Norrington had not taken more then five paces from the forge when his words to Turner came back and struck him. What in the hell was I thinking? he asked himself in disbelief. Why did I ever allow the idea into my damned head? James's personal assault continued as he mounted Darby and started back toward home once more. Norrington had not been promoted through the ranks with such blazing speed for no reason. He had always demonstrated a great, unwavering sense of duty that made him one of the most trustworthy and promising young officers his superiors had ever seen. James's dedication and skill in battle had served him well, earning him the title of Commodore and the honor of being one of the youngest captains in all of the Royal Navy. And here he was, the textbook commanding officer, considering allowing a pirate such as Sparrow into Port Royale territory. Unheard of, James thought to himself. The simple thought of doing Elizabeth a favor had opened up a door and weakened him in front of Turner. He reined Darby to a sudden halt and spun the horse around on his haunches. Norrington paused for a moment as he looked down the road. The light was starting to fade, but this issue needed to be resolved. He would not allow Will or Elizabeth any false hopes, and so he urged the big grey into a brisk canter back toward Brown's forge.
"The Commodore dropped by today," said Will quietly as he finished putting his tools away and turned toward Elizabeth. "I inquired about Jack."
Elizabeth looked up from the sword she was studying. "Dare I ask what he said?" she questioned sarcastically. "Other than 'no,' of course…"
Will smiled softly. "Actually, he said he would consider it," he declared, almost as if the change in the Commodore's thinking was a source of pride.
Elizabeth turned back toward Will with an exasperated expression. "Will, you know he won't allow it. So long as he's still capable of barking out orders, Jack will never be able to come here. You should know that by now. Besides, I do not believe the Commodore is in the right sorts these days."
"And why do you say that?" inquired Will as he furrowed his brow curiously.
"He's been avoiding me like the plague of late, Will. I don't know…I've known the man for over eight years now and like to think that I am capable of reading the little emotion he has. I doubt he would be so inclined to do me any favors, let alone go entirely against protocol and allow Jack Sparrow into Port Royale," Elizabeth declared with a slight nod of satisfaction.
"Well, it does not matter right now," said Will as he placed his apron across the anvil and walked over behind Elizabeth. He placed a strong arm around her left shoulder and allowed his hand to slip deftly down her neck and toward her chest. Will placed his right hand on her chin and guided her face back toward him as he leaned down and kissed her. Elizabeth placed a loving hand on his cheek as they became lost in the kiss. At that very moment a knock fell upon the door.
Elizabeth reluctantly broke the embrace as she stood back and looked at the door. "I should expect that is the Commodore now, coming to tell us to improve our taste in wedding guests," she said coolly.
Will grumbled before moving toward the door and slowly opening it. It was certainly not the Commodore. "May I help you, sir?" asked Will of the stranger before him. The man was slightly shorter than Will and wore a long, black coat. His garb seemed respectable and his long hair and beard well kept. The man rapped his walking stick once on the cobblestone street before taking a step toward Will and speaking.
"Best to not leave old friends standing out in the street, mate."
Will froze at the sound of that voice. That confident, perhaps even arrogant tone combined with the unforgettable swagger. The man stepped forth from the shadows and revealed a predominantly golden smile.
"Jack…" stammered Will, his voice barely above a whisper. "What are you doing here?" he asked as he grabbed Jack's arm and dragged him into the forge.
"A simple 'ello' would have done just fine, ye know," stated a somewhat disenchanted Jack Sparrow. He straightened himself up and wrinkled his face as he looked around the forge. "You really ought to do something with the place, mate," he said thoughtfully. His gaze then fell on Elizabeth. "Although, I must hand it to you Will, she makes a fine decoration." Jack looked back at Will and flashed his trademark smile.
"Enough, Jack!" shouted Will as he quickly stepped up to Jack. "What are you doing here? You will be hanged if you're caught here."
"Well then let's hope I don't get caught, eh?" said Jack sarcastically. He then turned back to Elizabeth and kissed her hand like a polished gentleman. "Good evenin' to you, love."
Elizabeth shook her head and did her best to smother her smile. "Good evening Jack Sparrow," she said. "Would you care to tell me why you've come?" she asked sweetly, hoping to set Jack right.
"Seeing that you asked so nicely," started Jack. "I suppose I could. You see, I figured you two would be doing the deed soon enough, so I thought it best to drop in and wish you the best of luck," he declared as he casually slapped Will on the back.
"Doing the deed?" asked a confused Elizabeth.
"Well, you know…" began Jack with a flurry of hand gestures. It was quite obvious that the subject was not in his usual repertoire.
"Getting married?" inserted Will.
"That's it!" exclaimed Jack as he pointed back toward Will with a wide grin upon his face. "You see, I was in the area and decided to give my best wishes now so as not to arouse suspicion. I try to take advantage of the opportune moment…something dear William here does not do very well," Jack declared as he turned to Will with a overly sympathetic look. He then threw his right arm around Will and his left around Elizabeth and drew them together. Elizabeth stared somewhat contemptuously at his hand upon her shoulder and subtly shook her head.
