About a month ago, I had the oddest desire to retell the story of Will and Elizabeth from Pirates of the Caribbean in freeverse poem. This turned out to be among the stupider ideas I've had, because it took 28 pages and over 5,000 words.
But anyway, if you can sit through it, enjoy.
The italicized parts are movie quotes - sorry if I got a couple of them phrased wrong, I was going by memory and the AWE novel for the last half.
A young girl
on the high seas
with her father
on their way
to their new home.
Foggy sky
shadows all around
she stands on the bow
and sings
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me
One of the sailors stops her
Quiet, missy! Cursed pirates sail these waters
and then they see it
a ship
decimated
objects floating in the water
but wait
there’s something else too…
Look, look, there’s a boy in the water!
They pull him out
he’s alive!
The girl goes to him
touches his cheek
and he starts awake
she tells him it’s okay
My name’s Elizabeth Swann
He gasps in return
Will Turner
She already likes him
I’m watching over you, Will
and then she sees it
around his neck
a flash of gold
a medallion
You’re a pirate!
Years pass
and the two become friends
but they are forced apart
because of their stations.
The girl is a governor’s daughter
the boy only a simple blacksmith’s apprentice
no, says society
you can’t be together
not even as friends
Little do they know
what is to come…
Again they meet
he has a sword for her father
but she’s just happy to se him
Will!
He looks up at her
apprehensively
she’s so beautiful
and what is he?
Just a blacksmith.
She’s too good for him.
Then she says
I had a dream about you last night
but it was only a dream
of memory
About the day you met,
do you remember?
She’s obviously flirting with him
How many times must I ask you to call me Elizabeth?
but he can’t respond
he knows his place.
At least once more, Miss Swann
as always
Obviously annoyed
she leaves with her father
Good day, Mr. Turner
He’s so hurt
and confused
what did he do wrong?
Society tells him
he can’t have her
and so
he resigns himself
to his swords
I practice with them three hours a day
After the Commodore’s promotion
she is given a proposal
You have become a fine woman, Elizabeth
but she doesn’t love this man
and never will.
She’s saved from answering
I can’t breathe
and she falls
down
down
down
into the sea…
Then she’s rescued
by a pirate
a real pirate
who sees the medallion
around her neck
Where did you get that, love?
and he thinks
this could be it
a way to break it
to break the curse.
Using her
the pirate escapes
and runs
into the blacksmith’s apprentice
who hates the pirate
You threatened Miss Swann
and duels with him
but of course
the pirate wins
You cheated!
but even so
the pirate is captured
This is the day you will always remember
as the day Captain Jack Sparrow almost escaped.
Later that night
comes a storm
Pirates!
They attack the town
for one thing
and they finally find it
‘Ello, poppet
They leave suddenly
They’ve taken her!
and he can do nothing to stop them.
They’ve taken Elizabeth!
Feeling hopeless
he goes to ask for help
but even her fiancé
can do nothing
though he is also worried
Do not make the mistake of thinking
you are the only man here who cares for Elizabeth
so he turns to the only one left
a man he thought he wouldn’t have gone near
but now he desperately needs him
Sparrow!
What do you know about the Black Pearl?
The pirate will help
but he needs to know something first
How far are you willing to go to save her?
and without a moment’s hesitation
the reply is
I’d die for her
which reassures the pirate
Oh good
no worries then.
There are many adventures in store
for the blacksmith’s apprentice
before he finds her again
and rescues her
from a cave
filled with pirates
who are completely obsessed with treasure
but then
so is he…
Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate
Together they escape
and end up on the ship
below deck he binds her wound
though his hands are rough
But don’t stop
So very close to a kiss
closer
closer
closer
but then
she pulls out the medallion.
It was a gift from my father
He’s angry
Why did you take it?
shamed
she answers
Because I thought that you were a pirate
but he’s not interested
and he walks away
leaving her
alone.
Later the ship is under attack
from the Pearl
What we need is a devil’s dowry
one of the crew
has an idea
We’ll give them her!
but he knows better
She’s not what they’re after
he knows what they’re after
he goes below deck
but now he’s stuck
can’t get out
and she is taken again
by the pirates.
As she watches the ship
go up in flames
one name
one thought
runs through her mind
Will!
but he’s dead
he couldn’t possibly have survived
and yet
here his is
alive
and he knows what the pirates want
My name is Will Turner
they want him.
Bootstrap Bill Turner was my father
He thinks he has the upper hand
but no
pirates are clever.
