Drabble: 'Fine Men'

[dwgm]

This is in reply to the current challenge at Black Pearl Library, a "missing scene" from before CotBP starts, with Groves, Will, and Estrella. Many thanks to hereswith for looking it over!




~ Fine Men ~

The clash of swords rang in the still, humid air, startling... frightening.... then an irresistible lure. Estrella peeked into the clearing from the shadows of the trees and her eyes widened. Lieutenant Groves and that lovely Will Turner at swordplay!

They were both in shirtsleeves, gleaming, gay, and intent on the task at hand, but it was soon evident that Will was every bit the master here, and him only a blacksmith! Lieutenant Groves didn't seem to mind, though. On the contrary, he was laughing when he yielded at last to a clever gambit, and shook Will's hand with hearty affection. Ah, what a handsome pair, fine men both!

Estrella slipped away, before they should become aware of her, and hurried home with a smirk on her face. Oh, Miss Elizabeth would be green and no mistake! That'd teach her to lie abed so late on market day!


~.~

Comments

[mamazano.livejournal.com]

Fun! I love the POV, I could just hear Estrella's voice.

Very good "missing scene" and one that begs to be expanded and expounded on.

[aravah.livejournal.com]

Great stuff. It put a smile on my face. I've always liked the idea of exploring Estrella as a character. I bet she saw (and got up to) a few things. :)

[corrielle.livejournal.com]

Lucky Estrella! Fine men, indeed. ;-)

I like that Theo's a good sport even when he loses... I've always seen him that way, too.

[fried-flamingo.livejournal.com]

Hehe, did someone order a side of homoeroticism? Nice scene! I do love Groves - gleaming and gay indeed ;)

[florencia7.livejournal.com]

Fantastic drabble - great idea for a missing scene!

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

That'd teach her to lie abed so late on market day!
Hee! So nice of you to give Estrella such an enjoyable treat. :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

You know, it would be fun to see that on screen, wouldn't it?

Glad you enjoyed!!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

a side of homoeroticism?

I knew some readers would jump to that conclusion, but the word would then be an anachronism. The original usage is meant here, and quite a lovely picture is drawn thereby. I'm very glad you enjoyed it!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I like that Theo's a good sport even when he loses... I've always seen him that way, too.

We didn't get much of him in the movie, but because he was so unprejudiced in his admiration for Jack, I always thought he would be quite an easy-going guy.

So happy you enjoyed this! Thank you for letting me know!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I haven't written much Estrella!fic, but what I have written was a lot of fun. Another briefly seen but very memorable character!

So happy you enjoyed this! Thank you for letting me know!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Haven't done a lot of them, but I always liked Groves, and Estrella is fun to write, too. I'm very glad you enjoyed this!

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

Mmmm - I love Groves (he was quite the Jack fangurl), and this is such a lively scene :-) Estrella was wonderful in her brief scenes, and it's nice to see her again here. Wonderful drabble ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

So happy you enjoyed it! I love Groves, too -- because he appreciates Jack. ;)

[meowbooks.livejournal.com]

This was very lovely and fun. :D I see Groves as the good natured one. The balance between Murtogg and Mullroy's silliness and love of stories and Gillette's easier to annoy, seriousness to his position.

Though, in my mind M&M can't be all that horrible at the marine business. They survived the battle of undead pirates and made it to AWE.

[sharklady35.livejournal.com]

A good feasible scene, all right.
I rather hope Estrella eventually found somebody like Will to keep for herself.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Just because M&M are comical doesn't mean they're not brave and capable, too. I love them dearly, and I was very happy with their part in AWE.

So glad you liked this drabble. Thanks for letting me know!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I didn't get the feeling Estrella wanted Will for herself, but that she (and probably everyone else "below stairs") knew that Elizabeth was attracted to Will, in spite of the huge difference in social standing, and was teasing her about it that fateful night.

Thank you for reading and commenting -- I'm glad you thought this feasible.

[p0wdermonkey.livejournal.com]

Estrella is great here, enjoying the boys and getting ready to tease Lizzie. A delicious slice of pre-movie Port Royal. Thank you!

[equilibrium44.livejournal.com]

A likely encounter.

I always loved Groves sort of unconscious 'impudence' towards his superiors whenever Jack one-upped them. You even hope he survived in AWE--doubtful, since 'they were turning away' after the Endeavor was blown to bits.

[kahva.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU!! :) :) I'll be posting at The Library later on, but thank you for writing this missing scene in response to the challenge! I wasn't expecting anyone to try and work in all three challenge characters, but I love the way you have done it here, and an interesting take on Groves and Will. Most of the fics I've seen that look at just who taught Will how to handle a sword use Norrington as his teacher - I like the fact that you have Groves being the apparent mentor in this. Well done as always, and thank you once again for answering the challenge! :)

[tuesday-suit.livejournal.com]

Lieutenant Groves and that lovely Will Turner at swordplay!

Heh. One wonders......

I loved this. Groves is a great character. :-)

[mary684.livejournal.com]

Adorable! Love the boys working up a sweat and yep, poor Elizabeth lazing around and missing all the good stuff! Go Estrella!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you enjoyed Estrella and the boys -- it's rather a lovely picture, the two of them. Thank you for reading and commenting!

ren

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I, too, hope Groves survived the final battle. I like to think he did, a la the_dala's fic Terms of Surrender.

Thank you for reading and commenting!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Estrella's provocative line, "That Will Turner..." held a world of meaning. She's a fun character to write! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Thank you for letting me know!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Heh. One wonders......

LOL! Well, that wasn't the sort I meant, of course, but your mileage may vary. I figure Will had to practice with someone -- probably lots of someones -- to become as good a swordsman as he is.

I'm glad you enjoyed this! Thank you for letting me know.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Most of the fics I've seen that look at just who taught Will how to handle a sword use Norrington as his teacher - I like the fact that you have Groves being the apparent mentor in this.

Norrington might have lowered himself to teach the blacksmith's apprentice, but I always figured it more likely there was some other teacher available at the fort, and that once he got good enough most of the swordsmen would want to practice with Will. honorat has written a lot about that in her Worthy of His Steel, of course.

I'm so glad you liked this, and I was certainly happy to write it! These characters are so much fun! Thank you for commenting both here and at BP Library -- I really appreciate it!

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

*grin* Slash-fans in all days and age, eh? Nicely written!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Estrella POV is hard to come by in fanfic. These must be the perks for being forced to get up early and go out to work, I suppose - sweaty Will Turner. ;-)

You might consider crossposting this over to TP, too. Not likely to get buried in a flurry of stories, LOL.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reading and commenting, and for the suggestion! I'm glad you enjoyed the story.