The Fine Line Between Legends And Lies

Chapter 21:

A/N: Okay so Jack and Elizabeth can’t leave Wexford until the baby is born. That makes staying one step ahead of Norrington and Will a big problem. It takes them a while but they finally pinpoint Jack to Wexford and decide to try and capture him. Time will have lapsed a little so that Elizabeth is now eight and a half months into her pregnancy. The unexpected arrival of Norrington and Will send her into premature labor. Please read and review!

It had been peaceful since their arrival in Wexford and Jack found that being bound to land wasn’t quite as horrible as he had imagined it might be. Although he could never see himself permanently taking up residence on land he was finding ways to enjoy himself. The cottage that they were staying in was relatively comfortable enough. It was a two story gray bricked house that was nestled on the edge of a cliff overlooking the bay of the cozy little town. Gibbs’ aunt, a heavyset woman with flaming red hair and bright blue eyes, named Margaret Donnelly had been very kind to them. She cooked wonderful meals for them and helped Jack to keep a close eye on Elizabeth. Jack found it easy for him to relax for the first time in forever. He had put Gibbs in charge of keeping things in order aboard the Pearl while he was charged with watching over Elizabeth.

They had been in Wexford now for about a little more than a month and Elizabeth was halfway into her eighth month of her pregnancy. She had stayed in bed as the doctor had ordered and she seemed to be doing much better than she had been when they had first arrived. Jack stretched lazily from his place on the sturdy wooden bench he was sprawled out across on the front porch of the cottage. He pushed his hat back onto his head and gazed out to sea. The sapphire waves danced playfully and he could hear the faint crashing of the surf onto the sugar white sand beach down below. The smell of the salty spray wafted up to him making him inhale deeply. How he missed being out at sea but he would do anything to make sure that his precious Elizabeth remained healthy. And if staying on land until she gave birth to their child was what needed to be done to keep her healthy then he was glad to do it. He noticed the crisp white sails of a large galleon style ship coming towards the harbor. Sitting up he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his spyglass. Extending the spyglass Jack looked out in the direction of where he had spotted the mystery ship. He gave a frustrated sigh when he realized that the ship was still too far out of range for him to make out the colors that she was flying on her main mast to be able to positively identify the vessel.

Putting his spyglass away he stood stretching his arms over his head. What did it matter anyway? It wasn’t as if the Commodore or Will knew where they were. Besides Jack had dumped Will off at the first available port he had come to and that had been ages ago. So in his opinion there was no need to worry about such trivial matters as unidentified ships sailing into the harbor. Jack walked back inside the cottage and the pleasing scent of something cooking met his nose immediately. Smiling to himself as he listened to his stomach rumble he headed into the kitchen to see what Margaret was cooking. Margaret was standing over the alcove where a fired burned and a large cast iron pot was perched over the flames. She was stirring whatever was in the pot.

“Hello Margie.”

Turning around to give him a big toothy grin she replied. “Hello Jack.”

“What’s cooking?”

“Oh jus’ some stew.”

“Ah it smells great love.”

Coming over to look over her shoulder into the pot Jack could see generous chunks of potato, carrots, and onions mixed with equally generous chunks of what looked to be chicken bubbling in a thick golden brown sauce. He nodded his approval and went to take a seat at the table. Margaret went to the cupboard and grabbed a bottle of Irish whiskey and brought it to him. Jack smiled as he took the bottle from her and pulled the cork to take a drink from it.

“I know ye prefer rum but here’s some whiskey. It’s what us Irish folk drink anyways.”

“Thank ye Margaret, it’s fine love.”

“Yer welcome Jack.”

“So how’s that pretty wife of mine doing today?”

Margaret smiled again before answering as she began buttering the loaf of bread that she had just pulled from the brick oven a few moments ago.

“Elizabeth is doing much better today. I think it suits her to be in one place lad. Have ye ever thought bout settling down?”

Jack chuckled before replying. “Oh ye don’t know my Lizzie. She’d rather be at sea than stuck in one particular place any day.”

“What bout now that she’s going t’ be a mother?”

“I see no reason for that t’ change.”

“I suppose ye do know the lass better than anyone.”

