Chapter 1
"Misfortunes"
Never make a woman angry.
"Where is he?! I'll cut bloody his head off!!"
Especially Anamaria. That was a lesson that most of the men in Tortuga learned very quickly, but Jack Sparrow… he was a bit slow on the uptake of that one.
"Now, Anamaria, I'm sure he ne'er intended- well, maybe he did- but you should give 'im a break for once, yeh know what I mean? S'good luck."
"Give him a break?! GIVE HIM A BREAK?! No, NO! I AM BEYOND GIVING HIM A BREAK! THE ONLY BREAK I'LL GIVE HIM IS A BREAK TO BOTH HIS LEGS- THAT TWO FACED SCHWEG-BELLIED RAT! Why, I outta-"
Cotton's parrot gave a squawk as it fluffed its feathers. "Hard to starboard!"
"Yeh know Cotton, yer right!" Gibbs announced "Why don't we go after 'im?"
"Because there are marines everywhere! We'd be caught before we lowered anchor!" No-name put in, looking up from his three-foot height. "He's mad to walk right in there without an invitation!"
Gibbs chuckled and shook his head, "Aye, s'bad luck to go to a gatherin' of any sort, at that, without an invitation. But Jack, he wasn't uninvited."
The men looked over at Anamaria as she threw a chair overboard in her anger. She looked like she was ready to tear her hair out.
Will Turner dozed softly in his bed, the sun's warmth tickling his nose from the nearby open window. He appeared absent of any cares in the world and in a delicate state of mind, breathing softly to the slow rhythm of his heartbeat. His cheeks were rosy with the sun's kiss and appeared possibly fragile in his state of mind. But that was short-lived.
Knock, knock, knock. He stirred in his half-asleep state, taking no note of the caller at his door. They could wait. He was tired and wanted to continue sleeping.
Knock, knock, knock! His wooden door sang again and he opened one eye, looking at it with contempt. It looked so far away, down the hall and across the forge, and his bed was so soft, the sun so warm- why would he want to leave it?
Knock. Knock. Knock. This time the beckons were slow but very firm. He closed his eyes and decided that if he just ignored his caller that they would go away and leave him alone for the time being. He yawned and rolled over lazily, clutching his pillow close to his chest and intending to fall back into an unbreakable sleep.
"William Turner, if you don't open the door right now, I'm gonna have to climb in this here window. Don' get angry at me if I do so- you're the one not openin' the door!"
Will jumped to his feet, accidentally banging his head on the low ceiling that hung just above his bed. He most definitely did not expect his caller to appear at his bedside window. He held his head and groaned in agony as he tried to shake it off.
"Well, it, serves you right, you li'l scamp! Now let me in!"
Will knew that voice. He looked up and groaned, "Jack…. Hold on, I'll let you in."
"Good," Jack nodded back and he disappeared from Will's view.
The young blacksmith rubbed his head vigorously once more before stumbling to the door and holding it open for Jack to enter.
"Thanks very much," Jack obliged as he strutted in the room, shoving into Will's hand a particularly strong smelling half-drunken bottle of rum.
Will held this up and looked at, bewildered and threw Jack an even more bewildered look as he shut his door.
"What are you all dressed up for?" 'Dressed up' meaning his hair was actually combed and his face washed to an almost decent appearance.
"Camouflage," Jack replied as he turned and smiled a tight-lipped yet friendly smile. "Yeh know, if yeh don' want that, I'll have it."
Will looked down at the rum bottle, made a disgusted face and held it out for Jack to take.
Naturally, he did. And he took liberty of the chair that Mr. Brown loved so dearly, setting his feet up on a small table that currently was situated beside him and taking a sip of the beverage as he looked about the room and Will looked at him, confused by all means.
"Jack?"
"Wha'?" he asked, before taking another big swig of rum.
"What are you doing here?"
Jack raised his eyebrows in surprise whilst in mid-drink, then held up a finger as sign for Will to wait a moment. Lowering the bottle from his lips, he puffed up his cheeks and began sloshing the drink around his mouth, back and forth, staring at the ceiling as he did so, checking his nails and such. Will raised an eyebrow when Jack tipped his head back and began to gargle the liquid loudly. He then shut his mouth leaned forward again and puffed up his cheeks and began sloshing the drink around his mouth, back and forth-
"For heaven's sake, man, will you just swallow the blasted drink!"
