Pirates of the Caribbean

Legend of the Dragon's Claw

By Amos Whirly

Chapter Fourteen: Journey's End

     Unlike the tempers of the two respective crews, the fires on the Red Dragon were easily quelled, and the holes in the hull of the Black Pearl were sufficiently patched.

     Both crews returned to their ships silently, all except for Wang's first mate Xiao Li, who made sure to bow at Anamaria.  Jack made a mental note to ask her what that had been about.
     Anamaria took Tori and Jack's plunder with her as they sailed back to the Pearl, leaving Jack and Will on the shore with Wang and Yue.

     "Are you two going to be all right together?" Jack seemed uncertain. "I mean, not an hour ago, you were trying to kill each other."

     "We have forgiven each other, Captain Sparrow," Yue reminded. "There is no more hostility between us."

     "Whatever you say, mate," Jack still seemed dubious.

     "Thank you for all your help, Yue," Will shook the shorter man's hand.

     "Thank you for bringing me with you, Mr. Turner," Yue bowed. "If you had not, I would never have found my brother and my family."

     "Mr. Turner," Wang started, "are you certain you will take nothing for your trouble?"

     "I have my daughter, Captain Wang," Will smiled. "That's all I came for."

     "As you wish," Wang bowed to them both and walked to his small boat.

     "So, my friends," Yue smiled, "this is farewell.  Perhaps we will see each other again."

     "Hopefully minus the sword-swinging maniacs," Jack said.

     "If I ever have need of you, I may come and find you," Yue bowed again.

     "Like I said," Jack snorted. "No more swords."

     Yue bowed once more and climbed into the boat with his brother.  Will and Jack climbed into their boat and rowed out to the Pearl.  Once aboard, the pirates scurried around a dropped the sails.

     "Let's get out of here," Jack said. "Set full sail.  Course for Port Royal."

     "Aye," Anamaria nodded.

     She was bandaged nearly from head to toe, but that did not stop her from barking orders at the rest of the crew.

     Gibbs was relaxing at the helm, nursing whatever remained in his whisky flask. 

     "I hope you made yourself useful," Jack snorted as he took the helm from him.

     "Oh, to be sure, Captain Jack," he laughed. "To be sure.  Plugged many a hole in that confounded hull."

     "Speaking of which," Jack twirled the wheel, "can we make it to El Corazon on those patches?"

     "Probably, sir," Gibbs scowled, "but haven't you already bought your favor of Master Freddie?"

     "Have I?" Jack looked aghast. "Ha!  Not only does the lad stutter, Gibbs, he's a terrible memory."

     Will leaned on the ledge, supporting Tori with one arm.  His knee had been neatly bandaged by the Red Dragon's medic, and it was feeling much better.

     "This is a pirate ship, Papa?" Tori asked him, her curls flying in the wind.

     "Yes, Tori," he kissed her cheek. "This is a pirate ship."

     "Like the one my grandfather sailed on?"

     "This is the one your grandfather sailed on."

     "Really?"

     "Aye."

     "And Mr. Smith's the captain?"

     "Yes."

     Tori leaned in close.

     "His name's not really Mr. Smith, is it?"

     "No, it's not."

     Tori nodded.

     "Let's not tell him," she whispered. "Let's keep it secret."

     "Okay," Will grinned at her.

     "I can't wait to see mother," Tori snuggled into his arms.

     "Me neither, darling.  Me neither."

* * *

     The wind was warm and sweet as it drifted over the blue waters of Port Royal and lifted Elizabeth's honey-brown curls from her shoulders.

     She stood on the balcony outside the governor's mansion.

     Little Will was sleeping inside.

     A month, she thought. It's been a whole month.  Oh, I hope they're all right.  I don't know what I'd do without them.

     She closed her eyes.

     A shout suddenly sounded in the air, and she looked.  Joy flooded her soul as a tall sailing ship crested the bend of island.  Black sails scraped the sky, a pirate flag flapping in the wind.

     Elizabeth would have known the ship anywhere.

     "The Pearl!" she yelped, bolting for the door.

* * *

     "There you are," Jack stopped the wheel and approached Will and Tori. "Port Royal."

     "Aren't we going any closer?" Tori asked.

     "No, little luv," Jack knelt down to her. "People there don't like us much."

