Disclaimer: I don't own anything POTC related (except for my character of
course) but it would be nice to have my own Captain Jack Sparrow for
entertainment!
Captain of the Fluffies: Muahahaha! Now you have one. Just think of it as incentive to begin your own work, luvvie. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Sparrow's Daughter
By Anlei
Chapter Three
"Shut that door, you silly girl!" Clara cried as she quickly yanked Annabelle inside. About to question Clara for her strange behavior she heard the tell tale sounds of yet another fight between Mr. and Mrs. Norrington. "I won't be surprised if the neighbors hear them at this rate!" Clara hissed, looking out the windows for anyone who might be around.
"Don't you mean all of Port Royale?" Annabelle sarcastically asked, placing the sword on a nearby table. She heard a crash from the upstairs bedroom and cringed. She hoped whatever was thrown did not clock Norrington on his head. "What are they fighting about now?"
Clara stiffened a bit and cast her gaze on the young woman before her. She knew about every fight that occurred between the masters of the house but she was reluctant to give much detail about them. Especially now that Annabelle had returned. She set her lips in a thin line before saying, "Never mind that, young miss. We still have work to do around here. I'd recommend you being quick about that package then joining me in the laundry room." Clara scurried off in the direction of the laundry room shooing, the rest of the clientele with her.
Suddenly, the study door burst open and out came an enraged Mrs. Norrington, barking at some poor soul to ready the carriage. She was to ride to her sister's house for a while. She noticed Annabelle standing sheepishly in the foyer and gave her a nasty look before disappearing behind her bedroom door.
Annabelle knew it would be foolish to attempt asking for permission to leave now. He was in no mind for logical thinking. She turned to the sword lying on the table next to her. Maybe I can send this in by way of someone else...she thought. But she really didn't want to send someone else to deal with his temper, as tempting as it was.
Reluctantly, she picked up the sword and walked up the stairs. Inside his study, Norrington's eyes were cast out the window. To anyone else, he seemed only lost in thought. But Annabelle knew him well enough to know the difference. Inside he was seething. His hands were clutched behind his back so tightly that his knuckles were white from the tension. His back was rigid and could rival the wall for straightness.
Do I really want to give him a weapon right now? Annabelle wondered. The less reasonable parts of her brain were imaging what he would do to her if she unintentionally angered him further. She knew she was being silly but hesitating at his door seemed a better choice than actually going inside.
Norrington's mind was a whirl of anger and confusion. He and his wife had never fought so horribly before. It was never so bad that she would leave. Beneath the fury he felt he deeply feared that she would leave him. He still loved her as he always had despite the seemingly hateful tone she would take with him when she was upset. He couldn't imagine a life without her. He longed for the happier days of his life when he'd retreat to her arms at night. She rarely smiled, rarely laughed, and it seemed that her scowl was permanently etched into her beautiful face.
They were fighting about Annabelle again. She was convinced that he loved Annabelle more than his own two sons. He never understood how she could question such a thing. He adored both James II and Eric more than his own life! Though, deep in his heart he knew that he cared Annabelle like a daughter. It was only because of his wife and Annabelle's pirate lineage that kept him from formally introducing her as a family member.
When he had first seen the tiny girl in the infirmary seven years ago he never saw her as the spawn of a pirate. She looked so frightened and so sad. Just the memory of the tears streaming down her darkened face tugged at his heart. He surprised even himself when he announced that he would take her home though he did not show it. What was it that affected him so?
Perhaps his own tragic past convinced his heart to allow her in his home. He was very young when his parents had died. He was only ten, spending his summer in London with his grandparents as he did ever year. Yet that summer, when his parents returned to take him back home to Port Royale did his life change. Their vessel was attacked by pirates and sent in pieces to the bottom of the ocean. Even after so many years the memory of it was still painful. He remained in London under his grandparents care until he was old enough to come into his inheritance. When they died shortly after, he decided to join the royal navy then with the promise to rid the entire ocean of pirates.
