James Norrington was an excellent listener. Elizabeth told her tale without being interrupted or questioned. He took it all in, bore her burdens with her. She couldn't help but respect that about him. If only Will would listen like this sometimes… She was missing Will more and more; she needed to find him somehow. She reiterated this need to James, who told her they weren't heading for land anytime soon. She could hardly believe this, but begrudgingly let him leave when he had to get back to his duties.
She resumed her sitting position on the bed, her back to wall, staring out the window. When James had come in, it had been early afternoon. Currently, the sky was darkening, strands of orange and red tossed in with the dark blues and purples of the horizon. She began to feel the hunger gnawing at her stomach, but ignored it, thinking about Will.
She could feel his presence next to her as clearly as she had the day of the storm. She remembered him as he was then, flustered, suspicious. She thought hard about the man he had been when they had parted. He had been cold, untrusting. His gaze was piercing and accusatory. That had not been the man she had fallen in love with.
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Will had retired to his bed and sat talking with Noah for the better part of the evening. When Noah had gone to bed however, Will found himself quite alone, laying in darkness with naught but his memories to comfort him. He remembered the first time he had seen Elizabeth. He had thought she was an angel, thought he was dead. He thought about the last time he had seen Elizabeth. He thought about her unwillingness even to look at him, let alone speak to him. He thought about the kiss, how Jack had looked at Elizabeth. He could only imagine the look in her eyes.
The anger boiled up at once, blocking all his thoughts. He lay in the confines of the room for what seemed like forever, until the emotion was too much to bear. Will walked out onto the rocky shore, as close to the open ocean and as far away from the island, as he could get. He stood in the silence for a while, calming down with the cool spray on his face. He could smell the ocean again, he felt freer than he had in days. He hopped along the rocks, careful of where he was stepping. There was no sound but for the tides gently washing in and out, and a soft humming from far away.
He hadn't noticed the humming sound before. He looked along the shore, or rather rocks as shore had been washed out long ago. On the other side of the house he saw Cassandra sitting on one of the tallest rocks, quietly humming a pretty melody. It was vaguely familiar to him, and he found himself unable to turn away, subconsciously walking towards her. As he got closer, he recognized the melody, remembered it as a pirate song his mother had taught him when he was very young.
Will mouthed the words as he got closer.
Yo ho, haul together, hoist the colours high…
He could see her clearly now, her feet swinging, toes just grazing the surface of the water sending ripples that broke the calm.
Heave ho, thieves and beggars, never shall we die…
He stood just behind her now. He could feel her warmth from where he stood. Her voice rang clear throughout the still night. The waves broke against the rocks, adding a character to the song as if many instruments were joining her. Her voice echoes so it felt like he was in the midst of a chorus. The tips of his fingers accidentally brushed her hand, and he felt a jolt as he saw a mirage out on the sea. A boy, fingering a piece of eight, set to hang. What is this? The boy was singing, he could hear the song as if he stood next to him.
The King and his men
Stole the queen from her bed
And bound her in her Bones
The seas be ours
And by the powers
Where we will, we'll roam
She seemed to feel his cool touch and whipped her head around, breaking the image and quieting the song. The waves were just waves, the voice was just a whisper of the winds.
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Elizabeth woke the next morning to a quiet ship. No movement could be heard, no light could be seen. The curtains were still wide open, yet she could see no light from outside. She moved closer to the window, and seeing a large ship beside them backed against the wall.
She grabbed her sword and hurriedly ran up to the deck. The ships were connected by a sort of bridge that was guarded by two men in uniform. She glanced up at the ship, its sails torn, the wood overgrown with sea life. Anchored next to the Endeavour was the Flying Dutchman.
She watched as Norrington and Beckett stepped out of a cabin shortly followed by Davy Jones and Mercer. Davy Jones seemed rather anxious to be rid of them, and so they left, leaving Mercer behind.
When Norrington and Beckett had returned to the Endeavour, the anchor was lifted and they began to sail again. Elizabeth found James and pulled him aside. "James, how am I going to find Will? I've no idea what to do!" She was panicked. She had never been so confused in her life, never had no plan of action. She knew where the crew would be headed, but she had no idea where any of them were. She remembered them saying something about 'upriver,' so tried to get the information she needed from Lord Beckett.
Beckett was busy at the helm when she found him. "Miss Swann, what can I do for you?"
Elizabeth had no patience, no time, for being proper today. Abandoning all courtesy, she asked plainly, "Have you ever heard of a person called Tia Dalma?" Beckett's lips twisted into a grimace. She saw him mouth two words, but her best guess would be 'sea witch, Sea Witch? What on earth— "You know where to find her? We—I need to find her. I need to get there."
Lord Cutler Beckett faced her with grim satisfaction. "How much is it worth to you?"
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The look in his eyes scared her, he could see it on her face. Will couldn't help himself. He was entranced by the vision, by the sound of her echoing voice. He took a step so her was in front of her, their eyes at the same level when she sat on the rock. He could hear her shallow breath, feel the air catch in his throat.
Cassandra held out a hand to stop him. "Will, don't forget… Elizabeth." He seemed oblivious to her words, however. He seemed unable to stop himself. His mind had shut down, he wasn't controlling his actions anymore. He was consumed by his whims, his desires. He would have no excuses for anything.
Will grabbed the hand she held out. He felt that jolt again when he touched her, but this time she felt it too. She gave him one last warning. "Never forget—" She was cut off from words as he pulled her towards him, pulled her into a gentle kiss. She felt herself melt into the kiss, trying to contain herself. This kiss was… different. There was passion here, there was something more. This kiss and the kiss Will had seen had nothing in common. He just didn't know it yet. The tides turned, and Will's feet were soaked. He broke the kiss, and she finished her warning. "Elizabeth."
Will remembered. He remembered Elizabeth, the kiss, and everything else. He seemed to come out of his stupor. Elizabeth… What was I thinking? The answer was simple. He wasn't thinking. Cassandra slipped off the stone and wandered away, leaving Will to wallow in his shame.