He gives his terms
Elizabeth goes free
and the captain is faithful to them
But it was you who failed to specify when or where…
Abandoned on an island
with the pirate
she learns his secrets
things he hasn’t told anyone else.
That’s the secret grand adventure
of the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow?
Soon she is rescued
by her father
and almost-fiancé
but they will do nothing
to help her love
so she makes a choice
Commodore, do this for me
a promise
As a wedding gift
Now she’s done it
she’ll marry him
to save her true love.
They go to rescue him
but she is kept in her room
because it’s too dangerous.
No one knows
how strong she really is.
She has to save him
they’re taking too long…
so she escapes.
There he is
held over the chest
but it’s not his hand that will be cut
He’s only half Turner
it’s his throat
We spill it all
but one captain distracts the other
while she helps fight the pirates
and she proves
she can hold her own against them.
Suddenly
the coins are back
in the boy’s hand
one covered in blood
one about to be.
With a slice of his sword
he opens his fist
and lets them drop
and then
it’s
all
over.
Parley?
One captain is dead
one is rifling among treasure.
The other two stand
face to face
so many thoughts
racing
through their minds.
He wants to say so much
but he knows
she’s promised to another
so he decides to do the proper thing
again
and take her back.
If you were waiting for the opportune moment
that was it
The pirate will hang today.
The boy knows
he can stop it
and he will
but not before
he goes to her
I should have told you every day
from the moment I met you
and finally says
I love you
what he’s wanted to say
for so long.
And then he turns
to save the pirate
because he knows
he’s a good man.
It almost works
the pirate almost escapes
but no
he’s caught once again.
This time the boy stands with him.
The commodore isn’t pleased
You forget your place, Turner
but the boy knows
this is the right thing to do
It’s right here
between you and Jack
and then she goes to stand with them
As is mine
Her father can’t believe it
nor can her fiancé
So this is where your heart truly lies?
But he loves her enough
to walk away
and let her love another
The very best of luck to you both
Finally together
they are alone
except for her father
This is the path you’ve chosen, then?
He’s making sure she knows
what she’s getting into
After all, he is a blacksmith
But she’s sure
she’s waited for him
all this time
No, he’s a pirate
Satisfied
her father leaves
and the two stand quietly
for a moment.
Then he reaches for her
and kisses her
finally
it’s like a dream
neither one wants it to end
though of course it does.
But really
the end of that kiss
was just the beginning…
One year later
they’re still together
and getting married
or supposed to be
but she’s there
and he’s not.
A marriage interrupted
or fate intervenes?
Why isn’t he there?
She sits in the rain
at the alter
and wonders where he is.
Why is this happening?
He can’t have left her all alone…
can he?
No
it wasn’t his fault
he’s been arrested
and now so has she.
There’s a price on their heads
he must find the pirate
and get the compass from him
or they are all lost.
He visits her in jail
and tells her about his plan
which some would call crazy
but she knows he can do it
I have faith in you
He makes her a promise
And then I intend to return here to marry you
Teasing
she asks him
Properly?
and he replies
Eagerly
if you’ll still have me
With a final promise
Keep a weather eye on the horizon
he leaves
and though there are others around her
she now feels truly alone
and in darkness
like her sun has gone.
But even when they are apart
they are never far
from each other’s minds
and hearts.
He is looking
for the compass
and she is looking
for him.
I’m here to find the man I love
But before they are reunited
there is much that happens
and his stakes are raised
because his father’s alive
but it’s a cursed life
Bound to crew a hundred years aboard the Dutchman
so he gives him a promise
I will not abandon you
and vows to rescue him.
Meanwhile
she’s on her way
but there is now
another man
the captain.
She doesn’t love him
but she is attracted
and in denial
how can she
lust after another
besides her beloved?
Peas in a pod, love
Then she sees her fiancé
and all is forgotten
except him
Will!
Throwing her arms around him
she never wants
to let go
I came to find you
but soon the happy moment is over
because she learns
the pirate has lied to her
Every word was a lie!
Though either way
they’ve found the heart
everyone wants it
for different reasons
and she is ignored again
which annoys her
I’ve had it with wobbly-legged, rum-soaked pirates!
They’re fighting for the chest
but it’s gone!
Others have it
and she follows them
‘Ello, poppet
but she has to band together
with the thieves
against a greater threat.
She’s just trying
to get back to her love
and marry him
I’m so ready to be married
but problems keep arising.
