CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

(Last Chapter)

As Long As We Both Shall Live

Elizabeth could not contain her excitement. She was positively bouncing off the walls out of the sheer thought of marrying Will Turner. Faye stood behind Elizabeth, tending to bride's hair. Elizabeth had refused to have one of her maids do it, instead she entrusted the task in Faye. 'Hold still!' Faye said with a slight laugh. She held Elizabeth's head straight, taking a pin from between her lips and fastened it in Elizabeth's auburn locks.

'Sorry.' Elizabeth replied with a smile, in fact she hadn't wiped that smile off her face for the entire morning. 'It's just…I am so…'

'Excited?' Faye finished her sentence for her and sighed as Elizabeth nodded her head vigorously causing some strands of hair to come undone.

'Elizabeth, you really need to calm down!' Faye rolled her eyes as she fastened the pins again. 'I cannot do you hair if you keep moving.'

Elizabeth turned around, meeting Faye's eyes. Faye sighed as she watched the style she had been putting Elizabeth's hair in, unfurl before her. 'What now?' she asked, placing the pins back between her lips.

'Do my hair later, we need to find you something.' Elizabeth explained.

The two women were still in their nightdresses, Faye's borrowed from Elizabeth's wardrobe. The two had been awake since the small hours of the morning; actually Elizabeth had been awake and kind enough to wake Faye up in her excitement.

'Elizabeth, don't worry about it.' Faye said, looking desperately at Elizabeth's hair, wanting to finish it so badly.

'No…I will worry about it.' Elizabeth crossed to her wardrobe and opened it, smiling at the sight that met her eyes. So many court dresses hung on coat hangers, each one as stunning as the next, the only downside was that they all required the wearing of a corset.

'Elizabeth, I couldn't.' Faye said, marvelling at the garments before her. They were all so intricate, so beautiful.

'Yes you can.' Elizabeth opened the door wider, revealing three more dresses. 'Choose one.'

'I can't.' Faye declared, crossing her arms over her chest. 'You choose one for me.'

'Fine.' Elizabeth sighed and looked at Faye for a moment, the two women were about the same build, Faye a small amount taller than Elizabeth, but nothing to stop her fitting into any of the bride's clothes.

Elizabeth flicked through the dresses, looking back at Faye and then to the garments once more. 'This one.' Elizabeth pulled out a dark midnight-blue dress. 'I have never worn this before, my skin is too pale…but yours.'

Faye laughed and watched as Elizabeth placed the dress on her bed. It was beautiful, but Faye could not see herself in something so grand. All her life she had been used to rags and old second-hand items, now before her lay a dress never worn and by the looks of it, rather new. A mixture of excitement and nerves settled in the pit of her stomach.

'Do you like it?' Elizabeth asked, watching Faye gasp at the site of the dress.

'Yes!' Faye exclaimed, smiling. 'But are you sure it will suit me? I mean I have never worn a dress like this in my life!'

Elizabeth smiled reassuringly at Faye. 'You will look beautiful in it, I promise, and believe me, Jack will love it.'

Faye picked up the dress and held it to herself, looking the mirror. 'Let's try it on.' she said, a glint in her eye.


'What if she runs away at the altar?' Will asked, pacing around the library in front of Jack, wringing his hands.

'An' why the 'ell would she do tha', Will?' Jack replied, watching Will with dazed eyes as he began another lap around the library.

'But what if she does?' Will gave up on his pacing and sat in a chair across from Jack, unsure what to do with himself.

Will had never been so nervous in his life. He thought that the wedding would be joyous and stress-free, but so far Will had been running possible scenarios through his mind. What would he do if Elizabeth suddenly had regrets? What is she left him and ran off with someone else? The first person that had come to his mind was Irving, Irving was a nice fellow; he was smart and around the same age as Will himself. The two men had gotten along well, sharing quite a few conversations. Then again, why would Elizabeth run off with Irving, she would never do that and Irving himself had reassured the blacksmith that Will was all Elizabeth had talked about in the time they had spent together.

'Will!' Jack said, bending down on his haunches in front of hi, and slapping him softly across the face. 'Snap out of it! She won' leave yer!'

It wasn't so much the fact that it hurt, just the shock that Jack had in fact slapped him. 'Fine, Jack, but if you are wrong…'

'When 'ave I ever been wrong?' Jack could see Will was about to say something so he interjected. 'On secon' thought…don' answer tha'.'

Will smiled and clapped a hand on Jack's shoulder. 'It's good to have you back.'

'You too, Will, you too.' Jack smiled and stood up, going back to his chair. 'What time is the weddin' anyway?'

