"What do you think, Ophie?"

Ophelia could only stand and stare, open-mouthed, at the little hilltop that she and Will used to spend their time in. This was the hilltop they would run to when they were younger and wished to escape their duties in the forge. This was the hilltop they would turn toward when they wanted to practice sparring. This was where some of Ophelia's fondest memories had been borne—and now, it would be home to the most important one.

White flowers had been planted on the edges of the hill, and hanging lanterns created a pathway for Ophelia and Will to walk through. A white tent was pitched at the hill's peak; already gathered under the tent was Barbossa, who had previously jested that he did happen to be an ordained minister, Jack Sparrow, and Bootstrap Bill. The remainder of the Dutchman's and the Pearl's crews were gathered nearby, all grinning as they beheld the expression on Ophelia's face.

The enclave was no longer a simple hilltop, but a beautiful venue for Ophelia's and Will's wedding.

Through her tight throat, Ophelia managed to say, "It's perfect. I love it."

"Good," sighed Will, a light laugh in his voice. "I was worried I'd mess something up."

"You could never," she replied, giggling lightly. She hadn't been able to see any of the preparations, seeing as she couldn't have stepped on land earlier, but she was blown away by how lovely everything was.

Will squeezed her hand, a grin filling his face as she took everything in.

Years ago, Ophelia would never have dreamed that their secret hideout would become the place in which she would be married. Years ago, Ophelia would never have guessed that it would be Will Turner she was marrying.

But now, here she stood, in the dress she'd made herself of white with long sleeves of lace and flowers, and here was Will, in his favorite suit of blue and brown, staring into her eyes with adulation.

"Are you ready?" he whispered, his thumb lightly tracing circles on the inside of her palm.

Ophelia looked over the ensemble again, feeling immense gratitude for Will and her crewmates for putting this together when she could not. Tears threatened to well in her eyes—and this time, she felt no shame in allowing that to show.

With the most genuine smile, she looked at her husband-to-be and said, "Yes."

Thus, they began to walk through the pathway of lanterns, up towards their friends. Ophelia locked eyes with Jack, who shot her a subtle thumbs-up gesture with a wild grin on his face. She couldn't keep back a light laugh at this motion.

Once they were gathered before Barbossa, the pirate scanned across the guests, cracked his knuckles, cleared his throat, and began.

"Ladies and gentlemen, dearly beloved, we gather here today to share in the joy that is true love in the face of all adversity."

Barbossa's voice became a comforting background noise to Ophelia as she scanned all those who were present. From the Pearl, Pintel and Ragetti were standing off to the side, dramatically holding handkerchiefs close to their eyes as Barbossa spoke. Marty and Cotton were smiling, each of them clapping Gibbs on the back as the first mate's lip quivered ever so slightly—and Jack's eyes were on Ophelia, nothing but encouragement and joy in his face as he looked upon her.

Those upon the Dutchman were not as composed: over the short month it had been since that final battle, Ophelia had become even closer to many of her crewmates than she had expected. Clanker and Jimmy-Legs in particular had become like older brothers, and they wore no shame as tears filled their eyes, their chests and chins held high. Macchus was uncharacteristically soft, his smile suggesting a rare moment of vulnerability. Even the Bosun was not as stoic as usual, instead opting for a calmer demeanor.

Then of course, Bootstrap Bill was standing close to Will, the most proud expression in his eyes that a father could have. Ophelia's heart warmed to see the love he had for his son; her mind strayed to her own father… while he could not have stood beside her, she knew that he would've held the same look for her.

"Do ye, Master Turner, take thee, milady Bennett, to be your lawfully wedded wife until death do you part, or your curse wears out?"

Both Ophelia and Will chuckled at that last interjection—Barbossa looked mightily pleased with himself. Then Will turned to look Ophelia in the eyes, and answered, "Even beyond then."

"And do ye, milady Bennett, take thee, Master Turner, to be your lawfully wedded husband until the same circumstances as previously stated?"

Ophelia looked again at Will, the way she had longed to for so many years—with not only the eyes of a close friend, but with the eyes of someone who loved him, truly and deeply… and she felt the greatest euphoria upon seeing that he looked at her the same way, the same way he had done for so long now.

"Past all point of living or dying, I do."

Barbossa nodded in satisfaction and raised his hands, shouting, "Then you lot are man and wife! This is the part where yeh kiss the bride."

Cheers and shouts broke out as Will grinned, placed a hand on the side of Ophelia's face, and kissed her. All at once, she was brought back to the first time he had done so, underneath the decks of the Pearl. The same feelings were brought back to Ophelia in this moment, with the absence of one—fear.

She was past the point of feeling fear: Ophelia didn't do that anymore.

Now, instead of fear, she felt love and certainty for not only Will, but herself. Thanks to her time on the sea, Ophelia knew exactly what she was worth, and she felt so grateful for having discovered it during her journey.

"Huzzah! Yer married!" shouted Barbossa, and the congregation wasted no time in rushing forward to congratulate the new couple. Ophelia couldn't help but laugh as she was utterly surrounded—enwrapped in many embraces and unconditional support, Ophelia knew that although she had made many lasting memories in Port Royal, this one would be her most treasured.

The celebration that followed the ceremony was certainly one for Port Royal's books.

