Extra Disclaimer: I do not own the character of John Rolfe; as far as I know, he belongs to himself, but I borrowed him from "Pocahontas II", along with some of the things that took place in the first Pocahontas. I don't know if the times settings are right (I have a feeling they're not), but please ignore that slight slip up. Continuing the story....
Chapter 23: Interesting Revelations
Once the two ships were separated, Isabelle lost the last of her temper control. "What happened? I get *thrown* off the bed with a cannon blast, run out onto the deck, only to be treated like a *hostage*! What the hell is going on?" Jamie sighed, he knew his sister's tempers too well. "I'll let Da explain, aye? Ye won't listen t' me no matter what I say, so I may as well get Da now." He left the room before Isabelle had a chance to say anything else.
Jack opened the door of the cabin, only to find himself face to face with a very angry daughter. "What the hell did you do that to Louisa for?" she asked without preamble. Jack grinned, "Would ye have preferred me t' stab her instead o' throwin' her o'erboard?" he asked coyly, and Isabelle's eyes narrowed. "Da! Ye've always been straight wi' me, why did ye have to do it?" Jack looked behind him, and closed the door quietly.
Isabelle raised her eyebrows, and crossed her arms, waiting. Finally, Jack found the words he was looking for. "The privateers got within range o' the cannons, but I wasn't goin' to fire the first shot - t'ain't right, ye see - an' Louisa was just about to go under an' get ye. At the same time I grabbed her arm to stop her, they fired the cannon, an' we both fell out of the stairwell, savvy?"
Isabelle nodded, "And...?" she prompted. Jack waved his hand at her, "Sit down, Bella. I'll tell ye, an' I'll tell ye straight, aye?" She nodded, and took a seat on the end of the bed. Jack spoke up again. "The cap'n saw me get to my feet, still holdin' onto Louisa, an' assumed the worst - that I was a pirate who'd kidnapped a noblewoman. He made such accusations against me, an' I used them to my advantage, 'tis all. If it had been *you* that I had with me at th' time, I'd have treated ye the same as what I did wi' Louisa, savvy?"
Isabelle nodded, "Aye, Da. I savvy - but how long are ye gonna wait afore ye get Louisa back?" Jack shrugged, "That I can't answer, Bella. It all depends on how fast, an' how far, the ship is headin', an' if we can get on board t' get Louisa away wi'out them noticin', savvy?" Isabelle nodded again, "Aye, I savvy." Jack grinned, "Good. Now - get yeself away from th' cabin - we're down a hand, an' ye cannae be a layabout, aye?" Isabelle smiled, "Aye, cap'n."
They left the cabin together, but Jack paused at the doorway, ~God help us all if they've gone too far to get to her safely~ he thought, before a sharp whistle from Will (Sr.) brought his attention back to the matter at hand. They had to get a move on, following a ship that was hours ahead, and almost disappeared from the horizon.
The first three days were the hardest of the sailing days - they had to keep the privateers in sight, though not be seen themselves. It was tiring, and stressful for all the crew; though Jack didn't seem to be affected, it looked as though he was the only one. Even Will was snappy, but everyone knew that that was mainly because of his worry about his daughter.
When they reached domestic waters, near a wharf and small town, they didn't worry about not being seen. For such a small place, there were a lot of ships - large merchant vessels, smaller passenger ships, and the smallest of the small - the local fishing boats. The town couldn't have had any more than five hundred inhabitants, but there were almost enough ships to give each man and child in the town a ship each. Jack stood at the helm, guiding the ship into dock. He anchored just off shore, and Jack, Will (Sr.), Jamie, Isabelle, and Will (Jr.) took the longboat to shore.
