Lamminator: I left you alone for so long, so now I figure it's time for a hurry :-D. I am planning, further on, to update more or less once a week, but you never know... there's always that 'day job' to consider :-D. As for the commas, oups, I am trying... cough Thanks for the notice anyway.

darklight: Concerning Leonora... well, I do not want to give it away if you haven't guessed yet what is wrong... (I thought I had been quite clear already). If you are looking for clues, I recommend rereading Chapter 28: Variations on a theme of trust and Chapter 26 'By any means necessary', there are quite some clues there... or you just wait for chapter 37, which will (probably) be called 'the shadow of four', and which has already been written, but cruel me, I am keeping it from you yet :-D

Concerning Crystabella, you are quite right in disliking her. Actually, everybody should. And there's more about her here...

Chapter 35

A spanish rose

„Well, well, well…"

Elizabeth raised her brows at the thoughtful pondering of the man before her. She was sitting next to Will, in a chair that could be called comfortable, while the situation most definitely was not.

In the hands of the enemy…

That had the ring of romance to it, if she considered the novels she had so often read during her childhood and adolescence, it reminded her of adventurous times she had dreamed of, but found things not quite what they had imagined them to be.

It would be wrong to say, that she was outright scared. It took a lot to scare Elizabeth Swann out of her wits, and she was not gone as far as that right now – at least not, when Fernando Castellano was the man of her current attention. He was still young, in his early thirties maybe, and in posture and behaviour somewhat reminded her of Commodore Norrington. A spanish Commodore Norrington of course, which made him quite different, stiffness gone, yet sense of duty still in place, a man with manners much more casual than she was used to, but Elizabeth was careful enough to see ambition and the face of a very dangerous man below the thin layer of charming smiles.

His eyes did not betray what he was thinking, while he watched the two of them with a predating look.

„Meaning…?" Elizabeth finally broke into his ponderings, unable to bear the silence any longer. Castellano smiled, but it was a smile bereft of joy, charming, yet not reaching his eyes, and thus, even though very different, in another way extremely similar to James Norrington's thin-lipped smirk.

„I am wondering… frankly." His english was very good – better than either Elizabeth's or William's spanish anyway - although the accent was thick, his choice of words was mostly fitting. He clasped his hands behind his back, strolling at leisure in front of the two of them, finally halting in front of Will.

„Burn scars on the hands", he mused, his eyes squinted. „How extraordinary for a lady of your apparent good heritage to find herself in the company of a… blacksmith?"

„What do you want?" Will asked, calm, but unmistakeably with steel underneath. He stayed put, but his gaze made it quite clear, that he felt up to a fight against the captain of the spanish ship. Castellano was apparently feeling very sure of himself. He was here in his cabin with them without the presence of any guards. The two english captives were not sure, whether this was calming or not.

„I want to know, what you were doing out there", Castellano answered, quite frankly. „I want to know, who you are."

„What are you going to do with us?"Elizabeth asked, working very hard not to show any of her uneasiness to the captain. Castellano stopped in his stride to look at her.

„Well, my very spirited young lady, that depends very much. On who you are, on what you are going to tell me… and on other things as well."
„I'm Elizabeth Swann, all right?" She made a face, sounding profoundly annoyed. „If that's what you wanted to know."

He smiled, and if she expected surprise at her revelation, she was deeply disappointed. „I thought as much", he replied, „but much more charming it was to hear it from your own lips."

„How did you know?" Will intercepted with a question Elizabeth would not have posed for the obviousness of its answer, yet Castellano seemed to be pleased, with himself maybe, or with his own cleverness.

„There have been peculiar rumors around, Miss Swann, about a ship with black sails, widely feared in these waters, and indeed, about a very interesting betrothal." He smiled again, seeming very off-handed. „Well, none of this matters to me, of course."

„And what will you do, now that you know?"

„You are interesting news, Miss Swann. Another… hint among a few, that the british Governor of Port Royal might not be… on top of things at the moment."

„What do you mean?" She eyed him distrustingly.

