Next morning, sun is shining through the window of their bedroom. Uncas is already awake, observing the beautiful woman lying by his side. Alice is only covered by a blanket and her long hair is spreaded over the pillow. Delicately, he caresses her bare back with his fingers. He loves watching her sleeping so peacefully but it's time to wake up. Alice moves slightly as she opens her eyes. She turns around, finding Uncas's warm eyes looking at her.
"Good morning" he whispers, caressing her cheek with a finger. She smiles and cuddles against him.
"Let's sleep a bit more, please" she says, kissing him tenderly on the neck and chest.
"Alice you know I would stay all day here with you, especially if you continue kissing me like that " he gives her a mischievous smile "But we have things to do. I'm going to hunt this morning"
"Alright" Alice gives up, aware that there are a lot of chores for her to do too. She stands up and starts dressing up "I will wake up Susan"
It's midday and Uncas walks through the forest in the direction of the cabin. He has hunted some rabbits and he can't wait to show them to Alice.
When he arrives he stops by the window looking through it. In the kitchen, Alice is preparing the vegetables for lunch with Susan sitting nearby, playing with her doll. It seems like both are giggling together about something while Alice looks warmly at their little daughter. Uncas smiles to himself. He won't never get tired of looking at the two most important women in his life.
"Papa" Susan exclaims as soon as he opens the door, rushing into his arms. Uncas lifts her with one arm spinning her around as the child giggles with joy.
"Our daughter is a little monkey when she is with you" Alice jokes as she approaches to give him a peck on the lips.
"Fortunately, she has a mother who can teach her the manners of a fine lady" Uncas replies, putting Susan down and embracing her wife for a proper kiss.
"Mama I'm hungry!" Susan interrupts them, forcing them to separate.
"We have rabbit for lunch today" Uncas informs sitting her on his knees "Have you helped your mother with the chores?"
"Yes papa, I'm a big girl" Susan exclaims happily. Their parents share a smile, as Alice starts preparing the rabbit.
"It's better for me to change my clothes. When we finish eating I will work in the horse that I'm making for you". Uncas is carving a toy for Susan similar to the one in the shop.
After a while, lunch is ready and the three of them sit at the table. I have all I ever wanted, no matter what the rest of the world think Alice thinks looking at her husband and daughter. I wouldn't change them for anything.
Some weeks later
It seems that there is any problem in town this time. They had been avoiding the place for some weeks but finally they need to buy some supplies so they decide to leave Susan in Sarah's shop to prevent her exposing to any uncomfortable situation. Fortunately, the street is almost empty at this time of the day and, appart from some stares of disgust, it seems they will be able to go back home without any incident.
Uncas and Alice are walking hand to hand in the empty street. They have left the supplies in the wagon and they are going to Sarah's shop to pick up Susan. Suddenly, two figures appear in front of them. Alice gasps in horror. They are the two men of that awful day in the shop. This time, they are holding sharping knives on their hands.
"So you come to town and you don't even visit us" one of them says with a smirk.
Alice grabs her husband's arm with fear. "Let's go Uncas, they are dangerous".
"You won't go anywhere. Do you think you can get us in trouble with the Captain and get away with it?"
"You were the only ones who got in trouble, so leave me and my family alone" Uncas says with a calm voice. However, he takes his own knife from his belt, just in case.
Alice is terrified of the situation. If both men fight Uncas, he can be injured or even killed. He is a good fighter but they are really violent and cruel. She looks around desperately for help but there is nobody in the street and it seems the owners of the shop prefer staying inside, not wanting to get involve in the fight.
"Let us pass please" Alice implores, being aware of the dangerous situation they are in.
They laugh at her "Don't worry honey, we'll take care of you after we finish with your savage"
"You won't lay a finger on her" Uncas says fiercely.
At that moment both men rush over Uncas with their knives as he defends himself bravely. He stabs one man easily in the abdomen and he falls to the ground but the other one proves to be a good rival and Uncas struggles to dodge his attacks.
Alice is frozen in place not knowing what to do. She thinks of scream but she is sure that it will be in vain. Then rage grows inside her. She won't stand there watching Uncas figth for both of them. When she sees him nearly been stabed in the abdomen, she reacts quickly.
She rushes over the man furiously and grabs him from behind. "Leave him alone" she shouts with rage, trying to take the knife from him. Unfortunately, it takes only a moment to the man to free himself from her hold. "You bitch" he slaps her with the back of his hand, sending her to the ground. Uncas takes advantage of the distraction, stabbing him in the gut. The man falls next to the other one, both dead.
Uncas's clothes are soaked from the men's blood but, fortunately, he is not injured. Looking at the corpses, he drops his knife before rushing over Alice.
"Are you alright?" he asks worried touching her sore cheek.
"Yes, it was only a slap" Uncas is really proud of her bravery and how she is willing to defend him in any dangerous situation.
They embrace each other in the ground, offering mutual comfort.
"Uncas we need to leave the town. We are not safe here" Alice says worried.
"The indian has killed two men!" a voice shouts behind them.
A group of English officers approach them very serious. Alice notices that Captain Jones is not between of them.
The couple stand up still embracing each other. The officers separate them grabbing Uncas by the arms.
"You murderer! We are going to take you to the quarters" one of them informs.
"The men attacked me first. I had to defend myself!" Uncas tries to free himself furiously.
"Shut up, indian!" an officer exclaims, punching him in the face. They start dragging him to the quarters.
"No, It was not his fault!" Alice cries desperately, trying to reach him "We were in danger. He only tried to protect us"
Two officers grab her by the arms but she struggles with all her might "Don't touch me!" she shouts fiercely, kicking them.
"Take her to the quarters too" one officer says and they shackle Alice's wrists at her back before doing the same with Uncas's. "There you will learn to respect English officers, woman"
"No, take me but let her go!" the Mohican shouts, but they ignore him, dragging both of them to the quarters.
Uncas and Alice share a worried look. They thought that knowing the reputation of those two bastards, officers would know that it was in self-defense. However they automatically put the blame in the Mohican only because the colour of his skin.
Uncas knows what could be the punishment for murder, thought he can't tell it to Alice. No, while there is still hope.
Author's note: Things are getting worse for our favorite couple. What will happen in the quarters? Will they find a way to get out of this?
Thank you so much for the reviews, you are amazing! Especially, those of you who have been reading all my stories and leaving comments in every chapter. I'm aware that I'm not the best writer and I have to learn a lot, but you always encourage me to go on with your support :)
