AN: Sorry it took so long to post this chapter... I was having writers block (potc) issues, and
timeline issues... I meant for The Black Pearl chase bit in the last chapter to occur on the 6th day
of Elizabeth being on Capt. Roberts' ship. Looking back, I fear this did not convey well (I'll
change that) so... just adding this bit here for clarity purposes...
Can't forget my Captain Jack Sparrow quote of the chapter... "Human hair....from my back."
(Good game JD, wrote the "from my back" bit himself, and was shocked that GV left it in the
final version of the movie) I still crack up... and I saw it 10 times in theaters (and countless others
since I bought it)
Thank yous: Kris and Kasey, for telling me my chapter wasn't crap and giving me
suggestions/tips.
Special thanks to all the readers who've stuck through this- I know I've been horrible about
updates... between school and work, I have no fun life to speak of... trying to make up for lost
time now.
Enjoy!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 6: Fruitless Searches and Troubles at Sea
Time period: Roughly 5th days after Elizabeth's capture, close to dusk
~*~
Commodore Norrington sat at the desk in his cabin.
*Where are you, Elizabeth?* Despair etched his thoughts. They had traveled North to the
Isle de Tortue, better known as Tortuga. James knew this was the best place to find answers.
He ordered all but a small party to remain aboard. They anchored the ship at the nearest shallow
close to the watery entrance to Tortuga Harbor, safely away from the mountainous walls that rose
up around the city and harbor.
Norrington quickly gathered a small group of nine and gave them orders to meet in his
office. He analyzed his plan, glancing down at his own attire. He had donned a grey pair of pants
and a dirty, white shirt far too big for him, but accented his shape well, showing off his toned
chest. *God, what am I getting us into...?* A knock interrupted his thoughts, "Come in!"
The soldiers entered, each dressed in plain clothes. Norrington knew better than to enter this
island, regardless of it's size, dressed in uniform. He had sent a Royal ship here before, and all
that had been found was smouldering bits of the Royal flag. He did not fear this place, but knew
better than to try his luck, right now he needed answers, not a fight. *I will be glad when this
place is respectable again. It's time will come.* He too was dressed in plain clothes, dark brown
pants with a white loosely-fitting top. He had ordered all to remove their wigs. A soldier knocked
lightly on the door, still open, and entered. The rest made a small path for him to enter. He
carried a long, small trunk.
"Good. Thank you. You can return to the deck." Norrington waved him off as he walked
over to the trunk. He opened it and began passing out swords and pistols that had been
confiscated off pirate ships they had brought to justice. "Leave your military issue weapons
behind. They'll be a dead give-away to our true identities. We are here only for answers,
gentlemen, not a war. They will get theirs soon enough. These are to be used only in emergency."
They entered the boat and set off for the island city. *Hopefully no one recognizes us. If
they do,* he sighed, his eyebrows furrowed, mouth closed and set in a grim line, *God help us.*
********************************
They docked down the beach, and walked steadily to the city. Evening had finally set.
Norrington spied many men littering the beach. *Pirate scum...*
He looked back over his shoulder as he walked, "Divide in groups of two, ask questions,
any one starts to get suspicious...," he stopped walking, the men exchanged worried glances.
"Sir?" One of the men asked tentatively.
Commodore Norrington, just shook his head and turned around, "Meet back up here in,"
he checked his pocket watch, "30 minutes. Go, ask if anyone's seen or heard anything about the
capture of a governor's daughter, and that there is a high reward for her safe return."
He motioned for one of them to go with him and the rest quickly grouped and entered the
city.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jack awoke startled, his body covered in sweat, his breathing erratic. It took him a minute
to calm himself from his nightmare. He sighed and turned his gaze out his window, "Another
day down," he stated. It had been a few days since he had found out about Elizabeth's troubles,
and decided not to let it worry him since he didn't even have a ship right now to even think of
trying to save her, though that didn't stop his nightmares from plaguing him. He began to wonder
if he should even bother going down to the dock to search for Anamaria and his beloved Pearl.
