The Oldest Story in the Book
Chapter 6
Author's Note: Many thanks for all the kind words, all around. As a reward, an incredibly long
chapter. I almost killed myself doing it, so enjoy! To pendragginink–I don't remember tying
Will up either. I wonder who did that. And where did Pearl get off to?
~Three Years Later~
Norrington paced up and down the dock, waiting for the crew to finish securing the ship
to the dock so they could begin unloading. He was just thankful this one hadn't been pillaged by
pirates, a common occurrence of late. Maggie and Elizabeth, along with the majority of the
female population of Port Royale, was anxious for the cloth that lay onboard. The glass to replace
the parlor window Emmie and Ethan had put a cricket ball through (he still wasn't certain how
although he had his suspicions) was also on this ship, as were the basic wares the merchants had
been unable to get of late.
As soon as the plank was firmly in place Norrington strode quickly onto the ship to shake
the Captain's hand. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Sir," the captain greeted.
"Not half the pleasure it is to see you," Norrington said. "This town is desperately in need
of your wares. Thank you for making an emergency trip."
"Don't mention it. Thank you for offering a ten percent markup on the goods," the
Captain said.
"The shop keepers will make a good deal more than that, I dare say. The gold is in my
office. Gillette will see to it you get it as soon as everything is unloaded, if that's all right with
you."
"A good deal more than all right, I assure you," he said. "We've an extra surprise for you
as well."
Norrington regarded the smiling man carefully. "I should warn you, I'm not overfond of
surprises."
"This 'un you'll like," the man assured him. "Just an extra bit o' cargo we picked up along
the way."
He motioned behind him, stepping aside to reveal a woman in silks. The brown hair was
caught back in a bun that sat properly on top of the ribbon that kept the wide-brimmed had firmly
in place. Her lips, touched with the slightest of red paint, curved into a smile as she came
forward. The fan folded in her gloved hand moved serenely through the air, drawing a truncated
'D' of sorts. Not a 'D,' he realized with a sudden start. A 'P.'
"Bethany?" he asked as she drew close.
"I thought for a moment you did not recognize me, My Lord Commodore," she said with
a curtsy.
"I didn't, at first." He ignored the curtsy to pull her forward into a hug.
Just like that it all came flowing back to him. The urge to pull her close and never let her
go. The idea of letting her out of his arms again tore at his heart in a way he had nearly forgotten
in her three year absence. The urge to do some other, rather less Commodorish things came to
mind, but he pushed those quickly away. Thinking like that only got him in trouble, the very
married man knew.
She smiled, pulling back and placing a kiss on his cheek. "How have you been?" he
asked.
"Well, although I miss my niece greatly. Is Emily well?"
"You left her with the Turners. How could she be otherwise?"
Pearl grinned up at him. "A valid point. Do you know where I might find her?"
"At the Turners'," he answered quickly. "She is supposed to be helping Maggie and
Elizabeth embroider something, although I'd wager she's followed Ethan outside. She hates being
caged, although I don't know what else I'd expect of a Sparrow." The last he said in a low voice,
meant for her alone. "I'll escort you there. Gillette." The man appeared at the call, eyes widening
when he saw Pearl.
The woman grinned, stepping around Norrington to offer the man a hand. "Gillette,
however have you been, my darling man."
"Well, thank you for asking," he managed to get out, obediently kissing the hand.
She laughed, stepping forward to kiss his cheek. "Not married, are you? That would
surely break my heart."
Norrington fought the urge to laugh as he watched Gillette turn flaming red. She had
never flirted with the man before. Perhaps she had decided it was time for a new hobby.
He considered sitting back and enjoying the show, but thought better of it. Bethany
Maltrey, although rather old, would still be considered an eligible bride. Rumors might fly.
"He is betrothed," Norrington broke in. "To a beautiful woman."
"Not more beautiful than me, surely."
"Oh, certainly not," Norrington said with a laugh. "Come, we should be off. Elizabeth
would skin you if she knew you were standing around flirting with Gillette rather than visiting
your daughter."
"Well, I'm an old maid," Pearl responded, letting him take her arm and lead her away. "I
must do what I can."
"Take care of the ship, Gillette. I will return at my earliest convenience," he called. "Send
someone to the Turners with Miss Maltrey's things when you get the opportunity."
He called an affirmative as Norrington helped Pearl down the unstable plank. "You don't
have to walk me," she informed him. "I'm certain I could find my own way."
"It's not you getting lost I'm concerned about," he answered. "It's whose wallets would
find their way into your hands along the way."
He had expected her to deny it, or at least fain indignation at the accusation, but instead
she laughed. "Bethany Maltrey is no pickpocket, and her reputation concerns me enough to leave
well enough alone."
