At long last, the dawn of the sixth day had finally arrived. Alanna awoke with the sun, roused by its warm, golden rays. She sat up and stretched, instantly realizing the difference of this particular day. This was the day she would finally look upon the face of her dear William. The breeze blew urgently from the balcony, as if picking up on the excitement of the day. Alanna had just slung her robe over her body when someone rapped softly on the door.
"Mistress?" Margaret called. "Are you decent?"
Alanna smiled as she fingered Will's ring. "Yes, Margaret," she called back. "Come in."
Needing no further instruction, the door swept opened, revealing a woman in her early thirties, her raven hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. Her skin was as tan as Stefan's, but a great deal softer. She wore a simple, yet formal blue dress, a white apron tied around her waist. In her hand she carried a porcelain pitcher.
"So today's the day, is it?" she asked sweetly, making her way to the basin in the corner. The water fell with a clear, splashing sound into the basin, the early sunlight sending the water's refection onto the wall.
"That's right," Alanna said, beaming. "He said six days. I have every confidence he'll be within sight by sunset."
Margaret raised an eyebrow. "And what if he isn't?" she inquired.
The idea was absurd, but Alanna refused to think of the possibility. "He'll be here," she countered confidently. "He promised he would. I've decided to trust that."
Margaret simply shrugged and turned to the maid who had followed her into the room. In her small hands she carried a large, rectangular box. Alanna's smile widened.
"It's a gift from Master Stefan and his family," Margaret stated when she saw Alanna's face. "If today is as special as you say, it is a perfect addition."
Her eyes sparkling, Alanna lifted the lid. Before her was a royal blue gown, the material mostly resembling satin. The sleeves were lined with white lace, opening at the elbow. The neckline was also lined with lace, running squarely across the collarbone. She touched it with reverence, afraid it would vanish in an instant.
"I'm…I'm deeply grateful," she whispered with awe. "It's absolutely beautiful. Tell Stefan I am touched by his gesture."
"I'm glad you like it," said a smooth voice.
Alanna turned abruptly to face her newest friend, who was leaning against the open doorway, grinning.
"Stefan! I…I don't know what to say!"
Stefan laughed and walked towards her. "Say you'll show it off for me today," he chuckled. "William will be most pleased to see it."
Smiling to herself, she held the gown in front of her, admiring it in the mirror. Stefan was absolutely right. Will had never seen her in such finery, and today would be a perfect day to start. Her heart thumping with excitement, she felt for Will's ring.
This is it she thought as she looked to the sea. He'll be in my arms before sunset…just as he promised.
After having brunch with Stefan and his family, Alanna sped back to her room, an idea striking her. She had eyed that desk in the corner since she arrived here, and it was about time she took advantage of it. She wrote first to her parents and friends, keeping track of her adventures so far. Finally, as the sun gained height, she began to write a letter to Will.
My Dearest William,
Oh how hard it has been these past six days. Your friends are kind and wonderful, but my heart longs still for you. I've lied awake each night, praying with every fiber of my being that you would return safely. I must tell you I feared the worst. Endless possibilities kept coming to me. I feared that the sea had taken you away from me…that Erebus had somehow gotten hold of you and the crew. The only thing that gave me hope all this time were your last words to me. Your ring has been my only companion…the only thing I have of yours. Now this day is here at last, and I can finally breathe easy. You are my everything, Will, and that shall never change. My whole body has craved your touch. My lips have longed for your kiss. I pray your vow holds true, my sweet, as has mine. Mere hours from now, I shall hold you once again, and will never let go until the end of time.
Forever and always,
Alanna LivingstonFinally pleased with her work, Alanna sat back with a sigh. All of it was true. Every word she had written came from her heart, and he would know that. Sealing it with a kiss, she folded the parchment and placed it neatly on the desk. Satisfied, she stood and strolled to the balcony. It would only be a few hours until she would once again see the Dutchman on the horizon. She leaned against the railing, and prepared to wait.
