Dead Men Tell No Tales
Epilogue
Eight years had past since Jack and Jem's marriage and Katheryn Elizabeth Sparrow sat in the attic of Will and Elizabeth Turner's house in Port Royal. She sat rummaging through Jack's large treasure chests that he had left behind so many years ago. He told them that he would return but was uncertain as to when. He and Jem had taken to the high seas to spend some quality time with one another. Knowing the both of them they probably got themselves killed. Eight years was a long time for quality.
Kat ran her fingers over the jewels and then picked up Jem's stained wedding dress. It had been covered with blood and Jem had done her best too clean it. Most of the stains came out but the dress was no longer white.
Kat smiled as she thought about the day Jack and Jem sailed off together. They were so happy. Jack was almost back to his normal self and Jem was… she was beautiful, but that was no surprise. Kat had always been fond of Jem and somewhat jealous. Jem was everything she wanted to be, courageous, intelligent, spirited, devious, loving and down right gorgeous. Jem was a pirate through and through and she was proud of it. Kat couldn't imagine her father with anybody else. Kat loved her mother dearly, but Jem was extraordinary.
Kat closed her eyes and remembered the last day she saw her father and Jem. Will had taken everyone out into the harbor on a ship he had acquired. He never did say how or where he had gotten the ship. Never the less, he took everyone to where he had hidden the Black Pearl.
The Pearl had been severely damaged, but with Will's skill and patience he had fixed her so that she was better than before. This was his wedding gift to Jem and Jack. Will and Elizabeth had surprised everyone by arranging to have a minister on board the ship. Elizabeth thought it would be wise for Jack to remember saying I do.
As the sun set over the Caribbean Sea and the small ceremony came to an end, Will pulled Jack over to the rail and handed him a dangling rope that was attached to the rigging of The Black Pearl.
"What's this for William? What am I to do with it?" Jack asked with his infamous smile.
"I have bought you home and you will now take Jem home."
Jack gave William a hug and then backed away quickly. "Mate, I don't know what I'd do without you and I hope I never have to find out. Savvy? I will take me Lass away but we will return."
Jack called Jem to his side. She smiled at him as she walked over to him, laughing and talking to Elizabeth. She had no idea what was going to happen.
Jack scooped her up and she squealed, "Jack Sparrow what are you doing?"
"I am taking you home," he said as he dipped down and placed an arm about her waist. Her arm tightened around him. "Lift your feet Luv."
"Don't you dare! You always have a tendency of landing in the water."
"Ah Jem, I am your husband now. Don't question me and have a little faith."
"Jack, I love you dearly but I will always question you."
He gave her a wide grin. "That, my dear, is probably wise but I will still take you." He scooped her up and grabbed the near by rope. The two of them sailed off into the air, over the ocean and to the deck of The Black Pearl.
Everything seemed to swim around them and they were now safe on the wooden boards of the deck. It was evident that Jem was shaking slightly. "I swear, Jack…" her voice could be heard over the deck.
"Captain," he said as he let go of the rope. "And you are the Captain's wife."
"That I surly am."
Kat gave a heavy sigh as she undressed and put on the wedding dress. "I hope someday I meet a roguish pirate and we sail over the ocean onto his ship." She spoke out loud to herself.
She started taking more things out of the chest and she found Jem's emerald necklace that once belonged to Jack's mother. She put it on and vowed to keep it in a safe spot. She would not want Will or Elizabeth to trade this in for money. Then she saw at the very bottom of the chest a small leather bound book. She pulled it out and opened it.
She sat in a trance as she read the pages. The hand writing was Jem's, the sketches were Jem's. This was Jem's diary. It dated back to the very first day she met Jack.
As Kat read through the pages she could see that they really did have a love hate relationship. Some of Jem's thoughts made her cry and others made her laugh. In the end Captain Sparrow won her heart. She wrote I would do anything for Jack Sparrow, even give up our first born son and that is what I did.
Kat slammed the book closed. There was more but she wasn't sure she wanted to know. Jem had told Jack that their son was dead. Would Jem lie to her husband? Why yes, she is a pirate, she is devious and last but not least she is a Barbossa. Jack always said you couldn't trust a Barbossa, but he married one anyway.
Kat turned the book over in her hands and reopened it.
Jack means more to me than anything in this world. In order to give him his freedom, that he loves so well, and his ship, I gave myself to the sea. Fortunately for me, I am a strong swimmer and I survived my journey into the rough waters and over to The Pearl. When Barbossa found out I was still alive he let me know that my son, Jack's son, was not dead.
