Chapter 26
White.
Nothing but white.
A white fog so think nothing could be seen through it. A small boat made it's way through it though. The one rowing wearing a black cloak, hiding their features. The other occupant of the boat sat and stared ahead at what she might see.
This world was strange to Jewel. So bright and yet the only thing she could see was the fog they sailed through, the only sound the waves lapping against their boat. Jewel looked back at the rower, whose back was to her.
"I'm dead. Aren't I?" she asked. The figure continued rowing. Jewel looked around the boat for a moment and let out a breath, getting a bit bored of the silent treatment.
"When are we arriving at where we're going?" she asked. The rower stopped, letting the boat drift in the direction they rowed. Jewel turned around and saw a dock. She looked back at the rower, they pointed to a ladder leading up to it.
"Alright." Jewel said with a shrug. She climbed up to it. The only person on it was somebody fishing. Somebody who seemed familiar to the young pirate.
She heard footsteps and turned down the dock where they were coming from, grabbing her pistols. Somebody walked to her, coming out of the fog. Jewel let go of her pistols realizing who it was.
"James." she whispered. He smiled and nodded at her.
"I'm sorry I didn't go with Elizabeth." he said. Jewel rubbed at her eyes.
"I understand why you didn't. And for that I must thank you. You saved our ninth pirate lord, and she became pirate king, to boot." Jewel said
"I know," Norrington said, caressing Jewel's cheek, over her scratch, "we've been watching."
"We?" she asked
"Yes, darling, we." A voice said behind her. Jewel spun around quickly, knowing that voice. The person who was fishing stood up, lifting the brim of her hat to smile at the girl.
"Hello Jewel." the woman said. She looked like a pirate with her outfit. She had long blond hair and big brown eyes. Jewel just stared at her, tears streaking down her face. She clenched her eyes shut and ran to to the woman with open arms.
"Mommy!" she yelled. Her mother caught Jewel and spun her around. She stopped and looked down at her daughter. She kissed her forehead.
"You're real. You're really here." Jewel wept, "I'm dead and I don't care. And mom?"
"What is it dear?" Rose asked Jewel pulled out of the embrace.
"I'm- I'm sorry you died. I should have listened to you. I should have stayed home instead of taking them on by myself." Jewel sniffled and rubbed her eyes again, "I'm so sorry. It's my fault your hear." Rose pushed her chin up to look her daughter in the eye, a warm smile on her face.
"Jewel, things happen for a reason. I know you don't like it, but that's how life goes." she said, "But I've been watching you grow love, I've seen you become this strong and confident girl before me. And I know, that strength and confidence that you have now will carry over to when you become a woman. When that happens, I pity the men that fall in love with you." Jewel chuckled and embraced her mother, who wrapped her arms around her daughter as well.
"I love you mom." Jewel said
"I love you too Jewel." Rose replied, tears coming to her eyes. Rose stepped back and rubbed the tears away. She stood next to Norrington.
"Mom? What's wrong?" Jewel asked
"You're on the edge, sweet heart." she replied
"Wha... What do you mean?" the young pirate asked
"You can climb back into the boat. You'll go back to the land of the living with your friends and family, all of which miss you dearly." Norrington said, "Or you can follow us and go down this dock. At the end of it is a town like Tortuga, where we'll be together forever." Jewel looked from her mother and lover to the rower who was still cloaked.
"Those are my choices." Jewel said
"Jewel, think of it this way, where do you truly belong?" Rose asked. Jewel looked down at her feet then hurried to the rower.
"You." she said, "Can you tell me if I... If I find true love if I went back?"
"I cannot say." the rower said
"Please give me a hint, a riddle, anything!" Jewel begged. Even though she couldn't see her face, she knew that the rower was smiling. The rower began talking, looking up into the sky.
He will stand noble and tall with eyes brightest blue,
A caring but brave leader, tried and true,
He will wield a gun, hooks, shield, and a sword,
With him you'll fight the things you'll abhor,
You will meet him when he falls from the sky,
And realize he is More than Meets The Eye.
Jewel nodded her head, then walked up to Norrington.
"James, how much do you love me?" she asked him.
"Davy Jones could have saved me." he said, "But I refused. I didn't want to fight you Jewel. And so I died. I love you." The two kissed lovingly before Jewel pulled away. She positioned herself in the center, where she was equal distance between the rower and the people she loved.
"This is your choice Jewel." Rose reminded her. She hurried up to the girl and hugged her, "But if you leave, know that I'm always watching and I'm always proud of what you do."
"Thanks. That's what dad always says." Jewel said
"And whenever you feel like singing our lullaby, you hum it, you tap your feet to the rhythm of it, That's when I'm there with you." Rose said
"I want to be with you more then that though. I miss you." Jewel said
"I know." Rose said, "But is that your decision?" Rose backed away from her. Looked at her choices. She closed her eyes, took in a deep breath and turned to walk in the direction she wanted to go. She knew where she belonged.
"I love you so much." Rose said
"I love you too mom." Jewel said
The light only seemed to get brighter.