Music Inspiration: Hans Zimmer- "One Day"

Marry Me

15 February 1777

Winter was in full swing in the countryside of Davenport as blankets of snow covered the land, outlining the residential homes peeking out from below. Everyone preferred to stay bundled indoors but work never ceased in the small town. The main river had partially frozen which shifted the mill workers towards the interior of the forest while the rest continued to work from home. Regardless of the fierce elements, the human population persevered in survival.

David, or Big Dave as everyone called him nowadays, was busy in the rear shanty of his home hammering a piece of hot metal. No matter the season, he was always in business whether it was ammunition, weapons, or simple metallurgy. The flaming orange piece straightened under his heavy strike and he flipped it on the opposite side to continue the process. Despite the intense focus on his work, he caught sight of everyone's hometown hero and called out with a friendly smile, "Connor!"

The assassin had kept to staying in Davenport after returning that month, not eager to head out anytime soon. His assassins had headed south for missions while he had finished helping Aveline with hers to simultaneously teach Caroline. His favorite redhead in question had returned to the administrative job at the mill but stayed in Davenport in respect to him. She didn't like traveling to Boston unless he was headed there and with the numbing cold lingering through the months, she was happy to stay home. Despite the freezing winter, it only brought them closer as he made the trek to her home or he met her halfway to the manor whenever she dropped off food for him and Achilles.

Ratonhnhaké:ton had an agenda for visiting the smith and stopped outside the wooden shanty, crunching snow under his boots. The snowfall cascading down on his shoulders barely dented him as a trail of white smoke left his lips, "I have the tools you requested."

He removed a bag that he had hoisted over his shoulders to make the trek easy from the manor. Placing it at the smith's feet while he worked, he closed the latest favor to one of his neighbors. So far, nothing had bested his patience except for Prudence's stubborn pigs. David could hear the heavy weight on the landing, which meant his tools were definitely inside, and exclaimed with relief, "Ah! Excellent! I'll get right to work. Norris has been hanging around pestering me about his knife."

Without the proper tools he had before arriving in Davenport, he couldn't unveil his true skills with the mediocre ones he sported. With his neighbor's latest travel, he had hoped he would be able to find the last meaningful remains of his work. Ratonhnhaké:ton wasn't done with the gift-giving but this one was more on the bleak side as he informed, "I thought you should know I overheard some Regulars talking. They are looking for you."

It was only a matter of time before they managed to get on his trail. Hopefully, they wouldn't be led to Davenport since the roads were covered in mounds of snow and hard ice. David sighed into the cold air, sending another trail of white smoke from his lips, and nodded with finality in his voice, "I imagine they are. I'll have to face them some time or another."

"Ask for my help when it's time" Ratonhnhaké:ton reminded the smith because they were all in it together. If anyone threatened the safety and stability of their town, he wouldn't hesitate to end their lives. They had all worked hard to rebuild their lives and he wouldn't let anyone jeopardize it. David nodded silently with gratitude for the extra help and the assassin cleared snow from his hood to change the subject, "When you are finished with Norris' task, I would like to make a request of my own."

"Do you have the materials?" David asked carefully since any work commissions required the materials first. With his tools now returned to their proper owner, he could tackle different metal works for the town. It was the main reason that he couldn't finish Norris' request since the miner kept asking about his knife.

Ratonhnhaké:ton, however, was well-prepared for his request as he replied evenly, "I wouldn't ask if I did not."

David took a break from striking the metal, wiping his hands on his apron, before crossing his arms to ask curiously, "What do you have in mind? Knife? Bullets? New axe?"

He was already familiar to the man's arsenal of weapons and had become his number one customer in purchasing ammunition. Whatever he did for a living kept them safe and David wouldn't complain. Caroline and Myriam tied for the second spot as one traveled with him while the other hunted. Wondering if he wanted a new weapon design for the winter, Ratonhnhaké:ton shook his head to admit quietly, "A ring, with a specific design."

David blinked with surprise because he did not peg him as the type to wear rings. The only other possibility was that it was meant for a woman and wondered if that was the case. The young man was quiet with his private affairs but Norris gleefully confessed that Caroline was the man's secret sweetheart. The assassin interpreted his questioning face for confusion and answered modestly, "It is for my bride to be."

Ratonhnhaké:ton had told nobody of his plans to ask for Caroline's hand, except Godfrey. He needed his blessing as her father and insight on wedding tradition among their culture. Being from the Kanien'kehá:ka, his traditions focused on assimilating his new life within his wife's family and the affair involved the entire clan. The path to marriage, if she agreed, would be a complete blend of their customs and their small town would be witness to it. He had thought of places to hold the ceremony but they were both outsiders and meeting in Davenport glued their bonds. It was only fitting that it would be the location to share their vows. Godfrey had reassured him nothing would block his path to marrying her and had happily supplied their Scottish traditions.

David chuckled to hearing the unexpected words from the stoic man and teased gently, "Taking the dive into marriage, are ya? Congratulations!"

"Yes" he replied earnestly because his future was intertwined with hers and he would seal it in marriage. He would not wait years to ask her to share their lives and have another tumble in the road separate them again. They were grown adults now and he could provide a safe home for her and their future children. He was not full of bright-eyed promises from immature youth anymore but a determined man ready to carve a life out of a harsh world.

