Chapter Fifty – Not Actually The End
When Sarah finally woke up, the first thing she felt was a stinging pain in the back of her shoulder. As she opened her eyes, however, she was surprised to see that she was lying in a bed. She immediately recognized Jack's quarters. She could not remember what had happened, though. Her head was dizzy and she felt very weak. She tried to sit, pulling herself upwards with her legs. Legs?! She stopped dead. She hesitantly lifted the blankets that covered her body. There was no doubt, she had legs.
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Jack had decided to stay in the island for some days, until Sarah was stronger. The magic had closed her wound, but it did not change the fact that she had lost a considerable amount of blood. He looked at the merpeople who sat on the sand, some meters from the ship. Many of his men sat with them, and they tried to communicate through gestures. Sarah's family was among them. They had refused to go back to their home until they were sure that Sarah was fine.
He was worried as well. She had been asleep for more than one day, and had had high fever. It was weird to think that in that right moment, she was sleeping in his bed. His mate. For a long time he had thought that he would never have a real companion. He wondered if he would get used to a new life. He fiddled with the black pearl that had been transformed into a necklace. It was a beautiful jewel.
"I'm happy yeh liked it." The soft voice brought Jack back from his reverie.
Jack smiled and closed his eyes, enjoying the moment. He slowly turned around. Sarah was standing there, smiling widely. Somehow she had managed to walk to the deck. She was wrapped in a blanket, her celestial eyes sparkling. She was undoubtfully beautiful. She dropped the blanket, jumping towards Jack and throwing her arms around his neck. They kissed intensely, almost desperately.
"I missed yeh." Sarah whispered when they finally parted.
"I'm still missin' yeh." Jack murmured, smirking wickedly, noticing that Sarah got extremely sexy wearing only one of his white shirts.
He picked her up in his arms.
"What are yeh doin'?" she asked giggling.
"Yeh shouldn' have left the bed, yer naughty girl. I'm goin' ter fix it."
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When Jack and Sarah finally left his quarters, a feast had been organized by the efficient Mr. Cotton. The merpeople had brought many different species of seafood and the pirates had gotten many fruit and hunted some animals from the island. Bonfires had been lit on the sand, and there was music. A couple of pirates played guitars and some mermaids sang happily. And, of course, there was a lot of rum.
Sarah walked towards her family wearing one of the dresses Elizabeth had given her. Shison smiled proudly.
&You look like your mother when I met her.& he said.
&Then I must be beautiful…& she smiled shyly.
&Gorgeous!&
Sarah kneeled down and hugged her father. Her heart hurt a little.
&Promise me you will be happy.& he murmured.
&I will!& she replied firmly.
The sound of muffled sobs reached Sarah's ears. Looking for the source of it, she found out that Serenaswati was weeping.
&Shhh, don't cry.& she said softly, hugging her sister.
&You… look so… beautiful.& The girl said between her sobs. &Like… the princesses… you told me. But… you… I … I will miss you.& She wept desperately.
Sarah wiped the single tear that crossed her own face.
&I promise I will come to see you.& She looked into her sister's eyes. &And you and I could never be apart, because we love each other. Every time you feel sad because you miss me, remember our stories, sing our songs. And I will always be with you.&
Serenaswati nodded.
&I'm happy for you.& the girl smiled sweetly.
&Thank you. Me too.& Sarah smiled widely.
Sarah turned to the last member of her family. Allanechti's expression was heavy as he kept looking downwards. Sarah moved towards him, holding his chin with her cupped hands. She made him look at her.
&Do you feel better?& she asked softly.
Allanechty shook his head.
&I feel ashamed.& he murmured.
&Why?&
&I was wrong. Humans are not all evil after all. Your lover and his companions helped our people. I feel ashamed of my behavior.&
&You do not need to.& Sarah smiled comprehensively. &You had fair reasons to hate humans.&
&Do you forgive me then?& Allanechty finally looked at his sister's eyes.
&Of course I do!&
&Do… do you think the Captain would forgive me?& The merboy asked hesitantly.
Well, why don't you ask him?
Jack was walking towards them with an ostentatiously satisfied expression. A bottle of rum was in hand.
"Jack, me brother wants ter talk ter yeh." Sarah winked at Allanechty.
Jack sat on the sand next to them.
"I'm … sorry, Captain." The merboy looked downwards again.
Jack patted the boy on the shoulder.
"What are yeh talkin' about, Allanex… Asterix… Allan? I'll tell yeh one thing, boy, if yeh had legs, I'd want yeh in me crew. Yeh've got one o' the best punches I've ever felt!" said Jack massaged his stomach, which had been mercilessly punched by the merboy.
"Thanks…" Allanechti blushed slightly.
Sarah laughed heartily before hugging her brother.
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That night was one of the happiest in Jack's and Sarah's lives. They laughed, talked, danced, drank and made love. Few days later, the Black Pearl left the island towards Port Royal. The prisoners had to be judged and stories had to be told to Will and Elizabeth. On the bow of the Pearl, Jack hugged his mate. Not his wife or his woman, but his mate, his equal. A fresh wave of joy invaded his heart. Completeness felt wonderful.
"Yeh know… ex-mermaid… I guess I love yeh." He whispered in Sarah's ear.
Sarah's heart jumped as a broad smile curled her lips. She felt tears wetting her eyes. She had dreamed with that moment for a long time. She turned to face Jack, looking deeply into his eyes.
"I love you too, Captain Jack Sparrow."
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It would be too naïve to say that Jack and Sarah lived happy ever after. They were two independent people who had to learn how to share their lives. Of course, that involved some arguments, tears and a lot of rum sometimes. But the important thing is that they lived intensely every moment of their lives. This is not the end of their story, actually, it's the beginning.
Their story was told and retold many times. However, it underwent some changes. The pirate was transformed into a noble prince because, after all, good human girls were not supposed to fall in love with pirates, but with princes. In some versions, the little mermaid would die, unable to conquer her lover's heart. This was to teach children that they should not deal with witchcraft and dark arts, or they could have the same sad destiny as the poor mermaid.
The original story, nevertheless, was kept by the ones who are able to see its beauty, such as this humble writer, a girl who likes pirates rather than princes…
