Disclaimer: “He’s a lot like meself, but absent me merciful nature and sense of fair play.”

(An: This one’s a bit shorter, but it’s also a bit stupider. I could’ve gone into a lot more detail here, but that was how the story died the first time I tried to write it, so I decided to let a few examples stand for all.)

After conquering his shock, William talked with his father until he fell asleep on his feet. Leaving his grandfather—who was already head over heels for the lad—watching over him, Elizabeth and Will walked farther down the beach, holding hands and discussing whatever came into their heads. Their talk turned to William very quickly. “He’s a fine lad, Elizabeth,” Will said. “I just wish I could’ve been there to see him grow up.”

Elizabeth smiled absently, squeezing his hand. “I know, Will. He really is a good boy.” She sighed. “Although I’m a bit conflicted about his future.” Will glanced at her, and Elizabeth stopped walking. They turned to face each other, and Will put his hands on her waist. “I wanted… I wanted someone to carry on Father’s business, but… well…” She shrugged. “I’ve never seen a boy who looked more like a pirate in my life—not to mention how sulky he gets whenever we’re not at sea.”

Will ran his hands over her face. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that it’s impossible to deny the sea once it gets in your blood. Let the boy do as he likes.” He kissed both her cheeks and pulled her closer against him, his voice dropping to a murmur. “He’s just a child, after all. He’s got plenty of time to decide what he wants to do.”

Elizabeth sighed in a way that was not altogether unhappy. “I suppose. I’d hate to see Father’s lands fall into a relative’s hands… but there’s always William’s children. Someone there has to take after me.”

Will laughed, and then he kissed her and there wasn’t much room for more discussion.

O-o-O-o-O

Elizabeth didn’t take Will’s advice to heart—at least, not at first. The lessons in history, decorum, and how not to kill other dignitaries continued until William turned thirteen, when he finally locked himself in his room and refused to submit to another one. “I won’t do it, Mother!”

Elizabeth leaned against the door, hiding her face in her hands. To be honest, she was getting quite sick of being on land herself; if she had to be polite to another young noble who barely waited until her back was turned to whisper about her, she was going to scream. Leading this sort of double life was difficult, but until now, she’d thought it was worth it because William had at least gone along with it. Now it just seemed pointless. “William, please act your age. This is something I’d expect out of a child, not out of a young man like you.”

“But Mother!” She knew that this had to be serious: William rarely bothered arguing with her anymore. She could pretend it was an adolescent phase until she was blue in the face, but she doubted it would do her any good anymore.

Elizabeth sighed, rubbing her temples. “William.” Her son stopped in mid-word. “Would you please come out of your room so we can discuss this like civilized people?” She paused, turning her face toward the door. “I… I promise, if this is really your decision, I’ll listen. I just want to make sure you know what you’re doing before you do it.”

William opened his door so fast Elizabeth nearly tipped over.

O-o-O-o-O

Three months later found both of them back onboard The Duchess, for good this time. Elizabeth had passed the estate into the hands of a trusted advisor with the condition that any of William’s children could take control of it once they were eighteen. She would never admit how relieved it made her, but everyone could see it in her eyes, eyes that rarely left the horizon once it got late.

O-o-O-o-O

Elizabeth crossed her arms and gave her son the Stare. At fifteen, he knew already that the argument was lost, but he had to try anyway. It’s what Jack would have done. “But Mum—” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. He heaved a heavy sigh worthy of any actor. “But Mother—”

“No but’s, William, I won’t stand for this kind of mutiny from my own son.” She pointed at the wheel. “Now, who’s in my place?”

“It’s Belt Buckle,” William muttered, but he stepped out of the way and let his mother steer.

O-o-O-o-O

“You what? With Mistress Ching’s daughter?” William laughed nervously and shrugged. Elizabeth threw her hands in the air and turned her back on her son. Hiding her face in her hands, she let out a deep breath and tried to calm down. “You didn’t get her pregnant, did you?”

William blushed. “Mother! Of course not!” He rubbed the back of his neck. “She just… she’s persuasive, that’s all.” Elizabeth looked at him again, raising her eyebrows. “…and I may or may not have told her I’m captain of The Duchess.”

