Erin heard Cora allow Nathaniel's name to slip from her lips in a deep sigh. He glanced over at the sound, but did not react, his eyes only briefly connecting in support. He explicitly understood how delicate and fragile this situation was.
His gaze went to Duncan, not letting a wasted second pass before he spoke, knowing time was short. "Translate for me, Major, into French. Every word... as I say it."
Duncan looked flummoxed for only a fleeting moment before his training kicked in and he gave a firm nod in understanding.
Magua started forward, his knife still in his hand, destruction on his mind, but he was stilled by another brisk gesture from the Sachem. Just as the elder had promised Erin, he would hear what Nathaniel had to say.
"I come to you unarmed and in peace to unstop your ears, wise one. Because the Hurons are misled by the words of the wolf who's never spoken the truth," Nathaniel said steadily in a calm cadence.
Duncan spoke in French, the words a torrent, the Sachem listened to the language he understood but his eyes remained on Nathaniel, merging meaning to body and expression.
"Let the children of Colonel Munro go free and take the fire out of the English anger over the murder of their helpless ones."
Magua gave a sneer, taking a confident step forward, talking over Nathaniel before he could continue to speak. "Our French father, Montcalm, is greater than the English in the arts of war. The Huron do not fear English anger," he growled in French.
Duncan grimly translated every word back into English for Nathaniel's benefit.
Nathaniel shook his head in disgust at Magua's words. "Wise one, the French fathers made peace and swore on their honour not to break the friendship. Magua broke it! It is false that the French would be friends still, to the Huron," Nathaniel said with conviction.
The Sachem pursed his lips, his eyes piercing into Magua, a look that asked for the truth.
Magua looked uncomfortably admonished for only a moment before his cool, stony-hearted mask slipped easily back into place. "It made our French father happy to never have to fight the same English soldiers again. He told me this, without telling me this."
Nathaniel's face was tense and wavered with a steady growing anger as Duncan continued to translate back and forth. "So the Huron are the servants of the French? To do what the French are too shamed to do?"
Magua laughed coldly. "Huron serve no one. The French father believes he fooled Magua, because he is so proud of his cleverness, he is blind. It is the Huron path that Magua walks down, not the French one." He looked directly at the Sachem, believing in all the words he spoke with a confident certainty, that his way was the right way, the only way, for all.
"Now, the French also fear Huron. That is good!" Magua said, taking the opportunity to strike and reveal his true plan. "When the Huron is stronger from their fear, we will make new terms of trade with the French and we will trade as the white man trades. Take land from the Abnakes; fur from the Osage, Sauk and Fox. Trade for gold and make the Huron great. Over other tribes. No less than the whites, as strong as the whites!"
Nathaniel listened to Duncan's translated words, his face growing more and more disquiet by what he heard. "Magua would use the ways of Les Français and the Yengeese?" Nathaniel looked towards Magua with a look of revulsion, now fully coming to understand just what this man thought justice really was.
Magua remained silent, his eyes boring into the man that dared question him with pure unbridled hatred.
"Would you?!" Nathaniel pushed, his voice rising.
"Yes! It is the only way!" Magua said directly to Nathaniel in English, eyes flashing with anger.
Duncan continued to translate for the ears of the Sachem, and from his expression it was clear, the Sachem did not seem to like this answer.
"Would the Huron make his Algonquin brothers foolish with brandy and steal his lands to sell them for gold to the white man?" Nathaniel spoke with a passionate fire burning within him, at the true injustice he had seen in this world and still saw before him now, spurring his words onwards. This was just another covetous powerful man using his weight to crush those he saw as beneath him for his own selfish benefit. "Would Huron kill tribes with disease? Would the Huron fool Seneca into taking all the animals in the forest for beads & brandy? Then sell the fur to the white man for gold?" Nathaniel was impassioned, his words having an effect on any that could understand Duncan's hurried translation.
"Those are the ways of the Yengeese and Les Français traders, their masters in Europe, infected by the sickness of greed! Are they the ways of Huron men who hunt and work the land? Would Huron have greed for more land than a man could use?" He glanced to where Magua stood, the Huron war leader still stubbornly holding on to his pride with a claw-like grasp. "Magua's heart is twisted. He would make himself into what twisted him."
