Epilogue
-
1760, Port Royal
Elizabeth Swann felt her pulse increase when the violins grew louder and were accompanied by clarinets and flutes. The change in music meant it was almost time for her to walk down the path, lined by hundreds of seated guests. There was no sign of any bleak weather, nary a cloud in the sky. This time rain or greedy ambitious men will not interrupt her wedding.
“Hopefully this time your ceremony will not be interrupted by unwelcome unpleasantness,” her father said as he held out his arm for her. It almost seemed like he had read her mind. There had been many times in the past when he knew what she was thinking.
Her father was the reason why she wanted to return to Port Royal. She hadn’t seen him in so long and actually missed how he fussed over her. Their reunion was almost enough for her to take her mind off what had happened to James and the adventure they had shared. Her father had shed actual tears when he saw her and she lost all notion of time while they embraced.
“I am certain the East India Trading Company may be receiving several lecturing documents sent from England,” Elizabeth said. Letters have been sent to the king, all from the navy stating how they believed Beckett was trying to use them for his own benefits.
“Speaking of unpleasantness it would be best if we do not bring up that unfortunate chapter in our lives.” He father smiled politely. “Especially not here.” He nudged her gently.
Elizabeth knew what he was hinting at and began her walk down the path, stepping onto the flower petals that had been cast out long in advance. She studied the faces of those in the audience. There were a few who she could claim to be actual friends, including her maid, Estrella, who was wiping away tears. She briefly wondered what some of the high society people who were invited saw her as. Did they see her as a respectful woman, the daughter of the governor, a trouble making girl who flirts with pirates, a pirate herself, or someone even more.
“I cannot completely forget my adventure, Cutler Beckett yes, but not all of it.”
Her father nodded and briefly frowned. “We will try to find Commodore Norrington. I’ll have ships sent out to find him, but try not to get your hopes up. I will miss him as much as you.”
Elizabeth nodded and continued to smile at her guests. She caught the eye of the newly promoted Captain Barclay. It was his mission to fill Norrington’s role and search for the commodore himself. During the trip home she had discussed the flying ship with the captain and the others who had seen it. They had all agreed it would be best not to mention that in the letters to the king. She couldn’t tell them the real truth of what happened to James.
Please be safe Elizabeth thought. ‘James please be safe and happy. I hope your new life brings you much happiness.’ She had no idea if that strange crew was going to take care of him or not. Mrs. Washburne was a strong woman, Dr. Tam was respectful and polite and Miss Frye was very friendly. She did not like Mr. Cobb or Miss Tam and did not know anything of the seventh member of the crew. What little she knew of the captain she could tell he was a good man.
She pushed the thoughts out of her head as she approached the pulpit and stared into the beautiful brown eyes of the man she loved. She almost couldn’t believe he had shaved and had almost forgotten how handsome he looked in his black groom’s clothes.
Elizabeth glanced down at what she wore. It was a brand new dress, ivory in color. Pearls were sewn in at the hem and she was given a pair of white silk gloves to wear. She had wondered if it was to cover up her tan hands and the blisters and calluses she had received. There was to be much soaking of her hands followed by bottles of lotion and scented oil.
“A joining of minds,” The minister said as he stared past the couple and at the crowd that gathered. “A joining of hearts and souls. That is marriage. The lord has seen it that Mr. William Turner and Miss Elizabeth Swann are meant to be together, despite the trials and hardships thrown at them.”
Elizabeth only half listened to the minister as he continued. She couldn’t take her eyes of her William knowing that soon she would officially be his wife. They would spend the rest of their lives together.
“William Turner,” The minister addressed her fiancé. “Do you take Elizabeth Swann to be your own? Do you soulfully intend to love and cherish her through better times and worse times, through poorness and riches, good health and sickness, until death do you part?’
“I will take Elizabeth to be my wife,” Will gently grasp her hand and slipped a band of gold with an aqua hued jewel onto her finger. “Now and forever.”
“Do you, Elizabeth Swann accept William Turner as your husband?” The minister spoke to her. “Do you intend to honor and obey and love him through better times and worse times, through poorness and riches, good health and sickness, until death do you part?”
