"We have to climb" Uncas announces as they stand in front of a slope. It's not very high but they need to climb it in order to keep going.

Several days have passed since the moment they realized the terrible consequences of Alice's kidnapped and, though she seems to be dealing quite well, given the circumstances, Uncas can't help to worry about how it could affect her in the long term. She keeps on trusting him but she doesn't speak very much and sometimes she seems totally lost in her thoughts. Not to mentions the nightmares…

"I'm not sure if I can…" Alice mutters, doubtful of her abilities.

The Mohican remembers the last time she had to climb in their way to Fort William Henry. He remembers it perfectly because it was the moment when he fell in love with her. The way she looked at the waterfall, totally mesmerized by its beauty and totally unaware of her own beauty right then. But he wasn't unaware of it. And there was something more…when everybody else in their small group was focusing only on the path, ignoring their surroundings, she was able to see the amazing landscape around them.

Then, she climbed with the Major's help and, though he had assisted her sister right before, Uncas' notices how when it was Alice's turn, the Major helped her even more, like if he didn't consider her capable of doing the bare minimum. Like if she was no more than a little bird that was going to fall if you let it fly on its own.

And though he had been jealous of the Major for being allowed to touch her and help her, he knew that it was not the right way to act in that situation.

Now he has the chance to touch her and help her, but he is not going to do it.

"Yes, you can. It's not high and you only need to pay attention where you put your hands and feet. You will climb first" Uncas simply says, trying to give her courage.

Alice observes the rocks, not believing for a moment that she will be able to climb on her own. Isn't he going to help me?

"I need some help. Maybe you can climb first and then help me from the top" Alice says, not understanding how a man that always has the manners of a gentleman can be so rude and not offer his help to a lady.

The Mohican reads her mind and understands her point of view. In fact, there is nothing he would like the most right now than to help her the way the Major did, but he knows it won't help her at all. She needs to get used to the rough terrain in order to survive in the wilderness. The only reason any British officer would offer her his help is because he would believe her unable to do it alone.

But he is not like them. He knows she can.

"Alice, if it was higher or dangerous, I would help you for sure. But you can do it alone if you try. I trust you and you should trust yourself". Uncas explains. "I'll stay here, so if you slip I will catch you. But it won't happen. You can do it".

In her eighteen years old, it's the first time she hears those words. No one has ever trusted in her own ability, not even her beloved sister. Since she was a child, everybody has always treated her like a porcelain doll that can break into pieces if it's not overprotected. She has got used to it but it doesn't mean it's not overwhelming sometimes.

Not wanting to disappoint the first person who seems to believe in her own strength, she takes a deep breath and starts to climb.

Uncas observes her ascent from the ground, slow but sure, and a wave of pride invades him at the realization that he wasn't wrong in his belief. It seems she was told so many times that she was weak, that the poor girl finally believed it. But he will make sure she realizes that what she has been told all her life is not true. She is strong, though she doesn't realize it yet. And he admires her even more for being able to climb in a long dress. He doubts he would be able to do it if he had to wear so many uncomfortable layers of clothes…

With a last effort, Alice reaches the top and gets up slowly. The realization of what she has just accomplished comes to her and a big smile spreads over her face. She looks at Uncas who smiles back at her, right before he joins her, climbing quickly.

"I did it" Alice says radiantly, when he was by her side again.

"I knew you would do it". The proud smile on Uncas' face grows wider. Then touching her arm slightly, he adds. "Come on, we have to keep going".

"Where are we heading now?" Alice asks, wanting to know the next step of their journey.

"Ian Campbell, a good friend of mine, and his family have a cabin in this area, so I've thought it would be good if we stay with them for a couple of days. That way, we could change our clothes and rest properly" Uncas explains. He knows that Alice would much appreciate a good bed and clean clothes. He can't erase the memory of the blood in her undergarments…

"Oh, that will be great!" Alice exclaims, exciting at the idea of finally enjoy some comfort. "I only hope they don't mind to accommodate a stranger like me in their house".

"Don't worry, they are kind people" Uncas reassures her.

They keep on walking in comfortable silence, Alice remembering her recent achievement again.

"I can't imagine Arthur's face when I tell him I climbed alone" As soon as those words come from her mouth, Alice regrets having told them.

For some reason, she doesn't like the idea of talking about Arthur in front of the Mohican warrior.

"Who is Arthur?" Uncas asks, a confused expression in his face.

"Oh, he is a…a British officer who was courting me when I was in Albany" Alice admits shyly.

Uncas processes her words, trying to take them all at once. It's the first time he hears about this potential Alice's suitor. He didn't remember her mentioning him in their way to the fort. And definitely, she didn´t mention him when they kissed at the waterfall.

