Just to clear up a little confusion from a guest reviewer in the last chapter, when Jack says "Philiam" it's because he's mashing together the names of Philip and William, and is referring to the two of them at the same time. He is not just calling Philip that.

Now, what you've all been waiting for, we finally get to see how Syrena plays into the story. I will warn you that for quite a few chapters the character is unnamed and only referred to as "The Mermaid". She will receive the name Syrena a little bit later on but I wanted to make it clear in case someone wasn't sure that this is supposed to be Syrena.

Birds of a Feather

The Curse of the Black Pearl

Chapter Seven

The Mermaid

Elizabeth couldn't believe her eyes; right in front of her was a real live mermaid.

The Mermaid was a smaller figure; her skin was pale, yet there was a hint of a tan. She had large red lips, and wide hazel eyes that reminded Elizabeth of a deer. The Mermaid's long, mostly straight hair was a deep brown, though looked more like black as it was wet. Her torso was bare, but not immodest as a combination of scales and well placed hair covered her enough. The Mermaid's tail was a red tinted beige. Her nails were sharply pointed, but her white teeth didn't look like the fangs that had marked the pirates earlier that day.

The Mermaid peered at the group in confusion, focused particularly on Elizabeth.

The room was as much an oddity as the mermaid. It was shaped like a wide rectangle, and it was mostly taken up by a huge glass tank filled with water. The tank lined the far and two side walls, and was shaped like a U, but with a flat base rather than rounded. It stood about as tall as Elizabeth's shoulders, and it had a liftable top that was propped against the far wall, leaving it open. There were several U shaped metal pieces which each corresponded directly with a latch on the lid. One could pull down the lid and flip the latches over the rounded pieces to put a lock through, keeping the tank shut.

There were a few bloodstains on the wet and wooden floor, and old fish bones were littered about. Tables were placed on each side of the room, and there was a shelf on the far wall. They were covered with candles that lit the room in a low, intimate glow. At the very top of the far wall was a window with no way to open it that allowed in some natural light.

Hung on pegs on the wall with the door were a few buckets, scrub brushes, several locks Elizabeth realised must be for the empty latches, and dozens of chains of all lengths and thicknesses each sporting shackles of varying sizes.

They were grouped methodically, and above each of the pairings was a small placard that read what it was used for. "Wrists", "Arms", and "Waist" were some of the normal categories, but Elizabeth was horrified when she read the ones that said "Neck", "Fins", and "Leash Line". There were a dizzying number of groups for different places on the tail. There was even one that read "Tail Joint" which, based on how small the shackles were, Elizabeth figured it must attach to the part where the tail ended and the fins began.

The Mermaid was floating near the top of the center of the tank, her arms folded, resting on the top of the glass.

Elizabeth couldn't believe that she was looking at a real live mermaid. The Mermaid cocked her head curiously at Elizabeth as if she couldn't believe she was looking at a real live human female.

The Mermaid looked over at Barbossa with a sort of fond gaze.

"What is going on?" The Mermaid asked in a soft, beautiful voice that held some sort of accent Elizabeth couldn't put her finger on. It was something of a cross between French and Spanish.

"You can talk?" Elizabeth couldn't stop herself from blurting out.

"Should I not?" The Mermaid asked. She turned her questioning haze on Ragetti and Pintel and repeated, "What is going on?"

"The Captain's brought you a friend, Poppet," Pintel smiled warmly at the creature.

"A friend?" The Mermaid looked back to Barbossa, clearly not buying it.

"Miss Turner's been giving us a spot of trouble," Barbossa explained. He did not speak down to her like the Lord and Master way he addressed his crew. In fact, he sounded rather earnest and caring, "I was hoping you might be able to keep an eye on her for us until we get to Isla de Muerta."

The Mermaid's eyes flicked to Elizabeth. She stayed silent and emotionless for a few minutes and Elizabeth could have sworn she saw The Mermaid calculating something.

Then The Mermaid smiled. It was not kind or welcoming, but rather like a fox leading a chicken into his den. Elizabeth shuddered as she remembered her Aunt Rebecca telling her stories of deadly sirens. It was a frequent adage that a mermaid would always give an open-mouthed smile because it was always ready to eat a man.

"What has she been up to?" The Mermaid chuckled, eyes locked on Elizabeth. She playfully bobbed in the water as malicious glee danced in her hazel eyes.