“I accept William Turner as my husband,” she slid a golden band onto Will’s finger. “From now until the end of time itself.”
“I pronounce you to be Man and Wife.” The Minister said.
Elizabeth didn’t hear nor care what he said after. She had pulled Will into an embrace and pressed her lips against his. She felt her heart was beating in perfect sync along with his, her husband’s. She did not know or care how long the kiss lasted and they did not part until the audience had stopped clapping.
-
Jack Sparrow was the first one out of the long boat and the first to climb up the old, rickety stairs that led to Tia Dalma’s hut. This was his last recourse he had before he would make the official command that half his crew had already voiced their oppositions.
“Are you certain this is the best course of action?” Gibbs had followed behind him. The cast the doctor from the future put on him had done the trick. Gibbs had kept his arm in the hardened substance as long as Jack had the one that encased his hand and the older man’s arm was as good as new.
“It’s actually my only course of action,” Jack raised his gloved hand. The doctor had told him his hand would never be quite the same and gave him the special fingerless glove to wear incase he ever felt any pain in that hand. “I know several of ye don’t want to go to Port Royal.” He stared past his first mate, at the others who came with them. Anamaria was right behind, followed by Barbossa, Yan Hui and Lady Phoenix. Jack had instructed Pintel and Ragetti to both stay and watch the boat.
“I’d be willing to steal from that cursed treasure again than to set foot in that port,” Barbossa said. “It be a death sentence for us Jack, and ye know that. It’s too foolish fer ye to be risking all of our lives fer that compass.”
“And when has it ever steered us wrong?” Jack crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows.
The monkey answered for him. He bounced on Barbossa’s shoulder and shrieked.
“Ah, but before that?”
“We should at least do something besides stand around,” Anamaria suggested.
“Unless that is what you want to do,” Jack added. “Of course don’t let me stand in your way, but I need to regain what is mind and since the lot of ye re too much cowardly we’re here to see if she has something similar.” He didn’t wait for their response before he pushed open the door to the hut.
Tia Dalma was seated at one of the worn tables. She had three cards in one hand and was laying another down on the table in front of here, where there were several other cards lined up in rows. She was so intent in her reading; she did not notice she had visitors.
Jack knew it would be bad to interrupt her before she had completed a reading and held up an arm, to silence anyone who had decided to follow him inside.
Tia took her time before she stared at the remaining two cards and placed them in the rows. She spent several minutes reading them before she looked up.
“Hello Tia, Darling,” Jack smiled at her. “It has been a while.”
“Jack Sparrow,” She grinned, displaying her stained teeth. “You did not come to see me after you have been resurrected.”
“I have been a bit busy,” Jack stepped aside to allow the others to get past him. “I came across some old friends I haven’t seen in a while. They were not to pleased to see me, although I cannot explain why.” He turned to smile at both Yan and Lady Phoenix. She returned his smile while Yan just rolled his eyes.
“Hector,” Tia grasped onto Barbossa’s hand. “You have returned my monkey?”
Barbossa chuckled weakly. “If only Jack is willing to return yer ring, lass.”
She wagged a finger at them. “You should both return what is mine.” She returned to greeting the others. Her smile faded and eyes saddened when she came across Lady Phoenix. “I am so sorry for your loss.”
“He died they way he wanted to,” Lady Phoenix said solemnly. “With his ship, and as a hero, although the thought of him making such a sacrifice had never crossed his mind before.”
“It is still painful,” Tia said.
Jack brushed his fingers across Tia’s shoulder. “A bit of a part of the problems I had, love. Couldn’t see ye when I had a certain beastie and half the Navy trying to hunt me down.”
“It is over,” Tia walked back to her table. “I could feel it from the water. It carried a message to the wind and the spoke to the trees and the insects and frogs, and they carried the message to me. They told me Jones is dead along with poor William Turner’s father.”
“You knew,” Jack, pressed the tips of his fingers together.
She nodded before her smiled faded. “I knew months ago”
“I hope you can forgive us,” Gibbs said. “Jack has been without proper direction for a while, and we also have been looking for some ships to replace those had been lost.”
