Disclaimers: Potc and all the characters and pieces of dialogue belonging to this franchise are rightfully not mine!
As usual, thanks a lot y'all.
Then at last the big day arrived; Norrington almost wished he hadn't been promoted if only to escape a hasty proposal, but then again, being Commodore would definitely be a milestone in his military career, the beginning of a new life, so he why not radically change his sentimental life at the same time and become an engaged man.
He conscientiously prepared himself, putting on his best clothes and tied his hair with Lawrence's ribbon, as though it were a luck charm, before wearing his wig.
When he came downstairs, Gillette and Groves were already waiting for him.
'I wish Lawrence was here to see how dashing he looks…' whispered Theodore to his friend.
'She would have found the just word to make him relax before the ceremony.'
It was a stifling hot day, and the said ceremony was taking place on the parade-ground of the inner citadel; two dozens of soldiers were marching accompanied by the music played by the Navy orchestra, the crew of the Dauntless, Lieutenant Gillette and Lieutenant Groves, were also present, wearing their best clothes, and on both sides many gentlemen and ladies of the city were fanning themselves; Elizabeth Swann was among them; she wished that her friends Isabella and Charlotte were with her, but unfortunately, Isabella was sick in bed and her cousin refused to leave her side until full recovery.
The Governor, other officials of the city were attending the ceremony under a porch.
'Prepare arms!'
At his queue, Norrington advanced under a corridor of raised bayonets, his back straight and hands clasped behind his back.
The Governor presented him a beautifully crafted sword, which handle was decorated with gold filigree, symbol of his promotion as a Commodore. From afar, Andrew and Theodore felt very proud of their friend, barely fourteen years after his enrolment in the Navy, James Norrington seemed to be one of the youngest Commodores of His Majesty's fleet.
When the ceremony was over, many people went to congratulate him personally. Andrew and Theodore were at their friend's side when the Governor asked:
'Doesn't Lizzie look lovely today?'
Norrington followed the direction the man pointed at. Miss Swann did look lovely indeed, with her cream and gold dress and her dark blonde hair fashionably curled, framing perfectly her angular face.
'Yes, she does. I have never set eyes on someone as elegant as she is' which was true, to a certain extent.
'If you would excuse me, I believe there is something I must do' Norrington said, bowing, before he went towards Miss Swann, who was fanning herself at the edge of the top court of the citadel, watching the ships anchored at the shores.
'This is it' whispered Lieutenant Groves to his friend Andrew. 'The long-awaited proposal'
'Do you think he's made his peace with the idea? I mean, she isn't exactly …'
'Yes, I believe so. I bet you two shillings that she'll cry of joy.'
'Alright' laughed Gillette before frowning. 'She isn't who I had dreamed for him though.'
His friend shrugged. 'Well, there is nothing to be done about it. I hope he'll be happy with her, that's all I want.'
'Elizabeth!' Norrington screamed, getting rid of his coat and ready to jump off the dangerously rocky cliff.
At this sight, the two Lieutenants ran to restrain him.
'James, no!'
'What happened?'
'She… fell off, or fainted' he said, shocked.
'It's a miracle she hasn't hit the rocks' Andrew said, looking with horror at the troubled sea beneath them.
The three of them, accompanied by many other men and Governor Swann ran down the many stairs and paths leading to the shores. As they ran, the weather had drastically changed, the wind had risen, fog was arising.
When they'd gotten closer, James saw a rather shabby-looking man, with dreadlocks and beads in his hair and beard, over Elizabeth's form. The man had obviously ripped her dress off and he was now getting rid of her corset; from this angle, his intentions could only be obscene and punishable by death.
'How dares he!' Norrington muttered, his teeth clenched, his anger and disgust clearly showing. He sped up, leaving the others behind him.
As silently as he could, he approached the man to put his sharp sword under the felon's neck.
'On your feet' he said, threatening him.
The man rose cautiously, raising his hands, as the other men and Governor Swann tended to Elizabeth, who was out of breath and drenched to the bone, her undershirt clinging to her slim body.
However bad it looked, this man did save Miss Swann's life, and for that, Norrington was truly grateful, so he extended his hand.
'I believe thanks are in order' he said, before gripping the man's hand and tearing his sleeve, revealing the letter P branded his in flesh.
'Had a brush-up with the East India Trading Company, did you, pirate?'At his words, all the men were aiming their pistols upon the man, Gillette bringing forth shackles.
