A Jolly Good Fellow (G)
Title: A Jolly Good Fellow
Author: blackpoetcat
Rating: G
Characters: James Norrington, Jack Sparrow
Disclaimer: PotC and all their figures belong to the Mouse, mine is my fantasy. I never had and never intended to gain material profit with stuff like this.
Thanks to: A thousand thanks & hugs to porridgebird. You are so much more than a beta to me. Happy Birthday, dear!
Summary: It's James' birthday evening. And he isn't destined to early retiring... Set after CotBP.
Not that James ever thought that his occasional private meetings with his Lieutenants were a bad idea; he valued those rare chances to be just another human far too much. Especially because no one would guess that the slightly drunken man in dark civilian clothes walking home late at night could be the admired, stone-faced and always-sober Commodore of the fleet.
But tonight, he was very much inclined to never ever visit his friends' lodgings again. Whoever seemed to know that he had been there also seemed to intend that this was his last visit. If not his last evening at all...
Two masked men ambushed him in a dark passage, a third came up from behind and convinced his prey (with the muzzle of a pistol pressed to the officer's neck) to stand down and forget any thought of fighting. So James was bound, blindfolded and led back down the streets, towards the bay, and finally forced into a boat. After some time had passed (he assumed by the waves' direction they had left the bay and rounded the cap) low voices greeted them and the boat was hauled upon deck. He was grabbed, apparently led into some kind of cabin (not the brig??) and finally released of blindfold and rope.
He had to blink several times to realize that he was not dreaming. That he really was aboard the Black Pearl and looking into the grinning face of one Captain Jack Sparrow, who offered a glass to him and held another for himself.
"Happy Birthday, Commodore. Sorry for seizing you, but as your pretty lieutenants didn't bother to invite me fine self to your birthday party, I had to arrange another way to compliment the finest officer of His Very British Majesty who had ever haunted these waters, aye?”
James didn't know what to say; in fact his surprise just made him accept the glass, even raise it to his nemesis and take a good sip. The wine was astonishingly fine, definitely to his liking, so his eyebrow arched involuntarily.
"Thank you, Captain Sparrow. May I ask for what mad reason you would like to drink to my health instead of becoming a hero of the Brethren by getting rid of me for good?”
The pirate's grinning seemed to increase even more.
"Now Commodore, what profit would that gain me? Except the reputation of bein' the one who finally killed The Scourge. And even that is a very hard thing to consider, savvy? As for now, I like my reputation as it is. Neither cold-blooded murder nor rape is on my conscience or my list of crimes, as you damn well know. So, why should I do anything that would irrevocably change that? I mean, you and I are enemies, true, but we don't hate each other, do we? Aside from you being an officer sticking to all your rules, laws and social limits and me a pirate who enjoys his freedom of said rules, laws and limits, we both are passionate sailors, so we have much more in common than the acquaintance with some rash whelps who needed to be rescued by real men and this cat-and-mouse-game we're playing for some months now, aye?”
James listened, did not even try to interrupt the pirate. Not only because the man seemed not to breathe while he was talking like a waterfall or because of his own slightly inebriated state. No, deep inside him Norrington felt comfortable with the whole situation, with every word Sparrow said. He saw the truth in those assumptions; finally discovered why he never really felt disappointed every time Sparrow escaped again and again.
Yes, he, Commodore James Norrington, pride of the Royal Navy, enjoyed this game far too much. He did not want to catch Sparrow, did not want to see the man dying at the end of a rope. Part of him even adored the seemingly never-ending pool of tricks and ideas the pirate used to slip through everyone's fingers. So, why should he deny a worthy opponent the same respect he just demonstrated for him? Especially when he found himself absolutely certain that Sparrow actually was quite honest with him; that he did not plan any evil scheme but just took them both to a new level of their game.
James smiled and raised his glass again.
"It seems I will be celebrating my birthday a little longer than originally planned. Thank you again, Captain. And may I ask if you also intend to offer some comestibles to go with this excellent wine? Otherwise, I have to decline more of it because I need to be fit for duty in the morning.”
"Ah, of course I intend, Commodore! Was just waiting for your acceptance of my somewhat, let's say, uncommon invitation.”
Sparrow drained his glass, than went to the doors, opened one and shouted:
"Oy, men! The birthday dinner! Now!”
He turned around, still grinning broadly, and explained:
"Sent one of my men observing what your lieutenants served, so don't be afraid it will be the same. Had my cook make you something very special, you'll see!”
With one wave of his hand, he offered James a seat and placed himself at the opposite side of the table. The officer hesitated for a moment, then put his glass on the table, removed his coat, set it on a chest near the door, and finally sat down.
