Will hammered the hot metal, sweat trickling down his brow. I practiced my fencing moves on the other side of the room, parrying and deflecting an imaginary opponent.

"Very nice," Will murmured as he stepped back. Whether he was talking about my form or his work I didn't know. He held up the finished blade and studied it critically. "How does it look, Adeena?"

I sheathed my blade and walked over to him, smiling slightly. "Wonderful. As usual."

Will grinned and stuck the blade in the nearby water, the hot metal hissing as it cooled. "The future commodore should be pleased, I think. It's perfectly balanced."

I was inclined to agree, though I knew that future Commodore Norrington wouldn't thank either of us for our work. He wasn't rude, don't get me wrong, he just has a hard time expressing himself. He could at least say thanks...even I say thanks.

I took the sword from Will and glanced at the handle. The gold paint I had carefully swirled around the hilt was unmarred. Will laughed at my examination and said lightly, "Don't worry, I didn't mess your work. I wouldn't dare; we have to deliver it today." Really, I should have waited before doing the painting, but I was excited. I have no patience.

I smiled and searched the floor for the black case that Will would deliver the weapon in. Upon finding it, I opened the casing and laid the blade inside, glimmering in the bedding of silk. "Well, you wouldn't want to be late then."

Will frowned and took the box from me. "Aren't you coming?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Stuff to do today...gotta buy a dress. A bloody, stupid, ugly..." I added a flurry of Spanish curses and stalked back across the room. I enjoy the sound of Spanish swear words.

And cuss words in any other language. I know a few. Actually, I'm fluent in Chinese, and Spanish, but that's it.

I get bored quickly -- one day I picked up a book in Spanish and picked up on it pretty easily.

Will chuckled behind me. "Then you do that. I'll be off..."

I knew that Will wanted to see Elizabeth, the governor's daughter. Elizabeth was beautiful, with her long golden locks and slim figure, but Will definitely loved her for more than that. Anyone can see she reciprocates his feelings, but Will is so damn shy and Governor Swann is so bloody blind that it doesn't matter.

I was jolted out of my thoughts as the blacksmith's door slammed shut. Better get that bloody dress, I thought miserably. Maybe I would find one that isn't so...dress-like. I can practically see Will cracking up at my terminology.

I sauntered out of the shop and down the cobblestone street, pushing through townsfolk, making my merry way toward the dress shop. Marianne Butler owns it, a very kind and understanding woman, and I visit the store often just to see her. My mother died when I was six, so she's sort of become my mother figure. I never knew dad. Apparently he left as soon as he heard the words it's a girl.

Which I think about and seeth about whenever I get the chance. I see nothing wrong with women! I would like to walk around in trousers and have the men wear dresses. See how those bastards like it.

I pushed open the door, a bell clinking above me. The shop is empty, void of any signs of life. Immediately my instincts take over and my fingers are at the hilt of my sword.

"Adeena! Darling, how are you?" Marianne rushes out of the back room, her plump features twisted with concern. "Darling, whatever is the matter? You look so uptight!"

I relax and reciprocate her embrace, breathing in her rose perfume. "Do I? Nothing's wrong. I came for a, erm, dress."

Marianne laughs out loud. "Oh, I can certainly help. In fact, I finished tailoring one yesterday that would be perfect for you, sweetheart. Come, come," She says, and leading me gently by the shoulder, pulls me behind the counter and into the back room she had been previously occupying. Marianne is so sweet and kind that it's a wonder she never settled down and had children. She was probably adorable, too, with her rosy cheeks and bright eyes.

Marianne stops me and flounces across the room to her work table. She picks up a dress from the wooden surface and flourishes it at me, grinning broadly. "Wha-la! Perfect!"

The dress is a deep maroon, with black lacy trimming and a deep v-neck. The sleeves are loose, and it doesn't look as if it is very heavy, or bell-shaped.

I took it from her, a small smile playing across my lips. "May I try it on?"

Marianne, looking flustered, insists that I put it on, after handing me an underdress so the lacing wouldn't itch me.

After much tugging and adjusting, Marianne finally allowed me to gaze into the mirror and admire her work. I almost gasped at how wonderful I looked, but held it in; I knew that Marianne would tease me. It fit me absolutely perfectly. It didn't scratch, or squeeze, or bother me in any way. I had to make an exemption in my crusade against gowns, this dress was made for me.

I scowled at the thought.

"You're going to make fun of me, but I must have this." I said, allowing a stupid, besotted grin to consume my features, replacing my frown. "How much do you want for it?"

Marianne pouted and fussed over me a bit more, brushing her hands over the bodice and skirts, smoothing any wrinkles. "Darling, you know I appreciate fashion and respect it beyond your understanding. This dress is destined for your back. I know you will feel guilty taking it for no price, so I shall expect a shilling and nothing more."

I didn't argue but threw my arms around her. "Thank you so much, Marianne!"

I proceeded to pay her and attempt to make my way back to the blacksmith's, hampered by our fond chattering. By the time I found myself back in the forge, accompanied only by the sounds of Mr. Brown's drunken snores, it was well past three o'clock. I had set out at a bit past noon. Smiling to myself, I sang quietly, as I did while alone. I went to my room and dressed myself again, taking some time to admire the beautiful needlework along the bodice and how the fabric hugged my curves before stepping closer to the mirror and starting on my hair. It hung down, almost past my hips, and I was quite proud of it. I did it up on top of my head, allowing a few curls to escape and frame my face. Once finished with that, I brushed on a bit of makeup and studied myself once more. I thought I looked presentable, considering the fact that I was good-looking enough without the makeup. I finished the song on a low note. Without my voice filling the air, it was rather silent and lonely. The birds suddenly resumed singing. They had quieted down, to listen to me.

