Okay...hello eveyone! This story that stands below is my first work on Fanfiction. It basically is for me tohelp improve my writing, and because, well, I like pirates lol. It is a NorringtonOC, happening after AWE...I do not agree that Norrington needed to keel over, so I'm agreeing with the many around that he didn't die (Probably i'm in denial) So oif you don't like that fact, don't read my story. I hope you will review. I always like to know what readers think!

Disclaimer: Disney owns the nautical world, I just own my characters

A soft rain pattered upon the windowsill of the glorious Victorian house hiding itself in the Jamaican town of Port Royal. Its droplets echoed upon the leaves of the soft palm trees that lay in their permanent positions by the residence. The small particles bombarded the window pane of a balcony window in a continuous pattern, running down in small rivers, casting their dull grey shadows upon the pale face of the young girl within the confines of her room. With a sigh the young girl turned her face away from the rainy and dismal scenery, and back to the reality of the world she lived in. Looking around her crowded room, the green eyes absorbed her feathered mattress, the enlarged wardrobe, all littered with the fine dyes and silks, colors and tapestries that signified a well to do family… and the small and homey desk her father had carved for her upon her fourteenth birthday. A slender hand reached out to grab the hairbrush that resided close to the bible she held on the desk.

The combing of her curly auburn tresses was difficult, but this young girl was learning quickly of the vanity the world so ardently admired quickly. Normally her maid, Elsa, would be here, grooming the girl and caring for her hair, but do to circumstances in the servant's family, she had begged for today off. Angry voices clearly rang from downstairs, and wincing slightly, the girl paused to listen as her name was mentioned.

"Sarah cannot attempt such a request! She has seventeen years Martha! Seventeen years! He is at least fifteen years her senior!"

"It sounds to me you don't want your precious little Sarah to attempt to do this family any good!"

"You say by offering herself in matrimony to a complete and random stranger will be doing our family good!?"

"What more can we offer her Maurice? When your first wife passed I vowed to you to take care of Sarah the best I could! Time's running out!"

The voices faded back to a dull and distant mumble as Sarah sighed, flinching as she thought of the looks of pain her father would be giving at the moment. Though he was a low ranking member of the royal navy, Maurice was held in high regards with the governor, therefore Maurice's daughter was a sought after bride-to-be. It seemed a man of higher rank desired a woman of 'refined' breeding to parade around with pride. At least you tried to hide me from the world father. She thought longingly wishing for the life of a commoner at the moment. Where was the joy she should have felt? Where was the happy life so many assumed she possessed? It all seemed to be lacking, all was falling through a black hole, never to be seen again. Rising from the chair, Sarah walked to her bed, falling into the comfort of sheets, My sheets, my bed…my comforts. Thoughts ran rampant through her mind as she realized how easily it was for her step-mother to work her way through the suitors and select one, yet Sarah yearned for the choice of selecting who she wanted to marry.

"Oh life! Why must you bother me so?!" Sarah sighed dramatically, shifting upright quickly as a faint knock fell upon her door.

"My Suri? Are you decent?"

The familiar pet name Maurice called his daughter filled the room in a muffled echo. Sarah sighed, and standing up, grabbed her robe and wrapped it around her average frame. She nodded, realizing that her father could not see the nod, she spoke up.

"Yes father, I am decent."

The shuffling of feet and the turn of the door knob caused all sense of daydream to flee from Sarah's mind. The face of Maurice entered the room. Many found him an attractive man, though older, he carried the strong jaw line that defined their family, his face littered with the stubble he forgot to rid himself of earlier, green eyes like Sarah's own stared back at her. A hard working and calloused hand reached up and scratched the grey hair of this man…Sarah's father. His eyes locked into her own, they seemed so tired, exhausted…weak.

"Martha has requested you join her in town on this afternoon. It seems you have business to attend to, business I must address with you now." Maurice paused, a grim smile set upon his lips, "Sur-Sarah, you are now seventeen, and though I will deny to my death that you have matured and…grown up, Martha has spoken sense into me. You knew when I married Martha, the money we spent from your mothers operations has haunted this family's income."

Sarah glanced at her father, shifting her feet uncomfortably as she stood, arms crossed, "What are you saying father?"

