Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Pirates of the Caribbean
Inwepirate-elf: I'm glad that you're hooked. I love POTC and since I think that Elizabeth and Jack had chemistry, and both have the spirit that is untamable. They're such a cute couple as well!
VeganHippie: Yep, yep, yep, Elizabeth and Jack soo cute. Will, on the other hand, needs a different kind of lass…
Mrs. Skywalker: One thing, if you really ARE Mrs. Skywalker then I am most jealous of you having Anakin all to yourself—unless your LUKE'S wife… Okay, getting over Star Wars and returning to POTC…I don't want anyone to hate Elizabeth! I like her myself! I'm just trying to show that she's the one with the more determined and go-get-it attitude. Sorry if you find her slightly unlikable but I will try make that change!
Stephanie: I'm glad that you're interested and I hope that you will remain interested throughout the whole story.
Murderer: Here's the update. Where do you think it's going?
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Eight Years Later
Waking up, Anna looked around the dark room, blinking away the sleepiness in her eyes. The candle by her bedside was burning low, so she got up and quickly lit another one, hating the darkness. Her eyes roamed the room until it landed on the bed across from hers, where her elder sister slept peacefully, with her back turned towards the light.
Picking up the candle, she walked towards their old desk and opened one of the drawers. Taking out the other things the had stashed into the drawer she opened the secret compartment and the light of the candle danced on the gold coin on a now repaired chain as it lay around the dust it had accumulated.
Taking out the doubloon and replacing the secret compartment, Anna looked back at her sleeping sister before her eyes rested on the doubloon in her hands. Remembering the day that she had stolen this from Will, Anna frowned slightly, wondering why she had never given it back to him. Many years had passed and now Anna was a young woman of seventeen years of age, justtwo years younger than Elizabeth and Will. A long time had passed and she had had many opportunities to give it back to him, but for some odd reason she had never had the heart to part with her secret little treasure, keeping it hidden from everyone in her house except for Elizabeth, and for that, Anna felt very much like a pirate.
Putting on the necklace, Anna turned to look at herself in the mirror and admired the way that it shone with the light of the candle. She closed her eyes and imagined herself as the Pirate Queen, with the salt spray sprinkling her face and the wind blowing through her hair.
A sharp knocking on the room door caused Anna to twirl around in horror, and Elizabeth to mumble something in her sleep as she began to awaken.
"Elizabeth? Anna?" The voice of their father enquired as the knocking persisted. "Are you alright?"
Reaching for her housecoat, Anna quickly put it over her nightgown and seeing Elizabeth turn sleepily in bed and look at her in curiosity, Anna quickly showed her the doubloon before hiding it in the bodice of her nightgown.
Realizing the situation, all sleepiness left Elizabeth's eyes and she jumped out of bed. "What are you doing with it out?" She hissed in a low urgent voice.
But their father asking: "Are you two decent?" cut into whatever answer Anna might have given.
"The things I do for you." Elizabeth sighed rather dramatically before giving her sister a playful wink as she hurried to the door and opened it. "Father, what a surprise."
"Really, Elizabeth, shouldn't you have put something over your nightgown? It is not decent for you to allow any man except your husband---whenever you get one---to see you in that apparel." Their father entered with a servant girl. His eyes roamed the dark room and an amused smile came on his face. "Still asleep at this hour?"
Anna smiled rather sheepishly, tightening the hold she had of her housecoat, hoping that it hid the necklace well. She winced slightly from the glare when the servant girl pulled opened the curtains, allowing the bright sun to shine forth and bathe the room in its light.
Elizabeth twirled away from the light, covering her face with her hands. "Dolly, you could have warned me that you'd be opening it. I think you've blinded me."
Ignoring her, their father smiled. "It is a beautiful day." Looking out of the window at the panoramic view of Port Royal, he smiled at both his daughters. "I have a gift for Elizabeth."