"Now, that's a fine guest, making himself comfortable for the meal. I like that, James,” Sparrow declared. He stood up, removed his own coat and, still smiling, plopped back onto his chair.
Again Norrington's eyebrows arched up, but he held his tongue, though it felt quite odd to be called by his given name by someone other than family members or his closest friends. Which were few, by the way; and not for the first time in his life, Norrington asked himself if that was because he spent so much time working or if he denied himself the luxury of enough time to build friendships.
No, he decided after a few moments observing Sparrow, who filled his glass again then leaned back and looked at the officer without disturbing his thoughts. What he denied himself was not the time - but the chance to look outside his social bindings for a real kind of companion. He was raised and educated in the typical aristocratic manner which was appropriate for the younger son of a Lord. This, of course, included ignoring people of lower classes if one was not involved with them by the nature of one's job. But for a long period now he knew that most of the members of his own class were arrogant, boring, stupid and far too ignorant of their own failures to consider them worth his attention or even friendship.
Elizabeth, William Turner, Governor Swann, and of course his lieutenants Theodore Groves and Andrew Gillette were the only exceptions. The only persons he allowed close enough to call them friends. And now...
Strange, the idea didn't feel as horrible or even as despicable as it should be. In fact, James sensed a feeling of pride and happiness that Captain Jack Sparrow, the most feared pirate in the Caribbean, considered his personal nemesis not only worth of a birthday celebration, but of being called by his given name. A warm smile grew on his face and he nodded to his host while raising his glass again.
"To a splendid evening and our game, then; may it last forever. Cheers, Jack.”
"Cheers, James,” Sparrow responded, drank and smiled even broader. "Welcome aboard, mate.”
Before James could answer to that, the double doors swung open and a group of pirates came in, carrying plates and bowls which they placed carefully on the table. After that, they lined up in front of both and James' eyes widened when those ruffians - and Sparrow, too - actually started to chant:
"For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow; for he's a jolly good fe-hellooooow - and so say all of us!”
He stared from the men to Jack and back, dumbfounded, his mouth opened and shut on its own. He had to be dreaming.
"Happy birthday, sir.” A familiar voice reached his brain and he recognized his former subordinate, Joshamee Gibbs, who seemed unsure if he could dare to offer his hand on top of the congratulation.
His long-trained reflexes saved James from any decision whether or not he should overstep the invisible line between them when he smiled and nodded.
"Thank you, Master Gibbs. And you, gentlemen,” he answered. In a flurry of bows, tipped hats and winks, the men departed the cabin, leaving James slightly confused.
"Why?” he asked quietly and looked at Sparrow.
"Why what, mate? Why they sang for you or why they even bothered with your day of honour though you wouldn't hesitate to deliver them to the noose?”
Before James could phrase any response, the pirate continued much more quietly:
"Or do you ask yourself why we, of all people, deem you worth our attention and some nice treatment, James?”
Norrington bit his lower lip and swallowed hard. He could not bring himself to express an honest answer without opening his soul right here and now. And he was not certain if Jack would keep to himself whatever he had already learned or would learn in the future about a man feared and detested by all pirates in the Caribbean. Well, that meant all pirates except the crew of the Black Pearl, it seemed.
"So I guessed.” Jack suddenly answered his own question before relaxing again into his chair, smiling and sipping his wine. "Let's enjoy the meal, then, mate. Would be a shame to disappoint me chef de cuisine, aye? Besides, hard brain work as musing about your emotions or my intentions isn't the right occupation for a birthday dinner anyway. We'll have time for that later. Much later.”
He raised his glass again, drank, and then started to fill a plate with meat, fruits and bread which he offered to his guest afterwards. James hesitated for only a heartbeat's length before he took the plate with a smile.
"Thank you, Jack. For everything.”
"You're welcome, James.”
***
Much later, when James had been secretly seen to his lodgings by the very same crew members who abducted him in the first place, he settled for a last brandy in his favourite armchair in the library.
The evening had been far more enjoyable than he could ever have imagined. Jack turned out to be well educated, which no-one would have expected him to be; so they talked not only about nautical matters, but literature and history as well. With a sensibility James would not have given him credit for, the pirate shipped conversation around dangerous or too private waters and the officer found himself feeling sorry when time finally demanded his returning.
Of course there was the tiny little thing called duty. James knew all too well that this harmonic evening would not change anything out at sea. Jack would continue pillaging and plundering as ever and James would take the Dauntless out for pursuit. But he would hope that the Black Pearl would escape. And from tonight on, he would never have to ask himself again why he felt that way.
For he is what he named me - a jolly good fellow...
