The Oldest Story in the Book
Chapter 19
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Author's note: All right, you demanding jackals. I'm paying you off so you'd best do what I tell you. You asked how Maggie died so I've stuck my synopsis at the end of the chapie. But first, enjoy the chapter.
"Commodore? Commodore Norrington?" He opened his eyes to find Mrs. Beardson leaning over him. "Oh, Commodore. I'm so glad you're up."
"Ethan," he gasped out, sitting up quickly and suddenly regretting it.
"Careful, Sir. The surgeon said you'll suffer no more than a headache. The roughian only nicked you with his bullet." Norrington reached up to find a bandage on his left temple. It must have been a small wound, he decided. He was lucky. The large bump on the side of his head hurt more.
"Where's Ethan?" he asked.
Mrs. Beardson looked down at the floor. "They took 'im."
With a growl he rose again. It didn't hurt as much this time and the room spun more slowly. "Get Gillette. I want our fastest ships on their way--"
"It's been done, Sir. Gillette came some minutes after you left us. It seems you left some papers in the office. He freed us. It was too late to get Ethan back, but he's sent every ship that will carry a sail out, and ordered the rest to ready."
"Did they leave a note? Demand ransom?"
"No, Commodore. It's very confusing."
"How long have I been out?"
"Five turnings of the clock's hands." Five hours? He nearly cried out at the very idea. "Captain Gillette left a note in your study. He said he would return this night. I shall get it for you, and some supper."
"I can get the note myself," he argued, leveling himself to his feet. The room settled after a moment. "I need to get down to the docks--"
"The surgeon said you weren't to leave the house." Her voice offered no room for argument. "Go to your study if you must. I'll prepare supper."
"Mrs. Beardson," he called suddenly, stopping her short. "How is Donovan?" He should have asked sooner, his servant had been bleeding, but his son. He had to get Ethan back!
"Fine, Commodore. The surgeon didn't even set a stitch."
"Thank you. Give him my thanks for a job well done."
"I will, Commodore. We only wish we could have done more."
"Thank you."
He went to his office with his lamp, his mind racing. If only he had acted more quickly. More rationally. No, that was the past. He had to think in the present. How could he find this man? Pirates. Pirates would know him. Pearl. How could he find Pearl? Without knowing why he was certain that Pearl would know what to do.
The window sat open, evening breeze scattering papers and blowing the white curtains into the room. Cursing softly he moved to gather a few of the papers, his mind still racing through dead ends. If he could get a message to Tortuga, or-
"You know, you curse like a sailor." He jumped at the voice, dropping the papers in his hands.
That voice. Even in the hurricane of thoughts it shown like the light of grace, putting order to his mind, reassuring him."Pearl?"
"Aye." The curtains seemed to part to reveal the pirate.
She seemed pail and ghost-like in the flickering light of the lamp, her dark pirate clothing, including her low-riding hat, blending into the darkness as she leaned against the window sill, one leg supporting her, the other drooping to the floor. One hand was supported on her knee, limp hand hanging down, occasionally flickering in an almost unconscious movement Norrington could remember Jack doing once or twice. He hoped it was only nervousness.
"Thank God above you're here," he said, rushing forward. "You must help us. Ethan has been kidnaped."
"I know." He voice was oddly cold and hard, and she didn't stand from her seat in the window. Instead she remained there, shrouded in the darkness, eyes turned toward the night and the distant ocean. "That's why I came."
"But it only happened a few hours ago. How could you know?"
"I got the ransom note."
This wasn't making any sense. Did they expect her to deliver it? "What do they want?"
"Me."
"Why would they want you? Who has my boy?"
She turned back to him, face seeming to float in the darkness, humorless, twisted smile making it all the more spooky. "Bootleg has him."
Norrington's blood froze. The evil pirate that had killed his mother. Who had tried to rape Pearl long years ago, and had whipped her for refusing his advances. She had taken his eye and wounded him for the trouble. He realized suddenly that had to be the man he had faced down in the kitchen. He had wanted revenge on Pearl for years.
