''Stop it.'' Nathaniel whispered to an obviously troubled Mariah. She had aimlessly wondered around more times than needed,unable to remain still. That,Nathaniel noted, had started ever since their conversation about moving away from the cabin.

Mariah frowned at him and a sigh of frustration escaped her lips. She took him by the elbow and led him a bit further where they could not be heard. They were standing close to the gathering that as Miss Claire promised was carried out.

At first everything appeared to be going well but it went downhill all too quickly when they announced their most likely permanent stay at the settlement.

''How can you be so calm about this?'' Mariah asked sounding exasperated.

Because I have to,Nathaniel almost said but held his tongue. It was true though,the situation was delicate. Staying here had proved to be much more complicated than they thought. Not only did they need to re-built part of their cabin but they would also have to live all together.

After everything they were forced to endure a bond had formed between everyone, no one could doubt that. Yet,sharing a house was a different case.

''For now we need to pretend that we are enjoying ourselves. We cannot afford to make a scene.''

Mariah narrowed her eyes at his words and gestured towards the people standing a few feet away.

''Did you not see their reaction when we told them that we would be staying here? I am sure you know why they were so dreadfully surprised.''

Nathaniel nodded and glanced at his brother and father. The settlers had been very welcoming at first but it was clear that the idea of two Indians residing along with three white women and a man,was not appealing to them.

''I know. Do you think they will cause problems?''

Mariah rubbed her temples and shook her head.

''I assure you that they will keep a watchful eye on us all,especially on Uncas and your father. But no, I do not think they will cause problems,at least not severe ones. Truthfully I believe that we ourselves will cause most of them.''

Nathaniel looked surprised for a moment. He seemed to consider her words carefully before asking, ''How so?''

''Well first of all Alice does not want to be here. I think we are all perfectly aware that she is only staying for sister. Also,even if you make an additional room the cabin is still small for five people and if you take into consideration the nature of the relationships between the four of us,I'd say things would get pretty inconvenient.''

Noticing that they were starting to draw attention,Mariah decided to end this conversation for now. It was obviously leading nowhere since neither she nor Nathaniel could decide everyone's fate. They'd have to make their own choices eventually.

''Let's leave it for now. We should probably take a look at the cabin and then discuss with the rest.''

Nathaniel nodded and patted her back.

''Try to enjoy yourself.''

Chingachgook silently observed the Yengeese girl. He watched her as she sat among her cousin Cora and the rest of the settlers,all talking and laughing together. In her arms she held a small boy who couldn't have been older than seven years of age while other young girls and boys were huddled around.

The said girl Mariah,seemed to have both the respect and loving of most folks here. The children held a very noticeable fondness of her.

''She'd make a good mother don't you think?'' Nathaniel questioned his father but the question was mostly directed towards Uncas,who gave him a side way glance. Their father had not bothered to be even the slightest bit discreet. He chose to openly stare at Mariah who surprisingly had not taken notice of him yet.

Chingachgook could understand why his son had become infatuated with her. She was intriguing to say at the very least. Both appearance and personality differed quite a lot from the ones Uncas had grown up to know in women. Indian girls did not look nor dress similarly,their upbringing also a far cry from hers.

She was a loyal and kind person. She was a strong and stubborn girl and Chingachgook knew that she meant well but his eyes could see what his son was too blind to.

Her strength was easily breakable. She might be good at hiding it but she was a fragile soul. The slightest thing could upset her and her constant uncertainty had only now begun to fade. Growing up without a father must have been difficult,Chingachgook had no doubt of that. She had taken duties upon herself that were not hers to take. It was time for her to move past that though.

Emotional weakness was her flaw and that flaw needed to be worked on if she planned on starting a family with his son.

''I will not allow that to happen any time soon.''

Uncas shifted and he and Nathaniel shared the same startled look. Nathaniel's comment was meant to be a teasing but obviously their father had other things in mind.

''If she is to be your wife and carry your children you will need to build a home just for the two of you. You will teach her about our culture and I expect you to visit me in the Delaware camp with her. I will not have you or my grandchildren estranged from their roots.''

Uncas stiffly nodded and went to say something but his father ignored him.

