Take to Land

Sorry I took so long, I have been very busy with my other stories and tons of other things I have had to do. I finally found some spare time to write so here I am.

Disclaimer: Disney owns everything

Chapter Four

Elizabeth Swann stood rather uncomfortably behind a large fold out, the corset she was wearing was currently being pulled as tight as possible to ensure that breathing was out of the question. A rather young maid who looked to be around 23 who went by the name of Mary was pulling the ropes of the corset as directed by Charlotte.

"Is….gasp…..it….gasp….tight enough….gasp…yet?" Elizabeth asked with great difficulty.

Charlotte examined it closely however there was only one true way to determine that answer.

"Elizabeth, tell me are you married or engaged yet?" Charlotte asked once more.

The tighter the dress the more appealing to suitors and she knew full well Elizabeth was not married or engaged so Elizabeth was basically answering her own question.

It wasn't like Charlotte was trying to be mean to Elizabeth she just enjoyed playing with her cousin but she was doing it with a good intention.

"No" she lied.

Thinking back to the lie she had told them earlier.

"Tighter Mary" she told the maid instantly.

"What!" she exclaimed but before she could protest any further Mary pulled on the ropes harder making Elizabeth's breaths become shallower.

Mary then proceeded to tie the ropes firmly so that there was no way that Elizabeth could loosen or even think of taking off the corset without some sort of assistance.

"Done" Mary announced proudly stepping out from behind the fold out.

"Get the dress she picked out from the bed" Charlotte instructed.

Mary quickly ran off towards the bed, she had only been working for the family for a few days and was very eager to set a good impression; however she was uncertain on whether or not they were actually noticing.

Mary produced a rather beautiful cream colored dress, it was slightly low cut and has rather elegant embroidery yet it was simple and that was how Elizabeth wanted it.

Charlotte looked at it closely with a smile before looking at Elizabeth.

"This will look wonderful on you" she told her cousin.

Elizabeth gave a faint grin.

After one hour of hair pulling, dress adjusting, and make up applying Charlotte has deemed Elizabeth acceptable once more.

Elizabeth had arrived on a very special night, tonight would be the King's ball which would mean plenty of eligible suitors who would be very eager to meet Elizabeth and ask for her hand in marriage.

However there were many hours before the ball started at ten which would allow the pair some time to catch and get reacquainted with one another. After all it had been over 10 years since they had seen each other last.

Mary left the room at last eager to go and have some late night dinner, she was sweating and was rather exhausted from trying to fix and make Elizabeth more presentable by Charlotte's standards. Which might I add was very difficult

considering Charlotte's rather high upbringing.

Elizabeth collapsed on the bed she was beginning to regret asking Jack to drop her off in England, she was starting to think that her father would have been better to live with. She was still wondering how Charlotte and James would take knowing that she was married let alone to a pirate, and the fact she was currently pregnant with his child.

Though she couldn't help but wonder why on earth Charlotte had asked her twice about her current marriage status even though it was clear there was no longer a ring on her finger signifying her engagement or marriage to any man.

The time for questions would be later she finally decided sitting up, now she would have some quality time to spend with her cousin, and that was all that would matter for the time being.

James sat in his office directly below the bedroom which currently occupied Elizabeth and his wife Charlotte. He sat comfortably in a large chair his mahogany desk was placed in front of him, a blank sheet of parchment and a ready quill lay on the table at his dispense.

He knew upon the arrival of his wife's cousin that he would have to inform her father of her visit. Considering the fact that he believed that his daughter had been kidnapped by pirates and was probably dead by now.

However from James's point of view Elizabeth seemed to be in perfect help though her spontaneous arrival and the clothes that adorned her body would explain her being kidnapped by pirates.

There was one thing that didn't make sense that he couldn't quite put his finger on was the fact she not only carrying a large amount of clothes, considering she was kidnapped how on earth could she had obtained them.

There had to be more to the story than she was letting on, though he would worry around that later he decided picking up the quill ready to write. Now he would have to write a letter explaining about her sudden arrival to not only her father but also to the many people attending the ball tonight.

The quill began to scratch against the parchment furiously as he wrote the words were coming to him out of thin air. He paused a moment to read what he had currently written, he froze over the last sentence.

April 19th 1724

Dear Governor Swann,

It is to my greatest pleasure to announce that something or shall I say someone unexpected arrived on my door step merely a few hours ago. Your daughter, yes I know you may find it hard to believe however I assure you it was her, dressed in rags but still completely unharmed. She is currently taking up residence in my home with my wife, your niece Charlotte. For how long I do not know. Though feel free to come and visit her because I am sure a visit from you would bring her much delight. Tonight we shall attend the King's ball where hopefully she will rest her eyes on a suitable young man. Elizabeth is welcome to stay with us as long as she feels necessary or wants to. However I am a little frightened to say the least about her current condition though earlier I did mention I believed she was in perfect condition I too know what it is like to live on a pirate ship

He quickly withdrew his quill, he grabbed the letter and tore it into many pieces before once again writing the letter.

Few knew of the time he spent being a pirate, and thankfully he wasn't branded. Who knew what might happen if word ever got out that he had spent time running away from the law and on a pirate ship. He had spent the years keeping his past behind him and out of the eyes of the public and that was the way he hoped it was going to stay.

After twenty minutes he had finally finished the perfect letter and was in the process of reading it to himself. It read:

April 19th 1724

Dear Governor Swann,

It is to my greatest pleasure to announce that something or shall I say someone unexpected arrived on my door step merely a few hours ago. Your daughter, yes I know you may find it hard to believe however I assure you it was her, dressed in rags but still completely unharmed. She is currently taking up residence in my home with my wife, your niece Charlotte. For how long I do not know. Though feel free to come and visit her because I am sure a visit from you would bring her much delight. Tonight we shall attend the King's ball where hopefully she will rest her eyes on a suitable young man. Elizabeth is welcome to stay with us as long as she feels necessary or wants to. I hope I shall meet with you once again in England so you can be reunited with your daughter once more.

Yours truly,

James Markson.

Pleased with the letter he placed the letter in an enveloped and proceed to add his seal to the back of the letter. He would send it soon but for now it was time to go and get ready for the ball tonight. Who knew what surprises the evening would bring him and he wanted to make sure he was ready for anything that came his way.