True Love: Forever Reunited

Chapter 14: A Dangerous Mission

It was only a few more hours until the Company ship reached Port Royal, and Will felt sick to his stomach when the island materialized; he used to call this place home, and now he despised the sight of it. The once charming little settlement where he and Elizabeth had enjoyed so many happy memories was now nothing but an outlet for the EITC, and the people living there had no choice but to obey. When they reached shore Gillette and four other soldiers escorted Will and Willy to Lord Clinton's office. Will could feel the stares of the citizens upon him; most he recognized from his many years of living in Port Royal. He held Willy's hand firmly in his as they walked, surrounded by the knot of soldiers. The people watching whispered as they walked by.

"Is that William Turner?"

"I heard he finally married Elizabeth Swann! That must be their son, he looks just like them!"

"But where is Elizabeth? It look like they've gotten into trouble again, but you'd think the Company would leave the child out of it."

"The Riley family, Elizabeth's former maid, and Commodore Groves ran off with them too, did you hear?"

Will ignored the whispers; he had been well liked in Port Royal, but he had also been the subject of much gossip after the whole adventure with Jack Sparrow and his engagement to Elizabeth, and he knew that the he could not count of these people to help him, however sympathetic they might feel towards him; their fear of the consequences was too great. They had seen what had happened to those who defied the EITC. They reached Clinton's office quickly; it was just beyond the fort, and Gillette unceremoniously placed the father and son inside and locked the door, leaving four of the Company's highly trained soldiers outside the door. It was a very large office; a great mahogany desk sat in the middle of the room, and expensive looking paintings hung on all the walls.

"Papa?" asked Willy, sitting down next to his father, who had an arm securely around his son's shoulders. "What are they going to do now?"

"I'm not sure Willy," answered Will honestly. "I wish I knew."

"They're awful," stated Willy angrily. "Why are they after you and Mama in particular, anyway?"

Will sighed, but couldn't help but smile at his son's curiosity. "Clinton wants to accomplish what his uncle never could, to take over the seas, as you know," he began. "But he also wants revenge on us for his uncle's death; Beckett, who I know has been in some of the stories your mother has told you, was killed in the great battle between the pirates and the EITC, when the Dutchman and the Pearl surrounded him."

"But Beckett was a horrible man. He tried to kill you and Mama!!" exclaimed Willy, clearly astounded that Clinton would want to follow in his uncle's footsteps.

"That he did," answered Will darkly. "But apparently that runs in the family."

"I wish they would just leave us alone," Willy scowled. "Mama and I already had to wait ten years for you to come home because of that war the Company started before, that Mama always told me about. It's the Company's fault you had a run in with Davy Jones and had to become Captain of the Dutchman. Why can't they just let us be a family now? They've caused us enough trouble." He said all of this in a rush, as though he had been bottling in all up ever since they had been kidnapped.

"I completely agree," said Will, his voice full of emotion as he pulled Willy to him, hugging him tightly. Then a thought occurred to Will, something that been bothering him ever since his return just over a month ago. "Willy," he said gently, "Do you blame me for away for those ten years?"

Will looked up at him, as thought astounded that he would ask such a question. "Of course not Papa," he answered immediately. "I know you had to do that duty. Mama told me that Jones was killed and that you had to take his place, though she never did tell me the details of exactly how it happened. But she always told me how much you loved us; I could never blame you for doing what you had to do, Papa."

"I'm so glad to hear that son," answered Will, kissing his son on the top of his head. "And when we get out of this, your mother and I will tell you the whole story of how everything happened; you're old enough to know now, after all."

The pair was not left in peace for much longer, however, because just five minutes later, Lord Clinton, with Gillette at his side, entered the room, his icy, penetrating gaze landing on father and son. Will flinched involuntarily at the sight of him; he was still in a considerable amount of pain after what they had done to him earlier, and the back of his jacket was bloodstained from his scars coming open.

"What do you want?" asked Will vehemently, his eyes narrowed beneath his blue bandanna.

"Manners, Turner," said Clinton coolly.

