Disclaimer: Seeing as, this disclaimer thing has gotten way out of hand, I, the insane author of this 'fan'-fiction will allow you, the reader to improvise. So without further ado I present the new and improved method of crediting disclaimers. At the beep… please fill in the blank with your favorite disclaimer (so that I won't have to fill it in for ye.) BEEP (fill in the blank with your disclaimer now.)_______
The Joy of the Hunt
By: Dragon Demon
Rating: PG-13 for violence, brief language and sensuality.
Summary: Set in motion after Jack's escape from Port Royal, the crew of the Black Pearl pay a visit to Tortuga where Jack repossess a valuable trinket he left behind. In doing so, he has unleashed a chain of events that will lead him on a wild goose chase for treasure, love and survival.
---
Elizabeth impatiently paced the quarterdeck, her eyes on the setting sun. I can't believe they left me behind! She was silently complaining. Will and Norrington had refused to let her come along as they set out after Jack and she wasn't quite happy about it.
But she didn't argue knowing that the two hadn't refused simply because she was a woman, but because she was needed here on the Pearl.
She had been left in charge of the wounded crew and she was determined to do her best. All the injured members had been taken care of, their wounds cleaned, disinfected and wrapped. It had taken her most of the day to tend to those who needed care, but she felt good knowing that it had been done and that their wounds wouldn't be left to heal on their own with the chances of becoming infected.
The able-bodied members had seen to the repairs of the ship that didn't require the skills of a professional and the Pearl was slowly beginning to look like her old self. The sails had been mended- mostly by Elizabeth herself- and reattached to the rigging and spars. Gibbs and several men from Tortuga had patched the holes and the slightly damaged rudder had been replaced, on behalf of Governor Swann's pocket.
Elizabeth leaned against the railing and sighed. "Bored m'dear?"
She turned to see her father- who had also been left behind on account that, he would just be in the way- his clothes disheveled and his powdered wig crooked. Elizabeth cracked a smile at her father's appearance and tenderly fixed his wig. She placed a kiss on his cheek as she said, "Thank you."
Governor Swann looked a bit shocked as he asked, "For what, Elizabeth?"
"For helping." She waved a hand over the Pearl's decks and added, "For what you did here, for them, today. You don't know how much it means to me."
Nodding, Swann just answered, "Anything for the man who helped save my daughter's life- and on more than one occasion."
Elizabeth grinned at him as she straightened his jacket lapels. "I better go and check on the men down below. Who knows what they are up to down there! Most are probably up or playing cards or even worse! Drinking!" She turned on her heel and headed for the cabins underneath the decks all the while grumbling about all the things the crew could be up to in her absence.
---
Jack watched the sun slowly sink in the horizon, his eyes filled with resentment. Leaning his head against the small port window, he allowed his mind to wander, something he had been doing an awful lot of lately.
After having gone back and recounted the previous events, he had concluded that he had been on the Shark for two weeks. He looked on as the sun finally disappeared behind the distant ocean wall and whispered to himself, "Fortnights."
It seemed to Jack that the fourteen days had passed by quickly, but perhaps only because he had lost track of the days as it were.
His cuts had finally scabbed over, his bruises were gone, and the slight pain in his chest was slowly beginning to subside all together. His arm still throbbed immensely when moved, no matter how gentle the action. It hung at an odd angle due to the lack of being bandaged properly and from where Jack had had to reset the bone himself.
Jack had tried his best to form a makeshift sling for his arm out of his bandana but when that plan failed, he had resorted to using jacket. It was crude looking, but it would do until he could escape and get to Tortuga.
As the darkness set in around him, Jack slid down the wall and made himself comfy on the old musty wooden floor. He closed his eyes hoping for sleep to quickly overtake him so that the pain emanating from his arm would be unfelt.
From somewhere in the distance, Jack thought he heard a yell above deck alerting Flood and Barbossa to something on the horizon, but Jack was to far gone to rest to pay attention or to even care.
---
"How much farther do you think this place is?"
Norrington looked up from his desk, various maps, parchments and objects scattered on its surface. He frowned. "It depends on if this place even exist, Mr. Turner. It is possible that Gibbs gave us fake coordinates on purpose. So you tell me, do you think these bearings' are correct because I can't seem to find this island on the map anywhere."
