Chapter 19: The Age of Innocence
Martin laid restless in his loft bed, arms folded behind his head as he stared up at the cabin's dark rafters, listening to Uncas's soft snores beside him. The moonlight streamed in through the wide open window. Its soft silvery glow illuminates the small cobwebs wedged between the corners of the rafters. He could hear the sweet midnight symphony of the darkness's nocturnal creatures, seemingly playing in unison for his ears alone. Their chorus interrupted by the soft murmur of Pru's name slipping past Jack's drowsy lips. Martin chuckled lightly to himself, not bothered in the slightest by Jack's subconscious desires. He never would be again. She belonged to him and just as she was his, he was hers. Utterly and completely hers. Their love solidified, both emotionally and physically, only hours ago. Martin let his eyes fall shut as he remembered the feel of her lips on his. Instinctively he grazed his lips with his tongue, silently remembering how in the heat of their passion she had nibbled on his lower lip, inadvertently causing a tiny tear in his skin. He smiled widely to himself, the tiny gash opening a bit more as he did so, she could do anything to him and he would absolutely love it. Thoughts of her in his mind forcing his head to the left, eyes drifting to the top of the loft steps. Then without allowing his conscience to sway him, Martin quietly climbed to his feet and gingerly made his way down the steps. Not noticing Nathaniel's keen eyes following him as he crept carefully past.
Martin silently tiptoed his way down the steps and through the darkened hallway. His hands softly grazed along the walls in his midnight blindness. His intimate familiarity with the cabin allowed him to carefully avoid every creaky floorboard as he made his way to his bedroom door. Slowly he turned the handle and gingerly pushed open the door. Then even slower slithered through the partially cracked space and into the room, delicately closing the door behind him. He reached up and hooked the small lock at the top of the door that Sampson had installed years ago in the hopes of giving Pru ultimate privacy while she stayed with them. Though Martin was certain that this was the first time the lock had ever been utilized. He twirled around on his heels and instantly felt his breath leave him as he gazed across the room at her.
Pru was laid curled up on her right side facing away from him towards the wall. Her hair was loose, yet bunched up haphazardly on top of her head and her arms were curled up into her chest. Her lips parted into a slight O shape as she softly breathed in and out. She had discarded the heavier blankets to the bottom of the bed and laid with only a thin sheet draped along her bare legs, fully exposing her from her bottom up. The open window bathing her naked body in the moon's pearly sheen. Even in sleep, she was stunning to look upon. Martin tilted his head, his eyes transfixed on her dazzling form as he began crossing the room towards the bed. Her bed. His bed. Their bed. He undid his trousers as he stepped, tugging them noiselessly from his body and shedding them to the floor beside their bed. He stood beside the side of the bed, contemplating for a moment if this was indeed a wise choice, when he heard the soft murmur of his name breathed from her lips. His eyes went wide and he thought for a moment that she may have awoken, but then watched as she nestled herself deeper into her pillow. She was dreaming. Dreaming of him. And that was all the encouragement he needed to gently lift the sheet and slide in beside her, spooning his naked body around her. He draped his left arm over her waist, folded his right arm under his head and moved his left leg between her slightly parted thighs. Once settled around her, Martin lowered his mouth to the nape of her neck, lightly sweeping his lips along her sun kissed skin and whispered softly into her ear, "Goodnight my love." Then nestled his head back against his arm and let the peaceful contentment of her wrapped in his arms, lull his eyes lazily shut.
