Chapter 13: …Kèkait Nichan

November 1746

Nathaniel trudged through the snow, snowflakes of different shapes and thickness laying skewed across dark hair. Their sogginess weighing down his fluffy tendrils and making him regret not braiding his hair as Uncas and Pru had both done. He wiped his face with the sleeve of his coat. His moist skin leaving a large wet splotch on the coat's cuff and bent his body forward, shaking his head wildly from side to side. Large clumps of white flung into the air around him, blending seamlessly with the rapidly falling snow. He threw his head back, straightened up, and after sharing a quick, knowing glance with his father, tied his loose hair back, effectively keeping the soggy, untamed mess away from his face and out of his way.

He glanced up at the dark ashen sky. His bright blue eyes observed the ominous curve of the sparse tree branches. Their long brittle limbs, twisted and arched downward, almost as though at any moment Nathaniel and his family could find themselves caught in their eerie clutches. He fought down the violent shiver that had begun creeping up his spine, unsure if it spawned from the cold or the dark thoughts in his head and listened as yet another ferocious rumble of thunder echoed throughout the mid day sky. It had been snowing for several days now without any immediate sign of stopping. The bitter cold of winter hitting them even before they had left the farm. Nathaniel peered up again through the lacy veil of snow, wondering how much more of this vengeful weather his family could withstand, yet thankful that it would not have to be too much longer as the end of their journey was nearing. And so, the foursome continued to fight their way through the wicked lashings of the wind and the frigid temperatures so they could find themselves warm, dry and contented within their little wigwam nestled protectively inside the Delaware camp.

"Oooh!" Pru yelped as she lost her footing in the snow and fell forward onto her hands and knees. Both of her walking sticks laying scattered in front of her.

Nathaniel swiveled his head at the sound of Pru's voice. He was about to cross to her when their father approached from behind her, gripped her elbow in his palm and helped her up onto her feet. Uncas quickly joined them after he retrieved her walking sticks and began pacing their sister stride for stride, making sure he was right beside her should she fall again. Nathaniel kept his eyes fixed on them for a moment as he watched them find their rhythm once more. This particular trek was unlike any they had traveled in the past, at least while Pru was with them. And while at first, he had been worried for her-just the physical endurance required being something he was unsure his sister possessed-she had surprised him with her tolerance and strength. Even her shockingly pleasant attitude in the midst of this blizzard took him slightly by surprise, though it did not take a mythical seer to display Pru's newly acquired near constant good mood. He had been bearing witness to it for months now. And while he never saw anything out of the ordinary, and no one had specifically confided in him, he knew that something had transpired between her and Martin during their last visit to the farm. Of course, him not seeing anything, not a secret touch or lingering glance, only served to further convince him that there was indeed something happening between them, knowing the cloak and dagger aspect of love all too well himself. The idea of Pru and Martin being attracted to each other, or dare he say in love, was not a new concept to him. Though thinking on it and actually seeing them in love was. While they had carefully kept their emotions intact this time, Nathaniel laughed to himself pondering how this interesting development would unfold next year, as they would be a year older, and most likely a year bolder. At just that moment, as if hearing his thoughts, Pru glanced up at him, a wide toothy smile stretching itself across her lips, and gave him a small three fingered wave, not wanting to fully surrender her grasp on her walking stick. Nathaniel smiled widely back and gave her one of his exaggerated winks before turning his attention forward once more and continuing to lead them onward towards the Delaware camp.


Tanda hurried across the village, zig zagging in and out of wigwams. Her arms crossed tightly around her middle as she tried desperately to ward off the winter chill. She moved swiftly, her curvy hips swiveling the tassels of her skirt and coat from side to side, the vivid purple and turquoise colors popping out against the bright white snow that now blanketed the whole of their camp. She quickened her pace from a trot to a gallop when she heard a rumble of thunder overhead, uncertain of what Mother Nature had planned for the rest of the day she was desperate to make it into the privacy of the forest. Her moccasin covered feet sunk deeper and deeper into the snow the faster she ran, until finally, she caught her foot against a hidden stone beneath the snow and went flying forward. Her hands sprung outward in an attempt to halt her rather ungraceful fall from the completion of colliding with the frozen ice packed ground below her. "Ow!" She bellowed as her bare palms stung against the impact of the icy snow. Tanda balled her fists as she rolled onto her back. Her large golden-brown eyes lifted up towards the heavens, watching the fluffy puffs of snow gracefully drift down upon her. She lay cold and still atop the earth, tiny tears of frustration seeping out from the corners of her eyes as she placed her palms gently along her belly and grabbed the soft fabric that protected her skin and all it encompassed from the elements. "Ksi...," she whispered. Her warm breath mixing with the frigid air, creating a thin puff of steam. "Ksi..."

