Birds of a Feather

The Curse of the Black Pearl

Chapter Twenty

A Wedding Gift

"What do you mean there's a chance we won't go after them?" Elizabeth whispered to Groves as her father spoke quietly with Norrington.

When they had boarded the Dauntless, Elizabeth was the first to step foot on the ship. The soldiers had muttered excitedly and some even cheered. Even James had given her a rather more joyous smile than what was considered professionally acceptable in front of his men.

He had kissed her hand and told her how happy he was to see her safe, but her thoughts had been on nothing but Will and her promise to the blacksmith. Elizabeth's mind raced as she put on that mask of propriety. In the dark corners of a pirate ship it was easy to swear fidelity and happily ever after to a forbidden lover, but now reality was afoot. How was she to navigate this next step? What plan of action could actually lead to her being with William Turner?

And then while Weatherby spoke with James, Groves told Elizabeth that rescuing Will and Philip might not even be on the table.

"Turner and Swift broke many laws to go after you, Miss Swann," Groves explained. "It's been quite the scandal. Everyone in Port Royal is watching your father closely to see how he deals with Philip. If he shows leniency, it's not going to go over well."

"But Philip's his nephew! Practically his son!"

"And still a criminal in the eyes of the law," Groves pointed out. "I'm sorry, Miss Swann, but Swift and Turner have put us in a difficult position. Still… I will make the best case possible for them while I report to the Commodore."

"Thank you," Elizabeth said softly.

"Groves?" Norrington called for.

"Good luck," Elizabeth touched his arm.

Groves bowed his head and left her side.

Elizabeth took a deep breath, intending to use the moment of solitude to figure things out, but there was a sudden chuckling behind her.

"Elizabeth Gibbs?" Jack Sparrow had somehow managed to wander free. "Was that really the best you could come up with?"

"Oh, be quiet," Elizabeth snapped in a low voice.

"Come on. You can't seriously think that was a good lie?"

"No, it wasn't, but if I told the truth and said I told them my name was Elizabeth Turner, then even my father would figure out that Will's father was the pirate they thought my father was. Will's life's going to be a struggle enough when we return home, I figured he didn't need his pirate father being public knowledge too."

Jack just smirked, "Love, if you told them the truth about the whole thing, they would throw you in the madhouse."

"Hence why I didn't bring up Philip's mermaid beau or the literal skeleton crew."

"Gillette!" Weatherby Swann's voice made the pair spring apart in an instant. Shooting Sparrow a scathing glare, Weatherby crossed over to his daughter and pulled her away from Jack. "Why is this man not in irons?"

"The Commodore hasn't given the order yet," Gillette answered.

"Does he need to give an order?"

"Well, Governor… Sparrow did bring your daughter home. The Commodore has said to give him leniency until everything's been sorted as Sparrow can't exactly make a run for it."

Weatherby glared at Jack, "Considering your actions at the docks, I wouldn't underestimate this man's cunning."

"Governor, you flatter me," Jack grinned and dramatically bowed to him.

Weatherby instantly pulled Elizabeth as far away from Sparrow as possible, "What a detestable man."

"Agreed," Elizabeth nodded. She sighed and wrapped her arm around him, "Father? Has the Commodore made a decision about Will and Philip?"

"I'm afraid not yet. There is much to sort out."

"But they will go save them, right? I mean… it's Philip."

"If I had my way, we would be turning this ship towards them this very minute. Alas I did not pick the career of the Navy and I must pass the decision onto Norrington. But speaking of decisions… You have had a lot of time alone to think over these past weeks, Elizabeth, and separation makes the heart's true desires clearer. Have you… perhaps made your own decision about the Commodore's proposal yet?"

Ugh. This here whole thing about her father – his head getting so caught up in society expectations and not letting reality and personal emotions factor in – was why Rebecca Swann ended up proposing to Weatherby's wife for him. Even demure, submissive Katherine Swann née Skylark never let Weatherby live that one down.

"Forgive me, Father," Elizabeth struggled to give a pleasant smile, "but the situation in the past several weeks have been very trying-"

"Of course," Weatherby nodded, his voice sounding like he genuinely understood his misstep. "I had just hoped that we might have some good news to counter all this unpleasantness. You know, you always were good at dragging those boys into trouble with you."

"Oh, what would I give for this to just be another one of our lighthouse shenanigans," Elizabeth laughed.

She paused, realizing that maybe if she talked in just the right way – not manipulating him, but acting the way Aunt Rebecca used to do to guide Weatherby to a conclusion – maybe she could convince him that Will Turner would be a good… match. (Lover? Husband? Their discussion hadn't gone far enough to set out exact terms yet, too busy with a tangle of lips instead.)

