Scarlet Queen

Epilogue- Slinger's POV

I paced nervously in the church, pulling at the pin that held my cloak in place. I couldn't believe that it was actually happening. Today was the day that me and Scarlet were to be wed.

Of course, I was scared half to death.

"What if I say something wrong?" I said, venting to Peg and Sticky. They were standing nearby, looking handsome but quite uncomfortable in their dress tunics. "What if I bump into someone and knock them over? What if I sneeze really loud and get it on Scarlet? What if she doesn't show up? What if-"

"Woah, now, Captain," Peg said in his gruff, reassuring way. "Don't get your cloak twisted up ina knot. It's gonna be fine. Scarlet loves ya, and ya love her back. Ya woulda been married even if none o' this happened. She'll show up. I know it." I gave Peg a grateful smile. Then the doors to the sanctuary opened.

First the bridesmaids came down the aisle, holding bouquets of flowers and grinning like they won the lottery. I figured that they had. I didn't recognize a single one of them, and I would bet the entire treasury that Scarlet didn't either. Next up came two little girls. I at least recognized them. They were Jeff's children, now healthy and happy from the plentiful supplies Scarlet made sure to send to Village Everfall. They were giggling, throwing down red rose petals and skipping down the ailse.

Then all of the guests stood up. I froze in my place by the altar. People were craning their necks to get a good look at Scarlet as she came by, blocking my view. But I heard people gasping and murmering, and my heart fluttered nervously in my chest. Then I saw Scarlet, and I forgot how to breathe.

She was dressed in a fitted, shimmering red gown. A delicate lace veil the color of fire ran down the length of her back. She had let her long hair down from it's usual braided bun style, and it fell to her waist in golden waves. Her crown sat on her head, holding the veil in place. In her hands was a bouquet of velvet red roses, which she passed to a bridesmaid as she reached the altar and took her place across from me.

I held out my hands, and she placed hers in them. I gently rubbed her hands as the preacher began speaking. They weren't the hands you would expect on a queen. They were rough, callused from work. Scarlet had insisted on helping in the renovations of the palace, working just as long and hard as the builders. I wouldn't have them any other way.

The preacher looked at Scarlet. "Do you, Queen Scarlet Lavinia, take Slinger Magellan as your truly wedded husband?" he asked. She nodded and declared, "I do." Then the preacher turned to face me. "Do you, Slinger Magellan, take Queen Scarlet Lavinia as your truly wedded wife?" I nodded, looking into Scarlet's stunning green eyes, I declared, "I do."

The preacher nodded. "Then by the power vested in me, I declare you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," he said, stepping back. I picked up Scarlet, spun her around, then kissed her. The entire chruch stood up and clapped, cheering for us. It was easy for me to discreetly wave at Peg and Sticky. Nobody noticed as they slipped out of the hall.

After 5 minutes, the Captian of the Guard came to the front of the room. "Alright, everybody. As custom, we must head to the banquet hall and celebrate there by-" he was cut short by the light from the windows being darkened by a shadow. Scarlet smiled her twisted, beautiful smile.

"Sorry, Cap," she said, looking up at the roof of the church. "We don't exactly follow custom here." Her statement was cut short by a deafining crash, and the anchor for the Airhaven crashed down in front of us. I smiled and stepped onto one of the anchor's prongs, then held my hand out to Scarlet. She blushed, then took it and stepped on the prong opposite of me. I looked up and hit the side of the anchor three times, then hung on as it was hoisted upward.

Scarlet had retrieved her bouquet before we had gotten on, and she threw it into the crowd where it was caught by an ecstatic young maiden. We waved down at the congregation as we went through the roof of the church, then flew off towards the forest. I hung on to Scarlet as her kingdom- our kingdom- went gliding by beneath us.

After so many years, the mission of the Sky Pirates was complete. King Arcane was dead. We had control of the kingdom now. Sure, the place was a real fixer-upper, but with Scarlet by my side, I was sure that we could do anything.

I felt Scarlet lean against me and I held her close, gently kissing the top of her head. "Sky Pirates forever?" she whispered. I smiled. "Always." She turned to look at me. "Am I still First Mate?" she asked teasingly. I laughed and hugged her tight. "You'll always be my First Mate," I reassured her. She smiled. "Whatever you say, oh Captain my Captain," she whispered.

We leaned against each other, two parts of one whole, as we flew into the future.

I heard Scarlet whisper, "Ready or not, here we come," to someone only she could see.