scourgeofpiracy | (no subject)

(no subject)

Admiral Norrington has been cloistered in his cabin since Lord Beckett gave him back his sword. He's had a lot of thinking to do. But a time comes when a man's thoughts start going round in circles, and what he needs is fresh air.

So he heads out onto the deck, to watch the waves for a while.

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Weatherby, likewise, needs the air. Being confined to the cabin with Beckett and his most trusted lackie is beginning to make him ill.

As he finds out more about that bloody chest on Beckett's desk...

Well, let's just say the fresh air does him good.

When he sees James, he nods and smiles. "Evening, James. Or should I say Admiral?"

"James. Please", he says with a faint smile in return. "How are you tonight, Governor?"

"I'm as well as can be expected, I suppose. Beckett continues to dangle the prospect of my return to England as long as I do as he asks. So. I do as he asks."

His tone is jovial, but his facial expression anything but.

Norrington... does not believe Beckett would send the governor back to England to make his report quite as easily as that. But he doesn't say so.

"Has he given you any indication of when you might go?"

"He says we will reconnoiter with another ship soon enough. At first he said he'd accompany me all the way there, but I'm beginning to suspect that was only to get me on board."

"I doubt he'll be leaving the Caribbean just when things are going so well", Norrington agrees dryly.

"I think he might, should his quarry take him elsewhere. But then, you should know more about that than I. You're an Admiral of the Fleet, after all."

"Of the East India Company", he corrects gently. "Even Lord Beckett has no power to have me reinstated to the Fleet."

"Not yet," he murmurs.

"Well, still and all, your fortune's taken a turn for the better."

Silence falls between them, broken only by the creaking of the rigging and the gentle roar of the sea in motion.

"I saw Elizabeth," he hazards. "At the strangest of places. I thought perhaps it was a dream, but I feel it cannot be. She said you'd been there."

Norrington looks at him sharply, then more carefully.

"She said she'd spoken with you, yes. You're referring to Milliways?"

He breathes a little sigh of relief. Wouldn't have wanted the fellow to think he was barmy.

"The very same. While I was under house arrest in Port Royal I found I could open random doors and find myself there. It was a blessing to see her again."

"I'm sure it was", Norrington agrees quietly. "And yes, I've been there, but not for some weeks."

"She's out there now. Somewhere. I can only hope she's safe."

"She's a resourceful woman", Norrington tells him would-be reassuringly. "I'm sure she's fine."

"Even against The Flying Dutchman?" he counters.

"If the Dutchman had found her", Norrington says with as much confidence as he can muster, "don't you think we'd know it?"

Beckett isn't the kind to resist gloating.

"We'd know, but would it be too late?"

He sighs, leaning over the railing and staring out into the dark water.

"Phantom ships, monsters from the deep... I rather liked the old days when cut-throat pirates were all one had to worry about."

Norrington smiles faintly, with no humour in it.

"I can appreciate that feeling."

"Well. I think I shall turn in in a moment."

He doesn't leave the railing quite yet, though. He's pondering the sea and the stars, and whether Elizabeth is looking up at the same moon as he.

"As you like, sir." He turns to look at the governor, compassionately. "And have a good night."

"You too, James, you too."

He turns from the railing, his back now to the sea.

"And James? If you see her, no matter where, or in what situation, will you do your utmost to keep her from harm? Please?"

"Whatever I can do", he promises without hesitation, and he means it. "You know... she asked the same for you."

"Did she?" His smile brightens. "Hopefully, I can hold my own and get back to England without aid. But it's good to know. Take care, Admiral. I'll see you tomorrow."

He pats the younger man's shoulder as he leaves.

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