CHAPTER FIVE.
Pirates Ye be Warned.
Elizabeth could smell Will. I wasn't a bad smell, but, on the contrary, quite comforting. They had possibly laid there for hours. It was the middle of the night. She slowly raised to her feet as to not wake Will. Her breathing was back to normal but the past events had run through her mind only too many times. She kept replaying them again and again. She regretted every minute of it. But, now she knew why women took pleasure in Jack's company.
When he kissed her, it seemed like he truly loved her. Not just some fling with a random woman. But, true heartfelt and passionate love. Elizabeth pushed the thought out of her mind and gazed at Will. He was the one she loved. Not Jack.
Jack was a pirate for one. He was never in the same place for more than a month at a time. How could anyone possibly fall in love with a pirate? Besides, they always smelt of seawater and sweat.
Through trying to convince herself, Elizabeth failed. She knew Jack was a good man. A great one in fact; one which any woman would dream of marrying. Except Will was better. He was debonair and sophisticated. Whereas Jack, was drunken and disorderly.
That was right. Definitely. Elizabeth knew it in her heart. Will was the one for her, not Jack. But what a powerful thing a kiss could be indeed. To think, that something so simple could turn a persons world and emotions upside down. She was now, slowly spinning out of control. Torn between two men four days before her vows.
She once again looked at Will. He looked like an angel when he slept. His shoulder-length brown locks hung in front of his closed eyes. His soft snores filled the room. Elizabeth clambered into bed again and nestled herself in his arms and smiled. He was, after all, the one she loved.
Jack sat in his room. His mind was racing like a headless chicken. Why did he do that? He now hated himself more than ever. Elizabeth would most likely ask him to leave Port Royale tomorrow and he would, once again be stuck on his ship with no women and only smelly, sweaty pirates for company.
Jack recalled sailing into Port Royale one year ago. He had seen a wooden sign just near the dock. It said: Pirates Ye Be Warned. Now Jack knew why that sign was there. Port Royale was indeed a dangerous place for a pirate. It seemed innocent and rather pleasant on the outside. But, on the inside it was a playground of temptation and cruelty. This was no place for Jack.
Commodore James Norrington sat at his desk. Although it was early morning he could not sleep. He chewed on the end of an eagle-feather quill and sighed. He knew of Jack Sparrows presence in Port Royale and the disastrous effects it would have on his community.
Only hours previous he had caught wind of an incoming invasion. It was, as he predicted, the remaining crew of the Black Pearl. They seeked bloodthirsty revenge on Sparrow for killing their Captain. There were not many left, but enough to do serious damage to Port Royale. And, James blamed it all on that bloody pirate Captain, Jack Sparrow.
Norrington looked up from his desk and noticed a man at the door. He motioned him in and sighed.
"How long had you been there?" James asked. He was tired, as he was a lot lately. His usual suave and sophisticated way of speaking had been replaced with straightforward and fairly plain language.
"Long enough" Gillette said as he stepped in. Gillette was Norringtons' right hand man. He was constantly at his side. Plotting defenses. And now, James needed him more than ever.
James sighed once more. "Leave me. I need sleep" he stated plainly. He held his head in his hands and sighed. The last thing he needed was a band of scurvy-ridden knaves raging war on Port Royale.
Pintel and Ragetti were two of the many remaining from Barbossas' crew. They had managed to escape the Royal Navy that fateful night. They had escaped by swimming to a nearby cluster of rocks with the rest of the crew. There, they managed to make a raft out of logs and sea grasses. They sailed for many days and nights in the blistering sun. Finally they landed on a small Caribbean Island, where they posed and merchant sailors and miraculously received a ship called the Lady Rose.
They now sailed across the Caribbean. Ragetti sighed as he looked out onto the glistening waters of the ocean. He rubbed his wooden eye. It was, once again annoying the hell out of him. Pintel poked him in the side.
"Stop rubbin' it" he said, his calico shirt blowing in the sea breeze.
The other members of the crew where working on the Lady Jane. They all thought it a rather disagreeable name. The Pirates of the Lady Rose, did not sound too frightening. Unlike the Black Pearl which struck fear into hearts across the Caribbean.
"'ow long til we get there?" Ragetti asked. He was mildly frustrated at how slow this ship was.
"'bout five days I fink" Pintel replied, picking dirt from under his black fingernails.
Of course Jack may not be there. If Elizabeth sent him back to the Pearl the pirates plans would be gone with the wind.
It was nine o'clock in the morning. Will woke-up to find Elizabeth sleeping soundly beside him. He smiled and got up quietly as to not wake her. Then it hit him. Jack. He had to face Jack today. What would he say to him? Would it be awkward? Will decided to apologise for his actions the previous evening. He was out of line, but he had every reason.
Will walked slowly down the marble staircase and into the dining room. He knew Jack would be there. And, there he was. As Will looked closer he noticed Jack sported a black eye and several grazes on his tanned face. Instantly, Will felt the pang of guilt. He had injured his best friend. Will knew Jack deserved it, but Jack had never hit him before whilst they were companions. He had when they were fighting in the blacksmiths. But, Will didn't know Jack then, but, he did now.
