Title: I wish I may; I wish I might
Author: Marlena & Trav
Email: All feedback email may be sent to bloodflame013@aol.com
Disclaimer: I ( Actually WE ) don't own anything, or anyone. This is based strictly on role-play. It has nothing to do with the real Pirates of the Caribbean. It would be a 'before look' if anything; based on the content. The characters, setting, etc is from the movie, and this is my way of stating I'm NOT claming ownership. So don't screw me, err sue me, okay? The portrayal of Elizabeth Swann is credit to Marlena; while on the flipside, Will Turner is credit to Trav. Comments are always welcome.
Prologue: Elizabeth Swann is the governor's daughter. Will ( William ) Turner, is a simple blacksmith. As far as everything was stated, these two were from two different worlds, and were never to come together in any way shape or form. But can classes stand in the way of true love?
Chapter Eight: In Repair?
Will sat at Mary's desk, carefully trying to put down on paper everything that he needed to say. Mary had been gracious enough, knowing she would be going to the governor's home, to ask him if he'd like to include something. He'd accepted, but he didn't think he'd ever finish before Mary had to leave. Will had decided to send a note to Jaquiline, he felt it was time to let her in on the whole truth. He dipped Mary's quill and began with a shaky hand.
Dear Jaquiline,
For weeks now, you have been witness to several bits and pieces of secrets, but now I feel as though you deserve the whole story. First, I want to thank you, Elizabeth and I could never have managed what we did without your helping her. The one thing I must ask you, is that this letter remain private, burn it after you read it if you must. In some vain attempt to try and bring Elizabeth back into my life... I started arranging my day to be where she was, nothing serious happened at all, we simply talked about the day and laughed a little.
I'm afraid however, that I underestimated Captain Norrington at first. He had men hiding, following both myself and Elizabeth, determined to catch us in the wrong. Although he has found none of the proof he seeks, that isn't stopping him. He came to me, and made threats not only on Elizabeth's life, but her father's. What I thought I was doing to be noble, was not only for Elizabeth's sake, but a bit of my own pride. I cannot bear to aide that man in gaining a title such as governor, and should he have any more suspicions about me, he plans to do just that. He let me in on a little secret, that he plans to arrange a marriage contract with the governor.
You must, within all reason, try to dissuade Elizabeth from agreeing. I realized too late, what she meant to me. But I cannot bear the thought of Norrington winning, even after I've broken Elizabeth's heart to try and prevent it. You have been a good friend to us both, please keep an eye of Elizabeth for me. Even if you cannot help, I thank you for at least hearing me out.
~ William Turner II
Will folded the letter carefully, as soon as he was sure the ink was dry and slide it under the order slip which was also addressed to Jacqueline. He trust that Mary, meddlesome as she could be, would stay away from the letter. But as she shooed him out the door and went of her way to the Swann household, he couldn't help feeling like their was something more he should do. Something besides wait for Mary to return with little or no news at all. He scuffed his shoes on the road as he headed across the way, back to the shop. As much as it pained him, Governor Swann's order had to be finished in three days. It made him sick, the thought of a piece of his, in the hand of the Commodore.
