Aftermath
By: L'Morgan
Disclaimer: I guess I really do need to remind you all that anything and everything related to Pirates of the Caribbean, their characters and settings are all the property of Disney - Disney - Disney - nobody - but -Disney ---- I-just-borrowing-to-play-with-and-giving-back. Only Disney can make money on anything to do with Pirates of the Caribbean. NOT ME!
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Summary: Port Royal lies in ruins; the Black Pearl sits in the bay.. Just what is Jack Sparrow up to now?!!
Chapter 8: What Once Was Lost.
Commodore Norrington, Governor Swan and a large contingency of troops were down at where the former docks of Port Royal had been well before noon the next day - or at least as close to the location as they could get. Will and Elizabeth had accompanied her father. Norrington noticed that while both of them were polite, they seemed disinclined to even remain anyplace near him if they could do otherwise. It bothered him some that they spoke to each other in whispers or low tones as if not wanting to be overheard.
In the morning hours since, it seemed that the entire township had come to witness and greet the few survivors that were soon to arrive. News of the Black Pearl's purpose had somehow spread through the town even faster than disease. Many, he knew, were hoping to find their loved ones among those aboard the ship. He was afraid it would be a dismal event. Nearly three quarters of the town had been lost in the quake itself and in the days hence. He still doubted there were more than a dozen 'accidental' survivors on that ship.
The Black Pearl had started moving long before noon, but only under the power of her oars. Back and forth it had slowly crossed the bay from side to side. Slowly it had avoided the remnants of buildings that stuck up here and there out of the water. Often they would delay for no apparent reason, stop, reverse direction, or shift some and then continue.
Very deliberately the dark vessel had wandered from one side of the bay to the other, almost in a grid pattern. Commodore Norrington found it aggravating that apparently the pirate captain was making sure everyone in town knew they were about to make landing. The ship was closer now, but seemed not to be heading towards where the old docks had been before and where they now waited.
'What is Sparrow up to now.' he muttered suspiciously to himself with a much knotted feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Finally the ship came to rest about 500 yards further down and a good 40 feet offshore and the anchor was let out. Commodore Norrington quickly started towards it, along the water's edge, followed by all the rest. He reached the ship just as Jack came to the rail clad in his usual hat and bandana and long grey coat and seemed to survey the remains of the town before him. Amazingly the pirate looked no worse for wear - aside from the fact that he was wearing a coat in the month of June in the Caribbean!
"Why are you anchoring here? There's no way to get them off the ship!" Norrington demanded and the man ignored him at first, then finally looked down and raised an eyebrow at him sharply.
"We are anchoring here - because there appears to be a structure less than 10 feet under the water over there. Probably a part of a building from the looks of it. Perhaps you haven't realized it just yet Commodore - but the underwater depths of you bay are in vast discrepancy with previous measurements. You have a lot of obstacles under the water that are as bad as any reef for a ship of any size trying to get in here," he said back rather haughtily as he brought up what appeared to be a rolled up chart of some sort. The pirate's voice contained no hint of teasing or mirth, and Norrington said nothing.
"Wait - What are they here for?" Jack asked suddenly with a one handed gesture as he scowled at noticing the soldiers.
"Sir, I can assure you they are here only to keep order. No more." The Governor said, and the pirate seemed to chew on his lower lip in thought, then took a step back and started shaking his head. In less than a moment the missing doctor appeared at his side, taking his elbow and the one turned to listen to whatever the man was saying, but didn't seem to be convinced at all, still shaking his head.
"You're going to have to have them put down their guns Governor or he's not going to risk putting down a gangway." Will advised, staring up at the ship and its occupants.
"Governor, no! You can't take the risk sir!" Norrington quickly countered and the man looked between them, then up at the ship. Now Jack seemed to be getting more adamant about his refusal, obviously arguing with the good doctor. His expression and bearing had turned to one of anger, obvious even at this distance.