"Tanda?"

Tanda shifted her head backwards into the snow and peered up at the familiar voice that was calmly speaking her name.

"Tanda why are you weeping?"

Tanda pinched her eyes tightly shut in a poor attempt to hide from the sound of her friend's question. Her full lips trembling, though not from cold but rather a deep seeded feeling of unrest that plagued her soul. She sucked in a deep, shaky breath and tried to lift herself into a seated position, but quickly found herself aided by Chaska's strong hands.

"Are you alright?" Chaska asked, dropping down into a cross legged seat beside her and placing a comforting hand on her back.

Tanda looked up at him with glazed over eyes. Her emotions on the verge spilling down her honeyed cheeks. "No...I am not," she said and began weeping uncontrollably into her palms. Chaska furrowed his brows in concern, unaccustomed to seeing Tanda in any way other than completely poised and so stretched his arm around her back. He slid a bit closer towards her as he pulled her hunched over frame into a comforting embrace. Not knowing what to say, he merely laid his head atop hers and began humming the sweet lullaby that his mother once sang to him long ago when he was still but a small frightened child, powerless and afraid of a storm while it raged all around him.


It was well past midnight when the Mohicans finally arrived at the Delaware camp, the dark sky devoid of the pearl-colored moon and her accompanying silver stars. While the bulk of the storm had dissipated some time ago, sporadically falling flurries still continued to waft down upon them. Not having a wigwam of their own erected, Chingachgook had led them towards Chaska's, who always seemed to position himself in the same spot within the camp. Seeing that there was a thin swirl of smoke emanating out from the small hole at the top, Chingachgook gently pulled back the deer skin flap and peered inside.

"Chaska?" Chingachgook softly called into the wigwam.

Chaska turned his head towards the flap, seeing Chingachgook's weathered face staring back at him and quickly moved to fully open the wigwam flap. "Chingachgook, come in, "Chaska said without any hesitation.

"Thank you," Chingachgook replied as he climbed into the wigwam, swiftly followed by Pru, Uncas and Nathaniel. Understanding that this was indeed an unusual intrusion in the boy's evening, Chingachgook drew his palm across his face and head, relieving himself of the excess water that had collected there and promptly asked, "May we stay here tonight? The weather delayed us arriving at a good hour and at least for this night…we have nowhere to sleep."

"Of course," Chaska replied, taking in the site of them. All four sat hunched in front of his little fire, palms spread as they absorbed the radiating heat into their icy skin. They were soaking wet and shivering and Chaska immediately began passing dry hides to each of them. "You are welcome as long as you need. Have you eaten?"

"No," Nathaniel said, gripping his friends forearm in welcome. "We are damn near starved!"

Chaska gripped his arm back and smiled, "Well I have plenty, help yourselves." He said as he shimmied slightly to the side revealing a basket filled with dried meat. The smell of the smoked meat filled their noses with longing and at just that moment, Pru's belly growled loudly.

"Oh! I suppose I was hungrier than I thought," she said staring sheepishly up at Chaska, a lopsided smile donning her thin lips. Pru had not seen him since their awkward encounter in her family's wigwam just before they left the camp for the farm. He had not come to say goodbye to them when they left, though she discovered later that he had sought out Chingachgook, Nathaniel and Uncas individually to say his farewells. He sought all of the them out except her, his dearest friend, and it had devastated her. While she was thrilled to be leaving the camp for the farm, his snub of her had bothered her almost the entire journey. She had gone back and forth with it in her mind, wondering if she did indeed deserve such a rejection from him. As she herself had silently rejected him before they left by sending Uncas to seek him out and see if he was alright, instead of going herself. It was wrong of her and she knew it. However, in that moment Pru thought she had no other choice. Especially since she was fully aware of why he had come to see their father and had felt a sudden need to distance herself from the situation. Looking at him now, always the epitome of sweetness, coming to her family's aide without any hesitation, Pru wondered what could have possibly possessed her to treat him in such a way. She stared at his face, taking in each perfectly sculpted feature. He was so good, so utterly deserving of someone's absolute love. Pru decided right then that the only thing that could be done now was to confide in her dear friend about her feelings for a certain blonde haired boy. Hopefully freeing both of them from the awkwardness that now tainted their otherwise idyllic friendship. The decision bringing with it a lightness that she had not felt in a long while in Chaska's presence, silently confirmed by the bright smile that passed across her lips as she met her dear friends eyes. For the first time in a long time without any sort of hindrance.

