Author's Notes:
Since I've been having some serious Pirates of the Caribbean brainrot (and more specifically, James Norrington brainrot), I really wanted to have a go at making some kind of headcanons thingy for how the relationship between James Norrington and a pirate!reader would start out. How did you meet, what were your first thoughts about each other, what was your role in the main films etc.
I'm actually kind of nervous about this because I have loved these films for literal decades and this is my first time writing stuff like this for it. I hope you like it! I would like to write some actual Norrington x Reader fic after this. I already have one drafted that is set in Dead Man's Chest.
I'm not actually used to putting the reader inside a canon story so this is new for me! I wanted to have a go at mapping it all out. So yeah, this isn't like traditional fanfic and is more of a headcanon thing.
There were just as many tales about you as there were of Captain Jack Sparrow and although your crimes were never as heinous as some of the more notorious pirates like Blackbeard, you were still famous for your antics and for your love of treasure hunting and adventure and general pirate tomfoolery, which had been documented alongside Jack's.
Much like Jack, you were a troublemaker with a heart of gold and never delighted in the senseless taking of lives. There were limits with you and your piracy. You just wanted fun and freedom.
However, you had recently taken a 'break' from pirating, unsure of your place in the world and what you actually wanted in life. You knew the days of pirating were numbered and that your way of life was under threat. You had often contemplated retiring from it but were still unsure.
The Royal Navy was keen on your capture just as it was keen to capture and hang all pirates. Although your name was known to them, your profile had yet to be sketched out and you felt confident in sailing to places like Port Royal (under disguise and a false name, of course).
The "Wandering Swordswoman" act was a favourite of yours. If there were any bounties that were offering a lot of gold, you would take them and bring in the criminals if they were heinous enough. It was something you did when you were low on cash and bored. Yes, even pirates can get bored and want something a little different from time to time. You even began to have some notoriety, but no one ever knew your real name or your real "occupation".
In truth, you enjoyed being a local hero and being recognised for good deeds. It felt nice.
You had been in Port Royal for quite some time now, earning a bit of a name for yourself (false though it was) and getting a bit of fame. You had even impressed the Governor.
Elizabeth Swann had been dying to meet you since her father had told her about you. It was at the Governor's invitation to a small, private party that you got to meet her and you became fast friends. You intrigued her to no end and you found Elizabeth to be an interesting young woman. There was more to her than met the eye and you wanted to get to know her better.
At this point, James Norrington had heard of you but had not yet approached you or met you formally. From what he had heard, you sounded admirable and brave. Elizabeth and her father spoke highly of you but James wanted to reserve his own judgement for when he met you. After all, an unmarried woman who was Captain of her own ship, who had fighting experience but with no formal ties to the Navy was a woman to be suspicious of, if not also to be secretly admired.
You were in Port Royal when Jack had arrived and was promptly arrested but you had not heard about his arrival until after young William Turner had sprung him from jail and that they'd "commandeered" The Interceptor. You had considered catching up with Jack and going off on another adventure together, just like the old days.
Instead, you had offered your assistance to Governor Swann in helping track down Elizabeth and to kill the men who had taken her. Though you had grown to care for Elizabeth, you also cared for the promise of gold and you knew you couldn't really kill Hector due to his alleged curse. All you needed to do was save Elizabeth and ferry her back home and maybe even steal some treasure whilst you were there, assuming Jack and this Will Turner hadn't got to it first.
It was your proposal that got the ear of Commodore James Norrington.
Though he had only heard good things about you, there was just something about you that wasn't quite right and he had remained suspicious of you.
Of course, you were always good at coming up with backstories for yourself and always spun a good tale and most people believed you. However, James Norrington did not.
The intelligent and observant Commodore knew you were hiding something and was keen to figure you out once and for all.
As he went to shake your hand and offer thanks for your offer as well as for all of the previous good work you had done for Port Royal, he swiftly tugged at your sleeve, hoping to find the branded "P" as he did with Jack. He was annoyed when he only saw clear skin with the occasional bruise.
You smiled smugly.
"Well, that's just improper, Commodore. What did you hope to find up there, I wonder?"
"A pirate branding. It would seem that I was mistaken."
"You honestly think I'm a pirate? The nerve! You would class me as one of those scallywags!?"
"Commodore Norrington, I can assure you that this lady is no pirate," Governor Swann defended you in earnest.
Weatherby then turned to you and pleaded, "If there is anything you can do to help bring Elizabeth back then I implore that you do it and fast, Captain."
You heard James clear his throat, his cheeks slightly red from the embarrassment of his mistake.
"My sincerest apologies, Captain."
You confidently outstretched your hand once more to James and smiled warmly at him. He shook your hand again, softly squeezing it before he could let you go.
"You are forgiven, Commodore."
For a reason that James could not quite understand, he felt as though he didn't want to let go of your hand. Your hand felt good in his and your touch sparked a new sensation within him that he hadn't felt before.
You shook his hand once more and released it.
"Now we can be friends once more."