"Soldiers, put down your weapons, here -"Governor Swan commanded loudly with extreme authority in his voice as he pointed to the ground behind and beside them. Immediately Jack stopped objecting and turned to watch as they did as the Governor ordered. The doctor still nearby him seemed to nearly sag in relief. In return apparently Jack gave an order, and several men went to one section of the ship's railing and lifted it up and carried it away, leaving a gaping 8 foot wide section of the deck without edging.
In a moment, 12 sailors came forward carrying what looked like a large section of platform with barrels lashed to one side. They tossed said section into the water, so it landed barrel side down - and there it floated as they kept it up. The pirates pulled up the ropes at its one end and secured it to the ship. Then came another section, and another, and another, until finally there was a 40 foot long floating platform pathway, with its sections lashed together that extended from the ship all the way to the shoreline and them.
Immediately behind it came a long sloped gangplank a good 8 feet wide and complete with hand rail on one side. As they crossed the platform to come closer to the ship, even Norrington had to admit the arrangement was ingenious - and certainly more efficient for transporting loot and other illegally gained goods than taking things by rowboat would have been. Of course they would have something to land upon deserted islands and in places without formally constructed docks. Leave it to a pack of pirates to think of such a clever idea.
Before the Commodore or Governor could even protest, Will broke ahead and up the gangplank to reach the deck. He gave a brief wave to the pirate captain and rushed over with an obvious grin and happy greeting. Now it suddenly struck Commodore Norrington that while Jacks' right hand fluttered mildly at his side as he spoke to the lad, his other hand had not moved at all from its place held close across his midsection. He couldn't help but wonder guiltily, just how badly he had hurt the man. That much bleeding didn't come from just a scratch.
Elizabeth, standing beside her father seemed only intent on studying the scene taking place on the deck above. Suddenly she broke lose to go join them and in reflex the Commodore grabbed her arm to prevent it.
"Leave go of me!" she spat in a more vehement tone than he ever remembered hearing uttered.
He did so, surprised at the hostility in her tone, and in a flash she had scooped up her skirts and hurried aboard as well and over to the others. Her expression of concern for the pirate's wellbeing was obvious to all. She immediately touched his still arm and put a quick hand to his cheek. This apparently surprised him as well, judging by the way he pulled back at first. But then took her hand from his cheek and held it in his own for a brief moment. This gesture caused a murmur amongst the townspeople.
He seemed to speak to both of them, smiling more now as he made an extravagantly low bowing gesture and returned her hand to her husband who laughed and shook his head as if amused. Quite unexpectedly the pirate half staggered from where he stood. The doctor beside him quickly took his arm, and the one didn't protest.
Suddenly the pirate didn't seem quite so steady on his feet, and the doctor kept his grip on Jack's arm even as he backed him up to the railing and called out something sternly towards the other side of the deck. 4 crewmen carried over a very large wooden crate and set it down where he told them to. There on the crate, the physician carefully deposited the man, whose one good hand went immediately to his head as if he were dizzy for some reason.
Will Turner standing beside him now looked worried and bent and asked him something. The pirate merely nodded as he used his good hand to wipe at his brow and tried to sit up a little better now. He didn't seem to notice the doctor's hand still resting lightly on his good shoulder. The townspeople behind let up a soft murmur and even Governor Swan looked concerned.
"What do you think is wrong with the man? Is he ill? Perhaps he has been injured?" the Governor asked, and Commodore Norrington thought it best to not give his opinion at the moment. Luckily, at that same moment, they were all distracted by the appearance of 12 people at the railing near the gangplank.
Norrington could feel the crowd surge forward some, expectantly. He raised a hand to study them himself and was extremely surprised. The first three of them came down the gangway slowly, and Norrington quickly took in their condition as the Governor greeted them. The woman was barefoot, but her hair and clothing appeared clean and her eyes bright and cheeks full. Her dress had been newly mended and she seemed in excellent spirits and condition.
