Canopy 4

Title: A Canopy of Green

Chapter: Three

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: 4,500

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".

Frowning at his thoughts, James shoved a final bush out of their path as his green eyes widened at the incredible sight before them. An impossibly tall waterfall reached up to the very heavens, a wall of icy white amid the tropical green foliage. The white water fell one hundred and twenty feet off three separate layers of rock, the ear-splitting roar louder than even cannon fire. Rainbows danced in the mist-shrouded air around the falls, the cold spray soaking the nearby land with icy water drops. It was without doubt one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen and his concerns about her father's reactions evaporated into the cool mist.

Stepping forward, he pulled Elizabeth through the gap he had formed in the shrubs. Seeing her face light up with delight at the sight before them was worth all the bug bites and suffering the humidity. Moving to stand behind her, he held her in his arms as they both admired the awe-inspiring sight.

Although James enjoyed holding Elizabeth in his arms, thirst was his first priority at the moment. Releasing her from his embrace, he stepped around her and held out his hand. Once she took it, he slowly led her forward into the cool mist that seemed to hang in the air around the falls. Drops instantly collected on his exposed skin and clothing, the cool air a refreshing relief after the intense heat of the jungle. The loud roar of the cascading water made speaking impossible, so he prayed she would be careful where she placed her feet. The last thing he needed was for her to slip on a slick rock and tumble into the water. The heavy dress would drag her down and he would have to save her. Not that he would mind saving her; he'd risk his life for her if he had to. He'd just rather avoid unnecessary problems if he could.

Carefully placing each boot on the wet rock ledge near the edge of the river, slightly downstream from the waterfall itself, he approached the ledge and knelt. Remembering the water canteens he had placed on the horse, he regretted not having them now. One wasn't supposed to drink the water on the surface but collect it from further down. Of course, without a container that was impossible. Still, water was water. Reaching down with a hand, he formed a cup shape and stuck it into the white, wildly churning water. It was like ice; the coldest thing he had felt since a squall on the Atlantic. Quickly raising the water to his dry mouth, he drank as much as he could before it leaked through his fingers. The icy cold flowing down his esophagus was wonderful and he eagerly reached for more.

Elizabeth knelt next to him, her silk skirt a pink, slightly dinghy cloud around her. Leaning forward, she followed his example and drank her full. After drinking, she splashed water on her face, attempting to wash some of the sweat off.

"And to think I brought crystal glasses and wine along…" James commented dryly, the roar overpowering his words and making them mute. This was true irony. He had wanted to impress her with the Fort's wonderful food and here they were drinking directly from a river. Turning his head slightly, he gazed at his companion. Elizabeth was lying on the wet rock ledge on her stomach, apparently at ease with their odd situation. Water droplets glistened in her still upswept hair and if it weren't for the silk dress, he might have mistaken her for a river nymph or a mermaid; not that he believed in such things. But he could see her as a wild and free mermaid, snatching the hearts of unsuspecting sailors. She certainly had stolen his.

Sighing, he splashed water on his own face. His sharp mind leaping forward to after they emerged from the rain forest, he realized they had no way to get back home. The horse had run off, spooked by the thunder and lightning. Would Gillette and Groves go chase it down or were his lieutenants even now crawling about the rain forest looking for them? With the thick vegetation, they could be mere feet apart from each other and never ever know it. And if by chance they did run into them, how to explain it to Elizabeth? His officers were clever and would probably invent some story; some emergency at the Fort due to the storm.

Could Elizabeth walk all the way home if need be? In reality it wasn't that far. Still, she was barefoot and that just wouldn't do. The closer they came to Port Royal the more human debris they would encounter: broken glass, rusty nails and who knew what else. James frowned as he imagined her stepping on something sharp and getting injured, the wound possibly becoming infected. They would have to try and find her shoes once they escaped this green labyrinth; that much was clear.

