Chapter 15: Return to Sea
The days trudged by slowly, and Alice and Elizabeth spent more time in each other's company than before. The time came when Elizabeth asked Alice again the truth about her past, which she had neglected to answer when they were aboard the Pearl. She told Elizabeth a small amount, and the girl had been quiet for a time before conceding that she never would have believed it if Alice had told her then. Security had been tightened around the mansion, and Alice found herself unable to slip out to the taverns.
The trials occurred shortly after their return. Will had been circumstantially pardoned, much to Elizabeth's relief. The rest, however, had all been sentenced to death by hanging. Alice avoided going to the trial, but she visited Pintel and Ragetti in Fort Charles, giving her remorseful goodbyes. They playfully told her not to give up on them just yet, and she couldn't help but smile.
The evening before the hanging was a somber one for the girls. They barely picked at their supper, knowing they would be required to attend. Elizabeth went to bed early, most likely wanting to be alone with her thoughts. Alice, however, decided to chance a night out. Most of the guards were preparing for the following day, so the few who remained there would be easy to get by. She donned her street clothes, and slipped out after everyone else had gone to bed.
She stuck to the shadows as she headed for the Rooster, not wanting to be seen. But someone noticed her creeping through the darkness.
"Alice!" she heard a voice whisper, and she whipped out her dagger. Will Turner ran across the narrow street to meet her. "Can we talk? In private?" he asked and she eyed him warily. "It's about Jack," he added, and she quickly nodded. He led her to the back alley behind Mr. Brown's, checking several times to be sure they were alone. "I can't let Jack go to the gallows; it's not right," he said. "I know you may not agree, given what he did—"
"No, I agree," she cut him off, and he looked surprised. "But what can we do?"
"There's been talk around the taverns… The Black Pearl has been sighted," he said and her eyes widened. "I'm sure word has reached them about Jack. I don't think any of them are foolhardy enough to storm the town, but if he can escape somehow…" he trailed off, looking around. He looked back to Alice. "I have a plan. It's not much of one, but maybe it will work."
"How can I help?"
"I'm not sure, honestly. But, perhaps if a boat is waiting nearby… If all goes well, anyway…?" Alice nodded.
"I will find a way to get out of being there," she said. "But be careful, Will. And please don't fail," she pleaded playfully. Will laughed quietly.
"It'll be my neck on the line… Literally," he smiled uneasily.
They parted ways and Alice headed for the tavern. She decided to keep her drinking to a minimum, and listened to the talk floating about. There was indeed talk about the Pearl, ranging from stories of sightings to grandiose rumours that the pirates would take Port Royal. Alice left after a short time; she had to plan for the next morning. She barely slept that night which helped her as she pretended to be quite ill the following day. The governor grudgingly let her stay behind, under the care of Estrella, and guards were posted on the grounds. She trusted the maid with part of her plan, and the woman helped to distract the guards, allowing Alice to escape unseen.
She made her way to the shore, paying the harbormaster in exchange for renting a dinghy, with a hefty bit extra for his silence on the matter. She climbed in and rowed out to the open waters, but it was slow going; Alice had never rowed a boat before and found it to be quickly taxing. A brightly coloured bird flew overhead and then circled back, landing onboard her tiny vessel.
"Make ready the sail!" it squawked at her, and she looked at it puzzlingly. It flew off and she watched as it made for Fort Charles before turning to fly out toward sea. It was then that she noticed someone swimming in the waters near where Elizabeth had almost drowned. She squinted as the person swam faster and she finally recognized him: It was Jack! She tried to change her course to meet him partway, and she glanced over her shoulder in time to see the Black Pearl sailing into view around the high cliffs. Her face lit up with excitement and she rowed harder, huffing with the exertion. She noticed Jack was swimming her way, and naval men were running for the shore from the fort. He reached her boat and she carefully helped him in, trying not to capsize in the process. He quickly took over the oars and rowed them with practiced ease.
"Good to know Will wasn't alone in this," Jack grinned.
"Good to know he succeeded," she laughed.
"He seems to have grown a pair since we first met. Even told Elizabeth he loved her right in front of Norrington!" Alice gasped.
"I wish I had been there to see that," she lamented.
"Should've seen bloody Norrington's face when she told him she was marrying Will instead," he smirked, and Alice couldn't help the cackle that escaped. They reached the Pearl rather quickly, thanks to Jack's superior rowing skills, and a rope was thrown down. They grabbed hold and were hoisted onto the deck. They eyed Alice warily, but shrugged, figuring that she had helped Jack and that was good enough for them. The helm was handed over to him and he checked his compass, adjusted their course, and sang to himself before snapping it shut.
Alice wasn't sure where this next adventure would lead them, but she was home again, and that was all that mattered now.
A/N: And here we are at the end of the first part! Next up: What will happen to Alice now that she had joined the new crew of the Black Pearl? And will someone from her past use the second device to come to her rescue? Keep a weather eye open for part two – Timeless: The Chest!
Edit: Part two is now up!
