The Chosen 16

[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,

Setting: After At World’s End

 

The Chosen

 

Chapter 16: An unlikely alliance.

-

“Do not attack,” James commanded. “Do not panic, let me explain-“

The once calm and orderly counsel had broken up by the mere mention of pirate ships. Several voices and shouted at one, demanding to know what was going on. James gritted his teeth. It seemed his order had fallen on deaf ears. Only half of the counsel had remained calm and still, and that half consisted of Favorites.

“We should have our ships prepared for battle,” Captain Murdock was the first to rise from his seat.

“Not yet,” Captain Boone said.

“Calm yourself,” Theodore added.

“There are pirates attacking,” Murdock said. His spine was rigid and his hands clenched into fists. “We have to take precautions.”

“Admiral Norrington told us to stand down,” the young and newly promoted captain had said.

“He cannot be series.”

“As a matter of fact,” James stared into Murdock’s brown eyes. “I can. These pirates are to join forces with us in the battle against the demon.”

“This is preposterous.”

“Stranger things have happened.”

“You are mad.”

“That will be enough,” Commodore Taylor rose from his chair and held out his hand in front of Murdock. “Admiral Norrington, are you saying we are to join forces with these blemishes of the sea?”

James nodded. “I know that none of us will like it and I am certain they would feel the same way about us. How often in the past have two enemy nations have joined forces to fight against a larger and greater threat?”

The commodore nodded. “Go on.”

“These pirates have already been made into Favorites. It is what I am about to ask you to do. This is something none of you had faced before and hoped to have never come across. These are forces we have read and often had nightmares about, I do not know if we will all live, but that is also the thought we face when we go into war on behalf of the crown. I have civilians who are ready and willing to join us in this battle, many who do not even know how to hold a sword or fire a pistol.” He stared each of the captains in the eyes before his gaze settled on Commodore Taylor’s. “None of you have to join in on this battle. I will not pull rank and order you to become Favorites. I am only asking.”

The naval officers across the table stared at each other. Those that stood had returned to their seats, except for Captain Murdock, who remained where he stood, his face was at an impasse. Hands at his side. After a few seconds his forehead wrinkled and he was in deep thought.

“Admiral Norrington?” The youngest captain rose to his feet. “I will join in your battle.”

James kept his face expressionless, despite the small twang of happiness he had felt. “Thank you, Captain.” He did not know the younger man’s name.

“Maitland,” the young captain said.

“Thank you Captain Maitland,” James nodded towards him.

Another Captain drummed his fingers against the surface of the table before he stood up. “I will also fight along your side.”

Before James had an opportunity to thank him two other captains had stood up.

“This will not be permanent?” Commodore Taylor rose from his chair.

“Once the demon has been defeated all will be returned to normal,” James assured him.

“We will do our best to persuade our officers,” the commodore said.

“Those of us who will fight will round up their forces,” James said. “Those who wish to not fight will stay here and protect this island.” The meeting was over, and now he had to meet with Sparrow.

-

James had to admire the small fleet. Despite the fact the ships had been marred by the presence of the crew they carried, they were still majestic in their build. He was also a bit impressed with how Sparrow was able to convince several others of his ilk to become Favorites.

James stood on the pier, motionless as a statue. Captain Groves was behind him, as were Murtogg and Mullroy. There were four others behind them, but James did not see who they could be, although he guessed one of them might be Elizabeth. He did not turn back and instead stared straight ahead as a few of the long boats rowed ashore. Only a few ships dared to come near the docks.

“Ahoy Jaime,” Jack Sparrow announced his arrival as his longboat pulled up by the pier. “Wouldn’t mind letting a hand now would ye mate?”

James gritted his teeth. “I will glad to help you as long as you do not call me that name anymore.”

“What’s wrong with Jaime?” Jack had begun to climb out and onto the damp and barnacle covered legs of the pier. “Or would you prefer Jimmy?”

“My friends and family call me James,” He grabbed one of Sparrow’s hands. “You will address me as Admiral Norrington, Admiral, or even Norrington.”

“What about ex-commodore?” Jack grinned. “Being and admiral you are simply not a commodore.” It took just one glare for Jack to loose his grin. “Admiral it is then.”

