Chapter 29: Grief and Miracle
This time in World's End, a disheartened and defeated Will sat alone in his quarters in mourning. He'd nearly lost Guinevere before and this time he wasn't there for her. He was in anguish knowing that his best friend was gone and there was nothing he could do about it. He felt as if he betrayed Guinevere as well as Juliet and Elizabeth.
In order to relieve his pain, Will sank to his knees and clasped his hands. "Our Lord who art in Heaven, hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done as it is done in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses and lead us not to temptation, but deliver us from evil," he prayed, "Lord, forgive me for my sins. I have betrayed all whom I love to their doom. Guin Sparrow is in Heaven now. Please forgive me for what I've done and bless Guin. She was a wonderful, devoted friend and mother. She made everyone's lives brighter and better. Thank her for what she's done as we do. Amen."
Will crossed himself and turned to find Rose standing in the doorway. "How long have you been standing there?" he asked.
"Long enough, my friend," Rose replied as if it explained everything, "You were right. Guin did make everyone's lives better."
Will managed a half-smile. "She gave life to a beautiful, wonderful girl that Juliet is and made her my family."
"Indeed," Rose agreed, "but you mustn't blame yourself. Guin's death was not your doing."
"I could've been there, Rose. I could've saved her!" Will said ruefully.
"You cannot step foot on land for ten years and Guin understood that. She would not want you to compromise your happiness for her sake," Rose comforted him, "There was nothing any of us could do. She's not suffering anymore, Will. She's at peace. You can't frown on that."
"And what of Juliet? She has no mother!" Will exclaimed.
"She has those who lover her," Rose countered, "She's got Elizabeth, Jack, you and me."
"But she needs her mother. The woman who carried her, gave her life, raised and loved her," Will insisted.
"I know," Rose whispered, "but what she needs most is those who love her like her mum. She needs us right now."
"Rose, I'm glad you're with me," Will told her.
"As am I, Captain Turner," Rose replied.
Will left his quarters to take the air on deck. The night air blew a cool, soothing breeze that ruffled Will's dark locks. Everything was going about his mind in a whirl. Suddenly, a bottle of rum was presented to him. Will turned to see Bootstrap offering him a rum bottle.
"I found them below decks and they're very good," Bootstrap said, "I know you don't drink, but try it. It gets better with every swig.
Without hesitation, Will guzzled down half the bottle. The rum burned in his throat but Will didn't care. He couldn't stop his pain for Guinevere.
"I wasn't there for you as a child. This is my chance to redeem myself," Bootstrap said poignantly, "Guin was a wonderful, beautiful woman. You should not frown and grieve for her. You should be glad she lived her life and will be in bliss forever. You will see her again."
Will smiled a wet smile. "That is an encouraging thought, Father," Will said appreciatively.
"Aye, Captain Turner. It is the best I can do. I propose a toast to Guin Sparrow," Bootstrap declared.
Will raised his bottle. "To Guin Mary Christine Sparrow, a wonderful friend, wife, mother and guide."
He and Bootstrap clinked their bottles and drank to Guinevere. As Will swallowed the rum became more tolerable and even sweet. That was how Will felt about Guinevere. If she was in Heaven, the loss would be more bearable and it would be sweetest when he would see her again.
During the evening hours Rupert gave his new business partner Jack a tour and information of his new plans. He showed Jack to the balcony where Jack saw many great ships of Rupert's fleet.
"My fleet is much stronger than my brother's and we will exterminate the pirate way forever," Rupert declared, "It has already begun with the death of Guinevere Beckett and will end with the last pirate. We will kill those who have ever associated with a pirate and do not swear allegiance to the East India Trading Company, like Miss Swann."
"Brilliant idea, mate," Jack praised, "I like it. Easy to remember. And with the Fountain of Youth there will be no stopping you."
"I thought I knew you, Sparrow, but I suppose I was proved wrong," Rupert laughed.
"I do that a lot and everyone is surprised," Jack said.
"At dawn, you will lead me to the Fountain of Youth and watch the prisoners hang," Rupert declared.
"I await it with the greatest anticipation," Jack said earnestly, "Good night, mate."
