THERE GOES...
Chapter One: Discovery of Truth
"There must be some higher power that controls all that we go through, and if there is indeed one, how could it let dreadful things happen,” she thought. She then sighed and sat under a coconut palm, on the cool cotton blanket she had set there. In her mind there must be a higher power, because otherwise the world‘s feelings, nature, and events would not make any sense. A lot of questions regarding these things had been entering her mind lately. Then suddenly she heard a voice.
“I’m right here Elizabeth," it said. Alarmed she jumped up and quickly looked around.
"Is anyone there?!," she asked in a vain attempt to find out who spoke to her.
There were a few people around, a few sailors and traders on the docks. A few farmers walking here and there, but no one close enough to have been speaking to her. Elizabeth then calmed and put her boots back on, taking care not to get sand in them. She shook out her blanket and sand flew in her face, courtesy of the strengthening wind. "Well, that's unpleasant!" she said half-irritably and half-humorously, as she wiped the coarse sand from her face. Picking up her things she started to walk back towards home when she saw William Turner. He was tall with raven hair and chocolate-colored eyes, and a lean yet muscular build with olive-colored skin.
Elizabeth was then reminded of when she rescued him from a shipwreck nine years ago, when they were only children.
It was a foggy day out on the Atlantic, as she remembered, but suddenly the fog cleared. She saw a parasol floating upside-down in the water. Amused, she followed it and watched as it bumped into the side of the ship. Then her glance drifted away from the parasol as she caught sight of a raven haired boy floating on broken a piece of wood. She cried out for help, and her father’s men pulled him out of the water, and laid him down on the deck. She remembered her father giving her orders to look after him. She then remembered moving his hair away from his face, him waking up clearly startled, and telling him that she was there to tend to him, and him telling her his name. After this he passed out from exhaustion, and she suddenly noticed a gold medallion around his neck. A pirate medallion, no less.
Her father personally had a vendetta against pirates, so to save William in her mind, would be to take the medallion from him. He ended up apprenticing with Mr. Brown, the local blacksmith thinking he had lost the medallion in the ship wreck. Two weeks ago a medallion, that she had taken from William. This sent out a mysterious message out to pirates by her fainting, and then falling into the water. This was due to her corset being too tight. This sent various things into action, including the invasion of the town, the deaths of innocent people, and her kidnapping.
The pirates who sailed the fabled Black Pearl were cursed, and needed that last piece of gold from her medallion to break their curse. This curse made them neither living nor dead, unable to enjoy anything they spent the gold on, whether it was food, drink, or pleasurable company. They could feel nothing, not the even the spray of the sea.
Will had caught wind of her kidnapping, and threw caution to the wind trying to get her back safely to Port Royal. Not only did he bring her back, he also won her heart.
She watched as he led a proud chestnut stallion over to his groom. He tipped his hat to the groom and glanced Elizabeth's way. She could feel her heart leap, as he tilted his hat to her as well. He then quickly made his way inside the smithy. He seemed in a bit of a hurry, to get ready for church she guessed. As she was about to turn around she heard her fathers voice.
"Elizabeth darling, we mustn't be late for church," her father, the governor of Port Royal called. Her father was a tall man in his early fifties. He was proud, intelligent, and well-meaning governor. He had always tried to make Elizabeth's life easier by giving her the best of everything.
"I'm coming father," she said as she strode to meet him. Their carriage quickly took them back to their lavish house by the ocean. She then ran up the front steps where their new butler, Roland, opened the doors. "Thank you, Roland." Elizabeth said trying not to sound cheerless as she made her way to her bedroom.
Elizabeth's maid, Maggie, helped her pick out a simple sapphire-colored dress with lace trim. She glanced over to Maggie, who to her dismay pulled out a corset. She moaned quietly. "Maggie, must I wear that dreadful thing. To church of all places?" Elizabeth asked with obvious upset in her voice. Maggie looked at her with a perplexed expression on her face.
"But mum, it greatly pleases your father to see you wear it. He really loves to see you in the best. You really do look beautiful in it." Maggie said softly.
Elizabeth grimaced, Maggie saw this, thought it over quickly, and finally gave in. "All right Liz. It would be best to be modest in church, on the Lord's day," she said tossing the corset aside and reaching for the various, other layers it took for a Victorian lady, of high class to dress properly.
"Absolutely right. I don't think father will have any objections to our reasoning." Elizabeth said in her usual confident manner.
Just as they were finished dressing the church bells of Saint Paul rang loud and clear, so then they hurried out to the carriage. The weather, Elizabeth saw was getting worse. The wind had picked up and the air was heavy and humid.
"Just in time ladies." Governor Swann said as they climbed into the carriage.
