Hello everyone! It's finally here-the epilogue! I can't believe that this story is over, but it is only the beginning of the adventure (I have a sequel in mind and the companion story Between Two Worlds will continue as well-the next chapter will tie into some of the material covered here). Thank you so much to everyone who has supported this story through reading it, reviewing it or just glancing at it! It means so much to me and makes me really glad that I finally decided to write a story on here. Enjoy! As always, notes/translations are at the bottom.
Song Listings for the Epilogue:
1. Only The Beginning of The Adventure by Harry Gregson-Williams (Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe Soundtrack)
2. At The Beginning by Richard Marx and Donna Lewis (Anastasia Soundtrack)
Epilogue-Passing the Torch
Early October 1761
Eleazar Wheelock couldn't help but sigh briefly to himself as he entered the large upstairs classroom where he would soon teach his older students. The beginning of a new school year or term was never an easy time, something even he ruefully remembered from his own school days. There were routines to be remembered and lessons to be mastered which weren't always easy things. But he loved teaching, and the start of a new year filled him with anticipation nonetheless. Crossing over to his desk, he touched the books and ledger that he had laid out on it the day before, thinking over the first lessons he had planned.
A sudden outbreak of cheering caused him to cross to the window and look down into the yard below. He looked forward to welcoming both his returning and new students. There were quite a few new students this season, including several Mohawk young men that had come under the recommendation of Sir William Johnson from Canajoharie. All four of them-Joseph, Anen:taks, Ona:to and Ethan-were playing lacrosse against several Oneida young men. Other students gathered near the action, cheering on their friends. Ethan caught a pass from Anen:taks and feinted, before passing the ball to Joseph who leapt into the air and caught it easily. The cheering grew louder. Johnson had spoken well of all the young men he was sending to school in his letter of introduction, but with a particular emphasis on Joseph which wasn't surprising given that he was his brother-in-law. But Eleazar had immediately agreed with Johnson's assessment of Joseph Brant as a young, promising leader who naturally drew people in with his charismatic nature. He had shown exceptional leadership skills during the last war with the French, participating in many battles, including the siege of Montreal. "With an education in the classics and sciences, I should expect even greater things from him," the letter had said. Time would tell as it would with all of his students.
Two figures entered his periphery vision, and he looked in their direction. A smile played on his lips as he saw who they were and a feeling of nostalgia swept over him. For a moment, he could see his old friend the day he had walked his two sons into the yard and left them at the school in his charge. He remembered the way that Nathaniel's chin had jutted out stubbornly as he tried his best to appear as stoic as a boy of ten could, and how Uncas had clung to his father until the last moment before quickly mimicking his older brother's stance. But most of all he remembered the look on Chingachgook's face when he had brought them to him. It was the look of a man who loved his sons with his whole heart and wanted only the best for them, even if it meant be separated from them for a while. Now Nathaniel had that same look as he escorted a nervous looking Juliet into the school yard.
'I'll have to remember to tell Chingachgook about this when he comes to town next.' He thought to himself as he turned away from the window to head downstairs to greet his newest student.
"Here we are, nichan." Nathaniel smiled down at Juliet who fiddled with the tassels on her leather journey bag. She nodded nervously. He patted her shoulder, battling his own feelings inside of leaving his daughter at school for the fall and winter by herself. Other than the battle at the Winthrop farm nearly three years ago, she'd never been away from them for more than a few days. While her fears of being separated from them had somewhat lessened over the years, it was obvious that she didn't like being away from them. But it was time, he and Cora had both agreed on that. Juliet would be ten years old come December, the same age he had been when Chingachgook had brought him and Uncas to school for the first time. Margaret would be going as well, and on their most recent trading trip to Canajoharie, they had learned from Ongewasgone that Ethan and several other Mohawk young men of their acquaintance including Anen:taks would be coming to school in the fall as well. Juliet would be in good company. But it still wasn't easy.
