Alice stood alone at an opening of the cavern, staring out drearily at the waterfall. Tears silently rolled down her face, while grief tore her heart apart.
Papa was dead. Dead. Colonel Munro, her beloved father, had left her and Cora almost all alone in this world as orphans, with no more parents to guide them.
All because Magua wanted to extract revenge.
No word in any tongue could describe her pain any longer. All her heart truly desired at that moment was to take flight, and fly to some other realm where she would no longer have to experience such pain and terror and loss. Had she no sister or friend, she would have more than willingly chosen that moment to throw herself to the mercy of the waterfall, hoping that its waters might bear her to father. All that held her back was her sister Cora.
And Uncas.
In his own way, he had somehow become part of her soul, part of her heart. What Alice felt for him could not be put into words; it went beyond friendship, beyond love, and beyond mere passion. This was her heart's deepest secret; it was not something she had ever told anyone, not even her most beloved sister Cora. Such emotions were not meant to be told or spoken, but hidden deep down in the heart, keeping a little ray of hope alive in this time of darkness.
From the start, Alice had long been drawn to the handsome, quiet, strong Mohican youth. Though he spoke little, there were times when he would gaze directly at her out of his warm dark eyes with a look of such tenderness that her heart could never behave quite normally. It was always those moments when Alice felt like a new person altogether.
And oh, how she wanted him to hold her!
She took a step further out, tilting her tear-wet face upwards towards the dark night sky. Save for the moonlight by the waterfall, the whole place was pitch-dark, with nothing to lend it light. Gazing at the pale, luminous beauty of the silvery moon, Alice could not help but remember the love story which Uncas had once told her, while they had had been fortunate to have a moment just to themselves.
And so it was that love prevailed in the end. Neither one could live without the other. Wapun could not live on, now that his white lover had died, and so he willingly followed her to the grave, and beyond. My people say that when he and the woman were buried together in one grave in the night, the moon shone a hundred times brighter than it ever had, directly over their grave, illuminating it like a thousand firebrands. Which is why until today, my kind still believe the moon to be a symbol of true love and purity. Uncas' voice still seemed to ring lucidly in her head, word for word.
From behind Alice, silent and unobserved, stood Uncas, watching the woman he loved. Under the moonlight, Alice looked fifty times fairer and sweeter than before, so that Uncas actually had to remember to breathe normally. Her hair, long and wavy, cascaded like a river of gold down her tall, slender back, and Uncas wondered what it would be like to run his fingers through those lovely gold tresses, feeling its silky softness.
Alice chose that moment to shift her position slightly, so that half her beautiful face was turned in such a way that Uncas could see her mien. In the moonlight, Uncas could easily see how her face was wet and tear-stained and drawn with sorrow; it was painfully obvious that she had been crying. Much as he wanted to hold her in his arms, comfort her, he realized there were other matters far more important to deal with first, before everyone's safety was jeopardized.
"Get back, Alice!" With a few quick, urgent strides, Uncas was right behind her, his strong arms pulling her backwards deftly, well away from the opening. "Don't take the risk of getting seen by any Huron!"
Already in a state of shock, Alice drew in a quick, sharp breath, indicating nothing less than genuine fear. Her whole body tensed up, and Uncas immediately regretted startling her in such an abrupt manner. From her lips escaped a low whimper of anxiety.
"Shhh, it's alright," Uncas murmured gently in her ear. "It's only me. Do not be afraid."
Alice released her breath in a single sigh, immediately relaxing as her hand clung desperately onto the front of Uncas' green shirt, like a little girl seeking reassurance and comfort from her mother. Even in the now more fitful light, Uncas could see tremors running throughout her frail, slender form.
"It's alright, Alice," Uncas reassured her. "You're safe here now."
She turned her face into his chest, and buried it there, her entire body quivering with tension. Uncas held her more tightly to him, stroking her hair gently and murmuring softly to her. Within his chest, his heart beat so fast that it seemed impossible for Alice not to hear it.
"Uncas, how long must we endure this further?" Alice murmured. "I mean, we have been going through…"
"Hush, Alice." Uncas laid a gentle finger on her lips. Everything will be fine. We'll find a way out of this, I promise."
"But the Hurons…"
"Will not lay a finger on you. Alice, I give you my word, I will not let them harm you in any way. Believe me. I will protect you fully, no matter what the cost. I've braved worse dangers before."
His hand curled around Alice's; the girl looked up at him with an expression of such trust and anxiety mixed together that Uncas' heart nearly broke. He wondered how was it that he had managed to endure not holding Alice for so long, when he had been dreaming of her night after night after night.
She tilted her face upwards slightly, one hand creeping up to the Mohican's cheek. His skin was smooth and warm, and Alice felt a strange tinge of pleasure coursing through her like a wave.
"Uncas."
"Alice…"
Alice never knew who moved towards whom. All she knew was that Uncas' grip tightened on her, as though he feared she would somehow be torn from his grasp, while his lips descended upon hers. His kiss was not passionate or wild, but slow and unhesitant and utterly gentle, like a young man testing such actions for the first time in his life. Alice simply shut her eyes and melted into it, wrapping her arms around her lover's neck.
An eternity seemed to pass before either of them could let go. Alice's face was lightly flushed, her breathing swift and uneven. She wondered if she was even on the ground, or simply floating in the air.
"From the first moment I saw you, Alice, I always thought you were an angel," Uncas smiled.
"Me? An angel?"
"Mmm. You're so beautiful, Alice. So sweet, so innocent. Which man could possibly resist your charm?"
"It won't be of much use once the Hurons arrive."
"Do not fear, Alice. Have I not given you my word that I will not let them take you, no matter what price I have to pay?"
"Uncas, I know in my heart you are a man of your word. Yet, how can four tired men stand against an entire band of bloodthirsty and vengeful Hurons?"
"Cross the bridge when you come to it, not before. They may not even find us here."
"And if they do? Uncas, how can I bear it, if they part us, or, worse still, murder you in cold blood? What then?" Alice asked anxiously, snuggling her head into his chest.
"I do not fear death, beloved. I only fear for your life. Alice, do you remember the story I told you of Wapun, and his white lover?
"Indeed. Such stories are not easily forgotten."
"Then, likewise, Alice, know now that our story will be no different from theirs. Not even death can part us, let alone a band of mortal Hurons, no matter how cruel or merciless they are. My love, I swear, no matter what comes between us, unto death and beyond death, I will always be with you. Believe me, Alice, no matter what happens, I will come back to you."
"Always?"
"Always. See the moonlight out there? Just as it shines even in the darkest hours, so will our love endure beyond time, beyond this world, shining like a great beacon for all to see. Alice…" His voice was a scarce whisper. "I love you, Alice. Remember that."
"I know, Uncas. I have always known. Just as I have always known you were destined to be a part of me always."
A cry at that moment interrupted them rudely, a cry of utter horror and desperation.
"Hurons! Hurons!"
So, like it, readers? Hope you enjoyed the fluff! Not too sure why, but I found myself going through more difficulty than usual while writing it. Thanks a million to every single person who's been kind enough to review. Please keep reviewing, everyone!
Oh, and please pardon me for my very slow updates. I've been loaded with a grossly heavy amount of work, thus it's
quite a struggle for me to update fast. Please be patient.