“Aye that I do Margaret.”

Just then Gibbs burst in from outside. He was breathing heavily trying to catch his breath before trying to speak. Jack stood up abruptly from the table and rushed to Gibbs’ side. “Gibbs ye look bloody awful.”

“Never mind bout me Jack, we got trouble!”

“Trouble, what kind of trouble mate?”

“It’s the Commodore, he’s here!”

“Impossible.”

“No Jack, see for yerself! They’re pulling into the harbor now!”

Jack raced outside and ran to the edge of the cliff with Margaret and Gibbs close on his heels. The three of them looked down at the bay to see the Interceptor along with another galleon style ship dropping anchor in the harbor.

“Bloody hell they’ve brought reinforcements!”

“Aye Captain, it’s the Interceptor an’ another Naval ship named the Hesperia.”

“Great. We have t’ get Elizabeth out of here!”

“But Captain, the doctor said not t’ move her?”

“I know! I know that!”

Margaret spoke up. “But nobody knows yer here, so nobody in town will point them in our direction.”

“I hope yer right Margaret.”

They hurried back into the cottage and latched the door safely shut behind them. Jack snorted under his breath as he watched Gibbs lock the door. As if that could keep out the Royal Navy. Jack started up the stairs towards the room he and Elizabeth shared. Margaret stopped him.

“Do ye think it wise t’ tell the lass bout the danger? It might upset her an’ cause trouble for the little one.”

“Yer right. I suppose we shouldn’t tell Elizabeth of the Commodore’s arrival unless it’s absolutely necessary. I don’t want t’ upset her for nothing.”

Going back into the kitchen Margaret pulled the pot of stew out of the fire to let it begin to cool. They might as well go on about their business as usual. Gibbs and Jack sat at the table and began playing a game of dice to try and keep their nervous minds busy. After a while Margaret approached Jack and Gibbs.

“I’m going into town to get more kindling for the fire and oil for the lamps.”

Looking up from their game of dice Jack spoke. “Try an’ find out whatever ye can bout the Commodore’s business here?”

“I will.”

She buttoned her gray cloak and headed out the door to go into town. Gibbs and Jack continued their game of dice. Margaret walked down the narrow streets quickly until she reached the little stand where a man who sold wood for fires had set up shop. She purchased a bundle of wood and moved on to the shop where she bought her oil for her lamps. Inside the store she spoke to the owner who stood at the counter.

“What’s going on with the Royal Navy ships in the harbor Patrick?”

“They’re here on official business. Seems they’re looking for a pirate by the name of Jack Sparrow.”

“I see.”

“Ye know anything bout this Jack Sparrow?”

She shook her head and thanked him for the oil and left the shop quickly. Margaret walked out onto the narrow streets to be greeted by a group of British soldiers clad in red coats. One of them stopped her immediately.

“Begging your pardon Miss, but have you seen a pirate by the name of Jack Sparrow? He’s in the company of a young woman by the name of Miss Elizabeth Swann and she’s pregnant.”

“No sir, I’m terribly sorry I couldn’t be of help t’ ye. Now if ye will excuse me, I’ve got t’ be getting back home t’ me dinner before it gets cold?”

“Right. You may be on your way then Miss.”

“Thank you.”

Margaret wasted no time in turning and heading towards her cottage. Norrington narrowed his eyes as he continued to watch Margaret walk away. Officer Lennox and Will stood on either side of him. Leaning towards Will he spoke a little lower so that he wouldn’t be overheard by Margaret.

“We’re going to follow her.”

Will spoke up. “But you heard her, she said she didn’t know where they were.”

Chuckling Norrington replied. “She wasn’t being truthful William. Did you notice how she avoided looking into our eyes when she spoke? That’s a definite sign of someone who’s hiding something.”

“But what if you’re wrong and she was telling the truth?”

“We will worry about that later. But as for now we will follow her.”

Norrington, Will, and officers Lennox and Wilkes began following Margaret at a healthy distance back to her cottage on the cliff. Margaret tried to hurry back to the cottage as quickly as she could without being followed. She ran down the dirt path that led to her cottage until she reached the front steps. Dropping the bundle of kindling she had purchased on the porch she opened the door quickly and shut it latching it securely. Gibbs and Jack stood up from the table quickly. Seeing Margaret’s pale face they rushed to her side.

