A/N

Another music rec for anyone out there wanting it. I'm really only giving you the songs I listened to on repeat while working on a certain chapter but I hope anyone that wants it, finds it a fun addition to the vibes of the chapter. This chapter was written to 'Teardrop' by Massive Attack.

I hope you enjoy.

/

Erin felt useless.

She knew, with a sinking certainty that chilled its way into the marrow of her very bones, that she did not have the physical strength to sway this cataclysmic tide that now rushed unrelentingly towards her. All she had left were words, and Magua had threatened her very life only moments before for speaking. She was afraid... but what regret filled future did she really have, if it resulted in Uncas' death?

The answer was simple.

Magua was already moving forward, taking up a fighting stance in response to the impending threat, intending to meet it head on. His left hand reached for his skilfully carved bear head-handled knife, while his other now wielded his own stark metal spiked tomahawk. The shawl he had been wearing draped over one shoulder was allowed to fall carelessly to the ground.

Erin knew she had to seize the moment or allow downfall, and she managed to struggle away from the man holding her, slipping out of his grasp with sweat slick hands, a twist of torso and a few quick steps.

She reached and grabbed hold of Magua's upper arm, stilling him with a rough and determined demand that he listen. "If Magua fights here, he will die!" she said in Huron, with as much conviction and truth as she could muster.

Her voice and touch distracted him for a few seconds and he turned to look back over his shoulder at her, a ripple of what could have been emotion, perhaps even surprise, crossing his face. He seemed for a brief moment to be considering something and then just as quickly the emotion was lost in a sea of unrelenting, cool wrath. With seeming ease his elbow came up in a sudden hard backward blow, hitting Erin in the face with a vicious crack. The intense flare of pain that radiated through her entire skull knocked her off balance, the violent intention sent her stumbling back to her minder, who caught her tightly, arms now held to her sides, callous hands rasping against her bandaged injury.

It took Erin a moment to regain her rattled senses. Ignoring the sharp sting of split skin, she turned to see Alice watching all with concerned eyes, gaze flying to each player as the tragic drama hurried on, and Erin followed her line of sight, back into the dreadful fray.

One more warrior fell under Uncas' hand, he didn't pause to give any of their bodies notice, his eyes fixed ahead to where he knew Magua was.

It had only been a moment of bought time, paid for with Erin's own blood, she could taste it upon her tongue, but it was just enough to put Magua on the back foot as Uncas barrelled forward and the two men crashed into each other.

Uncas' weapon connected with Magua's side and a gasping grunt passed Magua's lips as it sliced into his flesh then pulled away in one vicious ripping motion. Erin stared as if struck suddenly stupefied, her eyes widening as the scene played over and over again in fast motion within her mind. Uncas had made the first impact! This was different from the book, in which Uncas had not even managed a glancing blow.

Suddenly excited, Erin tried to shake off the warrior holding her, but he had learned his lesson and she was pulled back harshly, causing her to wince as his hand tightened upon her raw healing skin.

Magua pushed Uncas away with a rough forceful movement of his palm, giving himself a moment to digest what had just happened, his hand going to his fresh bloody wound, studying the red flowing through his fingers. It was a gaping, ugly thing, jagged and yawning crimson. He seemed dazed for a moment but snapped out of his reverie and went back into battle as Uncas again attacked, and this time Magua met it with his own tomahawk, deflecting the blow as each man tried brutally to gain the upper hand, metal grinding.

Uncas lunged and Magua parried, hands with blades darting forward, both men exchanging blows with all weapons, swinging and slicing, until sharp edge connected with soft skin, blood welling from a savage cut upon Uncas' forearm. This was given little attention apart from a short pause for breath. The ferocious dance continued as all watched transfixed, metal glinting, dull clangs of weapons meeting echoing off stone, blows swishing through air and counteracted. Each man trying to outwit and out step their opponent.

