Title: An officer and a maid
Rating: PG
Pairing: Groves/Estrella, E/W, E/N
Warnings: none
Disclaimer: Disney owns them, I do not.
An officer and a maid
A/N: Groves and Estrella are rather overlooked characters, so maybe I should explain who they are. Estrella is Elizabeth's maid, the one who ran to the fort for help. Groves is one of the officers, the one who said "that's got to be the best pirate I've ever seen" when Jack and Will sail off on the Interceptor. Anyway, I thought they should get there own fic, and here it is. Also, feedback would be good. As far as I know, there isn't much in the way of Groves or Estrella fic out there, so any and all ideas would be welcome.
"I'm sorry miss, it's not my place." Estrella smoothed down the quilt once more, then left Elizabeth to her thoughts. She went to her own room and sank wearily onto the bed. The day had been just as tiring for her. Estrella leaned back and closed her eyes, drifting into a light sleep.
She awoke with a start at the sound of cannon fire. Quickly, she ran out her door down a small service hallway. She saw no one until the hallway ended at a door. She pushed through to the main upstairs hallway and looked out the window. Running up the front drive were a motley assortment of characters. They could be only one thing: pirates. She ran into Elizabeth's room, looking for her. The covers on the bed were disturbed, the foot warmer knocked to the side, the candle out, but other then that the room was intact. Estrella breathed a sigh of relief that her mistress had not been taken, but this relief soon evaporated when she heard running up the stairs. Someone stumbled into the room and locked the door. Estrella turned round and found Elizabeth in front of her. They both shrieked.
"Miss Swann! They've come to kidnap you!"
"What?"
"You're the governor's daughter." Over Elizabeth's face flickered confusion, then understanding, then fear.
"Hide, and the first chance you get, run to the fort." Elizabeth instructed, darting into her bedchamber. Estrella hung back as the door burst open. In walked two men, one short, one tall. They both saw Elizabeth's nightgown sweep around the corner of the door and followed her. Out swung the warmer, straight into the face of the shorter pirate. He appeared stunned and his mate's attention was focused on Elizabeth. Estrella saw her chance, and ran out the door.
Downstairs, she found pirates looting treasures. As she ran to the door, she stopped momentarily over the body of the butler. 'Dear Charles' she thought 'I shouldn't have thought this would ever happen to you. Or to me!' She continued onward, down the dark path toward the town and the fort.
Estrella ran as fast as she could, indeed, faster then she thought, for the demons she imagined chasing her were real. By some stroke of luck, she ran into no unsavory creatures on the dark road. When she reached Port Royal, she found chaos. Buildings were burning, townsfolk being chased by pirates. It was a picture of a pillaged town, just like the ones that Elizabeth would tell her about. Elizabeth! Estrella tried to sink into the shadows. As she did, she felt a hand close around her arm and whip her around. She found herself face to face with one of the raiders. He was tall, a hat perched on his head, gold teeth glimmering in the darkness.
"Well, well, what 'ave we 'ere?" he leered at her. "Cute little chickadee, ain't ya?" She struggled against his grip, but he held her fast. "Where you off to, missy?" he laughed, a harsh, tinny laugh. His free hand stole to the low neck of her work dress.
"No, no, please, no." she pleaded. She'd heard of the atrocities that pirates often committed, but she did not want to become a footnote in the tale of the sacking of Port Royal. Suddenly, the grip on her arm released, and the pirate's eyes rolled back in his head. He slumped to the ground, dragging her down. She struggled to free herself. Another hand reached out to her. Looking up, she found herself staring at a young officer. Estrella began to cry with relief.
"Are you all right, ma'am?" the officer asked, concerned.
"Yes, yes I'm fine. Oh, but I work at the Governor's house, and my mistress, Miss Swann, sent me for help. She's been kidnapped. Oh, please, someone has to..." she broke off, crying again. The officer helped her up, gently, and led her to the fort.
"I'll find the Commodore and let him know. He'll do everything he can to find your mistress, I've no doubt." the officer offered her a half smile, trying to comfort her.
