9. Chapter: Masterpiece

"Well, now that we have got them out of our hair, how about this box of yours? Am I right in assuming this is the new masterpiece you have worked on for the last days?"

"Aye, it is. I thought you would want to see it."

"You thought right on this, Will. Now show me, if you will."

"My pleasure, Jonathan."

With that Will went to the wall, where he'd left the box, and picked it up. Smiling he turned around und laid it on the desk. Carefully flipping open the lid.

Jonathan, who couldn't restrain his curiosity, leaned over from the other side of the desk, so he could get a glance at the inside. The inside of the about 3 – 4 feet long box was clad with midnight-blue velvet and on this rested a beautifully forged sword. For a second the box and its content looked exactly like the one Jonathan had ordered months before, regarding Norringtons upcoming promotion. But as he let his scrutinizing eyes glide over the sword he could see, that it was somehow totally different, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

He looked up at the young man in front of him. "May I?" Jonathan asked, pointing at the sword. He needn't have, for Will knew exactly what he meant. It was the same precedure everytime he finished something he thought worthy of showing to his older friend. For that was what they were. Friends.

Will smiled and nodded. "Of course." Very careful the Governor took the weapon out of his velvet bed, observing the amazing piece of work.

It was always like this. After Will had brought the first order to the Governours manor there were more to come. And all were delivered by Will, because often Mr. Brown was way too drunk to do anything, let alone leave the house without walking straight into the door. The swords weren't his work anyway, those were always left to the boy. And after a while the Governour asked straight away by whom the sword orders were forged. Will 'confessed' and the two of them started to talk, mostly about swords (duh!) and Wills talent. This way Will thaught him nearly all he knew about forging weapons and the like, at least in theory. Jonathan had even visited him in the smithy once, watching him as he swung the hammer. Since than he came with every good piece of work to his friend, who was every time amazed at his work.

But this time Jonathan frowned as he balanced the blade on his finger, like Will had shown him, to test its balance. It wasn't a critizising frown, surprised was more like it.

"It looks like a normal sword, but somehow it is also different...it seems...lighter..." He looked up to meet Wills eyes, his own questioning.

Will confirmed his observation with a small grin. "Yes. It's a special make. I used a different, more lighter, sort of steel. But it is still as hard as the normal one." Jonathan raised an eyebrow at him. Was that all he was going to tell him? "This is a test, isn't it?"

Wills grin only grew.

Chuckling the other man resumed his examination. After a few seconds he looked up again, the same grin playing on his lips, making him look years younger the he really was.

"The handle." He stated matter of factly. "It is too small to lay comfortly in the hand."

"Aye. It is not made for the hand of a man." Anxious to hear his further conclusions Will left it at this information.

After this words Jonathan let his eyes wander over the sword again and this time he noticed the difference to Norringtons, and every other, sword before. The sword looked almost delicate if you could say this for a weapon. Even the blade seemed not as wide as normal, though it was as long as any other sword. Delicate, and still deadly. The Governour smirked.

"This isn't supposed to be the weapon for a special person, is it?" He asked innocently.

Will laughed. "Looks like you caught me there. It will be much easier to handle in battle, and still not tire out too much for it is light enough. I want to give it to her as a present after our next lesson. Do you think she will like it?" He asked the last part a bit insecure.

"You have to ask? Of course she will like it!" He smiled fondly at the boy opposite of him. Will smiled back, though he blushed a bit. Amused Jonathan shook his head. *One minute the fierce fencer, the next a shy boy...I will never understand that.*

"Well, though I do not want to throw you out, I will just do this now. It is late and I have some matters to tend to before I retire for the night. Besides, I am sure you want to be up in the early morning for work, am I right?"

"Yes," Will grinned. "I wish you a good night, Jonathan."

The Governor nodded. "You as well, Will. I trust you know your way out?!" He asked, already reaching for the first papers and letters laying on his desk. Nodding, Will closed the lid of the wooden box, after having laid the sword back in, and made his way to the door, opening it. Looking back at the older man already brooding over invitations, inquiries and payments. *Being Governor has got to be a tough job...* He mused and advised his friend :" Don`t stay up too long into the night!", before finally making his way out of the door. While he climbed down the main stairs he briefly considered to walk past Elizabeths room, to see her one last time, but he dropped the idea for the simple reason that he would probaly wake her, and he didn't want that. She needed her rest.

So the young blacksmith left the huge manor the same way he came. He thought over everything that had happened this day, while walking through the silent streets of the town towards the smithy and his room. As the blacksmiths apprentice he lived in a small room behind the smithy, while Mr. Brown, the owner and his employer, inhabited the small house next to it. Alone, for he was not married. *Wonder why...* Will grinned, as he unlocked the door to the forge, entered and closed the door behind him. Striding through his working place he checked if everything was in order and then went to a small door in the back, leading to his room. Without much fuss he placed the sword box on a small table, stripped to the waist and quickly washed his face and upper body, and cleaned his mouth and teeth with cold water out of a basin. Drying himself he changed out of the best pants he had, which he'd worn to the ball, into some worn-out trousers and went to bed.

