Chingachcook wanted Uncas to marry an honourable Indian woman.
Alice stared at the Mohican warrior in front of her who bled integrity from his every pore.
Will his association with her mar his reputation as a respected, righteous warrior? Alice never once thought of that but the unsavoury prospect was churning in her mind now. Her life and reputation were almost certainly destroyed - she did not want to ruin Uncas' in the process. She already owed him far more than she could pay back in kind.
"I will go to Albany with Cora." Alice gulped nervously and turned away with intention to flee. Uncas swiftly stepped around and in front of her, "Why?" Alice's eyes darted around their surroundings, "You should not be seen alone with me or be associated with me." "Why?" Uncas repeated tersely. An uncomfortable silence ensued as Alice looked down at her moccasins, not wanting to elaborate further. Somehow she knew he would blow his top if she brought up how her presence may affect his marriage eligibility.
When she could not endure the tension any longer, she jerked her head up, "People would not think well of you if they keep seeing us together!" Uncas' felt his heart lurch with tenderness - Alice was worried about him. "I don't care." he replied steadily. Alice hissed back, " I do. So let me be." She took a step back. Uncas automatically took a step forward to close the distance between them, "I can't." Alice shook her head stubbornly, "You have to." "I can't. Not until you heal." he grated lowly.
Alice barked angrily, "What if I never heal?" He took another step closer, forcing her head back to look at him. "You can, and you will. Trust me." Insecurity and desolation lurked in her eyes. "Trust me, Alice." he reiterated determinedly. She did trust him, Alice realised with bittersweet helplessness. Despite all that had happened, there was no one she trusted more than the man in front of her. "I do." she responded candidly. "Then come with me to the cabin." he urged. There was a pregnant pause before she relented, "All right."
"Are you sure about this?" Cora nagged anxiously as the women washed their clothes by the river. They were going their separate ways the next day. Alice nodded, wringing her clothes dry. She needed new clothes - but that could wait until she arrived at Albany. Meanwhile, she would make do. "Do you trust Uncas?" Cora blurted out. Alice slid her older sister a tired sideways glance, "Yes."
"I cannot believe I am letting you go off with a man unchaperoned." Cora grumbled under her breath, standing up with her wooden bucket of freshly laundered clothes. "I am no longer an innocent maiden whose reputation and chastity need to be protected." Alice opined testily, dabbing a damp cloth over her face. Cora sighed in frustration. Maybe it was really the best idea to leave Alice with Uncas - Cora was finding it increasingly difficult to deal her with younger sister. Let the Mohican work his magic.
I am not getting on that."
Alice backed away from the monstrous horse that stomped its hooves impatiently in front of her. Uncas swung himself onto the beast with annoying ease and patted the thick blanket that was flung across its broad back, "Better to ride since you are injured." Alice and Uncas had bade farewell to Cora, Nathaniel and Chingachcook in the morning. The cabin apparently was just over half a day away from the camp. Thus, Uncas was not in a hurry to depart.
Though Alice had initially dreaded the strenuous trek ahead since her ankle still hurt, the thought of galloping through the wilderness on that horse turned her knees to jelly. She had never been a good rider and when she did ride, she used a side saddle. Now Uncas expected her to ride astride in front of him - bareback. She was going to break her neck before reaching the cabin. And probably both arms and legs. And her ribs.
Before Alice could react, Uncas stretched downwards and hauled her up as if she weighed no more than a feather, depositing her unceremoniously in front of him. Alice clutched the blanket like a lifeline and croaked weakly, "I am not going to forgive you for this." Uncas chuckled softly in amusement and Alice felt her heart flip. When was the last time she had seen him smile or laugh? Chumani materialised beside the horse, with Nayeli by her side.
While Chumani handed a bundle to Uncas, rattling what sounded like instructions, Alice and Nayeli stared at each other wordlessly over the older woman's head. The Delaware woman flashed a cool, calculating smile; Alice warily shifted her gaze away in response. Nayeli came forward, extended a flat package to Alice and purred, "Gift from the women - warm shoes and cloak. You will need them soon." She spoke in English. Alice accepted the bundle with as much cordiality she could muster, "Thank you. This is very kind of you." "I wish you a safe journey to the cabin." Nayeli added in a saccharine tone as she touched Uncas' arm flirtatiously. Alice saw Uncas shrug her hand away irreverently as her mind wandered to the night before...
"Do you need help?"
Alice peered over her shoulder at the entrance of the wigwam. Nayeli stood there, regarding her with an air of haughtiness. Like Chumani, she spoke decent English. "No, thank you. I am quite finished." Alice answered politely, setting her travel pack aside. Nayeli did not move from her position. "The cabin is very nice. You will like it." she commented casually, drawing circles on her buckskin skirt. Her message was clear - she had been to the cabin before. Alice told herself she should not mind - but she did.
