James Norrington / Reader - Part 4
You rolled on your back, still laying in bed with James even though you knew that you should have gotten up already. James rolled on his side and pressed his hand on your chest, right above your heart that was beating with a calm pace despite the storm of feelings that you were trying to contain. You listened to the footsteps on the quarterdeck, right above your bed, as the crew slowly woke up and began their daily chores. You wished that you could have just stored last night in a bottle and keep it forever… or trap yourself into the memory, to live it over and over again in your head… even though you knew that a memory would never be as good as the real thing.
James traced your skin softly with slow, delicate movements and memorized your ever curve as you kept staring at the ceiling with a sorrowful look on your face, slowly filling your lungs with the cool morning air and then letting your chest fall as you exhaled. His fingertips adored your skin, revisiting all the places where his lips had been just some hours ago. He wanted nothing more than to stay like this forever, frozen in time… trapped in this bittersweet moment… in a memory that slipped further and further away with every passing minute. James tried his very best to recall what you had felt like, all the soft moans and loving words you had spoken…what your skin had tasted like right after you had reached your release… but all these things seemed to be out of his reach, just by a tiny bit… making it even more painful to realize that there was no time to create new memories… not properly at least.
- Is it a curse that I love you? you asked with a barely audible tone as James wrote his name on your chest with his fingertip, claiming invisible ownership over your body and soul as well.
- Does it feel like it is? he asked and pressed three soft kisses on your breasts that slowly rose and fell in the rhythm of your breathing. His slid his hand lower, onto your stomach, hip and finally on your thighs where his fingers traced your inner thighs, slowly getting higher and eventually finding the most sensitive spots and caressing them slowly so your breathing would remain calm as long as possible.
- When I’m with you… you spoke and after a short pause moaned “No.” You closed your eyes and tangled your fingers into the soft sheets to help you to remain in control of yourself. Your breathing however was getting shallower and the pace quicker as James continued his caresses. “But when we’re apart…” you continued despite your breathing was turning into short gasps and moans as James intensified his actions and it was making talking very difficult. “It feels like something is missing…” you explained, still battling against losing control of your body. “That…” you added and moaned quite loudly as James slid his long digits in and explored your core like he had last night. You arched your back as you tried to guide him to bring you to the edge of your release quicker. James however did not let you come this fast. He slowed his actions, allowing you to finish your sentence. “That… I am just a shadow of a person… without you” you spoke, gasping for air between the words. “Do you understand?” you moaned and covered your mouth so your whimpering couldn’t be heard outside the captain’s cabin.
- Yes. he replied and followed your heaving chest with a hypnotized look on his face. Then he shifted his eyes into yours and continued with a soft, loving voice “I am not very eloquent when it comes to expressing one’s private feelings…” he said and intensified his caresses again. “…But when I am not with you… I feel…” he spoke and reached to press a kiss on your lips just as you reached your release. “Incomplete and broken” he added. You returned to his kiss with haste and great need, rolled him on his back on the bed and ended up on top of him.
You positioned yourself on his manhood and rubbed yourself against him with slow, yet intense movements as you leaned down to kiss James’ lips. He moaned quite loudly but you muffled his moans with your mouth, sometimes just nibbling his lower lip, biting it gently and the soothing the sting with light brushes of the tip of your tongue. You slid your tongue in as you grinded yourself against his flesh that was getting harder, soon hard enough for you to fill yourself with him. You met James’ tongue with hunger and passion, guided him to touch your breasts and to hold you firmly by your waist as you slowly lowered yourself on him.
James groaned against your mouth and when you had taken him in all the way, you abandoned his lips and returned to sit straight. “Move with me” you moaned and started to move yourself in the perfect unison with him. You kept your movements slow, staring deep into James’ eyes, studying his expression and memorizing everything about him. Suddenly he sat up, wrapped his arms tightly around you and buried his face into the crook of your neck, kissing you right under your earlobe and silently sobbing against your skin. You sank your fingers into his hair and brushed them in a comforting way as the tears poured out from your eyes. You kept holding him like this, moving slowly and enjoying every inch of him, his tight, warm embrace, his lips on your skin, his hot breath making your chest get covered with Goosebumps, until you felt James’ muscles tensing up, heard him gasp against your neck and then relaxing completely, letting himself to lean on you as you slowed down your movements and eventually stopped completely.
James drew back a little, traced your face with his fingertips as he studied your eyes that were filled with mysteries, but mostly sorrow-filled love now. He kissed the trails of tears away from your cheeks and then moved to kiss your lips, however this time the kiss was filled with longing and heartbreak, unlike a moment ago when you had kissed him with great urgency, passion and desperation. His lips danced softly against yours, memorizing every curve as his fingertips studied every line of your face, all the details that he would never forget. You brushed his hair, traced the muscles of his back with calming motions and explored his lips like they had been fragile and precious, far beyond any measurable value.
- What if… James spoke all of a sudden against your lips with a hopeful tone.
- What if… what? you asked and drew back a little.
- What if you became my wife and moved to Port Royal? he asked with a sincere look on his face. “I would protect you, I swear it” he stated and then continued by reasoning “No one knows who you are, there is no evidence to condemn you and I refuse to use the information I have against you.” You stared deep into the hazel eyes of the man you loved and smiled as you replied “I can’t”. You appreciated it more than anything that James was willing to put your past aside and to defy the Royal Crown for you… but… even though your heart would surely break into thousand pieces after this moment, it was impossible for you to leave your life behind.
