A/N: Hi all!!
Ok, so it is the day after the day after tomorrow. Yet, I am finishing a story in the first week! I can say that has never happened before and it is something that I must say I am proud of accomplishing this.
I hope you will enjoy this final chapter, comments, suggestions and thoughts are very much appreciated!! Thank you so much for taking the time to read this story, and thank you for reviewing it.
P.S. The name Nuttah is an Algonquin name meaning, "My heart." Thanks go to the twenty thousand baby name's web site.
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Chapter 2:
Shadows quickly moved to the beat of the drums as Pocahontas and Kocoum entered the village. Women of all ages twirled to the music around the fire, the drummers following the movements of the women and the clapping of all the people. Pocahontas grinned as she saw her father dancing with an older woman and Kekata chanting along with the elders. The young princess knew that this would be a night that would not be forgotten anytime soon.
Her dark eyes scanned the party looking for Chiana; however she could not see the young girl amongst the dancing women. She saw Nakoma lifting her feet high in the air with her arms straight above her head while Kavo watched.
"I can see Nakoma is having fun," Kocoum shouted over the noise as Pocahontas nodded.
"Come on," she said as she grabbed Kocoum's hand, "Let's try and look for Chiana."
"I'm going to get something to eat," Kocoum replied as Pocahontas watched him go over to where the food had been placed out for the party.
"Kocoum!" Pocahontas yelled as with an aggravated sigh she followed him so as to not lose him in the crowd of people. Pocahontas went around the main fire so as she could get closer to the food when something caught her eye.
There was Chiana, standing under the hut where the food was being held. Pocahontas gave a small smile as she made her way over towards her friend.
"Wingapo," she said as she walked up to Chiana, "Are you having fun?"
After a moment's pause Chiana replied in an icy tone, "Apparently not as much fun as you are having."
"Oh," Pocahontas sighed as she stood next to her friend, "Chiana listen, I know you wanted to ask Kocoum to dance. However, you know it is the warrior that gets to choose who to dance with and he just so happened to pick me."
"Ok," Chiana replied as she shrugged, "Although, a true friend would have told him no."
"I couldn't just-"
"Couldn't or wouldn't," Chiana snapped, "You could have said hey Chiana likes you or something like that. I mean, what were you two talking about before the dance?"
"Nothing," Pocahontas answered, "He just, we just, trust me it was not anything really important."
"I do not believe you," Chiana retorted as she narrowed her eyes, "You knew exactly how I felt about-"
"Hey!" both girls turned to see Kocoum running towards them, "You two have to try this stuff is so good!"
"You better go with your warrior," Chiana said under her breath so as Pocahontas could hear her; "Men do not like to be kept waiting."
"Chiana, I swear I well-"
"Just, leave me alone!" the other girl exclaimed as she turned away from Pocahontas and made her way towards her own longhouse.
"Did you really have to do that?" Pocahontas snapped as she turned towards Kocoum, "I mean really; you got hungry?"
"Look," Kocoum defended, "All that girl stuff, the feelings and whatnot I just don't know how… I didn't know what to say…"
"So you left," Pocahontas shrugged, "Thank you most honorable warrior," she said sarcastically before turning and briskly walking away.
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"Chiana?"
"Go away," came her reply as Pocahontas stuck her head through the door of the longhouse.
"I just want to talk to you," she said as Chiana slowly untied the strings of her hut and allowed Pocahontas to enter. Sitting down upon one of the mats inside the longhouse, Pocahontas gazed on as Chiana stoked the fire in the center of the floor.
"Kocoum asked me to dance before the Warrior's first dance," Pocahontas confessed as she sighed, "I knew you liked him but, I didn't really have a chance to tell you he had already asked me."
"Like I said," Chiana began, "You could have told him no."
"I know," Pocahontas replied as she folded her hands in her lap, "However, Kocoum asked me to dance with me and I did not know what to say. He also told me that…"
She took a deep breath. Should she tell her friend? The native princess was not sure. However, she knew that word would get out somehow and if Chiana had found out that Pocahontas had known all along…
"What did he tell you?" Chiana inquired as Pocahontas met her friend's gaze across the fire.
Taking a deep breath the princess replied, "Kocoum told me he wants to court me. He already asked my father and I believe my father said yes."
"What do you mean you believe?" Chiana arched an eyebrow at her as Pocahontas sighed.
"Hey," a voice floated to the two girls from outside the flap of the hut, "You two are not joining back in to the party?"
"Can Kocoum come in?" Pocahontas inquired as Chiana quickly looked around her family's hut. Although to Pocahontas's eye everything looked fine, Chiana began frantically straightening up the place.
"In a minute," she replied to Kocoum's question as Pocahontas turned from Chiana in order to hide her smirk.
"Can you put out the fire some?" Chiana asked as she straightened pots on a low shelf, "In order to dim the light in here."
"Oh goodness," Pocahontas breathed as she completed the task, "Alright, Chiana everything is f-"
"Well?" both girls jumped slightly as Kocoum stuck his head through the door.
"We're fine!" came Chiana's hasty reply as she cleared her throat and sat down by the fire.
