Chapter Two

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Disclaimer – I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean but I do own Leticia Hanover.

Leticia did not like several things. She despised being told what to do, did not care for her father at all and her brother grated on her nerves like a professional wood carver. But, above all, Leticia Hanover loathed being wrong.

Edward had continued his painful tradition of providing her with apparel that was deeply uncomfortable. The corset required to complete the stunning dress had to be tied so tightly that it not only took three servants to get her into it, but it felt like her lungs had being shoved together to make just one.

Thankfully, the shoes were not as abysmal as the last pair her brother had gotten her and she was given a fan to stave off the harsh heat. Her chocolate brown locks, partially lightened due to the continuous sun, were piled on top of her head with several tendrils framing her face and a hat neatly placed on top of her head.

Both she and Elizabeth were standing and fanning themselves as much as possible and Leticia had to say that Elizabeth looked perfect as was normal. Of course, the day had chosen to be much hotter than normal, just to add to their discomfort.

"Are you having trouble breathing?" Leticia managed to gasp as the soon-to-be Commodore appeared in the fort. Elizabeth nodded speedily, eyes practically begging to be allowed to go home and Leticia managed a faint smile. "Oh good, it's not just me then."

When the ceremony had concluded and Leticia was all set to go home, she was halted by Edward. She skilfully masked her groan with a choked cough, politely hidden in her fan. Her brother seemed to suspect her though.

"You may want to wait for this," he told her as Elizabeth was escorted over to the battlement by James. Leticia forgot about her struggle to breathe as she observed what she knew was a proposal. Oh, she wondered what Elizabeth would say. Of course, the right thing to do would be to say yes and marry the outstanding gentleman who could care for her for the rest of her life but Leticia was an observer: she knew what Will and Elizabeth felt for one another. She also saw Elizabeth was a lot worse off than she was.

"Edward, she's going to fall!" she cried in alarm, just as her best friend slipped from the battlement and tumbled from sight. Pain completely forgotten and eyes as wide as plates, Leticia turned to her brother. Orders were called and men ran from the fort, down to the dock where Elizabeth would be found. Leticia no longer cared what was proper and took off after them, arriving to find guns pointed all at one man.

And what a man he was. His dark brown dreadlocks were partially covered with a dark red scarf, complete with little trinkets. He was fairly well built and stood unsteadily, like he had had too much to drink. His eyes were the colour of dark chocolate and Leticia was only stopped from staring by her brother, who ushered her towards Elizabeth. The Governor's daughter was wrapped in a blue coat and seemed to be missing most of her clothing.

"Father, Commodore, do you really intend to kill my rescuer?" Elizabeth was saying sharply and Leticia grinned, ignoring her brother's presence completely. She was deeply interested in the man that had saved her best friend. He simply screamed adventurous and Leticia had always wanted adventure.

"I believe thanks are in order," James said grudgingly as everyone lowered their weapons. Leticia rubbed her stomach unconsciously as she was no longer sufficiently distracted enough to not notice her breathing issues. Hopefully she didn't end up like Elizabeth.

"Edward, I can't breathe properly," she whispered to him but he simply brushed her off. Given what had just happened to Elizabeth, Leticia had expected more understanding or at least a glance in her general direction.

"Had a brush with the East India Trading Company did we, pirate?" James demanded and Leticia swivelled her head back around to face the mysterious man. He looked irritated at himself whilst everyone raised their weapons again. Leticia felt the need to stop it before-

"Hang him," the Governor ordered. Leticia stepped in upon seeing Elizabeth's desperate expression. Like Leticia, the younger woman didn't care if the man was a pirate. He had saved her best friend's life and that was what mattered to her.

"Commodore Norrington, with all due respect, I think consideration for saving Elizabeth should be taken into account," she argued diplomatically. James and his gunmen all stared at her as Gillette appeared with shackles and Leticia took note that the pirate's effects had been handed over. She hadn't even caught his name and she was defending him.

James, evidently, didn't want to listen to her, and grabbed the pirate, dragging him away. Elizabeth and Leticia followed.

"One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness," James stated firmly and Leticia glowered quite harshly at him in reply, speaking over the pirate that had opened his mouth to protest.

"Yet one bad deed is enough to overrule a lifetime of gentleness. You have the opportunity to change the inane rules that we live by and save this man like he saved Elizabeth." Her eyes bore into James', unyielding in her assault. Edward, she could tell, was desperately uncomfortable but she ignored it. Silence reigned.

Opposite her, Jack was staring contemplatively. He had no idea who the woman was or how she hadn't collapsed in her dress similar to Elizabeth's but what he did know was that her defence was passionate. He liked her.

She was lithe, he could tell, with chocolate and gold hair. Her eyes were the exact shade of the Caribbean sea in sunlight and her mouth was set in an angry pout. He could just see her ready to leap into an adventure. Yes, he most certainly liked her.

