Fic: 'Hero' (1/6)
Sep. 25th, 2007 08:52 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dwgmThis is my first ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
potcfest fic - prompt: Jack playing hero to Elizabeth's son (from anyone's POV). I'm going to post a chapter every other day, so the whole thing will be up by the 5th. This is basically written in the same universe as most of my post-AWE fic, which owes a lot to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
artaxastra's work, and maybe other authors'. If I have unknowingly commandeered elements of your story, please forgive me.
As always, my profuse thanks goes tohereswith, whose eagle eye always makes my stories so much better!
This is written entirely from James William Turner's pov, so no smut, sorry, a very clean (though hopefully interesting) PG. This first chapter's short, but the others... er... not so much.
~ Hero ~
Chapter One: Caught Out
"James! James Turner!!"
James William Turner started at his mother's call, far too close at hand, and was betrayed into uttering an expletive: "Bugger."
This in no wise caused his cohorts in crime to think less of him. "Does she know where we are?" Robbie Banks whispered fearfully, his round blue eyes growing even rounder.
"Naw, she couldn't!" Josh Tennet said, though he kept his voice low.
But the call came again, disproving this hopeful theory: "James William Turner, come down from the foc's'l cabin of the Mary B. this instant or by the powers there'll be a grim reckoning between the two of us."
"Bugger!" Jamie groaned.
*
His friends scattering quick and silent into the labyrinth of Shipwreck City like the young bilge rats they were, Jamie made his way down to the tilted afterdeck of the Mary B. where his mother, the Pirate King, stood scowling, booted feet apart, arms crossed. He faced her squarely, but kept his tone on the wheedling side as he asked, "How'd you know we were here, ma'am?" To his relief, her lip twitched, as though holding back a smile.
"Your Uncle Jack told me to look here. He said he knew it of old, the perfect place for a pack of young ne'er-do-wells to secret themselves against the rigors of study."
"Uncle's back? And me not there to greet him!"
"You would have been, if you'd been in school with Dr. Barry." She shook her head. "James, how do you expect to become the captain of your own ship someday without an education? This is the fourth time this month you and your friends have taken off! I told the good Doctor I wouldn't tolerate use of the cane in the school, but perhaps I erred?"
A cold chill swept through Jamie. He was no coward, but…. "No, ma'am," he said, quickly. "It's just…"
"Just what?"
"It's so… dull! It was mathematics again today, drilling and drilling, and never getting anywhere. I already know—"
"And do Robbie and Josh 'know'?"
"Well… no—"
"Then why do you take them away from where they can learn? James, it was not well done of you."
Jamie’s eyes fell away from his mother's accusing ones. "But they're my friends."
"Then one would think you'd have a care what trouble you draw them into. Dr. Barry is one thing, but their parents are another. Robbie and Josh should both be eating supper off the mantelpiece tonight, and the blame lies at your door. I know they would not have gone had you not tempted them. Isn't that so?"
"Yes, ma'am." James swallowed hard. Josh would be all right, he was tough as nails, but Robbie…
But then his mother relented. "As it happens," she said, more mildly, "I saw their parents down among the crowd at the docks as the Pearl came in, and it's not likely Dr. Barry will let the cat out of the bag. So to speak."
James looked up. "You've spoken to him?"
"I have." Her eyes narrowed. "If you had your just deserts… but your Uncle takes a lighter view of the matter, though he does agree it's time you had more training at sea, so you know the good and bad of it, and precisely where you'll be using your mathematics. The Pearl is leaving again tomorrow, on the noon tide, and you'll be on her."
James gasped in shocked delight. "Mum!"
"Jack has received a letter from the governor of Providence Bay, requesting a dozen cases of French brandy, among other sundries, and, specifically, your company for his son while the goods are offloaded and the bargain struck."
"Gilbert!" James capered, and grabbed his mother's hands. "Thank you! I swear I'll be good from this day on!"
She turned her hands and caught his, squeezing them. "You'll think of your men before yourself, savvy? That's the mark of a good captain."
Jamie chuckled at his mother's use of Uncle Jack's pet word. "Yes, ma'am, I savvy! Can we go? I want to see him!"
