1A/N: It's the last chapter and I just want to thank everyone who's reviewed for this story, it means the world to me, it really does. Thank you and I hope you enjoy the last chapter!
TriGemini- Yup, Jack likes annoying Elli, because she's easy to annoy/frustrate...really, I would know, wouldn't I, Elli? And you're right, even the best get hurt sometimes. Also, I know the plot line is confusing, but you'll understand in the end, though I don't think you're going to be happy! Thanks for reviewing!
Jinxeh- I'm sure fire pokers work a lot better than swords and jars...they're all sharp and pokey...but alas, there were no fire pokers on the island.'sighs' Sorry you didn't get any sleep, hope your teachers weren't too hard on you! (Just threaten them with your fire poker, that should keep them away!) Glad you liked the humor, be warned though-this chapter is quite sad. On that note, thanks for reviewing!
Blossomlite-Thanks for reviewing!...hm...a sequel eh? Read the Epilogue okay?
Katweenathesmiley-Glad you thought the last chapter was well written. I didn't think so, but that's just me. Yes, how could anyone be mad at Jack? Elli's just insane. Thanks for reviewing!
Elli-Wow, it's the end huh? Can you believe how far our story has come from the first version?...ha ha. Really people, it sucked...Thanks for reviewing even though you knew it all and thanks for sticking with me all this time! Love you!
Chapter Fifteen-Falling Away With You
I can't remember when it was good, moments of happiness elude...
Maybe I just misunderstood.
All of the love we left behind-watching the flash backs intertwine
Memories I will never find...
And I feel my world crumbling, I feel my life crumbling-
I feel my soul crumbling away and falling away
Falling away with you.
"Jack Sparrow, be it known that on this day you have been sentenced to be hung by the neck for your willful actions against the crown. Said crimes being numerous in quantity and sinister in nature, the most egregious of these to be cited herewith – piracy, smuggling…" The old official droned on, but I tuned him out.
Elli and I, along with the rest of Port Royal, were standing at the fort, watching Jack's execution take place. I felt horribly sick to my stomach and my heart felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds. Even though I was an emotionally strong person, I couldn't stand to watch executions, especially the execution of someone who I became fairly good friends with.
Now Elli, Will and I weren't going to be hung because we were granted clemency... but Jack was not, something even Elli found unfair. That amazed me because I thought she hated him with everything that was within her. But then again, on the night after we had escaped from the Isle De Muerta, she seemed really quiet, especially after she had Jack had talked in her cabin.
It made me wonder what they had talked about. All I remembered was that they were yelling at each other while I was trying to sleep. I looked over at Elli and saw that she was staring out at the vast Caribbean sea. It was so beautiful and calm.
And I hated it.
I also hated the bright sun that was shining down on us as it sat in the marvelous blue sky. It should not be a bright and sunny day. There were so many things that were wrong with this day. Jack was going to die in less than fifteen minute's time, Elli looked awfully sad for some reason and Will still loved Elizabeth. It should be raining, or dark clouds should blot out the sun at least. The sky shouldn't be the bright azure that it was, the ocean shouldn't be smooth and gentle, it should be torrential and raging. Hail should be falling from the sky, people should be crying. Anything. Anything to make this day seem as dreary and mournful as it was.
Elli suddenly turned her head to the pavilion where Jack stood, looking lonely and defeated with his hands bound and the noose resting around his neck. She stared at him and to her surprise, he scanned the crowd as if looking for her and then they locked eyes. His beautiful amber eyes were no longer full of the mischievous light that never seemed to leave them, but were now dull and morbid. Elli's ocean blue eyes were filled with incredible sadness and she felt an odd stirring in her heart.
She thought back to all those times when she had snapped at him for no reason, even though he was trying to be kind to her. She thought of all those times she wanted to maroon him, all the times she wanted to slap him and instantly felt guilty. All he had been trying to do was help her when she needed it. True, he frustrated her, but he was a good person-despite all his faults and annoying ways. And most of all, he didn't deserve to die.
"May God have mercy upon your soul." The official finished in a grave voice. He stepped off of the pavilion and a smart drum roll started up.
"Ari, we have to do something!" She suddenly cried, gripping my arm. I looked up at her, surprised. That was the last thing I expected her to say.
"Why?" I asked, smiling evilly. Elli looked at me, shocked and then realized what I was hinting at.
"No, no for God's sake! I do NOT love him!" She cried. About ten people turned and looked at us. Elli and I just gave them winning smiles and they turned back around, satisfied.
"Well then why do you want to save him? I thought you would be enjoying this." I hissed. Elli rolled her eyes.
"And I thought you were smart. I do not hate him okay-I don't want him to die, but I don't love him either so don't even think it." Elli admitted. I just smiled blithely.