"A few escape attempts," Barbossa answered. "The most recent of which ended with her putting a knife into my chest."

The grin fell off The Mermaid's face as her eyes widened. All playfulness left her demeanour when she let out a loud hiss at Elizabeth, and for a split second The Mermaid's irises turned black.

Suddenly, The Mermaid pulled back. She blinked, shocked at her own involuntary reaction. The pirates looked equally surprised at the reaction as they stared at The Mermaid.

"Been a while since she went Full Mermaid," Pintel muttered to his friend.

"No, no, the term is 'Full Siren', and she didn't go full out," Ragetti corrected. "Mermaid is the name of her species, which exists as opposed to sirens which are actually mythological creatures that are half woman and half bird that lure men to watery deaths. A mermaid can go 'Full Siren' which is a colloquial term for when a mermaid reveals their true underwater form to attack a human. And she didn't go 'Full Siren' because her pupils didn't dilate, her fangs didn't extend, and her scales didn't appear."

Elizabeth had to hold back a laugh as Barbossa rolled his eyes in a dramatic fashion, clearly done with putting up with the bumbling pair.

"If you two are done," Barbossa shot the duo a scathing look and they fell silent. "I still haven't gotten an answer from the creature."

The Mermaid visibly bristled at the title, "What do you need of me? And do not call me Creature."

"I'll call my pet exactly what she is." His face didn't change at the poisonous glare she gave him. "As for what I need of you, as an experienced runaway yourself, I thought you might have a better edge on keeping this one out of trouble."

"In other words," The Mermaid said, "keep her in the room?"

"Precisely," Barbossa nodded.

The Mermaid gave Elizabeth the briefest of glances, "I thought you had changed your mind about keeping prisoners in this room? Are not the chains purely ceremonial so your crew does not realise I have been granted agency and no longer your pet or whatever horrid thing you called me in front of the crew?"

With every veiled reference, Elizabeth couldn't help but be curious about The Mermaid's story. A runaway pet with agency? Her mind struggled to come up with an answer, but still overwhelmed by the revelation of the curse, Elizabeth dare not ask for another explanation. Perhaps this time, things were better left unsaid.

"Miss Turner is a guest," Barbossa said. "I have been most hospitable to her: giving her extravagant gifts, opulent meals, comfortable quarters, a reasonable audience to negotiate on behalf of her town, and an explanation as to why she is here. Yet she has chosen to rudely throw that hospitality back in my face. We been needing her blood; there's no doubt about that. This could have been an easy arrangement, and yet she leaves me with no choice. She's getting underfoot and assaulting members of the crew-"

"And that matters why?" The Mermaid asked. "Does the curse not protect them?"

"Don't let your feelings on Masters Twigg and Koehler colour your perspective on the matter."

The Mermaid gave a quick hiss.

Barbossa shook his head but let the issue go, "It matters because Miss Turner needs to arrive in one piece. The last thing we need is her going overboard."

"Because we all know how well that went last time," Pintel muttered.

Barbossa shot him a warning look.

The Mermaid smirked and looked over Elizabeth with a hungry expression, "Are you sure you need her in one piece? If she tries to escape, I may need to revert to more… animalistic methods."

"Just make sure that the blood is still running through her veins," Barbossa grinned.

The Mermaid haughtily shifted her shoulders, like she was weighing the options upon them. Suddenly, she flipped backwards and dove beneath the water. Elizabeth could see The Mermaid through the glass looping and spinning casually as she swam. The Mermaid never took her eyes away from Elizabeth, as if taunting the Governor's daughter. Reaching the end of the tank's right arm, The Mermaid resurfaced.

"You can keep her here," The Mermaid gestured to something Elizabeth hadn't noticed before: a heavy iron ring mounted on the wall above the table. "Will you be chaining her?"

Elizabeth almost swore that she heard a twinge of guilt behind The Mermaid's excitement.

"Yes," Barbossa answered.

"Well…" The Mermaid surveyed the many chains hung on the wall, "Use a singular ankle leash line. Give her some room to move. We are not monsters after all."

And yet, with the grin on The Mermaid's face, Elizabeth wasn't sure that sentiment was entirely true.

The pirates then proceeded to chain Elizabeth to the wall. She tried her best to fight, but it was three undead skeleton pirates against one inexperienced Governor's daughter. Elizabeth grimaced as she was forced to allow the pirates to touch her ankle as they secured the shackle around it. It was true, the chains didn't hurt Elizabeth and made her feel more pet than prisoner, but it was still humiliating.

