The Most Beautiful Sight
"Everything feels so different here," said Esther as she breathed deeply of the air at Port Royal's docks. "It's so much bigger!" Peter laughed. The couple were taking a tour of the docks, accompanied by Will and Elizabeth Turner.
"A little ways ahead, the docks end and there's a large cliff, with the fort on top," Elizabeth told Esther. "All sorts of official ceremonies happen there."
Will grinned. "It's also where we met Jack Sparrow," he added. "Or rather, where Elizabeth met Jack. I didn't meet him until he escaped from the guards who caught him after he pulled her out of the water." Elizabeth giggled and poked him. She had told her friends about that little episode in her life the day before.
"I have vowed never to wear a corset again," she announced. Esther smiled at the scenario described.
"I never even bothered," she told her friend.
"It would interesting to meet this Sparrow character," Peter remarked as they walked along the docks. "After all you've told us about him."
Esther smiled at her husband. "If you do get to meet him, be sure that you don't sail away on his pirate ship and leave me stranded here on my own," she joked. Peter chuckled but didn't say anything.
"Elizabeth! Good morning!" Esther turned her head towards the voice. Whoever he was, this man was a gentleman. She could hear in the way he walked that he was somebody important—or at least he thought so, if nothing else.
"Commodore Norrington! What a pleasant surprise. Come and meet my friends. Esther, this is Commodore Norrington. Esther and Peter Jacobs have decided to move to Port Royal," Elizabeth told him. Esther was curious despite herself.
"I'm pleased to meet you," she said. "My husband was, until recently, in the navy himself."
"Was he?" Peter almost extended his right arm to shake before grimacing and holding out his left instead. Norrington shot him a sympathetic look. "I'm sure your officers were sorry to see you go." He glanced at Esther. "It's a shame you're unable to see the ship tied to our left," he commented. "The Gallant is our newest commission. She promises to match and surpass the Interceptor for speed."
"But she'll never catch the Pearl, Commodore, which is what you wanted her for in the first place," said Elizabeth with a grin. "Jack's not that dense."
"Now that's not fair, Bethie," Esther said. "I don't know much about boats, but even I can tell from here that the Gallant is a fine ship." The Commodore looked at her in surprise.
"I'm sorry, was I mistaken? I thought that you were…"
"Blind? Yes, quite so, but there are more ways to look at the world than through a pair of eyes." She turned to face the spot where she knew the ship to be tied. "I can hear the sailors shouting at each other from here." She grinned. "And if it wasn't a fine ship, those same sailors wouldn't be aboard it sounding so gleeful." Commodore Norrington looked at her thoughtfully.
"I believe I owe you an apology, Mrs. Jacobs," he said. "I hope you and your husband enjoy living here. At the moment I must be off; however I look forward to meeting you again." Esther could tell he meant it and smiled as he walked briskly away.
*
Commodore Norrington strode purposefully along the docks. Deep in thought, he didn't notice the ship coming into port until the shouting alerted him. He looked up—and was struck dumb with astonishment as the Black Pearl dropped her anchor in the bay.
Captain Sparrow grinned at the sight of a familiar figure motionless with shock onshore. "It appears we've caught the Commodore by surprise," he called to his crew. He was rewarded with a burst of appreciative laughter as the boats were lowered.
"'Ello, Commodore, fancy meeting you here, aye?" Jack grinned and pushed the flabbergasted officer aside with a filthy hand. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some business with the local blacksmith…" He had walked a total of three paces before Norrington came to his senses and barked an order. Very suddenly, Jack found himself surrounded by the pointy ends of far too many bayonets. "I'd really hoped we were past all this…" Jack said with a mock sigh as he was taken away.
*
"He did what?!" Elizabeth demanded. Will sighed.
"'Fraid so," he said, running resigned fingers through his hair. "Shall I go and spring him?"
"No, let him sit there and think about his predicament for another hour or so," Elizabeth replied furiously. "Honestly, that man…"
Unnoticed by either of them, Peter slipped quietly out the door and headed for the prison.
*
"We burn up the city, we're really a fright, drink up, me 'earties, yo ho!" sang Jack at the top of his voice.
"Bloody hell, can't you shut up?!" snarled the guard.
"But I've got three more verses to go," the pirate whined. "Or was it four..?" He lay on his back on the floor of his cell, thoroughly enjoying tormenting his captor. He cleared his throat. "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" He grinned as a goblet of wine struck the bars of his cell, spattering him with red liquid. "Now that's a waste o' good alcohol, mate," he informed the guard mournfully.
"Thank the Lord, I'm saved. Don't even bother bribing me, lad, I'd pay you to take him out of here." The sound of a set of keys changing hands caught Jack's attention and he lifted his head to see a young man unlocking his cell.
