3. Tough
He got away. What a brilliant army we had, for they couldn't even contain one pirate after having him even in irons.
They let him take Elizabeth by the neck with his chains, they gave him his effects, including his gun, and they let him get away.
Commodore Norrington must be proud.
Jack Sparrow must've been a very crafty man, for he always snuck away from tricky positions.
The entire walk back to our house, people gathered around Elizabeth, expressing how terrible they felt about her almost being taken by a pirate. Father even hovered around her the whole time, asking if she was alright or if she was woozy. Elizabeth gave curt, polite responses to them, but held to my hand the entire walk back.
I could feel Noah's blue eyes on my back the whole way home. I saw him as we left: he looked terrified and relieved all at once. Every soldier was out looking for Jack Sparrow, but Noah must've taken the liberty to double check we made it home safely. When we reached the gates to our estate, I turned to smile and reassure him that we were out of harm's way. He simply nodded his head slightly before turning back down the road.
"Off to bed, now," Father commanded, but I wanted to see Will.
"Could I take a brief walk? I'm feeling a bit light-headed…"
"Of course not," Father interrupted as if it was the most ludicrous thing he'd ever heard. "There is a pirate running about town and I'd prefer if he didn't take hold both of my daughters in the same day."
The hard look on his face told me this matter was finished for discussing.
As Elizabeth and I were escorted into our room and one of the maids, Flor, shut the door, beginning the preparations for our night, she turned to Elizabeth.
"I heard the news! Congratulations Miss!"
"Thank you, Flor." Elizabeth sounded far away. What were they talking about?
"Congratulations for what?" I hadn't a clue how being held captive by a pirate was something to be congratulated for.
Flor looked at me with wild eyes. "Why, for the proposal, of course!"
I looked to Elizabeth. Her head was down as she focused on the edge of her blanket and tried to find something intriguing about it so she wouldn't have to look at me. "Of course." I lied. I had no idea what she was talking about. "I almost forgot about that, what with the mad run-in with Jack Sparrow."
"Flor, dear," Elizabeth interrupted, "I'm not feeling up to bed right at this moment. Would you mind coming back in, say, a half an hour?"
"Of course, Ma'am." Flor spoke always with a smile, but her eyes told me that she waned to learn more probably to share with the rest of the house staff. Even so, she respectfully waltzed out of the room as ordered, closing the door behind her.
Silent, awkward moments passed. Elizabeth sat with her head down, staring at nothing in particular.
"Would you care to explain something to me?" I inquired quietly.
Elizabeth sighed. "I suppose so."
Another silent moment passed.
"And?" I urged.
"Commodore Norrington asked me to marry him."
This didn't particularly shock me; Father has been pressing the new Commodore on Elizabeth for months now. I just didn't expect him to propose so quickly.
"Whoa."
"I don't know what to do. I don't feel in love with the Commodore at all, but Father is depending on this so much. Could you imagine him if I turned down Norrington? He'd be heartbroken."
I felt bad for Elizabeth. I'd been lucky never to be placed in this situation yet, but she couldn't help it. Elizabeth was a passionate person and I couldn't imagine her marrying someone whom she doesn't love. I walked by her and sat next to her on her bed. Reassuringly I covered her hand with my own.
"Elizabeth, you can't let Father make every decision for you." Tears started to swell in her eyes, but she held them back. "Do what your heart thinks is right." Elizabeth pulled me into a hug. I could feel her shaking. I may have been shaking too if I was put through everything she had been today.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said after she pulled away. "You've always been such a great sister."
I smiled. "Same to you. Everything will be fine. Trust me."
Elizabeth nodded weakly. After yet another silent minute, my sister asked me, "Are you going to see Will tonight?"
Elizabeth was the only one who knew about my night visits with Will Turner. The trips started out as sword fighting lessons. Will was an expert swordsman and, because he was a blacksmith, he had tons of equipment. The teachings decreased to a minimal, but I much enjoyed Will's company he's one of my greatest friends and so I continued to visit, even after the lessons were over.
"Yes," I answered, reaching under my bed to a box that held my rope to climb down.
"I don't know if that's a great idea, Anna," Elizabeth said, worry etched into her voice. "There's a pirate running loose. It's not the safest conditions."
"Don't worry about me, Elizabeth. I'm a tough girl."
A/N: Thanks for reading!! :D
