Disclaimer: I own the plot. Soon I won't. I do own the idea for this story though. Well, most of it. Don't sue!

A/N: I really shouldn't do this, but I love this story and it would be such a pain to find another site. I will find a different site if I have to, though. PLEASE REVIEW! IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME!

(Elvish) Unless otherwise stated.

Thoughts

Chapter 5: A message and a curse

"There is a ship graveyard, dead ahead!"

The crew of the Black Pearl began peering through the fog, trying to see what Legolas had pointed out; failing miserably. Barbosa had slowed the ship down so that it drifted slowly forward. Soon the pirates saw the shapes of rotting and smashed ships immerging from the fog. Barbosa was able to steer a straight course past the unfortunate ships, and then an island appeared out of the fog. They weighed the anchor, and everyone left for the island in small dinghies; therefore, the only living being left on the ship was the albatross.

As the small boats rowed swiftly into a cave at the base of a tall cliff, the pirates were anxiously peering through the darkness of the caves; the lanterns they had brought only cast small golden pools of light around the boats. Soon the boats came into a large cave with a stone box, (A/N: for lack of a better term.) which was lighted by the moonlight streaming through a skylight. The pirates landed, quickly clambered out of the boats, and created a semicircle around the container. (A/N: It's Ziploc! Don't microwave it! HAH!) The crowd parted to let Barbosa through, and everyone grew silent in order to listen to Barbosa speak.

As the long winded Barbosa spoke and the others cheered, Legolas was lost in thought. He could sense a weak enchantment on whatever it was in that tomb like box. It wasn't as strong as any made by the elves, and Legolas didn't think it would affect him; however, it was better to be on the safe side and not tempt his already shaky relationship with the Valar.

Barbosa was finally finished with his speech and he pushed the lid off the box with his foot, revealing 1000 pieces of Aztec gold.

Well, thought Legolas as he stared wide eyed at the gold, one piece couldn't hurt. It seemed he had acquired his father's lust for beautiful and rare items.

Barbosa kept an eye on the pirates as they went up one by one so he could make sure each took only their share of the gold. Once Legolas reached the gold, he only took one piece. Barbosa looked at him inquiringly, but let the matter rest. Legolas quickly boarded the boat that was on its way out, and gazed at the piece of gold he had snatched. It was a lovely work of art; it had many designs around the edge and on most of the surface, but what caught his eye was the skull that was engraved in the center; a masterpiece indeed. Not one flaw could he find, except for a small hole near the edge above the skull. Legolas could feel its enchantment attempting to take hold of him, but he suppressed it with his own magic. Although he could suppress the curse from taking hold of him he couldn't influence the enchantment that connected the gold piece to each and every one of the others.

As soon as everyone reached the ship, a huge party began. They opened barrels of rum and whisky, brought out food that they had plundered from other ships, and started to sing loudly and horribly. (A/N: They're singing the song from the POTC RIDE at Disney world. I just wanted to let you know.) Legolas was the only one who didn't participation the festivities. Instead, he went up to the crow's nest with a quill, ink, a scroll of parchment, the gold coin, and wrote a letter to his family:

Dearest family,

I am sending you this medallion for safekeeping, so please do not lose it. If you do not hear from me within twenty years, then, if you wish, you may search for me. Do not reply to this message, for by the time you receive it I will be in a different place. Stay safe, and may Iluvitar bless you.

