Rose of the Sea

Return to Port Royal

Brianna's POV:

When the Loyalist pulls up to the dock she's immediately swarmed by navy men. One grabs me particularly roughly and rams a bag over my head. I'm pushed and shoved until my boots click against a hardwood floor. I'm slammed into a chair and the bag is whipped off my head to reveal Governor Swann in front of me.

He stares at me for a second and then moves to hug me. "Brianna, you're alive?"

I hug him back. "I'm here aren't I?"

He holds me at arms length, hands on my shoulders. "Wha- how?"

I smile, standing up, "I'm Captain Rose, I always find a way."

Father drops his hands to his sides. "We thought you dead."

"Well now you don't have to worry about that." I reply. I glance around me and see we're in the Navy offices, top floor, my father's office. A noise from outside catches my attention. I look to the balcony, then back to Father. He gestures for me to go outside. The French doors open without a sound to reveal a crew of men working on decorating Fort Charles with blue and yellow. "What's going on Father?"

He walks over to stand beside me. "Do you remember Captain Norrington?"

I nod, "Of course Father, he taught me all I know."

Father sighs. "Well his promotion is two days from now. Captain Norrington will now be known as Commodore."

I turn to him, a smile across my face. "Really? That's wonderful. I can't believe-"

I'm cut off as the office door slams open as Elizabeth bursts through it and barrels into me.

"Brianna! Oh Brianna! You're alive!"

I hug her back, then release her, laughing. "I am. Look at you, so beautiful."

Elizabeth stands a couple inches shorter to me, but she's wearing a gorgeous periwinkle gown, her hair up in an elaborate bun. She smiles, shaking her head. "Look at me, look at you! What happened?"

I look down at what I'm wearing. My Navy uniform was replaced long ago by standard wardrobe of a loose white shirts, tight leather corsets, leather pants, and knee high boots. My sword, Mercy, is tied to my belt, and a knife is strapped to my thigh. A special compass, that I had acquired from a woman named Tia Dalma, also hangs at my belt.

I shrug. "You heard I was captured by pirates correct?"

She nods.

I gesture to myself. "I did what I had to survive, that changes you."

A weak smile crosses her face. "Well I'm glad to have you back. Come, Will will want to see you."

I glance at Father and he waves his hand to the door. "Go on, we'll catch up later."

I smile at him and lift my hand to salute him, tapping my relaxed fore and middle fingers against my forehead and extending my hand out towards him. His face falters at my now un-navy-like salute but he doesn't say anything as Elizabeth and I leave.

"Will?" Elizabeth calls out as we enter the blacksmith shop.

After a few moments of silence, he emerges from the back, covered in soot. "Good day Miss Swann, how may I be of service? If you're here about your father's order, it will be finished by tomorrow's eve."

Elizabeth's face softens. "I've told you time and time again, Will, to simply call me Elizabeth. And no, I'm not here about the order. I'm here about something else."

Will has yet to notice me behind Elizabeth. "And what would that be?"

I step out from behind her, smiling. Immediately Will grabs a sword from the rack beside him and whirls toward me. "What are you doing with her, pirate?" He snarls at me, holding his sword in my face.