Back on the High Seas
Jan. 10th, 2011 05:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ericadawn16Title: A Loss of Time and Place
Author: Ericadawn16
Characters: Jack Sparrow, AnaMaria, Mr. Gibbs, William Turner, Weatherby Swann, Elizabeth Turner, James Norrington
Rated: PG-13 ANGST AU SEX
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Less than a year after the Isla de la Muerta excitement, Will, Elizabeth and James on another adventure with pirates.
Author's Note: I started writing this right after Curse of the Black Pearl came out. It was so long ago that I didn't know James was James yet. I changed things as the other movies came out, but the majority of the story remains the same and has very little to do with the sequels.
Masterlist: http://ericadawn16.livejournal.com/210874.html
Back on the High Seas
“We’re rascals, villains, scoundrels and knaves. Drink up me hearties. Yo, ho,” sang Jack Sparrow softly as he walked up the gangplank to his ship, The Black Pearl. He had left it in the confident hands of AnaMaria, but even a few hours were still too long. It hadn’t been in his possession for almost eleven long years and he meant to make up all the time he could. The years that followed losing her contained a year, almost two that Jack wouldn’t trade for all the riches in the world and several other years he’d give anything to forget. Mr. Gibbs had been his only confidant then and what he had told the older man were barely half-truths. He lovingly caressed the aged wood of the wheel.
“What news do the locals spread?” asked his first mate, her lips pursed at what his answer might be.
“Pearls, jewels, and Spanish gold,” Jack replied. Her brown eyes lit up with the thought and she announced, “I’ll ready the crew.”
“This isn’t cursed gold, is it?” asked Mr. Gibbs, stepping closer to the captain.
“No,” said Jack before adding in a lower voice, “At least not that I’m aware of.”
“Jack.”
“Have I steered you wrong before? Trust me,” uttered the younger man. Gibbs scowled and asked, “Where is this place?”
*****************************************************************
Will Turner banged the glowing, red metal more to his liking while his “master” slept. John Brown was master only because it was his name atop the door. Everyone in town knew who really made the wondrous swords. The door opened and the accompanying bell rang. When he looked up, he saw that the visitor was his father-in-law, Governor Swann.
“Will, we have something to discuss. Norrington wished to come here personally, but I felt that wasn’t wise,” he explained, not looking directly at him.
“We have set our animosity aside,” said Will, setting down his tools. The older man couldn’t help making a sound that Will took for disbelief.
“Port Francis has sent a messenger for our aid. They have acquired treasure and are readying a ship for England to deliver it to the King. Unfortunately, there’s been a leak and it’s certain that pirates will make a play for it.”
“What is my part in this?” asked Will.
“Norrington is sending a ship to protect it, but I felt you should join them for the trip,” said the older man, finally looking at him.
“Why?”
“Because of last year, you have more intimate knowledge of pirates than anyone else on this island, but I have another reason for suggesting you.”
Will waited and his father-in-law studied a sword. Finally, Swann sighed before making his final point.
“I know you’re a pirate and pirates really belong at sea, do they not?”
After a moment, Will nodded and allowed himself a small smile. That was the first time his father-in-law had admitted his true profession.
“I’ll oblige your request, but I want Elizabeth to accompany me.”
“Why?” questioned Swann, mirroring Will’s earlier reply.
“Pirate is in my blood, but she has more intimate knowledge of buccaneers than I do.”
It still wasn’t completely clear to Will whether his father-in-law liked him or still wished his daughter had chosen differently. The cheek had not gone unnoticed by the older man’s stance.
“Very well, if she wishes, then Norrington won’t deny her.”
**************************************************************
The next morning, the Dauntless was set to sail and Elizabeth was right at Will’s side just as he knew she would be. He knew his wife better than anyone so he knew she didn’t belong on land anymore than he did. Her father was there as well and not smiling.
“Elizabeth, please, this is unbecoming a young wife. Please reconsider. Should anything happen, I could not forgive myself…or Will.”
Elizabeth was as patient as possible.
