Claudia Norrington: POTC

Jack's Failed Hanging

Claudia's POV

Today Jack is being hanged and I plan on leaving tonight. James isn't happy about it as I am still injured. But my wound is stitched and healing fine. Besides I've had worse injuries. Not that I told him that. Anyway Elizabeth is letting me burrow one of her dresses for the hanging. Just a simple purple one with matching hat and fan. No corset needed, thank god. That'd only hurt my side more.

Anyway, we're all gathered at the fort. Where James had been promoted and Elizabeth had fallen into the ocean. It's hard to believe it's only been just over a week since then. And that Elizabeth & James will be marrying soon. The judge is reading all of Jack's past crimes before he is hung.

"Jack Sparrow! We have learned that you. For your willful commission of crimes against the crown. Said crimes being numerous in quantity, and sinister in nature. The most egregious of these to be cited herewith: Piracy, smuggling..." the judge begins to list.

"This is wrong" Elizabeth mutters beside James.

"Commodore Norrington is bound by the law, as are we all" her father the governor reminds her.

"Impersonating an officer of the Spanish Royal Navy, impersonating a cleric of the Church of England" the judge continues to list. Jack looks proud of himself for that particular crime. "Sailing under false colors, arson, kidnapping, looting, poaching, brigandage, pilfering, depravity, depredation, and general lawlessness. And for these crimes, you have been sentenced to be, on this day, hung by the neck, until dead. May God have mercy on your soul" the judge finishes and leaves the platform.

As the executioner places the noose around Jack's neck. The drums begin to sound. Once they stop, the trap door will open and that'll be the end of Captain Jack Sparrow. Just then Will appears in front of us.

"Governor Swann. Commodore. Claudia, Elizabeth" Will says in greeting. Nodding to each of us in turn. Before focusing souly on Elizabeth. "I should have told you every day, from the moment I met you. I love you" he tells her before leaving us. I notice him making his way through the crowd towards the platform. While James and the governor look at Elizabeth. I notice a blue yellow bird and curse inside my head.

"I can't breathe" Elizabeth suddenly says and falls to the ground. James and her father immediately crouch beside her in worry. As I jump down into the crowd wishing I had my knife or a pistol. Not that I'd kill Will, but I can't let him free Jack. He'll be signing his own death warrant. Problem is, he is already half through the crowd and I am in a stupid dress.

He draws his sword yelling at the crowd to move as the drums speed up. The crowd part for him. He throws his sword as the drums stop and it wedges below the trap door of the platform Jack is on. So when the trap door opened, he landed on it instead of hanging. Will makes it to the platform as I reach the half way point and battles the execution freeing Jack.

They work together to battle the navy soldiers trying to block their escape from the fort. They are soon trapped next to a pillar, surrounded by the soldiers. At gun point, I approach them with Elizabeth, James and the governor. "I thought we might have to endure some manner of ill conceived escape attempt. But not from you" James sneers at Will.

"On our return to Port Royal, I granted you clemency. And this is how you thank me? By throwing in your lot with him? He's a pirate" the governor snaps.

"And a good man" Will states dropping his sword.

"No offense Will, but there is no such thing as a good pirate man" I tell him evenly.

"If all I achieved here is that the hangman will own two pairs of boots instead of one, so be it. At least my conscience will be clear" he declares head held high.