As he observed through his spyglass, James could see the Bay of Port Royal getting closer now. It had been three months, that idiot pirate had led him around the Caribbean seas for three bloody months! He was still seething about the entire expedition, but after that infernal storm in Tripoli, he was mostly grateful his whole crew survived and his ship was in one piece.
His blood still boiled whenever he remembered Sparrow´s face right before the storm hit, his smug mug sailing away across that rocky canal while looking back at him knowing that The Dauntless wouldn´t be able to follow. If he had been commanding The Interceptor that sly bastard would have fallen prey to his canyons; but his precious ship was gone, thanks to those two…
He really hates pirates.
What he did not expect to find at his return was a large galleon ship moored to the bay, his body went taut for a second -getting ready to give his men the alarm- before he was able to identify the flag of the East India Trading Company waving over the main mast.
James was utterly confused. What in the world was the EITC doing in Port Royal? He had not even sent word back of Sparrow´s escape yet and even if word had gotten out, why would the King send the Indian Company here instead of Navy officers?
"Commodore!" one of his officials called to him once they were close enough that the rest of them were able to spot the new ship.
"I see it" he informed the rest of them calmly. Taking his eyes away from the bay and turning to the main deck he ordered "Steady, men. Keep to your post"
Turning to Groves he commanded "Find me a place to moor and do not lose sight of that ship officer" he warned.
Groves nodded his assent.
There was no hostile response to their arrival, but it couldn´t be called amiable either. The men on the other ship had only stared as The Dauntless made it´s way into the bay. Once he was close enough he realized quickly that there were only enough man aboard to crew the ship if necessary. Which meant the captain and officers were somewhere in town.
Try as he might, he could not understand the Company´s presence in Port Royal. But once The Dauntless was moored to the bay, he ordered half the crew to stay aboard and guard the ship while he investigated the situation.
He would not be losing another ship to rash stupidity and tricks, ever again.
Since the moment he failed to recapture Sparrow and all through the journey back from his failed chase, he had been trying to come up with an acceptable explanation to report back to England. He still had not been able to come up with an excuse as to how exactly Jack Sparrow had managed to escape on the day of his execution under his watch.
Before he left port, The Governor had not shown any displeasure for his decision to allow The Pearl one day´s advantage, in fact, he had been mostly apologetic to him about... He was confident the Governor would support him if it became necessary, and his reputation and the years of service he had dedicated to guard Port Royal´s safety alone should mitigate any complaints so that he could retain his new earned commission.. But, did he even deserve it? He knew he had accumulated one failure after another: he had failed to capture The Pearl, failed to protect Port Royal, failed to recover The Interceptor, failed... Elizabeth.
Being back in Port Royal, he finally allowed himself to think about her, realizing just how much he had been wanting to see her. And at the same time, he was not looking forward to what he knew was coming, but at least he was feeling better prepared for it now.
Thinking about her just made him miserable these days. He really had ruined everything, all by himself. The woman he loved hadn't had the sightless idea about his feelings for her, not only was she not interested in him, she had been in love with someone else, and now that he had returned she would…
So yes, asking the Governor to cover up for his failure would be disgraceful, and the humiliations he had suffered in front of his men were hard to bear.
But what else could he do? He had nothing else left he cared about but his station and his commission. He couldn´t stand to abandon them. There would be nothing left for him here, and he had nowhere else to go. So even if he didn´t deserve them, he would fight as hard as he had to in order to keep them. Simple as that.
Sparrow was only one failure in a long lists of successes, and he did capture and executed the rest of the crew of the Black Pearl. So if he worked harder and doubled down on his efforts from now on, he could make up for this and then... and then... He was starting to miss being a simple Captain.
His train of thought was cut short when he heard a strong "Commodore!" being yelled from the dock just as they made anchor. When he looked towards the source, he was incredibly surprised to see Governor Swann trying to catch his attention. At least that is what it looked like he was doing, otherwise there was no reason for the Governor to be there.
"Commodore!" the Governor repeated. That's when he noticed the urgency behind every one of his movements, giving him pause. There was only one reason why the Governor would lose his composure like that… Elizabeth.
He turned around towards Gillet and ordered "Lieutenant. You´re in command, get the men ready and make sure to keep watch over the docks"
"Pardon, Sir?" Lieutenant looked visibly confused
But James gave no further explanation as he walked towards the taffrail of the sloop they were on, and without waiting for the gangplank to be lowered, jumped over it onto the dock.
