Warning: Graphic depictions of violence and I think like one swearword?
Disclaimer: sad as it is, I don't own anything except my OC
Chapter 22: An Odious Negotiation
"I told you it wouldn't work," I cried to Anamaria, eyes focused on the Black Pearl behind us.
"It was a good plan, up till now," she countered. Her gaze flickered around the deck as she tried to stop the Interceptor from overturning on the rough shoals.
"Was it though?" I called back hysterically only to be ignored.
"Gibbs!" Will shouted over the roar of the crew, drawing my attention away. "We have to make a stand. We must fight! Load the guns," he commanded.
"With what?" Anamaria shot back.
"Anything. Everything! Anything we have left," he implored, already on the move to find weapons.
Clinging to the rail with a death grip, I forced myself to stay calm. The Pearl was so close now that I could hear the bellows from her crew, chanting intimidatingly. At least half an hour had passed since Elizabeth and I had found ourselves in the midst of the crew in a clamour. The Pearl had been a looming storm on the horizon and yet it felt like I'd blinked and she was suddenly right behind us pursing with a fierce determination.
"Load the guns! Take shot and langrage. Nails and crushed glass!" Mr Gibbs darted across the deck barking his orders, hurrying the crew into action once more.
Anamaria gripped the wheel firmly her knuckles turning white from the strain of keeping us upright amongst the shoals as she risked a glance behind her. I caught her gaze and saw my own fear mirrored. She hid it well but the apprehension was fighting to be seen.
"The Pearl is going to luff up on our port quarter. She'll rake us without ever presenting a target," Mr Gibbs said, panic straining his tone as he ran back over to us. Elizabeth stared out at the Pearl, knocking me out of the way as she stumbled to the railings for a better look.
"Lower the anchor on the right side," she finally spoke, an idea dawning. "On the starboard side!"
"It certainly has the element of surprise," Will murmured understanding her plan.
Anamaria froze as she too began to understand the risk involved. "You're daft, lady! You both are."
"Daft like Jack!" Mr Gibbs burst out, laughing with hysteric excitement. "Lower the starboard anchor! Do it, ye dogs, or it's you we'll load into the cannons!" He cried out to the crew.
A loud splash echoed over the cacophony as the anchor hit the water and sank readily to the seabed. Clutching desperately onto the railings my breath latched in my throat as the Interceptor juddered and swung up wildly.
"Let go!" Elizabeth and I screamed in unison to Anamaria who still held a tight grip on the wheel. Taking a step back she loosened her grasp. The wheel whirled around quickly becoming a blur. The ship followed its movement lurching and moaning in protest at being dragged away from its previous course. Stepping back up to the spinning wheel she took control and sailed us head first into the danger.
Cursing under my breath I kicked myself for not realising sooner just how much danger I was about to be in once more. Fear had become a fast and constant friend on this journey. It paralysed me as I watched the Pearl grow nearer. The thunderous roars of both crews magnified as we near on collided.
A rifle was thrust into my arms. It drew me back into action.
"I don't know how to shoot!" I called after Marty in alarm. It would be useless in my hands. When he didn't return I dropped it to the floor as if it had burnt my fingers. My body fell heavily after it. Eyeing it warily from my crouched position, I tucked my arms around my knees mentally preparing for the onslaught that was coming.
"Keep us steady now…" Will called out. Moaning in fear, I pushed my back up against the railings hoping that I could stay hidden.
"Now!" He shouted.
"Fire all!" Yelled Elizabeth.
Cannon fire rang out loud. The deafening bangs collided creating a resounding bass amongst the sharp cracks of pistols being fired. Clamorous shouts from both crews fought to be heard amongst the sudden explosion of noise.
Clapping my hands over my ears, I tried to stay in the present. Somehow despite being in the thick of combat I wasn't as affected as I thought I'd be. The sheer amount of violence I'd witnessed had started to desensitise me, if only a little. I took deep breaths as I attempted to focus, startling when Elizabeth crouched down next to me.
"We could use a few more ideas, lass," Mr Gibbs muffled voice broke through my ineffective sound barrier.
"Your turn," Elizabeth shot back, preoccupied with ducking down as a bullet whizzed over her head.
"We need us a devil's dowry," he murmured before rising up and firing off a shot at an incoming pirate.
"We'll give them her!" I kicked out at Anamaria, forcing her to drop the pistol she'd aimed at Elizabeth. She growled in outrage as she bent to retrieve it.