Jack stared at his first mate, what he said was true but he shouldn’t have phrased it in that way.
“Our crew is only sailing with Sparrow’s until we have enough money to purchase another ship,” Yan said. “Then the captain promised to sail us back home, where we can find a proper ship.”
“He be owing the lass here and I ships of our own as well,” Barbossa said, indicating both him and Anamaria.
“I am in not such a hurry to find another,” Anamaria said. “I do not mind to continue to sail with Jack for a while.”
“I see,” Tia Dalma’s eyes widened as she smiled at the lady pirate. She must have been able to see what Jack saw and knew. “I will not tell you what I really think.” She turned to Jack. “Now tell me the real reason why you came to see me.”
“You don’t believe I cam to see you because I wanted to?” Jack smiled.
She grabbed his shoulder. “You know you could never lie to me.” She stroked his chin where his new beard was coming in. It still wasn’t long enough to braid or bead quite yet.
He laughed. Of course not, that was why he couldn’t quite have a relationship with her. “We’ll ye see the thing is.” He raised a finger, trying to figure out the best way to phrase his words. “Young Turner and his little chickee were homesick for their upper crust lives and like a certain 26th century bound commodore they were willing to trade in something that belonged to me for their old lives back.”
“And you want another one?” She stepped back away from him. “I am sorry, but it was the only one of it’s kind.”
Jack heard the sighs and grumbles from his crew. “You wouldn’t have something similar by any chance?”
She shook her head.
“It looks like we are going to Port Royal after all.”
“It be a bad idea,” Barbossa shook his head. “That place be crawling with those who want to send us to the gallows.”
“It would not be exactly true,” Anamaria said. She was examining the contents of one of the jars. “The rumors at Tortuga have mentioned Beckett has been removed from power and the East India Trading Company is no longer in Port Royal.”
“There is still the Navy,” Gibbs brought out. “The commodore might be gone but the rest of his lot is still there.”
“We’ll sneak in.” Jack made his fingers across an invisible line in the air. “Do it at night. I disguise myself once more. Lady Phoenix and Yan Hui could do that thing with the mirrors. The Pearl did rescue one of your boats.”
“You really want that compass back,” Yan Hui pointed at him with his cane.
Jack nodded. “It could help you find you a new ship.”
“Still be too much trouble,” Barbossa shook his head. “Best to be staying like traditional pirates and not use a magical talisman to seek out our treasure.”
“You stay aboard then,” Jack turned his back on him. “Hide yerselves, Gibbs and Anamaria will be in charge. I will go and visit the young Turners, congratulate them on the fact they are stuck with each other for a while and retrieve my compass. Almost a pity I missed the wedding if it has happened.”
“They have officially been joined earlier this day,” Tia said as she stared at her cards.
“Damn it,” Jack snapped his fingers. “There is always good drinking at a wedding.”
“The Tuner Destiny continues,” Tia said. “The flow of history is still flowing unchanged.”
“Those strange folk from the future have not changed things?” Gibbs asked.
Tia shook her head. “James Norrington was supposed to disappear. Malcolm Reynolds and his crew made it happen.”
“You brought them back just for that?”
Tia shook her head. “Their technology brought them back. I removed them, placed them were they woke up and found a safe place for their ship. I told them to look for Jack and to go to Tortuga first.”
“And everything falls into place,” Anamaria stated. “They did help us several times.”
“Of course,” Jack smiled proudly. He was not kidding when he told Mal he believed he was his descendant. “Different name but he is a Sparrow. I can feel it.” He blinked at the sight of Tia shaking her head. “He isn’t mine?”
Tia’s grin grew wider. “He carries Turner blood in him. Malcolm’s child might have some of yours if he listens to his heart and accepts the woman who is a figure of great romance amongst her peers.”
“We may have met her,” Jack rubbed his chin, trying to remember the particular woman and winced when he realized he might have made eyes with her.
“I believe we will be going now,” Anamaria grabbed Jack’s arm. “We will visit again soon.”
“After I get my compass.” He was going to have some fun explaining the little tidbit he had just learned to the Turners.
“You are not thinking of leaving are you?”
