DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything POTC related except my own characters

NOTE: Hey all! I'm so sorry it has taken me forever to update. This semester has been a nightmare, I have 3 page papers due each week in one of my classes. Then, I've been sick on and off since winter break ended. Anyway, I will try to get Chapter 14 up and going as soon as possible, hopefully not as long as this chapter has taken. I feel so bad. PLEASE REVIEW!

NOTE2: If anyone is interested in reading about sequels to Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl movie. Go to the website: In the top left side of the screen the title: Search the IMDb is listed. In the blank, type in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. It has a plot summary and some of the characters for the sequels, I'm so excited! )

CHAPTER 13

Lesson to be Learned

Hope stood unmoving as Katie held her sword to her throat.

"I'll spar with you, since it seems the only way you'll let me go." Hope was still silent.

"Did I miss something?" Will asked.

"Hope challenged Katie to a sparring match," James said.

"What? Hope, how could you!" Hope sighed roughly before going over to Will and pulling him away.

"I get the point it was wrong to do so. My family already expressed their opinions towards this. There is a lesson to be learned here so don't you go sending me on a journey of guilt. Just play along. Savvy?"

"I hope you know what you're doing."

"Trust me." Hope turned back around to Katie. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes. You threw the challenge."

"Yes, I did. But I said that you were to spar against James and if I was not convinced then you would spar against me."

"Nevertheless, you said it yourself. James doesn't match up to the skill of those pirates and yourself."

"I did say that."

"Exactly. Father might not have much time so let's get this over with."

"No."

"What? What do you mean no?"

"Like I said. No."

"I don't understand. You said I needed to spar against you. So let's spar."

"I won't spar with you, Katie."

"What? You want me to spar James instead? Fine!"

"If I can avoid it I would like to not spar with you. You beat me every time," James said.

"I don't want you to spar anyone," Hope said just as Reverend Danforth, Isabelle, Elizabeth, Andrew, and Nathaniel entered the blacksmith shop and saw Katie standing before Hope her sword still raised.

"Katie, stop this. I forbid it. You don't need to prove anything," Reverend Danforth said.

"Let her speak, father."

"Hope! You're her mother. Though I don't agree with your ways you must stop this nonsense."

"I am being a mother, now would you please let her speak," Hope said calmly. They looked at her confused.

"I don't understand you, mother. First, you say I need to spar with you to prove I can go and then you say I don't have to spar anyone. What do I need to do to prove myself to you?" Katie yelled. Hope smiled.

"You just did."

"What?"

"I asked you to prove to me your skill because I wanted to see how you would react. I already know that you can handle a sword. You were better at the sword at age ten than I was I age fifteen. I needed to know how high your determination was to save your father. These pirates are not to be taken lightly. Although skill is important, wit is what will win in the end."

"I don't understand."

"I trust you with my life, Katie. If I was unable to come on this journey and I had to pick one person to take my place, it would be you. I know you've been through much these past few weeks and I'm sorry. But, we still have your father to save."

"You conniving, little sneak. I'd like to know how you do it." Elizabeth said smiling. Hope shrugged her shoulders. Reverend Danforth was shocked.

"That whole sparring thing was just an act?" Charles asked.

"Well, yes and no. I would like to know how my daughter would fair against me since she has received six more years of training, but, that can wait till some other time."

"I can go?" Katie asked.

"Yes."

"You're not going to change your mind?"

"No."

"Swear it?"

"Katie, honestly. I may be harsh sometimes and I know that you don't understand why I do some things, but I'm still your mother and you have my word."

"I told you she has reasons for everything she does," Jacoby said.

"How did you come upon this?" Reverend Danforth asked.

"You learn a few things when you live half your life among English aristocrats and the other half around pirates." Everyone still couldn't believe it. "Will, how are you coming with the swords?"

"They're all sharpened."

"Great." Hope said as she walked over and handed one to sword to Jacoby and Darien. "How many will be coming along besides myself, Jacoby, Darien, Gibbs, and Katie?"

"You already know my answer," Will said as he finished sharpening one last sword.

"I'll go," James said.

"You certainly will not. I need you here," Elizabeth said.

"Mother, please. I want to go. I want to be with Katie. You've seen how much skill I have on the sword. I could help." Elizabeth looked over at Hope.

"There's no need for both our children to be cross with us. Besides, his father will be there. When Will can't watch him, I will."

"Please, mother."

"Very well." James smiled.

"Thank you."

"Will, do you have any daggers?" Hope asked.