Nathaniel paused, his gaze back upon the Sachem, his look nearing desperate, but in his eyes the embers of his stalwart brave heart burned. "I am Nathaniel of the Yengeese; Hawkeye, adopted son of Chingachgook, of the Mohican people. Let the children of Munro, the red haired woman and the Yengeese officer go free. Show us a better way! This belt is a record of the days of my Father's people, it speaks for my truth." He held up his wampum in confirmation to his words.
"You speak bullshit poison with two tongues!" Magua accused, still speaking in French but becoming more agitated by the moment, ready to turn his knife on this man that had exposed all his dark inner workings. "Listen to me..." Magua began, ready with more arguments.
"Enough." The Sachem spoke with a soft voice but there was a determination in his tone that said he had heard all he cared to. Both men had spoken and he had listened, now he had to make his decision clear, and more importantly fair.
He looked directly at Nathaniel, the weight of many years of being the judge and conscience of his community weighing heavy between the two men. The whole village seemed to be holding its breath. When the elder began to speak, it was in a soft but commanding voice, causing those around to strain a little to hear, all attention upon him, his face and his words.
"The white man came and night entered our future with him." His eyes flicked for a brief moment to Erin and she knew he was not done with her yet. "Our council has asked the question since I was a boy: What are the Huron to do?" His eyes lingered over all the people he was responsible for, his people, the heaviness of his words almost palpable. For a moment all stood in awe, the only sound was Duncan as he continued to translate.
"Magua is a great war captain, but his path is not the Huron one." The Sachem paused, closing his eyes in deep thought, and when he reopened them, his choices were made. "Dark haired child of Munro will go with the Yengeese officer, not to go to Les Français, but back to Yengeese, so their hatred burns less bright."
Duncan gave a small sigh of relief as he translated this and it seemed they all sagged in exhausted reassurance. Cora's eyes sought Nathaniel's and a look passed between them that spoke of a growing hope that all may yet be right with the world.
Erin felt her spirit soar just a little, things were changing, it was happening!
"Munro younger daughter, with moon in her hair, must be Magua's wife, so Magua can have more children and heal his twisted heart."
Duncan translated into English, his lips slowing as he spoke of the elder's decision, gaze flying to Alice, a look of horror upon his features.
Cora's eyes darted from Nathaniel to Duncan, silently asking what could be done about this, her brow forming a frown as she was met by hopeless expressions.
Erin's heart lunged at these words, Magua would still take Alice! Cora and Duncan were safe, but Alice's fate hadn't changed. Erin had a terrible feeling that Uncas may still go after her and die on those cliffs. Compelled by a fate he didn't fully understand, a destiny he couldn't fight against, only wanting to save an innocent from a fate that had the potential to be worse than a clean death.
Alice's pale face had become blank with those translated words, her eyes losing all hardness and all life, she was done.
"Go in peace, Long Rifle." The Sachem turned his eyes onto Erin and was about to pronounce her own fate but Erin talked over him, knowing this rudeness may not be received well.
"Wise one!" She spoke the words in Huron, drawing all eyes to her.
"What is this?" she heard Nathaniel ask Duncan in a confused whisper somewhere behind her, but she had no time or will to turn and answer.
"You listened to me before and know my words have truth," Erin continued.
"I do, Red Hair," the Sachem replied in Huron. His gaze held hers and Erin could see something in his eyes, not greed but a need. He now saw her as a tool to wield for his people. Erin understood it was not going to be easy to dissuade him of this notion, but she still had a chance to save Alice and that was all that mattered.
"What is she saying?" Erin heard Nathaniel's hushed voice again but had to keep her focus.
"I have no idea!" Was the only answer Duncan could give.
"You listened to Long Rifle and your judgment has been full of wisdom... but, if you send the white war chief Munro's daughter to marry against his will, he will also find you and kill you all. He must get both his children back for your people to be safe." From the elder's expression, Erin didn't think these words sounded as convincing as her last impassioned speech.
The Sachem held a knowing gleam in his ancient eyes, that told clearly he knew desperation and fear when he saw it, and this time her words did not appear to sway him. His eyes told her in silence that a balance had to be agreed and he would not budge an inch from what he had already decreed.
The Sachem gave a slow nod, as if understanding her only too well, sympathizing even perhaps. "I have listened to your words, no one will die today in our fires, but there is a debt of life that must be paid." He paused, then looked at Magua. "Magua will not be healed if there is no harmony, his anger is too bright and he has no reward, this cannot stand. The white war chief Munro can take great comfort that his daughter is coupled with a brave man, no father could ask for more. If they are joined and she bears children, it will heal Magua's anger."
