Not Who You Thought
Chapter Seven
Emmy rolled out of the blanket and woke up. It was still dark outside but she could see figures around the coals of the big bonfires. She watched James as he slept and wished she could talk herself out of the plan of action she had decided to take. It had taken the past few days to convince her that it was the right thing to do and she was only doing it because it would work. With one last look at her sleeping husband she quietly left the tent.
The moonlight shone down on her, giving her a full view of the now sleeping camp. The man on guard had long fallen asleep; no one was watching as Emmy walked down the beach and into the water. She swam for the Dauntless.
The sailors onboard the Dauntless were also asleep; it would be hard to sneak up on them by boat. But no one expected Emmy to swim out in the middle of the night, away from the warm arms of her long lost love. Just to be safe she climbed up the side and through an open gun port. Dripping wet and freezing cold she made her way to the brig. The remains of her crew were asleep but they woke quickly as she descended the steps.
"Captain? What's happening? Why're you inna dress?"
"No time to explain. I'm letting you out of here. Climb out through a gun port and swim to shore. Go around the camp and into the tress, if you search you can find a man named Jack Sparrow. I know what you're thinking but I met him and he's alright. Go and join him. I'll come looking for you so stay near the edge of the trees until I find you. We'll go from there."
They all stared at her.
"What?"
"Is it true what we've been hearing 'bout you being married?"
"Yes."
That seemed enough of an answer for them; after all, she was setting them free. Emmy picked the lock and had the brig open in a matter of seconds.
"Go quickly and quietly. Good luck."
With that she bid them farewell and went quietly to the upper deck. She gathered the clothes she had forsaken earlier that day and went to James' cabin. There she changed out of the dress and into the mended clothes she had been wearing. Then she sat down at his desk and began to write.
James woke with a cold bare space next to him. He sat up and looked around but there was no sign of Emmy. Leaving the tent and walking around the campsite offered no further explanation. James stood looking out to sea when he noticed the longboat making for the shore. When it arrived a frantic sailor ran through the shallow water and delivered a bundle to him. James took it wordlessly. It contained a letter and the dress Emmy had been wearing. His feeling of confusion quickly changed to one of doubt and foreboding. He dismissed the sailor and returned to his tent so as not to cause a stir. The letter confirmed his fears but also took a great weight off his chest. He read it over and over again, memorizing every stroke of the quill.
Emmy wrote first of her undying love and sorrow for leaving. Secondly she wrote of her intentions. She had left to save herself from the noose and to save James from an awkward situation. She and the remnants of her crew were going to join Jack Sparrow, whom she had met last night. She knew he would not approve of nor enjoy this turn of events but she promised to be good. And thirdly she wrote of their imminent reunion. She would come to Port Royal, find him and they could continue from there. It was not the best plan in the world but it was an alternative that saved her life and guaranteed a future.
She sighed as she finished it and bound it in a package with her dress. She also wrote a note for the sailor on watch so he would find the package right away and James could deal with it quietly. The final touch was to overturn his cabin so she played the part of a real pirate, which she apologized for in the letter. She gathered all the valuables and hid them, also in the letter, so it looked like she looted the cabin as well. Then she left the way she came.
Her crew had found Jack Sparrow easily and he was more then happy to welcome them. Perhaps a little too happy, he'd needed a slap. With that they set off through the jungle and soon came upon the Black Pear, which set sail within the hour.
Emmy was very distraught as they sailed away but she hoped it was for the best.
"Gone? How can she just be gone?" Gillette asked, perplexed.
"We trusted her, played right into her hands," James said with mock defeat. Emmy had a very good plan indeed.
"Well sir, we couldn't have known."
"Yes. Indeed. I'll strike all account of them from the records and it never will have happened."
"Very good sir. I'll spread the word. It never will have happened."
Emmy sat glumly in The Faithful Bride, the rum provided by Jack untouched. She had saved the lives of her crew and that of herself but she was still miserable. She wanted to be lying in that warm bed on the Dauntless, not sitting in a dingy bar in Tortuga.
"Cheer up luv, you'll see him again soon. And it's probably best for the both you this way. He keeps his reputation for certain and you keep your life."
"Aye. But I still feel I've wronged him. And I haven't seen him for nigh on ten years. It's been very hard on both of us."
"I can make it easier if you like luv," he said winking.
"No you won't. If I had a gun I'd threaten you with it."
"It'd only attract me more luv."
"I'm married!"
"I'm Captain Jack Sparrow."
"Jack Sparrow!" came a shriek from across the room.
Jack turned to see a blur of silk and lace come hurtling towards him and envelope in a hug while knocking his rum from his hand.
"Elizabeth. You've lost me my rum. Again. What're you doing here?"
"Looking for you."
"Well, good job finding me. I just got here you know. Not nice to deprive me of me rum, it's been a long day. So what'd you need?"
"Can we name you godfather to Ruth?"
Jack's eyes widened. "What? Already?"
Elizabeth nodded, grinning madly, and hugged him again. Emmy rolled her eyes and took a swig of rum. She wasn't in the mood for cheerfulness.
"I'm honored Lizzie but I'm afraid I wouldn't be around much. Why not Norrington? Or some other rich friend of your family who lives in Port Royal? Ask Emmy, she might do it."
"Who?"
"Emmy," Jack repeated, pointing across the table at her.
Elizabeth acknowledged her and then turned back to Jack. "But I've never seen her before."
"Actually I think you have someone in common and you have seen her before."
Emmy looked up. "Are you Elizabeth Swann?" she asked.
"Elizabeth Turner now."
"Oh."
"Who does Jack think we have in common?" Elizabeth was interested now.
"James."
"Norrington? How do you know him?"
Emmy sighed. "He's my husband."
The word was like a slap in the face. Elizabeth blinked stupidly.
"What?"
"My husband."
"But you're a pirate!"
"I haven't always been this way. I'd rather not talk about it if it's the same to you."
Elizabeth stared at her. "You do look familiar. You were on the dock when the Dauntless sailed from England."
"And you were the little girl."
Elizabeth nodded.
"This is lovely but isn't there something we're supposed to be doing?" Jack asked, dropping a barricade in the middle of memory lane.
"Yes. I suppose we should be going. I still haven't thought this out yet. And I'll need to look like an aristocrat, not the scourge of the sea."
"I have an extra dress with me," Elizabeth offered. "You look the same size as me. By the way, what's this plan that's not thought out?"
"Come, get Will and the baby and she'll tell you on the way," Jack said, rising and taking Emmy's hand. She reluctantly stood and followed him and Elizabeth out of the tavern, still not knowing what to do.