Forgetting that she had just proclaimed herself blind, Elizabeth went towards her father as another serving girl appeared with a large box. When the lid was opened, Elizabeth's eyes widened and a beautiful smile touched her face as she pulled out the dress. "Oh, it's beautiful."
"Isn't it?" Their father smiled rather importantly, clasping his hands behind his back and enjoying the awe in his eldest daughter's eyes as she held it out and looked at it. "Why don't you change into it so we can see how it fits."
Elizabeth frowned slightly. "Shouldn't I try it on after I bathe?"
"I have business to attend to, my child." Their father answered smoothly. "And I wish to see how the dress fits you."
Anna stood a little distance from them, still having a death-grip on her housecoat. She looked at the dress and smiled slightly when Elizabeth showed it to her in excitement. It wasn't that Anna was jealous that Elizabeth had gotten a dress while she hadn't; the youngest Swan daughter was wondering why her father had given Elizabeth something out of the blue. For Anna it could only mean that he was hoping to appease his eldest daughter in order to obtain a favor.
Elizabeth must have realized this as well, because she had been walking towards the changing section when she looked behind her. "May I enquire as to the occasion?"
"Does a father need an occasion to dot upon his daughter?" He asked rather guiltily.
A smile appeared on Elizabeth's face as she hurried to change into the dress.
Anna, on the other hand, wasn't as easily fooled. Something was nagging at her. Something must be happening today why father wanted Elizabeth to look even more ravishing than she already was. Think Anna. She told herself. What important events have you heard are going to be happening soon?
Looking out of the window, their father cleared his throat. "Actually, I uh. I had hoped that you would wear it to the ceremony today."
Ceremony? Anna's eyes lit up in victory as she suddenly knew what he was talking about. I knew it! A slight smirk appeared on her face as she thought about Elizabeth's reaction when she found out why father was giving her the dress.
"Ceremony?" Elizabeth's voice was heard asking.
"Captain Norrington's promotion ceremony."
Anna hid a smile under a pretense cough. She knew her father's hopes when it came to Elizabeth and Norrington, and she knew how Elizabeth despised the very thought. Elizabeth's reaction was going to be priceless.
Elizabeth stuck out her head from the changing section and her eyes were narrowed in condemnation. "I knew it."
Ignoring the fact that his eldest daughter didn't seem at all pleased with his, their father bristled with unsuppressed pleasure. "Commodore Norrington, as he is about to become."
Elizabeth disappeared once more but she was heard gasping in air a couple of times, and Anna wondered what was happening behind there with the dress and the servant girls.
Their father went over to Anna and placed an arm around her stiff shoulders, giving her an affectionate squeeze before returning to talk in Elizabeth's direction. "Fine gentleman, don't you think?" There was dead silence, and he cleared his throat, something he did when anxious. "And he fancies you."
There was another loud gasp and Anna frowned slightly. "Eli, are you alright?"
"It's difficult to say." Elizabeth's breathy voice was heard.
Fearing that his daughter would not only dislike the dress, but also refused to wear it to Commodore Norrington's promotion ceremony, Governor Swan left his youngest daughter and took a worried step towards the changing section. "I'm told it's the latest fashion in London."
"Well, women in London must have learnt not to breathe." Came Elizabeth's tart response.
Unable to hold back a giggle, Anna quickly stifled it when her father turned and gave her a warning glance. Once more she tried to cover it with fake coughs, but it wasn't working.
Thankfully she was saved because Henry, the butler, entered the room. "Milord, you have a visitor."
"Thank you Henry, tell him I will soon be joining him." Governor Swan announced and watched as the butler left the room. Turning to Anna, he smiled. "That must be young Mr. Turner with the sword I requested he make for this grand occasion. It is to be a gift for our new Commodore."
At the mention of Will, Anna's heart sped faster and she hoped that her father thought her pink cheeks were due to the hot climate. It had been eight years since the day she'd seen Will for the first time, and up till today she was still very much in love with him. Being the youngest daughter of the governor of Port Royal meant that she had a position she needed to act accordingly to, but since Elizabeth was the one whom everyone's eyes were usually focused on, it left Anna with a small dose of freedom that she enjoyed.