TBC
potcfest fic - prompt: Jack playing hero to Elizabeth's son (from anyone's POV). I'm going to post a chapter every other day, so the whole thing will be up by the 5th. This is basically written in the same universe as most of my post-AWE fic, which owes a lot to artaxastra's work, and maybe other authors'. If I have unknowingly commandeered elements of your story, please forgive me.As always, my profuse thanks goes to
hereswith, whose eagle eye always makes my stories so much better!This is written entirely from James William Turner's pov, so no smut, sorry, a very clean (though hopefully interesting) PG. This first chapter's short, but the others... er... not so much.
~ Hero ~
Chapter One: Caught Out
"James! James Turner!!"
James William Turner started at his mother's call, far too close at hand, and was betrayed into uttering an expletive: "Bugger."
This in no wise caused his cohorts in crime to think less of him. "Does she know where we are?" Robbie Banks whispered fearfully, his round blue eyes growing even rounder.
"Naw, she couldn't!" Josh Tennet said, though he kept his voice low.
But the call came again, disproving this hopeful theory: "James William Turner, come down from the foc's'l cabin of the Mary B. this instant or by the powers there'll be a grim reckoning between the two of us."
"Bugger!" Jamie groaned.
*
His friends scattering quick and silent into the labyrinth of Shipwreck City like the young bilge rats they were, Jamie made his way down to the tilted afterdeck of the Mary B. where his mother, the Pirate King, stood scowling, booted feet apart, arms crossed. He faced her squarely, but kept his tone on the wheedling side as he asked, "How'd you know we were here, ma'am?" To his relief, her lip twitched, as though holding back a smile.
"Your Uncle Jack told me to look here. He said he knew it of old, the perfect place for a pack of young ne'er-do-wells to secret themselves against the rigors of study."
"Uncle's back? And me not there to greet him!"
"You would have been, if you'd been in school with Dr. Barry." She shook her head. "James, how do you expect to become the captain of your own ship someday without an education? This is the fourth time this month you and your friends have taken off! I told the good Doctor I wouldn't tolerate use of the cane in the school, but perhaps I erred?"
A cold chill swept through Jamie. He was no coward, but…. "No, ma'am," he said, quickly. "It's just…"
"Just what?"
"It's so… dull! It was mathematics again today, drilling and drilling, and never getting anywhere. I already know—"
"And do Robbie and Josh 'know'?"
"Well… no—"
"Then why do you take them away from where they can learn? James, it was not well done of you."
Jamie’s eyes fell away from his mother's accusing ones. "But they're my friends."
"Then one would think you'd have a care what trouble you draw them into. Dr. Barry is one thing, but their parents are another. Robbie and Josh should both be eating supper off the mantelpiece tonight, and the blame lies at your door. I know they would not have gone had you not tempted them. Isn't that so?"
"Yes, ma'am." James swallowed hard. Josh would be all right, he was tough as nails, but Robbie…
But then his mother relented. "As it happens," she said, more mildly, "I saw their parents down among the crowd at the docks as the Pearl came in, and it's not likely Dr. Barry will let the cat out of the bag. So to speak."
James looked up. "You've spoken to him?"
"I have." Her eyes narrowed. "If you had your just deserts… but your Uncle takes a lighter view of the matter, though he does agree it's time you had more training at sea, so you know the good and bad of it, and precisely where you'll be using your mathematics. The Pearl is leaving again tomorrow, on the noon tide, and you'll be on her."
James gasped in shocked delight. "Mum!"
"Jack has received a letter from the governor of Providence Bay, requesting a dozen cases of French brandy, among other sundries, and, specifically, your company for his son while the goods are offloaded and the bargain struck."
"Gilbert!" James capered, and grabbed his mother's hands. "Thank you! I swear I'll be good from this day on!"
She turned her hands and caught his, squeezing them. "You'll think of your men before yourself, savvy? That's the mark of a good captain."
Jamie chuckled at his mother's use of Uncle Jack's pet word. "Yes, ma'am, I savvy! Can we go? I want to see him!"
TBC
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2007-09-25 04:54 pm (UTC)I like so far. I love his name, how cute is that! I like the idea of him in school as well, and getting in trouble, not for skipping himself, but for his friend's sake.
Damn. I really need to finish my prompt...
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Date: 2007-09-25 05:02 pm (UTC)You do!! I've really been enjoying reading everyone's stories. So happy you enjoyed this first little bit of mine. Thank you for letting me know so quickly, too!
