Entry 21

I heard th' sound o' Peter's sword strickin' against th pirates' weapons as wi'oot hesitation I then twirled aroond to mak' a run for it. Efter directin' one glance towards th' distant fightin' figures (findin' 'em wey too far to be able to catch me even if they should notice me escapin' wi'th' Chest) I then headed straight towards th' edge 'o th' jungle that would eventually lead me to th' church, however deviatin' from th' route 'n' crossed a plain oan me right to get farther awa' from th' clearin' towards I'd seen th' three men to have ran previously. Although me muscles felt lik' soggy bags o' sand durin' me run, feelin lik' givin' in wi' each taken leap, me still pickin' up me pace as I then could hear rushin' footsteps to follow right efter me. Me nae darin' to stop to see was it me brother or one o' those goons who'd managed to slip by 'im, as th' sensation o' bein' chased drove me to push oan. Efter meanderin' past th' first rows o' palm trees 'n' some time runnin' deeper intae th' jungle (ignorin' th' leaves smackin' against me coupon), me efter all decidin' to ditch th' Chest ontae th' ground momentarily as hid meself behind one o' th' trees, as me intention to ambush me chaser. Juist as I heard 'em to catch up me lungin' oot in means o' bumpin' 'em ower, only to jolt for surprise when I realized it to be Elizabeth who frowned at me in equal astonishment, flinchin' back at me attempt to waylay 'er.

"Calm down Miranda, it's only me!" she exclaimed, me lettin' oot a sigh.

"What are ye doin' 'ere? Ye should've stayed wi'…" I stairted, but was interrupted when Elizabeth's startled face urged me to whip aroond, only to have me eyes widen when th' two bampots were indeed proven to be much closer than I'd thought (hence answerin' me question). Efter somehow managin' to ootsmart me brother me noo watchin' em to snatch th' Chest 'n' fleein' towards th' hert o' th' jungle, me shoutin' efter 'em in frustration as Peter's voice called oot to us to get th' Chest back. Us seein' 'im runnin' up th' low slope in pursuit 'imself, efter but a fleetin' glance directed at 'im me settin' aff efter th' thieves wi' Elizabeth. It nae takin' us much effort to reach 'em, as we saw 'em to try to trick us by disappearin' intae a nearby thicket, us anticipatin' their intentions by th' keek o' th' boscage that unbeknownst to 'em revealed their exact location. Elizabeth 'n' I dashin' towards th' large openin' we saw to spread nae far oan oor left at th' other side o' th' thicket th' pair soon emerged from, victorious smirks oan their lips upoan thinkin' to have eluded us, only to be frozen to their spots due to oor appearance as in th' same moment we came to a halt right in front o' 'em. Me glowerin' at th' men oot o' breath where Elizabeth sent 'em a haughty smile, me however frownin' at 'er as she discovered 'erself to be weaponless ('er sword noo in William's possession) 'n' she keeked up from 'er belt to th' pirates nervously. Us exchangin' a brief goup wi th' goons til they broke intae a content smirk, noo both o''em revealin' their weapons.

"'Ello poppet", th' burlier one greeted Elizabeth, er takin' a wary step backwards as I had no other choice but to rely oan me blade, it however doin' nothin' to help as it obviously didn't scare th' men aff by mere appearance wance it met wi' theirs. Me wastin' me efforts in tryin' to appear to be in control as was visibly tired, added to th' fact that I still had naw clue how to use th' darn cutlass to be able to protect us yet alone to get th' Chest back from 'em. Me eyes shortly fixated ontae th' trunk they had dropped oan th'ground lik' me afore, 'til they rose back to th' approachin' pirates. Me liftin' me weapon higher.

"Stay back!" I exclaimed, tryin' to sound confident 'n' threatenin', but it didn't work. Th' abrupt sound o' clashin' swords 'n' creakin' wood however causin' oor focus to be directed from one another to oor left, all o' us pausin' in utter bafflement as oot o' th' blue we saw a large millwheel to roll to sight. But what made th' sight even mair stupefyin' was William 'n' Norrington whom we saw balancin' oan top o' it while still battlin' wi' each other relentlessly, me nae seein' Edward anywhere where Sparrow soon arrived to th' scene as weel. Joggin' efter th' millwheel, me soon noticin' William to be in current possession o' th' key, 'im noo swingin' 'imself within th' wheel efter dodgin' Norrington's latest attack. His adversary instantly followin' 'im, their duel continuin' as if it ne'er had ceased.

"Hello gents!"

Peter's voice caused me to shift me attention back to th' pirates in front o' us as I discovered me brother to have finally gained oan us, 'im noo takin his place atween Elizabeth 'n' me afore pushin' us back. Causin' oor opponents to cringe for evident chagrin as he instantly claimed me sword while revealin' his rapier, noo matchin' two swords against equal number o' th' pirates' blades wi' a derisive smirk o' his ain.

"Did you boys think you could outrun me that easily?" Peter asked, twirlin' his weapons swiftly afore beckoned to a wee ulcer oan his foreheid, it explainin' how th' pirates had managed to reach Elizabeth 'n' me so quickly. "We're going to stay nice and cozy together until I've returned the favor of having a shovel smacked right across your face."

Elizabeth 'n' I broke intae satisfied smiles upoan seein' th' pirates' curt dismay, witnessin' 'em to take noo an anxious step back 'emselves at th' face o' Peter's murderous scowl, 'til we were then taken aback by an axe that landed oan a nearby tree trunk efter juist barely missin' Peter. Me facin' 'im in fright afore followed Elizabeth's cue by keekin' behind us, noo all o' us watchin' in momentary terror as Jones' crew was stormin' towards us across th' clearin'. All armed to their teeth, ready to jump at us at th' sight o' th' Chest they undoubtedly saw lay at th' pirates' feet, Peter, Elizabeth 'n' I turnin' aroond 'n' stairtin' to retreat towards oor previous opponents who in a blink o' an eye had turned intae oor allies noo that even greater danger was chargin' at us in notably superior numbers.

