her to the brig and while she wasn't happy about it, she knew it had been for her own good. She had seriously considered killing him a few hours ago and this was the safest way for the two of them to keep their distance. She had hoped after the first hour he would allow her out of the brig, but it was clear he had every intention of keeping her locked away. She supposed he had forgotten about her, though it was highly unlikely.
"It's fine, Gibbs." She frowned softly, "It's not all that uncomfortable once you find the right position." After a moment of silence she looked up at the man, "Where exactly are we going?"
"To Tortuga," He answered. When she rolled her eyes he shook his head, "It's not fer the reasons ye be thinkin'…Davy Jones told us to have one hundred souls in three days –"
"Ninety-nine," She corrected with a glower.
"And Jack realized that mum was the word of how the souls need harvestin'."
Nim grimaced at the word harvesting. How Jack could truly entertain the thought of willingly sacrificing the lives of one hundred people was beyond her realm of understanding. Ninety-nine, her mind corrected her immediately as a pang hit her heart at the thought of what Will could have possibly been going through aboard the Flying Dutchman. She wasn't as naïve as Jack, Gibbs or even her mother thought. She had read thousands of lore when she was back in the future and that knowledge as well as her previous knowledge seemed to have withheld the strange space-time-continuum that divided her from where she had once called home to where she found herself stumbling along now. If she had realized that all her life she had been cultivated to face this world and it's mysteries she would have made sure to take pride in certain areas of her life and not just in her education.
She knew what awaited the blacksmith aboard that ship. Pain, suffering...her mind supplied her easily in what she thought sounded vaguely like Tia Dalma's voice. She shook her head. That was the last thing she needed was the old sea-witch in her head and narrating her thoughts. It was bad enough her nightmares had heightened to unbelievable extremes, but to have her voice seemingly in her head and narrating the information she discovered as she drew conclusions…it was daunting indeed. She then realized that Gibbs was seemingly awaiting her answer and she frowned deeply.
"So, we're going to Tortuga, the only place in the entire Caribbean that will allow for us to acquire these souls without it being considered mass murder; where people will willingly throw their lives away for the sake of traveling the sea."
"Right!"
"Sounds disgusting if you ask me," Nim frowned. "I doubt that any of these men bear innocent souls, but it feels disgustingly wrong to sacrifice such…willing participants. Everything about this situation is wrong…"
Gibbs frowned at the woman, "There's not much else we can do, lass. We've got our own survival to consider."
"Instead of playing with the lives of the people he cares about, he should confront his own fears and his own fate with a steady hand and a brave heart." She snapped, glancing up with a dangerous look flashing in her eyes as she glared at her godfather. "I've never met a more cowardly lion in my entire life…instead of confiding in the people he trusts, instead of confiding in me…" She paused to gain control of the emotions that threatened to bubble over and she sighed as she forced the uneven waver of her tears back down her throat, "he went along and weaved us into this ridiculous web of cat and mouse with the very harbinger of death upon the sea itself. Had he told me what he was planning, had he not played with my emotions, I would not be as upset as I am…I wouldn't be as confused as I am." She frowned as she looked back up at Gibbs to see that he was pointedly avoiding her gaze. "You knew…didn't you?"
"Ronnie –"
"You knew," Nim accused with a deep scowl as her brow furrowed tightly, "didn't you?" When he sighed she threw herself backwards against the wall of the Pearl with a groan, her hands tangling into her knotted curls in her own frustration. "Why would he do this to me?"
"Ronnie…I didn't know everything," Gibbs began after a tense moment of silence, "Jack, you've got to understand, is extremely private about his own affairs. He didn't lay out his whole plan to me; he just gave me enough information to figure it out."
"He didn't give me that luxury, Gibbs."
The brig fell silent before the peppered sailor sighed deeply, "I'm sorry, Ronnie, maybe when all t'is is over, we'll be right back up where we used ta be. Keep yer chin up." When she nodded he offered her a smile before pushing himself to a stand and making his way back up the stairs that led to the deck. Sighing softly through her nose she frowned, allowing her head to lean against the wall behind her. Thanks to her sharp hearing (a skill she needed to hone on the sea three years ago) she knew that they were only a day's journey away from Tortuga, especially since they were making all haste.
Nim was vaguely aware of what was happening around her and she suddenly wondered if her mother had questioned her whereabouts. The thought of her mother knowing what was going on brought a whole new wave of betrayal through her heart and with another long suffering sigh, the brunette wondered if things would have worked out differently had she not reacted so violently to the idea of Jack, once again, playing with Will's life.
