Chapter Text
“Can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.” -Maya Angelou
“Well well look what we have here,” the empousa, Kelly, sneers. Kelly looks down her nose at the young girl crouching by a tiny campfire, “All out of luck now Cordelia Jackson.” Cordelia sighs, She had been hoping to end her day on a good note, not that there are good notes in Tartarus. “Look Kelly, I love handing you your ass just as much as the next demigod, but now’s not a good time,” she replies, tending to the small flame in front of her.
Kelly hisses out a laugh. “The baby sister of the famed hero of Olympus cowering at my feet, this must be my lucky day,” She leers. Cordelia bites back her retort. She helped save Olympus too, not that it matters. She lets the spick of anger settle in her to replace the constant fear. How dare Kelly mock her brother and her friends. She feigns disinterest, keeping her back to the empousa. Kelly doesn’t like this response, “What would your dear older brother say now hmm? What would Percy Jackson say if he saw you like this?” She spits his name out like a curse. Cordelia shrugs and swallows the lump in her throat.
Kelly stomps over to her slumped form. “He probably doesn’t even remember you and why would he? His pathetic excuse of a sister!” Kelly spits before grabbing Cora by the back of her collar and hoisting her to her feet. Cordelia twists her ring as Kelly spins her. The ring transforms into a sword of celestial bronze. Before Kelly can react Cora rams the sword to the hilt through Kelly’s ribcage into her heart. “You should have left when you had the chance,” Cordelia mutters. She steps back as Kelly dissolves into dust.
The demigod turns back to her fire when a blue light flashes in the corner of her eye. “What the hades,” She mutters, turning towards the light. The blue light pulses before expanding in all directions blinding her. She shields her eyes as the light pulses only grow bigger. There is a loud bang and a powerful wind starts to blow. The wind knocks her off her feet pulling her towards the light. She flips onto her stomach digging her sword into the ground. The wind only grows stronger as she is pulled toward the blue light. The howling in her ears induces a pounding in her head. The ground beneath her sword gives way and she is sucked into the blinding blue light leaving nothing but a small fire.
…
A young girl with dirty blonde hair stands at the bow of the Royal Navy ship. “Yo ho yo ho a pirate's life for me,” She sings. A hand comes down on her shoulder startling her. “Quiet, missy! Cursed pirates sail these waters. You don’t want to bring them down on us now, do ya?” An older sailor questions.
“Mr. Gibbs. That will do,” says a young man dressed in an English navy uniform.
“She was singing about pirates. Bad luck to sing about pirates, with us mired in this unnatural fog mark my words,” the older sailor, Gibbs, responded.
“Consider them marked. On your way,” the gentleman in the navy dress comments.
“I think it would be rather exciting to meet a pirate,” the young girl exclaims. The navy man gives her a short smile, “Think again Miss. Swann. Vile and dissolute creatures, the lot of them. I intend to see that any man who sails under a pirate flag or wears a pirate brand gets what he deserves: a sort of drop and a sudden stop.
The young girl confused by the navy man’s words turned to Mr.Gibbs who grabbed his cravat and stuck out his tongue like a hanged man. Miss. Swann gasped at the grim image. “Lieutenant Norrington... I appreciate your fervor, but I am concerned about the effect this subject will have on my daughter,” Miss. Swann’s father interjected.
“My apologies, Governor Swann,” Norrington responds curtly before walking to the helm.
“I find it fascinating,” the young girl tells her father.
“Yes, that’s what concerns me,” her father responds, stalking toward the helm.
The young girl looks back at the water. The fog made it hard to see farther than a few feet. Her curiosity is piqued as bits of wood and an open parcel float by. She gasps as a young boy and girl on a board float by. “Look! A boy and a girl! There’s a boy in the water!” She cries, getting the attention of those on board.
“Man overboard!” Norrington calls. The sailors scramble to fish the kids out of the water. They place them on the deck gently. Norrington peers over them. “They’re still breathing,” he says.
“Mary mother of God,” Gibbs exclaims as he leans over the ship's side. The rest of the sailors follow his lead gasping at the scene. Before them is the wreckage of a merchant ship. Bits of wood and cargo are floating all around as what little remains of the ship burns.
“What happened here?” Elizabeth’s father questions.
“Most likely the powder magazine. Merchant’s vessels run heavily armed,” Norrington replies.
