Chapter 3: My Lover's Gone
By nightfall, a huge ship was docked in Port Royal, The Widow embossed on her side. Walking down to the pier with Jack and Will wasn't easy, and seeing the name of the boat almost put her in tears. Jack was running along ahead, dodging around trees and bushes in case anyone were to spot him. Elizabeth couldn't help but giggle at the way he ran, with his arms in front of him, like a toddler running from a scolding.
All too soon, they had reached the pier. Jack saluted to Elizabeth, and climbed on board to give the two some time. He immediately busied himself in detaching The Widow from the harbor.
"Tell me why I can't come again?" Elizabeth whispered as she circled her arms around Will's neck.
"Three months, tops." Will said softly and kissed her. "We'll only be gone about three months."
"It seems like an eternity."
Will felt his heart start to give irregular beats. He saw her crystal tears fall down her face, and a large lump form in his throat. He loved her so much, they had gone through so much to be together, and the last thing he wanted to do was make her cry, and to leave her.
"Listen to me," He whispered. "You have your ring, and I have mine. Every time you need me, I want you to squeeze it and I will be with you. It may be the flicker of a candle, or a soft breeze against your cheek, but I will always be with you, Elizabeth. I love you, and that ring is a reminder how I will love you everyday for the rest of my life. You are my love, my kitten…"
"…The woman of your dreams," She whispered.
Will kissed her. "I love you."
"I love you too, Will."
There was the sound of someone blowing their nose. They looked up, and found Jack dabbing his coal-studded eyes. "That was beautiful," He said. "Now get on the ship."
Will kissed her hands. "I have to go." He gave her a final kiss, and then turned to walk to The Widow.
"Will, don't leave me," Elizabeth said. "I want to come with you!"
"It's much safer for you here, love." Will said kindly.
Two men came on either side of her. Norrington and her father. She knew it without even looking at them.
"I see you've come," Norrington said, eying Will.
"I have."
"Elizabeth will be well taken care of," Governor Swann said. "Don't you worry."
Will climbed onboard, and stared down at Elizabeth, who was crying. "I love you, angel."
"I love you too!" She shouted.
"Always in my heart, Elizabeth," He called back to her as The Widow began sailing away. "Just remember what I told you!"
"I will!" She called back.
Soon, the ship was nothing more than a faint outline against the vast black backdrop of the nightsky.
Norrington stared at it.
Elizabeth rounded on him. "I want to know every detail of that ship!"
"I thought you would," He said with a smirk. "That's why you're going to stay with me while your… husband is away."
Elizabeth felt like a cheap whore. "How dare you think you own me! I am not your wife!"
"I've made the arrangements, Elizabeth," Governor Swann said.
Elizabeth stared at him. "Daddy?"
"It's the only way you'll be up to date on the ship's progress."
Elizabeth couldn't argue with that. As much as she searched her brain, she couldn't. "I want the room farthest from you," She said.
Elizabeth examined and explored her temporary confines. She had already traveled all of the massive halls, and the art gallery, and was now making her way to the courtyard. It was all she could do to keep her mind from lingering on Will. God, so many things could go wrong… and she loved him so much.
She walked into the courtyard, and stared at it. Typical Victorian table and chairs were strewn about. There was even a full scale model of Norrington in the center. A waterfall was coming out the top of his head. Elizabeth opened her mouth to giggle, but the sound of laughter filled the air to her right. She looked over and found a beautiful woman playing with a small young girl. Elizabeth couldn't help but stare. The women that were allowed to frolic in the courtyard weren't servants. They were usually relatives, wives or… mistresses.
The woman spotted Elizabeth, and jumped in front of the small girl. There was a sheer look on panic on her face. "Who are you!? No one is supposed to be in this wing of the house today! NO ONE! Explain yourself!"
Elizabeth eyed her oddly. Why was this woman acting so strangely? "Relax, I'm Elizabeth, a… friend of Norrington's. I'm just staying her for a few weeks."
The woman looked her up and down with disgust, "A friend? You're a friend of his too?"
Elizabeth put her hands up defensively. "I'm married. My husband is at sea, and Norrington's allowed me to stay here. That's all."
"Sea?" The woman asked. "Is he a sailor?"
"Pirate," Elizabeth said, and beamed.
"Oh?" The woman took a tentative step toward her.
Elizabeth nodded, "Yes, he was called away on our honeymoon."
"I'm sorry," the woman said.
"Me too," Elizabeth sighed.
"Mommy! Mommy, look at this butterfly! It's absolutely beautiful!" The little girl squealed and ran forward, tugging on the woman's dress.