“I must say, Sparrow I have never thought you could convince this many people to join you.” James stared at the ships.

“That is because I am-“

“Captain Jack Sparrow,” James finished for him. “Those that are coming in closer do not appear to be pirate ships.”

“That is because they are not,” Jack pointed to the ships in question. “Some of them are actual honest merchants. Does it surprise you that honest men would come to Tortuga?”

“No it doesn’t.” James turned to stare at him. “You went to Tortuga?” Why should he  be surprised?

“Where did you think I found them all,” Jack puffed his chest out proudly. “Great fighters, all of them. Brave and a bit mad too, considering what they did sign up for. Not a single round ear to be found on all of them.” He pointed to one ship sailing next to The Black Pearl. “That is Barbossa’s ship right there. Turns out he visited Tia after we left.”

“Sparrow,” James folded his arms. “Remember what Tia said?”

“Yes, her ears may not be all pointy but she can still be kissy kissy.”

“You were supposed to find something, not sail off to Tortuga.” James fought to keep his voice from growling.

“You mean this?” Jack removed a pouch from his belt. “Where do you think we found this?” He pulled out a large and poorly made clay cross.

“This is the Dove’s Cross?”

“Under a well in an old church,” Jack nodded.

“There was a church on Tortuga?”

“Why do you think it is abandoned?” Jack tried to slip the cross back into the pouch, but James had grabbed it out of his hands.

“This cannot be it,” James stared at the blobbed edges of the cross. “Doesn’t look like a dove, nor does it have any pictures of doves carved into it.”

“I thought it would be pretty meself,” Jack took it back and slipped his compass into James’s hand. “You can see for yourself.”

James stared at the arrow as it spun around and pointed to the people behind him before it turned to the cross.

“Curious,” Jack blinked and looked past James. He smiled, showing his gold teeth. “Not so curious.”

“So this is it,” James took the gray cross back from Sparrow. “I will sleep better if it were in the hands of Mrs. Turner.”

“And I would sleep better in a bed with Anamaria. I had to leave her behind.”

“You have left her on Tortuga?” He stared at the pirate in shock. “That island is the last place for a woman in her condition should be.”

“She is not alone,” Jack’s smile grew even larger. “I left her in the care of a few old friends. You remember Scarlet and Giselle? They have been asking about you.”

James froze. He had remembered a few of the jezebels of Tortuga. He had conversed with them, drank with them, but he had never slept with them…unless he was too drunk to remember.

“I believe one of them is also in the family way.”

“James!” Elizabeth shouted.

“Admiral,” Murtogg had gasped.

James spun around to stare in the shocked expressions of Groves, the marines and Elizabeth, but also the Carlisle’s and Abigail Peterson.

“I am joking,” Jack shouted as he waved to the group. “Joking. The Admiral is not a father. He didn’t sleep with anyone on Tortuga, now that may mean he is a Eu-“

James grabbed Sparrow by the throat. “If I didn’t need you and if we hadn’t struck an accord I would kill you on the spot.” He released his hold. “Or possibly see to it that you would never be able to sire any more children.”

“I was out of line,” Jack raised his hands. “Won’t happen again.” He rubbed his throat.

“It better.” James turned to Groves and the others. “Now that our allies have arrived we can return to our ships. We need to board and leave for Port Royal immediately.”

-

Julia Carlisle leaned against the Naiad’s railing, making sure to stay out of the way of the crew while she stared up at the sky. Her mind was still reeling from the short stay on the island and the fact they had to quickly return and sail back to Jamaica. That wasn’t the only thing on her mind. She had joined with her father, Elizabeth and Abigail to see the arrival of the pirate ships. Abigail wanted to see what this Jack Sparrow looked like since the gallows made her feel ill and missed seeing his escape and Julia’s father wanted to make sure they were all protected, despite the fact James, Captain Groves and two marines were there.

“I see we are enjoying the view,” James Norrington approached and placed his back against the railing right next to her. “I will never tire at looking at the stars.”

“They may be the subject of my next painting,” Julia said. She did not meet with his eyes. “Maybe I will draw on my imagination and draw a ship sailing to the moon.”

“I would love to see that,” James said. “I have noticed you seem to be a bit troubled.”

