A/N: This is my second POTC fic, hope you like it. Sorry for any OOC-ness, this was written on a whim, and currently un-betaed as my beta is sick for now and I felt it was best not to bother her. And there aren't a lot of Norrington fans I know. Oh well, do the best one can. If anyone spots a lot of mistakes in here, feel free to e-mail me at ditto102@yahoo.com and I will be sure to correct them and repost it. Cheers! I do not own the song in this story, which is called "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" and I thought it fits really well
The Bachelor Outing
Norrington has accomplished a great many tasks in his time, going from a simple navy sailor to commandeering an entire fleet. He had always set a high standard for himself and accomplished anything he set his mind to, even when they seemed difficult, he didn't mind a challenge and it was rare that he dread it. He's single-handedly chased down every pirate ship in the Caribbean and had graciously shown each pirate the noose. He had defeated an army of ghost, and had been through a number of battles in his time. He would never admit to being actually afraid, nor did he find such tasks difficult. But tonight was different, never in his entire life, had Norrington be forced to do anything so difficult, and he dreaded it every passing minute.
"Come Commodore! Let Jack show you the finest pub in all of Tortuga!"
Norrington had to fight to keep himself from capturing the pirate and clamping him in irons, which was his tendency to do with pirates. But that wouldn't do at all for that pirate was the best man of Will Turner (much to Norrington's dismay, both to that fact, and the fact that the governor had allowed it) and it would not please Elizabeth.
"I do not care for this situation at all," said Norrington.
"I agree, I don't think we should be doing this Jack," said Will, looking around, and dodging the people who were running past them and falling in front of them.
Norrington did not care for the scenery (neither did Will, one other thing they had in common besides Elizabeth), which consisted of madness, mayhem, and everything that Jack Sparrow loved, and what Norrington detested. It sickened him, the sight of drunks parading the streets, urchins running around and stealing from unwary travellers (which Norrington was not, and therefore, he kept a firm grip on his purse and his sword), and especially, prostitutes selling themselves for only a few coins.
"Nonsense! It's tradition for the best man to give the groom a bachelor party," replied the pirate.
"Then why didn't you tell Elizabeth about it?"
"Why worry the strumpet when she could be happy doing those…things women do before weddings?"
Needless to say, Jack hadn't told Elizabeth where he and Will were going. All she knew was that they were going to take care some old business of Jack, a few days before the wedding. Norrington had to hand it to him, that pirate was an awfully good liar. Elizabeth had not been happy with it but she had made Will promise to come back as soon as possible, and had asked Norrington to go with them to make sure they came back in time (and because she was still, admittedly, quite suspicious of the pirate). Norrington had reluctantly agreed, though he hated playing baby-sitter, especially to Jack Sparrow, but he had done it to please her.
It had hurt him greatly when she turned them down in favour of marrying Will Turner, one whom he had always considered below him. He still harboured feelings for the beautiful girl and he doubt that they will fade quickly. Yes, he had been able to do whatever he set his mind to but not when it came to marrying a fine woman and starting a family. For some odd reason, he had never been able to accomplishing that task, which, for other men, seemed to be the simplest of all. And now, seeing Will Turner, a lad almost half his age, doing just that, well, that did not give him any reason to drink and be merry. Which was precisely why Sparrow had dragged the two of them down there.
"Ah! Here we are! The Red Damsel! The greatest pub in all of Tortuga, where every man could be happy just drinking his days away!" Norrington and Will looked at each other, not really caring to go inside. The sound of yelling, shouting, and the occasionally punches could be heard outside. "Will, my lad! Prepare to get one last taste of freedom!" He then went inside, with Will following him. Norrington didn't move.
"How do I get myself into these situations," he said to himself, though he had an idea of the answer. Then he took one step, then another, closer to the doorway. He felt as if he was walking towards his doom, and was prepared to say good-bye to self-respect when he felt a push, a shove, and then…he was inside. Good-bye self-respect.
