A/N: As I lack creativity and time to invent a new language for the Kelumari, I will be using Elvish in the few places that native dialect is used. English translation of the words will follow any use of Elvish.

Chapter 8

The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon when the cry came. "Land ho! Land ho!" one of the men shouted from the crow's nest. Blackbird hurried to the bow of the ship, followed closely by Will. She gazed off into the distance.

"That, Will, is Kelumar," she said, pointing in the direction of the island. Will looked toward small greenish-gray mass on the horizon. Using the spyglass Blackbird offered him, he could make out the white shores and lush green vegetation typical of the Caribbean.

"How long before we reach land?" he asked.

Blackbird estimated the distance. "Before noon," she said, "if the winds hold."

----------

They were fortunate, and it was only about an hour before the crew was loading goods on to rowboats. Since there was no official dock on Kelumar, anything that was going ashore had to be transported in this manner. As the last of the goods were unloaded and they stepped out of the boats, they were met by a small group of natives armed with spears. Most of the crew hung back, but Blackbird confidently moved forward, her hands extended palm-up as a sign of peace. A young woman with flowing blonde hair stepped out from the group of men and ran forward to greet Blackbird.

"Raven! How are you?" she exclaimed, embracing her friend. Being a good foot shorter than the other woman, Blackbird's feet nearly left the ground.

Blackbird just shrugged. "Same as usual," she replied mildly, her mouth lifted into a rare grin. "It's good to see you, Lalaith."

Lalaith smiled. "And who is this?" she asked, examining Will with sapphire-blue eyes.

"This is my brother, Will," she said. "Will, this is my friend Lalaith. Her father, Chief Alagos, is ruler of this island."

"Tolo,"Lalaith said, gesturing to the crew. "You are expected." She gave the soldiers some sharp orders in their native language before heading down a winding path through the palm trees. The soldiers shouldered the goods and followed.

----------

They had followed the path a short distance when they broke through the trees and came to a large clearing. Palm trees and lower vegetation surrounded the village densely on three sides, but the fourth side was open to the sea, providing a dazzling view as well as a pleasant breeze. The houses were simple enough, being constructed out of long poles bound closely together and topped with branches and reed mats, but by no means primitive. They all held multiple rooms and a few even had two stories. All of them had windows on the South side to provide a view of the sea. As they made their way through the streets, they were generally ignored. The children, however, found them fascinating. They ran all around them asking questions excitedly in their own language until even Gibbs had to smile.

Finally they came to an enormous house made of stone. A guard greeted them at the door. "Chief Alagos is expecting you," he said, gesturing through the doors. They made their way through richly decorated halls. It seemed that gold and gems were normality here, as everything was heavily adorned with them.

"I didn't know that illegal rum traders were so formally welcomed," Will muttered to Blackbird as they came to a large, open room without a roof.

"They aren't," she replied. "Long-time friends of the chief and his family, however, are."

At the other end of the room, there was a large golden throne. On it sat a wizened -but strong- old man. He rose slowly to greet them. Jack motioned for the rest of the crew to stay back while he and Blackbird approached the throne.

"Aiya, Chief Alagos," he said, bowing slightly.

The chief nodded in response and ordered for two chairs to be brought. Jack and Blackbird sat talking with him for some time. Finally, they both stood up and, bowing again to the chief, made their way back to the crew.

"Arrangements have been made in the guest quarters for us," Jack explained quietly to the crew. "During our stay, I would advise you to be at your best behavior. I know that all this gold and finery can be very tempting, but if we took but one thing that wasn't ours, we'd never be allowed back. The Kelumari are good people, but they do not forget grudges easily, nor do you want them against you. We are invited to a feast this evening in honor of Lalaith's birthday, but until then you are free wander about. Explore, sleep, whatever, but make a point of being punctual this evening." He lowered his voice even more. "…On a more personal note: the Kelumari are particularly talented at the art of making rum. I would recommend a visit to one of the local bars, but it's up to you. Dismissed."

----------

Though a few of the men chose to go to their quarters and rest, most preferred to simply look around and stretch their legs. As for Will, he was allowing Jack to show him around the main parts of Kelumar. Will marveled at how modern much of the layout was. There was a commercial area lined with shops and businesses, a residential area filled with houses, and an agricultural area for raising livestock and native crops. The streets were not paved, but the dirt was level and tightly packed to the point that it was probably better than those of Tortuga. Jack was silent for the most part, only speaking to point out buildings of particular interest (mostly bars). Finally, he spoke up.

"So, how are you and Blackbird getting along?" he asked. "Was I accurate in my prediction?"

Will sighed. "I'm getting used to her, yes. I still don't have her entirely figured out, though. Every time I think I'm getting used to her, she goes and does something completely unexpected like risking her life to save another."

"That's Blackbird for you. I've known her twenty-three years and I still don't have her entirely figured out," Jack said with a smile. "Don't ye love it when I'm right?"

