Disclaimer: Jack still isn't mine because Disney isn't through with him
yet!
AN: Here's another chapter that goes out to all of my readers. I love you all, I really do! Especially Reikon because her reviews make me crack up so bad. Thanks Rei!
Chapter 12: The Wedding and Interruptions:
Elizabeth stood on the landing, staring. Finally, she came to her senses and raced down the stairs and into his arms. Will caught her up and twirled her around in circles as she cried into his shoulder. Lara also snapped back to reality and ran down after her, launching herself onto Will's back, causing him to fall over under their combined weight.
The three friends laughed as they lay there on the floor before a flustered maid scolded them for getting Lara's wedding gown dirty. The mentioned wedding dress caused them to sober up quickly and straighten themselves out. Once they were all standing, Will went off to talk to the Governor, and Elizabeth went upstairs to help Lara out of her wedding gown. Once that was finished and Lara was properly dressed, the two women once again raced downstairs to talk to Will and see what happened.
Elizabeth went straight to the door to her father's office while Lara hesitated. She'd never barged in on the Governor before and was reluctant to do so. Elizabeth rolled her eyes and grabbed Lara's arm before opening the door and leading her inside the office. They found Will seated comfortably in a chair with a cup of tea in his hands, the Governor likewise. Both looked up at the sudden intrusion.
"Ah, Lara, Elizabeth, how wonderful!" the Governor exclaimed. "I was just about to send a servant after you." He motioned to two other seats, which the two women quickly took. Elizabeth, of course, sat next to her husband and held his hand. "Will would like to share his story with all of us present, so I haven't pressed him for any details yet." He turned towards his son-in-law. "Please proceed with your tale."
Will shrugged as he set his empty cup aside. "There isn't much to tell, actually. My ship, or the Worthingtons' ship, if you prefer, was tossed off course by the storm. We were unable to discover where we were when the storm ended, so we sailed around in circles until we were able to go to the nearest island, which was a small port called Port Arrow. I was able to go ashore and ask for directions to Port Royal, and so here I am."
Will smiled as he finished his small tale, and Elizabeth quickly grabbed him up in a hug. The two of them parted reluctantly, and Will turned his attention to Lara.
"I saw your wedding gown," he said, looking into her eyes. "When's the ceremony?"
Lara looked down at her hands. "In two days," she answered quietly.
Will nodded. "That's what I thought," he replied. "With your dress almost finished, I thought it would have to be soon." Something flashed in his eyes, but was gone so quickly, Lara thought she had imagined it. Will quickly turned towards the Governor and smiled. "I hope that I am invited; there is a formal outfit at home that I have yet to wear." He then returned his gaze to Lara. "I believe this is will be a memorable occasion."
Elizabeth laughed for the first time in days. "Of course you're invited, Will. Lara couldn't imagine a ceremony without one of her dear friends!" She looked at Lara, who was studying Will. "Isn't that right, Lara?"
Lara quickly started. "Oh, of course you must come, Will! You're like a brother to me, and you can't have a wedding without family, now, can you?" She forced a weak smile for the thousandth time in two weeks. "It certainly will be a day to remember."
'And certainly not one to forget,' Lara thought as the Governor started describing the wedding plans in great detail. Lara tried to look happy as she listened to him describe a day that would mean a lifetime of misery.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
An hour later, the Governor was finished babbling on about the wedding. Soon, Will, Elizabeth and Lara were left alone as the Governor left to speak with the Worthingtons about the ceremony. After the door was securely closed, Lara let out a sound that sounded like a small sob.
"I can't do this, Will," she said, burying her head in her hands. "I can't marry Thomas." Elizabeth took one of her hands while Will got up and knelt beside her, taking her other hand.
"Lara," Elizabeth said. "I know you don't want to marry him, but think of what will happen if you don't."
Will nodded. "Jack will be hunted down and hung the instant you change your mind. Also, the entire crew of the Black Pearl, who also happen to be your friends, will also be hung."
