One Heart
Disclaimer: See chap. 1
One Heart
Elizabeth took a seat at the square table, facing the hard-eyed captain. Her limbs ached from the day's work, her mind from the constant stream of information. On the sturdy wooden table lay a plate of bread and meat. To the right sat a small bottle of ale.
Laura's expression softened at the sight of her. "Hard day?"
"Different."
"Have something to eat."
She took a slice of bread, her stomach crying out for food. Laura remained silent until she'd finished. "Where are you from?"
Elizabeth swallowed, "Port Royal."
Her captain nodded vaguely, "Why did you leave?"
"I loved a blacksmith, and I was the governor's daughter. I thought our differences didn't matter. I loved him, and he loved another. So here I am."
"His name?"
"Will Turner."
Laura's mind kicked into overdrive, she knew of Turner, both father and son. She knew of Turner Jr.'s search for a woman, who appeared to be on her ship. She also intended for her new ship mate to never find out about her love's search for her. She would not allow her to suffer the way she did. Love would die in time, and all that remained of hers was a mild curiosity. Still.
"My situation was much the same. I too came from Port Royal. I loved a man of the navy. I thought he loved me too. Truth was, he fell in love with the governor's daughter. I couldn't deal with it. So I left." She leaned forward, smiling slightly, "Did you ever hear of a Captain Norrington?"
Elizabeth's heart froze at her words. Norrington. Governor's daughter. "Yes. He was promoted to Commodore. I knew him."
Laura leaned into her chair, and watched as the platter slid up and down the table. "The last I heard, he was to be married to her."
Forcing the words out, "Captain, I must tell you something about myself. I am the governor's daughter from Port Royal. The commodore did propose to me, and I accepted. He later released me from this promise, when we returned to Port Royal."
"Why?"
"Because of Will and I."
"I see."
The look of calm confused Elizabeth, "Why aren't you upset Captain?"
"I knew who you were. You forget. I too was of nobility. I know who the governor's daughter was. I know who you are. Elizabeth Swann."
"I am Elizabeth Swann no longer Captain."
"Perhaps that is so." She leaned forward, staring into her eyes, "You must leave him behind you Katharine. You must forget, and leave him with your old life. He has no place in your life now."
"I love him, Captain."
"No! Elizabeth loved him Katharine. She loved him. But you are not Elizabeth Swann, you said it yourself. Katharine Turner knows no one by the name of William."
Elizabeth's heart seemed to stop at her words, acknowledging their accuracy. She would have to give up her heart to Elizabeth Swann. Katharine felt no love. But she would always remember.
Laura's voice softened, "We are of the same kind Katharine. And we must help each other forget the men who hurt us. We must be strong, and we must never look back."
********
Night was setting in around them, and the air became cooler, caressing the anxious face of one William Turner. Looking out over the sea, there was no land nor ship in sight. His heart searched over the waters, searching.
His fingers played with the golden medallion at his neck. The points and curves of the replica mesmerized him, and in every touch lay memories of those few fateful days where their love had been realized. The gold felt cool under his touch, and he wondered absently whether Elizabeth wore hers. Perhaps it hung from her neck that very moment, connecting the two hearts and souls together for just a moment.
Hearing light footsteps behind him, he turned to see, the connection broken, if ever there.
Ana Marie joined him, her mouth twisted in a half-smile. After a moment of silence, she spoke, still staring out at the water. "You really want her back?"
"More than anything."
"Then what ya gotta do is listen to me, and stop lettin' the captain fill your 'ead with nonsense."
"I'm listening."
"Good. Now you forget, you're girl's a woman, she ain't like you. If ye want 'er, you haf to work for it. Ye have to show 'er you want 'er, that you're willin' to do anythin' for 'er. Do you understand what I'm sayin'?"
Will shook his head.
She sighed, "Men. What I'm sayin' is, you've got to show 'er you love 'er. Go out there and find 'er. Women take some convincin' and after what you done to yours, it's gonna take a consi'erable amoun' o' that to get 'er back."
"I didn't do anything."
