Chapter 24: The Year Of Our Lord 1765
Chingachgook crept silently through the near darkened forest, carefully instructing Matto of where to step and with how much weight. Always being certain to ensure the utmost silence. The sun had set only moments ago, blanketing the heavily wooded area in near complete darkness. The leaves on the low hanging branches swayed gently overhead. Their usual deep green appearing black and ominous in the cover of night. Chingachgook crouched low to the earth, placing his palm flat against the cool dirt. He could feel the vibration of hooves pounding across the ground. He turned slightly to Matto, taking his small hand in his and placing it palm down upon the ground and motioning for him to close his eyes. Matto did as directed and let his eyelids fall shut. He inhaled deeply, allowing all of his senses to focus on the ground beneath him.
Chingachgook smiled as he watched his grandson slowly become one with the forest. Matto leaned slightly forward in his crouched position. Dipping his head low to the ground and absorbing every ripple the earth sent pulsating through his little body. He tuned out the sounds of the forest, the birds squawking within the trees and the small nocturnal animals scurrying about in search of prey. Even the soft rustling of leaves overhead as the breeze pushed and pulled on the branches. Matto focused solely on the ripple, allowing the vibration to course through his being. After only a moment, Matto opened his eyes as the tremble on the ground dissipated and the earth stilled. He turned his head to the north, the direction it was coming from and pointed. He looked up into his grandfather's face, his serene expression making Matto smile widely. Chingachgook patted the side of Matto's cheek. "Well done grandson."
Of all of his grandchildren Matto was the most in tune with nature. His restless spirit was always driving him into the wild. Where he could run with the deer, climb trees with the squirrels and swim with the fish. At merely seven years old he was more capable of being alone in the forest than most able bodied adults. He knew that by the time Matto was a young adolescent his skills would allow him to be left alone to hunt and wander the forest at his own discretion. The thought of Matto having this type of independence and at such a young age, made him beam with pride.
Chingachgook rose from his squat, indicating for Matto to do the same. "Shall we return?" Chingachgook looked down at Matto, gently patting the top of his head. Matto turned his head upwards, his dark brown eyes barely visible in the now wholly blackened forest and nodded his head yes. Chingachgook took his little hand in his and began turning them in the direction of the farm. The two walked in comparable silence, relishing in the quiet sounds of the forest. Knowing that as soon as they crossed the tree line, the boisterous sounds of their family would fill their ears, welcoming them home.
Nathaniel and Cora sat outside still in their supper seats, each with an empty whisky glass in front of them. A flickering light reflecting off the glass and into their peaceful eyes. The candles on the table were set in groups of three and spread sporadically amongst the uncleared plates and mugs. Their flame burning brightly through the early evening darkness. Nathaniel wrapped his arm around Cora's shoulders, pulling her closer towards his body. They looked off in the distance and watched as their six year old twins Rebekah and Robin clasped hands and spun themselves in circles around the glade. Robin pulled hard on his sister's arms almost lifting her off the ground. Rebekah squealed in delight as her skirts lifted higher and higher in the air. They were the spitting image of Nathaniel, with their dark wavy hair and cerulean blue eyes. Even their skin was sun kissed to the same perfect hue as Nathaniel. Cora could scarcely believe it. She would often joke how the twins and Lydia looked as though they were true born sibling. All three resembling that of Nathaniel and Prudence, right down to the curve of their chins and the point of their little noses. Though they may have resembled Nathaniel, it was their younger son Gideon who had the true Poe personality gene. He was only a year younger than the twins and every bit his father's son. Cora knew she had her hands full with him while he was still in her womb. He would toss and turn all hours of the day, giving her no reprieve from sickness or discomfort. Cora laughed outwardly at the thought of it.
"What's so funny?" Nathaniel looked down at her half shadowed features.
"Just remembering when I was pregnant with Gideon. He is without a doubt your son." Cora said with a laugh.
"And why would that be funny?" Nathaniel narrowed his eyes at her, already knowing what she was implying.
Cora leaned her head back against his chest, elongating her neck upwards and reaching for his mouth with hers. Nathaniel smirked at her diversion from his question but happily complied with her request and brushed his mouth tenderly up against hers. His lips drifting ever so slightly away from her mouth to her cheek and down towards her neck. Where he heard the faintest of gasps slip from her lips. He caressed the side of her face with his hand, brushing away the loose hairs around her cheeks and began nibbling her tiny earlobe. Then just as quickly as their moment had begun it was abruptly halted when Ash came walking over carrying their youngest son Jonas and rather unceremoniously placed him in Cora's lap.
