Prologue
Fifty years is a long time, a lifetime for many – unless you find yourself faced with eternity, as James Norrington did.
Fifty years aboard the Dutchmen serving under the admirable William Turner - that was the offer the Goddess Calypso made with Norrington as he drifted through the mist in his solitary longboat, heading for whatever end awaited him.
However, she was quite blatantly breaking the rules for him, at the end of said time he must promise her a favor, a debt to pay.
When questioned why, why choose him, the Goddess merely smiled, caressed his face and said
"Him heart be broken, but 'tis a heart wit' more destiny writ' in it."
So James Norrington sailed under the command of a not so common blacksmith for fifty years - years he measured by fleeting glances of Elizabeth. The first ten, she met William on the rocky beach, a tow headed boy clutching tightly at her hand.
At twenty, the boy was grown, strapping and handsome, a girl by his side with a baby in her arms. Holding Elizabeth's hands were a boy and girl – ten-year-old twins.
Thirty; Elizabeth was surrounded by grandchildren and she had grown much older but every bit as graceful and beautiful as he remembered.
Forty years and great grandchildren joined them on the beach.
Fifty years, the many Turners set her adrift in a small longboat of her own, white hibiscus covering her from head to toe. Her family wept on the beach while her husband rejoiced, embracing his Elizabeth, blushing as a new bride, upon the deck of the Flying Dutchmen.
As Elizabeth stepped aboard the ship and into her lover's arms, James couldn't help but feel the pang of jealousy in the pieces of his heart. Fifty years did nothing to abate the feelings he harbored for his captain's love, but it did everything to commit himself to William as a comrade and commander. He smiled with genuine joy for William and Elizabeth as he watched them embrace.
"James." A single syllable whispered in his ear and he turned. Behind him stood Calypso, translucently pale skinned and white haired with eyes as black the bottom of the sea– her appearance was altered but everyone on board knew it was she.
"It is time for your redemption, James Norrington." She spoke boldly, pronouncing her words in a sound proclamation.
"James?" Elizabeth said, worry etching her lovely face. Will held her back, shaking his head knowingly. He nodded at James.
"Fair winds, my friend." He said.
The Goddess touched James between his green eyes, and he felt himself falling… falling… deep into the depths of the ocean….
And thus his new destiny begins.
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