Elizabeth spun in place idly examining her clothing as it twirled around her. I went through the colors and designs that would look good on her. Hopefully she would choose one rather than brush it off as she had so many times before. There was some silence as she twirled more and more. I knew this time at the tailors would be trying her patience, but it was necessary. She was now sixteen and needed some new clothes for her debut to society. Something we both dreaded.

"Do you like this fabric?" I questioned whilst pointing at one of the fabric swaths, trying to get some input.

Elizabeth spun again.

I felt my brow twitch slightly but brushed it off. She was such an angel sometimes, but other times made me want to wring her neck. Perhaps little Joseph would have been the same at this age?

My fingers stilled and my eyes widened. I blinked, forcing those sad thoughts from my mind. I'm happy now. No more tears. It's been over five years, I do not need to cry for something so old. For someone so young.

I took in a deep breath and kept examining the cloths I was given, only looking up when I saw the tailor returning to ask me what we wanted. I glanced between him and the unresponsive teenager nearby. A small smile moved its way onto my lips as an idea struck me.

"Elizabeth, if you do not give me your preference I will put you in a red colored dress with so many frills you will not be able to move," I warned.

This seemed to snap her out of it as she headed over and quickly chose her favorite colors and designs. It did not go over my head that she was just randomly pointing at designs, but it was far better than nothing.

I sighed at the young, uncooperative lady, "I suppose it is time to visit William then, is it not?"

"Oh, I wonder if he will finally teach me how to use a sword..."

I stopped right as we exited the door, "Hush, you know what will happen if others hear you say that. Be happy that I manage to sneak this in behind your father's back. You know how unhappy he was to see you covered in dirt after running into William last month."

She pressed her lips together, "But what is wrong with that? The people of this town have dirt on them."

I began our small trek over to the smithy, ensuring that Elizabeth's posture was neat, her walk a smooth glide from the corner of my eye. "Yes, but your father has to worry about people who… don't like dirt getting on them."

Her brows furrowed in confusion, "Why not?"

"You will not understand until you are much older," I said, attempting to avoid this heavy topic. A topic she should not understand. Elizabeth still had time, still had innocence.

"Auntie, I am sixteen. I think I am old enough."

I bit my lip a little, "...It is just a matter of thinking someone is better than someone else."

"Why would they think that?"

"People are different. Others see that and do not like it. Think they are too different for one another."

"Even father?"

I cautiously glanced at her, weighing my options for a heavy moment of silence before answering, "Yes, even he thinks the differences between some people are too vast to be overcome."

Elizabeth was quiet and remained that way for the rest of our short journey to the smithy. Hopefully my explanation was enough to satiate her curiosity. Perhaps she was too sheltered under both my own and Weatherby's coddling? I brushed the thought away.

A small smile came to my lips when I heard the banging of a hammer on metal. I remember when they were so small. Elizabeth would chatter on and on about pirates while William would vow to protect her. He worked so terribly hard to master the sword. Sometimes I would treat him to a trip to the fort to watch the soldiers battle, other times he would be able to go because of his work.

Rachel would have liked him. He's bright and loyal, if not over protective. She would spot that little sparkle in each of their eyes whenever they saw each other. I just wish I could bring them together like she could have. I can only bring her to visit him every few months and after her debut it would get harder. She is no longer a child in their eyes, but a young woman to be sold off. Just like all the rest of us.

"Will!" Elizabeth exclaimed in excitement.

I snapped out of my thoughts and walked into the smithy with Elizabeth. William had sweat streaming down his face and a hammer in his hand. The forge made the entire building unbearable hot when combined with the Caribbean heat. I took out my fan and began to gently fan myself as the young woman ran forward towards William. The younger man blushed as he quickly began to straighten his appearance and wipe away the moisture on him.

"Miss Swann, Lady Gier," William bowed his head towards me with a nervous glance or two towards Elizabeth. "Are you here for your order?"

The younger woman pouted at him while I let a smile graced my lips, "Yes, is it done?"

He continued what he was doing for a moment before settling it down. Elizabeth looked at me in confusion, "What did you order?"

My smile widened, "Something I wanted for a long time."

William returned with a container. He opened it and inside was a dagger and a matching cutlass. The blade of the cutlass had the word "Vulture" etched in while the dagger said "Wings". I looked up at the young man who was nervously staring at me, waiting for my opinion. I picked up the sword and was surprised by its lightness. I placed the weapon back and held his cheek with my hand, "You did splendidly William."