"The fact that your pockets are well padded after you emptied the last three shipments of
supplies can't hurt," he filled in.
"Aye, that helps," she agreed.
"Why, may I ask, didn't you go after this ship?"
Pearl smiled. "The Black Pearl is on hiatus for a time. Jack beached it so we can scrape
the gunk off the bottom. I decided it was time for a vacation. Along with other considerations." A
shadow crossed her face and her left shoulder twitched.
Norrington gave her a curious look but at the shake of her head he decided not to push.
"Good a time as any. How long do you intend to spend with us this time?"
"Not long, I'm afraid. Finding a ride took longer than I anticipated. A few days. How is
everyone? I asked about Emmie, but what about Maggie? And Lizzie and Will and Ethan?"
"All fine," Norrington assured her. "Well. Our children get along wonderfully, although
they seem to be in trouble almost constantly. But you'll see for yourself." They walked in silence
for a moment. "You may choose not to answer, but if I may ask, why have you not visited
sooner?"
Pearl smiled. "Not for lack of want, I assure you. I missed my daughter, like an open
wound. I had to wait for that to heal some, until I was certain I wouldn't take her in my arms and
run off with her. And I need her to thoroughly believe she has never met Jack or Pearl
Sparrow--all is lost if she recognizes me. Has she taken to the story?"
"Very well, although she has an unnatural fondness for pirate stories."
"I'd say 'tis very natural, knowing what I do," Pearl remarked.
"I believe that's what frightens the Turners," Norrington said.
"They do love her then? They care well for her?"
"Exceedingly well," Norrington answered. "Will can deny her nothing she asks for.
Elizabeth is better, but she brags over the girl something horrible. And I will admit that I'm little
better. I let her around the ships far to much. I'm afraid you're going to have a very spoiled child
on your hands soon enough."
Pearl smiled. "She would have been worse with me." She paused for a moment. Eyes
downcast she put in, "I missed you as well."
"And I you," he returned earnestly.
They both fell silent as Norrington led her up the Turners' walk. A knock at the door was
answered by a maid Norrington greeted warmly. Apparently used to the Commodore's comings
and goings the maid left them to find their own way into the parlor.
It was fairly easy as children's voices raised in play, underscored by the soft chatter of
women, led them to the set of double doors. Norrington knocked but didn't wait for answer to
open the doors and let himself in.
Maggie and Elizabeth sat on the couch, a piece of white satin spread across their laps as
they sewed, chatting with one another. Proof of Ethan and Emmie's presence came in the form of
two clamoring children's voices issuing from beneath a table draped in a sheet.
"Edward!" Maggie greeted immediately, carefully removing the piece of cloth to stand
and hurry over to him. She stopped at the sight of Pearl, hidden slightly behind him.
Pearl inclined her head to the woman, carefully watching her. "Lovely to see you again,
Mrs. Norrington," Pearl said.
"And you, Miss Maltrey," she answered with a smile. "Although I must insist you call me
Maggie."
"Then I'm Bethany," Pearl said.
"Bethany?" Elizabeth repeated. Suddenly she removed the cloth to fly across the room
and hug the laughing woman. "Bethany! We had hoped to see you sooner."
"Well, I'm here now," Pearl answered with a laugh. A sudden wince crossed her face as
she unwound Elizabeth's grip from her left arm. "Careful there. You may wound me. What have
you been doing, helping Will in the smithy?"
"Of course not," Elizabeth said.
"Well, why ever not? I'd imagine it gets fair hot in there. He'd be likely to take off his
shirt, I'd imagine, and who wouldn't want to see that?"
Elizabeth laughed, rolling her eyes."You haven't changed a bit, I see. Emmie, Ethan!
Come out. We have a visitor."
Emmie emerged first. Or rather, her head did. Sparkling green eyes set in a face that
would be oval when it lost the last of its baby fat. Slightly chubby cheeks were sprinkled with
freckles set below sparkling green eyes shot through with touches of brown and surrounded by
ringlets of flaming red hair. "Must we, Mother?" she asked in a very whinny voice, petal pink
lips settling into a practiced pout. "I've nearly sunk Ethan's ship."
"Have not!" a very indignant little boy called from within.
"Yes, you must. Come, Emmie. Introduce yourself like the proper young Lady I know is
in there." Elizabeth ordered.
With a heavy sigh the girl emerged from the table cloth. She wore a green dress that
matched her eyes beautifully. Although a few ringlets escaped to curl around her face the
majority of her hair was caught back into a braid down her back, green ribbons securing it. She
was tall for her age when she stood. She had inherited her father's height. Pearl couldn't help but
smile at that. She was rather short, an unavoidable circumstance as Diamond was fairly short and
Jack was far from tall. She had always wished for a few extra inches, and it seemed at least her
daughter had earned them.