- Why? James asked with a puzzled look on his face.
- I have duties, just like you. you explained and sniffled once.
- Duties… James sighed and then continued by asking with a confused tone “Towards piracy?”
- Towards my father… and my crew. you replied and traced his earlobe slowly up and down.
- Yes, who is a pirate. James stated and shook his head.
- He is losing his sanity… you spoke and after inhaling sharply you continued “…And I am afraid that without me, the sailors have no reason to respect the code.”
- The code? James asked. “Yes” you sighed and pressed your forehead against his as you tried to keep your tears locked away.
- That you or the members of your crew do not kill? James asked or more like stated softly.
- Among many things, yes. you answered. “I will be the commodore soon and then every sailor who sails under my flag will have to respect that rule” you explained and then added “If I leave… I believe, there will be more killing” with a voice that was filled with sorrow. “Probably” James commented as he finally understood what was at stake here for you. To ask you to gamble with the lives of innocent people was selfish indeed.
- I am sorry, but leaving the Royal Navy is quite impossible for me. James stated after a moment of silence.
- I know and I would never ask you to do it. you said with a small, yet sad smile on your face.
- So this is it then? he asked although his question sounded more like a heartbreaking statement. “I will be cursed to love until the day I’ll die” he mumbled and drew back to stare deep into your eyes again.
- Maybe it will get easier with time… if we do not keep sailing into each other. you stated and chuckled bitterly.
- Perhaps, but I doubt it. James commented and shifted his eyes to the ceiling when there were three loud thumps coming from the quarterdeck. It was the way your sailors always notified you that the ship was ready to sail.
- You will meet someone… you spoke and swallowed your tears as you tried to gather your courage to sound sincerely hopeful for James’ sake. “…A respectable, kind woman… and you will marry her” you continued as you cupped James’ face and guided him to look at you. “You will have everything what we cannot have” you spoke with a reassuring smile on your face and then added “With her” with a slightly bitter voice, although you tried your best not to let your true feelings to show.
- If I can’t have you, I shall never marry. James stated firmly and shook his head with a stern look on his face.
- Don’t be silly, James. you spoke, flashed a smirk and abandoned the warmth of his embrace.
You got out from bed and cursed the chaos around you; broken furniture, shattered vases… the swordfight of the previous evening had really wrecked havoc to your private cabin. You searched your undergarments, put them on, your corset and other clothes as James got dressed into his silently without looking at you. Before the last conversation you had felt that there was hope for you and him… that you could just keep running into each other and one day… either of you wouldn’t have to leave anymore… but now that you had basically pushed him to marry someone else and to forget you… you felt like there was no point keep holding onto hope anymore. Hope was for children and both, you and James, were adults with duties and people who were counting on you and him.
- What is this? James asked suddenly when he lifted a small pendant in a leather chain up from the floor. He had not noticed it yesterday when he had removed your clothes and he had accidentally moved the pendant as well with your undershirt.
- Nothing. you commented and then continued with a casual tone “Just a pendant that my father gave to me when I became a captain.” you put on your boots and added “He calls it “freedom”.” with the same overly casual tone, almost like you had tried to belittle the significance of the trinket.
- It looks like a small bottle… a container of some sort. James said with a curious voice as he examined it carefully. “What’s inside?” he asked before handing the pendant to you. You extended your hand towards James and gestured him to give it to you.
- Nothing. you replied when he finally gave the pendant back. You slipped the leather chain immediately around your neck and hid the pendant under your clothes. Then you put on your coat and started to lift up the toppled chairs and other furniture so there would be space to walk in the cabin.
- You’re lying, (Y/N). James stated with a firm, yet friendly tone as he watched you collecting the biggest pieces of the broken vases off the floor. You froze still and after inhaling slowly you replied
- Please, do not ask me questions that I cannot answer.
Norrington helped you to clean your cabin a little, took his sword and then escorted you out to the deck. You put on your hat and climbed swiftly to the quarterdeck to look out for the merchant ship that would take Norrington and his men to the British port. To which one, you did not know, but you were absolutely certain that the members of the Royal Navy in their uniforms would get easily transported back to Port Royal. You had scheduled this meeting with the merchants even before because you were supposed to exchange cargo and this, Norrington and his crew, was just a cherry on the top… an extra service for which you would pay with gold coins.
You made sure that your crew had served breakfast for Norrington’s men and then arranged some breakfast for Norrington as well, you however were unable to eat anything because you felt like you could have thrown up anytime now and the feeling got even worse as the merchant ship appeared to the horizon and slowly moved towards your ship. It was the pending separation that was making you feel physically sick and therefore you had to keep yourself busy with chores… just like Norrington did. There could be no shared, longing looks… and especially, no tears. You ordered your men to bring the chest of weapons on deck when the merchant ship had arrived and attached itself to your ship. You spoke with the captain of the vessel for a moment, explained the situation and then gestured Norrington and his men to gather around.
