Elizabeth sat across from Will at the table. Will stirred his tea absentmindedly, lost in thought. She knew something was bothering him, but she didn't know what.
"Will, what is the matter, love? You seem to be disturbed by something." She said, reaching for his hand and rubbing circles on it with her thumbs.
Will kept his gaze focused on the wooden table, "I don't know. Something just feels... wrong. Like something is... I don't know how to explain it but it is very unsettling." He explained.
"I was wondering," She started. He didn't lift his gaze so she continued anyway. "what are you going to do with Syren? If you release her into the ocean, she will be found again. You can't keep her here either." She said.
Will clenched his jaw, "I know." He mumbled. "No matter what I do, she will not be safe. It is so frustrating." He said with a long sigh.
Elizabeth took back her hand and put it in her lap. She wanted to know something else. "Will," She said carefully, "are you really not interested in this treasure?" She asked.
Will's eyes darted to meet her gaze. She could tell what she had said upset him. She narrowed her eyes and waited for an explanation, "Will, what is going on? What do you know?" She asked, already knowing something was going on here.
Will sighed, "I overheard Syren and Gibbs speaking earlier. If a certain piece of that treasure leaves that cove, a curse will be placed upon the thief and his crew." He started to explain.
"A curse? What kind of curse?" She asked, alarmed.
"I do not know but I'm sure it isn't a pleasant one. If this certain piece is removed, not only will there be a curse to whom stole it but the guardian, in this case Syren, will be bound to the cove for all eternity for having failed." He whispered.
Elizabeth understood the pain in his voice. She would be burdened, just like himself. Bound to a godforsaken place. She knew he didn't want anyone to suffer the same and Syren was a nice girl, she didn't deserve it.
"Does Jack know this?"
"Yes, I told him about the curse and what would happen but you know he wouldn't listen. He could care less about the girl." He said behind gritted teeth.
"What can we do to help her? We can't just-"
"I don't know, Elizabeth! I don't know." He said out of frustration. Elizabeth rubbed his forearm, trying to comfort. "Right now, she's in bed, perhaps dying as we speak and we have no way to know." He sighed.
Elizabeth turned her head and frowned sadly, "You really care for this girl, don't you?"
"She's so young and innocent. I know it in my heart that she would do no one any harm. She has done nothing to deserve this." He said into his hands. "She is the only one of her kind as well." He added. "I'm also running out of time. I cannot keep her here... she doesn't belong." He said sadly.
Elizabeth frowned. He just reminded her where they were going. To Port Royale to drop her off for another ten miserable years. The only good thing she had left was her beautiful son. He reminded her of Will so much, it hurt to look at him. Will has only seen him once, when he was ten years old. Now he is turning twenty, this very day.
"How is he?" Will asked as if he read her mind.
"He's fine. He has grown into a fine young man. He is a very skilled blacksmith. He's currently working at Brown's." She said, smiling at his shocked and delighted expression. "I cannot count the times he has visited the gallows for rebelling against the law. He wants to follow into the footsteps of his father. He is so proud of you, Will." She said, grabbing his hand tightly, tears falling from both pairs of eyes.
"I miss him. I wish I could see him but time is short..." He said sadly.
Someone came through the door. Elizabeth cringed at the man with the hideous skin and smell of death and sea water. He stood at the door and bowed, "We have arrived at Port Royale, Cap'n. Shall we drop the anchor and prepare the dingy?" He asked.
"Aye." Will said, shooing the man out of the room.
Elizabeth once again began to cry. She got up and walked around the table, crawling into her husbands lap. She buried her face into his neck and sobbed, "I am going to miss you, my love. Every second of the day." She choked out. Will only managed to hold her tight, stroking her long hair and fighting back the tears.
The same man from before reentered the room and Elizabeth got off of Will, trying to recompose herself. "We're ready when you are, Captain." He said before walking out.
Elizabeth turned to Will, "What are you going to do with Syren? She has not even regained her consciousness." She said worriedly. He couldn't just throw her out to sea.
Will scratched at his bandana, "I began to think and I wonder if perhaps... you can take her?" He asked hopefully.
Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped, "Me? But, Will, what would I do with-"
"Think about it!" He tried to convince her, "No one would go searching for her on land, not unless they knew she was there. Your house is big enough to support a guest and I'm sure she will be of great help around the house?" He offered.
"Will, I can't have a half mermaid, half siren in my home." She said sternly.
"Elizabeth, you will be saving her life! You and I both know that she doesn't deserve to be trapped in there... we know what people go through in a situation like that. She saved your life as well. You owe her a whole lot." He said.
Elizabeth sighed, "I don't see why not..." She mumbled.
Will smiled, "You are doing the right thing, my love. Thank you so much." He said before running off to get Syren.
Elizabeth waited for Will on the deck. He came with Syren still unconscious in his arms. He moved steadily, getting her into the small boat. They shared their last goodbye and then she climbed into the boat herself. The boat hit the choppy water and she began to row toward the docks. It would be fantastic if she had some help, it was considerably far.
Will watched as she rowed away. He kept his eyes on her until he could no longer see her over the horizon. He took a deep breath and turned toward the sunset, gazing into it like he had ten years ago. There was that flash of light that he knew Elizabeth witness with him and he was gone once more into the depths of the ocean.
