Ambiguous Allegiance
Author: williz
Summary: Alternate Universe; A lone man was found one stormy night, washed up on the Port Royal shore behind Governor Weatherby Swann's manor. The appearance of a pirate captain will change the lives of all citizens of Port Royal.
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters in the Disney film Pirates of the Caribbean. Any unrecognizable characters pertain to my story and my story only.
It was the one thing she couldn't stand in her life, the one thing that made her life what it was. It overtook her father, killed her mother, and brought the worst of people right to her doorstep.
It was society.
Elizabeth Swann huffed as she sat in her room at the window. The cool breeze rustled the curtains at her side, brushing against her soft and tanned skin lightly.
The young woman of twenty was certainly one of the most prominent figures in Port Royal, if not the most prominent figure. As the daughter of the governor, all eyes were on her. After all, twenty was precisely the age for a suitable marriage with most women. But frankly, Elizabeth wasn't most women. She was just Elizabeth, plain and simple. And this fact in itself was what made men come from all over the Caribbean, even England itself, to try for the young beauty's hand.
Governor Swann would try and try to warm her up to some of them, but she would not be had.
Elizabeth sighed again, standing and reaching out to close the curtains. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a ship looming in the distance, just on the horizon. It was a ghastly ship with tattered sails and it seemed a shadow followed in its wake.
The governor's daughter squinted her eyes, almost excited for a moment, and turned to call her maid in. "Estrella, come quickly!"
The slightly older, stouter, and plain woman hastened into the room. "What is it, Miss? You've given me such a fright! What has happened!" Elizabeth motioned her over and turned back to see the ship.
But the ghostly ship had disappeared completely. It was just…it was gone. Elizabeth gasped as Estrella came up beside her.
"What is it, Miss Elizabeth?" She asked urgently, looking out to where Elizabeth's finger still numbly pointed.
"There…there was a ship out there. There was a ship on the horizon. I saw it with my own two eyes, and now it's…gone!" She turned to Estrella, her face stricken in confusion.
"Miss, have you been getting enough sleep or have you been reading til the wee hours of the morning again?" Estrella asked, hands on hips in a most authoritative way.
"I swear to you, Estrella! There was a ship! I swear it on God's name!"
"Elizabeth, please! Do not use our Lord and Savior's name in vain! It is enough that you talk of things that aren't!" Estrella nearly had to clamp a hand over her mouth. She wasn't supposed to speak in such tones to her mistress, especially not so horribly out of turn.
"That's quite enough, Estrella, thankyou." Elizabeth's jaw was clenched as the maid attempted apologies, but Elizabeth pointed to the door.
"Thankyou, Estrella. You may take your leave from my room now."
The maid bowed slightly. "Yes, mum." Then she turned and left quickly, berating herself mentally for being so bold and crass.
Elizabeth quickly moved back to the window and placed her palms on the window sill, leaning out and staring all around the ocean. The ship truly wasn't in sight and it frightened her. Maybe she hadn't gotten enough sleep as Estrella had suggested.
She shook her head and shut the windows securely, turning away and going back to her vanity. The morning's light had graced only one half of the vanity from her large window, and that was where her brush was laid the night before.
Sitting on her chair, she took up the brush and began smoothing it down her long, honey locks tenderly. Today another suitor would call, then another, and another. It was society's cruel way of saying, "This is how your life will be for the duration, so get used to it."
A small painting hung next to her mirror on the wall. It was of her mother. They looked almost exactly alike, except for the eyes. While Elizabeth's eyes were light brown and beguiling, the eyes in the painting were blue and rather sullen. Other than that, both women were incredibly beautiful with high-cheekbones, honey hair, pouted lips, and beautiful button noses.
Elizabeth had also required a darker skin coloring as she had played outdoors often as a youth. Her father had scorned her for it, saying she'd ruined her pale complexion that most attracted men to women, but she hadn't cared a bit, because the times spent out in the garden or climbing the trees in the courtyard were certainly the best of her life.
A knock sounded at her door as she stood and smoothed her dress. "Come in."
Governor Weatherby Swann poked his head in the door. "Good morning, darling."
She smiled at him and walked to give him a small kiss on the cheek.
"Good morning, father."
"And how is my prized and favorite daughter on this beautiful day?" He asked in high spirits.
She sighed. "Your only daughter is just fine, but is becoming a tad bit suspicious. What's going on Father? Why are you being so cheerful and kind?" She paused. "It is overdone, by the way."