His last thoughts before he fell asleep were, as always, of Elizabeth.

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Next Morning

Same as the day before Elizabeth Swann was woken by the warm sunrays falling through her window. *I should really remember to close it one time before I go to sleep. I would get way more sleep this way* She thought a bit grumpy. Still sleepy she turned in her bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. That was, when she noticed the blue shimmering fabric covering her arm. Astonished at that she lifted the duvet and groaned unhappily. She'd slept in her new dress and now it was totally crumpled and sweaty because it had probably gotten warmer in the morning. Her maid wouldn't be happy, she was sure.

Come to think of it, WHY had she slept in her dress and not her sleeping gown...? Thinking back to last night she could only remember their argument with Cait and Norrington...and then...she must have fallen asleep as she made her way with Will back to the house, after she had woken up in the clearing. Yes, she'd been really exhausted. She smiled fondly *Will must've carried me back and put me to bed.* *And because he didn't want to wake me he left me in my dress...that would be soo like him. Caring and sweet, my Will...why can't Aunt Cait see that?* She sighed, not really wanting to let the memories of the ball and the verbal fights come back to her. *I didn't even get the chance to dance with Will!* She huffed gloomily. Well, she was due for one of his fencing lessons later that day, perhaps she could persuade him. Just one dance,...or two. She closed her eyes and let her imagination wander. The two of them together. The cliffs near the clearing, in which they always practiced. The sun setting. The beautiful play of colours in the ocean. They were cuddled up to each other and moved to the soft rushing sound of the waves below. Elizabeth smiled like just a woman in love could do. She couldn't wait to see her love again. But for now, breakfast would have to do. She felt like she was starving. Carefull as to not crumple her dress even more, she stretched he body, then reached over for the small bell on her bedside table. She rang the bell and waited for her maid, while climbing out of bed. Only one minute later she heard the familar knock and saw Betty open the door. The incredulous and a bit amused looking glance that was thrown her way said it all. Betty was not a happy girl.



For my Reviewers:

Tabris: Hey you! *grins* Thanks for your review again! And for trying to kick my ass into continuing writing,...I know I am lazy, but you are the person to talk. I remember one of your stories not having been updated for at least 10 months... Well jack will come, eventually. And don't you DARE to post my adress in here. *is already cowering under her bed*

The future Mrs Ja rule: Sorry for the extremely long delay. I really didn't want to take your reason for living...*feels really bad now* But I am working on it. Hope you don't think this chapter too boring. Thanks for trying to persuade me to continue...though I think it was bordering on blackmail, but I donn't care. I thank you for your support. You know, I think thses aruing bits are really difficult, but I will try for you.

Captain Cherry Coke: Whats with you guys and Cherry Coke anyway?? Jack will come, later. Though I don't think he soo amazing, let alone that cute. (Will is way cuter!) But he is funny ^^.

Angelic Evility: ^^ You know I am really blushing here. I am definetly not talented. Shows that I failed Chinese...*sighs*. But I am exchanging this subject. Perhaps I can start French next term. I loved French in school.^^ Anyway, my best friend. Now she is really someone who deserves to be called talented. Ne, Tabris? *grins*

Mdemanatee: Thanks! ^^ I don't like Norrinton as well, guess it shows huh? I love those romatic parts and will try to write more of them.

AcagedbirD: Thanks a lot. I am really trying.

Samantha: Mhh, think none of the things you wanted to read about are in this chappie...will work on this. Hannah and Cait will be in the next part. Promise.

Bleugrl: Oh, no! No crying please...can't have that....

SarcasmSage: Well there you have your part with the masterpiece. ^^

Silver Eyes Bright: There you are. *g*

P.I.D: Yepp ist a sword. So, what do you think of this one?

Phoenix Feather3: You are soo right!

Pirate Angel: ^_^ . Do you like whom it's for?

Seaspray: Will tell Norrie. Can I watch you hunting him with that fork?? Please? Top?? I am happy I didn't fail German in A-Level...and it'ss my mother tongue...*shakes head sadly*

LordLanceahlot: Thank you! ^^



Hello everybody,

Sorry it took me so long to update. I was thinking how to continue this story. Hope you still like it. Though you lot have probably given up on me and updating...^^; It won't be this long till the next chapter. Jack will be coming along in one of the next chapters...

NightLight4

P.S. Just for the record, do any of you guys know ShNicky? I am just curious, you know.....