"You know Will and Philip are very courageous to do what they did," Elizabeth said. "We can't just abandon them."

"I know, and I can't fault Philip for wanting to save his cousin," Weatherby said.

"Oh, Philip's reaction was natural, but Will's… he has no society connections or standing to save him. He's a blacksmith's apprentice; to steal a ship and break a pirate out of prison to go after me, he's sacrificed everything to save my life."

"Yes, Mr. Turner has gone quite out of his way to help you. I don't know if Philip told you, but when the Commodore told Mr. Turner the plan to rescue you, Mr. Turner threw an axe into the Commodore's map and said that wasn't good enough," a smile quirked his lips at the story, as did Elizabeth's in a genetically identical manner. Weatherby patted Elizabeth's hand, "He's a fine young man. A great friend and mentor for Philip, and utterly devoted to… your safety."

Elizabeth frowned. Was he really getting at what she thought he was getting at?

"It's a shame that Mr. Turner does not have a higher place in society," Weatherby said. "The man truly deserves it… and all that it would allow."

…Well, clearly her father was a lot more preceptive that Elizabeth gave him credit.

Weatherby sighed, "Elizabeth, I know the story of Rebecca and Nathaniel is a romantic one, but the reality was anything but pleasant. Rebecca liked to pretend that once our father had passed, all repercussions ended… but that wasn't true."

Elizabeth frowned.

"She could barely show her face in society after the elopement," Weatherby said, "and Nathaniel couldn't find a placement in London to provide Philip and Rebecca a stable home. They burnt their bridges without even thinking if they would still need to visit the other side. They didn't stay away from England because they wanted a life of adventure; they had to stay away because they didn't belong."

Elizabeth looked away, "But what if they didn't belong there, together or not?"

He shook his head, "I wish I could make you understand the reality of that fairy tale my sister told you. Running away from home to be with the one you love, it looks nice on a page. But fleeing in the dead of night? Not having a penny to your name or place of safety? Always worrying you're going to be found and torn apart from each other? …I spent over eighteen years missing my sister because of one choice she made when she was twenty years old."

Twenty-year-old Elizabeth Swann had to admit he had a point.

"And even after the horrible tragedy that befell poor Nathaniel, when Rebecca returned home to us, she was still trapped in that choice she made as a child," Weatherby said. "She didn't stay home with you and Philip because she was sick – that came later – she stayed home all the time because she wasn't welcome anywhere else. She was branded forever as the girl who ran off with a missionary… I hate to think of what would happen to a girl who ran off with someone of a lower station."

Elizabeth bowed her head. She couldn't refute his words, being with Will meant giving up just as much as he had given up to rescue her. Maybe in some ways even more.

"We live in a world where we have a higher privilege than most… but do not make the mistake of thinking we get to write the rules," Weatherby warned. "They are there for a reason, and there are consequences for breaking them."

"Am I to take that as the suggestion Bartholomew Swann's son took more after him than he leads on?" Elizabeth asked, feeling a little insolent. Her father was acting like she wanted too marry Sparrow.

He looked straight into her eyes, "I am not my father, Elizabeth. Whatever choice you make, I will stand behind you… but don't rush into something that could harm your life's opportunities. And if you do make a mistake… if you do choose to break the rules… You must take responsibility for it and own up to it for the rest of your life, because this is life, Elizabeth. There is no do over. Take it from someone who regrets the mistakes he made at your age. And I know that Rebecca had her regrets too."

It was the first time her father had ever spoken to her like this: so honestly, so bluntly. Weatherby Swann was known for being a little thick, if Elizabeth had to admit it. But in that moment, she knew there was a lot more to him than she guessed.

And there was more to running away with Will than she had expected. A day ago, when Will Turner was holding her close, she wouldn't have hesitated, spurred by the fantasies concocted by Rebecca Swift's tales of romance. Now she wasn't so sure. It was easy to say in the dark cabin on pirate ship that she loved and chose the blacksmith who had risked it all to save her life. But actually making a life together? She wanted it so much… but could she really live with that choice and all it brought?

Even more importantly, could Will? She wanted to say yes – to both queries – yet the words couldn't leave her lips. Her father was no Bartholomew Swann, but Will Turner – a blacksmith's apprentice and the son of a pair of pirates – was no missionary Nathaniel Swift.

"Father," Elizabeth finally found her voice, "I… I don't know what to say."

Weatherby sighed, "There's nothing that needs to be said. I just want you to make a choice you can leave with. When I say I don't want a Beckett Incident… I don't mean the scandal it would cause."

