William looked at the island as it dropped off of the horizon, just beyond the stretch of his eyesight. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, mulling over the morning's events.

An abrupt awakening from his mother, a hurried breakfast of porridge and ten minutes to pack all the belongings he could into a rucksack had been the only warning that things were about to change. Elizabeth had gathered provisions and essential items during the night and had already loaded the dinghy by the time the sun was up and William was dressed. He knew where they were going before she'd even said a word.

"We're going to find him, aren't we mother." Elizabeth had stopped all actions at this point and lowered herself onto the bed next to him, cupping his face and staring straight into his eyes.

"Yes my darling, we are. We both love you very much."

Those were the only words she had spoken, and now, as they drifted across the vast ocean, an oar each, he wondered what the next few days had in store for him. He had never met a pirate before. He was from a family of them on his father's side but his mother had kept him well away from their drunken debauchery throughout the first nine years of his life. He knew, from the stories she had told, that they were generally good men but still she had not allowed him to join them. Perhaps, he thought, it was because she was the daughter of a governor, and a woman of importance in society. She probably didn't like to associate with them too frequently.

She had often told him about her father, a brave and noble man who had died too soon. She always spoke of him fondly, and William often wished he had lived to meet him. Governor Swann had been a hero and Elizabeth was keen to continue the family name. That was why, when she had moved to the secluded island ten years ago, she went about creating a place where all people were equal. She immediately helped the locals to set up a small democracy, and had volunteered to help at the school reforming the way the children were taught. And so it had been, that the small island's population grew from one hundred to one thousand, and the local community was indeed still thriving. She never allowed herself to get too close to anyone and remained somewhat of a mystery amongst the people, but all the same, in William's eyes she was a hero. He could hardly imagine her aboard a ship, surrounded by piracy, but somehow she must have adapted.

He could hear her humming to herself now - a pirate tune she had taught him as a small child. He smiled faintly and began to hum along.

After an hour of rowing, laughing and singing a stretch of land appeared - at first a dot, but it soon grew vaster. William could see what looked like a thousand ships, each with a different flag, stretching from one end of the coast to the other, and as they drew nearer he began to notice black dots - hundreds of them - milling around on the land. He gasped aloud.

"Mother!" he exclaimed, "Are they…pirates?!" Elizabeth chuckled.

"Yes my boy, they are. Welcome to Tortuga!"

William's eyes grew wide as he stepped foot on dry land. He hopped out of the boat, two feet at once, and landed firmly on the ground. He could hardy believe his luck - in front of him two men in headscarves were sword fighting (in good humour he presumed from the churlish grins on their faces), to his right a man lay sleeping - a bottle of rum clutched to his chest - and just off the shore, a little way down the coast, stood the thing he had only ever dreamt of seeing.

"Mother - it's the Black Pearl!" Elizabeth laughed as she tied the boat to the dock, jogging slightly to catch up with William and ruffling his hair fondly.

"I knew I'd find you." She muttered, seemingly to no one.

"Mother, can I have a closer look?" William asked gleefully.

"Of course, but don't go too far, don't even think about going on board, and if anyone talks to you do not tell them your name. I'm just going to pay up and then I'll follow you." William took off towards the ship to the sound of "…and don't run."

He had never seen his mother like this. Her eyes sparkled, her tousled hair blew in the breeze and her smile shone. He loved this place already.

William was standing at the foot of the Black Pearl. Her flag shimmered in the wind. Black sails, he thought, the stories were true! He clutched at the dagger in his belt, imagining fighting aboard the mighty vessel. He whipped it out and started feigning a duel.

"On guard!" he cried, giggling and prancing about the platform.

"If I were you I'd leave the fightin' to the real men." came a gravely voice from behind, as William felt the cool metal of a sword touch his neck. He held his breath, paralysed with fear. Should he fight? He would probably lose, given that he was in the weaker position, both physically and with regards to weaponry. He shut his eyes tight, waiting for the blow, but instead heard a familiar female voice.

"I'd drop that if I were you." And before he knew it the sword was gone and a full blown battle was ensuing. It was his mother!

Elizabeth weaved and ducked, wielding a sword with precision, grunts and shouts emanating from her throat as she swung it backwards and forwards energetically. But the pirate was well matched, meeting every one of her strokes with just as much force. His feet danced along the deck as he jumped and cart wheeled, occasionally apologising to the odd passer by for the 'disturbance'. William stood motionless, mouth open, admiring the skill of his mother whose face had come to life with fury and passion - he had never known her like this before. The fight continued, and the surrounding pirates passed by oblivious. After a solid five minutes of well-matched battle, Elizabeth managed to get behind the pirate, pushing him to his knees and hovering over him - the tip of her sword to his throat. William's heart practically stopped and he winced, preparing for the final swing.

And then something odd happened. They both started laughing. His mother threw her head back, the pirate chuckled heartily, and she reached down, offering him a hand which he took, no questions asked.

"Well, well Lizzie. Long time no see lass."

She smiled at the stranger. "And you. Can't say you've changed much." The pirate grinned lopsidedly, seemingly lost in his own thoughts for a moment before both turned to look at William, a sudden reminder that he was still there. Elizabeth rushed over, kneeling in front of him and enveloping him in her arms.

"Oh my poor baby I'm so sorry. Are you quite alright? We must have given you such a fright." She looked at him, smiling, but he returned only a quizzical glare. Then the pirate spoke again, this time fixing his eyes on William

"Well bless me rum, isn't he a chip off the old block? Where you been 'idin 'im then Lizzie?" She stood up, beaming at the man.

"I'd like you to meet William Turner. I know, he looks just like Will doesn't he."

"You're tellin' me!" He bent down, a frank expression on his face. "My boy, I am so sorry for 'avin tried to capture you like that an' all but you seemed slightly suspicious for my likin'. Course, if I'd 'av held off me guns for a while I could have recognised you in a second. Your father is one of the best men that 'as ever walked these 'ere shores." William continued to frown, unsure of who this strange man was.

"Actually Jack," he heard his mother say, "That's why we're here."

"Jack?!" Will exclaimed. "Jack Sparrow?!"

"Aye me lad, Jack Sparrow. Now, how may I be of assistance?"