Sorry for not updating earlier, but I was busy and am now done with finals... so that calls for some freedom, which means staying up late and hanging out lol Anyways, here's the next chapter! Enjoy~!
"Commodore, Lord Clayton wishes to speak with you," a young officer beckoned.
Not surprised, Groves set aside his current task and left his office. They had been at sea for nearly a week now, with no sign of Annabelle, Jack, or the Constant. They had stopped in a few ports and received reports of the Constant having docked but leaving quickly. Lord Clayton still believed Groves knew something about Annabelle's disappearance, but Groves hoped to prove otherwise through his actions. Groves did, however, still have his own suspicions, but he was willing to wait and see what they came across.
He was led to Lord Clayton, who stood outside on the upper deck. "You wished to see me, Lord Clayton?"
The man readjusted his grip on his walking stick before acknowledging him. "Yes, Commodore, I did. How much further to our next port?"
"Less than a few miles. We should reach it by nightfall at the latest."
"Well done. Once we find the pirate and the girl they shall be detained until I receive orders from the Governor. Although, I have an inkling what those orders may be."
Groves stood his ground as he seethed inside. He wouldn't allow himself to display the anger Clayton wanted to see. Neither would he allow Annabelle to be harmed, regardless of any actions she may have taken.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"Come with us," a woman's voice softly pleaded. Although he didn't see anything, it was the sweetest sound he had ever heard.
"Part of the crew, part of the ship…" chanted an older man.
The woman's piercing scream sounding his name cracked through the darkness again, soon accompanied by that deep taunting voice, "James Norrington, do you fear death?"*
James shot up with a gasp. Once his eyes opened and he heard the soft murmur of the ocean, his body sagged with relief. He breathed deeply to calm himself and stop the shaking that had overtaken him.
This was the first dream he had heard Bootstrap or Davy Jones's voice, but he was sure it was them. However, he still had no visuals in his dreams at that particular point, therefore he still didn't know what happened to him in them.
Why couldn't he remember? Hadn't he before? He could have sworn his memories had been fresh at one point. They had dissipated somewhat after-
James started at the discovery. Before he had left the Flying Dutchman, he had remembered more, he was sure of it. Was there some curse that prevented his memories to become more vague once he'd left the ship? Why?
A movement on the sand caused James to turn his head. The island was dark, the fire he built earlier having long since burned out; but half the moon was shining, so it provided a little light. Annabelle's sleeping form, still lying on his overcoat he'd laid out for her earlier, had shifted for comfort before quickly settling back into deep slumber.
He recalled their encounter earlier that day as he gazed at her. He'd thought he would never see her again, provided he ever made it back to Port Royal. All the emotions that had overtaken him when he saw her here had overwhelmed him. He had vaguely struggled with emotions towards her for some time, and he had to fight the temptation to ignore them. Despite his past conflicting feelings for Elizabeth, he had fought the urge to touch Annabelle...hold her...and oh, how warm he'd felt inside when he heard her voice again. Even in her obvious shock at seeing him again, there was something about her voice that always sounded cheerful, innocent...
Yet there was one other thing Norrington couldn't get out of his mind. Annabelle seemed utterly confused as to how he ended up here, and when he didn't recall the Flying Dutchman. They had quickly changed the subject earlier, but he knew it would be brought up again. He hoped it would, too, for he wanted to know what she knew.
But then why had it upset her?
Exhausted from all this, he lay himself back down, and was able to fall back asleep with ease. Before he awoke, however, a haunting tune with a woman's voice floated through his dreams.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
James awoke to find himself alone. He rose and looked around but saw no sign of her, not even distinct footprints in the sand. No sooner had he turned to look at the forest did she appear, one of her arms full.
Remembering his manners, he rose to his feet and dipped his head. "Good morning, Miss Bennington."
A hint of a smile formed at the corners of her mouth, part of her wondering at his formality when he'd addressed her informally several times already. She replied with a greeting as she walked over to him. "I brought some food," she said, kneeling down in the sand and dumping the fruit she had carried. "I don't know what it is, but I assume it's safe to eat."
"It is, I have already partaken some of it myself," he replied, joining her in the sand. He reprimanded himself for not having jumped to her aid and carried it. "It is quite delicious in its own way."
He proceeded to open up the fruit and showed her how to eat it. It was sweet with a slight tang to it, though ridding of the seeds in one of them was a bit bothersome.
After they finished, he suggested they dip their hands into the sea to rid of the stickiness from the fruit and its seeds. They returned to their spots in the sand, Norrington waiting for Annabelle to sit first.