But it seems there is someone else out there fighting for Alice's heart. In fact, he has been really naïve believing a woman like her wouldn't have a long list of suitors.

"And do you like that?" Uncas asks, trying to sound casual. I need to know what she feels for him…

"I…I …he has been very kind to me…and I suppose I should accept if…if he proposed me…" In fact, when she was in Albany she was sure of her feelings about Arthur, but now she is at lost. So many things have changed. She is not the same and, honestly, she fears the officer's reaction when he discovers what those savages did to her. No man would marry a woman who has been taken by force…

But she realizes that she is not sure if his reaction really matters to her anymore. Do I really love him? He was gentle and offered to provide me with a wealthy life but is that enough for me to marry him?

What Alice doesn't know is how her words have affected the man by her side. Uncas feels a punch on his heart at the thought of another man proposing Alice to become his wife. His current situation was really complicated with the love of his life not remembering him, but if he was starting to believe that he had any chance to winning her heart back, now it seems really improbable.

She remembers that officer and their time together in Albany, while she has no idea who I am. She will choose him for sure. If there is a possibility of changing that, I need to make her remember. There is no time to waste.


A man is lying on top of her, roughly holding her hands above her head, while he roughly touches her bare thigh under her skirt. She can't see his face but she screams and cries, while the beast ignores her protests…

"No!", "No, don't touch me, please!"

Alice is having a nightmare again. It happens since the day she realized she had been raped and every time, she screams loudly in her sleep.

"Alice, wake up please" Uncas pleads, lifting her by the arms and shaking her.

"No, let me go!" Alice tries to free herself from Uncas' grip in her sleep, punching his chest with all her might.

"Alice please, it's only me, it's Uncas"

Finally, she wakes up violently, her gaze unfocused, trying to realize where she is. Then, her eyes repaired on the man in front of her and sighs relieved, as she starts calming down.

"It was a nightmare. You are safe" Uncas reassures her, caressing her hair in a soothing pattern.

Without a second thought, Alice throws her arms around the Mohican's neck, searching for his comfort and protection. He holds her back, caressing her back and whispering soothing words.

"Hush...you are safe now. I won't let anyone hurt you again" He can feel her tears wetting his shirt, as her head rests on his shoulder.

"Uncas, I'm afraid of my memories" Alice confesses, when finally she parts away from him. "I want to remember you but I fear that when it happens, the rest of the memories will come back as well. And I can't…I don't want to remember the details of…I won't be able to face it" her voice breaks and she burst into tears again.

The Mohican feels a twinge in his heart, hearing her words. "Alice, look at me" he says firmly, gently grabbing her face with both hands, forcing her to look at his eyes. "When that happens, I will be with you. You won't face it alone". He wants for her to know that he will remain by her side, helping her to heal. "Now, you should try to sleep a bit more"

Touched by his meaningful words, Alice calms down and nods. She lies down again and sleep comes easily to her, aware that the warrior next to her will watch over her while she rests.

Observing the woman he loves sleeping peacefully, Uncas thinks about her last words. She is not ready to face her memories yet. I've been so selfish wanting to make her remember me in order for her to choose me above that English suitor… But I can't do that without triggering her horrible ordeal. The realization hits him hard on the chest.

Resigned and willing to put her wellbeing before his, the Mohican resolves that he won't do anything to try to bring her memories back. Not yet.

Maybe I will lose her for another man, but I'm willing to accept it if that means she won't suffer.


The cabin is surrounded by a fence and there is a small barn next to it. Two little girls are playing outside and, as soon as Uncas and Alice approach the house, both of them repair on them, excitement reflected all over their faces at the realization of who has just arrived.

"Uncas!" Both sisters run straight to the Mohican, who awaits for them with open arms.

"Sarah, Sophie, you have grown so much since the last time I was here" He says, embracing both girls affectionately. "Have you been good girls?"

"Yes, we help mama a lot" the older girl says, who Alice thinks she might be seven or eight years old.

"We've missed you Uncas" adds her little sister, who seems to be around four or five years old.

"I've missed both of you as well" the Mohican says, as he picks up the little girl in his arms.

Alice observes the tender scene with a smile on her face. In fact, after having spend so much time with him, she is not surprised that the children seem so attached to the Mohican warrior.

"Alice, this is Sophie and she is her older sister, Sarah" Uncas introduces, as both girls look at her with curious eyes.

"Hello, little ones. Uncas told me you were small children, but he was clearly wrong. You are already big girls" Alice says warmly, wishing to make a good impression on those adorable little girls.