Gibbs spoke up first. “Aunt Margaret are ye alright?”

“I think so. I think I lost them.”

Jack spoke this time. “Them? Them who?”

“The soldiers that stopped me in town to question me.”

“What did they ask ye?”

“They asked bout ye an yer wife Jack.”

“Damn! They’re on t’ us Gibbs, we have t’ get Elizabeth t’ the Pearl!”

“But Jack she’s not t’ be moved. Ye don’t want t’ hurt her or the baby do ye?”

He sighed in frustration before answering. “No I don’t but we’re not safe here! I won’t let Norrington take her away from me Gibbs!”

“He’ll not harm Elizabeth Jack.”

“No but he’ll kill me that’s for certain!”

Without another word Jack raced upstairs to where Elizabeth lay sleeping. He threw open the bedroom door causing it to bump against the wall loudly. The noise startled Elizabeth making her sit up quickly in bed. She looked around frantically seeing Jack approaching her bedside. He sank down onto his knees and took her hands in his.

“Jack?” She could see the fear in his eyes as he looked up at her. “Jack what is it?”

“It’s the Commodore love, he’s here.”

“No Jack, that can’t be right. Tell me you’re joking?”

“I’m afraid not love.”

“Jack this isn’t funny, stop! You’re scaring me!”

“I’m not trying t’ scare ye or be funny love. This is serious.”

Outside the cottage Norrington and his men approached cautiously. Norrington sent Lennox and Wilkes around the back of the cottage to wait and try to stop Jack should he try and escape out the back exit of the cottage. Norrington and Will approached the front door. Will watched nervously as Norrington easily kicked open the latched door. Upstairs Elizabeth flashed a worried look at Jack as she heard the front door being kicked open.

“Jack!”

“Shh it’s alright love.”

Margaret spoke up. “Jack ye an’ Gibbs exit through the attic, there’s a ladder on the side of the cottage. There’s two horses in the pasture on the right.”

“I’ll not leave Elizabeth!”

“Jus’ go I’ll take care of the lass!” Jack watched as Margaret pulled a couple of pistols out from a desk drawer. He grinned as he watched her cock both of them to make them ready to fire. “Now hurry!”

Quickly kissing Elizabeth on the lips Jack and Gibbs headed up the small staircase in the room that led to the attic closing the door behind them and latching it shut to give themselves more time should Norrington follow them. Elizabeth began sobbing as she heard the footsteps coming closer up the stairs to her room. Margaret stood in front of the bed with the pistols trained on the door.

“Don’t ye worry lass, Jack will be jus’ fine.”

Ate hearing his name she sobbed and made to get out of the bed. Margaret turned and tried to stop her. Elizabeth pushed her away firmly and kicked the covers off her legs. Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed she stood and forced herself towards the staircase that led to the attic.

“I have to help Jack!”

Suddenly the bedroom door was flung open as Margaret was wrestling with Elizabeth at the staircase that led to the attic. The older redheaded woman had put down one of the pistols to grab a hold of Elizabeth’s arm to try and pull her away. Elizabeth was holding onto the wooden rail of the staircase desperately trying to break free from Margaret’s grasp.

Outside Jack and Gibbs had made it safely down the ladder and were running hastily towards the pasture where a white horse with patches of gray and black and another that was a solid chestnut color awaited them. Quickly jumping the wooden fence leaping into the pasture the two pirates ran over to the horses. Jack jumped onto the white gray and black painted stallion and took a firm hold on it’s thick black mane. Digging the heels of his boots into the animal’s flanks he spurred it into motion. Gibbs mounted the chestnut mare and followed suit heading away from the cottage.