He worked hard to come into his position as commodore. He had the life he wanted. He was considered the best in the fleet. No one had been able to bring down as many pirates as he. And for the longest time ridding the seas of pirates was his only concern. Then he married Rebecca, his beautiful wife who bore him two perfect sons. Suddenly, spending all of his time on the ocean seemed like a chore if it meant that he was to be away for too long. Being a husband and father softened his heart. That and the infamous Jack Sparrow. Though the pirate was still the most irritating man Norrington ever had the displeasure of meeting, he found himself respecting the man (although he'd rather die that utter those words out loud) for his actions over two decades ago.
Perhaps it was all these that had convinced him to take in thirteen year old Annabelle. He sighed deeply wondering was else it was that caused a rift between him and his wife. His treatment of Annabelle was only part of it. He only wished he could figure out the rest.
"Sir?" A timid voice called from behind him. He was startled to realize that Annabelle was standing the doorway to his study. Just how long had he been standing there lost in thought? He noticed her hesitant face and the sword clutched in her small hands. Funny how strange a weapon looked in her hands.
"You don't have to stand in the hall, Anna, you may enter." He said. No, he would not think about the stress his wife caused him while Annabelle was around. He did not wish to take his anger out on her. She slowly moved in, her eyes trained to the floor.
"I have the sword you asked for." She handed the blade to him.
He took the blade out of her hands. She stepped back as he pulled the sword from its sheath. He admired its fine craftsmanship for a moment before returning it. "Again Mr. Turner has outdone himself. James will be more than pleased with is gift." He remarked more to himself than to her. He walked to his desk to place the sword there. His son, who took after his father and joined the royal navy, would be celebrating his twenty fourth birthday in a few weeks. He intended to present the sword to him then as a birthday gift and as congratulations on becoming a captain.
"Thank you, my dear. You may return to your duties." He said, noticing that she began toy with the apron around her waist. She obviously wanted to speak with him about something but seemed unable to form the words. "Annabelle?" He called.
"Sir...there is something I would like to speak to you on." She replied nervously. It seemed that whatever she was thinking weighed heavily on her mind and he knew now was not the time for an important discussion. Again, his mind wandered back to the fight with his wife and he messaged the bridge of his nose. Why couldn't he push those thoughts out of his head for once? He needed to focus on his work.
"Very well, we'll speak after dinner. Come here when you have finished today's tasks." Annabelle nodded, bowed, and then disappeared out into the hall.
Annabelle made her way to the laundry room to join the rest of the maids in washing and folding, trying not to worry about her talk with Norrington that evening. She was worried more than she wanted to admit. Clara met her at the door, ushering her inside.
"Well I don't see any outward signs of damage. You're quite the lucky one!" Annabelle gave a short laugh while taking a basket of clothes to wash.
"If I had to give that sword to Mrs. Norrington I wouldn't have been so lucky."
"Hold your tongue, child." Annabelle smiled knowing that secretly Clara agreed with her but wouldn't speak so candidly of her mistress in the presence of others. "It's because Master Norrington wouldn't want to hurt you if he didn't have to that you shed no tears now."
"I don't understand why he would show such favor to me. I am a servant just like the others."
Clara rolled her eyes. "Don't be stupid, child."
Annabelle shook her head. "He brought me here to be a maid, Miss Clara, not a daughter."
"Well, knowing your heritage, he couldn't call you his child and still maintain his place in society."
Everything halted for Annabelle at that moment. She ceased washing and turned to look at Clara. "What do you know of my heritage?" She asked slowly.
Clara stopped working. Annabelle was staring intently at the older woman. She realized that she had spoken too much. Norrington had made it clear that if Annabelle did not remember her pirate heritage that there was no reason to remind her of it. She agreed even though she felt it was wrong to hide it from Annabelle.
"Finish your work." She said curtly, going back to her own washing. But Annabelle would not listen.