The ship’s under attack
What is it?
he knows
he’s lived through this before
The Kraken
and they have an epic battle on their hands
since the Kraken’s out to get the captain
and his ship.
A plan is formed
and carried out
she knows what he’s thinking
without having to be told what to do.
But the beast still lives
so they must run
Abandon ship or abandon hope
but some can’t believe
they’re leaving the Pearl
She’s only a ship, mate
She knows this won’t save them
because the Kraken will hunt them down
It’s after you, not the ship
so she devises a plan
to slake her lust
drown her guilt
and save the man she loves.
What will distract the captain?
She knows
so she kisses him passionately
but it’s a kiss of death
This is the only way, don’t you see?
So she leaves him there
trapped
and gets into the boat
but she’s ridden with guilt and shame
because she knows she killed him.
What she doesn’t know
is that her love saw it all
and he thinks she loves the captain.
She told him nothing of her plan
so his heart is breaking
but ever the gentleman
he helps her into the boat.
Then he asks pointedly
Where’s Jack?
and she lies
He elected to stay behind to give us a chance
The crew mourns him
Never another like Captain Jack
but she stays quiet
she must keep her secret
and he is also quiet
because his world is crumbling around him
he thinks she’s crying for the captain
instead of out of guilt
so he decides to do the noble thing
again.
If there was anything could be done to bring him back…
It turns out there is.
The sorceress knows a way
Would you sail to the ends of the earth and beyond
to fetch back witty Jack?
Right away
he answers
Aye
not for himself
but for her
because he just wants her to be happy
even if it means she loves another man.
An old friend reappears to help them
someone they never expected to see again
because they thought he was dead
So, what’s become of my ship?
The boy is sent as a spy
into enemy territory
to get the charts
so they can find World’s End
but it backfires
because he’s caught.
Is his face familiar to you?
She tries not to show emotion
because she’s still so confused
does she still love him?
But when he comes so close to death
she can’t help but cry out
revealing their secret.
The new captain’s not pleased
but soon they are on their way
with a new revelation
they’re being hunted
they have to run
because if they don’t
they’ll be killed.
They know they face extinction
But they’re not giving up without a fight.
The song has been sung
They need the captain back
because he’s one of the Pirate Lords
We must convene the Brethren Court
She’s nervous
because her secret will be told
and she doesn’t know
what her love will think.
Does he even love her
anymore?
Things get complicated
when they get the captain back
because he’s surprised to see the other captain
and most of the others have tried to hurt him before
Four of you’ve tried to kill me in the past
he’s still bitter towards the girl too
One of you succeeded
The boy looks at her
shocked
You left Jack to the Kraken
and hurt
You chose not to tell me
She replies
It wasn’t your burden to bear
and he replies
I did bear it, didn’t I?
I just didn’t know what it was
One last question for her
If you make your choices alone, how can I trust you?
and her sorrowful reply
You can’t
What went wrong?
Is he too good?
Is she too dark?
Are they wrong for each other
after all?
Then they see something
in the water
Downright macabre
Lost souls
that died at sea
and were never rescued
one boat in particular
catches her eye
Look, there’s my father! We’ve made it back!
but the captain has bad news for her
Elizabeth
we’re not back
Her father’s dead
but she doesn’t’ believe it
Come aboard!
she calls to him
throws a rope
but he doesn’t grab it
I’ll give your love to your mother then, shall I?
Hysterical with grief
she tries to get to him
She must not leave the ship!
and the boy is there to stop her
hold her in his arms
just like old times
except that it won’t be just like old times
ever again.
For her he asks
Is there a way?
but there isn’t
Him at peace
She will recover from her grief
but it will take time
a lot of time.
Now they’re lost
they can’t get back home
unless they figure out the riddle
Over the edge, back over again
which seems to be impossible
sunrise sets, flash of green
and the most puzzling bit of all
Up is down
Not even the clever captain
can figure it out
Well, that’s just maddeningly unhelpful
and then suddenly
he sees it
even if no one else does
but everyone trusts him
so they do what he says
We’re rocking the ship!
and finally
they feel it tipping
and they sink
down
down
down
through the crushing black oblivion
of Davy Jones’ Locker
then
they feel it tip again
the right way up this time
and there it is
on the horizon
a flash of green
It’s sunrise!
