The Dawn

Four
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Two weeks later, the Black Pearl docked in Tortuga. Before sailing for the pirate port, The Black Pearl had returned to Port Royal to seek for news, or to salvage anything of Elizabeth’s possessions that remained. Their collection was paltry. The Governor’s Mansion had burned to the ground, the small house Will had taken as the home for the newlyweds had collapsed like the pile of sticks it really was, and even the church had been decimated. And the crew of the Pearl had been reluctant to venture further from those places having personal attachment for Elizabeth because of the growing stench in the town, the decaying corpses in the streets and the rampant growth of diseases amongst the living. So they abandoned their search and headed off toward friendlier waters.

As they arrived in the renegade city, Jack gave orders to his crew and a shopping list to First Mate Gibbs. He then led a slender young person in clothes much too big for their slight frame off the ship to a bath house. At the bath house, the captain gave another list to the owner’s wife, and then secured a bath for his young companion and himself. Each found a tub with clean water, soap, towels and hooks for their clothes. Elizabeth was glad of the chance to doff her boys’ togs and bathe, knowing full well this was a scarce luxury on board any ship, and especially a pirate ship. She removed her borrowed clothes, and settled into the tub. Washing her hair was first, then soaking in the warm sudsy water, followed by a scrub of the rest. She realized there was still blood and dirt on her legs from the earthquake in Port Royal, and she stared for a moment at the dried blood.

What was she doing? She froze with the sponge on her ankle. She was going from here to the small, dusky, dirty little church, the only one Tortuga could support, to marry Jack. She looked at the blood on her leg and thought it must be Will’s, for she had not suffered any injuries since then. She drew a shaky breath, held it for a moment, then exhaled with force, and ruthlessly scrubbed away the blood. Will was gone, her father was gone and her home was gone. Jack was all she had left. And he would take care of her.

Elizabeth’s head jerked up as the door opened and a pile of clothing with legs entered the small bathing room. From the pile came a voice, saying, " 'Ere you are missy. Some naice new t'ings fer you t' wear, luv." Laying the clothing on a small stool, the woman Elizabeth had seen in the front room straightened up and looked at the girl in the tub. "Naow, time for you ter be comin' outer there, missy, Don' want ye t' be all wrinkled fer yer weddin, naow do ye? "

Elizabeth, accustomed all her privileged life to subservient maids aiding in her toilette, stood in the tub, reaching for the towel the woman offered. Looking at her naked form and she said, "So this is th' lil' miss what done caught Ol' Jack, huh? You'd better be ready to satisfy him, luv. He's a man who don't mess with foolishness, if ya git my drift. He gives fair value, I kin tell ye that."

Elizabeth smiled sweetly at the woman, offering a look Jack could readily have identified as dangerous, and replied, "Yes, I've heard so much. Can't wait to try him out for myself!"

At this the woman burst into laughter, and crowed, "Ye jes might be th' one, lass! I swear, it'd take a powerful woman to tame our Jack!", and turned to go out, chuckling "try him out! hah!"

Elizabeth quickly stepped from the tub, dried herself, and brought her hair into some sort of untangled order with the tortoise-shell comb she found atop the clothing. Then, she investigated the pile of clothing, and found a pretty cream colored dress of a soft cotton material, with an underdress having a lacy border. The pieces smelled of lavender and fresh air, and reminded Elizabeth of the soft little dresses her mother had put on her as a child. Happily, this one required no corset, and fastening down the side, Elizabeth was soon neatly and rather elegantly clothed, even though the dress would have barely been suitable for one of the maids in the Governor’s house. She also found a small chipstraw hat with cream color ribbons. She gathered her wet hair atop her head, placed the hat on the mound of hair, and tied the ribbons behind her head to hold all in place. She saw no new shoes, so replaced the ones she'd worn in, then tied all the clothing together in a bundle and opened the door.

