Disclaimer: Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann belong to Disney along with the rest of the Pirates of the Caribbean characters.

Chapter 2

Two weeks before…

The warm, sultry breeze from the ocean blanketed Port Royal while the sun shone relentlessly on its inhabitants. The

Naval officers and sailors sweated desperately in their full uniform, and the ladies of the port were prone to fainting

suddenly in the dusty streets. The gentlemen of the town carried handkerchiefs in their pockets and with a quick covert

look, doused the white wig and wiped secretly at their balding heads. Frankly, the town of Port Royal was withering

under the power of the sun. Everybody's patience and irritation had reached its maximum point, including the members

of the Swann household.

Will Turner stood nervously in the drawing room watching as Governor Swann and Elizabeth continued their on

going battle for control. Governor Swann was blustering in the heat with hands going everywhere that Will found

particularly funny because his pompous white wig jumped a little with each heightened explanation. Turning his

attention to his love, Elizabeth, he felt a slow smile tug at his lips. She was standing there brazenly with her chin

jaunted up nobly arguing with her father for the countless time that day. In the heat of the day and argument, her skin was

flushed with a rosy hue and brown eyes flashed like lightening. She glanced at him for a moment, and Will gently

smiled in response. Her eyes deepened slightly and seemed to have found the necessary strength to continue from her

quick glance at him.

"Elizabeth, dear," continued Governor Swann, "I believe that a certain amount of decorum is necessary when the

daughter of the Governor decides to marry. Especially after the unfortunate event aboard that pirate ship. Even if it is to

a blacksmith."

"Father, it is my wedding. Therefore, I will decide where I want it, whom shall attend, and what I want to where. I

don't want a large affair. Since coming back from the adventure on what you called that pirate ship, many of the so

called gentlemen and ladies of this fine town have pointedly ignored me and Will. I just want a small wedding with

those I love!"

"Nonsense, it is all in your head. The townspeople and your friends have not been snubbing you," yelled a flustered

Governor Swann.

Will noticed that the Governor's face was starting to turn from red to purple splotches that he decided looked like a

rotten plum.

"All in my head?" Elizabeth yelled back indigent. "I am not a silly girl who allows others to tell me what I think!

Ever since coming back and announcing my engagement to Will, I can count on not even a whole hand how many times I

have been openly spoken to!"

"Honestly Elizabeth, you were a bit willful as a child but you are now a young lady. You should know your place.

You openly ride bareback in men's breeches, disappear with Will without a chaperone, refuse to wear a corset, disrupt

men's talk to put in your opinion, and attack anybody who thinks pirates deserve to die. We do not live in an equal

society."

A terrible silence descended the once echoing room. Face written with concern, Will took a step toward Elizabeth as

two bright red spots appeared on her face that went pale white. This time the Governor had gone too far. This was the

argument that had been threatening to blow ever since Jack Sparrow escaped. With another look in his direction,

Elizabeth moved her right hand slightly to ward him away. He carefully stepped back, but stayed near her.

"I know my place. I once was happy being the Governor's daughter, but even more being your daughter. There are

more and more times I feel as if I don't know you anymore. Even more, I don't think you ever really knew me. That

scares me even more. My place is now with Will, who loves me for who I am. Despite the many faults you have

pointed out, I know he loves me because of who I am. Not because of my background, family, or upbringing. I love him

not because he is rich and powerful, which he is in many ways that doesn't include money, but because he is caring,

passionate, and my only link in sanity on days like this. This conversation is over in my mind."

With a shake of her head and swish of her skirts, Elizabeth walked over to Will with her head held high and tightly

grasped his hand. The two left the stunned governor in the room and walked out the front door. Without a backwards

glance, Elizabeth called out, "Don't wait up for us." Only after the door slammed shut behind them, courtesy of Will

(though he blamed it on the wind), did Elizabeth's legs wobbled and she all but fell into Will's strong arms.

to be continued...

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