DISCLAIMER: I do not own any original plots, characters, themes, ideas of anything from "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl". All I own is everything in the story of my own creation.
Chapter four: The Black Maiden and Black Pearl
Diane woke the next morning to a loud rapping at her door and a gruff voice calling "Breakfast!" She rolled out of the hammock, almost loosing her footing and falling onto the ground and walked to the door opening it just enough so her face could be seen through the crack in the door.
"Just leave it at the foot of the door I shall get it in a moment," she said yawning. The pirate placed the tray on the floor and walked away. When the coast was clear Diane quickly retrieved the tray and closed the door. She looked around the room for a place to eat, apart from the floor, yet found none. She placed the tray of bread, jam and a glass of water on the vanity; pulled on her dress then walked over to the adjoining room and unlocked the door; it was empty. She scuttled back, picked up the tray and walked over to room, quietly she opening the door and creped into the room. The curtains allowed light to flood into the room. It was much easier to see everything about the room during the day. Diana could now see the large spirals of the volumes of books that lined the selves and the maps that were rolled tight and packed into a box. She placed her breakfast tray on the left hand sit of the table near the window and grabbed a small book that lay open on the table. It was a ships log or diary.
Diane sat and ate the tasteless bread and sweet jam whilst reading the small diary. It was an interesting account of the day-to-day life of the crew of the Black Maiden. Diane could tell that it was her sister who had written it, the hand was long and elegant and the punctuation and grammar correct. The spelling was often wrong, but then again Katherine was never particularly good at spelling. Diane was finishing off her satisfying breakfast when she came upon and entry; which made Diane cry and cry:
March 22nd
Today is my birthday. We had a big celebration; everyone was happy. The crew were wonderful, they bought me a large keg of rum and a beautiful gold chalice with 'For our wonderful captain' engraved in the side. We had a party with many drinking games; we are going to be anchored for a while I fear. Everything is in order, the ship is not in need of repairs perhaps a new coat of paint on the bowstrip may be nice but I am not to concerned of that.
It is my sister's birthday today as well; I haven't seen her for so very long. I miss her deeply, she is my twin it is hard for me to be apart from her – but I can't go back, no I can't go back to that life not now not ever. I feel everything she feels; it is a twin thing. When she is sad I am sad, when she laughs I am joyous, when she is sick I feel ill. I know that is the way it happens. It always happened when we were children. I can never go to Port Royal, I will be tempted to go and see her. I will put her in danger, I want her to live a happy life if I intrude I know I will ruin everything. I love her too much to hurt her.
Diane sat silent for a moment her eyes darting over the entry again and again – her sister hadn't just left her. She really did love her more than anything. Wiping her tears away and composing her self, Diane stood and closed the book. She exited the room leaving it the way she found it and when she opened to door to her own room intending to take out the breakfast tray when she bumped into a young man about to knock on her door. He had sandy hair and deep blue eyes. Stubble was growing on his chin but he was very, very good looking.
"Hello ma'am," he said stepping back slightly embarrassed. "Let me take that for you," she handed the tray to him.
"Thank you. What is your name? I am Diane Fairweather," she said introducing herself.
"My name is Joshua Cambell. I am the cook this week," he said blushing even more. He seemed younger than Diane, only by his behaviour though.
"A please to meet you, I enjoyed you breakfast very much. I am afraid I must take some of your time, would you be so kind as to direct me to the deck I am certain that if I attempt to find it myself I will end up in the brig!" She said laughing at herself; Joshua laughed a long.
"Come let me show you," he said leading her away from her cabin. They walked down the long corridor past many dormitories until they came to a set of stairs. After walking up three flights of stairs Diane breathed the fresh salt sea air. Carrad jumped down from the quarterdeck when she came close and greeted her.
"Bon Jour Madame. How are we zis morning?" he asked guiding her to the railing. Joshua followed behind at a distance.
"Very well sir, are we making good time?" Diane asked.
"Oui Madame, by tomorrow morning we should be in Tortuga. We are trying to get zere as soon as possible as zere is a storm on our tail and we wish to beat it," he said smiling.
"Excellent. Now all I have to do is keep myself amused for the next day," Diane said happily. She mentally questioned herself, why was she so very happy? She was on a ship with men she couldn't trust, her husband was lost likely dead at sea and she had no clean clothing – why was she happy?
"Well, Joshua 'ere could keep you company, once he gets talking he doesn't stop!" Carrad said laughing. Joshua blushed fiercely. Carrad walked away laughing without another word. Diane stood facing Joshua, something inside her ticked over – she felt young again. Ever since she married Phillip when she was twenty-one she felt older, now she was eighteen again.
'How old are you Joshua?" she asked brushing the hair off her face.
"I am twenty-four ma'am," he said leaning on the railing.
"Really? I am twenty-three and I thought I was older than you, amusing. Oh and just call me Diane, ma'am is far to formal between friends," she said smiling. "So Joshua, would you care to give me a tour of this ship?"
