Of Frills and Bows

"…Well that's just maddeningly unhelpful! Why are these things never clear?..." –Jack Sparrow

Elizabeth slept and dreamt as one often does. She was standing in a field, a field of snow, soft white specks fell from the sky upon her. She looked up and smiled, snow was as rare to her as chocolate, and this snow was not unpleasant. No it was soft as it fell and warm, not at all cold. She felt happy and peaceful, looking around the field she saw a figure not to far away.

"Will?" she called, the person did not answer but began to move. "Will," Elizabeth called again, frowning. Certain that was her husband she began to move forward, walking hesitantly in the snow, her bare feet barely leaving an imprint. Will continued to move in the distance, and frowning Elizabeth began to run, trying to catch up, wondering why on earth he did not stop as she continued to call.

Trees passed her, peppered with snow and looking like something out of a painting, she soon passed a town and she could hear laughing and singing, people skating upon a frozen lake. Frowning she paused, looking towards the town, then back at the distant figure who was continuing to move. The town looked oddly familiar, it was the town of Port Royal. Yes she recognised her Father, Norrington and the other occupants of the town, on the ice, laughing…happy.. Elizabeth wanted to go there, to them, wanted to go home…but Will continued to press on in the distance and if she didn't soon follow him he would be lost to her forever. Making her decision she continued running after him .

Her lungs began to burn, her feet to hurt. She wished Will would stop, wait for her but he did not and she pressed on. Oh how thirsty she was, but she did not pause at a river that had managed to evade the frost, but pressed on forever onwards after him.

And then suddenly the sky began to grow dark, the snow flakes were no longer warm or pleasant, but cold and harsh, Elizabeth began to shiver. And then they were battling up a steep hill, Elizabeth stumbling and calling but Will would not turn and help her. And finally he disappeared over the top of it, and she reached the top, stopping, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

And she stared, stared down at two packs of beasts facing each other. There were rats, and cats, bears, weasels, lions and leopards. There was even an eagle and a sparrow, flying on opposite sides of the sky, like the banners for their army. And facing each other, their teeth bared, heading the two different fractions of animals, were two wolves.

One had a mottled and tangled fur of black and brown, red and white, its eyes brown. The other was a dark grey, its eyes a cold blue. Their eyes never left each other, cold calculating, the brown wolf and its army were backed against a cliff, the grey wolf closing in on them. They were both tense, waiting to see who would make the first move

And then there was Will, who was running towards the middle of the wolves, to no man's land.

"Will no," Elizabeth screamed, running after him down the hill, struggling in the sinking snow. "No, Will come back."

And as if her voice was the sounding cannon, the animals began to attack. The wolves leapt at each other, biting, tearing, and trying to reach each other's throats. The birds screeched in the sky, the sparrow darting, teasing the eagle, the eagle trying to snap the sparrow with its powerful beak. Elizabeth's eyes were only for Will, running straight towards the fighting, and she ran after him.

There was blood peppering the white snow at first, and then flowing onto it, staining it. And then it wasn't animals cries she was hearing but men's, not the screeches of birds, but of steel. And gun powder filled the air, and Elizabeth stumbled over bodies.

"No, no," she heard someone crying, sobbing, pleading, and she realised it was her. The bodies were ones she knew, Norrington, her father, Gibbs, Marty, Cotton, Barbossa, all pirate lords, all pirates. She saw in the middle of the battle Jack and Beckett locked in a sword fight. But she knew that was impossible Beckett was dead. And behind them stood two figures encouraging them to shed blood, Davy Jones stood on the ice behind Jack and with his back to Elizabeth, encouraging Beckett was a dark figure. The person she had been chasing, Will.

Quickly running to him, she grabbed his shoulder turning him around, and gasped. It was Will's face, Will's form at least, but it was not Will looking at her through the body. No red eyes looked at her, and a cruel smile curled Will's mouth, one she had never seen on his face in life.

Elizabeth gasped, stumbled back, she had to get away from this thing and then she fell on the snow, cried out the first name that came to mind. "Jack!"
"Lizabeth," came his voice, startled, sounding as if her call had woken him from a dream, Jack looked towards her. He had paused in his fight with Beckett, frowning in puzzlement he looked at her as if seeing her for the first time, his head cocked to one side. "Is this a dream?"

