Everything was set and ready to go. Tilting my hat down over my forehead, I moved slowly through the large group of people, who had crowded in the battlements to witness the hanging of the infamous Jack Sparrow.
Jack was standing on the platform, a bored look on his face and a thick noose around his neck. A dandy looking official stood next to him, reading out the charges against him.
" for your wilful commission of crimes against the crown. Said crimes being numerous in quantity and sinister in nature, the most egregious of these to be cited herewith – piracy, smuggling…"
I made my way towards the platform where Annabelle, Norrington, Elizabeth and the governor were standing, looking on at the notorious pirate. I stopped in front of Annabelle and looked up at the surprise and concern in her sapphire eyes.
"Annabelle, Since the first day we met eight years ago, I've loved you completely and forever, and I hope you will do me the honour of being my wife one day. When all of this is over." I told her then turned and made my way towards Jack.
"Move!" I shouted pushing my way through the crowds and flung my sword into the beam just below Jack, who fell through the trapdoor and frantically tried to balance on the sword's hilt without choking himself. I sprung up onto the gallows fighting the executioner and slashed at the noose, setting Jack free. Pushing the executioner into a nearby guard, I jumped off the gallows, joining jack who had untied the noose, trailing the rope behind him. I grabbed the other end of the rope and tripping a few of the guards who had run after us.
Running ahead I placed Jack behind me, furiously fighting off the officers. Eventually I managed to be caught in a circle of Norrington's men.
I stood there a moment thinking furiously of how I would get out of this one, when Governor Swann, Norrington, Elizabeth and Annabelle made their way to the front of the group.
A sneer marked Norrington's pale face. "I thought we might have to endure some manner of ill-conceived escape attempt but not from you." He taunted.
The Governor was next to say anything. His face becoming bright red with anger. " On our return to Port Royal, I granted you clemency for saving both of my daughters. And this is how you repay me? By throwing in your lot with him? He's a pirate for goodness sake!"
My grip tightened on my sword. " He may be a pirate, but he is also a good man." I said. "If all I have achieved here is two pairs of boots for the hangman instead of one, the so be it. At least then my conscience will be clear." I looked toward Annabelle, who stood just behind her father, her eyes wide. "I would make a lousy husband if I didn't."
Annabelle made to come to me, but Norrington grabbed her arm. "You forget your place, Turner." He hissed.
I looked him square in the eye. "It's right here." I told him, coldly. "Between you and Jack."
Taking advantage of Norrington's momentary shock, Annabelle pulled free and flung herself into my open arms. " As is mine." She said, ignoring the scandalised stares of Norrington and her father
"Annabelle?" Governor Swann gasped, then signalled the troops. "Lower your weapons! Lower yourweapons!"
They did. Behind me, Jack grinned smugly.
"I love you." Annabelle whispered to me, I smiled back.
"Well I'm actually feeling really good about this." We all turned at the sound of Jack's voice.
A huge grin was plastered on his face and he was tottering around in his usual drunken way. He went and stood right in front of Governor Swann, who stepped back in disgust. " I think we've all arrived at a very special place, eh, Spiritually…Ecumenically…Grammatically?" To Norrington he said; " I want you to know that I was rooting for you, mate. Know that." Then he began to walk away, but stopped and turned back, his dark locks flying about. "Elizabeth …it would never have worked between us, darling. I'm sorry." Annabelle and I looked at the latter, whose face was now a remarkable shade of red. "Will." Smiling I looked back at Jack when he called my name. "Nice hat." I could feel my grin broadening.
"Thanks"
Jack grinned back. "Annie, I'll never forget ya, yer one hell of a drinkin' partner." Annabelle chuckled at the wink she received. I couldn't help but wonder what had happened on that Island.
" Friends!" Jack Announced, as he began moving backwards towards the battlements. "This is the day that you will always remember as the day that –" As the back of his knee came into contact with the battlements wall, he fell backwards and into the ocean.
Startled, Annabelle, Elizabeth and I ran to the place Jack had fallen, where we were joined by Norrington, the Governor and Lieutenant Gillette.
Gillette laughed when he saw Jack break through the surface of the water. "Idiot. He's got nowhere to go except back to the noose."
You're in for a surprise, I thought, watching as the Black Pearlsailed into the harbour. I heard a faint 'Sail ho' as Jack began to swim toward his beloved ship.
Stunned, Gillette turned to Norrington. "What's you plan of action, sir?" He asked.
Norrington said nothing, as he remained staring at the large pirate ship. Governor Swann supplied an answer for the bewildered Lieutenant. "Perhaps on the rare occasion pursuing the right course demands an act of piracy, piracy itself can be the right course?"
Norrington nodded his approval and turned back towards me. "Mr Turner…"
I started to make my way towards Norrington, when Annabelle caught my arm. "Will, please."
I gazed lovingly down at her pretty face, watching as the tears welled in her big blue eyes. "I will accept the consequences of my actions."
When I stopped in front of him, Norrington unsheathed his sword, twirling it in front of me.
"This is a beautiful sword. I would expect the man who made it to show the same care and devotion in every aspect of his life." He said, without the merest hint of a smile.
"Thankyou." I replied.
Norrington nodded and began making his way back down the battlements when Gillette stopped him.
"Sir? What about Sparrow?" Asked the frantic lieutenant.
Meeting the Governor's gaze, Norrington said; "I think we can afford to him one day's head start."
Gillette's mouth hung open as him sulkily followed Norrington and the troops.
Suppressing a chuckle, Annabelle wrapped her arms around my waist and leant her head against my chest.
The Governor turned back to us, a smile playing across his soft features. "Mr Turner, after careful consideration, I have decided to grant you my daughters hand in marriage. You are a good man. Even if you are a blacksmith."
"Thankyou, sir." I cried, ecstatic at the thought.
Annabelle gave a shriek of joy and flew into her father's arms. "Oh, father! Thankyou!"
Elizabeth joined in the gaiety, hugging her sister and kissing my cheek. "I'm so happy for you. In fact, I was willing to knock your heads together if you hadn't of worked everything out on your own!"
Annabelle chuckled, her arms clinging to my waist again. Sensing the change of mood, Elizabeth led her father away, leaving Annabelle and I alone.
A smile on my lips, I looked down at my Annabelle. "Are you sure you want to marry me, love? I'm just a Blacksmith and a Pirate."
Wrapping her arms around my neck, her fingers toying in my hair, she said; "No. You're my Pirate." Then she kissed me with all the passion I knew her capable of and more.
The End.