„Please, Miss Swann. You carry a certain reputation with you. And stupidity is not among the features that they usually connect with your person."

„You are extremely well informed", Elizabeth bit back. „I would, of course, expect no else from somebody even hiring our own people for the sake of information."

„Ah, spirited, as I said." Castellano smiled softly. „Yet Jeffrey Blackbird's decisions are his own, and he is accountable to neither me nor you for them. And would any of you really not jump at the chance?"

„I thought we were at peace, captain", Elizabeth reminded, softly on the outside, yet british governeur's daughter and all dignity.

„Of course" , Castellano replied, smoothly. „Did I say anything else? I am quite sure I did not." He smiled, showing white teeth. „You are my guests, of course. Not my prisoners."

„As long as it suits you", Will intercepted distrustingly. He felt off foot in the game of subtle accusations that the two that felt more confident in politics were apparently playing. Yet, it did not take a noble upbringing to understand enough bits and pieces to feel threatened.

„I a a captain", Castellano replied patiently. „On my ship, as you know well, this means, that I decide… what happens." The pause was prominent.

„And this will depend on what?"

„The second part of my question still stands, Miss Swann. How did it come to pass, that the daugher of Port Royal's governor was found adrift on a piece of wood, in the open sea, miles from any land, accompanied only by a… blacksmith?"

Elizabeth looked over to Will, whose face told plainly, that this was one of the times, where he was just about to do something – as Jack would put it – incredibly stupid. She briefly thought of stopping him, but knew, that even she would not have the means to do so.

So, sighing inwardly, she let things run their course.

„If you will have it so, then we have to thank our current situation to you and your kind."

Castellano raised an eyebrow, surprised at last.

„Meaning…?"

„A spanish woman arrived in Port Royal some time ago", Will hissed between clenched teeth. „We do not know, what she has been plotting. But her plots brought us out here."

Apparently, this was news to Castellano, for he sat down facing them, his hands on his knees.

„A spanish woman, you say", he mused. „I wonder, who would that be."

„Crystabella Halvery", Will replied without hesitation. An amused smile appeared on the captain's features, and he raised both brows, being silent for a moment. Elizabeth frowned.

„You know her?"

„To say I know her would be indeed too much said", he admitted. „Yet the name is not completely alien to me. I did not know, that she was in the Carribean."

„What do you know of her?" Elizabeth's fierceness was back in full strength, and Castellano, after a moment's consideration, astonishingly complied.

„Very well", he said. „As a tribute to my weakness for a lady, whose temperament would be very much fitting for my own country." He twinkled, but Elizabeth did not mistake it for weakness, in spite of what he might have said. She just leaned back, ignoring the urge to send a grateful regard towards Will – there were times, when his reactions showed surprising results.

„In her youth, Crystabella Halvery had… a doubtful reputation, to say the least – as far as I am told. They say, that these days her sister, who is married to the Comto di Luciana, who is gifted with the king's favor at the moment, refuses to even acknowledge her existence.

„What happened?" Will asked, and Castellano smiled.

„That is a good question indeed. Do not get me wrong, good man. I am by no means familiar with the finer details of the court, or, god forbid, the Chavertez family. I can therefore only say, that I have heard her name being mentioned several times, but never in a flattering or positive manner."

„No surprise", Elizabeth snorted and thus once more coaxed a smile out of the captain.

„I take it you parted on bad terms."

„You can say that", she agreed heartily. „Let's just say we had our differences."

„One more thing", Will intercepted. „What kind of incidents are we talking about? Yes, I know, nothing specific, but… were they somewhat… strange?"

Castellano frowned.

„I am not sure, what you are trying to imply. She has a reputation of being untrustworthy. Rumors go, that she has traded… information. That she has, more than once, succeeded in distributing distrust among others at will. That her loyalities were… dubious, to say the least. All in all, quite a coup, I should say, marrying her off to England, like a snake in the grass, as you say. God knows, what use she made of her resourcefulness there…"

Elizabeth gritted her teeth.

„I guess this amuses you."

