Once again, Ioade and Kate belong to Ariandir . . . and if you don't know
who everyone else belongs to, I suggest you go and read the disclaimer at
the top of chapter one. Savvy?
*~*~*
The little chapel was full to bursting, the guests segregated firmly away from each other into those who had come for the bride and those who had come for the groom. Marin had been introduced to several of the officers from the ward-room at the fort, and so they had brought their wives to the ceremony, simply to add a bit of class to the occasion since the groom's side of the chapel was entirely made up of pirates, even if they were on their best behaviour.
Jack sat in the front pew, looking very much like a prisoner under escort with Will and Gibbs on either side of him. In fact, he looked as though he would like nothing more than to run away. But the presence of Ioade by the nave entrance, and Kate at the vestry door, was preventing any such escape from taking place. He'd not even attempted to speak to either of them yet, knowing they were still highly annoyed with him for the destruction of the Dark Horse, even though that particular venture had turned out to be profitable for all of them.
The priest swallowed, smiling down at the groom with sympathetic eyes. He had been accosted on his own escape by the dark-haired young woman now standing watch in his vestry, who had threatened him with his own quick demise if he didn't turn around and go back to the chapel like a good boy. The Gibbs man had laughed a lot at that, he recalled, glancing towards the raven-haired woman with a frightened grimace. She smiled pleasantly and nodded to him, tapping her fingers on her axe-pistol in a friendly sort of way.
Jack sighed, glancing nervously towards the nave entrance.
'What if she doesn't turn up?' he asked suddenly, startling Will who had thought his friend struck dumb by the fast pace of events.
He grasped the tense pirate's shoulder firmly, forcing Jack to look him in the eye before answering.
'She'll be here, Jack, stop worrying,' he told his friend. 'Why should she not turn up?'
Jack shrugged.
'Might've changed her mind,' he suggested. 'Like I wish I had.'
Will chuckled.
'No, you don't,' he assured the irascible pirate. 'I thought like that while I was waiting for Elizabeth to come to the chapel.'
The eager hope on Jack's face might have been comical if it hadn't been so worrying at the same time.
'You did?'
Will nodded, smiling gently at his friend.
'Yes,' he repeated. 'Marin loves you, Jack, she's not going to let you get away from her.'
Jack sighed softly, relaxing slightly under his friend's grip. Gibbs nudged him.
'She's here,' he muttered.
Will hauled the bridegroom to his feet, exchanging a look with Gibbs as all the colour drained from Jack's face. Thank goodness this would be over with shortly, he thought, concerned for his friend despite himself.
It was just as well Jack was facing the altar, for as soon as Marin stepped into the back of the chapel, she turned around, determined to leave just as quickly as she had arrived. James caught her about the waist as she pushed past him, holding her still with a firm arm whilst murmuring in her ear.
'You don't want to make your captain a jilted man, do you?' he asked her softly, acutely aware that the entire day hinged on whether they could get both bride and groom to the altar in time to say their vows.
Marin shook her head, shaking violently as she thought of what it was she was about to do.
'I'm scared,' she whispered, holding tightly to his arm.
James smiled gently, amused that she should choose now to admit such a feeling.
'Jack Sparrow is a good man,' he murmured. 'He would never hurt you. He loves you, Marin. You don't want to break his heart, do you?'
As he coaxed his cousin into taking those fateful steps down the aisle, Elizabeth found herself face to face with one of the women she had invited personally. Ioade grinned at her, pleased to see that neither bride nor groom were completely confident in their parts for the day.
'It's good to see you, captain,' Elizabeth said softly, not wanting anyone in the body of the church to turn around and see that the bride wasn't exactly willing.
'I wouldn't have missed this for the world,' Ioade informed her, still grinning as Marin allowed herself to be turned around again. 'It'll be a badge of honour to have attended Jack Sparrow's wedding by the end of the year, you mark my words.'
Elizabeth laughed, quickly returning to her place in the bridal train as James led his reluctant cousin onto the aisle. The organist had been 'unavailable' for the wedding, but it somehow fitted that Marin should walk up the aisle in silence. Almost as though it were a mark of respect for the sacrifice that she was making.