'Two o'clock, this afternoon.' Will replied, once again his nerves settling in. Will began to wring his hands together and bounce his knees.

Jack laughed at Will's reaction. He had never seen Will like this, he had always been somewhat composed and even slightly emotionless at times. But now it was evident that Will was scared out of his mind about this afternoon.


'Faye! You look absolutely stunning!' Elizabeth exclaimed as Faye stepped out from behind the dressing screen.

'Thanks to you.' Faye replied and took her hair out of her ponytail, letting it fall down to her shoulders. The beads strung on her braids glistened in the sunlight filtering through the window.

Faye did look stunning. The midnight blue of the dress matched the black of her hair. The dress was short-sleeved, the sleeves only coming down just past Faye's shoulders. She smiled at her reflection and then turned back to Elizabeth who was still in her nightdress.

'Shall we get you dressed?' Faye asked, tucking some of her hair behind her ears.

Elizabeth nodded and knelt down, looking under her bed. She pulled out a flat rectangular box and slid it onto the carpet out from underneath the four-poster. Elizabeth stood up, the box in her hands, and placed it on the bed, taking the lid off and smiling widely.

Inside the box sat a folded wedding dress, veil and shoes. Elizabeth took the shoes out, placing them on the floor, the veil on the bed as with the dress. The dress was long and very white. The silken material flowed over Elizabeth's hands like water over smooth stones.

'Oh my!' Faye exclaimed, clapping a hand over her mouth in awe. 'It's beautiful!'

'Indeed.' Elizabeth smiled and picked up the dress, holding it in front of herself and admiring it in the mirror. 'I cannot wait to walk down the aisle with it!'

Faye smiled as she watched Elizabeth admire her dress. 'Speaking of the wedding, have you seen Will at all today?'

'No.' Elizabeth shook her head and smiled. 'No, he got up earlier than me this morning.'

Faye hadn't thought it possible to get up any earlier than Elizabeth had this morning. The Governor's daughter had seemed to get up at the crack of dawn. 'Well,' Faye said, walking to the dressing screen. 'I am going to change into my other clothes and go see Jack.'

'All right.' Elizabeth nodded and turned back to her reflection as Faye went behind the screen and quickly changed into her old blue dress she had arrived in.

'I'll see you in a few hours, Jack and I are going for a walk through the town.' Faye smiled as she departed Elizabeth's room and closed the door behind her.


Those few hours passed extremely quickly for Elizabeth. Her wedding was to take place in half an hour and now she was more nervous than ever.

'Voila!' Faye exclaimed as she jumped into Elizabeth's room wearing the dress she had lent her. Faye spun around, modelling the dress, obviously proud of how she looked.

Faye looked so different to how she had looked when she had only tried it on before; now she had done her hair in a twisted plait, two coloured braids hanging down on either side of her face. Elizabeth had also lent her some ornate gold earrings that hung down from her earlobes, catching the light perfectly and a dark-blue sapphire necklace rested on her collarbone.

'Faye! You look gorgeous!' Elizabeth rushed over to the woman and hugged her, stepping back and smiling widely at her. 'Beautiful!'

'Thankyou.' Faye curtsied and laughed as she walked further into the room. 'Shall we get you ready? After all, you are the bride.'

Elizabeth beamed and walked behind the dressing screen, slipping on her corset. 'Faye,' she called from behind the screen. 'Could you tie me up?'

Faye walked toward Elizabeth and grasped the two strings of Elizabeth's corset. 'Breathe in.' she said, and Elizabeth did so. Faye pulled the strings tightly and she felt Elizabeth wince. 'Sorry.' Faye apologised quietly, tying up the strings.

'Don't be sorry, it's my fault for choosing this dress in the first place.' Elizabeth breathed out heavily and walked out from behind the screen and picked up her dress. The dress was heavy; beads were sewn on as decoration on the bodice in an intricate pattern.

Elizabeth slipped into the dress with some difficulty, almost losing her balance. Faye steadied her and laughed slightly as Elizabeth placed all her weight onto her grip.

Faye turned Elizabeth around and buttoned her dress up at the back telling the Governor's daughter to breathe in once more. Faye turned Elizabeth around and smiled at the sight. Although her hair was not styled, Elizabeth looked as if she could walk down the aisle at any moment.


'Bloody 'ell, Will…jus' relax!' Jack said as he watched the Blacksmith do up his shirt. 'Take a breath!'

Will was wearing a smart and formal tuxedo. Governor Swann wished him to wear something 'navy style', but Will refused saying he did not feel comfortable dressed like Commodore Norrington.

'How do I look?' Will asked as he turned around to show Jack.

