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Chapter 6: Power and Persuasion
Elizabeth wouldn't come down for breakfast the following morning and when Estrella tried to give her some tea, Elizabeth threw the cup across the room in a fit of rage. She wouldn't speak to anyone. She'd even locked the door to her bedroom. Governor Swann knocked loudly before he went down for his breakfast but she wouldn't answer. He never really understood women and he couldn't understand why she was in such a mood.
But it was all explained to him over breakfast.
"Did she really just walk off like that?"
"Yes, I'm afraid she did," Norrington had been staring into his tea for a while and he'd found, if he moved it to one side, his reflection wouldn't stare back at him. "I do want to apologize but I'm afraid she isn't speaking to anyone."
"So I've been told. Poor Estrella is shaken."
"Governor, do you think you could say something to her?" Norrington finally looked up from his tea. He had a look that Governor Swann hadn't seen on him. He looked…pitiful.
"Of course, Commodore. If she'll speak with me, I will do everything in my power to-er-pursuade her. You know, Commodore, I asked you to stay with us in an attempt to change her mind."
"Yes, Governor, I realized."
"Perhaps, if you try being a comfort to her, she might not resent my decision to let you stay here."
Norrington nodded and returned his gaze to his tea.
Will didn't know what time it was when he woke up but he realized he'd fallen asleep in his britches. He got up quickly and ran on deck to find Jack. When he was finally found, Jack had his telescope raised and he was looking out towards the horizon. Will noticed, with shock, that the island they had come from had disappeared.
"Where is it?"
"Where's what?" Jack asked roughly.
"We're in the middle of no where, Jack. Where's land?"
"Somewhere in that direction," He answered and moved his hand to indicate a very broad selection of directions.
"I want to go back."
"What?" Jack opened his squinting eye to match the one that was open all the way.
"I don't want to hide out here any more. I know what you're up to."
"Oh you do, do you? Well, what am I up to then?" Jack crossed his arms. He didn't know he was up to anything and he was very interested in finding out what it was he should be up to.
"You want me to stay here and become a Pirate. I want to go back. I want to go back and marry Elizabeth," Will said very matter-of-factly. He felt very intelligent.
Jack sighed. "Well, I didn't think you were bright enough to realize but, you've got me all figured." He decided to play along. "But it's not just like I'm droppin' you off at the shore and settin' on me merry way. They'll be lookin' for us by now and I don't think they'll just wave me off."
"But I have to go back."
"I told you, Will, we'll be back as soon as it's clear."
"No. I want to go back, now!" If he had something in his hands, Will would've thrown it to drive in his point.
"I'm the Captain. Worked very hard for it and we're listening to me."
"If it weren't for me, you'd be dead."
"Yes, but, plainly, I don't care right now. I'm not taking this ship anywhere near that coastline while they want my head."
"You're nothing but a coward!"
"I'm just trying to save you and me a trip to the gallows, savvy?"
Will glared at him but he knew Jack was right. If they went anywhere near Port Royal, Jack would be hanged and Will…well…he was so uncertain of his future that he decided staying away for a while might be a good idea.
"Elizabeth? Elizabeth, please, I want to talk to you. Come now, Elizabeth, open the door. Please?"
Governor Swann was at his daughter's door. It was nearly three o'clock and he feared that Elizabeth had starved to death. He tried again. "Elizabeth, please. I don't know why you've barricaded yourself in your room but I don't approve of it." He remembered the night on the Dauntless when she had escaped the confines of the cabin and stolen a row boat. Had she gone out the window again? This added to his fear and he threw his fists against the door. "Elizabeth, you don't have to come out. No, no, you don't. Just…just let me know that you're in there. Elizabeth?"
From behind the door came the clatter of something and then a muffled shout which he took to be "go away".