"I think you need to have some manners, Lord Clinton," stated Willy, staring at Clinton without flinching, but still looking surprised at what he had said.

"Hush, boy!!!" exclaimed Clinton, his eyes holding that maniacal glint again, his dark hair falling into his face. He moved his hand, and just before it could come into contact with Willy's face, Will's hand closed sharply upon his wrist.

"You will not touch my son!!!" he shouted, his eyes flashing. "Your business is with me."

"Indeed," said Clinton in a low voice, clearly angered. He jerked his wrist out of Will's grip. "Gillette, summon the guards."

Gillette did so, and Will's eyes widened in horror when he saw what they brought; a long, black, iron poker, with a "p" on the end of it. Clinton did not have to say a word for Will to know what they were going to do. He made a move to knock Clinton's lights out, but the cruel man's words stopped him in mid swing.

"If you attempt to prevent us from branding you, Captain Turner, we will simply brand your son instead," said Clinton in a voice so calm that it only proved to infuriate Will more. "It would be a shame for that to happen to such a young boy, to be forced to walk around with a pirate brand on his arm for the rest of his life," continued Clinton, in a voice of mock caring.

At this, Will had no choice but to stand down; he hated being taken advantage off this way, but he would let it happen in order to keep Willy safe from harm. Two men came and restrained Will, forcing him to hold out his right wrist.

"You can't do this!!!" shouted Willy, his eyes frightened and furious.

"I think you'll find I can," responded Clinton as he held the poker. "I daresay you and that damnable Sparrow will match now Turner. Perhaps we can give one to your wife as well, that says "pk", for Pirate King; how sweet," he said, sarcasm filling his tone. "You have one last chance to tell us how to bind Calypso, Turner, before I leave a mark on you that will last forever."

"I won't," said Will, his face set. He braced himself for the pain he knew was about to come. He stifled a cry of pain as the white hot poker came into contact with his skin. He thought his skin might burst into flame right there, and when Clinton lifted the poker his wrist was as blood red.

"I think my uncle would have appreciated this," stated Clinton in a vindictive voice. "Now all I have to do is brand your precious wife, and the three people who are most responsible for his death and downfall will have the mark."

Without saying another word, Clinton swept from the room, the candlelight making his pale face look simply ghostlike. The door locked, and Will and Willy were left alone again. Will tried to touch his wrist, but instantly pulled his hand away, wincing. He sat down against the wall, closing his eyes and trying to ignore the pain.

"Oh, Papa," said Willy, tears gathering in his eyes again. "Are you all right?"

"I will be," said Willy simply, trying to smile at his son, his eyes staring at the "p" emblazoned on his skin.

Willy spotted an unnoticed bowl of water in the corner of the room, took the rag next to it, dipped it in the water, and placed it on his father's wrist, which cooled the burning a bit. It was lucky that Clinton hadn't noticed it, or he would have undoubtedly taken it out.

"Thank you Willy," said Will softly, placing his uninjured arm around a Willy's trembling form.

Father and son sat in a great deal of silence for the hours after that, with only small snatches of conversation. Will's head was spinning with thoughts of how to escape this office with no weapon, four guards outside the door, and no ship to sail away on. He had always been able to escape before, and not being able to find a way this time infuriated him, and he was bound and determined to get Willy safely out of here, even if it killed him.

1414141414141414141414

The journey to Port Royal was a quiet, tense affair. Everyone was so worried about Will and Willy, and the outcome of everything that had happened lately, that there were only small bouts of conversation, most of which centered around what would happen when they got to shore, who would go ashore, and things like that. When they weren't discussing tactics and attending to ship duties, the crews of all three ships played cards or read a book. Elizabeth, however, took part in neither of these diversionary tactics; she took the helm for most of the two day journey, only stopping when Estrella told her, point blank, that she needed to get some sleep. But Elizabeth could hardly sleep at all; she was far too worried. She was more furious than ever at the EITC, more furious even, than she had been ten years ago, when Beckett had interrupted her picture perfect wedding, and that was saying something.

