The Cavalier Arrives
"James, perhaps it would be best to simply leave Darby home and travel in the carriage." Katherine's words did not register with Commodore Norrington as he continued to obsess over the fine blue saddlecloth. He quickly ran a hand over the horse's grey mane as he neatly placed the bridle on Darby's head and adjusted it. Katherine stood in the stable doorway with her arms crossed, impatiently tapping her foot on the stone floor as she quickly looked over her burgundy dress.
"Hovering over us is not going to make this go any faster, you know," James teased as he glanced over his shoulder at his sister. Katherine's arms flew to her sides in frustration.
"She's going to arrive any second!" she exclaimed.
James chuckled softly under his breath as he put the finishing touches on Darby's tack. Patience was something that his sister never had a good grip on. She was likely to pull the carriage herself in her haste to get to the docks. James then turned to Katherine and motioned for her to make for the carriage as he led the big grey out of the stable. "Matthieu's waiting in the carriage, dear sister. Besides, the Cavalier's crew will need a few moments to secure the vessel before anyone or anything is allowed to disembark. I highly doubt Mr. Meyerson or Miss Reynolds will be pressed to boredom by the time we arrive," James said as he flashed a smile at Katherine. She merely shook her head as she turned and hastily made her way to the carriage. Katherine could not contain the bright grin that had invaded her expression hours ago when she learned that Cavalier, the frigate that was carrying her dear friend Melissa Reynolds, was to be docking that day in Port Royale. The day was utterly spectacular – the wind was fair, and the sun shone as brightly as Katherine's smile. They had been enjoying fine weather the past few weeks, and Katherine only hoped that it would continue so that Melissa could experience the magnificent atmosphere in the Caribbean.
Lievtenant Gillette slowly stepped out of the carriage as he heard Katherine approaching. He noticed her glowing expression and smiled to himself as he held the door open for her.
"Miss Norrington, how nice to see you," he stated with almost a satirical courtesy as he stiffly bowed. Katherine laughed at his manner as she paused to look him over.
"Matthieu, you really should not be up and about," she suggested earnestly.
Gillette glanced back up at Katherine. "Between lying in bed like an invalid and gallivanting about with you, I much prefer the latter," he declared. "Mostly due to the fact that it is gallivanting about with you, and not with Doctor Quinlan."
"He does not know where you've gone, does he?" asked Katherine incredulously as she narrowed her eyes.
"The Commodore and I prefer to call these little meetings 'covert operations,' actually," he stated as he raised his eyebrows and smiled once more at Katherine. Gillette then looked beyond her to Norrington, who was just now mounting the horse yards away. "You are without doubt the slowest officer I have ever seen."
James quickly reined Darby around to face the carriage. His face was stony and his tone expressionless as usual. "I could still leave you at the Fort and under the implacable eye of our wonderful surgeon, Lievtenant," he teased.
Gillette's expression paled at Norrington's playful threat. "I would give you up," he declared, standing up to his full height. "I would tell him you fell off your horse and send the entire medical wing after you. It would be worse than the undead skeleton pirates, James, I promise you." Matthieu raised his eyebrows once more and waited for his comrade's response.
"You are getting dreadfully bold in your debilitated state, Matthieu," James stated as he fought back a smile. He then pointed at the waiting carriage. "Get in the carriage…that's an order…" Katherine and Gillette did so and moments later they were trotting out of the drive with Norrington leading. Port Royale was crowded with merchants, gentlemen, and ladies enjoying the fine day. The bustling shops were lined with customers that turned when they saw the approaching horses. The Commodore nodded in acknowledgement periodically as he made his way through town on the magnificent Irish horse. Eventually the convoy arrived at the docks, and Norrington dismounted and handed Darby off to non other than Privates Murtogg and Mullroy, who were less than thrilled with the enterprise of entertaining the young horse.
"He's much more agreeable than when you first met him," assured Norrington as he straightened his hat and handed over the reins.
