Chapter 20: Mënëkòn nataèpia

Uncas sat quietly atop the cabin's well worn porch steps, head tilted up towards the heavens. Staring somberly into the blackened sky above. Hundreds of shimmering stars guiding his gaze away from the melancholiness of the cabin and beckoning him further into the peacefulness of nature. He found himself hypnotized by the twinkling light above and began counting each individual star. One, two, three, each star taking him further away from the events of the day…

Uncas and Alice laid serenely in the glade under the suns warm mid day caress. The morning heat had given way to an absolutely sweltering afternoon. With hardly even a passing cloud to block the suns sharp rays, Uncas could feel sweat beginning to cascade down his every limb. His once dry shirt hung weighted from his body, its wetness growing with each passing minute. Hours had passed since Martin, Nathaniel and Cora had left for town and so far the day had gone about rather uneventfully. Prudence and the children remained safety hidden away from the sun, having sought refuge within the cabin's shaded shelter. When he left with Alice to take a stroll, Sampson and Chingachgook were still peacefully swaying back and forth in their respective rocking chairs and discussing plans for the autumn harvest.

He had only planned to take a short walk around the farm, afraid that the heat would be too much for Alice or Matto. However, they both proved to have enjoyed the warmth and fresh air and so they continued their stroll well into mid day. Before heading back to the cabin, Alice had decided to plop herself down amongst the white and yellow daisies and feed a stirring Matto. She sat crosslegged in the grass and pulled the entire top of her dress loose, exposing her soft flesh. Matto hungrily suckled against her body, as he always seemed desperate for more nourishment. Alice merely sighed at her son's eagerness and tilted her head back towards the sun. Uncas gently scooted his body behind hers, pulling her back into his chest and allowing her to lean on him. Alice fidgeted slightly against him, finding the most comfortable position against his body and slowly began shutting her eyes, letting sleeps sweet spell take hold of her. Uncas felt her body's weight give out and her breathing soften.

Time passed and Uncas watched as Alice softly snored away on top of him. The breathy sound as light as a whisper. He watched as Matto rose and fell with the movements of her chest. His little head resting against her heart, listening to the soft drum of its beat. Though Matto and Uncas were clearly of a different demeanor, here surrounded by nature, both of their souls were at peace. The sounds of the birds squabbling over head and the rustling of the leaves within the trees, lulling them both into a meditative trance.

Uncas trailed is fingers across his son's tiny body and began slowly lowering Alice's body backwards to rest against the flowers below her. He shifted his body into a crosslegged position, leaning back on his palms and stretching his stiff limbs. His eyes drifting off into the direction of the cabin. The piercing yellow rays of the sun forcing him to shield his eyes. Uncas put his hand up across his brow and squinted his eyes into almost snake like little slits, making out a small silhouette in the distance as it quickly grew larger as the seconds passed.

As the figure began to grow larger and larger, Uncas could see that Elijah was running at a full sprint in their direction. Crossing the distance to them as swiftly as his little legs would take him. Uncas could plainly see that Elijah was distressed and though there could be many reasons for his demeanor, Uncas knew in his heart the reason today. He immediately nudged Alice on the shoulder, and began waking her with urgency. Alice stunned from sleepiness, shifted her arms cradling Matto within them. Taking a moment to gather her bearings, before she lifted her body upright just as Elijah closed the distance between them.

"Mama…mama is having the baby." He hunched forward, hands on his knees, desperately trying to catch his breath.

Uncas went quickly to his feet, pulling Alice and Matto up with him. He turned towards Alice and said, "I'm going on run ahead, take your time with Elijah." He quickly kissed Alice on the head and sprinted in the direction of the cabin before another word could be said.

Even before Uncas reached the cabin he could hear the echoing wails of Pru's voice reverberating around him, the piercing sound stinging his eardrums. Uncas took the steps two at a time, quickly entering the cabin, hastily scanning the inside. Uncas could see Ash sitting on the sofa with Lydia nestled tightly in his lap. Her little arms wrapped firmly around his small neck, panic overtaking her soft features. Seeing the children in this state, Uncas realized that they had never heard their mother scream like this, not even when she laid bleeding to death in the dirt right in front of their home. Their paralyzed bodies petrified in fear. Uncas walked over to them, crouching low by their seated legs. He laid a strong hand on Lydia's back, rubbing it in small soothing circles. Desperate to soothe away some of her anxiety. Uncas stared into Ash's little eyes and softly smiled, in what he knew was a weak attempt to console him. Ash was much older than Lydia and so knew the very real dangers of what his mother's screams could entail.

