A/N
Another song rec for this chapter. "A Sorta Fairytale" by Tori Amos.
Fair warning for a little bit of injury detail ahead.
/
Erin felt herself being pulled away by gentle hands, arms coming around her and pushing her into a broad chest. Uncas was breathing as hard as she, and she grasped at his shirt, trying to anchor herself back into reality. The scent of him enveloped her, familiar and comforting, and hauntingly real. She breathed in deeply, allowing everything to stop for a brief moment, he was alive and here and that was all that mattered. She closed her eyes tightly, relief, and grief at a fate that hadn't come to pass, swirling within her thoughts until, finally in his arms, she felt her mind begin to calm, her breathing slowing.
She heard Cora going to a silent, dazed Alice, garbled words of rejoicing and scolding all mingling into one sound.
Slowly, feeling she was grounded, Erin pulled away a little, eyes seeking Uncas' face, a flurry of questions waiting to pass her lips, but only one made it.
"Are you hurt?" The words caused tears to well in her eyes and she brushed them away with a frustrated palm. He didn't reply, instead his hand came to her chin and wiped with a careful thumb, she saw fresh glistening blood on his fingers and concern upon his face. Her tongue darted out, making the cut upon her bottom lip sting in renewed pain, salt and iron pricking at her taste buds. She pushed his hand away with a small dismissive shake of her head and then looked up at him with unwavering direct eye contact, telling him she was fine and more importantly her question needed an answer.
"Not much." His bare bones reply just made her want to cry more, because it was part of who he was, shrugging off the biggest things as if they were raindrops on a fine day.
She moved back, her eyes going to his stomach, he was still bleeding, the damp patch spreading, turning green material to black. "Will you let Cora see?"
He nodded, and Cora, having heard their discussion, came to them. Petticoats were ripped and a rough pile of bandages made. Uncas' wound was cleaned with what provisions they carried with them. Chingachgook had a small clay bottle of something that smelled strongly like white vinegar in one of his pouches, which he handed over willingly, giving Cora space to do her work. Erin mused good humouredly to herself how these men really were like an 18th century version of Batman, prepared for every eventuality.
She stepped away following Chingachgook's lead and allowing Cora to do her craft in peace without her hovering overhead, knowing it would only hinder the situation. She continued to watch, waiting for a full diagnosis with some residual anxiety. She glanced over at the elder warrior whose expression held no secrets, concern was plain upon his face.
Cora motioned for Uncas to lift his shirt and with a little effort he gingerly pulled at the fabric. For an unpleasant moment the blood clung like sticky glue to his skin and Uncas' face betrayed a grimace of pain at the sensation. He quickly overcame the feeling with visibly gritted teeth and did as he was bidden, exposing the wound to the daylight. Even though Erin had moved away she still had a clear view of it and she felt her gorge rise, seeing a hole that did not belong. It was an uneven, jagged, wide slit, buried in the fleshy part of his waist, a good few inches above his hip bone. It ran quite profusely, the blood a bright disconcerting red, oozing in a halting rhythmic pulse, as if it were breathing. Erin glanced away, knowing now really wasn't the time to let her squeamish notions take over.
Cora frowned as she dabbed at it with a clean rag, trying to make heads or tails out of its position and depth, her hand coming to her chin in deep and anxious thought, and finally proclaimed, that while she didn't believe it had punctured anything vital, it would need stitches as soon as they found anywhere that had the suitable instruments.
Erin felt all her nerves loosen and for a moment she wanted to allow her body to drop to the ground, a vast and powerful need to sit coming over her, legs feeling like jello. Instead she reached out to the rock face, steadying herself, if Uncas could remain standing after being stabbed, she could try and keep her footing.
As Cora worked, Chingachgook had built a small fire with his flint, bringing a flame to a few shrubs of brush he had gathered. Erin watched, fascinated, as he brought out a piece of well burnt and hardened tree bark. He placed something from one of his pouches into it and held the bark over the crackling flames. When he seemed satisfied, he brought it over to Cora and offered it to her without any vocal explanation, but motioned towards the wound, eyes seeking if she understood. Cora nodded her thanks, dark eyes wide with curiosity. She took a delicate sniff, her look suddenly flooding with realization. Then she reached in with careful fingers, poked it once to test the temperature and dipped in fully, bringing out something slightly yellow, sticky and thick. She quickly applied it to Uncas' wound, carefully packing it into the puncture site and pushing it closed as best as it could be, while Uncas tried his utmost to not flinch at the sensation, sweat beading upon his brow in tiny droplets, his jaw taught with effort.