Magua's face was an unwavering frown of concentration, his movements so fast that it was hard to comprehend each offensive strike, but strike he did, again and again like an angry snake, until finally his persistence paid off. Silvery blade buried into flowing green material, the sound a rending of flesh upon a butcher's block. A solemn and restrained glee gleamed within Magua's eyes, then he pulled his hand back, yanking the weapon out, the knife slipped free, blood blooming like red rose petals in its wake. Uncas was forced backwards against the rock from the pain, his face betraying a fleeting ripple of surprise. Magua stepped away, up onto the high rock platform, his arms still moving, wheeling and goading his weapons in clear intent and threat.

"No!" Erin managed in a whisper, and was again pulled back with a harsh tug.

Uncas looked down, perplexed and confused at the wound. Erin could see the brave sureness that had been wrapped around him loosening, his fate revealing itself in a threatening show of grim mortality.

Erin wanted to berate him, to have some witty retort that would reprimand his foolish actions, but she couldn't find anything to say, and even if she had, she had no will to speak it. All she felt in that one stark moment was remorse, deep and all consuming.

"Please!" Erin cried out the word, horrified by the play being performed before her, some beats so different, but some exactly the same, and she wanted to scream in frustration and fear.

His eyes came to her at the pitiful plea, dark and sorrowful, holding her in that same lull he always seemed to have, depths swimming with unspoken words and promises. Erin again pulled at her human bonds but was forced back, futility clutching at her as every part of Uncas' body declared silently, he knew he could not win this fight. Magua was more skilled, sheer tenacity would not defeat him.

Then determination grew within that dark gaze, like a light burning, and something glinted, a knowing, a promise kept.

A shout from behind turned all in that direction, and up the incline came two figures, a third and fourth lagging a good way behind. With a strange welling of distressed relief Erin understood, this was Chingachgook, Nathaniel, Cora and Duncan. Uncas had waited, at least enough for the cavalry to have a chance of arriving in time, and they had. Erin fought back the urge to weep at the sheer release of tense emotions.

Magua had seen this too and knew he was now cornered. Uncas had already killed five of his warriors and now Chingachgook was dispatching the men bringing up the rear with an ease only a hardened elder warrior had. Nathaniel's musket was firing, taking down more, and slow, stark realization flooded into Magua's expression.

Before Uncas could make any move, Magua took a few more steps back, his sudden movements causing Uncas to still a moment too long in anticipation of what was to come. Magua jumped down and placed his knife back into his belt, favouring his tomahawk. Moving quickly, like a sly fox in a chicken coop, he grabbed at first Erin's rawhide bonds then at Alice's, a wide blade coming to the young blond woman's throat, dragging them with a fevered urgency towards the promontory.

He whispered a few breathless words meant just for Erin. "Fight and she dies!"

Erin could see Magua's side was slick and red, covered in seeping blood, but his strength seemed spurred on by the notion that this was now becoming his own last stand. Erin felt she had no choice but to comply.

He looked at Uncas, a direct and fearless cruel gaze, stating he would do what he must as he dragged both women closer to the edge.

Uncas had started forward but paused as sense grasped him, his hand coming out in a calming gesture. "Stop." The word was a soft appeal for reason.

"Magua will kill them!" If it was a threat or declaration of intent, Erin wasn't sure.

Chingachgook and Nathaniel were only a few men away now, some of the warriors had surrendered, deciding to leave and head back towards the village rather than play any further part in the game of one man's search for revenge.

Erin's eyes sought Alice's, the young girl's were wide, unfocused, and full of fear. A deer caught in headlights, too frightened to do more than obey. The tomahawk's edge glinted against pale skin, leaving Erin with little knowledge of what to do that would not hasten her friend's death.

Seeing what was happening Chingachgook and Nathaniel stilled, their work done, no further enemies in their way bar one, whose threat was now greater than all they had already defeated.

Erin saw Cora helping Duncan up the path a short way behind.

