John had not known about the storm that was quickly bearing down on them. He was having trouble paddling against the wind which ripped and howled all around them. He needed help and needed it fast. Slipping one hand in his pocket, he pulled out the remaining leaf but knew not what to wish for to aid them.
Though he hid it well, Pocahontas knew John Smith as well as she knew herself and knew that he was frustrated, frantic, and desperate, unsure of what to do and afraid that he would fail them all. Her heart ached for him, and her concern for him combined with her own worries over the storm and her brothers' whimperings from underneath her seat sent chills of dread racing through her. They had to succeed or they would not only be separated again but would even be killed. The last did not bother her that much, however, for the Indian Princess would rather be skinned alive than to have to endure any more misery at Rolfe's and Disney's hands or any more time away from her beloved John, but they had to make it through this so that not only would they live but they would live together and joyously.
Pocahontas wished fervently that there was something, anything, that she could do to help bring them closer to their destination. There was only one oar however, and since none of them could put anything outside the canoe, there was nothing she could do to help except refuse to allow her beloved to see her own fears and look reassuringly at him. The valiant woman had never felt so helpless in all her time with John Smith.
Only half a mile left, and it might as well be a million as he fought valiantly against the wind and knew he was losing bit by bit. It was then he heard the engines of a flat bottom boat coming their way rapidly. He feared it was Disney and some of his men. Great was his surprise to see Brer Fox making his way to them. Brer Fox called out, "GRANDMOTHER WILLOW SENT ME, MY FRIEND!"
Pocahontas had known that John had been only seconds away from losing the battle with the raging waters that mercilessly tossed their canoe when Brer Fox made himself known. No friend's voice had ever sounded any more welcoming to Pocahontas' ears than Brer Fox's did in that fateful moment. True relief and reassurance lit her face as she looked from the flat boat with the shadowed figure that she now knew belonged to a loyal friend back to her beloved. She was about to tell him that they were saved when she saw that same knowledge shining in her John's incredibly blue eyes. She smiled lovingly at him as she realized that, just as always, when they had needed her the most, Grandmother Willow had saved them yet again.
Brer Fox got around to the other end of the boat and threw a rope to John who tied it on the canoe. With Brer Fox's help and John's strong paddling, they made it the rest of the way in remarkable time. "GOOD LUCK, MY FRIENDS!" Brer Fox called out as John thanked him most profusely. Seconds later, lightning split the sky and rain began to fall down in bucket loads.
"THANK YOU, AND TAKE CARE, MY FRIEND!" Pocahontas called back to Brer Fox over the harsh, howling winds that ripped all around them. "FAREWELL, AND KNOW THAT WE ARE FOREVER THANKFUL!" Brer Fox had just began to fade away into the distance when John spoke, and Pocahontas looked back to her beloved.
John could not see the markings but knew he was in the right place. Holding Pocahontas' hands, he said, "Repeat after me, my love!", and began to chant the spell he had been given which he knew by heart.
Pocahontas repeated her beloved's words without question. She felt the power of the magic surge through her, join with his, and then begin to soar up and out from them. She closed her eyes, blocking out all other worries and concerns, and concentrated solely on their spell working. A strange feeling enveloped her as they chanted together, their words and voices melting into a beautiful song, and Pocahontas realized that it was as if she had always known the words and they had only been hiding within her while waiting for her to call upon them.
"Ho!
Mother Earth, we have returned!
We, your children, seek a peaceful resting place!
Accept us back into your bosum and grace!
Grant us your love and blessings!
Long may you see our face!
HO!"
Each time was faster, and he liked the way Pocahontas' voice blended with his in the song. They could barely be heard above the storm, but he knew they had been heard when the canoe was suddenly lifted from the waters and turned around three times before gently being dropped upon the land.
Though the canoe had spun at a nearly blinding rate and she had felt her animals' scared stirrings beneath her seat, Pocahontas continued to chant until finishing her last part after John fell silent. She did not yet open her eyes and instead sat, her hands lovingly entwined with her beloved's, listening with all her other senses to see what would happen next.
John wasn't sure where he was. He was only sure of one thing, and that was that he and Pocahontas were together and safe. The storm would have to pass before they could find out where they were. He stepped out and held his hand out to his beloved. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her tenderly.
When John had stepped out, Pocahontas had finally reopened her eyes. She turned in her seat and looked questioningly up at him. Her mouth opened to question him, but her words froze in her throat when he reached out to her and she realized that they must have been successful. They were together! It was just the five of them, and neither Disney, Rolfe, nor any one else could reach them now! Tears filled her brown eyes as she trembled with relief and joy at the realization that the dream she'd once believed to be impossible had finally been granted them.
Pocahontas' hand slipped smoothly back into John Smith's as she stood, and she again realized what a perfect fit they had always been. She stepped out of the canoe and right into his loving embrace. His lips touched hers, and hers opened underneath his. Her tongue dove into his mouth, gently exploring every bit of his delicious taste therein, as she continued to kiss his sweet lips. Her arms slipped around him, and she held him tightly even as the realization that no one would ever be able to force them apart again continued to slowly sink in to her.
Behind them, Meeko, Percy, and Flit slowly poked their heads out from underneath Pocahontas' seat. Each animal's head spun, and they looked dizzyingly around even as they stumbled out a couple of inches. Another sudden clash of thunder sent them scurrying right back under, however.
To Be Continued . . .