Two James Norrington Drabbles

[dwgm]

Here are a couple of angsty!James drabbles, 150 words each, both post-CotBP (with a touch of post-AWE at the very end), for this week's and last week's drabble themes at Black Pearl Sails. Many thanks to hereswith for editing.




~ Seed of Obsession ~
For the 'Catch' theme…


James spent the remainder of that one day in a seemingly dispassionate review of the blows he had taken, personally and professionally. The ramifications were grim. Possibly dire. He had done what he could, there on the parapet, to act the gentleman and friend, but there were many that could, and would, attest to his failure as a representative of the Crown.

His personal difficulties could be set aside. There was nothing more to do in that quarter. But Sparrow… James' lip curled, seeing the pirate's ridiculous exit over and over in his mind's eye. The man was the antithesis of everything James held dear: honor, dignity, respect for the law.

A steely determination grew in James. His accomplishments, his lifelong devotion to duty, must not be allowed to come to nothing. His professional position must be regained, beyond the shadow of a doubt.

One day was more than enough.



~ Seed of Despair ~
For the 'Exact' theme…


Having resigned his commission, James had walked up the long road to the Governor's house, to take leave of the family. Swann greeted him with concern and regret, and they conversed as though James' plan to return to England portended some sort of hope for the future.

Then, Elizabeth entered the room.

Somehow James had forgotten, whether willfully or no. But at that moment, he was struck anew, not only by her beauty (and certainly, she was more beautiful than any other woman of his acquaintance), but by her spirit. Her gravity. The way her heart shone in her eyes – yes, even before, when desperate and willfully duplicitous. Of course he'd known. And still he loved her. Still.

It was precisely at that moment that James began his slide into the depths.

"She loved you, too." Turner's own eyes, strange and solemn, speak the truth.

James nods. "But not enough."


~.~

Comments

[rexluscus.livejournal.com]

I especially love the second one. I love the big leap in time and place, and how you let the reader fill in all that pregnant space.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I like to think that Will found James and brought him aboard the Flying Dutchman, and I know there are fics out there that go into that scenario.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[rexluscus.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's what I like to think too. I mean, we have the technology, as it were, to bring characters back from the dead in this canon - why not avail ourselves? :)

[sharklady35.livejournal.com]

*sigh* Poor Norrington got worse than he deserved in every movie!

Let's hope he's in a better place now.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

He was such a great (and well-loved) character. Good thing there's fanfic to fix things for him.

[p0wdermonkey.livejournal.com]

Heartbreakingly beautiful.

I think it's really hard to do canon James since AWE because his canon story is so very sad. You've caught the sadness perfectly but stopped where there's still time for things to turn out differently.

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Those were very good. Both of them. And that last one was so very, very sad. Poor James. It was not easy being him. *pats him*

[random-redshirt.livejournal.com]

These are perfect. Just...wow. You captured everything wonderfully. I really like the little exchange between James and Will; it's a nice touch.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad you liked them. James is such a tragic figure, by the end of AWE at least. When we were writing strictly post-CotBP fic it was easier to write in a more lighthearted vein. One can always ignore the sequels, of course, but his character arc within the trilogy has a great deal of depth. It's fascinating and heartbreaking, all at once.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you. He is such a tragic figure, but he's really fascinating to write that way, too. But I do like revisiting the happier James!fic that ignores the sequels.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked them.

Norrington

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

Why thank you for the treat--I didn't know I loved Norrington, too. What is it that forces men to fall so hard for Miz Elisabeth--who is she really and the same might be said of Jack. Charming bits that definitely got my attention.

Re: Norrington

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you enjoyed these rather angsty glimpses of Norrington. As for Miz Elizabeth, she's got an awful lot going for her, including a touch of Calypso's allure. In the movies it seems as though it's hard to say no to that -- and fatal to say yes.

Re: Norrington

[june7rose.livejournal.com]

Love your stories above, very melancholy and real at the same time. Adore the last sentence of your comment above, I don't think anyone has ever captured that quite so well or succinctly.

Re: Norrington

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed both the drabbles and the observation about the seemingly ill-fated Elizabeth.