Norribeth: the KMC fic

Cut to Will and Elizabeth. Below decks, in a scene vaguely reminiscent of their cabin scene in film 1. They are sitting opposite each other as Will gently unwraps Elizabeth's arm. Elizabeth gazes away, deadened, still wrapped up in her grief.

Will: I keep thinking this is a nightmare I'm going to wake up from.

Elizabeth: To find yourself back in Port Royal, before all this happened?

Will: Sometimes. Or sometimes in England. It all seems so far away now.

Will has removed the cloth and looks down at her wrist with a gasp. It has already begun to scab, but the T is plainly visible. Elizabeth looks at him wistfully.

Elizabeth: T is for traitor.

Will: (with intense anger) Did Jack do this to you?

Elizabeth doesn't say anything. She leans into Will's embrace as he smooths back her hair and comforts her.

Elizabeth: Take me away from all this, Will. I don't want to be a pirate anymore.

CUT TO...

Will emerges and immediately finds Jack. He draws his sword. Jack doesn't look surprised.

Will: Did you really think that wise, Jack?

Jack: The question is, do you think THIS wise? Crossing blades with the legendary Captain Sparrow?

In response Will attacks, and Jack draws his own sword to defend himself. They begin to parry around the deck, as crewmen watch in confusion.

Will: You've crossed the line this time Jack.

Jack: And she hadn't?

Will: You had no right--

Jack: And killing me with solve all of that?

Will: I don't intend to kill you.

Jack: Good to know. So what's it to be... servitude? Hostaging?

Will: You're so sure I'll win?

In answer, Jack sheaths his sword and holds out his hands.

Jack: Relatively sure. I'm in no mood to battle the people who saved my life.

Will is shocked by Jack's answer, and the change he sees in him. In response, he goes to the cabin and retrieves Elizabeth, hurrying her to the longboat. He lowers the boat into the water as Jack and the crew watch.

Will: Goodbye Jack. And good luck with the battle.

Will rows away as Elizabeth keeps her eyes downcast. Jack watches them go with a black look of confusion, anger, sorrow and fear. He turns around to see Gibbs watching him.

Gibbs: Captain? Shall we go after them?

Jack: (shaking himself a little) No. Stay the course. There's a battle ahead.

...did Will just forget about Anamaria? 😄

But interesting post!

No, I just forgot to mention Anamaria's look of confusion when he rowed away, and the very sad conversation she'll have later with Jack in which she confesses her feelings for Will but understands why he left.

And of course, when Will swashbuckles his way back into the battle in the nick of time, they'll have a merry reunion. 🙂

^^ *giggle*

Well good. Look for my James/Beckett post soon.

k!

CUT TO WILL AND ELIZABETH ---- NIGHT

*They are heading toward the island they just left. Obviously they intend to repair one of the damaged ships and to leave as soon as possible.*

Will: I should have talked to Anamaria first. I should have explained...

Elizabeth: We can still go back.

Will: *looks at the Pearl and shakes his head* No. But I will find Anamaria again. I know it. *he hesitates* What about James?

Elizabeth: *she looks away* Tia makes it sound like there is no hope left for him. And --

*Elizabeth takes a breath*

Elizabeth: He killed my father.

Will: If it's any comfort, it wasn't really him. He would never have done that, Elizabeth. You know that.

*Elizabeth doesn't respond. She simply hugs her arms to her body and withdraws slightly. Will is obviously worried about the lack of response from his former fiance.*

P'liekitea: So you're just going to give up then?

*Will and Elizabeth stare at the mermaid floating beside their boat.*

Elizabeth: ...who are you?

P'liekitea: My name is not easily pronounced by human tongues. You may call me 'Spoon'.

*She seems childishly pleased with her name, but she frowns as Will and Elizabeth continue to stare at her.*

Will: Spoon?

P'liekitea: *indignantly* James suggested to me that I use the name of my favorite object from humans as my name.

Elizabeth: You know James? *looks over the lovely, quite naked mermaid over and obviously feels a twinge of jealousy.*

P'liekitea: Yes. He and I are friends. *is delighted at Elizabeth's jealous expression.* Very close friends.

Will: *quickly jumps into the conversation* What did you mean about us giving up?

P'liekitea: *looks at him slyly and flirtatiously* Just that you seem to be giving up so very easily when your friends still need you. And James.

Elizabeth: James is lost to us. He killed my father.