Will laughed. "No, I hate it. I'm sure I'm not the only person who finds it disturbing for the crazy one to have all the answers."

Jack feigned a hurt. "Well I like it..." he muttered. "Might I remind you that the crazy one's lived nearly twice as long as you, boy? Remember one of the first things I taught you?"

"Never stand between a mentally deranged pirate and his way out?" Will offered sarcastically.

"Well, that too, but I was thinking of the fact that brilliance and insanity frequently coincide. Take Blackbird, for example. She's twenty-three years old, fluently speaks four languages, can get by speaking two more, and runs most of the finances on the Black Pearl. She's also as crazy as they get and she knows it," Jack said.

"So what makes her the way she is?" Will asked. "Is she just that way, or does it have to do with her past?"

Jack contemplated the question while examining a beautifully ornate carving from one of the shops. "Her past," he said simply. "Think about it, mate. She's raised by only her father; never knew her mother. When she's ten, the father dies and leaves her with a crazy old pirate to look after her. An equally crazy old pirate is after her blood and will stop at nothing to obtain it. Her childhood alone is enough to make anyone go insane. All things considered, her mental health is remarkable."

Will looked surprised. "Then Barbossa knew about Blackbird?"

"Aye," Jack said. "He hunted her for ten years. She was probably who he thought Elizabeth was. I'm sure it really threw him off when you showed up, since he'd only met Bootstrap's daughter. Honestly, though, you were the better option. She's definitely a Turner, no doubtin' that, but the blood runs even more thickly in you. Not to mention, Blackbird would've put up quite a fight, if they even found her. I doubt Barbossa could've gotten her blood unless he killed her. You were there, and you were willing to sacrifice for Elizabeth. That's far easier."

"Alright," Will said, satisfied for the time being. "I have only one more question: Which one of these do you think Elizabeth would like more?" he asked, holding up two necklaces from one of the stands.

Jack shrugged. "I'm afraid that when it comes to the ways of women, you've come to the wrong pirate. I've never had much luck with them myself. My advice: buy 'er both. Whichever one she seems to like more is from me, savvy?"

"Whatever, Jack," Will said with a laugh, paying the shop owner for the jewelry and shoving them deeply into his bag.

"No," Jack replied. "I was serious."

----------

Blackbird followed Lalaith to her home. As they approached the house, a young girl ran out to greet her mother. Lalaith scooped the girl up in her arms and hugged her.

"That's Crabaniel?" Blackbird asked in surprise. "Last time I saw you, you could barely walk!"

"Oh, she can definitely walk," Lalaith laughed, "and much more. Five years old and she already tries my patience. It somewhat reminds me of you."

"Evidently not in appearances," Blackbird said, indicating the child's flowing blonde hair and blue eyes. "She's a true Kelumarian."

"That she is," the woman agreed, turning to go back inside the house. She was met by her husband, who greeted her with a kiss. Blackbird nodded in acknowledgement to Aladan. Neither one was particularly fond of the other, but they were at least on speaking terms.

The two women sat out in Lalaith's extensive garden behind the house exchanging information about all that had happened in Blackbird's absence. "I noticed that Jack has the Black Pearl back. How did that happen?" Lalaith asked.

Blackbird shrugged. "I wasn't there, personally. You'd have to ask Jack. All I know is that he has her now and that's all that matters…How are things here?" she inquired, changing the subject.

"About the same," Lalaith replied. "You know that things seldom change here. Isn't that partly why you left?"

"That...and other things," Blackbird said, playing with a loose curl of hair. "Look at the life you live, Lalaith. You're happily settled down with a husband and a child, content to continue living this way until you die. That's great for you; I'm just not suited for that sort of lifestyle. The sea is my home; I'm avoiding the authorities, I'm wanted dead or alive in many parts of the world, and I never stay in any one place for an extended period of time, but I'm happy. Honestly, I think settling down would kill me. Hard to believe that we were so alike as girls, isn't it?"

Lalaith nodded. "But it doesn't affect our friendship, right?" she said.

"Of course not," Blackbird replied. "However, if I don't rest up before the feast tonight, it won't be pleasant for anyone. I'll see you in a few hours, Lalaith."

----------

As Blackbird headed to her cot in the crew's quarters, she noticed several of the men sitting in the far corner of the large room. Most of their faces were hidden from her view, but she recognized Ewing. They all looked up suspiciously at her as she walked by and stopped talking until she settled down on her cot and pretended to sleep. When they resumed their discussion, their voices were lowered to the point that Blackbird could only catch little bits here and there.

"What about Turner?" she heard. "No...too loyal...tell..." They paused as she stirred slightly. "How many?...dunno...nine, maybe ten...enough? Yeah...won't know...'im." The men all rose in unison.

"Then it's agreed?" Ewing said. The men grunted in agreement and began filing out the door, casting suspicious glances at Blackbird as they left.

Blackbird turned over on her cot and closed her eyes. Making careful mental notes about the conversation she'd just overheard, she dropped off into a restless sleep.