- These gold coins are a payment to assure a safe passage for these soldiers. you spoke to the captain of the merchant ship and handed him a leather pouch that was carrying the payment. “You will take them to the nearest British port and there, as soon as you reach the harbor, you…” you continued, addressing the merchant captain at first and then shifted your attention to Norrington. “…You, Captain Norrington, will open the chest with this key and you will get your weapons” you said and took the key out from the pocket of your coat. “I trust you to respect our agreement, Captain” you said as you handed the key to him. He nodded and replied “Of course, Captain.” This time his voice was filled with respect and admiration, unlike yesterday.
- In case you’ll encounter pirates, you and your men are naturally entitled to defend your lives. you stated because you knew all too well that there were many pirate fleets sailing the Caribbean sea.
- How will I know which pirates are sailing under your fleet’s flag and respect your code? Norrington asked.
- The merchants know. you replied and smiled briefly. “I have known them personally for years” you spoke and bowed at the merchant captain as a sign of respect before continuing. “I would trust my own life into their hands…” you spoke calmly, paused as you made sure that the captain of the merchant ship was paying attention and then continued “Therefore I am confident to trust your and the lives of your crew into their hands as well.” Your tone was assertive and it was clear to everyone around that you were the one who called the shots here, a highly respected captain… just and fair, a person of dignity and high morals… even despite your background and pirate-occupation.
- Very well. Norrington said and bowed.
The both crews, yours and the crew of the merchant ship, exchanged the cargo, hauled the chest filled with the weapons of the Royal Navy to the merchant ship and got ready for the departure. You kept your distance as you watched Norrington’s crew getting from your ship to the other and it was getting very apparent that the separation was only moments away. You stared at the horizon that was darkening from storm clouds… Yes, the season was soon about to change from the season of calm winds and smooth sails into the season of rough seas and massive storms and the dark gray clouds in the far horizon were a clear indicator of that. From now on it would be dangerous to cross open seas and it would be smarter to stay in the shallow waters, near the dry land at all times and to seek cover from the raging winds.
- Smooth sails and warm winds. you said when it was Norrington’s time to leave your ship.
- Until the next time we’ll meet. he said, offered you his hand and when you took it, he squeezed it firmly. The gesture was a declaration of love but everyone else thought that he was just thanking you for saving the lives of his crew and, of course, his own life too.
Then he let go your hand and jumped from the ship to another after which your men loosened the ropes that kept the two ships anchored together and slowly you started to drift apart. You couldn’t just stand and watch it happen so you commanded your men to action, to heave the anchor and set sails and then you stormed up to the quarterdeck, walked assertively to the big wooden steering wheel and grabbed it firmly as the wind filled the sails of your ship and the vessel picked up some speed. You were able to feel James’ eyes on you without even glancing at the merchant ship… You forced yourself to keep your eyes fixed upon the horizon even though you would have wanted nothing more than to turn your head and take a last look at Norrington who was standing at the bow of the merchant ship, staring at you.
“Pray it’ll never happen” you mumbled half-aloud when you felt James’ presence leaving you. It felt like the last rays of a setting sun caressing your skin, so warm and comforting… until suddenly the sun was gone, set beyond the horizon, and the warmth had abandoned you… leaving you feeling empty and freezing cold. Yes, it was a curse to love a man that you couldn’t have and you knew that no passing time or distance could ever kill the love you carried in your heart for him… For James… No, Captain Norrington. You couldn’t think about him as “James”… only when you were alone in your bed, missing him… then in your dreams you would use that name, call it gently, like you were the only person who was allowed to call him by his first name.
Norrington stared at you as you took over your ship and commanded your men with such confidence that he had no other choice than to admire you. You were strong, strong enough to look away while he couldn’t. Oh no, he had to keep his eyes fixed upon you as long as he could make out the outlines of your form. Then finally your ship turned and started to sail swiftly away from the merchant ship that was carrying Norrington and his crew. Then, and only then, he left the bow of the ship and joined his men below the deck. The merchants took them as agreed to the nearest British port and left them with the weapons there. Norrington was well-known all around the British territories so it was easy for him to arrange transportation back to Port Royal where he gave an official statement that he and his crew had been ambushed by pirates and then saved by merchants who had made sure that the unfortunate soldiers had gotten back to the British territories.
Days passed and the stormy season began. You insisted on avoiding the open sea and especially staying away from the British waters but your father kept pushing you and demanding you to bring home bigger profits, to rob more ships even though it was getting very risky. Therefore you started to get mentally ready for mutiny which was something that you had not even considered before since loyalty was one of the values that you held dear to your heart. However the relationship between you and your father was changing. It was cracking and your father was now suspecting almost all the time that you had some dealings that you tried to keep hidden from him… that you were plotting against him, which of course was true… partially at least.
You knew that you had the support of the most men of the five ships of your father’s fleet and since nowadays your father was mostly just drunk seizing power and ousting him from his position of a commodore would be easy… No, not as easy as child’s play but pretty close. However the biggest struggle you were facing almost constantly was with yourself; could you really betray the only family member that you had? If you did, would you be able to live with yourself and would your men respect you in the end? You knew you had excellent reasons to commit such crime towards your own flesh and blood… but what if… What if you got blinded by such power as well? What if you were your father’s daughter, cursed to become greedy when an opportunity presented itself? What if you would abandon the code as well?