"KIMBERLY!" The woman bellowed. "You call me Andrea when we're here, I told you that!" She wrung her hands, staring at Elizabeth.
This puzzle was slowly coming together… Norrington's "friend"- a woman out here hiding with a small child… a small child that wasn't Norrington's…
"So…" the woman said, tears leaking down her cheeks. "I guess you'll be telling Norrington?"
"Telling him what?" Elizabeth asked with a small smile. "My name's Elizabeth, and your daughter is beautiful." It was about time she got some new friends.
Andrea dried her eyes. "Thank you… thank you so much! Norrington doesn't know about Kimberly, I only get to see her when he's not here, and that's not very often---"
Elizabeth nodded. Women who were men's "friends" like Andrea were hunted down by the officials and locked away. If they were too find out she had a daughter out of wedlock, her child would be sold to the highest bidder, and many times used as servants… or become sexual pawns. And the small brown-haired, blue eyed happy girl couldn't have been older than five.
"I'm Andrea, by the way, and this is my daughter, Kimberly."
Elizabeth smiled. "Nice to meet you." She then bent down to the little girl. "Hi! What do you got there?"
Kimberly opened her hand and Elizabeth stared at a small caterpillar.
"Wow," Elizabeth cooed, "that's really neat, huh?"
The little girl giggled. "Do you like caterpillars, Miss Elizabeth?"
"Yea," Elizabeth sighed. "And when they're ready, they turn into butterflies!"
"No way," The little girl giggled.
Elizabeth smiled. She couldn't wait for children of her own. Children with Will. Soon, they'd raise a family.
Andrea tensed up when she saw the figure walking toward them. "Norrington! He's supposed to be in his office all day!" She said fearfully.
Elizabeth turned and found the commodore making his way toward them. "Leave it to me."
"Good afternoon, ladies," The commodore said. "Elizabeth, I've seen you've met my colleague, Andrea? She's traveled here from the south."
Elizabeth put on a smile. Colleague. Right. Norrington would never admit to his dealings with whores, but yet punish those who did . "Yes, we've met."
"And who is this?" Norrington eyed the small girl maliciously.
"My cousin," Elizabeth piped up. "She was staying at my father's, and I brought her here for some company."
"I see," Norrington said. "Very good. Have a pleasant afternoon, I shall see you at dinner." He left at once.
"He walks like there's a stick up his ass," Elizabeth said. "No offense."
"There is a stick up his ass." Andrea said. "Thank you so much for doing that. How… how can I ever repay you?"
Elizabeth shook her head, "What are friends for?"
Norrington had to act quick, and had to make it perfect. Elizabeth wasn't an idiot. He rehearsed his speech over, and over, finally finalizing it.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," He said, in a nice strong voice.
Elizabeth poked her head in. "A maid said you wanted to see me."
Norrington bowed his head, "I do, Elizabeth, I do…"
She walked in, and shut the door behind her. "What is it?"
"I have news… about The Widow."
She stared at him.
Oh God, something was wrong. Something had happened, she could see it in his eyes. He almost looked… sad, but his greed and lust for her almost seemed to make him look perplexed. "What is it?"
"My dearest Elizabeth, the news I bring is grave, and I do not want to upset you. Perhaps you should sit down."
"Norrington!" She roared. "Do not treat me like a child! I want to know, and I want to know now!"
"Very well," Norrington said with a sigh. "The Widow is missing."
Elizabeth felt like she couldn't breathe, and she collapsed into a chair.
"MAIDS!" Norringotn yelled, and rushed over to her.
Three maids entered his chambers at once.
"Take Miss Swann back to her room," He said.
"My name is Mrs. Turner!" Elizabeth huffed, sitting up in the chair, "I want to know the rest!"
"Fine." Norrington said, "They were supposed to reach Jamaica for supplies six hours ago. They never showed."
Elizabeth clamped both hands over her mouth. "You--- you have to do something! Send out a search party for him! Do something!"
"Elizabeth," Norrington started.
"If you don't, my father will." She said frantically. "Send your fleet. Send someone! Give--- give me a ship! I'll find him myself!"
"Elizabeth!" Norrington said, grabbing her shoulders. "We're doing all we can. I'm about to send out a search party as we speak!" He turned to the maids. "Tell Captain Marcus to come into see me right away."
They curtsied, and left the room.
Elizabeth was trembling in the chair. Oh God, oh God… Will, poor Will, and Jack… She got to her feet.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"To pray," She whispered, and left the room.
He watched Elizabeth walk down the hall. As soon as she was out of earshot, he called the maids back. "Cancel that order to Captain Marcus," He said.
End of chapter 3! And for all you indoor-plumbing people, relax. This is just a fic. Thanks for all the reviews.