DISCLAIMER: I do not own, or have anything to do with Pirates of the Caribbean, Disney or anyone/anything else associated with the movie(s). The movie(s) and all of its charcters are the property of Disney. Raven is my property. :)

One
by: Renee and Rayvin813


"William, dearest, I do wish you would stop messing around with those silly swords," Elizabeth said to her fiancée as he worked on the blade to his newest work of art.

William sighed, annoyed that Elizabeth was once again coming into his private workman’s area, and threw the sharp piece of steel to the dirt floor below him. "Elizabeth, this is what I do. Can't you accept it?"

Elizabeth sighed and wrapped her arms around William's torso. "Will, you have no reason to be working on swords. You'll never have to work. We have enough money."

William glared at his intended, and pulled back slightly. "What am I supposed to do with my life, then? Have more babies than we both know what to do with? Keep you with child nine months out of the year? I don't think so."

Elizabeth, insulted, pulled completely away from her fiancée. "What? Do you not want children with me? Do you know how many men would dream to be in your position?"

William took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. She was right; it would be easy to lose her, especially at the hands of Commodore Norrington. "I know, love. I just have to do what my passion is," He reached out and gently touched the light blue bodice of her dress. "I love you, you know that."

Elizabeth smiled and leaned into Will, allowing him to hug her. They stayed like that for a few moments, savoring the embrace. "I must get back to work," William said, removing his arms from Elizabeth's waist. "Commodore Norrington wants these blades by dawn. I'm sorry Elizabeth, I really am. But this is what I'm made to do. Please, let me do it."

William's intended sighed and kissed his cheek. "If this is what you wish to do, even after we're married, than I shall leave you to do it," She turned and worked her way towards the door. "Don't be late though," She told him, turning only her head. "Dinner will be ready in an hour's time."

William smiled and nodded. He'd have the blade done in less than half that time. That would leave him room to think about how much he really wanted to marry Elizabeth. Elizabeth returned Will's smile and exited his work room.

Will worked for the next twenty minutes, diligently on the sword. He and the Commodore hadn't been on the best terms since Elizabeth had chosen him over Norrington. If any part of the sword wasn't to perfection, it would be his head.

As he put the finishing gold in the hilt of the sword, he thought about the night he and Elizabeth had spent together, nearly a year ago. They'd consummated their new relationship, though it wasn't that new at all. They had been in love for eight years. The night he had saved Jack Sparrow from the gallows, had been memorable, to say the least.

But in the months that followed, only horror had ensued from their private lovemaking. For one, it had become less private; Elizabeth had had a pregnancy scare. It hadn't only been her scare, though. It had scared him just as much, if not more, than her.

"I do love her though," He said softly to himself, sauntering around the workroom. He patted the donkey that controlled the wheel softly on the head. "What would you do, if you were me, Clyde?" He asked the donkey. "I'm not ready to be married to her, but I want to marry her. What would you do?" As usual, Clyde had no answer to William's question.

Will laughed when the donkey gave a loud snort as he left his workroom. He had to get ready for dinner.

At most, it took William half an hour to bathe and change into clean clothes. He always made an effort to look nice in front of the Governor. Especially since Elizabeth's father knew William had already taken her innocence.

"How nice of you to join us this evening," Governor Swann greeted when William stepped into the room.

William grimaced at the man. He knew it was custom for men of honor to wear wigs. But they looked fake and horribly out of place to him. The governor was wearing all white, a major contrast to William, who was wearing black. William cast a small smile at Elizabeth. "It's my pleasure," Will greeted the man who was supposed to be his father-in-law. "Why Elizabeth, you look stunning."

Elizabeth blushed. She had worn the dark purple dress, which showed off much cleavage, as a way to woo William into bed with her again. "Thank you, Will." she replied.

William sat down in his seat, across from Governor Swann and next to Elizabeth.

"So, William, when is it that you intend to marry my daughter?" Mr. Swann asked over the first course.

William sputtered out the vegetable soup on to the table. "Uhm, ma-marry, sir?"

The governor rolled his eyes at his daughter's fiancée. "You have been engaged for a year. Elizabeth is almost twenty. You two had better planned to get married soon. So that no more false pregnancies occur." William refused to look up at Elizabeth's father, but he felt the glare burning through him.

"I will marry her sir. I'm just not sure if the time is right." William reached out and took Elizabeth's hand in his. "Elizabeth deserves the best. I don't know if I can give that to her right now." Elizabeth smiled and raised William's hand to her lips, to place a kiss on the back of it. "We will not be taking part in any actions that could lead to another false pregnancy. Don't worry."

Governor Swann sighed and didn't press the issue. He knew that William was a stubborn boy, and he agreed that the time wasn't right. But Elizabeth was no longer innocent, and that should have forced the two into wedlock. The loss of the governor's daughter's virginity was a difficult thing to conceal.

"May I be excused?" William asked, after the third course of fish. "I must make sure my sword is in perfect condition for the Commodore."

"You may." The governor replied.

William stood up from the table, placed a small kiss on Elizabeth's forehead and whispered to her. "I will see you tomorrow, love."

"Tomorrow it shall be." Elizabeth kissed his lips softly and Will exited the room and walked back into his work area to finish perfecting his blade.


Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4