The Map

Another chapter, same disclaimer but please read notes at the end when you are finished with this chapter. Thanks..

Chapter 45
Becoming a Sparrow

Nell clutched the railings; her face was wet as she stared at the stern of the Reclamation as it gradually grew smaller as the further away it got.

“Certain you’re on the right ship, lass?” came a wicked slur from beside her.

“Oh, absolutely,” she sniffed and took the proffered square of off white cloth Jack held out to her. “I’m being silly; but these last few weeks have seemed like my entire life if you know what I mean. It’s as if you, James, Josh, Will and Elizabeth have always been in my life. Watching them leave now, with no knowing when we’ll see them again makes me sad.”

“You’re not being silly,” Jack said quietly and slung his arm around her shoulders. “You’ve not had a family before now.”

“But now I do, don’t I?” Nell gave the Reclamation one last look and then turned to Jack. “You and the Pearl are my family now aren’t you?”

“Aye,” he grinned at her. “Talking of family…” He drew her away from the railings and towards the steps that lead to the quarterdeck. “Have you thought more on your brother?”

“No,” she shook her head. “It’s at the back of my mind and every so often I remember about him, but that’s all.”

“Have you realised that he’s going to learn of you sooner or later.” Jack stopped by the base of the steps and turned to her. “Word is going to spread once Norrington makes his report about Beaumont and De Mornay. It’ll only be a matter of time before someone makes the link between the four of you and informs him.”

“I hadn’t really thought…” she stopped narrowing her eyes as she watched a sailor scaling the rigging with ease as the sails were unfurled. “I suppose I’ll have to go soon then; just to put it to rest. I don’t know how I feel though; I don’t feel anything for him and I don’t really know who I am… Montilice? De Mornay? Wearing?”

“I would imagine you are Wearing,” he said quietly and letting go of her he headed up the steps to the quarterdeck with Nell on his heels. “It would stand to reason. I have no idea where Montilice comes from; he may have answers that no one else can give you.”

“I may not even be Helen!” Nell laughed but Jack heard the lost tone in her voice easily.

“That had also crossed my mind,” he allowed softly; he indicated for Peters to leave the wheel and then took his place. He looked back as Nell settled herself against the railings and stared straight up at the sky. “But I rather think you are a Helen. Nell suits you, it rolls off the tongue really well, and that’s all that matters to me.”

“It’s Greek,” Nell mused still looking skyward. “Means sun, or something like that; I remember reading it was the name of the daughter of the Greek god Zeus; Helen of Troy.”

“The face that launched a thousand ships…” Jack murmured. “Appropriate considering you’re going to be spending the rest of your life living on one.”

Nell laughed and looked across at him. “Yes, Helen must be my real name.”

“Of course, thinking on it…” Jack checked his compass and looked back towards the rapidly diminishing Reclamation. “Your last name can easily be remedied.”

“I suppose he will know,” she allowed. “I’m not that desperate to know; it can wait awhile.”

“I was thinking more on choosing a new one. Sparrow would fit quite well.”

Nell went silent as she stared at the back of his head. Was he really saying what she thought he was saying? A tiny thrill of hope made her grip the rails tighter.

He looked back over his shoulder at her, black eyes glittering as he arched an eyebrow at her. “Nell Sparrow has a nice ring to it, don’t you agree?”

“What do you mean?” she asked forcing the words through a throat that had suddenly gone quite dry.

“I was meaning that it’s high time I made an honest woman of you, considering your past predilections.”

“You’d marry me?” her whispered words caught and tossed out to sea by the wind, but Jack heard them all the same and he turned slightly to hold out his hand to her.

“Well, yes, if you marry me of course; I’m not much into one-sided agreements.”

“But… I mean… you’re… I didn’t think you wanted to be married to anyone but the Pearl or the sea.”

“Neither did I.” He shrugged and waved his hand at her to join him. “But then I met you and I have since re-adjusted my thinking on the matter.” Nell let go of the railings and stepped closer to him, taking his hand in hers.

