POTC ((Elizabeth Swan♡James Norrington)) Drew+Wulfwynn
 

Commodore James Norrington stood before Governor Swann of Port Royal and his daughter who was of about 15 or 16. He stood up proud, ready to protect and serve his people.

"Like I had said before, I am rather glad to have you as our Commodore," the Govenor said. "Oh, this is my daughter, Elizabeth," he said as he urged his daughter forward to say hullo to Commodore James Norrington.

He was the first. James smiled and took off his hat as he bowed to her. "I am glad to meet you, Miss Swann," he said in his chivalrous, but friendly and gentle tone.

Elizabeth Swann smoothed out the folds of her dress while frowning slightly. Why must ladies where such beastly tight clothes? Can't I be presentable and comfortable at the same time? she thought as her father spoke with the Commodore.

Suddenly, mid thought Elizabeth was urged forward by her father to meet the Commodore.

Curtsying she replied "Tis a pleasure to meet you Commodore Norrington" keeping her voice proper and respectful.

..::Three Years Later::..

((I am so bad with remembering the names of what happened in the POTC movies. XD))

Once the Ceremony was over and many people congratulated him, he turned around and just through the stone arches, he saw Elizabeth, as beautiful as ever. He let out a shaking sigh as he slowly walked over to her. As he got closer, he could easily see she was struggling to breathe in such a tight dress. Feeling bad, he stopped to see if she would walk away or not.

When she remained near the edge of the balcony that led into the Caribbean, he straightened up his coat and walked again. This is my chance to ask her, James thought.

"Miss Swann," he said as he bowed and approached.

((You're not the only one who's memory is just a touch rusty. XD ))

Gasping Elizabeth almost cursed as her maid pulled the strings tighter on her dress. She new she had to dress for the ceremony but why wasn't she allowed to breathe at the same time. She often found herself wondering this as she grew up. She wanted to be a proper lady but she wanted to be comfortable too. Before she could change her mind about the dress she heard her father calling her and hurried down the stairs to get in the coach.

The ceremony seemed long and drawn out, but maybe her opinion was swayed due to her inability to breathe. Finally it was over and she was able to walk over to the edge of the balcony to catch some of the cool sea air. Maybe if she just relaxed a bit it wouldn't be so bad.

Suddenly she heard the Commodore approach and speak to her. Turning she curtsied as best she could and replied "Congratulations Commodore."

"It's great to see you again, Miss Swann," James said as he walked so that he was standing a few feet away from Elizabeth. "And thank you," he said kindly as he bowed in response. "I trust you are well?" he then asked as he sighed, he loved the feel of the cool sea air that blew onto the balcony.

Elizabeth placed on hand on her stomach, her pulse was racing which wasn't helping with the tight top on her dress. "Yes I am well. Thank you for asking. It was a fine ceremony." How long is he going to be talking to me? I don't know how much longer I can stand here. she thought as she stood looking over the bay trying to breathe.

"Thank you," he said with a gentle smile. "Uh, Miss Swann...I would like to ask you something...," he slowly started as he could see that Elizabeth was growing nervous.

"Elizabeth Swann...I would like to ask your hand in marriage," he said. "You don't have to answer now, but please think about it," he said as he handed her a small black velvet box as he then bowed and walked away.

Elizabeth couldn't believe it, the Commodore had asked for her hand in marriage! She looked at the box he handed her and could barely breathe and not just because of the tight top.

She was speechless, and then wondered if that's not why her father had introduced her to Norrington when she was younger. Does he love me or is this arranged? she thought as she stared at the box. Before she could turn to ask her father about it she suddenly felt more faint and fell off the balcony and into the water.

The black box fell to the floor as James watched Elizabeth fall, unable to grab onto her. "ELIZABETH!" he yelled as soldiers came running up. "Somebody do something!" James gasped.

"Nobody can at the moment, sir, she's lucky she missed the rocks!"

James growled under his breath as he took off his hat and wig and his belt then his jacket as he slipped off his shoes and dove into the water, missing the rock and being lucky as well. He saw Elizabeth and immediately, grabbed her waist and swam up to the surface as he swam over to one of the docks. He coughed up water as he laid her flat down on the wood as soldiers and Elizabeth's father came running up to them.

