Disclaimer: Nope. I own a copy of the film, a poster and lots of pictures, but unfortunately Pirates of the Caribbean is the property of Disney. No matter how much I wish for Johnny Depp or Orlando Bloom.
A Sparrow & A BarbossaChapter Nine
I sat on the side of the Dauntless, my feet hanging limply from the side. I remembered the numerous times I had done this as a child on the Pearl, only for a seagull to startle me on one sunny afternoon causing me to fall into the sea. Lucky the ship and been in the port of Tortuga at the time.
So as I stared out at the moonlit sky I could make out the sound of boots on the deck, making there way to me. When two soldiers wrapped a hand each around my upper arms I didn't struggle, I knew that I was going to be spending the rest of the journey in the brig.
Instead, I was locked in the captain's cabin, only to be joined moments later by a screaming Elizabeth. "This is Jack Sparrow's doing!"
I laughed, only to receive a glare from Elizabeth, who quickly began looking around the room.
I chose to settle myself in a chair, my feet on the desk in front. Picking up a book I found it to be the captain's log. I knew that many pirates did not know to read, but my mother had taught me the basics in reading and writing. And I had picked up enough French to get by.
Flipping to a random entry I found out how truly dreary the King's Navy was.
"What are you doing!" An outraged Elizabeth cried. Looking up I saw she was watching me.
"Reading," I reply snottily. After a little cough I began to mock the Commodore, "Today was indeed a wondrous day. Elizabeth is to be my wife." Looking up I saw her eyes were downcast, almost as though she felt guilty. I continued, "However, I have a distinct feeling that she is not in love with me. She loves that blacksmith, with his big brown and nice muscular body…"
Elizabeth began giggling. "I'd be worried," I told her as I threw the log on the desk, "If my fiancée was interested in men."
"If we are to escape, I'm going to need your help," The young woman told me.
Leaning back in my chair I snort. "Ye hit me with a bottle o' rum and ye expect my help," I say, "Yer ill in the head, Liz."
"Miss Swann," She grounds out. "And if you help, we can get out of here. We can save Will." Yawning, I inspect my nails. "And Jack may be able to get his ship back. Your home," She tempts.
Growling silently I get up. Either I loved Jack or that goddamn ship too much, because I began to order Elizabeth to find some sheets we could use to tie a makeshift rope with.
As we were finishing there was a knock on the door, signalling the arrival of the Governor. Throwing the rope out of the window we climbed down one at a time into the waiting boat.
On the journey to the Pearl Elizabeth rowed. I'm pretty sure I could have done a better job than her, but I still hadn't forgiven her for the whole hitting me on the head incident.
As the two of us climbed aboard the ship, Barbossa's monkey dropped from the riggings and startled Elizabeth. Dropping the mangy little creature of the side of the ship attracted the attention of the guards. Rolling my eyes I grabbed Elizabeth by the hand and dragged her to one of my favourite hiding spots as a child, under the stairs.
As the pirates ran past, Elizabeth and I ran to the brigs. All the shipmates were crammed into one cell, including the parrot. Pulling out my pistol I shot at the lock on the door.
Back out on deck, after we got rid of the two troublesome guards, Elizabeth tries to launch one of the rowboats…alone. "Please, I need your help! Come on!" She begged them.
"Any port in the storm," The parrot squawked. Gibbs nodded, "Cotton 's right, we've got the Pearl."
"It's a parrot," I mumble to myself. Then louder I say, "And what about Jack, you're just going to leave him?"
"Jack owes us a ship," One of the crew called out.
Shouting I tell them, "Well Jack owes me one pistol, a pair of boots, a dress, hair ribbons, a necklace, six bottles of rum and one whiskey, two chickens and a feather pillow…" This was a list of things that Jack either promised me or 'commandeered' from me when I was younger. "But do yer see me moaning about it?"
Gibbs shook his head at me, "But there's the code to consider too."