The smith nodded with approval to his decision to take another step into adulthood and informed happily, "Should have it ready in a week or two. Far easier to make the ring than the knife."

5 March 1777

Gathered at the cove by the dock to the Aquila, Ratonhnhaké:ton, Robert, and Caroline were piecing together all of the gathered clues to Kidd's treasure. Winter had relented in its never-ending snowfall as spring was creeping up behind it to begin the thaw by next month. The cove remained largely untouched by winter as the salty water prevented ice from forming, protecting the sand from collecting snow. Only the log cabins located within the forest for the crew carried the touches of winter but the tall pine trees did a fine job in protecting the roofs from forming sharp icicles.

The trio stood around a stack of crates they used as a makeshift table and Robert proposed, "What do you make of it?"

Ratonhnhaké:ton furrowed his brow in thought before deliberating slowly, "They all appear to be parts of the same piece of leather."

Touching each of the respective pieces, he read aloud with care, "It lies under the eagle's bed, near the wolf's abode, close to a tree kissed by fire and abreast the rock that does not fit."

Now that he had all the pieces together, he was able to determine the clues led to a specific hiding spot that was crudely depicted. He had traveled to numerous places around the Atlantic Ocean to simply collect them all and hoped the hiding spot wasn't south of the colonies. Otherwise, Caroline might chase him for breaking his promise. Frowning slightly since he had no answers, he spoke softly, "And a route to an island but the symbols remain elusive.

Robert shook his head because he would bet half his pay that he knew the location. He had sailed all over the ocean since he was young boy and maintained a perfect memory of each place. Without hesitation, he answered confidently, "That's Oak Island. I've sailed past it half a hundred times. A forgettable isle to say the least."

Ratonhnhaké:ton was glad for the informative sailor but sighed under his breath, "The location seems to be the easy part."

"Aye, and we'll be waiting for you the moment you want to get after it" Robert promised since most of the crew stayed by the cove during the winter. Ratonhnhaké:ton had given leave to the youngest members so they could travel to their families for the holidays. The short distance to Oak Island wouldn't require many members since it was only a few hours voyage.

Sudden laughter broke the silent cove, causing Caroline and Robert to flinch while Ratonhnhaké:ton simply turned his attention to their resident paranoid hermit. Peg Leg slapped the sand below him as he sat by one of the dock's stumps and cackled, "Ya actually found somethin'? Ha ha ha!"

Caroline hid her laughter with a smile as she peered at her boss to ask, "Do you have any other pressing matters?"

"No" Ratonhnhaké:ton answered because their days had been peaceful since returning home. The winter kept everyone either bundled up at home, catching a hot bite at the Mile's End, or visiting Dr. White for medical treatment. He didn't approach the topic of leaving town for the treasure since he would abide by his promise to her.

Caroline, however, didn't mind the adventure nearby since it wasn't Templar related. A simple treasure hunt during winter sounded exciting to her and they enjoyed wandering the outdoors. Shooting him a confident smile, she proposed the unasked question, "I can check in with residents and if they're good, we can head out on your say?"

Ratonhnhaké:ton nodded with agreement to that idea and looked to his first mate to inform him, "We'll reconvene here after lunch?"

"Aye, aye, cap'n" Robert replied excitedly to stretching his sea legs once more and turned around to begin assembling the crew.

When their canoe struck the shore, Caroline sighed with disappointment due to the thick fog surrounding the island. Did it know they were coming to visit? Shaking her head, she removed such silly paranoid thoughts before Robert infected her. The old sailor warned them about the spooky island once he noticed the fog lingering around it while the sea was crystal clear. Ratonhnhaké:ton considered his words but carried on to continue the mission alone. Caroline wasn't about to let him wander off alone in that fog and eventually, wore down Robert to accompany them as well.

Caroline whistled a peppy tune during their trek but it was more to comfort poor Robert. Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't feel anything out of place or mystical to cause him concern but took the lead through the island. The old sailor ran a hand over his forehead and confessed sheepishly, "I'm a little on edge, captain. The prospect of Captain Kidd's treasure and the mysteries that lie with it have me a trifle spooked."

"Stay your anxiety, it is likely only treasure" he assured to comfort the old sailor since superstition spooked Robert more than a loaded gun. It was rather humorous to him but he wouldn't say it aloud out of respect for the man. They all held their own fears and as long as a fat bat didn't come flying at him, he'd be fine.

Caroline was quick to remind with a cheeky smile to calm his nerves, "You must hide good treasure in an isolated place."

Robert nodded with agreement to that but there was another concern biting at him, "I thought the same thing but considering what the man went through to hide it, I'm not so sure. All those scrolls lead us to the belly of this remote island. Awful out of the way, captain."

Caroline reached into the round collar of her tunic to pull out her twine necklace with a wooden cross at the end. Her mother had bought one for every family member to protect them. With her travels into unknown danger, Caroline carried it to ease both their hearts and offered it to her friend with a perky smile, "Do you want to borrow my cross? It's infused with holy water."

"You carry a cross?" Ratonhnhaké:ton questioned skeptically to her jewelry since he hadn't noticed it. He had sneaked a few kisses to her neckline before bidding her goodnight at home and failed to see it. She had never been one for jewelry and wondered about its meaning, knowing it was a religious symbol.

Caroline shrugged noncommittally to her little token of protection, aside from her pistols, and answered truthfully, "Never hurts to try. Mother is also very insistent."

