(no subject)
I
t was only a handful of hours ago that he and Elizabeth had shared the sweetest of kisses in the garden of the Governor’s Mansion and the three of them had raised their glasses in a toast to James and Elizabeth’s engagement.
James knew he would be altogether useless in planning the wedding. Elizabeth had already expressed a preference for the highly fragrant and appropriately white tropical gardenias that grew rampantly in the area. James wasn’t sure which one that was. Was it the big white flower he saw growing in his own garden, or the smaller one that grew wild? He didn’t know, but he knew Elizabeth would have more gardenias than the entire garrison could carry if that was what she wanted. All he was wanted was a short engagement. He had already waited three years for her, and the kisses they had shared were like a sudden thunderstorm, shocking, passionate, and exciting. He couldn’t wait for her much longer. He had told the Governor he wished for them to be settled before his new responsibilities as Commodore began in earnest, so he could make the case that he had a wife to care for and could no longer be at sea nine months out of the year, but he knew in his heart the truth was that he wanted to marry her before she could change her mind. Her sudden change of heart still thrilled and baffled him. But the lady was his now. And woe to any man who tried to take her from him.
But in that handful of hours, everything had changed. The world had become chaos.
James stood like a stone wall between the pirates and Port Royal. He had purposely kept the green recruits to fire the cannons and had sent his best men to defend the town, an assignment which would undoubtedly come down to hand-to-hand combat. He shouted orders the only way he could with inexperienced men - in a voice that commanded absolute obedience. He had actually ordered the Governor about as well, demanding that the man barricade himself in James’s office. As a civilian and the Governor, James knew he had no right to order Weatherby to do anything, but it was unacceptable to let harm come to Elizabeth’s father, even if he had used a sharper tongue than he would have preferred. The man had stared in awe and fear of James, not recognizing this man he had raised a glass with just hours ago, and quickly obeyed orders.
The guns fired and recoiled, rolling back on their wheels as plumes of thick white smoke belched out of the cannon, blinding them for a moment. The men covered their ears every time a cannon was fired. James didn’t have the heart to tell them it wouldn’t make much difference.
“Mr. Jameson, I need you on the South side of the battlements. Mr. Rochford, it cannot take you five minutes to reload the cannon; in five minutes, the pirates will have shot three. You’ve got one and half minutes per shot or you can get yourself off my battlements.” It was difficult to be a leader in these circumstances, trying to inspire a garrison full of frightened and inexperienced men as their fellows dropped around them. James had had to grab one man bodily and pull him back to his station. As the situation collapsed into chaos, James fired the cannons himself.
James had been confident that Fort Charles had the finest defense system in the Caribbean, but those guns….where in the bloody hell did pirates get guns like that? For every cannon he fired, two came back. If only they had had enough warning to man the ships; he was convinced the Dauntless would have sunk them firing at a close range and would have at least kept the pirates busy firing at them rather than the town. Firing cannons in the dark at a target he couldn’t see was driving him mad. He had grown quite sorry he had sent all his best men into the fray outside the fort. What he wouldn’t give for a professional military man who knew his business right now.
James stayed on the battlements for 10 hours. For all the good it had done. As the sun began to rise, it was plain to see that Fort Charles still remained in English hands, but the town had been sacked. Half of Port Royal was still alight, and hundreds would find themselves homeless.
James was practically dead on his feet, as were his men. They had put up the most valiant effort they possibly could. With nothing more to do on the battlements, James drew his sword. He would defend the town as best he could.
He saw Gillette running toward him in the light of early dawn. “Sir, they’ve gone. The ship has disappeared.”
James cupped his ear toward Gillette; his hearing had gone hours ago. “Sir, sir…James!”
James heard his name. “Sir, it’s over.” Indeed the rising sun had revealed what the darkness could not; the unseen pirate ship with black sails had come and gone with no warning. Like a ghost ship, it had suddenly appeared and disappeared just as mysteriously.