Sunset came…and went. As the sun sank lower and lower, Alann's heart began to drop. Stefan came to her every hour that afternoon, but there was no news from the docks. The ships that came in were mostly merchant's ships, bearing the latest silks and spices from neighboring islands. Biting her lip, she watched still, fingering his ring nervously. She knew it was wrong to expect so much of him, but as the light faded from the sky, she began to panic. According to Stefan, the weather between San Juan and Tortuga stayed mostly fair, but many things could go wrong. For one, Erebus was still alive and free, and she had no way of knowing where he and his band of brutes might be. Her wound was mostly healed, but that was nothing compared to the increasing ache she felt in her heart. A part of her was missing, and as the stars came out, all hope of getting it back was lost. Soon the candles within her room were lit, but she hardly noticed. It was only when Stefan placed a hand on her shoulder that she realized she had been crying.
"Alanna," he said softly. "I'm sorry. There's been no word from my men at the docks. It's possible he's waiting until morning to sail in. There's nothing more we can do tonight."
Alanna wiped her cheeks as best she could and turned to face him. She forced a smile. "I understand," she whispered. "You're probably right. I will see him tomorrow."
Stefan smiled sympathetically and held out his arm. "Come," he said. "Let's go down to dinner."
Now in a daze, she nodded and took his arm. As he led her out of the room, she stole one last glance toward the ocean, a tear sliding down her cheek in silence.
Dinner was somber that night. As Stefan led Alanna down the main stairwell, her gown seemed to glow in the flickering candlelight, making her that much more beautiful. She wore a simple necklace of seed pearls around her neck, accompanied by a pair of pearl earrings. Will's ring was displayed on her right hand, where it had always been. It too glittered in its own brilliance, accenting her eyes that much more. Her hair flowed behind her in golden waves, held back by two diamond pins on either side of her head. She was a vision in blue, but her face did not reflect it. Her features were an emotionless mask, not yielding a single hint of the torment she felt in her soul. She glared at the candles in disgust. How ironic she thought darkly. Will hasn't returned and it's as though we're lamenting his absence.
As the meal progressed, it became harder and harder to suppress her sadness. As talk began to circle around tomorrow's plans and finding Will's whereabouts, she couldn't take it anymore. As hard as she tried, the emotions she felt could no longer be ignored. She stood abruptly and fled to her room, leaving those still at the table stunned. After a moment, Stefan began to stand, but Margaret held him back.
"Leave her be," she advised. "This day meant a lot to her. I think it's best she be left alone."
Stefan took the hint but looked toward the stairs, a sympathetic look on his face. He had grown to know Alanna over the past six days, and loved her as though she were his own daughter. William he thought, closing his eyes. You'd better come back soon. I'll be damned if you leave her like this. Please God, I don't know how or when, but please…bring him back to her tonight.
Alanna swept into her room in a blur, her tears now coming in waves. With trembling hands, she undid the laces of her gown and flung it into the corner. It was a careless gesture, but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered to her now. She proceeded to rip the pearls from her ears and neck, until all but the ring remained. She reached for it, but couldn't bring herself to take it off. His final words burned in her thoughts until she was certain she could hear him.
"This is my promise," he told her. "If I don't come back in six days, take this as a symbol of my eternal love, which will never die no matter where I go."
Now the tears flowed freely, running down her cheeks in rivers. She staggered to the bed and flung herself across it. She cried not only for her lost love, but also for her parents, her friends, the life she had before coming here. The hope she had this morning had now turned to ashes, leaving nothing but a broken vow in the dust. Finally, after much struggle, her grief gave way to exhaustion, and she fell into a restless sleep.
