Alright, I'm back with chapter 3! I'm glad everyone's enjoying this because I'm such a fan of minor characters and unusual pairings.
It'll be probably Father's Day at the earliest when I can update. Going on vacation! First stop...Jamestown (seriously!). Maybe I'll get inspired. I hope to finish it on the ride up there.
Chapter 3
Hard Feelings
Pocahontas said goodbye to Anne and quickly walked towards the end of town, heading for the forest. She had to talk to someone, and there was only one she could think of.
The forest was bright with the light of the mid-morning sun which streamed through the canopy of trees. Pocahontas began to run as soon as she was out of the sight of Jamestown. She couldn't let the people there see her or someone might think something was wrong. Her feet carried her hurriedly deep into the woods. Pocahontas' breath came fast as both her body and mind were racing. Thoughts about both John and Thomas filled her mind. What was she to do? She couldn't possibly be in love with two men, could she?
Pocahontas ran and ran until she did not know whether she was running to a certain destination or running to escape her thoughts. 'Maybe it's both' she thought.
The forest broke at one point, and she slowed her pace. A large weeping willow towered over the water's edge. The beautiful old tree was familiar to the Native woman and she felt comforted by just being near it. She parted the leaves and climbed up the trunk of the large tree to a protruding part, like a stump, that Pocahontas used as her very own seat. Lily pads floated on the water's surface and the creatures that resided in the branches seemed to come alive at the arrival of their friend.
"Grandmother Willow." Pocahontas called.
In the middle of the trunk, a transformation began. A kind old face appeared, with a wise and maternal look to it. "Good morning my dear. I had a feeling you would come today." The elderly tree spirit said. "You haven't been to see me in quite some time."
"Yes, I'm sorry. There has been so much to do lately."
"It would seem." Grandmother Willow smiled. "How has that husband of your's been?"
"He's just fine." Pocahontas replied, but she did not want to waste time with small talk. She had a problem that she could tell only Grandmother Willow. "I've come to talk to you about him. I'm having doubts..."
"Already, my child? That's not a good sign." The spirit said. "Tell me what's on your mind."
Meanwhile
"Alright men, what's it going to be?" John Smith asked.
"John, there's nothin' t' debate. We've got t'build more houses and fast." Ben said.
The town council was meeting today to vote on the issue of when to began construction on more housing. Jamestown was steadily growing, and new people were arriving on the next ship scheduled to arrive in a two months.
"Well, the question is, are we gonna be able to do it ourselves?" Lon asked. He had arrived late to the meeting, as did Ben, because of his short nap after guard duty the night before. "There's only a small number of us. Can we do it?"
"We've gotten this colony up and running from nothing." Thomas added. "I'm sure we can undertake the task of building more housing."
"Thomas is right." Ben said. "The hardest part's gonna be takin' down the trees t'make room. We've had plenty of practice doin' that too."
At this, all the men laughed. They remembered the hardships endured during the first year at Jamestown. The digging, chopping down of trees, eating gruel and hardtack, and sleeping on the hard ground was over. Now they could look back and laugh, but they still hoped those times were long gone.
"Let's put it to a vote then. Although I'm sure we all know what it's going to be." John said. "All those in favor of beginning construction say Aye."
All seven members of the council, along with John, said a collective "Aye!"
"That's settled then." John said. "Construction will begin as soon as possible. Anymore questions?" Silence followed. No one wanted this meeting to go on longer than it should. "None? Well then, meeting adjourned." John banged the table with his hand, having nothing else to use.
"Finally." Lon said. Ben laughed, "I thought we'd never get outta here!"
All the men got up to leave; walking out through the door, shaking John's hand before returning to their homes. "Going home so early gentlemen?" John asked as Lon and Ben came to the door. "No drink at the tavern with an old friend?"
"Sorry John. We have to get home to the wives." Lon said.
"Aye, they won't be liking us coming home smellin' of ale." Ben said. "If I went to the tavern, you wouldn't be seeing me at th'next meetin'."
"Ain't that the truth?" Lon laughed and shook John's hand. Ben did the same, and they both headed home.
John couldn't help but feel a little hurt by the fact that his friends had their own lives to worry about now. He was a bachelor and could do anything he wanted, but he had no one to do anything with. He was alone here.
Thomas was the last person to leave the room, a situation both of them did not want to be in, although neither would admit it bothered them. Thomas strolled up to John and smiled a friendly and inviting smile. John returned the smile, although he did not feel like smiling at the man who, in his mind, had ruined his life. "Good meeting today, eh John?" Thomas asked.
"Uh...yes," John answered, fumbling with the answer. " A very good meeting Thomas. See you next time."
Thomas took John's hand in a firm grasp and shook it, but did not feel John doing the same. Thomas took this as a sign that he should move along, knowing the hard feelings John harbored for him. 'With good reason' Thomas thought.
"Well, I should be going John." He said. "I need to get home. See you next week." Thomas tipped his hat and walked out towards his home. John stared at the red-head as he walked away. "I expect you do need to get home." He said aloud to himself, clenching his fist, then slamming the door of the meeting house shut, anger swelling up inside of him at the thought of Thomas going home to his beloved Pocahontas.
"Grandmother Willow, I'm so confused." Pocahontas told her trusted friend. "I don't know what to do."
Grandmother Willow's face grew concerned. "Why what's happened dear? He seemed like such a nice boy. What has he done?"
"Oh, it's nothing like that..." Pocahontas said, beginning to tear up at what she was about to confess. "It's me."
Grandmother Willow's eyes lowered. She knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. She could feel it coming from the young woman. "You're concerned about old feeling aren't you?"
Pocahontas was surprised by this. She hadn't told the tree spirit anything about her problem. "How did you know?" She asked.
"I know you Pocahontas." She replied in a sweet, knowing voice. "Now tell me just what you are feeling."
"Today, as I was talking with a friend, John Smith came over to speak to us. It was all very uncomfortable." Pocahontas said. "I've never felt that way with him Grandmother, but this time I did. I've...hurt him so much. I know I have." She buried her head in her knees as she always did when she cried.
The sight of the young woman in distress touched the old tree spirit, and she wanted to help as she always had in earlier days. Grandmother Willow thought for a while then spoke. "Why don't you talk with him? Explain to him what happened. He'll understand child. John Smith is a good man and only wants what's best for you."
"I can't speak with him." Pocahontas said through her tears.
"Why not?"
"Because I think I may still love him." Pocahontas shocked herself as she spoke these words. She had never confessed to still loving John, but now that she had, did it feel right? She couldn't tell.
Grandmother Willow did not appear shocked at all. Her suspicions were confirmed. She knew getting over John Smith would prove to be a difficult task and would be marked by heartaches and conflicts. Grandmother Willow knew in her mind who Pocahontas was meant to be with, having met both young men and searched each of their souls, but this must be left for Pocahontas' heart to decide.
"And does he know that you still care?"
"No, I don't think he does."
"And young Thomas? Does he know?"
"No..." Pocahontas said, her voice much lower now as she thought of her husband and the pain he would go through if he knew that she was still thinking of her first love. "He doesn't know."