You Were Meant For Me
Author: williz
Summary: Will/Elizabeth focus- It's just Will and Elizabeth in a big adventure in which they meet many times. OK…I'm bad at summaries. But my story is going to be really fun. I swear! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Recognizable characters? Not mine.
Unrecognizable characters? MINE!
Recognizable characters that you just don't recognize because you're having a bad day? Not mine, though I'd like to stake claim for them just that day.
"So what are we doing about Port Royal?" Elizabeth heard the whisper in the corner as she lay on the bed "asleep".
"I don't know. It's Elizabeth's call. She needs to rest now, though." She recognized this voice as Will's. Pain etched at her heart again as she thought of everything that was happening. Port Royal had no Governor. Port Royal had no Commodore. All it had was the people and the governor's daughter…if that.
Elizabeth sighed, a tear dripping down her face as she listened to the hoarse whispers.
"Well, what then? We just wait here? The people are all there, probably frightened by what just happened. Riots, Will. There could be riots."
"I know…" Will stopped as he had raised his voice to Jack, realizing the sleeping woman still lied in the bed. "I know that, Jack. I do, trust me. But Elizabeth just lost her father. And she killed a man that…she killed a man that meant something to her. She needs some time, Jack. The last thing Elizabeth needs right now is to make a decision."
"Aye, mate. I know tha', but it needs ter 'appen soon, yeh know. The people….they're gettin' restless…"
"I know, Jack. I know. Just let her have some sleep. That's all we can do for now." Will turned to look at her and saw her shoulders shaking silently. She was awake…and crying, for what's worse.
Jack nodded to Will knowingly and stood, setting a hand on Will's shoulder as he quietly walked out of the room.
Will saw her shoulders shake a bit more violently as he heard soft sobs. Standing with a broken heart, he walked to her and sat on the bed. Elizabeth felt him near her and resisted the urge to jump into his arms. She needed to be strong, for herself, for her father, for Will…for Port Royal and its people.
She felt a loving hand on her arm as Will laid down behind her. "Elizabeth…" He couldn't exactly find the right words to say. He licked his chapped lips and turned her over gently to look at him.
Elizabeth was trying to hard to stop the tears and sobs, but couldn't as she stared at Will through red, blurry eyes. Her love moved closer and wiped the tears from her eyes with rough fingers. Will didn't want to get too close to her, just in case she didn't want it at this moment. He had to know what she wanted before he could do anything.
He sighed in relief as she threw herself at him and pulled him tightly to her. "What am I to do, Will?" She asked him, hoarsely. He felt her tears soaking through his shirt. "What am I to do?" She repeated. Elizabeth squeezed him tighter before he winced.
She pulled back confused, before she saw the bruises on his face and realized he must be hurting. "Will, you're hurt!" She said, touching his face lightly. He merely shook his head.
"Elizabeth, don't. Just don't. I know you're hurting, so just let it out. Everything's all piled up on you and it won't go away. You need to deal with this."
She sat up and wiped her eyes. "That was rather direct," she said, softly.
"If that's what it takes…" he said back, sitting as well.
She turned away from him and let her head drop to her chest as she took a deep breath. "Everything is piling up on me. But I don't know what to do. Certainly, I cannot be the governor of Port Royal. I'm a woman, it's impossible for a woman to hold office anywhere, which is why my father wanted me married so quickly. My husband was to be the governor when my father left office."
Will looked down. "I know this might not help much, but whatever you do, wherever you go, I'll be right here behind you, always holding your hand, ready to help you in any way I can. Alright?" He reached over and took her hand. She turned her head to look at him out of the corner of her eye.
"That's the most help anyone's ever given me, William Turner."
He smiled softly. "I also know for a fact that no matter what you do, your parents will be proud of you. Both of them. They always were, I think."
Elizabeth turned all the way around and crawled to him, giving him a hug. "You're the most anyone could ask for, Will. And then some." He grinned cheekily.