Juliet looked around the school yard. Anen:taks, Ona:to, Ethan and Joseph were playing a game of lacrosse with several older boys. Most of the other students were gathered around them. "Where's Margaret?" she asked her father, looking anxiously up at him. He smiled down at her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "She's here, or will be soon, I'm sure." He told her. 'I hope so.' Juliet thought. She hadn't seen Margaret since late spring and missed her. "Remember you and her will be staying together with Grandfather Samuel and Grandmother Cassandra while you go to school." Juliet was happy about that at least a little. When Nooch Nathaniel and Nkek Cora had told her that she would be going to Reverend Wheelock's school in the fall, she hadn't really wanted to go. Of course, she knew she didn't really have a choice. But it was Machom Chingachgook who had explained to her that as much as she had learned from them over the past few years since she had been part of their family, there was more that she needed to learn from the world she had been born to.
"Your father felt the same way as you, naughees." He had told her when she had they had sat in the wigwam together. "But Nooch Nathaniel didn't speak English when he went to school!" Juliet had protested. "I do and can read and write too-why do I have to go to school?" Her grandfather had smiled one of his crinkly eyed smiles at her before answering. "There's more to learning than speaking a language or even being able to read or write or do arithmetic." He told her, taking her hand in his. "You need to be able to understand the people, their ideas and how they get them. That is why you must go to school. When you joined our family, it was never our intention to take you away forever from the world you were born to." Juliet didn't know what to say to that but then it came to her. "But it's so long, machom." She whined, "Nooch Nathaniel and Nkek Cora said I'll have to stay there all fall and winter too!" She hated the thought of being away from her family for so long. Tears came and her grandfather had wrapped her tightly in his arms. "I know, I know. We'll miss you so much too." He had said soothingly. When she had calmed down, her pulled her back slightly and brushed the tear tracks away. "The time will pass quicker than you think, and then we will see you again in the spring." Juliet had nodded, realizing that there was no use arguing.
Juliet smoothed down the skirt of her new blue calico dress that Nkek Cora had made for her. It reminded her a little of the dress her mother had been wearing the day that they had first met, right after Wachesa Uncas had found her at the farm. Nkek Cora had added a narrow row of lace to the sleeves and the neckline, and had added a ruffle to the bottom of the skirt but wouldn't add ruffles to the sleeves. "You don't want them to get soiled with ink." She'd told her, tapping her nose. It was a beautiful dress and she had a few others in her journey bag along with a warm cloak and some other things. But she wondered if it would feel strange to wear English clothes all the time again. She and Nkek Cora both wore them when they went to town or for long trips to see settler friends, but they wore Mohican clothes besides that. It was harder to walk in long skirts than it was in her usual leggings and knee-length skirt.
At least she got to keep her moccasins. She wriggled her toes inside them, glad that she didn't have to wear a pair of hard shoes. Her moccasins were beautiful, with a blue-and-white beadwork pattern that matched her dress. Machom Chingachgook had given them to her right before she and Nooch Nathaniel had left the cabin. "So that you do not forget who you also are, naughees." He had told her seriously before enveloping her in a final embrace. Juliet had put them on with her new dress that morning right before they reached town, glad that she had something new to wear on her first day of school at least.
"Looks like Reverend Wheelock is coming to meet us." Her father's voice made her look up towards the school again. The reverend-her new teacher-was coming towards them, a hand lifted in welcome which Nooch Nathaniel returned. Juliet wondered what it would be like for him to be her teacher. In some ways, he had been like another grandfather to her and she wondered if that would change now. Nooch Nathaniel said that he was a fair and good teacher, but one who expected his students to behave. "As we expect you to." Both he and Nkek Cora had told her that several times. She knew that if she wasn't both her parents would hear about it and it wouldn't be good for her at home. Well, she knew how to behave. They didn't have to worry about that.
"Hello, Nathaniel. Juliet." Reverend Wheelock smiled at her as he shook her father's hand. "Hello, Reverend Wheelock." Juliet said politely, trying to draw herself up a bit more. No matter how big she got, all the grown-ups seemed to still treat her like a little girl. Reverend Wheelock patted her head. "I'm so pleased that your parents have sent you to my school at last, Juliet. We are just about to begin our first day." He looked at Nooch Nathaniel again and touched his shoulder before turning and walking back towards the school.
