Canopy 2
Title: A Canopy of Green
Chapter: Two
Author: Smenzer
Rating: PG
Characters: Elizabeth, Norrington, Governor Swann, Gillette and Groves
Pairing: Elizabeth/Norrington
Genre: Man vs Nature, Adventure, Romance
Status: In progress
Word Count: 3,500
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: The characters are not mine. They belong to Disney or whoever owns the Rights to Pirates of the Caribbean. This is just for fun.
Summary: James and Elizabeth go on a picnic just beyond Port Royal and run into a few unexpected problems. Includes elements of a Regency romance. This story is the sequel to "A Moment's Weakness".
James pulled the reins gently, stopping the horse on top of the hillock as he pondered on how to get Elizabeth down. It was an oversight on his part, but he hadn't thought that far ahead. The horse was actually very tall and the last thing he wanted was for her to get injured dismounting. And since she was seated directly behind him, it would be a tad tricky, made more difficult by her long skirts. How she had ever twisted herself around behind him to sit astride the horse he'd never know, but then, she wasn't exactly a normal lady, either. But before he could say anything, her arms snaked around his waist and she somehow managed to slide off the horse, long skirts and all. Her added weight almost yanked him out of the saddle, but she released him quickly and dropped the rest of the way to land on her feet. She promptly lost her balance and fell over backward, ending up sitting in the tall grass.
"Elizabeth! Are you all right?" James asked as he quickly dismounted and hurried to her side, his green eyes filled with concern. Bending over, he offered her his hand.
"I'm perfectly fine. The ground here is uneven is all." Elizabeth accepted his hand and allowed him to help her up. Clinging to his arm lightly, she promptly kicked off both of her heeled shoes until she stood on the rough, pressed-flat grass barefooted. "There, that's much better, don't you think?"
His eyes widened as he watched each dainty shoe sail through the air and tumble among the tall grass and assorted plants, disappearing. His gaze then dropped downward at her bare feet, toes wiggling joyfully among the wild vegetation. He supposed he ought to say something, but what? His mind had gone somewhat blank. How could she act so free? Of course, that was one of the reasons he admired her so. Elizabeth didn't seem to worry what others thought and often did what she desired; yet somehow she was still a proper lady most of the time. Still, since her kidnapping she'd grown much bolder. Her certainly didn't remember her doing anything like this before. Forcing his gaze back upward to her face, he wetted his lips slightly. "Elizabeth, surely you're better protected with your shoes on. Some of the plants may have sharp spines…"
"Why, James, haven't you seen anyone's feet before?" She teased him, smiling.
"Of course I have. But not a woman's foot."
"I assure you our feet are the same. Mine are just smaller than yours. Besides, surely you'd prefer me to be barefoot than break a leg or ankle trying to walk on this uneven terrain?" She raised her chin and smiled, knowing she had won the debate. Turning slightly, she gazed around at their surroundings, her eyes widening in delight at a group of pink flamingoes standing not far away.
Seeing she was distracted for the moment, James went to the saddlebags and pulled out the blanket. Walking up and back, the blanket tossed over his arm, he flattened out a large square section of grass and then spread out the gray blanket. It wasn't anything fancy, just one of the normal blankets from the Royal Navy and fresh from the quartermaster. Emptying the saddlebags, he spread the small feast out carefully on the blanket. He had even brought silverware, plates and a few drinking glasses, as was only proper. He was just grateful that the fragile items had survived the trip undamaged. It just wouldn't do to drink wine straight from the bottle…
"I never knew there were so many different types of birds…" Elizabeth stated as she stared across the field filled with living feathers. "It's odd, really. I lived here for eight years and except for my recent kidnapping, I've never been anywhere or done anything remotely interesting. It's all so monotonous, ordering the servants about and deciding what Father shall like for dinner each day. Surely your days are more interesting, chasing pirates about and getting into sword fights."
