Title: A Change of Course 2/?
Author: ElizabethGreenleaf
E-mail: chichirinoda2002@yahoo.com or elvenarcherlover@aol.com
Rating: R…for now…MAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Pairings: JS/WT, WT/ES (friendship, post-failed relationship)
Fandom: Pirates of the Caribbean
Summary: Post PotC, Jack/Will. Life for Will, and even Elizabeth will never be the same as for the first time they each take their lives into their own hands and Will comes to terms with who he is and who he loves.
Feedback: ::Holds up a sign that says "Feed the Starving Writer" and a big red arrow pointing to REVIEW:: R any feedback is greatly appreciated. I hope I have Jack IC, any suggestions welcome!
Archive: sure, just tell me where so I can come and visit! ff.n, aff.n, Savvy? (http://evolutionsx.net/savvy/), Debauchery (http://debauchery.deep-ice.com/), And Cat's stick-figure fan-comic will be posted on her site, http://home.graffiti.net/cocfansite/coc.htm There's a little paint picture of Stick figure Jack up there now ^^;;;
Genre: Drama/Romance/and a touch of Adventure
Disclaimer: Still not mine ::sigh::
Warnings: Spoilers, angst, Lemony goodness, SLASH, if two pretty boys going at it in the bedroom isn't your cup o' tea, get out now me hearties, YE HAVE BEEN WARNED!!
"// //" = dream
"* *" = thoughts
Chapter 2: Of Dreams or Nightmares
Will's dreams were the one place where he could not escape the thoughts that he tried in vain to ignore during his waking hours. The good and the bad mingled in his subconscious to produce and project the desires he constantly tried to keep at bay.
i
//Images of a man who held himself with such grace and majesty that you had to wonder who he was in a previous life. Hair blowing in a sea breeze you could almost taste. The sight of him at the helm is enough to make Will's heart skip a beat.
The feeling of chapped lips against his own. Strength and hardness instead of curves and softness. Eyes alone that light a fire in Will's soul that no female ever could.
And then that same regal figure, who moments before was worshiping Will's body is broken, beaten, and dissolute as he is made an example of. Will watches on as Norrington orders the floor to be dropped and that once strong, proud man is no more than a broken rag-doll hanging from a string.
Unspoken words haunt Will as the decaying form of the dead pirate accuses him of all manner of evil and betrayal. Those bonny figures with bits of decayed flesh wrap around Will's neck, seeking to destroy his life as he destroyed the pirate's.
Tears stream down Will's cheeks as he is left alone in the darkness. No friends, no lovers, no one. There is not even the smell or sound of the sea to keep him company. There is no sound of bellows pumping, of fire crackling, of the steaming hiss of hot metal being shoved into cool water. There is not even the heat of the fire to warm him.
Totally and utterly alone.
Again he is adrift at sea, cold, lungs burn with the smoke of fire, the cries of the dying, people begging for their lives, filter in and out of his mind as he wavers between consciousness and the comforting black of oblivion
Then he watches as his body is buried in a cheap pine coffin, no one but the minister and the grave digger to send him into the afterlife.//
/i
Will sat bolt upright in his bed, which, in reality, was little more than a cot. His night clothes were soaked through with sweat, his hair clung to his skin as his eyes frantically darted about. It was still fairly dark out; the sky was not even beginning to grey with pre-dawn light.
Will took a deep breath and placed a hand over his racing heart. It had been a dream, a horrible nightmare where he was left alone, forgotten by the rest of the world. There had been no Elizabeth, with her intelligence, scalding tongue, quick friendship and fierce loyalty. There had not even been a Norrington to despise or outwit or to even poke fun at. But most strikingly, and most painfully, there was no Jack.
"Jack." Will murmured the name aloud, as if saying his name would bring him closer, bring him to Will. Jack would never forget him, never leave him to die alone. Jack couldn't do that. He couldn't do that because…because Will had seen the way he looked at him. Seen that hungry look that was gone with another swallow or two of rum and more flirting with the prostitute who propositioned him, or re-checking that damned compass, or even feigning unconsciousness from too much alcohol. At the very least Jack wanted his body, at least for one night, at most…
"Stop it!" Will commanded himself in the dark, trying to force his heart to listen to sense. But Will was never one to do things the smart way; he'd always hada tendency to follow his heart, to live in the moment, to do idiotic and stupid things. He had even, albeit partially unwittingly, gone so far as to fall in love with a pirate.
