CHAPTER 11 - In Which You Meet a Friendly Bird and the Ship Wouldn’t Sink

You sat on a beam high up from the deck and stared out across the water. Amazing how something so beautiful could be so cruel. You were wearing the same outfit that you had rescued Jack in and were still wearing the gold sparrow he gave you. It helped improve your peace of mind. You glanced down and groaned in disgust. Thomas had let the ropes get too slack again.

You slid down a rope and landed nimbly on the deck. After only a week on the White Wraith, you knew all the facts and tricks to sailing. Sea legs were never a problem and the entire crew was astounded by your natural ability. You strode over to the sleeping form that was Thomas and gave him a sharp kick. He jerked awake and yelled,

“No more tuna!” Your eyebrows rose at that and you just stared at him. He blushed and muttered an apology.

“As odd as that was, mate, you shouldn’t be apologizing for it,” you admonished. “You should be apologizing for sleeping on the job and allowing the ropes to get slack.” He shot up and started tightening them too quickly. They swiftly became tangled and you sighed in fatigue. "Just let me handle it, Thomas. Why don’t you go swab the deck? It needs a polish.” He nodded in thanks and hurried to do your bidding. A smile tugged at the corner of your mouth and you turned to the ropes. They surrendered to your tender care and untangled promptly. You gently tightened the ropes and grinned. Absolutely simple.

You walked over to the side of the ship and sat on the edge. Being a mermaid’s daughter gave you certain advantages, it seemed. You watched the waves and your eyes closed slowly. It was almost like your soul was drifting on the water. On a whim, you sent yourself through the ocean. A sudden vibration in the water caused your eyes to snap open. A ship was approaching. You shook your head. You couldn’t know that! You hadn’t even really been in the water so how could you know if a ship was approaching? Regardless of your doubts, you leaned over the edge and stared into the distance. A small, dark shape was on the horizon.

"Captain Turner!” you called out. "There’s a ship on the horizon, sir!” He nodded and took out his telescope. Even from where you were standing you could see him pale. You hurried towards him and asked, ”What is it?” He handed you the telescope and you looked through it. The first thing you saw was the flag. A skull and crossbones. You jolted and pushed the telescope back into Captain Turner’s hands. "All hands on deck!” you shouted. "There’s a pirate ship on the horizon! Ready the guns!” The crew hurried to do your bidding and you turned back to Bootstrap. He seemed to have snapped out of his trance and was staring at you proudly.

"I was starting to wonder who the captain was,” he explained. You blushed and apologized,

"I was out of line. I’m sorry.” He laughed.

"Don’t be ridiculous. I was just standing there and you took the necessary steps. I’m proud of you. Why don’t you help direct the men during the battle?” You smiled widely.

"It would be my pleasure, captain.” You gave him a sweeping bow and then headed off, shouting orders to the men.

The ship came closer and you saw it in more detail. She was large and unbelievably lovely. She was made of dark wood, black sails, and had a wooden maiden carved on the bow. The name was in shadows and you couldn’t make it out. She sailed up beside the White Wraith and you could see the opposing crew. A deeper instinct overcame you and suddenly you could understand the entire situation. Their crew was better trained and larger. Your crew was made up of thin men who worked hard but didn’t know the first thing about sword fighting. This wasn’t going to work out well. "Fire the cannons!” you yelled. A resounding boom answered you order and the other ship swiftly fired as well. Your extended senses registered the damage. Oh, shit. It was a direct hit. The White Wraith was taking on water. The pirates swung onto the ship and attacked your crew. They fought valiantly but it didn’t matter. Within minutes, the entire crew was being ushered onto the other ship. Frustrated, you groaned. You were sitting in the mast again. Scared? Hells, no! The height helped you think clearly. What you needed, you decided, was leverage.

Power flowed into your fingers and you gasped at the sensation. The White Wraith would not sink while you were standing on it. No ship would. You looked at the pirate ship and winced. It wouldn’t stay afloat much longer without some repairs.

You leapt off the mast and landed on deck. Everyone stopped and stared. Understandably, most people don’t jump from places that are more than 6 feet off the ground. Then a familiar slurred voice asked,

"Selene? Is that you?” You spun around and the person you saw made your jaw drop.

