Chapter 3
Pocahontas meets Charming for the first time
It was just his luck, Charming thought, chasing down a bandit only to be captured by Indians when he accidentally crossed the border into their lands from the enchanted forest. He was now tied to a tree- his sword a fair way off and not within reach- attempting to mentally prepare himself for becoming a human sacrifice; or at least he thought that was what was going on. He couldn't tell, all he knew was that the younger Indian people were bouncing around and chanting and he was feeling uneasy. He turned his head slightly as a rusting came from the bushes near him. From his seat on the floor at the base of a tree he could see the long, tanned, bare footed legs which belonged to one of the young women. Her buckskin dress came to mid thigh and she coached beside him, her long black hair loose over one shoulder. A turquoise necklace hung about her neck. She untied him and handed him a plate of berries and a little beef meat from one of the great Bulls her father had slaughtered with his warriors in the hunt where they discovered Charming. He smiled and took the plate from her.
"Thank you." He tested, unsure if they spoke the same language and the woman, no older than fifteen, smiled before sitting herself beside him.
"You be welcome, prince." She said kindly, her voice warm and pleasant on the ear. Seventeen year old Charming relaxed and began nibbling at the food she had given him. She seemed kind and genteel unlike the large burly giant who was her father and the tribes chief.
"What's your name?" He asked and she told him- it was a long and ancient name in a language he didn't understand. He shot her a confused look and she laughed, the sound like silver bells.
"Pocahontas." She repeated, settling for the anglicised version of her name.
"Charming. Prince Charming." He said and held out his hand, she took it and shook it once before she dropped it and wrapped her arms around her knees. "What does your father intend to do with me?"
She smiled again and leant a little closer to him. "He means not to harm you, only shake you up a little, to discourage white man from trespassing on Powhatan land." He caught her eye, could see she told the truth and he let out a breath in a long sigh of relief.
"That's good to know."
"I tracked the woman you were chasing. She lives in forest and she is run away princess." Pocahontas said simply, watching the fire light dance in the pit around which her siblings, cousins and friends were dancing.
"Really? How did you know that?" He asked, mouth slightly full of beef meat.
"I follow her as far as river before she hid in cave on cliff face. She talented climber." Pocahontas said carefully, her english not as strong as Charming's.
"You seem to be a good tracker, Pocahontas." Charming admired.
"Father say I am best of all his warriors at such skill." Pocahontas smiled and looked at Charming from beneath her eyelashes. He smiled and she giggled. "When warriors and Father sleep I help you escape camp. I found prince's horse not far from here."
"Thank you. That is kind." Charming smiled graciously. Pocahontas seemed genuine and generous, two features charming always sort in a friend. Perhaps they would be friends, the prince and the tribes woman.
When chief Powhatan and his tribesmen fell asleep, Pocahontas returned and helped Charming to his feet before leading him away from the camp and into the forest. She took his hand to guide him when he had no clue where he was going. Soon he heard the sound of running water, the river, somewhere to his left and slightly ahead of him. They reached a glade and in the moonlight Charming could see his trusty horse, drinking from the river. Pocahontas led him to it and he claimed into the saddle.
"Thank you, Pocahontas."
"My pleasure, prince. Prince's land and castle lie in that direction," she pointed ahead of them towards the North. "Follow river, will lead you home."
"Thank you again. How will I contact you if I need your help with tracking?" He smiled and Pocahontas laughed quietly.
"Send message on high wind, it will find me. Fare thee well, prince. Travel safe." Pocahontas whispered and charming urged his horse on. He looked back and she raised her hand in the Powhatan way of farewell and he copied noticing hoe it made her smile before he faced ahead and rode for home. He would never forget his native beauty whom in the many years that followed he would call friend.