Nathaniel knew that it was time for him to leave. The sooner he did, the easier it would be for both him and Juliet. It had been the same when his father had left him and Uncas at school. He knelt down in front of his daughter. "Time for me to go, ntant'is." He said, giving her a smile. Juliet shook her head suddenly. It was time already? Her father cupped her cheek. "You heard the reverend. School is about to start. You don't want to be late on your first day."
Juliet didn't want to cry but she couldn't help it as a single tear slipped out of her eye. Nooch Nathaniel quickly swiped it away, wrapping her tightly in his arms. "Don't cry. The time will pass quickly, and before you know it, spring will be here and it will be time for you to come home." Juliet nodded into his shoulder, wishing that he didn't have to let go. What if something happened to him or their family while she was gone? She couldn't bear the thought of losing them like she had lost Mama, Papa and James. "What if I never get to come home, Nooch Nathaniel? What if something happens to you or Nkek Coraor Machom Chingachgook while I'm at school?"Nathaniel's heart ached for both his daughter and himself. He understood her fear; he had felt it himself years ago when Chingachgook had left him and Uncas at school. While he couldn't remember his birth family, he knew that they had died of fever and that was how he came to be raised by his adoptive father. What if something happened to him too? He remembered the conversation with him as if it was yesterday.
"Father, what if something happens to you while we are at this school? What will my brother and I do then? Where will our home be?" He had asked Chingachgook as they sat near the small fire that burned at the center of their makeshift camp. They were only a day away from Albany and Nathaniel figured he had to ask now. Uncas was asleep and he didn't want his younger brother to hear him. He was nervous enough as it was. After all, he was only eight years old.
His father eyed him with a slightly raised brow, and Nathaniel dropped his eyes for a moment. He didn't want to be disrespectful, but he had to ask. Often his outspoken nature got the best of him. But Chingachgook dropped a hand on his shoulder and he looked up again to see his father looking at him with a look of pure love on his face. It took him aback a little. While it was obvious that his father loved him and his brother with all his heart, he didn't usually show it so openly on his face. "Nkwis, I will always come for you and your brother as long as I am alive. While there will be a time when we may leave this world individually, remember that our separation is not eternal even then. But I do not believe that time is now or will be soon. But no matter what, remember that you will always carry my love inside of you, as I carry yours inside of me. Our home is together as a family." He had wrapped his arms around Nathaniel after he finished speaking, letting his words settle inside him.
Nathaniel returned to the present moment. There had been more after that-practical matters that his father had discussed with him, such as how their Delaware relatives would look after him and Uncas if the worst happened. Now it was his turn to say something similar to Juliet, although she didn't need the practicalities. Those had been discussed long ago. She needed his heart. He pulled her back so that she could see his face. "We will come for you, Juliet. Always. As long as we are on this earth, we will find our way home together." The seriousness in her father's green eyes struck Juliet hard in her heart. She knew he meant it with all of his soul. While it didn't take away her fears altogether, she knew he would keep his promise.
A bell rang from the schoolhouse and Juliet saw out of the corner of her eye that the other students were making their way towards the school door. Her father must have noticed too as he embraced her tightly once more before standing up. "Go on, nichan." He said, gesturing to the school. "Walk tall and straight, don't look back. Remember where you come from and how loved you are." Juliet nodded and began to make her way towards the school doors. She wanted to turn around but remembered what her father had said. Margaret had arrived at last and met her halfway, waving to her. Straightening her back, she walked quickly to the door and went inside with her.