"Sure. You let 'er kiss ya, didn't ya? Tha's enough for anybody."
"But it didn't mean anything."
"Maybe to you it didn't. It did to 'er." She glanced at him sideways like, "Are you sure it meant nothin' to ya?"
"Yes. Elizabeth is everything to me."
"Tha's what the good commodore said to your girl's cap'n righ' afore he left 'er, now ain' it?"
"The captain of the Dragonfly was in love with Commodore Norrington?"
"Aye, she was. Mighty bit'er about that too, she is. You'll be working your bootstrap's off tryin' to convince 'er to let you take your girl back. As a woman an' all, she'll be a mite protective of 'er. You understan' now?"
He nodded, and she clapped him on the back, forcing the air from his lungs. But talking to a woman had brought certain understanding. He would find her.
********
The following morning, Captain Jack Sparrow of the Black Pearl awoke at the first sign of dawn, to the incessant knocking at his door. Groaning, he stepped into his boots and opened the door to see the earnest face of one Will Turner. Groaning again, he mumbled, "What's going on? Is the ship sinking?"
"No Jack. We must go to find the Dragonfly."
"I tol' you Will, you can't jus' do that."
"I know. You're pirates. But I'm not. Nor is Elizabeth. So you don't actually have to demand anything from them. I do."
His eyelids threatening to fall in sleep, he waved a hand about while speaking, "First of all, you're a pirate. An' looks like your bonnie lass is well on 'er way to becomin' one. An' secondly," his voice trailed off.
"Well?"
"Look boy, I'll make a deal with ya. Ya let me sleep some more and I'll bring ya to the Dragonfly."
"Deal."
Putting out his hand to shake on it, Will was startled to have the door shut right in his face.
Leaving for his duties, he bid good morning to Ana Marie, who was on her way to wake the captain.
********
Awake, but not so rested, Jack stood talking to Will at the helm. "So why'd she leave?"
"There was a girl-"
Jack cut in, "Ah, I see."
"Not like that! She was an old friend of mine from England. She arrived in Port Royal, and found me."
"All right."
"You do believe me, don't you Jack?"
"O' course I do, mate, but what I believe doesn't mat'er, what matters is what your Elizabeth thinks. And your kissin' with some girl doesn' look so good."
"I didn't kiss her."
"Lemme tell you somethin' me boy, women only see what they want to see. And no mat'er what you tell 'em, they got a mind o' their own."
"So what are you suggesting I do?"
"I don't know. Just do whatever it takes." After a moment of contemplation, he spoke in a lighter tone, "Now, last port we stopped at, there was word that the Dragonfly anchored there not a day ago."
"What does that mean?"
Jack stared at him for a moment, then down at his unique compass, "It means we're catchin' up."
********
The last rays of daylight lit the water like molten gold. She was supposed to be home now. He was supposed to be asleep, ready for another day as the town's sole blacksmith. Neither cared.
For the moment, there was nothing beyond their world of contentment but each other. They were all that matter in that one shining moment. He reached out, fingering the hair of the woman who lay contentedly by his side, her head resting in his lap, a warm comfort.
She looked up into his eyes, and each felt they could lie there forever. As his fingers gently traced the outline of her face, she spoke softly, "Will we love each other forever Will?"
"We shall."
Her dark eyes seemed like a dark sea one could never escape. "You'll never go away, will you? You wouldn't hurt me Will?"
"Never." Cradling her head in his hands, he stared at her, memorizing every detail. "I'll never break your heart Elizabeth."
"Promise?"
"I promise, but you must never break mine."
She smiled at him, "Never."
As darkness set in, their lips met for a final kiss before the day was spent. It was a day they would always remember. He took her hand, and led her home, taking far longer then they should, with shared kisses and embraces in the shadows.
They would sleep soundly that night. But the next? One cannot say.
********
A/N: I know, I know, it's short, and there are so many breaks in it. (I couldn't help it!) Hopefully a longer chapter next time. If anyone's wondering what happened to Norrington and that lady, don't worry, they're in the next chapter! R/R!