*One more day, and I'm gonna find passage out of this place to somewhere I can steal a
proper boat,* he thought glumly, *I thought for sure she'd come back for me. She's done so in
the past.* He sighed, *After three days, they're either dead or just plain not comin' back...*
"Oh well..." he said aloud, "No point worrying about the past. Especially," he stood up, bits
and pieces of the dream still vivid in his mind, haunting him, Elizabeth looking up at him, a tear
slowly falling, leaving a wet trail down her cheek, "when there's plenty of rum to be
'ad." He left the room, descended the stairs to the bar below.
He walked over to bar and sat down. The barkeep was down at the other end, so he began
occupying his time by drumming his hands on the bar and looking around at the other patrons.
The place was busy, but he caught sight of something that turned his blood cold, actually
someone. Even without his powder-white wig, he could recognize Port Royal's commodore a
mile off. *He should take off that ridiculous rat more often, look less like a lit'le girl...* he
thought as he quickly turned away from him, hoping he hadn't yet seen him. Quickly he ducked
out of the bar through the back door. He crept to the end of the alley and stepped out into the
street, running right into two men. He recognized their straight-laced mannerisms and knew them
at once to be some of Norrington's men. *God, they found me...* he thought, his features set into
a frown. He started to raise his hands for them to clamp the metal handcuffs on when the taller of
the two spoke.
"Excuse me, sir," one of them began. Jack could barely hide his delight, *They don't
recognize me!* In the back of his mind, he was slightly miffed that they didn't recognize the
dashing, cunning Captain Jack Sparrow, but he let it go. "We were, uh, wondering if, umm," the
soldier began, somewhat slowly. Jack had to stop himself from rolling his eyes, *And they're still
alive? I must be their first because any other person on this rock would've killed them already.*
Jack vaguely registered that the soldier was still trying to ask him something.
"Spit it out, mate." Jack said a little exasperated and motioned with his hands for them to
speed it along.
"Well, what we were wondering, um, is if you've heard of anyone who might've, uh,
stolen a governor's daughter?"
Jack's eyebrows raised in shock, then realization took hold and he relaxed. *They're
looking for Elizabeth and/or answers.* He quickly realized he could use this to his
advantage.
"Actually, I have," he lifted his eyebrows animatedly, "I can tell you everything I've heard, but
this," he gestured to his surroundings, "is not the proper setting." He lowered his voice
ominously, placing a hand on his cheek to shield his mouth from possible on-lookers, "Never
know who could be lurking..." He looked around quickly, then stared back at the soldiers. "Let's
find somewhere quiet... but I'm not sure where..."
"We have a ship!" The other soldier, who had been quiet as of yet, offered. The first
soldier gave him a look, "We need to bring him to, uh," he glanced at Jack whose face fell at the
realization that they wanted to take him to Norrington, "Mister, uh, N." His eyed widened,
trying to get his point across to his companion. The other soldier still was obviously not getting
it, and so Jack took this opportunity to jump in.
"Ship! Great, let's go then, got a girl to save!" he walked behind the two soldiers and
pushed himself in between them as he gently pushed them forward, "Not a second to lose! We'll
be 'eros!"
They slowly conceded. Jack figured they had a military boat somewhere close by, and
wondered whether he'd rather just take their little boat or to take the big ship.
They led him down to the beach, where their boat was pulled ashore.
Jack's decision was made. A slow smile formed on his face. *Now the fun begins.*
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He shoved her violently back into the cell. Elizabeth his the wooden floor of her cell hard.
She hadn't been pulled from the bring since her first encounter with Captain Roberts. The pirates
who had brought her back to her cell, on her after her first encounter with the captain had let her
know her place.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Night, Second Day of Elizabeth's capture-
The two pirates held Elizabeth between them, half-dragging, half-leading her back to the
depth of the ship. She had decided to not react to anything that happens to her on The Mortal
Wound. *They'll do to me what they like, getting worked up about it will do me absolutely no
good.* She felt a small part of her die as they led her down the stairs of the creaking ship.