P'liekitea: You could save him if you wanted to.

*P'liekitea floats over to Will and pulls herself up onto the boat a little more so she can stroke his face. As with James, Will can't quite pull his gaze from hers. Elizabeth looks furious.*

Elizabeth: Oh really? Then why don't you tell us how we can do so?

*P'liekitealeans closer to Will, who blinks and suddenly pulls away. P'liekitea sighs.*

P'liekitea: Can't blame a girl from trying. *she looks over at Elizabeth* If I tell you, will you save him?

Elizabeth and Will: Yes!

P'liekiteaa: You must find the queen and kill her. She is the one controlling James. Of course, if you really aren't sure, I could go and save him....

Elizabeth: *firmly* That won't be necessary.

P'liekitea: Who is the leader of the pirates?

*Will and Elizabeth exchange glances.*

Will: We don't know, Spoon. I suppose Jack Sparrow.

P'liekitea: I see. *she looks over at Elizabeth* Let me see your arm.

*Elizabeth hesitates, but can't resist the urge to let the mermaid examine her injury. P'liekitea sings a few notes, and the wound slowly heals over. There is still a scar, but the pain is gone.*

P'liekitea: I cannot get rid of the scar for you. You must bear it always, as a reminder.

*P'liekitea smiles at them.*

P'liekitea: Now I must speak to Jack Sparrow. If you change your mind about joining the battle, you need only to drop this into the water.

*She hands Will a ring, her fingers lingering on his a little longer than necessary before she dives back into the water.*

-------

James and Beckett scene coming up shortly. 😄 Had to get this out of the way first. 😄

very fun! 🙂 i'm glad mermaids have invaded the story. I really, really am. Mermaids for everyone! 🙂

By the way, Kate, I meant to tell you how much I liked that line of yours where Elizabeth says she doesn't want to be a pirate anymore. 😄 I think that's a great line, and very IC for everything that she's been through.

---

CUT TO TORTUGA --- NIGHT

*Beckett and Mercer are on the shore. Burned buildings fill the background. Off to the side are two docked ships. One is Beckett's flagship, the other is a miserable looking ship. On the air is a haunting song that is eerie and oddly pleasant to listen to. Davy is standing on the deck of Beckett's ship, watching.*

Beckett: I see them coming.

*In the dim light, four shark fins are visible. The karcharika crawl onto the beach. James follows them, dragging himself only partway onto the beach before he collapses.*

CLOSE UP OF JAMES

*James' eyes are still wide and black. There is no color to them at all, and no white. His skin has taken on a grey tinge, and around his neck are gills, which are laboring to pull in air now that he is no longer in the water. Atropos stops beside him and hums something softly to him. James' eyes slide shut, and the gills slowly seal over and vanish.*

CUT TO BECKETT

Beckett: I see that you have brought him to me. Did you run into any trouble.

Atropos: *angrily* Only one pesssky mermaid. Ssshe killed one of my sistersss. We will ssseek vengeanccce later.

*Beckett shifts uncomfortably at the angry tone of Atropos. He cautiously steps closer to James' body and gently nudges the unconscious man with his boot. James does not stir.*

Beckett: Can you wake him for me?

*Atropos bends protectively over James and makes an angry sound at Beckett.*

Atropos: Not until payment hasss been given.

Beckett: I'd rather know --

Atropos: Payment firsst, or I tear hisss throat out now!

Beckett: *looks up at Davy, who is watching it all unfold with a smug expression.* Very well. The black ship is filled with prisoners. You may have them.

Atropos: *strokes back damp strands of hair from James' face.* And the crew.

*Beckett is not prepared for this, but after looking at the gathering group of karcharika and hearing the song change, realizes he has no choice.*

Beckett: Of course. The crew.

Atropos: If you wisssh the human to wake, you only need to command it. *She hands Beckett a small coin that glows very faintly.* Keep this on you at all times, and he cannot refuse an order you give him.

*Beckett eagerly accepts the coin and slides it into his pocket. At the same time, the ship with the prisoners suddenly breaks apart. Men scream as they fall into the water, and the karcharika surround them, pulling them deeper into the water.*

Atropos: And now we will depart.

Beckett: *disturbed by the scene* What about the rest of our bargain?

Atropos: *kisses James on the lips suddenly, then looks up at Beckett* Yesss. We will fulfill our part. You would do well to fulfill your part.

Beckett: *knows that Atropos is up to something with the kiss, but doesn't know what to do* Of course.