How dare he, she thought. How dare Clinton think he could kidnap her husband and son, the two people who meant the most to her? Because he knew it might persuade you to reveal the whereabouts of all the Pirate Lords, said a small voice in the back of her head. But would she give up the information? She knew that Will would never give up the information to Clinton unless he threatened Willy's life. But, she wondered, had that already come to pass? Had Will been forced to reveal the information about Calypso under the threat that Clinton would kill Willy? Elizabeth hoped not, but she knew that she would reveal the location of the Pirate Lords if it meant saving Willy's life, or Will's for that matter. She hated the thought of betraying her fellow pirates, but if it came to that….. She tried to shake off the thought and attempted to persuade herself that everything would be all right.

It was the middle of the night when the three pirate vessels reached Port Royal. They had found a small spit of land about five miles from the settlement, and anchored the ships down. Elizabeth, Jack, Ana Maria, Norrington, Gibbs, Amelia and Andrew were to go ashore, while everyone else was to stay and guard the ships. Barbossa was left in charge of this side of the operation. Charles and Anna, who had finally fallen asleep, were left in the care of Groves and Estrella, who swore they would protect the two children with their lives. Elizabeth checked in on her two godchildren before she left the ship, telling their sleeping forms that she would bring Willy and Will back safely. The small group piled into two rowboats; Elizabeth, Norrington, Andrew, and Amelia in one, and Gibbs, Jack, and Ana Maria in the other. It took then nearly half an hour to reach shore, and they all piled out quickly.

"All right," said Elizabeth warily. "Andrew and Amelia, can you lead us to Clinton's office?"

"Yes," answered Andrew. "I had to go there once to deliver something from the tailor's shop, and I'm quite sure that I remember where it is."

"Does everyone have their weapons?" questioned Elizabeth, her eyes gazing around at the friends gathered around her. "Because I'm quite sure we'll be needing them."

Everyone nodded in response, holding out their various weapons.

"All right," said Elizabeth, her hand resting on her sword, the very sword that Will had made for her all those years ago. "Let's go."

They walked quickly and quietly towards town, trying hard not to make a sound until they absolutely had too. The plan was this; Elizabeth, Norrington, Andrew, and Amelia would go to Lord Clinton's office, where it was most likely that Will and Willy were being kept, and Jack, Ana Maria, and Gibbs would make their way to the fort to create a diversion in case things went wrong. When they reached the fort, they halted, and each group turned to the other.

"Good luck Lizzie," said Jack, causing Elizabeth to roll her eyes at the nickname, but she couldn't help but smile. "Get the two whelps out of there safely, okay?" He grinned, but Elizabeth could see the worry in his eyes.

"We will Jack," she said. "And the lot of you be careful; we don't need anything happening to you."

"The Company agents are the ones that should be careful," said Ana with a bold smile. "We'll keep them off your tail, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth hugged all three of them, and then set off with the rest to go to Clinton's office.

"I do hope Willy and Willy are doing all right," said Amelia, expressing the fear that all of them felt. "Come on, it's this way; it's in the building right next to the fort."

After a few more minutes, they reached the headquarters of the EITC, and the building in itself looked rather ominous. All the rooms were dark save one, where the light of candle could be seen emanating from the window on the first floor.

"That's the office," said Andrew in a whisper. "We can't be sure that's where they are, but I'd bet anything that it is."

"Well, I know for sure they wouldn't have locked them in the jail," remarked Norrington. "Because Will knows how to escape from those cells; I remember that from when he helped Sparrow escape," he said, raising his eyebrows.

They reached the front door, and, as it was three in the morning, they were unsurprised to see no one in front. Elizabeth pulled out a hair pin and carefully inserted it into the lock, listening until she heard the click, signaling that she had successfully picked the lock.

"Brilliant!" whispered Andrew as the door swung open and they stepped lightly into the corridor. They had only walked a few paces, however, when the four guards that stood guard outside Clinton's office spotted them and made to attack.

"Pirates!!!" one of them cried as they ran at Elizabeth and the others.

