James Norrington / Reader - Part 2
Norrington still offered his hand to you with a hopeful expression on his face as you kept going back and forth, trying to decide whether you should take it or not. It was not an easy decision to make because you had a feeling that if you took the hand of the man who was basically your enemy, enemy of your father at least, it would eventually change everything and nothing would be the same anymore. Of course one dance was just one dance and it did not really bear any real significance, but you were painfully aware of your attraction towards the captain and there was a voice in the back of your head telling you that if you took Norrington’s hand now, this action would grow to define you with time.
But was it necessarily a bad thing? Life after all was about change, progression and development of one’s character… and therefore taking his hand did not have to mean the end for you. Maybe it was just a new beginning; perhaps you would find new things in life… such wonderful things which you had never even dared to dream about. Or maybe you would find only destruction and conflict. Yes, conflict between your father and this gentleman who represented everything that you were supposed to hate; law and order… but you did not hate those things. Sure you did not always live by them but you still understood the importance of such matters. Without law there would be no society and without society there would be no structure.
Norrington kept looking at you with a small smile on his face. He tried to read you and figure out why you were so hesitant about the dance; it was not like he had asked you to marry him. He tried to understand why it was such a big deal for you but the polite expression on your face concealed your thoughts too well. However Norrington felt the same thing too; he had inkling that if you took his hand, it would change his life and nothing would be the same again. It was an equally exciting and terrifying thought, a risk that he was willing to take.
Finally you inhaled deeply, held your breath for a moment and then exhaled slowly as you put your hand on Norrington’s. He had a surprisingly soft hand and the way he held yours, so elegantly and gently like a true gentleman, was really messing up with your rational conscious mind. You knew that you probably should have felt threatened since it was the hand that usually wielded a sword that had been used against your kind countless times but you felt… safe and you did not even want to think about all the lives that that hand had taken during the years of service in the Royal Navy.
Norrington led you to the dance floor where women and men were standing in their rows facing each other, bowed and walked bit further away from you, to his own row. The orchestra began playing and the men presented themselves to the women by extending their left hands to the side and then extending their right hands to the other side as well, turned around to face the surrounding crowd and then turned back to face the women again. Then the men walked around the women, each around his own dance-partner and returned to their positions after that.
The women repeated the same gestures but instead of walking around the men, the men met the women in the middle, all the partners taking each other’s hand briefly, like they had been shaking hands and then moving on to shake the hand of the next person, walking with light steps in a circle, men moving clockwise and the women counterclockwise. When the full circle was done and all the partners had returned to their original dancing partner, the pairs spun together while holding each other’s hand, facing each other but holding their positions next to their dance partner instead of standing in front of them. After this the partners moved on again, walking lightly in a circle, interleaved and shaking hands with the person who was met while moving forward, until the circle was full once more and everyone was facing their original partner again.
Following this the women and the men returned to their rows and the next part of the dance began. The first pair met in the center of the dance floor, the woman put her hand on the man’s and then they walked forward together, followed by the next pair, who was then followed by the next and so on. Then at the end of the dance floor the pairs let go each other’s hands and walked alone back to the other end of the dance floor, met in the middle and joined their hands again, walking together, hand in hand across the dance floor until it was time to depart again. This repeated a couple of times and in the end all dancers returned to their original positions, in rows, standing on the opposite sides of the dance floor, facing each other.
In the next part of the dance the women and men walked to the middle of the dance floor, still in rows, met each other, getting as close as possible without actually touching the partner and then backed away to the original positions. This repeated two times and on the third time the pairs made two small circles together and then walked past each other, ending to the opposite sides, the men where the women had started and the women where the men had started. After this the dance started from the beginning, with the men presenting themselves and walking around the women, the women following, shaking hands while walking in a circle and so on. The dance was consisted of those four parts and they followed each other in the certain order as long as the song lasted.
When you danced with Norrington, he seemed to keep his eyes fixed upon you even during the moments when he was dancing with someone else. He moved elegantly, almost like he had been weightless and known these steps by heart and this graceful and sophisticated way of movement and presenting himself made him even more charming in your eyes. His clothes fit him perfectly, his posture was flawless at all times and the calm expression never left his face. He was stoic and his full focus was on you, even when you were on the opposite side of the dance floor… and when you were close to him, holding onto his hand or just standing very near, you were able to feel butterflies in your stomach and your heart bursting from excitement.