His thirst quenched, he felt hunger stab at his stomach. It had been some time since he had ate anything and trekking through the jungle wasn't exactly easy work. Backing away from the ledge, he pulled Elizabeth to her feet. Carefully they made their way off the wet rocks and back onto the water soaked grass. The grass itself was waist tall and he had to forge a path with his body, his boots stepping it flat. Seeds and various sticky burrs collected on his hose and shirt, adding to his scruffy appearance. The hum of insects was thick here, ranging from the ever-present mosquitoes to fat honeybees to very aerobic dragonflies that flew upside-down to catch smaller bugs for dinner.

Vegetation along the edge of the riverbank was thick, many plants crowding close to the water. Colorful flowers bloomed, their bright pink, red, orange and gold a stark contrast to the deep green of the jungle. Brightly colored macaws flew overhead, their loud calls filling the air. Tall reeds and grasses grew along the edge of the river, shaking and waving in the soft tropical breezes. The river itself was impossibly wide, the other side a hazy olive green due to the distance. The water's speed was calmer here away from the falls, the river a deep blue reflecting the sky above. Little waves rippled across its surface, broken only by green lily pads with bowl-like white flowers. This river environment was a world apart from the familiar ocean, the water actually drinkable and free of the well-known dolphins he had come to love. After traveling a short distance downriver, the roar had changed into a mere whisper and speaking was possible once again.

"We should find something to eat…" James commented, his sharp green eyes scanning the towering trees along the riverbank. The rain forest was overfilled with a variety of fresh fruits just waiting to be picked and if it all weren't up so high it would be a free-loader's paradise. The trouble was it was up high, forty to sixty feet up to be precise. Stomach rumbling, he stared up wistfully at a large bunch of ripe yellow bananas. How in the world did people pick them anyway? The sad truth was he had no idea. They just showed up in the markets, on merchant ships and on his dinner table. No doubt he didn't have the proper skills or tools required for the job. Still, they had to eat something…

Turning, he was just in time to see Elizabeth bending over and reaching into a clump of thick bushes almost directly under a fruit-laden tree. Anyway, he presumed the greenish orbs hanging from the tree's branches were fruit. A moment later she shrieked and jerked backward, falling over to land flat on her back in the damp grass and assorted weeds. A fat, bushy rodent darted out of the shrubs, almost running her over in its haste to escape her grasping hand. It vanished quickly and all James could say for certain is that it was brown.

"Elizabeth!" James cried as he hurried to her side. Kneeling down, he gazed in concern at her trembling form. "Are you well? It didn't bite you, did it?"

"It … it surprised me is all." Still shuddering in clear disgust, she allowed him to help her to her feet. "I didn't know there were rats in the rain forest!"

"I don't think that was a rat. I think we just met the local coney." James replied, somehow remembering the name for Jamaica's largest land mammal. Half smiling, he kept the fact that it was a rodent secret. Elizabeth didn't need to know everything. "It's harmless I'm sure. You scared it as well. Just be careful where you reach in the future. You are my responsibility and I'll have enough to answer to the way it is. Your father will not be pleased with your current condition."

Elizabeth blinked her beautiful brown eyes at him and then glanced down at her ruined dress. Seeds of various sizes clung all over it, adding to the rips and mud stains. Shrugging, she waved a hand at him, dismissing it. "Triffles!"

"Elizabeth, your appearance is not so easily dismissed." James said, sighing. It was clear her wild streak was enjoying this outing far too much and no matter how he presented the facts to her she still saw it as some grand adventure. Lowering himself onto his knees, he carefully pushed the thick fronds aside with his sword and peered into the vegetation for whatever she had been reaching for. Spotting several pear shaped objects lying on the ground, he pulled them free of the underbrush. A few were bitten into and thus uneatable, the white interior browning from the exposed air. Tossing those away, he still had five good fruit. "Is this what you were reaching for?"

"They're guava fruit." She stated as she accepted one of the mango sized, yellow-green fruits. Wiping it on her damp skirt, she studied it for a moment. "My maid often buys them from the market. And I believe those are breadfruits over there…"

Following her pointing finger, he handed all the guavas to her and started to search under another tree for undamaged fruit. A few moments later he emerged with a melon-sized greenish-yellow ball. "This thing?"

"Yes, that." Elizabeth smiled at him, shaking her head. "Really, James! How could you live here for eight years and not know the common tropical fruits?"

