The long wait gave the pirate captain plenty of time to think and assured her that her ship and crew were ready. But she still couldn't seem to make up her mind if she wanted to grab Aliana the moment she was within reach or play the really long game and wait for the priest to bring up the part about objections…
Lori followed everyone else's lead and stood up when the music started. Her heart was pounding harder than it did any other time she engaged in an act of piracy. Perhaps it was because she had more to lose this time. She wasn't sure.
When the King and Aliana came through the doors and began their march down the path, Lorelei’s eyes widened. Aliana was just as beautiful as she remembered despite how… Did she look miserable or was that just Lori’s imagination? The mask the Princess was wearing was too good to tell.
As they neared, Lori softly whistled a part of their shanty. Just loud enough for those closest to her to hear it over the music. And hopefully her Aliana heard it too.
Aliana felt as if time slowed when she heard the faint sound of the old shanty Lorelei had taught her. The very one carved into the necklace now felt like it was burning against her skin. She wanted to tear her head away from her soon-to-be husband, a man who now that she saw him she would never marry, and search desperately for whoever whistled it. However Aliana barely stopped herself from doing so, but her entire demeanor changed in that one instance. Maybe it wasn't too late, maybe Lori had come back for her after all.
Aliana's father walked with her until she reached the priest and the most unattractive man Aliana had ever met. Her father leaned in and gave her a hug, one hand dipping a bit too low for Aliana's liking, before stepping away. The priest began to go through the speel of the wedding but Aliana couldn't focus on that. Her Lori might really be there and hopefully could tell Aliana wanted to be anywhere, but there. She finally returned back to the present when the priest said those oh so deadly words, "Does anyone here object to the marriage of these two lovers?"
Lorelei smirked when she saw the subtle change in Aliana when she heard their melody. It was enough. She would get her out of here. Especially to save her from marrying that joke of a prince. The King must have been desperate when he chose him for a groom.
“Aye!” Captain Lorelei called out, her voice crystal clear and strong in the polite silence that followed the question. She stood up from her seat and moved to the center of the aisle. “I object. And don't fool yourself. Those two are obviously not lovers.” she declared, standing firmly as her sharp green eyes stared down at the men surrounding the Princess.
The entire crowd turned their heads towards Lorelei and the guards that had been carefully stationed grabbed their weapons. And Aliana, Aliana couldn't help but look at smile at Lorelei. The king stood up and scowled at Lorelie, he opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Aliana's betrothed. He had wrapped an arm around the princess and pulled her close to him as he glared down at Lorelei, "And who do you think you are peasant? Meddling in affairs you know nothing about."
Aliana did not take being pulled too kindly as she struggled against the prince, "Let. Go. of. Me!"
At the last word, Aliana broke free and made her way toward Lorelei, only to be stopped by her father who held onto her tightly. No matter what she did she couldn't break free of her father's grasp.
Lorelei quickly drew her pistol and aimed at the King, well aware of the guards and the risk she was taking. “She said to let her go.” she warned as she pulled back the hammer. “To answer your question, princey, I know more about these “affairs” than you do. I've known Aliana for years compared to how long you've known her. And, unlike you, I actually love her.” she said with a defiant smile as her gaze flicked over to the woman in question.
The guards immediately pointed their weapons at Lorelei once her pistol had been drawn. The king's grip on Aliana only became tighter with a gun now pointed at him. And Lorelei's speech about Aliana made the princess want to either laugh or cry. The prince, on the other hand, began to fume as he made his way toward Lorelei each step accented with a spoke word, "What makes you think I don't love Ali, my betrothed?"
"Because I don't know you!" Aliana yelled shocking her father into letting her go and the prince to cease his movement. She took the chance to move away from her father and walked towards the prince glaring him down, "And you most certainly do not know me."
Aliana went to push past him, but he grabbed her arm as she did so. His grip was so tight she thought it would definitely leave a bruise and when she tried to pull away once more he merely grabbed her other arm with he same bruising grip. His voice was low and hostile, "You should think about what your doing my love."
"I am. Now release me," Aliana responded matching his tone with a cold and calm voice. The prince's face twisted into a snarl as he refused to let her go.
Lorelei didn't react to the guards’ actions. It was just their job after all. She couldn't blame them for that. Though it helped to assure her knowing that her hidden crew had several of their own guns pointed at them.
