Hearts Across the Sea: 10

[spacebabie]

Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean and all related characters belong to Walt Disney, Gore, Jerry, Ted and Terry.

Original Characters such as Julia Carlisle and Abigail Peterson are my own creation.

Characters: James Norrington, Theodore Groves, Murtogg, Mullroy, William Turner, Elizabeth Turner, Julia Carlisle, Abigail Peterson.

Setting: A few months after The Chosen.

 

Hearts Across the Sea

 

Chapter 10: The Three

-

James woke to the feeling he was seated in his bathtub. The first sensation he had felt was the water he was seated in from his midsection down. He was seated, but instead of feeling his legs stretched out forward he felt them dangling. This wasn’t like the bathtub he had used back in his home at Port Royal. He brought his legs back until his feet came in contact with what he was seated on. By the grainy surface he was certain it was a rock, although it was a rock that was smoothed to where one can sit with comfort. His back felt more of the semi smooth grain and his hands- He opened his eyes when he felt he couldn’t move his arms. They were stretched out, not too far; his elbows were bent and relaxed. His wrists were bound by rope. He turned his head to see what had served as pillow and found more of the dark green moss.

“Hello,” James wasn’t certain if he should speak. On one hand it would let his captors know he was awake, and he can find out what was really going on, on the other hand by letting them know he was awake would mean he was nearing the same fate as those who had been eaten. “I want to let you know by not only keeping me captive you have risked crossing the entire royal navy.”

The area was quiet and James tried to stare around him. He was seated at the edge of a natural underground pool. There was not as much of the illuminated fungus as there were in his living quarters, but more than in the room when he had made the horrifying discovery. He stared at his bindings and looked around, trying to figure out a way to cut through them.

He turned back toward the deep end of the pool when he felt the paranoid sensation he wasn’t alone and stared wide eyed as two shadows swam toward him. Squinting he could make out round heads, human like torsos, arms and long fish tails.

James swallowed when the two figures shifted in the water and surfaced, their heads poked through the clear water and stared at him. One was male with hair as dark as ink and golden eyes. The other was female with chestnut colored hair and ghostly pale green eyes; both had large ears, shaped like the fins of a fish.

“So this is what your plans are,” James swallowed his fear. “Take my crew and myself to your underground home so you could fatten us up and eat us.”

The mermaid shook her head. “Our goddess wants you for herself.” Her voice was pleasant, musical in fact.

“We didn’t eat everyone,” the male added he kept his mouth open, showing his  mouthful of sharp and pointed teeth.

His words gave James some hope. “My crew is still alive?”

The male nodded. “They are all being taken care of, the same way you were taken care of until you trespass where you were not supposed to step.”

“What of the other ships you attacked? Three of England’s ships had come this way and you had sunk all of them,” James did not allow his voice to falter, not even when a third merfolk swam towards him. “Are they also taken care of?”

“They were until they had been sorted.”

“Those are the skeletons that I have seen,” James clenched his fist and paid no attention to the third figure as it surfaced. “I will see to it that you and the rest of your kind will be hunted down, like the monsters that you are.”

“Don’t be rude James,” the honeyed voice of Lorel reached his ears. She was the third. “They will be your kind within the week.” Except for the large and semi translucent ears and her paler eyes she appeared exactly the same. Her fire gold hair stuck to her shoulders and back.

“Lorel,” James felt his tongue go numb. “You were one of them?”

“I am their goddess,” she smiled proudly before she turned to the others. “You may go now.”

The two merfolk nodded before they sank beneath the surface and swam towards the darkness.

“You are a mermaid?” James still couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He tried to see her tail beneath the surface. “You had legs.”

“I can change my form whenever I please,” Lorel swam closer to him. “I can even be in the water and have my legs, the others have to wait until they are dry before they change shape.”

That was how the others were taking care of his crew. “You have attacked several innocent ships.”

“Two,” she held up her fingers. Her finger nails were longer than before and there was translucent webbing connecting the two by the middle joints. “Two merchant ships and one Navy vessel. We had seen a group of disgusting humans take down the other, killed many aboard before setting the ship on fire.”

