4

Time had passed. How much, they neither knew nor cared. They enjoyed the solitude with the bright sun and the ocean breeze beaming through the window. By lying with him, she felt a sense of security that she never felt even with Kocoum's promises of protection. With her head on his chest, and one arm wrapped around her, John couldn't think of another place he would rather be. (Even those nights with the "infamous women" were not like this, as even they felt cold and clammy after the night was through. This time, everything was right. He actually found someone he wanted to experience this with more than once.)

"I've waited a long time to do that," he said, as he twirled her tresses with his free hand.

She looked up at him with a smile that reinforced his satisfaction. Then she said thoughtfully, "I should have come with you to London long ago." She thought of the wasted years, and what could have been.

"You like London?" He was surprised by her interest and regret.

"I do. I would like to live here, a while longer."

"Won't you miss Virginia?"

"I'll always love my father and people, but I prefer being here, with you. In any case, my father would not accept me now."

He then realized this was her first time. He knew what she meant. Her father wouldn't accept her back into his tribe, as a bondwoman. He remembered how their conversation ended the other day...Now is the time... .

Before he could speak again, she noticed a slightly visible scar on his left side. "Does it still ache?"

"Not much, but only when I apply too much pressure on it."

She kissed it, before laying down again quietly, for a moment, before speaking again. "I haven't personally taken the opportunity to thank you, for breaking me out of the Tower of London, and defending me against Ratcliffe. He certainly would have killed me had you not fought off all those men."

"Well, even Rolfe should have some credit in that. He assisted me and knocked Ratcliffe with the sail before he could kill me."

"Yes, but I know he wouldn't have thought to go to that prison, let alone think of a mischievous plan on his own...'tis not his nature." Now, she looked up at him again. "You've always been a venturesome, courageous one: not afraid to take risks and make your own path...much like myself. I've always found that appealing about you... ;" now she tousled his mane and continued: "...As well as this hair of grain, and eyes as deep and blue as the river, that I haven't been able to forget, even now... ."

More kissing ensued, until they heard a knock at the door. John wished to ignore it, but Pocahontas assured she'd answer it. Meanwhile, John put on his undergarments and breeches, and got up, looking through his pile of clothes. Where was that shirt?

In a haste to find something, she put on his tunic, not realizing it until too late, she opened the door. It was Mrs. Porter, with her dress.

"Why Pocahontas, 'tis nearly-oh, my, I'm terribly sorry." Looking at her attire, she realized what she had interrupted.

Pocahontas, meanwhile noted this, looking embarrassed. "I wanted to return this, as promised."

"But I still have yet to wash yours."

"No need to worry. Pardon me." She went down the stairs ashamedly before Pocahontas closed the door.

John finally found the shirt he wore that day, and opened the pocket he attached to it, pulling out an object. She recognized the shirt from that other day. What was he looking for? "'Twas Mrs. Porter. My dress had finally dried from last night. I should probably change."

"Really? I seem to like the idea of you wearing my tunic," he grinned slyly as he took her hand and pulled her back towards the bed. He then became solemn, putting her hand in both of his placing something inside her hand.

"What's this?"Upon opening her hand, she found a blue diamond ring.

He explained. "I wanted you to have this. 'Twas my mother's posey ring. She gave it to me as a young lad, insisting I give it to a woman I considered worthy." There was an inscription on it that read, 'Together Forever'.

As he was preparing to slip in on her left hand ring finger, she could hear her own heart beating. How could I have been so foolish...?

"Pocahontas, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

She could hardly contain her excitement when she said the word, "Yes." -

It wasn't long until the newly engaged couple were interrupted, yet again. Suddenly, they heard a bark, and a rustling from outside the door. Rolling his eyes, and opening the door to investigate, he saw two familiar critters, fighting over a bone.

"Percy, Meeko? Where's...?"

He heard a humming noise coming from the window. Seeing a bird coming, he closed it right before Flit could reach. As Flit slid down from the glass, John reopened the window laughing, while Flit looked less than amused. "'Tis alright. I was only teasing."

Laughing, Pocahontas was more than pleased to see old friends. "Flit, Meeko, Percy, how on earth did you get here?" Then she saw her luggage, somewhat tattered and worn, but still intact.

Meeko and Percy noticed she wasn't wearing her dress. Meeko gave her a questionable glance, while Percy looked confused. Flit glared at John: he figured it out. John returned a self-satisfied look.

Flit then noticed her ring. As if reading his mind, she said, "Yes, we're newly engaged." Meeko and Percy looked excited, while Flit, silent for a moment, looked as if he came to an acceptance.

Then John became serious. "Pocahontas, I can't have pets here. My landlord won't allow them...wait." Seeing a ladder in a corner, he climbed it, leading to a loft space. "There's a window in case they wish to go outside. If they need to hide, they can climb up here. He never checks up here." He chuckled. -

The betrothed were married by the Justice of the Peace, deciding it would be best to regain her legitimacy and quell any confusion of their status. Ben, Lon, Thomas, and Newport were present as witnesses. -

Pocahontas, concerned her father would be worried about her not returning with Rolfe, took John's suggestion to write a letter. "Flit, please take this letter and find Rolfe. He'll probably be on his way to visit father." She wondered how both men would respond to the news. They'll need to know eventually, she thought.

John wrote his own letter for Captain William Pierce, a friend of his who happened to be navigating that ship. Flit was unhappy to play messenger, and didn't wish to bring the news to Rolfe, but he reluctantly carried both letters.

Pocahontas was suspicious when Thomas later offered to watch their pets, to give the couple some alone time, and noticed John later packed some bags. "I want to show you something. Close your eyes." He guided her while covering her eyes. "Now, open them." When she opened them, she found herself on a boat decked with roses and other flowers, with the name "Pocahontas" written in the side.

"'Tis your ship!"

"Our ship," he corrected her. "Thomas, Newport, Ben, Lon, and some of my other men helped build it. Lon, Newport and Ben's wives added the flowers."

"'Tis beautiful!" She exclaimed. She was so overjoyed, she didn't know what to do, but then the thought hit her. "Where are we going?"

"'Tis part of the surprise: Wherever you want to go."

"We'll go wherever the wind takes us." She smiled.

And so, they traveled through the River Thames, to the English Channel, and for the next month traveled throughout the Mediterranean, and the northern coast of Africa, stopping through France, Spain, and Portugal, and other nations. -