The sun shone brightly in the crystal blue sky, and smiled down on the affair with all the satisfaction of a proud father. All around, dignified members of Port Royale society turned out in their best and donned happy expressions. A soft sea breeze blew in and caressed his cheek. This was the day Commodore James Norrington had been living for. He nervously ran a hand down the lapels of his dress uniform as he glanced about the crowd. James smiled expectantly at Katherine before his eyes became transfixed on the glorious sight coming down the aisle toward him. Her gown illuminated the surrounding air and lit up her beautiful face like nothing else could. She seemed to float effortlessly toward him on the arm of her distinguished father, and within moments found herself in the hands of James Norrington. Her touch was soft and delicate; so unsure yet positively composed. James relished the feeling of her skin to his as he turned his attention to the chaplain.
"James Norrington, will you take this woman in holy matrimony, to have and to hold through illness and in health, until death do you part?"
The Commodore had to draw a slow breath in order to prevent his heart from beating out of his chest. He smiled as he lovingly glanced down toward her. "I will."
The chaplain then turned to the fine woman at James's side. "Elizabeth Swann, do you take this man in holy matrimony, to have and to hold through illness and in health, until death do you part?"
Elizabeth looked up at James, her expression cold and detached. Tears welled in her eyes, but they were not the tears of joy. When she spoke, her voice resounded of quiet despair and disappointment. "I will…"
James woke with a start. He touched the sweat that had accumulated on his brow before glancing over to the clock in the corner of his room. It was three o'clock in the morning of Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner's wedding. James sighed and flung himself back on the pillows as he covered his face with his hands. This was the day he had been waiting expectantly for years; the trouble was it was nothing like he had dreamed. He thought about how Elizabeth had looked at him in his last reverie and shut his eyes against it. It would have been a bloody lie. She found happiness elsewhere, James thought to himself as he tried to reason. He had done the right thing in stepping aside and allowing Elizabeth and Will to follow their hearts, even though they were stepping on his. He kept his dignity through it all, partly due to his actions, and partly due to the mask he wore. Deep inside, the man did not want to be alone. James lay there, sprawled out in bed, as he pondered his predicament. Elizabeth was lost to him. The one ambition in his life that had nothing to do with promotion and success was thrown to the wind. And suddenly, promotion and success seemed rather unimportant as well. No matter what Elizabeth thought, no matter what the entire Port Royale gentry thought, James loved Elizabeth deeply. He loved her enough to see that she desired happiness with another man, and loved her enough to let her go. But even though it was not his fault, James could not help but wonder what he had done wrong. He probably would have admitted defeat then and there if he had not remembered another endearing character in his life.
Melissa Reynolds quickly filled the void in Norrington's heart. The month or so they had known each other had been somewhat awkward at first. Between the two of them, there was enough shyness to effectively disable the Dauntless. James, still disappointed with himself over Elizabeth's decision, was unsure how to go about becoming acquainted with the young lady. Melissa, shy by nature, was quite put out with his seemingly expressionless demeanor. It took a great bit of coaxing from Katherine to push Melissa in the right direction. She seemed to see something in the Commodore after that embarrassing afternoon at the Governor's that struck her as utterly charming. Melissa became a regular guest at the Norrington estate and quickly picked up on the difference in the Commodore between public functions, and time spent with his sister. She found him to be quite a bit of fun when relaxed and felt he could be himself. James, too, had taken notice of the two sides of Melissa. Reserved in public, yet distinctly open and amusing when surrounded by friends. The similarities were remarkable.
James allowed himself to smile some as his hands fell back down on the sheets. Melissa Reynolds…charming young lady, he thought to himself. She was probably the one real thing that allowed him to smile on a day such as this. Even Katherine's unrelenting coaxing and heartfelt discussions could not keep him going. Drowning himself in his duties was another popular option for escape, but leave it to trusty Lievtenant Gillette quickly call him on that as well. Eventually James had to face the simple facts: he was not meant for Elizabeth, no matter what he did or how he felt. As painful as that was to accept, he did eventually accept it. However, it was difficult to forget one's previous emotions when the love of one's life is married off to another. James sighed once more before turning over and closing his eyes, hoping to get some more rest before the day's emotional events.
