Swallowed in the Sea: Chap. 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean or any characters involved. Nor do I own the song Swallowed in the Sea by Coldplay.

Swallowed in the Sea: A Path of Freedom

Chapter 1 - An Uncertain Decision</i>

Quiet footsteps patted into the bedroom Elizabeth resided in, where she was curled up in a chair that faced the open window. The visitor’s entrance triggered her lady-like mannerisms, causing her to rub the tears from her rose-tinted cheeks and correct her posture. Squinting in the shadows, she attempted to identify who had disrupted her grieving and noted it to be Will. He carefully eased himself onto her bedside, all the while noticing she had turned her stare back towards the window. Silence blanketed the room, letting a melancholic sensation linger. His mouth gaped as he tried to snatch up some words jumbled in his head.  He hesitantly drew his lips together once his mind blanked to stifle back the nonsensical words he had conjured. How do you console a woman whose father, her only family, had just passed away?

Close to a year had gone by since Jack had been rescued along with his precious ship and their adventure had neared an end. Elizabeth and Will had even smiled on as Jack had sailed off into the sunset with his most prized possession, the Black Pearl, with a triumphant smirk. Yes, everything turned out perfect – that is for everyone excluding Elizabeth. She felt as if she were the only one who was miserable with the way everything returned to normal. Despite her rage, though, she saw how joyful Will was and restrained from unloading her troubles onto him. So stubbornly, she continued to keep her mouth shut and bottled up her bitterness.

Elizabeth was not the type of individual, though, who was capable of concealing herself behind a mask of phoniness. Before long, the hostility she felt gnawing away at her core became unbearable. One evening, when she was on the verge of exploding with rants, she was notified that her father had passed away in his sleep. The immense amount of frustration she had immediately warped into depression. Nearly a week had gone by since the funeral, and she had insisted on spending it by moping around her bedroom day after day.

“You can’t stay crying in your room forever, Elizabeth. I know you want to run away from the pain, but you know it’s impossible and that you have to move on.” She winced then narrowed her gaze; feeling like he had invaded her thoughts. As she contemplated whether or not to waste her energy on quarreling with him, she felt his hand on her shoulder. ‘Sorry, blacksmith hands’ her mind centered out the one memory of when they were aboard the commandeered Interceptor. Lately, she was finding it wearisome to think clearly due to the hoards of memories that continually crowded her head. Elizabeth stood then swayed as she headed towards the balcony for some fresh air; planted in a chair for a long while had certainly affected her balance.  

As she stepped out onto the platform, a crisp drift lifted her flowing locks in its wispy grasp that sent a surge of euphoria coursing through her. The pale beams of moonlight reaching out towards Port Royal illuminated all it could touch, casting a wave of serenity over the island. It was quite a sight to lay eyes upon but even though all seemed peaceful now, a distant scent carried on the winds predicted the coming of midnight showers.  
After inhaling the rain’s fragrance, she released it once gaining the satisfaction she longed for. Gazing out to the broad waters, she felt another brush of wind against her face. The brine glistened under the moonlight, mesmerizing her with its luminosity. Its simplistic beauty caused her to reminisce upon when she voyaged as a pirate. The refreshing sea mist against her skin, dirt smudged on her cheeks, the exhilarating rush of wielding a sword; it was paradise to her. Oh, how she yearned to have it all back; how she yearned for freedom. ‘One word, love: curiosity. You long for freedom’ Maybe Jack had been right all along. Maybe her curiosity was starting to get the better of her. Stupid Jack... she toiled over his words, striving to get past them.‘You long to do what you want to do because you want it. To act on selfish impulse’. Now she was beginning to feel provoked and it agitated her. It was as if she were actually having this conversation with him– again. ‘You want to see what its like. One day, you won’t be able to resist.’ Bloody pirate!

“Are you listening to me, Elizabeth?” the sound of Will’s voice lured her from her inner squabbling and back to reality where she was trapped in a dress which vexed her, dwelling in a luxurious mansion that seemed more like a prison, and burdened with the heartache of her father’s death. Sudden tears filled her eyes from the onslaught of angst while her hands trembled.
“I’m sorry, what was it that you were saying?” her voice cracked as she inquired and interlocked her fingers to cease her quivering.

