Disclaimers: See the Prologue for more information.

*.*.*

Epilogue:

Tortuga

There it was: Tortuga. The island was so much larger than either captain of the Black Pearl and the Jolly Roger guessed. Of course, it wasn't without its perks. At the signal, Captain Hook brought his new stowaways – Rosemary and Bane – to a boat. Rose was stunned, while Bane sniffed the air in search of meat.

Rose swung her head back at Hook, still holding the rope that held the boat. "You mean you're not coming with us? What about that talk of making me work in the kitchens, while Bane scrubs the deck?"

"My place is here, love." Hook told her. "I'm a honorable man, dashing to behold."

"Maybe we did meet once, long ago," Rose said.

"Yes, and if you see your father, tell him Hook sends his regards," Hook said, winking at her.

"I brought some freshly cooked meat from the kitchen!" Bane said, excited.

"Go and safe travels to you both," Hook said, as Bane stepped into the boat, next to Rosemary.

Rose stared at the captain one last time. He sure was a dashing fellow. Then there was Bane, who was all about eating this meat or that meat. Well, she had to admit he was a wolf. But that sweeping fur brushing against her side. There was a tail! There was… oh, she remembered seeing it before. She rested her hand on his tail, but the effort made Bane jumpy. She stopped for a moment, receiving a fair smile from the half-wolf. Maybe she was getting used to him after all.

Her gaze turned to the Black Pearl. She took noticed of her parents, Frodo and Ebony. Their wrists weren't bound any longer, and yet… was that Jack Sparrow with them? Of course, the pirate captain would be here. But was he a forgiving man. She hardly knew, and yet, there was still an adventure to be had.

"Are we ready?" Bane asked her.

"Ready?" She asked in return, confused.

"To set sail," he said. "Maybe in Tortuga, they'll had mince pies."

"Let's hope so, my friend," she said, taking one oar and rowing towards shore.

-.-.-

Felicity made her way through the crowd. She was not missing this ship, not if it meant taking the navigation charts with her. She slowed down her pace as Livia and Samson followed her. She didn't like having to wait around… oh. There was the boat, elegant in design and yet strong. Just as she climbed into the boat, Livia and Samson joined her. She quickly brought the oars over to Samson and Livia.

Typical, she knew, but then the journey had just begun.

"Does anyone know what we'll find in Tortuga?" Livia asked.

"That's why we're taking the ship to the pirate's island," Felicity said.

"Right. Thanks for stating the obvious," Livia and Samson said in near unison.

"Happy to help." Felicity said. Now to find Frodo and his family, when they would find them.

-.-.-

Frodo stepped into the boat after Ebony, Jack and his crew. It was a crowded boat, but they could manage the trip to Tortuga. Only a question formed in his mind.

"Wait. Doesn't the ship dock closer to shore?" Frodo asked, confused.

"Yes. Well, this is your stop. The ship's only come out to the bay. They don't reach the shore in this world. If you wanted Tortuga at home, you should have let us take you there," Jack said.

"Then what's over here?' Ebony asked, confused.

"This is Tortuga, for this world," a man named Gibbs spoke up.

"You see, when all the pirates start coming here for trade and a crew, then we'll be allowed to sail right into the bay," Jack said.

"What?" Frodo and Ebony asked, confused.

"Satisfied yet?" Jack asked them.

"No," Frodo and Ebony answered.

"Well, don't be alarmed." Jack said. "The adventure's just begun."

Frodo and Ebony locked eyes. If the adventure had only begun, where did that lead them? That question was yet to be answered. But the answers would come. Frodo would not give up, not when there was a chance that his family would be together. But when would that happen? Well, there was no sense in waiting. What remained now was reaching Tortuga. That the quest that mattered at the moment. And reaching Tortuga was where they would go.

Yes, it certainly was the right path, at least for now.

*.*.*

Well, we'll wait and see what happens in Book III. For now, thank you Eldhoron, Sev Baggins and to all my readers who read, reviewed, favorited and followed this part in the tale.

See you in the Prequel to this story. :)

Aria Breuer