Author's Note: Here we are! Chapter Eight at last…however, I will inform you now that this indeed did not end up being the final chapter. Amazing how I can never keep a story down to what I want it to be. Oh well, that just means one more chapter for you all then. I'm cranking these out as fast as I can, but with college papers and evil oceanography tests, and many other distractions and interferences, my delivery time gets significantly slowed down. But don't worry, I will ALWAYS deliver! Lol. So without any further ado, here is chapter eight! (If you want a disclaimer, check out some previous chapters…)
Failing Hope
Chapter Eight
Written By and © by Pinto
Will's breath caught as the floor of the gallows dropped out abruptly beneath the pirate captain. To the younger man's utter and complete relief, Jack managed to place some weight onto the carefully aimed sword that Will had thrown there only moments before. The pirate's face was skewed up in total concentration as he fought to remain on the thin blade that held him between life and death.
Shocked by the sudden turn of events, a high-pitched scream of a woman threw the entire crowd into a stampede mentality and people began to try to dash in different directions, obviously displeased with the entire turn of events. Will was nearly thrown to the ground as a large man barreled directly into him. The blacksmith stumbled, seething inside as the man continued on, not even bothering to look back. There was no time for this. Will spun around and began shoving his way through the panicked crowds. He had to get to Jack and he had to get there fast before the weak hold of the embedded sword gave way, sending the captain to his death.
Shouts of indignation met Will's ears as he pummeled his way through the throngs of people, but he had no time to stop and apologize. Upon reaching the wooden gallows, the dark haired blacksmith raced up the steps, his feet pounding heavily against the weathered timbers. The sound of the redcoat soldiers racing in the direction of the scaffold prodded Will to move faster. As he sprinted across the surface, he threw his right hand up, holding his sword in a defensive position. Metal clashed loudly against metal as he countered a blow from the executioner, who stood, prepared for Will's attack. The hard blow sent a wave of pain up the blacksmith's arm but he simply gritted his teeth and struck back.
"Give it up, boy." The gravelly deep voice of the executioner mocked the fierce-faced Will Turner.
Narrowing his eyes, Will drove forcefully down with another stroke, grinding his teeth in fury. "Never. I will not lose everything to this day, not while I have the power to stop this injustice."
The blow, fueled by the pure passion of the blacksmith's will, sent the executioner's own sword clattering onto the wood, skittering a few feet before plunging heavily to the ground. The large man had no time to contemplate his next move as Will lashed out with a practiced foot, unbalancing the man and sending him down to join his sword.
"Now would be good. Very good, as a matter of fact." Jack suddenly spoke up, still twisting about precariously. His voice was strained and he appeared more than a little ready to end his balancing act.
Tightly rewrapping his hands around the hilt of his sword, Will expertly swung the blade out and cleanly cut the rope that looped around the pirate's throat. Jack instantly dropped to the ground, collapsing to his knees. A moment later, the pirate regained his footing and roughly yanked the noose from around his neck in annoyance. He rubbed briefly at the irritated skin where the coarse rope had chafed.
His dark eyes traveled over to where Will had just landed, after the younger man completed an acrobatic leap from the gallows. The blacksmith slowly stood up from his crouched position and quickly glanced over to where Jack stood.
"Are you all right?" Will's voice was filled with genuine concern. That had been far too close for his personal tastes.
"Aye, that I am. I've had closer calls than that, boy, namely at the hands of the Tortuga women." Jack paused and looked at Will, a smile tugging at his mouth. "But that was far close enough. Thank ye for the help. Didn't know exactly how I was going to get my onesies out of that situation."
Will emitted a short laugh, nervously glancing out at the masses of people. "I wouldn't exactly say we're quite out of it yet." The redcoat soldiers had begun to join in formations, organizing themselves in preparation of any escape effort.
The pirate looked carefully at the scene that had begun to unfold in front of them and began to work out a plan of his own. Abruptly he looked over to the blacksmith and motioned toward the noose at his feet. "Grab the rope." He murmured, jerking his head in the direction of the severed noose.
Turning away from the crowd, Will looked toward the pirate and blinked slowly as though Jack's command had not registered properly in his mind. He glanced down at the rope that lay limply by his feet and looked back up again to Jack, questions written all over his face.
Growling in frustration, Jack quickly took the rope into his hands and shook it slightly, hoping that maybe a visual demonstration would help Will register what it was that needed to be done. "Pick it up!" He raised his eyebrows, glancing from Will to the rope. At least he knew that Will definitely inherited his father's stubborn, conventional thinking. Why must everyone question him incessantly? There surely must be some written rule regarding the disobedience of people to a man carrying captain status. "C'mon, boy, we haven't all bloody week!"
