1.

Elizabeth Swann

SLOW AND HEAVY WAVES. Heavy. She didn't know for how long she'd been watching the sea by her bedroom's window. There was a teacup on her hands, the drink was not actually the English tea she should've been drinking. No, it was a strong and bold rum instead.

It was early in the morning and she couldn't care less.

Five days. Looking towards the horizon, there was a haunting feeling resting inside her chest. Five more days until his upcoming. Last time she saw him, ten years ago, he seemed more distressed than he had ever been and Elizabeth knew it was entirely her fault. However, again, she couldn't care less.

After all, he left her on an island to live a life that was not hers, never meant to be. Not since they first sailed away from Port Royal. Not since she finally understood what she really was, and what she was destined to be.

A goddamn Pirate King. She got that title over a lot of fight and maintained it with blood and resilience. Her lips curved into a satisfied smile. After everything she went through, it was the minimum she should get. After all, she was a pirate. And pirates take and make as they please.

She looked down to herself, staring at her waistcoat and breeches, her remaining scars visible from her shirt' sleeves folded up to her elbows. There were tattoos spread over her arms lengths; skulls, a swan in her right forearm, tribal lines, rough and random sketches all over the place. Surely the last time he had put his feet on earth she didn't have much ink on her body.

SHE'D KEEP PLAYING her mother and wife role, wrapping herself into a beautiful and fancy dress. And then she was holding Henry by her chest, waiting for the cursed man's landing, thinking about the paths her life had taken. She faked the brightest smile, the warmest embrace, the softest kiss. Over the course of those last years, she had learned how to set her feelings aside to guarantee Henry' safety and her own. Seized by her thoughts, Elizabeth recollected the events from that day, nearly ten years ago; the apprehension under each word she would direct to William Turner as she tried to gain more information about the awful rumors she heard about.

"Is it true?", she asked him, in disbelief. "I cannot believe you betrayed all the cause due to your own affairs and standards, Will". Elizabeth couldn't believe it. The rumors that were spreading around the seven seas and then arriving to her ears were that William Turner, the New Davy Jones, and the East India Company were working side by side. It was not new to her, William's despise for piracy and pirates, but she couldn't let herself believe. "Jack saved you", she said, bluntly, as he gave her no answer. "You are alive because of him", taking a deep breath, Elizabeth continued, "You are… you are hunting him".

"As the Dutchman's captain, I'm fulfilling my duty". He gave her a hatred look. "Pirates are outlaws, therefore, it's only their destiny to get entangled by the Dutchman's deck and by its Captain. Besides, the rumors out there are that Jack Sparrow is dead. Fortunately, or not, he was not received within the Dutchman", he said, sighing. Unfaltering, he reinstated, "I can only advise you to keep yourself away from this outrageous world".

There it was. His first threat.

I'm the Pirate King, she wanted to say, but didn't have enough strength. The idea of Jack actually being dead hunted her for the last years, and it was a subject she didn't like bringing into any kind of conversation. Overlooking through the window, her eyes stopped on Henry's frame, playing on the beach with his wooden sword and a bandana in a faded tone of blueish-green. She let a smile come up to her face, but it was gone as soon as William called back her attention.

"You should also take this preposterous idea from Henry's mind", he said, finishing his soup. With a disgusted expression upon his face, he resumed, "Why did you let him believe that piracy is such a good thing for the world?".

"His parents are pirates", Elizabeth answered, no emotions coming through her mouth.

"Your assumptions about my post as the Dutchman's Captain are yours and only yours. I fought beside pirates because my father was one of them. But it was never his wish for me to become a pirate", he paused, picking up the bowl and spoon and raising from his chair. "I fought beside pirates because I needed to save him from this damned world".

"Your father was a good man… and a pirate. Piracy is not only about treasures, pilling, drinking and profanities".

"Not only?", his voice came out in a chuckle. "What else is there about piracy, then?"

"It's about freedom, William", Elizabeth stiffened in her position at the table, her teeth clenched in a beginning rage. "It has always been about freedom".