The toddler grabbed instantly to Cora, his little face wet with tears. "What happened sweet boy?" Cora asked as she kissed his tear stained cheeks.
"He was running like a wild hog in the cabin. When he slipped and went flying across the room nearly colliding with the hearth. Mama cleaned his knee and hands but all he wanted was you." Ash affectionately muffed Jonas's dark curly hair a bit and without another word, turned on his heal and headed back towards the cabin.
"Now that boy is definitely a Poe personality!" Cora laughed as she cradled Jonas tighter to her chest and began rubbing his tiny back in large circular motions. The little boy clutched firmly on to her. His small arms wrapping around her waist and his little fists taking hold of her pale pink dress, slowly comforting himself with his mama's warm presence.
"That he his." Nathaniel said as he watched Ash walk towards the cabin, casually picking up Gideon and throwing his little body over his shoulder before taking the last few steps over the threshold and through the doorway. Disappearing from Nathaniel's line of vision.
Ash walked into the cabin and directly over to the sofa, tossing Gideon against its soft cushions. The little boy yelped in happiness and quickly began begging him to do it again. Ash laughed and gently pushed his head against the cushion, further imprinting his little body into the sofa.
"Ash?" Prudence called to him from across the room.
"Yes Mama?"
"Darling can you go grab your sisters. They are commiserating amongst themselves in their bedroom." Prudence flashed him an appreciative smile and watched as he made his way down the small hallway to his sister's room, before turning her attention back to Martin.
Ash walked down the hallway, stopping in front of the tightly closed door that led to his sister's bedroom. He put his ear to the door, listening to the whispered voices of his little sisters. Always in secret conversation they were, even with a four year age difference. Iris was inherently an old soul trapped in a little child's body. She understood the world in a way which few children her age did. Her inquisitive rainbow eyes often staring into the deepest parts of your being. Strangers often found her off putting, between her different colored eyes and the way those eyes managed to read a person so completely. People's poor reactions to her often made her feel like an outcast, a freak. Especially as she grew older and her eyes brightened even more than when she was a baby, making them stand out that much more. Ash always told her to shrug it off, that they meant nothing to her anyway. The people who truly loved her, were the important ones and always would be.
Ash knocked three time rapidly across the heavy wooden door, making his presence known before he turned the handle and entered. He pushed the door open and peaked his head into the room. Both girls were sitting crosslegged on the bed. Iris was seated behind Lydia practicing braiding her dark thick mane. "Mama said to come outside. I think they are getting ready for a bonfire."
"Ohh!" Iris shrieked and instantly hopped off the bed and scampered out of the room, leaving Lydia's half finished braid dangling helplessly down her back.
"Of course!" Lydia declared with an arm outstretched towards her little sister's quick getaway.
Ash laughed out loud as he pinned himself against the wall, making room for Iris to scurry past him. He turned his head back towards Lydia seeing her annoyed face and crossed over to the bed. Plopping himself down behind her, he took up her hair in his hands and began finishing Lydia's abandoned braid.
"Thank you." Lydia said with a sweet smile, slightly turning her head towards him.
"Anything for you little sister." Ash quickly entwined her hair, completing the braid and after giving her mane a gentle tug said, "Shall we?"
"Yes!" Lydia answered. The two climbed off of the bed and made there way through the cabin. Though not before being halted by their father in the kitchen.
Martin and Prudence were finishing up with the dessert preparations. Prudence and Alice had made two large cakes earlier in the day, as one was not enough these days to feed their entire family. They did not have dessert as often as they would have liked. Though this August day was special. This was the anniversary of that first August day when they had all come together as a true family and every year they celebrated with a grand spectacle. A tradition that was started with a rather unruly food fight many years ago. This particular year it was to be a bonfire and storytelling. In the years that had passed there had been all kinds of fun, such as twilight swimming, a sort of obstacle course through the forest, a rather frustrating game of hide and seek, a knife throwing contest, a race and a scavenger hunt. The latter of which would never be repeated as Uncas won too quickly for everyone's liking.
