Chapter XVI: Things Your Grandmother Should Have Explained

Larry held his bouquet in front of him, not knowing what to expect, and even wondering if he would be using it as a weapon. The stupid flowers gave away how nervous he was as they shook with every breath he took! Larry/Larissa followed the narrow path as it turned into an open meadow, stepping carefully in his soft silk slippers.

Larry was shocked to see the entire gypsy community appeared to have turned out. Men and women, young and old, even children stood at the sides of the meadow, leaving a path down the centre for him. The scene was lit by torches and the full moon above, and the music wafted over all creating a serene setting. Larry's nervousness eased as he saw everyone smiling at him.

Larry looked to the other side of the meadow, at the end of the path through the gypsies. There stood Gwen on the left, looking beautiful, and beside her were the two gypsy girls who had helped him, all holding their flowers. On the right was Marko, looking incredibly handsome in a dark suit and tie, standing with two other gypsy men that Larry thought he might have seen around the carnival. And in the centre, looking very, very nervous, was the priest from earlier.

Larry walked up and joined the others standing before the priest with Marko. Wow, Marko really did look amazing. "Shut up, hormones!" Larry told himself.

Something about this seemed so familiar. But that was ridiculous, wasn't it? There was no way he had ever attended a gypsy werewolf curse removal ceremony! Yet something nagged at the back of his brain...

"Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis..."

Larry was so preoccupied with his own thoughts that he hadn't even noticed the priest had begun the ceremony. This was important! Larry determined to give the ceremony his full attention.

 "In Primis statuantur vir et mulier..."

"Si vero aliquis impedimentum aliquod proponere voluerit..."

And five minutes later...

"Debet etiam Sacerdos terminum præfigere competentem..."

Holy crap, was it over yet? Larry couldn't believe that a ritual to remove a werewolf curse could be so boring! It was like the worst church service he had ever attended. Larry was glad he had taken a nap earlier because he couldn't keep his eyes open for much more of this. Yet still, he couldn't shake the feeling that it was all somehow familiar.

"Postea dicat Sacerdos ad virum cunctis audientibus in lingua materna sic."

With this, the priest stopped and looked up. Larry watched, hoping it was over, as the priest stared at the two of them before continuing:

"Marko, do you take this woman as thy wedded wife? Do you promise to..."

Unfortunately, much of the rest went unheard by anyone present. As soon as Larry heard the words 'wedded wife' he suddenly realized why this all looked so very familiar to him.

"Hey, hey, hold on!" he shouted. "What, this is a wedding ceremony? And that makes me the bride? Nobody thought to make that clear to me up to now?"

"I do," announced Marko, in reply to the priest who had stoically continued in the face of Larry's rant.

"And Larissa, do you take this man..."

Larry didn't allow the priest to finish. "Stop right there!" he yelled. "When did we do the part about anyone knowing why this couple can't be wed, because I've got something to say to that!"

"I don't understand," said Marko. "I thought you were happy! I have a good job and can take care of you."

"Marko, there are things about me that I think your grandmother should have explained!" said Larry, looking at Zolfina with sparks flying from his lovely green eyes.

"It is the only way, Larry Talbot!" said Zolfina, breaking down in tears. "To break the curse; both of your curses! Please Larry Talbot! The only way. Look at the moon!"

Larry said nothing, he was so shocked, and so the priest resumed:

"Larissa, do you take this man as thy wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honour and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"

"I..." said Larry, completely in shock. I..."

He looked around the meadow. He looked at the people, at Zolfina, at Marko and the priest. He looked at Gwen and the bridesmaids. Larry looked up at the moon, the Earth's shadow a mere speck on its side.

"I..."

"Everybody freeze!" a voice boomed over the gathering. Suddenly dozens of the local police came out of the woods, blocking exit from the meadow from all angles.

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 "What is the meaning of this?" said the priest, growing exceedingly annoyed at the interruptions. "This is a sacred ceremony!"

"I'll tell you what this is..." Detective Miklos yelled back as he followed the path between the gypsies to the group at the front.

"Miklos!" said Larry to himself. "I never thought I'd be glad to see him!"

Larry watched the Detective, realizing that he carried with him the silver cane! The Detective walked to the front of the group. He stood before Marko and Larry/Larissa, then brandishing the cane he turned to address the crowd, who looked about nervously at the many armed police.

"This is a murder investigation," Miklos finally completed his sentence from much earlier. "There was a murder here a couple of nights ago. That would seem to be something that should concern you people!"

"Please," pleaded Zolfina. "The moon! They must complete the ceremony!"

"Quiet! I'll get to you," Miklos told the old woman, pointing at her with the cane. He turned back to the crowd and continued, "An American was killed, just steps from here, by his American friend, and yet no one here seems concerned. Not only do you accept this, but now you are apparently willing to hide this man from the law. And as a Police Detective, I have to ask myself why?"

Marko grabbed his sides and grimaced. He cried out in pain as it took everything he had to remain standing.

"Quiet!" said the Detective, gesturing at Marko with the cane. "I don't want any theatrics from you!"

"He needs to leave!" Larry shrieked, worried by the cane and knowing full well what might happen if Marko did not get away.

"Nobody's leaving till I'm finished," said Detective Miklos.

Marko cried out, then howled against the pain. He ripped off his jacket, tossing it to the ground. Larry watched in horror as Marko began to change, his arms and legs twisting as he tried to remain standing.

"What did I tell you..." said Miklos, turning from the crowd to confront Marko. He raised a hand to quiet Marko, but before he even had a chance to say a word Marko shoved him full force, causing the Detective to fly twenty feet into the crowd.

"Run Marko! Run!" cried Larry.

Marko's beast mind was confused, but he looked at Larissa and trusted her. Ripping his shirt and tossing it behind him, Marko leapt for the trees.

"That's Talbot!" shouted Detective Miklos. "Shoot him!"

Several shots rang out, some hitting their mark, as Marko visibly stumbled into the trees. The shooting ended, as Marko disappeared and there was no more target to shoot at.

"Everyone, follow him!" shouted Miklos. "Don't let him get away!"

As the police charged into the woods after Marko, Detective Miklos turned once more to the crowd. "You're all responsible for this," he told them. "You've all been harbouring a fugitive, a murderer. I'm not done with any of you!" With those parting words he turned and disappeared into the trees.

Larry/Larissa ran to Zolfina. "They shot him!" he cried, tears streaming down his face.

"Do not be concerned," Zolfina comforted the distraught girl. "It will take more than bullets to stop him. I very much doubt the police thought to use silver."

"But he's out there, all alone!" Larry had no idea why he cared, but he did.

"Listen to me carefully, Larry Talbot!" said the old gypsy woman. "Only you can save Marko! The policeman has the silver cane, and he will use it to kill him!"

"What can I do?" asked Larry.

"Only you can find him, and calm him, and bring him home before he hurts another, or is killed himself! You have the power, Larry Talbot! Now go!"

Larry nodded. He hiked up his gown, and ran into the woods to find Marko.

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A/N: So close, Larry almost broke the curse! Of course, there always seems to be a catch where Larry is concerned  "^_^"

I can't believe, there are only two chapters left! And the last one is really more of an epilogue. Expect things to wrap up next week in the exciting chapter, "Well Yeah, But So Do I"!