Elizabeth opened her tired eyes again. She found she was lying on a bed in a small room. A faint, steady beat echoed in the room. She turned to look beside her. Sitting on a shelf on top a soft pillow was the Dead Man's Chest…her Will's beating heart. Sitting up, she touched the chest. Already she missed him with all her heart. They had only parted the night before. How could she live ten more years without her husband when one night had been heart wrenching?
She set a blanket over the chest before leaving the room. She made her way out the door in the hall. Immediately she recognized this as Shipwreck City. Laughter and song erupted in the cove again as the celebration continued from the victorious battle the day before. She avoided the main hall, the place of celebration. She couldn't celebrate being so far away from Will. Quietly, she walked into the courtroom. Still hearing the celebration, she slumped in the chair in the back of the room and curled her legs to her chest. Thinking, she plucked a few strings on the guitar beside her.
"He'll be back in ten years luv," said Jack Sparrow quietly.
Elizabeth gave him a sorrowful look that made Jack's heart miserable.
Cautiously, Jack offered her the bottle of rum he brought in. He raised his eye brows as she immediately took the bottle and finished it without stopping for a breath. He took the bottle back from her, tilted it with a look of disgust, and watched as only a few drops came from the once nearly full bottle.
"That's why the rum is always gone," he mumbled as he walked off in search of a new bottle that he could claim and to warn Mr. Gibbs to hide the rest of the rum.
Not an hour later, a monkey scurried into the room and hopped on a stool next to her. 'Jack' offered her his banana.
"No thank you 'Jack'," said Elizabeth, politely.
Barbossa slowly walked in the room. "Stay at sea or return to land?"
"What?" wondered Elizabeth, raising her head to look at him.
"The sea holds too much pain and Port Royal is no longer where I belong," said Elizabeth.
"Nor is the Flying Dutchman," Barbossa told her knowing her intentions. "It is not what he would want. Ye are the last person he wants to see on that ship."
"Where do I belong than other at my husband's side?" asked Elizabeth slightly angered.
"Ye are Pirate King Elizabeth," reminded Barbossa, pointing at her. "Yer husband commands the seas with Calypso. Yer place is at sea."
Elizabeth turned from him. If she belonged at sea then why did she feel so much pain? "My place is on land. Exactly where I do not know," she told him.
To escape everything, Elizabeth sat on the helm stairs to the Black Pearl. She hardly heard the celebration over the wind in the rigging and pulleys. Should she go to land? The pain in her heart would fade more than it would at sea. The chest would be much safer. Should she stay at sea? She would risk dying there, but that wouldn't matter. In fact, that was what she wanted. Will could not step on land in ten years. As long as she was at sea she would find him. She might catch a glimpse of the Flying Dutchman and her Will. They wouldn't need separation. Though, Will would never allow her to join his crew. If anything, he would take her to shore and she still would need to wait. The choices between land and sea tore her apart. The sea had given her so much and she had lost everything. Sighing, she thought she finally made her mind.
"I shall return to land," she announced to herself. "I cannot be with Will either on land or sea. The sea is where I lost everything. It holds too much I want to forget."
"Shall we chart a course to Port Royal?" asked Jack.
"Are you following me?" asked Elizabeth.
Jack smiled. "Rum's gone inside," he replied. He looked at her in fear. "You didn't go below deck did you?"
Elizabeth held up her bottle of rum. "I only need one. To answer your question, I'm not returning there."
"Miss Elizabeth, where to you intend to go then?" wondered Gibbs.
"Somewhere quiet where people can't find me," replied Elizabeth, clearly hinting to the two who did seem to follow her.
"I have just the place," said Gibbs with a raised finger. "There is an island not far from here, literally in the middle of the sea. One side has a small town and port. Ships come and go daily. The other side holds a magnificent cove with towering cliffs of sandstone and marble. No one lives there. It is quiet and secluded. The island itself is rather quiet and quaint. It is known as Isla del Sol, Island of the Sun. It is said that the sun shines everyday and can be seen from any corner."
"Isla del Sol it is. I'll gather the crew and chart a course," said Barbossa.
Elizabeth stood in anger. "Does no one know how to let me be alone?"
"And we need to find ye new clothes, Mrs. Turner. Ye can't very well go to a small town looking like that," added Barbossa.
"Mrs. Turner?" cried Jack. "You actually married the whelp?" Sadly, Elizabeth nodded. "When? Why wasn't I invited? We must celebrate. Drinks all around!" Jack waved his hands in the air.
