Chapter One: Lord Cutler Beckett

Palm trees bent sideways as if an invisible force was pushing them down, chairs were disorderly scattered, sheets of music tumbled in the wind, unplayed, and teacups were overflowing with unwelcome water. I kneeled beside my sister in silence, letting myself get drenched by the ongoing rain. Elizabeth gazed blankly out into the horizon her pale gold wedding dress, soaked and her hair, wind-swept. I felt terrible for her, this was her wedding day and now it was ruined. Her tears mixed with the rain and the colour had drained from her face. She didn't deserve this. No-one did. I heard many footsteps marching towards us, Elizabeth and I spun around to see William, smartly dressed and handsome, but locked in irons and surrounded by military men. My sister ran to him and I walked slowly behind. A soldier tried to prevent Elizabeth from reaching him, but she pushed past him and fell into Will's open arms. I too pushed my way to them, nodding my head in greeting to Will.

"Will! What is happening?" My sister asked with alarm. I glanced at the soldiers around us and scowled. How dare they come here and interrupt my sisters most treasured day?! How dare they?

"I don't know. I'm sorry." He murmured back before smiling at her. "You look beautiful." Elizabeth smiled weakly. "I think it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding." I saw my father pushing his way through the crowd. "You. Order your men stand down, and remove these things at once." A man turned around and took off his black coat, handing it to the nearest guard. He had a curled white wig and had a powerful gleam in his eyes. I instantly hated him. "Did you hear me?" My father exclaimed, trying to get past the two men blocking his path with their weapons.

"Governor Weatherby Swann," the man began. "My apologies for arriving without an invitation. These cannot be your daughter's, little Rosabelle and Elizabeth?"

"Cutler Beckett?" My father stated, clearly shocked. Who is this man?

"It's lord, now, actually." Beckett corrected matter-of-factly. This man was such a selfish pig!

"Lord or not, you have no reason and no authority to arrest this man."

"In fact, I do. Mr. Mercer." Beckett called. Mr. Mercer stepped forward and handed him a case of several documents. As he found the document he gave it to my father. "My appointment to the Royal Commision for Antilles Trade and Protection. The Commission charter, granting it extraordinary powers in matter both governmental and military. And the warrant for the arrest of one William Turner. This one, Governor, has a chance to do more than glance at ―"

"This is for Elizabeth Swann!" My father replied. What!

"Is it?" Beckett answered and took back the document. "How odd… my mistake." He then turned to a soldier. "Arrest her." Soldiers grabbed my sister and stopped Will and I from helping her.

"On what charges?" Elizabeth questioned, but Beckett ignored her.

"Aha. Here's the warrant for William Turner. And I have another two for a James Norrington and a Rosabelle Swann." What? How? What are the charges?!

"What are the charges?" I said out loud as soldiers took hold of me. But again, Beckett ignored me. "Commodore Norrington resigned his commission several months ago." I continued. That was why I wasn't married. James Norrington had gone off in search of Captain Sparrow and didn't return. All he sent was a letter, resigning his commission. I suppose I should be glad but I really didn't know what I felt.

"That does not seem an answer to the question I asked." Beckett said.

"Lord Beckett," Will addressed suddenly, catching his attention. "In the category of questions not answered." He tilted his head towards Elizabeth who continued. "We are British subjects under jurisdiction of the King's Governor of Port Royal, and we demand to know the charges against us!"

"The charge," My father replied, reading off the document. "Is conspiring to secure the unlawful release of a convict, charged and tried for crimes against the Crown and Empire, and condemned to death ―" Cutler Beckett interrupted with the slight smirk.

"For which the punishment is, regrettably, also death." He stepped forward. "Perhaps you remember a certain pirate named Jack Sparrow?"

"Captain." We all corrected automatically. "Captain Jack Sparrow." I carried on alone.

"Captain Jack Sparrow. Yes, I thought you might." Beckett replied before he motioned for the soldiers to take us away.