"Going back to England soon?" Nayeli queried a little too eagerly - in Alice's opinion. Feeling a tad wicked, she decided not to reply, instinctively guessing her unperturbed response would irritate the Delaware woman. Instead, she flicked a noncommital smile in Nayeli's direction and begin dusting the deerskins. "Everyone respects Uncas as a warrior." Nayeli drawled. When Alice declined to answer yet again, she continued, "Everyone must respect his woman, too." It was a hit below the belt and Alice stiffened imperceptibly. Nayeli obviously thought a former white captive did not match up to Uncas. The Delaware widow was not done though. She delivered her parting shot with undisguised relish, "Uncas must respect her, too." With that, she flounced out of the wigwam, leaving a disturbed Alice in her wake.
"Ready?" Alice jumped in the present at the sound of Uncas' low, velvety voice in her ear. In her anxiety over the horse, she had forgotten that Uncas was sitting right behind her, and she was propped in between his thighs. And they were going to be stuck in this position until they reached the cabin. Dear heavens. She bobbed her head shyly and gripped the blanket for dear life.
She felt Uncas shift closer to her, and extended his left arm to grasp the reins. His right arm came around her waist to secure her snugly against his upper body. His fingers skated down to release her fingers from the blanket. "Won't let you fall." He murmured sweetly as he adjusted the strap of her travel pack. He nudged the horse's flank with his knee and they cantered off.
Alice was paralysed - well, as still as one could be on a horse - in front of him. Uncas grinned at the sight of her ramrod straight back - she probably thought she would topple over if she moved an inch. She had maintained this posture for the last twenty minutes since they left the camp. In her terror, she had not said a single word to him, all her focus was on staying on the horse. Thus, Uncas left her alone all this while, giving her time to physically and mentally adapt to riding bareback. It could be terrifying and uncomfortable if one was not familiar with it.
"Scared?" he asked needlessly as an excuse to break the silence. "This is the first time I am riding without a saddle." she replied primly, her hands placed gingerly near the horse's nape, her thighs burning from clamping its flanks. "You'll like this better once you get used to it." Uncas predicted teasingly. Alice retorted petulantly, " I detest riding even with a saddle." He gave her waist a comforting squeeze,"Won't be stopping for a few hours. Lean on me."
Alice bit her lip. He sounded casual enough and he was not pulling her against him forcefully. The choice was hers. Her fast-fading English sensibility was reprimanding her lack of decorum in riding astride with a man, her skirts partly spread over his legs. How scandalous. She was riding bareback on a horse that appeared more wild than tame, and had to stay put on it for the next few hours. She had a dauntless warrior behind her who probably could ride standing up on one leg with his eyes closed. To hell with propriety. Alice decided rebelliously. Relaxing, she let herself drift backwards until she was in full contact with Uncas from waist to shoulder, the top of her head brushing his jaw. She thought she felt him smile as he tightened his arm around her middle and urged the beast under them to go faster.
A few hours later, they stopped for a break. It was late in the afternoon, just a couple hours to sunset. Uncas hopped off the horse agilely and helped Alice, who slipped off rather inelegantly. She sank gratefully on the forest floor while Uncas led the horse to a nearby stream. She dug into her pack and drew out a loaf of bread and some dried meat. Alice did not know what the meat was and figured she was better off not knowing. It was edible and thus, she was satisfied. Gone were the days that she poured over selections of ham, poultry, fish...now she simply ate to fill her stomach. She took a sip from her water pouch, the semi-warm liquid soothing her parched throat.
Uncas returned shortly, teetered the horse to a tree and swaggered over to her side. Alice tore the loaf into two and offered half to him, together with some meat. He took the food, thanking her at the same time. "Nap?" he suggested as he dropped down flat on the ground, resting his head on his pack. "I am fine." Alice demurred, chewing on her chunk of bread. It dawned on her this was the first time they were truly alone, miles away from other human beings, away from prying eyes and inquisitive looks. Just the two of them.
It was just he and Alice. Uncas studied Alice's winsome, pensive profile. She was perspiring, but her face had lost its strained nervousness. He had made the right decision to take away from the camp and postpone their trip to Albany. Alice needed space, privacy and time to settle of her emotions - and think of her future. He had seen her confusion when Chingachcook brought up returning to England. She had yet to consider what to do - he suspected she felt she had nothing to look forward to, nothing to live for.
The night before
"Do you want her to stay?" Chingachcook came abreast of his younger son, who had been covertly watching Alice pack for their upcoming journey. "I want her to do what she wants." Uncas deflected. His father grunted, "She doesn't know what she wants - not yet." "She needs time." Uncas deferred, playing absently with his belt. "You going to spend the time making her stay?" Chingachcook eyed his son hardly. Uncas returned his father's gaze evenly, "I want her to get well." The elder Mohican rotated his shoulders with a grimace, " She'll go once she is well. Nothin' for her here." Uncas did not miss the challenge in his father's voice. He tossed a stick into the fire in front of him, " Maybe she'll go, maybe she won't." Chingachcook threw another stick into the fire and did not press the issue further.
"All right?" Alice looked down at Uncas' inquiry, his forehead crinkled in concern. Was she all right? Alice did not know. Her gaze swept over the thick canopy of trees above her before finding its final resting place upon Uncas' still, rugged countenance. It felt nice to be alone with him, she admitted to herself rather reluctantly. Though he was mostly cautious and awkward around her, he did what he could to make her feel safe and comfortable. He did not pressure her to do or think anything and for that, she was appreciative.
