Revolutions of the Heart
AU, post-PotC
Disclaimer: The characters of Will, Elizabeth, and Jack all belong to Disney, although Ben Thorndyke is of my own creation. All historical persons, like Mary Wollstonecraft and Samuel Adams, belong to themselves, but they will be manipulated to benefit my plot. As this is a Revolutionary War story told from an American's point of view, King George III will be bashed…along with the fictional Norrington and Lord Beckett. But in no way does this reflect my feelings about British people as a whole – in fact, I happen to adore the British! After all, Orlando and Keira are of that nationality! And J.K. Rowling is my favorite author of all time..
Summary: AU, Post-PotC Elizabeth and Will were engaged to be married but due to a cruel twist of fate, they were separated. Now, seven years later, amid the backdrop of the Revolutionary War, fate gives them another chance at love. But are they brave enough to take it?
A/N: This story is very AU. The events of PotC: tCotBP occurred before the story began, but the second movie does not play out. Elements from the second movie are sprinkled throughout the story, such as a variation of Lord Beckett's character. But it is an original story…there is no Davey Jones going after Jack's soul. In fact the story happens to center on Will and Elizabeth's relationship. I'm telling you this up front…if you don't like Will/Liz, don't bother to read it. However, it does contain Mr. Sparrow, who plays an important part. It is historical fiction, set during the time of the Revolutionary War. I tried to make the 'real' events as accurate as possible, but keep in mind, this is fanfiction. If you need to correct, please do so gently. Also, suggestions are always welcome! Now, on to the story…
Chapter One: True Love's First Test
Elizabeth Swann snuck out of her home late one Friday night, planning to meet Will, her fiancé, on Port Royal's now-deserted beach. Although they were properly engaged, Elizabeth's father still deemed it improper for them to spend time alone together without supervision. So, Elizabeth took matters into her own hands, as she often had before. The governor's daughter was careful not to be seen by anyone as she walked down to the beach…the town was already in an uproar about her impending marriage to the blacksmith. Gossip would spread like wildfire if she was caught out at night without a chaperone, and Elizabeth felt it was best to avoid that disagreeable scenario. Luckily, she made it to 'their' spot on the beach without being spotted by anyone. Will was already there, waiting patiently for her to arrive.
"Elizabeth, you made it!" He exclaimed, sweeping her into his arms. She giggled into his chest, just enjoying the feeling of being safe and loved.
It had been almost a month since Will and Elizabeth had returned to their home of Port Royal after that unforgettable incident involving the undead pirates and Captain Jack Sparrow. Mister Turner and Miss Swann were very much in love – he had proposed to her the day after Jack left in the Pearl. They had set the wedding date (which was fast approaching), booked the church, ordered the flowers, bought suitable clothes, and invited the guests. Now all they could do was wait for the happy day to arrive.
"Will, can you believe that we'll be married by next week?" Elizabeth gushed, as they ran hand in hand down the moonlit beach.
"Sometimes I can't believe you agreed to marry me," he admitted as they flopped down on the sand, which was still warm from the previous day's Caribbean sun. "I must be the luckiest man in the world - surely you must have considered Norrington's offer?" Elizabeth was appalled that Will would think such a thing until she realized that her fiancé was only joking. He laughed as she wrinkled her nose in disgust. But he quickly sobered when she asked him a question that had been worrying her for weeks.
"Do you think King George really will hold a draft? I know my worries may seem unfounded, but Father says the colonies are getting more and more out of hand every day…" Elizabeth trailed off.
"Oh, Lizzie." Will laughed, running his fingers through the softness that was her hair. But secretly he believed that her worries were not far from the truth. He was afraid that he would be drafted into the British Army and shipped across the seas to the Americas to fight for a cause that he did not believe in. Honestly, he could care less about what the colonists did and didn't want to risk his life with Elizabeth over something as trivial -to him- as taxes. He knew there was probably more to it than that, but Will's focus was not on colonial problems at the moment. His thoughts were centered around upcoming his marriage to certain someone… Elizabeth was speaking.