Weatherby seemed flustered at her ability to see right through him. "Stubborn as a mule, just like your mother." He sighed and dropped the act completely. "Another suitor is come. Get ready and put on one of your best dresses, he is waiting in the parlor."
She looked down and pouted slightly, then looked back up with a bitter smile. "Alright, Father. I'll be down soon."
The young Elizabeth Swann looked down at her sleeping gown and sauntered over to her armoire, opening it and taking out an amber dress. Estrella came into her room and smiled sheepishly.
"Let me help you, mum," she murmured. Elizabeth nodded and held out the dress sourly.
The waves crashed over the side of the ship, sending a particularly strong young man against the railing on the other side of the deck. He sputtered and felt the back of his head. Bringing it back, he noticed blood on his fingers for the split second before the storm's pelting rain washed it away.
He stood up groggily and stumbled to the helm, grabbing onto the wheel tighter than he'd ever held anything before.
"Will!" He heard from down on the deck. He widened his eyes as he looked to see his captain and friend standing at the rail just a few yards in front of him. A large wave was building up behind the older man.
"Captain! Look out!"
"What! I can't hear you, son! What is it! I'm trying to tell you the lookout has spotted land not too far off!" But the man's last words were cut off as the wave crashed down over him and sucked his grip from the railing.
He was gone.
"Captain Daniels! NO!" Will reached out for the man as he flew into the tumultuous waves of the Caribbean.
The young man at the helm felt real anguish gripping at his soul, but he pushed it back, searching for any of the men that he could get to help him keep the ship from capsizing.
"Jeremiah! Jeremiah, where are you!" He yelled. Not a sound could be heard though, besides the thundering wind in his ears and the loud crashes of thunder.
All of a sudden, it was disconcertingly quiet, save for the pitter patter of rain. Will loosened his grip on the wheel and frowned, the water dripping down his tired and strained face. The water clung to his beard and dripped from his mustache, following the curve of his chiseled jaw.
The silence was unnerving and William Turner was all of a sudden extremely frightened. As he turned, he saw it.
A colossal wall of water was growing to tower over The Eulogy.
The young man's eyes widened and his mouth opened and closed for a few seconds before the wall started crashing down. The last thing he saw was white and black spots surging across his vision…and a mountain, before all was gone.
Elizabeth sunk down into an overstuffed chair in the library, a copy of her favorite romance novel in her hands. She hadn't had the time to read a good book in so long, it was a wonder she could even remember how to read.
She sighed, shutting her eyes momentarily, then opened them along with her book and looked down to the first words in the novel.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
A loud banging was heard at the front door. Elizabeth huffed, annoyed that once again, she'd only read a few words before something else interrupted. She heard a maid running to open the door.
The young woman quietly sneaked to the door of the library and cracked it open so that she could see who it was. As the maid pulled the large door open, George, the stable boy ran in.
"George, you're dripping all over the place! What has gotten into you!"
He shook his head, grabbing the maid's shoulders. "Miss, you need to get the governor! I s-saw something!" His eyes were wide in urgency and fright. Instead of scolding him any longer, the maid nodded, hurrying up to where Governor Swann was surely doing his paperwork.
Elizabeth licked her pouted lips and opened the door more, addressing the boy still dripping on the newly cleaned floor. "George, what is it? What's going on?" She asked him. His eyes widened even more as he saw the beautiful governor's daughter standing there.
"M-Miss, there's a dead body out on your beach! I-I was bringing in all the horses because of the storm, Miss Swann…and…and I saw something on the shore. I inched closer and—a fella! There's a fella and I think he's dead!" Elizabeth gasped, not being able to contain the feelings of adventure surging through her soul.
"That's quite enough, Mr. Jeffries. Take me to where you saw this man you speak of and kindly don't mention anymore to my daughter. She has a fragile mind…" The governor stated from the top of the staircase. George shut his mouth and bowed. "Yessir. Right away."
Elizabeth looked up, stubbornly. "Father, for goodness sakes!" She hurried to the entry way closet and pulled out a cloak, wrapping it around herself. "I'm coming!"
"No! If it truly is a dead man, I wish for you not to see it!" He turned away from her and started down the stairs towards George. "George, did you get a good look at the man?" He asked.
"Not his face, sir. But his clothing looked like a navyman, sir."