Rupert disappeared into his quarters and Jack raced down to the prison. In the gloomy prison, Barbossa, Lucia, and Elizabeth paced around as they awaited their fate.
"Remind me to kill him when we get out of here," Lucia groaned.
"Be my guest," Barbossa agreed.
"I can't believe I trusted him and he betrayed us again!" Elizabeth said in frustration.
"Don't feel so bad, Elizabeth. That's just how Jack Sparrow is," Barbossa reassured her.
"How could he let Guin suffer? How could he do this do his own wife?" Elizabeth gasped.
"He's Jack Sparrow. He's a hard man to predict," Lucia told her.
"Indeed I am," Jack said as he entered the prison.
The three snapped their heads around to see Jack.
Lucia slammed herself against the bars. "Ye got a lot of nerve showing your face here! If you're smart, you'll run."
"I'd listen to her, Sparrow," Barbossa advised.
"What are you doing?" Elizabeth demanded.
"What does it look like?" Jack asked.
He picked up a stool and propped it against the door. With a quick, jerking motion, the door lifted free. Instead of pouring out of the cell, Elizabeth, Lucia, and Barbossa stood where they were.
"You can trust me more than you can mistrust me. Let's go!" Jack beckoned.
Slowly, Elizabeth crept out of the cell followed by Lucia and Barbossa.
"Hold the little one," Jack told Elizabeth.
Elizabeth took Juliet in her arms carefully as to not wake the sleeping baby. Jack quietly snuck up to the table and eased Guinevere into his arms. Without any hesitation, the four made way passed Rupert's men to freedom. They raced through the jungle and back to the Black Pearl. Once safely aboard, Jack gave the order to cast off. Elizabeth signaled her crew to make way and both ships were out to sea.
"What's all this about?" Lucia demanded.
"Rupert has a much stronger force than Beckett's. He plans to use it to kill anyone who even thinks pirate," Jack explained.
"Then we must fight!" Elizabeth declared.
"No," Jack corrected her, "If we fight with only the Pearl, we don't stand much of a chance. Before we can fight, we must convene the Brethren Court on this matter and then fight."
"Then we make sail for the Brethren Court," Barbossa declared.
"All hands make way to Shipwreck Cove!" Jack commanded.
"The Captain of the ship gives the orders!" Barbossa growled.
"The Captain of the ship is giving orders," Jack countered with a grin.
Elizabeth, with Juliet still in her arms, followed behind Jack as he took Guinevere below decks. She watched as he tenderly laid her on a hammock and covered her in blankets as well as his coat.
"We should bury her next to Rose at Shipwreck Cove," Elizabeth declared sadly.
"That wouldn't do much good, love," Jack told her.
"I see. Perhaps we could bury her at sea," Elizabeth suggested.
"You're missing my point," Jack told her, "It doesn't matter where we bury her because there's no need for it."
"What?" Elizabeth asked, baffled.
"There is no need to bury Guin because she's alive," Jack told her.
Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat. "She's…alive?"
"For the most part. Stupid, yeasty, yellow-bellied, codpiece Buckethead beat her pretty badly," Jack replied.
Elizabeth sat next to Jack and put her ear on Guinevere's heart. She nearly burst out in joyful tears when she felt the slow rhythm of Guinevere's heartbeat.
"My God!" she gasped, "How is this miracle possible? She was hanged."
"Indeed, she was hanged," Jack told her, "She must have just lost consciousness from a lack of oxygen. She's a Sparrow, love. What can I say? She's blessed with good luck."
"Will she make it to Shipwreck Cove?" Elizabeth asked anxiously.
"She has a chance with the proper care and rest," Jack said wisely, "She's going to need the best care we can give."
"What can I do?" Elizabeth asked immediately.
"We must keep her warm. Give me a warm compress right away, savvy?" Jack told her.
Jack turned Guinevere over and examined her maimed and bloody back. "And I need bandages, salt, and water, too."
Elizabeth didn't have time to ask why Jack needed those things, but she didn't care. She leapt up to the deck to fetch some water and bandages.
"What's your hurry, Elizabeth?" Lucia asked.
"Guin needs healing," Elizabeth explained shortly.
"Guin? But she's dead," Lucia replied, baffled.
