One Heart
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
One Heart
Anne Latham was one confused woman. She had arrived not a week ago in Port Royal, and already her life was topsy-turvy. Growing up in England had not been fun and games. She too came from a hard life, and following her heart, had spent most of her life saving for a passage to the Caribbean.
Since childhood, she had been enamored with the handsome, devoted and loving Will Turner. He had watched over her as a big brother, and she had felt heartbroken when he joined the crew of a ship sailing for the Caribbean.
They had shared but a few years together, and she had grown to love him. Only days ago she found him working as a blacksmith. Filled with happiness and love, she had thought for a moment he loved her still. Still thought as a matter of fact.
All this ran through her mind as she waited in the small office of one Commodore Norrington.
He arrived, and took his seat at his desk, "You are Anne Latham?"
"Yes."
"And you wish to join the Dauntless in its search for one William Turner and Elizabeth Swann?"
"Well, I don't know about that Swann girl, but I am looking for my Will."
The commodore suddenly looked interested, "May I ask why?"
She looked almost indignant, "Why, I've loved Will Turner since I can remember! I'll not be giving up on him now."
He leaned forward, his interest definitely roused, "And does he feel the same?"
"I should think so, yes. He told me he cared the day he left England."
A slow smile crept up on Norrington's face. "And if the opportunity came, you would wed him?"
"I would."
"Excellent. Well, Miss. Latham, I think you may expect to sail with us at noon."
"Thank you, Commodore."
Upon entering his office, John Norrington had been one upset, frustrated man of the navy. Who wouldn't be? His unrequited love had been thrown into his face, she'd run off, and then her lover right after her. And he was obliged to follow both.
Now however, his spirits lifted, hope restored, a second chance with Elizabeth had presented itself to him. In the form of Anne Latham.
********
The Black Pearl anchored not far from the shore of . Out on rowboats, Will's arms pulled at the oars, bearing both himself and the captain to wherever he might wish to go. Jack directed him to one particularly formidable ship.
Once done climbing up the anchor cable to the ship, both Jack and Will could see the other boats slowly making their way to shore.
"Why aren't we docking Jack?"
"We aren't docking because we're tryin' to find your bonnie lass," sweeping his hand to gesture to the ship as proudly as if it were his own, "This is the Dragonfly."
"And what makes you think she'll be here, and not at port like the rest of them?"
"If she's not here, then she's on shore with 'er shipmates. Eventually, they will return to their ship. So either way, you're gonna meet 'er. Savvy?"
Will nodded, and at his captain's beseeching look, he went off to search the ship. Slightly lower then the top deck, a single door lay at the bottom of a flight of stairs. Turning the handle, the door opened to reveal what appeared to be something of an office/dining room.
To the left lay two doors, each, he assumed, were cabins. Opening the one to the farthest left revealed a usual bedroom, kept tidy to military precision. He paused, closed the door, and moved to the next.
The opening of this door was far more rewarding. Inside the equally tidy room, possessions were strewn about, many he recognized. In the corner sat a dressing table, complete with mirror. At the stool, pinning up her hair, sat someone he had been longing to see for some time.
He stepped into the mirror's view, "Hello Elizabeth."
The woman's eyes widened, and she gave a start. He meant to speak again, but at that same instant, he felt the sharp point of a sword prod at his back. He turned around to face a tall, solemn looking woman. From behind her, Jack grinned.
"Sorry I couldn't tell ya mate, they came back."
The woman spoke harshly, "Close yer mouth Sparrow. I presume you are Will Turner."
"You presume correctly."
"And that you intend to whisk my crewmember off, away from my ship, and off to Port Royal?"
"I do."
Here, she grinned nastily, "That is where you are mistaken, Mr. Turner. Katharine isn't going anywhere. Particularly with someone she doesn't even know."
Will's stance faltered, at sword point, he turned to look at the woman who still stood in the small room. "Elizabeth?"
"I know not of one called Elizabeth."
His heart ready to break into a million pieces, he stepped forward in desperation, and took her hands in his. "It's me Elizabeth, your Will."
Her hands in his, she murmured, "Coarse hands of a blacksmith."
A faint ray of hope shone for him, "You do remember. You remember you and me, and us--." The sharp point of the sword stopped any further proclamations.
