Two and a half weeks had now passed since Will and Elizabeth were married. ' Bliss' was the only word they could find to describe their happiness when speaking of each other. But Will was longing for the sea; he yearned for a ship beneath his boots and the cool salty air around him again. Liz knew that his thoughts were elsewhere for a couple of days and decided they could make a small trip to the coast and see the blue water once again to get her old Will back.
He sat on Nate's horse with child-like excitement. Liz held on to his waist looking at his brighten face with a warm smile.
"You really are excited aren't you?" she joked.
He leaned his head to the side so she could hear "More than you know. The sea is in my blood, Liz. Its like wherever I go it haunts me. Besides it will be nice for us to get out of the house for a little while."
She leaned against his back. "Oh..Well I wasn't complaining." She spoke with a slight laugh.
Will turned his head again and planted a soft kiss on her lips. "Neither am I. In fact, I do believe that the sandy beaches of Carolina are known for its romantic qualities."
They arrived near the dock and rode down the strand a ways, away from the crowds of people gathering around the docks and ships. As they walked along holding hands, they spotted a medium sized fishing ship with seven or so men working it. Will approached one of the young men.
"Hello, are you going out to sea anytime soon?"
The young man looked up and was caught off guard.
"Yes sir, but the rest of the men are leaving. My brother and I could only pay them for a six-hour job. We need more fish to meet our quota and its our father's business we're working for."
Will stood in thought. "Well I could help you, I'm skilled with ships. As you and your brother work the nets, I'll help you with the rigging and steering." He looked up at the sails. "It's a windy day, but I think I can handle it alone." He finally smiled showing his sincerity.
The slightly older brother of the boy came over to hear their odd conversation.
"Why are you so set on helping us?" he shot a look at Will and another disapproved look at Elizabeth.
"We live inland, a few miles from the ocean. I miss it, we came to visit and look around. I just figured its luck that I get to be on the waters I love while helping a fellow merchant."
The older brother stood, looked away then nodded in approval. "Very well then, but we can't afford to pay you."
"That's fine, I don't expect it."
"I'm Andrew and this is my younger brother Paul."
Will shook their hands "Very nice to meet you boys, I'm Will and this is my wife Elizabeth."
The two young men took off their tattered hats and gave a small bow with a smile to the beautiful new woman.
"Andy we'd better get going if we plan to get done by sunset. Besides, we don't want the lovely young woman to be left out in this sweltering heat all day." He blushed as he glanced at Liz. She laughed and moved toward Will.
"I wont be long. If you like I can escort you back to the café at the corner if you don't want to stay on the beach."
"No I'll be content here. This is a wonderful view…besides I like to see my pirate at work." She tilted his hat and shielded the boys from seeing them kiss.
"I love you" he whispered
" Love you too."
Will helped Andrew and Paul set sail and go out to sea 700 yards or so. Elizabeth had found a tree near the surf and let up to take a nap. The sun was dipping lower and lower as the three men pulled in the days catch. The wind had changed its coarse, and turned the little boat, facing it in the direction deeper in to the oceans blue waters. Will ran to the starboard side and tied the rope to the notch. Then ran back over to the middle staff and climbed up the small ladder to grab the rope that had gotten away. He glanced out into the horizon in the south. Something caught his eye…how come he hadn't seen it before now? The British Navy flag flew violently in the changing wind. Whipping back and forth showing the Union Jack perfectly against the new orange sky. Will froze, what was he suppose to do now? ….GET OUT OF THE WATER.
"Paul! Andrew! Pull in your netting! We need to get ashore as fast as we can." Will shook Paul's shoulder and ran in front of him trying to pull up the net faster.
"What? Will what are you doing?"
"The ship-to the south. It's coming our way, we need to get ashore!" he snapped as he ran back to the other side trying to make the sails catch the western wind.
Andrew took his shoulder, trying to make Will focus on what they were asking.
"Will! Its fine" he gestured towards the British ship "they come around here all the time. Its normal. Why are you so afraid?"
