Elizabeth had been overjoyed to hear about Jack Sparrow's escape. She had walked about that day with a slightly smug spring in her step, having the satisfaction that Sparrow had thwarted the navy. Her mood dampened when her father brought up the wedding- her wedding.

"Now Elizabeth," Weatherby Swann started at lunch with his agenda book at the table. "Do you have any preference for the date?"

"What date are you referring to," Elizabeth asked nonchalantly, pushing her salad around with her fork.

"Well your wedding date of course!"

The fabrications that had been running through her mind- possible and extravagant ways that Jack might have escaped- vanished and were replaced by a stone sinking in her stomach. "Oh," she paused. "That date."

"Yes- well you know you don't have to worry about seasons, as it is positively clement here all year round, so do have a favorite month?"

She didn't want any month! Elizabeth put down her fork and spoke quietly at the tabletop. "None in particular- might we ask the Commodore?"

"Oh come now Elizabeth, you must have some opinion," her father encouraged.

"No," she shook her head, putting on a little smile. "No it's alright. Whichever date that is at the most convenience is adequate."

"Elizabeth-"

"Really, father. I do not have any preference," she bit with a little more hostility than she wanted to let on.

Governor Swann put down his pen and frowned. "You know," he said with a tone of resignation, "I shouldn't be jumping into all these plans like this. After all you've dealt with as of late. You need to relax." He smiled and rose from his chair, walking around the table to his daughter. Elizabeth likewise pushed her plate forward and rose, taking her father's arm.

"Shall we go through the gardens?"

"Of course."

Sparks flew up precariously close to his face as he hammered away at the hot steel, but William Turner was expressing no great care for himself as of late. He'd been working in the blacksmith shop for at least ten hours straight today. He hadn't eaten anything, but he didn't notice his stomach knotting in hunger. The only thing he felt was the ache in his breast and weight in his mind. He tried to suppress the voice caught in his throat that wanted to cry, "Elizabeth! Elizabeth!"

He knew that he would never have her now- she was betrothed to the Commodore. Will wondered if he would ever see her again. He wondered if he even wanted to.

Author's Note: Thank you to any who reviewed the last chapter. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and the ones to follow.