Chapter 21: Frayed at the Seams

The sun had begun its slow summery descent into slumber, indicating to Nathaniel, Jack and Uncas that supper would soon be ready, and in keeping with their promise, Nathaniel, and the boys began making their way lazily back to the cabin. Nathaniel smacked a low hanging branch out of his way as he, Uncas and Jack strode back towards the cabin. The branch's lush greenery whipped back and struck Jack across the chest, who was walking just behind him chatting with Uncas.

"Ow!" Jack yelped. "You could have held it for me?"

Nathaniel paused in his tracks, not from the sound of Jack's irritated voice but rather from the sight of the cabin, that only just barely came into view. Hours had passed since they first arrived at the lake, and several without the presence of Pru and Martin as both of them had disappeared to pick wildflowers and had not returned, at least not while they had been there. Nathaniel frowned and turned his head back towards the lake.

"What's the matter?" Uncas asked as he moved forward and next to his brother.

Nathaniel swiveled his head to face Uncas, his eyes narrowed and brow creased. "I can't go back without Pru and Martin."

"Why?" Jack innocently asked.

Nathaniel's eyes stayed locked on Uncas's as he silently tried to make him understand, slowly shifting his bright blues towards the direction of the cabin and in turn, their father. Uncas followed his brother's gaze and immediately understood what he was referring to. He had seen the night before. While barely awake and curled up in a ball atop the cool evening grass. Uncas had stirred ever so slightly and parted his sleepy eyes into tiny slits to see the familiar shadowed figure of their father looming over the sleeping forms of Pru and Martin. While he could not make out his face, their father's stance was undeniably foreboding. It was only for a fleeting moment and by the time Uncas awoke in the morning he had fully believed that it was all a dream. Until this very moment when he peered from the cabin and back into his brother's bright blue eyes. Uncas nodded his head lightly and said, "We'll see you at supper." Nathaniel gripped Uncas's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze before turning on his heel and heading back towards the lake.

Nathaniel hoisted Killdeer up higher on his shoulder and strode back towards the lake plucking randomly at the helpless tree's bright green leaves as he silently dwelled on their father's strange actions. He, much like Uncas, could not seem to figure out what the issue would be to Pru and Martin loving each other. Two people who were practically raised together with the same beliefs on home and family. Two people who have worked, played, and laughed side by side since the day they met. Hell, he thought, they were even the same exact age! There was not one logical reason why their father should oppose their union and yet, that is what it felt like he was silently doing. Nathaniel sighed and shook his head trying to loosen the thought from his mind as he approached the lake. The sound of wild splashing filled his ears as he quietly made his way out from the tree line. His eyes instantly fell on his dearest friend, a man whose inner fierceness made him a true force to be reckoned with, delicately washing his little sister's hair. Stroke after stroke, Martin carefully untangled piece after messy piece in her hair. While Pru softly hummed an old Mohican lullaby, her palms scooping up small handfuls of water and tossing them lightly backwards towards Martin's chest. Nathaniel stood silently, awed by the beauty of their private moment. His lips curled up as his heartbeat slowed ever so slightly against the sweet melody of her voice as it filtered into his ears. She was softly humming the same lullaby that he, Uncas and their father had all taken turns singing to her whenever the dark wickedness of that night prevailed in her dreams. When the demons she battled were too ferocious to be ignored. Nathaniel's eye drifted shut as he remember the last time Uncas encased her trembling form in his warm embrace, softly murmuring the lullaby into her ear. The terrified expression that was stained on her face forever etched into his mind and before he even realized what was happening a solitary tear glided down his cheek. He reached up, quickly wiping it from his face and slowly began backing away, careful of each step he took so as not to disturb them. Until finally, he emerged himself fully in the forest and took a seat at the base of an Oak tree, staring up as the emerald leaves fluttered and swayed against the blueish white canvas that made up the sky. His anxious mind lingering on the lullaby and what stirred in her heart that prompted her to sing it.


"Natty?"

"Huh?" Nathaniel questioned, immediately shaking himself from his reverie and quickly popping up onto his feet just as a purple flower crown was tossed through the air, depositing itself perfectly on his head. "Geez Pru. Don't think you're going to force me to wear this the entire night," he said, fingering the crown on top of his head.

"But you look so handsome!" Pru exclaimed with a giggle. "How long have you been sitting here?

"Right," Nathaniel sarcastically agreed as spied the same type of flower crown donned atop Martin's golden locks, accompanied by a soft indulgent smile and shaking his head back and forth added, "Not too long."

"Truly, Nathaniel sooo pretty," Martin quipped with a wink.

"Mmhmm, come on let's get supper," Nathaniel said, smacking Martin hard on the back and offering his right arm out for his sister.

