Pea's In A Pod
(Ashley's POV)
The pungent smell of smoke and scorched wood awoke me. I coughed heavily and rubbed my eyes to see large flames meters away. I was certainly comfortable, but I knew it was time to start the day. I lifted my head up and tried to move, but I wasn't able to. I glanced down to what could have been holding me back, and I saw an arm wrapped tightly around my waist.
"...Jack." I muttered. I then tried to wake him and I raised my voice, "Captain."
"mhmm," Jack mumbled. I turned my body around to face his.
"Would you mind removing your arm from my waist, please."
"Yes, I would mind. I am not moving, and neither are you."
"Let us test that, shall we?" I squirmed and struggled to break free of his hold. This caused him to tighten his grip and pull me closer against his chest. "Do not lie to yourself luv, I do know that you're quite enjoying this." He was right, but I would never let him know that. He slowly opened his eyes and stared deep into mine. "Has anyone ever told you the color of your eyes is quite lovely?"
I blushed lightly and answered truthfully, "I've gotten that once or twice, yes. Was that a...compliment? Don't hear those often, especially from the likes of you."
His eyes widened, "...was that out loud? Do not tell anyone I've said that, can't have me reputation ruined. So, you do have men crawling all over you back where you're from then?"
"I won't tell anyone, cross my heart." I laughed, "And no, not really. I do have a few share of admirers, but I am not too fond of them." I was being completely honest, 2 or 3 guys did like me back at home. But I had no connection with any of them, they weren't my type. I also didn't know why they liked me, but that could be due to my low self-esteem.
"I am not surprised," He smirked and I let myself grin back. His stare remained on me for a moment more, until he glanced up and finally noticed the fire that was growing.
"Not good." He said as he jumped up from the sand and ran over to fire. I stood and picked up one of my full bottles of rum near me and I followed him. Jasmine and Elizabeth threw another barrel into the raging flames.
"No, not good! Stop! Not good! What are you both doing?! You burned all the food, the shade. The rum!"
"Yeah, the rum is gone. What are we ever going to do?" Jasmine sarcastically mocked while walking away from the flames.
"Why is the rum gone?!" Jack followed her.
Elizabeth walked behind him and turned him around to face her, "One, because it is a vile drink that turns even the most respectable men into complete scoundrels. Two, that signal is over a thousand feet high. The entire Royal Navy is out looking for us, do you really think that there is even the slightest chance that they won't see it?"
"BUT WHY IS THE RUM GONE?!"
Jasmine and Elizabeth sat in the sand. "Just wait Captain Sparrow. You give it one hour, maybe two, keep a weather eye out and then you will see white sails on that horizon."
Jack pulled out his pistol and was about to aim it at her, but I ran over to his side and gently shoved the gun down. He regretfully put the pistol away and began to speed-walk towards the other side on the island.
"Jack," I called out.
I heard him mutter as I ran after him. His voice grew louder and he yelled in frustration, "WELL IT BLOODY IS NOW!"
"Jack!"
"What is it?!" His tone sounded crude and angry. He faced me, "Oh, it's you."
"Here," I handed him my bottle. "You can have mine."
He glared at me with an uncertain look, then slowly took the bottle from my hand, uncorked it and took a sip.
"Don't get too upset at her, she's not fond of alcohol as you can tell. All she cares about is getting back to Port Royal with Will. And soon, you'll be Captain of the Pearl once again, mark my words." I beamed with hope.
"Are you certain?" I saw this look of hopelessness in his eyes. I've never seen him in such a mood like this one before. In the films it always showed how brave he was, full of courage. But right now, he was fearful and lost, scared he'll never get his beloved ship back. I could tell all he needed was some reassurance, so I placed my hand in his and held onto it.
"I am positively certain. Barbossa will be getting what he deserves, and you will take back what is rightfully yours."
His frown slowly faded as he began to perk up, "You are strange."
I let go of his hand and frowned, "H-how so?"
"One idea behind my reasoning is that it 'tis not clear on what your motives and or desires are. I know William is only after his bonny lass, I am seeking revenge on Barbossa and I long for the return of my ship, Miss Swann wants a way to save the whelp from his unfortunate fate, Miss Jasmine is searching for a way home, I believe she said so the past day. But you, what is it that you want? Perhaps you long for meself, since you did happen to ever so slightly kiss my cheek. Although, on the lips would have been a far better choice."
He wasn't asleep last night...
"What are you talking about? I didn't-"
He interrupted me, "Lying yet again luv. You are very dishonest, aren't you?"
"Pea's in a pod darling." I stole another one of his lines. "How much of the conversation did you hear?"
