Chapter 11: Shipwreck Cove
That same evening, Guinevere tossed and turned in another nightmare.
Guinevere found herself kneeling beside Elizabeth over a dying Will.
"No," Elizabeth whispered futilely.
"Will, stay with me! Take my hand and don't let go!" Guinevere begged.
Despite the pleas of both women, Will's feeble grip on Guinevere's hand slackened, and his beautiful eyes closed.
"No, no, NO!" Elizabeth and Guinevere screamed.
Before Guinevere knew it, she was snatched up by Jack and pried away from Will.
"Will, don't go! Stay! No! I need you!" she shrieked.
The last thing Guinevere saw was the Flying Dutchman being sucked down to the depths with Will aboard.
Guinevere jumped awake to find Lucia watching her.
"Bad dream?" Lucia asked.
"I can't shake them. Terrible visions of Will…being killed by Jones," Guinevere replied with a shudder.
"They're just nightmares, darling. They're not real," Lucia reassured her, "Come. We've arrived at Shipwreck Cove."
Guinevere and Lucia climbed up to the main deck and watched as the Black Pearl entered Shipwreck Cove. The city was a fortress constructed out of shipwrecks long ago and the castle was brightened by many lamps. More than thirty ships crammed the docks of the city. Everyone looked on in awe.
"Look at them all," Pintel said in amazement.
"Shipwreck Cove, home of the Brethren Court," Guinevere said in awe.
"Aye," Barbossa acknowledged, "There's not been a gatherin' like this in our lifetime."
Jack looked out to the docks. "And I owe them all money," he said sheepishly.
"You'll owe them all your life if we are to go to war," Lucia countered.
"Thank you for reminding me. I'll be sure to pay you first," Jack replied.
Barbossa was just about to give a command when Jack cried out, "Let go the anchor!"
Barbossa turned and glared at Jack. Jack simply grinned.
"Captain of the ship's givin' orders," he quipped.
Immediately, the Pearl docked at the harbor and the crew disembarked. Guinevere looked all around her as she entered the lair of the Brethren Court. Lucia noticed her awe.
"You're amazed by this place now," she said wisely, "I warn you, this isn't as romantic as you might have read. Theses pirates are even fiercer than you and I. Mistress Ching, the Pirate Lord of the Pacific, for example, has her men cut off ears for souvenirs. Just be mindful of what you say and do and don't do anything stupid."
Guinevere nodded. "Thank you for that advice," she acknowledged.
As soon as entering the lair, Guinevere scanned the room. There was no sign of Rose or Juliet.
Where could they be? Guinevere wondered to herself.
"Lucia, where's Rose?" she asked desperately.
"I don't know. She's not here," Lucia replied.
Guinevere trembled. Her best friend and her daughter were missing. Guinevere knew that Rose would not lead her astray, but why wasn't she there? Just when Guinevere began to suspect the worst, she heard a baby cry! Immediately, Guinevere jumped up and turned to see Rose standing in the door with Juliet!
"Juliet! Rose!" Guinevere cried.
Guinevere raced forward and embraced both her friend and her daughter. Rose gave a smile.
"Safe and sound, just like I promised," she said happily as she placed little Juliet in Guinevere's arms.
Guinevere kissed her baby girl's head. "Thank you," she gasped, "Oh, Juliet. Amoreux! Je vous ai manqué, amoureux!"
Baby Juliet grinned in comfort. Rose looked on with glee. Seeing Guinevere reunited with little Juliet brought nothing but warm feelings to her heart. Suddenly, in the midst of the tender moment, Rose's knees buckled and she keeled over, clutching her stomach! Guinevere looked up in shock-horror.
"Rose!" she gasped as she knelt and cradled her friend in her arms, "Help! Help her, anyone!"
Jack and Lucia raced to the aid of Guinevere and Rose.
"What is it?" Jack asked, concerned.
"Rose is hurt," Guinevere told him, "Please, help her."
Lucia removed Rose's hand from her belly to reveal a gaping wound overflowing with blood. Lucia shuddered and closed her eyes. Jack turned white and stoic. Guinevere looked up at the wound and at Rose.
"No, no! You're fine. You're all right!" she said frantically.
Rose fought to speak, despite the pain of her wounds. "I…I…I'm so sorry, Guin," she breathed, "East…India…attacked us. He knows. Beckett knows of the meeting. I...tried to protect Juliet. Better me than…her."
Guinevere was quick to silence her dying friend. "Shhh, shh. Please, you're scaring me, Rose. Don't talk anymore. You're going to be fine."
No matter how much Guinevere begged, Rose's life continued to fade away like a wilting flower. Guinevere hastily removed her waistcoat and draped it over Rose's wound.
"Hold on, Rose," Guinevere told her friend optimistically, "I'm going to save you. You've protected me, now I'll return the favor."
"You…already have," Rose countered, "Jack…Lucia, Guin…forgive me for any offenses I've made against you."
"There's nothing to forgive, love," Jack said with a slight smile.
Lucia nodded in agreement. Rose let out a small laugh.
"Now I know I can die," she quipped, "Jack is being serious."
Jack and Lucia smiled, but Guinevere did not.
"Don't speak like you're saying goodbye," Guinevere pleaded, "Please, don't. You're all right. This is not goodbye!"
"No," Rose said in agreement, "It is not goodbye."
"Then you're going to be all right. Please…I need you, so does Juliet."
"Juliet…needs you. You don't need me."
Guinevere was stunned. "That's foolish! How can you say that? Of course I need you!"
"Not anymore," Rose corrected her.
Guinevere knew Rose was right. She didn't need her; she just wanted her.
"You must…let me go, Guin," Rose said solemnly.
"I can't!" Guinevere protested.
"Wasn't it you…who said just because I'm not in front of you doesn't mean that I'm not there? You can… and you must let me go."
Rose fixed her eyes on Juliet. "You are together now?" she asked.
"Yes," Guinevere reassured her friend as she squeezed her hand, "Yes, Rose. Juliet and I are together because of you. Thank you."
Rose sighed and smiled. Then, Rose's grey eyes closed, and her hand slipped from Guinevere's. Finally, one last breath escaped from Rose before she lay peaceful in Guinevere's arms.
Jack and Lucia bowed their heads. Barbossa had been watching as well, and he too showed remorse for the fallen Rose.
Guinevere shook her head frantically. "No, NO!" she gasped, "Rose, stay with me! Stay with me! Rose!"
Guinevere looked up at Jack. "Fetch Tia Dalma," she commanded.
Lucia knew what Barbossa had planned for Tia Dalma. "Calypso?" she gulped.
Guinevere immediately went into a fit and attacked Barbossa.
"Charlatan! We need Rose alive! You release Tia Dalma right now!" she screamed.
"Guin, there's nothing Tia Dalma can do," Lucia told her.
"LIAR!" Guinevere shrieked as she bolted for the door.
Before she could step foot outside, Jack snatched her.
"Guin!" he said soothingly as he held a sobbing Guinevere close to him.
Jack looked up at Barbossa. "Can anything be done?" he asked.
Barbossa shook his head. "Young Rose is at peace," he said gravely.