The man behind her was elderly and also barefoot. He wore his own britches, but apparently had been given a clean shirt by one of the pirates. He had a small bandage at one wrist, but otherwise was also clean and neatly presented. The third wore a fancier shirt and boots along with also clean and recently mended clothing. This one stopped to enthusiastically shake the hand of the pirate who stood at the bottom of the gangplank. In fact, all of the departing passengers seemed in excellent condition, cleaned up, mended, bandaged and with excellent attitude and outlook.
Commodore Norrington frowned up at the pirate captain who seemed to be making a study of him in particular, his head tilted to one side as if curious, but the man's expression was absolutely unreadable.
Then Norrington frowned. Another 12 people had come to the railing and the crowd murmured at the unexpected appearance of more survivors. After them came another 12, and then yet another group. Commodore Norrington could not help but stare up at the pirate now with eyebrows that had climbed as high as they possibly could. Jack, on his feet again by now and back at the railing, met his gaze directly, then tilted his head, moving it back and forth and half swaying as if in time to some inner melody only he could hear. He smiled as if rather pleased with himself, and gave Norrington a slow full wink and hint of gold in his smile.
Behind Norrington and the Governor, the glad cries of reunion with lost loved ones grew steadily stronger as person after person was welcomed home.. And yet still they kept coming, a dozen at a time, each and every one in excellent condition and no worse for wear.
"Sir - it was my mistaken understanding that you had only a few more than a dozen passengers? Might I ask the exact number you managed to find?" the Governor called up and Jack seemed amused as he glanced back over his shoulder at something.
"Oh - I'd say there's' a few more yet to come Goven'ner" he quipped lightly and seemed amused. One of the men coming down the gang plank paused to grin at both Norrington and the Governor.
"One hundred and fifty three Governor, one hundred and fifty three of us sir!" he said in gleeful awe. Norrington abruptly choked, quickly covering it with a cough as the Governor's face took on an expression of sheer joyous delight and he stared up at the pirate. Quickly word of the number of survivors spread through the crowd assembled.
Next came the group of children of assorted ages and sizes. They came up to the railing skipping and hopping and singing something that sounded suspiciously like a seafaring shanty, as they danced their way along to the gangplank. One little one broke free at the very last second to run over and give the pirate captain a very quick hug and then took up place at the end of the again.
"The man is a veritable pied piper -" Norrington grumbled stiffly. Governor laughed mildly.
"Ah Commodore, but one who is bringing the children back to us instead of taking them away. There do certainly seem to be quite a number of them I must say," he observed cheerfully as the last of them passed by him.
It took well over an hour for all of the passengers to disembark from the ship, except for the good doctor and one young boy who was seen at Will's side. The Governor himself went to the bottom of the gangplank.
"Sir - there are no means to express our thanks to you and your crew -" he started in an honestly humble tone and Jack quickly waved him silent.
"Goven'or.. We didn't do anything that any other man in the world wouldn't have done in the same situation. I'm no saint, and I'm sure you'll be back to cursing my name up one side of the fence and down the o'her before too long.. But - we do have one bit of a problem that perhaps you could help us with?" he asked and the Governor nodded.
"Yes, of course, what is it Captain Sparrow?" he asked, and Jack cocked his head and smiled as if rather satisfied with having got his way in something.
Norrington recognized the look for what it was. The man was simply incorrigible! First he rescues all these souls - only to ask for what now as his reward? Gold? Silver? What did that - that - PIRATE want now from the already downtrodden town of Port Royal. - That is what blazed heatedly through Commodore Norrington's mind.
"This town has little to give you in return for the favor you've done. There isn't even much for you to take if you want to sack the place." Norrington said harshly up to him, practically insulting the man to his face.
But instead of being offended the pirate laughed as if amused, putting one finger from his good hand up to his lower lip and tapping it as if thinking. Then suddenly his features brightened and he perked up as if an idea had come to him and he swaggered over to stand at the top of the gangplank and considered them below.