"Captain Sparrow?” you asked. He grinned and swaggered up to you. He gave you the same exaggerated bow he had given you when you met.

"The one and only, darling,” he answered you. He caught sight of the sparrow he had given you and smiled even wider. ”I’m glad you’re enjoying that necklace, luv.” You rolled your eyes but a blush crept up on your cheeks, regardless. The Black Pearl, for it was undoubtedly the Black Pearl, creaked loudly and Jack’s eyes narrowed in concern.

"Captain Sparrow, you don’t have much time. I can fix your ship but everyone needs to get off the White Wraith first. It’s going to sink when I leave it and I won’t leave until all the rest of you are safe.” Jack stared at you.

"What are you saying, luv?” he asked. You groaned and turned him around to face his crew.

"I’m saying: get everyone off this damn ship!” you yelled into his ear. He winced.

"You heard the lady you mangy dogs! Get back to the Pearl!” he ordered. Everyone hurried off to the other ship and you pushed Jack ahead of you.

"All right, luv, I’m going! But I expect an explanation once we get on the Pearl.” You just continued to push him. The moment you stepped on the plank the White Wraith sank into the sea. Jack was just a step ahead of you, so before you both tumbled into the wreck you pushed him onto the Black Pearl. You landed on top of him on deck. Jack looked at you and grinned. "I suppose that makes the score 4 to 1, luv.”

* * * * *

CHAPTER 12 - In Which There is a Reunion and an Explanation

Blushing madly, you pushed yourself off of Jack and began to walk toward Captain Turner. Sudden realization struck you and you swung back around to Jack.

“Jack,” you said softly. “I think there’s someone you need to see.” He looked confused until you pointed to Captain Turner. His eyes grew wide as he whispered, “William?”

They both walked forward cautiously. For several moments they only stared at each other. Then they embraced, albeit briefly, but it was obviously an emotional reunion. You grinned as they both spoke quickly saying how they thought the other was dead and all the stuff they’d been up to.

Deciding to leave them alone, you walked to the side of ship and stared at the horizon. Everything was working rather strangely, in your opinion. Here you were, sailing on the oceans you despised and feeling some strange things for a man you should also despise. Now fate had brought the two of you together again. Explaining your story might be a little bit more complicated than you liked.

“Miss Morgan, could you come here for a moment?” Captain Turner called. With a sigh, you prepared for a rather difficult explanation. Jack was already looking confused.

“Morgan?” he asked you. You grinned and mimicked the sweeping bow he gave you.

“Miss Selene Morgan, daughter of Ryan Morgan and the mermaid, Aqua, at your service.” Jack’s eyes narrowed in concentration and you suppressed the urge to giggle.

“Maybe you should start from the beginning, luv,” he suggested.

So, with the occasional comment from Bootstrap, you explained the entire mess to Jack. All about how your parents met, your adoption, and your strange heritage. He took it fairly well.

“So, you’re a mermaid,” he said.

“Half-mermaid,” you corrected.

“Uh-huh.” He nodded and thought for a moment. “Well, where are we headed?” A slow smile spread across your face.

“I believe that Bootstrap here can provide you with that information,” you said. The two men walked off to the helm and began to discuss the course. You helped the crew adjust to their new surroundings and worked with the rest of the pirates. Still, no matter how busy you made yourself, you couldn’t quite ignore the way that Jack would stare at you with a smile on his face and an odd look in his eyes.

* * * * *

Author’s Note: Horribly short, I know. But it’s more of a transition chapter than anything else. The next chapter is far more interesting, I assure you.

* * * * *

CHAPTER 13 - In Which You See With Immortal Eyes

On the Black Pearl, it took little to no time to reach Tortuga. The White Wraith had been swift but what with errands that had to be done and goods to be transported, it would have taken quite a while to get to where you wanted to go. The dark cove seemed fraught with secrets and danger. You enjoyed the sight and handled your impatience rather well. Soon you would know about your mother and the danger that had chased you since birth.

Then there was Jack. Glancing up at the troublesome captain, you smirked. You had a tendency to complicate simple matters. Falling in love was not an option at the present moment. You barely knew the man, anyway.

