Chapter 13: Pirate, Maiden, Agent

It always shocked Samantha how demanding noble people can be. For instance, the moment Elizabeth stepped on the Dauntless's she began making demands for this and that. Samantha preferred to make her request in a more subtle way, gaining more favors for the price of one.

Subtlety was a lost concept on Elizabeth.

"But we’ve got to save Will!" Elizabeth whined. Governor Swann almost had a heart attack at the thought. "No. You’re safe now. We will return to Port Royal immediately, not go gallivanting after pirates!" "Then we condemn him to death." Elizabeth reminded, attempting the guilt trip route. "The boy’s fate is regrettable, but, then, so was his decision to engage in piracy." Sighed the Governor with a pointed stare. Elizabeth was blinded in a shocked fury. "To rescue me. To prevent anything from happening to me!"

Jack saw his chance and attempted a trick known to all pirates as barganing and to the rest of the world as bribery. "If I may be so bold as to inject my professional opinion. The Pearl was listing near to scuppers after the battle. It’s very unlikely she’ll be able to make good time." Jack informed before leaning in close to Norrington. "Think about it. The Black Pearl. The last real pirate threat in the Caribbean, mate. How can you pass that up?"

Norrington stared at Jack unimpressed. "By remembering that I serve others, Mr. Sparrow, not only myself."

Samantha cleared her throat timidly. "Commodore, if you serve other's as you say, then wouldn't that mean you serve William? He is after all a citizen of Port Royal, the very man who crafted the beautiful sword at your hip." Samantha pointed out, making Norrington glance down at the sword and back up in thought. "May I also remind you that he is a close friend of Miss Swann, it would be ashame if an untimely and completely preventable death were to put a damper on your proposal."

This really got the Commodore thinking. Did he want to loose his chance with Elizabeth over not saving the blacksmith? In the long run, it did seem like a smart option. He would get Elizabeth, William would quickly become the most skillfull blacksmith in the Caribbean giving the Commodore access to finely made swords for his navy. The benefits did seem to outweigh the cons, he had to admit.

Elizabeth caught on quickly to Samantha's game and sweetened the pot. "Commodore, I beg you, please do this. For me. As a wedding gift." She choked out.

Governor Swann sharply turned to stare at Elizabeth in glee. Samantha lowered her head, marrying Elizabeth to Norrington was not part of her plan.

"Elizabeth. Are you accepting the Commodore’s proposal?" The Governor clarified.Too late to do anything but confirm it, Elizabeth nodded. "I am."

Jack patted Samantha with false glee. "A wedding! I love weddings…drinks all around!" Norrington shot Jack a glare. "I know, clap him in irons, right?" Jack stated glumly.

Norrington composed a steely face and started speaking to Jack as if he was disciplining a child. "Mr. Sparrow, you will accompany these fine men to the helm and provide us with the bearing to Isla de Muerta. You will then spend the rest of the voyage contemplating all possible meanings of the phrase silent as the grave. Do I make myself clear?"

Jack gulped slightly. "Impeccably clear."

Norrington turned on his heel and looked at Samantha. "For your acts of piracy, you will spend the remainder of this voyage in the brig until we reach Isle De Muerta, at which time you will accompany myself, a group of men, and Mr. Sparrow to rescue Mr. Turner and capture the Black Pearl." Norrington stated, guilt burried deep in his eyes. "Understand?"

Samantha nodded humbly, making her appearance look pitiful and frightened. "Y-yes sir." She stuttered.

"Take her away." Norrington ordered, sending two men to her side as they escorted her to the brig.

As Samantha disappeared from sight, Elizabeth angrily turned to Norrington. "You can't do that." She accused angrily. "Actually, I think you'll find he can." Gillette cheerfully stated, happy to see the cheeky maid in the brig. "She's my friend! She was probably tricked into it by Sparrow, it's not her fault!" Elizabeth pleaded, throwing Jack under the bus as she did. Jack sharply looked up from the wheel. "That is an utter fabrication." "Please, James you know she couldn't hurt a fly." Elizabeth cried, worried for her friend. "The Commodore is bound by the law, as are we all." Governor Swann explained to his daughter before escorting her to find more suitable clothes.

Samantha sat calmly on the bench in the brig, no one else was around but she knew if she wanted any hope of getting back in the Governor's good graces she would have to be a stellar prisoner.

When her dinner came, she took it from the gaurd with a poliet smile and a quiet thank you passing her lips. She ate every once of food on it before neatly stacking the cup on the plate and setting it next to the door. The same gaurd who gave her the food came back to retrieve it and looked shocked when it was neatly sitting there, the prisoner without a hint of malicious intent in her eyes.

