Disclaimer: I make absolutely no money off of POTC. I do not own Norrington much as I wish to, so I am forced to play with him in fiction.
Chapter 24: I Thee Wed
Before the Wedding: The Bridal Party…
Multiple giggles were heard coming from Pru's room as she prepared herself for her wedding. Sitting beside her were Elizabeth and James's sister Anne who were serving as her bridesmaids. The girls had spent the whole of yesterday together, commiserating in the occasion of what Anne termed, "someone finally capturing my stubborn donkey of a brother." Pru decided she rather liked Anne Norrington...
Now, in the remaining hours before Pru Martin would become Pru Norrington, the women intently concentrated on dressing and beautifying each other. Elizabeth and Anne were finally ready; Pru had chosen a light blue gown ala Anglais with white lace for her bridal attendants. They both carried the dress off wonderfully and looked like delicate china dolls.
After that, it was Pru's turn. Her dress was made in the ala François style, in which the principal difference from the Anglais was the lengthy train. It was cream colored and delicately decorated with pearls and gold thread. Her hair took at least an hour to arrange and she had a light headache by the time the maids had stopped poking and prodding her hair. Completely satisfied, Pru reached for the single piece of jewelry she would wear besides her betrothal ring…
Elizabeth spoke up, "Is that new? I don't think you've ever worn it before…"
Pru smiled fondly as she ran her finger over the slim dark blue sapphire. "It is. James gave it to me last night…"
Anne laughed. "Oooooh. So that's where you where for a WHOLE hour last night…What were you doing?"
Pru blushed. "I thought you were asleep! And I AM NOT answering that! Not that we did anything improper…"
Elizabeth slyly grinned. "I'm sure you didn't…"
Pru glared at her. "And have I asked you what you do with your husband, Elizabeth?"
"But he is my husband." Elizabeth retorted.
Pru's cousin had gotten married in a perfectly beautiful ceremony a few weeks ago. Both girls had decided that they preferred to not outshine each other in a double wedding. Therefore as Elizabeth had gotten engaged first, she had wed William Turner, blacksmith, before Pru wed. By all accounts, Elizabeth loved her new role as blacksmith's wife, preferring its looser freedoms to the restrictions of being the Governor's daughter.
"Are you nervous?" Elizabeth asked her cousin.
"No, not precisely…I love James and I want to be his wife. I'm actually more nervous about ruining the wedding by falling on my train or saying something stupid or…"
It was clear Pru was working herself into a lather over nothing. Anne interrupted, "Pru! I certainly don't believe you'll do anything to ruin your own wedding! And if you do, I will simply do something more embarrassing to take the attention off whatever you did."
Pru laughed. "Thank you, Anne."
Anne grinned. "What are sisters for?"
Before the Wedding: The Groom's Party…
Four men sat around a small table on which nothing else sat besides four glasses and a large decanter of brandy. Being men, their dressing and preparation took but a few moments so the groom, James Norrington, and his attendants, best man Lieutenant Andrew Gillette, groomsman Lieutenant Theodore Groves, and new friend Will Turner relaxed with liquor and male bonding.
The people of Port Royal were quite abuzz over the sudden friendship of Will Turner, husband of Elizabeth Turner, nee Swann and James Norrington, former fiancé of Mrs. Turner. Bets had been placed that their interactions would surely end in a duel of sorts and the bets were placed on who would win between the master swordsmen.
What the gossips didn't consider was the power of love. Both men had fallen and fallen hard for two cousins; Will for Elizabeth Swann and James for Pru Martin. Being the fact that the two cousins were inseparable best friends and would be spending a great deal of time together, both men considered it to be in their best interests to forge a makeshift friendship. Their best interests meaning that their lovestold them to.
However, with their past animosity gone, the men found they had a great deal in common and had merely been adversaries because of their confusing past of being suitors for Elizabeth's hand. Now it wasn't necessary to even muse uponas James had long realized that he did not love Elizabeth, never had, actually,and in fact realized that love was what he felt for Pru Martin, his soon to be bride.
James sipped his brandy and observed the men at the table.
"I personally will be relieved when I'm finally married…" he stated to no one in particular. Why couldn't we have eloped? It might have been improper, but…
Will smiled. "Exactly how I felt a few weeks ago. This wedding stuff is nonsense for women." You'll never forget the wedding, though. I've never remembered anything more vividly…
Gillette spoke up. "I'm glad to see it arrive too. Maybe then you'll be revoltingly nauseous in private." I envy you…
Groves smirked. "But are you ready for saddling yourself with a wife, sir?" Are you nervous?
James glanced at Groves. "I've been ready since the moment she agreed to marry me." More nervous than before any battle…
Gillette smirked. "Which time James?" Calm down. It's a wedding, not a pirate attack!
James looked at his pocket watch. "It is time." Oh, Pru. Please say you're as nervous as I am…
The Wedding…
The string band began playing the march with which Pru would make her way down the aisle of the church...
James, resplendent in his most formal uniform, turned and had his breath taken away in one short instant. Pru, with one of the most serene smiles on her face, was slowly walking to where he stood. And she was stunning. Her brown hair was pulled up in a simple bun and was augmented merely by a few pale pink flowers and pearls. Around her neck lay the deep blue sapphire he'd given her as a wedding present the night before and her cream gown shimmered as the pearls and gold thread caught the light. So intent was he upon her person, he barely registered her bouquet of lilies and barely saw her bridesmaids.