She knew she had reacted the way she had because of the rather (confusing) intimate moment that they had shared just before he departed and it was the heat of her emotions that had caused her to attack the pirate. She blushed suddenly as she recalled the kiss. Now that she thought about it, it wasn't the most romantic of kisses they had shared, but it had certainly meant something. Her fingers reached to her lips and she almost feel his lips still, the bruising passion he had exhibited left her lips slightly swollen and sore and she could still feel his fingertips at her hips where she was sure bruises had formed in shape with his hand. She couldn't help but sigh almost dreamily as she remembered the way he had held her and she smirked as she realized that, for once, he hadn't necessarily been careful with her. The kiss hadn't been tender; in fact, it hadn't even come close to the way he normally was: caring, thoughtful and careful. Instead, this kiss was filled with an unbridled and barely contained passion, roughness and need. She felt her heart flutter and lower stomach tighten at the thought and she had to shake her head to rid herself of her more suggestive thoughts and desires. He had needed her, in that very moment, almost as much as she needed him. For that brief moment she wondered what had been swarming through his mind, but she had known what she felt. She had easily been able to detect his fear and anxiety, his frustration and his ever growing want and she had returned his emotions in tandem, though she doubted they were for the same reasons.
The thought of Will brought about the thought of her necklace and she frowned softly to herself, her hand reaching for the charm that once hung from her neck only for the tips of her fingers to find her pronounced collarbones and the scarred hollow to her throat that was now bare of the familiar metal. It unsettled her, not having her beloved charm, but she knew that it was better in Will's hands and would serve him well – that and he had made a solid promise to her and one she would not forget. With this thought her eyebrows rose nearly to her hairline as she realized that she felt comforted by the fact that her charm was with the blacksmith; had it been anyone else she would be concerned they would lose it or that she'd never see the beautiful glimmer of metal ever again. She recalled that she had felt such worry when Jack had worn her necklace, but this felt easier and she wondered why that was.
Was it because Will was, in fact, a man of his word? Or, was it the hope that Will loved her as much as she loved him?
She didn't know the answer to either of these questions and she knew that such thoughts were dangerous, but why couldn't she dream? He had been the one to make advances on her and she found that she could no longer play the game of cat and mouse with him. She was too drawn to him, too connected to him to avoid him any longer. Had she known that the blacksmith would have inevitably ended up on the Dutchman she probably would have dropped her façade much earlier.
You're a fool, she told herself as she rubbed her bare neck, you're a fool for pushing him away and now you may never get him back.
The thought scared her. Oh, it scared her more than the cursed pirates of Barbossa's crew three years ago and the undead pirates of the Flying Dutchman and it's heartless captain. She felt as if the very breath from her lungs had been stolen as her heart all but stopped in her chest at the thought of losing Will for good.
At least he'll be happy, she tried to convince herself softly. With Elizabeth he'll be happy and that's all I could truly ask for…if Will is happy, then I am happy.
She knew that if Faye were still alive, the platinum haired girl would scold her for such a naïve and selfless thought. Her friend had always been about fighting for what she truly wanted and she assumed that it had been because she had lost her mother just after she was born.
You're being stupid, Faye's voice echoed from her thoughts. If you love the guy then go get him! Stop sitting around feeling sorry for yourself and fight for what you want. Stop letting other people constantly step all over you and take the things you want…that you need.
"But I'm not being stupid," She argued feebly. "I don't want him to be with me if that's not going to make him happy, it's not my place to chose."
Not your place!? Faye's voice seemed to cry incredulously; you've spent years of putting other people's needs before your own. Don't you think it's time you did something for you for a change?
"No. Will loves Elizabeth, end of story."
But he loves you too doesn't he?
Did Will really love her equally if not more than Elizabeth? Nim shook her head, "I doubt that very much."
Do not be swayed so fast, child. You have de ability to change de course of de future, Nimphadora Puget, but Fate be a hard mistress to sway…Your destiny has been settled within de churning sands, but it is up to you to see de truth hidden within de tide, The voice of Tia Dalma echoed in her head next; You cannot change de course of destiny, Nimphadora...You will eventually play your part, just as all of you will…
She considered the weirdly forsaken prophecy the voodoo priestess had left her with and frowned softly in thought as she rubbed her throat. It was painstakingly clear to her that she was a key point in the fate of her friends and probably her family as well, but what concerned her was the riddling confusion of it all. She knew that there was something that she was meant to do, especially as she recalled the look on her mother's face when she had begun asking her about her past. The look on her mother's face had been a cross between shock and sadness, almost as if she knew exactly what was happening to the young woman, but not having the will to say it.