Norrington was mesmerized by the way you moved; it looked like you had been just floating a couple of centimeters above the floor, capturing the eyes of every person in the crowd and on the dance floor all alike. Maybe it was your gorgeous dress combined to the subtly sparkling jewelry that you were wearing… or maybe it was just… you. You were truly captivating… enchanting and therefore Norrington just couldn’t look away, not even when you were on the other side of the dance floor… or when he was dancing with someone else. He was charmed by your smile as well as your laughter that filled the room like music… brightening everything up like golden rays of sun. Yes, Norrington knew that his life would never be the same again.
You could hear that the music was getting a little bit slower, indicating that the song was about to end. You however could have continued dancing the entire evening, preferably alone with Norrington, just staying close to him and holding his hand… and you had a feeling that he felt the same way about you. You stared at him with a smile on your face and dropped a curtsy after the men’s row had bowed as a thank-you. After this the men walked to the women, Norrington included, he offered you his arm and this time you took it without hesitation. He led you through the crowd back to the balcony to get some air since your cheeks looked quite flushed. Norrington asked you to wait there for a moment while he would get you a glass of refreshment and after a couple of minutes he returned, carrying two wineglasses. He handed other to you and watched you emptying it almost entirely with one long gulp.
- Thank you. you said and leaned to the stone railing again because the dance… the wine… the breathtaking view and your handsome escort, everything combined was making your head spin.
- Is everything alright, Miss (Y/N)? Norrington asked with a slightly worried tone.
- Yes! It just has been a while since the last time I’ve danced. you replied and chuckled somewhat nervously. The fact was that it had been ages since you had attended an event like this with corsets and dancing… and fine wine… accompanied by a true gentleman.
- Oh. Norrington commented with a surprised tone. His confusion amused you a little and therefore you burst into laughter. “I thought that a lady such as yourself would attend these gatherings regularly” he explained with a sincere tone. You shook your head and emptied the last remaining drop of wine.
- No, quite opposite actually. you stated and made a barely audible “Hm” sound. “Is that odd?” you asked before Norrington managed to comment. “Well…” he said but couldn’t really form his thoughts into words. It was clear that he wanted to say “yes” but did not quite know how to say it politely and without sounding judgmental.
- I know, it is. you commented and instantly noticed a huge weight melting away from Norrington’s shoulders; he did not have to lie to be polite and he did not have to voice his opinion either. It truly was a relief! You were not used to this kind of politeness because the sailors, especially the pirates, usually just spoke their minds openly.
- I am certain you have a good reason for taking… he said and stopped to think for a proper way to say what he wanted to say. Finally he took a quick breath and continued “…Distance from the society.”
- I’m a sailor’s daughter. you stated. Norrington, who had been staring at the view, now turned his head and shifted his gaze to you from the sea that still bathed in the silver moonlight. He looked puzzled and said with a confused tone
- I though… a merchant’s-
- A merchant… sailor. you corrected yourself and smiled nervously. You brought the wineglass to your lips and when you tried to take a sip to hide your nervousness, you immediately noticed that the glass was empty.
- That is a respectable profession. Norrington stated because he was able to notice the sudden shift in your mood.
- It depends on the perspective, I suppose. you blurted as a barely audible mumble and cleared your throat after realizing that you had spoken aloud unintentionally.
- He is working on the right side of the law, is he not? Norrington asked with a suspicious voice. You glanced at him swiftly and noticed him scanning your expressions and body language intensely.
- Yes, of course. you stated and straightened your posture because leaning to the railing the way you did made the steel-bones of your corset sting your sides as well as your chest, almost like you had been unable to breathe properly. You cursed silently and scolded yourself for asking the maid to pull the strings very tight for this evening. Norrington saw your struggles but he did not dare to point out that it looked like you felt very uncomfortable. For a moment neither of you said anything and the lively chatter was replaced with a somewhat awkward silence.
