True Love: Forever Reunited
Chapter 25: A Battle for the Ages
Will fell to his knees beside his friend, his hands shaking, and his blood running like ice in his veins. Of all the tragedy that had occurred, of all Will had expected, it had never been this. Andrew had been his best friend since age twelve, and now he had been dragged into this conflict, and hurt by it. A jagged sword wound ran a quarter of the length of his torso, covered in blood.
"Andrew," pleaded Will. "You have to make it through, mate. You've got a wife and two children depending on you."
Andrew didn't respond verbally, but nodded his head just enough so Will would know he heard.
Elizabeth had her arms around Amelia, who could no longer hide her tears. Willy was doing his best to comfort Charles and Anna, who looked terror stricken.
"We've got to tend to him," said Will, rising from the ground. "I've got to find Doctor Sullivan."
Then, without another word, Will ran looking for Dr. Sullivan, ignoring the shouts of all the Port Royal citizens who had revolted who were desperate to know of Clinton's proposal. Will moved his legs as swift as a deer running from a hunter toward Dr. Sullivan's office. He pushed through the door without knocking, seeing Dr. Sullivan tending to two citizens with minor wounds.
"Will!" cried Dr. Sullivan. "You escaped from Clinton?"
"Not quite," answered Will. "But Andrew Riley is badly injured, and needs you immediately."
The doctor handed the patients over to his assistant, and followed Will out the door. Will felt his heart pounding in his chest; the battle with Clinton loomed in front of him somewhere off in the distance, hardly seeming important in light of Andrew's injury. But he couldn't let himself go insane; he had to get the best of Clinton, for everyone's sake.
"What kind of wound was it?" questioned Dr. Sullivan.
"A sword wound," answered Will. "It was nasty."
The pair reached Andrew after several minutes of running, and things didn't look any better.
"We've got to get him to my office," said Dr. Sullivan. "It's the only place sanitary enough to tend to this wound. Groves should come as well; he needs to lie down."
Will and Dr. Sullivan picked Andrew up gingerly, with Norrington assisting Groves.
"Will," breathed Amelia, her arms around Charles and Anna as she followed them. "I don't know if he's going to make it."
Tears spilled from her eyes, flowing down her dirt streaked face.
"He will," answered Will, unable to look in her eyes. "He must."
"He's strong," said Elizabeth, her arm around Willy. "He'll make it. Just stay with him."
Her eyes met Will's, and he could read the uncertainty in the light brown orbs.
Once they had placed Andrew and Groves safely in Dr. Sullivan's care, Will knew it was time to go and decided the logistics of the duel, even if it was the last thing he wanted to think about right now.
"Stay with him Amelia," he said, resting his hand on her shoulder. "You and the children are the best medicine he has."
Amelia nodded, sparing Will a small smile before turning her attention back to Andrew and the children. Will turned to Elizabeth and Willy, but before he could open his mouth to suggest his idea, Elizabeth cut him off.
"I know what you're going to say Will," said Elizabeth, her hand gripping his arm, determination in her eyes. "But I think Willy and I should stay with you. I want to keep the family together, and if we stay here we'll only be in Dr. Sullivan's way."
Will opened his mouth to argue, but most surprisingly, James Norrington stepped in.
"I agree Will," he said. "You should stay together. Besides, this office is small, and Andrew needs the best of care."
"Perhaps you're right," admitted Will reluctantly. He cast one last worried glance at Andrew, blinking to keep the tears from falling. He was not much of a crier, but all of this was testing his limits. He put one hand in Elizabeth's and one in Willy's before walking out. He saw Willy cast one last glance back at his friends, his young face paling. Norrington followed them out.
"Will, what about this battle?" questioned Elizabeth. "Who will be the other two from our side?"
"One would have been you," said Will. "But we can't risk anything with you and the baby. So I suppose they will be Jack, and James, if he will consent." He glanced over to see Norrington's reaction.
"Of course I'll consent," said Norrington, fingering the sword on his belt. "I can only hope we win. I'm not sure of the skill of these soldiers. They are not as well trained as they were when I was in the navy, so it might be to our advantage."
"Perhaps," said Will. "But he always has a trick up his sleeve; we'll have to be careful."