Jack raised his eyebrows again in mock surprise, then finally swallowed his drink with a large gulp. He smacked his lips and looked about himself in a satisfied manner.
"Well?" Will asked in a rather pushy.
"Well wha'?"
"Aren't you going to answer me?"
"Ah, yes.…What was the question, again?"
Will rolled his eyes heavenward and sighed before repeating himself. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh! Just dropped by to see you."
Will smirked at this and sat down on the opposite end of the table, running his fingers through tousled his hair in frustration. If the commodore or any other militia officer found out about this, he and Jack would be arrested and possibly hung at the square. Will got a clemency last time, yes, but the governor could only do so much for him. And Will being Will, realized that without the need to ask or be told.
"That's a bit of a risky business," Will joked lightly.
"Oh no, not at all!" Jack said calmly, examining the nails of his left hand once again, his right hand loosely clinging to the bottle placed on the table before him.
"Why not?" Will asked, laying his head on the table in, thinking Jack was just being overconfident again.
"I have a pardon."
"Yeah, right."
"No, really."
Will looked back up as Jack pulled a piece of paper out of his pouch and handed it to him.
"Can you read it?"
"Of course I can read it, you idiot!"
Jack shifted in his seat and made a disgusted face and held up his hands in a defensive position. "Well, sorry! No need to get angry!"
Will frowned and rolled his eyes heaven in exasperation at himself and sighed. "I'm sorry, Jack." For a second time he ran his fingers through his dark tresses as he stood and wandered over to his anvil, leaning on it with his palms pressed downward. Jack watched his figure, carefully noting the quick flicker of frustration the boy's eyes before they turned distant and thoughtful. Of late, Will had been working far harder than what he was accustomed to. Recently Commodore Norrington had ordered an rather large order of swords to be made in a fairly short amount of time. Will had only been able to retire to bed a few hours ago, and the fatigue was putting him in a mood that wasn't exactly Jack Sparrow friendly.
Jack didn't know this, but he was observant enough to note the lack of luster in the way Will carried himself this morning. Will was good kid. Stupid, but good. A year ago the boy had risked his life to save Jack from the hangman's noose. It wasn't entirely successful, but with a bit of good luck, some Elizabeth Swann charm and Jack Sparrow savvy, he was able to escape. But none of it would have happened if Will hadn't pulled the most unexpected stunt of his life and attempt to free Jack and escape with him. Jack owed him.
Releasing yet another sigh, Will rubbed his head as he ran over the words quickly three times before tossing the paper back to Jack. "I don't know how you did it." Sure enough, it looked authentic. It was signed by the commodore and everything.
"Well, you're forgettin' one very important thing mate," Jack stated, his left index finger uplifted in the air.
"That you're Captain Jack Sparrow?"
"No."
"And then what is it?" Will cocked an eyebrow and leaned over the anvil on his forearms, lacing his fingers together.
"That your bonnie lass can get anythin' she wants from the commodore or her father if she jus' pouts those pretty lips of hers and bats those long eyelashes."
Of course! Elizabeth would be one to ask a pirate to come to her own wedding. To this Will gave a hearty laugh and shook his head. "You have no idea.… It works on me too, you know."
"Ah, yes! How could I possibly forget?"
Will flashed a toothy grin of straight, white teeth. "She did it yesterday. Made me put aside my work and 'kidnaped.' " He smiled changed to something warm and contented as his eyes turned distant, recalling the fond memory. "We had a wonderful time.…"
"Yeah," Jack sighed, as if he knew, "… s'too bad yer a eunuch."
Will took a hammer and playfully lifted it, as if to throw it at Jack. His face was serious, but his eyes sparkled and betrayed his intentions. Jack flinched nonetheless and, chuckling slightly, Will fingered his hammer thoughtfully before putting it back where it belonged on his rack.
Jack stood suddenly, "You know what?"
"What?"
"You look a lot like your father. Have I told you that?"
Will gave a tightlipped smile, his eyes shining at the thought. "Many times, Jack. Many times. Jack nodded in response.
"S'only temporary," Jack informed as he held up and pocketed the paper. "For today only."
"Why, what's so important about today?"
"Oh nothing. S'only your wedding," Jack muttered quietly.
Will breathed a small chuckle at this. "Very funny Jack. I'm not going to fall for that one!"
"Wha', you don't believe me?"
"No."
