One More Taste of Freedom
05 will decides
Disclaimer: See the previous chapter.
Author's Note: Will's characterization is where I always have the most trouble. It seemed likely to me that he would be a bit leery of letting Elizabeth go off on a pirate ship by herself, but it also seems that he wouldn't never be one to stand in the way of something she thought would make her happy. So hopefully it works, if not, oh well. It had to happen this way for the pairing of the story to progress the way I intend for it to.
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Raising his hammer, preparing to take another swing on the sword he was making, William Turner stopped.
"Elizabeth?"
He had been in a corner of the workshop where he would not have been immediately noticeable to someone just entering. Removing his apron he moved from behind the table where he had been working and went to greet Elizabeth. The blacksmith stopped short as soon as his eyes fell on a character he did not expect to see.
Jack stepped forward and offered a hand to the boy, but before he could open his mouth to say hello, Will had pulled him into a hug. Jack stumbled backward a few steps, never embracing the other man, but letting his hands flap wildly around in an attempt to free himself. Pirates, apparently, don't hug.
"What the-it's very nice to see you too, son. But I'd like to breathe, if it's not too much trouble."
Releasing the Captain, Will came back to his senses and nodded, slightly embarrassed. Yet the smile never left his face.
"Yes, yes of course. It's good to see you, Jack."
Jack pressed a few wrinkles from his shirt and pushed stray strands of hair back into place and began to walk around the shop, hands moving across each sword he passed, nodding in approval.
"Exactly how I left it. Still practicing three hours a day?"
Will laughed a bit, and then, became proud, "I hardly have the time anymore. Orders are piling up. It seems everyone wants a sword made by the man who helped destroy the cursed pirates of the Black Pearl." He paused for a moment, reflecting on the adventure that had brought them all together, "Perhaps I should warn them that it's the practice and not the swords themselves that win battles. Too many people getting into pointless duels unprepared."
The entire town knew about their little adventure, but of course things got added as the story was passed from person to person. In fact, just the other day he'd heard a rumor that Jack had drank rum from Barbossa's head, in the tradition of the Aztecs who made the medallions. That image was both nauseating and amusing.
Elizabeth left Jack's side and went to take her place beside Will, lacing her arm through his.
"Will, we've got something to ask you. Jack and I."
He couldn't say no. She knew it. But why then was she so nervous?
"All right. What is it?" Eyes darting from Jack to Elizabeth, and then back to Jack.
"Well," Jack walked forward, his hand resting, as usual, on his sword. "I've got an invitation for you, William. Seeing as how the little missy here has told me how dreadfully unhappy the both of you are, I propose you come and join me on the Pearl. What say you to that?"
Will shot Elizabeth a funny glance, which was either shock or worry. She couldn't tell. Chewing on her lip, she prayed that it wasn't worry. To put any doubts he may have to rest she added, "Yes, and we've already run into Norrington, and it seems very obvious that he's no longer got it in for Jack."
Releasing his soon to be wife's arm, Will took a few steps back, the initial look had not left his face and it was clear that he was deep in thought. The fact that he was taking a while to answer worried both Elizabeth and Jack, they'd hoped the answer would be an immediate 'yes!' but instead they were left to wait and wonder. Finally he opened his mouth and began to speak.
"I can't."
Elizabeth's heart sank at that. She placed a hand on his arm, her tone almost pleading.
"But Will, why not? This is what we both want. You cannot deny th-"
He interrupted her and finished his thought.
"I can't - now. I can't go right now."
Jack shook his head, looking slightly annoyed.
"Well, we shove off tomorrow, I've got no time to waste. Norrington may not want to arrest me at the moment, but who's to say my crew will stay out of trouble long enough for the Commodore's liking?"
Growing desperate, Elizabeth looked to both men. Just a few minutes ago she was already daydreaming about all the adventures she would have on the Pearl, about all the freedom. And now her hopes had been crushed.
"Then when? When can you leave?"
Will didn't look too happy about his decision either.
"I'm not sure. I've got so much work to do here, and there is no other blacksmith in Port Royal. I can't go anywhere at least until I find a replacement. It's just -" he hesitated, "it's just not right."
Saying that something just wasn't right made him feel like a fool, especially in the presence of a pirate. But it had nothing to do with being proper or following the law. He honestly felt that it was wrong to leave an entire town without the services of a blacksmith. His job may not be much respected, but it was something that was needed. Her disappointment still not put to rest, Elizabeth spoke again, and her voice was a bit louder than last time.
"And what of my father? Tonight is the perfect opportunity for me to escape. He's not home and will know nothing until morning. How often will I get that chance?"
Will winced at her tone and took hold of her shoulders, his voice calm.
"Then go. I cannot cheat you out of your freedom."
Eyes wide, she studied him for a moment. What was he trying to say?
"And what of us? When will I see you again?"
"I'll meet you. I'll find a suitable man to take my place here and come find you in Tortuga. Assuming Jack doesn't mind waiting there until my arrival?" That last bit was directed at the Captain himself.
"Course not, mate. Like I said before, rum and strumpets. Not a problem at all. But we best get going, `Beth. I'll be wanting to start out at first light. So you'll be spendin' the night on board."
Placing both her hands over Will's, which were still resting on her shoulders, she conveyed her silent thanks as best she could before she was led away by Jack.
"Goodbye, love."