He smirked, "Just enough to know that you believe we'll be getting off this spit of land and poor William will survive."
I was about to say something, till I looked over his shoulder and saw the Commodore's ship. "I don't believe Jack, I know. There's your proof." I nodded my head up and gazed at the ship.
He changed his view to glance at the boat, then back to me. "Did you by chance say you were a gypsy of some sort?"
"No, but I suppose you can call me that."
He was silent for a moment, then he looked over at Elizabeth and Jasmine, "They'll be no living with them after this."
There better not be.
(Narrator's POV)
"Ashlyn Genevieve Swann! What in God's name were you doing with a blacksmith and a pirate aboard the Interceptor?! And what in the world are you wearing?" Governor Swann ran up and embraced Ashley, staring at her pirate outfit. She froze at the questions as he proceeded to hug Jasmine and Elizabeth as they climbed up on deck.
"Um, well..." She stuttered as her face glowed a bright red with embarrassment.
"If I may so make a remark, Mr. Turner and I took hostage of Miss Ashlyn here and demanded that she as so much assist us to find the whereabouts of the Pearl, in exchange to find the other Miss Swann's" Jack confessed beside Ashley.
She gaped at him with wide eyes and muttered, "Jack, what are you-"
"Is that true?" The Governor asked her.
She looked back to Jack who gave her a kind nod, then she lied, "Yes, that is true."
"Thank the Lord you all are alright." He hugged her once more.
"Father, we have to go save Will." Elizabeth barged in.
"No, you're all safe now. We will return to Port Royal immediately, not go gallivanting after pirates."
"Then we condemn him to death," Jasmine added.
"The boy's fate is regrettable, but then so was his decision to kidnap poor Ashlyn and engage in piracy."
Elizabeth's voice got louder, "To rescue Jasmine and me, to prevent anything from happening to us!"
Jack strode a few steps towards Commodore Norrington, "If I also may be so bold as to inject my professional opinion yet again, the Pearl was listing near to scuppers after the battle. It's very unlikely she'll be able to make good time. Think about it, the Black Pearl, the last real pirate threat in the Caribbean, mate. How can you pass that up?"
James stepped down a few stairs, "By remembering that I serve others, Mr. Sparrow, not only myself."
Elizabeth stared up to him. "Commodore, I beg of you. Please do this for me, as a wedding gift."
"Elizabeth, are you accepting the Commodore's proposal?" Governor Swann pleaded for an answer.
"I am."
"A wedding, I love weddings! Drinks all around!" Jack exclaimed as Ashley and Jasmine quietly laughed, "I know, clap him in irons, right?"
Commodore Norrington took a step forward with a serious face. "Mr. Sparrow, you will accompany these fine men to the helm and provide us with the bearing to Isla De Muerta. You will then spend the rest of the voyage contemplating all possible meanings of the phrase "silent as the grave." Do I make myself clear?"
"Inescapably, clear." Murtogg and Mullroy pulled him up the stairs and to the helm.
"Commodore, I must question the wisdom of this." Governor Swann stood beside him.
"With all due respect, Governor. Mr. Turner is a subject of the British crown, and therefore under my protection."
"Rightly so. Take care of Elizabeth. Come along girls." The Governor walked up the stairs to the helm, followed by Jasmine and Ashley, leaving Elizabeth alone with the Commodore for their private conversation. "Why don't we get you two some warm, new clothing in the bedroom quarters, hm?"
"That sounds lovely father, thank you." Jasmine gave a small smile to Governor Swann as he led the girls to a bedroom that was next to the Captain's quarters.
(Ashley's POV)
Nighttime had fallen, the moon began to rise, and Jasmine and I were talking about future plans in the bedroom. "So what's gonna happen next Ash? What's the plan?" Jasmine slid on a red coat over her white, flowy top.
I put on the red coat that I was given as well, "Next, Jack, the Commodore and some of his men will be going over to the caves in longboats. My guess is that Norrington will not let us come along, so they will lock us away, in this room in fact, with Elizabeth. But we'll be able to escape so we're good. Something else happens that I might be forgetting about, but I'm not sure."
Jasmine gave a sly grin and walked towards the door. "Yes, I'm so excited, this will be great! But, um, I'll be right back, I'm gonna go find Elizabeth." She strode out and onto the deck.
"Alright," I spoke to myself and placed my black tricorn on my head. What am I forgetting? Something else important happens, but what? Am I missing out on any...deleted scenes. Oh no, no no no. I remembered and stormed out after her, but to only realize I was too late. I hid behind a staircase on deck and saw Jack beginning to say something to Jasmine, who was a few steps away from him. I listened in on the conversation.
"I've learned that you didn't tell Will about the curse, although Ashley already knew of it." Jasmine took a step closer.