The governor nodded and motioned George out in front of him. "Mary, send a note to the commodore and tell him to meet me down at the beach off the shore side."
George hurried out to the front steps. A carriage was already waiting there for the governor with no driver, so George hopped up to the driver's seat as the governor climbed into the dry carriage.
His very own daughter sat opposite him with a small smirk. "How did you--?" He sputtered. "Oh, for goodness sake!" The carriage pulled away as the Governor of Port Royal rolled his eyes.
A few moments later, the carriage pulled to a stop and they heard George drop down and splash to the door. As he opened it, Elizabeth jumped out into the puddles and pouring rain, her father calling after her in a demanding tone.
"Where is the man!" She asked over the roar of the wind. George, shocked as he was he that the young beauty had appeared virtually out of thin air, pointed down to the beach where the man lie.
She turned just as Swann stopped next to her and stumbled down towards the unmoving figure.
As soon as Weatherby Swann groaned at his young daughter, Commodore Norrington and some of his men halted their proud mares and pushed themselves to the ground.
"Is that Elizabeth!" The commodore asked, water dripping from the hat upon his head and onto his shoulders.
"Yes," Swann said, simply. "That's Elizabeth, crazy girl."
"Well, why would you allow--?"
"I didn't," he replied calmly.
"You didn't?"
"No, I didn't."
The commodore, James Norrington, a man with stoic features beyond his years, almost went on with his questioning, but caught a glimpse of the stubborn girl nearly diving to the side of a prone figure lying in the sand.
"She's too rash," he muttered, knowing precisely why he was called to duty at so strange an hour. He broke away from the governor and motioned two of his men after him. When he reached Elizabeth's side, she was leaned with her ear pressed against the man's chest.
"Is he alive?" James asked urgently, surprising Elizabeth with his presence. She recovered quickly and nodded.
"There is a heartbeat, yes. But I'm not entirely sure for how long." James nodded back and gently pushed her aside to kneel upon his knees in the muddy sand and press his own ear near the man's mouth.
"It seems he is no longer breathing," he said, calmly readying to save the man's life. Elizabeth gasped, standing and turning into her father, who had just arrived. He took his daughter into his arms, attempting to warm her up.
James set his hands proportionately on the nearly dead man's chest and pressed. Frustrated with his constant failure in getting the water from the bearded man's lungs, Norrington pressed even harder.
Much to the surprise of all who witnessed this, the man started vomiting water, turning himself over and groaning as the vile liquid mixed with salt water poured from his mouth.
Elizabeth gasped and went to kneel beside the man, but her father held her back. "Men, set the young man in my carriage."
His daughter broke from him and ran all the way back to the carriage, nearly tripping countless times before arriving. She accepted George's hand as he helped her into the carriage. Soon after, the door was held open by the commodore as his two men lifted the injured soul into the governor's stately and large carriage. Elizabeth allowed his head to be placed in her lap as they set him to lay long ways along the padded seat.
The young woman carefully smoothed his soaked dark hair from his eyes. As soon as she had, his eyes fluttered until they stared. She nearly drew her breath in with shock as his deep brown eyes drowned her in nearly the same way as the sea had almost done to him.
A small smile broke under his mangy beard, Elizabeth smiling back softly, before his head lulled back and he became unconscious again. The commodore climbed into the carriage then and shut the door.
"Where's my father?" Elizabeth inquired, looking up from the man at her lap.
"He's given me leave to escort you and our guest back to the mansion while my men escort him to Dr. Jackson's home." Elizabeth nodded mutely, looking down at the man she realized must be quite young, despite the dark beard on his face.
"You get anything out of him?" James asked the younger woman. She shook her head.
"No, he opened his eyes and smiled. But that's all I've gotten in response."
Soon after, they arrived home. Some of the household help exited to assist them. Thomas, the butler, and Commodore Norrington took the young man from Elizabeth's arms and carried him through the rain and inside.
Elizabeth followed soon after, throwing her hood from her head and starting for the stairs. "My room, gentlemen," she demanded, crisply.
"Is it entirely proper, Miss Swann?" James asked, doubtfully.
"Entirely," she shot back behind her, climbing up to the second floor without missing a step. Both the commodore and the butler looked to each other and shrugged before following, the limp young man still in their strong grip.
Elizabeth opened the door to her room and quickly hastened passed her bed and dresser to her washroom. She disappeared into the room as James and Thomas came in, setting the man on her bed.
