Such an unnecessarily long and dreary ceremony. I had already participated in far too many to even gain an inch of enjoyment at this point. Of course, none of this was mentioned to the young lady beside me. That would simply allow Elizabeth to do something improper in front of all of the clean people here. My fan quickened it's pace as the sun beamed down on us all. I could feel my attitude dip as the heat intensed.
Then there was the gasping Elizabeth at my side. I gave her pitying stares and occasionally angled myself to where I could subtly fan her; praying that there was a bench hidden in some nook of this fort once the ceremony had finished.
Our saving grace was when the ceremony finally ended and we were allowed to mingle. The small ensemble began playing, yet another group that I pitied in this atrocious heat. I took Elizabeth's arm and took her to the only area of shade. She continued to fan herself and gasp silently but it lessened once away from the sun's terrible rays.
"Are you feeling well?" I whispered to her, making sure no one else would hear. I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and quickly dabbed the sweat that was building on her forehead.
Elizabeth steadied her breathing slightly, "I truly hope that I never have to wear a corset again."
A soft chuckle escaped from me, "It will get better with time."
She rolled her eyes but did not speak. The little twinkle in her stare seemed to mean she would rather burn the corset then live another day of torture. I pursed my lips when I noticed the now Commodore Norrington approach us.
"May I have a moment?" He said, holding his hand out to Elizabeth.
She sent me a look of pleading, preferring to remain in the shade by my side than follow the Commodore. My lips thinned and I gave a subtle shake. There was nothing I could do without it seeming improper and damaging either of our images. Elizabeth tensed a little before taking his hand. I watched as he took her towards the edge of the battlement and began talking.
"Mercy," I heard a soft voice say from beside me. I looked to see Weatherby. He was slightly red-faced from being outside in the heat and sweat allowed one of his dark brown hairs to peep out from beneath his wig.
"Weatherby," I bowed my head.
He was silent for a moment, staring at the two before turning to me. "You do know that he loves her?"
I nodded gently with pursed lips, "But does she love him?"
Weatherby looked to the ground. His feet shuffled for a moment.
"No, but-"
I held up my hand, "You know Rachel's wishes, Weatherby."
His eyes watered for a moment but he bowed his head, "I still want to protect her. That young blacksmith will not support her and keep her safe."
"William would do anything in his power-"
A splash faintly came to my ears, "Elizabeth!"
I whipped around to see Norrington leaning over the parapet. Panic seized me. Tossing propriety out of my mind, I picked up my skirts and ran over. The small ripples of water splashed against the fort from Elizabeth's impact. I could vaguely see the pale yellow dress underneath the bright Caribbean water. Weatherby arrived by my side staring down in shock.
I picked up my skirts and darted towards the exit of the fort. Weatherby quickly followed after me as I caught up to Norrington who was ordering men to follow him.
She has to be okay. Elizabeth has to be fine. I cannot lose her. A sob nearly tore through my throat but I held it back. My throat ached between puffs of hot Caribbean air and the need to cry after seeing my little Elizabeth in the ocean below. Weatherby caught up to me but was panting in exhaustion. We finally emerged outside and the once clear sky was now filled with clouds and mist. A cool breeze swept over our group but we all ignored it to charge down the docks.
My adrenaline raced again when I finally saw her laying on the wood in her undergarments. A tanned man in dreads was kneeling over her, drenched in ocean water. Commodore Norrington pointed his sword at the man's neck, "On your feet." I ignored both of them and embraced the drenched young lady. My body shook as tears tempted to fall.
Weatherby, out of breath, took off his jacket and ran to Elizabeth, "Elizabeth! Are you all right?"
"Yes, yes I am fine," she soothed both of us.
"No more corsets, little one. Never ever."
A small huff of laughter escaped her but she still embraced me even tighter. I pulled back to examine her face. Her makeup was streaked and practically gone, her hair was wet and dripping on her father's coat, and there was not a scratch in sight. I released a sigh of relief, quickly brushing the tears away and allowing the both of us to stand.
Weatherby looked away from us and towards the soldier holding Elizabeth's now ruined corset. The man dropped it, pointing at her rescuer. "Shoot him!" He commanded briskly
"Father…"
"Weatherby, you are far too quick to respond," I chided sharply.
"Commodore," Elizabeth looked towards him. "Do you really intend to kill my rescuer?"
The two stared at each other for a moment. Elizabeth thinned her lips disapprovingly. Commodore Norrington looked down before sheathing his sword. The soldiers followed suit. I blinked in surprise when the man with dreads placed his hands together with a small nod. Oddly irreverent for him to do that. I squinted my eyes.
Commodore Norrington held out his hand, "I believe that thanks are in order."
The man hesitated for a moment before grabbing his hand. The Commodore quickly yanked him forward and pulled back his sleeve to show a "P" shaped scar, white against his tanned skin.
"Had a brush with the East Indian Trading company, did we… pirate?"
I scowled at the mark. Disgusting what people did to other people. My feet moved to have me slightly in front of Elizabeth. The tension began to rise as the soldiers pointed their weapons back at him.
"Hang him," Weatherby chimed in again.
