Chapter 4

AN- Here's Chapter four! Thank you for all the feedback and I really appreciate it! Posted on Ao3 and on Tumblr. The profiles are in my bio.

Ellie looked at Jack in shock. What was he doing here? Fallen right into the hands of the Royal Navy who had sworn to eradicate pirates from these waters. She could feel her anxiety increasing by tenfold. This was not happening!

James could feel her tensing up. He was a bit curious about her reaction but he decided not to question it. Her grip on his hand was tightening and did she have a tight hold on him, both literally and figuratively. However much he would have loved holding her by his side, there was this situation to be addressed.

"Eleanor? Eleanor? Are you alright?" James questioned her quietly. She turned her head and looked at him. Her eyes were unfocused but once James called out to her she seemed to snap back. She immediately released her grip on his hand and moved further from his side. James instantly missed the feeling but this had to be sorted out.

Jack looked at Ellie with a fond smirk. She had changed quite a lot since he last saw her all those years ago. She was dressed up all fancy and he half suspected something amiss. Jack did not miss the way how the Commodore (by the looks of his uniform) held Ellie quite protectively. Ah! Something was amiss! He thought jovially.

Governor Swann came rushing through and immediately helped Elizabeth up to her feet and wrapped his coat around her and asked whether she was fine to which she responded that she was fine. The Governor gave Murtogg, who was holding Lizzie's corset, a surprised look. Murtogg blanched at the look and pointed at Jack. If Ellie was not a bit shell shocked she would have burst out laughing. The words that came out of the Governor banished any jovial thoughts in Ellie.

"Shoot him"

Ellie almost screamed out loud in protest but Lizzie beat her to it.

"Father! Commodore..do you intend to kill my rescuer?

Ellie breathed a sigh of relief. Jack gave her a small grin and she found herself grinning back. James took one hard look at Jack, looked at Elizabeth once more and nodded at the other officers and soldiers to lower their swords and guns. At this Jack nodded and put his hands together to show his gratitude. Ellie was still feeling uneasy. James held out his head and spoke to Jack.

"I believe thanks are in order."

Jack hesitated. Ellie was a nervous wreck at this point. She was frantically hoping nothing bad would happen but alas she spoke too soon! James grabbed his hand and pushed the sleeve back to reveal a P branded onto his skin. Ellie's blood boiled when she saw the mark. How dare they do that to him when he did the right thing? The bastards!

"Had a brush with the East India Company, did we?" questioned James. "Pirate?"

This was not happening. No. No. No. Ellie pinched herself quite hard. She really hoped Jack had an outrageous escape plan. Everyone looked at Jack in surprise and Governor Swann gave his verdict to hang him.

"Keep your guns on him, men," James ordered, "Gillette, fetch some irons."

James pulled his sleeve further up to reveal a sparrow flying over a setting sun. Ellie's hand automatically went up to her clavicle (which she managed to stop) where a similar, albeit a bit smaller tattoo was etched on her skin, hidden underneath her dress.

"Well, Well. Jack Sparrow, isn't it?

"Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please, sir.

The gall of this man! Doesn't he want to spare his life. Ellie glared at him.

Looking around the harbour James said, "Well, I don't see your ship...Captain."

Ellie gave Jack a questioning look. Where in the world was the Black Pearl? She knew that wherever Jack was, the Black Pearl was there with him. Unless..

"I'm in the market, as it were"

Murtogg blurted out, "He said he'd come to commandeer one"

Mullory interjected, " I told you he was telling the truth. These are his, sir." He then held out Jack's effects to James.

James picked up Jack's pistol and inspected it. "No additional shots nor powder." Ellie was quite confused now. James opened Jack's compass. Ah! She had very fond memories of that compass. When she was quite small, it always pointed to the sweets jar. "A compass that doesn't point north". He let out a small chuckle. If only you knew how it truly worked James, Ellie mused to herself. He then pulled out Jack's cutlass, "And I half expected it to be made of wood". Jack is not that crazy to swing about a wooden sword James, she thought once more.

"You are, without doubt, the worst pirate I've heard of"

Ellie had to pinch herself really hard to prevent her from exploding into a rant and give James a piece of her mind. He has absolutely no idea of how great a pirate Jack Sparrow is.

Jack stopped James right then and there and politely said "But you have heard of me."

Damn right! Ellie could not stop the laughter but managed to control her amusement very quickly as everyone looked at her. Jack grinned at her but this had not impressed James. In fact he did not like how this pirate was looking at Eleanor.

James had enough! He grabbed Jack by the arm and started to drag him away. Ellie let out a sound of protest but Elizabeth beat her to it.

"Commodore, I really must protest"

Lizzie rushed off and planted herself firmly in front of James. Lieutenant Gillette was putting the irons on Jack's hands.

"Pirate or not, this man saved my life!" she stated firmly.

"One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness"

"What-" Ellie really wanted to give James a piece of her mind. Nobody insults Jack on her watch, even if she fancied said person. Oh wait…Where did that come from?!

"But it seems enough to condemn him." Jack interrupted her, shooting a glance at her as if to tell her to keep out of it.