"Not as often as you would think." James admitted as he moved to stand next to her. "Life aboard a ship can be exceedingly dull, as I'm sure you remember. There are weeks on end with practically nothing going on and when excitement does appear, it's over in about ten minutes or less. I also have an office filled with paperwork to do now that I've been promoted. That means hours sitting and writing dull reports on the most boring things imaginable, like food and weapon consumption. Every barrel of supplies must be accounted for…"
Elizabeth frowned. "At least you do not have to wear corsets or shoes that squeeze your toes like a vice…"
"Perhaps not," James admitted as he, too, watched the pink flamingoes with their brilliant feathers, long legs and downward curved bills. The area the flamingoes stood in was slightly marshy, water pooling around their ankles. Every so often they dipped their heads downward, as if pulling something from under the water and he pondered what they could possibly be eating; if that's in fact what they were doing. He was much more familiar with the actions of seabirds, as they could often predict storms. "But then I have this wig and heavy coat. That is not exactly pleasant in this tropical climate…"
"Then why don't you take them off?" She asked innocently.
"Excuse me?" James said, positive he must have heard her wrong. In reply, she stepped closer and reached upward, pulling his feathered hat off and tossing it onto the blanket. Heart pounding, he stood frozen in place as her hands reached up again and carefully removed the powdered wig. His head suddenly felt cold and naked without the wig, the warm breeze blowing against his sweaty head feeling akin to artic breath. The breeze tugged on his real hair now, the sensation sending little tingles through his scalp. This was entirely improper and his throat seemed to be constricted from shock. How did she ever get so bold?
"Feel better now? Your real hair looks much better than this wig, you know. I have no idea who started such a silly custom anyway. It's quite ridiculous if you ask me" Elizabeth turned her back on him and walked over to the blanket, setting the wig down next to his hat. Crossing her legs, she lowered herself to the blanket and sat with her legs stretched out in front of her, the wind playing with her skirts.
"The wig is a symbol of power and authority, as you very well know. How else will people know who's in charge?" James asked, freed from his momentary immobility. He was still shocked that she had the nerve to partly undress him, even if it was just a hat and wig. Still, he supposed his dark hair made him look more pirate-like and he was trying to win her affections, was he not?
"Oh, I'm sure someone can think up a better system…" Elizabeth replied as she absent-mindedly gazed at him. "Why not a different number of stripes on the jacket or something? I really don't understand why young men try so hard to make themselves look like great-grandfathers!"
James had never thought the wigs made him and his fellows look old. In fact, he had been quite proud when he had been presented with one of the highly sought after wigs, for it had been a great achievement. They represented the upper social class. But he must remember that Elizabeth was not your delicate wallflower but a bold tiger lily. Who else would be sitting there with bare feet totally relaxed, leaning backward on her elbows and allow the wind to lift her skirts? He could already see several inches of her smooth calves and she didn't seem to care in the least. But then, hadn't she spent the night alone on an island with Jack Sparrow, singing that pirate song?
Determined to win her heart, he undid his sword belt from across his chest and dropped it onto the blanket, then removed his jacket as well. It was a relief to get out of the hot coat he had to admit. He simply wore a plain white shirt with puffy sleeves, the three top buttons very daringly left unbuttoned to reveal a triangle of his chest. In his opinion, it looked very pirate-like, but he also felt self-conscious dressed like this in front of her. Still, he thought it was a look she would hopefully favor.
The sun had risen higher in the sky and the humidity had risen with it. The ruckus of the various birds had risen in volume around them and that reminded him of the telescope he had brought. Retrieving it from where it lay on the blanket, he went and sat across from her. Raising it to his eye for a moment, he quickly scanned the horizon in the direction from which they had come. If he was going to hand her the telescope for bird watching, he wanted to make certain that Groves and Gillette weren't easily visible. Deciding they must have hidden themselves among the tall grasses, he offered her the instrument. "You can see the birds much better with this…"
Curious, Elizabeth accepted the telescope and raised it to her eye. Panning it this way and that, she finally aimed it at the opposite direction from which they came, towards the mountain. She hadn't noticed it before, but a seemingly solid wall of green wasn't that far away from where they sat. The telescope revealed trunks of trees, hanging vines and assorted plants that swayed with the wind. Lowering the tube-like instrument, Elizabeth pointed towards the mountain. "What's that wall of green over there?"
