"You look beautiful Miss Norrington." Clara said as she finished buttoning the last tiny silk button on Ella's wedding dress. Her lip quivered, threatening to release the tears that lie waiting in her eyes. She had seven bridesmaids and one maid of honor. All of which had been chosen for her by Lord Beckett. She knew no one and felt horribly alone. The dress was white…or lacking color as Ella thought to herself. Just like her life with Cutler Beckett would lack color. The bridesmaids wore maize, a color which she despised. Not even Charlotte could get through the sea of girls to comfort her and Ella desperately wished Elizabeth were here. Liz was strong. But Ella knew where Liz was. With her husband and the man Ella had sacrificed herself for. I would have rather had Beckett shoot me dead…She thought disdainfully.

The girls chattered on about silly things like clothes and engagements while she stood silently staring into her bouquet. It was all women had to talk about. They were not permitted to talk about politics or anything important. Ella doubted that many of these ladies could even understand English much less discuss something relevant. She watched them interact with each other and giggle, fixing each other's dresses and hair. How she longed for that sort of carefree world, where the most important thing was fashion and being demure. She had not been able to enjoy that sort of world since before Samuel had asked for her hand, and tonight, she would lose her freedom as well. She dreaded tonight, for tonight was when she would have to lie before Cutler Beckett and let him do with her what he would to get a son.

Ella, of course, did not know the details of the wedding night and no one would fill her in as it was indecent to discuss what went on in a couple's marriage bed. She was distracted from her disturbing thoughts by Clara who was trying to get her attention.

"Miss Norrington, Mrs. Turner is here to see you." She said softly. Ella nodded for her to be let in and told Clara she would meet her in the library. To her amazement, not one girl even seemed to notice Ella slip out of the room in her huge wedding gown as they continued to chatter.

Elizabeth was waiting for her, wearing quite a lovely outfit with her hair pinned up neatly and her hands covered by gloves.

"Ella." She said softly, holding her hands out to the bride. Ella came to her and took her hands gently.

"Liz…what are you doing here?" She asked, wondering if anyone else had come with her. She'd prayed into the morning for someone to rescue her. Elizabeth smiled.

"Will sent me home for rest, I think he's up to something. I am coming to your wedding today though. My father has resigned as governor and is thinking of moving back to England." Ella darkened.

"Liz…your father didn't resign. He was blackmailed by the man I am going to marry in just under two hours." Elizabeth sighed, but nodded.

"I had thought so…Beckett is a sorry son of a…" She stopped herself regaining ladylike composure. "I did not get sick today." She said, changing the subject. Ella tried to smile.

"That's wonderful…I cannot wait to meet your child. You must come visit sometimes." She said sadly. Elizabeth nodded, fighting tears.

"Ellie…" She said using the childhood pet name, "Don't do this…you don't have to…" Ella shook her head, squeezing her friend's hand.

"I must…I gave my word." She said. Both of them were quiet, for Elizabeth knew Ella was a Lady and ladies never went back on their word. She remembered the days she had valued honor. Those days were gone when she'd chained Jack Sparrow to his own ship and allowed him to be eaten. In the end though, they had saved Jack and he had gotten a second chance at life. Did not Ella deserve that same chance? The girls held each other for a long while and Elizabeth wondered if all was going according to plan.

"Everything is set for tonight Lord Beckett." A guard said as Beckett admired his reflection in the mirror.

"What about the Black Pearl?" He asked. The man nodded.

"We are still trying to locate it sir." He said, his head bowed. Beckett nodded.

"Perfect. Now, the orders are clear, correct? As soon as you see Sparrow. Shoot him dead where he stands." The guard became clearly confused.

"But sir…I thought you gave Miss Norrington your word…?" Beckett's hand went up to silence him.

"I did what I had to do for her to marry me. Now Sparrow must get his due. I have been waiting too long to see him dead and I want him brought to me as soon as the job is done. Understand Officer?" Flustered, the man nodded and left the room.

Beckett turned to his two faithful Lieutenants.

"The plans are laid out gentlemen…today Eleanore will become my wife and hopefully sooner rather than later she will become pregnant, whereupon she will be sent straight to my home in England. I shall visit her once a year, especially if our first attempt is not successful and we have, God forbid, a girl first." The men nodded in agreement for the thought of the eldest child being a girl was preposterous. They all chuckled uncertainly for it was of course, half possible.