Peter deflected another axe that was flung to oor direction, me duckin' oan me right as it flew right by me 'n' sank intae th' ground. Me turnin' halfly 'n' wi' a frown saw th' two pirates to crouch doon to grasp th' Chest, instead o' sidin' wi' us noo dunkin' their weapons intae shocked Elizabeth's hauns afore takin' aff to th' opposite direction, me however havin' no time to react as a furious roar claimed me attention. Seein' th' first o' Jones' men to attain us, me reactin' by yankin' oot th' pistol I noticed to peek under Peter's jacket 'n' fired it at th' crewman efter findin' it luckily loaded. It wardin' 'im aff enough for Peter to stave 'im wi' a couple o' forcefully dealt blows.

"Will really taught you how to use those?" Peter accosted from Elizabeth, keekin' doon at th' swords afore his eyes rose to goup at th' approachin' hostile crew sternly, his ain blades crossed in front o 'im as Elizabeth glanced atween 'im 'n' 'er freishly acquired weapons a bit flabbergasted. Me standin' back oan me feet 'n' peerin' efter th' fleein' individuals, narrowin' me eyes.

"Yes, he…"

"Then you're about to prove yourself to me!"

I heard Peter to let oot a curse as th' significant chink o' metal told me his rapier to have gotten caught in th' assaultin' crewman's shell lik' chest 'n' snapped broken, however me nae stayin' behind to witness th' force o' th' incomin' attack as darted efter th' two pilferin' thugs. Bypassin' th' demandin' plead o' me body to rest as stubbornly ignored all physical ailments while tried to catch up wi' th' pirates, for me delight me then comin' to a rather quick stop upoan witnessin' 'em to accidentally crash against a palm tree that unexpectedly blocked their wey in middle o' their run. Th' Chest clashin' wi' th' trunk 'n' causin' th' men to collapse prone oan th' jungle floor, me immediately scamperin' ower to 'em wi' a few strides. Liftin' th' fallen Chest, vaultin' backwards to avoid a swing o' th' bald one's blade, which however was then instantly blocked by me brother who arrived by me side wi' Elizabeth. 'Im takin' care o' th' two pirates who noo stiffly rose back oan their feet, while Elizabeth bravely received th' first o' th' Jones' men who'd at first tried to ignore 'er to get to me upoan spottin' th' Chest. Me releasin' a deep sigh as stepped back, watchin' Elizabeth to admirably force 'em to acknowledge 'erself by keepin' 'em at bay wi' adequate deflects.

"Go, Miranda. Find Norrington! Now!" Peter exclaimed then, urgin' me to escape again while shoved his sword intae me haun, confusin' me for a moment as I didn't fathom why he wanted me to find Norrington even he'd been present to hear me to agree to meet wi' Edward. Me however nae stayin' to find oot as watched Peter to tak' one o' Elizabeth's weapons afore chargin' forth, together wi' Elizabeth managin' to force th' crewmen back for me to run awa'. Me managin' to flee from Barbossa's goons as weel, nae keekin' back as hurtled thro' th' same thicket they'd used during their ain diversion attempt. Me however succeedin' in havin' 'em lose me trail as crouched doon upon headin' north, keepin' oan runnnin' even at th' risk o' losin' me wey, as juist wanted to get awa' 'n' find Edward wi'oot anyone catchin' up to me. Especially Norrington, William 'n' Sparrow, none o' which I wanted to come across while in possession o' th' Chest. So whatever th' reason Peter might've had to send me to Norrington, it was o' wee significance to me. I juist had to find Edward who hopefully would get his hauns oan th' key, me ignorin' th' slight sensation o' worry that gnawed at me when I hadn't seen 'im wi' th' three efter settin' aff efter 'em.

Efter five minutes o' aimless runnin' I reckoned to be safe enough to tak' a breather, stoppin' eagerly as felt lik' collapsin' th' minute I came to a halt. Th' strain o' me body feelin' lik' owerwhelmin' me, th' weight o' th' Chest nae helpin' at all but I deterred an urge to put it oan th' ground. That's how I'd lost it th' last time, 'n' wasn't goin' to tak' any chances. Noo allowin' me gaze to wander in hopes o' likelie seein' Edward to appear from amongst th' jungle, 'em however crushin' when instead o' th' familiar Englishman I saw one o' Jones' men to suddenly push oot o' th' jungle. Me frownin' at th' conch heided figure as was left wee choice in how to act when instantly efter seein' me he was runnin' towards me his weapon revealed, me encouragin' meself to be brave upoan findin' nae to be able to ootrun 'im 'n' mak' it for th' close by jungle in time to hide. Me liftin' th' blade in me haun 'n' crossed it wi' his as he attacked, ackowledgin' me clear weakness against 'im, therefore me allowin' his weapon to slip across mine as I stepped to th' left in passable defense. Only to land th' Chest straight oan his back wance he stumbled past me, payin' th' price for it meself by feelin' th' weight o' th' Chest to yank me doon to th' ground as I tried to hold ontae it while retreatin', in th' end me loosin' me footin' efter directin' one mair deflectin' swing o' me cutlass at th' crewman. Landin' oan me side wi' a pained yelp as th' crewman instantly leaped ower to me, me nae havin' enough time to lift th' Chest for yet another defense as his weapon was aboot to puncture me. Me simply rollin' ontae me back in shock, only to let oot a startled cry when abruptly I saw his heid to come clean aff by somethin' that had flown from oor left. Th' crewman's weapon fallin' right neist to me where th' impact o' th' apparent coconut used as th' ammunition that had saved me caused th' man to catapult half a meter awa' from me, me gawkin' at his noo heidless body in dismay as tardily sat up. Bringin' th' Chest oan me lap as followed 'im stairt to dauner aboot blindly, in search o' his heid.

