Another movie scene. This one's longer and has a bit more emotion in it. Enjoy!
James stood on the battlements of the fort, watching Elizabeth. She was mingling among the large crowd of people, half of which she probably did not know. He chuckled to himself and walked forward, sparing her of yet another couple that looked as if they were going to approach her. He remembered rightly he had something to tell her anyway. He recalled the conversation he and the Governor had had the night before after rehearsing the ceremony.
"Well done today, Lieutenant," the Governor praised. James nodded with a smile on his face. The Governor's expression changed slightly, and James noticed a bit of hope in his eyes. "I trust you'll bring it up tomorrow, then?"
James lowered his head slightly. "I believe I shall, Governor, yes."
The Governor beamed, placing a hand on James' shoulder. "Do me proud, James. You'll not disappoint me, I know."
James nodded again, reassuring both he and the Governor.
"May I have a moment?" James asked the stunning woman in front of him, realizing he'd reached her already. They walked to the platform nearest to the ocean. Elizabeth leaned against the large stone pillar, fanning her skin. He was uncomfortable himself in his layers; the heat was unbearable enough. He lifted his head to look at Elizabeth, wondering just what to say.
"Uh, you look lovely, Elizabeth," he complimented awkwardly. Elizabeth acknowledged by nodded and chuckling half-heartedly. He felt himself blushing and looked away immediately, stepping forward slightly in front of Elizabeth.
"I, uh, apologize if I seem forward, but I must speak my mind." He paused for a moment, wondering if this was the right time. He sighed; if it was not, it did not matter. This was probably the only time. He continued, "This promotion throws into sharp relief that which I have not yet achieved." He looked back to the woman he adored so much, taking in a sharp breath. "A marriage to a fine woman. You have become a fine woman, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth was watching him, and after a second or two, she looked down at the water again.
"I can't breathe," she gasped. James chuckled.
"Yes, I… I'm a bit nervous myself." He looked out at the water patiently. He was not embarrassed, only somewhat shy. Being loyal to the Royal Navy for so many years had done him well in categories of gallantry. Yet his one weakness stood only three feet behind him.
Well, seemingly so until James turned around. She was no longer there.
"Elizabeth?" He felt slightly uncomfortable. Had he gone too far… too fast? He realized it was awkward for both of them, but…
He looked down, feeling a bit hurt. He noticed a change in the water, and realized in horror where exactly Elizabeth had gone. He began to feel dizzy and clutched the pillar Elizabeth had been leaning against only moments ago.
"Elizabeth!" he screamed. Not knowing what else to do, he began to violently shrug off his jacket, making to dive in after her. He felt someone clutch his arm, pulling him back slightly.
"The rocks!" Gillette protested. "Sir, it's a miracle she missed them!"
James, filled entirely with alarm, glanced quickly at the water again, then shoved past the soldiers that had come to surround him. He sprinted his way through everyone that crowded the area, pushing past those who were in his was. He heard the men behind him, following quickly. Once he was in a more cleared area, he ran faster, ignoring the weight of his clothing and the heat of the air he ran through.
Elizabeth, oh God, Elizabeth, James frantically panicked in his mind. Heavens above, please let her be okay. Please.
He reached the nearest dock to where she had fallen. He saw Mullroy and Murtogg, and felt an incredible weight lifted from him when he saw Elizabeth in their presence. But he saw another man, an oddly dressed man, hovering over her. He held something above her, and James felt fury rise in him. How dare he touch her… how dare he be so close to her…
He saw her move suddenly, rolling to her side. He felt something aching in him when he saw that she was choking and sputtering water on the dock, and cursed whatever damned genius offered the brilliant idea of gagging women so they looked better.
He and the men behind him came to a quick stop before them, and he unsheathed his sword, pointing it at the intruder.
"On your feet," he hissed. The man stood slowly, raising his hands defensively. Governor Swann appeared from behind the man, quietly calling to Elizabeth. She quickly got to her feet, and James wanted so much to embrace her, protect her from any more harm. He felt angry with himself, allowing her to nearly fall to her death.
As the Governor comforted Elizabeth, he and James looked at Murtogg, who was holding Elizabeth's corset. James eyed him suspiciously, but the man was more concerned about the harsh stare of the Governor. He nervously dropped the piece and pointed at the man next to him. The Governor looked at him for a moment before commanding, "Shoot him!"
Elizabeth jerked her head. "Father!" Her gaze was on James now… he knew that feeling. "Commodore," she addressed him, and he felt that very slight pained feeling while she continued, "Do you really intend to kill my rescuer?"
James sighed, lowering his sword. A stubborn woman, but he knew she meant well. Her heart was right, but her mind seemed elsewhere. This man was did not reside in Port Royal, and he knew so. He held his hand out casually.
