Drabble: "Birdwatcher"

[veronica_rich]

"Birdwatcher"
Rating: G
Pairing: W/E ... others, if you squint
Disclaimer: Belongs to Buena Vista and Bruckheimer. I derive no profit from this.
Summary: Post-AWE, Will's POV - response to "Fly" prompt at blackpearlsails, inspired by the screenwriters' allusion to a William Turner in history who studied avians.


Turner’s eyes opened as salt water swirled over them; oddly, he could see clear as a well-cast bell. Against the gray sky was an askew square of sail, ropes gathered to two figures.

He’d heard Swann’s protests to Sparrow’s insistence they leave, even as he was being anchored to the sea, over the rush of waves replacing the tympani of his own heartbeat.

He could stay Below, relinquishing all he’d loved, become the ghost of Calypso’s Will. Or he could remember Beckett and the awful ships, and defy the downward current.

Turner knew which would keep his two birds flying.

Comments

[elerrina-amanya.livejournal.com]

This is just...wow. If I try to give my favourite lines, I'll probably end up quoting the whole thing—but hey, I'll do it anyway =)

For some reason, the almost throwaway simile clear as a well-cast bell really appeals to me and the ghost of Calypso’s Will is perfect on several levels.
I love the way so much is encapsulated in the final line; Will's "heart", his goodness and love for Elizabeth were his driving characteristics throughout most of the story, and now even when he has lost his physical heart, it's still his loyalty and love for his two birds that directs his decision. There also seems to be a sense that Will, who is now something a bit beyond human, is going to watch over and protect the pair of them...not exactly possessiveness, but an acknowledgement of the bonds between them.

Beautiful, thanks!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I figure Will basically died for both Jack and Elizabeth - he went to the ship to help Jack get the heart in the first place, then he stabbed Jones to save Elizabeth, and Jones stabbed him while Jack was diddling over his Dramatic Pause in stabbing the heart. If he's going to go that far, he wouldn't want it all to be in vain at the end.

Thanks for reading!