After the Storm
1: The Ferryman
The boat coming into the harbour is hailing them furiously. Lieutenant Theodore Groves is the first to catch the signal. Flanked by marines, he hurries to the docks, navigating the winding paths of the fort and the crowded maze of the town. The HMS Indomitable has returned, dropping anchor by the arms of the cove. Her jolly-boat is approaching quickly, four men heaving at the oars. The sailor at the bow spies the waiting group and drops back down. Groves catches Mercer's eye. He is sitting calmly against the gunwale, hands folded over his sword, and that horrid smirk on his face. Beside him slumps another figure, cuffs about his wrists.
Pirate, Groves thinks. Another soul to stretch Lord Beckett's ropes.
The boat touches the dock. The rowers stand and grip their prisoner about the arms. He is pulled unceremoniously onto the pontoon, followed by Mercer who seems to have all the time in the world. "A present for Lord Beckett," he drawls as Groves strides down to meet them.
"No further," he commands. Bayonets appear over his shoulders, directed at the bedraggled prisoner. He seems to only stand with his guards' support. Groves makes out the tatters of an old uniform, slung over a dirty shirt and breeches. His hair hangs about his face in ragged matts. "I will take custody of the prisoner, Mr. Mercer. You forget my authority."
The smirk vanishes from Mercer's mouth. Then, before Groves can do a thing, he takes a handful of the pirate's long hair and yanks his head back.
Groves hears himself take a sharp breath. For a moment, his marines falter. A couple of the guns lower a fraction.
That face may be scarred and weather-beaten, reddened by the sun, but it is unmistakeable. Through the unkempt locks and untidy beard, he sees the man he had once held higher than almost any other. "Commodore," he manages. It feels as though something has suddenly lodged in his throat. He swallows convulsively.
Former Commodore James Norrington meets his eyes. By god, but there is hurt behind them. What has the world done to you, sir? Groves wonders.
"Take those cuffs from him," he orders.
"There is a warrant for his arrest, Lieutenant," Mercer spits. "Conspiring in the escape of Jack Sparrow."
"I will answer to Lord Beckett if he questions it."
He thinks Mercer is going to disobey him. But he is merely a clerk in Beckett's service, and Groves is an officer in the Royal Navy, now tied to the East India Company. His marines strike the cuffs from Norrington's wrists and for a second, the man stumbles without their aid. Groves catches him about the arms. He looks every inch the castaway, that same distant look in the eyes, the same dishevelled appearance. He wonders when was the last time he ate or drank. "Fetch him some food and water," Groves says. "Prisoner or not, he should not starve."
"He demands to see Lord Beckett," Mercer interrupts. "I intend to take him, if you please, Lieutenant -"
The marines grasp Norrington again. Groves has to make himself let go. He steps back and catches Norrington's gaze again. "I have business with him, Lieutenant," he says. Groves had thought he would never hear that voice again. He pushes all that tight threat of emotion down.
"Take him then, Mr. Mercer," he forces out. He reluctantly steps aside, and watches them pass. He clutches his hands behind his back, feeling ice along his skin, despite the fierce heat. He cannot tear his eyes away as they head towards Lord Beckett's household. Why does he feel that Norrington has just emerged from one storm and plunged straight into another?
He turns, feeling the presence of his marines again. They look just as uncertain as he feels. He clears his throat.
"Stand down, men," he says. "Return to the fort."
Now, he has to make a choice.
A/n: we're British, we don't show emotions! This whole chapter plays like /very British problems 18th century style/
So I'm having such fun writing my other POTC fanfic, Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, that I couldn't resist another. I wanted to do one where I don't torture dear James so much, and mentioning Groves in my latest chapter of that fanfic got my muse singing again ~~ This will be a loooooot more hurt/comfort and 95% Norrington/Groves with a mention of Beckett, and though it slots pretty nicely next to Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, it is completely separate ~~
hope you enjoy, and the next chapter will be longer :)