"Kriminey," The woman finally sighed as she ran her hand through her tangled tresses that were curling annoyingly from the dampness of the brig.
Releasing the knife from her boot she stared at the edge of it before frowning softly as she fingered the long, waist length, strands of her hair. Reaching behind her she gathered her hair so that it lay at her chest before she began slicing away at the strands and allowing them to pool on the floor of her cell. She then began adding what would have been layers to the thick strands and allowing the uneven locks to fall back over her shoulder, the long locks reaching the end of her shoulder blades once more. The feeling of her head being lighter brought a small smile to her lips before looking down at the moist curls that pooled on the floor and sighing. She deemed this a small metamorphosis, a changing of herself as she thought about all of the decisions she had made up until this very moment. It was then decided that she would have to become the director of her own destiny, her own fate and she held the knife in front of her and staring at her reflection in the smooth steel.
Over the last few years she had hated looking at herself in any reflective surface because she was afraid of the woman staring back at her. After leaving Port Royal, she had been a sad, tired and worn woman. She had been lonely and afraid and above all else she had been heartbroken. But now, as she stared at the reflection in the knife, she could see a woman that was confused, but stronger in her convictions and she frowned softly at herself. I'm going to start fighting for my own destiny…
-X-
Lynette eyed the man seated across from her sternly and with a hardened stare of cold brown. Jack had not so much told her about what had transpired between himself and her daughter and the woman had taken to simply staring at him and watching as he fidgeted in his seat as she was sure her stare was making him highly uncomfortable. Finally, the woman leaned forward at his desk, her fingers knitted together in front of her as she peered at him from over her hands and hiding most of her expression.
"Is there a particular reason that you placed my daughter in the brig?"
Jack looked up at her sudden question though he read her tone clearly: Don't lie to me and don't dilly dally with your answer because I know what to expect from you and I'll know if you're lying. He forced a sigh through his nose as he played with the ring on his thumb, a nervous habit he had picked up over the years among other habits that included his odd need to feel for his compass or wear his beloved tricorne hat.
"It was for the better of me crew and herself."
Lynette hummed softly, "And why would that be?"
"She was makin' me job difficult," He explained with a huff, knowing not to call her any type of pet name as Lynette did not respond well to them or even acknowledge the speaker unless they used her name and only her name. "I had her in here with you to keep her from knowin' what was transpiring outside. So, who is really at fault for Nimie being sent to the brig after finding out the know-how of my…business?"
"So, you'll point this back at me?" She inquired, her tone dangerous as she leveled the pirate with a pointed stare, "Veronica, if you haven't noticed by now, is extremely…passionate when it comes to the wellbeing of those she cares about and especially when she feels as if those she cares about are intentionally put to harm or in harms way."
"Aye," Jack agreed as he ignored the dangerous tone of the woman before him, "I assure you, I had only the best interests at heart for dear Nimie."
Lynette frowned at the nickname that spilled from the pirate's lips in reference to her daughter. The regal woman would not admit that the nickname annoyed her above all else, just as much as her daughter's adopted name did, but she knew that that was not a choice she could have made as it was out of her power. Frowning softly and pushing her thoughts to the back of her mind for later pondering, Lynette eyed the pirate in front of her, "So why then, if I may ask, is my daughter still in the brig?"
"She's not comin' out 'till I know she's level."
Her brow arched, "This has happened before, hasn't it?"
Jack only nodded, "A few years back. She nearly destroyed me cabin so I had her locked in the brig for a few days and she was back to normal as if nothing had ever happened."
"You know that by doing that you're only allowing her to stew on her thoughts?"
"She doesn't stew," Jack corrected with a frown as he eyed the woman across from him. "She represses her feelings and hides them away. Yer her mother, shouldn't you know that?"
Lynette's brows furrowed as her eyes narrowed dangerously, "You think you know my daughter better than I do?"
"Yes," Jack hissed at the woman, "As a matter of fact, I do. Did ye know that as soon as she starts to say what's on her mind she changes it so she doesn't anger or offend the other party?" He watched as the woman tensed, "Or that she still represses her emotions and only thinks about the others around 'er and disregards her own self for the benefit of someone else? Or, how about the way she spends more time in her head than she does socializing with other people."