“But how? I mean the church won’t…”

“No, but all we need is a Captain or the Commodore.”

“James?”

“Aye, he’s acting Captain while he’s aboard the Reclamation and that’s good enough for me.”

Nell grinned at him, the look in his black, wicked eyes was enough to tell her that he not only meant every word he said to her, but that he was intent on it happening quickly.

“And you can catch them up?”

He sent her a look of pity and sighed heavily. “Nell, darlin’, this is the Black Pearl.”

“Well, in that case then, Captain Jack Sparrow, take us to the Reclamation and to the Commodore. I’ve a mind to become a Sparrow,” she grinned up at him.

He returned the grin widely, gold teeth glittering as his eyes sparkled with amusement and happiness. “Then take this off,” he replied and held out one hand, wiggling his finger. She looked down at the ring that sat on his finger, it was a black stone engraved with a ship that was clearly the Pearl.

“Not that one, it’s your…”

“Take it; you have my heart, have my ring,” he urged her gently. “Unless of course you’d like a proper band of gold.”

“No, this one is perfect.” Nell slid the ring from his finger but he took it from her before she could put it on and placed it in his pocket.

“When you’re mine,” Jack reached forwards and stroked her cheek briefly before placing his hand back on the wheel.

“I’m already yours,” she replied quietly and leant forwards to kiss him. “I think I always was.” He closed his eyes and sighed before straightening up and catching hold of her left hand, he drew the plain gold band from her finger. “Tis only my ring that’ll sit there now,” he muttered and then placing the ring in her palm he winked at her.

Nell looked down at where the band had sat; the skin was white against the tan the sun had given her. She hadn’t realised she was as brown as she was but she liked it.

“One more thing, my sweet; I’m not in a mind to marry a cabin boy, although having said that, no one looking at you with two eyes would think you were a boy…” he leered down at her, one hand snaking around to squeeze her behind, making her laugh as she swatted his hand away.

“I’m sure Lady Clarence will have something that would fit…” Nell laughed and scooted away from his wandering hand. She went towards the steps and stopped when he called her name.

“It’s not the makings of a young girl’s dreams,” he said quietly, wondering if she would prefer a church wedding under the eyes of a priest. “It won’t exactly be a church wedding…”

“Jack.” She came towards him and stopped right beside him. “I don’t want a church wedding, I don’t want dreams… I just want to be with you, in any way I can. With or without a marriage.” She spoke the words clearly, giving him a way out if he wanted to take it.

“I want you to be Nell Sparrow; I want to know that you’re mine in every possible way. I’m a pirate, greedy by nature, and the Lord knows when it comes to you, I’m more than greedy. I want you, all of you, for as long as I can have you.” His tone was serious and his eyes held the truth for her to see. “I’ll tie you to me with marriage vows…” He suddenly grinned wickedly at her. “And given the chance I’ll tie you to my bed as well.”

Nell laughed even as she blushed under his suggestive leer. “That sounds… like a plan.” She stretched onto tip-toes and kissed him quickly before darting back to the steps.

“It’s a promise!” he shouted after her laughing. He adjusted the wheel and shouted orders to the crew to bring the ship around. He watched Nell disappear below deck as Hock and Gibbs made their way up to the helm to find out what was wrong.

“Nothing, gentlemen,” Jack grinned. “We have a Commodore to catch.”

“Why?” asked Gibbs, clearly unhappy to be chasing after the King’s Navy.

“He’s going to marry us,” he said quietly, and watched their expressions closely for their feelings. “Me and Nell, that is, not you and me.” Hock showed surprise and then delight at the news, but as he expected Gibbs was unsure.

“You’re going to marry the lass?” he asked him doubtfully.

“Indeed; you have a concern over this?” Jack waited, his face showing none of his reactions to Gibbs.

“Marry as in, remaining faithful to just ‘er for the rest of yer life? As in binding yerself to ‘er with chains of gold?”

“I understand that to be the usual procedures of marriage, yes,” Jack slurred a glint of humour beginning to show in his eyes.