"Ahhh, there is a gentleman in there after all," Pru said with a wide smile and snaked her left arm through his as she slid her right around Martin. "Shall we head to supper boys?" And took a long elegant step forward. To which Nathaniel's eyes went wide and he gently jerked her back.

"I am not skipping. Do you understand, Pru?"

Pru's bright blue eyes twinkled back up at him and breathed, "Of course not brother. I wouldn't want you looking any more ridiculous than you already do." She finished with a very exaggerated wink.

Nathaniel rolled his eyes and before he knew what had happened, found himself skipping gaily down the dusty dirt path back towards the cabin.


Sampson was standing on the cabin's wide creaky porch smacking his ash covered pipe empty against the slender wooden railing when he heard Pru's familiar giggle wafting towards him. Her sweet sing-song voice caught in the warm summer breeze that Mother Nature had casually blown his way and gently alerted him of her presence. He smiled instantly as Pru, much like Nathaniel, had a boisterous and all encompassing laugh, one worthy of both of their senses of humor. Sampson huffed out a laugh as their chatty voices drew nearer and lifted his eyes up, peering out into the glade as Martin, Pru and Nathaniel casually appeared from the ever growing darkened forest and sashayed closer and closer towards the cabin. Pru was nestled in between them, her arms linked with theirs, wide happy smiles splayed along each of their youthful faces. Sampson immediately chuckled to himself when he spied the intricately woven violet hued flower crowns. He shook his head back and forth as he remembered the last time Pru had forced the boys to wear her hand made crowns atop their heads. A blur of dark brown shooting through his memory as he pictured Pru chasing Nathaniel more than halfway across the farm and leapt on his back as she forced her pretty creation onto his head. Which he then begrudgingly wore as acceptance that he had been bested by his little sister. Sampson narrowed his eyes on Nathaniel and chuckled even louder than before seeing the smiling yet disgruntled expression that was settled on Nathaniel's face. He certainly did have a soft spot for her endearing whims, he thought. They all did really, as was obvious with his son. Sampson shifted his eyes to Martin, who he knew needed no convincing at all to wear the ridiculous adornment. All she needed to do with him was simply place it on his head and he would happily make the accessory a part of his daily wardrobe until it wilted away into frail dry flakes.

He watched as they glided closer and closer towards the cabin, Pru laughing heartily, her face turned in towards her brother, no doubt at something Nathaniel had said, she gripped her stomach and flung her wet head back. Her delicately placed flower crown slipping off her head into the dirt below. Martin immediately swiveled around, quickly swiping it up from the ground and placing it back atop her dark wet locks. Then leaned in, their lips almost touching when he abruptly halted his actions. The realization that they were now back on the glade within full view of everyone living here, he slowly, reluctantly recoiled from her. Sampson sighed with displeasure. It was terrible to see them hesitant in their mutual affections for each other. Moments that were supposed to be beautifully natural were tainted with silent apprehension. The sound of creaking floorboards lulled his attention away and Sampson shifted his head towards the cabin's open doorway, watching as Chingachgook shuffled across the room towards the bubbling batch of venison stew that boiled just above the hearth's flickering flames. His old friend's weariness painfully etched into the features of his weathered face. It was clear there was much on Chingachgook's mind. Though, and rather uncharacteristically, he had chosen not to share any of it with him. They had not spoken more than two words to each other after Sampson arrived back at the cabin upon seeing to some minor business in town. Not a single word shared between them beyond polite hellos, and he could not help but to ominously think that it was because of Pru and Martin. Lord help them, he thought. Then turned, sighed heavily and finished banging out his pipe. This was going to be a very long night.


Pru stood hunched over the water barrel, twirling her pointer finger in small circles through the water. The sun had long ago set and with it some of the day's sweltering heat. Though not enough to keep her from scoping up a handful of water and trickling it down along her neck and chest. The water's cool respite helped to invigorate her sluggish senses and, regardless of the heat, doing the dishes outside the cabin was a welcome reprieve from the suffocating cabin air. Pru tilted her head backwards and let her eyes fall shut, images of lavender colored wildflowers gracefully dancing in her head. When she felt the gentleness of a familiar touch wrap around her belly and without opening her eyes, instinctively leaned her back into Martin's strong sturdy chest. She ran her fingertips along the exposed skin of his forearm until her palm rested delicately on top of his own and carefully, she weaved their fingers together.

"I miss touching you," Martin softly cooed into her ear.

"Hmmm…I miss being touched," Pru sweetly replied as she rolled her head along his shoulder blade, bringing her lips to the nape of his neck and softly suckling at his skin there.

Martin sucked in a deep breath as he bit down on his lower lip. His left hand fisting the fabric of her dress as his right continued to balance the handful of dishes he had used as a ruse to come outside and share a private moment with her in the darkness.

Pru stretched her right arm up, fingering first his cheeks then slowly moved into his golden blonde hair and gently began tugging on his roots. The low raspy gasp of air he took a sweet reward for her effort in trying to stir him up.

