Pocahontas ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Th wind ripped thorugh her hair and clothes, ofering it's resistance as she ran. How long she had waited for this dream to come true, her fantasy to become a reality. And now, at long last, it finally had. Her sole concern was running into the arms of her first and only love and never letting go. If the spirits were merciful, that time would be only few precious moments away.
The native continued to pick up speed, her only mind set, getting to Jamestown as fast as possible. She was so involved in making her perfect worl truely exist, that she almost ran straight over Nakoma. Pocahontasgasped as she grasped her friend by the shoulder in order to steady her. "Nakoma, I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching a thing. My mind was in other places. You'll never guess what happened. I'm free, Nakoma! Finally free to be with John!" She continued before Nakoma could hold up a hand to stop her. "Slow down, my friend. You're going to run out of breath and that would not befortunate for anyone involved in this conversation."
The young woman smiled and took along breath. "You're right, Nakoma. I suppose the excitement was too much for me to take." Nakoma returned her smile. "I was not condemning your actions, Pocahontas. I am very happy for you as well. You deserve a chance to be truely happy." Pocahontas eyed her friend. "Yes, apparently you do believe it. Apparently you also had no problem telling Tokum everything." Nakoma shot her a look. "Yes, I talked Tokum into changing hismind and frankly I'm very glad I did. It does not take much to see, Pocahontas. You were miserable. I only helped him to see that. That's one fault men seem to have. Whether they mean ti or not, often times, they seem to put themselves above others."
Pocahontas sighed."Be that as it may, it is no less that we seem to love them." Nakoma smiled."Very true. I only hope that I can find a love as great as that of your's for John"Pocahontas pulled her friemd inot a hug. "You will, Nakoma," she said softly. "I'm sure you will. Someone is out there for you. You only need to open your eyes and heart. It will find you eventually." Nakoma pulled out of the embrace and offered a wobbly smile. "Thank you." she said softly.
Nakoma's actions had confused the native a little. All of her life, Nakoma had been the stable one, always upholding tradtion. Never in her life had Pocahontas ever heard her friend talk of falling in love. She had always assumed that Nakoma would follow the traditional pattern of an arranged marriage, learning to live with and possible eventually care for her husband. She know saw the truth. Her best friend, underneath it all, was a typical woman. A woman who yearned for a love that would last a lifetime, a love that would be given freely and greatly in return. And now Pocahontas prayed with all her heart that she would find it.
The young woman squeezed her hand before saying her good-bye. "Well, Nakoma, as much as I'd love to talk with you, there is someone that I need to find, something that I must take care of. I will see you later." She started to brush past Nakoma, but her friend grabbed her arm. "Just a moment, Pocahontas. Isn t there something that you are forgetting?" Upon receiving a blank stare for an asnwer, she shook her head. "Your father s return? Have you forgotten that he is coming home today". Pocahontas shook her head. "No, Nakoma, I haven't forgotten. I will be back by then." She started once again moving toward Jamestown.
Nakoma stepped in front of her, blocking her way. "Nakoma!" Pocahontas exclaimed. "What are you doing. I need to find John!" Nakoma did not move. "Pocahontas, you are needed for the preparations. As the chiefs daughter, your opinion matters." Pocahontas glanced toward the direction of the settlement. "But, Nakoma. John, he's .." Nakoma grasped her arm and steered her back in the direction of the village. "I know, Pocahontas. However, John must wait. Your first responsibility is to your father and the tribe right now. But don't fret. Only a few hours from now, you can go as you please. The homecoming will not be all night. Come. Your father is due at any moment now."
Pocahontas began to resist, but Nakoma was firm. Reluctantly, Pocahontas allowed herself to be led away by her friend. She sighed heabily. She was so close to finaly being with her love, only to be delayed once again. Well, at least she would be able to tell him later that evening. With a final glance back, she finally followed her friend freely, all the way, clingin to the hope and the look that would be on John's face when she was finaly able to tell him that she would finally be his forever.
..00000..