- Would you like to dance a bit more? Norrington asked after some minutes.
- Yes, I would love that. you replied and took his arm when he offered it.
Norrington led you to the dance floor and you danced together the rest of the night. The dances were similar than the first one you had danced and some of them you had never even danced before. During those songs you laughed almost constantly as you tried to follow the other dancers and seeing you turning into the wrong direction and basically making every move a couple of seconds later than the rest of the dancers made even Norrington laugh many times. His laughter however was not mean and his intention was not to ridicule you, he was just sincerely amused as well as delighted, besides, he had emptied the wineglass with one gulp on his way to the dance floor and the wine combined with your bubbly company was making him feel relaxed.
The hours slipped away and suddenly it was midnight. The orchestra stopped playing and finally you and Norrington realized that the half of the guests had left the gathering already and during the last three songs you and the Captain had been the only pair still dancing. Norrington offered to walk you to the inn where you were staying because he wanted to make sure that you got there safely. You took his arm and then you slowly strolled along the quiet streets, through the sleeping town until you reached a tall building where you were staying during your visit in the Port Royal. During the slow walk you shared a lively conversation and you could feel it in your bones that the chemistry was there. It was there and you were completely certain that Captain Norrington felt it too.
- How long will you stay here? Norrington asked and then added with a slightly nervous tone “In Port Royal.”
- A couple of days… a week. It depends on the winds, I suppose. you answered and filled your lungs with the cool sea air.
- It means… that you are not leaving tomorrow. he stated or more like wondered aloud. He sounded curious but also relieved… although mostly just nervous which you assumed to be a consequence of the fact that you both were sobering up and as the result he was more aware of the social norms and etiquette. He was also aware of the fact that he was escorting you without a chaperone and it could cause a scandal if people found out… however Norrington couldn’t have lived with himself if he had let you walk all alone the distance that was about two kilometers. God knows what could have happened to you!
- No, not tomorrow. you commented and smiled curiously as you tried to read Norrington’s expression to figure out if he wanted to meet you again. He looked nervous and shy, like he had wanted to ask or say something… but he was not quite sure if it was too bold of him to do so. Then suddenly he cleared his throat and said with a casual tone
- Well, good night.
You felt a wave of sudden disappointment washing over you but you did your very best to hide it. There you were, standing in front of the inn, facing Norrington, the man that had accompanied you, danced with you… laughed with you… and now walked you home so you would get there safely… but then… now… when it would have been the perfect time to either steal a goodnight kiss from your lips or at least schedule a meeting with you… he just… wished you good night. You smiled at Norrington but your smile was a pathetic shadow of a real smile; it was filled with hidden sadness and bitter disappointment… all covered by a ladylike and overly polite expression.
- Thank you. you said with a slightly shaky tone and then added “For the delightful evening”, dropped a curtsy and turned away to walk to the main entrance of the inn. Norrington watched you turning your back at him and then slowly walking away from him and just as you were about to knock he said “Wait!” and walked swiftly to you. You felt your heart stopping as you froze still and waited him to reach you. You heard his footsteps getting nearer and when he stopped you finally managed to gather the bits and pieces of your courage and turned around to face him.
- I must apologize, Miss, since my courage failed me before. he said and took your hand, lifted it on his lips and pressed a soft kiss on your knuckles. You stared at him with an expression that was a mixture of being positively surprised yet baffled and confused at the same time.
- I was wondering… he began and took a deep breath as he battled against his nerves. “…Hoping actually…” he continued and smiled nervously as he shifted his gaze from your hand to your eyes.
- Yes, Captain Norrington? you sighed, still feeling his lips ghosting on your skin.
- I was hoping that I would have an honor of accompanying you on a stroll in the harbor tomorrow. he said and then added a shyly “Unless, you’re otherwise engaged” which was meant to be a question. You felt the sincere smile appearing on your face as a strong blush covered your cheeks. Fortunately the lack of light was making it impossible for Norrington to see the color of your face changing. You chuckled a little and then replied
- I would like that very much. I have been invited to have lunch with the governor-
- Oh, some other day then. Norrington stated and interrupted you.
- Wait! Please, let me finish. you laughed and squeezed his hand.