Will cursed in a combination of at least six languages as he fought to be free of his sheets. It came from living in a port city, one could always learn to say the most vile and unpleasant things long before one ever learned the common 'hello,' 'goodbye,' 'please,' and 'thank you.'
Pulling on a loose shirt and well worn dark breeches, Will readied himself for another day. His thoughts drifted to Elizabeth and their conversation the night before. He put it out of his mind for the time being. He could think in a few moments, he just had to take care of a few things first. He pulled his hair back and tied it with a leather thong and slipped into his stocking and shoes before moving to the chest at the foot of his bead. Taking a key out of some its hiding place on his person, Will opened the trunk and retrieved a wooden box, about a foot long and a third as long across. In addition, he took out a flat, leather wrapped object about the size of his hand. Pulling on his dark jerkin, Will tucked the smaller of the parcels inside his vest and tucked the other box under his arm before closing the chest and locking it. He frowned. It would have been more appropriate to wear all black, but as he did not have clothes that would do, he had settled on his most dark and subdued clothing.
Ten minutes found him sitting on one of the piers gazing into the distance as the sun rose behind him and his wooden box sat next to him. It was then, and only then that he let the previous night overwhelm him.
The man who was almost like a very rich uncle and benefactor to him was dead. Governor Swann had paid for him to be apprenticed in the black-smith's trade. He had paid for Will's clothes and board until he was almost eighteen, and he would never hear of Will repaying him. He was a kind man, and he loved his daughter more than anything -- Will loved him for that. He knew the aching loss of loosing one's parents and being an orphan. He had been an orphan for most of his life, and he knew well the pain of not having parents there to love and guide, to support and even to reprimand. He knew that Elizabeth was feeling this loss keenly and he needed to go to her, but he would wait until it was at least a decent hour to call upon her.
i*She seemed so different last night. It was as if her fire had finally been tempered and she was cooling down after many years of passionate exuberance.*/i This thought was not a comfort to Will. Where was the girl who longed to see pirates? Where was the young woman who would sacrifice her life for his? Where was his best friend? She seemed resolved to a woman's lot in life…She had even mentioned marrying Norrington. That alone unnerved him, and in and of its self would have made Will question if she was in her right mind.
i*I asked her to marry me!*/i That shocked Will. He was surprised that he had done such a thing! And even more so that Elizabeth had said no. Her reasoning was so sound that it hurt.
They had tried to make it work between them not long after Jack left, but they both realized that what they felt for each other was the strongest bond of friendship combined with fantastical idolatry. It was the innocent love of childhood, but it did not contain the passion of lovers. When they kissed there were no sparks, there was no heat or longing. They were not meant to be, and after much anxiety and fear that the other felt something that they did not, they confessed in a rushed jumble of words the same thing – there was no hint of passion between them. They laughed about it afterward, and in the end, their failed romance seemed to seal their friendship.
The sun began to warm Will's back and he decided that he had waited long enough; he would hence to the Governor's Mansion and to Elizabeth, whom Will knew must be hurting something dreadful.
Upon arrival at the Governor's Mansion, Will was surprised to find the whole of the household already awake and busy. Will was welcomed in and stood gaping in the foyer as servants rushed around. Elizabeth appeared at the top of the stairs looking drawn and tired, as though she had not slept at all, and Will highly doubted that she had -- or if sleep had come to her it was fitful and unrestful.
"Will!" She called as she hurried down the stairs, ignored propriety and embraced him briefly. Even in her black mourning colors she was still stunning to behold. Her hair was done up more firmly than usual and it lent her a more aloof and removed appearance that her usual warm and welcoming demeanor.
"Elizabeth," Will smiled at her.
"Come, have breakfast with me." She seemed to have forgotten all her etiquette; it was not proper for a blacksmith to dine with the Governor's daughter! But Will could no more deny her now than he ever could, and nodded in acceptance.
