How about some love for Norrington this time around, eh? I'll try a start there. 🙂
Cut to Beckett's ship. He's eyeing the goings on from a fair distance, with a telescope in hand. He turns to Mercer.
Beckett: I think I may have been right about that one, Mercer. One sight of the lady and he's lost his backbone.
Mercer: What's one more man to kill?
Beckett: Unfortunately we still need him... alive. Or have you forgotten the other half of the plan?
Mercer: (looking annoyed) No. You forgot to TELL me the other half of the plan.
Beckett: So I did. Let's just say it's a matter of leverage.
Back to Will's ship (or Barbossa's, whatever).
Will has pulled Elizabeth aside.
Elizabeth: Will, I'm sorry I've dragged us into this.
Will: You haven't. We all chose willingly.
Elizabeth: But what are we to do? We must abandon the mission...
Will: (pulls her closer, looks into her eyes) I know your heart, Elizabeth. You would torment yourself with this forever, if we didn't make every effort to save Jack. I've pledged myself to you--- I will do what it takes to bring you peace, no matter what the cost.
Elizabeth continues gazing in his eyes, and leans forward, kissing him lingeringly.
Elizabeth: I don't deserve you, Will.
Will: None of that matters. I'm yours, and you're mine. Does that poor band of soldiers really think they can stop two people in love?
Cut back to Beckett's ship. Beckett is discussing plans with his officers. Suddenly, a guard approaches, dragging a young lady by the arm. She is rolling her eyes and appears completely unruffled. She looks to be in her early 20s, pretty, with strong features, dressed in men's clothing. Beckett looks up, annoyed.
Beckett: What is it, Carson? If you haven't noticed, we're on the verge of an attack.
Carson: I'm afraid we have another stowaway, my lord.
Beckett: I thought we got rid of all the rats the last time the ship was cleaned.
Carson: My apologies. We found her sneaking around the storage holds.
Lady: (shrugging casually) Even a rat has to eat.
Beckett: (in disgust) Don't address me in that manner. (To Carson) What's her name?
Carson: My lady, what's --
Lady: I heard the question. Anne Sloan. Don't you remember, Beckett? My husband sailed with you on your last mission and was killed. You refused to give me the compensation due to a widow of the crown, and I was forced to give up my land and title. I'm here to collect my compensation.
Beckett: Ah... Mistress Sloan. Your husband was a very poor sailor.
Anne: But he was human nonetheless, and served you faithfully.
Beckett: I don't have time for this. (To Anne) There will be no compensation, Mistress.
Anne: No wonder half of your empire has turned to piracy.
Beckett: Yes, and will hang for it. That's half as many mouths to feed.
Anne: (glaring at him) I take my leave, then, gentlemen.
Anne wrenches her arm free of the guard, and climbs overboard, swimming with strong strokes towards Will's ship in the distance, which is clearly flying pirate colors.
I'll be posting, don't worry. 😄 I've just got to find some small amount of time where I can actually write something more than a small post like this one. 😄
But I'm confused....how many ships are there? I thought there were three, but now there's Beckett and his armada out there too? And Elizabeth is in love with Will at this point, right? Not Jack? I'm a bit confused about that. 😛
I think I took it all as, Elizabeth has made a decision to love Will, even though deep down in that heart, she has some major feelings for Jack she is squelching. Of course, Will is wonderful and there is no reason she shouldn't love him, so in the crisis of heart and the confusing of mind, she made a choice to marry him and commit herself to him. Think how vulnerable she was at the end of DMC--- she needs protection right now, she needs to be with someone who supports her 100%, ya know? Seeing Jack is likely to rouse other feelings back up though.
I thought Norrington said something about how they were all surrounded by Beckett and his men. That's what I was going off of. That, and a desire to introduce a Norrington love interest.
Cant wait to read the next bit!
OK, I'm probably going to be hated by doing this. But we have start over from where I last posted. I'm gonna give this a shot then I have to go to church.
(The crew are still undecided on who will be the first to surrender. There is a lot of tension within the room.)
(Foot steps are heard coming down the steps. Norrington lowers his head)
Beckett: Commodore, I assumed you were bringing them in with irons grasped around their wrists. What has taken you?
Norrington: The wench was stubborn.
(Beckett stares at Elizabeth up and down. Her hair is a muss, her face covered with dirt. Clothes almost shredded. And her eyes shows of that of a determined woman. Correction, pirate)
Beckett: (walks towards Elizabeth) Your father doesn't know on your whereabouts. I would hate for you to miss what's little time left with your father.
(Elizabeth grabs Beckett from the collar)
Elizabeth: You leave my father out of this!
(Beckett slaps Elizabeth across her cheek)
(Will pushes Beckett)
Will: Keep your hands off of her you bastard--(gets hit with a rifle)
Elizabeth: (runs towards Will) Will!
Beckett: Now, are you going to do this my way, or the ugly way?
(Barbossa sneaks the chart in his coat)
(The crew stays silent)
Beckett: Commodore.