“But won’t ye grow bored?” Gibbs asked carefully. “I mean no disrespect to the young lass, but she ain’t no lady from Tortuga. She won’t take too kindly to yer roving eye, Jack.”

“It won’t be roving,” Jack said simply and looked at Hock closely.

“No, it won’t will it?” Hock nodded his head, understanding Jack perfectly. “You don’t need to rove do you? You’ve found what you want and that’s all there’ll ever be for you.”

Jack didn’t say anything, he didn’t have to; Hock understood because he had experienced it. Not for the first time Jack found himself pitying Gibbs, for he had no understanding of what both men had discovered.

“We have a ship to catch, gentlemen, all hands to the task.”

Hock grinned again and bounded back down the steps whistling loudly while Gibbs followed behind grumbling all the way.

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Norrington blinked and sat down heavily; Elizabeth gave a cry of happiness and kissed Jack’s cheek; Will gave Jack a sneaky smile that promised Jack he was in for some ribbing later on; Bryant hid his hurt behind a smiling façade that Norrington saw through immediately but no one else seemed to.

“And this is to take place when exactly?” Norrington asked quietly, half of him was feeling for Bryant while the other half of him was feeling quite happy, happier than he should feel about someone marrying a pirate, let alone Nell who he had grown very fond of. And if he had three halves, then he was sure the third half of him was feeling trepidation for Nell’s future, but he didn’t have three halves and so he thrust those thoughts ruthlessly to the back of his mind.

“As soon as you can make your way aboard the Pearl.” Jack swayed on his feet and then grinned happily. “There’ll be drinks after, of course!”

“Count me in,” Bryant said gamely and thrust his hand towards Jack in friendship. “Wouldn’t turn down a free drink.”

Jack took his hand and winked at him. “Nell’ll be pleased you’re there.”

“I hope she’s not wearing those britches!” Elizabeth suddenly said horrified at the thought.

“Well, I suggested to her that she shouldn’t be wearing them either, but on account of other people being present we struck a compromise and she’s borrowing something from Lady Clarence.”

Elizabeth hit his arm lightly at his words and shook her head. “Are you ever serious Jack Sparrow?”

“About Nell? Completely,” he replied looking at her sideways.

Bryant nodded his head in satisfaction and stuck his hands behind his back. He would live with it as long as he knew she was cared for, and with Sparrow, he had no doubts about that.

“Well, then, let’s be heading aboard the Pearl. Inform Captain Gillette that he is to remain here and for goodness sake, don’t’ tell him what’s a foot yet.” Norrington spoke to Bryant who grinned in reply and saluted him as he went out.

“I’m sure those two are related, they like nothing better than annoying each other,” Elizabeth said sharply.

“Or rather, Mister Bryant knows what an idiot Gillette is; knows he’d make a much better Captain and lives for the day he will be Captain. While Gillette who also knows what a fine Captain, Bryant would make, but also knows he’s one step above him and likes to rub his nose in it, so to speak.” Jack’s hands danced as he spoke. “I almost feel sorry for Gillette.”

“Captain Gillette?” asked Elizabeth with an arched eyebrow.

“Bryant’s more than a match for Gillette,” Jack replied casually. “Now I must head back and try to find something that’s not torn or dirty.” He looked down at himself and shrugged. “Although I think I look pretty damn fine really.”

“Jack Sparrow!” Elizabeth was mortified as she headed straight for him. “Don’t you even think of marrying Nell without even so much as washing!”

“Washing?” Jack looked faintly horrified. “I don’t think it calls for such drastic measures as that, Elizabeth my love.” He watched her fold her arms a determined glint entered her eyes and he laughed ducking for the door.

“Jack!” She headed after him as he shot out the door with a wicked laugh.

“He loves to annoy her doesn’t he?” Norrington said calmly from behind his table.

“He likes playing with fire!” Will replied with a tired laugh.

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Nell gaped at her reflection. “Who is that?” she murmured.