"Please, sir, may I ask your name?"
"Lt. Groves, ma'am. I serve with the Commodore as an officer whenever he is at sea." Estrella nodded. As they walked to the fort, she was able to get a good look at the lt. in the moonlight. His wig was slipping back, revealing a shock of thick, black hair. His uniform was slightly soiled, though it seemed to have sustained no permanent damage. As she looked closer, she realized that there was a cut on his forehead, near where the wig had slipped out of place.
"Lt. Groves! You're hurt!" and she reached out toward the wound.
"Am I?" he touched his forehead lightly. "I suppose I am. I'll have the doctor tend it when he can."
"I could tend it for you, when we get to the fort." Estrella offered. "In case the doctor is busy." she added. Groves nodded. When they reached the fort, things were in disarray. Most of the soldiers were out in the streets of the city fighting the pirates hand to hand. Norrington was still pacing the roof of the fort, behind the cannons. Though they had been firing for most of the attack, they had yet to hit the mysterious ship.
"Groves, report." Norrington said when he caught sight of his subordinate.
"Well, sir, the attackers are still down in the town. Most of them seem to be unharmed. The damage is considerable. Also," he paused before continuing "I ran into a maid from the Governor's house. She was sent down here to seek help by her mistress." The commodore paled considerably as he digested this information. "Sir?" Groves peered at his commander. Norrington held a hand to his head as though he had a headache.
"Is the maid here?"
"Yes sir, she's in the fort near your office. I didn't know where to put her, so she's sitting in the hallway."
"I'll have to speak with her." Norrington spoke slowly, as though it was an effort to form each word.
"Sir! The ship is leaving!" a man called from alongside the cannon. "Shall we keep firing?"
"No, hold your fire. If we couldn't hit her in the harbor, we can scarce hit her now." Norrington turned to gaze around the area. Catching sight of Gillette, he hollered "Gillette! You have command. I will be in my office. Lt. Groves, with me." Norrington walked away, Groves struggling to keep up with the commodore, who was walking as fast as he possibly could toward his office.
"Ma'am?" Groves called softly to the maid "Ma'am, are you awake?" Estrella stirred, rubbed her eyes, and nodded. "I hope I didn't wake you." Groves apologized.
"Oh, no sir. Well, you did, but I shouldn't have been napping at a time like this, sir."
"The Commodore is coming; he'd like to ask you a few questions."
"Of course, sir." Estrella followed Groves into the commanding officer's office. Norrington sat at the desk, looking pale, even for an Englishman.
"Miss..." he started wearily.
"Estrella." she supplied "Estrella Lawrence."
"Miss Lawrence." Norrington stated again "Lt. Groves tells me you came down here from the governor's house."
"Yes sir. Miss Elizabeth sent me. She was asleep when the pirates came up to the mansion. They killed Charles, our butler, and stole everything they could, whether it was worth anything or not. I'd not be surprised if they burned the mansion to the ground." Estrella became bitter at this thought. "They kidnapped her, sir, probably for ransom. I know she tried to fight them off, she wouldn't be quite right if she'd gone without a fuss."
"I quite believe that, Miss Lawrence. Have you any idea where they were taking her?"
Estrella shook her head. "No, sir. They weren't exactly well spoken, sir."
"Thank you, Miss Lawrence. I think it would be best if you stayed in the fort tonight. You may return in the morning, though that is only a few hours from now, I suppose." The commodore sighed. The interview was over. Groves escorted her out.
"Oh, Lt. You promised I might take care of your wound. You won't see a doctor, I'll wager. You'll spend the night trying to do the commodore's job, he's so distraught." Estrella was surprised by how forward she was being with a member of the Royal Navy, but to her surprise, Groves laughed.
"I've no doubt you're right, Miss Lawrence. I shall show you to somewhere where you can rest and you may take a look at my wound."
They walked in silence down the corridor. Estrella glanced at her companion. "Is there much damage to the fort?"