The fort was mostly intact, but their hearts sank as he and Gillette left the fort and looked out over the town, much of it still bathed in hungry orange flames that devoured homes and shops. Townspeople, some running with buckets of water or sand, others meandering sadly, wandered about the town as if they did not recognize it. Mothers screamed for missing children. Wives cried over dead husbands.
James knew wherein his talents lay, in fighting, in defending, in rising to the challenge in the heat of battle. As he looked out across the town, he felt overwhelmed. Who could put this back together again?
Their most immediate job was to help the townspeople put out the fires, but as Gillette stumbled, he knew his men could not continue. He would not lose another man for any reason. They would have an enforced rest whatever the circumstances. The worst was yet to come as Port Royal would have to take stock of her dead and begin the arduous process of rebuilding.
But James could not rest until he saw her.
All night he had comforted himself with the knowledge that the Governor’s Mansion was a good mile outside of the town itself and Elizabeth had a wealth of servants at her disposal. He had had to restrain his selfish impulse to send Gillette to the Governor’s Mansion when the fight began. But he could not legitimately spare any man, especially the Lieutenant who had been through so much with him, they could read each other’s minds.
“Gillette, see the men who are injured receive care immediately. I don’t care if you have to send a rider to Kingston. Find a doctor who is not occupied with the civilians. Those who are not too tired to stand, and are willing, should help the townspeople put out the fires”, James said.
“Yes, Sir”, Gillette answered.
“I’ll be back as soon as I may”, James added.
Gillette smiled knowingly. His friend and superior officer would not rest until he had done every single thing he could. But he also knew the man would not draw a calm breath until he saw Miss Swann unharmed.
James looked back at the fort with a twinge of guilt. “I’ll take care of it, Sir”, Gillette said with as much of a smile as he could muster, “Go take care of your own affairs. If had a betrothed, I do not believe I could have held out as long as you have.” James was more grateful than ever to have such a capable Lieutenant.
He found the stables untouched and sighed with relief when he saw his stallion unharmed. But the horse kicked at the wooden door to his stall, as if he knew a battle had been going on, and had no intention of being left out.
Having no time to spare, James found a bit and leapt bareback onto the horse. He had to see her with his own eyes.
The sun was at its summit as James stood before a table, a large map spread across it. He would never forget the Governor’s words, each one sprung from his worst nightmares. “Elizabeth is gone. They’ve taken her.”
James closed his eyes for a moment and tried to regain his equilibrium. If he acted rashly and they sailed without proper arms aboard the Dauntless, it was a fruitless trip which would end with the Dauntless at the bottom of the sea and Elizabeth lost forever.
He was riddled with guilt. If only he had sent someone…if only he had put his own desires first, hell, he should have had Gillette send Turner to the Governor’s Mansion, but regrets would not serve Elizabeth.
Mr. Turner came out of nowhere. “They’ve taken Elizabeth, we must save her!”
“And where do you suggest we start!?” the Governor barked, “If you have any information regarding my daughter, please share it!”
James opened his eyes. He sympathized with the blacksmith, he really did. If anyone could understand what he had been through loving this woman for years and not knowing if he could ever have her, and if anyone understood the sheer terror he was going through now, it was Will Turner. James had no intention of being a poor winner. But he knew Mr. Turner and himself must have a discourse. There would be loud voices and angry words. There would be broken hearts, anguish, even tears. Someone might call someone out. Though he hoped that eventuality could be avoided.
He had faith enough in his own character to be sure he would do as right by the man as he reasonably could. But right now the blacksmith would be silent.
“Mr. Murtogg, remove this man”, James said.
“Jack Sparrow knows the Black Pearl and where its makes port. Ask him where it is!”
“The pirates left Sparrow locked his cell, ergo they are not his allies”, James answered.
“He talked about the Black Pearl”, Murtogg offered.
“Mentioned it is more what he did”, Mulroy corrected
“Governor, we will establish the most likely course…” James began.
Mr. Turner slammed an axe into the middle of the map. “That’s not good enough!” he yelled.
James took the matter, and Mr. Turner, in hand and dragged him away. “Elizabeth is my fiancée. We’re to be married. She is no longer your concern”, James whispered fiercely.