*He watches as Atropos joins her sisters in the feeding frenzy, then he looks back down at James, who still hasn't moved.*

Beckett: Wake up now, James. It's time to fight for me.

*James sighs and mumbles something, then his eyes slowly open. They are completely black for a moment, but then slowly fade to green, though his pupils are dilated.*

Beckett: Get up. We have much to discuss.

THE SCENE FADES AS JAMES GETS TO HIS FEET AND FOLLOWS BECKETT ONTO THE FLAGSHIP.

----

CUT TO JAMES' CABIN --- STILL NIGHT

*James is seated at a desk, staring at some maps. He clean-shaven but his hair is still long, and is pulled away from his face and held in place at the nape of his neck with a ribbon. He is dressed in the EITC uniform. He looks almost normal, but it is obvious he isn't quite himself.*

*There is a knock on the door.*

James: *looks up* Enter.

*Davy Jones, Groves, and Beckett enter.*

Beckett: And how are you feeling, Admiral?

James: *puzzled expression* I'm a bit confused.

Groves: *distrubed, but tries to be consoling* That's natural sir, after the fever that you've had.

Beckett: Don't worry about it, James.

*James blinks, shakes his head and then refocuses on them.*

James: Yes, of course you're right. What can I help you gentlemen with?

----

Okie, done with that for now. 😄 It's not quite what I had intended to do, but eh, the story sometimes does what it wants.

oh, the ship full of prisoners was a very nice touch. very creepy, very good. 🙂

Where has Willo got to? It's high time she did a bit. 🙂

Cut to the Black Pearl, still at the head of the pirate ships. Jack and Gibbs are discussing.

Jack: But if they get their hands on Norrington, all our plans will be known.

Gibbs: With any luck, he's in the locker.

Jack gives Gibbs a look, and he shuts up.

Anamaria comes up, business-like.

Anamaria: Mr. Gibbs, to the helm.

Gibbs nods and takes a swig from a bottle as he saunters off.

Anamaria: The ship's gotten rather lonely, eh?

Jack: You need something?

Anamaria: (suddenly soft) What did you do to make Will leave?

Jack looks up from his map, seeing the hurt in Anamaria's usually toughened face. Wearily he stands and puts his arms around her.

Jack: He had to do what was right by him.

Anamaria: (trying to smile) Well, I suppose I should have known he would leave eventually.

Jack: The timing could have been better.

Anamaria: So you marked Elizabeth, eh?

Jack: (getting a bit angry) I've never known you so interferring, Anamaria.

Anamaria: Poor Jack Sparrow. A tragic death after a lifetime of seeking vengeance, and now you're back, and all you can think of is vengeance still. It must be wearying.

Jack: (typical Jack fashion, with a bit of a smile) That's enough.

Anamaria: Nothing's enough for you, Jack. One day you're going to catch the horizon and realize your life is empty. When there are no more ships to steal or ladies to court or gold to discover, you're going to realize you have regrets.

Jack: I regret letting you back on my boat, if you're going to talk to me this way. Mr. Gibbs! (Gibbs enters) Please give the lady something useful to do.

Gibbs ushers Anamaria out, who pauses to give Jack a disgusted look.

Jack: What's happened to all the pirates? It used to be you could have a decent conversation with a shipmate, without them getting all emotional on you.

Marty runs in.

Marty: Captain! We're coming up on Tortuga.

Not to be argumentative and difficult, but isn't that a little fast to be up at Tortuga? 😄

----

CUT TO JAMES' CABIN --- EARLY DAWN

*James is seated at his table still. His eyes are almost entirely black again, and there are dark smudges under his eyes. Beckett is seated near him, and Davy Jones is standing, looking out the window.*

Beckett: *impatiently* Tell me about their plans, now!

James: *quietly, distantly* There are no plans. They had an idea to try to trap you in the islands near Tortuga, but nothing was decided on. The pirates are fractured and useless, with no leader.

Beckett: And what of the goddess?

James: She believes that she is going to die.

*Davy stiffens at the window, but doesn't speak.*

Beckett: I sent for Mercer some time ago. I can't imagine where he's gone to.

James: Oh, I have an idea.

*Beckett and Jones both look over at James, who is smirking. His eyes are completely black now.*

James: There were not enough prisoners, Lord Beckett. You did not meet the payment requirements that were agreed upon. Mercer, fortunately, was suitable enough to placate my mistress.