"Ash, Lydia, come here and give us a hand." Martin called over to his children. He passed the two large cake plates towards them, placing one in each of their hands and ushered them outside. "Thank you my dears." Martin said with a wink.
Martin watched as Ash and Lydia made their way out of the cabin, Gideon following closely at their heels and leaving the cabin door open wide behind them. He turned his head towards Prudence, who had entered into the pantry in search of her well hidden supplies of wine and whisky. He could see her perfectly from the angle she was at. Her floral dress was knotted up at the hem, as it always was in the summer months. Allowing the breeze to blow up her sun kissed legs. Her feet were bare and her hair was tied up in a messy sort of bun, high atop her head. Exposing her long thin neck. She was every bit as beautiful as she was the day he first met her in the glade. The day he had fallen hopelessly in love with her. Martin walked causally into the pantry, slowly shutting the door behind him and grabbed ahold of her bent over hips. Prudence smiled as she felt his hands on her body and placed the bottles she was holding onto the wooden floor.
At the sound of the bottles connecting with the floor, Martin quickly turned her body around and began kissing her fiercely on the mouth. With the cabin door wide open and the bottles of liquor expected at any moment, he knew he had to be hasty with his actions. He began devouring her with his mouth. His hands held her flush against him, all the while roaming up and down her curvy figure. Prudence wrapped her arms around his shoulders and tugged at his shaggy hair, momentarily pulling his head backwards and his mouth away from hers. She smiled as he gasped at her touch, the satisfaction of the sight of him sending tingles throughout her body. Martin quickly lifted her off her feet and pressed her back against the closed pantry door, shifting both her skirts and his trouser out of their way. Prudence tangled her legs around his waist and wiggled herself closer towards him until she felt the familiar pressure of his body moving inside hers. She pinched her eyes shut and pressed her head back into the wooden door. Desperate to stay quiet as he moved swiftly within her. Martin buried his face into her neck muffling his rapid gasps of air. Knowing in the back of his mind that any moment someone might try and walk in, Martin accelerated his pace. The effort sending a vibration of shivers down her spine. Prudence gripped hard to his head and shoulders as she felt pleasure overtake her senses and the sensation of his release all in the same moment.
Martin smiled into her neck as he placed soft kisses all around her skin there. "I have been waiting all day to do that." He whispered into her ear.
Prudence calmed her breathing and turned her head to face him, "Was it worth the wait?"
Martin placed his forehead against hers, boring his forest colored eyes into her bright blue ones and whispered, "It's always worth the wait." He pressed his lips up against hers, slowly brushing them across her slightly parted mouth.
As they seemed as though they might lose themselves once more to each others desires, a loud bang against the pantry door startled them, shaking themselves free of the moment. Martin placed Prudence back on her feet and after adjusting his clothes, reached down to retrieve the forgotten liquor bottles.
Prudence smoothed her skirts and wiped the pooled sweat from both their brows with the palm of her hand. "Ready?", She asked. Martin smiled widely at her and merely nodded his head.
Prudence pulled the door open to find Nathaniel waiting impatiently behind it. A large smirk across his face. "Have trouble finding the liquor sister?"
"I find myself to be quite forgetful sometimes." Prudence patted him on the cheek and gently pushed past him, making her way out of the cabin.
Nathaniel turned his attention to Martin, his eyebrows raised high into his forehead in accusation. Martin shrugged his shoulders and said, "What can I say, sometimes she if forgetful." He winked and similarly patted Nathaniel's cheek, only to have Nathaniel swat his hand away in jest. Martin laughed outright at Nathaniel and made his jolly way outside. Nathaniel followed at his heels, shaking his head the whole way out of the cabin.
Prudence took a seat next to Cora at the table and fidgeted with her hair, making certain it was still intact. Cora narrowed her eyes at her sister suspiciously, "You seem flushed my dear."
Prudence fluttered her bright blue eyes at her and responded with, "It's the heat." And she waved her hand back and forth dramatically fanning herself.
"Oh, I'm sure it is!" Cora replied. Nathaniel's signature smirk splayed across her own face.