Over breakfast he gave her the two parcels he had carried with him. The larger of the two contained a dagger, a light and fine piece of craftsman ship. "While I cannot be there to protect you, just knowing that you have a good dagger to defend yourself with is encouraging." Will had taught her how to use a dagger years ago, telling her that it could not hurt for a woman to know how to defend herself. She already carried a small dagger in her boot, but this one was of higher quality, and of superb craftsmanship.
"Thank you, Will," her voice was filled with sadness as she took the other parcel and unwrapped it. It seemed to be a lovely set of fine hair pins, but upon closer inspection…"Will!" Her feigned indignity made Will laugh. Not only had he taught her to defend herself and fight with a dagger, but he had taught her to pick locks, and these hair pins were merely fancy lock picks /i as hair pins. Will grinned.
"You never know when you'll get kidnapped by pirates." He winked. "Besides, ye did a fine job of letin' yer self in to me own home last night." He imitated a stereotypical pirating voice as he smirked at her.
"Thank you, Will." This time she meant it. She inspected the 'hairpins' carefully. "You have a knack for the fine work of jewelry as well as your talent for fighting tools. I'm impressed."
Their conversation slowed after that, until Will inquired as to what the household was doing. It seemed that she would not let herself mourn. She was throwing herself into work, which for her at the moment was the packing of all necessary items in the house and the sale of the items she would not be taking with her to England. She would work both herself and her servants to exhaustion just to ward off the pain of grief. Will understood but still felt a great swell of compassion for Elizabeth's serving staff.
Elizabeth's hand shook as she tried to pour Will tea, and Will pretended not to notice. She would not meet his eyes and eventually, Will stopped trying to catch them.
He had intended to return to work that morning, but he decided to remain with Elizabeth as a steady stream of callers came to give her their condolences, and on the way out it was not an uncommon sight to see them speaking to Thomas, the head of the house servants who was in charge of the sale of the items within the home. Elizabeth seemed to wither as the day wore on to the point that, by dinner, Will told the servants she would not be receiving any more callers for the rest of the day.
Will said his goodbyes to Elizabeth and she barely acknowledged that he was there. The servants looked on with pity in their eyes and exhaustion in their bodies.
He returned home to a shop filled with half-finished orders that would need to be taken care of in the morning. There would be no sunrises or sunsets to watch until he was caught up, but first, Will needed sleep. Striping off his stockings, shoes, jerkin and shirt, Will fell into bed. He hoped that if his dreams were going to haunt him, they were the pleasant kind, that when he woke it would be to wet sheets and longing or to painful desire and a need for fulfillment. Either option was better than the hollow, empty, alone and scared feeling that he had awoken with that morning.
i
//Again Will's subconscious was bringing horrors mixed with fantasy to life. The rotting skeletal form of Jack Sparrow takes Will in his bony arms and they dance while Jack pours bitter poisonous words into Will's ear. Words like 'unworthy,' 'dirty,' and 'traitor' spin in Will's head.
They are no longer dancing; they are sitting on the battlements of Port Royal watching an execution below. There are two being hanged – Jack and…himself! Will watches as the nooses are slipped around each of their necks. Jack turns his head to Will, an expression of the deepest emotion -- of love -- is openly given to Will whom, upon feeling such a heated gaze, turns from where he is staring to look back at Jack. It is a mutual heated look of love and forever. They need no words to express how they feel; it is visible to all who are there to watch.
The Will sitting on the battlements feels his heart constrict in his chest. His greatest dreams and nightmares are being combined in ghastly ways. He looks over to where the other Will's gaze had originally been; there stands Elizabeth, her arm firmly in the grasp of Commodore Norrington. Norrington gives the command to let Jack fall and the Will on the battlements can hear both his own voice and the voice of the soon-to-be-hanged-as-well Will screaming. The cries of Elizabeth Norrington can be heard as well.
They wait before hanging Will as well; they let him watch as his lover, whose neck unfortunately did not break upon release, struggle for air as his face turns red-purple with too much blood as he is strangled to death. The Will on the battlements could feel his heart cry out in pain, and then he watches as the Will on the gallows dies. He can feel the life draining from himself and when he looks down, the Will on the battlements is just as skeletal as his companion.
