From her chair, Veronica watched the captain down a few more drinks. She had rarely seen men drink, and seeing it now disgusted her. The rum he drank gave off a heavy stench.
"So, luv," the captain began again, "yer name's Veronica, right?"
"Miss Levine," Veronica replied curtly.
The captain raised his eye brows. "Ah then – Miss Levine. Who are ye?"
Veronica looked up at him, slightly puzzled. The captain looked back with dark, mesmerizing eyes and clarified. "Where are ye from, where are ye goin', and what does that matter to me, savvy?"
"I was sailing from Rochester, England, my home of twenty two years." Here she was stopped as the captain inquired if that was her age. She conceded, and he waved his hand for her to go on. "I'm going to Port Royal where my brother, whose merchant ship you've looted, was to meet me."
"Yer brother, eh? Port Royal? Interesting," the captain muttered, ignoring the tears which filled her eyes. "You haven't answered my last question. What does this matter to me, and what purpose will you serve here?"
Veronica made no reply.
"Thought so." He walked around the table to stand behind her. Veronica felt chills run down her as he placed his hands very lightly on her shoulders. His breath felt warm on her cheek as he leaned down saying, "I think we can make arrangements, don't you?"
A lump formed in her throat as she struggled within herself. , "I'll thank you to take your hands off me, Mr. Sparrow," she said, voice shaking.
The captain chuckled lightly, but tightened his grip. "Would ye now?"
Veronica jumped up from her place and wrenched herself free. She backed away, fire in her eyes. "You'll not touch me," she repeated, her voice stronger.
He seated himself again, looking nonchalantly at some of the trinkets on his arm.
"Whatever ye say, luv, but I suppose I'll send ye back bellow deck or – " he paused thoughtfully. "I'm just a mite curious. But where did ye hear of 'parley' a'fore? Familiar with pirates?"
Veronica bit her lip, suddenly remembering Elizabeth's friendship with the captain. But what would that mean to him? Would it really help her situation at all? What - ? Veronica felt her head begin to spin.
"I heard it in a grand tale, one of pirates and the navy and – and a curse," she whispered, mind still racing.
The captain removed his legs from the table and leaned forward. "A tale, eh?" He smiled. "A legend."
The pirate stood and began pacing the room in a drunken manner. Veronica looked at the half empty bottle with sheer wonder. Drunk already? The brew must have been stronger than she thought.
"Now, tell me of this tale," he said, interrupting her thoughts.
AN: YEAH!!!! I love my reviewers! They make me so happy. Hugs for you all. GASP! People, it's only two days until the Extended Edition of Return of the King comes out!!! I'm spazzing. Well, I hope ya liked the chapter.
