Author's Note: OooooO! This is probably the quickest update I've done so far! You can thank the people who reviewed for that! I LOVE YOU GUYS! Thank you to: Hotohori is Sparkly, ping*pong5, Katz Potter, Neenie and especially Seraphina2 (your review made me dance around the room-that's probably the best complement I've ever got! I'm not a professional writer, but I aspire to it! Thank you so much!). If you guys keep up the reviews, I'll keep up with the updates! Onto chapter 5 – The curtain opens on a young woman sitting in her bedroom…
~Chapter Five~
To the outside observer it was a statue that sat in front of the mirror. At a closer range could you see that her chest rose and lowered slowly with shallow intakes of breath. Her face was set to show no emotion, its beauty now replaced with stone-like neutrality. Her large brown eyes appeared empty and hollow, but as she looked at herself in the mirror you could see that it was only a mask for the deeper, heart-breaking sorrow that had taken root.
"All done, Miss Swan." The young woman at the dressing table looked at the maid standing behind her in the mirror.
"Yes, thank-you Mary. Please tell my father I will be down in a few moments." Mary nodded and dropped a small curtsy before hurrying out of the room. She stole one more glance at the mistress of the Governor's household as she closed the door behind her, and shook her head. All of the staff agreed that the woman had become a completely different person in the past week, after she found out the young blacksmith was lost at sea. She hadn't, to anyone's knowledge, shed a tear but had instead shut away any feeling at all. There was an eerie presence about her. It was as if the person she was had shriveled up and blown away and all that was left was an empty shell to go on living. Her every word was said in monotones, and her movements were stiff and sluggish.
Mary ran into the Governor at the top of the stairs.
"Miss Elizabeth is ready, sir." He smiled sadly at her.
"How is she today Mary?" she shook her head
"Same as before, sir. Solemn as a stone." He nodded and moved past her. He reached Elizabeth's door and pushed it quietly open. The scene that appeared before him was the same one that had been there all week: his beautiful daughter, who had once been so full of life, now sat before her mirror with wide, blank eyes. She seemed to be staring at herself, but as he walked closer he saw that she was staring past her reflection, into some other world. He reached her side and placed a hand on her shoulder. She started and turned her head to look at him. He repressed a shudder as those lifeless eyes stared into his own. He had lost his wife and now felt as though his only family left was slowly slipping away from him. He was struggling to He felt like catching her up in his arms and weeping until his little girl came back. He forced himself to smile, pushing down all the despair he felt her (and himself) and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Ready for our walk, my dear?" she nodded and slowly stood. She linked her arm though his, but barely touched him. Truth be told she did not want to be touched ever again.
~~~~
"Miss Swan!! MISS SWAN!!!" The Swans stopped their leisurely stroll atop the battlements and turned to see who was so adamantly vying for Elizabeth's attention. A young soldier was running up the stone steps toward them. When he reached them he saluted the Governor, maintaining protocol despite the fact he was in such a hurry.
"Well?" said the Governor "What is it lad?" The soldier took a few gulps of air and then said,
"I've just come from the docks sir, there's a man who was found shipwrecked a few days ago and they just brought him in." Elizabeth looked at him sharply, and felt a small flame of hope flicker inside of her. He paused to catch his breath again and she felt like shaking him. It seemed like forever before he continued, "He's very ill sir, I don't think he's going to last very long, but he keeps asking for Miss Swan-" Elizabeth was off before he finished. She could hear her father's voice echoing faintly in her ears, calling her name, but the soldier's words resounded in her head until they escalated into a mighty roar. They became a rhythmic mantra as she ran, her heart in her throat, lungs gasping for air. Shipwreck…asking for Miss Swan…not going to last long…People along the street stopped what they were doing and stared at her as she tore past...asking for Miss Swan…
Her mind tumbled with a million scenarios, but one thought was clear and precise-she wanted to see Will. She wanted to see him so desperately…not going to last long…
She arrived in a whirlwind of petty coats and silk at the dock. She looked around with a wild look in her eyes and soon spotted The Dauntless, fresh from its recent voyage at sea. It was anchored off shore, but she could see where the longboats were docking and delivering crew and cargo to shore. She raced toward them, ignorant of the curious looks she now attracted from the numerous soldiers and sailors milling around the docks. So intent was she so get to her destination that she ran straight into a tall, straight-backed man in a long blue officer's jacket. She mumbled an apology and tried to move past, her eyes still glued to the docking boats. The man grabbed her by the arms and pulled her back.
"Elizabeth!" she looked up at him and realized that Jonathan Norrington, the Commodore of Port Royal was looking at her with a surprised and concerned look in his eyes. She immediately burst into a rambling explanation of what she was doing, while trying to catch her breath at that same time.
"Jonathan! A soldier came….told me that a man kept asking for me, and-"
"Elizabeth,"
"I ran here, is it Will? …Oh please tell me its him-"
"Elizabeth!"