"Fine," Jack shrugged it off as he jammed a cork into the lid of his bottle of rum. "If you want to believe that, you can. But, may I ask you to turn around and take a look at that calendar behind you?"
Will did and cursing aloud as his settled on it, he disappeared to his room and reappeared, frantically putting on his shoes, tying his hair back and throwing a jacket on.
"Why didn't you say anything before?"
"I did."
"I meant before that!"
"Well, don' blame me- s'your weddin'!"
"Yeah, I know! But I thought that it was Tuesday!"
Jack cocked an eyebrow at this. To lose track of time in such a way was unlike Will. He needed to know the date to fulfill orders on time. "Whatever, let's just go, ay? If you don't get there soon, you'll be a dead man by your own bride's hands, savvy?"
"Yeah, I kind of figured that out on my own. Can we go now?!"
"That we may, my young friend, that we may."
And they stepped out the door, Will taking down off down the road that lead to the Swann mansion as fast his legs could carry him with Jack lazily trailing behind.
Will burst through the mansion doors without a thought of what anyone might of thought of him. His hair was now very disheveled, beads of sweat form on his brow and his bosom heaving in a mad attempt to sustain his body with the air he so desperately needed after a run like that. The governor appeared almost immediately at the door to greet him- if that's the word you'd use.
"Where have you been, boy? You are an hour late!"
"I know," Will gasped between rapid breaths, "I apologize, Governor. I assumed that yesterday was a dream and that today was still several days away-"
"Well, it happens to the best of us. Now, let's get you dressed! James -er, sorry- Commodore Norrington will lead you to your room. Let's hurry now!"
Will looked at the governor with an almost dazed expression. His face was now flushed as his body temperature rose and head began to spins from his madly beating heart. "Yes, sir."
"And Mister Sparrow?"
"Captain, Governor. Captain, if you please," Jack was just walking in the door, quite casually. He had run most of the way but decided to slow down as they reached the mansion gate, nursing his rum bottle as he went. Will noted how sober he had managed to stay during this visit.
"Apologies. Captain Sparrow if you would please stay away from the kitchen? Thank you."
Will was out of breath, as he had ran all the way up to the manor. The Swann Mansion was in chaos. People running to and fro getting last minute things ready, and (in Will's case) running to keep up with the schedule. Jack followed Will and the commodore in a huff, cursing as they went up to where Will was to change into his bridegroom attire about being banned from the location of the food.
"This way, Mr. Turner," Norrington called as he turned from the flight of stairs and began down a hallway.
"Coming!" Will responded, dodging a maid with a bewildered look as she bolted past him with a silver platter in hand. There was another delay when Will, looking around him, noticed that Jack had disappeared. Turning around and walking into the last room they passed, Will soon emerged again from the quarters dragging Jack out be his coat collar after having had to separate him with a rather valuable vase that the Swanns had acquired from Asia.
He was lead to a nice, large bedroom where three servants stood awaiting him.
"There he is!" one exclaimed and they swarmed Will in a flash, removing his ragged coat and leading him behind the dressing screen at a madly fast pace.
"Whoa!" Jack didn't exactly expect that stampede. He quickly shrugged it off and then took advantage of the very soft bed on the other side of the room. "Now, I must admit to one thing before we continue any further: I can't stand it if these things are long and formal at the church stage, so if we could just make it a wee bit shorter-"
"Mr. Sparrow, that it is not in your authority to ask nor determine. Now, will you please shut up?" the commodore snapped.
"Well! Will did you hear how he's treatin' me?!"
"Yeah, good show, James!" Will applauded sarcastically while peeking out from behind the dressing screen and trying to wriggle his arm out of his old shirt at the same time.
"Perhaps you could get him to go feed my donkey down at the shop too, eh?"
"That's not funny," Jack growled.
"Mr. Turner, please stand up straight."
He did so and sighed as one of the servants held up his shirt, ready to put it on. "You know what? I can do this myself. If I need you, I'll ask. Alright? Please leave."
Servants froze in mid-action and gave him a quizzical look. Will winced. Surely, the rich were not accustomed to dressing themselves for these occasions.
"Please?" he repeated in a stressed manner.
After exchanging bemused looks at one another, they shrugged and left the room, closing the door behind them, and Will proceeded to dress himself. "Where's Elizabeth?"
"She's getting ready in another room," the commodore replied casually.
"Which room?" Will asked, slightly exasperated.
"That is not your concern," Norrington pressed.