I glared at him with a subtle head nod towards Elizabeth, "Weatherby."
"Keep your guns on him, men," Norrington commanded. "Gillette, some irons."
He pulled back some more of the man's sleeve to reveal a tattoo of a bird flying over the ocean's horizon. I furrowed my brows, the image seemed oddly familiar but I could not place it.
"Well, well… Jack Sparrow, isn't it?"
"Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please," the pirate responded at last.
"I don't see your ship, Captain."
"I'm in the market, as it were."
"He said he'd come to commandeer one," one of the soldiers that was found on the scene piped up.
His companion turned to him, "Told ya he was telling the truth." He then turned to the Commodore and dipped down to present an assortment of personal effects, "These are his, sir."
Commodore Norrington began to look over the items with scathing criticism. My attention was averted to Elizabeth. Her eyes seem to widen in surprise and curiosity. The name-"Jack Sparrow"-suddenly became familiar. All those little talks of pirates between Elizabeth and I. Letting her young mind wander about only for it to stay fixated on Jack Sparrow's several adventures. The sailors loved entertaining her with their stories but now I am not sure if it will be helpful now.
"You are without doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of," the Commodore finished.
Sparrow raised his finger with a cheshire grin, "But you have heard of me."
That seemed to anger Norrington as he roughly grabbed the pirates arm and dragged him to Lieutenant Gillette. Elizabeth darted out of the grasp of both me and her father to follow after the two. The Lieutenant quickly began handcuffing the pirate.
"Pirate or not this man saved my life," Elizabeth protested, placing herself between the Commodore and the pirate.
"Elizabeth!" I warned with a dark look. "His fate is out of our hands."
"One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness," Commodore Norrington scolded.
Sparrow turned to look at them, "Though it seems enough to condemn him."
"Indeed," he scowled.
The Lieutenant moved away for a mere moment, allowing the pirate to wrap the chains of his shackles around Elizabeth's neck. All of the soldiers lowered their weapons to aim at the man. Another man shook his hand in pain, glancing back and forth between the pirate and the water. My hands tightened into fists.
"No! No! Don't shoot!" Weatherby commanded.
I looked at the Commodore coldly, "Unless one of your men is an excellent shot, I suggest telling them to man down."
He raised his arm to have them all lower their weapons. The pirate glanced between me and the Commodore. An odd smile coming onto his face for a split second.
"Commodore Norrington, my effects, please… and my hat," the pirate commanded. After a moment passed with no movement he spoke again, "Commodore!"
The Commodore quickly took the equipment from one of his soldiers and walked towards Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth. It is Elizabeth isn't it?" The pirate asked.
"It's Miss Swann."
"Miss Swann, if you'd be so kind," Elizabeth hesitated for a moment with the items. "Come, come dear, We don't have all day."
Elizabeth took the items only for the pirate to spin her around, "Now, if you'd be very kind…"
Elizabeth began to put the pieces back on his feature. Shivers raced up my body when I noticed the oddly allured look the pirate had on his face with my little Elizabeth so close by. My eyes hardened into a cold glare at the man. He smiled at us, his gold tooth shining past his teeth. The two whispered at each other for a moment before Sparrow turned Elizabeth back towards us.
"Gentlemen! My ladies…" He glanced between me and Elizabeth. "You will always remember this as the day that you almost caught Captain Jack… Sparrow!"
Elizabeth was pushed towards us right as the man took off running. I was caught in the fray, almost bowled over by both the Commodore and Weatherby trying to keep her from falling. A cacophony of movement and grunting exploded as the pirate escaped. I stared partially in wonder as he was hoisted up by a rope and spun in a circle. Gun fire soon echoed around us, making all of our ears ring from the blasts. Finally he zip-lined across the pier with the soldiers running after him.
"On his heels! Gillette, bring a squad down from the fort," the Commodore commanded roughly. He turned to Elizabeth and let his hardened eyes soften, "Elizabeth, are you-"
"Yes, I'm all right, I'm fine! Go capture him," she said in annoyance.
Commodore Norrington seemed stunned at this shift in attitude. Her nice, proper attitude having been stripped away. He gave a small nod and jogged away.
Weatherby draped his coat on Elizabeth, rubbing at her shoulders. "Here, dear ... you should wear this." She nodded in acceptance. Her pale hands grasping onto the ends of his jacket. Elizabeth faced the horizon for a moment.
"Thank you, Father ... and let that be the last of your fashion advice, please," she joked halfheartedly.
I looked at Elizabeth. My want to argue with her decisions today were fighting against the need to care for her safety. I carefully snuffed out the want to nurture her, plastering a grim expression on my face.. "We are having a discussion later Elizabeth," I said coldly.
"But-"
"Elizabeth," Weatherby interrupted quietly before she could argue. "Mercy, another time. For now, we must get back to the manor."
Her jaw tightened in annoyance but she did not say anything. I felt the long conversation that would happen later would be exhausting and only hoped this would be the last of our troubles.
A/N
Hello! Per the usual reviews are great. I feel like Mercy does not get enough movie lines, but that also conflicts slightly with her more passive character at the moment. If you have any thoughts on that I would love to hear either in a review or in a private message.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! :)