DISCLAIMER: I'm no pirate, and therefore haven't commandeered the rights to PotC.
WARNINGS: Slash. Yes, m/m. If you don't like it, I ask only that you leave and not send me some petty note about how wrong this is.
Freedom
"Will," Elizabeth heard her father greet.
She wanted to run.
"Good morning, Governor Swann. What a pleasure it is to see you today," Will replied courteously.
She wanted to scream.
"Indeed, and you as well, young Turner. 'Tis a fine calm day, especially after so much chaos."
She couldn't bear this.
Her father led Will into the parlor--
To discuss our upcoming nuptials, she thought. She couldn't bring herself to use the word wedding. No such romantic word should be tainted with the knowledge that behind that alluring sound was nothing more than a synonym for ownership. Glorified slavery, her mind supplied. Will was everything Elizabeth could want in a man, but not what she could wish for, could dream of. She dreamed of a day when women, wives in particular, were not little more than possessions to be used, worked, and flaunted. And though William Turner was a truly exceptional man, she could not bear the thought of giving up her freedom to anyone.
She had already contacted Anamaria, and the pirate had promised Elizabeth a place on her new ship.
Elizabeth still needed to see to Will.
Jack would have that taken care of, for the most part, but she would have to set it in motion.
Elizabeth steeled herself with a deep breath and thoughts of the life of freedom promised her, and then went downstairs and knocked at the open parlor door. Both her father and Will turned to look at her, but her feet refused to take her into the room that was the embodiment of everything she could not allow herself to become.
Glorified slavery, Elizabeth's mind echoed.
"Yes, Elizabeth?" Her father's amused look changed to one of concern and he took a step toward her before catching himself. Elizabeth hated being patronized and comforted, treated as if she were made of thin and fragile glass. "Is something wrong?"
She tried to clear her mind of the upsetting thoughts that must have been showing in her expression.
Will looked worried.
"No, I'm fine," the words coming out clipped and almost irritable, nowhere near how she wanted. She turned to Will. This would sound awful, and considering what he'd been through for her it truly was awful. A hateful thing to say, though she didn't hate him in the least. That's why I'm saying it: I care about him, but I can't give him what he needs. He needs to know who can. And he'll only find out if-- her mouth jumped ahead of her mind and said in a rush, "Will if you truly love me you'll bring me the Pearl as a wedding gift."
Both men were stunned. Will, as predicted, looked hurt. As Elizabeth's father took in this new ultimatum, he grew visibly disappointed. Disappointed in her, and she knew he couldn't understand. Probably not ever, but this was how she needed things to be. Maybe it was selfish, but if it was, she never wanted to be unselfish again.
After a moment of near silence, with the muffled chatter of the people of the city and the sweet song of birds the only sound, Will nodded slowly, like a kicked but obedient puppy. Her father sighed and walked to the window behind the couch he'd been sitting on just a minute earlier.
"As you wish, Elizabeth."
In that statement, Elizabeth realized that her father had at least some inkling of what she was doing, and even if he didn't understand it, he would accept it.
Will echoed her father, though he was as puzzled as ever, and relief washed over her. She nodded, thanked them, and returned to her bedroom with a smile on her face.
Now all that was left was to wait for Anamaria. There was nothing here she wanted to keep.
END.