"I think I'll have a bath and prepare quickly for Norrington's promotion." Anna announced to her father, who was smiling proudly that at least one of his daughters was eager to go—even if it was the wrong one.
After having bathed hurriedly and picked out the first gown she'd found, Anna quickly applied her makeup and waited impatiently as a servant girl did her hair. When everything was over she rushed down the steps of the stairs. But when she heard Will and her father below, she stopped running and walked at a moderate pace, knowing that her father would complain if she didn't act her status.
Her father's voice was heard saying: "Do pass my compliments onto your master."
There was silence before Will answered: "I shall. A craftsman is always pleased to hear that his work is appreciated." When she got to the bottom stairs, her eyes connect with his and she watched as he straightened. "Miss Swan."
"Good day William." Anna smiled politely, coming towards him with an air of elegance. "It's been so long since I've seen you. How has Mr. Brown been fairing?"
"He is fine, milady." His eyes twinkled, as they usually did, whenever they played this game. They played this game whenever anyone else was around them, but when they were alone, they were like old friends, defying the customs and propriety—or at least she did—Will was still very much respectful of her whenever they were alone. "My master is now very busy soaking in his passion." Of course Anna was the only person besides Will who knew that Brown's only passion was his bottle of spirits.
Becoming bored with their talk, Governor Swan nodded towards Will. "I will go see what's keeping Elizabeth." With that he headed up the stairs, sword in hand, obviously wanting to show his daughter the gift he would give Commodore Norrington.
Once she was sure that her father was gone, Anna's smile grew genuine. "Oh Will, where have you been?"
"I have been busy with my work, Miss Anna." He announced with a corresponding smile. Even when they were together Will refused to call her Anna. He was always so proper that it infuriated her slightly. "How have you been?"
"To be honest, I've been rather bored. But today it seems that I might have a source of entertainment, which I feel rather guilty saying since I love my sister and this will all be hell for her."
"Oh?"
"Yes." Anna nodded, looking rather important, a mischievous smile on her face. "Today is Captain Norrington's promotion. He's being promoted to Commodore and father seems to be more excited than Norrington himself."
"What does this have to do with Miss Elizabeth?"
Anna's sea-colored eyes widened scandalously. "Are you the only one in Port Royal who doesn't know that Norrington wants to marry my sister? Everyone, even Elizabeth, guesses that he will propose to her soon...maybe even today at the ceremony. I'm surprised that you are so out of touch with what is going on around you." Seeing him turn slightly pink in the cheeks, she smiled teasingly. "Will, you have to get away from work sometimes. Being close to the fire can't be too good for you. Go out in the market place, make friends, stop being so dull."
He looked vaguely insulted by that. "I am not dull."
Her teasing smile grew until she dimpled. "I didn't mean to offend you Will, but you are a grown man now." And so handsome at that. "If people don't see you with a woman soon they are going to start speculating that maybe you aren't interested in women."
His face turned scarlet red. "I—I do not—I am not--."
"Will, I was just teasing--." Placing her hand on his, whatever she was about to say was erased from her memory when she felt the electric shot that rushed through her body at the contact with his flesh. Her eyes widened and she wondered if he had felt it also. Raising her suddenly shy eyes, Anna looked into dark brown eyes, which were suddenly so much darker than they had ever been. "Will…?"
Clearing his throat, he looked away, but not before she saw deep sadness in his face. This surprised her. "Yes Miss Anna?"
Despite her conflicting emotions, Anna was able to smile sincerely at him. "Will, how many times must I ask you to call me Anna?"
There was silence before he returned his gaze to hers. "At least once more, Miss Anna, as always."