It had been almost fourteen months since you had watched Norrington sail away on the merchant ship. Your life had gotten almost entirely back to normal and now there were even days when you were not thinking about Captain Norrington… or dreaming about him during the nights. You had managed to keep away from the British waters but now, as the storm-season was again raging, there was shipment of Spanish gold and silver that had to be transported across the sea to the territories that were not ruled by either Spaniards or the Brits. However this time you had not managed to convince your father to wait until the skies cleared again and the sea calmed down. Oh no, this time you were practically forced with a sword on your throat to leave the safe port and to risk your life as well as the lives of your men… and for what? For gold and silver! Not a good reason in your opinion.
However when you were entering the British waters, crossing the sea quite near Port Royal, your ship got caught into a massive storm that ripped away your sails and after drifting at the mercy of the roaring sea for a couple of days, you found yourself at the shallows of Port Royal. The hurricane winds had pushed your ship to the rocks and it was now slowly sinking, hidden behind an uninhabited island, just outside the harbor of Port Royal. Fortunately you had drifted there in the nightfall and by the morning light you and your crew had rescued yourselves to the shores of the British lands. However the ship was now lost, a handful of your men were badly injured and you were the only person aboard who did not look like a pirate.
It meant that you had to take action and risk running into soldiers… but there was no other way since you were responsible for the well-being of your crew. Therefore you ordered your men to stay hidden while you would get the necessary supplies from the town. You stole a dress from someone’s clothing drying line and hid your own clothes so you would find them as soon as you had gotten the supplies and returned to your crew that was waiting for you in the jungle, near the rocks where the ship was steadily filling with water. Fortunately it was not going to sink all the way since the sea was too shallow which meant that the non-injured men were able to get supplies such as water and food from your ship as it stood on the shallows, at the sharp rocks.
You walked nervously in the exposing daylight along the busy streets of Port Royal, bought a large hat to cover your face and avoided encountering British soldiers as well as you could, hoping that the Royal sailors that you had saved about one year ago did not remember your face anymore… At least did not recognize you now that you were wearing ladylike clothes. Suddenly you felt a pair of strong arms grabbing you and pulling you to a narrow silent alley that was between two tall buildings. The person pushed you against the wall and pressed his hand over your mouth so you wouldn’t scream and draw attention to yourself.
- What are you doing here? Norrington asked with a silent, yet firm tone. He had seen you and instantly recognized you, mostly because he had felt your presence in his bones, the close proximity that felt like the sun had suddenly appeared behind the clouds and embraced him with its loving warmth … even after all this time. However instead of scolding you more he took his hand away from your mouth and kissed you, although he knew that it probably was not a good idea. It was just an automated reaction to all the feelings that had not died away during the time apart. He kept the kiss very short because there was a real chance that someone would catch you and him embracing each other. Norrington however allowed him to wrap his arms around you for a moment and bury his face into your hair that carried a scent of salt and sand.
- You shouldn’t be here. It is dangerous. he murmured into your ear softly. “I know, but I had no choice” you replied and drew back to explain the situation.
- There was a storm. A terrible storm. you began with a silent but serious tone, paused and then continued “The winds pushed us here and our ship wrecked to the rocks just outside Port Royal.”
- Where is it? Norrington asked and noticed immediately a couple of bruises on your face.
- In the shallows, a bit further away. you replied and shook your head out of frustration as you sighed “My ship…”, chuckled bitterly and then corrected yourself with a bitter tone “…Or what is left of it anyway.”
- And your crew? Norrington asked. He would have wanted to take off your clothes and inspect all the injuries, just to make sure that you were not badly hurt, but he knew that he couldn’t do so… not here anyway.
- Don’t ask me questions I cannot answer. you pleaded softly and shook your head with a serious expression covering your exhausted yet beautiful features. Norrington had missed your face so much and it made his heart ache to see you in such state; bruised and mentally as well as physically drained.
- Why did you take a risk and came to the town? Norrington asked and then continued “My first officer, Gillette, has been gathering evidence against you ever since we returned to Port Royal”, he paused and then added with a terrified tone “…And there is a price on your head now.” He did his best to hide his fear but you could hear that he was nervous. You gasped and turned your head away as you processed this new information. Then you pushed your feelings away and answered firmly
- Some of my men are badly injured, I had to come and get some supplies-
- Oh, Captain (Y/N), what a pleasant surprise!
You turned to look at the man who had walked to the alley and was talking to you. It was a soldier dressed in a fine uniform, the uniform of the Royal Navy and he was wearing the same kind of white wig than Norrington was. “I had a feeling that you would show up sooner or later” he continued as you stared at him with a confused look on your face. You tried to go through all the faces and names but you couldn’t recall who this man was. “Couldn’t stay away from Captain Norrington, could you?” he asked with a slightly bitter tone and then it hit you. “Lieutenant Gillette” you said and dropped a curtsy hoping that he would get distracted by your politeness and ladylike manners.
- I assure you, I am only passing through. you spoke casually and then continued by stating “The storm… my crew-“
- Ah yes, the crew of pirates. Gillette stated and smirked at you.
- Stand down, soldier. Norrington stated firmly and then corrected himself by saying “Friend” with a softer tone. This change of tone however had no influence in Gillette and it in fact amused him greatly. He scoffed and stated
- Under the jurisdiction of the Royal Crown, I will arrest you, Captain (Y/N), for piracy-
- Gillette, this woman saved our lives! Norrington exclaimed and interrupted his right-hand-man. Gillette turned to look at Norrington and scanned his expression with great care. After a moment of silence, just as Norrington was about to reason with his friend, Gillette asked with an amused tone “Are you defending a pirate, Captain Norrington?” Norrington glared at Gillette and stepped in front of you, to shield you from the Lieutenant.