Erin nodded in faux understanding, her mind racing. She knew Magua would have no need or want for children from Alice Munro, she was the enemy, he wanted revenge not a wife. He would take her to another village in the hope they would burn her in his honour. If not, he would go to the next Huron village, then the next, until he found someone as eager as he was to watch the young woman suffer. Erin couldn't allow that, and more importantly she knew Alice wouldn't either! She'd take her future into her own hands before they came off that damn mountain.
After a tense beat of time had passed, while all her companions gazed on thunderstruck, and Erin's mind swirled, she finally spoke the one thing she thought might have a chance of saving her friend's life. "What you speak is true. That is why... Magua should take me. Let me pay this debt."
At this Magua sneered, clearly not liking or agreeing with any of what had been spoken for some time.
"I am worth more than the two Munro children. I can speak many languages. I am a seer. I know the Huron's future and I have seen Magua's too. I am the only one that can heal him." This was an outright lie, Erin knew, but needs must. If she had to be the one led up those cliffs, it would at the very least give them all precious time. She was not in the fragile state Alice seemed to be in, she could try and keep her wits, and hopefully the change would be great enough to stop anyone having to die today.
She'd made Uncas promise not to recklessly follow, he knew well she would try and survive until they caught up... he knew she would keep going until he found her... if it were Erin and not Alice, there was a chance! At least, these were the comforting half truths Erin consoled herself with, for Erin also knew Uncas had felt the pull of destiny, and knowing any of them was in close proximity to danger would make it almost impossible for him to sit on his hands and do nothing. With a welling of unease, Erin knew with a deep certainty she couldn't explain, Uncas would come.
This meant she would have to be the one up there on those cliffs if Uncas had any chance of surviving. She had to be the one chosen no matter what!
She turned, addressing Magua directly. "I am of great use to you and your need for revenge. I will help you succeed in all your plans. Take me."
The sneer was still pulling at Magua's lip and his gaze once again cruelly raked across her.
Erin saw on the edge of her sight the Sachem shake his head slowly in reply and felt her scalp prickle with the movement. He didn't agree. "No, Red Hair, you will stay here in our village and guide us through these uncertain times with your visions. Magua will take the Munro daughter. That is my judgment."
Magua took a step forward, his face set in resentment. "This is not the voice of wisdom! I will go to the Huron of the Lakes! You are women." He spoke in Huron now, French fully forgotten in rage. "Send your arrows and guns to the Seneca, beg from them venison to eat, corn to grind. Slaves, dogs, rabbits, thieves... I spit on you!" He did just that at the feet of the Sachem, who looked little concerned. "You do not deserve to know your future. Magua sees you have made it a ruin already!"
The crowd seemed suddenly hostile, a hushed silence falling over anyone who had heard and understood Magua's violent, disrespectful words.
Erin was suddenly yanked forward by a casual, cruel hand, Magua not even deeming to look at her. Duncan tried to object but he was easily knocked aside by one of Magua's party. Magua sent one of his warriors to Alice and both women were pulled away, Cora and the others unsure just what was happening.
"I think they are separating us! We must stop them," Duncan called out to Nathaniel.
"Stand your ground, Major!" Nathaniel said through gritted teeth. "One wrong move now and we are all dead, you hear?"
Duncan gave a small nod of understanding, watching on helplessly.
"Where are they taking Alice?" Cora cried, clutching onto Duncan's arm, Nathaniel pulled her to him, surrounding her in a protective embrace.
Confusion and chaos reigned for a moment, as a great clamour of shouting voices and bristling defensive bodies tried to block Magua's path, only those able to speak Huron understanding what exactly was happening.
"Any that follow, Magua will kill like dogs!"
The Sachem held up a hand, stopping further attempts of preventing their departure, or any of his village going after them. He saw the senselessness of a dogfight among his own people.
"He's taking us! Up the mountain!" Erin took a chance and cried out in English.
Nathaniel started forward but suddenly felt the heated eyes of the angry crowd turn upon him with his sudden movement and he sensed the unsureness in that moment that the Sachem's words would be honoured. He hesitated, not daring to act as Alice and Erin were pulled further away, trailing behind their captors like cargo. Several of Magua's warriors pulled out small knives, prepared to defend their controversial exit.
"Alice!" Cora cried, trying to go after them but Nathaniel grasped her firmly, calming her as best he could.
