User:Jonoth/Her Love Is An Ocean (story)

"Her Love Is An Ocean" is a one-shot story based on the character Captain Jonoth Shyemlye.

Characters

• Captain Jonoth Shyemlye
• Unnamed woman

Locations

• Kul'Tiras
• Silverpine Forest
• The Risen Phoenix (ship)

Text

With the crew on shore leave, the undead captain retreats to the bowels of the ship, finding a decrepit but strong stool to sit on. The latern burns bright, he does the rare honor of removing his patch, two glowing yellow eyes fixated on his vest. He retrieves a couple of folded parchments, gazing over it reverently.

"Ny t'eathure..."

His jawless face fumbles with the words as he unfolds the pages and blows off the dust. The words bring a rare bit of emotion to the pirate as he is back in a time before his world came to an end.

M'lady,

I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and the gladest of tidings. We are soon to reach the shores of Silverpine, and it would be a lie to say I am not fearful of the battle to come. But all struggles come with a cost, and my fear is that this will cost me more than my life. So I wish to say the things my mangled form could not express, to tell you what has been in my heart these past years.

Do you remember the day I landed in Kul'Tiras? I remember the dirty looks I received because of the handkercheif I wore on my face. Fearing I was a bandit, the law asked me to remove it, only to moments later request that I put it back on in disgust. I was growing used to this from when the bear first stole my face, but the scorn still bothered me. And you knew this. You could see it in me. You always had this ability to sense when someone was troubled, and for all the chants of how uncivil you were, you were easily the most kind and generous woman I have ever met. You took my hand and brought me to the inn, where your ire turned the stern innkeeper into nothing more than a small child being scolded by a parent. I wish you could have seen the smile hidden beneath the cloth as he gave you the key.

I remember my decision to stay in Kul'Tiras. A lot of it was seeking adventure beyond Lordaeron. But an important part of it was our time together. You made me take off the mask, allowed me to be myself when I was alone with you. You never flinched, never allowed me to pity myself or my condition, and over time began to understand my bizarre warble of a tongue. We were the best of friends, a nearly inseparable pair! You were there when I returned from a sword sale, to hear the stories of all the customers I met and about the boats I visited on. You encouraged me to become a deckhand and to set out onthe water I enjoyed. All the while, I loved you, and never told you how I felt, not wanting to shatter the beauty of what we had with what dwelled within.

I remember the lord who courted you. The one your parents wished to set you up with. It was the first time I've felt such a jealousy in my heart, for I knew he was one that you could share walks with and not have to fight the scowls of the others. Someone who could provide you with anything you wished beyond your wildest dreams. Someone who still had both his lips, and could give you the kiss I never could. You spoke of him often, and it was the only time I ever had to pretend in the course of our friendship...pretend to be happy while inside I felt my heart breaking.

My shipmates could not always tell what was on my mind. They only knew that when battle came my sword striked true, and it seemed my pain turned to my fortune as I rose to the rank of First Mate. I remember the way they celebrated my achievement with drink and merriment. I remember I celebrated it at the forge. The brand stung like heartache, but the bear paw would remind me of how far I'd come. It reminded me of what I had lost, both then and now. At night, I saw the bear standing between us, keeping you from being in my arms. No slice of blade nor blast of cannon could take down the beast, and I knelt down, defeated, waking up another day without you next to me.

I remember the knock at the door. I was tired of hiding from the world. I left my kerchief on the desk and went to answer, when through the peephole I saw the two of you, smiling and gazing into each other's eyes. It was almost too much to bear, but I had never denied you a visit with me, and I'd be damned to start now. I opened the door to your look of happiness...and his look of horror. He covered his face as he gagged, and tried to send me to retrieve proper cover for my face. I started to oblige him, not wishing unpleasantness to spoil our reunion. But like all those years ago, you did not remain silent. You told him that I never had to hide, that there was nothing wrong with me. He tried to force you to leave. Before I could reach for my cutlass, he was sitting on the ground from a punch that the toughest of men would envy. His nobility had not softened you, and he asked you to choose between us. The ring landed in his lap as the anger grew on his face, telling you to enjoy the company of your "freak".

I stood there, more speechless than my condition would already leave me. And instead of holding you to comfort you from the loss of him in your life, you held me, apologizing for forgetting about me, and expecting that I would hate you. I could never hate you. No matter how much my heart's cries for your affection rang out, you had given me a hope I never knew possible. It is something that I will always cherish.

You were there when my letters returned, unopened, and when I discoved the wall blocking Gilneas. You would be there to see me off when I started this journey, hoping to battle whatever forces are keeping my parents locked in the city. You looked sad, but proud of me. I held you for a long time at the dock, and I promised to see you again. Nearing Silverpine, I hope that it is a promise I will keep, though the shore is already looking grim.

I love you. Since the fateful day we met, I knew that when all was said and done, that I wanted to return home to you. And when I return from this, we will have so much to discuss! I carry you with me, always.

Until these eyes see you again,

Jonoth Shyemlye
First Mate of The Risen Phoenix