AN: Okay, so has anybody else noticed that the beads on Jack's head, the ones in his bandana, never move? Sorry, that was just the random insane question of the day and I just had to ask if anybody else had noticed it. Anyway, here is the next chapter, written in between classes at school and in my spare time (mostly at six in the morning and at midnight!). Hope you like it!
"Truth is appearance, but appearance isn't always truth."
~Ichabod Crane, Sleepy Hollow
Silver and Gold
Chapter Four: Hangings
This world was different, it was covered in gold. The room around her glittered in the moonlight that filtered down from above her. "Lor," a voice whispered to her, finding its way through the gold glaze. "Lor, come to me."
Lor's head snapped up to look in front of her. A small, silver trinket floated above a short gold pedestal in the middle of the room. She walked up to it slowly, her eyes taking in the only piece of silver in the room. Her hand lifted slowly, her fingers reaching for the thin armlet that floated in front of her.
"It is not time," the voice whispered to her again. "You will find the one who will hold the key. The blood of the Chosen must be spilt. A sparrow will hold the key."
Lor's eyes flew open. Rolling over onto her back, her eyes widened as she caught sight of the four men standing around the bed that she and Jack slept in. "Mornin'," she muttered.
The men raised their rifles slightly to aim them at the two pirates. "Don't move or we will shoot," the first officer replied, his eyes glancing over her bare shoulders, his gaze resting on the large scar on her right shoulder.
"It takes four men to shoot two people? How bad of aim do you guys have?" Lor asked, nudging Jack in the chest.
Jack roused immediately, jerking up to a sitting position. "What?" he growled out until he noticed the four men standing above them. A smirk crossed his face. "Mornin' gents."
"I would not be so calm were I you, Mr. Sparrow."
Lor and Jack turned to the man that had spoken. He stood just inside the doorway, stiff and straight backed just like every other naval officer. "That would be Captain Sparrow lad."
"Perhaps among your kind you are a captain," the man replied, "but to mine you are not." He turned his attention to the four men surrounding the bed. "Clap them in irons."
None of the men moved from their positions, glancing at each other out of the corner's of their eyes. One officer cleared his throat. "But, um, sir," he started. "They are, um, indecent, sir."
"I beg your pardon?"
"They are undressed, sir."
Lor laughed softly. "Oh, yes, and you wouldn't want to arrest an undressed person. Even a pirate."
"Bad luck, you know," Jack seconded, borrowing Gibbs' favorite line.
The man sighed, exasperated. "Very well, allow them to get dressed, but do not take your eyes off of them."
Both pirates laughed, shaking their heads slowly. They both wrapped thin sheets around them and stood up, beginning to gather their clothes. At the sound of soft crying, Lor looked up. Elizabeth stood just to the side of the door, holding Michel in her arms, Alex and Emily standing behind her. Silent tears streamed down her face as she watched the two pirate captains being arrested.
Lor's eyes scanned the rest of the crowd of soldiers surrounding them, searching for the other part of the Turner family. She looked down as the irons were locked around her wrists by one of the officers, the man who was obviously the captain stood just to the side of her. He grabbed her left arm roughly and twisted it around to reveal the burn marks on her arm.
Lor looked up into his dark eyes as he seemed to take a keen interest in the burns. "That is what being tortured looks like, mate," she whispered.
The captain dropped her arm quickly as if it had suddenly caught fire. "Take them to the brig; I'm sure our other prisoners would enjoy some company."
Jack and Lor looked over at him as they passed, confused looks on both of their faces.
Jeremy stood facing the large window of the guest room that he occupied in Governor Swann's house, his eyes scanning the town that sat below him. The sun hovered lazily in the sky, casting its golden rays down on the bustling town. Ships rocked slowly back and forth in the harbor as the waves rolled in the ocean.
On his face, Jeremy held a troubled look. He had heard, earlier this morning, that the young Captain Mason had not only arrested Commodore Norrington on charges of piracy, but also a young blacksmith on the same charges. While on this spree, the young captain had also found two pirates hiding out in the blacksmith's house. The only thing that had stopped him from arresting the young lad's wife as well, were the three young children that surrounded her.
A sudden knock caused him to turn around. "Come in."
The door opened slowly and a young man stepped inside, his soft, brown hair tussled. "Grandfather," he said, giving a slight bow, "you were correct. According to Officer Murtogg, the two pirates that were captured were Captain Jack Sparrow of the Black Pearl and a Captain Lor Adams of the Sui Generis."
"Lor Adams?" Jeremy asked quietly, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Yes, sir," Tyler replied. "Not much is known about her except that she is the daughter of the pirate Captain Timothy "Black" Adams."
"Yes, I have heard some about her," Jeremy replied quietly, his hand finding its way slowly to his coat pocket, his eyes growing distant. "You wish to see a live pirate, do you not, Tyler?"
"Grandfather?" Tyler answered, his eyes narrowing.
