Chapter 8 – A/N – we are slowly reaching our climatic series of events ! Thank you to the readers and reviewers, this is probably the longest story I've ever stuck with! Now, let's see what's going to happen !

The whole Lenape village had gathered to hear the awaited meeting; between their age old Sachem, flanked by his equally wise councilmen, and Magua, the newly self-proclaimed War Chief of the Hurons. All were eager to hear of his great exploits, and plans for the coming future. His recent victories were quickly gathered a following. Nearby tribes once more began to fear the Hurons, rifle trade with the French increased their advantage. Retreating English left lands and spoils for the taking. The long awaited defeat of the English was slowly coming to terms. All that had been sacrificed, all those who had fallen, would not go to waste. With this meeting Magua intended to finish old business, and start with new intentions. Avenge his honour, with the slaying of the Munro's offspring, and then drive the English dogs out of their land, once and for all. Other tribes were beginning to band together, old rivals and vendettas forgotten, in hopes of uniting against the one common enemy. The White Man. Young hot blooded warriors looked for a leader to guide them, and Magua intended to be just that leader. With one foul swoop of his tomahawk, his enemies would be vanquished.

"Your tomahawks are red with blood…" the Sachem stated after some time, seated upon his wood stump pedestal.

Magua stepped forward, acknowledging what had been said. "Many English are dead, Great Sachem. And Magua has become Great War Chief, and seeks your acknowledgement". If Magua hoped to gain recognition, he would need the elders of many bands to respect him. With their respect, came the respect of their people. Gift giving was a perfect way of doing just that. "So I have brought you three of my prisoners to honour you" he gestured to his prisoners nearby, the Munros and Major Heyward.

The Sachem's eyes did not shift to look, but curiously he asked "Three? I count four of Magua's captives"

One of the slightly younger bucks in Magua's war party chuckled knowingly, sniggering aloud from the far back, "Magua is sly old fox. Wants to keep pretty red hair for him-self"

"Quiet!" the Huron Chief hissed, waving his tomahawk above in the air in a threatening manner. When Magua had silence, he continued, returning to his usual controlled diplomatic tone. "Magua will sell the English officer to the French, and the reward is my gift to you, wise one". Major Heyward was restrained like any conquered warrior. The hot blooded warriors had beaten him for good measure. Magua than gestured to the Cora and Alice, tied and presented like the tormented captives they were.

"The two women are children of the white War Chief Munro. They will burn in our fires. Then all can share in the trophies of honour". The vacant stare in Alice's eyes was slowly growing deeper. Cora was dealing with the situation slightly better. She kept her wits about her, and her thoughts hopeful of rescue. She could only grasp Alice's hand in comfort and hope that help would come and save them. The Huron then paused for a moment, turning to pull Robin forward, ever so slightly, as to display her before the Sachem, with whom she was already familiar with. "The one I name Little Bird, I claim as my wife, to replace the one taken from me."

The wise old Sachem regarded the copper haired woman with a mixture of grudging suspicion, and admiration. He sensed the silent power within her, and acknowledged her with a slight nod. Concluding Magua pushed Robin back to his trusted friend, Ongewa. He assumed the Sachem would be glad to have the gypsy out of his village, as soon as possible. From what he had heard, she was too much of a troublemaker to keep personally amongst the Lenape tribe. She was too spirited and wild. She could be a bad influence, especially on the children and women, with her outspoken ways and fiery temper. Magua felt certain the Sachem would have no quarrel handing her over to his keeping. Then he would take her back with him to his village, and slowly break her into the role of being his wife. As much as Magua tried to remain impassive and sharp, pleasant fantasies began to play. Successful from yet another hunt, he would return to find her working hard, like all the other respectable Huron women. Beading or tanning hides, with a hot meaty broth ready of the fire to serve upon his return. If she pleased him, he would trade for some pretty trinkets to keep her content, to let her know she was in a sense 'loved'. He even dared to dream she may one day carry his child. He was just coming out of his prime, there was still time to plant his seed, and sire another son. He would teach the child all he knew, and again see the next generation of his blood grow. He would also be eager to teach his young wife what exactly men and women did under the sleeping blanket. And this time she would not resist. Savouring the thought Magua waited for the Sachem's wise judgement, turning his ravenous gaze over to Robin ever so briefly. She merely huffed at him, purposely looking away in a display of contempt. He ignored it. She's just being stubborn… He reasoned.

