2. Chapter: The ball begins and a lot of thinking

Elizabeth Swann sat on the wide windowsill in her room, overlooking the great gate of the manor, leading down into the town. She was already dressed and ready for the dinner and ball, but didn't feel like going down into the ball hall. (A.N. This sounds kinda strange...does everybody know what I mean? These huge rooms, with all the dancing people in it...)

He hadn't come yet.

The door opened and Aunt Caitlyn - Cait entered her dim looking chamber. "Why aren't you coming down, my dear? The dance has already started and you will miss out if you keep sitting there." She asked.

Elizabeth sighed and got to her feet, tearing her gaze from the gate, where it had lasted the last 30 minutes. "I am coming Cait." she called. "Are my father and grandma down yet?"

"Yes, and they are waiting for you."

The two woman stepped out of the room and made their way to the stairs. Before she descended, Elizabeth smoothed her silken skirt. It was a new dress she'd never worn before. The cut and style was the same as the dress this morning, but this one consisted of deep, rich blue silk, which shimmered with every movement. She had let her hair down for a change, the blonde curls falling softly around her shoulders. Stepping into the huge hall, they went to meet the others, politely greeting the passing people as they made their way through the room.

Elizabeth saw many unknown faces and guessed that her father had also invited some of the more well-off arrivers from the 'Seamaid', to welcome them to Port Royal.

The two woman reached the large tables at the left side of the hall, where some 'small' snacks had been prepared for the guests. There were huge silver platters filled with hors d'oeovres- all sorts of cheese, bred, many different kind of fruits, already pealed and cut, cold roast meat- and lots of sweet desserts- like cakes and pies, glazed fruits and many different kinds of sweets. And, of course, there were many servants sweeping through the groups of people, asking for wishes, serving wine and champagner in crystals, refilling them or taking them away if the lady or gentleman had had enough of the drink.

Elizabeth stopped to pop a glazed grape or two in her mouth, when she spotted her father standing a little way down the table. Cait and Elizabeth approached him and he smiled as he saw the two beautiful woman coming towards him.

"Elizabeth, there you are.You two look fantastic! The young men won't be able to take their eyes of you."

As if to prove him right a goodlooking young man stepped into their circle.

"Good evening to you governor Swann, Miss Swann." He bowed slightly, then turned his gaze to Cait. "I do not think we have met my Lady. I am James Willforth, Captain of the royal navy."

"I am pleased to meet you Captain Willforth. I am Caitlyn Witherby and I have arrived from London just this day, that's probably the reason you have never met me before today." She introduced herself while smiling at the man pleasantly.

"The pleasure is all mine my Lady. Would you give me this dance?" The captain asked, holding out his hand for Cait to take. Cait nodded gracefully, took his hand and he swept her of in the direction of the dancing floor, which started to get filled by more and more couples.

"Do you know where grandmother went, father?" Elizabeth turned to her father after Cait disappeared in the crowd.

"Yes, she should be out there, somewhere," He nodded into the direction his sister-in-law had gone to "she said she wanted to dance."

"Dance? She is 63 years old!" Elizabeth exclaimed, trying not to laugh at the antics of her grandmother, who was quite vigorous and energetic for her age, as she had learned today, when the old woman had snapped at a servant, who tried to help her up the stairs to her room, to leave her 'alone and go fuss over someone else'.

"Do you know if Will is going to come tonight?" The governor asked his daughter innocently.

Elizabeth laughed. "I sent him a message and invitation after we returned from the port. But I do not know if he will come, you know, with all the people..."

It pleased her immensly to see the forming friendship between her father and her love. First her father hadn't been too thrilled about their relationship, but after he got to know William better, he had changed his opinion about him. More so, as Will had introduced him into the finer arts of swords and weapon forging- only theoratical, of course. Now, whenever the two of them were together, they could be seen discussing and talk shopping about Will's newest master piece. The governor clearly enjoyed these discussions, and would take every chance he got, to talk to the young blacksmith, regardless their social status.

