Betrayal

Alice sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at her feet. She had lost count of how many days she had been in this place.

She glanced at the clock that ticked noisily upon the wall. Edward was late.

She got to her feet and as she did everyday she walked around the room. Her muscles had let out fewer protests over the last few days and Alice knew her strength was nearly fully returned. She smiled to herself.

"Well done Miss" Edward's voice startled her. Her cheeks flushed red as he grinned broadly at her.

"It's impolite to enter a lady's room without knocking" even though her words were stern she smiled at him.

"You look much better" he leaned against the doorway.

"I feel better" Alice said nodding.

"But don't wear yourself out now" he wagged his finger in a very Mary fashion and Alice laughed. "Come, sit" he walked forwards and pulled a chair out for her to sit upon.

Alice sat upon it. "What shall we talk of today?" she asked.

Edward looked at her "I thought I'd read to you a little, just a small story" he smiled and pulled a rather tatty little book from his pocket. "Tristan and Isolde, an old English myth" he paused "I borrowed it from one of the other men"

And so with Alice's blessing he began to read the bittersweet story of love found and lost. Alice couldn't help her thoughts turning to Uncas and the love they shared. By the end of the tale Alice's eyes were wet from tears and they did not fall just for the sad ending.

"Oh, Miss Munroe" Edward said seeing her tears "Don't cry now, 'tis but a story" he placed his hand upon Alice's arm and she flinched a little.

Alice wiped at the tears with the back of her hand. She looked up into the concerned and handsome face before her.

"I don't want to be here" she whispered with effort.

"Miss?" Edward sat up in surprise "What do you mean?"

Alice shook her head and couldn't prevent new tears falling. Edward reached for her, his hands clasping her shoulders, his face inches from hers.

"NO!" Alice screamed getting to her feet and knocking the chair backwards "Get away from me…murderer!" she spat the word at him.

"Miss!" Edward began, his expression one of shock, "murderer? Why do you say such unkind words?"

Alice paced the cabin a little her eyes never leaving him "You, these men, killed those people, women, children… I saw it!" she cried gesturing around her.

Edward got to his feet and came to her, his hands again upon her shoulders making her be still.

"No, no" Edward said his voice rising a little "I didn't kill anyone" he looked into her eyes and Alice knew he told the truth. "I don't like it anymore than you Miss, but it's the way it's done, I just tried to scare them is all, just scare them!"

Alice tried to suppress a sob that was building in her throat. Edward brought her into his arms hushing her and Alice allowed it, she felt desperate for anyone's comfort.

"I want to go back" she whispered against his jacket.

"No, no, now you just think you do, they got into your mind, made you see things differently"

Alice shook her head feebly

"Yes, 'tis true" he smiled reassuringly "You belong here, with what you know, with us, you just need time, give it time" he patted her affectionately on her back "I'm going to help you, things will be right you'll see"

Alice choked back another sob and walked away from him.

"Listen," Edward said walking after her and catching her hand "There is a small ball in a week, go with me and remember who you really are."

Alice stared at him, unsure of what to say. He quickly grabbed her other hand and brought both of them to his chest pulling her towards him.

"Alice" he ventured nervously, licking his lips. "Dear Alice, I've grown fond of you and I promise I'll protect you and win you back." He placed a palm tenderly upon her cheek and Alice flinched away.

He smiled at her and slowly let go of her hands, bowed and left the room.

Alice awoke for the third time upon the dusty ground of the cliffs. Once she realized where she was she felt her heart sink a little. She turned and quickly saw his outline, she knew it so well and she ran to him crying his name over and over the tears of relief running down her cheeks, he'd found her. He turned from her before she could reach him.

His voice boomed like thunder bringing her to an abrupt stop.

"Why have you betrayed me?" Uncas asked.

She felt the words as surely as if she had been struck.

"Uncas" she breathed "I have not, I would n..."

Uncas cut off her words.

"Why have you betrayed me my wife" his voice was now choked with pain.

"I HAVE NOT!" she screamed at him "I have done nothing"

She balled her hands into fists and rained them down upon his back, repeating her last word in a whisper. She placed her hands upon his shoulders, feeling the warm skin under her palms and buried her face into his broad back as she sobbed.

"Please" she whispered through her tears.