John finished folding the last of his things and placed the gament in his bag. With a heavy sigh, the captain closed his bag and flopped down on the bed. What a mess his life had become in such a short time. Well, no matter. In only a few short hours, he would be on a ship for Jamestown, never looking back. How he hated to leave, but it was the only way that he could get her out of his mind. John rose to a sitting position. What was he thinking? He would never be able to forget her. He never wanted to forget her.
The man sighed and finally stood. Walking slowly over to the window, he leaned against the window pane. He could see the shipyard in the distance and the workers that were preparing the ship for departure. The ship that he would be on. His expression changed and his mouth became set in a firm line. The time had come. The captain grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulders. It was time to leave.
John left the room and made his way through the house. No one was home. Having already said their good-byes, Thomas and Eric had gone to visit friends. They had asked them to join them, but John had been adamant about packing and being on his way. He now stood at the door, observing the settlement for one less time. With a final look around the cabin, John sighed and closed the door. Good-bye, Pocahontas. I will love you always. I only hope that time can heal this for me.
..0000..
The whole village could be seen congregating near the river as the chief's company came into view. Pocahontas and Nakoma made the best attempt possible to make their way through, but with no use. The people were too densely packed together, awaiting not only the arrival of their chief, but also of husbands, fathers, brothers and any other loved ones that were returning back to their home. Pocahontas rose to her full height, craning her neck in order to receive the best view. When she found that her efforts were not fruitful, she placed a hand on Nakoma's shoulder to steady herself when she rose even farther to stand on tiptoe. A deep voice from behind startled her. "What is all the commotion for?"
If it weren't for Nakoma standing directly in front of her, the young woman would have fallen to the ground. However, she only stumbled before Nakoma caught her. Smiling her thanks, Pocahontas turned toward the voice. She found Tokum standing behind her, his incurring expression changing rapidly when he saw her. "Pocahontas, what are you doing here? I thought you would surely be in Jamestown at this time." She gave an ironic smile. "As did I." she said, glancing at Nakoma. "However, I forgot that my father was returning home on this day. I was on my way when Nakoma stopped me."
"I told her that her duty was to her father right know. John will be at Jamestown this evening. There is no reason that she could not go there after she greets her father". Nakoma defended, saying only that before turning away while Pocahontas and Tokum exchanged a knowing smile and a shrug behind her back before they too rejoined Nakoma in the search for the party. A loud cry of "Here they come!" from a small child that stood nearby alerted them to the incoming group.
Pocahontas once again craned her neck and this time she saw the tribal company, her father sitting in the first canoe, rising when he saw his people awaiting his return. It made Pocahontas's heart swell with pride for her father. The people truly loved and respected him, something that had helped them to prosper and grow, unlike so many other tribes that often found theirselves in turmoil for the sole reason that one or small amount held a grudge against their leader. How blessed they were that things were peaceful among them.
The company had reached the village now and the chief was making his way to his longhouse, scanning the crowd for his daughter. Pocahontas jumped into the air and waved in her father's direction while Nakoma and Tokum watched in mock horror before shaking their heads. She would never change. She was a free-spirited, impulsive young woman, nothing traditional about her. And yet they loved her for it and would not change a thing about her. She made life interesting. They hoped that she would never change.
With a swift good-bye to her friends, the native departed fro the crowd and made her way to her father's longhouse, taking the shortcut that she had discovered as a young girl. The sooner she saw him, the sooner she could leave for Jamestown. It wasn't that she was not excited to se her father, it was the fact that her dreams were so close to coming true and it would only be a short while now before she could fulfill them.
Powhaton smiled his welcome when Pocahontas finally entered the longhouse. "Wingapo, my daughter." he said affectionately. "I have missed you". Pocahontas embraced her father. "Wingapo, Father." she returned the greeting. "I have missed you as well. So much has happened since your departure. Something in particular that is most important to me." Powhaton smiled. "I am already aware of that, my dear. I as well am most anxious to announce your engagement." "Oh, Father! How did you-." Pocahontas began, but immediately stopped. He meant her engagement to Tokum. He didn't know that she was free. He didn't know that John had even returned and most importantly, he didn't know of Tokum's conversation with her mere hours before. She had to tell him the truth.