"I'm saying darling, that due to such troubled finances, we have fallen into some debt, and until I get extra hours up at the fort, we will barely be able to provide food for Martha and myself. She-we do not wish to see you in any sort of troubled life-"

"It sounds to me that Martha does not wish for word to get out her step daughter does not have as large a dowry as she used to." Sarah spoke bitterly, gazing harshly into the floor, almost wishing to burn a hole through the wood straight into her step-mothers head.

"Sarah. Please, just go with her…honor your parents request…my request?" Maurice pleaded, knowing full well his explanations were vague and confusing. "You heard us just now did you not?" he spoke quietly, upset at the fact his daughter must be a witness to the constant bickering of the household.

Sarah groaned knowing the familiar pity she felt for her father kick in. Martha seemed to control him, his every move with her icy blue eyes, her tight and shallow face, and those thin lips. Sarah supposed she was a very attractive woman, and always envisioned her withholding pleasures from her husband until he did her biddings. Martha had had many suitors prior to Maurice, and because Maurice was such a loyal mate to Sarah's mother, the young girl assumed Martha had worked hard to avoid the others and ensnare a handsome and easily manipulated man. Sarah herself never did have too many suitors since coming out; her father always said it was because she was intimidating; she was a woman with 'morals' and such. Sarah felt it was because she was not at all the most interesting, nor beautiful girl in town, she was shy and quiet, almost invisible, until people got to know her that is, and many suitors did not seem to want to make that step. Sarah sensed Martha agreed with this theory and made it her goal to marry off Sarah, the 'disgrace'. Perhaps it was jealousy, Sarah supposed she would never know, but being a well brought up girl, and never being too headstrong, she would obey her father's wishes.

"I heard…But not much, only a few jumbled words…I will go with Martha, to go meet this…man." Bitter tones rang in the air. Sarah's own green eyes saw the hurt in her fathers, and her heart felt as though it had stopped for a moment, "Forgive my harsh tones father…it is just, well, I did not think this day would come…since mothers passing it has been awkward in this house, I thought I was supposed to take care of you…not this-not Martha" Her words grew soft, caring and loving towards her father immensely, the current, confusing situation addled her brain. Since when were finances tight? Since when did they need to marry her off to live at peace? Something was odd, and Sarah longed to find out, though almost knew it was a frail hope, for what position did a young, unmarried woman hold in prying in her elders business? The girl broke from her thoughts as Maurice began to dismiss himself, Sarah felt as though she had to ask;

"Who-what is this man's name by the way?"

Pulling away from the door, Maurice grinned, though his eyes showed the true emotions he withheld, the blatant pain he felt at forcing the situation upon his daughter, "A mister James Norrington…he was once a much respected man of the navy, yet due to his disappearance about three years ago, and the manner of his return…he has moved down the ranks, but Martha assures me he is a good man."

Sarah nodded, a soft smile in her eyes, as if to hide her anger and reassure her father she loved him, "Mister Norrington…well so be it then, if you will excuse me now father, I must get ready for the day, Elsa is off and I fear it may take me longer."

Maurice nodded, "Would you like Martha to assist you in any way?" He spoke almost comically, knowing how his second wife would react to such a request.

Chuckling softly Sarah shook her head, "No, I will be fine, I will meet you both down for breakfast in a half hours time."

Nodding, Maurice glanced at his daughter once more, "Sarah, know that I love you…and you do not have to consent to anything you don't wish to do…" Fading, he twisted the doorknob.

Watching the door shut behind her father, Sarah went to the wardrobe to select the clothes of the day, puzzled by her father's words, she shuffled around gazing at the jewelry, the hair accessories, the undergarments, the corset…overwhelmed, she smiled grimly, missing quiet, elderly Elsa for a moment before beginning the struggle of such frivolities, all for the sake of looking nice.

