Eight years later…
I awoke with a start. Those black sails had haunted me through my sleep for so long, I had began to think that was all it was, a dream. My sister still had the pirate medallion, she hid it in her drawer under a fake bottom. She had told no-one but me about it. Three loud knocks on my bedroom door interrupted my thoughts, I flung my dressing gown over my nightgown as I heard my father say.
"Rosabelle, are you decent?"
"Yes," I replied brushing my dark locks into a loose bun. The door opened and my father and my two maids named Ethel and Sarah walked in. Sarah pulled back my curtains letting the morning sunshine slip through the window and dance around the bedroom.
"Good morning, Father." I greeted,
"Morning, Rosabelle." He said. "What a lovely day!"
"Yes, it is." I agreed, gazing out the window into the sky so blue that it matched the glistening ocean beneath it.
"A gift," he said, handing me a white box patterned with roses.
"Oh, father you didn't need to do this!" I exclaimed as I opened the box. A long violet dress was neatly folded at the bottom, I took it from the box and held it up to myself, admiring it's beauty. The dress had silver ribbons lining the back and had magnificent designs stitched upon the front.
"It's beautiful, father!"
"I hoped you'd like it. Go on, try it on." Following my father's advice, I walked behind my dressing screen and let my maids dress me up.
"May I ask for the occasion?" I inquired as the maids slipped my nightgown over my head.
"Your sister asked me the very same question when I gave her, her dress." he said chuckling to himself.
"We know you well, father." I said, smiling slightly.
"Well, I was rather hoping you would wear it to Captain Norrington's Promotion Ceremony." I stayed quiet letting him continue.
"Commodore Norrington. He's a fine gentleman, Rosabelle. He fancies you, you know." Over the years I had caught the eye of many 'fine' men but none of them I took great interest to.
"Really," I said, not interested at all. My father caught my mood and quickly changed the subject.
"How's the dress coming along? It's the height of fashion in London."
"Interesting," I commented between gasps for air, as Ethel tightened my corset. I found I could hardly breathe. After dressing me, the maids redid my long hair into a high braided bun and decorated my ears and neck with jewelry. Once they were finished and my face was touched with makeup, I stepped out from my screen and showed the dress to my father.
"You look stunning, Rosabelle!"
"Thank you," I said politely,
"Come now, we mustn't be late for the Ceremony." I nodded and headed downstairs, following my father. On my way down, I bumped into my sister who was four years younger than me and just as pretty. We both had tan skin and dark brown eyes, the only difference between us really was that she had golden hair, while I had dark. She was wearing a similar dress to mine but it was golden and decorated with deeper gold ribbons instead.
"You look amazing, Belle!" she smiled.
"Thanks. You do too, Elizabeth." I replied before leaning in and whispering, "Can you breathe at all," Elizabeth half smiled half grimaced before whispering back to me.
"No." I held in a laugh as we walked down to the entrance hall.
"The blade is folded steel. That's gold filigree laid into the handle. If I may?" A voice said. As we turned the corner I saw William Turner flip a sword in the air and hand it to my father. Will had grown into a handsome man with shoulder-length dark brown hair and a faint mustache. Next to me, I heard Elizabeth's breathing speed up, and I doubted it was only because of her tight corset and the infuriating heat.
"Ah girls, Mr. Turner here was just showing me the Commodore Norrington's new gift."
"Will! It's so good to see you. I had a dream about you last night." Elizabeth said, excited. I chuckled softly, Elizabeth had always had a crush on William ever since she was little and I figured Will fancied my sister as well.
"About me?" Will asked, surprised.
"Yes, well, is that entirely proper for you to…?" My father interfered, not liking the way this conversation was going at all. But Elizabeth ignored him,
"About the day we met, do you remember?"
"How could I forget, Miss. Swann?" Will said looking dazed, as if he was remembering that day now.
"Will, how many times must I ask you to call me Elizabeth?" My sister asked.
"At least once more, Miss. Swann, as always." My father then perked up,
"There. See? At least the boy has a sense of propriety. Now, we really must be going." As we walked out the front door and passed Will, My sister said formally.
"Good day, Mr. Turner." I gave a last wave at Will before climbing into the carriage that was waiting in the driveway.
The day was boiling and the sun beat down on me fiercely, causing myself to sweat. I felt faint. Once the Ceremony had finished I was just about to leave my seat when Commodore Norrington appeared at my side.
"May I have a moment?" He asked. I groaned, silently so Norrington wouldn't hear me. The last thing I wanted to do at the moment was talk to the Commodore, I felt terrible and wanted to go home. But since I was a lady I regrettably accepted. We walked to the battlements at the edge of the fort and stepped onto the platform. It was so hot up there, I felt as if my head was on fire. I fanned myself, trying and failing to get rid of the heat.
"Uh, you look lovely, Rosabelle," he started, anxiously and I smiled half-heartedly.
"I apologize if I seem forward, but I… must speak my mind. This promotion throws into a sharp relief that which I have not yet achieved. Uh… A marriage to a fine woman." Black spots started to appear in my vision but I quickly blink them away. The heat was getting to me, I could hardly hear what he was saying.