Erin took a deep breath of air and yelled out her next words, hoping they would reach their intended target. "Do not follow!" Her words were in Uncas' own tongue, a long wail of pleading. "Not alone, I beg you, do not follow!"
She had enough time to note that Nathaniel, at least, had understood, as he stared after her dumbfounded for a few seconds, before he began to gather Duncan and Cora to him.
Erin was given a sharp tug, and a cloth was roughly stuffed into her mouth, silencing any further attempts at warning. Magua was at her side, his fingers digging unkindly into her upper arm as he lead his spoils out of the village.
/
A/N
Hello, a good Friday to all!
I know I did go over quite a few well trodden parts of the movie in the last few chapters with what happens and dialogue. While I felt that was necessary for the story I'm telling, I can understand that it may prove a wee bit tiresome for some. If it has for you dear reader, I hope I can gain your attention back in the next few chapters, if you are willing to stay with me.
A fun thing I found out from a friend that knows some French. When Magua is rebutting Nathaniel's words in the movie, the subtitles read something similar to "You speak poison with a forked tongue!" This makes perfect sense, he's comparing Nat to a snake, but in French the translation may be closer to a cuss word maybe? My friend isn't fluent enough in French to know exactly what is said, but they said it sounded like he was saying "You speak bullshit poison with two tongues" and I just really liked it, so I went with that half translation here. Any French speaking fans about, what does it sound like to you?
The part of Alice being given to Magua as a 'wife' by the Sachem was always an interesting point in LOTM fandom. I've seen this explained as a reason as to why Alice was willing to jump, she'd rather be with Uncas in death than become Magua's wife/slave. It makes sense, but I have to admit, I never saw it fully this way. The following are only my opinions, not fact, so take from it what you will :)
To my memory, Duncan never translates their fates into English in the movie and we are never really told if the sisters know French. For me this explains why Cora seems to have no idea why Alice is being taken and is oblivious to her own grisly fate, and also why she seems unaware that Duncan has volunteered to take her place in the fire. Cora appears to be shocked when she is pushed to Nathaniel as at this point, Nat has only said "take me!" in English, because he realises what will happen to Cora without Duncan having translated it into English. I'm unsure Cora understood exactly what was going to befall her. I thought maybe Duncan didn't translate the sister's proclaimed fates, because he was saving the women the fear of what was to come.
Sweet Duncan :))
I always assumed that the sisters had never learnt French as they seem unaware to what Duncan or the Sachem/Magua are saying, relying as much as Nathaniel for translations. This made sense to me as Colonel Munro is a Scot, his daughters appear to have spent a lot of time in London (and not much time elsewhere other than Cora's journeys on her father's campaigns from what is said.) So, in my imaginings, French would not have been top priority for the ladies to learn, given the constant wars between England and France. The langauge had fallen out of favour with nobles because of this in England. But that's just my theory.
So, yes Alice and Magua! (Sorry to ramble off.) My opinion on this scene, Alice never hears she is to be taken as his wife, so she couldn't base her choice on the cliffs off that information. Of course Alice is not stupid either, she will know well that ANY fate with Magua (death or otherwise) would be an unhappy one. I think Alice makes her choice on the cliffs off true 'in the moment' emotion for many complex reasons. One of those being Uncas.
I also believe Magua would not want to take Alice as a wife. I think he wants her death, it's what he has been seeking all along, the complete death of the Munro family. I don't think he'd obey the Sachem's orders, he says he spits on the decision too and will go elsewhere. So I just don't think he'd want to keep her as a wife or slave. He fully intends to kill her, or at least, this is my view of what's happening
I may be completely wrong about the sisters knowing French, but that was my take away. Once again I want to make clear that these are only my thoughts, my opinions, they aren't fact and however you see these points is completely valid. I wanted to take a moment to explain my own views and also explain why, in Spark, I made it clear the Munro sisters had not learnt French and I had Duncan translate into English what Alice's fate would be in this chapter, so she is fully aware of the Sachem's choice. I wanted to make these points clear in this story, and not as ambiguous as they could be seen in the movie. I hope that makes sense :)
I also switched between using the terms English/French and Yangeese/Français as interchangeable, liking the flow in different parts of dialogue, and weaved the original dialogue between movie and script.
I do hope you found some enjoyment with me today.
Next week, it looks like we'll have no choice but to go up onto the cliffs...