A clock echoed throughout the town, alerting Sarah to it being nine o' clock. Breathing heavily, she grasped the handle of her door, looking again at herself in the mirror. Her face was mostly clear, but there stood a few nuisances she would carry. Sarah looked to her figure for a moment, the light pink dress upon her complimented her hair, though to her, her face seemed to destroy the whole ensemble. Sarah sighed, brushing back the many stray strands of her hair. Elsa, you can never leave again…I miss you. Knowing she was to meet a could-be husband, her hands poked her stomach. Though the corset did its job, Sarah knew she wasn't exactly the thinnest of women, nor the prettiest. Ah, who am I kidding, if I ogle myself any longer, my self confidence of the day will be shattered Turning the doorknob, Sarah set off for the stairs, silently praying for a decent day.

Entering the dining hall, Sarah's bare feet shuffled through the plush burgundy carpet, as she pulled out her chair at the table. Settling down, she waited patiently for her father and Martha. Breakfast was seemingly quickly cooked and, consisting of little conversation, seemed to drag on. The room seemed to grow cold as Martha entered the picture. Later than what was expected she seemed more arrogant than usual, daunting a deep blue dress that brought out her blond hair, tied tightly in a bun, stretching her skin even tighter than usual.

"Ah Sarah, it is good to see you awake. I trust you slept well?" Martha spoke, her voice dripping in honey, but icy eyes seemed to reveal the true feelings nestled within. Settling beside Maurice her eyes locked onto Sarah's.

Sarah grunted, unladylike, yet unstoppable as Martha had caught her in the middle of a bite of her meal. Dabbing her mouth with a napkin she smiled, embarrassed, "I slept well enough…and you?"

Eyes darted to Sarah's mouth, "Hmm? Ah, I did sleep well." The nostrils of the matriarch's snide little nose flared up in disgust, "You are not planning to…eat during our meeting are you Sarah?" Though the voice was ever so sweet, Sarah glared at Martha, biting back the snide comments she could retort with.

"Um… I wasn't planning on it but I-Father, what are your plans for the day?" Sarah shifted conversations to her father, feeling enraged how Martha could trap her in words, it was as if she was striking Sarah without raising her hand.

Maurice sensed the apprehension in the room and the rising tensions, smiling at Sarah softly, he arose and stretched, "Well, I plan to go off to the fort, I'd best be off, for the governor does not smile upon tardiness.

Sarah looked aghast; he was leaving her here, with Martha? Alone? The silence after her father had retreated was so tangible it seemed it could strangle her. The clanking of fine china, and the shuffling of the cooks feet were the only audible noise as Sarah and Martha finished their breakfast.

Rising, Martha shot Sarah a look, and the young girl followed suite, wringing her hands together in anticipation as she followed her step-mother to the door. Thanking the doorman, she gazed at the carriage prepared to take her…and Martha, to meet the husband-could-be.

"Where to Madame?"

Martha stared at Sarah, curtly replying, "The Fort." The carriage rocked back and propelled forward, as they began their small journey.

Sarah began to twiddle her thumbs, not even daring to look up at Martha, she sensed the sneer upon Martha's face though, and as the older woman opened her mouth she winced, knowing full well what was about to erupt.

"At least look somewhat intelligent Sarah! Stop twiddling! You are to represent your father's household! Sit up straight" Command after command after command hit Sarah full throttle, as she sat up, and looked as though she was the prize mare Martha was trying to sell her off as. You thought wrong Martha, I am nothing With a tight smirk on her face, the air Martha observed from Sarah was as confident and as regal as a young girl should be.

Sarah did not at all feel comfortable, and gazed out the window, scared to be berated yet again. Passing the muddy streets of town, she glanced up at the fort. Any moment now. The streets were crowded as venders attempted to shout at passer bys, and the many tavern owners swept their sidewalks, looking up at the regal carriage that was hurrying by. Soon though, the throng of people began to fade and regiments of royal officers began to appear.

Relief flooded through Sarah's veins as the carriage finally stopped. She stood fast, and it was only by the angered grunt of Martha did she remember to allow the carriage hand to help her down. Navy officers glanced at the two women, curious as to what they were doing here, yet when meeting Sarah's eyes, they turned their attentions back to their work, as if knowing the doom that awaited the plain daughter of Maurice.

Well, what did you think of the first chapter? It is supposed to be a little confusing...but not leave you totally lost, I tried to get the reader to feel how Sarah feels, utterly confused...without confusing you...confused yet? Please let me know if this story is worth continuing!