"Alright...let's find Will and see if he can help us out." I replied and stood up on the balls of my feet, scanning the crowd.
"Oh look, there he is!" Elli exclaimed. I looked in the direction she was pointing and saw that Will was standing in front of the governor and Elizabeth. I rushed over to him, the beat of the drums matching the uneasy beating of my heart.
"Will!" I cried, about two feet away from him. He didn't hear me though, instead he turned to Elizabeth and smiled at her sadly.
"Elizabeth..." He began softly. I stopped dead in my tracks, knowing what was going to happen and wanting to look away, wanting to walk away, but I couldn't force my eyes to close or my feet to move. It was like watching a horror movie-you feel so terrified that you can't stand to watch it, but you know you can't turn away. "I love you..." Will said gently and walked off through the crowd.
The drum roll stopped and Will shoved people out of his way. All I could do was watch him, watch him walk into this death trap.
"Ari!" Elli cried, her voice shrill and far away. I staggered backwards as if I had been wounded and pressed myself against the wall, welcoming it's coolness. I felt as if I was dying. My head was pounding, my heart was beating far too loud and hard and my breath was short and forced. I tilted my head back and stared up at the garish blue sky, breathing deeply. I felt a few stray tears fall down my face, but I brushed them away quickly. Why was I crying? I knew he loved Elizabeth, I knew he was going to eventually tell her so, but I guess there's a big difference between knowing something and hearing someone say it, because saying it out loud makes it worse-makes it more real.
"Ari!" Someone jerked on my arm hard and I saw that it was Elli. I looked out at the crowds and saw that Will was standing on the pavilion, fighting off the executioner while Jack untied his bonds. "We have to help them." She said and motioned towards the guards who were rushing after Will and Jack who were now running towards the edge of the Fort. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me after her. I jerked my arm out of her grasp, but continued running even though my legs felt like they were going to give out beneath me.
I pulled out my swords and began knocking out and fighting off every guard I came across, Elli was on my right, doing the same. In no time we were right next to Jack and Will.
"Wow Jack, I didn't know your execution day was going to be so eventful." I muttered as I dodged the grasp of a Navy guard. Damn it! There were doing their job for once and at the worst time too!
"Nor did I." He replied, giving another guard a hard smack across the head with the hilt of his sword. I felt someone behind me and wheeled around to find a musket being pointed right at my heart. I looked around and saw that we were surrounded by at least twelve Navy guards. All the rest were still on the ground, unconscious.
"I thought we would have to deal some ill-conceived escape plot, but not from any of you." The Commodore said and motioned to Will, Elli and I.
"Well, you should've anticipated it." I replied smartly.
"Indeed." The Commodore agreed.
"I granted you clemency and this is how you thank me-by throwing in your lot with him?" The governor asked, mainly to Will. "He's a pirate."
"And a good man." Will proclaimed strongly. I nodded in agreement and then glowered as I saw Elizabeth come and stand beside her father. "If the only thing I have learned here is that the hangman shall earn two pair of boots instead of one-then so be it. At least my conscience will be clear."
"You forget your place Turner." The Commodore seethed.
"What? How could you say that, he's a better person than you'll ever be!" I cried.
"How the hell did you become the Commodore anyways?" Elli asked, her eyes flashing dangerously and my fingers were just itching to tie a noose around his neck. Will must've sensed this, because he laid a hand on my shoulder to calm me and then turned back to the Commodore.
"My place is right here...between you and Jack." He said softly. I smiled up at him-happy that he was standing up to the Commodore who had no right to treat him the way he does.
"Good for you Will." I said softly. He heard this and smiled at me softly.
"As is mine." A nasally voice suddenly broke the silence. I turned and then groaned as I saw Elizabeth push her way through the circle of Navy guards to come stand beside Will, grasping his hand.
"Elizabeth!" Her father exclaimed. He then turned to the guards. "Lower your weapons!" He commanded. They hesitated.
"You heard the man." Elli snapped. The guards lowered their weapons and the Commodore looked at Elizabeth sadly.
"So...this is where your heart truly lies then?" He whispered. Elizabeth nodded, looking at him with pity in her eyes.
"Well...this is all been rather nice...I think we've all arrived at a good place here."Jack cut in suddenly which I was very thankful for because I was finding it hard to breathe again, especially since I was standing so close to Will and Elizabeth. I walked away from them and went and stood by Elli who was looking at the ocean.
Jack stepped out of the circle of guards and went about to saying his good byes. I turned to Elli. "I guess we're gonna leave now too-right?" I asked and she nodded.
"We'll slip away later." She replied. I looked out at sea again and saw a large ship in the distance. My eyes lit up with recognition.
