Chapter 4: Guinevere's Heartbreak and Moving On

Will spent the rest of the voyage in a comfortable cabin not far from Elizabeth. Governor Swann and Lieutenant Norrington came to his cabin to question the boy.

"How did you end up in the shipwreck?" Governor Swann asked.

"I was crossing from England as well. I was searching for my father in the Caribbean," Will explained, "The next thing I knew, my ship was under attack."

"Did you see the vessel that attacked your ship?" Norrington wanted to know.

"All I saw was the ship's colours," Will said, "A Jolly Roger. The skull seemed to smile at me before I faded."

"Mr. Gibbs must be right," Norrington said pensively, "Pirates are known to attack merchant vessels and fly black colours of skulls and crossbones."

"Is there anything else I can do, Sir?" Will wanted to know.

"You have been all the help, Mr. Turner," Norrington said, "We shall catch those vile creatures and see that they are brought to justice. I will see to it myself."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Will said appreciatively.

Norrington strutted out of the tiny cabin and to the boat deck. Governor Swann remained in the cabin.

"Where shall I go in Port Royal? I have no home," Will asked, fearing for his future, "I was told by Miss Swann that my future was in Port Royal."

"No need to worry, dear boy," Swann reassured him, "You will be safe in Port Royal. I shall see to it personally that you are given a home and a trade on our arrival. My daughter was quite right. Your future is secure."

"Thank you, Governor," Will said gratefully.

"We shall be arriving in Port Royal very soon," Swann told him, "Take some rest while you can, Mr. Turner. In the meantime, my daughter Miss Swann will not be far away if you need assistance."

"I am grateful for your generosity, Governor," Will said.

Swann smiled and exited the room. Will sat alone and all that had transpired whirled about in his mind. Leaving Guin, searching for his father, starting a new life. A new life! He would be separated from all he loved. He wondered how Guinevere would take this parting. Will knew in his heart that she would be as hurt as she was when he told her the news that he planned to leave. Excepting Will, Guinevere had no family to speak of.

Poor Guin, Will thought to himself.

Just as these gloomy thoughts entered his head, there Elizabeth entered the cabin.

"Miss Swann," Will greeted.

"Elizabeth," corrected Elizabeth, "Are you well?"

"I'm quite well, Miss Swann," Will told her.

"How many times must I ask you to call me Elizabeth?" insisted Elizabeth.

"At least once more, Miss Swann," Will told her.

Will turned his eyes away and sighed ruefully.

"What's the matter?" Elizabeth asked, concerned.

"I miss my friend," Will told her, "I promised her that I'd return once I found my father."

"But she has family, doesn't she?" Elizabeth asked.

"No," Will replied glumly, "Her mother was taken just years after her birth, and then her father."

Elizabeth lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry. But all is not lost. You are alive and so is she. You'll meet again."

"I know," Will said with a smile, "I feel it in my heart that I will see Guin again. She's all the family I have left."

"Could I be your family?" Elizabeth asked keenly.

"What?" Will asked, startled.

"You may not have your friend with you, but you are not alone," Elizabeth said optimistically, "I will be here for you, always. I'm watching over you. Could I be your family?"

Will was taken aback. He could only stare at the lovely Elizabeth. He had only known her for a short time and he had feelings for her. Will could feel his heart skip a beat and it felt like it was going to burst.

Will threw his arms about Elizabeth. "Thank you, Miss Swann! I'll never forget your kindness. I'd be honored to have your company."

"You are most welcome, Will," Elizabeth replied happily, "I'm glad to have met you and it will be wonderful to be with you in Port Royal."

"Thank you for giving me a family," Will said sincerely.

"I was happy to give it," Elizabeth said with a smile.

Elizabeth hugged Will once more. Will felt his heart lighten in her embrace. He had never felt this way before. Will never wanted Elizabeth to leave his side. He knew that he loved Elizabeth Swann.

Meanwhile, across the pond, Guinevere was left to fend for herself after Will's return. She waited for him faithfully every day, as she promised. Her heart was lifted as if some heavy burden had been removed with each cheerful letter from her dear friend Will. She would always let him know she was safe and waiting for him to return in her letters.

Dearest Will,

You cannot even comprehend how much I am missing you every day. I miss running through the gardens, teasing you about pirates, etc, etc. You needn't worry about me. I am safe and in good health since our parting. I eagerly await your return with your father, William. It will be lovely to have a family once more. I pray for you every night and day that you find your father and for your happiness. Do not forget to honor your promise, else I shall have to come out to the Caribbean and drag you back to England myself! I do not expect you to forget, as the honorable gentleman Will Turner has never made a promise he hasn't kept. I will wait for you and my eye shall be on the horizon.

All my love,

Your Guin.

P. S. Don't forget to write back, like you promised.

So Guinevere wrote to her dear friend Will, hoping her words would comfort her beloved friend. She then recited a prayer before laying her head on her pillow every night.

"Lord," she would begin, "Please bless my beloved Will Turner. I wish for his happiness and safe return to England. Please ensure that he is safe and returns to me. I love him and he is like my heart. I cannot live without him. Amen."

With every passing day, Guinevere continued to pray for Will's safe return. However, she noticed that she had not gotten a letter from Will less than a fortnight. Guinevere began to fear for the worst.

Will, where are you? she asked apprehensively.

Days and days passed and still no word from Will. Guinevere's heart felt like it would burst. Will had never made a promise he never kept. Guinevere did not know why he had not been writing to her.

What if he's forgotten me? Guinevere asked herself in dread.

Guinevere would learn the truth only one day later. Guinevere was in town and she overheard whispers from the townspeople. She overheard an officer speaking with a young woman.

"Good day, sir," said the woman casually.

"Good day," greeted the officer, "Have you heard the news?"

"What news?" asked the lady, intrigued.

"There's been a pirate attack on a merchant ship," replied the officer.

At the words pirate attack, Guinevere listened intently.

"Pirates? Where?" gasped the woman.

"Just off the Caribbean," explained the officer, "The ship was identified as the Princess."

Guinevere's eyes were huge. The Princess?

"My goodness!" exclaimed the woman.

"There has been no word on any survivors," said the man glumly.

"I pray those who died find peace," said the woman.

Guinevere froze where she was. She felt like a knife had been driven through her heart. Unable to control herself, Guinevere raced back to her home she shared with Will. Upon reaching Will's abandoned house, Guinevere was overwhelmed by the memories the garden held. She and Will chasing each other, jesting and tickling. It was all to painful to bear for poor Guinevere.

In a fit of sorrow, Guinevere shouted at the top of her lungs. "AHHHHHHHH!"

Depleted, Guinevere mournfully sank to her knees. She then lay down on the cool grass and sobbed unrestricted tears. Her tears sank into the grass that she caressed. Guinevere curled up into a ball holding her legs tightly, as if for warmth.

"Will…Will… Will…" Guinevere sobbed, "Will, please! Will! Don't leave me! Will!"

And so Guinevere continued to cry out. She had lost the only man she called family. She felt she lost her heart. Guinevere felt as if she had died along with Will.