So there hadn't been any thought of having visitors to the manor that day. In fact, Elizabeth had been assured she would be left alone the day through by her handmaid. While Jaquiline was aiding the others in the kitchen, Elizabeth was walking down the stairway to the front door. She was going for a much needed walk. Nothing a little personal time can't handle; she thought to herself with a half hearted smile. She opened the front door, and there about to knock on it, was Mary. Elizabeth's smile returned to a pleasant state as she addressed her. "Mary, what a surprise. May I help you with something?" She asked, and Mary returned the girl's smile graciously. Well Ms. Swann, I'm here to deliver Jaquiline's order slip. "Oh, right! Here, I'll take that from you madam. She currently has her hands full." Elizabeth let out a wholesome laugh as Mary smiled, handing Elizabeth the papers; the note included. "I will be down to your shop later to give my order, sadly enough, I have to find something to wear for the ceremony in a few days." Ah right, Captain Norrington's promotion. Splendid time I would imagine. So Mary was one who tried to be civil regardless of her feelings toward the Port Royal authority. Elizabeth's glowing smile faded, to more of a forced one. "Yes, it should be great..." Mary began walking back down the steps, after saying her good day to Elizabeth. Elizabeth waved to her lightly, as she shut the door, shaking her head. "A dreadfully splendid time..." she muttered to herself, as she was walking toward the kitchen. She looked at the order slip, but dropped something that was tucked behind it. She crouched down slowly, picking it up, and noticed - it looked like a letter. How it was addressed to Jaquiline, who - the handwriting. She had seen it before. Biting her lower lip, she hid it behind her back as she walked into the kitchen. "Jaquiline dear, your order slip is here." Oh, thank you Ms. Swann. She replied cheerfully, taking the paper from burdening Elizabeth. Elizabeth smiled, turning on her heel to walk back out, her attention centered on the paper in her hand. She felt horrid, that she was going to intercept reading something of Jaquiline's, it was bad manners, but...she was so curious. Wouldn't that make up for something? No morals, lack of consideration, you're doing REAL good now Elizabeth. She scolded herself mentally, shaking her head as she ventured back upstairs to her quarters. She skimmed the letter, not really believing what she was reading. "Bloody hell...this is ridiculous..." She said softly, as she stood out on her balcony looking over the sea. She sighed quietly, as she read the letter over. Not sure whether or not to scream, or go to him. Cry, or write him a 'to whom it may concern' letter in return. He had broken her heart, then went all nobleman to her handmaid? That didn't set well with Elizabeth at all...and her expression told the story.
Mary had long since come back, but with horrid news that didn't sit well with Will's stomach at all. Elizabeth had taken the order in for Jaquiline, this could be very bad. But surely Elizabeth wouldn't open a note addressed to Jacqueline would she? She was always pointing out that she hated her father reading notes that were sent to her. That's why he hadn't sent her one, that and he wasn't sure what to say or if she would even read it, had he sent one. He hammered away at the blade, his aggression almost ruining the piece several times. "Relax," he scolded himself. " Jaquiline will not tell Elizabeth about the letter. Elizabeth doesn't need to know what a rotten man would offer her his hand." His heart however, screamed. He couldn't let it get to marriage. Elizabeth belonged in no one's cage, especially not Norrington's. But he honestly didn't see what more he could do, Governor Swann would hardly stand for Will traipsing into his house and asking to speak to Elizabeth, and he would certainly never allow him to have Elizabeth's hand. Somehow, he just couldn't let it go and focus, no matter how he tried. Everytime he tried to put Elizabeth out of his mind, he was brought back to a ship, dripping wet, with a young girl promising him everything would be alright. He only wished he could return the promise.
Elizabeth had walked back into her room, folding the note up quickly. She took a deep breath, shaking her head as she walked toward the stairs. I must have dropped this, it's for you...That would be a fitable excuse, wouldn't it? Sure it would, and she knew Jaquiline would believe her. God, she felt horrible now - not only was Norrington planning on asking her to marry him - but about the situation with Will. What was she going to do? She walked down the stairs, and as luck would have it, Jaquiline was just barely walking out into the foyer. "Jaquiline, honey, I think I may have dropped this. I would imagine it came with your order slip. I'm not sure who it's from though..." the hand behind her back, had her fingers crossed. She hated lying, especially to someone like Jaquiline. She graciously took the letter from Elizabeth, smiling. Thank you Ms. Swann, I appreciate it. "My pleasure." She said, her smile seeming genuine, though inside she was crying. She felt as if her heart was being ripped out with Jaquiline trusting her. She made her way to the stairs once more, heading up to her bedroom. She had an idea of what she wanted to do, but how would she get it there? She wasn't going to use Jaquiline, not after what she had just done. She would deliver it herself. There was an idea. She sat down at her desk upon entering her room, taking a deep breath as she grabbed some paper, a quill, and some ink. What in the hell are you doing... She questioned herself, but alas, received no answer to solidify her workings.
