Pirates of the Caribbean – A Treasure Worth More Than Silver And Gold
By Princess-Pirate
Email: A new story. Will rescued Jack but finds himself missing the pirate. But an unknown package on his doorstep causes him to get a new outlook on life and what he wants for himself in life.
Disclaimer: All the characters, ships, and places in the Caribbean belong to Walt Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, as well as the dialect in the flashbacks from the movie. I got most of the dialect from the DVD. I don't own any of them (I wish). Some of the new characters are my own creations and therefore I have some ownership over them.
A/N: Please read and let me know what you think. Reviews and ideas on coming chapters are most welcome.
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Chapter 1 – Did I Do The Wrong Thing
Jack stands on the gallows, wrists bound. An executioner checks the mechanism of the trap door with a sandbag. An official drones on recounting a list of Jack's crimes.
The parade ground is crowded. Swann stands beside Norrington and Elizabeth. All resolutely watch the proceedings. Will stands at the back of the crowd. He glances around the square, clearly watching for something.
"This is wrong" Elizabeth said her eyes on Jack.
Commander Norrington does not respond. Governer Swann speaks for him. "Commodore Norrington is bound by the law. As are we all."
Will is getting impatient. Then he spots cotton's parrot. It lands on a flag pole held by Murtogg. Murtogg surreptitiously tries to dislodge the bird. That's the signal. Will heads into the crowd. His route takes him past Swann, Norrington and Elizabeth. He pauses.
"Governor Swann. Commodore."
They glance at him. Elizabeth does not.
"Elizabeth" he says almost pleading her to look at him. She looks around Norrington at him, surprised.
"I should have told you a long time ago ... I shouldn't have ..."
''I love you."
Now she's shocked, as are Swann and Norrington. Will seems if he's going to say more but then nods, satisfied that he's said all that's necessary. He continues on his way.
Elizabeth looks after him: he's pushing through the crowd towards the gallows
where the noose is put around Jack's neck.
Elizabeth spots Cotton's Parrot. She puts it together. Will throws open his cloak, puts a hand on his sword hilt --
Norrington moves past Elizabeth, staring at Will for he now knows of the blacksmith's attempt.
"Marines!"
Elizabeth suddenly staggers away from Norrington and Swann. "I can't breathe!" and faints. Swann and Norrington react to her plight.
"Elizabeth!"
The commotion has distracted the crowd: Will has a direct line of sight to the gallows
The Executioner grips the release lever --
The drum roll ends. Will draws and throws his sword. The executioner pulls the lever. The trap door opens. Jack drops. Will's sword embeds in the door. Jack balances on it.
Swann fans Elizabeth. She sits up suddenly she was faking.
Will races up the steps of the gallows. Jack still balances, the sword bending, noose tightening. The Executioner slashes an axe at Will, knocking his sword away. Will ducks another swing, the axe inadvertently cutting Jack's rope. Jack drops to the ground below the gallows.
Will knocks the Executioner off the gallows platform. The Executioner falls into the crowd on top of Norrington and his men. Jack stands and slits the rope that binds his hands on the sword that is sticking in the trap door. Jack races from under the gallows as Will leaps down.
Jack pulls off the noose, tosses one end of the rope to Will. They trip some Marines coming down the steps as they run up. Will and Jack go left. Marines, led by Gillette, cut them off. They whirl right more Marines. Rifles are brought to bear. They are cornered.
Norrington strides up, followed by Swann and Elizabeth. Norrington holds his sword on Will and Jack. "I expected some manner of escape attempt. But not by you."
Governer Swann is visibly shocked. "I granted you clemency, and this is how you thank me? You throw in with him? He is a pirate!"
"And a good man" Will relies as he throws his sword aside. "If all I have achieved here is that the hangman will earn two pairs of boots instead of one ... So be it. At least my conscience will be clear."
"You forget your place, Turner."
Will pointedly glances down, back up; a small smile on his lips. "It's right here between you and Jack. Mate."
Elizabeth steps beside him. "As is mine." She links her hand in Will's. Norrington takes this in, realizing the deeper truth behind her actions.
"Lower your rifles! For goodness sake put them down!"
Norrington's glances from Elizabeth to Gillette, nods almost imperceptibly. Gillette gestures for the marines to lower their rifles. They do. "This is where your heart truly lies, then?"
Elizabeth nods. "It is."
He looks at Will narrowly. Swann realizes what Norrington has already figured out. Elizabeth stands defiantly beside Will. A tense stand off.
Jack is worried about the outcome and then he spots Cotton's Parrot. He smiles. "I'm feeling good about this. I think we're all in a very good place. Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically. I was rooting for you, mate. Elizabeth, darling, it never would have worked between us. I'm sorry. Will ..."
He throws up his hands ('What's there to say?') and springs up the steps to the wall. "Nice hat." Causing Will to smile.
"Friends! This is the day you will always remember as the day you almost hung Captain Jack Sparrow!"
He slips, losing his balance and is gone.
Will looks up at the stars and wiped away at the tears than was running down his cheeks. He had done the right thing by helping Jack to escape but why was he feeling so lonely.
"I love you" he whispered as he rose from the dock and headed back to the smithy. He would need to speak to Elizabeth in the morning.
"Evening Sandra" he greeted his maid as he entered his house. A few months after Jack had escaped he received quite a big amount of money.
Will
It's yours lad. You've earned it. Look at it as a last present from you father, he would have wanted you to have a fair chance in life. Look after that bonny lass of yours and may we meet again some day.
Jack
Will had used the house to buy a house in Port Royale and was suddenly seen as one of the richest men in town. But he wasn't all that happy.
No, he wasn't happy at all.
What Will didn't know was that a certain pirate captain was standing at the wheel of his beloved lady looking at the same stars.
"I miss you Will Turner" he whispered into the wind.