"They don't want…"
"She's not what they're after," Will interrupted me as he fought his way over.
"The medallion," Elizabeth gasped as she searched for it at her throat. Will wasted no time in darting off to go and search for it. Flinching as more and more cracks from the pistols started smashing through my ear drums, I pulled my legs up to my chest again.
"Oh God, oh God, oh God," I mumbled to myself, trying in vain to stay calm. Although I was doing a hell of a lot better than last time, I could feel myself dangling over the edge of the precipice ready to fall at any moment.
"Help me," Elizabeth called, drawing me out of my growing panic. I glanced over at her. "Come on Arabella, stay with me. Help me secure this, I can't do it myself!" She shouted.
Taking a deep breath I shuffled over making sure to keep my head below the railings in case of a stray bullet flying my way.
"What do I do?" I shouted back, grateful for the distraction.
"Pull it down whilst I secure it."
Doing as she said, I wrapped my shaking hands around the rough rope and pulled as hard as I could, trying not to let go as a particularly large bang echoed between the warring ships. Just as she secured it a thunderous smash followed by sharp creaking sounded from the middle of our deck. We both watched in bewilderment as the main mast toppled over, connecting the two ships.
"Shit," I muttered.
Elizabeth turned to look at me, surprise evident in her dainty features from my profanity. Silence rang out louder than any of the cannons had been as the crew took in what had just happened. Smoke curled around us making seeing beyond the carnage difficult.
I was dumbstruck with just how different it was to be in the midst of things compared to being a comfortable distance away from reality. It was much easier watching things unfold from the safety of my sofa than being heavily – reluctantly – involved.
Shots suddenly cracked once more, desperation lingering in the air. My eyes widened as I caught sight of a hand grapple soaring through the air in my direction. Throwing myself backwards, it narrowly missed catching my face as its metal claws clung to the railing where I had just been crouched. Elizabeth picked up the rifle I'd neglected, loaded it expertly, turned and shot at the pirate who was swinging in our direction. I looked on at her in shock, marvelling at the sudden change in her demeanour. Where had she learned to shoot with such accuracy?
Shouts came from every direction as Barbossa's crew boarded the Interceptor drawing our crew into a bloody battle.
Groaning, I realised there was nowhere I could run. I didn't have a choice. One way or another I'd have to defend myself.
Elizabeth kicked a plank of splintered wood in my direction as she fired off another shot, hitting the pirate in the arm causing him to fall into the churning water below. Gingerly I grasped the wood as I tried to get used to the weight whilst simultaneously fighting the urge to throw it overboard and find somewhere to hide.
A pirate crept up behind Elizabeth aiming to take her unawares. My vision narrowed as he neared. He paused, sword poised high in the air ready to slice. Without thinking I threw the plank hard, hoping to distract him. It struck his temple and he dropped unceremoniously to the floor.
Elizabeth glanced back at the sudden thud as I knelt there wide eyed, mouth open in shock. My hands shook as I desperately crawled over and tried to feel a pulse on his grimy neck.
"Please don't be dead," I whispered over and over.
I didn't know what had come over me. I just knew that I couldn't allow Elizabeth to get hurt. Breathing a sigh of relief I leaned back on my feet as a weak pulse fluttered under my fingers. He was alive, just unconscious.
"Duck!" Elizabeth yelled at me as she stood up. Dropping immediately I heard her grunt as her fist connected with a pirate behind me.
Adrenaline was pounding hard through my veins as I sat up only to feel a hand connect with my ankle. Screaming I yanked my foot away from the pirate and kicked wildly. A small amount of grim satisfaction sat uncomfortably in my gut as my foot connected and he groaned in pain.
"That's not very nice." Jack's voice rang out from above as he fought off another pirate who'd decided to try his luck taking Elizabeth down.
Grappling for the plank of wood, I cried out as the splintered edge bit into my palm. The pirate I had kicked was relentlessly trying to grab at me. Facing him, I smashed the wood onto every available surface of his body that I could reach. Suddenly his hand shot out and he ripped it away from me. Eyes widening I tried to scramble backwards as a malicious grin bloomed on his lips. Predatorily he pursued, his movements slow and purposeful. His eyes glinted wildly as he took me to be an easy prey. Taking advantage of his underestimation, as soon as he was close enough, my fist shot out. It smacked his mouth, splitting his lip. Blood spurted out as his head was forced to the side whilst pain radiated through my knuckles. Cursing I held my hand to my chest and kicked wildly again pushing him over as my boot hit his stomach. From the corner of my eye I notice Elizabeth leap up and dart off to find Will.