Jack stood there. Elizabeth was taken aback as she looked at her latest husband-to-be,
momentarily struck with the realization of what she was doing. She gaped, open mouthed at the relative elegance of Jack. He'd donned a new set of clothing too and, except for his hat and boots, was gorgeous. Black coat, silver grey wescot, white shirt with stock tie, charcoal grey breeches—their new crisp state contrasting markedly with his old brown hat and boots. His kerchief was still red, but even it was new. He grinned at her, and said, "We belong on Whitehall, darling, not in grubby ol' Tortuga."

"How do you know of Whitehall, Jack?" , as her wits finally returned to her.

"Do ye think, luv, I've never been to London? Been to see the King, I have, rollin' by in his carriage, all decked out in furs and jewels. Big lot o’ black hair. Guarded too, he was. The thought I had of tryin' to get them jewels left me head quick when I saw them yeomen and their weapons," and taking her arm, Jack led her out into the street. He maintained his line of drivel, telling of the comments about King Charles he’d heard during his time there, especially the one by the Earl of Rochester,” Restless he rolls from whore to whore, A merry monarch, scandalous and poor,” as they pushed through the crowds of pirates, privateers, and other impious folk, soon arriving at the little church.

"Let's see if they be ready fer us, luv," pushing open the door, revealing a darkened interior, with candles creating an oasis of soft light farther into the space. Jack and Elizabeth walked toward the light, and were greeted there by an older white-robed cleric, holding a red prayer book. Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears for a moment, as she remembered the day, only two weeks before, when she'd stood in the same situation in a place that did not exist anymore, between two men, neither of whom still lived. She took a deep breath, and gave herself a mental shrug, determined to begin this marriage ceremony with a clear mind.

The priest took some papers from the book, and asked if he were speaking to Elizabeth Ann Swann and John Teague Sparrow. He then asked Jack to take Elizabeth’s hand in his, and began the prescribed text, "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here, in the sight of God and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony, which is an honourable state..."

Elizabeth and Jack gave the appropriate responses at the proper time, promising and vowing and agreeing. Jack produced a small silver ring which amazingly enough fit her finger exactly, and handed one to her that she placed on his finger. The priest completed the service and asked them to sign the papers he held. Elizabeth was astonished to see the papers were those originally drawn up for her marriage to Will, with his name obscured by long, elaborate flourishes of ink which spelled out Jack's real name. She turned to look at Jack, who mumbled “Waste not, want not” and bent to sign his name, following it with the grand title Captain. She added hers, with the term “spinster” in the last space. The paper was rolled and handed to Jack, who stuck it in his pocket, gave a few coins to the priest, then offering his arm to her, led Elizabeth from the little church.

The sun was beginning to settle into the west as the newly-weds ambled back toward the docks through the crowds of drinkers and drunks. As they reached the quay to which the Pearl was moored, Gibbs met them with the news that all the Captain had ordered had been done.. When they reached the deck of the ship, Elizabeth gasped in surprise, for every beam, mast, bollard, halyard and capstan in view was decorated with filmy white fabric, a cluster of ribbon or a bunch of flowers. The vicious, bloodthirsty, wild marauding, rampaging pirates had created a shipboard wonderland for her wedding reception. Elizabeth threw her arms around Jack’s neck, hugging him and thanking him for the surprise. “You’ve made me very happy, Jack. It’s a day I will always remember!” , pressing her lips to his, pulling back as his arms tightened around her back and he picked her up, twirling her around the deck, her feet flying out in a wide circle. As he gently lowered his bride to the floor, letting her body slide down his, he looked into her eyes, and said, “You’re welcome, my love.”
Everything froze at that moment, for never before had Jack uttered those last two words. He realized it as the thought hit him that he meant what he said, that he had never been as sincere and honest ever before. Elizabeth looked into his eyes, and saw that his heart and soul were exposed to her, that he was telling the truth, and as she gazed into those beautiful eyes, she discovered she returned the feeling. “I love you, Jack,”, she whispered, keeping her focus on him.

“I love you more,” he whispered back, resting his forehead against hers.
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