I'd die for you.

The name is William Taylor, but most people call me Will. I'm 23, and even though I'm a Blacksmith and Machinist for the Red Queen's Guard, I'm happy to provide my services to anyone who wanders into my shop. If there's anything I can help you with, feel free to ask.

[will-taylor-turner]

treacherous {will & elizabeth}

[wxmanwholived-deactivated201601]

"I am good thank you, Will.” Elizabeth smiled pleasantly, not correcting him on the use of ‘Miss’, sometimes she gave him a break, he was only trying to be polite after all. Even when he did use formality there was a lot of warmth she associated with it when it came from him, so she left it and merely left the entrance of the house, expecting him to follow. “And how are you Will?” She asked, before realizing he had remained in the same place. Elizabeth smiled a little, watching him innocently, silently laughing at the impersonation of her father’s voice declaring such behavior “improper” in her mind.

“Dinner is ready in the dining room if you want to come through.” She offered, leading him to the dining room, which she didn’t really need to do. Will had been to Elizabeth’s house many a time, after all, they’d met as only children – Elizabeth would surely never forget that day, not a single moment of it and she doubted, or rather hoped he hadn’t either. The thought made her feel at ease, they had been friends for so very long that being in each other’s company was easy but there was always something Elizabeth couldn’t put her finger on, something her father usually prevented her from looking in to.  

[will-taylor-turner]

Will nodded, following Elizabeth through the hall and into the dining room. He wasn't sure why he was being so hesitant about everything--usually they were so comfortable in their stale routines--but maybe that was just it. This was different, formal... almost too nice for something as casual as they had always been before. He didn't need Elizabeth to lead him at all after the countless visits he'd paid over the years, but it was easier to linger back and let his brain numb itself than try to think and hold a conversation in his current state of confusion.

He was still unsure of what would be waiting for him in the dining room. Part of him was praying for something simple such as bread and cheese, but he knew Elizabeth well, and if anything, she was far from simple. "It's nice to see you, M--Elizabeth." He shook his head. Miss Swann was far too formal, but somehow, even after all these years, Elizabeth seemed too familiar to use with a girl he'd never let himself get close to. "How have you been?"

[robertiras-blog]

Sorry I didn’t mean it like that, it’s just for me… I was talking about that it would be that for me, in a way… like archery… I mean I don’t have any practical applications for either skill… but I’d like to take you on that offer at some point. 

Perfect, I’ll stop by with the four blade next week. So you prefer a check or cash? I think I have enough cash with me right now…

[will-taylor-turner]

No need to defend yourself; no offense was taken. My apologies if it seemed l was suggesting otherwise.

Whatever suits you best. It's a dollar a piece.

[tanneroftheapes]

"Really? This is quality work." Tanner looked over the blade thinking out loud as he considered the weapon. "Nice balance; I like the geometry." He looked back at the man. "Do you make a lot, or just this one?"

[will-taylor-turner]

"Thank you." Will smiled, extending his hand as he waited for the man to return his blade. "It's my trade, actually. I'm a blacksmith."

[stitchneverafter]

"Thanks."

[will-taylor-turner]

"How've you been, buddy? It's been a while."

[kyleedgar]

"Yeah, my father sent me out of town for a little bit to heal up."

[will-taylor-turner]

"Well, I hope you're at least feeling better."

[war-kingsley-blog]

"I know right.  The owner comes up with them."

"I have no idea where she gets her inspiration."

[will-taylor-turner]

"It sounds like she gets it from children's novels, to be honest."

[tanneroftheapes]

"Walking too. I like the forest, it’s never hurt me. Not any more than the usual bumps and bruises, anyways," Tanner said walking over to the sword, picking it up, and turning it over carefully to look at.

"Nice sword."

[will-taylor-turner]

Will chuckled, watching the other man pick up his blade. A small rush of panic fluttered through him as he watched his sword in the hands of someone else, but the man seemed to know what he was doing. "Thanks," he said. "I made it myself."

[the-practically-perfect-blog]

"Oh no.  It won’t be any inconvenience at all."

"Don’t wear yourself out on my account, Mr. Taylor."