"Jack, your candor is nearly insulting," said Will as he placed his hand on his hip in silent frustration.
"No," retorted Jack. "Insulting would be calling you a dainty silly little fairy man. But you're not. So it isn't. But then again, if you were a dainty silly little fairy man, it would be the truth, not insulting. Unless, of course, you did not like being a dainty, silly, little, or a fairy, in which case I suppose it would be insulting."
"Thank you, Jack," muttered Will.
"You're welcome. Now," declared Jack as he turned back to Elizabeth. "Let us celebrate and revel in the company of fine rum." Jack then swaggered off about the forge looking for drinks, throwing aside various tools and supplies and sending them crashing into heaps along the wall.
Will gritted his teeth and strode to Sparrow's side. "Not now, Jack! You have to leave before you - " His words trailed of as hoof beats were heard on the cobblestone just outside the forge.
"Before I what?" inquired Jack.
"Get caught," affirmed Will. He then shoved Jack into the corner by the stairs and shot a warning glance to Elizabeth as he approached the door and opened it cautiously. Elizabeth followed.
"Commodore! I trust I find you well," greeted Will, his tone elevated so as to carry back into the forge. Elizabeth quickly glared at Jack before stepping outside to keep Norrington from discovering their unexpected guest.
"Mr. Turner, I – Miss Swann, good evening," greeted Norrington from atop Darby's back. "I do not wish to detain you for long. However, I should like to inform you that your request is simply not possible. I cannot consciously overlook my duties to the Fleet or the people of Port Royale. Mr. Sparrow and his kind are criminals and I am afraid the only hospitality I may show them is the noose," James declared. Right then he heard a muffled sound from atop the roof of the forge. He glanced upward suspiciously, but saw nothing.
"I'm sorry you feel that way, Commodore. I understand," lamented Will as he quickly glanced upward, having also heard the noise. Suddenly a dark shadow leapt from the low roof and came plunging down on top of Norrington, taking him completely by surprise. The two crashed onto the street as the horse scurried sideways in surprise. Will instinctively jumped in front of Elizabeth in order to shield her from the danger as he watched the dark figure hover over the fallen Commodore. The person looked up and revealed his identity. "Jack!" exclaimed Will through gritted teeth. "He was just about to leave!"
"Sorry about that, mate," said Jack apologetically to the now unconscious Norrington as he daintily patted the Commodore's shoulder. "Couldn't have ya seein' me now, could I?"
"What have you done?" asked Elizabeth hastily as she approached the lifeless Norrington. "Is he alright?"
"Aye, he'll be just fine," said Jack. "Just a little bump."
"You dropped him head first into the cobblestone, Jack," noted Will with arms crossed.
"Royal Navy doesn't make 'em like they used to," declared Jack. He and Will then moved Norrington into the forge with Elizabeth at their heels. Will retrieved the spooked Darby and tied him in one of the stalls before returning back to Norrington's side.
"Jack, I think it would be best if you go now. Navy men are going to be searching the area soon enough wondering where he is, and you cannot be around for it. It will be bad for all of us," said Will as he placed a confident hand on Jack's arm. The pirate turned to him and paused for a moment and nodded. He took both Elizabeth and Will by the arm and walked them toward the door.
"Now I want you both to listen very carefully," he started in a satirical, philosophical manner. "These are the best years of your lives. Now I want you to enjoy every day and live for freedom – don't be afraid to head on out there and do something. And most importantly, when the opportune moment arises, take advantage of it."
Will turned thoughtfully to Jack and smiled softly as he held out his hand. "Thank you Jack, for everything. I never got to thank you before for all of your assistance, dishonest and unpredictable though it may be," he teased.
Sparrow happily shook Will's hand and grinned. "Well you know I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishon-"
"I already heard it, Jack," said Will quickly as he held up his hand. Elizabeth said her thanks and shortly Jack was back on his way to the docks under his disguise and the cover of nightfall. He had a passage on a small merchant brig where he would meet up with the Black Pearl in a day or two at another port. Will smiled as he watched his friend slip into the night. He was not saddened at all. He knew that Captain Jack Sparrow would make another appearance in their lives, and Will would wait expectantly for that day. He only hoped it would be on good terms, and not at the gallows. Will chuckled and then turned back to the forge.
He found Elizabeth sitting next to Norrington, who was still quite unconscious. He walked over and put an arm around her shoulders as he surveyed the damage. "How is he?
Elizabeth fingered the handkerchief she was using and showed Will the blood. "He hit the back of his head, but he's been moving some so I think he should come around soon enough." Right then the Commodore began to stir and groaned quietly. Elizabeth took hold of his sleeve. "James…" she said softly in an attempt to comfort him. She had only called him by his first name one other time – that day aboard the Dauntless after accepting his proposal. She did not truly mean it then, and she was not sure she meant it now. She smiled some as he began to come around.
Elizabeth then turned to Will and whispered to him. "Time to think of a brilliant story to save all our hides," she said with a smile.
