Ok guys, this is where my part breaks off and the movie begins. The next chapters will probably be basically the movie, with little missing scenes and flashbacks of Wills woven in. Disclaimer: still don't own Orlando (or I guess any other unimportant character (and Liz and Jack) in this movie)

************************************************************

Will set off down the cobbled streets, a long box under his arm and dressed in one of his finer suits. Most of the townsfolk were moving in the general direction of the Fort, where Lieutenant Norrington was soon to be Commodore Norrington.

The maid let him inside the house with a smile, thinking how long it had been since the handsome youngster had visited. Will waited in the foyer beneath the grand staircase, examining a golden candle bracket on the wall. What poor craftsmanship, he thought as the curving brass candlestick broke off in his hand. Hearing the governor's approach, he deposited it in a large decorative vase that rested beneath the now damaged bracket.

"Ah, Will, you have my order, then?" Governor Swann greeted, shaking the boy's hand. Will replied with a nod and lifted the top off the box, revealing a fine blade of steel with gold grip. He handed the sword to the portly man, who examined it with approval.

"If I may?" Will asked, extending a hand. The governor agreed and watched with surprise as the boy critiqued it, adding a clever toss and catch as he returned it.

"Tell your master what fine work he exhibits." He said, pleased. Will found an unexpected smile and feeling of accomplishment as he returned the sword to its box.

"I will, sir. A craftsman is always pleased when his work is appreciated." His eyes shifted suddenly to the top of the stair, where the beautiful Elizabeth Swan stood adorned in a fetching gown. A lump formed in his throat, and he found it hard to breathe, much less speak. The governor greeted his daughter as she descended the steps, Will noticing her wince as she tried to breathe.

"Hello Will. I had a dream about you last night, about the day we met, do you remember?"

"How could I forget, Miss Swann?"

"How many times must I tell you to call me Elizabeth, Will?" She countered with a smile, despite her eyes revealing hurt.

"At least once more, Miss Swann." He replied rather sadly. The governor missed the melancholy note and gestured Will's direction with approval.

"See, the boy has a sense of propriety. Ah, let us be off!" He said as a butler informed him that the carriage was ready. Will looked longingly at Elizabeth as she turned to follow her father out the door. Propriety, no, restraint.

"Goodbye.... Elizabeth." He said softly, watching the carriage roll away from the house as he rested against the doorframe. Elizabeth looked back, the two sharing a meaningful look as she departed.

Elizabeth looked at her hands as she smoothed her dress, recalling the happy pastimes as a child she shared with Will. Over the past few years he had grown distant, preferring long work in his shop rather than the long chats over tea she longed to have. She missed her friend, even though as she grew older she began to understand his distance. She could not yet discern between hormones and actual love, but she did understand the small note of attraction growing inside her for the boy. Often she would scoff this as preposterous and concentrate on some happy memory, but her inner eye would always shift towards his chocolate eyes and perfect lips, wondering if they were as soft to kiss as they looked. Then she would shake her head and order her governess to tell her stories to clear her mind.

Elizabeth lifted her head, noticing how it seemed heavier today, perhaps from lack of air. The corset was laced extremely tight, and she pressed a hand to her stomach as if to force air in and out of her lungs. The carriage halted and the footman offered his hand to ease her out; Elizabeth leaning heavily on the gloved hand when she usually stepped lightly to the ground.

The heads of many young men turned as the governor's daughter strode to her assigned place alongside the carpet where the soldiers would greet the new Commodore, fanning herself frantically. She looked up at the glaring sun and wondered if she would be able to make it through the ceremony.

Will hurried towards the Fort, hoping to catch sight of Elizabeth before the ceremony started. He found a place near Norrignton's guard and searched the heads of the crowd for her. At last he saw her standing with the ladies of the house, as the governor stood at the top of the stairs to the Fort, where he would promote the Lieutenant.

Worry lines crept onto his forehead as he saw Elizabeth fan herself, looking as if she were about to have a fainting spell. He suddenly wished to circle his arms about her waist and hold her safe to him, but he dismissed the thought to hormonal desire. Nonetheless, the edged through the crowd to stand close if she ever had need.

The militia band began to drum, signaling the start of the promotion ceremony. Will felt his attentions shifting more and more from the ceremony to Elizabeth, worry mounting with each desperate fan. At last the ceremony ended, and Will observed Norrington draw Elizabeth away from the crowd to a secluded spot overlooking the harbor. He wished to follow, but then he saw the glinting knives on the guard's guns and decided to restrain himself, milling about the crowd in agitation.