Barbossa left when he was certain Elizabeth was secure. Ragetti and Pintel stayed behind to feed The Mermaid.

Elizabeth was treated to a front row seat as The Mermaid began to tear into her meal. The Mermaid nosily stripped the fish to their very bones. She ate all but the skeletal remains, clearly savoring even the scales and internal organs. At least The Mermaid was efficient, managing to strip out the smallest of bones that even the best of chefs could never find.

"Now make sure you keep an eye on her," Pintel instructed The Mermaid as he and Ragetti went about putting out the candles.

"I'm sure Miss Turner and I will get along very well," The Mermaid grinned, bearing her fangs threateningly as she tore into another fish. "I'll keep her in line for the Captain."

The pirates chuckled menacingly at each other as Ragetti blew out the last candle, and they exited the room. When the door was slammed shut behind them, Elizabeth was left in the dark, chained to the wall of a haunted pirate ship with only the noise of splashing water and flesh being ripped from bone to accompany her. The single beam of moonlight that filled the room from the porthole window bore the outline of the monster housed within the tank.

Part of Elizabeth was glad to see that The Mermaid was not cursed like the rest of the crew, looking perfectly normal under the moonlight. But that small part of her was overwhelmed by the desperate wish that someone was coming to save her.

"This is the crew that's supposed to save Elizabeth?" Philip stared at the line of pirates in disbelief.

"Feast your eyes, Boy," Gibbs replied. "All of them faithful hands before the mast. Every man worth his salt. And crazy to boot."

Will and Philip exchanged a look.

"I'm going to miss Elizabeth now that she's been killed by pirates," Philip said.

"It really is a shame," Will agreed.

Jack scowled at the boys, and in an effort to prove them wrong, Jack turned to a grey-haired man with a parrot on his shoulder, "You, sailor!"

"Cotton, Sir," Gibbs supplied.

"Mr. Cotton, do you have the courage and fortitude to follow orders and stay true in the face of danger and almost certain death?" Jack asked.

The man said nothing.

"Mr. Cotton!" Jack snapped. "Answer, man!"

"He's a mute," Gibbs reported. "Poor devil had his tongue cut out. So he trained the parrot to talk for him."

Cotton opened his mouth to prove the statement. Philip frowned at the man and opened his own mouth to question it.

"No one's yet figured how," Gibbs explained before Philip could even ask. He'd spent enough time with the young Swiftlet on the crossing from England to know how the boy ticked, even if they hadn't interacted in years.

But Philip merely raised a brow at Sparrow, almost as if to say "Your move."

Jack hesitated, "Mr. Cotton's… parrot… Same question."

The parrot squawked, "Wind in the sails! Wind in the sails!"

Gibbs looked awkwardly at the trio surveying the crew, "Mostly we figure that means 'yes.'"

"Of course it does," Jack spoke the words that were being echoed sarcastically in Philip and Will's minds. He turned back to the boys, "Satisfied?"

Philip and Will exchanged a look.

"Well, you've proved they're mad," Will answered.

Philip groaned and rubbed his forehead, "My uncle is going to kill us."

"And what's the benefit for us?" one of the potential crew members called out.

Jack, Gibbs, Will, and Philip did a double take at the sound of the voice. A slender black boy with a hat covering his face had a rather feminine voice. Jack resisted the urge to gulp in fear as he noted how familiar that voice had sounded.

Jack made his way down the line with Gibbs and the boys following. Stopping in front of the familiar voiced sailor, Jack carefully removed the hat. A mound of long brown hair crowned with a sand-coloured bandana fell onto the sailor's shoulders, revealing that it was indeed a familiar woman.

"Anamaria," Jack grinned falsely, hoping she was in a decent mood.

Anamaria slapped Jack so hard he spun about to face the grinning Philip and Will.

"I suppose you didn't deserve that one either," Will sassed the pirate.

"No, that one I deserved," Jack admitted as Anamaria nodded in the background.

"You stole my boat!" Anamaria snapped as Jack turned back to face her.

"Actually-"

She struck him again.

"Borrowed," Jack continued. "Borrowed without permission. But with every intention of bringing it back to you."

"But you didn't!" Anamaria yelled.