“How can it be unbecoming for a young wife to stand by her husband? I came back safe and sound and unchanged last year and I fear not that transpiring this time.”
The governor was not changed in countenance by these words.
“But you did change. You had changed into a woman capable of her own decisions…and I must respect that though I don’t like it,” he added, his expression still unhappy with the situation. Will watched with bated breath, but suddenly, Swann kissed Elizabeth on the cheek, smiled and glared at his son-in-law to take care of his baby. Then, he walked down the gangplank and a dockhand undid the final rope tied to the dock, setting the ship loose. Even from this distance, he could see Swann tugging at and fidgeting with the edges of his coat in an unusual show of nerves or perhaps indecision. Will continued to watch him even as he became a mere speck blending easily into the docks as the distance opened between them.
******************************************************
Jack Sparrow, er…Captain Jack Sparrow looked at a far port through his spyglass.
“Couldn’t we take at least a closer look? I haven’t stepped foot in Port Royal in such a long time,” asked Gibbs.
“No, but I have and they tried to give me such a lovely send-off last time that I felt it would be bad manners to return.”
“What does that mean?” asked John, pausing from his cabin boy duties.
“Jack had to rescue himself from his own hanging. He single-handedly fought off thirty British guards and jumped off a perilous cliff to meet this ship,” explained Mr. Gibbs.
“Really?” asked the boy, his blond hair hiding part of his face.
“Yes, single-handed with the help of a young blacksmith and his bonny lass. Go scrub below deck!” he commanded, waving the spyglass for emphasis.
John ran to perform the order, leaving the two adults alone again.
“Might we at least see Will again?” Mr. Gibbs inquired.
“If the Commodore sees my head ever again, he’ll have it in a noose, savvy? His ship did give chase for two solid days before returning to port rather than break it in the hurricane.”
“It was a shame to miss the wedding though.”
“We’ll see them again, but it will be on the high seas, not their home,” said Jack in an assured tone. Gibbs looked unbelieving, but the captain continued, taking out his compass for a look, “He’s a pirate and she’s as close as can be. Domesticated bliss is not for them, the sea is.”
******************************************************
The Dauntless sailed east through the blue-green waters without a care and was speeding past the route for Tortuga. There were quite a few mourning her passing, but not Will. Something wasn’t right. He could feel it in his bones so he climbed up the mast and looked out to see. Directly ahead, obscured by large rocks was a large ship bearing a Jolly Roger flag.
“Pirates!” he screamed below and slid down a rope to get to the Commodore quickly. Part of his dark hair stuck to his skin in sweaty clumps but he didn't notice. He was used to it.
*********************************************************
The Black Pearl was dead in the water. The crew had been ordered to stay below deck until further orders. John was with the cook, probably having an apple but at least he was out of the way. Jack and AnaMaria were in the front of the ship, looking out but trying to be as flat as possible so the ship would be presumed abandoned.
“That our ship?” she asked.
He took the spyglass from her and hissed, “Not that one!”
She took it back from him, looking harder and said, “That’s Port Royal’s ship. That’s the Dauntless, that is.”
*************************************************
The Dauntless was half prepared when the first cannonball hit.
“Fire!” called the Commodore and they launched their round. It caught the other ship off guard, but the pirate’s first cannon ball had landed right where it needed to: right at sea level, leaving a gaping hole. It would only take one or two more for the ship to be a loss.
******************************************************
Jack jumped up and turned to AnaMaria.
“Ready the men!”
She nodded and ran for the hold. Jack aimed with his gun, but the other pirate ship was too far away and the wind currents wouldn’t allow The Black Pearl to come any closer. They would have to depend on the cannons to save the Dauntless.
***********************************************
Norrington’s man, Knightley, turned the steering hard to larboard, but the winds wouldn’t have it. They continued to push the Dauntless closer and closer to the enemy.
“Strike the sails, men! Strike the sails!” Norrington cried on deck. He allowed Will to monitor the action below deck and Elizabeth scanned the other ship, looking for a weakness.