The harbormaster stood at the ready, clipboard in hand, ready to take down names. Jack was the first off, as usual, and the harbormaster stepped forwards. "'T'will be three shillings per day t' leave the ship anchored, sir, an' I'll need not only your name, but the name of your ship." Jack and Will (Sr.) exchanged glances, and Jack grinned. "Aye, sir. But I have a proposition for ye - we'll only be here for two days, an' very few of the crew will be comin' ashore. How's about I give ye a pound, an' we forget the names?" The harbormaster looked very tempted, and it wasn't long before he agreed with a nod, "Aye. Welcome to Cape Town, Captain Smith, of the Black Rose."
Jack grinned his thanks, and they left the longboat short a pound. There was no real need to worry though, because in his usual way, Jack took back his pound, with interest, by pocketing the harbormaster's purse as they left the dock.
As it was late afternoon, and most places were closing up, making way for the taverns and brothels to open, the first thing they did was to book a room in the first hotel they came across. Jack, being Jack, only booked one room, though it had two beds - a double, and a single. Isabelle, being the only girl, ended up with the single bed, and the others requested Jack have the double, considering that he was the eldest. Jack refused, indignantly, and headed down to the bar section of the hotel, with Will (Sr.). They didn't return until the following morning.
In the end, Jamie went elsewhere to sleep, and Will (Jr.) took the double bed, though neither Will or Isabelle got any sleep that night. They spent hours talking, about life on the sea, Louisa's whereabouts, even about the Triangle, or parts of it, at least. Isabelle left the single bed at some point, and sat leaned up against Will in the double. Nothing happened between them, though it wasn't for lack of attraction. Both felt something, yet were too nervous to say anything to the other. In the early hours of the morning, they fell asleep, still leaning against one another, only to be woken by the return of Jack and Will, sober as all hell, and playing the part of scandalized fathers perfectly. Both were so shocked to find Isabelle curled up around Will that they couldn't say anything. It was Jamie who actually did the waking, by banging loudly on the wall as he walked into the room.
He saw his father, and Will (Sr.), standing mouths agape, before he saw what they were staring at. He started laughing, and didn't stop until all four of the others were staring at him. "You... you two... you two, along wi' Ma an' Elizabeth, practically *planned* for them to get together! And now it's happened..." he paused, overcome by laughter, and calmed himself down before continuing. "Now it's happened, ye don't think ye like it ver' much, aye?" Jack and Will exchanged glances, and shook their heads, before leaving the room, and one hysterical pirate's son laughing so hard, he ended up falling to the floor.
When the morning had cleared up a bit, they set out to find Louisa. Will (Jr.) and Isabelle headed back to the ship with the intention of bringing a second longboat to the dock, while the others went to find Louisa. They saw her, walking with the captain of the privateer ship, wearing an obviously expensive dress. Will (Sr.) made one small movement as though to run towards her, which the captain saw, and once the small crowd had cleared away, Louisa was gone. Jack heard something behind them, and turned to face four of the privateer crew. They didn't look happy. "You're that cap'n, who kidnapped th' ladies, ain't ye?" the leader asked. He was a big man, twice the size of Jack (who wasn't exactly small), with enough strength to punch a hole in the side of a cargo ship. Or that's what it seemed, close up.
Jack grinned, "Aye, so I am. I'm afraid I don't know who in hell *you* are, though, so pardon my rudeness." The guy only grinned, "That ain't important. What is important is that you ain't who you say you are, you get what I mean?" Jack made as though to say something, but thought about it, and answered, "Ah... no. I'm afraid I don't - care to be more specific?" The guy was obviously getting angrier by the minute. "You said you was Jack Sparrow, but I know fer a fact that Jack Sparrow, an' the Black Pearl, was sunk to the bottom of the Caribbean."
Jack looked at him as though he were a two-year-old with a cut thumb. "Really? Care to tell me how you know this for a fact?" The guy laughed, "'Coz I was in the crew that sunk it, more'n twenty year ago."
