Chapter 9: The Feast
A grand party was held in Elizabeth and Will's honor at the Governor's Mansion that night. Both Will and Elizabeth were in gorgeous clothes, Elizabeth was wearing a long silk gown and Will was wearing a silk three-piece suit with his sword at his belt. Jack and Isabella, reluctantly, were dressed in satin. Isabella in a satin dress and Jack in a satin suit. Jack was wearing his boots, but at least he cleaned and polished them to make them look better and like Will, he carried his sword at his belt. It seemed all the men there were officers in the BRN, so they all had swords at their belts as well.
"Enjoying yourselves, Captain von Tassel? Captain Sparrow?" Governor Swann asked the pirates.
"Indeed, Governor." Isabella replied with a smile.
"We are having a splendid evening." Jack out in, smiling as well.
"Glad to hear it." Swann replied and he set off across the back lawn towards Elizabeth.
"Although I do wish we could get out of these ridiculous outfits." Jack said to Isabella once the governor was out of earshot.
"Oh come now Jack. We'll be back in our old clothes and back on the ships soon enough. Now be a little bit more happy about this party. This is for Elizabeth and Will." Isabella informed Jack.
"Alright, alright." They continued to promenade through the expansive gardens behind the luxurious mansion and talked to Elizabeth and Will as they did so.
"I know you probably want to get back to the ship terribly, Jack, but I thank you for being here." Elizabeth told Jack.
"Yes, well. . . what can I say? I'm actually enjoying myself. Despite the fact that I've never felt like a bigger idiot dressed like this…" Jack replied.
"Glad to hear it, Jack." Elizabeth smiled.
A bell sounded from the mansion and everyone went into the great dining hall for dinner. The food was incredible and plentiful (Thank god for free food! Jack thought). Jack and Isabella sat across from Will and Elizabeth at one end of the extremely long table as they enjoyed light conversation. At the other end, Norrington sat with Governor Swann and talked to him, occasionally glancing down the table at Jack. Jack caught Norrington's eye at one point and, since there was a silence, brought it up.
"Ye know, I still don't think Norrin'ton has entirely forgiven me."
"Oh, he'll get over it, eventually. What you did is not an easy thing to forget or forgive, mind you." Elizabeth assured Jack.
"I know it, but does he really have to stare at me and Isabella every five minutes?" Jack asked as he caught Norrington's eye again.
"In his mind, apparently he does. Just don't worry about it and eat!" Elizabeth ordered.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the table…
"I still can't believe you want to make ends meet with Sparrow." Norrington said.
"Keep in mind, Norrington, he saved Elizabeth's life twice and killed the man who attacked our town." Swann informed Norrington.
"Yes, but he still commandeered a ship of the fleet to go on a man hunt for pirates who couldn't be killed." Norrington shot back.
"James, last I checked, I was governor of this town and so made all peace treaties, not you." Swann snapped.
"My apologies, Governor." Norrington, defeated, turned back to his dinner.
Many hours later, the party ended and everyone left. Elizabeth and Will bade everyone a good-night as the guests left at the doors to the mansion. When everyone was gone and Jack, Will, Elizabeth, and Isabella were the only ones left, Elizabeth decided to strike up conversation with Jack.
"Jack? If it's alright with you, I'd like to spend tonight here, in my own house."
"Well, I wanted to make an early start out. Isabella wants to head to the Galapagos Islands, and the earlier we set off, the faster we can round Cape Horn before the harsh winter storms hit. . ."
"Please Jack?" Elizabeth interrupted. Jack put up a hand to silence her and finished his sentence.
". . . but, I suppose one day wont kill us. Ye can spend a bit more time here if ye really want to."
"Oh Jack! Thank you! Thank you!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she threw her arms around Jack's neck.
"Anytime, love. Now, can ye kindly let go of my neck? Yer beginnin' t' choke me." jack asked.
"Oh, sorry!" Elizabeth laughed as she released him.
"Jack! Let's get a move on!" Isabella called from a ways down the driveway.
"Alright! Coming!" he turned to Will. "You coming?"
"I guess. I've got nowhere else to go." Will replied. Jack and Will made their way with Isabella to the docks where the two ships were anchored. Jack bade Isabella god-night and made for his ship and cabin. Isabella made for her cabin and Will for his.
TBC... reviews welcome! - Depp's Girl