Lara took a deep breath. "You're right." She took another deep breath. "I have to do this. For Jack, and for my friends on the Pearl." She stood up. "I'll see you later, Lizzie. I still have some things to do." Elizabeth nodded as Lara opened the door to the office and left, closing the door behind her.
The moment the door shut, and a retreating shadow told of Lara's leaving, Elizabeth turned towards her husband, who had returned to the seat next to her.
"Will, I wish that you had gotten here sooner! Now you'll never be able to use that plan of yours to help Lara." Elizabeth looked over at her husband, disappointed that they wouldn't be able to help their friend out of her terrible situation.
Will smiled at his wife. "I wouldn't be too sure of that, my love."
Elizabeth stared at him for several moments before narrowing her eyes. "Will, what are you up to? Or should I say, what have you been up to?"
Will simply chuckled at her suspicious face. "Don't worry, Elizabeth. You'll find out soon." Her eyes narrowed even further, and Will smiled even wider than before. "And no, dear, I won't tell you what I've planned. You'll just have to wait and be surprised, just like everyone else."
Elizabeth slapped her husband on the arm. "That's not fair! I am your wife and I have every right to be involved in the saving of my best friend! She saved my life, so the least I could do is return the favor!"
Will shook his head, smiling. "Sorry, but it'll be better if your reaction is the same as everyone else's. It will be less suspicious that way."
Elizabeth continued to try and get an answer out of Will the rest of the afternoon, but only managed to get a hoarse voice and a terrible headache out of the whole ordeal. The rest of the night was quietly spent in their bedroom, catching up on lost time.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Two days later:
The day of the wedding dawned bright and clear. The ceremony was to happen at eleven o' clock, since that was when the weather was cool, and there was a slight breeze coming off of the ocean. Lara felt as though she were going to faint. She couldn't stand the idea of marrying Thomas, but she must, if only to save the life of the man she truly loved.
Thinking of Jack made her look at her wrist; the bracelet he had given her was there, reminding her of why she was doing this. She then looked up to the mirror when one of the Worthingtons' maids asked her to lift her head so that she could arrange her hair correctly. Lara had woken at seven that morning, and had spent the last three hours getting ready while nibbling a small amount of breakfast whenever the maids gave her a spare moment.
As she sat there getting primped by the maids sent over by the Worthingtons, Lara was dreading the coming of her vows. She had always thought that she would marry someone she loved, and would therefore be thrilled to take such serious promises as her wedding vows. She had looked forward to forever declaring her love to her groom, but now that wasn't happening. She would be forced to promise her love to a man she could never care for, and to sleep in the same bed and give children she wished belonged to another man. A daring, charmingly handsome, roguish man that was also a pirate, who was probably on the other side of the Caribbean by now. She unknowingly sighed at the thought, and the maids quickly took the sigh as a sign that she was displeased with the way she was looking.
"What's wrong, Miss?" asked a red-haired maid who was doing her hair. "Does the hairstyle displease you? I'm afraid there's no time to adjust it."
Lara shook her head. "No, no, the hair is fine." And it was. Her dark brown hair had been pulled back into a long braid that was twisted and layered on top of her head. What small amount of hair that couldn't be pulled up was now being curled by a hot poker into tight ringlets.
"Perhaps it is the facial powder? Or the eyelid colorings?" asked the blond maid doing her eyes.
"No, no, everything looks fine," Lara said impatiently waving her hand at them.
One elderly maid smiled. "It's just pre-wedding jitters, girls, nothing to worry about." The three of them returned to their work, leaving Lara alone with her fading dreams.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The wedding promised to be a beautiful one. Thomas stood with the priest by the water, clad in his dress uniform, likely to remind Lara of what should happen if she should run from the ceremony. There were the dozen or so servants from the Swann manor, as well as the Worthington family, Will and Elizabeth, and a few soldiers from Thomas's company. Lara was just thankful that the Commodore wasn't there; he was busy at the battlements.
