Chapter 11 - Peace Negotiations
That night, Pocahontas stayed in a spare room at John Rolfe's house, while Thomas slept over on a couch at John Smith's house.
Pocahontas was enamored by London, though she missed Virginia. The bed was soft and comfortable though different from her sleeping blanket back in her father's log-house or even the bunk on the ship that had swayed her back and forth to sleep. She soon found herself dreaming. Meanwhile, at the house on the other side of town, Thomas made himself comfortable on the couch and fell asleep soundly.
The next morning invitations from the palace arrived at both houses.
"What is it?" Thomas asked John Smith.
"Your London wedding to Pocahontas will have to wait for another day," John Smith said, looking at the letter, then at Thomas. "We've been summoned to see the king and queen. You will introduce Pocahontas to them at the Hunt Ball, as her escort. It's tonight."
"But why don't I just take Pocahontas down to the nearest church and get us married today?"
"There's no time. We'll have to go shopping today and find you something to wear to the ball."
Meanwhile, John Rolfe read the same letter at his house.
"What's wrong?" Pocahontas asked, looking at his face.
"Your marriage to Thomas here in London must be delayed for now," John Rolfe explained quickly. "The king and queen have invited us to the palace. You are invited to be introduced to the court at the Hunt Ball. Thomas will be your escort. It's this evening."
"But why can't I see Thomas?"
"You can with a chaperone. I will take you to the Hunt Ball tonight and we will meet John Smith and Thomas there. You may spend the evening with Thomas at the ball with John Smith and I both present."
"The ball?"
"It's a dance," John Rolfe explained.
"Wonderful. I love dancing," Pocahontas said.
...
John Smith took Thomas shopping in London that day, where the two of them picked out clothes for the ball. Thomas went into a dress shop and picked out a white gold-trimmed ballgown for Pocahontas, along with a pair of shoes, and finally a gold necklace with a sapphire pendant. Their paychecks from the Virginia Company covered it all. He had Pocahontas' gown and accessories delivered to John Rolfe's house that afternoon.
Meanwhile John Rolfe was having Pocahontas practice the latest dance steps in London around the house, though he knew she would prefer young Thomas as her dance partner at the ball. "Wait 'til Thomas sees you at the ball," he said courteously to her as they repeated the dance steps.
"Are you sure he will be there?" said Pocahontas.
"I'm sure he wouldn't miss it for the world," John Rolfe replied politely. "Not even his stake in the New World."
Pocahontas smiled as she danced on her own, John Rolfe clapping his hands in the air in time to his humming.
It wasn't long before John Rolfe handed the boxes at the door over to Pocahontas for her to open. "They're gifts from Thomas," John Rolfe said, reading the note. "Your fiancé."
The kindly older housemaid named Mrs. Jenkins helped Pocahontas dress for the ball, lacing up her corset tightly and helping pull the gown over her head. Then she arranged her hair, lifting her black lengths of hair and pinning them up securely. What would Thomas think of all this? she wondered to herself. Did he prefer London or Virginia? Pocahontas glanced at her reflection like in the black river water back home.
...
The evening arrived. John Rolfe helped Pocahontas into the coach wearing her white-and-gold ballgown, him dressed in his finest suit as well. They were to meet John Smith and Thomas at the palace. As the horse-drawn coach made its way to the palace, Pocahontas rehearsed her lines to the king and queen in her head. She watched the gleaming lamp lights of London pass in the dusk as the carriage went down the streets.
The coach pulled up at the palace and John Rolfe handed her down out of the carriage. She looked ahead to see two familiar figures standing before the palace entrance, one taller and one slightly shorter. It was John Smith and Thomas, awaiting their arrival. John Smith was wearing a fine blue suit. Thomas was wearing his best white shirt, white jacket and pants with a kerchief tied around his neck, his red hair combed neatly to either side of his face. Pocahontas lifted her ballgown slightly so she could walk quickly over to join him.
Though she was about to embrace the boy, Thomas quickly held out a hand for her to take as John Smith had had him practice. He took Pocahontas' hand in his and walked her into the palace, John Smith and John Rolfe behind them.
Thomas quickly handed their invitations over and told the announcer what to say.
"Princess Pocahontas of America," the announcer called out to the ballroom. "Escorted by her fiancé, Thomas Deere of England. Accompanied by Captain John Smith of the Virginia Company and John Rolfe, diplomat to America."
John Smith gave Thomas a slight push from behind. The lad held out his hand and Pocahontas placed her hand atop his. She held her gown up with the other hand and descended the stairs with Thomas, her escort for the night. He walked her through the ballroom full of lords and ladies and approached the throne.
John Rolfe quickly bowed to the king and queen to show the others, John Smith following suit. Thomas hesitated a moment before bowing. Pocahontas stood standing for a moment too long before the boy pulled her by the hand down into a curtsy.
"Welcome, all," said King James. "You have all traveled so far. And an especial welcome to the young Princess Pocahontas."
"And congratulations on your recent engagement," Queen Anne added, nodding to Pocahontas and Thomas. "It seems you've found young love."
"Indeed, you have come back from Virginia with a special prize, young lad," said the king.
"A maiden's heart is not simply a prize for the taking - isn't that right, Pocahontas?" the queen remarked, seeing her face.
"Please, Your Majesties," Pocahontas burst into her rehearsed speech. "I have come to make a long-lasting peace alliance between America and England. Though I am only princess of the Powhatan Tribe, my father Chief Powhatan and I dream of uniting the tribes together into one nation. We must make peace with England as well."
"Certainly," the king said. "There shall be peace between us from now on."
"You have brought peace yourself from the story we've heard of how you saved Captain John Smith's life, and of how you have fallen in love with young Thomas here," the queen said. "Your marriage shall soon mark the peace alliance between America and England."
"Governor Radcliffe has informed me of the situation regarding your marriage," the king said to Thomas and Pocahontas. "However English law does not reach all the way to Virginia. We must have you married here in London immediately at Westminster Abbey, as befitting of royalty," he added, gesturing to Pocahontas.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Thomas said, bowing as Pocahontas curtsied beside him. Then he backed away, pulling Pocahontas by the hand with him. "Come on, Your Highness," he said lowly to Pocahontas as he led her away by the hand.