"Lock him up in the brig," the captain ordered.
"I must object, Captain, ma'am," Jack interceded, "You can't jus' take my crew like that."
She seemed to think that over for a moment. "Lock the Captain in there too." Jack's mouth fell slightly open, as the men of the Dragonfly grabbed him by the arms and shoulders. Will too was taken, without so much as a struggle. Just before being hauled up the stairs to the deck, he caught a glimpse of a certain pair of brown eyes. What he saw there brought a glimmer of hope into his shattered heart.
Dragged down into the dark brig, both Will and Jack were thrown into a small cell, where Jack took up a corner, sitting, and staring aimlessly into space. Will however stood by the door, hands curled around the metal bars until his knuckles were white.
Though emotions welled up in him, his expression remained stony. He was a man after all, and pirate to be sure. Pirates don't cry.
********
Laura sat on the hard bed beside her. Elizabeth sat, wiping away occasional tears with a bit of ragged cloth. "Why did he come? I was doing so well, and he had to come, and-"
"He just hurting you. I know." But in her heart, she didn't know. She wanted what the woman sitting next to her had. She wanted to be loved and wanted so deeply they would give themselves for her. Her mind would stop the longing of her heart. "You're doing fine. Think of this as a test. They are here, but take this Katharine. Take it and use it to destroy any connection with your past. And if you must, take revenge."
Elizabeth stared in shock at her freckled, snub-nosed captain. "Do you mean to say-"
"If you must."
She continued to stare, both afraid of her captain's ruthlessness, yet comforted by her strength. Laura continued as if she had not noticed, "You must be the one to guard them, to watch them. You must steel your heart against persuasion. You must be strong. Now go."
As she watched the woman she had taken in like a sister leave for the brig, she was suddenly unsure of her actions. Righting herself, she assured her own mind that she was doing the right thing. It was for Elizabeth, and all the other hurt women out there. And perhaps, just a little for herself.
********
Elizabeth stepped down into the brig, leaning against the old metal bars of the opposite cell. Will was the first to break the silence, "Elizabeth?"
There was only silence, and so Jack ventured forward, "Elizabeth dear, why must you keep pretending? I know you love 'im, and 'e loves you, so just let us out, I'll take you back to your Port Royal, you can get married, 'ave a couple kids, the 'hole shindig."
Her silence seemed even more stony after this proclamation. Jack realized his blunder, and approached her, his tone softened, "Look love, 'e's sorry, 'e really is, an' 'e loves you very much. Just give 'im a chance to explain 'imself."
She turned to stare right into his eyes, "And would you care to tell me why I should extend him that courtesy, Mr. Sparrow?"
"Because you love 'im." Reading the consent in her eyes, he waved in Will's direction, "C'mere, Will me boy." He nudged Will until he faced her, "Now play nice, children." He dragged himself to the corner, and promptly flopped down to sleep.
Meanwhile, Will had come so close to her, Elizabeth felt oddly uncomfortable. The look in his eyes haunted her soul, their glance searching deep into her heart, looking for the love that used to live there. "Elizabeth."
She did not acknowledge the name, nor did she deny it was her own. "I love you Elizabeth."
Her quietness only served to encourage him, reaching through the bars, he reached for her hand. She pulled away, as if burned by fire, "Will, I-"
Again, he tried to touch her, hold something to him. Again she pulled away, "Why are you here Will? My place is here, and yours is with her. Do not torment me Will Turner. How can you come here, nice as you please, and expect me to just go off with you? You don't understand, you hurt me Will; there is no reason for you to be here. Go home to your woman Will Turner, and leave me be."
She turned away from him, out of reach. Sitting in the shadows, she spoke not another word. Will tried desperately, "Your mind will not forgive me, but your heart-"
Sharp words came from the dark, "My heart has already begun to forget."
The thud of heavy steps cut off anything else she might have had to say. A tall man came into the room, scowling at the sight of the prisoners. Gruff as he seemed, he seemed to soften as his gaze fell upon the woman sitting in the dark. "I'll watch them for you my dear."
She smiled, "Thank you."
"Ya know these men Kathy?"
She stood, half hidden by shadow, "Not anymore."
"Awful nasty lookin' ones, aren' they?"
"Perhaps."