~~ The End ~~
Author: blackpoetcat
Rating: G
Characters: James Norrington, Jack Sparrow
Disclaimer: PotC and all their figures belong to the Mouse, mine is my fantasy. I never had and never intended to gain material profit with stuff like this.
Thanks to: A thousand thanks & hugs to porridgebird. You are so much more than a beta to me. Happy Birthday, dear!
Summary: It's James' birthday evening. And he isn't destined to early retiring... Set after CotBP.
Not that James ever thought that his occasional private meetings with his Lieutenants were a bad idea; he valued those rare chances to be just another human far too much. Especially because no one would guess that the slightly drunken man in dark civilian clothes walking home late at night could be the admired, stone-faced and always-sober Commodore of the fleet.
But tonight, he was very much inclined to never ever visit his friends' lodgings again. Whoever seemed to know that he had been there also seemed to intend that this was his last visit. If not his last evening at all...
Two masked men ambushed him in a dark passage, a third came up from behind and convinced his prey (with the muzzle of a pistol pressed to the officer's neck) to stand down and forget any thought of fighting. So James was bound, blindfolded and led back down the streets, towards the bay, and finally forced into a boat. After some time had passed (he assumed by the waves' direction they had left the bay and rounded the cap) low voices greeted them and the boat was hauled upon deck. He was grabbed, apparently led into some kind of cabin (not the brig??) and finally released of blindfold and rope.
He had to blink several times to realize that he was not dreaming. That he really was aboard the Black Pearl and looking into the grinning face of one Captain Jack Sparrow, who offered a glass to him and held another for himself.
"Happy Birthday, Commodore. Sorry for seizing you, but as your pretty lieutenants didn't bother to invite me fine self to your birthday party, I had to arrange another way to compliment the finest officer of His Very British Majesty who had ever haunted these waters, aye?”
James didn't know what to say; in fact his surprise just made him accept the glass, even raise it to his nemesis and take a good sip. The wine was astonishingly fine, definitely to his liking, so his eyebrow arched involuntarily.
"Thank you, Captain Sparrow. May I ask for what mad reason you would like to drink to my health instead of becoming a hero of the Brethren by getting rid of me for good?”
The pirate's grinning seemed to increase even more.
"Now Commodore, what profit would that gain me? Except the reputation of bein' the one who finally killed The Scourge. And even that is a very hard thing to consider, savvy? As for now, I like my reputation as it is. Neither cold-blooded murder nor rape is on my conscience or my list of crimes, as you damn well know. So, why should I do anything that would irrevocably change that? I mean, you and I are enemies, true, but we don't hate each other, do we? Aside from you being an officer sticking to all your rules, laws and social limits and me a pirate who enjoys his freedom of said rules, laws and limits, we both are passionate sailors, so we have much more in common than the acquaintance with some rash whelps who needed to be rescued by real men and this cat-and-mouse-game we're playing for some months now, aye?”
James listened, did not even try to interrupt the pirate. Not only because the man seemed not to breathe while he was talking like a waterfall or because of his own slightly inebriated state. No, deep inside him Norrington felt comfortable with the whole situation, with every word Sparrow said. He saw the truth in those assumptions; finally discovered why he never really felt disappointed every time Sparrow escaped again and again.
Yes, he, Commodore James Norrington, pride of the Royal Navy, enjoyed this game far too much. He did not want to catch Sparrow, did not want to see the man dying at the end of a rope. Part of him even adored the seemingly never-ending pool of tricks and ideas the pirate used to slip through everyone's fingers. So, why should he deny a worthy opponent the same respect he just demonstrated for him? Especially when he found himself absolutely certain that Sparrow actually was quite honest with him; that he did not plan any evil scheme but just took them both to a new level of their game.
James smiled and raised his glass again.
"It seems I will be celebrating my birthday a little longer than originally planned. Thank you again, Captain. And may I ask if you also intend to offer some comestibles to go with this excellent wine? Otherwise, I have to decline more of it because I need to be fit for duty in the morning.”
"Ah, of course I intend, Commodore! Was just waiting for your acceptance of my somewhat, let's say, uncommon invitation.”
Sparrow drained his glass, than went to the doors, opened one and shouted:
"Oy, men! The birthday dinner! Now!”
He turned around, still grinning broadly, and explained:
"Sent one of my men observing what your lieutenants served, so don't be afraid it will be the same. Had my cook make you something very special, you'll see!”
With one wave of his hand, he offered James a seat and placed himself at the opposite side of the table. The officer hesitated for a moment, then put his glass on the table, removed his coat, set it on a chest near the door, and finally sat down.