"Here again, love."

I jumped to me feet, wobblin' a bit as turned aroond in a flash to face Sparrow whose voice had caused me hert to skip a beat, me retreatin' upoan indeed discoverin' 'im to have thrown that coconut 'n' seein' 'im to be closin' in oan me wi' slow steps. Me eyes however fallin' momentarily ontae th' detached heid o' th' crewmen that as weel had landed nae all that far to me, efter stedyin' me balance me stridin' ower to it to lift it, me facin' th' approachin' pirate again noo wi' but a resolute goup as neist flung th' heid straight at 'im. 'Im haltin' a couple o' meters awa' from me upoan dodgin', beckonin' to th' Chest.

"Ye seem to have a remarkable talent of shoving up anywhere ye're not needed, love", Sparrow continued cheerfully, turnin' nevertheless serious by each word as his smile vanished. "Just like ye radge brother does, sticking his own interests into matters that don't concern him whatsoever... But as I am in fact rather pleased to see ye again, I won't blame ye for doing the same. So, would you be a dear and hand the Chest over as a sign of gratitude I most certainly deserve? I did save your life, more than this instance."

I didn't respond as simply gawked back at 'im wi' a deadpan face, however nae bein' able to keep me eyes from hardenin' as I faced 'im wi' a lift o' me jaw, huggin' th' Chest closer to meself to mak' me point. Visibly vexatin' Sparrow who'd wance mair been sure that allurin' smirk o' his to work oan me, wi'oot further wastin' time in useless chit chat 'im noo attackin' me, however gettin' surprised by havin' his blade deflected by mine (which he hadn't apparently noticed 'til noo). Me stave 'n' followin' strike however weak 'n' merely caused 'im to tak' a step back afore comin' at me again wance he'd swung me blade oot o' his wey, th' fervent desire to obtain th' Chest reflectin' from his dark eyes distinctly when he slammed his sword doon at me, me usin' th' same trick 'n' received it wi' th' Chest afore slanted it so that his weapon was tossed in th' air. Givin' me a chance to try to ram 'im wi' it, but for me astonishment he noo abandoned his cutlass to grab ontae th' Chest wi' both hauns, me keekin' up to 'im in bafflement 'til me eyes narrowed. Us exchangin' a brief grim goup till found oorselves engaged in a tug-o'-war, only wi'oot a rope o' any kind. Th' Chest movin' back 'n' forth atween us as we stairted to go round in circles, tryin' to win ower one another, me squeezin' th' Chest's handles efter as weel discardin' me weapon to match Sparrow's determination wi' every ounce o' strength I had left. Efter a moment o' neither o' us givin' in, me however lettin' oot a tired sigh. Aware o' how I could turn th' tables aroond, abruptly lettin' go o' th' Chest juist as Sparrow made another attempt o' yankin' it aff me hauns, his fleetin' triumphant grin dyin' instantly when he discovered 'imself to stumble backwards. As expected 'im lettin' go o' th' Chest in surprise 'n' it fell straight oan his feet, me jumpin' forth to hit th' handle o' me reclaimed weapon against his foreheid efter seizin' th' Chest. As th' pirate cringed awa' taken aback me noo noticin' th' key aroond his neck, proceedin' to dart forward to tak' it, but this time Sparrow had recovered. Stoppin' me intentions by pointin' a pistol at me.

"That's enough, Miranda. You cannot beat me as ye are without getting yourself hurt. And I really wish ye wouldn't force me to go that far", he remarked in frustration, efter stiffenin' at th' sight o' th' gun's barrel pointed at me me however then relaxin' wi' a satisfied smile that confused th' pirate wance I saw movement behind 'im. Edward finally makin' an appearance 'n' creepin' behind 'im efter emergin' from th' surroundin' green. Sparrow wincin' a bit as th' tip o' Edward's blade neist slipped ower his neck, pressin' lightly intae th' soft tissue under his jaw.

"That's quite enough of running around, pirate. Ye cannot beat me as ye are, at the mercy of me blade that might just slip should ye pull that trigger", Edward said, me smilin' in amusement at his tauntin' voice mimickin' Sparrow as stepped back meself, watchin' Edward to nod doon at Sparrow's chest. "The key if ye please."

"Just an innocent bystander, are ye?" Sparrow inquired, keekin' up at th' taller Edward wi' a jeerin' smile o' his ain. His irritation however clear when their eyes met. "I myself might beg to differ what yer evidenced not so nonaligned alignment is."

"I told ye. We may not know each other aside reputation, but me alignment was determined the moment I was made to compensate yer debt with me property. And should yer life be enough to restitute me losses I would take it, spill yer blood in place of me men lost in the comeuppance reserved for ye, but for now I settle for bereaving ye from something ye desire. The key, Captain Sparrow."

"At least not all of ye lack in yer beloved decorum", Sparrow grumbled, reluctantly handin' th' key to me efter an impatient jab o' Edward's blade, me squintin' at his comment in wonder, but however ignored it when Edward noo brought Sparrow to his knees. Me flinchin' for fright when th' decapitated crewman daunered straight against a tree as I returned th' key back aroond me ain neck, but even greater scare caused me to turn neist wance th' approachin' clamor o' Jones' crew reached oor lugs. Me lettin' oot a frustrated sigh as saw th' fightin' figures o' Peter, Elizabeth 'n' th' two pirates (who'd seemingly efter all decided to join 'em in th' battle) to be runnin' towards us in middle o' wardin' aff attackers from all aroond 'em. All four exchagin' swords to strike at their adversaries one by one, me focus then movin' back to Edward efter seein' 'im to signal me to leave wi' th' Chest. Me stairtin' to run to th' direction that I presumed to lead back to th' beach noo that due to th' circumstances we'd been forced to deviate from me second plan o' buryin' th' hert somewhere in th' jungle while leavin' th' Chest behind as a red-herring to everyone seekin' it. Edward followin' suite efter pressin' his sword at Sparrow's back threateningly for a few seconds, orderin' 'im nae to be foolish enough to follow us or he would do much worse th' neist time they faced one another.