“Pirates,” James took a chance to guess.

“That is your word for them, filthy beings. We wouldn’t even want to eat them, much less need them for our purpose.”

“What other purpose?” James asked.

“You will find out,” she swam even closer to him, and James remembering his state of nudity tried to shift. “Still have your mind hung up by that human problem. You do have nice legs.”

“I,” James felt something soft and delicate brush against his shins and realized it was her flukes. “Could you please not do that?”

“I am sorry,” Lorel grabbed onto his shoulders. “I know this is a new experience for you.”

“Miss Lorel,” James felt his whole face turn pink when he felt her scales against his legs and the weight of her backside on his lap. “I must pro-“she scooted closer to his most vulnerable area. “Test.” The word came out in an almost squeak.

“I should adjust; you are poking me a bit, although if I am completely away from it I would fall off, such an impressive size that it is.”

James couldn’t speak. His breath game in labored rasps and he felt himself either staring into her eyes or the gills in her neck.

“I am proud of my choice,” she ran a finger against his chest. “Very nice and very strong,” she brushed her palm against his chin. “And you are very handsome and clever, although you were naughty going past the red stones.”

“Is this your full intent?” James asked. “You wish to,” he couldn’t force the right words out of his mouth. “With me before you eat me.”

“No James Norrington, I do not. I intend to have you by my side forever. How do you feel about being immortal?”

“I wouldn’t know,” He no longer knew what her plans were.

“You will find out soon enough.” She pressed her lips against his. “I’ll make it easier for you. When you wake up, you will be in your bed again.” She sang softly, causing James to sink into deep sleep once again.

-

“Lieutenant Donnelly,” Theodore stared into the eyes of the young Irishman before he made his decent down the side of the Atlantis. “I leave you in charge until we return.”

“Yes Captain,” the young lieutenant nodded. “Will you be long?”

“Hopefully it won’t be for a few more hours,” Theodore said. He himself wasn’t certain. Whitecap had mentioned the Three lived an hour away by foot. It would be faster by carriage.

“We will protect the ship until you return.”

“Thank you,” Theodore tried to ignore the feeling of tiny fingernails digging into his waistcoat. He had hid Whitecap under his overcoat, keeping her out of the unknowing and unsuspecting eyes of his crew. He had told her to be careful and he could feel her body warmth against his.

“They both have left,” William Turner explained once Theodore’s feet had touched the pier. “The marines, they went to get the carriages.”

“Like I have asked,” Theodore adjusted the collar of his overcoat to allow Whitecap to poke her head through.

“Can she change shape now?” Abigail asked. “Or do we have to wait until we are far away from Atlantis?”

“Abigail,” Julia addressed her friend in a sharp tone.

“Why would you want her to transform?” Elizabeth asked. “And what would you like her to transform into.”

“If she were in the form of a child or dog, or even a bird then she wouldn’t have to depend on Captain Groves to carry her around everywhere.”

“I could change into a human,” Whitecap said softly. “I wouldn’t want to be a burden upon anyone.”

“A human child?” Abigail asked hopefully.

“You are not a burden upon anyone,” Theodore brushed his thumb against the top of Whitecap’s head, right between the fin like growths. “Even if I have to hide you.” He glared at Abigail. “Why would you wish she be a child, and not an adult?”

“Because her mannerisms are childlike,” Abigail explained. “It would seem quite odd to see a young woman act in such a manner, as is the same for her voice.”

“Miss Peterson,” Theodore stepped toward her. “She is not a child and is possibly centuries old.”

“One hundred and seventy two,” Whitecap confirmed. “But considering how long my species can live it would be the same as a human who is only thirteen or fourteen years in age.”

“She can change into a human of that age,” Abigail smiled.

“Miss Peterson, Whitecap will change into what form of her so choosing and it is also her choice when she changes.”

“I was only trying to offer a helpful suggestion.”

“I don’t think you were helping,” Julia sighed and stepped back.

“Mr. Turner,” Theodore decided to shift the subject. “How long have they been gone?”

“Not too long,” William had chosen not to engage in the earlier conversation. “They may be here soon.”