'Like a Penguin.' Jack replied truthfully. 'But other than tha', yer look fine.'

Will knew Jack would say something of that nature; after all he was Captain Jack Sparrow.

'How d' I look?' Jack asked, standing up from the bed he was sitting on and spun around, a wicked smile on his face.

'Like a pirate.' Will replied with a small laugh.

It was true; Jack did look like a pirate. He was dressed the same as every other day, his beads in his hair glistened in the sunlight and his kohl rimmed eyes made him an individual with a style that was all his own. Jack had said himself that they'd have to tie him down to force him to wear a suit.

'Jack.' Will began as he fixed his long hair.

'Mmm?' Jack replied, sitting back down on his bed. Will and Jack were getting ready in Jack's room since Faye and Elizabeth had commandeered Will's own.

'I need a best man.' Will turned around the face Jack, a smile on his face.

'And wha' am I s'posed ter do about it?' Jack suddenly shut his mouth as he realised what Will was saying. 'Me?'

Will nodded. 'Please Jack, it would mean so much to me.'

Jack thought for a moment. 'All right, Mr. Turner. I'll be yer bes' man.' Jack smiled; he was actually glad to see that Will did think of him so highly. 'Thank you, Will.'

Will nodded and suddenly turned around as their door opened. Governor Swann stood at the doorway.

'Will.' The Governor said, his eyes gleaming once more. It seemed that since he had got his daughter back Weatherby had gone back to his old self. 'Are you ready?'

Will felt his stomach lurch. He nodded nervously, checking himself in the mirror and messing with his hair. Jack grasped Will by the arm and roughly pulled him out of the room.

'Hurry up, boy' the pirate said with a laugh.


The wedding was to take place in a church, as weddings commonly did. The church resided near Swann Manor, but of course not close enough for the bride and groom to walk to, but it was close enough for a certain pirate.

Jack was glad to have time alone, glad to have time to reflect on what had happened over the past month. The pirate's life had turned from meaningless to meaningful. He had met the woman of his dreams. Jack had never believed in fate or destiny before he met Faye, but now he did more than ever.

Now as he walked toward the church, Jack thought how he might be feeling at this moment had he not met Faye. Would be still be in love with Elizabeth? Would he be jealous of Will as the priest allowed him to kiss his bride? Probably not, Jack would be happier than ever that finally the couple was reunited, at last ready to start afresh.

Jack could not be more excited to be Will Turner's best man. Jack felt honoured that despite Governor Swann's possible grievances Will still asked a pirate to stand by him on the most important day of his life.

As Jack walked he noticed a familiar face. Oriel, the owner of Oriel's Emporium winked slyly at him, giving him a suggestive nod. Laughing, Jack remembered back when he had caught her eyeing him in her shop. He smiled at the woman and gave a small wave before proceeding to the church.

The church came into view and Jack smiled. Two horse drawn carriages - one for the bride, the other for the groom- was stopped outside the church. Jack walked toward the church and opened the doors, smiling at the sight. The room was beautiful, a long deep red carpet spanned the length of the aisle and white roses were fastened to the pews. Jack noticed Will at the front of the church by the altar, smiling the pirate walked over to his friend and stood beside him.

'You are late.' Will said to Jack, wringing his hands.

'Aaah, boy you are wrong.' Jack held up his index fingers for emphasis 'I am only late if the weddin' 'as already started, an' by the looks o' things, it 'as not.'

Will laughed, knowing Jack would come up with some way to get out of being late.

Jack looked behind them and noticed many people sitting in the seats; most of them shocked to see a pirate in a church. Jack noticed Commodore Norrington and Lucinda; he smiled brightly and waved his hand excitedly at them. Norrington rolled his eyes and resumed his interest in his wife once more. Jack scanned the seats and also noticed many other people he did not know, probably relatives of Elizabeth. Jack could tell Will had no family at the wedding, but he seemed unperturbed by it.

Suddenly, a priest stood beside them and Jack took that as a signal to leave.

'I'll see yer in a minute.' Jack said to Will as he walked down the aisle and out of the church.


Elizabeth grasped Faye's hand as the two women stood outside the church doors. Faye winced as Elizabeth squeezed her fingers a little too tightly than she would have liked.

Elizabeth let go of Faye's hand as the church door opened, Jack walking out to them.

'Jack!' Elizabeth said breathlessly and hugged him, her arms around his neck. She seemed as nervous as Will was. 'How is Will?'

' 'es fine.' Jack replied as Elizabeth let go of him. He stood back and looked at Faye, slightly stunned. 'Faye, you look…'

'Isn't she gorgeous?' Elizabeth smiled at Faye and then at Jack.