"I believe thanks are in order."
The man eyed those around him nervously, then cautiously took James' bait. James pulled the arm forward and swiftly brushed the sleeve up the man's arm. A smug look on his face, he looked up at the intruder.
"Had a brush with the East India Trading Company, did we… pirate?"
He saw the regret on the pirate's face, and smirked. The Governor, as he had expected immediately ordered his man to hang him. James lifted his chin once again.
"Keep your guns on him men. Gillette, fetch some irons." He pulled the sleeve up further, revealing a blue-tinted tattoo of a sparrow in flight. "Well, well," he commented, a bit surprised. "Jack Sparrow, isn't it?"
Jack cleared his throat. "Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please, sir." James looked around, a bit mockingly.
"Well I don't see your ship… captain."
"I'm in the market as it were."
Murtogg spoke up. "He said he'd come to commandeer one." Mullroy appeared smug.
"Told ya he was telling the truth! These are his, sir." He leaned down to pick up a pile of Sparrow's belongings. James began to inspect them carefully.
"No additional shots nor powder… a compass that doesn't point north." He eyed the sword, unsheathing it. He looked up, smirking once more at the pirate. "And I half expected it to be made of wood," he taunted, sheathing the sword. "You are without doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of."
"But you have heard of me," Jack stated proudly. James merely glared, grabbing Sparrow's arm and dragging him along. He felt it coming, and he waited. As expected, Elizabeth appeared directly behind him.
"Commodore, I really must protest."
James regretfully ignored her, shoving Sparrow forward. "Carefully, lieutenant," he told Gillette as the man began to chain Sparrow. Elizabeth stepped in front of him, a stern look on her face.
"Pirate or not, this man saved my life." She seemed confident that Sparrow was a decent man, and he was amused at the thought.
"One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness," he scolded. She needed to realize her misjudgment, and he wished he didn't have to be so firm with her. Jack Sparrow looked up.
"Though it seems enough to condemn him," he said, a bit too comfortably. It angered James that he was so casual about this, and glared at the pirate again.
"Indeed," he growled. Gillette stepped away, and James saw something flash in Sparrow's eyes.
"Finally," he said with a smirk, and he reached forward, throwing the chains around Elizabeth's neck, bringing her back with him. Infuriated, James stepped forward. Alarmed, he watched Elizabeth's face. He felt confident, for she was looking back at him. Not her father or the soldiers. Him… she trusted him.
"No, don't shoot!" Governor Swann shouted, just as frightened as James was. James wanted to murder the pirate. He didn't care if it was a hanging or if he had to brutally do it by hand… he would kill this man.
"I knew you'd warm up to me," Sparrow muttered in Elizabeth's ear, enraging James further. Sparrow looked up at the men haughtily. "Commodore Norrington, my effects please. And my hat," he added. James glared heatedly; this pirate was giving him orders. When he did nothing, Sparrow raised an eyebrow. "Commodore!" he reminded.
James gritted his teeth, collecting Sparrow's things from Mullroy. Jack's chin was brushing against Elizabeth's neck, and James wanted so much to slice the man's neck.
"Elizabeth… it is Elizabeth, isn't it?"
James saw fury in Elizabeth's eyes. "It's Miss Swann," she spat at him. James felt slightly proud of her; she held small fear for someone whose life was being threatened by a pirate. He continued to watch Sparrow, however, refusing to take his gaze off of him.
"Miss Swann, if you'd be so kind," he said coolly, arrogantly proud of what he was doing. James sighed and reached forward, handing Sparrow's belongings to Elizabeth. "Come, come dear, we don't have all day." The pirate spun her around once she had them. "Now if you'd be very kind."
Elizabeth furiously pulled Sparrow's hat from the pile, reaching up and forcing it on its owner's head. She jerked her arm down, then began strapping his sword to him. Sparrow looked up at James, and James breathed slowly, calming himself. He rolled his eyes at the way Sparrow dared to look at him. The pirate looked back down at Elizabeth.
"Easy on the goods, darling," he grunted. Elizabeth, once finished with her task, glared up at Sparrow.
"You're despicable," she snarled. Jack only smirked.
"Sticks and stones, love. I saved your life, you saved mine. We're square." He spun her around again, watching those before him. "Gentlemen! M'lady… you will always remember this as the day that you almost caught Captain… Jack… Sparrow!" With his final word, he forcefully pushed Elizabeth forward, wheeling around and rushing away.
James' breath caught in his throat, and he reached out, catching Elizabeth. He pulled her towards him and held her tightly, looking at her only briefly, then looking up at Sparrow.
Bloody hell, it was going to be a long day.
Ah, Norry's so lovely when he's upset, isn't he?