Accountable
By Alyssa/Aly
-fic takes place during or just post "Curse of the Black Pearl". I hated "Dead Man's Chest" and everything the writers did that completely ruined the character of Commodore Norrington.
-Disclaimer: The Mouse owns 'em all.
On cool nights in the Caribbean, Norrington stands at the port quarter on the deck of his ship. He watches the ship's stern bobbing up and down, yet gliding gracefully through the bitter waters of the Atlantic, while the cold wind blows the spray onto his face.
On cool nights in the Caribbean, sleep doesn't find the Commodore so easily. He lays in his cabin, tossing and turning with his scratchy sheets tucked under his chin, almost comically, like he did as a boy back in London. Finally, he finds himself exasperated enough to pull on his uniform. Norrington becomes "the Commodore" again, and treads quietly outside on the deck.
On cool nights in the Caribbean, Norrington thinks about the respect he has earned. He wonders if he truly deserves it. Tonight the breeze is strong, so he walks slowly, yet militantly to the starboard quarter, and reminds himself that when he is alone, he doesn't have to pretend to be so confident, so self-assured, and powerful. He doesn't have to be "the Commodore", the valiant, the strong.
Then he remembers that he accepted the title for life, less he move onto Admiral, or otherwise resign. The title didn't come with exceptions. It was all or nothing.
On cool nights in the Caribbean, the stresses seem to plague Norrington even more brutally than they do during the day, and he hates it. The stresses of failing to capture the Pearl and it's captain, failing to court Elizabeth, failing to keep from exhausting his crew. Failing to keep up his guard, his confident demeanor, shielding his insecurities from everyone but himself. Failing to be the man deserving of his title.
On cool nights in the Caribbean, Norrington hates Jack Sparrow the most. He hates the scoundrel for his lies, his crimes, his trickery, his savaged ways. He hates him for his immorality. He hates him, because no matter what he does, the pirate escapes. But mostly, he hates Sparrow because he is so graceful under pressure. He knows that this is jealousy, but he knows he cannot help it, either. Deep down, Norrington knows that Sparrow is better than he, in more than one manner.
On cool nights in the Caribbean, Norrington contemplates tossing his Commodore Medal into the sea, and for a few moments, he is wrapped in what could be a new definition of freedom. Truthfully, he knows he doesn't want it though.
The ship continues to bob up and down; the wind continues to whistle its frozen song.
On cool nights in the Caribbean, Norrington vows to never give up his title.