"Jack," said Elizabeth, a bit annoyed. "Barbossa married us seeing that he is a captain."
"You didn't ask me to. I would have gladly performed the marri-age," Jack told her upset.
"You weren't present at the time Will proposed," explained Elizabeth.
"That's no excuse. This is my ship, therefore I am captain," said Jack.
"Jack, Jack, Jack. When will you learn?" wondered Barbossa. "This ship is rightfully mine."
"A technically," began Captain Jack Sparrow with both fingers raised. "This ship was raised for me, making me captain."
"There is no point on the two of you arguing!" shouted Elizabeth when Barbossa opened his mouth to retaliate. "I am already married." Tears formed in her eyes, but she blinked them away.
"Did anyone see you kiss the whelp?" wondered Jack with a curious smile.
'Jack' the Monkey raised his hand. He jumped up and down.
Elizabeth smiled. She shut her eyes, falling back into that moment. She had been standing in that same exact place when Will proposed. They danced around each other. Their hands never released from each other. Their vows taken then the kiss…she still could feel his lips on hers. Years of pain washed away. Everything between them was forgiven. Everything around them was forgotten just in that moment. She slowly opened her eyes as the two captains argued over the ownership of the Black Pearl. She rolled her eyes and returned to her room in the city.
Alone, she took the blanket from the chest, set it in her lap, and caressed the top. She gazed at the chest and listened to what she owned of Will's.
Jack's voice interrupted her. "Come to join me for dinner luv? You may bring him with you."
Elizabeth raised her head. She rubbed her eyes, seeing that the sky was rich with colors of the setting sun. Nodding, she followed Jack to the Black Pearl, inside his cabin. She sat in a chair Jack pulled out for her. Gently, she placed the chest beside her. They just sat in silence for a moment. She noticed the thoughtful look on Jack's face as he gazed at the chest.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Nothing," Jack told her suddenly, moving his eyes from the chest.
"Why did you?" asked Elizabeth. "I need to know why you did that for Will. You could have let him die, taken me, and achieved immortality. You chose to save Will instead."
Jack Sparrow said nothing. He shut the cabin doors. No one but Elizabeth deserved to know.
"I wasn't going to allow our brave William to die. Not that way at least," he said.
"You care about him don't you?" wondered Elizabeth softly.
"I do not," Jack told her folding his arms.
"You didn't let him die though," reminded Elizabeth.
"Lizzy, I admit it then. I do care for young Will a little bit," said Jack, motioning the tiny amount with his fingers. "A very, very little bit."
"But you still care," noted Elizabeth.
"There is another solution to immortality luv," said Jack, tapping his beloved compass.
"We were married only minutes before," said Elizabeth.
"Still, octopus face couldn't gloat in his victory. That I simply wasn't going to allow," said Jack. His mind changed suddenly as a strong beat echoed in the cabin. "I do admit a strange, peculiar feeling came over me when young Will was sliced in through the chest. I was nearly horrified." He raised both fingers. "Nearly. You didn't provide much comfort either. Will certainly did not help. I was almost saddened when the boy died in your lap though. I wasn't a bit worried."
"Thank you Jack," said Elizabeth nicely.
"For what luv?" wondered Jack.
"Pulling me away before they…" answered Elizabeth, but couldn't bring herself to say it. She motioned to the chest instead.
"That was something you of all people did not need to witness with your own eyes. Honestly, neither did I," admitted Jack. He gave her a look of disgust just thinking about it.
"I wonder what he's doing now," said Elizabeth with a heavy sigh.
"Thinking of his bonny lass I'm sure," said Jack, obvious. Elizabeth forced a smile. "Lizzy, darling, belay thinking all the bad things. It turned out much more better than you know."
"How?" cried Elizabeth as if no good came from it.
"Well, brave William is still alive…in a cursed sort of way," Jack began. He quickly continued. "He will never grow any more uglier, he has achieved immortality, he has the freedom of his own ship, he pretty much rules the seas, beside Calypso of course, he, I can't believe I'm saying this, has become a legendary, more powerfuler pirate of them all, including poor unfortunate me," Jack paused to sigh deeply. He looked at Elizabeth's sorrowful face. "Will has an eternity with the father he never knew as just wanted to free more than anything. He still has you Elizabeth."
"And he always shall Jack. He always will have my heart. I will always have his," she whispered.
