Disclaimer: I make no money of POTC. Nor do I have Norrington with me at this time. Life is disappointing somedays.
Chapter 22: Best Laid Plans
Lieutenant Gillette found his friend and superior officer in the stables. James Norrington had taken off his coat and waistcoat, leaving him only in breeches and a stark white shirt, something Pru would have appreciated had she been there to see it. He'd removed most of his clothes to better groom a new horse he had bought recently, a russet colored mare with superb bloodlines. Norrington was in the process of brushing the horse's coat when Gillette finally spoke.
"James."
Norrington turned around in surprise. "How did you know I was here?"
"Came across you a couple of times here about this sametime. Figured you had made riding at night ahabit for relaxation." He suddenly remembered why he had sought out his friend. "A message just arrived for you sir."
James frowned. "A message? Well, hand it over."
He opened the letter quickly and began to peruse the missive. His heart sank in despair as he lowered himself to the ground:
Commodore Norrington,
My father's presence here has reminded me of my duties as his daughter. Therefore, I regret to inform you that I release you from our engagement. I will be obeying my father's wishes and marrying Mr. Sills.
Do not try to follow me and try to persuade me otherwise. Our relationship is over. I shall soon be married to an entirely sensible man that is worthy of my admiration and devotion. I can only hope that you will accede to my wishes and be happy that I've found the correct path.
Regards,
Prudence Martin
At Gillette's request, he handed his lieutenant the letter with permission to read it. It didn't really matter who read it now; the news would come out to everyone soon enough.
James bleakly stared forward, seeing nothing but Pru's face, with that soft smile that always made him pause. Was I really that repulsive to her? Perhaps I'm doomed to remain a bachelor forever, never realizing my wish for a wife, a family, a home. Perhaps there is just something fundamentally wrong with me…I'll never be good enough…
Gillette interrupted, "So that's what Pru stood for…"
Norrington froze, his mind furiously working…"What?"
"Prudence, that's what Pru stood for."
James stood there for a moment, working out the implications in his brain. Wait…Something's wrong here…
He turned for his coat and took out something from his pocket. It was a letter that Pru had written him, old, brown, and wrinkled from repeated readings. She'd left it on the Hunter, having apparently forgotten to give it to him. It was a short sarcastic request for the "frustrating pleasure of his company." The tone may have been sarcastic, but James treasured the missive as if it had been a love letter. Foolish, but what person acts sanely in a case like this? He quickly scanned the letter for the last bit:
Regards,
Pru Martin
Pru. Pru Martin. That could only mean…
He snapped into action. "Gillette, Send a man to the Governor's house immediately. Have him inquire if Pru is in the house. If she is not to be found, tell Swann that I am in great fear that her father has taken her."
"I will be readying the Hunter. We leave within the hour to go find her."
Gillette looked at him. "Why? She's marrying someone else! She doesn't deserve you…Don't let yourself feel pain over another flighty…"
James thrust the letter in Gillette's face. "She might have written this letter, but she didn't want to. Pru made it as obvious as she could that she was being coerced against her will to write this. Look, at the signature. Look damn it! Prudence Martin. She hated being called Prudence, refused to let anybody she liked call her that. She always signed correspondence with Pru Martin. She's in danger, I'm certain, GO DO WHAT I SAY NOW! NO ARGUMENTS!"
"I'll go inform the Governor myself and meet you at the docks as soon as I can."
Norrington had already left the stables putting on his clothes at a dead run…
Minutes Later…
A knock sounded on the door of the forge. Will didn't hear it as he was engaged in a sword fight with a fairly skillful opponent. Minutes later, the door burst open to reveal Elizabeth. Her chest blew in and out from exertion as the two men finally realized they had a visitor.
Will put his sword down as he rushed to Elizabeth, concerned for her welfare. "What's wrong, Elizabeth?"