"Indeed" came James's stoic reply.

This made Elizabeth and Ellie glare at James.

Jack did something unexpected, even Ellie did not see it coming. He used Elizabeth as leverage to threaten, forcing them to hold their fire. He then demanded for his effects and his hat. James was forced to comply. Ellie will need to have a word with Jack for pulling this little stunt. Perhaps a whack on his head will do him good. She could hear Jack confirming Lizzie's name to which replied in a gritted voice "It's Miss Swann." James handed the effects to Lizzie and she was forced to put them on him. Ellie could see how angry Lizzie was.

Jack was grinning back at everyone. Commodore Norrington was looking annoyed, Governor Swann was looking back at him outrageously and Ellie had an unreadable look on her face which signified she was feeling quite annoyed.

"Sticks and stones love. I saved your life, you save mine…we're square." Jack turned Lizzie around all the while training his pistol on her head and replied, "Gentleman and my ladies...everyone took a step forward…"you will always remember this as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow!" With that Jack pushed Elizabeth. Ellie caught her with the aid of James but alas she lost her footing and with a shriek of surprise she tumbled right into the water. She could vaguely hear a "I am sorry love". She was very annoyed right now and she could hear a great commotion and gunfire. Curse this dress! She needed to get out of the water right now or she would be in quite a predicament which would be out of her control but this dress was not helping her. She broke the surface and with Lizzie's help she quickly hauled herself up.

Lizzie hugged her as soon as she was on her feet. "I am so sorry Ellie for causing all this trouble...this is very embarrassing". Lizzie commented looking at herself.

"Not at all dear but didn't I offer to help you to loosen the laces of your corset…on the bright side we both look like drowned rats." commented Ellie quite cheerfully, removing her hair from the now sorry looking bun and wringing it.

James rushed back to see the two drenched women in stitches. They were supporting each other, in hysterics and gasping for breath.

"I am so sorry Eleanor. The pirate escaped but we will have him caught in no time. Are you alright?" James looked at her in concern.

"I..I.." She dissolved into more laughter which made Elizabeth laugh even harder . "...sorry…yes I'm fine." She gave a slight hiccup of laughter and nudged Elizabeth, "Lizzie pull yourself together."

"Come on then ladies. I will escort you home. Besides, Agnes will be extremely crossed with the both of you if you get a cold."

Ellie was in Agnes's garden pacing restlessly. She had arrived a while ago and narrated her tale to a half shocked, half amused Agnes. Ellie had been ordered at once to change out of her wet clothes and to wipe her hair thoroughly. Agnes's bossing was sometimes incredibly endearing to her. She owed quite a lot to the older woman and was quite incredibly fond of her.

She hoped Jack had escaped Port Royal. One or two regiments had passed and so far she did not see any regiment going towards Fort Charles. However much she would have loved to talk to him in person after all these years she preferred the latter. She continued to pace anxiously.

A stomping of boots coming this way caught her attention. James was leading the regiment. As they came closer, she identified the red bandana. Her heart sank. They were dragging Jack to the Fort. James gave her nod as they passed and Ellie returned a weak smile.

She had her work cut out for tonight.

Ellie stepped out into the cold and misty night. Something was amiss, she thought, making her way to the fort. She usually goes out at night to give Twister his dinner. She adored the dog and Twister trusted her enough. She greeted the guards quickly and they allowed her to enter. She made her way into the dark and damp prison. She was not fond of this place at all.

She could hear the other prisoners whistling and trying to entice Twister with a bone. Ellie heard Jack telling them that is pointless and the dog will never move. She smiled. Twister was a very loyal dog and took his duties very seriously.

Ellie went to the corner where Twister's food bowl was kept and filled his bowl. She then let out a low whistle and called out to him "Here boy! Come and eat." Ellie heard the jingling of the keys, the patter of his paws and the dismayed cries of the men. Twister wagged his tail on seeing Ellie. She gave him a pat on his head and moved towards Jack's cell.

"Well well...look who's finally here?" Ellie grinned at Jack

"Hello luv. The years have been kinder to you I see. What were you doing dressed up all high and fancy? And in the arms of a Commodore no less." Jack could see Ellie getting flustered.

"I was NOT in his arms and besides James…"

"Oh so we are on a first name basis eh darling? What else should I know?" He smirked at an extremely flustered Ellie.

"I am…" She steeled herself. "What happened Jack?" She questioned him in a tone that meant she was being quite serious.

"I was marooned…" he began but stopped all of a sudden. "Do you feel that Ellie?"

"Yes…" she trailed off feeling extremely uncomfortable.

"Eleanor, listen, I need you to leave right now. I'll find you later.."

Before Jack could finish, there was a huge explosion. It was cannonfire. Both Jack and Ellie recognised the sound of the guns. It was the Black Pearl.

"Ellie leave now...go somewhere safe and stay there! Don't you dare try to play the hero. Go!"

Ellie nodded at Jack. She then made her way to Agnes as soon as possible. She could hear the shouts of the pirates making their way over and the cannonfire. She had to make sure Agnes was safe. She hoped with all her heart Lizzie and James would come out unharmed.