Will and Jack, two damned souls – living skeletons dance in the light of the moon.//
/i
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TBC…
Author: ElizabethGreenleaf
E-mail: chichirinoda2002@yahoo.com or elvenarcherlover@aol.com
Rating: R…for now…MAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Pairings: JS/WT, WT/ES (friendship, post-failed relationship)
Fandom: Pirates of the Caribbean
Summary: Post PotC, Jack/Will. Life for Will, and even Elizabeth will never be the same as for the first time they each take their lives into their own hands and Will comes to terms with who he is and who he loves.
Feedback: ::Holds up a sign that says "Feed the Starving Writer" and a big red arrow pointing to REVIEW:: R any feedback is greatly appreciated. I hope I have Jack IC, any suggestions welcome!
Archive: sure, just tell me where so I can come and visit! ff.n, aff.n, Savvy? (http://evolutionsx.net/savvy/), Debauchery (http://debauchery.deep-ice.com/), And Cat's stick-figure fan-comic will be posted on her site, http://home.graffiti.net/cocfansite/coc.htm There's a little paint picture of Stick figure Jack up there now ^^;;;
Genre: Drama/Romance/and a touch of Adventure
Disclaimer: Still not mine ::sigh::
Warnings: Spoilers, angst, Lemony goodness, SLASH, if two pretty boys going at it in the bedroom isn't your cup o' tea, get out now me hearties, YE HAVE BEEN WARNED!!
"// //" = dream
"* *" = thoughts
Chapter 2: Of Dreams or Nightmares
Will's dreams were the one place where he could not escape the thoughts that he tried in vain to ignore during his waking hours. The good and the bad mingled in his subconscious to produce and project the desires he constantly tried to keep at bay.
i
//Images of a man who held himself with such grace and majesty that you had to wonder who he was in a previous life. Hair blowing in a sea breeze you could almost taste. The sight of him at the helm is enough to make Will's heart skip a beat.
The feeling of chapped lips against his own. Strength and hardness instead of curves and softness. Eyes alone that light a fire in Will's soul that no female ever could.
And then that same regal figure, who moments before was worshiping Will's body is broken, beaten, and dissolute as he is made an example of. Will watches on as Norrington orders the floor to be dropped and that once strong, proud man is no more than a broken rag-doll hanging from a string.
Unspoken words haunt Will as the decaying form of the dead pirate accuses him of all manner of evil and betrayal. Those bonny figures with bits of decayed flesh wrap around Will's neck, seeking to destroy his life as he destroyed the pirate's.
Tears stream down Will's cheeks as he is left alone in the darkness. No friends, no lovers, no one. There is not even the smell or sound of the sea to keep him company. There is no sound of bellows pumping, of fire crackling, of the steaming hiss of hot metal being shoved into cool water. There is not even the heat of the fire to warm him.
Totally and utterly alone.
Again he is adrift at sea, cold, lungs burn with the smoke of fire, the cries of the dying, people begging for their lives, filter in and out of his mind as he wavers between consciousness and the comforting black of oblivion
Then he watches as his body is buried in a cheap pine coffin, no one but the minister and the grave digger to send him into the afterlife.//
/i
Will sat bolt upright in his bed, which, in reality, was little more than a cot. His night clothes were soaked through with sweat, his hair clung to his skin as his eyes frantically darted about. It was still fairly dark out; the sky was not even beginning to grey with pre-dawn light.
Will took a deep breath and placed a hand over his racing heart. It had been a dream, a horrible nightmare where he was left alone, forgotten by the rest of the world. There had been no Elizabeth, with her intelligence, scalding tongue, quick friendship and fierce loyalty. There had not even been a Norrington to despise or outwit or to even poke fun at. But most strikingly, and most painfully, there was no Jack.
"Jack." Will murmured the name aloud, as if saying his name would bring him closer, bring him to Will. Jack would never forget him, never leave him to die alone. Jack couldn't do that. He couldn't do that because…because Will had seen the way he looked at him. Seen that hungry look that was gone with another swallow or two of rum and more flirting with the prostitute who propositioned him, or re-checking that damned compass, or even feigning unconsciousness from too much alcohol. At the very least Jack wanted his body, at least for one night, at most…
"Stop it!" Will commanded himself in the dark, trying to force his heart to listen to sense. But Will was never one to do things the smart way; he'd always hada tendency to follow his heart, to live in the moment, to do idiotic and stupid things. He had even, albeit partially unwittingly, gone so far as to fall in love with a pirate.
