We Belong Together
Chapter One
Another Chance
Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own Jack Sparrow. Or PotC. :(
A/N: I know it's not exactly a good thing to start a story, then start another one without finishing the first one, but this came to mind, and I wanted to post it. I will finish my other one! See what you think. It's a Will/Liz thing, I think it'll only be 3 or 4 chaps, cause it's sort of short. Hope it's somewhat original.
It may get fluffy at the end. Hope you like it! Please review, I love reviews:D
PS. The title has nothing to do with the Mariah Carey song, honest! I just thought fitted well. :P
Summary: Elizabeth is forbidden from contacting Will after a failed attempt to flee Port Royal two weeks ago. After her life is turned upside down, she unexpectedly gets another chance to see him… but many obstacles stand in the way.
Yes my summaries suck :P
The Governor's Household, Port Royal, 7:00 pm
Elizabeth sat on the balcony outside her large room, thinking, taking in the beauty of the setting sun beyond the horizon. The ocean seemed so quiet, so peaceful, so still… how she longed to be out there right now… she felt such a need to be on the water that she wouldn't even have minded sailing on the Black Pearl with Jack and his crew… and Will.
She sighed inwardly. But she was stuck on shore, banished from seeing her lover after their attempt to flee Port Royal two weeks ago. They were planning to pursue a new life on an exotic island in the Caribbean, away from the rules and regulations that surrounded them in Port Royal. She had thought it too good to be true then, and she had been right… the governor had caught them in the act, and was so angry and hurt that he had forbidden any contact between them.
Elizabeth was now promised to Commodore Norrington, and they were soon to wed, but this time she was unable to back down from the engagement. In the past two weeks, her life had turned from a fairytale to an angst novel; her dream of marrying William Turner and spending the rest of her life with him had blown out the window, and she was back where she had been six months ago, before Jack Sparrow had arrived in Port Royal- stuck on a boring island lacking any adventure, engaged to a man she knew she could never truly love.
She held back the tears that were begging to be released. She had cursed herself for crying so much lately. It was unlike her; she was always so strong willed, able to control her emotions. But she was miserable at the moment, and could do nothing about it.
Sighing deeply, she stood up, and returned to her room. It was dark now that the sun had gone down, and she went to the drawer to take out a candle before it became too dark to see anything at all.
Fumbling to find it in the dark drawer, her hand happened upon a piece of paper.
She quickly took it out of the drawer. It was a small piece of parchment. Unable to read what it said, she kept feeling for a candle.
Two minutes later, the candle was lit in its stand, and she was trying to contain her excitement… but failing miserably and letting out a small squeal before hastily unfolding the note.
It was from him. She knew it was… she hoped it was. Who else could it have been?
Bringing the note closer to the light of the candle, she wondered how he had managed to leave it in her drawer. But as she read the first three words, her fantasies of another great escape faded as she realised it was not in fact from Will.
She squinted slightly as the candlelight flickered, but managed to read the short, hastily-written letter quickly… and as a result, her heart beat quickened its pace a great deal.
Dear Miss Swann,
Please pardon my blunt correspondence, but if I may be bold enough to say so, I do not believe one such as yourself… young, free spirited and clearly smitten with a certain blacksmith, should be forced upon an arranged marriage to a man whom you do not fancy. I have been asked to send you a note with directions, but I am uncertain of which hands this may land in, and so I must ask you to meet me in the dining area at dusk. I hope I am right about your feelings, and pardon my interference if I am wrong.
E. P
Elizabeth's hands were shaking. She didn't take a second to think, but scrunched the letter into a ball and shoved it back into her drawer, hurrying towards the bedroom door.
Sprinting down the half-moon staircase, she almost tripped over her dress, just managing to catch herself on the railing. She took a deep breath, told herself to calm down, and slowed her pace down to a small trot, holding the hem of her dress just below her knees.
She hurried past the sitting room and rushed through the double doors into the grand dining hall. It was empty. Candles burned brightly on the table, sending shadows dancing upon the walls. The fire in the hearth was burning fiercely, crackling every few seconds.