Will nudged Jack as Marin ventured out with her cousin, clutching his sleeve with a tight grip. Jack turned to watch as his fiancé walked towards him, and his jaw dropped. She looked beautiful. Granted, she didn't look like Marin anymore, but then, today he didn't look like Captain Jack Sparrow. She held his gaze with eyes that seemed obscenely calm and serene, as indeed she herself looked. Briefly he let himself smart at the unfairness of her being calm and him terrified, before unashamedly admiring her beauty as openly as he could amidst his near crippling nerves.
Lady Rosemary Blythe was sat with her daughter and brother-in-law amidst the navy families, her great-nephew cradled on her lap. She smiled indulgently on the couple as Marin reached the altar, completely missing the significance of James on Marin's left, Will on Jack's right, and Gibbs and Elizabeth standing close behind the pair. Laura, on the other hand, had to suppress a loud giggle as she realised that all escape routes had been cut off neatly.
'Oh, isn't it lovely,' Lady Rosemary sighed. 'They're so much in love.'
Laura glanced at her mother in amusement, leaning over to whisper to her uncle.
'Do you have a handkerchief with you today, uncle?' she asked softly, quietly enough so that her mother didn't hear her.
Governor Swann frowned, patting his pockets until he located his 'kerchief.
'Why, yes, I do, Laura,' he told her. 'Do you have need of one?'
'No,' Laura admitted, 'but mother will. She always cries at weddings.'
Weatherby Swann rolled his eyes wearily, glancing sideways at his sister-in- law to discover that she did indeed have tears in her eyes. He sighed, slipping the 'kerchief to his sleeve so as to keep it handy.
'Oh dear,' he murmured, sensing a long afternoon ahead of him.
Marin was still shaking as she approached the altar, slipping her hand into Jack's more for moral support than anything. At least she knew they were both in this together, whether they wanted it or not. He squeezed her hand firmly, the slight tremble in his own fingers betraying his less than serene composure. That made her feel a little better. It wasn't just her who was supremely nervous.
The priest cast one final, longing look at the outside world over Kate's shoulder before turning to the couple before him, touched by the fear dominant in their eyes. He'd officiated many marriages, even that of the Turners, but never once had he joined two people so terrified of each other before. It was an awe-inspiring sight, that they loved one another enough to put themselves through something they both feared to be together.
It was, Elizabeth decided later, one of the shortest weddings she had ever been to. The priest was so scared of Kate that he fairly galloped through the ceremony, eager to be out from under the gaze of so many pirates. Marin and Jack had both had to repeat their vows because they were too quiet for everyone to hear. There had been one heart-stopping moment, though.
When the priest had asked if anyone present knew of any lawful impediment why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, there had been a shout from one of the pirates. Luckily, both Hopkins and Solomon had been sitting near the offending seaman, who had been promptly encouraged to take a nap, allowing the ceremony to continue. And the cheer that filled the chapel as they were pronounced man and wife could have deafened the angels. Jack grinned down at his wife, laughing with her at the apparently boundless joy of their friends as they were cheered by all and sundry. Gibbs nudged him sharply, grinning from ear to ear.
'Go on, then, boy,' he pressed. 'Kiss her.'
Marin blushed, no more able to stop herself from accepting the kiss than she would have been able to drown a fish. The shouting seemed to grow louder as their lips touched, Jack's arms snaking about her waist to hold her tightly against him. And everything about him, from his scent to the fingers gently rubbing at her back, everything was perfect.
*~*~*
The two men walked through the house, both steadfastly ignoring the catcalls that echoed up to them from the entry hall as the pirates gathered together below the landing to see their captain into his wedding chamber. Jack rolled his eyes, inwardly amused by this ridiculous little tradition they had insisted he go through. He would rather have slipped away from the party unnoticed with his tense little bride, rather than make such a huge fuss of this simple yet fundamental part of the wedding day.
'You don't have to walk me to my own bedchamber,' he hissed at Will as they mounted the steps, still ignoring the whistles from behind them.
Will grinned.
'Yes, I do,' he insisted. 'It's tradition. And I have to collect my wife.'
Elizabeth had taken Marin away from them perhaps half an hour earlier to prepare her for bed, an ordeal which no doubt had included a lot of teasing from the experienced woman. Jack would be very surprised if his own wife wasn't a sobbing wreck by the time he reached her.
