Disclaimer: Do I own The Witch of Blackbird Pond? Let's see…I own a bookcase stuffed with books, a reading lamp without a bulb, three milk crates (actually Yaffa crates) full of "literature" from colleges, and too many shoes. So, no. I guess Kit, Nat, and all their friends still belong to Miss Elizabeth George Speare. Shucks.

A/N: Welcome, my friends! I'm sorry I didn't update sooner, but school has been keeping me busy. I took the SATs a few weeks ago. Then the next Saturday, I took the ACT and had my dance recital a few hours after. The following Friday, I had my piano recital. And all this is on top of classes and finals. Thank goodness junior year is over! Why did I tell you all this? Oh, yeah, to apologize. I'm sorry. Here's chapter 12.

Thanks to my original reviewers: xkuroxshinobix, Latinachikita, Lucyfan001, Nicnac, MIDNIGHT-PIXIE, Steph, Actress19, Taima1, TheChickenWhoCrossedTheRoad, Sapphire Sprite, and Bac210.

Chapter 12: Saying Goodbye

Kit folded the calico dress and placed it in her trunk. How much had happened since she had worn it that first day in Wethersfield nearly two years ago!

It had been almost a year since Kit had broken off her engagement to William. Later that year, Mercy had become Mistress Holbrook. Her and John's wedding had been lovely. Mercy had made a beautiful bride, with her eyes sparkling with happiness and hope. Everybody had been invited, and nearly everyone attended. Mercy had always been so kind and gentle that all wanted to share in her joy. Unlike at Thankful Peabody's wedding, there was no bad news to mar the party. There was only good news for the couple for the rest of the year. The good news had not even finished yet.

On top of the dress, Kit placed a pair of white lace gloves, the very pair that Judith had so admired.

The past year had been good to Judith as well. At Mercy's wedding, she had danced with William. The two fit so well together, it was nearly magical – although of course no one in that strict Puritan society except Kit would ever put it that way. The announcement that Kit and William were no longer engaged had caused quite a stir in Wethersfield. People were sure William had ended it because he realized that he could not handle Kit's peculiar antics. Kit did not bother to correct them. What did it matter? These same people also spread rumors of the two being on bad terms. However, here they were proven wrong. Kit and William were perfectly civil, even friendly. In fact, it was Kit who pushed him to profess his feelings to Judith, although no one ever knew that. Kit had never really believed in destiny or fate, but after seeing everything this town went through and how everything always seemed to work out for the best, she was not quite as sure. After all, Mercy and John had come together despite engagements and Indian attacks. And, despite everything Judith and William endured, including a most bewitching and enchanting cousin, they were engaged to be married the following spring as well.

Kit smile as she packed away a book she had lent Prudence a week ago that had been returned three days later.

Prudence. Prudence had been a surprise, a pleasant one. Ever since the trial, she had been happier and more like what a child should be. It seemed as though her father had kept his promise. No longer dressed in rags, she was not very much unlike all the other Puritan children in Wethersfield. Except for her fire. That unquenchable spark that Kit had first seen in the downtrodden, scrawny girl was still there, making her very special. After being properly fed, Prudence was no longer a scrap of a child, but was becoming a very pretty girl. Her eyes glittered with laughter and her hair shone with life. Goodman Cruff had sent her to Kit and Mercy's school the next fall. She had been placed first with Mercy, but advanced to Kit's class later that same day. She proved to be Kit's best student. She learned quickly and remembered everything she was taught. Kit began to lend her her own books to read. They had been her favorite stories as a child and she loved sharing them with this gifted girl. Prudence devoured the books and retuned them within the week. That girl was truly one of a kind.

With a sigh, Kit strapped the trunk shut and stood up. She was once again surrounded by her seven leather trunks, each full of possessions. It was all very similar to two years ago. However, there was a big difference – only one trunk was filled with her things. The other six had Mercy and John's belongings. The three were leaving Wethersfield.

John and Mercy had spent nearly a year of their married life under the Wood's roof. The time had been blissful. They had every intention of staying for at least the whole year, but the church at Saybrook had opened up and they had asked specifically for John. John had finished his studies with Reverend Bulkeley and had made a few sermons in both Wethersfield and the neighboring villages. It was obvious that he had a gift. As a result, he had been offered the churches in many towns, but he chose Saybrook because of its relative proximity to Wethersfield. Neither he nor Mercy could bear to be too far from the people who had been so kind to them. The couple had decided to leave rather soon because Mercy was actually expecting her first child. John thought it best to move before it became too hard for her to travel or to see about her home. When they had broken the news to the family, there was of course congratulations and grief. They had all worried for Mercy. How would she be able to look after her home while expecting a child? But then Kit had volunteered to help. She would take care of the house when Mercy no longer could, and then she could help with the baby if needed. Her offer was accepted gratefully. She had proven herself time and time again. Kit's reasons for leaving were purely selfish. She was tired of the pitying looks of the friendly villagers and had had enough of the suspicious glances from the less pleasant ones.

They had packed quickly and tonight Kit found herself surround by luggage. Her one trunk contained everything she had. Almost all the possessions she had brought from Barbados were gone. Most of her beautiful silk dresses had been sold. She no longer needed them; they were no longer a part of her lifestyle. Those she still had were mainly of sentimental value. Other dresses had been given away. Judith, of course, received the peacock green frock she had so admired. Mercy had an understated blue and yellow dress. Prudence was now the owner of the dress Kit had worn in church that first Sunday. Of course, it was much too big for her now, but Kit had a sneaking suspicion that she would soon grow into it. Prudence also had a few of Kit's favorite books to keep. William's present had, of course, been Judith and his freedom. Aunt Rachel received that bonnet that had transformed her two years ago. Uncle Matthew was harder. Kit did not know what to give as a farewell present to the tall, silent man who had opened his home to her.