"Not too smart, girlie. You'd better learn to respect the captain, or you won't last 'til
supper tomorrow."
"You don't scare me," she spat, "Nor does your captain. I do not fear death."
"Ah," he breathed, stopping as the other pirate opened her cell door, "but there are things
far worse that death one might live through..." With those final words the door to her cage was
thrust open and he threw her in. The second pirate threw at blanket on top of her lying form.
"Don't be makin' a bunch of racket, we're right above you. If I have to come down here, you will
regret it, though I might not." He grinned maliciously at her, licking his lips, slammed the door
and locked it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
She'd been aboard the ship for five days. They had brought her one meal a day, mostly in
the late evening, consisting of a couple pieces of moldy bread. She refused to eat it the first few
days, though it had been missing afterwards. *Probably ate by the rats.*
They had stopped at two ports, not sure if they were the same or different. Both times the girls
were forced to kneel in a line, still in the brig, and held at gunpoint and told if they uttered a
word, they'd be shot. They wouldn't even tell the women where they were.
Her and Kat had talked a few times during their imprisonment, but mostly they spent a lot
of time in the dark. Their voices had a tendency to travel, even when whispering in the dank brig
and the night after Elizabeth's meeting the captain they had both been reminded of the pirates
warning to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth closed her eyes and sighed loudly at the memory.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
(3rd Night, aboard The Mortal Wound)
They had been talking about their lives before their captures when there was the loud
banging of feet running on the level above them. Elizabeth and Kat didn't have to wait long to
find out what was happening. A group of pirates raced into the brig and opened up Kat's cell and
the cell on the other side. The other girl shrieked, Kat just closed her eyes and waited, not
helping, but not resisting either.
"You're coming with us!" One of the pirates had yelled.
A second pirate grabbed at the keys from the first pirates hand and moved to stand in
front of Elizabeth's cell. "I want 'er!"
A pirate stepped forward that Elizabeth recognized as Rooster. He grabbed the keys out
of the pirates hand, "She's for the captain! Do you want to anger the captain?" The other pirate
conceded and walked away, sneering at Elizabeth. Rooster just laughed evilly and pointed at
Elizabeth through the bars, "You remember that gurlie. Screw up, and you're ours..." With that
he followed the other out, they all whooped at their impending conquests.
Elizabeth was left to worry about the two women's safety and brood over what Rooster
had said. When they were returned, Elizabeth didn't ask what had happened. She didn't want to
know, for she knew it was incredibly horrible.
"Thanks girlie's, as always your company was fun."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
She sighed and shook her head at the horrible memory. She noticed how Kat was never
surprised when they took her. She never cried, save the time when she talked to Elizabeth that
first time, about it. She had become cold, and emotionally withdrawn. Even to Elizabeth's eyes.
She felt herself withdrawing as well. She began to wonder how long she'd be stuck there,
if she'd die there. The thing that terrified her the most was, she was losing hope.
The door to their holding bay opened, slamming into the wall. Jill, the women in the cell
next to Kat, began crying. *They've broken her,* she thought sadly. The pirate walked in slowly,
reveling in the effect his presence alone was causing Jill. He sauntered up to Elizabeth's cell and
began unlocking it.
"Time for some fresh air, gurlie."
She did not react, at least not externally. Inside, her brain was screaming for her to kick
him in the face. She didn't though. She just sat there. He came in and grabbed the rope that was
binding her wrists together and yanked her to her feet. She did not protest, but did nothing to
help. They walked to the deck slowly. The hallways seemed cramped with pirates, all oogling
Elizabeth as she walked by. She felt her skin crawl as they watched her pass. One snaked a hand
out and smacked her butt. She shut her eyes, willing them all to disappear. No such luck of
course, but it was worth a shot in her opinion.
