(OT: Ah, a long one for Elizabeth. She comes much easier for some reason. I suppose since it is exposed that she has more of that yearning for Will and her to be married, but don't get me wrong, this chapter is not entirely about that. It is just the underlying occassional popping up tone. Haha, well William is next. Sorry for so many italized words. I felt escpcially italisized apparently heeh. Anywho, enjoy! And review dearies! However conceited this might sound, I love encouragement!)
The young woman drooped the black cap over her eyes as she flung her newly braided sandy locks over her shoulder, soaking in the rich atmosphere. Raucous laughter emerged from the tavern, and men and women paraded in all their glory, on horseback or on top of one another. She stepped over a few drunken fools, scoffing in disgust, and stepped into Tortuga's finest establishment that stood in heaps of rich spices, hideous morals, and of course, Captain Sparrow.
Although she realized that Will had already traveled this way, she knew that the officials would never track her to the fanatical city. Elizabeth also realized that the captain must pass through Tortuga at one point or another, and as soon as the Edinburgh Trader had made port, she discovered Jack's blatant trail. After realizing how improper it would seem to order water, she seized a bottle of rum and marched up the staircase, hoping to gain a better vantage point.
She chugged the drink fairly quickly, jesting with other males and using a faux gruff undertone. Two heavily-powdered women sidled alongside Elizabeth at one point, offering proposals for the night. She immediately wished to escape their grips upon her arms, her eyes flitting in fear of what could come of the encounter.
A heavy-set man interrupted their conversation, patting Elizabeth on the back and tugging on one of the women's blue floral skirt. "Easy ladies, the lad hasn't even got his whiskers! Why don't ya approach 'im in a bit; once 'e's got a few drinks in 'im, ey?"
Elizabeth scrunched up her nose. "I can handle my own affairs, thank you." She replied, swinging an arm around both ladies shoulders and escorting them away from the throng. "Ladies, my true apologies, but I will have to take a rain-check."
"You so sure, dearest? We could make it worth your while." The blonde woman batted her eyes as she said this, and the red-headed girl grinned at Elizabeth's sweet tone. Both women tugged on the lining of Elizabeth's jacket and fingered her concealed blade.
She slipped out of their grasp as kindly as possible and replied, "Yes, I am absolutely certain. I am actually searching for someone."
"Is that so?" The red-headed spoke up with her eyebrows rising. "We know the entire town, darling. Who are you lookin' for?"
"Jack Sparrow." She replied nonchalantly, hoping the strumpets could enlighten her of the pirate's recent travels.
Both the women's eyes narrowed in obvious rivalry. "We 'aven't seen him for quite some time, isn't that so, Giselle?"
Giselle gritted her teeth and then curled her lips. "Oh yes, but would you be a darling and give him a message?"
Elizabeth suddenly felt awkward and terrified of what was to come. Giselle lunged for the disguised woman's cheek, but Elizabeth shielded herself and squealed, "Wait!"
Unexpectedly, Giselle withdrew her hand and asked irately, "Why should I wait?"
"My fiancé..." she managed to speak softly, opening her eyes and praying to God that she would be not exposed by these loose ladies. "Will Turner? I believe he came here looking for Jack..."
"Your fiancé?" The red-head asked, scrutinizing the lad with a fresh curiosity. "You're a woman?"
Elizabeth nodded warily, lifting her hat slightly.
"Will Turner, was it?" Giselle questioned with her eyebrows arched; she clearly recognized the name. The concubine swiveled to the red-head and lowered her tone. "Is he the handsome bloke that entered Tortuga a fortnight or so past, Scarlet?"
Elizabeth eyed the odd pair, noting Giselle's light airy tone to the word "handsome". She remained composed, but glanced about the chamber to check for those who might be aware of Jack's location.
"Did we slap 'im?" Scarlet inquired, her lips shaped in an upside down U in disappointment.
"I think we did." At the exact same time, Scarlet and Giselle whipped back around. "Our apologies, Miss, but we truly 'aven't seen Mr. Sparrow in over a month."
"A month?" Elizabeth clarified.
"Yes, Miss."
She could not bother with these women then, Elizabeth thought, administering a feeble smile. "Thank-you, anyway." Miss Swann trotted past the strumpets and descended the riotous staircase, desiring Jack or Will's presence more than ever. She paused mid-stride and shoved a few men aside when a resonant voice emerged. The voice was powerful, clamorous, and oh so familiar. Who was it? The throng was silent, and the string instruments halted their giddy orchestration; everyone's eyes focused on the sailor's acidic manner.
"So am I worthy to serve under Captain Jack Sparrow?"
So he was here and already causing turmoil.
The click of the pistol reverberated in the hushed room.
No, that couldn't be James... But then the voice spoke again.
"Or should I just kill you now?"
