We slowly burn on with Alice and Uncas finally having a few moments. I've tried to maintain the 'original' Alice persona but I've realised I'm not great at reinterpreting the way the characters worked in the book/movie verse but given the fact that they don't say a lot, in book or movie and I've messed around with their lives etc etc, I figured it's alright to go out on a limb and just imagine them as (potentially) completely different to how we interpreted them in the first place. With me? Hope you're enjoying it.

Alice picked up her pace after that. The words had come to her on a whim but they were truer than her life. Or so it seemed.

She was aware that she had stunned the Mohican into silence rather than having run out of conversation. The strange outburst was also a gate way to a conversation she didn't want to have.

She caught up with Marie who was humming softly to herself.

"Alright?" Alice asked, trying to remember the tune. She'd heard it before. It was a folk tale. An old ballad. She didn't bother to find out what.

Marie didn't stop singing but she nodded. She was playing with her necklace. It bothered Alice, the way she could see it spinning. She placed a hand over the bother,

"Stop."

This seemed to snap Marie out of her thoughts,

"What?"

"You're spinning it. The last thing any of us wants is to get thrown into oblivion."

"True," Marie consented, dropping her hand. Alice half expected a quick witted retort but no such thing came of it.

"I was thinking," Marie continued, "Thinking on how this whole thing works. I remember reading the instructions-"

"Instructions?" Alice asked incredulously. Marie nodded impatiently,

"Yes. Instructions. I'm trying to jog my memory as to what it says. I remember reading them but…meh." She shrugged.

"Why didn't you read them properly? Better yet, why did you never keep them?"

Marie smirked,

"Would you have? They're like small print, iTunes agreements."

Alice sighed,

"Fine," Alice paused, taking in the heavy build that was Chingachgook, "They're the last of their kind."

"What?" Marie looked confused, "Who, them?"

She gestured to Chingachgook ahead. He glanced back as if he heard them. Both girls smiled awkwardly at being caught but continued to talk about nothing until he resumed an alertness to the wild outside of them.

"Yes," Alice confirmed finally, "Uncas was telling me. They're Mohican."

"Ah," Marie's face conveyed a revelation, "Traders along the Hudson river. I read about them. They became known as the 'River Indians' because of ancestry being connected to the Hudson River Valley."

She went from revelry to awe,

"I'm looking history in the eye."

Alice had to smile, "Any idea how they died out?"

"None that I remember reading about. I imagine they got killed off by disease and war time."

Alice's sense of content listening to Marie faded almost instantly having been so abruptly reminded that somewhere in the near future past, Uncas would die.

"Anything on 1757, yet? French-Indian wars, perhaps?" Alice offered up snidely but Marie shook her head,

"Obviously." Marie cast her a sly look, "But no. Still can't remember but, trust me Lady, you'll be the first to know."

"Can't have been that big of a deal if no one remembers it."

Her comment earned her a hard look,

"That's the problem all over the world," Marie retorted in an arrogant self-righteousness, "Some truly awful events have been swept under the mat because bigger and supposedly much harsher events have taken place and have outshone, if you will, these smaller ones. But they're no less important. Bad attitude."

"But you can't remember. And what are the chances it involves us? Our luck is not that bad," Alice defended but it wasn't enough, Marie was on the offence.

"Mine is," she gestured to Alice without shame. Alice simply rolled her eyes. She glanced up to see Nathaniel moving swiftly through the forest, his buckskin leggings and earthy, cotton shirt fitting in with the environment.

Alice was so intrigued by the simplicity of blending in, she didn't realise Hayward dropping back.

"We're almost there, Ladies," He assured them, "The old man tells me so."

Alice just looked at him. Marie blinked only once.

"How so?" she challenged, "We're in the middle of nowhere."

"I assure you, Cora, our scout says it's just over the Ridge," He looked upon her kindly, "I understand your frustration but we must be patient."

Alice understood Marie's frustration more than he did. First off, what Ridge? Second off, Hayward obviously wasn't as sure as he claimed to be. He was trying to take control of a situation that was beyond it. Thirdly, Scout?

Alice would have kept quiet. Marie, however, took to arguing her point with the poor man.

Alice slunk away from it. She saw how Chingachgook glanced back with a smile. Nathaniel, above, looked amused. Abandoning his post, he trotted down to her with a lopsided grin,

"Your sister's got a temper."

"She does," Alice agreed- sister still sounded absurd, "She's certainly got more fight than me."

"I wouldn't know, Miss," He shrugged, "Don't know you very well. Your sister, though, she's like me."

