"When the meadows laugh with li…live…"
Aveline de Grandpré was leaning back against the headboard of the bed. Ohkwa:ri' sat beside her, leaning against her as he read aloud. The fire gently crackled and spread a cozy warmth throughout the hut. A short distance away from the hut, voices of some Natives that talked around a bonfire broke the stillness of the cool night and echoed into the room. Aveline smiled to herself and gently smoothed back the boy's dark hair. The village was at peace. Her world was at peace.
"Lively." Aveline corrected the boy as she covered their legs with the fur blankets.
"Lively?" The boy questioned as he studied the word. His dark eyes scanned over page of the book, studying the words carefully as he read to himself. Ohkwa:ri' picked up words easily and could have short conversations with Kanen'tó:kon in English. He picked up the English language quickly and was inspired to learn more whenever he watched Aveline, Kanen'tó:kon, and a few others communicate in English. "What does this mean?"
"Hmm…" Aveline thought to herself for a moment. She usually tried to give an example which the boy could relate in order to understand a new word. "Do you remember when I had that fight with Ratonhnhaké:ton?" She watched as Ohkwa:ri' nodded his head. "The fight had energy and was lively."
The boy had a questioning look on his face. "You did not win. It was not lively."
"I know." Aveline forced a smile and a little laugh. She did not like to be reminded of the day but could not think of any more examples. "But Ratonhnhaké:ton and I were lively during the fight. We…" She paused, racking her brain for a way to explain with words the boy could understood. "It was lively and had energy and…" She moved her hands in a way to search for the words. Ohkwa:ri' laughed. His childlike laughter filled the hut. Aveline looked at him, a smile formed on her lips as she watched him. "And what is so funny?"
"If you lively fight him, you will win." The boy held his stomach as he continued to laugh. Aveline could somewhat understand what he meant and felt he was teasing her again. She clicked her tongue and wedged the leaf Ohkwa:ri' used to mark his place between the pages. She put the book onto the wooden stool beside her and quickly moved to tickle the boy.
"Is it still funny?" She questioned as she tickled the squealing boy.
Ohkwa:ri' laughed as he pushed the fur blankets aside and hopping off the bed. Aveline chased the boy, making sure that he didn't trip or fall in the fire. They laughed as Aveline playful pursued the boy. The boy found an opening and ran to his only way of freedom from Aveline's tickling, the door. Aveline paused and watched the door open. Her heart skipped as she watched Ratonhnhaké:ton slightly bend to enter the doorstep and walked inside.
The boy couldn't stop himself as he crashed into Ratonhnhaké:ton. Ohkwa:ri' fell hard onto his bottom. Ratonhnhaké:ton did not move or flinch and looked down. The boy cowered away from him. Aveline went to the boy's side and helped him to his feet.
"I'm sorry…" Ohkwa:ri' mumbled in Mohawk as he scooted behind Aveline. Ohkwa:ri' never spoke to Ratonhnhaké:ton before. He was the one of the fiercest warriors in the village and Ohkwa:ri' and the other children admired him from a safe distance. He was quiet as peered at Ratonhnhaké:ton from behind Aveline. She smiled down at the boy and pat his shoulder. She could understand the boy's fear. Ratonhnhaké:ton was a menacing man and he rarely smile. His face was usually hard as stone and his dark eyes were as cold as ice. It didn't help that his frame was large and intimidating as well. Everything about this man screamed dangerous. Others would think twice to challenge a man like Ratonhnhaké:ton. However, Aveline was curiously drawn to him like a moth to a room was silent as Ratonhnhaké:ton and Aveline as they looked at each other. Ohkwa:ri' noticed that the adults were silent as he glanced up at Aveline. Was she afraid as well?
Ratonhnhaké:ton noticed how her light brown skin glowed in the light of the fire. He looked her up and down, noting how she perfect fit her garments. For a brief moment, her green eyes searched his before she turned her attention to the boy. His gaze lingered as his dark eyes scanned over her, catching everything from the loose braid that went down her back to her upturned bottom as she leaned down the boy's level. He watched as she flashed the boy a bright smile and wrap the boy in a warm embrace.
"You should go rest now, Ohkwa:ri'."
"Thank you for the food." The boy mumbled as he hugged. He couldn't wait to tell his friends about his encounter with Ratonhnhaké:ton. Ohkwa:ri' left Aveline's embrace and carefully slipped passed Ratonhnhaké:ton. The boy dared not to look up at the man hovering over him. He could feel Ratonhnhaké:ton's dark eyes following him as he moved passed him. Ohkwa:ri' quickly opened the door and slipped away into the cool night.
Ratonhnhaké:ton watched as the door closed. A smirk formed on his lips as he watched the boy. He released a small laughed as he turned back around. His smirk quickly faded as he looked at the woman standing before him. Her arms were crossed under her bosom, the glare in her green eyes was enough to send any man running for cover. Lucky, Ratonhnhaké:ton was not just any man.
