Chapter 13
She banged on it uselessly for a few moments, tears pouring down her face. She finally gave up and slumped to the ground. Surrounding her were endless piles of treasure. In the center of the room was a large platform with a sarcophagus displayed prominently.
Margot stood up and wandered closer, climbing the steps and staring at an elaborately carved lid. It depicted a man's body, arms crossed over his chest, and a jackal's head. A familiar set of symbols was etched on the side of the tomb.
She glanced down to find her necklace once again hanging around her neck. It matched the hieroglyphics on the tomb.
Margot lifted the necklace and inserted it into the side of the tomb. She was thrown off the platform as the sarcophagus opened, and the jackal man stepped out.
The booming voice from the cavern issued from his mouth, "Who dares disturb the slumber of Anubis?"
Margot glared up at him from her position on the floor, "Margot Sparrow ye loud arse."
The god froze and glanced down at her, "The Pearl. You have found your treasure."
"You can keep your bloody treasure. What use be it without my da and Johnny."
Anubis crossed his arms over his chest, "I will forgive your disrespect, young Margot. And I will give you a choice."
Margot motioned for him to continue as she picked herself off of the ground.
"The choice is this treasure. Riches beyond your wildest imagination. Or the lives of your three allies in the cavern and the treasure disappears."
Margot took one last look around at the piles and piles of treasure, "Are ye certain I couldn't just take a few pieces to go?"
Anubis shook his head and she sighed, "Aye, I choose their lives."
"Then it shall be done," roared Anubis, throwing his arms into the air.
A great rumbling shook the chamber and chunks of rock began to fall, burying the treasure. Margot swiveled around to find the golden door was cracked open. She squeezed through, giving the piles of gold one last glance before she ran over to Johnny, who was sitting on the ground looking dazed.
The sultan and his men were still golden statues but she could see that Jack and Will were helping each other to stand up on the opposite ledge.
The rumbling continued and large chunks of rock began to fall in the cavern.
Margot grabbed Johnny's hand and pulled him up, "We've got to get out of here love."
"What the hell happened?" he muttered as they hurried across the bridge, dodging falling stones.
"Long story," replied Margot as they reached Jack and Will.
"I feel like I was bludgeoned on me head," grumbled Jack, rubbing his eyes.
"Come on Da, we've got to move," commanded Margot, heading for the wall behind them and looking for a way up.
Johnny joined her, running his hands along the wall and finding a stone ladder, "Over here."
"What about the treasure?" complained Jack, staring longingly at the golden doors.
"More important things than treasure," commented Margot, as she began to climb the ladder, Johnny close behind her.
"That's my girl," grinned Johnny.
Will smiled and winked at his son before following them. Jack's eyes caught on the golden guards and he swiped a golden scimitar, tucking it into his belt and climbing up behind Will.
"Where be yer pirate sensibilities lass?" muttered Jack as they reached the top and raced through the piles of bones.
"Be more grateful ye scurvy dog. I saved your life," yelled Margot as they arrived at the front of the cave and piled into a rowboat.
Will and Johnny set to rowing as father and daughter glared at one another. Just as their boat cleared the cave, a large rock fell in front, blocking the entrance and sending a wave of water over them.
They sat there wringing out their clothes and spitting out water for several minutes, thankful that the boat hadn't capsized.
"Just what happened back there?" questioned Johnny, pushing wet hair out of his eyes.
"Anubis cursed ye. Turned ye all to gold like the guards. He gave me a choice. The treasure or yer lives. And what a treasure it was," sighed Margot, squeezing water out of her long black hair.
Jack frowned, "Ye gave up the treasure?"
Margot nodded, steeling herself for a tirade.
Jack opened his mouth and then closed it. He looked at her for a few moments before grinning and pulling her into his arms, "Thank ye lass."
Margot was rendered speechless as her father hugged her tight.
"I'm surprised at you Jack," said Will, eyebrows raised.
"Some things be more important than treasure. Then again," began Jack, smirking as he reached for his contraband scimitar. He paused, frowning as his hand swiped air.
He stared in horror at his empty hand and began searching frantically around the boat. Finally he looked over the edge and saw a slight glimmer emanating from the bottom of the ocean, "Bloody hell."
The others laughed at the expression on his face and then quieted as they heard the noises of a distant battle.
They turned and glimpsed the Black Pearl and the sultan's ship engaged in a major battle. The sultan's ship was losing badly and listing to the side. A white flag was raised and a large cheer erupted from the Pearl.
"Least I still have me ship," muttered Jack as they rowed towards it.
When they finally reached the Black Pearl and clambered aboard, the crew let out another raucous cheer, greeting them with hugs and back slaps.
Jack cleared his throat and commanded their attention, "The treasure be a myth lads. I've nothing to give ye."
The crew looked at each other for a few minutes and then turned back to Jack, grinning.
"Perhaps ye best check the hold Cap'n," replied Mr. Gibbs, leading the way.
Jack Sparrow quirked an eyebrow and headed down into the hold, Margot following close behind. When they reached it they stopped short and stared at the treasure chests lining the room.
"Where did ye get this?" whispered Jack in awe.
Mr Gibbs smiled, "The sultan's ship. This be treasure enough for us."
Jack whooped and picked up Margot swinging her around the hold. She laughed as he set her down and turned back to Gibbs, "Bring out the rum!"
The rest of the evening was spent celebrating and consuming their rum supply. Margot changed out of her harem outfit, grabbed a bottle, and went in search of Johnny. She found him in a dark corner of the ship sitting with his father, talking quietly.
When he saw her, he grinned and pulled her down into his lap, nuzzling her neck and stealing a swig of rum.
Will smiled at the two of them and stood up, "I'll give you some privacy then."
"Thanks father."
"I'll distract Jack as well," he winked.
"Thank ye Will," laughed Margot as he nodded and left them.
Johnny wrapped his arms around Margot and kissed her neck softly, "Why'd you give up the treasure?"
Margot shifted around in his lap so she was facing him, "As much fun as a golden statue of ye would be…"
"Margot."
She sighed and put her hands on his face, "The treasure be meaningless without you to share it with. I love ye John Turner."
He grinned and kissed her briefly, "God I love you too Margot Sparrow."
She ran her hands down his chest, "Shall we take this to me cabin?"
Johnny scooped her up in arms, ignoring the cheers that erupted around them as he headed for her cabin. Margot buried her head in his neck, blushing furiously. They reached the cabin and he tossed her on the bed, locking the door behind him.
"Guess the crew knows," muttered Margot as he began stripping off his clothes.
He paused and looked down at her, "Does it matter?"
Margot shook her head, "Not anymore."
Johnny finished removing his clothes and reached for her, grinning, "Still have that harem clothing?"
Margot punched him in the stomach, "We never speak of it again Turner."
Johnny was bent over in pain, attempting to catch his breath when Margot stripped off her pirate clothes, revealing the gauzy outfit beneath, "After tonight that is."
Johnny laughed as she pulled him down onto the bed with her. He slowly removed her pants as his mouth lavished attention to her breasts through the flimsy top.
Margot groaned and wrapped her legs around his waist, urging him forward into the apex of her thighs. Johnny managed to stay in control and gently entered her, stroking her slowly. Margot grew frantic with need and pulled his face down to hers, thrusting her tongue into his mouth.
Johnny cursed and pumped into her harder as they both reached their peaks and collapsed together, sated and boneless.
"Marry me Margot."