Unexpected Reunions
folder
Pirates of the Caribbean (All) › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
7
Views:
2,059
Reviews:
15
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Pirates of the Caribbean (All) › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
7
Views:
2,059
Reviews:
15
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 7 - Out of the Frying Pan
Title: Unexpected Reunions
Author: Hellborne (the_ferret_mom@yahoo.com)
Age Rating: 13+
Disclaimer: Characters, Percy, Tawodigola'A, Dominic, and the OTHER Elizabeth mine. Anyone you saw in the movie, not mine. See the Mouse and Johnny Depp. Story, mine, but I make no money. They do, but not on this.
Typing convention: / is used for thoughts. * - * - * is used for scene changes and passages of time.
Summary: Four years after the movie, the Black Pearl fires on Port Royal, the new governor wants Jack dead, Commodore Norrington tries to save him and fails, Jack finds himself on the gallows again, but it's all a misunderstanding really.
Warnings: Loads of Sparrow-Torture. H/C to the max. Angst, Romance
Betas: The two greatest BetaGoddesses in the world, Pendragginink and Littlebird! You're both truly magnificent, and I wouldn't be able to write half as well without you!
NOTE: I live for reviews. Being quite depressed lately about my health and missing my job, I could really use some reviews...and don't think I'm begging for cudos! I happen to love flames and constructive criticism just as much and sometimes more! Lord knows, without constructive criticism, I'd have never fixed some of the boo-boos I've made!
* - * - * - * - * - * - * - *
Chapter 7 - Out of the Frying Pan
Jack's body dropped suddenly just as the Duchess reached him; she managed to catch his head and shoulders, his dead weight carrying her with him to the ground where he lay sprawled like a marionette without strings. She deftly withdrew an ornate knife from the lace of the half-sleeve of her gown, cutting through the tightened noose as if it were made of butter.
She cradled Jack's head and shoulders in her arms, holding him to her breast. She moved the hair out of his face and kissed his forehead. "Please wake up, Jonathan. PLEASE!" There was no sign of life from Jack; limp, he made no sound, blood trickled from his nose and mouth. She used the hem of her gown to wipe it away. Norrington suddenly there by her side, felt for a pulse at Jack's neck, jerking his hand away suddenly at the slick feel of blood where the rope had cut cruelly into the pirate's neck. He took up a wrist, dismayed to find he had grabbed the one with the brand proclaiming Jack Sparrow a pirate and a criminal. The commodore held his breath and the wrist for long seconds until relief flooded through him.
"There's a pulse. He's alive. Guards!" Murtogg and Mulroy rushed to his call. "Take Mr. Sparrow to the Governor's Mansion and put him to bed. Stay with him, do not let him out of your sight. And mind his neck."
The two guards acquired a stretcher, placed Jack on it gently, supervised by the Duchess who watched silently while they carried him from the square.
She called Norrington over to her. "Commodore, have the best doctor in Port Royal at the mansion within ten minutes or you shall take my son's place on the gallows."
"Your son, Your Grace?"
"Yes, my son." Her eyes met the Commodore's evenly; he swallowed hard, involuntarily. There was more warmth in the gaze of a snake. "You know I will do it; do not tarry, sir," her whisper barely audible.
Norrington believed it. He dashed from the square.
Tawodigola'A turned and walked purposefully back to where her husband stood in shock. She stroked his cheek lovingly, tears in her eyes, but smiling. "Our dear son Jonathan has returned to us, my love."
The Duke came out of his stunned reverie. "Are you quite positive, my love? THAT ruffian is OUR Jonathan?"
"Yes, Percy. It is obvious to me now why he stole the portrait: he looks very much like you did when you were his age, Sweet, but for all the extra hair he has. For some reason, he did not wish to be recognized, though he kept the mandella I gave him as a babe, and wears it in a place of honor. I only wish I knew why he did not send word; why he did not come home."
The Duke kissed Tawodigola'A's hands; she pecked him gently on the cheek. "Stay here and watch the rest of the spectacle, Percy. Any pirates we may have from the Black Pearl are to be put back in their cells. I believe Jonathan is strong-willed like you and stubborn like my father, so we shall need some leverage if we are to keep him. I am sure that one of the miscreants from the Black Pearl is the key to Jonathan's cooperation."
"Very good, my dearest Kamama. See to our boy. I would speak to him when he awakens."
Tawodigola'A nodded and left, their driver taking her home as quickly as possible.
* - * - *
The doctor, having repaired Jack's throat injuries as best he could, propped a pillow under his shoulders to keep his head tilted back and the crushed airway open as well as possible. He bent over Jack, a hand on his chest, monitoring the heartbeat, shaking his head slowly in awe at the now healed twin bullet wounds, marveling at the resilience of the man, then nodded and straightened up, folding the blanket over the unconscious patient.
