Chapter 8: Return to Port Royal
Captain Jack Sparrow rushed up to the steering wheel. He gave out a sigh of relief when he found his ship had not been harmed. He caressed his wheel then turned to Mr. Gibbs, "make fast the main sail!" he yelled. Mr. Gibbs flinched slightly at the command.
"Might I suggest a younger seaman? I'm not as young as I used to be," Mr. Gibbs protested. He never much liked to shimmy up the mast and untie the sails, even in his youth.
"Mr. Gibbs, if you didn't want to do some work, you shouldn't have become a pirate," Jack said with a smile as he turned towards Mr. Gibbs.
Mr. Gibbs sighed unhappily, "aye Cap'n," he said sauntering over to the mast. Once he reached the towering pole, hhe rolled his eyes back and fainted.
From his position at the wheel, Jack heard the quiet thump as Mr. Gibbs hit the deck. He gave out a disgusted sigh, " Killian, take Gibbs down to the galley and get some rum in him," the pirate captain ordered. The pirate followed the order and dragged the aging first mate down the stairs to the galley.
Jack turned his wheel a few clicks to the west, and let the wheel stay there. He leaned against the black piece of wood and looked out over the water and started to sing one of his favourite songs. This song happened to be the one taught to him by Elizabeth Swann, fifteen years ago on some uncharted island.
"We're rascals, we're scoundrels, villains, and knaves, drink up me hearties yo ho," Jack sang quietly.
"We're devils, we're black sheep, we're really bad eggs! Drink up me hearties yo ho," the young Molly sang from beside Jack. Captain Jack Sparrow turned to his young daughter and smiled.
"Where'd you learn that, love?" he asked with a curious smile on his dirty face.
"I picked it up while me and mummy were in Tortuga," she said with a small smile. But to Jack's surprise, it quickly turned to a frown once the young pirate lass' eyes saw the young man leaning on the boats edge, staring out to where the Black Emerald was. Molly looked back at her father with her gentle, dark eyes.
Jack smiled, "Molly Sparrow, take hold of the wheel," Jack said as he secretly slipped on the rope to keep the wheel from moving, "hold tight and don't let it turn," Jack said as he strode over to Justin.
Justin stood staring out into the vastness of the ocean. It seemed such a menacing and cruel place ever since he joined Captain Robbush's crew. Yet, once he saw the water's reflection in Sparrow's eyes he found it to be serene and tranquil. Justin heard the captain walk over to him (he could also smell him from a yard away, even though he was down wind).
"I need not your councilling, nor your sympathy, Captain," Justin said as he walked over to a different part of the ship.
Jack cocked his head to the left and followed the young lad. His dark boots made silent thuds as he walked over to Justin's new location.
Justin gave out an annoyed sigh, "ugh, you're like a lost puppy!" he said, walking briskly over to his original location. In turn, Jack followed, matching Justin's stride.
Justin put a fist under his chin and gave out a disgusted "humph," as he continued to watch the neverending tides roll back and forth against the side of the ship. Jack stood beside Justin, hands behind his back. Unexpectedly, Captain Jack Sparrow gave out a cute, lost puppy whine.
Justin turned to Jack, "ha ha, very funny," he said, turning back to the ocean.
"at least give me a chance," Jack Sparrow said with a cute smile.
"Fine, what do you want to talk about?" Justin said, slightly enraged at the nagging pirate.
Before Jack could reply, Molly came skippy down the deck, "Sparrow and Justin sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" she said as she skipped back to the wheel.
Jack sucked in his lip, and smiled sheepishly. Justin sighed dreamily, "it's true. I've never met anyone like Sparrow before," he said, his eyes almost turning into clouds. Jack couldn't help a giggle as Justin continued to talk incoherently, "and now I'm floating on a boat, away from her!" Justin said, throwing his arms in the air.
