[POTC series fic] - KINGDOMS OF THE SWAN, Installment One, "The Ghosts at the Brink" - rated R

[writing_samsara]

Series: KINGDOMS OF THE SWAN
Installment: 1/???
Segment Title: "The Ghosts at the Brink"
Timeframe: Post AWE
Pairing: J/E, shades of W/E
Rating: R
Word Count: 6,444
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended. All rights belong to Disney, etc.
Acknowledgements: Many, many thanks and squishes are owed to djarum99and piratemistress , for flawless beta,

Comments

[artaxastra]

I love and adore the scene with Elizabeth and Weatherby. It almost made me cry. It's wonderful that she has the chance to say goodbye that way, whether or not it's real (and what is real, the Jack voice asks?). You write vividly, with each little detail standing out, the tobacco, the vetiver soap, very sensual writing. It's beautiful.

I also like her struggle to find a place for the chest, and I have the feeling we'll be seeing more of the highly symbolic house.

Favorite line: Something regal and stately and fit for all those storybooks of yours - for little girls in their canopies and for every scalawag on his deathbed what called himself pirate and whispered your name.

And they will, of course. Charmed Elizabeth, the young King.

[writing_samsara]

Thank you so much for reading and for such lovely comments! It means the world to me, especially coming from a writer of such high caliber. :)

I'm so glad that you enjoyed the Weatherby scene. It was actually the last scene for me to add, one that began as an afterthought after I'd had lunch with my dad and realised his own increasing frailty.

We'll certainly be seeing much more of the house, and I'm thrilled that Lizzie's "inner Jack" resonated with you.

*hugs*

[artaxastra]

It's really gorgeous. Not many beginnings move me to tears. (It's usually endings.)

The house is a mystery, as no doubt it should be at this point. I'm curious. And it's interesting that Lizzie has an "inner Jack." She doesn't seem to have an inner Will!

[writing_samsara]

Thanks so much, again! *blushes*

I think Lizzie's inner Will may just be dormant at that point - sort of silenced by the heart or something. I feel certain that he'll make an appearance. *wink*

[awickedwench]

This was exquisite...so glad I found it! I think this is the best Weatherby Swann I've read to date. Can't wait for more!

[writing_samsara]

Oh, thanks so much! I'm super-thrilled that you enjoyed my Weatherby. I've never written him before, but I tried to channel a bit of my own father there, and I'm so pleased it worked.

Thanks for reading! :)

[sixpences]

Gorgeous and so vivid- I could really 'feel' everything, especially Elizabeth struggling along with the chest and the dark claustrophobia of the cave. I love her conversation with Weatherby too- he loves her so very much, and they deserved a proper goodbye. I look forward to more of this!

[writing_samsara]

Thanks very much, love! :) Really glad that the cave came across as terrifying and close - and that you felt her striggle with the chest. I shivered a couple times, trying to imagine it.

I'm glad you enjoyed her goodbye with her father. When I saw AWE, I was heartbroken for Elizabeth, as she clearly had no time to process everything that happened. I wanted to find a way to give her some peace.

More is on the horizon. Thank you for reading!

*hugs*

[salr323]

Wonderful! So pleased to see more from you at last - I'm already impatient for the next chapter. I loved Elizabeth's confusion and girlishness here (she is barely more than a girl, after all) combined with the inner strength she always shows.

Your Jack is inspiring; just the right amount of eloquence to his speech but not so much that it sounds like caricature.

This line broke my heart:

“I want you to know,” he’d said, squatting beside the mattress, “that this doesn’t change things between us.” But his eyes held something fragile as he produced the ring from his pocket and pressed it to her hand.

You capture the pain so well. :) More, more...!

[writing_samsara]

Thank you so much, love! :) I promise to have at little a little more posted soon. Interestingly, I was desperately trying to take a page from your own work and write everything before posting installments. However, I ended up getting long-winded, creating a massive outline, and the fear that I'd never post anything prompted me to give up trying to finish.

Glad that you caught the juxtaposition of girlishness and strength. Elizabeth has always been such a dichotomy - young and privledged and sheltered, but truly equal to the tasks she's had to face. I think there's a bit of hubris in there, but it makes her all the more endearing (at least to me).

Thanks so much, again, for the comments and for taking the time to read. Hopefully, installment two will be up shortly.

*hugs*

[writing_samsara]

Thank you! :)