"I thought we should take a trip to the jail to visit these scourges of the ocean. I should like to meet this Jack Sparrow and see why he holds so many people's attention."
"Of course, sir. Whatever you wish," Tyler answered, excitement growing in his eyes.
Lor looked at the officer in front of her as he unlocked the irons from around her wrists. Thoughts flew through her mind, thoughts of how she could break free from these idiots without killing them, and thoughts of how she could break free with killing them. It wouldn't be that hard, she thought. A few well placed punches and kicks and she could easily knock them unconscious, or kill them, and take their weapons.
"Move," the officer behind her said, shoving her into the small cell, causing her to slam into Jack as he was pushed in as well.
"At least this time they were a little nicer about it," Jack said. "Last time they dragged me in here while I was unconscious and threw me on the ground."
Lor laughed softly at his comment and then turned around as she heard the door close behind them. "I hope you enjoy your stay, pirates, it won't be for long," the captain said, giving a cruel laugh.
Lor's eyes narrowed as she looked at him. She knew that laugh. "You," she said, pointing at him. "What is your ship?"
"Why do you ask?" he asked, staring down at her.
She shrugged. "Curiosity."
"My ship, pirate, is none other than the Dancing Lady. She is the fastest ship in the fleet."
Lor's eyes narrowed further, changing from a light gold to a dark yellow. She balled her fists tightly as she felt her anger rising. Jack noticed this, so he took her hand in his, gently unclenching it. He winced as she gripped his hand tightly, crushing his fingers. "Easy, love," he whispered, gazing into the other man's dark eyes.
Mason smiled. "Have a good day, then, pirates, for it shall be the last one that you see. I intend to make it where you hang tomorrow," he said, and then turned on his heel and walked up the stairs, leaving the jail.
"That was fun," Jack said, turning his attention back to Lor. "You may wanna breathe, love, it helps, ya know."
Lor released the breath that she hadn't realized she had been holding. Her eyes continued to stare at the spot where Mason had stood only moments before. "That bastard," she seethed.
Jack furrowed his eyebrows. "Okay."
"Do you remember the dream I had, Jack? The one I told you not to ask about?"
"Of course."
"The ship was the Dancing Lady. Jack, he is the one that destroyed the Sui Generis and killed my crew," she said softly, anger evident in her voice. "I will kill him, Jack. He will suffer a much more painful death than Skinner did."
"Calm down, lass," Jack said, taking her face in between his hands.
"No, Jack, I will not calm down! He deserves to. . ."
Jack drew her face to his, catching her lips with his own. She was tense at first, the anger still boiling in her blood. Moments later he sensed her start to calm down as she began to kiss him back.
"Oh, God, get a room," a voice to their left called out.
They broke apart slowly to look into the adjoining cell. Will stood there, his face pressed up against the bars. Behind him stood Norrington, the ever present scowl still evident on his face. "Well that's interesting," Jack said. "I never expected to see you in here Commodore. You, on the other hand, Will, I thought would have been in here much sooner. What with the pirate's blood runnin' through yer veins."
"I thank you for that, Jack," Will replied, a small smile finding its way to his lips. "I'm glad to see that you are enjoying your stay in prison," he said, gesturing to Lor.
Jack merely smiled.
"I hope you have some sort of escape plan, Captain Sparrow," Norrington said. "I doubt that this captain will take it as easy on you as I did." Jack only raised his eyebrows, saying nothing.
"Jack, what of the Pearl?" Will asked.
Jack flipped his hand nonchalantly. "They would've left by now. I'm sure that the dear captain, having known who I was, would've sent ships out to try an' capture the rest of my crew."
"So they would just leave you to die?" Norrington asked.
"If it comes to that, AnaMaria is completely capable of taking over the Pearl," Jack said, shrugging. "They know to follow the code."
"Any man who falls behind, gets left behind," Will quoted, his eyes gazing into Jack's.
"So you have no plans to escape?"
Jack looked at Norrington as if he were crazy. "Even if I did, my dear Commodore, what makes you think that I would tell you?"
Norrington walked up to Jack, facing him through the bars. "I am in the same predicament as you Captain. You are not the only ones being held on charges of piracy. Although your charges are true."
"You are being held for piracy?" Lor asked. "That's impossible; you're the most uptight person I know."
"I thank you for that," Norrington said dryly. "Too bad that it would not hold up in a trial."
"Pity," Jack replied, grinning. He sat down on the dusty ground, pulling Lor down with him. She sat down next to him, placing her head lightly on his shoulder. "Now, I suggest you get some rest, mates. Appears it's gonna be a long night," he said, leaning back against the bars and closing his eyes.
Will and Norrington stared down at him; a small smile crossing Will's face as he shook his head.
"Wake up pirates!" a gruff, male voice yelled, jolting the two pirates out of their light slumber. Will and Norrington, who had been unable to rest, looked up at the four men who stood outside of Lor and Jack's cell.
