Disclaimer: I don't own POTC. Title is a piece written by Jonathan Swift about eating babies.
Chapter 47: A Modest Proposal
By the time that everyone was able to get off the sinking ship safely, the cave was already opened. Camille ran as fast and as quietly as she possibly could to where Long John had last been seen. Now, it looked like there had been a narrow path between two of the walls. The group quietly entered, with Camille and Gretchen going first.
Camille's eyes grew wide when they finally reached the main part of the cavern. There was so much gold that it looked like even the rocks were naturally gold. That, of course, wasn't the case as they were simply covered with gold coins and crowns and rubies, etc. There was much more of it than any of them had ever seen.
Amidst all of this, in the center there stood what looked like an altar. It was decorated with jewels, but because it was silver it stood out from everything else. Long John stood there, and he looked more frustrated than usual as he held both of the rings. It seemed that he was trying to figure out how to activate something.
Just to the right of him sat Jack, constrained in a chair. Camille glanced back at Gretchen, who was being sure to be as careful as ever to remain hidden from sight. They were able to fit perfectly behind one of the numerous large piles of coins as the others found similar hiding places.
Camille peered just around the corner of her hiding place, and could see Long John holding the rings, trying every which way to fit them into the silver altar in the center of the cavern. What an idiot, Camille thought. This is the second time we've gone through this, and he still doesn't realize that he can't do it without our blood.
She then focused her attention on Jack, who she could now see was physically suffering. His face was covered in sweat and he was having trouble breathing. She tried to look or the cause of his suffering, and discovered that there was also a constraint around his neck. He watched Long John, and his chuckle came out like a gasp. "You're never going to figure that out," he said, between shallow breaths.
"Shut up, or I'll kill you with a more painful method," Long John said, still focusing on the altar.
Camille sat there, trying to see exactly what the silver altar looked like. While she did, she noticed Jack glance at her and then quickly away.
"D'you really think that death frightens me now, mate?" he asked John.
Camille had to bite her lip. Don't, she told herself. Don't fall for it again, Camille. He can't be trusted. But she still felt a pang of sympathy for him.
"Argh!" Long John yelled, stomping his foot on the ground. "I can't get this bloody thing to work! But I fancy that Quartermaine woman will be along any minute just as well, she's so damned hard to murder," he said, wringing his hands together.
At this comment, Camille smiled to herself. Now just how would she manage to surprise him this time? He already knew most of her moves, or at least he had to by now. He was about twice as strong as her, and above all this time she had to put Will's safety ahead of her own escape, even her life if it came down to that. She took a deep breath and nodded over at Gretchen. Gretchen nodded back.
"Captain Silver," Gretchen said as she stood up, "Give us the rings, we'll do it."
"Ah," said Silver, turning around slowly. He wasn't surprised at all by their sudden appearance. "I was wonderin' when you would start cooperatin' with me. It's about time."
"One condition, Captain," Camille said.
Long John shook his head. "No. Ye should know by now there be no bargains 'tween the two of us."
"Release William."
Long John laughed. "Of course I won't! Camille darling, I thought ye'd be a bit more understanding of that."
"Then we're not using the rings."
"Ahem," Long John cleared his throat and nodded over in Jack's direction. "Then I'll kill him, love."
"You were going to kill him, anyway. Don't let me stop you," she said, praying that Ana Maria and Gabriel were in the right place. She snatched both of the rings from Long John and gave Gretchen hers.
They both stepped up to the atlar. It had two carvings in it, but they were in a language which couldn't be deciphered. Camille had to think quickly. She would return the rings, and Long John could have the treasure. The trinkets in this room meant very little to her after what she had gone through with Jack and Will. She needed to help Will, and Long John was going to die in the process. That much she knew.
"Are you ready, Gretchen?" she asked.
Gretchen took a breath, looking a bit nervous. "I'm not really. But I suppose that it must be done."
"Aye, that it must. Let's see what happens when we place them above these carvings."