~Chapter 4: Engulfed~
Abigail could only watch and stare, along with the rest of her friends as the brethren court erupted in chaos.
When Elizabeth spotted her, Pintel carefully nudged in the direction, Abigail unaware of the news that awaited her.
"Abigail...it's...Jamie-", Elizabeth didn't get a chance to finish as Abigail intervened, her eyes widening in excitement.
"Jamie?...Is he with you? Did he come?!" Abigail looked around quickly, ignoring the squabbling crowds to spot the man she loved.
Elizabeth couldn't speak at first, the words seeming to stick in her throat. She recalled when they had been in the locker and she'd seen her father. She felt so alone. She now realised how Jack felt when he had to tell her they weren't home.
"Jamie...he's dead." She managed to say and prepared herself for what was too come.
She waited a while, watching Abigail's face drop and her head slowly shake in denial.
"Dead...no...you're mistaken...he can't be." She half laughed, thinking it impossible for someone like James Norrington to be dead.
"I saw him. He was...," Elizabeth didn't want to place blame on Will's father, and she quickly composed herself, "he was stabbed by one of Davy Jones' men. He was helping me...us escape. He saved us."
Elizabeth smiled, thinking of how brave and wonderful Jamie had been and everything he had sacrificed for her.
Abigail seemed to finally accept the words.
And with her acceptance, came a wave that hit her. It was so strong and powerful and felt like she'd been thrown into the sea from a great height. She shut her eyes, falling into the water that quickly pulled around her and covered her in darkness.
Elizabeth had managed to catch Abigail halfway, just in time to prevent her fall to the floor from becoming painful.
"Abigail! Abi...I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry." Elizabeth fought the tears as they stung her eyes, refusing to let herself cry in front of the brethren court, even if no one had really noticed.
The only people that had noticed where Sparrow, Barbossa and a few members of the Black Pearl, who seemed genuinely concerned for Miss Abigail' wealth fare.
"You," Elizabeth addressed one of her men, knowing they'd listen to her, "take this girl and place her on board the Black Pearl. Let no harm come to her and when she comes to, prevent her from leaving the ship. If she needs to, walk with to get some air, but that is all." Elizabeth allowed the large man to take the girl into his arms and lift her up, before bowing to Elizabeth and walking out of the loud gathering of the brethren court.
Elizabeth stood, quickly schooling her features and making sure that she could focus on what was happening in front of her.
"I take it she found out about Norrington." Sparrow asked, trying not to seem too concerned.
"Yes, she found out." Elizabeth said, willing away that last little bit of worry she had deep down in her.
"Mmm, but you know," Barbossa looked around, trying to school his own emotions, "there's never a real ending. I said to Jack that passing on was for certain but Norrington...there was always something about that lad I heard from that girl...she won't give up easily." Barbossa stepped forward, and began to clamber onto the table, everyone now having to forget momentarily of the events surrounding their young friend.