"It is nice for you to finally visit, Ratonhnhaké:ton."
Ratonhnhaké:ton looked down at her, his bare arm brushed against hers as he walked passed her and took the bow from around his body. Aveline turned around, her eyes following him as she watched him shuffle through supplies on his table.
"Visit?" Ratonhnhaké:ton glanced over at her, his dark eyes looked her up and down before he turned his attention back to the tools on his table. "I have never heard of a person visiting their own home."
Aveline went quiet as she looked him. She watched as the muscles on his large arms flex as he moved supplies and worked on his table. Looking at him now, she remembered how he looked from below as she watched him carry bundles of sticks on his shoulder as he climbed up on the longhouses. She remembered how the muscles on his back, shoulders and large arms glistened in the light of the setting sun as he worked. Aveline also remembered being scooped up in those strong arms as well.
Aveline sighed and uncrossed her arms. There was no need to argue with him. She went to the leftovers of tonight's dinner and made him a plate of food. Finally someone would use the extra dish. She'd been hoping that he would join her for dinner. She went over to him with the plate in her hands.
"Ratonhnhaké:ton." The way she called his name was different. Her voice was soft. Some strange feelings stirred inside of him and he hesitated to face her. Ratonhnhaké:ton looked her up and down. The glare in her eyes was gone as she handed him a dish. "You must be hungry. Try this."
Ratonhnhaké:ton carefully took the plate from her. She cleared her throat and stepped away from him. The smell of food quickly reminded him that he was starving when he was working on the roof. With the thoughts of being poison by her still in the back of his mind, he carefully picked up a piece of meat and popped it into his mouth. It was delicious.
Aveline bit her bottom lip in attempt to hide her smile as she watched him eat. She beamed and felt satisfied with herself. She was happy that he was finally eating something she worked hard to make. From the way he was eating, it was obvious he enjoyed her cooking. As he ate, she continued to speak.
"I didn't mean to take over your home, Ratonhnhaké:ton." She watched as he quickly finished what was left on his plate. He continued to chew as he worked on his supplies. "I can sleep in one the longhouses."
"It seems you have made a home here for yourself." Ratonhnhaké:ton kept his back turned towards her as he spoke. He glanced down at the plate, careful not to knock it over as he worked on the table. "I will rest in the longhouses and you stay here. How is your wound?"
Aveline looked down at her stomach. "It is healing nicely. I can easily get around now."
"I know." Ratonhnhaké:ton turned around to glance at her. "I saw earlier."
The hut was again quiet. After not seeing Ratonhnhaké:ton for so long, she wondered what she did to offend him that he would avoid seeing her. She admit that it was rude for her to take over his home and that her behavior when she first arrive was unacceptable. Now that some time has passed since then, Aveline felt comfortable in the village and most people, except from Kahionhaténion, accepted her. Aveline apologized for her behavior towards Ratonhnhaké:ton and hated feeling as if she pushed him out of his home. She watched him as he slightly bent over to shuffle through items in a box on the floor. Aveline looked at his bottom. Using her hand, she lightly smacked his bottom.
Ratonhnhaké:ton froze and slowly turned around to see Aveline standing behind him. When she went to smack him again, he quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer to him. Aveline's chest brushed against his as he glared down at her. His thick brows furrowed in confusion and as he wondered what hell she was doing.
"You said children were punished in such a manner." Aveline took a step backwards but kept her green eyes locked with his. She did not allowed his glare to intimidate her. Ratonhnhaké:ton kept her wrist firmly in his grasp when she tried to pull away from him. "Why are you avoiding me?" The question slipped from her lips before she could stop herself.
Aveline knew her time here would eventually come to an end but felt unsettled that Ratonhnhaké:ton avoided her. As long as she were around, Aveline felt that the village would always be in danger. She wouldn't mind starting a new life in the village but she knew it would be impossible. "You slept on the floor before." She paused as she remembered him sleeping in his mat near the fire. She looked into his eyes in search for an answer. "When I suggested we eat together you ignored my question and walked out. Did I offend you, Ratonhnhaké:ton?"
Ratonhnhaké:ton kept her wrist in his grasp as he looked into her eyes. In some way, he understood that she missed him. He looked down at her slightly parted lips. Her chest moved up and down as she breathed. He remember the feeling of her soft skin when he caressed her cheek.
"Aveline…"
It was not that she offended him. He felt angry with himself about his lack of self-control around her. Keeping his distance from her would help quell the village rumor about their "impending union" and would also help subdue his affections for her.
"Consider your own happiness, Ratonhnhaké:ton…"
Ratonhnhaké:ton's gaze softened as he remembered Kanen'tó:kon's words. He felt torn. He could not allow his feeling to get between his duties to protect the village. It was best to distance himself from her.