- I wonder what the commodore would say if he knew about your little love affair. Gillette wondered aloud. Norrington calmed his expression, knowing that the day when he would be promoted as the commodore himself to replace the current, retiring one had been actually settled and he did not know if it was wise for him to screw his career up for someone he had met only a couple of times.
Yes, Norrington still loved you but it had been over a year since he had seen you the last time. Gillette waited silently for Norrington to object some more but instead of saying anything, Norrington stayed quiet. Mostly because he was worried that if he tried to defend you too eagerly it would actually make things worse for you; it was clear that the relationship between you and Norrington was irritating Gillette for some reason and therefore it was perhaps better if Norrington kept himself on the neutral ground. Norrington however hoped that you understood this as well. You after all read people and the changing situations well and therefore he decided to trust that you knew that Norrington was trying to do the right thing by you.
- I did not think so. Gillette chuckled and then continued by asking “So, Captain (Y/N), will you come willingly or do we need shackles?”
- You’re condemning the injured members of my crew to die. you spoke softly, almost like you had tried to appeal Gillette’s sense of decency.
- And it is nothing more or nothing less than what they deserve. Gillette replied. His response did not exactly surprise you but you had hoped him to react differently.
- Are you not a man of honor? Norrington asked his friend with strong disbelief and disapproval in his voice.
- Oh, I am, but above all, I am a man of the Royal Crown. Gillette replied and after shifting his gaze from you to Norrington he added “… And so are you, Captain Norrington.” Norrington knew that Gillette had a point. He dropped his head and sighed; the situation was beyond his control.
- So, do you come free willingly or shall I drag you to Fort Charles? Gillette asked and then continued by stating “I must remind you, if you resist the arrest, I have an authorization to use lethal force and shoot you where you stand”. Then he smirked at Norrington and added “…And shoot anyone who tries to help the pirate to escape.”
- No need for violence. I will come of my own free will, Lieutenant Gillette. you replied and nodded at Norrington whose handsome features were shadowed by fear that he was trying to hide.
You, Gillette and Norrington walked through the town like you had been on a casual stroll; you did not cause a scene and neither did Norrington who knew that the smartest thing to do was to play along, yet keep one’s eyes open for the possible opportunities to help you escape. You arrived to Fort Charles and there you were escorted to a dark, candlelit room, sat down by a wooden table and told to wait there. You drummed the surface of the table nervously with your fingertips and then stopped because you did not want to expose your fears to your enemy, Gillette, who was in the corridor arguing with Norrington quite loudly. You couldn’t hear everything they were saying but some parts of it anyway.
- I demand to see this… so called… evidence that you have against the fine lady. Norrington stated firmly because he was a higher-ranking officer than Gillette and therefore the Lieutenant had to do as he was ordered. The two men entered the room, Gillette carrying a pile of documents and Norrington following him like his shadow. “Fine lady” Gillette scoffed and then slammed the heavy pile of papers on the table. The sound echoed in the room and made you jump a little as you recoiled from your thoughts.
- Here, Captain Norrington, everything. Gillette said and patted the documents with a victorious tone. “I believe it is quite enough for a proper sentence” he added with a smirk which caused Norrington to furrow his brows.
- Miss (Y/N) deserves a fair trial. Norrington stated as he stared at the documents.
- Oh, let me assure you, Captain Norrington, all her good deeds are there too. Gillette spoke with a somewhat arrogant tone and after a small pause he continued. “Tomorrow morning I will present these documents to the judge as well as the commodore…” he said and straightened his frockcoat. “…And we shall see if one good deed is enough to redeem a man…” he said and cleared his throat, “Excuse me… a woman…” he corrected himself and then finished his sentence by saying “…Of a lifetime of wickedness.” This was what Gillette had heard Captain Norrington saying many times and even you had heard him using that very sentence during the first evening, when you had been arguing with Norrington about whether pirates were capable of good deeds or not. Norrington clenched his hands into fists but he realized that he couldn’t show his feelings so openly and therefore he forced himself to hide them.
- Have you shown this to anyone? Norrington asked curiously as he glanced through the papers. There were many charts with numbers and dates, maps and other documents… however they were not all about you, oh no, Gillette had been busy and managed to gather enough evidence to sentence the entire fleet, so basically only a fraction of the documents had information that was relevant to your case. Norrington had a feeling though that Gillette would present the evidence as it was and make it sound like these crimes were all committed by you and your crew alone, even though when the reality was quite the opposite. However, Norrington knew that there was enough evidence against you to get you hanged… it was a fact that couldn’t be either escaped or ignored.
- No, why? Gillette asked with a confused tone.
- Nothing. Norrington commented casually and then gestured you to stand up. “I will take Miss (Y/N) to her cell” he said and took quick glances at Gillette as well as the pile of documents that was on the table, unguarded.
- If you please. Gillette said as he left the room as well. Norrington put his hand on the small of your back as he started to guide you forward. “But… remember, Norrington” Gillette said suddenly. You and Norrington stopped immediately to listen to the Lieutenant. “…Assisting a pirate to escape is a serious crime against the Royal Crown” he said and then stormed to the opposite direction.