Will’s mouth hung open a fraction. “I do not believe it”, he said, “I would hear the words from Elizabeth’s own lips.”
“And so you shall when she is safely back home, but I shall not spend my time in verbal combat with you. You are not a military man, you are not a sailor, you are a blacksmith, and if you came along, my men would have to look after your safety as well. Your presence would not help the rescue party; in fact, it would hurt.”
Will walked off angrily.
Within the hour, James stood at the helm of the Dauntless watching Will and Jack Sparrow sail away on the Interceptor, a ship they had technically stolen from the Navy, again, technically, a hanging offense. Perhaps it was best, James thought. There was always the chance that Sparrow did know where the Black Pearl was going and there was a chance they would find her sooner. He didn’t care who found her as long as she was found.
His mind had been racing with the horrifying possibilities that Elizabeth may be going through at this very moment. He hoped these pirates obeyed one of the cardinal rules of abduction - that unmarried women could be ransomed back to fathers and fiancés for measurably more gold if the lady was left intact. Many men would refuse to honor a betrothal if the bride was not intact, whether it was her fault or nay. He assumed, as he knew she would as well, that she was taken because she was the Governor’s daughter. He just prayed that whatever tricks she had tried, she didn’t introduce herself as Mrs. anything. She would be fair game.
He knew the typical routes pirates took, and the haunts they frequented. But his stomach lurched as he thought of the mysterious ship. If they did not make berth at the typical locations, it would be like trying to find a particular fish in the sea. The Caribbean Sea was far and wide and they could be anywhere. The Black Pearl was like a nightmare he couldn’t wake up from. The ghostly ship appeared unseen, destroyed everything he had built, and left unseen, carrying his reason for living away with it.
He couldn’t help but be haunted by the Governor’s final words to him. “Promise me you’ll find her. Promise me you won’t come back without her.” He had promised; he had given his word, something James never gave lightly that he would not return to Port Royal without her. And it was a promise he intended to keep.
Weeks had passed and there was no sign or semblance of the ghost ship that had spirited her away. He knew the tales of the Black Pearl as well as anyone - the fastest ship in the Caribbean; they would never be found unless the Captain wanted to be.
Several of his men had stated that they wished to return. Surely she was dead by now, though they wouldn’t say it. The last man who had even hinted it was nearly tossed overboard.
He would never give up, even if he had to sail the ship completely by himself, even if he died trying. But where was she?! Where was she?
It was the next week when the Dauntless was approached by another Naval ship. The entire Royal Navy was out looking for her, and James prayed they had found Elizabeth and she was aboard safe and sound. But they had merely recognized the Dauntless and felt obligated to deliver a message. They’d found Mr. Turner near the Isle de Muerta. Alone. The pirates had taken Jack Sparrow. Grievous news they’d said, not looking him in the eye. Mr. Turner had confirmed their worst suspicions. Elizabeth was dead.
James excused himself from the deck, but though his men couldn’t see him, that did not mean they couldn’t hear him. The cabin sounded like it was being torn asunder, and their Captain let out a howl from the depths of hell. But he wept silently.
Elizabeth had been aboard the Interceptor for days. She had hoped and prayed to see the white sails of His Majesty’s Royal Navy over every horizon. But in the end, it was Will who found her, guided by the advice of Jack Sparrow. It was Will who had rescued her from the cave and it was Will she had nearly shared a kiss with below decks. And it was Will to whom she had returned the pirate medallion. If she had known it would bring so much misfortune, she would have tossed it overboard eight years ago.
Will had known the moment he had seen her that the Commodore’s words were true. Her face fell, just for an instant, before her finely tuned manners slipped back into place, that it was Will and not James who had found her. She loved the man more than she loved him. Will knew it was a desperate act made by a desperate man.
He told himself that James would have to return to Port Royal, serve well as Commodore, and would eventually find a woman to marry. The mothers of Port Royal society had already been after him for years. Elizabeth would be happy at sea. She was the only treasure he wanted, and he’d steal her if he had to. What was that she’d sung about? “We plunder, we pillage, we filch, we sack…” Perhaps he really was a pirate after all.
t was only a handful of hours ago that he and Elizabeth had shared the sweetest of kisses in the garden of the Governor’s Mansion and the three of them had raised their glasses in a toast to James and Elizabeth’s engagement.