"Now, that's a fine guest, making himself comfortable for the meal. I like that, James,” Sparrow declared. He stood up, removed his own coat and, still smiling, plopped back onto his chair.
Again Norrington's eyebrows arched up, but he held his tongue, though it felt quite odd to be called by his given name by someone other than family members or his closest friends. Which were few, by the way; and not for the first time in his life, Norrington asked himself if that was because he spent so much time working or if he denied himself the luxury of enough time to build friendships.
No, he decided after a few moments observing Sparrow, who filled his glass again then leaned back and looked at the officer without disturbing his thoughts. What he denied himself was not the time - but the chance to look outside his social bindings for a real kind of companion. He was raised and educated in the typical aristocratic manner which was appropriate for the younger son of a Lord. This, of course, included ignoring people of lower classes if one was not involved with them by the nature of one's job. But for a long period now he knew that most of the members of his own class were arrogant, boring, stupid and far too ignorant of their own failures to consider them worth his attention or even friendship.
Elizabeth, William Turner, Governor Swann, and of course his lieutenants Theodore Groves and Andrew Gillette were the only exceptions. The only persons he allowed close enough to call them friends. And now...
Strange, the idea didn't feel as horrible or even as despicable as it should be. In fact, James sensed a feeling of pride and happiness that Captain Jack Sparrow, the most feared pirate in the Caribbean, considered his personal nemesis not only worth of a birthday celebration, but of being called by his given name. A warm smile grew on his face and he nodded to his host while raising his glass again.
"To a splendid evening and our game, then; may it last forever. Cheers, Jack.”
"Cheers, James,” Sparrow responded, drank and smiled even broader. "Welcome aboard, mate.”
Before James could answer to that, the double doors swung open and a group of pirates came in, carrying plates and bowls which they placed carefully on the table. After that, they lined up in front of both and James' eyes widened when those ruffians - and Sparrow, too - actually started to chant:
"For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow; for he's a jolly good fe-hellooooow - and so say all of us!”
He stared from the men to Jack and back, dumbfounded, his mouth opened and shut on its own. He had to be dreaming.
"Happy birthday, sir.” A familiar voice reached his brain and he recognized his former subordinate, Joshamee Gibbs, who seemed unsure if he could dare to offer his hand on top of the congratulation.
His long-trained reflexes saved James from any decision whether or not he should overstep the invisible line between them when he smiled and nodded.
"Thank you, Master Gibbs. And you, gentlemen,” he answered. In a flurry of bows, tipped hats and winks, the men departed the cabin, leaving James slightly confused.
"Why?” he asked quietly and looked at Sparrow.
"Why what, mate? Why they sang for you or why they even bothered with your day of honour though you wouldn't hesitate to deliver them to the noose?”
Before James could phrase any response, the pirate continued much more quietly:
"Or do you ask yourself why we, of all people, deem you worth our attention and some nice treatment, James?”
Norrington bit his lower lip and swallowed hard. He could not bring himself to express an honest answer without opening his soul right here and now. And he was not certain if Jack would keep to himself whatever he had already learned or would learn in the future about a man feared and detested by all pirates in the Caribbean. Well, that meant all pirates except the crew of the Black Pearl, it seemed.
"So I guessed.” Jack suddenly answered his own question before relaxing again into his chair, smiling and sipping his wine. "Let's enjoy the meal, then, mate. Would be a shame to disappoint me chef de cuisine, aye? Besides, hard brain work as musing about your emotions or my intentions isn't the right occupation for a birthday dinner anyway. We'll have time for that later. Much later.”
He raised his glass again, drank, and then started to fill a plate with meat, fruits and bread which he offered to his guest afterwards. James hesitated for only a heartbeat's length before he took the plate with a smile.
"Thank you, Jack. For everything.”
"You're welcome, James.”
***
Much later, when James had been secretly seen to his lodgings by the very same crew members who abducted him in the first place, he settled for a last brandy in his favourite armchair in the library.
The evening had been far more enjoyable than he could ever have imagined. Jack turned out to be well educated, which no-one would have expected him to be; so they talked not only about nautical matters, but literature and history as well. With a sensibility James would not have given him credit for, the pirate shipped conversation around dangerous or too private waters and the officer found himself feeling sorry when time finally demanded his returning.
Of course there was the tiny little thing called duty. James knew all too well that this harmonic evening would not change anything out at sea. Jack would continue pillaging and plundering as ever and James would take the Dauntless out for pursuit. But he would hope that the Black Pearl would escape. And from tonight on, he would never have to ask himself again why he felt that way.
For he is what he named me - a jolly good fellow...
~~ The End ~~