At a command from Chingachgook, the tall, black-haired, dark-eyed father of Uncas, the group halted to a stop outside a small cavern beneath the falling waters. Swiftly, the middle-aged man darted into the dark cavern, examining it with his keen eyes before calling out softly to the others.
"We'll hide here for the night," he said, calmly. "In the morning, we move on."
Treading his way very cautiously, as to ensure Alice came to no harm, Uncas carried her into the cavern, examining it as he did so. Somewhat dark and chilly, it was more than large enough to house the group, though fortunately not large enough to take a band of men as large as Magua's. Good. Holding off a whole band of bloodthirsty Hurons was not a feat four exhausted and wet men desired to perform at that moment.
Silence reined over the group as they moved inwards to the middle of the cavern, so that they might not be seen from outside. Then, a woman's voice, tremulous and almost forced, spoke out.
"Hawk-eye! My father! Did you see my father?"
The handsome young man, in reply, looked wordlessly at Uncas with a troubled expression in his brown eyes, before mouthing something discreetly to Uncas. Whereupon the young Mohican nodded silently, and deftly carried Alice further away, out of earshot. Only then did Hawk-eye dare make a reply.
"I did see him, Cora. From a distance. With Magua."
Shocked silence. In front of Hawk-eye, Cora, the beautiful older sister of Alice, could only stare at Hawk-eye, unable to formulate a response. Her hands, pale and possessed by violent shaking, shakily flew up to her head, uselessly clutching at her long black tresses. Once warm and filled with light, her dark eyes now filled with crystal tears. The expression of raw horror and grief in them was barely reflected the tumult of screaming, raging emotions within her broken heart.
"Oh God! Why did You let this happen?!"
"Cora." Hawk-eye's voice was low and gentle, and filled with the same love and tenderness Cora had known for weeks. "Come. Sit down here, and rest. Believe me, your father died an honourable death, in battle. Nothing can take that away, not even Magua."
Wordlessly, Cora flung herself into Hawk-eye's arms, sobs racking her entire body. Drawing in a deep breath, Hawk-eye gathered her gently to him, stroking her hair softly as Cora buried her head in his chest, her tears wetting the front of his garment further.
"Say nothing to Alice," she said, through her heart-rending sobs. Her younger sister had been through so much terror and cruelty already; yet more sorrow would only cause her to break down further, and that was far more than a girl her age could bear.
They were joined at that moment by Uncas, his handsome face drawn with exhaustion and pain. Wearily moving to his foster-brother's side, he murmured several sentences to him in their native Mohican tongue.
"Cora, it appears you no longer have to try and hide your father's death from Alice," Hawk-eye told his lover gravely. "It seems your sister already knows about it, through some way or other."
"Alas, alas!" Cora wept. "What then will I do? My sister is still so young and timid! How am I to comfort and encourage her, when I myself cannot bear this sorrow, which already tears my heart apart, even now?"
"Don't you worry, Miss. I'll take care of your sister for you," Uncas said wearily.
Cora looked up at Uncas through her tears, and saw that the young Mohican had never been more serious. His countenance, though weary and drawn, indicated nothing less than a man deeply in love. How, then, could she have been so blind all this while, thinking that Uncas' affections for Alice went nothing further than friendship and admiration, when it was now so blindingly obvious that he had truly lost his heart to her?
"Go then, Uncas, and console her," Cora replied.
Uncas turned around, and noticed that Alice was no longer in the same place where he had last left her.
But the young girl was already nowhere to be seen.
With slight anxiety in his heart, Uncas hurriedly moved further on into the heart of the cavern, so that he might find Alice before she got herself into any danger. In such perilous times, nothing unwanted, no matter how minor, could not be allowed to just be passed over.
Well, guys, like it, hate it? I know this chappie's a bit short and BORING, but I promise you, the next chappie will have much more Alice/Uncas fluff!
So, go ahead and REVIEW!!!! To everyone who reviewed the past chappie, thanks a million! All reviews are welcome, anonymous or signed. So, that means EVERYONE is free to review, even if you don't have an account!
Thank you!