"Clara!" She ignored Annabelle and scrubbed with fervor. Annabelle stood up and pulled the older woman into a side room.
"Please, you have to tell me what you know." Annabelle begged, looking straight into Clara's eyes. Clara looked away.
"Don't be silly child, now is not the time for-!" Clara began trying to walk back into the room but Annabelle grabbed the other woman's arms.
"Please, Clara! I have to know. I've been living in the dark for so many years, please tell me!" Clara sighed in frustration. "Please..." She pried Annabelle's hands from her arms then closed the door, making sure none of the other workers heard anything not meant for their ears.
"Tell me, child. What do you remember of the day Norrington brought you to this house?" Clara asked lowering her voice.
Annabelle thought back. "I remember...I only remember waking up in a hospital bed. They said I had a concussion."
"Yes, you did. And a serious one at that, my dear. What else? Do you remember how you came to that hospital?" Clara pressed, trying to see just how much Annabelle knew about her past.
"Only what Mr. Norrington told me. He said that I was aboard a ship that was destroyed. A sailor found me and carried me over to their ship and brought me here. He never told me anything else. Not even the name of the ship I was on." Annabelle replied. Why was Clara so hesitant? What could be so bad that she couldn't tell Annabelle?
"It's just as well. I was never told the ship's name, child. But it was no merchant vessel they found you upon. But a pirate ship."
A pirate ship?
Visions of a battle passed before her eyes. Sailors against pirates in the dead of the night and cannons tearing through the air...But that was all.
Why was I there?
"Why was I on a pirate ship, Clara?" Annabelle asked cautiously.
"Dear girl, do use your head. You were on that ship because you are the child of pirates! Oh dear, I've said too much. You had best forget what I told you, Miss. You're the employee of a commodore, a commodore of the royal navy no less! Not a pirate!" Having said enough Clara turned and left a stunned Annabelle standing alone in the room.
There was no forgetting what she had learned. "It can't be...I'm a...pirate?"
AN: Hehe, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! ^_^
Captain of the Fluffies: Muahahaha! Now you have one. Just think of it as incentive to begin your own work, luvvie. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Sparrow's Daughter
By Anlei
Chapter Three
"Shut that door, you silly girl!" Clara cried as she quickly yanked Annabelle inside. About to question Clara for her strange behavior she heard the tell tale sounds of yet another fight between Mr. and Mrs. Norrington. "I won't be surprised if the neighbors hear them at this rate!" Clara hissed, looking out the windows for anyone who might be around.
"Don't you mean all of Port Royale?" Annabelle sarcastically asked, placing the sword on a nearby table. She heard a crash from the upstairs bedroom and cringed. She hoped whatever was thrown did not clock Norrington on his head. "What are they fighting about now?"
Clara stiffened a bit and cast her gaze on the young woman before her. She knew about every fight that occurred between the masters of the house but she was reluctant to give much detail about them. Especially now that Annabelle had returned. She set her lips in a thin line before saying, "Never mind that, young miss. We still have work to do around here. I'd recommend you being quick about that package then joining me in the laundry room." Clara scurried off in the direction of the laundry room shooing, the rest of the clientele with her.
Suddenly, the study door burst open and out came an enraged Mrs. Norrington, barking at some poor soul to ready the carriage. She was to ride to her sister's house for a while. She noticed Annabelle standing sheepishly in the foyer and gave her a nasty look before disappearing behind her bedroom door.
Annabelle knew it would be foolish to attempt asking for permission to leave now. He was in no mind for logical thinking. She turned to the sword lying on the table next to her. Maybe I can send this in by way of someone else...she thought. But she really didn't want to send someone else to deal with his temper, as tempting as it was.
Reluctantly, she picked up the sword and walked up the stairs. Inside his study, Norrington's eyes were cast out the window. To anyone else, he seemed only lost in thought. But Annabelle knew him well enough to know the difference. Inside he was seething. His hands were clutched behind his back so tightly that his knuckles were white from the tension. His back was rigid and could rival the wall for straightness.