“It is nothing really,” she knew she shouldn’t be lying, especially to an admiral.

“Then why won’t you look me in the eyes?”

She turned her head to him and stared into his storm green eyes. “It is what Jack Sparrow had said.”

James rolled his eyes. “I can understand why.”

“Elizabeth had told me about when she found you on Tortuga.” She tried to picture the man seated next to her as Elizabeth had described him. The image was not coming to her mind. She could imagine James wearing the clothes, but to have a captain’s coat covered in mud, and his wig to be unraveled, it was unthinkable. “You were covered in dirt and your hair was longer, not as long as it is now, but longer than usual, and you had a bit of a beard.”

“I had stopped shaving for a while back then,” James ran his fingers against his smooth chin. “But that was a darker period in my life, one where I am not pleased with my actions.”

 “You didn’t share a bed with any of the harlots?” She stared at the ground. That wasn’t a question she should be asking.

“None, unless I had drank more rum than I was able to handle.”

“I am having a hard time believing that as well. I also have a hard time picturing Elizabeth in man’s clothing.”

“I wouldn’t want you to see me like that,” James shrugged. “My state at that time was unfit for eyes of a fine woman such as…” His cheeks turned pink while he coughed into his fist. “Women of your stature should not have seen me like that.”

Julia nodded. “Dirt or not, you would still be you.”

“I doubt you or anyone would have been able to recognize me.”

“I would have known by your eyes and I would have helped you to your feet and given you a bath.” Her hand flew to her mouth. She had not just said that. “I mean I would have had ordered a warm bath to be drawn for you, and warm food prepared.”

“And I would have been grateful.” He stood up. “How along are you with your sword training?”

“Sword training?” How did he know, unless Elizabeth had told him? “Not far at all. Elizabeth had showed me and we used rolled up parchment for practice.”

“Clever and safe.” James placed his hands behind his back. “I had asked her to give you some lessons. I know it won’t be enough, but considering our upcoming battle I want you to be able to defend yourself.”

“I know how to wield a knife and I can strike the enemy in the head with a pan or a rolling pin.”

He smiled. “That would be effective, but they may be armed.” He removed the word from its sheath and held it out in front of her. “Show me what you have learned.”

“I told you it wasn’t much.” Julia said as she took the handle.

-

Jack Sparrow stared at the image of Norrington and the girl leaning back and talking to each other through his spyglass. He smiled when he was certain James’s face had flushed.

“I did not mean to talk about your bosom,” Jack spoke in a deep voice while Norrington’s mouth moved. “You can’t help it.” His voice became much higher when the girl began to speak. “It is a bit bigger than Elizabeth’s.” He was having too much fun with this. He knew why the arrow did not point at the cross right away and being Norrington, the bloody fool did not question why.

“Jack,” Gibbs hissed from behind.

Jack ignored him and continued to watch Admiral Norrington and his lady friend. “I may have seen your friend, Elizabeth in the nude.” He spoke for Norrington. “You have seen her nude? Would you like to see me without any clothes? I would be honored too, but I may faint since my collar is too tight.”

“Jack, what in the blazes.” Gibbs grabbed the spyglass away from him. “People are going to think you are mad…er than before.”

“Let them think that.” Jack retrieved his spyglass. “Just spying on our friend Norrington.”

“Ye shouldn’t be doing that. He knows you are watching him.”

“He does?” Jack stared at the Norrington again. The admiral was handing his sword to the girl. “Doesn’t look like he knows.”

“He knows in here.” Gibbs pointed at his head. “All those who work for the lord be knowing stuff like that.”

Jack let out a breath of relief. “He doesn’t have that ability mate.”

“Are you certain?” Gibbs raised his eyebrows.

“You don’t know what I am thinking.” Jack pointed at himself. “And I don’t know what you are thinking.” He pointed at Gibbs. “Tia said we have some of his gifts, not as strong, just a little.” He glanced at the navy ship. “I still wished I had that tail.”

“It still feels like it would be bad luck,” Gibbs took a sip from his canteen.

“Maybe for you, but not for me.” He raised the spyglass back to his eye. “And not for him.” He watched as both Norrington and the girl held onto the handle of the sword. “Still rooting for you.”

-