Disclaimer: They're not mine... but it's like borrowing toys!!!
Author's Note: This 2 chapter fiction was inspired by another Johnny Depp movie, "Chocolat". It was too long to post as a one shot, so it's a two shot!
And to me mate, DeppnBloom... loved yer idea for one of the characters... hope that ye don't mind that I used your idea, as it was a wonderful backstory! A big tip o' the tricorn to ye!
And for all of you who are not familiar with my Pirate world, Will has been released from his curse, and once in a while helps the new captain of the Dutchman, James Norrington, with his duties. The Turners have joined the crew of the Black Pearl...
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"... I understand, Jack, but I would still like it if you came along with us. This is the last port that we stayed at before Father and I departed for Jamaica so that he could take his appointment as governor. It holds so many memories for me, and since Will is helping James on the Dutchman..." Elizabeth nearly pleaded with Jack, but she knew that he was right. It was too dangerous for him to disembark from the Pearl into Southampton, and even though it grieved him to not accompany her ashore, the captain would be in dangerous territory if he left the ship. The Pearl was moored in a hidden cove off of the rough English coast, and Joshamee Gibbs had procured the use of a small pony cart for the journey into the port. It would be Gibbs who would be responsible for looking after things upon this trip, much to Jack's chagrin.
Captain Jack Sparrow looked at Elizabeth with worried eyes. "I don't know why ye wanted us t' procure supplies in Southampton, of all places, when we easily had enough t' get us t' west coast of Eire, lass..." he frowned, "... I hope tha' ye know tha' ye are makin' it difficult t' keep me promise t' Will t' watch over ye whilst he was gone for two weeks... wot wif ye bein' in a family way, an' all..."
Jack's dark eyes scanned over Elizabeth's growing belly with vexation. It was enough for him to contemplate the fact that William and Elizabeth had concieved their child aboard his ship, but they fully planned to give birth to the babe in their snug cabin, also. Elizabeth reminded Jack that he, himself, had been born aboard a pirate ship, and he had conceded that this was true, thus he had no argument against it... but it still worried him.
He smiled a bit at Elizabeth's disappointment, as he knew that she wished to share her memories in going back to the last English port that she had seen as a child just prior to departing for the New World, but she knew that he was right in being reluctant. "Well, then, Mr. Gibbs and I will not be too long, Jack." She leaned back with her hands upon her hips, stretching... she was still two months away from delivering, but she was still spry and quick upon her feet... surely the child that she carried would be able to climb to the crow's nest as quickly as William could, and just as proudly. Elizabeth sighed, then gave thier best friend a quick hug.
As Elizabeth prepared to climb over the railing, Jack reached down and untied his famous compass from his belt. "Here, Izzy. I know that it is rather minimizing th' wondrous powers tha' me compass possesses, but use it... jus' thinks o' th' things tha' ye want to find th' most and th' quickest, and maybe it'll save you an' Gibbs some footwork, savvy?" he suggested, brightly. His golden teeth shone in the sun, as he took her hand and placed the compass within; he then took her other hand and placed it over the compass, covering her tiny hands with his tanned, slender ones. She looked up at him, puzzled... "Are you sure that you can't come along, Jack?"
His dark eyes met hers, and there was a strange look in them, as he said, quietly, "... no, Izzy. Southampton is no place fer th' likes o' me... fer more than one reason. Jus' try t' be quick... an' let Joshamee take care o' ye...don't try anything on yer own. Of us all, Josh will fit in the easiest, so let 'im look after ye... promise me." Elizabeth tried to read the look in Jack's eyes, and she simply smiled and said, "I promise, Jack."
Jack watched her and felt a strong pang of guilt, as she carefully climbed over the railing and down the solid, strong rigging... it would more than likely be one of the last excursions to shore for Elizabeth, as she would soon be confined to the ship with William and the rest of the crew to await the birth of her child. The captain wished that she would have chosen to stop anyplace but here, but it meant something to her... he looked down as the longboat with Elizabeth Turner and Joshamee Gibbs was lowered to the water, and nodded to Gibbs as he looked up at his captain, and patted Jack's prized pistol that was stuck into his belt, next to his own.
Southampton was a dangerous place for pirates, it was true, and Elizabeth understood this... but she felt the need to visit one more time.
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As the pair walked along the streets of the busy seaport, Elizabeth felt so many memories flood back to her. There was the very pier that the Dauntless had departed from, and there was the street along the waterfront that had so many of the shops and taverns that the sailors and civilians, alike, had frequented. There was the Royal Navy headquarters where she and her father had stayed prior to departure, and there was the large wide veranda where she was first introduced to Captain James Norrington.
Elizabeth smiled to herself... as things had turned out, James was now the captain of the Flying Dutchman, and her beloved husband was at sea, helping him to reconcile the records of the ship in its mission to ferry the souls of those lost at sea. It was a part of the agreement with Calypso to procure Will's early release to rejoin his wife and friends. In Elizabeth's mind, James' duty, now, was every bit as honorable, if not more so, than his career serving the King.
"... I remember this place, Mr. Gibbs!" she exclaimed, suddenly, as they stopped in their travels through the town. Elizabeth's face lit up brightly, and she pointed inside. "Father brought me here to buy sweets for me! Oh, they have the most wonderful candies!"
"I wouldn't know, lass, I was busy tryin' t' get the Dauntless ready to sail with you and your father aboard!" Gibbs grinned at Elizabeth's girlish enthusiasm, as she looked at all of the confections that were displayed in the windows. "Sailors don't get much of a chance t' visit such establishments..."
His grizzled face clouded over, as he looked in the doorway and saw something that Jack had warned him about. It would not necessarily apply to himself in the way that he was presently dressed...clean, with presentable garments in order to blend in, as it were... but with loyalty to his crewmates, he was hoping that Elizabeth would not wish to enter the shop. He was wrong...
"Please, Joshamee! Let's go in and see what they have!" she smiled, pulling his parcel-filled arms toward the door.
"Ummm, Miss Elizabeth, I think that we should really be takin' the supplies tha' we have back t' the ship... I don't think that it's a good idea t' take on more..."
"Oh, please, just humor me! It might be my last visit ashore before the baby comes!"
Joshamee looked at her seriously and finally sighed, "Look, Miss Elizabeth, I don't wish t' argue wi' ye, but I think tha' there is somethin' that needs t' be explained t' ye... let's go over here, an' sit down, darlin'..."
Elizabeth's hazel eyes filled with concern, as he guided her over to a bench next to a stone wall across from the sweets shop. She did not understand the look upon the quartermaster's face, as he sat down next to her, and took her small hands in his large ones.
"Look above th' door, lass..." As she searched Gibbs' sad face, she frowned. "What..." and her eyes followed his to a sign above the door, that said,
"The presence of people of colour, gypsies, Irish and general riff raff will not be allowed past the door of this establishment." Elizabeth's mouth dropped open... she suddenly understood exactly what Jack had meant.
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