Drabble: 'The End of All Things' (Norrington)

[dwgm]

Another 'Fool' drabble, this one 175 words. Thanks again to hereswith for the speedy beta!



~ The End of All Things ~

After Elizabeth and the crew of the Empress had been taken to the brig, Norrington stood alone at the rail of the Dutchman for some minutes, trying to make sense of it all.

Governor Swann – his friend – dead.

And Elizabeth alive.

There was no doubt Beckett was behind the governor’s death. Norrington had been afraid for Swann, had understood the man’s despair and wild determination to hinder Beckett’s schemes, and had been utterly thankful when Swann had been released from service and sent back to England.

James had wanted to believe it.

He had ignored the signs that whispered otherwise, just as he’d ignored the remnants of conscience that told him that in regaining his uniform, his rank, his life, he had lost his soul.

How long had Beckett known that Elizabeth was alive?

Something came loose in James. In his hubris, he’d allowed himself to be played for a fool. But that was at an end.

The end of all things.

Later, James felt almost lighthearted as he made his way to the brig.


~.~

Comments

[mamazano.livejournal.com]

This is lovely, haunting, tragic. Norrington is one of my favorite characters, and deserved a better ending, even if it were to be death, than he got. More dignity, more grace. I almost sobbed the way he died, it was such a waste.

You have given us a small glimpse into his mind with this, thank you!

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

Wow! You were right about writing more.

Great, as always.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Poor James. I do love him, so much. Such a great character. And unfortunately it's awfully easy to write angsty fic about him.

I'm so very glad you liked this! Thank you for letting me know.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! This one really rolled off the pen. Poor James.

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

He's such a tragic character.

[florencia7.livejournal.com]

Amazing drabble! Utterly perfect. I loved it.

"He had ignored the signs that whispered otherwise, just as he’d ignored the remnants of conscience that told him that in regaining his uniform, his rank, his life, he had lost his soul." - That was BEAUTIFUL.

*saves to memories*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm so happy you liked it.

[compassrose7577.livejournal.com]

Hubris was probably Norrington's downfall. Many times, I think he wanted to call it decorum and dignity...but those were just hubris in disguise.

In spite of it all, he was one of the more tragic figures, trampled by several in their blind pursuits for what they wanted.

Another one of those little lost scenes......great!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

decorum and dignity...but those were just hubris in disguise.

They often are, I think, unfortunately.

he was one of the more tragic figures, trampled by several in their blind pursuits for what they wanted.

Well, they are none of them perfect, but he did some trampling of his own, too. A very sad outcome for a great character, though.

I'm very happy you liked the drabble. Thank you for letting me know.

[ericadawn16.livejournal.com]

Aww, I love Norrington, nicely done.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[jenthegypsy.livejournal.com]

James - I grieve for him still. You know, in the end, I think he was really my favorite character... ;-; Jamie, we hardly knew ye.

Lovely drabble. *wipes away tears for James and Weatherby*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I just love James and Weatherby, both. So, so sad. I'm glad you liked the drabble, though.

*sympathetic hugs*

[ophelivia.livejournal.com]

James, my dearest love

Very good!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[tiamary.livejournal.com]

Wonderful character study of Norrington. His character was somewhat wasted in AWE. Too bad he didn't get more time.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

I've always seen Norrington as a good man who held too tightly to ideals that didn't bear close examination in practice - blind faith, in blind service to honor and country. An archetype that fits very well in the context of the films, and is doomed from the start because of it. I do wish the "doom" had played out with a little more dignity and more screen time, but then I do love the man.

Great drabble - it goes a long way towards restoring those missing elements ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Poor Norrie. But you're right. If one's "ideals" get in the way of doing the right thing, they need to be reexamined.

Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment -- I'm glad you liked this.

[sharklady35.livejournal.com]

It's depressing how often I have occasion to include 'poor' and 'Norrington' in the same sentence.

I kind of hope that they'll bring him back in the fourth movie, and that he'll have a better time.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Anything's possible in the world of PotC. *g*

Oh, the Norrie Angst!

[viva-lla-gloria.livejournal.com]

This is truly beautiful. Wonderful writing.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

That was very good. Poor Norrington. Always thinking he did the right thing, even though he didn't. Until the end.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Still makes me mad that he died. Couldn't they think of any other way to redeem him? I suppose that would've made the film longer, though. That's why fanfic is good-- we don't have a time limit. *g* As it stands, his character is certainly perfect for writing angst.

I'm very happy you liked this, though.

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Oh that I did. I really really did. :-)