Norrington escorted you up the stairs and along the long, depressing corridors to the part of the fort where the cells were located. You both were silent, just listening to the sound of your footsteps echoing in the dimly lit hallways. Finally you reached a door that led into the cell that was going to be the room to accommodate you for the last hours of your life. Norrington unlocked the lock with a rusty key and opened the door. He took your hand as he walked into the cell and pulled you there with him. He wrapped his arms around you immediately after making sure that no one had followed you and him.
- Tell me where your crew is. he pleaded desperately. “Maybe I can persuade the judge to let you go in exchange for vital information” he continued, speaking against the skin of your neck. You loved the feeling of having his lips on your skin because it reminded you of the time when you had been one with him… the brief secret union. Oh, how you had missed him… you had missed his strong arms, his soft voice, the smell of his powdered white wig… Everything! You would have wanted to undress him as well as yourself right there to feel his skin against yours.
- I thought you knew me better. you commented and drew back. “I cannot trade their lives for the life of my own” you continued and sighed as you scanned the bleak cell with your eyes. The weather outside was rainy and windy and it made the cold, humid cell feel drafty which chilled your core as you lost the contact of Norrington’s warm body.
- I had a feeling you might say that. he commented with an admiring tone that had a sad undertone in it. He walked to the small iron-barred-window and looked out. He sighed and turned to look at you with a sorrowful expression shadowing his handsome face.
- I’m afraid that there is nothing I can do for you, (Y/N). he admitted with a defeated, shaky tone. He sounded like he would have been about to break down in tears… any moment now and therefore he turned away to stare at the view again.
- Do not feel bad for me, James. you spoke, walked behind him and pressed your cheek against his back as you wrapped your arms around his waist. “If this is the end, I will face it bravely” you stated with a barely audible tone and after gathering the bits and pieces of your cracking courage, you smiled and stated “Besides, Gillette promised me a fair trial, did he not?” Norrington put his hands on yours and massaged your arms firmly, yet gently. “Yes” he sighed and tried to muster a smile on his face.
- See? I am not worried. you said with an overly enthusiastic and confident tone, stepped back and guided Norrington to turn to face you. “It will be alright” you assured him and wiped the few tears off his cheeks, the ones that had managed to escape and roll out from the corners of his eyes.
- Are we alone? you asked suddenly. Norrington nodded with a slightly confused expression on his face. “Will someone come soon?” you whispered.
- I do not believe so. Norrington stated with a puzzled voice. You leaned closer and whispered into his ear “Then be mine for the last time.” Norrington gasped for such bold suggestion and said “But-“. You slid your hands under his frockcoat as well as his long vest and spoke softly as you pulled the shirttail of his white, loose undershirt off his breeches
- We do not know what tomorrow brings, but I know that I will embrace any outcome gladly if-
James interrupted you by pushing you against the stone wall and kissing you with great passion. He enjoyed feeling your hands on his back under his clothes, caressing his skin and massaging his muscles with firm, yet gentle motions. He nibbled your lower lip and when you moaned against his mouth, he slid his tongue in and deepened his kiss as his hand kept you in place from your waist and the other gathered the hem of your dress with great urgency. James guided you to wrap your leg around his hip as he kept you balanced between him and the wall.
You kept caressing his back as well as his stomach while he drew back for a moment to open the buttons of his trousers for you to pull them down a little. After this he focused on you again, to make you ready for him so this rather unexpected burst of desire would give you pleasure instead of discomfort. James found the most sensitive spots easily, caressing them with firm, yet gentle fingers, rubbing, stroking and finally sliding his long digits in. He grinded his fingers, thrust them in deep, never forgetting also to caress your sensitive area as you stroked him, making him moan, pant and eventually ready for you.
You and James kissed furiously with great desperation in your actions. His lips dominated yours and you let him to be in control, to set the pace because you trusted him. He kept you firmly against the cold, hard stone wall as his actions demanded you to come. When you did, he moved to kiss your neck and bit the skin a little to make you shake in his arms uncontrollably. Then he nibbled your earlobe few times and asked with soft murmurs “Are you ready?” You moaned that you needed him now and removed your hand from his member so he was able to guide himself in. He rubbed himself against your sensitive spot for a moment and then thrust himself all the way in with one intense movement while looking deep into your eyes.
You threw your head back and sighed as he filled you, making you feel complete, which was almost too much to take, and wrapped your leg around his hip allowing him to reach deeper than before. James gave you some time to get adjusted and pleaded you to look at him. You opened your eyes and met his gaze, smiled and nodded as a sign that he could start moving his hips now. He grinded himself against you, thrust himself with long, slow, sensuous motions that increased in pace and intensity as the handsome captain got closer to his release. He engaged your lips into a heated, deep kiss, possessed your tongue, your lips, your entire mouth, making your head spin as he muffled your moans and gasps.
- I want to give you a release. he moaned into your ear, drew back and turned you to face the wall. He raised the hem of your dress again and pressed himself tightly against your exposed behind as he rubbed his flesh against yours. James exposed your neck and started to ravish the spot he had previously bitten with his tongue. His hand found your inner thighs and after teasing you a little bit he pressed his fingers against your sensitive spot as he filled you again, this time with a controlled and extremely slow thrust.