"But why would he take Ethan?"
"Lack of options, mostly." Pearl dropped her leg to the floor and stood, moving to perch herself on the desk. "He can't get to me, or Jack, or Emmie. He went after Marden once. Nikki and the rest of the Gypsies are too much trouble. I guess he thought the son of my daughter's father would make a good ransom."
"You aren't going to give yourself over to him?" he said doubtfully.
"Of course not. I wouldn't come here if I planned on that."
"But we have to get Ethan back."
"Aye. Which is why I thought it might be handy to have a Commodore along."
"Where is he?"
"An island. He's given me the bearings."
"Didn't he tell you to come alone?"
"Aye. That's why you can't be seen. Don't worry, we'll work it out."
"I don't want to risk Ethan."
"Edward, he shot you," Pearl pointed out. "This isn't some political play, they're pirates. Even if I followed his instructions to the very letter, he would still kill Ethan and dump him off a cliff. I don't doubt I'd be close behind."
"You're right of course. Gillette's already sent ships out."
"I know. We saw them. Had to pull into port in a hurry. They won't catch him. Bootleg's too good."
He opened his mouth to reply, but stopped at the sound of feet on the stairs. Far too many for this to be the maid come with his supper.
Pearl seemed to see this in his reaction and moved suddenly to draw into the dark corner behind the door without instruction. Just in time, the door bursting open moments later.
Elizabeth and William Turner strode into the room. Elizabeth didn't even pause at the door. She came immediately up to the Commodore, wrapping her arms around him. "I'm so sorry, Edward. We just heard or we'd have been here sooner."
"Is there anything we can do?" Will asked, closing the door, apparently without noticing Pearl in the corner.
"Did they leave a ransom note? I could ask my father for the money if you don't have it," Elizabeth added.
"They didn't leave a note," Norrington said. "They want something far more valuable than money."
"I don't know if I would go that far," Pearl remarked.
Elizabeth and Will both turned to regard the grinning face in the corner. "Pearl?" Elizabeth asked.
"In the flesh," she answered, stepping form the shadows to give the Turners a flowing bow.
"You're here to help?" Will asked uncertainly. Pearl nodded.
"But how did you get here so quickly? How did you know?" Elizabeth asked.
"Because I'm what Bootleg wants."
Elizabeth gasped. "Surely you aren't--"
"No," Pearl said. "I'm not. I'm making a very large point of not thinking about what they would do to me if they had me, and I'm not much happier about the idea of finding out."
"But you are going to help?" Will asked.
"Of course."
"Do you have a plan?" Elizabeth asked.
"Naturally. I just need some backup to execute it. I want to end this once and for all."
"I assume Jack is in on this."
"Aye. The Black Pearl is just outside the port, and Marden should meet us once we get under way." Her eyes turned toward Norrington. "I just need two more. Do you think you could drum them up?"
"Shouldn't be a problem. I'll have to talk to Gillette about it."
Suddenly the sound of footstep sounded again on the stairs. Pearl drew back into the dark corner just in time for the door to slam open once again. As if this had summoned him Gillette strode into the room. "Commandore," he said, bowing, without preamble. "Mrs. Turner, Mr. Turner."
"Have you found something?" Norrington demanded.
"No, Sir. I'm afraid I haven't. We have two more ships ready to sail."
"How soon?" Norrington asked.
"Since your maid informed me she wouldn't let me take you until you've had supper, as soon as you eat."
"It's nice to see someone else is taking care of you," Pearl commented as she stepped from the shadows.
Gillette turned smoothly to level his sword at her. She stood perfectly still, regarding him with a very bored expression. "Gillette, put it down," Norrington ordered.
He regarded Pearl carefully. "Are you certain she had nothing to do with this?"
"Gillette, she did not take my son," Norrington sighed. "She's here to help me get him back."
"Are you certain, Sir?" The captain lowered his sword but didn't put it away. "You know, once a pirate-"
"Oh, for the love of Billy's bones I'm begging you not to say it," Pearl sighed. "I would have thought Will taught even you hard-headed bilge rats that isn't the case. I really don't understand why you hate me so, Gillette. What did I ever do to you?"
