CHAPTER SEVEN.
Plan of Action.
"I'm sorry Elizabeth, but it's just the way things are" Commodore Norrington stated plainly over a cup of steaming tea. Elizabeth wished him to burn himself or spill it as he said this.
"But, why?" Elizabeth whined to James. "I'm sure there has to be another way"
"I've told you once and I'll tell you again. There is no other way. We have to get rid of that man before he brings more trouble upon us" He said glaring at Elizabeth over his half-moon glasses.
Of course, the man they were speaking of was Captain Jack Sparrow. James was right, Jack had brought misfortune onto the shores of Port Royale as soon as he had arrived. But, Norringtons' plan of action was too drastic. He intended to send the troublesome Pirate to a new-found colony. Its name was Terra Australis. Apparently the entire colony was made up of convicts. Over the years Englands' jails had gradually got too full. So, a debonair captain by the name of James Cook set off in search of a new island to place this disgusting convicts on, only, much to his surprise when he arrived he found a large number of dark skinned savages lived there.
With them, England brought disease that the native peoples could not fight off, and eventually a large number of them became ill and eventually died of pneumonia or smallpox. The remainder of them were sold as slaves to the white people.
Elizabeth found it utterly appalling the way the British had treated these infidels, like their homeland meant nothing at all. Cook and his fleet of merry ships also brought with them rabbits, foxes and other animals for hunting. Soon, these introduced species took over and destroyed the islands natural wildlife. And Norrington expected Jack to go to such a desolate land?
'James. You can't' she paused for a moment. 'I've heard stories. Stories of native children starving, young girls being raped and left out to die. You cannot let Jack go to such a place. I will not let you, and nor shall my father'
But deep in her heart, Elizabeth knew her father would let James send Jack away. 'It's for the good of Port Royale' He would say, and no matter how much Elizabeth would plead with him, he would never give in. They couldn't take Jack, they just couldn't.
The Lady Rose had been thrown off course. They choppy water and high winds made it hard to steer. And to add to the predicament, Ragetti had caught wind of Norringtons plan to send Jack Sparrow to a new colony. None of the crew had heard of the place named Terra Australis, nor did they know where it was. They guessed probably somewhere near China.
They had been sailing for over a week now and seemed nowhere near Port Royale. And now they just realised that they didn't even have to be at Port Royale but at some other cursed Island. It was all too confusing for Ragettis' liking. He preferred simple courses, straightforward no nonsense ways to get where they desired, not some sudden change of direction half way through their journey.
And now, they in the middle of a bloody storm with no bloody idea where they were. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a huge wave broke right into Ragettis' face and knocked his precious eye out into the choppy blue below. He swore and retired back to the cabin to fashion him-self a makeshift eye-patch.
Jack sat on his bed. It had to only be about nine o'clock in the morning. He took of his hat and dropped it on the floor besides him. He was in a solemn mood, Elizabeth had just told him about Norringtons' plan to send him away. That was the last thing he wanted to do. And to think, he had come here to spend time with two of his best friends, he had come to get away from his band of smelly flea-ridden pirates and now, he finds, much to his dismay, he is in fact being followed by smelly flea-ridden pirates.
The Pirate captain looked around the room. Why was it, just when he thought this week was going to work out, that something always has to get in the way? Jack had come here to celebrate the union between two of his best friends and now he was being shipped off to some bloody island he had never even heard of.
He laid back down on his bed, his bare chest shining in the light that came through the curtain-framed window. He suddenly heard the door open and in stepped someone he had seen only a day before. Lucinda the maid walked in, noticing his bare top half she quickly turned around.
'Sorry sir. Forgive me walking in on you like this.' She said turning around and hastily fixing her hair.
'Quite all righ' miss' Jack thought of something whilst throwing his calico shirt back on 'By the way, I must congratulate ya on yer upcomin' marriage ter the good Commodore'
The maid blushed and quickly crossed the room to fix up Jacks' bedsheets. 'Thankyou Mr. Sparrow' she said quietly as she adjusted a crimson pillow. Once she fixed Jacks' bed she quickly walked out, a pile of dirty manchester in her arms.
Jack sighed and sat back down. Satisfied about what he had said to the maid, he slowly raised from the end of the bed and walked down the marble staircase, only to find Elizabeth and Will standing, stiff as boards, at the bottom of the stairs. As soon as Jack stepped of the last white step Elizabeth enveloped him in her arms.
'Jack, they can't take you away' she said through tears. Her eyes were red, obviously from a long time of distraught conversation with Will.
Jack looked over Elizabeths' shoulder and to Will. He too seemed to have tears in his eyes. Jack then stood back from Elizabeth and looked at her pretty face. 'I 'ave to go. I bring too much danger to you an' Will if I stay here. An' besides, there's nothin' I can do 'bout it'
Elizabeth burst into tears and ran back to the library to console herself. Jack walked up to Will and sighed deeply. 'Is there any way we can stop you going?' Will asked.
' 'fraid not Will. It's me own fault. I shouldn' 'ave come 'ere in the firs' place' Jack said, walking back up to his room for some quiet contemplation.
Governor Swann sat in his study. James had informed him about his plan to rid Port Royale of Jack Sparrow. He thought it was a suitable plan, but couldn't help seeing the face of his daughter in his mind. She had come to him earlier that morning asking for the plan to be dropped. Elizabeths' face had been stricken with tears but Governor Swann had not given in to her. He thought he was being lenient enough letting Jack come to the Port for Will and Elizabeths wedding, when in the end in fact, he didn't even get to go to the ceremony now at all.
