Love Aboard the Priam: Epilogue

Disclaimer: I am not Stephanie Meyer. I do not own Twilight.

Epilogue

Bella’s POV

“How much longer until we arrive?” I asked impatiently.

“I told you just a few moments ago that we were still a ways out,” Randall grumbled.

“But how much longer?” I persisted.

“Gods, lass, but ya’ve gotten annoyin’! We’ll be there by sundown,” Randall exclaimed, throwing up his hands in frustration.

“Can’t you make him go any faster?” I whined, bouncing on the balls of my feet.

“Believe me, I would if I could,” Randall groaned into his hands.

“Mo chroí, leave Randall alone,” Peter chuckled from behind me.

“Thank ya!” Randall cried, hurrying off to do his duties.

I smiled up at Peter as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

“You’ve just ruined my fun,” I pouted.

“I’ve never seen you so impatient before. It’s quite amusing when not on the receiving end of your endless line of questioning,” Peter teased, tapping my nose.

“I’m just anxious to get home. Sailing is great and I love traveling with you, but nothing beats coming home,” I sighed, snuggling into his chest.

“I will agree with you on that, mo chroí,” Peter murmured, kissing the top of my head.

It had been nearly three years since Peter had kidnapped me from the Infamy and those years had been filled with adventures and new sights. Peter, along with the rest of his crew, had been granted clemency from King Marcus for their nefarious acts of piracy. We had not discovered the news until months after having sailed from Shalolie’s shores, but it was welcomed news all the same. And while King Marcus had offered Peter land in Shalolie, he had politely declined, preferring Granite Hall in Champolie, a decision I fully supported.

Two years ago, the Kings went to war, creating chaos throughout the seas. No sailor dared to venture out unless the ship was fully equipped defensively. Peter and I, along with the rest of the crew, had remained inland while the Kings battled it out. We frequently received news from Jasper and Alice about the goings on in King Marcus’ court. King Marcus, King Caius, and King Carlisle were banding together to overtake King Aro. Once it was discovered Aro was planning to bring down the other three kingdoms, starting with his closest and most fierce competitor, Marcus, the other Kings demanded Aro step down. What resulted was one of the bloodiest wars fought on Isopholy shores. The entire kingdom was decimated, the people distraught.

The war lasted for seven months before the palace walls were breeched. They were still unable to locate Aro, though everyone in the Four Kingdoms was searching diligently. During that time, Peter and I began building our lives together. We spent many late nights with the crew at the Savage Rogue and many late mornings tangled up in the sheets and each other’s arms.

With the news of peace came a cause for another form of celebration. Charlotte and Garrett had their first child six months after the war ended, a little girl they named Kate. Over the next years, Benjamin married a young woman he met while the Priam was docked in Eserald, a short red-head named Maggie. Randall refused to settle down, but traveled with Peter and I wherever we went, a constant protector whenever Peter had to leave my side. Vladimir and Stephen suffered most with being land bound, which surprised everyone. They traveled with other ships while the rest of the crew remained inland, though they returned when their captain sent for them. Vasilii spent most of his time on land learning new medical techniques, wanting to stay as current as possible on all treatment options.

Away from our small group of misfits, the world continued on much the same as it always had. King Caius came out of hiding after Aro’s defeat, taking up his duties once again. It soon became known that the notorious Captain James Penn had been the one seeing to the country while the King was hidden away. The people were never happier to have their King back.

Peter and I occasionally dealt with men who thought to take me from him. For a while it had confused the both of us until I remembered hearing my father speak of his past with my mother. Charlie and Renee Swan were two of the most feared pirates of their time, vicious in their attacks. Until my mother passed away, the two had never lost a single fight. With the loss of my mother, Papa lost his will to continue the life they had built together. When news of their daughter reached the pirating world, all the men wanted me as their bride, hoping I would have the same skills as my parents. What they failed to take into account was that I would use those skills to kill them. Peter had a very low tolerance for anyone who attempted to take me from him and I had an even lower tolerance for anyone who attempted to take him from me.

“Look there, mo chroí,” Peter pointed, pulling me from my thoughts.

I followed his gaze to spot land in the distance.

“Oh! We’re almost there!” I cheered, throwing my arms around his neck.

“Easy, lass,” Peter chuckled, patting my back.

“It has been far, far too long. Promise me we will never be gone for so long again,” I pleaded desperately.

“I promise, a leanbh,” Peter whispered, kissing me sweetly.

I threaded my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer when he would have moved away. His arms banded around my waist, molding me against him.

Since those weeks we were separated and I thought him dead, we had made sure to never take each other for granted. Every chance we got, we made sure the other knew how much we loved them. Any chance Peter got, he pulled me to his side or onto his lap. At every turn, I was reaching for his hand or leaning against his shoulder. We never spent more than a day apart and he was always there at night, no matter what.

“Is tú mo ghrá,” Peter murmured, kissing me between words.

“I love you, too,” I grinned, rubbing our noses together.

“Do the two of you have to do that? Isn’t it bad enough I already know what goes on behind closed doors? Do you have to show me and the rest of the world as well?” Papa grumbled, coming towards us.

“Don’t be such a grouch, Papa,” I scolded lightly.

“Hmph. I can still turn you over my knee, young lady,” Papa warned.

“Actually, sir, I believe that is now my job,” Peter corrected him, completely serious.

Papa sputtered indignantly, his face turning red and then purple in his fury.

“Papa! Peter was just teasing. Honestly, m’fhear céile, must you be so cruel?” I tisked disapprovingly.