"You've always been free, Elizabeth. Born rich, having the best education in the world, the best maids and the best food. A loving and involved father. You had everything any child in any place of this world would crave for. But it was not enough".

She looked at him, her mouth dropped, questioning herself if it was worth it, to continue that conversation. Years had passed and William couldn't understand the true meaning of freedom. Elizabeth suppressed a smile, remembering all the conversations she had with a certain pirate about all these matters.

They remained silent for a while. William seemed to digest his own words. Taking a deep breath, he set the dirty dishes inside the bowl over a tiny table in the kitchen area. He rolled up his sleeves and slowly did the dishes, as if expecting Elizabeth to go further in their previous conversation.

"Do you actually believe I was free?", she finally said. "You wouldn't even look in my eyes, because you were afraid of the consequences. I couldn't walk alone by the beach or read whatever pleased me. I couldn't wear comfortable clothes or do my hair the way I wanted to. I was forced into piano lessons that I hated, into social events that made me feel sick. I couldn't play with the boys, because it was not a lady behavior; I had no friends because I was trapped on Port Royal's aristocracy. My father wouldn't let me play with the poor children for it was not appropriate. I was not only trapped on a piece of land, I was trapped inside myself. So tell me, Will… was I really free?".

"You mistake freedom with the absence of responsibilities, Elizabeth".

Elizabeth knew she couldn't stand that much longer.

"You had a hard life, Will, I know that, I've been one of its witnesses. I was born in a rich home, with a sweet but busy father, and no mother or any figure that could replace her. We both had different childhoods, but in its core, it was indeed the same. Lost and lonely children", she paused, reflecting. "There's no need to envy a past of a sorrow richness".

"I do not envy your past. But I think you're not aware of how free you actually were…"

"I could barely breathe!", she said, agony shouting out from her eyes. She took a time to recompose herself, trying not to lose her temper. She couldn't get him angry. It would only make things difficult. But she would not lose the argument either. "I was not free. I was… controlled in every aspect of my life. If you are controlled, how could you call yourself a free person?".

He seemed to evaluate her statements. "What makes you think piracy is what gives you freedom in this world?", it was his time to question. "When you are hunted or enslaved, whipped, marked, killed?".

"So where does the difference lies on? Being common folk means you're probably going to be killed, enslaved, whipped or marked. Exactly because you're not free. Freedom is not about just come and go wherever and whenever it pleases you; it's a matter of choices. The opportunity to choose. If I cannot choose what clothes to wear, what food to eat, what places to go, whom to lie with, whom to follow or not to… then none of us is actually free. Piracy… piracy gives us the right to choose".

"It is, yet, a lack of responsibilities", he groaned. Sensing her temper getting lost, he added: "Let us talk about this no further".

She couldn't agree more.

THE NEXT FEW hours ahead that dreadful conversation were as painful as Elizabeth thought it would be. He asked her about her life on the island; she had to lie once more considering William's despise for her real actions as the Pirate King. Well, for dear William Turner, Elizabeth Swann had become a mother and a brilliant housewife. She had already warned the men under her command how things would go during Turner's upcoming. They didn't enjoy the idea of setting themselves aside, nor the fact that their King would so easily bend the knee to a man like William. On the other hand, it didn't take them that much time to understand the real meanings under her plan of actions: the King was afraid. Not for herself, though, but for her child.

So she told him their food came from the garden behind the house. That she sold bread, pies and cakes in order to buy clothes and obtain certain services and tools she couldn't make herself. William's judging gaze upon her all the time. He accepted her story and let it go, the subject changing from the way of their living to Henry. The boy was not ten yet, but was clever as his mother, a fast learner and was finally showing how much of a good swordsman he would be in the future.

She laughed at that thought. If her son was in their presence now, he would gladly correct her: "Not a swordsman. A pirate!". Elizabeth was actually relieved Henry was not present. However, there was nothing she could have done to shut his mouth during their dinner.

"I see you're attracted to swordfight", William started the conversation after an uncomfortable silence set upon the table. He waited the boy finish the food in his mouth.