But they’re still pirates
and everyone wants something…
the boy wants to reach his father
Captain Turner needs the Pearl
the girl wanted to right a wrong
And you just felt guilty
the other captain needed the ninth Lord
And you and your Brethren Court
The captain’s insulted
Did no one come to save me just because they missed me?
and so is the girl
You didn’t tell me you were planning this
the boy recites her words
It wasn’t your burden to bear
and with those words
a wall is built
that might never be torn down.
But even with their distance
he still cares for her
and doesn’t want her to get involved
She’s not part of the deal
she’s stubborn
If this is what frees us then done!
finally she is taken
and he’s left fearing for her safety
But they’re pirates!
even though she can take care of herself
I have had more than enough experience dealing with pirates!
she’s treated well
though she doesn’t know what her captors are thinking
No other treatment would be worthy of you
Calypso
she’s confused
she’s not a goddess
just a girl
but he seems to think
she’s the goddess of the sea
he speaks nicely to her
Pretty speech from a captor
she doesn’t trust him at all
But words whispered through prison bars lose their charm
she’s right not to
because he wants something from her
I offer simply my desire
and he won’t take no
for an answer
Then I will take your fury!
She’s saved
by a single shot
which kills her captor
but before he dies
he gives her something
Go to Shipwreck Cove
take my place
Now she’s captain
but her ship is overtaken
and she meets up with an old friend
whom she never expected to see
James?
He’s there under Beckett’s command
and she thinks he killed her father
he didn’t even know
her father was dead
he was told
the governor returned to England
Did Lord Beckett tell you that?
Ever the gentleman
he offers her a place to stay
The captain may have my quarters
but she still doesn’t believe him
so she declines.
In her cell
she meets someone very important
Bootstrap?
he’s excited
You know my name
and he knows who she is
You’re Elizabeth
and why his son can’t rescue him
If he saves me, he loses you
he understands
He won’t pick me
I wouldn’t pick me!
Meanwhile
the boy has problems of his own
he’s leaving a trail
he’s betraying them
to gain his own ends
and the captain knows it.
But the boy didn’t take into account
the captain knows more than he does
and soon the boy is adrift
in the dark, cold ocean.
Later that night
the girl’s old friend
comes to set her free.
She doesn’t understand
What are you doing?
but he knows
Choosing a side
he’s doing it for her
it’s all for her
even though she doesn’t love him
and never will
but she says to him
Come with us
He wants to
very badly
but he knows it wouldn’t work
he couldn’t be close to her
as just a friend
it would hurt too much
Our destinies were entwined, Elizabeth
he has to let her go
But never joined
Then he finally kisses her
what he’s wanted to do
for so long
it’s not like her kiss with the captain
not at all
this is pure and innocent
only for a moment
a kiss for a hero.
Because that’s what he is
he’s a hero.
He distracts the crew members
while she and her crew escape
but then his plan backfires
when he’s stabbed
James! No!
She can do nothing
only swim away
but she resolves not to forget him
or what he’s done for her.
The pirates gather at the Cove
There’s not been a gathering like this in our lifetime
but they’re being followed
because of the boy
he knows how to get what he wants
He ended up a pirate after all
he’s more clever than anyone thought
What is it you want most?
and he learns a secret
You loved her
Calypso
that’s been deeply buried for years
She was the one…
At the Brethren Court
one Lord is missing
Sao Feng is dead
but there is one to take his place
He passed his lordship on to me
Sticking her sword into the globe
she goes to stand with her fellow Lords.
The
Pearl’s captain is disgusted
Now they’re just giving the bloody title away!
but like the others
he can’t argue
because she warns them of the coming storm
Our location has been betrayed
Havoc ensues
And who is this betrayer?
but there is a possibility
Not likely one among us
What she didn’t know
is that her former love
Where’s Will?
is the one who betrayed them
Not among us
One of the Lords has an idea
We must free Calypso
but the others call it folly
and a fight almost breaks out
before one of them remembers
An act of war can only be declared by the Pirate King
The Code is brought forth
I call on Captain Teague, Keeper of the Code!
and he turns out to be right
The Code is the law
so an election is staged
and votes are cast
Each pirate only votes for hisself
except one of them
Elizabeth Swann!
I know, I can’t believe it either…
The Lords are outraged
but then the question is asked
Am I to understand
that you lot will not be keeping to the Code, then?
and they all fall silent.