As soon as Lara crested the small sand dune with the Governor by his side, everyone hushed and watched the two approach the altar of flowers where Thomas stood. Lara was glad there was no music, for it couldn't be heard over the sound of the waves. She was also grateful for the veil; she didn't want Thomas to see her face until he lifted it to kiss her. The idea of kissing him gave her shivers as she arrived at Thomas's side, her hand now placed in his. The priest then began the ceremony.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Lara Storm and Thomas Pierce in holy matrimony," the priest said.
Lara faded out after that. She was only brought back when he asked Thomas if he took her to be his lawful wedded wife.
"I do," he said, smiling at her.
The priest turned towards her. "And do you, Lara Storm, take this man to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
Lara swallowed hard. She looked over and saw Thomas looking at her, his eyes glancing at his uniform to remind her of what would happen. She took a deep breath.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
BANG!
A cannonball shot over everyone's head before she could reply.
"We're under attack!" screamed several soldiers, pointing at the end of the harbor. There sailed a large pirate ship, firing its guns at the beach.
"To the battlements!" Thomas cried to his soldiers. He turned towards Lara. "We will continue this later, my love." He quickly followed his men to the fort.
Lara sighed in relief, but not before the Governor grabbed her and hauled her to the fort for protection, yelling for Will and Elizabeth to follow him.
Once Governor Swann had gotten the four of them to safety inside the fort, he quickly grabbed a passing soldier.
"What's going on, lad?" the Governor asked.
"Pirates are attacking Port Royal, sir," the soldier replied.
"Is it the Black Pearl?" Lara asked, hope rising in her chest.
The soldier shook his head. "It's a different ship, madam. It has no name, and is no one we recognize. It must be a new group."
More cannonfire could be heard; the ship and the fort were exchanging rounds.
The soldier saluted them before racing off to help the other men defend the town. Lara quickly sat down on a nearby chair.
"Well, what do you know," she said. "How lucky could I possibly be?"
The Governor looked at her in confusion. "What are you talking about, my dear?"
Lara smiled up at him. "I never thought I'd be able to get out of that horrible wedding, and now a convenient pirate attack does just that!"
The Governor still looked confused. "But I thought you'd be delighted to marry Lieutenant Pierce! Why else would you agree to give him your hand in marriage?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "Father, Thomas forced Lara to marry him. She doesn't love him; he blackmailed her into marrying him."
The Governor looked angry. "Why would he do this? Do you love another, Lara?"
Lara brought her head up, pride and joy showing in her eyes. "I love the most wanted pirate in the Caribbean: Captain Jack Sparrow."
The Governor blinked several times in surprise. "Well, I was not expecting that." He sighed. "First I lose my daughter to a half pirate, now I lose a woman I feel is almost my daughter to a full-blooded pirate." He softly chuckled. "What is this world coming to?"
Will, Elizabeth and Lara all stared at him in shock. Elizabeth was the first to speak.
"You mean you aren't angry, father?"
"Angry? Of course not," he smiled. "I've always wanted Lara to have a life of her own, and if Captain Sparrow can offer it to her, why should I be in the way?"
"But father, he's a pirate!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "If she goes with him, she'll be hung."
Before her father could answer, more cannonfire could be heard; this time there was more of it, and from a different source. Governor Swann snatched another passing soldier.
"Now what's happening? Where are the extra shots coming from?" he asked.
The soldier shook his head. "You wouldn't believe it, sir."
"Well speak up, lad!" the Governor said impatiently, shaking the soldier's arm.
"It's another pirate ship firing on the first one," the soldier replied, shaking his head in disbelief.
"What? Which pirate ship?" asked Elizabeth.
The soldier's next words brought hope to Lara's heart.
"It's the Black Pearl."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
AN: Yes, Jack is back! Hey, that rhymed. Anyway, everyone must be happy that Jack has returned. All things will either be explained in the next chapter, or the one after that, depending on how it all works out in my head. OH, and school starts on Monday the 29th, so don't expect updates to happen very frequently anymore. Maybe I'll update once a week, depending on the homework load. Well, please leave a review! Thanks!