"I think so," Will said, walking to the wall. "How many?"

"Two." Will pulled two small, silver daggers from their holders and handed them to Hope. She stuck one in her boot and walked over to Katie. "Take this."

"Why? I already have a sword."

"Take it. You never know when you might need it if you're in close proximity of your enemy or if you have lost your sword in a fight." Katie looked at her a little scared then took it and put it in her boot as well. Hope reached out and placed her hand on Katie's shoulder. "You'll be fine. You had good teachers," Hope said lifting Katie's chin up. She nodded. "We need to leave as soon as possible. Aidan already has about a six-day lead on us. Jacoby, could you go see how far the Commodore is from setting out?"

"Aye."

SCENE CHANGE

The Wandering Hangman pulled into Kinsale in County Cork, Ireland. A singing voice came down the companionway that awoke Jack from where he sat in the corner of the cell sleeping.

"I've been a wild rover for many a year and I spent all my money on whiskey and beer, and now I'm returning with gold in great store and I never will play the wild rover no more," Donovan Scully, the middle brother, sang as he appeared. Jack cringed at his off tone singing. Donovan did a little dance as he walked over to the cell, still singing. "And it's no, nay, never. No nay never no more, Will I play the wild rover. No never no more." He laughed before banging on the bars. "Wake up, Sparrow! It's be a bright, glorious morning for an Irishman."

"You already woke me with that blasted singing. A dog would run at the sound of your singing, mate."

"No need to be harsh, Jack. As I said, it be a bright and glorious morning for an Irishman."

"You thinking about leaving the pirate life mate? That song spoke quite clearly."

"That just be a song, me father, sang to us as young lads.'

"Pity. Where are we?"

"Ireland." Jack looked at him confused.

"Which one are you?"

"Donovan."

"You as mangy as your brother?"

"No. Me brother be worse than I."

"You all act alike to me."

"They're me brothers, we naught be that different," Donovan said unlocking the cell. "Out ye go, Sparrow. Me brother have a wee trip planned for ye."

"Ooo. Do I get a treat if I'm good?" Jack asked sarcastically.

"Ye be behavin' yerself, ye can keep yer life. I believe that be treat enough for ye, or maybe, we kill yer family and then we kill you."

"You lay one hand on them…"

"What could ye do, Sparrow? The only thing yer famous for is getting caught by the Royal Navy, oh and weddin' an aristocratic woman, a minister's daughter no less. Besides, it be me brother who be deciding yer fate," Donovan said pulling Jack out of the cage and up on deck. The village of Kinsale was about the same size as Port Royal. There were no big houses just several medium sized wooden homes and a market on the main road. On the dock, several men stood fishing and out in the harbor, fisherman boats lined the port. The Wandering Hangman loomed eerily over the other boats.

"Nice little village, mate. Why do you ever leave?" Jack asked smirking. Donovan glared at him before pushing him down the plank where Aidan stood waiting.

"Good morning, Jack. Welcome to yer new home."

"No thanks. I like the sea better." Up on the deck the youngest brother, Finnegan, started to walk down the plank when Aidan yelled to him.

"Ye be stayin on the ship, lil' brother."

"Why?"

"Because I said so ye mangy cad!" Finnegan glared at Aidan before walking away. "Ye have to excuse me younger brother. He naught know how to do anything right."

"Seems to me you don't give him a chance to do anything."

"Rightly so. Everything he does do, he fails at. We only bring him along because me mother asked us too." Donovan was growing a little impatient.

"Can we get on with this? We didn't bring him here to make friends."

"Ye be absolutely right," Aidan said pulling Jack along with him.

SCENE CHANGE

"I don't really like this idea of leaving during the night," Norrington said.

"Commodore we've been over this already. Jack is in danger every minute counts."

"Yes. I am aware."

"You agreed to this."

"I did. But I had no idea it would be during the night."

"I don't see the problem here. Night, day. It doesn't matter. If you are worried about obstacles, the moon is full. I should provide well enough light to see by." Norrington sighed.

"Very well. Prepare to cast off!" Norrington yelled to the crew before he walked away. Hope turned towards her family, went to Nathaniel, and kneeled before him.

"You behave for your grandparents, Nathan. Your sister and I will return with your father soon. I promise." Nathaniel hugged her.

"I miss you."

"I'll miss you as well," Hope said kissing his forehead then going to her parents.

"I seem to always be leaving when we've had so little time together."

