Chapter 2

Everyone knows what happened at the promotion ceremony. Elizabeth Swann fell off the battlements and was saved by the pirate Jack Sparrow. There were rumors that the Commodore had proposed, but most people didn't believe it. I knew better…

He was so nervous, and I reprimanded myself for actually finding it endearing. This could not happen if I were to go on. Lord forgive me, but was it wrong to have cheered silently when Miss Swann fell off the battlements? Of course, I did so after I knew she was safe. I'm not a complete monster.

It wrenched my heart to hear the way James shouted "Elizabeth!" when he discovered her plight. If Gillette hadn't intervened, he would have jumped in after her, and surely would have been hurt!

That night the pirates of the Black Pearl attacked Port Royal. As our plantation was just beyond town, so nothing of note occurred to us. John went into town when the cannon fire was heard but refused to allow me to go. I got no sleep that night. I waited and worried the whole time, pistols in both hands.

The next morning, John returned. It seems that Miss Swann had been kidnapped by the pirates. Otherwise, the town was trying to recover from the reckless destruction pirates cause. Being that it was safe, I accompanied him back to town and began helping with the cleanup and comforting those who had lost family members.

It was in the process of this that I overheard the blacksmith's apprentice, Will Turner, confront James over the attempt to rescue Miss Swann…

Turner was frantic as he feverishly stated, "They've taken her! They've taken Elizabeth!"

James was his usual cool disdainful self. "Murtogg, Remove this man…"

Will spoke again. "We have to hunt them down. We must save her."

Governor Swann replied, "And where do you propose we start? If you have any information concerning my daughter, please share it."

One of the soldiers, Murtogg, I believe spoke up. "That Jack Sparrow. He talked about the Black Pearl."

His partner in confusion, Mullroy added, "Mentioned it, is more what he did."

Turner shot back, "Ask him where it is. Make a deal with him. He could lead us to it."

Norrington calmly said, "No. The pirates who invaded this Fort left Sparrow locked in his cell, ergo they are not his allies." He turned towards Swann. "Governor, we will establish their most likely course…"

Suddenly, Turner threw his hatchet and buried it in the middle of James's map. "That's not good enough!" he barked.

James had had enough. Grabbing Turner by the arm he bit out, "Mr. Turner, you are not a military man, you are not a sailor. You are a blacksmith and this is not the moment for rash actions. Do not make the mistake of thinking you are the only man here who cares for Elizabeth."

My back sank against the wall I had been standing beside. A wave of hopelessness washed over me as I realized how much James truly cared for the girl. He would never be mine, no matter what I dreamed. It was high time I realized that and moved on. I resolved to make good on my promise to myself that I go on. No more delusions of what might have happened; in time, my love would fade and I could find someone new. No more hiding in the shadows…

I quickly began walking away, but James saw me before I could disappear successfully. "Gwen…er, Miss Speares!" he called out.

I stopped and waited for him to reach me. "Yes Commodore?

He appeared hesitant, quite unlike the man of action he had appeared to be just moments before. "I trust you and your brother were not harmed last night?"

"The pirates never progressed that far. We were entirely safe…you were not hurt?"

He shook his head. "No, I was not, but Miss Swann…"

Ignoring the quick pain, I responded, "Yes, I heard. Do be careful. I would not want you to be hurt." I curtsied. "Good day."

He bowed and returned to the Governor. I found a quiet corner to cry, the last cry I would have over that man…

What happened to James on his mission to find Miss Swann I can only tell through what I heard at the time. Rumors flew rampant through the town. Rumors of undead ghostly pirates, Captain Jack Sparrow, and battles seemed quite fantastical.

The most talked about rumor, however, was that Miss Swann had agreed to Norrington's proposal. I for one, who thought that anyone who refused James would have to be a fool, believed the last rumor. Miss Swann was no fool, much as I would have wished her to be one at that moment…

The involvement of Captain Jack Sparrow seemed to be at least partially true, as the Dauntless returned with the man on board. The hanging was to occur shortly after their arrival in Port Royal.

I never talked to James in the intervening days. His time was filled with the necessary business of returning after a battle. Writing condolence letters for those who had died was never something I would have wished on anyone, but James went on, the honorable commander.

The day came and as hangings were public, a rather large group of people came to see the deed done. I never much liked hangings, but I went to perhaps see if Miss Swann had indeed agreed to James's proposal.

I could not glean anything from their nearness. Miss Swann was beside her father as was customary. James was standing beside the Governor on the other side, eyes focused on Sparrow on the gallows. I stood just off from their position.

Will Turner came up to the Swanns and the Commodore. Mr. Turner was dressed quite ridiculously, with an enormous feather in his hat. He reminded me of a storybook hero. Turner greeted each of them in turn before resting his eyes on Elizabeth.

He then proceeded to tell Miss Swann that he loved her. James's face, normally controlled, projected the dismay he was feeling. I knew that if Turner were to declare his love for Miss Swann, James could never marry her. He was too noble for that.

Things happened quickly after that. Miss Swann pretended to faint to distract James from Turner's actions. The lever released the floor from under Jack Sparrow's feet. Turner plunged through the crowd and threw a sword towards the gallows to provide Sparrow with a place to stand and thus not hang.

Turner managed to get Sparrow cut down and the two of them caused a melee as they tried to escape. James managed to surround them just as they approached the battlements.

James, his sword pointed at the criminals, said grimly, "I thought we might have to endure some manner of ill-conceived escape attempt, but not from you."

Governor Swann exasperatingly proclaimed that he had granted Turner clemency and was astonished that Turner repaid him in this way.

"And a good man." I heard Turner say. "If all I have achieved here is that the hangman will earn two pairs of boots instead of one, so be it. At least my conscience will be clear."

"You forget your place, Turner." James said.

"It's right here, between you and Jack."

Elizabeth quickly moved by Turner's side. Taking his hand, she said, "As is mine."

Governor Swann ordered the weapons to be lowered.

James looked saddened. "So this is wear your heart truly lies?"

She nodded, her eyes pleading for him to understand. "It is."

Sparrow chose that moment to make his escape attempt. He fell over the battlements into the water, something everyone thought was extremely stupid until someone saw the sails…

As they watched the ship, Governor Swann stated that something to the effect that piracy could sometimes be the right course. That apparently decided the matter for James.

Turning to Mr. Turner, he said. "Mr. Turner." He unsheathed his sword. "This is a beautiful sword. I would expect the man who made it to show the same care and devotion in every aspect in his life."

So James did know the truth of the matter. In his own way, he was telling Turner he won. My heart warmed with pride at his gallant actions as it ached for the disappointment and pain he must be feeling…

James began to turn, certainly to go to his office. His lieutenant burst out, "Commodore! What about Sparrow?"

Norrington lifted his eyebrows. "Well, I think we can afford to give him one day's head start."