Finally, just as it seem the Sachem had made his decision, hollers and yelling started to sound off not far from the gathering. Guards and scouts who were meant to be stationed out and around the village began to swarm around a group of figures entering the camp. Their animalistic wails and brandishing of war clubs did little to intimidate the intruders. Few of the young boys ran ahead to the gathering, announcing with urgency,

"A Mohican! A Mohican!"

"Mohawks too!"

Magua's spine stiffened as he reached for his nearby musket. Impossible…inconceivable…

The Mohican adopted white man, known as Hawkeye, steadily approached the gathering of tribesmen, undeterred by the violent blows dealt to him by the Lenape and Huron warriors heckling him and the small group of Mohawks that trailed behind. Magua had expected the Mohican, but not the Mohawks. He hadn't seen that accursed tribe since they had taken him captive, many years ago. His blood seared with resentment, as the young buck of the war party, smeared with war paint, flanked Hawkeye's side. Their enraged gaze briefly met with an intensity of an inferno before the young Mohawk man looked aside at Robin. His expression turned to one of endearment.

"River woman!" He took a step forward, reaching out to her with relieved astonishment. Koda, her young friend, also peered out from the Mohawk party formation.

"Koda!" Robin gasped. "Waneek!" She barely recognised the Mohawk, clad in his terrifying war attire. They were the last people she had expected to see. Somehow along the way fate had conspired for Hawkeye and Waneek to cross paths. The Mohicans and Mohawks were no strangers to each other.

"Waneek?" Magua spat as if the very name tasted like poison. He grasped Robin's hair, pulling her back in a fit of jealous irrationality. Who was this young Mohawk? How did he know Little Bird? And why did Little Bird look so happy to see him? The thoughts sent his blood seething with rage. The youth aggressively stepped forward to challenge Magua, spurred by the rough handling of Robin he had just witness. Hawkeye had to throw him-self between the Huron and Mohawk party to stop one launching at the other like a pack of raging wolves. He was hoping to conclude with the council with words alone. Enough had already died.

"Major Heyward, translate in French." He said quickly "I come to you unarmed, in peace. Let the captives go free. Take the fire out of the English anger over the murder of their helpless ones."

Magua cast Robin aside to speak again to the Sachem. "Montcalm and our friends, the French, are stronger than the English. We do not fear English anger"

Hawkeye continued to argue. "Sachem, the French fathers made peace. Magua broke it." Momentarily Hawkeye glanced aside, surveying Cora with hidden concern.

The Huron however dismissed the worrisome claims. "It made our French father happy to know that he would never have to fight the same English again". Magua paused when the Sachem held his hand up to speak. With a far off look, he stated, "The white man came and at night entered our future with him. Our council has asked the same question since I was boy. 'What are the Hurons to do?'"

"Now the French fear us too. That is good. When the Huron is stronger from their fear, we will make new terms of trade with the French" Many nodded in eager agreement to his claims. "We will take land from the Abenaki, furs from the Osage, Sauk and Fox. Trade for gold. No less than the whites, as strong as the whites" excited cheers followed, the party and Lenape people rallied at such a promise. But Hawkeye voiced the price for such luxury "Would Magua use the ways of the French, against the English? Would you?"

"Yes!"

Hawkeye went on. "Would he make his own brothers foolish with brandy and steal his land to sell to the white man? Have more greed than a man can use? Take all the furs from every animal in the forest and sell them for beads and whisky?" he paused for a moment, letting Duncan catch up in his translation. "Those are the ways of the Yankees, and French traders. Their masters in Europe, infected with the sickness of greed!" Small murmurs shifted to agree with what the white born Mohican had said. "Magua's heart is twisted. He would make him-self into what twisted him. I am Nathanial of the Yankees. Hawkeye, adopted son of Chingachgook of the Mohican people. Let Magua's captives go free. All of them." He pointed individually to each captive, including Robin, who had been pushed further back, in an attempt to conceal her from view. Ongewa frowned, looking over to Magua briefly at the Mohican continued. He held out of beaded belt, of great length, colourfully decorated with intricate designs and patterns, woven from hand with only the finest grace. "This belt is a record of my father's people. It speaks for my truth"

Magua looked furious. "You speak poison of two tongues! You not only wish to steal Magua's captives, but the woman he is to call his wife as well? I claimed her!"