Inside the cottage Norrington and Will entered the bedroom to find the two women struggling. Raising his pistol he fired a warning shot into the roof of the cottage. Margaret and Elizabeth froze. Margaret dropped her pistol causing it to fire as it hit the ground. The bullet shot through the window shattering the glass. Suddenly Elizabeth gave a pained yelp as she doubled over clutching at her stomach. Margaret turned towards Elizabeth falling to her knees as the young woman grabbed onto her shoulders for support. Elizabeth wailed in agony again as her knees buckled and she collapsed onto the floor. She began whimpering as she sobbed. Margaret, ignoring Norrington and Will, grabbed the hem of Elizabeth’s nightgown and yanked it to her thighs. Reaching in between her thighs she examined Elizabeth. Pulling her hand back she discovered that her fingers were coated with a reddish liquid.

Seeing the blood coating Margaret’s fingers Will raced over and dropped down beside her. “What’s wrong? What’s happening to her?”

“I’m afraid she’s going into labor!”

“It’s too soon! What do we do to stop it?”

“We can’t stop it I’m afraid. The labor is already too far in progress t’ be stopped now.”

“What’s going to happen to her?”

“We’re going t’ deliver her baby. Now, go downstairs and get me some hot water. And you over there, get me some fresh linens out of the hall closet!”

Will raced downstairs and filled an empty pot with water from a pitcher and placed it over the fire to heat up. Norrington went out into the hallway and opened the door of the linen closet. He grabbed an armful of fresh linens and went back into the room.

“Now help me get her up and back into the bed.”

Nodding Norrington dropped the linens onto a chair and grabbed Elizabeth underneath her arms. Margaret grabbed onto Elizabeth’s ankles and they hauled her to her feet placing her back into the bed. Elizabeth sat up kicking her legs as she tried to get back out of bed. Norrington held onto her arms firmly. Elizabeth screamed out as a contraction swept through her body.

Margaret spread Elizabeth’s knees apart as she knelt on the bed at her feet. “Now Elizabeth I need ye t’ breathe for me darling.”

Elizabeth gave a few deep breaths and waited for more instructions. Will entered the room with the heated pot of water placing it on the desk. He looked over to see Elizabeth with her legs spread wide and her nightgown bunched around her hips exposing her lower body to him. He looked away quickly as another high pitched wail tore from Elizabeth’s throat.

“Dip one of the linens in the hot water so that I can wash my hands.”

Norrington did as he was told and handed it to Margaret watching her wash her hands. She tossed the linen back to him and turned her attention back to Elizabeth.

“Okay lass, now give me a good push okay?”

Nodding Elizabeth bit her bottom lip and groaned as she pushed. Margaret looked down between the young woman’s thighs and could see the top of the baby’s head as it began to try and come out of her birth canal. Elizabeth cried out as the feeling of being ripped open surged through her lower body.

“I know darling, it hurts. Ye over there, get me that wet cloth and twist it up so that she can bite down on it.”

Will twisted the wet cloth and then walked over to Elizabeth. She opened her mouth and he placed the damp cloth into it watching her immediately bite down on it. Her forehead was beaded with sweat and stray strands of her golden hair clung to her neck and face.

“Okay lass give me another good push.”

Elizabeth bit down on the wet cloth yelping as she pushed as hard as she could. Her eyes squeezed shut as she pushed again this time feeling the pressure of the baby’s head as it passed through her birth canal.

“Good darling, ye passed the head, now push again.”

Elizabeth grunted as she bit down and pushed hard feeling the baby’s shoulders sliding out of her this time. She felt tears leaking from the corners of her eyes as she strained to push again. The rest of the baby’s body was pushed from her birth canal in the final push making her fall back against the pillows whimpering in relief.

Margaret held the baby giving it a gentle pat on the back. The little baby instantly responded giving a small cry making more tears fall from Elizabeth’s still closed eyes.

“Take yer knife there and wash it in the hot water boy. I need t’ sever the cord.”

Will dipped his knife that his father had given him as a young boy into the hot water and brought it over to Margaret. He and Norrington watched as she severed the umbilical cord from the baby’s body and laid him on the fresh linen to clean him. Handing the knife back to Will she turned her attention back to Elizabeth.

“Now love I need ye t’ give me another good push t’ get rid of the afterbirth.”

Sighing exhaustedly Elizabeth sat up and gave one last push feeling the slimy afterbirth slide from her sore body. Wrapping the afterbirth in one of the linens she handed it to Will.