She knelt down and gently lifted his overcoat, brushing as much sand from it as she could before holding it out to him. She draped it over both arms, as she'd seen Sophie and other servants at home present Governor Swann's coat to him. "Thank you."
His heart stirring again with her voice and meek gesture, he simply nodded before accepting it from her. "You're welcome."
While he slid it back on, she seated herself. Once he followed, they sat in silence for a bit.
Annabelle's eyes wandered periodically from the ocean and horizon to the ground around her. She wanted to look at James but was afraid of being caught.
Little did she know that James's eyes barely strayed from her. He couldn't help it. Even on the few occasions where his gaze wandered to the ground, his eyes instantly found their way back to her. For a reason he could not explain, he felt drawn to her as well as captivated at the mere sight of her. He'd always been aware of her overall beauty and sweet disposition, but how had he never noticed her delicate features before?
His gaze mainly fixed on her hair and face. He watched as she lifted her arm to push back some bothersome hair. He noticed her hand and exposed wrist were free of the dirt that had streaked her skin the day before, and it wasn't just from when they dipped their hands in the water just now. His realization for this caused him to blush, and he forced himself to divert his thoughts for a moment. He swallowed hard, embarrassed for the thought even entering his mind.
Another thought caused him to swallow again. He had to ask her. The timing may not have been the best, but he doubted it would ever be.
"I need to ask you something."
Being shaken from the silence caused her to nearly jerk her head, but her expression remained soft. She nodded, trying not to think of the possible topics. "Of course."
"I failed to ask you yesterday how you crossed paths with Captain Drake."
Annabelle hung her head and looked away. "I am not proud of the circumstances, but...shortly after I was given the paper I showed you, Jack was imprisoned. He'd been found by one of the Royal Navy ships. In short I...took matters upon myself and stole the paper and Jack's map from Clayton's office. I released Jack from the prison without being caught by the guards, and we stole away on a ship that sailed out early the next morning. Within a matter of days, Captain Drake and his men attacked the ship and found us, bringing us aboard as stowaways. I found out later Jack had negotiated with him, but I was made to walk the plank and swim here."
James took a deep breath. A lady should never have to go through such an ordeal. He would have disagreed with her piratical decisions, but instantly knew he was no different. Besides, he had always remembered Governor Swann's words about rare circumstances that called for such actions:
*Perhaps there are exceptions to the law that call for an act like that of a pirate, therefore making piracy the best course...* Would he have been willing to apply such an exception to his niece?
Norrington wanted to ask her of the Flying Dutchman, but he was willing to arrive at it carefully. "How were you able to return to Port Royal in the first place?"
Patiently and quietly, Annabelle answered, "Groves helped me a great deal. He had arranged for me to be placed on another ship since the Endeavour was involved in the battle with the pirates. He was placed on the same ship after he was rescued from the Endeavour's demise, and looked after me there and even after we returned to Port Royal." Her eyes grew sad. "I have wronged him with the decisions I have made."
James blinked once his old friend was mentioned. "Groves is alive?"
She nodded. "He survived the attack on the Endeavour and was rescued by the fleet." She smiled a bit out of pride. "He was promoted to Commodore upon his return."
Norrington let it sink in. His friend had gained more success. Pride filled him, though he grieved at not being able to have witnessed the grand occasion.
The good news died fast as his purpose surfaced again. "How did Groves come to your rescue?"
Annabelle's face became solemn as well, not liking where this was heading. "I had been brought onboard the Endeavour. Beckett had wanted all of Davy Jones's prisoners to be spared for questioning." Norrington nodded to himself, having remembered that order. "Groves had negotiated with Beckett for me to be placed on another ship to prolong my interrogation, though he told me he really wanted me safe from Beckett."
Norrington sighed with relief. He owed Groves a great deal. Not only that, but the reality behind his friend's actions and promotion stung harshly. Groves had not only protected the woman Norrington cared for, but he'd received his promotion and honor under just circumstances, whereas Norrington had been appointed Admiral after giving Beckett Davy Jones's heart-nothing more than a bribe.
Annabelle fought back threatening tears, hoping he wouldn't notice. Recalling this ordeal reminded her of what happened on the Flying Dutchman, and she hoped he wouldn't also notice how she had avoided mentioning it.
He did. He forced himself to ask, "If I am not asking too much, when were you taken to the Endeavour?"
Annabelle looked away, but he could hear the crack in her voice. "When Mercer took over the Flying Dutchman." She knew what he would ask her next, so she found herself saying, "He took command over the ship after you helped us escape from the brig."
Norrington's body felt weighted upon hearing the strain in her voice. He knew he had probably asked her more than she had wanted to disclose, but neither had she objected. The need to touch her came over him again, but he forced himself to resist it. Now was probably not a good time to act on it. He didn't know how she'd receive it, and he didn't want to imply any impropriety. "Annabelle, what is wrong?"