Will watched in helpless jealousy at the friendliness between the crewmates, watched the tender look in the hardened pirate's eyes as they followed her across the room. His whispered words caught the attention of their new guard, "Speak up, ye scum!"
"The heart does not forget love."
For just a moment, the form moving up the ladder paused, as if frozen. The next second it was gone, she had moved, and could be seen no more. The man took all of this in stride, paying no attention, and resigning himself to leaning against a wooden beam.
Will's arms hung out of the cell, dangling against the bars, his head leaning in resignation against the crossbar, his gaze locked onto the spot Elizabeth had just vacated.
Their guard took a sip out of a flask, corked it, and put it away. Clearing his throat, his voice came drifting into Will's numbed brain. "Any o' you e'er hear abou' a man called Norrington?"
Both Will and Jack seemed to come to life, "Norrington?"
"Tha's righ'. Word 'as it 'e's left Port Royal to go an' look for some trollop. The govn'r's daughter I'm told. Apparently, some idiot stole one o' their boats, an' 'e's after 'im too. They're supposed ta be 'ere any day now."
Will and Jack shared a look at this new information, to which the jailer paid them no heed, "I 'ear there's a woman aboard, don' know why 'e'll be riskin' bringin' a woman aboard. Can't be very bright, can 'e?"
Will spoke up, "Do you know the woman's name, sir?"
"Er, ah, I think they said it was Latham, somethin' of the sort."
Misinterpreting the sickened look on Will's face, he tried to be a little reassuring, "Don't you worry mate. The cap'n will probably let ya go once yer crew starts lookin' for ya. An' if they don', well-" he let the sentence hang.
Suddenly, the ship rocked slightly, as a loud boom sounded outside. Looking out the small window to the side, Jack grinned insanely, "That'll be the Dauntless."
********
A/N: Well then, it's a tidy bit longer than usual. Hope you all enjoy. If anyone's wondering what took me so long to update, I live in Ontario, Canada. If anyone's heard about it, there was a huge black out this past weekend all over Ontario and, from what I hear, several neighbouring US states. But I'm not saying it was us, not getting into that now. Anyway, that's why I've been slow; we had no electricity.
R/R, and um, I think that's it!
~TigerLily
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
One Heart
Anne Latham was one confused woman. She had arrived not a week ago in Port Royal, and already her life was topsy-turvy. Growing up in England had not been fun and games. She too came from a hard life, and following her heart, had spent most of her life saving for a passage to the Caribbean.
Since childhood, she had been enamored with the handsome, devoted and loving Will Turner. He had watched over her as a big brother, and she had felt heartbroken when he joined the crew of a ship sailing for the Caribbean.
They had shared but a few years together, and she had grown to love him. Only days ago she found him working as a blacksmith. Filled with happiness and love, she had thought for a moment he loved her still. Still thought as a matter of fact.
All this ran through her mind as she waited in the small office of one Commodore Norrington.
He arrived, and took his seat at his desk, "You are Anne Latham?"
"Yes."
"And you wish to join the Dauntless in its search for one William Turner and Elizabeth Swann?"
"Well, I don't know about that Swann girl, but I am looking for my Will."
The commodore suddenly looked interested, "May I ask why?"
She looked almost indignant, "Why, I've loved Will Turner since I can remember! I'll not be giving up on him now."
He leaned forward, his interest definitely roused, "And does he feel the same?"
"I should think so, yes. He told me he cared the day he left England."
A slow smile crept up on Norrington's face. "And if the opportunity came, you would wed him?"
"I would."
"Excellent. Well, Miss. Latham, I think you may expect to sail with us at noon."
"Thank you, Commodore."
Upon entering his office, John Norrington had been one upset, frustrated man of the navy. Who wouldn't be? His unrequited love had been thrown into his face, she'd run off, and then her lover right after her. And he was obliged to follow both.
Now however, his spirits lifted, hope restored, a second chance with Elizabeth had presented itself to him. In the form of Anne Latham.
********
The Black Pearl anchored not far from the shore of . Out on rowboats, Will's arms pulled at the oars, bearing both himself and the captain to wherever he might wish to go. Jack directed him to one particularly formidable ship.
Once done climbing up the anchor cable to the ship, both Jack and Will could see the other boats slowly making their way to shore.
"Why aren't we docking Jack?"
