| Sequel to "Tómas" Overall rating: PG-13 Category: slash, adventure, humour Pairing: Norrington/Gillette Other characters appearing: Lord George Cutler Beckett, Lt. Greitzer, Lt. Groves, Will Turner plus cameos by Prince Frederick of Prussia and Voltaire Warnings: none Feedback: very welcome. Good or bad. Author's note: I thought that "Tómas" was the weirdest story I've ever written. Well, I was wrong. Summary: There is nothing that a leprechaun wouldn't do for his treasure, so all is not lost for James Norrington. "Henry? Henry, is that really you?" Gillette stared at the figure in disbelief, hardly noticing that Voltaire was pulling frantically on his sleeve. "Tómas, who is Henry? And why does Henry look like bladder wrack?" "That's one of the ship's boys who served under Captain Norrington's command." "That's a ship's boy? Good grief. Who mans the cannons in the Royal Navy then, sea cucumbers?" "No, those work at the Admiralty. Now be quiet." Gillette shook Voltaire's hand off and addressed the seaweed formerly known as Henry. "Tell me what happened to you." "Our ship sank, and we expected to die. But then Robert the devil came, and since then we're cursed." Before Gillette could make further inquiries, Voltaire clapped his hands. "Robert the devil doesn't happen to wear a suit looking like a potato bug, does he?" he asked, all excited. "I knew there was something fishy about him, I knew it!" Gillette glared at his cousin. "Could you please let me handle this?" Voltaire was too proud of his detective work. "But it's true, isn't it? Robert the devil is Robert the potato bug?" Henry nodded. "Yes, that's him. He sold us to the mermaids, for ten pieces of gold each. That's what he does with every unfortunate sailor he finds in the sea." Voltaire and Gillette both gasped in horror. "He - sold you? He made you slaves?" Even for a fairy, this was an unexpected level of evil. Freedom was the highest good of every mythical being, be they leprechauns, will-o'-the-wisps or fairies, and this was one of the reasons why mermaids were despised for their habit of keeping prisoners. Voltaire shivered. "How horrible. How heinous. How harrowing. How h-" "Yes," Gillette cut him off. "All that and more. We need to help them." Voltaire began to glow, and his light revealed a large number of figures of similar appearance to Henry's. Only the Gods knew how many unfortunate men had been lured on to destruction by Robert the devilish potato bug, and denied a peaceful afterlife! "This is an outrage! Yes, we must free them, and I'll personally drag Robert home and bring him to court! By his pointed ears, if I must!" "Can you help us, sir?" Henry asked, hopefully. "We are so tired, sir, we haven't slept for many years. We just want to rest in peace." "I will try anything in my power to save you," Gillette promised firmly. "Alas, it won't be easy, for I doubt the mermaids will give up their property without a fight. And then there's Seoirse. He's not my favourite cousin, but we can't just leave him here. And he's the only one who can tell me where I can find my captain." Voltaire rubbed his chin, lost in thought. Suddenly, his face brightened, and he gave Gillette a sly grin. "Ah, you take care of Robert, I'll take care of Seoirse and the mermaids. This problem needs a scientific approach!" * * * back next chapter |
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| THE FLYING SCOTSMAN 10/18 by Molly Joyful |