Will cursed in a combination of at least six languages as he fought to be free of his sheets. It came from living in a port city, one could always learn to say the most vile and unpleasant things long before one ever learned the common 'hello,' 'goodbye,' 'please,' and 'thank you.'
Pulling on a loose shirt and well worn dark breeches, Will readied himself for another day. His thoughts drifted to Elizabeth and their conversation the night before. He put it out of his mind for the time being. He could think in a few moments, he just had to take care of a few things first. He pulled his hair back and tied it with a leather thong and slipped into his stocking and shoes before moving to the chest at the foot of his bead. Taking a key out of some its hiding place on his person, Will opened the trunk and retrieved a wooden box, about a foot long and a third as long across. In addition, he took out a flat, leather wrapped object about the size of his hand. Pulling on his dark jerkin, Will tucked the smaller of the parcels inside his vest and tucked the other box under his arm before closing the chest and locking it. He frowned. It would have been more appropriate to wear all black, but as he did not have clothes that would do, he had settled on his most dark and subdued clothing.
Ten minutes found him sitting on one of the piers gazing into the distance as the sun rose behind him and his wooden box sat next to him. It was then, and only then that he let the previous night overwhelm him.
The man who was almost like a very rich uncle and benefactor to him was dead. Governor Swann had paid for him to be apprenticed in the black-smith's trade. He had paid for Will's clothes and board until he was almost eighteen, and he would never hear of Will repaying him. He was a kind man, and he loved his daughter more than anything -- Will loved him for that. He knew the aching loss of loosing one's parents and being an orphan. He had been an orphan for most of his life, and he knew well the pain of not having parents there to love and guide, to support and even to reprimand. He knew that Elizabeth was feeling this loss keenly and he needed to go to her, but he would wait until it was at least a decent hour to call upon her.
i*She seemed so different last night. It was as if her fire had finally been tempered and she was cooling down after many years of passionate exuberance.*/i This thought was not a comfort to Will. Where was the girl who longed to see pirates? Where was the young woman who would sacrifice her life for his? Where was his best friend? She seemed resolved to a woman's lot in life…She had even mentioned marrying Norrington. That alone unnerved him, and in and of its self would have made Will question if she was in her right mind.
i*I asked her to marry me!*/i That shocked Will. He was surprised that he had done such a thing! And even more so that Elizabeth had said no. Her reasoning was so sound that it hurt.
They had tried to make it work between them not long after Jack left, but they both realized that what they felt for each other was the strongest bond of friendship combined with fantastical idolatry. It was the innocent love of childhood, but it did not contain the passion of lovers. When they kissed there were no sparks, there was no heat or longing. They were not meant to be, and after much anxiety and fear that the other felt something that they did not, they confessed in a rushed jumble of words the same thing – there was no hint of passion between them. They laughed about it afterward, and in the end, their failed romance seemed to seal their friendship.
The sun began to warm Will's back and he decided that he had waited long enough; he would hence to the Governor's Mansion and to Elizabeth, whom Will knew must be hurting something dreadful.
Upon arrival at the Governor's Mansion, Will was surprised to find the whole of the household already awake and busy. Will was welcomed in and stood gaping in the foyer as servants rushed around. Elizabeth appeared at the top of the stairs looking drawn and tired, as though she had not slept at all, and Will highly doubted that she had -- or if sleep had come to her it was fitful and unrestful.
"Will!" She called as she hurried down the stairs, ignored propriety and embraced him briefly. Even in her black mourning colors she was still stunning to behold. Her hair was done up more firmly than usual and it lent her a more aloof and removed appearance that her usual warm and welcoming demeanor.
"Elizabeth," Will smiled at her.
"Come, have breakfast with me." She seemed to have forgotten all her etiquette; it was not proper for a blacksmith to dine with the Governor's daughter! But Will could no more deny her now than he ever could, and nodded in acceptance.
