The Moonlit Tree
This is my first fanfiction ever, so I hope you will enjoy it. I tried my best to use english properly and correctly, but since it is not my native language, please kindly pardon any possible grammar/spelling mistakes. Big thanks go to BrynnaRaven, her amazing writing skills and the fact that her friendly replies to my messages inspired me to be brave and try to create something for this fandom, too. I do plan on possibly writing some more, so I would be grateful for any feedback. Thank you!
She did her best to pretend she is asleep; oh, how she wished she would be deep in her dreams now. But Cora felt this heaviness on her chest that simply prevented her to do so. Even breathing was difficult, and honestly, the tightly laced bodice of her dress was not helping her to find comfort. The weight of the events she witnessed finally caught up to her. Alice was close to death. Duncan, too. And me… And those children, slaughtered for nothing more than pure violence.
With a silent sigh and pulling at the hem of her corset as if that was to help anyhow, she sat up and found only darkness staring back at her. Her eyes jumped from left to right, following the sounds so far unknown to her. The air was cool and crisp, and she found herself smiling slightly to the feeling of taking a deep breath. There was something magical about this wilderness; something that spoke to her on a deep level of her soul. To stretch her legs, which felt heavy and tired, Cora silently stood up and made a few shy steps forward.
The leaves rustled under her feet as she moved closer to a big tree, it's bark silver from the moonlight, so inviting and calming.
Her mind drifted back to the path; the path that might as well be hers and Alice's resting place forever, their blood painting the ground bright red if it wasn't for the three men that risked their own lives for them. But why? Why risk so much for strangers? A shiver went down her spine as Cora remembered the brutality of the ambush and the dark, cruel eyes of the treacherous guide of theirs. Magua. The name resonated in her mind as a memory of the worst nightmare. She had seen war before; but not like this. She felt sorry for the Cameron family, and she felt sorry for the pain that their friends had to live with now - but what disturbed her sleep the most is the simple unfairness and cowardness of such a terrible act of violence. What human being could cause such misery and pain to the innocent?
In her mind, Cora was trying to make some sense of it, but only hardly could. She did not understand this world and its ways. Yet, remembering the conversation held earlier this night with Mr Poe, she had to admit that she was curious to learn more about it. Her eyes turned up towards the sky, so beautifully decorated with shining stars. What am I to think of this world; when it can be so beautiful, yet so cruel at the same time? As her confused thoughts started to lure her deep into its depths, she suddenly felt a warm, large hand on her shoulder.
With a frightened gasp, she quickly turned around and made a few hasty steps back. Her heart skipped a beat as she watched a tall, manly silhouette emerge from the darkness in front of her.
"It's not very wise to sneak away in the middle of the night like that, miss Munro."
Hearing the familiar deep voice and finally realizing that there was no threat, Cora sighed with relief. She straightened up and nodded, her mouth fast to respond.
"Yes, but it is also not very wise to sneak up behind a woman without clearly stating your presence first, Mr Poe. Some might say it's almost rude."
Cora lifted her chin, proud, and observed Nathaniel, who was slowly approaching her with a wolf-like manner. She measured him with her bold gaze, only to realize that he was getting closer and closer, far beyond what was usual and socially acceptable. Did he just grin at my words? The confused, shy look Cora gave him amused him, his cheeky smile expanding on his lips.
Nathaniel stopped just a few feet away from her, resting his rifle at his side with such calmness and confidence that Cora had a hard time trying to keep her serious, composed expression. She did not know what to expect of him; she could not predict him, no matter how hard she tried. A line appeared in between her eyebrows as she frowned at him for intruding her personal space. She could smell him; the scent of smoke, trees, and sweat mixed with a dash of something she could not quite name. Cora waited for him to say something, to explain himself, or maybe just to tease her again, but no words were coming out of his lips.
A wave of heat consumed her, and she suddenly felt irritated, and even slightly embarrassed. Her cheeks were burning, and she knew that they turned so red that not even the darkness of the night would hide it. Yet, there he stood, still staring at her, his green eyes locked on hers.
Cora shifted her weight from one foot to the other, uncomfortable with the air that seemed to thicken during the last few moments.
The awkwardness of the situation decreased when Nathaniel finally spoke up and leisurely leaned against the tree behind him, offering her more space – but his eyes were still attached to her.