He saw that you were watching him and smiled at you. Pleasure shot through your system and you smiled back. His rich brown eyes took in your face. Almost, you could feel his touch. Both of you turned back to what you were doing. Resigned, you sighed. You were doomed.

Tortuga was chaotic, violent, and heavily intoxicated. You found it quite refreshing. After years of corsets and weak tea, your thirst for adventure had grown steadily greater. You smirked. Well, you were certainly deep in one now.

Bootstrap and Jack were at either side of you and you had the distinct impression that they were guarding you. It was a sweet thought, you reminded your inner rebellion. Sweet, it replied, but highly unwanted. You hadn’t asked for their protection. They just automatically jumped to protect the weak, defenceless woman.

With a silent curse, you ignored the men beside you. Instead, your eyes wandered around your surroundings. Then, something completely unexpected made you stop walking and stare. Two women, one dressed in red and the other in green Roman togas, were leaning against a wall discussing something. Both were unbelievably beautiful and seemed to have an ethereal glow about them.

Ignoring the puzzled looks you were receiving from Jack and Bill, you walked towards them. They stopped talking immediately and just stared at you. Their golden hair floated around them and their electric blue eyes shimmered.

“Excuse me,” you said awkwardly. ”I know this must sound strange but- who are you?” They both smiled widely.

“I knew it!” the one in red exclaimed. ”I told you she was the one!” The lady in green rolled her eyes.

“Oh, please, you were just lucky.” The other lady grinned.

“Well, naturally.” By this time you were completely confused. The one in red seemed to sense this. ”Oh, I’m sorry. We’re probably not making any sense to you. Let me introduce myself. I,” she said grandly, ”am Fortuna, Roman goddess of love and sexuality, also known as Lady Luck.”

“And I,” the other said, ”am Flora, Roman goddess of sex, fertility, promiscuity, and spring.” You stared in shock.

“You’re goddesses?” you managed to ask. They giggled.

“Poor Selene,” Fortuna cooed. ”You must be all mixed up.” You jolted at that.

“How do you know my name?” you asked. They laughed even louder.

“All the gods know about you!” Flora exclaimed. ”You’re Selene Morgan, daughter of a mermaid and a pirate. Chosen by the sea itself to be given authority over it.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying,” you murmured. Jack came up behind you.

“Who are you talking to, luv?” You looked at him and then back to the goddesses.

“You can’t see them,” you said, realization dawning. They nodded but Jack looked confused.

“Are you all right, Selene?” he asked, concerned. You nodded.

“I’m fine, Jack. I’m just getting some questions answered,” then you asked the goddesses, ”Could you please explain to me what you seem to know?” They both sighed and shook their heads.

“It’s not our place to say,” Fortuna told you. ”You should ask Cordemanon. It’s his job to know such things.” You sighed and looked up at a very confused Jack.

“I’m not sure why you can’t see them, Jack. I do know that I have to discover this alone. Please, tell Bill that I won’t need his friend after all. I found my own.” He seemed to hesitate and then nodded reluctantly.

“You’ll have a lot to explain to me later,” he told you.

“Don’t I always?”

* * * * *

CHAPTER 14 - The Bleeding Mess is Explained

You, Selene Morgan, couldn’t understand how you’d gotten into this mess. As you followed Fortuna and Flora, that was the only thought that could make its way through your head. How had all of this happened?

Maybe falling off the battlements had triggered this chain reaction. If you hadn’t done that, you certainly wouldn’t know Jack and… Well, that was really all you could think of. Everything else that had happened since then wasn’t entirely related to that one event.

Was it when you agreed to go with Mrs. Cooper? Was that the trigger? If you hadn’t gone with Mrs. Cooper... You’d have starved in the gutter. Sighing, you shook your head. Obviously it was a lost cause. You’d have ended up at this time and place no matter what. Each choice you made had been necessary.

“Of course they were necessary,” Fortuna exclaimed suddenly. “The Fates already decided what was to be done and how it would come about. You only lived the plan.” You decided to ignore the fact that you hadn’t said a word out loud.

“That’s very depressing,” you told her. “Everything has already been decided and we can’t change it. What a downright gloomy thought.” Flora waved a hand carelessly.

