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Tweak says, "That should be a hint."

Commodore James Norrington (navalofficer) wrote in mirage_rpg,
@ 2009-01-18 15:55:00

Entry tags:

complete, day 29, james norrington, legolas greenleaf

WHO: James Norrington and Legolas
WHAT: James explores, mopes and indulges in a case of mistaken identity.
WHEN: Day 29, morning
WHERE: The library
RATING: I can't imagine two proper gentlemen going above PG
STATUS: Incomplete

James had risen that morning, bathed and dressed, choosing one of his uniforms rather than any of his civilian clothes. Despite the shockingly familiar room and all of the equally familiar items in it, he still felt uneasy and uncomfortable in this place. The uniform helped him feel a little more secure. A shield if you will.

He had his breakfast in his room, working out how to ask for that was easy enough, then he decided that he might explore this Mirage place. One ought to know the lay of the land, even in such a strange place. There might be some advantage and perhaps he might find some sign of the sea.

He walked calmly down the corridors in what Gillette had once called his 'Commodore walk'. The measured, stately pace that worked so well both on dry land and at sea to keep him upright, moving and dignified and his position demanded. He peered in the doors as he walked through the main building and in most cases he backed out quickly, either because the contents baffled him or because they horrified him. Finally he opened a door to find a quite, elegantly decorated and extremely well-stocked library.

He gave a sigh of relief and walked inside. Now this was a place that not only made sense to him but that he rather liked. He walked over to the nearest book shelf and began to peruse the titles of the books.

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navalofficer
2009-01-20 02:41 am UTC (link)

"Gollum?" James asked curiously. "What manner of creature is a gollum?" He wondered if Legolas perhaps meant golem. He remembered being told of such things by sailors from the East. Actually now that he thought about it, golem could well fit those strange 'goblins' as Miss George had called them.

He chuckled. "I envy you that ability but I think only kings and princes and perhaps the poorest of people have the freedom to say what they think. The rest of us must watch our words or risk the consequences of an ill-thought remark."

He smiled momentarily when Legolas said he envied him then he was caught by the dreamy description of the elven ocean voyage. It sounded strange to him; what seemed to be a one way journey but perhaps that was just how things were done in this Middle Earth. And yet, Legolas' words, the longing that was plain in them made his breath catch slightly. "Is it always so?" he asked quietly. "Do none stay in Middle Earth?"

He gave a small sigh of relief. So there was a chance that he might see the ocean again and surely this place would give him the ship he desired. "I can only hope. I have loved the sea since the first day I saw the ships that sail upon her. Indeed I spent nearly all of my teen years on board one ship or another, barely setting foot on land." He frowned as something Legolas had said tweaked in his mind. "You make it sound as though the very land around this place changes," he said with a curious look.

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princegreenleaf
2009-01-20 12:57 pm UTC (link)

"A strange, twisted little creature." He thought back to what he knew of the being. "He was once different, but now he is deformed and evil. He is quick, sly, and stronger than he would appear. He sounds much more like the elves in your stories."

He smiled slightly. "Not with me, my friend. I prefer it when people are honest with me. And, after all..." He reached out and touched the top of the man's ear to make his point. "You are not one of my subjects, is it not so? So it is my wish that you would be honest and say whatever is on your mind."

The elf sighed softly. "Some fight the call of the sea for many centuries, but in the end, we all give in. It is why there will soon be no elves left on Middle Earth. It shall be left to the humans, as the Valar intend." He smiled sadly. "It would be a hard thing indeed to leave Mirkwood, but Valinor is said to be fairer by far." Still, it was clear that he would have been sad to leave either way.

His smile turned less sad, though, when he saw the hope that sprung into the human's eyes. "Yes, my friend. You shall see the ocean once more. I am glad for you." But suddenly he frowned. "Yes, of course that is the case. Mirage is a strange land. Every so many days, the area changes. Right now, it is a snowy landscape. It has looked many different ways in the time I have been here."

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navalofficer
2009-01-20 05:57 pm UTC (link)

James nodded slowly. "He does indeed. Though if I recall, the elves in those stories ranged from being as evil as this gollum to being merely... mischievous. Or to being somewhat akin to capricious gods. It largely depended on the storyteller and the country of origin." He chuckled. "But it has been many years since I have read such tales."

