The Chosen 12:

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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 12: No More Secrets

-

James Norrington had hoped the clear blue sky was a sign they would not run into any trouble on the way to the meeting point with Sparrow, and he hoped it was a sign they would be successful in the upcoming battle.  He had multiple worries and fears running through his heart. He was certain of his men, there was no doubt they would be able to battle against the Minions. There were no doubts he was able to find the right ingredients for the elixir. The meeting point had to have at least one church or two. He had doubts in Captain Sparrow, not on whether the pirate would be able to find the cross, but if he remembered when to meet and if he would honor is bargain. He also had little fear that he might not win against Turner, or that he wouldn’t be able to win without killing him.

“Everyone is trying not to talk about it,” Elizabeth leaned against the rail next to him.

Both of them watched the other ships sailing along with The Naiad. Captain Groves’s, Atlantis was closing in. When they are only a few feet apart James would request a plank to be placed across so he could speak with Theodore.

“I’m surprised they are trying to avoid the subject,” James turned to face his crew; every naval officer had agreed to become a Favorite. “Considering what we are about to face.” He felt the end of his tail flicking back and forth. Now that everyone knew he felt no need to hide it.

“They don’t want to think about it,” she shrugged. “I don’t want to think of my husband that way and they don’t want to think about their friends and relatives in that matter as well.”

James nodded. “Talking about the way it was before,” he was surprised he was able to convince most of the civilians to undergo the transformation; those who did not receive such a kiss would take leave of the ships and seek shelter on the island, hopefully in a church.

“You don’t suppose another demon will attack,” she stepped back, away from the railing. “Like the kind that murdered Julia’s mother. There might be more that would come.”

“There are hunters who are fighting the good fight.” He stared out at the deck of the Atlantis. Every naval officer and marine had the pointed ears of a Favorite. “If I wasn’t bound to the Navy I would also take up the hunt.”

“You were always good at hunting pirates,” Elizabeth smiled warmly.

“I hope you are not thinking of taking up the task.”

She shook her head. “I was thinking of trying to convince Jack.”

“Captain Sparrow the demon hunter,” the pace of his tail picked up. “If he traded in piracy to hunt demons I might be able to respect him.”

“He would do both.”

“Yes, that he would,” James stepped away from the railing. “I will meet with Captain Groves. I will be back shortly.”

-

James knew Groves wasn’t alone when he sought him out in his cabin. James could hear the voice of a woman speaking, no, arguing with him, and from what little he heard of Abigail Peterson’s voice, he knew it was her.

“How many times must I ask you to stop following me around?” Theodore glowered at the young woman. “Stay with your family.”

“I must hear this command at least a dozen more times.”

“I shouldn’t have to repeat myself.” He held out a finger in front of her. “Do not follow me. Do not get in my way. I am engaged in important affairs.”

“That would include the battle against evil?” Abigail raised her eyebrows as she smiled.

Groves sighed. “Yes it does, but you are neither a military man nor a sailor. You are a woman.”

“This means I know more than you think I do.”

James kept his jaw clamped shut to keep from laughing at the display. He knew he shouldn’t find the spectacle amusing, but then again he couldn’t remember the last time he saw Theodore so flustered.

“Not enough,” Groves shook his head. “Why can’t you follow simple orders?”

“Because I am not a military man,” she had him. “You said the words yourself.”

Groves raised a finger and opened his mouth, and was unable to think of a comeback. “That may be true, but you insist on fighting by my side for this battle.”

“By your side?” She blinked, never loosing that proud smile. “You want me to be by your side?”

“What?” Groves grabbed the sides of his head. “No, that is not what I mean.”

“Then what does it mean?” She folded her arms.

Now would be a good time to save Groves from himself and the situation he had gotten himself into, despite the shameful fact he was amused by it. James breathed deeply and cleared his throat.

“Admiral Norrington,” Abigail lowered her arms. The smile that was affixed to her face had melted away.

“Good afternoon, Admiral.” Groves straightened his back.

“Afternoon, Captain, Miss Peterson,” James nodded at the two of them. “Miss Peterson, I need to speak with Captain Groves, alone.”

“As you request,” Abigail curtsied before she left the area.

Groves just stared at where she left before he spoke. “How were you able to convince her to leave?”

James shrugged. “I did not loose my temper with her.”

“I asked her politely before, and she always questions my decision. She instigates these quarrels.”

“Theodore,” James lowered his voice. “You are captain of His Majesty’s Royal Navy; you should not lower yourself to such childish behavior.”

“I wonder if she would still her tongue if I threaten to put her in the brig,” the corners of his mouth turned up into that familiar smile.

“Theodore.”

“I wasn’t serious.”

“I hope not,” James leaned against the door to Groves’s cabin. “You have convinced your officers to become Favorites?”

“All of them,” Theodore nodded. “And I have convinced half the civilians.”

“We will order some of the lieutenants to escort those unaffected someplace safe when we make port.” He doubted there was anyplace safe as long as Turner was a Chosen.

“Have you spoken with the other captains?”

“Not quite, I will after I depart this ship.” He turned away. “I hope you will make the responsible decision in dealing with Miss Peterson.”

-

Everything was the way James had hoped it would be, not a single child was made into a Favorite and most of the elderly had declined. Those who had a head of gray who did request were retired military and still had the energy to fight. James wanted the civilians, both Favorites and those unchanged to have a safe and comfortable voyage and he couldn’t resist checking on them, Although a few others had beat him to it.

