Chapter 3
3 January 1784 – Davenport Homestead, Massachusetts State
"What do you mean you're getting married?!"
Connor wished that he had kept this information to himself as the Davenport Homesteaders yelled out in varying degrees of shock and astonishment. He thought it would be better to tell them of the new arrival coming in the next few days, rather than her just turning up with no prior notice. So, once he arrived at the Homestead, he had immediately gone to the inn to tell them.
Now he was regretting this decision and wished he had gone home and slept then told them in the morning as he now sat in a chair in the dim light of the inn surrounded by the Homesteaders bombarded by their constant waves of questions.
"When did you this happen?"
"Is she nice?"
"Why did you agree?"
"She must be a looker aye lad? Connor you dog"
Connor ignored the last comment from Terry and turned to the women to answer their more sensible questions.
"Myriam this was arranged a few weeks ago, Corrine I couldn't say how nice she is as I have not seen who she is, but I am sure she will be fine, and Ellen I agreed because it was the wish of mine and her clans."
"Wait a moment." Myriam interrupted him from the other side of the table where she had been sharping her hunting knife on the table, much to the chagrin of the innkeepers, "you don't know what she's like, you've never met and you're marrying her because of the clan? Connor are you mad!" she looked furious at the thought. Connor believed that if his clan had been in her immediate vicinity, he was sure she would have yelled at the village elder. He didn't know whether he should be offended or touched by this.
Norris came and put a calming hand on his wife's shoulder and, with the other, took away the knife before she could stab it into the table. "Myriam calm down I'm sure he has a reason for doing this" He looked at Connor in pity. The gentle Frenchman had been less than thrilled about the situation, but he understood that this must be important otherwise Connor wouldn't be doing it, he trusted the Mohawk man who he had known for years now. Godfrey nodded at Norris's words and joined in the conversation.
"Aye lass. It's not uncommon for them to get married in such a way. Why I've seen many of them and they all seem to be happy," He sighed dramatically, "maybe I should've done it that way, then I could've been happy. At that his wife who was sitting next to him at a nearby table jabbed him in the ribs, Myriam still looked unconvinced and shook her head.
"But still…"
Connor interrupted her gently before she could get any more worked up.
"I am doing this of my own free will Myriam," He looked around the room at all the concerned occupants and addressed all of them again, "there is no need to worry."
"Are you really serious about this?" Big Dave asked from the corner of the room. He had been silent for the conversation so far, he understood what was going on as he had spent much time with the Mohawk people in the past and he knew a bit about their culture.
Connor nodded, Big Dave sighed and stood up.
"Alright then lad, what can we help you with? I sure that despite their concerns about your mystery bride, everyone here still wants to help with the wedding."
The room buzzed with excitement at this reminder of a wedding, and the talk immediately became of who was coming, what food they needed, and what clothes they needed to wear. Connor was touched by their happy, albeit dubious, acceptance of his upcoming nuptials, and their desire to fully embrace his culture and how they could make it easier for him.
He assured them that there would be no need to have such a big event as the ceremony his people held would only be short. At this Prudence, Ellen, and Corrine had immediately protested that it should be a bigger event. Connor politely declined their offer, but they would not back down, and he spent the next hour arguing that he didn't think it would be necessary, whilst they argued that the if he didn't make it special then his bride wouldn't feel welcomed by the community.
"She would not mind as it is not part of our culture" he had protested. The women then took a different approach to the argument.
"But Connor even if you don't mind then think about us." Ellen pressed. "How would we feel if we didn't help you after all you've helped us?" The other women nodded in agreement.
"Please Connor" Corrine pleaded, "At least let us do it to have peace of mind."
He finally conceded to have a feast at the inn on the evening after the ceremony, planned and cooked by the homestead ladies. This again they would not let him help with and stated that it would be his wedding gift from them. They then chattered on about breads, cakes, fruit, and all other things that they could all help make.
At this point he excused himself from the happy wedding planners and decided that if he stayed any longer then he would probably have to endure talks of what kind of flowers he wanted decorating the Homestead.
6 January 1784 – Davenport Homestead, Massachusetts State
The next few days passed quickly as the homestead buzzed with activity. Once the women had heard the Onondaga bridal party would be arriving within the next few days they had gone into a flurry of activity. Connor had asked Ellen if she could help him make his ceremony clothes which she had happily agreed to. The other women had told him to not worry about anything as they would sort it out.
He was a bit worried about what 'sort it out' meant but he trusted them.
He had spent the next few days either sewing with Ellen or hunting wild game for the ceremony. But the day had finally arrived.
Connor woke up to the sounds of birds whistling in the trees. He stretched and rolled out of his bed and walked across the cold wooden floor to the chair in the corner of his room where his ceremonial clothes laid. He and Ellen had finished then just the previous morning and had laid them out in preparation for his 'big day' as Ellen had called it. He picked the outfit up and quickly changed into it before facing the mirror.
The outfit was made from smooth light brown deerskin and had embroidery on the neck and the shoulders with a few small tassels. The front also had embroidery on it which Ellen had helped him painstakingly sew on in lines across the front.