Do I really want to give him a weapon right now? Annabelle wondered. The less reasonable parts of her brain were imaging what he would do to her if she unintentionally angered him further. She knew she was being silly but hesitating at his door seemed a better choice than actually going inside.
Norrington's mind was a whirl of anger and confusion. He and his wife had never fought so horribly before. It was never so bad that she would leave. Beneath the fury he felt he deeply feared that she would leave him. He still loved her as he always had despite the seemingly hateful tone she would take with him when she was upset. He couldn't imagine a life without her. He longed for the happier days of his life when he'd retreat to her arms at night. She rarely smiled, rarely laughed, and it seemed that her scowl was permanently etched into her beautiful face.
They were fighting about Annabelle again. She was convinced that he loved Annabelle more than his own two sons. He never understood how she could question such a thing. He adored both James II and Eric more than his own life! Though, deep in his heart he knew that he cared Annabelle like a daughter. It was only because of his wife and Annabelle's pirate lineage that kept him from formally introducing her as a family member.
When he had first seen the tiny girl in the infirmary seven years ago he never saw her as the spawn of a pirate. She looked so frightened and so sad. Just the memory of the tears streaming down her darkened face tugged at his heart. He surprised even himself when he announced that he would take her home though he did not show it. What was it that affected him so?
Perhaps his own tragic past convinced his heart to allow her in his home. He was very young when his parents had died. He was only ten, spending his summer in London with his grandparents as he did ever year. Yet that summer, when his parents returned to take him back home to Port Royale did his life change. Their vessel was attacked by pirates and sent in pieces to the bottom of the ocean. Even after so many years the memory of it was still painful. He remained in London under his grandparents care until he was old enough to come into his inheritance. When they died shortly after, he decided to join the royal navy then with the promise to rid the entire ocean of pirates.
He worked hard to come into his position as commodore. He had the life he wanted. He was considered the best in the fleet. No one had been able to bring down as many pirates as he. And for the longest time ridding the seas of pirates was his only concern. Then he married Rebecca, his beautiful wife who bore him two perfect sons. Suddenly, spending all of his time on the ocean seemed like a chore if it meant that he was to be away for too long. Being a husband and father softened his heart. That and the infamous Jack Sparrow. Though the pirate was still the most irritating man Norrington ever had the displeasure of meeting, he found himself respecting the man (although he'd rather die that utter those words out loud) for his actions over two decades ago.
Perhaps it was all these that had convinced him to take in thirteen year old Annabelle. He sighed deeply wondering was else it was that caused a rift between him and his wife. His treatment of Annabelle was only part of it. He only wished he could figure out the rest.
"Sir?" A timid voice called from behind him. He was startled to realize that Annabelle was standing the doorway to his study. Just how long had he been standing there lost in thought? He noticed her hesitant face and the sword clutched in her small hands. Funny how strange a weapon looked in her hands.
"You don't have to stand in the hall, Anna, you may enter." He said. No, he would not think about the stress his wife caused him while Annabelle was around. He did not wish to take his anger out on her. She slowly moved in, her eyes trained to the floor.
"I have the sword you asked for." She handed the blade to him.
He took the blade out of her hands. She stepped back as he pulled the sword from its sheath. He admired its fine craftsmanship for a moment before returning it. "Again Mr. Turner has outdone himself. James will be more than pleased with is gift." He remarked more to himself than to her. He walked to his desk to place the sword there. His son, who took after his father and joined the royal navy, would be celebrating his twenty fourth birthday in a few weeks. He intended to present the sword to him then as a birthday gift and as congratulations on becoming a captain.
"Thank you, my dear. You may return to your duties." He said, noticing that she began toy with the apron around her waist. She obviously wanted to speak with him about something but seemed unable to form the words. "Annabelle?" He called.