"Yes, father", he said, obviously distressed. Elizabeth looked towards Henry, encouraging him to continue. "I train everyday by the morning", he was playing with the food in his plate, avoiding William's gaze, perhaps thinking about what to say. "Sometimes I use two swords", he smiled at Elizabeth, who returned the smile willingly, caressing her son's left cheek. "Sometimes I just train my reflexes and defence!", the kid looked at Will, suddenly realizing something. "We could train tomorrow morning!"

There was a painful grin on William's lips. "I'm afraid we won't be able to train, son".

"Why not?", the boy was obviously confused. The gears inside his cunning mind started working faster as he spoke again, "So… you are still cursed". Henry seemed disappointed, with sad and raged traces upon his face. He began to consider solutions to the problem, as his eyebrows twisted in a way that Elizabeth has seen more than a thousand times, his dark brown eyes sparkling in the ambient low light. Something twisted in her stomach. She reached for her son's hand and clasped it between hers, not knowing if it would give him or her enough strength to keep going in that conversation. "What if… what if there was a way to break the curse?", Henry said, hopeful. "Then you could stay, we could train and sail together!".

William studied the boy for a moment, his eyes tracing every aspect laid on Henry's face. He clenched his jaw, a sudden movement, making Elizabeth squeeze Henry's hand harder. "There's no way to break the curse".

It's the only thing keeping you alive. Elizabeth looked towards Will, the man in front of her lost in his own thoughts. And yet, you feel like you have no heart at all, don't you?

"Why not?".

"It's a complicated matter for a lad so young like you", he answered, ignoring Henry's gaze, finishing his food. "And I'll always be there, outside, under and above the seas. Isn't that an interesting fact? You've got an immortal father", he faked a smiled at the boy, "It means I will live as long as you could want and expect me to".

"And then I'd be dead", Henry said, abruptly. "And mother would be dead before me. And everyone else… because you're immortal", he stared at his almost empty plate, letting his spoon fall onto it. "Why don't you visit us more? You can't put your feet on land, but we could meet you on the Dutchman's deck".

"It doesn't work like that, son".

"Because it just doesn't or because… because you don't want it to work?". The kid was obviously holding up his attitude, trying not to yell at Will, as his hands closed into fists, his knuckles white, his eyes redning. "I don't believe you. If you met grandpa on the Dutchman, why can't we?".

"Oh… so your mother told you about your grandfather?".

"Do not change the subject!", Henry raised his voice a bit, looking into William's eyes fearless. The boy noticed he had overstepped his boundaries when he heard the man's hands against the wooden table, loud and clear. He continued, though, his boldness very clear in his face, "Why don't you let us visit you? Are you ashamed of us? Mother says you don't approve the life we have… Why don't you tell her she's wrong?".

"What kind of life do you have?", the man said, trying to read the boy's expressions.

The kid took a deep breath, sounding like William had just asked the stupidest question in the world, "A pirate's life".

Elizabeth swallowed thickly, her eyes shut abruptly. Well, she knew she couldn't hold Henry's tongue inside his mouth — he had a strong personality, just like his mother and father. If only he knew why…

"What do you mean by that, lad?".

"You know what I mean", he slurped his spoon, "You are a pirate too. We are alike, aren't we? The difference is that you are always by the sea, and we are not…. And of course, we are free. And we take what is ours".

"Well, your mother is not wrong; I am ashamed of your way of living. I'm not a pirate, Henry, I'm merely a captain, accomplishing my duties. Unfortunately, I have to live on the sea. And I hope you follow these standards no more. I want to see you grown into a respectful man, not a disgraced soul".

"What do you mean by that?", the boy was horrified, red as a tomato, as if he had just been slapped right on his cheeks. "Pirates are respectful and respected! We… we do not bow! No lords or ladies are going to tell us what to do!".