James knew he would be altogether useless in planning the wedding. Elizabeth had already expressed a preference for the highly fragrant and appropriately white tropical gardenias that grew rampantly in the area. James wasn’t sure which one that was. Was it the big white flower he saw growing in his own garden, or the smaller one that grew wild? He didn’t know, but he knew Elizabeth would have more gardenias than the entire garrison could carry if that was what she wanted. All he was wanted was a short engagement. He had already waited three years for her, and the kisses they had shared were like a sudden thunderstorm, shocking, passionate, and exciting. He couldn’t wait for her much longer. He had told the Governor he wished for them to be settled before his new responsibilities as Commodore began in earnest, so he could make the case that he had a wife to care for and could no longer be at sea nine months out of the year, but he knew in his heart the truth was that he wanted to marry her before she could change her mind. Her sudden change of heart still thrilled and baffled him. But the lady was his now. And woe to any man who tried to take her from him.
But in that handful of hours, everything had changed. The world had become chaos.
James stood like a stone wall between the pirates and Port Royal. He had purposely kept the green recruits to fire the cannons and had sent his best men to defend the town, an assignment which would undoubtedly come down to hand-to-hand combat. He shouted orders the only way he could with inexperienced men - in a voice that commanded absolute obedience. He had actually ordered the Governor about as well, demanding that the man barricade himself in James’s office. As a civilian and the Governor, James knew he had no right to order Weatherby to do anything, but it was unacceptable to let harm come to Elizabeth’s father, even if he had used a sharper tongue than he would have preferred. The man had stared in awe and fear of James, not recognizing this man he had raised a glass with just hours ago, and quickly obeyed orders.
The guns fired and recoiled, rolling back on their wheels as plumes of thick white smoke belched out of the cannon, blinding them for a moment. The men covered their ears every time a cannon was fired. James didn’t have the heart to tell them it wouldn’t make much difference.
“Mr. Jameson, I need you on the South side of the battlements. Mr. Rochford, it cannot take you five minutes to reload the cannon; in five minutes, the pirates will have shot three. You’ve got one and half minutes per shot or you can get yourself off my battlements.” It was difficult to be a leader in these circumstances, trying to inspire a garrison full of frightened and inexperienced men as their fellows dropped around them. James had had to grab one man bodily and pull him back to his station. As the situation collapsed into chaos, James fired the cannons himself.
James had been confident that Fort Charles had the finest defense system in the Caribbean, but those guns….where in the bloody hell did pirates get guns like that? For every cannon he fired, two came back. If only they had had enough warning to man the ships; he was convinced the Dauntless would have sunk them firing at a close range and would have at least kept the pirates busy firing at them rather than the town. Firing cannons in the dark at a target he couldn’t see was driving him mad. He had grown quite sorry he had sent all his best men into the fray outside the fort. What he wouldn’t give for a professional military man who knew his business right now.
James stayed on the battlements for 10 hours. For all the good it had done. As the sun began to rise, it was plain to see that Fort Charles still remained in English hands, but the town had been sacked. Half of Port Royal was still alight, and hundreds would find themselves homeless.
James was practically dead on his feet, as were his men. They had put up the most valiant effort they possibly could. With nothing more to do on the battlements, James drew his sword. He would defend the town as best he could.
He saw Gillette running toward him in the light of early dawn. “Sir, they’ve gone. The ship has disappeared.”
James cupped his ear toward Gillette; his hearing had gone hours ago. “Sir, sir…James!”
James heard his name. “Sir, it’s over.” Indeed the rising sun had revealed what the darkness could not; the unseen pirate ship with black sails had come and gone with no warning. Like a ghost ship, it had suddenly appeared and disappeared just as mysteriously.
The fort was mostly intact, but their hearts sank as he and Gillette left the fort and looked out over the town, much of it still bathed in hungry orange flames that devoured homes and shops. Townspeople, some running with buckets of water or sand, others meandering sadly, wandered about the town as if they did not recognize it. Mothers screamed for missing children. Wives cried over dead husbands.
