Chapter 9: Unwanted Defense

April 22nd, 1864

Renesmee's POV

"We need a new strategy," my father announced to the soldiers. "The savages are as stubborn as our horses. Now, the easiest way to eliminate the savages off our land is by killing them…in a civilized way."

I sat on a log outside the circle that was formed around a campfire at our camp site. My father was the only one standing, leading the troops into an unnecessary battle. I grabbed a twig, and scratched it against the log to make it look like I wasn't eavesdropping.

"How is that possible?" Emmett asked, the only one who was realistic. "Killing barbarians without a cause isn't what I call civilized."

A lot of mutters hit the campfire, either agreeing or disagreeing with Emmett's statement. My father raised his hand to silence them. "That may be true, but would any sort of communication help us?"

I couldn't handle the lack of knowledge in the meeting. "You don't know unless you try."

The men stared at me with horror in their eyes. Jasper glared at me, knowing where my position was in the fight. I hoped he wouldn't reveal anything, or I would be sent back to London. I didn't want to leave knowing that Jacob was in danger…especially from my father.

"Have you talked to any of the barbarians, Miss Cullen?" Emmett sneered, challenging me because I was a different gender than he was. I glared at him, knowing his judgments on Jacob and his tribe was infuriating.

"Have you been sneaking out to talk to them?" my father asked me. I knew I had to be honest, so I had to confess. I just didn't know where to start.

"Well I—"

"She's been with me, Captain Cullen," Jasper interrupted me, standing up and pointing at me. "In fact, I plan to have a private word with you later." Jasper lied to my father, and it wasn't anything beneficial for him. Why would he do that...for me?

"A job well done, Jasper," my father grinned. He continued his discussion, but I completely zoned out because of what Jasper did. I didn't know his intentions for defending me the way he did. Did he expect something in return? Knowing Jasper, the answer wasn't easy to tolerate.

After the meeting, everyone stood up from the logs. All the men decided to go to their tents for the night, remaining Jasper and me in the cold night. His lips were touching my ear. "Don't make me lie for you again!"

"I never asked you to lie for me," I objected, glaring at him like he was insane. "I was going to tell the truth before you defended me."

"Stay away from him! It'll do no one any good if you keep socializing with the enemy."

"You can't control my actions, Jasper! I'm not a bird in some cage!"

We looked around to see if anyone was eavesdropping our conversation, but fortunately, all then men were sound asleep. I blinked, closing my eyes and praying for the discussion to end.

"Would you like to explain your act of infatuation?" he asked me, angrier than he was during the meeting.

I curled my lip. "It's none of your concern."

He didn't look convinced like I hoped. "Where did you go? I looked everywhere for you, but you were nowhere! Did that Indian abduct you? Or did you, with your free will, follow him into the lake?"

I looked down, feeling uncomfortable to answer his question. "I followed him, but this does not repeat to my father!"

"What would you do to me? I'm not the one having an affair with the enemy!" He scoffed, walking away from me to go to his tent.

I knew he was right, and there was no possible way he would ever get punished. It wasn't his secret to keep, and I was more grateful than I felt for him to keep the secret for a long time. "What would you want me to do? Marry you?"

He turned around, and shrugged. "What did you think I was going to talk your father in particular? Politics?"

I felt disgusted. Jasper was going to propose to me while he knew about my private affairs. I had no idea how to react, because marrying him was never an option. I knew I could never marry Jacob in a church with my father's support, but no marriage was better than walking down the isle with a murderous solider.

He walked away from me, leaving me with confusion. Why would he want to marry me? He knew about Jacob, and knew it was more than a mutual acquaintance. I walked towards my tent, knowing if I continued to fight with him, more things would be said than necessary.

I woke up with the sun shinning through the tent, directly into my eyes. I changed out of my nightgown into my red dress and placed shoes onto my feet.

I got out of my tent, seeing that the men were already working. Some were practicing shooting the Indians, some were digging, and the rest were swimming in the lake. I saw Jasper talking to my father near the campfire, seeing my father was smiling. It was then I knew what they were discussing, and of course, I felt angrier than the night before. They broke out of their conversation, leading Jasper towards me. He saw me immediately, walking quickly towards me while my father went to the men with the guns.

"What did you tell him?" I snarled, disgusted with him.

"You'll see in a minute," he grinned, walking towards his tent. I shook my head, rolling my eyes with annoyance. How could this happen to me? My first impression of Jasper was a gentleman, but now he was the opposite. He was a witty soul; charming every man so he could to avoid feuds, which appalled me. He tried to charm me, but it wasn't my definition of charming.

I heard someone whispered my name. I looked towards the bushes, and to my astonishment, it was Jacob. I searched around me, hoping no one would see me. Quietly, I entered into the bush. "Jacob, what are you doing here?" I whispered to him.

"I had to see you," he smiled, giving me a kiss on the cheek. "I apologize for not coming here sooner. My tribe needed more than I was needed here."

"Jacob…you should leave," I frowned, knowing that he shouldn't be present when I'm announced to be engaged. I looked down, trying to avoid his cold expression he would display. With his dirty fingers, he lifted my chin to make me look into his eyes.

"I'm not going to leave you," he whispered, seeing the determination in his eyes. "Trust me."

"If we can gather everyone for another meeting," my father announced to the campfire. I closed my eyes, knowing that Jacob was going to witness me doing a wicked deed. I got out of the bushes, hoping no one saw me exit. I brushed off the dirt from the ground, and walked over to the campfire like nothing happened.

I stood outside the circle, gulping my fear down my throat. Just say it, Jasper. All I want you to do is just say it, I thought.

"Today, I'm not giving any announcements. Actually, I'm going to let my dear friend, Jasper Hale, announce what he has to say," my father proclaimed, gesturing for Jasper to stand. He obeyed, walking towards my father with his flamboyant smile that made me nauseous.

"Thank you, Captain. For starters, I saw an Indian boy in the lake recently. I warned Captain Cullen of such disasters that our men should be posting doubly. If they come near you, shoot them. It's a defense mechanism," he declared. "Secondly, also talking to Captain Cullen, I must speak my mind. For weeks now, I received some mockery about my affections towards Miss Renesmee Cullen, and with her father's approval, I would like to take a moment ask her a question. Miss Renesmee, would you please join me?"

I nodded, obeying his request like a lady should. I walked to him, standing up like I was supposed to do. Like planned, he kneeled down on one knee. He grabbed a box out of his pocket. I raised my eyebrow, confused on why he brought a ring with him to a new world. Did he expect to be engaged?

"This was my mother's before she passed," he explained to me, reading my expression like a book. "Miss Renesmee Cullen, will you do me the extreme honor, and take my hand in marriage?"

How could I respond? Jacob was in the bushes eavesdropping, while another man was proposing to me. I felt like a prostitute in the streets of London, begging to seduce a man for fortune and wealth. I was in a different scenario, and I was not begging for seduction.

Gulping my fears again, I knew how I was supposed to answer. I closed my eyes, hoping whatever decision I made would be the right one. I looked into his eyes, seeing his irritating smile. "Yes."

Slash. An arrow pierced through the air near us and landed on a tree yards away. We looked in the same direction, and realized a war with the Indians had begun.