“The sooner the better,” Theodore had no idea what kind of change had overcome Abigail recently. After she had released the seagull back to the wild she had become quite annoying, and rude, especially when it concerned Whitecap. She had come close to insulting the small faerie. “The civilians will ride in one.”

“Why can’t Elizabeth or I ride with you?” Abigail asked. “Or have all the men in one and all the women, including Whitecap in another.”

“I have already made the decision.”

“I was just questioning, Theodore.”

“Captain Groves,” he corrected.

“Very well,” she stared at him coldly before she turned her back and stepped closer to Elizabeth and Julia.

Theodore remained undaunted. He ignored Julia’s dropped jaw, William’s uncomfortable shuffling and Whitecap’s gasp. He steered his eyes away from the awkward display when he heard the sound of hoofbeats and wheels. They were smaller than the carriages in Port Royal and did not have any roofs, considering how rare they were they cost quite the penny, luckily both Abigail and Julia brought along plenty of money.  Murtogg and Mullroy have returned not a moment too soon.

-

Elizabeth couldn’t stand the near silence. She and Will had been discussing what the mysterious three could be and about the scenery they had passed by. It had only taken her a few minutes before she realized that only she and William were the only ones talking.

Julia had remained silent; her expression had changed from pensive to forlorn. She occasionally pulled out the pocket watch James had given her and stared at it for a long time.

Abigail was still livid when she stepped into the carriage and sulked through most of the ride with her arms crossed. She had occasionally mumbled and muttered something and Julia had raised an eyebrow at her words, but no conversation had broken out.

“Abigail what is wrong?” Elizabeth had asked after a long while.

“Nothing is wrong,” Abigail answered in an irritated clip “Captain Groves has his faerie to guide him.”

“This is unbelievable,” It had finally struck Elizabeth. “I can’t believe you are actually jealous of Whitecap.”

“I am not jealous,” Abigail rolled her eyes. “For me to be jealous would actually mean that I fancy Captain Groves.”

“You do,” Julia said softly. “You started to fancy him when you followed him around and he made you take inventory months ago.”

“You do think he is a fine man.”

“He does look handsome,” Abigail nodded. “That doesn’t mean I fancy him.”

“It is not my place to say,” Will coughed uncomfortably and stared out the window. “Is that one of the three?”

“What?” Elizabeth felt the carriage come to a stop. “Where?” She stared out the window.

“There,” Will point to a young woman sitting on a bench outside a hut. Her long dark hair almost appeared a deep shade of blue in the sunlight, but that was not the most particular part about the woman. The dress she was wearing seemed out of place, it was something out of a painting that was made two centuries ago.

“She could be,” Elizabeth opened the carriage door.

“Elizabeth wait,” Will called after.

Elizabeth didn’t wait she ran around the side and paused when she came across the same woman as before. The woman was still seated the same and held the same book, but her dress had changed. The sleeves had completely faded away and was a simple off white color. Her arms dripped with heavy golden bands.

“Excuse me,” Elizabeth addressed the woman. “I hope am not interrupting you.”

“You are not,” the woman did not look up. “None of you are. In fact we have been expecting you.”

“You are one of The Three?” Theodore Groves asked. He and the others had stepped out of their carriages.

“She is the spinner of the thread,” Whitecap explained. “The eldest sister or at least what I have been told.”

“We do not spin threads,” the strange woman closed her book and set it down beside her. “Nor measure or cut. We have gone through a few periods where we did get into the sewing arts. A few Greeks and Scandinavians have seen us at work and they formed their own theory.”

“Who are you?” Will asked.

“I have been given many names by the many cultures, but I loved the name the Latvians have given me and I go by that. You may call me Laima,” she turned to the door. “Sisters, we have guests.”

“Why is her hair that color?” Murtogg whispered. “I thought it was black, but now it is blue?”

“She is immortal,” Mullroy said. “Her hair can be any color she wants.”

“Have they arrived?” Two more women stepped out. The first caused Elizabeth to blink. She was wearing the exact same clothes Elizabeth wore when she left Port Royal for Tortuga. Her hair was also strange in color it was deep red, almost purple.