*****
The ship wasn't the worst place in the world to be - Louisa was waited upon hand and foot by both the young captain, and the rest of the crew, who honestly believed she was a young noblewoman, kidnapped along with her travelling partner, Isabelle, when their ship was sunk. The captain, who's name turned out to be John Rolfe, was a privateer, though not by choice.
"Ma'am, we cannot return to the ship to rescue your travelling partner as it could jeopardize her personal safety. You yourself were almost killed, and I honestly doubt that you wish your friend to be killed. I'm sorry, but we must hold our own side of the bargain, and stay away." Louisa played the part of a noblewoman well - "Of course I don't want Isabelle killed! what do you mistake me for, a... a... savage?" she yelled, and Rolfe sighed. "Of course not, ma'am, but by going after the Black Pearl we will seriously put Miss Isabelle in danger. Do you understand?"
Crossing her arms like any spoiled young noble would, Louisa sat onto the end of the chair and pouted. Rolfe shook his head, and left the room quietly, leaving Louisa to wonder how long Jack intended to wait before he came after her.
By the time the third day had passed, with no sign of the Black Pearl behind them, Louisa really started to get worried. The intended destination of the ship was the Colony of New England, where savages and the English had found a way to co-exist, at least, that was what it had been at the last report. That had been when the ship carrying the ex-Governor of the Colony had returned to the mother country, as she'd found out over the several meals she'd shared with Rolfe.
The fourth morning brought them to a stop at a small seaside town, with the intended length of stay being only for several hours. The privateer crew, however, didn't like the agreement with the captain, and they stayed for almost two days. It was fine by Louisa - it gave Jack and the Pearl more time to catch up to her. There was a slight problem, though - if the Pearl did catch up, or overtake the ship, then the crew was likely to fire cannons first, and ask questions later, ending in either her own, or Isabelle's deaths. It was not something to look forwards to.
She was allowed off the ship at the stopover, though she had to stay close to Rolfe to avoid any encounters with the crew, and she did enjoy herself. It wasn't long before they found the shore traders, and the wide range of items on display. Rolfe did complain that the prices were extravagant, compared to England, but had to admit that they were a *long* way from England.
Louisa felt like she was home; it was hard staying in character when there were so many things that reminded her why she'd given up the life of a noble with her Grandfather, for the freedom of the sea. Rolfe stayed close, yet remained a long way behind - all the way back to England, truth be told. Louisa found this a little easier to stay in character, as she had a little leeway either side if she said or did something not quite right.
Making their way back to the ship, Rolfe suddenly stopped, grabbed her arm tightly, and pulled her into a small alley. "What are you doing?" she protested loudly, but Rolfe placed his hand over her mouth, "Keep quiet - I think that pirate crew is looking for us...." Louisa looked over his shoulder and saw Jack and Will striding down the main path; directly behind them were several members of the privateers crew; her eyes opened wide in shock, and for the sake of all concerned - it wasn't acting.
*****
lilitaliandragon - I'm in Australia, it's still in the cinema's here! I've been begging my mother to let me order it thru amazon or something, but she doesn't like giving credit card details out over the net!
To all my readers.... I've got an announcement, and an apology to make.
The apology first - I was kinda caught up in final exams and regular end-of-school-4-eva stuff, so I apologise for not updating more often. I may not be able to update as much now, either, because I'm going working with my father and it's very unlikely I'll have any access to a computer.
And now the announcement. This may come as odd, but because I've usually had a slight problem with finishing a story, I've already written the ending, and the second last chapter (which is in 3 parts), and I can't not tell anyone this, but someone dies. A good friend of mine, a very trusted good friend, wanted to read the last chap, but I wouldn't let her. I think it'll be a tear jerker - I was crying when I wrote it, and that was in the middle of maths, so it was slightly hard to explain to the teacher why I was upset! ~Teacher: Why are you upset? Me: I just wrote a very sad chapter in a fanfiction story instead of working out why x is where it is on the graph....~
It is kind of expected, but I don't think anyone will pick up on it until it actually happens. And, if the story is well liked, I may consider a sequel, but you'll have to let me know when the time comes.
