PotC-Fic - Growing shapes (1) The cave
Growing shapes
Part 1 - The cave
I found her in the smuggler’s cave, just as expected. Sitting on the same rock as usual, embracing her knees, her gaze lost to the visible part of horizon. She didn’t move when I approached; didn’t look at me when she spoke.
“James…”
Nothing more, no eye contact, not the smallest sign that she even bothered with the thought I could be someone else. I sat down next to her, only inches away.
“Elizabeth…”
It seemed like ages when she finally spoke.
“Who asked you to look for me? My father or…”
I had to clear my throat over her voice, the tremble inside. It sounded so strange to the fierce girl, the strong woman I used to know for so many years.
“They both came to my office because you couldn’t be found anywhere. They are very concerned.”
She nodded, but obviously without regret.
“I would be lying to say that I’m sorry. Though I am, in a way…”
“I see…”
She continued staring at the sea, following the waves and gulls only with her mind. I didn’t dare to disturb her. I sensed that she was confused and something down weighted her a great deal.
After a while she asked:
“Did he want to accompany you? Or to learn this place?”
Not that I was caught by surprise, deep in my mind I’d been waiting for this question. But I nevertheless hoped to avoid it… How on earth could I explain to her that...
“Elizabeth… It is not my place to discuss anything concerning your fiancé.”
Now, where had this come from? Of course the words were true, but Heaven knew that it was mere propriety than anything else. Not the way I ever used to comfort her.
“James…”
She turned to me, tugged at my sleeve and it would be unreasonably rude not to look at her. I sighed and faced her, saw her eyes widen and rage building up in an instance. Her small fingers gently touched the bruise which adorned my cheekbone.
“He did that to you.”
It wasn’t a question.
“Your silence is answer enough. So he didn’t want to accept the fact that you gave your word to me never to tell anyone about this place.”
I closed my eyes, hung my head and pressed my lips together.
“James, please. Tell me what happened to your face. Look at me and tell me it was anything else than Will’s jealousy!”
What could I do? I would never be able to lie to her…
“I’m sorry, Elizabeth…”, I whispered.
“Why, James? It wasn’t you who began the fight. I rather think you didn’t do anything though you had every right to defend yourself or arrest him for this attack.”
“He worried about his beloved. I couldn’t arrest a man out of his mind, now could I?”
She laughed, bitterness nearly overwhelmed her.
“Out of his mind, yes! That’s right. He promised to love and protect me. But what he really does is controlling my life! He never left my side, except when he’s working or I retired to my rooms. As soon as he’s back from the smithy he wants to know everything, what I did every minute, every person I met, every word I talked. He never grants me space when I need it. He tries to cage me, James…”
Tears were running down her cheeks. I offered my handkerchief and stood quiet. There was nothing I could say or do. It was her decision, her heart given to Turner that led to this path. To this cave where I first found her seven years ago after an altercation with her father.
For me, it didn’t matter that I gave my word of secrecy to a twelve year old girl. My word didn’t depend on the age but on the circumstances. The one and only moment I would ever consider to break it would be if I couldn’t retrieve her on my own in case of acute danger.
“Do you remember your words to him on the parapet?”
Of course I remembered. I would never forget any word spoken on that fateful day…
“Care and devotion. Let me tell you what kind of them he shows. He cares far too much about my personal affairs and the gossip. And he is so devoted to his new position as the governor’s future son-in-law that he is more concerned about the opinion of other people than my well-being!”
It was wrong to listen. I should tell her to stop it. But all I could do was taking her hand and gently stroke it.
“You shouldn’t share those… Family affairs with me, Elizabeth. Especially not with me…”
“I know. But you are my only true friend, James. The only one I trust.”
More than surprised I caught her eyes. She didn’t avoid my gaze and I saw all her sorrow, clearly written in these gold-brown orbs. We just sat there and looked at each other for a long time, before she spoke again.
“Would you cage me if you’d still be my fiancé, James?”
Slowly, very slowly I shook my head.
“Neither cage you nor cut your wings. Just correct your heading if necessary. But I’m not your fiancé, Elizabeth. You love Mr. Turner and it is him you want to marry.”
Again, she broke into tears and clutched to my hand as if she was drowning.
“But… He changed so much! He isn’t the man who stood up against wrongful rules anymore, far from it! He creates new rules every day and he insists on me keeping to them. I don’t want to live that way!”
Her voice nearly cracked when she whispered:
“Please, James. Help me!”
tbc…