Will on the other hand had told Elizabeth through one of their common sunsets, that he admired her father for his passion for swords and his ability to look past one persons social status and judge them for their character. He also stated that the governor was quite funny, which left her speechless. Her father, the always regal Governor Swann, ...being funny? That was news to her. She knew, that he could if he wanted, be quite mischievious, but she had not known that he showed it to others. Which proved again, that the two of them really got along, which made her so much more happy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Will's POV

Will Turner hated those 'upper class events' like the dinner tonight. Even if it meant, that he could meet with Elizabeth out of their regular meetings. Of course he would go, no question in that, but it didn't mean that he would like it. Though Elizabeth and her father accepted him for what he was, and liked him for his person, disregarding his status, others did not see him this way. And he knew that.

*Well it is kind of difficult not to notice, that everybody looks at you as if you are a repulsive slug or something like that...* He thought dismayed.

Normally it would not matter what others thought of him. Elizabeth and Johnathan stood somewhat alone with their opinion, so what. He admitted, they stood rather alone, but still. *It should not matter.* And it did not matter. At least not for his Elizabeth, Jonathan and most people of the town. But the distinguished and noble lords and ladies of the elevated society took great offence in his relationship with Elizabeth, because it was not proper for a blacksmith to love the governor's daughter.

And sometimes, when stood in the great ball hall with her, watching the couples dance, noticing the dismayed looks people gave him,.......at those occasions he agreed with them. After all, he WAS only a blacksmith and had nothing to offer her for a life. He didn't deserve her. SHE deserved more, so much more.... The only thing, that would stop him from leaving then, would be his love for her. His wonderful, beautiful, headstrong, witty and brave Elizabeth. If he didn't know, that there was no possible way for another man to love her more than he did.....

Will smiled. The most important thing was, she loved him back! *I will never understand how I got this lucky to earn her love...* She loved him. She'd said so herself. And as long as she did not take it back, he would fight for her, not leaving her to any other man.

Daydreaming about his Love, Will made his way through the streets of Port Royal, heading towards the governor's villa. He entered the estate, climbed the frontsteps and rang the bell. Jamie, the 14 year old son of a servant, opened the door and greeted him, showing him to the great hall.

For a moment he stood by the great doors, watching the lords and ladies quietly chatting in little groups and dancing. It was like he stepped into another world and the different behaviour of these people and the ones from the town amazed him every time anew.

The simple men and women in town knew more about having fun than these nobles. Town feasts would contain merry dancing and singing, laughter and funny games, other than this rather boring and serious event.

Then, after a moment, his eyes found Elizabeth, like they always seemed to do, even in huge crowds. His jaw nearly dropped to the floor. She looked absolutly stunning in that blue dress, and with her hair flowing down around her shoulders and mid back, free of any hairclips and -pins. Somehow she reminded him of a beautiful sea goddess, risen out of the depth of the sea to enlighten the lifes of man.

Will smiled at this thought.

*Well, she has certainly enlightened my life....*



For my reviewers:

Amy85, Elizabeth S. Turner, natalie, Akane-st, Healer Ariel: Thanks for you reviews, I really appreciate it. And I will, of course continue writing this story, just wait a little for the next chapters.

Anmras: Thanks for the review. Sorry for the mistakes in grammar and spelling, but after I finished the first chapter I got soo excited and wanted to poste it as soon as possible, thats why I hurried a little with re-reading it. *sweatdrops*

Odango-Chan: Thanks soo much. If you say my English is good,....wahhh, my head will swell if you continue your praises! *grins*

Kelsey: I love Will/Elizabeth Fics tooo! But I noticed there aren't THAT many at FanFiction.net, thats why I decided to write this one!

Keira + Orlando: Sorry. Will still hasn't met them in this chapter. But he will soon, just wait.

Hi guys,

So what do you think about this one? I got the impression there is a lot thinking and repeating of thoughts, sorry if it's a little boring. But it is a love story, so the love birds have to think of each other, havn't they?

Well anyways, thanks for the reviews! Bye, NightLight4