I was furious but as the days past I could see a difference in my father. He was proud of the boy. He called him Jack as I had named him but his last name was Barbossa. I overcame my anger and I too started caring for the boy and I called him Jack Junior. My father called him Barbossa Junior.
I was happy holding him near me. His eyes as dark as his father's and his hair as wild. I had never seen a child with so much hair. He was covered with dark hair. He reminded me of a little monkey. He reminded me of my Jack. I truly did believe my little boy had died, being the weaker of the twins.
Surprisingly my father was glad I wasn't dead and he did take care of me. He asked me to stay with him and sail with him. We would have our own fleet and he promised me a ship. He promised me The Black Pearl. At first I agreed to this but then I realized he only wanted me around to raise young Jack. He had plans for my son, his grandson. He knew the child had Sparrow blood but he also knew the child was the product of two pirates.
I knew in my heart I could not live with out Captain Sparrow so I left the island, never to go back. I commandeered The Black Pearl and left my father a letter. I told him he promised me a ship and I took it. I also told him not to come after me, The Pearl or Jack. If he did I would tell Jack the truth and Jack would reclaim his own flesh and blood.
I sealed the letter with my blood. From now on my son is dead to me. He belongs to Hector and his beautiful wife on their tropical island, hidden from all. Yes, I know where I can find them and if ever my father darkens Jack's horizon I will go back for him. I will tell my son the truth and I will tell him his father is Jack Sparrow, the infamous captain of The Black Pearl. Now if Jack never sees Barbossa or any member of his crew again I swear I will say nary a word about my son. I will never tell Jack for he would seek out his son and I know Barbossa would kill me and him. Pirate.
I can only hope Jack will never come face to face with Barbossa and his son. May he never draw a sword on him. A part of me died the day I left that small boy, but I knew I would be with my Captain and he would be in good pirate hands. I myself must admit I am not a good mother. I am a woman who loves life, who loves adventure and above all, loves Jack Sparrow. I do, however, worry about the day that may come. The day Jack kills his son. I know if and when that day comes it will only be because I am dead.
Dead Women Tell No Tales.
That was the last entry in the book. Kat closed it and heard her litter sister Raven yelling for her. "My god, Raven, your brother still lives and is also celebrating his eighth birthday today. I can't believe it, I have two half brothers," Kat spoke to herself.
She stood up and admired herself in the mirror. She looked so much like her mother Elizabeth she thought she was looking at her reflection. She smiled as she laced up the dress and admired her small waist.
"Dead men may tell no tales, but I myself am quite alive. Jem, I now know your secret and I know you have had and hopefully are having a wonderful life with my father where ever you are. I am eighteen years old and I too must put my mark on this world, after all I am Jack Sparrow's daughter. I will find Jack's son and bring him home."
"Katheryn, it's time. Come on sister." Raven ran into the attic and grabbed Kat's hand. Her head was held high and her black silky hair was flowing down her back. She looked so much like Jem; Kat felt a slight pang of jealousy.
Raven looked at Kat with her piercing dark eyes and smiled. "You…you… look beautiful, you look just like Mama. Now hurry, papa and mamma have my party all set and I can't wait any longer." She dropped Kat's hand and stared at her. "I have already opened two of my presents and Papa has given me a horse. He told me I must call it Jack; I want to name him Rufus."
Kat patted her sister on the head and smiled down at her. The child still lived in the dark from the truth; to this day she still believed Elizabeth was her mother and William her father. Will spoiled her just as he spoiled Kat, probably even more. He truly loved Raven as his own. Kat could see that Raven was happy and she wouldn't ruin her fantasy life.
Kat placed the book back in the chest, closed it and locked it.
Raven ran her fingers over the lock and looked up at Kat. "What is in the chest?"
"It doesn't matter. As far as I know it belongs to a dead man and woman, and Dead Men Tell No Tales."
THE END
TA FOR NOW
LOVELY RAVEN SPARROW
A/N As you can see I have left this open for a sequel. Raven will eventually find out who her parents are and why she looks nothing like Will and Elizabeth. Kat will go seek out her brother and find out what happened to her beloved father Jack and his wife Jem. I want to thank all my readers; I have loved your reviews. Last but certainly not least a very special thank-you to my beta. I literally couldn't live without you.