It was Will's turn to frown but he quickly answered, "No, no. If Gibbs said those were the bearings' to where Jack is, then those are right. If it's one thing I know, it's that Jack's crew won't abandon him." He paused. "At least not this crew."
Norrington nodded hesitantly and said, "Very well then, Mr. Turner-"
"Will." Will corrected him. The Commodore looked at him, confusion on his face. "Call me Will, please."
"Very well then- Will. If you believe these bearings' are correct, despite the fact they don't exist on the map, then it's these bearings' we shall follow."
Will smiled. "Thank you, Commodore-"
"James."
The blacksmith offered the Commodore another smile and said, "James it is. Thank you, for helping us."
Norrington rose from his chair and placed his spectacles on the desk. "Although Sparrow has broken the law on several occasions, he is a privateer for the King's Navy and as much as I'd have liked to see him hanged, I know that he is innocent in all the port slayings from fourteen years ago."
"You do?" Will regarded him curiously.
Norrington reached into his desk and pulled something out. Setting the object down, Will noticed it was a medal. "This medal was granted to me by the King, for the bravery and courage shown in battle," he paused. "Fourteen years ago, I sailed under Captain John Harman as Lieutenant. We were on our way to Jamaica from Britain. During our journey, we came across this small port under attack by pirates. We intercepted the pirate vessel as it was leaving and a bloody battle ensued."
Will watched the Commodore closely. Norrington's face was contorted with painful memories and Will could see the beginning beads of sweat appearing on his brow; his fists were tightly clenched by his side as he continued his story.
"The pirates had slaughtered all the villager's and burned everything to the ground. Not a soul was left alive, not a building left untouched. Our ground crew had conducted a search and from what we could tell, nothing was out of place in the town. Not a single thing had been taken. But yet, the pirates had bags upon bags of treasure. Most of the bags had been left on the docks, forgotten as the pirates decided to flee for their lives instead. They put up a wonderful fight, but we were victorious. So many lost their lives that night, so much blood had been spilled. By that evening, the water's in the port's coves were a crimson red."
Will furrowed his brow. "You mean, you were part of the battle that night in Bloody Bay?"
Norrington nodded. "I was. And it's something I have tried for so long to forget. The killing, Will, it never gets easier with each battle. And it never will. That night was the first time I had killed a man. His blood was on my hands, on my sword. And for years after that, I was tormented with the knowledge of that. The only good thing that came of that battle was, the pirate leading the raid had been dealt his punishment."
"Did he get caught?" Will found himself questioning out of wonder.
Norrington grinned. "No. Foolish pirate was caught in the path of a cannonball and crushed to death."
Will grimaced. "Must have been painful."
"I assume it was, but he had what was coming to him. Either way, the waters were free from his terror." Norrington concluded. "That was until a couple years later, several ports were raided and burned down. Every living being was murdered; no one survived. I know it wasn't Sparrow who did this. He-" Norrington trailed off and sighed. "He isn't the kind to murder, especially when it comes to the smaller ports. All those attacked had been burned, like that night at Bloody Bay. It wasn't Sparrow's handy work."
"But why burn them?" Will inquired from his spot across the cabin.
Rolling up the maps on the desk, Norrington stated, "It eliminates places for someone to hide. Who ever raided those ports, was after something. Searching for someone, or something. And I know exactly who to blame."
---
"Mr. Gibbs, sir."
Gibbs sighed with annoyance at the young man who interrupted his nap. "What is it lad?"
The young man stood nervously as he said, "Mrs. Turner says she needs to see ye below decks right away, sir."
"Blasted woman. Can' she see that I'm tryin' to sleep 'ere." Gibbs grumbled as he shuffled below deck.
Elizabeth was waiting for him in a small cabin at the end of the hall. A small bunk lay on one side, occupied by a stilled figure. The ever-present Elizabeth Turner sat in a chair beside the bed gently applying a cloth to the ill person's forehead.
Gibbs frowned and asked, "How is-?" he stopped and gestured towards the bed.
"It's hard to say with the fever. Comes to every now and then and seems to recognize the surroundings, but it doesn't last too long." Elizabeth whispered sadly.
Resting against a wall Gibbs said with a slight nod of his head, "A good pirate that one was. Good pirate indeed."
Elizabeth agreed with a short smile. "Mister Gibbs, are the repairs on the Pearl complete?"
"Aye, lass, they be done."
"Good." Elizabeth spoke softly. "I suspect you know what to do then?"
