This is being written partly as a way to distract myself until we hear more news about Norrington in AWE (yes, shameless Norry fan here
), and partly because I had a major burst of inspiration while I was trying to make sense of a few hints about Norrington a KTTC insider dropped a while back. All the characters are, of course, the property of Disney. A few of the events are originally from the imagination of Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, I just tweaked a couple of them a little to make them work better in the story. Other than that, everything in this is mine. One more quick note: the beginning of the story is quite angsty, possibly too much, so my apologies to those who aren't big fans of that sort of thing
.
Characters: Bootstrap Bill, Elizabeth, Norrington, Davey Jones, Murtogg & Mullroy (for you, meowbookss
), and assorted members of the crew of the
Empress
Summary: A fic that, in the case of Elizabeth, Bootstrap Bill, and Norrington, picks up where the leaked budget draft of the script for AWE left off. We find out what happened to Norrington after his swordfight with Bootstrap Bill, as well as how successful Elizabeth was at escaping. These three characters, as well as Davey Jones, also each start on a personal path to redemption, hence the title.
Paths To Redemption (PG)
Norrington falls to the deck of the
Flying Dutchman and does not get up, the splash of blood on the wood paneling gradually but continuously coalescing into a puddle underneath him.
Immediately, without checking to be sure of Norrington’s fate, the
Dutchman’s crew rushes off in feverish glee, calling, “The Captain’s dead! The Captain’s dead!”
Meanwhile, unseen and undetected, Elizabeth is making her escape. Just as she’s about to take her final step off the ship to the waiting rope, she hears Norrington fall. She turns halfway around and looks, hoping against hope the person now lying there is not who she fears it is. She hesitates for a moment before turning around fully, then, taking a deep breath and telling herself Norrington is fine, there’s no way he could have been beaten, she faces the scene before her. To her dismay, her fears are confirmed: there, on his back, his shirt stained crimson, lies James Norrington- her friend, her hidden protector, and sometime brother.
Elizabeth lets out a cry, and rushes to his side. Kneeling down, tears in her eyes, she cradles Norrington’s head and shoulders in her lap. Weeping quietly, she whispers, “Not you as well! I’ve already lost one of the men in my life I care for! I cannot bear to lose another! James, please, speak to me! James?” Norrington offers no response, at which Elizabeth’s weeping becomes sobbing, her whole body trembling with every breath she takes.
Elizabeth remains in this position and state for a few minutes, then her sadness becomes anger. Turning on Bootstrap Bill, hatred burning in her eyes, Elizabeth shouts, “You monster! How could you? He wasn’t doing you or the ship any harm! He wasn’t the sea devil who made you what you are! He was just a man! A lost man trying to reclaim his life and find his way back to the path he was on before fate dealt him a cruel, undeserved hand! But before he could accomplish
any of that, before he even got a chance to do something to bring him closer to those goals, you killed him, you half-human beast!” Bootstrap Bill does not reply, he simply stares, a glazed look in his eyes, completely unaware of what he’s done. Elizabeth fires back at him with another volley of words, but he still doesn’t respond, nor does he give any indication that he realizes he’s just taken a life.
Just as she is about to spit out another string of epithets and hate-filled words, Elizabeth stops mid-sentence, her breath catching in her throat. Suddenly, and in spite of the sea life covering Bootstrap Bill, she sees something familiar in his face. Cautiously and uncertainly, she says, “Mister Turner?”
The glazed look in Bootstrap Bill’s eyes lessens slightly, and he replies haltingly, “Ye-es?”
Noting she has finally begun to reach him, Elizabeth asks, “Are you Bootstrap Bill Turner?”
At the sound of the familiar nickname, Bootstrap Bill’s blank look disappears completely, and he replies warily, “Yes. How do you know me? Who are you?”
“My name is Elizabeth Swann. I’m your son’s fiancé.” She answers.
“You’re William’s fiancé?” Bootstrap Bill asks.
“Yes. It’s my pleasure to meet you, Mister Turner.” Elizabeth replies, holding out her hand.
Bootstrap Bill takes her offered hand and shakes it, saying, “I had no idea William had a fiancé. He mentioned nothing to me during his stay onboard.”
“I imagine he wouldn’t have. His mind was probably occupied by other things at the time.”
As he is about to reply, Bootstrap Bill’s eyes fall on Norrington’s crumpled form at his feet, and it finally dawns on him what he’s done. He looks up, shocked and horrified, and exclaims, “Did I do this?”
Elizabeth, a mournful tone in her voice, answers, “Yes, Mister Turner.”
“Then I deserve to be cursed and serve as a slave for eternity.” Bootstrap Bill replies, his dismay written all over his face.
Gently, Elizabeth answers, “No, Mister Turner, you don’t. You deserve that fate no more than any other man who is part of this unfortunate crew.” She pauses briefly, then continues. I know I spoke harshly to you before, and I’m sorry. I realize now that you weren’t yourself when you killed this man.”
