"So ye expect to leave us standin' on some beach with nothin' but a name and watch you sail away in my ship?" Barbossa chuckled.
We were in his cabin on the Black Pearl. Barbossa was sitting at the table, I was sitting next to him, Jack was standing opposite us and the monkey was on his perch near the door.
"No. I expect to leave you standing on some beach with absolutely no name at all, while you watch me sail away on my ship... and then I'll shout the name back to you. Savvy?" Jack smiled.
"But that still leaves us with the problem of us standing on some beach, with naught but a name and your word it's the one I need." Barbossa didn't sound very happy.
"But I haven't committed mutiny, so my word's the one we'll be trusting. Although, if you hadn't betrayed me and left me to die, I would 'ave an equal share in that curse, same as you. Funny ol' world isn't it?" Jack took a bite of an apple.
Barbossa just grunted.
Jack offered him a bite of the fruit but just then the Bo'sun came in, "Captain, we comin' up on the Interceptor."
The monkey leaped onto the table and ran in front of Jack, making him jump.
We all headed up on deck and Barbossa took out his telescope to look at the other ship, but Jack stepped in front of him, "I'm havin' a thought here, Barbossa!"
He lowered the telescope and Jack expressed his idea, "What say we run up a flag a truce, I scurry over to the Interceptor and negotiate the return of your medallion, eh? What say you to that?"
"Now ya see Jack, that's the attitude that lost ya the Pearl. People are easy ta search when they're dead!" Barbossa turned to the Bo'sun, "Lock 'im in the brig!"
As Jack was dragged away he handed the apple to Barbossa. He stared at it for awhile then tossed it away angrily. I saw barrels and crates being tossed off the other ship.
What are they doing?
"Make ready the guns!" Barbossa yelled to the crew, then he turned to the Bo'sun with a smirk, "And run out the sweeps."
Suddenly the Interceptor spun so that their starboard side was facing us.
"Hard to port!" Barbossa commanded.
We turned so that we were board to board with the other ship.
Barbossa pulled out his sword and thrust it into the air, "Fire!"
Both ships exchanged cannon fire. But the Interceptor wasn't using cannon balls... they appeared to be shooting silverware!
"Prepare ta board!" Barbossa yelled.
The next shot that came from the Pearl took out the mast of the other ship and it fell right next to Barbossa but he didn't even flinch.
Wow he's brave! I smiled.
Or stupid. My conscience said.
"Shut up!" I muttered.
"Bring me that medallion!" there was a wild light in Barbossa's eyes.
The monkey and half the men swung over to the other ship. Something caught my eye and I saw that Jack had escaped from the brig. He grabbed a rope and swung over to the Interceptor. After a few minutes the monkey came scurrying back across holding the medallion and Jack was following. But Barbossa stood at the other end of the mast and the monkey climbed onto his shoulder and handed over the medallion.
"Why thank ye Jack." Barbossa smiled.
"Your welcome." Jack was still perched on the mast.
"Not you. We named the monkey Jack." Barbossa informed him and the monkey grinned.
Jack frowned slightly and Barbossa held the medallion up calling to the crew, "Gents, our hope is restored!"
He ordered the crew of the Interceptor tied to the mast of the Pearl, and then they were made to watch as their ship was blown up.
Elizabeth slipped out from under the ropes and jumped on Barbossa screaming, "Will was on that ship!"
"Too bad." he shoved her away.
Just then a man climbed over the rail, "Barbossa!" he picked up a gun and pointed it at the pirates, "Elizabeth goes free!"
He looks familiar...
"Will!" I heard Elizabeth whisper.
Yes! That is him!
Barbossa turned around and started to walk toward Will, "What's in yer head boy?"
I was gonna ask the same thing.
"She goes free!" Will insisted.
Barbossa stood right in front of the pistol and smirked, "You've only got one shot and we can't die."
"Don't do anything stupid." Jack pleaded quietly.
Will jumped back up on the rail and pointed the gun at himself, "You can't. I can."
"Like that." Jack whispered.
"Who are you?" Barbossa sounded confused.