Jack stood on the rail of the ship wide eyed, watching as the last bit of sun hid behind the horizon and the bright green light flashed. He didn't find Will on time. He had Syren with him and he wouldn't return for another ten years. Jack couldn't wait that long. He couldn't. But what would he do now? What could he do with Will's heart? He had no use for it now.
Jack watched over his crew from the quarterdeck. Someone caught his attention. Tall, muscular, broad shoulders, brown curls for hair, white skin, oddly clean. "A stowaway, eh?" Jack mumbled as he cautiously walked down the stairs of the quarterdeck and onto the main deck. He walked straight to the man and leaned on the railing beside him.
"Who are you? What do you want?" He asked simply as he gazed out to the setting sun. The man did not spare him a glance.
"Simply a man who wishes to become part of your crew." He stated. His voice was that of a young man, possibly no older than eighteen.
"And why is that?" Jack asked curiously, trying to steal a glance at the boy but he wore a large hat which covered most of his face. He could make out a strong jawline and a scowl. The man raised his head a centimeter and Jack saw defined cheekbones and a pointed nose.
"It would be an honor, Captain." He said flatly.
Jack may look oblivious but he was getting to something here. There was something far too suspicious about this man. Jack chuckled, "You'll never be a part of me crew if ya begin with lies, mate." He said knowingly.
The man noticeably tensed. Jack grinned. "Tell me, lad. What are your intentions?" He asked, turning to face the man now.
"I'm not lying, Captain." He said. Jack chuckled in disbelief. This man was such a terrible liar. Just like his father.
"Tell me, Mr. Turner, how did you get aboard me ship?" Jack asked with a grin. The wind blew, conveniently blowing off the man's hat, revealing wide brown eyes.
"How did you-"
"You Turners' are all the same." Jack joked lightly. "Now, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out following your father?"
The man sighed, "I know I cannot follow him. So I decided to come to my uncle instead. My father has told me so many stories about you. That was years ago but I remember them all. Ever since, I've wanted to become a pirate, just like him." He explained, his eyes sparkling.
Uncle? Jack felt flattered almost. "What about your mother? You wouldn't want to come upon 'er when she's upset." Jack mumbled.
"I want nothing more than to become a pirate. Please let me join, Uncle Jack." He pleaded desperately. It was very difficult to sneak his way into the ship, he was desperate for a yes.
"Elizabeth will never forgive me." Jack tried to sneak his way out of letting him stay.
"Well, then tell your men to turn back around and take me home." He said, crossing his arms over his chest, his expression defiant.
Jack deadpanned. "We are already miles away. It'll take us the entire night to get back." He whined. The young man waited silently, staring Jack down. Jack growled. "You can stay, just stay out of my way, lad." He grumbled as he walked into his cabin.
Jack slammed the doors and let his emotions show. His eyes widened in fear and shock, his heart raced, his stomach twisted and turned, sweat trailed down his forehead. "William Turner's son is on The Pearl. What the bloody hell am I supposed to do with him? If anything happens to him, Elizabeth and William will have my head, quite literally." He sighed, falling into his bed. "What else can go wrong?" He groaned.
There was a knock on his doors. Jack ignored it, responding with another groan if anything. "Uncle Jack, may I come in? I wish to speak with you." He said through the door. Jack ignored him and the door opened. Jack scowled. No one entered his room without his permission. No one. Jack spun around so quickly, he landed on his feet before young Turner.
"There are some rules ye will go by here, lad. Let me tell you them." He hissed, pushing the boy into the bed. Jack paced in front of him, his arms crossed behind his back. "You will call me Captain Jack Sparrow, none of that uncle nonsense, I am not yer uncle, I have no family." He stated flatly. "You will follow every order I give you, even if it means putting your short life on the line. If you refuse, I will get rid of you meself."
"Mutiny is something I will not tolerate. You so much as defy me authority as Captain of The Pearl... well, ye will find out. If I see ya stealing anything, I will have your fingers removed. Each and every one of 'em." He threatened, watching his expression change. "If I find out yer helpin' the English Militia, I'll tie ya to the rudders and leave you there 'til yer flesh falls off or yer eaten by sharks." He said. "What's your name, lad?" He asked, off topic.
"William of course." He stated simply, the answer having been quite obvious.
"Will, I still do not-"
"It is William." He barked.
"William." Jack corrected reluctantly. "How well can you fight?"
"I can almost beat my mother." He stated proudly. "I was taught my fathers skills at being a blacksmith as well." He said with even more pride as he unsheathed his long silver sword.
"You'll be just fine, mate." Jack said with a grin. He was sure to be a great pirate. A very great pirate capable of many things. Jack might find him useful. He grinned maliciously.
A/N: Well, there you have an update! Hope it sparked your interests! It was short, yes, but it's something! I have a little bit of writers block but I wrote around it for this chapter. Next chapter may take some time, or be up sooner than late (:
Please leave reviews! I appreciate the favorites and the subscriptions but they just don't compare to the reviews! We all know it's what motivates us writers! Please leave me a review, no matter how simple! I accept constructive criticism too so if you have suggestions or noticed an error, let me know! Thanks!