Annalise stepped out onto the second floor landing, finding it difficult to maintain her balance. It literally took all her training to keep her back straight and to walk in her heels with her head lined up 'like a swan' (the joke hadn't been lost on her and Elizabeth) as she headed towards the stairs to the first floor.
She could hear voices below, and Annalise quickly pinpointed one to be her father and the other to be, to her surprise, Will.
"Will?" Annalise called in surprise as she stepped out onto the staircase and spotted the dark-haired young man standing beside her father, who was wielding a beautiful sword that left little doubt as to why Will was here.
"Oh, Annalise, you look beautiful." Her father praised, beaming as he looked up at his youngest daughter with pride.
Will was also looking surprised as he noted her posh dress and her hair curled femininely into a neat half-up hairdo with a delicate bonnet to complete the look.
"An-?" He began in surprise, before catching himself and greeting more deferentially: "Miss Swann."
"Mr. Turner." Annalise teased as she reached the bottom of the stairs and walked over, glancing at the sword curiously. "What do you have there?"
"Oh, I was just showing the Governor my - my master's -," Will quickly corrected, "latest creation. I understand it is for the new Commodore."
"Ah." Annalise nodded, leaning in to examine the sword more closely and noting the gold filigree laid into the handle. "Oh, Will, it's beautiful."
"And perfectly balanced." The blacksmith added, nodding to where Annalise could see the tang was nearly the full width of the blade.
She recalled Will lecturing about this before in one of their informal lessons, and she smiled as she praised: "Very impressive. The maker must be very proud."
She glanced at Will teasingly, and he hid a smile while Governor Swann said sternly: "Yes, well, that's enough I'd say, Annalise."
She grinned at Will behind her father's back as he turned back to Will, sheathing the blade as he commented: "Commodore Norrington is going to be very pleased with this."
Will smiled as he placed the sword carefully back into its case, pleased with their praises, though Annalise had to hide a cough of embarrassment as her father added: "Do pass my compliments on to your master, hmm?"
Will looked back up, spotting Annalise as she grimaced apologetically from behind her father's shoulder. To his credit, his expression never faltered as he said to Governor Swann warmly: "I shall. A craftsman is always pleased to hear his work is appreciated."
He smiled, and the Governor returned the gesture, when the sound of heels and ruffling of a dress from above made them all glance up towards the stairs once more. Annalise smiled as she saw her sister, looking incredible in a golden-coloured dress with her hair done in a similar fashion to Annalise's.
"Oh, Elizabeth," their father sighed contently, "you look absolutely stunning."
Annalise had to hide a smile as she noted Elizabeth seemed to be having the same difficulty walking that she'd had, though with all their upbringing it was very difficult to detect for anyone else. She doubted even Will could tell – though, to be fair, he was so absorbed by his love for Elizabeth that he would hardly notice an earthquake happening around them. And he wasn't the only one enamoured.
Annalise hid another smile as Elizabeth's face lit up and she breathed: "Will! It's so good to see you."
She hurried down the steps, and Annalise hid a laugh as she saw Will swallow as he watched Elizabeth's approach. Elizabeth barely noticed the rest of them as she came to a stop before Will, saying excitedly: "I had a dream about you last night."
Annalise did snort at that while their father looked a little scandalized as he glanced at Elizabeth and then Will uneasily. Will, at least, had the sense to act with decency though he couldn't hide his surprise as he asked: "About me?"
"Yes, well," Governor Swann tried to interject, "is that entirely proper for you to-?"
"About the day we met, do you remember?" Elizabeth asked Will, ignoring her father.
This time, Annalise also looked at her sister in surprise, wondering at the coincidence that she'd had the same dream. Though, she noted, Elizabeth seemed much happier discussing it with Will; after all, she only had to focus on the part she loved the most: meeting Will and ultimately falling in love with him.
Annalise rolled her eyes while Will lit up with joy, though he tried to hide it as he asked politely: "How could I forget, Miss Swann ?"
Annalise fought to keep her face straight as she saw a flash of annoyance cross Elizabeth's face and her sister leant in to ask Will with a hint of exasperation: "Will, how many times must I ask you to call me Elizabeth?"
Will's eyes lit up, but he simply replied politely: "At least once more, Miss Swann , as always."