"You may leave to your business, gentlemen," came the young, smooth voice from the washroom. When Elizabeth heard no movement, she sighed.
"I'll take care of him from here until the doctor arrives," she finished, finally hearing both men take their leave.
The governor's daughter reappeared then, a washcloth and bowl of warm water in her hands. She set both on the small tray beside the bed and pulled up a chair, reaching up to untie her cloak and hang it to dry.
Then she took the bowl and set it on her lap, gathering the cloth between her fingers to wring it out. She moved to the young man's side and set the cloth to his forehead gingerly.
Once again, he shifted in his position, causing Elizabeth to gasp and pull back. She stopped her ministrations and watched as he opened his eyes again. He licked his dry, cracked lips in vain, for the salt water had drained him of fresh water.
She quickly reached over and poured some water in a mug from a clear glass pitcher. She knelt beside him and propped him up carefully, letting him drink the water.
"Thankyou," he rasped in a near whisper.
Elizabeth bowed her head to him and laid him back down. "What is your name, sir? And what has happened?"
He shut his eyes momentarily, sighing softly and almost painfully it seemed to Elizabeth. When he reopened them and looked to her again, he answered with a sheepish smile. "Well, I'm not quite sure about the latter, but to answer the former, my name is William Turner."
She smiled, wiping his cut face with the newly rinsed cloth gently. "Good to meet you, Mr. Turner, though I were to wish it under completely and wholly better circumstances."
"As were I," he said, his voice nearly back to normal at the warmth of her caring behavior towards him.
"My name is Elizabeth Swann," she said softly, "…and this is my humble abode." She motioned to the room surrounding them.
"If this is humble, Miss Swann, I don't dare wonder what a grand abode might look in this town." He grinned as she lightly wiped his neck with the warm cloth.
With a giggle, she pursed her lips. "I daresay this will be the grandest abode you encounter." The door opened and she stood, smiling at the fairly young man in a navy man's dress who appeared.
"Elizabeth, Dr. Jackson is here," the stoic man said, coming to place a caring hand on the young woman's back. Elizabeth smiled and nodded, William still staring at the commodore curiously.
Elizabeth turned her head to smile at him before leaving the room with the other man. A prominent-looking man with a gray powdered wig stole into the room, followed by what will took to be the doctor.
"Ah, awake, young man?" The important man addressed him. William only watched as they moved nearer to his bedside.
"My name is Governor Weatherby Swann, young man. And this is Doctor Jiminy Jackson." Will nodded.
"William Turner," he introduced himself.
"While I examine you, tell us what happened, Mr. Turner," the doctor said in his old, tired voice.
"I'm not entirely sure what happened, sir, nor where I am." Swann chuckled.
"Why, this is Port Royal, Jamaica, son. And I am the governor." Will's eyebrows shot up. The storm had certainly thrown The Eulogy off course.
"And the young woman who tended to me?" He asked, trying to keep any sense of eagerness from his voice or facial expressions.
"Oh yes, Elizabeth. She is my daughter." Will was speechless. She was the governor's daughter. He could have chuckled at the thought, for the young man almost swore she was an angel at his first glance upon her in the carriage.
"And…and the man with her? With the navy jacket?" Will asked again.
"Commodore Norrington. He is head of all naval operations in Port Royal as of now." Meanwhile, the doctor had been prodding at Will almost painfully, taking off his torn and bloodied shirt to treat the sores and cuts beneath it.
"So your daughter is betrothed to this…Commodore Norrington?" Will asked, watching as the doctor poked a particularly nasty bruise. He winced.
"My good sir, we are the ones who are supposed to be asking the questions," Weatherby said, amusement in his features.
Will, slightly frustrated with the older man for not answering his question, began to tell his story.
"We were sailing quite far away from here, to be sure, when a storm swept upon us. This storm. 'Twas early yesterday afternoon when the first signs were visible along the horizon." Will paused. "We prepared as well as possible, but the storm was powerful. It was quite soon after nightfall when the storm reached her peak. The Eulogy, the ship we sailed, was tossed about by her fury the way a child plays with his toy. I believe all men were lost but I when a wave crashed over the entire ship. It swallowed her whole, I believe." He cleared his throat.
"You were the captain of this ship?" Norrington asked from where he leaned against the doorway. Will glanced behind the doctor and eyed his tall figure.