AN: Here's another chapter that goes out to all of my readers. I love you all, I really do! Especially Reikon because her reviews make me crack up so bad. Thanks Rei!
Chapter 12: The Wedding and Interruptions:
Elizabeth stood on the landing, staring. Finally, she came to her senses and raced down the stairs and into his arms. Will caught her up and twirled her around in circles as she cried into his shoulder. Lara also snapped back to reality and ran down after her, launching herself onto Will's back, causing him to fall over under their combined weight.
The three friends laughed as they lay there on the floor before a flustered maid scolded them for getting Lara's wedding gown dirty. The mentioned wedding dress caused them to sober up quickly and straighten themselves out. Once they were all standing, Will went off to talk to the Governor, and Elizabeth went upstairs to help Lara out of her wedding gown. Once that was finished and Lara was properly dressed, the two women once again raced downstairs to talk to Will and see what happened.
Elizabeth went straight to the door to her father's office while Lara hesitated. She'd never barged in on the Governor before and was reluctant to do so. Elizabeth rolled her eyes and grabbed Lara's arm before opening the door and leading her inside the office. They found Will seated comfortably in a chair with a cup of tea in his hands, the Governor likewise. Both looked up at the sudden intrusion.
"Ah, Lara, Elizabeth, how wonderful!" the Governor exclaimed. "I was just about to send a servant after you." He motioned to two other seats, which the two women quickly took. Elizabeth, of course, sat next to her husband and held his hand. "Will would like to share his story with all of us present, so I haven't pressed him for any details yet." He turned towards his son-in-law. "Please proceed with your tale."
Will shrugged as he set his empty cup aside. "There isn't much to tell, actually. My ship, or the Worthingtons' ship, if you prefer, was tossed off course by the storm. We were unable to discover where we were when the storm ended, so we sailed around in circles until we were able to go to the nearest island, which was a small port called Port Arrow. I was able to go ashore and ask for directions to Port Royal, and so here I am."
Will smiled as he finished his small tale, and Elizabeth quickly grabbed him up in a hug. The two of them parted reluctantly, and Will turned his attention to Lara.
"I saw your wedding gown," he said, looking into her eyes. "When's the ceremony?"
Lara looked down at her hands. "In two days," she answered quietly.
Will nodded. "That's what I thought," he replied. "With your dress almost finished, I thought it would have to be soon." Something flashed in his eyes, but was gone so quickly, Lara thought she had imagined it. Will quickly turned towards the Governor and smiled. "I hope that I am invited; there is a formal outfit at home that I have yet to wear." He then returned his gaze to Lara. "I believe this is will be a memorable occasion."
Elizabeth laughed for the first time in days. "Of course you're invited, Will. Lara couldn't imagine a ceremony without one of her dear friends!" She looked at Lara, who was studying Will. "Isn't that right, Lara?"
Lara quickly started. "Oh, of course you must come, Will! You're like a brother to me, and you can't have a wedding without family, now, can you?" She forced a weak smile for the thousandth time in two weeks. "It certainly will be a day to remember."
'And certainly not one to forget,' Lara thought as the Governor started describing the wedding plans in great detail. Lara tried to look happy as she listened to him describe a day that would mean a lifetime of misery.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
An hour later, the Governor was finished babbling on about the wedding. Soon, Will, Elizabeth and Lara were left alone as the Governor left to speak with the Worthingtons about the ceremony. After the door was securely closed, Lara let out a sound that sounded like a small sob.
"I can't do this, Will," she said, burying her head in her hands. "I can't marry Thomas." Elizabeth took one of her hands while Will got up and knelt beside her, taking her other hand.
"Lara," Elizabeth said. "I know you don't want to marry him, but think of what will happen if you don't."
Will nodded. "Jack will be hunted down and hung the instant you change your mind. Also, the entire crew of the Black Pearl, who also happen to be your friends, will also be hung."