"You have done more than enough, I would say," the Navel officer growled out.
"Wait a minute. I understand now!" Pearl cheered. "I've corrupted your darling Commodore."
"Pearl, you're being ridiculous," Norrington sighed out.
"Or maybe it's that I've stolen him from you."
"I don't believe I like what you're insinuating," Gillette ground out.
"Well, the truth hurts sometimes. Tell me, do you fancy men?"
"Pearl!" Elizabeth cried.
"Oh, come off it. It happens sometimes. I won't hold it against you. I've known no few men in my time that do. Happens among sailors. You know, long voyages and all. It isn't until I have to witness them chasing after my father that I really-"
"Pearl, that's more than enough!" Norrington cried.
"What? It's an honest enough question."
"How dare you suggest that I, that I would, when the Bible strictly forbids!" Gillette sputtered, unable to finish the sentence.
"Well, obviously I dare," Pearl answered.
"I think we're a little off topic," Will put in helpfully.
"Yes. I would prefer to focus on getting my son back." Norrington told her.
She shrugged. "Whatever. I mean, Bootleg has good reason to hate me. I can understand that. I just don't understand why the good Captain here should hate me so."
"You're a pirate," the man ground out.
"Depends on your point of view. I prefer to thing of myself as a poor woman trying to make a living."
"Can we please focus on Ethan?" Elizabeth asked.
"Right. We need to grab those ships and sail out."
"You're certain four is enough?" Elizabeth asked.
"It'll have to be," Pearl said. "Bootleg only has two, so four should take him with a fair amount of ease. Besides, Bootleg's expecting me and if I take too long he might get suspicion and scratch the plan."
"And kill Ethan?" Elizabeth asked.
Pearl nodded. "He'd have to risk getting caught in order to return him. Easier just to kill him and be done with it."
"Speak from personal experience, do you?" Gillette ground out.
"No. The Black Pearl doesn't take hostages. Too much trouble. We just tie them up until we're done with the ship. And we don't kill unless we have to, if you haven't noticed."
"I have," Norrington put in. "But it's beside the point. Gillette, go ready the ships. We'll meet the Black Pearl just outside the cove."
"I should go back and change," Elizabeth said.
Everyone stopped to stare at her. "Elizabeth, you can't go," Pearl said.
"You're really the last person I expected to hear say that," Elizabeth remarked with a lift of her chin. "I know Ethan considerably better than you, and we haven't seen Emmie in ages. If she's going along you're certainly not stopping me."
Pearl shook her head. "You don't understand, Lizzie. Emmie's coming because I know I couldn't stop her, and I'm not happy about it. I don't want to scare you, Lizzie, but these are bad pirates. I've been in their hands before, and I won't repeat the things they did to me. I shudder, I mean shudder, to think of what they would do if they got their hands on a Lady."
"I don't care," Elizabeth answered. "I'm going."
"All right. I warned you. I wash my hands of it from here on out."
"But Pearl," Will broke in, worry painting his voice.
"She's a good girl, Will. We could use her ideas. I'm certain she can handle herself. You go change, Lizzie. Jack and Emmie are waiting on me. If I don't come they'll worry. Meet me on the shore, the beach below the eastern cliff."
"We shall," Elizabeth said, hurrying out, pulling a still-protesting Will behind her.
"Gillette, go ready the ships," Norrington ordered, grabbing his coat. "And tell my maid to wrap up the dinner. I'll meet you shortly. I want to speak with Mr. Sparrow before we go."
"Excellent idea, Sir," Gillette said.
Pearl smiled as she watched him attempt to put his office into order. She sat in the chair behind his desk, tipping back and crossing her booted ankles on the desk. "What are you looking for?"
"Just something I've been putting off for a while. I need to get it started while we're off."
Pearl smiled indulgently and nodded. "You know, Emmie's fine. And if you plan to talk her out of this trip, you can save your breath. Jack and I both tried. And most of the crew."
"What makes you think I want to do that?" he asked.
