Pocahontas stared at her friend in disbelief. She looked over to Nakoma and her father for support. Nakoma was looking as shocked as she was and her father was smiling, awaiting her answer. She turned back to Tokum�s awaiting face. �Are you serious?� she asked. �Completely.� Tokum answered �As I see it we have been friends since our childhood and I see no reason why we could not make a suitable pair. So, what do you say?� Pocahontas shook her head. �I really have no idea. I need time to think and as soon as I can, I will have your answer.� �If that is what you need to do, I will wait.� Tokum said. �Take all the time you need. I will be around for a while now. My company is here as a resting place before the next trading season. I will see you later.� Tokum replied as he left the hut. � My daughter, I am surprised.� Powhaton said �I thought you would gladly accept his proposal. What is the matter?� Pocahontas looked at her father with sad eyes and he knew immediately what was the matter. �It�s John Smith isn�t it.� he said a matter of factly. Pocahontas just stood there, her head down. Finally she lifted her head so her father could see her face and the tears that gently coursed down them. �Oh, my dear,� her father said, wrapping a comforting arm around her. �I know you felt strongly for him and I have no doubt he returned those feelings. He was a good man and I know you miss him, but, there comes a time to move on. Do you even know if he�s alive?� When she shook her head no, Powhaton continued. �It was a great loss that you suffered and I know that in time, you will heal just like I healed when I lost your mother.� Pocahontas looked up to see her father�s eyes getting misty. She missed her mother as well, especially in these hard times when she needed motherl y advice. As much as she loved her father, that was something that he had never been able to give her. She gently pulled away from her father�s embrace. �If you don�t mind, Father, I would really like to talk with Nakoma for a while.� Powhaton chuckled. �Go ahead dear. Just remember what I said.� Pocahontas smiled and kissed her father�s wrinkled cheek before she ran outside to find Nakoma.
* * * * * * * *
The brilliant colors of the eastern sunset shone through the window in John Smith�s bunk. John looked out the window at them, admiring their beauty. Only one thing in his mind was more beautiful than they. He smiled to himself as once again his thought traced back to her. He looked down to the small object that he held in his hand. A ring. The diamond solitaire gleamed in the light, every so often catching the sun�s rays. In only a few short hours now, the ring would be on the finger of the woman he loved. The wom an he would grow old with and share many memories, old and new. His future wife. John�s thoughts were interrupted by a solid knock on his door. �Come on in� he called. The door opened and his friend Eric, walked over and sat down next to him on his bunk. �Hey buddy! What�s up?� Eric asked. �Nothing.� John replied �Just thinking� �What about?� Eric asked again. �Just things that you probably would hold no interest for.� John said. �Try me.� Eric said, looking John right in the eyes. �Come on. What�s bothering you. I tried to find you earlier and one of the sailors said that you were on the bow, but when I went up there, you were gone, so I figured you were probably back here moping around like you have been for the past two days. So what�s up, John. Tell me.� John sighed, �Okay.� he finally said. �It�s just that I can�t get to Jamestown fast enough.� �And why is that?� Eric asked. �You�ve been at home on the sea ever since we were kids and got into trouble for taking my father�s fi shing boat out in the ocean. Why the sudden change? Don�t tell me you�re starting to go chicken on me now.� John didn�t say anything. He looked up at Eric and opened his hand to reveal the ring. Eric looked at his friend with wide eyes. �You don�t mean....� �I sure do� John said. �I�ve fallen in love.� �Not John Smith. Man, when we were in high school, you had a different girlfriend every month. You were never serious about anyone except Beth and that was a long time ago.� �I�m not that old Eric.� John said. �I�m only 27.� �Yeah but still....� Eric paused. �Alright loverboy. Who is she?� John bent his head and chuckled softly. �Her name is Pocahontas.� During the rest of the night, John explained to his friend his entire experience with her and how he had left her two long years ago. When he finished, Eric just stared at him. �Well, John, I wish you the best, but I mean, two years is a long time. What if she�s already taken?� �Eric, she promised me and she does not break her promi ses.� John said. �I hope not, for your sake, my friend.� Eric said. �I sure hope not.�
* * * * * * * *
Pocahontas found nakoma waiting for her by the canoes. When Nakoma saw her coming, she walked over to meet her. �Well?� Nakoma asked �Well what?� replied Pocahontas.
�Did you talk to you�re father?�
�Yes�
�And?�
�He gave me some good advice.� Pocahontas told her. �So what are you going to do?� Nakoma asked. �I have absolutely no idea. That�s what I came to talk with you about.� Pocahontas said. �So what do you think I should do? I mean, you know I still love John.� �I know.� Nakoma said, �But, it has been two years and you don�t want to be single forever do you?� Pocahontas shook her head. �So you think I should do it don�t you.� Nakoma nodded. �I think you could live with him. He seems nice enough.� �You�re right. � Pocahontas said. �Okay, I�ll do it. I will marry Tokum. Come, Nakoma let �s go find him before I change my mind. �That wont be necessary.� Tokum stepped out from the forest. � I heard every word you just said and I want you to know that I am honored that you have accepted my proposal. Come, my dear let us tell you�re father.� �Alright I�m right behind you.� Pocahontas answered. Glancing quickly back at her friend, she followed her fianc�e to her father�s hut, all the way, hopeing she wasn�t going to regret her decision