Dark Waltz
June 27, 2004
OceanGirl28
Rating: PG-13 for drinking, descriptive kissing and sexual references
Summary: Elizabeth Swann's life is a never-ending waltz from man to man, deceiving each and every one into thinking she loves them... but there is only one man Elizabeth longs to dance with, and that man in out of her reach. Her father forbade her to see Will Turner long ago, yet can she obey such an order? Will she listen to her father... or her heart? What will her actions lead to? Perhaps the end - of both of them. W/E shipping. No flames, please!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and a few characters. Everything else belongs to the creators of Pirates of the Caribbean.
Chapter Two, Forbidden Love
Elizabeth rushed through the halls towards her father's study, nearly knocking over a chambermaid and tripping the butler. When she finally arrived at his door, she attempted to straighten up - although it was no use - and knocked twice.
"Come in, come in." she heard her father's stern voice say, "I have much to say to you, Elizabeth." She slowly entered and the door made a most dreadful squeak. Closing it behind her, she saw her father gazing out the window. Elizabeth bit her lip, knowing that he had been watching her with Will. He turned around and looked her up and down, giving a look of disapproval; one she so often managed to get from his eyes.
Elizabeth realized that she must have looked quite unkempt. She had tracked grass all throughout the house from her bare feet, the trail of her dress was covered in mud and her hair was barely tied up at all; which was simply not appropriate for a lady of her 'class'. Governor Swann shook his head and sighed. "Look at you, Elizabeth." he said, "My daughter! The Governor's daughter!" She held her head down in shame. "You're nearly fifteen years of age and have no class, whatsoever."
"Beg your pardon, father, but 'tis not true! I have piano lessons, I know how to read, I am almost always polite at the dinner table, and - "
"And you're socializing with the blacksmith's apprentice? A commoner!" He raised his voice, causing Elizabeth to jump back in fear. Taking a large breath, he placed his hand to his forehead and turned to stare out the window. "I warned you, Elizabeth." he said, "I warned you and that boy that he was not to visit here unless he carried matters of his master's work." Elizabeth stood tall, her hands behind her back, worried of what her father would say next. "You are not to see Mr. Turner again."
"But father!" she interrupted, the tears swelling up in her eyes. "No!" he yelled, standing. "You are a disgrace, Elizabeth! A disgrace! I will not see you lower yourself with that boy. He's trouble and you know it!" Elizabeth shook her head repeatedly. "No, father. No he's not!" she nearly yelled.
"Do not raise your voice at me, young lady!" The Governor banged his hand on the table in anger. Elizabeth bit her lip. They both stopped and there was an angry silence. "Ever since your mother died," her father whispered, "all those years ago... I knew that you would need a woman in your life. How else could you be raised to be a lady of class so that I may marry you off to a husband who can support you?"
Marry me off? Marry me off! Elizabeth thought to herself, trying hard to hold back her tears of anger. "That is why," he continued, "I have sent for a lady of fine etiquette. She can teach you the polite and respectable ways of a true woman; the woman you were born to be. Her ship arrives in two days and until then you will not leave the house unless accompanied by the butler, Jonathon. Do you understand?"
She gritted her teeth and could feel the lump in her throat growing larger and larger by each piercing word her father spoke. The pain she swallowed was unbearable as she choked out, "Yes, father."
"Good then." he replied, "Now go... take a bath." He said disgustedly. As Elizabeth left the room she heard her father yell, "And have the maid wash your clothes!"
She rushed down the hall, ignoring the questioning looks on the maid, cook, and butler's faces'. As she finally reached her room Elizabeth slammed the door behind her and fell onto her bed, tears pouring down her face. She would no longer dance freely in the warm winds barefoot... in Will Turner's arms. No. She would become a 'polite and respectable woman' and then be 'married off' to an old, rich man whom she could never love. There was quite an adventure in store for her, one she would happily decline. Who was this teacher her father spoke of? Surely she was not kind if her father approved of her. She laid there for nearly an hour. Her tears eventually faded away, but she continued to lie on her bed, staring at the wall – her mind racing. The maids brought in boiled buckets of water for her bath. She saw them glance worriedly at her and ignored their stares.
Elizabeth did what her father ordered and bathed. The maids dressed her and tied up her hair for dinner. Her father had over a few men and their wives. She sat quietly, saying not a word, until finally excusing herself. She walked up to her room and locked the door, "Do not disturb me," she told her maid, "I am going to bed." Elizabeth lay there on her back, still fully dressed, staring up at the ceiling. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the silk curtains blowing in the wind. Sitting up, she stared out the window.