Old Enemies
Author: Ericadawn16
Characters: Jack Sparrow, AnaMaria, Mr. Gibbs, William Turner, Weatherby Swann, Elizabeth Turner, James Norrington
Rated: PG-13 ANGST AU SEX
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Less than a year after the Isla de la Muerta excitement, Will, Elizabeth and James on another adventure with pirates.
Author's Note: I started writing this right after Curse of the Black Pearl came out. It was so long ago that I didn't know James was James yet. I changed things as the other movies came out, but the majority of the story remains the same and has very little to do with the sequels.
Masterlist: http://ericadawn16.livejournal.com/210874.html
Back on the High Seas
“We’re rascals, villains, scoundrels and knaves. Drink up me hearties. Yo, ho,” sang Jack Sparrow softly as he walked up the gangplank to his ship, The Black Pearl. He had left it in the confident hands of AnaMaria, but even a few hours were still too long. It hadn’t been in his possession for almost eleven long years and he meant to make up all the time he could. The years that followed losing her contained a year, almost two that Jack wouldn’t trade for all the riches in the world and several other years he’d give anything to forget. Mr. Gibbs had been his only confidant then and what he had told the older man were barely half-truths. He lovingly caressed the aged wood of the wheel.
“What news do the locals spread?” asked his first mate, her lips pursed at what his answer might be.
“Pearls, jewels, and Spanish gold,” Jack replied. Her brown eyes lit up with the thought and she announced, “I’ll ready the crew.”
“This isn’t cursed gold, is it?” asked Mr. Gibbs, stepping closer to the captain.
“No,” said Jack before adding in a lower voice, “At least not that I’m aware of.”
“Jack.”
“Have I steered you wrong before? Trust me,” uttered the younger man. Gibbs scowled and asked, “Where is this place?”
*****************************************************************
Will Turner banged the glowing, red metal more to his liking while his “master” slept. John Brown was master only because it was his name atop the door. Everyone in town knew who really made the wondrous swords. The door opened and the accompanying bell rang. When he looked up, he saw that the visitor was his father-in-law, Governor Swann.
“Will, we have something to discuss. Norrington wished to come here personally, but I felt that wasn’t wise,” he explained, not looking directly at him.
“We have set our animosity aside,” said Will, setting down his tools. The older man couldn’t help making a sound that Will took for disbelief.
“Port Francis has sent a messenger for our aid. They have acquired treasure and are readying a ship for England to deliver it to the King. Unfortunately, there’s been a leak and it’s certain that pirates will make a play for it.”
“What is my part in this?” asked Will.
“Norrington is sending a ship to protect it, but I felt you should join them for the trip,” said the older man, finally looking at him.
“Why?”
“Because of last year, you have more intimate knowledge of pirates than anyone else on this island, but I have another reason for suggesting you.”
Will waited and his father-in-law studied a sword. Finally, Swann sighed before making his final point.
“I know you’re a pirate and pirates really belong at sea, do they not?”
After a moment, Will nodded and allowed himself a small smile. That was the first time his father-in-law had admitted his true profession.
“I’ll oblige your request, but I want Elizabeth to accompany me.”
“Why?” questioned Swann, mirroring Will’s earlier reply.
“Pirate is in my blood, but she has more intimate knowledge of buccaneers than I do.”
It still wasn’t completely clear to Will whether his father-in-law liked him or still wished his daughter had chosen differently. The cheek had not gone unnoticed by the older man’s stance.
“Very well, if she wishes, then Norrington won’t deny her.”
**************************************************************
The next morning, the Dauntless was set to sail and Elizabeth was right at Will’s side just as he knew she would be. He knew his wife better than anyone so he knew she didn’t belong on land anymore than he did. Her father was there as well and not smiling.
“Elizabeth, please, this is unbecoming a young wife. Please reconsider. Should anything happen, I could not forgive myself…or Will.”
Elizabeth was as patient as possible.
“How can it be unbecoming for a young wife to stand by her husband? I came back safe and sound and unchanged last year and I fear not that transpiring this time.”
The governor was not changed in countenance by these words.
