Before The Dawn
Chapter XIX: Of Homecomings and Sailing Pretty
By FalconWing
The wind had shifted and the Black Pearl sliced through the water effortlessly, every second putting more distance between her and the Dauntless, which had long ago vanished from view behind them.
Above, the dark sails were filled with wind and judging by the incredible speed at which they were moving, it would take just under half a day to reach Port Royal. By then, it would be well into the night, early morning almost, and the Pearl would be able to slip in and out again under the cover of darkness.
None of this escaped recently rescued James Norrington's notice, though for all the thought he gave it, it may as well have. He stood at the bow of the ship bracing against the forward railing, attention turned inwards and subconsciously casting glances over his shoulder towards the helm where the Captain himself stood, guiding them all homeward.
The problem was that Norrington had thought that he had had everything rationalized after the last Sparrow-led adventure: priorities and the like. 'Thought' being the operative word.
Indeed, he had been certain of it, at least until the pirate captain's unusually solemn voice had spoken from the front of his cell. Until he personally had been saved by the man. Until the other prisoners had been led out and the extent of the situation was made clear.
Out of the fifteen people that had been taken hostage, only eleven now remained. It seemed the conditions of their captivity had gotten to them and their health had steadily declined. Norrington wouldn't be surprised if his own cellmate soon joined their number, despite the attention of the Pearl's 'doctor'. The rest, Will included, were all in a pretty bad way and were still below decks recuperating.
Of them all, Elizabeth proved to be the healthiest. As it turned out, she had been fed the same fare as the captain. Being worth the most money, Captain Clavell had not been willing to risk her health before the ransom was collected. Now, to Norrington's surprise, both he and she were given free run of the deck until Port Royal, something he would not have thought Sparrow to allow.
Oh, he had gained a respect – albeit grudging – for Jack Sparrow on the previous venture, hearing about all that he had done for them from Elizabeth as she plead his case on the voyage back. But that had been just it; while he had heard and approved Sparrow's plans from the outset, all the so-called heroics on his part had been carried out in the cave, while Norrington had been back on the Dauntless.
And as it happened, seeing and believing were two very different things.
"Jaaaack." Norrington turned as Elizabeth's sweet voice broke into his reverie, calling out from the captain's cabin. Too sweet. He turned away from the bowsprit to begin weaving his way further down the ship to where he could see and hear what was happening. Standing back behind the equipment in his surroundings, he stood just out of Elizabeth's line of sight.
"Yes, lass?" Jack inquired, not moving from the ship's wheel.
"Could you come here for a moment please?" Her voice was still too pleasant to be unfeigned, as was the smile on her face. Norrington had known her long enough to know that she only used that voice when someone was going to get a good telling off and by the sounds of things, that person was going to be Jack.
He was not proven wrong. Jack surrendered the helm to one of his crewmen – Cotton? – with a sigh and made his way to his cabin. No sooner had he approached than he caught a stinging blow to his chin as he failed to dodge Elizabeth's flying palm fast enough. Norrington winced in sympathy as Jack rubbed his jaw and shot her a bewildered glance.
"Now I know I didn't deserve that one!" That did nothing to assuage Elizabeth's indignation, however.
"Yes, you did, Jack Sparrow and you know it! Recognize this do you?" Norrington only now realized that she held something in her hands, something that she was now shaking rather forcefully under Jack's nose. From what he could see it was very big, very white and very fluffy. "You stole my wedding dress!" Norrington had just enough time to wonder how she knew it was hers, her own having never arrived at Port Royal, when she answered his unspoken question. "This is the exact replica of my designs. What did you do, sack the merchantman we hired to deliver it?!"
"Well… yes, that. "Jack cleared his throat, now distinctly unsettled, and continued, arms gesturing more wildly than ever. "One might say that we though to… ah… relieve Captain Mannings of his rather lacy burden. Deliver it to the bride personally, ye know."
Elizabeth had calmed down considerably now, but she still crossed her arms and lifted an eyebrow skeptically.
"And so it never reached me, because?"