The gaurd slowly took the dishes, keeping his eyes on Samantha who silently observed him as well. He quickly slammed the door shut and left, leaving Samantha alone again.

With a glance spared at the floor, she quickly passed on the option to sleep there, seeing as the brig seemed to be where they threw drunken sailors.

Instead, she curled on the bench, cramming into an uncomfortable ball in attempts to get onto the bench completely.

Being overly exhausted and still feeling slightly ill from the amount of smoke she inhaled on the island, Samantha quickly fell into a deep sleep, despite the fact that she was far from comfortable.

Norrington moved to relieve Jack about an hour later, allowing him to take a turn around the ship and catch some sleep.

"Keep her steady." Jack muttered as he and his gaurded escort took a walk about the ship.

Eventually, he made his way to the brig, where he saw Samantha sleeping not so peacefully as her back was oddly hunched and her chin was pressed into her chest.

"Seriously?" Jack muttered, turning and storming back to where Norrington stood. "Give her a damn hammock or something." He growled.

Wary of Jack's attitude, both the Governor and Elizabeth edged closer.

"Miss Vida is a pirate, and will be treated as such." Norrington stiffly replied. Jack had caught him inbetween a rock and a hard place. If it was just Samantha and Elizabeth they found, Norrington would have conveniently forgotten all about Samantha's assistance in stealing the Interceptor. With Jack, however, he was forced to treat her like the pirate she would be convicted to be. Which meant small food rations, no hammock, and being kept in the foulest cell they had.

"Commodore, I require Samantha's assistance, she has taken care of me a lot in the past years and I don't think I can manage without her." Elizabeth explained, trying out the subtle way of negotiating that Samantha demonstrated earlier. Norrington raised his eyebrows at Elizabeth. "And what can she do that I or the Governor cannot?" "Dress me, wash me, properly care for my hair, know exactly the right heat I like my porridge, sing-" Elizabeth started to list, ticking off fingers as she went. "Alright, alright. Miss Vida will be permitted to reside in the care of Elizabeth, serving as her handmaiden for the remainder of the trip." Norrington cut Elizabeth off, feeling slightly in shock at how little Elizabeth could do for herself.

Jack sighed in content as two gaurds went to fetch Samantha. She may end up sleeping on the floor, but it was better than in the crunched position she was in.

Samantha emerged topside with slight confusion on her face. "Commodore, I'm confused, I thought I would be staying in the brig." Samantha stated, her gaze flickering to Jack before she rested it back on the Commodore. "It would seem that Miss Swann is in need of a handmaiden and you are the only one trained in the position." He explained in a mutter. "Is she now. I would gladly assist Miss Swann in whatever it is she needs." Samantha replied, a smile playing on her lips. "Much appreciated." Norrington thanked. "Oh I'm sure." Samantha grinned as she led Elizabeth to her quarters below deck.

The next night, the Dauntless arrived at Isle De Muerta, separating Samantha from Elizabeth as she decended into the longboat with Jack, Norrington, and a handful of men.

"I don’t care for the situation. Any attempt to storm the caves could turn to an ambush." Norrington observed as he stared through the spyglass.

"Not if you’re the one doing the ambushing." Jack offered slyly, drawing Norrington's attention. "I go in, I convince Barbossa to send his men out with their little boats. You and your mates return to theDauntless and blast the bejesus outta them with your little cannons, eh?" Jack explained with flamboyant hand movements. "What do you have to lose?"

Norrington disdainfully brushed Jacks hand off his shoulder. "Nothing I'd lament being rid of." He stated with disgust. "But how do I know you won't double cross me?"

Jack thought for a moment before an idea struck him. He leaned in close, whispering quietly in Norrington's ear. The Commodore nodded in agreement, shooting Samantha a look of thought. "Agreed." He voiced, making Samantha quite confused.

"Miss Vida, I need you to accompany Mr. Sparrow into the cave systems and to make sure he holds up his word." Norrington ordered, his voice soft with the girl who nodded.

"Of course, you have my word I will do my best." She affirmed, carefull to add the last part as a way out if Jack tried anything.

Jack then wickedly grinned. "Now, to be quite honest with you, there’s still a slight risk for those aboard the Dauntless which includes the future Mrs. Commodore."

Jack and Samantha quickly swam into the caves, following the sound of men to the cavern of gold.

"That was mean Jack." Samantha grumbled. "Im upholding my word, keeping Elizabeth safe." Jack explained defensively. "Uh-huh. Yeah, okay." Samantha grumbled.

Jack grabbed Samantha's arm, his mood serious and worried as he looked at his female companion. "Be careful." He ordered.

Samantha smiled softly. "I'm always careful. It's you who needs reminding."