Disclaimer: Anything familiar you see, it isn't mine. William Turner, Elizabeth Swann, and Jack Sparrow all belong to the lovely creaters of Pirates of the Caribbean and chapter titles/lyrics belong to the amazing Beatles.
A/N: This is a challenge I placed on myself. I'm going to write a series of one-shots, varying in rating and time settings (Such as modern, postAWE, postDMC, postCoTBP, pre... etc.)
Day one, I missed her so much that I locked myself into my cabin and just hid.
Day two, I still missed her but the only person I allowed myself to speak to was my father.
Day three, I missed her more and still kept myself hidden away. I was a captain of a ship, and I refused to see my crew just yet.
Day five, my father finally bribed me out of my cabin saying that moving around would help ease the pain and would pass time more quickly.
Day eight, my body wasn't used to the hardship that my newest task brought forth. I often stumbled into my cabin, muscles aching, and eyes tired.
Day twelve, the nasty scar that crossed my chest has healed completely but was a bright red still. Taunting me for what damn destiny brought forth.
Day twenty, I had spent the day away from my crew as, for the first time, I had to carry the soul of a woman over. It was too painful, as my brain played an image of my darling Elizabeth dying at sea. No, I wouldn't let her.
Day thirty-five, it's hard to believe that I have been immortal for over a month now. The days go by quicker as my father and crew sticks loyally to my side. I often get complimented on being a better man than Davy Jones ever was. I get respect from my crew.
Day forty-eight, I'm no longer hiding in my cabin, away from the pain. I'm steadily getting to know each crew member and their history. Some men sailed under Davy Jones while a few came aboard after our first few travels.
Day sixty-one, my father finally told me why he left my mother and me alone… and with each passing day, I have forgiven him. He sails by my side to help subdue the pain of missing Elizabeth. I no longer see him as a monster, but he has become a close friend of mine, and my father again.
Day seventy-nine, I saw a familiar face pass in the ghosts of lost souls. Mr. John Brown. I couldn't believe the man that I used to work under had died at sea. He told me that there was a flood that hit Port Royal, and a strong wind knocked the smithy door in. All the uproar led the sea entering the small shop, and carrying him back into the currents.
Day ninety-three, Clanker and I had a discussion on our history. He had sailed Davy for around twenty years, but before that, his history seemed to follow my own. Except he wasn't torn from his love. He was just torn from his family.
Day one hundred, the crew decided to celebrate my hundredth day as captain of this transporting ship. I remember most from my trip onto here by Jack, and they are all different men. No longer are they cursed men who found happiness in torturing the innocent. It seems that they've adapted to the new set of rules I put fourth.
It is hard to believe that the first hundred days flew by so quickly. It still feels like just yesterday that I was hugging my darling Elizabeth close to me, whispering my promising love.
The years passed quickly with my loyal crew and loving father at my side. Bootstrap and I have become a partner of father and son, and I forgave him for the hell he put on my family so many years ago. Everyday, he tells me stories of my mother. There are even those times, once a year that I will fall to pieces.
The date that marks mine and Elizabeth's anniversary.
The date that marks my death.
The date that marks my immortality.
On these days, I'm locked in my cabin with only one allowed crew member in. That single mate is my father. Some would see me as too old to break, but those days my father just hugs me and comforts me. There is no judgment made, as it, in both our opinions, was an unfair destiny and debt I must pay.
Years slid by with crew members leaving or joining the ship. I became close to each and everyone. I could tell I was a different man as I heard each story that anyone wished to share. Of course, it wasn't as if I was just a silent man. No, no, I had shared my own stories and I ran this ship hard. I knew Calypso wouldn't forgive me if I let one single soul linger around for too long.
The final day rolled across as I stepped onto the deck. "Mr. Turner," I called out and my father turned towards me, a solemn smile on his lips. "How much longer?" I asked quietly, drawing near to him. A few crew members stepped back, knowing that we needed a father and son moment.
"Not long, me boy, not long."
Not long until I would see my beautiful Elizabeth.
My eyes focused on the dark seas of World's End and my father breathed a sigh next to me. "Son, you do know that the Dutchman will need a new captain, aye?"
I nodded. We had this discussion on and off through the years. "And you're going to be it…" I bit my inner cheek and griped the railing as my father let out a soft "aye." I turned towards him slightly, eyes lowered. "You won't be free, like I will, will you?" I asked carefully. "You're not torn from your love… as I was…"
My father shut his eyes and nodded. "Sadly, you're right, William… Captain…" His eyes lowered to the wooden deck below us. "But every ten years, we will drop at your port. I believe your crew has grown to love you."
I turned and looked over my hard working crew. A few smiled as I glanced over them and I could see the sadness in their faces. It would be naught a few hours until they were under the command of Bootstrap Bill Turner, not William Turner.
The hours flew by so quickly, it was hard to imagine. I embraced my father into a hug, something that I never exactly had the chance to do. I doubt there was a time within this ten years that I had held onto my father.
After we broke, I turned to the crew and smiled slightly. "Men, you are now under the command of Bootstrap. No longer will you sail under William Turner, but under Bill Turner." My father stood beside me, arms crossed over his chest much like how I stood.
"It's up to him who the new first mate will be, and I'm sure he'll choose wisely." My eyes glanced through the crowd, some extremely upset to see me go. "You come to port in ten years, and myself, and Elizabeth, will be there to meet you. Quite possibly with a young one too," I sent them a wink and some snickered.
After my speech, I left them under the command of my father. I stood on the railing, after we emerged, and I took my place on the railing, holding onto a rope.
There she was. My beautiful Elizabeth. So she had waited on me, just as she promised that day.
Though it was sunset at World's End, the sun was rising here. Here comes the sun. Here comes Will Turner to his home. Here comes the reuniting of the true love.
A/N2: I confess, I don't like this one as much but the inspiration also came from "Air" from Holberg Suite. Extremely beautiful... and I'm learning it in orchestra.