Usual Disclaimers. I own only the twisted seeds that sprouted out of my warped mind. Everything that is recognizable is property of the Mouse.
Writer dodges things thrown at her from her readers I know I have not been the best at keeping updated but I am gonna finish this thing if it kills me so let's head to Port Royal and see if Jack was right about the smithereens or if Adelaide was right about the bits.
Sees stars when hit on the head by the binding of a book sailing across the room. Shakes her head slowly looks at the crowd…Mom? I'd know that throw from anywhere.
Chapter 12: A Civil Confrontation
Elizabeth and Will heard the call signaling an attack in the harbor when they were in what would soon be Will's sword smith shop. They had just recently bought the property situated on the edge of the docks the day before. Elizabeth had been ecstatic when the location had become available. It would be one of the first things that those arriving in Port Royal would pass when they disembarked from their travels.
Before Will could stop her, Elizabeth darted out the door. Quick on his feet, Will caught up with Elizabeth before she made it all the way to the docks. He grabbed her arm. "Elizabeth, are you crazy? The port is under attack."
Elizabeth tugged on his arm when he tried to pull her back towards the storefront. "Will, look. It is the Black Pearl. It is Jack. Something has to be wrong. He wouldn't sail directly into the port, otherwise. Even he would know its suicide."
"Crazy Idiot," Will murmured and then looked at Elizabeth. "We have to get to Norrington before he blows Jack out of the water."
Elizabeth dug her heels in again when Will tried to drag her behind him as he started toward the fort. "Will, think about it. Norrington won't open fire first. The Pearl is flying a truce flag. It is against navy regulations to open fire on an enemy ship that is flying a truce flag—no matter what. Norrington would be the last one to break regulations concerning Jack. He wants him out right, no technicalities to get Jack's head out of the hangman's noose again. We are more likely to catch Norrington at the docks before he rows out to the Pearl."
"How is it you are always right?" Will asked exasperated as he changed directions once more.
"It's a gift," Elizabeth panted as she lifted her skirts higher to run.
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They made it to the docks just as Norrington was lowering himself into one of the ship's boats. He gave Will a resigned look. He settled himself into the bow of the boat. "Murtogg, assist Mistress Turner into the boat. Both she and her husband have a vested interest in the outcome of this meeting."
When Will and Elizabeth were settled into the boat, it shoved off. Midway out to the Pearl, Will could see that the deck was bustling with crewmembers apparently rigging up a boson's chair. He noticed that Norrington had realized this as well. It would seem that Jack either had visitors on board, or wounded. Will caught the rope ladder that was thrown for them. He helped Elizabeth start up and then quickly followed. Murtogg, Norrington, and then the rest of the marines followed close behind.
The scene that greeted them on the deck of the Black Pearl almost made Will burst out laughing. Jack and his crew were assembled in order of rank. Jack stood in the front of them all dressed to the nines. He was wearing a pristine white shirt open at the collar, black pants, and a wide red sash at the waist. This look was topped off by a dark green coat and a red bandana that held back his hair. His hair had grown back and was back to its normal braids and beads. His beard was working its way back to being full again. To Will, it looked as though Jack was trying to look like the stereotypical pirate captain. Down to the sword at his waist and the pistol tucked in the sash. Jack stood feet braced against the roll of the ship, with his arms behind his back. He leveled Norrington a derisive look, "Commodore."
Norrington answered in the same sardonic tone, "Sparrow."
The silence continued until Norrington's patience ran out. His voice was hard and his tone short when he said, "What do you want Sparrow? What possible reason can you give for being in Port Royal?"
"Simple, I am in need of a qualified physician."
"You don't look in ill health."
"Don't you wish it was for me? No, I think you would rather have me die in a hangman's noose then in a sick bed."
"Right the first time."
"Well, you won't be getting either at the moment."
"Out with it, Sparrow."
"I have found myself in possession of the governor's niece and I would like to rid myself of that burden. Not for free mind you, but rid my ship of her just the same." Jack said flippantly.
Elizabeth started forward at that statement, "Adelaide!"
"Don't worry yourself Elizabeth. I would not harm a hair on her head, no matter how much she tempts me to strangle her. I managed to resist the temptation," Jack gestured absently. "But before we hand her over I'll be wanting a few things from you, Commodore."
"Must I repeat myself, Sparrow?" Norrington exhaled impatiently, "State your piece and get the hell out of my harbor."