"You as well, Ethan," Maggie added.
A high-pitched whining sound preceded the boy, but he did appear on Emmie's heals. His
face was still very round. Emmie had nearly three years of growing up on him, after all. Beyond
that he was the very picture of his father. The face would be long and thin one day. He had
inherited the strong nose that tending to run in noble British families, along with the dark brown
locks that were caught back from his face. His eyes were the other feature that set him apart from
his father. They were blue, darker than Maggie's sky-blue, perhaps a touch of his father leaking
into him there as well.
He followed Emmie over to bow as she curtsied, both the very picture of proper British
manners.
Pearl fastened her gaze back on her daughter. The girl was giving her an equally curious
look. Pearl thought her heart would jump out of her chest when Emmie cocked her head and
asked, "Have I met you before?"
Elizabeth put a comforting arm on Pearl's. "This is you Aunt Bethany, Emmie. She's the
one that brought you to us."
"Oh." Pearl's smile faded at the indifference in the girl's voice. "That must be it then. It's
lovely to meet you again."
"And you," Pearl answered. She sunk to her knees, holding out her arms. "Could I have a
hug, dove? I've missed you something horrible."
Emmie stepped obediently forward, wrapping her arms around the woman. "Why didn't
you keep me, if you were so fond of me?" Emmie asked. "Or visited?"
"Emily! Don't be rude," Elizabeth ordered.
"No, no. She has every right to know." Pearl remained on her knees, gazing at the girl,
reverently brushing the hair from her face. "I've been busy, darling. This is the first time I've had
the chance to get away. And as for me keeping you, I would have liked to, but I'm an old maid.
You're better off here with Will and Elizabeth and I know it."
Emmie shrugged. "If you say so. Who do I look more like? My mother or my father?"
"Oh, I'd say you're a fair mix of both," Pearl said. "I dare say you got the best of both of
them. I must say, they would be terribly proud of you if they could see you now, growing so
strong. Or your mother would, at any rate. I knew her a fair sight better than your father."
"He'd be proud as well," Norrington put in.
"Yes, of course he would," Pearl said.
"Where are my manners?" Elizabeth asked suddenly. "Come sit down. You must be
exhausted. I'll get some tea. Can you stay for tea, Edward?"
"I believe I can escape my duties long enough for a cup or two. With such fine
companionship I would have to be mad to refuse." He placed a kiss on top of Maggie's head as he
said it, and tousled Emmie's hair.
"Will may join us as soon as he can get away," Elizabeth said as they all sat. Pearl pulled
Emmie into her lap, and Ethan settled into Maggie's, propping his feet up in his father's lap. He
settled his head back against his mother's bust, thumb finding his mouth and his eyelids
drooping. "He's been so busy lately at the shop I made him promise to attempt to get away for
tea."
"Business is going well then?" Pearl asked.
"Very well. He's grown rather famous. A man came all the way from Spain the other day
to observe his technique."
"That's wonderful," Pearl said. "How about you, Edward? How has business been?"
"You mean aside from the last three shipments going astray?"
Maggie snorted quietly as Pearl grinned. "Yes, aside from that."
Norrington shrugged. "Fairly well. The pirates have been fairly quiet lately, aside from
the Black Pearl. If I could just put them out of business all would be well."
"Boring for you, however," Pearl said. "You'd most likely waist away with no one to
chase after."
"There's something to be said for boredom," Norrington said.
"But you wouldn't hang Pearl, would you Uncle Norrington?"
Pearl blinked at the girl in her lap in surprise. "Her personal hero," Elizabeth told her.
"I would think you could find better heroes than pirates," Pearl remarked.
"I would if the Navy would let women out to sea. I wanna sail," Emmie sighed.
"You shouldn't say such things," Pearl gently scolded the girl. "It's a sad life, deary.
Pirates are forever sick and dirty and wet and cold. No, dear. You stay here with your marble
columns and fine silks and safe, warm, dry bed."
"I'd never thought of it that way," Emmie said.
"Well, no, you wouldn't. You're young yet. No worries just yet, darling," Maggie told her.
Pearl's eyes met Maggie's, and nodded agreement.
A voice out in the hall caught their attention, suddenly. A smile warmed Elizabeth's face a
male voice asked, "Guest? Who?"
The door opened a moment later to admit the ever-dashing William Turner. Elizabeth met
him at the door, greeting him with a hug and motioned toward Pearl, who shifted her daughter off
her lap to go greet him properly.
