By the time John set foot on Jamestown soil one again, it was clear that a storm was brewing. Thick clouds the color of obsidian hung in the sky, ready to share their watery wealth with the earth. the sky had turned an ashen gray, almost as if to say that it shared the in the sorrow felt by two hearts, once filled with hope and anticipation of love's glorious return, now broken with the reality that it could and would never be.

Not wanting to get caught in the storm, John quickened his pace. Unfortunately, he wasn't looking where he was going and tripped over a large root that happened to be protruding from the ground. He hit the soil with a loud thud, groaned softly from the pain, and silently blasted himself for not watching his step more closely.

By this time the rain had begun to fall, not helping to ease his annoyance. "Great." John muttered. "I'm just having a great day, one of the best of my life." he finished sarcastically. He pulled himself up and got to his feet, slowly so he would not agitate the wound more. John brushed himself off as best he could before something caught his eye. The ring box lay open in a small-forming puddle of rain a few feet from where he now stood. John groaned a second time, walked over to where it lay and picked it up. He snapped it shut without even as much as a glance toward it and replaced it in his pocket, not letting his mind linger on what might have been.

* * * * * * * *

Pocahontas stared out the window of her small hut, replaying the day's events in her mind. Outside, the storm raged and she could only pray that John had made a safe return to Jamestown. She sighed heavily and turned away from the window. No matter what she did, she could not shake the thought of him from her mind. She closed her eyes and thought back to the kiss they had shared together in the forest. How good it had felt to be in his arms again. To feel the slight pressure of his lips on hers and to know the his love was real. Was this some cruel joke that was being played on her? To have her love return, only to already be promised to another?

The sound of footsteps drew her out of her trance and caused her to glance behind her. She was surprised to see Tokum standing in her doorway. He smiled when he saw her and greeted her with an uplifted hand. Pocahontas studied him closely. Something wasn't right, she knew. Tonight he seemed more apprehensive, like something was bothering him instead of his usual easygoing self.

Quickly and discreetly as possible, she ran her hand across her face, trying to eliminate any of the stray tears and turned fully to face him. "Tokum," she greeted him, "Wingapo, How nice of you to come by. Come in, please." Tokum gave a stiff nod and entered the hut, taking a seat at the far end. Pocahontas followed. "Can I get you anything?" she asked "Cornbread?" Tokum shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Thank you." Pocahontas nodded and replaced the loaf . "So what brings you out on a night like this?" she asked.

Tokum just sat and started at the ground for a moment before bringing his head up to meet her eyes with his own. "Pocahontas, we must talk. Since your father is about to announce our engagement to the village tomorrow, I think now is the best time." Pocahontas looked at him, perplexed by what he was saying. "Tokum, what is the matter. I thought you were excited about our engagement." Tokum breathed deep. "I am, but apparently, my dear, you could care less." She know stared at him with an open mouth What did he know? She had to play it as cool as possible. "Whatever do you mean?" she inquired. "Of course I'm excited."

Tokum shook his head silently, "No, Pocahontas, you're not. I know that right now you are not thrilled about the idea of our marriage, but I figured that you had finally become somewhat comfortable with the idea. Or so I thought." he finished, casting an accusatory glance her way. She did not like the way that he was looking at her. He knew something, what, she didn't know. "Tokum," she said slowly. "I don't understand what you mean. I am comfortable with the idea and like you said, possibly we will grow to love each other one day." That simple statement took all that she had not to bust into tears.

Still sitting silently, Tokum once again rose his face to meet her eyes. "Pocahontas, I saw you in the forest earlier today." he paused, "with a white man" As son as the words had left his mouth, Pocahontas felt her heart catch in her throaght. He had seen her with John. But exactly how much had he seen. She must keep calm. Maybe it was nothing. "Tokum, you know I have many friend s in Jamestown. I even have monthly meetings with a good friend there and you know it. Why in the world would that cause you to approach me in such a manner?"

Tokum know glared at her in such a way that it frightened her a bit. She knew she had gone to far. He never got this angry very easily. She was finally beginning to see that he did indeed love her as more than a friend. Unfortunately, she knew it would never be mutual. Despite her emotions, she was bound to this marriage. She would not dishonor her father and break a binding agreement. Tokum now stood, facing her at eye level. "Well, as far as I know one does not just kiss a 'good friend' like I saw you do earlier." he said through gritted teeth.

Pocahontas drew in a sharp breath and took a step back. He had seen it. This gave him good reason to break the engagement. Although that meant she could finally be with her love, it also meant that she would be shunned from the village forever, never being able to see her father or Nakoma again. She didn't want that. As Tokum awaited her reply, all she could muster was a soft "Oh" and turn away.

When she finally worked up the nerve to face him, she found that he had turned away from her. He had calmed some and said softly to her. "Because I care fore you, I will not shame you by breaking the engagement. No one needs to know about anything that happened here tonight." Relief flooded over her as she reached to place a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you." she said softly. As soon as her hand made contact, Tokum quickly moved away and exited the hut without a backwards glance.

Pocahontas sank to the floor, finally allowing the tears to flow. She let everything out. her sorrow for shaming her fiancée, for never being able to be with her true love and for everything else that had ever gone wrong in her life.

* * * * * * * *



The sight of a small Jamestown home had never brought more joy to John then it did at that very moment. As soon as he stepped through the door, the smell of fresh meat welcomed him and he breathed it in deeply. He looked up to see Eric and Thomas seated at the table, enjoying the meal while it was still warm. "Hey." Eric said when he saw him. "What happened to you. You look like you've been through a monsoon." John shook some off the rain from him. "No. But I sure feel like it right now."

"Well come sit down and eat something." Thomas said, nodding toward the seat across from him. John sat down and gratefully accepted the plate that was set before him. "So John," Eric asked. "Do we even want to know how things went today?" John paused from eating for a moment to look up at them. "It's over." was all he said before going back to his plate. Thomas and Eric exchanged glances across the table. "I suppose this leaves no use for the ring you bought then." Eric said. John didn't reply. Thomas looked confused. "What ring?"

John threw down the piece of chicken he held, causing them all to jump. "Fine." he said. "I see we will get no where until I tell all, so here it is. Thomas, I bought an engagement ring before I left England. I planned on proposing the first chance I had, but considering the circumstances, I don't think it's such a good idea now." "Yes, I suppose you're right." Thomas replied quietly. John took the ring box out of his pocket and stared at it for a moment. He flipped it open for them to see, but when he did he froze. "Oh, No" he muttered. "What's wrong?" Thomas asked, seeing the alarmed look on his friend's face. John looked up to face both of them. "It's the ring." he said, alarm laced in his voice. "It's gone!"