Author: jedipati aka immortaljedi
Disclaimer: In writing this, I make no claim to the ownership of these characters. Nor do I make any money off of writing this story.
Characters: Will/Elizabeth, ensemble cast (first movie)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: AU
Summary: Things are now back to normal… right, Bill? CotBP AU

Epilogue

"Oi, Bill! Mail call!" Pintel called as he headed up the gangplank.

"Why would I get any mail?" Bill asked as he took the envelope.

It was addressed to 'Bootstrap Bill, First Mate of the Black Pearl, C/O The Faithful Bride' in a strong hand.

He shrugged and opened it.

The same handwriting continued.

Father,

He broke off with a gasp. He hadn't expected to hear from Will!

He started reading again.

Father,

I suspect that this letter will come as a shock. Nevertheless, I don't want to lose all contact with you. Due to both of our situations, I'm going to keep it discreet.

I'm doing well. I've bought out Mr. Brown and now own the shop myself. Business is doing well and I am considering apprenticing a likely lad to help with the workload. Thank you for your help in that. I'm sure you know what I mean. Other events, however, are not helping me keep up with the orders I've been receiving.

I'm in the middle of something I certainly never expected to be involved in.

It will take a long time to explain, but due to a series of events I could never have anticipated, starting with our meeting, I am now engaged to the young lady I introduced to you six months ago.

It was a bit of a shock when her father allowed me to court her. As a matter of fact, he encouraged it. (It seems she impressed on him both my actions during our… adventure and my skills as a sword smith.)

It seems lies can become truths you never expect them to become.

Our wedding will be in six months (her father wanted to make sure there were no repercussions from, well, six months ago). I would be very happy if you could attend, but I know that circumstances likely make that impossible.

Give my regards to your captain,

Your Son

Bill lowered the letter and stared off into space for a moment. Will wanted to know his father. Perhaps at a distance, perhaps only though letters such as this one, but he did want know the man who had all but abandoned him.

Bill didn't know what to think. He did know, however, that he was going to reply.

Will glanced down at the letter he had received. The rough handwriting was vaguely familiar, but not enough so that he'd know who it was from. He shrugged and opened it. His eyes widened when he realized who it was from.

Son

I never expected to receive a letter from you. Yes, I do want to attend your wedding, but I agree that it is just not possible. Your wedding, though! That was certainly a shock, for all your behaviour showed that you loved her. I welcome her to the Turner family.

My congratulations to you both, and I suppose this is where I ask about grandchildren. Now I can imagine you glaring at the paper in front of you, as your mother used to do when she received letters from her sister.

For all that you look like me, son, you have your Mother's spirit.

You are welcome for the assistance, and it is only a minor part of what I owe you.

Things are still going well here. We've picked up a few more crewmen- you know we were short handed. We've also lost a few, both to simple desertion and to more normal reasons. I'll let you figure them out.

I'd better cut this short. We're heading for the colonies right now. The captain has some plan in mind. I'm almost afraid to ask. You found out how most of his schemes end up.

The way your letter was addressed was perfect. We'll return to the Caribbean in October, if you wish to write again.

Your father

Will smiled.

Author's Note: Well, I hope you've enjoyed this little story of mine. I've left it open to the future. I've got an idea for a sequel, but I have several projects to do before I even think about writing it. I'm also not too sure how feasible it is…

Most of those projects are school related, though two of them are other stories. If I do write a sequel, it'll probably come out around Christmastime or so.

Oh- the spelling of "behaviour" was intentional.