"Perhaps because I've been busy on the Interceptor?" Staring at the heavy fruit in his hands, he studied it for a moment. "Are you sure these things are edible? Just because they grow on trees doesn't mean they are eatable! Maybe it would be safer to eat bananas…"

"One normally cooks or bakes the breadfruit or so I heard. I certainly know I've eaten delicious bread made from them that the locals make, not that father knows that of course. But they can be eaten raw like a vegetable. It's starchy, like potatoes." Elizabeth eyed the tall banana tree that James had been looking at wistfully before. "Of course, if you want to chop that tree down with your sword, be my guest."

"Elizabeth, you know I can't do that."

"Then you'll just have to trust me then, won't you?" Without another word, she seated herself on the wet riverbank after walking the grass flat; the guavas safe in the fold of her skirt. Tilting her head back, she gazed up at him. Her hair was partly dry already, the loose strands forming delicate curls around her face. Several burrs were tangled in her upswept hairdo, their color almost blending with her hair but not perfectly. "Are you going to eat or not?"

Worry bit at his soul. The Governor had trusted Elizabeth's safety into his care and here she was looking like a homeless tramp, one that had perfect skin. Narrowing his eyes, he noticed the red insect bites and small bumps that were forming on her once smooth alabaster skin. Getting the various seeds and burrs out of her hair would be a nightmare of a job; one that would take her maid hours, no doubt it would be painful as well. Even the pirate had taken better care of her on that deserted island than he was now. The thought rankled, for he was better than a pirate! How had his perfectly planned date become a disaster?

Governor Swann will never allow me to date Elizabeth again…

Nor could he offer excuses. And the truth, the truth was too bizarre to believe. Did Governor Swann even know what a rain forest was? His nearest comparison would be to a park and strolling between neatly cultivated flowerbeds and trees equally placed. The seeds in her hair would suggest they had been rolling around together like a pair of undisciplined country teenagers, not foraging for food. Yes, the elder Swann had seen the jungle thickets from a distance, but the man almost never stepped out of Port Royal and when he did do so it was aboard one of the Navy ships. The portly man would not be pleased. The Governor may even reassign him elsewhere. The thought of never seeing Elizabeth, of being permanently blocked from her life was more than he could bear. And her father had the authority to do it, too. James heart sunk at the disturbing thought, a lump forming in his throat.

"Are you going to sit down?" She asked as she attempted to peel one of the guava fruits with her fingernails. Glancing up, she must have noticed his saddened expression for she reached for his hand, squeezing it. Tugging on his arm, she pulled him down onto the grass next to her. "Don't worry! I'm perfectly fine. Sometimes I think you worry too much, James. I'm sure this is the same river we saw earlier. All we have to do is follow it and it'll lead us right back to Port Royal."

"Yes, it's the Rio Grand. But how will I explain this to the Governor? You're father will be displeased the way it is. I promised to keep you safe and away from harm, that it was going to be a simple picnic in a grassy field far away from all danger. It's the only reason he allowed you to go." He admitted as he settled down next to her, the breadfruit on his lap. "How will I explain your appearance to him? He very well may never let me see you again…"

James heart sunk even lower, his green eyes downcast and hidden by his long dark lashes. His fingers absently traced circles on the breadfruit's smooth, wet skin.

"Father will do nothing of the sort!" Elizabeth remarked, her brown eyes full of fire. "Someone has finally taken me on a decent date and I'm not going to let him ruin it!"

Lifting his head, he peered at her. "It's more a disaster…"

"It's exciting." She corrected, her voice firm and eyes flashing. "And it's far better than those boorish restaurants in town. Nor will I allow you to wallow in imaginary worries. You need to be active so you don't think about it. So why don't you go pick us those bananas you were eyeing earlier?"

"Elizabeth…" James stated, his voice weary. "You know I can't climb trees! They must be sixty feet up!"

"Triffles!" Jumping to her feet, she gripped his forearm and started to tug. Ignoring his grunts of protest, she soon had him on his feet once more. "You need to think positively!"

