Will helped Elizabeth down the gangplank as the rest of the crew bustled about the harbor, buying supplies. They would wait at the harbor until the ship was restocked, starting out at the first possible moment to resume the search.
"Elizabeth! Will!"
"Commodore, what's wrong?" Will asked.
"There's a storm moving in from the east. It would be suicide to attempt to go out in it. I'm very sorry, but we're going to have to wait until morning to return to sea." He looked truly apologetic.
"Thank you, Commodore, we understand," Will replied heavily. He was starting to realize that Willy could be gone forever. "Let's go home, Elizabeth. We'll come back in the morning."
They trudged back to the smithy, neither really wanting to go in. The home would not be the same without Willy's bright charm around. Will pushed open the door, staring at his feet, not daring to look Elizabeth in the eye. He had failed her and Willy. He heard a gasp next to him, then a thud as Elizabeth fainted.
"Elizabeth! Wake up!" he called, fanning her gently. "Corset too tight again?"
"Willy!"
"Don't worry, dear, we'll find him. He can't be too far."
"No...Willy," she repeated, pointing behind him. Will turned so fast his head spun. There, by the fireplace, stood a very disheveled but very present Willy. Willy grinned and ran to them, hugging his parents like there was no tomorrow.
"Mum! Dad! Oh, it's wonderful to see you!"
"Willy, are you all right? Where have you been? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, Mum. Just a little wiser. I've been sailing with Captain Jack!"
"He's really quite the little sailor," interjected a familiar voice.
"Jack! Why you..." Will started toward the outlandish pirate, but Willy tugged at his jacket.
"No, Dad, I made him take me. I lied to him, told him you said it was all right."
"And you believed him?" Will asked Jack.
"Well, not at first..." Jack started. "He told me the lady would have a bottle of rum and a kiss for me."
"Willy!"
"Sorry, Mum."