Embark | h.s

Eighteen

John and Harry called a meeting that afternoon. Everyone gathered in the ruins of the village, their faces pale and bodies trembling with fear.

Celia stood with her arm hooked around Harry's, staring out at the many faces of the men and women whom she lived amongst. She did not know many of them, as they did not take kindly to her and Harry's arrival. Her eyes skimmed their faces as she searched for Marisol. In the middle of the crowd, there she stood, her eyes glued to Celia and her plump lips pulling into a smile as she tugged on Edward's arm. He snapped his eyes to Celia and nodded. Celia returned a smile.

John and Eleanor were the last to arrive, their mere presence causing tension to arise in the air. John and Harry exchanged curt nods, keeping it civil to not worry the people, but Eleanor and Celia both knew that there was animosity between them.

Eleanor's eyes were downcast as she followed her father to stand beside Harry and Celia. She wore a grim expression and never once lifted her gaze, not even to scathe Harry's face. Celia furrowed her brows as she stared at the young girl, trying to figure her out.

"Good afternoon everyone," John began, "I'm glad to see that everyone is safe and sound. The terrible scare that occurred this morning was nothing more than that—a scare. But you needn't worry about any further problems from the natives, because we have come to an agreement. In order to soothe the issues between us, I have offered the chief something that will unite our people and bring us together." He outstretched his arm toward his daughter, offering his hand to her. She eyed it hesitantly, but placed her small hand in his palm and stepped forward. "My daughter's hand in marriage."

It was silent. The overbearing quiet was thicker than earlier that day. Shock was written over everyone's faces as they all shared the same thought, surely he could not be serious.

Celia's lips parted and her mouth hung open until Harry nudged her. She swallowed hard. Eleanor was not her friend, but Celia wanted to embrace her in that moment. Anyone could see the fear in her eyes as she focused them on her feet, avoiding the crowd before her and their wandering eyes. She was only a girl.

"I have confidence that this will be the first and last time that fear strikes our colony. The union will take place tomorrow, and from there onward, we will live in harmony. Good day."

John turned on the heel of his boot and began to walk away. For a moment, Eleanor stayed frozen in her place, like a statue. When she finally realized that the meeting was over and her father was gone, she raised her eyes and brought them to Celia. They were lifeless. Then, she left, following her father's tracks.

Celia felt Harry squeeze her hand. She looked up at him with despondent eyes.

"I know," he said before Celia could even speak.

She shook her head. "It's not fair, Harry, you saw the look on her face. She's terrified. You have to do something."

"I can't do anything, my dear. He is her father, I have no say."

Celia tore away from him and began to walk home alone, Harry trailing behind her calling her name. He jogged to catch up with her and finally reached her side.

"Celia—"

"I want to leave this place," she said, cutting his words off and looking up at him with teary eyes. "I want to see my sister. I want to go home."

Harry was quiet. His heart ached at the sight of the love of his life in such emotional pain. He reached out to touch her, but she stepped away.

"Just... I just need to see Nerissa," she said in a quiet voice before walking away.

✿

As the sun rose and the animals began to stir outside, Celia awoke to find Harry absent from the bed. She wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and peered out the window to find Eleanor being escorted out of the village with her husband following closely behind. Her face was pale and her eyes were filled with tears as she was led to the Croatoan village that would become her new home.

Eleanor lifted her eyes to Celia's briefly, catching her gaze through the window. Celia pulled her lips into a small, empathetic smile, only to be met with the stony glare of Eleanor before she disappeared from view.

"Did I wake you?"

Celia turned around at the sound of Harry's voice. He was tucking his shirt into his trousers. She shook her head. "No. Where are you going?"

"To tell John that we'll be leaving on the next ship back to England," he replied.

"What?" Celia gaped, her face reading thoughts of disbelief.

"We're going home."

"But... Roanoke, the people—"

Harry neared Celia, resting his two large hands on her small shoulders and staring down at her with a grin. "Our family is the most important thing in my life. I've been such a fool." His hands fell to his sides. "God, how can you still be with me after all I've done?"

"Harry—"

"No, Celia, I'm serious," he said, "I've put you through hell and back, yet here you stand. You're too good."

"We've been through hell and back," she corrected. "We have our faults, everyone does. But you are my whole world." She took a step forward and closed the gap between their bodies, placing her palms against his muscular chest. "Lord knows where I'd be without you."

"In the bottom of the ocean," he said with a snarky smile as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Celia shook her head and placed a kiss on his plush lips. As she pulled back, looking deep into his emerald eyes, she smiled. But that smile quickly faded as she noticed the somber expression settling into his features. She furrowed her brows. "What's wrong?"

"I feel terribly bad for Eleanor. You were right, I should've done something."

"It's over now," Celia said, cupping his cheek with her hand and rubbing it with her thumb. "Her father is a vile man to do this to his daughter, but she is strong willed and brave. I have faith she will be fine."

"The savages, though."

"The natives are people, just like you and me. Their customs differ, but that doesn't mean they are barbarians."

He nodded softly. "Beautiful, good, and wise. How did I get so lucky?" 

Celia blushed as she buried her face into his chest, hugging him tightly. She felt at peace in the arms of the man she loved.