Lor stretched slightly, arching her back to pull at the sore muscles. She stopped as her eyes caught sight of the two men standing behind the two guards. The elder man wore a white wig, his clothes looking as if they were made of the finest silks. The younger man standing next to him held excitement in his eyes, his brown hair messy. "Oh, look Jack, visitors."
"Didn't think we were allowed ta 'ave visitors," Jack replied, standing up and then helping Lor get up.
"You're not pirate, but Captain Mason made an exception this once. Think of it as your last rights," the first officer said, a smirk crossing his face.
"You can tell your Captain Mason to shove his last rights up his. . ."
"I would not say another word, pirate," the second officer interrupted, "unless you wish for us to beat the insolence out of you."
"Are you threatenin' me, mate?" Asked Lor, her eyes flashing.
"It's more of a promise. . ."
"That will be enough, sir," the older man interjected. "We can take over from here, I assure you."
The two officers stiffened immediately at the old man's voice. "Yes sir," they both replied in unison and then walked past the two aristocrats and up the small staircase.
"Shoulda let 'im finish, mate," Lor said, her eyes staring deep into the older man's eyes. There was something familiar about him, something that she couldn't place.
"There are some things, my dear girl that no one needs to hear. I am sure that what he was about to say was one of them."
"I'm sure I've heard them all."
"I'm sure you've said them all, love," Jack replied, walking up to the bars. "I don't think that ya could've protected 'er from much."
Jeremy looked at him closely, staring first at his long, beaded hair, his kohl-lined eyes, and then continued down to look at his tattered clothing. "You must be Jack Sparrow."
Jack gave a mock bow, his hands gesturing wildly in the air. "The one and the same, mate."
"It is such a pleasure to meet you!" Tyler exclaimed, excitement burning brighter in his eyes. "I have always wanted to meet you Captain Sparrow!"
"At least he calls you captain," Lor said, coming up and locking hands with Jack.
"I have heard of your exploits as well Captain Adams," Tyler said, fixing his gaze on her. "I find women pirates fascinating."
Lor's eyebrows rose slightly. "Glad to be of service, lad."
"Enough, Tyler," Jeremy said softly. "I believe it is time to take our leave."
Tyler straightened slightly, crossing his hands lightly behind his back. "Of course, sir."
"Good day, Mr. Sparrow," Jeremy said and then turned his attention to Lor, "Miss Adams. And Commodore Norrington, I am sorry to hear of your plight. If Captain Mason did not have a signed order from the King of England, neither Governor Swann nor I would have allowed this."
Norrington nodded. "Thank you, sir."
Jeremy nodded slightly, and then, taking one last look at Lor, turned and walked back up the stairs, Tyler following close behind.
Jack and Lor stood side by side on the platform of the gallows. The Harold that stood beside them went down the list of the many crimes against the crown that they had committed. He had already finished with hers, mostly talking about pirating, looting, pillaging, and so on. The same old things that she heard at other pirate hangings. Now, the man went down the list of Jack's interesting crimes. She could hear Jack laughing quietly at some of the crimes that the Harold called out. "Impersonating a cleric of the Church of England," the man called out, causing Lor to look over at Jack, her eyebrows rising.
Jack merely looked at her and smiled a look of suppressed laughter evident in her eyes.
"You are sentenced to hang by the neck until dead," the man called out. "May God have mercy on your souls."
Lor felt the thick noose brush her cheek as the executioner slipped the rope around her neck. She looked over at Jack one more time and then watched as the executioner wrapped his thick fingers around the lever. She closed her eyes, waiting for the sudden drop that she knew was coming. "Wait! Stop!"
Lor's eyes shot open as the voice rang out in the clearing. The old man who had come to visit she and Jack the night before made his way through the thick crowd of onlookers. He stepped up onto the wooden platform, standing directly in front of Lor. "This hanging must not go on!"
Mason pushed his way through the crowd to stand in front of the gallows, looking up at the older man. "Are you bloody daft, sir? These people are pirates!"
"I understand that, Captain Mason, but I also understand that this will not go on any further."
"And why is that?" Mason asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Because this young woman," he started, "is my granddaughter."
Next: Chapter 5: Decisions. We'll find out what happens after the almost hanging. What happens between Lor and her grandfather? What happens between Lor and Jack? Will everything turn out to be happily ever after? Or will something unforeseen once again happen?
Dawnie-7: Thanx! I thought the twist was very nice as well. And now I've entered another twist into it! Bwahahahaha!
MarsMoonStar: thanx!
Jessica Sparrow: Thank you very much! I hope you continue to love it!
Anaknusan: Thank you! I was sad that she ended up losing everything as well, but without doing it this way. I promise to keep updating as fast as I can!
NazgulGirl: Well . . . obviously with the end of this chapter you can see that I'm not going to hang anyone. It just wouldn't seem right to kill off any characters, save for perhaps Mason!
nidalsmylover33: I'm glad you liked it, and I hope you like this one as well!