“Son, perhaps we should have another talk about how to treat my daughter right,” Papa glared.

“No, sir. The first was awkward enough,” Peter insisted.

I giggled at the uneasiness Peter developed whenever Papa brought up their first conversation.

The first month with Peter, I hadn’t expected to be able to live the life he had planned for us. At least, not right away. At that time, my top priority was finding Papa and making sure he was still alive. The first time I told Peter of my prior intentions, he had flown into a rage unlike any I had ever seen. The thought of me leaving him voluntarily and without so much as a goodbye nearly killed him and had him begging me never to do so at the end of his tirade. I had tearfully promised to never even contemplate it, but at the time, it had seemed like the only way.

Peter was a pirate and if he was caught while I was searching for my father, he would have been hanged. I had explained to him that the sight of him swinging from the gallows would have haunted me for the rest of my life. Thankfully, he had grudgingly agreed that his fate would not have been a good one had he been caught while I looked for Papa. He told me repeatedly that while he understood, he did not approve of my plans. After which, I would happily remind him that my plan had never and would never go into effect.

“Good God, that can’t be Bearsalei!” Papa exclaimed as we neared the docks.

“It is,” I informed him.

“It’s huge!” Papa gaped.

“Papa, it’s smaller than Livley’s port,” I pointed out.

“Aye, but I docked here when Bearsalei was just five buildings and an outhouse. Now look at it,” Papa stared, wide-eyed.

“It’s been quite some time since you last docked here, Captain Swan. The town has grown exponentially. Our close friend, Charlotte, runs the largest and busiest tavern and she has over fifty rooms,” Peter told him.

“Good God,” Papa repeated, still in shock.

“Oh, and just wait until you see Peter’s home-“ I started.

“Our home,” Peter interrupted.

“Our home,” I amended before continuing. “It’s made entirely of granite, hence the name. The stones were imported directly from Shalolie mines.”

“Really? And how did you come by the granite?” Papa asked.

“Perhaps it’s better if you don’t know,” Peter grinned devilishly.

Papa grunted and dropped the subject, turning to look out at Bearsalei.

“Looks like we’ll be landing soon,” Papa observed.

“Aye. I’d best go help the men. Be good,” Peter instructed, kissing my temple.

“Only when you’re not around,” I called as he walked away.

He winked at me over his shoulder. Almost immediately, Randall was by my side, unnecessarily pointing out land.

“I know, Randall, I see it,” I smiled.

“We’ll be there soon, bantiarna. No more bothering me about it, aye?” Randall asked, raising a brow.

“No more bothering you about it,” I agreed, rolling my eyes at him.

“Good. Now, to the cabin with ya. Ya know the Capt’n can’t concentrate with his bhean chéile in sight,” Randall insisted, pushing me off the deck.

“Perhaps, but he concentrates even worse when he has to wonder where I am,” I pointed out.

“True, but he knows ya are safe with me,” Randall shrugged, continuing to push me into the cabin.

“One of these days I am going to remain on deck while they steer the ship into port, mark my words,” I claimed, shaking a finger at him.

“Aye, lass, whatever ya say,” Randall smirked.

“Oh, hush,” I grumbled, falling into the chair behind Peter’s desk.

“Your pa knows his way around a ship,” Randall observed.

“He would. He was a pirate and has sailed longer than you have,” I sighed, leaning back.

“Aye, suppose that is true,” Randall nodded.

I closed my eyes as a wave of weariness settled over my bones, the gentle rocking of the ship lulling me into a state of relaxation.

“Ya alright, bantiarna? You’re not sick, are ya?” Randall asked, his voice hesitant.

“Of course not. Why do you ask?” I frowned.

“The whole crew’s noticed how tired ya are and the Capt’n’s been distracted ‘bout somethin’. We jus’ worry, is all,” Randall said, toeing the floor.

“There’s a very good reason for my being so tired,” I smiled contently.

“Oh, aye? And what might that be?” Randall asked, leaning across the desk.

“I’m carrying the captain’s baby,” I informed him.

Randall stared, mouth opened, at my stomach, as if expecting to be able to see the tiny life growing inside of me.

“Does the captain know?” Randall questioned, his voice reverent.

“Of course he does. We don’t keep secrets from each other. Besides, he seemed to know before I did,” I huffed.

“And your pa?” Randall asked.

“Will be told once we arrive at Granite Hall,” I answered.

“Fuckin’ ‘ell,” Randall sighed, sinking into a chair.

“Randall!” I scolded, unused to him saying such words around me.

“Sorry, lass, but that’s quite a load ya just dropped on me,” Randall defended himself.

“I’m sure you’ll survive,” I grinned.

“Now I’ll have two people to watch over. Gods, what if it’s a lass? The Capt’n’ll be even worse than ‘e is now!” Randall exclaimed.

“Careful, Randall. You’re dropping your h’s again,” I teased.

“Ya better hope this first one’s a lad, bantiarna, otherwise the Capt’n’ll never be letting the two of ya out of his sight,” Randall predicted.

“I’m sure I could persuade him to do otherwise,” I smirked.

“Don’t need to hear nothing about that!” Randall insisted adamantly.

I smiled and closed my eyes again, leaning back in Peter’s chair, perfectly content to wait while the crew brought the ship into port. As I slipped off into sleep, I dreamed of my future with Peter, of children and grandchildren, of growing old together, of spending each night side by side, always remembering how my pirate and I fell in love aboard the Priam.