James lowered his ear to her chest, not hearing anything. He noticed how she couldn't breathe earlier and guessed that it was her dress. So he quickly ripped off her dress, grabbed a knife from one of his soldiers, and cut her corset off.

Elizabeth was barely aware of the fact she fell off the balcony. The next thing she knew she was laying on a dock in her chemise. Looking around she was bewildered to see her father and guards standing around her and a very wet looking Norrington kneeling by her side a dagger in his hands. Looking down at the dock she saw her corset laying there and figured she must've fainted and fallen off the balcony. It's a wonder I didn't hit my head on any of those rocks on the way down she thought as she blushed and began to shiver. "Th-Thank you for res-rescuing me Co-Commodore Nor-Norington" She wrapped her arms around herself as she realized the soldiers were staring.

James motioned for his things and took his jacket from one of the soldiers as he sat Elizabeth up and helped her to her feet. He then wrapped his jacket around her. "You gave us quite a scare, Elizabeth!" her father said, so thankful to see her alive.

"You are most welcome, Elizabeth," James replied with warmth and love screaming in his eyes. "How do you feel? Did you break anything?" he then asked, his arm still wrapped around her.

Elizabeth stood with Norrington's help, and pulled his jacket close together around her. She noticed it had the faint smell of a sea breeze and his cologne on it. Turning to face her father she said "Please don't bring me any more 'fashion' from France."

Turning her head she heard Norrington ask her if she was alright. She looked him in the eye and blushed a bit before answering. "I'm alright, however I'd like to get home and change clothes. I'm sorry to have caused such trouble." She looked down at the dock and thought This is no way for a proper lady to act. He must think I'm some sort of clutz for falling off the balcony like that.

James smiled a warm smile at what she had said to her father.

"Oh...I'll know that from now on, dear," her father replied in a guilty tone.

"I shall personally escort you home...being that you have my coat," he said as he lightly edged her forward, thinking about nothing but how glad he was that she was alright.

Then a soldier stopped them, giving James his things including the black velvet box. He sighed and placed it in his pocket, planning on giving it back to her later. He buckled his belt back on and carried his wig and had by hand as he and Elizabeth approached the carriage.

Elizabeth sighed with relief and reached out to pat her father's arm before heading toward the carriage. She simply nodded when Norrington said he'd be going with, if not for embarrassment she'd hand him his coat back right now however. She wanted some time to speak with her father alone. She'd have to try and catch him later.

Reaching the carriage, Elizabeth climbed in first and sat down. Her father came in next and sat down next to her which left the bench across from them open. Looking out the door at Norrington she thought to herself He's an alright fellow, but I want to marry for love, not some status thing.

James climbed in and sat across from the two as he tapped the ceiling for the driver to move. Then they were on their way back to Elizabeth's house. During the ride there, there was an awkward silence that hung in the air. Once they arrived there, James followed Elizabeth into the house.

Once inside the house Elizabeth faced both Norrington and her father. "If you'll excuse me I need to go to my chambers and properly dress. I'll send my maid down with your coat once it has been dried Commodore." Giving them both a slight curtsy she turned and went upstairs to her chambers where her maid was waiting.

"Oh! Miss Swann!" her maid came rushing over to her as soon as she stepped in the room and closed the door. "You look a terrible fright and you're in the Commodore's jacket! What happened to your dress?" The maid grabbed a towel and began to help Elizabeth dry off.

"Alright," James replied as he watched Elizabeth go up the stairs and to her room.

"Has she given you an answer at all?" the Governor asked?

James sighed and looked down. "No. I fear she does not feel the same way for me," James replied.

"Well...she does know this isn't an arranged marriage...right?" the Governor then asked.

James looked up at him. "No...she doesn't...yet," he said.

Once she was try she had the maid take the jacket back down to Norrington while she finished getting dressed. Choosing a more comfortable long blue frock dress. Sitting down in front of the vanity Elizabeth waited for her maid to return to help her dress. Picking up her brush she began to work the tangles out of her hair. "Can you believe he actually asked me to marry him?" she asked her reflection. "As if I was just standing there waiting for him. He hasn't even ever really spoken with me outside of when I met him and seeing him arrive to discuss things with my father. What ever happened to courtship?" She turned her head and looked out the window. "Maybe if I was a pirate things would be different..."

