spacebabie: River Tam and James Norrington...used when I write crossovers. (Default)
Previous ChapterChapter 4


Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean and all related characters belong to Walt Disney, Gore, Jerry, Ted and Terry.
Rating: T for now.
Characters: Most of the entire cast


The Chosen

Chapter 5: Dinner

-

“It does seem to be another fine day,” Admiral James Norrington stared up at the cloudless sky as he and Captain Theodore Groves approached Fort Charles. “Beautiful to the eye and dreadfully hot.”

“It is the Caribbean,” Groves shrugged. “It is to be expected.”

“I do miss having actual seasons,” James thought of the painting Julia Carlisle was working on. “Almost difficult to tell when Christmas is upon us when there is no cold air.”

“I do miss the change of weather,” Groves nodded towards the group of marines guarding the entrance. “Perhaps after we apprehend Captain Scar we can sail someplace north.”

“I would love to visit England again,” he thought if the images of trees changing color. “To see the many colors of autumn.”

“The trees change color in the American colonies.”

“They do,” James smiled. “I miss England, do you not miss England Captain Groves?”

“I was a lad of thirteen years when my parents decided to sail to Maryland. We visited London a few times before I purchased my naval commission.”

“We both would like to visit places we have called home,” James inhaled. “We still have plenty to do. We still have to request Murtogg and Mullroy to accompany us and I still have my dinner guests to think of.”

“And I have to think of a gift to bring to the Peterson’s,” Groves said.

“You are visiting the Peterson’s tonight?”

“Mr. Peterson felt his daughter may have been short with me when I offered my apology yesterday.”

“Miss Peterson is a strong and distant woman,” James remembered how Abigail stood away from him while she kept eye contact. She did not say much in return, but her words were not sharp or cold. They had lacked any form of emotion.

“I may have made her a bit more angry,” Groves smiled sheepishly.

“You did not try to show her your brand of humor?” James raised an eyebrow.
Groves shrugged. “I may have, but I apologized for it and it certainly won over Mr. Peterson.”

“I hope you have a wonderful evening.”

They come across Murtogg and Mullroy on the second floor. Both men were facing the wall with their backs turned to them.

“I’m saying this might prove to be a problem,” Murtogg pointed to a crack.

“They are not worth fussing over.” Mullroy said

“They will when they march in and destroy the fort.”

“I still don’t understand how they can destroy a fort,” Mullroy huffed and turned his head. He did a double look when he saw James and Groves were staring at them. “Admiral.” He stood at full attention.

“Admiral Norrington,” Murtogg spun around and stood rigid. “Captain Groves.”

“If there are enemy soldiers who may prove to be a danger to the fort then I wish to be informed,” Norrington stared at them. This was the last thing he needed. He couldn’t leave Port Royal to take care of his problem, not when the possibility another nation was threatening the island.

“It is not quite what you think,” Mullroy said.

“Sergeant Murtogg,” Groves addressed the shorter man. “You were the one to come across such knowledge.”

“I just noticed it a half hour ago,” Murtogg pointed to a thin crack in the wall. “They are marching in an out.”

“They are just ants.” Mullroy rolled his eyes.

“Ants?” Norrington wasn’t sure if he should be relieved to find out there were no enemy forces or for Murtogg for exaggerating the details, or for both soldiers for not taking their posts as serious as they should.

“Army ants,” Murtogg said. “These are the type that can crawl into cracks and widen them, too many and the fort will fall apart.”

“You have the wrong ants,” Mullroy said. “The ones you are talking about are carpenter ants. Army ants eat everything.”

“Have you seen army ants?”

“No, but I have seen carpenter ants and these are not them.”

“I have heard of army ants that can damage buildings worse than carpenter ants.”

“Where have you heard this?”

“From someone who may have seen them.”

“Well you cannot be positive of the fact if you only heard from what someone may have or may not have seen, now could you?”

“Gentlemen,” Groves cleared his throat. “I am certain ants may prove a minor problem, perhaps cleaning this wall would help.”

“Yes Captain,” both marines saluted him.

“Before you leave I need to ask you to accompany us,” Norrington said. “You have heard about the recent strange occurrence involving the Naiad?”

Murtogg nodded. “Was it true the light seemed to explode when the ship touched it?”

“Indeed.” Groves said.