"You have more important things to do, Hope. Jack needs you. When you return we will have plenty of time together," Isabelle said. Hope smiled and went to Reverend Danforth.

"You want to come along? We're stopping at England to drop Stoker off, if he behaves himself."

"No thank you. That is a voyage for the younger generation. I only ask that you promise me that you will come back safe and unharmed."

"You know I can't make a promise like that, father. It's uncertain what will happen."

"Then at least promise that you will try."

"That I can promise you." Reverend Danforth smiled and hugged her. When he pulled away, she kissed his cheek. "I love you." She then walked over to Elizabeth and Will.

"I need you to do something for me, Elizabeth."

"Anything." Elizabeth said.

"If something happens to me or to Jack I want you to take care of Nathaniel and Katie for me. I pray nothing happens to Will, but I don't know what will happen. As for Katie, I am going to make sure she stays safe."

"I will. As long as you promise me something."

"Yes."

"Be my eyes with James. Will can't do everything."

"I'll keep him safe, just as I will with Katie and Will." Elizabeth nodded.

"Be careful, Hope."

"You've been all I could have asked for in a best friend. I thank you for sticking by me all these years," Hope said. Elizabeth nodded and hugged her.

"Same to you. Now, stop talking as if you're never coming back. I know you will and you better," Elizabeth said.

"I can't make promises."

"I know. Good luck." With that, Hope walked away towards the Dauntless. Before she got too far she saw Edward standing a few feet talking with a woman and two children. She saw him kiss the woman then the kids before heading back to the Dauntless. Gillette saw Hope watching him and went to her. Before he could say anything Hope started.

"I'm happy for you, Edward. I still feel guilty after all these years." He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't be. I forgave you a long time ago remember?"

"I know." He smiled at her before walking up the ship. She saw that everyone was on the ship except her and Will. When she turned back around, she saw that he was with Elizabeth. "Will. It's time to go." He nodded at her. When she turned back around Gillette's wife was standing in front of her.

"So, you're Hope Danforth."

"Yes, I am."

"I just wanted to thank you."

"For what?"

"If you hadn't betrayed Edward and fell for that pirate I would never have married him. I have the life you threw away." Hope was a little offended by the woman's words.

"Is this going to be a, my horse is bigger than your horse argument? If that's what you think, you will not get the satisfaction. I admit what I did was wrong and Edward told me a long time ago before he even met you that he forgave me."

"No, he didn't. He just says that to make you feel less guilty." Hope was silent.

"Oh, for once, the pirate is silent." Hope glared at her before whispered angrily to her.

"Don't you dare think you're high and mighty ways will get the best of me. You forget I was raised a nobleman's daughter for 21 years. For another 16 years, I was with pirates. I am very skilled with the sword and my birth father was a pirate. I would advice you not to mess with me, because you'll lose."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No. I'm not threatening you. That was just a good-natured warning. Despite what you might think about pirates, I'm not like them. I'm the voice of reason in most cases." The woman was silent. "Oh, and just for your information. I love Jack Sparrow, not Edward. So if you feel threatened by me, don't. That relationship was over a long time ago. Even if I still did love him. I would never try to take him away from you. I'm not like that." Hope knew she was lying to herself about her statement. Though, she didn't love Edward the way she once did, she knew that, what she said sixteen years ago still held true. Part of her would always love him but not in the way she loved Jack. She just couldn't bring it upon herself to say that to Edward's wife. Things were bad enough already. With those thoughts in her mind, Hope walked up to the ship followed by Will. The woman looked after her with a straight face before turning and walking away with her children. When Hope was on board Gillette approached her.

"What was that all about?"

"Nothing important. She's quite a pistol." Hope walked over to Katie, as Gillette looked after her confused. "You all right?" Hope asked Katie.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just worried." Hope reached out and moved loose hairs from her face.

"So am I," Hope said as she walked below deck to the holding cells. "So, Mr. Stoker. Are we going to be a good boy on this voyage or are you going to cause trouble for me?"

"I already gave ye my word, lass. Just ye keep to yers."

"Don't worry. You cooperate, you'll be dropped off in England as promised. However, that means you tell me and anyone else who asks the truth, nothing is to be left out. Do I make myself clear?"

"Inescapably."

"Good. We're about to set sail."

"The sooner the better." Hope walked away silently as the Dauntless began its voyage to Kinsale, Ireland.

NOTE: Well? Like? Hate? I'm still working on the POVs and trying to get more humor in. Hope you liked it. PLEASE REVIEW!

ArianaielNightstar