Jolly Sailor || Elizabeth Swann

05

"So how are you liking your lodgings?" Benjy asked as he leaned against the open doorway of what was technically his room, but it now inhabited Elizabeth. The single bed was pushed into one corner and the sheets were folded neatly over the straw mattress. His spare clothes were hanging in a wardrobe visible for all to see as the door had long since broken off. Elizabeth was hanging up her waistcoat, white shirt billowing over her trousers. 

"Did you really have to intrude while I'm changing?" She asked, turning and crossing her arms. The time sailing under the sun had tanned her skin a golden brown and lightened her hair into a sunny blonde. It suited her, making her seem less like the rich damsel he had first met. 

Benjy smirked and stepped into the room as the door shut behind him. He eyed her slowly up and down before taking a seat on the bed. "Don't mind me. Though, I can't say I won't enjoy the view if you continue". Elizabeth rolled her eyes and crossed her arms before leaning her shoulders back against the wall. "So, how are you liking my room?" Benjy repeated with a wave round at the tiny closet of a room. 

"It's fine. Better than I expected", She shrugged. 

"Ouch", Benjy placed a hand over his chest in mock hurt. 

"Oh shut up. Why are you here?" She huffed but there was an amused light in her eyes. She was beautiful and sharp and cunning. Benjy wanted to kiss her. He suddenly understood why Will was so devoted to her. It wasn't love, not yet. It was want, attraction and enjoyment. She was fun, fierce and he had enjoyed the last week they had spent together. 

"I am here", he stood up and took a couple of steps forwards towards her. Elizabeth didn't move, her brown eyes meeting his black ones as he slowly leaned over her. His voice dropping as her eyes flicked nervously over his face. He grinned and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "I am here because I saw black sails on the horizon". For a second she was wide eyed in surprises them her lips moved as realisation dawned. 

"Black sails. The pearl!" She let out a excited squeal and grinned. "Will". Then she was turning back to the wardrobe and pulling out one of Benjy's waistcoats and a spare coat. Benj leaned back and helped her tug the clothes round her shoulders. He slipped her hat off the pillow and flicked it out with a bow and a flourish. 

"Your hat milady". 

Elizabeth smiled at him as she took it and begun to tuck her hair under the brim. "Why thank you Mr Bennet". 

Benjy leaned his shoulder against the door as she buttoned up her waistcoat and checked that her hair was all properly hidden. "I am looking forward to seeing sweet William again. I have missed his handsome face". 

Elizabeth let out a long sigh. "So have I". Then she narrowed her eyes at him. "Benjamin Bennet. You are not planing on flirting with my fiancé are you? I have not forgotten that kiss you stole from him in port royal". 

Benj smiled innocently. "Why Elizabeth, I have no idea what you mean. That kiss was a parting. I said goodbye". Then his grin flicked on like a switch. "Did you enjoy the show?" 

Elizabeth flushed and her mouth opened. She flustered for a second before shutting her mouth and glaring at him. "Wether I enjoyed it was neither here nor there. Now come on. I wish to marry my fiancé". She pushed him to the side and pulled open the door. Benjy laughed as she stormed past, his footsteps following her down to the pub below. 

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The black pearl was moored in the harbour and empty and dark. The moon reflecting off the black sails and shadowed hull. The sight made Benjy almost nostalgic. That was his home, the open ocean and the rocking of a ship under his feet. He sighed at the sight, only to have the moment ruined by Elizabeth grabbing his sleeve and pulling him off down the street. Weaving between prostitutes, drunkards and goats as they aimed for the tavern at the end of the road. It was more of a drinking hall than a tavern, less furnished and cheaper than The Merman's treasure. It was the place where bar brawls often started. Already he could hear the beginnings of one starting inside. The cheery music from the band disturbed by crashes and the shatter of broken glass. 

Elizabeth was ahead of him and he kept to her back ash she shouldered her way inside. Both of them stopped in the doorway to stare for a moment. The wide hall was full of chaos. Drunk pirates throwing bottles and drawing swords. The pair of them caught a glimpse of Jack in one corner and Mr Gibbs on the floor in another. One man stood in the centre of the room, sword drawn and stained blue coat flapping. "Hey, isn't that your ex-fiance?" Benj voiced as he pointed. 

"God what happened to him?" Elizabeth muttered as they watched Norrington throw a bottle at someone. The man was a wreck, dirty and greasy with the matted remains of a wig still on his head. Benjy wanted to laugh. He would have been laughing if Elizabeth hadn't decided to draw her sword and join the fray. He sighed but drew is own as he stepped in after her. It clanged against a man's who had struck at Elizabeth's back. 

More men came and Elizabeth kicked two of them back. Benj let out a burst of laughter as he saw one of the musicians break his lute by smashing it over someone's head. He doubled over, ducking under another drunken swing and coming up with a right hook to the face. Sharp teeth caught the lantern light and immediately all the men surrounding them stopped advancing. "Hello boys", he greeted with a wave. "Remember me?" 

"Oh shit it's him", one whispered. Benj bared his teeth and watched the man flinch. 

"Come on! Have at it! Who wants another one!" Norrington leaned back against a beam, so drunk he could barely stand, and swung his blade around. Elizabeth took one look at the men around them, then at the ex-commadore. She snatched the rum bottle out of the man's hand and smashed it over his head. Norrington slumped to the floor. 

"I just wanted the pleasure of doing that myself", She stated to the hall at large. The drunk pirates cheered and the brawl ended as the mood went back to being happy drunk, rather than angry drunk. Benj put his sharp teeth away and snorted at the sight of the unconscious Norrington. 

"Nice. We shall make a pirate out of you yet My dear lady". Behind him, a group of pirate picked up the unconscious man and began to carry him away. 

"Where are they taking him?" 

"To the pigs. As they always do with the drunkards". Elizabeth pulled a disgusted face then sighed. She turned and began following the group carrying Norrington. Benj shrugged and sauntered after her, eager to see the man be thrown in the muck. It was, as he had expected, very therapeutic. 

unedited