“Fortuna didn’t explain it properly. Fate doesn’t control you. It just gives you choices. Sure, there’s a purpose to each life and that’s what’s already been planned but it’s up to you how you get there. Sometimes the choices are a little bit more obvious.” The goddesses halted in front of a shabby looking door and turned to you.

“Cordemanon is the Celtic god of knowledge,” Fortuna explained softly. “He’ll explain to you about your birth and what it entails. Don’t fear him. He’s a right friendly chap.” She grinned then vanished. Flora kissed your cheek, winked and then vanished as well.

You knocked softly, still blown away by what you’d just seen. Women usually didn’t vanish right in front of your eyes.

“Come in,” a warm voice beckoned. Taking one last deep breath of the real world, you opened the door and stepped in. The area looked like a typical run-down room you might find at an inn. A man sat in front of the fire, his back toward you.

“Excuse me?” you called. “I was told that I might find someone named Cordemanon here.” He stood up and you gasped. The top of his head brushed the ceiling! Cordemanon, for that was obviously who it was, smiled at you.

“You found me, as I think you can guess.” Gray-blue eyes twinkled at you from out of a smooth, handsome face. “How are you, Selene?”

“Fairly well, except for the fact that everyone around here seems to know me.”

“You consider that a bad thing?” He sat back down and gestured for you to take the chair opposite him. “Most people want to be known. Take your friend Jack Sparrow for instance.”

“Captain Jack Sparrow,” you corrected, taking your seat.

“Yes,” he admitted, smiling. “Captain Jack Sparrow is his title. And he’s more than thrilled when someone knows his name. Why wouldn’t you be?”

“Because the people who know my name here seem to know all about me. I don’t even know all about me!”

“And know we come to the point of it. You want to know your history.” You nodded. “Very well then, I shall tell you. Your mother, Aqua, was a mermaid.”

“I know that,” you informed him. His eyebrows rose.

“I’m very aware of that. I do know everything.”

“Oh.”

“I was simply building up to the point. When your mother met your father, she wanted more than anything to join him on land. But obviously there was that little problem of not having legs. So, she went to Poseidon and pleaded with him. He surprisingly agreed to free her of the sea. It was a shock to all the gods and goddesses at the time. Poseidon never did anything if it couldn’t benefit himself. Later we realized that he hadn’t.

“He made your mother promise to give him something. He didn’t tell her what it was, so clever was he. Poseidon knew she would have refused. But since she was ignorant of his intent, she agreed willingly. He gave her legs and that was that. Until your birth, that is.

“Your mother and your father stood together on the bow of the White Wraith, cooing over your tiny form. It was then that Poseidon revealed what he wanted of your mother. He came to her and demanded that she give you to him.

“The sea had lately begun to seek the help of the other gods to rid it of Poseidon’s rule. He’s an awful sort. Very selfish and arrogant, controlling the sea without a thought to its benefit. We provided the ocean with a loophole. If it could have a different ruler, of mythical decent and of its own choosing, then it would be content. It agreed and immediately chose the offspring of Aqua, who had yet to be born. Poseidon caught wind of its plan as you’ve no doubt suspected.”

“Yes,” you murmured. ”I thought as much.” You looked up at him and asked, ”What did my mother do?”

“She denied his request, of course. And such was his rage that he pulled your father into the sea. The rest of the story you know very well.” All was silent for a time but questions still lingered.

“Why is the sea trying to kill me if I’m supposed to rule it?” Cordemanon laughed aloud.

“The sea isn’t trying to kill you! It’s Poseidon that’s doing that. He still has dominion over the waves while you’re a mortal. And he wants you to die in the sea very badly. If you die in the sea, your soul belongs to him. You’d be in his control and he would forever rule the ocean.”

“What am I?” you asked. It had been bothering you for some time. You knew you were half-mermaid but it was more than that. Wasn’t it?

“You, my dear Selene, are a goddess.”

* * * * *

(Author’s Note: It’s been an eternity, hasn’t it? My inspiration just died on me. But the muse is back and I hope to finish this tale soon.)

* * * * *

CHAPTER 15 - The Score is Evened

If you hadn’t been sitting, you would have fallen down. Your body was completely numb. Somehow, you couldn’t take in what Cordemanon had just said.