Uncas did not reply. Alice regained herself a little and tried to talk to him again.

"Look at me!" she cried "please!"

Uncas looked at her quickly over his shoulder then away.

"Why would I want to look at a savages' whore" His voice changed as he spoke the words, from Uncas' to Edward's and finally to Mary's.

Alice felt anger and sorrow swell inside her and grabbed hold of his shoulder and pushing all her weight against him she spun him around to face her but before he had fully turned the wind blew harshly and his form disintegrated like ash.

Uncas, Hawkeye and Chingachgook followed the trail for nearly two weeks; the false trails the British had set misleading them and their lack of horses hindering their travel.

Finally a fort was visible in the distance. It was quiet, a solider reserve most likely but Uncas knew Alice was within its walls.

They camped at a distance on an outcrop of rock where they could look down and study the daily life there so they could plan their next move...

It was decided that they would go down at night to scout the place, to search for ways of entry without being seen and for Alice. Alice never left Uncas' thoughts and he would not rest easy again until she was again within his arms.

The week passed quickly and Alice stood above the bed staring down at the borrowed ball gown that had been laid out for her. She reached out and touched the gold embroidery that was stitched into leaf and flower patterns upon the cream silk.

She had owned a dress very much like this back in London; her father had bought it for her first ball. She had been so excited about it and she and Cora had had many admirers that night. Her father had watched from the sidelines as they danced, his face shining with pride for his two beautiful daughters. She felt the familiar tug at her heart as she remembered the past, her father and the old life she'd led.

"Papa" she breathed. She tried to remember the last words he said to her… was it on the battlefield just before the chaos erupted around them, no that was to Cora, telling her to protect Alice… She thought hard and then his face swam into her memories, it was before they had left the fort, he had told her all would be well and called her Lass, his pet name for her.

She smiled at the memory but her thoughts quickly turned to how unhappy he would be with the path she had chosen. He had wanted her to go back to England within the year and find a good husband, a solider, it was his plan for her and had she not disrespected his memory by not doing so.

She shook her head and tried to sweep the thoughts away.

"Come now my dear" Mary's voice came from behind her, dispelling all her thoughts "let's get you dressed"

She helped Alice into the dress. "My stars!" she cried "You look like such a lady now"

Alice looked at the floor, ashamed by how good the dress made her feel.

"I thought you was a lost cause" Mary said pulling the skirts of the dress straight "But there you go and catch yourself Mr. Stocks, most handsome man I ever did see" she smiled up at Alice "let him make you happy dear"

Alice felt the anger rise within her but it wasn't as strong as it had been and she was able to force it back down.

"He may take you back to London if you ask, I've heard him say he is going back in the next few weeks, re-posted" Mary said, regaining her full height.

Alice avoided her gaze but Mary took hold of one of her hands, for the first time Alice could remember since arriving here, her face looked kindly.

"Take my advice girl, you don't belong with them" she motioned backwards with her thumb. "You're a English woman, you belong with your own, leave here, go back to London and be happy, you'll not get such an offer in these wilds."

She let go of her hand and began to fix Alice's hair.

"It's not just in here that these mixed unions are frowned upon, oh no my dear, I talked to a savage women just the other week about you and she said it's bad luck to marry one of us, brings great disrespect and loss of honour upon the man and any children, well they belong nowhere" she sniffed "do what's right, eh lamb."

She finished putting Alice's hair into a bun and patted her cheek.

Alice felt wet tears forming at the corners of her eyes and wiped them away. Mary seemed to have voiced all of Alice's fears, everything Alice had constantly told herself was not true… but someone else thought the same things as she did… did it make her thoughts right?

She was unsure… would it be better if she left this whole episode of her life behind her and start anew, would it be better for Uncas? He could marry a girl from a nearby tribe and their children would be happy and accepted…

Mary saw Alice's look of sorrow and knew now was the time to drive the knife in deeper, to sever all her ties to the heathen's world.

"Besides, my dear" she had a look of deep pity upon her face "surely you know the man… he was only fascinated with you because you were so different, blond hair, blue eyes… he'd have tied of you, gone back to his own."

Alice's eyes flashed up to Mary's face, the pain apparent in her eyes.

"There now, don't upset yourself, I only speak what I know to be the truth," she smiled warmly, "and you have a night of fun ahead of you, won't that be nice."