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Disclaimer: I guess I really do need to remind you all that anything and everything related to Pirates of the Caribbean, their characters and settings are all the property of Disney - Disney - Disney - nobody - but -Disney ---- I-just-borrowing-to-play-with-and-giving-back. Only Disney can make money on anything to do with Pirates of the Caribbean. NOT ME!
*************************
Summary: Port Royal lies in ruins; the Black Pearl sits in the bay.. Just what is Jack Sparrow up to now?!!
Chapter 8: What Once Was Lost.
Commodore Norrington, Governor Swan and a large contingency of troops were down at where the former docks of Port Royal had been well before noon the next day - or at least as close to the location as they could get. Will and Elizabeth had accompanied her father. Norrington noticed that while both of them were polite, they seemed disinclined to even remain anyplace near him if they could do otherwise. It bothered him some that they spoke to each other in whispers or low tones as if not wanting to be overheard.
In the morning hours since, it seemed that the entire township had come to witness and greet the few survivors that were soon to arrive. News of the Black Pearl's purpose had somehow spread through the town even faster than disease. Many, he knew, were hoping to find their loved ones among those aboard the ship. He was afraid it would be a dismal event. Nearly three quarters of the town had been lost in the quake itself and in the days hence. He still doubted there were more than a dozen 'accidental' survivors on that ship.
The Black Pearl had started moving long before noon, but only under the power of her oars. Back and forth it had slowly crossed the bay from side to side. Slowly it had avoided the remnants of buildings that stuck up here and there out of the water. Often they would delay for no apparent reason, stop, reverse direction, or shift some and then continue.
Very deliberately the dark vessel had wandered from one side of the bay to the other, almost in a grid pattern. Commodore Norrington found it aggravating that apparently the pirate captain was making sure everyone in town knew they were about to make landing. The ship was closer now, but seemed not to be heading towards where the old docks had been before and where they now waited.
'What is Sparrow up to now.' he muttered suspiciously to himself with a much knotted feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Finally the ship came to rest about 500 yards further down and a good 40 feet offshore and the anchor was let out. Commodore Norrington quickly started towards it, along the water's edge, followed by all the rest. He reached the ship just as Jack came to the rail clad in his usual hat and bandana and long grey coat and seemed to survey the remains of the town before him. Amazingly the pirate looked no worse for wear - aside from the fact that he was wearing a coat in the month of June in the Caribbean!
"Why are you anchoring here? There's no way to get them off the ship!" Norrington demanded and the man ignored him at first, then finally looked down and raised an eyebrow at him sharply.
"We are anchoring here - because there appears to be a structure less than 10 feet under the water over there. Probably a part of a building from the looks of it. Perhaps you haven't realized it just yet Commodore - but the underwater depths of you bay are in vast discrepancy with previous measurements. You have a lot of obstacles under the water that are as bad as any reef for a ship of any size trying to get in here," he said back rather haughtily as he brought up what appeared to be a rolled up chart of some sort. The pirate's voice contained no hint of teasing or mirth, and Norrington said nothing.
"Wait - What are they here for?" Jack asked suddenly with a one handed gesture as he scowled at noticing the soldiers.
"Sir, I can assure you they are here only to keep order. No more." The Governor said, and the pirate seemed to chew on his lower lip in thought, then took a step back and started shaking his head. In less than a moment the missing doctor appeared at his side, taking his elbow and the one turned to listen to whatever the man was saying, but didn't seem to be convinced at all, still shaking his head.
"You're going to have to have them put down their guns Governor or he's not going to risk putting down a gangway." Will advised, staring up at the ship and its occupants.
"Governor, no! You can't take the risk sir!" Norrington quickly countered and the man looked between them, then up at the ship. Now Jack seemed to be getting more adamant about his refusal, obviously arguing with the good doctor. His expression and bearing had turned to one of anger, obvious even at this distance.