"He'll be right here waiting for you whenever you're ready, sir," said Mullroy. "Hopefully you won't be long." Norrington shook his head and moved off toward the carriage to join Katherine and Gillette in greeting the Cavalier. Meanwhile, the two privates looked on.
"He's a bit smaller than last time, don't you think?" inquired Murtogg as he moved in front of the horse to inspect him.
"No, but he's not trying to kill us if that's what you're getting at," huffed Mullroy. Right then Darby decided he had enough of simply standing there and playfully took Mullroy's hat in his teeth and lifted it off his head, waving it around out of either man's reach.
"You bloody rogue!" spat Mullroy as he reached after his hat in vain.
"I think he wants to wear it," declared Murtogg with an air of complete seriousness.
"No, he just wants to eat it. Now help me get it back," Mullroy demanded. Murtogg simply stepped back and stared at his comrade. He then pulled out a small piece of bread he had in his pocket and offered it to the big grey. Darby instinctively dropped Mullroy's hat and eagerly devoured the offering. Murtogg quickly picked up the hat and placed it atop the horse's head.
"There! You are now Private Darby of His Majesty's Royal Navy," Murtogg declared officially as a dumb, satisfied smile spread across his face. Commodore Norrington was standing beside Katherine and Lievtenant Gillette at the docks when he glanced behind him and saw Darby standing between the two Marines with a hat on his poll.
"Unbelievable," he muttered. Gillette instinctively turned and noticed the comical sight as well. "Mr. Murtogg!" said Norrington with his usual calm, commanding tone. "It would be best if you spared us the humiliation and left the horse alone…"
Murtogg turned, surprised, to address the Commodore as he quickly grabbed the hat off Darby's head and threw it at Mullroy. Murtogg then subtly pointed at Mullroy, who dually returned the favor by smacking Murtogg on the arm.
Gillette slowly turned back toward the dock and glanced at Norrington as he shook his head. "There is something seriously wrong with those two," he lamented.
James merely sighed and continued to study the Cavalier. She was a modest sized frigate, slightly smaller than the HMS Hambleton. Her elegant figurehead and bowsprit pointed proudly to sea. The windows lining the very aft portion of the ship were humble, but beautifully kept. From his vantage point on the dock, Norrington noticed the deck was organized and the crew straight on task. All in all, she appeared to be a fine vessel with a practical owner. James turned briefly to Katherine, who was quite occupied with scanning the faces aboard the Cavalier, looking for Melissa Reynolds. All of a sudden he noticed her expression overcome with unbridled joy as her hands flew to her mouth. Katherine paused for a moment before waiving her right arm in the air to get Melissa's attention, practically knocking James silly in the process. He took a step back to avoid Katherine's flailing and looked up at the aft deck of the Cavalier…there stood a beautiful young lady. She disappeared momentarily before being spotted once more on the gangway. Katherine rushed forward to meet her cherished friend as Norrington and Gillette looked on.
"I am going to assume Miss Reynolds is the tall blonde lady that Katherine is about to tackle," stated Gillette as he put his good arm behind his back.
"I should hope so, at least she'll expect what's coming. Katherine has a tendency to hit like a broadside," said James without looking at his subordinate. He then began to study Miss Reynolds. "She is lovely, is she not?" he inquired as he lowered his voice so as not to attract attention. Gillette smirked and quickly glanced in disbelief over to Norrington, who was still staring at the new arrival.
"Too bold, Commodore," said the Lievtenant with an amused little smile. Norrington quickly broke his stare and turned to Gillette, utterly speechless. James went to say something to him, but speech failed him when he realized the situation was reversed from Katherine's arrival. Norrington simply shook his head and folded his hands behind his back in an attempt to mask his embarrassment. Gillette stood fast and continued to smile triumphantly. Norrington turned to him once more.
"Remove that ridiculous smile from your expression, Lievtenant," ordered the Commodore.
"Yes, sir," responded Gillette. He tried earnestly to do so, but not before practically laughing out loud at the irony.
