- - - - -

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is copyright of Walt Disney Pictures. Characters are owned by Jay Wolpert, Stuart Beattie, Ted Elliot, & Terry Rosso.

- - - - -

Author's Note: Many apologies for my hiatus. Many excuses...none of them very good, so let's get on with this. Enjoy!

- - - - -

Chapter Four: Sacrifices

After Will had left the mansion, Elizabeth was left with only her troubled thoughts. She would never forget what Jack had done for her and Will; he did save both their lives. But at the same time, he was a pirate. Jack may be a good man, but he still broke a thousand laws at the expense of others. Elizabeth knew Jack was a smart man, he had escaped from capture at least a dozen times. But the Commodore was hell bent on hanging Jack. Elizabeth didn't want to see Jack dead, but more importantly, she didn't want to see Will dead at Jack's expense. She fought with her conscience all day, out in the garden. Soon, it was dusk and the sun was setting gently into the horizon. She looked out over the ocean and then went inside.

- - - - -

Will spent the rest of the afternoon over the hot fire, preparing more swords for their customers. Will barely noticed as the time went by, he had so much on his mind. He was fighting with two topics. The first was Elizabeth.

Since their return to Port Royal, Will had found his feelings towards Elizabeth had not wavered one bit; he loved her. Will was sure she felt the same way, but their relationship was becoming strained. It became clearer to Will each and every day that his fight for Elizabeth was far from over. The governor was not ready to release his only daughter to the local blacksmith. It was rare that Will got to have moments alone with her. There had been few royal functions, but the Governor had made sure Elizabeth had a handsome, well-to-do gentlemen by her side at each one. Governor Swann had pressed the matter by coincidentally being gone whenever Will asked to see him. No matter what Elizabeth said or did, her father had the supreme power in the matter. It was their separation that was starting to eat away at William Turner. He had gone to the ocean as a haven for his troubled thoughts many times.

The first time he had gone to the beach had been to look up to Fort Charles while a dinner was being held. From the beach, Will looked up into the night sky. The lights from the dinner lit up the dark and joyful music could barely be heard. He frowned slightly at the thought of Elizabeth dancing and delighting in such a gathering—without him. But then, he never would be there, would he? More self-pitying thoughts followed, each full of anguish and doubt. Then Will thought of the ocean. There was no complication in the sea; you did whatever you wanted and that was that.

Yes, doubt had clouded his head, but there was also hope. Hope was winning the constant battle and Will fought every day to keep it that way.

Will slammed his hammer into the finished sword with a flourish and examined the sword. Another fine one.

The second thought on Will Turner's mind was Jack Sparrow. The sensible side of him told him to stay in Port Royal and pursue Elizabeth. Live his fantasy life. But the adventurous part of him had recently concocted a new fantasy life: out on the sea, with Jack Sparrow. He could take off right now, warn Jack, and have a whole new adventure. Will yawned widely and looked around the shadowed forge. Not tonight, he thought with a grin.

- - - - -

Several miles away in the Governor's mansion, Elizabeth Swann sat in controlled anger in the parlor.

"You cannot marry him, Elizabeth." The governor looked unnaturally harsh.

Elizabeth stared back at her father. "And if I should marry him?"

The governor took this in and continued, as if not noticing the comment. "You are my daughter and I love you. Therefore, you will have choices."

"I love him, Father."

"First, I realize what an ordeal these past months have been for you. I thought I knew best raising you here in the Caribbean, I was very wrong. I have arranged you a trip home to London where you will attend school to continue your education in becoming a lady."

Elizabeth jumped from her chair, "Leave? But Port Royal is my home!"

"Sit down, Elizabeth," her father's eyes grew darker, "Now."

Elizabeth reluctantly sat back down in her chair and crossed her arms.

"Second, you may stay here in Port Royal and we will find you a proper suitor."

Elizabeth laughed sardonically, "Who? James?"

"You will mind your tone, Elizabeth. As for the Commodore, I'm sorry to say he has moved on and does not wish to trouble us any more. As I was saying, you may stay here but," he paused. "You must stop this affair with Turner."

Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest but the governor continued. "Should you continue, I will personally see to it that his Bill of Clemency is revoked."

"You can't do that! He'll be hanged!"

"Yes, I suppose he will. He is, after all, a pirate."

Her father's repetition of her own words stung. Elizabeth felt her eyes swell with tears and tasted salt in her mouth.

"I'll let you consider your options, Elizabeth. But should you choose to remain here in Port Royal, know that if I hear of you two meeting his suspension will be immediate." Swann got up from the parlor and Elizabeth was left alone in the dark.

- - - - -