They finally reached the deck. Many pirates were busying themselves with chores. Two
were sloshing water on the deck and scrubbing furiously as the captain passed them. The sea
wind tossed the few fly-away hairs not caught in his cloth hair tie. It almost reminded her of the
way Will used to wear his hair. She forced back tears at the thought of her beloved. *I'm to never
see him again, I suppose...*
The captain interrupted her thoughts, "Hello again, Miss Swann. Lovely to see you, I
hope you're enjoying our little trip." He smiled, not giving her time to speak, he continued. "You
have some information that I want."
"Information?" Her eyebrow quirked, not expecting him to be so blatant in his need for
her.
"Yes. Yes, my dear. Information. I hear from very reliable sources, that you know the
bearings to the Isle de Muerta." He waited a second for her to confirm.
"No. I have no idea where the island is located." She knew she didn't, but decided even if
she did, she wouldn't tell him.
He sighed, lowered his head. "Now. Now, Miss Elizabeth. It isn't ladylike to lie. Tell us
where the island is, and I shall give you an equal share in it."
"I swear, I have no idea where that island is..." she stopped herself from continuing, as
she watched him turn from her placing his hands on the wooden railing and lowering his head.
"I gave you a fair chance..." He turned and motioned to his first mate, who ran over.
"Miss Swann needs some help remembering where the island is.. Help her." He stood back as the
first mate whistled. He then waved to pirates over. "Take her to Merry's room." He sneered at
Elizabeth as they dragged her off.
"You must've done something awfully bad, girl," the taller of the two pirates said
suddenly, "to get a visit from Merry."
She looked up at the pirate, taking in the empathetic frown. "Who's Merry?"
"Not who... what," he answered cryptically as they reached a door and stopped. The other
pirate opened the door, and they took her inside.
They stood there mere minutes, Elizabeth's features struck dumb with the sight of the
room, when the First Mate walked in and slammed the door. He chuckled to himself and grabbed
a long objected, wrapped loosely, hanging off a hook on the wall.
"Now for a bit of fun. Strap her in boys!" He tapped the leather object against his left palm as
he moved closer to Elizabeth. They first removed her dirty dress. They quickly cut her corset
with a small knife, leaving her in her undergarment. Then, they strapped her arms and legs into
leather buckles.
"Merry meet Miss Swann," the First Mate said darkly, "Miss Swann meet Merry." He held on to
the handle at the end as he let the rest of it uncoil and fall loudly banging on the wood.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The two pirates placed Elizabeth on the floor of her cell. She kept still until she heard the door
to the brig lock turn over. Opening her eyes, she began rubbing her tear stained cheeks, working
out the stiffness. Sighing deeply, she started pulling herself into a kneeling position but stopped
quickly as the pain shot through her, resonating from her back. The back of her undergarments
were covered in patches of crimson. "Merry" had slashed against her skin like a hot blade,
leaving deep cuts and long, precise rips in her dress were the only other signs of what Elizabeth
had just been put through. She laid back down slowly. Phantom pains began sending ripple of
torment up her back where the whips blows had landed. She cried, though no tears fell. Her eyes
were blood-shot and dry. She soon passed out from exhaustion. Her last thoughts were not of
hope of rescue, but of a quick death.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Whoa... sorry. I ended all that on a bad note... but I promise, all is not lost. If you've listened to
the PotC writers and screenwriters track, you'll understand the reason behind it, the writers hit
the nail on the head. "Always bleakest before the dawn" someone once said...
Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed. Review please, I live for reviews... next chapter(s)
won't take as long, it's just the knot-tying bit between this chapter and a big bit I've written
already. :) I can't wait to share!