"All right, that's enough. You are just a child, I won't blame you. It's your mother's fault if you have these nonsensical ideas inside your little mind", William sighed loudly, pushing his plate aside. "Pirates are dangerous and barbaric. This pirate life of yours is deadly and harmful. I don't know exactly what you mother told you… to convince you that… Being on the Dutchman is a good idea, a good life, and… becoming a pirate is the right choice and path. Well, none of these are. You need to reevaluate your standards. Do you want to be seen side by side with murderers, thieves, rapists, violent men?".

"Uncle Jack is not like that! Mother is not like that! Not every pirate is what you assume they are!". Henry raised from his chair, anger flushing through his face, palms closed against the wooden table. He looked deep inside William's eyes, almost threatening, confronting him with all of his soul.

Elizabeth couldn't feel prouder. She knew she should shush his words aways, take her son to his bedroom in order to prevent further discussions. She just couldn't — her son was so goddamn certain of himself, and so right that she couldn't stop him. It would be not only sad, but heartbreaking.

"Henry is right", she joined the conversation, giving William no time to speak, "pirates are not what you assume they are", she stood up, stacking the dishes. She traded a look with her son, the child holding his beautiful smile on the edge of his lips. "And yes, Uncle… Jack is not like that, neither am I", she sighed, approaching Henry and leaving a light kiss on his forehead. She now faced Will, strong and dense, jaw clenched. Her sigh was giving her enough time to truly see him. He hated her now, knowing she would never let him teach or try to educate her son. "It's late, sweetie. Time to go to bed", she hugged him and gave him another kiss, caressing his thin hair. She felt Henry loosen up under her arms, releasing a sigh of his own.

"I'm sorry for yelling", the boy said. That's my son. "It was not fitting". He gave William a last look, "I'm sorry, father".

"That's okay", William cuddled Henry's right hand over de table. "As I said, you're too young. Once you grow up, you'll understand my true meanings".

Elizabeth gave him a disapproval look, one he made a point of ignoring.

Henry said his good-nights and finally went to his bedroom. She was — once more, unfortunately — alone with William now, only the sounds of her cleaning the room echoing around. She was making her best to avoid his presence, focusing on the dirty dishes, detached, letting her indifference set up in the air.

It'd have been so much easier if William didn't have become a traitor. So much easier. She couldn't even bare her anxiety while around him, memories from the past crushing on her mind, concernantings about the present and the future. He's hunting pirates. He's hunting us. Her sailors' voices ringing inside her head, what are you going to do, King?

She hated when she was right — in the back of her mind, Elizabeth knew William was bend to opposite paths than her companiors and herself. She just didn't want to be so right. Since she was very fucking right from the very fucking beginning, even if her heart would try to tell her otherwise, she prepared herself, for Elizabeth also knew what that curse could make to a man's mind; what that curse could make to Will's mind.

She also hated herself now for being so coward. A life of cowardice.

And now, not only it seemed she was the most coward person in the world, she felt threatened, angry, sad and mostly impotent. Her hands tied as she finished cleaning, her hands still tied as she moved her tired body to Henry's bedroom, to give him his last good-night kiss and bedtime story. Another loud sigh came through Elizabeth's lips and she entered Henry's room, silently. His tiny figure was sitting on the bed, surrounded by papers, pencils, maps and a compass; well, this was almost his night routine, trying to find a way to the depths of the oceans. Trying to figure out how to break father's curse. Everytime her son came to her with ideas, they all seemed silly and impossible. And then he stuck to one of them, once he found that damn book about ocean myths and curses. Poseidon's Trident. She knew, deep down, it was nearly impossible to find and it wouldn't break William's burden.

Approaching the bed, she realized what most of the papers were; wanted posters. She picked up one of them, analysing the picture poorly illustrating Jack Sparrow's figure, with a prize worth nearly nothing. Elizabeth chuckled; this is ridiculous. Not only the illustration itself, but the prize and all of the circumstances. She observed Henry again, completely lost in himself, grabbed to one of those posters, eyes shining like two stars high in a clear night sky. He rubbed his finger over the black ink on the poster and released a sigh of his own. The boy seemed disappointed.

She sit on the bed beside him, enveloping Henry's frame with her arms.