“I… am a goddess?”

“Yes, you are of mythical descent and were a suitable candidate. The sea gave you its allegiance. Haven’t you noticed little things about you that seemed strange? Things that defied explanation?” You started to protest but then remembered. The ship wouldn’t sink while you were on it. You didn’t make a sound when you got out of the bath. You could feel disturbances in the water even when you weren’t in it.

“What do I do?” you asked. He shrugged.

“I can’t tell you what path to take. That is completely up to you. I do suggest, however, that you settle this dispute with Poseidon. Soon.” The fire went out and Cordemanon looked up. “I must go, little goddess. Best of luck.” He vanished. You shivered. What was it with gods and vanishing like that? Was there some sort of rule book that required them to make dramatic exits?

* * * *

The wind had kicked up by the time you made it back to the docks. You could still hear gunshots and wild screams from town but it was an oddly distant sound, as if heard through a seashell.

“Selene!” Jack’s shouting finally reached your ears and you realized he was gesturing wildly for you to get down. You looked over your shoulder, spotting two pirates engaged in what could be described as a duel. A hand jerked you to the side as a wild bullet careened past your head. “Woman,” Jack growled. “When I say get down, I mean get down!” His eyes widened briefly at something over your head and he immediately slammed you into the ground.

“What the bloody hell…?” The hole in the barrel just behind you silenced your complaints. It was then that you remembered the favors owed to you. “3 to 4, Jack,” you whispered in his ear. He rolled his eyes.

“That’s not my main concern just now, luv.” Even as you laughed together, you felt your skin begin to tingle. Everything was happening at a distance for you, nothing quite real. When the wood beneath you creaked and shuddered before finally breaking away, you were not surprised. Even with the supernatural help you fell through the boards and into the ocean.

You took a breath of seawater before you thought clearly and it passed just as smoothly as air. The current pulled you further out yet you didn’t fight it. An odd tingly sensation crept up your legs and lingered in your fingertips. It would be all too easy to swim away into the very depths of the ocean, never to see the surface world again.

With that thought, the tingle in your legs became an itch and the itch became a burn. You began scratching madly, willing to do anything just to get that horrid burning to stop. The trousers were ripped by your nails and you could see something push up against your skin in a wave. You peeled back the skin so you could finally see the silver-green shimmer of your scales.

They were so very beautiful. You leaned closer to your leg, pulling little pieces of your skin away from the scales. If you could only strip the rest of flesh away then you could see all your scales. An idea that would repulse any mortal greatly appealed to you. To finally see who you really were…

Something covered your mouth. Caught by surprise, you struggled uselessly in an iron grip. You could breathe water as easily as the air but you had to breathe something! A black force filled up your throat, blocking everything out. Your chest began to ache with a slow burn, like hot coals being stirred into a roaring fire. Spots danced in front of your eyes and everything started to spin.

No, you thought dimly. I can’t die. Not now. And then you were only watching.

You watched with morbid curiosity as a black-haired girl suffocated. She kicked weakly, too much strength sapped away with her air and water. Another figure floated in the water near to the dying girl, weeping uselessly. It occurred to you that she looked terribly familiar. Then you realized it was the dying girl, only it wasn’t. This woman had a long silver-green tail and her face was older.

“Please,” she begged. “Please, leave my child alone!” Someone dove into the water, swimmingly fast and sure toward the dying girl. He pulled her away from the blackness that was stealing her life and kicked up to the surface. You followed as if tied to the girl by a frail string that might break but while it stayed strong would keep you with her throughout all struggles.

The hero breathed into the victim’s mouth, pumping her chest. “Come on, luv,” he murmured to her. “I still owe you a favor. You can’t die on me now.” She lay still and unmoving but he continued to talk. “You can bloody well hear me. I know it. You’re going to live. Wonder how I know this? Well, luv, I’m Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy?” Something pulled you back into the black-haired girl. You opened your eyes and began to cough violently, desperate for air.

“Jack?” you asked softly.

“Yes, luv?”

“We’re even.” You resolutely shut your eyes and fell asleep in his arms, listening to his relieved laughter.

TBC...

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