Nathaniel stood there for several minutes, watching as the final students made their way inside the school. 'I wish Uncas was here for this.' He knew that his brother would've felt similar to him at saying good-bye to Juliet, but he likely would've made her laugh before they parted by telling her some joke or riddle. He could almost see the smiles and hear the laughter of all of them. Sadness nipped at him again as it usually did when he thought of Uncas and inevitably his thoughts turned to the Camerons and Alice. For the Camerons' sake, he wished that John and Alexandra were there in his stead, sending both their children off to school and seeing them grow up. He wished that Alice was there along with Uncas, building a life together, for all of their sakes. The pain wasn't the same as it had been in the early days of his grief, but he knew it would always be there to some extent just as it was for all of them with their losses. All they could do was live their lives with honor and love for those who were no longer with them. But he couldn't still help but wish that it could've been different for all of them.
"Ktaholel." He whispered, meaning it for Juliet, his brother and all of their lost loved ones. He turned to leave. At that moment, a gentle, warm breeze touched his cheek and a feeling of peace settled over him as he walked slowly away. Their journeys were not over yet, but for the moment, they were where they were supposed to be.
Nooch: Father (Mohican)
Nkek: Mother (Mohican)
Machom: Grandfather (Mohican)
Ntan'tis: my little daughter (Delaware)
Nkwis: my son (Delaware)
Nichan: my daughter (Delaware)
Ktaholel: I love you (Delaware)
Naughees: my grandchild (Mohican)
A few quick notes: Joseph Brant did attend Reverend Wheelock's school in 1761 as did two other Mohawk young men from Canajoharie but for the purposes of my story I made it four. Sir William Johnson, the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs, was his brother-in-law as he was his sister Molly Brant's common law husband and while I made up the letter portion in here that he wrote to Reverend Wheelock, he did arrange for Joseph's education at his school and so it's very likely that in keeping with the times, a letter of introduction would have been written to him. We will learn more about this side of things in the next Between Two Worlds chapter.
Regarding the school itself (whose official title was Moor's Indian Charity School and was historically located in Connecticut but as I said before in the story I changed it to Albany for the storyline), it was the forerunner to Dartmouth College. Native and colonial students alike studied there which is why I show that in my story. Reverend Wheelock's school appears to have been progressive for his time (writings of his that survive mention among other things that he did not want his native students to forget their own languages and he had native students live with his family in their home) and that's why I try to portray those aspects since I feel it is accurate in these case. However, I do want to acknowledge the checkered history of residential boarding schools and it's never my intention to make light of those cases or those who had bad experiences at them.
As far as Juliet attending school, I thought it was likely that Nathaniel and Cora would choose to send her there at least for a little while so that she can have some formal education (and be around other children), especially given the close relationship that they have with the Wheelocks and the Winthrop/Lee families. Making her nearly the same age as Nathaniel was when he went to school was sort of a happy coincidence given that I wanted her and Margaret to be at the school at the same time Joseph, Ethan, Anen:taks and Ona:to are going to be there too (we will see more of that in the sequel and BTW!). I also wanted to acknowledge the reality of their losses here again and how although several years have passed at this point, they still can't help but wish that things were different even if they have accepted and found joy with their lives again. But I think the Camerons, Uncas and Alice would all be very happy and proud of how far they have come! They will continue to play an indirect role in their lives (especially Juliet's memories of Uncas and Alice).
I want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who has welcomed me with open arms to this fandom and encouraged me in my writing! This community is truly inspiring and I am so happy that I took the plunge and hit post on my first chapter here. My faithful foursome: Thank you to MohawkWoman for inspiring me with her love for Uncas/Alice and always leaving awesome reviews plus trading PM's with me, to BrynnaRaven for being my fellow Nathaniel/Cora shipper ALL THE WAY and for her help on and off the screen as it were with everything, to Lovely102 for sticking through with this story even though I kept the movie ending for Uncas/Alice and to EmoryRose for her unwavering support in everything and enthusiastic willingness to hash out any and all plot or character details with me! Additional thanks to BlueSaffire (for support of this story), Calliste9 (for story support and being the first person who answered my story question in the forums), ELY72 (for story support) and Conbird (for story support). I really couldn't have done it without everyone's help! If I forgot anyone, I do apologize but everyone who's ever read or reviewed this story has my thanks for just giving it a chance. I'm looking forward to continuing the journey.