DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything POTC related

NEW SCENE

CHAPTER 4

A Sword Order

Reverend Danforth stepped out of the wooden carriage and walked up the stairs to the governor's house and knocked.

"Good day, Reverend Danforth," the butler said opening the door.

"Good day. I was wondering if my daughter was here?"

"Yes, sir she is."

"I must speak with her. May I come in?"

"Of course, sir." The butler stood aside and allowed the Reverend to enter. "Wait here, please." With that the butler walked away and into the study where Hope, now seventeen, and Elizabeth, now sixteen sat reading. "Miss Danforth." Hope looked up. "Your father is here. He says he must speak with you." The two girls looked at each other confused.

"Why on earth would my father come here to speak with me?"

"I don't know. You should probably go see why."

"Right. Thank you, Henry." she said as she hurried out of the study and into the foyer.

"Father?" Hope said catching sight of her father.

"Hope."

"What is it? Are you all right?" she said walking to him.

"Yes, everything is perfectly fine. I only came to ask a favor. A family is baptizing their newborn child today or I would have done this myself."

"What is it? I'll take care of it."

"I need you to place a sword order for me."

"Why not have Ann or Miles do it?"

"I would have but they are off doing errands of their own. I need you to do this for me today, and tell Mr. Brown that I will need it by the end of the week."

"Okay. What do you wish me to ask for?" Danforth smiled and gave her a list of what he needed before taking his leave. Elizabeth continued reading as Hope returned to the study. "I'm sorry. I must run. My father wishes me to place an order for a sword. And no one else is around to do so."

"All right. Do you want me to ask someone to escort you?"

"No, that won't be necessary. I'll be fine by myself."

"Very well. Be careful."

"I will. Goodbye." Hope grabbed her things and met the carriage master outside as she was driven into town. "Wait here. I will return shortly," she said to the driver as he opened the door and helped her down.

"Yes, Miss Danforth." Hope then continued into town and to the Blacksmith shop. When she reached the shop she lifted her fist to knock but stopped when she heard the clanging of swords. Confused by this she knocked again, but received no answer. She knocked a few more times and still received no answer.

"Mr. Brown?" she yelled knocking again, no reply, but the swords continued. "Mr. Brown I have an order that I need to place. Mr. Brown?" she yelled again and received no reply. She stood there for a moment thinking of what to do. She knew she should not barge into someone's shop. Making up her mind she looked around her and when she saw no one watching her she entered the shop. As she entered the shop she saw two boys about her age engaged in a sword fight. They both had their hair tied back loose, the only difference was the color of their hair, one was brown the other blonde. Their fighting caught her off guard and she backed away a little. When she looked to her left she saw a sleeping, overweight, and scruffy looking man in a black apron sitting on chair, one leg propped on a bucket, and in one hand he held an almost empty bottle of liquid which she figured was rum. The two boys still hadn't noticed her entrance. She watched the two fight and was intrigued and fascinated by their fluid moves and how agile they both were. When the one with brown hair threw the other to the ground she called out. "Excuse me." The two stopped and looked over at her, both staring wide-eyed in shock. She looked at the one with brown hair and recognized him. "Mr. Turner?"

"Miss Danforth. I do apologize. I can only imagine what you are thinking."

"No, it's perfectly all right. I should be the one to apologize for barging in like this. I knocked and called out several times but no one answered."

"Sorry about that," Will said as the other boy stood up, dusted himself off, and smiled at her.

"Will? Aren't you going to introduce me to your lady friend?"

"Oh, right. Thomas, this is Miss Hope Danforth she's the…"

"Daughter of Reverend Danforth," Thomas said walking over to the raised ground she stood on, grabbed her hand, and kissed it.

"It's a pleasure, Miss Danforth. My name is Thomas Gibbon, merchant sailor," Hope smiled. Will stood back glaring at Thomas.

"Mr. Turner…"

"Please, call me Will."

"Very well, Will. My father sent me to place an order for a sword."

"Your father sent his beautiful daughter out here alone and none the less, into a blacksmith shop to place an order. Why not someone else?" Thomas said trying to sound sincere. This comment surprised Hope and she instantly took an alert behavior.

