A/N: Ok! So here's the deal, I was planning on making this a super long chapter, but I've been so busy the past few weeks with work and school that I haven't had a chance to devote myself properly to writing. So here's what's happening: I'm giving you this short chapter now so you have something new to read, and the rest of the chapter will just become chapter twenty-four, which may be a while in the making. Sorry for the wait for such a short chapter, I'll make it up to you!Also: I'm super proud of how I made Tia's accent-if you have a hard time understanding, try reading it aloud. Anyway, I'll let you read now :)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Every Hope within Her

"Miranda, love, it's always a pleasure." Jack swept into a low bow as Gibbs hauled the coffin to the railing. Miranda gave a curt nod to Jack as she swung her leg over the side to climb down to the skiff. She hoped this was the last time she would ever see the man.

It took a pulley manned by three crewman to get the coffin into the skiff, and Miranda worried that at any moment the lid would slip and Jack would see whose body lay within. Miraculously, the lid stayed secure and was settled into the small boat with her with little difficulty. She loosened the ropes, nodded one last time to Jack, and pushed away from the ship with one of the oars.

The island was just as she had remembered it. The dense, twisting trees blotted out the sun as she rowed slowly up the river. Roots and odd, ropey vines draped hazardously in the water as she maneuvered around them as best she could. A few times she thought she saw dark figures standing beside the ancient trees, but in the dim light it was hard to determine.

Miranda remembered the last time she had come this way. She remembered finding it lovely and peaceful; the golden-green light shimmering through the leaves and the fireflies like dancing sparks.

Alone, all she felt was the coldness of the erie green shade cloaking her. Something knocked against the boat and she looked in time to see a scaly tail undulate past her. She shivered, and rowed faster.

And then she heard singing. The low, almost off-key melody she'd heard before filled the air like humidity and clung heavily to her skin. It resonated across the water and cause ripples towards the boat. Miranda rowed toward the source of the soft waves and soon saw the golden-red light of the witch's raised dwelling.

Miranda began trembling harder. Everything she had done was leading to a moment soon to pass. She didn't know what Tia Dalma could do to help her, or if she even could. If nothing came from this visit . . . Miranda didn't want to think of the possibility. Every hope within her rested on the abilities of a woman she'd met once.

The ladder was difficult to climb as her limbs shook. Her brain seemed to have filled with ice while her heart burned in fiery bursts of panic and apprehension.

Tia stood on the porch, leaning casually against the doorframe. "My child," she greeted warmly. "You came bahk."

Miranda nodded, closing her eyes to gather her what strength she had left. "I need your help."

"I know you do," she agreed, smiling sadly. She straightened up and added, "Come in, you look freezin'."

Miranda followed her wordlessly into the small house and sat stiffly on one of the chairs by the fire.

"I tink," Tia began, "you worry because you do'en know if I cen help." She paused. "But I cen."

Miranda looked up a her as she felt her heart fly to her throat. "What needs to be done?"

"Sev'ral tings," Tia replied, bustling around the cabinets. "Tea?"

"No, thank you. What things?"

"Sev'ral," she repeated. "But first I need t'see him." She glanced up at a doorway several steps above the small room. "In dere."

"I'll need your help bringing the coffin up," Miranda said apologetically. Tia shook her head. "You have my help already." She nodded once to the doorway. "In dere."

Miranda rose slowly to her feet and climbed up the few steps to peek through the door. Barbossa's body lay face up on a low table. "How did you . . . ?"

"My child," Tia sighed, but said nothing more. If Miranda had any doubts of the woman's sorcery before they were laid to rest with this.

Tia slipped into the room and circled the table. She played with the many necklaces around her throat as she looked closely at the wound. She placed one palm on his forehead with the other over his heart, and closed her eyes. She was silent for so long that Miranda began to wonder if something was wrong. She finally opened her eyes and heaved a sigh.

"I's not so bahd," she concluded, looking at Miranda. "Wi' da body still on dis eart', all him missin' is him sou'el."

She turned around and began pulling jars from hooks that hung from the low ceiling. "I have much ta do ta prepare. But dere is one ting only you cen do."

She reached up and unhooked a small bottle with a silver handle wrapped around the neck. "You'll need ta go to da Sea o' Starlit Sou'els at da end o' da eart' ahn' retrieve him. Put him sou'el in dis jar ahn' bring it bahk here."

"How will I know which is his?"

Tia looked at Miranda for a long moment. Her face was soft, her eyes glittered. She slowly handed the small bottle over the body towards her with a slight smile.

"You'll know."