"Well, it's a marvelous night for a Moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night for making romance
'Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I'm trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush
Can I just have one a' more Moondance with you,
my love
Can I just make some more romance with a-you,
my love
Well, I wanna make love to you tonight
I can't wait 'til the morning has come
And I know that the time is just right
And straight into my arms you will run
And when you come my heart will be waiting
To make sure that you're never alone
There and then all my dreams will come true, dear
There and then I will make you my own
And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside
And I know how much you want me that you can't hide
Can I just have one a' more Moondance with you,
my love
Can I just make some more romance with you,
my love
Well, it's a marvelous night for a Moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night for making romance
'Neath the cover of October skies
And the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And i'm trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush
One more Moondance with you in the moonlight
On a magic night
La, la, la, la, in the moonlight
On a magic night
Can't I just have one more dance with you my love"
"Moondance"- Van Morrison
(For Martin and Pru)
Martin felt the soft caress of fingertips trailing up and down his torso. Slowly he fluttered his eyes open, at first only seeing the foggy grey of the moonlight dancing along the wall. Then gradually pushing away his sleepiness, peered into the bright blue of Pru's eyes. His smile widening more with each passing second and softly murmured, "Morning."
Pru grazed her fingers up along his chest up to his chin, where she softly stroked the tear in his lip with her thumb and whispered back, "Morning. Did you miss me?"
Martin took her palm in his hand and kissed her fingertips. One by one as he nodded his head up and down. Then lowered her hand from his mouth and swept his lips across her own. Slow and soft. Their lips leisurely parted and slowly they opened themselves up to the other. Tongues dancing in a quiet rhythm that suited their sleepy state. Martin wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her flush against him. His morning erection pressing against her thigh. Pru lifted her leg, snaking it around his hip and bottom. Her right palm sliding up his forearm to his shoulder and settling itself into his beautiful blonde hair. She twisted and curled his shaggy locks between her fingers, enamored as he softly moaned into her mouth at the feel of his hair being lightly tugged. She could feel the soft tip of his hardened manhood pressing gently against the apex between her thighs. Her body separating itself from her mind as she began rubbing herself against him. A feeling so pure, so natural rushing through her body as she glided along him. Her breathing shifted, forcing her to rescind her tongue from his mouth as she desperately gasped for air.
"It feels good?" Martin questioned, his eyes twinkling as he watched her cheeks flush crimson and her eyes roll back.
"Mmmhmm...," she breathed, lightly nodding her head up and down.
Martin could feel her excitement beginning to saturate him. His erection was so firm, it was almost painful and slowly he rolled her over onto her back. His hips never faltered from providing her pleasure as he glided his palms gently up her hot skin until he tenderly fingered her breasts. She groaned as his fingertips carefully pinched her hardened nipples and gazed passionately up at him through hooded eyes. Martin brushed his palm across her hair, lightly caressing the side of her head as he met her eyes with his own. "I love you...," he whispered.
Pru cupped his cheeks in her palms and shifted her hips. The slight movement enough to subtly guide his body inside her. A deep grouse escaped both of their lips as they lost themselves inside each other. Martin gripped tightly to the bed's headboard, thrusting slow and deep inside of her. Pru swayed her hips, matching his rhythm as she arched backwards into the pillows, pushing her chest up and out. Martin felt her skin brushing lightly along his chin and angling his head down, gently enveloped her nipple with his mouth, sensually suckling it with his moist lips and tongue. The feel of his mouth on her breast drove her wild with pleasure and quickly she turned her head into the pillow, nipping at it with her teeth in a frantic effort to bite away the groan that was building in her throat. Each new sensation forces her legs further and further apart and their hips tighter and tighter together. Pru glided her hands across his sweat covered skin, past his hips and along his bottom and gripped firmly to his cheeks, pulling him even deeper inside her until she felt the erotic gratification of his tip pressing flush against her insides. Martin moaned through gritted teeth as her palms slipped up to his back and she dug the tips of her fingers into his skin.
"Pru...," he whispered. His body almost spent.
"Martin…," she murmured through low raspy breaths.