Uncas rested his left hand on Ash's shoulder, while continuing to rub Lydia's back and said, "Alice and Elijah are on their way back to the cabin. Why don't you two go outside and pick some wild flowers for your Mama, while you wait for them to join you."

Lydia turned to face towards Uncas, twisting her little body around in Ash's arms. Uncas cupped her chin in his solid palm and she began reaching for her. He picked her up fully off of her brother's lap, clasping his palm around Ash's hand while doing so. Ash stared back at him his young face utterly impassive. As though with the sound of his mother's screaming, he had already resolved himself to her fate. Uncas squeezed his little hand in his and pulled him from the sofa. He led them outside, off the porch and into the openness of the glade. Bringing them both down to the ground and placing Lydia back into Ash's lap. Uncas put a sturdy hand on the boy's shoulder and said, "Don't give up on her." They stared silently into each other's eyes for the briefest of moments before hearing another powerful scream echo out of the cabin. Uncas kissed them both on the head and ran quickly back towards the cabin.

Uncas ran straight through the cabin's open doorway and into Prudence's bedroom, the door softly hitting the wall as he made to enter. Uncas was completely stilled by the sight before him, his breath hitched in his throat and his eyes went wide against his usually stoic face. Prudence was sitting atop the bed, her shift pulled up just below her chest, exposing the entire lower half of her body. Her sweat soaked hair had been tied up in a messy bun, its loose strands splayed wildly across her face and neck. Pru's face was a blotchy crimson red, jointly flushed from the stress of childbirth and the sweltering heat. The thin blue vein that ran down the center of her forehead, protruding prominently through her drenched skin. She was crying, almost hysterically. Pain afflicting her every expression. Chingachgook was seated behind her, holding her in place on the bed. Her body slumped against his in this brief moment of reprieve. Sampson was crouched down below, keeping a steady eye focused, awaiting the baby. Uncas had never seen anything like this, never seen her like this. Wondering briefly if the scene before him is why fathers were never present while their wives gave birth back at the Delaware camp. The thought suddenly making him feel like he should shut his eyes to this very personal sight and leave the room. When the sound of Sampson's words, rooted him in his place, forcing his attention to continue on the sight before him.

"Push Pru."

Prudence began gripping fiercely to Chingachgook's arms, bracing herself for the inevitable pain that was beginning to surge through her body. "It hurts! I can't", she screamed.

"You can." Sampson calmly reassured her.

"I can't!" Prudence shook her head back and forth, as the pain shot through her again.

"I can see the baby's head." Sampson encouraged her. "You must keep pushing."

"I feel like I am being torn apart!" Tears began falling freely down her cheeks. She flung her head back against Chingachgook's chest, smacking his chin with her head. Her nails dug deep into the skin of his forearms, forming small scratch marks against his tattoos where her fingers gripped desperately against his flesh. Chingachgook never moved, never flinched against her unknowing assault on his body. Determined to be the peaceful presence that she needed right then.

"Keep pushing Pru, just a little bit longer." Sampson continued to keep his tone even.

Prudence pinched her eyes tightly shut, releasing Chingachgook's arms, she gripped her hands around her kneecaps and wailed until her voice was hoarse and failing her. Her now almost silent screams only reflected in the anguished expression that had taken hold of her face.

Uncas stood frozen, unable to avert his eyes from her. He was petrified in place, mesmerized as Prudence pushed hard one last time. Uncas watched as the baby slid, covered in blood from Pru's womb and into Sampson's waiting arms. He watched as Sampson quickly cleared the baby's air way, in turn allowing it to take its first breath in this world. As the air filled its little lungs, the baby howled. As though it was a wolf in the moonlight, letting all the nocturnal creatures of the forest know that it roamed free amongst them. Uncas could not help but smile widely at the thought.

Finally shifting his entranced eyes towards Prudence, he could feel the curve of his smile slowly diminish as he watched Pru's weakened body collapse against Chingachgook's chest. Her head laid flush against their father's shoulder, arms almost limp at her sides. Pru's left leg dangling off the bed, a river of red slowly descending out of her lame body. The blood began to creep further down her motionless leg, stopping slightly in the crease behind her knee, before falling from her body entirely. Creating a small puddle just below where her foot dangled.

