Th' sun's rays blared through tha prison bars, stingin' me eyes awake. I groaned, me hand comin' ta hide from it. I sat up an' noticed a gruelin' pain shoot inside me neck.
Wha' a lovely way t' treat a woman.
Spendin' me nights on a cell block floor left much ta be desired. I cursed th' apes that threw me in 'ere. Not even me lie o' bein' wit' child gave me mercy. Tha wo'ld needed stronger woman damnit. But they condemned th' few before givin' 'em a chance.
Me thoughts were evaded when me fellow captain dearest stirred in the cell beside me. Aye. It were that damn quiet. I wasn't even sure tha town had awoken, maybe they would follow moments later. Today was ta be quite tha day after all. Th' hangin' o' two pirates. One infamous. Me, they wouldn't miss me. Th' crowds would antsy, steaming wit' anticipation as the noose was tied 'round our necks. I would glare at them all, spewing profanities as they cheered. Me ma never fought back, —I would.
"Good morning," Jack roused.
I scoffed.
"If only it were," I replied.
He chuckled beside me, an' I could practically hear th' smirk in his tone.
"You know, darling, for a woman of such spirit, your light is doused easily."
I stilled. Somethin' struck a nerve. Th' prison seemed ta dim wit' his words, an' I began ta feel claustrophobic. Like tha words were a rope an' they snaked over me neck, squeezin' th' faith from me. Tha sounds o' our breathing were th' only thing fillin' th' vicinity. Horse's hooves trailed past me window, Port Royal decided ta join us. I sighed heavily, choking on tha situation as it were. Shadows passed, different voices tripped across anutha' and soon I realized I was countin' th' number o' each sound I heard.
Th' sun slid 'cross me cell, landin' ironically on the bars n' lock.
"What's yer grand escape plan this time, Sparrow?" I challenged.
"Can't give it all away at once," he answered.
Wit' a roll o' me eyes, a lock switched open a door n' a red coated guard came bangin' down tha stairs. Anutha' behind 'im. Smug expressions on their faces told me everything. Reluctantly, I stood up. Didn't wanna be slugged around any more than I needed.
"Two birds with one stone," th' chubbier one jeered, reachin' down t' unlock me. I heard Jack bein' removed from his cell, an' when they passed me, him in chains, I saw th' solemn look on his face. It didn't suit him. He'd been so confident, so assured. His flaw was pride.
"Ain't you a clever one," I retorted.
Tha grasp he held in me arms squeezed too tightly at me remark, an' I barely winced. I didn't want them t' win, but wha' more was I ta do? Tha time was set, an' as I was marched between th' hoards o' civilians, I prayed ta me ma that I was so damn sorry.
"Jack Sparrow, it is known that you—" the judge began reciting all o' Jack's heinous misdeeds as we stood on a wooden platform, presented t' tha town as things we were not.
"Captain. Captain Jack Sparrow," he corrected next ta me.
I turned me head n' when we made eye contact, he grinned. I questioned him wit' me expression, hopin' maybe he'd get it. If he did have a bloody stupid escape plan, when was he t' execute it? Me ears buzzed out th' crimes bein' read, puttin' me attention on every movement Jack made. I would wait n' sense when he was gonna act.
But as I gazed upon th' people huddled tagetha, I couldn't help but fear fer every child wit' 'em. They'd grow up ta be jus' as awful. Th' EITC didn't do good by ridding th' seas o' pirates. Didn't make any o' them betta because of it. They were as guilty as we supposedly were. Damn them all. Th' ladies in their best gowns, th' lad atop his fatha's shoulders. I noticed even a young girl in maid's attire made tha occasion. Bloody appalling.
A squawk echoed th' air, n' I whipped me head ta see a parrot perched on a guard's flag. I squinted, sure me eyes were decievin' me. Cotton's parrot? Bloody hell.
Th' dawnin' tha' th' Pearl must've been close by gave me a rush o' relief. I saw Jack tilt his head as well, n' he winked at me 'efore I looked away. I owed him a shot at trust afta' 'e saved me life. In several situations.
"May God have mercy on your soul," th' judge finished.
Drums rolled loudly as Jack's neck was decorated wit' his rope. I was thankful he was scheduled first, his plan would work in our favor tha' way. In a sudden, th' audience shufflin' n' an alarmed voice shouted.
"Move!"
Will pushed through, sword aimed n' in a flash, he shot it directly unda' Jack's feet. Jus' when his noose dropped, Jack's feet balanced on th' weapon beneath him. Will n' th' hangman danced 'round me. An ax went flying, and wit' luck on me side, it snapped th' rope on me hands free. A sting left me left hand in pain, but I'd hafta' make do. I leapt off th' stage in time t' meet Jack and Will battling th' mobs o' marines.
