Chapter Five: Beginning the Tests

"Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth closed her eyes, not sure of what Will would look like thanks to Aphrodite's transformation.

"Uh, why are your eyes closed?"

Slowly, one by one, she opened them, to find... a perfectly normal Will.

"What!" She yelped. A melodic laughing came from behind her, and she found Aphrodite, laughing her head off. Obviously, only Elizabeth could see her.

"I can't believe you bought that!" She chuckled, "Of course I wouldn't disfigure anyone as heavenly as Will!"

Elizabeth then felt very gullible.

"I can't believe you tricked me!"

"Please, I trick many people. Hephaestus never knew I wasn't the loving wife he envisioned..."

Angrily, Elizabeth ran over and tried to shove Aphrodite off the edge, but the woman simply was floating in middair.

"Goddess, remember? Oh, and by the way, everyone's staring."

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"All right," Aphrodite smirked, "We are now going to begin the tests."

Elizabeth eyed Jack and Will. They were talking nearly the edge, neither of them looking at her.

That's when Aphrodite walked up behind them, whistling innocently. She tiptoed her fingers up the backs of both of the men, and before Elizabeth realized what was going on, pushed them both off at the same time.

"Oops. Better choose quickly, Elizabeth."

"No!"

Elizabetn ran to the edge and jumped off, sinking deep bellow. She blindly grabbed the nearest piece of clothing she could find, and began to swim.

"Elizabeth!"

She couldn't tell who's voice it was, and she really wasn't in the mood to try and find out, with the salt water burning her eyes.

As she was hauled up by the crew, she heard a clapping.

"Congratulations, you saved... WILL!"

Elizabeth wearily opened her eyes to find Aphrodite standing over her.

"Nice job, dearie."

"But I couldn't see!"
"Animal instinct guided you to Will, though."

"Um... true..."

"Don't worry, that's not the only test..."

"Lovely."

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Elizabeth read the little piece of paper over and over again.

Marry me, Elizabeth?

Jack

She then crumbled it up in her fist, a tear running down her face. She remembered the day that Will had properly proposed to her...

Elizabeth Swann smiled as she walked through her father's garden. It had been so long since she had been there. Really, it was her mother's, but Governor Swann just felt that he had to honor Jane by keeping it up.

She sighed happily. It had been two weeks since she had gotten back from her 'high seas adventure' and everything had been going fine, especially her relationship with Will...

A tap on the shoulder brought her back to reality, and she turned to find Will.

"I was just thinking about you," She smiled. Will grinned back.

"Is that good or bad?"

"Definitely wonderful," Elizabeth murmured, resting her hands on his strong shoulders.

"Good," Will said, satisfied, as he brushed his lips lightly against hers. She shivered a bit, the way she always seemed to when Will touched her.

"Elizabeth..." Will sounded a bit nervous. Oh no.

"Yes?" She asked in a shrill voice. Did he want to end their relationship already?

"I was wondering... how do you think things have been going with us?"

"Us?" She asked, "Will, they've been going brilliantly, as far as I'm concerned. You aren't having any second thoughts, are you?"
"No, not at all," Will answered quickly. He was silent for a long moment before suddenly pointing and saying, "Look, a... thing!"

As Elizabeth turned(not one of her more intelligent moments) she realized that the 'thing' was probably made up, and turned back, only to find Will on one knee and saying something that sounded like:

"LizabethIloveyouwillyoumarryme?"

Of course, that was hard to decipher, so she put a hand on his shoulder again and sighed, saying, "Will. Calm down. Actual sentences this time."

Will took a deep breath. This time, it was very clear what he said:

"Elizabeth, I love you more than anything. Will you marry me?"

She was shocked, silent for a moment before saying in a soft voice:

"Yes."

Then, in a much louder voice:

"YES!"
Will swooped her up into a kiss, and Elizabeth felt only bliss.

"Why don't I have that anymore?"