AN./ Ooooh, I suppose I must be rather evil with this enormous plot twist that has started to unravel. But, fear not! Despite all that is going on in my life, I am devoted to updating this story at least once a week until it is completed. I certainly hope you all are enjoying this little tale I have spun! Who said the path to true love was ever easy, eh? ;) Anyway, I apologize if this chapter is not up to par… I have a new obsession that has been taking me over for the past month, and I am feeling unwell at the moment, so, please, let me know how I did.

Anyway… please, don't forget to R&R! Thank you all so very much. God bless, and happy reading!

Updates: Before anything else, I just wanted to remind you guys to check out my updated profile page! There, you will find a link to my Facebook author fanpage, which, if you 'like' and 'follow', will give you instantaneous updates on all of my story postings!

(Also, if there are any NARUTO fans lurking about, I shall soon be delving into some multi-chaptered fics. Please let me know if any current readers will be interested! Story summaries are on my profile—have a look-see! Please and thank you. :3 )

P.S.: I re-uploaded an old PotC fanfic of mine, centered on dear Gillette and Groves, actually, called 'Living in Our Hearts'. Please, go check it out (if you had already read it years ago, don't worry: I re-submitted your reviews anonymously)! Thank you!

~ Silvertongued Dreams

Chapter Thirty-Five: The Changing Tides

Elanor smiled as she watched Norrington take off from the stables: a look of fierce determination on his face. This was the James she remembered, and, even if that look he was wearing was not for her, she was happy to see him look so alive once again. God be with you, James…, she thought to herself as he gave her a stern nod, and, pressuring the horse to start, galloped out of sight.

Moments later, Gillette panted as he trudged up to his cousin. "That's it. What did you say to him?" he asked: completely clueless.

"Oh, I merely reminded him of something," Elanor began with a smirk.

"Of what, exactly?"

Elanor peered into the distant horizon, a thoughtful look on her face. "That, if you want something with all of your heart, then there is no risk that should not be made, to see it through."

"What is this, dear cousin? Determined to speak in riddles today, I see!" Gillette scoffed. "Well, unfortunately, I have not the time to try to decipher your meaning. Since our meeting with Miss Perrin was apparently not meant to be, I have plenty of work left for me at the Fort."

"Oh, honestly, Phillip! You cannot be that clueless," Elanor retorted: rolling her eyes as she stooped to pick up a pebble on the walkway in an effort to vent her frustration: tossing it carelessly in the way of Groves, who only just managed to duck in time. He let out a small, nervous chuckle, then dared to approach closer when he saw the vexed look on her face. He had heard the last of the conversation betwixt Elanor and his comrade, and looked around in confusion. "Where has the good captain gotten to?" he asked, stumbling as he made an awkward turn around.

"I was just asking the same thing," Gillette returned.

Elanor looked down at the ground thoughtfully as Groves sidled up to her side and wound his arm in hers.

"He has gone after Miss Perrin," she began in a soft whisper, and a smile graced her face as she turned to face her loving beau. "To confess his love, lest his heart should burst from keeping it secret, any longer."

—*—

The insistent thumping of hooves against cobblestone rang in Norrington's ears as he urged his horse Rochester to pick up speed. Flying out of the stable with determination, James kept his gaze dead ahead, and, passing through the gates of Lordthorne Hall, cut across to the beach, and head for our little cottage.

Never before had an obstacle seemed so unsurpassable and terrifying, but never before had one this important been set before him. Love was a strange beast, indeed: like an incurable disease, but, oh, so gratifying. It could take a man usually so formidable in battle, and stoic to a fault, and undo him completely. He felt so lost, so desirous, and so… yearning. How had he never felt this way before?

What a delicious pain love is, he mused as he rode harder. The cottage was just within his view, now. I only hope that I am not mistaken in thinking that she feels the same way, too.

James's heart seemed to stop in his chest when he realized that he was not alone. No sooner had he made a complete stop at the entryway to the cottage than he caught glimpse of a distressing scene unfolding. Three figures ambled by the open window: two of them clearly overwhelmed, but he could not see their faces. But then, one of the three turned. Was that… Lord Beckett inside? Yes, indeed it was… and I was pacing the floor, hand to my head, distraught, as if trying to strike a painful memory from my recollection. As he pulled his horse to a stop and dismantled: tying the reins to our small, worn fencepost, he dared to take a closer look. Propriety be damned, he thought to himself as he ducked behind the bush so he could observe what was going on, unnoticed. Clearly, something was amiss. Something major was going on beyond those bay windows, and he needed to know if there was something he could do about it.

Then again, this was not his business. He had no idea what on earth was going on, and whether or not I or my family would like him to interfere. But, oh God, if only he knew how much of a saving grace his interference would have been!

Just as Norrington decided against rushing into the cottage, Lord Beckett exited from our residence, and the captain watched him carefully. Something about that smug smirk of Beckett's made Norrington sick to his stomach. He had never really been able to tolerate the man, but the expression his senior-ranking officer now wore nauseated him more than anything he'd seen from him before. There's something about the glint in those eyes….

Taking great care not to be seen, James cautiously walked around to the other side of the house, until a harsh command from Lord Beckett to his carriage driver informed him that he was departing the scene.

Finally, James thought. To him, the moments of waiting had seemed like hours.

If only he knew how much longer this terrible time had seemed to me.

Meanwhile, inside the cottage….

"Oh, my dear girl…."