"I'm sure we can sort this out," Philip decided it would be best to play peacekeeper between the duo. "Jack, where is her boat now?"

Jack glowered at the missionary, and through gritted teeth answered, "At the bottom of you bloody harbor."

Philip looked awkwardly back at Anamaria, "…Oh."

"Oh?" Anamaria challenged, turning her rage on poor Philip, who was second guessing his decision to get involved in the first place.

"You'll get another one!" Jack said.

Anamaria raised her hand and Jack flinched back only to find she was simply pointing at him, rather than preparing to attack a third time.

"I will," Anamaria's eyes flashed dangerously.

"A better one," Will added.

Jack looked surprised at Will's interjection, but happily agreed, "A better one!"

"That one," Will pointed to The Interceptor.

Both Jack and Philip's eyes flew wide.

"What one?" Jack asked.

"Yes, Turner," Philip's voice had an aggressive edge to it as he hoped Will wasn't say what Philip thought he was saying, "what ship?"

Will nodded to The Interceptor much to the horror of Jack and Philip as all of the pirates turned to look at the ship.

"That one?" Jack and Philip exclaimed, agreeing on something for the first time since their adventure began.

Will shot Jack a meaningful look as the crew turned to observe Sparrow's reaction. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Jack had no choice.

"Aye," Jack agreed bitterly. "That one. What say you?"

Anamaria considered it thoughtfully, keeping an eye especially on the reluctant preacher who was just standing there shaking his head.

"Aye!" Anamaria yelled.

The crew echoed her words, before they began to energetically load the supplies into the longboats. As Anamaria turned to help, she made a mockingly made a sudden movement at Jack, which made the Captain jump back. She put her hat back on and with her head held high, left to help the crew.

"No, no, no, no," Gibbs insisted. "It's frightful bad luck to bring a woman aboard, Sir."

Will was distracted from the response by a tapping on his shoulder. He turned to see an unimpressed Philip Swift.

"Philip-"

"Are you mad?" Philip just asked. "Giving The Interceptor to a group of pirates? Norrington would kill us."

"I figure he already plans to do so anyway," Will shot. "What's a ship if it means we're one step closer to seeing Elizabeth safe?"

Philip sighed, "Just be careful, Will. We've already broken the law enough, I'd still like to get out of this with a clean conscience."

Will clapped his friend on the shoulder, "It'll all be worth it if Elizabeth gets home safe. Besides, you've always said God has a reason for everything. Maybe this is leading you to something good."

Philip scoffed, "What good thing could I possibly find from this?"

Elizabeth woke up to a scraping sound. Her eyes weren't yet completely open, and her mind was not yet making the connection to the events of the previous night. All she could make out was the strange form of a tan skinned woman with draping brown hair, hovering over Elizabeth.

"What-"

But no further words were uttered, for at the exact same moment Elizabeth's memories hit her, The Mermaid slapped her hands over Elizabeth's mouth and eyes.

"Hush!" The Mermaid hissed as Elizabeth struggled, though Elizabeth noted that the aggressiveness was not intense as the previous night. Indeed, The Mermaid almost sounded desperate, "Do not speak! Do you want the others to hear you?"

But Elizabeth kept struggling. She had heard the stories of mermaids, though the tales varied widely between docile simpletons and carnivorous monsters. Even her own family couldn't agree on it as Aunt Rebecca would tell stories of horrifying sirens, while Uncle Nathaniel - one not usually spouting his wife's fantastical sea tales - would insist on mermaids being kind and helpful creatures. But as the image of the scraps and bites on Twigg and Koehler entered Elizabeth's mind, she was more inclined to believe this creature be more on the dangerous end of the scale.

"I will not hurt you," The Mermaid's voice was gentle. She eased the pressure of her hands against Elizabeth's face, "I promise not to hurt you, but you must listen to me. In a minute I will release you. At that time you must stay silent, and whatever you do, you must keep your eyes closed until I tell you otherwise. Please, promise me this and I will not hurt you. Will you do what I ask?"

Perhaps it was some sort of Siren magic, but The Mermaid's gentle, almost musical, voice calmed Elizabeth. Something deep down stirred in Elizabeth, telling her to trust the creature.

Elizabeth nodded and closed her eyes. She felt the hands move off of her body, and there was a strange sound of padding as the floorboards creaked. A loud splash filled the room.