Elizabeth's face fell, disappointment colouring her features, and Annalise had to sigh at her idiot sister and her idiot best friend while her father said firmly: "There. See? At least the boy has a sense of propriety."
Elizabeth glanced at her sister, who simply shrugged, while their father reached over to grab the girls' parasols as he ushered: "Now, we really must be going. There you are."
He handed them their parasols before he walked out, leaving the three young adults. Annalise watched as Elizabeth gave Will a decidedly colder look as she greeted neutrally: "Good day, Mr. Turner."
Will blinked, glancing at Annalise quickly before staring at Elizabeth as Governor Swann called impatiently: "Come along, girls."
Elizabeth stalked out, and Annalise muttered to Will: "Good going, Romeo."
He started, staring at her, but she simply added in a louder tone: "Good day, Mr. Turner."
She mimicked her sister, making Elizabeth shoot daggers at her as they headed down the steps and towards the carriage.
"What?" Annalise whispered innocently under her breath as they headed into the carriage.
"Oh, hush." Elizabeth sighed as they climbed in, making Annalise giggle.
She laughed even harder when they heard Will call after them wistfully: "Good day!"
Elizabeth glanced out the window to watch Will as they drove away, subtly keeping him in her sights as he stood on their doorstep until he couldn't be seen any more. Their father didn't notice, too busy reading some notes on the day's ceremony, but Annalise did and she shook her head at her sister.
"If you were going to pine after him so much, you should make yourself clearer to him." Annalise told her sister quietly, speaking softly to prevent their father from hearing exactly what she was saying.
Elizabeth sighed again as she turned to her sister, murmuring just as softly: "I can't though. It would never work."
"Because he's too cowardly to admit his feelings." Annalise pointed out, and Elizabeth disagreed, defending Will: "It's not about courage- I think he just wants what's best for me."
"Well, yes, I'm glad you've seen the obvious." Annalise replied. "But that doesn't exactly solve your problem. What if someone else asks for your hand in marriage first?"
She was treading dangerous waters now, because Annalise knew Elizabeth had no idea James Norrington intended to propose to her. Her sister was clever in many things, but romance was not one of them- clearly.
"I won't accept." Elizabeth answered defiantly, and Annalise could only shake her head at her sister's naivety.
Though, Annalise highly doubted that Elizabeth was that naïve. Instead, she suspected that Elizabeth more likely feared such a future and so tried not to think that such a thing could happen, at least yet. If only her sister knew how close that future was…
"What are you two whispering about?" Her father asked, glancing at them curiously.
Elizabeth blinked, fumbling as she tried to think of a reply, but Annalise interjected smoothly: "Women troubles."
Their father blinked before he quickly turned away, not wanting to hear more about the 'w' word. Elizabeth stared, and then shot a glance at her sister, who smiled back angelically.
"You are a clever liar, sister dear." Elizabeth told Annalise in a low undertone and Annalise laughingly replied in the same whisper: "It's why I'm better at scheming- I can and do get away with it."
Elizabeth could only shake her head in amusement as they drove off to the fort, half exasperated and half admiring her younger sister and her naturally rebellious side.
Neither sister was smiling a few hours later as they stood in the limited shade the fort battlements offered from the bright Caribbean sun. They'd spent the better part of two hours watching Norrington's promotion ceremony in the blistering heat, and it had done little help their condition.
"This is impossible." Annalise griped under her breath as she and Elizabeth fanned themselves in vain.
"Apparently it's the latest fashion in London." Elizabeth muttered as she fidgeted uncomfortably against her tight corset.
"Well, women in London must have learnt not to breath." Annalise muttered as she fanned herself in attempt to cool her cheeks. The heightened colour made her look quite pretty, but she had little care for such things as she struggled to get enough oxygen into her lungs.
Elizabeth smiled a little tightly as she answered: "That's what I told father."
The two giggled a little breathlessly, though it was cut off quickly as they both struggled for breath. Their mood was also further soured as Norrington came up, giving Annalise a polite nod as he asked Elizabeth: "May I have a moment?"
Elizabeth hesitated, but there was no polite response except to agree. Annalise shot her sister a faint, encouraging smile as Norrington escorted Elizabeth towards the platform, before her smile dropped and she winced against her corset.