'Well, well... Jack Sparrow, isn't it?' Norrington continued when he saw the tattoo on the pirate's sleeve.'Captain Jack Sparrow. If you please.''I don't see your ship… Captain.''He said he'd come to commandeer one' one of the two guards said.'I told you he was telling the truth. These are his, sir' the other guard said, holding out Sparrow's belongings. 'Extra powder, but no additional shot' Norrington said, examining the pirate's pistol. He was as disconcerted by his compass.'It doesn't bear true.' What kind of pirate was that one, especially if he indeed intended to steal one of the ships anchored. He didn't know what else to expect from him when he unsheathed Sparrow's sword. 'I half-expected it to be made of wood… So, taking stock: you've got a pistol with only one shot, a compass that doesn't point north ... and no ship. You are without a doubt the worst pirate I have ever heard of.' This pirate was definitely a joke.'Ah, but you have heard of me' Sparrow replied, proudly. James rolled his eyes as Andrew approached, shackles in hands, Captain Sparrow.'Carefully, Lieutenant' Norrington said, fearing the pirate might took off at any moment, which he would certainly do at one point, considering the kind of man he was. Elizabeth stepped forward, letting her father's jacket slip off her shoulders, unconcerned by her almost nudity.'Commodore, I must protest. Pirate or not, this man saved my life' she said boldly, defying him.Nearby, Theodore raised an eyebrow at the whole situation, waiting to see how his friend would react. 'One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness' Norrington said wearily. First she wasn't as enthusiastic as she should have been at his proposal, then she defends that pirate. He was more and more surprised by her, perhaps he had got her wrong after all, perhaps she wasn't as dull as he thought she were. 'But it seems to be enough to condemn him' Jack Sparrow said, cuffed.'Indeed' James replied, giving him a brief smile before giving the order to his men to seize the man.'Finally!' Jack said, taking Elizabeth as a hostage, his chain wrapped around her throat, using her as a shield.Norrington instantly signaled his men not to shoot. About to escape, Sparrow asked for his belongings, knowing his leverage on the recently appointed Commodore. Fearing that Miss Swann might be hurt, Norrington reluctantly agreed. 'Elizabeth… It is Elizabeth?' Sparrow asked'Miss Swann!' she replied angrily.'Miss Swann, if you'll be so kind?'Reluctantly, she took his belongings off Norrington's hands, and put his belt on him.'You are despicable!''I saved your life; now you've saved mine. We're square.' He backed up then said:'Gentlemen ... m'lady ... you will always remember this as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow.' Shoving Elizabeth, he grabbed a rope and, lifted mid-air, swung around the gantry under the fires of several pistols. Norrington carefully followed the pirate's trajectory, his gun pointed at him, until he finally fired at the exact same moment Sparrow dropped from the rope.The pirate escaped them swiftly, sliding down a line to land on a ship then running off out of sight. 'On his heels! Gillette, bring a squad down from the fort!' Norrington ordered to his friend before returning to Miss Swann, worried.'Elizabeth, are you…''Yes, I'm all right, I'm fine!' she cut him, visibly annoyed by the Commodore. 'Go capture him!'Taken aback by her anger, Norrington raised his eyebrows and followed his men.'What's wrong with her?' he wondered to himself. This woman definitely had fire in her belly, he shouldn't have misjudged her. After half an hour of running about in the streets of Port Royal, James heard some commotion in the blacksmith's forge. He gave the other of smashing the door, then to his surprise saw Sparrow's unconscious form on the ground.'Excellent work, Mister Brown. You've aided in the capture of dangerous fugitive' Norrington said to the blacksmith who was holding a broken bottle.'Just doing my civic duty' the man replied solemnly. Hearing the pirate coming back to his senses, James stood over him.'I believe you will always remember this as the day Captain Jack Sparrow almost escaped' he said with a smile and ordered his men to take him to the prison.
After he reported the incident to the officials of the city, James went home with his friends, relieved that this day was finally over.
'Well, that was one of the busiest days we've have in a long time' Theodore laughed when they were gathered around the dinner table.
'The promotion ceremony, the proposal, the arrest of a rather lame pirate… Not bad for a day' agreed Andrew.
'Yes, I am very pleased with the arrest of this Jack Sparrow. He really is up to his reputation.'
'And what about the proposal, anyway?' Theodore asked, intrigued, for in truth, neither he nor Andrew knew Miss Swann's answer.
James stiffened, visibly ill at ease.
'Miss Swann… She didn't seem to be expecting my proposal; she was so surprised that she fainted and well, you know the rest.' He shook his head at the memory. 'Just when I had gotten around the idea, she's the one who seems to push me off. She was very cold and angered towards me after the Sparrow incident. I honestly don't know what to expect from her.'
Gillette said nothing, but internally he was glad the situation had turned out in such an unexpected and unsettling way; he hadn't given up on the idea of Lawrence and his Captain, well Commodore now, being together eventually.