"S'what I'm here for, Miss Swann. To cherish the ground you walk upon."
She giggled lightly, before sobering up a bit. "I just feel as if I'm falling too quickly to latch onto anything. Nothing could stop my fall."
"What if I told you there was a whole crew of pirates who were waiting at the bottom to catch you? And what if I told you that one of them loved you more than life itself and planned on marrying you and loving you til eternity…when you've landed, of course?"
Elizabeth pulled back and looked into his eyes fondly. "Then I'd tell you to bring me to said pirate, because I love him just the same." She smiled a genuine smile. It was something Will longed to see again. When he did, his grin only widened.
"Then you will marry me, when all this is over?" His tone and eyes were hopeful and Elizabeth leant forward to kiss him softly.
"When I told you then that I'd marry you on that island, I meant it with all my heart. And I mean it now also. I'll marry you. You know I'll marry you." His grin made her beam as he brought her to him for a kiss.
As they pulled away, Will smoothed her hair back from her face and sighed. "Let me help you, Elizabeth. I know this is hard for you." She nodded.
"It is. I just wish there was someone we could bring here that could take over the job. Someone qualified and someone who will take care of the people the way my father did. When we marry, you would be qualified to take the governor's seat, Will." She looked into his eyes as shock came into them, before dwindling away.
"I sort of figured that." If she expected more from him, she was to be disappointed, for he turned away and didn't say a word.
She sighed and stood then, walking to the door. "I need to talk with the rest of them."
He nodded and followed. "They're all on deck, waiting for you. The people are restless, you can be sure."
"Miss Elizabeth, you can't seriously be considerin' talkin' ter all those people!" Lambry said, stepping in front of the crew. She shrugged.
"What else can I do? They need to know the truth, and who better to tell them than someone they're familiar with?" She felt Will's warm presence behind her as he stepped nearer to her.
"The point is, Lambry, and all the rest of you too, Elizabeth is the governor's daughter. With that comes responsibility and power. She needs to use both to her advantage and she needs to get them to understand," Will said, raising his voice so all on the Pearl's deck could hear him.
"But by herself?" Another pirate asked. Clearly, they had all grown to like the courageous young woman on the Black Pearl. She was kind to them and full of care. They all thought it their duties, to Will and to Miss Swann herself, to make sure she was protected from harm.
"She will not be by herself, because I'll be accompanying her there," Will stated, matter-of-factly. Elizabeth's eyebrows shot up as she turned around.
"Will, no! You…"
"I'm accompanying you there. I'm not taking any chances. Those people saw you killing their beloved commodore. You need me there, admit it."
She closed her mouth and nodded. She hadn't thought of that, and it was true. She did need him there.
"Then it's settled. We'll git yeh two back on dry land as soon as possible. Those people deserve an explanation." Jack stepped up and set a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. "Be brave, Lizzy. Be brave." She smiled at his expression, because it wasn't as serious as he most likely meant it to be, and his face had quirked into a weird position.
Will took her arm gently and led her to the side where the lifeboat sat. "Come, love. It's time." Jack handed him a fully-loaded pistol and sword to hook on his waist.
"An' watch those ribs, mate. They're a bit bruised." Jack winked and threw the rope over so Will could climb down it. He did so quite easily and landed in the boat, helping Elizabeth down as she followed.
"See yeh soon, Will'um!" A pirate said, coming to the side. That pirate was Gibbs as he waved.
"Right, Gibbs. Soon."
Elizabeth Jane Swann stood in one of her finest dresses. Estrella had dressed her in it and did her hair in an elgant bun. The grime and blood was washed from her tender body and her cuts were bandaged beneath the bodice of the dress. Elizabeth had declined a corset, loose fitting or otherwise, knowing that she really had no need for it.
"Elizabeth, you look beautiful. Your father would have…" Estrella started, but she was cut off.
"Don't. Please. I need to keep my composure so that I may speak to the people. Are they come?" She asked, slowly morphing into the straight-laced, no nonsense, high society woman she should have become before the adventure.