"You must remember that we are going back, we just need to pick up a few people," Jack said with a smile as he walked back to the Black Pearl's steering wheel, "I'll take over from here, Ms. Sparrow," Jack said, shooing her towards Justin. As Jack took the wheel, Molly Sparrow skipped over to the other side of the ship. She was looking out on the water, and smiled at the small fish in the water. She tilted her head to match the fishes movements as they darted through the ocean and around the ship. They almost seemed to be dancing. Molly turned to look back at her father at the wheel, but was mistaken, for Mr. Gibbs had taken his place there, and she could not see the pirate she sought. She started to pace around the deck looking for him, when he came up from the galley, licking a few drops of rum off his mustache. He walked up to the mast, and grabbed a rope. He swung one end around and caught it. He then started walking up the mast, using the rope for support. Once he reached the crows nest, he stood up on the outer ring and looked out on the water. Molly stood against the side of the ship and gazed in awe.
It had grown rather windy and her father's hair and clothes were blowing aimlously in the gust. Once Jack had had his gander, he swung down and walked over to his daughter. Jack recgonized the place, as did most of the crew. They were coming up to a bay, but right at the entrance, there hung three pirate skeleton's and a wooden sign that read "PIRATES BEWARE". Everyone on deck took of their hats and gave them a salute, before they continued to float into the bay.
The Black Pearl glided silently on the water, but didn't float straight to the docks, Molly was confused, "Daddy, why aren't docking?" her eyes were lit up with curiosity.
Jack gave a quirky smile, "because, love, 'round here, we pirates aren't that welcome. But I'm sure once Commodore Norrington sees me, and I tell him my story, he'll be happy to join us," he said as he climbed off the side of the ship. Once he reached the ground he yelled up the his crew, "Mr. Gibbs, you and the crew stay with the ship. Molly, Justin, and I will go ashore," he said, motioning for Molly to climb down. Molly gulped and climbed down carefully, then jumped off into her father's open arms. Justin leapt straight off the edge and landed silently, absorbing the impact with his legs.
Jack nodded his head and looked for something to get them to the docks. He looked around the small cove for anything that would float. Molly and Justin followed his example, and searched all around to find a boat or some type of vessle. Molly noticed a bundle of dark brown hair in a pile on the sandy floor. She also noticed that it ressembled Sparrow's. She decided not to bother on it and continued her search for a boat.
Jack found the boat first, and to his surprise, it was Sparrow's tiny boat, the Mother of Pearl. Commodore Norrington must have brought it back here the day Sparrow left. Jack called over to the other searchers, "Jackknife, Molly, come give me a hand with this here boat," he said as he started to shove it toward the water. Justin was the closest and took his place beside Jack. Since Molly was only a child, she chose to stay in front of the boat and move anything that was in the small vessle's path to the water. They soon got the vessle in the water, and the sails filled with wind. After piling in, the three pirates sailed to Port Royal.
Back in Governor's house, Governor Swann and Commodore Norrington were having an afternoon chat, which is a very broad thing to say since the conversation wasn't all that pleasant, seeing as they were talking about the disappearance of the Turner family, "Commodore, I want you to send out all your ships. They must be found!" Governor Swann said in near outrage.
Commodore Norrington stood still and straight, "we are doing all we can, but we must keep some here for defence," he said calmly.
The Governor couldn't take all of the conversation in, so he sat down on one of the chairs, "is there no more we can do?" he said placing on hand over his face.
Norrington looked down at his shoes, "I'm afraid there is nothing left to do but wait," he said a little more mornfully.
Back aboard the Mother of Pearl, Jack, Justin, and Molly were just docking. They strode across the dock, but were stopped by the same man that had halted Captain Jack Sparrow fifteen years ago, "Hold up there, now" he said, his clipboard in one hand.
All three pirates turned on heel and walked back to the man, Jack smiled, "I know it's a shilling to tie up your boat," he said digging into his coat pocket. He found no money, but Molly had him covered for she had already reached into her pocket and placed a silver coin on the dockman's clipboard.
The man looked down at the coin, "Welcome back to Port Royal, Mr. Smith," he said before turning to leave. Molly smiled and walked back to her father.
Jack was surprised, "where'd you get that?" he said, snatching the bag of coins out of his daughter's hands.
"I managed to snitch it from Captain Rubbish when he wasn't looking," she said with a smile.