"Fine, Elizabeth," Said the Governor with some relief. "If you won't come out, I will have to just speak through the door…Are you sure you don't want to let me in?" There was another clang as something hit the doorknob and fell to its demise. He was sure he did want to be in there with her if she was going to throw things at him. "A-alright." He gathered himself up. "Elizabeth…I know that you're very...er…distraught but locking yourself up here isn't going to help you. The Commodore would really- Elizabeth, don't think I furnished your room just so you could throw things! Now, where was I…the Commodore, yes. The Commodore wants deeply to apologize to you for his…his…harsh words but you're not giving him any chance. Please, Elizabeth, at least be civil with him. I mean, he knows what you're going through and I'm sure he's in more pain than you are, what with his wound and such. But, you see, he hasn't kept himself away like this. Just…just listen to him, Elizabeth. That's all I ask."
Governor Swann sighed deeply and decided he was finished with unhappy women and he would get some tea.
Elizabeth looked at the door. The shattered remains of three tea cups, a vase, and several busts lie on the floor. She'd cried herself out and was beginning to get rather hungry. She heard Estrella's quick feet walking by the door. Elizabeth quickly unlocked her door and peaked her head through. "Estrella!" She whispered.
Estrella gasped and nearly dropped the tray of tea she was bringing to the Commodore's room. "Yes, madam?"
"Estrella, help me get dressed." She eyed the plate of biscuits on the tray. "Come here." Estrella did as she was told. Elizabeth quickly grabbed one of the biscuits off of the tray, stuffed it into her mouth, and slammed the door shut.
Norrington sat up in bed when Estrella entered the room. He looked as though he was straining to hear something as the maid put the tray of tea-things on the table beside him.
"What was that noise?"
"Noise, sir?"
"I heard someone slam a door. Was it Elizabeth?" He moved his eyes from the door of his room to Estrella.
"Oh, that was me, sir," Estrella lied (and very badly).
"No it wasn't. You're hands were full of that tray. It was Elizabeth, wasn't it? What did she say?" Norrington stared at her. She wrung her hands nervously and looked at the floor.
"She just asked me to help her dress, sir. That's all she said, sir."
He narrowed his eyes. "She didn't say anything else? Nothing at all?"
"No, sir. I was just going back to help her, sir."
"Estrella, would you help me?"
"Of course, sir. How?"
"Just…tell me if she says anything about me?"
Estrella glanced away for a second. This seemed like a very disloyal conversation. "Yes, sir. I will."
"Thank you, Estrella."
She nodded and left the room, rather flustered. She went down the hall to Elizabeth's room and knocked on the door.
"What!?" Elizabeth yelled harshly.
"I-It's me, madam."
The lock on the door clicked and Elizabeth practically pulled her through the doorway. "I wasn't sure if you were my father."
"I understand, madam." She started to tie Elizabeth into her stayes.
"Ow! Not so tight!"
"I'm sorry, madam."
"Father says I should apologize to the Commodore. How can I?! Do you know what he said about Will?"
"No, madam."
"He said he was a coward! I hate the man."
"You hate him, madam?"
"Yes! Even you said that Will was a good man!"
"Yes, madam. Will Turner's a very good man."
"Of course he is. Ow! Really, Estrella, I need to breathe."
"Yes, I'm sorry, madam."
"Oh, never mind. How can Father expect me to get on with such a man!?"
"If it isn't going to far, madam?" Elizabeth looked quickly at Estrella, surprised with her interjection. "Well…madam…the Commodore dose feel strongly about you and…and I'm sure he only means well, madam." Elizabeth was now giving Estrella the coldest glare she could muster.
"WHAT?! He means only to insult me, a guest in my own home. How DARE you suggest such a thing about him!? Get out! OUT!" Elizabeth got up and nearly pushed Estrella out of the room. Estrella stood outside of the door, dumbfounded for a few moments.
Looking down the hall, she saw the commodore stick his head out from inside his room. "Commodore! Oh, sir, please, go back and rest!"
He didn't move. "What happened? What did she say?"
Estrella looked at her feet in shame. "She…she said she wanted to look beautiful and…she invited you to take tea with her this afternoon."