(no subject)

[dwgm]

Amazingly, I've written a reply to the current drabble challenge at Black Pearl Sails (theme: Sunday). Except it's 600 words -- what's that? a sextuple drabble? It's one of those gapfillers, before the hanging, and features James and Elizabeth.

Sunday Dinner

Appearances were deceptive, and though Elizabeth had been as quiet and colorless as James had ever seen her all through dinner, he cringed inwardly as the Governor’s guest spoke fatal words.

“I declare, I am quite sorry we make our departure at so early an hour tomorrow, and will thus miss the great event. How happy you will all be to see the last of the scoundrels hanged!”

Oh, my God. Of all the birdwitted…

The Governor stiffened, but Elizabeth paled, white as the table linens. There was a horrid silence as she glanced up at the three of them, and then she stood, abruptly. “Forgive me. I cannot stay.”

James stood, too, as she swept from the room.

“Have I said something amiss?” the idiot widow said, astonished.

James said to Swann, “I’ll go to her.”

“Thank you, James,” said the Governor, and turned to soothe his confused guest.

*

“She’s gone out to the gardens – perhaps out to the point, sir,” the Governor’s butler had told him, looking worried.

As well he might.

James strode out the library’s French doors and followed his betrothed.

The afternoon sun shone brightly, but there was a cool breeze. It rustled through the trees and shrubbery of the gardens, and blew chill across the headland where he found Elizabeth standing, hugging herself. She looked smaller than was her wont, against that vast backdrop of blue and silver.

He slowed as he approached, and came to stand close beside her, but he did not touch her, and she did not look at him. There was a long silence between the three of them: James, Elizabeth, and the shining sea. But finally she spoke, her voice not quite steady.

“Would it help if I went on my knees before you? If I begged you to spare him?” She turned to look up at him, still pale, her eyes bright. “I am quite willing to do so.”

“Elizabeth!”

She heard him, the pity and admonishment in that one word. Her lip quivered, and she firmed it; an errant tear slipped down her cheek, and she dashed it away. She turned to the sea again.

She was not hugging herself now, and so, after a moment, he dared to take her hand. It was cold and slender in his larger, much warmer one and, though she did not respond, neither did she pull away. But beyond this he could not go. It seemed to him that there was a distance set between them, one that could not be breached. Not now.

Perhaps never.

After a time she took a deep breath, and straightened.

He gave her hand a very slight squeeze. “I…I have made him a promise. He will be buried at sea.”

The hand trembled a little. When she spoke, her voice was rough with unshed tears. “Not at the Cay?”

“No. Nor in chains by the Thames.”

She looked up at him, then, and he could see she understood: it could have gone that way.

She gently withdrew her hand. “We should go back. Mrs. Greene will be speculating, no doubt.”

“Elizabeth…” he began, then hesitated. But she raised a cool brow in inquiry. “I wish you will not go tomorrow. There is no need for you to attend.”

He only wanted to spare her, but he could see immediately it had been the wrong thing to say. A hard look came into her eyes.

“You are wrong, James,” she said, her voice quite steady now. “There is every need.” She held his gaze a moment, then turned away, saying, “Come. Let us return to the house.”

~.~

Comments

[arwen-lune.livejournal.com]

*shiver*
Mmm. Beautiful. Poor James... caught between his duty and his love.

[porridgebird.livejournal.com]

Wow, beautiful, and just right.

[misskass.livejournal.com]

Such emotion, especially in this:

"It seemed to him that there was a distance set between them, one that could not be breached. Not now.

Perhaps never."

It was as though I could see what was happening between them physically, as well as being able to see into James' confused mind. Yay for excellent stories.

[elessil.livejournal.com]

Oh, beautiful! This has just the right amount of things unsaid and said, and is really powerful at that. I really could sense the mood. *sniffles a bit*

[whitemunin.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! I feel sympathy for both people.

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

Poor dear Elizabeth, feeling so wretched that she can do nothing other than just being there for Jack. And poor Norrington, having done everything he can (bravo for the burial at sea!) within the constraints of duty. It's all simply crushing. Well done!

But this:
... though she did not respond, neither did she pull away.... It seemed to him that there was a distance set between them, one that could not be breached.
and
She looked up at him, then, and he could see she understood: it could have gone that way.

What a bleak insight into what their life and marriage might have been without Will's (and Parrot's!) intervention.

After Mrs. Greene leaves, I see Elizabeth taking a plate of Sunday dinner to Jack - since she cannot accomplish anything else, at least she can give him a good meal.

