This is my first attempt at a PotC fanfic! It doesn't really have a title, but let me know what you think! Er, those of you who have been chatting with me on Mirrormere may think this has something to do with my anger at Elizabeth and how bad I felt for Will after Dead Man's Chest. Well, you're right. Oh, and if you haven't seen DMC, this won't make a whole lot of sense to you
Why did she do it…why did she do it… This thought whirled about in Will Turner’s head until he felt almost dizzy. He could see Elizabeth, not far away, and she captivated him so completely that he vaguely wondered what that thudding noise was. Will looked down to see his hand throwing that knife – that strange, barnacle-encrusted knife – into the tabletop over and over again, as if to somehow stab away the new, piercing doubt about the one thing he had thought was so unfailing. Elizabeth’s love.
He couldn’t bear to look at her – he loved her beyond reasoning, beyond logic or sense. So why had she done it? Didn’t she love him too? He had been so assured of that, at least! He had felt as though the world was a lovely, perfect place when she first kissed him – so long ago. And now it seemed sullied. But he couldn’t stop loving her. Never, ever would he stop, though she might kiss a thousand Jack Sparrows and never have a care for him again, he would love her until the moment he died. He closed his eyes momentarily, and then opened them again as a mug was offered to him. He took it without thinking, and looked again at Elizabeth.
She sat looking away from him, her mouth twisted miserably. Something wrenched inside him as he thought wistfully that that sadness was not for him.
He was aware of Tia Dalma saying something to him.
“It's a shame. I know you're t'inking that wid the Pearl, you coulda captured the devil and set free your fadder’s soul.”
Will’s lips tightened. “Doesn't matter now. The Pearl's gone. Along with its captain.” He was aware of Elizabeth cringing at his words.
“Aye. And already the world seems a bit less bright. He fooled us all right to the end. But I guess that honest streak finally won out. To Jack Sparrow!” said Gibbs emotionally, and Will noticed that Elizabeth seemed more disturbed than ever as they drank – and she didn’t.
Pintel and Ragetti murmured their assent and then Elizabeth said in a low voice, “He was a good man.”
Will couldn’t help thinking on her words. Jack, the conniver, the deceiver, the trickster – a good man? Will supposed he was…under the mannerisms, the affectations, there was something irreversibly good about Jack. So then – why had he done it? Or had it been all Elizabeth’s fault? Surely Jack couldn’t have –
Yes. He could. And Will knew it.
He couldn’t stand it any longer. Getting to his feet, Will said hesitantly, stepping toward Elizabeth – “If there was anything could be done to bring him back…” he started, meaning to continue, but finished with “Elizabeth...”
She looked up at him and Will wanted to say more, so much more – to ask her why, to tell her he loved her and always would, and oh, to hear her say she loved him back!
But Tia was speaking.
“Would you do it? Hmmm? What... would you? Hmmm? What would any of you be willing to do? Hmmm? Would you sail to the ends of the eart', and beyond, to fetch back witty Jack and 'im precious Pearl?” She seemed to be looking at Will, and he avoided her eyes, knowing his reply even before the crew answered.
A low chorus of “Aye” filled the room. Elizabeth looked up, a glimmer of hope in her eyes, and answered.
“Yes.”
And Will, looking at Elizabeth, knew he would do whatever it took for her – anything, for her. And so he said, his voice quiet but clear – “Aye.”
And whatever might follow, he could not know – but one thing he would always know. And that was that he might sail to the ends of the earth for Jack, but it was really for Elizabeth – and he would do it unhesitatingly a thousand times over for her.