"Pe-Bethany?" he asked. "Good heavens, where have you been? We were starting to think
you had abandoned us."
He hugged her, allowing her to kiss his cheek before she pulled back to study him. "Oh,
Will, when are you going to leave that shrew of a wife of yours to run off to sea with me?"
"Bethany!" Elizabeth cried.
"Sorry, Lizzie. Can't help myself. It isn't right, seeing a man this handsome chained down
to one person, even one so beautiful and kind as you. I fear I have far too much of my father in
me."
"Well-founded fears, I'd say," Will remarked. "How long are you going to be with us? A
month?"
"Heavens no," Pearl laughed, settling back onto the couch and shifting Emmie into her
previous spot. "A few days at most. I have things to see to."
"Bethany! You can't! It's been over three years since you were last here and then you
leave after a few days?"
"Better that way," she told him.
"For whom?" he asked.
"All concerned parties," she answered. "Elizabeth mostly, though. She'll be much better
off when she doesn't have to worry about me stealing her husband away."
"Who says I'd have you?" Will demanded.
"Oh, I think I could bring you around to my way of thinking with enough time and effort."
"Think a lot of yourself, don't you?" Will asked with a laugh. Pearl shrugged. "Oh, I
meant to tell you, when you go to market this afternoon feel free to leave the children with me."
Maggie and Elizabeth exchanged looks. "Why should we go to the market this
afternoon?" Elizabeth asked.
"The ship finally came in with the supplies."
"One finally got through?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes. It appears the pirates haunting the trade routes have taken a break," Norrington
remarked with a glare toward Pearl.
"A pity you aren't on speaking terms with the pirates," Pearl remarked with feigned
indifference. "They probably would have sold you the goods for a fair price."
"And encourage their piracy?" Norrington asked. "I think not."
Pearl shrugged. "I'd wager they found another place to sell their wears. What difference
does it make in the end? Especially when the people of your port could have had the supplies
they need."
Elizabeth sighed. "She has a point."
"No, she doesn't," Norrington put in. "If we did that no shipment would ever get through.
We'd be trading almost exclusively with pirates. Merchants would stop sailing down here."
Pearl shrugged. "That's why I'm rather glad I'm not a Commodore. I'll leave the hard
decisions up to you."
"Yes, your code of ethics makes those sort of decisions easy, doesn't it?"
"Exceedingly," she answered with a pleased smile.
"Oh, let's go now," Elizabeth gasped suddenly, interrupting the argument. "What do you
say, Maggie? I've been in need of that silk forever, and Bitsy says the kitchen help is desperate
for flour."
Maggie nodded. "As have mine. I've noticed a markable decline in the food of late."
"But I just got here," Will objected. "And Bethany's most likely exhausted."
"Oh, I'm certain she's fine." Pearl nodded her agreement.
"And I am sorry to send you off so soon, Will, but you can take the children with you and
we'll stop by and see you later," Elizabeth suggested.
"I need to speak with you about a sword anyway," Pearl put in.
"For you?" Will asked.
"No, my father. His met with an...unfortunate accident, let's say. Don't worry, I know
what he'll want. He said you'd most likely have something in the shop I could just pay you for so
you wouldn't have to rush about."
"What happened to your father's sword?" Maggie asked. "A fight or–"
"No, no. Far more dramatic, I'm afraid. He had a disagreement with Annamarie. She
was a bit upset. Took his sword and bent it over her knee. He's tried to straighten it but I'm
afraid the jokes from our friends have gotten worse since then, and the sword is still kinked at
best. And then the jokes about kinkiness and bent swords that can't be straightened, well, you
can imagine."
"Why are bent swords funny?" Emmie asked.
Pearl smiled. "Well, you see, a man's–"
"Miss Maltrey!" Elizabeth cried, rather red in the face.
Pearl looked at her curiously. "I would have known at her age."
"Yes, well, you grew up in different circumstances," Elizabeth said.
Pearl heaved a sigh and shrugged. "Very well."
"We should get going anyway," Maggie said. "Before all of the wares are snapped up."
"We get to go to the smithy?" Ethan, who had been half asleep, suddenly perked up.
Emmie moaned. "I'd rather go down by the dock."
"Don't be argumentative," Pearl ordered the girl. "Besides, I've always liked smithies.
Something about the earthiness, working with natural ores, hot, sweaty men taking off their
shirts-"
"I think that's enough, Bethany," Elizabeth said. "Come children. Unless you'd rather go
to the market with us?"
Both children screamed and suddenly lunged to cling on Will, who laughed, scooped
Ethan into his arms as he took Emmie's hand and headed for the door, asking the girls not to take
too long.
Author's Note: There it is. Next chapter, Maggie and Pearl have a heart-to-heart.