"I know you. And because I'm feeling for you I'll add that I'm practically the Captain of the Black Pearl myself. I helped formulate this plan. Any questions you have you could ask me."
He stopped his shuffling to turn and smile at her, leaning back against his desk next to her feet and rubbing at the back of his neck. "I have one child in danger over this. I don't know what I would do if I lost both of them. Or you-"
She stood to turn and lean against the desk next to him, cutting him off before he could finish the last part. "I know the idea of losing Ethan troubles you, especially so soon after losing Maggie. I'm sorry about that. Truly, I am. She was a good woman. I was sorry when Elizabeth told me."
"It hasn't been so soon. It has been over a year."
She turned to stand in front of him. Any closer and she would be touching him. Short as she was and with him lounging they were eye-to-eye. "It feels shorter," she said, reaching out to caress the crow's feet at the side of his eyes. "You still miss her."
"Of course. Is that why you didn't come? Why you ran away?"
"Yes," she admitted. "I didn't want you to feel you were betraying her."
"And now?"
"And now your son is in danger, and we are going to get him back. Don't worry. You have Pearl Sparrow's word on that."
"That's better than gold," he remarked, brushing the hair out of her face.
"We should go." She didn't move, eyes locked on his.
"Not until you promise me something."
"What?"
"That you won't disappear until we've had a chance to talk. There's too much unfinished business between us."
"All right. If you feel that strongly about it, I promise. We'll talk."
"Good."
"Good."
They both remained frozen, mesmerized by one another.
"We should go," Pearl finally said.
"We should," he agreed.
After a few more moments she stepped back.
Downstairs he handed the papers off to a servant with strict instructions to deliver them to the fort and have every word carried out the next day. After accepting a basket of supper and lecture from the housemaid they were off.
Author's Note: All right. Good. Now, first things first. Mac, I have no e-mail address for you. I wanted to e-mail my response to your review but since I don't have your address I couldn't. So if you want to e-mail me or give it to me that would be great. As for Spotted Paw, your e-mail address hates me. All my e-mail bounces back. So write me again and I promise to keep my eyes open for what you send. I really do want to be in touch.
As for the rest of you demanding reviewers, I have been given full clearance to release to you the following:
Okay all you obnoxious, anxious, and otherwise ravenous reviewers. You've asked and demanded and prodded until I've become your prey. You want to know how Maggie died. Now, while Pendragginink will write it, provided you continue to harass her which I get the impression you're doing a fairly poor job of now (that e-mail is pendraggininkyahoo.com) this is my very, very, incredibly short, totally non-specific version of the events:
Pirates attacked Port Royale and Norrington, being Norrington, went to the fort as he was supposed to do. Pirates broke through the defenses and started sacking the town. Once again, shortening and leaving out many details, pirates attacked Norrington's home, seeing as it was a large mansion full of gold. Norrington couldn't get there--couldn't leave his post because then the town would be done for and he still had hope of turning the tide before the rest of you start screaming about how much he loved Maggie. Naturally, Maggie was attempting to protect Ethan when she was shot and killed. That's the least of what Ms. Ink has planned out, but it's the most general of general ideas. The way the timeline's worked out Ethan is fairly old so he could pitch in. My thought was that Will, acting on a promise made to Norrington to protect Maggie and Ethan should the town be sacked, came in time to save Ethan, but that's negotiable in my book. Norrington comes home to find Maggie dead. Much angst follows. You get the idea.
If you want the full story, which is much better than this, bother the woman with the plan. She's said it'll help. She's amazingly talented, her ideas are complex, incredibly twisted, and crystal clear as far as she's explained it to me. I've met few creatures as talented with the English language in my twenty-some years, and I've spent four of those in a university around very smart people. Trust me, she's worth bothering. And if you don't believe in me, which I can only assume is the case if you aren't bothering her, then you can't have much faith in my writing ability so I should just stop now. Yep, no more story.
Well, it would work if it weren't for the muse I have in Pearl. And Ms. Ink probably wouldn't allow it either. Just write her, would you? And review!
