Once everyone was on the ship things did NOT get off to a great start.
"Haul the pennant line," called Jack.
"Haul the pennant line!" Captain Barbossa also called.
"What are ye doing?" Jack
"No what are you doing?" demanded Narcissa's father.
"What are you doing?" replied Jack more loudly.
"No what are ye doing?" repeated her father matching Jack's tone.
"Captain gives orders on the ship!" said Jack.
"The Captain is giving orders!" argued Captain Barbossa.
"My ship, makes me Captain," snapped Jack.
"They be my charts," disagreed Narcissa's father.
"That makes you...chartman," said Jack.
"Stow it both of you! That' s an order understand!" shouted Pintel. Everyone was stunned into silence and the man looked sheepish.
"Sorry, I just thought with the issue of captain in doubt, I'd throw my name in for consideration," he said hopefully before quailing under the glare of the two Captains.
"Sorry," the pirate repeated.
"I'd vote for you," said Ragetti quietly.
"Yeah?" asked Pintel. Narcissa however had had enough bickering.
"Look, let's split the ship for now. Jack's in charge of the Port side and Father's in charge of the starboard side." Both men opened their mouths to argue but she cut them off sharply.
"There is too much at stake to be stalled by your childish bickering over a glorified toy!" To everyone's surprise including Narcissa the men grumbled but headed to their respective sides.
"You handled that well," said will coming to stand by her.
"Honestly, its rather amusing to watch grown men argue over a ship like children." chuckled Narcissa.
"But we are on a bit of a time crunch," Will finished joining in her laughter.
"True," agreed Narcissa. For a moment it felt like old times. Days spent back in Port Royal getting into all sorts of trouble. However, the pair soon sobered.
"Did you know about Jack?" Will asked. Narcissa nodded.
"Yes."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"My first loyalty is to my sister. She asked me not to speak," answered Narcissa leaning on the railing.
"I wish she'd told me," said Will.
"Perhaps she should have. I know my sister. She loves you more than words can say. But you two really need to work on your communication," she paused. "Although you might wish to provide her with the same courtesy you request. She shot him a knowing look and Will swiftly walked away.
Narcissa sighed. She loved being at sea. But she did miss the old days when she and Will told each other almost everything. She thought back to the start of their friendship.
*Flashback*
Thirteen-year-old Narcissa had just escaped the clutches of the governess hired by Governor Swann. Narcissa didn't mind the lessons on history, reading, and even arithmetic. But the constant lectures on lady-like behavior were exhausting. So, upon being taken out to stroll through the market she took her chance to run.
Narcissa ended up near the blacksmith's where she heard the sound of clanging metal. She slipped inside and saw Will Turner, the boy they had rescued practicing with a sword occasionally stabbing a straw dummy. She watched him practice his movements for a moment before knocking on the door frame. Will jumped.
"Hello Miss Davis," he said bowing swiftly.
"Hello Mr. Turner. I see you're practicing sword fighting?" given her background Narcissa had always had a fascination with the craft but no one to teach her.
"Oh, um yes," stumbled Will.
"Where did you learn?" she asked.
"Before you rescued me I was a cabin boy so I watched the sailor's practice. I've also studied some books on the matter," explained Will.
"Could you teach me?" asked Narcissa, stepping forward. Will looked taken aback.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea. Sword fighting isn't very..."
"Lady-like?" finished Narcissa. Will shrugged. "I don't care. I'd really like to learn if only to defend myself. Besides, a real person would be better practice than that lifeless dummy." Will appeared torn.
"You promise you won't tell anyone?" he asked.
"Not if you don't," said Narcissa with a smirk.
"Alright," said Will and he handed her a short sword. He first worked on how to hold it and then her footwork. After a while they did some tentative exercises and soon the pair were laughing merrily although Narcissa did slip once and skimmed her hand which Will helped clean. Despite that he was a good teacher and a fun friend. He also didn't go easy on her which Narcissa loved.
While she felt no attraction to him she could also see why her sister started getting moon-eyed whenever she saw him.
After a while they heard footsteps outside. Swiftly Will grabbed Narcissa's sword and shoved it under some hay with his own. They just managed to take a seat on some nearby barrels when several Navy officers led by Norrington entered followed by her governess Miss James with Elizabeth in tow.
"Narcissa Davis! You naughty child! How dare you run off you insolent girl! You can be certain you'll be punished young lady!"
"It was very wrong of you to run off Miss Davis you wasted valuable naval time..." began Norrington but Will interrupted him.
"Oh no sir, Miss Davis didn't run off. She just got lost and had already hurt her hand. I found her and since we weren't sure where Miss James was I brought her back here so nothing else could happen to her."
"Yes, I was separated from Miss James and Elizabeth in the crowd. Will here was kind enough to help me. I assure you it wasn't intentional," she said putting on her most innocent face. One of the soldier's who's name she thought was Mullroy smiled kindly.
"Come now Miss James, Captain Norrington. We weren't that busy and it IS a crowded town and easy for a little girl to get lost. There really shouldn't be any need for punishment."
"I agree poor Cissy must have been so scared. Mr. Turner here did a good deed and I doubt it will happen again. It isn't fair to punish her for an accident," chimed in Elizabeth.
Miss James and Norrington looked slightly unconvinced but between Elizabeth's pleas and the naval officer's words they seemed to finally acquiesce.
"Very well. But woe be tide you if it ever happens again," said Miss James stiffly. Narcissa nodded in understanding. The Naval officers left and the three women followed suit. Just before they left though Narcissa shot Will a grin behind the governess's back and mouthed,
"Thanks! Let's do that again." Will returned her smile.
