A Deadliest Catch Tribute
Characters: Will Turner and Elizabeth Turner
Rating: G
Spoiler(s): the present
Warning(s): None
Disclaimer: I don't own them; the characters belong to Disney, et al. No infringement is intended.
In this new era, the 21st century, the Flying Dutchman is rarely needed anymore.
People don't really die at sea. The tall ships of the 1700s have eventually given way to speed boats, yachts, personal water craft ... at this Will Turner shakes his head, the moniker for the speedy little things still amusing to him ... floating palaces called cruise ships, myriad others. Naval vessels still navigate the seas, but rescue is now more common than death, other than during times of war.
And the Dutchman sails at world's end, forever faithful, waiting for the call that seldom comes.
"The immaterial has become ... immaterial," Cutler Beckett would have sneered.
And yet, there is a place where her services are still needed. A place where the Calypso of old still reigns, harsh, untameable, demanding her respect and unforgiving of those who are foolish enough not to give it to her.
There are men who sail those waters that are unlike any others. They work hard, play hard, drink hard, live hard. They are men who relish her challenge, harvest her bounty, and want no other way of making their living.
Men who realize that the slightest misstep will end with their lives being forfeit for their carelessness. The Bering Sea, they know all too well, is an exacting mistress.
Elizabeth Turner comes to stand next to her husband as he leans against the rail. She wears a long coat over a loose shirt, breeches and worn boots, her hair sun-streaked and touseled. She hooks her arm through his, lays her cheek against his sleeve, and stares out at the quiet Seas of the Dead that he ponders.
"The crab fishing season is starting," she tells him, although she knows that he is already aware of it.
"The men are ready?" Will asks, turning his head to press a quick kiss on crown of her head.
"Aye."
And they wait for the call to ferry home to Fiddler's Green those men who love the sea above all else, who fiercely embrace the freedom she offers, and who would rather die in her arms than live any other way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: I've watched The Deadliest Catch, with my kids, for years on the Discovery Channel. I've never missed a season. I was greatly saddened to hear of the death of Phil Harris, captain of the Cornelia Marie. He was my favorite, a man who lived hard, wanted no other way of life, and who had the privilege of being able to sail the Bering Sea with his two sons. He was 53.
Fair winds and following seas, Captain. I will miss you.
Rating: G
Spoiler(s): the present
Warning(s): None
Disclaimer: I don't own them; the characters belong to Disney, et al. No infringement is intended.
In this new era, the 21st century, the Flying Dutchman is rarely needed anymore.
People don't really die at sea. The tall ships of the 1700s have eventually given way to speed boats, yachts, personal water craft ... at this Will Turner shakes his head, the moniker for the speedy little things still amusing to him ... floating palaces called cruise ships, myriad others. Naval vessels still navigate the seas, but rescue is now more common than death, other than during times of war.
And the Dutchman sails at world's end, forever faithful, waiting for the call that seldom comes.
"The immaterial has become ... immaterial," Cutler Beckett would have sneered.
And yet, there is a place where her services are still needed. A place where the Calypso of old still reigns, harsh, untameable, demanding her respect and unforgiving of those who are foolish enough not to give it to her.
There are men who sail those waters that are unlike any others. They work hard, play hard, drink hard, live hard. They are men who relish her challenge, harvest her bounty, and want no other way of making their living.
Men who realize that the slightest misstep will end with their lives being forfeit for their carelessness. The Bering Sea, they know all too well, is an exacting mistress.
Elizabeth Turner comes to stand next to her husband as he leans against the rail. She wears a long coat over a loose shirt, breeches and worn boots, her hair sun-streaked and touseled. She hooks her arm through his, lays her cheek against his sleeve, and stares out at the quiet Seas of the Dead that he ponders.
"The crab fishing season is starting," she tells him, although she knows that he is already aware of it.
"The men are ready?" Will asks, turning his head to press a quick kiss on crown of her head.
"Aye."
And they wait for the call to ferry home to Fiddler's Green those men who love the sea above all else, who fiercely embrace the freedom she offers, and who would rather die in her arms than live any other way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: I've watched The Deadliest Catch, with my kids, for years on the Discovery Channel. I've never missed a season. I was greatly saddened to hear of the death of Phil Harris, captain of the Cornelia Marie. He was my favorite, a man who lived hard, wanted no other way of life, and who had the privilege of being able to sail the Bering Sea with his two sons. He was 53.
Fair winds and following seas, Captain. I will miss you.