"No, sir. I was merely a passenger on very good terms with the captain. I resided before the voyage in my England home until I was called away…on business." All three of the Port Royal men saw the slight flicker of a cover up in his eyes, but said not a word.
"You say the sea swallowed you ship…The Eulogy was it?" The governor asked.
"Yes, sir. Like a flash…" he paused as a new shirt was put on him over his newly bandaged abdomen, left unbuttoned.
No one saw except James as Elizabeth pushed into the room. The commodore's eyes glinted, not surprised that the curious young woman would find her way back into the room. Will continued, unaware of her presence.
"It was extremely eerie, for several seconds passed in which I nearly heard nothing but silence and the soft pitter-patter of raindrops on the deck. An intense feeling of fear shot through me then, and I couldn't make heads or tails out of it. So I turned to inspect my surroundings as any level headed man would do, to find a horrific sight looming behind the aft deck." His eyes clouded into fear as a shiver shot through each of their bodies.
"What was it?" Elizabeth asked, moving closer. Governor Swann and Dr. Jackson turned to watch her draw nearer. Will swallowed, keeping his eyes on her for just a moment before looking at his lap again.
"Twas a wave, about thirty to thirty-five feet in height. It certainly towered over The Eulogy. There was nothing I could do but hang on." He stopped, fingering a button absent-mindedly.
"Last thing I remember was seeing land, a mountain to be precise, and spots. I woke up to find myself in a carriage with you, Miss Swann," he finished, watching her again. A light trace of a smile was evident on her beautiful pouted lips before the commodore spoke.
"I'm incredibly sorry, as are we all, I'm sure, for you loss, Mr. Turner. Allow me to send my condolences." Will smiled gratefully.
"Please, Commodore Norrington. You must allow me to send my own thanks. As well as to you, Governor Swann sir, and your daughter." All three smiled at him.
The doctor stood straight and walked to the governor. "I believe Mr. Turner needs his rest now. If you would be so kind as to allow for this, I'll return tomorrow at noon."
The doctor shook hands with all and took his leave.
"Let us know if you will be needing anything at all, Mr. Turner, and you shall have it at once," Weatherby said.. He left the room as Norrington bowed his head and turned to leave as well.
Elizabeth's light brown eyes stayed on Will as he yawned, a sad, far off look deepening his eyes as he clenched his pronounced jaw. His eyes flicked up to her as she came closer.
"I'm truly sorry," she voiced just above a whisper.
"No, please. The sea takes so many lives, it's impossible to tell them apart any longer." He let a crooked half-smile dimple on side of his cheek. She stared, knowing his anguish was still ever-present.
Elizabeth sat down on the edge of the bed beside him and sighed, allowing her eyes to drift over his tanned chest. She cleared her throat as she scanned his bruises and bandages. A soft hand reached out to touch his skin and at first contact, Will flinched. The girl brought her hand back immediately.
"I'm sorry!" She muttered quickly. "It—It's just that he missed one," she mumbled, stroking a large gash tenderly. Warmth spread through him at her touch and he chuckled. The rumble of his voice was felt in her fingers against his chest.
"That one is old," he explained, taking her hand from his chest and squeezing it.
"Old?" She asked, tilting her head in question.
"Yes, I've sailed before. Battles have ensued, wars won, blows dealt. This is the product of one such blow. 'Twas a dagger." His hands were rough as they held her one with care.
She licked her lips as she leant forward. Everything about him intrigued her and his eyes drew her closer. She saw another world swimming in their dark brown depths.
Just centimeters away, her eyes drifted shut, feeling his warm breath upon her face.
"Elizabeth, let the boy sleep!"
She shot away, and blushed profusely. Her father then opened the door to see his daughter pulling the sheet over the young victim and grinned. "Come on."
She nodded. "Goodnight, Mr. Turner. Sleep well." She smiled fleetingly before walking to the door and hearing his "Goodnight Miss Swann" behind her.
As Governor Swann shut the door to her room, Elizabeth stole down the hall to the guest room where she'd be sleeping.
"Elizabeth, what were you doing in there so long?" He asked her as he followed, for his room was just at the end of the hall, by far the grandest of the mansion.
"Making sure he was comfortable." She smiled. "Goodnight, Father." She shut the door to the room and leant against it, biting her lip. For once, she was glad a ball was to arrive soon at the Swann mansion.
(A/N:) Yes, I'm back. And better to boot. Watch out.