*End Flashback*
And so they had. From that day forward they had been like siblings. But now things were different. Too different for Narcissa's liking. Once she would have trusted Will with all her heart. Now suspicion continued to cloud it. She only hoped she was wrong. Because she wasn't sure what she would do if she was right.
PotC
Night had fallen and they were still in the locker. The ship creaked ominously. Narcissa heard a cry of surprise as she walked to the side of the ship.
Below in the water she saw ghostly images of people seemingly floating along.
"Are they ghosts?" she asked.
"Nay souls," corrected her father. Behind her she heard Tia Dalma speak.
"They should be in the care of Davy Jones. After an irreversible curse was placed on the sea dooming all those who died there to wander unable to find peace on their own, he was charged with the duty to ferry those souls to the other side, by the goddess Calypso." A slight smile came to the woman's face.
"And every ten years...him could come ashore...to be with she who loved him...truly." The smile faded. "But the man has become a monster."
"So he wasn't always tentacley?" asked Ragetti. Narcissa withheld an amused snort at her friend's phrasing. But was indeed interested in the answer.
"No. Him was a man...once." Tia Dalma appeared sad and Narcissa recalled her father saying that she was Calypso. Narcissa felt pity for the woman. Surely it must be hard to see someone you loved so changed.
"Now there's boats coming!" called Gibbs. Sure enough, out of the fog came many small ghostly row boats with lantern's attached. Each carrying a different pale figure staring straight ahead. The people ranged from adults, to the elderly, and worst of all to Narcissa's sorrow, children.
"They aren't a threat to us am I right?" said Will.
"We are nothing but ghosts to them. It's best to let them be," her father answered. Suddenly Elizabeth cried out,
"It's my father! We made it back!" Narcissa looked down and felt her heart plummet. There in one of the boats sat Weatherby Swann.
"Oh God no," whispered Narcissa.
"Father! Father!" exclaimed Elizabeth trying to get the man's attention. Narcissa put a hand on her sister's shoulder.
"We aren't back yet," she said gently but her sister continued calling.
"Father!" at last Weatherby looked at them in slight surprise.
"Elizabeth. Narcissa. Are you dead?" Narcissa's fears were confirmed.
"No. No." said Elizabeth.
"I think I am," replied Weatherby calmly as if they were discussing if it would rain or not.
"No! You can't be!" cried Elizabeth in despair.
"There was a chest, you see. It's odd. At the time it seemed so important,"
"Come aboard," said Elizabeth but Weatherby continued speaking.
"And I learned that if you stab the heart, yours must take it's place. And you will sail the seas for eternity. The Dutchman must have a captain. Silly thing to die for."
"Someone cast a line! Come back with us!" called Elizabeth desperately. Narcissa moved to take her sister's arm but became distracted as Weatherby addressed her.
"So, this is your father?" he asked nodding his head in the direction of her father who stood behind her.
"Yes. Oh, I'm so sorry," said Narcissa her voice breaking along with her heart. Weatherby ignored her apology for his death.
"Look after her. I've done the best I can. Now I suppose it's your turn," he said to her father. Captain Barbossa inclined his head respectfully. Seemingly satisfied Weatherby turned back to Narcissa.
"Believe me when I say you are just as much my daughter as Elizabeth. I'm so proud of both of you." A tear ran down Narcissa's cheek and she found herself unable to answer.
"Father the line! Take the line!" yelled Elizabeth throwing a line into the water but Weatherby simply sailed past.
"She mustn't leave the ship!" warned Tia Dalma as Elizabeth ran to the edge. Will and Narcissa both grabbed her. Holding her back as she struggled.
"Please! No! I won't leave you," Elizabeth begged desperately.
"I'll send my love to your mother," said Weatherby slightly sadly before he sailed out of sight. Elizabeth was now sobbing. Narcissa's own heart ached not just for her sister's loss, but for her own.
"Is there a way?" she asked Tia Dalma hopefully. But the woman shook her head.
"Him at peace." Elizabeth tore away from them and ran below deck. Will made to follow but Narcissa stopped him.
"No, I'll go," she went after her sister, finding her crying in a corner. Narcissa sat down and wrapped her arms about Elizabeth who sobbed into the red-head's shoulder.
"I'm so sorry Lizzie," she whispered after a while.
"So, this is how you felt," murmured Elizabeth tears still running down her face. Narcissa nodded.
"How did you survive it?" her sister asked.
"I had the support of a loving sister just as you do. Somehow, she made it bearable. I know it hurts like hell right now but it will get a little better over time. You aren't alone."
"I'll kill Beckett for this," said Elizabeth.
"Only if I don't get there first. We'll make him pay. I promise," replied Narcissa hugging her sister closer.
Author's Note: Aww:( Poor Weatherby. Beckett's just wracking up reasons to have Narcissa kill him. I know I said I'd put in Narcissa's backstory with Weatherby in this chapter but I found it was getting a bit long so that's coming up next week! The irreversible curse thing is something I added because I am now 99% sure that I'm going to do DMTNT. Someone asked why Narcissa isn't cursed if she has the medallion Jack the Monkey gave her at the end of CotBP (which I kind of forgot about lol) and the answer is that SHE wasn't the one to take it from the chest so it doesn't affect her just as owning it didn't affect Elizabeth. If you are enjoying this PLEASE comment. Thanks for reading! Until next week!