His name on her lips meant everything to him at that moment. Martin released the headboard and entangled her in his arms. Their chests flush, bare sweaty skin to bare sweaty skin. He pressed his forehead against her own and gazed into her bright blue eyes. The feel of her hips undulating around him quickly became too much for him to bear as his desires finally bested him and he felt the carnal rush of sweet release, his body hopelessly surrendering to her. Pru gazed up at him, watching as his beautiful face blissfully contorted with contentment and smiled at the feel of his pleasure as it flood within her. Instinctively she gripped tighter to him, their bodies forged together in passion. And then she too was taken, swept away by him. Hot puffs of air expelling from her mouth into his face as her body quivered beneath him. Their limbs weak and helpless, both desperately striving to take calming breaths as their bodies wilted into each other.
Pru stared up at him, his face sweat drenched and pink with exertion. She raked her fingers through his wet hair, thinking of his reaction when she tugged on his locks and asked, "Did I hurt you?"
Martin smiled widely down at her and slowly shook his head back and forth. "I loved it," he whispered. Then caressed her cheek with his thumb, slowly trailing his fingertips lightly down her chest to her right breast. Where he gently fingered around her nipple and asked, "Did I hurt you?"
Pru licked her lips, holding back the giggle that threatened to spill from her throat and said, "I loved it."
Martin chuckled lightly, despite himself, and lowered his head to kiss her when several sharp creaking noises brought their zeal to a screeching halt. The cabin was alive with the morning's subtle movement. Martin's eyes went wide and quickly he twisted his head around as though expecting the door to fly open with one of their fathers charging in. While the creaking sound continued, it thankfully stayed towards the front of the cabin. Martin turned his head back towards Pru, quietly chuckling when he saw her laying perfectly still with both of her hands clenching her mouth.
"Might be time for me to leave darlin'," he whispered and leaned forward brushing the tip of his nose against hers.
Pru giggled and murmured back, "Might be."
Martin began slowly receding from her, crawling backwards onto his knees. He paused, straightening up for a moment. The transition from night to day was almost complete as the golden light of the sun began trickling in through the window. The brightness of morning illuminates the features of her face, momentarily paralyzing him. So beautiful. Her eyes twinkling splendidly with tranquility and her lips still curled up into a wistful grin, all together too tempting for him to refuse. Swiftly he fell forward on top of her, passionately kissing her mouth, her cheeks, her nose, chin and forehead, and forcing a series of low raspy giggles to erupt from her throat. "Shhh," he playfully chided her and put his pointer finger up to her lips. Then quickly, before anything else could possibly transpire between them, hopped off of the bed. He swiped his trousers up from the floor and hastily yanked them on.
Pru sat up, not bothering to dress or even cover herself with the sheet, and swung her legs from the bed. "And how exactly do you plan to escape this bedroom?" She whispered as she crossed the room and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Martin pulled her soft naked body against him and nudged his head towards the window.
"Ahh...," she whispered and raised herself up on her tiptoes, tenderly kissing him before swatting his bottom and ushering him over to his planned escape route.
Martin gripped the sides of the wooden window frame and hurled himself face first towards the earth below, plunging ungracefully to the dewy grass below. He landed with a thump, promptly rolling onto his side and up onto his feet. He wiped his pals on his trousers and strode back to the widow. "Psst...," he muttered at the empty window. Pru's face quickly appeared. "Because I don't know when I'll be able to do this again," and he leaned up and lightly kissed her cheek.
"Martin...," she whispered as he reluctantly stepped back from her. "Promise I'll wake like this every morning."
Martin smiled sheepishly, "I promise." And he gave her a quick wink before casually rounding the side of the cabin. His foot immediately caught on something long and sturdy in its path and once more, he found himself plunging towards the ground.
"Morning," Nathaniel murmured in a low sarcastic drawl as he recrossed his outstretched legs and twiddled his thumbs along his chest.
Martin brushed back his shaggy disarrayed hair and peered over at Nathaniel. "Morning," he said, climbing up onto his feet and taking a seat beside him against the cabin's outer wall. "Been out here awhile?"