As always... problems, questions, anything... e-mail me... xfvixenffemail@yahoo.com. Always a
pleasure. Please no flames... criticism is okay and begged for... just be gentle. :)
timeline issues... I meant for The Black Pearl chase bit in the last chapter to occur on the 6th day
of Elizabeth being on Capt. Roberts' ship. Looking back, I fear this did not convey well (I'll
change that) so... just adding this bit here for clarity purposes...
Can't forget my Captain Jack Sparrow quote of the chapter... "Human hair....from my back."
(Good game JD, wrote the "from my back" bit himself, and was shocked that GV left it in the
final version of the movie) I still crack up... and I saw it 10 times in theaters (and countless others
since I bought it)
Thank yous: Kris and Kasey, for telling me my chapter wasn't crap and giving me
suggestions/tips.
Special thanks to all the readers who've stuck through this- I know I've been horrible about
updates... between school and work, I have no fun life to speak of... trying to make up for lost
time now.
Enjoy!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 6: Fruitless Searches and Troubles at Sea
Time period: Roughly 5th days after Elizabeth's capture, close to dusk
~*~
Commodore Norrington sat at the desk in his cabin.
*Where are you, Elizabeth?* Despair etched his thoughts. They had traveled North to the
Isle de Tortue, better known as Tortuga. James knew this was the best place to find answers.
He ordered all but a small party to remain aboard. They anchored the ship at the nearest shallow
close to the watery entrance to Tortuga Harbor, safely away from the mountainous walls that rose
up around the city and harbor.
Norrington quickly gathered a small group of nine and gave them orders to meet in his
office. He analyzed his plan, glancing down at his own attire. He had donned a grey pair of pants
and a dirty, white shirt far too big for him, but accented his shape well, showing off his toned
chest. *God, what am I getting us into...?* A knock interrupted his thoughts, "Come in!"
The soldiers entered, each dressed in plain clothes. Norrington knew better than to enter this
island, regardless of it's size, dressed in uniform. He had sent a Royal ship here before, and all
that had been found was smouldering bits of the Royal flag. He did not fear this place, but knew
better than to try his luck, right now he needed answers, not a fight. *I will be glad when this
place is respectable again. It's time will come.* He too was dressed in plain clothes, dark brown
pants with a white loosely-fitting top. He had ordered all to remove their wigs. A soldier knocked
lightly on the door, still open, and entered. The rest made a small path for him to enter. He
carried a long, small trunk.
"Good. Thank you. You can return to the deck." Norrington waved him off as he walked
over to the trunk. He opened it and began passing out swords and pistols that had been
confiscated off pirate ships they had brought to justice. "Leave your military issue weapons
behind. They'll be a dead give-away to our true identities. We are here only for answers,
gentlemen, not a war. They will get theirs soon enough. These are to be used only in emergency."
They entered the boat and set off for the island city. *Hopefully no one recognizes us. If
they do,* he sighed, his eyebrows furrowed, mouth closed and set in a grim line, *God help us.*
********************************
They docked down the beach, and walked steadily to the city. Evening had finally set.
Norrington spied many men littering the beach. *Pirate scum...*
He looked back over his shoulder as he walked, "Divide in groups of two, ask questions,
any one starts to get suspicious...," he stopped walking, the men exchanged worried glances.
"Sir?" One of the men asked tentatively.
Commodore Norrington, just shook his head and turned around, "Meet back up here in,"
he checked his pocket watch, "30 minutes. Go, ask if anyone's seen or heard anything about the
capture of a governor's daughter, and that there is a high reward for her safe return."
He motioned for one of them to go with him and the rest quickly grouped and entered the
city.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jack awoke startled, his body covered in sweat, his breathing erratic. It took him a minute
to calm himself from his nightmare. He sighed and turned his gaze out his window, "Another
day down," he stated. It had been a few days since he had found out about Elizabeth's troubles,
and decided not to let it worry him since he didn't even have a ship right now to even think of
trying to save her, though that didn't stop his nightmares from plaguing him. He began to wonder
if he should even bother going down to the dock to search for Anamaria and his beloved Pearl.
