This one's a bit longer but I really like it. I liked the idea of the ship changing depending on her captain. Anyway, please review,you know you want to : D

4. HER CAPTAIN'S FANCY

The Flying Dutchman had been a fearsome ship to behold. With her seaweed sails and her barracuda-like prow she had been been nothing less than terrifying. In other words she had suited her captain to a tee.

However, a barnacle encrusted deck and black and gloomy hull did not suit James Norrington. Neither was he enamoured of the gigantic organ in the captain's quarters which was devoid of practically any other furniture or the fish-heads which fell out in a cascade of slime whenever one opened a cupboard. He professed himself almost instantly disgusted with the state of the ship; quite loudly actually, after having slipped in a puddle of fish-guts and grog.

But the Dutchman was not just any ship. She could sail beneath the sea, she could sail to the underworld and she had a new captain whom she wished to please.

Slowly at first, subtly thing began to change around the ship. Things were cleaner, tidier, there was food in the cupboards and brandy in the drinks cabinet. One day James looked up to see that the sails were in fact now pristine and white. The organ disappeared to be replaced with bookshelves and a bed and a desk and charts.

When he rose one morning to find the prow reassembled and the whole ship re-painted he found himself laughing with recognition.

His lieutenants found him hanging over the rail and smiling to himself.

"What is it sir?" asked Andrew, leaning over the rail himself.

He almost fell overboard when he saw, printed in gold the words Dauntless II.

James stroked the wood gently as he laughed at Andrew.

"It's good to have you back old girl," he murmured under his breath.