The next thing she knew, she was jumping off of the vines she had climbed down and running out the gates... headed towards the smithy. The town of Port Royal looked different in the dark. Though she'd never admit it, Elizabeth felt a dreadful fear in her stomach. The street seemed almost ghostly, save a few drunks and whores. Finally she reached Mr. Brown's Smithy, finding that the room was lit - just as she expected.
As she grew closer she could hear the clang of hammer against sword. Carefully pushing up the heavy bar, she was able to enter, only to see Will working late, as usual. He did not hear her enter and she just sat there, watching him. A few beads of sweat dripped down his moist face and he wiped them away with his arm. Elizabeth noticed the difference in his body; he was no longer the scrawny, pale boy she had met on the crossing from England five years before... no, he was not. She could see the muscle in his arms and his unbuttoned shirt revealed a broad chest. Elizabeth could not deny that she enjoyed watching him. After a few minutes, he stopped hammering and placed the burning sword on a rack so that it would cool. Washing his hands and face and running a hand through his hair, he turned around and saw her. Startled, he jumped back.
"How long have you been there?" he asked after a moment. She smiled and replied, "Only a few minutes." Will walked towards her. "Why are you here at this time? Did you come alone?" She nodded and he sighed in what almost seemed like anger, "You cannot wander these streets at this time of night!" he scolded. Elizabeth looked confused, "Why not?"
"Because you could get killed, or beaten, or raped, Elizabeth!" he said, frustrated. She shuddered at the thought. "I - I'm sorry, Will... " She said nervously, turning to leave. He sighed and grabbed her arm, spinning her back around. "No, I'm sorry." he said, "I should not have been angry with you... it's just that... I just... "
"You just... what, William?" she asked, curiously. "I worry about you! I mean, if anything had ever happened... " His voice trailed off as she smiled. "So why are you here, Elizabeth? Come back for more dance lessons, have you?" she laughed silently to herself, but then remembered why she had come in the first place. Will noticed the worried expression on her face as he gently touched her hand, "What's wrong?" he asked. Tears welled up in her eyes and Will grew worried as well, "What's happened, Elizabeth?" he asked sternly.
"My father... " She started to say, "He's very angry with me." She sniffled and wiped her eyes, embarrassed. Will continued to listen intently, "He's sent for a tutor... not to teach me of books and the bible but to - to teach me how to become the woman my father's always wished me to be. I'm going to be everyone's toy and have no say in anything! I'm trapped, Will." she cried, "and there's no way I can get out."
Will looked deeply sorrowed for Elizabeth, yet he did not know what to say. There was no way he could help, so he just embraced her as she cried on his shoulder. "My mother was always so unhappy." she choked out, "I saw it, yet my father did not. She had to hide all her feelings and act like an entirely different woman; one I grew to hate. I promised myself that I would never become that woman, but now I shall have to break that promise." Will shook his head and broke apart from her, grasping her shoulders and forcing her to look him in the eye.
"No. No, Elizabeth." he said, still shaking his head, "You'll never become that woman, do you know why? Because you're too strong. I know you won't give in. Just always stay yourself, alright? Will you promise me that?" he asked gently, wiping away her tears. She nodded and sniffled again. There was a silence, and Elizabeth began to pick at a loose string on her dress. "He wants to marry me off to some rich old man so that I may be 'supported'" she muttered. Will felt his stomach drop when she spoke those words. Rich man? He knew he could never be what her father wanted. "I know it's only so that he may profit from it."
Will gently cupped her face and turned her head towards him. It was then that she stopped her complaining and remembered once again why she had come to the smithy at such an hour. Tears poured down her eyes as he grew confused, wiping them away with his thumbs. "Oh, Will!" she breathed, and swallowed so hard that he could hear it and feel her pain. "I cannot - I can't - " she choked, "I can never see you again."
Will's eyes grew wide. He did not understand. Never see Elizabeth Swann again? How could that be? His hands slowly dropped from her face as she gazed at him, sorrowful. "My father forbids it."
Will ran his hands through his hair, nervously. "No." he said, "No. That can't be. Why would he do that?" he asked her, worriedly, although he already knew the answer. "Will." she breathed, standing up and running towards him. She hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek, and dropped something in his hand. "Goodbye, Will." she whispered, running out the door in tears.
Will opened his palm to find a silver necklace. On it dangled a heart charm with the initials, "ES" on them. He squeezed it tightly in his hand to hold back his sorrow. Walking back to his work, he kicked the bowl of water as it seeped onto the floor, spreading everywhere. The only woman he would ever love had just walked out of his life... forever.
Aw, poor Will and Elizabeth! Sorry if this chapter was a bit dramatic, but as many of you may know, I tend to write that way. If you liked it, I love reviews! Don't flame me, please.
Love to my readers and reviewers,
OceanGirl28
