Chosen 9

[spacebabie]

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

Pairings: Will/Elizabeth, Jack/Anamaria,

 

The Chosen

 

Chapter 9: Return

-

James Norrington stared at the open sea as he felt the Sandpiper ride its gentle and smooth waves. It had been a few days since his company and Sparrow’s parted ways and it would at least be another full day before they reached Port Royal. One full day and he still hadn’t a plan on how to confront William Turner.

Tia Dalma’s words remained fresh on his mind. They would create the mixture of blood, tears and holy water in one of the chapels. They would have the mixture ready for when Sparrow returns with the cross. He had hoped he could rely on that sly pirate. He had hoped Jack was actually seeking the cross and would return to them, and that Sparrow actually wanted the cross.

“Please don’t allow him to become distracted,” James uttered a silent prayer. “Please let some of the good and honest nature of heaven seep into that rum soaked head of his.”

“Praying about Sparrow?” Groves asked. He had both a map and an actual working compass in his hands.

“How do you know I was speaking about Sparrow?” James raised his eyebrows.

“Doesn’t take much to conclude who you were talking about,” Groves smiled. He placed a finger on his chin and gazed out at the sea. “Unless there is another person you know of who has a rum soaked head.”

“I hope for both Elizabeth’s and William’s sake that I can rely on him to do his part.”

“He considers Mr. Turner to be a friend.”

“True,” James sighed. “As much as one can call themselves a friend to a pirate.” He turned to his captain. “You don’t feel any different?”

“Different?” Groves blinked. “What do you mean by different?”

“Do you feel inclined to do more good,” James cringed. That was not what he wanted to say. “Do you feel fee of temptation. Do you no longer want to be rich or desire another man’s wife?”

“Ah, that is what you meant. I can’t say I do feel any different in that sense. What about you? Desire any women?”

James just gave Groves a look. How can he mean that? Of course he still desired to find the right woman, although he doubted he would ever find the woman who would love him as much as he would love her.

“That was a foolish question,” Groves coughed and lowered his voice. “You still don’t desire Mrs. Turner in that sense?”

“Captain Groves that is too bold,” James said. “There may have been a time in my past, but that is where it is, in the past.”

“Sorry.”

“And be extra careful when you gossip about other Favorites. I have noticed all your hearing has increased.”

“Well ears like ours can not miss much.” Groves chuckled again. His pointed ears made him appear even a bit more mischievous than his usual good-natured grin and sense of humor alone.

“Of course.” James grabbed the railing and recoiled when he felt splinted wood and cracks. “What is this?” He stared down at the small damaged area.

“I will have either Murtogg or Mullroy on top of it, Admiral.”

James held up a hand. “No. Let me take care of this.” Tia Dalma had said he could heal, repair, and protect. He wasn’t sure how. He closed his eyes and held his hands over the damaged part of the railing and visualized how it should look.

“James,” Groves gasped before he remembered himself. “Admiral.”

James opened his eyes. The part that was damaged had become repaired. “She was right. I can repair as well as heal.”

“Hopefully there won’t be too much to repair, but if there is, it won’t take long.”

“Hopefully you will be right.” There had been a lot of hoping going on recently and that was nearly all they could do until they returned to Port Royal.

-

Julia Carlisle brushed her fingers against the thick leather binding of the book she had selected. The title had ignited her interest and she knew of the summary. It was a story she had wanted to read for a while, but her mind and heart were not quite into it. She had thought she was interested in reading, but the second she had sat down with the book; her interest in reading had waned. She thought about working on her painting. She was almost done, but once again she was not in the mood.

Some of her thoughts were on Elizabeth Turner. Her friend had disappeared a few days before and was seen boarding a small ship. She was not one to pry, but she had overheard from a few other people that Admiral James Norrington was also aboard the same ship, along with Captain Theodore Groves and a couple of marines. There was little doubt they were sailing off somewhere, possibly on another adventure. Julia both envied Elizabeth and feared for her safety.