Jack jumped over to the pirate who was spitting blood onto the deck and clutching his stomach. Before I could blink he hauled him up and tossed him overboard. The adrenaline was making me twitchy as I scurried backwards to the broken and battered railings trying to put as much as space as possible between us.
Frowning slightly at my mistake, I panted heavily. I'd backed into a corner. He crouched down in front of me taking in the way I grasped my hand to my chest.
"Did you do this?" Jack nodded to the pirate slumped on the deck three feet away from us. I couldn't do anything but try and catch my breath as I cradled my aching hand. Something in my expression must have confirmed that I'd been the one to render the pirate unconscious as a small amused smile spread on his lips.
"Didn't think you had it in you, Bella," he said softly. The Interceptor rocked as more pirates boarded jostling my hand. A small moan of pain escaped before I could stop it. Jack's eyes darted down to my cradled knuckles.
"Can I see?"
Hesitatingly I held it out for him to have a look. Abruptly I pulled it back, eyes wide.
"Behind you," I whispered, hoping that he'd hear over the explosion of noise. Faster than I thought possible Jack stood up and disarmed the pirate before kicking him down to the deck where Mr Gibbs pounced, drawing him into a duel. Crouching down again, he gave me his undivided attention.
"Let's see," he said, being mindful of how skittish I was. This was all too much. I twitched nervously as he invaded my space. All I could see was him. The battle raged on behind us becoming less important.
Ever so gently he grasped my arm with his calloused hand, running his fingers over my swelling knuckles.
"Just bruised I think," he murmured as he placed my palm down onto my knee. "Shouldn't take too long to heal."
I nodded and blew a strand of hair out of my eyes. I didn't trust myself to speak. His gentleness had affected me more than I'd been prepared for.
"That's gonna be a problem," Jack responded moving a little closer.
"What is?" I finally croaked out finding my voice.
By way of reply he took off his hat and held it between his teeth. Slowly he reached out, pausing for a moment when I flinched before continuing. Grasping my hair gently he pulled it up to the top of my head holding it with one hand. With his other he placed the hat on top. It was slightly too large but the sheer volume of my hair stopped it from slipping too far down. Rocking back onto his heels he nodded his head.
"Better," he said quietly. I barely heard him over the sounds of swords clashing with one another. He opened his mouth to say something else when he caught sight of something above me.
"Monkey!" He yelped as he dashed off after it. My mouth dropped open in shock. That was it? He wasn't even going to try and help me? Grumbling under my breath at his audacity I stood up unsteadily. I was left feeling weak from the adrenaline starting to leave my body, fear rising its ugly head now that Jack had taken off.
"Stupid undead monkey," I muttered, slipping slightly on the stairs. The fight was beginning to wind down as the crew I'd been sailing with started surrendering. Just as I was about to lose my footing my upper arms were grasped in a punishing grip and I was hauled off the floor.
Feet dangling I screamed and writhed as the two pirates snarled at me to shut up. Precariously they carried me over to the Pearl whilst I complied with their warning. The pirates dropped me onto the deck roughly causing me to stumble slightly.
"Will!" Elizabeth screamed as she was dragged away from the blocked hatch. Someone pushed my shoulder forcing me to look away and pitch forwards into the gathered group of the remaining crew who'd already surrendered.
Without a word of complaint – fear had made me mute – I only winced when my wrists were pulled harshly in front of my body and a rope lashed tightly around them.
Elizabeth was suddenly thrust into the fold between myself and Mr Gibbs as Ragetti starting binding us all to the main mast. I grabbed onto her dress trying to get her attention whilst they weren't looking.
"Don't," I whispered imploringly, looking pointedly at the rope that was stretched loosely around us. A single nod told me she'd heard my plea yet her hands still fiddled anxiously. Sighing, I wondered why I even bothered trying to help; nobody had listened to me before, why would they start doing so now?
I longed to rub at my eyes. Though the sky had since cleared from all of the smoke, it had still irritated and left them sore. Instead, I glanced up and noticed just how far away from the Interceptor we had already sailed. It was barely even floating, nothing more than a smoking decimated shell of its former splendour.
"If any of you so much as thinks the word 'parley' I'll have your guts for garters," Pintel spoke menacingly whilst Ragetti chuckled.