“Lot of good it did them. Everyone's thinking about it! I'm just saying it! Pirates!” Gibbs says.
“There is no proof of that. It was probably an accident,” counters Governor Swann.
“Rouse the Captain, immediately. Heave to and take in sail,” commands Norrington while Elizabeth approaches the boy they pulled from the wreckage. “Elizabeth, I want you to accompany the children. They’re in your charge now. Take care of them?” her father tells her. Elizabeth nods gravely following the two sailors that move the pair behind the wheel. Elizabeth examines the two.
The girl looks to be a year or two younger than the boy. Her pale skin is almost ashen though she appears to be quite dry despite floating in the water. She could be the boy’s sister if his hair was a little darker. While the boy’s hair is a muddy brown color the girl’s hair is dark like spilt ink. She seems somewhat familiar. Elizabeth’s gaze shifts to the boy. He appears to be her age with pale skin and dark hair covering his face. She goes to brush it away when he wakes snatching her wrist. She is startled but quickly recovers.
“My name is Elizabeth Swann,” She says calmly.
“Will Turner,” he looks to the side of him. “Marina, are you awake?”
“You know her?” Elizabeth asks.
“We met on the ship.”
“I'm watching over you two, Will.” Will nods slipping back into unconsciousness. Elizabeth notices a golden chain hanging around his neck. She grabs it, noticing a medallion attached to it. The golden medallion has a skull inscribed on it. “You’re a pirate,” She exclaims. She quickly looks at the girl, noticing that she also has a necklace hanging from her neck. The girl ’s-Marina’s- necklace has little clay beads roped on a plain leather cord.
“Did they say anything?” questions Norrington. Spinning around Elizabeth hides the medallion behind her. “His name is William Turner and the girl’s name is Marina. They met on the ship. That’s all I found out,” she replies. Norrington nods, “Very good.” When he walks away Elizabeth turns back to the unconscious pair.
…
It would be hours before they woke up. Will stirs first. Bleary eyes taking in his dim surroundings. He appeared to be below deck with small candles barely lighting the room. There were 4 rows of hammocks with 2 stacked on top of each other. Will lies in the bottom one while Marina is above him. Will pokes her back. “Marina?” Nothing. He pokes her again. “Are you up?” Marina grumbles shifting away from his poking. “I am now,” she replies sourly. She bolts upright when she realizes where she is. “What the hades is going on?” She questions hopping out of her hammock. Will scrambles out of his. “We're on a Royal Navy ship. I’m not sure where we’re going. The last time I was awake there was a girl named Elizabeth. Marina, are you ok?” Will asks in alarm as Marina doubles over clutching her stomach. “I need to get out,” she mutters. Will needs no further instructions. He picks her up bridal style and hurries up the stairs to the deck. He sets her down near the rail ignoring the stares from the sailors. Marina stares at him with a confused look in her eye.
“Mr. Turner is it?” An older man asks, walking towards the pair with Elizabeth in tow. “Yes sir. I’m Will Turner,” Will responds, facing the man. The man smiles at the young boy, “I am Weatherby Swann the governor of Port Royal,” Governor Swann introduces himself. He turns his attention to the young girl at the railing. “And who might you be, young lady?” He asks gently. “My name is-” Her words are cut off as she empties her stomach into the ocean. Will holds her long hair back as she vomits. He turns back to the Governor, “She told me her name is Marina Caldwell. We met on our voyage a few days ago. We both are traveling alone from England as our parents’ last wish.” There is a brief pause before realizing the implication that could be made, “We’re not related though. We have separate Mothers. And our fathers aren’t the same,” Will amends awkwardly. “Considering you met on the ship I would hope the two weren’t siblings,” Elizabeth teases. Will shoots her a sheepish look as the governor’s face pales.
“Marina Calwell daughter of Lord James and Lady Adaline Caldwell.”
“Yes,” Will answers, going off of the conversation Marina and he had before the shipwreck. Marina is still vomiting over the side. “Do you know her sir?” Will questions.
“I was close friends with her father until he passed,” Governor Swann replies.
“She didn’t tell me about that.”
“She was quite young when it happened. After his death, I tried to aid her mother and her. I had hoped my daughter, Elizabeth, would befriend her but her mother became ill shortly after,” Governor Swann places a hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder when he mentions her.