Chaska quickly reached into the basket, gripping several pieces of dried meat, and passed them over to her. "Please, eat," he urged her, taking her palm in his hand and placing the thinly cut meat in it. Chaska somehow sensing her shift in demeanor, gently squeezed her hand in his and smiling softly back at her said, "Eat, before your vengeful stomach keeps us all awake tonight." Pru giggled at his delicate attempt at humor and swiftly shoved a piece in her mouth, munching loudly and very unladylike as she shoved the second piece into her mouth as well. Chaska nodded his head at her, turned to the boys and said, "Please, eat…all of you." Nathaniel and Uncas exchanged a quick glance before both boys dug into the basket like animals, passing back several more pieces of meat to Pru and their father. Chaska sat back against his wigwam, watching them as they devoured his meat stores. Meat stores that that could be easily replaced, while his beloved friends could not. His eyes repeatedly fell on Pru as hers fell upon him, each little glance renewing his hope that perhaps he had been wrong last summer. Perhaps at that time she was just not prepared to deal with the idea of him having feelings for her that went beyond friendship. Perhaps she was unable to comprehend her own feelings for him. Given her experiences, that seemed reasonable and he vowed in that moment to talk with her privately and as soon as possible. Chaska leaned further back against his wigwam, arms crossed along his chest content in his decision. A sudden feeling of peacefulness enveloped him as his dark eyes briefly met hers and seeing once more in the majestic blue of her eyes twinkle with a blissful happiness that he had so often found himself worshiping of her. Her smile wide and her voice jovial as she laughed at her brothers animalistic behavior. Her easiness in that moment made Chaska's wounded heart flutter, and with the feeling of butterflies returning to his chest, his hope in her was suddenly renewed.


"Not tired?" Chaska asked, peering over at his friend, watching as Hawkeye followed with his eyes the thin wisps of smoke up and out of the hole at the top of the wigwam. The rest of the family had fallen quickly to sleep, no doubt a result of their battle against the storm, leaving Hawkeye and himself to the quiet of their individual thoughts.

"I'm exhausted. But I can't sleep. All I can think about is seeing Tanda," Nathaniel said turning his head away from the swirling smoke and towards Chaska.

Chaska sucked in a deep breath, the mention of Tanda's name reminding him of what seemed like ages ago, though was really just this past morning and pulled himself up into a crosslegged position. He raked his hand through his long silken hair, as he searched his mind for the best way to tell his friend of his morning encounter with Tanda. With his brows furrowed and his eyes slightly narrowed, Chaska peered down at Nathaniel instantly met with his friends questioning stare and after taking another deep breath, leaned forward and whispered, "Hawkeye, I think you should know something."

"Know what?" Nathaniel asked. His friends apprehensive body language making him quickly mirror Chaska's cross legged position.

"I was hunting earlier today when the storm reared up, forcing me to head back to camp. I saw Tanda laying on her back in the snow…weeping. I went to her, trying my best to comfort her. I asked her what was troubling her, but all she would do was whisper 'please' over and over again. I took her in my arms and held her while she wept for what seemed like hours until finally she fell asleep and I carried her back to her family wigwam," Chaska paused, staring intently into Nathaniel's eyes. "I have never seen her like that in all of my life...never."

Nathaniel's heart sank at the thought of his beautiful Tanda weeping, alone in the forest. His girl was always incredibly poised and confident. Never appearing shaken or unhinged, at least not to the point where she would cry herself to sleep and in the middle of a blizzard. Nathaniel began randomly darting his eyes around the wigwam, as though searching for the answer to what could have possibly been so horrible that it would have chased her from the safety of the camp into the isolation of the cold desolate forest. What added even more burn to the fire that was exploding in his mind, was the painful truth that he was not even there to help her, to comfort her, to love her. The task so awkwardly falling on his friends shoulders instead of his own as he was currently absent from her life. And with that thought came another sharp pang radiating throughout his heart as he was once more reminded of his heartfelt proposal of marriage, and then the immediate sting of her rejection that had followed. If only she had accepted, then they would have been together and the horrible loneliness of their separation would have never existed and whatever it was that had upset her so, would have also ceased to exist. Nathaniel took a deep breath, calming his agitated nerves and lifted his head, meeting his friend's eyes. He placed his palm atop Chaska's shoulder and said, "Thank you friend, for taking care of her while I could not."