He shook his head to her protective but loving parents, appreciating their trust in him. Although, he wouldn't be surprised if she sneaked out to simply be with him. He would climb the highest mountain and swim an ocean to be with her. The two shared an amused gaze before Robert burst their private bubble by declaring, "What was Kidd hidin' for cripe's sake?"

Ratonhnhaké:ton studied the numerous fallen trees over a clearing while those that stood upright were shrouded in the fog. The sun was barely detectable as it tried to peek through the cloud cover. He wouldn't fall prey to superstitions and stated simply with focus, "I do not know, but I am intrigued to find out."

Robert agreed since the search for the treasure clues had begun over a year ago and the end appeared in sight. However, looking over the stark and foggy landscape, the prospect was questionable. He was not liking the look of the desolate island and reminded his captain, "Remember what was written: Close to a tree kissed by fire, near the wolves abode, under the eagle's bed and the rock that does not fit - whatever that means. Do you think they might be landmarks?"

"Possibly" he agreed quietly as he began to ascend one of the small slopping hills as gangly leafless trees littered the top. Caroline followed with quick steps but frowned at seeing the moisture from the fog softened the earth, kicking up grass and wet dirt. Robert took up the rear to make sure nothing sneaked up on them since he didn't trust empty islands.

Ratonhnhaké:ton picked up the pace when a large leafless tree that sprouted from a hill overlooking the ocean beckoned him. It was the tallest tree he could spot and assumed he would gain a better vantage point, grasping the rough bark for a decent grip. Caroline decided to hang below at the base while her partner played an ascending bear on the jagged dry tree. She and Robert shared a look of amusement since they were there to protect and support their captain.

The small hill was filled with silence while he worked at solving a clue etched in the bark of the tree and using his eagle vision. Caroline began whistling a low upbeat tune to fight the eerie silence until his voice startled them, "It's another puzzle!"

With that said, Ratonhnhaké:ton leapt out of the tree to fall down on a bed of pine leaves from the tree's shedding season. Standing up, he quickly rubbed his face and arms clear of the prickly needle leaves with a small frown. Hay was definitely more preferable to that. Ushering his team with a simple wave of the hand, he took off towards the left towards a small swamp area that had been flooded by the recent rain. There was a path of rocks in the center that avoided sloshing around in the water and he darted forward to reach dry land.

A stack of flat boulders beckoned him to use them for the next vantage point and he scanned the murky landscape for clues. He noticed a large boulder was key in deciphering Kidd's puzzles and quickly zoned in on a large one that held two small ones at the bottom to signal the end. He could only continue going left since the right side of the island had been trekked through and jumped into the swampy water. The little sun the island received had warmed it instead of keeping it solid as ice, which would occur come nightfall, and he reached the other side to return to dry land.

Robert and Caroline winced to the green-brown water staining their clothes as they splashed around the water. They kept to the shallow end since their boots ended at the knee and neither carried water-resistant leather like Ratonhnhaké:ton did. It delayed them from reaching their captain but they could see him climbing another large tree with the limberness of a wildcat. Caroline commended his fearless nature because she'd be taking a break or two between branches to swallow her heart back down. By the time they finished traversing the murky swamp, Ratonhnhaké:ton was already back down on the ground and ready to dart off again.

Caroline was quick to grasp him by the shoulders to halt his momentum as she clung to him and sighed, "We mere mortals are no match, don't fault us for not keeping pace."

Ratonhnhaké:ton relaxed in her grip and a small laugh escaped him as she squeezed him once before letting go. He didn't realize he was leaving them behind but he also didn't want to pull them into needless danger that he could handle. Caroline exhaled as she caught her breath and waved him away with a cheeky smile, "Just whistle and I'll find you."

With that said, she pushed him gently by the shoulders to let him carry on. Squeezing her shoulder to convey his own affection, he ran off into the forest as the land sloped downhill. Caroline and Robert sighed under their breath before running off after him again. Hopefully, they wouldn't be splashing in swamp water again.

Ratonhnhaké:ton spotted a small cavern that jutted out of the earth, too small for a human to fit inside comfortably. Jumping on top of the small cave, he scanned the area to solve the next puzzle that illuminated his vision. This one had the same rock in the center as three trees interconnected them, allowing him to solve it quickly. His team caught up with him as his normal eyesight returned and he called out, "I know where it is!"

Robert sputtered with disbelief to his quiet detection skills and questioned, "How in the- you figured it out? That's why you're the captain!"

Caroline placed her hands on her hips as she beamed proudly at her partner, "My words exactly."

Ratonhnhaké:ton smiled to their compliments of admiration but saw nothing special in himself. He was simply there to finish the mission and sate his curiosity on the fabled treasure. The clues were cleverly hidden and unless someone carried the special eagle vision, doubted they would be able to pinpoint its location. He led his team to a grassy clearing that was void of any tree stumps, water, or boulders. Before the other two could inquire to where the treasure was, they heard the howls of nearby wolves alerting their pack of trespassers. That, or food.

Caroline's shoulders slumped as she withdrew Lady from her holster and gripped her hunting knife in the other. The trio formed a circle as they stood back to back to pinpoint the pack and she sighed under her breath with woe, "Why is it always wolves? Can't we get a mean chipmunk or raccoon just once?"