She took a deep breath. "Lieutenant Gillette has just been at my house. Pru's missing. We think her father took her a few hours ago…"
Another voice intruded. "That's interesting…"
Elizabeth finally noticed the identity of Will's sword partner. "Jack! Good, you can help too! Take the Pearl and find her or at least find my cousin's whereabouts! I know you haven't met her so I'll describe…"
"I've met her, love. Hardly canbelieve she's related to you, given the fact she doesn't destroy rum…"
She frowned. "When?"
"Give her passage to Georgia."
"Let's go! We've got to save her…" She stood up and headed for the door.
Will and Jack glanced at each other. No amount of arguments would sway Elizabeth. They were off on another adventure…
Commodore Norrington was always levelheaded in battle. Always. However, with Pru involved, he became a nervous wreck. Pacing the deck constantly, he saw nothing that came tohisattention was happening fast enough. He'd just been about to bite a young midshipman's head off when Gillette intervened.
"We're ready to sail, sir."
James scowled. "Then do it! For God's sake, every moment we delay, we lose time!"
Gillette nodded. "Yes sir. Don't fear, we'll find her…but if I may make a suggestion…" He turned and shouted the order to sail.
James wasn't sure he'd like his lieutenant's idea. "What?"
"Calm down below decks with a bit of brandy. Let me handle the sailing. There's nothing you need, can, or have to do at the moment."
"You know I can't do that…Calm down?" he growled.
Gillette remained stubborn. "Yes"
"Oh, that's fine for you to say. It's obvious you've never really been in love…" He stopped.
Love? Love! Love. Yes, Love. God, I've been so blind. I love her, every arguing frustrating witty bit of her…and she's in danger.
His face had turned white. Gillette touched his arm. "Sir?" he asked.
James nodded. "A glass of brandy in my office would be a good idea, I think. Report to me about anything…and I mean anything that happens. That's an order."
Gillette made his way to the helm of the ship. James turned and went into his office, the entire time his blood pounding the same words: Come on! Come on! Come On! Come On!...
Tortuga…
"Lass isn't here, mates. Don't know where they ship going neither" Sparrow informed Elizabeth and Will.
"What's our next course of action? We don't know where to go!" Will proclaimed, exasperated.
"Now, that ain't true, Young Will. I knows where we going…"
"You just said…"
"You ain't listnen, mate. I said I know where we're going, not where they're going."
"Where are we going then?"
"Where they be going."
Elizabeth and Will both shouted at once, "Jack!"
"Come on, love. Gi' me that horizon and we'll find yer cozin."
Much later, aboard the HMS Hunter…
"Tell the Commodore what you've told me…" Gillette requested the captain of the Seawitch. The Hunter had stopped the merchant ship in hopes that the crew would have information on the whereabouts of Sill's ship.
"We passed a ship called the Bloody Sword hours ago. We'd have not noted anything if it weren't for the fact that pirate ship was following it…"
"What pirate ship?" Norrington asked.
"The Black Pearl, that's the one with the black sails, isn't it? Anyways, the Bloody Sword didn't even send a signal for help and the Black Pearl, who passed within cannon distance from us didn't even acknowledge our presence…and everyone knows we carry the best most expensive goods in the Caribbeanon the Seawitch!" the captain exclaimed in confusion.
"Indeed. Thank you for your valuable information. Be so good as to accompany Lieutenant Gillette to the helm and provide coordinates for where you sighted them. You have done a great service…"
The merchantman nodded. "Anything for the crown, sir." He left following Gillette.
Norrington put his head on his desk. At last, a piece of information he could chew on. At last, it wasn't just guesswork, frantically hoping they were going in the right direction. Something constructive would finally be done. He rose, determined to be on deck, searching the horizon with his spyglass in hopes of seeing the ship Pru was on. By God, he thought, those men have no idea what they've done. No one harms my Pru in any way. No one.
In what seemed like days, but really had been merely a good sized group of hours, nothing more, a ship with black sails was spotted not too far in the distance. Gillette inquired about what to do about the pirate ship. To his surprise and to almost everyone else's Norrington ordered to pass it by. "I've bigger problems, Gillette." he said in a tone that dared anyone to argue. No one did.