She finally approached where he stood. Side by side they went up to the Church of England priest who would officiate the service. Later he would only remember selectparts of the ceremony as he was far more focused on Pru's smile, her expressions, and the way her mischievous eyes looked into his…
DEARLY beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God…
Pru silently mouthed, "I love you…"
...Secondly, It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continentcy might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body…
James's eyes glinted in amusement…
WILT thou have this Woman to thy wedded Wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?
James responded with an loud adamant, "I Will…"
WILT thou have this Man to thy wedded Husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?
Pru's eyes gazed into his, mischievously as always, as she responded, "To all but the obey part, I will."
James felt his eyebrow arch as he silently laughed. Of course you wouldn't…
Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?
Governor Swann, who in the past few months had proven to be far more a father than her real one ever had, responded, "I do." He returned to his seat.
"I, James Norrington take thee, Pru Martin, to be my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."
He smiled with pride.
"I, Pru Martin take thee, James Norrington, to be my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey as I see fit and so choose to do, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth."
She gave a soft laugh at the end, proud of herself that she amended the vows to her own specifications.
James took a ring from Gillette. As he slid it on Pru's finger, he spoke, "With this Ring I thee wed, with my Body I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
Pru's eyes turned shiny from the wetness of herhappy tears.
They knelt to pray and then…
Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
FORASMUCH as James Norrington and Pru Martin have consented together in holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.
The Wedding Psalms were then read and the sermon given. Pru and James took communion as required and were announced to be man and wife. Both of them were smiling widely as James kissed her on the lips, quickly but far longer than it should have been by most standards. Riding on the well wishes of their guests and the loud rings of the church bell, James and Pru walked down the aisle into a carriage that would transport them to the wedding breakfast in the Governor's garden…
By all accounts, the ceremony was splendid and moving…
The Wedding Breakfast…
The garden had been transformed into a wonderland. Golden colored cloths were draped over the many tables which held centerpieces of tropical flowers. A large area had been set aside for dancing and a string quartet had set up a small distance away from it.
Champagne flowed throughout the night. From the head table, Pru and James observed the merrymaking with delight. The food finally arrived and as they ate, the bride and groom conversed with the other members of the wedding party as well as each other.
"I can't believe we had to wait so long to be married. Why was that again?"
Pru grinned at him. "Dear husband, I have explained this before many times. Elizabeth and I wished to have our own special day. Besides, I wanted at least one member of your family here. Which by the way, I love your sister and I'm glad she will be staying with us for awhile."
James smiled as he glanced down the table at Anne. "As am I."
"And why have you complained anyway? Did you not enjoy our wedding?"
James was quick to correct her misapprehension. "I adored it especially as it meant that you would be mine, Pru."
She gave him a look of mock outrage. "How possessive of you sir!"
He gave her a wicked smile. "Not as much as I will be tonight…"
Now, that caused her to blush. "I do believe I should talk with someone else for awhile until you learn to behave!"
She turned to her bridesmaids and chatted quite a bit with Elizabeth and Anne over the breakfast. James contented himself with stealing looks at his bride while managing a conversation with Gillette.
The cake proved to be remarkable. Pru and James shared a piece together and only missed their mouths a few times. As an unfortunate casualty, a few bits of icing and cake did end up in unfortunate places…
Then the dancing began. As bride and groom, they led the first dance. They had wanted a waltz, but both knew how improper that would be, so they picked a gavotte, as it had been their first dance together in Port Royal. Other couples joined them shortly afterand a few moments later, James and Pru left the dance floor, separating to make the rounds of their guests.
James, ever the protective one, kept a constant watch on Pru. So it was with concern that he saw Pru slink off further into the garden to the area of the folly. Frowning, he made his excuses and followed her from a distance...
She stopped at the folly's entrance and knocked three times on a column. She looked around her and then placed what she'd been holding, a large bottle ofrum apparently, by the column. As she made her way back, James stepped out from behind a tree.
"Why Pru, how is it that you've strayed so far from the party?" he asked.
Pru jumped five feet in the air with a shriek. "James! It's you! I, uh, needed a breath of fresh air…"
James smiled at her. "And you wanted to get it alone? I thought we'd discussed that you weren't to go off alone…"
Her ire was up. "James Norrington! I was in the GARDEN! I was perfectly fine. I was-"
He interrupted, "carrying a large bottle of the best rum to insure the folly participated in the celebration of our nuptials?"
Her shoulders slumped in defeat. "You noticed, did you?"
"Pru Norrington, what are you up to?" he asked suspiciously with a frown. Then it hit him. Rum…and a comment about weddings made not too long ago by a certain pirate captain…
"Nothing!"
He laughed. "Pru, you are an abysmal liar when you're trying to hide something."
"I'm not hiding anything!" she protested.
"Methinks she protests too much…about the presence of a particular captain, perhaps?" he commented.
Her chin lifted defiantly. "He's my friend…after all I wouldn't have gotten on your ship if it weren't for you! He should be allowed to celebrate…"
"Yes, of course he should."
"And another thing! Either you or I would have been shot if he hadn't interv- What?"
"As long as he doesn't appear within sight of any member of the royal navy or government, including me, than I can honestly say that I have not seen him on the premises. Therefore, he can stay...if you're grateful enough…"
She smiled broadly at him as she leapt into his arms. Pru placed a very warm very grateful kiss on his lips. "Is that acceptable?" she asked huskily.
"It's a start." he whispered as his head lowered to hers…
And later, he didn't even bat an eye when alarge dog with anecklace of black pearlsaround its neckand a card attached saying "Rooting for you, love," ran straight into the table where the cake lay, toppling it on some unsuspecting guests…
AN: A wedding to remember, eh?. One more chapter to go: the epilogue. However, if you are very, very good (which means you send reviews!), I might tell you what ideas I might expand upon for another story…Cheers!