Chapter 6
Author's Note: Many thanks for all the kind words, all around. As a reward, an incredibly long
chapter. I almost killed myself doing it, so enjoy! To pendragginink–I don't remember tying
Will up either. I wonder who did that. And where did Pearl get off to?
~Three Years Later~
Norrington paced up and down the dock, waiting for the crew to finish securing the ship
to the dock so they could begin unloading. He was just thankful this one hadn't been pillaged by
pirates, a common occurrence of late. Maggie and Elizabeth, along with the majority of the
female population of Port Royale, was anxious for the cloth that lay onboard. The glass to replace
the parlor window Emmie and Ethan had put a cricket ball through (he still wasn't certain how
although he had his suspicions) was also on this ship, as were the basic wares the merchants had
been unable to get of late.
As soon as the plank was firmly in place Norrington strode quickly onto the ship to shake
the Captain's hand. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Sir," the captain greeted.
"Not half the pleasure it is to see you," Norrington said. "This town is desperately in need
of your wares. Thank you for making an emergency trip."
"Don't mention it. Thank you for offering a ten percent markup on the goods," the
Captain said.
"The shop keepers will make a good deal more than that, I dare say. The gold is in my
office. Gillette will see to it you get it as soon as everything is unloaded, if that's all right with
you."
"A good deal more than all right, I assure you," he said. "We've an extra surprise for you
as well."
Norrington regarded the smiling man carefully. "I should warn you, I'm not overfond of
surprises."
"This 'un you'll like," the man assured him. "Just an extra bit o' cargo we picked up along
the way."
He motioned behind him, stepping aside to reveal a woman in silks. The brown hair was
caught back in a bun that sat properly on top of the ribbon that kept the wide-brimmed had firmly
in place. Her lips, touched with the slightest of red paint, curved into a smile as she came
forward. The fan folded in her gloved hand moved serenely through the air, drawing a truncated
'D' of sorts. Not a 'D,' he realized with a sudden start. A 'P.'
"Bethany?" he asked as she drew close.
"I thought for a moment you did not recognize me, My Lord Commodore," she said with
a curtsy.
"I didn't, at first." He ignored the curtsy to pull her forward into a hug.
Just like that it all came flowing back to him. The urge to pull her close and never let her
go. The idea of letting her out of his arms again tore at his heart in a way he had nearly forgotten
in her three year absence. The urge to do some other, rather less Commodorish things came to
mind, but he pushed those quickly away. Thinking like that only got him in trouble, the very
married man knew.
She smiled, pulling back and placing a kiss on his cheek. "How have you been?" he
asked.
"Well, although I miss my niece greatly. Is Emily well?"
"You left her with the Turners. How could she be otherwise?"
Pearl grinned up at him. "A valid point. Do you know where I might find her?"
"At the Turners'," he answered quickly. "She is supposed to be helping Maggie and
Elizabeth embroider something, although I'd wager she's followed Ethan outside. She hates being
caged, although I don't know what else I'd expect of a Sparrow." The last he said in a low voice,
meant for her alone. "I'll escort you there. Gillette." The man appeared at the call, eyes widening
when he saw Pearl.
The woman grinned, stepping around Norrington to offer the man a hand. "Gillette,
however have you been, my darling man."
"Well, thank you for asking," he managed to get out, obediently kissing the hand.
She laughed, stepping forward to kiss his cheek. "Not married, are you? That would
surely break my heart."
Norrington fought the urge to laugh as he watched Gillette turn flaming red. She had
never flirted with the man before. Perhaps she had decided it was time for a new hobby.
He considered sitting back and enjoying the show, but thought better of it. Bethany
Maltrey, although rather old, would still be considered an eligible bride. Rumors might fly.
"He is betrothed," Norrington broke in. "To a beautiful woman."
"Not more beautiful than me, surely."
"Oh, certainly not," Norrington said with a laugh. "Come, we should be off. Elizabeth
would skin you if she knew you were standing around flirting with Gillette rather than visiting
your daughter."
"Well, I'm an old maid," Pearl responded, letting him take her arm and lead her away. "I
must do what I can."
"Take care of the ship, Gillette. I will return at my earliest convenience," he called. "Send
someone to the Turners with Miss Maltrey's things when you get the opportunity."
He called an affirmative as Norrington helped Pearl down the unstable plank. "You don't
have to walk me," she informed him. "I'm certain I could find my own way."
"It's not you getting lost I'm concerned about," he answered. "It's whose wallets would
find their way into your hands along the way."
He had expected her to deny it, or at least fain indignation at the accusation, but instead
she laughed. "Bethany Maltrey is no pickpocket, and her reputation concerns me enough to leave
well enough alone."