"Pru…," Martin whispered.

"Hmmm…,"

"Ummm…," he began, though quickly became too distracted by her wanderings of his body and trailed softly off with his words.

Pru slowly turned around, her nimble fingers taking advantage of his momentarily paralyzed state and continued their quiet exploration of his body. His long lean figure squirming more and more with each loving touch. She giggled softly. His adorable reaction forced her eyes open to see he was already staring down at her. Passion twinkled at her from within his springtime eyes and before she could stop herself, swept her soft lips across his own. Their tongues instantly began to waltz and Martin gripped tightly to her back. His calloused palm pulled her flush against his body. Both of them were so completely caught up in the moment that they did not hear the soft shuffle of footsteps that came quietly up from behind.

"What are you doing?" Chingachgook softly questioned as he shifted his eyes between them.

Martin and Pru immediately broke away from one another. The pair nearly leaping two feet in the air to accomplish as much distance as possible. Martin grabbed ahold of the dishes with both hands as he stumbled backwards and Pru banging into the water barrel, a tiny wave of water sloshing up over the side and splatting on the green grass below.

"Nooch!" Pru exclaimed, startled. "I…ah…"

Martin glanced over at her through the sides of his eyes as she struggled to find the right words. He looked back towards Chingachgook's unreadable face and decided that being caught red handed as they were was somewhat of divine intervention. Carefully he bent down, placing his handful of dishes on the ground and crossed over bedside Pru. He took her hand in his and said to Pru, "It would appear the moment has been decided for us." He squeezed her hand in his and shifted his gaze towards Chingachgook. "Chingachgook, I am in love with Pru. I have been since nearly the moment I met her," he said, his mouth breaking into a wide smile. "I would like your permission to marry her."

Chingachgook stared out at them from his position at the bottom of the porch steps. He had seen almost their entire encounter having almost immediately followed Martin outside. Seeing them asleep together in the glade had left his imagination swirling, watching them affectionately caress and kiss one another had cemented the idea that not only were they very much in love, but that they had most likely been intimate as well. That particular thought lingered in his mind as he set his eyes on Pru, watching as she white knuckled their clenched palms. After everything, all the physical and emotional pain she had endured, she had found in Martin something pure and beautiful. She had found in him someone who did not see her scars in disgust but rather resilience, and regardless of their presence and meaning in her life, loved her unconditionally. There was no doubt in his mind of the husband Martin would be or even, in time, the father. His dear friend had raised a remarkable young man and he could wish for no one better for Pru. And so his heart bled in that moment as it was forcibly ripped in two. Part of him wanted to rush over and take them both in his arms, squeezing them tightly in his joy over their union. Though it was the other half of him that weighted down his happiness. His own selfishness staying him in place and preventing even the slightest hint of warmth to show through his dark eyes. He knew once he granted them his consent, that the life they currently led would be over. No longer would she stay and travel with him or her brothers, but rather stay here on the farm as wife to Martin and daughter to Sampson. Daughter to Sampson. Vader. Chingachgook sucked in a moist gulp of air as he remembered the first time she had called him that. While the word held no meaning to himself or Sampson, it held meaning to her, and so, during their next venture to town, he had inquired as its meaning. When upon finding out the word's origins, that it meant Father in Dutch, a small part of him burned. His thoughts in that moment instantly reflected on Sampson's original offer to keep her with him and Martin on the farm. While at the time she had chosen him and her brothers, only a few short years later, here she was in a reversal of time. As she prepared to make her home with them. And no matter how illogical it was, he could not help the sense of resentment that was threatening to swallow him up. Suddenly, he felt the lungs inside his chest constrict as his loss became his dear friend's gain. Then before he could stop himself, began slowly shaking his head back and forth as his tongue took on a life of its own, spewing from his lips words he had not intended to say. "You are young and as such, can understand nothing of what love truly is. It is not just sweet musings of the other person's character or a feeling of desire deep in your belly. It is complete and unconditional. And at the mere age of sixteen years old, neither of you are capable of truly understanding that."

"Chingachgook…," Martin quickly began, desperately trying to salvage the conversation. "…I…,"

"No, Martin," Chingachgook swiftly interrupted. "Now is not the time." And extended out his arm towards Pru, beckoning with his fingers for her to come to him. "Come, Pru. Martin can finish the dishes without you."

Pru stood frozen for a moment, her mind in turmoil as she shifted her eyes rapidly between them. The shock of the moment splayed all along her face. Her father's words ended the exchange before it had even begun. Then instinctively began wiggling her fingers out of Martin's grasp. She could feel Martin's hesitancy. His gentle yet firm grip on her hand refused to waiver. Martin's silent urgency to keep her with him, forced Pru to glance once more towards her father with the lingering hope that perhaps she had somehow misunderstood his intentions. Though one looked into his dark brown eyes and she knew this was not a request and softly, almost inaudibly whispered to Martin, "I am sorry." Then swiftly separated herself from him and walked over to Chingachgook, who immediately wrapped his arm around her and escorted her up the stairs and back into the cabin. Father and reluctant daughter leaving Martin lost and alone in the glade.


