DISCLAIMER: Don't own anything POTC related nor do I own the ports of Tortuga, Nassau and the town of St. Thomas(it was a real place in the Caribbean. I did some research).

Chapter 7

The Necklace

It had been two weeks since the attack on Port Royal. The Black Pearl sailed under the bright Caribbean sun. During the voyage, James Turner and Katie Sparrow had begun to find a friend in the other, after a talk with their parents. Today in particular the ship was anchored in St Thomas Port, one of three pirate havens in the Caribbean. The other two being Tortuga and Nassau Port. St. Thomas was also home to the Black Market.

"Don't get to comfortable gentlemen. We are only dropping anchor for supplies. If the day goes bad we will stay the night and weigh anchor in the morning." Jack yelled to the crew.

"Aye." The crew cried as they began to grab their belongings and head ashore. Hope was sitting on the left stairs to the helm and saw Elizabeth looking unsure as she looked to the shore and saw all the activity, being a port with many pirates. Feeling sorry for her Hope walked over to her.

"There's nothing to worry about. I've been here many times and nothing has happened, at least not to me."

"But you had Jack. He's the most infamous pirate in the Caribbean." Hope acknowledged in her mind that Elizabeth wasn't correct, since she didn't seem to know about Captain Draco yet.

"And what about Will. He's more than a simple blacksmith." Elizabeth was still a little hesitant.

"Come on. I assure you that it is perfectly fine." Jack walked up to them.

"Just don't bring anything of value to shore. It's home to the black market after all." Jack said. Hope's eyes widened as she hit him in the arm.

"Aye!" Jack said grabbing his arm. He was about to say something more when the look Hope was giving silenced him quickly. "Well. I'll just be going ashore now. Excuse me." Jack quickly walked down the plank.

"It is the home to the black market, but it's not as bad as you think." Elizabeth was silent and Hope sighed.

"All right. If you don't want to go ashore it's okay. We need someone to stay here and watch over Katie and James anyway. Last time we took her on shore it didn't go very well."

"Okay. Will I be the only one on the ship though?"

"No. There are usually one or two crewmembers that stay on board. We should be back shortly." Elizabeth nodded as Will came up from below deck.

"Will. Jack and I are going ashore, do you want to come or stay here with Elizabeth?"

Will looked at his wife.

"They want someone to look after the children till they return."

"I'll go ashore for awhile. I've never been to this port and someone might know more about my father here. I'll be back soon." Will said kissing Elizabeth before walking down the plank and standing with Jack.

"Katie!"

"Yes mother!" Katie called from the corner of the ship where she and James were playing a game.

"Behave for Miss Elizabeth. Your father and I will be back soon."

"Okay." Hope turned to Elizabeth.

"If you need anything there should a crew member within ear shot of the ship or someone who knows where to find us." Elizabeth nodded as Hope walked towards the two men. Jack placed his arm around Hope as they walked into the town.

"Well. Off for supplies and then rum!" Jack said with a smile as he began to hum: Yo ho (a pirate's life).

"Go ahead. You know you want to sing it out loud." Hope said.

"Drink up me hearties yo ho!" Jack yelled out. Hope and Will looked at him surprised.

"That's it?" Will asked.

"Maybe after I've drank enough rum there will be more." Hope sighed.

"You're hopeless."

"I know. A shame really." Hope and Will shook their head as they went around gathering barrels of food and drink.

A few hours later the supplies were loaded onto the ship. It was sunset so Jack ordered that they would spend the night in St. Thomas and set sail in the morning. The crew made their ways back onto shore. Will decided to stay with Elizabeth.

SCENE CHANGE

Hope, Jack, and Gibbs walked through the streets talking about nothing in particular. They rounded a corner and saw several wagons with jewelry, food, plates, etc. At one wagon in particular stood a fairly young looking elderly woman. She watched the three approach and her eyes lit up when she saw Hope. She removed a rectangular box from her pocket.