Castellano nodded, seemingly self-satisfied.

„I have to confess, Miss Swann, without meaning any undue offense, it does. I appreciate the irony in it."

„You are impertinent", Elizabeth informed him icily.

„Ah." The captain was untouched by any regret or offense. Smiling, he got to his feet. „And you are spirited. You are quite sure, that your ancestors were not spanish?"

The governor's daughter clenched her fists.

„How like one of you to insult me thus."

He twinkled, good-naturedly on the outside.

„And how like one of you to feel insulted, when I was simply placing a compliment. Good day, Miss Swann…"

He stepped towards the door and through it, ignoring Elizabeth's flaring up. She watched him go, cheeks aflame, eyes furious, but he evaded any tirade she might have showered upon him. And thus, there was no one for her to vent off her anger, for lashing out unto Will was never an option, not even when she was as angry as she was now.

The young blacksmith got up, carefully placing his hands on Elizabeth's shoulders. She did not flinch, but sat, stiff and unyielding, her fury still present in every part of her body. Will stroked her shoulders, softly, carefully even, for he knew – and cherished – Elizabeth's temperament, and in time, from the corner of his eye, he could see a smile entering her features. She was becoming more relaxed.

„He is toying with us", Will observed dryly, when he found it safe to speak again.

„Of course", Elizabeth raged. „He is spanish. What do you expect?"

„Well, he does have us at his mercy… for the moment", Will reminded her, putting special emphasis on the word ‚moment', as if making a point. „But he has given us something to work with, hasn't he?"

Elizabeth pouted, but nodded then, as if remembering.

„He has, that is true."

„Tell me, Elizabeth… what he said… does that sound like the Crystabella you know?"

„Yes…", she replied, „and no. She seems like a person who is charming, well, too charming for her own good, honestly. And who is used to getting what she wants. Who is used to people falling head-over-heels for her, and who is used to making use of all this. But…" she shook her head, trying to sort out her thoughts. „.. this does not explain Susannah's breakdown. Or Leonora's behavior. No, This Crystabella is similar to that that the captain described, but she is… different. As if the old Crystabella were a dress that she wore for convienience's sake."

Will frowned.

„I am not sure, what you mean, Elizabeth."

She sighed.

„Neither am I."

Fernando Castellano treated them with the utmost courtesy. They stayed in the captain's cabin, guarded, but not crowded, and the spanish captain saw to it personally, that they received the best of meals that the ship's kitchen could offer – something that did not mean much, but the effort was appreciated nonetheless.

Of course, neither Elizabeth nor Will had the intention of staying very long. The governor's daughter had made it a habit of hers to escape from ships – a habit she was not unwilling to acquire once more in their current situation, and her fiancee, convinced that the errand which Elizabeth was running was really an urgent one, supported her in her actions. Of course, this was not possible, as long as they still were on open sea, but they had already searched the captain's cupboards for sheets or anything else that could me used as a makeshift rope in case they were nearing land and would have to escape, over the rail, or, if necessary, out of the windows.

Elizabeth had, after all, done it before.

Dusk had begun to fall again, when Castellano came back to talk to them again.

„I apologize for the inconvienience, Miss Swann."

He sat on a chair watching the two of them pensievely.

„Two months ago, a fellow captain, a decent man, as you would say, was unfortunately captured by a british ship. I think it was Commodore Norrington, indeed, who was responsible for it. Such a shame, he is good at chasing pirates, but if you ask me, he should leave us out of his dealings – he is much less fortunate in this. Anyway, as far as I am informed, he was sent to England, to London, to be more precise, for intelligence. Granted, maybe we would do the same, were our positions reversed, but then – there are." He smiled, but it was far from joyful, a cold smile that did not reach his eyes.

„So you are going to do the same with us", Elizabeth concluded warily.

„That depends", Castellano answered. „I might also agree on an… exchange…"

„But it would take weeks for the news to even reach London!" Elizabeth exclaimed, outraged. She was not inclined to waiting that long. Castellano sighed in outward regret.