I couldn't look at either of them. Even hearing their voice had made me petrified beyond belief. They killed Mr Ainsworth without breaking a sweat. They could just as easily do the same to me. Although since the massacre of the Earl King the timeline had righted itself, I still wasn't going to take it for granted any more. I had no way of knowing for definite what would happen.
My trembling had attracted the notice of Mr Gibbs who looked down at me warily. Glancing up at him, I caught his eyes widen as he gawped at Jack's hat perched atop my head.
His shock didn't last long. I closed my eyes in resignation as Elizabeth darted out from under the ineffective binding Ragetti had done before stumbling to a stop as a loud bang echoed across the ocean. Angry flames charred the clouds as the Interceptor exploded sending chunks of wood splattering into the sea.
"Will!" She gasped before a visible rage overcame her. Racing forwards she started pounding at Barbossa's chest. "You've got to stop it! Stop it!" She cried hysterically. Barbossa stood there and laughed with his crew at her useless attack.
"Welcome back, Miss. You took advantage of our hospitality last time. It holds fair now that you return the favour." He pushed her into the throng of eager pirates who started grabbing at her dress.
"Barbossa!" Will called out as he climbed on the railings of the Black Pearl, dripping water onto the cannon beneath him.
"Will!" Elizabeth gasped, her short grieving period coming to an abrupt end.
Silence fell as the pirates stared at him unwilling to let her go. I glanced over at Jack who'd couldn't have looked more stoical if he'd tried.
"She goes free," Will finally spoke as he turned the pistol he was holding towards Barbossa.
"What's in your head boy?" Barbossa shot back, eyes narrowed.
"She goes free!"
"You've only got one shot, and we can't die," he laughed.
Jack seized the moment and rushed over to Will. "Don't do anything stupid," he implored.
"You can't, but I can." Will ignored Jack's plea and turned the gun to his head. His hand began shaking imperceptibly.
"Like that," Jack muttered sarcastically, lowering his head in defeat. Barbossa stared at Will like he was figuring out a difficult puzzle.
"Who are you?" He finally spoke. Jack's head whipped up as he ran over and placed himself between Will and Barbossa.
"No one. He's no one. A distant cousin of my aunt's nephew twice removed. Lovely singing voice, though. Eunuch."
"My name is William Turner."
Jack's face dropped once more. He backed away. There was no way he could do any damage control now.
"My father was Bootstrap Bill Turner. His blood runs in my veins." Collective gasps were drawn from Barbossa's crew as they made the connection.
"He's the spitting image of ol' Bootstrap Bill come back to haunt us!" I snorted at the superstitious statement. Mr Gibbs apparently wasn't the only one worried about old wives tales. Suddenly my vision was blocked by a broad back and dark dreadlocks. Jack.
"On my word do as I say or I'll pull this trigger and be lost to Davy Jones' Locker," Will called out over the chaotic noise. Huffing, I jabbed my fingers into Jack's back trying to get him to move. He didn't even flinch.
"Name your terms, Mr Turner."
"Elizabeth goes free."
"Yes we know that one," Barbossa laughed. "Anything else?"
Jack started moving his arms, presumably to get Will's attention. Judging from his hesitation it worked.
"And the crew," Will eventually responded. "The crew are not to be harmed."
"Agreed," Barbossa called. "Men, drag him down."
From what little I could see some of the pirates holding Elizabeth dropped her and rushed at Will. Pushing at Jack's back again I tried to get him to move away. Frustratingly he stepped even closer to me. The front point of his hat tipped upwards letting loose some of my hair.
Unexpectedly Elizabeth screamed. Jumping in surprise, I knocked the hat backwards. More hair fell into my face.
"Go on, Poppet, go! Walk the plank!" Pintel goaded.
"Barbossa, you lying bastard! You swore she'd go free!" Will yelled.
"Don't dare impugn my honour, boy. I agreed she'd go free but it was you who failed to specify when and where." Barbossa roared. Shuffling to the side, I tried to peek around Jack's arm. I had just enough room to see Elizabeth standing on the plank jutting out over the ocean.
"Though it does seem like a shame to lose something so fine, don't it lads?" Barbossa chuckled, ignoring Will's muffled protestations.
"Aye!" The crew yelled.
"So I'll be having that dress back before you go." The mutinous Captain carried on darkly.
"It goes with your black heart." Elizabeth ripped off the burgundy gown revealing her nightdress and threw it violently at Barbossa who caught the fabric and pressed it to his face.