For a moment he couldn’t help but feel irked, his eyes softened, though, when the moonlight exposed the tear traces left upon her flesh. She had just recently lost her father; he needed to be more compassionate. It was troublesome, though, trying to understand her. It seemed to him that ever since their homecoming, Elizabeth had diverged from her normal self. She had made a peculiar habit of steering towards the port and scouring the horizon in search of something he could not quite place whenever they wandered around Port Royal. When he asked her, she insisted on reusing the phrase ‘Oh, its nothing. I just think its very beautiful.’ with a forced smile. It both perturbed and disheartened him that she refused to confide in him but knew there was nothing he could do about it. What also left him unsettled was that whenever the topic of marriage occurred, she shied away and instantly shifted to another subject. Once again, he was left disheartened but knew better than to pressure her into a nuptial until he was certain she was willing.
“I said has Norrington spoken to you, yet?”
“Concerning what, exactly?” she retorted, which resulted in Will clenching his jaw with discouragement. He would have preferred she had already been told, but was disappointingly left with the honor. After inwardly cussing out Commodore (since the death of Lord Cutler Beckett – compliments of Sparrow, Norrington had regained his position as Commodore), he proceeded in informing her,
“Well, now that you’re father has...passed on, you inherit the position of governess.”

A slight gasp shot by her pursed lips as his words sunk in. Me? Governess? The thought was intriguing at first, but when she beheld the calm sea near the corner of her eye, doubts began to surface. Staggering back into the bedroom, she bit her bottom lip distressingly. She needed to accept; it was the proper choice to make, and she owed it to her father. ‘You will come over to my side, I know it’ Jack’s voice sparked both fury and hesitation inside her. Your ego astounds me, Jack she fumed, struggling to counter his remark. That’s when she came to realize she was quarreling with inane memories and figured she should concentrate on making a decision, instead.

Governess isn’t so bad...right? But the more she considered it, the more it dwindled as a preferable option. Her future would be full of constraint. There would be more restrictions, more tedious routines, and any chance of freedom she had would slip away forever. Again, the rage flared inside of her. She pinched her lips together in order to restrain herself but found it did her no good; she could no longer repress it.  

“That’s it! I’ve had enough!” Her abrupt tantrum forced Will to start in fright. After regaining his composure, he questioned what she meant.
“I’m sick of this life! I-I’m tired of having all these rules and-and having to be so lady-like. It’s frustrating and I hate it!” she stuttered, her conniption fit overwhelming her. She kicked at the air, arms flailing about, while her face beat red. After drawing a few quick breaths to calm her nerves, she sighed from overexertion.
“I wish...” she paused, leaning against the doorframe marking the entrance to the balcony then concluded, “I wish I could be free.”

Will was left reserved. He wasn’t prepared for this; especially since she had never mentioned anything to him before.  Now, he feared any advice he could offer would fall upon deaf ears. Staring blankly at her, he felt the need to wail but her angelic elegance bathed in moonlight set off sympathy instead. When she turned to face him, a single tear fell from her eye before she whimpered,
“All my life I’ve always been told what to do. But now, I have to follow my own heart; I need my freedom. I have to leave this all behind. I’m so sorry, Will.”

It took him a moment to comprehend what it was she meant, but once he understood, bewilderment struck him dumb. Leaving everything behind included him, too. As she carefully approached him, he jerked his head back and forth while muttering, “No...No.” When he broke down into sobs, she grasped his hands and squeezed them lightly while weeping along with him.
“I’m so sorry, Will,” her voice quivered and her vision blurred from tears. He drew her into his embrace, holding her intimately. Elizabeth’s eyelids flickered as she battled off her tears; it was devastating to see him so upset.

Once both had silenced their sobbing, Elizabeth withdrew and caressed his face in her hands so that his dark orbs were fixed on hers.
“I’ll never forget you, Will. I love you,” she uttered woefully.  
Despite his anguish, he couldn’t withhold a smile. Ever since the day he laid eyes on her, he had fallen in love and wished it would last forever. But it wouldn’t be possible, now. He had to let her go. Even if he forced her to stay and marry him, he knew she wouldn’t be the same captivating woman from before. In a way, he understood her need for freedom and fathomed it would be better for both of them.
“I love you, too, Elizabeth,” was all he could seem to say.  