A pack of three burst forth from the brush around the clearing which allowed each to target one. Caroline took one down with a bullet to the skull to give the animal a quick instant death. Ratonhnhaké:ton took a closer approach as he allowed his wolf to leap forward and sunk his hidden blade into its neck to grant it an instant death as well. They weren't in the habit of harming animals and they would skin the pelts, along with anything useable, to not let them go to waste. Before the last one pounced on Robert, the couple shot it down to end the attack. Ratonhnhaké:ton glanced around the area to make sure they didn't alert anymore wolves in the area to investigate.

Robert leaned down to wipe the rocky grit that stained the ground, which failed to give way under pressure from his hand. Caroline realized that the treasure was deep below the ground and they were standing on sturdy rock. How were they supposed to pierce into a cavern? Robert tapped the rock with a disapproving tsk and called out, "That's a bloody big piece of stone. Any ideas?"

"Perhaps some gunpowder would move it" Ratonhnhaké:ton suggested since the explosions were powerful enough to open mines. Surely, a cavern would be the same? It was the strongest tool in their arsenal since bullets and pickaxes would keep them there for weeks. He was certain that a few kegs would blow the earth open to expose the treasure that lay beneath.

Robert stood upright to dust off his hands on his trousers and nodded with agreement, "A nice big explosion eh? Might do the job. Will do well to scare away anymore blasted wolves, that's for certain."

Caroline clapped before rubbing her hands together to boast eagerly with a grin, "Explosion time!"

Ratonhnhaké:ton shot her a protective glare and pointed out dryly to her enthusiasm, "I'm beginning to think you're spending too much time with Norris."

Caroline snorted to his remark before laughing aloud with a cocky smirk to chide, "And I think you're not spending enough time with him."

A return trip to the Aquila for gunpowder to set off a proper explosive took up their time. Luckily, by the time they returned into the island's interior, the fog had lifted and they could see the entire landscape. This raised Robert's spirits immediately and the trio quickly positioned the barrels of gunpowder at the clearing over the site Ratonhnhaké:ton picked.

Robert laid down the last of the three barrels and rubbed his sore back as age began to catch up. Caroline clapped him on the right shoulder to encourage his resolve and he laughed, "Ought to be enough."

Ratonhnhaké:ton motioned for the two to back away as he targeted the barrels with his pistol. He didn't want the flung debris to harm either, waiting until they were safely behind him to shoot the center barrel. The explosion rocked the earth as black smoke erupted into the air and the sound of falling rocks could be heard. He approached the new smoking crater to see jutting beams of wood under the island's overgrowth before the rocky cavern system could be seen through the smoke. The falling pieces of debris also gave off a splashing sound and he could see a shimmering reflection from below as the sun overhead filtered through the opening.

Without wasting a second, he jumped into the hole for a leap of faith while leaving behind a flabbergasted Caroline. The redhead threw her hands up in the air to his daring nature and pinched the bridge of her nose to sigh, "He'll be fine, Carrie, he does this all the time."

"Our hearts suffer more than his" Robert chuckled at seeing her dismayed expression to his risk-taking ventures and patted her back. Caroline shook her head since she was more likely to endure a heart attack than him anytime soon. The good side of her concerns is that he always returned to her but still, one never knew what destiny had in store.

She wanted to holler down the new gaping entrance but causing vibrations that could topple rocks was not ideal. She wanted her partner to return in one piece, not accidentally trap him. Doubting he would escape through the same route due to its instability, the two decided to peruse the perimeter for any exits small enough to fit a human. Nothing but boulders littered the area north of them which blocked their access and led them to scratching it off.

Caroline pointed out the small cavern that Ratonhnhaké:ton had used to solve the puzzles earlier. Robert agreed that a human could fit through the opening and Caroline set up watch after finding a flat boulder to sit on. There would be nothing but waiting for them and Robert picked a shady spot by a pine tree to keep watch at the clearing. They had two spots that their leader would return from and they would be waiting.

She passed the time with peppy whistling as she distracted herself away from stressful images popping to mind. Her captain would return safely to her side once more as he always did. When her pitch hitched, Robert shook his head with amusement to her worrywart nature towards the captain. The redhead smiled with appreciation when the old sailor joined her whistled tunes to cast aside the dreadful silence.

Before a quarter of the hour passed, the two felt the ground shake underneath them. Caroline stood up with concern to an earthquake but that thought left when a cloud of dirt erupted from the gaping hole by the clearing. The cavern was collapsing! Her heart jumped into her throat to being unable to help Ratonhnhaké:ton, clenching her fists at feeling helpless. Looking around the area, she tried to find a clue to find her way to him or signal a path to the surface. She couldn't dig through the earth or jump through the gaping hole that was now caving in-

"Let's clear this rubble" she called out desperately to the small cave which she hoped was truly an extension of the underground system. Grabbing the tightly wedged rocks, she dug her fingers into the dirt-caked crevices to pull them out. Robert used the blunt of his knife to loosen the rocks before stabbing the gnarled vines to free the bundle. The shaking earth beneath them helped the duo to clear the entrance and she wiped her forehead to sigh with concern, "Maybe the light will guide him."

Robert placed both hands over his mouth before leaning into the dark cave to holler, "Cap'n! If you can hear us, head this way! Follow the light!"

