Author's Note: Thanks for reviewing, East of the Sun!

Keep those reviews coming guys, because if you find this boring, it's slowly going to change! Squee!

Irish Avalon

Chapter 2: Strange Man

Elizabeth ducked beneath an old tree, she not knowing what it was called. Her eyes darted from one branch to another, curious of how aged the bark was; her hand caressed the thick trunk, still crisp from the winter. Elizabeth took in the scent of winter's end and early spring, for she missed the cold and dry air compared to the humidity of Jamaica during this time of year. Soon though, the governor's daughter heard the sound of an arriving carriage, a sound completely distinguishable among the deafening quiet of an old garden. Elizabeth, being curious, decided to have a look see on who the guest was and headed back into the mansion.

Norrington stepped from the carriage, carrying a letter of reply for the upcoming festivity. He had figured it was better to personally deliver the message to the governor, rather than have a busy marine for the task. Gillette, stepped from the carriage next, and looked up at the great French doors of the mansion, "This'd be the governor's?"

Norrington sighed, "It seems," said he.

The doors slowly swung open and a man of his middle ages answered. Norrington perceived him to be the butler, "Good afternoon, sir," the lieutenant said, "We have a letter to be delivered to the governor."

The butler nodded, "Please come in, officers," said he, in a somewhat bored tone, "I shall announce your presence."

Gillette entered with Norrington and looked round to find himself in a large room of riches. The marble walls, lined with velvet-curtained windows, gleamed in the afternoon sun streaming through. The chandelier, just above the lieutenants' heads, was of crystal, and seemed to be well kept. Gillette had finally found something to say, "Not a very jolly fellow, isn't he?"

Norrington stared at Gillette, "The butler?"

"Aye."

"Well, I suppose if I were to spend the rest of my life opening doors and announcing visitors to my master, I would be just as stiff a fellow."

Gillette smirked, "Well put."

"Excuse me, officers, the governor may see you now."

Gillette and Norrington were given a start by the sudden announcement. James was first to gain his composure, "Thank you."

Elizabeth peered from the back hall to the main halls. She found two men, supposedly from the navy, speaking to butler, Jerry, and approaching her father's study. Elizabeth frowned and quietly followed the small party just as Jerry had closed the door behind them.

"Ah, lieutenants!" Governor Swann smiled, "A pleasantry to meet you."

The gentlemen exchanged bows and salutations before Norrington had spoken up, "Governor, welcome once again to England. We have a letter from our fleet Admiral regarding the party taking place fortnight."

"Oh, yes. I remember delivering the letter."

Gillette smiled and handed the governor the envelope, "Duly signed by the authorities, governor."

Governor Swann looked certainly pleased, "Thank you very much, officers. Now, I hope you don't see it improper but I should like to see if I could remember your names from the last time I met you. That would be last year?"

Gillette and Norrington smiled as the governor had accidentally referred to Norrington as Andrew and Gillette as James. The old man had quickly corrected himself, "My, my, I am aging!" He chuckled.

Presently there was a knock at the door. A young woman and Jerry entered. Jerry's back was straight he bowed, "Miss Elizabeth Swann, governor," said he and nodded to the lieutenants to acknowledge their presence.

Norrington stared at the woman, Elizabeth? He thought, Elizabeth Swann?

Norrington found that the woman he had met from childhood and last year had certainly changed. Her features were different. Her eyes were more accentuated with stunning gray, her hair was the deepest golden brown, her face was delicate and gentle, and her posture was perfect. Norrington wouldn't have recognized her if he hadn't been informed by the butler of who she was. He knew her to be pretty but not…stunning, Now, now. None of that, James thought. Elizabeth approached her father and first curtsied to him, then turned to the officers and show her respects. In return, she had received two very perfect bows. She smiled at the officer, who looked slightly older than his companion. Her gray eyes caught his deep green ones, and held them. But Norrington, remembering reality merely nodded. The governor clapped his hands lightly, "Officers, this is my daughter, Elizabeth. Perhaps you remember her from last year's festivity."

Norrington said nothing and smiled at the governor, while Gillette decided to ease the tight air, "Miss Swann, how do you do?"

Elizabeth smiled, "Quite well, thank you, Lieutenant Andrew."

The governor looked appalled, "Elizabeth!" said he, "Is that entirely proper to-"

Elizabeth smiled sweetly, "Address the officers in such a manner? Oh! father don't you worry. I remember them from when we were children, don't you Lieutenant James?"

Norrington raised his eyebrows, amazed that Elizabeth still remembered him after all these years, "Of course, Ms. Swann," said he. Elizabeth nodded in satisfaction.

Gillette nodded and looked at his pocket watch and noticed the sunlight slowly dim outside the windows, "Well, we really must be going, governor. We have things to attend to back at the fort."

Governor Swann nodded, "Understood, lieutenant. Thank you for personally coming by to deliver the notice."

Norrington bowed and Gillette followed his example, "It was our pleasure, governor," he said and nodded to Elizabeth, "Ms. Swann, 'till fortnight be."

Elizabeth nodded, "See you then, lieutenant."

Gillette led the way outside of the mansion.

Elizabeth watched from the windows of the study, as the carriage took the officers back to the fort, Such a strange man, she thought, We had been friends for longer than I can remember, and yet he acts as if we were but acquaintances. Elizabeth sighed, Oh, James. Haven't you changed at all?

Author's Note: Why does it matter if James is stiff or not? Well, we shan't bother her. heh.

REMEMBER: that if thou seest a button of blue, thou shall do as I say and review. TC!