Title: Diary of a Ship's Captain
Author: scgirl_317
Summary: As Horatio begins a new career as a commander, he begins to fill the pages of a new journal. Follows the A&E series, picking up after Retribution.
A/N: Italics take place outside of the entry.
A/N 2: I really loved the relationship between Archie and Horatio in the movies; they truly loved each other (in the straight sense of the word). I was so glad they didn't just kill him off in the first movie as was done in the books. Archie probably was my favorite character. I thought Horatio might wish that he was there to at least talk to about everything that happened after Retribution, so I devised the following entries in Horatio's journal…
Journal Entry
Dear Diary
Horatio sighed as he stared at the page. It didn't seem fitting that an entry should simply begin. There needed to be some kind of heading, but nothing seemed quite appropriate.
Starting a new journal had seemed like a good idea. It seemed to match the rest of his life. He had been promoted; he was now a ship's captain; he had been granted a new lease on life, as it were, after the court martial. It was a lease that came at a high price.
Suddenly, an idea came to him. It was somewhat unorthodox, but so had been his career in His Majesty's navy. Dipping the pen in the ink, he began again...
Dear Archie-
How I wish you were here. I confess that I find the task before me rather daunting without your support. Taking command of a captured ship is one thing. Being granted the command of a navy vessel is another thing entirely.
One of the Spanish sloops we captured has been rechristened Retribution, and Commodore Pellew has promoted me to commander and placed me as captain. I appreciate his belief in my capabilities and shall endeavor to honor his faith in me. It is my goal to be a captain as great as Commodore Pellew, but I fear I will disappoint him.
I owe you a great debt, Archie, one I could never repay even were you alive. I have sincere doubts regarding the outcome of the court martial had not you taken the fall—if you'll pardon the phrase—for Captain Sawyer falling into the hold. Commodore Pellew is resigned to it, but it pained me to see you laid to rest without the honor you deserve. No greater friend could any man have. I will endeavor to make sure your sacrifice was not in vain.
This entry must be cut short, as the ship is ready to embark, and I am needed on deck.
Signed, Commander Horatio Hornblower, Captain, H.M.S. Retribution.
No greater love hath any man than he who would lay down his life for a friend...