Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!
Chapter 37 - Privateer
Year 2 - Mid December
The Black Pearl and the Leochek sat at anchor in the harbour of Port Royal. The townspeople had returned and were slowly picking up the pieces of their lives. More returned that had fled inland, including Lieutenant Gillette and a number of soldiers from the fort, so the losses were not as bad as had been originally feared by the Commodore. It would, however, take a lot of rebuilding to return the town to any semblance of normality. Even some of the pirates were helping, remembering and returning to crafts that they had left for their life on ship. Will was extremely busy, blacksmithing often halfway through the night. Catherine, when not aboard the Black Pearl, helped Jill clean and tidy her brother's house.
A week later HMS Resolute sailed gracefully back into the harbour, completing the town's protection of ships. The Governor was unsure how to thank the pirates, but it was surprisingly the Commodore that came up with the answer – to reclassify the Black Pearl and the Leochek as privateer vessels and to pardon all crew members for any past crimes. Therefore they would be able to make safe anchorage in any English harbour – as long as they refrained from attacking English ships. Jack and Andrea both consulted their crews – and they accepted. Grateful of such an easy, and cheap solution, as well as ensuring better safety for English vessels, the Governor arranged to throw a grand soiree for the eminent townspeople, Captain Marra, Captain Sparrow and the English officers on the evening following the hanging.
Jack did not go to the hanging, neither did any of the pirate – sorry, privateer crews, but Theodore supported his sister as she watched. She stood at the back in her sand-coloured dress, nodding to herself as each man died. If anybody noticed she was crying, no mention was made. Finally Captain Bailie was brought from the cells to be hanged. He stared defiantly at the crowd, then frowned, puzzled, as a small woman made her way to the foot of the gallows.
"I vowed I would see you hang, Captain," she smiled, "and I'm so glad to have lived to see the day it came true." She returned to stand next to the English naval captain.
He puzzled for a moment, trying to place her before remembering the woman with the two young children on the Lynn. "Who was that?" he asked the hangman.
"Mistress Sparrow…" the man answered from beneath his leather hood.
Finally he made the connection as the trapdoor opened. Her hazel eyes were the last thing he ever saw.
88888
The Governor threw open the doors of the mansion, welcoming all that had helped in the recovery of Port Royal. He stared, somewhat unsure, when Captain Sparrow and his wife approached, forgetting for a moment that the man was not wanted for hanging. "Oh yes," he said to himself, "privateer!" He turned slightly, seeing his daughter walking carefully with the Sparrows. "Elizabeth! You look delightful!" At six months pregnant, Will held her arm gently in case she stumbled on the cobbles.
The room hushed when they entered, the town notables less sure of the Captain than the poorer townspeople had been, but the Commodore walked across the room and welcomed them warmly. At this sign of acceptance, the normal level of talk resumed.
"Bit touchy ain't they?" Jack smiled.
"You've probably robbed ships of theirs more than once," James Norrington reminded him. "And the Roseridge family are be here…".
"Ah yes," Jack drawled, "my favourites!"
"Mistress Cat!" A small boy launched himself at her – James Schott in all his finery. "They wouldn't let me bring Pearl," he pouted, "but I've got my lizard – do you wanna see?" He proudly brought out a box from one of his breeches pockets and opened it to show her.
Catherine, used to the ways of small boys, leaned close to inspect the wondrous creature. To be fair, it was only a small common lizard, but to James it was the world.
"That's a mighty fine lizard yer got there Jimmy!" Jack smiled, "But lizards aren't pets an' need t' be free… come with me an' we'll set 'im loose in th' garden." For a moment Catherine thought that James would cry, but he worshipped Jack and accepted what he said without question. Holding his hand, the infamous captain and small boy walked outside.
"An interesting spectacle," James Norrington commented.
"I think they are on the same level," Catherine smiled. "Is Theo here yet, Commodore?"
"I believe I saw him in the garden." Commodore Norrington offered her his arm. "Perhaps I may escort you, Mistress Sparrow?" To startled glances from nearby people, he led her from the room.
They found Jack and James sitting watching the lizard climb up a wall, gradually disappearing into the undergrowth. "Yer can't cage free things Jimmy…".
"Like pirates you mean?" James puzzled.
"Exactly me lad!" Jack grinned.
The Commodore cleared his throat. "Trying to corrupt the boy already Sparrow?" he smiled.
"I think it is pirates that need saving from James, Commodore, and not the other way around." Catherine sighed. "So I don't think you need to worry about him turning pirate… yet," she teased.
James Norrington looked at her sharply, but seeing her expression, realised he was being teased. "I should hope not, Mistress Sparrow."
"Cat! There you are! I thought the two of you had become lost!" Theodore Groves walked across the immaculate lawn towards them. "Commodore," he acknowledged. "Catherine, the dancing is about to start – and I never got my dance the last time…"
Catherine danced until her feet ached. Danced with Theodore, Will, several young officers, the Commodore, young James and with Jack on numerous occasions. Knowing he did not have to pretend to be Mister Wells he allowed his hands to wander scandalously!
88888