Chapter One: Bad News

Disclaimer: I don't own this savvy? I shouldn't have to say that but I will if it will make them quit crying.

Summary: This chapter doesn't have much romance in it but I promise there's be more later!! Elizabeth is 17 and Will is 18, I'm not following the story line of the movies. But the characters backgrounds are the same!! Well just read and enjoy!!

"Miss Swann are you listening?" Lady Trina asked in her strict, no nonsense tone of voice. Elizabeth looked up abruptly, all the other girls sitting around the large table were staring at her, some with pity and others with annoyance. Lady Trina looked down her narrow nose at Elizabeth, her grayish eyes accusing, her lips pressed thinly together. Elizabeth lowered her gaze, pretending to suddenly become very intrigued with the empty tea cup in front of her. It was rather pretty, creamy white with the colorful leave and flower designs covering the rim. Lady Trina sighed. "How I'm I going to teach you the proper ways to drink, serve and refuse tea if you wouldn't pay attention? A proper young lady must live in the present, not be daydreaming of unrealities and making fantasies up in her head all day, understood?"

A chorus of giggles erupted around the tables from the other young ladies, Elizabeth felt her face turn red. She wished she could crawl under the table away from everyone else here. But of course that would only cause more trouble. No one here would ever understand her, because she wasn't like most high ranking daughters who strutted around like peacocks and spent hours brushing their hair. Not that she didn't keep herself looking nice, she just didn't get carried away with fashion. Trina eyed the gigglers, clearing her throat meaningfully. "Ladies." they quickly silenced and Lady Trina returned her piercing glare back to Elizabeth, obviously waiting for an answer.

"Yes Madam." she said softly. Though she really felt like saying. Will isn't a fantasy, he's real! And much more interesting then stupid tea! Truth was she didn't care the least about proper tea drinking, serving or anything else, it was just another lesson her father considered a must for all respectable young ladies. She would much rather being swimming in the sea, riding her horse through a meadow or even better playing pirates with Will. In fact that's what she'd been thinking about before being interrupted. Will was lucky, he didn't have to sit through boring lessons everyday, all the while acting like he liked them when in reality he hated them. He didn't have to worry about being proper or the 'perfect Governor's daughter'. He didn't have to put up with all the inconveniences that went along with a fancy title either. From her perspective William Turner was free and she couldn't wait to see him again. He was so strong, so sweet and understanding—plus he had the cutest smile in the world…so yeah! He was perfect!

"Miss Swann, will you please show us the correct way to pour your guests tea?" Lady Trina asked formally.

Elizabeth sighed inwardly, forcing herself to once again focus on the task at hand, if she didn't keep up with the others Lady Trina would be all over her father, and she didn't want him to know. So for the time being she resigned herself to tea lessons.

After tea lessons came dancing which she liked a little better, at least she was doing more then just sitting there practicing manners. However she wasn't there but ten minutes before a familiar servant burst in, he was panting slightly. Elizabeth recognized him as the boy who's usual task was to carry out messages. He went right over to the teacher of their class, and began hurriedly explaining what was going on—but in a voice too low for Elizabeth to hear. He appeared quite pale and anxious which worried her a fair amount. What if something bad had happened? She didn't have to wait long to find out.

"Miss Swann." her teacher called to her. "You have my leave to go home now."

Elizabeth didn't need to be asked twice, her father rarely called her home like this and every single occasion had been for a bad reason. She had no mind to believe this time would be any different. The other girls glanced at her as she followed in the young boy's wake as he walked swiftly towards the door. Some with smug looks on their faces, she knew what they were thinking. Serves the spoiled brat right! She walked calmly past them even though she felt like running, not from them of course. But she knew something bad was going on and wanted to know what it was. She began running through her head some possibilities. Had her mare somehow hurt herself, badly enough that she might need to be put down? Or maybe Estrella had done something that needed her assistance to fix, that could be! After all she had done something like that once before. Or maybe something awful had happened to her father….or Will!

As soon as they were outside Elizabeth began showering the boy mercilessly with questions. "What happened? Why was I sent for? Is someone hurt, sick? Nothing's wrong with Will right? Tell me he's okay!" she knew she was being unreasonable but ever since her mother had died tem years ago she'd had a fear about people close to her dying.

"Well…I…" the boy stammered nervously.

"I knew it!" she exploded. "Take me to him!"

The boy cleared his throat nervously, appearing quite confused by her hysterical fit. "I…I don't know who this Will is My Lady, but that's not why I'm here." he coughed politely. "I'm here because the Governor has fallen very ill."

Relief washed over her, Will was fine then! But then the reality of what he'd just said began to sink in. Maybe Will was alright but her father wasn't! But for some reason she felt much calmer knowing her friend wasn't the victim, shouldn't she be even more unset about her father? He was, after all, the only relative she had left that she knew of.

"Let's go then." Elizabeth said steadily.

"At once My Lady." the boy replied with much more confidence then before.