Elizabeth frowned as her father took a step closer to her. He was practically on top of her, his breath on her ear, and words only for her.

"There is far more to the story of the Beckett Incident than you'll ever know," he whispered.

She stared at him in amazement. What more could there possibly be?

"Governor Swann?" Norrington called out.

"Yes, Commodore?" Weatherby stepped away from Elizabeth before she could press for answers.

And by God did she want answers.

James Norrington stood proudly with hands folded neatly behind his back, "I have made my decision. We shall press forward to Port Royal and return your daughter to the safety of home, and then await the ransom demands for Mr. Swift."

"What?" Elizabeth gasped.

"Yes, Commodore," Weatherby bowed his head. Years of politics had taught him how to mask his heartbreak.

"Groves, Gillette, turn us to home," Norrington ordered.

Wait. No! Elizabeth looked around in shock. What about Philip? What about Will?

"But Commodore!" Elizabeth objected, "we can't wait for a ransom demand!"

Mostly because there would not actually be a ransom demand, but she couldn't exactly explain she lied about that bit without bringing up the mermaid and the undead pirates. But her objection was also because they couldn't wait for a ransom demand since Will would be dead long before that non-existent demand would theoretically come.

"Miss Swann, the decision has been made," Norrington said respectfully, trying to be as nice as possible to the woman he wanted to marry him but at the same time not letting the headstrong Miss Swann's desires get in the way of him doing his duty.

"But we've got to save Will!" she exclaimed. "We have to go after them!"

"No," Weatherby said sharply. It was the tone of voice he used on Elizabeth when drastic discipline was needed: soft but still serious. "You're safe now. We will return to Port Royal immediately, not go gallivanting after pirates!"

"But Philip-"

"Will be safe if the pirates wish to get a hefty ransom for him," Weatherby countered.

Elizabeth winced. Why did she have to tell that lie? It wasn't like she could backtrack and the truth would save Will. If Norrington didn't want to go back for poor, but respectable Will Turner, they certainly weren't going to go after son of pirates Will Turner who's about to be murdered for his father's crimes.

But she had to make them see.

"We have to go after Will!" Elizabeth was desperate. "If we don't go after the pirates now, we condemn him to death. Can you really live with that on your conscience? Ask Philip to endure it firsthand?"

It hit a nerve, Weatherby and Norrington exchanging a look. For a moment, Elizabeth thought there might be hope.

"The boys' fates are regrettable," Weatherby conceded. How badly in that moment he wanted to be a father, uncle, and guardian of a boy who his daughter found half-dead in the ocean more than he wanted to be a Governor, but he could not ignore his duties. "But, then, so was their decision to engage in piracy."

Elizabeth's jaw dropped, "To rescue me! To prevent anything from happening to me! Father, all these years you have said nothing to Philip but watch over Elizabeth. Keep her out of danger. Now that he has, he must die for it?"

"We are not leaving your cousin to die."

"But you are leaving Will!" Elizabeth exclaimed. She was making quite the scene, but she didn't care, "Father, when we found Will all those years ago, you put him in my charge. You told me to watch over him. I have a responsibility-"

"It is not that simple, Elizabeth," Weatherby cut off. His voice did not sound unlike his father's, which inwardly made him wince. Still, his voice stayed cold as his desire to protect the one child of his who had made it past infancy came paramount to anything, "And you are no longer a child."

And then it came to her. He was right; she wasn't a child. She was a grown woman… and there was something she could do to save Will.

"If I may be so bold as to inject my professional opinion," Jack Sparrow stepped in. "The Pearl was listing near to scuppers after the battle. It's very unlikely she'll be able to make good time. Think about it. The Black Pearl. The last real pirate threat in the Caribbean, Mate."

It didn't matter how convincing the argument was; Elizabeth knew James would never go for it. He was too honourable to be that pre-emptively strategic. But there was another way to get him to cooperate. The same thing that Bartholomew Swann had used against his children to try to keep them in line.

Marriage.

Her hand for Will's life. Would James take it? She knew how much he cared for her, but she also knew he was no fool. Though he never said it aloud, James Norrington knew that Elizabeth's heart belonged to Will. That didn't mean he would treat her cruelly; in fact he had made his offer before Will's life was on the line. He was willing to wed a woman whose heart belonged to another – and who had very vocal backing for that other by her cousin/pseudo-brother/best friend/confidant. Winning over Philip Swift was honestly the biggest challenge of the marriage proposal.

But could she do it? Could she live with that choice? Do that to herself? Do that to Will?

Do that to James?

Elizabeth looked over to her father and thought of his words.

"How can you pass that up?" Jack goaded with the offer Norrington would never take.