- Move your hips for me. he spoke into your ear and concentrated on keeping his fingers firmly against your hot, aroused flesh. You started to move yourself, grinding yourself against his fingers while you focused on the moans and gasps that he made right into your ear. He sucked your neck, massaged it with his tongue and brushed it softly with his lips as you set the pace this time, moving yourself between him and the wall while his hard flesh filled you entirely. You closed your eyes and tried to imagine that you were somewhere far away but the howling wind kept reminding you constantly about your current location and therefore the release seemed like an impossible goal to achieve.
- I can’t… It is too much. you sighed as you traced the cold stone wall with your fingertips. James stepped back immediately and turned you around. He straightened the hem of your dress and leaned close to press soft kisses on the bruises on your face. He kissed your lips softly, worshiping them delicately and then guided you to lean your head against his chest. He kept you there until both of you had calmed down and then he pulled his trousers up, tucked his shirt neatly into them and straightened his frockcoat as well as his long vest.
- I’m sorry. you sighed and traced your neck from the spot where James’ lips had been a moment ago.
- It is alright. James said and cupped your face from one side, brushed your cheek with his thumb and smiled at you reassuringly.
- Do you think I’m allowed to have a candle here or do they fear that I will burn the place down? you stated and smirked briefly as you tried to steer the conversation into a different direction and maybe lighten up the mood a little. James chuckled a little and then he froze still, turned to look at you with an expression you couldn’t interpret and then he exclaimed “I must go!” He stormed out from the cell before you managed to say anything and locked the door behind him. Just as he was about to run out away from the door, you shouted “Wait!” to which James reacted by turning back.
- Here. you said and slipped a leather string that served as a chain for a golden pendant off your neck and handed it to James between the iron-bars of the door, leaving you with only one necklace, the small decorated bottle that you carried with you around your neck constantly. “It is a pocket watch” you explained and pressed the gold-locket against James’ palm. “It does not work but I have adjusted the hands of the clock to point at the exact moment when I met you for the first time” you continued and squeezed James’ hand.
- I shall guard it with my life. James spoke with a sincere voice.
- And one more thing… you said and leaned against the iron-bars. “One last kiss” you said with a shaky voice. However unfortunately it was apparent that you couldn’t reach to kiss James since the iron-bars were too close to each other, but you both leaned as close as you could, faces pressing against the cold metal and concentrated on feeling your warm breaths on your faces. You and James closed your eyes and stayed like that until you whimpered “Go, go now!” and stepped away from the door. “I do not want to break down in front of you” you stated and let go James’ hand. You watched him storming away for whatever-reason and then collapsed on your knees to the stone floor as your exterior cracked and shattered into pieces.
Norrington stopped behind a corner to listen to your hopeless sobbing that was accompanied with helpless screams that you tried to muffle with your hand but this time you were not exactly succeeding that well and therefore your cries echoed in the barren cell, making Norrington more determined than ever to find a way out from this mess, no matter how radical or unorthodox the way was… Although Norrington knew that he had to be secretive in order for his plan to work.
Yes, he had a plan, it had presented itself to him when you had talked about the candle and burning the place up. No, Norrington was not going to burn the fortress up but he had determined to destroy the evidence that Gillette had collected against you and the entire fleet. Norrington quickened his pace, restraining himself from running because it would have been suspicious, and hoped that the pile of the documents was still in the small room where Gillette had left it so recklessly. Norrington greeted the soldiers he met on his way there and stopped at the doorway to pray for two seconds that the papers were still there.
Norrington took a deep breath and stepped in. He scanned the room and immediately noticed the documents on the table as they had been earlier, when he had walked you into the cell. He took the papers, hid them under his frockcoat and then headed out from the fort. He walked into the town, stormed into a blacksmith’s workshop and threw the papers into the fire after making sure that no one was there to see him doing so. Then he watched the papers catch fire in the intense heat and almost instantly burning into ashes.
- Captain Norrington, is everything alright? the blacksmith asked when he returned to the workshop from his back yard.
- Yes. Norrington replied and nodded. The blacksmith looked confused and slightly suspicious so Norrington explained with a formal tone “I thought I heard someone calling for help.”
- No… not here, Sir. the blacksmith replied.
- Very well. Had to be sure. Norrington stated and smiled politely as he bowed, or more like nodded as a goodbye and walked out. He felt his heart drumming on the verge of either exploding or stopping and after he had calmed down his nerves, he returned to the fort where he retired early to his private living quarters.
Norrington however was unable to sleep, unlike you. You had cried until you had been too exhausted to and then you had fallen asleep, or more like slipped into unconsciousness that had lasted until the sun had risen and started to shine into your cell from the small window. You got up from the floor and walked to the window, got on your tippy-toes and smiled as you saw clear blue skies above the town. You felt peaceful and numb, quite ready to face anything that the day would bring… even death. Maybe death was the next natural thing. Maybe you deserved to get some rest for change and what else could there be than eternal peace after you had left this world behind?
Norrington washed himself quickly and got dressed. He ate a quick breakfast, although he did not feel particularly hungry, and then hurried to meet you but he was stopped by Gillette who was nervously running around, trying to find something. He kept cursing and questioning the guards that had been on duty last night if they had seen or heard anything, but there was no information anyone could have given the Lieutenant, no one except Captain Norrington.