"I am needing safe anchorage as it were. And since I have friends in these parts I would like for Port Royal to be me newest port of call. For that to happen I think papers certifying the Black Pearl as an English privateer should be drawn up. That way we all get what we want. Elizabeth and Governor Swann get the Duchess back and the Black Pearl remains in one piece for the time being."
"For that to happen the Governor has to make that decision not I." Norrington took a deep breath. "First we will need verification that her grace is in fact on broad your ship."
"Elizabeth can do that now. In the mean time, send one of your men to fetch the governor."
"Murtogg, take the boat back to shore and return with the governor. I am sure by now word has reached him of the Pearl's presence in the harbor. He will no doubt be at the docks." Norrington did not like having his hands tied this way. It was infuriating to know that Jack had done nothing that constituted a breech of the truce flag his ship was flying. It also didn't sit well with him that he was negotiating with a pirate, or that the pirate had the upper hand.
Silence fell heavily over the deck. Neither Norrington nor Jack wanted to break the other's gaze. Fed up with what she saw as a useless battle of wills, Elizabeth stepped forward. "I want to see Adelaide, Jack."
Jack spoke without turning his head. "Timothy, if you and Gibbs would be so kind as to show Mistress Turner to my cabin and make sure Adelaide is prepared for the trip to shore."
Both men stepped forward immediately. The trio walked across the deck and disappeared into the captain's cabin. Shortly after that, with a great deal of huffing and puffing, Governor Swann pulled himself up the ladder onto the deck. He was in a state of disarray. His wig was off center and tufts were sticking out of what normally would be perfectly coiffed curls. Will had not seen him in such a state since when the navy had engaged Barbosa's pirates at the Isla de la Muerta.
"Commodore Norrington, I hope there is a satisfactory explanation as to why this ship is in my harbor, not mention why I have been drug out here with such haste." Governor Swann was obviously trying for stern but with his appearance coupled with his being out of breath, it just did not work.
"Captain Sparrow has expressed a want of privateer certification. For that I believe he must speak to you not me," Norrington said dryly. Norrington did not like this. There was something going on that he had not caught on to. Something was nagging at the back of his mind. He hated the fact that Sparrow was forcing his hand. And there was nothing he could do about it.
"Commodore, surely you are jesting. There is no way I can give this man certification. Do you know how long the list of charges against him is? You should, you levied a great many of them against him yourself." The governor was blustering, stalling so he could figure out what the correct decision could be. When he got no more response out of Norrington, Governor Swann turned to contemplate Jack. "What could you possibly think would qualify you for privateer status, Mr. Sparrow?"
"That's Captain Sparrow, milord. And, dear sir, I have your own gratitude that would absolve me of any offense prior to this meeting." Jack gave the governor a mock salute and grinned at Will.
"My gratitude? For what? I didn't pardon you after you saved my daughter's life, what could mean more than that?" Swann huffed and once more tried to right his wig.
"Why saving a member of the kings own family from certain death, of course. Your niece, Adelaide, is at this very moment residing in my cabin. That would be what I think qualifies me to be a privateer for His Majesty. Fair trade, in my mind, her life for mine, don't you think Commodore?"
Governor Swann brought up his hand to cut off Norrington's reply to Jack's barb. "What I think, Captain Sparrow, is that you will have papers validating your privateer status for His Majesty within the hour."
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Adelaide was barely conscious when they moved her from Jack's bunk onto the litter that would carry her ashore. The fever that Jack had tried to ward off days before was in full force. She had been coherent enough to realize that she was being moved and that there was a cool hand against her cheek. Even the gentle movements of the crew placing her on the litter caused pain to course through her chest. Protesting this disturbance, she called out for Jack.
Will had never seen Jack move as quickly as he did when Adelaide called for him. He was across the deck and disappearing into the cabin before Norrington could voice his objection. The governor sputtered his bafflement, loudly demanding to know why his niece would want to see a pirate over her own family. What emerged from the cabin astonished all who were present.
Here was the great Captain Jack Sparrow walking slowly out next to a litter that the crewmen were carrying out as delicately as possible. The woman in the litter clung to Jack's hand like it was a lifeline. Elizabeth walked along the opposite side running her hand along Adelaide's brow. The difference in Adelaide from the strong, confident woman Will had watched sail away from Port Royal a month before and this frail woman on the litter shook Will. What had happened to her? What had Jack done?