“They are here,” the third clasped her hands together, causing the little bells at the sleeves of her gown to jingle. The top of her gown covered everything, not stopping until it had reached her neck. Like the others her hair was also an odd color. In the shadows it was blond, but in direct sunlight it took on green tints.

“They are an odd group,” Abigail whispered to Elizabeth.

“Do the three of you have a name,” Julia asked. “Something to call you besides the three?”

Laima nodded. “Some have simply called us the Laima’s, some have called us the Three Sisters, some have called us the Norns.”

“Some have mistaken us for Furies,” the second woman said. “Although we did have the snake hair once when we shared a single eye, but that was only one time.”

“We were in a play,” the third sister added. “We were also known as the mother, maiden and the crone.”

“I believe we get the idea,” Groves spoke up. “We were told you can help us find us the location of Admiral Norrington and the crew of the Naiad.

“We can tell you,” Laima said. “I shall go first since that is where we start, with the past.” Her clothing had started to melt, change shape and shift around onto her body until it became something that resembled a dress a peasant would wear in the times of King Arthur.

“Look here Captain Groves,” Laima handed the book to Groves. “I have drawn what had happened.”

Groves held the book and flipped through the pages. Both Elizabeth and Will crowded near him and looked over his shoulder. The drawings were quick and elaborate, but were easy to tell what was going on. They saw mermaids singing, naval officer being entranced, the ship crashing, and the merfolk dragging the men down below the depths.

“I have already informed them of this,” Whitecap said.

“I can only show what the past is,” Laima said. “Veridandi can show you the present.”

“Unlike my sister I do not draw,” the red head said. Her outfit had also changed. The gown she wore was similar to the dresses Elizabeth and the other women wore. “I am a poet.”

“I don’t think they want to hear your explanations,” the third sister caused Elizabeth’s jaw to drop. She wore a sleeveless pale blue shirt and black trousers that shone from the sun light. Several bands of silver encircled her wrists.

“Under in a cave,” Veridandi spoke. “The Nymph keeps Norrington bound. Others are the same.”

“That was a poem?” Will blinked. “It was too short and nothing rhymed.”

“There are several different types of poems,” Verdandi explained. “She has shown her true colors this queen of the sea. The men are kept away from his eyes. Everything is planned according to she, hasn’t told him her true name is Lorelei. She kept him them safe in soft beds, and has given them plenty to eat. The admiral made a discovery of deep dread and she has shown herself without her feet.”

“They are safe,” Julia said softly.

“Not for long,” Veridandi turned to the third sister. “It is your turn, Atropos.”

“Laaa,” Atropos stretched out her arms and sang. “They think there is nothing left that has been discovered. Where that was first settled of the New World, becomes the launch to the new Terra Incognita. We will send a message in a bottle, but the bottle will be flat and golden.”

“Atropos,” Verdiandi spoke too sharply. “That is too far.”

“Sorry,” Atropos smiled innocently. “You do not mind if I also don’t rhyme, or I maybe I will.”

“We don’t mind,” Elizabeth said.

“Not all will eaten when the moon turns full, some will be changed to serve their burning need. The Admiral will become immortal and will have fins of his own, the Nymph’s new mate for many many years.”

“That is what they mean by toy?” Whitecap gasped. “But I have heard she grows bored with them and tosses them aside.”

“They become depressed, those they care have died, their hearts have been crushed, and no longer can carry on,”

“No,” Julia gasped. “That is not going to happen. He will not have his heart used and broken.”

“Not again,” Elizabeth added.

“You are in luck,” Atropos said. “The future has yet been written, nothing is set in stone. That was one of the possibilities, from what my sisters have told me about Lorelei’s past.”

“The full moon is a few days from now,” Murtogg frowned.

“Where is this Lorelei?” Theodore asked.

“We do not know the path,” Veridandi began. “He who does is waiting now, right next to your ship.”

“We need to return to the ship as fast as possible,” Groves instructed.

Elizabeth nodded and turned to Julia. “You will be all right?”

“I will,” Julia said. “I have to be, for him.”

-