"Besides, yer not allowed to see her yet," Jack put in. "…Gibbs says s'bad luck."
"Yeah, well, I'm getting tired of what hearing what's good luck and what's bad luck," Will grumbled as he stepped out from the screen, finishing the buttoning of his crisp new shirt.
"And I'm gettin' tired of waitin' here while you get all spruced up. Now, if you don' mind, I think I'll be lookin' around downtown for a proper drink."
"What happened to the one you had?"
"You made me drop it in that one room," Jack sighed casually as he strode out of the room, ignoring the loud, "What?!" that escaped Will's mouth and followed Jack out the door. He stood just outside the door and looked to his left and right several times. Which way did he come from? He decided to try the left. He hated these mansions- always so hard to navigate through. Every floor was the same, almost every room was the same. All you had to do to get lost, was forget to count doors along the way.
Jack decided to peek into some of the rooms (perhaps there was something of value around here?). He began opening a door and looking around the room, then shutting it and moving on to the next one. They were all bedrooms of some sort. This one was red, this one was blue, this one was…n't a bedroom, it was a study.
He was on his fifth door when he reached for the doorknob and the door opened itself. He looked up to find himself staring into the face of a very attractive young woman wrapped in a dressing gown.
"Oh! Hello, Jack. You look decent for a change. What are you doing?"
"Ah! Well, I was- er- just-"
"Curious, were you?"
"Sort of. Yeah."
She grinned, "Did Will send you to spy on me?"
"Will? Of course not, Elizabeth! He's too stupid to think up such a thing up!"
"Or, perhaps, too honest?" she looked at him and gave a small laugh at his thoughtful expression. Jack hated to admit it, but Elizabeth Swann could probably send him in a few circles with that mind of hers. Blasted woman. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to find Estella," she made to walk pass him.
"You know, Elizabeth," Jack said, placing himself in her path, "you don't have to go through with this."
She began to look indignant. "What-"
"I mean, I know I told you that it wouldn't have worked for us, but …you know, we could try."
She threw him a disgusted look and slapped him smartly across the face then, closing the door with a snap behind her, passed him by and disappeared down a flight of stairs.
"Fine," Jack grumbled to himself. "Choose the bloody eunuch. S'not like he can give you anythin'.…"
He made for the stairs but was jerked to a stop. He looked back and found that the tail of his coat was caught in the door. Cursing with some foul language under his breath, he yanked at his coat ferociously, pulling it out and made his way to the stairs. He wandered down them until he found himself in the foyer once again. He casually walked out the door and down the road to the main streets of Port Royal, looking at the shops, trying to find a proper drink in the town.
The tanner's, the blacksmith's (empty, of course), the jewelers, the cooper's… was there not a proper pub in this place?! Jack was considering asking someone when he heard it:
Truth? Yes, there was. But those "disgusting sties" (as Will so affectionately called them) were located on the other side of the town. Jack began to realize this more and more with every step he took and, after finally taking many long minutes of wandering, he decided that it was high time to return to the mansion. At this rate, he'd be getting drinks after they'd served the ones at the party.
Will couldn't have been more nervous in all his life. Forget butterflies, he had rabid grasshoppers in his stomach and Jack was just kicking himself with delight from tormenting his young friend.
"If you feel the need to throw up," Jack spoke informatively, "make sure it's toward the commodore." He made a wide gesture with his arms in Norrington's direction.
Will frowned and shifted his weight nervously. "Jack, that's not funny."
"I think it is."
Will's frown deepened. He wasn't in the mood for being argumentive anymore. He just wanted to have this over with. Truly, the emotions he was feeling at the moment were the strangest he'd ever experienced. He was happy but at the same time contrite- where that feeling came from, he couldn't figure out at all. He was eager and ready to go forward. The excitement was coursing through him like an electric energy and felt the need to let it all out in some way or another. But with that energy there was a strange nervousness and almost fear mingled in his veins. A million "what if"s began coursing through his brain, becoming a little more ridiculous as time passed. His brain was a torrent of awful thoughts and ridicules of himself: 'What if she changed her mind and says" no?"What if Jack does something stupid and the whole thing comes crashing down? What if her father suddenly opposes? … Who am I kidding? The whole of Port Royal opposes- we're never going to get this over with! And who's to say that this will all work out? What if she wants to leave me because I'm not proper enough for her? What if she wants to leave because I'm boring- not the pirate she wanted? Wait-- did she want the pirate or the blacksmith?! She never told me!' And so on and so forth.