"I'm just afraid that if Britain did go to war, that you and I would be parted forever. That would be awful!" Her lips trembled, and Will's heart ached. He hated to see her in distress, no matter how small.
"Don't you worry, Lizzie. I'm not going anywhere yet," he reassured her as he enveloped her in his strong, muscled arms, a product of his blacksmithing days.
"I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you, Will. You're the only man I've ever wanted," she murmured into his chest. "You're the only one who understands me – not even my father knows all that I've told you." She winked at him mysteriously and Will faintly blushed.
"You know I feel the same. The whole town knows it, that you're the only one that I've ever loved or will love," he breathed into her ear. He claimed her lips with his own and they sank into the sparkling sand, locked in a lover's embrace. As they explored each other's mouths, Elizabeth let out a moan of frustration. Gasping for air, they pulled away for a moment.
"Will, what's stopping you from taking me right here, right now," she whispered seductively, sitting up while he caught his breath. "I would always remember my first time with you on the beach under the stars." She ran her fingers through his thick mane and he shivered at her touch.
"You have no idea how much I'd love to take you up on that offer," he replied huskily, the hints of desire evident in his dark eyes. "But I promised your father that I'd make an honorable woman out of you so I'm afraid you're just going to have to wait until Friday."
"But…" she trailed off, clearly disappointed. Will smiled wryly, caressing her smooth cheeks.
"I know you'd regret it later if we didn't wait," he reminded her and she nodded dejectedly. "Come on, love. It's getting late, and we'd better head back." He helped her up, and gave her his coat, sheltering her from the cool gusts that were felt down by the docks.
"I'm so lucky to be betrothed to a man who remains honorable when I am at my weakest," she told him as they left the beach behind. Will hugged her.
"You're not weak – far from it. Besides, after a few days, you'll never have to resist me again." She giggled at that, and they were silent the rest of the way back, content just to walk beside each other.
"Goodnight, Will, my love," she told him before they kissed. "I'll stop by the shop tomorrow," she promised.
"I'll look forward to it," he murmured softly as she disappeared into the Swann mansion.
Elizabeth sighed with happiness as she tip-toed through the foyer. Her life had certainly taken a turn for the better once Will had finally gotten up the courage to confess his feelings for her. She would never forget that fateful day when he blurted out, "I love you", just before Jack was about to be hung. Even her father had warmed to the idea of her marrying 'beneath' her, once he had had the chance to spend some time with Will over the past month. When Weatherby Swann saw just how deep Will's love ran for his daughter and that he would do anything for her, he gave the young couple his blessing. Yes, she mused, my life was going just the way I want it to.
The governor's daughter hoped to crawl right into bed without being discovered that she had been dallying with her fiancé. She figured that her father would already be asleep, as it was after midnight. So when Elizabeth heard shouts and muffled noises coming from her father's study, she had every right to be alarmed.
"Father?" she called, bursting into his study. The scene that greeted her chilled her to the bone. Two naval officers were holding her anguished father at gunpoint, along with four other redcoat guards.
"What are you doing?" she hissed. "Put your weapons down!"
"Certainly, Miss Swann," one of the officers said with a sneer. "I would be happy to - as soon as your father agrees to govern the colony of Massachusetts, and as soon as you agree to marry my friend here." The second officer in the room stood up as a sign of respect for Elizabeth, and she noted that he looked strikingly like Will. They had the same dark eyes and hair, although she figured this man was a tad shorter but she couldn't be sure. Not that this man who was threatening Father could begin to compare to Will, she reminded herself.
"Captain Benjamin Thorndyke, at your service my lady," said the man, offering his hand to Elizabeth, who refused to shake it. It's so strange how much he physically resembles Will, she thought while glaring at the man. I might even mistake him for Will if I saw him from afar… However, she knew that her Will's handsome features were quite unique. She could never mistake another man –not even this man- for Will, even if she wanted to. Her father's voice jolted her out of her thoughts.
"I don't mind serving in the colonies," Governor Swann began, "but I don't see why you're marrying my daughter has to do with anything! She is already engaged to another man, and they are set to marry in three days." Elizabeth gave her father a grateful look.