"Well," Kocoum started as he looked around, "I do not see any marks or bruises on the both of you so I suppose I can come in to the hut."
"Of course! Would you like something to drink? Or a blanket for your shoulders?-"
"Or something to eat?" Pocahontas mumbled under her breath as she looked at Kocoum.
"I'm alright," the warrior replied, "Thank you for asking Chiana."
"Right," the girl replied as she folded her hands, "Care to sit down?"
Kocoum did with out answering her question, "So."
"Pocahontas tells me you are courting her," Chiana said, "Did you ask her father for his permission?"
"Yes," Kocoum answered as he nodded, "A day or so ago. Why do you ask?"
"No reason," the girl said, "Pocahontas was not sure if you had asked Chief Powhatan or not."
"Well, I did."
"Good."
An awkward pause followed, "So, wedding plans?"
"No," both said in unison as Chiana beamed at her friend.
"Kids?" this time Chiana smirked.
"No!" the two of them replied as Chiana kept smiling.
"Can we go now?" Kocoum asked as Pocahontas noticed he had covered his face with his hand.
"What," Chiana began, "The brave and mighty warrior is running away from a few questions?"
Kocoum's eyes flashed, "Stop it. I came back here to apologize to you. I was unaware you were interested in me."
Chiana shrugged, "Fine, it doesn't matter."
"Alright-"
"No wait," Pocahontas started speaking, "Chiana, I do not want you to be upset with me or with Kocoum. He could not help but have feelings for me, just as you could not help the fact you have feelings for him. Please, do not be to upset. If anything, I'm a bit offended that Kocoum did not stay with me when you and I spoke first."
She shot a look over at the older boy, "You should have stayed. I would gladly like to tell my father how you ran from a confrontation between two girls."
This statement sent both young women in to fits of giggles and laughter as Kocoum shook his head, "Alright, alright, I get it. I was foolish and I am sorry."
"Are you?" Pocahontas and Chiana asked after the latter got her breath back.
"Yes, I am," Kocoum answered as he shrugged, "I will never run from anything again. Not a battle, nor war between anyone, tribe or girls alike."
"That should be put in the warrior's oath speech," Pocahontas said as she playfully hit Kocoum's shoulder.
The three friends shared a smile, "Perhaps it should," Chiana said as she gave another sigh.
"You can make it up to me by letting me tell the group that you two are together now," Chiana said as she stood to her feet.
Pocahontas and Kocoum exchanged a look as they followed suit, "That will not take long," the warrior mumbled.
"Alright," Pocahontas said hurriedly, "You can."
Chiana nodded as she pushed passed her two friends and out in to the party.
"Great," Kocoum said as he shrugged his shoulders, "Everyone will know in the next five to seven minutes."
"At least it is getting it over with," the native girl replied as she took Kocoum's hand and started to lead him out in to the crowd of people, "Let us face them now."
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"So," Nuttah asked as she looked up at her mother, "What happened to Kocoum?"
Pocahontas lowered her eyes, "He is no longer among us."
"How come?" Nuttah inquired, blue eyes gazing at Pocahontas's sad expression.
"That is a story for another time," the young mother replied as she yawned, "As for now, I am tired and it is past your bedtime."
"You will tell me someday, right?" Nuttah queried as she got to her feet.
"Yes," Pocahontas replied as she walked around the fire in order to give her daughter a hug, "Now, go to bed."
The ten-year-old sighed, "Promise?"
"Bed," Nuttah jolted slightly as her father's voice spoke from behind her. Turning slowly, Nuttah saw her father leaning up against the post of the longhouse she shared with her family.
"Alright," the girl said as she shrugged and walked towards the hut not before giving her parents another hug did she go inside.
"That was an interesting story," the man started as he sat beside his wife, "I had no idea you and Kocoum courted at one time. What happened to change that?"
Pocahontas paused as she thought over what her husband had just asked her. Truth was, that the native woman didn't quite know herself.
"I have my thoughts on the matter," she thoughtfully began, "I am just not certain. Things happen and people change. That is the only explanation I have."
John Smith kissed her cheek, "He seemed like a good man. However, I can not say that-"
"Than do not say anything," Pocahontas interrupted as she placed a finger to his lips, "Just hold me tonight."
John softly kissed her in the moonlight as he ran his hands through out her raven like hair.
"For the rest of our lives," he whispered as in one swift motion he picked her up in his arms. Pocahontas gasped as he carried her towards the longhouse where the couple's three children slept.
He gently kissed his wife as he placed her down on the bed before climbing in himself. He stroked her hair, and dried her tears as she softly wept. No doubt the tale had brought back memories for her.
As she drifted off to sleep in his arms, and as her tears had dried the captain could not help thinking that some changes were meant for the best.
"I did not know you Kocoum," the man whispered, "However, I am caring for her and I thank my God everyday for she has forever altered me. There is peace among our people, a never ending love for her in my heart and as you can see she has fond memories of you."
John settled his head down next to Pocahontas as a warm breeze blew through the family's longhouse.
----End of, "Change."--------