Pirates of the Caribbean: Fountains of Crystal

Chapter 1

Ms. Turner

"Is there anything else you would have done Ms. Turner?" The young maid curtseyed to Elizabeth Turner, who was resting on a love seat in a ray of sun on the balcony. Ms. Turner. Yes, it was a lovely name; Elizabeth smiled, never regretting taking the name of William Turner. It helped her think of him, and to remember that in ten years he would be home. It wouldn't be so long of a wait, one month had gone by quickly, only nine years eleven months to go. She hoped.

"No that will be all Charlotte." Elizabeth returned with a curt nod. Charlotte nodded her head, her sleek chocolate hair sliding over her shoulder, and turned on her heel out the balcony door. Elizabeth smiled after her. Charlotte was young, about seventeen and had the fresh air of a young girl waiting to make her way in the world.

Elizabeth turned her face up toward the sky, allowing the warm sun to touch her face as the cool ocean breeze tousled her dark honey hair. While she would have been content to lie there all day but suddenly she grabbed her stomach sat up, feeling violently ill. With no where to run, and not wanting to throw up over the side of the balcony, she leaned over the nearest flower pot and instead threw up inside that. She lay for a moment and then sat up on her lounge chair again, sighing miserably. This had been going on for a few weeks now, and she could only think of one thing, but couldn't bear to say it out loud or let herself think about it for more than a minute.

Hearing her retching, Charlotte appeared almost instantly on the balcony. "Oh Ms. Turner." She frowned, "Not the flowers again." She thought, but instead put on a quick, tender smile and said. "Here let me get you some water." Quickly Charlotte turned and hurried down the hallway. Ms. Turner and her condition were growing more obvious, this of course was causing some gossip within the maid's quarters.

As Charlotte turned the corner to the kitchen to pump some water for Elizabeth the cook, Esmé, with eagerness in her eyes and gossip on her tongue asked, "Again?" Charlotte gave a slight nod, and Esmé turned giddy with delight, like a school girl hearing what boy fancied her. "That is the third time today!" She cackled and Charlotte's lips turned down in a frown. "I am aware." She answered sourly and turned out of the room with a pitcher of crystal water for Ms. Turner.

She stalked down the hallway and up a flight of stairs to the balcony, and she fluffed her hair, shook her skirts, took a deep breath, and put on a smile before she opened the door.

She came through and smiled, "Now Ms. Turner. Don't you worry, here is some water for you," she poured a glass of the cool water and offered it to Elizabeth. "Drink it miss, to rid you of the bad taste."

Elizabeth took the water hastily, and as civilly as possible gulped it down with greedy thirst. Finally she gave the glass back to Charlotte, "Thank you Charlotte." She said, meaning it in every way possible. "Is that all Ms. Turner?"

"No Charlotte, help me to bed. I feel tired; I think I need a nap." Charlotte moved to the side of Elizabeth and helped her up. "Yes ma'am." The pair walked silently into Elizabeth's bedroom and Charlotte hurried to turn down the bed covers to prepare them for Ms. Turner.

Charlotte then helped Elizabeth off with her summer dress and into her night gown. As Elizabeth climbed into bed and adjusted the covers Charlotte drew the curtains and the whole room was darkened.

"Is there anything else you wish Ms. Turner?" Charlotte asked with a smile. Stifling a yawn, Elizabeth returned the smile and said. "Sit here with me for a moment Charlotte, I wish to talk with you."

Charlotte took a tentative step forward, and Elizabeth smiled. "I assure you, it is quite alright," and gave a reassuring nod. Charlotte sat on the small chair by the side of Elizabeth's bed. "I know the other staff gossip about my… condition." Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, "I do want you to be the first to know for sure as I consider you one of my dearest friends here."

Charlotte blushed at this, "You flatter me Ms. Turner, thank you." Elizabeth smiled warmly. "I do believe I am with child, and Will is the father… You have taken such good care of me Charlotte, I wish to give a raise in your pay so that perhaps you may go and find a man and start a family with. I see such potential in you; you don't need to be my maid for the rest of your life." Charlotte's eyes widened, "Thank you Ms. Turner. I don't know what to-"

Elizabeth put up her hand, "Please do not thank me. Call me Elizabeth when we talk together like this… Just consider it a friend helping another friend. There is a small pouch of coins for you on my dresser. Go into town for the rest of the day, find yourself a nice dress, consider it my birthday present to you."

Charlotte grinned, "Thank you Ms. T- Elizabeth. Thank you." Her eyes were smiling too, and for a moment it struck Elizabeth as strangely familiar but she couldn't quite figure out why.

"You may leave now Charlotte." Elizabeth smiled, her eyes beginning to droop. "Have a nice time." Charlotte stood and curtseyed. "Thank you again… Elizabeth." With that she picked up the small velvet pouch and quietly exited the room.

Elizabeth shook her head, the familiarity she had seen in Charlotte's eyes were so strange. She would think of it soon, or else it would drive her mad.