*One more day, and I'm gonna find passage out of this place to somewhere I can steal a
proper boat,* he thought glumly, *I thought for sure she'd come back for me. She's done so in
the past.* He sighed, *After three days, they're either dead or just plain not comin' back...*
"Oh well..." he said aloud, "No point worrying about the past. Especially," he stood up, bits
and pieces of the dream still vivid in his mind, haunting him, Elizabeth looking up at him, a tear
slowly falling, leaving a wet trail down her cheek, "when there's plenty of rum to be
'ad." He left the room, descended the stairs to the bar below.
He walked over to bar and sat down. The barkeep was down at the other end, so he began
occupying his time by drumming his hands on the bar and looking around at the other patrons.
The place was busy, but he caught sight of something that turned his blood cold, actually
someone. Even without his powder-white wig, he could recognize Port Royal's commodore a
mile off. *He should take off that ridiculous rat more often, look less like a lit'le girl...* he
thought as he quickly turned away from him, hoping he hadn't yet seen him. Quickly he ducked
out of the bar through the back door. He crept to the end of the alley and stepped out into the
street, running right into two men. He recognized their straight-laced mannerisms and knew them
at once to be some of Norrington's men. *God, they found me...* he thought, his features set into
a frown. He started to raise his hands for them to clamp the metal handcuffs on when the taller of
the two spoke.
"Excuse me, sir," one of them began. Jack could barely hide his delight, *They don't
recognize me!* In the back of his mind, he was slightly miffed that they didn't recognize the
dashing, cunning Captain Jack Sparrow, but he let it go. "We were, uh, wondering if, umm," the
soldier began, somewhat slowly. Jack had to stop himself from rolling his eyes, *And they're still
alive? I must be their first because any other person on this rock would've killed them already.*
Jack vaguely registered that the soldier was still trying to ask him something.
"Spit it out, mate." Jack said a little exasperated and motioned with his hands for them to
speed it along.
"Well, what we were wondering, um, is if you've heard of anyone who might've, uh,
stolen a governor's daughter?"
Jack's eyebrows raised in shock, then realization took hold and he relaxed. *They're
looking for Elizabeth and/or answers.* He quickly realized he could use this to his
advantage.
"Actually, I have," he lifted his eyebrows animatedly, "I can tell you everything I've heard, but
this," he gestured to his surroundings, "is not the proper setting." He lowered his voice
ominously, placing a hand on his cheek to shield his mouth from possible on-lookers, "Never
know who could be lurking..." He looked around quickly, then stared back at the soldiers. "Let's
find somewhere quiet... but I'm not sure where..."
"We have a ship!" The other soldier, who had been quiet as of yet, offered. The first
soldier gave him a look, "We need to bring him to, uh," he glanced at Jack whose face fell at the
realization that they wanted to take him to Norrington, "Mister, uh, N." His eyed widened,
trying to get his point across to his companion. The other soldier still was obviously not getting
it, and so Jack took this opportunity to jump in.
"Ship! Great, let's go then, got a girl to save!" he walked behind the two soldiers and
pushed himself in between them as he gently pushed them forward, "Not a second to lose! We'll
be 'eros!"
They slowly conceded. Jack figured they had a military boat somewhere close by, and
wondered whether he'd rather just take their little boat or to take the big ship.
They led him down to the beach, where their boat was pulled ashore.
Jack's decision was made. A slow smile formed on his face. *Now the fun begins.*
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He shoved her violently back into the cell. Elizabeth his the wooden floor of her cell hard.
She hadn't been pulled from the bring since her first encounter with Captain Roberts. The pirates
who had brought her back to her cell, on her after her first encounter with the captain had let her
know her place.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Night, Second Day of Elizabeth's capture-
The two pirates held Elizabeth between them, half-dragging, half-leading her back to the
depth of the ship. She had decided to not react to anything that happens to her on The Mortal
Wound. *They'll do to me what they like, getting worked up about it will do me absolutely no
good.* She felt a small part of her die as they led her down the stairs of the creaking ship.