„I am sorry, Miss Swann. I hope you did not have any pressing social engagements."

„Would it matter?" she pressed out between clenched teeth.

„Of course not", Castellano informed her friendly. „My hands are bound, you know? I follow the call of my duty. I am sure you understand." Elizabeth clenched her fists but found Will's hand on her arm strangely calming.

„Oh, and by the way", for the first time since he stepped by, Castellano cared to look at Elizabeth, brows curiously furrowed. He got up, preparing to leave, his remark more of an offhand nature. „I have been thinking, about Crystabella… now Halvery. I think there was another rumor that I heard, just before I left Spain, in fact."

„What kind of rumor?" Will turned around, but Castellano was already at the door.

„Strangely, I seem to remember that she was dead…:

„What?" came Will's and Elizabeth's replies simultaniously, but the Captain only smiled.

„Good day, Miss Swann. Mister.. Turner."

He bowed and exited, leaving the two to wonder – and to discuss."

„From what I heard of her, I would not exclude the idea, that she has feigned her own death, for some reason or other", Elizabeth mused. Will nodded.

„Or that this rumor is fake, maybe because he invented it, maybe because he misunderstood."

„Maybe." The governor's daughter was not convinced. They were sitting on the sofa, Elizabeth leaning into Will, for comfort and for the relaxing feeling of his strength at her back. One of the crew had brought them dinner, a simple meal, and the remains now stood on the table before them. They had eaten in silence, but now, as night had fallen, they were left to ponder the situation.

„It is out of question that we wait here", Elizabeth concluded. „There's no telling what will happen to my father in between."

„True", William answered. „If he intends to talk to any… superior, or at least to any contact, he has to approach land, right? That is when we have to move."

„To end up in a spanish colony, that's awesome." Elizabeth did not sound very happy. Will smirked.

„How's your spanish?"

„Rusty, how's yours?"

„Nonexistent. However, what do you think of the news considering Crystabella?"

Elizabeth took her time to answer. She thoughtfully placed her hands on his to draw them closer around herself, as if looking for protection. She felt his breath hitching in her hair.

„I don't know. Either it was wrong, for whatever reason, or that woman is not Crystabella Halvey."

„And her daughter not Leonora?" concluded Will in a questioning manner.

„That remains to be seen. I am not sure. She was so weird. Maybe she was Leonora. I doubt that in her state she would realize that she is not travelling with her mother.. although she seemed clear enough the last time we talked."
„And that was", Will reminded her softly, „when she warned you. Strongly. She knows, that something is wrong."

„So maybe this is not Crystabella after all."
„But if it isn't, who is it?"

Will sighed, but considering this point, he was not smarter than Elizabeth at all.

„There are lights out there."

One day past, at night again, Elizabeth and Will crouched close to each other, looking out into the dark. Somewhere far out, there were lights, a shore maybe, a light at the end of the tunnel.

„So this is it?" Elizabeth asked, but Will shook his head.

„Not yet, Elizabeth. We are still too far away."

„We have to leave, Will. Imagine what will happen, if my father learns, where I am. If she learns where I am."

„He will anyway, Elizabeth. I do not think that we can stop it. Like it or not, no matter his current state, he is the local authority. He will learn."

„All the more important", Elizabeth concluded, „that she will not be able to pick up our trace. Remember the storm, Will. This is dangerous. Really dangerous. We have to do something."

„I know." He sounded beseeching. „But we are still to far away."

„I can swim", she disagreed, annoyed, but he denied again.

„I know, my love. I really know. But this distance not even I would be able to swim."

Elizabeth shook her head.

„I have had enough of this. I am going. Are you coming or not?"

Will Turner hesitated, but one look into Elizabeth's eyes showed him, that he would not be able to change her mind. Thus, he did the second best thing.

„I am getting the rope."

Juan Marcellis was on watch outside the captain's cabin when they neared the town of Tortuga. It was not the first time they came here, always clouded in darkness, always silent, only the captain and some chosen few of the crew landing ashore in a small boat. The captain was meeting a contact person there, someone presumably close to the british, because every time they went here, it was on business against the empire.

