A/N: And here's chapter 2, just to give y'all an idea of chapter titles and things like that. I'm currently working on chapter 4, but will not post chapter 3 until I get some reviews. ;) So -- review!
Elizabeth jolted awake, golden-brown eyes wide with fear and trepidation as she peered through the darkness of her bedroom, clutching the sheets to her. Might there be someone here with her? Heart pounding, she slowly pushed herself into a sitting position, still staring uncertainly into the shadows. After such a dream, one never really knew what to expect. The hint of a frown disturbed her countenance as she leaned over, turning up the flame of the oil lamp next to her bed. After a moment, she slowly climbed out of the canopied bed, carrying the lamp carefully toward her dressing table. Setting it down, she pulled open one of the drawers, and removed what dusty books, knicknacks, and trinkets were within. Beneath these treasures of a little girl was a carefully-crafted piece of wood, which she then lifted, revealing a hollow underneath that held the golden medallion. Almost reverently, the young woman freed the necklace from its confines, and smoothed her thumb across the side bearing the Aztec skull, much as she had done to the other side eight years before. Even with the passage of time, none of the medallion's luster or menace had faded; it still grinned as evilly at her as it had ever done in the past. Regarding it momentarily, she decisively crossed her room, and paused before her mirror. Slowly, she lifted the chain to her neck, fastening the golden trinket on with ease. The touch of the cold metal against her skin almost startled her, for all that she was expecting it. And yet, this particular metal felt different, colder, perhaps, than most jewelry would feel against bed-warm flesh. A booming knock on her door startled her out of her reverie, however; running toward her dressing table to close the drawer, she accidentally tripped over a chair, and winced, even as she hastily stuffed the medallion beneath her nightgown and replaced everything within the drawer.
"Elizabeth?" Governor Swann's voice was filled with concern, particularly at the loud thumps and scraping that he had just heard coming from his daughter's room. "Elizabeth? Is everything all right in there?"
"Yes, " she called back, somewhat agitated, as she pulled on a dressing gown, checking to ensure that the medallion was completely hidden, leaving little exposed save for its glittering chain.
"Are you decent?" Swann pressed.
"Yes!" Elizabeth replied, half-exasperated, straightening her gown just as the door opened, admitting Weatherby Swann, bearing a rather large box, and one of the family's long-time maids, Estrella.
"Still abed at this hour?" her father inquired jovially, even as Estrella crossed the room to the immense windows, and pulled back the heavy drapery, revealing the town of Port Royal, the sea, and Fort Charles. "It's a beautiful day." He paused, and then added, as if it were an afterthought, "I have a gift for you." He opened the box, revealing a crisply folded, gold-filigreed dress, which seemed far more beautiful than anything Elizabeth had ever seen.
"It's -- beautiful, " she managed to get out at last, pulling it partially from its wrappings to better examine it. Her eyes narrowed, somewhat suspiciously. "May I inquire as to the occaision?"
The governor's tone wavered slightly as he replied, "Is an occaision necessary for a father to dote upon his daughter?"
Pressing her lips together, she nonetheless removed the dress from the box, and stepped behind the changing screen in the corner. Estrella followed, and various articles of the young woman's clothing began to appear atop the screen as the ordeal began.
Swann stepped a bit closer to one of the windows, resting an arm momentarily on the sill. "Although ... I had hoped you would wear it to the ceremony today, " he finally admitted.
"Ceremony?" his daughter suspiciously questioned, from behind the screen.
"Captain Norrington's promotion ceremony, " he responded, as though stating the obvious. "Or, rather, Commodore Norrington, as he's about to become."
Brow furrowing somewhat indignantly, Elizabeth peeked out from behind the screen. "I knew it, " she accused, frustratedly, then promptly disappeared from sight again.
Governor Swann attempted to smile. "He's a fine gentleman, don't you think?" There was no response. "He fancies you, you know, " he added, a trifle proudly. It wasn't just any young woman that James Norrington was attracted to; no, Swann was very proud, very proud indeed that it was his daughter that such an esteemed Naval officer fancied.