Norrington looked around, at the singing drunkards, and the battling drunkards, and the women sitting upon their laps. He suddenly felt extremely out of place, being one of the few who were clean and sober in the place. Jack and Will had settled themselves in front of the bar, Will looked just as out of place as he did, with his hair nicely combed and a clean shirt on. Norrington took a seat beside the lad, folding his hands in front of him.
"Anything to drink fellas?" asked the barmaid, a pretty redhead who was wearing a bodice that was dangerously low, exposing a good deal of cleavage. Then she saw Jack and her eyes darkened.
"Minnie!" he said happily before getting a good slap from the maid. Norrington hid a smile that was playing on his face at the action, priceless, yes, but quite unladylike.
"It's 'bout time ya came back here, Jack Sparrow," said the maid, her hands on her hips.
"So sorry, luv, but been a bit busier than expected, what with the pillaging and all," answered Jack, most obviously flirting.
"Well then, didja bring me anything?" she asked, folding her arms upon the table and leaning towards the pirate.
Jack smiled, his eyes diverting downwards. "Well, of course luv, ye don't think I've forgotten about ye." He took out a ruby ring from his pocket, brandished it, and presented it to the maid, who took it with glee.
"Well Jack," she said, after inspecting it closely and putting it on her slender fingers, "apology accepted." She gave him a kiss on the cheek where she had slapped him.
"Well then luv, that ought to make up for that slap then, though I do know somethin' else that will make up for it even better," he said, winking.
She giggled, "Oh Jack Sparrow, you haven't changed a bit! Now, what'll you three gents have to drink?"
"Give all of us a bottle or two of rum! You don't object to a good rum, do you Commodore?"
Truthfully, he detested the drink (preferring brandy), but then again, it would not do to be impolite in front of the natives. "No, not at all." Of course, when he looked back on that night, he would say that agreeing on rum was what started it all. Well, the barmaid gave him a wink as she handed him the bottle (which was quite dusty), looking him up and down with a look of approval.
"Well, cheers mate," said Jack, clinking bottles with his two companions.
Norrington gave a sniff (dreadful stuff, rum was), before giving a hesitant sip. He had to fight to keep it from going back the other direction; he was never one for rum, and for a good reason too. Will seemed to be having the same problem holding down the alcohol. Though perhaps, he was having a worst time for it since Norrington was sure the young man had never had hard liquor in his life.
This notice didn't escape Jack, who was probably wondering what he was doing in the company of men who didn't drink. "Come men! Night's still young and many more bottles to go!" He slapped Will across the backside.
The lad turned to Norrington, then to Jack, "Cheers Commodore," before drinking down more than he probably should have. He sputtered and coughed.
"Good stuff, eh?"
He coughed again, "Sure, Jack."
Deciding that maybe a little alcohol in his bloodstream will make the night go by faster, Norrington tipped the bottle and gulped down a huge amount. The liquor burned his throat and tasted absolutely vile. But the alcohol worked fast as he started to get a warm, queasy feeling at the pit of his stomach. He stared at the bottle, tasted horrid but did have a fast effect. He quickly finished the whole bottle, only to find another placed in front of him. Yes, this was going to be a long night.
*
After a while, Norrington lost count of exactly how many bottles he had. Three, four, maybe five? He had a very high tolerance for alcohol, but had to admit, all those bottle of rum made him feel incredibly light-headed, and he had stopped feeling uncomfortable. At the moment, Jack had his arm draped on Will's shoulder and was teaching him a song, something about pirates and eggs and lots of booze. Though he had to admit, the song was extremely catchy.
"We devils, we black sheeps, we really bad eggs, drink up, me hearties yo ho!" Sang the two of them, badly. Norrington had half a mind to join them, but still had some rational thought in his head to decide against it. Which reminded him, where was his hat?
He shrugged. Oh well, he could always have the crew buy him a new hat, maybe even a bigger one, with a nice peacock feather. Won't that be absolutely stunning?