They managed to clear most of the path to offer a way out but they couldn't determine if the path Ratonhnhaké:ton had taken led there. She could feel the awful shaking under her feet and hoped the soil at the top held without caving in as well. In her young life, she'd never felt an earthquake but she had heard of them. It was a deep rumble under the earth and she clung to the lip of the cave for balance as both peered inside in vain hope for their captain.

Caroline's heart soared with hope when a flash of white surfaced in the small cavern, calling out to Robert, "There he is!"

Ratonhnhaké:ton clambered over the fallen rocks as the small crevice pushed him to crawl the last few feet of the journey. From behind, the horrid sound of falling rocks and debris urged him forward or he'd risk being entombed like the cavern system. Luck was with him this time as he saw Robert's hand reach inside and he grabbed it desperately for assistance.

Robert pulled the young man outside with a sharp yank as the roof of the small cave began to collapse. Within seconds, dirt and small rock debris flew at the trio as the cave system gave way to the pressure. Ratonhnhaké:ton leaned against the edge of a nearby boulder to catch his breath and dust off the front of his uniform. Being underground was never fun for him because it would be a close call if the walls collapsed. He smiled faintly when Caroline's arms wrapped around his shoulders and Robert sighed with disbelief to the close call, "Thought we lost ya there for a moment, captain. Are you alright?"

"Yes" he answered quickly because he didn't feel anything broken or bleeding. A few bruises were bound to heal with time. Caroline's blue eyes narrowed with suspicion that he was making light of the escape and he assured, "I am fine."

Robert shook his head to the dangerous stunt for treasure because it almost cost the captain his life. He couldn't see anything visible on his person to show a reward for his efforts and questioned, "What happened down there? What did you find?"

Ratonhnhaké:ton revealed the metallic ring he had discovered in the cave system before the earthquake unsettled the land. It was unlike any piece of jewelry he had seen but it was deemed important enough by Kidd to hide on the island. Even the hiding spot had been unreachable if it had not been for dynamite.

Caroline and Robert blinked at the small item, a mixture of surprise and skepticism to the object. They had gone up and down the Atlantic to dangerous places for the crucial pieces that linked the entire puzzle. This was the fabled treasure? Caroline wasn't sure what to say but Robert was more proactive by declaring with annoyance, "That's it? There was nothing else? Was the cache pilfered already?"

He whipped out his flask to take a calming sip of alcohol but before he could open it, the flask was repelled. They all stared in silence to the strange force that flung the flask before glancing back at the object in Ratonhnhaké:ton's hands. The old sailor wiped his eyes to make sure he wasn't hallucinating but his sturdy flask was still a distance away. Rubbing a hand through his gray hair, he blurted with alarm, "What the devil?"

Ratonhnhaké:ton raised the small metal piece to eye level to observe its strange numerical markings and murmured softly, "I do not know how it works but I now understand why Kidd valued it so."

Caroline wasn't certain what to think about the tiny object but it was clearly valuable to the dead captain. It carried mystifying powers but if anybody could solve it, it would be Ratonhnhaké:ton. Meeting his gaze, she advised carefully about the discovery, "Best keep that somewhere safe. This secret doesn't leave the island."

Robert agreed silently because he didn't want pirates or Templars finding out and tracking them down. If it fell into the wrong hands, they would be at another disadvantage. They needed every lead in the war and Ratonhnhaké:ton pocketed the find to tell his crew, "Once I grasp its function and safety, it can serve as protection."

Caroline nodded with approval to his plan and clapped him on the back with a warm smile, "Good. You're running from bullets often enough."

"Not for me. . .for you" he stated quietly because the first person that came to mind in protecting was not himself but her. She risked her life every time they headed out of their home and he would do everything in his power to keep her safe. If the strange ring was capable of repelling metal, it would aid during firefights.

Her brow furrowed with confusion as she chuckled awkwardly, "Me?"

Leading his team back to the Aquila, he kept his pace with Caroline's to tell her with resolve, "Your safety is my main concern. If I can prevent anything from harming you, I will."

"Let's make sure we get home first to study it" she chuckled softly to his protectiveness because she desired to keep him safe as well. Quite frankly, he threw himself into danger more than she did. Today was a perfect example of it! Ratonhnhaké:ton nodded quietly in agreement to determine its safety and likely uses.

Smiling at her crew, she sought their take on the lengthy adventure for the treasure and asked, "Was all that worth the find?"

She received a mixture of unenthusiastic and uncertain expressions, causing her to laugh at the interesting voyage. At least they made it out in one piece.

Caroline stretched her arms over her head as she took a break from navigating, popping the joints of her neck and arms. The sea route back home was quiet in terms of traffic and the currents were smooth sailing with minimal turbulence. She had sent the younger sailors to keep an eye on the sea from the crow's nest but nothing had happened since leaving Oak Island. Robert had been more than happy to captain the ship for an hour while Ratonhnhaké:ton returned to his cabin to study his newest discovery.

Despite the winter, the cold air was bearable at sea compared to the dense forest back home. Although she loved playing in the snow, the endless sky over the sea and the twinkling diamond stars overhead brought a different joy. Being out at sea also gave her a chance to spend time with Ratonhnhaké:ton, away from the curious eyes of the town. Namely, her siblings.