The HMS Hunter proved caught a bit of wind and sailed past the Black Pearl. Norrington extended his spyglass and intently scanned the horizon. Just ahead there was a ship, the words "The Bloody Sword" painted on it. Grim, James turned and ordered to make ready for battle…
About the same time, aboard The Bloody Sword…
"May I be allowed to go on deck?" Pru defiantly asked.
Her father looked up from his ledger, which he'd been craftily 'cooking' as it were for the past hour. "No."
"What am I going to do? We're in the middle of the Caribbean!"
"No."
Pru doubled over and began gagging.
"Then I suppose I'll just cast my accounts on your shoes then."
His face twisted into a comical version of revulsion. "Very Well. Be quick about it. You, Boy, follow her and make sure she doesn't do anything to escape."
Shoulder slumped as if to ward off an 'eruption', Pru went up on deck. She leaned against the railing and began a series of deep breaths. It was then that Sills noticed her presence.
"JONES, WHAT IS SHE DOING ON DECK?" he thundered.
The boy, Jones apparently, abruptly turned in Sills direction. Finally finding the opportune moment, Pru grabbed the boy's sword, kicked him in his rear, and climbed on the rail. Just as Sills bellowed, "Grab her, you fools!" Pru dived into the water, desperate to escape. She began stroking her way to the small deserted island off the port side.
Despite having a sword in one hand, Pru managed to make it there safely, as the water was quite shallow far out from the island. Pru assessed where she was. The island looked small and there was very little evidence that someone had ever stepped foot on it, save a few clues. To Pru's left, she spied the remains of a bonfire and beyond that, a large group of palm trees that had been involved in a large fire, obviously human induced. Pru knew now she didn't have much to work with as she looked behind her to see a small dinghy rowing to the shore…
Aboard the HMS Hunter,
Norrington was observing the ship as the lookout cried, "Man overboard on the Bloody Sword, sir."
His spyglass swings to the sea. All he could make out was a figure swimming awkwardly toward the island off the port side. Instinctively he knew it to be Pru. No one else would be so foolish as to escape to a deserted island, he thought. Urgently, he turned to Gillette as he observed the dinghy rowing to shore…
"Ready the boat. Pru is on that island and Sills is rapidly approaching it. I want a full contingent of soldiers with me. Flag down the Black Pearl. Order them in the clearest terms possible that it would be in their best interest to attack and take the Bloody Sword."
Gillette was stunned. "But sir…"
"No buts! Move! Follow me when you've managed to dothat. It seems we've got a land battle to fight…" He began moving toward the boat his men were preparing… Please, don't let me fail this time. Pru is too important to my well being. She can't be hurt. If she is, I surely can be excused for any of my actions done in revenge. Please…
Aboard the Black Pearl…
"That Bloody Norrington's finally caught up." Jack muttered as they saw the Hunter wanted a chat.
"We'll have to stop," Elizabeth warned.
It was then that the crewman in the crow's nest announced a man had jumped overboard on the Bloody Sword.
"Pru!" Elizabeth and Will said at the same time, "It has to be!"
"Gibbs! See what the bloody navy wants…It seems I'll be going to that same godforsaken island again…Will, take my affects…" With that, Jack jumped and began his swim to the island.
Apparently, the Black Pearl was being ordered to attack the Bloody Sword. They weren't left with any options besides hanging if they refused…Logically, they chose to attack…
With the Bloody Sword being engaged in battle by two ships, the rest of the drama was being played on the beach. Sill's boat had arrived on the sand. He stepped out and walked to Pru, who had decided she'd go down fighting ratherthan marry the repulsive pirate.
"So, you want to end it this way? You've made me have to employ my last plan, wench. I'll take you by force and then you'll have to marry me. You can't go back to Port Royal after that. You'll be shunned and be considered a common whore…"
Pru drew her sword. "I wouldn't bet on it." She spit out.
Sills took his sword and immediately they were locked in a fearsome fight. She had practiced and had gained a great deal of skill. She had speed, but his big lumbering body had strength. It was clear that she would have to strike quickly, but soon her arm began to tire, and she began to fight dirty…
James had just snuck up to Pru and Sills, neither of whom noticed in the midst of their fight, when Sills landed a mighty blow which shot Pru's sword out of her reach.