“Here, throw this out. Now then lass, ye did a fine job.”

“Thank you. My baby?”

“Ah yes, ye gave birth t’ a beautiful baby boy.”

“A boy, oh a boy! Jack will be so happy!”

Then she fell silent at remembering that Jack and Gibbs had fled on horseback from the cottage. She watched as Margaret used a damp linen to clean the blood from her newborn baby boy’s body. Once finished she wrapped him in a clean linen and brought him over to Elizabeth.

“Here ye are lass, yer son.”

Taking the small baby boy from Margaret Elizabeth cradled him in her arms. She looked down at the tiny little boy. He had quite a bit of fuzzy dark brown hair on his little head. He gave a small cry as he looked up at his mother opening his new eyes for the first time. She smiled as she noticed they were the same coffee color as Jack’s were. He was absolutely the most beautiful little boy she had ever seen.

“Ye want t’ try an’ feed him now lass?”

She nodded and reached up to unbutton the top of her nightgown. Will and Norrington turned the heads as Elizabeth exposed her left breast to everyone in the room. Bringing her baby boy up to her nipple she watched in awe as he immediately began to suckle it. Margaret smiled as she watched the new mother bonding with her newborn son.

“What are ye going t’ call him?”

“Jacob. Jacob Teague Sparrow.”

“That’s lovely. Well then missy, I think we will give ye a little privacy.”

Margaret ushered Will and Norrington out of the room. They went downstairs to the front porch. Norrington spoke first.

“Where is he?”

“Who?”

“Jack Sparrow.”

“He’s not here.”

Before Norrington could reply Lennox and Wilkes rushed up to the porch out of breath. Lennox spoke first still trying to catch his breath.

“Sir…….Jack…..he……he…..got……away…….sir!”

“Where did he go?”

“He headed East on horseback sir.”

“Ah into the safety of the forest then? Gather a group of ten and find him.”

“Yes Commodore.”

Lennox and Wilkes left to carry out Norrington’s orders. Margaret turned to go back inside but stopped when Norrington grabbed her arm.

“We’re not finished.”

“Yes we are, I have a young mother an’ her baby t’ take care of.”

Yanking her arm from Norrington’s grasp she headed back inside leaving Will and Norrington alone on the porch. Will spoke up.

“So you’re still planning on going after Jack then?”

“Of course, he’s still a wanted man Mr. Turner.”

“You see what it did to Elizabeth don’t you? It sent her into labor making her have the baby early.”

“Yes so it did and she’s fine now.”

“Jack will not see it that way Norrington. He’ll see you dead for putting Elizabeth and the baby’s life in danger.”

“Perhaps. If I don’t see him hanged first.” Turning sharply on his heels Norrington went back inside to leave Will alone. He headed back upstairs to the room where Elizabeth was. He found that she was just finishing breast feeding her baby. He watched as Margaret took the baby from Elizabeth to rock him so that she could rest.

Once they were alone Norrington turned his attention back to Elizabeth watching her refasten her nightgown so that she was decent again. He felt his cock twitch as it began to harden as he thought about how beautiful she had looked holding the baby while he had suckled her breast. Frowning in discomfort he tried to push the improper thoughts from his mind. Elizabeth scowled at him.

“What do you want Norrington?”

“Just to make sure that you’re okay my darling.”

“I’m not your darling, don’t call me that! It’s Elizabeth or Mrs. Sparrow as far as I’m concerned!”

“Yes. Speaking of your husband, where is he?”

“Gone.”

“I realize that much Elizabeth, care to elaborate?”

“I don’t know.”

“And if you did?”

“I sure as hell wouldn’t tell you!”

“That’s fine. My men shall track him down regardless. And when we do he will be brought back to Port Royal to hang from the gallows.”

“Get out!”

“Rest well Mrs. Sparrow.” She glared at him not failing to notice the heavy sarcasm that laced his voice. Norrington left Elizabeth alone to her thoughts.

‘Oh Jack please be okay! We have a beautiful son for you to meet now! You just have to come back to me!’

A/N: Okay this is a good place to stop! Next chapter Jack is captured and he and Elizabeth are brought back to Port Royal!