Caroline smiled widely to the familiar sound of a flute, remembering its gentle but sweet notes back in 1774. Despite the passing years, Ratonhnhaké:ton's flute playing had eluded her ears at home. The fondest memory of his melodic notes was his tribe's tradition of asking another to court and she'd agreed without hesitation after hearing the lovely piece. She found it endearing that he was doing so again, recognizing the notes, and wondered why. He had never been one to play at sea, choosing the quiet solitude of the forest.

That and we're already together, she thought with amusement and wondered if he was simply practicing to avoid losing the skill. She pinpointed the source by a group of stacked crates next to the captain's cabin and smiled when his gaze met hers. Even while shrouded in the shadows, she could sense those warm brown orbs locked on her.

"I didn't peg you as the type to play at sea" she joked with a soft laugh and cherished the display. They weren't rich enough to purchase any musical instruments but she knew he held musical talent by his hand coordination on the flute. He was gifted in numerous fields and despite his humble demeanor, she would encourage those talents.

"Only for this occasion" he replied earnestly since he worried about alerting the crew while they ate a quick snack before heading topside. Back home, he could spend hours in solitude and not worry about his melodies reaching anyone's ears. The density of the forest and lack of civilization, aside from his small town, made it easy to become lost in the woods.

Caroline was lost to his meaning and blinked for a moment before teasing gently, "We've discovered treasure before."

"No, the. . ." he sighed to the misunderstanding but stopped himself before giving away the truth. Her chiding would have him spilling his intent before he could even pose his question. Hopping off the crate, he tucked the flute away into his coat pocket to approach her. Caroline leaned against the ship's bannister with a warm smile and he admitted quietly, "If I happen to ruin this tradition, will you hold it against me?"

"Depends on what it is" she replied cheekily but doubted he could ever do something to anger her, secret lives aside. They had gone through enough hurdles and he had promised to never keep secrets from her. She would keep an open mind on his words but if he'd decided to harbor another truth, an argument on trust would rise.

"I spoke to your father. . . I know your Scottish traditions vary from mine but" he began nervously since he couldn't find the right words to phrase his feelings. He didn't want to be overly sentimental but he also needed to maintain respect for their relationship. Caroline's brow furrowed to hearing about her father being involved and wondered what he was up to. Had her father beaten him at Bowls with money on the line? Releasing a sigh to settle his nerves, he met her serene gaze and murmured softly, "I might as well try, right?"

"It wouldn't hurt" she encouraged with a soft laugh because she had no idea what he had planned. If it related to the Aquila or the Assassins, she would hear about it from Robert or Duncan. Curiosity filled her to what he planned because his demeanor had shifted from peaceful to fretful. Was something worrying him? Placing a hand on his right shoulder, she reminded him that she was always in his corner, "But I'm here if you need any answers as well."

Taking a deep breath, he nodded to himself and took the plunge to begin the road to proposing, "You are undoubtedly the only woman I will love on this earth, Caroline Burnett. I wanted to wait until this war ended but we should make the most of our time together now. I do not know what the future holds but I'd be a fool to simply sit around."

Her brow furrowed to his rare disclosure and she grabbed hold of his interlaced fingers. She had become familiar to his nervous nonverbal cues and squeezed his hand to offer her unwavering support. The tension in his grip loosened to her touch and she smiled fondly to reply truthfully, "I love you too."

"In my culture, marriage means we are no longer alone and we are one until we return to the earth" he explained carefully to the impact of tying one's life to another and watched her brow furrow. Oh boy, he hoped he wasn't confusing her and derailing his proposal. He had never expected his life to lead him away from his native village and into two different worlds, one for Assassins and the other for the New World, but he wouldn't change it. Despite the pain and frustration in his young conflicting life, she was the only light amid that dark chaos. Gripping her hands into his, he met her gaze with determination and managed to utter the words, "Will you marry me? Build a life with me?"

She didn't expect the proposal to happen so soon and swallowed the surprised squeak that almost spilled from her lips. Not wanting to look foolish, she bit her tongue to control her expression and thinned her lips. Blush crept over her cheeks but the darkness hid most of it, clearing her throat to summon an answer. There was no hesitation on her part to marry him and chided gently, "And here I grew accustomed to waiting. Of course, I will marry you, you don't need to ask- just point the way to registrar's office."

Ratonhnhaké:ton smiled fondly to her honesty and reached into his vest's inner pocket to pull out the gold ring he had commissioned from Big Dave. Godfrey had been his main input for the betrothal ring as gimmel rings were a main part of the proposal back in Scotland. It was special to each union in her culture and since his own lacked the use of rings, he'd give it to her to respect her culture. Caroline's eyes were wide with surprise to seeing the shiny metal as two hands held each other in the center as flowers adorned both sides before the band intertwined around itself to imitate endless vines. It was a beautiful and rare ring, appreciating him for deeming her worthy of it.

"It . . . How . . ." she stammered since she'd never spoken about her culture's marriage traditions but he'd just given her a ring that matched her mother's. She would be his loyal wife and embraced that new potential role with him because they would share the rest of their days together. It sounded wonderfully perfect in her mind. He grabbed her left hand to slip the ring onto her middle finger since it seemed to be the one that would least block her way.

"This ring symbolizes my love for you" he whispered gently as he placed meaning into the small ring. Godfrey had given him the brief history of the tradition and various styles of the ring but Ratonhnhaké:ton designed the sketch for Big Dave to follow. He had added the flowers for a feminine touch and their summer days trekking through flower-covered fields. The vines were meant to symbolize their intertwined lives since she'd entered his life in 1770 and never left his mind.