Edward 'n' I continued th' non-stop run for aboot five minutes 'til we luckily did make it oot o' th' jungle, oor hasty sprint however soon turnin' intae a calm jog as we found no one besides us from th' beach. But th' sound o' risin' tide clashin' wi' th' shore breakin' th' silence as we made a turn 'n' spotted a longboat to have been dragged ower to th' nae so farawa' bank. Me bringin' Edward to a halt wi' a deterrin' cry, callin' 'im ower to me 'n' handed th' Chest to 'im.

"Now we have the key. What are ye going to do with it?" Edward asked, keekin' up to me curiously as watched me to dig oot th' item in question, wi' a quick glance ower me shoulder me untanglin' it from me hair afore brought it to th' Chest. Shovin' it intae th' lock 'n' turned it, me nae bein' able to hold back an astonished sigh as I watched th' turnin' o' th' key to release th' mechanism 'n' th' lid popped open, me haun however ditherin' at liftin' it as I could noo hear th' significant thumpin' o' a hert. Finally th' last trace o' doubt gone as slowly I did open th' lid, only to release another breath wance we were goupin' at th' real hert o' Davy Jones. It beatin' in constant rhythm even apart from its rightful place in Jones' chest, th' sight momentarily fascinatin' me 'til I came back to me senses, keekin' up to Edward as proceeded to rip th' hem o' me shirt.

"We'll remove th' hert 'n' leave th' Chest behind for anyone to find, bury th' hert intae th' jungle 'n' drop th' key intae th' sea. This wey no one will get their hauns oan any o'…"

Me eyes widened for fright as wi'oot a warnin' I saw Edward to press th' lid o' th' Chest closed in a blink o' an eye, me fingers only an inch awa' from gettin' jammed atween as I was then pushed aside by 'im. Too late however when I felt an strong haun to tak' hold o' me efter I'd witnessed a blade o' a cutlass to plunge toward Edward, 'im slashin' th' assaultin' sword awa' while leapin' backwards. Me stumblin' to th' side in astonishment as received th' Chest he'd tossed back to me, 'til was met wi' Sparrow's riled visage wance he brought me aroond, his sword noo turnin' to point at me, but I reacted by deliverin' an agonizin' blow to his lower abdomen wi' me elbow. Although I'd punched exactly where Edward had advised me nevertheless only fazin' th' pirate long enough for me to tak' but a couple o' paces to flee, his haun grabbin' me coat 'n' causin' both o' us to keel ower. Wi' a irritated kick directed at th' man layin' half oan top o' me me castin' me eyes up to see th' Chest to roll a wee farther awa' from us, Sparrow exertin' forth to push me doon, to get to th' Chest first.

"Don't even think aboot it!" I exclaimed in anger, th' grouchiness returnin' 'n' wi'oot thinkin' I took tight hold o' his torso wance he was aboot to stumble oan his feet. Sparrow tryin' to kick me aff in turn but I refused to relent, us strugglin' for a moment 'n' makin' a half roll oan th' sand as I tried me hardest to defeat 'im, but juist as he managed to lock me right under 'im wi' a confident smile I saw Edward arrive. 'Im haulin' Sparrow aff me wi' but a single heave o' his arm, his sword findin' its wey back oan Sparrow's neck as I rose wi' waverin' steps, exhausted beyond belief but I didn't show it as wiped th' sand aff me coupon, snatchin' Sparrow's sword that had fallen durin' oor brief fisticuffs. Exchangin' a slight leer wi' 'im.

"I won't let ye have th' hert", I told 'im, dead serious. Seein' his expression to soften a tad as he hurled his eyebrows remarkably, keekin' me ower.

"Well I most certainly have lost yours", Sparrow replied, bemusin' me, juist enough to tak' me by surprise by abruptly takin' hold o' Edward's sword arm. Managin' to wrangle 'imself free o' his sturdy hold 'n' for me followin' shock delivered a powerful batter to his jaw, me followin' Edward to fly backwards ontae th' sand in turn as Sparrow then instantly whipped aroond, for me further dismay graspin' me ootstretched blade wi' a bare haun. Me frownin' at this till in a split o' a second I found meself easily disarmed 'n' yanked forward, th' sudden movement causin' me to fall oan me knees. Th' blade o' th' deprived sword wance mair findin' its wey ower me neck as I keeked up to th' pirate stupefied, me bewilderment however instantly turnin' back to irritation as I locked gazes wi' Sparrow who tipped his heid at me in acknowledgment.

"Ye have determination, love, which is as good of a quality to have as the rest of the vexating antics ye seem to possess. But it only gets ye as far as finding yerself losing the respect I hold for ye for no particular reason whatsoever."