“I do not know what this means,” Norrington straightened his back and placed his hands behind his back. “I do not like having the unexplained in my seas and I plan on a small expedition to find out what caused it.”

“Where are you going to go?” Mullroy asked.

“To see the same swamp witch who pulled me back to the world of the living,” he could hear both men gulp at the description. “You are two of the only other soldiers who have encountered the strange and unexplained and those who I trust. I am asking you to come with us.”

Both marines glanced at each other before they turned to face him.

“What time do we leave?” Mullroy asked.

“Roughly at eight tonight. We will be aboard the Sandpiper.” It was the smallest ship he knew off.

“We will be there,” Murtogg said.

“You may take care of the ants,” Groves told them as he and Norrington walked away.

-

Norrington was glad to see Elizabeth had honored her promise of attending dinner, but was a bit disappointed when he saw her alone.

“Will had to work late,” Elizabeth explained as soon as he had answered the door. “He sends his apologies for not being able to make it.”

“There is no ill feelings,” Norrington wasn’t sure, but he thought she had appeared to be a bit nervous. “You may enter.”

The soup and dinner of spiced pork with brazed carrots, mushrooms and potatoes were delicious and both Norrington and Elizabeth praised the culinary skills of Christine and wine was from a well-known vineyard.

Elizabeth had plenty to talk about. She brought up matters of politics, mostly concerning her father. She also shared stories about horses and swordplay.

“I certainly hope you no longer feel the need to train,” Norrington said as he finished the last bite of his dinner. “You are not going off on any more pirate adventures.”

“I have had my share of pirates,” she took another sip of her wine.

“Pirate activity has seemed to diminish recently,” Norrington waited for Christine to take away his dishes. “Although Captain Scar still remains a threat.”

“Jack visited while you were away,” she set her silverware down. “Although I shouldn’t be telling you this.”

“No you shouldn’t.” There was only one Jack he could think of. After the deaths of Jones and Beckett, he and Jack agreed to a deal. Norrington would hunt down all the pirates except for Sparrow and his crew and Jack would stay out of Port Royal. However he did hint he would not think twice if Jack had disguised himself. “Unless this isn’t Jack Sparrow we are talking about.”

“No,” she smiled. “He was Jack Smith the merchant fisherman.”

“He sounds like a fine gentleman.”

“Would you care for more wine?” Christine entered with a tray carrying two dishes.

“I do not know about Mrs. Turner, but I would prefer a nice cup of coffee.”

“Yes Admiral,” Christine set a small dish of vanilla custard and sliced mangos down in front of him.

“I would also enjoy a nice cup of coffee,” Elizabeth said.

“I will return with your coffees,” Christine grabbed the dirty dishes and placed them on the tray before she left.

Norrington wanted to make sure he and Elizabeth would both be alone before he explained what happened.

“This is an exquisite dessert,” Elizabeth said.

“It is one of my favorites. There is something important to discuss and it involves Mr. Turner.”

“What is it?”

Norrington brought a finger to his mouth when he heard Christine return with the coffee.

“One cube for you sir,” Christine set a cup down in front of him and placed a single sugar cube into the cup. “How do you prefer you coffee, Mrs. Turner?”

“Two sugars and a few drops of cream,” Elizabeth answered.

Norrington watched as his maid tended to Elizabeth’s cup. “Christine I will be discussing some important matters with Mrs. Turner. I wish not to be interrupted, not even by you.”

“Yes sir,” Christine nodded.

“I will summon you when we are finished.”

His maid nodded before she left.

“Was this your full intent?” Elizabeth asked. “You wanted dinner for this discussion?”

“Yes and no,” Norrington sighed. “My first intention was to invite you as part of my apology last night. I felt this would be an opportune time to inform you of what and where I am about to go.”

“Where you are about to go?” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at him.

“I am going to see Tia Dalma.” He noticed the way she continued to stare at him. “There is a reason why we returned to Port Royal ahead of schedule, Elizabeth. There was a beam of light connecting the sea to the sky and the Naiad was pulled towards it. The light expanded and my men collapsed.”

“I have heard some of the gossip from the direction of the docks. Everyone aboard saw the light and collapsed and each sailor had the most wonderful dream.”

“Except for myself,” James stared at his still untouched dessert. “After everyone had collapsed I saw a figure I had thought to be an angel. Our hands touched and then there was darkness. I woke up to find I have been overcome by a fever.”

