Tokum and Pocahontas silently made their way to Powhaton�s hut. Neither said much as the walked. Pocahontas glanced over at her childhood friend. She remembered the many times they had gotten lost or in trouble together, but somehow, always managed to get out of it too. One time especially stood out in her mind. Tokum had been 13 and Pocahontas had been 10. Somehow, they had gotten the idea to steal one of the warriors canoes and paddle down the river to the ocean. So, they did just that. the trouble had been that the warrior whose canoe they had taken was called by Powhaton for a last minute peace talk and when he couldn�t find his canoe, he thought the �enemy� had stolen it. Well, needless to say they got quite a talking to for that one.
Pocahontas smiled at the memory. Yes, she did love Tokum. As a brother and nothing more. They would always be friends and after that incident, she had dreamed of marrying him someday. But that was 15 years ago. They were not the 10 and 13 year old children anymore. Now they were a 28 year old man and a 25 year old woman. Mature adults who would always cherish the childhood memories, but were not the same people as then. Tokums voice interrupted her thoughts. �Tell me Pocahontas, what have you been doing in the 3 years I was gone?� he said, looking over at her. Pocahontas froze. She could never tell him about her life in the past few years. It would ruin everything for their future. She would never be able to tell him that the man who filled her dreams at night and occupied her mind often in the day was not him. He could never find out that her dreams of marriage and family were not of him, but another.
She sighed and turned to face him. �Well... um...really nothing much.� she finally said. �I�ve just been living my life as always.� Tokum sighed heavily and turned away from her. �No you haven�t.� Pocahontas stared at him in shock. �Excuse me?� Tokum slowly turned back to face her. �Pocahontas, your father told me what happened with one of the settlers when they first arrived.� She gulped hard and met his gaze. �Everything?� she asked. Tokum nodded. �Yes, he told me everything. But from his point of view. I�m interested in hearing yours. So, what happened between the two of you.?� Pocahontas sighed and turned away.
The rest of the way to the hut where her father lived, she explained everything to Tokum. The meeting, the first kiss in the glade, saving his life in front of everyone, and the return to his country after he saved her father. The one thing she never utte red a word to him about was the vow she had made to him the day he left. Tokum listened silently, never showing any emotion. When she had finished, Tokum had a few questions of his own. �It sounds like you formed quite a bond together.� he finally said. �Were you in love with him?� Pocahontas only nodded. �Yes. I fell for him from the start,� she said with a tiny smile. Then, remembering where she was, she snapped back to attention. �But that was then.� she added casually. �I�m finally moving on with my life.� Tokum just gave her a smile and continued walking. Pocahontas smiled back and followed, however she was kicking herself inside for ever saying those words. She could never ignore her true feelings, but if she was going through with this marriage, she would have to try. �And that is exactly what I intend to do� she muttered to herself.
* * * * * * * *
The Jamestown harbor was finally coming into view and John was e static. How long he had waited to see the familiar sights of the place he loved and helped to found. He also acknowledged how it had grown from a small fort to a bustling community with people from his own country. He looked forward to seeing his old friends, especially Thomas. The two had become close friends on the first voyage and the friendship continued to grow as the events occurred. The thing he looked forward to the most, however, was the women he intended to spend the rest of his life with. The plan was set. he would greet his friends quickly, then go to her village and find her. After they became reacquainted, he would pop the infamous question and they would live happily ever after. John inserted his hand into his pant�s pocket to make sure it was still there. When he touched something square and hard, he knew it was still intact.
John closed his eyes and savored the fresh smell of the ocean breeze. He imagined the su rprise on his love�s face when he arrived and the happiness she would show when she proposed. He imagined holding her once again and anticipated their first kiss in two years, this time, having no one to answer to but themselves. It was all so bittersweet in his mind. John reopened his eyes to find Eric standing beside him. �Hey.� Eric said. �I�ll bet I know what�s on your mind right now.�, elbowing his friend in the side. �Knock it off� John said, good naturedly. �Just because you�ve never been in love doesn�t give you the right to torment me unmercifully.� �Sure it does.� Eric replied with a smile. �In fact in makes it that much more fun.� �Whatever you say.� John said rolling his eyes. �But if you�ll excuse me, I have a very important event to get ready for. I�ll see you when the ship docks.�
With that said, John turned and walked back to his cabin, quickly glancing back to smile at his friend. Eric watched him go, shaking his head to himself. �He�s got it bad.� he muttered. �I just hope she kept the promise.