She looked elegant, poised, and incredibly stoic. This was the way a young woman of society was meant to look. Pulling up her skirts to walk, she turned swiftly and walked to the door where Will waited outside of her room. She was a woman on a mission.
As the door opened, Will turned to look at her. His stomach nearly dropped to his feet. "Elizabeth, you…you look gorgeous." He came to her and tried to take her hand, but Estrella stepped in between them. Without thinking, she said, "Please, Mr. Turner, she's just been cleaned. You'll dirty her with your hands."
Elizabeth hadn't time to think of the statement before she was ushered downstairs so that she could speak to her people.
If she had thought of it, she wouldn't have very much been fond of the look that crossed Will's features. It was a look of hurt. He dropped his gaze to his hands and stared at them. They were incredibly dirty. And rough. They were rough too. Attempting to wipe his hands on his pants, he followed after them, making sure to keep Elizabeth in his sights, so that he might protect her if he needed to.
As they both jumped into the carriage, it quickly pulled away towards the fort, where most of Port Royal had gathered.
Elizabeth turned to Will and watched him as he stared out of the window. A strange look was upon his face and she yearned to ask him what was wrong. She had no idea what was surging through his mind at the moment, nor did she have an idea of why he wasn't looking at her or touching her for comfort, the way he always would.
Indeed, Will was thinking of how incredibly stately and proud she looked in that elegant dress. How perfectly well she fit the part of governor's daughter.
As the carriage came to a stop, Will heard more than saw the chatter and gathering of the people for the announcement. He waited for the door to open before he stepped out and wiped his hands unconsciously before helping her out as well.
"Remember, I'm right behind you always." She nodded to him and smiled softly before taking a deep breath and walking up the steps to the scaffold. The chattering and tumult died down quickly as soon as she was seen. She raised her arms to stop the conversations and waited until it was silent before addressing them all.
"Good morning, people of Port Royal. I thank you for giving me your full attention…" she was interrupted as a roar overtook the people when Will walked up to stand behind her.
"What's that pirate doing here!"
"I knew she was in league with them!"
"The governor's daughter, how ghastly!"
Elizabeth turned to look at the slightly startled young man behind her. "Will, go," she whispered. His jaw clenched as sadness etched across his features. She turned back and gave them all a calculated stare. This silenced them immediately.
"Please do not fear him. He is my protector and soon to be husband. Thus, making him a candidate for Governor."
Another roar overcame the crowd.
"Please! Listen to me!"
"You killed the commodore!" A man roared from the front. Will started forward to protect her as people started yelling more violently. She turned and held him back from her. "Please Will, no."
"But…"
"No, Will," she demanded. Turning back to the people she yelled, "Quiet!"
It was so silent, you could have heard a pin drop.
"By Port Royal law, it is the right of my husband to step to the seat of the governor if it is his choice and wish to do so. By law!" She paused, letting that sink in. "And as Elizabeth Swann, I say it is so."
"And the commodore?" A young woman at the front yelled.
"None of you know the truth about him. While sailing out to find me, he came into possession a drug of a deadly and corrupting kind. It overtook him and caused him to feel the need to harm me…"
"It's not true! She wanted her precious pirate to be governor so she killed him off!" Another man said.
"And her father!" One more yelled out. A murmur went through the crowd, only a select few noticing the incredibly hurt look Elizabeth carried in her features. Will stepped forward to comfort her, but she pushed him away.
"How dare you! All of you! I cared about my father very much! And I cared about James Norrington as well. For you to think I'd do harm to either of them for such a trivial thing as this, I—I don't know what I can say. If you don't believe me, fine. It cannot change anything. This man behind me saved my life, and he saved my father's life. He saved all of your lives. Think of this and know that no matter what happens, the man who sits in the governor's seat will be a man fit for the job. That much I can promise you."