That's enough from me, so I'll just save this and post it, and pray for reviews!
Chapter 23: Interesting Revelations
Once the two ships were separated, Isabelle lost the last of her temper control. "What happened? I get *thrown* off the bed with a cannon blast, run out onto the deck, only to be treated like a *hostage*! What the hell is going on?" Jamie sighed, he knew his sister's tempers too well. "I'll let Da explain, aye? Ye won't listen t' me no matter what I say, so I may as well get Da now." He left the room before Isabelle had a chance to say anything else.
Jack opened the door of the cabin, only to find himself face to face with a very angry daughter. "What the hell did you do that to Louisa for?" she asked without preamble. Jack grinned, "Would ye have preferred me t' stab her instead o' throwin' her o'erboard?" he asked coyly, and Isabelle's eyes narrowed. "Da! Ye've always been straight wi' me, why did ye have to do it?" Jack looked behind him, and closed the door quietly.
Isabelle raised her eyebrows, and crossed her arms, waiting. Finally, Jack found the words he was looking for. "The privateers got within range o' the cannons, but I wasn't goin' to fire the first shot - t'ain't right, ye see - an' Louisa was just about to go under an' get ye. At the same time I grabbed her arm to stop her, they fired the cannon, an' we both fell out of the stairwell, savvy?"
Isabelle nodded, "And...?" she prompted. Jack waved his hand at her, "Sit down, Bella. I'll tell ye, an' I'll tell ye straight, aye?" She nodded, and took a seat on the end of the bed. Jack spoke up again. "The cap'n saw me get to my feet, still holdin' onto Louisa, an' assumed the worst - that I was a pirate who'd kidnapped a noblewoman. He made such accusations against me, an' I used them to my advantage, 'tis all. If it had been *you* that I had with me at th' time, I'd have treated ye the same as what I did wi' Louisa, savvy?"
Isabelle nodded, "Aye, Da. I savvy - but how long are ye gonna wait afore ye get Louisa back?" Jack shrugged, "That I can't answer, Bella. It all depends on how fast, an' how far, the ship is headin', an' if we can get on board t' get Louisa away wi'out them noticin', savvy?" Isabelle nodded again, "Aye, I savvy." Jack grinned, "Good. Now - get yeself away from th' cabin - we're down a hand, an' ye cannae be a layabout, aye?" Isabelle smiled, "Aye, cap'n."
They left the cabin together, but Jack paused at the doorway, ~God help us all if they've gone too far to get to her safely~ he thought, before a sharp whistle from Will (Sr.) brought his attention back to the matter at hand. They had to get a move on, following a ship that was hours ahead, and almost disappeared from the horizon.
The first three days were the hardest of the sailing days - they had to keep the privateers in sight, though not be seen themselves. It was tiring, and stressful for all the crew; though Jack didn't seem to be affected, it looked as though he was the only one. Even Will was snappy, but everyone knew that that was mainly because of his worry about his daughter.
When they reached domestic waters, near a wharf and small town, they didn't worry about not being seen. For such a small place, there were a lot of ships - large merchant vessels, smaller passenger ships, and the smallest of the small - the local fishing boats. The town couldn't have had any more than five hundred inhabitants, but there were almost enough ships to give each man and child in the town a ship each. Jack stood at the helm, guiding the ship into dock. He anchored just off shore, and Jack, Will (Sr.), Jamie, Isabelle, and Will (Jr.) took the longboat to shore.
The harbormaster stood at the ready, clipboard in hand, ready to take down names. Jack was the first off, as usual, and the harbormaster stepped forwards. "'T'will be three shillings per day t' leave the ship anchored, sir, an' I'll need not only your name, but the name of your ship." Jack and Will (Sr.) exchanged glances, and Jack grinned. "Aye, sir. But I have a proposition for ye - we'll only be here for two days, an' very few of the crew will be comin' ashore. How's about I give ye a pound, an' we forget the names?" The harbormaster looked very tempted, and it wasn't long before he agreed with a nod, "Aye. Welcome to Cape Town, Captain Smith, of the Black Rose."
