I couldn't wait for the reviews to appear before posting, so no A/N - sorry!
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The carriage bumped sedately along the path up to Governor's House, jostling its inhabitants gently back and forth as it rumbled across the pot-holed road. Governor Swann never ceased to be surprised at the sudden gentleness of his drivers, remembering a time when the coach driver would push the horses as hard as he could, uncaring that his passengers would be black and blue when they clambered out. But then, the whole city seemed to have taken him under their wing over the past year. Since Elizabeth's death, there had been less complaining, less rebellious letters, and more support for his decisions. Lady Rosemary Blythe, his sister-in-law, had rather pointedly made her views known across the city to those who had shunned her niece for the match she made, and there had been no repercussions at all. It was as though the city would remain in mourning as long as he did.
He could no longer watch the harbour with the same sense of peace as before, knowing as he did that even if the Dragon was to glide into dock, the one face he longed most of all to see would not be there. Even after a year, the wound was still raw, and the longing for his daughter to return to him was as deep and heart-rending as it had been the day Will had brought her body home. His only regret was not visiting the island while he had had the chance, to see his grandson, and Marin and Jack, and the daughter they had named for the friend who died to save her.
Lady Rosemary glanced across to him, seeing the haunted look in his eyes that had been cause by a year of worry and care. He had sent the marines to the island, against Captain Gillette's recommendation, to protect those who were left from the dangers that had killed Elizabeth. In his own way, he was trying to make the Caribbean safer for his grandson and young Beth. Personally, Lady Rosemary was of the opinion that you could be no safer on an island inhabited by pirates, with the leaders of said pirates as your parents.
Governor Swann frowned suddenly, peering through the carriage window to the house.
'Weatherby, what is it?' she asked.
He glanced back at her.
'My dear, could you tell me if the Black Pearl is at anchor in the harbour?' he inquired, ignoring her question for a moment.
Confused, but knowing her brother-in-law well enough to know when not to argue, Lady Rosemary dutifully looked out across the harbour, her sharp eyes picking out the familiar black sails that had not graced Kingston Harbour in over a year.
'Why, yes, Weatherby, she is,' she exclaimed, suddenly filled with excitement at the thought of seeing Captain Sparrow and his wife once more. 'However did you know?'
He gave her the first smile she had seen from him in months.
'Because the last time I came home to a house I thought was empty to find the lamps lit, Jack Sparrow was drinking my finest brandy,' he told her, and she couldn't rein in the laugh that bubbled up from inside her.
'So they're at the house already?' she pressed him, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
Governor Swann nodded expectantly.
'So it would seem, my dear.'
As Lady Rosemary leant forward to gaze up at the brightly lit mansion, neither of them noticed the dark shapes that melted from shadow to shadow along the wayside, keeping pace with the bouncing carriage. It was only when these shapes leapt up at the carriage itself, knocking the driver from his seat and setting the horses to a race down the hill, that a cry of alarm escaped either of them.
Four figures ran from the house, staring after the descending coach in consternation. Then one slipped to the precipice and swung himself over, followed quickly by two of his companions. The fourth hurried to where a horse was tethered, riding after the carriage. The house was left deserted as the fight relocated to the road below.
Lady Rosemary found herself flung towards her brother-in-law, who absently reached out to catch her. All the years of travelling in such a manner with Elizabeth had paid off, he realised, as he managed to keep his seat despite the jostling. There were voices above them, those of the men who had taken control of their transportation. It seemed that they were being kidnapped, but for what reason, the governor could not say.
As they passed the bottom of the escarpment below Governor's House, however, there was a cry from the darkness, and three shadows detached themselves from the rocks above them, landing with resounding thuds on the carriage roof. One of them almost missed, his boots flailing for a moment outside the window before finding purchase inside the carriage and dragging him inside. He landed heavily on his knees, grinning up at the governor and his sister-in-law.
'William Turner, what in God's name is going on?' Swann demanded, making no attempt to hide the relief that washed through him on seeing his son-in-law.
Will's presence could only mean that one of the gentlemen on the roof at this moment was Jack Sparrow, a good man in such a situation. Will nodded pleasantly to his elders, standing to lean out of the window and look up at where a struggle was progressing on the rooftop. He could just about make out James, one arm about the driver's neck, and one hand with the reins, trying to slow the carriage. Jack, however, was lying on his back, being punched repeatedly by his adversary. Will drew his pistol, sighting along the short barrel and hoping against hope that he didn't miss.