"If you wish ma – Diane," he said and held out his arm to guide her. They spent the whole day together, chatting about their families, their history, how Joshua became a pirate, what a pirate life involved; when it came to lunch Diane helped Joshua prepare, even for forty men (a relatively small crew) she made each dish look as spectacular as the next. The woman's touch Joshua called it. When they were washing up Diane started a new topic of conversation.
"Who is your captain?" She asked not looking at Joshua.
'Captain Lynn Swallow, great captain, great pirate. Doesn't believe in killing, loots, plunders, and attacks but strives not to kill cold blood, she will if she needs to – to protect herself. Doesn't like us killing either. Capture, put on trial, maybe maroon them but take them to Tortuga strip them of anything and let them go, but never executes. She is great, splits everything equally, and doesn't see herself above us. Kind, caring, something you usually don't get," he said admirably taking a swig of rum.
"She is my sister, that is why I am going to Tortuga. I need her help," Diane said staring at the plate she was scrubbing. So her sister wasn't just a blood thirsty pirate like she thought, neither was her crew - they were moral people. Joshua spit out all his rum.
"No wonder I thought you looked familiar. You are a darker version of her," he said laughing and wiping his chin. Diane smiled to herself; she was going to see her sister after seven years.
Will watched the early morning waves lap against the base of the Black Pearl. They had come to a holt in the early hours of the morning to get some rest and eat breakfast after the long night's voyage. Jack was strolling along the quarterdeck, humming to himself. What was he thinking? Will wondered as he watched his close friend hum happily to himself. Jack was in an interesting mood; no one could deny it. He wasn't drunk – well not with rum anyway.
Peace was interrupted when Mr. Gibbs came up to the deck, in quite a flurry dragging a cloaked creature behind him. Jack immediately jumped onto the main deck followed soon behind the quizzical Will.
"I found her in the cellar," said Mr. Gibbs as he brought the cloaked female in front of him. She straightened up adjusting her cloak hiding her face.
"So, who are ye lass?" Jack said folding his arms. When no reply came he ripped the hood off to reveal the pretty brunette face of Rosemary. Her hair was dishevelled and she averted her eyes.
"Rosemary? What on earth are you doing here?" Will asked worried as he stepped forward brushing Rosemary's hair from her face, he noticed a graze near her hair line. When he touched it she winced. "How did you get that?"
"I am sorry Will, but I had to come, I just had to. I don't know how to explain my knowing, my feeling that I had to come – but I know I have to be here. I want to help find Diane, she is like my sister, please let me help you find her," she pleaded almost in tears. Will embraced her.
"Of course you can help," he said warmly.
"What in devil's name are ye talking 'bout Will, she can't stay!" Jack said ripping Rosemary out of Will's arms so the two men were face to face.
'And what are we supposed to do with her then Jack? Leave her in the middle of the ocean? I would much prefer she was here, on the ship where I could keep and eye on her. Jack it doesn't matter we will be in Tortuga soon and Diane will be there; she will be home in a flash," Will said. Jack was still uneasy. He stalked down to the gallery not giving an answer. "Don't worry about him. He likes you I think. But Mr. Gibbs what do you think of this graze on our fair maidens head?"
"Looks to me like you fell over or something, banged you head. Let me clean it up for you, we will go and get some breakfast and you should be just fine," Mr. Gibbs said gently. Rosemary was in such a state of shock – she seriously thought Will was going to throw her over board or the pirates would at least.
The gallery was long with a long wide table in the middle. The pirates of the Black Pearl had established a system of a buffet. All the available food was lined up across a number of tables along the back wall, the cook for the week stood behind the tables supervising and helping if it was required and the men came up in single file. Originally this idea of civilized single filing hadn't worked, but gradually the men learnt that if they wanted food they had to behave themselves. Rosemary was sat at the near the end of the table next to where Will was planing to sit whilst he went and got breakfast. She took off her cloak to reveal a plain navy blue travelling dress with low square neckline and short straight sleeves, she wore her little black work shoes and her hair had been pulled completely off her face revealing her graze. Jack sat at the head of the table, at the opposite end to Rosemary and watched her tentatively. She didn't know he looked upon her but she did know that she was getting many looks from many of the men around her.
After a few minutes she became fidgety and uncomfortable with the glances she got. Ana-Maria, the only other female on the ship looked at her with great interest. But was too concerned with her food to ask her any questions. Soon Will came back to his seat and handed Rosemary a plate and dug into the meal. He was very different on a pirate ship then he was in a manor.
"Who are ye?" one of the men yelled at Rosemary. He was old and quite disgusting. "Will's whore?"
"That'll do Curt," Jack yelled from the other end of the table. "Men, and lady Ana-Maria, this is Rosemary. Treat 'er with respect or you'll be stuck doing washing up for a month," Jack said when all the crew were hushed. Rosemary felt uncomfortable and lost her appetite; she barely ate anything. Will lead her from the table and gave her the grand tour of the Black Pearl and by the end of the tour the ended up in the sleeping quarters. Will opened a few doors, one leading to Jack's room, another leading to Jack's rum storage and another leading into the room where Jack's women would stay; Rosemary was to sleep here.
"You can spend the days hanging out with me if you like," Will said sweetly, Rosemary smiled.