''You should always remember that you are a warrior my son. You are the last hope of our tribe. I understand that times are slowly changing,therefore you should remember that you two are so different but at the same time so alike. I see the same fierce determination in both of you. You are open-minded people that seek to find the goodness in this world. I do hope that you can find that in each other,but I fear that neither of you are ready to face the harsh path that lies ahead of you.''

Chingachgook lay a hand on Uncas shoulder and father and son shared a moment of silent understanding.

Alice waited patiently for her sister to return to Miss Claire's cabin. The gathering proved to be a bit overwhelming for her so she decided that it was best to depart and wait for the others to return. She was seated outside on the threshold of the house with her knees close to her chest. The night had brought along a slight chill but she found it quite pleasant.

Summer had come to an end and the signs of the upcoming season were evident.

In her eyes,the world's pace seemed too fast for her to follow. She was once again rushed off to an unfamiliar place and this time she was not sure she could endure it.

Cora was the only thing keeping her here but as much as Alice loved her sister,she no longer wanted to suppress her own needs and yearnings and what she needed right now was to be back home. Regardless,Alice was going to give the settlement a chance. She was going to try and she was going to be useful. What she was not going to do was force anything upon herself. If with time she saw that she could not live here then she was not going to pressure herself.

Not anymore,she thought.

The creaking of wood brought her out of her trance and she snapped her head around. Uncas stood on the other side of the small porch and he gave her an apologetic look.

''I did not mean to scare you. Your sister was worried and I was sent to look for you.''

Alice tightened the grip she had on her legs and averted her gaze.

''I am fine. You should not have gone to the trouble to look for me.''

Her words sounded a bit harsher than she had meant to. Alice wanted to be left alone for a while without anybody making a fuss over it but she knew that her sister's overprotective nature could not allow that.

''I am sorry that was rude of me.''

Uncas remained expressionless but his eyes told her that he was clearly not offended.

''Do not worry about it.''

He stepped down from the porch and mentioned towards the gathering.

''It will probably continue on for a while. If you need anything just come find us.''

Alice nodded and hesitated for a moment. That man had saved her life and she had yet to thank him. Now,he was willing to leave her alone without questions or doubts. That felt like a breath of fresh air in contrast to her sister's ceaseless worry.

''Thank you.''

''I did not-'' Alice cut him off.

''Thank you for saving me. ''

Uncas' eyebrows furrowed together,clearly not expecting that. He had not been offended by the younger Munro girl not thanking him. He knew that she was grateful but he was also aware that she still feared him and after all the horror she witnessed from Magua and the Hurons it came as no surprise.

He slowly nodded in appreciation.

Alice knew that it was not her place to ask but now was her only opportunity. She doubted that she'd ever find the courage to talk to him so directly.

''I know that it is none of my business but…do you… Do you and Mariah?'' Her voice trailed off but her question was obvious.

Uncas clenched his jaw as his father's words came to mind, 'Neither of you are ready to face the harsh path that lies ahead of you'.

He was no fool. The path that lay ahead of them was not an easy one, that he knew. But he also knew that he was not one to give up easily. He cared for her and he knew that she cared for him.

Uncas was no longer going to hide that.

''Yes.''

His answer was simple and short but Alice felt the sincerity of it. He was a good man. Maybe even better than the gentlemen back in England. No matter what her thoughts were about the subject,she pushed her disapproval aside.

Mariah was never as close to her as Cora was. In fact,Alice often noticed the closeness her sister and cousin shared but never tried to become part of it.

The differences in opinion often drifted Alice and Mariah apart but after the events that occurred,the two women grew to have a silent understanding. They grew closer and even though they might never gain the relationship two sisters have,Alice was happy for her cousin.

A/N: Okay so this chapter was mostly about the relationships that everyone are slowly forming. Nathaniel and Mariah have a bit of a sibling like friendship and for the first time there is interaction between Uncas and Alice. Truth to be told,I want those two to create a somewhat acquaintanceship. They are similar in a lot of ways and I don't want them to be completely neutral with each other.

Also,I'd like to thank you all for the support! As the story goes,the support and the reviews are increasing and I just want to thank you!:)