Beckett: *is shocked* You...how could you do this? -I- control you now!

*James is about to respond, but Davy Jones comes up behind him and strikes him in the back of the head with his sword hilt. James crumples to the floor and does not move.*

Jones: Now do you see why I said not to trust them? Let him sleep it off -- the less time they can touch his mind, the less they can control him. Save him for the battle.

Beckett: *nods in agreement* Keep him quiet until we need him, Jones.

*Jones mutters to himself and hauls James up none-too-gently, and throws the limp figure onto the bed. James groans but doesn't move otherwise. Jones bends lower, peers at the unconscious admiral*

Jones: I should just throw ye to them now, lad. Spare you the trouble and pain of being torn in two directions.

*He tugs off James' coat and rolls the man over.*

Jones: Or maybe I should kill you now.

*There is no response from James, who is obviously quite unconscious. Davy sits back in a chair and lights up his pipe and takes a few puffs. A few minutes later, there is a knock on the door, and Davy answers it.*

Jones: Luckily for you, your man Groves is quite an adept pick-pocket.

*Jones holds up the small coin in his tentacled hand and smiles.*

------

I'm holding off on Beckett doing anything quite yet. 😄 I wanna see what Liz and Will decide on first.

yes very fast for them to be at tortuga, but i was getting bored of playing ring around the caribbean. lol. 🙂

Cut to Will and Elizabeth. They are aboard one of the ships they patched, sailing into the night. Both look uncomfortable.

Will: You're sure you want to do this?

Elizabeth: Do we have anything else to live for?

Will: I don't know. There's my father, there's... (he's about to say anamaria, but stops)

Elizabeth: (sighing) I thought for a few blessed minutes we could run away, go back to England, start a new life.

Will: So did I.

Elizabeth: (smiles wryly) But it seems there is a lot to live for, still... and it's all here. If we run now, we'll be running forever. And come to think of it, the locker wasn't that terrible.

Will: I promised your father I would protect you.

Elizabeth: Well, Mr. Turner, there's been a mutiny aboard the ship and I declare myself the new captain. Now how are we going to find that mermaid queen?

Will: So it'll be saving the commodore, then?

Elizabeth: Yes. After that, it's up to you.

Wow. I leave for a little while and everything's changed. A little confusing in places, mainly because we didn't name the ships, but this is good, very good.

(Anamaria is alone on the Pearl, looking down at what she was working on earlier. It is a letter that she is rolling up and placing in a bottle. She hurls it into the ocean)

Anamaria: Please find it, Will.

(there is a sound behind her. She turns around. Jack is completely wasted and fell down the steps)

Anamaria: (sarcastic) Oh dear husband, are you at all injured?

Jack: Quiet you! (staggers to his feet only to slip again. Anamaria tries to help him up) You've always been nice. Why can't I be nice?

Anamaria: Come on. (puts her arm around him) You're sleeping this off.

Jack: (pushes her off) Didn't ye see what I did to her? What I did to me little Lizzie? She was just tryin' to do what was right by her, and I took that... Why are you still here?

Anamaria: It's all right, Jack.

Jack: No! No, it's not all right! Don't you patronize me. I don't even try to help her save the man she really loves.

Anamaria: Jack, Jack, look at me. (Jack looks at her, somewhat sobering up) Do you want to go after them?

Jack: Yes, I want to go after them! I thought you were a good listener.

Anamaria: All right. I will bargain with you. I'll take the helm and you please go to your cabin, lie down, and go to sleep.

Jack: This is why you're a good wife, Anamaria. (stumbles) Downright dedicated, you are! (swings his door open and passes out on his bed)

Anamaria: Pirates.

CUT TO DAVY AND BECKETT

Beckett: He'll be waking up soon. We need to use him now. I'm tired of waiting.

Davy: Can't rush world domination, Cutler.

Beckett: You have the coin. Wake him up and make him take the rest of the governors. I should have the king at my heels in a month.

Davy: No. (walks over to James) I'll wake him, but he's going to take care of something for me.

Beckett: Damn you, Jones! Do as I say!

Davy: Why? I have the coin, and I think you're going to like this.

Beckett: Like what?

Davy: He's going to kill Jack Sparrow.

CUT TO WILL AND ELIZABETH

Liz: Will! It's Spoon again! She's coming up really fast.

Will: Are you sure it's her and not some monster?