“But you did change. You had changed into a woman capable of her own decisions…and I must respect that though I don’t like it,” he added, his expression still unhappy with the situation. Will watched with bated breath, but suddenly, Swann kissed Elizabeth on the cheek, smiled and glared at his son-in-law to take care of his baby. Then, he walked down the gangplank and a dockhand undid the final rope tied to the dock, setting the ship loose. Even from this distance, he could see Swann tugging at and fidgeting with the edges of his coat in an unusual show of nerves or perhaps indecision. Will continued to watch him even as he became a mere speck blending easily into the docks as the distance opened between them.
******************************************************
Jack Sparrow, er…Captain Jack Sparrow looked at a far port through his spyglass.
“Couldn’t we take at least a closer look? I haven’t stepped foot in Port Royal in such a long time,” asked Gibbs.
“No, but I have and they tried to give me such a lovely send-off last time that I felt it would be bad manners to return.”
“What does that mean?” asked John, pausing from his cabin boy duties.
“Jack had to rescue himself from his own hanging. He single-handedly fought off thirty British guards and jumped off a perilous cliff to meet this ship,” explained Mr. Gibbs.
“Really?” asked the boy, his blond hair hiding part of his face.
“Yes, single-handed with the help of a young blacksmith and his bonny lass. Go scrub below deck!” he commanded, waving the spyglass for emphasis.
John ran to perform the order, leaving the two adults alone again.
“Might we at least see Will again?” Mr. Gibbs inquired.
“If the Commodore sees my head ever again, he’ll have it in a noose, savvy? His ship did give chase for two solid days before returning to port rather than break it in the hurricane.”
“It was a shame to miss the wedding though.”
“We’ll see them again, but it will be on the high seas, not their home,” said Jack in an assured tone. Gibbs looked unbelieving, but the captain continued, taking out his compass for a look, “He’s a pirate and she’s as close as can be. Domesticated bliss is not for them, the sea is.”
******************************************************
The Dauntless sailed east through the blue-green waters without a care and was speeding past the route for Tortuga. There were quite a few mourning her passing, but not Will. Something wasn’t right. He could feel it in his bones so he climbed up the mast and looked out to see. Directly ahead, obscured by large rocks was a large ship bearing a Jolly Roger flag.
“Pirates!” he screamed below and slid down a rope to get to the Commodore quickly. Part of his dark hair stuck to his skin in sweaty clumps but he didn't notice. He was used to it.
*********************************************************
The Black Pearl was dead in the water. The crew had been ordered to stay below deck until further orders. John was with the cook, probably having an apple but at least he was out of the way. Jack and AnaMaria were in the front of the ship, looking out but trying to be as flat as possible so the ship would be presumed abandoned.
“That our ship?” she asked.
He took the spyglass from her and hissed, “Not that one!”
She took it back from him, looking harder and said, “That’s Port Royal’s ship. That’s the Dauntless, that is.”
*************************************************
The Dauntless was half prepared when the first cannonball hit.
“Fire!” called the Commodore and they launched their round. It caught the other ship off guard, but the pirate’s first cannon ball had landed right where it needed to: right at sea level, leaving a gaping hole. It would only take one or two more for the ship to be a loss.
******************************************************
Jack jumped up and turned to AnaMaria.
“Ready the men!”
She nodded and ran for the hold. Jack aimed with his gun, but the other pirate ship was too far away and the wind currents wouldn’t allow The Black Pearl to come any closer. They would have to depend on the cannons to save the Dauntless.
***********************************************
Norrington’s man, Knightley, turned the steering hard to larboard, but the winds wouldn’t have it. They continued to push the Dauntless closer and closer to the enemy.
“Strike the sails, men! Strike the sails!” Norrington cried on deck. He allowed Will to monitor the action below deck and Elizabeth scanned the other ship, looking for a weakness.
