Ring of Fire
Prologue: Playing by Fate
A salty gust of wind decisively swept along the pier, gusting over shivering passerbies. The sky was overcast, a thick fog permeating the air, whilst storm provoked waves crashed restlessly. One lone figure stood out among the crowd, clad in white, long blonde hair softly undulating around her lithe frame, she appeared almost ethereal against the backdrop of the mercilessly darkening sky.
The woman leaned against the damp railing of the pier, her amber flecked eyes seemingly glued to the cadence of the wildly crashing sea below. A ghost of a smile fluttered across her full lips, and as if on cue, she pivoted around to face the man who now stood beside her. "Elizabeth," he murmured, taking her pale slender hand into his own. Her eyes glittered with unshed tears, and damning all reservation, she launched herself into his familiar strong arms.
A casual observer would describe the pair as perhaps reunited lovers; their love for one another was clearly apparent. Truthfully, this particular reunion was between two long lost friends. The length of their separation was unequivocal to most, half a century, a fact that paled considerably in that the two had lived far longer than most could ever hope to claim.
Elizabeth pulled away from the embrace, gazing fondly into the man's chocolate orbs. "How are you Will?" she asked softly. Will smiled briefly, "I'm fine, especially now that I know that you are well." Clearing her throat nervously, Elizabeth prepared herself to ask Will why he had insisted that they meet, on a San Francisco pier no less. Sensing her discomfort, he took up both of her hands into his own, and looked into her eyes with all seriousness. "Elizabeth, I promised you I would, and I did. I found him." Those seemingly innocuous words caught her by surprise, her amber eyes widening considerably. She tore her gaze away from his, staring into the bay. "Jack is here?" she asked almost too softly. "Yes, he runs and owns a bar called Brûlez le rhum," Will replied. Elizabeth smiled at that, murmuring "burn the rum, that certainly brings back memories." Embracing Will once again, she whispered "Thank you, I am forever in gratitude." Shrugging off her praise, he pulled away, "Elizabeth, you know very well that it is the least I could do, if I had known…. I wouldn't have acted so selfishly…" She placed a finger upon his lips, "no more of that, what matters is that I couldn't ask for a better friend than you." He smiled at her, emotion glimmering in his eyes, "good, now go find him, and this time shackle him to a bed."
You see, after at world's end, the great battle had practically rent the world apart. Jack had left, denying the pain of a broken heart, determined to find the fountain of youth. Meanwhile, Elizabeth, swearing to remain faithful to her new husband had resisted the urge to chase after the elusive captain who had made off with her heart.
What Elizabeth had not expected, was that William had noticed her discontent. And, what had supposedly been their one day to be together as a married couple; he had called her out on her feelings for Jack. She had attempted denying such allegations, but his gaze had pierced right through to her soul, and her defenses had broken down. Surprisingly, although Will felt hurt that he didn't lay claim to Elizabeth's heart, he also felt quite responsible for pushing her away from Jack. That day, he released her from her wedding vows, and promised her that he would find Jack for her. Still very shocked at what had transpired and suddenly overwhelmed by the loss she had experienced, Elizabeth had stayed on her small island, listless to the world for many months.
Will had not expected that finding Jack would be so difficult; it was as if the infamous captain had fallen off the face of the earth. This was not so, for Jack had successfully found the Aqua De Vida, and had drank from its sustaining waters. And, in a moment of weakness, he had sent a messenger to deliver a bottle from the fountain to the woman who haunted his dreams nightly. Elizabeth had been very surprised to find a bottle on the doorstep of her small cottage, attached with a note saying "Drink from this bottle, and you shall live to see your beloved for all of eternity," signed with a small drawing of a sparrow. Well aware that the note and bottle had come from Jack, Elizabeth drank the water gladly, although quite sure that Jack was not aware that he was the reason that she would be willing to live forever for.
A/N: Inspiration for this story struck, and couldn't be denied. Hopefully you'll enjoy it! Reviews/suggestions greatly encouraged! I hope to update with chapter one soon, before going on my one week vacation. ;D