Years later...
On an island not far from northwest Jamaica, there laid a modest-sized cottage with a lighthouse adjacent to it. No sound was present except for the waves that crashed against the rocky shoreline. The air was still and the gulls were silent, for night had fallen and nature had gone to rest for the evening. However, not all were obedient to the darkness' call to stop the day's activities.
The top of the tower was alit with a brilliant fire that was visible for several miles. In the tower, there sat a young lad of around ten huddled at his desk, entranced by the book he was reading. He had a number of papers adorning his wall, little scraps of information that contained the stuff of myth and legend. There were mentions of cursed ships and treasure, lost islands and ancient civilizations, and sketches of strange looking objects that seemed to be not of this world. But among other things, the most prominently displayed aspect of this wall contained mentions of an ancient relic, one that had total control of the power of the sea.
The Trident of Poseidon.
It was believed to be a myth, nothing more than fairy-tale nonsense used to make a good story for children or when one got bored on the ocean. But for the young boy, it was real. It was as real as the ground he stood on and the air he breathed and he desired nothing more than to have it. But not so he could rule the seas. He had other reasons.
"Henry," a voice called from behind him, causing the boy to jump in his chair in surprise. He turned around to see his mother standing by the door that led to the staircase.
"What are you still doing up?" she asked him, arms crossed.
"I'm sorry, mum. I lost track of time," Henry said, looking guilty.
"It's late," she said, "You should be in bed."
"I know, it's just- I got caught up in what I was doing," Henry tried to explain, "I think I found something to break father's curse."
His mother sighed, and she walked over closer to her son and ran her fingers through his hair.
"Sweetheart, I know you miss your father. Believe me, I want nothing more than for him to come back. But he can't. It's just not possible," she finished, her voice a little shaken.
"Nothing's impossible, mother," Henry said, his eyes glistening with youthful optimism, "Just like all your adventures with dad and Captain Jack Sparrow."
Her teeth clenched at the mention of the latter's name.
"Henry-" she began, but the boy continued.
"All of those tales I heard of Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann sailing the high seas I know to be more than mere tales. They're true, and the Trident of Poseidon is just as real as dad's curse," Henry said, but Elizabeth got down on one knee and started to caress his cheek.
"Henry," Elizabeth began, "the Trident doesn't exist. I know you want your father back, but this is a fool's errand. No one's been able to find it."
"Yes, they have," Henry contradicted, "This book says that the astronomer Galileo encountered a 'sea of stars' on one of his voyages, and he discovered something of immense power. I believe this is the Trident."
"Henry, please," Elizabeth begged, "I've tried searching for the Trident before. Six months at sea and I found nothing. I'm sorry. I can't spend my life searching for a way to bring your father back when I have to raise you to be your own person. He would've wanted that for you. Now please, just come downstairs to bed."
Henry sighed, and then said okay as he followed his mother downstairs.
Henry Turner was nothing if not persistent. After he was sure that his mother was sound asleep, he creeped out of the house and made his way over to the dockyard, where he released a rowboat and started to paddle his way out to sea.
Despite what his mother said, Henry knew the Trident was real; it wasn't just something in his heart or his head. Deep down, there was something gnawing at him, something that told him that the Trident was real beyond all doubt. He knew that, one day sooner or later, he would find it. And when he did, he would lift his father's curse.
A thick fog hung in the air as Henry stopped rowing the boat, and he was sure that he was far away out at sea enough for his plan to work. He stood up and picked up the small bag that he had brought with him. The bag itself was filled with heavy rocks that made it difficult for him to carry for long, but once he had made sure that the bag was securely tied to his leg, he threw it into the water, took a deep breath, and jumped in.
The weight of the rocks pulled Henry down deep into the water, the pressure becoming more intense by the second. He knew that if he stayed like this for much longer, he would drown. But it was a risk he was willing to take.
Suddenly, the rocks hit a hard surface, and Henry's feet accompanied it as he landed on the wooden deck of a seemingly sunken ship. But Henry knew better; as he looked around him, he saw that the ship was beginning to rise out of the water, coming to the surface with a huge splash. The ship finally settled, with water dripping from the deck and the sails in large amounts, and Henry started to gasp for air. After he had caught his breath, he looked around him and saw the seaweed adorning the mast and sails, the crustaceans built up on the cannons, and the splintered, damp deck boards.
The Flying Dutchman.
Suddenly, Henry heard a pair of doors open, and then the sounds of slow footsteps were ever present in his mind. As the footsteps drew nearer, the boy mustered up what courage he had and called out, "Father?"
"Henry," the low voice of William Turner called out from the shadows. He stepped forward through the shroud of darkness to reveal himself. His naturally handsome features were obscured by the crustaceans that built up along his face.
"What have you done?" he asked sternly.
"I said I'd find you," Henry declared, "And I have."
"Look at me, son," Will said with a harsh tone, "Can't you see I'm cursed to this ship?"
"I don't care!" Henry nearly shouted, "I don't care about any of that! I think I've found a way to save you!"
The sounds of grunts from below deck became apparent to both Turners, and then Will said, "They know you're here. Go home to your mother, now."
"I can't!" Henry begged, "I think I've found a way to save you from this ship, to break the Dutchman's curse! For you and grandfather both!"
"Henry, no," Will insisted, but the boy continued on.
"I've read about a treasure, a weapon that holds the power of the sea - the Trident of Poseidon! It can break your curse!" Henry said, pleading with his eyes for his father to listen.
"Henry, the Trident can never be found. It's not possible, it's simply a tale," Will said, defeated.
"Mother said the same thing," Henry noted, "but I don't believe that. I know it exists!"
"It doesn't exist because I've searched for it myself," Will said coldly, "Did you think I didn't think to look for a way to break my curse, so that I could return to you and your mother? I searched for years and found nothing. It's nothing but a tale."
"A tale?" Henry shot back, "Like the tales of you, mother, and Jack Sparrow? Those were all just stories?"
Will's temper rose at the mention of Jack, and he nearly shouted "You stay away from Jack. Don't go anywhere near him, do you understand? He's dangerous."
"I know he saved your life more than once," Henry argued, "and he'll do the same again."
"I said no!" Will shouted this time, "Leave the sea, and stop acting like-"
"A pirate?" Henry inquired.
"A child, acting on some mad fantasy," Will stated bluntly, whereupon he unsheathed the smallsword he had made long ago and cut the bag from Henry's leg.
"I'll never stop trying to free you! You're my father!" Henry shouted, his eyes glistening with tears.
Will walked forward, embracing Henry in his arms and trying to comfort the young boy.
"Henry," he spoke in a low voice, "My boy, my brave boy... I'm sorry. My curse can never be broken. Leave me to my fate."
The ship started to descend into the water, and large quantities of it began to splash onto the deck. Will slowly pulled away from the embrace and started to caress his son's cheek, smiling as he did so.
"Father," Henry began, but Will cut him off.
"You must let go of me, son," he said, "I'll always be in your heart. I love you, son."
He walked backwards slowly, and the ship continued to submerge into the depths.
"Father, I'll never stop! Never!" he shouted, and Will continued to smile as he finally said, "Goodbye."
The Dutchman had disappeared beneath the sea, leaving Henry in the waters by himself. After he swam back up to the surface, he climbed back into the rowboat he came in, and laid down upon it as he gazed into the starry night sky.
"I'll find the Trident, father," he said to himself, "I will."