"Oh, it's still warm," he chuckled.
Jack shuffled to the side and blocked my vision once more. "I've always liked you," he muttered to the pirate whom was standing guard over us.
"Off you go! Come on!" Another pirate goaded Elizabeth.
Not being able to see was making everything worse. I wrapped my hands around the back of Jack's shirt for comfort, biting my lip at the pain it caused.
"Too long!" A loud thud, scream and splash rang out as Elizabeth hit the water.
Jack was abruptly ripped from my fingers and dragged away. "I'd really rather hoped we were past all this," he said cheerfully.
"Jack. Jack. Did ya not notice? That be the same little island that we made you Governor of on our last little trip," Barbossa replied equally as casual, pointing in the direction of a small island not too far off.
"I did notice."
"Perhaps you'll be able to conjure up another miraculous escape but I doubt it." Barbossa brandished his sword and held it to Jack's throat. My pulse started pounding in my ears. "Of you go," he spoke cruelly.
"Last time, you left me a pistol with one shot," Jack stalled.
"By the powers, you're right. Were be Jack's pistol? Bring it forwards." Barbossa commanded not taking his eyes away from Jack.
Ragetti turned back to the pirate who was guarding us before skidding to a halt, his wide eyes staring straight at me.
"R-r-red hair, red hair!" He stammered, pointing in my direction. Everyone's eyes suddenly burned into me, a few pirates going so far as to mutter prayers. My eyes darted to Jack as Mr Gibbs voice echoed in my ears.
It's bad luck to have a woman on board, particularly a red-head.
Staring at him, the realisation of why he'd covered my hair hit me like a truck. He'd tried to protect me.
"You girl, come here," Barbossa commanded. I grimaced but reluctantly did as I was told. I didn't want to make things worse by disobeying and further angering him. Shakily I ducked under the ropes holding tightly onto Jacks hat with my bound hands. Apparently I was moving too slow. The giant pirate who'd stomped on the plank to get rid of Elizabeth pushed me closer than I would have preferred to the Captain.
I stood before him feeling like cattle in an auction. Barbossa looked me up and down before removing Jack's hat from my head, smiling when I flinched away. Turning the hat over he looked between Jack and I.
"This looks somewhat familiar," he said. His whole expression screamed danger. "What's yer name girl?"
"Arabella," I whispered too afraid to speak any louder. I kept my gaze on Jack fearing that if I looked at Barbossa I would freeze entirely.
"I know you!" Pintel's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting whatever Barbossa was about to say. "You should be dead!" A low murmur rose up from the crew surrounding us. I turned to Pintel warily, hoping he'd finished.
"She were in the Governors' house, got hit by that chandelier!"
"Is that so?" Barbossa muttered, a calculating look spread across his face. "In that case, you'd better join yer mistress out there. Can't be having any more bad luck, can we men?"
The crew roared in response. The swords that had been pointing at Jack were suddenly thrust in my face as they chanted for me to walk the plank. Trembling, I stepped onto the unstable slab of wood and stood next Jack who held out his hands in a placating gesture.
"Seeing as there's three of us, a gentleman would give us a three pistols," he said, trying to distract whilst inching in front of me. Ragetti had since received Jack's effects now that I was no longer stood in his way.
"It'll be one pistol as before. You can be the gentleman and shoot one of the lady's and starve to death with the other. I'm sure you'll find a way to pass the time," Barbossa replied with a lewd grin. He threw jack's effects into the sea before holding his sword up to Jack's chest.
"Sorry luv," Jack muttered. Before I could ask what he was talking about a swift push of his shoulder was delivered into my chest knocking me off balance. I plunged into the clear sea below.
A/n: Real excited to bring you this chapter! It's quite fast paced and we see a major shift in Arabella's attitude which will be explored more in depth in the next chapter (it's all planned out and almost finished being written. It's quite hard hitting). I hope I did it justice! Originally I was going to combine the two and keep it as one long chapter but then I got to over 4000 words and natural stopping point so I kept them separate instead.
I've had this chapter planned out and mostly written almost since I started writing this story - 11 months ago! It's crazy! It's primarily why Arabella is ginger, I felt like it was a plausible reason for her being marooned on the island with Jack and Elizabeth. Hope this came across well!
Had a major panic when I realised there's probably less than 10 chapters left of this ARC...
As always, thank you to my lovely readers and reviewers new and old!
Unedited as per usual.
Until next time x