"And proud of it!!" Elizabeth called back as she met the soldier in combat.

It was evenly matched since there were four of them and four of the guards. Each of them hauled out their swords, and the clash of metal on metal could be heard ringing through the empty hall. Elizabeth and Norrington easily defeated their opponents, leaving them completely unconscious on the floor. Amelia and Andrew held their own quite well for two people that had just begun sword lessons, and with some assistance from James and Elizabeth, the other two were soon knocked out.

"We'll have to hurry this up," said James. "Someone will have heard that for sure."

Elizabeth nodded in response as she unlocked the office door with the same hairpin she had unlocked the other door with. Her heart was pounding; she hoped beyond all measure that her husband and son were in the next room. If not, she didn't know where else they might be. The door swung open, and through the dim candlelight she could make out two very familiar figures.

"Willy!!! Will!!!" she cried as she ran to them.

"Elizabeth?" came the relieved voice of Will. Elizabeth could tell just by the sound of his voice that he had been put through hell.

"Mama?" questioned Willy. "Is that you?"

"Yes," said Elizabeth, happy tears overcoming her. "It's me. Andrew, Amelia, and James are here as well, and Jack Ana Maria, and Gibbs have gone to cause a diversion at the fort." She gathered the two of them into a warm embrace, only stopping when she heard Will give a grunt of pain. "What's wrong Will?" she questioned.

"I'll explain later," he answered firmly, giving her a weak smile, love shining in his eyes. "Right now we need to get out of here first."

She nodded in agreement, but worry for what he had been through still consumed her. "Willy, darling, are you all right?"

"I'm fine Mama," he responded, hugging her. "But they've been awful to Papa."

Elizabeth was about to answer when Amelia spoke up. "What was that? I thought I heard someone come in."

"So did I," said Andrew, grasping his wife's hand as he looked worriedly over at Will's pale face. "I could have sworn I heard someone

"That would be because you did," came a voice that sent a chill up each other their spines; it was Gillette, holding a candle, so that they could clearly see everyone in the room. "So, you came to rescue your husband and son," he said, directing his comment to Elizabeth. "We thought you would heed the warning we left in the letter." He gazed around at the rest of the occupants of the room, but when his eyes landed on Norrington, his mouth dropped open in shock.

"James?" he asked, shocked. "James Norrington?"

"Yes," answered James softly. "It's me."

"But," stuttered Gillette, "You're dead."

"So I was," said James dryly. "But I was granted a favor by the sea Goddess Calypso. Please, Gillette," he said, his voice kind "Come with us. Do not be poisoned by the lies of the EITC. I was once in your place, and it was the biggest mistake I ever made. But I was given another chance, a chance to join the right side. But not everyone gets a second chance as I did," he said, a slight note of pleading in his voice.

"But Norrington," stammered Gillette, "They're pirates."

"Yes," said Norrington, "But they are also good people. I should have learned that lesson before, but Elizabeth finally taught it to me. Don't call Clinton, Gillette. The Turners just want to be a family, they did not ask for this trouble. For the sake of our former friendship, Gillette, come with us, and leave all this behind. Groves has done so, and so can you."

Gillette stared at Norrington, looking for a moment as though he was seriously considering what his former superior officer suggested. He had a sort of pained expression on his face, and the tension was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. Gillette's eyes didn't leave Norrington's face as he gave into his fear over his conscience and the advice of his former good friend.

"Break in!!" he cried, "Attempted prisoner escape!!!!"

Norrington's face fell, and Elizabeth felt her heart begin to race again; within a matter of minutes they were surrounded by soldiers. Elizabeth tossed Will his sword that she had found outside the door, and everyone else drew their weapons as well. Willy did as he was told and stood close to his parent's sides. Heavy footsteps were heard, and the form of Lord Clinton appeared, a cold smile on his face.

"Well, well, well," he said, his hand on his pistol. "What have we here?"

AN: Sorry for the cliffhanger, but if I had typed out the rest of the chapter, it would have been incredibly long, so I decided to split it up into two. I hope you liked this, and thanks to all the reviewers!!!