"Indeed."
During the pursuit to rescue Elizabeth, you had managed to get to know James better and vice versa. You were very choicy with what you told him about yourself but you tried to remain as truthful as possible, minus the parts about you actually being a pirate.
You intrigued him just as much as he intrigued you.
With you, there was an alluring sense of adventure and freedom as well as your looks and charms. You were free-spirited and spoke your mind which was unusual for James. He was used to being around ladies who wore beautiful dresses, spoke properly and acted courteously. You, on the other hand, were a wild woman and there was something dangerously alluring about it all.
Above all else, James felt strangely comfortable around you. Wild woman that you were, you were also sensitive and had a listening ear. You were observant like he was and within you, there could be found some very fine qualities.
You had already proven yourself to be helpful and brave and had earned the love and respect of the Swanns. If Elizabeth and Weatherby loved and respected you, then James felt certain he could do the same. He never expected that love and respect to go as far as it would go though.
The first thing that drew you to James Norrington was his eyes. When he pulled you in closer to get a better look at your arm, you couldn't help but notice his handsomeness, namely his eyes. You had often contemplated those eyes as you journeyed across the ocean to find Elizabeth.
Green eyes would normally be associated with something earthy, like forests and grass and woodlands. You couldn't even say that they were like two emeralds. To compare his eyes to these things would be a disservice. There was nothing earthy about James Norrington's eyes. Instead, his was the green of sea foam and the peaceful, shallow waters of the tropical sea that you had loved all of your life.
You understood that he had asked Elizabeth to marry him and so you had tried to shove down any romantic feelings you might have started to feel for him.
When Elizabeth is rescued, James begins to catch on to her hesitancy for the marriage but refuses to acknowledge it. He was starting to have mixed feelings about the whole thing, actually. He wants his future wife to actually love him and accept his proposal unconditionally, so when he begins to sense that Elizabeth may have only accepted his proposal as a way to get him to help save Will, he starts to mull some things over. Even then he starts to think that Will Turner might be where Elizabeth's heart truly lies.
His mood and the sad look in his eye do not go unnoticed by you and you try to talk to him.
"What's wrong?" you asked.
"Nothing that you need to concern yourself with, Captain."
"You know, from my experience with sailing under other Captains in foul moods, their bad moods quickly become everyone else's problem," you said as you sidled up to him. "So I ask again, Commodore. What's wrong?"
"It's..." he began to explain, only to quickly correct himself after he thought he was becoming too familiar with you. "It's nothing."
Seeing as he wouldn't open up, you just nodded and stared out silently into the ocean, taking a swig from your bottle. He watched you for a moment, confused as to why you had taken an interest in him. It was foreign to him.
"Tell me, Captain. Have you ever been engaged?" he asked.
"Afraid not. Some of us aren't so lucky as you, Commodore."
"Lucky," James silently laughed to himself. "Why don't I feel like that? I should feel like that. Something is wrong."
"Ah, it's cold feet isn't it?" you guessed. "You're not so sure whether Ms Swann is the right woman?"
James took offence to your question and quickly bit back, "Elizabeth Swann is a fine woman-"
"I never said she wasn't, Commodore," you argued. "Elizabeth Swann is a very beautiful, intelligent, fine and decent woman, but that does not make her the right woman, savvy?"
James sighed in defeat and said, "I fear that the fault lies with me. That I am not the right man."
"You could have every good quality under the sun Mr Norrington, and that still wouldn't make you the right man," you comforted him. "Love is often weird like that. Nonsensical, even. But that's just the way life goes."
You paused to take another swig from your bottle.
"You speak from experience?" James enquired.
"Just from my own observations," you quietly answered, "and yes, some of my own experiences. I'm not drunk enough to divulge that kind of information yet."
"I believe Elizabeth's heart was not truly there when she finally accepted my proposal," James confessed. "She seemed...less than sincere."
"Then where is her heart, I wonder?"
"Not with me," James thought. "If it was even with me to begin with."
"Look, these things tend to sort themselves out in the end," you smiled at him. "But what I do know is this; you deserve and owe it to yourself to be with someone whose affections for you are crystal clear. Otherwise, you're setting up a lifetime of misery not just for yourself but for the woman who doesn't really want to be with you."
Your words felt like a cold slap, but James felt grateful for them nonetheless.
"Not that I am saying that that's the case at all, but what I am saying is that...uh...is that...uhm..." you began to fumble over your words.
James noticed you shuffle on your feet and is intrigued; what could possibly have you tongue-tied?
"Listen. You're more than just a 'fine man' or the 'right man'. You're a very good man, Mr James Norrington. The best of men, actually. Anyone with eyes can see that. You deserve to be with someone who can love you for you and give their heart to you unconditionally," you smiled. "Maybe Elizabeth Swann is that woman. We don't know yet for certain but we can hope, right? What I'm saying is...if she isn't that woman, then maybe marrying her perhaps isn't the brightest idea."
