"So, in all reality, you were under The Vixen's control," Emma said slowly once Davy Jones finished his tale. She, Will, Ariadne and Connor were sitting around the table in Davy Jones' captains quarters on The Flying Dutchman.

"Aye," said Jones, nodding. "For nearly a hundred years I had to watch the horrors she caused in my name. And now, thanks to you, I can finally be in peace, once again taking up my duty as Keeper of the Seas." He turned to Connor. "Captain Black, you did an outstanding job, but I'm afraid killing Isabella's spell is still quite strong. You will not be able to stray too far away from your parted soul. If you do, you shall die."

The silence was deafening. Jones continued. "I will help you repair your soul, but it will be a very long process. One the Protectors cannot stay for. They are needed in Camelot."

Connor nodded in understanding. Ariadne shook her head. "No," she said, her voice slightly shaking. "I can't leave him again."

"My dear, you must," Jones said in a gentle voice, his eyes sad. "I am sorry. The repairing process may take years. You cannot be away from Camelot for that long."

The small journey from ship to shore was the quietest time they had ever spent with each other. Will rowed the dingy with Emma sitting across from him, although they did not look at each other. Ariadne snuggled against Connor, each holding onto the other, dreading the fact they must let go in a few minutes time.

"It feels weird going home," Emma commented quietly. "It doesn't feel as if we should."

Will nodded in agreement. "I think I shall miss this adventure. The crew had grown on me. They're good men. When they want to be." He added with a small smile.

Emma cracked a smile. "As one adventure ends, another begins," she said in a dreamy voice. "I heard that somewhere once."

"Merlin," said Connor. "Merlin said that."

Take care of yourself, my brother," Will said once he pulled out of he and Connor's embrace on the shore. "We'll see each other again. Soon."

Connor nodded. "Farewell, Will. You're a great king. I know it."

"Thank you."

Connor turned to Emma. She smiled sadly and hugged him tightly. "I'll miss you Connor," she said into his shoulder. "You've been such a good friend. And…this isn't goodbye. It's just, until we meet again."

Connor smiled. "I'll miss you as well. You're a beautiful person. Never forget that." Emma kissed his cheek before stepping back. Will put an arm around her shoulders, and with one more smile for Connor, they stepped into the portal and disappeared.

Connor took Ariadne's hand and felt his heart sink at the broken expression on his wife's face. She could never recall a time where she had been more heartbroken. She could very well me losing the love of her life, and she couldn't stand it. He pulled her to him and she breathed his scent-a mixture of salt-water, some form of cologne, and a smell that was just purely Connor.

"I love you," she whispered, tightening her arms around him. "I truly do love you. I'm so sorry for not telling you sooner. I was so stubborn. We could have had so much time together."

"Shh," said Connor. "Do not dwell on the past. We're together now. I love you and that is all that matters. We'll be together again. I'll return to you. I promise."

He cupped his hand under her chin and smiled at her before covering her lips with his own. His kiss left promises, hope and most importantly, love.

"I love you," he said against her lips. "Mrs. Black."

Ariadne smiled. "And I love you, Captain Black." Connor leaned his fore head against hers. "I don't want to say good bye," Ariadne whispered. "I can't leave you."

"We'll see each other again," said Connor. "I swear. This isn't forever. I'll come back. You have my word, love."

They kissed once more. "Keep a weather eye on the horizon," he whispered. Ariadne sniffed as he pulled away from her and took a few steps backwards. She turned and walked to the portal. She looked back, meeting her husband's eyes one last time before disappearing into the fell to his knees and buried his face into his hands.

Ariadne stepped out of the portal in a daze. The first thing she saw was a group of people look her way in what she faintly recognized as Friend's Hall. She dropped to her knees, tears finally making their way down her cheeks. A couple people ran to her side, but she did not see them. Her vision was cloudy from the tears and all her mind could see was Connor's-her husband's perfectly handsome face.

Someone was hugging her, telling her things she could not comprehend. It was like life had suddenly been put into slow motion. Someone pulled her to her feet, and was taking her somewhere. Where were Will and Emma? Ariadne blinked her eyes and saw that it was her mother whom had a hold of her. Her father was just ahead of them. Ariadne looked behind her, with the tiniest hope that she could see Connor's face within the portal, but it was no use. The portal was gone.

Davy Jones clapped Connor on the shoulder as he stepped into the deck of The Flying Dutchman.

"We'll cure you as fast as we can, son," Jones said quietly. "And you'll be with your love soon. You have my word. I uh, also have a little something for you." Jones pointed and what Connor saw made his eyes widen in surprise. There she was. His ship. The Silver Arrow, returned to her former glory.

"She's waiting for you," said Jones. "Captain."

Connor turned his gaze to him. "Thank you."