Jack lightly smirked, "I noticed neither did you nor Elizabeth. Same reason I imagine. I am no longer astounded by Miss Ashley's knowledge, her wisdom is near improbable."
"Will wouldn't have risked it, for any of us."
"Could've gotten him drunk," Jasmine laughed at the comment he said, "I mean don't get wrong luv, I admire a person who is willing to do what ever is necessary."
Jasmine took one step closer, "I know you're a smart, good man Jack, but I don't entirely trust you. Neither should Ashley."
It was now Jack who came closer and stood only inches apart from her and pointed from Jasmine to himself, "Peas in a pod, darling." I felt my heart throb as I came out from behind the stairs and over to the pair. I saw Jasmine stare into his eyes for a moment, then turn her head to see me.
"Peas in a pod you two are, really?" Jack spun around and gave me a look of guilt. His gaze then moved onto something next to me. I slightly turned my head to see Elizabeth and the Commodore walk up to us, "With me, Sparrow." He tossed the compass to him and the men walked away, leaving us three girls on deck. I walked over to the other side of the ship, looking over the railing and at the men boarding the dinghies. Jack glanced back at the ship, and he spotted me. Quickly he said something to the Commodore, but I wasn't able to hear. After Norrington responded, Jack's facial expression changed to one of frustration. He frowned up at me, and I gave a sullen look to him. He faced forward and I watched them sail further away.
"I'm sorry about that, I didn't mean to-" Jasmine leaned on the railing.
"Not your fault, I don't mind you talking to him. It's him, the womanizer that he is, and I can't change that. Thanks for trying though." I strode off in the opposite direction. Then, about 6 or so British soldiers marched our way. Suddenly they grabbed a hold of Elizabeth, Jasmine and I by our arms and dragged us over to the bedroom quarters.
I kicked my legs, "I am able to walk, thank you very much!"
A man in a blue coat named Gillette stepped forward, commanding the soldiers. "Stow these ladies away in their quarter's, Commodore's orders."
"Let us go! We don't need to be locked up like dogs!" Jasmine snapped.
Elizabeth joined into the argument, screaming, "We do not care what the Commodore ordered! We have to tell him- the pirates, they're cursed! They cannot be killed!"
They shoved us into the room and Gillette laughed, "Don't worry misses, he's already informed of that. A little mermaid flopped up on deck and told him the whole story." He slammed the door shut. A mermaid would never do that. I thought to myself.
"But this is Jack Sparrow's doing!" Jasmine declared.
"Captain." I corrected.
Elizabeth paced around the room. "What ever shall we do now?"
I grinned, "...you gals want to escape or shall we rot away in here and pity ourselves?"
"How can we get away? There are soldiers barricading the doors." Elizabeth questioned.
"Ashlyn? Jasmine? Elizabeth? I just want you girls to know I, uh, I couldn't be more proud of you all." Governor Swann knocked on the door.
Jasmine sighed and spoke quietly, "And now him."
I glanced around the room and saw various blankets and coats. I picked each one up and began to tie them tightly together.
"And what is the purpose of that?" Elizabeth asked as Jasmine helped me tie the items together to create a long, cloth rope.
I rolled my eyes then pointed to one of the ajar windows on the back wall. "Please help us, we need to leave as quickly as possible."
She nodded, "I understand the plan now." She picked up one of the remaining blankets and double knotted it on. I tiptoed over to the window and carefully thrust it fully open. I glimpsed down into the dark waters below, then saw a nearby dingy tied to the ship as planned. Jasmine and Elizabeth stood next to me and threw half the rope out the window and tied the other end to the railing. One by one, we safely climbed down and into the long boat. I unsheathed my sword and cut the rope as the girls began to paddle.
"You two go on ahead and paddle on over aboard the Pearl and rescue the crew, I have business I must attend to." I stood, took my hat off and prepared to jump into the sea.
"Ashlyn, are you sure? Will you be alright?" Elizabeth stopped rowing and they both gawked at me.
"Lizzie, there's something you must know. As much as I love wearing dresses and going to fancy events such as ceremonies, I enjoy a life of piracy so much more. I believe I am able to fight for myself, thanks to Will. You two are perfect for each other, I mean it. Come and join in the battle at the cave once you save the crew." I grinned at her and dove deep into the water. As before, a teal light flashed and I was once again a mermaid. I swam back up and stuck my head out of the water.
"...did you see that bright flash?" I heard Jasmine exclaim. I turned my head to face them, they probably can't see my tail, it's too dark.
"Hmmm, no, no I didn't." I nervously smiled at her, then dove back underwater and headed off towards the cave.