The Makings of a Pirate, by Hellborne
Pirates of the Caribbean
Copyright: Characters, not mine, See the Mouse. Story, mine, but I make no money. He does, but not on this.
Typing convention. / is used for thoughts.
Archive: adultfanfiction.net, but if you want it, just let me know the URL.
Beta: Now beta'd by my most perfect and wonderful Pendragginink and her magnificent Jackal! Hail to thee, oh modest and humble BetaGoddess!
Summary: Jack Sparrow seems to be waging a personal war on slavery. Elizabeth and Will want to know WHY.
NOTE: Inasmuch as I'm pulling out of fanfiction.net, I needed somewhere to put all of my fics. This story was originally over there. If you've read it over there, either read it again and enjoy (this version has been beta'd by my ever so wonderful beta Pendragginink - THANK YOU!!!), or just hop out and wait for the sequel, which will be on its way quite shortly. The title will be "And the Winds of Destiny" after an old Irish blessing as quoted in the movie "Blow"...believe me, it's appropriate.
A/N: Feed the plot bunnies or they'll starve...and I won't write anything else.
- - - - - - -
Epilogue - Longing
(Six Months Later)
Governor Smythe-Douglass' office was decorated far differently than Governor Swann had kept it. There were many books, to be sure, but now it was far more "cheerful" if that were the proper word for it. The curtains were yellow lace, and there was a divan for visitors to sit on now rather than the wooden chairs that the previous governor had preferred. Governor Smythe-Douglass, it seemed, preferred his guests to be comfortable. The bar was always stocked and within easy access to anyone who wanted it; the Governor didn't drink. The divan was covered in yellow and green with lilacs running through it, and was quite comfortable. There was a painting of the fort's gallows on the wall behind the desk, and seven gold teeth in a special glass, coffin-shaped case at the base of it. Lord Raymond was standing at the window as he did each day, watching the ocean waves. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. He knew he'd never be free to ride the waves ever again. He sat at his desk and went over the guest list. He'd heard from everyone that he'd expected to hear from. Only three people on the list had not been heard from, and although they would save him from an evening of misery if they came, he knew they would never chance it. He put the list in the drawer and locked it. He walked back to the window and looked out again, opening the window to breathe the salt air. He sniffed. "Hmm...Storm coming."
There was a knock at the door. "Come."
Captain Groves entered the room and poured himself a glass of rum. The governor turned from the window. "Yes?"
Groves looked at him closely, then downed the glass, pouring himself another one and downing it as well before putting the glass down. "Sir, I have messages for you." He walked over and handed Lord Raymond three envelopes.
He turned them over and looked at them nonchalantly. "Where did you get these, Captain?"
"From the authors, sir. They bade me bring them to you personally."
"Did they have aught else to say?" The governor watched Groves intently.
"Yes, sir. They wanted you to know that they're doing well, and that..." Groves looked him in the eyes. "They miss you, sir."
"I see. And have you spoken of this to anyone else?"
"Never sir! I would never utter a word of it to anyone. Especially not the Commodore. He'd have kittens."
The governor chuckled. "That he would. And just how do you feel about it, and how much do you know?"
"I know who you are, and I know who Commodore Robert James is. I also know why. James told me when he gave me the envelopes for you. I still can't see you beneath that."
"That is because I am extremely careful, Theodore. May I call you Theodore?"
"Of course, sir. Call me Ted"
"Good. Then call me Raymond. I would rather not be formal today."
"Thank you, Raymond. May I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Why did you hang Captain Sparrow? It seems to me that killing Sparrow makes it impossible for you to leave."
"I did that on purpose, Ted. You see, the temptation may have been too great had I left Jack Sparrow alive. With Sparrow dead, I can live with my duty. Does that answer your question?"
"Yes sir."
"Oh, Captain?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Tell the Commodore to furl sails on all vessels. There's a storm coming. It should hit around half way through the midwatch." He went back to the window. "Thank you, Ted. For everything. Feel free to drop in any time to just talk. I could use the company."
"Thank you, Raymond." Captain Groves left quietly.
He read the three letters one after another. All three were RSVPs to his Christmas Ball. The last three, and a tear came to his eye as he read them. All of them would attend. He was so glad that he made it a costume ball! He just hoped that nobody would recognize James' trademark, melodious voice. Two weeks was a long time. But all he had left was time, so he could wait.
- -
Robert stood at the helm as they rounded the cliffs and Port Royal came into view. He smiled briefly, looking at the Governor's mansion at the top of the hill looking over the town. He almost thought he could see the governor looking out his office window. But no, not even with the spyglass would he be able to make out that much detail. He had thought he'd miss the fort, but he really didn't. It didn't compare with the great freedom his Lady gave him. He ran his hands over the wheel and hummed Jack's favorite song. The Pearl glided majestically past the town at dusk, and headed out to sea. They'd be back in two weeks for the ball.
- -
Lord Raymond decided to retire early. He bade his butler goodnight, and went to his private chambers. He removed his cravat, shirt, shoes and stockings, and put them in their proper places. As he removed his breeches, his hand fell to his outer thigh. He looked down. The ridges from his slave's brand were smooth to the touch and had faded a bit through the years, but it was still there. He only prayed that there would be a time when the Crown would finally realize just how evil slavery was and free ALL the slaves. But he knew better.
- -
End
A/N: If you want to see "And the Winds of Destiny...", I'd suggest you hit the REVIEW button. It's started out VERY nicely in my opinion...however, I could be wrong, so if you REVIEW this one, you'll see THAT one and be able to tell me if I'm write. So hit that REVIEW button!!!!