She sighed. It was probably a hoax: someone cruelly toying with her feelings. She didn't question how the note had gotten into her drawer, she was suddenly feeling very depressed, and headed back towards the dining hall doors.
"Miss Swann!" a hoarse whisper called out.
She froze, spun around, and scanned the shadowy dining hall. "Who's there?" she asked, trying to spot the person.
"Miss Swann, please lock the doors." the voice whispered.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow but locked the door, returning her gaze to the spacious room. A small, plump figure stepped out of the cupboard that Elizabeth herself had hid in six months back, trying to avoid the cursed pirates who'd sacked the town.
"Estrella?" she asked surprised, as her favourite maid stepped into the candlelight.
"Please, Miss Swann," said Estrella in a worried voice, "I shouldn't be doing this."
"Doing what?" asked Elizabeth, lowering her voice.
"Helping you." she said, handing Elizabeth an envelope. "This is from Mr Turner. I do not know any details, but they are instructions of a sort." Estrella sighed. "I really shouldn't be doing this, I'll be-"
"Fine. No one will find out. My goodness, Estrella! Thank you so much!" Elizabeth exclaimed, her voice still low. She quickly hugged the maid, who nodded hastily and headed towards the doors.
"Godspeed, Miss Swann." said Estrella, inwardly regretted what she had just done. She couldn't believe she had gone behind the governor's back, and helped his daughter run off like that. What would happen in the morning, when he found out? She sighed as she closed the door behind her… it was too late now.
………………………
Elizabeth's hands shook as she read the letter. It was even shorter than Estrella's, written in a hurry… scribbled, more like it.
Elizabeth,
Come to the harbour as soon as you can, after nightfall would be best. Jack's here with the Pearl… he's hidden, don't worry about that. I'll tell you the details later. Make sure you take extreme caution, and make sure you aren't followed.
Will,
She read the letter over three times, not entirely sure why. After memorising it, she threw it into the fireplace and, gathering up the courage, ran out of the dining room and back up the stairs to get dressed.
She grabbed a pair of pants from the spare room, (which had extra garments in case of clothing needs for visitors), and the smallest shirt she could find. After all, trying to make a quick exit was hard enough, but in a dress? It was impossible- unless you wanted to break a bone.
She quickly tucked the loose shirt into the pants and stuffed her dress hastily into the closet.
At first she'd thought of climbing out a window, but she now realised it too high up, and she had no time, let alone enough sheets, to make a strong rope to climb down.
Sighing, she sat on the bed in the visitors' room and thought furiously. After a minute or two, she headed towards the door and opened it slightly. After checking that the coast was clear, she ran to her own room. She took a deep breath, and prayed that her plan would work, because after all, it was hastily thought of, not properly prepared, and it had every chance of failing.
Opening her door, she called out, "Estrella! Estrella! Please bring some tea up to my room!" She waited a few moments, then called out again.
"Yes, Miss." replied Estrella.
She came up five minutes later with a tray of tea. Elizabeth was pacing the room, extremely nervous.
"Yes, miss?" asked Estrella, noticing Elizabeth's clothes and knowing this had nothing to do with tea.
"Estrella, I need you to create a diversion." She said bluntly.
Estrella shook her head. "I'm sorry, Miss Swann, I can't get involved any-"
"Estrella, please." begged Elizabeth.
Estrella gave her an extremely worried look. "I…I don't think…"
"Please!"
She sighed. "What sort of diversion?" Her voice was full of exhaustion and anxiety.
"Anything. Just make sure it's away from the front door, and that my father is present. And keep him away from my room." She told the maid.
"Miss…"
"Please. Don't make me beg."
Estrella sighed and nodded. "Alright. Be careful."
"You too."
Estrella headed down the stairs, while Elizabeth waited at the top in the doorway of her bedroom.
It was only a few seconds later that she heard her name coming from someone in the hallway.
"Elizabeth?"
She froze, and hoped with all her might that her plan hadn't already failed…
A/N: Hope you enjoyed. Please review! Constructive criticism welcome. Thanks for reading :D