"Ye betrayed William. I have enough reason to reject any regard ye might hold for me", I snapped, causin' th' pirate to frown in wonder, 'im keekin' from me to th' Chest in bemusement o' his ain. But afore he could make any assumptions from me response both o' us were then surprised as we were attacked by one o' Jones crewmen, who'd somehow found its wey awa' from his comrades 'n' all th' wey to th' beach where th' Chest actually was. As Sparrow turned his back to me to face th' assaultin' crewman me takin' it as me chance to tak' th' Chest, noticin' Edward to stir from his brief unconsciousness. Juist as I prepared to run, however gettin' meself knocked oot by th' hilt o' Sparrow's sword that neist swung aroond to deter me from sneakin' awa' ('n' as a retaliation from me previous attack in th' jungle), wi' a groan me feelin' me eyes to blur as I what else but collapsed oan me back. Spendin' some time oan th' verge o' consciousness 'n' sleep as vaguely felt th' Chest to slip from me grip. Shadow passin' ower me as someone vaulted right by me in a hurry, me heid slumpin' to th' side as I tried to clear me heid from th' freish blow that only made th' ne'er relentin' headache worse. Me faintly registerin' Edward's angered grunts followed by th' clamor o' mair swordfightin', assumin' 'im to have taken turn in fightin' back th' appeared crewman. Me stiffly turnin' oan me stomach wi' a moan as me vision stairted to return slowly, peerin' forward to see Sparrow stand beside th' dinghy. Stuffin' somethin' intae a large glass jar he'd recovered from th' boat, only to almost drop it when th' crewman had apparently abandoned Edward to attack 'im. Forcin' Sparrow to wance mair defend 'imself (wi' th' only thing within his reach, as I discovered his sword lay still oan th' sand), me observin' th' pirate to whack th' crewman wi' an oar 'til let me heid fall back ontae th' sand. Refreshin' water splashin' against me cheeks as th' ever risin' tide was rushin' in. I felt lik' vomitin'.

"Up ye get", Edward's voice called oot then, me wantin' to groan again in protest as he hauled me to a sittin' position, eyein' at me questionably upoan seein' me reluctant countenance. "Ye're hurt?"

"Me heid is lik' an anvil hammered by a thousand mauls 'n' me body feels lik' moored to th' foundations o' th' earth. I think dyin' would feel better than bein' in me body right noo", I admitted truthfully, forcin' meself back oan me feet. Edward's steady arm keepin' me from collapsin' as he frowned at me in concern, 'til we whipped aroond to witness th' rest o' th' crewmen to arrive to th' beach along wi' Elizabeth 'n' Peter who were still watchin' each other's backs, unable to flee th' battle as Jones' men kept oan comin' at 'em. Edward tiltin' his heid at me as we then witnessed th' millwheel to roll oot o' th' jungle, it continuin' its fast paced swirl all th' wey to th' farawa' bank efter squashin' th' majority o' me brother' 'n' Elizabeth's opponents, 'n' close to runnin' us ower. Wance th' wheel stopped 'n' dropped flat ontae th' shallow water, th' heids o' th' drenched pair o' men neist popped to sight. Me frownin' at William 'n' Norrington as watched 'em leverin' 'emselves ower th' rottin' wheel, too dizzy from th' spin o' it to stand up straight. Even mair wobbly William in th' end crashin' doon wi' a grand plunge.

"Well ye're not getting the chance to relax just yet, Randa", Edward stated efter we'd taken in oor current stand in th' situation, me lettin' oot a sigh as snatched Sparrow's sword from th' risin' water to prepare to fend for meself by his side when we found th' fightin' individuals to be makin' their wey towards th' dinghy. Us as weel stairtin' to head for th' boat slowly as neist gained oor share o' th' fight wance a few o' th' crewmen abandoned Peter 'n' charged at us, as Edward jumped forth to receive 'em me seein' from th' corner o' me eye both Norrington 'n' me adversary free brother to be racin' towards th' longboat in middle o' th' fight. Me however nae havin' time to observe what they were doin', as me attention was claimed by a crewman who slipped past Edward, his voice callin' oot to me to watch for meself as I hastily deflected th' crewman's attack by slammin' me blade against his weapon. Neist directin' a kick oan his thigh 'til turned aroond, takin' a grip o' his sword haun 'n' tryin' again what I'd wance done to Edward durin' one o' oor practice sessions. Almost kneelin' as hoisted me larger opponent ower me back 'n' intae th' water, only to have meself fall right efter 'im as th' tactic had required all o' me leftover strength. Me collapsin' right efter 'im but sprung back up as swiftly as could, efter shakin' th' water from me eyes beholdin' Norrington to abandon th' dinghy 'n' attempt to heid towards th' jungle, where th' malinky pirate wi' his mate took his place by th' longboat. Only to be confronted wi' Peter who prevented 'em from takin' it along wi' th' Chest that Sparrow apparently had left oan th' boat. William soon enough joinin' 'im 'n' they both hoisted their swords at th' pair o' noo in turn unarmed pirates. Me eyes remainin' oan 'em as I rose, quickly steppin' ontae th' crewman who was tryin to stand efter gettin' unexpectedly beaten by me surprise attack. Me grabbin' Edward's arm to drag 'im efter me, stairtin' to run towards th' dinghy efter directin' a quick keek ower at oor vicinity, 'n' discoverin' everyone along wi' Norrington 'n' Elizabeth to be retreatin' towards it.

I let oot a startled cry as oot o' th' blue saw Sparrow smack William wi' th' oar he was still wieldin' efter seein' 'im rush ower to th' Chest to pick it up, lured by th' key that still was attached to th' lock. Peter wardin' th' pirate aff wi' a glare as Elizabeth dashed to unconscious William, Eward 'n' I finally reachin' th 'others 'n' faced th' incomin' enraged crew all oor weapons drawn as Sparrow barked Elizabeth to leave William be. Me ain worry ower 'im gettin' however owerpowered by dread as I followed Jones' men to slow their ain run intae a threatenin' walk, closin' in oan us from all sides, cornerin' us.

"We're not getting out of this", Elizabeth realized, lik' everyone's 'er eyes as weel dartin' aboot th' approachin' crew nervously, Peter shovin' 'er behind 'imself as took a stance to receive th' first crewman who dared to attack 'us. Edward doin' th' same to me efter wisely takin' th' cutlass from me shakin' haun, me however turnin' me surprised attention to Norrington efter hearin' 'im respond, noticin' 'im to keek doon at th' Chest.

"Not with the Chest. Into the boat!"

All o' us too turned to eye at th' former Commodore in bafflement as watched 'im snag th' Chest in turn, th' man exchangin' a serious keek wi' ootraged Elizabeth as me gaze reeled from 'im to th' awaitin' crewmen in shock. Nae believin' what th' man was plannin' oan doin'.