Trying to work was hard for Will. As was trying to eat and trying to breathe and trying to think. Was it because he didn't know if he'd lost Elizabeth, or because somewhere deep down, he knew he'd already lost her for good. It occurred to him, how he could know. All he had to do was try to finish the sword early, then he'd have an excuse to go to the Swann house, even if it did bring Norrington closer to his promotion. He had to at least show Elizabeth that this wasn't easy for him either. But then again, he'd seen the look in Mary's eyes when she had returned from seeing Elizabeth. If Mary was giving up hope in their love, how could anyone else maintain hope in their love. He hadn't even really understand that they had love until Norrington tried to beat every last shred of it from his being. But love wasn't like that, you couldn't just turn it off or on. And if he couldn't, he had to keep faith that Elizabeth couldn't either. They would just have to continue on, like they always had, in smiles and nods and whispered hellos. He just hoped his heart and mind would agree soon, and that whatever their choice, Elizabeth wouldn't turn him away, because he didn't think he would have a life to take if Norrington's men got his hands on him.
Elizabeth exhaled deeply as she looked at the paper for a long moment. What was she thinking? Why was she doing this? She would just prove that she had read Jaquiline's letter. Would that make her any better than her father? You're definitely your father's daughter, Elizabeth. She told herself with a sigh, as she put down the quill to write.
Dear Mr. Turner;
It has become apparent that your desperation for this - relationship, if you will, between us is at an alarming rate. Forgive me for noticing, but you seem a tad detrimental toward Captain Norrington. It's a pity. In the past 24 hours or so I have come to realize that maybe he is a decent man after all. I mean, he does stick up and stand up for what he wants and believes in. He doesn't hide from it like the plague. Not that I am inquiring you do so, good sir. I'll have you know, that I will do whatever it is that I please, whether you like it or not, even if that includes accepting to take the soon to be Commodore's hand in proposed marriage.
Don't you think that it is a little disheartening, that you would go through my most valued confidant to try and prevent that from happening? It is with regret that I read that letter, and it is with regret that I then gave it to Jaquiline with the impression I know nothing of it's meaning - it's contents - or it's sender. Maybe that was unruly of me to do such a thing, but it really opened my eyes. I'm sure that was the intention, no? I suppose it is good that you realized all too late what I meant to you - as I realized far too late as well. But there is no use crying over this little misunderstanding. Surely you can see my point.
You broke my heart, well, that's nice to know you believe your ego deserves the stroking. That's news to me. You didn't break my heart, I broke my own to think that you were a better man than Captain Norrington. When all I realized, is that you are just like him. With that, I leave you to your thoughts. Good day Mr. Turner.
~ Elizabeth Swann
Elizabeth took a deep breath as she signed her name, not even bothering to re-read what she wrote. She probably would have cried reading the hurtful words she wrote down. Folding the paper, she sprawled "William Turner" across the back, noting whom it was going to. Standing swiftly, Elizabeth released a sigh again, and then walked out. As she was walking toward the blacksmith's shop, her mind continued to wander. She was trying to think of other things, aside from the nightmare image of accepting Norrington's hand in marriage. What a horrific thought it was. It took her a few minutes to walk to the blacksmith's shop, but as she arrived, she knocked, and slid the paper into the crack of the door. She turned her back and walked to Mary's shop, to make it look good.
With a sigh, Will laid down his tools and headed to the door, brushing his hands on his apron. He removed the letter from the door, opening it cautiously. He never received personal mail. As he read, his heart sank lower and lower in his chest as tears came to his eyes. Jaquiline had betrayed him. How could Elizabeth lie and say she hadn't, when the very letter itself showed that Will's confidence had been betrayed. The Elizabeth he knew would had never read that letter without Jaquiline's permission, yet, he wasn't entirely sure that this was the Elizabeth he knew anymore. Did she really hate him so badly that she would swear herself into a marriage to escape him? Surely she wasn't doing it for some hidden love she had for Norrington. Borrington she'd called him on many occasions, she hated him with every thread of her existence. Had Will sunk so low that she might marry Norrington just as spite to him? He was so lost. The only thing he knew was that he had to see Jaquiline, he had to understand why she had done this to him, why after all the secrets she'd kept, she had to betray THIS secret. Will threw Elizabeth's letter into the force and removed his apron, heading out of the shop. He locked the door and headed across town toward the Governor's mansion. He no longer cared about the looks people gave him, or what Norrington's men did to him. He'd lost any reason he had to stay in Port Royal any longer than necessary, without Elizabeth he'd lost his reason to live. He rapped violently on the front door, trying to remain polite as he asked to speak with Jaquiline. He hoped she had a very good explanation, some reason that would make this all okay, except he didn't think anything could make it okay.