[gryphons-lair.livejournal.com]

You've done a marvelously subtle balancing act with the tension here, showing us the forces pulling James and Elizabeth both together and apart without being obvious about it.

It was a lovely thing to wake up to on a Sunday morning. Thank you.

[hereswith.livejournal.com]

You know my thoughts on this, it's absolutely gorgeous, my dear, and it goes straight to my Memories...

[honorat.livejournal.com]

Oh. Wow. Absolutely brilliant. This is a perfect portrayal of what must have been an absolutely miserable time for both James and Elizabeth. Poor James, a good man, trying to be humane within the bounds of law and duty. But Elizabeth will chose the man who would rather die breaking the law than allow what he believes is wrong to pass un-protested. So many lines in this wring the heart:

Would it help if I went on my knees before you? If I begged you to spare him
James must know how much she means it. Elizabeth would not say this lightly.

there was a distance set between them, one that could not be breached. Not now.
Yes, that distance that began when James first was willing to rescue a governor's daughter but doom an orphaned blacksmith's apprentice has grown into a chasm of epic proportions. Their values are so at odds. The sad thing is that if James had given in to her again, their values would still have been at odds. I don't know if Elizabeth would have respected a man she had to manipulate like that--and that she could manipulate like that. They don't have the same definition of right and wrong.

it could have gone that way
Ah yes. The things that make James a good man. Very chilling, that this is the only mercy to be shown Jack. And Elizabeth having to contemplate how much worse it could be.

it had been the wrong thing to say. A hard look came into her eyes.
Oh, yes. If it's not a sight fit for ladies, what are you doing it for, Commodore? If you can't do your work in the light of her eyes, is there a flaw in the work?

The two of them are heart-breaking here. Just the perfect amount of angst. And I will very much be saving this.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Poor James, indeed. He is such a tragic figure.

Thank you for commenting! I'm so happy you thought it beautiful. :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! Glad you liked it. :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much. I'm glad I was able to paint the scene with words, as it were. It was quite clear to me when I was in bed, still half asleep, yesterday morning. *G*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

That time leading up to the hanging must have been awful for everyone concerned, I would think. Lots of opportunity for drama there. I'm glad you liked this. Thanks so much!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

It had to have been an awful time for them, and for everyone concerned, really. Thanks so much -- I'm glad you liked it.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

That would be a good scene -- I'll have to think about writing that.

It's all simply crushing.

Yes, I think that time before the hanging was probably horrible for everyone concerned. Lots of opportunity for drama there.

Glad you liked this, my dear! Thanks so much for commenting. :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome.

Funny how these scenes come to one -- I was still in bed, half asleep when this one sprang into being. I'm glad I was able to find the right words for it!

Thanks so much for commenting. :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

It was considerably improved because of your sharp eye. Many, many thanks!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Oh, thanks so much! I'm very glad you liked this. It sprang into my head full-blown when I was still in bed, half-asleep yesterday. I'm glad I was able to find the right words when it came to writing it.

Their values are so at odds.

Exactly. Their whole relationship smacks of tragedy, and there is great potential for angsty gapfillers like this.

Thanks again for the detailed comments -- you know how much I appreciate them!

[erinya.livejournal.com]

It's beautiful. James/Liz angst...I've been acquiring quite a taste for it lately, and this is deliciously sad. Great missing scene.

[rennie1265.livejournal.com]

You know, in a way it's a good thing Disney left so many gaps and unanswered questions in the movie and then had the decency to put the deleted scenes up on the cd. Look at all the fine pieces that have stemmed from them. Not to mention the quality of actors like Jack D. Elizabeth is having to grow up and face realities now; something along the lines of what doesn't destroy makes one stronger.

That promise to Jack was spot on; James would understand the value of it and it would be something he could do over the protests that would come along from those who wanted the spectacle of deserved punishment. James is growing too, more greys amidst the black and whites now.

Very happy to see postings with your call sign on.
cheers

[galadhir.livejournal.com]

This is absolutely gorgeous! Not a word out of place, and amazingly powerful. I love "There was a long silence between the three of them: James, Elizabeth, and the shining sea." Which was a scene I could almost see.

And then Elizabeth delivers the gut-punch of a line like "Would it help if I went on my knees before you? If I begged you to spare him?" God! James can do without that kind of histrionic, unthinking cruelty in his life. But having said that there is also something terribly brutal about “I…I have made him a promise. He will be buried at sea.” It is a very grim sort of mercy.