"You're mad!" Elizabeth breathed, shakin' 'er heid slightly as we neist followed Norrington to tak' aff, runnin' straight towards Jones' men to lure 'em efter 'imself. Only gettin' 'imself killed, Edward however herdin' me to board th' dinghy as I was aboot to protest upoan hearin' Norrington's prompt for us to leave wi'oot 'im. I might've nae kenned th' man personally, but I didn't want 'im to throw his life awa' lik' this…As I tardily was th' first to climb intae th' boat me peerin' efter th' former Navy man anxiously, sense o' reverence however takin' ower me then as I heard Sparrow's fretful voice stairt to speak. In favor o' Norrington's prompt for us to escape, me shiftin' me eyes from th' fleein' form o' th' man to William whom Peter lifted fully intae th' dinghy.

"I-I say we respect his final wish."

Barbossa's men presented their consent wi' enthusiastic cries, everyone noo boardin' th' wee longboat in a hurry, me castin' me eyes ower th' unconscious William 'n' worry in me hert was instinctively aboot to reach oot a haun to touch his coupon. Only to halt in realization wance Elizabeth was quick to claim a seat neist to Peter 'n' took William intae 'er ain arms, stairtin' to caress his features gently, me simply turnin' me back towards 'em as wi' a slight frown 'imself Peter jumped owerboard. Wi' Edward pushin' oor boat aff th' shore 'til it reached deep enough waters to tak' up th' oars, efter some time o' driftin' me nae helpin' but twirlin' aroond again to gaze at th' retreatin' island. Nae seein' a single glimpse o' Norrignton or Jones' crew, havin' a bad inklin' aboot th' poor man's fate, me payin' Isla Cruces goodbye wi' a dejected frown. Gettin' surprised then as I felt a familiar haun to grasp mine, me irises shiftin' ower to Peter who gave me palm a soothin' squeeze.

"He'll be alright, sis. He's made it through alive from much worse situations than this."

"When Jones 'n' his crew are concerned that does wee to assure me", I replied, lockin' curt gazes wi' equally worried Elizabeth, 'til I let me eyes to wander aboot th' vast sea. 'Em eventually droppin' to goup at th' water. Edward's arm soon circlin' me 'n' offerin' me th' weel received support as I voluntarily closed me eyes again, glad that all th' frolickin' across th' island was noo ower wance 'n' for all. Th' tiredness weighin' oan me, turnin' me limbs intae led that felt lik' fastenin' me oan me spot. Me nae havin' energy left to think aboot what was to happen neist noo that Sparrow had th' hert o'Davy Jones lik' he'd originally planned regardless o' me 'n' th' other individuals' attempts to interfere. Me fallin' intae such a comfortable relaxed state that I didn't even realize th' time to pass 'til felt a tap oan me shoulder wance we'd apparently made it safely to th' Black Pearl. Me givin' th' galleon a bit odd keek upoan nae havin' all that pleasant memories aboot it, stairtin' to board 'er. Right efter Elizabeth who aided Peter in carryin' William ower th' gunwale, me brother receivin' 'im 'n' takin' 'im ower to th' gratin' to wake up oan his ain. Elizabeth followin' but a step behind 'n' settlin' 'erself right neist to sleepin' William, me watchin' 'em from afar for a while 'til Edward's curious voice broke thro' me reverie.

"Ye don't want to go to him?"

"Why would I? He'll be fine, Elizabeth's wi' 'im till he wakes up", I answered, to escape his measurin' goup me then daunerin' across th' deck afore happened to come upoan th' First Mate o' Sparrow's. 'Im appearin' to remember me as much as I did 'im 'n' I nodded me heid at 'im politely, 'im returnin' it wi' a brief smile 'til stalked aff efter his Captain to receive his orders. Me goin' ower to th' port side railin' 'n' stayed there as long as we'd made it quite far from th' island, th' familiar sound o' brisk footsteps soon tellin' me Peter to have joined me.

"Don't tell me you're still affected by seeing them together?" he asked, me lettin' oot a frustrated sigh at his incredulous tone. Ignorin' 'im, nae really in th' mood o' delvin' intae this topic wi' 'im, especially if th' conversation stairted wi' 'im lampoonin' me ower me emotional struggle.

"'N' I suppose ye're nae? Ye don't fool me Peter, I can see yer jealousy a mile awa'. Ye've ne'er been able to hide yer feelings towards Elizabeth from me, so don't try noo either", I answered sharply, me eyes risin' to tak' in Sparrow who'd positioned 'imself to th' helm as expected (intentionally me then avoidin' to direct even a single glance to William's direction). Th' pirate keekin' rather pleased wi' 'imself 'n' th' world suddenly, 'n' I didn't put it past 'im. He had th' hert, a wey to escape Jones' clutches.

"Who's that man ye came to the island with?" Peter inquired then, changin' th' subject lik' always when he found me to be ontae somethin' he preferred to leave unaddressed. "He looks familiar. But I cannot figure out where I've seen him."

"Ye don't ken 'im, Peter. He's lived maist o' his life in England 'n' worked at th' Caribbean as a merchant but a couple o' years...Shouldn't ye be askin' this directly from 'im instead o' interrogatin' me?"

"I'd rather learn from you why you seem to trust him so much, as I gather you haven't known each other all that long", Peter remarked suspiciously, me sighin'.

"He's th' Captain o' th' vessel I snuck aboard at Port Royal. We ended up boardin' th' Dutchman together efter oor ship was wrecked 'n' met wi' William by chance, who'd come to look for th' key to th' Chest there. Assumin' th' wreckage was th' real Flyin' Dutchman."

"Snuck aboard? You mean you became a stowaway and he discovered you?"

"I enlisted under a false name."