He walked hastily towards the Governor, who looked quite relieved at his arrival "Governor, what happened?"
"Elizabeth"
As soon as the name was out of the man´s mouth, his body stiffened. A thousand thoughts running through his head. But the most prominent one was an image of a black ship with black sails. Had she… ?
"Where is she, Governor?" he demanded, with a little more force than he meant to.
For a moment, the Governor seemed unable to decide what to say "Commodore I… Elizabeth has been locked up"
That was not what he had been expecting to hear "Pardon?" was the only response he could elaborate. Not quite understanding what he meant.
"She's been held prisoner inside the Fort" the Governor elaborated further, sounding quite distressed.
Now he was furious "Who gave that order!?" Surely there was no one here that would dare imprison the Governor's daughter, much less without his explicit command.
"A man from the East India Company arrived two days ago, Cutler Beckett" the Governor pointed to the unknown ship moored at the mouth of the bay "Took over the Fort and detained Elizabeth, he has not even allowed me to see her since then!" the indignation on the Governor´s voice was understandable.
James did not need to hear any more. As he looked around, he quickly located the Governor's carriage, without delay he moved towards one of the horses and unbuckled it from the harness.
"I'll be borrowing it" he informed the Governor as he mounted the animal.
He gave one final instruction "Please wait back at the Mansion Governor" without waiting for an answer, he kicked the animal into action
As he galloped towards the gates of the fort, there was only one thought in his head: Whoever this Beckett man was, he was going to fucking kill him.
...
She was going to kill that man as soon as she was out of here, was the only thought running through Elizabeth´s head at the moment.
Beckett had thrown her in one of the cells at the fort and then completely forgotten about her after. He was trying to punish her, she was sure, he had not come to interrogate her even once since she had been left here.
It had been two days now -or at least what she thought were two days- since she had been here. And she was so damn cold! She had not even been allowed to see her father yet!
The weather was still gloomy and the sky was cloudy, but at least it had stopped raining at some point yesterday night. The first day here she had been sure she would freeze to death inside this dirty humid cell. She was still only wearing a thin dress and a robe, with her only protection from the cold being a dingy, old piece of fabric trying to pass as a linen. At least she was dry now.
She was exhausted too, the stiff, metal cot inside the cell had not allowed her a moment's rest, and they had barely fed her. Was there any point to any of this or was he just trying to have her die here?
She was seriously going to murder that tiny wretch once she got out.
As she curled up against the wall of the cell -pondering all the different ways she could maybe, accidentally, hurt him on sight- she heard rushed steps approaching.
"Elizabeth!" she heard James´ voice holler, as the steps drew nearer.
She didn´t even think back twice before she screamed back his name "James!" she stood up, barely avoiding falling on her face as she stumbled off the cot.
Then he was running and before she could blink again, James was in front of her, out of breath and going livid in the face as he found her inside the prison cell.
"Have you gone mad!? Open the cell this instant!" he turned to forcefully command the two guards in red that Beckett had stationed in front of her cell.
The two men cowered at the intensity of his anger, although one of them braved to question James "And who are you!?"
James´ face was still "I´m the officer in charge of Port Royal, soldier"
The man paled, but tried to insist "Sir, Director Beckett ordered…" he didn't even get to the end of his sentence before James had his sword pressed firmly against the man's throat. The other one didn´t even attempt to move.
In a deadly even tone, he ordered once more "Open this cell before I run you thru soldier" and that was all the encouragement needed for the soldiers to comply.
When the cell opened, she barely managed to give one step forward before James had her engulfed in his arms, her face buried against his shoulder. He smelled like the ocean and wood, and he was so warm she couldn´t help but burrow deeper into his chest
"Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" he questioned, anxiety dripping from his voice as one of his hands caressed the back of her head carefully.
Her eyes stung a bit, but she managed an "I'm alright" against the fabric of his coat. At least he was back.
He pulled away just enough so he could get a clear look at her as he tried to assess for any damage: She seemed uninjured but there were shadows under her eyes, her cheeks were sunken in, she was pale, and her lips were tinting blue.
His hands moved to hold her cheeks "You're freezing, Elizabeth" he said with concern.
Finally noticing her state of undress, he pulled off his broadcloth coat and wrapped it around her frame, which made her feel instantly better. She gave a sigh of relief as she pulled on the fabric to wrap herself tighter with it.
"Your father told me you were here, what happened?"
"A man named Beckett showed up a couple of days ago and accused me of conspiring with Will to free Jack!"
