EXTERIOR GLADE – NEXT MORNING

Opening her eyes slowly she's a little confused as to why she's in a forest, then all the memories from yesterday come flashing back. She shudders and goes into a fetal position, her eyes wide with fear. She feels a hand on her shoulder and sits up quickly afraid that it's the enemy…

UNCAS

(looking at her stoic but she

senses compassion)

Are you alright?

Alice looks into his eyes and her eyes flutter to the ground; why was I afraid? Alice started to remember that last night she stayed next to Uncas; during the night she had changed her position to her other side and when she did she had opened her eyes, Uncas sat there. He looked as if he were asleep but with a slight noise she could see his muscles tense and he would open his eyes scanning the area. She felt comforted by his closeness and alertness; she gave a little smile to herself under the blanket and fell back asleep. Looking back at him she nodded, not being able to speak with his intense eyes looking at her. Alice looks around and only sees Chingachgook, who is looking at her closely, she looks down…

ALICE

(a little afraid)

Where's everybody else?...

My sister?

UNCAS

She went with Hawkeye…

Uncas smiles inside as Alice's face changes to disbelief; so beautiful he thought. Uncas remembered how her hair smelt of flowers as he tried to quiet her down when the Ottawa and French Rangers had appeared. Her skin was so soft. She fell asleep within an hour after the enemy's left, and looked so peaceful. He wished she didn't have to go through all of this, he could see it was affecting her, but for being so young she was strong. Maybe not as strong as Cora; he smiled, that girl was as tough as nails, for a woman. Yet, with Alice she had a different type of strength, she may not speak her mind as her sister, which he appreciated in his own way; he liked that she didn't question them about leaving the Cameron's house the way that it was, whereas her sister made it seemed like they didn't care about them; that hurt a lot. Alice, though, never complained about the rough terrain, the heat, and even though he could see yesterday that she was tired and in pain from all the walking, she never asked for a break but quietly kept moving. Not many English women would do that, especially if they weren't used to being in the frontier. Uncas looks back at Alice…

UNCAS

They went to find food

Alice a little hurt that Cora left her behind, but also because she wanted to be helpful too; she felt as if she was just extra weight on the group, not helping them…

ALICE

(looking down)

Oh…and Duncan?

Uncas pointed and Alice looked, snoring underneath a bush was Duncan. She couldn't help but laugh, that's Duncan for you, and then she covered her mouth afraid that some enemy might hear and stopped. She looked at Uncas afraid, but he just looked at her with a little smile. Uncas got up and started canvassing the area. Alice folded the blanket she used, wondering when her sister would get back. Chingachgook had seen everything; he could see Uncas' feelings but he couldn't tell about hers. He worried that Uncas was setting himself up with a fate that would leave him torn…

MEANWHILE

Hawkeye and Cora were a little away from the group and had found some berries and nuts. They started to pick some and Cora held out her dress to carry them. They had not spoken at all; Cora didn't know where to begin.

HAWKEYE

Your sister, how old is she?

CORA

(with a difference)

18…why do you ask?

HAWKEYE

How's she holding up?

Cora was a little surprised by the question; did Hawkeye like Alice? Then she realized that she didn't exactly have a chance to speak to Alice about what was going on. How did Alice feel? She wondered to herself. Ashamed that she didn't rightly know, she decided to tell him the truth…

CORA

I don't know. This

is all very different

From what we expected.

(searching for words)

I believe that she will hold

up, plus we should be meeting

our father soon…right?

HAWKEYE

By nightfall we should reach

the river…

Hawkeye trying not to show his concern for the war party from last night. If their assumptions were right, they were looking for them, more specifically the girls. Why did they want this girl so bad? What did she do? Hopefully they would get to the river without any problems…

HAWKEYE

How are you holdin' up?

CORA

(with a little smile)

Fine

HAWKEYE

Ready to get back to your

civilized life?

Cora a little perplexed with the question; she pondered over it. Was she ready? For some reason she didn't know how to answer it; would she ever see Hawkeye again?

CORA

After what's happened, I don't

think I'll ever be the same.

Hawkeye took in these words; no she wouldn't be the same. It's hard to have seen what they did and still keep going. He admired Cora for her bravery and courage…

HAWKEYE

We should head back

BACK AT THE ENCAMPMENT

HEYWARD

Where have you been?

He asks Cora as she returns not at all liking the fact that she left, and left with him.

CORA

We found some berries and nuts

Unfolding her dress she drops them unto the blanket that Alice had folded. Cora sits next to Alice and hands her some berries. Hawkeye and Uncas go to Chingachgook…

CHINGACHGOOK

(in Mohican)

We should head out, the

war party may still be on the

move

Uncas and Hawkeye nod in agreement and wait as the women eat. Heyward is picking the nuts and eating them. He doesn't like not being in command and being under someone else's leave. Jealousy is starting to set in over him. Alice looks to Cora and whispers…

ALICE

Aren't they hungry?

CORA

There's plenty…

(motioning them to eat)

HAWKEYE

You'll need the energy…

Uncas and Hawkeye are looking at Heyward as he partakes of the little meal that was intended for the women. Uncas looks at Hawkeye who returns his glance with a little smirk as Heyward stops mechanically and gets up realizing that he should stop eating their food…