She glanced around quickly, noting her father absorbed in a conversation with some other diplomats and high-ranking officials, and the various groups of posh society gossiping as they stood around, enjoying the after-party of the new Commodore's promotion.
Annalise hesitated, debating the pros and cons of each alternative quickly before she decided that she really didn't want to stay any longer. She doubted Elizabeth would want to accept the Commodore's proposal, in which case her own absence would be the perfect excuse to refrain from giving an immediate answer. After all, there could be no celebration without the full family present.
So, with that resolution in mind, Annalise wandered casually to the outskirts of the party, before she turned and dashed out. She let out a sigh of relief as soon as she was away from the stuffy environment, tugging on her dress and loosening it as much as she could without completely removing it. It was only a small budge but did wonders for her lungs.
She sighed again in relief, before glancing back at the fort as she exited the buildings. She supposed she could stay nearby, but she wanted to enjoy the fresh air a little more so she decided to take a walk along the sea. The breeze was doing her good, cooling her warm cheeks, and she really didn't want to go back to the party anyway.
With that, she walked off down the path, heading for the docks without a backward glance.
Annalise had barely reached the docks when there was a splash from near the cliffs, far away enough from her that it wasn't too disturbing but rather puzzling because she had heard it, which meant it had to have been incredibly loud.
She glanced over carelessly, wondering what could have caused the noise, when suddenly a voice screamed from high above in the battlements: "Elizabeth!"
Annalise's blood went cold as she looked up sharply, noting the small figures at the top, one of whom could only be James Norrington. She then looked back down in horror at the sea, the water still bubbling slightly from the earlier splash and her brain made the connection that her body had instinctively made.
No.
Annalise panicked, wondering if she should scream for help, run for help, jump into the water herself to save her sister, or do all of the above – 'impossible' her brain said – while her body fought to faint on the spot in shock. How Elizabeth had fallen from the battlements was beyond her, but Norrington's desperate scream left little doubt that that was exactly what had happened.
'Decision, make a decision, quickly!' Her brain screeched at her, and Annalise was just about to throw everything to the wind, when suddenly she saw movement by one of the Navy ships.
A figure, a regular man by the looks of it although how he'd been on the Interceptor was beyond her, dove into the waters, swimming with strong strokes towards her sister. Annalise clasped her hands together, praying desperately as the man dove down below the surface, and it seemed like the weather was agreeing with her as the sun suddenly disappeared behind dark clouds.
Annalise barely noticed, too busy staring at the waters and searching for any sign of movement. She perked up when her sister's mysterious rescuer broke the surface once more, carrying a large golden pile, but her heart sank as the man quickly disappeared once more beneath the surface.
'The dress.' Annalise realized. 'The dress is too heavy.'
A part of her brain noted that it was a good thing she hadn't thoughtlessly jumped in after her sister, otherwise she would've been dragged under as well, but the rest of her was terrified that her sister would be lost because of this.
And for a moment, it seemed like that was going to be Elizabeth's fate as neither the man nor the woman resurfaced.
'Please, please, please.' Annalise begged whatever deity existed, and she sighed in relief as the man resurfaced once more, carrying a much smaller figure this time.
She didn't even question it, simply running for the dock the man was swimming towards, careless of manners or propriety as she raced with her skirts held high. Annalise reached the docks just as the man came in as well, two Navy soldiers reaching down to help him pull Elizabeth's prone body up out of the water.
Annalise briefly wondered why the sailors hadn't jumped in as well, but the thought was fleeting as she focused on the more immediate issue of her sister's wellbeing.
"Is she all right?" Annalise cried as she skid to a stop beside her sister's prone body, now clad in only her corset and shift, her dress having been shed in the sea for practical reasons.
The mystery man glanced at her, startled by her sudden appearance, as did one of the Navy soldiers, but the other was too focused on checking Elizabeth's neck and he cried: "She's not breathing!"
Annalise's heart stopped, but the mysterious rescuer seemed to recover at the soldier's words and he barked sharply: "Move!"
He shoved the soldier aside, not waiting for the man to follow orders, and Annalise was alarmed to see he was holding a knife in his hand.
"What-?" She began, when the man cut open the top of Elizabeth's corset, and then ripped the rest open, pulling it away as Elizabeth revived almost instantly, waking up and spitting out water as she gasped for breath.
"Lizzy!" Annalise sighed in relief as she knelt down and helped soothe her sister as Elizabeth coughed and spluttered.