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Date: 2007-09-25 05:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-25 05:25 pm (UTC)And there's going to be more! Definitely looking forward to Thursday! :-)
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Date: 2007-09-25 06:12 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2007-09-25 08:35 pm (UTC)There should be more fluffy kid stories in POTC, I think. And it's kind of fun writing something gen for a change. Very glad you're enjoying it, and feel it has that "pre DMC joie de vivre" -- a great compliment! Thank you!
*hugs old friend again*
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Date: 2007-09-25 07:33 pm (UTC)I couldn't write a child fic meself even if a gun was held at my head so my praises go to all who can ;)
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Date: 2007-09-25 08:47 pm (UTC)Thank you so much for the feedback -- I really appreciate it!
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Date: 2007-09-25 07:51 pm (UTC)I am looking forward to many delights during the course of this, sweet but not sacharine-- How long will this fic be, do you think?
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Date: 2007-09-25 08:58 pm (UTC)It's going to be six chapters -- or five with an epilogue, actually.
Thank you so much for commenting! I really appreciate it.
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Date: 2007-09-25 08:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-25 09:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-25 08:26 pm (UTC)Uncle Jack, eh? Taking him to sea? That should be very interesting! As should seeing where things stand between Uncle Jack and James' mother.
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Date: 2007-09-25 09:16 pm (UTC)Thank you so much for the feedback.
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Date: 2007-09-25 11:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-25 11:19 pm (UTC)*high fives fellow kid fic author*
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Date: 2007-09-26 12:27 am (UTC)You shouldn't be wasting your time doing betas; you should be writing instead (large self-conscious smile). The world is always a better place for it.
A cute kid without toothaches (from being so sweet, that is, not bad teeth. Anyway, you know what I mean.)
I applaud your notion of Lizzie the Good Mama, very wise to the ways of young men (probably has had plenty of time to observe the old boys to learn said ways). Just a hint of romance will be a fun touch. Sometimes what's not said is always more intriguing than what is.
I'll be keeping a weather eye for your next!.......Kerry
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Date: 2007-09-26 12:48 am (UTC)Thank you for the feedback -- it's alway appreciated!
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Date: 2007-09-26 02:27 am (UTC)*waits patiently for chapter 2*
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Date: 2007-09-26 02:33 am (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2007-09-26 02:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-26 03:03 am (UTC)Finally starting to get the hang of posting onsite! Duhhh (she CAN be taught)
Tickled every shade of the rainbow you are writing again--Whee!!! *Bounce* bounce* Ahem, especially with "Devil's Own Luck" languishing...aw, come on, you know I have an evil rodent pirate image to maintain. *grin*.
Seriously, ma'am, you have a nice feel for writing children as you already showed with young Tom and the Holiday children and you also make distinctions in how they relate to different people and the reverse.
Elizabeth isn't nearly so ferocious but then she's had a child and some years pass by. Somehow, I can just imagine Weatherby Swann, sighing over Lizzy's stunts, trying to be stern and hitting on reminding the imp that others suffer for her behavior. I suspect the few times he could manage his wild daughter were those when he reminded her that Will would be the one to suffer Mr. Brown's wrath.
it would be tempting to suggest that young Jamie (like that!) takes after Jack and Jack's had more raising of him than poor Will, but probably the truth is, he's more Lizzie as a child.
Someone raised by Jack, would have worked out a more slippery plan to evade school and not get caught! Also he'd have used a silver tongue to try--at this age unsuccessfully--to wheedle his way out. Alas, also at this age he might be immune to the appeal to his noble solidarity with friends.
There was just something about that bright-faced little boy, all open eagerness and care to remember his mother at the end of the movie that suggests there's plenty of Will in him too. And you catch that as well.
But you waste no time in launching us right into the tease for the plot,; obviously this ...er, brandy run is going to be far from the supposed "milk run".
Can't wait! I've already licked up everything and searched for the crumbs...whimper. The only thing that prevents mouse tears is the promise to post every other day until done. Thankee, ma'am. I understand with the responsibilities on you that this is a stern discipline. But gratefully accepted!
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Date: 2007-09-26 06:09 am (UTC)That's great! Yes, of course you can be taught, and I think you'll have lots of fun, too -- it's like anything with a computer, once you do it a couple of times you wonder why you used to think it so difficult.
I'm so happy you enjoyed the opening of the story. I think Jamie has a bit of all three in him, and his own unique light, too. It's fun to write his innocent but perceptive pov.