James stared at you, shocked by your words. No one had ever said things like this to him before, especially from some wild sea woman who's not even a part of the Navy or has any other reputable titles. Yet, he sees the truth in your words and it becomes obvious to him that his own feelings had also shifted. Your kind words had touched his heart and James was glad that it was night; had it been day, you might have seen his face flush.
"You owe it to yourself to take your heart back from someone who doesn't really want it so that you can eventually give it to someone who will treasure it, that's all. Common sense really. But as I said, love doesn't exactly adhere to common sense now, does it?"
"No, Captain. It does not,” James smiled weakly.
"Well, let's just focus for now on saving young William, then we can get back to nursing potentially broken hearts later, yeah? Preferably over a drink or two. Or three,” you grinned at him.
You are reunited with Jack but he doesn't let slip who you are to James or the others.
"You!" Jack pointed to you. "What're you doing here!?"
"I could ask you the same thing,” you responded with your arms crossed. ”And not so loud, they'll hear us. No one is to know we know each other, alright?"
"And why's that, love?"
"I'm working undercover right now."
"Turncoat.”
"Do I look like I'm wearing Navy colours to you?" you argued.
"I haven't heard you do any spot of honest pirating in a long time, mate,” said Jack, “Methinks you've turned away from it all, well and truly."
"It's complicated, alright? I'm working some things out right now,” you explained. “Look, I'll help you if you need my help, but right now I'm working for Governor Swann."
You paused for a moment and a look of worry flashed across your face.
"Is it true about Hector? He and his crew are really cursed?"
“Serves ‘em right, really,” said Jack.
"He should never have mutinied you, Jack,” you said. ”But I don't think he quite deserves that kind of a fate, either."
Jack got closer to you and you could smell the rum and days of unwashed pirate.
"You always were too soft-hearted for this life, love.”
"Mr Sparrow," James' voice came from behind you. How long had he been standing there? "I do believe you were busy in deep contemplation."
"'Silent as the grave' mate. You know me," Jack smiles and winks at you before wandering off.
In the end, you all go back to Port Royal and you and Will devise a way to save Jack. To you, you had nothing to lose and were ready to leave Port Royal anyway.
When Elizabeth told James and her father that she would rather be with Will, you watched as James' heart broke only for a moment but then he quickly regained himself.
You are offered a place in service to the Navy and the Commodore asks you to hunt down Jack with him and his crew. You refuse as you have "business elsewhere" and you had only wished to save Elizabeth, nothing more. Now that your duty had been completed, you were to set out to sea once more.
That evening as James walked you to your ship, he had wanted to discuss things further with you. Elizabeth's confession had both hurt him and liberated him from his doubts about her, but now he was plagued with new doubts regarding you. He did not wish to see you sail away after you had lightened his heart and brought such comfort to him during your adventure together to save Elizabeth and Will.
"I am sorry to hear about what happened with Ms Swann," you said.
"She must do what is right for her."
"We must all follow our heart's desire, James," you nodded. "As I said before, this can only be a good thing for the both of you."
You stared out to the horizon and sighed.
"I will miss Port Royal a lot. I'll miss the Swann's and I will certainly miss you, Commodore. I even wrote this silly letter trying to explain it all..."
You pulled out an envelope from your coat and as you gave it to him, you felt your face grow hot from embarrassment.
James took the letter, fingering the envelope with the intention to open it.
"Oh, please don't read it now!” you exclaimed. “I'm actually incredibly shy about it. Read it when you are alone."
"Might I see you again?" he asked hopefully.
"I'm almost certain that you will!" you beamed and stretched out your hand.
He shook it before he drew your hand to his lips and boldly placed a kiss against your knuckles.
"I wish you a safe journey, Captain. I look forward to our next meeting."
"And to you. Good luck with finding Jack, I hear that he can be a slippery bugger."
James watched you sail into the distance and it pained him to see you leave. He hurried back to his house and opened your letter, keen to read the words you wrote. He didn’t realise it at first, but he had hoped for some kind of love confession or at the very least some promise of your return to him.
His eyes widened when he read the letter and his hand shook out of rage and disappointment.
The letter wasn't a letter at all, but a note with a single name on it.
Your real name. The name of a well-known pirate who had accompanied Captain Jack Sparrow on his many adventures. The name of a woman destined for the noose.
James' heart sinks in his chest at the revelation of who you truly were.
"Pirate."
James couldn't decide which was worse; being in love with a woman who never loved him back or being in love with a pirate who seemed to return the same feelings but had left before he could do anything about it. He knew now that if he ever saw you again, he could never court you. Instead, he would have to capture you and hang you, a thought that caused his heart an incredible amount of grief.
As you made your way to Tortuga, you couldn't get James out of your mind. Even though you knew a relationship would never, ever in a million years work out between you two, you sometimes daydreamed of what if it did.
You believed his heart was still set on Elizabeth and even if it wasn't, you were a pirate and longed to be back on the open waters once more. You could not help but wonder...what if he could be by your side one day?