As the governor's daughter continued talking, Will's heart continued breaking. He watched her, thinking of how perfect she looked speaking to the people. She was the perfect aristocrat, fit for a perfect man with noble backgrounds and noble beginnings.
Again, Will found himself looking down at the dirt that covered his clothing and hands. If he were to be the governor of Port Royal, he would need to change. He would need to change drastically. He would need to match Elizabeth in elegance and propriety.
He looked to her again and found her speaking with great composure. She managed to swing most of the crowd her way. He didn't know how. Will figured he'd never understand how, which was why he doubted he'd ever be a great governor to the people. He didn't know how to be clean and polite. He didn't know anything about this life.
Elizabeth deserved someone who did.
He barely noticed as Elizabeth started towards him, followed by the clapping roar of the people of Port Royal. "They're behind you, William Turner." She grinned at him.
"Wha—What?" He looked and saw them all clapping. How had she managed to do it? Only Elizabeth could know. He waved, stunned, and the clapping increased. He hardly felt Elizabeth's hands on his back as she guided him back to the carriage. He helped her in and jumped up across from her, eyes still wide and body numb.
William realized now that he had a choice to make. He had a choice between the love he felt for Elizabeth Swann and the love he felt for the wind in his face as he stood at the bow of The Black Pearl. She had her place, and it was here. He could tell by the way she carried herself now. He would need to carry himself proudly like that.
"So this is Port Royal?" A tall, stately man in a white, powdered wig asked, squinting in the sun at the port before him. He had come from Kingston at request of a Lieutenant Gillette, at the announcement of the death of Governor Weatherby Swann. The man hurried as fast as possible to Port Royal, eager for the new position he was to hold.
Governor of Port Royal, Jamaica.
As he stepped onto the wooden dock a half hour later, he quickly walked to the dockhand.
"Sir?" The man asked. "I should like to have your name and it'll be a shilling to tie up your boat."
"The name is Jeremiah Laddiston. You'll hear more of me soon, I assure you." He handed the man a shilling and continued forward, taking gloves off of his smooth hands while the crew behind him on the large ship continued unloading his luggage.
"Miss Swann?"
Elizabeth looked up from her parchment. Estrella stood there with a small smile on her face.
"Yes, Estrella?"
"The young Mr. Turner is having some…difficulties and we request your assistance." Elizabeth tilted her head in confusion and pursed her lips, but stood nevertheless, following the other woman into the room a few doors over.
Inside, William Turner, pirate and first mate to the infamous Black Pearl, fumbled with a man servant. "It's a bit tight, wouldn't you say?" He asked, savagely, as the man pulled the jacket tighter about his broad chest.
"Sir, I cannot say! This is why I request your assistance in telling me what you want!" The man snapped back. He dropped his hands and turned to Elizabeth. "Miss Swann, he's all yours."
As the man hastened passed the young woman, she heard him mutter, "Insolent pirate."
Will stood, still attempting to pull the jacket to fit better. Elizabeth Swann shook her head in slight amusement and hurried to him. "Estrella, get some pins from the drawer in my room, please."
Elizabeth took the jacket in between her soft and able hands, immediately fixing the jacket to fit. "Comfortable?" She asked Will, looking up at him with pouted lips.
"Yes, thankyou," he said softly. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. This whole gentleman business is difficult for me to pull off." He blushed as she looked away. "I'm afraid governor isn't exactly going to be easy for me to pull off either."
"I know," was all she said, turning as the door to the room opened and Estrella walked in with a box of pins. "Miss Elizabeth, mum…there's a young gentleman downstairs that says he is here to meet you."
Will and Elizabeth, both, widened their eyes in shock. "A young gentleman?" Elizabeth asked, quizzically.
She took her hands off of Will's jacket and started for the door. Will made to follow her, but she turned as if knowing he was following and said, "Stay here. I'll be back."
As she walked out of the door, Will looked down at his vest front, sighing as Estrella began to pin the jacket's arms.