Mary pulled a stunned Alice forward.

"Now then, all ready"

The ball was in full swing when Alice arrived, escorted by Mary. Edward found them quickly and had trouble removing his eyes from Alice; every time she caught him staring he smiled sheepishly.

Edward brought her punch to drink and after a few glasses Alice began to feel a little light headed, the sorrow she felt seemed to melt from her.

Edward led her onto the dance floor and they danced to many merry songs, Alice couldn't help getting swept up in the merriment and so she was laughing and enjoying herself, the music and people bringing back nothing but fond memories of London. She belonged….

The evening finally drew to a close and Edward led her away from the ball to a secluded part of the fort near the outer wall. She could hear the soft running of water and noticed a stream flowed in from a hole in the fort wall.

She pointed at it a little too eagerly, "what is that?"

Edward laughed "It's a stream, some men dug it a while ago… normally it has guards around it but I guess this fort is lazy" he smiled

"Can people get in?" Alice asked

"If they can hold their breath long enough, I suppose so, but it's well concealed outside, hard to find."

Alice nodded and smiled, she didn't want to be here with him, any conversation to stop him doing what she knew he would.

Suddenly he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him.

"Alice," he breathed her name, "my dear Alice." He stroked a few strands of hair back from her forehead.

"Don't Edward," Alice tried to pull away from him but he held her fast.

"Alice, I love you."

"Edward," Alice cautioned.

"You must know I do," he looked into her eyes, "I know you have been through much, even though you won't tell me… but Alice, I can make you happy. I can give you a wonderful life," he searched her face, "marry me and we'll go back to England together, leave this wretched land behind, all the bad memories, marry me." He searched his pocket quickly and produced a very fine gold ring.

He held it out to her, "it was my Grandmother's."

Alice stared at him in shock, "Edward… I..."

"Hush, don't say it, don't say anything… this is God giving you another chance Alice, won't you take it?"

Alice looked up at him trying to find her senses through the swaying feeling inside her head. Was he right? Was God giving her another chance to set things right… it felt like she had been led here, was God the wielder of this fate.

Finally she nodded slowly. Edward's face lit up in a grin and he kissed her full upon the lips, Alice felt his lips press against hers and a sickness rose within her. She pushed him away…

He was still smiling, "I'm sorry," he said brushing his hair back from his face. "I'm just so happy you said yes." He smiled again and pushed the ring onto her finger, "Oh, wait here, don't move I must fetch something."

Alice nodded and watched him go.

She gazed up at the stars shining brightly above her "Is this my path?" she whispered to them "It seems you have led me here." She tried to fight back the overwhelming feeling of sorrow that welled up inside her; she covered her mouth and steadied herself on a wooden wall near her. The whole situation made her feel sick and she took gulps of air trying to quell it.

"It is as it should be," she finally whispered.

Edward returned, a smile still playing upon his lips, he placed a piece of paper into her hands, she unrolled it and read.

Two bookings for journey to England.

She looked up at him.

"I hope you don't think I am overzealous but I so hoped you'd say yes that when my ticket was purchased I added another, for you" he smiled. "It leaves in just over a week, we can be away and on the ship home." He smiled again and gestured for her to take him arm. "Come I'll walk you home."

They departed the scene unaware that eyes had watched the whole scene from the shadows. Alice had not even known within those few moments that Edward was gone she had nearly been saved.

Hawkeye quickly slipped back into the water and disappeared through the narrow waterway.

Oh dear, it all looks gloomy!

I called this chapter Betrayal because there is a lot of it going on, people are telling Alice untrue things, Alice is telling herself lies and by the end she is even starting to betray her own love for Uncas! I'm unsure if the blame can lie fully with her, she is young and Uncas her first love, people older than her are constantly telling her she's wrong...

How much does everyone dislike Edward? He's sweet but I must say I dislike him, he's very two faced, all the people Alice has spoken to at the fort are. They disregarded her feelings for Uncas and his for her saying it was just a fascination, but Edward hardly knows her, doesn't care if she talks and still wants to marry her! humpf!

Well next chapter should be up soon as my evenings are filled with nothing but writing right now, I will miss it when I reach the end, which will be soon.

I can't promise a happy ending but I do hope you'll stick with me until it's finished!