Disclaimer: I don't own Will Turner, Jack Sparrow, The Black Pearl or anything else from POTC. If I did I'd be the happiest person in the world. I own Morgan and all other non-POTC characters, and they may not be used w/o my permission. I'll get off my soapbox now.
Rating: Uh, PG
Chapter Three: Will Turner
Morgan went to sleep that night dreaming of Will, and woke up to a beautiful day. The maid had already come by to open the curtains, and her father had come with the doctor again. He was pleased with how much better she looked today than yesterday, and suggested some light activity like a walk if she was feeling up to it. Not wanting to get stuck in the gardens with Norrington she said she would think about it, and asked for another cup of tea from the maid when they left.
She was sitting up in her bed, reading the book she had used to write the note to Will yesterday when her maid came to her room again.
"Lieutenant Norrington's here Miss. He's wanting to know if you're well enough to have him visit you again today."
Morgan truly didn't want to see the Lieutenant again, but there really wasn't much choice in the matter – not unless she wanted to raise a few eyebrows in the process. She put her book aside and nodded.
"I'm well enough to see him."
The maid nodded and left the room. Moments later Lieutenant Norrington walked into her room, and she sighed, knowing it would be another long morning.
To Morgan's utmost relief, Norrington couldn't stay as long as he wished he could have. He looked truly remorseful and she tried to do the same, but she gave a sigh of relief when he left. She continued with her book until the maid brought up her lunch, and though she wanted to invite the maid to stay and talk with her, she didn't. Though when lunch was finished, the maid did stay to chat for awhile; mostly about Norrington, but the topic of Will managed to find its way in as well.
Soon the maid cleared her lunch dishes away, and Morgan climbed out of bed to look out her window. She wasn't there thirty minutes when the maid came rushing in again.
"Mr. Turner's here Miss! He's wanting to see you!"
Morgan's eyes widened and a smile came to her face. "Go back down and tell Mr. Turner to wait for me, then come and help me get dressed. I'm feeling well enough for a walk in the gardens."
The maid nodded and left as quickly as she came. Morgan paced the room, her mind chaos of many things in her excitement. Soon the maid returned, closing the door and moving to her closet.
"Your father's downstairs with Mr. Turner Miss," she commented, searching through her closet. "He had asked me if you really were feeling well enough to go out, and I assured him you were."
"Did he wonder at all why I didn't offer to go for a walk with Lieutenant Norrington?" Morgan asked, partly to try and calm herself. The maid shook her head, still searching.
"No Miss. Lieutenant Norrington has a busy day today I've heard, and couldn't allow himself the luxury anyway."
She pulled out a lovely ivory dress with flowers and flourishes embroidered in a few shades darker than the dress. The corset was sewn into the dress, a gift from someone, and much likened to the dresses of those days. It was beautiful and she couldn't wait to put it on. The maid helped her undress and slip the dress on over her head, all behind the screen of course, and she felt the maid begin to go at the strings in the back. She gasped at the first tug and turned to look back at the maid.
"Not so tight. The doctor doesn't want me to strain too much."
The maid nodded, and though the strings were still fairly tight, they were quite bearable. She steered Morgan to the vanity and sat her down, brushing out her hair and proceeding to pin it up neatly for her.
"I heard talk that the Governor is thinking of inviting the Lieutenant to dinner one of these days," the maid commented as she pinned Morgan's hair. "That would be an exciting night wouldn't it Miss?"
"Hmm? Oh yes, it would be exciting, having the Lieutenant over for dinner," Morgan answered absent-mindedly. Her mind was occupied with other things, namely a certain blacksmith who was waiting for her downstairs. When her hair was done the maid disappeared for a minute, only to reappear with a large hat, which she pinned to Morgan's head. The maid's hands moved quickly, and it was obvious she was practiced at doing this.
"There, all finished Miss," she said approvingly. "You best get downstairs. Wouldn't want to keep Mr. Turner waiting."
"Of course, thank you," she replied smiling, and left the room while the maid busied herself with tiding it up.
She had to admit that she felt a little wobbly, and her head was hurting just a bit, but it was nothing to be concerned about. She'd gone about her day with worse. There was no one in the foyer when she came down the stairs, but she could hear voices towards the back of the house. Excitedly she followed the sound through the rooms and came to her father and Will Turner, dressed proper with his hair pulled back. Both of them looked towards her as she entered the room, and she felt her face heat just a bit when Will's face lit up.
"Ah Elizabeth, I'm glad you've decided to get out of that bed of yours," he replied, walking up to hug her. "Are you feeling better?"