"He'll live, Your Grace, but I cannot promise what he will sound like with his throat injuries. I've done all I can. He needs bed rest and complete quiet."
Jack lay unresponsive, his hair fanned across the pillow, drops of his blood staining the nightshirt that the Duke's majordomo Dominic had dressed him in when he arrived.
Lady Davenport thanked the doctor as he left. She looked at the two guards, then at Norrington. "Commodore, was I informed correctly that Jack Sparrow was the most nefarious pirate in these waters?"
Norrington blushed. "Infuriating, rather, Your Grace. It is his elusiveness that has made him the most wanted pirate in the Caribbean. He actually has no love of bloodshed, preferring instead to depend on his inflated reputation. Oft times, it works. There have been times when it has backfired, but even then he will give quarter to any and all who ask for it, even ferrying them on his own ship to a safe harbor. That is why I actually begged the governor for mercy for him and his crew, Your Grace. Had he been otherwise, I would never have considered it. Jack Sparrow is in a class by himself in the realm of piracy. Beneath all his pomp and posturing of being a pirate, he is a good man."
The Duchess of Davenport nodded, and made to speak, but was interrupted by a slight movement and quiet groaning on the bed.
Jack couldn't help but respond, his voice a wheezing whisper that hurt just hearing it. "Thank you for...compliment, Commo...dore. I don't...feel bad 'bout...anni...versary present...bought you...Lizabeff...though it...got me hanged."
"Jonathan!" Tawodigola'A smiled tearfully and leaned in to kiss Jack's forehead.
Jack's eyes opened. "M' name's...no' Jonathan. I's Jack...Cap'n Jack...Sparrow."
Tawodigola'A shook her head, setting her jaw firmly. "You are the Marquis of Sotherland, Lord Jonathan Tsitla'nuwa Naffaugh, reported lost on the HMS Valiant in 1689. You are my son. With my own hand I tied that silver mandella in your forelock on the day you were born before you were yet dry."
Jack tried to think fast, but his throat pained him, and his mind was still foggy. "Took tha'...prize...from merchant captain. 'f yer not...goin' hang me, madam...be on...my way....have...ship to run." He tried to get up but fell back on the pillow, quietly moaning. "Jamie, ye...didn't tie...rope cor...rectly."
Norrington smiled apologetically. "No, I didn't. I did not wish your neck to break. I have seen many men hanged; the look in the eyes of those whose necks break but remain conscious is one of silent agony; they take twice as long to die. I thought to save you from that."
"Don't know...whether...thank you...or not, but...for the kind...thought, mate. As to bein'...your son...Madam...I'm not. Me mum...was...gypsy queen...me da was...right fine pirate."
Norrington nodded thoughtfully. "That IS how the story goes. But, since YOU wrote many of your stories yourself, Jack, there is small reason to believe any of them without proof. The story never mentioned WHICH pirate was your father, and there have been no other pirates named 'Sparrow', so I have my own doubts as to its veracity."
The Duchess of Davenport inclined her head in agreement. "I am sure it is a romantic story, but you look far too much like your father did when the portrait you stole was painted, you ARE our son Lord Jonathan. I am very sorry that I did not recognize you before you were hanged. Elizabeth shall be quite happy that you have been found. She never did get married, you see."
Jack summoned all his lung power to rasp out his anger. "I'm...bloody pirate...and scallywag...unrepentant...one at that...Hang me...be done with it!" He grimaced and clutched his throat in pain.
The Governor's wife smiled and kissed his forehead again. She leaned very close and moved her lips to whisper in Jack's ear. "I know why you deny your heritage, Jonathan, dearest. You always DID detest our decision to betroth you to Elizabeth. But you are a man grown, adult now. Things have changed." She stood up and backed off a bit to watch him.
Jack looked into Tawodigola'A's beautiful, black eyes so much like his own, and let his voice drop back to a painful whisper. "How so?"
His imperious mother sat up, grinning in triumph. "I knew it. Yes, my little Tsigili, things HAVE changed. Elizabeth is quite beautiful now, and you shall be glad to have her as your wife." She stood and rang for Dominic.
"Yes, Your Grace?"
"Dominic, have any of the guards from the fort come by since I arrived home?"
"Yes, Your Grace. They have a man in chains with them."
"Please show them up here, Dominic."
"Very good, Your Grace."
As Dominic left, Jack's eyes moved questioningly to Norrington, who shrugged. As Jack was about to ask what his mother was up to, there was a knock at the door.
"Enter."