"Nah. Not too long," Nathaniel swiveled his head to face him. "I reckon you haven't either," he said with raised eyebrows and a slightly toned down version of his signature smirk.
Martin drew his legs up into his chest, dangled both arms off of his knees and tilted head back against the cabin. The brighter blue of morning had fully taken over the twilight and the sun's golden rays filtered down, caressing the trees and grass with its warm fingers. The green and brown hue of the forest somehow livelier this morning than any other Martin could remember. He turned his head away from the sky and its cascading waves of light as they danced along the tree tops and said, "I love her, Nathaniel. I always have."
"Hmmm. You know...you've never actually said that before,"
Martin stared straight into Nathaniel's eyes and quietly declared, "I said it everyday with my actions."
"And your intentions?"
"My intentions!" Martin laughed. His exaggerated tone meant to mock his dearest friend's attempt at acting the part of disgruntled older brother. Though quickly halted, when he saw the distant look in Nathaniel's eyes. He could still see his friends broken spirit lingering behind his blue eyes and a slight pang etched its way through his chest. This conversation was not just about him and Pru. Martin softened his eyes and eliminated any sarcasm from his tone and plainly stated, "I plan to marry her. Have babies with her. Grow old and fragile with her. I plan to live my life with her."
Nathaniel nodded his head. Of this he had no doubt at all. Martin would undoubtedly love his sister until his dying breath, just as Tanda had loved him. Tanda. He sucked in a short clipped breath, pushing his lovers name into the deep recesses of his heart and bringing him back to the moment said, "Well if you keep climbing out of my sister's window...you'll have those babies before you know it."
Martin laughed, "Technically it's my window."
"Ha!" Nathaniel said, smacking Martin on the shoulder. "Come on, let's get some food."
Pru could hear the ruckus around the table as soon as she left the bedroom. The boys' booming vocals echoing down the hallway. Martin's velvety voice penetrated her ears. Despite the heat, the sweet sound sent a shiver down her spine. She giggled to herself thinking of their morning intrude and gently tugged at the laces of her light pink bedgown. The thin linen fabric all she could sustain over top of her practically see through shift. Then made her way through the small hallway and out into the kitchen.
Martin immediately turned his head towards Pru as she drifted out of the darkened hallway. His eyes widening with each tantalizing stride she took up to the table. He had seen her like this a thousand times before. Thin wisps of white linen barely covering her curvy body, lightly hugging her hips and breasts. Though this morning as he roamed her voluptuous form with his eyes, he knew every tiny detail of what lay beneath it. Everything from the tiny brown beauty mark on her left breast to the slightly discolored birthmark shaped like a pine tree on her inner right thigh. Beautiful. Martin smiled and shifted his eyes to Jack, his new friend's cheeks flushed with embarrassment or something else. Martin snickered softly to himself. Not Jack's or anyone's desires towards Pru would ever bother him again. She was a beautiful girl, a girl worthy of people's attention and she was all his.
"Pru?"
"Hmmm…morning Sampson," Pru happily said as she stopped just beside Martin's right side. Her thinly clothed body practically brushed up against him.
"Come here sweet girl," He said with an outstretched hand. Pru immediately crossed over towards him, lightly gripping Martin's shoulder as she passed. She reached her palm out and gently placed her hand in his.
"Yes?" She questioned, her doe eyed innocence softly twinkling along with her eyes rich blue hue.
"I have to visit the Stewart's today. Little Beth is still suffering after her winter batch of pneumonia. I had planned to ask you to come along, though something tells me you'll need to look after these boys today," he said then pulled her a bit closer towards him and softly whispered into her ear. "Let him down easily and sooner rather than later."
Pru flushed a bright crimson, her eyes widening as she slowly nodded her head. She had always guessed that Sampson knew of her affection for Martin and now with the presence Jack had created a bit of a love triangle. He certainly enjoyed teasing her with his insistence of her reading romantic poems and tragic love stories. Though she knew he was right. Her newly defined relationship with Martin needed to be revealed soon. "Yes Vader."