"Pru!" he cried without thinking. Sills was quick. He immediatelypressed Pru to his body, his sword at her neck. A small line of blood appeared, making Norrington's entire body freeze with fear. No…
He hid it the best he could behind a mask of fury. Softly, angrily, he said, "Let her go. And I might just let you hang."
Sills scoffed. "What's the other option whelp? Hanging was the punishment for piracy, last I checked…"
"Not good enough for you. If you harm her in any way, I'll draw and quarter you myself!"
Suddenly, a voice intruded. "I wouldn't be doin tha mate."
Sill's head turned. Pru punched his most sensitive private area with a clenched fist while simultaneously biting his hand hard enough to leave a deep bite mark. Sills dropped his sword and buckled to the ground. Finally released, Pru ran to James and was immediately enveloped in an unbreakable embrace. She trembled; James held her tighter. "You came." She gasped, "You knew…"
He murmured comfortingly, "Yes. I'm here. You're safe. I'll never let anything like this happen to you again…"
Her head laid down to rest on his chest. He closed his eyes, thanking God that he'd arrived in time, that she was safe, that she was with him.
It was because of that he didn't notice what happened next in time to do anything. Sills lumbered up from where he fell and aimed his gun towards the embracing couple. Just as Pru screamed, a shot rang out...
Smoke emanated from the pistol from which the bullet came. Behind the gun stood Jack Sparrow, eyes locked on his target. Sills lay on the ground, dead practically instantly.
"Are you all right?" James asked Pru, his first concern above all others.
She gave a weak smile. "As well as can be. I want to go home, James."
"And we shall."
James turned to Sparrow. In the background, he vaguely registered that his marines had captured any pirates that had come to the island with Sill, but other matters currently occupied his attention. James extended his hand to the pirate.
"I believe thanks are in order." he said.
Sparrow looked at him with cynicism. "If ye think I'll be doing tha again…"
Just then, Gillette appeared at Norrington's side. "We've got them sir…and the Bloody Sword has been captured as well with a large amount of illegal contraband, I might add." He paused as he noticed Sparrow. "Jack Sparrow, we meet again…" Gillette sneered with disdain.
James held a hand up to quiet his lieutenant. "Captain."
Gillette was extremely confused and appalled. "What, sir?"
"Captain Jack Sparrow, the man who saved Pru…and myself. I think by now he deserves us to refer to him as such, don't you think?"
Jack, as was customary for him, gave a jaunty grin and pointed at himself, as if to say, "Look at me! Commodore Stick in the Mud is grateful to me!" He was ridiculously proud of it, really.
"Thank you, Jack," Pru replied.
"Nothin of it, one rum patron to another…Must be getting back to me Pearl…" He sauntered off to meet his crew.
Gillette was still taken aback. "Another day head start, sir?"
He looked at his lieutenant with a mischievous grin. "Or a month…whenever I get around to it."
Pru glanced at him with wondering eyes. "I'm proud of you, James."
Nothing better could have ever been said in his opinion. It was time to return to Port Royal…
Port Royal
After a day or two of recovery after her ordeal, Pru sent a note to the fort, requiring Norrington's presence in the garden. With reluctance, he moved to go to the Governor's Mansion. He knew what this was going to be about. The threat of a forced marriage was over; Sill's was dead and her father had committed suicide rather than face a public hanging. Pru was safe to go down whatever path she needed and he supposed that path wouldn't include him, no matter how much he yearned for it.
The meeting was short, but full of awkwardness. Pru held a hand up immediately when she saw him to indicate she wished to speak first. Her eyes sad, she began, "James. What I want to say is short, and I want it to be done with quickly. You have no obligation whatsoever to remain engaged with me. I believe that if I tell a few gossips about how you merely pretended an engagement to save me and did it only in the service of a friend, neither of us shall be wounded, socially at least. You will come out as a hero and I as a damsel in distress that you saved. It is not perfect, but it is the only option I see…"
Norrington immediately moved to interrupt. Pru stopped him. "No, don't say anything."