Just then a booming noise came from across the water. All three turned in the ships direction. Just in time to see a cannon blast through the side and almost over turn the little fishing ship. The men grabbed the sides to brace themselves.
"Because they're trying to KILL ME!" Will stated just as another cannonball whizzed past the ship and made a great splash in the water just feet away from the front.
"Andrew! He's right, we have to get out of the water. Or at least out of range!"
On the beach Elizabeth heard the shots and ran into the water as far as she could go to see what was happening.
"Oh my God…." She spoke under her breath.
She knew what was happening, Norrington had found her and Will. Now Will was on the water in danger of being killed, and she was helpless. She ran out of the water and back on the beach frantic, at out of her mind with worry. She kept glancing around at the sea ahead of her. She could barely see Will's small ship, and she could definitely make out the main mast of Norrington's. She looked south, and then north…and something caught her eye. Liz took off in a dead sprint to the cliff on the waters edge a few hundred yards away.
Andrew, Paul and Will franticly tried to get away and back to the beach but the water from the gaping cannon hole in the side of the ship was taking its toll. The whole right and backside of the ship was dipping in the water.
"Will, we're not going to make it!" Andrew yelled over his shoulder over the blasts from the cannon.
"I know I know! … Boys, I think we need to abandon ship." He looked at the young men sadly.
Paul looked over his shoulder at the small coastline. 'Its so far' he thought 'we'll never make it there in time before the ship can reach us.' Paul wasn't the only one that was losing hope in the situation. Will and Andrew didn't see much point in fighting the ship from sinking either. The large British ship was nearing. Will squinted to see if he could get a good look at helm.
"Paul do you have a scope?"
The boy ran to the side of the ship and trudged through the rising water to a small chest in the corner. He took out the gold scope and hurried it to Will.
He peered through it; Will could see many red and white suits scurrying around the deck. But one stood out, Norrington. With his large Commodore's hat he stood with a serenity and stiff back. 'Was that a smile on his face?' Will swore he could see a smug grin on the bastard. Just then Paul tapped him on the shoulder.
"Oh no, look! Its another one!"
Will turned in the direction the boy was pointing. Large black sails filled the horizon. The smoky air followed the dark ship from around the bend. A smile spread across Will's formally frowned face.
"No lad, we're saved."
At full speed The Pearl thundered toward the enemy ship. As if seeing the ship the same time they spotted it, the British soldiers halted, and stopped moving toward Will and focused on Jack. Will knew that Norrington wouldn't pass up a chance to kill a pirate. But he also knew that was impossible if Jack was that pirate. The Pearl turned sharply and as soon as they were on target they fired, all four cannons at once. Four holes dotted the enemy's ship. Immediately the main mass fell to the deck and half the crew was in the water. Will looked through the scope again, Norrington was still aboard. Again the Pearl fired and again cannons blew through the Soldiers wooden ship. The battered ship couldn't take any more punishment from the Pirate 'legend'. It began to sink into the warm churning water. The dead floated on the surface and the injured as well as the live struggled to stay above the surface.
The Pearl neared the three men and Will waved them down. Andrew cameto the side next toWill and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Will, they're pirates, they're not safe." he spoke quietly.
Will gave him a sad smile. "They're my family."
The Pearl pulled up to the side of the almost immersed ship and a few of the crew threw a rope around the mast to pull it closer. Then Jack appeared on the side with his hands rested on his hips triumphantly.
"Ah Will me boy! Why do I 'ave to save your arse every time?"
"Jack! Jack I cant thank you enough! Can you get us aboard?"
He nodded and disappeared over the edge out of sight to help the crew. As he stepped away Elizabeth ran to the rail of the ship.
"Will! Are you alright?"
"Oh Liz! You were aboard the whole time? …While they were fighting even?"
She simply nodded
Will paused and wiped his brow. "Yes, we're all alright."
Then one of the crew threw over a rope ladder.
"Aye mate. Grab that!"