"No, she's just unconscious from a lack of oxygen, but she'll be all right," Elizabeth told her.
"Is there anything I can do?" Lucia wanted to know.
"Look after Juliet while Jack and I help Guin," Elizabeth replied hastily.
"Consider it done," Lucia said as she held Juliet in her arms.
With an overflowing bucket of water and bandages, Elizabeth raced down below decks.
"Will these suffice?" Elizabeth asked.
"Indeed," Jack told her gratefully.
"Is there anything else I can do?" Elizabeth wanted to know.
"Hold her down. That rat that calls himself Rupert Beckett had her flogged and by the looks of her dislocated joints, he tortured her with the rack. She's not going to like this," Jack explained.
Elizabeth shuddered and turned white as she held on to Guinevere as tight as she could.
"Guin, darling, can you hear me?" Jack whispered, "I'm here, my love. You're safe now. You're going to be in a lot of pain, and this isn't going to be fun. I promise you're going to be right as rain. Elizabeth and I will be right here. It's going to be all right, my love."
Jack kissed Guinevere's pallid head as well as her freezing hand. With a nod to Elizabeth, the two began their work.
"We need to push her bones back into place or she might not use them again," Jack told Elizabeth.
Elizabeth nodded grimly as she held on to Guinevere. Jack took off his belt and slid it into Guinevere's mouth. Crack! Jack and Elizabeth were in anguish as Guinevere emitted muffled cries as Jack set her wrists in place. Crunch! Tears streamed from Guinevere's closed eyes her opposite wrist was pushed back.
"Hold on, Guin. We're almost done," Elizabeth whispered.
Jack then pushed back Guinevere's ankles. Guinevere would've thrashed about had it not been for Elizabeth's strong hold on her. Snap! Crunch! Elizabeth and Jack's hearts shattered as Guinevere screamed. At last, Jack took some bandages and tenderly bound Guinevere's wrists and ankles.
"Now we need to get these cuts treated, or else she'll suffer infection," Jack said to Elizabeth.
Gingerly, Jack turned Guinevere on her belly. Elizabeth wanted to faint as she noticed the many, bloody scratches on Guinevere's poor back.
"He's a dead man," Jack declared, "Guin, Sweetheart, we have to fix your cuts now. I know it hurts, my love, but I need to do this so you don't get sick. I'll just fix these cuts and then you can rest. Savvy?"
Jack then spread salt on Guinevere's back. Guinevere shrieked and squirmed, but Elizabeth held her strongly.
"Easy, my love. It's all right," Jack soothed.
He dipped many bandages in water and placed them on Guinevere's back. Jack and Elizabeth sighed in relief as Guinevere settled down. After twenty minutes, Jack removed the bandages and laid Guinevere on her back. He wrung out a warm rag and placed it on Guinevere's cold head. Guinevere now slept peacefully and Jack and Elizabeth were glad.
"What do we do now?" Elizabeth questioned.
"We wait," Jack replied.
From that night on, Jack, Lucia, Barbossa, and Elizabeth were at Guinevere's bedside constantly. They spoke comfort to her, hoping to coax her back. Juliet was a frequent visitor. Jack hardly left Guinevere's side. Just like he promised, he was always there for Guinevere.
"I know you're there, my love," he whispered, "We need you back. We can't kill that slimy Buckethead without you. We miss you. You have to come back. I love you."
Jack kissed Guinevere's head as he sat down on a chair beside her bed. As he did so, he noticed Guinevere tense. He knew that was a good sign. For four days, Guinevere lay in slumber and everyone grew anxious. They prayed that Guinevere would wake up. Finally, after two more days, their prayers were answered. After making port at Shipwreck Cove, Jack did not want to part from Guinevere. Elizabeth tried to pry him away, but Jack wouldn't budge.
"I can't leave her," he protested, "She's not well enough, yet. She needs me!"
Before Jack's heart could sink, he saw Guinevere tense again. Then, he heard her moan. Jack rushed to her side.
"Guin? Sweetheart, can you hear me?" he asked, his heart racing.
"Jack," Guinevere whispered.
Jack's heart leapt as Guinevere came to at last. With much joy, he kissed Guinevere's hand and her head once more.
"I love you," he whispered wholeheartedly.
