Chapter 43:  Betrayal

 

Elizabeth watched in surprise and suspicion when Robin joined the Brethren Court with two men following close behind her.  One was a man wearing a Royal Navy uniform, who looked vaguely familiar, but Elizabeth could not place him.  The other was taller, wearing pirate garb, and very familiar to her—James Norrington.

His wavy brown hair was tied back with a black ribbon and his face had a small amount of stubble, though these details were difficult to focus on given the gashes on his face and the visible part of his arms and chest.  James received some odd and curious from nearly all of the Brethren Court, even more than the man in the Royal Navy uniform.  He also received a harsh glare from Jack.

As she gazed at him intently, James suddenly turned to her, his brow furrowing slightly when he saw that she had been watching him.  Elizabeth smiled slightly at him, but James did not return the gesture as he surveyed the Brethren Court.  Elizabeth looked at Robin and saw that the Pirate King was glaring at her.

Robin briefly introduced the Royal Navy man, a “Captain Gillette,” and Gillette proceeded to quickly explain the latest battle plans of the East India Company.  James stood by rather silently throughout most of the meeting.  He appeared both annoyed that his knowledge was not being used and relieved that he did not have to speak to the pirates.

“And so we reach the decision as to who will join me in the Parlay with Lord Beckett,” Robin said.  She glanced at Elizabeth.  “Captain Turner will join me, as well as Captain Sparrow.”  James leaned forward and whispered something in Robin’s ear.  She hissed something back before saying, “Each of us going to the Parlay can be accompanied by an aide.  Choose wisely.  This meeting is adjourned.”

Elizabeth again watched suspiciously as Robin spoke quietly in James’ ear before she and Gillette turned and left.  James nodded and then walked over to Ragetti.  The two spoke in low voices as the room emptied, and Ragetti left, leaving James and Elizabeth alone.  James did not appear to notice Elizabeth, or was ignoring her, as he headed for the door.

“James.”

James halted in his steps and slowly turned to face her.  “Yes, Captain Turner?”

Elizabeth shook her head.  “You don’t need to address me so formally,” she said with a small smile, walking up to him.  “I wanted to make sure that…that you were all right.”

James arched an eyebrow.  “I haven’t fully recovered, Captain, but I will.”  Elizabeth’s brow furrowed when he again used her title.  “Is there anything else?” he asked after a moment.  “Because, if not, I should return to the Pirate King.”

She was barely able to hold in the sudden urge to scream at him about his relationship with Robin.  “James, why are you working for her?” she exclaimed.  James said nothing.  “I know who she is, James,” Elizabeth said quietly.

“Oh?”

“Miss Elodie.  The woman you rescued.”  James appeared sincerely surprised that Elizabeth remembered this.  “But that woman was a lie!”

James smirked and shook his head.  “Is that what this is all about?  My relationship with Jacqueline?” he asked with an amused smile.

Elizabeth sighed sadly, wondering if James really did not see whom that woman was.  “Robin is cruel.  She uses people, she’s a pirate, she…”

“Sounds quite a bit like you,” James finished, his eyes cold.

Elizabeth stared at James in shock, her mouth hanging open.  “What?”

“Do you not recall accepting my proposal only so that I would go save another man?  Another man you chose to marry, might I add, despite your engagement to me.”  James suddenly smiled broadly.  “Although, perhaps I should be thanking you for that.  If I had married you, I would have no chance for a real relationship with Jacqueline.”

Elizabeth shook her head slightly as she took all this in.  “I care about you, James.  I don’t want to see you hurt by her.”

James stared at her, studying her as he formed a reply.  “Elizabeth, what do you want me to tell you?”  He took a step toward her and lowered his voice.  “What do you want to hear?” he asked.  “That I plan on betraying her?  That I’m really in love with you?”  Elizabeth gazed at him, silent and wide-eyed.  “Because you will never hear that from me.  I don’t know what you want; apparently I never have.  But I know what I want.  And what I want—what I need—does not involve you.”

“James, that’s not what I meant at all,” Elizabeth said quickly.  “I am honestly worried for you.”  Her brow furrowed as James shook his head slightly.  “Robin would betray you in a second if it would suit her purpose—and I have no doubt that she will.”

“No, she won’t.”

Elizabeth gaped at him.  “Don’t let her seduce you into thinking she’s someone—something—she’s not,” Elizabeth hissed.

James licked his lips, suddenly appearing nervous.  “Seduce?”

“You did stay in her room last night,” Elizabeth said quietly.  “I was afraid this would happen…”

James swallowed hard.  “My relationship with Jacqueline is none of your business,” he hissed after a moment.  “Kindly do not pry.”

“I think she’s just jealous.”

The two jumped, turning to see Robin leaning casually against the doorframe.  “She wishes it was she who shared a bed with you last night,” the Pirate King said with a smirk.  So it was true; the two really did have an intimate relationship.  Elizabeth shook her head violently in response to Robin’s accusation, to which Robin arched an eyebrow.  “No?  Don’t tell me you are jealous of James sharing a bed with me, Lizzie.”

It took a moment for Elizabeth to realize the nature of the accusation Robin had made.  “You’re disgusting!” Elizabeth exclaimed in horror.

Robin laughed brightly.  “Good to know you truly hate me.  Shouldn’t you be preparing for your betrayal, Lizzie?” James turned to Elizabeth, his eyes wide.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Elizabeth said smoothly.

