A Caged Swann
Chapter 7: Jack Redux
"Stupid idiot suitors. Completely mad the whole lot of them! Why father thought this was a good idea I'll never know." Elizabeth marched a furious path down the beach line. She couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't. Her entire day had gone from early and looking up to crashing down around her. Of all the stuck up and pompous morons…not even James Norrington had been this bad. She would gladly take his proposal now, but what did she do? Turn him down for Will who left her and look where she was now.
And she would be made to make another choice in due time. Her father had informed her after breakfast that she had to get over her primping and choose a husband within the week. If she didn't he'd make the decision for her. It was for her own good didn't she know that? She let out a frustrated sigh and continued down the beach.
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Boredom had set in for Jack early that morning and this afternoon was no different. He had been entertained by Weatherby at breakfast, the Governor had seemed to take a shining to him, the only downside was that the Governor also like that Caldwell chap who Jack had immediately taken a disliking to. He acted one way for the Governor, another with the suitors, and Jack would be willing to bet the Pearl that he acted a third way with Elizabeth.
By noon he couldn't stand being around the suitors any longer, so he went for a walk. Just an hour in their presence was enough to make him want to aim a pistol at his head. Jack couldn't imagine what Elizabeth felt like. Not only did she have to talk to them but they were all intent on marrying her. Doing a mental checklist of all the idiots, Jack was convinced that he was the only one here that was right for her.
Even if he was a pirate, but they could still have a life. Her father would think that they were in one place when they were actually in another. If she wanted a pirate's life then he would show her the ropes, if she decided it wasn't for then he'd find her a nice town somewhere. A place where she could do what she wanted, talk to who she wanted to talk to. If she wanted freedom he would give it to her on land or on water.
Given what her life would look like if she went with one of the suitors. Why wouldn't she choose him anyway? It's not like he was really lying to her. Really, because in fact he hadn't. Something that surprised even him.
Jonathan was indeed his real name though he had always went by 'Jack' instead. And Pardal? Portugeuse for Sparrow. Had Lizzie been more well versed in languages she would have caught on to that.
Jack stopped and looked around to where his feet had led him and smiled. The beach he had discovered on his early morning exploration. The sea would always call to him.
He shrugged off his jacket and boots before wading out into the water until it was at his knees. Closing his eyes he smiled as the familiar movements of the waves swept passed him.
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Elizabeth was still mumbling about her day when she looked up and had to do a double take.
What on earth?
Her earlier frustrations were forgotten as she continued towards the sight before her.
"Mr. Pardal?"
Jack looked up with a start. How had he not heard her coming? Elizabeth stared at him with the oddest expression on her face. He guessed that compared with the other suitors finding him wading into the ocean would be considered quite unorthodox indeed.
"What are you doing?"
He shrugged, "Enjoying her?"
"Excuse me?"
"Her," he made a sweeping motion towards the sea with his arm. "Wild and untamed. The waves crawling up onto the beach. I find it relaxing. Completely beautiful….shouldn't you be with Caldwell right now?"
"Who? Uhh…Thomathy?"
Jack smiled. She had gotten Thomas's name wrong; a suitor that had been pursuing her for a month, yet she forgot him. Jack on the other hand she seemed to have no problem remembering. He liked his chances.
Coming back onto the beach he sat on a piece of wooden debris brought in from the sea and motioned for her to join him, which surprisingly she did, not caring that her dress may be ruined from the charcoal bark.
"You mean Thomas?" asked Jack.
"Was that his name? I knew it was either Thomas or Timothy."
Elizabeth watched as he smiled and was annoyed as she felt that familiar pang once more. Why couldn't she place him? Sighing she looked out at the sea and had a thought. It couldn't hurt to ask him. She already knew what many of the others thought so why not?
"You said it was beautiful," said Elizabeth. "The sea. What do you see what you look at it?"
"...freedom."
Elizabeth's head snapped around to face him. What? Had she heard right?
"What?"
"It's freedom luv. Out there, society and propriety don't matter. Norms and rules that they impose on the rebellious, they don't exist. It can take you wherever you want to go."
As he turned to face her it felt to Elizabeth that she was looking at him for the first time. Really looking at him. Their first meeting he had been side tracked, dinner he was too far down the table, that morning on her balcony too far below. And now, they were so close.
She took in his features as her mind tried to fit the puzzle pieces together. His aristocratic high cheek bones, light features. He was absolutely gorgeous, but for the first time she really noticed his eyes. So dark, so familiar.
Not only that but his words to her. As Elizabeth stared at him and thought about it, it finally dawned on her. This situation, this conversation, the wading through the water. It took her back to a place where time seemed to suspend. A place where she had done this before. Sitting on a beach talking about what the Black Pearl really meant. Freedom...
That was it.
That's who Jonathan reminded her of.
Jack.
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A/N:I had this finished onDecember 29th but I couldn't log in until now>. Ah well, here it is though;)
Lizzie's mind has finally caught up to her thoughts but will she just be reminded of Jack or catch on to that it really is him?
And also I hope my translation of Sparrow/Pardal was correct ;