Pru slowly crossed the bedroom floor, her long heavy skirts skimming the small woven rug that rested in the middle of the tiny room. She leaned over and carefully placed the white candle she carried down atop the bedside table, its small flickering orangish yellow light softly illuminating the darkened room and Pru flopped backwards onto the bed. Her weight jostled the neatly folded pile of laundry she had left beside the pillows, forcing a few pieces to topple over onto the floor. She sighed to herself, hurled her body upright and let herself slide off the bed down to the floor. She grabbed piece after piece, delicately folding each rumpled item, until finally, buried beneath the disheveled linens she saw a small slender package. Thin brown paper, tied together with light brown twine and a simple handwritten note that read Love, Vader.

Pru grasped her right hand to her mouth, desperately holding back the small squeal that threatened to burst from her lips. She turned her head towards the door, as if expecting to see Sampson standing there. His warm smile shining back at her, eyes twinkling, his extended hand motioning for her to rip apart its bindings. Pru hugged the package to her chest as if she was taking Sampson into her arms, squeezing the rustling paper tightly. He bought her a gift, something special. Something outside the norm of soap, fabric, string and other practical items. A surprise, hidden beneath thin brown wrappings, and suddenly Pru was tugging at the twine and tearing at the paper. Her inner excitement threatened to explode as she was finally able to reveal what was inside. Pru gasped and quickly rose up to the bed, bringing the beauty in her hand closer to the flickering candle light. She glided her fingers gingerly along the soft silken fabric, rich pinks, corals and reds all sewn into intricately designed roses of different sizes and shapes set against a creamy background, with dark pink tassels dangling from the bottom seam. It was absolutely beautiful and by the look of it expensive. Pru hugged the satiny fabric to her chest and bit down lightly on her lower lip as happy tears pricked the sides of her eyes. Because this gift felt less like a gift and more like a special welcome to the family. And her finding it right at this particular moment, when everything seemed so dark and gloomy. The weary expression on Martin's face as she walked away from him still at the for front of her mind. Pru pinched her eyes briefly shut and instead of letting her sadness and displeasure over what had just happened weigh her down, chose to look at this beautiful gift as a sign of hope for the future. A sign that Sampson would undoubtedly speak privately to her father and somehow sway him to understand exactly the type of relationship she and Martin shared. That this was not some kind of simple infatuation or physical connection. But rather the purest and deepest of yearnings. True love.

Pru smiled widely as she placed the intricately woven shawl down on the bed and began disrobing from the confines of her heavy skirt. She dropped it to the floor, similarly as Martin had done earlier in the day, and carefully stepped out of it before she shoved it across the room with her foot. Then removed both the top portion of her dress and her shift, desperate for a reprieve from the sweltering heat. Pru sprawled out atop the bed, all of her long limbs stretched out, allowing the soft breeze from the window to smother her flame engulfed skin. Her mind swarming with millions of thoughts as she fingered the shawl's delicate tassels. She had truly been blessed with the most beautiful people. A little brother, whose soul was wise beyond his mere thirteen years. Someone who she found to be a true safe haven when her world was grey and bleak. A big brother, bold and fierce. His spirit is as unwavering as his resolve. Someone who could see past the blue of her eyes and into the depths of her soul, oftentimes no words needed to be passed between them to understand the other's thoughts. Her father, the man that saved her from death. The man that reunited her with her biological brother. The man that took her into his own family made her a part of their home. Two homes really, Sampson being an undeniable driving force in her life. Bestowing on her kindness, warmth and knowledge. And now she was blessed with love. The universe bequeathing her a man who she knew would always stand by her side, loving her unconditionally until he breathed his last breath. And suddenly Pru sat straight up, leaned forward and opened the drawer to the bedside table, where she immediately snatched the bangle that Chingachgook had given her, sliding it carefully around her wrist. She hopped to her feet, determined now to make a statement, a show of unity between two magnanimous families and began moving over towards the trunk at the foot of the bed, pulling free a clean shift from its depths. Quickly she draped it over her head and picked up the shawl from the bed, shaking it slightly in the air as she did so to watch the tassels sway this way and that "Beautiful…," she whispered. Then enveloped her body in it as the back of the shawl fell well past her bottom. She pulled the sides forward and knotted the front across her breasts, careful to cover as much of herself as she was able and after spinning once in a tiny circle, seized the book of poetry she had originally come to retrieve before turning on her heel and heading back out the bedroom door.