"She is a shuvani, a holy woman to her people!" Waneek stepped forward, gesturing wildly to emphasis his point. "She cannot be taken like any captive! Magua shames her ancestors with his actions and will bring bad medicine down onto your heads" nervous chattering and whispering started to be heard from those gathered. Even Magua was stunned by the statement. He had not even considered the possibility Robin could have been a medicine woman. She was too young, too spirited.

The Sachem narrowed his heavily wrinkled eyes. "Little Bird. Come forward" he beckoned her forward. Ongewa reluctantly pushed her forward into view. "Is this true? You are a holy woman among your people?"

Robin paused, considering how she could answer such a question. "I was taught by my grandmother, who learnt from her mother. And her mother's mother before that. They were considered 'wise women' amongst my clan, the Ba'ak. The gypsies people."

The Sachem nodded for a moment, casually glancing over to the Huron Chief with a slight look of condescension "Magua, did you know of this?"

The Huron scowled in return, remaining tight lipped and unwilling to admit to his obvious blunder. Spirit people, of any culture, tribe or religion, were a force to be reckoned with. They could still be captured or killed, but certain precautions needed to be taken, to ensure no vengeful spirit or curse could befall the enemy or the tribe that had conquered them. Most of the time, they were released or ransomed back to their own people. Captive warriors were the ones often used for torture and balancing blood feuds. Not spirit people. They were blessed, either by the gods, the spirits or some other fanciful power at play. It was even rumoured that if married to one of such spiritual power, it would transcend to their mate, and make them just as strong. However the risk is often too great for such foolishness. The Sachem heard tales from the old hunters of his age, of scorned women and spurned men turning into monstrous beasts, all in the foolish pursuit of power and lust. He could already see the change taking Magua.

Robin answered for him. "He did not, because I did not say. Among my people, it is not something to boast about. It is a humble but silent service. My people are very private and protective of their ways. Very few know, or even understand them. So we do not speak of them to outsiders"

The Sachem then gestured between the two warriors, "And yet this Mohawk knows your way, not Magua?"

"Waneek saved my life. He pulled me from a river when I was hurt. I would have died, if not for him. I owe him my life"

The Sachem had heard enough. "Magua is Great War Chief. But his path is not the path of the Huron" he then paused, mentally tallying up a way that all parties may be satisfied. "Magua will take younger daughter of Munro so that Munro's seed doesn't die and Magua's heart is healed. English Officer will go back to English so their hatred burns less bright. Dark child of Munro will burn in fire for Magua's dead children. And Little Bird will go to the Mohawk, and repay the life debt she owes. Long rifle, go in peace" With that the discussion was over.

"Trade him, me for her!" Hawkeyed offered in desperation, urging Duncan to translate before it was too late.

Duncan however offered him-self in Hawkeye's place. "Take me. A British Officer! Trade me for her!"

Amongst the turmoil Magua never looked so enraged. Things had not gone as he had planned. "We will go west to the Hurons of the Lakes! This is not the voice of wisdom!" The interfering Mohicans had again ruined his plans. "You are women. Slaves. Dogs! I spit on you!" There was nothing he could do now to change the Sachem's judgement. Taking hold of Yellow Hair, he left, glancing over at Robin one last time before disappearing amongst the mass of warriors.

Hawkeye still tried to bargain for Cora's life. "I am the Long Rifle! My death is a great honour to your people, take me!" when the Lenape warriors paused, he assumed he had been heard. "Did you tell them?" He looked to Duncan, then the Sachem who finally agreed.

Duncan looked at him in exhaustion, knowing what was about to come "Yes…yes" The Lenape warriors suddenly swarmed around him, leaving Cora unharmed. She ran to Hawkeye, as he looked on in confusion. He realised the foolish Englishman's action. He had mistranslated, on purpose, to save Cora. "I said to take me…take me!" Hawkeye's cries were unheard over the chaotic atmosphere.

"For god sake sir, take her and get out!" Duncan shouted as he was hauled away. They dragged him through the village, striking him with sticks and shrieking abuse. He became the object of their fury. Lashing him to a wooden rack, he was bound and lifted, into the roaring fires. Hawkeye quickly ushered Cora away from the gruesome scene, regrouping with Uncas and Chingnoock outside the Lenape village.

"Alice. We have to find Alice!" Cora desperately searched the face of the mountains, trying to spot the Huron party before they gained too much ground.

Amongst all the confusion Robin was left standing unattended in the now abandoned space. Magua had already left with Alice and his Huron party. The Mohican trio had quickly followed with Cora. The Lenape people now gathered on the other side of the village, watching poor Duncan burn alive in their grand fire. Over the roars and holler of the people, Robin could hear his cries of agony.