A smile graced his lips to seeing their hands imitate the same picture on her ring and found it fitting. Caroline blinked back tears to the surreal moment and squeezed his fingers to stammer, "I-I . . . oh, Ratonhnhaké:ton."

Wiping her right eye as her vision blurred, she cleared her tight throat to whisper, "I love you."

"I will respect who you are just as you've done for me" he stated quietly as his short words carried deeper meaning behind it. She drew him into a passionate kiss as her arms wrapped around his shoulders, pressing her nose against his to convey her love for him with a physical token. Their first years together were shaky due to uncertainty with their identities but the previous year had finally resolved that into a solid union. Breaking off their kiss, he touched his forehead to hers as her merry blue eyes met his joyous brown to vow, "I promise to love you until the end of our days."

"I'll love you until the sun no longer rises" she whispered to her devotion to him because she would follow him to the ends of the Earth. In a way, she had when they had traveled to the Arctic and didn't hesitate to enter dangerous situations for him. Her heart fluttered happily when he was near and her fears melted away at his side. Who else could hope to rival his meaning in her life? She squeezed him tightly to her, brushing another kiss against his lips, and smiled brightly, "My dearest husband."

He loved the sound of that and chuckled softly against the kisses she grazed against his cheek. Being the quiet reserved one of the two, he embraced her tightly by the waist and kissed the apple of her cheek to ask, "When we return home, we will tell your family and pick our homestead."

"Can we make our house? I mean, the design and materials?" she asked eagerly with hope because seeing her father unveil their log cabin inspired her to do the same. Although her home had been renovated by modern wooden panels, the warm ambiance inside never changed. Despite their hardships, her family never failed with love and the bare necessities. She hoped to carry that same determination and love for their own home and smiled, "I've never been afraid of working with my hands."

"We'll build it together. . .but we will have your father oversee in case we make a mistake" he agreed warmly and she beamed with joy as she hugged him tightly. Their home would be built on a sturdy foundation to begin their new life, one without a leaky roof. They had plugged enough holes during the two wars they fought and deserved an idyllic life away from it all. Meeting her bright gaze, he reminded her of his words long ago, "I promised you a home and a life with me, I will always keep my promises to you."

"A-And children?" she asked gingerly since she hoped he hadn't changed his mind about having them. Their lives were not stationary or peaceful but she hoped to have a family to love and care for at his side. She had not been a fan at hearing and seeing the woes of childbirth back home. . .but she would not shy away from it.

"I wouldn't deny you that joy after growing up alongside your siblings" he smiled with agreement to have a family because she deserved it. He did not have the best upbringing after his early childhood but he would do his best to love, protect, and care for their children. They would build their home, have their union ceremony, and with time, have a family of their own. He had never been this happy in his life, cherishing the rare sliver of luck, and whispered caringly, "You are everything to me, Caroline, and I will not disappoint you."

As he held her with a fond smile of accomplishment, the two heard Robert's voice whisper from the stairwell, "Psst! Did she say yes?"

Their eyes widened with surprise to having their moment burst into by the crew and David shot back, "What if she said no?"

"Don't be so negative!" Richard admonished hastily because hugging didn't mean it was a rejection. If anything, it was the opposite!

"There's always a chance! We have to prepare sympathy booze" David shot back knowingly because sailors got their hearts broken all their time. For all they knew, their navigator wasn't ready to be tied down. The couple heard a resounding 'ow' and they figured the two brothers ended in another scuffle with Robert playing peacemaker.

"We can hear you" Ratonhnhaké:ton pointed out flatly to having their private moment end. At least he managed to utter the words before they decided to accidentally butt in. That would have likely caused him to abort his proposal until the next month. The trio of sailors gasped in alarm before shutting their mouths, causing the couple to laugh. Invisibility didn't happen if one stayed still and the captain shook his head.

Caroline chuckled against his chest as she realized their crew was below deck waiting for their engagement to play out. Did they think she would reject him? He had been in her life for seven years and she would have no other. Smiling fondly to a kiss against her temple, she called out to end the matter, "I said yes."

"No coercing was involved" Ratonhnhaké:ton assured his inquisitive crew because suspicion rose when he asked the top deck to be cleared out. He was the type of captain that let his sailors roam onboard once their jobs of the day were done. Robert had agreed with caution while the Clutterbuck brothers had gone into a flurry of questions. Now, the news would spread by tomorrow on the Aquila.

"Only you would propose to me on the Aquila" she smiled widely to their unique proposal and appreciated him. Their mission had been a simple trip to Oak Island but the memories would last her a lifetime. He smiled quietly to himself since his choices had been the Aquila, the cove, or in a field of flowers. He figured he picked well, judging by the beaming smile on her face, and she told him, "You are my home wherever we are."

A/N: It has taken 40+ chapters but we're finally at an engagement, given that it's the 1700s. I hope I did justice to the Scottish traditions of that time frame because I have no Scottish roots, they're either Spanish or Native American. I did try my best at researching the proposals but oh man, they're engaged! I had to cut the chapter in half due to school and work demands (oh, and an unbearable heatwave for 2 weeks) but I'll have the next one posted before the month is up to play catchup. Writing has been taking away a lot of my stress recently but the heat and mosquitos aren't helping me relax in my backyard. Anyway, Caroline and Connor are officially engaged and we will head to their family's reaction in the next chapter.