Old Enemies
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-01-11 11:18 am (UTC)I like the way you have Jack (secretly) helping to protect the Dauntless :]. And good on you for changing the movie canon by having Norrington decide to turn back, rather than pursue Jack and the Pearl into the hurricane :). I liked the character arc Ted & Terry created by having Norrington do the opposite thing, but what they decided to do with him in AWE sort of wasted what could have been an interesting evolution in his character (e.g. changing his perspective on what defines good men and bad men from black & white to shades of gray) :[. One little thing, though. I think you might have left out a word here:
Swann kissed Elizabeth on the cheek, smiled and glared at his son-in-law to take of his baby. I gather you meant to write, "take care of his baby"?
no subject
Date: 2011-01-15 01:19 am (UTC)Yes, while I loved the kiss that was added, I really liked the sword scene in the original script...that would have been really intense to watch.
Thank you for catching the mistake. Also, I did try putting Beckett into the pre-existing story. We'll see how it does.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-19 05:33 am (UTC)Do you mean the one shown in the pictures of still-scruffy Norrington in Beckett's office, looking as if he's about to stab the heart? If so, then I agree. Leaving that in would have made it, at least for those of us who like the character, more heartbreaking, I guess, to see what he'd gotten himself into by deciding to work for Beckett. Another scene they left out that I liked a lot was a conversation Davey Jones had with Norrington, one in which Jones basically made him really think about who he was working for. I think it was intended to be sort of a transition to the scene of him, I believe, discovering Governor Swann's body (I don't remember AWE that well :P). If I'm remembering the eliminated scene correctly, the gist of what Davey Jones said to him was, "Don't you see that you're just as much of a pawn as me? Even more so, because you don't know that's all you really are?" Norrington brushes the suggestion off, I believe, but I'd like to think if it had been left in the script, the combination of that discussion, his love for Elizabeth, his desire for redemption, the knowledge that Beckett presumably had Governor Swann killed to get him out of the way, and a reminder of how Jack assisted him and the Royal Navy in COTBP, is what drove him to help both Elizabeth and Sao Feng's crew escape from the Flying Dutchman. I know that's the motivation I gave him for doing so in my fic, even though I never flatly said it was.
No problem :). My guess is both of us are probably good enough at proofreading our own work that we don't need betas (at least not for that sort of thing), but sometimes, we miss something, and need someone else to let us know that we did :].
Do you mean this fic, your TW/Firefly/AU POTC: AWE crossover fic, or another one entirely? It doesn't matter too terribly much, as whichever of those options it is, I have no doubt it'll be interesting, but I'm curious :).
no subject
Date: 2011-01-19 05:51 am (UTC)INT. FLYING DUTCHMAN - BRIG - DAY
Prisoners behind bars. not yet in jail, GUARDS release Elizabeth from her bonds.
Pirates of the Caribbean 3 : script page 45
Elizabeth has regained her composure enough to smile.
Norrington is relieved.
NORRINGTON
Elizabeth, I'm sorry.
Elizabeth moves towards him. reaches down… pulls out his sword, and slashes at him with all her might - -
Norrington CATCHES his own sword in a gloved hand. Blood runs down his wrist. He looks into her eyes... understands her anger.
NORRINGTON
(CONT'D)
I deeply regret the passing of your father.
He wrestles the sword from her, using his bloodied hand.
NORRINGTON
(CONT'D)
But I swear to you - - I had no part in it.
ELIZABETH
I have reason to believe otherwise.
NORRINGTON
I uphold the law. The man responsible for your father's death will be brought to justice - -
ELIZABETH
The same justice you were to show me - - and my crew?
NORRINGTON
Pirates.
She stares at him in anger, disbelief.
ELIZABETH
Please explain to me the distinction. From what I have seen, you have become worse. Justice. You kill in the name of justice. You were an honest man once. No longer.
NORRINGTON
You have lost your way.
ELIZABETH
I know my place. Shouldn't you lock me up with the other pirates, Captain?
Norrington nods, and the Guards lock Elizabeth in jail.
Pirates of the Caribbean 3 : script page 46
NORRINGTON
I am innocent. Is there nothing I can do to convince you?
ELIZABETH
you murder people for a living, now. Don't speak to me of innocence.
Norrington stares at her. Looks down at his bloodied hand.