"Not too smart, girlie. You'd better learn to respect the captain, or you won't last 'til
supper tomorrow."
"You don't scare me," she spat, "Nor does your captain. I do not fear death."
"Ah," he breathed, stopping as the other pirate opened her cell door, "but there are things
far worse that death one might live through..." With those final words the door to her cage was
thrust open and he threw her in. The second pirate threw at blanket on top of her lying form.
"Don't be makin' a bunch of racket, we're right above you. If I have to come down here, you will
regret it, though I might not." He grinned maliciously at her, licking his lips, slammed the door
and locked it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
She'd been aboard the ship for five days. They had brought her one meal a day, mostly in
the late evening, consisting of a couple pieces of moldy bread. She refused to eat it the first few
days, though it had been missing afterwards. *Probably ate by the rats.*
They had stopped at two ports, not sure if they were the same or different. Both times the girls
were forced to kneel in a line, still in the brig, and held at gunpoint and told if they uttered a
word, they'd be shot. They wouldn't even tell the women where they were.
Her and Kat had talked a few times during their imprisonment, but mostly they spent a lot
of time in the dark. Their voices had a tendency to travel, even when whispering in the dank brig
and the night after Elizabeth's meeting the captain they had both been reminded of the pirates
warning to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth closed her eyes and sighed loudly at the memory.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
(3rd Night, aboard The Mortal Wound)
They had been talking about their lives before their captures when there was the loud
banging of feet running on the level above them. Elizabeth and Kat didn't have to wait long to
find out what was happening. A group of pirates raced into the brig and opened up Kat's cell and
the cell on the other side. The other girl shrieked, Kat just closed her eyes and waited, not
helping, but not resisting either.
"You're coming with us!" One of the pirates had yelled.
A second pirate grabbed at the keys from the first pirates hand and moved to stand in
front of Elizabeth's cell. "I want 'er!"
A pirate stepped forward that Elizabeth recognized as Rooster. He grabbed the keys out
of the pirates hand, "She's for the captain! Do you want to anger the captain?" The other pirate
conceded and walked away, sneering at Elizabeth. Rooster just laughed evilly and pointed at
Elizabeth through the bars, "You remember that gurlie. Screw up, and you're ours..." With that
he followed the other out, they all whooped at their impending conquests.
Elizabeth was left to worry about the two women's safety and brood over what Rooster
had said. When they were returned, Elizabeth didn't ask what had happened. She didn't want to
know, for she knew it was incredibly horrible.
"Thanks girlie's, as always your company was fun."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
She sighed and shook her head at the horrible memory. She noticed how Kat was never
surprised when they took her. She never cried, save the time when she talked to Elizabeth that
first time, about it. She had become cold, and emotionally withdrawn. Even to Elizabeth's eyes.
She felt herself withdrawing as well. She began to wonder how long she'd be stuck there,
if she'd die there. The thing that terrified her the most was, she was losing hope.
The door to their holding bay opened, slamming into the wall. Jill, the women in the cell
next to Kat, began crying. *They've broken her,* she thought sadly. The pirate walked in slowly,
reveling in the effect his presence alone was causing Jill. He sauntered up to Elizabeth's cell and
began unlocking it.
"Time for some fresh air, gurlie."
She did not react, at least not externally. Inside, her brain was screaming for her to kick
him in the face. She didn't though. She just sat there. He came in and grabbed the rope that was
binding her wrists together and yanked her to her feet. She did not protest, but did nothing to
help. They walked to the deck slowly. The hallways seemed cramped with pirates, all oogling
Elizabeth as she walked by. She felt her skin crawl as they watched her pass. One snaked a hand
out and smacked her butt. She shut her eyes, willing them all to disappear. No such luck of
course, but it was worth a shot in her opinion.
