(no subject)

Jun 06, 2007 18:38

Title: As Deep as the Ocean
Author: elaborationlove
Fandom: Pirates of the Caribbean
Pairing: James/Elizabeth
Rating: PG
Warnings: Spoilery.
Summary: But sailors often talked of love as deep of the sea with a dreamy look on their faces.
Author's Notes: WARNING: SPOILERY
Beta Credit: None.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Word Count: 1,453



Elizabeth stared down at the water, pondering on how deep it could be. The water plunged to the bottom of the ocean, and however far that was, Elizabeth hoped she would never find out. It would be unnerving to know, and she was glad she didn’t have the tools to figure it out. Being a Pirate King, it seemed unreasonable to be afraid of the deepness of the ocean. But sailors often talked of love as deep of the sea with a dreamy look on their faces. Surely the ocean had to be miles and miles deep in order for a man to love so deeply. And though she never wished to know the depths of the ocean, she hoped she might someday know the depths of that love which men so often spoke of. Will had not been what she had been searching for. He had been sweet, but he hadn’t loved her as fiercely as the ocean itself. Elizabeth thought she had found it in Jack, fearsome, clever, untamable Jack. But she had been wrong. The man was looking for freedom and a love like the one the sailors spoke of would only tie him down.

James Norrington joined her and stared down at the water. He crossed his arms and rested them on the guardrail before sighing softly. His shoulders tensed and a chill swept through his body; it was cold, despite the intensity of the sun’s light. Sunset had never been so cold in Port Royal. James wondered where they were, exactly, and if the location was the reason of the cool air that drifted around the deck as well as drafting its way through the door cracks into the rooms.

“It’s scary, isn’t it?” she asked suddenly and quietly.

James looked at her. “What is?”

“The water.”

“I’ve never looked at it like that.”

“It could kill you with one big sweep of itself.”

“I’ve heard drowning is a peaceful death,” James said with a reasonable tone.

Elizabeth swallowed and then smirked, looking back up at the man who now concentrated his eyes on the water once again. “If those who are drowned die, how do we know it’s peaceful when they can’t live to tell us?”

James smiled and smirked back at her. “I see Jack has rubbed off on you.”

Elizabeth grinned. “Only a little.”

James sighed. “I suppose you’re right. Some have been revived, though. They didn’t quite die-just got close to it.”

“Then they don’t know if those last moments are a horror of panic, now, do they?”

“I suppose not, but isn’t it enough to know it’s peaceful at least up until then?”

“Not particularly. I don’t plan on dying an early death.”

“Pirates often do not live a long life.”

“Yes, I know-Merry, but short.”

“So you’ve heard the saying.”

“I am a Pirate King,” she reminded him.

“Queen,” he corrected her. She looked up in surprise. That had never occurred to her. Queen. The word rang in her ears. “You are a woman,” he said. “That would make you a queen, rather a king. I much rather like you as a woman, anyway.”

He wouldn’t look at her until she turned his head with her long fingers. She furrowed her eyebrows, seeming to ask for an explanation of his last statement. He wouldn’t answer without being asked to, so she found the courage in her to say the words.

“What do you mean?”

James chuckled softly and then looked out to the horizon. “I mean what I said-I like you more as a woman than I man.”

“You’ve never known me as a man,” she grinned, trying to get him to say the exact words.

Still, he wouldn’t say what she wanted him to say. She wanted a direct answer and a direct confession, just in case she was mistaken on the implications of his words. He smiled, knowing he was annoying her, but she didn’t notice.

“I think I’ll turn in for the night,” he said, pushing away from the guardrail. “Should you need me, you know where to find me,” he tempted her subtly.

“Of course.”

Elizabeth stayed on deck until the sun was completely out of sight. She hated the dark and she wished she could find or build a ship that was fast enough to keep up with the earth so she would never have to endure the darkness. She always wondered if it would be easier if she was with someone who made her feel safe, but she doubted it would help much. There were some nights she very much enjoyed, especially the cool, summer ones where she never felt alone. Some of those nights, there were parties and balls she attended. She always went home early, before the alcohol was served. Once, father had slipped her a sip of champagne and one of wine. She spit it out after exiting the ballroom. She smiled at the thought and for a moment, the loneliness went away. Then, she went to her quarters.

Elizabeth sat against the headboard of the inexpensive bed. It was made of cheap materials and some of it was bitten by termites and ants. She sighed, bending her knees slightly. The cool air still drifted beneath the door and in through the cracks of the floor. She thought of how they would have to dock soon at a port which was having a trading session. They were in need of food, and rum. Elizabeth bit her lip, holding back a smile. She could still remember her first taste of rum. Jack had offered it to her and she had hesitated, knowing it was something she very much wanted to do for the sake of being bad but she also knew that it was something she really shouldn’t do, according to the general morality rules of her society.

The ship creaked, and she could feel it move slowly like a pendulum, counting the seconds, turning into minutes. The waves washed against the wood of the ship, creating a soft atmosphere. A light and a shadow flooded beneath her door. The hinges creaked as the door was pushed open, a candle appearing before a man.

“Elizabeth?”

“James, you startled me,” she breathed.

“Sorry.” He paused and sat at the foot of her bed, still holding the candle which casts shadows all over. “I didn’t wake you, did I?” he asked suddenly.

“No, no, I was awake. Just thinking.”

“What of?”

“Different things. Nothing specific.”

“Your mind has always mystified me. Humor me and share what’s going through it right now.”

“I’m wondering where to dock next. Tortuga will be a mess this time of year. With the children out of school, many young men will be venturing to find their own little piece of it. Any ideas?”

“No, keep talking. What else are you thinking about?” His voice seemed rushed, and he leaned forward, careful of the candle, interested in what she had to say.

She sighed. “Oh, everything.”

“Elaborate for me, please. I care to hear your thoughts, Elizabeth. Like I said, humor a tired man.”

“Well, when I was looking down at the water, I was thinking about Will. And Jack. And how the three of us had a really…messed up relationship. And then I thought of you, and how comfortable things always are with you.”

James put the candle on the floor without her noticing and slowly moved closer to her.

“Keep going,” he insisted softly.

“I thought about how you were always there, it seemed, no matter what. Even when your life was in danger…you were always there, James.”

By now, James had crawled up next to her and was daring himself to wrap his arms around her from behind. Before he got the chance to, Elizabeth turned onto her back and reached up to touch his stubbled cheek.

“You have beautiful eyes, James.”

Overjoyed, James pushed her hand away and covered her with his body, immediately pressing his lips to hers in a fit of lover’s bliss. He moved quickly and passionately, eager to satisfy both of their wants, but she only replied slowly.

“Are you not content?” he asked breathlessly. “Should I stop?”

“No.”

“Then why don’t you respond?”

“I’m just…amazed,” she tucked some of his hair which had strayed back behind his ear. “Absolutely in awe.”

James closed his eyes, revealing the full length of his long eyelashes and smiled. He opened his eyes again and put his palm to her jaw, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

“Even if you weren’t a pirate queen,” he said softly before brushing his lips against hers just barely with a tormenting softness, “You’d still be my queen.”

***
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pirates of the caribbean: james/elizabet

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