A/N: Hi all!

I know… I know… I'm sorry! It has been way too long and I realize this chapter is short. I just had to get something out for you my good readers. This is what people usually call a transition chapter.

I want to say a special thank you to a reviewer who goes by, "Guest." I appreciate your reviews and how they've given me motivation and encouragement. This past year has been a rough one for me since I last updated. Also, a note on my story, "Before Dawn," it will be updated and I am working on the final chapter. The chapter thus far is about 5 pages and has a while to go yet. I make no promises as to an upload date. Just know it is getting worked on! For those of you that don't know what I'm referring to just feel free to look at my profile for other Pocahontas fics! (Or Lion King Wicked and other fandoms I can't think of at the moment.)

Now that shameless plug is done, Enjoy! You deserve better than this chapter so I hope and pray I can make it up to you in chapter 5.

I hope you enjoy and if any of you ever have suggestions or ideas please do not hesitate in sending me a pm or leaving them in a review. Thank you too all my lovely readers!

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Chapter 4:

-..-..-..-

'I will tend to her.'

Those had been Eva's words from what seemed to be a lifetime ago to the young woman who now lay on a fresh clean cot. Snuggling into the thick blankets, Pocahontas allowed a contented sigh to leave her lips. The chills had stopped and the nauseating feeling had greatly diminished. She knew the warm broth was responsible for her improved physical health. The soothing hot bath went a long way as well. She still felt very weak, but the fog in her head had cleared.

"You may leave now John smith," Eva directed as she slid the dressing screen in place, "I must see to her. Did you fetch the water and bathing supplies as I asked? Good, very good…"

Pocahontas could not remember Eva asking him to do such a thing.

'Did I truly fall asleep after my last bout of sickness?'

The princess knew she must have as there was no explanation for the lapses in time. There were bits and pieces she could not recall and yet she was certain she had not been asleep the whole procedure.

Memories danced in her mind like couples on a dance floor. Each memory pairing off with another equally vivid thought. Though her body was relaxed, Pocahontas's mind was alert and reeling.

Eva's conversation doing nothing to slow the tumult of emotions. The clamor seemed to magnify as she heard movement in the next room.

-..-..-..

"This is all so very kind of you," Pocahontas thanked Eva as the older woman helped her disrobe and sit in the tub, "I very much appreciate…-"

"Think nothing of it," Eva dismissed her praise with a flick of the wrist, "Think nothing of it. Lean your head back."

Pocahontas did as she was told whilst Eva's long fingers went through her disheveled hair. After a few silent moments, Eva spoke.

"You will feel better soon," Pocahontas winced as Eva worked a knot in her hair, "The broth will help settle you."

"It already has," Pocahontas said, "Is there something in the broth?"

Eva smiled, "It is very simple."

Pocahontas waited for her to go on speaking, yet when silence fell once more she closed her eyes. The massaging touch on her head coupled with the hot water greatly relaxed the young woman. She knew it was the first time in London she'd felt this way.

Until the older woman spoke, "John Smith went through a great deal. He endured a time of horrendous trial."

"I am sure of it," Pocahontas stated as Eva tutted disapprovingly. Due to her position in the water, she could not see the other woman's face.

"You are not sure," Eva began whilst rinsing Pocahontas's hair, "For you do not know. Tell me, is your father well?"

Perplexed by Eva's tone the native slowly answered, "Yes, yes my father is very well. He was sad to hear of his death. I am certain he will be thrilled to learn the truth."

"Hmmm… At the risk of paraphrasing Pontius Pilate what is truth?"

"Who? What?"

"What will you tell your father once you return to Virginia?"

Still pondering Eva's last statement it took a moment for Pocahontas to answer. Yet when she did, she noted how her voice wavered.

"I, I will tell him that John Smith did not die. I know my father would wonder as to why we were told of his death… John never wrote revealing to us that he was alive."

"I see," Eva said as she helped Pocahontas to sit up in the tub, "Here is some soap. Ah, I need another cloth I will only be a moment. Also, was it that John Smith did not write to you or was it could he not write to you?"

"What? What do you mean?"

Her reply was the sliding of the dressing screen, Eva's footsteps heading towards the other room.

Whilst Pocahontas reeled from the unexpected notion.

As the older woman returned with the cloth, the native prompted Eva to explain her statement. Her questions went unanswered as she shook her head and proceeded to talk of her children.

"My Alaric is in the army defending our homeland," Eva spoke as she dried Pocahontas's hair, "My girl Ilsa is a nun. She prays for her brother, all in our homeland and abroad. I shan't get any grandchildren any time soon…"

Pocahontas nodded yet felt her eyes become heavy. It was then Eva started humming, a soothing sound as she wrapped Pocahontas in a soft robe. Half stumbling she'd been lead towards the blazing fire in order to chase away any dampness that remained.

As it were, Pocahontas had been roused enough to be put to bed where she now lay awake. No matter how hard she tried, sleep would not come.

'He did not forget you.'

A voice said in her mind as fragments of a memory surfaced.

She had murmured. "I feel so safe with you…"

His warm hand in her own.

She hated the sad weak tone in her voice as she thought back.

"I am just… Just… Diplomat…"

"No," his voice was strained, "No… God, no… Pocahontas…"

Pocahontas shivered as she registered his tone. Had she truly been so weak?

Was he so broken by her choices?

Was she as well?

'What did I say?'

Pocahontas thought as she shifted in the cot, wondering if she had truly spoken those words.

"Stop… Go to sleep."

After he had spoken, she remembered his blue eyes were somber as he had gazed down at her. A sigh left her lips as she brought her hand up in order to touch her cheek.

Where she swore she'd felt his breath caress her skin prior to his lips touching hers.

Pocahontas gasped as if coming up for air as she quickly sat up, and then clutched her head as a pain shot through it.

'Did that truly happen?'

'No… Must be a hallucination.'

Her mind was at war. It seemed her heart was trying to join the fray as it leapt in her chest like a young deer at the prospect.

"Are you alright?"

Pocahontas answered immediately, "What?"

"You are holding your head," Eva said as she neared the cot.

"I, I am fine… I just realized… I mean… I just thought of something."

"I see."

Not bothering to ask what the mug contained, Pocahontas took it from the German woman's proffered hand and swallowed. Fortunately, the cool liquid was sweet and held another flavor the native could not place.

"What was that?"

"Something for your headache," Eva replied as Pocahontas handed her the mug, "Sometimes people can get head pains after that medicine."

The princess looked down as she played with the blankets at her waist. A light rain began to fall outside as Pocahontas noted the drops hitting the roof.

"It will last all night," the older woman said as a gust of wind blew the rain against the windows, "My husband predicts it will rain tomorrow as well."

"Eva," Pocahontas carefully began, "That medicine that Ansgar provided me… Does it give you memories?"

"No," she replied, "I mean it does not cause people to make things up in their minds."

"So… If I believe I've remembered something whilst in the grips of that tea then…"

"You most likely said something," Eva supplied after Pocahontas's voice trailed off.

Shoulders slumped, the princess allowed Eva to arrange the blankets around her form. The younger woman could not help but chuckle as she flipped her pillow over before Pocahontas leaned back.

"Sleep well Milady," Eva straightened as she made certain the curtains covered the window nearest to Pocahontas's head, "All will be revealed in time."

Long after Eva left the small room, her words followed into the native's dreams.

-End of Chapter 4-….-