"Good or bad?" Alice enquired tentatively, glancing at her new travelling buddy. Nathaniel frowned, turning back to Uncas who was doing tiny circles on occasion to make sure they weren't followed. He stopped and looked at his brother when he was called.

"Miss Cora and I are similar; true or false?"

Uncas nodded slowly,

"True."

Nathaniel grinned,

"Good or bad?"

Uncas' gaze flickered uncertainly between Alice and Nathaniel before answering,

"Neither..."

The duo frowned at him. As a result, the Mohican frowned back and went back to his work.

Nathaniel turned back to Alice,

"A man of many words, my brother is."

Alice smiled,

"Yes well...it was an awkward question I guess."

"Aint nothing awkward about it! Good or bad, it's not your problem."

"Oh yes it is," Alice countered, perhaps a little too harshly. But Nathaniel didn't seem to notice. He chuckled,

"Well I like her."

Alice cast him a sceptical look,

"So you've sorted out your differences..."

"Indeed, we have, Miss," He answered fondly, "And with no small mention of you. Apparently you've always instigated the apology regardless of whether you agree or not?"

Alice blushed but didn't answer, looking away. Nathaniel shrugged,

"Well, I can't say I agree, but it works for making the other person feel pretty bad."

Alice would rather have died. Her eyes shot up to the heavens in disgrace,

"Teaching her a new way of manipulating was not the plan," Alice stressed, "And she was wrong."

"She knows. I didn't say I was any good at being manipulated," He winked, "I got a genuine apology out of her."

"Good," Alice sighed, "So how long until we do reach the Fort?"

"Well it's not over the Ridge because there is none and though 'soon' might be a good word to use tomorrow, it's not a good word today. Your soldier's not a quitter."

"What do you mean?" Alice asked, puzzled.

"He kept badgering me about the war and why we were heading West and not into battle. Then I left so he went for my father. 'Over the ridge' and 'soon' seemed to do the trick."

Alice giggled, allowing herself to feel it briefly fend off the worry before enquiring further into the Mohican background having found a suitable door,

"Why are you heading West?"

"Delaware. Find a woman for Uncas so he can carry on the Mohican tradition."

"Oh," Alice answered flatly, "But if my geography's correct, you're heading, somewhat in the wrong direction..."

"Smart, girl," He chided Alice, provoking a flare of irritation. He was the second man to patronise her.

"Only a day or so behind time though," He finished casually. Alice smiled grimly to herself at the irony of his words. Try 200+ years behind the time...old man.

"Well thank you," she offered instead.

Nathaniel shook his head,

"Don't thank me. Thank my father for deciding it was the right thing to do. Thank Uncas," He turned to look at his brother again, catching the younger man's eye, "for suggesting it."

""What?" Alice turned back too, "But you were on your way...did you come looking for us?"

Uncas' expression conveyed no answers while Nathaniel turned away with a knowing smile to traipse back up to his father,

"That we did. We'll be at the Fort by tomorrow night, Miss, don't you worry."

Alice gazed after Nathaniel as he retreated back towards the front. She contemplated waiting for Uncas to catch up but decided against it.

888888

The day wore one easily, the air clean and light. The sun moved through the sky with no obstacle until, at last, it came to early evening, dusk beckoning the sun back behind the curtains of night in a final push towards the end of the day.

"The river's not far," Nathaniel announced, dropping his sling bag on the ground carelessly, "If you must go, then take someone with you."

"What if we need to take care of business?" Marie enquired as courteously as she could manage; tight of lip and taught of brow, "If you get my meaning?"

Alice wanted to know the same thing but was too embarrassed to ask. Uncas and his father looked puzzled, Nathaniel smirked,

"Find a nearby tree, Miss. Uncas will be more than happy to accompany you."

He grinned at them both as Uncas rose reluctantly from his seated position near Chingachgook. Alice felt mortified on behalf of her dear 'sister' but Marie thought nothing of it. Instead she returned his amusement with a wry smile,

"I had thought to ask you, Nathaniel. Being the gentleman you are."

Alice tensed and Uncas sank back down to the ground. Nathaniel and Marie stared at each other evenly, daring each other to continue.

Chingachgook broke their silence with a snort, his old smile flashing as he glanced over his shoulder from his rummaging in his bag.

"Let her go." He waved his hand carelessly, "Nobody here is a gentleman. Or a gentle woman."

Then he stole a look at Alice, giving her a once over before concluding,

"Except this one," He added, "A very gentle heart."

Alice felt at a loss,

"How would you know that?"