Jaquiline had heard the door, and the meek girl looked a little surprised by the force behind it. She slowly made her way to the door, and as she saw Will she looked a little surprised. "Mr. Turner...good day. I beg your pardon, but Ms. Swann isn't here..." She noticed he didn't have a package in his hand, hence her assuming he was there to see Elizabeth. "She left a few moments ago...apparently she was going to Mistress Mary's shop. Would you like me to tell her you came by?"
"Actually I came to talk to you about my letter." There was a foreign venom in Will's tone toward her. "Elizabeth may have gone to Mary's, but not before leaving me a very hateful letter." Will took a step toward her, and one any first glance, you might swear there was murder in his eyes. "She read my letter Jaquiline, how could you let her read that letter? I asked you not to, I begged you burn it when you where done.." His voice wavered, cracking slightly. His eyes becoming glossy again. "She means to marry him Jaquiline, to spite me, because you let her see my letter. how could you?" Will's resolve was quickly wavering. It hadn't been the most brilliant or well thought out idea he'd ever had, going to confront her. What other choice did he have now that he'd only further aided in destroying his life. "Why did you do it?"
She looked genuinely confused. "Let her? Mr. Turner, I - I didn't..." She looked upset that he would think so little of her, that she would actually do something that he asked her not to. "I did burn it...as soon as I finished, I threw it into the hearth. Ms. Swann wasn't even here when I read it..." She took a step back slowly. "She handed me the letter a few minutes after she handed me my order form...she said she must have dropped it....I don't see how she could have read it." So when it came to Elizabeth, Jaquiline was proudly oblivious to her flaws, and straight lies. She would never think something negative of Ms. Swann. "I don't know what could have happened Mr. Turner...I - I'm not sure..."
Will was amazed, could Elizabeth have honestly gone behind Jaquiline's back and done this? "How could she know that Norrington plans to propose after his promotion Jaquiline, how could she know what I wrote if she hadn't read the letter?" If Elizabeth really was so set against him, then there was only one thing that he knew to do, certainly his life wasn't worth much to him anymore. "It doesn't matter anymore." Will paused, trying to gather his courage for what he knew he must do. If Elizabeth wanted to marry Norrington, he wouldn't let her relationship with Will be held over her head. "Is the governor here?"
"N - no, he's at the fort with Captain Norrington...last I knew." She replied softly, but her throat caught as she gasped. Walking up toward the manor, a short way down, was Elizabeth. "Oh, oh this is bad. She's going to be so angry.." Jacqueline said quickly, looking to Will. "Mr. Turner, you have to go. Ms. Swann really WAS heartbroken, no matter what she would say. She told me. She said, that seeing you now would rip her apart emotionally...I don't - don't want to see that..." She was a little scared now, it was spread across her face. "Please Mr. Turner...don't do anything...her words are just because she's hurt..."
Will smiled softly to Jaquiline. He believed that Elizabeth had deceived her, as hard as that was for him. "It's alright Jaquiline, I have nothing to say to Ms. Swann anyway, the only words I have are for her father. If he isn't here, then I was simply go to find him. I have some air to clean between the two of us and it might as well be in front of Norrington, he'll enjoy it I suspect." Will wiped his eyes for any remaining moisture and rubbed his cheeks, turning the red streaks into a healthy flush. "Go back and do what you were doing, if Elizabeth asks, I came to double check on the date of the ceremony. As you said, there's no need to upset her any further." Will watched Jaquiline wander off hurriedly, giving her a bit of a head start before he opened the front door, letting himself out. He saw Elizabeth coming up the way, but simply flashed her a charming smile. "Good Day Ms. Swann" Good day alright, good day to rip out my heart. A good day to die. His fate would lie in the Governor's hands before the day was up, he would claim all responsibility for leading Elizabeth astray and causing her to obey her father. He would be out of Elizabeth's way and Norrington would have lost him ammunition. What did it matter that he would no longer be a blacksmith? What was art without passion?