"Excuse me?" for a moment James looked more confused than angry, then his anger was back in place. He grabbed her shoulders firmly and looking her in the eye he asked her seriously "Does he have any proof of that?"
Elizabeth shook her head "He had arrest warrants for Will and Jack but he didn't have one for me" at which James´ tense frame relaxed faintly.
"But he was sure I must have known what Will was planning and where they were going. When I insisted I didn´t, he locked me in here!" she glowered.
She was sure that he had only tossed her in here to be spiteful.
As a new thought crossed her mind, she clung to the sleeves of his shirt "I really don't know where they went!" she assured, looking him in the eyes and trying to convey the truth behind her words.
"I believe you" At the sincerity reflected in his eyes, she relaxed.
How come she was the one getting in trouble instead of those two? Stupid cursed pirate gold!
His voice cut into her thoughts "Shall we leave now?" he offered with one of his hands extended to her.
"Yes, please!"
After days of being locked in this dirty place all she wanted to do was go home, take a bath and fall asleep.
He started guiding her towards the exit as soon as she took his hand. He did not even glance at the two guards as they passed them. But she could not help the conceited glare she threw their way… she might have stuck out her tongue too, just a little.
...
Once they left the dark tunnel James´ steps halted, appearing to remember something, "Do you know where he is?" he asked, turning her way. The fury in his eyes was palpable, but she knew it wasn't directed at her.
"Last time I saw him, he was in your office"
"Could you come with me for just a moment please?"
She nodded instantly. She knew what was coming to that petulant man, the Commodore was not a man who would tolerate this sort of abuse.
He redirected his steps and she was more than happy to follow as he approached his quarters with sure steps. This time there were no guards outside to stop him from pushing the door open with force.
Beckett was inside, sitting on James´ desk and going through some of his documents. When he heard the doors being thrown open he jumped at the unexpected intrusion -coward, she though resentfully- and stared at the Commodore´s entrance.
She watched with mild surprised as the other one appeared from the balcony, but Beckett made a gesture with his hand and the creepy man stopped his approach.
The Commodore was looking at both of them, his eyes were particularly trained on the creepy one. His free hand went to deliberately rest on the hilt of his sword as he spoke "And who might you be?" he asked Beckett with a raised eyebrow.
"My name is Cutler Beckett, Director of West African Imports and Exports of our mighty East Indian Trading Company" he said, self-importantly. "And you are?" She was sure Beckett knew exactly who he was talking to. Truly a snake, this one.
"Commodore James Norrington," he introduced himself, while they all ignored the fact that his uniform and the coat she was wearing should have given him away. "and I believe you are sitting on my chair" he added, with barely concealed disdain but a completely impassive expression.
She had never seen James act with such hostility towards another person. Well, except Jack maybe.
"Ah Commodore, it seems like you managed to make it back safely! I was starting to believe you had been lost to the sea" he smiled mockingly.
"You seem to be quite adrift yourself. Port Royal is a significant distance from East India. Maybe the acquisition of a map, would be of assistance for your enterprise" James gestured to the big wood cabinet full of maps and nautical charts next to his desk.
She was enjoying the Commodore´s words too much, but she knew he wouldn´t find it as amusing at the moment, so she tried to hide her smirk behind his back.
"Oh I believe I´m in just the right place Commodore"
James seemed to had lost his patience for this game "You´ll see, Mr Beckett. I just made port today. So you´ll understand how much it came as a surprise when the Governor informed me that his daughter was being kept at the cells of the fort under my command, without my order"
"Ah yes, unfortunately Miss Swann is in a rather precarious situation at the moment"
"Is she now?" James narrowed his eyes at him "Are there any charges being pressed against her person?"
"No at the present time, but sadly there might be a need to"
"And what would they be, Mr. Beckett?"
The snake just smiled at James while procuring the documents he had already shown to her father. He walked towards them and handed them to the Commodore, who snatched them from his hand in much the same way her father had done "Conspiracy to free a man charged with piracy" he announced articulating each word
"Miss Swann is a lady, she would never do such a thing." James defended her while running his eyes quickly over the documents, his voice had not softened even a little. "And these orders do not mention any involvement in Miss Swann´s part whatsoever" he concluded, finally lifting his gaze from the papers and extending his hand to shove them back in Beckett´s chest.
"She appears to have valuable information on the whereabouts of two dangerous criminals and she refuses to cooperate"
"The lady has no information that could be of assistance for their search" James was insistent in reminding Beckett of her status "I already made sure of that myself"
But instead of deterring him, Beckett´s smile became a sneer as he started to say "Well, the lady's relationship with Mr. Turner…."
