Chapter 10: The key to my heart

Disclaimer: still the same as chapter 1

Author's notes:

- To Smithy: yes, I was very proud of Marion Cotillard's success! She's the third French actress to win an Oscar, after Simone Signoret and Juliette Binoche ;-)

- This is the conclusion of the story, and I'd like to say a big « Thank you » to all my readers and reviewers!

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Bill Turner was cradling his son in his arms, unconsciously rocking him like he had done it before, years and years ago in England, when he was a struggling merchant seaman and Will a Heaven-sent baby. Things were so simple in the good old days! Not easy, but simple. Bill was living in a modest house which was way too cold in winter, with an almost-empty larder and no future prospects, but at least he had a wonderful wife and a beautiful boy. After an ordeal of fifteen years and more, he had been reunited with his son – but at what costs? Mary's demise, Will's endangerment, and his own sanity almost permanently damaged!

The elder Turner sighed deeply: even if he had confessed his past and received in exchange the forgiveness of his child, his conscience was still feeling heavy. Maybe he had been so used to carry this burden that he couldn't realize he was finally released from it, just like he had been freed from the Dutchman's oath. Or maybe Bill couldn't pardon himself for the predicament Will was actually living, forced to sail away from his wife to ferry souls neglected by Davy Jones' cruelty, with a promise of freedom granted by Elizabeth's faithfulness after ten long years.

Ten years.

One hundred and twenty months.

Three thousand, six hundred and fifty days of his life: the price his William had to pay for being a noble and heroic soul.

A decade to be spent at sea; and all because Will had wanted to free his old man from slavery after Bill had recklessly decided to become a pirate.

Will heard his father's sighs, and he tightened his embrace. The young man had hoped that after Bill had told him his life's story, it would chase away the sadness and guilt which clouded his father's eyes at times. But somehow, the new Captain of the Flying Dutchman knew that it wouldn't be the case. What could he do to make his father feel better?

A fragment of the conversation they had during the night came back to Will's mind, when Bill had said: "It may sound silly, but I'd like a chance to prove myself, son of mine."

Will didn't need a tangible proof of his father's affection; one look at those adoring blue eyes would be enough to get a confirmation if the young man had ever wanted one. But what could Will do to make his father understand that he trusted him, fully and unconditionally? Then, an idea came into the younger Turner's mind. It was an idea which would bring, hopefully, an unshakeable confidence to Bill's paternal love.

"Papa?"

"Aye, my son?"

Will gently ended the hug, and Bill watched as his still-kneeling child was searching for something tucked inside the folds of the knotted sash he was wearing around his waist, under his belt. Then Will handed out to his father an object lying in his palm:

"I'd like you to have this."

Bill gasped and his face went white in shock and fear.

Will was giving him the key of the Dead Man's Chest!

"NO! MY DARLING, DON'T!" exclaimed Bill in horror. "You can't give me this! I cannot…. P-Please, take it back! Hide it!"

"Papa, I want you to keep it for me."

"WILL! That's impossible! The Dutchman's Captain must have the chest's key on him… At all times! It's… It's the rule!"

Will looked sadly at his father: even if Jones had been engulfed by Calypso's whirlpool months ago, his fiendish influence hadn't completely disappeared from the Flying Dutchman. His ex-crewmembers were still shaking in fear at the mere mention of his souvenir, and even Bill Turner couldn't help but think that Jones' rules still prevailed.

"Says who, Papa?" asked Will fiercely. "Says Davy Jones? You and I both know that his words meant nothing, no matter how highly he prided his authority. Jones was so arrogant and vainglorious! He couldn't be contended with the life of a simple seaman; no, he wanted nothing less but the love and the consideration of a capricious heathen goddess! When she didn't show up, he turned into a monster, played God with innocent lives to satisfy his twisted sense of revenge, and then he had the nerve to make people believe that every word coming out from his corrupted mouth was a pearl."

"WILL, PLEASE! Keep it, it's yours. If you don't have the key on you, it-it might bring bad luck! I won't do anything that might compromise your chances to be freed by Elizabeth. I-I beg of ye, take it back! I love you so much, my William. It would kill me if anything bounded you to the Dutchman forever, because of me."

"Papa, listen to me. Jones had the key on him at all times because he didn't have any choice: he couldn't entrust anybody with it. Who could show fidelity to a monster? I gave Elizabeth the Dead Man's Chest because I know, with every fiber of my being, that she will keep it safe. She isn't a scatterbrained woman who would forfeit my future out of impatience, lust or boredom: she's loyal and her love is true. I gave Jack my necklace because I am sure he won't sell it for a few coins or a bottle of rum; I saw his real feelings after Jones wounded me in the maelstrom battle and for all his fine words, he's loyal and concerned for the very few people he cares about. Now, I want to give you the key because you are a loyal, caring man whose feelings remained so strong that a demon's influence couldn't start to damage them, even after all those years."

"I am going through my own ordeal now, and what helps me is the absolute certitude that there are persons in this world that I can trust. My heart's safety depends on a chest and a key, but also on love and loyalty, and who better than Elizabeth and you can protect it from any harm?"

Bill had his eyes fixed on the double-stem key lying in the palm of Will's hand. A part of him, the one haunted by the slave's shadow, still wanted to refuse the gift out of superstition, too afraid that Davy Jones' ghost would spring out of Hell to cast an evil spell on his child's head. But another part within him – the recently-freed, devoted father – was touched by his son's confidence in him and his willingness to entrust him with such an important item.

"You wanted a chance to prove your worth, old fool", thought Bill Turner, "and Will is giving you one. Are you going to disappoint him?"

Bill's blue gaze hardened at the idea: he'd rather be thrown back into the ocean's depths than shrink away from a commitment concerning his William. His hand slightly shaking from the emotional stress, he gently took the key and looked at his son straight in the eyes.

"I will keep it with my life, Will. I promise."

Will smiled; who but his father could be the best guardian for the key to his heart?

"I know you will, Papa, as I am certain you'll always remain by my side to protect me against whatever may happen, and to guide me through my life."

"No one will stop me from doing it, Will. I've sworn an oath to you, and nothing will prevent me from watching over you. And remember, my cherished son," added Bill with a twinkle in his eyes, "when you are reunited with your wife – and that would be simply just and fair, considering your beautiful soul – you've promised me a bunch of little Turners to dot upon to!"

At those words, Will took out a crumpled, often-read letter that he had kept tucked under his shirt for days; it was the latest missive written by his beloved Elizabeth, and he held it out for his father to see it.

William's face was beaming with joy and pride, and Bill felt his heart beating wildly at this sight, as if it wanted to escape from his ribcage!

"A little Turner is coming, Grandpa Bill!"

THE END! ;-)