"Literally," Jack added, gazing upon the chest. "Elizabeth, stay here on the Pearl with me. I can't bear the thought of you alone on a deserted island waiting for ten years. It's worser than being marooned by the same man and having to watch him sail away with your ship twice." He raised both hands with two fingers up.
Elizabeth reminded him again. "It would never have worked between us Jack."
"Still telling yourself that I see, rather hear?" wondered Jack.
"Forever," Elizabeth told him with a smile.
Jack frowned and slumped in his chair.
The day brought sadness to all aboard the Black Pearl. Their beloved Elizabeth was committing herself to land away from them. She changed from her Chinese gown and wore a simple sailor's attire: white tunic, brown vest, breeches, and boots. Before leaving, she wrapped her silks around the chest to soften the steady beat and placed them in a sack then went to main deck. Everyone was there waiting.
"Do you really want to do this? You are always welcome on me ship," Jack reminded her.
"I'm sure," said Elizabeth with full confidence.
"Because there is a way to find out forever," added Jack, taking the compass into his hand.
"It will point to where I cannot follow," Elizabeth said.
Nodding, Jack placed the compass onto his sash.
Elizabeth made her farewells to the crew. Last of all were Gibbs, Barbossa, and Jack. She shook Joshamee Gibbs's hand.
"Don't stay away for too long Miss Elizabeth," he told her.
She nodded and turned to Barbossa.
"Mrs. Turner," said Barbossa with a bow of his head and a tip of his hat.
"Thank you," said Elizabeth, lovingly.
"My pleasure. He'll be there. Ten years will pass sooner than you think," said Barbossa confidently.
Last of all, Elizabeth turned towards Jack who stood patient, leaning against the rail.
"Jack Sparrow, you've given me the adventure I've always dreamed of. You're the pirate I've always wanted to meet. You truly are a legend," she said.
Jack smiled, loving this all too much. Even that smile, though, was sad and guilty. Surprisingly, he took her hand. He gently kissed the top, almost seeming like a gentleman.
"Keep telling yourself it won't work luv," he told her.
"I ask one more favor of all of you," she began. "Elizabeth Swann died at sea fighting for what she believed in and loved most. Elizabeth Turner now lives."
"Don't try to hide from the past," Jack warned.
"I'll never hide from the past," she promised. Once more, she looked at all of them then climbed on the rail.
"Elizabeth," Jack called suddenly. "If I find him I'll tell him where you are."
"You won't have to," she said smiling.
"Good-bye luv," whispered Jack. He raised a finger. "Oh, and expect me to show up one of these days in the next ten years."
Elizabeth stepped onto dock. She never looked back at the Black Pearl as she sailed away. She soon heard Jack's voice louder than anyone else. And really bad eggs… Elizabeth Turner had to smile at that.
With the sack of treasures, Elizabeth traveled into town. She received many strange looks from the people. Already, she felt alone and unwanted. This was only the first day. She had ten years worth of them. Tired and hungry, she stepped in a small tavern called Sea Cat. She sat at a small table in the corner. The many sailors glanced at her strangely. Her hand never left the sack. Her eyes shut for a moment as she heard his heart beating strongly inside the chest.
"Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth glanced above her. A young man with light brown hair pulled back and hazel eyes gazed at her. The man still bore freckles.
"Thomas?" she asked.
"Cousin Elizabeth. It is you!" cried Thomas Swann, rushing to his cousin. He set his arms around her tired back. She imagined her Will for a moment. "What are you doing here? I thought you were at Port Royal still."
"I was Thomas. Something happened and I found an entirely new life," began Elizabeth.
"What about that Will Turner? You've had a liking to him since the day we found him," noted Thomas.
Unable to control it or hold it back, Elizabeth broke out sobbing. She knew why, but couldn't tell him. "I'm so alone Thomas," was all she could say.
Thomas let his arms around her again. He allowed his cousin to release some of it.
A moment later Elizabeth pulled away. "Please forgive my actions," she said, rubbing the tears from her eyes.
"Cousin, come home with me. It appears that we must speak about recent events," said Thomas, taking her hand to bring her to her feet.
Nodding, Elizabeth took her sack and followed her cousin.
Thomas Swann lived in a beautiful manor on the other side of the island that Gibbs had described. There was indeed a large cove with towering cliffs. She entered through the mahogany doors of her cousin's home. She stood in the entrance alone.
With a gentle smile, Thomas reached for the sack. He barely touched the cloth.
"No!" she cried, slapping him across the face. Stunned, Thomas backed away. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, beginning to cry again.