All the men remained still as stone, a stand off that meant no one could go backwards or forwards, all were trapped at the whims of Magua, who seemed to revel in the power.

Uncas was searching, eyes darting for any chink in the armour of this situation, and in reflex at his concern Erin tried to speak, but Magua pulled her back with a rough tug, his arm now fully enclosing around her chest, glinting metal suddenly at her own throat.

"No words, Red Snake, be silent!"

Erin felt him slump a little in fatigue from blood loss, his left side had been affected by Uncas' blow, it was weaker. It seemed he knew Erin to be the most likely to cause him trouble, as Alice stood nearby like a timid little mouse.

Erin's mind flashed up the prospect that she could just try and push him over the edge, if he was weaker, she may have a chance. There was an awful possibility that he may take her with him, or kill her in the attempt, but she could try.

As if reading Erin's frantic thoughts, Magua gave a tug to Alice's bonds and the young woman obediently stumbled a little closer, his fingers flexing over the rope, winding it around his wrist, stating to all here, he had the power to do as he now willed.

Erin knew in that very moment that there would be no bargaining, no heroics, no way to get them out of this, his weight and strength pinned her to him, like a death pact. Perhaps she would have indeed pushed both of them over the edge in a manic act of attempted heroism, but Magua had made sure that would never happen. The bonds of Alice Munro were now secured to him, making sure if he fell, they all would fall. He had guessed, and was correct in his assumption, that while Erin's bravery held no pity for him, she was not willing to be the cause of Alice's doom.

Today, Magua was going to have his revenge and she and Alice would pay the price, their blood spilling to the ground in retribution for a crime neither had anything to do with. Blood paying for blood in a never ending cycle.

Her own breaths rasped harsh and loud in her ears, she tried to look at Alice, wanting to give the young girl any comfort, but saw only bewilderment in those big hazel eyes. She was retreating again, back into herself, vacancy clouding in, reality too hard and cruel to manage after all she had been through, and now death was the only thing reaching out a hand to her.

Erin turned her gaze, eyes finding Uncas, his face apprehensive and disturbed by what was happening before him. He knew if he attacked, Magua would take them all over the cliff, there was no way he could get to them n time, no chance to save them, and he bared his teeth in frustration.

Erin couldn't force herself to smile so tears came instead, embittered tears for all the trials and hardships they had all been through, the love and affection, friendship and understanding, the anger and irritation. For everything, she wept, for it had all come to nothing.

Hopelessness, it was a pain worse than any blow Magua could physically deal her, but was still his grim gift to give, by taking away any resilience and faith she had left. One look into Uncas' eyes was all the confirmation she needed.

This was over.

Death was still going to play its cruel part here today.

She tried to tell him wordlessly everything she had not been able to speak, the words she had been too fearful to say aloud, and even now had to convey in silence, knowing if she spoke, the blade would slice into her skin without the slightest hesitation, the only thing that stilled Magua in this moment was his damnable pride. He wanted his justice, his revenge witnessed.

"Alice!" Cora had finally reached them, her voice strained and full of tearful sorrow. "Please, God, no, Alice!"

Alice flinched at the sound, a brightness finding her eyes, echoing the distress her sister felt. As if waking from a dream, she slowly turned her head to the murderous scene beside her, wide, fearful gaze blooming with tears, her bottom lip trembling. She looked towards Cora, souls connecting for a short moment, and when she looked upon Magua and Erin again, her eyes were beautiful and calm, like the dark depths of the sea after a storm. It looked as though accepting her fate brought her an inner peace and boldness, a choice of how to end things.

'No, no, no.' The chanted lament only brought more tears to Erin's eyes, and gasps to her lips, as her sobs shook her quietly to her very core.

She knew what Alice's choice would be, and bitterly swallowed the fact that she had not been able to save her. Erin had been useless, and her ideas of grandeur and heroism lay broken and pathetic, a fool's wishes. She wanted to scream in frustration, but all she could do was cry silent, bitter tears as the blade pressed cold upon her skin.