Spoon [sorry, can't spell her name]: Hello again! I did some swimming, and I know where James is.

Liz: Where?

Spoon: With the abominable Davy Jones (shudders. We see little goosebumps all along her little body)

Will: Jones. Someone is going to have to stab that heart, much sooner than we thought.

Liz: Can you take us to him? Please?

Spoon: To be able to lift the curse, you need to not only take the coin that controls him, but you need something else as well.

Someone else! Speaking of which, where did you get these names? They're really cool and definitely other-worldly.

mm hmmm very good. 🙂 I love this. We just get to put the characters in all the situations we want. hehehehe.

Perfect interaction b/w Ana and Jack, loved that! 🙂

im sorry, i think i'll have to also leave it to someone else to continue. I'm a bit confused about which mermaids are on whose side, what James is doing, etc.

Ok, I'll write something. 😄 Give me a bit of time. 😄

k! 🙂

That was another point of confusion for me. Can you explain the system of the mermaids and which ones are evil and which ones are good? And could you explain for Kate and me how Norrington came to be involved with them? Don't get me wrong, love...(heh heh heh, Jack quote) I really like them in this one, but I want to know just how they belong there so I can contribute a little more. I don't want to destroy whatever idea you had.

CUT TO WILL AND ELIZABETH

(They are following Spoon to the Flying Dutchman where Norrington is. They do not yet know the Black Pearl will find them. Liz is at the helm, enjoying following a mermaid. Spoon is gracefully doing something like a butterfly-stroke in the water ahead of the ship. Will is atop the mast, looking out into the sea. He sees something in the water that doesn't fit.)

Will: What?.... [Note: I know it probably wouldn't reach him, but this is POTC and there are no such things as mermaids. This is a fantasy picture! PS: Where are Pintel and Ragetti? Plus it reaching him against all odds is fate saying they belong together]

(Will sees a bottle and reaches down. His fingertips gently splash the water as he reaches for it. His eyebrows are filled with curiosity)

Anamaria's voice: Will, I can't tell if you left with Elizabeth because you changed your mind about the two of you, or if you left with her for some nobler reason. Hope and knowing you tells me it is the second. I just wish you would have told me if you would remember me before you left.

I'm not one to use a lot of educated words or talk for very long, but I will tell you this: Jack and I will not be married the next time you see me, if you ever find me. We both long for freedom, and we've chained each other all these years without meaning to do so. If you long to have a single, independent, fugitive woman, you have one waiting for you.

(Will folds the letter and pockets it. A small smile breaks across his face that slowly turns into a grin. It is as if a lightbulb has gone off)

Liz: Will!

Will: What is it? (runs up to her)

Liz: I see a ship.

Question: and I want both of you to answer this since Kate is a J/E shipper and Surreal isn't. Even though I love the N/E interaction here, are we still inadvertantly putting in some J/E chemistry? Does anyone else get that vibe? Maybe it's that we know their two characters best, but their scenes together still jump out to me, and I wanted to know if it was because of my bias to put them together, or if it's just the nature of the beast, you know?

^^^oh I'm totally doing it on purpose. hehehe. i dont know if you both are, because chemistry leaps off the page when you guys write them, but i definately write them that way on purpose. i cant help it. i've honestly tried not to, but it can't be helped. their characters, they just take over. anytime i picture the two of them acting together, that's what happens.

But of course Surreal will fully disagree, which is great. 🙂

all that aside, I liked the message in the bottle! 🙂 nice touch. and I agree, a bit of mermaid explanation would be great. I'm really enjoying them a lot.

Jack and Elizabeth have great chemistry, as long as it isn't romantic chemistry. *shudders* I despise that curiosity scene so much I can't even begin to describe it. I know, I know, everyone else finds it hot, but it reminds me of gross things.

That's just my own issue though. Don't mind me. I'm PMing an explanation to both of you about the mermaids. 😄 I'm so sorry for all the confusion. 🙁

Also, since Willo asked, the name karcharika is a mix of Greek words that mean 'shark' and er...shoot. Something else. 😛

Atropos, queen of the karcharika, is a Greek name as well. It comes from the myth of the Fates. Her name means "inevitable" or "inflexible". 😄

P'liekitea was created by my wonderful system of typing random keys on the keyboard, and then to make it more exotic, I added the apostrophe. 😄

I will type a post in a few minutes. I'm working on something, and hopefully I will not confuse anyone. 😄