James knew wherein his talents lay, in fighting, in defending, in rising to the challenge in the heat of battle. As he looked out across the town, he felt overwhelmed. Who could put this back together again?
Their most immediate job was to help the townspeople put out the fires, but as Gillette stumbled, he knew his men could not continue. He would not lose another man for any reason. They would have an enforced rest whatever the circumstances. The worst was yet to come as Port Royal would have to take stock of her dead and begin the arduous process of rebuilding.
But James could not rest until he saw her.
All night he had comforted himself with the knowledge that the Governor’s Mansion was a good mile outside of the town itself and Elizabeth had a wealth of servants at her disposal. He had had to restrain his selfish impulse to send Gillette to the Governor’s Mansion when the fight began. But he could not legitimately spare any man, especially the Lieutenant who had been through so much with him, they could read each other’s minds.
“Gillette, see the men who are injured receive care immediately. I don’t care if you have to send a rider to Kingston. Find a doctor who is not occupied with the civilians. Those who are not too tired to stand, and are willing, should help the townspeople put out the fires”, James said.
“Yes, Sir”, Gillette answered.
“I’ll be back as soon as I may”, James added.
Gillette smiled knowingly. His friend and superior officer would not rest until he had done every single thing he could. But he also knew the man would not draw a calm breath until he saw Miss Swann unharmed.
James looked back at the fort with a twinge of guilt. “I’ll take care of it, Sir”, Gillette said with as much of a smile as he could muster, “Go take care of your own affairs. If had a betrothed, I do not believe I could have held out as long as you have.” James was more grateful than ever to have such a capable Lieutenant.
He found the stables untouched and sighed with relief when he saw his stallion unharmed. But the horse kicked at the wooden door to his stall, as if he knew a battle had been going on, and had no intention of being left out.
Having no time to spare, James found a bit and leapt bareback onto the horse. He had to see her with his own eyes.
The sun was at its summit as James stood before a table, a large map spread across it. He would never forget the Governor’s words, each one sprung from his worst nightmares. “Elizabeth is gone. They’ve taken her.”
James closed his eyes for a moment and tried to regain his equilibrium. If he acted rashly and they sailed without proper arms aboard the Dauntless, it was a fruitless trip which would end with the Dauntless at the bottom of the sea and Elizabeth lost forever.
He was riddled with guilt. If only he had sent someone…if only he had put his own desires first, hell, he should have had Gillette send Turner to the Governor’s Mansion, but regrets would not serve Elizabeth.
Mr. Turner came out of nowhere. “They’ve taken Elizabeth, we must save her!”
“And where do you suggest we start!?” the Governor barked, “If you have any information regarding my daughter, please share it!”
James opened his eyes. He sympathized with the blacksmith, he really did. If anyone could understand what he had been through loving this woman for years and not knowing if he could ever have her, and if anyone understood the sheer terror he was going through now, it was Will Turner. James had no intention of being a poor winner. But he knew Mr. Turner and himself must have a discourse. There would be loud voices and angry words. There would be broken hearts, anguish, even tears. Someone might call someone out. Though he hoped that eventuality could be avoided.
He had faith enough in his own character to be sure he would do as right by the man as he reasonably could. But right now the blacksmith would be silent.
“Mr. Murtogg, remove this man”, James said.
“Jack Sparrow knows the Black Pearl and where its makes port. Ask him where it is!”
“The pirates left Sparrow locked his cell, ergo they are not his allies”, James answered.
“He talked about the Black Pearl”, Murtogg offered.
“Mentioned it is more what he did”, Mulroy corrected
“Governor, we will establish the most likely course…” James began.
Mr. Turner slammed an axe into the middle of the map. “That’s not good enough!” he yelled.
James took the matter, and Mr. Turner, in hand and dragged him away. “Elizabeth is my fiancée. We’re to be married. She is no longer your concern”, James whispered fiercely.