Elizabeth walked as fast as she possibly could without actually breaking into a run, all the while cursing customs which strictly forbade her to move at a quicker pace. She probably made quite the sight, following behind a boy barely old enough to be called a young man, looking like she was about to take off any second. Not to mention her heavy dress with its extra tight corset and the stupid tiny shoes that her feet just barely fit in. At least all I had to do with hair my was put it in a pony tail!

Once they got to the mansion Elizabeth was forced to wait in the main room while the messenger hurried off, saying something about needing to talk to the doctor. She began fidgeting in a very un-lady-like manner.

"Hello Miss Swann." said a familiar voice. "I must say you look lovely today."

Elizabeth turned her head to look at the man, she already knew who it was. "Hello commodore Norrington." she replied though he was the last person in the world she wanted to talk to right now.

"Please call me James, there's no need for formality amongst friends." James requested from his seat on the sofa, he was sitting in a very lazy manner—which greatly denigrated his actual status.

Elizabeth smiled thinly but said nothing. He was the one calling me Miss Swann. What's he doing here anyway?

"I came here to keep you company," Norrington informed her as if reading her thoughts. "I know this is going to be hard on you."

Elizabeth held back the urge to snort. "I'm sure I'll be just fine thank you."

James smiled, shaking his head. "You don't need to act tough in front of me."

She ground her teeth in frustration. Why did he always have to come around and pester her? She didn't like this man at all, he was always staring at her as if he wanted to do more then just talk. She was saved from more awkwardness by the message boy who she finally remembered as Alex.

"You can see your father now Miss." Alex said quietly, then turning to the commodore. "Can I get you anything sir?"

"No thank you." James said, smiling sweetly at Elizabeth who rolled her eyes before leaving the room. She really didn't have time to worry about him anyway. As she walked down the narrow hall leading to her father's room her mind started to take over again. Elizabeth had been through this way so many times she knew every tapestry, painting and decoration by heart, which allowed her mind to wander. The only sound was her footsteps echoing through the stone mansion, to keep her company. What if father never gets better? What if he dies just like mother? Will I be able to take that? Oh, I wish Will were here!

When she got to her father's room she hesitated just outside the closed door. Taking a deep breath she opened the door with a shaking hand. Her father was laying on his bed covered with blankets, he stirred slightly when she entered. She was relieved to see him alone.

"Lizzy?" he questioned weakly.

"I'm here father." Elizabeth replied, biting back tears. She picked up his cold, pale hand, pulling it close to her face. He looked simply awful! A lot like Mother before she died.

A smile spread across his worn face, and caressed her cheek softly. "Don't cry my dear." he wiped away a tear that slipped her guard and trailed down her face. Elizabeth only nodded she couldn't say anything around the lump in her throat. The Governor coughed violently, spitting up blood.

Alarmed Elizabeth started to get up. "I'll go get the doctor."

But he shook his head, tightening his fragile grip on her arm. "No Lizzy, just listen, please!" she could tell every word was forced. "I need to tell you something."

She swallowed hard, as he took shallow, uneven breaths of air. "What is it?" she managed.

He closed his eyes momentarily before saying, "You're old enough to get married and start a family now."

"What?" she exclaimed in shock. "Well yes I guess so but…"

"Lizzy," her father interrupted her. "I…I want you to marry commodore Norrington, so he can take over in my place." he stopped to catch his breath.

"But…I, what about Will?" Elizabeth choked. "And why to I need to worry about all that now? You're going to get better, you'll see!" she only wished she could believe her own words.

"No just listen." her father pleaded. "I'm dying, it's that simple—no use fighting it. And I want to ensure the best for you, James is rich he can proved for your needs, give you whatever you could ever want. He's a good man Lizzy."

Maybe so, but that's all he'll ever be to me. A good man. And all I'll ever be to him is another possession, a pretty young lady to brag about. She tried to act brave for her father but failed. "He doesn't love me though, not like Will." she sniffed. "Stay here, don't leave me alone, I can't live without you!"

"Lizzy, Will is…is just a blacksmith's apprentice and too young, how could he…" the Governor coughed again, grimacing in pain. "possibly proved for you both?" he finished when he could talk.

"Well…" Elizabeth began.

"Just promise me you'll marry James." he insisted, his voice barely a whisper.

"I…" she couldn't continue, the lump in her throat was just too big. No you can't die! Don't leave me alone!

"Promise me." he squeezed her arm.

She nodded softly. "Okay…okay I will, I promise."

Her father smiled, his hand relaxed and dropped back on the blankets. He closed his eyes, his breathing was steadily getting weaker.

"No! No dad!" Elizabeth wailed, she hadn't called him that since she was a little girl. "Don't go, don't leave me here alone dad! I…please dad I love you!" she sobbed uncontrollably, it was nothing short of a miracle that she didn't have the whole house in here by now. "You have to stay here with me, you're too young to die!"

The Governor's eyes flickered open for a moment, locking with hers. "I love you Lizzy." he uttered, then he was gone.

Please review and tell me want you think!! Or at least let me know you read it!!!