Chingachgook returned to a respectful distance, although his eyes were ever watchful, he seemed happy to allow Cora to tend to his son's needs for the moment.
Cora placed the bark upon a nearby rock and the breeze brought the sharp tang of pine needles and turpentine to Erin's nose. Cora then returned to the wound, putting pressure upon it for several long minutes until it seemed to be somewhat glued shut and had stopped bleeding. By this point Uncas had turned a rather sickly green pallor and Erin worried for a moment that he was going to vomit. He took a few slow gulps of air, closed his eyes, then breathed out a slow steady breath between slightly parted lips, and colour began to flow back into his cheeks.
The foraged material from petticoats was then wound around Uncas' middle and secured with a few carefully placed knots. Cora stated that she felt sure it would hold until they found their next destination and she could see to it more thoroughly. She then tended to his forearm in much the same way, cleaning it with a little of the strong smelling liquid, then carefully wrapping it.
When she was finished, she took a step back admiring her work, her hand coming to her chin in that same anxious movement as she considered her treatment. Uncas gave a small nod and smile of thanks which was returned, then placed a palm over the covered laceration at his side, wincing just a little as he moved his body, adjusting his stance in tune with the pain. Erin yielded to her impatience and returned to his side, eager to see how he was.
"Looks like you'll need those stitches after all." She touched her own dirty bandaged arm, reminding him of how she had taken the brunt of the injury supposedly meant for him outside Fort William Henry. Her strained attempt at humour drew a faint smile from him, before his attention went to the others in their party, lingering over the form of Alice, his eyes holding a compassionate gleam.
"Is she..." he started, but seemed to have no idea how to continue.
Erin joined him in watching; the young woman seemed rather distracted from the people around her, gazing out across the view and beyond, to the far horizon, lost in her own deep thoughts.
"I hope so," Erin whispered, guessing his question was in regards to Miss Munro's wellbeing.
"She is very brave," Uncas said, with a wealth of warm undertones. "Without her..." He again seemed lost for words.
"All would have been lost." Erin finished what she knew they had both been thinking.
"Hmm." He made his usual short sound of agreement. "What she did holds much honour." He then said something in his own tongue that Erin's mind couldn't fully understand, the closest she could settle on as an interpretation was that he'd said Alice's spirit shined. Erin could certainly find agreement in that.
"Yes, she was a knight in shining armour for us all." Erin's mind drifted back to those uncanny brief seconds upon the cliff edge, and how Alice had not looked like any kind of heroic knight, but a vengeful goddess smiting down an unworthy foe. She shivered, both repelled and enthralled by the memory, it had been equally beautiful and horrific.
"My son, is all well?" Chingachgook said, coming forward, speaking in Mohican, a hand reaching for Uncas' forearm, to check the shallow cut Cora had cleaned and dressed, with a critical eye. Not waiting for an answer, he then was reaching, pointing at his son's side, ready to dispense his own parental advice.
"All is well father," Uncas said with a sincere look, gripping Chingachgook's shoulder and stilling his reaching hand.
Erin stepped away and found a rock to perch upon, giving them a moment and finally allowing herself some form of rest, wiping tentatively at the blood upon her face before rubbing her hands upon her skirts with no real care.
"Uncas..." Nathaniel's voice was full of emotion and he pulled his brother into a gentle, careful embrace, but patted his back a little too hard, as if elated and angry with his foolish sibling's antics.
"It worked, didn't it, brother?" Uncas said, pulling back with a self-satisfied look.
Nathaniel's head swayed, threatening to disagree. "If it hadn't-"
"But it did." Uncas patted Nathaniel's shoulder playfully and he relented under the reality of what was, and not the calamity of what could have been.
"You still got hurt. This is not good," Chingachgook said rather soberly.
"Rather a small scratch than both women dead. As we agreed, if Magua had seen us coming, he would have killed them. We had to surprise them, make them think there was only one enemy, then come at them from both sides." He pushed both his palms together in demonstration of his meaning, a pincer move. His gaze slid to Erin's and she understood, he was explaining all this for her benefit as much as reassuring his family. She smiled faintly and nodded that she understood. She supposed there would be plenty of time to scold him for his reckless bravery later, even if it wasn't wholly warranted. His plan had after all worked, with some much needed intervention from Alice.
