turned_captain | (no subject)

(no subject)

After encountering Destiny in his cabin, Will emerges onto the deck with a thoughtful expression, his fingers playing with the locket that rests against his scarred chest.

It's worth a try.

"Prepare to go under," he announces top the crew as he strides up to the helm and takes the wheel.

He's done this countless times before, so have his crew. They know what it's about. Only this time, as the ship pitches forward to sink under, Will grips his charm with Elizabeth's hair tightly, and offers a quick prayer. To Calypso, to Destiny, to Elizabeth herself.

Take me to where the dead and the living can co-exist. To where we can be together.

He looks to catch Norrington's eye when they sink in, and is only partly surprised when most of the crew seem to disappear as they re-emerge in an inlet in a very familiar lake.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Norrington is smiling as they come back up.

"I wondered if I'd ever see this place again."

Will grins, relieved and amused at once.

"I never thought I'd choose to come here."

Bootstrap is looking around with half-fearful wonder.

"What is this place?"

"Milliways," Will says, coming down to the main deck to stand near his father, looking out towards the stables. "The end of all worlds.

"I used to have a forge right over there."

"I lived here for almost a year", Norrington says pensively, leaning on the rail. "And had friends here before that."

"It's strange here," Will admits, not feeling bitter about the place anymore. "But rarely actually dangerous. The year I spent here, so was Jack, and the Pearl. The dead walk among the living."

"And both walk among others", Norrington adds, eyes going wistful. "Perhaps Calypso will be here. She was before."

Glancing down over the side of his Dutchman, Will grins a little.

"That's ocean we're sitting in now. She's here already, in her way."

Lifting his head again, he turns away from the stables and looks at the bar proper.

"Perhaps others will be here too."

Norrington glances at him sideways.

"If it occurs to her you might be here? She will be."

Will smirks forward, amused by his own transparency, and his hand goes to the hair-locket again.

"I can't go ashore," he says, following his train of thought aloud. "But you two can. Find her."

That's an order.

Norrington salutes.

"Consider it done, Captain."

Will grins at the salute, more like a friend than the Captain.

"Take this," he says as a thought occurs. It's the sword Will made him two years ago. Will's been carrying it for himself since he first found it, but now he offers the hilt to Norrington.

"You know how rarely the rules are kept."

Norrington looks down at the sword, stock-still for a long few moments, then reaches out both hands to take it.

"I thought I'd seen the last of this", he says quietly.

"I rather wish you had, mate." Will remarks. "I don't feel right with it at my side. Don't draw her attention to it."

"In that case..." Norrington says, still studying the sword laid across his hands, "perhaps I could take it off your hands?"

"Thank you, James," Will says, grinning again.

He can't help it. He's here. She might be, too.

"No, Captain", Norrington says, sheathing the sword decisively. "Thank you."

He likes that sword.

And well he should. It's a really good sword, if Will thinks so himself.

Will nods, that decided then.

"You have a day," he says. "I don't think the ship can stay here for any longer before..."

His hand instinctively goes to his chin. He spent a long time fostering this beard, and doesn't really want it turning fishy.

"Oh, I should think a day will be enough, if she's here at all", Norrington drawls. "And if she's not... then perhaps next time."

It's all just a matter of timing, after all. Sooner or later, they'll find her.

"Next time," Will confirms.

As many next times as it takes.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only