- My apologies, yes, please do… What were you saying? he asked and decided to wait patiently because interrupting a fine lady was rude and inconsiderate.
- I will be free in the afternoon. you spoke softly, clearly hoping that the time would be convenient for Norrington.
- At three then? he asked. You sighed “Yes, it would be perfect” and stepped a little bit closer to Norrington even though you did not even realize it yourself.
- Shall I take the carriage and pick you up at the governor’s house? Norrington asked and followed your lead, he also stepped a little bit closer. You and he felt like you had been two magnets, pulling each other closer… impossible to ignore or escape. This invisible yet tangible force had been the thing that had made you lose your sense of time and space this evening… and for a moment you had been unconditionally happy… profoundly charmed.
- If that is no… you said, paused to gather your thoughts and then added “…Inconvenience” with a voice that was just a soft sigh.
- No, no inconvenience at all. he said and leaned closer. “In fact, nothing would give me greater pleasure” he whispered and let go your hand. You let your hand fall beside your side as you closed your eyes and raised your chin a little.
- Nothing? you sighed as you waited for him to make a move.
- Well, maybe a kiss. Norrington chuckled and closed his eyes as he leaned nearer, placed his hand under your chin, barely even touching your skin, traced your cupid’s bow with his thumb few times and then pressed his lips against yours very softly. He brushed them with his a couple of times, holding his breath as he tried to decide if he dared to wrap his arm around you or not. You sighed softly as his lips brushed yours, occasionally pressing light kisses, making your head spin and your knees melt like ice in the scorching Caribbean sun, not that you had ever seen ice or snow, but you had imagined it many times according to the stories told by the sailors. You raised yourself on your tippy-toes and parted your lips a little but just as Norrington was about to kiss you for real, the door opened and the innkeeper scolded you for staying up so late and talking so loudly. “You’re waking up my guests!” she scoffed. Norrington basically jumped further away from you immediately and cleared his throat.
- I shall pick you up tomorrow at three. Good night, Miss (Y/N). he said, bowed and then hurried away. It was almost two AM already and according to all the rules of good, gentlemanlike manners and appropriate behavior, he shouldn’t have even stolen you for himself for the entire evening… and night.
- Good night, Captain Norrington. you said and followed the innkeeper in, ate a quick snack and then got to bed after washing your face and getting out from the gorgeous dress as well as the fine jewelries. During the following night you had dreams about dancing with Norrington and your unconsciousness kept repeating the kiss over and over again, allowing it to continue without interruptions.
It had not been the first time that someone had stolen a kiss from your lips, oh no, you had been in love before, courted in secret even and then watched the man marrying another because a son of a Spanish merchant had not been allowed to marry a daughter of a pirate. You had been a teenager at the time and after that you had basically decided that you would never marry, not ever, not anyone… but then you had seen Captain Norrington and felt drawn to him instantly, before even exchanging a word with him.
Your dreams grew more desperate towards the morning and you actually woke up panting and covered with cold sweat. For the first time in many years you cursed your future-inheritance and hoped that you had been just a girl with a simple background. But no, your background was everything but simple; yes, your father was a merchant sailor… and a pirate lord which meant that even now you were a part-time captain of pirate ship of your own and in some years time you would become a pirate commodore… and if you wished to have something more than just a fling with Norrington, who in fact was the captain of the Royal Navy… a commodore even himself in the future, you would have to either break free from your world and embrace his or pull him with you into the world that you knew and embraced. But would he be willing to change the side of the law, to become a fugitive, an outlaw? Would he hate you for it?
You shook these depressing thoughts away from your mind because it was completely ridiculous for you to even think about them yet. You had known Captain Norrington for a day… not even that to be honest… you had known him for roughly fifteen hours and it was too early to ponder around as well as worry about the subject. You got up from the bed, got dressed, drank morning tea with a couple of slices of toast and when it was half past eleven the coachman from the governor’s house knocked at the door of the inn and took you to the scheduled meeting.