He noticed the more he pointed things out the more Lynette tensed, but he didn't plan on stopping now. It had bothered him for the last three years that this woman seemed to control Nim down to her every thought. He had heard about the argument that had transpired on the deck of the Dauntless three years ago and it had boiled him down to his very core that he hadn't been there to help her. Despite their differences, he was very close to Nim and even when they argued he always was looking out for her in the end. He had thrown her into the brig to allow her to sort out her thoughts as he was able to tell that the girl was more confused and emotional than she had ever been! A welcome change, sure, but it had been too much for the normally detached woman to experience all in one shot and he had placed her in the brig so she not only did not hurt herself or anyone else. Had he allowed her to roam freely about the Pearl after the incident with Davy Jones, he knew she would have thrown herself overboard if it meant following Will and he knew that by doing that she would kill herself and then there would be no saving her. What he had done, he saw as an act of charity and he knew that the young woman would sort her thoughts out sooner or later, hence why he continuously sent Gibbs to check on her. He was aware that he was the last person that Nim would want to see and so he sent her own godfather, as the two had bonded incredibly over the years, to make sure she was alright and to offer his own advice. He was also aware that Lynette would be the last person that Nim would want to see and so he sat in his cabin with the insufferable woman that he knew hated his guts more than hell itself, but he had had a bone to pick with her since he first met her.
"Were you aware that Nimie has a terrible case of bed head in the mornings and mutters things in her sleep? Or that she has a strange habit of limping whenever the weather gets bad? How about the slight crinkle of her nose when she's displeased or the way she plays with her charm when she's nervous? Or, me personal favorite," He commented lightly, though his sarcasm was incredibly hard not to miss, "the way she stutters and dances around words when she wants something…the way she avoids the conflict all together." He paused before glaring darkly over the table as he allowed himself to go for the jugular. He wanted this woman to understand that Nim was not the woman that Lynette wanted her to be: a posh lady of royalty. It made him sick to think of Nim as anything more than a pirate because she just didn't fit the mold that her mother set for her. "She has spent the last three years looking for her father and brother and she pushed those wants aside when we found you for dead in that longboat in the middle of the Caribbean. She chose to push aside her anger enough to feel sorry for ye and how do ye repay her? By forcing her to keep her thoughts to herself and not tell anyone what's on her mind. It's beginning to look more and more like I know your daughter better than you do bein' her mother." He paused briefly before adding one last comment, "And for Christ's sake, if she don't wanna be called somethin' don't call her it 'till she says so."
Lynette was floored. There really was no other word to express what she was feeling. It seemed as if the pirate had dumped a bucket of ice cold water over her form. She thought hard about her daughter. She thought about everything she knew Nim to be and suddenly frowned as she realized the pirate was absolutely right. He had pointed out all of the things that she noticed, but overlooked while attempting to make her daughter into a proper woman. All she wanted was for Nim to find love like she had, but she knew that it was much harder for her daughter especially with her scars. She barely noticed when the pirate pushed out his chair, muttering something along the lines of "why's the rum always gone" before disappearing out of the door and leaving the woman to her thoughts.
Jack frowned deeply. Truly he did want his rum, but he had needed to get out of his cabin as the tense silence had been stifling him. Knowing he was going to take his time, as his presence would probably not be missed in the cabin, he allowed himself to stare out the now calm Caribbean waters before looking down at his right hand and frowning at the smooth skin of his palm. He had not taken into account that Will would be seized as a captive during the negotiations, but he couldn't help but admit that it certainly helped. If what Tia Dalma had said rang true, which it normally did, the key would be with Jones. He trusted the blacksmith to acquire the key for if he didn't, Jack wasn't sure what he would have to do.
-X-
The current churned and pulled the waves almost violently as rain poured from the skies above. Thunder cracked through the harmonies of the wind, rain and waves crashing and churning together and adding a thundering beat to the orchestra of nature. Lightning flashed and danced across the sky to the beat of the thunder's drum and in time with the wild's melody with the wave's percussion and the wind's whistles, the rain plucking and strumming the strings of their own tune. Through the growing crescendo, Nim could make out a faintness of a music box lullaby. Upon the winds the same lullaby that haunted her every thought carried through her hair, the words drifting through her mind as she was forced to look in the opposite direction if only to shield her eyes.
Come my sweet, now come back to me. Sail your heart to the open sea. Let me take this task that you hold and bring you back your life. Can't you see how we're meant to be? A goddess and her man at sea, bound in bones, locked far, far away. I wish to make things right.
As suddenly as the words drifted through her ears, the waters became much more violent. Leaks of red appeared within the dark waters and the sky growing pink in hue almost as if it were reflecting the sudden change. Nim's body shuddered violently as the change occurred; the wind whipping around her and draining the oxygen from her lungs. It was then, suddenly as the change in nature had occurred, that a chilling organ began playing somewhere in the distance only adding to the violent nature of storm as the swells crashed and beat against her small body. A voice echoed above the thrashing and violent waves becoming much more apparent and the once peaceful lullaby that had carried into the wind, suddenly seemed that much darker.