Norrington: Sir?
Beckett: Make sure they all are tied together. Like slaves should be.
(Norrington slightly nods to Beckett's orders and proceeds. Beckett turns around and trusts Norrington to do his work...)
Elizabeth: (whispers to Norrington) I thought you were on our side!
Norrington: (whispers back) Iam! But for now I have to follow his orders! It's the only way for a chance of survival for you and your crew mates.
Elizabeth: What about Will?! He has been hit!
Norrington: He will regain consciousness.
Barbossa: So I suppose we have no choice but ta trust ye?
Norrington: That's all I'm asking you.....for now.
OK. I hope that works. I have to go to church. I hope someone can take it from here.
Actually, chiki, the scene works fine because Kate had it cut to Beckett and the next thing we know, Norrington and Liz are on board. It fits in fine. Hmm, let's see...
(The crew is in the brig. Elizabeth is fiddling with her bonds, just rope instead of chains. Most are tied or shackled to the wall. Most of them are asleep. Finally, she breaks free)
Elizabeth: (whispering) Will! (he sees she's out) Keep a look out. (she crosses over to him, kisses him chastely, then starts untying him)
Will: The others are shackled. We'll need to find a key (he's freed) Thank you.
Gibbs (waking up): Miss Elizabeth! Will! Hurry. See what's happened to the ship.
Will: They've probably either destroyed it or plan on using it for their own shipping routes.
Gibbs: I knew we shouldn't have commandeered that one. Bad luck that one.
(Will and Liz look at him)
Gibbs: T'wasn't named for a lass.
Will: Halcyon? That seemed fine (kind of laughs it off)
Elizabeth: The Black Pearl isn't 'named for a lass.' (goes over to inspect his shackles)
Gibbs: But sounds more like a woman than a man, don't it? No! No, hurry on up and get out of here.
Elizabeth: We can't leave all of you behind.
Gibbs: The Commodore'll help you. Besides, these waters needs those that are daft like Jack to get through.
Will: What do you mean?
Gibbs: The sea goddess Calypso.
(Barbossa wakes up)
Barbossa: What's the old man ramblin' on about?
Gibbs: (ignores him) They say she exists in human form, but every 100 years, returns back to this sea.
Will: For what?
Gibbs: Since Odysseus left her, she left the Med. Sea for eternity and journeyed down here, takin' a lover every few years or so, hopin' for the one worthy of immortality...and the stories say she found one. You know him. Davy Jones.
(Will and Liz look shocked)
Will: Tia Dalma never mentioned...
Gibbs: It wasn't the information we came lookin' for.
Will: (remembering) as harsh as the sea...
Elizabeth: What does this mean for us?
Gibbs: Legend has it Davy Jones fell in love with the sea, or a woman as SHE says. After she saw the monster he became after she left him, she manifested into a human form, only comin' here every 100 years to find the humans she needs for whatever plan she's concoctin.' You'll want to be seein' the condition of the sea up there, ye two. We'll be wantin' to steer clear of her plans.
(Elizabeth looks down at the ground. The only thing resembling a weapon is a bottle, most likely filled with rum. She picks it up.)
Elizabeth: I have an idea. We need to go up there and find Norrington.
Barbossa: I think that's what he was sayin' all along, missy.
Elizabeth: Will, I need your help.
Ok, here I am...sorry it took so long. 😄
For purposes of this post, Beckett and his men are no longer on James' ship, which I shall name The Intrepid. So Beckett is back on his own ship, along with all his men. 😄
-----
ON DECK --- AFTERNOON
(Norringotn is on deck with various EITC sailors. A few recognizable faces are among those gathered there; Groves, Murtogg and Mullroy. They are staring at the drenched, exhausted form of Anne Sloan.)
Norrington: (looks pained to be dealing with such a situation) Do I even want to know about this?
Murtogg: Probably not sir.
(Mullroy elbows him and quickly speaks up.)
Mullroy: Found her floating in the water, sir. Said she came from The Endeavor.
Norrington: (purses his lips and looks irritated) I see.
(He kneels down beside Anne and speaks sharply, though it isn't without concern.)
Norrington: Are you quite well, madam?
Anne: (glares at Norrington) Not more you lot!
Norrington: (politely, but with an edge) I'm sorry?
(Anne sits up, but the sudden movement seems to be too much for her. Lack of sleep, food and the long swim to the ship over-comes her, and she starts to slump back onto the deck in a near-faint. Norrington manages to keep her head from colliding with the decking.)
Norrington: (sighs) I know I'm going to regret this...
(He gently lifts Anne up off the deck and cradles her in his arms, ignoring her feeble struggle to free herself.)
Groves: She can have my cabin, sir. I don't mind bunking with the men.
(Norrington nods and looks a bit relieved that he won't have to put her in his cabin.)
Norrington: Good man. I knew I promoted you for a reason.
(Groves give a toothy grin to Norrington.)