And suddenly everything disappeared, the battle, Davy Jones, Beckett, Jack, and Elizabeth was lying alone in a field of snow. The only thing to show that she had seen anything was blood, and the creature standing in front of her.

"Jack Sparrow is an extremely annoying creature you know." The thing said conversationally, still in Will's form, acting as if nothing had happened. His voice was like a purr, his eyes intent upon her that cruel smile still upon his face. "Somehow he always seems to find a way to wake up before the battle can end. That's Jack Sparrow though, I suppose you already know, always running, always attempting to avoid the unavoidable end."

"Who are you?" Elizabeth asked, trying to break her gaze with it.

"You may call me…Pan…" he said smirking slightly, "I know it is a common title for me among you humans. Ah but how rude of me, here." He extended his hand to help her up.

Elizabeth glared at him, anger rearing in her now she had overcome her confusion and fear. It was like she had just woken from a nightmare to see that it was day, her head seemed clearer, she felt like herself once more. Ignoring his hand she rose herself, taking her time she brushed off her knees from excess snow, her nightgown was quiet wet. Finally standing to her full height she looked him in the eye. "Get out of his body," she snapped.

"Why?" he asked, "Isn't he who you've been searching for?"

"Do it now," Elizabeth snapped.

"If I were you I would take a more polite tone with me," he said conversationally, inspecting his nails in a dangerous manner.

"Well your not," she snarled, "And anyway I don't see why. You're the one that wants to talk to me, that probably needs something from me, so I can take whatever tone I want with you."

"What makes you think that?" he asked her, looking interested.

"Because, why else would I be here," she indicated the blood soaked field.

"Well, we are clever aren't we?" he smirked, giving her an appraising look.

"Please, I've spent more then enough time in pirates company, it would be shameful if I hadn't learnt at least that by now."

"Yes," he sighed, "Its true I do want something from you, hence why I intercepted your dreams a little, with the Sirens help of course. Wonderful creatures Sirens, did you know once a man has been in their presence they can haunt them, they can come to them in their dreams, create nightmares especially for them using their deepest fears? It doesn't work on women of course, the siren song is not so strong for them, but I suppose you already know this anyway?"

He gave a short laugh, Elizabeth kept her silence.

"Your not talking, I had thought it would be nicer to have a bit of a conversation first, make you comfortable, make you feel at home…I suppose if you just want to start business then…"

"I'm not discussing any business with you while you look like…him," Elizabeth said flatly.

"Why, I thought this form would make you feel more comfortable, after all your longing," he took a step towards her.

"If you come any closer," she snarled threateningly though she backed away despite her threat. She would give anything for a sword right now, and suddenly she stumbled over something, something in the snow. Quickly she picked it up and held the sword between them, Pan stopped in his tracks.

"Fine," he said in a hurt voice, an imitation of…Jack. "If you really want to be that way Lizzy." There Jack stood in front of her, except he wasn't a man…there was something dark about him. And the red eyes slightly detracted from his appearance. But the most obvious difference was that he was not swaying around like a complete idiot, but standing still like a normal sane man. "Do you proffer this then?"

"No," Elizabeth snapped, "But I suppose it will have to do. Now are you going to tell me what you want?"

"Well in actual fact," he said smirking, "Its this."

"What?" she asked blankly looking at Pan.

"This," he said impatiently, indicating the form he had taken.

"Jack's body?" Elizabeth questioned confused.

"Well in a way," Pan said, "I don't need his body, rather what inhabits it."

"Oh," said Elizabeth beginning to understand. "I see… you're the one Davy Jones was talking about, the other one that wants his soul." She shook her head, talking to him as if she was trying to reason with him. "You know I don't really know what you see in it, its more bother then its worth. You could have any valuable soul in the universe, why does it always have to be Jack's?"

"Well he cheated me you see," Pan said his voice low, "And I don't like being cheated very much. So here we are."

"Yes here we are," Elizabeth replied, "And what makes you think I can convince Jack to give you his soul?" she asked, rather condescending. "Trying to make Jack do something is like waging a war, you never win and he gets his way in the end anyway."

"Oh, I'm very confident you can help me," Pan said smirking, "Not in the way you think though. I'm not asking you to persuade Jack to give up his soul willingly, no…quite the opposite actually."