Disclaimer: See chap. 1
One Heart
Elizabeth took a seat at the square table, facing the hard-eyed captain. Her limbs ached from the day's work, her mind from the constant stream of information. On the sturdy wooden table lay a plate of bread and meat. To the right sat a small bottle of ale.
Laura's expression softened at the sight of her. "Hard day?"
"Different."
"Have something to eat."
She took a slice of bread, her stomach crying out for food. Laura remained silent until she'd finished. "Where are you from?"
Elizabeth swallowed, "Port Royal."
Her captain nodded vaguely, "Why did you leave?"
"I loved a blacksmith, and I was the governor's daughter. I thought our differences didn't matter. I loved him, and he loved another. So here I am."
"His name?"
"Will Turner."
Laura's mind kicked into overdrive, she knew of Turner, both father and son. She knew of Turner Jr.'s search for a woman, who appeared to be on her ship. She also intended for her new ship mate to never find out about her love's search for her. She would not allow her to suffer the way she did. Love would die in time, and all that remained of hers was a mild curiosity. Still.
"My situation was much the same. I too came from Port Royal. I loved a man of the navy. I thought he loved me too. Truth was, he fell in love with the governor's daughter. I couldn't deal with it. So I left." She leaned forward, smiling slightly, "Did you ever hear of a Captain Norrington?"
Elizabeth's heart froze at her words. Norrington. Governor's daughter. "Yes. He was promoted to Commodore. I knew him."
Laura leaned into her chair, and watched as the platter slid up and down the table. "The last I heard, he was to be married to her."
Forcing the words out, "Captain, I must tell you something about myself. I am the governor's daughter from Port Royal. The commodore did propose to me, and I accepted. He later released me from this promise, when we returned to Port Royal."
"Why?"
"Because of Will and I."
"I see."
The look of calm confused Elizabeth, "Why aren't you upset Captain?"
"I knew who you were. You forget. I too was of nobility. I know who the governor's daughter was. I know who you are. Elizabeth Swann."
"I am Elizabeth Swann no longer Captain."
"Perhaps that is so." She leaned forward, staring into her eyes, "You must leave him behind you Katharine. You must forget, and leave him with your old life. He has no place in your life now."
"I love him, Captain."
"No! Elizabeth loved him Katharine. She loved him. But you are not Elizabeth Swann, you said it yourself. Katharine Turner knows no one by the name of William."
Elizabeth's heart seemed to stop at her words, acknowledging their accuracy. She would have to give up her heart to Elizabeth Swann. Katharine felt no love. But she would always remember.
Laura's voice softened, "We are of the same kind Katharine. And we must help each other forget the men who hurt us. We must be strong, and we must never look back."
********
Night was setting in around them, and the air became cooler, caressing the anxious face of one William Turner. Looking out over the sea, there was no land nor ship in sight. His heart searched over the waters, searching.
His fingers played with the golden medallion at his neck. The points and curves of the replica mesmerized him, and in every touch lay memories of those few fateful days where their love had been realized. The gold felt cool under his touch, and he wondered absently whether Elizabeth wore hers. Perhaps it hung from her neck that very moment, connecting the two hearts and souls together for just a moment.
Hearing light footsteps behind him, he turned to see, the connection broken, if ever there.
Ana Marie joined him, her mouth twisted in a half-smile. After a moment of silence, she spoke, still staring out at the water. "You really want her back?"
"More than anything."
"Then what ya gotta do is listen to me, and stop lettin' the captain fill your 'ead with nonsense."
"I'm listening."
"Good. Now you forget, you're girl's a woman, she ain't like you. If ye want 'er, you haf to work for it. Ye have to show 'er you want 'er, that you're willin' to do anythin' for 'er. Do you understand what I'm sayin'?"
Will shook his head.
She sighed, "Men. What I'm sayin' is, you've got to show 'er you love 'er. Go out there and find 'er. Women take some convincin' and after what you done to yours, it's gonna take a consi'erable amoun' o' that to get 'er back."
"I didn't do anything."