Her hands warm on his back, James allowed himself to be slowly pushed through the tall grass towards the banana tree. The tree in question was growing near the edge of the tropical growth, a mere arm span from the river's edge. The trunk was about as thick as his upper arm and leaning on an angle over the river to better catch available sunlight. Craning his neck and shading his eyes with a hand, he could make out the brilliant yellow near the top among the green; the yellow gathered together and hanging in a thick bunch like a giant wasp's nest. Turning, he leaned against the crooked greenish-brown trunk and thought he felt it move slightly due to his weight. Arms crossed over his now dingy off-white shirt, he allowed one dark brow to rise. "And exactly how am I supposed to get them?"

"Use your sword."

"My sword…" A wide smile spread across his face and James chuckled at the crazy idea. "You actually believe one can chop down a tree with a sword? Is that what the illustrious Captain Sparrow would do?"

"No, he'd be passed out by now from drinking rum." She commented dryly. "Look, just try it. Then at least you could claim to my father you're a good provider."

Sighing, James pushed off the tree and freed his sword from its scabbard. He felt absolutely ridiculous standing there about to attack a tree with his blade. Swords weren't meant to chop wood. They were for piercing flesh during battles, for self-defense. Sword gripped loosely in one calloused hand, he studied her face for a moment to see if she was trying to make a fool of him somehow. The last thing he wanted was to look impotent in front of her. Nor was he exactly bulging with muscles. Still, there was no deception in those brown eyes that captivated him so easily. "Oh, very well. But please stand at a safe distance."

Seeing that Elizabeth had moved back several paces, he gripped the sword more firmly in a double grip, pulled back and swung it like an ax. The blade's edge hit the trunk at about chest height, strong vibrations running up his arms. After pulling the blade free, he was shocked to see a clear cut in the trunk. Encouraged, he swung several more times; aiming for the same spot each time. The tall tree shook and swayed with each blow, the angle of it leaned on growing more and more acute. Feeling that the tree was about to topple over due to gravity, James dashed to safety just as a loud crack split the air. A moment later the entire tree splashed into the water, icy cold water soaking everything in sight.

"I … I don't believe it…" He uttered, his startled green eyes going from his blade to the fallen tree in the river. "Swords can't cut down trees…"

"But it's not a real tree…" Elizabeth informed him as she hurried over to the fallen trunk. The cracked end was still loosely attached to the part that was in the ground, the trunk at an angle. "It's a soft-stemmed plant really, like corn or a sunflower. There's no true wood involved…"

James' mouth dropped open. "How … how would you know that?"

"Because I asked the banana boat men as a child years ago how they picked bananas." She explained as she placed her hands on the fallen trunk and carefully lifted her feet off the ground, testing if it'll hold her weight. It did. "Nothing here was like England and I was curious. So I asked lots of people questions whenever Father wasn't watching. He talked to people about boring things so I had lots of opportunities."

Joining her at the fallen trunk, he leaned against it and found it stable enough. "So how do they pick bananas?"

"Well, they have a very long pole shaped like a "Y". The split end they position near the top of the tree and several men hold it. Someone else cuts the trunk and then they carefully lower the entire trunk to the ground using the long pole. Once its down, they pick the bananas." Feeling his gaze, she turned to face him. "Well, that's how they do it! They grow very quickly, from a thing under ground!"

Seeing how Elizabeth was attempting to crawl up onto the fallen trunk, he swiftly grasped her around the waist and pulled her free. "You'll stay here. I'll get the bananas!"

"But…"

"Elizabeth, I'll not have you go out there in the river with that heavy dress on. It'll pull you under if it gets wet…" James fastened his eyes on her, his face grim. "Your safety is my first priority. You have done your part and I appreciate you knowledge. Now allow me to go fetch them for you."

"I could always take it off." She offered. "It's not like you haven't seen me in a petticoat before…"

The Commodore closed his eyes for a moment. How had she become so bold?

"It's that it's easier to move without it." Elizabeth quickly added, blushing slightly. "You know the heavy silk is a nuisance. You see how it's getting caught on everything! I could move much better without it. You men don't have that problem…"

"And I suppose you'd prefer wearing a marine's outfit, like the one you borrowed from the Dauntless." He stated dryly, staring at her.