I then rushed out of the shop, hurriedly heading for the Left Lieutenant's promotion ceremony. Will and I had been invited, and he and I had deemed that he should go straight there after delivering the sword, and that I should follow afterwards. I suspected that we had been invited due to Elizabeth's influence over her father and Norrington. Norrington fancied Elizabeth, and I had heard rumors that he would propose after his promotion, during the after party. I dreaded this for Elizabeth, who I knew as a friend, and who I also knew had no romantic feelings for Mr. Norrington what so ever. As the governor's daughter she was, however, trapped into marrying a person of equal rank and title.

I found myself at the gathering suddenly, having no memories of the journey; I'd been lost in thought. There was already a throng of high class persons standing in ranks along the inside walls of the fort, circling a pathway of British Navy officers who were standing to attention, awaiting command.

I walked forward, drawing several curious glances, and held my head proudly, as if I was royal class as they were. I was well known throughout Port Royal as the female blacksmith apprentice, and the general hot-head of the area.

I settled in beside Elizabeth and whispered "Hi," to her, smiling and nudging her fondly with my elbow. She grinned back, taking shallow breaths, and fanned herself wildly with her fan. I gazed at her questioningly and then I made the connection. "You're wearing a corset!"

She nodded and her friendly smile faded. "I can scarcely breath," She said quietly. "Father knows that James wishes to propose and wants me looking my absolute best." She looked angry for a moment and then sighed. "I think I look fine enough without one, but he won't have it. All the fashion in London, apparently." She said, and smiled grimly.

I frowned and gazed forward as the snares began to steadily thrum throughout the fort, and the jaunty whistles of piccolos and flutes joined into the march. My gaze flickered to the opening of the fort, where the future Commodore Norrington stood proudly in his blue coat with the brass buttons. He walked down the aisle created by the Navy officers and toward Governor Swann, Elizabeth's father, who was to present the new weapon to Norrington.

Norrington accepted the sword as he reached the end of the human aisle and began performing the rituals with it; creating forms and stabbing at the air. I had to admit that he was definitely suited for the job; he looked rather important and dashing up there, expertly handling the weapon Will and I had crafted.

Which we hadn't gotten a thanks for, just as I expected. I'm practically psychic.

I heard Elizabeth give a small gasp of relief as the ceremony finished and the party began. I expected she wanted to be out of her corset as soon as possible; I had worn one before and they were dreadful things.

"I feel faint," Elizabeth gasped to me as we stood together, enjoying another woman's company. I gazed at her in concern. She was indeed pale and did look a bit sick. I was about to suggest she plead illness to her father when Commodore James Norrington walked up behind Elizabeth and asked politely, "Elizabeth? May I have a word?" He was the perfect image of a humble and honest gentleman, which I supposed he was.

Elizabeth, her back to him, closed her eyes and then reopened them. She shot a pleading gaze at me, as if I could save her from this whole ordeal, and then turned after I gave her an apologetic glance.

The two walked toward the fort wall, and Elizabeth stood on the edge as the Commodore began his speech.

I turned away, giving them some privacy, and then walked a distance away, toward another edge of the sturdy fort. I gazed down onto the harbor, my dress swirling around my feet with the breeze, and studied the docks, my eyes seeking out the Interceptor. It was one of the prides of the Royal Navy, said to be the fastest ship in the Caribbean. I knew of pirate legends that proved this untrue, but legends were legends, and to go around speaking of my fascination with piracy wasn't something I was about to do willingly.

I narrowed my eyes. There were three small figures aboard the Interceptor. Two I recognized as the Navy; they were two red blobs, standing before another figure at the helm. No one is supposed to be on the ships, I thought. Those docks are off limits to civilians. I learned that the hard way...I loved the ocean, and had slipped into a Navy ship when I was about twelve to 'commandeer' it, after I had learned the term.

That had not gone down well. I'd received lashings. With my hair cut to my chin and my flat chest they'd thought me a boy. I have a faded scar on the small of my back, but I don't give it much thought anymore.

I was about to sink into an onslaught of memories when I was jolted out my head with an agonized cry from the Commodore.

"Elizabeth!" He screamed. I whirled around; he was standing at the edge of the fort, gazing down, frantically slipping his coat off his shoulders.

Elizabeth was nowhere to be seen.

She fell off the edge! She fainted and fell off the edge! My mind screamed at me.

In the last few minutes I have gotten closer to Elizabeth than I ever have before; I definitely consider her a friend now.

I arrived next to Norrington just before Gillette and the rest of the Navy. There was a white-capped circle of ripples where Elizabeth must've fallen on the surface of the water, nearly fifty feet down.

"The rocks! You'll both be smashed!" Gillette said to the Commodore. He took one last frightened glance at the water but heeded his warning.

"The docks!" I burst out. Maybe someone jumped in and saved her!"

The Navy stared at me. I gestured toward the docks. "Well, go!" I said fiercely.

They all turned and rushed away, toward the stairs, and I turned my gaze back onto the water.

No one else had seen it. But I had clearly seen the man that was on the Interceptor jump in after Elizabeth.