Come me sweet? Come back to me, to sail with you on the open sea? Locked in hell a whole century; I hold no sympathy. Left to rot a crew cursed be mine, my heart torn out by your hand not mine. Now a void that not could you fill; this cold abyss inside. Raise the sails and cast out the line! Tonight we kill all who stand aside, damned be we to eternity! This fault belongs to ye!
Thunder crashed in rapid succession of its predecessor, the skies shaking visibly from the force of the waves, the wind and the sudden lightning that danced about one another and orchestrating a new bridge that was more powerful than the venom of the disembodied voice.
As Nim turned her eyes to the trashing waves, the red that had only trickled throughout the darkness was suddenly palpable and easily seen as the darkness of the waters began to bow to the angry red. A strangled scream tore from her throat as the faces of sailors appeared underneath the water, clawing for oxygen and for freedom. With eyes watering, she could only watch as the sea claimed them, dragging them farther and father below the surface no matter how hard they fought. Along with these faces was the face of the blacksmith, her heart shuddering in her chest and she reached for him desperately.
"Take my hand!" She cried.
Will only shook his head, his brown eyes – oh his beautiful brown eyes – darkened and haunting as he stared back at her. Suddenly his body shuddered violently as a snap sounded somewhere from behind him. Her eyes widened as she reached for him once more, her eyes expressing deep panic.
"Will! Please you must take my hand! Let me help you!"
Again he shook his head as another snap sounded and his body shuddered, his lips parting in a silent scream before the ocean reached around his legs, crawling up his form slowly and tugging him towards the sea.
"NO!" She screamed in horror as the water began dragging him closer to the surface of the water, almost as if the tendrils of liquid had turned to hands and were forcibly taking him under – taking him away from her. "No…no, no! Will!" Tears clawed at her eyes though they were lost in the spraying water and pounding rain that assaulted her from every angle. "Fight back! FIGHT BACK!"
No matter how much she screamed the blacksmith did not fight the water-like hands that tugged him below the surface of the water. She watched in absolute horror as he was dragged further and further away from the surface, his mouth still parted in a silent scream and his face contorted in pain that left her heart splitting in her chest.
"STOP!" She sobbed loudly into the storm as she fought the waves, clawing her way closer to where she had seen him disappear. "Please, bring him back…he promised me…"
It was sudden, but the waters then calmed as the original lullaby carried like a feather throughout the wind, once again flirting with her hair and whispering sweetly into her ears. However, unlike the first time she had heard the lullaby and its accompanying words that sounded so loving and so willing, the words that drifted to her sounded so much more defeated and held so much more sorrow than Nim's already shaking emotions could handle as tears slid from her eyes.
So this is the path that you choose…to raid the seas with your sea-bound crew, heart now gone yet you hold the key. Release yourself…
Land seemed to form underneath her as she cried, her arms encircling her beaten form and hugging herself tightly. Her tunic was torn and barely covered her torso and exposing her scars as well as the deep bruises that had formed from the storm, her trousers torn and her boots missing. She sobbed harder, her hair pooling before her eyes and tangling in the sand from where she leaned forward to ease her pain as her hand clutched at her heart.
Suddenly she felt a presence before her and she shuddered as a warm hand encircled her chin. Her face was gently brought forward and her eyes narrowed in confusion through her tears as she saw the face of Tia Dalma, her features exactly as she remembered them from what seemed like so long ago now. She said nothing, but gestured to her hands. Nim slowly released her hold on herself, her form still shaking with her restrained sobs and allowing the woman to pull her to her feet. It was then she realized that Tia Dalma was only a few inches taller than herself. The voodoo priestess rested a hand on her cheek, her thumb wiping the still forming trail of tears that cascaded down her cheeks and mixing with the dampness of the storm that had accumulated on her skin.
"Do not cry, child."
Another sob passed her lips unintentionally as she leaned into the caress of the other woman a sudden comfort swelling through her being.
"Yer fate is a fate dat is not predetermined," Her accented voice echoed loudly almost making her wonder if her lips were even moving as her soft alto seemed to come from all around her. "In you is a special power, Nimphadora, and only ye can find de truth hidden within de sands."
"I don't understand…"
"In time ye will," She consoled gently as she caressed the young woman's cheeks her smile kind despite the hauntingly dark appearance she had and Nim slowly felt herself fall backwards, her body suddenly exhausted as her eyes began to slide closed.
