Narcissa looked into her father's face for the first time in 13 years. His face was slightly more lined than before but for the most part he appeared exactly the same as he was on the day that they said goodbye at Port Raphael.
"Hello father," she said willing her voice not to shake as she let go of the black pirate's hand. A murmur ran through the crew.
"What the blazes are ye doing here?" her father asked in shock.
"You attacked where I live and I called parley. I don't exactly make a habit of being captured by pirates," replied Narcissa with an eyeroll.
"I knew she reminded me of the Captain!" exclaimed the pirate with the wooden eye.
"Yes, I seem to be getting a lot of that today," Narcissa said dryly.
"Cissy what are you talking about? You can't be his daughter!" said Elizabeth who looked caught between shock and disbelief. Narcissa turned to the girl she regarded as a sister and took her hands.
"I actually can. I promise that I'll explain everything to you later, but right now we have slightly more important matters," she said turning back to her father. Thankfully Elizabeth seemed willing to wait for an explanation because she said.
"Captain Barbossa. We've come to negotiate the cessation of hostilities against Port Royal."
"That was a lot of long words Miss and we're naught but humble pirates. What exactly is it you want?" Captain Barbossa asked. Narcissa held back a snort. She could tell her father knew exactly what Elizabeth had said and was simply toying with her.
"I want you to leave and never come back," said Elizabeth bluntly. The crew laughed
"I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request," replied Narcissa's father. Narcissa couldn't help but smirk recalling having used those same words on Jack Sparrow.
"What happened to naught but humble pirates?" she asked wryly and Narcissa could have sworn she saw her father's lips twitch upward in amusement.
"It means no," he added to Elizabeth.
"Very well," Elizabeth pulled off the medallion and went to hold it over the side of the ship. This made the crew go silent. "I'll drop it." Barbossa scoffed.
"Me holds are bursting with swag. That shine matters to me why?"
"Because it's what you've been searching for. You've been searching for it for years. I saw this ship eight years ago when we made the crossing from England," said Elizabeth. Suddenly Narcissa recalled that night 8 years ago on the crossing when they had found will. It WAS the same ship.
"Did you now?" asked Narcissa's father casually. Elizabeth glared.
"I suppose if it really is worthless, then there's no reason to keep it." Elizabeth let part of the chain slip through her fingers and all the pirates moved forward while Narcissa's father cried
"No!" Elizabeth looked triumphant and Narcissa grinned.
"Well, father, it appears your bluff has been called," she said lightly.
"So, it has," he replied before turning back to Elizabeth. You have a name missy?" he asked.
"Elizabeth...Turner. I'm a maid in the governor's household," Narcissa noticed the muttering which the name Turner had aroused and she didn't like it.
"And how does a maid come to own such a trinket as that. Family heirloom perhaps?"
"I didn't steal it if that's what you mean," said Elizabeth defensively.
"No nothing like that. Very well, you hand that over and we'll put your town to our rudder and never come back." Narcissa watched Elizabeth study her father before handing him the medallion. He gave it to the monkey on his shoulder who scurried away. He then nodded to the pirate with the piercings.
"Still the guns, and stow 'em! Signal the men, set the flags, and make good to clear port!" the pirate called.
"Wait you have to take us back to shore!" exclaimed Elizabeth following the captain. Narcissa ran to catch up with them. Her father turned to face them.
"First. Your return to shore was not part of our negotiations nor our agreement, and so I 'must' do nothing. Secondly: you must be a pirate for the pirate's code to apply. And you're not. And thirdly ... the code is more what you'd call guidelines than actual rules. Welcome aboard the Black Pearl Miss Turner." Narcissa made to object but was distracted by her father pulling her towards the Captain's quarters while Elizabeth was dragged away.
"Cissy!" she cried.
"I'll be fine Elizabeth just cooperate," Narcissa called over her shoulder as they entered the cabin. Once her father closed the door, she pulled away from him.
"Keep me fine but let Elizabeth go! You've got your medallion, she's of no use to you now!"
"On the contrary, she'll be quite useful as I'll explain later." her father replied. Narcissa glared at him knowing there was no way of getting Elizabeth back to shore now. She took a deep breath.
"Fine. But I want you to swear to me you will not allow any harm to come to her either by your own hand or by that of your crew." Her father matched her steely gaze before finally nodding.
"Very well, Miss Turner shall not be harmed. Ye have my word." Narcissa nodded her head in acknowledgement. Silence fell between the two of them. Finally her father spoke. He almost seemed nervous.
"You've grown quite a lot since I last saw you." It was awkward but Narcissa knew his intention was kind. She sighed and gave a half-hearted shrug.
"That happens when you don't see someone for thirteen years," she met his eyes which held the same fondness and caring that she recalled seeing as a child. The love, joy, and warmth she felt at having seen her father again finally overpowered her annoyance regarding Elizabeth she ran to him and wrapped her arms about his middle. She felt his arms embrace her tightly.
"I've missed you Daddy," she whispered.
"And I you treasure," she heard him reply and her heart leapt at hearing the old nickname.
"I was so worried you were dead," she looked up at him, "or worse had forgotten me."
Her father smiled down at her.
"I could never forget you. If anything, I was worried whatever family took you in would have made you hate me for being a pirate."
"I'd never hate you. All these years and I've always considered you my father." Narcissa told him earnestly. Her father gently tucked some of her auburn hair, so like his, behind her ear. She could tell her was touched by her words.
"I'm glad to hear it," he said quietly. After another moment they pulled apart and came to sat down on the edge of her father's bed.
"So, you got your own ship at last, even if it was by mutiny," Narcissa said with a mischievous grin.
"And how would you be knowing about that?" her father asked in surprise.
"Well, you aren't the only pirate I met today. I had a run in with Jack Sparrow today. Even managed to disarm him." She saw a look of pride cross her father's face.
"That's my girl," he said with a chuckle.
"Anyway he told me about how you took his ship. He recognized me as your daughter. Apparently we're similar in more than look."
"Aye I do recall mentioning ye once," her father said looking thoughtful. Suddenly the monkey from earlier jumped into Narcissa's lap. She yelped in surprise and her father laughed.
"It's alright, that's just Jack," tentatively Narcissa reached to stroke the monkey's furry head she glanced up at her father.
"You named your pet monkey after your ex-captain?"
"Aye, he's a clever little fellow much like his namesake. Although far more tolerable. He doesn't normally like strangers but he seems to have made an exception for ye."
"Well, he's certainly cute," laughed Narcissa. She looked up again from Jack to see her father watching her with a smile, on his face. Not the smug or maniacal one from earlier but a soft and loving one befitting of a father.
"I suppose we've got a lot to catch up on," she said quietly.
"Aye lass, indeed we do," her father agreed.
"I look forward to it," said Narcissa then she sighed.
"I'd better go talk to Elizabeth. She's probably terrified and I have A LOT of explaining to do. You wouldn't happen to have some extra blankets for the two of us?"
"I do," her father said walking over to a chest. "Yer welcome to stay in my cabin if you like." Narcissa shook her head as she took the blankets, he handed her.
"As much as I appreciate the offer, I think I should stay with Elizabeth. She's been there for me when I needed someone. It's time I returned the favor."
"I'll show you where she is, I have to speak to the crew anyway," her father said as he led her out of the cabin.
Author's Note: And there's the reunion! Hope it lived up to everyone's expectations! Please let me know what you think in the comments it means a lot. Until next week!