Of Times Past

Chapter 1

A rumbling laugh came rolling out of Commodore Pryce, "Quite a hilarious tale indeed Mr. Smythe. I shall have to be sure and remember that one."

"Seems the old man may have had one too many dips out of the punch bowl if he thought that tired old joke was that funny." Lt. Andrew Gillette whispered to Lt. James Norrington as they stood several feet behind Commodore Pryce. James didn't crack a smile; in fact he shot Andrew a frown. Lt. Theodore Groves however, who had overheard Andrew's remark, let out a chuckle before receiving his own frown from James. He leaned over to James and said, "You have to admit here James Andrew's remark was much funnier than the joke was."

With a stern look James turned just enough for Theo to get the full effect of his expression as he whispered, "Funny enough to go on report for?"

The edges of Theo's smile dropped, "Well perhaps it wasn't that funny after all."

With a smirk James replied, "I thought not."

This was James first gala event since he had come to Fort Charles and he really didn't want it to turn bad should the hooliganian nature of his comrades go unchecked and be allowed to break out in full force. Noting his reproof had hit its mark, at least for the present, he allowed himself to look around the room.

James was no stranger to such events, having attended them on numerous occasions with his family while growing up. But he had never acquired a taste for them or felt the least bit comfortable while attending them. He would much prefer to be in his room reading, or on the cliff near his home overlooking the port, and the sea, allowing his fertile imagination to take over him. His discomfort was only acerbated at these functions by his possession of two left feet when it came to the required dancing. Normally he was quite adept in the coordination of his body and limbs, after a certain period of adjustment during puberty when he had taken a growth spurt and was extremely clumsy for what he judged much too long a period of time and seemingly couldn't walk even a few steps without falling over his own feet. His clumsiness, when it came to dancing however, never seemed to have left. And even though he looked at most things with the determination he would accomplish to the best of his ability whatever he put his mind to, and had been given lessons by the best teachers available, he, as well as his more than exasperated teachers, finally had to give up on conquering any but the most basic sort of dancing what so ever.

He watched the couples out on the floor and somewhere deep down inside did wish he had the grace to perform the various maneuvers required. He was brought out of his reverie by an elbow to his side, "It would appear James old boy, your admirer is in attendance." Andrew said with a smile as he indicated the young girl smiling in James' direction from across the room. He returned her smile, they had become what he supposed could be termed friends on the crossing from England, or as much friends as the twelve year old daughter of the new Governor of Jamaica and a nineteen year old lieutenant could be.

It hadn't taken long into the trip for Elizabeth to discern that despite his standoffish demeanor, and his stern voice and tone, that underneath he was a softy, and more than an easy mark for a girl with more curiosity, imagination, and brashness than she should. She would often search him out to answer her unending questions and to help her in her quest to do the things her Father would have had a coronary over, and more than likely James would have received a stern lecture or worse for allowing if they had been discovered. Such things as how it felt to hang far out over the rail and peer down at the dazzling dancing water below as the ship sliced its way through the waves that were thrown up in its path, such things as what it felt like to be in the crows nest as the sun set on the horizon and be surrounded by nothing but myriad stars filling the heavens and the dark vast ocean filling everything else, or sit next to James on the deck as he told her stories of the sea, watching as his green eyes next to sparked with excitement as he spoke, or be lifted up to stand on the bow rail and have the wind blow through her hair.

She walked across the floor to him, and with a grimace before a very briefly executed curtsey, held out her hand and said, "Would you care to dance Lt. Norrington?"

He heard Andrew and James both snicker, flashed them a frown, and then turned, bowed, and took Elizabeth's hand and raised it for a brief touch of lips, "I would be more than honored, and shall endeavor not to embarrass you too badly with my less than exemplary dancing skills Miss Swann."

She giggled a bit as he escorted her over to an unoccupied corner of the dance floor. As he began moving her about, his eyes intent on watching his insubordinate feet she giggled again and said, "You look quite handsome in your dress uniform Lt. Norrington."

"Thank you Miss Swann, you look lovely as well."

"My Father said since I was just standing around over there," nodding her head toward where she had been standing, "and you were just standing around over there," indicating with another nod the direction they had just come from, "that I should come over and ask you to dance."

"Very kind of your Father to suggest it Miss Swann."

As James managed to step on her toes twice in the matter of just a few moments, and gave a huff at himself, and an apologetic look at her she giggled once again and said, "You really aren't much of a dancer are you Lt. Norrington?"

With a quirk to his lips he said, "I am afraid that is one of my major shortcomings Miss Swann."

"I don't care much for dancing either Lt. Norrington."

"Indeed." He said looking at her with a raised eyebrow. "Then perhaps it would be a fortuitous thing for us to retire to the punch table."

"That sounds like a much better idea. You can tell me some more stories, I have missed them dreadfully." Elizabeth said with a spark of interest in her eyes as she looked up at James.

James offered her his arm, "Miss Swann, if you would be so kind as to accompany me I think we shall be able to provide you with a story or two, and myself with much needed refreshment."

Elizabeth smiled up at him as she placed her hand atop his arm, "Do lead on Lt. Norrington."

Governor Swann had been watching the interaction of the two from his place across the room. As they walked off together he smiled.

To Be Continued

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