"The rain forest, I presume." James replied matter-of-factly. "It goes on for miles and miles or so I heard."
"What's in there?" She asked, curiousness shining in her eyes.
"Trees, plants…" James picked up the knife and carefully cut into the round hunk of cheddar cheese, making thin slices. "I assure you there's no pirates in there, that's for certain."
Hunger stabbing her stomach; Elizabeth accepted the plate of sliced cheese he offered her. Adding a few fruit pastries to her plate as well, she started to nibble daintily. "James, do you think pirates really bury treasure?"
Smiling at the silly question, he shook his head. "Of course not. Contrary to what stories tell pirates do not live glamorous and exciting lives. Half the time they're starving on their pirate ships. You've seen how some of them looked, their thin frames and ragged clothes. As soon as they get some coin or anything of value, they run to spend it somewhere. They're a sorry lot, too lazy to get a decent job because it requires work. But hard work doesn't frighten me. I assure you, Elizabeth, I will take very good care of you. And you are the only treasure that I will ever require."
Elizabeth smiled at him, leaning closer. "And are you becoming a pirate, James? A girl has to wonder why we've come way out here to go on a date. Are you sure you're not planning some piracy?"
Her eyelids were half closed as she leaned yet closer, her lips slightly puckered. Their first kiss still fresh in his mind, he couldn't resist the temptation before him and darted forward, kissing her. Her lips were soft, warm and tasted of blueberries from the pastry she'd just eaten. He knew he shouldn't be kissing her, not way out here, but he couldn't resist. Besides, a few little kisses couldn't hurt. He had just placed a hand on her sun- warmed shoulder when something small and fast darted past his ear with a loud hum. Startled, he yanked away from her, his hand instantly going for the pistol on his belt. He had been careless to get so involved and not keep an eye on their surroundings. Just because they didn't see anyone around didn't mean they weren't alone. Criminals could be found almost anywhere and they may look like easy targets sitting here on the hill…
"What is it?" Elizabeth asked, her brown eyes wide as they scanned the bird-filled fields around them. Reaching forward, she snatched James' sword off the blanket and quickly unsheathed it, gripping the handle with both hands. "Was that a musket pellet that passed us?"
"The retort of a pistol firing would have caused all the birds to take flight…" James shook his head, perplexed. Had Gillette or Groves thrown something at them, thinking he had gone to far with kissing Elizabeth? Because they had to be out there somewhere…
The loud humming returned, growing louder and louder until a tiny bird buzzed past them, flying backwards. It had a brilliant green body, a black head and an incredibly long and thin red bill. Trailing behind it were two long tail feathers, black as night. The bird dipped and dived around the startled couple, as curious about them as they were about it. The bird's wings beat so fast they were only a blur as it hovered in the air before them for several long moments. This was Jamaica's doctor bird, a type of hummingbird and named for its long black tail feathers.
Elizabeth sat perfectly still; her eyes open with wonder as she watched the little bird. It was without doubt one of the most beautiful things she'd ever seen. After several more moments, the bird darted away towards a clump of thick vegetation nearby until it hovered above a deep scarlet flower. Poking its long beak into the flower and hovering in place, it drank the sweet nectar within. Then it flew off backwards and vanished from sight.
"That was truly beautiful…" Elizabeth remarked, her warm brown eyes still gazing at the spot where the bird had vanished.
Laughing that a bird had startled him, James took the sword from Elizabeth's hands and placed it back in its sheath less she cut herself. Leaning back on the blanket, supported by one arm, he felt more relaxed. He was sure his two companions were having a good laugh at his expense: a little hummingbird freaked their great Commodore! This was their day off and he hoped they were enjoying it as much as he was. It was obvious Elizabeth was. She was relaxed, eating a piece of ripe papaya. Her long shining tresses blew in the wind; the swaying field of grass and brilliant blue sky with puffy white clouds the perfect background. If he were any good at art, he'd paint her like this. But alas, art wasn't his thing. Perhaps once they were married he should commission an artist to paint her portrait out here. He'd prefer that over the more formal ones that hung in the homes of aristocrats. The lighting was perfect; it had that surreal touch to it. Large shadows passed over them as giant clouds passed overhead, puffy white with grayish bottoms.