-X-
The jangling of keys was what awoke Nim from her nightmare and she straightened immediately, her eyes wide and clouded. Her eyes turned to see Jack standing at the door and opening it, only offering her a long suffering look that expressed his silent apology as she knew she would never receive a verbal one from him so long as she lived. A moment passed as she stared at him before she stood and followed him out of the brig.
The deck was silent as the two of them came to a stop at the starboard rail, their silence coated heavily by thought as the two pirates immersed themselves within their own minds. She knew she would not receive an apology, but she could not deny the sudden questions that assaulted her. However, her most recent nightmare had felt so real and it had sapped her strength from her. She hadn't even realized she had fallen asleep until the repeat of her nightmares began once again.
"Ye had another nightmare."
It was a statement, not a question and she only nodded as her eyes narrowed out at the Caribbean. She was silent for a few moments, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. "I'm losing it, Jack."
The pirate was silent not because he was ignoring her statement, but because he couldn't think of a proper way to answer her or even begin to comfort her. After a few moments he sighed softly through his nose, "If ye haven't lost it yet, love, I'd have been surprised."
"Jack, I'm serious."
"I know ye are," He frowned, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. "So am I."
"A pair of decent fools we make," She sighed softly as her shoulders slumped. "For different reasons obviously, but right fools."
Jack's lips lifted into a crooked smirk and exposing the side of his teeth, "It's only a matter of perspective, love."
"It's almost like every step I take forward, I take several steps back…I can't keep myself composed and these nightmares. I'm losing my sanity one bit at a time." She shook her head suddenly earning a frown from the pirate.
"What's on your mind, Nimie."
"I–It's nothing."
Jack glanced sidelong at her and his scowl deepened, "It must be somethin' otherwise ye wouldn't have mentioned it."
After a long moment of silence the female sighed deeply through her nose, her eyes screwing shut as her fists clenched tightly against the rail. "I'm more confused then I ever have been and I don't know what to do. Tia Dalma said something to me before we left her hut and it's been pressing further and further into my mind…I'm losing myself in this mess of emotions and complete and utter disaster of an adventure. I almost don't recognize myself anymore," She admitted tersely, "My heart tells me one thing and my mind tells me another and I don't know who or what to listen to anymore."
"You're angry."
Nim looked up at him to see that his eyes were trained upon the waters, now calm after they had sailed out of the vicious storm and it was clear that it was late into the night or else the deck would have been bustling with activity. She took in his profile and frowned softly, her eyes flicking across his features to see that his face was set in a firm, but thoughtful scowl. When silence reigned between the two of them he sighed once again.
"You're angry at me, you're angry at Will, you're angry at your mother and you're your father…you're angry, love, there's nothing wrong with that."
"No…it's not that."
"Ye don't have to keep brushing it off, I know you're angry. Don't be afraid to say it."
"No, Jack, i–it's not that at all…I'm just…"
"What, love?" He questioned with a furrowed brow as he looked down at her, "What else is it?"
"I–I'm just –"
"What?"
"I'M ANGRY WITH MYSELF!"
Jack recoiled as she finally burst; the tears she had long since held back began to leak down her cheeks almost as if a dam had been opened. He frowned softly as the woman sobbed, her body bending and her head nearly resting against her clenched fists as she hid herself from him. Shifting awkwardly he sighed before slowly and hesitantly wrapping an arm around her shoulders. At first, Nim had tried to brush him off, but he persisted and soon the woman was curled in his arms and crying into his jacket. This had been the release that she had needed. For three years, Nim had forced herself to uphold an image she thought was hardened and safe – a pirate's guise she had constantly told herself – and for three years the dreadlocked pirate had done all he could to force that mentality out of her, quickly giving up when she had bucked and fought him at every advance. Now, he knew that this is what needed to happen all along. She needed to realize for herself that expressing emotions weren't always a bad thing. He held her fast, slowly his instincts taking over as he had to handle her much differently than a woman he was attempting to lay with and he began rubbing small circles on her shoulders to ease her tension and also letting her know that he was there.
Nim didn't know what had come over her as she openly sobbed into the pirate's chest. For someone who had taken emotions and brushed them aside, finding it better to face things intellectually and logically, she had never admitted aloud what her true emotions were. Jack was right of course, but out of all the people she was angry with she was most angry with herself. She hated the fact that she had let Will go in more ways than one. She hated herself for not allowing herself to express how she had truly felt while she had the chance and now that he was involved with Elizabeth she deemed it too late. Though, she knew that the blacksmith knew how she felt. It was no longer a secret and she sobbed harder at the thought of never being able to call him hers. It was wrong to think of him as a possession and she didn't, however, she couldn't help the longing she felt when she was around him. She couldn't help the fact that she missed him and that she wanted nothing more than to rewind the past and replay what had happened at the outpost three years ago. Perhaps if she had acted quicker, perhaps if she had made her mind up sooner, perhaps if she had the courage to tell him about her feelings sooner then maybe none of this would have happened.