Chapter 19
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Author's note: All right, you demanding jackals. I'm paying you off so you'd best do what I tell you. You asked how Maggie died so I've stuck my synopsis at the end of the chapie. But first, enjoy the chapter.
"Commodore? Commodore Norrington?" He opened his eyes to find Mrs. Beardson leaning over him. "Oh, Commodore. I'm so glad you're up."
"Ethan," he gasped out, sitting up quickly and suddenly regretting it.
"Careful, Sir. The surgeon said you'll suffer no more than a headache. The roughian only nicked you with his bullet." Norrington reached up to find a bandage on his left temple. It must have been a small wound, he decided. He was lucky. The large bump on the side of his head hurt more.
"Where's Ethan?" he asked.
Mrs. Beardson looked down at the floor. "They took 'im."
With a growl he rose again. It didn't hurt as much this time and the room spun more slowly. "Get Gillette. I want our fastest ships on their way--"
"It's been done, Sir. Gillette came some minutes after you left us. It seems you left some papers in the office. He freed us. It was too late to get Ethan back, but he's sent every ship that will carry a sail out, and ordered the rest to ready."
"Did they leave a note? Demand ransom?"
"No, Commodore. It's very confusing."
"How long have I been out?"
"Five turnings of the clock's hands." Five hours? He nearly cried out at the very idea. "Captain Gillette left a note in your study. He said he would return this night. I shall get it for you, and some supper."
"I can get the note myself," he argued, leveling himself to his feet. The room settled after a moment. "I need to get down to the docks--"
"The surgeon said you weren't to leave the house." Her voice offered no room for argument. "Go to your study if you must. I'll prepare supper."
"Mrs. Beardson," he called suddenly, stopping her short. "How is Donovan?" He should have asked sooner, his servant had been bleeding, but his son. He had to get Ethan back!
"Fine, Commodore. The surgeon didn't even set a stitch."
"Thank you. Give him my thanks for a job well done."
"I will, Commodore. We only wish we could have done more."
"Thank you."
He went to his office with his lamp, his mind racing. If only he had acted more quickly. More rationally. No, that was the past. He had to think in the present. How could he find this man? Pirates. Pirates would know him. Pearl. How could he find Pearl? Without knowing why he was certain that Pearl would know what to do.
The window sat open, evening breeze scattering papers and blowing the white curtains into the room. Cursing softly he moved to gather a few of the papers, his mind still racing through dead ends. If he could get a message to Tortuga, or-
"You know, you curse like a sailor." He jumped at the voice, dropping the papers in his hands.
That voice. Even in the hurricane of thoughts it shown like the light of grace, putting order to his mind, reassuring him."Pearl?"
"Aye." The curtains seemed to part to reveal the pirate.
She seemed pail and ghost-like in the flickering light of the lamp, her dark pirate clothing, including her low-riding hat, blending into the darkness as she leaned against the window sill, one leg supporting her, the other drooping to the floor. One hand was supported on her knee, limp hand hanging down, occasionally flickering in an almost unconscious movement Norrington could remember Jack doing once or twice. He hoped it was only nervousness.
"Thank God above you're here," he said, rushing forward. "You must help us. Ethan has been kidnaped."
"I know." He voice was oddly cold and hard, and she didn't stand from her seat in the window. Instead she remained there, shrouded in the darkness, eyes turned toward the night and the distant ocean. "That's why I came."
"But it only happened a few hours ago. How could you know?"
"I got the ransom note."
This wasn't making any sense. Did they expect her to deliver it? "What do they want?"
"Me."
"Why would they want you? Who has my boy?"
She turned back to him, face seeming to float in the darkness, humorless, twisted smile making it all the more spooky. "Bootleg has him."
Norrington's blood froze. The evil pirate that had killed his mother. Who had tried to rape Pearl long years ago, and had whipped her for refusing his advances. She had taken his eye and wounded him for the trouble. He realized suddenly that had to be the man he had faced down in the kitchen. He had wanted revenge on Pearl for years.
"But why would he take Ethan?"
