I er...apologize for the settings being the way they were, what with
the refusal to accept anonymous reviews and all. I think even the chapter
format is screwed up...my computer tends to be very slow about everything
and the things it doesn't do one mile an hour it tends to do inefficiently.
I hope I'll have everything straightened out really soon...
Speaking of which, I can't tell where I left off. I shortened the first chapter because the original publishing was supposed to only include about half of the work...but I'm not sure if it worked or not, so forgive me if the same half is published again in this chapter...I don't want to leave it out. *throws a rock at the computer* I could probably get further with a hammer and chisel...
Anyway, in this chapter...we'll stray a bit from Elizabeth and Norrington and focus on Will, who has to come to terms with everything just as Elizabeth has done, and Jack, who turns out to have all the answers, as always. (Note: If you've already read the below, disregard it and skip to the part below the second line of asterisks. I'm only saying this because I'm not sure what the whole status on this thing is...)
* * * * * *
"A pity call, so that is all it was." The Commodore continued the work on a title upon his desk, not bothering to glance up at his visitor.
"That was my suspicion, as well. Nevertheless, she is positive in her decision."
At that, James surrendered his eyes to the Governor. "So, it is to commence, then?"
"If you would have it be, Commodore."
"...Yes. It is what I intended before madness conquered this port and its beings." he paused, recollecting in a moment of silence. "May I...speak to Miss Swann?"
"Of course. You plan on calling upon her, this night?"
"Indeed. You may expect me around eight o'clock."
"Very well. I must say, it is an honor, and it shall be an honor, to have you in my family, James."
Norrington could not help but crack a smile. "Thank you, Sir."
It was seven forty-five, and Elizabeth had never felt more nervous, ill-equipped and...confused. Why had Will turned on her? Of all the love and admiration she knew he had contained since their meeting as children...why had he thrown it all away? Why had he even partook on the mission to rescue her, if all it would amount to was this?
He had cast aside his honor, and so his love for her...when he chose Jack's life over the life they could have had. Even as friends, with her husband being the Commodore, they could have been close friends, had some sort of life. After all, she had given up her freedom when she had agreed to marry the Commodore in order for Will's rescue, for his safety. This was the appreciation he showed her, fleeing from the law and using her as a way to excuse his wrong-doing?
But the Commodore...he had shown her love, countless times. He had first confessed his love to her, before Will had even shown an interest. Will had even failed to accept her affection when he refused to lower his formalities and express how he felt. She had been appalled, that day he had followed her father's direction.
Commodore Norrington, however, had expressed how he felt. That he desired to marry her. Were it not for his men, he would have leapt to his death to save her. That was love.
He agreed to allow Sparrow to live, at first glance, for her sake and her wishes. That also was love...and respect.
He had agreed to rescue Will, at her request. That was love, respect, and the deepest affection she had ever known.
And just this morning, he had let his dream, what she knew to be his dream, slip through his fingers. He let Will and Sparrow and their hoard of pirates escape. And why? Because she requested it. Because...
He loves me.
The realization at this somehow gave her strength.
The dress she had chosen was void of the girdle and garter belt, and so a great deal more comfortable than previous attire, such as the day she fell from the fort. It was lavishing, though it failed to produce that fashion the majority of the noble women at the port emitted. Nevertheless, she hoped it would plead worthy and please the Commodore.
There came a knock at the door.
He's here.
The servant opened the door just as Elizabeth approached the edge of the stairs.
James Norrington was clothed in rich, lavishing evening attire. His head was bare, void of his usual powdered white wig and hat. His dark brown hair was combed and tied behind his neck. He bid the servant good evening before entering and raising his eyes. His gaze immediately fell upon Elizabeth.
"Miss Swann..."
As she descended the stairs, she smiled richly. "Please, Commodore. Call me Elizabeth. I feel we are past these formalities."
He smiled as he walked forward to take her hand and place a kiss upon it. "Very well, Elizabeth. Then you must do me an honor in return by casting aside my military and proper title as well, and call me James."
"I shall."
"As I was about to say, you look beautiful." * * * * * *
Will stood on the bow, his hand clutching the tattered rigging as his eyes lay fixed on the horizon. The silence that had settled upon deck was the exact sort of thing he had wished for. He needed to think.
Elizabeth...
What had he done? Thrown away pure gold without a second glance, he thought. Yes, that was what he had done.
No one would forgive him now. There was no law that would overlook his actions, and as far as he knew, there was no man who could conjure such a law that would soothe all of the felonies he had committed and assisted in the making of.
Footsteps sounded on the deck behind him, accompanied by a cheery whistling tune.
"Why in such a dismal mood, mate?" Jack Sparrow, newly reinstated Captain of the Black Pearl, stepped up beside Will. "You look as if you just lost something you loved," he jested, his eyes fixed into a smile.
"Very funny."
"I thought you'd agreed to Miss Swann's proposal to bloody Norrington back at the cave. What was with that, anyway? Another one of your failed wooing attempts?"