The four walked in silence the rest of the way from Dr. Sullivan's office. Only half an hour remained until the final battle. Night waned while they walked. Morning would come soon, and with it, Will hoped, victory. He fingered the rosary in his pocket as the warm Caribbean breeze blew across his face. He prayed to God this would end in their favor, prayed his loved ones would escape with their lives, and the Port Royal citizens with their freedom. His thoughts were interrupted when shouting reached his ears. A crowd of Port Royal citizens stood around the pirates, who looked quite harried. Will recognized many of them from his many years in Port Royal; there was the baker, whose shop was just down the road from the smithy; Mr. Riley, Andrew's father; many of the shopkeepers and merchants, and even some of the upper class members, Amelia's father included. It appeared nearly all of Port Royal had tired of the Company's cruelty for the past decade.
"We've risked our lives, we want to know what's going on!"
"Clinton has gone mad, and there's no pretending he won't kill us all for this revolt!"
Jack, Ana Maria, Barbossa, and Teague were doing their best to calm the crowd, but to no avail.
"What going on?" Will asked Jack when he approached.
"They want to know what's going on," answered Jack. "Won't listen to a bloody thing I say."
"Calm down everyone!" shouted Will over the tumult. "Listen!"
Nothing happened. Nothing at least, until Captain Teague fired his pistol in the air twice, sending the crowd into silence.
He nodded at Will who, went on.
"Listen, everyone," said Will. "Clinton has offered us an ultimatum."
"Us?" questioned one of men. "Do you mean to say he's looped us in with you?"
"Yes," answered Will, slightly taken aback by the man's tone.
"We aren't pirates," argued another.
"In Clinton's eyes, you are," said Will adamantly. "You revolted against him; you should know better than anyone else of Clinton's logic. You fought with pirates, so you are."
"Just because you've aligned yourself with pirates, Turner, doesn't mean we all want to," said the man.
There was a rumble of agreement among the gathered crowd. Mr. Riley made to speak up, but Elizabeth stepped in, furious.
"Quiet, all of you!" she shouted. "You revolt, and you expect no consequences? Have some backbone! How can you say such things about pirates when we're fighting the same enemy? How can you say such things when people who used to be well known citizens of this town have gone down that path; Will, myself, Commodore Groves, the Riley's, and James Norrington, just to name a few? We aren't the bloodthirsty demons Clinton has painted us to be, we are fighting for freedom!" Her eyes blazed, daring them to argue with her. Many present remembered her spirit when she had been the governor's daughter. They didn't argue with her.
"Thank you Elizabeth," said Will with a smile at his wife. "Clinton has put down a proposal; three on our side must duel three on his. If we win, then the EITC will leave this island. If we lose…" There was no need for him to go on. "Myself, Jack Sparrow, and James Norrington will represent our side."
Will heard Jack gulp behind him.
"What if we don't like that arrangement?" shouted one man.
Again, Elizabeth stepped up. "These three men are willing to risk their lives for all of you!"
"Yes, but if they lose we're all doomed," argued the man.
"You'll all be doomed if we continue the bloodbath going on. Enough are already injured, and don't put it past Clinton to play dirty tricks. These three are skilled fighters. All our lives are at risk anyway we go. Do you think I'm not worried? My husband and two dear friends are about to risk their lives, my son is forced to watch this mayhem, one of our best friends is gravely injured, and I'm with child. Do you care to argue the point with me further?"
"No Miss Swann," answered the man.
"That's Captain Turner to you," said Elizabeth.
"Just trust us, everyone," said Norrington, speaking up. "We must all band together to defeat out common enemy."
"Speaking of the devil," said Ana Maria. "Here they come."
Will turned sharply, mastering his fear and mustering his courage. Willy tugged at his sleeve.
"You'll defeat them Papa," he said, his face set into an expression of absolute certainty. "I know you can do it. You're the best swordsman I've ever seen."
"I hope you're right son," answered Will, hugging Willy to him. "Listen to your mother, all right?"
"I will," answered Willy, putting his hat straighter on his head on his mop of light brown hair. His eyes shone with encouragement. "You can do it."
Will smiled at his son before turning to Elizabeth, who met him with an expression he couldn't quite read.
"I wish it was you by my side," he whispered in her ear. "Then I'd have no doubts."
"Our child will be grateful I'm not, as much as I wish I could be," she whispered back. "But you're an excellent swordsman, and Jack and James are quite good themselves. Just promise me you'll be all right." She took his face in her hands, and he couldn't help but look her directly in the eyes. "Promise me."
"I promise," said Will. "I promise with everything I am."
With that, he kissed her with everything in him, afraid, so desperately afraid this would be the last time their lips would meet. But something inside told him it wasn't true. When they broke apart he saw Jack and Ana Maria sharing an embrace. Will couldn't help but grin at them. He looked at Elizabeth and Willy one last time, watched Elizabeth give Norrington a hug, then the trio turned to face their foes.
"Go get them, Jackie!" called Teague.
