Chapter 9

Elizabeth's eyes fly open from the most terrible dream she has ever had. Many times she had dreamt of the infamous pirate captain, but this time her dreams had included William Turner as well. How odd.

The room was very dark and for one brief moment she thought that perhaps she wasn't alone. A single candle was lit casting long shadows that danced gently on the walls of her chamber, she was certain she had put out all the candles before falling asleep, but she had taken to reading late into the evenings making it entirely possible that she fell asleep before doing so last night. She did find it peculiar though, that her book had been put away in the nightstand drawer and although her candle was still lit, there was very little wax drippings left from a night of burning.

Rising from her bed, she walks over to her bureau and opens the drawer. She reaches inside and pulls out a sealed parchment but before she has time to remove anything more she becomes aware of a movement behind her.

"Are those letters for us?" said a voice from the darkness.

Letting out a small scream, she jumps and the letters drop to the floor. The intruder, who has a slight grin on his face, rises from the chair beside her bed and walks over to her. He reaches down and picks up the letters, satisfied that it's what he thinks it is, he places them in his coat pocket.

Before Elizabeth has time to respond there comes a knock on her bedroom door, the intruder bolts to the window, moves the curtains aside and quickly climbs over the edge. Was she still dreaming or had she been seeing things? It couldn't be? After all this time?

"Elizabeth? Are you alright? Are you decent?" It was her father, he must have heard her scream and came up to see what the fuss was about.

Quickly, she ran to the bed accidently knocking over the chair that the intruder had been sitting in just moments ago. She grabs her robe and hastily throws it on, glancing towards the window in hopes that the intruder is gone. She see's nothing and responds just as the Governor opens the door.

"Yes, yes!" she cries breathlessly, trying to compose herself. "I just had a dream, I'm quite alright."

"Still abed at this hour?" The maids open the curtain and let the light shine through the open window. "It's a beautiful day."

Elizabeth squeezes her eyes shut from the pain of the sudden sunlight, but allows herself a quick glance to the horizon and although it's sunny and warm, she can see the first traces of rain clouds forming.

"I have a gift for you."

Elizabeth peers in the box the maid is holding and see's a plum coloured dress, quite lovely, with an open bodice, black lace insets and cream coloured lace on the sleeves. She pulls it out of the box and hold's it against herself.

"Oh, it's beautiful!"

"Isn't it?" her father agreed. "It once belonged to your mother, I thought she'd like you to have it."

Her dream long forgotten, she quickly runs behind the dressing screen along with the maids to assist her, and begins to undress.

"My mother? Then I shall only wear it during our most special of occasions!" she says with a smile on her face, feeling all the more closer to the woman that she could barely remember.

"Actually, I, um...I had hoped you might wear it for the ceremony today."

"The ceremony?" Elizabeth asked, confused about what her father was referring to.

"William Turner's promotion ceremony."

"I knew it!" Elizabeth replied playfully. Her father always had something up his sleeve.

"Lieutenant Turner, as he's about to become. A fine man don't you think? He fancies you, you know. Elizabeth? How's it coming?"

Elizabeth steps out from behind the screen, and what a vision she is for his eyes.

"Oh, Elizabeth, you look absolutely stunning. It suits you."

"Will Turner? The blacksmith?" she asked surprised.

"Yes." her father explained. "After our recent rash of pirate attacks on Port Royal, Mr Turner's brave and successful actions have earned him a permanent spot in the king's navy along with a comfortable promotion onboard the Dauntless. Admiral Norrington insists he will no longer be requiring Mr Turner's services as the king's blacksmith, and would find him much better suited as a captain aboard a ship of the fleet."

" I see..." she responded but before she was able to continue her thoughts she was interrupted by one of the servants.

"Milord, you have a visitor"

The governor nods his acknowledgement and leaves the room, the maids in tow.

Elizabeth, alone again in the room, walks back to her bureau and opens the drawer. This time, she removes the liner and reveals a dusty, gold, pirate's medallion on the end of a gold chain. She swipes her thumb over it and thinks back to her childhood.

"Elizabeth!" her father calls after her. Startled for the second time this morning, she hastily drops the pendant inside her bureau drawer and hurries out of her chambers, she pulls herself together at the top of the stairs and begins to descend them, gracefully.

"Ah! There you are! Admiral Norrington is here to accompany us to the ceremony." Governor Swann explained.

"James! It's so good to see you! I am to understand that this a very big day for Will thanks to your influence" Elizabeth said happily.

"Yes. Indeed it is, Miss Swann. Although he earned the honour himself" Norrington answered with a hint of propriety.

"James, how many times must I ask you to call me Elizabeth?" she says teasingly.

"At least once more, Miss Swann, as always."

"There. See. A fine sense of propriety. He's a proper role model for young Mr Turner. There you are." Elizabeth's father hands her a parasol and the three of them walk out of the mansion and board the waiting carriage.