Chapter 6

A/N: Hi, y'all! Thanks for reviewing! This chapter takes place after Kit's trial and I'm finallyswitching things up a little. Enjoy!

Kit staredat Captain Talcot in disbelief.

"The charges against you have been dropped. You're free to go," the magistrate repeated.

Kit stood up and looked around the room in relief, not really seeing the seemingly stoic face of her uncle (although his eyes revealed his relief)or the tiny, joyous face of Prudence. She wasn't going to have her ear cut off or be forced to leave Wethersfield. And all because of Nat.

Nat. Kit looked at the door. He was no longer there, butshe had to find him. The others in the room gave a startled gasp as she ran out the doors and spun around, calling, "Nat! Nat!"

No response came, but Kit remained gazing out into the distance for the man who had saved her, until Goodwife Cruff's shrill voice returned her to reality.

"That man! Wasn't he one of those sailors who were in the stocks? Promised thirty lashings if he ever returned here, he was!"

Captain Talcot sighed. "Find him. The punishment still stands." A handful of men rushed out to obey his orders.

Kit ran back inside, horrified. "But you can't! Please, Captain Talcot. Not when he just came back to help me," she pleaded.

Matthew Wood looked confusedly across the room at his neice, who was begging the magistrate to listen, but said, "She's right, Sam. The boy risked the punishment to see justice done. We ought not to punish him for that."

Captain Talcot was tired, the animosity of GoodwifeCruffdraining him. He gave in. "Very well. The punishment for all three sailors is lifted. They are free to come to Wethersfield."

Prudence sidled up to Kit. "Don't worry," she said. "They won't find him. He told me to tell you he had a swift skiff hidden so he would be able to escape as soon as the trial was over."

Kit dropped to her knees again and hugged the young girl tightly. "Prudence! Thank you for everything. How did you-you-" Kit couldn't finish her question.

"Nat came for me. He said I was the only one who could save you and that he would stay as long as we needed him. Oh! And he also told me to give this to you," Prudence whispered, discreetly slipping an envelope from her small hand into Kit's slightly larger one.

"Thank you, Prudence, you dear girl," Kit said with atiny smile."Now, will you be all right at home?"

"Indeed she will. I'll take care of that," said Goodman Cruff, stepping into the conversation. "I'll see that she is well taken care of. And you'll see her next year in that school of yours. I mean to have somebody to read me the good book in the evening."

Kit turned to smile at the man. "Thank you, as well, for dropping the charges and believing me at the end."

Adam Cruff nodded. "Well, you were right. You are no witch and I believe you now. My wife on the other hand…"

All three turned to look inside the courtroom where Goodwife Cruff was still protesting the verdict to a very weary Captain Talcot. "She's a witch! And she's bewitched you all! You would never have declared her innocent in you right mind, magistrate. She's got you under a spell! She's a wit-"

Captain Talcot, tired of hearing his judgment questioned, interrupted her. "You know, Goodwife Cruff, falsely accusing somebody is crime itself. Mistress Tyler over there can press her own charges. Thirty pound fee or three hours in the stocks."

Kit gasped. "Oh, no!"

Matthew, who had walked steadily over to his niece, put a hand on her shoulder. "We do not wish to press charges. Let's just have this over and done with."

"Yes, I just want to go home, magistrate," agreed Kit.

"You're free to leave whenever you desire," he said, dismissing them with a nod of his head.

The two left directly thereafter. Kit was eager to get home and read a certain letter.

After Kit told the family the good news, she slipped upstairs to read her letter. She told the family she was tired and just wanted to sleep.

They all nodded in understanding.

"Go on up, dear. You must be exhausted," said Aunt Rachel sympathetically.

Kit smiled wearily and headed up the stairs. When she reached the bedroom, she sat on the bed and immediately opened Nat's letter. It read:

Dear Kit,

I'm sorry to say I have broken my promise to you. I came back. I simply could not stay away – not when you were in such grave trouble. I hope you forgive me.

I have a new promise to you, one I shall keep: I shan't ever return again if you don't want me to do so. I hope you do not wish this, but if you do, I shall respect it.

With those thoughts in mind, let me offer you my congratulations on being proclaimed innocent. Perhaps you suspect that I am truly writing this before coming to the trial, but I know what the end verdict will be. Everyone, with the obvious exception of that horrible woman, Goodwife Cruff, and a few of her fellow crones,now knows you are not an evil witch. Though you definitely have witch-like qualities – such as being able to swim and you most certainly are very bewitching.

Kit, the last time we really talked, that night beneath the willow tree, you told me you would marry William Ashby when he asked you again and I advised you against this. I realize 'twas none of my business and if you decide to marry him, I offer you my best wishes. But if you do, I'm afraid I cannot ever see you again, as it would hurt me to see you with someone you did not love.

I shall return to Wethersfield once more to learn your answer. Am I to remain in your life or should I begin to try to forget you? The latter would be very hard to do, for you are not a forgettable woman. I will honor whatever you ask of me. I shall see you when I return, for, perhaps, the last time.

Good-bye,

Nat

Kit folded up the letter and lay down on the bed. Tears streaming down her face, she went to sleep with a mind heavy with thoughts.

A/N: And that is the next chapter. What did you think? I realize the letter may be a bit off, but I have so much trouble writing letters and cards. Honestly, I think that's the longest letter I've written in the last five years or so. I usually am good for writing about four sentences. But please review anyway!

Thanks to: Nicnak, ffgirlmoonie, carly, MaskedInsideandout, Steph, Angel of Despair (5 times), Perennial Rhinitis, and all my original reviewers.

Author's Note: Hi and I'm sorry I didn't update daily. First off, it was Easter. Happy belated Easter, Passover, 4-20 (would not have remembered that on my own, but I was visiting a college that day), and anything else you all happened to be celebrating. My family was over so I had very little computer time. Then I went to go for college overnights, so it was very busy. Angel of Despair, I applied to 9 schools, got rejected from 3, wait-listed at 2, and accepted to 4. Those four are Binghamton University, New York University, Middlebury College, and American University. I'm still choosing. Thank you all for reviewing and I already sent out my e-mail. I think it worked a little, but I couldn't find everybody's addresses so that's okay. I'm still working on Chapter 14, but I'm in a bit of a rut. I know where I want it to go, but getting it there is proving a bit difficult. But don't worry, it will be up. It's almost May, so that means APs (I have six to take so I'm pretty close to crying) and lots of (pretend) studying. I won't be updating daily, but I'll try to post a new chapter every two or three days. Good luck to everyone else taking them or finals or just tests in general! Please review and I'll love you forever!