His own wife. A gentle smile curved the pirate's lips. He was married, and Marin was his wife. He couldn't stop repeating those words over and over in his head, enjoying the possessive feeling he could now have whenever he thought of her. Poor girl, he thought, she must be frightened out of her skull about what was to come. But he was determined not to let her be frightened, ever again.
They reached the doorway fairly quickly, Will knocking gently on the painted wood to let the women inside know that they were there. Elizabeth opened the door, a secretive smile on her face as she slipped out to join them, ushering Jack inside as they locked the two of them in. Will grinned down at his wife, fighting back a laugh as she slipped the key into her pocket and led him back down to join the celebration.
Jack stood just inside the door, his eyes fixed on Marin where she stood by the window, dressed only in her shift. For the first time, he saw her hair unbound, tumbling over her shoulders in a sea of mahogany shimmers, and he knew such a sight was for one man's eyes only. She didn't turn as he approached, laying his coat on the chair as he passed it, to stand behind her, looking out across the harbour.
He slipped his arms about her, entwining his fingers with his own as he rested his head on her shoulder. Her cheeks were warm with a nervous blush, he realised as she leant back into his embrace, her neck tickled by his dreadlocks as he held her close to him. She glanced down at their intertwined hands, at the golden bands that dictated to her a lifetime by the side of the man she loved. It still felt strange to be wearing a ring, but she knew, no matter the discomfort, she would never take it off.
Jack stared out across the water, listening to the soft sigh of her breathing as she slowly calmed herself once more, unable to quell her shaking as she leant back into his arms. She heard him sigh gently, pressing a tender kiss below her ear.
'Afraid?' he asked gently, feeling her tremble beneath his touch.
Unable to speak, Marin nodded jerkily, her eyes fixed on the view before them. Jack smiled faintly.
'Don't ever be afraid of me,' he murmured, turning her about to face him.
As she glanced up, love for him shining through her eyes, he kissed her deeply, running his fingers through her hair as she pressed herself against him. Suddenly, the world didn't matter, her fears and nerves didn't matter, everything was as it should be. Because she was with him.
*~*~*
The little chapel was full to bursting, the guests segregated firmly away from each other into those who had come for the bride and those who had come for the groom. Marin had been introduced to several of the officers from the ward-room at the fort, and so they had brought their wives to the ceremony, simply to add a bit of class to the occasion since the groom's side of the chapel was entirely made up of pirates, even if they were on their best behaviour.
Jack sat in the front pew, looking very much like a prisoner under escort with Will and Gibbs on either side of him. In fact, he looked as though he would like nothing more than to run away. But the presence of Ioade by the nave entrance, and Kate at the vestry door, was preventing any such escape from taking place. He'd not even attempted to speak to either of them yet, knowing they were still highly annoyed with him for the destruction of the Dark Horse, even though that particular venture had turned out to be profitable for all of them.
The priest swallowed, smiling down at the groom with sympathetic eyes. He had been accosted on his own escape by the dark-haired young woman now standing watch in his vestry, who had threatened him with his own quick demise if he didn't turn around and go back to the chapel like a good boy. The Gibbs man had laughed a lot at that, he recalled, glancing towards the raven-haired woman with a frightened grimace. She smiled pleasantly and nodded to him, tapping her fingers on her axe-pistol in a friendly sort of way.
Jack sighed, glancing nervously towards the nave entrance.
'What if she doesn't turn up?' he asked suddenly, startling Will who had thought his friend struck dumb by the fast pace of events.
He grasped the tense pirate's shoulder firmly, forcing Jack to look him in the eye before answering.
'She'll be here, Jack, stop worrying,' he told his friend. 'Why should she not turn up?'
Jack shrugged.
'Might've changed her mind,' he suggested. 'Like I wish I had.'
Will chuckled.
'No, you don't,' he assured the irascible pirate. 'I thought like that while I was waiting for Elizabeth to come to the chapel.'
The eager hope on Jack's face might have been comical if it hadn't been so worrying at the same time.
'You did?'
Will nodded, smiling gently at his friend.