"Do us proud!" shouted Barbossa.
With Clinton came two soldiers Will didn't know. Both were tall and muscled, with a glint in their eyes Will didn't like.
"We can do this," said Will to the other two as they prepared to meet their foes. "We've through enough insane battles and villains, we can do this as well; we must."
The other two nodded in assent, and Will could have sworn he heard Jack mutter. "Where's the rum when you need some?"
A wall of silence met them when they stopped just a few feet from Clinton and his minions. Will met Clinton's eyes, reading the revenge and hatred resting in them. Clinton spoke first.
"Bid farewell to your pathetic life, Turner," he said, unsheathing his sword. "And say hello to death. Finally, I'll have the revenge I've sought for so long."
"Keep telling yourself that," Jack cut in. "You haven't got a chance, chap."
"Silence," said Clinton. He had resumed the cold, calm manner he had when they had first come upon him, and it was this that sent a pang of fear through Will's heart. "Turner, you and I shall duel. Sparrow, your worthless arse is with Chambers. You Norrington, the waste of a great naval man, shall duel Danforth."
Each man unsheathed his sword, ready to face an opponent. Will gazed at Clinton, pushing away his fear and bolstering his confidence. He knew he could do this. He had to. Everyone's lives rested on this final outcome.
"On guard, Clinton!" Will yelled, directing his sword at his foe. They met with a clash that roared in his ears. At this, Jack and James began to duel with their opponents. Will knew right from the start this would the most difficult duel of his life. Clinton had trained extensively, meeting Will blow for blow.
"Not as easy as you expected is it Captain Turner?" called Clinton.
"I didn't expect it to be easy," responded Will, parrying Clinton's attack. "I'm not a fool, much as you may think me one."
Will parried, and attacked, parried, and attacked again. This went on for quite some time, an endless cycle of never changing technique, until something broke the monotony. A loud shout of pain was heard nearby, and both Clinton and Will stopped to see Danforth, Norrington's opponent, flying through the air before coming to rest with a loud thud on the ground. Norrington sheathed his sword.
"You ought to train your swordsmen more efficiently, Clinton." He looked Clinton dead in the eye, not a trace of fear in his voice. With that, he turned and walked toward the watching crowd.
Clinton surveyed him for a moment, a twitch of his eye the only sign of his anger. He turned back to Will, bringing his sword with even more force than before.
"One down," remarked Will.
Clinton didn't answer, but a bubble of hope swelled in Will's chest; they could win this battle, he knew they could. Will and Clinton had just begun dueling however, when another distraction arrived.
"Bloody hell!" yelled Jack, his voice echoing throughout the warm air.
Will and Clinton turned to see Jack fall to the ground, a nasty cut across his right cheek. Will's heart nearly stopped when he saw the man called Chambers point his sword at Jack's throat. Jack however, seemed to have it under control. He retrieved his sword from where it had fallen beside him, striking Chambers before Chambers could strike him. He stood up, wiping the blood from the cut on his cheek.
Will smirked. "That's two out of three, Clinton," said Will. "I believe we've won."
Clinton kicked the ground in fury, spewing dirt in Will's face, but he regained his composure in an instant.
"Don't be foolish, Mr. Turner. I said at least two out three must win to secure victory. Unless you defeat me, which I doubt, your side loses. You shall be dead soon, Turner. But I think a ten minute respite is in order."
Will nodded, making his way toward the waiting group. The wounds he had collected throughout the night were starting to wear him down; his broken nose hurt like fire and his leg wound still bled. Thirty-one wasn't old, but it certainly wasn't twenty. Elizabeth ran to him, enveloping him in her arms.
"That cheating twit," she said, pulling him closer. "But you can do it, Will. I know you can." He gazed at her, Willy by her side, taking in her beauty in a fleeting instant. To him, it seemed, she became lovelier as the days passed. His eyes shifted to Willy, the perfect combination of the two in both personality and looks. He glanced back up at his father with admiration shining in his eyes, and Will knew more than ever he had no choice but to succeed.
Will nodded, turning to offer Jack and Norrington his congratulations.
"You two were brilliant," he said. "Unbelievable, really."
"They weren't a terrible challenge," replied Norrington. "Poorly trained they were."
"You're the one who got stuck with the madman, mate," said Jack, looking wary.
"No kidding," said Will, taking a sip of the water Willy offered him.