He tipped the rum bottle again. "Mr. Sparrow!" he spoke up amongst the singing, "Leave the singing to somebody with talent!"
"Well then, Commodore, why don't you astound us with your beautiful voice!"
"Very well, prepare to be amazed!" With a rum bottle in hand, he stood up quite gracefully for a drunk, straightening himself as best as he could.
"There's
a port on a western bay
and it serves a hundred ships a day
lonely sailors pass the time away
And talk about their homes."
At this, possibly the whole pub turned to stare at him. He was dressed like an official, be he sure wasn't acting like one. But he did have quite a good voice (very nice alto), though a bit slurred due to the alcohol.
"And there's a girl in this harbour town
(At this,
he indicated Minnie, who was leaning against the bar.)
And she works layin' whiskey down
They say "Brandy, fetch another round"
She serves them whiskey and wine."
He started to pick up pace as he sang, turning to Minnie now, as she stood there and smiled playfully.
"The
sailors say '"Brandy, you're a fine girl"
"What a good wife you would be"
"Yeah your eyes could steal a sailor from the sea"'
Brandy
wears a braided chain
Made of finest silver from the North of Spain
a locket that bears the name
of the man that Brandy loves
(He made
broad gesture from Minnie's neck to her waist, though she did not wear any jewellery,
save for her new ring)
He came on a summer's day
Bringin' gifts from far away
But he made it clear he couldn't stay
No harbour was his home
The sailor said, " Brandy, you're a fine girl"
"What a good wife you would be"
"But my life, my love and my lady is the sea"
(He turned
away from her then, pretending as if to leave and gesturing to the door)
Yeah, Brandy used to watch his eyes
When he told his sailor stories
She could feel the ocean fall and rise
She saw its ragin' glory
But he had always told the truth, Lord, he was an honest man
And Brandy does her best to understand
At night when the bars close down
Brandy walks through a silent town
And loves a man who's not around
She still can hear him say
She hears him say
"Brandy, you're a fine girl"
"What a good wife you would be"
"But my life, my love and my lady is the sea"
Possibly the whole pub, who was as drunk as can be, sang along with him.
"Brandy,
you're a fine girl"
"What a good wife you would be"
"But my life, my love and my lady is the sea"
Norrington took a bow, which was accompanied by many applause and shouts of, "More songs!" He took another bow and was about to sing again when a scream pierced the air. It was a woman! In trouble! A damsel near the Damsel! "Gentlemen, before I continue, I must go rescue a fair damsel in distress!" He drew out his sword, with much applause from his audience, took one final swing from his bottle, and ran out the pub door. In a very undignified manner, then again, dignity had run off a long time ago.
"Should we follow 'im?" asked a drunk Will to Jack.
"Nah, 'e can take care o' himself. Brandy, fetch another round!"
Norrington followed the scream to an alley, and in his current state of mind, venturing loudly into a dark alley probably not a good idea, but there was a lady in trouble (though the presence of ladies in Tortuga was debatable). His duty was to defend the innocent, rescue fair maidens, and all that good stuff!
There were four ruffians surrounding a woman. And she had the highest pitching scream he had ever heard. "That is no way to treat a lady!" He shouted to them, so much for element of surprise. They turned and looked at him. There was a person, hair (wig) dishevelled, clothes wrinkled, and drunk. Yup, that really struck fear into their hearts.
They surrounded him in a matter of seconds, all with leering grins. Then, the first one charged…and got a very good knocking with the base of Norrington's sword. There were swipes and yells following and the rest of them ended up with a good deal of scratches and cuts. Norrington was drunk but he was still very adept with a sword. More slashing, more dodging, well, this wasn't so hard, and in a few more seconds, he could get back to drinking. Yup, good plan. That was, until he felt a pain in the back of his head and the ground rushing up to meet his face.
Well, that complicates matters a bit, was his last thought before he feel unconscious.
*
A/N: So…what do you think? Leave a review and the second part will be up shortly. Cheerio, faire readers!