~*A/N: This is going to be so much fun! I hope you guys like my writing, and if you do that you review me. Thanks. ^^ *~
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Changes in the Wind
Chapter 2: Cartagena
Will pulled out Elizabeth's chair for her as everyone entered the dining hall, sitting in front of the place card 'Elizabeth Swan'. He took his seat next to her and smiled charmingly at a few people that were sitting around them. Elizabeth picked up her water glass and sipped it slowly, watching Will greet people he didn't even know.
He's still acting as if he's my servant; my little trained puppy. Why can't he see that he's my equal? She chewed over as the last few people ambled in. Two seats were empty; her father's chair to her right, and one directly across from hers. While everyone's conversations dwindled, Governor Swan and Commodore Norrington walked in and stood at the head of the table, waiting patiently.
"Welcome dear guests friends and family," Elizabeth's father started, smiling jovially around at his table. He started to speak again but Elizabeth's mind was on something else as she stared blankly at the plate in front of her. She did notice however, that Commodore Norrington had taken the empty seat across from her, to the right of her father's seat.
Damn him, he sets these seating arrangements personally! He still wants to pry Will and me apart! We're engaged for heavens sake! She thought bitterly as her father summed up the remainder of his speech and sat down.
"So, Elizabeth," Governor Swan started as he sat down, folding his napkin in his lap, "how was the trip? The winds fair well I hope?"
"Why don't you ask William, father; he is the captain after all." She retorted, sipping her water slowly as a server came by and placed a salad in front of her.
"Yes, to true," the Governor blinked, smiling weakly as he turned to Will, "So how were the winds Will?" he repeated, taking a bottle of vinegar and oil, and shaking it over his salad.
"They were perfect Governor Swan, excellent sailing conditions. Couldn't have asked for more." Will said happily, picking up one of the many forks in front of him and taking a bite of his salad.
"Wonderful…" Swan said, watching with distain as Will used the improper fork for his salad.
"So, Ms. Swan, how was Spain?" the commodore asked suddenly, as one of the servers ground fresh pepper over his salad. He waved him away as Elizabeth looked up slowly, her eyes flashing dangerously.
"It was lovely, as it always is." She said simply, taking a small mouthful of her salad and patting her lips delicately.
"Did you by chance get to visit the Carrer Montcada? I hear that it is quite a lovely stop in the summer." The commodore continued, motioning for the server to pour him some champagne.
"No we did not, I'm afraid, we stayed mostly on the shore line." She responded dryly, taking a large sip of her now half empty champagne glass.
"Ah, Barcelona?" Norrington asked a smirk appearing on his face as if reminiscing on earlier nautical experiences.
"No, Cartagena actually." Will piped up, making Norrington raise an eyebrow.
"Why Cartagena? Isn't Barcelona more of a trading hot spot?" the commodore chuckled, giving Gillette a look as if Will was humorous.
"Well, yes, it is, you're correct there. But that's exactly why I'm not marketing there." Will said, a glimmer of excitement flickering in his eyes. "You see, Cartagena has some of the best coco bean farms in all of Spain. And very few people know about it, so I figure it's the best place to buy decent goods for less money, and then sell them in Europe for double the cost."
"That's interesting, and where exactly did you find out about this little miracle spot?" Gillette asked, his nose crinkled up in a sneer.
"What?" Will asked, setting his wine glass back down the table.
"I asked you where you found out about the spot Turner. You don't exactly have trading connections do you?" Gillette snarled, a wide mocking smile on his face.
"What exactly are you insinuating Gillette?" Elizabeth snapped, setting her fork down with a clank.
"Well, just perhaps, that Turner still has an in with his little pirate friends, would that really be so hard to believe Ms. Swan?" Gillette smirked, sipping his champagne.
"That is enough Gillette, my connections were kind enough to give William some hints, but he found the farms in Cartagena all on his own accord." Governor Swan said evenly, making the four grown adults go silent.
~*~
"I hate that infernal man!" Elizabeth cursed through her teeth as she paced her room, Will lying lazily on her bed.
"The man is a prick, you haven't learned that yet?" Will mocked, resting his head on his hands.
"He wouldn't even let us enjoy our welcome home luncheon. Honestly I don't know why Norrington keeps that little weasel in his services." Elizabeth continued, roughly pulling the pins in her hair out and shaking her locks.
"Maybe Commodore Norrington knob twists both ways." Will smirked.
"What?" Elizabeth stopped half way through brushing her hair.
"Nothing…" Will muttered, getting up and walking over to Elizabeth, brushing her hair aside and kissing the nape of her neck. "We'll be free of them soon enough." He muttered, massaging her shoulders softly.
"Where are we going anyhow?" Elizabeth asked, turning around and taking his hands in hers.
"I was thinking about going on a bit of a cruise, and stopping where ever you wish. We still need to get married after all, before we go back to Cartagena." Will smiled, placing his hands around her waist.
"Oh so we're staying in Cartagena for a while I take it?" Elizabeth asked, taking his hands off her waist slowly and intertwining them in front of her.
"Well yes, I need to get my trading post started up and…well it is quite beautiful. Didn't you want a change?" Will asked, his brow furrowing in disappointment.
"Well yes Will, I do, but we've spent the past month in Spain." Elizabeth blinked, trying not to hurt his feelings.
"Well that's why we're not going there right away. We'll take a holiday, travel, and then spend a little more time in Cartagena. We don't have to stay there forever; I just want to get things started there." Will said, looking unconfidently into Elizabeth's eyes.
"Alright," Elizabeth smiled weakly, reaching up and giving Will a short gentle kiss.
~*A/N: I love Gillette, he's so fun to write. The little jerk is so easy to make things difficult. Plus I hate Will, and he is the perfect assailant.*~