Hello again everyone! Thank you to everyone who has read/reviewed this story so far, I'm so happy to see that people are interested in a story that involves mostly original characters set in the LOTM world. Special thanks goes to EmoryRose who gave me so many great ideas and help with this chapter! After the holidays, I plan to introduce the story arc into FAWH that will eventually have these characters meet the Mohicans. Enjoy!

Chapter 3-Fate Worse Than Death

Ethan grimaced slightly as the sun hit his face and woke him up. It must be morning. But their master hadn't woken them yet. How many days had it been since they left Schuylerville? Beside him, he could feel Olivia stirring. He turned over to stretch with his eyes still closed and realized that they were in some kind of bed. How did we get here? It was soft with plenty of woolen blankets and furs. Suddenly, everything came back to him. They had arrived at the Indian town called Canajoharie and Ongewasgone had brought them to where he and his wife lived. Opening his eyes, he blinked in the bright sunlight that was shining through one of the open holes in the roof of the Indian house they were in. Their master had called it a longhouse. The name fit, Ethan supposed, since it was a long house. But it wasn't like any house Ethan had ever seen before. It was made of bark and sapling branches bent together with a high ceiling that had multiple holes through it that roughly matched with each fire pit that ran down the center of the house. The floor was packed earth that was covered, like the inside of the house, with woven reed mats. Instead of having decent walls or doors to separate the spaces, there were hanging skins and platforms roughly divided into spaces for each family. Ethan had been shocked to see multiple people living together with so little privacy. Why would anyone want to live like this? Well, they are Indians after all. But there were signs of civilization-iron tools, copper pots and kettles, muskets and rifles-in the middle of it all.

"Good morning, she:kon." Their master's wife greeted him from across the aisle of the house where she was stirring something in a pot. Ethan wasn't sure what to do or say to the Indian woman. She seemed nice enough for now. 'My name is Tsiron:iare, but you can call me Hannah if that's easier for you.' She had said after meeting Olivia and him yesterday. She seemed younger than her husband but wasn't young either, since her long black hair had some grey strands in it. She ladled some of what was in the pot into two wooden bowls and put two small ladles in each. It smelled good, almost like the pumpkin pies that Mother had had their cook make every year in the fall. Walking over to the sleeping platform, she gave one to Ethan. "Eat up." She said, smiling. Reaching over him, she gently shook Olivia. "Come on, little one. It's morning and time to eat." Her voice was gentle and Ethan didn't really like that. It made him feel safe somehow, and they were certainly not safe. He couldn't let himself be tricked into thinking that he was. Besides, he didn't like how Hannah was looking at Olivia. It was too close to how Mother used to look at them.

Olivia woke with a yawn and sat up, whimpering a little as she looked around. Ethan slipped his arm around her. "It's fine, Livy. Just eat your food." "What is it?" Olivia piped up loudly to which Ethan tried to shush her. "Stewed pumpkin mixed with honey." Their master's wife answered. "Go on, eat up." She encouraged, gesturing to their bowls. Knowing he'd better obey sooner rather than later, Ethan took a bite. It was delicious. He started to smile only to quickly remember where he was. It wouldn't be good to show that he liked the food. But Hannah smiled at him and he had a feeling that she knew he liked the stewed pumpkin anyway.

Just then, their master entered the longhouse and greeted his wife in Indian, motioning to them. She answered him in Indian, shaking her head. He nodded and they sat together on their platform across the fire. seemed as though they were waiting on them to finish their breakfast. Ethan eyed them warily and ate faster. "Eat, Livy." He urged her between bites. She needed every bite in her bowl to grow and stay strong. Looking up again at their master and mistress, he caught sight of them smiling at them. What will happen to us? All of Ethan's fears and thoughts from the day before came rushing back along with a growing, sickening feeling that the worst of them could come true. No. No! Please God…no!