How long Jack held her in his arms, Nim didn't know, but soon she felt her tears stop and she released a shaky sigh before releasing herself from the pirate's embrace and wiping her eyes with a choked laugh, "This is pathetic…I hate feeling like this."
The dreadlocked pirate only chuckled, "Tis nothin', love. The point is that ye feel."
"Sometimes I wish that weren't the case."
Jack shook his had, "You've been livin' like that for a long time…It's about time ye allowed yourself to release like that." When Nim didn't answer he smirked to himself, "Ye remember that little talk we had back at the prison three years ago?"
"You mean Fort Charles?" Nim inquired as she looked at the pirate.
"Aye, that'd be the dingy place." When the younger woman laughed softly he shook his head. "Do ye remember what I told ye?"
"Which part?"
"Ta keep yer chin up and keep your eyes out on that horizon?"
She nodded slowly, "You told me I'd always be a Sparrow and then you asked me what sparrows do."
"They fly," Jack smirked as he looked down at her, "like all other birds. But, most of all –"
"They represent freedom."
"Aye," He nodded. "for a sparrow is never kept in it's cage for too long. You're a sparrow, darlin', and a mighty fine one at that."
Nim couldn't help but laugh slightly as she thought about the old conversation she and him had shared the day before his hanging and she sighed softly, "It seems like it was so long ago now..."
"Aye, love, it does."
"What's going to happen now, Jack?"
For a moment the pirate didn't know how to answer her. The truth of the matter was he had no idea where to go from there. If he didn't manage to acquire the souls necessary for Davy Jones then he wasn't sure what would happen to any of them as he was well aware of what would happen to him. Shaking the unpleasant thoughts he sighed softly through his nose as his face drew into a more forelorn expression and Nim couldn't help but notice that he suddenly appeared much older and that the look was rather misplaced on his face.
"I don't know, love."
She could tell it was an honest answer and she sighed softly. "A sparrow is never kept in it's cage for too long, Jack," She reminded him. "We'll figure it out once we reach Tortuga."
"Ye mean you're willin' to help me?"
Nim turned her eyes to his and smirked, her dimpled cheeks pushing her green orbs into a arches to match her mischievous look, "Of course…I have to figure out a way to get Will back one way or another don't I?" She could see the flash of guilt in his expression before it hardened over with a dismissive look and she shook her head slightly. "We'll do this together…just like old times."
"Aye, love, just like old times."
"And if you ever pull a stunt like that again, I will not hesitate to kill you myself," She threatened as she poked him in the chest with her finger and her eyes narrowed dangerously at him. "Am I perfectly clear, Jack Sparrow?"
"Aye, ma'am!"
Nim smirked before she hugged the pirate one last time before rolling her shoulders to loosen them up, "Well…I've already gotten sleep that I was owed, so I will take the night watch and keep us headed to Tortuga." She told him, "Send my mother to my cabin so you can get some sleep…I know you two have been arguing lately."
If only you knew the half of it, love; The pirate thought to himself with a roll of his eyes before turning on his heel and swaggering away.
"Oh, and Jack?"
The pirate turned once more with his brow arched underneath his bandana in question, his hands raised in the familiar pose of a drunken man. Nim only crossed her arms and eyed him with a small smirk twitching at her lips.
"Don't let her get to you."
He only waved her off with his hands, catching the shaking of her head as he walked away. Perhaps not everything was damaged between them and he couldn't help but smile at the thought.
-X-
Will couldn't remember how everything had happened. It was all a blur to his mind from when he was kneeling at the mercy of the undead, sea-faring crew to arriving on board the Dutchman. Of the last few hours all he could rightfully recall was pain. No time had been wasted before the blacksmith was thrown into the heavy and demanding labor aboard the ship and all he wanted to rightfully do was sleep. But before he could do that, it seemed as if Jones was more interested in berating him in any possible way he could.
As the crew reappeared aboard the ship, Jones had immediately stepped before him with a thoughtful expression before his eyes caught the charm hanging from his neck and something had seemed to snap somewhere in his mind.
"Do not look for comfort of a woman's touch here, Mr. Turner." He had all but sneered at the confused blacksmith only to smirk wickedly, "Young love is such an ugly thing isn't boys?"