Snapping out of his confusion, Will quickly took the rope into his hands and looked over, ready to follow the pirate captain's lead. The blacksmith was unsure of Jack's plan, but it surely must be better than anything that Will could come up with, which, at the moment, was nothing. Looking at the converging soldiers, slowly Jack's plan began to dawn on Will. An empty smile crawled onto his face and he prepared to run.
With a simple nod of his head, Jack set the two of them into motion. Will stared straight ahead and raced toward the approaching soldiers, his feet pounding against the dusty earth. The rope swung loosely between the two men, and only when they were close to the soldiers did they pull it taut. Will locked his arms tightly when the long noose jerked roughly backward as it caught the men by their midsections, sending them crashing to the ground. A wild laugh escaped Will and he grinned animatedly at Jack, who returned the look. They were going to make it. They were really going to make it this time.
The blacksmith turned his attention forward and focused on the looming stairs and the soldiers that stood sturdily at the top. A huge alabaster column jutted up from the concrete at the top of the stairway, instantly giving Will an idea. Not slowing down for the quick incline the duo practically flew up the stairs, trying to dodge the razor-sharp bayonets that were thrust toward them. One caught Will's loose sleeve and ripped through the material, creating a jagged cut down the younger man's arm as it tore into vulnerable skin. Blood slowly seeped out of it, staining the soft white cotton of the shirt in a crimson bloom. Will hissed out a pained breath, but didn't stop moving.
As they reached the pillar, the blacksmith and pirate quickly moved behind it and yanked fiercely on the rough rope, effectively slamming all those unlucky enough to be within its range into the opposite side of the column. Will released a gasp as his arm screamed in burning protest to the action, but he quickly gritted his teeth, determined to ignore the growing deep red stain.
Noticing the slight delay, Jack quickly glanced back to Will, immediately noticing the slash that decorated the younger man's upper arm. "You gonna be okay, mate?" He quickly questioned, realizing that it did not matter. If they stopped now, it would be right back to the gallows, but this time Will would be standing next to Jack. The pirate highly disliked that idea. Bootstrap would have killed him if he knew that Jack had caused his only son to be hung like a common criminal.
With a renewed spark of determination, Jack lightly pulled on Will's uninjured arm, pointed to two unaware guards, and jerked his head toward their swords. Almost instantaneously, Will's eyes lit up and a smile briefly flashed across his face. Running forward as one, the two men quickly took down the two soldiers easily, seized their swords, and ran forward, wielding them wildly.
Unfortunately, as the duo rounded the next corner, they found themselves headed off by a great number of soldiers – a number far too large ever to consider taking on in battle. Will quickly backed off first, headed back in the direction from which they had come. Jack still stood, staring at the men who blocked his escape. Bloody hell. He moved to follow the young blacksmith, but ran into him, back to back.
"They're on this side too." Will's voice shook quietly as they both held their swords up defensively.
Jack moved to the right, spinning about, and Will moved in synchronicity with the pirate as they remained back to back. Once facing the other direction, Jack realized the hopelessness of the situation. They were surrounded by what could be hundreds of soldiers. Five or ten would have been a feasible task, but this number was utterly unmanageable, even for Captain Jack Sparrow.
Jack took a moment to quickly glance over his shoulder and look at the blacksmith. "You wouldn't happen to have any more brilliant escapes in mind by chance, would you?"
Closing his eyes briefly to try and mask the pain that the gash on his arm caused, Will quickly responded. "No, this was about it. It's your turn to figure something out."
Before Jack could consider his response to the sarcastic tone in the younger man's voice, his attention was diverted as the soldiers to his left side began to part. The pirate's dark eyes focused on the figure that made his way through the opening, a clear swagger defining his steps. Jack sighed in annoyance. Of course, it just had to be bloody Commodore Norrington.
Norrington stopped once he reached the front of the surrounding circle and had a clear view of the two trapped escapees. He made the effort and raised a single eyebrow in clear disdain. His eyes lingered on Jack for a moment but quickly traveled over to Will Turner.
"I thought we might have to endure some manner of ill conceived escape attempt…" He paused, looking at the disheveled younger man. "…but not from you."
Jack could tell that Will's strength wavered on a thin thread, but the blacksmith raised his chin defiantly. He tried to hide his pain and exhaustion, but his breath came in erratic gasps, and the extra material of his shirt clung to his damp skin. The ripped sleeve had turned an impressive shade of red by now, but the young man made a commendable attempt to push the pain aside. Will felt a sick churning in his stomach as Elizabeth's father pushed his way to the front, his displeasure evident on his face. He could face the condescending attitude of Norrington, but to be shamed by Elizabeth's father would hurt him more than he would let on.