"The fact that your pockets are well padded after you emptied the last three shipments of
supplies can't hurt," he filled in.
"Aye, that helps," she agreed.
"Why, may I ask, didn't you go after this ship?"
Pearl smiled. "The Black Pearl is on hiatus for a time. Jack beached it so we can scrape
the gunk off the bottom. I decided it was time for a vacation. Along with other considerations." A
shadow crossed her face and her left shoulder twitched.
Norrington gave her a curious look but at the shake of her head he decided not to push.
"Good a time as any. How long do you intend to spend with us this time?"
"Not long, I'm afraid. Finding a ride took longer than I anticipated. A few days. How is
everyone? I asked about Emmie, but what about Maggie? And Lizzie and Will and Ethan?"
"All fine," Norrington assured her. "Well. Our children get along wonderfully, although
they seem to be in trouble almost constantly. But you'll see for yourself." They walked in silence
for a moment. "You may choose not to answer, but if I may ask, why have you not visited
sooner?"
Pearl smiled. "Not for lack of want, I assure you. I missed my daughter, like an open
wound. I had to wait for that to heal some, until I was certain I wouldn't take her in my arms and
run off with her. And I need her to thoroughly believe she has never met Jack or Pearl
Sparrow--all is lost if she recognizes me. Has she taken to the story?"
"Very well, although she has an unnatural fondness for pirate stories."
"I'd say 'tis very natural, knowing what I do," Pearl remarked.
"I believe that's what frightens the Turners," Norrington said.
"They do love her then? They care well for her?"
"Exceedingly well," Norrington answered. "Will can deny her nothing she asks for.
Elizabeth is better, but she brags over the girl something horrible. And I will admit that I'm little
better. I let her around the ships far to much. I'm afraid you're going to have a very spoiled child
on your hands soon enough."
Pearl smiled. "She would have been worse with me." She paused for a moment. Eyes
downcast she put in, "I missed you as well."
"And I you," he returned earnestly.
They both fell silent as Norrington led her up the Turners' walk. A knock at the door was
answered by a maid Norrington greeted warmly. Apparently used to the Commodore's comings
and goings the maid left them to find their own way into the parlor.
It was fairly easy as children's voices raised in play, underscored by the soft chatter of
women, led them to the set of double doors. Norrington knocked but didn't wait for answer to
open the doors and let himself in.
Maggie and Elizabeth sat on the couch, a piece of white satin spread across their laps as
they sewed, chatting with one another. Proof of Ethan and Emmie's presence came in the form of
two clamoring children's voices issuing from beneath a table draped in a sheet.
"Edward!" Maggie greeted immediately, carefully removing the piece of cloth to stand
and hurry over to him. She stopped at the sight of Pearl, hidden slightly behind him.
Pearl inclined her head to the woman, carefully watching her. "Lovely to see you again,
Mrs. Norrington," Pearl said.
"And you, Miss Maltrey," she answered with a smile. "Although I must insist you call me
Maggie."
"Then I'm Bethany," Pearl said.
"Bethany?" Elizabeth repeated. Suddenly she removed the cloth to fly across the room
and hug the laughing woman. "Bethany! We had hoped to see you sooner."
"Well, I'm here now," Pearl answered with a laugh. A sudden wince crossed her face as
she unwound Elizabeth's grip from her left arm. "Careful there. You may wound me. What have
you been doing, helping Will in the smithy?"
"Of course not," Elizabeth said.
"Well, why ever not? I'd imagine it gets fair hot in there. He'd be likely to take off his
shirt, I'd imagine, and who wouldn't want to see that?"
Elizabeth laughed, rolling her eyes."You haven't changed a bit, I see. Emmie, Ethan!
Come out. We have a visitor."
Emmie emerged first. Or rather, her head did. Sparkling green eyes set in a face that
would be oval when it lost the last of its baby fat. Slightly chubby cheeks were sprinkled with
freckles set below sparkling green eyes shot through with touches of brown and surrounded by
ringlets of flaming red hair. "Must we, Mother?" she asked in a very whinny voice, petal pink
lips settling into a practiced pout. "I've nearly sunk Ethan's ship."
"Have not!" a very indignant little boy called from within.
"Yes, you must. Come, Emmie. Introduce yourself like the proper young Lady I know is
in there." Elizabeth ordered.
With a heavy sigh the girl emerged from the table cloth. She wore a green dress that
matched her eyes beautifully. Although a few ringlets escaped to curl around her face the
majority of her hair was caught back into a braid down her back, green ribbons securing it. She
was tall for her age when she stood. She had inherited her father's height. Pearl couldn't help but
smile at that. She was rather short, an unavoidable circumstance as Diamond was fairly short and
Jack was far from tall. She had always wished for a few extra inches, and it seemed at least her
daughter had earned them.