Groves: What shall we do with the prisoners, sir?
Norrington: (smiles faintly) Oh, I'm sure by now that they have managed to formulate an escape plan. Did you have the corridors unmanned?
Groves: (grins) I did, sir. That way they won't have to maim, injure or kill anyone to find you.
Norrington: (snorts, but looks concerned when Anne goes limp in his arms) Send for me if they manage to make it to the deck. And send for the surgeon and some hot tea, please.
( Norrington nods at his men and then carries Anne to the second level of the ship, where the officer's cabins are. Murtogg and Mullroy jump to do Norrington's bidding. Murtogg heads to the galley, Mullroy goes to the surgeon. )
-----
--- BELOW DECKS ---
Will: (speaking softly) Do you find it odd that we haven't found one man on duty yet?
(Will and Elizabeth are making their way through the bowels of the ship, working their way upwards.)
Elizabeth: (looks confused) This isn't like James.
(Will and Elizabeth exchange glances.)
Will: Or is it? Maybe he really is telling the truth.
Elizabeth: Well then...
Will: It's probably safe...
(The two of them look furtively at each other, then share a passionate if brief kiss.)
Will: Barbossa will kill us if he ever finds out about that.
(They share a quick grin and continue walking. They are still cautious, but are a bit more relaxed. )
Elizabeth: Then I guess we should never tell him about it.
( Will is about to reply when he suddenly grabs Elizabeth's arm as they hear footsteps. He steps in front of her and plucks the bottle from her grasp. Mullroy rounds the corner with the surgeon. Mullroy stops while the surgeon continues on his way.)
Mullroy: Thought you'd be here, we did. The commodore's busy with a woman, but I'm sure he can find time to fit you two in.
( Elizabeth and Will gape at him. Mullroy pauses, considers and turns red.)
Mullroy: I think I had better rephrase that...
Will: Please, do.
Mullroy: Er...we found a woman floating in the water. The commodore is seeing about getting her some treatment. He'll meet with you as soon as he's done...er, just follow me.
------
SECOND DECK --- INSIDE GROVES' QUARTERS
(Norrington is standing off to the side while the surgeon helps Anne to drink a glass of brandy.)
Surgeon: This should help revive you, lass. (to Norrington) She seems fine, aside from over-taxing herself. I recommend quiet rest for today and some light food. We don't have much good for patients on board right now, but I think we can spare a chicken to make some broth for her.
Norrington: (nods, his thoughts obviously not entirely on the situation) Thank you. I will see to it that she follows your instructions.
Anne: (is pale but now fully conscious, narrows her eyes at that remark.) I don't think --
Norrington: (sharply as the doctor leaves) What you think doesn't matter.
--------------------------
All right, I leave it up to you guys to pick up where I left off. 😄 Not sure about how to characterize Anne, Kate, so I figured you could pick up on what is bound to be an amusing exchange between James and Anne. 😄
Hope this is ok with all of you. 😄
Okay, so Beckett's ship is The Endeavor and Norrington's is The Intrepid?
(Below deck in the brig)
Barbossa: Where are they? Should have been back by now.
Gibbs: Outrunning the navy might take some time.
Barbossa: No doubt they're off enjoying marital bliss again.
Gibbs: I'll not have ye sayin' such filth about Ms. Elizabeth and Will! (takes a swing but is still chained to the wall)
(Barbossa laughs at him)
CUT TO Mullroy, Will, and Elizabeth
Will: Are you taking us to his cabin?
Mullroy: Something like that.
(enters Groves' cabin where Norrington and Anne are. Anne has passed out.)
Norrington: Good. You're here.
Mullroy: I brought them here.
Norrington: Thank you, Mullroy (dryly)
Elizabeth: James, to tell you the truth, I didn't have much of a plan- incapacitate the guards and get to you to take the ship to our destination.
Norrington: Where is it you plan on going?
Elizabeth: Barbossa has the charts. We're looking for a Sao Feng.
Norrington: You have to be joking.
Will: The only lore that has any living person knowing anything about Davy Jones' Locker is Sao Feng.
Norrington: But he's a pirate!
(Will and Elizabeth look surprised, but not necessarily shocked)
Elizabeth: How does a pirate have dealings with Davy Jones and survive?
Norrington: I don't know. He's only been the most feared pirate on this side of the world, surpassing even names like Hector Barbossa and Jack Sparrow.
Will: We still have to go to him. Release the others and we'll make our way to him.
(Suddenly, Anne summons all her strength and springs from the bed. She pulls out the sash attached to her belt and holds it over Norrington's neck)
Mullroy: Sir! She's alive!
Norrington: I can tell.
Anne: I think this ship is going to turn around and attack the Endeavor. Right now.
Elizabeth: What are you doing? We're on a rescue mission! We can't turn the ship around.
Anne: Suit yourself. (she starts to tighten the sash. Norrington gags slightly)
Will: Why?
Anne: To kill Cutler Beckett and all those who serve him, including this clown here.