"No, not a great deal. Before you went into the Commodore's office, I heard a damage report. One of the cells took a direct shot. The only prisoner who didn't escape was the pirate. Other then that, though, the fort is in good condition."
"Oh." she paused "Well, that's good isn't it?"
"Yes, it is." He looked at her and smiled. She smiled back.
When Estrella woke, it was mid-morning. She looked around herself groggily. It took a moment for her to realize where she was. Suddenly, the events of the previous day came rushing back to her. She was about to run out to see if her mistress had been located when she heard a knock at the door. Checking her appearance, she decided that she would have to forego the luxury of brushed hair and just be grateful she was dressed decently.
"Who is it?"
"Lt. Groves, ma'am. I came by to see if you needed anything."
"Just some water and a basin. And a comb!" she added afterwards. "Thank you, lt."
"No problem ma'am. I'll be right back with those and I'll leave them outside the door for you."
"Thank you again." she called as she heard him retreat down the hallway. She turned to survey her room. When he had led her to it the night before, she had simply been grateful for someplace safe to stay. Now, she saw that there was a small window opening out over the harbor. The room appeared to be an office. There was a small but sturdy desk shoved into one corner of the room. The cot on which she'd slept had been pulled away from a wall to stand under the window. Apparently, the office's occupant spent a good deal of time in there. Though now that she thought of it, he probably lived here. It was probably more private and larger then the barracks. She started toward the desk, looking for something to identify the owner of the space when she heard a tap at the door. Footsteps echoed away from the door. When the hall was silent again, Estrella poked her head out the door. There lay a tortoiseshell comb and a basin and pitcher of water, just as she'd requested. Also, there was a mug of what appeared to be coffee and something resembling toasted bread lying on a tray. Estrella collected her goods and laid them out on the desk.
After tidying her hair and washing away as much of the dirt from her run down to the fort as she could, Estrella turned to the coffee and toast. She had not realized how hungry she was until she looked at the food. She realized that she had not eaten anything since a light supper the previous day. When she had drained the mug and eaten every crumb of bread she could, she smoothed down her apron and hair and ventured into the hallway. As she crept out the door, she saw a familiar figure.
"Lt. Groves." she called, waving at him.
"Miss Lawrence. Glad to see that everything was satisfactory."
"Yes, sir, it was wonderful. Thank you for bringing the food. I had forgotten all about eating."
"Yes, well, it's nearly 10 in the morning. I figured you would be hungry."
"Ten!" Estrella threw up her hands. "I slept until ten!"
"Yes ma'am." Groves replied, gallantly maintaining a straight face. "Don't worry, ma'am, the governor knows you're down here. He was down at the fort when the Pearl attacked, so he didn't know what was happening at his home until the Commodore told him what he had learned from you. The governor said you could have as much time as you needed to recover."
"And my mistress?" Estrella asked timidly.
Groves sighed. "They have not located her yet, ma'am." Estrella started to weep. "Please don't cry. The Commodore is doing everything in his power."
"I suspect he loves her as much as any of us. He did propose to her."
"He did?" Groves asked
"Oh! Was I not supposed to tell anyone?" Estrella looked worried.
"Just don't tell any one else." Groves said. Privately, when this was all over, he intended to tease Norrington mercilessly. James Norrington in love, even married! It was a novelty, to be sure. "Ma'am-"
Groves was interrupted by the appearance of the Governor. "Estrella, I'm so glad to see you alive! It gives me some hope, for I haven't much." Estrella curtsied deeply to her master. "Come, come, we should get back. I fear there is much work to be done at home." Governor Swann turned to Groves, nodded, then proceeded down the hallway, not waiting for Estrella to catch up. Estrella turned to Groves
"Please, Lt., I write to me if you have word of my mistress?" Suddenly aware of how forward she was being, Estrella dropped her head, cheeks crimson. "I should go." she stammered, backing down the hallway.
"I will let you know if anything should happen, Miss Lawrence." he called after her. She smiled, then turned and ran down the hallway. Groves shook his head slightly, smiled, and walked back into his room.