"Alright then," he said and kissed her lightly on the cheek in the exact same fashion as Martin had done an hour ago. "Now have some food. I can hear your stomach grumbling." And with a casual wave of his hand, shooed her off towards the plate of warm biscuits and jam that beckoned with its delicious smell. Then peered over Uncas's head at Martin and nonchalantly said, "Martin, I need a word with you outside."
Martin spun around on the wooden bench, quickly climbing to his feet and made his way outside into the porch where his father was waiting. "Father?" Martin questioned. Then took in the displeased expression on Sampson's face and instantly downcast his eyes the porch's worn wooden floor boards. His eyes moved this way and that as he tried to figure out if his father was wise to what happened in the barn or worse, what happened in his bedroom this morning.
"Eyes up Martin. You are a man now and should always act as such."
Martin immediately lifted his eyes from the floor, along with his head and straightened his posture. Bringing himself up to his full height, a bit taller than his father.
"Never again in the cabin. At least not until you have spoken to Chingachgook. Do you understand?"
"Yes Father," he calmly replied. Chingachgook. Of course it would be extremely disrespectful for him and Pru to be blatantly making love in the cabin within earshot of their entire family without acquiring Chingachgook's blessing first. However, Martin was fairly certain it was disrespectful in or out of the cabin and was suddenly struck wondering exactly what kind of young man his father once was that he would only restrict them from making love inside the cabin. No doubt a bit of a devil with his sneaky innuendos. Regardless, Chingachgook needed to be informed of his desire to marry Pru and as soon as possible, since he had already planned on sleeping beside her every night forth for the rest of their lives. Then as Martin's mind weaved in and out between the present and the future, he found himself dancing around the same cumbersome thought. A "what if" that he just could not seem to shake and quickly added, "He will consent, you think...," Martin shifted his stance as the thought sank deeper into his depths. "...I mean, why wouldn't he?"
Sampson narrowed his eyes on Martin. He had often wondered this himself. Chingachgook's determined blindness in acknowledging Pru and Martin's affections had not escaped him and the older they became, the idea of his dear friend not approving of the young lovers relationship had materialized into a weight Sampson never thought he would have to bear. There was certainly much that needed to be discussed and without truly knowing Chingackgook's opinion, Sampson chose not to worry his son. He lifted his palm, placing it gently on Martin's left shoulder, smiled encouragingly and said, "How could he possibly object to a boy that he helped raise, loving his daughter." Martin took a deep breath and smiled widely back at him. Sampson squeezed his shoulder and added, "Now go back in there, enjoy the remainder of your breakfast and find some way to let that poor boy down easily."
Martin briefly clutched his father's hand before he spun on his heels and disappeared through the doorway. Sampson shifted slightly in his spot watching as Martin subtly grazed his hand along Pru's lower back as he passed, earning himself an endearingly lovesick grin. He smiled to himself as he watched them. Two halves of the same whole, he thought and prayed that he had not just given his son a false sense of hope. "Please lord...," he mumbled to himself. "...please let this work out just as it should." Then turned away and took his leave to begin his own day.
Pru made her way out of the cabin, a tightly folded blanket tucked under left arm and the handle of a large woven basket gripped in her right hand. The early evening air had shifted and with the presence of a light blowing breeze came with it a slightly cooler tinge to the air. Sampson had yet to return and not knowing when Chingachgook might, the children decided to have supper outside under the shade of the sole Weeping Willow tree, that at Lydia's request, Sampson had refused to clear from the glade. The boys had already brought one basket out, along with a few blankets and a pitcher of water, since Pru had denied Nathaniel his appeal for her to sneak a small bottle of whiskey from Sampson's now well hidden stash.