Now the only prayer she had left was that both their ends would be brief.

Alice's head turned again, a soft flutter of golden hair dancing in the breeze, her gaze drawn out to the breath-taking land beyond, the wind beckoning for her to go, no more pain, no more suffering... just... one... small... step...

Magua pulled Erin's head back, exposing her throat fully, his arm rising, ready to strike and bring the end to his first victim and the loss of all hope to his enemies.

Suddenly, everyone was moving at once.

It crossed Erin's mind in those fleeting seconds, that if this had been a dramatic scene in a movie, this would all have been happening in super slow motion. The scuff of a boot upon rock, the despairing cry of Cora, long and drawn out, pounding footfalls upon dirt, a tiny bead of sweat flying off a worried brow. Dark hair streaming out in movement, a jaw muscle clenching in determination beneath scarred skin, deep golden eyes accepting what must be done. The bright flashing glimpse of a red feather, and strained sunlight glinting off a sharp blade.

In reality it was all a fast and chaotic blur. Cora was screaming, high pitched and desperate, Duncan resting heavily upon her shoulder, face taught with worry, his hand darting out in a stop motion.

Chingachgook and Nathaniel were sprinting forward, perhaps hoping to overpower Magua before he turned his blade upon Alice. Uncas was moving too, his hand grasping his small, gleaming bone-handled knife, and Erin knew he intended to come at them with full force and take Magua, Alice, her and himself over the edge in a frenzied act of last resistance. Erin also knew, no one would reach them in time, not before Magua had cut open her throat.

Suddenly Alice was moving too, her porcelain hand flying out like a pale ghost in the hazy sunlight, her fingers catching and pulling at Magua's belt. He felt it and turned slightly, his weapon coming up to meet this new distraction, giving Erin a second of breath and moment more of life.

Alice didn't tarry, her hand sure, and there was a sickeningly sharp sound of flesh being rendered and sliced. Her pale face solemn and full of purpose. She had made her choice and it was buried up to the hilt in Magua's exposed armpit.

Everything stopped, time itself, or a collected breath of awed surprise, Erin didn't know.

For a moment Magua's arms seemed suspended in mid-air like a marionette, a look of complete and utter shock upon his face, his eyes seeking answers from the young girl before him, a pleading in their depths, a hint of emotion. In reply Alice placed both her hands upon the weapon's hilt and, with a merciless grunt, she used all her strength to pull it out, a spray of blood telling all she had found her mark.

Magua's body juddered and the tomahawk dropped carelessly from his hand, clattering to the stone with a dull sound. His jaw was slack, his expression disbelieving of what had just occurred, his arm useless and his body losing blood fast. It ran down in a crimson torrent, reminding Erin of the cascade and fury of the big waterfall.

Alice moved like an alabaster statue brought to life, once again it seemed her flaxen hair was the only colour in the barren rock surroundings, glittering like gold in the light, a terrible spirit come to enact her own vengeance.

The knife, now coated in gore, came up in the grip of a blood drained hand, and with a delicate flick severed both twines of rope that had bound Erin and Alice to Magua's grasp. With those fair slender hands she then pushed, palms connecting with Magua's chest, almost as soft as a lover's caress, and his body obeyed with eerie eagerness. Without any ceremony he slipped over the edge like a weighted sack, his form falling from view within seconds.

For a moment, silence, and the howl of the wind high up on the cliffs, was all that anyone could hear, a ripple of shock going through each person as what had just happened realized in their minds.

Erin felt her body come back into her own control, released from the terrible threat and fear in shaking waves, and she turned to the young woman beside her, who still held the bloody dagger clutched in her hand, a look of innocent bafflement upon her pretty features. Erin reached out with a muffled sob, pulling Alice to her, wrapping arms around her in a deep embrace, gasps of relief and words of reassurance falling from her lips in a babble of noises.