Uncas could hear nothing, no noise at all. Not the the cry of the baby, nor the frightened verbal exchange between his father and Sampson. He stared at Pru, she was sobbing, her hands balled into fists against the understanding of what was happening to her. She could do nothing, nothing to save herself. Uncas knew in that moment that she was at the mercy of God and The Great Spirit. He wanted to flee the horrid sight before him. Yet, he continued to watch as if the room was in slow motion, remaining petrified in his spot, slowly blinking his eyes opened and closed. Until he felt something set in his arms.

Uncas looked down to see that Sampson had thrusted Pru's little baby into his arms. It was wrapped in a small swaddling cloth, though not tightly. Realizing he had no idea if the baby was a boy or a girl, Uncas gently pulled the cloth aside and looked. Even in the midst of what was happening around him, a large smile grew across his face as he saw that Pru had given birth to a baby girl. She was beautiful. A mess of blondish brown hair plastered to her little head. Uncas ran his fingers gently across her cheek, feeling to see if her skin was as soft as Mattos'. Her little face was serene, not scrunched up in angst like Mattos' so often was. She was calm against this awful storm that was blowing all around her. Her tiny hand had wrapped around his forefinger, her veins softly pulsing beneath her flesh. She began to flutter her eyelashes, opening her eyes to the world for the very first time. The mid day sun streamed its rays on her from the open window, welcoming her into the world. She lifted her eyes against the brightness, squinting like a hawk flying into the horizon at sunset. When finally her eyes were fully open Uncas could see that her eyes were different colors. Her right eye was sky blue, lighter then both Prudence and Nathaniel's eyes. Almost similar to the color of Alice's eyes. Her left eye was a soft green, with light brown speckles surrounding the black of her pupil. Uncas had never seen anything like it, he was utterly mesmerized with this little girl. He stared down at her, caressing her little cheek with the same finger she held onto and said, "Mënëkòn nataèpia."

Uncas looked away from the little girl in his arms towards Pru. He wanted to tell her what he was seeing. How her daughter had eyes like a rainbow. Though what he saw before him, sliced deeper through him than even the sharp steel of Magua's knife. Uncas took a few steps backward, bumping into the wooden wall behind him. He could feel his legs beginning to give out beneath him. He braced his back against the wall, letting himself slide slowly down. Until finally, feeling the floor beneath him. Uncas held tighter to Pru's little girl in his arms and began emphatically praying in Mohican.

Chingachgook had gently laid Prudence flat on the bed, blood covering his hands like a well sewn glove. He forcefully pulled his arms away from her as she pleaded with him to stay. Pleaded with him not to leave her. It tormented his soul to walk away from her, even for the briefest of moments. The sounds of her cries for him echoing though the cabin's wooden walls. He ran quickly from the bedroom and into the panty where he methodically searched for the specific ingredients he needed to make a medicinal tonic. As he had seen his beloved wife do for so many mothers in similar situations, all those years ago. Silently praying to his wife's spirit to protect the daughter she never knew she had. Chingachgook rummaged further through the pantry, causing several well preserved jars of jam to shatter to the floor. Upon finding the correct ingredients, Chingachgook peeled, crushed and stirred the liquid until it was the perfect consistency and swiftly made his way back into the bedroom.

Quickly stepping past Uncas's petrified body on the floor, Chingachgook climbed back onto the bed with Prudence. Pulling her ghostly white form up and atop his sturdy chest. He tilted her head backwards and began pouring the cool liquid down into her throat. Prudence gaged at the solvent, shaking her head from side to side. Until Chingachgook gripped tighter to her chin, steadying her agitated state and began speaking calmly in Mohican. Prudence fluttered her eyes open and closed, the small action allowing more tears to fall from her already bloodshot eyes and began drinking the the liquid in slow even gulps. Chingachgook drifted his melancholy eyes over towards Sampson, watching him skillfully tend to Prudence's lame body.

Sampson was crouched low by her legs, cleaning the still flowing blood from her already saturated body. A mess of red stained white linens scattered across the floor of the bedroom. Her usually sun kissed skin had quickly reversed into a whitish grey type of ashen color, only furthering his concern. Sampson briefly pinched his eyes shut, forcing darks thoughts away from his mind and began inserting several clean linen rags inside her to better control the bleeding. Knowing the herbal liquid Chingachgook had forced her to drink combined with the rags was all they could do.