“That, my dear, is you,” Lady Clarence spoke with self-satisfied pleasure. She had raided her trunks and come up with a dress that she thought would suit Nell perfectly and, as she suspected, she was exactly right. It was a satin dress in emerald green; a low cut bodice accentuated the slimness of her waist, which was made slimmer by the corset that Lady Clarence had tied her into. The waist was pointed and then flared out into a full skirt that rustled every time Nell moved, it was slightly too long as Lady Clarence was taller than Nell, but it didn’t look out of place.

“It’s…it’s beautiful… but… Lord, how do you breathe in this?” Nell was struggling to breathe in the tight corset, but Lady Clarence had insisted that it couldn’t be any looser.

“Well, to be frank, you don’t; not deeply anyway,” Lady Clarence bustled towards her and fiddled with the ringlets that were cascaded down the back of Nell’s head. She had used a diamond pin that she had brought with her to pin her hair up and it caught the light beautifully. “And don’t eat to much either.”

“Not eat?” Nell turned to her in horror. “But I’m starving!”

“You can eat, just not too much,” Lady Clarence replied and took the opportunity to arrange the curls around her face. “I knew you were pretty, Nell, but seeing you like this… you are actually quite beautiful.”

“I feel beautiful in this,” Nell admitted quietly and looked back into the mirror. “I wonder what Jack will think…”

“What most men think,” replied Lady Clarence briskly. “How do I remove the dress as quickly as possible?”

“Lady Clarence!” Nell blushed at the frankness of her words, her eyes met the older woman’s in the mirror; there was a sparkly of fun in her eyes but more than that, there was happiness and contentment in her face and it made her beautiful. “You really love Hock, don’t you?”

“With all my heart,” Lady Clarence replied quietly. “I never knew love was possible; oh, I knew all about passion, not that I had ever experienced it myself of course, but I was aware that it existed and, to be frank, it disgusted me. But Hock…? I’ll never meet another man like him and I intend on keeping him. Oh, and call me Tilly… Lady Clarence isn’t who I am anymore.”

“Names don’t mean anything do they?” Nell said slowly, once again looking at her reflection in the mirror. “You can call yourself anything you like, but it’s what’s inside that counts.”

“I’ll never be Tilly Hock;” she replied sadly. “At least not legally, but in my heart… I’ll be Hock’s till I die.”

“What’s Hock’s first name?” asked Nell after a few moments of silence had passed as both women reflected on her words.

“Thomas,” she replied quietly and smiled secretly at something only she knew about. A knock on the door drew both their attentions.

“What is it?” called Tilly as she once again began arranging the curls around Nell’s face.

“We’ve reached the Reclamation, Tilly, Elizabeth wants to see you both,” called Hock’s voice sending a wash of colour into Tilly’s face.

“Oh, my yes!” she called out and headed to the door. “Don’t you dare look in here, Mister Hock!”

“Not on my life, Tilly,” he laughed and she heard his heavy footsteps as he went away. She opened the door as Elizabeth came down the corridor holding her dress up slightly with one hand and holding something else in her other hand.

“You look…” she stopped as she stared at Nell. Tilly bustled her in and shut the door behind her and locking it before she turned.

“She does, doesn’t she?” said the older woman with pride as she gazed at Nell.

“I’ve never worn a dress like this,” Nell blushed.

“Then it shall be the something borrowed.” Elizabeth bustled forwards. “Do you have the other things covered?”

“I beg your pardon?”

”Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?” Elizabeth repeated the old tradition for a bride and smiled at the blank look on Nell’s face.

“It’s for good luck!” Tilly supplied. “Do you have anything new?”

Nell shook her head at them and Elizabeth stepped forwards and held out her hands. “This is the only thing I could find that was blue… Jack’ll enjoy finding that!” She lifted a blue garter up and Nell giggled slightly. She let them slip the garter up her leg and then rearrange the dress.

“This could pass for old!” Lady Clarence indicated the pin in her hair. “All we need is something new.”