William Turner, as many people know, wears all of his thoughts and expressions clearly on his face. People can read him like a book and he won't even realize it. Needless to say, Will's anxiety did not go unnoticed by our dear captain. In fact, Jack took a turn for a moment. As he saw Will, his face contorted in anxious expressions, his eyes whirling with hundreds of injurious thoughts at one time, Jack pitied Will. He'd never seen him like this. When Barbossa held a knife to his throat, Will didn't even flinch with fear. Rather, he was indignant. He was standing at death's door and didn't appear to be frightened in the least.
'This is one unusual kid,' Jack couldn't help but think. 'He can handle fightin' undead pirate skeletons and the idea of havin' his throat slit open an' then bein' left to die, but he can't handle waitin' to recite a few vows, put a ring on his bonny lass' finger and then kiss her and be done with the whole ordeal.…' The thought puzzled Jack, to say in the least. To the point that he thought he should try and help correct it.
"Oh, com'on, mate! Pull yerself together!" Jack said, gripping Will firmly by the shoulders. "This is yer weddin' day! You should be wettin' yerself with relish!"
Will raised an eyebrow at this strange remark.
"Okay, maybe not actually wettin' yerself. Perhaps more or less almost wettin' yerself with… delight. Yes, I think that's it. Delight."
Will's amused look soon morphed back to a frown as soon as Jack ceased talking, his mind reeling again.
'Bloody 'ell!' Jack couldn't help but think in frustration. 'He's tenser than Gibbs on a ship ran by women!' "Com'on, Will. A smile. Lesee a smile, ay?" Jack gave a big, encouraging smile himself.
Will glared at Jack for a moment, then, seeing both his grin and what he was trying to do, managed to tug a small smile for his sake.
"There's a good lad!" Jack praised gleefully, slapping Will on the back a bit too hard.
"Ow."
"Sorry."
"Alright, gentlemen," Governor Swann approached them, beaming. "William, you look wonderful! Now it's about to begin. Will, you know what to do, and Mr. Sparrow-"
"Captain-" Will heard Jack mutter under his breath.
"-if you could just come sit right here, that would be marvelous. Now, she'll come through that door and- honestly, William, you needn't look so alarmed, smile!- she'll come through that door and we'll continue as we rehearsed yesterday. Alright? Brilliant! See you in a few minutes then, shall I?" he quickly walked away.
Jack took his seat and, looking up at the ceiling, he decided that he didn't appreciate the view and moved back one seat, nodding in satisfaction. He smiled as he recalled the last time he was in a church. He was asked to give a seminar (as he was posing as a real clergy) and, well, … let's just say that the result wasn't as spiritual as many would have liked.
He looked about him and noticed an old man, snoring loudly as he slept, sitting up. Oh, heavens, the opportunity was just calling him. He looked up at Will, who, noticing Jack's eager expression, gave him a warning look. Jack frowned back a beg. Will simply shot Jack one final glare before he averted his gaze to elsewhere. Jack held back a giggle as he looked about the objects that were about him. His eyes fell on a small book. He plucked it off the shelf and, looking skimming through the pages, found that it was a book full of prayers.
'Bloody 'ell.' Jack couldn't remember the last time he had said one of those.… In fact, he didn't think he ever did! He tore a corner from the book with a shimmer of guilt, rolled the paper into a ball and, taking careful aim, flicked it at the man.
An explosion of coughs occurred. "A bug!" the man rasped. "I think I swallowed a bug!"
Jack immediately cast his gaze upward, his arms outstretched upon the back of the church bench, looking as casual as he could above the loud coughs the gentleman was emitting. His innocent façade was saw through, however , and Will pressed a hand to his forehead as muttered a word of frustration under his breath. The commodore placed a hand on his shoulder as an act of sympathy and gave Jack a cold glare at the same time. The commodore was still not at all fond of Jack. He hated the idea of Jack being in the same room as him and that the room didn't have bars separating the two- with Jack on the less fortunate side. True, the pirate captain had helped Mr. Turner in saving Miss Swann from Barbossa's clutches, but pirates are and always will be pirates, and for that reason, Commodore Norrington couldn't help but keep a wary eye on Jack Sparrow.
