Drabble Theme: "Light"

[dwgm]

With apologies to Mark Twain, here is my offering for the "Light" drabble challenge. (Parrot eluded me all last week, but one of these days I'll catch me some avian muse.)

This is a sequel to a drabble I wrote more than a year ago, Molly Hatter. Molly is also a minor character from The Elusive Norrington.

~ Someone Waits ~

The first time had been something of a surprise for both of them: dalliance turned to a meeting of hearts, minds, and bodies that inspired shocking generosity in him, and determined faithfulness in her.

The second time, he'd come to see the result of that inspiration: Hatter's Hattery -- Headgear for the Discerning Gentleman.

Two weeks he'd stayed, that time. When he left, he'd taken away the sweet memory of her gratitude. And a hat.

"I'll leave a light in the window for you," she'd told him, and he'd laughed and shaken his head.

But the third time, he'd smiled to see it burning there.

And the fourth and fifth, he'd expected it.

But the sixth… now that time was different.

Battle and storm had ravaged his Pearl. They'd laid up, licking their wounds, for weeks, too remote to send word of their survival. Well, he'd just surprise 'em again, that's all.

But would that little lamp still burn?

One dark night, after finally limping into port, he made his way through the town to her shop and discovered it did.

She opened the door, first to peek, then wrenched it wide. "Jack!"

There was an edge of tears to this, and his smile twisted. "Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

She threw herself at him.

He caught her.

When they finally paused for breath, and he said, all a-wonder, "You left the lamp burning."

"Always!" she replied, voice unsteady, but conviction firm. "Long as it was lit, there was hope."



~.~

Comments

[jenthegypsy.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy to have the honor of first comment, because I think none love Molly as much as I. Don't know why, but she has stayed with me since I we met briefly during "The Elusive Norrington" and her 'Freedom' drabble sealed the deal.

I adore you for bringing her back, and for creating this beautiful ease between them.

It wasn't overlong ago that I inquired as to the name of her millinery - and it is here! "*Hatter's Hattery -- Headgear for the Discerning Gentleman*" What a fantastic name! It certainly has elements of Jack in it, and since he had nothing to do with the naming, you've told us that she is of like mind, in many aspects, as he.

Did I say that I adore you? Need I say I adore "Someone Waits"?

Need I say "I'm going to be late for work"...!

More hugs and many thanks from this very pleased daft gypsy -

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I, too, am happy that you were among the first to see this, and the first to comment--I was thinking you would enjoy this, when I wrote it! So glad my assessment was correct! My profuse thanks for leaving such enthusiastic comments.

XO

[cymbeline.livejournal.com]

You write Jack with women very well, he retains his character while showing that he can be a gentleman.

and the Icon is lovely!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed the drabble. Isn't that a great picture on my icon? It's of the H.M.S. Bounty, done in stained glass--I found it while googling for 'Tiffany'.

[cymbeline.livejournal.com]

Its really cool, interesting what you find sometimes on google huh? lol

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I do a lot of graphic design projects for the school where I work, and I swear by the Google Image search engine. Fantastic!

[the-dala.livejournal.com]

*squawk* One of my favorite lines EVER. Excellent!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Mark Twain was such a funny old cuss. And brilliant.

Glad you enjoyed!

[tiggothy.livejournal.com]

*squee*

Dammit, now you've made me fall in love with Molly. You'll have to write more! Does she make really big hats?

*bounce*

<3

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Does she make really big hats?

Oh, yes. And she's very good at it. *G*

I'm so glad you enjoyed this, and it's prequel. Molly's a fun character, and we may hear more from her, eventually. Thank you for asking!

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

*sniffle* Oh, I'm all teary!

Loved Jack's shocking generosity (and have now gone back and read your introductory Molly-drabble: nice, nice, nice), and the edge of tears in her voice when he returns. The shop name is simply delightful.

And then the ending ...
When they finally paused for breath, and he said, all a-wonder, "You left the lamp burning."
"Always!" she replied, voice unsteady, but conviction firm. "Long as it was lit, there was hope."
So sweet and beautiful, and that's when I teared up.

Ooohh, pretty new icon!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Stories featuring Jack Sparrow bring out the full range of emotion, don't they? He's a great character that way.

The theme of women waiting for their men to return from the sea isn't really explored that much within PotC fanfic, but it was (and is!) a terrible burden. We have pretty good communication, now, but it wasn't so then, and being a sailor's wife or lover can't have been an easy thing.

So happy you enjoyed this one, and Molly Hatter, too! Thanks so much for the lovely comments. :)

[hereswith.livejournal.com]

Molly's back! :-) This is lovely, and I adore this:

There was an edge of tears to this, and his smile twisted. "Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

She threw herself at him.

He caught her.

So simple, yet so very, very effective.

And the ending is just... *sniffles* ... beautiful.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I like that image of leaving a light on in the window for returning travelers. So happy you enjoyed this!

[hippediva.livejournal.com]

Beautiful! I really love your Molly---she rings true as a bell. And Jack....well, trust him to find a way to pilfer from a writer who hasn't even been born! :::giggles:::: I really loved this. ::::applause and much hugging of drabble::::

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Oooh, thank you! I'm so happy to know you enjoyed this, in spite of its lack of slashilicious male characters! *G*

Are you writing any more 21 Jump Street, btw? *hopes*

[hippediva.livejournal.com]

re you writing any more 21 Jump Street, btw? *hopes* shhhhhhhh! Don't tell but.....yes....should be finished shortly. Extreme Hanson abuse.

I know I tend to be slashcentric, but I love a good OC of any kind. And Molly is just wonderful!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I know I tend to be slashcentric, but I love a good OC of any kind. And Molly is just wonderful!

Thank you--I'm so glad you like Molly. I, too, am always excited to run across a good OC. The writers in the PotC fandom often seem to go to great lengths to avoid creating them, which is a shame--in a good writer's hands they can enhance a story so much!

Extreme Hanson abuse.

Oooh, goody! I mean...uh...poor Hanson! *tries to refrain from bouncing*

*G*

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

That was just lovely. Thank you.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I'm so glad you liked it.