Jack grinned his thanks, and they left the longboat short a pound. There was no real need to worry though, because in his usual way, Jack took back his pound, with interest, by pocketing the harbormaster's purse as they left the dock.
As it was late afternoon, and most places were closing up, making way for the taverns and brothels to open, the first thing they did was to book a room in the first hotel they came across. Jack, being Jack, only booked one room, though it had two beds - a double, and a single. Isabelle, being the only girl, ended up with the single bed, and the others requested Jack have the double, considering that he was the eldest. Jack refused, indignantly, and headed down to the bar section of the hotel, with Will (Sr.). They didn't return until the following morning.
In the end, Jamie went elsewhere to sleep, and Will (Jr.) took the double bed, though neither Will or Isabelle got any sleep that night. They spent hours talking, about life on the sea, Louisa's whereabouts, even about the Triangle, or parts of it, at least. Isabelle left the single bed at some point, and sat leaned up against Will in the double. Nothing happened between them, though it wasn't for lack of attraction. Both felt something, yet were too nervous to say anything to the other. In the early hours of the morning, they fell asleep, still leaning against one another, only to be woken by the return of Jack and Will, sober as all hell, and playing the part of scandalized fathers perfectly. Both were so shocked to find Isabelle curled up around Will that they couldn't say anything. It was Jamie who actually did the waking, by banging loudly on the wall as he walked into the room.
He saw his father, and Will (Sr.), standing mouths agape, before he saw what they were staring at. He started laughing, and didn't stop until all four of the others were staring at him. "You... you two... you two, along wi' Ma an' Elizabeth, practically *planned* for them to get together! And now it's happened..." he paused, overcome by laughter, and calmed himself down before continuing. "Now it's happened, ye don't think ye like it ver' much, aye?" Jack and Will exchanged glances, and shook their heads, before leaving the room, and one hysterical pirate's son laughing so hard, he ended up falling to the floor.
When the morning had cleared up a bit, they set out to find Louisa. Will (Jr.) and Isabelle headed back to the ship with the intention of bringing a second longboat to the dock, while the others went to find Louisa. They saw her, walking with the captain of the privateer ship, wearing an obviously expensive dress. Will (Sr.) made one small movement as though to run towards her, which the captain saw, and once the small crowd had cleared away, Louisa was gone. Jack heard something behind them, and turned to face four of the privateer crew. They didn't look happy. "You're that cap'n, who kidnapped th' ladies, ain't ye?" the leader asked. He was a big man, twice the size of Jack (who wasn't exactly small), with enough strength to punch a hole in the side of a cargo ship. Or that's what it seemed, close up.
Jack grinned, "Aye, so I am. I'm afraid I don't know who in hell *you* are, though, so pardon my rudeness." The guy only grinned, "That ain't important. What is important is that you ain't who you say you are, you get what I mean?" Jack made as though to say something, but thought about it, and answered, "Ah... no. I'm afraid I don't - care to be more specific?" The guy was obviously getting angrier by the minute. "You said you was Jack Sparrow, but I know fer a fact that Jack Sparrow, an' the Black Pearl, was sunk to the bottom of the Caribbean."
Jack looked at him as though he were a two-year-old with a cut thumb. "Really? Care to tell me how you know this for a fact?" The guy laughed, "'Coz I was in the crew that sunk it, more'n twenty year ago."
*****
The ship wasn't the worst place in the world to be - Louisa was waited upon hand and foot by both the young captain, and the rest of the crew, who honestly believed she was a young noblewoman, kidnapped along with her travelling partner, Isabelle, when their ship was sunk. The captain, who's name turned out to be John Rolfe, was a privateer, though not by choice.