'Yes,' he repeated. 'Marin loves you, Jack, she's not going to let you get away from her.'
Jack sighed softly, relaxing slightly under his friend's grip. Gibbs nudged him.
'She's here,' he muttered.
Will hauled the bridegroom to his feet, exchanging a look with Gibbs as all the colour drained from Jack's face. Thank goodness this would be over with shortly, he thought, concerned for his friend despite himself.
It was just as well Jack was facing the altar, for as soon as Marin stepped into the back of the chapel, she turned around, determined to leave just as quickly as she had arrived. James caught her about the waist as she pushed past him, holding her still with a firm arm whilst murmuring in her ear.
'You don't want to make your captain a jilted man, do you?' he asked her softly, acutely aware that the entire day hinged on whether they could get both bride and groom to the altar in time to say their vows.
Marin shook her head, shaking violently as she thought of what it was she was about to do.
'I'm scared,' she whispered, holding tightly to his arm.
James smiled gently, amused that she should choose now to admit such a feeling.
'Jack Sparrow is a good man,' he murmured. 'He would never hurt you. He loves you, Marin. You don't want to break his heart, do you?'
As he coaxed his cousin into taking those fateful steps down the aisle, Elizabeth found herself face to face with one of the women she had invited personally. Ioade grinned at her, pleased to see that neither bride nor groom were completely confident in their parts for the day.
'It's good to see you, captain,' Elizabeth said softly, not wanting anyone in the body of the church to turn around and see that the bride wasn't exactly willing.
'I wouldn't have missed this for the world,' Ioade informed her, still grinning as Marin allowed herself to be turned around again. 'It'll be a badge of honour to have attended Jack Sparrow's wedding by the end of the year, you mark my words.'
Elizabeth laughed, quickly returning to her place in the bridal train as James led his reluctant cousin onto the aisle. The organist had been 'unavailable' for the wedding, but it somehow fitted that Marin should walk up the aisle in silence. Almost as though it were a mark of respect for the sacrifice that she was making.
Will nudged Jack as Marin ventured out with her cousin, clutching his sleeve with a tight grip. Jack turned to watch as his fiancé walked towards him, and his jaw dropped. She looked beautiful. Granted, she didn't look like Marin anymore, but then, today he didn't look like Captain Jack Sparrow. She held his gaze with eyes that seemed obscenely calm and serene, as indeed she herself looked. Briefly he let himself smart at the unfairness of her being calm and him terrified, before unashamedly admiring her beauty as openly as he could amidst his near crippling nerves.
Lady Rosemary Blythe was sat with her daughter and brother-in-law amidst the navy families, her great-nephew cradled on her lap. She smiled indulgently on the couple as Marin reached the altar, completely missing the significance of James on Marin's left, Will on Jack's right, and Gibbs and Elizabeth standing close behind the pair. Laura, on the other hand, had to suppress a loud giggle as she realised that all escape routes had been cut off neatly.
'Oh, isn't it lovely,' Lady Rosemary sighed. 'They're so much in love.'
Laura glanced at her mother in amusement, leaning over to whisper to her uncle.
'Do you have a handkerchief with you today, uncle?' she asked softly, quietly enough so that her mother didn't hear her.
Governor Swann frowned, patting his pockets until he located his 'kerchief.
'Why, yes, I do, Laura,' he told her. 'Do you have need of one?'
'No,' Laura admitted, 'but mother will. She always cries at weddings.'
Weatherby Swann rolled his eyes wearily, glancing sideways at his sister-in- law to discover that she did indeed have tears in her eyes. He sighed, slipping the 'kerchief to his sleeve so as to keep it handy.
'Oh dear,' he murmured, sensing a long afternoon ahead of him.
Marin was still shaking as she approached the altar, slipping her hand into Jack's more for moral support than anything. At least she knew they were both in this together, whether they wanted it or not. He squeezed her hand firmly, the slight tremble in his own fingers betraying his less than serene composure. That made her feel a little better. It wasn't just her who was supremely nervous.
The priest cast one final, longing look at the outside world over Kate's shoulder before turning to the couple before him, touched by the fear dominant in their eyes. He'd officiated many marriages, even that of the Turners, but never once had he joined two people so terrified of each other before. It was an awe-inspiring sight, that they loved one another enough to put themselves through something they both feared to be together.