"You may open your eyes," The Mermaid instructed a minute later.

Elizabeth did so and found The Mermaid in the exact same position she had been in when Elizabeth first laid eyes on the creature. The Mermaid was floating near the top of the tank, everything below her torso submerged in the water, her tail drifting back and forth, arms resting on the edge of the smooth glass, and large hazel eyes watching Elizabeth with a curious expression.

"Are you alright?" The Mermaid asked, her voice yet again sounding innocent.

"Stop that!" Elizabeth snapped.

The Mermaid frowned and eyebrows knitted together, "Stop what?"

"Using your magic make me calm and compliant! I know the stories, how you use that magic to make people agreeable and then lure them to their deaths. You won't be able to trick me like that, so stop it!"

The Mermaid cocked her head to the side and gave Elizabeth a small smile, "I have stopped. I will confess I did use a small amount to make you stop struggling, but I've done nothing more. You agreed to keep your eyes closed of your own free will."

"You're lying. You're just trying to make me feel safe so it'll be easier to attack."

"I will not harm you," The Mermaid repeated her earlier promise. "I was not lying when I said that. I would never harm you under any circumstance other than self-defence."

"And why is that?" Elizabeth challenged.

"Mermaids do not harm females. Is it more taboo to my kind to harm a female than consumption of human flesh is to your kind."

"Then why did the Captain put me in here with you if you won't harm me?"

"Because he does not know," The Mermaid replied. "That was why I acted so vicious last night. If they knew you were safe with me, they would take you away; and it is my duty to keep females safe at sea."

Elizabeth looked away. The Mermaid's words made a lot of sense, and The Mermaid was convincingly genuine in voice and demeanour. But still it was foolish to fall for such an act, especially from a creature known for trickery.

"What about last night? Went you almost went… What did they call it? Siren?"

"Full Siren," The Mermaid corrected. "Forgive me, it was an impulse from when I heard that you injured the Captain. I am very protective of him. He has given me far more than I could ever try to explain. When I heard you attacked him, I could not help but turn on you. Forgive me for that."

"Only if you tell me why anyone should have such loyalty for a man such as he."

"It is a long story that I do not wish to go into at this time. But I owe him dearly and will do everything in my power to repay that debt. You need not trust him, nor do I expect you too. All I ask is that you trust me."

"Give me one good reason why I should."

The Mermaid smiled playfully, "Move your foot."

Elizabeth frowned, "What?"

"Move your foot. The one that they chained."

Elizabeth sighed and moved her foot, "I don't see how this-"

The shackle fell to the floor. Elizabeth looked at her free leg in surprise, and then up at The Mermaid. The Mermaid was holding up a large fishbone from the previous night's feeding.

"I picked the lock while you slept," The Mermaid explained. "You woke just as I got it open, and I did not wish you to see me out of the tank. I apologize for your rude awakening. It will not happen again."

"Why?" Elizabeth could not think of any other word. "Why?"

"Because I spent too many years shackled in this very room the exact same way. Barbossa… He was not always so kind to me."

So many questions filled the silent room, yet Elizabeth could see voicing any would be fruitless against the secretive mermaid. As if an answer to the awkward silence, at that moment there was a heavy knock on the door.

"Poppet, it's us!" Elizabeth was not sure if Pintel was calling to her or The Mermaid.

"We have breakfast!" Ragetti's voice was particularly singsong.

Elizabeth and The Mermaid's eyes went wide and they looked to each other.

"Hide it," The Mermaid whispered urgently.

Elizabeth nodded, and pulled her skirt down to cover the unshackled ankle as The Mermaid tossed her lock pick fishbone in a pile across the room. The doorknob turned, and The Mermaid resumed the aggressive guard dog pose of the previous night just as the duo entered the room.

"Morning Fins!" Ragetti greeted as he and Pintel brought in plates of food. "Sleep well?"

"As well as I could watching this one," The Mermaid nodded to Elizabeth.

"Well, this might be worth the trouble, Fins," Pintel repeated the curious name. He was holding a plate of fish and on top were three crabs. He poured the already dead creatures into The Mermaid's tank, "Ragetti and I got up earlier to catch you some."

"Thank you, Pintel," The Mermaid smiled before literally diving into her meal.

"Fins?" Elizabeth couldn't help but question.