Two guards entered, leading a very confused but docile Will Turner in chains between them.
* - * - *
TBC
A/N: So what do you think so far? Hit that REVIEW button and let me know!
Author: Hellborne (the_ferret_mom@yahoo.com)
Age Rating: 13+
Disclaimer: Characters, Percy, Tawodigola'A, Dominic, and the OTHER Elizabeth mine. Anyone you saw in the movie, not mine. See the Mouse and Johnny Depp. Story, mine, but I make no money. They do, but not on this.
Typing convention: / is used for thoughts. * - * - * is used for scene changes and passages of time.
Summary: Four years after the movie, the Black Pearl fires on Port Royal, the new governor wants Jack dead, Commodore Norrington tries to save him and fails, Jack finds himself on the gallows again, but it's all a misunderstanding really.
Warnings: Loads of Sparrow-Torture. H/C to the max. Angst, Romance
Betas: The two greatest BetaGoddesses in the world, Pendragginink and Littlebird! You're both truly magnificent, and I wouldn't be able to write half as well without you!
NOTE: I live for reviews. Being quite depressed lately about my health and missing my job, I could really use some reviews...and don't think I'm begging for cudos! I happen to love flames and constructive criticism just as much and sometimes more! Lord knows, without constructive criticism, I'd have never fixed some of the boo-boos I've made!
* - * - * - * - * - * - * - *
Chapter 7 - Out of the Frying Pan
Jack's body dropped suddenly just as the Duchess reached him; she managed to catch his head and shoulders, his dead weight carrying her with him to the ground where he lay sprawled like a marionette without strings. She deftly withdrew an ornate knife from the lace of the half-sleeve of her gown, cutting through the tightened noose as if it were made of butter.
She cradled Jack's head and shoulders in her arms, holding him to her breast. She moved the hair out of his face and kissed his forehead. "Please wake up, Jonathan. PLEASE!" There was no sign of life from Jack; limp, he made no sound, blood trickled from his nose and mouth. She used the hem of her gown to wipe it away. Norrington suddenly there by her side, felt for a pulse at Jack's neck, jerking his hand away suddenly at the slick feel of blood where the rope had cut cruelly into the pirate's neck. He took up a wrist, dismayed to find he had grabbed the one with the brand proclaiming Jack Sparrow a pirate and a criminal. The commodore held his breath and the wrist for long seconds until relief flooded through him.
"There's a pulse. He's alive. Guards!" Murtogg and Mulroy rushed to his call. "Take Mr. Sparrow to the Governor's Mansion and put him to bed. Stay with him, do not let him out of your sight. And mind his neck."
The two guards acquired a stretcher, placed Jack on it gently, supervised by the Duchess who watched silently while they carried him from the square.
She called Norrington over to her. "Commodore, have the best doctor in Port Royal at the mansion within ten minutes or you shall take my son's place on the gallows."
"Your son, Your Grace?"
"Yes, my son." Her eyes met the Commodore's evenly; he swallowed hard, involuntarily. There was more warmth in the gaze of a snake. "You know I will do it; do not tarry, sir," her whisper barely audible.
Norrington believed it. He dashed from the square.
Tawodigola'A turned and walked purposefully back to where her husband stood in shock. She stroked his cheek lovingly, tears in her eyes, but smiling. "Our dear son Jonathan has returned to us, my love."
The Duke came out of his stunned reverie. "Are you quite positive, my love? THAT ruffian is OUR Jonathan?"
"Yes, Percy. It is obvious to me now why he stole the portrait: he looks very much like you did when you were his age, Sweet, but for all the extra hair he has. For some reason, he did not wish to be recognized, though he kept the mandella I gave him as a babe, and wears it in a place of honor. I only wish I knew why he did not send word; why he did not come home."
The Duke kissed Tawodigola'A's hands; she pecked him gently on the cheek. "Stay here and watch the rest of the spectacle, Percy. Any pirates we may have from the Black Pearl are to be put back in their cells. I believe Jonathan is strong-willed like you and stubborn like my father, so we shall need some leverage if we are to keep him. I am sure that one of the miscreants from the Black Pearl is the key to Jonathan's cooperation."
"Very good, my dearest Kamama. See to our boy. I would speak to him when he awakens."
Tawodigola'A nodded and left, their driver taking her home as quickly as possible.
* - * - *
The doctor, having repaired Jack's throat injuries as best he could, propped a pillow under his shoulders to keep his head tilted back and the crushed airway open as well as possible. He bent over Jack, a hand on his chest, monitoring the heartbeat, shaking his head slowly in awe at the now healed twin bullet wounds, marveling at the resilience of the man, then nodded and straightened up, folding the blanket over the unconscious patient.