Jack smiled ingratiatingly, but Norrington thought he could hear a nervous edge to his voice. "We were a tad behind schedule. Arrived a bit later than expected and only just had time to make it to the ceremony meself."
"You were at the wedding?"
Now on slightly safer ground, Jack eyed her questioningly. " 'Course I was, love. Thought ye knew."
This in turn brought forth a barrage of half-suppressed squeaks as she struggled to regain her composure. Norrington was vaguely aware that his own jaw was nearly touching the deck, last vestiges of Navy calm evaporating in wake of this news. Jack Sparrow at the Turners' wedding? The mere thought boggled the mind.
Then his common sense stepped in and pointed out that obviously the man hadn't been in usual attire. Now that he thought about it, Jack's beard was no longer braided. Instead it was trimmed and judging by the cut of it, it had been shaved off completely some time ago and then allowed to grow again.
This thought was backed up by Jack himself as the man chuckled softly at Elizabeth's expression.
"Guess I thought wrong then, eh? Try not to look quite so horrified, 'Lizabeth. I assure you I did not come dressed like this. Indeed, I rather think I looked quite refined." Norrington choked off the snort that had threatened at the thought of the pirate before him being refined.
Jack carried on regardless, now smiling as though at a particularly fond memory. "…gave me crew a bit of a fright, I'll tell you, seeing me in all me glory." The fond smile turned into the familiar smirk and Elizabeth, poise restored, quirked an eyebrow at his turn of phrase.
"All your glory, indeed," she teased. "I daresay they ran a mile from your idea of refined and glorious."
Jack pouted and Elizabeth smiled as she leant over and cuffed him with the large bundle of white silk she still cradled in her arms. "Never mind. I forgive you."
Forgetting that he was supposed to be sulking, Jack looked up with a puzzled frown. "Just what was it I'm to be forgiven for?"
"Well, stealing my wedding dress. Of course there's still the matter of you coming to the wedding and not even letting us know." Jack opened his mouth to say to interrupt, but Elizabeth cut him off with a wide grin and dancing eyes. "I guess a few bottles of, say, rum would make up for it."
Jack shrugged nonchalantly. "Well I must admit lass, I'd not thought ye liked it all that much, but you've only to ask. Anamaria and the lads managed to stock us up nice and full, what with all those ships they were stopping."
"Oh no, Jack. Not to drink… to burn."
With that, she turned smartly on her heel and re-entered the cabin at her back, pulling the large doors closed behind her.
Jack stayed where he was for long enough to heave a longsuffering sigh and call softly over his shoulder, "Commodore, if you've finished what you're doing, could I have a word with you?" Then he was off, swaggering back towards the stern.
Norrington started. He had been perfectly silent and even managed to avoid moving excessively. Even if he had, there were enough of the crew out and about adjusting ropes and in the rigging that any noise of movement could have been easily disregarded. Shaking his head, he hurried to catch up with the man ahead of him.
Reclaiming the helm from Cotton, Jack glanced at the full black sails above them. "The wind's picked up. We should reach Port Royal in three hours or so. We may have to wait for full dark before we approach." Norrington looked up sharply.
"You're entering the harbor? Doesn't it seem a bit risky? Fort Charles is not a lax fort by any means. They'll blast you with everything they've got."
"Aye, but how many will be guarding the fort? The Dauntless will surely carry a fair few aboard, the remainder will likely not be as on guard as they should, thinking that the attack has already occurred and I'm not sure if you've noticed, but the Pearl is much better condition than she ever was under Barbossa. Not only has she had a new paint job, but her entire hull has been reinforced, along with the top decks. She'll not be an easy target to take down."
Barely pausing for breath, Jack continued. "And all this is assuming we're seen. There'll be next to no moon tonight, with good cloud cover. The Pearl will take us right in and no one will be any the wiser until we're gone."
Norrington had to admit, he was right. Not that he would back down completely, though. "What if something does go wrong?"
