Glad to see that I've gotten a few new readers... -beams at all that she doesn't know that are reading this story- And to answer a question, yes, my name does mean Demon of the Wind. It was inspired by Jin, wind master on Yu Yu Hakusho (if you don't know who he is, I pity you) Anyway, I've already done the disclaimer, so I think that's all I have to say for now. Enjoy!
Chapter Two: Will's Explanation
Will, Elizabeth, and Annette all went below to have the talk that many had waited for. After descending the ladder down into the dark but dry belly of the ship, they headed to the galley, and sat down to have a drink. Will bellowed for the cook, Bartholomew, to bring them some wine. A slight clang was heard from inside the galley, then the old, crusty pirate came through a swinging door, carrying three mugs of wine. He handed their drinks to the group, preferring that to placing the mugs on the table that was rocking as much as the ship, then departed.
Annette took a swing of hers, savoring the rich taste of wine that had long been denied her, due to a humble life style. Will and Elizabeth both drank a little, and then all three mugs were on the table, but with their owner's hands still upon them to avoid spilling.
The youngest Turner looked to her brother with eager eyes, her black, slightly curly, hair framing her face. "Will, I've told you the story of my disappearance, now kindly enlighten me of your life these past 14 years."
Will's face turned rather solemn, and he glanced at his wife before he spoke, his eyes now holding Annette captive with their intensity. "On the day of that fateful wreck I, too, was saved by mysterious means. After we got separated, I tried to find the lifeboats, hoping that you had found your way there, but another explosion had knocked me over the railing, and into the water. I managed to find a make shift raft, torn from the ship, but my exhaustion had me fainting shortly after I dragged myself aboard. The next thing I knew, I was being touched by a soft hand, and I started, thinking it was you, but instead I saw Elizabeth. We traded names, but that was all, for I'm afraid that I fainted again before any more could be said.
"We landed at Port Royal, and I was apprenticed by Mr. Brown, the master smith, and learned how to craft swords and other weapons. I knew that it was pirates that had attacked the merchant ship that we were on, so I trained in secret with the swords that I made, determined that no pirate would ever harm any one that I loved ever again. Three years ago, I met Jack Sparrow, and that was where my life changed. I knew he was a pirate, and he happened to be the very one that had threatened Elizabeth that very day, not to long before that. I challenged him, but he cheated, and in so doing defeated me." Will's free hand clenched. He still smarted from that defeat, despite the fact that Jack had cheated. "However, I delayed him just long enough that Commodore Norrington could get there, and he was captured after all.
"That night, the pirates of the Black Pearl attacked Port Royal, trying to find me, so that they could free themselves of a curse by using my blood."
Annette interrupted him. "What do you mean? What curse? And if Jack was in jail then how could the Pearl be attacking?"
"Well, you remember the medallion that Father gave me? The one of gold that I never took off?"
"Yes, I remember, and where is it? You're not wearing it."
"That's because it was the cursed Aztec gold of Cortez. Father gave it to me so that the pirates that had taken the gold, different pirates, Jack wasn't the captain of the Pearl then, would remain cursed."
"I remember the tales about Cortez's cursed treasure, but I thought it was just a myth."
Elizabeth finally spoke up, starting with a short, mirthless laugh. "The curse is real enough, and those bloody pirates deserved everything that happened to them. Even the end that they met."
Will waited a moment, to see if his sister had any more questions, but when she remained silent he continued. "Elizabeth had taken the medallion from me the day that she rescued me from the ship wreck, and so the pirates found her first. They took her captive, thinking that she was the child of Boot-strap Bill Turner, and she even confirmed their beliefs by giving my name as hers." He smiled at her, and she squeezed his arm. "I went to the Commodore, but he wouldn't help me, so, against my better judgment, I sought out the help of Jack. After much persuasion, he agreed to help me, and together we managed to commandeer the Interceptor. We stopped at Tortuga to pick up a crew, then were on our way to find the Black Pearl."
When he stayed silent too long Annette spoke up. "Yes? I know that's not the end because you obviously found the ship, we're sitting in it. What happened then?"
He glanced at Elizabeth again, then sighed, and continued the story. "We found the Pearl at Isla de Muerta, the island where the cursed treasure was hidden. Jack and I snuck ashore, and came upon the ceremony where they were attempting to break the curse. They failed, for they had the wrong person, Elizabeth didn't have the blood they required. So, while they argued amongst themselves, I circled around, and we escaped, taking the medallion with us. They caught Jack, though, and he led them to us in an attempt to 'protect' me. It may sound strange, but there you go. Barbossa, the current captain of the Black Pearl, caught up to us, and destroyed the Interceptor, taking its crew captive. I had escaped their notice, but I had to save Elizabeth, so I swam from the sinking ship to the Pearl, and confronted Barbossa, demanding that he let her and the crew go free," he paused, "in exchange for me."
