Hello fellow fan fiction readers! This is my rewrite of an unfinished Norrington/OC fic, A Changing of The Tides, that I had up on this site in 2012, but deleted it because I wasn't quite sure what I was doing with my story. Now, however, I have a plan. I don't want to keep you for too long reading my author's note, so let me finish by reminding all of you lovelies to please review and maybe even fav, so I can have an idea of what you guys think. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise. I am just writing this for my own pleasure and not for profit.
It had been two weeks, two insufferable weeks at sea. She had no idea that she was with child when she agreed to visit her sister in Jamestown. Only when she was a month into her stay did her symptoms and the midwife's examination confirm that she would be having a child in seven months. The choppiness of the Atlantic did nothing but worsen her nausea and general discomfort. Luckily for Agatha Allsbrook, Countess of Yateley, the tumultuous sea had calmed for the night. She lay in her bed next to her husband, whose breathing was in rhythm with the gentle rocking of the ship.
Emmett Allsbrook, Earl of Yateley, was a gentle, devote husband. Despite what was considered proper by many, he always insisted that he share a bed with his wife. For that, Agatha could not complain. Although she had not been in love with Lord Yateley when she had accepted his proposal— how could she when she had only met the twenty-year-old bachelor twice at her father's estate? — after a few months of their engagement, his wit, scintillating blue eyes, and gentleness persuaded her heart to open to his onslaught of affection and adoration. Their marriage only strengthened the love that had begun to grow between them.
Despite Emmett having conquered her heart in the past two years, nothing but irritation filled Agatha's mind, as her husband held her close. Although her morning sickness had quieted, the heat of the humid cabin was causing her to perspire a bit too much, making the usually comforting presence of her husband's form a nuisance. She could only imagine how cooler the air was above deck. She longed for the gentle breeze and salty scent, even if it meant being only a few meters and railing away from possible death. Still, if Agatha could pluck up the courage to go above, her husband would be furious to find her gone if he would awaken. Dear Emmett did not trust sailors to keep their hands off of the beauty that was his. As she squirmed in her nightgown, damp and warm, the thought of fresh air was starting to outweigh any trepidation she might have of going above decks. At that moment, Emmett emitted a hot, moist, sneeze on the nap of Agatha's neck. The thought of fresh air was definitely outweighing her trepidation.
If I manage to at least rise from bed without waking him, perhaps I may allow myself to go above, thought Agatha, shifting slightly away from her husband's form, and loosening his grip on her. She slowly rose from bed, being carful not to disturb Emmett. Agatha was about to grab her dressing robe but thought better of it, as she would be able to cool down faster without the extra garment. She tiptoed over to the door and opened it, silently cursing the squeak the rusty hinges made. She glanced over at her husband to make sure he was still deeply asleep. Emmett only stirred to sigh, "Aggie," and nuzzle his face into where her head had been moments before. Satisfied, Agatha carefully closed the door and quickly made her journey up to the main deck. Only after inhaling a deep breath of briny air, did Agatha check around to see who was on watch. To her relief there was only a midshipman in the crow's nest and a sailor at the helm engrossed in a conversation with a lieutenant, all of which did not notice her presence.
She gazed up at the sky through the sails that seemed to glow next to the dark blue of the night. There were quite a few stars visible. Agatha sighed in amazement at how she could follow them down to the horizon where they disappeared under the black surface of the sea. Only the light of the full moon surpassed their beauty. The way the moonbeams rippled on the ocean like a stain on a dress was mesmerizing. Agatha couldn't help but step a few feet closer to the railings, her hazel eyes wide and her lips slightly parted. Suddenly, Agatha stared down at her feet, realizing her toes were threatening to touch the side of the boat. She had never been this close to the edge.
It was not that Agatha despised water, but it was that she feared it. After her mother died of a fever when she was only a small child, Agatha had taken to walking along the deeper part of the river that ran in back of her home. It was on that stretch of the bank that her mother would often sit on a blanket and play with her and her sister. Walking along that path was one of the few ways Young Agatha could still feel close to her. She was not quiet sure why she had stopped to gaze down at the river, but there she had stood, her mind transfixed on the water. Then she lost her balance and fell in. Unable to swim, she was lucky that her father was watching her and had plucked her out of the river before she could drown.
Her father had raised her and her sister the best any single father could raise two girls. She had been devastated when he had died shortly after her marriage to Emmett. Luckily for Agatha, her husband was no stranger to the death of loved ones. His older brother had broke his neck at the age of fourteen in a riding accident and his parents both died in a ship wreckage, leaving him, at the age of twenty, the 3rd Earl of Yateley and the sole heir of the Allsbrook fortune. Thus when his young bride was in her most desperate hour of bereavement, he was the most empathetic.
Reflecting on the past years had made Agatha quite wistful. Tears had started to stream down her face. She blinked clearing her vision, not remembering what she had been doing for the past few minutes. The moon, I was looking at the moon. And so Agatha continued to gaze at the moon, soothed by the soft white light. Somehow instead of sparking her nerves, the crash of the waves and the gentle breeze running through her auburn locks had started to sooth her. She closed her eyes. Everything was peaceful. At least everything was peaceful until the woman spoke to her.
"It seems that my domain can seduce even the most fearful soul to bow in her favor." Agatha's eyes shot open, and in shock, she toppled forward, bracing her hands on the railing so she would not fall over and be consumed by the waves. There was no other woman on board beside her maid O'Hare, and the foreign, commanding, voice was certainly not O'Hare's.
Am I going mad? thought Agatha, looking around at the crewmen who did not seem to entertain the voice that spoke. There were few things that Lady Agatha Allsbrook could be sure of at the age of nineteen, but she was quite sure that perfectly sane people did not hear distinct, unanchored voices that nobody else could.
The woman chuckled as if expecting Agatha to react in the fashion she had. "Be at ease child. You're mind is well. Relax and listen to what I have to say." Agatha's tensed body loosened at the woman's command. She unconsciously drew her hands away from the railing, letting one hand fall to the small swell of her unborn child, her fingers drawing slow circles on the layer of cotton. Her eyes lulled closed once more.
"Your daughter will grow into a beautiful woman. Exceptionally beautiful, her grace and elegance could only be surpassed by the Goddess Aphrodite. She will be one with the sea and heavens. Not a single mortal creature will be able to harm her, and the greatest evil in the sea will bow to her power. As a product of love, hers will be the force that dissolve's a most dreadful prison forged out of wrath. She will be death's mistress." Agatha's eyes snapped open, gleaming an unnatural, bright gold. Her mouth was agape as if gasping for air.
"There maiden, my gift has been imparted. Your daughter will do great deeds and be protected. Now go back and lay with your lover. There is only so much time," said the woman, releasing Agatha from her spell.
Agatha's eyes cleared. She blinked slowly, not remembering why she was out of bed and not quite sure what had just happened to her. She wandered back to her cabin confused. Once she was safe in bed, she was content to press her body against Emmett's warmth. With her head nestled into his muscular chest, Agatha fell into a deep sleep, only regaining consciousness when her husband's lonely lips met hers in the morning. The events from the night before were only remembered as a whimsical dream.