“Jack’s ring will be new,” Nell said quietly. “It’ll be new to me anyway.”

“That will have to do,” Tilly adjusted the bodice once more and then sighed happily. “Well, you’re as ready as you can be, although you look more like your first season than getting married. But it can’t be helped.”

“You look beautiful,” Elizabeth corrected her. “And anything is an improvement on those britches.”

“They’re a lot more comfortable, though.” Nell laughed and immediately regretted it when her chest wouldn’t expand within the tight confines of the dress.

“Don’t overexert yourself,” reprimanded Tilly. “I’ll go and find out if they are ready for you yet.” She bustled out of the room leaving Elizabeth alone with Nell.

“I was wrong,” Elizabeth said quietly and straightened her own dress. “When I warned you about Jack I was wrong. I’m glad you didn’t listen to me.”

“It was already too late for me,” Nell admitted. “I already loved him, although I didn’t realise it just then.”

“He is easy to love isn’t he?” Elizabeth looked at Nell sideways. Nell looked at her in surprise at her words and Elizabeth shook her head in denial. “Oh no, I don’t mean love as in that kind of love. I’ll never love another man the way I love Will; just that Jack is a rogue who steals his way into your affections before you even realise you like him.”

Tilly poked her head around the door and beamed at them.

“They’re ready and I have to say I’ve never seen Captain Sparrow so tidy.”

Nell’s eyebrows arched at the news and her curiosity was piqued. “He’s changed?”

“He’s… well… come and see for yourself. You won’t believe me, I can tell you!”

Nell and Elizabeth exchanged amused glances and they left the cabin; Nell moving as quickly as he corset would allow her.

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Jack sighed and rolled his eyes as he stared up at the sky above him. Half the crew were watching from various perches on the rigging and the other half were watching from their posts and it made Jack feel like an insect under inspection.

Norrington was standing beside Bryant with a book in his hands and they were discussing, heatedly, the contents in whispers; but Jack could still understand the gist of what they were disagreeing over and it didn’t fill him with confidence.

He swaggered over pulling at the white cuffs that showed at the end of the burgundy coat he was wearing. He hardly ever aired the outfit he was wearing; but today seemed like a good reason and he had even washed slightly; just too appease Elizabeth of course. His britches were as black as night and tucked into boots that were black and reached his knees; his shirt was crisp and white and opened part way down his chest. His coat was burgundy with embroidered gold detailing and fitted him like a glove; his hair was still in the same knots and braids with his charms and various other items attached, but he had exchanged the dirty red bandana for a clean burgundy one that matched his coat. He wore no hat and only a sword at his waist; one that Will had fashioned for him.

Norrington looked up as he came over and did a double take, even though he had already seen Jack. He blinked and shook his head as he took in the very handsome pirate in front of him.

“Gentlemen.” Jack stopped in front of them and swayed slightly as his hands danced. “What seems to be the problem?”

Bryant cleared his throat. “The vows you exchange, we’re uncertain as to where to start.”

“You’re uncertain as to where to start,” Norrington corrected him calmly. “I know exactly where to start.”

“With all due respect this is hardly a church wedding. Cut straight to the vows and no one will be bored.”

“Mister Bryant!” Norrington blinked at him. “This is a sacred state they are entering into and not one to be taken lightly. I rather think that the entire order is needed.”

Jack took the book from Norrington and quickly scanned the text on the pages. “I’m with Mister Bryant on this one, cut straight to the vows. I’m marrying her, not boring her to death with half the Old Testament.”

“She was a nun, Jack, I don’t think the bible will bore her.” Norrington replied curtly.

“Was, emphasis on was, James,” Jack slurred. “I just want to marry her, start at the vows and for pity’s sake don’t try the Latin parts.”

“I could do them,” Bryant offered with a glint in his eye.

“Aye, and I’ll tip you overboard,” Jack replied with a grin and hearing a commotion at the entrance to the cabin realised that Nell had come out. “Time’s nigh,” he muttered and pulled at the shirt by his neck swallowing hard.