Will turned to him, eyes lit by the fading light in the sky and consumed with regret. "What else was I to do? As the Commodore said once before, I'm a blacksmith. How does my word put up even the smallest contest to the words of Norrington?"
Jack paced by him, an apple clasped in his hand. He casually nibbled at it, eyes never leaving the sea. "If you believe that, mate, you've got less of your father in you than I'd thought."
Will lowered his voice. "And you may be right..."
"But, as I see it, you've told her how you felt, right?"
"Yes."
"At the opportune moment, eh?"
"Yes..."
"Though I noticed, in between your little jests with the Commodore, she never interrupted. Could be that her father's got control over her. Or it could be that she's saved your pathetic hide too many times before when you've had a brush with the law that she couldn't do it again. Should've played my cards better than I had. A mistake on my part, returning to the Dauntless. Wish I had had a couple of sea turtles right then."
He smirked, finishing the apple and tossing the core into the depths.
"What you've got to come to terms with, mate, is the fact that you're a fugitive-turned good for three-days-turned fugitive again. Your return to Port Royal will grant you what you've always wanted, I'm sure. You'll be a full-fledged pirate then, boy."
"That's what Elizabeth wanted," Will replied, his voice threaded in ruefulness.
"Aye. But she's got herself a good life besides that. All that was, love of pirates and whatnot, nothing except childhood desires."
"Something other than a life as the governor's daughter," he commented.
"Exactly. But, no worries. Life as a pirate has got its good eggs."
"I see nothing that can make me forget my actions, Jack."
"See that's where you're wrong. You'll find yourself a girl, mate. Just, Young Missy wasn't the one, savvy?"
Will sighed deeply. It was now nearly dark. The lanterns on the deck had been lit. "I...know. Yes, I know. At least...she'll be safe." He turned, crossing his arms and fixing Jack with a sullen yet temperate expression. "Where to now, Captain?"
Jack grinned, clapping Will on the shoulder. "Aye, that's what I wanted to hear! We're off to Tortuga, mate. Going to see if I still got me connections that can repair the Pearl." He moved toward the edge and stroked the railing. "Still got to get her clean of Barbossa's filth."
Jack nodded at the sea, as if he had acknowledged it worthy to grace the boat that now graced him as captain. "Night, mate," he murmured to his companion as he paced away to the captain's quarters.
Will took a last glimpse of the rising moon before turning below deck. Its over, Will...you've got to accept that. You can never go back, he thought.
He sighed, surrendering his weary, perplexed soul to the night as he sauntered down the stairway, the silence of the evening replaced with the laughter and merry voices of the crew as he descended.
You can never go back.
Speaking of which, I can't tell where I left off. I shortened the first chapter because the original publishing was supposed to only include about half of the work...but I'm not sure if it worked or not, so forgive me if the same half is published again in this chapter...I don't want to leave it out. *throws a rock at the computer* I could probably get further with a hammer and chisel...
Anyway, in this chapter...we'll stray a bit from Elizabeth and Norrington and focus on Will, who has to come to terms with everything just as Elizabeth has done, and Jack, who turns out to have all the answers, as always. (Note: If you've already read the below, disregard it and skip to the part below the second line of asterisks. I'm only saying this because I'm not sure what the whole status on this thing is...)
* * * * * *
"A pity call, so that is all it was." The Commodore continued the work on a title upon his desk, not bothering to glance up at his visitor.
"That was my suspicion, as well. Nevertheless, she is positive in her decision."
At that, James surrendered his eyes to the Governor. "So, it is to commence, then?"
"If you would have it be, Commodore."
"...Yes. It is what I intended before madness conquered this port and its beings." he paused, recollecting in a moment of silence. "May I...speak to Miss Swann?"
"Of course. You plan on calling upon her, this night?"
"Indeed. You may expect me around eight o'clock."
"Very well. I must say, it is an honor, and it shall be an honor, to have you in my family, James."
Norrington could not help but crack a smile. "Thank you, Sir."
It was seven forty-five, and Elizabeth had never felt more nervous, ill-equipped and...confused. Why had Will turned on her? Of all the love and admiration she knew he had contained since their meeting as children...why had he thrown it all away? Why had he even partook on the mission to rescue her, if all it would amount to was this?
He had cast aside his honor, and so his love for her...when he chose Jack's life over the life they could have had. Even as friends, with her husband being the Commodore, they could have been close friends, had some sort of life. After all, she had given up her freedom when she had agreed to marry the Commodore in order for Will's rescue, for his safety. This was the appreciation he showed her, fleeing from the law and using her as a way to excuse his wrong-doing?
But the Commodore...he had shown her love, countless times. He had first confessed his love to her, before Will had even shown an interest. Will had even failed to accept her affection when he refused to lower his formalities and express how he felt. She had been appalled, that day he had followed her father's direction.
Commodore Norrington, however, had expressed how he felt. That he desired to marry her. Were it not for his men, he would have leapt to his death to save her. That was love.