"King George's orders," said the other officer, waving official papers under their noses, as if that explained everything. "It's come to our attention that Miss Swann's fiancé, William Turner, was seen meeting with the rebel sympathizers. The king will not tolerate one of his newly appointed governors' daughter to marry a traitor to the Crown, so we have arranged for a substitute."
"What!" screeched Elizabeth. "This is absurd…Will is not a spy for the colonies! He would never betray Britain…he couldn't," she sputtered. "He loves his country, and so do I!"
"I'm sorry, Miss Swann," said Thorndyke, not sounding very sorry at all, "But we are about to begin a war…times have changed. The king is taking a more active role in our personal lives; I think it would be best if you just gave me a chance." He nodded at the first officer, who was still holding her father at gunpoint. "I wouldn't want anything unfortunate to happen to your father."
"But what about Will?" she choked out. "He'll know something is amiss if I don't show on the day of our wedding…"
"Well," the officer hesitated, "We were going to arrest him for treason and lock him up for five years, but if you sign these papers stating that you will marry me, we shall lower the sentence to three months in prison. But if you go to him tomorrow to try and warn the blacksmith, he shall be killed on the spot." She gasped in horror.
"No," she whispered. "You can't do that…it's against the law!"
"I'm afraid the king sees otherwise, what with the colonies rebelling and all, he can't afford to have you marry a spy," said Thorndyke.
"Come, come my dear, we haven't got all day," the first officer reminded her, nudging her father with his pistol. "Make your decision." Gulping, the governor's daughter looked at him, to her father, to Thorndyke, then back to the offending officer. Thorndyke shot her a sympathetic look, but she hardly felt warmly towards him. After all, the man was participating in the scheme that was to separate her from her beloved Will forever! I'll sign, she thought desperately. But only to keep my father safe…as soon as I'm allowed, I shall run to the blacksmith's, find Will, explain the situation, and hopefully leave Port Royal with him as soon as we can. Will would want to know...as much as I want to keep him safe, I'm positive he'd want to know about the threat that has been put out on us.
"Elizabeth, don't…" Her father protested, but with shaking fingers, she signed the documents anyway. Reluctantly, the officers put away their weapons and Elizabeth found temporary solace in her father's arms.
"You didn't have to do that," he said, as his voice hitched with emotion.
"Yes I did," she whispered. "For both your and Will's sakes."
"Thank you, Miss Swann, for being reasonable," said a very relieved Thorndyke, gathering up the documents. Elizabeth could hardly bare to look at him. How am I ever going to explain this to Will so that he'll understand the seriousness of my situation? What if we can't escape in time? She thought miserably. Elizabeth was jolted out of her thoughts…Thorndyke was speaking.
"Now that that is all settled, I shall return for you tomorrow afternoon. Governor, we leave for the colonies at once!" Thorndyke nodded at him, and then he, his colleague, and the redcoats vacated the premises.
"I'm so sorry, Elizabeth, dear," said her father, who stared at his only daughter with only the deepest regret that he couldn't have prevented the previous events from happening. "You don't deserve this…" he trailed off, and hugged her tightly.
"I know, Father," she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder. "It's not your fault; I don't blame you at all." Not bearing to look at his anguished expression, she excused herself, saying she was exhausted and that she wanted to go to bed.
Elizabeth found no rest that night…her life had taken a wrong turn and there was nothing she could do to right it again. When she awoke the next morning, the unfamiliar sensation of dread took up residence in the pit of her stomach. All through breakfast, she toyed with the idea of exactly when she should make her escape to the blacksmith shop so she could warn Will about everything that had transpired the previous night.
Could we leave town fast enough once I convince Will that our government is after him? Once we are on the run, how long would it be until we're caught? Elizabeth didn't want to risk Will's being arrested, even though she was sure that the officers had invented the offense she knew it was necessary that they leave quickly. By mid-morning, she had put off seeing Will long enough – if they were to run away together, she had better see him now. She left her father a note, explaining what she had done…she knew he would understand.