"River Woman" Koda called, running up to her. He quickly took her hand and led her away. The Mohawks had also left the village, seeing no reason to stay any longer than needed. The Lenape's anger could turn as quick as the flames grew high. Waneek and the other Mohawks waited nearby on the village outskirts.

"Waneek, we must save Alice. Magua will trade her for me" Robin looked to Koda to translate.

After a moment he shook his head. Koda relay what Waneek was saying, as he took hold of her hand. "The Mohicans go after them now. We leave now. Come with me, to my village. Let us join as one" The youth shifted uncomfortably, having to say such words.

"I cannot…I have foreseen Alice's death. And many others, if I do not stop this madness" beseechingly she laid her hand on his chest, gently pushing back, away from her "Please Waneek, understand"

"Why? Why do this?" he did not seem to understand the refusal, or her reasoning.

"It is my duty. As a Shuvani. Sacrifice must be for the greater good. For now we part, but the future is still vast" she promised, almost emptily. If all went according to her recently conoected plan, she may never see the Mohawk again.

Waneek frowned, feeling so torn. Her sense of duty was admirable, but unfounded. He refused to relent so easily. "Will come for you; will find you". It was the first time he had spoken English to her, as broken as it was.

She smiled sweetly at him, cupping his face in her dainty hands. "And if you have the power to do so, I honour it"

With that she ran off, round the Lenape outskirts, towards the rocky mountains where Magua had withdrawn to. Alice…please, be okay. Please, just stay alive. She took a shortcut, darting up muddy embankments, and scurrying over a growing amount of rocks. She was out of breath by the time the Huron party came into view. She didn't however see the Mohicans anywhere nearby, were they ahead, or behind her now? Regardless, she pushed on, hollering at the top of her lungs to gain their attention. Though some Hurons turned to look at her, Magua stubbornly walked on, obviously annoying her with bitter stubbornness.

"Magua!" she snapped marching forward with foolish recklessness. Some warriors looked at her bewildered, dumbfounded by her brazen behaviour. Respectable Huron women never addressed their men so openly, or in such a disrespect manner. "Magua! You knuckle headed Huron! Stop!"

Finally he did, glaring over his shoulder at her in irritation. "Little Bird…you dare taunt me with your presence." Seething jealousy laced his bitter tone "Where is your Mohawk lover? Surely he has not left his holy woman again, unprotected" he spat with such disgust he could barely look at her. The thought of another, holding her with such familiarity, sickened him. And he thought she was so innocent.

Robin grimaced at the accusation, inwardly embarrassed by his scandalous statement "Waneek and I never shared a sleeping mat. I am a free woman. " She sounded so proud, standing tall with her hands clamped on her hips. She steeled her-self, for the words she was about to say "But…But I can be …yours." She looked away briefly, bashfulness getting the better of her "Let Alice go, and I will take her place"

Magua almost laughed at such an offer. Too good to be true. She was just here to tease him, surely. "You think too highly of yourself now, shuvani. I could easily just take you and keepYellow Hair as well"

Robin thought he might play dirty. Well she could play dirty too. As he turned to walk away, she folded her arms over her chest rather confidently. "Then I would not tell you of your future. And how you die"

Magua stopped for a moment, perhaps interested. But he then viciously stalked towards her like a man tethering the edge of savagery, brandishing his tomahawk threateningly. "Do not play games with me woman. The English dog burns as we speak for his foolish words." The smell of burning flesh was slowly wafting down wind. Someone had fired a musket shot not long after Robin had left the Lenape village. She assumed it had been a Coup de grâce, from the Mohicans following closely behind. They must be closing in as they spoke.

"I have foreseen your death. It is much sooner than you think if you continue down this path. The Mohicans' are coming for Alice. They will kill many of your men, and you. Let Alice ago and they will have no more reason to follow" her voice was uncharacteristically steady, despite her situation. Magua looked ready to kill her, after all the trouble she had put him through.

"Chingnoock will still come. He sees you like a daughter"

"I will tell them not to follow. I will come with you, willingly…submit, even. If that will convince you. " she shifted uncomfortably at her own words; they seemed so unnatural, against her nature. But to save Alice, she would endure. Above freedom, a gypsy prized loyalty.

Magua warily eyed her with uncertainty. Taking another step closer, he cautiously entertained the idea. "You will yield?"