"Father, there is something that I must tell you." She began, choosing her words carefully. "I am no longer engaged to Tokum. Something has changed. You see, someone else is back. Someone, who I love very much." Powhaton heard no more. He shook his head and turned away. "Pocahontas, what have you done! You have dishonored yourself, Tokum, and me. Why must you do these things. Because of your actions, I will be forced to banish you from the tribe!." Pocahontas's jaw dropped."But, Father! I," Powhaton held up a hand to stop her. "I am sorry, Pocahontas. It breaks my heart to have to do this, however I have no choice. You know very well, the consequences for breaking an arrangement such as this. I am so sorry, my daughter." he said softly.
Pocahontas felt her eyes well up with unwanted tears. He hadn't even let her finish. But that was how it went. It was not her place to defy him. She would have to live with her decision. She nodded solemnly before moving toward the entrance. For a second time that day, Tokum startled her with his surprise entrance. "Chief Powhaton, there is a most important matter that I must discuss with you." He stopped dead when he saw her tears. "Pocahontas, whatever is wrong. Are you alright?"
Before she could, her father cut it. "Do not speak to her, Tokum. She has brought shame upon us all and is now banished frojm the tribe. From now on, she no longer exists to no one." Though his tone was harsh, Tokum did not miss the pained undertones it held. Powhaton was hurting. He turned back to Pocahontas. "Don't worry." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Stay for a moment," Pocahontas nodded silently, her mind reeling as to what Tokum would do.
Tokum removed his hand from her shoulder and went to face the chief, whose eyes were storming from his defiance. "With all due respect, Sir," Tokum began. "You have no right to banish your daughter. If anyone is to be banished form this tribe, it should be myself. I am the one who broke the engagement, not her." Powhaton's mouth was agape in surprise. "How dare you address me like that!" he snarled."I will handle the affairs of my people how I please." Tokum was unphased by the cheif's anger. "I was wrong in the first place to ask for her hand. You see, she was already promised to another. For that reson, I had no choice but to release her from the agreement."
Powhaton calmed a bit. "Tokum, I admire your honor, but I am afraid that it is still imposible. You see, my daughter is in love with a ghost. The man which she was promised to was injured and had to leave. For all I know he is dead and with the Great Spirit." Tokum quirked a brow. "Then ghosts are among us". Powhaton looked confused, so Pocahontas jumped into the conversation. "That's what I was trying to tell you, Father." she said. "John Smith is alive. He's here, Father! In Jamestown. My love has finally come back to me. Would you really shatter my dreams when they are so close to coming true?"
The chief glanced from his daughter's pleading eyes to Tokum's stone face and then back to Pocahontas' eager expression. He finally sighed. "No, my daughter. I wouldn't even think of it. Go. Find your young man and bring him back so I can give him a proper welcome. "Pocahontas squealed in delight and rushed into her father's arms. "Thank you, Father. I love you." she whispered. Powhaton exchanged a smile with Tokum and kissed the top of his daughter's head. "I love you as well, Pocahontas. Your mother would be very proud."
Pocahontas smiled up at her father through her newly-formed tears. "I certainly hope she would be. I only wish she could be here." Powhaton smiled and nodded. "Go now." he said. "There is someone waiting for you in Jamestown. Pocahontas smiled and gave them one last smile before taking off to the south, the direction of the fort. Still at the longhouse, Powhaton and Tokum remained. "Tell me, Tokum." The chief asked. "What is the real reason that you broke the engagement." Tokum glanced toward Powhaton. The man had a knowing smile on his face and he gave a defeated sigh. "I could see she was not happy and how much she loved him. I could never bear to have her miserable." The chief placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, his heart swelling with pride for this young man and the selfless heart that hid beneath a rough exterior.
...0000...