     "You're going away?" Tori's eyes began to fill with tears.

     "Not for long, lass," he patted her head with a dirty hand. "I'll come back and visit on a whim.  Wait and see."

     Tori nodded sadly and threw her arms around his neck.  Jack stumbled slightly at the contact, wondering not for the first time exactly what the child saw in him. 

     He stood, lifting Tori with him, and shook Will's hand.

     "Will, mate," he said, "it was fun."

     "Aye," Will laughed. "Whatever you say."

     "And I'm serious," Jack said. "I'll come back for a visit some time."

     "Don't let James catch you."

     "Ah, that sour puss couldn't catch a cold," Jack handed Tori to Will.

     Will set Tori in one of the small boats, and he climbed in after her.  Gibbs and the rest of the crew lowered the boat to the water.

     "Take care of that shoulder, Jack," Will shouted up at him.

     "You take care of that family of yours," Jack shouted down. "Give Elizabeth my love, mate."

     Will smiled and took up the oars.

     "Oh, and Will!"

     Will turned and gasped as a leather pouch flew threw the air.  He caught it and looked back up at Jack who was grinning like a fiend.

     "Family may be priceless, but bills aren't!"

     Will opened the pouch and stared at the gold coins and precious stones within it.  He looked back at Jack, who winked, and turned away, barking orders to his crew.

     Will and Tori watched the Black Pearl pull in her anchor and sail away.

     "Bye, Mr. Smith!" Tori shouted. "Come back and see us!"

     Jack waved from the helm.  The ship disappeared around the bend, and it was lost to sight.

     Will rowed until the little boat hit solid ground, and he jumped out, pushing it the rest of the way.

     "Will!  Tori!" a woman's cry reached their ears.

     Will looked up to see Elizabeth running toward them.

     "Mother!" Tori scrambled out of the boat. 

     Elizabeth caught the girl in a crushing hug and fell to her knees, sobbing in relief.  Will hurried to her side and fell with his arms around them both.  They stayed there for a long time.

     Will moved only when he heard the approach of Admiral Norrington.  He stood and faced the stoic man with a shining face.

     "Well done, Tuner," Norrington said. "Well done."

     "Thank you for watching over William and Elizabeth, James," Will spoke sincerely. "Thank you."

     "Take them home, Turner."

     "Home?" Will asked.

     "I took the liberty," Norrington smiled, "of having the men build you another place to stay.  It's not much, but it should do for a time."

     Will let his jaw drop slightly.

     "You needn't have—That was too much to ask, James."

     "It was the least I could do, Will."

     Norrington shook his hand again and walked away.

     Later that night, Will and Elizabeth stood in their bedroom doorway, watching Tori sleep in her trundle bed.

     "She's really fine, isn't she?" Elizabeth leaned into Will's embrace.

     "Yes, and so will we be."

     "I know that," Elizabeth kissed him fully on the lips. "We have each other."

     "I've been thinking," Will led her toward the living room, "since the old place is—well—burned up—"

     "Will," Elizabeth started, "we can't afford another house here."

     "I don't want to build a house here," Will shrugged. "I'm in the mood for another adventure, actually."

     "Oh, Will, no more," Elizabeth laughed as he pulled her into his lap. "No more adventures."

     "What about to the colonies?"

     Elizabeth sat up and looked at him.

     "America?" she gasped. "Will, we don't have that kind of money."

     "We don't?" he gestured to the leather pouch on the table next to the chair.

     Elizabeth picked it up and opened it, gasping, "Will!  Where did you get this?"

     "No, it's not stolen," he started. "Jack gave it to me—and someone gave it to him."

     "Who?"

     "Two very special brothers," Will laughed. "So, there's enough there to pay Norrington back for the work done here and a house in the colonies, where we've always wanted to go.  Maybe Massachusetts or Connecticut."
     "Or Vermont?"

     "Or Vermont," Will nuzzled her face.

     "Oh, Will."

     "Yes, dear?"

     "I love you."

     They kissed briefly and settled into each other's arms.

     In her room, Tori turned over and opened her eyes.  On the window sill across from her sat the little crystal ship Mr. Smith had bought for her.  The moonlight shone through it, sending a prism of rainbow flecks across the wooden floor. 

     She drifted back to sleep, dreaming of tall, majestic ships sailing on the wide blue ocean.