Chapter 1

So much time has passed since that first fire burned in his heart, since he remembered feeling love. Five years of cold and pain. Then another brief flare of the flame, of holding her once again. But then five more years of pain and suffering without her and all because of his own bad decisions. All of these memories passed through John Smith's mind as he stood on the deck of the Lilly, the ship that has been his home for the last three months. He was weary of yet another journey across the rough, and what seemed like endless, ocean. But he hoped that this is his last voyage for a while. He was going to Virginia, his favorite place to be. He was coming back to all that he had left behind when he left in such as haste five years ago, he was returning to her. In short, he was returning home.

But even though he was excited about being back where he truly belonged he couldn't help but worry. "How is she? Will she forgive me? Does she still love me?..." all of these thoughts were racing through the captain's head as the docks of Jamestown came into sight. "Did she wait for me for these five years? Or does she hate me now, my beloved Pocahontas," as he thought of the way her name sounds in his head he knew that she mjst love hime. Or...well, he couldn't imagine what he would do if she didn't love him. "I'd most likely go crazy," he thought. But as he tried to contemplate this further the jolt of the ship told him that they had made it to the dock and were now tied to it.

Meanwhile, Pocahontas was just waking up. She had been very tired lately, and why shouldn't she be. She was to be a mother in a few months. As she opened her eyes she saw the face of Will, her dear husband. Just then she felt something scramble onto the bed. She turned her head to see Ean, her son, crawl along the bed on all fours toward her. She sat up and took the boy in her lap. "Wingapo, Ean," Pocahontas said with a smile, "How are you this morning?" "I'm fine, mother," said the little boy, showing a hole between his front teeth. "I dreamed of a cow swimming in the river," said Ean. "Is that so," said Will. Pocahontas laughed. Her little boy had quite an imagination for a four year old.

After Will took Ean downstairs Pocahontas got out of bed and knelt on the floor. She was happy, of course. She had a wonderful husband, and a son, and another baby on the way. What joy! But she still didn't feel like her old self. Yes, she still went out into the fields and walked through the tall grass. She even taught Will and Ean the ways of her people. She still went to the village and many of her friends and family came to the settlement to visit her. Both cultures lived in peace. Many of her people married some of the settlers, and everyone was like one big family. Everything was calm and peaceful, just as Pocahontas wanted it to be from the very beginning.. So why didn't she feel as she should? Even she could not say. "Oh, Great Spirit, help me today. Help my people, and the settlers. Help my husband, and my son. But most of all, please place a peace within my heart for I am tired of feeling so restless. I am happy, but I still can't find myself. Please tell me why," she prayed. Then she stood and thanked the Great Spirit once again for all that it had given her. Then she put on a simple light blue dress and went downstairs to cook breakfast and get started on another days work.

After breakfast Pocahontas took Ean to Nakoma''s house so she could keep an eye on him for a little while she went to the market. Her friend was always egger to help with the boy because she was going to have a baby soon as well. "Thank you so much, Nakoma," Pocahontas said as she was putting on her shawl. "No problem," said Nakoma, "I need the practice, anyway." And just as Pocahontas was opening the door to leave Thomas came down the stairs. "Wingapo, Pocahontas," he said with a sleepy smile. "Wingapo, Thomas," said Pocahontas, " I just came by to drop off Ean for the day. I'll be back soon, and I can talk to you then. And you look like you're in need of some breakfast, so I won't take up any more of your time." Thomas yawned, "Oh, no, that's alright. Well, see you later."

As Pocahontas walked toward the market down the main street she saw all the commotion down at the far end of it where the docks were located. Then she saw the ship and decided to see who had come, or who was leaving. But as she made her way through the crowed she felt uneasy. "Oh, there's nothing to be worried about," she said to herself, "I have seen a ship come and go so many times that it's not even funny." But as she got to the front of the crowed she understood what was wrong. There, on the top step of the rope ladder was john Smith.

Pocahontas blinked her eyes just to make sure that she wasn't seeing things. "Mary, hey Mary," Pocahontas called to one of her friends, "Would you come here for a minute please. " Mary made her way to Pocahontas's side. "Tell me if I'm wrong," began Pocahontas, "But is that John Smith up there on that ladder?" Mary looked in the direction of the ship. "It sure is John," she said with a smile, "Are you alright? You look awfully pale, Pocahontas. Would you like to go sit down?" Pocahontas nodded, but as she tried to take a step she collapsed into darkness.