“Like Will?”

He nodded. “Like young Mr. Turner, except when my fever subsided my body went through a bit of a transformation.”

“You look the same.”

“Only a few of my features have been changed.” He removed his wig and undid the ribbon before he pulled back his hair to show her his ears. “There are also my fingernails.” He held out his hands until he was certain she had gotten a good look. “My teeth.” He pointed to his fangs. “I also have a tail similar to the angel in the painting Miss Carlisle made for you. I cannot show you without possibly embarrasing you and dishonoring myself.”

Elizabeth slowly rose from her seat. “What is happening?”

“I do not know. This is why Captain Groves, Sergeant Murtogg, Sergeant Mullroy and myself are going to visit Miss Dalma. Mrs. Turner I was hoping you and Mr. Turner would join us, since you both know the way.”
Elizabeth grasped onto the back of her chair. “I had hoped to not attend to any adventure, not for a while, but I cannot ignore the unexplained, not when it is happening to a dear friend of mine.”

“You will join us?”

“We will both join you. I will inform Will at once.”

“We will be waiting for you by the Sandpiper.”

-

“Will?” Elizabeth called out to her husband once she entered her home. Through out the carriage ride she thought of what happened to James. His fangs may have frightened her, but seeing his hair and his ears, fingernails and hearing about his tail put her mind somewhat at ease. Was it because of Julia’s painting?
Elizabeth froze when she felt a hand clamp down over her mouth.

“I am glad you have returned Mrs. Turner,” Estrella whispered into her ear. “Mr. Turner has frightened me this evening.”

Elizabeth prided her maid’s hand off her mouth. “What do you mean he frightened you?”

“He demanded where you were. I have never heard him shout so much before and when he didn’t shout his words were cold and harsh.”

“I will speak with him,” she studied the fear in Estrella’s eyes. The last time her maid had displayed such fear was when Barbossa had attacked Port Royal. She had no idea what Will had done to cause such fear to return. “You go and tend to the fire.”

Estrella nodded. “Yes, Mrs. Turner.”

“Will?” Elizabeth called out again, her voice taking on a more firm tone. “I am home.”

“Where were you?” Will entered from another room. He was wearing that same hat he wore when he helped free Jack from the gallows. “I expect to see my wife when I return home from work.”

“I was having dinner with a friend.”

“Would this friend be the admiral?” Will’s scowl grew larger.

“Yes it is,” she crossed his arms. “What have you said to Estrella?”

“Does it matter what I say to the servants?” Will asked.

“It matters when you frighten people I care about.” She stared into his eyes and blinked when they appeared
red again. This time it had to be the candles. “You have been acting odd recently.”

“Acting odd?” Will chuckled. “I am not the one sneaking around, having possible affairs with so called good friends.”

“Don’t you even dare,” Elizabeth glared. “I love you, not James Norrington. I can’t believe you are more jealous of him than you are of Jack Sparrow.”

“Captain Jack isn’t in town, is he?” Will grabbed her arm.

“What is wrong with you?” She stared at his fingernails. They were black, possibly darkened from his job, but she could not explain why they were longer than usual.

“Nothing.” He grinned and Elizabeth was certain she saw fangs in his mouth. “In fact I cannot remember the last time I felt this well.”

She tried to pull away but he held her firm. “Let go of me.”

“Why?” He squeezed her arm even more.

“You are starting to hurt me.” She swung at him.

He ducked, but she managed to strike his hat and sending it flying back. What was underneath the hat caused Elizabeth to hold her breath. A pair of black horns crowned his head, near his temples.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” he snarled. His grip increased even further.
Elizabeth didn’t respond. All words were lost. She could not remove her eyes from the horns.

A blazing hot poker swung down onto Will’s back causing him to cry out in pain and release his hold on Elizabeth.

“Run,” Estrella raised the poker up.

“Estrella,” Elizabeth couldn’t leave her maid with what monster that had taken over her beloved husband.

“Run please,” Estrella was about to slam the poker against Will again, but he had spun around. A long black reptile tail lashed out against Estrella’s knees.

Elizabeth bolted out the door, only briefly glancing back at Will and Estrella in time to see Will throw the girl against the wall. Elizabeth wanted to stop, but she couldn’t. She had to keep running.
-
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