The common room was softly illuminated by the low burning fire in the hearth. After supper was properly boiled, they had allowed the fire to dim slightly, the day's heat too prominent to keep the blaze burning at its full strength. Sampson sat in his usual spot in the soft chairs closest to the wall and heavily loaded bookshelf that leaned against it. A book nestled in his lap and both feet resting atop the tiny serving wooden table. To his right were Martin and Uncas, backs rested against the wall. Martin sat with his knees raised, arms dangling off them while he twirled the flower crown Pru had made earlier in the day between his fingers, clearly deep I thought. Uncas beside him, sat cross-legged on the floor, nibbling the biscuit he had brought along. Nathaniel and Jack sat side by side atop the long sofa, leaving a small space for Pru when she returned. They were softly chuckling amongst themselves. Finally across from them sat Chingachgook in the soft chair closest to the hearth. His dark brown eyes mesmerized by the yellow and orange flickering flames. Then the sound of shuffling feet drew everyone's attention to the darkened hallway, just as Pru appeared from the shadows.

Pru strode quietly out from the hallway, the book of sonnets held tight against her chest. Slowly, she walked around the back of the sofa into full view of them all, pausing in front of the hearth. The low burning fire illuminating the outline of her body, making her appear like an angel thrust from the bowels of hell. She downcast her eyes, suddenly self conscious as everyone in the room was staring at her, and tapped her pointer finger lightly against the leather bound book in her arms, "I found it."

"Pru…," Martin unconsciously said. His eyes roamed all along her shapely figure, taking in every ounce of her beauty. "…you look…breathtaking."

Chingachgook pinched his eyes shut at the numbing sound of Martin's voice, his words ricocheting through his mind like an aimless arrow in the darkness. It was an unconscious slip, a moment of unreserved honesty from the heart of a young man in love and it struck Chingachgook sharper than any blade he had ever encountered. He sucked in a deep breath and stared up at Pru, her long dark hair twisted high on top of her head with only a few little wisps slipping out around her neck and ears. His eyes followed her loose tendrils to where they swept down past her shoulders and along her shawl. Her shawl. A delicate piece of clothing he had never once seen her in before and for a moment he thought perhaps it was Lydia's, long ago forgotten about in the old trunk that was stored in Martin's bedroom. Though as he narrowed his eyes at it, there was not one hint of age stained upon the fabric, not even the smallest thread or tassel out of place. Chingachgook's eyes slowly fell shut and as the realization swarmed him, so did the fragile peace inside his mind collapse.

"Where did you get that?" Chingachgook softly questioned, desperately trying to control his unstable emotions.

Pru turned her body to better face him, the smile that had been lingering on her face from Martin's compliment almost faded and her heart began to quicken. Each violent thump beneath her ribs echoing through her ears like a war cry before battle. She lowered her arm, the book dangling from her fingertips, and parted her lips to speak. She sucked in a small steadying breath and whispered, "I…," Though was quickly interrupted by the sound of Sampson's deep soothing voice ringing through her ears.

"It was a gift…from me," Sampson said, closing the book in his lap and shifting himself in the seat to face his dear friend. His eyes and the tone of his voice remained soft, despite the incredulous look in Chingachgook's dark eyes.

Chingachgook swiveled his head to the side, his breathing slightly shifting as he suddenly felt overcome with a surge of possessiveness over his daughter, and stared unwaveringly back into Sampson's light eyes when his usually calm demeanor gradually came apart. The silence in the room deafening as slow seconds ticked by. Though within those seconds, Chingachgook felt his world begin to spin out of control. Years of nightmares, thousands of embraces, shed tears and above all millions of heartening laughs all clashing together at once, and with them an acute awareness of time. Not enough time. She had only just come into their lives and he was not quite prepared to lose her. Pru was his daughter, his little girl. His heart thumped harder in his chest as his breath quickened, small beads of sweat glistening along his forehead. He had never felt this way, so undone. Then finally and with his eyes still locked on Sampson, Chingachgook said, "We leave in the morning."

"Wait…what!" Nathaniel demanded from the sofa. His body quickly transformed from relaxed to tension filled in the blink of an eye. Chingachgook completely ignored his son's disrespectful questioning of him and rose from his seat, carefully moving past Pru to the open doorway.

Pru gaped wide eyed at him as he passed her, tears welling in her astonished eyes. She swiveled on her heel, desperate to face him. Desperate to understand. "Why?" She breathed, her voice meek and soft. It's fragile sound foreign to everyone in the room.

