Page 80 of Mardon

“She didn’t answer yet, and will never have a chance to if you don’t all hush up,” Mardon told them. “Emmaline, please. Give me a chance to be your husband.”

“A pirate marrying a lady?” whispered one of the nuns, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Mardon,” said Emmaline, letting out a deep breath. “The last thing I want to be is a nun, but I didn’t know what else to do.”

“What? Is this true?” asked the bishop.

“Yes, Bishop, it is,” said Emmaline, looking over her shoulder. “But neither do I want to be married to a pirate who raids and kills to take what he wants. That just isn’t right.”

“I understand.” Mardon slowly stood up. Then he held out his hands. “Emmaline, I will give up piracy, and I would give up everything I own just to have you as my wife for the rest of my life.”

“I’m leaving,” said Aaron with a wave of his hand through the air, turning and heading out the door.

“Aaron, get back here,” scolded Nairnie.

“Nay, let him go, Grandmother,” said Mardon. “He has to make his own decisions in life. I never thought I’d say it, but yes, Emmaline, I am ready to give up my ship, my crew, and everything I have ever stolen if you will be mine and give to me your heart of your own free will. I love you.”

Emmaline’s heart soared. A smile spread across her face and tears of joy leaked down her cheeks. “Yes, Mardon, I will marry you and be your wife. I love you, too.” She ran to him and fell into his arms. They kissed so passionately that Nairnie had to stop them.

“Enough, ye two. Have respect. We are still in a church.”

“Yes, you are,” said the bishop.

“Bishop,” said Autumn, coming to the front of the church. “I know it isn’t a normal request, but since you’re here, do you think you could marry Mardon and Emmaline?”

“Right now?” asked Emmaline, her heart beating faster. Was she really about to become Mardon’s wife?

“Aye, right now,” said Mardon, holding her hands and staring into her eyes.

“I – I don’t know,” she said, feeling her head spin.

“Do it, before the fool changes his mind,” mumbled Tristan.

“I’ll never change my mind, Brother,” Mardon said over his shoulder.

“I will,” said Emmaline. “That is, if the bishop would be kind enough to agree.”

“This is the oddest thing that has ever happened,” said the bishop. “Aye, I agree to marry you two but only if you’ll all leave the cathedral right away afterwards.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal,” said Mardon, walking up to the bishop where they both took new vows of becoming man and wife.

Chapter 20

Mardon walked out of the cabin of the Falcon the next day with his new wife, Emmaline, on his arm. It was by Emmaline’s request that they spent one last night on the ship before Mardon had to leave it and never look back.

He felt sad about leaving behind Aaron, as well as his crew, but being married to Emmaline was well worth the sacrifice. She had been ready to give up everything in life to be a nun. Well, he was willing to give up his old ways to be with her and make her happy for the rest of her life.

“Good morning, everyone,” said Mardon, feeling good in his new clothes that Nairnie had made him as a wedding present. She’d sewed a vest with brass buttons and had made him a red sash to wear around his waist. He still wore his weapon belt and one of his billowy-sleeved shirts. He didn’t give up the weapons since he needed them to always protect his wife.

“Good morning,” repeated Emmaline, blushing as she held on to his arm. She wore one of Autumn’s gowns made of bright blue that made her hair look so light it almost seemed white. She wore her hair down because he liked it that way, but had a small braid wrapped around the top of her head, reminding everyone she was a lady. Gavina and Autumn had helped her weave colorful ribbons into the braid.

“Guid mornin’,” said Nairnie, being the only one to answer them. Aaron was up at the helm with his arms crossed, and the rest of the crew was scowling at him for leaving them the way Tristan did to get married. “I think ye’re all deaf today,” said Nairnie. “Mardon and Lady Emmaline said guid mornin’. What do we say?”

“Good mornin’,” mumbled one man after another.

“Aaron?” said Nairnie, looking up to the sterncastle. “Yer brathair and his new wife are leavin’. I think it would be proper to come down here and say guidbye.”

Tristan walked up the boarding plank, staying quiet and just watching. The crew all looked down at the ground rather than acknowledging him. Peg Leg Pate even kicked his wooden leg against a metal pole, resounding in a loud clang.