James rolled his eyes as he looked away from his subordinate. "Unbelievable," he muttered. He then found Katherine once more as she approached through the crowd. She was leading a tall woman – perhaps an inch or two taller than Katherine. Her hair blonde hair was neatly styled, and her skin was quite fair. Miss Reynolds's eyes darted back and forth on the dock as they made their way through the mass of people. She looked somewhat distraught at the situation, but continued to follow Katherine. The pair stopped just in front of James and Gillette. Katherine sighed as she smiled and took James's arm.
"Melissa, may I introduce my brother, Commodore James Edward Norrington of His Majesty's Royal Navy, and commander of the armed forces based here in Port Royale," declared Katherine proudly. James flashed a stiff little smile before stepping forward to take Melissa's hand.
"It is a great pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Reynolds," said James with his usual official manner as he kissed her hand with all the formality of a monarch. "Welcome to Port Royale."
Melissa smiled as she began to relax some. "I have heard so much about you, Commodore," she began. Melissa quickly glanced between James and Katherine, who were now looking rather confused. "Not from your sister, of course, but so many sailors. I lived in Portsmouth for some time, and knew quite a few young officers that have ventured to the Americas and Caribbean. Your reputation precedes you, sir." Melissa smiled as she studied the Commodore. Tall, handsome, undoubtedly spoken for already, she thought. She did have a bit of trouble reading his face, but most people did, and she had seen that expression before. Most officers she knew seemed to favorite it.
"Well I hope the reputation going around is a respectable one," James joked.
Melissa chuckled. "It is, I assure you."
Katherine bit her lip as she watched Melissa and James exchange pleasantries. Though she would never admit it, she had hopes that Melissa would be right for her brother. She knew that behind both their facades were people that could probably get along quite well. Katherine quickly shook off the thought as she moved over to Matthieu. "Melissa, this is Lievtenant Matthieu Rhodes Gillette, also of His Majesty's Royal Navy." Gillette and Melissa also exchanged greetings. Just then, a portly older gentleman with thick sideburns walked up to the group. Melissa noticed him and quickly smiled as she motioned for him to join her. Seconds later a young man of about 15 years appeared at their side.
"This is my uncle, Mr. Joshua Meyerson, and my brother, Marcus," she started as she took Meyerson's left arm and looked around the group. "Uncle, this my dear friend Katherine Norrington; Commodore Norrington, commander of the Port Royale fleet; and Lievtenant Gillette."
Meyerson stepped forward and offered his hand to James. "An honor to meet you, Commodore. I trust my ships will be perfectly safe in your harbor," he said pleasantly.
Norrington took Meyerson's hand. "Your trust is well placed, Mr. Meyerson. I do admit we hold our own here in Port Royale."
"Hold your own?" scoffed Meyerson as he turned to his young nephew. "Marcus, the Commodore here is often regarded as the great pirate hunter himself. I hardly think 'holding our own' describes your effectiveness, Commodore," finished the older gentleman.
"You've seen pirates?" inquired Marcus eagerly, forgetting all propriety. "That must be terribly exciting."
Norrington smiled and quickly glanced down. That last remark reminded him of a young Elizabeth Swann and her opinion of pirates. He was about to respond when Gillette beat him to it.
"Dead, or live ones? Or undead, rather…we've seen both," he said with a proud smile. It quickly faded from his face when he glanced around and noticed the blatant confusion amongst the expressions of Melissa, Marcus, and Joshua Meyerson. Gillette turned and looked at Norrington, who was yet again staring at him in disbelief. Matthieu nodded and hastily excused himself as he retreated to the carriage in embarrassment.
"You will have to excuse him," covered Katherine. "He and the Commodore here were both injured a short while ago on one of their pirate hunts. I'm afraid our dear Lievtenant is not feeling quite himself." Moments later the group moved to the wagons and carriages to make their way toward Meyerson's new property. Norrington turned to approach his horse, only to find Darby flinging Mullroy's hat once more above the beleaguered men's heads in his bored and unforgiving jaws. James sighed as he reached up and pulled that hat from Darby's teeth and handed it back to Mullroy. Norrington then mounted and followed the line of vehicles up the hill and away from the docks.