"I just want to see him…can you take me to him? Is he okay-"
"Elizabeth!!!" she stopped talking abruptly and looked at him. He took her by the arm and began to lead her quickly towards a small building close to the docks. He continued, "I know why you're hear, I sent for you." They reached the building and he stopped and looked at her. After taking a deep breath he gently said, "Elizabeth it's not William." Her face registered shock, and then fell back into its now familiar stoniness. She went to open the door but he put his hand on her arm, making her pause. "I know you wanted to see him, but believe me," his words were spoken in such earnest that she looked at him directly. His eyes still held the same concern they had possessed before. "You'll be glad it's not him."
She said nothing but turned back to the door and pushed it open. The scene that greeted her was hellishly chaotic. She had entered a small officer's mess, for the men who watched the docks during the night. The room was filled to the breaking point with six sailors who were holding a man down on a wood table, regularly used for cards and meals, now turned into an operating table. The man on the table was definitely not Will. He was in his early fifties, balding and overweight. She felt her gorge rise when she cause of all the commotion. His stomach was spurting blood and he was sweating and stuggling against the arms of all the sailors, who were desperately trying to hold him steady while the doctor inspected the wound. She recognized the physician from one of her father's many parties, and had thought him to be quite boring. Her opinion was drastically changed after witnessing this scene.
"Hold him steady, boys!" he bellowed "He's ripped the stitches-"
"What happened to this man?" she said before she could stop herself. The doctor looked up in surprise,
"Miss Swan! You shouldn't be here! Get-"
"I gave her permission, Thomson, so mind what you say." Norrington had stepped in behind her and looked sternly down at him. Thomson sighed with frustration and turned back to his patient.
"His stomach was sliced open in battle," he said answering her question. "I sewed him up while we were at sea, but it got infected and ate away at the stitches." He sighed again and picked up a blood soaked rag, pressing it to the man's side. "The wound's broken open again" He looked up at her "If you want to talk to him, you better do it now. With the blood loss and infection, he isn't going to last long." She nodded and swallowed hard, trying to rid her mouth of the taste of vomit. The man sagged in the sailor's arms and the doctor gestured for them to release him. With a nod from Norrington, they exited the room, squeezing past her as she walked slowly toward the man's limp figure.
When she reached his side, he looked up at her with glazed and anguished eyes. He licked his lips and spoke slowly, as if every word caused him pain.
"Are….you…Elizabeth…Swan?" she nodded. He smiled. "He wasn't lying….you…you're just as…pretty as…he said." Her heart beat faster.
"As who said?"
"I…was the first…mate on…the ship Will…Turner was…on." Her stomach flipped and she leaned in closer, speaking with urgency,
"Please, can you tell me what happened to him? " He reached out and took her hand. She grasped it firmly despite its sickening clamminess. "Please"
"We…were attacked…everyone was….killed." She made a choking sound, but he continued "no…he was…taken-" he began to cough violently, causing dark blood to trickle down from cracked lips to pale cheek. She didn't look away, but placed her other hand over their intertwined ones. "Please…oh god…please, who took him?" He took a shuddering breath, and closed his eyes.
"The Black Widow." As the words branded themselves into her brain he opened his eyes to look at her. They seemed dark, and she knew he was slowly slipping away.
"Thank you….thank you so much…" she didn't know what else to say. He smiled again.
"I had to tell you…he talked about you so much…he loves you…you know." She smiled and realized she was crying.
"I know." He nodded and closed his eyes again. He took one more breath and she felt his hand go limp. She placed it on his chest and stood looking down at him. She grieved his passing, this man she had just met, but who had saved her life. She turned back to Norrington as the doctor checked his pulse and announced what she already knew.
"He's dead." Norrington sighed
"You eased his passing, Elizabeth. That's all you could do." She nodded and then looked at Norrington sharply.
"What do you know of the Black Widow?" he shook his head
"Not much…just rumors mostly. But I don't like to trust the words of drunkards and fools." She gave him a perplexed look and he took her arm and led her out of the room. Once outside she took a deep breath and felt more like herself then she had for a while. She feared for Will's safety, but now that she knew he was alive she could make a plan of rescue. She placed her hand on her hips and looked at Norrington.
"Well? What's your plan?"
"My plan?"
"Yes! How are we going to save him!?" he looked at her sharply
"No, you are not doing anything. After the fiasco last year…no, you are staying right here. " She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off before she could say anything. "I'm sorry Elizabeth, but all I can do is keep an eye out for this "Black Widow" when we make our next voyage two days from now." He turned and began to leave as she stood there, shock etched through all of her features.
"What!?!" she ran after him and grabbed onto his arm. "That's IT!? Aren't you suppose to protect the people of Port Royal!?!" he turned to look at her and sternly said,
"I'm sorry for what's happened to Will, Elizabeth, but I cannot use an entire fleet for a search and rescue mission! My hands are tied."