The mystery man, after shoving the corset absently into one of the Navy soldiers' hands, watched them with a cocked head, while the other soldier admitted: "Never would've thought of that."
"Clearly you've never been to Singapore." Elizabeth's mystery rescuer commented, and Annalise glanced over as she questioned: "And you have?"
He met her gaze, and Annalise finally really took him in. He had long, dark dreadlocks covered partially by a red bandana with what looked like a piece of eight hanging from a beaded string. In fact, he seemed to be a fan of beads, as they hung in his hair, and even from the long ends of his goatee. He was also dressed rather roughly, with loose-fitting clothes typical of sailors, but then his hands were covered in various rings that made her doubt he was a respectable sailor.
But what surprised her the most was how dark his eyes were. And more than that, there was an intelligent but dangerous gleam in them that made her want to shiver and look away, and yet it also captivated her and seemed to call her.
Her hand tightened around Elizabeth, brushing against something cold and metal. She frowned, glancing down to see the medallion they'd found on Will eight years ago, and her frown deepened as she wondered why Elizabeth was wearing it.
She glanced up sharply as a dark hand suddenly appeared in her line of sight and picked up the medallion, and she saw the mysterious man had caught sight of the medallion when she had looked down. He picked it up now, staring at it and then Elizabeth as he wondered quietly: "Where did you get that?"
His eyes flicked to Annalise as he spoke, looking between the sisters. Elizabeth's gaze tightened defensively while Annalise frowned. This man… he knew the medallion, she realized. He recognized it from somewhere, she was sure of it.
She stared at him as he stared at them, when the sound of pounding feet along the wooden docks reached them. Annalise glanced over just in time to see Norrington pull his sword and point it at her sister's mystery rescuer's neck.
"On your feet." He growled, while the rest of his men stood behind him with their own bayonets raised and readied. Annalise hugged her sister, her brows knitting anxiously as the two Navy soldiers from before hastily stood at attention before their superior, while the mystery man eyed the sword as he slowly and carefully stood up, raising his hands in surrender.
"James, wait-" Annalise began, when their father's voice cried from the back: "Elizabeth? Annalise?"
The two girls glanced over as their father pushed his way through towards them, and he reached down to Elizabeth in alarm as he asked concernedly: "Are you alright?"
He pulled both girls up, checking them both, particularly Elizabeth who was soaked. He threw his coat over her soaking wet form worriedly, but she replied shakily as she tried to shrug the coat off: "Yes, I'm fine."
Annalise coughed as she gestured to her sister's state of undress, making Elizabeth realize how little she was wearing while Governor Swann spotted the Navy soldier still holding Elizabeth's torn corset. The soldier blinked as he saw the Governor's glare, before his eyes widened in realization and he dropped the corset like it had branded him before pointing at the mystery man in explanation.
Annalise sighed in disdain as she covered her sister, before she tensed as her father ordered sharply: "Shoot him!"
"Papa!" Annalise protested, at the same time Elizabeth argued: "Father! Commodore."
She turned to Norrington beseechingly, and Annalise added firmly: "Do you really intend to kill Lizzy's rescuer?"
Norrington hesitated, before he slowly lowered his sword, his men automatically following his movements and lowering their bayonets. The mystery man pressed his hands together and nodded at the twins in thanks, and Annalise simply gazed back at him warningly as she surreptitiously pressed the medallion back into her sister's hands.
The man spotted the movement, she was sure of it, but he wisely said nothing nor revealed anything in his expression, as Norrington sheathed his sword with a scowl, saying bitingly: "I believe thanks are in order."
He held out his hand, almost like a challenge, and Annalise frowned a little as she glanced between the two men warily. Elizabeth seemed to be in a similar state of mind, and she eyed Norrington suspiciously while the mystery man slowly raised his hand and took Norrington's in his own.
Norrington suddenly pulled him by the hand, drawing his arm closer and using his left hand to push back the other man's sleeve to reveal the small but clear branded 'P' right above the man's right wrist.
"Had a brush with the East India Trading company, did we," Norrington asked scathingly as he looked back up at the other man, "pirate?"
Annalise and Elizabeth stared at him in surprise. Little did they know that this encounter was only the beginning, and that what followed next would change all their lives. Forever.
