A night in jail. It was Will's first, and it was not treating him well. A snoring guard sat sleeping in a chair under a lit torch that only illuminated a little less than half of the prison. Will sat staring at the torches flame, unable to sleep. It was Elizabeth that worried him. He knew she would have probably heard by now, and he knew that she was bound to do something. The only question was what and how much trouble it would get her in. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. It was going to be a long night.
Elizabeth awoke to a knock at her door, as the usual morning went. A maid entered and Elizabeth crawled out of bed as she opened the shutters to a breezy morning. Elizabeth took off her nightgown and the maid helped her into a corset, followed by a pink frock, which was edged in a small dainty lace. The maid left, and Elizabeth turned back to her window. Mrs. Chase, then the homeless man, but no Will. Elizabeth furrowed her brow. Perhaps she would visit Will earlier than she had planned to make sure he was well. Elizabeth went into her armoire, took out a small shawl- white to match the lace. As she went downstairs John mentioned that her breakfast would be served soon. Elizabeth thanked him and asked that it be kept warm, as she wouldn't be gone long. With that Elizabeth walked out into the streets of Port Royal. Within minutes she had reached the blacksmithing shop. Elizabeth knocked on the large door and waited. It was quiet inside so he should have been able to hear. After some time Elizabeth knocked again. Still nothing. Behind her a voice yelled, "Miss! Miss Swann," Elizabeth turned to see Mr. Ellis across the street, "You won't find William in there. He's been taken off. Arrested just yesterday. Don't know what for…" Elizabeth's eyes widened. Arrested? Will had not done anything… Elizabeth thanked Mr. Ellis hastily and started running towards the legislative hall, underneath which was the jail. She was allowed in easily, and from there Elizabeth chose to see her father first. She flung open his door, causing her father to jump in his seat. "Eliz…" Elizabeth's shouting at him cut him off.
"Where is Will?!? Why has he been arrested? And why didn't you tell me? DO you think me a child still? He is my fiancée!" Her father went from shocked to seeming deeply tired.
"Elizabeth," He began quietly, "Will has been drafted into the Royal Navy." Elizabeth's face hardened, " He cannot be drafted- Will is a craftsman. You know this! His services are necessary to the town!" Governor Swann shook his head. "But Will is also in a sort of debt to Port Royal because he has been granted clemency. There is nothing that can be done." Elizabeth was fuming, her eyes boring into his. "Who ordered this?"
"No one ordered this… His was merely a name on a list."
"Father! Who ordered this? You know as well as I it was more than just some random occurrence."
"Elizabeth…"
"Tell me the truth!"
"Norrington," The Governor finally revealed wearily. "He ordered the draft two days ago." Elizabeth finally realized why all of this was truly happening. It had nothing to do with Will's debt. Norrington knew full well when their marriage was, and his intention was to disrupt it. "Where is Norrington?" Elizabeth asked, seething with rage like some kind of cat-like animal about to strike its prey. The difference was that Norrington was no prey- he was the predator.
The governor remained silent for a moment, but finally gesturing down the hallway. Elizabeth threw her father one last spiteful look, and then swiftly turned herself around and walked out of his office. Elizabeth entered Norrington's office much like she had done with her father's, not bothering to knock. When he looked up and recognized Elizabeth there was an odd look on his face.
"You will release my fiancée, Commodore." She said in a low tone.
"Miss Swann, I'm afraid that is not possible. Your fiancée is debt to Port Royal because of…"
"Commodore," She began spitting every word out slowly and hatefully, "This will not be the second time my marriage is put on hold. I know surely you think that this will somehow get you my heart, but your sick and twisted mind needs to reorder itself. I will not ever love or marry you. My heart is with Will, and it will remain there…" This time Norrington was the one to interrupt.
"Really? Because it seemed like your heart was quite changeable on the Pearl." Elizabeth opened her mouth and shut it again. Norrington continued, "In fact, I have to wonder how much your heart is so with Mr. Turner. Maybe next week there will be someone else your heart belongs to. So, by my actions it seems an ill-fated marriage has been avoided. I see no reason to release William to a woman who cannot stay committed to him." Elizabeth put her hands on Norrington's desk and leaned forward.
"My heart is none of your business. And it is committed to Will."
"I once heard that it is best to judge by actions, not by words. Your actions contradict your words, Miss Swann, so I am forced to look only upon your actions. They leave me at the same resolution as before. Now, I would ask you to leave." Elizabeth was about to say something else, but knew in the back of her mind that Norrington would not bat an eye if he had to remove her forcefully. Instead, Elizabeth turned on her heel, and aimed for the stairs that would lead her to the prison.