"What? Under whose name?" Peter demanded, noo eyein' at me wi' wrinkled brows. Me flickin' me heid to his direction in frustration as kept a wee pause.

"Robert's. I took his place aboad th' ship 'n' used his commission papers to board", I explained, me brother causin' me to narrow me eyes upoan keekin' at me lik' I'd juist confessed to have looted th' royal palace o' England. " Oh, don't act so shocked noo when ye found me this far from home from a company o' an unknown man ye don't ken, wearin' men's claes 'n' associatin' wi' pirates for th' utmaist horror o' oor obstinately principled uncle. Assumin' a false identity is th' least I'd been forced to do durin' these last weeks, taken th' places I had to scour to find William…"

"Where…What does that mean?" Peter queried, momentarily flabbergasted, measurin' me wi' folded arms but as I didn't answer he eventually rolled his eyes at me vexed turned countenance. "Why are you so grumpy all of a sudden? I would've thought you to be glad now that we're able to talk with one another for the first time in weeks."

"Maybe we're a lot mair alike than ye think", I told 'im, speakin' half to meself as this time did glance at William 'n' Elizabeth shortly afore me attention was claimed by Sparrow who noo came doon to th' main deck. Still carryin' that peculiar dirt filled jar in his arms (protectively, as if it contained somethin' invaluable he didn't want anyone else to lay a haun upoan) as approached Edward, who was eyein' at th' workin' crew from th' flight o' stairs oan oor right. Me then comin' to remember to have actually seen Sparrow to place somehin' in th' jar in his person, 'n' as th' Chest had been left wi' Norrington (taken intae consideration that th' pirate wouldn't have left th' island wi'oot what he'd come there to collect), th' hert must've in fact been within that jar.

"Is it our uncle you're so angry towards?" Peter inquired then, even mair incredulous as had picked up th' sardonic tone in me voice while mentionin' uncle Cutler, invadin' me thoughts. "Seriously Miranda, how can you be so hard on him and judge his morals even you didn't give him a chance to prove himself to you?"

"I lived wi' 'im, Peter. Juist lik' ye did", I retorted matter-o'-factly, earnin' another eye-roll.

"But didn't bother to get to know him. He's our uncle, sis. He thinks the best of our interest in everything he does."

"I learned everythin' essential within th' first days o' oor acquaintance. So how could I nae judge 'im, when he has been revealed to be completely different person that he presented 'imself to be upoan meetin' 'im? He's a cruel man, Peter. I told ye what I found from his study, hidden awa' 'n' meant to no one's eyes but his. Proof o' illegal activities within th' Company, unauthorized plans for bringin' doon th' legal system o' Port Royal to replace it wi' mere death sentence, no matter th' offense..."

"And all that is what you base such observation upon, that he cares but for himself? Miranda, he's the representative of the King, commissioned to hunt down pirates and condemn criminals, for christ sake! It's his duty to cleanse the Caribbean from all the dispensable filth to bring peace and prosperity to the West Indies…"

At this Peter keeked aboot in a significant manner, to mak' his point by th' sight o' th' pirates roamin' aboot th' ship aroond us, me however simply measurin' 'im in disbelief. Noo beckonin' towards William exasperated. "Ye awready sound exactly lik' 'im…He was goin' to hang yer best friend! 'N' th' woman ye luv, still is if he will get his wey."

"What else can I do but honor his insight and abide it?" Peter exclaimed, however nae loudly so that oor conversation wouldn't be carried to th' lugs o' th' crew, shakin' his heid at me aghast. "He's th' only family we have, and since he has been gracious enough to take care of us regardless of the rift our mother left at her wake by going against her kin, we're ought to show him the respect he deserves. And he most certainly isn't entitled to be rebelled against by you and your disagreements conjured by your short-sightedness. Will is a criminal, and even if he is a friend of mine, I cannot deny that he brought his fate all to himself with his unadvised actions. We talked about this, Miranda, and my opinion hasn't changed. I'm here because of Elizabeth and you only, and as a member of Beckett family and East India Trading Company Will's future is no longer mine to concern myself with. The consequences are entirely his to face, and there's nothing I can do about it."

I deterred me protests due to utter dismay efter momentarily frownin' upoan at me brother's inculpatory remark aboot oor mother's past deeds (right then soundin' remarkably lik' uncle Cutler), indeed me findin' meself faced wi' Peter's gullible loyalty he'd developed towards everything oor uncle had come to represent. Which seemed to have become even harder to waver by th' keek he noo directed intae me eyes wi' equally furrowed eyebrows, because o' this me tryin' one mair time by lockin' softer gazes wi' 'im. Takin' his hauns wi' a plead written all ower me coupon.

"Peter please…Ye must see that oor uncle isn't th' kind o' man to be trusted unconditionally lik' ye do noo. Aye, he's a man loyal to th' Crown as are ye, but th' wey he's handlin' things, usin' William 'n' Elizabeth to fulfill his ain agendas within th' limits o' th' law o' his ain devicement…Plannin' oan executin' hundreds at th' expense o' reachin' these goals that are his alone…can ye say to be able to support 'im wholehertedly? 'N' efter what he did to me, secretly offerin' me haun in marriage in exchange for a completion o' a business deal, can ye truly ask me to place such faith in 'im meself?"

Peter didn't answer, only goupin' back at me wi' an impassive visage although me eyes begged 'im to comply 'n' say 'im to understand what I meant, that he would come to re-evaluate uncle Cutler's character as weel as his grand plan. Sparrow's voice however then catchin' his attention along wi' mine, us turnin' to see th' pirate come to a halt neist to Edward. Stairtin' to address 'im when th' man simply close to omitted his presence.