"Soldiers, put down your weapons, here -"Governor Swan commanded loudly with extreme authority in his voice as he pointed to the ground behind and beside them. Immediately Jack stopped objecting and turned to watch as they did as the Governor ordered. The doctor still nearby him seemed to nearly sag in relief. In return apparently Jack gave an order, and several men went to one section of the ship's railing and lifted it up and carried it away, leaving a gaping 8 foot wide section of the deck without edging.
In a moment, 12 sailors came forward carrying what looked like a large section of platform with barrels lashed to one side. They tossed said section into the water, so it landed barrel side down - and there it floated as they kept it up. The pirates pulled up the ropes at its one end and secured it to the ship. Then came another section, and another, and another, until finally there was a 40 foot long floating platform pathway, with its sections lashed together that extended from the ship all the way to the shoreline and them.
Immediately behind it came a long sloped gangplank a good 8 feet wide and complete with hand rail on one side. As they crossed the platform to come closer to the ship, even Norrington had to admit the arrangement was ingenious - and certainly more efficient for transporting loot and other illegally gained goods than taking things by rowboat would have been. Of course they would have something to land upon deserted islands and in places without formally constructed docks. Leave it to a pack of pirates to think of such a clever idea.
Before the Commodore or Governor could even protest, Will broke ahead and up the gangplank to reach the deck. He gave a brief wave to the pirate captain and rushed over with an obvious grin and happy greeting. Now it suddenly struck Commodore Norrington that while Jacks' right hand fluttered mildly at his side as he spoke to the lad, his other hand had not moved at all from its place held close across his midsection. He couldn't help but wonder guiltily, just how badly he had hurt the man. That much bleeding didn't come from just a scratch.
Elizabeth, standing beside her father seemed only intent on studying the scene taking place on the deck above. Suddenly she broke lose to go join them and in reflex the Commodore grabbed her arm to prevent it.
"Leave go of me!" she spat in a more vehement tone than he ever remembered hearing uttered.
He did so, surprised at the hostility in her tone, and in a flash she had scooped up her skirts and hurried aboard as well and over to the others. Her expression of concern for the pirate's wellbeing was obvious to all. She immediately touched his still arm and put a quick hand to his cheek. This apparently surprised him as well, judging by the way he pulled back at first. But then took her hand from his cheek and held it in his own for a brief moment. This gesture caused a murmur amongst the townspeople.
He seemed to speak to both of them, smiling more now as he made an extravagantly low bowing gesture and returned her hand to her husband who laughed and shook his head as if amused. Quite unexpectedly the pirate half staggered from where he stood. The doctor beside him quickly took his arm, and the one didn't protest.
Suddenly the pirate didn't seem quite so steady on his feet, and the doctor kept his grip on Jack's arm even as he backed him up to the railing and called out something sternly towards the other side of the deck. 4 crewmen carried over a very large wooden crate and set it down where he told them to. There on the crate, the physician carefully deposited the man, whose one good hand went immediately to his head as if he were dizzy for some reason.
Will Turner standing beside him now looked worried and bent and asked him something. The pirate merely nodded as he used his good hand to wipe at his brow and tried to sit up a little better now. He didn't seem to notice the doctor's hand still resting lightly on his good shoulder. The townspeople behind let up a soft murmur and even Governor Swan looked concerned.
"What do you think is wrong with the man? Is he ill? Perhaps he has been injured?" the Governor asked, and Commodore Norrington thought it best to not give his opinion at the moment. Luckily, at that same moment, they were all distracted by the appearance of 12 people at the railing near the gangplank.
Norrington could feel the crowd surge forward some, expectantly. He raised a hand to study them himself and was extremely surprised. The first three of them came down the gangway slowly, and Norrington quickly took in their condition as the Governor greeted them. The woman was barefoot, but her hair and clothing appeared clean and her eyes bright and cheeks full. Her dress had been newly mended and she seemed in excellent spirits and condition.