She would think of it later. For now, it was late and she was tired. She, Mercy, and John were leaving tomorrow and she needed sleep.

Kit climbed the stairs to the room she had shared with Judith for two years. She lay down in bed with her cousin and blew out the candle she had brought with her. She closed her eyes and went to sleep in this house, in this old familiar way, for the last time. Tomorrow, all she had left to do was say goodbye.

Kit awoke early the next morning, before dawn. She lay in bed for a moment, just thinking in the darkness. She would be leaving Wethersfield today.

She quietly got out of bed and went downstairs. She headed to the kitchen with plans to make breakfast for the family one last time. When she got there, she saw Aunt Rachel beginning the preparations. They smiled one another and the two women began making the meal in silence.

At breakfast, the family had not talked of the upcoming departure, but of other everyday things – William's house, the crops, the weather. It was a beautiful day, for which Kit was glad. She wanted her last memory of the town to be bright. Although breakfast was spent in denial, as soon as it was over the entire household began to get ready.

Kit headed upstairs to pick up and little things she left behind. She found several items on her bedside dresser and hastily stuffed them into her pocket. She even found a present fitting to give her uncle. She hesitated before picking up a small, delicate piece of coral. She looked at it until someone called "Kit!" up the stairs. She put it in her pocket, carefully. She looked around the room once more. Then she turned around and left.

It was time for Mercy, John, and Kit to board the ship. The family had been staying their farewells. Kit had already said goodbye to Judith, William, Aunt Rachel, and Prudence, who had surprised Kit with her appearance.

While Kit talked with Uncle Matthew, Mercy was trying to comfort her mother. Aunt Rachel, who had teared up when with Kit, could not restrain herself and burst into tears when her daughter approached. However, Mercy was Mercy. She reminded her cousin of her reaction to her lack of a dowry.

"Mother, Saybrook is not that far away," Mercy said practically.

"I know, dear," sobbed Aunt Rachel, "but you won't be here."

Mercy put an arm around her shuddering mother and spoke soothingly in soft tones that Kit could not hear.

Kit and Uncle Matthew just looked at each other for a moment. Then Kit pulled something out of her pocket. It was a gold pocket watch.

"It was my father's," she explained. "When we lived in Barbados, my grandfather was the only father figure I had. I loved him dearly, but he was never a parent to me. He knew that. So, on my tenth birthday, he gave me this. It had belonged to my father. He, my grandfather, always planned to give it to me when I came of age, but he saw I needed it then. From then on, I've always kept this watch at my bedside, where I can look at it before going to sleep. It has been a great comfort to me. But now I want you to have it. I know I have been a difficulty for you, especially in the beginning. But you have been like a father to me. Thank you."

Kit held out the watch, which Uncle Matthew wordlessly took. He had listened silently to her explanation. He did not insult her by trying to refuse her present, which obviously meant a lot to her. He just looked at it and placed it in his pocket. He then looked into Kit's eyes.

"It is only natural that I have acted towards you as a father should. You are my daughter, Kit," he said, his voice low.

Kit looked into his bright eyes and saw his soul. There was so much there. Pain. Joy. Pride. Regret. Love. Kit had never seen so much emotion in her tall, silent, stoic uncle. She was touched and impulsively leaned in to embrace the man before her. Uncle Matthew was clearly startled and awkwardly patted her on the back a few times. He then enveloped her in a brief hug before gently pushing her towards the ship.

"It is time for the ship to leave. You'd better go," he said tersely, hiding his pain.

Kit walked towards the ship which Mercy and John had already boarded. Before stepping off the Wethersfield soil, she turned around. Prudence, William, Judith, Aunt Rachel, and Uncle Matthew all looked at her. She waved once and took her foot off the land.

When the boat was leaving the dock, Kit stood at the stern watching her family disappear. She watched until she could hard see them anymore, their outlines blurred by the tears in her eyes.

A/N: And that is that. First off, I would like to apologize if it did not come out the way I wanted. I was rushing like crazy to finish this chapter so I could post it. If I did not post it within the next few days, you would have to wait an additional month for this chapter. See, I'm leaving the country for vacation and will not return until mid-August. So do not expect any updates before then. I will have very limited computer access. But do not worry. My notebook is coming with me, and, as I write everything in there first anyway, I will continue to write. Who knows, I may even finish the story and how quickly I post the following chapters will depend solely on how many reviews I get.

On that note, thanks to the nifty hit counter, I know that people have been at least looking at my story and not reviewing, unless they are the same people who already reviewed. But I would like to take this moment to beg anybody who is reading this story to please review. I welcome all different kinds. Praise, constructive criticism, even just your thoughts about life if it relates in the smallest way to my story. Let me know! Okay, I'll see you all in about a month. Please review!

Thanks to: ffgirlmoonie, Singingperson, and Sarralyn Numairsri.

Author's Note: Ok, so I'm in college now. This is crazy. I haven't been in New York in over a month! I miss it so much. But I love where I'm going, even if school is getting in the way of my social life. But I've been working like crazy and have had hardly a free second in which to even think about writing. I have to leave for my world politics class in about 15 minutes, so I'm going to keep this kind of short. You are all awesome. I love reading your reviews. If you read even the slightest bit of this, please leave me a review. I don't really care what you say, just let me hear from you. And, a little nudge, if you review with suggestions, I might update faster because I won't be constantly experiencing writer's block. Ok, I have to go, but I hope you all had a great summer and, if you're in school, are enjoying at least one class! Review! Mucho gracias!