𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐒 ᶠⁱⁿⁿ ˢʰᵉˡᵇʸ

𝟎𝟎𝟑: 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑
𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

Aurora stood around the side of one of the wagons with a cigarette balanced between her lips. She searched in her pockets and hissed in annoyance when she realised she didn't have anything to light it with.

She scanned the area and her eyes landed on a small group of Lee boys who didn't look too much older than she was. Aurora whistled, catching their attention. "Do you smoke?" Rory shouted to them.

The three shared a glance. "Yeah." One finally spoke up. Aurora took a few steps forward. "Can ya light my cigarette for me?" She asked, extending her arm and holding it in front of them.

The taller one watched his brothers do nothing and shook his head. "She's harmless." He tutted at them, taking out a pack of matches and lighting it for her.

"Thank you," she nodded, taking a drag and offering it to him.

"Are you with them lot?" He nodded toward John and the boys who were making their way up the hill. Aurora sighed. "Sadly. But I ain't apart of them. Just a family friend I suppose."

"How old are ya?" The one beside him asked, earning a smack on the arm.

"Fourteen." She replied. Before they could say anymore, Aurora was called over by Polly who'd been standing at the make shift alter with Finn and Isiah. She didn't bother saying goodbye to the boys— she just walked off.

"Jesus Christ, what have I told you about staying with Finn and Isiah?" Polly scolded. Aurora rolled her eyes and looked away, feeling Finn's gaze on her. "Don't roll your eyes at me, girl."

"What do you want me to do then, eh?" Aurora replied. "I ain't getting on my hands and knees to apologise to no one." She shrugged. Polly stared at the girl with disappointment but said nothing. "Just go and stand with Finn will you."

With a groan, she walked to where Finn and Isiah had been standing and she linked her arm around Isiah's, placing her head on his shoulder. "I need a drink."

"You always need a drink." Finn said under his breath whilst kicking a stone. Aurora glared at him and bit her tongue. "Leave her, Finn." Isiah said quickly, not wanting the pair to argue.

Aurora's eyes shifted to John and Arthur who were walking up towards the alter. John threw his toothpick to the floor and sent a friendly wink to Rory. She held Isiah's arm slightly tighter and they all took a seat.

"Here she is," Tommy nodded behind John. "She better be under fifty." John whispered.

The pair kneeled beside each other and everybody else took their seat.

"We're here today to join in matrimony, this man and this woman—" Johnny Doggs spoke, "in harmony and togetherness. Which is sanctioned and honoured by the presence and power of these two families around us."

The Lee girl lifted the veil from her face and John looked at her, his eyes searching across her face. Aurora had leaned forward in her seat in attempt to catch a look at the girl but it was no use.

"Do you, John Micheal Shelby, take
Esme Martha Lee to be your beautiful wife?" Johnny asked. "To have and to hold through sickness and till death."

"There remains one more part of the ceremony, that's the mingling of the two bloods." he nodded.

Aurora glanced over her shoulder and her stomach dropped. Ada was stood beside Tommy. Her heart pounded slightly and she removed her arm from around Isiah's, digging her nails into her palms.