Avoiding the sack, Thomas led her into the parlor overlooking the sea.
Elizabeth slumped onto the couch, continuing to cradle the sack. She slowly reached her hands into the sack until she felt the cool metal. Following the edges, she located the lock. Her first two fingers pushed themselves into the key holes.
Thomas returned in the room with two cups of tea. He sat beside her. Looking at her dirty face and body, he began to wonder just what his cousin had been doing. He pulled his fingers through her uncombed hair
Elizabeth sniffled. The edge of the sack fell, slightly revealing her clothes and part of the chest. Frightened, she gasped.
Thomas reached for her hands before she could hide the contents inside. "Where have you been?" he asked, touching the black silk.
"Thomas, what is the last thing you have heard about me?" asked Elizabeth.
"Uncle sent me a letter last explaining that you were home safe," began Thomas, putting his feet on the stool. "He wrote that you have changed after your encounter with pirates. A friend of yours helped in the escape of a notorious pirate at his hanging. Due to that, this pirate runs free. He regrets James losing his post for assisting in the escape. He last mentioned that your heart had chosen. He admits that your choice was not what he didn't want for his daughter and your reputation, but it was a choice that he knew would have many years together. Your love for this man is pure and eternal. In a strange way, he is very proud of your decision, because he knows this man will love and take care of you forever." Thomas smiled with a look of already knowing. "Who is he?"
"I married him," whispered Elizabeth, pained.
"Elizabeth, congratulations," Thomas said, wrapping his arms around her back.
They sat quiet a moment. Two strong thumps echoed around them.
Thomas let her go.
Elizabeth set her hands on the chest. She drew a deep breath. "Thomas, cousin, I need you to swear that you will never again speak these words to anyone. No one must know any of these words. Swear to me you will never tell," she said frightened.
Thomas gazed into her pleading eyes. He felt this to be a very serious matter. He took her hands into his own. Looking deep into her eyes he nodded.
"I swear Elizabeth. I swear to you I will never tell another soul," he told her promisingly.
Elizabeth uncovered her clothes, and the chest. She set the chest in her lap.
"Where did you find this? It is quite beautiful," commented Thomas.
"My husband," was all Elizabeth said. Her body shook in pain as two strong beats came.
Thomas snapped his head towards the chest again. His eyes widened with curiosity. "What is in it?"
"Will's heart," Elizabeth said, her voice choking. She pressed her forehead against the top of the chest.
Thomas lightly rubbed her back. "Will? Will Turner?"
Elizabeth nodded. "My husband."
Thomas looked all around then back to the chest. "Elizabeth, he can't have his heart in that chest. It's not possible," he told her, rubbing her arm.
Comfort was in his voice. She pressed her ear to the chest, listening to her husband's strong heartbeat.
Feeling like a fool, Thomas did the same. His eyes grew wide and confused. It wasn't possible. It couldn't be Will Turner's heart.
"Elizabeth," he began, barely able to speak. She nodded with her eyes on the chest. He gently set his hand upon the metal. "How? Lizzy, what happened?"
Elizabeth pulled the chest closer to her warm body. The metal was cold. Something containing such a precious item must be kept warm. Gazing at the chest then into the sky, she began her long story.
Come nightfall, Thomas continued to sit with his head in his hands. His fingers were twined within his hair and all buttons on his tunic were loose. How could all this truly be possible? Davy Jones, the Kraken, Jack Sparrow, the pirates, barnacle encrusted, cursed men, a sea goddess bound in human form, men coming back from death, traveling to the ends of the world and returning back unharmed, Weatherby Swann dead, Lord Beckett dead, a Brethren Court, a pirate king, Will Turner's heart locked in a chest while he captains the Flying Dutchman far from his life source…how could it all be true? He raised his head to look at the chest sitting gently on top the mahogany table with the clothes next to it. Somehow, it was all true. The chest was sitting in front of him. She and Will were torn from each other for ten years for nothing more than one day. His own cousin, King of the pirates. Rubbing his head, still processing all that he had just been told, Thomas stood. He went to Elizabeth's side on the balcony that over looked the sea. A look of longing and loneliness appeared across her face. She sighed.
"Lizzy," began Thomas.
"Please do not call me that," Elizabeth told him somber.
"I've always called you Lizzy," reminded Thomas.
"As does someone else," whispered Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth," continued Thomas. "Your story is incredible."
"You don't believe me," noted Elizabeth.
"Somehow, I actually do. It is taking time to process this but I do. For example, Will's still beating heart is sitting on the table in my home, though, I still do not understand how he is still alive."