Heh, and I could so see Norrington being all mistakenly chivalrous and yet being impressed by the fittingness of her wish to be there.

Very powerful stuff, and they are worlds apart; it couldn't ever really have turned out well between them, could it. But how sad and how beautifully, beautifully done!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I don't think it could be anything but angst between them, until after things settled down after Will and Elizabeth's wedding. Glad you liked this. Thanks for letting me know!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

It is amazing the variety of stories that have come out of that one two-hour movie. I think the whole movie is about how all the characters grow -- even Jack, who at the end is at least a little surprised that things turned out so well -- that everyone does what's right by Jack (although, being Jack Sparrow, he would no doubt adjust to the idea without too much trouble).

Very happy to see postings with your call sign on.

My Muse has been on hiatus this past month, but is finally beginning to make herself known again. I was wondering if I'd lost it, to tell you the truth.

I haven't had as much time lately, either, what with all the RL demands. I still have to finish reading your "Spirit From the Vasty Deep", which I was really enjoying! And I know there is another chapter of "Kettle of Hawks" up, too. Soon, hopefully.

I hope your house is doing all right, and that you are enjoying some Fall color. Haven't been checking the flist much lately, so I may have missed your more recent posts.

xo

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

And then Elizabeth delivers the gut-punch of a line like "Would it help if I went on my knees before you? If I begged you to spare him?" God! James can do without that kind of histrionic, unthinking cruelty in his life.

Absolutely, and I can't see Elizabeth subjecting him to such a thing if it were not a question of life and death, and if she wasn't feeling utterly desperate about the situation. But I can see her doing it in those circumstances, just as she'd agreed to marry James out of desperation, to save Will's life.

they are worlds apart; it couldn't ever really have turned out well between them, could it.

I don't think so. James is really far more civilized than Elizabeth.

Thanks so much for the comments! I'm very glad you liked this.

[rennie1265.livejournal.com]

Good morning to you. The sun is trying to come out today but we're in the early pineapple express pattern and things have been west coast soggy of late. Good for the forests and all but I have a suspicion I might become a snowbird in later years.

RL can be pretty tough and sometimes there is no way to escape it. I've been through similiar things to what you're going through now and honestly the only thing that really helps is one's support group and time. Just doing whatever needs to be done next helps for a while too, keeps the little grey cells distracted.

The muse hasn't gone far, just taken the back seat until you need it, that's all. I hope my little ghost story cheers you up a bit. Kettle is coming along; I'm supposed to be doing Chap. 12 but ideas for the epilogue popped up so I'm writing that just so I don't lose it. It will be tied in later. Special Dellvery is back on the front burner as well as a couple of other stories that aren't on the net.

The house has stopped leaking for a while, the repairs and painting are done and I'm getting back to re-organizing the place so it at least looks civilized. The fall colour has been nice but the rain has kind of spoiled it. Mushy leaves just don't appeal like crisp dry ones.

Take care.

[torn-eledhwen.livejournal.com]

Lovely characterisation, particularly of Norrington. Such good writing, GM.

[cacopheny.livejournal.com]

Poor Jaaaaaaames.

"Birdwitted" is such a great word.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Poor James, indeed. He is such a romantically tragic figure.

I like "birdwitted", too! Sounds very period to me.

Glad you enjoyed!

[felaine.livejournal.com]

Adding my bit to the praise; this keeps James and Elizabeth both so perfectly in character, and the Governor as well, trying to keep things calm.
Easier to read knowing Jack will survivie, but poor James.
Felaine

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

It must have been awful for everyone concerned, but what a position for James to be in. Just awful.

Glad you enjoyed this Felaine -- thanks for letting me know!

[virgo-79.livejournal.com]

Ohh. Crying now. **pelts geekmama with soggy tissue** But yay, angst!

This is just *beautiful*. The emotions, the imagery, the characters...

"There was a long silence between the three of them: James, Elizabeth, and the shining sea." -- That gives me goosebumps.

"She was not hugging herself now, and so, after a moment, he dared to take her hand. It was cold and slender in his larger, much warmer one and, though she did not respond, neither did she pull away. But beyond this he could not go. It seemed to him that there was a distance set between them, one that could not be breached. Not now." -- Ouch and wow. And shame on me for not being more eloquent...just ouch and wow.