Their lips connected and they partook in one closing kiss. Neither wanted to sever the endearment in fear of how their future would be like without one another. He cherished her scent and the way she tasted on his lips while she did the same. Finally, Will broke away, leaving a close-eyed Elizabeth clinging to his mouth for one more moment until she was only left with his tepid breath grazing her skin. The melancholic stillness from earlier returned and left them both gazing into each other’s eyes dolefully. When he could stand it no longer, Will cast his eyes to his feet and retreated for the door. He promised himself not to look back... for both their sakes.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Elizabeth’s knees caved in and she found herself bawling uncontrollably into her hands in the middle of her room. All she could ponder over was whether she was doing the right thing. Once her eyes turned sore and blood-shot, and her nose clogged, she sniffled lightly then grunted “Enough crying,”

***

The night’s promise of a downpour had not disappointed, and left the sole captain teetering down the moonlit path soaked from head to toe. The cool mists that the droplets emitted acted as a stimulant, though, so he managed to cope. The choppy waters thrashing against the dock caught his collected stare, turning it to a displeased one. “About bloody time,” he muttered lowly to himself, predicting his ship was drawing near. He swiveled his head forward again then angled his scarred tricorn so that he could mind what lay before him. As the rain ceased, he sighted someone hunched against one of the timber pilings. Scanning the area with befuddled eyes, he noticed no one in sight except for the two of them. Curious with their intentions, he waltzed over and stood before them. The tricorn they wore hid their eyes and cast an obscure shadow across their face, concealing any identity. It also made it impossible to distinguish whether they were alive or dead considering they hadn’t stirred once.
“You alive, mate?” he questioned in a rather friendly manner but was returned with a miserable grumble,
“I’m fine, now leave me alone.”  

“Well, no offense, but your idea of fine isn’t all too great. And seeing as you and I seem to be the only ones out here, what ye’ say you lay your troubles on me, hm?”

As the captain waited for a reply, silence remained; forcing him to step back in caution. The stranger tilted their hat upwards, baring the stunning featured Elizabeth Swann. She mirrored his cunning smirk and recited,
“Captain Jack Sparrow.”

“Elizabeth,” he said with a nod while her lips crept into a smile. Then, casting a glance past her proceeded to say, “Dare I ask again what it is you’re doing out here?”

“I’m waiting to catch a ship to Tortuga.”

“And just why, pray tell, is that?” Her timid eyes locked onto his boots while she fumbled with an answer.

“Well, it’s a safe haven for a pirate like me looking for a place to stay for a while – at least until I find a crew to join.”

“Ah, I see. So, you couldn’t resist…” he abstained from pestering her further when she flashed him a deathly glare. He decided on lightening the mood with another issue that only seemed to worsen things,
“And just what does William gather from this venturous decision of yours?”

“Will and I...” her voice grew dull, “Well, we’ve decided on taking separate paths. I’m sure he’s already managed to leave Port Royal.” Jack cursed silently to himself, ensuring that Elizabeth hadn’t taken notice. He had plans of exploiting Turner and now he hadn’t the time to go hunting for him. That’s when a clever idea occurred that brought a smirk to Jack’s face.
“What if I was to make you an offer, Liz?” He questioned a solemn Elizabeth who then perked up with eager eyes.
“And what kind of offer would that be?”
“What would you say to an invitation to join my crew?”
“Join…the Black Pearl?” His head bobbed and she rose to her feet in excitement.

“I accept!” She beamed and was faced with a sly smirk. As he guided her to his ship, which had just pulled into the dock, she eyed him suspiciously. She knew that mischievous look of his but when he turned back to her and signaled towards the ship, she was so overcome by enthusiasm that she completely forgot about it. As a wooden ramp was laid down to them from the ship, Jack staggered up first until he reached the deck then turned back down to her and stated,
“Last chance to back out, love. This decision is entirely up to you – I have nothing to do with it.”

“Of course I’m sure, Jack.” She shook her head feverishly then shouldered by him. As soon as she ascended onto the ship, her entire body began tingling. “I-I can’t move!” she cried as panic overwhelmed her. Elizabeth felt the bitter taste of bile in her mouth as the sudden foul stench of sulfur crowded the air. She gasped as a crowd of unrecognizable pirates stepped forward from the shadows, snickering balefully. Though difficult to perceive from the dim moonlight, each one was wounded terribly and hideously scarred. “Jack…?!” her cross tone of voice startled the captain who had attempted to creep away silently, impelling him to join up beside her and chuckle skittishly,
“Welcome to the Black Pearl!”
Elizabeth glared him down before her eyes bulged when a headless man, carrying the sulfur smell with him, clunked forward with smoke wafting from his shoulders and limbs. She gawked in alarm as he held up a severed head that roared sinisterly,
“And welcome to the race!”