I sat in the corner of the cell Elizabeth and I had been locked in, doing nothing but fiddling with a straw of hay. My sister was crouched next to the cell wall that Will had been locked in, whispering softly to each other. The air smelt musty and of a mixture of manure, rum and soot. I tried to ignore the dreadful smell but it wasn't easy. We'd only been stuck here for less than a day and I hated it. Then I thought of Jack. He was stuck in one these cells as well for almost more than a day but he didn't really show as much hatred towards them as I did. Sadness trickled down my heart as I remembered the last words he's said to me were 'Belle, I hope our paths will cross again.' I couldn't stop thinking about them… him… Captain Jack Sparrow. What? Why am I thinking like this? I had never thought of him in this way before. Am I developing a crush on him? Maybe. But I don't even know if I'll ever see him again! That made my heart ache, terribly. Suddenly a few soldiers came into the Prison and unlocked Will's cell. Will was clamped in irons and taken away. Elizabeth turned to me with worried eyes.

"Rosabelle, what is happening?" I looked at her, my face kind and careful.

"I really don't know, Elizabeth. But don't worry, Will will come back soon." I responded as calmly as I could. She nodded slowly and gazed into Will's empty cell. It had only been about a half hour when the soldiers returned with Will. But the soldiers did not leave. Instead they opened our cell and walked towards me.

"What are you doing?" I said, harshly. They locked me in irons and dragged me out. "Get your hands off me!" I protested but they ignored me and carried on dragging me towards Beckett's office. After knocking politely on a furnished wooden door, the soldiers walked into the office.

"Ah, Miss. Swann. Please, take a seat." Beckett welcomed, gesturing to a small table next to where he was standing. The soldiers let me go and walked out of the office.

"Not at your table." I spat.

"Very well." Beckett replied, untouched by my insult.

"What do you want with me?" I asked.

"The East India Trading Company has need of your services." Beckett answered. I scoffed.

"So you need the help of a woman?"

"If you must put it in those words, then yes." Beckett began. "We would thank you to be our agent in a business transaction with our friend, Captain Sparrow."

"Friend? I doubt it." I scoffed again. "How do you know him, anyway?" I watched as picked up a cane with a glowing 'P' at the end.

"We have had dealings in the past. And have each left our marks on the other." That's when it hit me. The 'P' was identical to the one burnt into Jack's arm.

"What mark did he leave on you?" I questioned. Beckett looked as if he would rather not discuss it.

"By your efforts Jack Sparrow was set free."

"Captain." I corrected again, but Beckett ignored me.

"I ask you to go to him and persuade him to come back to Port Royal."

"Somehow I don't think that is possible." I replied.

"Bargain." Beckett answered, unphased. "I have given your friend, William, letters of Marque, he will offer what amounts as a full pardon. Jack will be free, a privateer in the employ of England. You will go with Mr. Turner and include those same letters in your bargain."

"If Jack will be free, and I highly doubt being a privateer will consider it to be the same as being free; why do I need to bring him back to Port Royal?" I asked.

"Do not be concerned with subjects that do not concern you." Beckett said.

"Then I am disinclined to your offer."

"Then your sister and you will be sent to the gallows." Beckett smirked, knowing he had won. I can't let Elizabeth go to the gallows. She deserves much, much more than that.

"This is blackmail." I spat at him. He smirked.

"This is business." He replied.

"Fine! I'll do it. But you must keep to your word and not send Elizabeth to the gallows." I said, giving up.

"Jack in exchange for your sister's safety." He said.

"Agreed?"

"Agreed."

I walked back to the Prison with soldiers trailing behind me, as I entered I saw Elizabeth, my father and Will.

"Rosabelle! What happened? Are you alright?" My sister cried as she saw me. No, I am not alright! I wanted to yell. But I didn't.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Thank goodness!" My father exclaimed.

"But I can't stay long, I'm going with Will. I need to find Jack." I finished.

"No. You musn't." My father answered. Elizabeth gave me a sorrowful look while Will looked shocked.

"Rosabelle, did Beckett put you up to this… task?" Will said. I nodded, slowly.

"What do you need Jack for?" Elizabeth asked me. I didn't answer. "Where will you and Will find him?"

"Tortuga. We'll start there," he looked at me and I nodded. "And not stop searching until we do. Then I intend to come back here, to marry you."

"Properly?" Elizabeth asked, coming as close to Will as the bars would let her.

"Eagerly. If you'll still have me." Will replied.

"If it weren't for these bars, I would have you already." My father cleared his throat loudly, interrupting them. Will kissed her fingers.

"I'll wait for you. Both of you." Elizabeth whispered.

"Not much choice, is there? Keep a weather eye on the horizon." Will smiled.

"Goodbye, Elizabeth, Father. I hope to see you again soon." I waved at them before leaving the Prison along with Will.