8 Years
Chapter 3: Kept Promise


Elizabeth gazed down at Will's sleeping form. Everything was so quiet and still, Elizabeth sighed as she leaned back in her chair. She closed her eyes savoring the peace of the moment. She was beginning to give in to her fatigue when she was suddenly jolted awake by the ship roughly turning. For a second all was silent, then she heard voices, yells, coming form above deck. She rushed up there to find pirates. Swarming the ship and forcing the crew to walk the plank. Elizabeth turned as she heard an unsheathing sword behind her.

"Will? Help! P-pirates, they're going to kill us!" She exclaimed as she turned to find the young boy standing behind her. Will smirked.

"Us? No, they're not going to kill us, It's more like you" Elizabeth gasped.

"You are a pirate."

"What else would you expect?" He looked over as the last crew member plunged into the cold Atlantic. "You're crew is gone Miss Swann, and now it's your turn" he said as he held the sword to her neck. "Miss Swann."

"Miss Swann?"

"Miss Swann!" Elizabeth jolted awake. She blinked and looked up at a concerned Will standing over her. "Miss Swann, are you alright?" She nodded slightly.

"It was only a dream..." she muttered as she stared at Will's retreating from. He lay back down on his cot and looked back at her.

"So, what was it about?"

"Excuse me?"

"Your nightmare"

"Who said I had a nightmare" Will chuckled

"I'm not a simpleton, you woke me up with your muttering, something about pirates. So, I got up to see if you were alright, and you awoke you were very pale. You must have had a nightmare." Elizabeth groaned. This boy was much too outspoken, and he was far too clever for his own good, or hers for that matter. "So was it about pirates?"

"What?"

"You're nightmare"

"No, I mean yes, well, it doesn't matter, besides what do you know about pirates?"

"Not too much, but my mother always said that pirates were unusual people. Some have hearts of gold, but others are pure evil."

"What happened to her? Your mother, I mean"

"I'd rather not talk about it"

"Please? There are still 3 more days until we reach Port Royal, and honestly I'm glad we found you. I have been absolutely bored this entire journey and I finally have someone worth conversing with." Elizabeth said with her best pouting face.

"Alright, my mother, she had raised me since I was a baby in England. we were always happy, even though I never knew my father." Elizabeth nodded, urging him to continue. "Well one day, only a few days ago, she went out and when she didn't come home. After a few hours I was starting to get worried, and I was going to go out looking for her when a man came to the door and said that there was an accident-" Will stopped. Elizabeth saw the hurt in his eyes.

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"It's alright, I'll be fine" he started to turn away, but before he did, Elizabeth placed her hand on his shoulder. Maybe this boy wasn't a pirate. After all, pirates were heartless creatures who showed no emotion, so how could this boy possibly be a pirate? Besides, something about him seemed trusting.

"My mother's gone too" he looked back at her, Elizabeth continued "But, I never knew her, she died...while giving birth to me. Of course that was 10 years ago, but since then my father has been raising me."

"So why, may I ask, are you headed to Port Royal?"

"Well, my father, he just got a summon fom the King, he has been ordered to be governor of Port Royal." Will smiled at Elizabeth, maybe it was because it was the first time he had actually talked about his life to someone who was willing to listen, but something about being with her seemed to comfort him.

"So, why are you out here?" Elizabeth asked.

"After my mother's funeral, I didn't want to go to an orphanage, I ran off, and managed to get on a merchant ship. I am looking for my father. My mother was never sure if he was alive or not, and all I know about him is that he is a merchant sailor and his name is William Turner."

"Well, when we reach Port Royal, I'm sure we can look for him. My father would be more than happy to help out."

"There's no need" Elizabeth looked at him questioningly. "I know my father is dead."

"B-but you just said that you weren't sure-"

"Yes, but the sailors who I was traveling with had been coming to and from the Caribbean from nearly 5 years now, and they have never seen or heard of a merchant sailor by the name of William Turner."

"Oh, I-I'm sorry."

"It's alright"

"Well, what are you planning to do, once you get to Port Royal, then."

"I don't know, there are probably a lot of men who would want apprentices, maybe I could find work somewhere." Elizabeth nodded.

"Don't worry, I'll help you." This boy had been through so much, probably more than she had ever dreamed of someone at such a young age. Helping him was one promise she intended to keep.


* * * * *


YAY! MORE REVIEWS! YOU GUYZ ARE THE BEST!

Okay, I have to hurry because it will be midnight in 10 minutes and this fic has to be updated TODAY. See, I posted the first chapter two weeks ago, and so far I have been posting a new chapter every Saturday, and I really wanted to update today. So, I wrote this chapter in the last hour. (Sorry if it seems a bit rushed.)

8 more minutes...

Review Responses:

Tear Maiden, Shanelover1, Allybally, BenjizPunkPrincess, Toby Keith Fanatic, sign58 and Sweetyone6: Thanks guys! Your making me feel so loved! ^-^ You all rock!

LordLanceahlot: Thankz for the long reivew! Long reviews are awesome!

almost-never: Will and Elizabeth are about 10 years old. (I think)

Okay, sorry if this was in a rush and sorry if I missed anyone. 2 more minutes!

Please Review!