Pirates of the Caribbean
Copyright: Characters, not mine, See the Mouse. Story, mine, but I make no money. He does, but not on this.
Typing convention. / is used for thoughts.
Archive: adultfanfiction.net, but if you want it, just let me know the URL.
Beta: Now beta'd by my most perfect and wonderful Pendragginink and her magnificent Jackal! Hail to thee, oh modest and humble BetaGoddess!
Summary: Jack Sparrow seems to be waging a personal war on slavery. Elizabeth and Will want to know WHY.
NOTE: Inasmuch as I'm pulling out of fanfiction.net, I needed somewhere to put all of my fics. This story was originally over there. If you've read it over there, either read it again and enjoy (this version has been beta'd by my ever so wonderful beta Pendragginink - THANK YOU!!!), or just hop out and wait for the sequel, which will be on its way quite shortly. The title will be "And the Winds of Destiny" after an old Irish blessing as quoted in the movie "Blow"...believe me, it's appropriate.
A/N: Feed the plot bunnies or they'll starve...and I won't write anything else.
- - - - - - -
Epilogue - Longing
(Six Months Later)
Governor Smythe-Douglass' office was decorated far differently than Governor Swann had kept it. There were many books, to be sure, but now it was far more "cheerful" if that were the proper word for it. The curtains were yellow lace, and there was a divan for visitors to sit on now rather than the wooden chairs that the previous governor had preferred. Governor Smythe-Douglass, it seemed, preferred his guests to be comfortable. The bar was always stocked and within easy access to anyone who wanted it; the Governor didn't drink. The divan was covered in yellow and green with lilacs running through it, and was quite comfortable. There was a painting of the fort's gallows on the wall behind the desk, and seven gold teeth in a special glass, coffin-shaped case at the base of it. Lord Raymond was standing at the window as he did each day, watching the ocean waves. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. He knew he'd never be free to ride the waves ever again. He sat at his desk and went over the guest list. He'd heard from everyone that he'd expected to hear from. Only three people on the list had not been heard from, and although they would save him from an evening of misery if they came, he knew they would never chance it. He put the list in the drawer and locked it. He walked back to the window and looked out again, opening the window to breathe the salt air. He sniffed. "Hmm...Storm coming."
There was a knock at the door. "Come."
Captain Groves entered the room and poured himself a glass of rum. The governor turned from the window. "Yes?"
Groves looked at him closely, then downed the glass, pouring himself another one and downing it as well before putting the glass down. "Sir, I have messages for you." He walked over and handed Lord Raymond three envelopes.
He turned them over and looked at them nonchalantly. "Where did you get these, Captain?"
"From the authors, sir. They bade me bring them to you personally."
"Did they have aught else to say?" The governor watched Groves intently.
"Yes, sir. They wanted you to know that they're doing well, and that..." Groves looked him in the eyes. "They miss you, sir."
"I see. And have you spoken of this to anyone else?"
"Never sir! I would never utter a word of it to anyone. Especially not the Commodore. He'd have kittens."
The governor chuckled. "That he would. And just how do you feel about it, and how much do you know?"
"I know who you are, and I know who Commodore Robert James is. I also know why. James told me when he gave me the envelopes for you. I still can't see you beneath that."
"That is because I am extremely careful, Theodore. May I call you Theodore?"
"Of course, sir. Call me Ted"
"Good. Then call me Raymond. I would rather not be formal today."
"Thank you, Raymond. May I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Why did you hang Captain Sparrow? It seems to me that killing Sparrow makes it impossible for you to leave."
"I did that on purpose, Ted. You see, the temptation may have been too great had I left Jack Sparrow alive. With Sparrow dead, I can live with my duty. Does that answer your question?"
"Yes sir."
"Oh, Captain?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Tell the Commodore to furl sails on all vessels. There's a storm coming. It should hit around half way through the midwatch." He went back to the window. "Thank you, Ted. For everything. Feel free to drop in any time to just talk. I could use the company."
"Thank you, Raymond." Captain Groves left quietly.
He read the three letters one after another. All three were RSVPs to his Christmas Ball. The last three, and a tear came to his eye as he read them. All of them would attend. He was so glad that he made it a costume ball! He just hoped that nobody would recognize James' trademark, melodious voice. Two weeks was a long time. But all he had left was time, so he could wait.
- -
Robert stood at the helm as they rounded the cliffs and Port Royal came into view. He smiled briefly, looking at the Governor's mansion at the top of the hill looking over the town. He almost thought he could see the governor looking out his office window. But no, not even with the spyglass would he be able to make out that much detail. He had thought he'd miss the fort, but he really didn't. It didn't compare with the great freedom his Lady gave him. He ran his hands over the wheel and hummed Jack's favorite song. The Pearl glided majestically past the town at dusk, and headed out to sea. They'd be back in two weeks for the ball.
- -
Lord Raymond decided to retire early. He bade his butler goodnight, and went to his private chambers. He removed his cravat, shirt, shoes and stockings, and put them in their proper places. As he removed his breeches, his hand fell to his outer thigh. He looked down. The ridges from his slave's brand were smooth to the touch and had faded a bit through the years, but it was still there. He only prayed that there would be a time when the Crown would finally realize just how evil slavery was and free ALL the slaves. But he knew better.
- -
End
A/N: If you want to see "And the Winds of Destiny...", I'd suggest you hit the REVIEW button. It's started out VERY nicely in my opinion...however, I could be wrong, so if you REVIEW this one, you'll see THAT one and be able to tell me if I'm write. So hit that REVIEW button!!!!