"Our nickname for her," Ragetti explained as he set down a plate of leftovers from dinner with the Captain in front Elizabeth. He glance over at the tank and frowned, "We ought to clean your tank soon. I don't know if you can last until we get to Isla de Muerta."

"You know Barbossa would never let you do a full clean before then," The Mermaid reminded. "Especially with her in the room."

"Just a little maintenance then," Ragetti said. "I'll talk to the Captain."

"He never takes ideas from us lesser crew," Pintel shook his head.

"He does if it's to do with Fins' wellbeing," Ragetti shot.

Pintel opened his mouth, but thought over the words and conceded, "You're right."

Elizabeth frowned slightly. To be honest, she didn't understand why Barbossa had let these two in the cabin. He certainly didn't seem fond of their antics… but maybe it wasn't his fondness that was the reason.

She thought back to her previous experiences near the cabin. Elizabeth recalled how tenderly the duo spoke to The Mermaid, and how Barbossa had allowed them to calm her down. She recalled how Twigg had claimed they had a soft spot for The Mermaid, and how Pintel called The Mermaid "Poppet" in not the menacing way he addressed Elizabeth, but something more avuncular. Not to mention the duo were the only other people Barbossa had allowed in with The Mermaid.

"Are you her caretakers?" Elizabeth couldn't help but ask. She regretted it the moment all eyes turned on her.

The Mermaid looked furious at the statement, "They are my protectors."

"Protectors?" Elizabeth questioned.

"There's men aboard this ship that have less than decent intentions with our dear Fins," Ragetti explained.

"Well, you saw what happened yesterday," Pintel darkly chuckled.

Elizabeth recalled the encounter with Twigg and Koehler. How angry Pintel and Ragetti got at them, how Barbossa had yelled at them for not staying away from The Mermaid, and especially one sentence from Barbossa that was now making a lot more sense.

"You may look at it with different eyes, but do not forget that even if it were reciprocal, you are not able to enjoy it."

"You protect her from Twigg and Koehler," Elizabeth concluded. "Because they… Well… They-"

"Want me to be a mermaid in every traditional fashion," The Mermaid sneered. "The curse stops them from trying anything because it would not bring them pleasure, but once it's broken, I know what they intend to do to me."

"It's wrong," Pintel shook his head. "They don't see her for what more she is than a mermaid."

"Even worse is the fact that they've seen her grow up," Ragetti added. "We've had her since she was only ten, and they've waited until she was old enough to be with them. Could you even imagine that happening to someone respectable?"

Elizabeth was wilfully silent, refusing to explore the parallel to her situation with Norrington.

"It's a good thing Fins is leaving once the curse is broken," Ragetti said.

Elizabeth looked surprised, "You're allowed to leave?"

The Mermaid nodded, "I can leave at any moment I want. I chose to stay until the curse was broken, which is why I'm very excited for the moment when we get to spill your blood."

If it hadn't been so dangerous, Elizabeth would have bet that The Mermaid would have winked at her.

"You know, I have to admit," Pintel looked over Elizabeth, "you don't look anything like your father."

"My father?" Elizabeth repeated in confusion, for a moment forgetting that they weren't speaking of the Governor.

"Bill Turner," Pintel said. "You don't look a bit like him. Must have taken after your mother."

Elizabeth realized they were talking about Will's father, "Oh, you knew Will's- Will Turner?"

"Old Bootstrap Bill," Pintel nodded. "Shame what happened, but then again, we wouldn't have our Fins if Old Bill didn't send that medallion to you."

Elizabeth recognized the name Bootstrap faster than Philip had. The conclusion of Will's heritage went unspoken as Elizabeth was determined to keep him safe. She stayed silent the rest of the meal, slowly picking at her food while the pirates conversed with The Mermaid, who would occasionally taunt Elizabeth.

When it came time for the duo to leave, Pintel jokingly patted Elizabeth on the shoulder.

"Don't look so glum. Who knows?" Pintel laughed. "Maybe that lover boy Governor's son the Captain keeps telling everyone about it will come save you."

Elizabeth glared at the pirate, "I doubt it."

The pirates left the room with raucous laughter. The second they closed the door, The Mermaid resumed her docile form.

"I'm sorry about them," The Mermaid apologized. "Did you know about Bill Turner?"

"No," Elizabeth shook her head. "Was he truly a pirate?"

"I've been told," The Mermaid replied. "I joined the crew after his… departure."