"It doesn't work that way, Your Highness. Please escort the Princess away from here," Norrington ordered and Jack raised an eyebrow. So, she was the Princess. A rebellious Princess, but Princess nonetheless. And, unfortunately for Norrington, the git had just provided him with a way out.

"Finally," he muttered to himself before looping the shackles around the fiery girl's neck. Instantaneously, everyone looked alarmed, though Jack noted Prince Edward didn't look quite as shocked as he should.

"Don't shoot!" he ordered and Jack was pleased that fire was held. He requested the return of his effects and hat then had the pleasure of allowing Leticia the honour to attach them all.

"So, Princess, do you have a name to accompany that fancy title?" he asked, watching as her breath hitched. It only took a moment for him to realise it wasn't because of his usually disarming smile, but because of her corset. He wondered how much longer she'd last.

"Possibly," she replied, attaching his belt and weapon with a surprising ease. It was almost like she'd done it before, but Jack knew that was impossible. She was a Princess and had likely never even touched a gun in her life.

His eyes were inescapably drawn to her chest, where the corset helpfully emphasised certain assets. He only grabbed a quick glance, though, as she finished with his hat and he whirled her back around.

"Gentlemen, ladies, you will always remember this as the day you almost caught: Captain Jack Sparrow!"

He pushed the Princess away from him abruptly and took off. He only caught a glimpse of her Caribbean bronzed skin before gunfire was opened up on him and he fled for his life once again. He was certain to never forget that feisty young woman with colourful eyes that begged for adventure.

XXX

Leticia was escorted home after all the dramatics and mournfully adjourned to her room. News reached her that Captain Jack Sparrow – the name of the pirate she'd attempted to rescue – had been caught by the local blacksmith and would hang in the morning. Even though she'd known it to be foolish, her hopes for adventure had risen but were dashed when she heard about the imprisonment.

She couldn't stop thinking about him for several reasons. Once she'd gotten out of the horrendous corset and was allowed time to herself, Leticia stared at her mirror for several long hours, thinking of the handsome pirate. She wanted him to come for her, rescue her from her mundane day-to-day life. But it was so silly to think of that and how attractive she found him, so she decided a distraction was in order.

She changed into a simple gown that wasn't up to par with her usual silk contraptions and hid her breeches. After putting on a hat to hopefully conceal her identity further, she snuck out with the help of the servants and headed straight to William Turner in the blacksmith's.

Will and Leticia had formed a friendship upon arrival in Port Royal. With Leticia's rebellious nature and Will's handy skill with a sword, she quickly found her salvation from boredom – and that was how she learned to sword fight. Initially, he had been hesitant because she was female and it was improper, but Leticia had quickly sorted out his attitude with her temper.

They trained as much as possible. Will trained because he had a strange aversion to pirates and wanted to be able to defend himself, whilst Leticia learned as a way of going against her family and having a secret all her own.

Upon entering the blacksmith's, Leticia saw Will analysing one of his most recent creations and smiled.

"Good evening, Mr Turner," she greeted with a teasing grin. He rolled his eyes and politely turned away as she pulled her dress away, revealing her breeches, boots and top.

"Good evening, Princess Leticia." Leticia scowled at him darkly as he handed her a sword before rolling her eyes as well.

"Message received, but never do that again." She pointed the sword at him mockingly before testing the blade. It was one of his older ones, as they used those to prevent suspicious damage to new ones, but still in perfectly good condition. She swung it around and practiced a few movements before turning to Will expectantly.

"Good. Let's practice."

XXX

It was dark by the time they finished and Leticia, cautious of her brother, quickly pulled her dress on over her masculine clothes. She returned the sword to its position and was startled by a cool, strange breeze blowing through the shop. Alarmed, she looked at Will to find him looking startled.

"Leticia, go home – now," he insisted and, though she didn't want to listen, she recognised his urgency and departed.

For only a minute after she had left, there was an eerie silence over the town. But cannon fire and yelling took over, terrifying the locals. Screams from men, women and children alike filled the air along with smoke and flames and Leticia, scared for her life, ran for the main street. That's where the pirates were.

Resolved to make it home alive, she began running again and made it to the middle of the street before she was halted. The pirate had an awful odour coming from him and a thick, smoking beard. His teeth were rotted and some were gold as he grinned at her grotesquely. Taking a chance, Leticia tried to fight her way through but his grubby hand stopped hers before it made contact.

The last thing Leticia heard before he swung his heavy weapon into the side of her head was the screams of innocent people, full of terror.

XXX

Leticia awoke the next morning with a pulsing on the left side of her head and face, accompanied by a strangely blank memory and sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. Managing to pull herself from bed, stumbling in the process, the Princess made her way over to her large mirror in an attempt to discover why her face was throbbing.

She screamed.

"Princess, whatever is the matter?" Emily asked frantically as she burst into the room with a fearful expression. Leticia turned to face her servant with wide, disbelieving eyes and a need for answers.