Jack smirked "Why, that's why you'll be tagging along after me. You're me insurance, mate." His eyes sparkled mischievously at Norrington's horrorstruck expression. "Not like that, man. We won't be putting pistols to your head and demanding they let us go or your brains'll decorate the town… well, not unless it becomes necessary, of course. I've just never fancied one of those red marks the noose leaves on yer neck. Reckon it'd make me look a bit peaked."
– – – – –
Jack was right as it happened.
Though the winds later dropped and they didn't have to wait for the dark to settle, the night proved to be a moonless one and the Pearl was able to glide through the water, soundlessly entering the harbor. All lanterns had been extinguished and any conferences were held in a hushed whisper. Everyone knew how easily sound carried through still surroundings and no one had any wish to be discovered, despite their good intentions.
They dropped anchor quite a way out in the cove and lowered the boats. Jack, Anamaria, Tom – who, after much pestering in the short period of time that had had to get organized after the fight, had managed to wheedle his way into being accepted as cabin boy – and a few others accompanied the party to ashore, while Gibbs, along with the majority of the crew, were left with the Pearl.
The boat knocked gently against the dock and a rope quickly fastened them to it. Tom could barely contain his excitement and they clambered out to help everyone else.
Getting the civilians safely on the pier turned out to be a lengthy exercise and even after that they needed support to walk, something that the pirates gave freely, though not without slight awkwardness at the assistance they were so unaccustomed to offering. Tom, being too small to be of help in this department, helped them navigate their way through the winding streets in the darkness.
When they finally reached their destination, the fort turned out to be far too easy to penetrate, what few guards there were, lounging about at their posts. Tom could see the Norrington fellow – who apparently was a Commodore of the British Navy – muttering silent curses at the lack of security and discipline. No one asked him what they would have done if the guards had been half decent and the fort impossible to infiltrate.
Approaching Norrington's office, though, they found more and more officers and Navy men milling about, until it finally proved highly unlikely that they would make it there without being seen.
Still half carrying many of the ex-captives, they were forced to turn back around and head back the way they had come.
In the end, sanctuary was found in the most unlikely of place. The prison. Due to the shortage of patrol forces, the cells were empty and therefore no guards had been set.
Jack conferred shortly with the Commodore for a short moment while Tom helped everyone into as comfortable position as could be found. No doubt they were discussing the pros and cons of waiting a great deal of time before revealing themselves; the ill health of the civilians versus the stroke of ill health that would fall upon Jack and his crew should they reveal themselves too early, leaving the Black Pearl at the mercy of the port's gunnery.
Coming to a decision, they both nodded and turned away, Norrington back to his people, Jack to rejoin his own crew, who had gathered near the exit now that everyone was settled and they ready to go.
Fully ready, they were about to leave when a skirted figure rushed past in a blur. Jack had just enough time to turn around and for his eyes to widen slightly before Elizabeth crashed into him, throwing her arms around his neck in a hug that made him not a little uncomfortable. She soon stepped back to his obvious relief, to be replaced by Will who made do with a firm handshake and a solemn "thank you."
Jack chuckled. "No problem, lad, no problem. Now," he turned to his crew. "Back to the Pearl boys… and girl."
The return to the ship was somewhat of an anticlimax, Tom rather thought.
Without the civilians to burden them, the trip took less than half the time it had to get there and the only trouble was when Jack got them lost by taking the wrong turning and they spent at least ten minutes trying to get unlost. The boats were nearly empty and so light that it took next to no time at all to row back to the boat, where the rest of the crew was waiting, anchor raised in anticipation and canvas already being unfurled.
Norrington was just venturing out to declare his presence as they reboarded the ship, Tom scampering up the rigging to help set the sails and Jack predictably making his way directly to the stern to replace Cotton at the wheel.
Redcoats came running in surprise at their commander's sudden appearance as the Pearl slipped quietly out the harbor, lamps still snuffed and guided gently by Jack's own hands.