"You have become a fine woman, Rosabelle." It was suddenly all too much.
"I can't breathe," I croaked, swaying on the edge of the platform.
"Yes, I… I'm a bit nervous myself." All of a sudden everything went black, the last thing I could remember was falling — falling, down… down into the depths below.
My eyes fluttered open. I gasped for air, spluttering out seawater. My vision was blurry at first but then as it became clear I saw a filthy-looking man with long black dreadlocks, bending down over me. Why am I lying on the ground? And why am I all wet? I thought to myself. Then my memory came flooding back to me. I had fallen into the ocean, unconscious, and this… I stared up at the filthy but soaking man… must be my rescuer. I sat up and saw Commodore Norrington hurrying towards us.
"On your feet." Norrington commanded, pointing his sword at the chest of my rescuer. It was then I realised who he was… Ragged clothing, unbrushed teeth and knotted hair. He was a pirate. My father then came up to me followed by my sister and helped me to my feet.
"Rosabelle, are you alright?" He asked as my sister looked at me concerned.
"Yes, I'm fine." I said, overwhelmed by all that was happening. Then my father noticed one of the guards holding my corset, the guard pointed at the pirate, whom which my father glared at before shouting.
"Shoot him!"
"Father, Commodore," I said, feeling desperate, hardly believing what I was doing. This man was a pirate! A man who constantly disobeyed the law, and killed innocent people! But then again he did save my life so I owed him.
"Do you really intend to kill my rescuer?" Norrington looked reluctant but nevertheless held out his hand for the pirate to shake it.
"I believe thanks are in order." The pirate uncertainly accepted this gesture and was about to shake hands when the Commodore grabbed his wrist and pulled back his sleeve, revealing a scorch mark on his arm in the shape of a 'P'.
"Had a brush with the East India Trading Company did we, pirate?"
"Hang him!" My father cried.
"Keep your guns on him men," Commodore Norrington instructed, "Gillette, fetch me some irons." He then caught sight of a tattoo of a sparrow in flight next to the scorch mark.
"Well, well… Jack Sparrow, isn't it?"
"Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please, sir," the pirate corrected.
"Well, I don't see your ship… Captain." Norrington jeered. It was true, there was no pirate ship in sight. I had to admit I was slightly disappointed.
"I'm in the market as it were." Jack Sparrow replied. The guard who was carrying my corset then spoke up again.
"He said he'd come to commandeer one."
"Told ya he was telling the truth." Another guard said, before handing Norrington a pistol, a compass, a hat and a sword. "These are his, sir."
"No additional shots or powder," Commodore scoffed picking up the pistol and handing it back to the guard. "A compass that doesn't point north and… " He held up a sword, "I half expected it to be made out of wood. You are without doubt the worst pirate I'd ever heard of." Jack just smirked and held up his index fingers.
"But you have heard of me." He argued as the Gillette pulled him away to get locked in irons.
"Commodore, I really must protest!" I said, pulling away from my father's arms and walking forward to face the Commodore.
"Carefully Lieutenant," he said ignoring me.
"Pirate or not this man saved my life!" I shouted.
"One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness." Norington explained.
"Though it seems enough to condemn him." Jack interrupted.
"Indeed." Once Gillette had finished locking him up, Jack said impatiently.
"Finally," He threw his irons over my neck and pulled me towards him. I stifled a scream as sister jumped in shock and my father cried.
"No, don't shoot!"
"I knew you'd warm up to me. Commodore Norrington, my effects please and my hat. Commodore!" Jack shouted, pointing a gun to my head. "Rosabelle, it's Rosabelle isn't it."
"It's Miss Swann," I said, through gritted teeth.
"You know Rosabelle means Beautiful Rose. The name really does suit you. Now, if you'd be so kind. Come come dear, we don't have all day." Jack teased spinning me around so I faced him, as Norrington handed me Jack's effects. "Now if you'd be so kind." I reluctantly leaned towards him, strapping on his sword to his belt. We were so close, he was cold and smelt of sea salt and strongly of rum. He disgusted me. I plonked his hat on his head which made him say.
"Easy on the goods, darling." He smiled showing a few golden teeth.
"You're despicable," I spat.
"Sticks and stones, love. I saved your life, you save mine. We're square." He spun me around again. "Gentlemen," he smiled at me and my sister and added, "m' ladies, you will always remember this as the day that you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow!" He pushed me towards the Commodore and my father's outstretched arms. I watched Jack take hold of a rope which lifted him into the air swung him around until he landed on a thin beam above our heads.
"Now, will you shoot him?" My father shouted.
"Open fire." Norrington called as multiple shots were aimed at Jack Sparrow, just missing him. "Gillette, Mr. Sparrow has a dawn appointment with the gallows. I would hate for him to miss it!" Gillette nodded and yelled for his men to follow. My father turned to Elizabeth and I looking worried.
"Rosabelle, take Elizabeth and find a carriage," he handed me some money,"Head home and stay there until I come back. Do I make myself clear." We mumbled 'yes' before watching our father disappear into the crowd leaving us in the middle of chaos.