"He'll live, Your Grace, but I cannot promise what he will sound like with his throat injuries. I've done all I can. He needs bed rest and complete quiet."
Jack lay unresponsive, his hair fanned across the pillow, drops of his blood staining the nightshirt that the Duke's majordomo Dominic had dressed him in when he arrived.
Lady Davenport thanked the doctor as he left. She looked at the two guards, then at Norrington. "Commodore, was I informed correctly that Jack Sparrow was the most nefarious pirate in these waters?"
Norrington blushed. "Infuriating, rather, Your Grace. It is his elusiveness that has made him the most wanted pirate in the Caribbean. He actually has no love of bloodshed, preferring instead to depend on his inflated reputation. Oft times, it works. There have been times when it has backfired, but even then he will give quarter to any and all who ask for it, even ferrying them on his own ship to a safe harbor. That is why I actually begged the governor for mercy for him and his crew, Your Grace. Had he been otherwise, I would never have considered it. Jack Sparrow is in a class by himself in the realm of piracy. Beneath all his pomp and posturing of being a pirate, he is a good man."
The Duchess of Davenport nodded, and made to speak, but was interrupted by a slight movement and quiet groaning on the bed.
Jack couldn't help but respond, his voice a wheezing whisper that hurt just hearing it. "Thank you for...compliment, Commo...dore. I don't...feel bad 'bout...anni...versary present...bought you...Lizabeff...though it...got me hanged."
"Jonathan!" Tawodigola'A smiled tearfully and leaned in to kiss Jack's forehead.
Jack's eyes opened. "M' name's...no' Jonathan. I's Jack...Cap'n Jack...Sparrow."
Tawodigola'A shook her head, setting her jaw firmly. "You are the Marquis of Sotherland, Lord Jonathan Tsitla'nuwa Naffaugh, reported lost on the HMS Valiant in 1689. You are my son. With my own hand I tied that silver mandella in your forelock on the day you were born before you were yet dry."
Jack tried to think fast, but his throat pained him, and his mind was still foggy. "Took tha'...prize...from merchant captain. 'f yer not...goin' hang me, madam...be on...my way....have...ship to run." He tried to get up but fell back on the pillow, quietly moaning. "Jamie, ye...didn't tie...rope cor...rectly."
Norrington smiled apologetically. "No, I didn't. I did not wish your neck to break. I have seen many men hanged; the look in the eyes of those whose necks break but remain conscious is one of silent agony; they take twice as long to die. I thought to save you from that."
"Don't know...whether...thank you...or not, but...for the kind...thought, mate. As to bein'...your son...Madam...I'm not. Me mum...was...gypsy queen...me da was...right fine pirate."
Norrington nodded thoughtfully. "That IS how the story goes. But, since YOU wrote many of your stories yourself, Jack, there is small reason to believe any of them without proof. The story never mentioned WHICH pirate was your father, and there have been no other pirates named 'Sparrow', so I have my own doubts as to its veracity."
The Duchess of Davenport inclined her head in agreement. "I am sure it is a romantic story, but you look far too much like your father did when the portrait you stole was painted, you ARE our son Lord Jonathan. I am very sorry that I did not recognize you before you were hanged. Elizabeth shall be quite happy that you have been found. She never did get married, you see."
Jack summoned all his lung power to rasp out his anger. "I'm...bloody pirate...and scallywag...unrepentant...one at that...Hang me...be done with it!" He grimaced and clutched his throat in pain.
The Governor's wife smiled and kissed his forehead again. She leaned very close and moved her lips to whisper in Jack's ear. "I know why you deny your heritage, Jonathan, dearest. You always DID detest our decision to betroth you to Elizabeth. But you are a man grown, adult now. Things have changed." She stood up and backed off a bit to watch him.
Jack looked into Tawodigola'A's beautiful, black eyes so much like his own, and let his voice drop back to a painful whisper. "How so?"
His imperious mother sat up, grinning in triumph. "I knew it. Yes, my little Tsigili, things HAVE changed. Elizabeth is quite beautiful now, and you shall be glad to have her as your wife." She stood and rang for Dominic.
"Yes, Your Grace?"
"Dominic, have any of the guards from the fort come by since I arrived home?"
"Yes, Your Grace. They have a man in chains with them."
"Please show them up here, Dominic."
"Very good, Your Grace."
As Dominic left, Jack's eyes moved questioningly to Norrington, who shrugged. As Jack was about to ask what his mother was up to, there was a knock at the door.
"Enter."
Two guards entered, leading a very confused but docile Will Turner in chains between them.
* - * - *
TBC
A/N: So what do you think so far? Hit that REVIEW button and let me know!