A/N - Sorry it is a little short.

I do what I can.

Enjoy.

Points to whoever can guess the last name of the Nathan in the flashback. Except you, Smilindolfin.

Coventry, Connecticut

June 6, 1770

Elinor Hayes slowed her horse to a stop and turned it around to face the boy struggling through the underbrush. "You're cruel." He said just loud enough for her to hear it. Elinor laughed gaily and made a show of leading her horse through the path backwards.

"Not so, while you have been at Yale filling your head with knowledge, which I must add it was big enough before, I was here, teaching Pellinore how to leap hurdles."

"The point is, Ellie," He rolled his eyes, trying to get his horse; Peter, to jump over a fallen trunk. "You clearly have the advantage and you knew you would before you brought me out here."

"You mean those fancy professors at Yale can't teach you how to lead a horse through a forest? Tell me, Nathan, when you go off to fight in this grand war you're oh so sure is going to happen, which will come in more handy? Pursuing the British through the forest on horseback, or being able to translate a two thousand year old manuscript about a Trojan who fled from battle?"

"The Aeneid teaches its reader about honor and duty." Nathan insisted as the horse finally leapt over the trunk and landed gingerly on the other side. Ellie sat up straighter and rested a hand on her left leg as her horse repositioned itself on the uneven terrain. She grinned and raised an eyebrow as he met her eyes from across another hurdle. "...yourskillsmightbemoreofuse...and its not even 2000 years old yet, the earliest manuscript found is from - "

"I rounded up." Ellie rolled her eyes and swung her horse back around. "We're almost there, try to not be so nervous, the horse feels it, and back up before you jump that, Peter is going to need a bit of speed. Rear him about a stride from the hurdle. Not too close or he will panic, not too far or he will overshoot."

Nathan heeded her advice and Peter pulled the jump off with little effort. He was impressed. "Does your father know you are always out here?" He asked from behind her, trying desperately to catch up. He didn't understand why they could not just walk. At this pace it did not make a difference and he would certainly do better on foot.

"Nope." She called. "And don't you speak a word of it to anyone."

"My lips are sealed. Why the secrecy?"

"My parents worry I won't every marry because I am too 'boyish and outspoken,'"

"Nonsense. You're the most ladylike girl I know...besides the part of you that goes gallivanting through the woods in breeches..."

"And the knife-thrower." She winked at him.

"You learned to throw knives too?!" He was suddenly alarmed and not at all unimpressed.

"Shh." She held a finger up to her lips. "Things in Coventry are boring and I'll die before I end up sewing all day. As long as I am home for our meals my parents don't notice my absence. Father works all day and mother is busy with Joanna and Henry."

"Basically," Nathan smiled as he finally caught up with her, "You miss me."

Elinor sighed at the ceiling of her room and rolled over in her bed. The early morning sunlight was falling softly through the curtains and illuminating half of her bed. She rolled over onto her side and stared out of the balcony doors at the rolling waves, her broken hand bound in bandages and placed lightly on her waist. The doctor said it could take months to heal.

She thought about her old friend Nathan, wondered how he was doing...it had been at least two years since she had heard anything. She was resigned to write him...well...have Henry or Jo write...her hand was broken.

She dragged herself out of bed and stared at the wall for a good amount of time before finally standing up and putting on a silk robe. She would have to have help getting dressed but did not feel like disturbing any of the servants, they were as shaken up as she was.

"Good morning, Elinor." Her father greeted her, he and Henry were the only two at the table. She took her seat and pulled an orange from the bowl on the center of the table, gingerly peeling it. Their table had been stripped of its runner and the beautiful centerpiece her mother had kept there since they lived in New England. Their house was in shambles, practically. Mrs. Hayes had worked for days to get things back into order and was still finding new cracks in the wall, or missing items or importance.

"Good morning, Papa." She spoke at the table. "Any good news?"

"Nothing of significance. Things are finally quieting down. Although, Commodore Norrington is to take off in pursuit of Jack Sparrow...and presumably to rescue Elizabeth Swann." He spoke without much interest, eating porridge in such a way that suggested he would much rather be eating something else.

Elinor started and looked up at him. "When is he leaving?"

"Today, I suppose."

Elinor pushed her chair back, dropping the orange, "Mum! I need your help!" She called, running out into the foyer and sprinting up the stairs.

The HMS Dauntless was a spectacle to behold. Yet, Elinor had to summon an incredible amount of courage to even approach the boarding ramp. She shook her head, shaking off the fear and tried not to look at the water. But it's everywhere...She grimaced and walked up the plank of wood, unsure as to whether or not she was supposed to be there, but a little indifferent to the stares she was receiving.

She headed straight to the captain's quarters and knocked lightly before entering. Norrington was bent over a map with another sailor. He looked up when he heard her enter, immediately straightening and linking his arms behind his back. They had not seen each other since the attack, and he was surprised to find her on a ship...of all places.

"Ms. Hayes," He greeted, motioning the sailor to leave. "Do come in, what can I help you with."

"I..uh..." She shut the door behind her and swallowed her pride. "I wanted to thank you, first of all, my family members are well and I can't help thinking that is partly due to you...but I also...I also wanted to apologize..." Her mouth tasted a little bitter, "For the day in the garden. I was rude and altogether rash..."

The Commodore let out a short laugh. "You, the proud Ms. Hayes, are admitting you might have been wrong?"

"Certainly not." She frowned. "I regret that I hurt your feelings, that is all. I am apologizing for my bad manners." She straightened her back and tried to look regal. James smiled and nodded.

"Apology accepted," He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Ellie did her best to hide her clear and girlish excitement.

"How long do you think it will take to catch Sparrow?" She asked. James shrugged.

"Depends. It seems I have underestimated him..." He fiddled with an object from his desk, not looking at her. Ellie inched closer to him, dropping her voice.

"T'wasn't your fault..." She lightly touched his arm. He frowned.

"Oh, but it was." He sighed and shook his head. "You should be going, we'll be leaving soon."

Ellie frowned, wanting so desperately to kiss him, fearing it might be her only chance. She told herself that was ridiculous. Surely, James Norrington was well equipped to deal with a pirate. And besides, he had asked for Elizabeth's hand in marriage. He was taken, or, soon to be. She put space between him and herself and curtsied.

"Do come back," She smiled, "I can't imagine this hellish island without you."

"I will be fine." He assured her.

She smiled and left the ship, relieved to set foot on the island ground.