"Our servants were detained with other matters. He would have come himself, but he had a baptism today."

"He still should have sent someone to escort you. Even in daylight Port Royal can be a dangerous place, especially with a few pirates lurking about." Hope stared at him.

"Yes, quite. As I was saying, my father didn't tell me what it was for but he said he needed it by the end of the week."

"Of course, Miss Danforth. I shall begin work on it immediately." Hope looked at him confused. "Sorry. I'm Mr. Brown's apprentice. I mostly do the orders myself since he is usually drunk, like he is now," Will said walking over to her.

"Oh. I was wondering about that for a moment. My father gave me a list of what he wanted and I will let you handle it from there," Hope said handing him the list. "Will. May I ask you a question?"

"Anything."

"How long have you been sword fighting?"

"Since I was very young. My father taught me, being skilled himself."

"Have you ever taught anyone?"

"No. I can't say that I have."

"Would you be willing too?" Will looked at her strangely.

"I think I could. Was there someone you wanted me to teach?" Hope was hesitant for a moment.

"Yes. Me." Both Will and Thomas looked at her shocked. "Yes I know what you are thinking. An aristocratic girl has no business handling a sword or learning how to use one. I can't believe I'm asking this myself. I know that it's unheard of but I don't care. Somewhere out there is the pirate who murdered my sister and I will not rest until he is brought to justice. I don't care what people think. I'm tired of being treated has if I can't do one thing but keep house and take care of a family." Will as silent. "Please, Will. No one has to know."

"Miss Danforth…"

"Will, please."

"Hope. I would gladly teach you but if we were to be caught the consequences for me could be severe."

"No. I'll have agreed to this willingly. They cannot punish you for anything. If they do I'll tell them that you were adamant but that I convinced you. Please, Will."

"But you barely know me."

"That doesn't matter to me. I have a feeling that I can trust you. I don't know how or why I feel that, but I do." Will was silent again.

"Forget about him. He's too scared. Allow me to teach you," Thomas said climbing up too her level. "I can teach you everything you want to know. And just maybe a little bit more," he said making his last sentence slower and taking his finger and moving a tendril away from her face.

"Step away, sir. You're too close. And I don't wish for your help," Hope said moving his hand away and stepping back. "And if I recall, it was you who was on the ground when I called for your attention a few moments ago."

"You are passing up a great opportunity, Hope."

"It's Miss Danforth to you." Thomas glared at her. "Will? What do you say? Can you teach me?"

"I can. Meet me here tomorrow night."

"Thank you. But, the only problem is I don't possess the proper attire."

"I'll take care of that. And as for your father's order. It will be delivered on time."

"Thank you. I will see you tomorrow then. Good day, Will. Mr. Gibbon," she said saying Thomas' name with disdain as she left the blacksmith shop. Thomas was angered by her treatment of him.

"She won't get away with this. No one has ever turned down, Thomas Gibbon." With that he stormed out of the shop and saw Hope a few feet in front of him. He ran to her and grabbed her arm forcibly.

"Mr. Gibbon, remove your hand from my arm this instant," she yelled.

"Not until you listen. I have never been talked to like that and will never be talked to like that ever, especially not from a female." His grip tightened.

"You're hurting me. Please let go." She looked around her and saw a woman just staring at her. Hope sent her a pleading look to help but the woman turned and ran.

SCENE CHANGE

The Royal Navy was setting out for yet another tour and today in particular supplies were being loaded onto the Dauntless and the Interceptor. Lieutenant Norrington, now Captain Norrington, was talking with Gillette, now a Lieutenant, and a few others when the shouts from a woman broke their conversation.

"Help! We need help!" she yelled.

"Marines!" Norrington yelled as Gillette, and several other marines ran into town.

SCENE CHANGE

"I have never before been turned down by a woman and this will not be the first!" Thomas yelled pulling Hope to the wall.

"Thomas! Stop!" Will yelled coming from the shop and tried to pull him from Hope.

"You stay out of this!" he yelled pushing him into some barrels. By this time more people's attention were caught but no one did anything.