"Lack of options, mostly." Pearl dropped her leg to the floor and stood, moving to perch herself on the desk. "He can't get to me, or Jack, or Emmie. He went after Marden once. Nikki and the rest of the Gypsies are too much trouble. I guess he thought the son of my daughter's father would make a good ransom."
"You aren't going to give yourself over to him?" he said doubtfully.
"Of course not. I wouldn't come here if I planned on that."
"But we have to get Ethan back."
"Aye. Which is why I thought it might be handy to have a Commodore along."
"Where is he?"
"An island. He's given me the bearings."
"Didn't he tell you to come alone?"
"Aye. That's why you can't be seen. Don't worry, we'll work it out."
"I don't want to risk Ethan."
"Edward, he shot you," Pearl pointed out. "This isn't some political play, they're pirates. Even if I followed his instructions to the very letter, he would still kill Ethan and dump him off a cliff. I don't doubt I'd be close behind."
"You're right of course. Gillette's already sent ships out."
"I know. We saw them. Had to pull into port in a hurry. They won't catch him. Bootleg's too good."
He opened his mouth to reply, but stopped at the sound of feet on the stairs. Far too many for this to be the maid come with his supper.
Pearl seemed to see this in his reaction and moved suddenly to draw into the dark corner behind the door without instruction. Just in time, the door bursting open moments later.
Elizabeth and William Turner strode into the room. Elizabeth didn't even pause at the door. She came immediately up to the Commodore, wrapping her arms around him. "I'm so sorry, Edward. We just heard or we'd have been here sooner."
"Is there anything we can do?" Will asked, closing the door, apparently without noticing Pearl in the corner.
"Did they leave a ransom note? I could ask my father for the money if you don't have it," Elizabeth added.
"They didn't leave a note," Norrington said. "They want something far more valuable than money."
"I don't know if I would go that far," Pearl remarked.
Elizabeth and Will both turned to regard the grinning face in the corner. "Pearl?" Elizabeth asked.
"In the flesh," she answered, stepping form the shadows to give the Turners a flowing bow.
"You're here to help?" Will asked uncertainly. Pearl nodded.
"But how did you get here so quickly? How did you know?" Elizabeth asked.
"Because I'm what Bootleg wants."
Elizabeth gasped. "Surely you aren't--"
"No," Pearl said. "I'm not. I'm making a very large point of not thinking about what they would do to me if they had me, and I'm not much happier about the idea of finding out."
"But you are going to help?" Will asked.
"Of course."
"Do you have a plan?" Elizabeth asked.
"Naturally. I just need some backup to execute it. I want to end this once and for all."
"I assume Jack is in on this."
"Aye. The Black Pearl is just outside the port, and Marden should meet us once we get under way." Her eyes turned toward Norrington. "I just need two more. Do you think you could drum them up?"
"Shouldn't be a problem. I'll have to talk to Gillette about it."
Suddenly the sound of footstep sounded again on the stairs. Pearl drew back into the dark corner just in time for the door to slam open once again. As if this had summoned him Gillette strode into the room. "Commandore," he said, bowing, without preamble. "Mrs. Turner, Mr. Turner."
"Have you found something?" Norrington demanded.
"No, Sir. I'm afraid I haven't. We have two more ships ready to sail."
"How soon?" Norrington asked.
"Since your maid informed me she wouldn't let me take you until you've had supper, as soon as you eat."
"It's nice to see someone else is taking care of you," Pearl commented as she stepped from the shadows.
Gillette turned smoothly to level his sword at her. She stood perfectly still, regarding him with a very bored expression. "Gillette, put it down," Norrington ordered.
He regarded Pearl carefully. "Are you certain she had nothing to do with this?"
"Gillette, she did not take my son," Norrington sighed. "She's here to help me get him back."
"Are you certain, Sir?" The captain lowered his sword but didn't put it away. "You know, once a pirate-"
"Oh, for the love of Billy's bones I'm begging you not to say it," Pearl sighed. "I would have thought Will taught even you hard-headed bilge rats that isn't the case. I really don't understand why you hate me so, Gillette. What did I ever do to you?"