Jones nodded. "Just stay close to the Dutchman, and see me in my quarters at dawn every morning for treatments. My powers are returning nicely."

Connor nodded and crossed the deck and hopped onto the board connecting the two ships. His crew was waiting for him on his ship. Mr. Hodge smiled at him as Connor stepped onto the deck. "Welcome back, Cap'n. There's a surprise waitin for ye in your quarters."

Connor looked at him confused, before entering his quarters. Sitting on the table was a single piece of parchment and a silver ring. Connor sat down, and with shaking hands, picked up the note, recognizing his wife's neat handwriting.

My love, Connor,

I love you. Plain and simple. I love you. I can't believe there had been a time when I thought I hadn't. I had always loved you now that I think about it. The first time I saw you, there was just something about you. You were everything I had dreamed my perfect guy would be, I just never wanted to admit it. I don't know why. I was so stubborn, and you also did get on my nerves. But you were just being you, and I wouldn't have you be any other way.

The ring I left is for you, obviously. It's a wedding band. I made it myself. I have the match. I didn't give it to you before we left because I wanted something to make you smile after I left. So, if you haven't already, smile. I love your smile. It's perfect. I'll miss you, and don't worry, I'm sure Will shall hit every man that tries to flirt with me, and so will I.

I love you. I always will. Please take care of yourself, and try not to get into too much trouble. And if I hear about any Tortuga wenches sitting on your lap, I will personally use all of my magic to go travel there and hurt them myself.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

All my love, your wife,

Ariadne

Connor set down the note and gazed closely at the ring. It was a Claddagh. The Irish ring for love, friendship, and loyalty. On the inside was an engraving. Eternal love. He wiped a stray tear away from his face and slipped the wedding band onto his finger.

****

Will looked from his Knight's to his wife, to finally Ariadne. He sighed and hung his head, his knuckles turning white on the table.

"I do not believe it honorable," he mumbled.

"Will," Ariadne stepped up to the table. "This is our last chance. If we wait for them to attack us, they will have the advantage. We cannot sit back and wait any longer. If we wish to end this, we must end it now!"

Will lifted his head. "And you all agree?" he asked of the Knight's.

They exchanged glances before all nodding.

"Sire," said Sir Peter. "Her Highness is right. We cannot keep living like this. Too many innocents have already died. If we wait for Ector to attack, more lives than need be will be lost. This war has been going on long enough. If we attack Ector, those lives will be spared. We must act quickly."

Sir Edward nodded. "Aye. I do not wish to live in war any longer."

The Knight's nodded in agreement. Will turned to Emma. She placed a hand on his arm. "We'll have to, Will," she whispered. "One last battle. To end it all."

The Knight's gave a quick cheer and pulled their swords, pointing them to the sky. Will nodded.

"Then it's settled," he said, straightening. "One last battle."

***

Ariadne looked around, and her fear was realized. They were trapped. And surrounded. She looked around for Will, and caught his eye. He knew it too. And Emma. Ariadne looked up at the surrounding walls. They were littered with archers carrying powerful crossbows. Ariadne looked back at her fellow Protectors. They nodded at her, and she knew what it meant. She returned the nod. If she was going to die, then she was going to take as many enemies with her.

She drew the swords from her back, and charged. Fight after fight, her enemies fell. Adrenaline was pumping through her veins. She heard a noise behind her. She whipped around and was just in time to see a Minotaur raise an axe above his head. Her eyes widened, but then a sword plunged itself through the monsters back. It fell as the sword withdrew. Ariadne almost dropped her swords. Connor-her husband- stood before her. She did not have the time to greet him however, as she knelt and thrust her swords backwards, plunging them into the stomachs of two attackers. She yanked them free just in time as a vampire charged at her. Their swords clanged together with a flash of sparks.

Ariadne gasped as the sword wiped at her face, giving her a nasty cut across her cheek. The Vampire grinned, but then stopped as she spotted something over Ariadne's shoulder and backed off. Ariadne turned around to see Connor fighting Ector himself. Ariadne swore she could feel her heart stop. Ector was overpowering him. Connor's cutlass was hardly a match for Ector's spear. Connor staggered backwards and his sword fell from his hands. Ariadne's eyes widened as Ector went to jab his spear into Connor's stomach.

"No!" Ariadne yelled, racing for him. She jumped in front of Connor just as Ector's spear went through her back and into Connor. Pain beyond belief. Ariadne looked up into Connor's eyes. He was looking at her in fear and others Ariadne could not place. Her swords fell limply from her hands.

"Connor! Ariadne! NO!"

The newly wed couple fell to the stone together, neither leaving the other's gaze. It was cold. Very cold. Ariadne barely saw Will and Emma appear at their side. She felt the spear being taken from their bodies. A white glow formed around them, and Ariadne slipped out of consciousness.