They were alive.

Alice was alive.

Uncas was alive.

The story had changed, and Erin felt like weeping and screaming and laughing, all at once, but instead she thanked the woman in her arms over and over again, a chant that seemed to calm Alice's quivering body.

Alice gave a small gasping noise, fighting against her own urge to break down, the knife dropped from her stained hand, a sharp metallic sound echoing off the rocks as it landed at her feet. Slowly her body responded as she hugged Erin tightly back, burying her head into her friend's shoulder and escaping the world for a short moment in the comfort of another.

Erin could hear the people around her gaining their senses back, calls asking of their wellbeing sounded, but Erin found she could not answer, not yet. She wanted to be in the moment a little longer, her arms around the true hero of the story, a young frightened woman who had decided her own fate, and with that choice, had saved them all.

/

A/N

This is the last Friday I will be updating until after the New Year. I'm taking a small break but I hope this chapter's ending left some readers feeling satisfied. This was a really cathartic chapter for me to write and re-write through some hard times and I hope you found emotion in it too. Also while this was hopefully a bit of a surprise ending, I hope it does not feel unearned.

I ramble a bit below about the thought process behind Spark, it may make as much sense as a chocolate teapot, so be warned and go to TLDR for a quick note.

When I began writing this story, it did not begin with romance. That might be surprising because it seems very OC/Romance in plot, and I guess it is how it turned out in some respects, but it wasn't originally intended that way. Erin and Uncas' growing relationship was a surprise for me as I wrote, and without them the story wouldn't have worked out the way it has, so yes, now it is a romance story too.

Originally, I wanted this story to be about Alice and Uncas as individuals, without the tragic/dramatic romance, it seems Uncas still wanted some romance, but I digress :))

This is the scene everything was building to in my head, when I thought up this story, the real hero is Alice Munro. I wanted this to be believable and in character without changing who she is, her personality or her motivations. I hope I accomplished that in some way.

For Spark I didn't want to create a badass Alice, a warrior Alice, or a suddenly strong Alice (I do love all those imaginings of Alice though, lol) I'm not saying at all that I believe Alice could not become any of those things, but that isn't what I wanted to explore in this story.

I didn't want her to have to be anyone but who she is, and still be able to be the hero. I hopefully made this seem possible with tiny pebbles of developing who Alice was and giving her a little more support with Erin's presence. My intention was not for Erin to be the reason for Alice's courage at all, Alice always had that within, just as we all do, but circumstance and the people we surround ourselves with can propel our motivations. I wanted Alice to be propelled and still be Alice. I wanted Alice to have some support from another woman who offers encouragement and understanding, and I wanted Alice to find strength in her existing bond with her sister.

I feel sometimes, people (especially on my older travels through forums in the early to mid 2000s) wanted Alice to be better, stronger, bolder, more like Cora, less of a helpless damsel, less passive, less of a 'silly girl' (I include myself here too and yes, I hate this term too, it's used far too often in regards to young women.) But if we take that away... she's no longer really just that original Alice anymore.

I admit, I always related to Alice more than Cora when I was a young girl (even though I wanted to be like Cora) and now I'm an adult, I cherish those types of characters and think sometimes it's nice to not see them become something very different than who they are, who they are is valid. So, that's why I wanted to write this story originally. I hope I accomplished what I set out to do and, you dear reader, found some enjoyment in it.

I hope any of this ramble makes any sense at all. Again my intent is not your reading, you can see any of this story as you see fit. By reading it, it becomes your own interpretation. I hope it's fun finding out mine :)

TLDR

My heartfelt thanks to those leaving reviews and sharing your thoughts, they are always welcome and appreciated.

We are not finished at all with this story yet, I hope you'll re-join me next time as we step in to completely new things. Happy Holidays to any that celebrate and a Happy New Year if you celebrate that too. I wish you all the very best for 2024. I hope to see you then.