A very big thank you to my beta Jackfan2

Chapter 11 - the Blacksmith's Clothes

It was odd how nothing ever seemed to change in Port Royal. Even after all Jack had been through during the last month, Port Royal was still the same. It was almost not fair, although on the other hand… it was good to finally have something normal again.

Jack docked the Freedom in the harbor, paid the one shilling to the harbor master and even managed not to steal his money back. After all, he was not here to find any (more) trouble or attract attention; he was here to save his friends.

However, the inhabitants of Port Royal weren't as stupid as most of them looked. While Jack made his way through the small town he noticed the many odd looks he received. Of course he had changed. He had lost a large amount of weight, he had a pronounced limp and he strongly doubted that he looked very good at the moment. But then again, who would ever forget the grand escape of Captain Jack Sparrow?

In as much as Jack tried to hide the limp, it was to no avail. It simply pained him to much to make that a success. As to his other mannerisms, he didn't even attempt to stop the constant waving of his hands in the air. The main reason being he simply couldn't do that.

So, the only option that was left was a slight change in the plan. A disguise.

Instead of walking straight to the place he needed to go, Jack made a small detour to a place that he remembered very well. It was the very place where he had met a young lad, who practiced three hours a day to kill a pirate when he would meet him. Mr. Brown's blacksmith shop.

Of course, Jack knew that Will now owned the place, but to him it would always be Mr. Brown's. Good old Mr. Brown, who had attacked him from behind and so set a whole new adventure in motion.

Jack moved as quickly as he could through the streets of Port Royal, trying his very best to disappear in the background. This was, especially when your name was Captain Jack Sparrow, an impossible task. But he managed to get to the forge without getting caught by any red-coats.  It took only seconds to pick the lock and gain access to the dark room. This skill the pirate captain credited to years as street thief and burglar. Quickly he closed the door behind him again and he took a good look around him.

Nothing had changed. Even the bloody burrow was staring suspiciously at him. Now all Jack needed were some clothes. And a hat, couldn't forget about that!

"Hello," suddenly a soft voice said.

Quickly Jack turned around; out of reflex one hand flew to his empty belt. But instead of a large group of cursed pirates or a grinning Commodore, he only saw a small boy, sitting on a large table, legs happily dangling in the air.

"You are Captain Jack Sparrow, right?" the young boy said.

"Who the devil are ye, kid? Yer not a Turner, right? 'Else that bloody Will 'as a lot of explaining te do."

The young boy chuckled. "No, you silly! I'm David, David Lockney. Will asked me to look after the burrow," David waved at the animal.

The small animal brayed softly, gazing at the new entry to the smithy. Jack could almost swear that its gaze held an air of uncertainty and fear that the pirate wouldn't again prod the animal to action with a heated piece of steel.

"Besides," the boy continued, "I like it here."

Jack lowered himself with a grimace to sit on the ground. The lack of sleep was taking its toll on his body and exhaustion was quickly setting in. While his body craved respite from the ordeal he'd endured, his mind had taken its fare share of battering as he suffered the mental on slot of different emotions. But there was no time to give in to any of it.

"Aye, so yer lookin' after that animal over there. Isn't yer mother worried about ye then, David?"

The boy turned his eyes to the ground. "She's working all day." Then he looked up again and a huge smile appeared. "Can you tell me one of your adventures?" he asked hopefully.

"Adventures?" Jack wasn't entirely sure he'd heard right. Less than two days ago he had been referred to as 'the worst pirate', and now somebody was asking about his adventures? And what would he say? 'Aye, I've been beaten nearly to death, lost my ship, again, betrayed my friends and left them to die, and now I'm trying to salvage whatever I can?

"Yes!" Davey cheered, "Will used to do that, but he had to leave some time ago. Do you know where he is?"

It was Jack's turn to look at the ground with great interest. "Aye, kiddo. On me Pearl…"

This made the youth pause in thought for a moment. "Then, why are you here, Jack?"

"It's capt--- never mind. Well, boy, tha's the problem. I have to get m' self back to m' Pearl. But first I need new clothes. This whole damn town recognizes me!"

David laughed quietly. "Of course they do! But… I think I know where Will has some clothes here. He sometimes changed before heading home… Say, can I be part of your adventure then?"

Jack flashed his grin. He was really starting to like this little devil. "Aye, mate. Yer going te have a key part! Now get me those clothes!"

Soon Jack found himself bending over a small trunk wherein several articles of clothing lay perfectly folded and organized.

"Damn, whelp." Jack muttered without malice. "Always 'as te have it all nice and clean…"

After several minutes of trying clothes on and attempting to avoid abrading his still sensitive wounds, Jack managed to find a perfect match. Jack had always been smaller than Will and now that he'd lost weight, that made it even easier to fit in the clothes. With a grimace, Jack realized the clothes were no longer neatly organized. In fact, they now form a large pile of fabric on the ground. Oh well…

"Now a hat, know where I can find one, Davey?"

David jumped up and down in delight. "Wait here!" then he ran off.

Jack gathered his own clothes and hat together and puts them in a bag, having no intentions of leaving them behind. Only in the blacksmith's clothes for a few minutes and he was already feeling uncomfortable. Then David returned and Jack's mouth almost dropped open in amazement.

"Damn the luck!" he muttered when he recognized the huge white feather on the hat.