They chased afta' all of us, n' finally we were surrounded by dozens o' pointed muskets. Jack teasin'ly put his hands up, n' I kept mine crossed o'er me chest.
"I thought we might have to endure some manner of an ill conceived escape attempt," Norrington's voice broke th' corruption. "But not from you," he glared at Will.
"On our return to Port Royal I granted you clemency," the Governor spat. "And this is how you thank me? By throwing in your lot with him? With her? They're pirates."
Will dropped his sword wit' a clatter.
"And good people," he argued.
Jack pointed at himself, a cocky grin on his lips. I lifted an eyebrow at him.
"If all I have learned here is that the hangman will earn three pairs of boots instead of one. So be it. At least my conscience will be clear," th' blacksmith continued.
Norrington stepped forward, his sword's tip at Will's throat.
"You forget your place, Turner," he seethed.
Will shrugged.
"It's right here. Between you, Jack and Cora."
Elizabeth lurched towards Will, takin' her hand firmly in his. She stood tall next ta him.
"As is mine," she stated.
Th' faces around us were priceless. Mouths gaped wide, eyes disbelievin'. Everyone waited, unsure o' what ta do. I watched her father's face go through a variety o' emotions at once. I had t' hold back a chuckle.
"Lower your weapons," he said finally. When no one responded, he pressed firmer. "For goodness sake, put them down!"
I winked at th' soldiers when they obeyed.
"So this is where your heart truly lies then…" Norrington murmured. His eyes lost all color, n' he broke 'efore us. For a second, I almost pitied th' bastard.
"It is," she spoke.
Silence reigned. But not fer long, as Jack made his dashin' speech.
"Well!" he piped up. "I'm actually feeling rather good about this. I think we've all arrived at a very special place, eh?" I giggled when he got too close to Governor Swann's face, and he backed away in disgust. "Spiritually, ecumenically… grammatically." He used his hands when 'e spoke, lookin' like a bloody drunkard. S'pose 'e was. "I want you to know that I was rooting for you, mate," he addressed Norrington wit' his finger. "Know that."
He took a few steps backwards, sadly watching Elizabeth.
"It would've never worked between us, darling. I'm sorry."
She practically rolled 'er eyes.
"Will!" Jack called. "Nice hat."
He went t' tha edge o' th' fort, and before he stepped up, he directed 'is attention ta me. He smiled warmly.
"You coming, love?"
I owed 'im.
"Ladies first," I teased, joinin' him n' standing dangerously o'er tha edge. Th' fall was high, but it was wha' I'd left Ireland for. What's th' sense in takin' leaps if ye ain't gonna pull through?
"Friends! This is the day that you will always remember…" Jack drew closer t' me. "As the day that you almost—" too close, an' he flung 'imself o'er.
Th' crowd came ta see th' result, an' a flood o' joy rushed through me when his head bopped above tha water. I sniggered 'efore followin' suit.
"Bloody wanker."
When we were raised aboard th' Pearl, I smiled. Th' horizon awaited us, n' tha wind whispered through me unruly hair, invitin' me back ta tha sea. Gibbs stood above me, lendin' me a hand. When I regained me balance, he handed me Jack's coat. I pivoted on me heel, our eyes reflectin' off each outha's an' fer a minute, I had ta remind meself t' snap outta it. I sauntered ova', wrappin' it around his wet shoulders.
"Captain Sparrow," I announced. "Tha Black Pearl is yers."
He stared at her wheel, nearin' it wit' nostalgia, pride. He caressed her spokes, relishin' in th' future she would give us in time. Th' sun played on his features, th' salty air remindin' me of home. An' when I stood among tha crew, I felt a sense o' calmness. Tranquility. Somethin' I hadn't felt since Mr. Rory'd found me back when I was a wee lass. Me heart beat in rhythm wit' tha waves against tha hull, n' I felt meself standin' straighter.
I knew there were ta be more perils on th' way, but tha' was most of th' thrill. Me sisters would guide me. They weren't clear on their help, but they would guide me. An' I had t' trust that. It'd been too long since I'd trusted someone. I owed it t' Jack. I would owe it t' me sisters.
"On deck, you scabrous dogs! Hands to braces! Set down and haul to run free!" th' captain's orders broke me from me mind. Th' others scattered about th' ship, runnin' ta get t' adventure fast as possible.
Jack caught me eye, an' grinned. I nodded, a twinkle in me eyes.
"T' tha halywards, Sparrow."