He didn't. Jack's attacker went flying off the carriage with a roar of pain, clutching his shoulder. Will glanced to the rear, seeing the fourth of their number engaged in a rather pitiful attempt to fight the man Jack had managed to knock off the carriage on horseback. Jack shook his head, blinking erratically, and heaved himself to his knees, bringing the guard of his sabre down heavily on the back of the driver's head. The man slumped, and James kicked him off the carriage, hauling on the reins to pull the horses to a halt. The unconscious body hit the struggling riders behind them, knocking his compatriot off and into a tree. The two men jumped down, as Will opened the door to hand Lady Rosemary down to them. She looked decidedly the worse for wear, glaring at the world in general as the rider cantered towards them.
'Weatherby, I'm never getting in another carriage as long as I live,' she declared vehemently, trying to catch her breath as her late sister's husband shook hands with their friends.
'Governor, we're here to bring you back to the island,' James told him, in a tone that brooked no opposition, despite the blood running from his lip.
Governor Swann frowned, taken aback by this blunt announcement.
'I beg your pardon?' he asked, surprised. 'I've made no plans to do so, and there are many people I would have to inform, not least, Commodore Gillette -'
The rider swung out of his saddle, the moonlight illuminating his wan grin as he stepped forward.
'As Commodore of Fort Charles, Governor Swann,' Evan Gillette said calmly, 'I am asking you to place yourself in the protective custody of these fine gentlemen until further notice.'
The governor stared at the younger man, whose grin hadn't slipped once. Lady Rosemary, on the other hand, had picked up on his wording.
'Protective custody?' she repeated. 'Who does he need to be protected from?'
Gillette's face grew serious.
'Assassins, ma'am,' he told her. 'Sent from England to remove your brother-in-law from office. Permanently.'
She gasped, shocked, and turned to stare in accusation at Swann.
'What have you done?' she demanded.
He held up his hands, mystified.
'For once in my life, Rosemary, nothing,' he insisted. 'I swear I have done nothing to deserve this.'
'Except pardon two of the most famous pirate crews in the Caribbean,' Will mentioned. 'I imagine that won't have gone down well with the ruling families.'
Jack snorted.
'Oh, it'll have gone down,' he chuckled. 'Like a hot lead balloon.'
The governor had turned pale, his limbs shaking with shock.
'They want me dead?' he breathed, feeling suddenly quite ill. 'What can I do?'
'You can come back with us and stay for a few months,' James told him, 'until the commodore has everything under control.'
Lady Rosemary nodded, obviously understanding far more than the governor. Jack was impressed that she hadn't even attempted to faint yet, as many women would have by now. Mind you, not many women he knew would.
'I'm sure I can find someone to take me in for a while,' she said, apparently not seeing the sudden amusement on the younger men's faces. 'Just until everything dies down.'
Jack wrapped her arm about his, patting her hand gently as Will snorted loudly, trying to gain control of himself before he alerted anyone to their presence.
'My lady, you're coming with us whether you want to or not,' he said sweetly.
Lady Rosemary smiled in relief.
'Do you know, I was hoping you'd say that,' she sighed. 'Now, when do we leave?'
'As soon as we reach the Pearl, my lady,' James told her, grasping the governor's arm and pulling him beneath the trees as Will ushered Lady Rosemary into the shadows. Jack exchanged a nod with Gillette, who swung back up onto his horse and rode off towards the town as Jack stumbled into the shadows to join his companions.
'Right,' he muttered, glancing nervously into the darkness around them. 'The longboat will be waiting for us in Dead Man's Cove, beneath the -'
He glanced at Lady Rosemary.
'The corpses, Captain Sparrow, I know exactly where you mean,' she assured him, rising another notch in his esteem.
James frowned.
'How can we get out there?' he asked. 'We'd be better to go back to the harbour, Jack. The cove is completely cut off.'
Jack's grin was just visible in the shadows, as was Will's.
'Not quite cut off, mate,' Jack told him. 'We can get out there, if you don't mind getting your ankles wet. And the harbour will be crawling with our violent friends even as we speak.'