Then there were her two dreams. Two violent nightmares that had jarred her awake and had caused her hands to shake. Both that were in the same week. She knew what it meant and knew she could not share that information with anyone besides her father, and every time she had brought it up he dismissed it with either a word or a gesture.

“I haven’t even told him the details about my last one.” She stared at the cover over the book. She had only managed to say a few words about the first dream. Several buildings and houses were set ablaze at night and she was running down the streets. It was a realistic nightmare, unlike the second one. Then again she knew there were supernatural elements in the world, things that could not be explained.

She sat up when she heard the sound of her father’s footsteps in the hallway. “Father,” she called out and set the book in the chair. “Father.”

Her father paused when she left the room. “Is something the matter, Julia?”

“It has become a burden,” Julia sighed. “These nightmares that I have had. I cannot share them with anyone unless you grant me permission.”

“You know we can’t discuss this with anyone,” a look of fear flashed across his eyes. “I will not see my only child sent to the gallows because people suspect she is a witch.”

“Not even my friends, not even Elizabeth Turner?”

He shook his head. “You cannot believe the stories she has told you.”

“The stories are as believable as what happened to my mother.” She closed her eyes and bit her tongue. She shouldn’t have mentioned her mother. “Forgive me for being too bold.”

“I’m sorry,” her father pulled her to an embrace. “I know how frightening these dreams can be and you had two within a week.”

“You don’t want to listen,” she placed her head against his chest.

“Because I know of the outcome.”

“There were two forces fighting each other in the air,” Julia recalled her dream. “One was surrounded by light and another was surrounded by shadows. There were people fighting each other on the streets and I had something the figure in light needed. I threw it to him and then I woke up.”

“This is not what we want to come to be.”

“It is hard to prevent it.”

“Mr. Carlisle,” Henry called out to them. “Miss Carlisle. Miss Peterson is here.”

“Not a word,” Julia’s father whispered into her ear before he stepped back. “Henry prepare some coffee for both Julia and Miss Peterson.”

“Yes sir,” Henry nodded before he stepped off toward the kitchen.

“Julia,” Abigail had a note of urgency in her tone.

“What is the matter?” Julia asked.

“I was in the market with my mother and I have overhead people complaining about how Mr. Brown and Mr. Turner were not taking any more orders.”

“Mr. Turner did suffer from a horrid fever not long ago,” Julia pointed out.

“It is not just that. Our carriage passed by the Turner residence and both Mr. Brown and Governor Swann had left the house.”

“That is not odd. Governor Swann is a relative and Mr. Brown is William Turner’s partner.”

“Elizabeth is not in town.”

Julia tried not to roll her eyes. “You have heard Elizabeth and Admiral Norrington have sailed off.”

“Sailed off in search of something,” Abigail begun to pace around. “The smithy is not taking on any more jobs, several men are having meetings.”

“Several men. You only mentioned two.”

“Mr. Trask, Michael and Thomas were also at the Turner residence.” Abigail raised a hand. “I have found out on the night the Sandpiper had left port, Elizabeth was seen running in terror from her house.”

“Where did you hear of this?”

 The taller woman shrugged and stared at the ceiling.

“You pried, didn’t you?” Ever since they were young girls, Abigail was the one who would boldly walk up to people and ask them what she wanted to know, unlike Elizabeth who led them on snooping games where they hid from sight and placed their ears against closed doors.

“Sometimes the direct approach is best.”

“We shouldn’t be too concerned,” Julia rubbed her chin. There were a few things, Abigail had mentioned that did merit some concern and Elizabeth running from home did cause her to wonder even further.

“Why must you be so skeptical?”

“I’m not. I’m trying to think positive. Let us sit down and discuss this further. Henry should have the coffee ready soon.” She did not want her friend to fret, but it was hard to stay positive with the nightmares she had suffered.

-

James had wanted to speak with his Favorites once they had docked at Port Royal, a bit of last minute information before they return home. Sergeant Mullroy was married and Sergeant Murtogg was courting a young woman. There was a certainty both men would kiss the women they love once they had returned. James had to remind them of they could pass the gift along and he wanted to warn Elizabeth about the dangers she may head toward.