"Jack! It's the Pearl!" I cried and pointed to where the Pearl was. He walked to the edge of the fort and smiled.
"So it is lass." He murmured.
"Why on earth did they come back for you?" Elli asked, crossing her arms over her chest. Jack walked up to her, standing very, very close to her. Elli backed away a little.
"Well love, I was going to offer if you and Ari wanted to come with us, but now I don't think I don't want you to come." Jack said.
"Good, cause I would've said no anyways...besides...Ari and I are going back to America." She replied. I nodded in agreement.
"Thanks for the offer though." I said softly. Jack nodded.
"Any time lass." Jack said, patting me on the shoulder. "Good bye."
"Goodbye Jack." I replied. Jack smiled and then turned to Elli.
"Goodbye love." He said softly. Elli uncrossed her arms and pointed a finger at him.
"I thought I told you not to call me-..." Elli began, but was cut off by Jack's lips closing over hers. Ell's eyes widened and she shoved Jack away from her.
"You freak!" She shouted and ran after him. He took off running towards the edge of the fort. Elli shoved him and he tumbled over the edge, but not without grabbing onto her wrist and pulling her down after him. Elli shrieked and disappeared from my view. I rushed over and looked down into the water. I saw both of them surface, but the strange thing was that Elli was still swimming after Jack towards the Pearl. She looked over her shoulder and motioned for me to follow her. I laughed and then felt someone lay their hand on my shoulder. I turned around and saw that it was Will.
He was looking at me sadly, a small smile on his face.
"Are you going to leave as well?" He asked. The smile I had on my face slowly disappeared and I nodded.
"I am." I replied.
"I'm going to miss you." Will replied. I shrugged, wondering if he really meant it or not.
"Well, I better go before they decide to sail away without me." I replied and walked towards the ledge. Will grabbed my wrist though and I turned around again.
"Are you ever going to come back?" He asked softly.
"Depends." I answered vaguely. "I wish you well in your marriage, congratulations." I murmured.
"Thank you." Will said softly, suddenly not feeling as happy about his new marriage as he was a couple minutes ago.
"Good bye Will."
"Good bye." He replied and let me go. I took a deep breath and hopped over the side of the ledge, swimming towards the Pearl.
Once I got there, Elli threw a rope over the side and the crew pulled me up.
"Hello again." I said cheerfully. The crew smiled and welcomed me back, telling me about all the adventures we were going to go on. I nodded and smiled as I listened to them, trying to forget about a certain blacksmith named Will Turner.
"Alright you dogs, get back to work!" Jack shouted and the crew instantly rushed around on deck once more. I looked over at Elli who was working the riggings beside me.
"So, what made you change your mind missy?" I asked, also going to work.
"Oh...I decided it would be best if we got away for awhile and just had some fun." She replied, hiding a smile that was creeping onto her face.
"It's Jack, isn't it?" I whispered.
"NO!" She shouted. "FOR THE LAST TIME, I DON'T LIKE HIM-I DID THIS ALL YOU, NOW LET IT GO!" She roared. The crew looked at us, somewhat frightened, but went back to work after Elli glared at them.
"Remember what I told you love, hate is just another form of love." Jack replied, walking past us.
"SHUT UP DAMMNIT!" Elli shouted. "Now look what you did!" She cried, pointing to me.
"Sorry Elli, but it was your idea to come on this adventure." I replied and then rolled my eyes as Jack started singing 'A Pirates Life For Me.' I looked at the fort, which was shrinking in the distance. I dimly saw Will standing alone at the ledge, watching us. I smiled to myself and then started singing along with Jack and the crew.
"Drink up me 'earties-you ho!"
xXx
Elli and I stayed on the Peal with Jack and his crew for about two months, learning how to be pirates. Jack and Elli seemed to fight less and less and I wondered if they were actually starting to get along. But at last we knew we would have to leave. And so one night when the crew and Jack were down playing cards, we went out on deck, took one last look at the world around us and opened the Portal.
But this isn't the end...not really because one day I am coming back...just like I promised Will. I'll be back one day. (And I'm dragging Elli with me!)
Staying awake to chase a dream, tasting the air you're breathing in
I know I won't forget a thing.
Promise to hold you close and pray-watching the fantasies decay
Nothing will ever stay the same...
All of the love we threw away-all of the hopes we cherished fade...
Making the same mistakes again, making the same mistakes again
I can feel my world crumbling, I can feel my life crumbling
I can feel my soul crumbling away
And falling away-falling away with you
All of the love we've left behind, watching the flash backs intertwine...
Memories I will never find-
Memories I will never find...
Muse-Falling Away With You
A/N: Aw...the end, well-not really, as Ari said. Now, go read the Epilogue, I mean it!