Jack, on the other hand, couldn't help but think what a stiff he thought the commodore was. He couldn't just let the past go or give Jack one more chance. He always would be Mr. Pirates-are-evil-and-I-must-kill-them. Fun sucker. Didn't even like rum. Suddenly the organ sounded and the audience turned to face the back of the church. The doors opened and Will felt his heart skip a beat.
He caught his breath as he laid his eyes upon Elizabeth, scarcely expiring her name, and the first true smile of the morning spreading wide across his face. She looked … indescribably enchanting. Her dress complimented her figure most pleasingly, with a wide neck and long skirt, spreading from a v-shaped waistline. The white dress was embroidered with a gorgeous design of silver roses and elaborate lacing adorning the front of her bodice. White lace trimmed the hem, collar and graced her sleeves giving her a look that reminded Will of an angelic being. Matching silver earrings and a necklace were placed on her neck and ears. Her hair was held up elegantly, allowing two softly glowing curls of gold to fall free in front of her ears in gentle tresses of silk.
She smiled and blushed a light shade of pink. Will looked different in clothes that were actually clean and possibly expensive. He reminded her of some Shakespearean hero, like Orlando, Bernardo or Benedict- so noble, so handsome and his smile completed his appearance. His coat make of satin and it was the purest white trimmed at the collar and sleeve cuffs with a silver design of small flowers to compliment Elizabeth's dress. His vest and breeches were a silver material, his stockings white and brand new silver shoes to top it off. Elizabeth's father had outdone himself to make this event perfect- even dressing Will impeccably. The thought made her smile. Will's "white" shirts had previously always been something that he could afford on his own accord and, hence, were somewhat of an off-white color.
She took her father's arm, and the ceremony began, which meant that Jack knew that he would be bored beyond all reason for the next half an hour at least. 'Maybe I should take a nap?'
After what felt like was an eternity (Jack could feel his eyelids beginning to droop, leastways), she made it down the isle. Governor Swann, after kissing his daughter ever so lovingly on the cheek, took her hand and placed it firmly in Will's. The couple beamed at her father and then, as he stepped away, they turned to continue with the service.
"Nervous?" he whispered gently.
She smiled back her reply: yes. Will grinned back. He didn't know why, but the moment his eyes fell upon Elizabeth all sense of anxiety and rabid grasshoppers were extinguished. His eyes had locked with hers for a moment and in that instant, courage took hold of him and he was all the more eager and determined to have this done.
The priest smiled at the couple and, opening his book he asked silently, "Ready?"
They nodded.
"Right.… We-"
He was interrupted by an exceptionally loud sneeze. The whole assembly turned to look at Jack who grinned and waved his hand, "Don' mind me! Just had a tickle in the nose there! Sorry, please do continue."
Will sent him a look that read, 'Cut it out!' quite clearly and turned back to continue with the ceremony. Jack rolled his eyes in reply. A minute ago, Will would have welcome the delays in his jittery state. Now he expected Jack to just sit here and act, well, normal?! Unheard of! But, as he gave a sigh, Jack decided just this once he'd at least attempt it- for the kid.
The priest smiled and opened his mouth to continue- er- start the wedding. "-"
"Jack Sparrow!!!" an angry female voice could be heard from outside the church.
Will felt his blood run cold and Jack crouched low in his seat. 'Please no,' they both thought, though they did not realize their thoughts were unified. Both would have suspected the other had set this all up to ruin the other's day. Elizabeth looked at Will and gave him a bewildered look. He smiled sheepishly, not exactly sure what to say on the matter.
The doors bursted open and Anamaria stormed in, angry as ever. "Jack Sparrow, I know you're in here! Come out this instant you cold blooded coward!"
All heads turned towards Jack for an explanation once again. He looked awkward at first but then put his hands in the air as a sign of innocence. "Don' look at me, I have no idea wha's goin' on!"
"Oh, yes you do!" Anamaria snarled marching up to his row, reaching out and grabbing him by the ear. "Never again!" She yanked him out on the isle. "You're coming with me!" And she began to lead him out of the church with him mumbling, "Ow, ow, ouch, ow," as they went, horrified whispers following them.
'Good heavens! Inside the Lord's house, too!'
'I've never seen such unladylike behavior!'
'I knew that pirate was no good- attracts the strangest people to town. You remember last year?'
'What's happening I can't see!'
'Be quite, George.'