"He is cursed and gifted at once. He would have died, but the curse gifted him with life," said Elizabeth.
"Give me time to truly accept this," Thomas told her. "A lot of time," he mumbled walking from her.
She wondered so badly what her Will was doing.
"Elizabeth," said Thomas calmly. "Would you like to choose your room now?" Turning, Elizabeth gave him an odd look. "Since I know your story and ten years is a long time, I thought you should stay with me. I know I am not Will, but I want to comfort your pain and let you know that love can be found here. Life can be found with me. You are no longer Elizabeth Swann as you said. Elizabeth Turner should wait here in the comfort of her cousin's home."
With a small smile, Elizabeth nodded. "I would very much like that."
Thomas motion her to follow as he took her clothes
Elizabeth gently took the chest in her warm arms. She followed Thomas down a hall. Her eyes fell on an open room that overlooked the sea. She entered. It reminded her of her room at Port Royal and of the Pearl's cabin all at the same time.
Thomas quietly entered. "I had a feeling you would choose this one," he noted, setting her clothes down. "The sun sets over the cove and cliffs are magnificent. It seems as though the sun holds beauty as long as possible. Even after it is beyond the horizon, it still has untold beauty in the sky."
Elizabeth fell onto the bed suddenly trembling. She let it begin in a long painful, sorrowed wail. No longer could she keep it inside her.
"Will!" she screamed as if pleading for him.
Thomas pulled her close to his body. "Shh, Elizabeth. It's all right. Calm down. It's going to be all right. Shh," he whispered gently.
She let her feelings pour onto her cousin. She cried for everything that had happened: her father's death, not apologizing to Will, not telling him the truth, not listening to him, ignoring him, breaking his heart, losing James, sending Jack to death, saying all the things she did about him, fighting Jones…she cried mainly for her Will. He had done so much for her. He had chosen her instead of his father. He married her in the middle of a battle because he loved her so much. She had done so little and yet he still loved her. Now, because of her, Will was forever bound to serve the Flying Dutchman, waiting to be with the one he loved more than anything including life. He lost life that he was just beginning to know, and he would always be separated from his heart. Elizabeth sobbed harder as these thoughts consumed her.
Thomas allowed her to let it out while providing what comfort he was able to. No comfort would ever be enough to heal his cousin's pain and simply seeing her reactions in the past day he knew that.
After last night, Elizabeth felt some weight being taken from her. She settled in more. During the morning after she woke, Will's heart was resting on a gentle blanket on a nightstand beside her bed. She pressed her lips to the metal before looking at the horizon. Will's voice echoed in her mind. Always would she keep a weather eye on the horizon. She promised her Will she would. Lonely once more, she left to find her cousin and headed toward the kitchen. It smelled wonderful.
"Good morning," greeted Thomas with a smile. Elizabeth nodded the same. "I've made eggs and biscuits." He handed her a china plate with food.
"It's been a long time since I've had real food it seems," said Elizabeth before taking a bite.
"Today I will take you into town. We must find you proper clothes, soaps, jewelry, a few combs, and a few items of your choosing," Thomas told her.
Elizabeth nodded. She did, after all, need to seem proper and civilized.
"Cousin, how long have you lived on this island?" Elizabeth asked as she and Thomas began towards town.
"About six years I've lived here," replied Thomas. "I wanted an escape from the never sleeping Port Royal. I wanted to feel free and secluded when not on the job. I found this island and fell in love. This cove soon became my home, my haven."
"What is it that you do?" wondered Elizabeth.
"Well cousin, I'm captain of the merchant ship Horizon and a damn fine one I've been told. Sailing used to come a lot more when the Navy still held most of the power. I am called on once in a while, but not usually anymore. Horizon just stays in my dock waiting to meet her love again. I do take her out often though. The sea always calls to me," Thomas said. She looked at him confused. "My ship and dock are just down in the open cove."
In the small town, commonly called del Sol, Elizabeth Turner was led into a small clothing shop by her cousin.
"Mrs. Jenkins," called Thomas, as Elizabeth walked around looking at all the many beautiful dresses and clothes.
An elderly woman with graying hair and warm green, hazel eyes came from the back. "Is that my Thomas?" she asked with a gentle smile.
Thomas gave her a tight hug. "Mrs. Jenkins, I would like to introduce you to a dear friend of mine," he said pulling Elizabeth closer. "This is my cousin, Elizabeth Turner."