Chaska nodded his head in acceptance of Hawkeye's words and seeing the drawn expression on his friends face said, "I think we should sleep now friend." And unknowing of what may come about with the sun for his friend or himself added, "After all…who knows exactly what tomorrow will bring." Then both he and Nathaniel laid back down, shoulder to shoulder, silently hoping that they could still their restless thoughts and that sleep would swiftly take them.


Pru fluttered her eyes open, the sunless morning light filtering in through the hole in the top of the wigwam. She stretched her arms and legs out, releasing the sleepiness from her limbs. Her foot nudged against Nathaniel's side, her little toes curling up in the loose fabric of his white linen shirt. She peered down at him, seeing both her brother and Chaska still sound asleep with little trails of drool seeping from the corners of their O shaped mouths and quickly she pulled her legs up and away, not wanting to disturb them as she knew they had most likely gone to sleep long after herself and Uncas. Uncas, she thought and began swiveling her head around looking for her little brother. Though her quiet quest was halted when she heard the deepening sound of his voice drift into the wigwam, followed swiftly by that of their father's.

"Father... please," Uncas softly pleaded.

"Uncas...," Chingachgook said with an exasperated sigh, "I have already told you that I will be sending Nathaniel. Your brother is older and more capable. I am sorry son but this is my decision and you will adhere to it."

Pru craned her neck to the side, listening to the soft yet stern tone in their father's voice. Her eyes falling shut when she heard their father's denial of whatever it was that Uncas had requested. While this was not the first time Chingachgook had denied Uncas of this or that, each new time weighed a little heavier on her heart. Though more importantly, on Uncas's heart. At twelve years old, he was trapped between childhood and adulthood. Still seen in the eyes of their father, even sometimes in the eyes of Nathaniel, as the little one. The small one. The one still left with so much to learn and understand of the world. Pru shook her head from side to side as she slowly rose to her feet. Why could neither of them see the man he was becoming? She could. She did. Always making sure she acknowledged Uncas' efforts when it came to their family and in turn, making sure he was given every opportunity to show both their father and Nathaniel just how valuable he and his specific skill sets where to their family.

"Yes father," came the painfully resigned tone of her brother's voice just as Pru pushed her way out of the wigwam.

"Good morning," she said crossing over to Uncas and nonchalantly draping her arm around his shoulders.

Uncas turned his head towards her, already knowing that she had most likely heard, if not all, at least some of his exchange with their father. "Morning," he dryly replied.

"Well since you two are both awake. I am going to go now and speak to the village elders. Uncas...," Chingachgook began as he eyed his son. "...go and begin securing the supplies we will need to construct our wigwam. I would like not to have to rely on Chaska's charity for another night," he said subtly shifting his eyes towards Pru when he mentioned Chaska's name. "And Pru...I have a small list of herbs to be collected from the nentpike," he said and began reciting five different herbs, all of which were to help with with pain.

"Father, are you not feeling well?" Pru asked, her brows furrowed in concern.

Chingachgook reached up and patted her left cheek with his heavily calloused palm. The thick white masses on his hand softly scratching against her smooth skin. "It's nothing serious. Just my shoulder giving me some grief."

Pru placed her palm over top her father's and said, "Alright." Then turning her face out of his affectionate touch, she looked to Uncas and said, "Well, shall we be off brother?"

"Yeah, "Uncas said, doing his best to keep his tone even and not give away his utter disappointment at his father's rejection of him.

"Well then…let's go!" Pru said. Then leaned forward and whispered into his ear, "Before you burn a hole in father's chest." Uncas smiled widely at Pru's quick assessment of what was going on and huffed out a laugh. His response only encouraging her further, and once they were out of ear shot of their father asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No," Uncas answered quickly.

"Hmmm…," Pru mused at Uncas's short response. She stared at the side of his face as they walked, every feature in his twelve year old face strained with a muted discontent. She hated seeing him like this, more than that, she hated how often she saw him like this. Then deciding he needed to be reminded of his own wise words said, "Do you see all this white snow around us?"

"Pru…," Uncas began, not wanting a lecture. Not matter how well intentioned it was.

Pru, hearing the annoyed tone in her brother's voice, she instantly halted them in their tracks. Dropping her arm from his shoulders, she gripped both of his shoulders in her palms forcing him to face her and said, "Snow is white and the color white reminds us that ALL of our emotions are valid and that it is natural to feel them. So, my dear, sweet brother…don't think for a second that you aren't allowed to be angry or disappointed or even hurt by the words and ways of another. And that you, like everyone else, are allowed to unleash those pent up emotions. Even if it means unleashing them on our father or brother."