The sound of a soft whimper floating through the air broke all three men from their individual thoughts. Chingachgook, Sampson and Uncas all looking towards the sound. Almost having forgotten that amongst all this blood, was still a beautiful little baby that needed to be cared for.

Prudence rolled her head across Chingachgook's chest in the direction of her baby. She weakly reached for her baby, stretching her fragile limbs out towards Uncas and motioning with a shaky curl of her fingers to bring the baby to her.

Uncas instantly rose from to his feet and walked over towards her, gently passing the baby into Prudence's frail arms. Chingachgook still behind her, helped support her arms with his, enabling her to hold the infant closer to her chest and allowing mother and child to stare into each other eyes for the first time.

After passing Prudence the baby, Uncas lowered himself to his knees next to the bed. He reached up gently playing with the little foot that poked out of the loose blanket, rubbing its little toes between his fingers. Uncas looked up into Prudence's drawn face, the natural color of her skin almost completely gone. The blue of her eyes made even bluer by the bloodshot hue behind them. He placed his other palm gently on her knee and said, "It's a girl."

…Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen…Uncas had finally began to calm himself. The simplicity of counting stars lulling him, for the first time in hours, into a placid state of mind. His tension filled body began to recede into its usual quiet state, allowing him to have some clarity of mind. He sat atop the cabin steps, inhaling and exhaling breath with each new star he tallied, waiting for Martin, Nathaniel and Cora to arrive.

Hours passed and Uncas refused to move from his position on the steps, determined not to let them enter blindsided into the confines of the cabin. Even with the blood stained linens having all been discarded, the air around them was far from cheerful. Sampson had managed to stop the bleeding, before the worst could happen. Though not before Prudence succumbed to the utter weakness that comes along with blood loss. Her pulse slowed to the faintest rhythm and she slowly fell into unconsciousness. Sampson had elevated her legs, keeping the blood flowing towards her heart. While continuing to monitor and change her linens. When finally removing them from within her and finding them barely covered with blood, only then did Sampson begin to breath a little easier. Though even with this small victory, Sampson knew this was far from over and there was still his little granddaughter to think of.

Chingachgook had turned Prudence slightly on her side, with the help of Alice. Enabling Prudence, though unconscious, to fed her daughter. Alice helped hold Prudence in place on her side and managed to latch her baby girl onto her flesh. Then watched as the little girl easily suckled from her mother's body. Sampson had asked Alice to feed the little girl but Alice had refused. She felt it was wrong taking away such an important moment from mother and daughter. Though she did agree, should all other option fail, as she would never watch as the precious girl went hungry. Alice sat beside mother and daughter gently alternating between caressing both their heads, silently elated that her idea had worked and Prudence was able to share this bond with her youngest child as she did with all her other children.

Chingachgook continued to gently feed her his herbal tonic, careful to hold her head upright as to not have her choke. He would slowly dribble the tonic into her mouth, making certain that she swallowed every drop. When the cup would empty, he would sit beside her, stroking her thick dark hair and praying to his ancestors to protect her. Chingachgook whispered encouraging words into her ear, reminding her that her fight is not yet over. Even with all their efforts and the peace of mind that she had stopped bleeding, it did not ease their souls. As Prudence still had yet to awaken.

The distant sound of horses pulled Uncas's attention from stars. He peered deep into the backness waiting for the familiar faces of his family to come into view. Uncas watched as the heavily weighted wagon began crossing the tree line and into the glade. He rose from his seated position on the cabin steps and began walking out to meet them in the glade.

As soon as Martin saw Uncas walking towards them he knew something was amiss. He could feel a slow shift within his body, a feeling of dread creeping into his heart. The closer the wagon got, the more ragged his breaths became. Martin could feel his pulse begin to quicken as his heart began threatening to beat out of his chest. He shifted his weight in the wagon nervously as the wheels turned, hauling him closer towards the cabin.

Nathaniel's brows furrowed at the sight of Uncas walking towards them. It was well into the wee hours of the morning and without Matto in his arms, Nathaniel began to feel alarmed by his brothers presence alone in the glade. He could hear the shift in Martin's breathing and began to fear the worst. Not being able to take it another moment, Nathaniel pulled hard on the horse's reins. The wagon came to an abrupt stop, shifting all of its contents, including a sleeping Cora. Martin quickly jumped out and began jogging over towards Uncas, while Nathaniel hastily woke up Cora.