Shaking a hand in the air, Governor Swann struggled for several moments to try to place his thoughts into words. The words that finally came out where sharp and piercing. "On our return to Port Royal, I granted you clemency and this is how you thank me? By throwing in your lot with him?" The white haired man took a moment to point stridently to the perplexed looking Jack Sparrow. "He's a pirate!"
Will stared at the governor for a moment, realizing the truth in his words. Elizabeth's father had taken a large chance by allowing clemency for someone who was blatantly involved with any sort of piracy, and he had done so for Will. However, there was no way that Will could have ever simply allowed Jack to be hung as though none of the previous events of the past few days had occurred. It was simply wrong! There was no two ways around the reality. It was time for Will to stand up for what he really believed in.
"And a good man." The words came from him almost without his consent, but the moment that he heard them ring in the air, he knew that he said the right thing. Out of the corner of his eye, Will could see Jack raise his eyebrows proudly and point to himself, just incase any of those watching mistook Will's compliment as if it were intended for another pirate about to be hung. The young man's dark eyes traveled to where Elizabeth had managed to push her way through the crowd. Her large eyes spoke a million words. Don't do it.
Sighing, Will continued. Yes, he loved Elizabeth dearly, but he couldn't see the justice in allowing this cruel day to continue anymore. He had already lost Elizabeth – there was only one more thing left for him to loose, and he was prepared to sacrifice.
"If all I have achieved here is that the hangman will earn two pairs of boots instead of one, so be it." He paused, swallowing with difficultly as Elizabeth silently pleaded with him to stop. No. There was no stopping now. "At least my conscience will be clear." The young man nearly jumped as Jack slapped a reassuring hand on his uninjured shoulder.
Norrington's eyes shone with a dangerous light and his nostrils flared slightly. "You forget your place, Turner." Will saw how tightly the commodore gripped the hilt of his sword, and he slowly looked the man in the face.
For so long he had been held back by 'his place' and the restraints of an unfair society. And for so long, he had backed down to the authority that demanded him back into the gutters of social order. However, he refused to allow himself to be beaten down again. Never again. "It's right here, between you and Jack." He spoke with a confidence that lacked within him.
Elizabeth stared wildly at her true love. What was he doing? Norrington was bound to hang him now and there would be no way to stop this horrific chain of events. She searched Will's face desperately and saw that for the first time, there was a light of accomplishment within him. Her resolve broke down. He had finally found himself at last. For so long he had scuttled along in life, allowing other to beat him down, but now he was finally willing to stand up for something.
Shoving away those who stood protectively around her, she forced her way forward, making her way to Will's side. She softly smiled as Will's eyes widened in surprise when she took her place alongside him. She could nearly hear the endless questions that were running rampantly through his mind, but she did not have the time to put any of them to ease right now. She tightly wrapped her hand within the blacksmith's, wincing when she saw the wound on his arm.
Elizabeth turned her gaze back to the startled commodore and swallowed before speaking. "As is mine." She faintly squeezed Will's rough hand as she spoke. She had lived under her society's oppressive rules for far too long and she refused to heed their call any longer. It was time to follow her own heart, and that led her here.
The governor jolted in astonishment as his only daughter threw herself into the middle of the potentially deadly situation. "Elizabeth!" The words escaped him before he even thought about saying them. The young lady looked back at him with eyes begging for understanding, begging for his support. When he broke the gaze, he realized that all the soldiers still stood with their weapons loaded, pointed, and ready to shoot.
"Lower your weapons!" He threw his hands around, emphasizing the urgency of the command. When the men did not respond immediately, his tone grew even more frantic. "For heavens sake, put them down!"
With the metallic clatter of barrel hitting barrel, the weapons were slowly released from their targeted position. Governor Swann slumped in physical relief, glad at the very least to know that his daughter was no longer in danger of being killed by a stray bullet. Elizabeth stood proudly by Will's side, her petite chin raised in finality regarding her decision. The governor knew at that moment that her mind was made up.
Apparently, the commodore was having a more difficult time understanding that the governor's daughter had determined her future. He stepped forward, his usually strong face suddenly filled with confusion and sadness. "So this is where your heart truly lies then?" He spoke softly, wanting to reach out to the woman that he honestly did care so much for. It hurt him genuinely to see her with the blacksmith that he considered an upstart. However, he would not deny the one he cared for the happiness she deserved.
