DRIFTWOOD

DRIFTWOOD

BY

JOXIE


Title : Driftwood

Author : Joxie

Pairing : Thranduil/Will, Legolas/Elrond, Aze/Arwen

Rating : NC17 Swearing AU

Authors Notes : LOTR/POTC Crossover, third story in the Sparks Universe follows ASFU and PTTL

Summary : A stranger in a strange land can he help a fading King and what of the Kings family?

Feedback : Yes please, please be tactful and patient.

Disclaimer : Complete Cobblers I Own Nothing!


CHAPTER SIX

When Gandalf and his party reached the forest of Mirkwood they found another troop of warriors waiting for them. These elves guided them to what looked like a small palace to Will. Only for his perception to be disproved when Gandalf asked, “What is he doing at the hunting lodge?”

“It was there favourite residence” captain Erusen told him.

Lassemista and two other high ranking elves came out to greet them. Will was once again ignored so he silently followed Gandalf and the other elves into the lodge.

“The King does not leave his bed, he will not eat and he grows weaker by the day. Our King is waiting to die; I have never seen the like in my life.” Lassemista talked as fast as she walked.

The nimble wizard asked gravely, “Has Prince Legolas been informed?”

Lassemista nodded her head briskly, “Whether he will get here in time will be another matter.”

The small group came to a halt in front of a wooden door. Lassemista knocked lightly and pushed it open. Only one lamp eased the darkness of the chamber, as all the drapes were drawn tightly against the sunlight.

Thranduil lay on a very large bed his eyes almost closed and his breathing was shallow. With impatience Gandalf stormed into the chamber and tore open the drapes letting the sunlight back in.

“You sir wizard are a bastard” Thranduil’s voice still held some strength.

“You King of Mirkwood are a fighter, so fight!” snarled Gandalf

Thranduil closed his eyes and sucked in a breath, “Mirkwood will have a good Queen in Aze and she has Arwen to help her. I am grief struck, weary and ready to go.”

“Piffle!” Blasted Gandalf.

Will broke away from the group of elves standing just inside the chamber.

He joined Gandalf by the bed, “You!” Growled Thranduil.

The King seemed to recognise him though Will had never seen the elf before in his life, “I do not know you elf King” examining Thranduil he went on, “you are dying.”

“Yes I am fading leave me is it not an enough you haunt my dreams.” Snapped the irritated King.

A voice came from out of the air; “William Turner do your duty” the tone was strong, feminine and seductive.

The elves in the chamber shifted with unease. Will replied stubbornly, “My duty is to the sea, this is land.”

“Faithful and obedient servant do your duty” the voice repeated with dry humour.

“Why this one he is not worthy, he is not even of the same world and this is still land.” Grief for lost friends and lovers laced Will’s voice.

A crash of thunder shook the chamber and it became unnaturally dark, the lone lamp was the only source of light once again.

Before the wizard and bemused elves, Thranduil’s bed dissolved into water yet still kept its shape. Then it began throwing the King’s body around as if it were a rag doll.

Several elves tried to save there King but were thrown back before they even got wet. Will watched impassively and with a shake of his head waded into the raging liquid. He grabbed the storm tossed King and as angry as he was still carried his burden gently.

The bed returned to solid wood and the room was light once more. Will looked up at the ceiling and yelled, “Why not Jack?” He got no reply, “I hate you” he added for good measure.

“I love the way you hate and so will he” an amused feminine voice told him.

Gandalf tried to remove Thranduil from Will’s arms and failed. Will lay the King on a sofa and sat beside him. With gentle fingers he brushed Thranduil’s long hair into some sort of tidiness.

“You are a fool” Thranduil’s tone left no room for argument.

“But not a eunuch” Will replied quietly.

“I’ve seen no proof of that” a wicked light shone in the King’s eyes for a brief moment.

Will returned his gaze to the ceiling and bellowed, “Calypso!”

Painful silence answered him, “Bugger” Will mumbled.

“Look King Thranduil I have a choice for you” he continued grudgingly.

“Choice?” Thranduil’s voice was notably weaker.

“You can hasten to meet your maker and answer for your sins. Or you can become a member of my crew on The Flying Dutchman. I ferry those who come to there end in the oceans of my world.” Will watched Thranduil process what he had been told.

“I accept” the King found himself saying.

“Why?” Will was curious.

“I am know longer needed in this world; my children are settled and happy. My people will thrive under my daughters strong and tender care. If I have a choice between death and serving the sea, I will serve the sea and keep my memories of Aranel close to my heart.” Thrandul saw understanding in Will’s eyes.

Moments later Will noticed the group of confused looking elves who were staring at him, “Do you always speak to your Lady like that?” Enquired Erusen he was clearly scandalized by Will’s lack of respect for a higher being.

“No, sometimes I am rude to her; take care of your King while you still have him.” Will rose from the sofa and walked out of the chamber leaving Gandalf to make any explanations that he felt were necessary.

Just outside the door Will found himself in front of two elves. He glared straight into the eyes of the blonde one, for the first time in many years he experienced surprise. It was like looking in a mirror except for the different coloured eyes and hair.

“By the Lord’s left bollock” muttered the blonde’s companion.

“Your leave” Will dodged around the pair moving very swiftly.

For a fading elf Thranduil looked pretty healthy to Legolas. His father did look very damp and his wet nightshirt clung to him but otherwise he seemed very well. Except for the bleak pain deep in his eyes, “Aze wrote you were fading.” Legolas said explaining his arrival.

“She was right” Thranduil took in his son’s weary form. With one look he dismissed everyone from the chamber except for Legolas, Elrond and Gandalf.

“It would seem the Lord and his Lady has other plans for me. They have sent a strange man, who shouts at gods and shows complete disinterest in having me as a member of his crew. No doubt if he were a monkey he would be flashing his balls at me to show his disapproval.”

In the confused silence that followed his statement Thranduil went over to his wardrobe. Where he removed a tunic and pair of leggings before disappearing behind a screen to dress in the dry clothes.

Gathering his wits Legolas asked, “Crew?”

“From what he said Mr William Turner runs a ghost ship that collects mortal souls on the high seas of another world.” Thranduil informed his son as he walked from behind the screen fully dressed and dry.

“You know nothing about sailing” Legolas blurted still looking lost and confused.

“My son I am sure that Elrond would like to freshen up after such a long journey. Take him to your rooms, I promise we will talk later.” Thranduil ordered gently.

Legolas was unwilling but he and Elrond did leave the chamber and Thranduil alone with Gandalf.

“What have I agreed to Mithrandir?” The Kings mask slipped revealing the true grief he was enduring.

“You old friend have chosen to live” Gandalf smiled tiredly.

“And I called Turner a fool” Thranduil muttered to himself.

“Between you and I Thranduil there are many worlds out there, each with there own gods. The Lord and Lady, his Goddess they do not want you to fade. Each for there own reasons no doubt. Neither you nor Will have any choice in this.” The wizard bluntly told him.

“So enjoy the ride is what your saying?” Thranduil responded.

“It maybe a rough ride but it will not be boring” and with that Gandalf left him to his thoughts.

The so called lodge had its own stable block and blacksmith shop. Will’s feet took him to the workshop where one lone elf was shoeing an unhappy horse. On impulse he went and held the animals head. The busy elf nodded his thanks and worked on.

The heat and smell brought back long forgotten memories of a simpler time. Before pirates, curses and Calypso. Yes he had come to terms with the pirate in his blood but it didn’t mean he had to like what fate had done to him.

The elf thanked him again before leading the horse away. Alone in the workshop refusing to think about his newest crew member Will picked up a pair of tongs and began to work.