“Ah,” Jack stared down at the ring on his hand. “Of course not.” He removed the jewel and handed it back to her.
“Ye best be staying with her little Jack,” Barbossa set the monkey down. “I’ll come back fer ye when I find something to barter with.”
“Everything is settled then.” Jack sauntered over to the door. “Time to start with the preparing for our trip to Port Royal”. He turned around and blew kiss to Tia Dalma. “Will be back soon, love.”
-
Persephone, 2519
Malcolm Reynolds stood on the floor of the cargo hold, right next to the door of the airlock while waiting for the rest of his crew. He fumbled with the collar of his silk, navy blue shirt, wondering if he should have included a tie after all. His wondering ended when he heard a knock from the outside. Oh well he was delivering cargo and having a nice sit down dinner. It wasn’t like he was going to the theater or a ceremony or a fancy party. He was still wearing his brown leather coat over his shirt.
“Better let the others know our ride is here,” Inara had selected a dress that was almost the same shade of blue as his shirt. It wasn’t one of her more fancy gowns; it was sleeveless and hugged her upper half. From waist down it flowed out a bit. She didn’t completely put her hair up, only half of it.
“They are already getting here,” Mal smiled at Simon and Kaylee. Simon didn’t have to look for anything special and Kaylee knew better than to wear that pastel collection of ruffles she kept in her bunk. Instead she had opted for a simple flower print gown and put her hair up into two bao’s.
River followed the two and chose her dark gown with the double-layered hem that seemed to flutter around when she walked. Mal couldn’t remember the last time he had seen her with her hair set in a braid or the last time she wore eyeliner or red lipstick. She wore light make up before at the last time Jonas treated them to dinner.
“You look very lovely tonight, darlin’” Mal said, earning a smile from the girl.
“Ride’s here?” Zoe asked as she descended down the stairs that lead to the catwalk, dressed in a simply dark gray gown that could be described as slinky.
“Just got a knock.” He stared past her, at Jayne who wore the best he had and that translated into a crimson shirt with sleeves that came to his elbows. His hired gun wore the cleanest pants he had available. “Going to need one of ya to help me with that crate and trust you with it more than Jayne, Zoe.”
“Yes sir,” Zoe answered before she stared up.
The newest member of their crew was the last to enter and he carefully went down the steps. Norrington had removed the fancy vest and blouse and wore Mal’s button down black shirt. The khaki pants he had borrowed were the palest color Mal owned and Mal’s dress shoes seemed to fit him. Norrington had set his wig aside, but kept his hair tied back with that ribbon and he was still wearing the fancy naval coat.
“Ah Commodore,” Mal raised his fingers as he approached the man. “Remembered what I said about not standing out.”
Norrington nodded as he stared at what he wore. “I have followed your orders, Captain.”
“What about this?” Mal touched one of the large golden cuff links.
“You wear your military coat and I’ll wear mine.” He pointed to Malcolm’s coat.
“Shiny. Are you ready? Try not to let anything scare you.”
“You do not have to coddle me,” Norrington said as he approached the others. “I am not an invalid.’
“I didn’t say you were.” Mal reached down and picked up one end of the crate while Zoe grabbed the other. In the future he would have Norrington help out, but not now. The man had just lost the world that he knew. “Open her up.”
Jayne lifted the door, revealing both Melchior and a man that was nearly Jayne’s height and solid muscle. The second man had a prominent jaw line and a rather large and square shaped chin.
“Jayne Cobb,” the tall man slid back his tinted sunglasses to the top of his bald head. “You ugly sonovabitch.”
“Brusque,” Jayne laughed before he and the tall man grasped each other’s arms. “Can’t believe Jonas and Melchior keep you around.”
“Could say the same of you buddy,” He stared past Jayne straight at Mal. “You making Zoe do all that work.”
Jayne shrugged. “The captain insisted.”
“Let me give you a hand with that.” He shouted several Chinese words and another man joined him. “We’ll take that off your hands.”
“Thank you,” Mal said before he turned to Melchior. “That little gizmo caused a lot of problems.”
“I can believe you,” Melchior’s eyes widened. “If what you said was true. I never knew that was able to do that.”