'Yes, she is.' Jack gazed at Faye for a moment before snapping back to reality. 'Faye, shouldn't you be inside with the rest of the guests?'

'No.' Faye replied proudly, shaking her head. 'Elizabeth has asked me to be her Maid of Honour.

Elizabeth nodded along with Faye and then looked at Jack. 'Are you Will's best man?'

Jack nodded and smiled slightly, extremely excited about the proceedings that were soon to take place, but before he could say anything, music sounded from inside the church.

' 'ere we go, love.' Jack said, taking Faye's hand and watching as the doors opened. Elizabeth did not have bridesmaids; she preferred the wedding to be low-key.

Jack and Faye walked through the doors. Seeing heads turn as Jack walked past, Faye nudged him in the ribs and smiled brightly. She whispered something supportive out of the corner of her mouth and Jack stifled a laugh, but kept walking.

Once at the end of the red carpet, Jack and Faye parted, Jack swaggering to the right, Faye walking to the left.


Will smiled at Jack as he stood next to him and the pirate smiled back, clapping a hand on his shoulder.

' 'ere she comes.' Jack said as another figure walked through the door. Will turned around the see Elizabeth looking more beautiful than ever, her light hair done up in a tight bun and her veil hanging down over her face.

The crowd stood up, watching father and daughter walk down the aisle towards the altar.

Her father, Governor Swann, accompanied Elizabeth. The Governor looked somewhat shocked the see Jack standing beside Will at the altar, but did not say anything. Instead, he smiled at his daughter, kissed her on the cheek and parted with her.

Once at the altar, Elizabeth smiled at Will and the blacksmith smiled back. The faced eachother and the Priest began to speak, his smooth voice ringing out across the sea of people.

'Friends, we have been invited here today to share with William Turner and Elizabeth Swann, a very important moment in their lives.' The Priest smiled at the couple. 'In the years they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.'

Will stared at Elizabeth, seeing that tears lingered in the side of her brown eyes, he was itching to take her and wipe them away, but he resisted temptation.

'William, if you will say your vows, please.' The priest said, looking at the groom.

Will shuddered at the name William, he detested it, it was just too formal. He took Elizabeth's hands in his own and smiled.

'I, Will Turner take you, Elizabeth Swann to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love.' Will looked into Elizabeth eyes. 'I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.'

'Elizabeth?' the father said, gesturing to the bride with a smile.

' I, Elizabeth Swann, take you, Will Turner, to be my lawfully wedded husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my only love from this day forward. In the presence of our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow.' A single tear of joy ran down Elizabeth's cheek 'I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honour and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.'

'William and Elizabeth, we have heard you promise to share your lives in marriage. We recognise and respect the covenant you have made.' The Pastor said 'It is not a minister standing before you that makes your marriage real, but the honest and sincerity of what you have said and done here before your friends and relatives.'

Jack looked over at the couple and smiled, they seemed so happy to be together, so happy to finally have each other and to be married as they had planned so long ago. The Priest began to speak again.

'Now, Elizabeth and William will seal their marriage with the giving and receiving of rings.' The pastor reached behind him and took two gold rings, handing one to Elizabeth and one to Will.

'With this ring I give you the promise of love, happiness and constant friendship for eternity.' Will smiled and slid the ring onto Elizabeth's finger.

'With this ring I give you the promise of love, happiness and constant friendship for eternity.' Elizabeth too slid the ring onto Will's ring finger and smiled.

'Forasmuch as William and Elizabeth have consented together in marriage, and have witnessed the same before their friends and family. By the authority committed unto me as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the state of Port Royale, I declare that William and Elizabeth are now husband and wife.'

Will smiled at Elizabeth, they had been the words he had been waiting to hear for so long. Tears stung his eyes, but he pushed them back. He looked at Elizabeth who smiled back and wiped some water from her own brown eyes.

'Now the ceremony is over and the experience of living day by day as married people is about to begin.' The priest concluded 'Go forth to meet it, gladly, love life so it will love you. May many blessings be with you. You may no kiss the bride.'

Will beamed and took Elizabeths hand and raising her veil from her face. He leaned close to her and kissed her with more love than he had ever kissed her before. He shut his eyes, let his tears fall free. It was over, all over and now he had all the time in the world to enjoy his new life with the woman he loved more than anything.

THE END

(WOW! The end! I never thought this day would come...but it has. Now, on a more serious note...the sequel should not be up for another 3 weeks or so because I am going on holidays to China! yay! But, keep an eye out for it and it shall be up as soon as I can! Thanks for sticking with this story...you guys ROCK! Okay...now review review review)