This is very short one-shot of how Ned got Aronnax and Conseil back to land and away from the Maelstrom at the end of the novel. I adore Ned Land's character and really wanted to write a fic focused on him, because without him Professor Aronnax and Conseil would have been dead over and over again in the novel. I hope you enjoy this little tribute to the Prince of Harpooners! And I adore any 20K Leagues fic featuring the trio of Ned, Aronnax, and Conseil so there will be some warm friendship feels here as well.^^

Bringer of Life

"Monsieur!"

Conseil's horrified cry – so unlike the Fleming's normal composed tone – made Ned's head jerk up, momentarily tearing his eyes away from the last bolt that held them captive to the Nautilus.

Aronnax was unconscious. His head and the side of his face were covered in blood but before Ned could react there was an enormous crack as the dinghy finally snapped away from the Nautilus.

So great was the force that the dinghy was flung like a discus away from the swirling maelstrom. Ned shouted to Conseil to brace himself as the ocean rose up to meet them. There was a terrific crash and Ned was flung head over heels into the sea, darkness sweeping over him.

It seemed to last for both an eternity and an instant, but Ned hadn't survived ten months under the sea to let it claim him now. Instinct kicked in and he thrashed as he desperately swam towards the sunlight that he could make out gleaming on the water above him.

He broke the surface with a huge gasp, coughing and spluttering as he desperately attempted to keep his head above water. Fortunately the sea was calm and once his eyes adjusted to the bright morning sunlight he looked for his comrades.

"Ned, Ned! Help!"

The Canadian saw Conseil a little ways off, desperately attempting to keep both himself and Aronnax afloat.

Ned quickly swam over to them and pulled Aronnax's arm around his neck, flipping onto his back as he began to stroke slowly but steadily towards land.

"I have him, Conseil. Can you make it to shore?"

"Yes," said the Fleming, resolute as ever.

As soon as his feet began to scrape against sand Ned felt a fresh surge of raw strength give new vigour to his muscles. He turned and gripped Aronnax underneath his arms, hauling the professor onto the shore and far, far away from the ocean. The waves lapped at Aronnax's feet and Ned suddenly had the mad, insane notion that the ocean was trying to pull Aronnax back into its dark, cold depths.

No, no! They were safe – they were finally free of that madman. Ned would be damned if he let the ocean steal Aronnax away.

Once he was far enough from the shore Ned set Aronnax down. He bent over, hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. Conseil was right behind, falling down on his knees next to Aronnax.

"Monsieur!" he gasped, gripping Aronnax's limp hand between his own and squeezing. There was no response.

Feeling steadier, Ned pushed his wet hair out of his face and knelt down next to his friends. He winced as he finally got a good look at the professor.

Aronnax's face was so pale that his skin almost looked translucent in the bright morning sunlight. His features were horribly gaunt and there were dark shadows under his eyes. His hair, soaked with sea water, clung to his brow and sharp cheekbones. A thin trickle of blood trailed down the side of his face.

"Is he…?" Conseil could not finish his sentence.

Ned bent down, bracing himself on his forearms on either side of Aronnax's head as he put his ear close to Aronnax's mouth. He felt a faint but warm breath and nearly collapsed in relief, barely catching himself so he didn't crush Aronnax.

"No, he's still breathing." Barely, he thought but he didn't have the heart to speak that last part out loud. Conseil, perceptive as ever, caught the grim tone in Ned's voice and gave the Canadian a panicked look.

"Sorry, Professor, but this is going to hurt," said Ned, hating what he was about to do but determined to save Aronnax.

Conseil helped Ned pull Aronnax's soaked coat off and then rolled it up so that Aronnax's head was laying on it instead of the hot sand.

The Canadian then rolled Aronnax onto his side facing away from him. He knelt on one knee and pulled Aronnax up so that he was laying across Ned's leg, his head hanging like a broken marionette.

Conseil watched all this in confusion. "What are you doing, Ned?"

"An old sailor's trick," said Ned.

He made sure Aronnax was steady before proceeding to pound him hard on the back, right between his shoulder blades.

"You are hurting him!" said Conseil in alarm, reaching forward as if to intervene but freezing at Ned's warning look.

"No, I'm saving him! Better a few bruises than the alternative!" snapped Ned before returning his attention to Aronnax.

Checking to make sure that Aronnax's head was still lower than his body, Ned continued with his pummeling. He thought he heard the professor let out a soft groan and renewed his efforts.

"Come on, Professor, don't give up! Don't you dare give up!" growled Ned. He felt Aronnax twitch under him and then suddenly Aronnax was jerking and convulsing in Ned's arms. He coughed and retched as he spit up sea water.

Nearly laughing in relief, Ned quickly wrapped his arms around Aronnax's shuddering torso so that he wouldn't fall over. "That's it, easy Professor, get it all out," he said, wincing in sympathy as Aronnax began to cough up bile. He tightened his hold as Aronnax shook in his arms, coughing a bit more before going limp again.

"He's all right- he's breathing better now," Ned reassured Conseil as they both eased Aronnax back onto the sand. Ned didn't like how his head wound was still bleeding but just as he was about to tear his shirt to bandage it Conseil stood.

"Look, Ned!" said Conseil, waving his arms at two men who were running towards them. "We are no longer alone. Oh, it is so good to see friendly faces again!"

Yes, it was, thought Ned as the men, fishermen he guessed, drew nearer.

The two men, obviously father and son, first spoke to them Norwegian and then in broken English when they realised neither Ned nor Conseil understood them.

"I am Johan and this is my father, Leif," said the younger man. "Our home is not far. You can stay with us."

All Ned could do was nod his head in thanks. Conseil shook both men by the hand, warmly thanking them in French, German, and English. Leif, unable to speak English, merely smiled at Ned in reassurance and clapped him on the back.

Together Ned, Conseil and Johan carried Aronnax back to their small but comfortable home.

Once their guests were settled both men left to get more help from the village, Johan reassuring them that they would not be gone long.

After father and son had gone Ned looked at Conseil. Both men took up positions on either side of Aronnax, who had been laid out on a low bed.

"Do you think he will wake soon?" asked Conseil as he once again took hold of Aronnax's hand. Ned shrugged even as he took Aronnax's other hand in his own, gently squeezing the cold, slender fingers to warm them.

"I don't know, Conseil, but the professor's a hardy fellow. He'll wake soon enough, you'll see."

Conseil nodded, the worry finally fading from his dark eyes as he settled more comfortably on the chair.

Ned leaned back against the wall, still holding onto Aronnax's hand. Leif had lit a fire before he left despite the warm August day and he felt the warmth easing the tension from his limbs.

The Canadian sighed, but it was one of relief and gratitude, rather than exhaustion and despair.

They had been brought back to life – to living instead of just existing. Ned was happy to wait as long as needed.

Free, Ned thought, closing his eyes momentarily as a surge gut-clenching relief rushed through him.

Freedom. He had almost despaired of ever feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin again, of seeing land again…no, he would not linger on those thoughts any more. That was in the past.

They were free and they were together. It was a brand new day with the rest of their lives ahead of them.

They were free.