The Bloody Sword
Chapter 1: Pre-Wedding Jitters
Don't own Pirates of the Caribbean… never have… never will… how sad.
I'd like to thank anyone from "To Mirkwood" who made it here. Thanks for continuing to read my work!
Also, don't be put off by the title. It's the name of… something… -shifty eyes-
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"Hoist the sails!" The call rang out across the mighty ship, The Dauntless. Sailors in their red uniforms brought up the sails and the captain of the ship turned the wheel, and The Dauntless set out to sea.
The day was perfect. There wasn't a cloud in sight. It was a vast endless sea above earth. The Dauntless itself was almost as beautiful as the weather. White ribbons and bows decorated the ship, and there was a sea of chairs set up on the main deck. A small alter was constructed at the front of all the chairs. A small string quintet sat just off to the side, tuning their violins, violas, and cellos.
A very irritated Commodore Norrington paced the deck quietly, barking out orders to the crew of the ship. The crew exchanged glances, knowing why the Commodore was acting very angry. It was the beautiful Elizabeth Swann's wedding, but Norrington wasn't the one she was marrying.
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William Tuner paced his cabin nervously. He kept looking into the mirror to check his reflection, then walked past and started pacing again. Tate Gardner, the goldsmith and good friend of Will sat in a chair, watching his nervous friend. "Don't worry, Will. I was nervous at my wedding too, but everything went fine." Tate said, trying to comfort the nervous blacksmith. Will stopped and looked at his friend. Though his face showed that he was nervous, his eyes were shining with joy and happiness. Tate grinned. "Besides, the wedding night is the best night of the whole marriage." He said, his voice low. He winked at the nervous groom.
"Tate!" Will exclaimed, his brown eyes wide. "I… You… no… I mean…" Will started to wring his hands with nervousness. Tate let out a laugh and stood up from his chair. He slapped his hand down on the blacksmith's shoulder, and Will nearly fell over.
Tate Gardner was a big man, with broad shoulders and hands. Though he had large hands, he had careful fingers that could work the most intricate design into a piece of gold. Will had actually asked the big man to make the wedding ring he would be giving to Elizabeth. Tate's mass of curly blond hair fell down into his face and his blue eyes always shone. He could make anyone smile in any situation.
"Thank you Tate." Will said finally, a small smile spreading across his face.
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"Oh Elizabeth! You look beautiful!" The auburn-haired girl standing behind Elizabeth exclaimed in delight. Her gray eyes were sparkling, remembering her own wedding.
"Thank you Meara." Elizabeth said, looking back at her reflection. Her dark hair was piled up on top of her head in a beautiful style, small white flowers entwined in it, with a few curls falling down on either side of her face. The veil was tucked into her hair. Her dress was pure white, with short sleeves and a long, flowing skirt. It had ribbons and bows all around the bottom of the skirt. She wore elbow length white gloves on her hands.
"Aye, Miss Swann! Mr. Turner will be pleased!" The Irish servant, Eileen, exclaimed, with her thick Irish accent, clapping her hands together. Three heads turned when they heard the door open. Governor Alden Swann stepped inside, his gray hair sitting on his shoulders. His face was lit up with happiness for his daughter.
"Elizabeth! Words cannot describe how beautiful you look." He said, closing the door behind him and walking to his daughter. Elizabeth rose and kissed her father's cheek. He placed a hand on her cheek. "Are you nervous?" He asked. She smiled shyly.
"Only a little." She answered. Alden wrapped his arms around his only daughter.
"The wedding will be beautiful. And speaking of which, we will be out to sea in about ten minutes. Then the wedding will start." He said. " I must go check on the final arrangements. I'll see you soon, my dear." He said, kissing her cheek a final time before leaving the room.
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Will finally sat down in a chair, and Tate told Will all about his wedding. There was a loud knocking on the door. Tate stood and opened the door. Commodore Norrington stood there, looking as stony faced as he always did. "Ah! Commodore! What a pleasant surprise!" Tate said cheerfully.
"I wish to speak with Mr. Turner." He said. Tate stepped aside and Will rose. Norrington motioned for Will to come with him. Will nodded to Tate, and followed the Commodore outside.