He flushed slightly, but nodded. When I reached for my pouch he held out his hand, "I won't be needing payment."

"Why is that?"

"You have already repaid me with you sponsoring my apprenticeship, Lady Gier. I do not need any more charity."

A scoff came from my throat as I placed the coins in his hand anyway, "This is not charity but paying a craftsman what he is owed. Do not underestimate your worth as a blacksmith."

He nodded at me then turned his gaze to Elizabeth. I waved my fan at Elizabeth to give her permission to talk with the lad for a little bit before we left again. She smiled and began chattering away at him. Even though William did not show his affection outwardly, I could still see the way his eyes sparkled.

Yes, Rachel would have liked him very much.

"Oh, I'm so thrilled," Weatherby buzzed, a bright smile pulling at the corner of his lips. He bounced in his shoes, looking back and forth between me, the box in the maid's hands, and where he was going.

I smiled gently at the older man, "It is only Norrington's promotion. You have no need to be this excited."

"Oh but I do," he grinned mischievously.

My lips pulled into a firm line. I narrowed my eyes at him, "Please do not tell me you are, again, trying to-"

Weatherby interrupted me by knocking on the door to Elizabeth's room. "Elizabeth? Are you alright?" He called after we both heard a loud bang, "Are you…decent?"

I could hear her muffled "Yes, yes!" And the shuffling of clothes. My eyes narrowed at the man as he opened the door to the room. Weatherby's enthusiasm had him strut around the room before settling in one spot by the window. I quietly strode in after him and took a seat in the chair by her vanity.

"Still abed at this hour?" He said as the maids opened the curtains and windows, allowing the sunlight to stream into the room. "It's a beautiful day."

Elizabeth winced slightly at the sudden barrage of light and I chuckled, "He is very excited, if you had not noticed already."

"I have a gift for you," Weatherby removed the top of the box to reveal a pale gold dress. I got up from my spot and moved closer to the group.

"Oh, it's beautiful!" Elizabeth gasped as she raised the dress from it's container.

"Isn't it?" Weatherby commented wistfully.

I laid a gentle hand on his shoulder to comfort him, "Weatherby helped with the color. He kept on saying how lovely you would look."

Elizabeth looked at us both with a smile, then her brows furrowed. "May I inquire as to the occasion?"

"Does a father need an occasion to dote upon his daughter?" Weatherby deflected.

"Only when said father is not one for ulterior motives," I replied whilst glaring at the man once more. Elizabeth glanced at me with a knowing smile.

"Actually, I, um… I had hoped you might wear it for the ceremony today," he finally relented.

"The ceremony?"

"Captain Norrington's promotion ceremony."

"I knew it!"

"Commodore Norrington, as he's about to become!" Weatherby grinned as he paced around the room.

"It is a worthy title given his endeavors to rid the ocean of threats," I commented idly. "Though why he has been trying so hard is quite impossible to understand." My eyes narrowed again at Weatherby.

Weatherby placed his hands placatingly on my shoulders, "That does not make him any less of a fine gentleman, don't you think? He fancies you, Elizabeth."

"Fine gentleman or not, it is my place as her Aunt to stand in as her parental figure," I mumbled at him, my annoyance peeking. The man had held off the advances of all men but his Achilles heel was Norrington. He had only not accepted his proposals because of the status of the man, but now it was appropriate given his new ranking. Now I was the only one to protect Elizabeth, my own Achilles heel.

"We will discuss this afterwards, Mercy," he dismissed gently. "For now we must focus on Elizabeth."

I hesitantly took his warning to cease this fight and called out, "Elizabeth? How's it coming?"

I heard a creak of whale bone and fabric. My eyes widened immediately at the foreboding sound. Elizabeth gasped from behind her room divider. The maids grunted slightly and I looked at Weatherby who was oblivious to what was happening.

"It's difficult to say," she gasped.

"We heard it was the latest fashion in London," I returned.

"Well, women in London," she gasped again, "must've learned not to breathe."

A servant walked into the room and called for Weatherby. He excused himself from the room quickly, allowing me to ensure she became fully prepared. I let out a sigh of relief and went behind the room divider to see Elizabeth fanning herself. Estrella-one of her maids-looked at me tiredly.

"The corset was much too difficult to get on, Missus," the maid complained.

Elizabeth breathed a little harder, "And much too difficult to breathe in."