"Ah!" Chingachgook shooed his son away with a hand gesture reserved for a father's disapproval of his children's troublesome antics. "Easy for you to play the hero, while the rest of us worry. You barely waited a second before rushing after them."
"Yes, but I did wait."
Chingachgook gave another huff of disagreement. "Barely a second," he grumbled.
"It was enough. No time for more," Uncas argued, and Chingachgook made the same dismissive hand gesture, mumbling to himself in words Erin could barely hear. Something about the foolhardiness of youth...
Uncas gave Nathaniel a knowing look and they both shook their heads slightly as if sharing an amusing memory.
"Lucky it wasn't in your gut," Nathaniel said, with another hard pat.
"Yes, lucky," Uncas said, a subdued grin given in agreement.
Erin turned her attention away, knowing these words between brothers were not really meant for her ears. She could still hear them talking, bantering and taking a moment in the relief that had washed over them all like a fresh cool breeze.
Erin's eyes glanced over the quiet little scene. This high promontory had so recently been crowded with people, now only a scattered few remained, but that scattered few were all alive. Duncan and Alice sat together on a tumble of large rocks, both appearing to be spent from the events of the day. He kept looking at the young pale woman with an expression of astonished awe upon his face, saying the same two words in amazement.
"Dear Alice."
Nathaniel's eyes kept going to Cora's form as she made her examinations of everyone. Alice's hands were cleaned with tender attention, with a little drinking water and her sister's skirts. Duncan's leg was re-wrapped and his head injury tended to with the roughly made bandages.
Cora came to Erin last, a smile offered as hands gently checked her face. A scrap of cloth was dampened and Cora dabbed softly at the split lip Magua had given Erin in punishment, wiping away the remaining drying blood that clung to her chin. "You'll have quite a bruise," Cora said tenderly.
"It's worth it." Erin tried to smile but the cut made her wince instead. "To have everyone safe."
"Well, at least you'll heal. No stitches." They laughed a little and Cora began her usual bedside manner habit of making pleasant small talk as she continued her observations; making sure the bleeding had indeed stopped with gentle but firm pressure with the piece of scavenged petticoat. She then took up the task of cleaning Erin's foot, checking for any embedded stones, and then wrapping it tightly in a good deal of cloth. Erin knew this would have to serve her as a shoe until they reached their next destination.
Erin only half listened, replying when required to the amiable chatter, her attention distracted by movement. She watched with inquisitive eyes as Uncas left Nathaniel in deep conversation with their father, and slowly made his way towards the precipice, his cautious movements showing clearly he did feel discomfort from his wound, his palm still covering the bandaged area.
His moccasins scuffed the very edge, knocking a few stones and rubble over the drop with an echoing skittering sound. Erin couldn't see his face but she knew that he was in meditative thought from his posture, the way he held his body in a slightly rigid manner, his head leaning to one side. It was a demeanour she had grown all too accustomed to over the last few days. She could guess he was looking down towards where Magua now lay, far below, bloody and broken, instead of himself or Alice Munro.
A death had been paid regardless.
The wind whipped his long hair into a steady stream of rippling strands, sunlight reflecting off a raven's wing. He bent slightly down at an angle so that Erin caught only a brief glimpse of his face. His body slowly responded to his commands, his fingers reaching, and he scooped up the knife Alice had used to slay Magua. It looked so very small in his large palm compared to how it had looked just a short time ago in Alice's slender grip. No longer a mighty sword, but a little dagger.
He turned his back to the group again, hair billowing, posture thoughtful. He raised his arm, elbow bent as if he was looking closely at the glinting silver thing that had nearly ended many lives today, but had only been the bearer of one doom.
In one sudden movement Uncas threw his hand back and flung the weapon off the edge, it twirled a loop and then plummeted in an empathic echo of Magua's departure, falling down to finally rest somewhere close by its master.
When Uncas turned back, for a fleeting second Erin thought she saw a taught strain of his jaw and sharp frustration rush across his smooth features, rippling through his normally warm dark eyes, but it was gone so quickly she doubted herself.
Erin could only guess what was going through his mind in that moment, a fate overcome, a destiny bypassed, a villain vanquished, and perhaps the bitterness that his own plan had been thwarted, without Alice Munro, there would be more bodies lying far below. Erin knew, no matter the complex emotions he was experiencing, there was one silver lining, his path finally and truly was his own.