"We aren't docking because we're tryin' to find your bonnie lass," sweeping his hand to gesture to the ship as proudly as if it were his own, "This is the Dragonfly."
"And what makes you think she'll be here, and not at port like the rest of them?"
"If she's not here, then she's on shore with 'er shipmates. Eventually, they will return to their ship. So either way, you're gonna meet 'er. Savvy?"
Will nodded, and at his captain's beseeching look, he went off to search the ship. Slightly lower then the top deck, a single door lay at the bottom of a flight of stairs. Turning the handle, the door opened to reveal what appeared to be something of an office/dining room.
To the left lay two doors, each, he assumed, were cabins. Opening the one to the farthest left revealed a usual bedroom, kept tidy to military precision. He paused, closed the door, and moved to the next.
The opening of this door was far more rewarding. Inside the equally tidy room, possessions were strewn about, many he recognized. In the corner sat a dressing table, complete with mirror. At the stool, pinning up her hair, sat someone he had been longing to see for some time.
He stepped into the mirror's view, "Hello Elizabeth."
The woman's eyes widened, and she gave a start. He meant to speak again, but at that same instant, he felt the sharp point of a sword prod at his back. He turned around to face a tall, solemn looking woman. From behind her, Jack grinned.
"Sorry I couldn't tell ya mate, they came back."
The woman spoke harshly, "Close yer mouth Sparrow. I presume you are Will Turner."
"You presume correctly."
"And that you intend to whisk my crewmember off, away from my ship, and off to Port Royal?"
"I do."
Here, she grinned nastily, "That is where you are mistaken, Mr. Turner. Katharine isn't going anywhere. Particularly with someone she doesn't even know."
Will's stance faltered, at sword point, he turned to look at the woman who still stood in the small room. "Elizabeth?"
"I know not of one called Elizabeth."
His heart ready to break into a million pieces, he stepped forward in desperation, and took her hands in his. "It's me Elizabeth, your Will."
Her hands in his, she murmured, "Coarse hands of a blacksmith."
A faint ray of hope shone for him, "You do remember. You remember you and me, and us--." The sharp point of the sword stopped any further proclamations.
"Lock him up in the brig," the captain ordered.
"I must object, Captain, ma'am," Jack interceded, "You can't jus' take my crew like that."
She seemed to think that over for a moment. "Lock the Captain in there too." Jack's mouth fell slightly open, as the men of the Dragonfly grabbed him by the arms and shoulders. Will too was taken, without so much as a struggle. Just before being hauled up the stairs to the deck, he caught a glimpse of a certain pair of brown eyes. What he saw there brought a glimmer of hope into his shattered heart.
Dragged down into the dark brig, both Will and Jack were thrown into a small cell, where Jack took up a corner, sitting, and staring aimlessly into space. Will however stood by the door, hands curled around the metal bars until his knuckles were white.
Though emotions welled up in him, his expression remained stony. He was a man after all, and pirate to be sure. Pirates don't cry.
********
Laura sat on the hard bed beside her. Elizabeth sat, wiping away occasional tears with a bit of ragged cloth. "Why did he come? I was doing so well, and he had to come, and-"
"He just hurting you. I know." But in her heart, she didn't know. She wanted what the woman sitting next to her had. She wanted to be loved and wanted so deeply they would give themselves for her. Her mind would stop the longing of her heart. "You're doing fine. Think of this as a test. They are here, but take this Katharine. Take it and use it to destroy any connection with your past. And if you must, take revenge."
Elizabeth stared in shock at her freckled, snub-nosed captain. "Do you mean to say-"
"If you must."
She continued to stare, both afraid of her captain's ruthlessness, yet comforted by her strength. Laura continued as if she had not noticed, "You must be the one to guard them, to watch them. You must steel your heart against persuasion. You must be strong. Now go."
As she watched the woman she had taken in like a sister leave for the brig, she was suddenly unsure of her actions. Righting herself, she assured her own mind that she was doing the right thing. It was for Elizabeth, and all the other hurt women out there. And perhaps, just a little for herself.
********
Elizabeth stepped down into the brig, leaning against the old metal bars of the opposite cell. Will was the first to break the silence, "Elizabeth?"