"You have done more than enough, I would say," the Navel officer growled out.
"Wait a minute. I understand now!" Pearl cheered. "I've corrupted your darling Commodore."
"Pearl, you're being ridiculous," Norrington sighed out.
"Or maybe it's that I've stolen him from you."
"I don't believe I like what you're insinuating," Gillette ground out.
"Well, the truth hurts sometimes. Tell me, do you fancy men?"
"Pearl!" Elizabeth cried.
"Oh, come off it. It happens sometimes. I won't hold it against you. I've known no few men in my time that do. Happens among sailors. You know, long voyages and all. It isn't until I have to witness them chasing after my father that I really-"
"Pearl, that's more than enough!" Norrington cried.
"What? It's an honest enough question."
"How dare you suggest that I, that I would, when the Bible strictly forbids!" Gillette sputtered, unable to finish the sentence.
"Well, obviously I dare," Pearl answered.
"I think we're a little off topic," Will put in helpfully.
"Yes. I would prefer to focus on getting my son back." Norrington told her.
She shrugged. "Whatever. I mean, Bootleg has good reason to hate me. I can understand that. I just don't understand why the good Captain here should hate me so."
"You're a pirate," the man ground out.
"Depends on your point of view. I prefer to thing of myself as a poor woman trying to make a living."
"Can we please focus on Ethan?" Elizabeth asked.
"Right. We need to grab those ships and sail out."
"You're certain four is enough?" Elizabeth asked.
"It'll have to be," Pearl said. "Bootleg only has two, so four should take him with a fair amount of ease. Besides, Bootleg's expecting me and if I take too long he might get suspicion and scratch the plan."
"And kill Ethan?" Elizabeth asked.
Pearl nodded. "He'd have to risk getting caught in order to return him. Easier just to kill him and be done with it."
"Speak from personal experience, do you?" Gillette ground out.
"No. The Black Pearl doesn't take hostages. Too much trouble. We just tie them up until we're done with the ship. And we don't kill unless we have to, if you haven't noticed."
"I have," Norrington put in. "But it's beside the point. Gillette, go ready the ships. We'll meet the Black Pearl just outside the cove."
"I should go back and change," Elizabeth said.
Everyone stopped to stare at her. "Elizabeth, you can't go," Pearl said.
"You're really the last person I expected to hear say that," Elizabeth remarked with a lift of her chin. "I know Ethan considerably better than you, and we haven't seen Emmie in ages. If she's going along you're certainly not stopping me."
Pearl shook her head. "You don't understand, Lizzie. Emmie's coming because I know I couldn't stop her, and I'm not happy about it. I don't want to scare you, Lizzie, but these are bad pirates. I've been in their hands before, and I won't repeat the things they did to me. I shudder, I mean shudder, to think of what they would do if they got their hands on a Lady."
"I don't care," Elizabeth answered. "I'm going."
"All right. I warned you. I wash my hands of it from here on out."
"But Pearl," Will broke in, worry painting his voice.
"She's a good girl, Will. We could use her ideas. I'm certain she can handle herself. You go change, Lizzie. Jack and Emmie are waiting on me. If I don't come they'll worry. Meet me on the shore, the beach below the eastern cliff."
"We shall," Elizabeth said, hurrying out, pulling a still-protesting Will behind her.
"Gillette, go ready the ships," Norrington ordered, grabbing his coat. "And tell my maid to wrap up the dinner. I'll meet you shortly. I want to speak with Mr. Sparrow before we go."
"Excellent idea, Sir," Gillette said.
Pearl smiled as she watched him attempt to put his office into order. She sat in the chair behind his desk, tipping back and crossing her booted ankles on the desk. "What are you looking for?"
"Just something I've been putting off for a while. I need to get it started while we're off."
Pearl smiled indulgently and nodded. "You know, Emmie's fine. And if you plan to talk her out of this trip, you can save your breath. Jack and I both tried. And most of the crew."
"What makes you think I want to do that?" he asked.