"Force Jack to give up his soul," Elizabeth couldn't help the derisive note in her voice. "And how exactly do you propose I do that?"

"Oh I'm quite sure you can find a way to force his hand, Elizabeth," he said knowingly, leering he leaned closer to her "With all your powers of persuasion at hand."

"I doubt even Jack would fall for the same trick twice," Elizabeth replied dryly, "Anyway I hardly see how this is going to benefit me."

"Oh, I thought that was quite obvious, isn't there only one thing you want most in the world?" He held up a compass that looked like an exact replica of Jack's, raising his eyebrows.

"You'll give me Will?"

"In exchange for Jack's soul," he replied.

"And am I to believe there are no further catches?" she asked skeptically.

"What you believe or don't is up to you," Pan shrugged, "Personally I think its quite a fair exchange don't you. The love of your life, for a mere filthy little pirates soul."

"No," she said shaking her head, "You hardly could expect me to say yes."

"What, are we having a sudden bout of loyalty for Jack, or is this something else? Perhaps you proffer his company to your beloved…"

"No," she snapped. "Its simple really why I can't do this. Its because with people like you there is always a snag in a deal. I don't plan on being used as a pawn, I'll find Will myself."

"Oh," Pan smirked, "So you'd rather trust Jack Sparrow, a man that sold your husbands soul to the devil of the seas, who would betray you at the drop of a hat if it meant his neck. Who was willing to give you as a sacrifice to the Sirens in his place. You would rather trust him in helping you find your husband, on a long meandering journey that seems to be going nowhere, rather then me, who can have Will by your side in the blink of an eye."

"I never said Jack was honest, but who says you are either?" Elizabeth said almost trying to justify herself, "It's more about sticking with the devil you know."

Pan laughed at this, and Elizabeth had to admit his laugh though chilling, was also slightly endearing. Suddenly he bowed to her, taking her hand in his and brushing his lips against it. He was hot to the touch, like he had a fever.

"Well I cannot argue with your reason Elizabeth Swann," he said smirking. "But somehow I think you'll change your mind, and when you do I might not be so inclined to extend such a friendly hand…Then again you do intrigue me so who knows…" He turned to leave.

"Don't bother," Elizabeth said, "I'll never accept any sort of proposition you make."

Turning he looked at her, "When all is said and done this is your dream," he said softly, a cruel smile again playing on his lips, "And you let me in, you were ready to listen to my proposition. So don't dismiss me so easily, because you might find yourself begging to make a deal with me all too soon."

And then he disappeared and left Elizabeth in the middle of nowhere.

Jack was bored, so very bored he could hardly contain his yawn. He had woken early in the morning, an event unique in itself. He had been having a dream, a god awful one, not so bad as the ones that plagued his nights before, but still… He was running out of that special stuff Tia Dalma had given him. He had been having to take less and less each night, and his sleep became more disturbed. And recently every night he'd been having the same dream, a dream he was finding it increasingly difficult to tear himself away from.

"Mr. Turner please," the butler intoned in his wheezy voice his nose in the air. Obviously he thought teaching someone like Jack was beneath him, but his mistress had asked it of him and so he complied. He thought though that perhaps his mistress was wasting her time trying to tame this uncivilized peasant. Or so Jack imagined he was thinking as he looked at his upturned nose.

Despite Jack's attempts to sneak out of the house and perhaps visit some of London's more seedier taverns before anyone noticed, Elizabeth's aunt had sniffed him out, her butler in tow. Apparently she thought Jack's civilization could not begin any sooner, and so now Jack stood being taught how to bow to a Duchess or some such, not that he was paying any attention.

"If I might just put a spoke in this illustrious wheel of learning for a moment," he said wagging his finger under the offended butlers nose. Elizabeth's aunt sat in a chair like the queen herself, watching the proceedings and voicing her critical comments. It was to her Jack turned to with a smirk. "But madam is it at all likely that I should be meeting a duchess or whatsamacallem at said event you are holding? For I was quite under the impression, in my common ignorance of course that is to say, that Duchess hardly ever poked their noses out of their mansions if they could help it, to mix with the air of less godlike people."

"Actually I would have you know William," Elizabeth's aunt replied in an affronted voice, Jack winced at the name "That the Duchess of…"

But she was fated never to finish her sentence for at that moment Elizabeth burst into the room, looking half wild, with the maid running after her still attempting to pin her hair.