There was only silence, and so Jack ventured forward, "Elizabeth dear, why must you keep pretending? I know you love 'im, and 'e loves you, so just let us out, I'll take you back to your Port Royal, you can get married, 'ave a couple kids, the 'hole shindig."
Her silence seemed even more stony after this proclamation. Jack realized his blunder, and approached her, his tone softened, "Look love, 'e's sorry, 'e really is, an' 'e loves you very much. Just give 'im a chance to explain 'imself."
She turned to stare right into his eyes, "And would you care to tell me why I should extend him that courtesy, Mr. Sparrow?"
"Because you love 'im." Reading the consent in her eyes, he waved in Will's direction, "C'mere, Will me boy." He nudged Will until he faced her, "Now play nice, children." He dragged himself to the corner, and promptly flopped down to sleep.
Meanwhile, Will had come so close to her, Elizabeth felt oddly uncomfortable. The look in his eyes haunted her soul, their glance searching deep into her heart, looking for the love that used to live there. "Elizabeth."
She did not acknowledge the name, nor did she deny it was her own. "I love you Elizabeth."
Her quietness only served to encourage him, reaching through the bars, he reached for her hand. She pulled away, as if burned by fire, "Will, I-"
Again, he tried to touch her, hold something to him. Again she pulled away, "Why are you here Will? My place is here, and yours is with her. Do not torment me Will Turner. How can you come here, nice as you please, and expect me to just go off with you? You don't understand, you hurt me Will; there is no reason for you to be here. Go home to your woman Will Turner, and leave me be."
She turned away from him, out of reach. Sitting in the shadows, she spoke not another word. Will tried desperately, "Your mind will not forgive me, but your heart-"
Sharp words came from the dark, "My heart has already begun to forget."
The thud of heavy steps cut off anything else she might have had to say. A tall man came into the room, scowling at the sight of the prisoners. Gruff as he seemed, he seemed to soften as his gaze fell upon the woman sitting in the dark. "I'll watch them for you my dear."
She smiled, "Thank you."
"Ya know these men Kathy?"
She stood, half hidden by shadow, "Not anymore."
"Awful nasty lookin' ones, aren' they?"
"Perhaps."
Will watched in helpless jealousy at the friendliness between the crewmates, watched the tender look in the hardened pirate's eyes as they followed her across the room. His whispered words caught the attention of their new guard, "Speak up, ye scum!"
"The heart does not forget love."
For just a moment, the form moving up the ladder paused, as if frozen. The next second it was gone, she had moved, and could be seen no more. The man took all of this in stride, paying no attention, and resigning himself to leaning against a wooden beam.
Will's arms hung out of the cell, dangling against the bars, his head leaning in resignation against the crossbar, his gaze locked onto the spot Elizabeth had just vacated.
Their guard took a sip out of a flask, corked it, and put it away. Clearing his throat, his voice came drifting into Will's numbed brain. "Any o' you e'er hear abou' a man called Norrington?"
Both Will and Jack seemed to come to life, "Norrington?"
"Tha's righ'. Word 'as it 'e's left Port Royal to go an' look for some trollop. The govn'r's daughter I'm told. Apparently, some idiot stole one o' their boats, an' 'e's after 'im too. They're supposed ta be 'ere any day now."
Will and Jack shared a look at this new information, to which the jailer paid them no heed, "I 'ear there's a woman aboard, don' know why 'e'll be riskin' bringin' a woman aboard. Can't be very bright, can 'e?"
Will spoke up, "Do you know the woman's name, sir?"
"Er, ah, I think they said it was Latham, somethin' of the sort."
Misinterpreting the sickened look on Will's face, he tried to be a little reassuring, "Don't you worry mate. The cap'n will probably let ya go once yer crew starts lookin' for ya. An' if they don', well-" he let the sentence hang.
Suddenly, the ship rocked slightly, as a loud boom sounded outside. Looking out the small window to the side, Jack grinned insanely, "That'll be the Dauntless."
********
A/N: Well then, it's a tidy bit longer than usual. Hope you all enjoy. If anyone's wondering what took me so long to update, I live in Ontario, Canada. If anyone's heard about it, there was a huge black out this past weekend all over Ontario and, from what I hear, several neighbouring US states. But I'm not saying it was us, not getting into that now. Anyway, that's why I've been slow; we had no electricity.
R/R, and um, I think that's it!
~TigerLily