The small settlement was buzzing with activity when the native arrived. Paying no attention to the activity around her, she set forth for her one destination. Thomas's house. She knew that was where John and his friend had taken lodging after he arrived. She hoped with all her hart that they were home, The spirits knew she was certainly in no mood to go searching for them in all of the excitement that seemed to be all around her.
When she finally saw her destination, she forced herself to slow to a walk from the all out run that she had been keeping a pace with only a few moments ago. Heart beating wildly with anticipation, Pocahontas approached Thomas' front door and knocked a few times, taking a step back after doing so. She knew Thomas would not appreciate opening his door and have someone right in his face, though it was what she felt like doing. She was standing a few feet back, arms crossed over her chest when Thomas answered the door a few moments later.
"Pocahontas? What are you doing here?" Thomas asked when he saw her. "Wingapo, Thomas." Pocahontas greeted him, completely ignoring his question. "Is John here? I need to see him!" Thomas stepped back so she could enter, which she did. "Why, Pocahontas? You broke his heart. He doesn't need anymore pain. Just go and marry your betrothed." Normally, his cold words would have stung, but the native continued as if he had not said a word. "It's a dreadfully long story, Thomas, but the main thing is that I am free! I' m not marrying Tokum! I am free to spend the rest of my life with John! Please Thomas. Where is he?"
Thomas sank into the nearby chair. "You re free? As in you can be with whomever you choose?" She gave him an exasperated sigh. "For the final time, yes. Now would you please tell me where I can find him." Thomas shook his head. "Oh no." he muttered. Pocahontas's hands came to her hips. "For heaven's sake, Thomas, What does ' oh no' mean. Tell me what is going on!" she demanded.
Before Thomas could answer, Eric strode into the kitchen. "Hello Pocahontas. You just missed John." Feeling defeated with Thomas, she turned to Eric. "Do you know where John went?" she asked desperately. Eric shrugged. "Sure. Probably at the boarding docks. I think his ship leaves any minute. "Pocahontas's eyes widened. "Boarding dock? He's leaving? After he promised me he would stay! How could he!" Thomas was growing tired of her tirade. "Why do you think, Pocahontas. He couldn't bear to see you marry another. How would you feel if the roles were reversed. If you had to see him wed to another?" She thought quietly. "I suppose I would do the same." she murmured softly.
Thomas nodded. "I thought as much." Pocahontas snapped her head up. "I've got to stop him. He can't leave a second time. He just can't"! She raced to the door, but Eric's voice stopped her. "Pocahontas! Wait!" He came toward her, a small box in his hand. "John wanted me to give this to you. Something to remember him by, I suppose." Pocahontas accepted it and opened it to reveal John's ring. Her hand came to her mouth to stop the sobs. She looked at Eric with tear-filled eyes. "I have to make it in time." she whispered. The men said nothing, but came forward and embraced her in a brotherly hug. "Go, Pocahontas. We'll be praying." Thomas whispered. She managed a smile. "Thank you. So will I." And she took off toward the shipyard.
...0000...
Only a matter of moments now and he would be on his way home. John sighed as he leaned against the rim of the ship. How he had hoped to make this place his home. It was nothing fancy, however, he had never really cared for fancy. He wanted a simple life with Pocahontas as his wife and whatever children that they happened to be blessed with. Only after they had had their quality time as husband and wife first, of course.
The captain sighed. As much as he would love that, it was time to face reality. His love was marrying another. He had done everything he could do. It was time to accept the fact that he was alone. Perhaps down the road, he would find someone new, however it would not be what it could have been. He could eventually grow to love another, but not with the depth in which he had loved her. Wherever life led, he would have to learn to accept it.
John saw the crew and captain preparing for departure, so he knew it was time to go to his cabin. Just as he was about to turn away, he heard someone calling his name. "John! John, are you there? John!" The surprised man returned to his post to see Pocahontas standing in the shipyard below, looking around frantically. "John, please answer me! John!."
The captain took a step back. What in the world was she doing here? He had already said good-bye to her earlier. What more did she want. He finally answered. "Pocahontas, I'm up here." He saw her glance around before her gaze found his and John could see her sigh with relief. "John! Thank the fates I found you. Please come down! We have to talk." John sighed. How hard it was to stay put, her pleading eyes went right through him. But he needed to be firm.