Once again Elizabeth found herself wondering the meaning behind The Mermaid's vague words, but given no explanation.

"So…" Elizabeth pushed ahead with another topic, "Your name is Fins?"

The Mermaid chuckled, "That is simply what Ragetti and Pintel call me. Barbossa does not like it when they do, so try not to tell him they still call me that. You may call me Fins if you wish. What do you wish me to call you?"

"Elizabeth," Elizabeth smiled. She couldn't help but admit that she was starting to take a shine to The Mermaid. "I won't call you Fins if it gets anyone in trouble. What is your real name?"

A sad look flitted across The Mermaid's features, "I… do not have one."

"Why not?"

The Mermaid sighed, "It is-"

"A long story?" Elizabeth ended dryly.

"Perhaps not as long as the others," The Mermaid grinned. "What of your story? Who is this lover they speak of?"

Elizabeth flushed, "He is absolutely not my lover. He and I are very close, but there are absolutely no romantic feelings between us. In fact, I think Philip wants to be celibate."

The Mermaid frowned, "Barbossa told me his name was Nathaniel."

Elizabeth blanched, "I- Uh- Technically he's named Philip Nathaniel, but we call him by his middle-"

The Mermaid held up a hand, "Do not worry. Your secret's safe with me."

"Why would you keep my secret?"

"Because I don't want you to tell anyone that I let you free."

Elizabeth looked surprised; she had not ever considered blackmailing The Mermaid.

Maybe she wasn't approaching this with the right mindset.

"So tell me," The Mermaid continued. "Who is this Philip? Why are you so close?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"I have lived a very sheltered life, and have limited knowledge of a world beyond this ship. I am eager to know whatever I can."

Elizabeth thought very hard about how she wanted to play this. True, The Mermaid was friendly, but she was also Elizabeth's prison guard and she would rather burn in Hell than endanger Philip's life. But on the other hand, maybe it would be a good idea to have an ally on her side...

"How about this?" Elizabeth offered. "I'll tell you about Philip if you tell me what this debt you owe Barbossa is. But you must agree not to tell anyone else on this ship what I tell you or I will tell them you freed me."

The Mermaid did a double take. Could she possibly accept such an exchange? But she thought about her sheltered knowledge and ached to learn more. Perhaps Elizabeth would be less harsh on the Captain if she knew the truth about Barbossa.

"Alright," The Mermaid agreed. "But you go first. Who is this Philip?"

"He's my cousin," Elizabeth admitted.

"Cousin?" The Mermaid was shocked. "Mother's side or father's?"

"He's not a Turner, if that's what you're asking."

"Can you blame me for trying?" The Mermaid smiled coyly, "And are you and he-"

"Absolutely never going to happen ever. The thought of be with him romantically is absolutely repulsive, and people need to stop asking me about it."

"Well, it is legal for cousins to marry."

"And yet I cannot think of one thing that could make me feel more unclean and sinful than kissing Philip or doing worse." Elizabeth shook her head, trying to banish the disgusting images that had been conjured. True, even Elizabeth could admit her brother/cousin was a very attractive man, but she would rather set herself on fire than choose to reenact those images. "Philip and I have grown up together and we're best friends. He's my brother in all ways besides the fact that one of his parents and one of my parents were brother and sister. Our bond of siblinghood is so strong that I wouldn't be too surprised if he was out there looking for me right now. Of course it would be through saintly, legal channels, but he would be looking."

"Do you think he'll find you?" The Mermaid asked.

"No. That's the thing about Philip, he's not really an adventurer. But he is different."

"Different? How?"

"He's a protector through and through," Elizabeth answered. "He takes care of the people he loves, no matter what. He's selfless, honest, and above all loyal."

The Mermaid was silent as she mulled over Elizabeth's words. After years of only ever knowing men like Barbossa and his crew, it was hard to imagine a man such as the one Elizabeth was describing.

"He sounds like a good man," The Mermaid said. "If I can… I'll try to get you back to him."

The words made Elizabeth pause. Huh. Hadn't expected that promise.

Elizabeth smiled, "Thank you. Now what about Barbossa? Why do you stay here? What's this debt that you owe a man that once kept you in chains?"

The Mermaid sighed as she remembered what had transpired all those years ago.

"He let me go," The Mermaid told. "Yes, I was his prisoner for a few years, but released me."

"Then why did you come back?"

"Because… Barbossa saved my life."