Gibbs grinned with a twinkle in his eye. "That I do, Mrs. Elizabeth."
Elizabeth glanced at him. "Then I expect that we get to it. We haven't got all night and they have a half day's head start on us."
With a chuckle, Gibbs left the room murmuring, "Aye, that husband o' yours is surely gonna be fit to be tied."
---
A small lantern cut through the darkness allowing enough light for the few men traveling deep inside the cave. Barbossa led a small crew of men down the passageway with Flood bringing up the rear.
The walls glistened in the lamp light- proof that the grotto was indeed hoarding a great treasure deep within its confines.
Flood ran his hand across the wall his fingers feeling the small pieces of diamonds embedded in the rock. This plunder will pay a good amount of booty- once I get rid of Barbossa.
The pirate smirked. Barbossa had no idea what was coming to him and Flood hoped to keep it that way. Still, that Sparrow character will have to be dealt with when I get back. He's proving to be far more troublesome than expected.
Flood growled. How Jack had discovered his little plan was beyond him, but even more so was that, Jack had asked Flood to let him in on it. While he knew Jack had his reasons for wanting to get even with Barbossa, Flood still refused to believe that Jack was sincere in his asking for being included.
I don't trust that pirate as far as I can throw him, Flood told himself. True, Jack was a cunning one, but it didn't justify as enough incentive to trust him. Flood would just have to wait for the right time to strike; Barbossa was his main target.
As they delved further into the grotto, Flood noticed that the treasure was considerably getting larger. His eyes glinted in the reflections of the diamonds in the walls as he skimmed the goods lying on the cave floor.
He smiled to himself. Yes, this plunder will pay off nicely. And it's all thanks to Barbossa and Jack Sparrow.
He was about to suggest to Barbossa that they split up when a voice rang out behind him. The entourage of pirates stopped and turned to see a middle-aged man running through the cave towards them.
"Captain Flood!"
Flood growled in aggravation as he asked, "What is it?"
The man was leaned over trying to catch his breath as he spoke through gasps, "Sir, a ship-- on the horizon-- due east." He looked up at Flood. "They're headed straight for us."
Flood swore under his breath as Barbossa pushed his way to him. "What colors do they fly, boy?"
The man looked quizzically at Barbossa before answering. "British."
"Blast!" Flood yelled out. Turning to Barbossa he insisted, "We'll have to come back later. It's too risky to take anything now. My crew can't handle a British ship as it is. We must go."
Barbossa was gazing past Flood at the entrance of the cave when a name suddenly came from his lips, "Jack Sparrow!"
Flood smacked a hand against his face and swore. "Damned to the depths with that Sparrow."
Barbossa looked back at Flood and his crew. "Gents, I believe it's time to pay Captain Jack Sparrow a lil' visit."
The crew gave a loud cheer as they rushed back to the Shark, intent on carrying out their orders. Flood followed behind, a frown on his face. Curse ye Barbossa. 'Tis all your fault for bringing Jack Sparrow here. Now my plan has been foiled. And for that, ye will gravely pay.
---
"Commodore! There it is! Bloody Bay straight ahead!"
Norrington rushed to the helm and took the scope. After a while he lowered it and said, "Well done Gillette. Tell all hands to prepare the long nines and have them hoist the mainsail."
Gillette complied and soon the Old Reliable was racing towards the Shark, prepared for battle. Norrington and Will stood at the helm, both men staring at the ship before them.
It wasn't large in size, something to possibly worry about in maneuverability. It was old and it looked as if it had seen it's fair share of battles, victories and defeats both. The sails were tattered and the masts sagged slightly under the feather-light weight of the cloth. The ship shuddered violently, even on smooth waters and both Will and Norrington could tell that the ship had recently taken a severe beating- one from the Pearl.
Will and Norrington exchanged knowing glances, both with the acknowledgement that the Shark didn't stand much of a chance should they resist, and this greatly relieved the two men and the crew.
"They know we're here." Will said suddenly as he pointed at the distant ship. Norrington looked through the scope and sure enough, the Shark was turning, making a departure from the small island it had once docked at.
Norrington called down to his men as Will ran to the foredeck. Norrington soon followed, a sword in his hand and a pistol in his belt.
"Do you think it wise to attack at this time?" Norrington finally asked.
Will glanced at him and then at the horizon. The sun had set, yet faint streaks could still be seen as the moon shone above. There was just enough light to make things out in and without a second thought, Will nodded.