She gulped. "To whatever fate you see fit"

"You tempt me gypsy" His eyes glazed in contemplation. "but Magua still wants his revenge!" He lashed out, taking hold of her wrist in a steel grip. The pressure of his grasp slowly increasing as they continued to stare eachother down. She flinched, but remained determined

"You already have it! Do you not see, without their father the daughters of Munro have nothing?! They have nothing to return to. No family. No status. By the white man's ruling, they are dead to society. No respectable man will take a woman without a father to offer a dowry. They will be shamed in White man's eyes, having been captives to the red man. And they will have to live with that, for the rest of their days. Such a fate for them is worse than death"

She spoke the words as quickly as she thought them, desperate to save Alice for her dreadful fate. More so, she had to make Magua understand. He needed to save him from him-self. Alice's death would do nothing but sully his spirit and harden his heart. No good would come out of it, he would gain no satisfaction. If anything, the darkness inside him would only grow, twisting him into a hellish beast, consuming all in his path, until finally killed him-self.

But traces of humanity broke through the frenzy. Reason. Curiosity. Hope.

"You have truly seen my death?" visions of the future were not unheard of amongst the natives. Dreams were thought to foretell messages from the spirits and gods. Only fools ignored such a thing.

But Robin refused to reveal anything in detail. "Release Alice, and it may be avoided…"

He looked at her suspiciously, believing she could be bluffing. But if it was true, the sight would make her all the more valuable than Yellow Hair, whose sanity looked ready to snap. Since their last meeting Magua had asked some French traders about these 'gypsy people'. Mytherstious, free spirited nomads, with no alliance or cause in life, other than to travel and explore, living off the land, and wandering through each new day. But he had heard some interesting tales. Gypsy women loved jewellery, and could dance as no respectable white woman could. They rode horses from birth, and bred giant cart horses, which natives called 'thunder horses'. Monstrous sized creatures, with hooves the size of a war drum. But above all else, gypsies were honourable, their word highly valued. Lies were not told lightly, one fur trader had said 'gypsies would tell their children that if they told lies, their tongue would fall out'. If it was true, then Robin wouldn't be lying. Being a Shuvani, as she as deemed, she would be honour bound even more do.

Here she was, the witch of a woman before him, offering her-self to him like sacrificial lamb. Would be risk taking such a tempting offer? He had to admit, hearing scraps of gypsy tribes made him all the more curious.

After a long pause, he finally gave his answer. "She stays…you go" with that, he tugged her to follow, snapping orders in his native tongue to the rest of his war party. After a moment of disbelief, they did as he instructed, cutting Alice's bindings and retying them on Robin. A cord laced around her neck, giving her only a few metres of movement. Now she was the captive, her hands bound together with a leather strap.

"No, Rob, oh whatever your name is! Don't leave me" Alice clung to her in desperation, shaking like a leaf. Her nerves were obviously ready to break. She needed to be get away, from everything. From the violence, the senseless slaughter, and the savagery of the world she had come to witness. Her father had done her a great injustice, keeping his daughter so sheltered from the outside world. Reality was shocking, to say the least.

But amidst all the blood and carnage, Robin offered a comforting smile. "Just stay hidden in the bushes. Hawkeye and Cora are coming. I'll be alright. I am a gypsy, after all. We survive"

"Come!" Magua tugged on the cord tied around Robin's neck, sharply jolting her to follow like some animal as he continued up at the rocky path. Alice stood, watching helplessly as once again, Robin walked away, swarmed by the Huron party, that no longer paid her any attention. Once they got over the rocky peaks, they would be in friendly territory, where no Mohawk, Mohican, or white, feared to tread.

Robin's only relief was Alice's name being called by her sister, and the Mohicans nearby. They were finally reunited. Robin couldn't help but smile to her-self, thinking of the strange couples. Hawkeye, a white man raised as a Mohican, paired with prime and proper Cora, whilst fragile little Alice fell right into Uncas's tanned, tribal tattooed arms. Chingnoock would be happy to see his sons finally settle down, and perhaps even sire some grandchildren. It was the best outcome Robin could have hoped for, even if her situation was not as promising.

But she couldn't help but wonder… what would life with Magua be like? That is…if he still wanted her as a wife…

A/N – sorry for the long wait! What do you think !? if this the end, or should there be another chapter ?! would will magua do ? will he and robin live happily ever after, or am I going to be mean and do something bad ?! muhahahahah rate and review to find out !