Instead of answering, she sprung to her feet and suggested, "Shall we?" On impulse, she stuck out her hand to offer her assistance. His eyes registered surprise as they snagged hers, but he clasped her hand without missing a beat. An unguarded moment passed between them and Alice felt a thrill travel up and down her spine. It was not fear or repulsion - but anticipation. She was expecting something, she was excited for no rhyme or reason. Wrong - she was feeling this way because of Uncas. She had not felt a semblance of such positive normalcy for the longest time, since her capture. Not until you heal. But as she stared into those beautiful brown eyes masked with pain, she realised she was not the only one who needed to heal.
Something had altered between them. The change was tiny, almost negligible, but it had happened. His heart felt minutely lighter. Uncas did not know what had changed but he was confident it was for the better. He got on the horse and Alice followed suit, clambering after him clumsily. He tucked her firmly against him and set off.
Another few hours past before Uncas stopped again. He was not as tired as he was bothered by his injuries, which ached incessantly. It was dark and the temperature had dipped, which made it more pleasant to travel. However, Uncas was starving and figured it was a suitable time to take a rest and have his evening meal. He glanced down at Alice and an indulgent smile flitted across his face. She had fallen asleep about two hours ago and in consideration of her comfort, he suggested she sat facing him instead. She had sleepily complied, thus now her face nestled in the crook of his neck, her arms banded around his waist.
Uncas did not want to wake her up but she had to eat something, too. He shook her lightly, "Wake up." She stirred instantly and looked around her, disoriented. "Where are we?" she asked sluggishly, her eyes still half-closed. Uncas soothed wayward strands of hair off her forehead, "Just a few miles to go. We'll probably reach the cabin after midnight." Alice nodded, then blushed when she realised that she was clinging to him. Loosening her arms, she carefully got off the horse, and Uncas leapt down to the ground behind her.
They sat down, and extracted food from their packs. Uncas handed Alice a salve, "My aunt said it's for your burn wounds." Alice took it from him and rolled up the sleeve that hid the wound on her arm. As she dabbed the salve on the injury, Uncas munched on a fruit-and-nut-bar. "The burn wounds - what happened?" he queried finally - the question had been haunting him since he saw them. "The Ottawa raided the Huron camp. They set fire to everything, including the wigwam I was in." Alice shared, her voice dull. She hated to talk about those harrowing three months. "How did you get out?" Uncas wondered out loud since he was certain she had been imprisoned.
"An Ottawa warrior ran into the wigwam. I refused to leave but he hacked my chains and dragged me out. The wigwam was half consumed with flames. I got burnt as I went through the flap. As he led me away, I saw Magua fighting with a group of Ottawa warriors. That was the last time I saw him." she replied, averting her face from Uncas, resentment creeping into her voice.
Uncas was reeling from her confession that she had refused to leave the wigwam - she had been ready to burn to death. He had the Ottawa warrior to thank for kidnapping Alice to safety. He was so overwhelmed by her fiery death wish that he almost missed her next words, "They did not... touch me at the Ottawa camp. I had to do chores from dawn to past midnight, and they chained me once I was done."
"They beat and whipped you." he surmised coldly. "I would rather that than...being groped by the Huron." Alice finished shakily, sinking her teeth into her fruit bar with a vengeance. Uncas did not comment and the conversation ended there. They huddled side by side, not touching, gazing at the stars twinkling in the sky. "Would you really have stayed in the wigwam if not for the Ottawa warrior?" Uncas' voice cut through the silence. Alice turned to stare at his unforgiving profile and found his mouth pinched into a grim line, his jaw clenched. He was very bothered by her indirect attempt at suicide.
Alice swallowed, "Yes." She thought he would not reply when his baritone issued again, "Don't do something like that again." He sounded remote, yet, Alice sensed his underlying hesitation and vulnerability. Alice nodded meekly, then shivered as an icy draft streaked through the trees. She heard Uncas rummage through his pack and a few seconds later, he draped a blanket over her shoulders. "I'm not tired. We should leave soon." Alice reassured, then it struck her that he was not fully recovered from his massive injuries.
"Do your injuries still hurt?" she asked worriedly. He shook his head indifferently and rose to his feet. This time, it was his turn to extend a helping hand. Smiling slightly, Alice accepted his offer and he hefted her up easily. It was time to complete the last leg of their journey.
It was past midnight when they arrived at the cabin. Alice got down from the horse eagerly and though her feet were numb, she stumbled towards the sturdy, log structure with curiosity. She had seen never a house built this way before but she was glad to discover it possessed a proper door and roof.
"This is truly your home?" she breathed in wonder as Uncas came up next to her.
"Your home too until we leave for Albany." he clipped tensely.
Her cheeks could not help flushing scarlet at his remark - she was honest-to-goodness going to temporarily cohabit with a man. How far she had fallen.
Uncas cupped Alice's chin and angled her to face him, his dark eyes riveted on her.
"Our home for now."