That did not go well. But we expected that. The hides covering the door still moved from when Ethan had rushed out of the longhouse just moments before. Still, Tsiron:iare had been hoping for a different reaction from her soon-to-be son. Olivia's sobs brought her back to reality, and she turned back to her and Ongewasgone. He had pulled the little girl onto his lap and was rocking her back and forth, trying to soothe her. "Where's Ethan? Where's Ethan?" she started wailing, knowing her brother was gone. "Shh.." Tsiron:iare reached out and touched her shoulder. "Your brother is just upset, little one. He'll come back in a little while, you'll see." Wrapping her arms around both of them, she hoped that letting Ethan get some fresh air would help him calm down and that he would be back soon.

No! No! We can't be adopted. We'll never go home. Once adopted, you will never be ransomed back. That's what Master Henderson said. Master Henderson had been one of his teachers at Boston Latin, and had had relatives on the Massachusetts frontier during the last war with the French. They'd been taken captive and while some of his relatives had been ransomed back, others were not. The Indians who had taken them had refused to sell them back. "Once the Indians initiate a captive into their tribe, they will never ransom them back, not even to their own families." Master Henderson's words kept echoing in his mind over and their master and mistress went through with their plan, he and Olivia would be kept forever by the Indians. They'd be forced to live like Indians, become like Indians. Panic slammed into his chest. There had to be a way out of this somehow.

When Ongewasgone and his wife had told them of their decision to adopt them as their children, Ethan hadn't been able to hold back from giving a very loud No in answer. As soon as it was out, he'd regretted it. Not what he had said, but out of fear for Olivia and him. Would they be beaten? Killed even? When their mistress had walked over to him, he'd been afraid but she hadn't done anything other than simply say that they were children in need of a home and family. "Children need a family to love and care for them." She'd tried to embrace him but Ethan had shrank back. He didn't want to confuse who she was. She was their mistress, the wife of their master and an Indian woman. Not their family. Certainly not their mother.

Olivia had started to cry, not understanding what was happening. His shouting had scared her. Immediately he'd reached over to try and quiet her, but she'd pushed him away. "Mother said not to yell!" she'd sobbed. "Mother's not here!" Ethan shot back, trying to pull her into his arms anyway but she'd flung herself down on the platform instead. Suddenly, he felt a firm hand on his arm and looked up to see their master staring down at him with an unreadable expression. "Go outside. When you are calm, come back in." His voice was even, but Ethan didn't dare disobey. Besides, he didn't know how much longer he could stay in the Indian house. Everything in him wanted to run.

So now he was outside, trying to get himself under control. The Indian palisade held a number of longhouses as well as colonial style homes. Some were quite nice even, with two stories and glass windows and proper doors. Ethan had been surprised to see those; he hadn't known that Indians lived in actual houses as well as their bark longhouses. Still, it was an Indian town and the people were still Indians. But the colonial farms had been the biggest surprise; he didn't think that colonists would want to live anywhere near the Indians. He hadn't been able to see much of them, since he and Olivia had been quickly ushered into the palisade with their master and the other Indians who'd returned with them to Canajoharie but it was enough. Maybe we could live with one of them. They're friendly with the Indians, but still they're colonists like us. Maybe they would help us. But he'd have to get to one of the farms first in order to find out. But how? The entrance to the palisade was guarded by Indian warriors. He looked up at the side of the palisade he was currently walking by, looking to see if there was a way to climb up and over it. It was very tall and the logs that created it were thick. But maybe there was a way over it or possibly even through it somewhere. He would sneak back in for Olivia later. He started to feel the logs, looking for a way out.

"You don't have to sneak around. You are not a prisoner." Ethan jumped at the voice. Whirling around he saw that it was the young Indian who'd been in their canoe on their journey, who had spoken. Anen:taks, Ethan remembered his name. He was standing a short distance away from him, looking amused. The fear that Ethan felt at being discovered gave way to embarrassment and anger. Did the Indians think this was a joke? Watching their prisoners and slaves-that's what the and Olivia really were-try to escape?

