Chapter 4/6:

It was bright and it was early. Daniel Norrington was happy that the sun was shining, but not so happy to be awake. His father had instructed him to wear his dress clothes. Daniel hated his dress clothes. They were itchy, hot, and altogether uncomfortable. That and he was forced to be quiet as he sat on the edge of his straight backed chair.

He and his father were waiting for some Swann lady. His father had an important appointment with her. Daniel had complained that morning about having to go when it had nothing to do with him. His father had silenced him with a stern glare.

James could hear footsteps. He looked up and over at the stairs. There she was. Elizabeth Swann. The woman who had spurned him for William Turner. She looked frail, and her skin was paler than normal. He had heard she had fallen dreadfully ill.

Daniel saw the woman too, but his reaction was completely different. He rushed over to the woman's side. Something about her screamed at his little heart. She needed his help. She needed him. The lady looked down and smiled at Daniel. Daniel smiled back. Elizabeth's eyes widened as the boy lead her to her seat.

"You have him?" she gave a surprised look at James.

"So it's true. He does belong to Turner." James cradled his head in his hands. This was it. She was going to take his son from him. Well he bloody well wouldn't have it. "You can't have him back you know. He's mine. I won't let you take him Miss Swann." James took his son's hand and held in tight.

"Do not fear Commodore. He was never my son or William's. He has always been yours I suppose. After all, it was you who took care of him all these years." Elizabeth smiled sadly before looking at Daniel again. "What's his name?"

"Daniel. Daniel Norrington, my son." James said his eyes filling with unshed tears. He promised himself he wouldn't do this. He had promised himself that he would keep control.

"Daddy? Are you ok? What's wrong? Did I do something?" Daniel stood in front of James, his big brown eyes peering intently into James' own.

James smiled at Daniel. His son was an amazing boy. He put his arms around him. "No Daniel you didn't do anything. Daddy's fine."

Elizabeth cleared her throat and father and son looked over at her. "Commodore, maybe your son would like to go play now." Daniel looked back at his father. That was a good idea. Daniel wanted to leave. He had decided he didn't much like the Swann lady. She made his daddy upset.

James laughed at his son's hopefully look. "Yes, yes of course. Off you go Daniel."

Daniel rushed away, remembering to wave at the last minute. Then he was gone.

James returned his attention to Elizabeth. "I once fancied you a rose Miss Swann. Look at what time has done to you." His hand waved toward her.

"I lost a lot of blood while birthing that child. I've never fully recovered. It's just gotten worse." Elizabeth said hanging her head.

James pitied her. He really did, but he would give her no sympathy. She broke him once; he wouldn't care for her again. "So why did you do it Elizabeth? Why did you give up your son? Why did you give your son to me?"

Elizabeth sighed. "I didn't choose you Commodore. I left the choice up to my maid. She was supposed to find a good family for the baby. It was raining that night; I suppose she just wanted to get home."

James nodded. "Go on."

"My father. He threatened to kill the baby if it was born alive…" And she proceeded to tell him the story.

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Daniel breathed in the fresh air. He was glad to be out. He unbuttoned his blue jacket and spun around. He loved his dad, but he had bad taste in clothes! Daniel took off running. He had to tell his friends about his dad and the real pirates he had seen. They were going to be so jealous of him when they heard. He could see their amazed faces already.

He knew the route to the market place by heart. He waved at the people he saw along the way. Fresh air always gave him energy. He turned down an alleyway. It was a short cut to Peter's house. They always met there. Peter's mum was the best cook in the world, and she always had some sort of treat for the boys.

Daniel got halfway down the alleyway before he ran smack into someone. A tall someone. He was knocked to the ground, and he looked up to see pirates. The men from the other day. The one who had smiled at him and told him he looked like Willy. Daniel looked at them with confusion. They were supposed to be locked up. His daddy said so.

"Why if it isn't the little commodore's son." Jack smiled and ruffled the boy's hair as he pulled him up. . "Where are we off to all alone?"

Daniel shuddered. His dad had said these pirates weren't very nice, and Daniel knew they must have escaped from prison. He turned to run, but he was grabbed by his shirt collar.

"No, no little one. You must come with us and tell us all about your daddums." Jack said grinning. Daniel looked at his dirty teeth and vowed to never become a pirate. Playing pirates was fine and dandy, but if you ended up like this man, Daniel didn't want anything to do with real pirates.

"Leave me alone. My daddy said you weren't very nice." Daniel wiggled, trying to get out of the pirate's grasp.

"Do you listen to everything your daddy says?" Jack mocked. Daniel screwed up his face. He was going to yell, and he was going to yell loud. Jack covered his mouth.

"Now don't do that. We aren't going to hurt you savvy?" Jack patted the boy on the head. "See William he listens to everything his daddy says. The commodore's taken good care of the little bugger."

Will stared at Daniel. "He's real. Oh god he's real…" William turned away.

"Oh come on Willy! Get a grip, and let's go get some rum." Jack rolled his eyes at Will and dragged the kid away.

Daniel struggled some more but he couldn't get out of the pirate's grip. The other man followed them slowly. Daniel knew what they were doing. These evil pirates were kidnapping him! This was one adventure he really didn't want to take part in.

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