Jack regarded him thoughtfully. "Will sick or somefin'?" he inquired.
"No, but I wanted to ask you something before he came," the young man said quietly.
"Whatever it is, you can't 'ave it," Jack informed him stubbornly. He considered his rescuer thoughtfully. "Either that or I didn't do it. Honestly, I never even heard of your sister!"
His rescuer looked puzzled as he removed Jack's irons, then shook his head. "When you return to the Pearl," said the man, "take me with you."
"Now why would I do a fool thing like that, boy?" demanded the pirate, collecting his various effects as he walked out the door, the lad trailing after him.
"You owe me," the man pointed out stiffly.
"Not bloody likely," Jack chortled. "Don't think a mere jail cell can get the best of Captain Jack Sparrow."
"But I could be useful to you! I used to be a soldier in the navy, I know how they think and what their strengths are—" He ground to a halt as Jack abruptly whirled around to face him.
"Now listen 'ere, boy," he growled. "I don't 'ave time to take a green sailor fresh from 'is cradle under me wing. Quit followin' me—you ain't gettin' aboard me ship, savvy?" He gave the man another glance. "And what do you mean, used to be in the navy? Took pity on the poor swabs hauled off t'the noose or something?" He snorted and continued walking, stopping again as his rescuer grabbed his arm.
"Please," he begged. "I need to be on the sea again." Jack rolled his eyes and turned around to see both of the young man's hands extended beseechingly. His gaze traveled to the man's right wrist. When he saw the missing appendage his eyes widened.
"Ah," he said quietly. After a moment of consideration, he gave a quick nod. "Very well then, lad. But first I've got some business to attend to. The Pearl departs in two hours." Jack frowned. "What's your name, anyway?"
"Peter," said the man, a look of joy on his face. "Peter Jacobs."
*
"Will me boy," called Jack into the smithy. "Is this 'ow you treat an old friend, mate?"
Will set down his hammer and used a pair of tongs to shove a strip of iron back into the fire before turning to greet Captain Sparrow. "Did you bribe the guard, then?" Will chuckled.
"Actually, some bloody kid showed up and bailed me. And where were you? Just planning to leave me to me fate at the gallows, I'll bet, and you and that bloody lass of yours having a good laugh up at the house." Jack shook his head sadly.
"What brings you here?" Will asked pointedly.
Jack wasted no more time with banter. He drew his sword and tossed it to Will, who caught it deftly. As soon as the blacksmith touched it, he winced. "This is awful," he informed Jack. "Who swindled you?" He turned the sword over, his mind listing the sword's faults. Bad balance, faulty steel, poor wrapping on the hilt… "And how drunk were you when you bought it?"
"Very, very drunk," Jack admitted. "I woke up the next morning, found that sitting in me cabin and a goodly sum missin' from me purse, and I bloody well had to drink meself into oblivion to forget about it." He grinned. "Can you fix me up with a new one?"
"Sure," said Will. He walked through the shop, running his fingers over various sword hilts until he found one that pleased him. He picked it up and handed it to Jack. "Don't think I'm just going to give it to you," Will told him before the pirate could open his mouth. Jack looked offended.
"And why not? I've saved your life and you're chargin' me money for a silly bit of metal?"
Will raised his eyebrows and folded his arms. Jack frowned and scratched his beard, then grinned triumphantly.
"It's me birthday, mate. Go on, admit you forgot to get a present for ole Jack. Very well, I'll just be takin' this instead then." He saluted with his new sword. "Give my regards to the missus," he added, before sauntering out of the shop. Will sat down and began to laugh.
*
"Elizabeth? Have you seen Peter? I can't find him anywhere." Esther's face was creased in a frown of annoyance.
"That's odd," said Elizabeth. "I haven't seen him since this afternoon. Are you sure he didn't go back to the inn?"
"I already checked," Esther replied. She sighed. "Oh, I'm probably worrying for nothing."
Just then Will walked in, a smile playing across his lips. He gave Elizabeth a quick kiss. "Is something wrong?"
"Esther can't seem to find Peter," Elizabeth said.
"It's not like him to just vanish like that," she muttered worriedly.
"Hmm… I haven't seen him since…" suddenly Will cursed. "Well, damn."
"Will, what is it?" He sighed and told the two women what Jack had said about a young man letting him out of prison.
"I'll bet you anything it was Peter," he said with a frown.
Elizabeth sighed. "And if he hasn't come home…" she trailed off with a look of pity at Esther. When no explanation followed, the blind woman drew herself up to her full height, her face flushed with anger.
"William and Elizabeth Turner," she hissed, "where is my husband?"
Author's Note: Wow, there was a lot of Jack in that chapter. ^_^ Even more to come next chapter, so stick around!