Sophie, the smaller one and clearly more shy than her sister, looks at her warily, hiding herself in Uncas' arms. On the contrary, Sarah offers a bright smile.

"Are you Uncas' wife?" she blurts out innocently, making Alice blush deeply.

Her parents might have been talking in front of her about me trying to find a wife. Uncas realizes, feeling uncomfortable by Sarah's comment. "No...no, she is..." his words are interrupted by someone calling his name.

"Uncas! What are you doing here, my friend?" Ian is at the porch, with his wife Jane by her side.

Uncas smiles at his friend, happy to see him with his family, after all he suffered in the fort to reunite with them. "We were in the area, so I thought it was a good idea to visit you". Putting Sophie down on her feet, he puts a hand on Alice's back, motion her to approach the couple.

"You know it's always a pleasure to see you and your family". Jane says, as Uncas embraces both of them. Then, she and his husband look at the stranger with curious eyes, so Uncas introduces her. "This is Miss Alice Munro. She is travelling with me. It's a long story". Then he turns to Alice. "This is my friend Ian Campbell, he was one of the militiamen at Fort William Henry. And she is his wife, Jane".

Alice observes the couple. Both of them might be in their thirties and the woman is the vivid image of her daughters, with blonde hair and fair skin.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell. You are very kind to receive me" she says politely. She repairs on the expression in Ian's face. Confusion mixed with surprise.

"Please, call me Jane" Ian's wife says amicably, smiling at her warmly.

"Miss Alice Munro? Colonel Munro's daughter?" Ian asks, as if he couldn't find an explanation about why his friend is travelling alone with a lady like her.

"Yes" Alice simply says, unsure about his reaction.

"A lot of things happened Ian. I'll tell you later" Uncas adds, as a way to change the topic.

"Oh Miss Munro, I'm so sorry for your father's death" Jane says with a sad expression. Uncas' face pales as soon as those words come from the woman's lips. How can she know it?

"What...what are you talking about? Alice asks, clearly shocked.

Ian and his wife look at each other confused and then at Uncas, who is watching at the ground devastated.

"Oh God, I'm...I'm sorry, I thought you knew it..."Jane says, visibly uncomfortable.

"Is...is my father death? How do you know it?" Alice asks, still in denial.

Jane looks at Uncas, searching for permission. She has the feeling that the Mohican knew the truth but didn't tell her in order to protect her. He nods, realizing it's the moment to face the consequences of his lie.

"News spread quickly in this area. After the massacre, it seems some British soldiers traveled there to see if there were survivors and found the Colonel's corpse...".

Alice feels her heart breaks into pieces and this time, she is sure she won't be able to recover. She turns to Uncas. "Did you know it?"

Feeling that he can't keep on lying to her, Uncas nods, his eyes full of sorrow. "I'm sorry, I thought..."

"How could you lie to me?" Alice cuts him off, anger rising inside her. "You gave me hope that he might be alive and I've been holding onto it, in order to keep on going!"

"Alice please, listen to me" The Mohican pleads desperated. "I didn't mean to hurt you, I just..."

"I don't want to hear you! I shouldn't have trusted you" she yells, tears running down her cheeks. Then she starts sobbing uncontrollably. "Oh God, papa...no, I can't...this can't be happening".

Unable to see her suffering, Uncas reaches to her. "Alice..."

"Don't touch me!" she cries, shoving him away. Then she puts her hand on her chest and starts to hyperventilate. "Oh God, I can't breath"

Jane, though initially shocked by the whole scene, goes to help her. "Miss Alice please, you need to calm down". She motions her to sit down, as she suggests her to take deep breaths.

Ian approaches Uncas, who seems totally lost about how he might act. "Uncas it's better for you to wait inside. She is really nervous now".

The Mohican realizes his friend is right and that he should give Alice some space. Looking at her one last time, he observes that she is starting to calm down with Jane's help. He nods and gets into the cabin with Ian and the little girls, who seem very scared about the whole scene.


Author's note: Well, finally another update! Sorry for the long hiatus, but my life has been so busy that I couldn't find a moment to write. And my lack of inspiration didn't help either...Since the beggining I've had an idea about how the story is going to progress but, for some reason, sometimes I get stuck in a specific chapter and I find so hard to develop it. I only want you to know that, though I'm not sure about how often I will be able to post, I'm not planning to abandon the story and I have a clear idea about the direction of future chapters. I only hope you keep on enjoying the story!

And as always, thank you for your patience, support and reviews, my beloved readers!

P.S. I hope you forgive Alice for getting mad at Uncas. Like I always say, their story is not an easy one and, though he lied in order to protect her, she is having a really hard time.