'There's a causeway?' the governor asked.
Will nodded.
'How else do you think we're able to get in and out of Port Royale unseen?' he chuckled softly. 'Anchor the ship off the headland, out of sight, row a longboat to Dead Man's Cove, and walk into the city without a backward glance.'
James found himself grinning.
'It's just as well you waited until Gillette had gone before mentioning that,' he murmured, receiving Jack's look of indignation with amusement.
'What do you take me for, a complete fool?' he exclaimed. 'Look, we need to get moving.'
With that, he turned and slipped into the shadows. Will grasped Lady Rosemary's hand, tugging her along behind him as James followed with the governor. They crept down through the woods that lined the shore, keeping to the deepest shadows except where they had no choice. They all knew the men they had fought off would be out looking for them, and if they really were trained assassins, they would damn hard to beat.
The little group approached the rocks cautiously, Jack and Will moving ahead to make sure their way was safe enough to take the lady and the governor along. The three left to wait in the shadows heard Jack laugh triumphantly as he returned to them.
'Perfect conditions for the crossing, lady and gents,' he told them. 'If you'd just step this way, Master William Turner shall lead you to the promised vessel.'
The water was cold, reaching to their mid-calves in lapping waves that made their skin creep. Heedless of protocol or propriety, Lady Rosemary had hitched her skirt up to her knees, carefully tucking her shoes into the voluminous folds as she ventured into the water. The creaking of the by now ancient skeletons above them grew steadily louder and louder, until a voice cut across the low winds towards them.
'Ahoy, cap'n!'
Jack grinned, lengthening his stride to brush past his companions and help Gibbs draw the longboat ashore. They helped the governor and his sister-in-law into the rocking vessel, letting James and Will leap in and take their place at two of the oars. With a shove, and a leap that showered the boat's occupants with sea water, the two men set the boat adrift, scrambling to add their strength to the oars as they rowed out to the Pearl as she waited in readiness at the mouth of the harbour.
'And that,' Jack panted between pulls on his oar, 'is how it's done.'
*~*~*
And thanks to Dell-Doo, you're getting two chapters!
*~*~*
The carriage bumped sedately along the path up to Governor's House, jostling its inhabitants gently back and forth as it rumbled across the pot-holed road. Governor Swann never ceased to be surprised at the sudden gentleness of his drivers, remembering a time when the coach driver would push the horses as hard as he could, uncaring that his passengers would be black and blue when they clambered out. But then, the whole city seemed to have taken him under their wing over the past year. Since Elizabeth's death, there had been less complaining, less rebellious letters, and more support for his decisions. Lady Rosemary Blythe, his sister-in-law, had rather pointedly made her views known across the city to those who had shunned her niece for the match she made, and there had been no repercussions at all. It was as though the city would remain in mourning as long as he did.
He could no longer watch the harbour with the same sense of peace as before, knowing as he did that even if the Dragon was to glide into dock, the one face he longed most of all to see would not be there. Even after a year, the wound was still raw, and the longing for his daughter to return to him was as deep and heart-rending as it had been the day Will had brought her body home. His only regret was not visiting the island while he had had the chance, to see his grandson, and Marin and Jack, and the daughter they had named for the friend who died to save her.
Lady Rosemary glanced across to him, seeing the haunted look in his eyes that had been cause by a year of worry and care. He had sent the marines to the island, against Captain Gillette's recommendation, to protect those who were left from the dangers that had killed Elizabeth. In his own way, he was trying to make the Caribbean safer for his grandson and young Beth. Personally, Lady Rosemary was of the opinion that you could be no safer on an island inhabited by pirates, with the leaders of said pirates as your parents.
Governor Swann frowned suddenly, peering through the carriage window to the house.
'Weatherby, what is it?' she asked.
He glanced back at her.
'My dear, could you tell me if the Black Pearl is at anchor in the harbour?' he inquired, ignoring her question for a moment.
Confused, but knowing her brother-in-law well enough to know when not to argue, Lady Rosemary dutifully looked out across the harbour, her sharp eyes picking out the familiar black sails that had not graced Kingston Harbour in over a year.