At that name, Elizabeth smiled.
"She is lovely," said Mrs. Jenkins, gazing at her. "Dear child, where have you been?"
"Sailing on a ship with her closest friends and husband," replied Thomas. "She decided to stay on land after a series of dreadful events and I was wondering—"
"If I could find new dresses for her," finished Mrs. Jenkins gently. "Of course. I'll need a few measurements."
"Could you possibly make the dresses simple?" wondered Elizabeth as the measurements were taken. "Also, I ask for a few breeches and tunics."
"What on earth for dear?" asked Mrs. Jenkins, shocked. "A young, beautiful woman does not wear that."
"She does if her husband, the one that married her at sea, is forever bound to the sea," said Elizabeth.
"I sense your husband is not quite normal," noted Mrs. Jenkins.
"Mrs. Jenkins, can you keep a secret and promise never to tell?" wondered Elizabeth softly. Nodding, Mrs. Jenkins, with a smile, set a wrinkled hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. "My husband is a pirate."
"So was mine dear, and that is why I love him with all my heart," replied Mrs. Jenkins. She lifted her right wrist.
Elizabeth's eyes widened as she looked at the brand in Mrs. Jenkins's wrist. She smiled at someone she knew would never tell any of her secrets.
Mrs. Jenkins hid her wrist and gave Elizabeth a sly smile. "I will have these made in no time. Until then, you may wear this. I was your age and about your size I'm sure." She handed Elizabeth an old box with dust on top.
"Thank you," said Elizabeth.
"You must invite me to dinner child. I do wish to hear of your adventures and husband," added Mrs. Jenkins.
Elizabeth nodded as the old woman slipped into the back room. She turned and left the shop with her cousin right beside her.
"Apparently pirates don't bother you," she noted.
"Not all pirates are bad. There are good pirates in this world," Thomas told her. "I know, trust me. I've met a few of them while sailing. I've captained half a pirate crew before. I think I had a run in with Jack Sparrow once. He seems familiar."
Sundown, the cousins returned to the manor with plenty of items for Elizabeth. In a way she felt as though she was leaving her past behind her. Becoming civilized again seemed far fetched for her now. Thomas told her she didn't have to become a governor's daughter again. She just couldn't become a full pirate as long as she was on land. At sea, that would be out of the question. She also felt ashamed. Thomas was paying for everything and willingly took her in. He told her it was perfectly fine, but she felt unwanted and rude to invade his life so suddenly. Even after all that she had done, it just didn't seem right.
After taking a hot bath to rid her body of the sea, sweat, dirt, grime, and blood caked to her once flawless skin, Elizabeth dressed in one of the under gowns from her Chinese clothes. She tamed her tangled and windblown hair with much unwanted pain from her cousin. Thomas had to help her comb through most of the knots. She turned her attention to the box Mrs. Jenkins had given her previously that morning. Inside, neatly folded and untouched for so long was a dress.
This dress was deep red with black trimming. It had a short swoop neck. The bodice was like a corset in the way that black lace crossed in front and tied at the top. The cuffs were outlined in black lace. A dark blue velvet sash was wound at the bodice and hung down to the right. Elizabeth knew Mrs. Jenkins was treasure in her pirate days just by the colors. Red was a highly prized and very expensive color. It was even difficult to come across in Port Royal. She held the dress up to herself and looked in the mirror. Her thoughts began dwelling on Will again. The last dress she wore was her wedding dress.
A smile widened across her face as she was swept back into that moment. Will was at the mansion discussing preparations with her and her father. The dress arrived that afternoon. Will pleaded to let him see it. He tickled her and kissed her neck over and over. His eyes and playful kisses were so irresistible. Luckily, her father had already hidden the dress. Even he wanted that to be a surprise to Will.
Elizabeth smiled and laughed at herself at the day her and Will were measured and matched for their clothes. She was calm and finished quickly. Will was fidgeting and tried getting out of it. He never did much enjoy being touched by another. Everyone was fed up with him and his moans. Elizabeth couldn't stop laughing at him. When he thought it was over, he needed colors matched to him. She never forgot the moment when he asked to be excused. He went outside. Next thing everyone knew a scream of frustration and irritancy echoed in the streets as people looked near the door with strange looks. He returned and gave them a forced smile. Elizabeth burst out laughing. She nearly fell out of her chair and truly couldn't breathe. Governor Swann rolled his eyes and shook his head at both of them, especially Will. Will's response was a simple shrug and one word: pirate.