“Pardon me for asking sir, but whose mother?”
“Oh Governor Swann son. To answer your question both.”
Marina groans, still bent over the rail. Will returns his attention to the sick girl gently rubbing her back with his free hand. Governor Swann’s gaze is filled with sympathy. “We will be at Port Royal soon. Perhaps we can find arrangements for the two of you,” the governor suggests.
“Thank you, sir. I can’t speak for Marina though. She never told me of her plans.”
“I suppose Lady Caldwell and I have much to discuss once she is better.”
“No better time than now,” Marina says, wiping her mouth. The Governor hesitates, “Are you quite sure about this?”
“Yeah, we gotta talk.”
“Of course dear. Let’s go somewhere a little more private. Follow me please,” he walks towards the stairs below deck. Will scrunches up his shirt ridding it of excess water as he watches Marina follow the governor. His eyebrows furrow upon noticing her dress is completely dry. “Do you want a change of clothes, Will?” Elizabeth asks, coming to stand beside him. “I’m sure there are some spares from the crew. They’ll be a bit big but you could manage,” She says. Will stares at her, certain she is the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen. His jaw works as he struggles to find a reply. Elizabeth giggles, “I’ll take that as a yes.” Will nods, giving her a soft smile.
…
Cordelia follows closely behind the governor. Governor Swann? Elizabeth Swann? Will Turner? Why did those names sound familiar? Sure the governor said he knew her, no scratch that, Swann said he knew Marina Caldwell. Cordelia is not Marina Caldwell so why does everyone keep calling her Marina? Will said he remembered her from their voyage. What voyage was that? It couldn’t have been this one. Everyone would have known her already. Swann offers her his hand once they reach the stairs that lead below deck. Hesitantly she takes it. She lets him guide her to a secluded room. Her fight-or-flight instincts flare when he shuts the door behind them. “Now we have some privacy we can freely discuss what happened and your intentions,” Swann tells her gently. She shrugs forgetting he can’t see her in the dim light.
“There’s not much more I can tell you,” She says.
"I am sorry to hear about your parents, Lady Caldwell, they were good friends of mine."
"I'm sure you were. Can you call me…” she hesitates what name should she give him. If he is helping her based on her name then telling him her actual one probably won’t end well. “Marina?" She decides.
“What are your plans, Marina?” Governor Swann asks gently.
“No idea.”
“You left England with no plan?”
“I’ve been through a lot recently, give me a break,” she says sharply. Guilt floods his eyes.
“I am sorry about your mother. I- it- it is a dangerous world out there. Too dangerous to not have a plan. I am sorry for being harsh on you but you could have died. You almost did die. I’m not sure how you escaped that shipwreck but my heart would not be able to take that loss.”
“You wouldn’t have even known. No matter what you say, we're strangers.” Cordelia says matter-of-factly. Swann looks down at his shoes, “I believe you are a kind man Governor but don’t expect me to listen to you complain about how my poor choices affect you. I've got enough to deal with already. Trying to plan around your feelings is not something I want to do. If you care for me as much as you say you do then help me.” Cordelia holds her breath as she waits for the governor’s reply. The silence stretches between them. She hears the governor's sigh.
“My apologies Marina. Forgive me, you are far too young to be so careless with your life. You will be my ward. When we get to Port Royal we will have one of the guest bedrooms converted into your room and I will look after you. I owe your parents that much.”
“If I say no.”
“Why would you?”
“If I say no.”
“Then I will help you any way I can to ensure you live the life you want.” Another pause. Cordelia mulls it over. Swann seems like a good man and he has a daughter. Wait, Governor Swann, Elizabeth Swann, Will Turner. All they need is Captain Jack Sparrow and a cursed pirate ship. Cordelia steps back leaning against the wall as she realizes she might be in Pirates of the Caribbean. It doesn’t make any sense but what other explanation is there? She’s probably gone insane and this is some sort of dream and soon she’ll wake up in Tartarus. What does she have to lose? She steals herself, “I accept your offer, Governor Swann,” She says.
“Oh, I’m so glad you’ve accepted!” Swann exclaims sweeping her into a hug. "I guess I'm your ward now," She mutters. He continues to hold her. Cordelia gives him a soft smile. She’ll be living with the Swanns until she can figure out what happened or until she wakes up, could be worse. Right?