He turned his attention to her fully, shifting around to look at her properly, crossing his hands over his knees. He narrowed his eyes,

"Just a feeling, Miss Munro. Just a feeling."

Alice didn't want to look at him for too long for Chingachgook's eyes were boring so deeply into hers, she felt as if he were searching her soul for something he might not find. She looked away and at Marie who smiled knowingly at her. It seemed that between her and Chingachgook, there was an agreement. Alice slumped,

"Are you going?"

Marie's smile dropped instantly,

"Yes..." She lifted her hands up in defence, the tiny trinket bouncing about her chest, "I suppose I am."

She turned away without looking back and slunk into the thick of the woods.

"Do you not need to go too, Miss?"

Alice looked down at Uncas. His expression genuine. She might have felt awkward if not for Uncas' lack of amusement.

She shook her head,

"No. I was hoping to go to the river, actually. Just to-"

Uncas got to his feet in one swift movement,

"To what?"

He was tall. Much taller than herself. His height threw her off her train of thought so much that she couldn't remember why. Perhaps just to see it? Perhaps to escape?

"To..." She turned away with the heat of a blush creeping up her cheeks, muttering to herself, "Not sure now."

Uncas followed sturdily behind her.

The river, once reached was beyond beautiful. The sun was gradually descending behind the canopy of trees off to her right and cast a light that was other worldly upon the water as it flowed carelessly down towards the sea.

It was so beautiful, she thought.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Uncas' words mimicking her thoughts almost to a 'T'.

Alice almost forgot her silent companion was still there. She turned,

"Yes. Breath-taking," she looked around then said it with more depth because it truly did astonish her, "Amazing! I never thought I'd be so taken with the outdoors. It's captivating."

Uncas broke out into a grin,

"You don't fit the outdoors," He commented easily, "But it fits you."

"What do you mean?"

He shrugged. It did seem like a deeply romantic thing to say for someone he'd just met. Then she thought it through,

"Is there's something on my face?"

"There's a lot of something on your face."

Alice groaned, kneeling down to the river, bowing her head to the water.

She felt renewed and refreshed as the crisp, cold water splashed onto her face. Her hands revelled in the lightness of the current and the gentle movement of the water as it made its way around her fingers.

"I was thinking you were bringing on the romance," she mused, smiling at the idea, calmed by the ebb of the water.

"Romance, Miss?" Uncas cocked his head and narrowed his eyes, kneeling down beside her, "There's no romance out here."

She looked at him, feeling a random twang of offence, knowing full well that he wasn't being patronising. Still, she couldn't help but feel as though were she not to defend her claim, she might very well fall under the veil of an invalid school girl. No. No,

"Of course there is," she answered forcefully, "The wilderness can be deeply romantic!"

Uncas frowned but didn't look at her. He seemed confused, thinking hard as if trying desperately to grasp the concept of the wilderness being less harsh and unforgiving as he had always known it to be.

"Ever seen daisies in full bloom in a field? It's sunshine on Earth." Alice smiled warmly at him when he looked at her, proud of her defence.

Uncas returned her smile but shook his head in amusement,

"There are no Daisies here, Miss." He stood up, rubbing a wet hand on his leggings,

"The water's cold today..."

Alice didn't take note, staring blankly at the water. She felt put out by the young man. She felt stupid. When she finally did stand up to go back to the others, she instead found Uncas inching his way into the water. His face contorting this way and that as the water drew higher up the length of his body.

"What are you doing?" Alice cried. Uncas seemed unfazed, focused more on battling the chill of the evening and the water.

"Bathing, Miss."

"But what if we get attacked?"

"We won't," He dared a glance at her, "I promise."

"But..." Alice didn't know what to do and her words failed her.

"You can go back, Miss," He eased himself into the water fully and took a sharp breath in, "If you want. It's not far."

"No but..." Alice, what's your problem? "I'd...rather not," she finished sheepishly.

But Uncas didn't pay her embarrassment any mind. In fact, Alice wasn't even sure he noticed.

"Then be patient, Miss Munro." He ducked below the surface only to come out shining, "Almost done."

Alice issued a huff and plonked herself down, trying to decipher which position was not only best suited to her but what was more appropriate. She settled for cross-legged in the end, her dress seemed to do a good job at hiding any profanities anyway.

She watched, unimpressed, as Uncas proceeded to wash himself. When he noticed Alice's bored expression, he stated again,

"You can go, Miss."

"I can't bloody leave you, now can I?" she snapped, not even sorry for swearing that time around, "It's fine, I'll wait."

Uncas rested his head on a rock, scrutinising her quizzically,

"Why?"

"Why what?" Alice snapped.