"Sir...there is something I would like to speak to you on." She replied nervously. It seemed that whatever she was thinking weighed heavily on her mind and he knew now was not the time for an important discussion. Again, his mind wandered back to the fight with his wife and he messaged the bridge of his nose. Why couldn't he push those thoughts out of his head for once? He needed to focus on his work.
"Very well, we'll speak after dinner. Come here when you have finished today's tasks." Annabelle nodded, bowed, and then disappeared out into the hall.
Annabelle made her way to the laundry room to join the rest of the maids in washing and folding, trying not to worry about her talk with Norrington that evening. She was worried more than she wanted to admit. Clara met her at the door, ushering her inside.
"Well I don't see any outward signs of damage. You're quite the lucky one!" Annabelle gave a short laugh while taking a basket of clothes to wash.
"If I had to give that sword to Mrs. Norrington I wouldn't have been so lucky."
"Hold your tongue, child." Annabelle smiled knowing that secretly Clara agreed with her but wouldn't speak so candidly of her mistress in the presence of others. "It's because Master Norrington wouldn't want to hurt you if he didn't have to that you shed no tears now."
"I don't understand why he would show such favor to me. I am a servant just like the others."
Clara rolled her eyes. "Don't be stupid, child."
Annabelle shook her head. "He brought me here to be a maid, Miss Clara, not a daughter."
"Well, knowing your heritage, he couldn't call you his child and still maintain his place in society."
Everything halted for Annabelle at that moment. She ceased washing and turned to look at Clara. "What do you know of my heritage?" She asked slowly.
Clara stopped working. Annabelle was staring intently at the older woman. She realized that she had spoken too much. Norrington had made it clear that if Annabelle did not remember her pirate heritage that there was no reason to remind her of it. She agreed even though she felt it was wrong to hide it from Annabelle.
"Finish your work." She said curtly, going back to her own washing. But Annabelle would not listen.
"Clara!" She ignored Annabelle and scrubbed with fervor. Annabelle stood up and pulled the older woman into a side room.
"Please, you have to tell me what you know." Annabelle begged, looking straight into Clara's eyes. Clara looked away.
"Don't be silly child, now is not the time for-!" Clara began trying to walk back into the room but Annabelle grabbed the other woman's arms.
"Please, Clara! I have to know. I've been living in the dark for so many years, please tell me!" Clara sighed in frustration. "Please..." She pried Annabelle's hands from her arms then closed the door, making sure none of the other workers heard anything not meant for their ears.
"Tell me, child. What do you remember of the day Norrington brought you to this house?" Clara asked lowering her voice.
Annabelle thought back. "I remember...I only remember waking up in a hospital bed. They said I had a concussion."
"Yes, you did. And a serious one at that, my dear. What else? Do you remember how you came to that hospital?" Clara pressed, trying to see just how much Annabelle knew about her past.
"Only what Mr. Norrington told me. He said that I was aboard a ship that was destroyed. A sailor found me and carried me over to their ship and brought me here. He never told me anything else. Not even the name of the ship I was on." Annabelle replied. Why was Clara so hesitant? What could be so bad that she couldn't tell Annabelle?
"It's just as well. I was never told the ship's name, child. But it was no merchant vessel they found you upon. But a pirate ship."
A pirate ship?
Visions of a battle passed before her eyes. Sailors against pirates in the dead of the night and cannons tearing through the air...But that was all.
Why was I there?
"Why was I on a pirate ship, Clara?" Annabelle asked cautiously.
"Dear girl, do use your head. You were on that ship because you are the child of pirates! Oh dear, I've said too much. You had best forget what I told you, Miss. You're the employee of a commodore, a commodore of the royal navy no less! Not a pirate!" Having said enough Clara turned and left a stunned Annabelle standing alone in the room.
There was no forgetting what she had learned. "It can't be...I'm a...pirate?"
AN: Hehe, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! ^_^