“Believe it,” Zoe said before she and Melchior exchanged a small hug.
“Oh I can,” The blond man greeted the others, kiss on the hand for Inara, a handshake with Simon and hugs with Kaylee and River. He paused when he came to Norrington. “This the new guy?”
“Melchior this is the legendary Commodore James Norrington.” Mal introduced the two, earning an unsure look from Norrington.
Melchior furrowed his brows while trying to process the information before his eyes widened. “No way. You mean this is how he disappeared?”
“So it would seem,” Norrington said.
“Whoa the accent and the coat,” Melchior waved his fingers around before he tapped them against Norrington’s arm. “Man this is amazing. An actual living, breathing ancient artifact.”
Mal grabbed the techno geek’s arm and pulled him back. “No touchy my commodore. The doc just gave him a few inoculations. His arms are a bit stiff and sore.”
“My god this man must be the descendant of Sparrow.” Norrington stared down Melchior in disgust.
“Possibly but we can check the genealogy later,” Mal said before he turned to the blond man. “Once everyone is aboard your ride we are ready to go.”
-
Mal stared at the appetizer plate in front of him. He did not mind the spicy rice crackers or the slices of cucumber. It was the takoyaki that made him cringe. There was a time when he would have gobbled up the treat at the same speed as Jayne was chowing down on his, but that was before he faced a man with a beard of tentacles.
The only ones who were also ignoring the takoyaki were Simon and River. Either the girl knew or read Mal’s and her brother’s mind. Zoe was nibbling hers when she wasn’t talking with Brusque, Inara and Norrington were eating theirs with perfect grace, although the commodore was using a fork and not chopsticks. Kaylee had eaten one but was too busy engrossed in a conversation with Melchior to continue to eat. Jayne was gorging on his.
“Captain Reynolds,” Jonas addressed him. “Is there something the matter? You are hardly speaking and you are barely touching your takoyaki.”
Mal shrugged. “I’m just reflecting on we’ve been through.”
“I think we can all understand,” Melchior waved his hands around. “Some would be envious to go back and hang out with pirates, but don’t understand the historical facts or how much trouble it would be to live back there.”
“I happened to live in that time,” Norrington had set his glass down. “For thirty years, and trust me no one should want to live amongst pirates.”
“It wasn’t easy for us,” Mal said. “One little detail we have left out involved a giant squid and a bunch of creepy guys who appeared more frightening than Reavers.”
“What?” Brusque asked through a mouthful of food.
“An actual Kraken,” Simon tried to explain. “Like the monster from legend and the actual Flying Dutchman and the real Davy Jones.”
“Those were not real,” Mrs. Hammond said. She had her glossy dark hair pulled into a bun and was silent through most of the meal. She did not get involved with her husband’s businesses and put most of her energy into children’s charities. “I have read some of the stories these legends were based on. That was all they were just stories.”
“There are thousands of legends based on Earth that Was,” Inara said. “How many of them turn out true? Many thought the Reavers were myth, many believe psychics don’t exist,” she tried to avoid eye contact with River. “We used to think it was impossible to travel through time and we have a living legend here at this table.” She nodded towards Norrington.
“She’s right,” Mal used a single chopstick to push one of the fried octopus balls aside. “Right I’m not in right mind for takoyaki, or calamari, or anything that looks like Jones or his pet. No offense.”
“It does fee like we have been eating Davy Jones,” Kaylee said before she picked up a piece of cucumber. “I’ll stick with veggies and crackers till we get soup.”
“Thank you Mal,” Inara had set a half eating ball back on her plate. “Up until now that was one of my favorite foods.”
“What is takoyaki?” Norrington asked.
“Right,” Melchior pointed at him. “You lived when Japan was shut off from the rest of the world. Pretty much what you are eating is pieces of octopus, covered in dough and fried.”
“I see,” Norrington set his fork down.
Jayne paused in his chewing before he swallowed and took another bite. “You don’t see it like I am. Eating its little cousin is like revenge.”
“None of us want revenge,” Mal said before turning to Jonas. “I hope we didn’t offend ya.”