"No one, he's no one! Distant cousin of my aunts nephew twice removed. Lovely singing voice." Jack explained hastily.
I rolled my eyes and listened to Will give the real explanation, "My name is Will Turner. Bootstrap Bill Turner was my father. His blood runs in my veins."
"It's the spittin' image of ol' Bootstrap come back to haunt us!" Ragetti sounded scared.
"On my word do as I say, or I'll pull this trigger and be lost to Davy Jones locker!" Will threatened.
"Name yer terms Mr. Turner." Barbossa squinted.
"Elizabeth goes free!" Will repeated.
"Yes, we know that one. Anythin' else?" Barbossa was slightly annoyed.
I noticed Jack pointing at himself.
"And the crew. The crew are not to be harmed." Will said.
Jack kept pointing at himself.
"Agreed." Barbossa grinned.
We sailed to a small island and Barbossa ordered Elizabeth to walk the plank.
I looked at him with a horrified expression, "Hector you can't do this!"
"Can't I now? I agreed she go free, but it was the boy who failed to specify when or where." he ended in a chuckle.
Will, who had been gagged was watching with angry expression.
"It does seem a shame to lose somethin' so fine don't it lads? So I'll be havin' that dress back before ye go." Barbossa held out his hand.
Elizabeth ripped off the dress and threw it to him, "Goes with your black heart!"
Barbossa held it to his face, "Mmm, still warm."
"How would you know!? You can't feel anything!" I surprised myself by saying.
Barbossa looked at me, amazed I wasn't defending him.
"If you're going to maroon Elizabeth, you should do the same to me!" I didn't like being around him when he was acting cruel.
"But Sylvia..." Barbossa sounded hurt.
"I'm tired of being around heartless pirates!" I yelled and I meant almost all of it.
At that moment I saw a change in his piercing blue gaze. It suddenly turned to fire and he back handed me so hard that I was propelled into the mast. I hit my head and blacked out.
When I awoke, I was still on deck. I shot over to the rail and saw Elizabeth and Jack shrinking into the distance. I looked around for Barbossa but didn't see him.
I can't believe he actually hit me!
I started to get tears in my eyes.
Then why do you want to see him? My conscience again.
I want to tell him to let me go.
No you don't. You know you still love him.
I made my way to the captain's cabin and opened the door. Barbossa was sitting at the table with his head in his hands and Jack the monkey was sitting quietly on his perch, looking at his master.
"That's the second time you've knocked me out." I said quietly.
When he turned around he looked tormented.
I rushed over to him and put my arms around his neck, "Hector what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry I hit you, Sylvia." he was looking at the floor.
"No, I'm sorry for calling you a heartless pirate." I leaned my head against his.
"I don't mind being called a pirate." he smiled slightly.
"But you're not heartless. You have a very big heart." I hugged him tighter.
He started to get up, so I released him. He turned and pulled me close to him.
"Thank you." I whispered.
He put his chin on my head and I smiled into his coat. I was so glad that he was willing to hold me and I felt very sorry that he couldn't enjoy it too.
"Remember when we had that practice sword fight on the beach in Port Royal?" I looked up at him.
"How could I forget?" He chuckled.
"I think I almost killed you once or twice." I teased.
Barbossa just smiled down at me.
I stood on tip toe and whispered in his ear, "I love you."
"I don't see how ye can love someone like me." Barbossa smiled weakly.
"It's not your fault the curse gives you a short temper."
"I just wish I could control it." he looked away miserably.
I made him look back at me, "It will be over soon."
We hugged and then he asked, "Would ye like ta have dinner with me?"
"I'd love to." I smiled.
After he had ordered dinner, we went out on the balcony behind the cabin.
After some conversation, Barbossa took off one of his rings and knelt down on one knee, "Sylvia Emerald, will ye be me bride after the curse is lifted?"
I can't believe it! He's actually proposing!
"Of course I will." I grinned as he put the ring on my finger.
We walked back into the cabin arm in arm and I sat down to eat.
We talked about various things until I was done, then I stood up, "If you don't mind, I shall try to get a little sleep before going into the cave."
He just smiled and I went next door.