Governor Swann smiled to himself. He had just saved Port Royale from severe danger, but at the price of his own daughters happiness.
Will followed Elizabeth into the Library and tried to console her. 'Jack will be fine. We'll find a way to help him, I promise' he said quietly.
Elizabeth smiled slightly, her cheeks stained with tears 'I know. He's Jack Sparrow, but sometime or other he is going to get caught no matter how great he thinks he is'
Will laughed at Elizabeths comment. 'Look, if something happens to Jack, he will find a way to get in touch with us, I'm sure of it. If he is in real trouble we will find him' Jack kissed Elizabeth on the cheek and rose from his chair. 'I have to see Jack'
Jack sat up in his room whistling a small tune when he heard a knock at the door. 'Bugger off!' he yelled at the door, throwing a shoe at it.
The door opened despite, Jack's objections. Will walked in slowly picking up Jacks shoe and handing it to him. He sat on the end of the bed with Jack and sighed.
'Jack, I'm so sorry about Norringtons' decisions. But, I can't help but think that you are not shaken by it. I know I would be if I was in your shoes.'
'Believe me mate,' Jack began 'I am bloody shaken by it. Tha's why I came up here to sort me own though's out.' Jack smiled sheepishly at Will. 'But, I've come to the conclusion tha' no matter how much I think about it I can't change anythin', it's jus' the way it is and I 'ave ter get over it'
Will raised an unconvinced eyebrow at Jack. 'Jack, you know as well as I do that this new colony is dangerous. Elizabeth and I have heard stories. You will, without a doubt be either thrown into some dirty prison or sold as a slave, whether you like it or not.'
Jack shuddered at the thought of working for someone else other than himself. He sighed, tears slightly stinging his eyes. He closed them for a moment and looked down. 'I know tha'. But I will find a way out. God knows, if can get off an uninhabited island I can sure get off one with actual people on it.'
Will rolled his eyes at Jack. 'All right captain. I trust you, but if you ever get into any trouble get in touch with us. We will immediately come for you.'
Jack nodded, smiling slightly. He was glad to have such faithful friends. 'Will do mate' he said. 'Now bugger off' he said playfully.
Elizabeth sat still in the Library, but now playing to piano. Her beloved instrument seemed to take her mind off everything. Her hands flowed freely as she played. She heard footsteps but ignored them. Suddenly she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. She started slightly, making her play an ear-piercing chord on the piano. She turned around and met eyes with Will, her own blues ones staring into his hazel. Elizabeth smiled and stood up. She wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed him. They walked out of the library and up the marble staircase.
Jack covered his ears with his pillow. The noises from the room next to him were too much to bear. It's the middle of the day Jack said to himself Who does that in the middle of the day.
Will and Elizabeth had been at it for what seemed hours, when in fact it had only been about twenty minutes. Jack groaned in annoyance...it was a groan of the exact opposite of those coming from the room next door. Jack crawled up to the end of his four-poster and bashed his fist on the wall behind the bed.
'SHUTUP!!!' he yelled through the wall. Obviously he had not been heard, the sounds continued to float through the wall.
Jack jumped, annoyed off the bed and stormed out of the room and to the room next door. He opened the door without invitation and burst in. Will and Elizabeth hastily covered themselves with bedsheets and looked highly embarrassed.
'Now, sorry ter disturb yer but some people are trying to 'ave some quiet contemplation if yer don' mind' Jack swaggered out of the door and back into his room, satisfied with his actions. But, seeing Will and Elizabeth made him fume with jealousy. Jack should be the one with a woman, he was the charismatic single pirate, Will was just a clumsy blacksmith. Before Jacks' jealousy got the better of him he sat back down on the end of the bed. The sounds from next door had gone and was replaced by quiet whispers.
Elizabeth adjusted her corset as she spoke in a hushed whisper 'Shit Will' she said. Will was rather taken aback by her swearing.
'I'm sorry, but I tried. You seemed to be enjoying it' he said defending himself.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. 'No. You were fine.' She said breathing in deeply as she tied her corset. 'I meant, why did Jack have to walk in like that?'
Will nodded in understanding, 'Yes. Well, at least he's finally realised he can't have you' he said crossing the room over to Elizabeth to tie her corset up for her.
Elizabeth laughed slightly 'I just feel sorry for him. He's never had a worthwhile relationship...at least no one that we know of. It's just so sad.'
It was indeed sad Jack thought, as he listened to their conversation. He was nothing more than a pathetic pirate. And now, he was going to be shipped off to some island on the other side of the planet. He didn't want tomorrow, but, he was glad to get away from Elizabeth and Will's amorous behavior, especially in the middle of the day. Who does that? Jack thought again. It was so strange.
Jack sighed as he took his shirt off his sweaty chest and laid back down onto the bed, the cool breeze from the window, caressing him naked chest pleasantly. Jack sighed and wished it was a woman caressing his chest instead.
Authors note: YAY chapter seven done. Now reward me with some of those spiffy reviews. Thanks. BTW Terra Australis is in fact AUSTRALIA. That's what it was called when first founded. (there's a history lesson for ya) REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW)
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