At Aliana's brave and bold declaration, Lori’s expression turned to a soft loving smile. It melted her heart to hear her stand up for herself like that. And as soon as she was free of the King’s hold, the pirate woman lifted her gun off him and pointed it towards the sky. Though the peaceful gesture didn't last long as the pompous prince grabbed Aliana harshly. “You already got one warning from the lady. Now, it's my turn, pricey; let her go or I’ll put a hole in that already empty head of yours.” she commanded as she leveled her gun to make good on her threat.
Aliana who was so close to Lorelei was painful and yet the prince refused to release her, no matter how much she struggled. The prince in turn scowled at Lorelei, "If you shoot me, then my parents will hunt you down."
It was the king's turn to respond, who had finally seen the sword resting on Lorelei's hip, and recognized Lorelei. His eyes were narrowed as he found his voice stepping towards Lorelei, "You. I told you to leave years ago did I not? And now you're back demanding my daughter."
Lorelei laughed, throwing her head back before glaring back at the prince. “You think I give a damn about you? Or what your parents might do to me? I’m not scared of you.”
When the King finally recognized her, she just smirked and nodded. “And I followed your demands at the time, didn't I, your Majesty? I didn't want to, but I left and stayed away for years. And I'm not demanding Aliana. Yes, I came back for her… But it's her choice what happens between us.” she smiled softly again at her lovely Princess. “Something you seem to want to take away from her. But you forgot one thing when you sent me away. I was just a simple thief back then. Now, tell me, your Majesty, what do you get when you put a thief on the seas? Do you know what you’ve made me now?” she smirked proudly, holding her head up, daring someone to answer.
"A pirate," someone in the crowd whispered in the silence that followed Lorelei's statement. The prince had loosened his grip on Aliana just enough for Aliana to break free and finally make it over to Lorelei the front half of her veil being pushed back revealing her face fully as she quick-walked. She didn't care what anyone else thought as she wrapped her arms around Lorelei giving the pirate a hug. Even in her heels, Lorelei was still just annoyingly that little bit taller than Aliana so she had to look up to see Lori's face. She softly whispered, "You came back."
"And now I demand you leave once more! It is not Aliana's choice to make and I have already decided for her. She is to be wed to Prince Cuthbert at once!" Her father on the other hand was seething the words leaving his mouth scathing in every sense of the word.
Lorelei returned the embrace eagerly and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Of course, I did. I promised you I would.” she whispered back, brushing her fingers against the familiar necklace.
She sighed softly and shook her head. “The only way I’ll leave this time is if you come with me.” she answered the King’s ultimatum by speaking to Aliana. “I’m a Captain now and I have a crew who would love to meet the woman who’s had my heart all these years. We can sail the seas together, see the world, and no one will tell us what to do. I won't give up on you without a fight.” she promised.
Aliana couldn't help the smile that graced her face being in the arms of Lorelei. And while the words of her father scared her, the promise Lorelei made calmed her heart. She rested her head against Lori's shoulder as her eyes closed and she whispered, "Please. Please just take me away. He, they-"
Her breaths began to quicken and it was getting harder to breathe in the tight corset. But she had no need to finish her sentence as Prince Cuthbert spoke, "Ali won't be leaving with you. I will not permit it."
"Neither will I," her father, King Guiraudet, declared as he pointed to the pair reunited and shouted, "Guards! Seize that pirate! Immediately!"
Lori smiled back at her Princess and held her closer. Those few hushed words were enough to assure her this was what Aliana wanted.
“I wasn't asking either of you!” she barked back at the men’s interruptions. Her eyes narrowed when the guards started to move in and follow their King’s order. “Time to go, my love.” she whispered hurriedly before looking up and letting out a long shrill whistle.
With the signal given, a barrage of gunfire sounded throughout the garden as her crew took action to protect their captain and give her cover to escape.
“Come on.” she encouraged, gripping Aliana's hand before leading her out of the chaotic scene.
The guards were stunned by the whistle and then by the chaos that followed. The king shouted out as he pointed to where Aliana and Lori were fleeing, "Someone, go after them!"
Aliana had a tight grip on Lori's hand as she ripped the veil from her hair and held up the bottom of the skirt. She followed after as best she could, stumbling ever so often because of the heels and long train. She stumbled heavily when the train refused to follow after her and glanced back to see Prince Cuthbert standing on top of the train of the dress. Aliana looked back to Lori and pleaded, "Lori, cut the train off. Please."