"You as well, Ethan," Maggie added.
A high-pitched whining sound preceded the boy, but he did appear on Emmie's heals. His
face was still very round. Emmie had nearly three years of growing up on him, after all. Beyond
that he was the very picture of his father. The face would be long and thin one day. He had
inherited the strong nose that tending to run in noble British families, along with the dark brown
locks that were caught back from his face. His eyes were the other feature that set him apart from
his father. They were blue, darker than Maggie's sky-blue, perhaps a touch of his father leaking
into him there as well.
He followed Emmie over to bow as she curtsied, both the very picture of proper British
manners.
Pearl fastened her gaze back on her daughter. The girl was giving her an equally curious
look. Pearl thought her heart would jump out of her chest when Emmie cocked her head and
asked, "Have I met you before?"
Elizabeth put a comforting arm on Pearl's. "This is you Aunt Bethany, Emmie. She's the
one that brought you to us."
"Oh." Pearl's smile faded at the indifference in the girl's voice. "That must be it then. It's
lovely to meet you again."
"And you," Pearl answered. She sunk to her knees, holding out her arms. "Could I have a
hug, dove? I've missed you something horrible."
Emmie stepped obediently forward, wrapping her arms around the woman. "Why didn't
you keep me, if you were so fond of me?" Emmie asked. "Or visited?"
"Emily! Don't be rude," Elizabeth ordered.
"No, no. She has every right to know." Pearl remained on her knees, gazing at the girl,
reverently brushing the hair from her face. "I've been busy, darling. This is the first time I've had
the chance to get away. And as for me keeping you, I would have liked to, but I'm an old maid.
You're better off here with Will and Elizabeth and I know it."
Emmie shrugged. "If you say so. Who do I look more like? My mother or my father?"
"Oh, I'd say you're a fair mix of both," Pearl said. "I dare say you got the best of both of
them. I must say, they would be terribly proud of you if they could see you now, growing so
strong. Or your mother would, at any rate. I knew her a fair sight better than your father."
"He'd be proud as well," Norrington put in.
"Yes, of course he would," Pearl said.
"Where are my manners?" Elizabeth asked suddenly. "Come sit down. You must be
exhausted. I'll get some tea. Can you stay for tea, Edward?"
"I believe I can escape my duties long enough for a cup or two. With such fine
companionship I would have to be mad to refuse." He placed a kiss on top of Maggie's head as he
said it, and tousled Emmie's hair.
"Will may join us as soon as he can get away," Elizabeth said as they all sat. Pearl pulled
Emmie into her lap, and Ethan settled into Maggie's, propping his feet up in his father's lap. He
settled his head back against his mother's bust, thumb finding his mouth and his eyelids
drooping. "He's been so busy lately at the shop I made him promise to attempt to get away for
tea."
"Business is going well then?" Pearl asked.
"Very well. He's grown rather famous. A man came all the way from Spain the other day
to observe his technique."
"That's wonderful," Pearl said. "How about you, Edward? How has business been?"
"You mean aside from the last three shipments going astray?"
Maggie snorted quietly as Pearl grinned. "Yes, aside from that."
Norrington shrugged. "Fairly well. The pirates have been fairly quiet lately, aside from
the Black Pearl. If I could just put them out of business all would be well."
"Boring for you, however," Pearl said. "You'd most likely waist away with no one to
chase after."
"There's something to be said for boredom," Norrington said.
"But you wouldn't hang Pearl, would you Uncle Norrington?"
Pearl blinked at the girl in her lap in surprise. "Her personal hero," Elizabeth told her.
"I would think you could find better heroes than pirates," Pearl remarked.
"I would if the Navy would let women out to sea. I wanna sail," Emmie sighed.
"You shouldn't say such things," Pearl gently scolded the girl. "It's a sad life, deary.
Pirates are forever sick and dirty and wet and cold. No, dear. You stay here with your marble
columns and fine silks and safe, warm, dry bed."
"I'd never thought of it that way," Emmie said.
"Well, no, you wouldn't. You're young yet. No worries just yet, darling," Maggie told her.
Pearl's eyes met Maggie's, and nodded agreement.
A voice out in the hall caught their attention, suddenly. A smile warmed Elizabeth's face a
male voice asked, "Guest? Who?"
The door opened a moment later to admit the ever-dashing William Turner. Elizabeth met
him at the door, greeting him with a hug and motioned toward Pearl, who shifted her daughter off
her lap to go greet him properly.
"Pe-Bethany?" he asked. "Good heavens, where have you been? We were starting to think
you had abandoned us."