"You should rest in your home, Ratonhnhaké:ton." Aveline said after a long moment of silence. She did not attempt to push him away. "I will not be here for much longer. I will sleep in the longhouses with Ohkwa:ri'."
"Sleep here." Ratonhnhaké:ton released her. He was not sure that she knew of the rumor spreading around the village. He stepped away from her. "I am sure your future husband would not like his wife being under the same roof with another man."
"We are under the same roof. Not in the same bed." Aveline glared at Ratonhnhaké:ton. She hated how he mention her "engagement" whenever he spoke to her. She stepped closer to him, her eyes never leaving his as she continued. "Or maybe you like that idea?"
Ratonhnhaké:ton moved quickly so she would be pinned against the table. Aveline was surprised at the sudden movement and slightly drew back from him. Her heart raced as he kept his face close but not move. He placed his hands on either side of her as he leaned close to her ear. "Would it be better for us to share a bed then?"
"I don't mind doing so if it makes you more comfortable." Aveline kept her voice low, understanding the risks of saying such words. It was not if the idea hadn't crossed her mind a few times. She was sure that she would feel even warmer if she had Ratonhnhaké:ton sleeping beside her at night. She, however, was not a foolish woman and knew what could possibly happen if they ended up in bed together. Not that the idea was completely far from her or drifted to her thoughts on the long nights she spent alone.
"Your words are dangerous…" Ratonhnhaké:ton moved away from her. He brushed those thoughts aside and took the plate in his hand. He wouldn't have mind sharing a bed with Aveline. However, he was well aware of her affiliation. If she knew what he used to be then…
"This is your home, Ratonhnhaké:ton." Aveline interrupted his thought and nervously ran her hand down her long braid. She didn't realize she'd been holding her breath. Her heart thumped wildly as she wanted to press a hand against her chest. She was sure that he could hear heart beating loudly. She felt a bit hot. "Come and go as you please."
Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't answer her as he put down his now empty plate. Watching her, one could easily tell that she was flustered. He went to the leftovers in the pot near the fire. He took the entire pot of leftovers and carried it in his hands. Aveline glared at him, angry that he was taking away her beloved pot. It was a gift from one of the village women.
"Ratonhnhaké:ton!" Aveline called to him as he started to walk out of the hut.
"I will keep that in mind, Aveline." Ratonhnhaké:ton look into her green eyes he nodded and slightly lifted the pot. He was happy to tease her and he smiled to himself as he turned to leave. The air was cool as he stepped out of the hut. It cooled him down as a fire was slowly burning low in his belly.
The door of the hut opened and Aveline poked her head out of the door. She was angry and amused that he took her pot. He must have been hungry. "Ratonhnhaké:ton! Make sure to bring that back to me!" Ratonhnhaké:ton did not turn as he waved her off. All eyes were on her as they watched her yell at the wolfish Native man. Everyone enjoyed watching the pair.
"Sorry…" She apologized to them in Mohawk as she quietly slipped back into the hut and closed the door. She pressed her back against the door as she smiled to herself. Using her hand, she fanned herself in attempt to cool down as she went over to the bed. She removed her clothes and slipped on her nightdress. After washing her face and getting ready for bed. She slipped underneath the cozy fur blankets. With thoughts of Ratonhnhaké:ton on her mind, she went to sleep.
Ratonhnhaké:ton walked into one of the longhouses with the pot in his hand. Teiowí:sonte, Kahionhaténion and Kanen'tó:kon looked at him as he sat down and began to eat the leftover food in the pot. Kanen'tó:kon and Teiowí:sonte sat near the fire, while Kahionhaténion relaxed on a cot near them.
"I see you decided to claim the food and not the woman." Kanen'tó:kon remarked as he watched Ratonhnhaké:ton eat. Teiowí:sonte reached over and took a piece of meat out of the pot as well. "How was it?"
"If this food came from that woman then I should claim her and win both prizes." Teiowí:sonte remarked as he chewed.
Kahionhaténion glared at his older brother and turned his back towards the men surrounding the small fire. "So noisy…" He grumbled, not interested in conversations about that woman.
"Be careful, Teiowí:sonte. He wishes for a taste of the cook and not her food." Kanen'tó:kon watched as Ratonhnhaké:ton stood. He pat Teiowí:sonte's shoulder and smirked at Kanen'tó:kon. He playfully hit Kahionhaténion's turned back as he hopped onto the cot above him.
"I guess it went well." Kanen'tó:kon remarked as he looked at his friend.
Ratonhnhaké:ton ignored him as he stretched in the cot. He crossed his stretched legs that slightly hung over the cot. He was sure that Aveline would not enjoy sleeping in such a place. With the work of the day taking a toll on his body, Ratonhnhaké:ton quickly fell asleep with Aveline's food warm in his belly and thoughts of her on his mind.
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