Hope was glancing at all the wagons and saw the one where the woman was. She stopped and felt something pushing her to go over there. Jack and Gibbs had continued walking to the tavern across from the wagon.

"You coming, love?" Jack asked her. Hope turned to him.

"Yes. You go ahead I'll join you shortly."

"Suit yourself." Jack said as the two walked into the tavern. Hope turned her attention back to the wagon and walked over.

The woman studied her intently with a smile as Hope looked at the necklaces and bracelets and admired their beauty. The woman walked to her and handed her the rectangular box.

"A beautiful young woman like yourself deserves a trinket that is just as beautiful." The woman said. "A gift for you." Hope opened the box and saw inside a necklace with a reddish, orange colored stone. When she looked at the woman she felt a twist of sadness. The woman resembled her mother. The only thing she had of her mother was a picture. But it was taken one year after Catherine was born, or so her father said.

"Is something wrong dear?"

"No. I'm sorry, it's just you remind of someone close to me that I lost a long time ago." The woman gave her a sympathetic look. Hope turned her attention back to the necklace.

"It's beautiful. But I can't take this free and I don't think I have enough money to pay for it." The woman reached her hand out and touched Hope's face. Normally Hope would have backed away but there was something about this woman that commanded her to stay. The woman took the necklace out and placed it around Hope's neck.

"Who you are is enough, my child." Hope looked at her confused. The woman brushed Hope's look off and went back behind the wagon.

"Thank you." As Hope walked back towards the tavern she noticed the card that had been placed in the lid. Taking it out and opening it she saw it contained a message:

The heart of the dragon and the eye of the dragon is a myth passed down through the ages. People believe that it is a story with no truth. Many others believe what has been said about the stones. The ancient gods placed a spell on the stones and gave birth to a prophecy: When the eye of the dragon sheds blood from the heart of the dragon a spell will be cast, thus beginning an epic battle between the two immortals. One evil, one good. As both lie near death only the mixing of blood from the keeper of the heart and the crushed shards of the eye of the dragon can break the spell. The evil is sent into the depths of hell and the good remains at the gates of judgment. A choice will be made by the one whose heart is pure. If life is chosen, their soul is sent back to the body, but the heart is empty. Only the shedding of anguished tears from one born into evil and taken out by good can return what is lost.

The message stopped. Hope was confused but when she turned the card over she saw a single line. She unknowingly spoke the line aloud. "The blood of pure and the tears of evil unto the heart of the dragon. True love returns life."As she finished the winds picked up and flowed fiercely. After a moment the winds died down to what they were before. "That was strange." Hope put the card back into the box, placed the box in her pocket and walked into the tavern. The woman at the wagon smiled.

"Thus the journey begins."

SCENE CHANGE

When Hope entered the tavern she looked for Jack and Gibbs. She saw them sitting at a table on the far side of the room with their drinks in hand. She shook her head a walked over to them.

"I see you two didn't waste any time."

"I've been thirsting for it since you won't allow any rum on board, my ship." Jack said emphasizing 'my ship.'

"I don't want Katie getting any ideas. You can be a bad influence at times."

"I was and still am a bad influence on you so why should I be different on our daughter."

"How many times have I had to get you out of trouble?"

"I got me self out of trouble."

"Oh really?"

"Aye."

"What about the tavern in Nassau port? If I didn't suspect that group of merchants you would be at the bottom of Davy Jones' locker right now."

"There's where you are mistaken, love. I already knew what that group of bilge rats were up too."

"Then why were you unconscious for three hours after one of them hit you over the head with a glass bottle?"

"Element of surprise. That's what I wanted them to think."

"Jack. Gibbs and Cotton had to carry you back to the ship, while you were still in your 'element of surprise' phase."

"I fell asleep."

"Uh huh. How do explain what happened in Tortuga last year then?" Jack's eyes widened. "I had to fake an explanation and tell your gambling mates that you had hit your head and that your mind wasn't all there."