She stood fuming for a few seconds after he walked away, her mind churning all of the information she had received in the past half hour. She made up her mind and headed home. If Norrington wasn't going to save Will, it was up to her.
~~~~
I'm sorry for this, but you know that I cannot wait here and do nothing. I wish I could have told you in person, but it is easier this way for us both. Please do not come after me. I fear the military presence might scare away those I am looking for. Know that I am safe and will return to you soon. I love him father-I have to find him.
Love, Elizabeth
She read it over once more before resting it on top of her bed. She hated to do this to him-he would worry incessantly- but it had to be done. With the note finished she turned with haste to her dresser and pulled out the bottom drawer. Hidden underneath the piles of lace and silk were a few men's garments she had stole from the gardener's apprentice. He was a boy of about 16 years, who was tall and skinny. She had snuck into his humble quarters in the servant's wing that afternoon and taken his shabbiest clothes and shoes, promising to repay him when she returned.
She dressed quickly and looked at herself in the mirror before leaving. She almost laughed outright at her appearance. Dressed in a white shirt, green waistcoat, brown trousers that buttoned beneath the knee, white stockings and a wide brimmed hat over her tied back hair, she looked every bit a young man, albeit a pretty one. She quickly and quietly slipped on the stolen shoes. While everything else fit quite nicely, the shoes were a bit too big. She fastened the buckles securely and decided they would do. She then crept out of her room, down the stairs and out the front door.
She breathed a sigh of relief once she was free of the house and quickened her pace. She found that it was much easier to travel as a man then as a woman. First of all, the clothing was allowed for more maneuverability. With the loss of the dreaded corset and layers of shirts she moved much quicker and easier. Secondly, people barely looked at a man walking the streets in the dead of night, whereas a woman would have been spotted at once and escorted home.
After about an hour of walking she arrived at her destination. She had followed the beach past the normal docking area to a secluded harbor on the other side of the island. There she saw by the pale light of the moon that a large ship was docked in the deep black waters. She breathed another sigh of relief. They hadn't left yet.
As she approached the ship a voice called out,
"Oi! Who goes there?"
"I wish to speak to Captain Jack Sparrow!" she called back. She heard the faint sound of voices and then the clatter of footsteps coming down the gangplank. It was Jack, closely followed by Anna Maria and Gibbs. As Jack sauntered towards her he asked.
"And what is it that you be wanting, boy? A place in the crew of the famous Captain Jack?" They stopped once they reached the cool sand and Elizabeth smiled when she saw the moonlight glint off a half empty bottle of rum in Jack's hand.
"I do want a place on your ship, but not as a boy." she took off her hat and Gibbs began to laugh. Jack stepped forward for closer inspection,
"That is a lovely outfit you have there, Elizabeth, brown is most definitely your colour." Anna Maria rolled her eyes and said,
"What are you doing here?"
"Yes Elizabeth," Jack said wavering slightly and shaking a finger at her "Your father will not be pleased if you decide to become a pirate!"
"I've come to ask for your help. Will isn't dead." Jack stopped wavering and Gibbs grunted in surprise.
"Course 'e isn't," Jack said after recovering himself "Resilient one that William is." Gibbs ignored him and looked at Elizabeth seriously.
"Where is he, Elizabeth?"
"He's been captured. Please, if you don't help me, he'll probably be killed."
"If he hasn't already been." Anna Maria muttered. Elizabeth gave her an evil glare, but Jack stepped in and put an arm around her shoulders.
"Of course we'll help you, love. Anything to save our dear William!" They began to walk up the gangplank and Anna Maria followed, protesting loudly,
"You can't take her, Jack! Remember what happened the last time?! The entire Royal Navy was after her!" The reached the ship and Elizabeth jumped on and turned to look at Anna.
"I promise you, he won't try to come after me. He knows how important it is that they don't know we're coming."
"Ah, and who is it that has taken the boy?" asked Jack jumping down after her and then putting out his hand to Anna to help her down, which she promptly swatted away.
"A ship called the Black Widow." The crew of the Black Pearl suddenly became silent. Gibbs finally broke the hush,
"God save him" Jack nodded in agreement, a seriousness taking over him that she had never seen before. Fear took over her and she looked at Jack with wide eyes.
"Then you think he's dead?" Whispers broke out amongst the crew and Jack shook his head,
"Not, dead, no," The relief that had begun to filter throughout her was cut short by his next words,
"but, for someone like Will, there are worse things then death."
~~~~~~~
Well! There you go! My longest chapter EVER! Seriously, this baby is about 3000 words long! I'm so proud of myself! *wipes tear* heeheehee…..oh man I'm tired! PLEASE review! I'll give you all $100 if you do!…ok, that was a completely empty promise, but at least it shows I'll lie for reviews! J
CHAPTER 6 SOON! The sooner I get reviews, the sooner we can return to Will…whose situation only gets worse! MUAHAHA!!