Lara took a deep breath. "You're right." She took another deep breath. "I have to do this. For Jack, and for my friends on the Pearl." She stood up. "I'll see you later, Lizzie. I still have some things to do." Elizabeth nodded as Lara opened the door to the office and left, closing the door behind her.
The moment the door shut, and a retreating shadow told of Lara's leaving, Elizabeth turned towards her husband, who had returned to the seat next to her.
"Will, I wish that you had gotten here sooner! Now you'll never be able to use that plan of yours to help Lara." Elizabeth looked over at her husband, disappointed that they wouldn't be able to help their friend out of her terrible situation.
Will smiled at his wife. "I wouldn't be too sure of that, my love."
Elizabeth stared at him for several moments before narrowing her eyes. "Will, what are you up to? Or should I say, what have you been up to?"
Will simply chuckled at her suspicious face. "Don't worry, Elizabeth. You'll find out soon." Her eyes narrowed even further, and Will smiled even wider than before. "And no, dear, I won't tell you what I've planned. You'll just have to wait and be surprised, just like everyone else."
Elizabeth slapped her husband on the arm. "That's not fair! I am your wife and I have every right to be involved in the saving of my best friend! She saved my life, so the least I could do is return the favor!"
Will shook his head, smiling. "Sorry, but it'll be better if your reaction is the same as everyone else's. It will be less suspicious that way."
Elizabeth continued to try and get an answer out of Will the rest of the afternoon, but only managed to get a hoarse voice and a terrible headache out of the whole ordeal. The rest of the night was quietly spent in their bedroom, catching up on lost time.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Two days later:
The day of the wedding dawned bright and clear. The ceremony was to happen at eleven o' clock, since that was when the weather was cool, and there was a slight breeze coming off of the ocean. Lara felt as though she were going to faint. She couldn't stand the idea of marrying Thomas, but she must, if only to save the life of the man she truly loved.
Thinking of Jack made her look at her wrist; the bracelet he had given her was there, reminding her of why she was doing this. She then looked up to the mirror when one of the Worthingtons' maids asked her to lift her head so that she could arrange her hair correctly. Lara had woken at seven that morning, and had spent the last three hours getting ready while nibbling a small amount of breakfast whenever the maids gave her a spare moment.
As she sat there getting primped by the maids sent over by the Worthingtons, Lara was dreading the coming of her vows. She had always thought that she would marry someone she loved, and would therefore be thrilled to take such serious promises as her wedding vows. She had looked forward to forever declaring her love to her groom, but now that wasn't happening. She would be forced to promise her love to a man she could never care for, and to sleep in the same bed and give children she wished belonged to another man. A daring, charmingly handsome, roguish man that was also a pirate, who was probably on the other side of the Caribbean by now. She unknowingly sighed at the thought, and the maids quickly took the sigh as a sign that she was displeased with the way she was looking.
"What's wrong, Miss?" asked a red-haired maid who was doing her hair. "Does the hairstyle displease you? I'm afraid there's no time to adjust it."
Lara shook her head. "No, no, the hair is fine." And it was. Her dark brown hair had been pulled back into a long braid that was twisted and layered on top of her head. What small amount of hair that couldn't be pulled up was now being curled by a hot poker into tight ringlets.
"Perhaps it is the facial powder? Or the eyelid colorings?" asked the blond maid doing her eyes.
"No, no, everything looks fine," Lara said impatiently waving her hand at them.
One elderly maid smiled. "It's just pre-wedding jitters, girls, nothing to worry about." The three of them returned to their work, leaving Lara alone with her fading dreams.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The wedding promised to be a beautiful one. Thomas stood with the priest by the water, clad in his dress uniform, likely to remind Lara of what should happen if she should run from the ceremony. There were the dozen or so servants from the Swann manor, as well as the Worthington family, Will and Elizabeth, and a few soldiers from Thomas's company. Lara was just thankful that the Commodore wasn't there; he was busy at the battlements.