"What is it? What is bothering you?", she asked, kissing the top of his head.

"Father… didn't even let me go through my plan", he finally relaxed and laid his head on Elizabeth's right shoulder. He look up at her, a plain sadness in his eyes. "Why does he hates us?".

"He doesn't, sweetie. Your… father…", the boy now analysed the wanted posters, and Elizabeth wasn't able to hold a low suffering sigh, "thinks differently. He doesn't enjoy life the same way we do. Just that".

"Why not?".

"We are all free to choose whatever we are going to believe or do, remember?"

"Bullshit", he said almost inaudibly, trying to hide the curse word from his mother. "He is lying, isn't he? I heard father saying that Uncle Jack is dead. I know he isn't. He's smart enough to worth nearly nothing. See? This way… nobody is gonna get him. Because he worths nothing".

Elizabeth laughed at him, squeezing Henry against her. "Yes, you're right. Uncle Jack is that smart", she kissed his temple, "and so are you. But you father's curse is not that simple, sweetie. It can't be broken unless—"

"Unless someone takes his place. I know. But what if there's another way?"

"I'm afraid there's not. However… that doesn't mean you have to give up already".

Henry gave her a wide smile, grabbing one of the wanted posters and turning his body to Elizabeth. "We need to find Uncle Jack!".

Her heart nearly sank with that. Even if Elizabeth had been training herself throughout the last years, to deal with the idea of Jack's not only absence but complete disappearance, everytime somebody talked about him, about finding him, it would always make her heart skip a beat, an aching pain in her chest like some wound had just been found and stripped over. She embraced Henry again, hiding her face in his hair. As Elizabeth closed her eyes, those memories buried in her mind came all out of a sudden; that miserable day, in that ambush no one had foreseen... when she lost him.

Elizabeth couldn't help the tears that started forming in her eyes. She took a deep breath, holding those tears as much as she could.

"Mom… are you alright?", Henry must have noticed she was trembling, for he untangle himself from her and brought her face to his eyes level. "Everytime I talk about finding Uncle Jack you get like this. Do you… do you think he's… actually dead?".

She didn't know how to answer. Maybe one day she would tell her son what really happened to Uncle Jack. All was happening at the same time, and everything she could remember was the screams of the sailors under her leadership, all the blood, grime and explosions. It took minutes or hours until it ended, and when she came back from the battle, he was not there or anywhere. Jack was missen, thrown to the sea after a cannonball hit the area around him, too close to him.

But he's Captain Jack Sparrow. He's alive. He must be. He must have found a way to get out of this. She kept telling that to herself, a thousand times per day. Ten years after she didn't know exactly what to feel, think or expect, since nobody could tell her if he was dead or alive. Many have said he was alive, but much more than that said Jack Sparrow's figure had not be seen in the last years, besides his wanted posters.

"No, sweetie, I don't", she answered him, a cracked smile on her face. Putting one strand of Henry's hair behind his ear, she continued, "I think Uncle Jack is solving some personal issues, maybe? Remember when I told you he gets into troubles so goddamn easy?".

The boy giggled and shaked his head positively. "Yes, I do remember. Just like me, right?"

"Yes", Elizabeth sighed happily, "Just like you. The difference is that you're just a kid, and Uncle Jack is an adult. You may also remember I explained to you that our actions have consequences, right? That's why adults have to deal with their own problems".

"And their children's problems too", Henry laughed.

"Yes, you could say that. But you could help your mother a little bit, trying not get in any more trouble", she said, teasing him and poking his belly. Henry laughed harder and louder, catching his breath when Elizabeth finally stopped. She kissed his temple and fixed the bed for him. Pulling some strands of his hair from his eyes, she gave him a last kiss on his forehead. "Good night, sweetie. Have good dreams".

"Mom?", he called her, just before she left the bedroom.

"Yes?"

"I will find him. Uncle Jack. Eventually. You'll see".

"I'm sure you will. Just stay for the night, 'kay?"

The boy giggled, "sure, mom".

Elizabeth sighed and finally left.