Smiling sadly, Bootstrap Bill replies, “Thank you, but the fact remains that I must answer for what I’ve done.” He pauses, then in a hurried tone, says, “But enough of this. What is most important now is that you get this gentleman off the ship before Jones returns. If any man is undeserving of being cursed and enslaved for eternity, it is one such as he. He’s far too honorable and good to be given such a fate. Is your ship still nearby?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Good. Go back to your ship and tell one of your crew to bring a boat to carry you and this gentleman over there. I’ll stay and do what I can to slow his bleeding. It may already be too late to save him, but perhaps not. Now go, with haste!” Elizabeth nods, and turns away to return to the
Empress. After Bootstrap Bill is sure she is safely across, he turns his attention to dressing Norrington’s wounds.
A few minutes later, a small longboat appears in the water below the deck, with Elizabeth and the
Empress’ first mate in it. Both climb up on the deck and join Bootstrap Bill, who is still kneeling at Norrington’s side. Bootstrap Bill turns to Elizabeth and says, “He’s still alive, but barely. You must get him onboard your ship immediately! He may yet survive.”
Elizabeth bends down and kisses him gently on the forehead, then smiling with relief and gratitude, she replies, “Thank you, Mister Turner! You’ve more than earned forgiveness!”
Smiling slightly, Bootstrap Bill says, “Perhaps I have. Should we meet again by some blessed bit of luck, what, may I ask, is the gentleman’s name?”
“James Norrington.” Elizabeth answers. “Or rather,
Commodore James Norrington.”
“Commodore James Norrington?” Elizabeth nods. “Thank you.” Bootstrap Bill replies.
“No, thank you,
Father.” Elizabeth says. Bootstrap Bill’s only response is a shy smile, reminiscent of Will’s.
Just as Elizabeth and the Empress’ first mate are heaving up Norrington’s body to walk him to the deck, heavy, clicking footsteps are heard on the planks. They freeze briefly, then get down on their hands and knees quickly, Elizabeth cradling Norrington in her arms. The abrupt movement causes him to groan quietly, but he makes no further response. Bootstrap Bill motions Elizabeth and the first mate to get behind him, and he draws his sword.
Out of the shadows, now with the command of his ship returned to him, steps Davey Jones. “You’ll not be needin’ that, Master Turner. You’ve nothing to fear from me now.”
“No, but there are others who do.”
Davey Jones looks past Bootstrap Bill’s shoulder and sees Elizabeth and the first mate huddled behind him with Norrington’s seemingly lifeless form. “Ah, your son’s love, one of her crew, and the admiral.” Davey Jones comments.
“I’ll not let you do to these three what you’ve done to me and countless others!”
Davey Jones chuckles, and says mockingly, “You know you cannot kill me by ordinary means, Turner! And at this moment, you cannot get to the chest! It’s heavily guarded.” He turns away from Bootstrap Bill and calls out gently to Elizabeth. “Come out, lass, I haven’t come for you
or your first mate.”
Elizabeth lays Norrington gently down on the deck and stands up next to Bootstrap Bill, her hand pressed on the handle of her sword. In a challenging tone, she answers, “No, perhaps not, but I’ve no doubt you’ve come for the admiral! But I swear to you I’ll fight you to the death before I allow you to make him into one of your slaves, like this poor man here!”
Still chuckling, Davey Jones replies, “Such spirit for a woman of your status! It’s no wonder Sao Feng wanted you, and the young admiral wished to marry you!” He pauses, then continues. “I have not come for him either, however.”
Elizabeth removes her hand from her sword and looks at him, stunned. “You haven’t?” she asks, shocked.
“No, I haven’t. I’ve come not to take anyone, but to offer a deal.”
Suspiciously, Elizabeth inquires, “A deal? To who? To the admiral?”
“No, to you, my dear, and to Mister Turner, if he wishes.”
“What sort of deal?”
“We both have a common enemy, do we not?”
“To whom are you referring to, Captain Jones?”
“Lord Cutler Beckett, of course, the man who ordered your father’s death!”
Elizabeth is still suspicious, but her interest is peaked. “What are you offering?”
“Help me regain control and possession of my heart by disposing of Cutler Beckett, either directly, or indirectly by assisting in his death, and I will spare you and your crew, should you be sunk in battle when we meet again.”
“What do we owe you in return?”
“Nothing, nothing but that which is included in the terms.”
Bootstrap Bill cuts in and says, “If I were to take this deal you’re offering, would the terms for me be the same?”
“No, Master Turner. I offer you something more, whether or not you accept the deal. As of this moment, you are freed from your eternal service to me.”
Dumbstruck, Bootstrap Bill responds, “Sir?”
“Yes, Master Turner. Your son played a game of Liars’ Dice with me for your freedom before he challenged me for the key to my chest. Your son won that first game, Mister Turner. Had you not interfered in the second one, you’d have been a free man, and both you and your son could have left.” Davey Jones pauses to let this sink in, then makes his offer again. “What do you say, Mister Turner? Will you accept my offer?”