'Why, yes, Weatherby, she is,' she exclaimed, suddenly filled with excitement at the thought of seeing Captain Sparrow and his wife once more. 'However did you know?'
He gave her the first smile she had seen from him in months.
'Because the last time I came home to a house I thought was empty to find the lamps lit, Jack Sparrow was drinking my finest brandy,' he told her, and she couldn't rein in the laugh that bubbled up from inside her.
'So they're at the house already?' she pressed him, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
Governor Swann nodded expectantly.
'So it would seem, my dear.'
As Lady Rosemary leant forward to gaze up at the brightly lit mansion, neither of them noticed the dark shapes that melted from shadow to shadow along the wayside, keeping pace with the bouncing carriage. It was only when these shapes leapt up at the carriage itself, knocking the driver from his seat and setting the horses to a race down the hill, that a cry of alarm escaped either of them.
Four figures ran from the house, staring after the descending coach in consternation. Then one slipped to the precipice and swung himself over, followed quickly by two of his companions. The fourth hurried to where a horse was tethered, riding after the carriage. The house was left deserted as the fight relocated to the road below.
Lady Rosemary found herself flung towards her brother-in-law, who absently reached out to catch her. All the years of travelling in such a manner with Elizabeth had paid off, he realised, as he managed to keep his seat despite the jostling. There were voices above them, those of the men who had taken control of their transportation. It seemed that they were being kidnapped, but for what reason, the governor could not say.
As they passed the bottom of the escarpment below Governor's House, however, there was a cry from the darkness, and three shadows detached themselves from the rocks above them, landing with resounding thuds on the carriage roof. One of them almost missed, his boots flailing for a moment outside the window before finding purchase inside the carriage and dragging him inside. He landed heavily on his knees, grinning up at the governor and his sister-in-law.
'William Turner, what in God's name is going on?' Swann demanded, making no attempt to hide the relief that washed through him on seeing his son-in-law.
Will's presence could only mean that one of the gentlemen on the roof at this moment was Jack Sparrow, a good man in such a situation. Will nodded pleasantly to his elders, standing to lean out of the window and look up at where a struggle was progressing on the rooftop. He could just about make out James, one arm about the driver's neck, and one hand with the reins, trying to slow the carriage. Jack, however, was lying on his back, being punched repeatedly by his adversary. Will drew his pistol, sighting along the short barrel and hoping against hope that he didn't miss.
He didn't. Jack's attacker went flying off the carriage with a roar of pain, clutching his shoulder. Will glanced to the rear, seeing the fourth of their number engaged in a rather pitiful attempt to fight the man Jack had managed to knock off the carriage on horseback. Jack shook his head, blinking erratically, and heaved himself to his knees, bringing the guard of his sabre down heavily on the back of the driver's head. The man slumped, and James kicked him off the carriage, hauling on the reins to pull the horses to a halt. The unconscious body hit the struggling riders behind them, knocking his compatriot off and into a tree. The two men jumped down, as Will opened the door to hand Lady Rosemary down to them. She looked decidedly the worse for wear, glaring at the world in general as the rider cantered towards them.
'Weatherby, I'm never getting in another carriage as long as I live,' she declared vehemently, trying to catch her breath as her late sister's husband shook hands with their friends.
'Governor, we're here to bring you back to the island,' James told him, in a tone that brooked no opposition, despite the blood running from his lip.
Governor Swann frowned, taken aback by this blunt announcement.
'I beg your pardon?' he asked, surprised. 'I've made no plans to do so, and there are many people I would have to inform, not least, Commodore Gillette -'
The rider swung out of his saddle, the moonlight illuminating his wan grin as he stepped forward.
'As Commodore of Fort Charles, Governor Swann,' Evan Gillette said calmly, 'I am asking you to place yourself in the protective custody of these fine gentlemen until further notice.'
The governor stared at the younger man, whose grin hadn't slipped once. Lady Rosemary, on the other hand, had picked up on his wording.
'Protective custody?' she repeated. 'Who does he need to be protected from?'
Gillette's face grew serious.
'Assassins, ma'am,' he told her. 'Sent from England to remove your brother-in-law from office. Permanently.'
She gasped, shocked, and turned to stare in accusation at Swann.
'What have you done?' she demanded.
He held up his hands, mystified.