Over breakfast he gave her the two parcels he had carried with him. The larger of the two contained a dagger, a light and fine piece of craftsman ship. "While I cannot be there to protect you, just knowing that you have a good dagger to defend yourself with is encouraging." Will had taught her how to use a dagger years ago, telling her that it could not hurt for a woman to know how to defend herself. She already carried a small dagger in her boot, but this one was of higher quality, and of superb craftsmanship.
"Thank you, Will," her voice was filled with sadness as she took the other parcel and unwrapped it. It seemed to be a lovely set of fine hair pins, but upon closer inspection…"Will!" Her feigned indignity made Will laugh. Not only had he taught her to defend herself and fight with a dagger, but he had taught her to pick locks, and these hair pins were merely fancy lock picks /i as hair pins. Will grinned.
"You never know when you'll get kidnapped by pirates." He winked. "Besides, ye did a fine job of letin' yer self in to me own home last night." He imitated a stereotypical pirating voice as he smirked at her.
"Thank you, Will." This time she meant it. She inspected the 'hairpins' carefully. "You have a knack for the fine work of jewelry as well as your talent for fighting tools. I'm impressed."
Their conversation slowed after that, until Will inquired as to what the household was doing. It seemed that she would not let herself mourn. She was throwing herself into work, which for her at the moment was the packing of all necessary items in the house and the sale of the items she would not be taking with her to England. She would work both herself and her servants to exhaustion just to ward off the pain of grief. Will understood but still felt a great swell of compassion for Elizabeth's serving staff.
Elizabeth's hand shook as she tried to pour Will tea, and Will pretended not to notice. She would not meet his eyes and eventually, Will stopped trying to catch them.
He had intended to return to work that morning, but he decided to remain with Elizabeth as a steady stream of callers came to give her their condolences, and on the way out it was not an uncommon sight to see them speaking to Thomas, the head of the house servants who was in charge of the sale of the items within the home. Elizabeth seemed to wither as the day wore on to the point that, by dinner, Will told the servants she would not be receiving any more callers for the rest of the day.
Will said his goodbyes to Elizabeth and she barely acknowledged that he was there. The servants looked on with pity in their eyes and exhaustion in their bodies.
He returned home to a shop filled with half-finished orders that would need to be taken care of in the morning. There would be no sunrises or sunsets to watch until he was caught up, but first, Will needed sleep. Striping off his stockings, shoes, jerkin and shirt, Will fell into bed. He hoped that if his dreams were going to haunt him, they were the pleasant kind, that when he woke it would be to wet sheets and longing or to painful desire and a need for fulfillment. Either option was better than the hollow, empty, alone and scared feeling that he had awoken with that morning.
i
//Again Will's subconscious was bringing horrors mixed with fantasy to life. The rotting skeletal form of Jack Sparrow takes Will in his bony arms and they dance while Jack pours bitter poisonous words into Will's ear. Words like 'unworthy,' 'dirty,' and 'traitor' spin in Will's head.
They are no longer dancing; they are sitting on the battlements of Port Royal watching an execution below. There are two being hanged – Jack and…himself! Will watches as the nooses are slipped around each of their necks. Jack turns his head to Will, an expression of the deepest emotion -- of love -- is openly given to Will whom, upon feeling such a heated gaze, turns from where he is staring to look back at Jack. It is a mutual heated look of love and forever. They need no words to express how they feel; it is visible to all who are there to watch.
The Will sitting on the battlements feels his heart constrict in his chest. His greatest dreams and nightmares are being combined in ghastly ways. He looks over to where the other Will's gaze had originally been; there stands Elizabeth, her arm firmly in the grasp of Commodore Norrington. Norrington gives the command to let Jack fall and the Will on the battlements can hear both his own voice and the voice of the soon-to-be-hanged-as-well Will screaming. The cries of Elizabeth Norrington can be heard as well.
They wait before hanging Will as well; they let him watch as his lover, whose neck unfortunately did not break upon release, struggle for air as his face turns red-purple with too much blood as he is strangled to death. The Will on the battlements could feel his heart cry out in pain, and then he watches as the Will on the gallows dies. He can feel the life draining from himself and when he looks down, the Will on the battlements is just as skeletal as his companion.
Will and Jack, two damned souls – living skeletons dance in the light of the moon.//
/i
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TBC…