"What happened?" she demanded, gesturing to her face. From her hairline to her cheekbone, there was a disjointed bruise of deep purple and blue that could not be missed, even with a passing glance.

"Pirates invaded Port Royal last night, Your Highness. You were returning from your outing when one managed to knock you unconscious. Were it not for Mr Turner, you would be dead," Emily explained and disbelief took Leticia over as the memories returned. She recalled the dirty pirate and the weapon he'd used to hit her with.

"Edward didn't see, did he?" Leticia questioned and Emily shook her head.

"No, Princess, he was with Lady Victoria. Your secret remains a secret," she assured the Princess, who sighed in relief. Edward would certainly punish her harshly if he discovered her secret journeys, not only to visit a boy, but to sword fight as well.

"Thank you, Emily," Leticia said, about to dismiss her so that she could bathe. Something on her servant's face stopped her though. "Was there something else?" she queried, eyes narrowed in suspicion. Emily nodded meekly.

"Miss Elizabeth was kidnapped by the pirates, Your Highness. Commodore Norrington is charting a course as we speak," she answered and Leticia's eyes went frighteningly wide. Elizabeth had been taken by the pirates and she couldn't think why. Was it because Elizabeth provided a high price? Surely the pirates, unaware of Leticia's family difficulties, would have seen her as both easier and more beneficial to take?

"Emily, is there a way to cover this . . . unfortunate blemish?" Leticia asked, sparing a disgusted look towards the mirror before eyeing her servant hopefully. Emily took a moment to analyse the shaping of the bruise before shaking her head sadly.

"I can only cover part of it with your hair, Princess," she said just as sadly as her head shake. Determined to find James and find out if there had been any progress on charting a course to find Elizabeth, Leticia just nodded firmly.

"Then that is what we shall do. Draw me a bath and we can work," she ordered and Emily hastened to comply.

After another hour, Emily had sculpted Leticia's hair into a desirable style. The fringes had been formed to cover the majority of the bruising on her forehead, but nothing could be done about her cheek. The rest of her hair had been curled tightly and pinned up at the base of her neck.

Leticia dressed in one of her simpler, yet still overly extravagant gowns and, with a bit of manoeuvring, Emily managed to make it work without a corset and covering Leticia's training clothes. Her goal was to locate Will and find out just how he had saved her. Then she would question James. The two goals seemed to converge into one, as she found both of them having a heated discussion in the town.

James was dressed impeccably, as was normal, and his white wig was fully exposed as he had chosen to remove his hat. Unfortunately, there was a reason they wore hats, and James looked like a cream topped pudding without his. Will just looked infuriated as he slammed an axe into the map spread across a table and yelled at James. Leticia gently pulled him away and looked at him fiercely.

"I don't particularly like the idea of you getting arrested. So, please, walk away. I'll find you and talk to you later," she urged and one look at her raised eyebrows told Will to walk away. She watched him go with a mournful expression, knowing how he must feel at the loss of Elizabeth. She felt the same: lost, hopeless and desperate.

"Leticia, thank goodness you're alright," James said gladly and Leticia walked back over to him, allowing him to get a full view of her left cheek. His glee turned to dismay and she smiled weakly.

"Evidently my face got in the way of a pirate's goal," she tried to joke but it fell short when fury took over James' expression. He had always had a deep hatred of pirates and Leticia's injury probably solidified whatever wasn't concrete.

"You should not have been out without an escort," James scolded and Leticia fought very hard not to roll her eyes. He was beginning to sound like her brother again and that was never a pleasant ordeal.

"I believe I've learned from my mistakes, James. What progress has there been regarding Elizabeth?"

Though it was obvious she was being some kind of menace, Leticia was entertained that James' need to find Elizabeth overrode any annoyance he was feeling towards the Princess at that time. She could tell that the way he described the route he would take and his leading her down to the docks were in a desperate attempt to prove that he would find his potential fiancée. Leticia didn't have a doubt he would.

It was when James was overlooking plans for the ship they would take and Leticia was being toured around said ship that an alert was given. A flurry of activity arose around her and, instead of being escorted off the ship, Leticia was made to stay in a cabin and out of the way, as the Royal Navy chased after William Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow.

What Leticia did not expect was to be completely abandoned as Will and Jack pulled off an elaborate scheme to commandeer the Interceptor. Unfortunately for the Princess (or fortunately, given her want for adventure), Leticia was still in her cabin with no way of escape as the fastest ship in the Caribbean was sailed away from James. Oh, Will was going to pay for that.

I hope you liked that. In my opinion, it was better for Leticia to meet Jack that way instead of falling from the battlements like she did in the original version. She got a chance to demonstrate herself in that scene, differently than before. Anyway, please review and follow, I appreciate every single one. I will update once a week from now on, maybe twice if I'm in a REALLY good mood. Love, Bianca :) x