To James’s chagrin, Elizabeth appeared to not plan on listen to anything he may or may not have to say. Once the gangplank was lowered she ran down it.

“Elizabeth,” James hugged onto the railing. “Wait.”

“I cannot wait,” Elizabeth stared up at him. “My husband needs me.”

“You haven’t forgotten what he has become?” Groves asked.

She shook her head. “No, I haven’t. That is why he needs me.”

“Your kiss alone will not cure him,” James said. “It would not even knock him out. He may hurt you.”

“He won’t. He needs to know I love him. That is what Tia Dalma said he needs.”

“It is one of the things he needs,” James reminded her. “He needs the mixture and the cross.”

“We have to hold him at bay. Those were your words.”

“He shouldn’t suspect what we are.”

“I’ll keep my ears hidden,” Elizabeth ran off towards the direction of her house.

“I do not like the looks of this,” Groves said. “This is will not bode well for her.”

“I understand your concerns, Theodore,” James sighed. “I need to address the three of you.” He turned around. “You are all aware of what you can do?”

All three men nodded.

“Mr. Murtogg and Mr. Mullroy there are women in your lives. Make sure they are aware of the gift you are about to pass on to them.”

Murtogg nodded. “I will explain and ask her first.”

“I am certain Susan will accept.” Mullroy said

“Good,” James turned towards the gangplank. That was one less detail he had to worry about.

-

Elizabeth did not return to her home as fast as she had run from it. She had needed time to think about what she was going to say to her husband. She would apologize and tell him how much she loved him and how she worried about his illness. That would work. She would suspect he was ill and it was causing him to act strange. She would sleep at her father’s home and visit daily with the right doctors to help cure him.

“Will,” Elizabeth grabbed onto the doorknob. “Will, are you home? I have returned.” She was greeted by silence and darkness when she opened the door to her home. “William, are not here?” She had feared he might be in the town, causing damage to the buildings, hurting people and turning them into Minions. “Estrella?”

“Your maid is not here,” her father greeted her.

“Father?” Elizabeth paused. She did not expect him to be at her home. “Is everything all right? Where is Will?”

“Your husband is quite all right,” her father approached her, a lantern illuminated his outline. “Sorry it is a bit dark. I shall light some more lamps and candles.”

“Thank you father.” There was something off about his voice. “Where is my husband?”

“He is at my home.” Her father used the flame of a lantern to light a candle and he used the candle to light several more.

“He is?” That damaged a part of her plan. “I don’t think he is quite well.”

“No he isn’t.” He set down the lantern and picked up a candelabrum.  His illness took on a dreadful turn when you left like that. I had him escorted to my house so he could receive the best care.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said softly. “Admiral Norrington had mentioned the fever might have been the symptom of something serious. I went to find him and that was why we left. To find the right doctor and medicine.”

“I wish we had known sooner.” He approached her.

“I was afraid for him.” She had wondered what her father had thought of Will when he came across him. “I was afraid it might be contagious. I was going to visit him and bring the doctor every day and sleep in my old bedroom so I wouldn’t become sick.”

“Are you certain that would have been the most wise?”

“I am not sure,” she stared into her father’s eyes. They were darker than they should be and the whites were more yellow than Pintel’s. “Are you certain you are feeling well?”

“I am quite well my dear I am just relieved to have my daughter home.” He reached out to her.

Elizabeth had thought it was to embrace her until she had seen his fingernails, long and dark, just like Wills. She stepped back and kept out of reach.

“Is something troubling you my dear?”

“I think you are coming down with the illness.” Elizabeth continued to walk backwards. “I should go find the doctor right now.” She spun around when she heard people approaching from outside. “Who is out there?”

The door opened and two of Will’s friends had entered. Both men had the same eyes and fingernails as her father.

“I am afraid you are right, my darling daughter.”

-