"What is it, Commodore?" He asked. Norrington turned to Will. He lowered his face close to Will's.
"You better treat Miss Swann with the utmost respect, Mr. Turner. I will not tolerate you disrespecting her in any way." He said, quietly. Will took a step back. His eyes narrowed.
"I would never hurt Elizabeth in any way." He said. Norrington straightened up, holding his head high.
"Commodore!" He turned in the direction of his name. A sailor was running towards him. "The Black Pearl approaches!" A look of disgust passed over Norrington's face, but no one saw it. He nodded.
"Drop anchor!" He shouted. Will ran to the side of the boat. Thanks to Governor Swann, Will was allowed to arrange for Captain Jack Sparrow and the crew of the Black Pearl to attend the wedding. Will stood, looking at the proud pirate ship. The people on The Dauntless moved to the opposite side of the ship. Jack waved to him from the Crows Nest. Quickly, Jack made his way down to the deck, and the Black Pearl came up along side The Dauntless, and stopped. The anchor had been dropped. The crew of The Dauntless made to put ramps to the Black Pearl, but the crew merely swung on ropes and landed with a heavy –thud- on the main deck of the large ship. Jack made his way to Will and threw his arms around the boy. His hair looked the same as it always did, and his hat sat proudly on his head. He wore was looked like an attempt at new clothes, but they were sea worn.
"Ah! Will Turner!" He said. Will could smell rum on his clothes.
"Have you been drinking?" He asked the pirate. Jack got an offended look on his face.
"Me? O' co'rse not!" He cried out. Will rolled his eyes. Jack pushed the blacksmith into a deserted spot on the ship and began to speak a low voice. "There's somethin' that I've had in me possession since the mutiny that occurred on me ship several years ago." He pulled out a small dagger. It had a beautiful silver blade and the handle was encrusted with jewels. There were emeralds, rubies and sapphires. "Your father gav' it to me 'fore he was… forced to visit Davy Jones Locker." Jack said. Will looked at the dagger with admiration.
"It's wonderful. Who made it?" He asked, looking up at Jack. He grinned.
"Ol' Bootstrap!" He answered.
"My father made this?" Will asked in surprise.
"Aye. When I found out ye was a blacksmith, I remembered this."
"Why didn't you give it to me the first time we met?" Will asked.
"'Cause Bootstrap said that if I e'er found ye then to give it to ya on your weddin' day." Jack said. Will looked at the dagger with affection. He slipped it into his belt.
"Thank you Jack." He said. Jack nodded.
"Could everyone take their seats?" A voice rang out across the ship. Everyone on the ship started to move toward the chairs. The crew of the Black Pearl took their spots, and Will went to find his best man, Tate.
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Soon, the ship was silent. The priest looked to the quintet and they started playing. All heads turned to the back of the rows of chairs. Will took his position at the alter. When the music started, Tate and his wife Meara made their way down the isle. When they reached the end, they split off; Meara standing on the side for the bride, and Tate next to Will. Then, two men appeared. Each took one end of a long white carpet and unrolled it down the isle. Then, the music changed. Two small children walked down the isle. The little girl tossed rose petals on the white carpet, and the little boy was carrying small pillow that held two rings. The crowd awed.
The music changed once again, and the whole group stood. Elizabeth appeared at the end of the isle, arm in arm with her father. Will stared at her, blinking several times. He pinched his arm just to make sure that this was all real. When he didn't wake up from a dream in his own bed, he smiled. He just stared at her beauty. She was radiating, like the sun had taken refuge in her body and was now emitting rays of golden sunlight. When she got to the end of the isle, she smiled at her soon to be husband.
Elizabeth melted inside from Will's smile, as she always had. He looked handsome. She almost couldn't believe that the day was finally here… that in a few moments, she would be married to the boy she'd loved since she first met him 9 years ago. When the music stopped, the priest started the ceremony.
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Yeah, I know.. chapter one was just a mushy beginning. But it'll get better in chapter 2, I promise. Just keep reading.. and reviewing! Please!!
Later all-
Banana Nut Muffin