Just like that
she’s now the King
What say you, Captain Swann, King of the Brethren Court?
and she has a plan
Prepare every vessel that floats
to remain free
or die trying
At dawn, we are at war
Before the war
a parley takes place
and there he is
her former love
standing with the enemy
You be the cur that lead these wolves to our door
but then comes the shock
He was merely a tool in your betrayal
with a smirk
all is revealed
If you wish to see its grand architect, look to your left
of course the true cur
pretends to be innocent
My hands are clean in this – figuratively
the boy is noble
and helps him off the hook
My actions were my own, to my own purpose
and she understands
why he did
what he did
I understand the burden you bear
but she can see no hope for it
But I fear that cause is lost
He can’t believe that
he promised his father
and he will do it
No cause is lost if there is but one fool left to fight for it
She knows a way to get him back
Will leaves with us
and get rid of the captain
and you can take Jack
it doesn’t make her companions happy
You have no right!
but she has the final say
King
so the exchange is completed.
Their enemy gives another proposition
You can fight, and all of you will die
with a bleak outlook
Or you can surrender
in which case only most of you will die
She will never surrender to him
You murdered my father
but he’s not insulted
He chose his own fate
which only angers her more
And you have chosen yours
and makes her certain
We will fight
and you will die
Coolly
he gives her an answer
So be it
Back among the pirates
Calypso will be released
I release you from your human bonds
against the will of some
who turned out to be the wiser.
Why, she’s no help at all!
Now they truly have no hope left…
Our final hope has failed us
or do they?
It’s not over
Some are still willing to try
There’s still a fight to be had
even though there’s no chance to win
Only a fool’s chance
but
if not for this
then what?
Then what shall we die for?
The pirates have to fight
And what the enemy will see is the flash of our cannons
together
They will hear the ring of our swords
or they’ll die
alone.
And they will know what we can do
They can make a stand
By the sweat of our brows
take back what is theirs
And the strength of our backs
fight for their freedom
And the courage of our hearts
if they band together
Gentlemen, hoist the colors
And so
the battle begins
Dying is the day worth living for!
amid a dangerous storm
Calypso
The clever captain
finds a way to escape his prison
and take the chest with him
but he doesn’t get very far
Lookie here, boys! A lost bird
His worst enemy soon finds him
A lost bird that never learned to fly!
despite his best efforts
I can set you free, mate
he’s still trapped
My freedom was forfeit long ago
and so they battle
in the raging storm
over the chest.
Back on the
Pearl
the boy has a question for the girl
Will you marry me?
she doesn’t believe he’s serious
why would he ask that now
while they’re in a fight for their lives?
I don’t think now’s the best time!
but he knows what he’s doing
Now may be the only time!
and he won’t take no for an answer
I’ve made my choice
What’s yours?
In a second
she makes a decision
Barbossa! Marry us!
and finally
their wedding begins
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…
not without interruptions
to nail yer gizzard to the mast, ye poxy cur!
but at least it’s finally happening.
He asks her
Elizabeth Swann, do you take me to be your husband?
with a swing of her sword
she answers
I do!
and his thoughts escape his lips
Great!
While still fighting
she asks
Will Turner, do you take me to be your wife?
and adds
In sickness and in health
with health being the less likely?
and he says
I do
Finally they hear the words
As Captain, I now pronounce you…
they’ve been waiting for
for so long
You may kiss!
But it’s a bit difficult to kiss
in the middle of a battle
You may kiss!
third time’s a charm
Just kiss!
And what a kiss it is
full of passion
full of promises
and full of apologies
for things that can never be undone.
Of course
their happiness can’t last
but neither of them
expected this to happen.
Her worst nightmare leers in front of her
You’ll see no mercy from me
and his father doesn’t recognize him.
He takes pity on him
I will not kill you
and leaves him stuck to the railing instead
I made you a promise
because he needs to save his wife
not that the
Dutchman’s captain cares
Did you forget?
he just wants them dead
I am a heartless wretch
because he can’t stand them
Ah, love
having something
A dreadful bond
he once had
and lost
Tell me, William Turner
Do you fear death?
Then a new voice asks
Do you?
and there is the
Pearl’s captain
with the heart
It’s a heady tonic
and a knife
Holding life and death in the palm of one’s hand
Cruelty?
Maybe so
maybe not.
Cruel is a matter of perspective, is it not?
Then it happens
the sword draws back
Is it?
and it stabs
not Jones’ heart
but the boy’s.
The captain’s shaken to the core
should he do the right thing?
Should he save an innocent life?
Or
should he do what he wants
and live forever?