"Ja…I mean Will," she said, " I need to talk to you."

"Elizabeth," her aunt cried springing to her feet. "This is quite improper what on earth is wrong with you child?"

"I'm sorry aunt," she said, grabbing Jack's arm, "But I really must speak with Will."

Practically dragging Jack out of the room she slammed the door behind them, the maid quickly scurried away as she glared at her.

"Now what can I thank for that untimely rescue love?" Jack asked, brightening slightly as he had the opportunity to loosen his cravat. "If old Charles made me bow one more time I might have done a most ungentlemany like thing… then again maybe it would have been gentlemanlike, one can never tell…"

"Jack," she hissed urgently, cutting through him, "Did you have a dream last night."

Jack blinked slowly, his grin fading from his lips, staring at her, unconsciously reaching out to tug at non-existent braids. Giving a pained look as his hands met air he shrugged then suddenly gave her a sunny grin.

"Well actually there was one about quite a pretty strumpet, well more then one now I come to think about it…very interesting…"

"Did you dream about a battle?" Elizabeth snapped, "A great battle with animals turning into men…and Beckett…and Davy Jones and Pa…me…" she changed tact midway through without really knowing why. Jack frowned at her, his eyes piercing.

"Maybe I did love, but that is beside the point. The point is how do you, a most illustious lady though you may be, know what I dreamt…or did not." He added quickly scrunching up his nose.

"Well I was there, that's what I said wasn't it..and you saw me and said my name …and then you asked me if it was a dream…and then you disappeared."

"Well, I certainly can tell you I was having no such thoughts Lizabeth." Jack said aloofly. "Actually I can tell you that in no uncertain circumstances did my dreams for a fraction of any instances waver from being in a tavern with five pretty strumpets, who were all very interested in me I might add. Of course if you wandered into it I can't guarantee I would have been able to tell with all the other ladies around me…though I'm sure it would have been quite interesting…"

"Oh stop grinning," Elizabeth snapped annoyed as he looked entirely too pleased with himself.

"Well its not my fault your going off and having weird dreams," he said in a fake hurt voice, "Perhaps you should have asked Tia whatsaname for a bit of her mumbo jumbo to help."

"It wasn't a weird dream," she said, "It was just unusual."

"And may you enlighten me on why you saw fit to drag me away from my enlightening lessons on bowing to Duchesses to recount to me your dream?"

"So you don't think its odd at all?"

"Well actually I find the whole concept of bowing slighlty odd. Honestly I don't know why you rich lot just go around with stooped backs for all the bowing your expected to do."

"The dream," she snapped

"Oh, well, how did it end exactly?"

"Well…I…it just…it stopped…" she ended lamely, somehow she did not feel like sharing her conversation with Pan, she could not help remembering his last words.

"Well then," Jack said as chipper as ever, though his grin was slightly more strained then usual, "There you go, it was nothing more then a figment of your sub conscience or imagination love. Now if you don't mind I'll just be nipping off before your aunt attempts to teach me how to bow to a Duchesses pet…"

"Lady, sir," came the butlers monotones as the door behind them opened. "Madam is quite insistent you both come in now."

"Well we can't keep our dear aunt waiting now can we Lizzy," Jack said quickly turning around as if he had not been hoping to go anywhere, though his smile was distinctly sour this time. "Bloody old bat," he muttered under his breath so only Elizabeth could hear as the butler opened the door for them.

After much instruction from the butler ("Sir I really must insist you do it this way." "Oh, I think I've got it sir, like this then." "Sir are you mocking me." "Not at all sir, I'm insulted, deeply hurt and offended you could even think such a thing sir." "Sorry to have offended you then sir. But No, no that is all wrong then sir. You twirl your arms much too much, and it is too low for merely a countess." "Oh I see, yes I see it would only be acceptable to look at a Duchesses foot wear and anything higher. So like this then." "Sir in order to bow one must not only incline his neck but also his back." "Oh yes, that could be rather problematic, how else could they grind commoners noses in the dirt if their facing them. I think I've got it then sir, like this then?" "Sir I really must insist…") and Elizabeth's aunt ("Elizabeth pinky out when one drinks tea, and the war is not a polite and acceptable conversational topic." "Oh yes of course aunt, how about I just talk about something inconsequential like powder, I'm sure that will make for much more interesting and profound conversation." "Yes that would make for a nice starter.") Elizabeth and Jack were finally allowed to sit down for a belated breakfast.

