Disclaimer: I do not own them, either PotC or fairy tales.

Greetings fellow readers,

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist the temptation, although I have two other stories pending. This idea has been drifting around my mind for a while, thus I had to succumb and let it out. I hope it will be an adventure worth following.

This story is AU.

Prologue

Once upon a time, in a land where the azure sea plays with the golden sand shore and the bushy, red corals whisper tales about distant ships, sailing into the far horizon, lived a nobleman, Admiral Lawrence Norrington. He was a brave man who sought to establish order at sea and peaceful passage for honest men who sailed oceans wide. But, not matter how far away duty led him, the Admiral's heart belonged to his beautiful wife and his young son, James. They were a loving and devoted family who took joy in every moment they shared.

Sadly, as fate would have it, their happiness didn't last. Enemy forces grew weary of the successful campaigns led by the Admiral that reduced their numbers too often. They gathered in the depth of the night, waiting for the opportune moment. The Admiral's ship fell into cleverly made ambush on the day he was returning home for his son's fourth birthday. His crew fought valiantly, but the odds were unsurpassable. Admiral Norrington fell in battle amidst blood and fire.

Long grieved Eleanor for her lost husband. Upon his passing, she poured all her love and care into raising her only son. But, no matter how attentive she was, the fair woman questioned whether she could provide her son with a proper guidance only a man could give. It was amidst these dreary doubts that four years following Lawrence's death, a new man entered her home. Recent widower with two sons, Cutler Beckett was a respected man of powerful connections and a preceding reputation.

"Madam," he spoke, bowing down with false modesty. "I have great respect for your sorrow. I do understand the depth of the wounds inflicted by beloved's untimely passing. However, admittedly out of my affection for you, I must urge us both to take into consideration what our children lack. On my part, I will never replace your son's father, but I am growing to be an influential man who has ties with a seafaring company. I can provide young James with true gentlemanly guidance and an enviable career. I will care for him like I will for my sons. In return, I merely beg for your hand in marriage and if not love then perhaps some affection and loyalty."

"I am grateful for your offer," she answered. "Please allow me the time to decide."

Three days and three sleepless nights Eleanor pondered. On the brink of the fourth her answer was ready, although her heart cried with ill premonition. She would give her hand to another for her son's benefit, but would keep her heart for she knew it would never belong to anyone except Lawrence.

The union was forged in late autumn. Cutler Beckett was not a tender father or husband, but he kept true to his word. James was enrolled into the best military school paid for generously to ensure best instructors and their attention. The newly made Lord indulged his wife and placed few demands upon her, seemingly out of respect for her feelings. Life looked brighter a bit. With many obligations lifted, Eleanor was free to find joy in caring for her family and watching her son grow.

The good days were cut short as once more fortune turned away from this noble family. Eleanor fell ill barely a month after the union. No highly paid doctors summoned by Lord Beckett could find what caused the illness, while she waned like a wax candle. The fair woman passed away within days to a place where her soul at last joined her husband's, convinced that she left her son in good hands. She never learned that there was no room for her son in Lord Beckett's stone heart. All he ever wanted from her was the noble title.

His attitude changed abruptly as soon as James' mother was gone. Lord Beckett isolated his stepson from anyone who cared for him and stripped away all his privileges. James was thrown at the mercy of Beckett's sadistic sons and their whims. All the dirtiest chores too difficult even for an adult were given to the young child who was daily punished without causing slightest offence. Lord Beckett sought to embitter and harden his soul. He hated that James far exceeded his lazy sons in intelligence, skill and strength of character. He was not satisfied until the child was turned into lowliest servant in his own home. But, no matter how badly the stepfather abused him, James remained as kind as his mother and free of fear just like his father.

Years passed, winters turned to summers, until the day of James' eighteenth birthday. This is where our story begins.