One

161 3 2
                                    

As I stroll through the village marketplace, exchanging smiles and polite waves with onlookers who send me morning greetings, my eyes can't help but glance out past the port and across the ocean. Several ships are docked in the Port Royal bay, big and small, with sailors making their way into the town to exchange goods, restock and purchase some key supplies necessary for their next voyage.

An adventure on the open ocean has always interested me, yet I know I will never have such an opportunity, as I am to stay here in Port Royal, marry a successful man and continue the Palmer family tree by having several children. Whilst one day I do indeed want to marry and have children, I wish that I was able to do it with someone who I had a genuine and passionate love for.

Ever since I was a young child, I was made aware that a marriage between me and Commodore James Norrington had been arranged between my family and his own and please make no mistake, there is no negativity or hatred between the two of us; we get along well with each other, it is just the fact that I do not love him like he think he loves me.

I see him as a friend, but I fear that he already sees me as a wife.

Regardless, I push away the negative thoughts about my inevitable marriage and continue to make my way through the marketplace, heading towards my desired location. Carrying a filled up picnic basket and a small collection of field flowers tucked inside the ribbon tied around the lid, excitement starts to bubble up inside me.

I quickly stop to purchase a small punnet of fresh berries, slot them inside the basket and when I turn around, I see the location that I've been journeying too. The blacksmith shop to pay a surprise visit to my favourite blacksmith apprentice; William Turner.

As I reach the closed wooden doors, I hear the donkey inside powering the main machine, which produces distinct, voluminous clunking sounds. I reach up to the door and slowly push it open to reveal the ever familiar workshop inside; swords as far as the eye can see, a vast collection of sawdust covering the floor, the subtle smell of metal melting and the back of a dark haired man, slaving over new creation.

The door shuts behind me and after blowing some small kisses to the hard-working donkey, I place the picnic basket next to William, who turns around with a disturbed look on his face that quickly changes to pleasantly surprised.

"Olive!" He exclaims as he sets aside the sword he's been working on, a large smile on his face, "what a surprise! What are you doing here?" I smile back at him as I open my arms for a friendly embrace, which he stands up to accept, his arms wrapping around my slightly cinched waist. As I nestle into his neck, the distinct scent of sawdust and apple entering my nostrils, making me relax even further into his company.

"I wanted to pay you a visit as I know you've been working hard on the sword for the Commodore, plus I brought you some food," I explain, motioning to the picnic basket set down on the table. I see a hint of excitement emerge and develop in William's eyes, so I chuckle and let him reach into the picnic basket first. I watch as he pulls out a handful of plump, juicy plum coloured grapes and almost starts drooling at them, which elicits a short, subtle laugh to leave my lips.

"How is the sword coming along?" I ask, trying to show some interest towards something related to the ceremony celebrating James' promotion from Captain to Commodore, as there is very little about the ceremony that I am looking forward to.

With his mouth full, William beams slightly and grabs the sword, proudly showing off his handiwork. He starts to describe every miniscule detail to me, ranging from the type of metal used to create the blade, the gold intertwined into the handle, the precision shaping of the blade's tip and I patiently listen to him boast about his achievements.

"It's very nearly finished, I just have some final details to add and a little more refining of the handle," William explains, his fingers tracing the golden lines and leaves that are imprinted on the handle. I reach over and trace some of the details with my fingernails, occasionally grazing William's hand with my own, which sends a little shockwave through my skin.

When I look up at William and gaze into his deep, chocolate brown eyes, I see a sense of sorrow and guilt. "I'm sorry that you don't have a choice about being with the Commodore," he mumbles, a bittersweet smile on his face, "it isn't fair for you, you should have a choice about who you wish to spend your life with."

I sigh slightly and I start to fiddle with my dress sleeves, my eyes falling to gaze upon the yellow, grey and green flower decorations on the main body of my dress, trying to hold back my emotions as I shouldn't portray how deep and poignant my feelings about this lifestyle choice is.

"Thank you, William, your sentiment means a lot to me," I respond, my gratuitous comment seemingly amusing to William, as he lets out a small laugh. I furrow my eyebrows slightly with confusion, waiting for an explanation as to why he thought my comment was humorous in some way.

"You still call me William, even though I insist that you simply call me Will."

I smile and nod, acknowledging the fact that I continue to use William's full name, despite his insistence that I can call him by the abbreviation of his name. "It's the way I have been raised, I suppose," I respond, explaining my reasoning, "it's in my nature to be polite and respectful, so I always refer to people using their full names."

William smiles and reaches for my hand, which I allow him to take and hold in his own; his hands are a lot rougher and dirtier than mine, but that's something I have always appreciated. I am not entirely sure why, but the difference in the texture of our hands has always been an obvious detail to me.

"You are such a polite and lovely person, Olive," William says, his voice carrying a distinct kindness, "and I know I keep saying it, but I wish you weren't being forced to marry the Commodore. You deserve to marry someone who genuinely loves you and who you love as well."

Despite his sweet intentions, there is nothing I can do but smile and say thank you. I do not have any choice in the matter of my marriage, but his friendship truly means the world to me.

Then, we both turn our heads to face the direction of the grand clock in the middle of town, which has just begun to chime. "Well, I should probably get back home," I say as I stand up and dust my hands off, "I have an earlier morning tomorrow, so I should make sure that I am ready and well rested. I hope you enjoy the rest of the basket's contents, my weekly letter is in there also."

William nods, thanks me for the basket of food and presses a friendly kiss to my cheek, which I repeat for him. After saying goodbye, I walk out of the blacksmith shop and begin my journey back home, where I am sure my father is expecting me.

I Will Find You | Pirates of the CaribbeanWhere stories live. Discover now