Sure enough, Norrington replied, "By remembering that I serve others, Mr. Sparrow, not only myself."

With that James turned and scaled the staircase to the top deck.

Maybe it was her father's words. Maybe it was her desperation. Maybe it was because she couldn't go on if Will Turner died.

Or maybe it was the taste of Will's kiss that still lingered on her lips.

Whatever the reason, Elizabeth found herself rushing after Norrington and making a choice that would dictate the reason of her life. For Elizabeth it was now or never. She only hoped that she wouldn't come to regret this decision.

She couldn't let Will die.

"Commodore, I beg you, please do this. For me." Elizabeth stopped at the base of the stairs, and taking a moment to gather her courage, said the words that sealed her fate, "As a wedding gift."

The words shocked everyone. She heard Weatherby's sharp intake of breath. She saw James freeze and look at her in astonishment. Behind her, Jack mumbled Wait, what?

It was a decision that hurt her to the core. No, she didn't want to marry James Norrington. She loved William Turner with all of her heart. She wanted to marry him, have his children, and live happily ever after with him.

But she wanted his life more than she wanted his love.

At least that was what she told herself to find the courage to do it.

"Elizabeth," Weatherby was the one to break the silence. He couldn't believe his words had actually worked. Was this truly his daughter before him? "Are you accepting the Commodore's proposal?"

She took a deep breath, her eyes unmoving from James' with seemed to almost stare blankly at her, "I am."

It was the only way to save Will. The decision would forever hurt her… but she would never regret it.

"A wedding! I love weddings! Drinks all around!" Jack exclaimed.

He was vastly confused in this turn of events considering not even twelve hours ago Miss Swann had openly declared her love for Bootstrap Junior, but any occasion, confusing or not, was a good excuse to drink in Jack's book.

Then he caught James Norrington's scathing glare.

Dejected, Jack extended his arms, "I know. Clap him in irons, right?"

Every eye turned to Norrington.

James took a deep breath, weighed his options, and made his decision. He knew that Elizabeth's offer was not the genuine article he had desired (or as close to genuine as she could manage) but that was not a thing to deal with in front of an audience.

In a way he felt like he had no choice. He couldn't reject Elizabeth Swann's acceptance without outright rejecting Elizabeth. And rejecting the Governor of Port Royal's daughter in front of the best sailors of the Royal Navy would do more damage to the Swann family's reputation than the missionary nephew springing a pirate from jail, stealing a ship, and getting it blown up.

Even more so, James did wish to wed Elizabeth, and if Will Turner was the cost of getting her hand in marriage, what was the life of a blacksmith's apprentice? After all, Elizabeth Swann was a respectable woman and would show James fidelity. And even if she had the inclination not to, William Turner was too honourable to disgrace a woman's wedding vows.

Mostly because everyone knew Philip would keep them in line.

"Mr. Sparrow," James Norrington looked quite regal and in control as he descended the stairs to the main deck. "You will accompany these fine men to the helm and provide us with the bearing to Isla de Muerta."

Elizabeth quickly lowered her eyes. Her heart was a mixture of giddy glee over saving Philip and Will and heartbreak at the thought of trying to explain to Will that she had broken their promises of love.

"You will then spend the rest of the voyage contemplating all possible meanings of the phrase silent as the grave." Norrington took a pause for his decision to set in with Sparrow before asking, "Do I make myself clear?"

Sparrow hesitated for a moment, but sure enough replied, "Inescapably clear."

The words were barely out of his mouth before Murtogg and Mullroy had started dragging him off. As Jack passed Elizabeth, his eyes flicked back to her, catching her own for a minute. A smirk spread across his lips and there was a far too knowing look in those kohl covered eyes.

Then again, Elizabeth doubted there was many a man aboard the ship that didn't understand what had truly happened here. Even Weatherby Swann seemed to have his doubts because as soon as Sparrow was away, he was right in front of Norrington, looking a might bit anxious.

"Commodore," Weatherby objected, "I must question the wisdom of this-"

"With all due respect, Governor," Norrington interjected.

Elizabeth's eyes flicked between her father and her fiancé – oh God, he really was that now, wasn't he? – looking as nervous as the pair of them as James let a beat of silence linger. The unspoken tension of their situation might as well be screamed by a town crier.

After five seconds or so, Norrington let the awkward silence end, though if you asked of them, that silence was four seconds too long.

"Mr. Turner and Mr. Swift are subjects of the British Crown and therefore under my protection," Norrington explained himself. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Elizabeth wasn't buying it for one second.