Elizabeth blinked, easily seeing the hurt deep within Norrington's eyes. While she did not love him, neither did she wish to bring pain upon him. "It is." Her voice hardly rose above a whisper, and she bit down lightly on her lower lip.
The blacksmith could tell that Elizabeth felt bad for doing such a thing to the commodore, so he simply ran his finger over her soft knuckles, trying to give her strength. Yes, Norrington had been cruel to him in the past, but Will was not a hateful man and even he felt remorse for the man.
At this time, Jack decided that it would be a convenient time to break into the moment. "Well!" He began, smiling broadly and clapping his hands together. "I'm actually feeling rather good about this." All the attention was switched over to the pirate.
Taking a few steps forward, Jack moved until he was directly in the governor's face, much to the man's destitution. "I think we've all arrived at a very special place, eh?" He waved a hand off to the side to illustrate himself. "Spiritually, ecumenically…" He moved even closer, saying the next word a little more breathy than necessary. "…grammatically?" Elizabeth's father physically cringed away from the dirty pirate.
Shrugging, Jack stumbled over to the commodore and slapped a weathered hand onto his shoulder, looking at him remorsefully. "I want you to know that I was rooting for you, mate." He pointed purposefully at him. "Know that."
With a confident swagger in his step, Jack began to move toward the ledge of the cliff area where they stood. He suddenly stopped and turned around, giving Elizabeth a genuine look of care. "Elizabeth…" He stopped, causing her to look curiously at him. "It never would have worked between us. I'm sorry." The look that he received on account of that statement nearly made the entire pause worthwhile. He turned to leave again, ready to desert Port Royal.
Will watched quietly, still holding Elizabeth's hand. As Jack continued toward the ledge, Will felt his stomach twist in hurt. So, that was it. The pirate was going to leave without another word to him. Will detachedly wondered if Jack even knew that he had been the closest thing to a real friend that he ever had. Or had he? Will's eyes turned down when he realized that Jack probably hadn't even really ever cared too much. It just would have been nice to have someone who gave a damn beyond Elizabeth.
"Will." The sudden voice of Jack made the young blacksmith jerk his head up with amazing speed. His eyes met the kohl-rimmed, intense gaze of the pirate.
A smile spread across Jack's features, and a look of realization flashed across his face. "Nice hat." He tipped his head, and then quickly turned to move to the stone ledge.
The younger man felt his jaw tighten at that statement, trying to control his feelings. Jack knew that the hat belonged to Will's father; the smile had confirmed his recognition. Nevertheless, there had been something else in his face, something that spoke of this not being the end. A part of Will wanted to run and leave, never to look back. The sudden warmth of Elizabeth's soft arm resting against his made him quickly change his mind, however. He couldn't leave.
Finally, Jack reached the ledge and turned around, holding his hands up in effort to gain the attention of all those standing. "Men!" Every head turned to look at him, but he quickly picked Will out from the crowd. He could read the confusion in the younger man's gaze and he hoped that Bootstrap's son had picked up the meaning in his statement. I'll be coming back, boy. This isn't the end.
Still backing up, Jack continued his speech. "This is the day that you will always remember as the day that you…" However, the moving speech made it no further as the pirate stumbled upon hitting the barrier of the rock wall. With highly ungraceful reactions, Jack tumbled over the edge of the battlement, much in the fashion of Elizabeth Swann.
Will jerked slightly forward, seeing Jack tumble from the high cliff into the dangerous waters below. Run! His mind screamed, and he felt the strong urge to listen to it. This is your chance for freedom! The blacksmith stared blankly at the now empty ledge and swallowed roughly, his heart hammering heavily in his chest. The sea called to him like never before and he wanted nothing more than to answer its summon. The salty breeze brushed through his hair and he closed his eyes, trying to repress the swell of emotion within.
The soft touch of Elizabeth's fingers on his face caused the young Turner to open his eyes again and he looked down at her. She glanced with concern at his bleeding arm but he brushed her worry away when he took her hand into his own. Looking away from Elizabeth, Will's eyes traveled back to the vast horizon of the ocean, and he felt the longing pull from within him again. The time had come. It was time to make his decision. He turned back to Elizabeth, torn between the two worlds that called to him.
TBC
Additional Author's Note: Muhaha. I leave you here to hang…will I remain true to cannon or will I change the course of Caribbean history? There's only one way to find out…(yes, shameless plug, I know) and that is to tune in for the next and FINAL chapter of Failing Hope, coming soon, hopefully! Thanks for reading and please take the time to review! :-)