He gazed at the sights around him; it seemed almost the entire population of Port Royal was watching the outcome of the duel, those who had participated in the revolt anxiously awaiting their fate; the small band of pirates stood apart, talking amongst themselves; the EITC soldiers stood across the way, obeying Clinton's every whim. The sun was peeking out, glinting across the aqua water of the Caribbean. Will's mind wandered to Andrew, desperately hoping he was all right. When his ten minutes was up, he embraced Elizabeth and Willy before making his was to Clinton.
Just as he turned to face Clinton however, he felt a hand grab his shoulder and someone pulled him around to face them. It was Jack.
"You listen to me, whelp," he said, his expression uncharacteristically serious. Ana Maria, who stood next to him, watched intently. "If you get yourself killed out there I'll never forgive you. Elizabeth and Willy, they need you. So does your kid on the way."
Will couldn't help but smile. "And you Jack, would you miss me?"
"Maybe a whiff," said Jack, waving his hand. "The point is, mate, you're better than that idiot."
"Thanks Jack," said Will. "Watch out for Elizabeth and Willy; make sure Clinton doesn't play any dirty tricks."
"I will. But Elizabeth is pretty good at taking care of herself. Stubborn, she is."
Will chuckled, but as he turned away he felt his stomach churned with nerves. All of these people's lives were on his shoulders. If he lost, many of them would be killed. No pressure. Clinton walked forward, looking calm and collected once again. Will wished he would lose control like he had before; that would give him a clear advantage. Will gazed around at Port Royal; if he had been told when he was a twelve year old lad just arriving here what his life would turn out to be, he never would have believed it. He was happier than he could have ever imagined being, and he wasn't going to let Clinton rip it away from him. He hadn't spent ten years on the Dutchman to return and be killed by Beckett's nephew of all people. He wouldn't stand for it. He faced Clinton, shoulders back, sword drawn, his face set into an expression of courage.
"Are you prepared to die, Turner?" asked Clinton, unsheathing his sword once more.
"Are you?" replied Will.
As their swords clashed together the sun rose entirely over the sea in a flash of blinding light. Will and Clinton went at each other with a force before unseen. They met each other blow for blow, the clash of their swords ringing in their ears. Will collected another gash on his arm, Clinton on his shoulder. Sweat ran down Will's face, his muscles ached, his wounds felt like they were on fire, but he kept on. Clinton, frustrated at his apparent inability to gain an inch of advantage over Will, was slowly becoming reckless.
Then Will saw his moment. Clinton's fingers loosened ever so slightly on his blade, and Will hit him with a blow to the chest he was sure would end it, sending the sword flying out of Clinton's hands. Clinton fell to the ground, hand over his wound. Will never took pleasure in killing his enemies. He had always felt that life was not his to take unless it was in self defense. But this was a matter of self defense not only for himself, but for a whole group of people.
Before Will had a chance to back away, Clinton grabbed him by the collar of his coat, pulling him down to the ground to face him, kicking his sword out of his hands. Will heard the cock of a pistol. At close glance, Will could see Clinton's wound; blood poured from it; it had hit an artery. He hadn't a chance of survival.
"You fool!" said Will. "Give it up! You can't survive this."
"No, I can't," replied Clinton, his eyes wide and wild, his voice hoarse. "I will not last longer than a few minutes, but I can take you down with me. Then, at least, my revenge for my uncle will be complete."
"You cheat in a sword duel by pulling that pistol out," said Will through gritted teeth. "You can't even die honorably!"
"You're a pirate, Turner, you don't know anything about honor." Clinton pushed the gun next to Will's temple. He had a strong grip for a dying man. Will was so close to Clinton now that he was covered in the blood pouring from his foe's fatal wound.
"I think I know more about honor that you ever have," answered Will. "But you can learn now. Drop the gun, and die a better man than your uncle."
Clinton, to no one's surprise, refused.
Will tried to reach behind him for his sword, but it was too far away. No one in the crowd dared move, for fear Clinton would shoot. Thoughts rushed through Will's head; he had dealt Clinton this fatal blow, he had won, and yet his life was still threatened. He met Clinton's gaze; the man's face was becoming paler by the second, his breathing more ragged, his hands colder, the barrel of his pistol pressed hard into Will's temple.
A gunshot was fired.
But Will didn't fall. A bullet whizzed past his ear, hitting Clinton in his already fatal sword wound. Clinton breathed no more, moved no more, his grip on Will coming loose, the pistol falling to the ground. Will whipped around to see Elizabeth shaking with emotion, holding Jack's pistol in her hand.
A/N: So both Will and Elizabeth had a hand in getting rid of Clinton; I thought they both deserved that. This isn't the end however, there are still several chapters to go! I really hope this met your expectations, and don't worry, more about Andrew will be revealed in the next chapter!