They finally reached the deck. Many pirates were busying themselves with chores. Two
were sloshing water on the deck and scrubbing furiously as the captain passed them. The sea
wind tossed the few fly-away hairs not caught in his cloth hair tie. It almost reminded her of the
way Will used to wear his hair. She forced back tears at the thought of her beloved. *I'm to never
see him again, I suppose...*
The captain interrupted her thoughts, "Hello again, Miss Swann. Lovely to see you, I
hope you're enjoying our little trip." He smiled, not giving her time to speak, he continued. "You
have some information that I want."
"Information?" Her eyebrow quirked, not expecting him to be so blatant in his need for
her.
"Yes. Yes, my dear. Information. I hear from very reliable sources, that you know the
bearings to the Isle de Muerta." He waited a second for her to confirm.
"No. I have no idea where the island is located." She knew she didn't, but decided even if
she did, she wouldn't tell him.
He sighed, lowered his head. "Now. Now, Miss Elizabeth. It isn't ladylike to lie. Tell us
where the island is, and I shall give you an equal share in it."
"I swear, I have no idea where that island is..." she stopped herself from continuing, as
she watched him turn from her placing his hands on the wooden railing and lowering his head.
"I gave you a fair chance..." He turned and motioned to his first mate, who ran over.
"Miss Swann needs some help remembering where the island is.. Help her." He stood back as the
first mate whistled. He then waved to pirates over. "Take her to Merry's room." He sneered at
Elizabeth as they dragged her off.
"You must've done something awfully bad, girl," the taller of the two pirates said
suddenly, "to get a visit from Merry."
She looked up at the pirate, taking in the empathetic frown. "Who's Merry?"
"Not who... what," he answered cryptically as they reached a door and stopped. The other
pirate opened the door, and they took her inside.
They stood there mere minutes, Elizabeth's features struck dumb with the sight of the
room, when the First Mate walked in and slammed the door. He chuckled to himself and grabbed
a long objected, wrapped loosely, hanging off a hook on the wall.
"Now for a bit of fun. Strap her in boys!" He tapped the leather object against his left palm as
he moved closer to Elizabeth. They first removed her dirty dress. They quickly cut her corset
with a small knife, leaving her in her undergarment. Then, they strapped her arms and legs into
leather buckles.
"Merry meet Miss Swann," the First Mate said darkly, "Miss Swann meet Merry." He held on to
the handle at the end as he let the rest of it uncoil and fall loudly banging on the wood.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The two pirates placed Elizabeth on the floor of her cell. She kept still until she heard the door
to the brig lock turn over. Opening her eyes, she began rubbing her tear stained cheeks, working
out the stiffness. Sighing deeply, she started pulling herself into a kneeling position but stopped
quickly as the pain shot through her, resonating from her back. The back of her undergarments
were covered in patches of crimson. "Merry" had slashed against her skin like a hot blade,
leaving deep cuts and long, precise rips in her dress were the only other signs of what Elizabeth
had just been put through. She laid back down slowly. Phantom pains began sending ripple of
torment up her back where the whips blows had landed. She cried, though no tears fell. Her eyes
were blood-shot and dry. She soon passed out from exhaustion. Her last thoughts were not of
hope of rescue, but of a quick death.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Whoa... sorry. I ended all that on a bad note... but I promise, all is not lost. If you've listened to
the PotC writers and screenwriters track, you'll understand the reason behind it, the writers hit
the nail on the head. "Always bleakest before the dawn" someone once said...
Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed. Review please, I live for reviews... next chapter(s)
won't take as long, it's just the knot-tying bit between this chapter and a big bit I've written
already. :) I can't wait to share!
As always... problems, questions, anything... e-mail me... xfvixenffemail@yahoo.com. Always a
pleasure. Please no flames... criticism is okay and begged for... just be gentle. :)