[will-taylor-turner]

"It's all right, miss. I enjoy having so many jobs to work on."

[kyleedgar]

"It’s good to be back, I have to say…"

[will-taylor-turner]

"I didn't realize you were gone. Sorry about that."

"Your sword is ready, if you want to see it."

[tanneroftheapes]

"Yeah, sure."

"So what were you doing that got you up there?"

[will-taylor-turner]

"Walking, I suppose. Trying to find a good clearing to practice." He shrugged, nodding over to the sword that lay discarded on the ground a few yards away.

"And yourself? I might ask you the same question. The woods can be dangerous."

[stitchneverafter]

"You didn’t see that, did you?"

[will-taylor-turner]

"Of course not. Not if you didn't want me to, that is."

[tanneroftheapes]

Tanner reached up and cut Will free.

"Okay, you can get down now."

[will-taylor-turner]

Will felt his legs drop, and let go of the branch, letting his weight pull him back to the earth. "Uh... Thanks."

[tanneroftheapes]

"Reach up and grab the branch, unless you want to fall. I can cut you down."

[will-taylor-turner]

Will shrugged, pulling himself upright and grabbing the nearest branch. "Go ahead."

[peteparsonsarchived]

"Well, it’s cool. Do you go to the university?"

[will-taylor-turner]

"Um... no." He shrugged. "Just a blacksmith."

[isabellenewtons-blog]

I- … a bear trap? Why are there traps this close to town? Wait are bears getting this close to town?!

Yes… I’m okay… you just saved me. Thank you.

[will-taylor-turner]

I have no idea. Someone was trying to catch something big, though.

Oh... it's no problem, Miss. You should know how dangerous it can be out in the woods, though. I got caught in a snare once.

[robertiras-blog]

Good to know because if I ever want to take it up as a new hobby I’ll come to you…

Mmmm I think I have a couple lying around, I’ll bring as soon as I can. So about the payments, do you need to pay first?

[will-taylor-turner]

It's more than a hobby. But I suppose I'd be glad to teach you.

Just half. The other half is due when you receive them. I'd like my customers to be pleased with my work before they've paid fully. That way it's always a fair price.

[will-taylor-turner]

treacherous {will & elizabeth}

[wxmanwholived-deactivated201601]

When constantly feeling under duress, the thought of even the slightest bit of freedom is a God send. Elizabeth certainly felt that way when her father announced he had ‘business to attend to’, the following news that she wasn’t required to come being even better. The thought of being dragged to be in the presence of people who obeyed their upper class upbringing was enough to make Elizabeth feel ill, she detested the way most of them acted, it was wrong and pompous.

After her father had left, Elizabeth considered spending the day alone and she did wander around for a while without her father’s complaining, before deciding it was a waste of such a rare opportunity. Without her father around, she could easily spend her time in her favorite company without him being passively warned by her overbearing father that Elizabeth was expected to marry a man of court, or trying to make the difference between them more apparent. No matter what anyone said, William Taylor was the closest friend Elizabeth had and in secret, so much more. It didn’t matter how much worked against them, it’s the way it remained, and she’d much rather dishonor her father than be without Will.

When she answered the door, a small amount of her boldness would disappear – it always did and she wasn’t always certain why. At the very least, Elizabeth knew there was little she could shield behind when it came to him, in court she could act the part of the lady to the point people were fooled, she doubted that working on Will at all. “Hello, do come in.” She greeted him happily, stepping aside. 

[will-taylor-turner]

"How're you tonight, Miss--Elizabeth?" Will corrected himself before she could, tipping his hat to Elizabeth and pulling it off, placing it carefully on the coat rack as he followed her inside. He turned, taking in the breathtaking image of her framed against the doorway for just a moment before clasping his hands together, cocking his head to one side. He couldn't think about her in that way--he had known that for over ten years now. Yet something about her drew him like a moth to a flame.

He shook his head, waiting for her to lead him to whatever she had planned for the evening. He had contemplated bringing flowers for her table, but he supposed that would've been over the line. No, this wasn't going to be like that. It wasn't a date. Just two friends, getting together for a nice dinner together. There was no harm in that--was there?