Their eyes connected and his mouth quirked, not quite a smile, but close enough, a reassuring gesture. Erin smiled in return, warmth so easily returning as his attention came back to her like a shaft of balmy sunlight. He made his way with a slow careful gait to stand beside her, a hand placed casually to rest upon her shoulder in comfort as Cora finally finished her attentions.
When she was done, Cora wiped as much blood and dirt from her hands as she could upon her skirts and with a low sigh of exhaustion, she finally spoke, echoing many thoughts. "Where do we go now?" She turned to Nathaniel, giving him her full focus.
Nathaniel's whole body seemed to prick up with her direct attention. "To Fort Edward, I figure it's where your father would have headed, if he got out of there. Since Magua didn't know his fate, it's a good guess he made it out." Nathaniel reached out, eager to bring Cora into his arms. She gladly went, resting her head against his shoulder, his hand comfortably resting at the curve of her waist.
Chingachgook nodded. "We will take you."
"You have already done so much for us," Cora said, her hand reaching out towards the older man in affection, but she seemed to suddenly feel unsure in how to proceed. "Thank you."
Chingachgook touched his brow in acknowledgment and then laid his palm gently upon Cora's arm, a gentle squeeze given, telling her in silence all was well.
"Will you then return to England?" Nathaniel's voice quavered.
"I will not," Cora said, pushing herself from his chest just a little, so he could see her disobedience clearly.
"Your father may not agree."
"My father can feel free to not agree. My choices are my own."
Erin felt a sudden swell of pride for her friend and just how far she had come from the unsure woman she had met at the Cameron's cabin. Cora had found her own bravery and her own will and now none would divert her path. Cora Munro was her own woman.
"Will you stay with me?" Nathaniel seemed to wish they were alone, but the question could not wait.
"I will."
A grin spread across his face and he suddenly embraced her, lifting her fully off the ground, causing Cora to let out a surprised musical laugh.
"Where will we go?" Cora asked breathlessly, trying to bring him back into the reality of the moment.
Nathaniel relented and put Cora down, a smile still upon his lips. "Winter with the Delaware, my father's cousins. And in the Spring, cross the Ohio and look for land to settle with my father and brother in a new place called Can-tuck-ee."
A whole world of fresh possibilities was laid out before them, exciting and thrilling.
"I will stay with Papa." It was Alice, she hadn't said anything since Magua's demise and her words drew the lovers apart, Cora unsure and a little saddened by what had been said. "He will not know what to do without you Cora, you have always been the dependable one. He will need me and..." She hesitated. "I shall need him if I am to stay in this land, for I shall not leave you either. England has no place for me if you are not there, I know Papa will feel the same."
Cora came to her sister and touched her cheek softly. So many hard decisions presented and choices made.
"Then I will treasure every moment we spend together, until we must part for a short time." Cora squeezed her younger sister's shoulder, a bittersweet smile passing between them. "Until we meet again."
"I will miss you," Alice said, rising from her seat and wrapping her arms around Cora and hugging her close. Cora patted her back with a slow gentle rhythm, an act of consoling she had done so often, that spoke of years of a shared life, a hearth, a home, tears soothed, comfort and smiles given freely; a family's warmth.
Duncan looked on, eyes just a little watery. He wiped at his face for a moment before seeming to find his own voice. "Then, it would be my honour to accompany you both back to your father. Every step," Duncan said, smiling, pride clearly shining from him at the two women he had known since childhood.
Cora reached out, hands met and clasped, an act of tender support given to his kind words, eyes connecting, an understanding met. Duncan nodded and then let go of her hand, his eyes full of deep admiration.
Cora guided Alice back into an embrace, holding her close and indulging her own emotions for another brief moment before she pulled back, turning her attention to the group, her eyes seeking the one person who had not been included in any plans, and had yet to speak.
"Erin? Will you come with us?"
Erin felt Uncas' grasp on her shoulder tighten, just a little, and stilled, avoiding Cora's direct gaze as she gathered her thoughts.
She wasn't really sure if Cora was asking if she would go with her and Nathaniel or stay with Alice and Colonel Munro, but with a slow shake of her head Erin made her decision.
She could have let her own thoughts be swayed in this moment by high romantic notions, it would have been so very easy. The relief, the joy that everyone had survived, willed and compelled her into rash decision making that she feared would lead only to regret.