Jack smiled back and led them through the streets of Port Royal. The town was very quiet and busy repairing the damage Robbush and his crew had done during their visit. Jack saw some of Norrington's men and stood wide-eyed looking for a place to hide, "Sheesh," he spitted through his teeth, as they dove into an alleyway. The men ran passed and the three pirate continued their search for Commodore Norrington. Unfortunately, the Commodore found them first, for just as they ran around the corner, they bumped into Lt. Gillette and the Commodore.
After brushing himself off, Commodore Norrington noticed the pirate, "well if isn't the infamous Jack Sparrow," he said with a smile.
Before Jack could open his mouth, Molly had already corrected the unaccurate soldier, "Captain Jack Sparrow," she said with a scowl.
Norrington looked down at the girl and laughed, "well looks like the sparrow has a little baby bird," he said kneeling down towards Molly.
Jack made a lunge for him, but he was already grabbed by Gillette and in shackles, "Commodore if you harm one hair on her head," he said between the growls.
Commodore Norrington sniffed at Jack, then diverted his full attention on Molly, "do you know what your father is?" he asked gently.
Molly hesitated, "he's a pirate," she said, meeting the eyes of the Commodore.
"Do you know what happens to pirates around here?" he asked calmly.
Molly took a deep breath, "a short drop and a sudden stop," she said, averting her gaze from Norrington.
"What a smart child you have here, Jack," he said before turning back to Molly, "it's a shame you'll have to see his final fall," he said making a motion to take Molly's wrist. He grabbed it firmly.
Molly, enraged on this action, kicked the poor Commodore in a most uncomfortable place, then leap-frogged over the man as he crumbled to the ground. Jack was almost jumping for joy, "go Molly, go!" he said.
Luckily for Jack, Justin didn't get caught, and had ducked behind a barrel before Norrington had spotted him
I see now would be a good time to bring up Jackknife Justin, and how he came to be called such a name. During Justin's childhood, whenever he and his friends we play fighting, he tended to always have a weapon, no matter how many were broken or stolen. He was like a jackknife, full of everything you could ever need. When Justin joined Captain Robbush's crew, he had already killed plenty of men for a boy his age. Captain Robbush had even fought him in fair combat, but decided to spare the boy, seeing he was without a first-mate (because Justin had killed him), and didn't see fit for a one of his current crew members to take up the position.
Justin watched Molly run passed him, but only permitted one soldier to pass. Once the soldier passed, Justin jumped in front of the oncoming group, and charged out, sword flailing and daggers flying. Jack saw an opportunity and jumped on Gillette's toes, just as Justin was coming over to him. The pirate captain was freed and he too had drawn his sword. More soldier's came and more were defeated.
Jackknife Justin and Captain Jack Sparrow were an indestructable team. They matched eachother's moves and easily overcame most of the guards and soldiers. While Jack and Justin were battling for their very lives, Commodore Norrington was recovering from his unfriendly encounter with Jack's daughter. Norrington silently roseto his battered feet. He spotted the two pirates knocking out his men, and drew his sword.
Molly, by this time was half-way through Port Royal, and unknowingly on her way to Governor's Swann's mansion. She was only being chased by one man, but he was young and very hard to shake off. She dove through alleyways and around unknown buildings. She ran through the market and as fast as humanly possible towards the first house to meet her eyes; the Governor's mansion. She dove into a bush and waited for the soldier to run passed. The young man was confused and lost, so he decided to dash down the closest street and somehow find his way back to the Commodore. Once the man had left, Molly leapt out of the bush and started to climb the steel gate that surrounded the huge mansion. She landed and rolled along the well-kept lawn. She ran acroos the grass and through a garden, where a number of servants were tending the herbs and flowers, "don't mind me. You're doing an excellent job. Keep up the good work," she said as she ran passed. The servants paid no heed to the young child seeingas she wasn't a threat, nor a bother.
The young lass opened the doors to the house and found an elderly man crying on the table. Molly cautiously apporaoched the sobbing figure, "excuse me sir, are you all right?" she said, placing a gentle hand on the man's shoulder.
The man whispered a near incoherable word, but she could make it out, "Jaqueline?" at least that's what she thought the man said.