"Sure. You let 'er kiss ya, didn't ya? Tha's enough for anybody."
"But it didn't mean anything."
"Maybe to you it didn't. It did to 'er." She glanced at him sideways like, "Are you sure it meant nothin' to ya?"
"Yes. Elizabeth is everything to me."
"Tha's what the good commodore said to your girl's cap'n righ' afore he left 'er, now ain' it?"
"The captain of the Dragonfly was in love with Commodore Norrington?"
"Aye, she was. Mighty bit'er about that too, she is. You'll be working your bootstrap's off tryin' to convince 'er to let you take your girl back. As a woman an' all, she'll be a mite protective of 'er. You understan' now?"
He nodded, and she clapped him on the back, forcing the air from his lungs. But talking to a woman had brought certain understanding. He would find her.
********
The following morning, Captain Jack Sparrow of the Black Pearl awoke at the first sign of dawn, to the incessant knocking at his door. Groaning, he stepped into his boots and opened the door to see the earnest face of one Will Turner. Groaning again, he mumbled, "What's going on? Is the ship sinking?"
"No Jack. We must go to find the Dragonfly."
"I tol' you Will, you can't jus' do that."
"I know. You're pirates. But I'm not. Nor is Elizabeth. So you don't actually have to demand anything from them. I do."
His eyelids threatening to fall in sleep, he waved a hand about while speaking, "First of all, you're a pirate. An' looks like your bonnie lass is well on 'er way to becomin' one. An' secondly," his voice trailed off.
"Well?"
"Look boy, I'll make a deal with ya. Ya let me sleep some more and I'll bring ya to the Dragonfly."
"Deal."
Putting out his hand to shake on it, Will was startled to have the door shut right in his face.
Leaving for his duties, he bid good morning to Ana Marie, who was on her way to wake the captain.
********
Awake, but not so rested, Jack stood talking to Will at the helm. "So why'd she leave?"
"There was a girl-"
Jack cut in, "Ah, I see."
"Not like that! She was an old friend of mine from England. She arrived in Port Royal, and found me."
"All right."
"You do believe me, don't you Jack?"
"O' course I do, mate, but what I believe doesn't mat'er, what matters is what your Elizabeth thinks. And your kissin' with some girl doesn' look so good."
"I didn't kiss her."
"Lemme tell you somethin' me boy, women only see what they want to see. And no mat'er what you tell 'em, they got a mind o' their own."
"So what are you suggesting I do?"
"I don't know. Just do whatever it takes." After a moment of contemplation, he spoke in a lighter tone, "Now, last port we stopped at, there was word that the Dragonfly anchored there not a day ago."
"What does that mean?"
Jack stared at him for a moment, then down at his unique compass, "It means we're catchin' up."
********
The last rays of daylight lit the water like molten gold. She was supposed to be home now. He was supposed to be asleep, ready for another day as the town's sole blacksmith. Neither cared.
For the moment, there was nothing beyond their world of contentment but each other. They were all that matter in that one shining moment. He reached out, fingering the hair of the woman who lay contentedly by his side, her head resting in his lap, a warm comfort.
She looked up into his eyes, and each felt they could lie there forever. As his fingers gently traced the outline of her face, she spoke softly, "Will we love each other forever Will?"
"We shall."
Her dark eyes seemed like a dark sea one could never escape. "You'll never go away, will you? You wouldn't hurt me Will?"
"Never." Cradling her head in his hands, he stared at her, memorizing every detail. "I'll never break your heart Elizabeth."
"Promise?"
"I promise, but you must never break mine."
She smiled at him, "Never."
As darkness set in, their lips met for a final kiss before the day was spent. It was a day they would always remember. He took her hand, and led her home, taking far longer then they should, with shared kisses and embraces in the shadows.
They would sleep soundly that night. But the next? One cannot say.
********
A/N: I know, I know, it's short, and there are so many breaks in it. (I couldn't help it!) Hopefully a longer chapter next time. If anyone's wondering what happened to Norrington and that lady, don't worry, they're in the next chapter! R/R!