Hi all! A long time ago I posted somewhere in this forum that I had finished a multi-chapter [now turned multi-vignettes] Norribeth fic. This is that very same fic, or rather, this is a part of it. It is by no means my best work, but I am proud of it so far. Because of the sensitive nature of the end of this particular vignette I intend to post a bit here to spark your interest and then direct you to my FF.net page to view the rest. All future vignettes as part of this series will be posted in the same way. Please feel free to comment here or on the FF.net page. Thanks very much!

<center>A Series of Firsts</center>
<center>Short Intro to The First Night</center>

My wedding day passed in a blur of light, colour, and muted sound as though I had watched it through the shifting waters of the ocean. Its entirety felt distorted and slightly unreal. Where these feelings had come from I do not know. My solitary vision for years had been to make Elizabeth my wife, and for years she evaded me, flitting in and out of my dreams as often as she did in reality. Only when I asked her father for her hand in marriage did I know my wish would finally become true.

Follow the cut to the rest of The First Night:

<a href="http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4398523/1/A_Series_of_Firsts">"Our façade as a blissful couple begins..."</a>

<center>A Series of Firsts

The First Row</center>

Broken china, spilled tea, and salty tears seem to be the order of the day and we haven’t even made it through breakfast. Elizabeth has stormed off in a fit of fresh tears leaving me to read my morning paper in peace. Things are not going according to plan, and I voice this sentiment to Betsy as she carries the remains of one of my mother’s finest teacups away.

Betsy smiles sadly and pats my arm, “Things will get worse before they get better, sir. That’s my experience anyway.”

Follow the cut to the rest of The First Row:

<a href="http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4398523/2/A_Series_of_Firsts">"Who ever said a sailor's first love is the sea was mistaken..."</a>

<center>A Series of Firsts

The First (of Many) Apologies</center>

The following morning fares no better than the night before. The overcast sky, which is usually sunny during the autumn months of the year, corresponds perfectly with the bitter mood lingering over the house. I awaken early with a dull ache in my neck from sleeping on the parlour settee, and above me I already hear the sounds of Elizabeth’s morning routine. Betsy hurries by pausing for half a second to give me a rather flustered look as I sit up and stretch. What a sight I must be.

Follow the cut to the rest of The First (of Many) Apologies:

<a href="http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4398523/3/A_Series_of_Firsts">". . . the picture is only marred by the fact that there are tears still staining her pale cheeks."</a>

Awwe! I'm a sucker for Norrie/Liz fics, even thought I despise Liz with a passion. This is very well written! But, my first and only criticism, LONGER CHAPTERS. You have so much potential, make longer chapters, I know it's hard, espeically with fan fics, but it's much more rewarding when you finish a six page chapter, rather than a one page chapter. Keep up the excellent work, I can't want to read more.

That's the thing, I wanted to make this series with chapters, but instead they've turned into vignettes [and quite possibly drabbles]. I'm glad you enjoy them, though I think I'm going to focus more on quality rather than amount of content this time round. If I right a multi-chapter fic again I will most definitely keep your advice in mind.

Apparently I did keep you're advice in mind for this one, Darky. This particular vignette was 6 pages on Microsoft Word, and boy am I proud of it. So yeah, this vignette is dedicated to you dear.

<center>A Series of Firsts

The First Anniversary</center>

Sunlight filters through the open window flitting across my face, creating shadows under my closed eyelids. Today is our first wedding anniversary. I turn over to remind Elizabeth of that fact only to find her side of the bed empty and cold. Slightly discouraged, I amble across the room to my wardrobe and dress comfortably for the day. My hair, cropped short to fit under a wig, looks windswept when I glance at it in the looking glass. No doubt Elizabeth would call the look “pleasing to the eye” as she had on several occasions before. Shutting the door softly I head to the dining room for a cup of tea.

Follow the cut to the rest of The First Anniversary:

"'Will?' she whispers, as though she does not recognize the very same dark-haired, brown-eyed man she had fallen in love with so many years ago."

Aww, thanks Larry! That's really sweet of you!!

Critique:

Aww, gathering sea shells together! That is so adorable! I love sand dollars...

Pub? Pub! Ah... Pub.

Will? Will! WILL.

You show him Norry! Use that shexy manly-power, she IS married!
YES! HE punched Will! HE FREAKING PUNCHED WILL! I LOVE YOU LARRY! Ah darn it, he punched back.

Why do you think he did something so rash! It's WILL, YUCK.

Ewww... she loves him. Yuck.

I loved it! I LOVED IT! I've been waiting so long for someone to punch Will, you just fulfilled a life long wish of mine Larry dear.

*wubs*

AAAAAH! So that's probably my favorite one right now, having Norrie finally get it all out there. To heck with this subtlety and insinuation! It was so sweet at the beginning, and then we get back into the tension again. Awesome.

Snape plushie!

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going on a journey through my old claims

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Chase a couple hearts, we could leave 'em in shreds
Meet me in the gutter, make the devil your friend
Just remember what I said, cause it isn't over yet

Get.Lost.In.The.Dark.To.Find.Yourself
-sig by Loafers-

Aww, this is so cute! I'm such a sucker for unrequited romance. Even though I'm a die-hard Sparrabether (w00t w00t), Norribeth is my second choice. And Darky, I agree with you. I can't stand Will. Can't wait to read more!

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i'm back for a little! i'll see how this visit goes.

Aww, yay! I'm so glad all of you are enjoying it. Especially the Norrie/Will action going on. I'm not sure if I'll have more of that, but Will is definitely not gone from the picture. He definitely has to stick around to cause some more heartache.

*huggles all and throws Snape plushies to everyone*

Can't have a great ship without the inevitable conflict here and there. Loving Will getting hit by Norrie, of course. I kinda want Elizabeth to get in a punch, though. Maybe then he won't come back. >.>

Hmm.. I'm not sure whether I want Elizabeth to be punching on Will much. She's does still love him after all.

<center>A Series of Firsts

The First Night Alone</center>


Nearly a month had passed since the bar incident before Elizabeth came to the assumption that Will had left Port Royal and would therefore not be around for me to get into scrapes with. This signaled the end of my captivity in our home and at the fort, both of which I had been confined to under the close watch of Elizabeth. Even then, I was only allowed out considering the special occasion: my good friend, Andrew Gillette, kept away at sea for six months was newly returned home, and we had much to discuss.

Elizabeth, who had been in an almost jovial mood these past weeks, had the good grace to see me off though it was in a most inappropriate fashion.

Follow the cut to the rest of The First Night Alone:

"Confused, I look upward, and shielding my eyes from the morning sun, gaze upon Elizabeth who is standing upon our balcony in naught but her dressing gown."

Awww, I loved how she saw him off. But Will..... . How could you, Lizzy? Poor James! Now I must wait to find out what happens. *sits down in thread and grabs some popcorn*

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i'm back for a little! i'll see how this visit goes.

I can dream.



Loved the new installment! Cliffhangers are killers for me, so expect me to claw at you to get the next part up if you don't do so in the near future. Aaaaaangst-city!!! I'm loving the turmoil, though I'm kindof interested as to whether Will kidnapped Lizzie or she stayed of her own accord. Pirates, after all.