It was odd to not wear the Assassins robes that he had become used to wearing every day for many years now. None of his usual weapons were in sight apart from his tomahawk which he attached at the embroidered belt red and brown belt at his waist. His regular assassin weaponry was in the armoury in the basement. He felt exposed without his hidden blades and was itching to put them back on. He compromised by hiding a knife under clothes and turning away from the mirror, made his way downstairs and out into the crisp December air.
He was making his way to Prudence and Warren's house through the thin covering of snow that had blanketed the Homestead overnight when he heard his name being called out from behind. Connor turned to see both Norris and Myriam making their ways towards him, and he waited for them to catch up. Norris slung his arm over his friend's shoulder.
"Today is the day mon ami! This is the last day you are a single man." Connor smiled at his friend and they continued walking.
"Norris! I see you are in high spirits this morning"
"And you are not?" He gave Connor a mock serious look. "Come, are you not happy? Should I tell your bride to return home, only a sad serious man lives here" He laughed.
"I am happy" Connor protested. Myriam nudged his shoulder.
"You might want to show it on your face then, you look like a man about to face his doom"
"My doom?" He raised an eyebrow at Myriam "If I recall I had to spend the morning of your wedding trying to catch a runaway bride."
Norris threw back his head and laughed as Myriam turned beet red at the mention of her own wedding years ago. She smacked her husband's shoulder to get him to stop but he only laughed more.
"That was years ago! Besides I was more foolish back then, I'm wiser." At this Norris gave her a look and then quickly dodged another swipe of her hand. "Anyway Connor, what are you doing going to Prudence and Warren's house?" She said gesturing towards the farm that was quickly coming into view.
"Prudence has agreed to act in the place of my mother for the ceremony, to which she has agreed."
"Oh? I didn't know you needed people for the ceremony. Do you need us to do anything?"
"You have done enough already my friends, you already are looking after Hunter for her" At his point they spotted Warren in the field and shouted their greetings. Warren stopped and waved to call them over. Norris waved back and the three of them headed in his direction. By the time they had got to him he had put down his tools and wiped the sweat off his brow. He grinned at the Mohawk.
"How are you feeling Connor? Nervous?"
"I am fine Warren. How have you been?"
"Alright. Hunter has been a bit under the weather, but he is all better now." He turned around and beckoned for them to follow him as he made his why towards the house. He looked over his shoulder back at Connor. "Prudence is inside picking an outfit, she has been fretting over what would be appropriate."
"She does not need to do that her presence is appreciated as it is."
"Try telling that to Prudence." He said as they entered the house. Prudence was coming down the stairs and she smiled at the sight of them.
"Connor! Do you think this dress will be alright?" She turned around so they could see her simple red dress. Connor smiled.
"You look wonderful Prudence." He was interrupted by little footsteps coming from the kitchen and Hunter appeared with his wild black hair. The five-year-old beamed as he saw the people in the hallway and barrelled towards Myriam and Norris.
"Aunt Myriam!" He cried as hugged her tightly. "What are you doing here?" She swung him in the air, and he squealed in delight.
"I've come to take you out for the day little one. Want to become a real hunter, little hunter?" The child nodded enthusiastically. His mother looked a bit more than just worried at the thought.
"You won't be touching any of the hunting guns, will he Myriam?" She asked pointedly. Myriam looked a bit guilty like that had completely been her intention before answering.
"Of course not Prudence, I wouldn't dream of it." Prudence looked even more worried and Myriam quickly ushered Norris and Hunter out of the door before she could ask any more questions on her and Hunter's plans for the day.
"Bonne chance on the wedding Connor!" Norris called out before he was disappeared out of the door. Myriam nudged Connor's shoulder as she passed by him.
"Don't scare away your bride with that angry look of yours." She smirked, "Also, if you try running away from your wedding, I'll return the favour and chase you down."
"I would not dream of it."
Norris and Myriam waved at him and disappeared down the well beaten road with Hunter between them holding his hands. Connor turned back to Prudence who was looking worriedly where they had been.
"I am not certain she has listened, I should have sent him with Diana and her children instead." She fretted. Warren put his hand on her shoulders.
"They will be fine Prudence, Myriam is one of the best hunters I've ever seen, and besides, Norris will keep them out of trouble." Connor could see that she wasn't comforted, and he interrupted by offering his arm to Prudence.
"It is nearly time, are you ready?" She nodded and took his outstretched arm. They said their goodbyes to Warren and made their way back to the mansion.
They sat on the mats that Connor had prepared and spoke quietly together. They spent a few hours waiting and Prudence told him stories of her life to pass the time. He was listening to Prudence about how she and Warren met when he heard footsteps and quiet conversations coming from the road.
Suddenly he felt all the nervousness that the others had mentioned earlier hit him like a wave. His hands felt clammy even in the cold air and he could feel a bead of sweat drip down his neck. Unknown to him Prudence saw his shaking hands and gave him a soft look before standing up beside him.
He was jolted out of his state of panic as Prudence's hand rested on his shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze.
"It will be okay Connor." She reassured him. He nodded and gulped, not quite trusting himself to speak. She smiled again and patted his shoulder before they both turned towards the road as the group came into sight.
Hey everyone! This is the longest chapter so far (which isn't really saying much) I'm sorry for leaving it on a mini cliff-hanger. But putting the wedding in really didn't work well with the flow. So i've left it to the next chapter. Remember to follow/fav. Also reviews are nice (thanks 917Invictus!)