He turned to face Nell and stopped dead, his hand drifted downwards as he stared at her. She was standing in the entrance blushing at something Hock was saying to her; her eyes were on Hock as she stared up at him. Will and the Governor were stood at the side of Hock and the looks on their faces showed their delight at seeing Nell dressed up.

“Bloody hell.” Jack heard a muttered curse from beside him and realised that Bryant was as affected as he was.

“Indeed,” Norrington added and Jack grinned with male pride. She was indeed beautiful; in fact he could say with all honesty that he had never seen a more beautiful creature than Nell, and she was all his.

She stepped forwards and the crew whistled appreciatively making her colour up even more as she looked around her. She saw Jack and she did her own double-take and Jack was suddenly glad he had taken the time to clean himself up somewhat.

She seemed to glide towards him and although he was aware Elizabeth and Lady Clarence were behind her he took notice of them; he was completely unable to tear his gaze away from Nell, not that he wanted to try. Jack walked towards her and held out his hand, aware of a small tendril of doubt that curled into the pit of his stomach. She was beautiful, regal, and her place was in society with the likes of Lady Clarence, not on a pirate ship scrubbing the brightworks and wearing britches that made her look like a cabin boy.

“You look beautiful,” he whispered. “You’re radiant.”

“You look quite fine yourself,” she replied with a grin. “What a fine pair we make; we should have someone draw us because I am never going to wear a corset again!” Jack felt himself settle inside; he’d lost sight of Nell beneath the exterior she presented, but her words and the glint in her eyes brought him to his senses. She was Nell, his Nell, his little ex-nun; she could be an enormous pain in the rear at times but he knew there’d never be another woman for him now. He turned towards Norrington and grinning smugly he indicated for him to continue.

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Jack had told her that it wouldn’t be a dream wedding; but he was wrong, it had been better than anything she could have planned. They had exchanged vows in front of the entire crew of the Pearl and then, when Jack had caught her to him and kissed her, shouts of delight had gone up from the crew. Peters and Timms had taken up their accordion and fiddle and music had rung out with most of the crew dancing and drinking. Nell had been surprised to see similar actions on the Reclamation, but Jack had told her that with most sailors, any chance for some enjoyment was never passed over.

The dancing and singing had lasted for quite awhile, until Soames, Jimmy and Dwent had come up onto the deck bringing with them a large plate. Nell had cried when they had placed the plate before her and she had seen the cake that they had hastily made for them. Soames had gruffly told her that it was no wedding cake but that he had used a sugar paste to coat it and slices of fruit to decorate it. Nell had kissed each of them, telling them she had never seen a more beautiful cake; and she hadn’t, because this one was made with affection, loyalty and devotion and nothing could compare with that.

Eventually the evening had drawn to a close and Norrington and the others had once more left for the Reclamation and raised anchor to make way to Port Royal. Nell stood with Jack’s arms around her waist as she watched the Reclamation leaving; she leant her head back against him and sighed.

“Tired?” he murmured in her ear.

“Pleasantly so,” she replied and turning her face kissed his jaw line. “It couldn’t have been more wonderful if we’d married in St. Paul’s and had cake in the King’s palace.”

Jack chuckled and looked down at her. “Soames did exceed himself didn’t he?”

“I’ve never felt more at home; that I belong here,” she turned onto her side and faced him.

“You’re home, Nell Sparrow, with me,” he whispered and pulled her towards him.

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A/N: Okay, I’d just like to clarify before I offend anyone out there; yes, I know that legally, Sea Captains can’t legally marry anyone and that it’s just a very well known myth. If you want to check out the story behind the myth, then goggle ‘marry at sea’ and have a very interesting read. I just wanted Norrington to marry them as it would be the only way they could marry and so I have dispensed with real legal laws.

Having said that; I hope you enjoyed it anyway. There are still a few more chapters to come, along with an epilogue… because I do so love epilogues.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and sent lovely emails. It means a lot.
Take care of yourselves and have a great week.