Elizabeth had been raised in the Christian faith for as long as she could remember. Her father was never really what people would call devout, but Elizabeth thought he enjoyed going to church regularly. He very rarely missed a Sunday or church social. It may have been for good appearances, as he was the Governor of Port Royal. Her late mother seemed, from what little Elizabeth could remember, was. She could remember her reading the Bible to her as a young child, with such passion. Sometimes, when she heard certain Bible passages read, she could smell her mother’s sweet lilac perfume. The then carriage came to a stop.
Elizabeth was about to step out, when a sudden thunder clap spooked their team of two gray horses. Elizabeth grasped onto the sides of the carriage door to prevent herself from falling over from the sudden jolt. Fortunately, she didn’t fall over.
"Oh, thank goodness." Elizabeth said relieved. She gracefully stepped from the carriage and cooed to the horses. The sky was getting darker and so was Elizabeth’s mood, but she tried to hide it. It showed to people she greeted, though.
"Are you all right Elizabeth?" asked a familiar voice. Elizabeth turned her head and smiled his way. It was Will, who was dressed quite adequately for a blacksmith.
"Yes, of course, I'm fine." Elizabeth said defensively. Her defensive reply surprised the people around her, including Will. He looked at her face searchingly. She then continued to walk into the church without saying another word. Will would not put up with this. He knew something was wrong, and if we let her go, it would eat away at him, like a rat gnawing on a rope.
"Elizabeth," Will said in a firm yet loving way, "what's wrong? Please tell me."
He then reached for her arm, which made her turn around with a wounded expression on her face.
"I don’t know Will. But I’m confident that I’ll get over it." she answered trying to sound optimistic. Will wasn't satisfied with her answer but he didn't feel like prying. He just briefly caressed her shoulder as she sat down in the wooden pew, with her father. William sat in the row behind her, as he wanted to be there if she ever needed him. All the time they had known each other, he had always been concerned about Elizabeth's well being. He wanted her to have the best, richest, most fulfilling life possible. His thoughts were interrupted my Minister Jacob, their pastor.
Will had known him since childhood and the man seemed to like him, but he didn't know what Minister Jacob thought of him now, due to the happenings of a week ago. He had gone off with the pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow to find Elizabeth, who had been taken by pirates. Will also had to admit, that even though his intentions were indeed noble, they broke some rules along the way. He hoped and prayed that Minister Jacob would not be too harsh on him for this.
"Good morning, Will Turner." Minister Jacob said his deep, friendly tone.
"Good morning." Will said a bit nervously, "I pray you are doing well."
"I am well. As well as can be expected of one living a good, righteous life."
Will nodded, not really knowing what to say next. Fortunately, before Minister Jacob could say anything more, Governor Swann put a hand on Minister Jacob's shoulder.
"Some weather we’re having today isn't it?" Governor Swann remarked as he look out the windows.
"Yes, it is. But it will most likely be over before long, the weather has always been fickle in Port Royal." said Minister Jacob.
Will also looked out and he too saw the wind getting stronger and people struggling to keep their carriage horses in line, and felt the sudden urge to help the people outside.
"If you excuse me," Will said standing up, "I feel the desire to help people coming in."
"Surely do, I’ll get people to help you," Minister Jacob said as he glanced outside.
"Thank you." Will said as he strode quickly out the doors.
Just as he arrived outside the wind nearly blew him backwards. He held his hat to his head and called to the nearest carriage he saw. A carriage with a plump man and an elderly woman in it, "Here I’ll help you." He then spoke soothingly to the frightened bays in a firm yet calming tone to calm them down, then tied them to a post outside the church. He was thanked by the owners of the carriage, when two other young men came out of the church. "Thank you, but it’s been taken care of," Will said turning to the two young men before turning back to the owners saying, "and you two are very welcome." He tipped his hat to them and quickly made his way inside the sanctuary. Just as he entered he heard the rain falling on the roof. It came softly at first, however, by the time he made his way to his seat, the rain was nearly hammering on the roof. A few individuals ran franticly into the church for cover.
"Oh my." Governor Swann laughed.
"Father, please, that isn’t polite," Elizabeth said, annoyed by her father’s behavior. Governor Swann heard her daughter's plea and quieted down, as Minister Jacob made his way to the pulpit.
"Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ," he said as he opened up his large King James Bible in front of him. "Let us start with the singing of praises to our God and King." At this the organist began playing a few familiar hymns. When they had finished Minister Jacob said, "I pray that all of you are doing well. I am going to preach a sermon that stemmed from the happenings of last week. Some people I’ve spoken to since then, too have wondered why God seems to let evil and suffering go on in a world, that He had supposedly made." he paused and looked over in Will's direction, "I have been praying about this lately, and I believe that this is what God has told me."
