Hearts Across the Sea 3

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Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean and all related characters belong to Walt Disney, Gore, Jerry, Ted and Terry.

Original Characters such as Julia Carlisle and Abigail Peterson are my own creation.

Characters: James Norrington, Theodore Groves, Murtogg, Mullroy, William Turner, Elizabeth Turner, Julia Carlisle, Abigail Peterson.

Setting: A few months after The Chosen.

 

Hearts Across the Sea

 

Chapter 3:  Bon Voyage

-

James Norrington already could anticipate the argument that was about to brew along the pier next to the Naiad. He had thought he made things clear the afternoon before, but he hadn’t anticipated the headstrongness of Captain Theodore Groves.

“I haven’t used my cane in days,” Theodore had dressed in his uniform, complete with wig. “There is no longer any pain.”

James did not bother turn around. “What has the doctor said?” He watched as other uniformed men climbed the gangplank up to the ship.

“He feels I can move around and that I no longer have to be confined to my home.”

James nodded. “What has he said about work?”

“I have been going to my office the past few days.”

“You are not answering the question,” James turned around and stared into Theodore’s eyes. “I know you are well enough to do work around the fort, but are you well enough to sail, are you fit to use your sword and pistol?”

Theodore set his jaw and exhaled through his nostrils.

“Well?”

“He feels I should not be ready to fight until at least five more days.” He relaxed his arms, clearly defeated.

“I am not one to disobey a doctor’s orders.”

Theodore coughed into his fist, causing James to raise his eyebrows.

“When was the last time I did not follow the doctor’s instructions?”

“It was right after you defeated the demon that took control of Mr. Turner.” Theodore pointed at him. “He wanted you to stay the entire day in bed. You only spent half a day before you went to check on Mr. Turner’s condition.”

James smiled weakly. “There is a difference between a simple walk that lasted for only a few minutes and being in a life and death situation. You may be able to handle the simplest duties aboard a ship, but you are not healed enough to weather out a storm or to face off against pirates or those from an enemy nation.”

“You have said this is just a search mission.”

“And it may take a turn for the worse,” James nearly shouted. “You are staying behind and that is an order.”

Theodore opened his mouth to protest.

“Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Admiral,” Theodore nodded.

“I need you here to watch over Port Royal until I return,” he gave his captain a small pat on the shoulder. “I leave you in charge until then.”

“The Fort shall be safe and in top shape,” Theodore nodded and stepped back, nearly bumping into the person behind him. “Oh sorry,” he turned around, revealing the one person who had caused James’s heartbeat to quicken. “I didn’t see you there, Miss Carlisle.”

“Oh it is quite all right,” Julia nodded towards him. “I have come to see James off. I did admit I was a bit surprised to see you here. Abigail had told me the doctors felt you shouldn’t go out to sea yet.”

Theodore stared at her; his face blushed before he formed a weak smile. “Yes, that is quite right. I hope you inform Miss Peterson that I will be busy in my office for the rest of the day.”

“I will, but she had given me a request to ask you. Her father wants to invite you to dinner this evening at the Peterson residence.”

“Hopefully I will not be to busy so I would be able to accept this invitation,” Theodore said. “I will find out what duties await me at Fort Charles and I will send a footman to let her know if I will attend or not.”

Did he say her and not him? James raised his eyebrow at the slight slip, but chose not to say anything.

“I am wasting time, just doddering about,” Theodore nodded to both of them. “Godspeed Admiral, may you have a good morning Miss Carlisle.”

James waited until Theodore had left before he addressed Julia. “I did not expect to see you here this morning.” That did not come out the way he wanted it too. “I mean I am glad to see you again, especially before I leave. I was actually hoping to see you again.” Why was this always so difficult? “I am glad you came.”

“This isn’t easy for either of us to put it in proper words,” Julia nodded. “I have told you several times that I enjoyed last night and I knew in my heart that can’t be the last time I see you before you leave. I made certain to wake up before the sun this morning.”

“You did, to just see me off?”

“I had to stop by Mr. Humphrey’s shop before I came to see you.” She held up several cloth bags that came from the sweet shop. “I have brought you almond pralines, and candied hazelnuts and walnuts.”

“Are you going to give me sweets whenever I go on a trip or an assignment,” James smiled warmly as he accepted the gift. He knew he would eat the basics, plenty of bread and fish, as well as broth with the wedge of a citrus fruit to suck on to prevent scurvy. He knew it would be a while before he would be able to enjoy sweets again.

“Sweets for the sweetest man in Port Royal,” Julia blushed as she said those words.

“I would not describe myself as such,” James felt himself blushing.

“I think you are the sweetest and kindest man in Port Royal,” she stepped closer to him. “As well as one of the bravest and cleverest.”

“I am not used to such flattery, I have to admit.” The last person who had given him such flattery was Captain Sparrow and James had seen through such silver-tongued words. Elizabeth had said he was a fine man and he felt she was being truthful for once.

“I find it hard to believe that several women haven’t said the same to you before,” she stepped even closer and James felt himself mesmerized by her round eyes and lush lips.

“How many men have said you are a fine woman,” James tried to hold his breath; he felt a growing desire to kiss her.

“One of two, but I doubt they were as sincere as you.”

“This is the first time I do not want to leave for a mission,” he brushed a finger underneath her chin. “It will make me more determined to complete it so I can return and court you properly.”

“I have thought you have been nothing but proper,” Julia said before she stepped back. “You did say something to Captain Groves that has frightened me.”

“What have I said?” He was so lost in her he could not remember what he had lectured to Captain Groves a few minutes prior.