He was surprised and pleased at the offer made by Legolas and though part of him did wonder how legitimate it was, the elf did seem to be genuine. James had met few men in his life who were willing to face such honesty. Most preferred the social white lies. He was surprised at the touch too. While men at sea did not hesitate to grab hold of each other for safety and security, it was unusual when he was on land. And yet, he did not find it objectionable. "Thank you," he said with a small bow. "I will do my best."

"Sometimes the unknown can be far better than one could ever have expected," he said with a reminiscent air. "I was apprehensive at leaving Britain for the Caribbean. It seemed so far from home and full of strange sounding names and places and people. But I have found it to be a fine place and would be loathe to leave." In fact he had given some thought to the idea of retiring to the Caribbean when his time in the Navy was finally over. Perhaps by that time he would have risen to the rank of Admiral and a retired Admiral would be an excellent candidate for a Governor.

"I am glad," he said then smiled. "Perhaps when that day comes, you will join me on whatever ship this place chooses to provide and we can see what there is to see of the oceans of this planet." He frowned thoughtfully. It seemed so strange but then he had been brought here but some strange force, was it that odd that such a powerful force would also be able to change the very terrain? He shook his head and chuckled. "There are many from my home who would call all of this the basest of witchcraft but I have seen enough in recent times to know that there are many things in this life that cannot be explained in any normal terms."

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princegreenleaf
2009-01-20 11:11 pm UTC (link)

The blond prince laughed a little. "I am mischievious, but not evil. Or so I believe. So they are only half right." He glanced down at his trim, athletic form. "As you can likely see for yourself, I am no small, twisted thing. It would seem these stories leave something to be desired to be realistic." It amused him more than anything, really. And was fascinating, of course.

Instinctively, he returned the bow. "There is no need to thank me. Indeed, I would thank you for doing so." He smiled playfully, and lowered his hand from James' shoulder. In Middle Earth, this sort of friendly touching between men was much more common than in some others, and he didn't think anything of it.

"It is true. I had not often been out of my father's lands, but it was exciting to go forth to Rivendell, and onward. The quest was full of danger, but also full of adventure and friendship. I would not wish to have turned it down." A jolt of pain went through him as he thought of his friends, most especially Aragorn, but it was covered by an easy smile. That was over, and his best friend and lover was gone. "It is good to be torn from the familiar at times, is it not?"

His eyes lit up, and once more an expression almost of awe came over his face. "I could... go on a ship?" He thought about that for a long time. In his world, the only time he would set foot on a ship was to go to Valinor. It took him a few minutes to wrap his head around the fact that he could do it here with no negative effects, and no need to leave behind the friends he'd made. "If that is a serious offer, Commodore, I would not hesitate to accept. In fact, Wargs could not even keep me from doing as you offer."

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navalofficer
2009-01-21 03:30 am UTC (link)

James laughed. "Mischievous but not evil is something I believe I can like." It would make a change from Sparrow who tended towards Mischievous and self-serving. Perhaps evil. It was hard to tell sometimes with Sparrow. He looked Legolas up and down. "Indeed you are not. Perhaps the writers of the tales should come here so that they could write of elves properly."

He eyed the elf curiously. He thought he saw something in the elf's expression but he had never been the best judge of human expressions, let alone elven. "You were on a quest? Had it been completed before you were brought here?" He considered the question for a moment. "Perhaps. I suppose it depends on where one is taken. This place seems pleasant enough but I was recently confronted with unfamiliar things in a most unpleasant manner."

He smiled at the elf's look of awe. "It is indeed a serious offer, presuming that this place will indeed provide one when we return to the sea. In fact if you wished to learn the rudiments of sailing then even a lake and a small skiff would do."

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princegreenleaf
2009-01-21 10:27 pm UTC (link)

"Or perhaps I should take them to Mirkwood. Or perhaps to the fair Golden Wood, Lothlorien. There, they would see wonders so great that they could never think of elves the same way again." He smiled, liking that idea. Challenging the perceptions of others was an amusement for him, and especially where he or his culture were involved.

A smile lit up his features. "It is so, my friend. I was on a quest." And despite the hardship and the horrors he went through, he didn't see it as a bad thing. It had been terrible and wonderful, thrilling and scary, all at the same time. "The quest was not completed. The ring had not been destroyed when I was taken. I can but hope it has been now." He turned dark, thoughtful eyes to the human. "That is most unfortunate. Are you sad, then, despite this, that you were taken away?"