"Well, it was very nice…" She admitted.

"Stay here." James leaped up onto the fallen trunk and easily stood on it. As sailor he had walked on the yardarms countless times tying and untying the heavy canvas sails in all types of weather, so balancing on this was child's play. Of course, sailors normally went barefooted up there. Still, this procedure presented no real danger he could see. If he fell into the river he'd just swim to shore. Reaching the green, leafy end of the tree, his boots in the water, he used his sword to chop a large bunch of bananas free. Carrying his prize, he carefully turned and walked back to shore.

The two returned to their previous sitting spot and settled down on the flattened area of grass. With a swift blow, James chopped the breadfruit in half to reveal hard white flesh that indeed did remind him of a potato. Cutting one half into smaller sections, he handed several pieces to her. Accepting two of the guava fruits in return, he cautiously nibbled on a small section of breadfruit and found it flat. Still, it was something to eat and a sailor never knew when he might become stranded on an island. This knowledge may save his life someday and he silently vowed to remember what the exotic fruits looked like.

Elizabeth peeled a banana and started to eat it, her gaze on the river before her. Some type of strange birds was walking on the river's surface among the floating lily pads. They were small in size with black necks and heads, dark reddish-brown bodies and yellow bills. She had never seen their like before and she elbowed James in the side, pointing at them with her half eaten banana.

Having given up on the flavorless breadfruit, James chewed a banana and watched the birds as well. He had no idea how the birds were doing their walking on water trick, but at least it was entertaining Elizabeth for the moment. Chopping down the false tree and retrieving fruit for their lunch had satisfied some instinct in him and he felt pleased for the moment. Still, he knew later he'd have to face the music. But perhaps Elizabeth was right. Perhaps he should try to be more positive about things. Will had believed he could save Elizabeth from pirates and he had run off without any skills, yet he had been successful in the end. Surely there was a lesson to be learned there?

The sudden flap of wings startled him, the half-eaten banana falling from his hand as all the jacana birds took flight at once. Part of the river bubbled oddly out towards the center, tiny bubbles popping on the otherwise gently rippled surface. In all his years on the sea James had never seen such a sight, but then this was a fresh water river and not the ocean. Obviously something was under the surface causing all the bubbles…

One shapely eyebrow rose in question, Elizabeth turned to look at him. "What's making all those bubbles?"

"Fish, no doubt." He replied, voice sounding bored.

"Oh." She exclaimed, disappointed. "I thought that it…"

Something large, dark and scaled leaped up out of the water directly onto the bank in front of the startled couple. Within the blink of an eye, it gripped Elizabeth's heavy silk skirts in its powerful, bone-crushing jaws and yanked her towards the water. The Jamaican crocodile was fast and deadly just like all of its cousins, being able to move with quickness unexpected for a lizard of its size. Shrieking, Elizabeth twisted as she was yanked across the smooth grass and managed to latch onto James' leg.

The attack had startled him, but his years of experience in the Navy had trained him to react quickly. Gripping her hands, he pulled as hard as he could and was rewarded with the sound of ripping fabric. Torn free of the reptile's grip, Elizabeth wasted no time scrambling to her feet and dashing to the safety of the nearby trees; a good chunk of her silk skirt missing. James was hot on her heels, his sword gripped in one hand.

Angry, the crocodile spit out the useless piece of fabric and hissed open-mouthed at them. In a strange swaying gait, it scurried up onto the flattened grass after them.

"Into the trees!" James shouted as he shoved on her back with one hand as he tempted to fend off the dangerous creature with his sword, stabbing it in its snout when it came too close for comfort. Seeing that she had successfully squeezed through a gap in the thick vegetation lining the riverbank, he shoved his own way through just in time to avoid getting his leg bit. After hurrying along to put distance between themselves and the twelve-foot long reptile, James stopped her mad long rush to rest against a tree.

Sweat dripping down his brow and his heart thumping crazily, James frowned. Gillette had failed to mention that in his report of Jamaican wildlife!

To be continued…