Thank you to all my readers and reviewers worldwide:

Faron Oakenshield: I can't wait for Haytham either. He'll drive Connor up a wall as one strives for control and the other wants to work independently without heckling. I love the Homestead missions where everyone pulls together, namely Ellen's and David's.

Chriswill02: Thank you, the proposal celebrating will continue into the next chapter with her family. I'm trying to roll smoothly through 1777 into 1778- the year of Haytham, lol.

East Coast Captain: In the canon, Connor is still in Homestead in 1804 and I plan to have him there as well for 1812. His oldest child with Caroline will be in her 30s and carrying on her father's ideals so I can see her wanting to take part as her parents did in the American Revolution. His second is the one that takes more after Connor and will head west with other residents once they see that turbulence is only spreading further west into their town.

Guest: There were a few wagon concepts that I researched since the Conestoga was popular but boy, that wagon is one heavy lad. The prairie schooner, however, is the one I imagined for the short travel since the families didn't have much in belongings being from the poor class. You were able to lower the back end of the lighter wagons unlikes the heavier ones (at least, based on the research web sites I found) but my story, the schooner is my go-to wagon since it's travel from town to town versus colonies. I do agree that they were terribly uncomfortable and camping outside was a must.

Taylor115: I think the meeting of all the Assassins made most readers happy and I'm glad! I plan on using Aveline for anything French related since they were allies for the American Revolution. I can already see her leading her own ship during the Battle of Chesapeake to assist Connor's team. With Ellen now being in town, only Father Timothy is left whose chapter is coming up after the next one.

LilyQuix: You're absolutely right! That mission will not arrive until summer of 1778 and it will be tense. Caroline will travel with Connor once he heads to Valley Forge for Washington's missions. For the Broken Trust mission, he will leave her behind in his village to finish it alone but yeah, she'll easily see into his pain. I also think it will shake his resolve since he strived to protect his village and to see it attacked by both Templars and the Patriots raise questions for him about the end game. He'll be planning for a couple of years after which leads to the attack on Chesapeake which is another brutal one physically and emotionally for Connor.

Next Chapter Excerpt:

"You came just in time for bedtime stories!" Samuel cheered with delight to hearing about their recent adventures at sea. The winter left him at home with time to spare and nothing much to do which left him curious about their trip.

"Sure, but we have an announcement to make" Caroline replied to his enthusiasm for seafaring tales and would let her partner handle that portion. She was liable to slip a cuss word or a violent re-enactment that would have her mother lecturing her. Before all of that happened, she wanted to share her news before it slipped into town through the notorious gossip chain.

Alice ruffled his hair to nudge him away from the couple as she took his place to hug her sister around the waist. Caroline returned it with a fond smile since her littlest sister worried over her return more than anything else. Her brunette sibling was bundled up in warm flannel clothing and she wondered if the cold was harder to bear that month for her. Brushing back locks of loose hair behind Alice's ears, Caroline pressed a kiss to her forehead and Alice chuckled, "I'm glad you're home."

Amelia noticed the rosy cheeks of her sister, along with a bright glint in her eyes, and mused aloud with a smile, "Carrie, you're practically glowing."

Her oldest sister scoffed to brush off that she appeared different but she felt like a million gold coins on the inside. She looked to Ratonhnhaké:ton with a modest smile and his own freckled cheeks darkened as they arrived to the moment of truth. Godfrey, however, caught their bashful lovers gaze and clapped his hands with a jolly laugh as he stood up with a smile, "By the way your eyes are shining, he must've asked!"

Martha caught sight of the silver ring around her sister's left hand when she looped it through Ratonhnhaké:ton's. Knowing the meaning of the small jewelry piece, she gasped and announced, "Carrie's getting married to Connor!"

Gasps of unison echoed from her siblings as they stared at the couple with wide eyes of expectation and Caroline nodded hastily with a happy smile. Her sisters burst into happy giggles of joy as they darted forward to peek at the ring. Ratonhnhaké:ton almost lost his intended within the small group as they circled her with curious questions erupting in a rabble. He was happy to see and hear the positive feedback as the Burnett siblings hugged their delighted sister. Caroline's heart felt lighter than air and ready to burst to being engaged to him.

"Is it true?" Alice asked him cheerfully since her sister carried a silver-tongue and fibbed like the best salesmen in the cities. Ratonhnhaké:ton smiled modestly before nodding silently to let her know it was true.

Caroline wrapped an arm around her lean shoulders to pull her close and revealed proudly, "He asked me tonight under the stars."

"How romantic" Martha sighed softly, touching her cheeks to the marvelous thought of being asked herself. Walter was modest in demeanor, similar to Ratonhnhaké:ton, but she had dropped hints about being ready for a proposal. She had wondered who would be first to pair off and it was fitting that her eldest sister would be the one.

Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips as she stood in the center of their circle and scoffed, "Not in the midst of battle against pirates?"

"No, she would've flung me overboard" Ratonhnhaké:ton replied earnestly because he would've likely ruined their relationship if he dared. What kind of engagement memory would he leave her with? He wanted her to be happy above all else after the turbulent years they'd shared.

Thank you for reading and I shall return!