Disclaimer: The ownership of POTC does not belong to me. If it did, Norrington would have his shirt off in at least one scene and I would be picked to be in his love scene…

Chapter 12: Port of Call

From the moment Norrington stepped onto the docks at Port Royal, he changed. Of course, he didn't change his clothes, or looks, or intelligence. No, his entire demeanor changed to the cold, unemotional, exceedingly politeCommodore Pru had met weeks earlier. His whole carriage infuriated her deeply, but they were in public. Retaliation would have to wait.

Also, she was far more nervous about her meeting with her uncle. Norrington…James would escort her there and would explain her presence since,as he soastutely pointed out, Pru was an abysmal liar when it came to making up stories. In that, she didn't argue, for, after all, one couldn't dispute the truth.

Norrington secured a carriage and helped Pru up into the seats. He climbed insidewhile he ordered the driver to proceed to the Governor's Mansion. As they rode through the streets of Port Royal, James proceeded to point out sites of local interest…the fort, the various merchant shops Pru would be interested in, the blacksmith's shop where her cousin's fiancée worked, and anything else that raised Pru's interest.

All too soon the carriage arrived at the mansion. Norrington alit and raised his hand to assist Pru out. The mansion was quite beautiful and the gardens were a wonderful tribute to its Caribbean surroundings. She loved it immediately. Taking Norrington's arm, they came to the front door. The butler greeted the Commodore and escorted Norrington and Pru into a downstairs parlor.

"Don't be nervous, Miss Martin. I will handle the introductions," Norrington advised.

"Yes, but the results of this meeting are still much in question. My uncle's reaction will determine everything…"

"…and I am sure he will let you stay. In my dealings with Governor Swann, I have found him to be loyal, hard working, and kind. You have nothing to fear."

"Yes, but…," Pru argued.

"Commodore! So you've finally returned…with a guest. I thought you were searching for Jack Sparrow…not young females. Very confusing, you know," a man's voice interrupted.

The man was only what Pru could assume was her uncle. He wore a dark brown coat with a contrasting peachwaistcoat and cream breeches. On his head stood an enormous wig, which resembled a poodle to Pru, but his eyes were kind and welcoming. Pru couldn't stop from smiling in return to his unusual greeting.

As for James, he had always had a great deal of respect for the Governor. Swann had always been fair in his dealings and had treated James as an equal. If his speeches were sometimes confusing, well, James was fond of the Governor and regarded Swann as an eccentric relative that one couldn't help liking. Thus, he disliked making up the story he was about to tell him, but it was really for Pru's greater good. That was all that mattered. Swann would have understood.

"Yes, I still haven't managed to catch Sparrow…"

"Well if you can't, no one can, Commodore."

"Quite. Allow me to introduce Miss Prudence Martin…," James said.

Pru frowned at Norrington as she interjected, "Call me Pru, please. I confess I'm not fond of Prudence."

Norrington subtly rolled his eyes at her before continuing, "She is your niece from Massachusetts and wanted to visit her mother's family in hopes of living here permanently. She is in my care due to some unfortunate dealings against her.

She had traveled to Georgia and was awaiting passage to Port Royal when her maid abandoned her. Before leaving, the maid assisted in robbing P…Miss Martin of everything, leaving her alone in a strange area. Desperate, she stowed away on my ship since she had heard we were returning to Port Royal. Due to an illness, I discovered her in the hold and brought her back to health. It was then my mission that I bring her to you safely, asyou see I have donetoday."

Swann looked at Pru with an appraising eye. "Welcome dear. It is a wonder I did not recognize you before. You look like your dear mother very much. I was saddened when she died so many years ago and I regret I did not contact you then. Do not fear about your future, Pru. Of course you may live with my daughter and I."

Pru gratefully smiled. "Thank You, Uncle. Thank you so much…"

"No thanks are needed on my part, but I do thank Commodore Norrington for escorting you here safely. Commodore, do stay for tea. Elizabeth should be returning shortly from a turn about the gardens…"

Pru saw Norrington tense. He then bowed to both of them and said, "I regret that I have many things to do at the fort. Pray accept my apologies." With that comment, he left.

"So dear, the butler will take care of your belongings and we shall repair to the informal parlor for tea," Swann stated.

"I have no other belongings beside this bag, as Commodore Norrington told you…"

"Father? Where are you?" a feminine voice asked.

"In the other parlor, Elizabeth. Your cousin had arrived from Massachusetts to live with us." the Governor called.

Elizabeth Swann entered the parlor as Pru turned. She was quite pretty…beautiful actually, and her cheeks bloomed with health and happiness. Her gown was stylish and becoming. She was also much smaller than Pru. She would not be able to borrow discarded gowns, much to Pru's dismay. What a wonderful beginning., Pru thought, I've got to ask for money to buy clothing. Already, I'm a burden…

"Good afternoon, I'm sorry, I don't believe I remember your name…," Elizabeth politely said.

"Pru Martin, and you must be Elizabeth." Pru smiled.

The group proceeded to take tea. Governor Swann retold Pru's story to Elizabeth andthe ladiesgot to know each other.

"Pru, you were saying something earlier about having no other clothes…" Swann began.

Elizabeth grinned. "Oh wonderful! Not about you being robbed, cousin, but that means you and I must repair to the mantuamaker immediately. Father, you will allow us to purchase my cousin an appropriate wardrobe…"

"Yes, Anything she needs. I leave her in your care." Swann replied.

"Excellent," Elizabeth exclaimed, "We shall go to the mantuamaker,gossip intenselywhile we choose gowns and accessories, and then I can introduce you to my fiancée. If that is acceptable?"