Agnes immediately opened the door at her insistent knocking. Ellie raced to her room, threw open her cupboard. After rummaging under her clothes she found her cutlass and pistol which she had hidden for all these years. She strapped them on very quickly. Her eyes landed on a trouser. There was no time to change. The skirt will have to do.

"Was that cannonfire, my child? What in the blazes is happening?" Ellie did not have time to lose.

"Agnes, blow out the lamps, lock and barricade the door. Don't let anyone in." she told a shocked Agnes who did exactly as she was told. Ellie made her way out. This part of the town was surprisingly quiet but she had spoken too soon. She heard a loud boom coming from the prison and saw a couple of pirates making their way to the prison. She ducked out of sight and saw them making their way to the prison. She took this opportunity, picked up her skirts and ran up the street in the opposite direction, keeping to the shadows.

The main town square was in absolute chaos. People were screaming and running amok. Pirates were looting and destroying every single thing they could lay their hands on. Ellie was disgusted by this ghastly behaviour.

She ducked and weaved among the frantic crowds. It was a miracle no one had stopped her. She noticed Will fighting a burly pirate but he had not seen the one lurking behind him with a raised club.

"Will…Duck!" she screamed out at him while taking aim and shooting the fellow right in the forehead. He staggered back and fell down with a loud thump.

Will gave her a look of amazement. Ellie shrugged and blocked another blow. She was now a target for the pirates. Let them come. I'll show them she thought viciously, brandishing her sword. Will had her back and they both managed to fight back quite well.

"Ho Ho...look who's here? The Cap'n would love to see you again doll"

"Not today you vile sea slug...take that" Ellie whacked him on the head really hard with her pistol.

From the corner of his eye, Will saw Elizabeth being dragged away by pirates. He quickly alerted Ellie whose eyes widened with fear when she saw Lizzie. They both took off in a run towards Elizabeth when a heart wrenching cry of a child stopped the both of them in their tracks. She shouted at Will to go after Lizzie.

What Ellie saw made her blood boil. She saw red. Those bastards were scaring little George. They did not see her coming but it was not as easy as she expected. She quickly took George out into a deserted alleyway and into an equally deserted stable. Seeing George's eyes widen, Ellie sheathed her sword and put away her pistol. George was sobbing quite uncontrollably. No child has to go through such an ordeal. She bundled George up in her arms and began to console him. He clung to her as if he would never let go.

"Shhh love...don't worry darling. We will find your mama in the morning. Hush now...I am here sweetheart.."

George was too shocked to speak. He just nodded his head and clung to her, wincing at the sound of cannonfire. Eventually he fell into a restless sleep. Ellie stayed alert. Gradually the cannonfire ceased and dawn broke out. Ellie hoped from the bottom of her heart that Will was able to rescue Elizabeth.

As soon as Ellie saw the first rays of sunlight she walked out carrying a still sleeping George. Ellie noticed the horrible destruction left in the wake of the pirates. Fires were still being put out and folks trying to restore a semblance of order. Taking a turn she noticed Will unconscious, sprawled out.

"Will? Will wake up!" she called out to him in concern. Will opened his eyes, his vision a bit blurry. "Not so fast now...are you feeling alright? Just sit up for a few minutes" he heard Ellie say. He sat up and looked at her. She had a little cut on her forehead, her right hand was bruised a bit badly and she was still carrying the little boy. Overall she looked fine.

"I take it that Lizzie was taken?"

Will could only nod. Ellie then offered him a hand and helped him up to his feet. He still felt a bit dizzy and Ellie held him by the arm until he regained his bearing.

They made their way over to the Fort as quickly as they could. The Fort was bustling with activity. Agnes would really need her help but this had to be addressed first. She saw James, Governor Swann and the officers pouring over a map. Then she saw Maria, George's mother inconsolable at the apparent loss of her child. She told Will to go ahead and she moved towards Maria.

Maria noticed Ellie coming towards her and seeing George in her arms, her expression turned to one of pure joy. She profusely thanked Ellie and gave her a strangling hug. Ellie felt a bit conscious of herself as she sensed all eyes were on her but she ignored the feeling. Mother and Child reunited, she made her way towards the stairs.

James noticed Ellie gently handing over the child to his mother and making her way towards the stairs. Ignoring Turner, who was glaring at him, he quickly rushed down the stairs to meet her. Was that a cut on her forehead and were those bruises on her hand? She looked quite surprised to see him and he saw relief in her beautiful blue eyes but also panic. He cupped her face in his hands, a tender gesture but he couldn't care less what others thought. Eleanor had a little cut on her forehead and he noticed her right hand was badly bruised. James felt enraged at seeing her injured.

"What happened? Who did this to you?"

"Ah! This? Fell into a little tussle. Totally worth it for little George"

Eleanor smiled at him and after a moment, her expression turned serious and quite worried. She took his hands in hers and said "We need to find Elizabeth before it is too late."

James could only nod.

AN- I really hope I did not mess up. Let me know what you all think about this. Reviews, Likes and follows are welcome.