"Yes. We can't wait until morning. And we can't chase them all night; it might be too late by then. We must attack now or we might not get another chance." He looked back at the Shark and added, "Besides, the ship is in bad condition, she can't possibly hold up much longer. I say to go for it while we can."
Norrington grinned. "I like the way you think Turner," he commented as he turned to his men. "Men, it's now or never! Let's show those pirates what the King's Navy is made of!"
The crew cheered in agreement and soon the battle had started at the firing of a cannon.
---
Author's Note- I know this is a short chapter in comparison to my others, but it's best to just end it here or else, there won't be anything left to put in the next one. (Only because, as from the looks of it, only 2 more chapters to go.) Not as suspenseful as the others, I'm sure, and it does jump around a bit too.
I also know that I jumped straight from the night Jack was captured, to pretty much the night he'll escape, we hope. I did have a reason behind this, even though, there are hints of what happened during that time. There just aren't a lot of them.
My reason for leaving out the fortnight (which is a length of fourteen days) will be revealed at the end of the story. So hence, in short, Jack has been on the Shark (which, yes that was Captain Flood's real ship) for 2 weeks, roughly.
And it also seems the good Commodore Norrington is farther in this story than expected. I figured, why the heck not! Give the poor man a good part for doing something good. And yes, it is possible for Norrington to not be a horses' ass and help Jack out. Especially since Norrington knows Jack is innocent.
Hm, I don't think I have much else to say… so I'll just end it here. Toodles.
Review Thanks-
Gryffindor-girl1- Thanks and here ya go!
Jorja- Knowing that someone really likes my fic, keeps me going! Hugs and rum to you!
Khepri- Whether a pathetic beginning or a good one, a review is a review, and it's greatly appreciated. I enjoyed Anamaria's character quite a bit (but then again, I'm big on Zoe Saldana as well.) I also read your story and I agree. If you enjoy my story, please GO READ HERS! (wink wink)
And now an extra long review thank you for Cal (who missed a couple of days worth of reading)
Cal- Hey, glad you're back! I was beginning to wonder if I had scared you away with the cliffhangers! I hope you brought me back a souvenir. I'll reply to you according to reviews so it's as follows:
Chapter 10- I'm sure poor Anamaria got a good scare out of Jack's story, but you also have to remember, she lived part of that nightmare as well. I don't think there is much that can faze the female pirate, but I'm sure there is bound to be something. I'm on a quest to find out exactly what it is.
This chapter also applies 'Murphy's Law.' Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. That goes for the peach incident. The whole rotted peach was a representation of something, can you guess what it was? If not, it represented death, a form of oldness, and the scene of the peach going bad when Jack rubbed his finger across it represented the beginning of the curse. It's almost like the story of Midas and his golden touch. Except, in this case, it's actually presenting death and famine. (Even though, they don't really play into this story much.)
Chapter 11- Hehe, yes, she does keep up a dashing figure, huh? Without my help of course! I'm trying to fill in the blanks to Anamaria's persona. And that's hard to do since there wasn't much given about her in the movie. I do know this though, I skimmed through 'Pirates of the Caribbean- The Junior Novel' and while it's missing some excerpts that the movie had, it does indeed claim Anamaria as Jack's first mate. So that's one background piece I don't have to worry about.
Chapter 12- (blinks) I manage to do something, but what I don't exactly know. I just write, for all you lovely reviewers! It seems Anamaria would have more courage than a lot of men, simply because she has to constantly prove herself in a day to day basis. (laughs) And yes, an unshackled Jack and Anamaria is a force to reckon with- and those who did wrong will have to square with their sins, sooner or later. Jack will make sure they get what they deserve, trust me. One man has met his fate- and there are several more to go.
Chapter 13- Yes, kiss and make it better would help, if Anamaria were still around. If Jack has hope, it was unknown to me (laughs) but yes, a little hope if any. He's got a plan, can you tell? He also knows of Flood's secret- but what could it be? I'm still trying to figure that one out myself.
As for what Norrington found, you'd be surprised at exactly what he has. Of course, then again, maybe you won't be. I know of what you think it is, but unfortunately, there is a slight twist. Ah, what is it? You'll have to keep reading! I have a thing for cliffhangers, but either way, Jack would greatly love to have this 'item' back.
(grins) You'll just have to wait and see. ^_^
-J