He hugged her, allowing her to kiss his cheek before she pulled back to study him. "Oh,
Will, when are you going to leave that shrew of a wife of yours to run off to sea with me?"
"Bethany!" Elizabeth cried.
"Sorry, Lizzie. Can't help myself. It isn't right, seeing a man this handsome chained down
to one person, even one so beautiful and kind as you. I fear I have far too much of my father in
me."
"Well-founded fears, I'd say," Will remarked. "How long are you going to be with us? A
month?"
"Heavens no," Pearl laughed, settling back onto the couch and shifting Emmie into her
previous spot. "A few days at most. I have things to see to."
"Bethany! You can't! It's been over three years since you were last here and then you
leave after a few days?"
"Better that way," she told him.
"For whom?" he asked.
"All concerned parties," she answered. "Elizabeth mostly, though. She'll be much better
off when she doesn't have to worry about me stealing her husband away."
"Who says I'd have you?" Will demanded.
"Oh, I think I could bring you around to my way of thinking with enough time and effort."
"Think a lot of yourself, don't you?" Will asked with a laugh. Pearl shrugged. "Oh, I
meant to tell you, when you go to market this afternoon feel free to leave the children with me."
Maggie and Elizabeth exchanged looks. "Why should we go to the market this
afternoon?" Elizabeth asked.
"The ship finally came in with the supplies."
"One finally got through?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes. It appears the pirates haunting the trade routes have taken a break," Norrington
remarked with a glare toward Pearl.
"A pity you aren't on speaking terms with the pirates," Pearl remarked with feigned
indifference. "They probably would have sold you the goods for a fair price."
"And encourage their piracy?" Norrington asked. "I think not."
Pearl shrugged. "I'd wager they found another place to sell their wears. What difference
does it make in the end? Especially when the people of your port could have had the supplies
they need."
Elizabeth sighed. "She has a point."
"No, she doesn't," Norrington put in. "If we did that no shipment would ever get through.
We'd be trading almost exclusively with pirates. Merchants would stop sailing down here."
Pearl shrugged. "That's why I'm rather glad I'm not a Commodore. I'll leave the hard
decisions up to you."
"Yes, your code of ethics makes those sort of decisions easy, doesn't it?"
"Exceedingly," she answered with a pleased smile.
"Oh, let's go now," Elizabeth gasped suddenly, interrupting the argument. "What do you
say, Maggie? I've been in need of that silk forever, and Bitsy says the kitchen help is desperate
for flour."
Maggie nodded. "As have mine. I've noticed a markable decline in the food of late."
"But I just got here," Will objected. "And Bethany's most likely exhausted."
"Oh, I'm certain she's fine." Pearl nodded her agreement.
"And I am sorry to send you off so soon, Will, but you can take the children with you and
we'll stop by and see you later," Elizabeth suggested.
"I need to speak with you about a sword anyway," Pearl put in.
"For you?" Will asked.
"No, my father. His met with an...unfortunate accident, let's say. Don't worry, I know
what he'll want. He said you'd most likely have something in the shop I could just pay you for so
you wouldn't have to rush about."
"What happened to your father's sword?" Maggie asked. "A fight or–"
"No, no. Far more dramatic, I'm afraid. He had a disagreement with Annamarie. She
was a bit upset. Took his sword and bent it over her knee. He's tried to straighten it but I'm
afraid the jokes from our friends have gotten worse since then, and the sword is still kinked at
best. And then the jokes about kinkiness and bent swords that can't be straightened, well, you
can imagine."
"Why are bent swords funny?" Emmie asked.
Pearl smiled. "Well, you see, a man's–"
"Miss Maltrey!" Elizabeth cried, rather red in the face.
Pearl looked at her curiously. "I would have known at her age."
"Yes, well, you grew up in different circumstances," Elizabeth said.
Pearl heaved a sigh and shrugged. "Very well."
"We should get going anyway," Maggie said. "Before all of the wares are snapped up."
"We get to go to the smithy?" Ethan, who had been half asleep, suddenly perked up.
Emmie moaned. "I'd rather go down by the dock."
"Don't be argumentative," Pearl ordered the girl. "Besides, I've always liked smithies.
Something about the earthiness, working with natural ores, hot, sweaty men taking off their
shirts-"
"I think that's enough, Bethany," Elizabeth said. "Come children. Unless you'd rather go
to the market with us?"
Both children screamed and suddenly lunged to cling on Will, who laughed, scooped
Ethan into his arms as he took Emmie's hand and headed for the door, asking the girls not to take
too long.
Author's Note: There it is. Next chapter, Maggie and Pearl have a heart-to-heart.