I took the fan that I had hanging from my wrist and fanned the poor girl, "It is only for today, little one."

She grimaced at that, "That is far too long for this torture."

"Torture is just the mark of being a woman."

"Is it not too late to become a man?"

I laughed at her improperness, "Far too late."

Elizabeth cared little for properness and I appreciated her refreshing attitude in private. She knew that she could easily disobey me but did not unless we were on our own. Perhaps it was pity or respect, I would never know. Nonetheless it was appreciated when she always managed to snap into her persona when necessary. Almost like putting on and off clothing. Carefully done so no one knew of how she was underneath all those layers of silk and velvet.

I followed Elizabeth as she went to the vanity to get her hair put up. Thankfully, this was the quickest part in part due to Estrella's nimble fingers. When our little Elizabeth finally rose from her chair, I held my hand against my mouth.

"You look like your mother," I spoke abruptly.

Elizabeth looked at me a little surprised, "Do I?"

A soft smile gently lifted my lips up and I held out my arm for her to hold when we went down the hallway, "Yes, yellow was her favorite color. It reminded her of sunshine"

She grinned a little back at me. The little reminders of her mother both brought comfort and sorrow. Only having her for half her life was a tragedy, but the mark she left has made Elizabeth the beautiful, clever young woman I now know.

"You also act like her. Strong, independent, intelligent, and wise," I looked out the corner of my eye sneakily. "Very improper as well."

She laughed quietly at that. Her mask of properness softly falling into place as we entered the brightly lit foyer. We walked down the stairs only for her to slow to a stop. I glanced at her and then down at the other people in the room.

"Elizabeth! You look absolutely stunning," Her father complimented with a wide smile.

Elizabeth did not hear her father and instead looked at the young William. I smiled as I descended the steps behind her. Watching as his eyes grew wider and wider as she came closer and closer. It almost stunned me when Weatherby did not notice the man's obvious staring.

"Will! So good to see you," she grinned, picking up her pace.

The poor boy was without words. His eyes sparkled and his mouth moved, but nothing came out. I covered my face with my fan as an even wider grin spread across my lips.

"I had a dream about you last night,"

"About me?" He seemed shocked.

"Yes, well, is that entirely proper for you to-" Weatherby tried to interrupt but I placed my hand on his shoulder. A small shake of my head and he stopped for the moment.

"Let them have this while they still can," I whispered to him from behind my fan. He nodded in response. Weatherby knew for whom I cheered for and the small compromise I had slipped in with that phrase.

Elizabeth beamed brightly "About the day we met, do you remember?"

"How could I forget, Miss Swann?"

"Will, how many times must I ask you to call me Elizabeth?"

"At least once more, Miss Swann, as always."

Elizabeth lost her smile, looking down then off to the side.

"There. See? At least the boy has a sense of propriety. Now, we really must be going," he gave Elizabeth her parasol and then my own parasol. I glowered at him for partially ruining the moment but held my tongue and kept my parasol gripped firmly in my hand; ignoring the urge to wack him on the back of the knees for that.

Elizabeth turned to will coldly, "Good day, Mr. Turner"

"Come along, Weatherby commanded. I nodded at William as I passed. Giving him an encouraging look before entering the carriage with the Swanns.

"Good day," William called out. The crack of a whip almost covered up what I thought was "Elizabeth" exiting his mouth, but I was not sure. Instead I watched as the young Swann gazed back at the man, smitten but slightly disappointed as their paths slowly parted from one another.

A/N:

Yeah... I skipped last week. Sorry about that. Had a rough time getting up and energized because I walked 16 miles (do not walk 16 miles) the previous day. I did get some more of the official art work done for this story, but it is still missing quite a few bits. Critique would be nice because I do not know how consistent my character is this chapter and I do not know how good of a guardian she is (considering she is 28 and I'm 20 :I). Critique is welcome! :)

Beyond that I did find this bit funny from the script you can get off google:

"Elizabeth stands on the stairs. Granted, the dress may be painful to wear, but holy smokes!"

Coconutplums: Yep I did consider that... all of that, but it is a secret. Thank you for that compliment too! You make me so happy when I see your reviews! (No pressure though. Don't review if you don't feel like it)

There is also a fanfic discord that me and big boi creator bored411 are a part of. It has fanfic recommendations, people hanging out, and people doing fanfic critique if you want to join! discord .gg/zGAvS4eHXm (take out the space)