Behind the screen, Elizabeth struggled as Estrella squeezed her into the corset, and began to lace it up tightly. She could offer no more than a loud gasp as a reply.
"Elizabeth?" her father pressed. "How's it coming?"
Gritting her teeth, she held her hair away from her face as Estrella continued to cinch up the corset. "It's ... difficult ... to say, " she managed to get out at last.
Swann glanced briefly toward the window. "I'm told it's the very latest fashion in London, " he said, in an attempt to console her.
Elizabeth, however, would have none of it. "Well, women in London must have learned not to -- breathe, " she gasped, wincing as Estrella finished. She began to take an experimental breath -- and abruptly thought better of it as her body protested strongly within its confines.
The butler appeared in the doorway of her room, and coughed discreetly to announce his presence. "Governor? A caller is here for you, sir."
Downstairs in the foyer, a tall young man, dark-haired, dark-eyed, and clad in rough clothing, stared at the finery around him with a guarded expression that allowed little more than curiosity to slip through. Instinctively, he rubbed the toe of each boot against the back of each pant leg, in the hopes that they might appear a bit more polished -- but to no avail. His appearance left much to be desired, and left him very much out of place.
"Ah, Mr. Turner!" Governor Swann greeted with a warm smile, as he came downstairs. "It's good to see you again."
Will turned, and offered him a polite smile in return. "Good day, sir. I have your order." Pulling the case out from under his arm, he opened it to display a brand-new, sheathed sword, clearly meant only for ceremonial or dress purposes.
Reverently, Weatherby Swann lifted it and drew the sword, staring with admiration at the attention to detail upon the hilt.
"The blade is folded steel, " Will explained quietly. "That's gold filigree laid into the handle. If I may -- " With a deferential nod, he took the sword from the governor, and balanced it on one finger where the sword met the guard. "Perfectly balanced, " he stated knowledgeably. "The tang is nearly the full width of the blade." With a sudden, practiced movement, he tossed the sword into the air, causing the weapon to swish perfectly, point over hilt, and caught it in the very same hand with ease. Clearly, it's something he has rehearsed many times.
"Impressive ... very impressive, " Swann complimented whole-heartedly. "Commodore Norrington will be pleased, I'm sure. Do pass my compliments on to your master." He failed to notice how Will's face fell, ever-so-slightly, at those words; the work was truly his.
"I shall, " Will responded, bowing slightly. "A craftsman is always pleased to hear that his work is appreciated -- " He abruptly paused, gaze going past the governor to the lovely young woman descending the stairs.
Swann, too, turned, and gave his daughter a pleased smile. "Elizabeth! You look stunning!" He smiled broadly.
Will opened his mouth as though to speak, paused, and closed it again, able to only nod in silent agreement.
Elizabeth descended the stairs, a delighted smile growing rapidly on her visage at the sight of the blacksmith's apprentice. "Will! It's so good to see you!" Her hand unconsciously lifted to rest just below her neck, where the medallion was hidden, as she stepped toward him. "I had a dream about you last night."
Weatherby Swann coughed a little, disapprovingly. "Elizabeth, this is hardly appropriate ... "
"About the day we met, " she pressed on, directing her words to Will. "Do you remember?"
A little smile came to Will's lips. "I could never forget it, Miss Swann."
She lifted her chin slightly, allowing a chiding note of patient exasperation to creep into her voice. "Will, how many times must I ask you to call me 'Elizabeth?'"
Forced to swallow before speaking, Will responded, "At least once more, Miss Swann. As always."
"Well said!" Swann agreed, heartily. "There's a boy who understands propriety. Now, we must be going." Taking the case from Will, he strode to the door and opened it.
Expression rather undiscernable, Elizabeth gathered her skirts, and for a brief moment, looked the young man in the eye. "Good day to you, Mr. Turner, " she said a trifle frostily, and walked past him out of the door, followed by her father and various servants.
Will followed them out, lingering by the doorway as the Swanns climbed into their carriage and were driven away. "Good day, " he murmured, adding with a slow smile to himself, "Elizabeth."