Will walked slowly up to Jack and sat across from him. Jack was picking casually at some pineapple and banana. Will sighed and the pirate looked up at him.
"Jack, we need to talk," he said quietly. He picked up a small piece of apple off a silver tray and placed it on the plate in front of him.
"I know we do mate" Jack said. He placed a small piece of pineapple in his mouth and waited for Will to reply.
"Jack," Will began. He had completely forgotten about the apple he had picked up. "Jack, I was out of line. I mean, I was just so angry with you. Why did you do that?" Wills' voice became stronger and louder near the end of the sentence.
"Will, one thing you have ter understand is this..." Jack picked at his fingernails. "When Elizabeth and me were marooned on that godforsaken island. I noticed certain things. Elizabeth is a beautiful woman Will. Yer lucky to 'ave 'er. Me? I'm just a lowly pirate with nothin' ter do but drink." He paused, "Last night I made a mistake. I went ter a pub, got completely off me face. Sauntered back 'ere and indulged me fantasies"
Will blinked hard at this long explanation. He never thought Jack could say so many words at once. "Well, Jack. I just hope, well, nothing more will happen between you two"
Jack smiled reassuringly at Will. "Don' worry. It won't mate."
Jack only hoped that to be the case. He certainly wished for more to happen between them. But the truth was that nothing would. Elizabeth was getting married and he was, once again, old and alone.
Elizabeth found herself alone in bed. Will must be talking to Jack. She thought to herself. She would have to speak to Jack soon enough. She was sure he would be fine. She loved Jack, but Will more.
Elizabeth pulled on her chenille dressing gown and walked down the marble staircase. Will had since left the dining room when she walked in, but Jack was still there eating pineapple and banana. She smiled at him and he smiled back, showing several gold teeth in the process.
She sat down and surveyed him. He looked tired, like he hadn't slept much.
"Jack," she said quietly, touching his arm.
He looked up and suddenly launched into speech. "Elizabeth. I'm sorry love. I don't know what came over me. I was stupid. I know you don' feel the same, but please forgive me"
Jack finished quietly and Elizabeth looked at him. "That's all right Jack. I-I-I seem to be rather confused at the moment. It was partly my fault as well." She stood up, as did Jack. Elizabeth walked up to him and pulled him into a hug and whispered something in his ear. "By the way Jack. You are a very good kisser"
Jack laughed. Elizabeth smiled and hugged him again. She walked easily out of the dining room and into the library to read.
Captain Sparrow sunk back down into the chair and sighed. All was well, as far as he knew anyway. Will had forgiven him, and Elizabeth had given him a rather generous compliment. He sighed. He would sort out his emotions another day. Today wasn't good.
Jack sauntered out into the garden for some fresh air. He did not want to go to the pub again. Not after what it had led him to do.
Jack walked slowly back into the manor and sighed deeply. He didn't care much for this coming week or the wedding that was soon to take place. He dreaded immensely the time when the priest would announce the marriage to be official.
Jack cared for Elizabeth and Will, but couldn't stand seeing Will marry the woman Jack loved more than ever. Now, more than ever did the phrase Pirates Ye Be Warned apply.
Will sighed as he flopped down onto his back in the courtyard. He ran Jacks conversation over in his mind again and again. How could Jack love Elizabeth? Elizabeth was his woman
Will was excited, yet somewhat apprehensive about the wedding. He couldn't wait to be married to Elizabeth. But, what if Jack took a stand? What if he objected to their vows? Would Jack actually do that to him and Elizabeth? It was hardly Jacks nature. He wouldn't just wreck a whole day for his own benefit.
No.
He wouldn't.
Elizabeth slowly walked into the library. She noticed a neatly dressed figure by the fire. At first, she thought it was Will, but at second glance it was none-other than Commodore James Norrington. He had a sullen looked on his face and he flicked through an old leather bound book. He looked up at Elizabeth. She thought it rather strange to have James in her library. He had never been there before without her father with him. She walked over to him and sat on a nearby armchair.
"Good day, James" she said politely. He and Elizabeth had been quite polite and formal ever since Will had proposed to Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth" he said, nodding in acknowledgement.
"Why are you here?" she asked as she too took a book from the table beside her.
"I have some news" he began and before she could ask anything he pressed on. "I have caught wind of an imminent attack on Port Royale. The remaining pirates of Captain Barbossas are seeking revenge on that idiot Jack Sparrow for killing their captain." James said this rather quickly as to get it all out.
"Really?" Elizabeth asked. She was actually worried sick but daren't show it to Norrington. "I have one thing to say to you James. Jack is not an idiot. And just for your own personal record. If Jack was hung like you intended, I would not be here speaking to you right now" With that Elizabeth rose from her seat and walked quickly and directly out of the Library to tell the news to Will and Jack.
Authors Notes: Sorry about the constant switching of P.O.V's (point of views), but I had to try and fit a LOT of information into this chapter. Please R&R
Thanks
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