"It really is lovely out here." Elizabeth remarked, as she licked the sweet juice from her fingers, not caring that it wasn't proper. Suddenly without warning, she leaped to her feet and reached down to grip his hand. "Dance with me!"
"Out here?" James blinked, surprised. The delicate hand gripping him was sticky with fruit juice. It was obvious the sugar in the fruit had gone to her head or perhaps it was the sun. Since they had arrived she hadn't bothered with the parasol at all and he hadn't thought of it, either. "And are we to spin around to that pirate song you favor?"
"Why not?" She dared him. "There's no one else here. We can be as free as the birds."
James tried to imagine singing that silly pirate song and couldn't, certainly not with Gillette and Groves watching from wherever they have hidden themselves away. He would look too foolish. More importantly, they'd tease him about it and not let him forget it, either. His job was to catch pirates and hang them, not sing about being a pirate. "I'm afraid I don't know the words…"
"Well, you can always learn them." She pointed out as she tried in vain to pull him to his feet. "Besides, it'll be fun…"
Sighing loudly, he climbed to his feet. She was determined to make a pirate of him yet. He needed to think up a good excuse, but what? Standing now, he could see the horizon behind her was much darker than before as if more clouds were moving in. A familiar loud screeching overhead caught his attention and he glanced up, seeing the recognizable shape of herons. "We should start packing up and head back."
"But it's not even noon yet…" She protested loudly, her eyes narrowing. "Are you so annoyed at the mere idea of singing a pirate song?"
"It's going to rain soon." James explained as he pointed up at the big birds flying overhead. "Those are herons up there. They always fly ahead of the storms. If they've come this far inland than a storm is coming."
Elizabeth glanced up at the sky, frowning. "I admit there's a few clouds but that doesn't mean it's going to rain…"
"I don't want you to be caught out here in a downpour." James explained as packed the remaining hunk of cheddar into the saddlebag. "Your dress would be ruined, to say the least."
In the short time span they spent discussing the weather, the sky had grown much darker. Now the horizon off towards Port Royal was a slate gray instead of the pale gray it had been before. The air seemed to grow cooler as well as the wind picked up. It tugged on Elizabeth's hair and dress, causing both to fly outward behind her like a flag on a ship. A loud thunder crack split the air, the too loud sound seemingly just above their heads and vibrating the ground. The air seemed to be filled with nervous energy and a second later a bolt of lightning shot out of the sky. They watched as it struck a lone tree off in the distance, near Port Royal. The poor tree instantly burst into red and orange flames. The horse, which had been grazing nearby all this time, rolled its eyes in fear and reared up on its hind legs with a shrill whistle, then galloped off.
Rain started to pelt them hard, the drops large and cold. Within seconds both were soaked to the skin, the drops stinging them with its ferociousness. The rain was falling fast on an angle and it was difficult to see anything around them. Bending, he picked up his sword and quickly looped it around himself. James gripped Elizabeth firmly by the wrist and started pulling her towards the nearby rain forest. The trees there were thick together and they'd provide a shelter from the storm. If they were lucky, no tree limbs would be knocked down atop of them. It was better than standing out in this open field, a target for lightning.
Running through the field wasn't easy. The ground became slick with mud and James had trouble keeping his balance. Elizabeth's long gown kept getting tangled on thick vegetation, as there were more than just grass and reeds growing in the valley, and he had to yank it free, often leaving bits of fabric behind. Finally the tree line was just ahead of them and they hurried within, shoving thick vines out of their way. It was much darker under the trees and they both tripped over exposed roots, scraping their palms on rough tree bark in a vain attempt to prevent falls. Wet leaves slapped them in their faces and Elizabeth was certain at least one insect had fallen into her bodice. After they had gone a few dozen feet, James noticed a significant decrease in the amount of rain falling on them. Pushing her against the trunk of a large tree, he pressed himself close as her arms wrapped around his waist. Thunder still rumbled overhead and now there was nothing to do but wait it out.
To be continued…