Wetness on her face brought her from her thoughts. Tears followed the path that already had been made down her cheeks. Quickly, she wiped her eyes and sniffled. The dress was folded carefully in the box once more. She found her tears would not ease. She fell on the bed crying more. Her fingers traced the chest as she gazed at it glowing in the candlelight. Not an hour later, her eyes shut as she had fallen asleep on a tear soaked pillow. Her hand was still next to the chest.
When Elizabeth woke, her stomach felt sickly. She felt absolutely horrible again for the fourth morning in a row. At first, she thought it was because she was eating normal foods, but knew that couldn't be because she had been eating normal food for two months now. She was eating foods that she ate in Port Royals so she knew it wasn't the odd food. Sleep and cleanliness were available at her disposal. She was perfectly healthy and had put on a little weight even.
Her little weight gain caused her to wonder about something however. She took her thoughts to the balcony where she leaned on the rail. The nightgown made for her body to an exact seemed tighter around her belly. A look of sadness and wonder passed across her face as she watched the sky slowly become brighter. Deep thoughts captured her mind.
"Elizabeth, darling, what are you doing up at his hour?" Mrs. Jenkins asked as she went to her.
"Nothing, I couldn't sleep," whispered Elizabeth. Her eyes moistened. "It's August twenty second. Today is Wills' birthday. He should have turned twenty three. Sunset he would have become twenty three."
Mrs. Jenkins squeezed her shoulder. "I sense it is more than that. Much more. Tell me dear. You know I'll understand and not tell anyone."
Elizabeth drew a struggled breath as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "I haven't had something for over two months and I've been ill each morning consistently, including this morning. I've been tired lately and I'm not myself. Thomas has noted that my moods change as swiftly as the sea." Fear was in her voice and eyes.
"Elizabeth, beg pardon, what exactly did you and Will do on that last day?" wondered Mrs. Jenkins, having an idea.
"We let our love run free one last time," replied Elizabeth.
Mrs. Jenkins smiled. Tears formed in her eyes as she set Elizabeth's hands on her belly. "I may need to begin loosening your dresses," she said.
Elizabeth softly gasped as her eyes slowly widened. She began breathing heavy, but softly. Her own eyes moistened as she looked at her belly.
Mrs. Jenkins pulled her into a motherly hug. "Child, you soon shall have part of Will growing inside you. You're pregnant Elizabeth," she said happily.
Tears rolled gently down her face as Elizabeth smiled. She was never going to be away from Will again.
Something happened to her happiness at sunset. She walked along the beach, ankle deep in the water, holding her dress up as to not get it wet. She set a hand on her belly and gazed out to sea and horizon. With all her heart she wished to see a flash of green. She felt the small bump in her palm.
After sundown, she found herself sitting on her balcony cradling the chest in her arms. Her ear was gently pressed against it.
"Oh, Will. I don't know what to do," she softly said. "I'm pregnant. You're becoming a father and you don't even know it. You can never share this moment with me…us. You won't know until another ten years. It's only been two months and I can't go another day without seeing your face. Now, in eight months, I'll see you again. I'll have more than your heart. I'll have half of you. Our child will never know you and you'll never know of your child. Will, I don't know what to do. I just don't know what to do. I love you. I miss you so much."
Unable to do anything other than cry, Elizabeth held the chest in her arms. She cried into it. Will would soon be a father. He would not know of it. He would never watch his child grow. The child would never see him but once every ten years. She didn't know what hurt more: Will not knowing and never going to share this with her, or their child not seeing him.
Thomas stood at her door. He quietly knocked. Candlelight still poured through the crack. He knocked again. No answer.
"Elizabeth," he softly called, slowly entering.
He found his cousin sitting on the balcony with her head resting on the chest. Both arms were still clasped tightly around it. She was calm and quiet, but her eyes revealed why. They were red and swollen. Her cheeks still bore tear lines.
Sighing deeply, Thomas pulled his sleeping cousin into his arms. He set Elizabeth on her bed. Immediately after, he set the chest on the pillow beside her. Hearing the heart beating, he tensed as cold shivers ran through his body. He still found it difficult to believe Will's heart was truly beating inside. He blew the candles out and quietly shut the mahogany glass doors. The warm Caribbean breeze and moonlight poured through the open windows. The star filled night was gorgeous but not enough to comfort him anymore.
Thomas knelt beside his cousin. He pulled a blanket across her.