"Much better," she answered, nodding. She turned to Will smiling. "It's good to see you again Will."
"And you Miss Swann," he replied, sounding a bit bashful. "You look beautiful."
She blushed, nearly positive that it was quite evident this time. The Governor smiled.
"I have a few things to see to in town. Now Elizabeth, remember what the doctor said."
Morgan sighed; if he was this overbearing with just the hint of a cold, what would he be like if she had the flu? Regardless she smiled and nodded gracefully.
"Of course father. See you when you return."
"Good day Governor Swann," Will added respectfully. The Governor nodded his acknowledgement and left the room. Will turned to Morgan, offering his arm.
"Shall we go, Miss Swann?"
Morgan nodded, threaded his arm through his and allowed him to lead her out.
They spoke about many things, mostly of the goings-on in the town, which Elizabeth would not have known too much about. Of course, Morgan knew none of the names of the people Will mentioned, but he was such an animated story-teller and she could not help but laugh along with him. Every now and again he would ask her if she was okay, to which the answer was always yes, and she asked him once to call her Elizabeth. She had to be very careful with her wording so that the name Morgan didn't actually slip out.
Eventually they came to a bench under a great tree, upon which Will helped her sit before seating himself beside her. She brushed out some wrinkles in her dress.
"Will, you've never told me how it is working for Mr. Brown."
Will chuckled shyly and looked down. "I did not want to bore you with my life."
She smiled gently and put a hand on his arm. "Such things don't bore me. I would really like to hear about it."
He looked up and into her eyes for a moment, shifting just so before speaking. "I've learned a great deal from Mr. Brown. It's amazing to think you can take metal in its purest form and turn it into a blade or something else that is functional. And to look at all the blades hanging up in the smithy and know I forged each and every one of them…" he dropped his eyes again, smiling and shaking his head. "I can't explain how it feels."
Morgan watched him as he spoke, a smile on her face as well. Never had she thought someone could be so passionate about what they did for a living. Will looked back up at her and chuckled nervously again.
"What?" Morgan asked, her smile growing.
"I must sound ridiculous to you," he answered. She shook her head.
"No. I think it's wonderful that you enjoy it so much."
He lowered his voice. "Well, I will let you in on a little secret."
Morgan leaned a bit. "What is it?"
"Do you promise not to tell?"
"I won't breathe a word to anyone."
Will looked around before back at her. "Most of the work done at the smithy is done by me. Mr. Brown spends the day sleeping off his rum."
Morgan broke out in a fit of giggles, trying to keep them down. Will even joined in her laughter, it being somewhat contagious. He found her quite beautiful when she was relaxed like this. When their giggles died Will looked around.
"It's gotten quite late," he replied regretfully standing up. "I should be on my way."
Morgan was disappointed, but realized that he was indeed right, and it wouldn't seem entirely proper for her to ask him to stay longer. Wild thoughts of him sneaking to her room in the middle of the night raced through her mind, but she said nothing. Instead she accepted his hand and stood up, linking arms as he led her back to the house.
The Governor was just getting in when the pair walked into the house, and he looked surprised to see them.
"Elizabeth! Have you been outside this entire time? You do realize you're still to get plenty of rest."
"We were sitting in the gardens more than we were walking in them father," she argued softly, taking the pins out and removing her hat. Governor Swann chuckled.
"Well, you were in good hands," he agreed, walking towards them. "It was good of you to come by Mr. Turner, though I do hope this visit has not taken you away from your work. I know you have that order to do for me."
"Not at all Governor Swann," Will replied in an assuring voice. "In fact I have managed to keep ahead of myself these past few days. Your order will be ready for tomorrow."
The Governor nodded. "Splendid Mr. Turner. It's very rare one finds a man of your dedication. Now Elizabeth," he turned to Morgan. "I really must insist you rest before dinner, for my sake if not your own."
Morgan nodded solemnly. "Of course father."
He nodded once, and looked back to Will. "Well, it was nice to see you again Mr. Turner."
"You as well sir," he replied. "Good day Governor."
Both watched as he left them in the foyer. Morgan turned to Will.
"Thank you, for coming to see me Will."
"It was my pleasure, Miss Swann."
"Will, I really must insist you call me Elizabeth."
Will smiled, took her hand and placed a lingering kiss on it. "Good day, Elizabeth."
She watched him walk to the door, pausing only to look back at her once more before departing. When he closed the door Morgan let out a pleasant sigh, and raced up the stairs to her room.