More will be on the way, but I don't have as much time to write this week, so it's every other day so I can keep on schedule. More crumbs next time -- each chapter gets longer!
Thank you so much for the lovely, detailed comments!
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Date: 2007-09-26 04:51 am (UTC)A short chapter, but a good introduction. Uncle Jack has obviously had an influence on young Jamie. The young miscreant. And your Mom!Elizabeth voice is right on. Oh, and I love the way you gave Jack the Pearl back. I like to assume that he get's it back without too much trouble (no more ten year quests).
I don't think you need worry about stealing people's ideas about the post-AWE world. This is pretty much the scenario everyone is imagining. It's fanon -- belongs to us all.
no smut, sorry, a very clean (though hopefully interesting) PG.
There is no inherent conflict between interesting and PG. I've been a little frustrated by how much R and NC17 there seems to be out there lately. Sometimes, something a little lighter is nice.
And I've always been impressed with your way of writing romance that's not smut. So, while this story may not be a romance, since it focuses on young Jamie, maybe your next one will? Something about Jack and Elizabeth maybe?
Speaking of which, "Yes, ma'am, I savvy! Can we go? I want to see him!"
I want to see him too!!! :)
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Date: 2007-09-26 06:15 am (UTC)Yes! Been there and done that. Hector needs to be booted off to the Everglades. *G*
It is! Although ordinarily I am all about the
smutromance, I wanted to do this whole thing from Jamie's pov, which is turning out to be a lot of fun. He has a different focus than an adult.There will undoubtedly be more J/E in the not too distant future. I have three more h/c fics to write, after all. :)
So happy you enjoyed this opening sequence. Thank you for commenting.
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Date: 2007-09-26 09:08 am (UTC)Your Elizabeth makes a wonderful, formidable mother and I love Jamie being naughty and responsible (for his friends) at the same time.
One teeny Brit niggle. I think Elizabeth would call it 'maths' with an 's' - maybe even 'mathematics'. Or arithmetic, or the other thing that vexes all men: sums.
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Date: 2007-09-26 01:42 pm (UTC)Glad you enjoyed the beginning! I'll post the next chapter tomorrow morning.
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Date: 2007-09-26 04:56 pm (UTC)I know Uncle Jack'll do right by young James, but I imagine he'll come back with a habit or two that his mother will disapprove of. Pirate.
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Date: 2007-09-26 05:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-26 06:34 pm (UTC)I really like the fair way in which Elizabeth treats young James, chastizing him but helping him learn a better way to handle his school boredom. Bribery is good, bribery that involves an adventure with Uncle Jack even better. I can't wait to read more.
*bounce*
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Date: 2007-09-26 06:58 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2007-09-26 09:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-28 05:57 pm (UTC)Now where did he learn that word... Uncle Jack perhaps?
"You would have been, if you'd been in school with Dr. Barry." She shook her head. "James, how do you expect to become the captain of your own ship someday without an education? This is the fourth time this month you and your friends have taken off! I told the good Doctor I wouldn't tolerate use of the cane in the school, but perhaps I erred?"
I love that Elizabeth, even as pirate king, still holds education to be important. Do they teach piratey things at this school too... lessons in raiding, pillaging and plundering perhaps? ;)
"Then one would think you'd have a care what trouble you draw them into. Dr. Barry is one thing, but their parents are another. Robbie and Josh should both be eating supper off the mantelpiece tonight, and the blame lies at your door. I know they would not have gone had you not tempted them. Isn't that so?"
She knows her son well. ;) He sounds like a real rapscallion!
It's very touching that you have given Elizabeth's son the name James. It seems fitting that she would name him after Norrington (I'm assuming that's where the name comes from).
It looks like Jamie is in for a grand adventure with his Uncle Jack. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
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Date: 2007-09-28 06:08 pm (UTC)Very glad you liked my Elizabeth here, and enjoyed this first little bit. It's fun writing kid!fic for a change. :) Thank you so much for the lovely, detailed comment!
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Date: 2007-09-28 10:29 pm (UTC)Please accept apologies that this comment is merely a placeholder - packing now to be away for three or four days and do not want to lose track of this!
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Date: 2007-09-28 10:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-10 11:42 pm (UTC)"You'll think of your men before yourself, savvy? That's the mark of a good captain."
*bounce*
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Date: 2007-10-11 01:06 am (UTC)