"You don't have to worry. But you might want to wipe your face." Anen:taks moved closer and gestured to his face, and Ethan angrily swiped at it. He hadn't realized that there were tears going down his face. The young Indian continued talking. "You are free to move around the palisade as you wish, and can even leave it. But I would wait a while for that. You don't know the land around here or the forests yet." He was free to move around. But what did that matter? "If I'm not a prisoner, why do I have to become an Indian?" The words were out of Ethan's mouth before he was aware of it. Fear stabbed at him again, but no regret.

Anen:taks only raised his eyebrows briefly while his amused expression faded. He looked more serious now. "We are Mohawks, traditionally known as the Kanienkehaka, 'People of the Flint.' We are a part of the Six Nations Confederacy and the Keepers of the Eastern Door. We do not call ourselves Indians." Ethan didn't know what to say to that. He didn't care what their captors called themselves. He only knew he didn't want to be one of them. But Anen:taks continued talking. "It is an honor to become a Mohawk and a member of the Six Nations or Iroquois Confederacy by adoption. Haven't you been treated well since you came to be with us?" Anen:taks motioned for Ethan to start walking with him along the palisade wall so reluctantly Ethan did. He had to admit that he and Olivia had been treated well on their journey to Canajoharie. It wasn't anything like it was with the Abenaki. But Ethan still didn't want to be one of them.

"My uncle didn't have to trade for you and your little sister. He did because he is a warrior, a man of honor who has sworn to stand in alliance with our English fathers. He brought you here for the same reasons. You said yourself that you have no family." Anen:taks paused and looked at Ethan who said nothing. Although he didn't like the thought, indentured servanthood or apprenticeship under a cruel master had to be better than being forced to become an Indian. But he didn't dare say that to Anen:taks. "Who are the colonists who live on the farms?" Ethan asked, hoping to find out something that would help him. Anen:taks would likely guess his plan, but if he was free as he had said, it might not matter.

Anen:taks eyed him almost sympathetically. "They are our Palatine tenants. They immigrated here from Germany a generation or two ago and lease land from us. They are our friends." Ethan felt a mixture of disappointment and despair hit him. If the colonists were friends with the Indians then they would not likely help him or Olivia at all, let alone give them shelter in their homes. They were truly alone.

"Your father will teach you what you need to know to truly become one of us, as will we all. In time, you will accept your new life-" "What do you mean, "my father?" My father is dead!" Ethan demanded angrily. He had seen his father hacked to death by the Abenaki's tomahawk and scalped. Anen:taks placed a hand on his shoulder, his face calm. "I mean my uncle, Ongewasgone. He will be your father now."

No. He won't be. He will never be my father! "Don't call him that! My father is dead! I don't have a father anymore!" Ethan didn't care what happened to him. Several Indians nearby were staring at him yelling, but he didn't care. Turning on his heel, he stalked away from Anen:taks.

Olivia's giggling caused Ethan to freeze in his steps as he entered the longhouse. Had the Indians already started turning her into one of them? He had finally decided to return, realizing that he didn't have any other choices at the moment. His desperate need to escape had disappeared after Anen:taks had found him, and as much as he didn't want to admit it, he was also hungry again. Most importantly, Olivia needed him and he couldn't leave her alone with the Indians for long. It was well-known that young children quickly slid into becoming Indians. He couldn't let that happen to his baby sister.

"Ethan!" Her voice rang out to him as he made his way to the part of the longhouse she was in. "Tsiron:iare made me a doll!" She held up a small cornhusk doll in her hands. Despite his mood, Ethan couldn't help but smile at seeing her so happy. But it was an Indian toy, and Olivia was an English girl. English girls did not play with Indian toys. But he didn't dare try and take it from her, not with their mistress so near. "That's nice, Livy." He told his sister, not knowing what else he could say. "Are you not going to shout anymore?" Olivia demanded, putting a hand on her hip the way Mother used to. Ethan hesistated. I can't promise that. "I'll try not to." He finally said, ruffling her hair. Smiling at him, she turned and skipped back to the fire where their mistress sat. She had watched them together, and now made eye contact with him. She looked almost understanding and for a brief moment, Ethan thought about Mother's face when she had seen him playing with Olivia. He quickly pushed the thought away. She is not Mother.