Martin had closed the distance quickly, bringing himself to a halt in front of Uncas. His eyes fixated on the cabin's wide open door. The bright flame of the hearth peaking out from beyond the threshold and beckoning him towards its light. When finally he met Uncas's eyes he said, "Tell me."

Uncas put a steadying hand on Martin's shoulder and said, "You are the father of another beautiful baby girl. She is healthy and perfect."

Hearing these words would have normally sent Martin into a crazed form of happiness. He would have slapped shoulders and spun his children around in wild circles throughout the air. However this time, Martin could not bring himself to feel the excitement he would normally feel at this statement, as he knew in his heart that Uncas was not yet finished. He pinched his eyes shut, momentarily preparing for the rest. He could feel the nervous sweat from his brows beginning to slip onto his eyelashes and down the sides of his face. "Tell me." He repeated again.

Uncas stared solemnly into Martin's eyes, swallowed hard and continued, "Pru lost a lot of blood, more so than she did when she was shot. Sampson has since stopped the bleeding and he, Chingachgook and Alice continue to care for her." Uncas briefly paused, taking in a large breath of air composing himself and continued, "She lost consciousness hours ago and has yet to awaken."

Before even the last words were spoken Martin had sprinted into the cabin and through their bedroom door. He entered to see Prudence laying on her back, her feet elevated with several pillows from throughout the cabin. He could see that she was naked under the thin sheet that covered her. Her eyes were shut, in what would have appeared to be an almost peaceful sleep. The white hue of her skin blending into sheets below her.

Martin slowly crossed the room, paying no attention to the several other people that sat in vigil for Prudence. He placed his palm on her elevated leg, slowly gliding it up her body and softly laying his palm over top her empty womb. He began slowly rubbing his thumb in a circle around her belly button. Martin could feel his emotions threatening to overtake him. When suddenly he felt it, rage began coursing through his veins. The searing hot emotion temporarily blinding his thoughts. Martin was overwhelmed by the nasty emotion. He was seething with anger. He was angry that he left, angry that she had the baby without him here to help her. Angry that for weeks she stayed silent instead of confiding her troubled thoughts to him. He wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake her awake. He wanted to slap her hard across her ghostly white face, forcing her eyes open. He envisioned himself destroying the room around him, hurling chairs against the walls and flipping the night tables hard against the floor. Martin forced his eyes shut and could feeling the shift of his own breathing. His once enraged breaths, hitching in his throat as the shame of his ghastly thoughts began to fall over him like a dark shadow. Martin focused his remorseful eyes towards her porcelain face, as he took in the painful sight of her once again. He felt his legs quiver as his body gave out its support and he fell to his knees against the hard wooden floor. He reached up with his other hand and caressed her cheek, letting his fingers trail around her thin lips. Martin buried his head in the bed next to her arm and began openly weeping, hot tears flooding his weary eyes. He sobbed into the clean linens, soiling them with his heartbrokenness. As he wept, his head inched closer to her body, involuntarily craving her touch. When finally he could feel their skin connect, his forehead lightly touching the soft skin of her forearm. Even now in this state, Martin felt electricity surge through him at the contact of their skin. He rolled his head to look up at her, taking in the smooth features of her face. He glided his thumb across her lips and said, "I will not be able to move through this life without you. I beg you, please do not leave me alone."

Author's Note: I wanted the chapter to be mostly told through Uncas's eyes. Uncas having never experienced a birth, let alone a traumatic one, I thought it would be interesting to see it from his perspective.

**mënëkòn nataèpia means rainbow eyes in Lenape. I thought it fitting to name the chapter after the baby, and in Uncas's words :)

BlueSaffire: I actually got the idea to have Uncas watch the birth from you!

BrynnaRaven: I'm glad Prudence feels more real now. In my mind she was always vulnerable, I think I just didn't project it properly!

Eilan21: My husband is from about 20 minutes north of Naples! Sadly I don't speak very much Italian :(

Thank you to those who commented...BrynnaRaven, BlueSaffire, Eilan21 and my story's guests. Your comments and support are amazing and really do help keep me moving along!

Thanks for reading :)