Take what you want most, Jack
Then he remembers
It’s not just about living forever, Jackie
what the Keeper of the Code told him
It’s about learning to live with yourself forever
Someone else saw it happen
the boy’s father
and he’ll do whatever it takes
to save his son.
He attacks Jones
and buys the
Pearl’s captain time
but not much time
because the boy’s fading
No, Will, don’t leave me!
and in an instant
a choice is made.
Just as Jones
is about to kill the father
You will not forestall my judgement
he groans and turns to see
the boy holding a knife
plunged deep into the heart
and he knows
all is over.
He falls into the maelstrom
and is gone
forever.
The crew gathers around their new captain
Part of the ship, part of the crew
and the
Pearl’s captain knows
he must get the girl away
The Dutchman must have a living heart
She struggles for an instant
then stops
because is there even a reason
if her love is dead?
They arrive back on the
Pearl
which faces impossible odds
and all looks hopeless
until…
suddenly the
Dutchman resurfaces
no longer cursed
and there he is
alive and well
and seeking revenge.
The odds don’t look so bad now.
The two pirate ships
head straight for the fleet
targeting the main vessel
and on an order
they fire.
Soon
it’s all over
the enemy is retreating
and the pirates are celebrating.
You may throw my hat if you like
But there’s a job
for the
Dutchman’s new captain
and his wife
must stay behind
Where we are bound, she cannot come
One day
that’s what he’s given
It’s a steep price to pay for what’s been done
it’ll have to be enough
Depends on the one day
On the
Pearl
she says her goodbyes
and they’re all sad to see her go
Goodbye, Poppet
even the captain
though she tells him
It would never have worked out between us
he still says
Keep telling yourself that, darling
He won’t admit she’s right
but deep down
he knows it.
Her heart belongs
to her husband
and his belongs
to his
Pearl.
Finally she leaves them
for her one day with him
even though for them
a lifetime
would still not be enough.
But all too soon
It’s nearly sunset
he must leave her
One day ashore, ten years at sea
but he gives her something first
It’s always belonged to you
the chest
the one with his heart in it
Will you keep it safe?
Of course she will
Yes
and he stands with her
for a moment longer
wanting to say so much
but not being able
to form the words
then the call of the
Dutchman is too strong
and he must leave her
though it tears him apart to do so.
But she can’t let him go yet
not without one more kiss
Will!
She throws her arms around him
and somehow
is able to say everything
without saying a word.
And with a final promise
one they’ve both heard before
Keep a weather eye on the horizon
he’s really gone
and she’s standing on the shore
watching him go.
There it is
a flash of green
on the horizon.
This isn’t goodbye
not forever…
You will come back to me
Ten years later
she stands once again
staring at the horizon
but now she’s with someone
her son
who looks so much like his father
that sometimes
it hurts to look at him.
Then sometimes
it fills her with hope
because she knows that part of him is with her
in this child
and that he will come back to them.
Another memory resurfaces
as her son sings
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me
one of a little girl
on the bow of a boat
singing the same song
and then of a little boy
with sad brown eyes
who needed rescuing so badly.
Suddenly she’s jerked out of her memories
as she watches the sunset
waiting
hoping
praying
for a flash of green.
There!
It’s there
and it’s beautiful
a beacon of hope
because it means he’s coming
and he’ll stay with them
forever.
He looks out at the cliff
straining his eyes
and he can just see
two tiny figures standing there
waiting for him.
These ten years
have been the longest
of his life.
But now
he’s free
because together
they broke the curse
and now he can stay with them
forever.
You have a touch of destiny about you, William Turner
Part of his destiny has been fulfilled
but part is just beginning…
Keep a weather eye on the horizon
...no...more...HTML... *dies*
man, and I finally got through it. lol 
(just kidding!) it was so, so worth it! amazing! Bravo! *clapping* I LOVED it!!!! Good job, Pip! and it actually opened my eyes up to a few Willabeth things I hadn't thought of before... I always figured the One Day thing meant ten years at sea to return one day... not one day to spend with Liz and then ten years at sea to return at the end of them. 
Oh, I don't know what I was doing with that last bit, but I'm glad I could accidentally open your eyes about it, I guess. 
After all, Bootstrap did say "One day ashore, ten years at sea", and I guess I took it literally... Did you notice all the italics are movie quotes? 
I was just taking it one step at a time while I had the time.... the days just seemed to rush by! 
lol, oh, well... I guess either way it was still helpful and nice! 
actually I think I like it best that way... aye, yes, I did notice that. 