She propelled through the mass, but they would not budge. Fine then. Elizabeth propelled through the remaining stretch of stairs, and with one hand on her sword, the woman charged into the absurd brawl. Elizabeth vowed to herself at that moment that she would guide James back to his station, find Jack, and then locate Will. It was all that kept her battling those drunken men and women. Miss Swann no more, she thought fondly. She bounced into the clash, clanging swords with clumsy scraggily men and inducing more chaos. Finally, she and James were side-by-side, and he gripped an uncorked rum bottle, his eyes bloodshot but fiery. What have you done to yourself? She could not believe the sight before her. The skewed muddy clothing, the unfurled white, well now grayish, wig, and his disheveled appearance. This was not the caring good man she knew. She then thought, with sorrow leaking into her heart, or what have I done to you? She would not allow her gritty expression to waver though. Elizabeth seized Norrington's empty container, hoisted it in the air, and smashed it against the man's skull, hoping that it would not bloody the former commodore's head.
"I just wanted the pleasure of doing that myself!" She announced in a gruff voice, and the mob cheered. She waited a few moments and then cautiously stepped toward the limp male, but men shoved past her and heaved James into the air, chucking the insipid figure into the pigs' muck. Once the area had cleared, Elizabeth squatted next to the man and gently turned him over.
She released a soft sigh, "James Norrington." she said in such a pitiful tone. "What has the world done to you?"
"Nothing I did not deserve." Norrington muttered, eyeing the woman. He recognized that slender shape, the entrancing brown eyes, and the petite narrow nose. "Elizabeth." He whispered. The man resumed his normal tone as she offered her hand. "What are you doing here?"
As she aided in hauling her former fiancé to his feet, she answered, "I am here to find Jack."
Although his drunken stupor had disintegrated, his countenance switched to an entirely blank stare. He obviously did not understand. "What about Will?"
"Oh no..." she murmured, realizing his mistake. She had simply dropped James off of a cliff, and of course, why wouldn't she do the same to Will if a new beau arrived? "No, James. Will left Port Royal to find Jack... But I could not just rot in a cell while our lives were on the line." This was not an adequate explanation, but Norrington received it well, swiping chunks of mud off of his cheeks and forehead. Elizabeth turned without another word, trusting that the man would pursue her, and exited the tavern, breathing the salty air as if it were heaven. She halted when the pair arrived at the docks, each stetch of land separating in different directions.
"Which way do we go?" he asked, his eyes scanning the dimly-lit bay.
She answered composedly, tapping her foot in anticipation. "We must wait for the trail."
"The trail?"
"Yes, Jack always leaves a little something... Especially in place like-" Elizabeth cut herself off, stepping toward a feverish conversation.
"Come along, girls." A thirty-something woman was nearly hollering, her and two other girls' cheeks rouged and their hair pinned and curled. "You ain't got no business with 'im. He always makes a bargain instead a' payin'. Better customers inside, girls. Nope, he may be a sweet talker, but you ain't got no good business with that one. And we need good business, I'll tell ya that."
The woman and her protégés passed Elizabeth and James, fluttering their eyelashes only for a moment, before they were tugged back into the grating city. Elizabeth strode on ahead, but Norrington staggered his pace, measuring his own abilities against Jack Sparrow. Maintaining a pleasant countenance, she marched toward Jack and his crew. Please let Will be resting on the Black Pearl, refusing to enter such a horrid place. Please let her find his handsome figure awaiting and yearning for her. She glanced at her side and rapidly realized James was no longer standing beside her. She shortly witnessed a mass of fruits, livestock, weapons, and (of course) rum being heaved onto the mighty galleon. Elizabeth focused on the swaggering man who strode beside the glad step of Mr. Gibbs, and she approached the two men, forgetting James.
She partially shouted with a common expression of delight and nostalgia at the man whose hair hung in dreadlocks. "Captain Sparrow!"
The pirate replied quickly, casting a quick glance over his shoulder. "Come to join me crew, lad?" He barely paused for emphasis. "Welcome aboard."
Quite greedy for sailors, she thought as she stepped a little closer. But what would he think of an outrageous comment from a cabin boy? "I'm here to find the man I love."
The pirate curtailed his gait, then halted completely, and answered, "I'm deeply flattered, son, but my first and only love is the sea."
She resisted grinning at the comment. Although she would never admit or display her amusement at his quirky replies, she usually enjoyed the various and reeling answers. She brought herself back to reality, remembering her purpose. She could not distract herself from locating Will. Elizabeth replied in a solid tone, her eyes steadfast on the captain. "Meaning William Turner, Captain Sparrow."
"Elizabeth."
Her name. Memories of her insistent beckoning rang loudly. "It is Miss Swann." she had always screeched the command ever so mercilessly when Jack irritated her. And then reminiscences of the intoxicated island and those few weeks of frightening experiences combined with a fresh new love between her and Will. How Elizabeth wished she could return to those days... When her father could solve her troubles with the snap of his fingers, and Will could sweep her into piracy with the single grazing of his lips.
She barely heard him murmur, "Hide the rum." He swiveled around to the woman and gestured to her clothing, his eyes zipping up and down her masculine wardrobe and ignoring the sound of the former commodore spewing. In an elongated bright tone, Jack suggested provocatively, "You know, these clothes do not flatter you at all. It should be a dress or nothing. I happen to have no dress in my cabin."
No, his words would not divert her mission. She locked onto his eyes, imagining the end of her problems. Please, just tell me he is in the cabin. "Jack. I know Will came to find you. Where is he?"