"I'll never replace Will in you heart, but I will take care of you. Both of you," he promised before leaving Elizabeth to sleep next to her husband's strong heart.
The following two months brought Elizabeth more pain than she had ever known to exist. Her heart cried herself to sleep many times. Most nights she fell asleep on Will's heart, listening to the strong, steady beat that she had known all her life it seemed. Each day she watched the sun set, just waiting. Her eyes gazed across the horizon as Will had told her. Her own heart ached and broke more each day. Will was so far away. He wasn't even in this world. The only bit of comfort she found was knowing Bill would be there to take care of him. Will finally could know who his father truly was.
As days grew, so did her belly. Half of Will was inside her. Only the child growing in her kept her broken heart alive. Even so, she longed for her Will. She longed for everything about him and all that he was. She longed for the freedom of the sea with him at her side, always watching over her to make absolute sure she was alive.
Four months had passed since she arrived on Isla del Sol. Thomas had done everything he could to help his cousin. More and more he noticed her heart breaking. Elizabeth longed for so many things. Most of which could be grasped, including seeing Will Turner again. Thomas knew Will couldn't stay in World's End for ten years. He and his crew were still alive in a way. Eventually, they had to come back to the land of the living. He prayed that eventually was soon, very soon.
Early morning, Elizabeth woke to shouts from a distance and many feet walking along a dock. She tiredly rose from bed to look out to sea. About fifteen men walked across the dock with cargo that was brought onto the Horizon. Thomas was preparing to sail. She briskly changed into more decent clothes to come upon these men. She headed for the ship.
Thomas spotted her. "Come to join us?"
"To where?" asked Elizabeth.
Thomas shrugged. "Wherever the wind and Calypso wishes us to go." Elizabeth looked at him with glowing eyes. "The sea is calling us. I've been away for far too long. Your life dwells at sea. The one place you truly belong is at sea. I know you long for the days once more. You need to return to the sea again. Gather what you wish. We leave in an hour."
Elizabeth rushed to her room. She grabbed an empty chest at the foot of her bed. Her hand fumbled for the key. Slowly, she turned the key. Buried among the blue, red, and black silks was the chest containing Will's heart. She gently clasped the handles. As she stood, Thomas came in. She smiled at him with the chest in her arms. He took her trunk of clothes and possessions for the journey.
An hour later, Elizabeth Turner felt a great surge come over her. A smile spread across her face as the wind filled the sails and the cliffs fell behind. Nothing but the horizon lied in front of her. Already, it became difficult to distinguish where the sea ended and the sky began. His heart felt almost whole again. Shutting her eyes, she pictured the Pearl, Jack and Barbossa fighting over rule, the crew attending to their duties, Will beside her with his hand clasping hers, and a smile of love and compassion on his face, care and joy in his eyes, and the wind through her long hair. She saw it all so clear. So vividly. Breathing the salty sea air into her lungs, she laughed aloud, forgetting her pain. It had never existed.
Five days at sea, far from civilization, Elizabeth had a new mission and so did her cousin. They stood at the bow talking alone
Thomas scanned the horizon again. He sighed, not seeing what he wanted or rather nothing for that matter.
"Elizabeth, look to the horizon and tell me what you see," he requested.
"Nothing," she replied looking across the sea.
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Exactly," Thomas told her frustrated as his hand slapped the wood.
"What am I supposed to see?" wondered Elizabeth, setting her hands on her rounded belly.
Thomas glanced at her belly a moment before gazing across the sea.
"Yes, I've wanted to sail again and so have my crew, but that is not why you are here at sea again. Your heart is breaking more each day you are away from him. There is supposed to be a flash of green on the horizon," he told her
"Not for another nine years and eight months," noted Elizabeth sadly.
"That is when he can be on land. Where is it known that he cannot meet his love at sea?"
"He can't because I am in this world. He is in the waters of the dead."
"They are still alive, in a way at least. At some moment, he needs to surface this world and re-supply for a few more months. They may just need to come back and see life."
"You took me out to sea in hopes that Will and I would meet?" wondered Elizabeth, hopeful.
"Precisely," replied Thomas.
"It's not that simple Thomas," began Elizabeth. "How can he find me? He may not even be in this world."
"It doesn't matter. Your hearts are so in love with each other. That love is deep and pure more than anything," Thomas said. "Call for him. He may come. It is worth a try." He left with a sly smile
Elizabeth gazed back across the sea, scanning every bit of movement. It isn't stated that they cannot meet at sea. Technically, she could see Will sooner than the ten year period.