Barely two hours after Jack had entered Port Royal, he was once again on his way, following the original plan. His hair was hidden under the damned hat and the clothing did a good job hiding the normal pirate look. After glancing at his companion Jack grimaced. In keeping to his part in the grand adventure, Davey walked happily along side the pirate in disguise, unable to hide his childish enthusiasm. 

"Where are we gooooing?" David singsonged.

"T' visit an old friend of mine, mate."

"Do I knooooow him?"

Jack grinned. "Aye, matey. I think ye should know him. In fact, I would be disappointed if ye didn't."

"Really?!?" David was practically bounding around now. "Is it a pirate?"

Jack laughed. "Ye've already have met one pirate, lad. Am I not enough fer ye?"

"It would be fun if there would be a pirate living here… so I could visit him."

"Well, Davey, I swear upon pain of death, every time I'm near, I will visit you, savvy?"

"Really?" The boy asked with wide sparkling eyes.

"Aye, Captain Jack Sparrow never breaks a promise. But now, lil' one… ye have to get back to yer home. It might get dangerous and I don't want ye involved."

"But I'll miss all the adventure!"

"You will get enough adventure, believe good ol' Jack on that one, lad. Now, time t' keep yer promise…"

David's face darkened and he crossed his arms churlishly. Jack stopped and lowered himself gingerly, so that he was now eye level with the little boy.

"Son," he began seriously, "Ye'll have yer adventure, some day! But not yet. And believe me on my word: ye get bored of adventure in the long run."

The boy nodded, then said, "You will visit me again? Just as ye promised?"

"'F course, lad! My promise is my bond. Savvy?" That made David smile and soon he scampered off. Satisfied that the boy was far enough away and would not return unexpectedly, Jack continued on his way, whistling softly.

During their brief time together Jack had developed quite a fondness for the lad. David had proved to be quite the find, not only for the disguise he'd presented the pirate, but for the wealth of information he'd unknowingly imparted. The information had proven essential to execute the next part of his plan.

Again, doing his best to hide the limp, Jack approached the fort and headed directly for the grandest, most beautiful house within its walls. Second only to the governor's mansion, the house boasted a majestic view on the Caribbean Ocean. The pirate knew immediately he had the right house and after a short moment of hesitation he knocked on the door.

Less than a minute later a butler opened the large, ornate door.

"Sir?"

"Hello, dear man," Jack said in his best English. "I would like to speak to the Commodore."

"I'm sorry, sir, but the Commodore is busy at the moment. I would recommend that you return tomorrow morning, and then he will have time."

"I see."

"You could leave a message, if you like?"

"No, thank you."

Jack turned to leave and heard the door close behind him. He didn't have time to wait until tomorrow morning! And whoever was inside there, it could never be more important than the lives of his friends!

After he retreated a safe distance from the house, Jack thought about his next step while he quietly observed the dwelling. The garden surrounding the vivid yellow exterior, boasted some exotic flowers in brilliant colors. Scanning the large abode he noted it maintained high glass windows all around and…then he found it. Just what he needed: an open cellar window.

Quietly, he crept over and peaked inside. Seeing no one, he pressed the window the rest of the way open and entered the Commodore's house.

Silent as a mouse he began his search for the Commodore, careful to avoid the few servants moving about. A big fat cat sat unmoving from its spot on a couch, only casting him a brief uninterested glance. Jack waved at the cat, having a weak spot for these animals himself, before he heard voices. At least the Commodore's office wasn't far now!

Following the voices he located the room and moved carefully toward the closed mahogany doors. Pressing an ear to the wood, he listened to the conversation within. A grin appeared and as he listened, it grew wider and wider. What he heard was at least interesting and he had to stifle a chuckle in response.

Suddenly the doorknob jiggled; just in time he stepped to the side as the doors flew open. In their wake, an old lady stomped past him, her skirts swishing angrily as she murmured unladylike words exiting the house. Jack continued to grin at the retreating woman's back waiting until she disappeared to make his move.

Cautiously, then, he stepped into the office, closing the doors softly behind him.

"Who…?" the Commodore started as he looked up. His words trailed off as his mouth now gaped at the sight before him.

With an elegant wave Jack removed the 'nice' hat and bowed with a flourished movement, all the while flashing his roguish grin.

"Ello, Commodore. Sweet mum yer having."

"Sparrow?!"

Lykosdracos - I love it how you always put quotes from my story in your reviews. Thank you!

Elven-Star-of-Gold - I'm improving on my grammar… once it will be without a singly one mistake ;)

Ld - Hello sweetheart! I hope everything will go fine for you!

Morph - The Jack Sparrow spark?… I guess that one is on it's way to be back ;)

Rat - On this moment I write so much because of my studies LOL writing always makes me relax

Hana - 2 weeks with no internet oO I'm going away for 3 days next week and I'm already wondering how I'm going to survive that!

Pigwidgeon - Sorry for a new cliffhanger, hun ;) And once again: thank you so incredible much for all your reviews!

Anaticulapraecantrix - Go Jack indeed!

OprahNoodlemantra - thanx for the compliment!

Ilirenelluithauren - I shall take a look at your story when I have a lil more time to read

Krazy - Thank you for your sweet review! Computers can be horrible once in a while, don't you think?