He had never been among the travellers, but today he was assigned to be in charge of the prisoners. They had been remarkably silent, but then, rumor went, that they were of noble heritage – maybe there was nothing else to be expected from them.

Even though at times admiring the appearance, Juan Marcellis did not harbor any fondness for the upper class. Born into a sailor's family he had known a life of hard work, and did not mind it, yet, he could not stand the lazy life most nobles were able to lead.

This, however, did not spare him from being curious. None of them had seen much of their recent guests, but speculations were running wild. The woman was supposed to be extremely beautiful – young Marco had discribed her in splendid colors, a slender beauty with blonde hair and large eyes, and Juan could not deny that he had thought about this quite some time.

The captain had left the ship already, and all was quiet. The night watch on the rear deck had sounded the hour bell, but besides, he could not see any of the others. Simon was sitting in the crow's nest, and his soft whistling was brought down to him by the wind.

Close to Tortuga, the world was dangerous enough, but the „Rosa" was heavily armed, too heavily to be easy prey. And even in Tortuga, people were not on the lookout for trouble of the shooting kind.

Juan decided, that nobody was paying attention to him. And that, considering how capable nobles usually were, nobody would realize that he had allowed himself a peek.

The captain's door was well-oiled and thus he was able to open it silently.

The room was only dimly lit, and a cool breeze grazed his face, a wind seemingly coming out of the cabin itself. For a moment, he was unable to discern details, but moments later, he realized the two things, which, at the moment, were important about this room.

First, a window was open, and it was the source of the wind that had grazed him the moment he had opened the door. And second, the room was bereft of any people.

Juan ran inside, but could only confirm what he had already estmated.

The window was wide open, a makeshift rope of sheets was dangling outside in the wind. And the prisoners were vanished.

Juan alerted the crew and ran to the window. But the blackened water below did not reveal its secrets.

In the water again…

Elizabeth did her best to follow Will, but the cold water around her slowed her movements. For an instance, she doubted the wisdom of her decision. The lights of the shore seemed so very far away.

Behind them, she heard shouts aboard the spanish ship. Apparently, their disappearance had been marked, but the night covered their escape, and she hoped, that they would not be able to find them, at least not before they reached… whatever.

She had to admit that her plan had maybe been a bit rushed, but there was no denying for now. And thus, they swam for their life.

Hoping they would reach the shore before they ran out of force.

„Hey, Cap!"

A piece of chewing tabac was flung over the rail, as Morris turned around.

„Something's down there."

Jay was at his side before he could even get a second look. They were, as a matter of fact, trying to close in on Tortuga unmarked – for some unfortunate reason featuring the captain, the captain of the Acheron and a certain young lady of Tortuga, with blond hair and wide, blue eyes, an unfortunate story which had ended in an unfortunate confrontation, leading to much bloodshed, no deaths and a load full of trouble.

All in all, appearing in Tortuga was not the wisest of choices at the moment, considering the Acheron's reputation, but unfortunately, their choices were poor. There were few ports, in which they could take on water, food and all the things a crew longed for after a certain time at sea, and thus, Tortuga was their goal. But now, something was nearing their boat, that crept along in silence, all lights extinguished, deeply in darkness.

„What is it", Jay asked, peering down into the darkness intently, yet percieving nothing.

„No idea", Morris answered, truthfully, for once. „Should I cry out?"

„Better not." Nervousness was seeping out of every pore in Jay's body. „Let's just wait and see."

But the splashing got ever closer. And as Morris leaned over the rail, he was able to percieve words.

„Will?" A woman's voice.

„Yes, love?" A man, strained, but tender.

„This may have been a bad idea after all."

„Nonsense. It is not far. I see the lights already."

„I see them too." Tired. Weak. „But they are far."

„Not as far as you think, Elizabeth. We will manage. Believe me."

Jay and Morris exchanged a look. Then, the captain shrugged.

„Why not? Silly as they are… bring them on…"