"Ma'am, we cannot return to the ship to rescue your travelling partner as it could jeopardize her personal safety. You yourself were almost killed, and I honestly doubt that you wish your friend to be killed. I'm sorry, but we must hold our own side of the bargain, and stay away." Louisa played the part of a noblewoman well - "Of course I don't want Isabelle killed! what do you mistake me for, a... a... savage?" she yelled, and Rolfe sighed. "Of course not, ma'am, but by going after the Black Pearl we will seriously put Miss Isabelle in danger. Do you understand?"
Crossing her arms like any spoiled young noble would, Louisa sat onto the end of the chair and pouted. Rolfe shook his head, and left the room quietly, leaving Louisa to wonder how long Jack intended to wait before he came after her.
By the time the third day had passed, with no sign of the Black Pearl behind them, Louisa really started to get worried. The intended destination of the ship was the Colony of New England, where savages and the English had found a way to co-exist, at least, that was what it had been at the last report. That had been when the ship carrying the ex-Governor of the Colony had returned to the mother country, as she'd found out over the several meals she'd shared with Rolfe.
The fourth morning brought them to a stop at a small seaside town, with the intended length of stay being only for several hours. The privateer crew, however, didn't like the agreement with the captain, and they stayed for almost two days. It was fine by Louisa - it gave Jack and the Pearl more time to catch up to her. There was a slight problem, though - if the Pearl did catch up, or overtake the ship, then the crew was likely to fire cannons first, and ask questions later, ending in either her own, or Isabelle's deaths. It was not something to look forwards to.
She was allowed off the ship at the stopover, though she had to stay close to Rolfe to avoid any encounters with the crew, and she did enjoy herself. It wasn't long before they found the shore traders, and the wide range of items on display. Rolfe did complain that the prices were extravagant, compared to England, but had to admit that they were a *long* way from England.
Louisa felt like she was home; it was hard staying in character when there were so many things that reminded her why she'd given up the life of a noble with her Grandfather, for the freedom of the sea. Rolfe stayed close, yet remained a long way behind - all the way back to England, truth be told. Louisa found this a little easier to stay in character, as she had a little leeway either side if she said or did something not quite right.
Making their way back to the ship, Rolfe suddenly stopped, grabbed her arm tightly, and pulled her into a small alley. "What are you doing?" she protested loudly, but Rolfe placed his hand over her mouth, "Keep quiet - I think that pirate crew is looking for us...." Louisa looked over his shoulder and saw Jack and Will striding down the main path; directly behind them were several members of the privateers crew; her eyes opened wide in shock, and for the sake of all concerned - it wasn't acting.
*****
lilitaliandragon - I'm in Australia, it's still in the cinema's here! I've been begging my mother to let me order it thru amazon or something, but she doesn't like giving credit card details out over the net!
To all my readers.... I've got an announcement, and an apology to make.
The apology first - I was kinda caught up in final exams and regular end-of-school-4-eva stuff, so I apologise for not updating more often. I may not be able to update as much now, either, because I'm going working with my father and it's very unlikely I'll have any access to a computer.
And now the announcement. This may come as odd, but because I've usually had a slight problem with finishing a story, I've already written the ending, and the second last chapter (which is in 3 parts), and I can't not tell anyone this, but someone dies. A good friend of mine, a very trusted good friend, wanted to read the last chap, but I wouldn't let her. I think it'll be a tear jerker - I was crying when I wrote it, and that was in the middle of maths, so it was slightly hard to explain to the teacher why I was upset! ~Teacher: Why are you upset? Me: I just wrote a very sad chapter in a fanfiction story instead of working out why x is where it is on the graph....~
It is kind of expected, but I don't think anyone will pick up on it until it actually happens. And, if the story is well liked, I may consider a sequel, but you'll have to let me know when the time comes.
That's enough from me, so I'll just save this and post it, and pray for reviews!
