23 years ago.
The small seven year old James Norrington just stared at his Mother and older sister graves with a numb look. It had been a terrible tragedy; His Mother was the gardener of Lord Harker a wealthy English lord that had a great fleet of ships that traveled to the new world.
Unfortunately Lord Harker's activities had given him many enemies, enemies that in that unfortunate night had tried to kidnap Lord Westenra's daughter.
James had fallowed his mother and sister as they woke to the sounds of gunfire, he saw in horror as his sister was shot while facing the masked strangers. His mother screamed and ran to her daughter's side but didn't reach her for a bullet stopped her run. "Mother" he screamed and ran to her, not afraid of what was happening around him. As he reached his mother side, she looked at him and smiled "My boy" she said softly. "Mommy please don't die" but with her last bit of strength she reached out and caressed her son face. Then she whispered "I love you" then she closed her eyes and her hand left his face as she gave her final breath.
Now the boy stood in front of their graves trying hard not to cry. Lord Harker accompanied him for he felt in part responsible. The attempt to kidnap his daughter had failed and the villains were captured by the authorities, unfortunately two lives had been lost and he knew that boy was now alone in the world. He knew James still had a father, but he was a drunken bastard that used to beat him and his mother before he abandoned them
"Listen James" he said as he put a comforting hand in the boys shoulder "Tomorrow morning I will send you to the royal navy academy in Portsmouth, there you will given a proper education and one day you will become a navy officer"
"B..but sir" he said "I still have my obligations here" but he was interrupted by Lord Harker "No boy, not any more. You will be provided with anything you need for your studies" he kneeled down and stared at him in the eyes "It will be hard James, military life always is, but it will also give you the opportunity to rise in society" he looked down and continued "It's the least I can do in memory of your family".
Ten years later, James returned to the mansion to say his farewell. The training he received had turned him into a fine young man and His commanding officers had recommended him to his first service in the royal navy for they saw that the young man was brilliant and had a talent for leading men. He worked hard those ten years, for in his pride he had decided to work for a living and not be dependant of Lord Harker charity, even if they became close friends through the years.
As he entered the mansion, he was greeted by a strange sight, there were people everywhere, some women were crying.
Lord Harker saw him and approached him; there were tears on his eyes.
"My lad, is no nice to see you" he said as he embraced the younger man. Norrington noticed the sadness in his friends tone and asked worried "My lord??? What is happening?
Harker just said "Mina… James my daughter is dying"
James opened his eyes with shock and asked "What??" then thought to himself "Dying?? But six months ago she was perfectly fine"
Lord Harker continued "The doctors haven't been able to determine what the disease is. Apparently it's some kind of anemia. The doctor said it's just a matter of hours"
Then to change the subject for just a moment and forgetting his own pain, Lord Harker made a sad smile and said "My lad, News have come to me that you have been assigned to your first mission in the royal navy" he embraced him again and said "I'm so proud of you" But Norrington interrupted him "I'll stay with you in this time of crisis my lord.. I can't go" But Harker continued in a serious manner "Nonsense my lad. You will go and do your duty to your king and country" then he relaxed a little and said "Mina has been waiting for you James. Why don't you go to her room and pay her a visit" Norrington bowed and was about to make his way when Harker said "Oh, by the way Lord Arthur Holmwood and Lady Lucy Westenra are with her right now. Somehow she insisted to be with the in these hours"
Norrington frowned a little and asked "I thought they were traveling with their parents" Harker answered "Yes they were, traveling all over eastern Europe. But something happened in their journey; I believe in the Carpathian Mountains and they had to return to England"
Norrington didn't like this; he knew Arthur was a rich spoiled son of a nobleman and member of one of the oldest families in England. In norrington's own mind, someone who will never have to work for a life.
It was not that he hated him, it was just that they were so different and had nothing in common; Norrington was a hard working reserved person, someone who had but few friends and imposed unto himself a strict discipline of life, while Arthur was a man that seemed to smile everywhere he went; He was always the center of attention in any social meting. Many daughters of the members of the nobility wished for his attentions for he was also very handsome.
They were like light and darkness; James had worked so hard in his life to get into the position he was now, and yet he knew that he would never be a member of that closed circle in which Arthur lived.
With a sigh He entered the room and saw Mina lying in her bed. It pained him greatly to see her, she looked beautiful but her face was very pale. Her long black hair only made her look paler for the contrast. As she saw him, she smiled and would have blushed if she had enough blood. Unknown to James, Mina always had a crush on him but was afraid to tell him.
James then looked at the two other persons in the room and almost gasped for he almost didn't recognize them. They had the same faces he remembered, but there was something odd about them "They are so pale" Norrington thought "Almost as pale as mina. He also thought that their eyes had an unnatural brightness in them but dismissed that thought.
Lucy rose from her chair with a smile, her long red hair flowing freely and approached him "James, it's so nice to see you" Norrington smiled back and said "My lady" and bowed "Why aren't they sad?" he wondered. He knew that Lucy, as well as Mina, belonged to the same circle of power of Arthur, and yet they were always nice to him.
Lucy laughed and said "my... so formal James" then she stared at his naval uniform and said "You look so handsome and tasty in that uniform" the last word seemed to affect the other two, for Arthur laughed a little and mina said with some concern to Lucy "Lucy don't" Norrington noticed the odd stares Lucy and Mina exchanged but said nothing. Then mina turned to him and said "James it's so nice to see you" she weakly patted a spot in her bed and James went to sit there. "My lady" Mina smiled and said "How many times do I have to tell you James??? Call me Mina". James blushed a little "I'm sorry mina. It's just that" and he had to look away for it really pained him to see her like this; she was one of the few people in the world that truly seemed to care about him, and now she was being taken away from him, just like his mother and sister.
Mina seemed to know what was on his mind and it pained her more to see him like that. She decided to talk about something else "James, My father told me the news. I'm so proud of you.. The youngest officer in the history of the royal navy"
James blushed but said nothing and mina continued "Where are you assigned, when will you leave??" James answered "It's the Dauntless, the pride of the navy. I'll leave in a week and our destination is Port Royal in the Caribbean Sea"
"The Caribbean??" Lucy asked worried "James I have heard it's infested with pirates"
Mina's face looked even paler and she grabbed James hand "Promise me you will be careful" James answered "I will, if you promise you will get better" It was Arthur who spoke this time with a smile "Oh she will get better James. I can promise you that"
Norrington didn't know what to make of Arthur's words but he noticed the angry stare mina gave Arthur.
Mina coughed a little and said again "Before you go James there is something I want to give you" she reached to a small table near her bed and grabbed a box. Norrington didn't notice the pain in her eyes as she grabbed a small objet and handed it to him. Norrington opened his hand and exclaimed "B. . .but Mina. . ." He said as he watched a small cross. He knew this was very dear to her for her grandmother had given it to her
Mina smiled and said "It will protect you James" then her body began to tremble and James took her in his arms "Mina Mina" he half sobbed. Her body stopped shaking, but somehow he could feel how life was leaving her body. A bright smile illuminated her beautiful face and she said; now in a whisper "dying is not so bad now that I'm finally in your arms" She tried with one last effort to kiss him but death took her.
A week later, James Norrington stood on the deck of the dauntless at night, looking to the port one last time but his thoughts being on the funeral that took place six days ago. He opened his hand and stared at the small cross, then stared back at the port and said "I will wear this with pride" before he went on his way.
Back in the port three hooded figures watched as she ship sailed away to the new world