The man behind her was elderly and also barefoot. He wore his own britches, but apparently had been given a clean shirt by one of the pirates. He had a small bandage at one wrist, but otherwise was also clean and neatly presented. The third wore a fancier shirt and boots along with also clean and recently mended clothing. This one stopped to enthusiastically shake the hand of the pirate who stood at the bottom of the gangplank. In fact, all of the departing passengers seemed in excellent condition, cleaned up, mended, bandaged and with excellent attitude and outlook.
Commodore Norrington frowned up at the pirate captain who seemed to be making a study of him in particular, his head tilted to one side as if curious, but the man's expression was absolutely unreadable.
Then Norrington frowned. Another 12 people had come to the railing and the crowd murmured at the unexpected appearance of more survivors. After them came another 12, and then yet another group. Commodore Norrington could not help but stare up at the pirate now with eyebrows that had climbed as high as they possibly could. Jack, on his feet again by now and back at the railing, met his gaze directly, then tilted his head, moving it back and forth and half swaying as if in time to some inner melody only he could hear. He smiled as if rather pleased with himself, and gave Norrington a slow full wink and hint of gold in his smile.
Behind Norrington and the Governor, the glad cries of reunion with lost loved ones grew steadily stronger as person after person was welcomed home.. And yet still they kept coming, a dozen at a time, each and every one in excellent condition and no worse for wear.
"Sir - it was my mistaken understanding that you had only a few more than a dozen passengers? Might I ask the exact number you managed to find?" the Governor called up and Jack seemed amused as he glanced back over his shoulder at something.
"Oh - I'd say there's' a few more yet to come Goven'ner" he quipped lightly and seemed amused. One of the men coming down the gang plank paused to grin at both Norrington and the Governor.
"One hundred and fifty three Governor, one hundred and fifty three of us sir!" he said in gleeful awe. Norrington abruptly choked, quickly covering it with a cough as the Governor's face took on an expression of sheer joyous delight and he stared up at the pirate. Quickly word of the number of survivors spread through the crowd assembled.
Next came the group of children of assorted ages and sizes. They came up to the railing skipping and hopping and singing something that sounded suspiciously like a seafaring shanty, as they danced their way along to the gangplank. One little one broke free at the very last second to run over and give the pirate captain a very quick hug and then took up place at the end of the again.
"The man is a veritable pied piper -" Norrington grumbled stiffly. Governor laughed mildly.
"Ah Commodore, but one who is bringing the children back to us instead of taking them away. There do certainly seem to be quite a number of them I must say," he observed cheerfully as the last of them passed by him.
It took well over an hour for all of the passengers to disembark from the ship, except for the good doctor and one young boy who was seen at Will's side. The Governor himself went to the bottom of the gangplank.
"Sir - there are no means to express our thanks to you and your crew -" he started in an honestly humble tone and Jack quickly waved him silent.
"Goven'or.. We didn't do anything that any other man in the world wouldn't have done in the same situation. I'm no saint, and I'm sure you'll be back to cursing my name up one side of the fence and down the o'her before too long.. But - we do have one bit of a problem that perhaps you could help us with?" he asked and the Governor nodded.
"Yes, of course, what is it Captain Sparrow?" he asked, and Jack cocked his head and smiled as if rather satisfied with having got his way in something.
Norrington recognized the look for what it was. The man was simply incorrigible! First he rescues all these souls - only to ask for what now as his reward? Gold? Silver? What did that - that - PIRATE want now from the already downtrodden town of Port Royal. - That is what blazed heatedly through Commodore Norrington's mind.
"This town has little to give you in return for the favor you've done. There isn't even much for you to take if you want to sack the place." Norrington said harshly up to him, practically insulting the man to his face.
But instead of being offended the pirate laughed as if amused, putting one finger from his good hand up to his lower lip and tapping it as if thinking. Then suddenly his features brightened and he perked up as if an idea had come to him and he swaggered over to stand at the top of the gangplank and considered them below.
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