By, Xorion
Disclaimer: Same as first chapter.
Summery: The hunt is on for the Jewel of Legends, finding it is a matter of honor for pirates and royal alike. However, the Map has fallen into the hands of the most unlikely person imaginable. And what happens when she is picked up by the Black Pearl? Will be Jack/OC
A/N- Takes place about a year after Curse of the Black Pearl.
Chapter Two: A Pearl and a Parrot and More Pirates, Oh My!
As the hours passed Charlotte began to despair. The smoke from the burning ship would have brought the fleet… if it was day. Also, because she was so far off shore, the water was cold, to put it mildly. She was feeling extremely fatigued but knew if she fell asleep now, she wasn't going to wake up.
"Have patience Charlotte." She mumbled to herself. "The fleet will come. You will go back to England. You will give the bloody map to Lord Fredrick and live happily till the end of your days."
Charlotte moaned and banged her head softly on the barrel. Her faith in that particular notion was rapidly declining. She couldn't ignore the obvious. It was dark, the ocean is big, she is small, and there was little chance of a rescue.
When the sun rose Charlotte was still hanging on, but barely. She was feeling quite warm and toasty which was not normal while sitting in a numbingly cold ocean. However it was normal for someone with a high fever. Just as her hope had completely faded a ship appeared on the horizon, headed in her direction.
When it got closer Charlotte used her last bit of strength to rip a length of cloth from the bottom of her shift. Shifting her hold on the barrel she waved the white cloth as a makeshift flag. It didn't seem to be working but then the ship slowed… Charlotte held her breath, hardly daring to believe they had seen her.
But they had and from the ship a rowboat was sent out. With heavy-lidded eyes Charlotte watched the small boat come closer and closer. Soon she could make out its occupants. A scraggly looking, heavyset man was rowing the boat and the other passenger was a pretty girl who looked even younger than Charlotte.
"Come on, we got ya." The girl said helping Charlotte into the boat.
"Thank you ." Charlotte said hoarsely. Now that she was safe her fatigue seemed to double.
"Don't fall asleep now!" The girl said urgently. "Ye can rest once we get back to The Pearl."
Charlotte nodded drowsily.
"What is your name?"
"Charlotte Black."
"Hello Charlotte. I am Elizabeth Turner. This here is Gibbs. Were ye on The White Tiger?" Elizabeth inquired.
"Aye. I was."
"Tell me about yourself. Have ye any family back in England?" Elizabeth asked, trying to keep Charlotte awake.
"Nay. Me parents died when I was small. The lady took me in. That be twelve years ago, when I was ten." Charlotte answered.
"I'm sorry. My mother died when I was…"
Elizabeth's words faded away and Charlotte was only dimly aware she was talking. Then someone was picking her up and more voices blended together. Vaguely she saw people crowded around looking at her and somewhere in the back of her mind she realized they were pirates. She was placed on something soft and fell into a state of blissful oblivion.
The first thing Charlotte became aware of as she woke was the salty tang to the air that she had come to expect in the last month. She cracked her eyes open to find herself in an unfamiliar cabin with a parrot sitting on her chest.
"Yo ho ho." The parrot said.
Charlotte just stared at it. Then the memories from the night before came rushing back to her. Pirates, the Map, the burning ship, her rescue, Elizabeth…
"They're pirates!" She whispered out loud remembering this fact.
"Shiver me timbers!" The parrot said then flew out of the room.
Putting a hand to her neck Charlotte was relieved to feel the locket was still there. Looking around nervously she wondered why pirates had rescued her and if Elizabeth was a pirate herself.
"Charlotte! I'm glad you are awake." Elizabeth said entering the cabin.
"Are ye a pirate?" Charlotte blurted out, then immediately clapped her hands over her mouth.
Elizabeth laughed. "I wasn't expecting that. No I'm not though. My husband has a bit of pirate's blood in him though."
"I'm sorry Mrs. Turner, I forgot myself." Charlotte apologized, mortified by her thoughtless accusation.
"No harm done. Call me Elizabeth." She said putting a hand on Charlottes forehead. "Seems that your fever has broke Charlotte. We were worried that you would never wake up."
"Mrs. Turner?"
"Will, my husband, and I as well as the captain and crew were worried." Elizabeth specified.
"This here be a pirate's ship then?"
"Aye. But fear no harm, the captain only wishes to question ye on the attack." Elizabeth said pulling some clothes out of a drawer.
"If I may be so bold, what are ye doing on the ship?"
"Will and I are spending our honeymoon on this ship."
Charlotte stared at Elizabeth, not understanding why anyone in there right mind would spend any more time than necessary on a pirate ship.
"Here, put these on. I daresay you don't want to meet the captain in you shift." Elizabeth said with a smile.
"Nay, ye are most kind." Charlotte said examining the outfit.
It consisted of a pair of brown leggings, a light colored shirt with baggy sleeves, a brown vest that laced up in the front and a wide belt. The outfit was very similar to what Elizabeth was wearing. She changed quickly and met up with Elizabeth right outside the door.
"Ready to meet the Captain?"
Charlotte nodded and followed Elizabeth onto the deck. They were approached by a pirate walking with a swagger.
"'Ello Charlotte. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. Welcome to The Black Pearl."