"Why can't you leave me? Is it the romance?"

Alice went crimson but he had landed her in a dilemma. The 'romance' wasn't right but then neither was the truth.

"We'll call it that, if you want," she answered faintly.

Uncas eased back with a frown but didn't ask any further questions or elaborate on the joke. Alice's answer, it seemed, was not satisfactory. He emerged from the water in a swift ascension.

He retrieved his cotton shirt and his leggings and put them back on as Alice set her sights on the water, determined not to let her eyes wonder.

"Let us go, Miss," Uncas' voice sounded earnestly from behind her.

Alice got up and turned. Uncas waited for her to arrive at his side, waited for her to overtake him. He never seemed to want to be ahead, Alice noted.

She was about to turn and ask him about it when suddenly he slammed into her, pressing his hand against her mouth. She froze, he froze, everything froze. But nothing happened.

Alice's heart was racing. After a few moments, Alice was released from Uncas' grip but told to keep quiet. Uncas was turning his head this way and that, listening for anything, hearing everything, like an animal. Alice could swear she saw his ears twitching as such.

A whistle was heard, sailing through the leaves to them. Uncas' hand closed tightly around Alice's and started to pull her long at a steady jog. He pulled out a knife. They were stopped when Nathaniel appeared abruptly in front of them. He was startled enough to jerk back at the sight of Uncas' knife point.

"Your sister's been worried sick about you," He told Alice harshly, slowly taking his eyes off the knife's glinting sharpness. Then pointing at his brother,

"We've been followed. I saw you looking around, brother. You're right... someone's out there so keep your head down."

Alice felt all her romantic notions slip from her body, a naked Uncas that was walking about her memory, walked out. She couldn't speak. Uncas looked down at her and said something to his brother but Nathaniel only waved it off.

Just then, Marie burst through the trees, followed closely by Duncan but no Chingachgook.

"Alice!" Marie whispered frantically but said no more.

"Where's Chingachgook?" Alice demanded, her initial instinct kicking in. Uncas gave her a curious look. Nathaniel looked annoyed,

"Don't worry about him."

"No, I-"

But Duncan silenced her,

"The Scout is right, Alice, don't worry about him. He's far more capable than any of us. Dare I say far more so than you."

Alice was shocked by the audacity. Marie gave her a sympathetic look but said nothing. Alice's fear quickly turned to fury. She was about to retort angrily when Uncas put a finger to his lips. For him, Alice obeyed.

Moments passed and though nothing happened, Nathaniel refused to let them move.

"What are we-" Marie started but Duncan yelled loudly in her ear, sending her into a panicked silence as someone flew out of the trees.

Everyone, including Alice, managed to sidestep though Alice was sure she wouldn't have were it not for Uncas.

But Marie received the blow with a grunt. She tumbled into the ground, crying out as she struggled.

Duncan wasted no time in going to her aid while Uncas and Nathaniel were suddenly bombarded by Mohawk men as they ripped and tore through their little band.

Chingachgook was still nowhere to be seen.

Alice dropped to the ground to make herself smaller, wishing she were braver, willing herself to be so but to no avail.

Marie's startled and fearful cries quickly turned to anger as she and Duncan battled the Huron. Duncan was hit with a particularly hard blow to his head and he collapsed, only half conscious, beside Alice. His groans were slow and agonised and Marie was once again, left alone with the Huron.

Alice watched as she was heaved up screaming and hauled away with her arms being yanked behind her back.

Nobody but Alice noticed as gunfire and woops and grunts and yells of fight filled the stillness of the air.

Do something, Alice!

In a moment of clarity, the assailant dragged Marie through a spot of light and his face came clear. The Scout.

Alice leaped to her feet but not before a shot was fired. It missed the devilish man by an inch but it threw him as he stumbled, loosening his grip on Marie long enough for her to lurch away.

She blanched back briefly but kept going despite the sound of a dull click.

The Huron's and indeed the Frontiersman grew confused and panicked as shots were continually fired but from where, nobody knew. It soon became apparent that the ex-scout was the target.

Keeping his head low, he called off his war party and ran. Suddenly all who were there, were gone.

Silence reigned, even as Chingachgook appeared effortlessly from the shadows, musket held aloft, a cut above his eye and a tear in his shirt.

Of all the things that could have been said in that moment; comfort, resolve, worry...

Marie was the first one to speak, horrified and with terror,

"Alice, he took the thing!"

THE THING! So, the necklace is gone. Oh no! Where has it gone? Where has the villain got to and what will Alice do next?!
Review, if you'd be so kind :)
Ta!