“You said the mission might take a turn for the worst.”

“Ah yes,” James nodded. “I was just trying to convince Captain Groves to respect his doctor’s orders. I do not want him to become even more injured.”

“But what if what you said does come true,” her eyes widened with worry. “You have no idea what happened to those missing ships. The same thing could happen to the Naiad.”

“Those were merchant trading vessels,” James used his most assuring voice. “They were unarmed and unable to defend themselves.”

“Were they sailing together?”

“No,” she had asked an important question and they had stated in the letter the ships had left port at different times, all traveled to the same location and they had all disappeared.

“I want you to promise me you will be careful,” Julia said.

“I can easily make that promise.”

“I will feel more assured if you wore this.” She reached up and removed his hat. “I know you will object.” She held up a slender chain, hanging from the middle was the same blue topaz ring she had worn to their previous dates, her mother’s ring.

“You are correct,” James eyed the jewel as it reflected the sunlight. “That ring belonged to your mother; you cannot give it to me.”

“I am allowing you to borrow it.” She held his hat in one hand and kept it behind her back.

“It is your mother’s ring.”

“And father has given it to me,” she stood on her toes. “If you want me to sleep at night, if you want to make sure I am not starving myself out of worry for you then please wear this.”

James saw the determined look in her eyes and knew it would do him no good to continue to protest and argue with her. He lowered his head and allowed her to slip the chain around his neck.

“I do admit it doesn’t go well with your uniform.”

“It does match the sky on a fair day,” James raised his head and held out his hand for his hat.

“If it were green it would match your lovely eyes.” She handed his tricorn back.

James tried not to blush at the compliment. “It is a very fine piece of jewelry.  I hope your mother approves of your action.”

“I am certain she does,” Julia nodded. “Now she can watch over you as well.”

“I like to believe we all have our guardian angels watching over us.” He had only told a few people, including Elizabeth, Theodore and Julia; he had seen the spirit of Andrew Gillette standing behind him during his fight against Turner.

“I shall continue my currant painting, but if there is something you would like me to paint for you I will start it.”

“I would love to see another painting of England,” he smiled and reached into his waistcoat. “I want you to have something.” He pulled out his pocket watch. “This was a gift from my father. It was given to me when I became a midshipman. Since you have insisted I wear your mother’s ring I want you to keep this with you.” He stared at the golden cover of the watch and his last name carved into the surface.

“I will keep it by my side until you return,” she nodded in affirmation as she accepted the gift. “Try to eat well and make certain you get plenty of sleep.”

“Miss Carlisle, I believe you are ordering me around,” he smiled.

“I am not ordering,” she smiled back. “I am merely asking.”

“I have a decent cook aboard my ship and my cabin bed is quite comfortable. You do not have to worry about me.”

“I worry because I care.”

“I know,” James nodded. “I feel the same way about you.”

“You have said you were falling in love,” she grasped his hand. “I have already fallen.”

James stared deep in her eyes. He wanted to pull her close, kiss her passionately and to hell with propriety and all those who may cluck their tongues and wag their fingers at such a display. He grabbed onto her other hand and pulled her close, not removing his eyes from hers and bent down.

“Admiral,” Lieutenant Pryce called from behind.

James froze and turned around. “Yes Lieutenant?” He asked in a weak voice.

“We are ready to leave.” If the young lieutenant was amused by the near public display of affection he did not show it.

James nodded. “Go back to your post. I will return shortly.” He spun around to face Julia. “I believe this is the official goodbye for now. Try not to worry too much.”

“You will always be on my mind, and in my heart.” She stepped back, far away enough for her perfume to not have a strong effect on James.

“I will return to you soon,” James said before he turned around and walked up the gangplank.

-

Julia watched as the man she loved ascended to his ship, admiring his shoulders and calves. She bit her lip when she realized she shouldn’t be looking at him in such a way, not at least until they were properly wed. “Julia Carlisle, you are a fool,” She whispered to herself. “He hasn’t even proposed.” Would he ever propose, and if he did when would that be?

There were a few naval officers and marines who stared her strangely. Then again she was at the part of the docks that was closed off to civilians and if Murtogg and Mullroy were not the ones on guard duty she would not have been able to seen James off, then again many of James’s men have known they were together.

“Thank you gentlemen,” she nodded at the two marines as she walked past them.

“You are welcome, Miss,” Murtogg nodded.

“I hope your day will be well,” Mullroy added

She had tried to ignore the looks from the other civilians as she made her way to her carriage. Many nodded and smiled at her out of polite respect. Groups and couples whispered to each other while they watched her, and Julia was certain they were talking about both her and James. There were some older women who stared daggers at her, how dare she capture the heart of Admiral James Norrington and not their daughters as if it were her own fault he fell for her and not them.

“You have seen him off?” Henry asked when she had returned to her carriage.

“I gave him the small gifts.” She thought of the sweets and her mother’s ring.

“Including the ring?” Henry raised his eyebrows.

“Of course I have given him the ring,” Julia nodded. “And Henry you must not tell anyone I gave it to him, not Janet or Mary and especially not father.”

“I would never think of it,” Henry held the door open for her. “I just hope he doesn’t ask you to wear it to any social event.”

“I will tell him I am saving it for James,” it would have only been a half lie. She gathered the bottom of her gown as she sat down and pulled the material closer to her to keep it from being caught in the door.

“I will keep my lips sealed on the subject.” He closed the door.

“Thank you Henry,” She stared at the pocket watch James had given her. She would not loose sight of it. She set it down on her lap and clasped her fingers. “Please God, watch over him and keep him safe.” All she could do now on the matter was wait for him.