Tsiron:iare didn't expect an apology from her soon-to-be son, despite the fact that he had raised his voice and talked back to her and Ongewasgone earlier. Children were not supposed to act that way. Still, the boy's life had been anything but easy lately. It was just as they had known the night before; Ethan would not easily become one of them. It would take time, patience and understanding. He is hurting. He needs to be loved and cared for. He needs to be part of a family again as does his sister. Olivia would be easier; that much was certain. She'd let them soothe her earlier and had eagerly sat with Tsiron:iare when she'd made her the cornhusk doll. Ethan was another matter entirely. But as much as she wanted to talk to her soon-to-be son about his becoming a part of their family, she knew it wasn't the right time.

"There is fresh turkey soup." She gestured to the copper kettle suspended over the fire. "You must be hungry again." Ethan nodded at her, his eyes watchful. He took the bowl that she filled with the soup from her and began to eat it. His eyes shifted around the longhouse as he ate, as if he was searching for someone. "Ongewasgone is with his relatives in the Bear longhouse right now." She told him, guessing that's who he was looking for. He nodded again, looking relieved, and turned back to his food.

He will accept us in time. He will become one of us. It will be all right. She mentally repeated it to herself. Time, patience, understanding. And plenty of it. But at the same time, Tsiron:iare knew that her best chance of success with her new son would be to compromise on some things. Traditionally, that was not at all the way things were. Adoptees were expected to become part of their new nation in every way, as if they had been born a member of the Six Nations Confederacy. They weren't supposed to be anything other than that. But just as so many other things had changed in their culture since the introduction of Europeans into their homeland, that too could be changed at least somewhat. Besides, there were immediate needs to be considered. Both Ethan and Olivia's clothing was dirty and ragged. They needed to wash and put on clean clothes after they ate. Tsiron:iare had thought she'd simply ask some of her fellow clan members to lend her some things for them until she could make them some clothes of their own but after Ethan's outburst that morning, she decided that having them dress in traditional Mohawk clothes could wait. For now, they could borrow clothes from some of the Palatines and that would do for now. Everything in its time.

She: kon: Friendly Mohawk greeting

Suffice to say that Ethan is not taking the news of his pending adoption well. The title of the chapter is meant to reflect Ethan's thoughts about their adoption by Ongewasgone and Tsiron:iare as being worse than death because of its finality. He knows that once he and Olivia are formally adopted, they will be there forever unless they manage to escape. The war that Ethan remembers his teacher telling him about is known as King George's War and was the third French and Indian War that lasted from 1744-1748. Massachusetts did have raids on their frontier settlements by the French and their native allies, including an attack on what is now known as North Adams. While Ethan and Olivia are definitely "city kids", I thought it was likely that Ethan would know something about being captured by a native tribe and what that could mean (which only serves to increase his horror at it unfortunately).

Amen:taks is a character that I see a lot more interaction with in this story as someone who will be a part of Ethan and Olivia's new extended family. Since he's still a teenager, I think he's more relatable to Ethan than the adult characters and will be someone who can help him adjust to his new life. On that note, I also thought it was likely that Tsiron:iare and Ongewasgone would be willing to make some adjustments with their soon-to-be children. This was a time period where there was a lot of transition and change occurring in native cultures. Mohawk culture at this time did include the things I mentioned in terms of traditional ways and European/colonial ways often coexisting. Joseph Brandt, a prominent Mohawk leader during the 1700's, while brought up in a fairly traditional Mohawk society in terms of governance and social/political roles, spent part of his childhood growing up in a large European style house that belonged to his stepfather who was a Mohawk sachem at Canajoharie. While this increased his family's wealth, it didn't increase his family's status because leadership positions and hereditary titles were passed down through the maternal line as was traditional in Mohawk culture. I've actually thought about weaving him into this story somehow but time will tell!

So now that he knows what his fate is, now it remains to be seen how Ethan will adjust (or not). I will be taking a break on both of my stories for the holidays but I will be back and ready to post more chapters shortly after the New Year! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!