The sun was out in all of her glory as Elizabeth headed out to see Will in what she hoped would be the beginning of their new life together. Donning a fancy wide-brimmed hat, lace trimmed gloves, and a wrap, the governor's daughter hurried through the town to her destination. Sweat trickled down her back as it must have been one of the hottest days of the Caribbean summer, and she was stuck underneath all of the layers of protective but itchy clothing.
Later, at the Blacksmith shop
Putting his unfinished sword aside, Will heard someone urgently knocking and answered the door to the blacksmith shop that he now owned. Mr. Brown had finally retired, bequeathing the smithy to his former apprentice.
"Elizabeth!" he cried, twirling her around. "Please, come in out of the hot sun…you shouldn't be outside for that long, remember?" She nodded, and quickly followed him inside the shop. Will could not easily contain his eagerness at seeing his beloved.
"It's good to see you again so soon." He beamed at his fiancé, but she couldn't bring herself to return the smile.
"What's wrong, love?" He asked, noticing the lack of her cheerful demeanor.
"I…I… something terrible has happened," she confessed, removing her sticky wrap.
"Tell me," he urged.
"Do you love me Will?" she asked, sounding terribly frightened. She knew he did, she just wanted him to re-affirm it.
"Of course I love you," he emphasized, more than a little confused as he held her clammy hands. Elizabeth shivered despite the heat.
"Would you do anything for me?" she asked, her voice wobbling.
"You know I would, love," he promised, kissing her brow. "Please tell me what's wrong," he pleaded, but she remained silent, not sure how to begin.
"Is your father ill?" She shook her head no.
"Did someone hurt you?" Not wanting to lie, she decided to assume that he meant physically.
"No," she muttered, looking down at her feet.
"Lizzie, what is it?" he whispered.
"We've got to leave Port Royal right away – Will, you are in terrible danger!" she cried as she sank into his loving embrace.
"What do you mean?" he questioned her concernedly. Somehow, amidst many pauses and tears, she was able to spit out the short version of the long and terrible story.
"…So you understand why we must flee Port Royal forever," she finished emphatically. Will nodded slowly, rubbing her back as he spoke.
"When are they expecting you back at the manor?"
"I'm not sure; sometime this afternoon I think," Elizabeth answered, having composed herself somewhat.
"Alright, love. I'll just go grab a few things and then we can leave." Will disappeared up the ladder into the loft over the smithy where he had stashed his few prized possessions.
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief – he was taking her pleas for urgency seriously. Her fiancé returned a few moments later with his sword, a pouch full of money, a pack full of clothes, and a small, velvet box which he held out to Elizabeth.
"Open it, quick," Will urged, and she did, gasping as she pulled out a shimmering golden necklace in the shape of a heart. Engraved on the back were the letters 'W & E' along with the word 'forever' in beautiful fancy script.
"It's your wedding present," Will explained to a now speechless Elizabeth who was tracing the letters with her fingers. "I was going to wait until after we were married, but it seems fitting that you have it now. I made it myself – well, I had help with the engraving. Do you like it?" he asked anxiously.
"I love it," she grinned, giving him a quick kiss. "It's perfect; knowing that you made it makes it even more special." Will blushed at this. "I only wish that I'd thought to remember your present – I left it at the house," she said apologetically.
"That's alright," he said, kindly. "You're all the present I need." Elizabeth enjoyed the feel of Will's warm fingers raking over her skin as he clasped the necklace around her elegant neck.
"We'd better go," she said reluctantly. She hated to interrupt this private time with her fiancé, but if they waited too long to flee the city, she knew Will would be arrested – or worse.
"Milady," said Will, who offered her his arm. She took it gratefully and they started towards the door. But before they could reach it, a loud knock sounded, along with angry voices.
"Give it up, Turner; we know she's in there!" Elizabeth and Will tensed. They had lingered too long; the unthinkable had happened. The navy had discovered them! Elizabeth didn't see any way out of this one. What were they going to do?
End Ch. 1