If this was indeed true, Molly knew who this man was, "are you Governor Swann?" she asked him. The man sniffled and nodded. Molly was almost overwhelmed, "you must come with me quickly!" she said, helping the man up from the chair.
The Governor, never used to being rushed, piped in quickly, "what is the urrgency young lady?" he asked gently.
"a man is trying to kill my father and my friend," she said, tugging at his sleeve.
"I think that is something you should bring up with Commodore Norrington and his men," he said, trying to regain his seat.
Molly persisted, "but that's just it, I think the Commodore is the man trying to kill him!" she said pulling him towards the door with all the strength a nine-year-old girl has.
The Governor seemed to perk up at the mention of this outrage, "well then, lead the way, young lady," he said, grabbing his cane from the umbrella container. The two walked down the steps and through the streets of Port Royal, the young Molly hoping that they weren't too late.
Justin and Jack had themselves handled, up until Commodore Norrington walked up behind Justin, knocking him out, therefore making him tumble to the ground. Norrington smiled at his victory, and raised his sword to finish the job. Yet, Jack was too quick for him and blocked the follow-through, saving the young man's life, "only a coward hits a man when he's down Commodore," he said, shoving the man away from Justin. Jack leapt over his fallen commrade, but didn't desert him. He stood between him and the Commodore, sword at the ready.
Norrington smiled at the valor the pirate attempted to portray, "I wouldn't think you were one of the humble pirates, Jack" he said lunging at his opponent.
"You've underestimated me, Commodore. That can be very dangerous," he said as he parried the attack, and matched it with one of his own. The Commodore deflected this one and threw in a combination thrust with a spin and a jab. Jack dodged all three attacks and leapt onto the barrel that Justin hid behind. He rolled it onto it's side and started rolling toward Norrington, "surprisingly I did come here for a reason," he said as he rolled closer to the Commodore.
Governor Swann and Molly had already made it halfway through Port Royal and arrived in the alley where the battle was taking place. Both attackers were unaware of the Governor and Molly's presence. Molly rushed to the aid of her fallen companion and gazed up to see her father and the Commodore Norrington battling it out on the ground/barrel.
"That pirate is your father?" Governor Swann stated, pointing towards Jack, teetering on the brown barrel.
Molly nodded as she helped Justin to his uneasy feet, "we came here to get help," she said,gazing into the Governor's aging eyes.
"Why ever would you need my help for?" the Governor asked the young pirate lass.
"because we know where your daughter, son-inlaw, and grand-daughter are. But the problem is we need a larger artilery than just the Black Pearl and we thought one of your ships could help us," she said, leaning her swaying friend against the wall.
Governor Swann nearly fainted at the hearing of his daughter and grand-daughter's whereabouts.
Commodore stopped fighting, just as Jack fell off his barrel, "you know where Elizabeth is?" he said looking to the three faces.
Jack got to his feet, grumbling, "that's what I've been trying to tell you," he walked back over to his daughter and shipmate.
Governor Swann had found his voice and managed to utter a few words, "you know where they are?"
"Aye," Jack said, taking his protective place beside his daughter. Norrington had sheathed his sword and walked over to the Governor's side.
"Commodore, take the Messatania and accompany Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew on their voyage," the Governor said with a smile on his face.
"M'lord, do you think it wise to trust such a ship in the hands of pirates?" Norrington asked.
"No, I don't. That's why you and as many men possible are going with them," Governor Swann said with another smile.
Commodore Norrington was ready to object, but having never refused an order, he didn't want to put a black mark on his record, so he agreed to join Captain Jack Sparrow and his fleet.
Now the Black Pearl was no longer alone, for not only the Messatania was with them, but also the stronghold Skimmer accompanied them on their little journey. Jack Sparrow stood at the head, governing over the two ships at his rear. He knew that the Black Emerald was badly damaged and couldn't make good time. Jack's luck had finally turned around and he could finally repay the Turner's for their courage on his last encounter with them. The odds had finally turned for the better and Captain Jack Sparrow set a course for Isla de la Vida, and the Turner family.