Chapter 3: A proposal, a rescue, and an escape.

"Elizabeth, dear aren't you excited about the ceremony?", Governor Swann asked his daughter. At twenty-eight Elizabeth had grown to be a lovely young woman with long dark hair. Her father presented her with a new dress he'd ordered specially from London. He wanted her to wear it to the ceremony and Elizabeth knew why. Her father, although he'd never actually said anything, wanted Elizabeth to marry Captain Norrington. Elizabeth wasn't sure what she wanted, but she knew that if he did propose that it would be a good match. She forced herself to smile sweetly and say, "Yes, Father." in answer to his question. Her father stayed for several more minutes and they talked about the ceremony and how pleased he was about Norrington's advancement. Then he left to receive the sword that he had commissioned for Commodore Norrington. The sword was created by Will Turner, the young man the governor and Elizabeth had rescued many years ago. Although he and Elizabeth had remained good friends over all those years, as she grew older Governor Swann had spoken with Will to make sure he "remembered his place." Will at 30 was tall with long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail and was strong and handsome. Governor Swann drew the sword, testing its weight and balance. "This is excellent work. Please give my compliments to your master.", he said gazing at the sword approvingly. "Yes, sir.", said Will. He hadn't expected any praise for himself from the governor. His gloomy mood vanished the next instant when a familiar voice called out his name. "Elizabeth!", he exclaimed happily, then saw the look on her father's face. "Miss Swann.", he hastily corrected himself. "What are you doing here?", she asked him. "Just dropping of the Commodore's sword for the ceremony. And now if you'll excuse me Miss Swann, I must return to work.", he said somewhat stiffly before taking his leave. Elizabeth watched him go before turning angrily to her father. "It is time to go.", was all he said. Elizabeth followed him to the carriage still fuming. Why did he always treat Will like that. So what if he was a blacksmith. He was also a friend. Her father was too concerned with social status. The carriage stopped at the docks and as soon as she stepped off she heard a woman's voice calling her name. She turned to where a bunch of young ladies were standing. These friends her father approved of because the were all ladies of good family. They could be tiresome at times, but for the most part they were good friends, and people she could trust and confide in. "Kari!", she called back, smiling. She joined the ladies standing near the boarding area. "Isn't this exciting?", Kari asked in almost the same tone as her father had earlier. Elizabeth opened her mouth to answer but before she could Bianca exclaimed, "Look there's Admiral Trelawny. He proposed to me the other day you know. My parents are so thrilled. I couldn't believe my luck." Bianca held up her left hand to show the beautiful diamond ring she had been given. All of the girls stared at it enviously. Elizabeth gazed at it with feigned interest. In truth the ring stood as a reminder of her own problems. "You are so lucky!", Molly exclaimed, drawing Elizabeth back to the present. "And what about you Liz?", Priscilla asked. "My father wants me to marry Norrington.", she replied casually. All the other girls looked suitably impressed. "Wow that's even better than an Admiral.", Bianca said enviously. "Well he hasn't proposed yet. Although I'm certain he will soon.", she added as the girls faces fell. "Come on, their boarding now!", Kari called walking aboard the ship. Once aboard Elizabeth was called to her father's side. Governor Swann presented the sword and his compliments to Norrington. Norrington accepted the gift graciously and then turned to Elizabeth. "Miss Swann may I ask for a moment of your time after the ceremony. There is something which I would speak with you about." "It would be an honor.", Elizabeth said earning an approving smile from her father. "Well, now that that is taken care of I believe it is time for the ceremony to commence.", Governor Swann said cheerfully.

Jack Sparrow was not having a good day. He'd gone to the docks hoping to sneak aboard the Interceptor only to be thwarted by what must have been the two stupidest guards in Port Royal. He stood aboard the H.M.S Dauntless trying not to show exactly how annoyed he really was. "What do you think you're doing.", one of the guards demanded, jumping aboard the Dauntless and drawing his sword. "Well mate I was thinking about commandeering 'er and sailing off.", Sparrow replied with an amused smile. "Tell the truth!", the guard said. His partner, who'd finally arrived at that point said, 'I think he is telling the truth." "Don't be daft!", the first guard said, "If that was his plan he wouldn't have told us." The guard turned back to Sparrow and stared in shock. Sparrow was nowhere to be seen.

Sparrow chuckled to himself as he snuck aboard the Interceptor keeping low to avoid the attention of the crowd. Those to guards had made the same mistake people always made. They'd turned their back on him. It was simple really, if you captured someone you were supposed to keep an eye on them. Sparrow was constantly amazed at how many people seemed to not understand this. He watched the ceremony that was taking place on the deck with open derision. As if the Brits really needed another pompous oaf in command. It seemed a shame to waste a good ship like the Interceptor on someone like that. It was a good thing he was planning on taking it. Sparrow quite liked this new ship. True she wasn't the Black Pearl but she would do.

Elizabeth stood with her friends fanning herself as the ceremony took place. It seemed to take forever. At the end, after all the speeches and toasts Commodore Norrington took her aside. "Miss Swann you are the most charming and beautiful young woman in Port Royal. Would you do me the great honor of being my wife?", he asked, his expression nervous and very serious. Elizabeth had been expecting this, but was still unsure how she should respond. This was what her father wanted, but was it what she wanted? "Commodore,", she said stepping back slightly so she could face him. As she did so her leg caught on a line of rope and she lost her balance. Trying to catch herself in vain, she fell even more off balance and tumbled overboard into the ocean. "Elizabeth!", Norrington cried. All of the officers raced over to see what had happened but before any of them could act a man swung past them on a rope, jumping into the water.

Sparrow acted almost without thinking when he saw the woman fall. He grabbed a rope and leapt into the water rescuing her. He gazed at the woman who lay unconscious on the deck, his gaze lingering on the golden pendant she was wearing. Interesting, he thought to himself. The Commodore approached him and said somewhat stiffly. "Thank you for your assistance." He held out his hand to shake Sparrows. However, whatever gratitude the commodore may have been feeling seemed to vanish instantaneously when he glimpsed the pirates brand on Sparrow's arm. "Clap him in irons.", he ordered coldly. "Father, this man saved my life!", Elizabeth exclaimed standing up. She had woken up just in time to here the order. "I know Elizabeth, but one good deed is not enough reason to spare the life of a pirate." "Yes, but it seems to be enough to condemn him.", Sparrow said ironically. "What will happen to him?", she asked. "He will be hung as punishment for his crimes.", Norrington. At this point some of the men had managed to chain Sparrow's arms. He had to act quickly. He pulled away from the guards and grabbed Elizabeth, holding her hostage. "Ok, up until now I really thought today couldn't get any worse.", Elizabeth said growing annoyed. Sparrow ordered the men to give him back his hat and weapons. "Well men you'll always remember today as the day you nearly captured Captain Jack Sparrow.", he said with a smirk, releasing Elizabeth and leaping of the ship onto dry land. The men opened fire just as Sparrow got completely out of range. "Well I'll certainly rest easier knowing I have all these talented men to protect me.", Elizabeth muttered under her breath very sarcastically.