Beckett turned to survey the room he and his wife would spend their first night together in and a sly smile came to his face at the thought of Ella's virginal body lying on the bed for him. It was a simple room with a large bed, a changing screen and a vanity. Perhaps even, after tonight, she would be more willing to be his wife. He could even come to be fond of her, though he knew he would have mistresses conveniently after she had gone off to England to raise his sons. Once they were of age, they would be sent back to Port Royal to live. Beckett couldn't be bothered with raising children. It was a woman's job, and Eleanore would serve well.

"Father!" Elizabeth called, bursting into her father's home with determination.

"Elizabeth? Is something wrong?" Her father called tiredly from his library. She opened the door and crossed her arms.

"Get up and get ready...we're going to Lord Beckett's wedding to get your position as Governor back." She said, pulling at him. He resisted.

"Elizabeth! Are you insane? Beckett is too powerful." He said, standing. She grinned.

"Yes Father, but I happen to know three men who are going to change all that today." Suspicion crossed his face.

"Elizabeth Anne, what are you up to?"

"Ella?" Charlotte peered into Ella's quiet room. She was sitting on the edge of her bed praying. "Ella..." She said softly, kneeling before her. Eleanore looked up at her.

"How can I do this?" She asked softly. "How can I marry this...this...monster?" She asked, shuddering at the thought of removing her clothing for him in but a few short hours. She'd seen the way he stared hungrily at her bosom and it made her feel small and vulnerable. Then again, Jack had never pretended to be honorable, but it didn't make her feel ashamed when he looked at her. He looked at her with more than carnal hunger. There was a certain affection in the way he treated people, pirate or not.

Oh how she wished she could see him one last time before throwing her life away. If I could have one night with the Captain, I would be able to make it through this life. But she knew one night with Captain Jack would never be enough for her. In the short time she had spent with him, she had fallen so hard and so fast for him, it frightened her. She hadn't been sure until just before she'd left him, but now she was almost positive that he felt something for her too.

Charlotte helped her to her feet and adjusted her veil, pulling it over her face.

"The carriage is here to take us to the church. The bridesmaids have already gone ahead." Ella nodded silently, taking her hand and clutching the bouquet in the other. They walked out together, the sun nearly blinding Ella as she stepped outside. The carriage was decorated and waiting for her and to her surprise, James was standing outside waiting for her already dressed and ready. He'd trimmed his beard and now looked distinguished and handsome.

"You're coming?" She asked, surprised. He took her arm, helping her into the carriage.

"As if I would make my little sister walk herself down the aisle." He said and she would have believed him, but there was a glint in his eyes that she had only seen when he had been up to mischief. Charlotte sat beside Ella, the two of them clinging to one another for support. James shook his head, unable to believe his sister would put herself through this mess after all she had overcome.

"Jimmy, where were you this morning?" She asked suspiciously and he knew he had to come up with a good lie.

"I...was meeting with a few of my friends from the military to discuss Lord Beckett." He fibbed, knowing damn well that she knew he was full of it. She smiled unevenly though at him, either not having the strength to question further, or just dropping the subject since she knew she would be getting nowhere.

The church was full to the brim with the upper crust of Port Royal in attendance. As James helped Ella out of the carriage in her huge wedding gown, through the afternoon sun, she thought she saw two gentlemen waiting in the shadows. Her eyebrow raised as she suspected Beckett had guards everywhere to ensure she could not leave this church until his ring was on her finger and his name was hers. Her bridesmaids attended to her, pulling her train straight and fixing her veil minutes before the ceremony was going to start. At one point she was so miserable she thought she heard the Captain's voice whispering her name. Beckoning her...but when she turned there was no one.

The opening chords of the ceremony began as the bridesmaids scrambled to get into their line.

"Are you ready?" James asked, a small smirk on his face. She nodded with a sigh and noticed that he was all too happy about walking her down the aisle to her fate. For a moment she wondered if he was drunk, but he did not smell of anything but his aftershave. As the double doors to the church opened to reveal her, she sucked in a deep breath and started toward the altar, clinging to the arm of the only family member she had left.