"How old are you, miss?"
Shocked by his directness and the question itself, she shook her head slightly and frowned even more. Not that she felt offended or somewhat shy to admit her age; she just didn't understand how is that question appropriate in their current situation.
"26," Cora replied rather sharply. Remembering that this man saved her life today, she continued with a softer tone.
"Why is that something of your interest Mr Poe? Surely there are more pressing matters to discuss at this time, in our situation."
The corners of his lips turned upwards again. He liked the way she spoke to men; so confident, honest and fierce. It was in great contrast to her proper British attire and her small, delicate frame. So stubborn, he thought to himself. Nathaniel licked his lips, mostly just to see if it will throw her off balance. His eyes sparkled with mischief, which unnerved her even
"It's night, I am a man and you are a woman, miss. Maybe I can't think about any pressing matters other than one matter in particular?"
Her lips parted slightly in shock, oh how brazen was what he had implied. Cora stumbled and turned her gaze to the ground, not knowing how to react. Rules that she was accustomed to did not apply here, and maybe for the first time in her life, she missed those rules.
Seeing that his words made her uncomfortable, he finally gave her a merciful, friendly smile which suggested it was only a tasteless joke. 26, he thought to himself. 26, yet still no ring or husband to accompany her? That was rather unusual, and it did cause the flame of curiosity in him to burn even brighter. He wasn't sure why, as he normally didn't care much for discussing similar topics. Cora had spoken before he could even think of another bold question for her.
"So, do you have any name in your culture for women in my position, Mr Poe?" His eyes shot back up to hers, shocked that she seemingly read his mind with no trouble. He watched her lips move as she continued.
"In my circumstances, the word is "spinster", which is undoubtedly how you think of me, am I right? Do not worry, sir, I am well used to all kinds of judgments from men."
Cora was used to be looked at differently and questioned about the fact that at the age of 26, she had no husband, no child. It did not surprise her anymore, and she was long over feeling ashamed of her choices. Even though, she did not quite understand why she felt the need to explain herself to this man, this stranger. He is only teasing me for his own amusement. No matter what I say, it won't have any impact anyway.
"I don't mean to pass any judgments on you, miss Munro. Even though I do wonder where your unwillingness to submit to anything or anyone comes from - given your education and status."
His eyes were piercing, yet soft. She could tell he was simply being honest, and even though that was an admirable quality in a man, his choice of words stirred the fire in her stomach even more.
"Does it need to come from somewhere else than maybe a wish to keep a good conscience, to come to terms with my own feelings and opinions of the world, or maybe just from a strong will to stay independent and free to speak and do as I find fit?" Cora surprised herself by making a step closer to him, her eyes now sparkling in the heat of this debate.
"No." Nathaniel shrugged his shoulders, keeping his gaze fixed on her. Something in the way she spoke and moved made his heart beat faster.
"On the contrary, I think you are right in your beliefs. It's just strange to hear it from someone like you, miss. However, you do not quite practice what you preach. It's clear to me that the greatest prison for your own wishes and freedom is you, yourself. What difference does it make then, if you are entrapped by yourself or by someone else? Maybe submitting to someone would be easier on your shoulders than being a prisoner to the rules you made up for yourself."
He used the words he knew would tease her so on purpose, curious to see her reaction.
He liked teasing her, provoking her - it showed a different side of her. A wilder side. More true side. Cora clenched her hands into fists, irritated by the way he spoke to her, but also partly by the fact that there was at least a bit of truth in his accusation.
I will not break just for a few daring words, I will stand my ground and persist, even if it meant a little white lie. I will not give him that satisfaction; who is he to speak of my own feelings and my own rules?
"Clear to you, you say? You do not know me, Mr Poe! You talk of it as if I am lying to myself, as if I am sabotaging my own life more than society would. But I ensure you, it is not like that. I am not afraid to be honest to myself, and therefore I do not have any need to hide behind some imaginary bars of my own rules unless I agree with them fully."
Cora's tone of voice was sharp once again, but this time, she did not try to go back on herself. She was staring at him confidently, as if she had just won some competition. Her heart was beating rapidly, and her breathing was quick and shallow. Who do you think you are, Nathaniel Poe?
