Norrington's Darling

Ten Loyal Men

POV: Zuri Norrington

Tension hung thick in the air as we pirates and the eight marines who had followed Theodore and Andrew waited. And then, at last, the forest of masts began to thin out. 

Marty gave a victorious shout. "THEY'RE TURNING AWAY!"

Cheers exploded on the deck. I released a breath and a sob at the same time, turning to put my head into Jack's shoulder. He pulled me close. "It's alright, Zu."

I sniffled, looking at the flotsam that was all that remained of the Endeavour. "James would have loved to see that."

"I'm sure he would have liked to stab Beckett, too," Jack added, trying to smile for my benefit. He squeezed me. "He'd be proud of you for getting rid of that twat."

The war was over.

Shouts and cheers celebrating pirate freedom across the fleet rose up. I sought out my father's face, watching as he threw his hat with pride. He nodded at me. I pressed a hand to my chest; Jack nodded to our father.

"Mr. Gibbs!" Jack gave Gibbs his hat. "You may throw my hat if you like."

With growing excitement, Gibbs said, "Aye aye, Captain!" He threw Jack's hat with a loud "Hooray!" He laughed, beaming.

"Now go and get it," Jack ordered. Gibbs' laughter died and he went to find Jack's hat. Then Jack raised both arms and the cheering on the Black Pearl ceased. The ten British men huddled together, brave but nervous. They knew they were to be discussed next.

"Now! What shall we do with these men who fled the Endeavour's fate?" Jack demanded. He turned to me. "Any ideas, Zuri?" 

"I know some of these men."

Jack bowed me forward. "I'll let you handle this."

"Theodore," I said quietly, but my voice rung out. "Theodore, Andrew... I'm sure you already know this, but...but James is dead. He was killed on board the Flying Dutchman by a member of Jones' crew. His body rests at Shipwreck Cove so that we might b-bury him at Port Royal."

The two men had tears in their eyes, but they stepped forward and they both held me tight, all of us struggling to stay composed. Before I could lose myself, I stepped out of their embrace. "These men who came with you. Who are they and why do they deserve to live?" My hand went to the hilt of my sword.

"Zuri, please don't," Andrew said quickly, stopping my hand. "These men were friends of James."

I looked at them. "How did you know James?"

One of them stepped forward. "I...I'm Commander Thomas Brett. James Norrington taught me everything I knew. I served under him for five years. He was a good man and an even better friend. Myself and these men...we were of the first marines to welcome him back, to follow his orders when no one else would."

"You made him feel as though he deserved his station," I whispered.

Brett nodded.

"These other men you speak of...where are they? Did they perish with the Endeavour?"

"Not aboard the ship, no, but most are dead. Others remain at Port Royal."

"Those that live, I should like to speak to. James deserved more than this. And they deserve to know what happened to him."

"Might we know?" Brett asked hesitantly. 

I nodded. "You will know. We make for Shipwreck Cove to retrieve his body. I will tell you on the voyage there." I glanced at Elizabeth. "However, there is another wife I should like to reunite with her husband."

Elizabeth hugged me. "Thank you, Zuri. And I am so sorry about James. If I hadn't argued, he might still be—"

"Do not blame yourself, Lizzie," I whispered. "It is Bootstrap who killed him. It was Jones and Beckett who spurred his death. Not you."

"I'm sorry anyway," she breathed, squeezing me. She turned to watch Will as the longboat was prepared for her. I squeezed her hand and I stood by her, missing the husband I'd had so little time to be married to.

"Your chariot awaits, Your Highness." Gibbs tried to smile. He wasn't quite successful. "The oars are inside."

"We'll wait for you at Shipwreck Cove," I said quietly. "I'm sure many of the pirates would like to speak to their king now that the war is done."

"I had been hoping for my wedding night," Elizabeth grumbled.

"That's why we are sending you in the long boat," I said, "rather than taking you back in the Pearl with the rest of us. Oh, and, Elizabeth?"

She turned.

"Enjoy it. Enjoy every second you have with him. You never know when it'll be over."

Her mouth trembled, but she nodded. "I will."

"Mrs. Turner," Barbossa acknowledged in the line the pirates waiting to see our king away.

"Goodbye, Poppet," Pintel said. Elizabeth smiled.

The two men who had felt the need to disguise themselves as pirates but we all knew were marines nodded weakly at her. I rolled my eyes. I'd have to have words with them later.

Elizabeth stopped before my brother. "Jack. It would never have worked out between us." Jack smiled at the reference to his goodbye back when he'd escaped his hanging with Will's help. My stomach clenched, remembering that time I'd kissed James and dared him to come after me and my brother.

Jack's grin was faded. But he'd be alright. We all would be. In time. "Keep telling yourself that, darlin'." Elizabeth made to kiss him, but Jack held up his hands. "Once was quite enough."

"Thank you," Elizabeth said.

I hugged Elizabeth one more time before she got into the long boat.

The journey to Shipwreck Cove was fast. When we reached it, I found Leopold waiting at the docks. He beamed when he saw me at the prow. "You're alive!"

"Physically, yes," I croaked, "but I hardly feel like I am."

Leopold's grin faded. "Might that be because of the body in that empty room across from my bar?"

"Yeah, that'd be it," I said quickly, feeling as if I might slap him once I could reach him. I had just spent the past voyage explaining how James had died to eight men, but Theodore and Andrew had decided they weren't ready to hear about it yet.

I helped the crew tie up the ship; then, with Jack leading and Andrew and Theodore on either side of me, we walked into Shipwreck Cove.