I love how they relate to each other here...or how they try to relate, at least. I love the exploration of their relationship, and it seems like so few writers can be true to it. I despise fics where Elizabeth is painted as a spoiled, manipulative beyotch as much as I despise fics where Norrington is an evil blackhearted bastard, because both are just horrible misrepresentations of two very deep, complex characters. It isn't James' fault that Elizabeth doesn't love him -- but neither is it *Elizabeth's* fault. You've nailed them here. You've nailed what their relationship will be if they both try to force that particular square peg through.

I also like the respect James shows Jack. He's going to do his duty, he's going to stick to what he believes (for a little longer, anyway) is right, but now, he's not just hanging a pirate. He's hanging a *person*.

Wonderful, geekmama.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so very much for the detailed feedback! I truly appreciate it. I'm so glad you thought this true to the characters. That's the way I see them: both good people, but opposites in some ways, ways that count a great deal, unfortunately.

I'm glad you liked this in spite of the angst. ;)

[classics-lover.livejournal.com]

Fabulous!
I just love Norrie-angst. It's just about all I can write at the moment, but your quality of writing leaves me gobsmacked. And jealous ;-)

It's something I would never have thought of treating, Norrington and Elizabeth each trying to convince the other to do the right thing. It never occured to me that Elizabeth would have campaigned against James on their dates (I know that's not the right word, but I'm too lazy to think of a better word for it).
The burial at sea also fits in with Norrington's character, and why he wore full dress uniform for what would have been, officially anyway, just another criminal hanging.

Haunting, angsty and beautiful. Well done!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine Elizabeth not doing her utmost to sway James and her father to her view of things. By the time this scene takes place she is feeling quite desperate about it.

Thank you so much for the thoughtful and complimentary comments! They are very much appreciated. I'm glad you liked it. :)

[shyaway.livejournal.com]

Lovely writing and very in-character! The emotion you convey between Norrington and Elizabeth strike exactly the right note, and I always like the mention of Norrington's promise to bury Jack at sea! My only criticism is that Elizabeth sounds a little too stilted. Other than that, I really like it. :-)

Thanks for the feedback on Safe Harbour, btw!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

My only criticism is that Elizabeth sounds a little too stilted.

You're right. I do tend to write her that way, and she doesn't sound that way a lot of the time in the movie. But there are a few times in the movie where she does -- like that "Good day, Mr. Turner." Or some of her lines when she's dealing with Barbossa. In this case, I'm assuming the whole subject has become very awkward for her and James to discuss as she's already made her thoughts on the subject known to him, and to her father, repeatedly, and is not getting her way. And yet, it's too important an issue for her not to try one more time.

I'm glad you liked it, though. Thanks for the thought-provoking comments!

[oasis-herself.livejournal.com]

Don't know how I missed commenting on this one, because I really liked it!
A lot.
It's just a great missing scene and you really caught the flavor of the polite, but passionless marriage it would have become.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

the polite, but passionless marriage it would have become.

I'm afraid so, if the hanging had proceeded as planned. So sad, as they are both good people. But their fundamental differences would have precluded real happiness, I think, at least in that point in their lives.

I'm so happy you enjoyed this!

[hms-dauntless.livejournal.com]

Beautiful and touching.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[sinister-beauty.livejournal.com]

Ouch. Loved this. Great characterization on both Liz and James. And I love the tid bit about James promising Jack burial at sea. If he can't save him, at least he's done something. Very sweet.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Ouch, indeed. Very angsty, this whole thing.

Glad you enjoyed it, though!

I hope college is proving lots of fun back there in NYC -- you lucky thing, you!

[elke-tanzer.livejournal.com]

Here by way of fabu's rec. Fabulous. Utterly fabulous. Wow.

[delle.livejournal.com]

Here by way of elk_tanzer's rec.

Wow! Lovely!

I'm assuming you're a Norrington gal? As an Elizabeth girl, I thank you so much for making Elizabeth a real person; someone with morals and ideals and standards. Hers just aren't Norrington's. Unfortunately I've read some Norrington/Elizabeth stuff that paints him as Wonderful and her as Whore. This was a lovely, wonderful, refreshing take on their relationship. They *are* both good people; just not right for each other.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I'm very glad you enjoyed it. :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm more of a Jack gal, but I've grown to love the Commodore, and really can't wait to see what is in store for him in the next movies (I've heard the most interesting rumors!). He does lend himself to angst so easily, no? As you said, both he and Elizabeth are good people, just not right for each other (at least at that point in their lives -- I have written some N/E that seemed to work). I get very upset with people who don't like Elizabeth. I liked her from my first viewing of the movie, and I thought Keira Knightly did a great job in that part.

So happy you enjoyed reading this! Thank you very much for commenting.