The carriage-ride took about fifteen minutes and when the carriage arrived to the front yard of the house, you saw the familiar-looking man appearing at the front door, waving enthusiastically at you. The man was the governor, wearing his gray, curly wig and fine clothes which made him look older than he probably was because he had most likely lost a little weight lately and therefore his clothes were basically hanging on him and his face had a light resemblance with a dead person in the bright daylight… or maybe he was just one of those unlucky people who got bad hangovers and dark circles under their eyes after one badly slept night.
- Charming! Come-come! Quick, the lunch is about to be served. he said and gestured you to follow him as soon as the coachman helped you out from the carriage, he was a little bit peculiar that way… very polite but sometimes ignoring the etiquette. You followed the governor in through the hallways and spacious rooms into the dining room and chuckled silently how this place had looked so different last night in the soft candlelight and filled with people dressed in their fancy clothes. The house had looked so… glamorous during the gathering and now, in the bright daylight, it looked basically just like… a house. Sure it was a nice house, spacious and large… but… to be honest, in your opinion the house that your father owned on his private island, where you had grown up, was… ahem… nicer.
- Please sit down. the governor said and asked the servants to bring the first course. You sipped some water and leaned back in the chair as you followed the governor as well as his servants keenly with your eyes.
- You were a big hit last night. the governor said and gestured the servant to fill your wineglasses.
- I am not sure if I follow. you stated with a slightly amused tone.
- You charmed everyone… he explained and after clearing his throat, he added “One Captain in particular.” You felt your cheeks turn red again and therefore you hid behind the wineglass. “Oh, here we go” you thought silently and tried to keep yourself from rolling your eyes.
- Ah, it is true then! he exclaimed and then stated curiously “Perhaps congratulations are in order, Miss (Y/N)”.
- Why? you asked with a confused tone.
- He is a fine man, a fine catch… the governor said and then chuckled playfully “…Or should I say… a fine match!” You rolled your eyes and exhaled slowly as you tried to hide your state of growing irritation.
- Oh-well, please excuse my… foolish yarns. You must understand that when a person grows old, they are no longer in the heart of the action. the governor explained with a slightly apologetic tone and then continued “And therefore seeing two young people falling in love brings me such joy.” You responded by smiling at him somewhat awkwardly and then were completely caught off guard when the governor, who was sitting on the opposite side of the large dining table, added “Besides, when you get old and acidulous, your limbs ache every time it rains… you will seek amusement in anything and everything.” You shifted your gaze away from the governor and sighed “Uh-uh”, which was followed by a long and rather disheartening silence.
- Who are you exactly? the governor asked eventually but for your luck the servants started to bring in the appetizers and you managed to avoid answering the question. The next time he asked it, you replied something about a woman’s right to keep her secrets and steered the conversation away from the meaningless chitchat and towards the business-talk, which was the reason why you had sailed to Port Royal.
The appetizers were followed by a main course and finally the table was filled with three different kinds of cakes and various biscuits. You checked the time and it was already two PM, fortunately so and after taking a slow stroll in the governor’s garden it was three PM and you could hear a sound of a horse carriage approaching the front yard of the governor’s house. The governor told you that he would order his solicitors to prepare the documents for the business deal and get your signature to the papers as soon as possible.
- It will take about a week. he said and greeted Norrington by saying “Speaking of the devil” when the captain opened the door and got out from the carriage. Norrington bowed at the governor and then focused his attention to you, took your hand and raised it in the most gracious way so when he bowed as a greeting, he pressed his lips on your knuckles and kissed your hand softly. “Oh, you two!” the governor said, turned away and gestured you and Norrington to leave this place. “No point to waste time on old fools like me” he mumbled as he walked in.
Norrington helped you to get into the carriage and then followed you, closed the door and sat on the opposite side from you. He commanded the coachman to go and soon the carriage started to move. This time Norrington was wearing his Navy uniform, with the hat and the wig and he was carrying his sword that was fastened on his belt. You shared some small talk and after ten minutes the carriage stopped as it had arrived to the harbor. Captain Norrington got out first and helped you out as well, offered you his arm and you began your afternoon stroll on the busy piers and quiet walkways a little bit further away from the harbor.
- Would you like to see the Interceptor? he asked suddenly when you and he were returning to the harbor again.
- The… Interceptor? you asked and flashed a slightly nervous smile.