Bootstrap Bill reflects on this for a while, still suspecting that there is a hidden price, should he accept the proposal. “Should I fail as well, would I again be required to serve one hundred years at the mast, as I agreed originally?” he asks.
“No, Mister Turner. As of now, that agreement is non-existent. I ask again, will you accept?”
“Very well, but on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“Should Miss Swann fail, and her ship fall in battle, you must take me instead.”
Shrugging, Davey Jones replies, “Very well. If that is your wish, Mister Turner, I will do so. Any other counter-terms?”
“No, that is all.”
“Very good.”
Elizabeth jumps in and says, “What of the admiral, Captain Jones?”
“As I said, I did not come for him. Take him with you, if you wish.”
Bootstrap Bill sheathes his sword and goes over to Elizabeth, who is struggling to get Norrington to his feet. “Allow me, Miss Swann.” Elizabeth moves away, and Bootstrap Bill strongly but carefully takes Norrington by the shoulders and props him up against the deck’s railing.
As Elizabeth is moving to take one of Norrington’s arms, she sees the
Empress’ first mate, still cowering behind Bootstrap Bill. Reassuringly, Elizabeth says, “It’s alright, we’re safe now.” The man hesitates, looks at Davey Jones, then, satisfied that it truly is safe, gets up and readies the longboat. Bootstrap Bill and Elizabeth, carrying Norrington between them, make their way to the waiting longboat.
The jostling brings Norrington back from unconsciousness for a brief moment, and his eyes flutter open. He becomes aware of Elizabeth’s presence, but does not recognize her. He says one word, and only one, her name, then drifts back into unconsciousness. Elizabeth hears, and answers excitedly, “James! James, are you alright?” Despite her efforts, however, Norrington gives no other response, lost in the fog of near-death. Elizabeth turns to Bootstrap Bill and says, “He didn’t answer.”
Nodding gravely, Bootstrap Bill replies, “That’s going to be happening frequently for the next few days. He’s lost a great deal of blood.”
In response, a worried tone in her voice, Elizabeth says, “Do you really think he’ll live?”
“If he’s strong, has the will, and his wounds don’t become infected, there’s a good chance he will, yes.” Bootstrap Bill pauses briefly, then says, “Shall we go?” Elizabeth nods. “Come on then.”
Just as they reach the edge of the deck, Elizabeth and Bootstrap Bill hear swiftly approaching footsteps. They turn to see Murtogg and Mullroy running after them.
“Wait, wait!” shouts Mullroy, breathless.
Happy to see a pair of familiar faces, Elizabeth brightens, and says, “Yes, gentlemen?”
Murtogg catches up, and pleads, “Can we come too, please?”
Bootstrap Bill turns to Davey Jones and asks, “Captain?” Murtogg and Mullroy turn in the direction of Bootstrap Bill’s glance and freeze in their tracks, terrified at being in the presence of the demonic sea captain.
Davey Jones remains silent for a few minutes, then replies, “Yes, go ahead and take them with you. They’re a useless pair of fools anyway.” Murtogg and Mullroy breathe a sigh of relief and dash off to the longboat, profusely muttering their thanks.
They beat Elizabeth and Bootstrap Bill into the longboat by mere seconds, then turn around and assist Bootstrap Bill in putting Norrington in it. Just as she’s about to take the last few steps down the rope ladder hanging from the
Dutchman’s deck, Elizabeth pauses and turns around, saying to Davey Jones, “Why, Captain Jones? Why are you allowing all of us to go?”
Smiling ruefully, he replies, “I feel my love is near. Perhaps if I do a few good deeds, she will be more inclined to take me back as her lover.” He pauses and reflects on this. As Elizabeth looks up at him, she gets a brief glimpse of an expression she never imagined would appear on the face of this villain of the sea- one of wistfulness, pain, and loneliness.
Noticing this, Elizabeth says, “Thank you, Captain Jones, for your kindness. A woman who will not change her view of you after what you’ve done today is not a woman worth enduring an eternity of heartache for.”
Roughly, knowing he has been caught in a vulnerable moment, Davey Jones replies, “Go! Let me be, before I change my mind!” Elizabeth quickly finishes her descent into the longboat, then gives the
Empress’ first mate the order to push off. As the pitch-black night slowly fades into early dawn, Davey Jones watches the longboat grow smaller and smaller, then finally disappear from view entirely. He waits for a few more moments, then cuts the rope holding the
Empress to the
Dutchman. He takes one last glance at the
Empress drifting away, her full crew intact again, with four additional members. Once the ship drifts out of view, Jones turns back and makes his way to his cabin, feelings boiling within him all the while, despite his desperate efforts to quell them. That night, in the last several moments between late evening and dawn, Davey Jones, lord of the sea, the half-human devil feared by all sailors unlucky enough to crew a ship destined to sink, mourns for his lost love and broken heart for the first time in many centuries.
That's it for now, but I'll post more later. Enjoy!
Alexis