It was amazing how fast his expression changed, however, when he learned that it was a serious offer. He somehow conveyed the joy of jumping up and down, clapping his hands, while not doing anything so undigified, and simply standing still. "I will accept your offer gladly, then. It would be a pleasure indeed to ride upon the waves. My friend Marcus and I swam with the dolphins, but I have been on no boat or other seacraft."

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navalofficer
2009-01-22 03:39 am UTC (link)

James actually laughed at that, liking the idea immensely. "Indeed. And perhaps they would craft better tales, having seen such wonders."

"Ah, I am sorry you do not know how this quest has finished. I too hope it has been successful," he said with genuine sympathy. He had always been one to see a task through to its completion and being dragged away with such a thing incomplete would irk him terribly. "Actually, no, for my task was not yet complete. The worst of it was over. Barbossa dead, his crew captured, the curse on them removed but Sparrow still remains at large. I had given him one day's grace for services rendered but his day's grace was up and I was on the verge of setting sail when I was brought here."

He smiled and chuckled at the elf's enthusiatic reaction. It reminded him of his own when his father had acceded to his request to go to sea. "I think you will find it easy enough. You seem graceful in your movements, sure and steady. Those are important things on a ship, especially when the seas are rough."

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princegreenleaf
2009-01-22 10:37 pm UTC (link)

"I should craft tales of them, just to show them how it feels." The elf spoke with an easy grin, however, that said he really didn't take all of this too seriously. "They shall all be winged, and be the shade of violets. As well, I believe they shall have horns." He pictured this in his head and chuckled. "And that is what I have to say about those who tell stories of elves as anything but what I am."

"So you sought Sparrow, then, my friend?" His eyes widened, and sparkled slightly. Being a skilled tracker, he very much enjoyed the hunt and approved of such things. "Very sporting, to give him a chance to make himself scarce. Very sporting indeed." Approval was clear in his voice. He enjoyed that sort of thing immensely. "I imagine you would have caught him, as well. How could you not?" He barely knew the human, and already had a high opinion of him.

"I shall be graceful, then, and as steady as you wish." He really could barely hide his contentment, and wanted more than anything to rush out and get into a boat now. It wouldn't work so well, however, considering that everything outside was snow and ice. "Soon, I hope."

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navalofficer
2009-02-03 04:21 pm UTC (link)

James laughed at that fanciful description of the story tellers. "It would indeed serve them right though in their defence, I doubt any of them have ever met an elf, either of the type they describe or one like you." He raised his eyebrows. "Perhaps I should turn my hand to writing tales of elves when I get back so that a true and proper description might be given."

"I had intended to," he said ruefully. "Indeed I was just stepping into my office to complete preparations so that I could board my ship and begin the chase when I found myself here." He raised his chin, a determined and intent expression growing on his face. "But yes, I would have caught him. He is a fine sailor with a fine ship but I would still back the Dauntless against the Black Pearl." His eyes narrowed and regret and annoyance flickered across his face. "And I owe him for the loss of my beautiful Interceptor."

He paused for a moment and laughed. "It has been too long since I taught anyone the rudimentaries of sailing. I have captain for too long, I think. It will be a good thing to get back to such basics as climbing the rigging and working the sheets." he would have to rethink his attire if he did that too. Go back to the simple breeches and shirt that he'd worn as a youth. Perhaps even forgo the shoes. He'd done that more than once, many sailors did once they were out of port since it was easier to climb the rigging without them.

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princegreenleaf
2009-02-03 11:33 pm UTC (link)

"If that is indeed the case, my dear Commodore, it would seem we are fated to spend much time together." The elf laughed playfully. "For how else are you to learn all that you would need to know about elves, other than by spending time with one?" He really was a mischievious being, and pretty much radiated good cheer.

"My friend, the hour grows late." In fact, by what his stomach told him, he and his new friend had been chatting for quite awhile. "I find myself hungering. I believe I shall leave you now." He bowed politely to the human.

"May the Valar smile on you, Commodore, until we meet again." With the formal leavetaking words said, he flashed a bright smile once more. "It had best be soon, however! I am eager to learn all about this boating. I have been in a canoe, but never in ship with sails."

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