- Yes. I would very much like to show it to you. he said with a proud and hopeful tone. “Yes, of course” you replied.
Norrington offered you his hand and led you on a pier that led out to the sea and in the end there was a magnificent ship anchored, waiting for the next sailing. There were a couple of soldiers aboard guarding the ship but otherwise you were alone with Norrington. He dismissed the guards and led you to the quarterdeck where the ship’s wheel was. He walked you to the wheel and guided you to put your hands on it while he stood behind you, looking over your shoulder at the open sea that glimmered in the sunlight.
- This is not the first time that you’re steering a ship, is it? he asked because he could see that you held the wheel very firmly, unlike he had expected you to. He had assumed that the sheer size of the vessel would make you nervous but actually you were at home when you were in charge.
- I might have steered a ship or two. you said and turned around, leaning to the big wooden wheel and meeting the gaze of the Captain with your eyes. He put his hands on the wheel, trapping you between himself and the wheel and then leaned closer.
You closed your eyes when he did and soon his lips landed on yours again but this time it was apparent that he was more confident to kiss you for real. He brushed your lips with his a multiple times and when you parted yours a little, he seized the opportunity and took your lower lip between his, nibbled it a couple of times before starting to explore your lips with his properly. You could feel his firm body pressing against yours as the kiss grew more possessive, remaining sweet and modest at all times. Your lips moved perfectly together and the kiss… it grew and subsided like waves rushing ashore and sometimes retreating almost entirely, giving you space to catch your breaths.
Finally Norrington drew back and pressed one soft kiss on your forehead before stepping back and releasing you from the gentle entrapment. You chuckled a little as you felt your cheeks with your palm; they were burning hot and you knew that you were blushing terribly. “You look gorgeous” Norrington stated and offered you his hand. Yes, you were the most beautiful lady he had ever seen, especially now with your flushed cheeks and swollen lips, eyes sparkling in the light of the setting sun, your hair slightly messy from the breeze… chest heaving from the panting caused by the kiss that had changed from innocent and shy into loving and passionate… although Norrington had made sure that he had not crossed any lines that should not be crossed yet.
The following week you spent like this; strolling and sharing conversations, even enjoying long silent moments together and stealing kisses in secret whenever it was possible. During that week you chose to ignore the fact that you were a daughter of a pirate lord and Norrington was a person who chased pirates and brought them to face the law… which meant… to be hanged for the crimes they had committed towards the British Crown. Norrington also chose to ignore that he did not know anything about you and whenever he tried to ask you something about your family, you always changed the subject. However he assumed that it was a touchy subject and you were not ready to talk about it yet.
Then suddenly it was the time for you to sail away with the crew of the merchant sailors. You had received a word that your father was eagerly waiting for you to return home and there were rumors that he was going to make you a full-time captain of your own pirate ship. About this however you did not talk with Norrington because then he would have found out who you were and this… the week that had felt like a wonderful dream… would instantly turn into a nightmare… Surely so and therefore you had not talked pretty much anything about your life, not in great detail at least.
Norrington walked you to the pier, trying his best to mask the heartbreak of letting you go. During this week he had fallen in love with you and he knew it in his bones that the feeling was mutual, which made your departure even harder to bear… but he had no other choice than to bear it. You and he had agreed that you would keep the goodbyes as short as possible because neither of you wanted to break down in front of the people that admired you; he in front of his soldiers and you in front of the sailors who treated you almost like you had been their captain.
Norrington pressed a kiss on the back of your hand, bowed and then watched you walking aboard the ship. He helped the men to release the ropes and soon the ship withdrew from the pier. You walked to the quarterdeck, to the very back of the ship and waved at Norrington who was still standing at the pier, staring at the ship as it slowly moved further away. You wiped a runaway tear off your cheek when you heard one of the merchants walking next to you and leaning to the railing as well.
- Did you tell him who you are? he asked casually. You clenched your hands into fists so your nails dug into the skin of your palms and distracted you from the mental ache of letting James Norrington go. You swallowed once and then pushed yourself away from the railing, turned around and replied with a bitter tone
- No. What’s the point? I will never see him again.