James face stiffened and his tone was tight as he interrupted whatever offensive remark Beckett was about to make about her "Mr Turner was the apprentice of the town´s blacksmith, with a fancy for the daughter of the Governor of Port Royal, there was no relationship between them"
"As I am informed, Mr. Turned helped the pirate known as Jack Sparrow escape from prison, stole one of the ships under your command, and fought the crew of The Black pearl. All so he could rescue Miss Swann here" Beckett´s face was back to an arrogant smile "Does that sound like there is no relationship Commodore ?"
This insolent man!
Trying to reign in her anger, she was squeezing the Commodore´s hand so hard it was turning white.
James made no effort to respond, his jaw had locked closed and his eyes were looking sharply at the man in front of them. Seeing his reaction, made something pull at her chest violently.
She would not allow this vile man to keep bringing her name to question in front of James "As I have told you before my fiancé is Commodore Norrington, Mr. Becket! I do not have a relationship with Mr. Turner and I certainly do not know where he or Sparrow are currently at" she hissed.
That caught the man´s attention "So you two are truly engaged?" he asked with amusement as his shrewd eyes finally regarded their intertwined hands. One of his eyebrows raised in mockery "Congratulations!"
But his eyes glinted maliciously as he continued looking at James "I will be certain to return to England with the news of your fascinating choice of bride, Commodore"
Elizabeth heard the threat for what it was but as if to prove a point she drew even closer to the Commodore, who made no effort to shift away. "Maybe you should be on your way then" she added with no hint of courtesy.
Beckett ignored her comment and continued "Now with respect to the investigation on Miss Swann's possible involvement with…"
But he did not get to finish as the Commodore interrupted "I see the need to make this perfectly clear to you Mr. Beckett: this land and its people are under the protection of the King. And as subjects of the British crown put under my charge as the commander of the Royal Navy stationed here at Port Royal, they are under my protection as well. And until his Majesty says otherwise, it will remain so. Unless you have any evidence against Miss Swann, besides the naïve affections of a boy, it would seem to me like you have nothing more to do here"
Beckett's face was stony, his tone let out a little vitriol as he asked "Are you trying to abet piracy Commodore?"
James´ body jerked forward at his words, but she used her free hand to press on his chest, fortunately that seemed to be enough to hold him in place. She was not sure what would be the repercussions for him if he attacked that bastard.
Besides, the creepy man standing nearby was smiling and looking quite ready for a confrontation and it made her uneasy.
The Commodore looked down at her determined expression and his face relaxed significantly, turning back to Beckett he glowered "I am a member of the Royal Navy, I abide by the laws of England and I answer to the King of Britain, and no one else. Especially not to a man who has no right to enforce said laws"
He added with finality "Port Royal is under my jurisdiction, it is my decision whether or not charges are to be pressed against any of its people. And I have already determined that Miss Swann is nothing more than a victim of those pirates and she has done nothing to be reproached for. I will attest to that"
She felt a perverse sense of justice as Beckett narrowed his eyes but had no response.
"Very well, then. It seems as if we have reached an impasse here, and I have determined Jack Sparrow is no longer on the island, so I think it would be best to take my leave.. for now"
Then abruptly, he lifting one single finger and he opened his damn mouth again. "Oh before I forget, Miss Swann informed me of your little expedition. I must know, now that you have returned, you wouldn't happen to have my prisoners would you Commodore?"
Elizabeth stiffened, she hadn´t even thought about that possibility until now. Had he managed to capture them? He hadn't killed them had he?
The hand she had barely managed to relax tensed again around his again, and her other one came up to clutch the sleeve of his coat, but she managed to keep her expression from altering.
When the Commodore made no effort to respond, a smile formed again on the cad´s face "I would guess by the look on your face that you do not. Shame" he added with none.
"But I have to assume that you also didn't manage to carry out their sentence" he said, almost sounding disappointed. There was another moment of death silence "Then, would you at least be capable enough to direct me towards their last known location?"
James´s lips thinned and he stared at the other man before he eventually answered with annoyance "Portugal"
Beckett nodded to himself "Until next time then, Commodore" he promised. Signalling to the other guy, who promptly walked towards the exit.
He himself started leaving, but just before he crossed the threshold of the doors, he turned all the way around. His malevolent eyes moved to look straight at her "Do take care, Miss Swann" he finished with a short bow.