The bell had just tolled midnight when Alanna awoke again. The room was quiet, with nothing but a breeze coming from the window. Nearest her, a candle flickered on the nightstand; besides the moonlight, it was the only light in the room. Another thing Alanna noticed was that she was in her dressing gown, her blue dress and shift hanging on the wall. Emotionally drained, she sat up, looking bleakly around the room. Within moments, the pain and dread from earlier began ripping at her again, bringing on a fresh wave of tears. She subdued it only to crawl from bed and grab her robe. The room made her restless and besides, what was the worst that could happen to her that hadn't already happened? Throwing the robe over her, she snuck out of her room. The house was quiet, with everyone still abed. Silently, she crept down the stairs and into the moonlit courtyard, the cold tiles irritating her bare feet. She didn't know where she was going, but trusted her feet to lead the way.
Sure enough, she took the path to the beach, and within moments was greeted by the constant sound of the waves crashing onto the shore. She was relieved to feel the soft sand between her toes, but the solace was limited. Her heartache was still present, and would probably remain for a long time. She faced the ocean, almost glaring at it.
"How dare you," she whispered. "I trusted you to keep him safe, and this is how you treat his vow? You've taken everything from me. My love, my family…everything!"
She trembled violently, but remained standing. She balled her hands into fists, but immediately realized that anger wasn't the right way to go. She released them and looked helplessly to the sea. That was one thing she could depend on- the constant push and pull of the tide. She moved forward, letting the water move in and out below her feet. Once again the song from her previous life came back to her, and she began to sing the last few lyrics.
Reach out to me
Call out my name
And I would bring you back again
Today
As the last note faded to silence, a fresh wave of agony swept over her, and she doubled over. She remembered how he had embraced her more than a month ago, comforting her and assuring her there was nothing to fear. Every laugh, every kiss, every touch…it seemed to be lost forever. She buried her face in her hands and wept until she was sure she would run dry. So immersed in her grief, she barely heard a pair of footsteps behind her. They were large and heavy, but moved softly against the sand. He saw her trembling form, a look of tenderness sweeping over his face.
"Don't cry, love."
Alanna's head shot up with a gasp. That voice. She knew that voice. Her blue eyes widened. No she thought. It couldn't be. I must be hallucinating. Unless…
Afraid to look behind her, she swallowed the lump in her throat and turned. Standing in the moonlight, boots and all, was Will.
A million emotions coursed through her veins at once. Immeasurable joy, love, thankfulness, worry, and anger swept over her as she lunged towards him and threw herself into his arms.
"Will!" she sobbed, clutching his shirt. "I…I don't believe it!"
Will himself couldn't believe it either. Here he was, finally back in her arms, where he had longed so badly to be for the past six days. As it was with the sea, his body rejoiced and was set aflame once again. He hoisted her into the air and kissed her with every fiber of his being. Alanna responded accordingly, her hands a million different places at once. She caressed his face, his neck…anywhere she could reach to make sure he was indeed real. Their tongues intertwined with one another, savoring each and every sensation. After an eternity, they broke away, only to gaze into one another's eyes.
"I told you," he rasped, running his hand through her hair. "Wait for me…and I will come to you."
Alanna was too wrapped up in untangling her own emotions to hear his remark.
"Oh, Will," she breathed. "I was so scared. I didn't know if something had happened to you. I didn't know if I'd ever see you again!"
Fresh tears welled up in her sapphire eyes, and she did not fight them. She buried her face in his chest and wept, this time for sheer joy. He pressed her closer still, holding on for dear life.
"Shhh, Alanna," he whispered in her ear. "It's all right. I'm here…. I'm here now."
It took a few moments, but eventually her sobs subsided and she looked at him once more. He hadn't change one bit; he was as unworldly perfect as he was when they last saw each other. As for Alanna, she was just as radiant, if not more, than when he last laid eyes on her. For both of them, it was clear that six days was far too long.
Over the next few hours, they caught up on old times, while creating new memories. She assured Will that her wound was indeed healed, and had nothing but a scar to show she had been attacked. Between kisses, they re-declared their love for one another, vowing they would never be separated again. As dawn approached, they could be found lying above the sand, the ocean waves lulling them to sleep. San Juan was a beautiful and peaceful place, but for Alanna, the only safe harbor she knew was right here, in her lover's arms.