Note: In this story Gillette's name is given as William if it is brought up, this is simply because a friend of mine, who's portrayal he is based on, gave him that name.
Curse of the Black Pearl - Part 1 - Festivus Interuptus
Ceremonies were much the same each time, all following a single pattern; though Groves admittedly to himself that he had not attended many, not any at all for someone personally known to him. He certainly did not complain of the humidity, staple of the coming Caribbean summer, or the way nearly everyone in the courtyard appeared to be holding their breath. Whether they honestly couldn't breathe for the soupy texture of the air or were expecting some grand thing to happen he couldn't be certain.
Once or twice his friend and partner Will may have discreetly elbowed him in the side as a reminder to pay attention. Gillette was far too proper to hiss or corrected him aloud for fear of causing distraction himself, or interrupting the proceedings.
Nearly an hour later the pomp and circumstance was completed and as a pair they joined the crowd to congratulate Norrington and to try to part the throng enough to allow the poor man to catch his own breath. There was of course only one individual the newly-appointed Commodore had any real wish to speak to – and she looked absolutely stunning.
As the crowd thinned out and began making their way in search of cool refreshments Miss Swan had retreated to the ramparts. Norrington excused himself and to allow the two to have a private conversation the two lieutenants completed their duty in distracting the remaining well-wishers. Of course the conversation wasn't entirely private, there were more than enough people within eyesight or distant ear shot (perhaps one or two individuals who were doing their best to overhear even though they had a good idea what the subject matter was already).
In short order the two on the rampart were diminished to one, as Miss Swan inexplicably vanished over the wall. The sight was so obscured and unexpected that the two stood with jaws dropped, blinking in astonishment until their officer's shout spurred Gillette into movement and that in turn broke the spell holding Groves in place. Will of course reached the spot first and pulled him back off the wall and Theodore peered down into the water. As Will had said, missing the rocks was a sheer miracle, though the height of the wall itself was a rather daunting fall.
For a rescue to be attempted, the long circuitous route through the fort and out to the docks would need to be taken, then a boat launched to the wall and a man who was blessed with the ability to swim would need to retrieve her. Not a turn the day had been expected to take. While the other two fathered a few men and the Governor, someone still needed to remain at the garrison and disperse the partygoers. The majority chose to remain with Groves on the wall, watching for some sign of Miss Swan and the rescue party. From that vantage point he watched bubbles rise from under the waves and then a shock and ripple, larger than any stone hitting water. It rose up and spread outward. The ships rocked on their anchors as it passed and when it reached the mouth of the harbor all at once the wind turned. Suddenly the day had felt more like a Northern autumn than the beginning of a tropical summer. Groves shivered under his wool coat. Others along the wall did the same.
Around that moment someone dove off the stern of Interceptor and swam toward the fort. It wasn't either of the Marines (both of whom had been selected to watch the ship to prevent their arguing to disrupt the ceremony) as Groves could easily spy their scarlet coats still on board. Unwilling to take eyes off the swimmer and the rocks below he called for a spyglass and one was promptly supplied. The man ducked under the water. The whole gathered crowed once again held their breath until he reappeared with Miss Swan in tow and then erupted into cheers.
Groves wondered whether Norrington would feel grateful to have her rescued, even by an unknown man, or robbed of the opportunity to have done so himself. The glass went to his eye again as activity moved back to the dock where the party from the fort was arriving just in time to meet the unknown rescuer and the two Marines who had dashed from the ship. Rather quickly the atmosphere he could perceive on the crowded dock moved from shaking hands to handing the man over to Gillette and a couple of Marines to be arrested. He lowered the glass to frown at another observing sailor who shrugged back.
Then the crowd parted enough to see Miss Swan, sans dress or corset and he nearly dropped the glass down into the harbor.
After fumbling for a moment Theodore raised it again and focused instead on to Marines milling about uncomfortably, the look of extreme displeasure on Gillette's face that he was certain was mirrored on Norrington's judging by the tense set to the man's shoulders, and the way the Governor fidgeted. He turned back just in time to see the now-prisoner wrap the long chain of the cuff's around Miss Swan's neck and throw her back at his captors. Yet again the day took a drastic turn.
The man, who very clearly had no desire for arrest, was swinging about up in the air while soldiers took a dunk in the water and musket balls flew every which way in an attempt to hit him. From the fort the rapports were delayed but when they were heard and the muzzle smoke noticed even more sailors and soldiers turned out and joined the watching crowd. They all observed in awe as the man swung once more over the dock then was pursued up the street, watching until the action moved out of sight.