As soon as Lara crested the small sand dune with the Governor by his side, everyone hushed and watched the two approach the altar of flowers where Thomas stood. Lara was glad there was no music, for it couldn't be heard over the sound of the waves. She was also grateful for the veil; she didn't want Thomas to see her face until he lifted it to kiss her. The idea of kissing him gave her shivers as she arrived at Thomas's side, her hand now placed in his. The priest then began the ceremony.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Lara Storm and Thomas Pierce in holy matrimony," the priest said.
Lara faded out after that. She was only brought back when he asked Thomas if he took her to be his lawful wedded wife.
"I do," he said, smiling at her.
The priest turned towards her. "And do you, Lara Storm, take this man to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
Lara swallowed hard. She looked over and saw Thomas looking at her, his eyes glancing at his uniform to remind her of what would happen. She took a deep breath.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
BANG!
A cannonball shot over everyone's head before she could reply.
"We're under attack!" screamed several soldiers, pointing at the end of the harbor. There sailed a large pirate ship, firing its guns at the beach.
"To the battlements!" Thomas cried to his soldiers. He turned towards Lara. "We will continue this later, my love." He quickly followed his men to the fort.
Lara sighed in relief, but not before the Governor grabbed her and hauled her to the fort for protection, yelling for Will and Elizabeth to follow him.
Once Governor Swann had gotten the four of them to safety inside the fort, he quickly grabbed a passing soldier.
"What's going on, lad?" the Governor asked.
"Pirates are attacking Port Royal, sir," the soldier replied.
"Is it the Black Pearl?" Lara asked, hope rising in her chest.
The soldier shook his head. "It's a different ship, madam. It has no name, and is no one we recognize. It must be a new group."
More cannonfire could be heard; the ship and the fort were exchanging rounds.
The soldier saluted them before racing off to help the other men defend the town. Lara quickly sat down on a nearby chair.
"Well, what do you know," she said. "How lucky could I possibly be?"
The Governor looked at her in confusion. "What are you talking about, my dear?"
Lara smiled up at him. "I never thought I'd be able to get out of that horrible wedding, and now a convenient pirate attack does just that!"
The Governor still looked confused. "But I thought you'd be delighted to marry Lieutenant Pierce! Why else would you agree to give him your hand in marriage?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "Father, Thomas forced Lara to marry him. She doesn't love him; he blackmailed her into marrying him."
The Governor looked angry. "Why would he do this? Do you love another, Lara?"
Lara brought her head up, pride and joy showing in her eyes. "I love the most wanted pirate in the Caribbean: Captain Jack Sparrow."
The Governor blinked several times in surprise. "Well, I was not expecting that." He sighed. "First I lose my daughter to a half pirate, now I lose a woman I feel is almost my daughter to a full-blooded pirate." He softly chuckled. "What is this world coming to?"
Will, Elizabeth and Lara all stared at him in shock. Elizabeth was the first to speak.
"You mean you aren't angry, father?"
"Angry? Of course not," he smiled. "I've always wanted Lara to have a life of her own, and if Captain Sparrow can offer it to her, why should I be in the way?"
"But father, he's a pirate!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "If she goes with him, she'll be hung."
Before her father could answer, more cannonfire could be heard; this time there was more of it, and from a different source. Governor Swann snatched another passing soldier.
"Now what's happening? Where are the extra shots coming from?" he asked.
The soldier shook his head. "You wouldn't believe it, sir."
"Well speak up, lad!" the Governor said impatiently, shaking the soldier's arm.
"It's another pirate ship firing on the first one," the soldier replied, shaking his head in disbelief.
"What? Which pirate ship?" asked Elizabeth.
The soldier's next words brought hope to Lara's heart.
"It's the Black Pearl."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
AN: Yes, Jack is back! Hey, that rhymed. Anyway, everyone must be happy that Jack has returned. All things will either be explained in the next chapter, or the one after that, depending on how it all works out in my head. OH, and school starts on Monday the 29th, so don't expect updates to happen very frequently anymore. Maybe I'll update once a week, depending on the homework load. Well, please leave a review! Thanks!