Chingachgook paused in the doorway, slowly turning only his head towards her. His dark eye's ignited with a hint of something she could not identify, and without waiting for another word, Pru lowered her head towards the ground. Her whole body began to shake as the realization slammed into her that there was not even the smallest hope that her father would one day consent to her relationship with Martin. This was it, the moment her life truly ended. "No...," she whispered to herself. Her guilt for having instigated this disaster made her want to strip the shawl off of her body and toss it into the fire. Was this happening? She thought and pinched her eyes closed, freeing her threatening tears to glide down her cheeks. It was not until the book she was holding slipped from her grasp and crashed against the floor that she was snapped from her paralyzed state. A wave of nausea flooded her belly as she lifted her eyes up to the empty doorway. Pru gulped, This was happening and it was all her fault. And quickly she ran around the sofa, biting down on her lower lip desperate to hold back her sobs as she went. Then suddenly she felt a firm hand grasp her arm.

"Pru!" Nathaniel bellowed as he reached behind the sofa and took a hold of her arm.

Pru yanked her arm free of his grasp, not wanting to see or speak to anyone at that moment. The forcefulness of their physical separation made her stumble backwards. Her back collided with the corner of the wall that led to the hallway's dark opening and she yelped loudly as the pain from the blow ricocheted throughout her body.

"Pru!" Uncas hollered. "Are you alright?" He quickly added as he scrambled to his feet. While Martin gripped his shoulders, gently pushing him to the side in an attempt to get past him to Pru.

Pru covered her mouth with her hand, pinched her eyes tightly shut and without looking at any of them, ran into her bedroom. Her sobs threatened to escape at any moment. She barreled into Martin's bedroom, slamming the door forcibly shut behind her. Pru laid her forehead against the door's uneven wooden groves and releasing her mouth, slid her hand up the rough wood to the lock. She fumbled blindly with the metal, her tears obscuring her sight as she secured the lock in place. It was at this moment that she could no longer hold it in and as her body sagged to the floor below a heavy wail broke free from her lips. The heart wrenching sound painfully filling up the stagnant air in the cabin.

"Leave her," Nathaniel said to Uncas, though was really speaking to Martin. Whose face had gone ghostly white at the sound of her sobbing. "Leave her be for now." Nathaniel reiterated as he turned towards his friend and saw the state in which he now stood before them. A chaotic mix of boy and man. His friend's scared eyes pained with sadness's cruel grief and yet his body stood fierce, filled with contempt. Contempt for Nathaniel's beloved father and he could not fault him for it. Because in that moment, listening to his sister's muffled sobs, he felt it too.

"What just happened?" Uncas innocently questioned. His eyes shifting from person to person.

With no logical answer to give him, Nathaniel merely shook his head back and forth.

Martin clenched his fists into balls at his sides, silent frustration abolishing his usual mild manner. The pale sheen of pain that had sucked the life from him only a moment ago suddenly replaced with the seething crimson hue of forced resentment. He shifted his weight as his greenish brown eyes searched desperately along the floorboards for some answer to what had just happened and why. Why? The question thundered through his mind like a stampede of horses running for their lives. Then slowly he raised his head from the floor, eyes narrowed at the empty doorway. This was a moment like no other in his life and just as Martin made to take a step forward, Sampson rose from his chair and softly said, "To bed. All of you." His right palm resting gently atop Martin's tense shoulder. Their eyes met in muted understanding. Martin nodded his head. "Some battles are for me to fight," Sampson continued. Then added once more, "To bed son." Martin blinked his eyes, the rage inside him slightly dissipated by his father's words and slowly some of the tension in his body released. He had no idea what he was thinking or what he had planned when he reached the cabin door, but just like his father, knew that nothing good would have come from it. Sampson squeezed Martin's shoulders reassuringly and glancing past him towards Nathaniel, Uncas and Jack said once more, "To bed." Sampson's eyes lingered on the boys until they disappeared into the darkness of the loft, took a deep breath and headed out into night's humid air.


Sampson stepped through the doorway into the humid nighttime air, striking a match across the metal door handle as he went, and slowly began igniting his pipe. The burnt orange embers sizzled in the pipe's small tobacco stuffed hole. He puckered his lips around the pipe, sucked in a deep breath, filling his lungs with the invigorating harshness of smoke as he casually walked down the cabin's steps and out into the open glade to where Chingachgook silently stood staring off into the forest. Slowly, Sampson came up next to him, their shoulders almost touching as the two men stared silently out into midnight forest, alive now with all its nocturnal creatures. Its whispered harmony echoing through the stillness of the moment. Sampson puffed on his pipe several more times, before, finally he glanced to his right at his old friend, softly sighing as he took in the features of Chingachgook's face. A stoic, unreadable mask replaced the usual serenity that everyone had become accustomed to seeing in his soft features. This was not going to be easy, he thought to himself and turning slightly to peer at him father to father said, "I think it's time we spoke about this." Little wisps of smoke escaping his lips as he spoke.

Chingachgook raised his slightly dipped head, his eyes meeting Sampson's for the first time since he announced they were leaving in the morning and said, "There is nothing to speak about. It is done. We are leaving for the Delaware village in the morning and I can not be certain when we will return."