Alice and Uncas were stretched out on the sofa in their cabin. His back rested up against the sofa's arm while Alice laid nestled up against his chest. They were taking a quick reprieve in between dinner and dessert, giving Alice some time to feed their infant daughter. Uncas looked over the top of Alice's head and watched as their little girl peacefully suckled from her mama. He rubbed the soft hair of her crown, feeling her silky hair between his fingers. His joy in this moment was exponential, knowing that he had fathered three of the most beautiful children to walk in this world.
Matto was their first born son and then less than two years later Keme was born. He was a small yet inquisitive baby. Which is why he was given the name Keme, for its meaning of secret thunder. From the moment he was born, every time Uncas looked into his little eyes he felt that Keme was waiting. Waiting for what he was unsure of. Where Matto was vocal and energetic, Keme was calm and quiet. Though Uncas knew there would come a time in Keme's life when he would not be so reserved and when that time came he knew Keme would explode, exposing his secret thunder from within. Uncas laughed to himself at whoever that poor fool may be.
Uncas focused his thoughts back to his little daughter. She was the fairest skinned of all his children. Matto and Keme had the same soft honeyed toned complexion, a shade or so lighter than his own. You could instantly tell they were brothers as their little faces were so similar. In fact the only real difference was that Keme liked his hair long and Matto chose to wear his shorter, usually somewhere between his chin and his shoulder. Though both boys were fond of tying it back in the same style as their father. It was his sweet little girl that he hoped would have all the features of her mama.
When she was born Alice was so happy to have a little girl of her own. She had been secretly envious of Cora and Prudence with their little girls. Always dressing them up and braiding their hair. Alice had longed to do the same. When finally their little girl was born, Uncas had urged Alice to choose her name and Alice had agreed though insisted that it had to be an Indian name. Uncas had pleaded with her that it could be any name she liked, but Alice was resolved. She believed that the children should know their father's heritage in every way and that began with each of them having strong names, names that carried a message within them. Her sons were the epitome of their names and so would their daughter be. The moment their daughter was placed in Alice's arms and she looked upon the fair skin of their precious baby girl, she had decided on the name Winnie, which meant fair and pure. Winnie was truly the fairest and purest little baby Alice had ever seen. A vision of utter perfection in the eyes of her parents.
Alice tilted her head up towards Uncas's face and kissed him on the chin. "I think she is finished."
Uncas smiled down at her. "Do you think father is back with Matto yet?"
"Oh I hope so! Keme will be in a sour mood if not!"
Uncas huffed out a laugh. Chingachgook often took all of his grandchildren out into the forest and on occasion individually. This just happened to be one of those times where he took only Matto. Keme was always a bit distraught when his big brother was missing. Though usually it was because he was off with his cousins and they were never hard to find, with all the noise they made around the farm.
Alice reached her hand up, running her pale fingers through his long hair. "Shall we join our family my love?"
Uncas would never tire of being referred to as her love. The sound of her voice saying it always overwhelming his emotions. He stared down into her soft blue eyes and ran his fingers gently across her delicate jawline. Alice covered the back of his hand with her palm and softly smiled up at him. Uncas brought her hand to his mouth, kissing her milky white skin. He looked down at her through his thick black eyelashes smiling widely and nodded as he shifted his weight from behind her, removing himself from the sofa and helping her up with Winnie still cradled in her arms. They had just begun to make their way to the door when Keme came bursting through it.
"They are back! Grandfather and Matto are back!" He bounced on his heels and exited just was quickly as he had entered.
"Well thank goodness for that!" Alice said with a sigh of relief that she would not have to stare at her son's forlorn face all evening.
Sampson and Elijah had built a large bonfire this August night, so high that the younger children thought the tips of the leaves from the over hanging tree branches would certainly catch fire. They had all gathered around the large stones that encompassed the hot flames of the pyre. Martin sat crosslegged with Pru's head resting gently in his lap, her body curled up on its side. Lydia sat beside her father and Iris next to her. Matto took a seat beside Iris and Keme next him. Uncas was seated cross-legged beside his son with Alice nestled against his chest, their infant daughter laid serenely in Uncas's lap. Beside them was Ash and Gideon. Both boys with legs outstretched and crossed at the ankles. Cora was next in the circle, little Jonas sitting up straight in her lap and Nathaniel beside them. Rebekah had snuggled herself into her fathers lap, leaning way back into him, appearing so comfortable that she might fall asleep. Robin was on his belly, head raised by his elbows and feet wiggling back and forth in the air. Elijah had run into the cabin grabbing a stool for both Sampson and Chingachgook as they were the evening's storytellers and placed them in the left over open space. He then took his position crosslegged next to his mother.
