Chapter 21: Gloves

Well, it's the final chapter. Thanks to all who reviewed, you made me the happiest person ever! I'm super sorry if this disappoints, but most of the chapter will just be Alice, so not as much Jack. Sorry! Note: This chapter was written while I was listening to Titanic Suite from Titanic (hopefully, that was obvious...) I love that movie, so sweet and sad. Anyway, enough of my rambling. Without further ado, Chapter 21:

Jack:

Alone at the helm, Jack pondered the rest of Alice's letter. Wait a second, stupidity? I don't act stupidly! Jack would never ever admit it, but deep deep deep way deep down, he knew that she was right. Anamaria had wandered up from the brig. The tears that she had wept were naught but dried streaks on her face. Anamaria walked to the helm, straight up to Jack. The intensity of her gaze was too much for him to bare. He couldn't tell her what Alice had said about her. Anamaria would have to see it herself. Jack silently pulled the folded, crumpled parchment from his vest and handed it to her. Anamaria sat down and began to scan over the words. Tears sprung into her eyes again, before she wiped them away, angrily. "It is my fault, Alice is wrong by sayin' that it wasn't. If we hadn't left, she would be here." Jack looked at Ana sadly and shook his head,

"Don't blame yourself Anamaria, Alice would be giving you a death-glare if she ever even heard you say that." Ana chuckled sadly,

"She was a feisty one, never really obeying the rules. But she was the sweetest, most kind person I've ever known." Jack looked down, he knew that she was kindhearted. It was one of the many "unpiratey" things that she did, and yet, he revered her as one of the best pirate women that ever existed. Maybe it was because she was both harsh and kind, both mild and hot tempered, and both a fighter and a peace maker. It was a very special thing that he associated only with her. Ana looked back at Jack, "She was amazing with Aria." Jack looked up at the sound of Anamaria's voice,

"Aye, she was." Ana looked down sadly,

"We, Ari and I, were so lucky that Lady Ashwood brought Alice to their manor. If Alice hadn't come, both Aria and I would probably still be slaves." Jack frowned at the thought of slaves. That brought back very bad memories, the same ones that Anamaria was speaking of, only it was just her side, not his. Only Alice knew what had really happened. Ana suddenly stood up, glaring at Jack, "If you ever tell a single soul that I broke down tonight, I swear I'll-" Jack cut her off,

"Won't tell a soul love." Anamaria nodded before going below to where the crew were sleeping. Jack stared back at the night, a warm breeze danced on his face. He smiled, the Pearl was once again his. He would have to forget about Alice, not entirely of course, only enough that he didn't think of her all the time. It would be sad and pointless. Jack sighed and staggered back up to the helm, taking a long swig of rum. He grinned madly at the night sky, turning the wheel slightly.

Xx

~A Few Days Later~

Jack leaned over the chest of Cortez.

"Can you feel this?"

He sighed at the memory and walked away. Surprisingly, Barbossa's body was gone. That was strange, yet jack did not worry. Barbossa was indeed dead. There was no way that he could not be dead.

Jack looked behind him as his crew looked through the piles of treasure. Jack frowned at them and walked away. His crew did not know the true nature of this venture back to Isla de Muerta. He bent down and pulled out Alice's cape. He set the velvet thing down on the ground. Next, he slipped off her ring and placed it on top of the cloak. He smiled slightly, this what Alice would have wanted. The Shadow Pirate had died at Isla de Muerta.

XxXx

Alice:

~Six Months After Arriving In London~

I sat in my bedroom. It was cold and way too frilly in there. I still did not understand why Lord Ashwood had wanted me to live in luxury whilst he hated me and had whipped me almost every day. I winced slightly at the thought of it. I remembered the first whipping that I had received since arriving back in England:

I walked around the grounds of my new, old prison. There were a lot more slaves, especially children. I looked out at the fields and saw at least two dozen young children working. The sight seized my heart, causing tears to spring to my eyes. How wrong this was! Yet, no one, not a single person in London even thought twice about Lord Ashwood having slaves. "Alice." I jumped and turned to see Lord Ashwood behind me.

"Father," I nodded to acknowledge his presence. Lord Ashwood had instructed that I call him Father. That made me angry, considering I had only recently discovered the fate of my true father, William Turner I. But there was only so much I could argue with "Father" about when it came to things that he wanted of me. And so I had to refer to him as Father. "You need to get ready, we're going to meet an associate of mine soon."

"I don't want to go Father, I would prefer to stay here and read."

"Read?! Why would you spend time doing something like that? You should be going to parties, balls, galas!" I frowned at the thought. Rooms full of equally stuck up rich people. That absolutely did not sound appealing in the slightest. "I do not want to go." 'Father's' expression hardened,

"You have to."

"I do not," I turned to walk away but he grabbed my arm, jerking my back violently.