Will’s mouth hung open a fraction. “I do not believe it”, he said, “I would hear the words from Elizabeth’s own lips.”
“And so you shall when she is safely back home, but I shall not spend my time in verbal combat with you. You are not a military man, you are not a sailor, you are a blacksmith, and if you came along, my men would have to look after your safety as well. Your presence would not help the rescue party; in fact, it would hurt.”
Will walked off angrily.
Within the hour, James stood at the helm of the Dauntless watching Will and Jack Sparrow sail away on the Interceptor, a ship they had technically stolen from the Navy, again, technically, a hanging offense. Perhaps it was best, James thought. There was always the chance that Sparrow did know where the Black Pearl was going and there was a chance they would find her sooner. He didn’t care who found her as long as she was found.
His mind had been racing with the horrifying possibilities that Elizabeth may be going through at this very moment. He hoped these pirates obeyed one of the cardinal rules of abduction - that unmarried women could be ransomed back to fathers and fiancés for measurably more gold if the lady was left intact. Many men would refuse to honor a betrothal if the bride was not intact, whether it was her fault or nay. He assumed, as he knew she would as well, that she was taken because she was the Governor’s daughter. He just prayed that whatever tricks she had tried, she didn’t introduce herself as Mrs. anything. She would be fair game.
He knew the typical routes pirates took, and the haunts they frequented. But his stomach lurched as he thought of the mysterious ship. If they did not make berth at the typical locations, it would be like trying to find a particular fish in the sea. The Caribbean Sea was far and wide and they could be anywhere. The Black Pearl was like a nightmare he couldn’t wake up from. The ghostly ship appeared unseen, destroyed everything he had built, and left unseen, carrying his reason for living away with it.
He couldn’t help but be haunted by the Governor’s final words to him. “Promise me you’ll find her. Promise me you won’t come back without her.” He had promised; he had given his word, something James never gave lightly that he would not return to Port Royal without her. And it was a promise he intended to keep.
Weeks had passed and there was no sign or semblance of the ghost ship that had spirited her away. He knew the tales of the Black Pearl as well as anyone - the fastest ship in the Caribbean; they would never be found unless the Captain wanted to be.
Several of his men had stated that they wished to return. Surely she was dead by now, though they wouldn’t say it. The last man who had even hinted it was nearly tossed overboard.
He would never give up, even if he had to sail the ship completely by himself, even if he died trying. But where was she?! Where was she?
It was the next week when the Dauntless was approached by another Naval ship. The entire Royal Navy was out looking for her, and James prayed they had found Elizabeth and she was aboard safe and sound. But they had merely recognized the Dauntless and felt obligated to deliver a message. They’d found Mr. Turner near the Isle de Muerta. Alone. The pirates had taken Jack Sparrow. Grievous news they’d said, not looking him in the eye. Mr. Turner had confirmed their worst suspicions. Elizabeth was dead.
James excused himself from the deck, but though his men couldn’t see him, that did not mean they couldn’t hear him. The cabin sounded like it was being torn asunder, and their Captain let out a howl from the depths of hell. But he wept silently.
Elizabeth had been aboard the Interceptor for days. She had hoped and prayed to see the white sails of His Majesty’s Royal Navy over every horizon. But in the end, it was Will who found her, guided by the advice of Jack Sparrow. It was Will who had rescued her from the cave and it was Will she had nearly shared a kiss with below decks. And it was Will to whom she had returned the pirate medallion. If she had known it would bring so much misfortune, she would have tossed it overboard eight years ago.
Will had known the moment he had seen her that the Commodore’s words were true. Her face fell, just for an instant, before her finely tuned manners slipped back into place, that it was Will and not James who had found her. She loved the man more than she loved him. Will knew it was a desperate act made by a desperate man.
He told himself that James would have to return to Port Royal, serve well as Commodore, and would eventually find a woman to marry. The mothers of Port Royal society had already been after him for years. Elizabeth would be happy at sea. She was the only treasure he wanted, and he’d steal her if he had to. What was that she’d sung about? “We plunder, we pillage, we filch, we sack…” Perhaps he really was a pirate after all.