“No offense,” Jonas pressed the transmitter attached to his collar. “We are ready for the soup.” He smiled at Mal. “I have a feeling if I was close to a giant squid I would be put off from eating it as well.
A minute passed and the appetizer plates were removed and bowls of warm tomato soup was set in front of them along with slices of crusty bread. Another group of servants stood over their shoulders with blocks of cheese and graters.
“Let me know when it is enough,” The one behind Mal said before he started to grate the cheese.
“That should do it,” Mal said. When he could no longer see the crimson surface of the soup.
“Hope your not totally turned off seafood,” Brusque said before he dunked his bread into his soup. “Main course is steak and lobster with a veggie mix and cheesecake for dessert.” He smiled at Kaylee. “Cheesecake topped with strawberries and whipped cream.”
Kaylee’s eyes brightened at the mention of her favorite treat. “Everything sounds shiny.”
“I’m still not quite used to eating tomatoes,” Norrington stirred around his soup. He blew across the surface before he brought a spoonful to his mouth. He blinked after he had swallowed. “One of the finest soups I have had. Thank you Mr. Hammond.”
“You are welcome,” Jonas picked up a pepper grinder. “Now to return to business. You understand why I cannot allow that machine to be in the hands of the Alliance.”
“I don’t know if they can do much,” Mal said before he took a drink. “Can’t change history. We didn’t. We just followed through with the course of time. Don’t like the fact we have to remove the commodore from all what he knew.”
“You didn’t have much choice,” Norrington said.
“They would still try,” Jonas set the peppermill down and slid it closer to Simon. “Who knows who they may hurt in that process?”
“A big sense of irony that we are destroying it,” Melchior added. “We appreciated the work you did.”
“We appreciate working for you,” Kaylee answered for everyone.
“What about you and Mr. Norrington?” Jonas asked.
“We still call him commodore, but that doesn’t mean he outranks me,” Mal said. “We are going to go through a bit of an adjusting period, teach him things while we visit some folk.”
“Gotta stop at the station,” Jayne tore of a huge chunk of bread and dipped it into his soup. “I have to make post.”
“I need to send a wave to my folks,” Kaylee said, her eyes did not leave Simon. “I have to let them know the good news.”
“Lots to do,” Mal said. “Get our commodore a new wardrobe and it appears I have a wedding to help plan.” He gave Simon a look and smiled at Kaylee. “Then it’s business as usual.”
-
The End
A/N: Yes I’m having it at the end and instead of the start. This was different for me, as in I don’t usually write crossovers. The closest would be having a character from one form of media make a cameo in another.
There was also no actual written outline. I usually write an outline in a notebook. I just relied on the visuals in my head for this one.
The bit about the inoculations, Norrington is from a time when they still had no cures for several diseases that we do have cures for. I figure Simon would try to help Norrington get up to date.
The part about tomatoes is true. England didn’t really start to get into the habit of eating things with tomatoes until around the 18th century. They had thought they were not fit to eat. Some even thought they were poisonous.
Why the year 1760? Disney did not give a specific date. Many have their PotC fics set in the late 17th century and others have them set in various dates in the 18th century. I found out they didn’t have those Naval uniforms they used in the movies until around 1747, and I just love those uniforms. Don’t ask why.
Where do I go from here? Yes I do plan to make some continuations after this story. A few ideas rattling around in the brain, such as one with Jack retrieving his compass and I will continue the adventures of Commodore Norrington in the 26th century (I hope I come up with a better title than that) in the Firefly section. I have already started the Insomnia series, which follows the crew of Serenity on their way to the station, and there will be a wedding fic.
Replies: Insane Immortal Dragon Goddess. Thank you. There will be continuation. I don’t know if I will ever do such huge multi chapter fic in the near future though.
They call me KEERAN, thank you. Jayne does have his moments now and then, kind of like Ragetti.
Ogreatrandom, thank you. Yes this is the last chapter, but not the last story.
Asteria, Thank you, and thank you from riding along form the start. The banter between James and Jack are some of my favorite scenes from both movies.
Sayla Ragnarok, yes I plan on having plenty of sequels…until my brain dries up.