While Will and Ophelia had no intention of getting overly inebriated, their crewmates did not seem to share the same sentiments. Largely at Jack's recommendation, a number of caskets of rum had been brought to the hilltop for the pirates to let loose with. Fortunately, the venue wasn't too close to the citizens of Port Royal itself, so the festivities could progress with great boisterousness.

One by one, Ophelia's friends approached to offer personal congratulations. Clanker made sure to be the first to do so—with a boisterous grin and a flask of rum in his hand, he shouted, "Captain!" and extended his arms for a tight embrace.

Ophelia returned the gesture, laughing as he picked her up and spun her around a couple times. When he released her, he placed a hand on her shoulder, inhaled deeply, and said, "I am more glad than ever to have pledged myself to the Dutchman. My many years of great and terrible exploits await us!"

The remainder of the Dutchman's crew made a toast to that, their careless celebratory mood getting the best of them. Jimmy Legs soon followed Clanker, and then Boostrap Bill, and Gibbs—and finally, Jack Sparrow.

Seeing him draw near, Ophelia offered him a half-smile… and was greeted with a full one.

"Congratulations, lassie," he said, oddly calm. He wrapped his arms around Ophelia and, after pulling away, placed his hands on her shoulders. Seeing the glow around her face, the genuine smile upon it, he added, "I have wished you happiness since first I saw you, you know."

"Did you really?" she inquired, cocking her head sideways. "I would've thought you would be more preoccupied with the cannibals, myself."

This made Jack laugh. He threw his head back in a full gesture before retorting, "Aye, perhaps you're right, but I meant as soon as we properly got our bearings! You've been more honest than most, and undergone many dramatic changes in the meantime."

Ophelia noticed the glint in his eye and swallowed, remembering their last conversation upon the Pearl. With this in her mind, she whispered, "Are you sure you're… all right… with all this, Jack?"

The pirate's smile did not fade, although the glimmer in his eye dimmed ever so slightly when he responded, "I will be. I've been making my peace with all that's occurred, and come to the conclusion that despite all that's happened, yeh're still an incredible friend to have, Ophelia. I've grown to trust no one but meself all these years on the sea, but after I met you… I think I can trust one more person." Before she could say anything more, Jack added, "You and Turner won't be strangers, eh? I doubt this'll be the last we see of each other."

Resolutely, Ophelia nodded. A twinkle in her eye that she adopted from Jack, she exclaimed, "It certainly will not be, or else I will hound you down myself and force you to explain your absence."

Jack barked a laugh, shaking his head. He noticed something then—a strand of dark hair had fallen in front of Ophelia's face. Once again, as he had on so many occasions beforehand, the pirate reached out to place the stubborn strand behind her ear.

"Until next time, lassie," he murmured, and then he stepped away to allow her to return to her reception.

Later that night, Will and Ophelia excused themselves from the party so they might get to spend some time to themselves. A few drunken whistles and jeers followed them, but Ophelia simply rolled her eyes at all their nonsense. Although they were being rather crude, she knew that it was only because everyone was in good spirits.

After a few minutes of walking, hand in hand, Ophelia was able to see the silhouette of the town… Port Royal. She gazed across it and softly sighed, a gesture that was not unnoticed by Will.

"What is it?" he whispered, kissing the top of her head.

She was silent for a moment, letting the grief wash over her. This had been where she had grown up, this was where she and Will had borne and grown their friendship. Now, this was where she had been married, and had spent perhaps the happiest night of her life.

"I'm going to miss this place," she replied at last. Smoke rose from some of the houses down the hill—her eyes landed on the structure made with stone and sticks: the forge she and Will had called "home" for so many years. "It is so… odd… to think I will only see this place once a decade now."

"We will be back before you know it. This is not goodbye for forever."

Ophelia smiled and squeezed Will's hand, her eyes still glazing over the town. It was true, what he said; it would be hardly any time before she would be able to return. And luckily, Will would be beside her throughout it all, helping her to captain the Dutchman, helping her ferry souls to the Otherworld, helping her live a happy life.

She began to think across all the adventures she had undergone so far—how far away the beginning of her journey seemed. It felt like years since she had left Port Royal with Will… but then again, it felt like yesterday. She could clearly remember her first sailing experience, and her meeting with the notorious Jack Sparrow, the number of life or death encounters they had run into, and the first words she heard her Father ever speak. She found herself seeing, objectively, how much stronger she had grown throughout the past number of months, and how she had finally grown to care and love herself the same way she loved William Turner. And of course, she thought about how they had overcome all odds and managed to stay together, as they had promised each other so long ago, throughout it all.

With this comforting thought in mind, Ophelia sighed and leaned close to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Yes… you are right," she finally responded, a great smile upon her face. She breathed in deeply and, even from so far away, she could smell the salt in their sea air, the new place that was now home. "Besides, it will be quite the adventure, sailing the seas with the one I love by my side."

She looked at her husband and saw that he too was looking across Port Royal, a smile on his face. When Will noticed her gaze, his smile grew, and he kissed her forehead before murmuring, "I made you a promise all those years ago, that we would stay together. I'm glad I get to spend my life with you, Ophelia Turner."

And with that, the two turned away from Port Royal and began walking towards the sea, where they would walk along the beach until dawn, and soon after, begin their new life.


The End