Legolas Greenleaf

Legolas rolled the piece of parchment into a tight tube and placed it into a leather pouch with the piece of gold. He then called the albatross down from the mast, and tied the pouch around its neck. (Take this to Valinor and give it to the first elf maiden you see. May your journey be swift and may Manwe keep the wind beneath your wings.) The albatross dipped its head as if bowing, and spread its wings, taking flight. As the albatross left, a dark cloud seemed to descend upon the Black Pearl and Legolas' heart. It was then he realized that the crew would attempt to kill him, because he was no longer of use to them and he was too different, not to mention his opinion was greatly hated. Legolas smiled grimly as he looked up at the stars. It seems that even I am subject to the wrath of the Valar, yet I understand why they would punish me, he thought with resignation. He then climbed down the mast with amazing agility for someone who had one hand full with the ink and quill. Walking past all the drinking, singing and dancing men as he winced in pain at the inharmonious sounds, he entered his cabin and placed his hand on the wall beside his bed. As he pushed lightly on it, a large section of it sunk into the wall and slid to the side, revealing a hidden compartment large enough to hold all of his weapons, and his traveling pack full of clothes, at one time. He reached into the storage space and withdrew his twin daggers; he then slipped a small hunting knife into a boot, making sure it was hidden well. Legolas also removed his quiver of arrows, his bow, his sword, and his pack. Legolas, decked out with his weapons, closed the compartment, which blended seamlessly back into the wall, and went back on deck, returning to the crow's nest until it was time to confront Barbosa.

A fortnight later, the Black Pearl was docked in Tortuga. Barbosa had allowed everyone to go on shore, except for Legolas, who had to watch the ship. Legolas knew that the only reason they had come here was to spend the gold they had acquired. Barbosa had been hinting at buying some new sails for the ship; black ones at that. Legolas had over heard him one day saying that the Black Pearl wasn't black enough, and something else was going on. Legolas was the first one to have noticed something strange happening to the ship, but no one would comment on it; over the past three days, it had been unnaturally hazy, and it only seemed to worsen as the days went by. Legolas could tell it was the curse's doing, and he became ever more vigilant, for soon he would not be able to see through what was rapidly becoming a thick fog.

When Legolas' crew mates returned to the ship, he noticed frustrated and angry looks on their faces; even more so on Barbosa's. Legolas slid down the mast and landed in front of Barbosa. "What happened?"

Barbosa grimaced at the question, but answered nonetheless. "We can't slake our thirst, can't curb our lust, and can't satisfy our hunger. But what's even worse is that we have no idea why!"

Legolas glared at Barbosa and raised his voice so the entire ship could hear him. "I know why you are like this." The whole crew stopped and turned towards Legolas. Legolas, seeing he had everyone's attention, continued. "The reason you feel this way, and also why there is persistent fog where ever we go, is because of the curse on Cortez's gold. We deserve what we have received. We are this way because of Barbosa!"

The crew gasped and glowered at Legolas, but he heeded them not; his eyes were fixated on Barbosa, who was getting angrier by the minuet. Legolas knew that this was the point in time in which Barbosa would try to kill him.

Barbosa sneered and stalked over to Legolas. "Are you challenging my authority, Bootstrap?" Legolas' eyes sparkled in defiance as he spat on Barbosa's new boots. Barbosa roared with rage as he drew his sword; his pet monkey, Jack, screeched on his shoulder, but was quickly drowned out by the cries of the crew. Everyone drew their weapons and rushed blindly at Legolas.

A flash, followed by the sound of steel clashing against steel, was the only warning the crew members had before they started dropping like flies. Five men lay prostrate on the ship's deck, blood pooling around their bodies, and Legolas was in the center; his twin daggers were stained crimson with thick blood. The rest of the crew froze in their tracks and backed slowly away from Legolas, fear evident on their faces. Legolas lowered his blades, and with a glare that could pierce armor, he advanced towards Barbosa. Legolas didn't get very far when he felt something grasp his ankle and pull. This caused Legolas to slip in the puddle of blood and come crashing down on his side, losing his hold on his daggers. Before he could push himself up, he was surrounded by the men he thought he had killed; their weapons aimed threateningly at his heart.

Barbosa smirked triumphantly at Legolas, and ordered his men to bind his hands and feet. "I have a special death planned for you." He then let out an evil laugh as Legolas stared up at him with hate, as well as undetected pity for Barbosa's fate.

A/N: How was it? And yes, I know I forgot to mention the monkey, but just pretend he was there at the caves. Now you know why I rated it T, because of the blood and violence. The next chapter will be all about Thranduil and his mother, though I need some help starting it. The chapter name is: Death, Enchantments, and Love. If you have any ideas, let me know and I'll e-mail you, as long as you've left an e-mail address when you reviewed. Please review, even if it is to flame me! Ja ne.