'For once in my life, Rosemary, nothing,' he insisted. 'I swear I have done nothing to deserve this.'
'Except pardon two of the most famous pirate crews in the Caribbean,' Will mentioned. 'I imagine that won't have gone down well with the ruling families.'
Jack snorted.
'Oh, it'll have gone down,' he chuckled. 'Like a hot lead balloon.'
The governor had turned pale, his limbs shaking with shock.
'They want me dead?' he breathed, feeling suddenly quite ill. 'What can I do?'
'You can come back with us and stay for a few months,' James told him, 'until the commodore has everything under control.'
Lady Rosemary nodded, obviously understanding far more than the governor. Jack was impressed that she hadn't even attempted to faint yet, as many women would have by now. Mind you, not many women he knew would.
'I'm sure I can find someone to take me in for a while,' she said, apparently not seeing the sudden amusement on the younger men's faces. 'Just until everything dies down.'
Jack wrapped her arm about his, patting her hand gently as Will snorted loudly, trying to gain control of himself before he alerted anyone to their presence.
'My lady, you're coming with us whether you want to or not,' he said sweetly.
Lady Rosemary smiled in relief.
'Do you know, I was hoping you'd say that,' she sighed. 'Now, when do we leave?'
'As soon as we reach the Pearl, my lady,' James told her, grasping the governor's arm and pulling him beneath the trees as Will ushered Lady Rosemary into the shadows. Jack exchanged a nod with Gillette, who swung back up onto his horse and rode off towards the town as Jack stumbled into the shadows to join his companions.
'Right,' he muttered, glancing nervously into the darkness around them. 'The longboat will be waiting for us in Dead Man's Cove, beneath the -'
He glanced at Lady Rosemary.
'The corpses, Captain Sparrow, I know exactly where you mean,' she assured him, rising another notch in his esteem.
James frowned.
'How can we get out there?' he asked. 'We'd be better to go back to the harbour, Jack. The cove is completely cut off.'
Jack's grin was just visible in the shadows, as was Will's.
'Not quite cut off, mate,' Jack told him. 'We can get out there, if you don't mind getting your ankles wet. And the harbour will be crawling with our violent friends even as we speak.'
'There's a causeway?' the governor asked.
Will nodded.
'How else do you think we're able to get in and out of Port Royale unseen?' he chuckled softly. 'Anchor the ship off the headland, out of sight, row a longboat to Dead Man's Cove, and walk into the city without a backward glance.'
James found himself grinning.
'It's just as well you waited until Gillette had gone before mentioning that,' he murmured, receiving Jack's look of indignation with amusement.
'What do you take me for, a complete fool?' he exclaimed. 'Look, we need to get moving.'
With that, he turned and slipped into the shadows. Will grasped Lady Rosemary's hand, tugging her along behind him as James followed with the governor. They crept down through the woods that lined the shore, keeping to the deepest shadows except where they had no choice. They all knew the men they had fought off would be out looking for them, and if they really were trained assassins, they would damn hard to beat.
The little group approached the rocks cautiously, Jack and Will moving ahead to make sure their way was safe enough to take the lady and the governor along. The three left to wait in the shadows heard Jack laugh triumphantly as he returned to them.
'Perfect conditions for the crossing, lady and gents,' he told them. 'If you'd just step this way, Master William Turner shall lead you to the promised vessel.'
The water was cold, reaching to their mid-calves in lapping waves that made their skin creep. Heedless of protocol or propriety, Lady Rosemary had hitched her skirt up to her knees, carefully tucking her shoes into the voluminous folds as she ventured into the water. The creaking of the by now ancient skeletons above them grew steadily louder and louder, until a voice cut across the low winds towards them.
'Ahoy, cap'n!'
Jack grinned, lengthening his stride to brush past his companions and help Gibbs draw the longboat ashore. They helped the governor and his sister-in-law into the rocking vessel, letting James and Will leap in and take their place at two of the oars. With a shove, and a leap that showered the boat's occupants with sea water, the two men set the boat adrift, scrambling to add their strength to the oars as they rowed out to the Pearl as she waited in readiness at the mouth of the harbour.
'And that,' Jack panted between pulls on his oar, 'is how it's done.'
*~*~*
And thanks to Dell-Doo, you're getting two chapters!