Sampson huffed out a slightly distressed laugh and nodded his head up and down. "You are truly going to do this? Separate our children. Our children who have been in love since they were young little things, before age and experience had the opportunity to taint them."

"They are too young," Chingachgook countered.

"Too young? Nathaniel was the same age when he found Tanda and that was expectable. Hell, even you weren't much older when Kima fluttered into your life. Why Martin and Pru? Why now is age suddenly an issue? You are a rational man and because you are such, I need some clarity as to why and where exactly all of this is coming from."

Chingachgook narrowed his eyes to Sampson at his mention of his deceased wife. The knowledge that Kima herself was only sixteen when they met and fell in love was a well executed move on his old friend's part and while he understood what Sampson was trying to prove, the mention of Kima's name only served to make him more unsettled as he remembered the feel of his wife's touch upon his skin and said, "They have been intimate." Chingachgook raised his head up a bit higher and questioned, "Were you aware of this?"

Sampson could feel a slight twitch ripple its way along his jawline. A physical tick that would undoubtedly answer his friend's question without him needing to verbalize it. And had. The look in Chingachgook's eyes confirm his perceptiveness. Sampson brought his pipe to his lips, inhaling a deep puff of smoke as he carefully contemplated his next words. Then deciding that honesty was always the best route to go said, "Yes, I knew. I knew they had become intimate a few days ago and have probably been several times since then, if I were to gauge the lovesick expressions on their faces." The smoke from his lungs mingled with his words as he breathed them both out into the world.

"They did this without our consent."

Sampson huffed out a laugh, "Did Nathaniel receive consent before he fell in love and then acted on it? Did you? I know I did not. I fell wildly in love with Lydia. She had completely entranced me and when that first moment came, and I held her pressed up against my chest, there was no stopping us. There were no thoughts of right or wrong. Proper or improper. There was only she and I together beneath the stars, living in the moment. I would imagine it was not much different for them." He paused and took another puff on his pipe. His eyes searched for any type of sign that his words were breaking through the stone wall Chingachgook had newly erected. Sampson parted his lips and exhaled the smoke in his lungs through his nose. A swarm of grey briefly encasing them as he began again, "Each time you came to the farm, they grew closer. First with eyes. Glances held a moment too long. Then next with their hands. Small innocent touches silently screaming for the other to notice. The way Martin only plays the violin if Pru desires it, an instrument he has always loved and not touched since his mother's death. It was only a matter of time before one or the other finally used their words to express it." Sampson then shifted his body to better face his friend and finished with, "I would have thought that you would have been overjoyed that Pru chose Martin. A boy you have known almost all of his life. A boy you know would set the world on fire for her. So, I have to wonder, why? Why are you truly against this?"

Sampson's words burned at Chingachgook's ears. A twinge of guilt rushed through his system as he pictured Pru's astonished expression when she realized definitively that he did not approve of her and Martin's relationship. The sound of her wounded voice still resounded through his ears and slowly he turned his head away from Sampson. Chingachgook's eyes squinting as he peered through the darkness and out into the forest. The forest's nocturnal dwellers called out to him with their symphony of noises. He fluttered his eyes shut to the calming sound, silently reminiscing of easier days. Days where he watched his children splash and play in the lake or run from one end of the farm to the next, all to prove one was faster than the other. The days before adolescence took its hold on them, and adulthood ominously greeted them with pain, death and even love. Love. Love's translucent beauty had been the hardest for him to bear watching. Love had donned pain upon Nathaniel and, selfishly, pain for himself. Chingachgook sighed softly and widened his eyes, bringing into focus the strained lines of Sampson's face. He wanted to apologize, to tell his friend of his irrational worries and that he knew all along in his heart that Pru and Martin were always meant to be together. Though as soon as his eyes connected with Sampson's, his rational thoughts vanished and all he saw staring back at him was his replacement in Pru's life. A father for a father. A husband instead of her brothers. A cabin instead of a wigwam. A farm instead of a forest. A life for a life. And the further his mind wandered, the harder his chest constricted. Until finally, when his soul felt raw and empty he softly whispered, "It does not matter why."

"On the contrary my friend, it does indeed matter. And will most definitely matter to our children. Who right now as we speak are in their separate rooms struggling with the knowledge that their love has been struck down and wondering if and when they will see each other again."

"She is my daughter and belongs with me and her brothers. She chose me… me and my sons that cold October night not too long ago, not you and the farm. We are her family and will be remaining as such." Chingachgook stammered out in an unrestrained rapid fire of emotions. He took a deep breath in through his nostrils, his irrational resentment taking on a life of its own and added, "And you should not be giving her gifts…of any kind."