"Well. You see that…"

"And let us not forget that little encounter with Giselle and Scarlett." Gibbs laughed.

"Aye, they were not happy that you had married an Englishwoman and had a child. Seeing is that you lied to them 10 years ago." Gibbs said.

"Now that I could have handled all by me onesy."

"You handled it by yourself, yes, but only for a few moments before some of their male company started a swashbuckling tournament which left me with an immobile arm for months."

"Good thing they found the lass' skill intimidating and left." Gibbs said.

"Maybe just that once."

"Once? What about Port de Poix. You were drunk. And if I hadn't come in when I did you would have lost the Pearl again." Jack was about to speak when Hope cut him off again.

"What about Aruba? Did you forget about Singapore?" Hope continued naming places around the Caribbean where either the crew or herself had to help Jack out at one point or another.

"Okay. We get your point, love." Jack sulked in his chair. This caused Gibbs to laugh.

"And my point would be?"

"You have saved me from trouble and our daughter is still too young to enjoy the drink of spirits."

"Wonderful. We have an accord." Hope stood and Jack watched as she went to the bar. Gibbs chuckled.

"She's starting to take after you."

"I noticed."

"You would be lost without her."

"Don't I know it."

SCENE CHANGE

As Hope approached the bar she received several toothless and rotting grins from other pirates, including the bartender.

"What can I get a pretty, young lass such as yourself?"

"A pint of rum." As she waited for her drink she heard three men talking a few feet from her. Obviously, not caring about the volume of their voices.

"She's attacked again, this time at Port Royal. But they took nothing." An older man with graying hair said to the other two.

"Stories say she's looking for the son of Bootstrap Bill Turner. And won't stop till that bloodline is broken." A younger looking man spoke.

"Aye, so have I. They say ole Bootstrap betrayed Captain Draco." The older man said.

"Betrayed?" The last one spoke.

"Aye. Bootstrap had a brother, Darien Turner, who was in fact Draco's rival." Hope's eyes widened, she couldn't believe what she just heard.

"There you go, love," the bartender said handing Hope her drink. Still shocked she only nodded and took a swig. Just as she was about the go back to the table, one of the men made a comment that made her stop abruptly.

"Have you heard the ones that say Bootstrap's brother took an Englishwoman from Port Royal as his lover."

"It's not true. It can't be true." Hope said under her breath.

"Nay. Those stories are true. Catherine Danforth, the daughter of a minister and the ever famous, Isabelle Danforth." Hope about collapsed at the sound of her sister's and mother's name.

"Ah. The sister of Jacoby Mathers."

"Aye. So, Draco decided to start eating Turner slowly and began with that English whore. Sailed to Port Royal he did and killed her. Turns out she had another man and she was shot in front of him. That bloody, Commodore Norrington of the Royal Navy." They all laughed and Hope felt like she was going to cry.

"Did you know there was another Danforth woman?"

"Was?"

"Aye. No one knows whether she's dead or alive. She disappeared ten years ago."

"What be the lass' name?" Hope lowered her head realizing her mistake of the past. She knew that she should have said something to someone, besides Will.

"Don't know. Some say that she ran off and married some pirate." Hope couldn't listen anymore and went back to sit with Gibbs and Jack.

"Aha you see. Rum. Now how can I be a bad influence if you order rum freely?" Hope just stared at the table, confusion and fright on her features. Jack looked at Gibbs.

"Hope?" She still didn't answer, it seemed like she was in a trance. She suddenly started breathing harder.

"Hope." Jack said putting his arm around her shoulder.

"We have leave. We have to leave right now."

"Leave? Now?" Gibbs asked.

"Will isn't safe, neither are Elizabeth and James. Nor am I."

"What are talking about?" Jack asked.

"I'll tell you once we're on open seas. But we have to go now!" Hope cried very insistent as she stood up, hitting a man walking behind who in turn fell onto the table where the three men were talking. Aggravated the men stood.