William was expecting a terrible backlash, but instead his mother frowned and ran a hand through her hair. “Well, that would solve all the problems, wouldn’t it?” she whispered.

William blinked. “Mother?” But Elizabeth had already turned away and was contemplating the setting sun. “…Does this mean I’m not in trouble?”

O-o-O-o-O

William, now better known as Belt Buckle Turner, scourge of the seven seas and anyone who dared to laugh at his nickname, stepped through the door to his mother’s quarters. He took off his hat, a gift from Jack, and inclined his head. “You wanted me, Mother?”

Elizabeth didn’t speak for a moment. Running her hands over the well-carved wood, she slowly turned her face toward her son. “You’ve done quite well, you know,” she commented. Her voice was quieter than usual. William frowned a little and walked closer to her. “I think you’ll be all right.”

“Mother?” Elizabeth said nothing. Rather, she turned around and embraced her son. William hugged her back, although he was thoroughly confused. His mother was always affectionate, but she’d been acting so strange lately… and that was saying something.

Stepping back, Elizabeth inspected him. Then she smiled a little and said, “Yes, you’ll do fine.” After a moment more of smiles, she reassumed the captain’s demeanor he was so used to and clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m passing the command of The Duchess over to you—no more gallivanting off with Jack on the Pearl.”

She paused, and then she took the Piece of Eight from around her neck and passed it to him. William looked at it without really comprehending what it was. “And command of Singapore, of course.” She frowned. “If you really must fool around with Mistress Ching’s daughter, at least do it when you’re in Singapore. I won’t have people thinking she’s using you to control my sea.”

William was still staring at the Piece of Eight. Finally, after a few minutes, he managed, “…Mother?”

Elizabeth closed her son’s hands around the Piece of Eight. “If you won’t be my legal heir, then I at least want someone competent taking my place here. And you’re the finest sailor I know.” She patted his hands. “Yes, you’ll do fine.” She turned to walk away, but William caught her wrist.

“Mother, what’s going on?” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “You’ve been so distracted lately. I mean, I know we get to see Father again soon, but—”

Elizabeth smiled. “Dear boy. You’re so sweet when you’re stupid.” With that, she strode past him. William stared at the necklace, unsure if he was more pleased or worried.

O-o-O-o-O

A few days later, William found himself standing on that same island, watching for the green flash in the distance. He felt distinctly more self-conscious this time, but at least he knew that his father wouldn’t be all that interested in him until the next morning. He watched as his father pitched over the side of the boat and swam to shore, did his best to look somewhere else as his mother greeted him, and then walked over. “Hello, Father.”

Will looked him up and down, and then he laughed. “Why, Elizabeth! You’ve broken him to bridle!” He clapped his son on the shoulder. William tugged on his ponytail and looked at his feet. He was sure that wasn’t the case, but he had never been sure how to talk around his father once he’d exhausted his questions. However, he was pleased to see he was taller than both of his parents now.

Elizabeth put her arms around both Williams and rested her head against Will’s chest. “Not exactly, dear.” She looked at William and smiled in a way that he didn’t often see. “I’ve just learned that he takes after me more than I thought.”

O-o-O-o-O

When his mother told him she wasn’t returning to The Duchess, William knew he shouldn’t have been surprised, but he couldn’t help it. All of the clues had been in front of him, but it was impossible for him to imagine a life where his mother wasn’t constantly beside him, questioning his actions and pointing him toward a better way. He wasn’t surprised at at all to find tears in his eyes as he embraced her. “Now, now, don’t be that way,” Elizabeth murmured, stroking his hair just as she had when he was little. “It’s not like I won’t see you again. But you’re more than old enough to be on your own.”

“Elizabeth…” said Will, his eyes on the horizon.”

“I know, Will.” She held her son tighter for a moment, and then she stepped back, cupping his face in her hands. “You’ll do fine, William. You will.” She hugged him again, and then she took Will’s hand and let him lead her away.

William watched them go, and then he wiped the tears off his face. It wouldn’t do to let his crew see him crying; after all, he was captain now, and it would be hard enough to make them forget that they’d watched over him as a child.

(I purposely left the details vague as to what Elizabeth did to join Will… this isn’t canon anyway (since the Flying Dutchman’s curse gets broken if the woman’s faithful). I just wanted to have some fun.)