Lori looked up at Aliana's cry and looked behind them. “Damn.” she growled, drawing her sword and cutting through the fabric. “We’ll get you something more comfortable once we're away.” she quipped. Once the excessive amount of fabric was removed, Lorelei straightened and took Aliana's hand again. “Don't stop running.” she warned before leading her back through the castle. “Do you know any shortcuts to get out of here faster?”
"I would love that," Aliana responded breathlessly. She kept her other hand holding the front of the skirt as she ran alongside Lorelei. The footsteps and distance cry of "Stop" from the prince followed behind them. But Aliana had the home-field advantage as she quickly looked at where they were in the castle. She pointed over to an unseeming bit of wall with a painting on it, "There! Behind the painting is a secret passage that will lead us straight out of the castle."
Lorelei nodded and immediately turned towards the painting. Even after all these years, she still trusted Aliana. Skidding to a quick stop, she carefully moved the picture and climbed into the passage. “Where does this come out?” she asked, closing the painting behind them.
Aliana made sure none of her dress was outside of the painting and as Lorelei closed the painting, Aliana grabbed and lit a torch to give them light. She reached out for Lorelei's hand because she wanted to and it made her feel like this whole thing was real. Aliana began to walk down the passage way leading Lorelei behind her, "It should come out towards the back of the western side of the castle. From there it should be a straight shot to the docks. At least that's how I remember it."
Lori rubbed her thumb across Aliana’s knuckles and gave a gentle squeeze. “Perfect. With any luck, my crew will meet us at the docks or on my ship.” she said, explaining the final steps of their escape. “We’ll set sail once everyone's on board, and you will be as free as a bird.” she grinned before pulling Aliana to her side. “I’ve missed you so much, my darling.”
Aliana's smile grew with every action and word Lorelei said. This was it, she was really with Lori and getting out of the palace. She didn't need to be on a ship or out to sea, Aliana felt like she was soaring into the sky already. She let out a soft sigh as she leaned against Lori softly saying, "I missed you too, my love. I missed you so very much."
The pair was swiftly approaching the hidden exit and Aliana prayed to God that her father hadn't sent any guards to the area. And the lack of footsteps besides their own told Aliana that could very much be the case. She was thinking through the final steps that Lori had laid out, and then thought about her dress and the difficulties she had been having moving in it. She let out a little laugh, "Do you think you can carry me to your ship? Or at the very least out to the docks?"
Lorelei raised a brow at the request and glanced at the dress. “Depends on how far it is to the docks. I should be able to carry you onto the ship and into my cabin, if you’d like.” she smirked roguishly before kissing Aliana’s forehead again. It was one of her favorite things about being just slightly taller than her lover. “We’ll get out of here. I promise. And I can teach you everything you need to know about living on a ship. It'll be different from what you're used to but I'll be there for you the whole time.”
"I-Uh, that is fine with me," Aliana stuttered as she blushed under the layer of makeup at Lorelei's comment. She wanted to bury her face into either Lori's shoulder or her hands. Luckily, the closed door that led outside of the castle was right in front of them. Instead, she pulled away slightly to place the torch back onto the wall and regained her composure. When Aliana looked back at Lorelei, there was admiration shining her eyes, "I know you will. And I can not wait to learn. The exit is right there whenever you are ready."
Lorelei chuckled softly at how flustered Aliana became and nodded. “I’m ready.” she said before slowly opening the secret exit to check if anyone was waiting for them. Fortunately, the way was clear and the docks were closer than she was expecting. “Let's go.” she smiled, pushing the door open so they could both get out. “I may be able to carry you after all.”
"You might be?" Aliana looked at Lorelei with a mischievous smile. She trusted Lorelei, but she checked the exit herself glancing both ways. She spotted the docks in the distance and bit by bit her future with Lorelei became clearer and clearer. Her mischievous smile was replaced with one of awe and splendor and she stepped out of the passage after Lorelei. Only to miss judge the height of the step and begin to fall forward towards Lorelei with a quiet squeak, "Lorelei!"
Lorelei laughed softly as she was teased but quickly caught Aliana as she stumbled out of the doorway. “I got you.” she whispered, holding the Princess close. “I’m going to pick you up now and carry you to the Song.” she warned gently before carefully picking her up bridal style. “It's that one right there. The one not flying any colors. She's not a big ship but she's reliable and fast when she needs to be.”