A sharp knock upon his door woke Norrington up hours later. "James Norrington! You had better be decent because I'm coming in," declared the distinct voice of his sister. James sighed before pulling the sheets up about his chest and continuing to lay there. Katherine burst in only seconds later. "It is seven o'clock, and I had Mr. Decker prepare breakfast. He was unsure of what you wanted…what are you still doing in bed?" she declared as she placed her hands on her hips.
James picked himself up off the pillows and glanced at her. "Negotiating peace treaties," he said unemotionally. He paused before being more frank. "Sleeping, Katherine, I was sleeping just now."
"So I see," Katherine said as she crossed her arms. "Well would you like to get up, Commodore? We have to be at the Fort for 11, and breakfast is nearly prepared."
James and Katherine arrived at Fort Charles just before 11 o'clock and found the courtyard impressively decorated with an array of flowers and various other adornments. The day was bright and pleasant, much like the dream James had in the early hours of the morning. Upon their arrival, Katherine latched herself on to Gillette's arm with full intention of remaining there most of the day, and James made nice to the members of Port Royale society. He tried not to acknowledge the obvious stares and whispers occurring behind him. There was not a gossipmonger at the Fort that did not note how well the Commodore seemed to be handling himself. The ladies smiled pleasantly and fanned themselves as he glanced over at them, then turned away. Twits, James thought to himself. He pitied their insecurities and cursed their shallowness. He had the sudden need to lock himself away in his office, but decided against it after realizing the likely rumors that would generate. He continued to smile and exchange pleasantries like the good public official instead.
Soon enough, Melissa arrived with her uncle in tow. She eagerly greeted James. "Commodore! How good it is to see you," she said as she smiled and offered her hand. James dually took it and kissed it with great care. "Always the gentleman," Melissa declared as she shook her head and continued to smile.
"Now that sounds quite similar to something my dear sister would say," James teased.
"It seems as if you have discovered our conniving little plans," joked Melissa as she raised her eyebrows. Mr. Meyerson stepped up next and graciously shook James's hand.
"Commodore Norrington, my good man. Wonderful day, is it not?" the stout little man asked as he gazed about the courtyard.
James nodded as he folded his hands behind his back. "Quite. Of course, having said that, I daresay the skies will undoubtedly open up and ruin it all." The trio quickly shared some laughter before resigning themselves once more to greeting other people. Within the hour, the guests took their seats and the ceremony began. Katherine, Gillette, James, Melissa, and Mr. Meyerson all sat together, only one row back from the action. Will Turner was well turned out in a charming, yet simple suit. He waited anxiously on the stone steps, shifting nervously from one foot to another. He would catch himself from time to time and stand still for a few moments, before starting the process all over again. James empathized with him, having dreamed about being in Will's position. He quickly shook it off and reprimanded himself.
It was right then that Elizabeth came into view. She glided down the aisle on the arm of her father, her face beaming with joy and excitement. James smiled at the sight. His eyes were fixed on the couple at the altar. Throughout the ceremony, Will and Elizabeth did not lift their gaze from each other. They were locked each other's faces, as if breaking that gaze would rip them apart and send them crashing into the sea. Melissa looked away and over to James and noticed his placid expression. Katherine had told her all she knew about the events of months past between Will, Elizabeth, and James. Gillette had dutifully departed all the information to his new companion, and Katherine in turn relayed it to Melissa once Gillette had gone back to active duty and the two young ladies spent most of their time in each other's company. How difficult this must be for him, Melissa thought as she studied the Commodore.
"I will." Turner's words seemed to snap James back to attention. The moment he had been avoiding for the past four months was finally about to slap him in the face. He drew a breath as the chaplain continued.
"Elizabeth Swann, do you take this man in holy matrimony, to have and to hold through illness and in health, until death do you part?"
Elizabeth looked up to Will with ecstasy as a broad smile crossed her face. "I will."
James closed his eyes and swallowed as she said those words. The emotional knife he thought he had buried had only found its way back into his heart. He immediately looked back up so as not to draw unwanted attention to himself, though it was too late for that. He felt a pair of eyes upon him, but awkwardly enough, they were not Katherine's. James glanced to his left and found Melissa staring intently at him, emotional tears welling in her eyes. She smiled as he turned to her and quickly wiped her eyes. Melissa chuckled, slightly embarrassed, before pointing with her handkerchief up to the altar, indicating to the Commodore the reason for her tears. James returned her soft smile before eventually returning his attention back to the newlyweds before him. Moments later the crowd erupted with applause and the Turners retreated back down the aisle.