"Miss Elizabeth Swann, I presume?" The handsome young man asked, coming to stop at the bottom of the stairs Elizabeth descended. She nodded her head elegantly and allowed him to place a kiss against the top of her hand.
"My name is Jeremiah Laddiston. I was sent for while residing in Kingston. Port Royal needs a governor and I intend to be that man."
Elizabeth opened her mouth numbly, but looked down, a slight smile widening her features. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Laddiston. But I'm afraid…well, I am not sure this whole business is on the level. My father's passing has left Port Royal without a governor, sir. We are all at a loss, to be sure, but my husband is to be governor."
Laddiston smiled widely. "I have no qualms with marrying you, my dear Miss Elizabeth. I have found you quite to my liking."
Elizabeth pulled back quickly. "No, I believe you have the wrong idea, sir. I am to be married to another and he is to become governor."
She heard a sound behind her up at the top of the stairs. Turning, she saw a well-dressed William Turner walking smoothly down the stairs, his jaw clenched and eyes darker than she'd ever seen them. He looked incredibly handsome.
"Will!"
"Good afternoon, sir. My name is Jeremiah Laddiston and I am to be governor of Port Royal." Laddiston outstretched his hand. Will nodded and took it.
"William Turner, Elizabeth Swann's fiancé."
"I am sorry, Mr. Laddiston, but my fiancé is to be governor after we marry. There is no need for you, sir." She said it politely, but you could still see the slight consternation flash across her light brown eyes.
"Let me ask the simple question then, Mr. Turner." He turned to Will and smirked. "Are you entirely sure you really want to be the governor? I heard you were a pirate, and I doubt very much that a man living life on the seas would very much want to be tied to a position such as Governor of Port Royal."
Will was speechless and tongue-tied as Elizabeth turned to regard Will, as if silently asking him the same question. "I'm—not entirely sure."
"My point exactly, Miss Swann. I believe I am to be the governor?"
Elizabeth shut her mouth, pushing back all emotions, and nodded. "Yes, I do believe so. Congratulations, Mr. Laddiston. My best wishes." She stuck out a hand and allowed him to kiss it, before leaving to walk up to her room without even looking at William Turner.
"Mr. Turner, you made the right decision. I'll take good care of Port Royal's people, I assure you." Kindness and sincerity melted into the features of the handsome young Jeremiah Laddiston. William took his hand just as kindly and nodded.
"Thankyou, sir."
Jack stood leaning against the main mast of the Black Pearl, eyes shut as he tilted his head up.
"They're coming!" He heard Ana Maria say urgently.
His eyes snapped open as he stood straight and ran to the railing beside the dark young woman. "Aye, tha's them. Wot're they doin' here?" He asked to himself.
A few minutes later, William poked his head over the railing as the crew helped him up. When he landed on the deck of the ship, he turned, lifting Elizabeth over to stand on the deck as well. Much to Jack's consternation, three suitcases came up afterward. Elizabeth was dressed in pirate garbs and had her hair tied back with a bandana. Her features told Jack not to speak to her just yet.
"Will, me boy! How was it? Everythin' sorted out, then?"
With a nod, Will walked to Elizabeth, but was brushed by quickly as she walked down belowdecks without so much as a word to anybody. At the look on Will's face, Jack walked up to him.
"Mate, wot 'appened?"
Will told him everything that had happened, after which Jack audibly winced. "Yer in fer it, lad. Better go down an' talk to 'er." With a nod, Will dejectedly followed Elizabeth down.
"Let's go, ye scallywags! We're gettin' outa 'ere!"
Elizabeth sat on the bed she had used while aboard the Black Pearl during the adventure so many times. She thought about everything that had happened, and she thought about Will denying the position of governor just because Laddiston came to relieve him. Without so much as a goodbye, she had grabbed suitcases of her things and took Will and they disappeared.
Elizabeth Swann was leaving Port Royal, Jamaica for the last time, and she'd be damned if she was to ever return.
A soft knock sounded at the door. "I have nothing to say to you, William Turner."