He agreed to allow Sparrow to live, at first glance, for her sake and her wishes. That also was love...and respect.
He had agreed to rescue Will, at her request. That was love, respect, and the deepest affection she had ever known.
And just this morning, he had let his dream, what she knew to be his dream, slip through his fingers. He let Will and Sparrow and their hoard of pirates escape. And why? Because she requested it. Because...
He loves me.
The realization at this somehow gave her strength.
The dress she had chosen was void of the girdle and garter belt, and so a great deal more comfortable than previous attire, such as the day she fell from the fort. It was lavishing, though it failed to produce that fashion the majority of the noble women at the port emitted. Nevertheless, she hoped it would plead worthy and please the Commodore.
There came a knock at the door.
He's here.
The servant opened the door just as Elizabeth approached the edge of the stairs.
James Norrington was clothed in rich, lavishing evening attire. His head was bare, void of his usual powdered white wig and hat. His dark brown hair was combed and tied behind his neck. He bid the servant good evening before entering and raising his eyes. His gaze immediately fell upon Elizabeth.
"Miss Swann..."
As she descended the stairs, she smiled richly. "Please, Commodore. Call me Elizabeth. I feel we are past these formalities."
He smiled as he walked forward to take her hand and place a kiss upon it. "Very well, Elizabeth. Then you must do me an honor in return by casting aside my military and proper title as well, and call me James."
"I shall."
"As I was about to say, you look beautiful." * * * * * *
Will stood on the bow, his hand clutching the tattered rigging as his eyes lay fixed on the horizon. The silence that had settled upon deck was the exact sort of thing he had wished for. He needed to think.
Elizabeth...
What had he done? Thrown away pure gold without a second glance, he thought. Yes, that was what he had done.
No one would forgive him now. There was no law that would overlook his actions, and as far as he knew, there was no man who could conjure such a law that would soothe all of the felonies he had committed and assisted in the making of.
Footsteps sounded on the deck behind him, accompanied by a cheery whistling tune.
"Why in such a dismal mood, mate?" Jack Sparrow, newly reinstated Captain of the Black Pearl, stepped up beside Will. "You look as if you just lost something you loved," he jested, his eyes fixed into a smile.
"Very funny."
"I thought you'd agreed to Miss Swann's proposal to bloody Norrington back at the cave. What was with that, anyway? Another one of your failed wooing attempts?"
Will turned to him, eyes lit by the fading light in the sky and consumed with regret. "What else was I to do? As the Commodore said once before, I'm a blacksmith. How does my word put up even the smallest contest to the words of Norrington?"
Jack paced by him, an apple clasped in his hand. He casually nibbled at it, eyes never leaving the sea. "If you believe that, mate, you've got less of your father in you than I'd thought."
Will lowered his voice. "And you may be right..."
"But, as I see it, you've told her how you felt, right?"
"Yes."
"At the opportune moment, eh?"
"Yes..."
"Though I noticed, in between your little jests with the Commodore, she never interrupted. Could be that her father's got control over her. Or it could be that she's saved your pathetic hide too many times before when you've had a brush with the law that she couldn't do it again. Should've played my cards better than I had. A mistake on my part, returning to the Dauntless. Wish I had had a couple of sea turtles right then."
He smirked, finishing the apple and tossing the core into the depths.
"What you've got to come to terms with, mate, is the fact that you're a fugitive-turned good for three-days-turned fugitive again. Your return to Port Royal will grant you what you've always wanted, I'm sure. You'll be a full-fledged pirate then, boy."
"That's what Elizabeth wanted," Will replied, his voice threaded in ruefulness.
"Aye. But she's got herself a good life besides that. All that was, love of pirates and whatnot, nothing except childhood desires."
"Something other than a life as the governor's daughter," he commented.
"Exactly. But, no worries. Life as a pirate has got its good eggs."
"I see nothing that can make me forget my actions, Jack."
"See that's where you're wrong. You'll find yourself a girl, mate. Just, Young Missy wasn't the one, savvy?"
Will sighed deeply. It was now nearly dark. The lanterns on the deck had been lit. "I...know. Yes, I know. At least...she'll be safe." He turned, crossing his arms and fixing Jack with a sullen yet temperate expression. "Where to now, Captain?"
Jack grinned, clapping Will on the shoulder. "Aye, that's what I wanted to hear! We're off to Tortuga, mate. Going to see if I still got me connections that can repair the Pearl." He moved toward the edge and stroked the railing. "Still got to get her clean of Barbossa's filth."
Jack nodded at the sea, as if he had acknowledged it worthy to grace the boat that now graced him as captain. "Night, mate," he murmured to his companion as he paced away to the captain's quarters.
Will took a last glimpse of the rising moon before turning below deck. Its over, Will...you've got to accept that. You can never go back, he thought.
He sighed, surrendering his weary, perplexed soul to the night as he sauntered down the stairway, the silence of the evening replaced with the laughter and merry voices of the crew as he descended.
You can never go back.