She smiled as her feet crossed the glade towards them, taking in each of their uniqueness. Uncas, sitting cross legged, his long raven hair loose down his back and leaning forward, plucking grass and then tossing over and over again into the breeze. Watching as the wind grasped the thin greenery in her clutches and as if knowing, drifted it directly into Nathaniel's face. Nathaniel sat legs outstretched and crossed at the ankles, as was his way, with palms pressed into the earth behind him swatting away the unwelcome grass as it flittered into his face. Pru chuckled watching her brothers then shifted her eyes to Martin. He was casually leaning back against the tree, knees bent to the sky with his hands dangling just over his knee caps. His head was tilted back against the wooden bark, eyes raised watching the low sweeping branches sway back and forth, just barely grazing the top of his golden crown. Often he sat at the base of this tree thinking or speaking of his mother and Pru could not help but wonder if he was silently conversing with his mama about her. It was beautiful to watch. He is beautiful, she thought and hesitantly pulled her eyes away from him. Jack sat half mirroring Uncas half Nathaniel. He sat cross legged leaning back on his hands, a merry smile across his lips and his eyes focused on her.
Pru gulped thinking of Sampson's earlier words to her and suddenly decided that now was the time for she and Martin to make their feelings known, to all of them. Pru crossed the last few steps, discarding the blanket in her arms next to Uncas and stepping past him, laid down the basket of food in the center of their circle and casually lowered herself between Martin's thighs and nestled herself back against his chest. She swiped a warm biscuit from the basket, took a small nibble and nonchalantly passed it back to Martin.
Martin casually took the biscuit from her, grinning as he did so. She was declaring their love for all of them to see and in the most natural way possible. He draped his right arm across her shoulder, gently pulling her body closer towards him and peered up at everyone's faces. Uncas was smiling brightly, the sweet twinkle in his eyes conveying to them his joy in their union. Martin nodded his head to them and shifted his eyes to Nathaniel. Who had mockingly narrowed his eyes at them. Martin would always wonder who had become wise to him and Pru first, his father or Nathaniel. Martin pursed his lips, remembering a conversation he and Nathaniel had long ago and said, "Perhaps it was for me."
Nathaniel's face instantly perked up, a wicked grin dancing along his lips at his friend's words. A reminder of a conversation they had not two weeks after they first came to the farm with Pru that cool October night...
Nathaniel and Martin sat side by side on the bottom porch step, heads tilted back taking in the trillions of twinkling silver stars as they shone brightly above them. Their sparkle nearly illuminates the glade enough to deceive the forest creatures into believing it morning. The boys stared up into the night sky, a peaceful silence bewitching both of them as they each ruminated on the abrupt presence of Pru. Until after several minutes nestled in their quietude, Nathaniel said, "Sometimes I wonder…" He began though quietly trailed off clearly deep in thought again.
"Wonder what?" Martin asked when Nathaniel failed to continue, his eyes still peering up into the brilliance of the night.
Nathaniel softly smiled, "Who exactly Pru was meant to come into our lives for." Nathaniel turned his head to the side, meeting Martin's eyes. "I mean it could be for Uncas. To help nurture him in the way that only a girl can. It could be our father. Pru becoming the daughter he and Nkêk always dreamed of having. Or maybe for me. My long lost baby sister. How her being here somehow completes me." He finished and turned his head back to the stars.
"Hmmm...," Martin murmured and thought of just how much Pru's presence had already impacted him. Only two short weeks had passed since she was brought into his life and somehow he knew that she was always meant to be here, on the farm, with them. He shifted his head back up to the stars and added, "Perhaps she is here for an entirely different reason that has yet to reveal itself."
Nathaniel smirked to himself and stared up to the sky just as a lone star trailing a silvery stream of dust behind it fell gracefully from the heavens towards the distant forest tree tops and whispered, "Perhaps..."
Nathaniel stared into his dearest friend's eyes and said, "Perhaps it was."
"What's that?" Pru questioned, swiveling her head along his chest.