His head poked through the door. "Then I'll do most of the talking." He came in and shut the door behind him, walking to her side and sitting beside her on the bed. "Please don't be angry with me, Elizabeth. You don't know how terrible governor would have been for me."
"I do know. And I understand that this is your life, sailing the seas, danger following in your every wake. I am prepared to lead the same life, I just wanted to be sure that you…no, nevermind." She turned away again.
"What, Elizabeth?"
"Would you live the same life as me if you had to? A gentleman with responsibilities who must be polite and live in the eyes of society? I wonder, Will."
"Of course I would, Elizabeth. You know I would! Did you not see the things I was subjecting myself to? I cleaned myself, I did my best to make my hands softer and to make myself more of a gentleman. I tried my hardest, but I was still a dirty pirate inside. Nothing could change what I am on the inside. I cannot help it, my love." His eyes were downcast as she set a hand to cup his cheek. She raised his eyes to hers.
"I know, William. I wouldn't have my Will any other way. Know that." She leaned forward and kissed him, her anger and uncertainty towards him melting from her mind the moment their lips touched.
Will took her hand and pulled her up. "Come here."
With a slight smile, Elizabeth allowed herself to be pulled out of the cabin and up on deck. As they surfaced on deck, Elizabeth looked behind, surprised to see only a small dot on the horizon that was Port Royal.
"Captain Jack Sparrow, would you do me the honor of joining my hand with that of Miss Elizabeth Swann?" Will asked quickly.
Elizabeth's head whipped about.
"What!" She and Jack asked simultaneously.
"As the captain of this ship, you can perform a marriage ceremony, am I right?" Will asked, feeling Elizabeth tighten her grip on his hand as she stared wide eyed at him.
"Well, yeh I can. But…but yeh wanna marry 'er now!" Jack asked, jaw slack.
"Yes, if she'll have me." Will turned to Elizabeth. "Will you?"
"Yes, of course!" She said, shock turning quickly to a beaming smile.
"Right then." Jack turned around and took his jacket, shrugging it on. "Men, we're 'avin' a weddin'! Let down the anchor! You'll all be our witnesses!"
"Do you, William Jonathan Turner, take this lovely lass, Elizabeth Swann, to be yer lovely wife…" Jack started.
"Lawfully, Jack. Not lovely."
"Right, yeh want her to be yer wife?" The captain asked.
"I do."
"And you, Miss Lizzie Swann, take the whelp to be yer lawfully wedded 'usband, aye?"
"Aye."
"Then yer married, savvy?" Jack said, happily. "Oh wait! Anybody disagree or wanna say somethin' 'bout this?" His eyes darted back and forth through the crew, as most of them took out their guns, looking for anyone who dared interrupt the ceremony.
"No? Good. I pronounce yeh man and wife. Kiss the bride, yeh eunuch!" Jack barked, slamming his hat on Will's head.
With a laugh, Will grabbed Elizabeth and crashed his lips upon hers. When they pulled away to the catcalls and whoops of the crew, Elizabeth had tears in her eyes.
Jack turned, walking to his wheel again, grinning at the sounds behind him. Music was being played happily as everyone danced for the newlyweds.
"…and really bad eggs…drink up me hearties, yo ho!"
FIN
(A/N:) Hello everybody. For the last time.
It's all over. This was it. You Were Meant for Me is completely finished. I think we did a good job, we did! And I'm getting all emotional now. You realize I've been doing this story for almost two years? Yep, almost two complete years.
And it's over.
I just want to thank EVERYONE who took the time to read it, and I want to thank EVERYONE who helped me with it and gave me advice. I hope everyone liked the story as much as I liked writing it. You're all so wonderful to me, thankyou so much!
And a very special thankyou to Araminta Ditch. Ashley, you are the best beta anybody could ask for, you cheeky monkey.
TA EVERYONE! And check out my new story.
You knew it was coming.
With warmest regards,
williz
P.S. Happy endings are so...happy, eh?