Chapter Seventeen- Samuel Smith

The next morning, Pocahontas woke up bright and early. She looked around her. Nakoma was sleeping in a bed next to her, but where were they? Then she remembered; they were in England. They were in John's homeland. They were there to save John's life. Pocahontas tiptoed out of the room so as to not wake Nakoma and made her way downstairs, where she found Kelly.

"Good morning, Kelly." Pocahontas called. Kelly turned around.

"Good morning, Pocahontas. Did you sleep well?"

"Very well, thank you. Nakoma is still sleeping." Pocahontas said with a smile.

"Would you like some tea?" Kelly asked. Pocahontas shook her head. Kelly told her to sit and she did.

"If you wouldn't mind me asking, but why are you here? Why are you here to save John Smith?" Pocahontas was quiet.

"They're…they're going to…to hang him." Pocahontas said, tears welling up in her eyes. Kelly's eyes held a look of sympathy.

"Why?"

"They say that he committed treason. They arrested him and dragged him off to jail. Then Ratcliffe, who had this happen in the first place, visited him and John attacked him. He had John whipped fifty times and chained the wall in his cell." Pocahontas said in a rush. She didn't like to think or talk about what had happened to John last month.

"So you've come to England to help him how?" Kelly asked.

"The king signed a document that said he was to be put to death on June twenty-first. I have to find John's brother, sister, and father and then get in to speak to the king. I've got to reverse this!" Pocahontas said.

"You will, Pocahontas, you will. Are you hungry?" Kelly asked. Pocahontas shook her head.

"No. I'm fine, thank you." She said. She stood up. "I'd had better wake up Nakoma."

"I'll wake Thomas. Carrie woke up this morning and was wondering why her brother was here, though she was excited." Kelly said with a smile, motioning to a little girl curled up on a cot next to the fireplace asleep. Pocahontas smiled and went to wake up Nakoma.

"Nakoma, it's time to get up." She said. Nakoma rolled over.

"I'm awake already, Pocahontas." Nakoma said, sitting up.

"Are you hungry?" Pocahontas asked.

"Not really." Nakoma said, shrugging.

"Well, Thomas is bound to be. We have to find John's father today." Pocahontas said. She sighed, knowing the task ahead of her would be tedious.

"Where will we find him?"

"I'm note sure. John didn't put any of that information in his letter." Pocahontas said.

"So you have no idea of where in the world we should start looking?" Nakoma asked.

"Well, I do have an idea. Someplace 'political'. A courthouse, most likely." Pocahontas said.

"That would probably be the best place to start. Pocahontas, this isn't going to be easy." Nakoma warned.

"I knew that when I thought up the idea to come here." Pocahontas said. A knocking on the door caused both of them to jump. It was Kelly.

"Are you two ready? Thomas is waiting downstairs." Kelly said.

"Yes, we're ready." Pocahontas answered, standing up.

"Good. Good luck, Pocahontas." Kelly said and she turned around and left. Pocahontas looked at Nakoma.

"Are you ready?" She asked.

"I'm ready." The two found Thomas waiting for them downstairs, his little sister clinging to his leg.

"Tommy! Please don't go! You just got here!" Carrie wailed.

"Carr, I'll be back. I'm not going back to Jamestown for another three months at least." Thomas said, trying to convince his sister to let him go.

"Promise?" The little seven-year-old asked, looking up at him.

"Promise." Thomas said, ruffling Carrie's blonde hair. Carrie let go of Thomas's leg and waved goodbye as Pocahontas, Nakoma and Thomas made their way down the streets of London.

"Thomas, we need to go to the courthouse." Pocahontas said.

"Which one? There are at least five that I can think of!"

"The one that is likely to have John's father working there."

"Doesn't John's father work on the king's jury?" Thomas asked, stopping.

"Yes, but he also said that his father works at another court when he's not working on the king's jury." Pocahontas explained.

"Alright, let's go." Thomas said.

…oOo…

All day, Pocahontas, Thomas and Nakoma searched for John's father. They had checked at least seven courthouses. Finally, it was dusk and Thomas advised they all go home. Nakoma was more than happy to agree because she was very tired, but Pocahontas, though tired herself, wanted to find John's father. But she agreed that they should head back to Thomas's house. While on the way there, however, they passed a courthouse they hadn't checked. And a light was coming from inside.

"Thomas, let's just check this one." Pocahontas said. Thomas and Nakoma sighed at the same time. They understood why Pocahontas wanted to check this courthouse, but they wanted to go to bed. Pocahontas opened the door. She stuck her head in. On the opposite end of the courthouse sat a man. Pocahontas couldn't see him very well because the light was so dim, but she could tell he had blonde hair-like John. Pocahontas swallowed hard, hoping this was Samuel Smith, and entered the courthouse.

"Hello?" She asked, Thomas and Nakoma following close behind her. The man whirled around. "Do you know where I can find Samuel Smith?"

"I am Samuel Smith."

"I need to talk to you." Pocahontas said, sighing with relief that she had found John's father, possibly the sole person who could help her save him.

"Who are you?" He asked. "Do I know you?"

"You don't know me and I don't know you, but I do know your son." Pocahontas said, not stepping into the light.

"Peter?" The man asked.

"No. John." Pocahontas said.

"I know no John." The man said. Pocahontas found that her fists were clenched as she stepped into the light so that Samuel Smith could see her fully.

"You do, too! He's your son! And you can't deny that!" She yelled angrily.

"Who are you?" John's father asked.

"My name is Pocahontas." Pocahontas said, sighing. She knew that John's father would recognize her as the woman that would cost John his life.

"You?! Why have you come here?" Samuel Smith asked.

"I need you help! Your son is in danger and…"

"That's his own fault!" John's father snapped. "He chose to go back!"

"Yes, he came back! And I'm the reason he came back so blame that on me!" Pocahontas yelled. Thomas and Nakoma just stared at her in disbelief.

"I do." Samuel Smith said coldly.

"I don't care if you blame me or not, I just need your help! I've come here to save John's life! I have saved him in the past and I know I can do it again! Please help us!" Pocahontas begged.

"Forget it! John did this to himself! He chose to go back and it's his fault he's dying!" Samuel screamed.

"Why won't you help us?"

"I have a job and it's his fault he's going to be hanged. And yours." Samuel pointed out coldly. Pocahontas glared at him.

"John was right. Your job is more important than your family. Even more important than your own son." She said and she turned to leave. "Let's go, Thomas, Nakoma." She said. Then she, Thomas, and Nakoma left a very shocked Samuel Smith with his thoughts.

A/N- Hello, guys! Well, this is probably one of the longest chapters so far! What do you think of John's father? He's not very nice, is he? Should he help them or not? Keep in mind, I have NO clue how many courthouses are in London or the ways of their court, but this is fanfic, right? Anyway, I hope you're liking it! Please review!

I changed this one around because I was rereading it and I saw that I needed to let Pocahontas know that she had indeed found Samuel Smith.

By the way, are you guys mad at me? I haven't been getting many reviews, but I guess that's because everyone is away for Christmas and New Year's! Duh! Sorry I'm so brain-dead. Wake up, Rob, wake up!

-Robin