Weatherby paused at the explanation. It was one of those moments that made Elizabeth understand why her father had been selected to be Governor of Port Royal. Weatherby Swann wasn't an overly political person, but he could play the game well enough. Her grandfather had made damn sure of it and as terrifying as Bartholomew had been, he was a man who got results with his son at least.

Elizabeth could see the gears turning in her father's head: James had offered a suitable explanation to turn the ship around that could justify said action. James making the order as a bargain to get Elizabeth to marry him would get Weatherby and James in trouble with their superiors, but pinning it on civil duty… that just might work.

Weatherby smiled to himself, a sense of victory on both fronts of marrying off Elizabeth to good, respectable man and saving Philip from a gang of pirates. All without jeopardizing his own career.

His father would be proud.

The thought made him shudder.

"Rightly so," Weatherby nodded, he sounded proud, but at the thought of his father's approval, sure didn't feel it. Especially when he saw how awkwardly miserable James and Elizabeth were pretending they weren't.

As Norrington stared Weatherby straight in the eyes, his mouth twitched for a moment. Once more they shared that uncomfortable moment of understanding, acknowledging their true motivations and the risk of such.

Weatherby's eyes then turned and met Elizabeth's and he could see the pain of her choice. That – coupled with the thought his little girl would be married and off living life with a different man now, leaving a rather empty home when Philip went to be a missionary – deflated him slightly.

"Take care of her," his voice was weaker than it would have been had he not looked at Elizabeth.

James gave Weatherby a small smile, and the Governor took his cue to depart without another word.

Thus left James and Elizabeth alone.

Not going to lie, for a minute, Elizabeth seriously considered just making a run for it.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Philip's favorite Bible verse ran through Elizabeth's head. He had spoken it so many times the words were permanently etched on her heart. Elizabeth took a deep breath, finding strength in the words and the love the men in her life had for her: Will, Philip, Weatherby, and Norrington. They would all do anything for her, and she would do anything for them. She could do this; she could be brave.

She could live with this choice.

I'm sorry, Will.

"Elizabeth," James offered his arm. His smile had dropped off his face the second Weatherby was gone – not that she could tell all that much, her eyes fixed on the deck under her feet.

Exactly in the way Elizabeth pictured she would have to get used to, she automatically joined him at his side and took his arm. Obediently – though head still awkwardly lowered – Elizabeth allowed James to lead her forward in a casual stroll.

"I'm...concerned that your answer was perhaps..." James struggled to spit out the words as they reached the railing and he brought them to a halt, "...less than sincere."

Elizabeth paused for a moment to find a reply, "Considering the scandal my family has faced with the breaking of engagements, I would not give my word lightly."

"Yes, I understand," he struggled not to heavy a sigh. Oh, to Hell with it; James decided to just lay it all out, "But is it so wrong that I should want it given unconditionally?"

It took Elizabeth a moment to compose herself; sound like that role of a perfect Governor's daughter she would never be at heart.

She wondered if her Grandfather would be proud of her.

The thought made her nauseous.

"It is not a condition. It is a request." Elizabeth smiled. Her head turned away from him, unable to maintain composure as her voice broke ever so slightly, "Your answer would not change mine. No matter my feelings for Philip or…"

James thankfully had the sense not to press her on that "or."

Elizabeth struggled to keep the smile on her face, but she couldn't look James in the eye. She had to do this; she would rather have Will alive and her married to another than Will dead and her alone. What kind of selfish woman would she be if she thought it the other way around?

She refused to admit for a split second she considered the other way around.

Besides… James Norrington genuinely loved her, and Elizabeth truly was fond of him. Sure, she would never love him the way she loved Will, but there were worse fates than being James' wife. If Elizabeth did have to marry another, Commodore James Norrington was truly the best pick of the lot.

…Well, except maybe for Philip.

But, ew, oh God, NO. Gross.

Elizabeth took a deep breath, letting her face fill with that sincere fondness she had for James Norrington, allowing herself to accept this fate before her.

"You're a fine man, James," her voice was gentle but honest.

A smile spread across his face that hurt her with his sincerity. He deserved someone who could love him the way she loved Will. Elizabeth couldn't take it, and struggling to keep that smile on her face, she looked straight ahead to the open sea.

"Well. Very well," James caught her conflicted look and turned his head to stare forward as well. But he couldn't contain his excitement and he looked back to her, his voice filled with joy, "Excellent."

Elizabeth struggled to pretend to be happy, fidgeting her arms and desperately trying to keep the smile on her face, despite the way it kept dropping down. James decided not to push her further, basking in his own joy, and together they looked straight ahead. In silence the pair stared out to the wide-open sea, taking in the future set before them.

The choice had been made… now came the living with it.