Provoked by her statement that he believed was untrue, Nathaniel left his rifle leaning against the tree behind him and leaped towards Cora as some wild untamed animal. Every step that he took towards her, she took a step backward, overwhelmed by the pure intensity of him.
Her back hit the trunk of the moonlit tree, preventing her to go any further. All she could do was to watch Nathaniel closing the distance between them, trapping her in between his strong arms by placing them right next to her head, no escape for her now. He watched as her soft lips parted and her eyes widened in response to the little space they had between them now.
"Aye, is that so, miss? So why are you shivering and losing your breath right now, even though your eyes look far from scared? Why do your cheeks turn red and your eyes soften, yet you pretend as if you don't want the same as I do, right here, right now?"
His voice was husky, raw, growly. Cora could feel his breath on her skin, his leg between hers to keep her pinned in place. She blinked a few times, eyes wide as a doe, her voice lost in her throat that suddenly felt dry. Never did a man approach her like this, talked to her like this. Never did a man stood so close to her. Cora's knees felt weak, seeing his unapologetic gaze that was wandering across her face, down her throat, and across her décolletage - and then back up to meet her eyes.
"Who is preventing you to have what you want, what we both want, other than yourself?"
He leaned into her more, pushing the boundaries too far, too fast. Being an impulsive and passionate creature, he sometimes lost himself in the heat of perusing what he wanted, not thinking about any possible consequences that might arise from his hasty actions.
Her skin looks so soft, her lips so red and inviting. If only I could have her right here, under the stars, and give her what she wants; take what I want; show her that she doesn't have to be afraid of submitting ourselves to each other.
Nathaniel realized that his own joke was on him. He wanted to see her all shy, catch her off guard, push her to realize her own needs and wants, but now he had to develop a lot of self-control to stay composed and quench the fire burning inside him. He always liked beautiful women, but Cora outshined them all. With wits, clever mouth and stubbornness combined, he wanted to protect her, to know her, to belong to her. He craved her. The acknowledgment of his own true feelings hit him hard. The lust in his eyes that startled her slightly didn't disappear but transformed into something softer.
She was getting lost in those green eyes. Everything went quiet and she felt light-headed but in the most pleasurable way. Oh no. Oh no, he is right. This cannot be…
She could not deny what he said but would not give him the justice of approving it either. She was not ready yet to accept this, whatever it was. Cora's breath slowly returned to its usual rhythm, and they shared a moment of silence and honesty. No words needed to be said, as they stared at each other, both with their own truth, both conflicted in their own thoughts, trying to comprehend this new thing they hadn't known before fate brought them together.
His lips twisted into a soft smile as he brushed his fingers through a loose curl of Cora's hair, resting one of his warm hands on her shoulder afterward. His touch feels so good. Cora did not know what to do; how to act, behave. Should she be mad for all of this? Should she blame him, accuse him of rude manners, maybe even push him away by force? She knew she should, but she also knew she didn't want to. Eventually, her gaze shifted down to her own feet, feeling shy, revealed, stripped to her bone. For the first time in her life, she could not be sure of anything; her self-control, her emotions, her reason. Oh Cora, what have you done? You know this is not right, it cannot be. She felt lost in the sea of the unknown; and feeling lost was something that frightened her more than anything.
She felt his touch again as he lifted her chin up with his finger to meet his eyes. He was so gentle, yet so rough and bold. So familiar, yet so unknown. So strong, yet not afraid to show his emotions. They were looking into each other's eyes for several seconds, but it felt like a whole eternity to her. His face brightened up with a smile, amused by this whole encounter and his own behavior that now seemed quite comical and childish to him. Unwillingly he finally stepped away from her and walked over to grab his rifle. Cora suddenly felt cold, lonely, needy, as she could no longer feel the warmth of him.
"We should get some sleep, miss Munro. We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow and getting no rest would slow us down."
With a silent sigh, Cora nodded, smoothing her skirts and finally peeling her back from the rough surface of the tree. She followed him as he led the way back to their camp, her hands still tingling and shivering. Finally, Cora found her place next to Alice who was sleeping deeply and peacefully. As Cora laid her head down and closed her eyes, she soon realized that trying to calm her mind was hopeless; she could still feel Nathaniel's eyes on her, breaking down all her defenses.