"I know you. And because I'm feeling for you I'll add that I'm practically the Captain of the Black Pearl myself. I helped formulate this plan. Any questions you have you could ask me."
He stopped his shuffling to turn and smile at her, leaning back against his desk next to her feet and rubbing at the back of his neck. "I have one child in danger over this. I don't know what I would do if I lost both of them. Or you-"
She stood to turn and lean against the desk next to him, cutting him off before he could finish the last part. "I know the idea of losing Ethan troubles you, especially so soon after losing Maggie. I'm sorry about that. Truly, I am. She was a good woman. I was sorry when Elizabeth told me."
"It hasn't been so soon. It has been over a year."
She turned to stand in front of him. Any closer and she would be touching him. Short as she was and with him lounging they were eye-to-eye. "It feels shorter," she said, reaching out to caress the crow's feet at the side of his eyes. "You still miss her."
"Of course. Is that why you didn't come? Why you ran away?"
"Yes," she admitted. "I didn't want you to feel you were betraying her."
"And now?"
"And now your son is in danger, and we are going to get him back. Don't worry. You have Pearl Sparrow's word on that."
"That's better than gold," he remarked, brushing the hair out of her face.
"We should go." She didn't move, eyes locked on his.
"Not until you promise me something."
"What?"
"That you won't disappear until we've had a chance to talk. There's too much unfinished business between us."
"All right. If you feel that strongly about it, I promise. We'll talk."
"Good."
"Good."
They both remained frozen, mesmerized by one another.
"We should go," Pearl finally said.
"We should," he agreed.
After a few more moments she stepped back.
Downstairs he handed the papers off to a servant with strict instructions to deliver them to the fort and have every word carried out the next day. After accepting a basket of supper and lecture from the housemaid they were off.
Author's Note: All right. Good. Now, first things first. Mac, I have no e-mail address for you. I wanted to e-mail my response to your review but since I don't have your address I couldn't. So if you want to e-mail me or give it to me that would be great. As for Spotted Paw, your e-mail address hates me. All my e-mail bounces back. So write me again and I promise to keep my eyes open for what you send. I really do want to be in touch.
As for the rest of you demanding reviewers, I have been given full clearance to release to you the following:
Okay all you obnoxious, anxious, and otherwise ravenous reviewers. You've asked and demanded and prodded until I've become your prey. You want to know how Maggie died. Now, while Pendragginink will write it, provided you continue to harass her which I get the impression you're doing a fairly poor job of now (that e-mail is pendraggininkyahoo.com) this is my very, very, incredibly short, totally non-specific version of the events:
Pirates attacked Port Royale and Norrington, being Norrington, went to the fort as he was supposed to do. Pirates broke through the defenses and started sacking the town. Once again, shortening and leaving out many details, pirates attacked Norrington's home, seeing as it was a large mansion full of gold. Norrington couldn't get there--couldn't leave his post because then the town would be done for and he still had hope of turning the tide before the rest of you start screaming about how much he loved Maggie. Naturally, Maggie was attempting to protect Ethan when she was shot and killed. That's the least of what Ms. Ink has planned out, but it's the most general of general ideas. The way the timeline's worked out Ethan is fairly old so he could pitch in. My thought was that Will, acting on a promise made to Norrington to protect Maggie and Ethan should the town be sacked, came in time to save Ethan, but that's negotiable in my book. Norrington comes home to find Maggie dead. Much angst follows. You get the idea.
If you want the full story, which is much better than this, bother the woman with the plan. She's said it'll help. She's amazingly talented, her ideas are complex, incredibly twisted, and crystal clear as far as she's explained it to me. I've met few creatures as talented with the English language in my twenty-some years, and I've spent four of those in a university around very smart people. Trust me, she's worth bothering. And if you don't believe in me, which I can only assume is the case if you aren't bothering her, then you can't have much faith in my writing ability so I should just stop now. Yep, no more story.
Well, it would work if it weren't for the muse I have in Pearl. And Ms. Ink probably wouldn't allow it either. Just write her, would you? And review!