If she'd been here longer, had grown to love this time and place, perhaps her choices would have been different. Perhaps she'd be willing to move half way across the country with them upon their nomadic travels to find a home, each step further from the triple falls, further from Erin's home. But reality was a bitter pill she had to swallow. Not only had she known them... him... only a week, but if she stayed and gave into her own desires, she may be confining Uncas to a life filled with danger, herself too. Erin couldn't overcome that fear, not now, not in this moment. It was an uncertain fate she recoiled from offering anyone, let alone someone she now considered her friend at the very least... And at the most?
She shook herself inwardly.
Erin wanted her old life back, an existence that didn't have life or death choices. She felt homesick and there was nothing more she wanted than to see her family again, she couldn't deny it.
Right now that strange feeling still pulled at her insides, at her very bones, it told her she could still go home. That feeling may not be there in another month, even a week. It felt like a stark choice with no time for nuance, and so, with a panicked fluttering of her heart, she chose.
"I need to go home," she said, meeting Cora's eyes briefly and reaching up, her palm finding the back of Uncas' hand, afraid he would pull away and hoping he would still understand after the fray of emotions they had all been through.
"How will you-" Cora began.
"Nathaniel said he'd guide me back, once we reach Fort Edward." Erin rambled out the words in a hurry. "If his offer still stands, I will return the way I came." Her eyes sought Nathaniel, but she found for some reason, she couldn't hold his gaze for more than a few seconds. She felt an uneasy welling of disquiet, afraid she had disappointed all around her, but especially the man whose warm hand still lay so gently upon her shoulder.
Nathaniel gave a firm nod, drawing her attention back to him. He was pleased. "I will keep my promise, just as you kept yours."
"What promise?" Cora looked from one to the other, not understanding, but no one seemed inclined to offer an answer.
"I will journey with you, to see you back safely." Uncas' deep soothing voice startled Erin, she had expected him to remain silent, afraid she would have to at least bear his disapproval.
She turned to look at him, all tension lost, gratitude in her eyes as nothing but deep understanding looked back. Her fears had been unfounded. "That would make me very happy."
He touched her cheek with a tender caress of his thumb, then seemed to regain himself, knowing they were not alone.
/
A/N
A Friday missed. Sorry to those that were waiting. I promised not to acknowledge any further negative fandom stuff here, but I'm not addressing those people, but you dear reader, who are here to have a fun time and asking for your understanding when I need to take some time.
I needed to take a break away from this story so I didn't get swept up in that negativity. I'm relieved that I can realise when I do need to step away and remind myself this should be fun for me. But, no fanfic writer enjoys getting a meanspirited review or two, so, you may have to give me a little time to breathe now and again as I delete, process and move on :)))
I am going to finish uploading this story no matter what comes, it's a battle I intend to get through and complete, so any readers willing to stay, you have my gratitude.
I was so happy to find the last chapter was a good one for some readers. Thank you MohawkWoman and Flowangelic for being a true light and reminding me how all stories matter. It did my heart a lot of good to hear your thoughts. Thank you so much :)
Now we are going into unknown territory, I hope you'll stay with me until this story is finished, there's a little way to go yet... a few more twists and turns and a few more fairy paths to lead you down ;)
Originally I didn't know if to name this story Spark or A Sorta Fairytale (obviously the song was a big inspo as I'm recommending it at the start of the chapter.) I picked the title Spark because I think it's the tiny sparks of change that allowed this story to become what it has. Erin and other characters starting little fires that change the course of the plot and finding their own sparks inside themselves. So it seems fitting.
The way Cora treated Uncas' wound, I'm no doctor at all, the idea came from a tale from a reenactor in an old article who talked about how people may have treated wounds in the wilderness and this rather fascinating theory that pine sap (resin) was used as an early form of superglue. I loved the idea, glanced at some research myself to see if it was a thing around the correct period, and into Spark it went. I don't know if this was used by any people in this exact area at this exact time, although I believe the raw materials would have been available and used as an antiseptic at least. While I do love to research historical little titbits, not everything in this story will be 100% accurate, I'm no historian either, so I encourage you to do your own research too, if you want the cold hard facts ;)
Well, dear reader, would you want to go home or would you give up your modern life for someone you have known only a week? Would you take the chance of seeing if there could be more, and potentially doom going home forever? Would you take the risk? We'll have to wait to see what Erin's choices will ultimately be, although she has been very unwavering in her choice so far. Maybe Uncas can change her mind? Yes, yes I'm teasing you. You'll have to wait and see.
All the best for the New Year. I hope you found this chapter fun, I'll be back next week.
