Chapter One
"In order to affect a timely halt to deteriorating conditions and to ensure the common good, a state of emergency is declared for these territories by decree of Lord Cutler Beckett, duly appointed representative of His Majesty, the king," the man's voiced droned on dully.
The young woman looked around at the familiar square, where just over three years ago Captain Jack Sparrow was nearly hung to death. It was strange being there without her mistress to look out for.
"By decree, according to martial law, the following statutes are temporarily amended: Right to assembly, suspended. Right to habeas corpus, suspended. Right to legal counsel, suspended. Right to verdict by a jury of peers, suspended."
She had to look away as not one but seven people convicted of piracy were hung at a time. It brought tears to her eyes and put an ache in her heart to see so many of these people, people like her, put to death because of an unwise choice.
"By decree, all persons found guilty of piracy, or aiding a person convicted of piracy, or associating with a person convicted of piracy shall be sentenced to hang by the neck until dead."
She watched as a particular group walked up on the platform. Headed by a woman, there were five other men… and a young boy no older than the age of ten.
The boy glanced up at the noose briefly and returned to fiddling with the coin in his hand. Softly, so low it was hardly heard in the quiet square, he began to sing.
"The king and his men
Stole the queen from her bed
And bound her in her bones
The sea be ours
And by the powers
Where we will, we'll roam"
The hangman slammed a barrel in front of the boy and stood him atop of it. A darker skinned pirate began to sing where the boy left off.
"Yo ho, all hands
Hoist the colors high"
Soon the whole bunch joined in, including the woman watching.
"Heave-ho, thieves and beggars
Never shall we die
Yo ho, haul together
Hoist the colors high"
"Lord Beckett!" a man called as he rushed. "They've started to sing, sir."
Beckett looked over to his wife as she sang along softly. "Finally."
"Heave-ho, thieves and beggars
Never shall we die…"
The last note rang out as the hangman pulled the lever.
Luna suddenly looked away, feeling sick. After she took a few deep breaths, the queasiness passed. She looked up and watched as the dragged the boy's body away. Something colorful flew by her peripheral vision and she turned just in time to watch as a colorful macaw landed on the top of the fort.
Cotton's parrot. The Pearl's crew was here.
She turned to her husband, who she found watching her intently. She frowned. "Might I go home? I'm feeling a bit ill."
His brow furrowed. "Are you alright?"
She shook her head. "I feel as if I'm coming down with something. Perhaps it's because my body is no longer used to being around pirates. At any rate, I'd like to go lie down a bit and rest."
Beckett smiled. "Of course, dear. Admiral?"
Norrington turned towards his superior. "Sir?"
"Escort my wife to our manor, and make sure she gets there all right."
"Yes, sir." Norrington held his arm out for Luna to take as they left the battlement. Once they were away from wondering ears he spoke again. "You saw it, didn't you?"
"Saw what?" Luna asked.
"Oh, don't play dumb with me Luna," Norrington said. "You saw the bird."
Luna rolled her eyes. "I actually was feeling ill."
"But the bird made you speak up," he surmised. "I suppose we're going to the docks then?"
She snorted. "As if they'd dock. I'm going to the same place I met up with them before when you let Jack and I escape."
"I didn't let you escape. I gave you a head start."
"Potato, potahto." She pulled her hand from his arm and walked a little faster. "You're welcome to join me, if you'd like."
"I prefer to keep my job, thank you."
"Very well." The couple stopped at the carriage that was waiting for them. "You should take the carriage to my house and come up with something to explain my absence."
Norrington raised a brow. "Like what exactly?"
She shrugged. "Think like Jack, it'll come to you." With that she pulled her hat down to cover her face a bit more and spread her fan to wave in her face.
"Thank you, Luna. For giving up the heart," James said as she began to walk away. She stopped and turned on her heel. "It's occurred to me that I never properly thanked you in the first place."
"'Tis just a silly heart," she lied.
"No. No, it was more than that." He raised a hand to her cheek and kissed the other. "You gave me my live back, and for that I owe you."
"Is that why you haven't stopped me?"
He nodded. "Until our paths cross again, Lady Beckett."
A single tear fell from Luna's watering eyes. "I fear they might not."
"Then it is fate."
Luna pulled her mouth into a small smile. "You have no idea." She unclasped a small teardrop-shaped black agate pendant and held it out to James. "Keep this with you at all times but keep it hidden. If you happen to be in a life or death situation, smash it and it'll save your life."
"But-"
She pressed chaste kiss to his lips. "Please, for me. Tell Henrietta the truth. I trust her." Luna took off then, walking swiftly from the fort and to the sea cliffs where she found a ship waiting for her.
It took her a moment to remove the hat, shoes, heavy dress and corset she was wearing, but once she did she dove. The cool caress of the sea was a well missed and welcomed feeling. Before long she reached the mighty vessel.
She climbed aboard with a little help from her father who hugged her as soon as she stood.
"Welcome back, girlie."
"Mmm, it's good to be back."
A/n: I couldn't have said it any better than myself! So here I am, back from a much needed break. But only for just a bit. I might post something every couple of days for the next two weeks and then it's exam time and then I should be back. Should. But because I know how spotty my posting will be for the next few days... I'll put a couple chapters up... Think of it as your Christmas present from me to you... (or whatever holiday you celebrate...)
Love you guys!
Forever and Always
Lyra Raine Sparrow
(I almost put Elizabeth. My name in creative writing... :P)