"Pru…"
Her eyes filled up with tears. "NO! I want what's best for you. You need a wife that you love…a…I'm sorry." She turned and ran at top speeds into the mansion.
James stared at the air for a half hour. I had a fiancee I loved! You! And just like that, jilted again. I'll never find anybody who will love plain James Norrington. I'll either end up as a confirmed bachelor or be married to one of those halfwits that admires my rank…
He turned and made his way to the fort. He suddenly had the urge to get drunk. Very drunk indeed…
Pru stayed in her locked room for the rest of the day. Elizabeth came to her door, but she refused to answer. Instead, Pru sat by the window, gazing out at the beautiful view of Port Royal, glass of Rum in hand. It was her first and she had not intended it to be her last.
The door opened then. Elizabeth stepped through the door and relocked it with the key she'd gotten from the housekeeper. "You will talk to me Pru." She demanded.
"No…" she looked down at her full glass.
"Oh Pru. Rum isn't the answer…"
"It doesn't matter. I'm trying to get drunk over here." Pru stated.
"How much have you drunk?" Elizabeth asked.
"Counting this? None." Pru admitted glumly.
"You can't bring yourself to drink it? What happened? Tell me."
"I broke off the engagement."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and groaned. "And Norrington just allowed it? I wouldn't have thought it, not with the way he hovered over you the entire way back to Port Royal! Why he's madly in l…"
"I never gave him a chance to argue. I ran off after I told him my plan…"
Elizabeth huffed. "No wonder father had said that Norrington looked like he'd lost a favorite puppy, a close relative died, and he lost his commission in one day…"
Norrington sat in the dark of his room, silently sipping brandy. A knock on the door preceded Gillette's entrance.
"Feeling sorry for yourself, I see?" his lieutenant asked.
"I got jilted again, Gillette. Maybe I'm just not good enough." He took a swallow of the brandy. No pleasure came from it. The bitter taste of rejection filled his mouth and blocked every other taste out.
"Or perhaps you've made a regular mess of things. You seem to excel at so much and yet you so miserably fail when it comes to fiancées."
Norrington agreed. "I'm bloody awful…I'd thought I would be able to convince her. Couldn't she see that marriage to me would make sense, damn it?"
Gillette snorted. "Sensible. Forgive me, James, but I don't think Pru wants a sensible marriage. How did you propose anyway?"
"Pru asked me for help to allow her to not marry that pirate Sills. I made an announcement to the dinner party that I was engaged to be married to her."
"So you didn't ask…you just announced it? How did Pru react?" Gillette's brows were arched in surprise.
"She was bloody furious. We had another row. I told her all the sensible reasons for marriage, she yelled at me, but the next day she thanked me for trying…"
Gillette sighed in exasperation. "You're an idiot, you know."
Norrington's eyebrow arched. "Excuse me, lieutenant?"
"Don't lieutenant me! This is your friend Andrew who's calling you an idiot. You told her it was convenient and sensible? What kind of proposal is that?"
"It doesn't really matter now, does it? She doesn't want me…Now if you'll excuse me, I'm trying to get completely knocked out soused drunk…"
"Stubborn arsehole…" Gillette shifted to speaking French as he left Norrington's room.
Neither Norrington or Pru managed to get drunk that night. They both quickly realized that the pain would never be numbed by drinking and both were too responsible to try it anyway. Pru spent the night in restless sadness before finally drifting to sleep. James went out to the battlements and sat there, staring out to the ocean…wishing, yearning…
AN: I know, frustrating, isn't it? I promise that they'll end up together…but really they're too stubborn to do it themselves! I might write some more tonight and post it later this evening...It depends on having time to do it and how many people have read the rest of the story so far...I promise to update soon, faithful readers!
Zorra the Princess Bride: Thanks for the lovely, lovely review! That's the longest one I've gotten so far! (and one of the reviews that made me smile the biggest!)