Martin merely smiled back down at her, gave her a little wink and shifted his eyes towards Jack. The shocked expression he had seen through the sides of his eyes as Pru boldly declared their love had dissipated into compassionate resignation. "Jack...," Martin began, though his voice was swiftly silenced.
"Please...both of you," his eyes moved between Martin and Pru. "Neither of you need to explain. I fooled myself into believing I had even the smallest hope. While for anyone willing to look, your mutual affection is painfully obvious to see. I hereby amicably surrender," and slowly raised both his hands into the air. "I will simply have to find my own dark haired maiden elsewhere." Then leaned into Pru and loudly whispered, "However, just remember I'm always here if it doesn't work out with this one." His teasing remark quickly found him toppled over into the grass.
"Ha...ha...ha...," Martin mockingly replied as Pru reached for his outstretched hand, laced her fingers in his and wrapped his arm tighter around her shoulders.
"Well...now that has been properly handled. I think we should eat, make a bonfire and break into Sampson's whiskey," Nathaniel declared as he took out a strip of venison and began gnawing vigorously at it with his teeth. His bright blues narrowed at Pru, since she was now the only one in the cabin who knew where Sampson hid his liquor and casually added, "Now don't you think Jack could use a drink to drown his sorrows in?"
Pru's nostrils flared at Nathaniel and she shifted her gaze to Uncas, "Just one gulp...you promise?" Uncas's once chubby cheeks had thinned considerably as he was almost thirteen and had begun physically changing from the boy she had met to the man she would know for the rest of her life. He was almost her height now, and she was by no means short. It would not be too long before he over took even Martin, who stood a wee bit taller than Nathaniel. Though while he was most definitely changing, maturing, she could not forget the terrible day that they had become violently ill from drink and had no intention of repeating such an event. Pru widened her eyes at him awaiting his response. When finally Uncas's grin stretched from ear to ear and he silently traced a cross atop his heart, did Pru begrudgingly nod her head and say, "So be it then."
Pru laid curled up along Martin's side, his long muscular arm enveloped around her. She tucked her palm up under his shirt, caressing the small trail of hair that traveled from his belly button to his groin with her fingers. Both sets of their eyes peering up into the nighttime sky. The sound of the small bonfire's kindling splitting under the duress of the scorching flames mixing with the soft snores of others as the whiskey bore its way through their systems, filtering in and out of their ears. Martin had pushed aside the sheet she was entangled in, gently rubbing his thumb along the exposed skin on her arm. Sampson had insisted if they were all to sleep outside together that Pru, at the very least for some small semblance of propriety, wrap herself up in a light bed sheet. Though it would not stop Martin from seeking out her soft flesh.
"Pru…"
"Hmmm…"
"Why did you act differently once Jack came to stay?" Martin softly whispered, not wanting to wake the others and disturb their semi private moment.
Pru blinked her eyes, the blurry twilight becoming clear once more and murmured, "I was sad."
Martin furrowed his brows and gazed down at her. Their eyes met. His concern bore deep into her ocean eyes and questioned, "Why?"
"It was horrible being pursued by one boy when you are in love with another. I thought for certain that you would have said something to me the moment we showed up with Jack. But you remained silent, and my heart just sank more and more with each passing day."
"I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner," Martin whispered into her hair.
Pru lowly giggled, "I should have as well. I tried to... but it seemed, with the few moments alone that we had, we were always being interrupted. Usually by one of our fathers." She snuggled closer against him and snaked her arm around his stomach to his back, gently tugging him over onto his side and bringing them face to face.
"Do you remember the day you first leapt from the waterfall?"
Pru slowly nodded her head yes.
"You held my hands under the water. I still remember how that felt. Your skin was so warm and soft against the cooler current as it ebbed and flowed around us. I looked up into your eyes and that was it, the moment I knew I was hopelessly in love with you. The moment I knew I wanted you with me forever." Martin slid his hands up the side of her face, cupping both of her cheeks in her palms and continued in a whisper, "I want you to marry me. To live here on the farm with me. To share together everything that God gives us. Will you Pru...will you stay with me?" His eyes glistening with the pent up tears of years of endured separations. Though no longer. No longer did they need to part again. No longer did they have to long for each other. His greatest desire hanging in the air between them and all she had to do was say yes.