It was, Elizabeth decided later, one of the shortest weddings she had ever been to. The priest was so scared of Kate that he fairly galloped through the ceremony, eager to be out from under the gaze of so many pirates. Marin and Jack had both had to repeat their vows because they were too quiet for everyone to hear. There had been one heart-stopping moment, though.
When the priest had asked if anyone present knew of any lawful impediment why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, there had been a shout from one of the pirates. Luckily, both Hopkins and Solomon had been sitting near the offending seaman, who had been promptly encouraged to take a nap, allowing the ceremony to continue. And the cheer that filled the chapel as they were pronounced man and wife could have deafened the angels. Jack grinned down at his wife, laughing with her at the apparently boundless joy of their friends as they were cheered by all and sundry. Gibbs nudged him sharply, grinning from ear to ear.
'Go on, then, boy,' he pressed. 'Kiss her.'
Marin blushed, no more able to stop herself from accepting the kiss than she would have been able to drown a fish. The shouting seemed to grow louder as their lips touched, Jack's arms snaking about her waist to hold her tightly against him. And everything about him, from his scent to the fingers gently rubbing at her back, everything was perfect.
*~*~*
The two men walked through the house, both steadfastly ignoring the catcalls that echoed up to them from the entry hall as the pirates gathered together below the landing to see their captain into his wedding chamber. Jack rolled his eyes, inwardly amused by this ridiculous little tradition they had insisted he go through. He would rather have slipped away from the party unnoticed with his tense little bride, rather than make such a huge fuss of this simple yet fundamental part of the wedding day.
'You don't have to walk me to my own bedchamber,' he hissed at Will as they mounted the steps, still ignoring the whistles from behind them.
Will grinned.
'Yes, I do,' he insisted. 'It's tradition. And I have to collect my wife.'
Elizabeth had taken Marin away from them perhaps half an hour earlier to prepare her for bed, an ordeal which no doubt had included a lot of teasing from the experienced woman. Jack would be very surprised if his own wife wasn't a sobbing wreck by the time he reached her.
His own wife. A gentle smile curved the pirate's lips. He was married, and Marin was his wife. He couldn't stop repeating those words over and over in his head, enjoying the possessive feeling he could now have whenever he thought of her. Poor girl, he thought, she must be frightened out of her skull about what was to come. But he was determined not to let her be frightened, ever again.
They reached the doorway fairly quickly, Will knocking gently on the painted wood to let the women inside know that they were there. Elizabeth opened the door, a secretive smile on her face as she slipped out to join them, ushering Jack inside as they locked the two of them in. Will grinned down at his wife, fighting back a laugh as she slipped the key into her pocket and led him back down to join the celebration.
Jack stood just inside the door, his eyes fixed on Marin where she stood by the window, dressed only in her shift. For the first time, he saw her hair unbound, tumbling over her shoulders in a sea of mahogany shimmers, and he knew such a sight was for one man's eyes only. She didn't turn as he approached, laying his coat on the chair as he passed it, to stand behind her, looking out across the harbour.
He slipped his arms about her, entwining his fingers with his own as he rested his head on her shoulder. Her cheeks were warm with a nervous blush, he realised as she leant back into his embrace, her neck tickled by his dreadlocks as he held her close to him. She glanced down at their intertwined hands, at the golden bands that dictated to her a lifetime by the side of the man she loved. It still felt strange to be wearing a ring, but she knew, no matter the discomfort, she would never take it off.
Jack stared out across the water, listening to the soft sigh of her breathing as she slowly calmed herself once more, unable to quell her shaking as she leant back into his arms. She heard him sigh gently, pressing a tender kiss below her ear.
'Afraid?' he asked gently, feeling her tremble beneath his touch.
Unable to speak, Marin nodded jerkily, her eyes fixed on the view before them. Jack smiled faintly.
'Don't ever be afraid of me,' he murmured, turning her about to face him.
As she glanced up, love for him shining through her eyes, he kissed her deeply, running his fingers through her hair as she pressed herself against him. Suddenly, the world didn't matter, her fears and nerves didn't matter, everything was as it should be. Because she was with him.