Okay, I'm tired, so this will be short and sweet. This drabble is kinda AU... I was trying not to make it that way at the beginning, but then I went off in a completely different direction, and here I am. It's POTC era, obviously. And sorry for not posting anything yesterday. I'm above maxed on the stress level right now with so many different things, and I had a mental breakdown. Mar told me to take the day off, so I did. Of course, that means doubling up today, so don't expect too much from these two drabbles, mkay?

I love you guys. On with the show!


Candle

Elizabeth paced back and forth in front of her window, the shadow of herself cast from the white rays of the full moon dancing on the floor. The young woman sighed to herself, debating a very important issue at hand. She had a decision to make, one that would affect her future forever. Her head hurt from the strain of thinking. There was one obvious choice in the matter, but it was a hard choice to act upon.

Earlier that day, her father had publicly humiliated Elizabeth and her would-be fiancé Will by announcing to the whole of Port Royal that they were not allowed to see each other anymore because of "impropriety" and the fact that it was not a "smart match". And to assure himself that this would actually happen, Weatherby Swann sent Will packing. Her best friend and true love would set sail for America in a matter of hours at the break of dawn, and she could either stay or run away with him. It sounded easier than it really was.

Elizabeth loved Will with all her heart, that was certain. What was uncertain, however, was the future. How could she manage without him? She couldn't. All the happiness in her life would be gone without Will. But how could she go with him? She would have to leave everything behind, start over fresh. It wasn't such a bad idea, actually. But she would have to leave the comfort of the elite class, with their fine furnishings and expensive clothing. It would be a life completely different than she had ever experienced. And there was also the matter of her father. She would have to leave him behind too. His only daughter gone. Despite his irrational attitude towards Will, Elizabeth loved her father, and hated to think of parting from him. But her love to Will was stronger, more extreme. He was her life, her reason for existing.

A big decision. All she had to do was light the candle on her windowsill signaling to Will down in the smithy that she was coming. That's all she had to do. One simple action changing the whole course of her life. She could leave the candle unlit and stay in Port Royal and live her life among the snobbish and closed-minded upper class, doomed to a loveless marriage and propriety, or she could light the candle and go to America, where she would live a working class life with her only love. A smile graced Elizabeth's pretty face as she thought of how life would be with Will. They would get married and hopefully have many children, and together, they would live and grow old together, sharing in all the joys and trials of their experiences. It was the life she had always dreamed of since she was a little girl.

Suddenly, she picked up the match and lit it, setting the unused wick of the candle alight. The candle glimmered in the moonlight, a beacon of hope for her new life. Grabbing a few treasured items, Elizabeth snuck out of the house and to the smithy.

Will peeked his head out of the shop as she approached the wooden shop, a grin bigger than Elizabeth had ever seen playing on his tanned face.

"I was afraid you wouldn't come," he said, relieved, before taking her into his strong arms and covering her mouth with his in a kiss.

"I had to. You are my life," Elizabeth replied sincerely. "I love you." And with the glimmering candle in Elizabeth's bedroom window still aglow, they set off hand in hand towards the harbor and into their new life.