"Father… do not even speak to me right now," I began, incredibly flustered. "Have you any idea what this is going to do to me? Not to mention to Alexander, or… or, what friends I've managed to make here, for that matter," I quickly added: trying to banish James from my mind. Not now, Ariana. Not now. "Keeping such a massive secret from those I hold dearest will simply kill me, Father! And, is it not worse that I must now be confined: trapped in a loveless marriage?" I posed.

"Believe me, my darling child: if it were within my power to change all that I have done, I would do so in a heartbeat. It is with great shame that I must live with this guilt… to acknowledge that, on top of everything else, I have failed in my chief duty as a father. To protect you."

"To protect us from scandal? Yes. Yes, in that regard, you have failed miserably: I shall not deny that," I muttered under my breath. "But, I do not love you any less than I would have otherwise. You are a tender and loving man, dear Father. And, deep down, I think you realize that it was your naiveté that allowed you to become so entangled with such a serpentine schemer as Lord Beckett."

My father, Mr. Ashworth, nodded sadly. "It is indeed, too true, Ariana." He gulped. "Are you certain? Are you sure that you shall be able to manage it?"

I looked down at the Oriental carpet and heaved a great sigh. And, that, it seemed, was answer enough, for, as soon as my lips began to quaver with sadness, my father came over and enveloped me in a comforting embrace.

In his arms, at least, I could find some minimal comfort, after all.

Just outside….

James Norrington had always been a man of stoic taste, but as he watched the confusing scene unfold before him, he could not help but worry, and that worry began to manifest itself in his eyes. Was I all right? Was now the best time to act?

Perhaps—but, perhaps not. In any case, he could wait no more. It was now, or never.

It was a matter of duty, and he could delay it no longer.

Emerging from behind the bush, Norrington took great care to brush off the bristles that had managed to penetrate his thick wool overcoat, and mustered up the courage to knock on the door.

For some moments, James waited in silence, until the sound of shuffling feet greeted his ears just as he was about to turn away in hopelessness. It was then that the door opened, and our maid, looking rather exhausted, answered the door with a nervous chuckle.

—*—

James smiled reassuringly as the maid opened the slightly-squeaking door, and tried to keep his expression blank, as was expected of him. As he waited in the main hall to be introduced, Norrington took meticulous notice of his surroundings. I did not expect this cottage to be so small, he thought to himself. This entryway is scarcely larger than my guest quarters at Lordthorne Hall. What must Lord Beckett be thinking… leasing a small building to a tasteful family such as this?

"—Mr. Ashworth, Miss Perrin, there is a Captain Norrington waiting out in hall. Shall I send him in?"

My father looked at me searchingly, but I turned swiftly to the maid before I even had a chance to think. "Yes, Prudence. Please, show him in."

My eyes were gleaming, and I could tell that Father could sense the traces of a smile on my face. I looked sunnier than I had all week, and when he looked at me, he hung his head and sighed heavily: guilt written all over his careworn face.

Curse you, Ariana, I thought angrily to myself: turning away sharply. You must learn to restrain these feelings! You cannot afford to think that way of him. Not anymore.

And with that, I stormed out of the room, passing by a befuddled James Norrington as I made my way for the door. There is no other choice, although it pains me to even consider it. My heart stopped a moment. I must never speak to him again.

—*—

There is nothing quite so therapeutic as a breath of fresh sea air, I thought to myself as I inhaled deeply of the heavenly oceanic scent. The sea had always comforted me—particularly these past few weeks, but now… mixed with that sense of calm was an emerging unrest. For, now, the very thing I used to seek comfort from was the one thing that reminded me of the man I really, truly loved… the man I could not marry.

And so, yet another force, once so strong, constant, and reliable, had changed… like the ever-changing tides of the sea.

"Miss Perrin…" came the voice of James Norrington: persistent and concerned. I closed my eyes. He had followed me out.

"—Pray, I do not wish to pry… and if my presence is in any way unwanted, please, say the word, and I shall be on my way." His words sounded so desperate and earnest, it broke my heart a little. "But, I must speak my mind."

I turned around: forcing a wan smile. "Nonsense, Captain Norrington. I am sorry if my demeanor seems at all unwelcoming. It—" I stalled for a moment, trying to think of the right words to say. "It has been a rather trying day."

"Then my words shall be brief," he urged: approaching me with a tenderness and fervor that warmed my breaking heart. "Earlier, you told me to forget the kiss that we shared. But I cannot forget, Miss Perrin. I cannot not forget that bliss I felt… when we shared that special moment." James paused for a moment, struggling for the right words. "Pardon me if I seem to candid, but this will not do. Spare me this agony… Ariana… and tell me if you feel as miserable as I do! I must know the truth, even if it breaks me." Norrington fell to his knees, and I was stunned. Oh, dear God, don't do this to me, I mentally begged. "Ariana… do you think you could find it within your heart, to join yourself to me… as my wife?"

I exhaled shakily: the tears still in my eyes. God, yes. Yes, yes, yes!

But then, I swallowed hard.

"Ohhh, James," I returned in a choked voice.

He looked at me: furrowing his brows with concern and anguish.

"James… there is something you need to know.

I paused.

"I—I am engaged to another man. And his name… is Lord Cutler Beckett."

I really hate to end it here, but I am afraid that I could not muster up any more energy for this chapter. Sorry for the cliffie! I plan to update soon: once my work load winds down, I take my next college exam, and recover from my cold. God bless, and please… don't forget to R&R! Thank you all, and God bless, my lovelies. :)