Strong to Save
a Pirates of the Caribbean story
by Hermione Eveningfall
Just as the fog began to thicken over the sea, Will and Elizabeth came upon the Interceptor. Will rowed the tiny wooden boat to the ship's deck, gazing fondly at the young woman who sat facing him.
Elizabeth had been unusually quiet for most of the trip, though that was understandable. After all, she had spent nearly three days trapped on board the Black Pearl in Captain Barbossa's clutches. Her dark eyes were large and scared as a ladder was lowered along the side of the ship, and she tightly gripped Will's hand when he offered it.
"Don't be afraid, Elizabeth." He soothed, aiding her out of the boat and onto the ladder. Once she had gotten a good hold on the wood, Will tossed the oars into the ocean, rubbing his slightly pink nose with the back of his wrist. Ever since the first storm they encountered since leaving Port Royale, he had been feeling under the weather.
Will let out a soft "HehUMP!" into the crook of his arm just before following in Elizabeth's wake, sniffling hard. Once both of them reached the deck, Elizabeth let out a sob.
"Not more pirates!" she whimpered.
Mr. Gibbs, a large man with a plump and rosy face covered with a bristly graying beard, stepped forward. The rest of the crew kept their distance, letting their guest know how harmless they were.
"Welcome aboard, Miss Elizabeth!" Gibbs extended his hand, smiling.
Will suddenly turned his head, his nose starting to itch again.
"Mr. Gibbs?!" Elizabeth turned to Will, frowning when she noticed the expression on his face. "Will, are you all right?" she reached over to touch his arm just as his breath started to hitch.
"Fine...eh...heh..." he pinched his nostrils together, squeezing his eyes closed.
"No worries, Will lad." Gibbs chortled at the young man's hesitation. "Better out than in I always say."
"KUSHHHUSH! Heh ...KESHUUSH!" Will finally sneezed, covering his mouth with his hand. "Excuse be..." he croaked stuffily, sniffling.
"Bless you." Elizabeth rubbed his back. "Catching a chill?" She reached up to feel his forehead, but he pulled away, blushing furiously.
"Where is Jack?" Anamaria asked, gripping one of the ropes with one hand, the ocean breeze ruffling her dark hair. Will placed his own hands on Elizabeth's shoulders, leading her towards the trap door that led below deck. "He fell...eh...heh...eh..." Will closed his eyes once more, wriggling his nose back and forth. "Excuse me..." he turned his head to the side. "Eh ...HESHHHUSHHH! He fell behind," he finished, clearing his throat.
"Bless you." Elizabeth sighed, once Mr. Cotton pulled the hatch open for them, his parrot squawking "Pretty ladies! Pretty ladies!" as they slid down into the darkness.
"Someone has to tape that bird's beak shut," Will grunted as they entered the large galley heated by a large brick stove. "HUSHESSH!" He sneezed again, once the door was closed and they were alone together.
Elizabeth clucked her tongue, finding a seat and sitting in it. "God bless again. Will, you don't sound fine at all." She pointed out.
"HUSHHHSHUUHH! Excuse me!" Will rubbed at his nose again. "I'll be all right. It's just a sniffle."
Elizabeth watched with a small smile as Will found a roll of bandages and began to fix her wound. His hands were rough from years of working with iron, metal and glass, but they were not unpleasant to the touch. Elizabeth winced as he began to wash the blood off of her palm with cold water and as he dabbed at it with alcohol.
"Will...thank you," she whispered as he wrapped the cut in a strip of the bandage. "Not just for my hand but ...for risking your life to rescue me."
Will turned pink as he tied a knot and smiled weakly. "It was nothing," he promised.
Elizabeth shook her head. "I am forever in your debt, Will Turner." She teased as he touched the side of her face gently.
"You do not owe me anything. I did this because I heh..." he groaned softly, wishing he had a handkerchief present. "Huh eh..." he sniffed. "HUTCHUUSHHH! EHTCHSUUUSH!"
Elizabeth reached into the pocket of the maroon gown she wore, hoping that whomever worn it previously had owned a handkerchief. Unfortunately, her hands came up empty.
"Bless you, Will. I'm sorry...I wish I had a hanky to give you."
Will shook his head. "That's all right. It would probably be sodden anyway." He coughed to clear his congestion, looking up to notice something gold hanging at her breast. He reached his fingers towards the trinket, curiosity burning within him.
"A new necklace?" he asked.
Elizabeth bit her lip, pulling the piece of Aztec gold out from under her gown. Will gasped, recognizing it immediately. "Oh Will," she whispered, tugging the chain so it came loose so she could place it in his hand. "This is yours. I..."
"It was a gift from my father," Will murmered, fingering the medallion. "It was a gift from my father...he sent it to me. I thought I lost it when they rescued me..." He glanced at her, his eyes flashing a bit. "Why did you take it?" His voice was sharper than usual, and made Elizabeth jump. Her eyes filled with tears, and she wanted desparately to wrap her arms around Will, and hold him tightly.
"Because..." she lowered her head in shame, "Because I was afraid that you were a pirate. That would have been awful."
After a moment, Will's expression softened. He set the medallion down on the table, sniffling and coughing again. "It wasn't your blood they needed." His voice was quiet. "It was my father's blood...my blood. The blood of a pirate."
Elizabeth's lower lip trembled, afraid he was angry with her. Will was quiet for a moment, resting his forehead in his arms. He suddenly felt much worse than he had earlier.
"I'm so sorry," Elizabeth sobbed, touching a loose strand of his thin hair. "Please forgive me."
Will lifted his head, tears falling down his cheeks. "Just... eh...huh..." he pushed the chair back. "HUSHHHUH! ESHHHHUH! KESHHHUH!" He groaned, clasping a hand to his forehead, which was now throbbing.
Elizabeth stood at last, wringing her hands. "I'll- I'll go," she told him, starting to walk away. Will took her wrist and pulled her towards him.
"Elizabeth," he closed his eyes. Please don't."
She sat down again, taking his hands and pressing them to her lips. "You're not angry with me?"
"No," he promised. "I was at first, but...you would not have known about the medallion. You were only trying to help me." He turned to look out the tiny porthole window, his brown eyes reflecting the moonlight.
"You should be in bed, Will." Elizabeth suggested. "You're trembling."
He shook his head. "No...I need to be back on deck to... HUSHHHUH! ESHHHHUHSh!" He cleared his throat, decidedly changing his mind afterwards. "On second thought, I think you're right..." he stood, feeling dizzy. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth." He apologized as she took his arm, steadying him.
"Don't be. Here...let me help." She wrapped his arm around her waist and brought him over to the narrow bed. "Slowly now." She removed his boots, pulling the comforter and sheets down so he could crawl into them.
"T-tell them where I am, w-will you, Elizabeth?" he asked, once she tucked him in and he was fairly comfortable. She nodded, caressing his forehead and cheek with her fingertips.
"HESHHSUUSH! USHSUUH!" Will groaned, burying his runny nose into the pillow.
"God bless you." Elizabeth rubbed his shoulder. "I'll tell them." She leaned towards his ear, whispering, "Sleep sweet," before making her way to the main deck.
Will listened as the door closed, and as a wave crashed up against the side of the ship. "Good night," he replied to nothingness, closing his eyes, letting darkness take over. "My Elizabeth."
Usual disclaimers apply. A/N: Just a little quick story that I wrote while bored out of my mind at work tonight. LOL. Hope you enjoy! *g* Feedback appreciated :)