After James had left to tend back to his duties, hoping his jacket would dry off how wet it was from Elizabeth from the scorching heat of the July summer heat. He headed back to the Fort and noticed that the weather was just about to turn fast. He sighed and shook his head. The weather these days..., the thought as he ordered his men back to work.

In the meantime, Elizabeth's father knocked on Elizabeth's door.

The maid having returned from delivering Norrington's coat to the laundry lasses helped Elizabeth finish getting her dress on. Turning she made sure it was properly on but wouldn't suffocate her. Satisfied with her look she dismissed her maid and was about to leave her room when a knock sounded on her door. Opening the door she found her father standing outside. "Yes father?"

"Elizabeth," the Governor said as he entered her room. "My daughter, please be honest with me. What are your thoughts on the Commodore asking for your hand in marriage?" he asked her as he sat down on her bed.

Meanwhile, James rested his arms on the walls of the fort as he looked out into the fresh mid-afternoon ocean. The sun was just about to lower itself more and the clock was about to stuck three as James sighed and walked around the fort, unable to keep still. He couldn't stop thinking of Elizabeth. He had saved her and of course, he had asked her hand in marriage at one of the most inconvenient times. But he sighed. Maybe he'll be able to try again tomorrow at the ball the Governor said he was throwing for all the wealthy families at Port Royal and all the soldiers etc.

Elizabeth followed her father back into her room and watched as he sat down. She looked at him for a minute before she began to pace, the material of her skirt rustling with each step. "I honestly don't know what to think about it father. In fact I was just about to come see you out over that very matter." Pausing she turned and faced her father a slight flush on her face. "So, how long have you planned this out? Marry your daughter off to some man she barely knows..." Whipping around she looked out the balcony doors and to the sea If he thinks he'll just marry me off to someone I barely know he'd better think again... she thought angrily as she waited for his answer.

Elizabeth's father raised his eyebrows. "You...you think that this was an arranged marriage? For God's sake, Elizabeth, the man is in love with you!" he told her as he then got up. "I'm sorry if you thought it was an arranged marriage," he told her as he sighed and left the room, but before he left the room, he stopped and turned to his daughter. "There's a ball I'm throwing tomorrow night. I'm giving you the option to go or stay here," he told her.

Elizabeth froze It's not an arranged marriage? she thought as she heard her father stand. She heard some sadness in his voice as he told her about the ball he was having tomorrow night. After he left the room she relaxed her shoulders and let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. How can he love me when he doesn't even know me? Elizabeth began to pace again. I bet the Commodore will be at that ball tomorrow night, and if I go I bet he'll ask about his proposal again. Even with the events of today she remembered the Commodore proposing. What if he tries to re-propose to me in front of everyone? If I say no, I'll embarrass us both and dishonor him but if I say yes I'm doomed to be tied to a man I don't love. She continued pacing trying to figure out what she was going to do.

((I'm back! :)))

James smiled and nodded with a simple 'welcome' and 'thank you for coming' to the arriving guests at the fort's ball the Governor arranged. The weather was perfect that evening and the sky was so clear with bright stars and a full moon. He sighed as he looked down at what he was wearing. That's right. I'm not in my uniform, he thought as he re-buttoned his topcoat. He scanned his eyes over the happy-looking crowd in hopes of finding Elizabeth. He did recall that the Governor had informed him that he gave Elizabeth the option of coming and that he still didn't know if she was coming or not.

The Governor explained everything. How Elizabeth thought this was an arranged marriage and how she wasn't going to marry someone she doesn't love. And quite frankly, that hurt James' feelings a bit at the fact that Elizabeth didn't love him back. Because to be honest, James has been in love with her for three years now.

He sighed as he accepted a glass of wine from one of the servants that roamed the proximity of the ball room with drinks on a silver platter. He gulped it down and ran his hands through his hair that was tied back in a classic black bow that matched his outfit.