"Sir, that would be living above my post," she said innocently.
"We aren't in Port Royal anymore, you are now just my friend – not my friend's servant," he said leading her up to the deck. Jack was standing at the helm of the ship humming and swaying to himself, "Jack has been in such a good mood. No idea why, he is going on a cat and mouse chase when he was going to stay in Tortuga for a while. Maybe you could worm it out of him," Will said poking at Rosemary's sides making her laugh.
"I don't think he really wants to speak with me sir, he was very frustrated when I was discovered sir," she said adjusting herself.
"Well, why don't you find out? Mr. Gibbs needs me in the wash room," he said pushing Rosemary towards the stairs, "Go on! And drop the formalities!" Will yelled as he left Rosemary at the bottom of the stairs leading to the quarterdeck. She smoothed her hair and dress then walked slowly up the stairs – why, she then thought to herself afterwards.
Jack noticed her as she gracefully walked up the stairs and chose to ignore her, just waiting to see what she was going to do. Rosemary began walking towards him, unaware that he had noticed her, the turned around, then started again then walked to the back of the quarter deck and watched the horizon behind the boat. The deck was deserted after breakfast but by noon would be busy with men repairing the Pearl and keeping it running smoothly. For now it was just Rosemary and Jack. Looking behind him at the creature leaning against the ledged Jack chuckled to himself and lassoed the wheel in place and sauntered over to her.
"Rosemary, right?" he asked giving her a fright.
"Yes sir," she said regaining her composure, "You gave me a fright sir,"
"Did I now?"
"Yes sir. It is not very polite to give lady a fright sir, not that I am a lady, I mean I am but I really am just a girl," she said stumbling over herself giving Jack great amusement.
"Ye are a funny one, tell me about ye self," he asked leaning on the railing. Rosemary stood up straight then relaxed.
"Well, sir, it is not very polite for me to tell all about myself – that would be very self centred," she retorted.
"Ah, but ye see, I asked ye to tell me about ye self, so it is alright," he had won the argument, "And if you are going to call me anything, call me Captain or Jack – sir makes me feel like a prude," he said laughing. Rosemary smiled and began hesitantly to tell Jack about her family, how her father was a sailor and often went away, how her mother was a music teacher and she learned to sing from singing with her mother's students, how she had five older brothers Daniel, John, Peter, William and Nicholas who all worked in the famous Gagging Parlour in Port Royal and how her brother William bought it in the end.
"My brother William loved working there so much, all my brothers did. They all met the wives there, after they were married they moved away to other ports and are doing quite well. I miss them though. But anyway, William loved the Gagging Parlour so much then when he heard the owner was thinking of selling that he was the highest bidder. He has great business and lives in a moderate house with his wife and two sons. I worked there for a time, was great fun. Then I became a handmaid for Diane when I was nineteen. I have lived a good life sir, my family was not rich but we were happy," Rosemary said smiling.
"Never 'eard of the Gagging Parlour," Jack said.
"You are missing out," Rosemary said smiling.
"Ye say ye mother was a music teacher, and ye learnt to sing with her and her pupils. Sing for me," Jack said, it was almost dinnertime.
"Oh no sir, I couldn't do that," she said blushing.
"What did I say about calling me sir? It is captain," he said proudly.
"Sorry, captain, but I can't, I am no good," Rosemary said turning her back on Jack like a little girl.
"Oh come on, I am sure you are – I will make you sing for all the crew at dinner," he teased. She murmured and grumbled the sang softly:
"It was a Friday morn when we set sail
And we were not far from the land
When our captain, he spied a fishy mermaid
With a comb and a glass in her hand
Oh the ocean waves do roll
And the stormy winds do blow
And we poor sailors are skipping at the top
While the landlubbers lie down below, below, below
While the landlubbers lie down below
Up spoke the captain of our gallant ship
And a brave old skipper was he
"This fishy mermaid has warned me of our doom
We shall sink to the bottom of the sea"
Up spoke the first mate of our gallant ship
And a well-spoken man was he
"I have me a wife in Salem by the sea
And tonight she a widow will be"
Up spoke the bosun of our gallant ship
And a brave young man was he
"Well I've got a sweetheart at St. John's by the sea
And tonight she be weepin' for me"
Up spoke the cook of our gallant ship
And a greasy old butcher was he
"I care much more for my pots and my pans
Than I do for the bottom of the sea"
Then up spoke the cabinboy, of our gallant ship
And a nasty little lad was he
"I'm not quite sure I can spell mermaid
But I'm going to the bottom of the sea"
Then three times around spun our gallant ship
And three times around spun she
Three times around spun our gallant ship
And she sank to the bottom of the sea"
Rosemary surprised herself that she actually sang for Jack. The Mermaid was an old sea shanty her father had taught her when he took her on one of his voyagers which was very rarely. Jack was humming the tune to himself after she finished and smiled.
"Ye are very good lass! Ye will 'ave to sing for me crew after dinner tonight. Then you can 'ave a spot of rum if ye are good!" he said laughing as he ran off. Rosemary had no opportunity to protest.