"Your father still appears to be sleeping," her aunt said, sniffing as if she thought it was a crime that anyone should sleep once she was up, Elizabeth felt a twinge of guilt. "He has worn himself out I suppose with so much excitement And I have decided not to bother him. So I have planned the day for just the three of us."

"Oh but aunt," Elizabeth protested, feeling already exhausted. Jack was glaring at his eggs as if they had done him a diservice, in a mutinous mood after being forced to practice etiquette, something no respectable pirate should even hear of. She felt that it would not be wise to have him with his aunt in this mood. "Actually me and Will were thinking of spending a quiet day indoors, you know were very tired from our trip."

"Nonsense dear," her aunt sniffed, "I know you young people are very active, you recover most spectacularly. Anyway after I already spent my time and effort organizing the day, would you deny me?"

"No of course not aunt," Elizabeth sighed heavily, Jack provided no help, still sulking at his eggs.

"Now I've invited some promising and respectable young people to keep you company. " her aunt continued. "You can begin making connections, practicing what I have taught you. William you can get used to moving in higher circles." Jack's lip twitched slightly despite himself and he gave a grin, his eyes bright, Elizabeth did not like it at all. It looked like he was thinking of having a bit of fun, she felt like groaning, it was all Elizabeth could do to keep there cover with her aunt, let alone with a whole group of people. "Me and Victoria, that is my friend, thought that it would be nice if you took a turn in the park. On horses of course I shall lend you some."

"Horses," Jack spluttered, choking on his mouthful of egg. His grin disappeared quickly, for once he seemed speechless.

"Horses," his aunt said her tone telling them she wanted no further interruptions. "We shall be in a carriage of course, but you young people will no doubt want to be out in the fresh air."

"Aunt," Elizabeth said tentatively, 'Will and me…well we've actually never ridden horses…"

"What," her aunt said, "What nonsense Elizabeth."

"Well," Elizabeth coloured, "I've always ridden in father's carriages, and Port Royal isn't so large that you'd really need a mount."

"Well there's nothing we can do about that now," her aunt snapped, as if it was Elizabeth's fault she did not know how to ride. "I've already organized it so you'll just have to do the best you can. Victoria and the others should be arriving soon with the other young people. I'm sure you can manage, I'll have Charles give you a quick lesson, at least try not to embarrass me. See I'll go tell him now."

Getting up she swept out of the room leaving stunned silence behind.

"Not good, not good," Jack said suddenly getting up, he looked rather out of sorts, he began pacing in his odd gait. "Lizzy in no uncertain terms will I get on one of those bloody animals. Horses are as bad as…as…donkeys! Well almost, their closely related leastways, their both mean ruddy things."

"Well its not like we have much choice," Elizabeth snapped waspishly, "She's already organized it."

"Well she can just unorganize it," Jack said, "Why can't the old bat ride a horse and we take a carriage."

"Jack she's old."

"What's that got to do with it? And a nother thing, why's she calling us 'young people,' its getting rather annoying."

"Well many would consider it flattering Jack."

"Yes, well Lizabeth I've worked hard to get where I am, and I'm certainly not definable as old, but I ain't bloody green. But all this pales to utter significance in the fact she seems determined to force me into bowing and saying frilly things and riding those beasts we shall not name…next she'll be making me wear frilly things. Its like she's bloody here to torture me. Do you think she came from Davy Jones locker?" He gave her an inquiring look.

"Well we would be considered quite young next to her," Elizabeth tried to reason, finding Jack amusing. He who was ranting in a rather hysterical voice, obviously the fact they were going to be riding horses seemed to have unhinged the little sense he had.

"Father times could be considered young next to her," he snapped. "Leastways that's not the point, the point is…"

But Elizabeth was not to hear the point, for suddenly her aunt burst into the room. "The tailor has just arrived."

"Tailor aunt?" Elizabeth inquired.

