The Unraveling Thread

Author: immortaljedi aka jedipati

Disclaimer: The characters here belong to Disney, not me.

Characters: Ensemble Cast, no pairings

Rating: PG

Warnings: Somewhat dark

Summary: When Will Turner is not found by Elizabeth Swann, the consequences ripple out, and no one’s destiny is unchanged. A drabble series.

Author’s Notes: This is drabbles 16-20

16. Debt

Jack wasn’t surprised when, two days out from land, the Flying Dutchman rose out of the sea and sped toward his tiny sloop. He dropped canvas and brought his Sea Star to a halt.

There wasn’t any point in fighting. He knew what would happen, and he didn’t care.

At least he’d still be sailing the sea. He stood at the wheel of his ship as Dutchman crewmen appeared around him.

None of them said anything, but they also didn’t grab him.

Then Davy Jones looked at him. “Jack Sparrow. I thought you were dead.”

“As good as,” Jack responded.

17. Wary

Will eyed the newest crewman. Most of the new ones seemed to think that just because he was smaller then they were, he was fair game for their “fun”. This was the only thing he and Eli agreed on; new crewmen were trouble.

Will smirked. Not one of them had succeeded, thanks to quick reflexes, and the knives both cabin boys both carried.

The older crewmen knew better then to try anything. Will was small, but when he wanted to be, he was vicious. Eli was worse. It wouldn’t kill them, but a knife to the groin was never pleasant.

18. Forgotten

Will and Eli settled down side by side. They were talking idly. “No, I don’t remember my family,” Eli said. “I think… I’m not sure, but I think my mother was dead.”

“I know that Bootstrap is my father,” Will said. “But I can’t remember my mother.” He felt a faint pang of sadness at the thought. “What is Eli short for?”

Eli sighed. “I don’t remember. I’ve been just Eli for so long.”

Will nodded. “We all forget,” he said. “Every one of the crew.”

“I can’t remember why we fight,” Eli said softly.

“Neither can I,” Will replied.

19. Control

Cutler Beckett stared up into the night sky. He’d spent most of his life trying to find a way to control the seas. He’d thought the mythical Flying Dutchman might do it, but he’d never found a way to summon or control the captain of that ship.

And the Black Pearl, another legendary pirate ship, had proven to be beyond his control as well.

Admiral Norrington had been unwilling to allow him free reign to do his work, which had been vexing. Still, he’d managed to seriously curtail the activities of pirates. That was enough of a legacy to leave.

20. Possibilities

Eli sat down against the wall near the back of the storage area. She’d hidden here before, just to get away from everyone else. And right now, she needed to be alone. For some reason, that old man- dead on the shipwreck- had been familiar.

Bits of long forgotten conversations were playing through her mind. “Elizabeth, you’re my daughter and I only want what’s best for you.”

“But I don’t want to leave England!”

Could that old man have been her father?

She wrapped her arms around her knees and thought. If he was her father… did that mean anything?

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