When the crew had laughed, Will couldn't help the sinking suspicion that something had happened aboard the Black Pearl that had brought this confrontation to a head. But before he could even ask or comment about the captain's words he was forced back into work by the bo'sun and he growled in frustration before resigning himself to his situation.
His capture and the realization of what had transpired had been pushed to the back of his mind as he found the small closet that had been cleared for him, being that (for whatever reason) Jones had wanted to keep a particular eye on him. Why? Will hadn't bothered to ask and at present he didn't care as he allowed himself to fall into the hammock, barely managing to kick off his boots as he did. His eyes found the ceiling and he frowned miserably above everything else, the blacksmith was incredibly angry. As soon as Jones had growled at the mention of Jack's name, Will had discovered that he had been tricked into joining the crew of the Flying Dutchman and it did nothing to ease the boiling of his blood.
Suddenly he wondered what had happened to Nim and if she was alright.
He sighed softly, ignoring the ache in his heart at the thought of the younger woman. He could still feel her against him, the way she had molded into him and responded to his kiss. He could feel her small hands tugging him closer, running along his chest and tangling in his hair; the sweet scent of sea and vanilla mixing together and creating an intoxicating perfume that only added to the taste of her lips upon his. He could still hear her soft gasping and her hisses and he vaguely wondered if he had hurt her physically; though he knew that he had probably only done nothing but hurt her emotionally. Running a hand through his hair he sighed softly at the sudden thought as he recalled the kiss. He could feel the emotions that raged inside of her and he had not realized just how much he had cared for her until that very moment. He recalled their time upon the Pearl, not only from the last few weeks, but from three years ago and he frowned.
Could that damage ever truly be repaired?
Will certainly hoped that it could. Nim was a very intricate part of his life and he vaguely wondered how he had survived before meeting her. She was fiery when she wanted to be and she was compassionate and selfless, but above everything else she was incredibly smart and she was beautiful. The thought stuck to him for a moment and unconsciously his fingers inched towards the charm on his neck. He knew that giving her charm to him had been a hard decision, but he was not going to go back on his promise to her. He would return and he would keep her charm safe. Suddenly a thought hit him: what had she meant back on the Pearl after they had kissed?
"That charm will keep you safe…it's done me well and it will hold to that purpose. Live through this and bring it back to me."
"I will," The blacksmith agreed as he wrapped his hand around hers, offering the appendage a gentle squeeze.
Her eyes stared pointedly into his and he knew they would not share a moment like this again, "Promise me."
"What?"
"Promise me that you'll come back…I still do not ask you to give Elizabeth up, but promise me that, should you desire it, you will keep that charm with you until it is no longer a service to you."
Will's brow furrowed tightly in confusion, "What do you mean Nim?"
"You'll figure it out…" She answered, "And when you do we'll both understand the outcome.
The fact was he didn't know what she had meant at all!
Nim had always been a complicated woman to pinpoint and he could never really read what she was thinking or what she meant when she said certain things. He knew what made her comfortable and what made her uncomfortable, but he wasn't sure how to read her because she very rarely opened up to allow people to see her for who she really was. The thought had always bothered Will about the younger woman and it frustrated him. It was almost like she was afraid of herself.
Shaking his thoughts he returned his mind to the words she had spoken to him and he fingered her charm slowly. The charm was something that Nim never took off unless there was reason for it and was essentially a vital part of her. He frowned softly at the thought and released a long suffering sigh, "What did you mean?"
Knowing he wouldn't receive an answer he allowed his eyes to slide closed, though his mind refused to shut itself off.
"This is your most treasured possession. I can't take this from you."
"It is mine to give to who I wish. And it isn't my most treasured possession…"
"What is your most treasured possession, Nim?" Again he received no answer and he only sighed to himself and he soon found his mind fading around him as sleep began to claim him. I will figure you out, Nim, he told himself as he drifted off; I promise on your charm that I will figure you out and when I do you won't be alone anymore.
How I manage to still add some Nim/Will fluff is beyond me ;) And Elizabeth has met Sebastian! Do I sense a plot twist coming up soon?...maybe! I'm only joking :)
Anyways, there's a LOT of info thrown at you this chapter and I hope it all makes sense. Like I said in the first author's note, I've been literally pulling all nighters because I really can't sleep and I'm sooo excited for where this is going (lets keep my groove going!)
Thanks for reading folks! And remember: reviews are lovely and appreciated, but not mandatory for an update ;D
Until next time!
Much Love,
timexgone23
xoxo