"Please. Stop this," Hope pleaded with him as she tried to run but he was too strong for her. "Guards! Someone help!" she screamed out.

"Don't you dare start screaming!" he said pulling her into an alley and pinning her against the wall. "We'll see how you act when I'm through with you," he said as he started kissing her neck. Hope screamed out again and he slapped her.

SCENE CHANGE

Norrington and his guards arrived by the Blacksmith shop as Will tried to get up.

"You two, help this man." Norrington said pointing to two of his guards when a scream filled the area.

"He took her into the alley," Will said as he struggled to get up. Norrington, Gillette and two others headed to the alley next to the shop and found the two. Thomas still had Hope pinned to the wall.

"Release the girl!" Norrington yelled. When Thomas turned his head Norrington and Gillette saw that it was Hope.

"Hope," Gillette said.

"Edward!" Hope said in despair. Panicking Thomas fled.

"You men, after him." The two remaining guards ran after Thomas as Norrington and Gillette ran to Hope. Gillette was the first to reach her. She was hunched over, shaking, and had her arms wrapped around her body.

"Hope. Good heavens, are you all right?" he said holding her face in his hands. When she didn't say anything he embraced her. After a few moments he walked her out of the alley.

"Did he hurt you?" Norrington asked.

"Nothing that requires any worry," she said still being held by Gillette.

"What were you doing out here alone?"

"My father asked me to put in a sword order. He had a baptism to do and all the servants were detained."

"What about an escort?"

"No. I thought I would be fine, my carriage being not that far away. I knew I wasn't going to take long." Norrington sighed disapprovingly.

"The important thing is that you're safe now. But from now on, if you go out take an escort with you." Hope nodded. "Do you remember that man's name?"

"Thomas Gibbon." Gillette and Norrington looked at each recognizing the name.

"That man has quite a reputation. He has been preying on women all over the Caribbean. On top of that he's a thief. Many are certain he's a pirate. If so, he will be hung within the day."

"No less than he deserves," Hope said with anger.

"Captain Norrington?" When he turned around Will over with the two marines that helped him.

"My name is Will Turner. That man has been here in Port Royal for over a year. I called him my friend, but I can see now that was probably all a lie."

"Why didn't you help, Miss Danforth?" Gillette demanded.

"I tried but he threw me into those barrels and pulled her away."

"Thank you, Mr. Turner. You may return to what you were doing before this situation." Will nodded and threw a quick look at Hope as she mouthed 'thank you' before he reentered his shop. Just as Will left the two guards returned with Thomas in irons.

"So. You would rather have a marine," he said catching sight of Hope and Gillette. "Good choice." Norrington marched over to Thomas and lifted his right shirt sleeve and saw the branded P.

"Well. What do we have here? A pirate? Take him away,"

"Sir," one of the guards said as they dragged Thomas to the fort.

"Gillette. Escort her home and stay with her until I arrive." Gillette nodded as he led Hope away to the carriage that had been waiting for her.

SCENE CHANGE

When they reached the carriage Gillette helped her up.

"Where to, sir?" the driver asked.

"The Danforth's residence," Gillette said as he climbed into the carriage. As the carriage drove off Gillette looked over at Hope. She was staring blankly out the window. He looked down at her hands and saw that her right hand was shaking. He reached over and covered it with his own.

"I hate them. They're all the same black-hearted pirates no matter which way you look at it."

"Everything's going to be fine. He's been arrested and I can guarantee you, he will hang."

"I just don't understand why they act like they do."

"There are a great many things we don't understand about them, in much the same way they don't understand the things we do."

"I know, but, it's still difficult."

"Hope, look at me." She slowly turned her head.

"We will find the pirate who killed your sister. Captain Norrington will make sure of it, not just because he loved her, but because everytime he sees you he's reminded of his promise. He swore to your sister he would protect you and he knows that you want revenge just as much as him." Hope gave a small smile before placing her head on his shoulder as they continued on to the Danforth house.

NOTE: I know I know. I said happy chapters. I'm sorry don't throw anything at me. I swear this time. PLEASE REVIEW!!!

ArianaielNightstar

Next Chapter: Asking Permission