Apparently the governor's thought process had gone along the same lines a Will's. He started blustering again. His face turned a mottled red. "Sparrow! What is the meaning of this? What have you done to my niece?"
"I saved her life. If not for me she and her crew would have been slaughtered and left to go down with her ship. Now can we please save this charming little scene of self-righteous indignation until after we have Adelaide ashore and properly attended by a physician?"
That shut Governor Swann up quickly. Norrington sprang into action calling orders out to both his marines and members of Jack's crew. Surprisingly the crew men obeyed. They knew that Jack wanted Captain Adelaide resting comfortably as soon as possible, even if that meant obeying a naval officer.
When they hoisted the litter up into the boson's chair, Adelaide refused to release her hold of Jack's hand. Jack had to climb on to the litter and be lowered to the waiting ship's boat. All conversation, except for orders ceased. It was as though the governor and Norrington had decided that Jack was right. Their argument could wait until Adelaide was safely in bed and under the care of a licensed physician.
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When their entourage had reached the governor's mansion Swann headed straight to his library. At the door he turned and looked again at Adelaide and at Jack who was still following at the side of Adelaide's litter. Adelaide had lost consciousness on the wagon ride from the docks to the mansion. She no longer clung to Jack's hand as she had on the deck on the Black Pearl.
Looking at his niece, what was left of the color in Swann's face drained away. He brought his gaze back to meet Jack's and clenched his jaw. "I would like to see you in my library, Sparrow, at once!"
"We can meet on the bloody roof for all I care governor, but I will see Adelaide settled first." Jack continued up the stairs with the litter.
Jack paused at the base of the stairs to compose himself before continuing on to the governor's library. His thoughts were still above stairs where Elizabeth and the doctor were attending to Adelaide. Despite his best efforts he had been unable to ward off the fever that had racked her small body for the past two days. Their argument three nights before was the last coherent conversation that they had had on their voyage. A storm had blown in keeping them from reaching Port Royal as quickly as Jack had hoped. His only hope at this point was that it was not too late and that the doctor that the governor had called would be able to battle this fever with more luck than Cotton.
With a fortifying breath, Jack pulled open the door to the library. Governor Swann sat at his desk staring at a snifter of brandy. Both Norrington and Will had glasses of the liquor as well. Norrington stood at the French doors staring out over the lawn, swirling his brandy. Will was seated on a settee. He was leaning forward with both his elbows on his knees, holding the brandy in both hands. He contemplated the liquor as though if he looked hard enough he would find what he was looking for. All three men looked toward the doorway as Jack entered the room.
Jack went straight to the sideboard that held the decanters of alcohol. I quickly scanned the governor's array of spirits. No rum, Jack thought dejectedly. He poured himself a tumbler with three fingers of whiskey and quickly drank it down. With out a word he poured himself a second glass and then went to set next to Will on the settee. All four men let the silence stretch out for many minutes until Jack chuckled softly.
"What could you possibly find amusing at this juncture, Sparrow?" Norrington said turning from the window.
"Must I remind you again, Commodore? It is Captain Sparrow." Jack took a swallow of his whiskey and met Norrington's gaze. "I find this assembly highly amusing. If anyone had told me even a week ago that I would be sitting in the Governor's library sharing a civilized drink with both you and Governor Swann, I would have laughed so hard that I fell out of my chair. Admit it; this is a rather unlikely turn of events."
With it put that way, Norrington was forced to grin as well. His expression sobered quickly. "I have waited long enough for an explanation of how Lady Adelaide ended up on your vessel, Captain Sparrow." He sighed and settled into one of the chairs adjacent to the settee. "I believe we all have."
In quick, concise terms Jack outlined how the Black Pearl had come upon the Hunter attacking the Midnight's Dove. He gave the important points of the battle itself, describing how the crew of the Midnight's Dove had fought hard and held their own against the overwhelming numbers of the Hunter's crew. He paused when he began to describe the fight between Adelaide and Edgeworth. His fingers gripped the tumbler of whiskey until his knuckles went white. "That bastard was out for blood, Adelaide's. When he pushed his blade through her chest he had already disarmed her and she was defenseless. His point in attacking was simple. He wanted Adelaide's death and didn't care how he went about getting it."
Jack took another swallow of his whiskey. He looked at Will, Norrington, and Governor Swann separately. "Now can any of you tell me who hates Adelaide enough to send such a blackheart after her?"