And entering the bay not a hundred meters away sailed the Dauntless, decks lit by her own unsnuffed lamps and the sharp military orders of her officers carrying easily across the interceding water, as they made their way home to deliver news of their failure…
…and completely oblivious of the Black Pearl as she sailed by, the biggest pirate threat in the Caribbean escaping from literally under their noses.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I am incredibly sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. Even ignoring the fact that in the intervening time from last chapter to now I've had my wisdom teeth out and braces (ugh!) in, the main problem really was that it just didn't want to come out! The writing that is. So I'm terribly sorry if this isn't the best chapter in the world but that was how it happened. Please forgive me.
Now, however, I'm going to cry because that was the LAST chapter. The story is FINISHED and I'm in shock. It's so hard to believe! However, there will be sequel. Yay!! Don't know what I'd do with myself otherwise, lol. Here's a wee summary and stuff so you know what to look out for.
After Dusk: The Navy is forced to join forces with the Pearl in order to find their respective allies. It all seems simple enough until the seemingly easy plan involves finding a way into the impregnable fortress of Cartagena and making it out alive – a feat only achieved once, over two hundred years earlier.
Hope to see you for that. I don't know how long it will be before I can get it out because I want to have a proper plan before I start, but until then I'm posting a collection of my drabbles and extended drabbles under, for lack of a better name, Whispered Words. I'm posting the first one tonight, so please review!
One last huge thanks to all my readers, anyone who has ever reviewed and of course to my beta reader, Beregond'sGirl.
Reviewer's Thanks
Ellennar The Governor is certainly not the easiest man to have around, no. Thanks so much for all your reviews throughout the story and I hope to see you again for the sequel.
OpraNoodlemantra Thank you so much for all your support. I sorry, the Dauntless didn't meet up with the Pearl; what can I say? The Pearl's just too fast for her.
Oneiriad I know what you mean about the Governor. After all, he did fend off a severed hand, lol. Thanks for all your reviews.
Quiet Infinity: There you go, I gave hints. In fact, I gave a whole summary of the sequel. Thought it best if you knew what to look out for, eh? Thanks so much for all your kind comments throughout the story.
Shie1dmaidenofrohan: Well, basically the sequel will be able what I've pointed out up there, but I think I might manage to pop Big Dan in there as well… I'm rather fond of the fellow. Many thanks for all your reviews.
Crazydominodragongirl Sorry, I didn't get this update up sooner. In fact I think it's the biggest break I've ever had and I feel very bad. My apologies for that and my thanks for your reviews.
BlackJackSilver I agree with you on that one! I would certainly find myself unable to resist the temptation of strangling Gillette if ever I knew him. Luckily I don't so I won't be up for murder any time soon, lol. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Adri-Laree: Well, I am doing a sequel, but if you don't want to wait however long it will be until I publish it, check out my drabbles – and extended drabbles – compilation. hint hint lol. Thanks for all your time in reading and reviewing.
Beregond'sGirl You won't have to file for unemployment! There's always the sequel if you're up for it. I wouldn't worry about the drabbles though, lol. They're not really long enough or complicated enough to merit the editing. Thanks for reading, beta-ing and reviewing!
Williz I'm glad you liked the chapter and the story. Thanks for reviewing.
Savvyness Well as you see, Jack opted for the 'leaving them in their dust' option. Hope to see you for the sequel!
Narya Fire: Wow! Glad to see I'm still attracting readers even on my second-to-last chapter. I'm really glad you liked it and I'm really thankful for you review!
Peachfreak Lol, I like the term willy nilly, too. Thanks for the reviews, mate. Love ya for 'em.
No 1 u wanna no: I'm afraid this isn't a WillJack slash, no, but I'm glad you like it even though it isn't in your usual range of reading. Thanks for the review.
Ellie: And another new reader! It's great to have you reading and thank you so much for all your kind comments. It's good to know you think I've got Jack's character, 'cause he really can be tricky at times.
PirateShy I know this wasn't a fast update by any means and I'm sorry. Thanks for reviewing though, all throughout the story. Your nice comments have really made a difference.
And that's it. Thank to all my readers and I hope to see you for After Dusk.
Love y'all…
FalconWing.