She shut the doors behind her and was gone just as quickly as she came. Everyone sat (or stood) staring at the doors, half expecting Jack to emerge laughing and slapping his knee at how well his joke went. But he never came and everyone eventually turned back around to face the front of the chapel and silently place the blame on Will. He shrunk a back a bit at the gazes he was receiving. Poor Will! How much did he wish to shrink into his coat and hide until everyone just went away! Elizabeth took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Continue without him," Norrington muttered quietly to the priest.
And they would have, except that Anamaria's loud yet muffled berates came streaming from outside with muffled (and nevertheless distinct) "ow"s heard every here and there.
Elizabeth bit her bottom lip to keep from giggling. To her, the whole thing was quite comical. But Will could feel the eyes of everyone in the chapel glued to his back. The fine hairs on the back of his neck stood with the tension. After this, he'd be the scapegoat of every gentry in the town. It had to fixed.
"No," he said. "Wait just one more minute. I'll be right back, I promise. I apologize for the disruptions, I'll back right away! Excuse me." He stepped out of the church quickly and quietly making a mental note to let Anamaria kill Jack after the matrimony.
Eventually, yes, he did return and it was, in truth, quite quickly. The wedding continued and Will and Elizabeth were able to seal their vows of wedlock with a kiss. The crowd applauded, and Jack was an unusual sight to see, standing in the front row with his fresh black eye and nervous glance at Anamaria- who was staring knives at him from the end of the row. He risked a longer look at her and jumped at the evil look in her eyes.
"I'm gonna kill you!" she mouthed widely.
Jack flinched. "Why?" he mouthed back.
"You stole my boat- again!"
Jack frowned. He'd explain the situation better later.
However he shook off the attention he received for his new "injury" by pretending he didn't have it. When asked whether Will or Anamaria had managed to give him the mark, he simply asked, "What mark?" It worked to some extent, but, over all, it just confirmed in people's minds what they already thought of Jack: he was strange.
The celebration went on for hours and Jack had to admit that this part more than made up for his past weariness of the situation. As he had noted many times before on the subject of weddings, there were drinks all around. That made him more thancontent.
He felt compensated in his long-awaited insobriety. Will had gone so far to make sure that were at least a few bottles of rum to give Jack so he wouldn't have to put up with just wine the whole time- but, honestly, even it wasn't rum, Jack would be happy to some point with any alcoholic beverage.
After many hours had past, the night began to grow old, the guest were bid farewell, the mansion was cleared and, at long last, quiet.
Will removed his jacket and sighed with relief and fell back on a chair with fatigue. He closed his eyes and leaned his against the chair's back. The only sounds he heard was the distant tick-tock of the clock in the foyer and the argument that Anamaria had just managed continue with Jack.
"This is the second time. The SECOND!"
"But I didn' lose it this time. I should mos' definitely be praised for that! ON the contrary- I know exactly where 'tis!"
"Well then, where is it?"
He closed his eyes and shook his head as he rubbed his temple for the 100th time that day. Jack… he really needed a few life lessons on the respecting of other people's property and asking before taking something you intend to "borrow." It would save his face and ears from a lot of torment.
"Well!" Governor Swann's cheery voice could be heard as he entered the room, adjusting his wig. "That was quite an adventure, I must say!"
Will scoffed at that. Truly that wasn't the half of it. He was never inviting Jack to such a formal occasion again. He wasn't sure exactly what he did, but Jack angered some of the marines and ended up making a getaway by crashing through the house as fast as his legs could carry him- knocking people and valuable objects over and even jumping on a table and spilling its contents off as he cruised across it. It had taken a lot on Will's behalf to assess the whole fray. Elizabeth entered the room and pulled Will out of his tired thoughts with a weary but no less becoming smile.
"You two must be exhausted," the governor sighed. "You needn't worry about cleaning this up, just get yourselves to bed and rest up."
"IT SUNK?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE JOLLY MON SUNK?! IF YOU SUNK THIS ONE-"
"I didn'! I promise!" Jack's voice was unusual high-pitched and frantic.
"Alright, Miss!" Commodore Norrington's voice could be heard, "Time to leave!"
"You'll pay for this, Sparrow!"
"You know what, that sounds fantastic," Elizabeth admitted as she walked calmly toward the stairway, Will's eyes silently following her pleasant figure. She kissed her father on the cheek and bid him goodnight then silently made her way up the stairs. Will grabbed his coat and made to follow her.
"Oh, William?" the governor's voice called after him.