"Why yes," she said, and a man followed by a timid young lady carrying an assortment of clothes came into the room. "You could hardly expect to go out in the clothes your wearing. Now he won't have time to make you new clothes to fit, but he's brought clothes from his stores that will do well enough for now. This is my niece and her husband Rudolpho, from the Caribbean."

"Lovely, lovely," Rudolpho beamed at Elizabeth, adjusting his spectacles. Elizabeth hardly paid any attention to the tailor, she was looking over at Jack. He was looking down forlornly at a suit on top of the pile the girl was carrying. It had rather frilly lace cuffs. She couldn't help feeling rather sorry for poor Jack. It just didn't seem to be his day, or hers come to think of it.

They were finally fitted with some riding clothes, with much of her aunts input. For her dress that had not been made for her Elizabeth felt it fit her quite well, of a deep brown that brought out her eyes. Jack was rather more disgruntled with his new outfit, with ridiculous long frilly lace cuffs and a cravat that seemed to be choking him on purpose. If it weren't for the cuffs he would make quite a dashing figure the dark blue suit and black riding coat and black boots.

"William stop fussing with your cravat," her aunt snapped bossily, "Now I've had Charles saddle up the horses, Victoria's bringing her carriage you see. He assures me they aren't temperemental though the gelding is slightly rougher, so I'm sure William can take that one and you can ride the mare Elizabeth. Fitting, I should say."

"Quite," Jack said sarcastically.

"Now Charles will come and help you mount and talk it over with you if you could just…"

"Ma'am," Estrelle suddenly came into the room, looking flushed, "The guests have arrived."

"Oh well, you'll just have to make the best of it then. Come along," she said commandingly to Jack and Elizabeth. Seeing no other way out Elizabeth linked her arm in Jack's hesitantly and they followed their aunt tot he entrance room.

"Oh welcome Victoria," her aunt said, brightening as she saw her friend who looked as shrewd and critical as her. They nodded to each other politely.

"I would like to introduce to you my niece, Elizabeth Turner, and her husband, William Turner. This is Lady Victoria Barnet"

"Pleased to meet you," Jack said, seeming to find his voice he took her hand and kissed it. Lady Victoria looked appraisingly at him.

"Are you sure he was a blacksmith dear?" she asked Elizabeth's aunt in an audible whisper.

Elizabeth quickly stamped on Jack's foot before he could reply.

"Don't leave us out aunt," one of the gentleman drawled. He was standing behind his aunt with a pretty young woman and a slightly older one, standing aloofly.

"Oh yes, yes," she said, "This is my nephew Jonathan, and his friend Clara." She indicated the blonde young man, and the pretty young woman. "And this is the neice of George Golding, you remember him dear? Yes she is staying with me. Isabelle isn't it?"

They nodded to each other, Isabelle looking bored. Elizabeth noticed that Jack's eyes were cast towards her a bit more often then she liked.

"But I invited that nice young man at your garden party expressively last week. Where is he?" Elizabeth's aunt asked frowning. Elizabeth found herself frowning also, her aunt had made it sound like she had been planning the day for her and Jack's benefit, but it was obvious she had planned it earlier. And to think Elizabeth had been feeling slightly guilty at her ungrateful feelings.

"Oh he got caught up," Jonathan supplied. "He said he would be here shortly."

"Yes well we wouldn't want the young ladies outnumbering the men would we," Lady Victoria said jovially.

Jack smirked of this but thankfully did not comment further.

"Well I suppose we could retire to the drawing room to wait." Elizabeth's aunt said, after an awkward silence where the 'young people' all seemed to be interested in their feet. "Though it is quiet rude of him indeed.."

They were barely seated in the drawing room when Charles came in this time to inform them of the arrival of the last person from their party. "Yes, yes bring him in Charles."

A moment and then Charles was opening the door once more allowing in a man of short stature in immaculate clothes who was wearing a white wig.

"Ah, here you are," Elizabeth's aunt said all smiles in a warm manner which Elizabeth never imagined her aunt could wear. She stood up, "Elizabeth come, come, I want to introduce you to Lord Cutler Beckett."

Elizabeth found herself frozen in her seat gaping at a man she had seen die with her own eyes, standing in front of her, looking as if he was a fountain of health.

Sorry for taking so long to update. The whole beginning seems pretty pointless but oh well it was fun to write. Please review and tell me what you think.

Sairra : P