Author's Note: AU story about Norrington. Everything that happened in the movies happened except...Norrington doesn't die. :) Takes place after the third film. I don't think we'll be seeing any of the other characters. This is just about our favorite military man. Comments are always welcome but please, if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say it. This was just an idea I've had floating around for a long time. Please enjoy!!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or story of POTC.
CARIBBEAN STORMS COME FAST
"Duty To My Country and Family"
It was another beautiful day in Port Royal. All of the residents agreed that every day was beautiful after the...pirate incident. Not too long ago the skies had been dark and the sea unforgiving. The East India Trading Company had seemed to take over the port city, after the arrest of Will Turner during his wedding and then taken away its Governor from residence. Everyone agreed that, had the Commodore not resigned his commission after he had failed to capture the notorious pirate Jack Sparrow... again, none of this would have happened. No ship was safe, and no port either. And then one day it happened...the skies cleared and the sun came out. The rain that had been falling for weeks suddenly stopped and on the horizon was a war torn ship flying a tattered Britain standard. The citizens of Port Royal stood on the docks watching the ship slowly limp its way across the sea with baited breath. There was no way to explain it but every man, woman, and child saw that sorry ship and felt hope for the first time in months. They watched as the ship made port and as a familiar face emerged. They had seen him briefly a month before when he had been welcomed back into the British Navy and promoted to Admiral. The ceremony had not been what it should have been considering the honor. The man had seemed hardened then by unknown events. Now, although his face and gentlemanly behavior were still intact, he had changed. Gone was the arrogance and pomp. Gone was the warmth and joy. He was a kind, quiet, hardworking Admiral now and from the moment he stepped off that ship he set Port Royal right again. He informed the King of the death of Governor Swann at the hands of the pirates and a new Governor was sent. New ships were built, homes were repaired, and life went on at Port Royal.
Looking up from the letter in his hands and out the window at the clear blue sky, Admiral James Norrington knew the time had come for his life to go on as well. He was still a servant to his Majesty, the King and it was part of his duty to take a wife. He had put it off for as long as he possibly could, unable to face...something. A something he didn't know. A fear he would never be good enough to take care of another properly? He held no hope for love. Yet how would he find the strength to be a good husband? Well, now was the time to find out, he though to himself as he looked down at the letter again...a letter from his relative, an old aunt, that informed him of the imminent arrival of a possible bride and her family to Port Royal.
"Your accomplishments are spoken of highly here in London but they are being drowned out by the drone of those who think the time had come for you to fulfill your obligation to this family. I must agree with them. Lord Garside is coming to inspect his sugar cane plantations on a neighboring island. He will be bringing his two daughters, Charlotte and Chloe and they will be your guests. I'm sure you will find the younger Miss Garside a pleasant enough young woman, nephew. She is kind, quiet, attentive and ready for marriage. I want you to think very carefully on that course of action...."
James would have sighed at the contents of the letter but ever since his return to Port Royal he had kept his emotions under tight check. Never again would he be caught off guard by anything, let alone a woman.
"Kind, quiet, attentive and ready for marriage...."
He penned a quick response and made sure it was on the last ship to London. All it said was,
"I will perform my duty to my country and family"