Uncas's eyes widened at her words. Words he had once carefully chosen and spoken to her on the night of her adoption into their family. She was tricky, for sure, he thought and could not help the soft smile that began spreading across his lips. "Really? Using my own words against me…," Uncas said as he draped his long, lean arm around her shoulders.

"It worked, didn't it?" Pru said gripping his right hand as it dangled just past her shoulder blade.

"Yea, you witch…it did," Uncas said mocking the fact that she always seemed to know what to say and at exactly the right moment to say it. "Now let's split up and get these supplies. After all…," Uncas said giving Pru the side eye, "I don't think you'll be wanting to sleep in Chaska's wigwam another night!"

"Ugh!" She said, pushing Uncas's arm off of her shoulder. "Sometimes you are just like Nathaniel!" She hollered over her shoulder as she stormed off in the opposite direction. The resonating sound of Uncas's laughter filtering into her ears and making her quicken her step.


Pru lifted the deerskin flap to the nentpike's wigwam and peered in. Her eyes narrowing slightly as they adjusted to the dimly lit space and slowly she began creeping her way inside. It was mid morning and there was no fire burning in the wigwam and very little light streaming down through the small circular opening at the top. And even that was not a bright golden color but rather a dull overcast grey. It was unusual to say the least. Continuing past the flap, Pru quickly popped up onto her feet. Her presence startling a concentrated Tanda nearly to death.

"Oooh!" Pru exclaimed as she grabbed at her chest from shock and began laughing into near hysterics. "I didn't see you there Tanda."

"No matter," Tanda quickly spoke, hastening her actions. Her still eyes gazing downward, intently focusing on the mixing of several different herbs.

Pru furrowed her brows, curious about what had Tanda so distracted that she had hardly noticed it was her standing behind her. She scanned the rest of the wigwam, seeing that other than herself and Tanda it was completely empty. "Where is the nentpike?" Pru asked as she began crossing closer to Tanda. Her friend's obvious attempt at secrecy making Pru even more curious than usual.

"I ahh…I don't really know. I came just before you and she was nowhere to be seen," Tanda said anxiously as she tried moving her body a bit more to block Pru's inquisitive blue eyes. Small streams of sweat trailing down both sides of her face.

"Tanda, what's going on? You are acting so strangely. Is everything alright?" Pru said as she carefully moved around her friends body and peered down into Tanda's hands. Her eyes taking a quick assessment of the herbs Tanda was handling, then widening as the realization overtook as to what that particular combination implied. "Tanda?" Pru questioned as she rested her palm on her friends shoulder.

Tanda drew her hands to her chest, her fingers clutched tightly around the herbal mixture. She pinched her eyes closed, as though she was a small child hiding from a monster while in plain sight.

"Tanda?" Pru questioned her again, lightly taking her friends palms in her own hands. "Tanda…please tell me what this is all about?"

Tanda opened her eyes, long wet streaks instantly taking over her features as her tears returned yet again. "I…I…," Her golden eyes looking everywhere but at Pru. "I…I am with child."


Author's Note: Sorry to leave you all on a bit of a cliffhanger! This chapter was originally slated as a really long one but, I thought better of it and cut it in half...and at this oooh so important part. Yes...Tanda is pregnant with Nathaniel's baby, four months to be exact. Four months being a significant number for Nathaniel for anyone that has read The Ties That Bind, you may remember why. Poor Tanda is struggling, she's frightened, alone, and frantically grasping at her sanity. Her mental state begs the question of what exactly those herbs were going to be used for. Then letting Pru know about the baby, while she is scared to do it, it's freeing for her after having to hold it in for so long. What will happen next...hmmm...

Poor Chaska is still holding out hope for Pru. Ugh...it pains me to see him like this especially knowing where Pru's heart truly lies. More on that in the next chapter! And even more sad is Uncas and his feelings of rejection from his father. A sad occurrence that does not go away easily and which Pru is constantly trying build up about.

On a side note...none of the Mohican's had snowshoes, as it did not start snowing until well into their journey to the Delaware camp!

**kèkait nichan- translates to oldest child in Lenape

**Ksi- translates to please in Lenape

A huge thank you to BlueSaffire, who gave me some great advice this week to help me slow my mind down. Then graciously agreed to Beta read this chapter as her fabulous advice unconsciously sped me up! ;)

Thank you to everyone who viewed/reviewed...BlueSaffire, Asterlaurel, Hazel222, ELY72, BrynnaRaven, MohawkWoman, Evermore22 your support and friendship is endless...thank you!

Thanks for reading ;)