"Ye be a man of the sea, eh?" Sparrow questioned, pryin' oan th' answer wi' his eyes that roamed aboot Edward's suntanned features in interest. Edward liftin' his jaw as folded his arms across his chest, leanin' oan th' staircase banister as straightened his posture. Sparrow makin' a bit baffled frown upoan havin' to keek up at th' Englishman, till appeared a bit pleased aboot th' notion for a moment when Edward replied.

"Aye, that I am. Spent half of me life at sea", he admitted, his in turn curious eyes takin' in th' pirate quizzically. To see th' delighted response he gained, Sparrow inclinin' his heid in ponders as took in his nae so ragged 'n' shoddy clothin'.

"Sailor, then?"

"Just an honest merchant under the service of the Crown, Captain."

Edward's previous reply left Sparrow pensive, 'im weighin' his words for a while, 'til came to a resolution o' how to resume th' conversation. Assumin' a curious mien as faced Edward, directin' a remarkable glance ower th' deck o' his ship.

"I must confess to have been left rather disinclined to grant ye that drink that I owe after yer pointed way of familiarizing yerself with new acquaintances ", Sparrow stairted, eyein' at Edward wi' appraise as brought a fleetin' haun to smooth th' lower part o' his jaw, 'til efter a while broke intae an enticin' smile. "…but as a man o' questionable decency wi' equated amount o' rectitude when the occasion calls for it, I am however lenient to make an exception to a more tolerant approach to yer delicts in common propriety as commendation to yer comity, and won't be having me men to throw ye overboard from threatening their Captain…So, in return of the ship ye have lost, how about I offer you a new one altogether? Care to join?"

In wonder I watched Edward to quirk an eyebrow at th' smilin' pirate who was waitin' for his response quite eagerly, me nae understandin' what could've made Sparrow think Edward to actually agree to such a fruitless agreement that would serve 'im none whatsoever, 'n' neither did I fathom why would he need to ask 'im to join his crew. Edward however only keekin' awa' from 'im wi' a blank face, poutin' a wee afore broke intae a mysterious smile that no one beholdin' th' pair by th' staircase could decipher aside for me.

"Me pride cannot yet be inclined to replace me own title to a designation of a mere sailor, and have me source of livelihood steered by anyone but meself. Especially by someone who saw fit to take a swing at me before coming to me with such a proposal…" I deterred a chuckle as watched Edward to touch his ain jaw in turn, keekin' doon at Sparrow significantly afore continued. "Besides ye must see me hesitation as something to be expected…this is me first time to have set a foot aboard a pirate vessel willingly."

"Ah. Fateful to the Crown, are ye?" Sparrow asked, narrowing his eyes, where Edward turned a tad mair serious then efter a slight pause in their exchange.

"To a limited extend as any man these days."

"I could offer ye complete freedom, mate", Sparrow coaxed 'im, simperin' smugly as beckoned to his crew. "Freedom to answer to no one but yourself."

Edward hummed thoughtfully, clearly disagreein', his eyes fallin' momentraly to tak' in th' dents oan th' worn deck afore goupin' straight in front o' 'im. His streenge face causin' me to frown in confusion, his words puzzlin' me by havin' somewhat personal feel to 'em. "Freedom is but an idea that keeps men detained from coveting true liberty. We all answer to someone, pirates, soldiers and ordinary folk alike, so whoever offers me such a concept as assumed freedom it changes nothing. We are truly free of the restrictions of life not until we're dead, so ye must understand me reasons to decline and find them justified until further notice by answering this question; do free men take orders from anyone, Captain Sparrow?"

Edward managed to turn Sparrow rather uneasy wi' his words that had caused several members o' th' crew to stop what they were doin', 'em noo goupin' at th' juist arrived stranger somewhat dazed by th' idea his answer had presented, causin' 'em to perhaps even consider th' validity o' it. Sparrow neist brushin' th' topic aff wi' a concurrin' nod, glancin' aboot apprehensively as tapped Edward's arm in turn companiably.

"I leave ye to consider it. Just saying noo that ye've been left uncommissioned and without a ship to steer, I could use a visionary man such as yerself in me crew."

I sighed at Sparrow latest remark to which Edward didn't comment, just noddin' at th' pirate in gratitude, William's wakin' form however noo claimin' all me attention 'n' me features softened upoan seein' 'im blink his eyes open. Seemin' to be awright as they focused oan Elizabeth towerin' ower 'im, me blinkin' meself upoan seein' 'im return 'er blissfull smile that dispelled mine, me eyes turnin' awa' only to land back oan Sparrow whom I saw to be eyein' at me in deep thought. Me sighin' even deeper in chagrin as I then watched 'im instantly heid to me direction (even I hadn't given a single indication to wish for his company), me tryin' to ignore his cheerful voice that then carried oan addressin' me from th' distance as focused oan followin' William to sit up. Me feelin' me hert sink a wee as watched 'im together wi' Elizabeth, beholdin' th' joy that filled 'er when she noo took William's haun, sweepin' his face wi' 'er fingers…

Scottish vocabulary:

Pronouns etc:

o'= of, th'= the, 'em= them, oor= our, 'n'= and, intae= into, 'er= her, 'im= him, me = my, nae = not

Recurrent & other words:

afore = before, hert = heart, aye = yes, ne'er = never, wee = small/little, awready = already, ken = know, efter = after, doon = down, as weel = as well, goup = stare, malinky = thin, wance again/mair = once again/more, 'til = until, likelie = probably, keek = look, ower = over, claes =clothes, aboot = about, streenge = strange, wey = way, haun = hand, ain = own, oot = out, neist = next, hurl = lift, lik' = like, gey/pure = very, stairt = start, heid = head, awa' = away, wey = way, wi'oot = without, o' coorse = of course, dauner = walk, freish = new, wi' = with, juist = just, thro' = through, lugs = ears, naw = no, tak' = take, coupon = face, face = expression, bampot = idiot/unhinged person etc, 'ere = here, aff =off, batter = punch, luv = love, atween = between