The fire began to burn brighter. Its orange and gold flames mesmerizing the young eyes of the children. They could hear the crackle and pop as the wood began to split within its flame engulfed home. The noise drowning out all the other sounds of the forest. Chingachgook rose first, slowly taking his time to meet everyone's eyes individually. He took in a deep breath, smiling smoothly as he knew he now had everyone's attention and so began his tale of honor and friendship.
Chingachgook began calmly at first. Then slowly he grew more animated, even acting out some of the scenes for them, either by himself or with the help of his grandchildren. Who he would pull up at different times, injecting them into the story where he thought a lesson of some type was best suited to them. The adults of course knew what he was trying to achieve, and even Elijah and Ash were on to him. Though the young children were not. Watching their little faces as they processed the scene that had been created around them and the way their little expressions changed the moment they understood the lesson within the story. It was really rather beautiful what Chingachgook had accomplished and all under the ruse of a bonfire tale. By the end of the story every child present was beaming. Chingachgook smiled widely at his family, knowing he had accomplished what he set out to do and made to sit down, passing the attentive stares of their tribe over towards Sampson.
Sampson lightly squeezed his old friend's shoulder and preceded closer towards the bright burning flame. He had chosen a tale of adventure and mystery. Sampson had always had a natural knack for telling stories. His lively personality showing through with all the different character voices he created and the wild way in which he moved his arms. Further enthralling the children, being certain that they understood every moment of the story. Sampson was approaching a tension filled part in his tale when the far away howl of a wolf could be heard echoing through the darkness. Iris flinched in her spot at the frightening sound. Her little fingers gripping deep into the cool grass beneath her. She pinched her eyes shut envisioning a rabid dog sniffing them out through the forest and making its nightly trek their way, desperate to find them. As if seeing the perfectly drawn picture in her mind, Matto placed his palm on top of hers in the grass and whispered into her ear, "It is very far away and it won't come to us here. When a lone wolf howls, it is trying to find its way home. And we are not its home. Don't worry Iris." Iris opened her eyes to the flame before her. She did not turn her head to his soft voice, instead she flipped her hand over, making their little palms touch and lacing their fingers together. Matto felt her fingers wrap around his and lightly squeezed her hand. Reminding her one more time that he was here if she got scared again. Iris smiled softly and nodded her head, knowing that they understood each other without any words needing to be spoken.
When Sampson concluded his story it was to thunderous applause. His tale of adventure had been clearly well received. He very dramatically took a bow and sat back upon his stool. With the conclusion of both stories, so came the realization that the night was over. They began looking around to see who would be the first to leave. With no one eager to get up, it became clear that they were not quite ready to leave each others company and so they continued to talk merrily amongst themselves. Laughing and chatting further into the late night hours. Surrounded by the flickering flames of the bonfire, ever comforted by its warmth and brightly shining colors against the blackened night sky.
Author's Note: I felt this was the right spot to time jump, since the last chapter was about reflection and a full year had passed by. I really hope you all enjoy this chapter because it was fun to write! I have been itching to introduce their children! Cora and Nathaniel had twins along with their two younger sons! And of course one of their boys had to take after Nathaniel. Uncas and Alice have their little tribe too! I really loved the name Keme and so built his character around his name. Which worked well against Matto's wild nature. I had a really hard time picking a girl's name. I found so many beautiful names, but something about Winnie just seemed adorable and its meaning of fair and pure, made me instantly think of Alice!
The scene with Prudence and Martin in the pantry...I wrote the scene with it and without. I decided to keep it to show that she had fully recovered and the two of them had moved forward from the past together. Plus, they have a very strong physical chemistry. So it also seemed appropriate that they would do something wild and in the moment!
**AHH the food fight from the last chapter...I wanted something fun at the end. Something that was very immature, to show how even though they had been through so much already, that they were still young and capable of being carefree! That being said, I knew it was a complete waste of food ( even if they were pretty much done eating) So I left it up to Chingachgook to address it!
Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed ELY72, BlueSaffire, BrynnaRaven, Eilan21, your support really is incredible and truly does keep me moving along!
Thanks for reading :)