Dedicated to the one and only James Norrington. You will live on in our hearts forever.

I awoke, but did not open my eyes. I didn't want this day to have arrived so soon, I wished I could have had another week or so of freedom. But there was no going back now, and I would soon be in the church, saying those two words that would bind me, trap me forever.

Estrella knocked at my door.

"Miss Swann, you must get ready!" she called. I groaned, and buried my head into the pillow, breathing in the warm smell. I would never lie on that pillow, this bed, ever again after last night. I slowly got up, and swung my legs onto the floor. Estrella entered, carrying the fateful dress. She laid it over the chair, and hovered hesitantly, waiting for me. I walked over to it, and ran my hand over the white silk. It was the first time I had seen the dress, on account of not wanting to see it before the wedding. I had preferred to hide my head in the sand, praying it was all a horrid nightmare, and that it would all go away. But as I looked down at the dress, I knew I could hide no longer. The full force of what was about to happen hit me like a battering ram. I swayed on the spot slightly. Estrella caught my arm, her face looking concerned. "Do you need to sit down Miss?" she asked gently. I shook my head dazedly.

"No, there isn't time. I don't want to be late." I said. But I did. I wanted to put it off for as long as possible. Stuff propriety, stuff my fiancé.

Estrella helped lace me into the dress. It was rather beautiful, and fit in all the right places. It was skin tight, with long sleeves, and flared out at the waist. Simplistic though it was, it was elegant. I sighed, and wished it was Will that would see me in it, rather than James.

I slowly descended the staircase, where my father was waiting for me. I saw his mouth gasp in delight, and I felt a tiny flame of happiness left over from the blazing fire Will had created.

"Elizabeth, you look beautiful" he whispered. "My little girl…all grown up" he offered me his proffered arm, and we made our way out to the carriage. I enjoyed the ride; it delayed the wedding further. I looked out the window at the passing streets. As we were passing the docks, I thought I saw Will, but I could not tell as the man's back was turned away from me.

We loomed ever closer to the church, and I silently bargained with God to slow time down, grant me a few moments of solace before the nuptials. But he did not heed my prayer, and all too soon, we arrived. I sat there, momentarily frozen. I didn't want this. I didn't want him. I started to hyperventilate, and shut my eyes. I pretended I was back at home, that none of this had ever happened. "Elizabeth! Do you feel ill? We must go inside now" came my father's panicky voice, jerking me from my reverie. I desperately clung to the bittersweet daydream, but the moment I opened my eyes it dissolved into a thousand long forgotten colours.

I stepped out of the carriage. The church steeple towered high above us in the Caribbean sunshine, glinting like a handful of crystals, majestic yet imposing at the same time. In my mind, I heard the distant chords of organ music. All I could think of was the heat, the shiny steeple, the tightness of my dress…

"Elizabeth!" came my father's voice again. I was dimly aware of him clasping my arm, and steering me into the church. It was a lot cooler in there, and my head began to stop swimming. I deliberately glued my eyes to the floor, and walked very slowly. My father tugged me along a little, but I subtly dragged my feet so that he was forced to keep pace with me. But church aisles can only be so long, and I was soon at the end of it. I didn't want to look up; I didn't want to see his face, lest my resolve wavered. My father let go of my arm, and for a very brief moment, I clung to him. I looked up then, and gave him a pleading look. He looked highly alarmed, seeing that his daughter was having second thoughts. He gave a barely perceptible shake of his head, extricated himself from my grasp, and stood to the side.

I turned to face my fiancé, and still I did not look up at him. But that didn't mean I couldn't feel his gaze burning on my downcast eyes, silently willing me to look at him. But I didn't.

The priest began to say the vows. I repeated them dully, barely aware that I was even saying them. I drifted off, and gazed up through the stained glass windows. The sunlight spilled through them into dozens of gemstone colours onto the flagstones. I smiled slightly, in spite of my black misery, as I watched them dance about on the floor.

Suddenly, the priest gave a loud cough. I jumped, and made the mistake of looking up. Of course, James's eyes glued to mine in an instant. He was looking at me questioningly, impatiently. I looked around at the congregation. They were all stared at me as well, some looking nervous, others looking curious. I stood there, stumped. Had I missed something?

"Er, should I repeat that?" queried the priest nervously. I looked at him blankly. "Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Ah, so that was it. Time for those two words, then. I opened my mouth, but found it was hideously dry; a combination of the heat and lack of water, no doubt.

Or maybe it was because I had just noticed Will standing at the back of the church, his warm brown eyes filled with tears.

I gasped, shocked that he was there. I glanced at James, who had noticed the same thing. His face fell, and he looked at me pleadingly.

"Elizabeth, please!" he whispered through the corner of his mouth.

The priest, having suddenly also noticed the impending disaster, said "I really must hurry you, Miss Swann".

I felt as though my heart were breaking, as I forced myself to rip my gaze from the only man I had ever loved.

"I do" I whispered, the tears flowing freely down my face. James let out a small sigh of relief, and his face broke into a gentle smile.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride" said the priest. At the final part, my heart did a horrified back flip, and I looked uncertainly up at James. He bent towards me, his lips barely brushing mine. It was over in a flash. I relaxed a little then, despite the fact I knew there would be worse to come that night…