Something changes in him. He smiles ruefully, holds up his hand.
NORRINGTON
No one is innocent in this world. You will all hang at dawn.
He exits. One of the Guards glances to the other, who glances back. they've been listening.
EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA - NIGHT
Amid calm seas, the Empress is towed by the Dutchman.
Yes, I tried to put Beckett in this one...just not yet.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-19 09:48 am (UTC)Ooh, fun =)! I can't wait to read that chapter (or chapters) 8)!
no subject
Date: 2011-01-23 11:07 pm (UTC)This POTC story was original a trilogy: one story at Port Francis, one story back at Port Royal and one story in Europe...yes, I thought back in Fall 2003 that I wanted to see Jack in London and perhaps visiting the king. I was very amused that seven years later, Ted and Terry felt the same.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-24 12:07 am (UTC)Oh yeah? Cool :)! What made you change your mind?
That is very interesting :]. When I hear about the rare coincidence like that, I can't help wondering if the original creators of the movie or TV show have been lurking about, in some clever way, on fansites and fanfiction sites, and have gotten ideas from what they've read. While it's not as major a coincidence as this, or perhaps couldn't even been considered one at all, I've noticed that in this current season of Primeval, there have been a slew of moments between Matt and Becker that, when looked at with the right set of glasses, if you will, could be construed as slashy. On Denial, when we first started getting bits of spoilery info and pictures, a lot of the slash fans immediately seized on a Matt/Becker pairing. Since then, all I've thought when seeing those moments is either, "Hmmm..., I wonder if the writers have been lurking around on Denial?" or "Oh, the slash fans will have a field day with this (I had that reaction twice when I was watching last night's ep. Once when Matt and Becker locked themselves up in a janitorial closet for protection, and again, when Matt grabbed Becker by the shoulder, and in that position, they fled from the school, firing their weapons as they went) :P!"
no subject
Date: 2011-01-29 02:42 am (UTC)Hehe, you should watch Merlin.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-29 07:55 am (UTC)Really =)? That's quite a few coincidences, there 8)! All in different fandoms, I presume? Because if it's just POTC, that's an impressive track record =)!
I do, actually :). One of the few good things currently on the SyFy channel :P. But I've never seen a single instance of slashiness, blatant or not, between Arthur and Merlin (I'm guessing that's who you're talking about, as I've seen, in various places, a number of people who favor that pairing) :/. It's why that's one of the non-canon slash pairings I just don't get— I've never seen evidence for it. While as I might have said in the past, slash isn't really my thing (unless it's canon, like Jack/Ianto was), there are some pairings that I see in fic headings and think, "Yeah, that makes sense" (Nick/Stephen in Primeval is one, as is Matt/Becker, actually :D), but there are others, like Merlin/Arthur, that my only reaction is, "Where did you get that from =/?" *Ponders* Maybe I need to pay closer attention, or put myself in the shoes of a slash fan in the Merlin fandom more often :].
no subject
Date: 2011-02-09 06:50 pm (UTC)I think one of the things that really cinched was how the Dragon described Merlin and Arthur and how their fates were "entwined"...if that wasn't the actual word, it was very, very similar and I immediately thought of James and Elizabeth.
However, the show people know most people slash them and they'll put stuff on purpose that's either amusing for people who don't see it or even better for people who do...
Here's a short they did for Children in Need:
no subject
Date: 2011-02-16 06:58 am (UTC)I don't remember that scene very well, so I can't say much except that I don't get any slashy vibes from hearing one character say the fates of two (or more) others are "entwined". It might make sense if I could remember the scene better, though :].
Given what I've mentioned in previous comments about scenes in Primeval between Matt and Becker, I'd have to agree with you there, hehe :). The question is, when writers and other members of a show's production team do that, are they poking fun at the slash fans, throwing them a bone, if you will, or both ;)? Personally, I'd like to think it's both, albeit the former in a friendly way 8).
no subject
Date: 2011-02-16 07:02 am (UTC)Yeah, I agree.
no subject
Date: 2011-02-16 07:07 am (UTC)