Her heart skipped a beat, catching the informal address. A few more shaky sighs and tears escaped her before she was could bring herself to answer. She turned her tear-stained face to him and asked softly, "You really don't remember, do you?"
Norrington swallowed, barely able to bear the pain of seeing her cry. "I remember some, but I believe there is more." He couldn't bring himself to actually ask her to elaborate.
She took a deep breath, knowing the subject could no longer be avoided. Part of her was terrified of what he may not remember-or how he would respond to a particular detail she wondered if he recalled. She asked slowly, "What do you remember?"
Relief and panic rushed through him. He was not willing to shy away from this opportunity, but he was not anticipating the outcome, either. "I remember releasing you and Elizabeth and several others from the brig. I had promised I would protect you both and intended to keep that promise." He paused before continuing. "I remember you both seemed...suspicious of my action."
Annabelle swallowed. Explaining certainly wasn't proving to be an easy task. "It had to do with Uncle Weatherby. Do you remember that?"
Norrington's eyes slid shut as he nodded with a heavy heart. "Yes, though I confess I don't understand why."
It was suddenly difficult to look him in the eye, so Annabelle turned her head, her eyes on the sand in front of her. "We saw him...after..." tears threatened to sting her eyes again, so she swallowed before continuing. "I'm not even sure I understand how we did, somehow we'd gone into another world to find Jack and...we saw things...Uncle Weatherby had mentioned a chest, and a heart, and how the Flying Dutchman must always have a captain..." She took a shaky deep breath. "And then Elizabeth remembered that we last saw you with the chest, and then when the heart was missing..."
Norrington's heart dropped, and he sat there dumbstruck, numb. Had his action really been the cause... "Annabelle-"
"I know you had nothing to do with it," Annabelle interrupted, her voice a bit more unsteady. "I believed you when you told us...it's just that I know that Beckett..."
"Used my action for his personal gain," Norrington added himself. "I am no better."
"How can you say that?" Annabelle now turned her head back to him.
"He appointed me as Admiral," Norrington murmured. "I truly had only wanted my life restored, but I did not turn down his proposition, or the promotion, either." He forced himself to look her in the eyes. "I took on actions I swore to myself I would never partake. I promise you-"
He was about to promise Annabelle he'd make honest amends, regarding his title as well as helping her probe into Governor Swann's death, but Annabelle cut in.
"I wrote him a letter, before he died. I feared that perhaps Beckett somehow came across it, though I have no way of knowing my uncle even ever received it...and I hadn't mentioned..."
Annabelle had to turn away again, overwhelmed at what she'd just learned. She'd never have accused Norrington of such actions, yet he'd just confessed them. Suddenly she felt conflicted, part of her angry at Norrington, yet another part of her sympathetic of his actions. Then again, what could she say of her own recently?
They both were quiet for a long while, only the occasional gurgle of the sea breaking through the silence. Neither of them looked directly at the other, though they stole undiscovered glances a few times.
*What a pair we make,* she reflected to herself, swallowing before she could voice the thought aloud. "Both of us have tried to restore our lives and honor, only to have taken courses we never imagined we'd take, yet in the only ways we saw presented to us..."
Norrington was silent, recalling Governor Swann's words again.
"You are far more, Miss Bennington," Norrington said seriously.
Still fighting back tears that threatened to surface the entire time, she slowly turned her head back to him once again. "As are you...which is why I believed you that night." Opportunity took over again as it turned back to the discussion they were having in the first place. A few silent moments passed before she forced herself to ask, "Is-is that all you remember?"
While he welcomed a temporary change of conversation, part of him dreaded how it led back to this. He didn't want to upset her anymore than he had already. "I have had dreams at night about it, but I only see myself on deck with you and Elizabeth and the group, but following that, I only hear voices and do not see anything else."
Though her eyes were now dry, Annabelle's heart pounded against her chest. "What do you hear?"
Norrington hesitated. He could hardly believe he was on a deserted island with this woman, and now he was baring himself to her. It was frightening and fleeting at the same time. "Last night was the first time I had heard-"
"Ahoy, maties!" a strong far-off cry interrupted, causing them to jump to their feet once they recognized the caller.
It was Gibbs, in a rowboat accompanied by Marty and a few others from the Black Pearl. How Norrington and Annabelle had not noticed them coming before was beyond them.
They sighed with relief, though neither voiced their disappointment at the interruption. Both held hope this conversation could be resumed as soon as possible, though Norrington knew they wouldn't have the privacy the island had given them.