Annette's hand flew to her mouth, but she said nothing, wanting to hear the rest of the story. Will's hand clenched again, itching to find its way around the dead captain's neck. "He lied to me. After I was safely taken by his crew, he discarded Jack and Elizabeth on an island, leaving them to die. We returned to Isla de Muerta, and as we approached I learned more about Father. He was a pirate, Annette. That disturbed me at first, but then I heard what he did. When Jack was captain of the Pearl, before all this happened, he found out about the treasure, but Barbossa managed to get the information from him, and they left him to die on the same island that he marooned Jack and Elizabeth on six years ago. Father didn't approve of the mutiny, said it was against the pirate's code. So, those bloody pirates sent him to the bottom of Davvy Jones' Locker. That's why we don't have a father anymore, because of them.
"We arrived at the cursed island with Jack not too far behind, he had been rescued by Commodore Norrington. Before Barbossa could cut my throat, Jack strode in, to the amazement of all the pirates. He told them of an ambush that awaited them, lead by Commodore Norrington and the HMS Dauntless. In return for this valuable information, he wanted to become captain of the Black Pearl again. While he spoke, he took a piece of the cursed treasure. So, the crew left to take care of the nuisance, and left me, Jack, Barbossa, and three pirates on the island. Elizabeth freed Jack's crew from the Pearl, but they simply gave her a boat and left, leaving the us to fend for ourselves. Back in the cave, Jack took a sword from one of the pirates, tossed it to me, and the fight began, me against the three guards, and him versus Barbossa, two captains dueling for a ship. Elizabeth joined me, and the three of us defeated the four pirates, and broke the curse at the same time, securing victory for the King's Navy aboard the Dauntless.
"Even though Jack had helped so much, the Commodore insisted that he hang for his previous crimes. I made up my mind to do something when I saw the parrot of one of the Black Pearl's new crew members, so I went to Elizabeth, confessed my love for her, and then cut Jack free from the noose. We fought well, but there were too many, and we got surrounded. Just as Commodore Norrington was about to give the order to hang us both, Elizabeth came to my side and stayed their swords. Jack escaped, and the Commodore gave up trying to marry Elizabeth." He looked into her eyes, and they shared a private moment, reliving that wonderful moment when they realized they could finally be together. "We married two months later, but my blood could not be denied, so I joined Jack's crew the very next year, only to return today, for Elizabeth."
The sound of slow applauding drifted across the room, and they turned to see Jack standing in the door. When they noticed him, he started forward, and began speaking. "Lovely story. Wondehfully told. Although, ye failed teh mention how incredibly darin' I wus, helpin' ye rescue Elizabeth an' savin' yer hide."
Will grinned good-naturedly, and lifted his mug to the captain as he leaned back in his chair. "And I'm sure that recovering your ship, getting out of jail, and staying alive didn't motivate you at all, am I right?"
Jack came to a stop next to his young friend, and spread his hands innocently. "Aye, ye're most right. I don't think I can thank yer lady enough fer all 'er 'elp." He walked around Will and took Elizabeth's hand, clasping it with both of his. "Th' whole misadventure couldn't've succeeded without ye, love. Yer 'elp made all th' difference."
Will turned to the pirate, fake anger twisting his features with indignation. "What about me? As I recall, you were trapped in a cell, heading for the gallows, and in no position to even think about getting your ship back until I came along."
The older man pointedly ignored his young friend, and bent to kiss the lady's hand that he still held. Elizabeth, thinking quickly, seized one of Jack's hands and shook it. "Thank you for the compliments, Jack, but you repaid your debt to me by letting me join your crew." She then retreated to Will's side, wrapping her hands around his arm.
Annette, grinning from the merry bantering between them, now stood, and took Jack's arm, steering him into a chair before sitting next to him. "Well, seeing as we're all telling tales of our past, would you be so kind as to impress us with more tales of your bravery and daring, Captain Sparrow?"
He smiled and placed a hand on her arm, again ignoring his fellow pirate, who was now rolling his eyes. "Please, love, call me Jack."
Her grin widened, and her eyes sparkled, but before she could say more Will interjected. "Yes, Captain Sparrow, do try to impress us with your exciting tales of danger and daring escapes."
"Indeed I shall, Mr. Turner. Listen, an' ye may learn somethin'." Intrigued, Will and Elizabeth sat down. In all the time that they had known the captain he had never spoken of his past. Something made Will think that his adventures weren't as amazing as he would have them believe.