"You filthy dog. You spilled me rum." One of the three men yelled. This grabbed the attention in the room. The man Hope knocked over turned to her.

"This whore is too blame." He said drawing his sword. On instinct Jack drew his as well and raised it to the man's throat.

"Now gents. That's not very nice. Is name calling really necessary?"

"Well well. Captain Jack Sparrow. I figured you be hanging in Jamaica now." Jack shrugged.

"Mind your own fortunes, mate." The older man at the table saw the necklace hanging around Hope's neck.

"She wear's one of the stone's from the dragon." Hope reached up to her necklace. Everyone in the tavern stopped all conversation. In the corner a man sat cloaked in the shadows. Seeing the fight that might start he stood and walked over. The hood of the robe he was wearing still over his head.

"There be a curse on that trinket."

"The only curse is its' brother."

"Listen, to the girls' snotty English accent gentlemen." The men laughed. Jack raised his sword.

"Never insult her again. Now move."

"No." The hodded man stopped, drew his sword, and threw the hood off.

"Let the lady and her friends go." Several in the tavern were shocked.

"Jacoby Mathers. I thought you were dead."

"Well then you were misinformed."

"Jacoby Mathers?" Hope asked recalling the name from earlier. Jacoby turned and they had eye contact for a moment. Recognition evident in his eyes he swung his sword and slit the man's throat and pushed Hope, Jack, and Gibbs towards the door.

"Go." Jack and Gibbs were hesitant.

"Do as he says. Let's go," Hope said pulling Jack and Gibbs with her.

"If any of you follow, you will regret the decision." Jacoby said as he fled through the door. He stopped and looked at the woman behind wagon. Saying nothing she only nodded. Jacoby nodded in return and ran after the three.

As the three ran through the streets Jack and Gibbs yelled out to their crew mates they saw in passing.

"Get back to the ship!"

SCENE CHANGE

Will leaned against the railing of the ship looking up at the moon.

"Beautiful night isn't it?" Elizabeth asked walking over to him.

"Now it is." Will said putting his arm around her. "How are you feeling?"

"Better than earlier." Will nodded as he looked towards St. Thomas and saw a fairly large group running towards them. On closer look he saw it was Jack, Hope and most of the crew.

"Why are they running?" Elizabeth asked. Will only shrugged. As they got closer Jack shouted up to him.

"Weigh anchor!"

"What?"

"Weight the bloody anchor." Anamaria was at the helm and shouted to the crew on deck.

"Weigh anchor! Hoist the sails! Make quick!" The crew ran around the deck and up onto the footropes as they prepared to set sail just as the group ran on board. Jack immediately ran to the wheel as the ship began its leave from St. Thomas. Hope looked back to shore and saw that no one had followed them oddly enough.

"Hope. What happened?" Will asked her.

"Long story." As the Black Pearl sailed out of St. Thomas, Will noticed the new addition. His hair was long and in a ponytail at the base of his neck. On his forehead he wore a green bandana. He had a mustache and a thinly trimmed beard.

"Who's he?"

"I would like to know that answer as well." Jack said coming to them.

"My apologies. I saw the danger the lass was in."

"You do realize I could have handled the situation. No interference from you was needed."

"You were standing there doing nothing. One swing and your lady friend here would be dead." Jacoby said motioning to Hope. Jack drew his sword and held it too Jacoby's throat.

"I had the situation under control and she's not a lady friend. She's my wife."

"Put it away, Sparrow. This is not worth risking your life."

"Would you like a lesson in risking your life?"

"Jack. That's enough." Hope yelled walking over to the two men. "If his intent was to cause problems he would have done so already." Jack lowered his sword.

"Do you know him?" Jack asked. Hope looked at Jacoby for a moment.

"Yes. I think I do." The others were surprised. "His name is Jacoby Mathers." Jacoby looked at her. "He's my uncle."

NOTE: Well, what do you think? Feedback please.

Next Chapter: Jacoby Mathers & the Past