Pru felt her eyes well up with tears. God, she thought. She had once believed him so cruel, so malicious towards her. The way he forced her to suffer again and again. How he had left her naked and broken on the cold forest floor, openly ignoring her pleas for death. She thought him heartless. Though it was that moment of refusal that had changed her life entirely. That moment when she was desperate for death that he chose to send her an angel disguised as an Indian. An Indian that not only saved her and called her his own, but brought her to her brothers, her lover and a place she would always call home. A majestic happiness. Pru blinked her eyes, tears glided down her cheeks and into the space between his fingers as she inched closer towards him. Until the tips of their noses were almost touching, "Forever, Martin. I am with you now, wed or unwed...forever. I love you."
Martin urged his lips to hers. Kissing her smooth and slow. His tongue lightly caressing hers as soft sweet moans bashfully escaped through the corners of her mouth. Seconds passed into minutes and minutes into hours as they laid snuggled next one another, limbs entwined and lips tenderly pressed together, both enveloped in the warmth of happiness. Until the soft hum of the nighttime forest finally lulled them both into a deep peaceful sleep.
Chingachgook trekked tiredly through the glade. His limbs were heavy with sleepiness and his heart still pained from the devastation of the Delaware village. This was his fifth time traveling back and forth, his conscience not allowing him to settle happily at the farm when so many continued to suffer in the aftermath of the attack. Though right now he was content to be back at the farm, to be back with his children in comfort and relative safety. He saw the low burning flames of the bonfire as he crossed further into the glade. Their orange and yellow slicing against the blackness and guiding him home. Then the darkened silhouettes of the children spread haphazardly around the fire's stoney wall. He smiled at first, seeing Uncas curled sweetly on his side, the tiniest spot glistened along his cheek and chin as a small trail of drool oozed from mouth. The sigh made Chingachgook chuckle to himself as he turned his attention towards Nathaniel and Jack lying beside one another, both boys softly snoring on their backs. His son's peacefulness warmed his heart. Then as he walked around the small fire, saw Pru. Her head rested on Martin's outstretched left arm with her body curled up on her right side facing him. He narrowed his against the night and saw the fingers of her left hands tucked into his rolled sleeve, just along his upper arm. Martin too, though sleeping on his back with his right arm flat beside him, had his face tilted towards her. His fingers loosely twined in her hair. Their unconscious positions blur the line between innocent and intimate. Chingachgook peered down upon them, his usual internal calm escalating into a slow burning unease as he realized he did not like it, not one little bit.
Author's Note: Ahhh...Chingachgook. I did warn you that Pru and Martin's romance would NOT be cut and dry! There is no satisfaction when everything is easy. But at least for this moment, Pru and Martin are suspended together in time and space...and enjoying themselves in the cabin...the hayloft and who knows where else they might go to enjoy themselves ;) Because despite everything that has happened to her, Pru does really enjoy making love to Martin. Nathaniel actually jokes about it in Bound Together and that's saying something since I picture him as quite the little devil in the sack! Also, for two inexperienced lovers, they certainly are doing a good job at figuring out what the other enjoys! Martin did have a thing for having his hair tugged in The Ties That Bind! Fingers crossed their youthful happiness lasts...at least a little bit longer!
Nkek- Is Mohican for mother.
And what better time for Pru to refer to Sampson as Vader (father) then the day that Martin asks her to marry him!
Thank you to everyone who viewed/reviewed ...ELY72, BrynnaRaven, BlueSaffire, AsterLaurel, Hazel222, MohawkWoman...a thousand thank you's! Your support sees me through so much!
Thanks for reading ;)