“They have eaten,” Elizabeth said as she and Julia left the quarter’s set up for the civilians, many want to sleep or read, some just want to talk.

“If they have questions then they are free to ask me anything.” James had said

“They talk amongst themselves,” Julia explained. “They want to talk about the same topics as before, plantation owners talk about their crops and merchants and businessmen talk about their wares and money. Some of the children are making up stories, none of them are frightening.”

James pursed his lips and nodded. “I can understand. It won’t be long before we reach our destination. You are free to retire to your cabin.” A ship like the Naiad was built with two large cabins, one for her captain and the second for any higher-ranking officer who may be aboard. Both Julia and Elizabeth shared the smaller cabin while James offered to share his with Roland Carlisle.

“I am not tired,” Elizabeth said. “I have too much on my mind and my stomach burns. I had thought of praying for ourselves and Will, but that would not ware me out.”

“What would ware you out?” James could sense she wanted to ask him something.

“Would it be all right if I help out with the sails?” She smiled hopefully. “I know I am a civilian and shouldn’t get involved.”

“I have seen you aboard the Black Pearl and you have done great work,” James folded his hands behind his back. “You were helpful to us on the Sandpiper. You may help out with the sails, but only for an hour. Tell them you have my permission.”

“Thank you, James.” Elizabeth smiled before she climbed the stairs.

“She feels she is a hindrance if she isn’t helping,” Julia said as she watched her friend. “I almost wish I could be like her.”

“You would have gotten into a lot of trouble,” James kept from smirking. “How are you traveling, Miss Carlisle?”

“I am well, except for my hands.”

“Your hands?” He raised an eyebrow.

“They want to be busy,” she held them up. “They itch for a paintbrush and there was no time to grab one when we were trying to escape.”

James nodded. He too had felt the itch in his hands. They have itched to hold the steering wheel, to hold a sword, to pick up a book, press down on the keys of a spinet and pick up chess pieces.

“I understand your craving. Do you also draw with charcoal and ink?”

She nodded. “And sticks of graphite.”

“I have paper and a few quills and ink pots in my cabin. I will bring some to yours.”

Her eyes widened. “Admiral, thank you, but you don’t have to.”

“I am not one to prevent great art from forming. You go on ahead to yours and I will bring the items to you.”

“Thank you Admiral,” she grasped the hems of her gown and curtsied. There was something off about her fingers; her fingernails were clear and natural, not white. James couldn’t tell if her ears were pointed or not,  notwith the way her hair had been styled.

-

“Mr. Carlisle,” James greeted as soon as he stepped into his cabin.

“Good evening, Admiral,” Carlisle looked up from the book he was reading. “How have your meetings been?”

“Quite well,” he inhaled. He had to find out about Julia, if it was true what Tia Dalma had said. “If I am not being too forward, may I ask you something about your daughter?”

“Certainly,” he set the book down. “She had explained her eye?”

James nodded. “Does she have a gift? I am not referring to her amazing artistic talent, but can she read minds?”

Roland’s eyes slowly widened. His hands started to shake. “No, she does not read minds.”

“Can she send her thoughts to others, can she see into the future?”

The older man continued to tremble. “How did you know?”

“Her ears are the same, unchanged. I was informed those with a gift cannot become Favorites, but still be able to pass the blessing on to others.”

“I see,” Roland slowly stood up. “Before I reveal to you the truth, I must have your word no harm will come to her.”

“Why would you even think I would threaten her?”

“Because those with her gift are accused of witchcraft.”

“I promise, no harm shall come to her.”

Roland inhaled again. “She only gets the visions in her dreams. Not every dream of hers comes true, only when her hands shake after she wakes up. They are not always nightmares, but they always come true. I am the only one who knows her gift.”

“And you know what will happen before it does,” he felt his hands clench. How much did he know? “Yet you never told anyone. Did she dream of Barbossa attacking Port Royal two years ago? Did she dream of any hurricanes? Did she dream of Davy Jones?”

“She did dream of skeletons fighting against Naval officers, and Elizabeth being arrested, she wept for hours after Beckett had arrived. She wants to tell, but I won’t let her.”

“Why did you not?” It took all his willpower to keep from grabbing the man by the shoulders.

“I already explained. I will not see my only daughter sent to the gallows or burnt at the stake. If you had a child you would understand.”

James lowered his hands. Carlisle was only half correct. If one of James’s siblings, or nieces of nephews had the gift and he feared what would happen if many knew what had they could do he would also keep silent about the subject.

“Forgive me if I have been brash.” James said.

“You are forgiven,” Carlisle sat back down. “I do not blame you, considering all that you have been through.

James nodded as he went through desk drawers, searching for paper, inkwells and quills.

“Do you need any help?”

“I’m just taking a few things to your daughter. She needs to draw.” He placed the ink well on the stack of paper along with a few quills, when he stared up he was certain he the flicker of a smile on the older man’s face.

-

Replies:

Pirateangel11286: You are correct, and thanks for the review

Sudoku: Yees it is. One of my favorite shows. Sadly the brothers wont show up, won’t be but a few more centuries before they are born. I am setting things up for James and Julia, not sure about Abigail and Theodore yet.

DemonicSymphony, thank you.

Commodore Cavanaugh, thank and yes it is Supernatural.

Random Authoress, thank you the banter between Abigail and Theodore is fun to write.

Sayla Ragnarok, no it was Supernatural, good guess though. Thanks for the review and Will is struggling internally.