For the next hour Minister Jacob taught on the origins of evil and how it was by choice that Adam and Eve yet it in. He taught how the law first brought evil, not that everyone shouldn't obey the law, but it does give everyone a choice of how to live. Also on how the choices that we and others make, decides whether we will suffer or not. This was something William had never really heard before, but by some means it made sense. Will could hear people murmuring in the background as Minister Jacob taught. He could make out some of the words they spoke and he could tell they were referring to himself. He fidgeted some as this, and was relieved when the service ended. He then put his hand gently on Elizabeth's shoulder. She turned around quickly as if his touch was unwanted, but then took his and in hers and caressed it gently. Will's mind went flashing back to the time when will cleaned Elizabeth's hand wound after he and the pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow, had rescued her from the pirates of the Black Pearl. He remembered her pulling her hand away from his when his rough “blacksmith” hands brushed against hers, and her asking him not to stop. Her words then provoked something in him, something that he tried to hide for so long, but nevertheless clearly showed. He remembered saying her name desperately, and he remembered being so close to kissing her, he could feel her warm breath on his face. He looked down at her hand and saw the bandage on her hand. He then turned serious pulling his hand gently away from hers, and moving them to the bandage.
"How does your hand feel?" he asked in a soft, serious tone.
"As fine as it should after a week, I suppose," said Elizabeth.
"Well let me look at it." he said as he gently as he took the bandage off her hand. He saw that she had taken good care to change the bandage every day. Her palm looked small, delicate, but strong at the same time. There was little sign of any scar on her hand, save the cut she received from the pirates that had taken her hostage. "Hmm, it looks well. You’ve taken good care of it," said Will as he tied the bandage back on, and as he pulled his hand away from hers couldn't help caressing her palm. She looked at him then and smiled. Then Governor Swann interrupted them.
"Examining her wound, I see. Is it well?" he asked.
"Yes, father, it’s well." Elizabeth said a little upset that he interrupted.
Governor Swann them turned to Will. "Minister Jacob had rather an interesting sermon, today did he not?"
"Yes, I certainly do agree, but I thought it was interesting, in a fitting way."
"Those weren't specifically my thoughts. I found it a bit abrasive," he said looking over in Minister Jacob's direction. He then mumbled something Will couldn't make out, but he expected that the remark was negative. Curious, Will spoke up.
"I beg your pardon?" he said. Governor Swann turned his head towards him hastily.
"Oh, nothing, I was merely thinking out loud," he said as smoothly as he could. He turned to Elizabeth and said, "Well, my daughter we better be making our way home, before this rainstorm gets any worse." She nodded and she stood, along with Maggie. Then a thought suddenly came to Elizabeth’s mind, and he turned quickly to her father.
“Oh father,” she said as her father turned to face her, “could William come for dinner tonight? A smithy is a rather dreary place, especially on a day like this.” She looked at him with resolve, praying with all her strength that William could just be around her a little while longer. William looked at her and could see that her russet eyes seemed to be on fire. Her father also saw this, and intelligently, was quick to answer.
“Of course Elizabeth, I wouldn’t object that arrangement, as long as Mr. Turner didn’t have any pervious engagements.” Elizabeth’s heart leaped at the word “engagements.”
“No I don’t seem to, it’s doubtful I’ll have much work today anyway, I would be happy to come.” William said looking over at Elizabeth, who was now gazing out the window. The rainwater came down the window in steady waves. Elizabeth turned her head towards him and smiled.
“Well come now.” Governor Swann said, interrupting the hush. They nodded and quickly made there way out the doors. The rain came down in a feverish pace. Will took off his hat and placed it on Elizabeth’s head as they hurried to her carriage.
“Thank you.” Elizabeth shouted over the loud racket of the rain. They entered the carriage with Maggie already waiting for them inside.
“You are very welcome. As always, my love,” William finally said in a voice scarcely above a whisper. Elizabeth’s face blushed slightly, hoping Maggie didn’t hear him. She then looked over at Maggie, who was grinning form ear to ear. She had heard all right. She then assured them that she wouldn’t tell.
Elizabeth ran with the waves of the harbor, early Sunday morning, in the English colony of Port Royal. She ran into the waves just enough to dampen her feet, as she often did to wake herself up. She looked out on the horizon, and noticed the sea churning. An incoming storm was appearing on the western horizon, threatening to block out the rising sun in the East. The salty sea air made her light brunette hair dance back and forth franticly. Elizabeth had always marveled at the sheer power of the sea. It could bring both joy and tragedy, as she had learned a week ago.
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