"The code? You're pirates. Hang the code, and hang the rules! They're more like guidelines anyway," Elizabeth cried. "What about you? Are you going to abandon Jack?"
Looking between the only place I'd ever known as home and the rowing boat that would take me to the only man I had ever loved, I made a choice. One of the easiest of my life.
Looking at the crew I smiled. "You're rowing, Liz," Turning to face the blond I smirked.
As we got further away from the Pearl Elizabeth muttered, "Bloody pirates!" under her breath. "Tut, tut. Be nice, Liz," I tell her as I idly fingering the trigger of my pistol.
When we arrive at the caves we both run in. I spot Jack fighting with my father, and Will falling on to the floor. A pirate above him.
The pirate advances. "I'm gonna teach you the meaning of pain," He growls.
"You like pain?" Elizabeth asks as she hits the pirate with a heavy staff. "Try wearing a corset!"
Will looks up to see Elizabeth. She helps Will up. Leaving me to struggle with another pirate who had seen our arrival, "Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Just help Will."
Spotting Jack and Barbossa, both as immortals she questions, "Whose side is Jack on?"
Shrugging Will says, "At the moment?" Pushing away from the pirate I say, "His own."
Together the three of us string together the three pirates. Will sticks a grenade in the centre ones stomach. Then together we push them from the light.
The pirate rips at his stomach declaring, "No fair!"
The three of us run from the exploding pirates, towards the chest. Will in the lead, with me bringing up the rear.
Barbossa pulls out his pistol. I push Elizabeth out of harms way. Barbossa cocks it and takes aim.
The shot rings out around the cavern.
My hands fly to my chest. But there is no blood. Looking up I see Jack has got his gun out. He fired the shot while Barbossa's attention was on me.
"Ten years you carry that pistol, and now you waste your shot," He assumes out loud.
"He didn't waste it!" Will announces. Our attention turns to him. He opens his hand and drops two bloody medallions into the chest.
Dropping his sword Barbossa's hands fly to his coat. Pulling it open we can see the blood spreading from the wound. "I feel…cold." His last words, before he topples to the ground, dead.
Jack starts sifting through his treasure. I take a seat on the chest, and watch as Elizabeth and Will encounter each other. They smile at each and lean in as though they're going to kiss. But Jack throwing something stops them.
"We should return to the Dauntless," Elizabeth announces to Will.
Will nods, remembering she's engaged. "Your fiancé will be wanting to know you're safe."
On the verge of tears Elizabeth turns away. I stand in front of Will.
"Yer're a bastard," I hiss, "And if ye hadn't of all most got killed, I'd hit yer."
Jack swaggers over, weighed down by lots of gold. "If you were waiting for the opportune moment…that was it."
"She might just feel the same," I tell him. Then in a quieter tone I add, "One of us should be happy." I stare after Jack. Will places a hand on my shoulder. "He might feel the same."
Brushing his hand away I go to see what gold had been collected on the island over the years.
"Now, if you'll be so kind, I'd be much obliged if you'd drop me off my ship!" Echoes Jack's voice.
I run to catch up with my three companions. As we walk towards a rowboat Jack throws an ornate gold chain with medallion (luckily not a pirate one) over my neck. I look down at it, then back up at Jack. I allow a small smile to grace my features.
Jack wraps an arm around my shoulder. I lean into his embrace, savouring the moment.
As Will rows out of the cave the can see the Black Pearl is long gone.
"I'm sorry, Jack," Elizabeth says. "You too, Kat."
I shrug it off. I was just glad I wasn't as desperate to get it back as Jack was. "They done what's right by them. Can't expect more than that."
Jack looks at me. "Our last adventure, Kat. The gallows await us in Port Royal."
"To die would be an awfully big adventure," I whisper to Jack. I feel tears running down my cheeks. Jack pulls me onto his lap. He strokes my hair and places a kiss to the top of my head.
"At least we aren't alone," I mumble into his chest.