"Pocahontas, we've been through this already. I can't stay. My heart can't take anymore. You know that I love you and I always will. I'm sorry, but I have to go." The last of his words were cut off by the captain's final call and the ship began to pull away. John gave her one final glance. "I wish you happiness in your marriage." He called to her. "Take care of yourself!"
He turned away, but Pocahontas continued to call his name. he finally turned and was surprised to see her running along the dock as the boat began to pull away. "That is what I came to tell you!." she called, her words coming in puffs of breath. "I'm not marrying, Tokum, John! I'm free! Free to be with you forever and I want to be! More than you'll ever know!"
John couldn't believe his ears. Free? To be with him? How? " How?" He voiced his previous thought. Pocahontas smiled. "It doesn't matter, John. What matter's is that I'm here waiting. What are you doing?" John knew the answer to that question. He started to move forward, but realized that the ground was no longer near him. That didn't stop him from getting off that ship.
With a grace that Pocahontas didn't know he possessed, the captain jumped of the bow of the ship and dove into the water. When he surfaced, he began the short swim back to where his love waited. However, Pocahontas was done waiting. Without giving him a chance to catch a breath, the woman rushed forward into his arms and knocked him straight. They landed with a loud splash in the bay, but no one cared. Both soaking wet, Pocahontas searched out John's face and covered his mouth with her own, kissing him with all she had.
When they broke apart, John looked surprised."Well," He said. "Hello there." Pocahontas laughed as they both got their feet. "Wingapo." She said with a smile. John immediately wrapped her in his arms, resting his forehead against hers. "I can't believe I'm finally holding you." He whispered. "How do I know it's not a dream?" Pocahontas placed a finger to his lips. "Because I am here, John. Here and finally free to keep my promise to you." John said nothing, only pulled her close once again. "How is this even possible?" he asked.
Pocahontas released him and took his hand. "Nakoma told Tokum all about our past, including the vow we made to each other. Tokum then told me that he had no choice but to break the engagement because I was already promised to you before he asked my father for my hand. But that isn't the real reason. He saw how miserable I was and he saw how we looked at each other and how we acted together. He did it out of selfless love. I believe we owe him our happiness." John nodded. "Then I believe we should thank him profoundly."
Pocahontas nodded and leaned into his embrace. "We certainly do." John pulled away from her."Well, my love. Since you fulfilled your half of the vow, I suppose that I should fulfill mine." He dropped to one knee right there in the water. "Pocahontas, will you-" He stopped when he realized that he couldn't locate the ring box. "Oh no, I left Eric-" Pocahontas withdrew it from her pocket." Eric gave it to me." She smiled as she handed it to him, but went on before he could.
"Eric gave it to me and John, well I am very flattered and you know I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I'm afraid my answer is no." A look of hurt and surprise flashed across his features. " No? You're saying no! After all we've been through! How can you-" A hand came over his mouth and Pocahontas's smile met his gaze. "Let me finish." she said. "John, we've known each other for over two years now. However, the whole part of those two years that we've spent together is three weeks. That's not enough time to build a marriage on." John sighed. "But, I love you. I want to marry you."
She nodded. "I know, my love. I know. And I don't mean no forever. Just not right now. I want to get to know the man I love so that I know every inch of him. Every hair on his head and every little quirk of his personality. I want to know him better than I know myself. Then-." She said. "Then we can marry." John laughed as he pulled her to him. "Very wise words." he said. "But," he added, giving her a stern look. "You know you made a promise." She laughed, "Yes, I realize that." He smirked down at her. "Good. Because you know what they say, my dear."He replied, his lips only a breath away." A promise is most defiantly a promise."
..000...
Well, that's it! Hope you enjoyed the story! I want to say thanks to my friend for making me get this done!(she knows who she is!). There is a sequel in the wrks for those interested. Thanks for all the reviews! They are much appreciated! Until next time!
Lindsey