Robin smirked, shaking her head as she turned from Elizabeth to James.  “Come on, James.  I want to talk to you in private.”  She smirked again at Elizabeth as she took James by the hand and headed out the door, and doubtlessly to her room, pulling James along behind her.  Elizabeth shook her head sadly.  If James would not listen to her, he would end up hurt again, and there was apparently nothing Elizabeth could do about it.

* * *

Lord Beckett had originally planned to meet on the beach of a nearby island, but decided at the last moment to have the Parlay aboard the Flying Dutchman.  He was certain that his pirate counterpart would be less than thrilled, but if Admiral Norrington had managed to warn the Brethren Court about Calypso, then they would at least understand.  He had left a messenger on the beach to inform them of the change of plans.  Poor man—he would likely be killed upon delivering his message.

“The Pirate Lords are approaching, sir,” a soldier announced.  Beckett nodded, standing slowly from his desk and heading out onto the deck.

Jack was the first to come aboard the Dutchman, followed shortly by Admiral Norrington, who was dressed in such a manner that Beckett honestly had to look twice to recognize him.  But not only that hid his identity—every part of visible skin on his body was covered in cuts and bruises.  Beckett winced, wondering what story was behind those injuries.

Beckett’s heart skipped a beat when he laid eyes on Robin, whom was helped by Norrington from the jollyboat.  She was really alive.  Robin was followed by Mrs. Turner, and two men were left in the boat.

“Welcome aboard the Flying Dutchman,” he drawled, noticing that Mrs. Turner was gazing up at the helm.  A short glance revealed that Mr. Turner was walking down from his place at the wheel.  Beckett looked at Mrs. Turner again and caught a significant look she was giving to her husband.  It did not take long for Beckett to realize that Mrs. Turner planned on betraying the Brethren Court.  That could cause the downfall of the Brethren, given that she was the Pirate King.

Yet when he opened his mouth to speak to Mrs. Turner, Norrington suddenly spoke up rather sharply.  “You will address the Pirate King herself, Lord Beckett.”  Robin smirked as she stepped forward.

“You?” Beckett exclaimed in shock.  This was a very interesting—and quite unexpected—development.

“That does seem to surprise everyone,” Robin commented quietly.  “I must admit, I do not see what good having a Parlay will do either of us.”  Beckett’s brow furrowed slightly as he glanced at Norrington.  Had the Admiral not informed them of who was really in control of the East India Company fleet?

“We’ll speak in my office.”  Beckett turned to Mrs. Turner.  “At least, all of you who wish to remain on the losing side.”

Mrs. Turner looked at Beckett in surprise, and Robin smiled slightly, catching Lord Beckett’s eye as she did so.  Robin knew of Mrs. Turner’s plan as well.  Robin must have some sort of grand overall scheme if she was just going to let one of the Pirate Lords betray them.  “Go on, Lizzie.  Join your husband,” Robin said with a smirk comparable to Beckett’s.

Jack appeared to be the only one who was unaware of Mrs. Turner’s plan of betrayal as she approached her husband, glancing back remorsefully at the Pirate Lords.  “Elizabeth?” Jack said in astonishment as the Turners embraced each other, both appearing regretful about the side they were now both on.

“Now if the remainder of your party would step into my office,” Beckett said, motioning to the door.  “I have a few things to discuss with you.”

* * *

Jack was much less than comfortable going into Lord Beckett’s office, but followed closely behind his daughter and alongside Norrington.  Jack shot a glare at the Admiral, earning an equally hateful look in return.  Jack did not understand his daughter at all.  It was one thing to use the man to satisfy her desires, but it was quite another to trust him so implicitly.

“The outcome of a confrontation between our forces is quite clear,” said Lord Beckett.  “But the Brethren Court’s total destruction is not tasteful for either of us, I’m sure.”

“The best solution would be for both our fleets to simply disband,” Robin said smoothly.  “I admit that I do not desire the complete annihilation of the East India Company.”

Beckett stepped closer to Robin, and Jack took a protective step towards her as well, his eyes narrowed dangerously as he glared at Lord Beckett.  “Do you really believe that you have a chance?  The sea is against you, Robin.”  Robin froze, staring at Beckett intensely, and Jack sensed that there was something underlying Beckett’s words.  “Did Admiral Norrington fail to inform you?” Beckett asked after a moment.  Jack wondered what he meant.

“Regrettably, James has suffered some memory loss.”  Robin eyed Beckett suspiciously.  “Was there something that he was to inform me of?”

Lord Beckett leaned closer to Robin.  Jack wondered why his daughter did not move away as Beckett brushed aside some of her hair and whispered in her ear.  Robin’s eyes grew cold and she nodded, briefly glancing down at her left arm.  “No,” she said, taking a step away from Beckett.

Beckett stared at Robin in apparent surprise—whatever he had said, he had accepted an affirmative answer.  “Then you are leading your kind to their graves,” he said in a low voice.  He did not state it as much as a threat, but more as a fact.

“Either way, our discussion is over.  Jack, James; we’re leaving.”  Robin was about to turn around to leave when they all heard a gun being cocked.  Jack looked from the gun pressed into his daughter’s back and then up at the man who held it.

Norrington’s eyes flashed.  “Don’t turn around,” he ordered, his voice cold.  “Don’t move.”