He stopped and looked at Governor Swann, his eyebrows raised to show he was aware and listening.
"Don't you two stay up too late, son."
Will grinned softly. "Yes, sir." And he continued to climb the stairs.
"It's 'father' to you boy!"
"In that case, I expect to be called 'Will!'" Will called back over his shoulder as he smiled again, this time to himself. It felt good to be accepted so willingly. For years he felt that Elizabeth's father and looked down and frowned upon him, and he was sure that nothing would change after all of this. But he had been wrong and, for once, was glade he was. He made his way to the room that he and Elizabeth were appointed to stay in until their own house had been completed (which was originally, in fact, Elizabeth's room) and knocked lightly on the door.
She opened it with a slightly confused look on her face. Will didn't understand her confusion at first, but then he saw the mischievous gleam in her eye and new she was pulling his leg. She laughed as he gave her a disapproving scowl, also in good humor.
"You needn't knock, it's your room too." She turned walked away from the door, leaving it ajar for him to enter through.
"I know. I'm sorry, it's just… habit, I guess," he stepped in and shut the door behind himself, quietly. There was another knock at the door before anything else could be said. Will's face contorted in bemusement as he answered it.
"Where am I stayin'?" Jack asked, his face pouting anxiously and his hands put into a praying position. Will blinked for a second, not exactly expecting Jack to be the one at the door and a bit surprised at his strange -er- greeting. Obviously, he didn't want to be put somewhere too far from Will's protection.
Will could only shrug. "Ask Governor Swann- just because I married his daughter doesn't mean that I suddenly own his estate."
"'Kay," Jack sighed, allowing his hands to drop and his shoulders to slump. He stood on tip-toe and peeked over Will's slightly higher shoulder. "'Night Elizabeth. If he becomes a bother, just come and let ol' Jack know. I'll be righ'-"
Will shut the door swiftly in his face.
"Well fine then!" the captain roared back and made loud stomps as he walked away.
Elizabeth smiled quietly as she proceeded to remove her earrings at her vanity. Will watched her in silent thoughts as she began removing the pins in her hair. He twitched a smile and approached her from behind. "You found that funny, did you?"
"A little bit."
He looked at her face through the reflection in the mirror before them. He began to assist her in removing her hair accessories. "What part, his ridiculous suggestion or when I slammed the door?"
"Both."
Will removed the last pin and her hair fell down about her shoulders in soft, curled locks of caramel. He ran his fingers through the strands of soft, fragrant curls. Locking eyes with her through the mirror, he dropped his hand and wrapped his arms tenderly around her waist, holding her close to him, and she rested a hand on top of his in response. She smiled lightly with a warmth shining in her expression.
They stared into the reflections of one another's eyes for a moment, then turned to look into the real things. Then Will swept his face down upon hers. They kissed long and lovingly, Will stroking her cheek gently and Elizabeth turning around and wrapping her arms around his neck.
They paused and smiled upon one another, then Will took her into his arms and kissed her slightly deeper than before, closing his eyes and relishing the moment. How she felt, smelled, tasted.
A frantic knock sounded at the door and Will reluctantly pulled away, rolling his eyes quite angry and frustrated. The day was being built on interruptions and rude break ins.
He looked back at Elizabeth, who had her lips pressed in a thin line, trying not to laugh. "One moment," he muttered as he slipped from her grip. Her hand slid down his arm as he backed away and took a firm hold of his hand, refusing to let him walk off.
He turned back and gave her a swift kiss, "One moment," he insisted and made for the door.
There was Estella, pale, shaking and breathing slightly harder than was normal.
"Yes?" Will asked, a slight bit befuddled.
"Miss-miss Swann?"
"Yes?" Elizabeth responded automatically (slightly forgetting that her name had been for the past few hours Mrs. Turner).
"Your father, he-" she broke off.
"What's wrong?" Elizabeth approached the door.
"He…he was murdered in the drawing room."
Dun, dun, dun.... Well, that's the first chapter... and the prologue. They don't fit very well together right now, I know, but- don't worry!- they will. I'd like opinions- (be gentle if you don't like- PLEASE! Sobs dramatically and drops and grabs your leg. Pause. Gets up and brushes self off. Sorry about that- guess I got carried away.). I'm going through and revising Chapter 2 right now... it kinda ended up a little bit different than I wanted it to. Ciao for Now!
Jack E. '