Hurt beyond words at his silent rejection, Anna jerked away her hand from where it still touched his, looking away. She wasn't even good enough for Will, a blacksmith's apprentice. Her mind wandered to when, as younger, she realized that her mother and Elizabeth's were completely different women. Elizabeth's mother had been Isabelle Warwick, from a very important English family, while Anna's mother's only grand accomplishment was her beauty and her daughter. Nancy had been a commoner who had caught Anna's father's eye with her grand beauty, and he had married her soon after his wife's death. Nancy had died while having Anna, and Mr. Swan had never married again, preferring to raise both his daughters by himself.
Because of her mother, Anna was always looked down in society as being lesser in importance than Elizabeth, and she knew that she would never marry someone as important as Elizabeth most probably would. But when Anna had met Will she hadn't cared. If Will would have her she'd be happy—but it seemed that not even he wanted her.
She heard Will slowly take in a breath, as if he was about to hurriedly say something, but a voice from the stars cut in.
"Will Turner! It has been ever so long since I have seen you around here."
Anna sighed and lowered her head, glad that she had a distraction. Quickly wiping at the tears that had fallen from her eyes, she blinked the rest of the tears away and then cleared her throat, hoping that no one noticed the pinkness in her face.
"Miss Elizabeth." Will bowed.
Elizabeth appeared by Anna's side, accompanied by their father. She was about to say something else, but then she noticed her sister's face. Worry filled her when she realized that Anna had been about to cry. Sisterly protectiveness filled her and she stood in a position that their father wouldn't see Anna and notice this. Elizabeth had always known of her sister's feelings when it came to the blacksmith, and at first she had been disapproving because of his position in society. But she came to realize that if he made her sister happy she wouldn't have stood in the way of their relationship…but it seemed as if he didn't return Anna's feelings…
Governor Swan smiled at Will, quite oblivious of everything. "I am very pleased with this sword and I know that Norrington will be as well. Brown's swords are the best in all Port Royal."
"Thank you, milord." Will smiled proudly, but his smile was surprisingly rather sad.
"Now I have three jewels I know that people will be envying once we arrive at the ceremony." The governor announced. "I have this fine sword that will strike envy in the hearts of all those who see it. Elizabeth has caught the eyes of many important men in our society, and so has Anna."
Anna's head jerked up at that and her eyes widened in unspeakable surprise. Who?
Governor Swan continued, once more happily oblivious to the three very surprised young people who were looking at him as if he telling them of the secrets of the universe. "I won't be surprised if I have both my daughters married off by the next new moon to very important men."
Once more, the only intelligent thing that Anna could think was: WHO?
A troubled expression crossed Will's face, but he covered it with a weak smile. "You have my congratulations, Governor."
Suddenly remembering why he had been so jolly the whole day, the governor smiled. "You must excuse us, Mr. Turner, but we really must be going." He reached over to the table and picked up his hat. "Good day." He turned and walked out of the door, which Henry had just recently opened for them.
Elizabeth glared slightly at Will and placed her arm comfortingly around Anna's shoulder. "It was nice seeing you once more, Will."
Will nodded. "I agree, Miss Elizabeth."
Anna looked up at him, a hurt expression on her face. "Good day Mr. Turner."
His eyes narrowed in shock and worry, since this had been the first time Anna had ever referred to him like that.
Without waiting for his reply, Anna allowed Elizabeth to guide her out of the house, and she was glad for this because unshed tears were fogging her eyes and leaving her rather blind. She walked carefully down the steps and towards the carriage that awaited them.
The young woman heard hurried footsteps behind her, and Will's voice saying: "Good day…Anna."
Stiffening slightly, she entered the carriage and sat by the door. As the carriage rode away she looked discreetly out of the window, and was surprised to see that Will was still standing on the doorstep, watching her silently until she disappeared aroundthe corner.
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Shadowglove looks at you, eyes big and pleading: "What did you think of this chapter? Please review? PLEASE REVIEW! "
Will jumpsfrom behind Shadowglove, sword drawn: "Ai! Avast!"
Sorry. LMAO. I just couldn't help mi-self. That's just priceless.