- Where is the evidence? Gillette asked when he noticed the captain in the corridor, walking to the direction of the cells.
- What? Norrington asked with a neutral tone.
- I am meeting the judge, the governor and the commodore now. Gillette said and asked again “Where is it, Captain Norrington?” This time his voice had an undertone of accusation in it and Norrington knew that he had to stay cool.
- I have no idea what you’re talking about, Gillette. Norrington spoke and tilted his head a little.
- You did something to it. Gillette stated and pointed at Norrington with his index finger.
- What is this fuss about? the commodore asked with a confused tone as they, him with the judge and the governor, walked to the officers of the Royal Navy with assertive steps. Gillette started to explain the situation to the three men but Norrington interrupted him almost immediately by shaking his head and making an expression that made the men question what Gillette was telling them.
- Lieutenant Gillette made a mistake and there is an innocent woman locked in the cell. Norrington stated and this statement made Gillette scoff and to stare at the captain with his mouth open. After five seconds of silence Gillette was able to gather his thoughts and defend himself.
- Captain Norrington is lying! Gillette spoke and then added “He is in love with the woman, (Y/N), who is a pirate captain in fact.” Gillette’s voice was filled with suppressed anger that he couldn’t voice openly since Captain Norrington ranked higher than he did.
- Oh Miss (Y/N), such a delightful young woman. the governor exclaimed and then continued “I am sure, Gillette, you are mistaken” with an amused tone. “I have had lunch with Miss (Y/N) and she cannot possibly be a pirate!” he stated and then added “Oh go on, good man! Release her!” The governor directed this to one of the guards of the fort and engaged Norrington into further discussions about the situation, during which Gillette managed to prove that you in fact had illegal dealings with the Spaniards, but he was unable to prove without his evidence that you were a pirate.
You heard footsteps approaching the cell so you straightened the dress and tied your hair back with a loose knot. You saw a guard walking to the door and unlocking it, gesturing you to walk closer as he opened the iron-barred door for you. “Is it time?” you asked with an emotionless tone as you stepped out from the cell. “Yes” the guard replied, clearly trying to avoid looking directly at you for some reason… which you reasoned to be so because you were soon about to be publicly declared as a pirate and then hanged. “Very well, I am ready” you spoke and followed the guard, a young man in a uniform that was clearly too large for him, without saying a word. The guard however walked you to the main gate of the fortress where you saw Norrington waiting for you.
- What… what is going on? James? you asked with a confused tone.
- Come, quick. Norrington said and offered you his arm. “I will explain everything” he said and after he had led you away from the surroundings of the fort, he finally said “I burned the evidence against you so there will be no trial.”
- What? you asked and stopped walking altogether. Norrington gestured you to keep walking and squeezed your arm tightly against his side so you were unable to delay any further.
- However, you have been found guilty of dealing with the Spaniards without proper authorization and therefore you are banished from the British territories from this moment on. he spoke and steered you to take a turn to left, to the direction of the harbor. This time you pulled your hand away from Norrington and stepped further away from him.
- I don’t understand. This is absurd! you exclaimed and looked around to see if there were soldiers eavesdropping on your and Norrington’s conversation. After making sure that there were no members of the Royal Navy around, you continued with a barely audible tone. “I was ready… to die. I had made my peace! I cannot… just…” you said and after a sharp gasp you added “…Go on.”
- But you must, for my sake. Norrington spoke and looked at you with a heartbroken expression. He had expected you to be overjoyed for this turn of events but instead of jumping for joy you were… disappointed.
You and Norrington started to walk again, this time both deep in your thoughts, in silence that was broken by Norrington when he stated suddenly “There is a ship waiting for you and your crew. You must leave immediately” and pointed at a ship that was getting ready for departure. You recognized the ship and you recognized also some of your men who were helping the merchants to load the vessel. You and Norrington walked slowly closer to the ship on the busy pier and then stopped at the end of it to stare at the open horizon side by side.
- What if you sailed away with me? you said suddenly with a hopeful tone. Norrington swallowed once and you knew that you had promised not to ask him to do so since you were aware that his life was in Port Royal and he had many duties that he couldn’t just abandon. Your question was followed by yet another uninterrupted silence.
- Do you want your pocket watch back? Norrington asked eventually.
- No. you sighed and turned to look at the man next to you. He furrowed his eyebrows slightly and just as he was about to say something, you continued by saying “I think, we should bury it into the sea.” Norrington did not comment so you mumbled with a somewhat bitter, barely audible tone “Maybe it will end this curse.”
Norrington swallowed as he took the pocket watch into his hand, pulled the leather chain off and opened his fist, revealing the golden pendant. You put your hand on his as he kept his hand extended in front of him, his palm up and felt the smooth gold-surface between your palms. Then you took the pocket watch into your hand, asked Norrington for a correct time and adjusted the hands of the clock to point the current time… the time when it all would finally end. When you were done with the adjustments, you took a deep breath and threw the pocket watch as far into the sea as you could. It flew quite far, glimmering in the sunlight during the flight and then sank silently into the sea. You had held your breath since throwing the pendant and now that it surely sunk to the bottom of the sea, you finally gasped for air, turned to face Norrington and said
- Goodbye James.
- Goodbye, (Y/N).