When Natalia awakened that morning, she awakened to see Heyward sitting beside her, gently brushing the hair from her face. As she slowly peered her eyes open to look at him, he scoffed and smiled briefly.

"Morning sweet pea," he said in a low voice. "You're awakening late."

Natalia sat up in bed and yawned slightly and smiled.

"Oh? Its still early morning though?" Natalia asked.

Heyward shook his head slightly.

"It's almost noon." Heyward replied.

He laughed and wrapped his arm around her waist and nodded.

"I think it was all the—physical activities that took place last night that made you overly tired." Heyward said with a faint smile.

Natalia laughed and hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"That may have been it." Natalia said with a smile. "I never sleep late like this. Father always taught me that being early to rise, is the sign of a great warrior."

Heyward hugged her back and laughed briefly.

"Your father, Chingachook is a smart man." Heyward said with a smile. "And he's quite right."

Natalia laughed.

"Well, you have to get dressed right away," Heyward said. "Colonel Munro has reached an agreement with the French and we're surrendering and leaving the fort today."

Natalia looked up at Heyward with a serious look and an eyebrow raised.

"Oh? Just like that?" Natalia asked. "There will be no malice between Colonel Munro and the French at all?"

Heyward shook his head with a serious frown.

"No, why should there be?" Heyward replied. "I must admit, I was against Colonel Munro surrendering. I mean I'd have rather stayed in this fort and just dug our graves here and died rather than to have surrendered, but in the end, its Colonel Munro's decision so, we're going home."

Natalia nodded with an unsure look. Sure Heyward made it sound as easy and as carefree as a simple surrender, but Natalia, being an American Indian, a STRONG American Indian, she knew better. She had the instincts of her father Chingachook, no matter if her mother was white or not, her instincts, her discernment came from her father and right now, her instincts and discernment was telling her that something was right about this 'sudden agreement' between Colonel Munro and the French, however, Natalia decided not to speak to Heyward about it, not yet, not until she felt much more of a instinctive feeling than she was feeling at that moment. Natalia hugged him close and sighed briefly.

"Do you still mean what you said yesterday, Duncan?" Natalia asked in a low voice. "About you loving me?"

Heyward scoffed with a brief frown and laughed.

"Of course Natalia." Heyward responded. "Why would it change from last night to this morning? In fact, when we leave the fort, even though I wanted to go back to England, I've agreed to come with you to Kentucky, and I'd like for us to be married."

Natalia looked up at Heyward with a surprised look.

"What? Are you serious, Duncan?" Natalia asked.

Heyward's smile faded, he stared at the expression on her face, he'd seen that expression many times before—on Cora, whenever he propositioned the idea of marriage to her. He looked down and frowned slightly, his face red with embarrassment.

"Well, yes but—but if you refuse, then-alright." Heyward said in a low, disappointed tone. "I mean, I know I don't look like Nathaniel or Uncas—I mean they're your brothers, but-do you understand what I'm saying? I know I'm not your idea of a knight in shining armor but—I'd like to marry you, because I love you Natalia, I do. Meeting you was the best thing that has happened to me in a long time and—and I've become severely attached to you now."

Heyward looked down and shrugged with a disappointed look. Natalia stared at him with a smile. Every time she looked at him, her heart melted. She laughed.

"Oh Duncan, you ARE my idea of a knight in shining armor." Natalia said as she hugged him warmly.

He laughed briefly.

"I love you very much and to me, you are the greatest knight in shining armor I've ever met." Natalia said warmly. "Yes, I'll marry you."

Heyward laughed and hugged her back closely.

"Good, because now that I've become so attached, I can't see myself being without you." Heyward said in a low voice.

Natalia pushed him back and passionately kissed him, he began to kiss her back but knew if he didn't stop himself from being so wrapped up and enamored in the passion they were sharing at that moment, they'd never prepare to leave the fort. He lightly pushed her away and laughed briefly and nodded.

"Um, alright, we should stop and I should let you get dressed." Heyward said with a smile.

Natalia nodded with a smile. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

"I'll be waiting for you out front, alright?" Heyward said.

Natalia nodded.

"Great, I love you." Natalia said, smiling.

Heyward nodded with a smile.

"Love you too." He replied before leaving the room.

Natalia sighed happily. How did it all come to be? That just three days ago, she was searching for someone to share her visions and her dreams with and here came Major Duncan Heyward. Her father, Chingachook, told her that he had a great vision that Wakan Tunka would send her someone who would show to her love, a great love like she had never known before, and indeed Wakan Tunka did. However, her father also told her that he saw in his vision a great blood shed that was soon to occur, a great blood shed that would impact Natalia, him, Uncas and Hawkeye, however Chingachook couldn't tell to whom the blood that was shed belonged to, however in just a matter of hours, it would all be tragically revealed.