"Ahhh…there it is, friend," Sampson said, shaking his head back and forth in disgust. "The truth of the matter." Chingachgook's ridiculous statement finally triggered his own dormant anger and he said, "I have been giving her things since the very moment I met her. This isn't about the shawl." Sampson took another long puff of his pipe and added, "No more than this is about Pru and Martin. This is about you, me and your ludicrous fear of me, her Vader, replacing you in her life."

Chingachgook clenched his right fist. The white of his flexed knuckles screaming out in the darkness as a wave of heat radiated up his arm into his chest making the thump of his heart pound fiercely in his ears. Vader. The Dutch endearment thundering through his mind and without even realizing what he was doing, swung his fist around at Sampson. Who, as if knowing this was the inevitable outcome, quickly lunged his body backwards, the attempted blow missing him entirely.

"Are you finished!" Sampson yelled, taking a step backwards and recovering his posture. Then seeing the distraught look in his friend's eyes instantly became overcome with sorrow and guilt for his part in the preposterous altercation, knowing he had deliberately provoked his oldest and dearest friend with his well-chosen words. How could I have behaved with so little compassion? Sampson hung his head low, his temper cooled and quietly chided himself for his actions. "Chingachgook…," he softly began as he raised his head to meet his friend's eyes, though his voice quickly trailed off as he watched Chingachgook grow smaller and smaller in the distance, until finally the darkness of the forest made him vanish from sight, leaving Sampson to silently wonder if things would ever be the same again.


Nathaniel pulled his dangling head back through the small loft window and immediately peered down at Martin, who sat defeated on the ground just below the open window. The two desperate boys, standing side by side, eavesdropped on the entire conversation. Until finally, Martin's heart could not take anymore and he slid down the wall to floor, burying his face in his palms. Nathaniel glanced down at him, watching as Martin raked his fingers through his hair and tugged roughly on the tips in muted frustration. The painful knowledge of what he had just heard resonating throughout his mind. Nathaniel shook his head back and forth and dropped his body down beside him, wrapping his right arm around his friend's shoulders. Then in a completely unreserved moment of affection, Nathaniel pressed his forehead against Martin's temple and whispered into his ear, "We will make it right. Somehow we will make it right…I promise brother…I promise." Thankful in this moment that Pru's distant sobs had finally ceased as she had most likely fallen into a painfully numbing sleep and that at least Martin did not have to suffer the heart wrenching along with sharp realization of what he had just heard. Nathaniel shifted his eyes towards Uncas, hoping his little brother could read his silent thoughts, though was instantly taken aback by what he saw in his dark brown eyes. A seething bitterness had all but erased the angelic twinkle that usually lit up Uncas's innocent eyes and he knew that Uncas too had heard every word of Sampson and Chingachgook's harsh exchange. Nathaniel's heart sank deeper into his chest as he slowly began to understand the full gravity of his father's devastating decision and the consequences they would inevitably suffer because of it. And then as his mind zigzagged between the different faces of the people he loved most in the world, silently wondered who he felt the worst for.


Author's Note: First of all… I need to thank BlueSaffire for acting as my incredible editor and chief on this one! You are a bundle of awesomeness and truly helped me see through the muck on this one!

Soooo, as you can see Chingachgook is having a bit of a bad moment. His emotions are all over the place, now that he's forced to deal with Pru and Martin's in full bloom relationship. The saddest part of him refusing to give his consent is that he adores the idea of Pru and Martin being together. He knows that Martin would cherish her with all of his heart, he just can't beat away the idea of losing her. Of not waking with her near him and being there when she falls asleep. In his mind he's only had three and half short years with her, not nearly enough time for him to have to say goodbye already.

Oooh...and Sampson, doing his best to plead the young lover's case. Even deliberately dropping Chingachgook's wife's name to connect Chingachgook more to the moment. Little did he know exactly what that would do….ugh! And that was it. Chingachgook went from semi in control of his emotions to completely losing it. Which of course Sampson, having finally lost his cool, helped instigate by dropping the Dutch endearment, Vader. A sore spot for years with Chingachgook and Sampson, ever astute, knew it. It was very hard to have Chingachgook take a swing at Sampson, being such close friends. But when your emotions are running wild, we are not always thinking rationally. At least Sampson didn't hold it against and even felt badly for his part in it.

Then the little tidbit at the end with the boys in the loft. Nathaniel doing his best to navigate his friend's sorrow. But then that look from Uncas kinda blindsided him. A look that he has never seen in his little brother's eyes before. Hmmm...Should be interesting to see where that goes!

Thank you all for your patience, as you know I really try to post every Friday but life just got super busy and something had to give! I will do my best to get the next chapter out on Friday… but since I'll be on vacation there are no guarantees. Fingers crossed though!

Thank you to everyone who viewed/reviewed. Your comments are so welcomed and always get me thinking! A special thank you to BlueSaffire, MohawkWoman, AsterLaurel, Hazel222, ELY72, BrynnaRaven, your support is amazing!

Thanks for reading ;)