Pru smiled. Nothing was turning out to confirm her worst fears. It seemed she would finally become part of a family that actually acted like a family and her cousin might just become a close friend. "Shall we go after tea then?"

With plans afoot, tea was completed rather quickly. Giggling like girls barely out of the school room, Pru and Elizabeth set out for the love of many a girl's life: shopping.

The next few hours were spent in the manutamakers choosing fabrics, accessories, and designs. It was also spent in Pru's education of Port Royal: the people, the news, the scandals. Through the course of their conversation, Elizabeth, newly engaged, spoke much of her fiancée. Pru loved a romantic tale, and she urged her cousin to speak of the courtship.

As Elizabeth's tale began, the girls heard an older group of matrons gossiping. What made Pru pause was the subject, the Commodore.

"Did you hear, Margaret, the news about the Commodore?"

"Do tell, Jane."

"The HMS Hunter arrived in port earlier today. The Commodore was seen escorting a mysterious young woman off the ship. I heard from the wigmaker that he ordered his carriage driven to the Governor's Mansion. Could it be that the Commodore is engaged? To a non-Port Royal native?"

"T'would be a shame if it were true. Every eligible maiden, and a few questionable ladies wanted to be the woman to comfort him after that Elizabeth Swann rejected him for Will Turner, especially after Turner helped that Sparrow escape! Why if my daughter…"

Their voices faded as the women evidently left the shop. Pru found Elizabeth with a repentant expression upon her face. "I suppose you want to know the specifics of their conversation. Be prepared, a great deal of what I'm about to tell you will seem quite fanciful, but I can assure you that it is true."

"Go on, then." Pru demanded, incredibly curious.

"Will and I almost never would have even known our feelings for each other if it hadn't been for Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl…"

It took at least another hour of strolling along the beach before Elizabeth arrived at the end of her story, which had included undead pirates, of all things: "Will stood between the Commodore and Captain Sparrow, defending him to be a good man. He surely knew that the attempt would lead to the gallows for him as well as the captain. I joined him by his side, forcing my father to order the soldiers'weapons to be put down.

Will had told me he loved me earlier. I couldn't forsake him, when I knew his cause to be right. Earlier, I had been entirely prepared to marry Norrington as I promised. However, it was at that moment I realized that it was unfair to me, and to Norrington as well, to continue with the engagement.

Being the honorable gentleman, Norrington allowed the betrothal to be broken. Unexpectedly, he also allowed Sparrow to escape and have one days head start. I know, as I knew then, that I should never have gone back on my word and never have done it so publicly. It was selfish, I know. However, even now, I do not regret it for myself, for Will, for Sparrow, and definitely not for the Commodore. Do you condemn me as well, Pru?"

"No. I agree that you hurt several people in the process, but I would never have wanted to have anybody be married to someone that didn't love them or that they wouldn't be happy with. I know it happens rare enough these days. It is a pity that it has caused such gossip though. J…Norrington certainly does not deserve it…," Prucarefullyreplied.

"No, he doesn't. I must confess, that I needed todiscuss that with someone that wasn't directly involved. Thank You, Pru. I am quite excited to have another girl in the house."

"I am, as well. I've never had a sister or any other female relative close in age."

"To go back to the conversation, I've just thought of something," Elizabeth said as her gaze turned sly, "What did you think of the Commodore? Your acquaintance would have extendedthrough themany weeks of the voyage…"

Pru felt her cheeks blush and prayed that Elizabeth could not see it under her tan. "He is infuriating, smug, self-superior…"

Elizabeth interrupted, "You seem to share the opinion of many others…"

"Oh no! He is all what I've said to be sure, but he is also charming, when he wants to be, intelligent, and argues quite splendidly. I actually had great fun sparring with him. It was a wonderful battle of wits, actually…" Pru contradicted.

"Do my ears deceive me? Or does my cousin fancy James Norrington?" Elizabeth asked, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"No! Of course not! He is a friend, that's all."

"I am corrected, then. It just seemed that you might have been thinking about a walk down the aisle yourself…"

"Don't be silly. I'm not going to marry him and he certainly doesn't want to marry me…Now, come. I want to meet your fiancée before I age a hundred years."

The two ladies went off, in search of the blacksmith shop, laughing all the way. What joy it is to have a female friend, Pru thought.

"Don't be silly. I'm not going to marry him and he certainly doesn't want to marry me…"

James stood up, hidden from the women's view. His manner was morose as he faced the waves beating against the sandy shore. The bad thing about the ocean was that it left you to your thoughts and James most assuredly did not want to be left with his thoughts at the moment.

So, that is truly how she feels about me. I had told myself repeatedly that women do not clamor over an awkward fellow such as myself. Pru's cousin certainly did not, although I know now that a marriage to Elizabeth would not have made either of us happy. Nevertheless, a rejection is still a rejection, especially a public one.

It is of no importance now. I will simply do my best to avoid Pru for the next few weeks in hopes of overcoming my compulsion to be near her, to think of her, to dream…confound it, I'm still doing it as I resolve not to! I will overcome this.

Then, when I encounter Pru…Miss Martin in social situations, it will be as acquaintances, nothing more. I will bow, murmur something polite and then escape…I mean stay on the opposite side of the room. There will be no dancing, no tours of Port Royal, no picnics…nothing. Any interactions will be purely of social duty. As it should be…

James turned and retraced his steps. There would be many papers waiting on his desk to sort through. He would have plenty of time in the next few weeks…

Please Review! Thanks for all that have reviewed so far. Pru and James finally arrived in Port Royal! Yay!