Note: I received a question via PM about the name/bonfire reference in the last chapter. The original fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin told of the queen discovering his name because when she went on a nighttime walk through the woods she saw the little man leaping and dancing around a bonfire and singing a ditty that said, "Today I bake, tomorrow I brew, then the Queen's child I shall stew. For nobody knows my little game, for Rumpelstiltskin is my name." So that's what Elizabeth was referring to, which is ironic because she and Jack have actually danced and sung around a bonfire together.

It was quite late that same night when Jack returned and rang Teague's doorbell. Maggie opened the door and showed him into the sitting room, where Agatha was reading.

"Evening, Auntie." Jack announced. "Where is Elizabeth? I've a surprise for her."

"Upstairs with Jacob," Agatha answered. "What's the surprise?"

"Tai Huang is here. We'd thought he was in Singapore."

"Who is Tai Huang?"

"Her first mate on the Empress. We had to summon Barbossa from where he's been workin' around Vera Cruz, but the Empress just coincidentally happened to be in the area—well, Europe, which is nearly our neighbor compared with Singapore—and dropped in for a visit just in time. If Elizabeth is going to do any fighting, she'll want her own ship under her."

"And is Elizabeth going to do any fighting?" Agatha asked sternly.

He shrugged. "I assume so. What else have we been planning all this time?"

Elizabeth heard her name as she came down the stairs. Agatha and Jack were arguing, and she stopped to listen for a moment.

"Elizabeth is a young single mother," Agatha pointed out. "She's had her adventures, and I daresay she enjoyed them, but I really don't see why you would want her to be involved in warfare now, when she should be settled somewhere to bring up her child. You risk depriving Jacob of his mother along with his father! If you care about Elizabeth as you seem to, why would you want her to be in danger?"

Jack's voice lowered, as if he were scowling. "Auntie, I dislike arguin' with ye, but I must. For one thing, I'm trying to prevent the boy from losing his mother, which he most assuredly will if Angelica gets hold of her.

"For another thing, danger takes one look at Elizabeth Swann and runs screaming—just as any sensible man would do. I don't think you have any idea what that woman is capable of. Don't sell her short, dearie—she's a hurricane in battle."

Listening, Elizabeth smiled. Jack thought her a hurricane? She kept listening as he went on.

"And as far as 'seeming' to care about her? Madam, I would give my life for that woman. In fact, come to think of it, I already have."

Elizabeth's jaw dropped. She was so astonished that she didn't pay attention to what came next.

Agatha asked, "And what if she doesn't survive? Who would raise her son?"

"If there aren't any Swanns left who would take him, I have family who would."

"You wouldn't raise him yourself?"

Jack scoffed. "Love to, but if Elizabeth were killed, that would mean I'd already be dead. My father would probably send him to my brother in England."

"Who is your brother? Another pirate, I suppose."

"You suppose wrong. As long as you've already promised not to reveal any of us to the law, I may as well tell you. My brother is Adam Teague, Lord Dalrymple."

"The new Lord Dalrymple?" Agatha asked, her voice sounding shocked.

"The very same. His mother was Rebekah Adams, a respectable Englishwoman, and his father is your taciturn host."

"Captain Teague is Lord Dalrymple's father?"

"Aye. I think even Elizabeth wouldn't object to her son being raised by an English Lord, if the worst happened. Would you, Elizabeth?" He raised his voice at this last part, and Elizabeth flushed a little.

She came into the room, still distracted by what he'd said a minute ago. "I'm sorry for eavesdropping. I was waiting for a good moment to come in. What's happened, Jack?"

"Brought you a surprise.

"A good one, I hope."

He nodded. "I do believe it is." He went back out to the door and opened it. "Well, come in, then!" he said to the man who had been waiting on the step.

In walked Tai Huang, first mate of the Empress: the ship that Pirate Lord Sao Feng had bequeathed to Elizabeth, along with the title of Pirate Lord of the South China Sea, when he died.

"Tai Huang!" Elizabeth exclaimed, running to greet him. She stopped a few feet away and they bowed to each other. "I'm very glad to see you," she told him. "Did you have business here?"

"We brought jade to sell in Europe," he said. "Since Europe is closer to pirate haven than Singapore, we came to restock and visit our honored lord and king."

"I'm glad you did. I've missed you. How are the others? Tian Peng? Sao Ri?"

"All are well. They will be glad to see Captain Swann again. We brought a gift for Pirate King." Huang reached into his pocket and brought out a small box, which he presented to Elizabeth with both hands and another short bow.

She accepted it and opened it. She carefully put away the wrappings in her waistcoat pocket, and then opened the box. "Oh, my!" she exclaimed. "This is beautiful, Huang!" She took out the two bracelets and slipped them on, and fastened the necklace around her neck. "These are lovely," she said again. "Will you tell me what the stone means?"

"It is jade, the stone of wisdom and prosperity. Jade opens the door of the body to receive health, the door of the mind to receive wisdom, the door of the home to receive prosperity, and the door of the heart to receive love."

"What a lovely gift!" Agatha complimented.

"And it's all things you can really use," Jack remarked under his breath.

"Oh! Yes, Aunt, you must meet my first mate, Tai Huang." Elizabeth performed all the necessary introductions, including to Jacob, after he started crying from upstairs and Agatha went up to get him. Tai Huang's weathered face broke into a big smile when he saw the little bright-eyed baby calm down and give him a two-toothed grin.

"I greet the Pirate Prince with a gift also!" he said, with a small bow toward Jacob. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a large ring made of smooth coral, about the size of a bracelet but much thicker, with only a small hole in the center. He handed it to the baby.

Jacob reached out and grabbed it. "Hak!" he exclaimed, as he put one edge of it into his mouth. Elizabeth tried to stop him, but Tai Huang only smiled.

"That is its purpose, Captain. For baby to chew. You keep it in water and it will be cool in his mouth until his teeth come through."

"Oh! Thank you, Huang!" Elizabeth bowed again, just a dip of her head, as she told him, "These are extremely valuable and thoughtful gifts. We will treasure them."

"Know what else is valuable and worthy of treasuring, Elizabeth?" Jack reminded. "Your ship."

"Oh, that's right!"

Agatha took the baby out while Jack and Elizabeth outlined the situation for Tai Huang. Elizabeth asked for his help in the upcoming battle.

"Yes, I help you. You come back and command the Empress again for the battle. A woman who tries to kill baby have no honor. Empress stands ready to defend the King."

Elizabeth and Jack both bowed; Huang returned the bow and said good night.

"Hang on, Huang," Jack said. "I'll walk with you." He turned to Elizabeth. "Like the surprise, love?"

"Very much. This is getting better and better. I hadn't realized how much I missed it all. Why I thought I'd ever be happy for a decade on that hilltop over Flimwell is beyond me."

"You're welcome," Jack told her, smugly buffing his fingernails.

"Yes, yes, you're my savior, Jack. Whatever would I do without you. So let's have it."

"What?"

"Aren't you going to claim your winnings?"

He lowered his eyelids and shook his head, looking sly. "Think I'll wait."

"Until...?"

"Until you ask me to collect."

"You'll be waiting a long time!"

He swept his gaze back up her body to meet her eyes again. "Want to bet?" he said. "Double or nothing."

"Fine."

They shook hands on the deal, and Elizabeth waved a cheery goodnight as she headed back upstairs.