"You will go!" I shook my head before he slapped me. I looked down, angrily,

"You cannot control me, I am not your pretty little marionette." Ashwood angrily pulled me toward the shed. Once inside, he slammed me, front first, into a pole. "What are you doing!?"

"Teaching you how to obey my demands you ungrateful little bitch!" he snarled. He struck me once, and I stifled a scream. Okay, so tried to stifle it, it actually, probably came out as more of a loud whimper. "You...can't!" I begged him. He struck me again,

"This will teach you that you should be grateful for my kindness towards you!"

Kindness? Is that what he called it?

"I picked you up out of the gutters!"

Lady Ashwood found me on the street.

"I took care of you!"

Jeze took care of me.

"And then you run away, stealing my property!"

"She wasn't property! She was a little girl!" I shrieked angrily. Another strike. I winced in pain. Ashwood began to walk away,

"This will teach you to obey me, you WILL do as I say!" I crumpled to the ground in pain.

Xx

It had not taken long to break me, really. I was quite rebellious, even whilst the daily whippings were practiced. I would not bend to a man like that! I had been a pirate! How could this man think that he could control me? But eventually, he did. I became his "daughter."

All he had to do was threaten to whip the children. I could not let it happen. I could see the immediate fear in their eyes as he had said the words. They all knew what would happen, they knew that it happened to me, and it terrified them. After that I did whatever he asked. I would not put those children in harm's way.

Ashwood still whipped me, however, it was not as many lashes as he had originally been giving me. I usually on got one or two. But I knew that he eased up on it, as I was obeying his every whim. I attended parties. I danced at masquerades. I saw plays. I did all the things that a well brought up woman should. Eventually, Ashwood extended his "kindness" and sometimes only whipped me once every once in a while. This was the best that I could expect from him. I could still feel hatred in his gaze, every time he looked at me.

Xx

Ophelia, my maid walked in, holding something. I stood up quickly, wincing as my corset had pulled painfully from the movement. I shook it off and walked towards my maid. "Ophelia, what is it?"

"A letter for you Miss, I thought it would cheer you up." I smiled at her attempt. Ophelia was a kindhearted woman. Really, she was probably only seven or so years older than me, but she did take good care of me. She always helped clean my whipping wounds and made sure that I always looked my best, prim and proper. "Thank you Ophelia." She nodded her head once,

"You're welcome milady," then she turned quickly on her heels and left the room. I opened the letter slowly, trying to make it last as long as it could, so I could enjoy it longer. A mere letter, to me, was like a small beam of light in the darkness. It may not last long, but it brings hope.

I finally finished opening it, so I took a deep breath and scanned the inside:

"Dearest Alice,

My dear sister, I am pleased to inform you, that the marriage of Miss Elizabeth Swann and I, William Turner II will be held May 14th. I would very much like your presence at the event. I hope you are doing well Alice. I miss you,

I love you always,

Will"

I grinned. Will was to be married! And in May! That was roughly six months from now. I stood quickly, ignoring the protests of my corset and ran down the hall. I continued down the staircase, picking up the skirts of my dark crimson gown, so I did not trip and fall. "Father!" I yelled, hoping I could capture his attention. He was probably in the study, where he usually was this time of day. I continued down a hallway, then turned into a doorway,

"Father! I've excellent news! Will is-" I cut myself off and skidded to a stop, exactly in front of the chair by the desk. Ashwood was not in the room. But someone else was.

Lord Ashwood entered the study, carrying a tray with two cups and the makings for a good cup of tea. He smiled at me, something I had not seen him do since I was only a twelve year old girl. "Ah! Alice darling, you've met our guest?" I shook my head, though I did in fact know who he was, I was just confused on why he was here.

"Alice, this is Lord Cutler Beckett." I glared at the man,

"What the bloody hell are you doing here!" Lord Ashwood looked surprised by my sudden outburst of unladylike words,

"Alice that is no way to speak to our guest." It was indeed how I would speak to the man. Beckett himself, smiled, ruefully,

"Ah, Alice, a pleasure it is to see you again." He stood and lifted my right hand, which was gloved, and kissed it. On the exact spot of my Pirate brand.

I'm sorry that it's so short! It's just the way that it had to be. I will inform you now that there will indeed be a sequel. It will be called: Aria Of the Sea. So look out for it! Thank you to all of my dear readers who have kept with me for this long. Without you, I wouldn't have been motivated to continue this story. I will start the sequel soon, but I have been completely neglecting my other story, so I will work on that for a while first. But I promise it will be coming sometime relatively soon. I cannot predict when, as my schedule with school is quite unpredictable. I'd like to thank all of you, yet again, for all the reviews! They meant so so much! As I have now finished this, I shall celebrate by watching Curse of the Black Pearl! Rum for anyone who does the same! Goodbye for now my dearies, and Drink up me 'earties Yo Ho!

~~Upisdowngirl~~