Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot line, so far. (grins evilly)

A/N: I finished writing this chapter just now! Wow. I'm getting better at updating. But don't expect it all the time. I'm starting college on Monday so I don't know if I'll be able to post that often. The last time it was because I was lazy. Heh heh. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter even better than the last one! ONE WITH THE... uh, STORY!

Chapter 2: The Black Pearl

Legolas sighed. The last 70 years of his life as a merchant had been for the most part uneventful. There was the occasional pirate crew after his cargo or his ship, the Thranduil, named after his son, since he had done most of the building and some of the carvings; more often than not, both. But the pirates offered no challenge for him, even with their loud metal monsters, which he soon found out to be called cannons. He would fell more than half of their crew with his arrows before they could fire a second shot; this always made the pirates flee for their lives. There was only one thing Legolas truly worried about; it was that someone would take his ship while he was on shore, so before going on land he would always hide it, then place an enchantment on it, just in case. He still worried though, which accounted for his edgy behavior in the tavern he was in at the moment. Port Royal, a safe port for merchants who needed rest or jobs, was a seaside town that was very strict when it came to pirates; so Legolas was never expecting one to approach him.

"Hullo, mate. Why the long face?"

Legolas spun around on his seat at the bar to find the owner of the voice, and came face to face with a strange man with long black hair tied in what appeared to be messy braids. Legolas frowned slightly at the man's unkempt appearance; Legolas' own hair was tied off by a black ribbon just below his neck, a small bit of hair covering the tips of his ears, and his hair was as perfect as ever. Legolas turned back to his mug of slightly acceptable tasting wine, trying to ignore the man's stench. "It is none of your concern. Leave me be."

The man didn't listen to Legolas; he simply sat down beside him and turned to the bartender, placing a few shillings on the counter. "I want one bottle of Rum, mate." He turned back to Legolas after his Rum arrived and looked him over. "What's your name lad?"

Legolas, a little upset about being called lad when the man next to him clearly looked younger than he did, spat out an answer. "Tell me yours and I may consider giving you my name."

The young man gave a toothy grin, his teeth unusually white for someone in that age. "I like your style. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, and I'm in need of one more man for my crew."

Legolas glanced suspiciously at Captain Sparrow, yet deemed him a good, if cunning and lying, person. "My name is William Turner. I am a merchant-for-hire."

"Hey, how about giving up the merchant business and joining my crew? You'll be rewarded handsomely. What say you?"

Legolas thought hard for a moment. It was obvious to him that this Jack Sparrow was a pirate. Why else would he so carefully omit telling him what he did for a living? "Very well, but I am joining you for my own reasons. Not for any reward you may offer."

Sparrow's grin grew even wider, giving Legolas the chance to see that his teeth are not only white, but perfectly straight as well. "Great. I'll introduce you to the crew first thing tomorrow morning, and then we'll be on our way, savvy?"

Legolas nodded and watched Jack stagger off drunkenly with the bottle of Rum clutched tightly in his hand. Legolas drained the rest of his mug, paid the bartender, and then left the tavern. He had, around that time, decided that Jack was a descendant of one of the few elves who remained in Middle-Earth to end their days. How else could anyone have teeth that perfect? That was where; thank Eru, the similarities ended. As Legolas neared the location of his ship he paused, making sure no one was following him. After assessing his surroundings and finding nothing amiss, he left the cobble paved street he was following, and proceeded along the shore line to a small, unnoticeable cave into which the sea flowed. Before entering the cave via the small path at the side, Legolas removed the enchantments he had woven about its mouth to keep others away. He boarded his ship and weighed anchor, drifting just far enough out of the cave to view the stars. He then dropped anchor and laid down on the deck, slipping into elvin dreams.

The next day dawned bright and early, and Legolas was already waiting in the harbor for Captain Sparrow, his own ship having already been moved to a more permanent location. Legolas had a feeling that he would be gone for many years of Men; a short time for him, yet longer than he had been from his ship since he left Valinor. He had made sure to take every thing he needed from his ship: Lembas, his bow and quiver of arrows, a sword, a hidden dagger in his boot; and the traveling cloak from his journey with the Fellowship. He also took dried meats and fruit packed inside a pack which his wife had made for him when he had taken Thranduil for his first hunting experience. All these things held great value to him. Legolas soon spotted Sparrow in the distance, the drunken swagger he had last night still there. He wondered briefly if Jack was ever sober, but quickly banished the thought as he went to meet his new Captain halfway.

As soon as Sparrow saw Legolas he grinned and gave a wave. "Mornin' Will. I see you actually came. Think you got enough stuff there?"

Legolas arched an eyebrow at the nickname as well as Jack's statement. "I could say the same of you." Sparrow was carrying nothing but a sword and pistol at his waist. "And my name is William, not Will."

"Sure it is Bill," Jack said with a teasing smile.

Legolas simply sighed and motioned for Sparrow to show him the way to his ship. Sparrow led him away from the harbor to a hidden alcove; as they rounded the bend, Legolas couldn't help but gasp at the sight before him. The largest ship he had ever seen was anchored there; its white sails were closed, yet he could tell they would be beautiful once unfurled. It wasn't as detailed as his ship, but even from a distance he could tell it was well made.

Sparrow laughed at Legolas' open mouthed stare. "She's a beauty, ain't she? Welcome to the Black Pearl!"

A/N: How was it? Is it too short? Too long? Did you just hate it? Tell me! I want to know! Review! It makes a writer like me actually continue writing stories. See you next time! Perhaps on my other story. If you like Anime as well as the LOTR, then that's the story for you! Though the LOTR part won't be in it until somewhere around the tenth chapter. Ja ne! AND REVIEW! I'll eat any flames, so if you have any feel free to give them cause I'm hungry!